To the Reader.

Since I had proposed to bring to light the writings of the most celebrated German philosophers, who were also most experienced in the chemical art, works worth more than gold and translated into the Latin tongue, I preface them not without theoretical cause. I do this so that you may first exercise yourself in the theory before you approach the practice. For he who applies his soul to this without the former labors in vain. For this reason, I wished to warn everyone, lest, as the common and detestable habit of today persists—of interpreting everything in a sinister light and slandering philosophers who rest in God—one might find a pretext for such behavior. Yet, they left their labors to us not for their own sake, but for the sake of us and posterity. If you reject this good and faithful counsel, your negligence will experience the truth not without great harm. Farewell in the meantime, and await the rest as soon as possible, God willing.