A rectangular decorative woodcut headpiece featuring symmetrical scrollwork, foliage, and several small stylized faces. Two circular medallions on the far left and right contain faces with radiant lines or hair.

TO THE VENERABLE AND REVEREND MAN, AND

JOHN THORNBURGH,

BISHOP OF WORCESTER, MY

A decorative square woodcut drop cap for the letter 'C', containing floral and vine motifs.

The vain multitude of common men rendered me uncertain to whom I should dedicate the internal revelations of things or the hidden mysteries of Nature; occupied as they are in gross, corporeal, and solely external matters, the ignorant and profane crowd of mortals made me waver, since among a thousand men, scarcely a single worshiper of naked Nature or one rightly knowing himself is to be found. Therefore, him who is least occupied with deceptive things and external appearances, the worldly hold in hatred and pursue with vain derision; for to them, wandering in darkness and constantly traveling around the bark (as they say) or the plainly cloudy circumference, entrance to the center—the most fixed palace of virtue, flashing with divine light—is denied as if to the profane. This man (I say), being a son of light and charity, they reject with contemptuous manner. From this sort of worldly grain original: "farina," literally flour or meal; a metaphor for "ilk" or "kind" my Muse, burdened with the reward of truth, turns away; instructed by experience, she has become entirely estranged from these people. Furthermore, we are taught by the admonition of Holy Scripture that pearls are by no means to be cast before swine, nor the bread of the children of men to the dogs.

To whom, therefore, should I better direct this ship of mine—laden with no small riches of chemistry original: "chemiæ." In this period, chemistry and alchemy were not yet distinct disciplines; the author refers to the spiritual and physical study of matter., though it be of the common sort—now plowing the turbulent seas of worldly opinions, than to a man learned, grave, and studious in tracking and inquiring into the mysteries of Nature, and finally, looking into the centers of abstruse things with the most sharp telescope of his genius? For the sons of light exult and rejoice among themselves, since experience has shown that like things, by a certain natural instinct, rejoice and take delight in like things.

Therefore, toward your shores (Reverend Sir, most to be honored for your profound learning in the chemical art) the full sails of my ship stretch: with a favorable breath of love and benevolence, she directs her course to you; the History of this my Skiff strives with all its might to put in at the firm and auspicious shores of your judgment, and that under this secure confidence: because the rays of the Triune One have shone upon your mind, since the "Nothing," the "Something," and the "All" of the ancient sages are by no means hidden from you. For you have nobly [acknowledged] Chaos and Darkness in your writings—