To the Reader.
enced maſter wil teach thee more in the myſteries of Alchymie in a quarter of a year, then by thine owne ſtudies and chargeable operations thou ſhalt learn in ſeven years. In the firſt place therefore, and above all things apply thy ſelfe to an expert, faithful, and communicative Artiſt, and account it a great gain, if thou canſt purchaſe his favour, though with a good gratuity, to lead thee through the manual practice of the chiefeſt, and choiſeſt preparations. I ſaid apply thy ſelf to an Artiſt, for there is ſcarce any proceſſe in all Chymiſtry ſo eaſie that he that neer ſaw it done wil be to ſeek, and commit ſome errours in the doing of it. I ſaid expert, that he may be able to inſtruct thee aright, faithful; that as he is able, ſo may faithfully performe what he promiſeth; and communicative, that he may be free in diſcovering himſelfe and his Art to thee. The truth is, moſt Artiſts reſerve that to themſelves, which they know, either out of a deſire to be admired the more for their undiſcovered ſecrets or out of envie to others knowledge. But how far this humour is approvable in them, I leave it others to judge; and as for my
