Theatrum chemicum, praecipuos selectorum auctorum tractatus de chemiae et lapidis philosophici antiquitate, veritate, iure, praestantia, & operationibus, continens: in gratiam verae chemiae, et medicinae chemicae studiosorum ... congestum, et in sex partes seu volumina digestum; singulis voluminibus, suo auctorum et librorum catalogo primis pagellis: rerum vero & verborum indice postremis annexo. Volumen primum [- sextum]

theatre to be viewed and inspected with pleasure by the studious: whence they, as if from a certain well-cultivated and artificially arranged garden, might be able to pluck for their own use, and also for their delight, medicinal herbs of every kind, and likewise small flowers and various fruits. I considered that this same goal and use should also be proposed by me in the present matter of chemical things. And since very many outstanding men, endowed with the highest intellects and adorned with singular wisdom, have written many excellent and almost divine things about this art in diverse places, both in our own time and in previous centuries: I have taken care to have their works, as many as could be searched out at great expense and labor, sought out from everywhere, and digested and arranged into one body, and into a certain Theatrum Theater. I am led by the best hope that I might perform not an unpleasant or ungrateful service for the students of Chemical philosophy through this work of mine: who, by comparing diverse authors among themselves on this occasion, might more easily gather one thing from another, and in this way be able to reach the goal of their purpose more conveniently. Furthermore, Most Illustrious Prince, Most Clement Lord, I wished to humbly inscribe and dedicate this Theatrum Chemicum Chemical Theater to Your Highness: since it does not escape me with what clearly clement and laudable favor and