ABSTRACT
AMongst the heights of hidden Philosophy, the production of the Hermetick Stone hath of a long time been strongly believed to be the chiefest, and nearest a Miracle, both for the Labyrinths and multitudes of operations, out of which the minde of man, unlesse it be illuminated by a beam of Divine light, is not able to unwinde her self; as also because of its most noble end which promiseth a constant plenty of health and fortunes, the two main pillars of an happie life. Besides, the chief Promoters of this Science have made it most remote from the knowledge of the vulgar sort by their Tropes and dark expressions, and have placed it on high, as a Tower impregnable for Rocks and Situation, whereunto there can be no accesse, unlesse God direct the way. The study of hiding this Art hath drawn a reproach upon the Art it self and its Professors: for when those unfortunate Plunderers of the Golden Fleece by reason of their unskilfulnesse felt themselves, beat down from their vain attempt, and far unequall unto such eminent persons; they in a furious rapture of desperation, like mad-men, waxed hot against their fame and the reknown of the Science, utterly denying any thing to be above their cognizance and the spheare of their wit, but what was foolish and frothy: And because they set upon a businesse of damage to themselves, they have not ceased to accuse the chief Masters of hidden Philosophy of falshood, Nature of impotency, and Art of cheats, not for any other reason, then that they rashly condemne what they know not: nor is this condemnation a sufficient revenge, without 92the addition of madness to snarl and bite the innocent with infamous slaunders. I grieve (in truth) for their hard fortune, who whilest they reprove others, give occasion of their own conviction, although they justly suffer an hellish fury within them. They moil and sweat to batter the obscure principles of the most hidden Philosophy with troops of arguments, and to pull up the secret foundations thereof with their devised engines: which yet are onely manifest to the skilfull, and those that are much versed in so sublime Philosophy, but hid from strangers: Nor doe these quick-sighted Censors observe, that whilst they malign anothers credit, they willingly betray their own. Let them consider with themselves, whether they understand those things which they carp at; What Author of eminency hath divulged the secret elements of this Science, the Labyrinths and windings of operations, and lastly, the whole proceedings therein? What Oedipus hath sincerely and truly explained unto him the figures and intangled dark speeches of Authors? With what Oracle, what Sibyll, have they been led into the Sanctuary of this holy Science? In fine, how were all things in it made so manifest, that no part remains yet unveiled? I suppose they will no otherwise answer my question, then thus, that they have pierced all things by the subtilty of their wits; or confesse that they were taught (or rather seduced) by some wandring Quack or Mountebank, who hath crept into a good esteem with them, by his feigned countenance of a Philosopher. O wickednesse! who can silently suffer these Palmer-worms to gnaw upon the fame, labour, and glory of the wise? who can with patience hear blinde men, as out of a Tripode judging of the Sun? But it is greater glory to contemne the hurtlesse darts of bablers, then to repell them. Let them onely disdain the treasure of Nature and Art, who cannot obtain it. Nor is it my purpose to plead the doubtfull cause of an unfortunate Science, and being condemned, to take it into tuition: Our guiltlesse Philosophy is no whit criminous: and standing firm by the aid of eminentest Authors, and fortified with the manifold experience of divers ages, it remains safe enough from the fopperies of pratlers, and the snarlings of envy. However Charity hath incited me, and the multitude of wanderers induced me, taking pity on them, to present my light, that so 93they may escape the hazard of the night: by help whereof they may not onely live out, but also procure an enlargement both to their Life and fading Fortunes. This small Treatise penn’d for your use (ye Students of Hermetick Philosophy) I present unto you, that it may be dedicated to those, for whose sake it was writ. If any perhaps shall complain of me, and summon me to appear as guilty of breach of silence for divulging secrets in an itching style, ye have one guilty of too much respectfulnesse towards you, confessing his fault, sentence him if you please; so that my crime may supply the place of a reward to you: The offence will not bee displeasing unto you, and the punishment (I doubt not) pleasant unto mee, if I shall finde my self to have erred in this onely, whereby you may put an end to erring for the future.
