TO THE READER.

The reason motivating this writing.

Four things to be achieved by this type of writing.

...hardly need praise; yet, lest like ungrateful mules we kick the mother who nourished us with the milk of wisdom, or allow her to be attacked by others, we return this favor in place of a teacher's fee: that, as far as we are able, we may free and defend their spirits from the barking of dogs, the tongues of vipers, and the hands of the most wicked men. We hope to achieve this by this style of writing, by which, unless I am mistaken, we shall paint four walls with one brush: original: "una fidelia parietes tingemus" — a variation of a Latin proverb meaning to accomplish multiple tasks with a single effort, similar to "killing two birds with one stone."

1.

First, we will introduce here the antiquity of true Chemistry Maier uses "Chemia" to refer to the high art of alchemy, which he views as a sacred and ancient science of nature., as well as its authority and its continuous lineage and propagation through so many centuries, nations, peoples, and languages. By this, the adversaries—if they are not entirely devoid of judgment—can easily be weakened and convinced, or at least softened, so that they might perhaps speak more mildly (and not so lethally) about the Chemical art and its authors.

2.

Second, we shall rescue the legitimate and true authors of Chemistry, both ancient and modern, along with their supporters, from the slanders of the malicious and the insults of the envious, restoring them to the glory and honor of their excellent reputations—which is a duty of the highest order.

3.

Third, we shall hurl back the leaden and overly blunt arrows of the adversaries against their own necks; that is, we shall show that their fallacies and illegitimate cleverness in reasoning should be brought back to their own doorsteps.

4.

Fourth, we shall take upon ourselves the defense of the affirmative side of Chemical truth, as much as is permitted and sufficient, so that we do not seem to be provoked by them in vain, by bringing forward a steel-like edge—or certainly one threatening a blow. From this, it will be apparent to those "retired veterans"—or rather, old tricksters and horse-doctors original: "veteratoribus & veterinarijs" — Maier is using a biting pun here, mocking his opponents by shifting from "veterans" to "sly old foxes" and "beast-doctors."—who sang of victory before the battle,

Chemistry is not yet defeated or ruined.

and who sounded the triumph before even seeing the enemy, that Chemistry—that pure and innocent maiden hiding in her most fortified Citadel—is not yet prostrate, ruined, or utterly removed from our midst so that she could never (as they boast) recover her strength. Instead, the madness of these old men will be a laughingstock; having fled from the Chemical war, even while in flight they boast that they have laid the enemy low—truly worthy of everyone's laughter. On the contrary, Chemistry, which...

That she is the Queen of the Arts.