DEDICATION.

the destillatory i.e., the art of distillation. Some have gathered various works, with the catholic precepts and general operations omitted. Lullius and Vlstadius touched upon one distillation of the quintessence with the separation of elements; the rest is almost entirely a certain infusion or extraction. Vlstadius also added something regarding a stone, and Lullius is copious regarding it in other books. Paracelsus in his Archidoxis a primary medical/alchemical text by Paracelsus attempted the precepts of special operations, but in his own manner, apeiros boundlessly/infinitely, perplexedly, and inconditely. Someone promised a great alchemy. I saw the first book. It is unworthy of such a gaping expectation. In all those I have examined, I desire a method of the entire art and clarity. Therefore, I took counsel, since a labor of this kind seemed not to be of one man, nor ought to be, to approach learned men and friends through letters, in which I would not only declare and signify my mind and intention, but also propose the facts as if in a skiagraphia shadow-painting or outline sketch of the work, so that they could easily judge the matter, and if they had known anything through experience, they might add it. Where a hand has been applied, the work has turned into a proper commentary, which to publish in the way others have been accustomed to [publish] the letters of learned men