TO THE FRIENDLY READER

FRANCIS MERCURY VAN HELMONT,

Philosopher through the One in whom all things consist,

A wandering hermit.

A large decorative drop cap "C" containing an ornate floral pattern and a central heart shape.

I had once decided, amidst many wandering thoughts, that it would be difficult to persuade myself to write anything for the use of my neighbor to be published in this present age; since I hate the feigned, variegated, vain, and deceitful words for which those of the world thirst. But now, compelled by the reasoning and letters of many just and wise men from various kingdoms and states—who, by a pledge of salvation, urged me that I was bound to commit to the press all the writings of my piously departed father; and to attach to them when and how he met his final day, and in what state he left the aforementioned writings; and furthermore, to supply those things which were lacking, so that the human race might be reclaimed for life from many errors, torments, and destruction. This is what extorted from me the decision to leave all other things behind and to survey the said writings. Having done this, I condemned myself to their approval and suspended my previous purpose, offering the following short narrative in plain and simplest words, in the mother tongue While the text here is Latin, the author likely refers to a "mother tongue" style of plain, unadorned speech, or perhaps a Dutch version he drafted first., following the tenor of my father's previous dedication, imitating him by chiming in with that same intention of his.

My father's death occurred on the thirtieth day of December, in the year one thousand six hundred and forty-four, at six in the evening, while he was still in full possession of his reason, and after he had first requested and received all his sacred solemnities and funeral rites Referring to the Last Sacraments of the Catholic Church.. His illness was his life itself original: "Morbus sibi fuit ejus ipsa vita." A poetic expression suggesting his intense life of study and physical constitution eventually wore him down., which remained with him for seven weeks, beginning in this manner: At one time, because of a cold and foul-smelling mist, he suddenly returned home on foot at noon; which was the cause for him that when he attempted to write a short letter of about fifteen lines, or indulged in a too lengthy discourse, his breath would fail him to such an extent that he was forced to stand up and draw breath through the nearest window. By this, on two different occasions, pleurisy Pleurisy: A painful inflammation of the membranes surrounding the lungs, often causing difficulty in breathing. was brought upon him, from which he nevertheless recovered entirely. Indeed, on the day before his passing...