Preface.

I repeat once more, that no hatred has
taken hold of me. Urgent reasons have
moved me to share my thoughts with all
enthusiasts; but the primary
cause is the deplorable
downfall of so many honest and learned
men; love for my neighbor
obliges me to call them back from the path of
error; it is not that godless
neighborly love with which the chemical writers original: "chymischen Scribenten"; a term used here for alchemical authors who published recipes and theories
lull their admirers to sleep, and frequently
commit blasphemy original: "Gotteslästerung" by
beginning their fraudulent processes original: "Lügenprocesse"; referring to alchemical recipes or laboratory procedures that the author considers deceptive
in the name of the Most Holy Trinity,
and then concluding them with the oath,
"so help me God."
God is an enemy of lies.
Mine, however, are unshakeable truths, from
which one can derive more benefit than from
all other books. But
perhaps a blinded enthusiast will
cry out: "What! Who is the man
who presumes to deny everything?"
No one shall deny it to me: I have
seen this and that coin original: "Münz"; refers to "alchemical coins" or medals supposedly struck from gold or silver created through transmutation to "prove" the art's success,
(of which Baron Schröter Likely Wilhelm von Schröter (1623–1688), a prominent writer who documented cases of alchemical transmutation
makes a great fuss); they shout: "this person and that person ha—"