TO ALL Ingeniouſly Elaborate STUDENTS, In the moſt Divine Myſteries OF Hermetick Learning.

I Here preſent you with a Summary Collection of the choiſeſt Flowers, growing in the Hermetick Gardens, ſorted and bound up in one compleat and lovely Poſie. A way whereby Pain­ful Inquiſitors avoid the uſual diſcou­ragements met with in a tedious wander­ing through each long Walk, or wind­ing Maze; which are the ordinary and guilful Circumſtances, wherewith envious Philoſophers have inlarged their Labors, purpoſely to puzzle or weary the moſt reſolved undertakings. 'Tis true, the manner of delivery uſed by the Ancients upon this Subject, is very far removed from the common path of Diſcourſe; yet I beleeve they were conſtrained (for the weight and majeſty of the Secret) to invent thoſe occult kinde of expreſſi­ons in Aenigmaes, Metaphors, Para­bols, and Figures.

Now amongſt the Catalogue of Au­thors that have treated of this ſacred Learning, I have chiefly obſerved four ſorts.

The firſt are ſuch whoſe wel-minded­neſs and honeſty, have cauſed them to lay down the whole Myſtery faithfully and plainly; giving you a Clew, as well as ſhewing you a Labyrinth; and they onely are to be ſtudied.

The ſecond are thoſe whoſe Magiſte­rial handling a part or branch thereof, did it rather to diſcover themſelves Ma­ſters, then with intent to inſtruct others: Theſe may be read, but they are too ſub­lime for thoſe, who ſtand in need of an Introduction.

Others there are, who out of Igno­rance or Miſtake, have delivered blinde and unbottomed Fictions, which have too much deluded and abuſed the credu­lous World: ſo that of this ſort I may ſay (not blemiſhing the honor, which ſome of them have juſtly acquired in other parts of learning,) their Works are like Pigmaleons Image, [full of exquiſite proportion, feature, delicacie, and beau­ty, but not animated with the life and ſoul of Truth;] and whileſt a man conſults with ſuch; he ſhall always doubt, whether what he reads be to the matter, or not: However the Judicious may ſmell their levity by the rankneſs of their impertinancies.

But the laſt and worſt ſort of all, are thoſe, who through Envy have ſcattered abroad their unfaithful recipies and falſe gloſſes; (taking for preſident the Devil that can ſow tares, and transform himſelf into an Angel of light) with intent to choak and obfuſcate the more evident light of the plain dealing Philoſophers: And to diſcern theſe Impoſtures, requires a Judgment able to divide a Hair.

From this variety of Writers it is, that many, otherwiſe ſtedy Mindes are toſt up and down, as from Racket to Racket; being forced to change their Thoughts, as oft as they change their Authors, and conceiving they have ſet­led right upon a Point, (juſt like tickliſh Weather-cocks,) are neceſſitated to ſhift with the next puff, (although but of an empty windy conceit:) New diſcoveries begetting new opinions, which raiſe more untoward and turbulent Doubts, then their greateſt ſtrength of Judgment can conjure down. Thus (unhappy men!) thinking themſelves ready to Anchor, a croſs guſt blows them off the ſhore; per­haps into a rougher ſea of Debate and Perplexity then before, and with greater hazard and danger of ſplitting.

I know that the truth of the proper Argent, its Preparation, and the Fire, (the three moſt important ſteps to this bleſſed Work) with the whole proceſs, is by ſome Philoſophers ſo ſincerely laid down and unfolded, that to a knowing Artiſt it is a cauſe of much wonder, why he that reads (though but ſmatter­ingly acquainted with Nature) ſhould not meet with cleer ſatisfaction: But here's the reaſon, Many are called, but few are choſen: 'Tis a Haven towards which many skilful Pilots have bent their courſe, yet few have reacht it. For as amongſt the people of the Jews, there was but one that might enter into the Holy of Holies, (and that but once a yeer,) ſo there is ſeldom more in a Nation, whom God lets into this Sanctum Sanctorum of Philoſophy; yet ſome there are. But though the number of thoſe Elect are not many, and generally the fathom of moſt mens Fancies, that attempt the ſearch of this vaſt and ſubtil Myſtery, too narrow to comprehend it, and their ſtrongeſt Reaſon too weak to pierce the depth it lies obſcured in; being indeed ſo unſearchable and ambiguous, it rather exacts the ſacred and courteous Illumi­nation of a Cherub, then the weak aſſiſt­ance of a Pen to reveal it. Yet let no Man deſpair: For ſurely there is a ſpirit in man, and the inſpiration of the Al­mighty giveth underſtanding; and though all things before us ſeem hud­led up in a deformed Chaos, yet can he place them in comlineſs and order. For many Philoſophers cloſely ſhut up, or concealed divers things, which they left the ingenious Inquirer to ſift into, or finde out; preſuming to whom God intended the diſcovery of the Wonder, he would afford Eyes that ſhould pierce through the miſt of Words, and give them a ray of light which ſhould lead them through this darkneſs: To finde out that Path which no Fowl knoweth, and which the Vultures eye hath not ſeen: For, if ſeriouſly peruſed, you ſhall finde their Books are much like Drawers, that lead to ſome choiſe and ſecret Box in a Cabinet, [one opening the way to the reſt] which if heedfully revolved, the ſatisfaction you miſs of in one Author, will be met with in another, and all per­haps may at length diſcover ſuch preg­nant and ſublime Secrets; as ſhall mani­feſt thee to be one of thoſe choſen veſſels, ordained to be informed of this Know­ledg, which ſometimes God hath hid from the wiſe and prudent, but revealed unto Babes.

Whoſoever therefore undertakes the ſearch of this abſtruſe and ſecret Learn­ing, muſt know it requires heedful and piercing Judgments, apt and cleer Fan­cies, faithful and diſtinct Conceptions: For the Philoſophers writings are not onely interwoven with moſt exquiſite cunning and ingenious artifice, but the Golden Thred of the Matter is ſo warily diſpoſed, covertly concealed, and ſo broken off and diſperſt; (they being ever fearful to afford too early light or ſatisfaction to the Readers,) that unleſs the Father of Illuminations prompt, or lend an Angels hand to guide, the beſt principled Student may be loſt in tracing its ſeveral Meanders, and fall ſhort of finding out its ſcattered ends. Be wary then in the application of words (for therein the Imagination is ſubject to many miſcarriages, being apt to twiſt and bow each Sentence to the various frame of its preſent Conceptions, and the unwary diſcoveries it firſt makes:) Eſpecially thoſe words which appear to lie moſt naked; for where the Philoſo­phers ſeem to ſpeak plaineſt, there they have written nothing at all; or elſe in ſuch ordinary expreſſions, have wrapt up ſome ſenſe, highly myſterious: Generally fitting their diſcourſe with Words, that like the Delphian Sword will cut both ways, or reach to a larger extenſion or latitude, then ſome Conceptions can ſtretch them too; intending and ayming at things beyond, (and ſometimes below) what we ſuppoſe thoſe bare expreſſions diſcover.

In fine, they have ſet before us a task for Explanation, other then is uſed in our ordinary beaten track of Diſcourſe: which he that will well underſtand, muſt firſt be maſter of the language of Na­ture, having run through the diſcourage­ments of the tedious progreſs, and la­borious difficulty of joyning her Letters, and ſpelling her Syllables.

Tis true, the dignity of this infallible Myſtery lies open to many hard Cen­ſures, and profane Scandals, ſo well known, I need not mention them; but that thereby I ſhall endevour to remove, and purge this pure and heroick Science (al­moſt generally contemptible) from the droſs, and corruption of an Impoſture.

Commonly we ſhall finde them moſt traduce it as falſe and deceitful, who (having the repute of Schollers) pre­tend to have ſpent much time and in­duſtry in the ſearch thereof; and becauſe it is dreſt in ſuch variety of flouriſh and figurative Speeches, that their ſhallow underſtandings cannot eaſily pierce into it; (their wilde unhappy Fancies like ſo many Tailors ſhops ful of various ſhreds of Conceits, making up out of ſuch changeable colours at beſt but a Fools Coat:) They profeſs all the diſcoveries thereof to be meer Chimeraes, and it ſelf a ſtudied Fable. But the Egyptians might as well deny light in the Land of Goſhen, becauſe themſelves lived in dark­neſs, or we, if either of the Luminaries ſuffer defect to our view, conclude that the Eclipſe is Ʋniverſal.

If theſe (otherwiſe well accompliſht) Men, would but conſider how many occult, ſpecifick, incomprehenſible, and inexplicable qualities there lies dormant and obſcured in Nature, of which no abſolute or true account can be ren­dered by themſelves: As the concate­nation of Spirits, their working with­out the Body, the Weapon Salve, the Sympathetical Powder, the Vertues of the Loadſtone, the wonderful and never to be enough admired Secrets of Magnetick Philoſophy, and Natural Magick: As alſo what Art it ſelf is able to perform, by the power of Mathematical concluſions, in Geometry, Numbers, both myſterious and vulgar, Perſpective Opticks, &c. What famous and accurate Works, induſtrious Artiſts have furniſhed theſe latter Ages with, and by Weights, Wheels, Springs or Strings, have imitated lively Motion, as Regiomantanus his Eagle, and Fly, Drebler's perpetual Motion, the Spring in a Watch, and ſuch like Self-Movers, (Things that ſeem to carry with them­ſelves (like living Creatures) the princi­ples of their own Motions, and unallied to any outward Object, except onely to ſet them going:) The Arts of Navi­gation, Printing, and making of Gun­powder (which for the honor of our Countryman Roger Bacon, I the rather mention, who lived above a hundred yeers before we heard of its original from the German Monk, and certainly knew its whole Compoſition; but that his pious Thoughts (finding it might prove ſo ſwift and deviliſh a deſtruction to Men, Cities, Caſtles, &c.) would not ſuffer him to reveal the way of making it, though he plainly diſcovered its Na­ture, force, and horrible execution; (as appears in the ſixt Chapter of his learned Epiſtles De Secretis operibus Artis & Naturae.) In a word, what marvellous concluſions, Art (making uſe of Nature for an Inſtrument) can perform, without the help of ſo low and inferior aſſiſtants as Characters, Charms, or Spells, (and yet theſe have their ſeveral powers, if judiciouſly and warily diſpoſed and handled;) inſomuch, that no man that underſtands the ſafe and honeſt power of Art and Nature, can juſtly aſperſe their Legitimate Children, as though they were the off-ſpring (or indeed had any relation) to Diabolical Arts. From which few particulars, I might infer many other wonders poſſible to be wrought, which yet to appearance or probability, are beyond the power of accompliſhment: and where the vari­ous productions of Nature, Art, or both, have given the levity and infidelity of many mens Judgments, the lie; whoſe prejudicate thoughts would never beleeve a thing could be done, till they found (beyond evaſion or denial) it was done. I ſay, if ſuch men would but ſeriouſly conſider theſe and the like miraculous effects, they might be of force ſufficient to perſwade the moſt doubtful amongſt them, that Art with the help of Nature, may arrive at ſuch perfection, to work Wonders, as far beyond theſe, as theſe would be beyond their apprehenſions, had they never heard of them before; nay to beleeve, there is nothing incredible either in divine or humane things: and yet they never become ſo happy Fa­vorites as to be made privy to the myſte­ries of this Cunning.

Another Error theſe curious Brains run into, is, That they look beyond Na­ture, and often deſpiſe the Path for the Plainneſs thereof, ſuppoſing it too vulgar to conduct them to ſuch rare and intri­cate Wonders; whereas they conſider not, that Nature in all her productions, works plainly, eaſily, and without in­forcement. Briefly, ſuch ought to ſuſpect as falſe, all things that appear not fea­ſable, without it excel in ſubtilty, or be rackt upon the Tenter: And this is the Rock, againſt which divers ſuffer ſhipwrack, apprehending they ought to place the materials of this glorious and magnificent building, in more remote and ſtrange things, then really it is.

Some again calumniate and ſcanda­lize this ſerious and divine work, as a fictitious thing, and they are ſuch, whoſe eaſie confidence (forgetting the cautiona­ry Items of the Philoſophers) beleeve all true they once finde Written: And when after tedious and chargeable Chy­mical operations, (the expreſſions of the Philoſophers ſeeming to look that way) they finde no reality in the Ex­periments anſwerable to their expectati­ons; but all prove as defective in their production, as the birth of Ericthonius was imperfect; then in a diſcontented humor (perhaps having been cheated to boot) ruine (with their good opinion of the thing) all they have before under­taken. But it is no wonder if they be at much expence, that make uſe of many things: What need is there of ſo vain a uſe of many Glaſſes, ſo much blowing of the Coals, ſuch conſumption of Fire, and other impertinent and expenſive preparations: When the Philoſophers tell us, One Glaſs, one Furnace, one Fire, (and that an immaterial one, not to be found in the Furnace of the Chymiſts,) is ſufficient to perfect the work; which whoſoever attempts, and cannot firſt fancy the Complement thereof to be gone through without charge, (at leaſt very little or inconſiderable) let them leave off, and deſiſt; leſt the conſumption of their wealth leave their hearts as cold, as the drudging in a falſe Fire hath made their faces pale.

Others there are that clamor, and cry out againſt this guiltleſs Learning, whoſe covetous deſires have made them ruſh upon the practiſe ſo far, that they are forced to retreat by weeping croſs. It is the common Fate of the Covetous to meet with a Cheat, and the ſmooth ſtories of a Quack do oftentimes ſet ſo delightful and eager edg upon their griping deſires, (which doubtleſs a Knaviſh genius may cunningly carry on) that the confiding Miſer ſhall never diſtruſt him, till he be ſet to rake among the Aſhes for his wealthy return. And as unskilful men cannot uſe too much warineſs, if they be to deal with any that pretends to teach the proceſs of this Myſtery; ſo they cannot take too much good adviſe to avoid their illuſi­ons. By way of Caution therefore, be­ware of thoſe mercenary pretenders, that (boaſting much of their abilities) offer to diſcover you any of thoſe Secrets, upon condition you give them ſuch or ſuch a ſum of money; for by this tinkling ſound you ſhall judg them counterfeit metal. Never was this Holy Myſtery communicated to ſo wicked a man, as ever would or durſt make ſale of it; or indeed do ſuch men ſtand in need. They want not Money, or are neceſſitated to condition for a Trifle, that poſſeſs ſo great and unexhauſtible a treaſure; for length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand, riches and ho­nor. Therefore who hath this, hath all: it incircling within it ſelf, all temporal feli­city, health of body, and all good fortune.

Next, truſt not thoſe that proſtitute their skill; theſe are the Waſps that creep into the Hive of Hermes: ſuch Vagrants doubtleſs are empty and unfraught, and have more uſe of what they may skrew out of you, then you can make benefit of what may be gained from them. It is a Jewel of that price and eſtimation, that they who finde themſelves once bleſt with its poſſeſſion, entertain it as Lot did his Angels; who would rather deliver up his onely daughters, [his dear and neareſt comforts] then expoſe ſuch choiſe Gueſts into the hands of wicked men; not daring to make the Secret common, leſt they become breakers of the Cele­ſtial Seals; much more to betray it into untruſty hands, for any gain or benefit.

But beſides theſe, the generality of the World are nurſt up in a belief, there is no ſuch thing: Firſt, becauſe they never heard of any that publikely profeſt it, or by viſible operations manifeſted its truth in any age. Secondly, in regard they as ſeldom found any Man, that (by his Condition or Converſation) made evident ſhew to the World, that he was poſſeſſor of ſuch a wealthy Science: Many of the Profeſſors commonly living miſerably poor, who though they boaſt what vaſt Treaſures they can com­mand, yet ſcarce are ſeen to have a penny in their purſe, or a whole Rag to their backs.

To the firſt, I anſwer, That there are divers things which peculiarly grow within the bowels of the Earth, and ſeem as buried to us, becauſe they neither bud forth or grow up; and withal, there be­ing ſo few Adepted Prieſts in the World, it is no wonder, the Ceremonies of ſo di­vine a Miracle, ſhould be both ſeldom and privately celebrated.

To the ſecond, That there is, that maketh himſelf rich, and hath nothing; and that maketh himſelf poor, having great riches. For on whomſoever God out of his eſpecial grace, is pleaſed to beſtow this Bleſſing, he firſt fits them for a moſt vertuous life, to make them the more capable and worthy of it; and being ſo qualified, they ſtraightway lay aſide ambitious thoughts, and take up a retiredneſs; they dwell within their Root, and never care for flouriſhing upon the Stage of the World: The conſideration of this Magiſtery being theirs, does more fill their Mindes, then all the Trea­ſures of the Indies, were they entailed upon them, (it being not to be valued, becauſe it is the ſummity and perfection of all Terreſtrial Sciences;) nor indeed need ſuch regard the airy and empty glory of Magnifying-Fame, that can command an abſolute Content in all things. Nay, ſome loſe their vain glory ſo far, as none ſhall ſcarce ever hear them mention it; counting nothing more ad­vantageous, then to conceal what they enjoy. For, as it is a Secret, of the high­eſt nature and concernment; ſo God will not ſuffer it to be revealed to any, but thoſe that can tell how to conceal a Secret; and if we rightly weigh this, that the poſſeſſion of the thing takes from the poſſeſſors, the root of all evil, [Covetouſneſs;] how then can any cor­rupt or ſiniſter thoughts grow up in them?

It is alſo worthy conſideration, how many eminent dangers, troubles, fears, and inconveniences, the very ſuſpition of having the Stone, hath intitled ſome Men to; and how many ſeveral ways their lives have been attempted, by powerful and wicked men; becauſe they concealed the Myſtery from them. But let the reward of thoſe who would forcibly ſtrip this Secret from any breſt, be like that of the Sodomites, which would have Lot deliver them his An­gels, [Blindneſs in the eyes of their underſtandings,] to waſte out their time in ſeeking the Door that lets in to this knowledg, but never finde it.

Furthermore, this Learning is not re­vealed by any Maſter, but under the moſt weighty Ties and Obligations of an Oath; and that by long tryal and ex­perience of a mans fidelity, vertue, judg­ment, diſcretion, faithfulneſs, ſecreſie, de­ſires, inclinations, and converſation; to ſift and try whether he be capable and deſerving; for the neereſt Relations (unleſs exactly qualified with merit) cannot obtain this knowledg from them: Every Childe cannot be an Heir, nor e­very boſom Friend an Executor. And this ſtrict care is taken, leſt the Learner ſhould miſapply his Talent, by ſerving the Ambition of evil men, or ſupporting wicked and unjuſt Intereſts; to domi­neer with violence and oppreſſion, per­haps to the trampling under foot the general Peace: For doubtleſs a ſevere account will be exacted by God at the Teachers hand, if the Learner ſhould miſ­govern or abuſe this ſo great a Grace.

It is ſaid, Wiſdom which findes out Knowledg and Counſel, dwells with Prudence. A Conſcientious breſt muſt keep it moſt religiouſly inviolable, if once obtained: Stability and Conſtancy muſt be reſolved on by the undertaker, ever flying that inconſtant humor, which ſometimes leads men on, with too greedy an appetite, and a while after withdraws and cools. Such fickle and wavering Diſpoſitions ſhould leave off betimes, leſt they meet with thoſe freſh conceipts, that ſhall winde and turn their Fancies ſo many ſeveral ways, that at length like Pentheus (diſtracted with irreſolution) they can ſetle no where; and how apt ſuch inconſtant Seekers are for this Work, their imperfect productions will bear them witneſs.

Another needful Caution may be given, and that proverbially: Haſte makes waſte. This miſchievous Evil is commonly forwarded by an over-cove­tous deſire; and this is that grand enemy to the Work, which often proves the ruine of all. He muſt therefore perſe­vere in his undertakings, and patiently contemplate on Natures ſlow and lei­ſurely progreſs in the bringing forth of her beſt things. It is not a Matter that is throughly apprehended at firſt, upon a ſlight or ſuperficial view: The Philoſo­phers that raiſed this Fabrick, did it by many degrees, and it is by their ſteps we muſt make our Aſcenſion to thoſe high Wonders. Do not then preſume, (though your underſtanding be able to build a Structure) that it is ſtrongly or exactly compiled; unleſs you finde it raiſed from a ground that is ſincerely plain and natural, managed and ſquared by the ſtrict Rules of Art. And con­ſidering that your Errors may prove fundamental, (for whoſoever miſſes his way at the entrance, ſhall build upon ſo unſound a Foundation, as allows of no emendations, but a new beginning:) You can never uſe too much Caution in your Courſe, or be over ſedulous in the guidance of your underſtanding. It is wiſdom to anatomize and diſſect every apprehenſion clearly, and examine what the operations of the Minde have effect­ed; and in what manner the Senſes con­vey them unto you: And as you walk along, heedfully to obſerve, where the principal Thred is broken off, and then ſearch about where it is likely to be met with again; for doubtleſs the ends there­of are poſſible to be found out, if heed­fully•raced. However, if yet what you apprehend does not ſo exactly hit the mark; return to the ſtudy of Nature, there dwell, and look round to diſcover the beſt Way; caſt about again for a new Scent, and leave no path unſearched, nor no buſh unbeaten; for though you readily finde not the real Truth, yet peradventure you may meet with ſuch ſatisfaction, as will quiet your Reaſon, and make you take pleaſure in the ſearch. And he that once begins to love Wiſdom for its own ſake, ſhall ſooner be ac­quainted with her, then he that courts her for any ſiniſter or by reſpect: where­fore in this ſenſe may be taken that of our Saviour, He that hath much, ſhall receive more; but he that hath little, ſhall be taken away, even that which he hath. Eliſha obtained the ſight of the Horſes and Chariots of Fire, that car­ried Elias up into Heaven; but it was not till he had deſired, that a double por­tion of his ſpirit might reſt upon him, And Eliſha's ſervant ſaw the Mountains full of Horſes and Chariots of Fire; but not till his Maſter had prayed to the Lord to open his eyes: If thy Thoughts are devout, honeſt, and pure, perhaps God may at one time or other, lay open to thy Underſtanding, ſomewhat that will truly and faithfully lead thee to the Knowledg of this Myſtery. Solomons ſlothful man that fears the Lyon in the way, muſt not venture into theſe Streets of Wonders; where are Remoraes that will puzzle or abate the moſt forward and ſevere Inquiries, and quench the thirſt and deſire of fartheſt ſearch. In our progreſs, the higher we go, the more ſhall we better our proſpect; it is not a level or a flat, that can afford us the benefit of diſcovery to a Knowledg, and Learning ſo remote.

Aſtrologers well know the ſecret Chambers of the South, and that there are Stars that have influence under the depreſſion of the South Pole, though not viſible in our Hemiſphere. As there­fore in Filtration, we muſt lay the drawing ſide of the Filter, as low or lower, then the ſuperficies of Water, from whence it draws, elſe it hath not power to bring up any thing; ſo we muſt ſearch as deep as the ancients Fountain, ere we ſhall be able to draw any water out of their Wells; which if once obtained, the time for operation is beſt known by a fit Election wherein the Rules of Aſtrology are to be conſulted with; in which Science, the Practiſers of this Art ought to be well read for the ſeveral uſes, that continually and neceſ­ſarily muſt be made thereof.

I profeſs, for my ſelf, it is a ſatisfying Contentment, that I can finde ſome pro­bable grounds for the poſſibility of ſuch an Enterpriſe; it is no more incredible to me, that from plain and ſimple prin­ciples, it may be exalted to ſuch an height, even beyond perfection, then to ſee the ſtrings of Inſtruments, (framed and compoſed of ſo baſe, and neglected things, as the Guts of Cats) ſhould be able (through degrees of refining,) to afford ſuch ſweet, mellow, and admira­ble Muſick. Nor is it a mean degree of happineſs, I conceive my ſelf ſeated in, that in ſo great a depth of Myſtery, I am inabled to diſcover ſome little Light, though but glimmering and imperfect: If I enjoy no more but onely to live in the Womb of ſuch Knowledg, or if with a dim reflex (from this Rock of Fleſh) I ſee no more then the back parts of this Divine Science, though the glory hath paſſed by to the Ancients before; it will contribute much to the quieting of my ſolicitous, and waking Inqui­ries.

We are not a little beholding to the induſtry of our Anceſtors, for collect­ing into Books this Elemented Water falling from Heaven, as into ſo many ſeveral Veſſels or Ciſterns; and there reſerving it for our times and uſe; which elſe would have ſoaked away, and in­ſenſibly loſt it ſelf in the Earth of Obli­vion. But as to the freeing us from the toyl and diſcouragement of a tedious and irregular ſearch, (many Philoſophers pointing but at one part of the Myſtery, in the whole bundle of their Treatiſes;) we are eternally obliged to our Author, for ſo highly befriending us with theſe learned Collections, of the onely few and pertinent Things, from the reſt of their large and unneceſſary Diſcourſes, (and that from their writings who were unqueſtionably bleſt with the knowledg of this Divine Myſtery,) even as a skil­ful Chymiſt, who by Spagyrical opera­tions, ſeparates the groſs and earthy from the more fine and pure, and out of a large Maſs, extracts onely the Spirit. And though it is not to be denied, that the Philoſophers left many Lights be­hinde them, yet is it as true they left them incloſed in dark lanthorns, and us to ſearch them out in corners: But here our Author hath brought them out of that obſcurity, and placed them before us in a branched Candleſtick, whereby we may view them all at once, and where like a full Conſort of Inſtruments each ſounds his part to make the har­mony compleat; ſo that it will evident­ly appear to the Judicious and Learned, that theſe Collections were not raſhly, or with ſlight choice, ſnatcht or ſtript from the whole bluk of Authors; but with a wary and heedful Judgment, culled out and ſelectly choſen; and what the Ancients delivered ſcattered, and con­fuſed, is by his elaborate pains diſpoſed in ſo advantageous a Method, that we are much the neerer to finde out the right path by the order wherein he hath ranked their ſayings: yet not ſo, that the whole Proceſs lies juſt in that Methodical Chain, as ſeems linked together by each Paragraph; but that the ſame is here and there intermixt, and irregularly pur­ſued; ſometimes the beginning being diſpoſed in the middle, the middle in the end, &c. And beſides, part of the Phi­loſophers ſentences may (and muſt) as well be referred to other Chapters, and under other Heads; and left for the in­duſtrious and painful Contemplator to ſet and joyn together. His Expoſitions in the Corollaries are very remarkable, rendering him a man of a moſt piercing Intellect and ſingular Judgment, and letting in much light to the dark phraſes of the Philoſophers; ſo that indeed they ſhew rather the effects of Experience, then Contemplation. In a word, The work is like the Sun, which though it ſeems little, yet it is all light.

For the Author himſelf, I muſt not be ſilent in what I have learned, though this Work render him ſufficiently famous, eſpecially being reported to me, to be a Gentleman, Noble, ingenious, and de­ſerving. He was Son to that excellent Phyſitian, Doctor John Dee, (whoſe fame ſurvives by his many learned and precious Works, but chiefly celebrated amongſt us, for that his incomparable Mathematical Preface to Euclids Ele­ments) and chief Phyſitian to the Emperor of Ruſſia, being made choice of, and recommended by King James, to the ſaid Emperor, upon his requeſt, to ſend him over one of his Phyſitians. In this imployment, he continued four­teen yeers, being all that time Munifi­cently entertained, as his merits and abilities well deſerved. Upon his return into England, he brought moſt ample Teſtimonies of his own worth, and Emperial Commendations to his late Majeſty; and ſince retired to Norwich, where he now lives, And may he yet live the full poſſeſſor of that honor due to his Eminent parts.

Touching the Tranſlation, I have as faithfully performed it, and given it as plain a Verſion, as the dignity of the Subject will allow; the better to fit it to their Underſtandings, who have wanted the aſſiſtance of being bred Scholars, and yet perhaps are deſigned to be in­formed of this wonderful Secret. Ne­vertheleſs, I thought fit to retain the Subtilty of the Myſtery, though the words ſpeak Engliſh; whereto the con­ſtant Students may but with labor reach, and that to whet their appetites, not that the lazy Vulgar ſhould pluck with eaſe, leſt they deſpiſe or abuſe. It is no deſparagement to the Subject that it ap­pears in an Engliſh dreſs, no more then it was when habited in Greek, Latin, Arabick, &c. among the ancient Gre­cians, Romans, and Arabians, for to each of them it was their vulgar Tongue: And had not thoſe Nations, to whom Learning (in her progreſs through the world) came, taken the pains of Tranſlation, and ſo communi­cated to their own Countries the benefit of ſeveral Faculties; we had yet lived in much ignorance of Divinity, Philo­ſophy, Phyſick, Hiſtory, and all other Arts; for it was by the help of Tranſ­lation they all roſe to their ſeveral heights. I preſume to hope you will pardon the want of that Elegancy and Richneſs, which will ſtay behinde with Originals, as their proper and peculiar Ornaments and Graces; and accept of that homely Habit a Tranſlation muſt be content to wear: For ſaving the pains whereof to future times, if ſome gene­ral Forms and Characters were invented (agreeing as neer to the natural quality, and conception of the Thing they are to ſignifie, as might be;) that (to men of all Languages) ſhould univerſally ex­preſs, whatſoever we are to deliver by writing; it would be a welcome benefit to Mankinde, and much ſweeten the Curſe of Babels Confuſion, ſave a great expence of Time taken up in Tranſla­tion, and the Ʋndertakers merit extra­ordinary encouragement.

Nor will this unity in Character ſeem impoſſible, if we conſider there is in all men one firſt principle of Reaſon, one common interior Intelligence, and that originally there was but one Lan­guage. Nay, it will appear leſs difficult, if we look back upon thoſe ſteps already laid to our hands; for we may draw ſome helps from the Egyptian Hiero­glyphick Symbols, Muſical Notes, Stenography, Algebra, &c. Beſides, we ſee there are certain Characters for the Planets, Signes, Aſpects, Metals, Minerals, Weights, &c. all which have the power of Letters, and run cur­rant in the Ʋnderſtanding of every Language, and continue as Reliques and Remains of the more Sacred and Secret Learning of the Ancients, whoſe intentions and words, were not expreſſed by the Compoſition of Syllables or Let­ters; but by Forms, Figures, and Characters.

To preſent this invention as more feiſable, we may conſider that the uſe­ful radical words, if numbred, would not ſwell beyond our Memories fathom, ſpecially if well ordered and digeſted by the judicious direction of an able and general Linguiſt; and ſuch a one that rightly underſtands the firſt and true im­preſſions; which Nature hath ſtamped upon the things they would have ſigni­fied by the Form. Our miſery now is, we ſpend a great part of our beſt and moſt precious time in learning one Lan­guage, to underſtand a little Matter, (and in how many Tongues is it neceſſa­ry to be perfect, before a man can be generally knowing?) whereas, if this in­vention were but compleated, Arts would arrive at a high perfection in a little ſpace, and we might reckon upon more time, in the ſhort account and mea­ſure of our days, to be imployed in a ſubſtantial ſtudy of Matter.

But I muſt retire; and confeſs I have extreamly tranſgreſt the limits of a Pre­face; which (if it bore exact proporti­on to the Matter enſuing) ſhould be more brief and compendious: And yet I intended to deliver herewith ſome ſhort account of the firſt and true Matter, with the proceſs of the whole Work; but I ſhall leave you to the Collections enſuing, for preſent ſatisfaction, and if encouraged by your acceptance of this, may one day beſtow my own Medita­tions upon a particular Diſcourſe: In the mean time. I charge all thoſe that ſhall reap any benefit by this Tranſlation, under the ſecret and ſevere Curſe of God, That they beſtow upon it the Auguſt reverence due to ſuch a Secret, by con­cealing it to themſelves, and making uſe of it onely to the Glory of our Great Creator.