Introduction to the Divine Art of Chemistry

PRÆFATIO.

Since, therefore, it is manifestly evident both from the things I have said and from the writings of the philosophers that the art of chemistry is certain, it had to be investigated with all the strength of truth-lovers. Someone will say that no one among those who wander here and there, filling almost all of Europe with sophistical trifles in this art, has accomplished anything that can be praised, but rather that they have proposed all things as vain, feigned, and false through the most cunning frauds, so that they might extract money from good men, secretly snatch gold and silver from vessels, and finally mock everyone with a disgraceful flight. Who does not see that the whole world is full of impostors? They have spared neither Caesars, nor Kings, nor Princes; indeed, there is no kind of man that has been safe from their deceitful promises. Who, because of this, says the art is vain, than which nothing is more certain? Orphans groan because of the frauds of such rascals, widows weep, husbands lament, spouses complain of their misery; one desires the fields, another the house, another the income that has been consumed, and some, overcome by mockery, prefer to remain hidden rather than admit their errors.