PREFACE TO THE READER.

Our ARTEPHIUS [benevolent Reader] is alone among all other Philosophers in not being enviousIn alchemical literature, "envious" (Latin: invidiosus) refers to the practice of masters being "jealous" of their secrets and hiding them behind metaphors to prevent the unworthy from succeeding., just as he himself says later in several places; this is the reason why he explains the entire art in this treatise in very clear words, interpreting as much as he can the ambiguities and sophismsDeceptive or fallacious arguments often used by alchemists to hide their true meaning. of others. However, so that the impious, ignorant, and wicked might not easily find the means to harm the good by learning this science, he has slightly veiled the core of the art through an ingenious method, acting as if he were repeating the same thing several times; for in these repetitions he always changes a few words, often seeming to say the opposite of what he said before. He wishes to leave the choice of the right path, as well as the wrong, to the judgment of the reader, so that if someone finds what they desire, they might give thanks to God; if, on the contrary, they find they are not succeeding, they should duly re-read these writings.

The learned Jean Pontanus A 16th-century author often cited in alchemical works for his claim to have discovered a secret "fire" through reading the works of Artephius. does the same [who says in his Epistle printed in the Chemical Theater original: "Theatre Chimique"; referring to the Theatrum Chemicum, a famous multi-volume compendium of alchemical texts.]: "They err," [he says, speaking of all those who labor in this work] "they have erred, and they will always err, because the Philosophers have never put the proper agentThe specific substance or "secret fire" that triggers the alchemical transformation. in their books, except for one alone who is called Artephius; but he speaks for himself, and if I had not read Artephius, and known of what he spoke, I would never have perfected the work." Therefore, read this book—indeed, re-read it—until you have understood him speaking, and you are able to obtain the desired end.

It would be superfluous to speak further of our author; it is enough that he lived for the span of a thousand years by the grace of God and the use [as he says] of this quintessenceThe "fifth essence," a purified substance that was believed to cure all diseases and extend life; essentially the liquid form of the Philosopher's Stone.. This same fact is testified by Roger Bacon in his book on the Admirable Works of Nature; and again by the very learned Theophrastus Paracelsus in his book on Long Life. Which span of a thousand years no other Philosopher—not even Father Hermes Hermes Trismegistus, the mythical founder of the Hermetic and alchemical traditions.—was ever able to reach. Look then, if [perhaps] this man has not understood the manner of using this stone better than the others. Nevertheless, however it may be, make use of it and of our labors for the glory of God and the benefit of the Kingdom of France. Farewell.