To the Reader.

Lord of the first Matter Known in Latin as materia prima, this refers to the formless, original substance from which all things were created in alchemical and hermetic philosophy., and from the
first matter, and the Dispensation The arrangement, distribution, or management of something. there-
of, all the fortunes of man—both good
and bad—do proceed. According to the
Rule and Measure of this Substance, all
the world is rich or poor, and he
that knows it truly, and along with it the
true use thereof, he can make his for-
tunes constant Stable or enduring., but he that knows it
not, though his Estate Wealth and social standing. be never so great,
stands on a slippery Foundation. Look
about you then, and consider how you
are surrounded with infinite Treasures
and miracles, but you are so blind, you
do not see them: nay, you are so
foolish, you do think there is no use to
be made of them, for you do believe
that Knowledge is a mere Peripatetic
Chatter A reference to the followers of Aristotle (the Peripatetics). The author is criticizing traditional academic philosophy for valuing abstract debate over practical physical results., and that the Fruits of it are not
Works, but words. If this were true, I
would never advise you to spend one
Minute of your life upon Learning; I
would first be one of those who should ru-
in all Libraries and Universities in the
world—which God forbid any good
Christian