TO ALL STUDENTS OF THE MORE SECRET PHYSICS,

JESUS CHRIST.

A large decorative woodcut initial Q contains a figure or stylized foliage. This letter begins the word Since (Quoniam).

Since, according to the opinion of the wisest Solomon, there is no utility in hidden treasures; and also by the consensus of good men, the knowledge of things that are good in themselves should not be suppressed, but should be handed down from hand to hand. I knew, following the words of the most learned Galen, that those who strive to imitate the famous do not usually bring into the open what is already well known, but rather what is known to few. Therefore, dearest readers, fearing the tooth of no critic original: "momi dentem," a reference to Momus, the Greek god of mockery and criticism, I wished to make common to you certain excellent and ancient writings of the more abstruse Physics and secret art. These were not previously published by the printing press. I provide them sincerely and entirely as they came to me by the will of God, yet far more corrected, so that you might finally have a certain guide for the journey and an untying of riddles.

For I am not unaware of how many and what kind of books have been published so far in this secret faculty, at least those which one may see. Among these, although some are good enough in themselves, they are nevertheless obscure. Others are poorly coherent patchworks original: "centones," a term for literary works made of scraps from other authors or fragmentary. Some are so brief, or so full of riddles and parables, that an Oedipus original: "Oedipo," the mythological figure who solved the Sphinx's riddle, implying these texts are otherwise impossible to decode is needed for them to be understood. It is not my place now to criticize them by name. To these manuscripts we have added the writings of Arnaldus de Villanova, a supreme man in this art. These are far more corrected than those previously printed. We include especially that short work on the Perfect Magistery, which is named the Light of Lights and the Flower of Flowers. This has been so amended from an ancient manuscript copy that it is much clearer and more certain than the common versions. I have spared no labor so that, as far as was possible for me, everything might be accessible to the students of this art.

Furthermore, someone measuring my mind by the common self-love original: "philautia," excessive self-love or conceit might object: if I have anything good and certain in these writings from which there is hope of growing rich, he does not believe that I would give it to the public. Certainly, to answer in a few words, unless I were a fool for Christ's sake in the eyes of the world, I would not have done this, nor other things that are not the least among my small efforts. But there is also another reason why I willingly bring forth to others what some keep secretly for themselves. God does not give all things to one person. In His paternal providence, He gave me this cross, so that for ten years and more, I have been hindered and vexed by some fate. This was for the sake of truth, yet I was troubled by the malice, envy, pride, and avarice of hypocrites, rivals, and antichristians, and by the ingratitude of many others, especially certain powerful men. Thus, I have barely been able to attend to my family affairs through my vocation, let alone properly manage this busy and very difficult art.

The result is that until now I have been rich in potential, which is not so far off, but in reality original: "actu," an Aristotelian distinction between potentiality and actuality I have been almost poor. Therefore, so that what can certainly help other mortals should no longer lie idle with me, I have brought many things into the light. I do not despair that at some time there will be someone, made good and truly Christian by God, who will be profited by these writings of the divine art which I have communicated through the art of printing. Perhaps he might make me a participant, if not in a small portion of that stone of the philosophers the legendary Philosopher's Stone capable of transmuting metals, at least in a piece of gold or silver, and thus correct the ingratitude of others.

Furthermore, there is no reason why any son of this doctrine should take it badly that these things are communicated even to wicked and greedy men. It is hardly possible for anyone to reach the best end in this matter unless he is truly pious and a student of this science. Indeed, not a few people, recognizing their errors and deviations from these little books, will better employ their hours and expenses. This is unless they wish to act more foolishly and lose their own goods, blinded by the empty hope of certain "receipts" as they call them. Others, who are students of books in name only, will reject the book after reading the title, not without sneers and jokes. For at this time there is such a plenty of books of almost every kind that a satiety even of the best things takes hold of men, or at least they neglect to buy books and study them. So it happens that only the learned lovers of labor original: "philoponi," those who love work and those loved by God take and bring forth immense fruit from here.

There are, however, in this volume of ours, so many insights into natural things and arts regarding almost all minerals and stones, gems, crystal, and glass, that many people will find much that pleases and profits them. I cease to say more of these since the matter is at hand. Nor will I now weave a defense against those who mock true alchemy original: "χημείας," the Greek term for the chemical or alchemical art. I do not wish to seem to defend sophistry, toward which their objections mostly tend. Also, the preface of a certain most learned man to Geber, published ten years ago under the name of Chrysogonus (whom I do not doubt was Osiander), responds to these people excellently. Janus Lacinius did so more extensively and with very strong arguments in his work published a few years ago. I omit other more recent or more ancient authors who might easily persuade those devoted to this profound art. But truly, those who cannot know, or will not, let them not know. To whom God wishes to favor, let Him favor. I pray to Him with my whole heart that in these last times a desired outcome for this very difficult and ra...