TO THE READER

...known by the two bodies original: "binis corporibus"; likely referring to the two metals, often gold and silver, intended to be joined in the alchemical "marriage.", and by the solvent extracting the sulfur Sulfur: in alchemy, one of the "Three Primes" representing the soul, oiliness, and the principle of combustion and color. from them; and once its nourishment original: "nutritione", whitening Whitening: "dealbatio" or the albedo, the stage where the matter is purified and turns white., yellowing Yellowing: "citrinatio," an intermediate stage where the matter begins to take on a golden hue., reddening Reddening: "rubificatio" or the rubedo, the final stage of the work signifying the perfection of the Stone., fixation Fixation: "fixatio," the process of making a volatile substance stable under heat., and waxing Waxing: "ceratio," the process of softening the hard matter until it flows like wax. have been thoroughly understood; let none of you fear to approach the practice original: "praxim" freely or with the least labor. By this means you will notice the ignorance and impudence of those who have quite shamelessly said that nothing certain or true is found among the Chemical Philosophers original: "Philofophos Chemicos"; the term for genuine alchemists who combined laboratory work with natural philosophy., such as that charcoal-waster Charcoal-waster: "carboniperda," a mocking term for "puffers" or false alchemists who wasted money on fuel and bellows without understanding the true principles of the art. in his Apology original: "Apologia"; a formal written defense., which he commends in a marvelous way, but which rather ought to be called an accusation...