The works of the highly experienced and famous chymist, John Rudolph Glauber

The Art of Chymistry, (Honoured Sir) although in its Speculations most Noble and Delectable to a Philosophick Mind, and in its Practice highly Inservient, and Beneficial to Mankind; yet hath it not escaped the Obloquies, and false Imputations of Detractors, and Calumniators, who either through Ignorance, Idleness, or Envy (or all of them conjoin’d) have made a false Representation of this most Noble Art to the World, and endeavoured to set Mankind at the greatest distance from that which is its highest interest to court. For which cause, such Writings as Promulge, and offer at the advancing of the Chymical Art, stand in need of such a Patron as is able to defend them against all the Cavils of Pride, Envy, and Ignorance.

And if the Exquisite Parts, and Profound Learning in the more Abstruse Philosophy, together with a Long, and Indefatigable Scrutiny and Labour in the Chymical Art, accompanied with a happy Practice in the Honourable Faculty of Physick, be fit Accomplishments to Entitle one a =Mecænas= of this Art; then are those Excellencies all met and Concentred in your self, as is evident to the whole World by your Curious and Learned Epistle to =Mundanus=, and his Answer to it, which answer will be a Lasting Testimony of your great Worth and Merit.

For certainly, Sir, it is no small evidence of your Worth and Abilities in the Pyrotechnick Art, that a Philosopher who had been more than forty years an Adept, in all that time should not find three Persons, besides your self, whom he thought worthy to make certain of the truth of what they sought, and aspired after; and yet gave you an Ocular Satisfaction and Certitude of that which Thousands have desired to see, but could not: And further seriously professing, that if he had had the same liberty from his Master, that some Adepts enjoy, that he would have revealed to you the whole Secret.

These things have induced me humbly to offer this Book to your Patronage, not doubting but under your Name and Protection, it will be able to overcome many Difficulties, and obtain a free passage in this our English World, to the benefit and advantage of many well-disposed persons, who seek after Honest, Profitable, and Commendable Arts, which I am fully perswaded was the chief end of the Author in Writing; and I am sure is mine in Translating his Works. You are throughly acquainted with Glauber’s Writings, you know his Menstruums, and his Medicines, and are able to attest the truth of what others may account false and impossible. As for such of them as concern the higher Classes of Chymistry, I shall say nothing (being yet but ad Corinthum vergens) but commit them to your Mature Judgment, and Protection, humbly craving your pardon for this my presumption, and for what Errors or Oversights I may have committed in this Work; and desiring your Favourable Acceptance of these my poor Endeavours. I take leave to conclude with a passage of the abovementioned Excellent =Mundanus=. I am fully perswaded, that by the Blessing of God upon your Sagacious Labours, you will at length obtain that which will abundantly Compensate your Pains and Cost. To which I adjoin my own hearty Wishes; and that after you have been as happy in this World, as true Philosophy can make a Man, you may be Eternally Happy in that which is to come.