The Hermetic Museum (Vol. 1)

PREFACE TO ORIGINAL EDITION.

error or forgery has been admitted, will be secured against the imposture of that wicked and mercenary band who delight in fraud. For in this book all errors are shewn up and dispelled.

For this reason I confidently offer this volume to the sons of knowledge sons of knowledge: A traditional alchemical term (often filii sapientiae) referring to dedicated students or those initiated into the secrets of the craft., in order that while they think upon and investigate the secret working of Nature, they may obtain from it nothing but the truth, and gain a clear insight into the very nature of things.

In this alone consists the perfection of the entire most Holy Art of Philosophy Art of Philosophy: Here, "philosophy" refers to Alchemy or Natural Philosophy—the study of the hidden laws of the physical world..

Only let them go forward along the Royal Road Royal Road: Known in Latin as the Via Regia, this refers to the direct, natural path to achieving the "Great Work" (the creation of the Philosopher's Stone), as opposed to the convoluted methods of "puffers" or frauds. which Nature prescribes in all her operations.

As to the rest, I heartily beg the friends of this Art to give a kindly reception to the present volume, and when, through the Will of God, by constant labour, they have put ashore in the desired haven of philosophy haven of philosophy: A metaphor for reaching the successful conclusion of an alchemical experiment or attaining the Philosopher's Stone., after the manner of philosophers to exclude all that are unworthy from the knowledge thereof, and, being mindful of charity towards their needy neighbour in the fear of God (without any vain ostentation), to sing eternal praises to the Good and Thrice Great God original: "Deo Ter Optimo Maximo." While a standard phrase for God, the "Thrice Great" phrasing also honors the Hermetic tradition linked to Hermes Trismegistus (the Thrice-Greatest). for this Wonderful and Divine Gift (without any abuse thereof) in a silent and devoutly joyful heart.