Preface, no date (1602), Johann Friedrich Jungius to the Reader (BP.Dorn.1602-01)

Author:	[Johann Friedrich Jungius]
Recipient:	Michael Theurer
Type:	Dedication
Date:	no date [1602]
Place:	no place
Pages:	8
Language:	Latin

Quote as:

https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=2750

Editor:	Edited by Julian Paulus
Source:	Gerhard Dorn, Schlüssel der Chimistischen Philosophy, ed. Johann Friedrich Jungius, Straßburg: Lazarus Zetzner 1602, sig. )(5r–)(8v [BP.Dorn.1602-01]

CP:	Not in Kühlmann/Telle, Corpus Paracelsisticum

Translation:

Raw translation see below

Abstract:

Jungius argues against the misuse and misunderstanding of philosophy and chemistry, especially for monetary gain. He laments how people falsely promise quick riches through these disciplines, thereby sullying their reputation. He acknowledges the existence of individuals who misuse these fields due to greed and ignorance, emphasizing that the primary aim is not wealth but philosophical enlightenment. Jungius calls on readers to approach these studies with sincerity, understanding the true principles and foundations. He introduces a key to unlocking nature's secrets, derived from Gerardus Dornaeus's work, which he translated into German. He urges caution in undertaking these studies and calls for genuine understanding, with warnings against the potential loss of time, effort, and resources. Lastly, he hints at forthcoming illustrations to aid comprehension, but cites time constraints for their absence. (generated by Chat-GPT)

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Text

[sig. )(5r] An günstigen Leser.

Djeweil mir nicht zweifelt Günstiger lieber Leser/ das/ demnach das studium Philosophiæ veræ, sonderlich aber Chimicæ, wegen des vilfältigen betrugs/ so dergleichen durch verführende vnd nichts sollende Leut/ so vnderm schein diser Kunst experientz/ hin vnd wieder/ hohes vnd nideres Stands/ Fürsten vnd Herren/ (so gleichwol auch betrogen sein wollen) anfuhrn/ viel guldene Berg verheissen/ im wercke aber nichts prestieren noch leisten/ vnnd dahero der Edlen Kunst ein solchen Mackel inuirieren/ daß sie bey menniglich verhaßt/ verspott/ vnnd gleichsam von dem Erdboden weg zuraumen/ würdig geachtet wirdt: viel vnd mancherley iudicia vnd vrtheil auch von diesem Tractat werden gefelt/ vnd dafür gehalten werden/ daß es vnnütz vnd Thorecht ding/ von solcher täglichen je lenger je mehr/ Bücher/ Edieren vnnd außgehn lassen wöllen/ vnd hiermit/ bevorab/ Gledtgirigen/ vnd vnbesunnenen Thorechten Leuten/ vrsach vnd anlaß geben/ solchem nach zuhengen/ dardurch sie nicht allein die Edle zeit/ Sondern auch jhre von Gott bescherte Nahrung sampt sich selbsten zuverlieren.

Vnd kan ich zwar nicht in abred sein/ das heutiges tages (Gott erbarms) sich viel finden/ [sig. )(5v] die wegen zeitlichen Gelt vnnd Guts zu erlangen/ vom leiden Geitz Teuffel also getrieben werden/ daß sie anders nichts gedencken/ dichten vnnd trachten/ als wie sie nur durch diese Kunst solches zuwegen bringen/ vnd jhren vndersettlichen Geitzwanst darmit füllen möchten, Gleichsam diese divina scientia, allein dahin sehe/ wie man Gold vnd Geldt machen/ vnnd sich darmit bereichen soll. Wann aber solches nicht finis & scopus præcipuus huius artis ist: Diß artificium auch nicht dahin fürnemblichen siehet/ Sonder auff ein anderes Philosophisches Aurum, si mit eusserlichen Augen nicht gesehen/ sonder den innerlichen gebrüfft werden muß/ welches/ dieweil es dergleichen Leuten vnbekant/ sie auch also weit ab der ban schreiten/ daß sie nicht allein sich selbsten sonder auch alle die/ so jhnen anhangen/ verführen vnd betriegen: vnd zwar nicht vnbillich dieweil solche Chimica nicht eines jeglichen beruffs/ sonder allein den filijs doctrinæ, vnd denen so sich dieser Welt/ wo nicht corporaliter omninô, doch Mentaliter, zu entschlagen gedencken/ angehörig/ Neben dem auch Gott der Allmechtige/ einem jeden (außerhalb dem so er sonderlich ex mera sua providentia, hie zu beruffen in seinem von jm anbefohlenen beruff zuverbleiben gebotten/ vnd aufferlegt/ auch jeglichem seinem Stand vnd wesen [sig. )(6r] nach/ solche Mittel vnnd gelegenheit vergont/ damit er sich in seinem anbefohlenen Ampt erbarlich vnd auffrichtig Nehren/ vnd vnnötiger sachen entschlagen kan. Welche nun solchem zu wider sich mit gewalt vnberuffen/ Jn solches einzudringen gedencken/ vnnd darüber zu spott werden/ die haben ja billicher weiß/ Niemandt als sich selbsten anzuklagen iuxtra proverbium, volenti non fit iniuria.

Damit aber dergleichen Leut von solchem studio abgewisen/ vnnd vor jhrem schaden/ beneben verlust/ der zeit Mühe vnd Arbeit gewarnet werden mögen/ oder aber das sie sich vnbesonnener weiß/ ehe nicht auff solch studium legen/ sie haben dann die principia & fundamenta vera, huius artis wol ergründt/ welches zwar nicht in kurtzer zeit/ noch auch obiter legendo, sed diu multumq́ue orando laborandoq́ue zu wegen gebracht werden muß: Aber zu solchem kein anderer vnnd besserer weg gefunden werden mag/ als daß einer zu vorderst sich selbsten/ vnnd dann/ was das rechte Philosophische Gold seye/ warinn es beruhe/ vnd was dessen endtlicher finis seye/ erkennen lehrt/ damit er nicht nach spatem Rewen/ vber sich vnd andere zu klagen hab.

Qui enim sapit, sapiat citô: nam sapientia sera
[sig. )(6v] Proxima stultitiæ est, fertq́ue importuna dolorem
Deplorans frustra graue, & Irreparabile damnum.

So hab ich nicht vnderlassen können/ auff bitt vnnd anhalten gutter Leut/ sonderlich hie nach bemelten günstigen Herren/ denn/ inn diesem Tractätlin gewisenen weg vnnd Methodum, zu solcher Edlen Philosophy zugelangen/ zu eröffnen.

Wann man dann nuhn/ zu einer Porten/ Hauß oder Schloß eingehen: oder auch ein Truhen/ vnd kisten öffnen will/ Man/ wie Menniglichen bewußt/ zuvorderst den Schlüssel zu solcher haben muß/ ohn welchen man keine frucht vnd nutzbarliche öffnung haben mag. Also will vnd erfordert sich auch nohtwendig inn diesem artificio divino, das so man zu dem aller geheimesten inn der Natur verborgenen Schätzen zu kommen begehret/ Man erstlichen den Schlüssel zu solchen/ damit man mit Nutz vnd Frucht auffschliessen mög haben muß. Solchen hat nun vor etlichen Jahren/ der Hochgelehrte/ vnd in der recht waren Phylosophy/ weit sehende Herr Gerardus Dornæus Medicinæ vtriusque Doctor, allen liebhabern der wahren Chimy vnnd Philosophy auß Trewhertzigem wolmeinenden Gemüt Lateinisch beschriben vnd an tag geben/ vnd alles was zu solchem [sig. )(7r] studio Nutz vnd Nohtwendig/ so herrlich/ vnverblümbt (doch philosophico more beschrieben/ das meines erachtens/ keiner/ wie geschickt/ Verstendig vnnd Hochgelehrt er jmmer sey/ zu solchen geheimnussen/ ohne diesen Schlüssel kommen möge: Welchen ich vor drey Jahren vngefährlich/ Mir zum besten/ damit die Termini huius artis desto baß in memoria hæriereten/ auch einen habitum darin acquirierte/ ins Teutsch transferiert/ Nicht des Sinns vnd Gemüts/ solches zu publicieren/ vnd in Truck außzugehen lassen/ sonder Mir vnnd den Meinigen wie noch andere dergleichen mehr von mir transferierte Bücher/ zu behalten. Es hat aber kurtz verruckter zeit/ der Ehrenvest vnnd Fürgeacht Herr Lazarus Zetzner Buchführer &c. allhie mein günstiger Herr vnd Freund solches bey mir gesehen/ vnd/ weil er dergleichen Chimica opera getruckt/ auch noch stattliche sub prælo hat/ so in kurtzer zeit ans Liecht kommen werden/ mich so ernstlich angelangt vnd gebeten/ daß ich jhme so viel zugefallen sein/ solches Communicieren/ vnnd durch jn/ in Truck kommen lassen/ vergünstigen wolte. Ob ich nun wol jhm solches etlich mahl abgeschlagen/ als dem wol bewußt/ was für seltzame vnd schwere iuditia vnd opiniones ich darob zugewarten.

Præsertim ab illis, qui cum nil edere possunt
[sig. )(7v] Dignum laude, tamen gaudere maledicere semper.
Carpendisq́ue alijs famam venantur inanem

So hab ich doch endtlich auff embsig sein anhalten/ als meinem sondern günstigen Herren vnd vertrawten Freund/ solches nimmer lenger versagen können/ sonder vergonnen vnnd einwilligen müssen/ dessen mich sonderlich getrostende/ daß dieweil ich es nicht animo divulgandi, wie obvermeldt/ sonder allein exercitij gratia für mich/ transferiert: Zu dem auch das werck an jm selbs/ nicht mein eigen opus, sonder allein translator huius bin. Es werde es Mir niemand/ so er etwas vngereumbtes oder Vnverstendiges darinnen findet/ solches vbel deuten/ vnd außlegen/ sonder es also auff vnd annemmen/ wie ich es gemeint/ vnnd verstanden haben will/ oder aber dergleichen vnder die Hand nemmen vnd seinem vermögen nach besseren/ so ich jhm gern gestatten vnnd auch darumb gebetten haben will.

Will demnach im Beschluß Menniglich auffs trewlichst gewarnet haben/ daß sie sich auff solch studium, ehe nicht legen wöllen/ sie befinden dan zuvorderst in jhrem Gemüt/ daß sie sonderlich darzu beruffen: Zum andern/ daß sie die principia vnnd fundamenta huius artis inn diesem Büchlein wol ergreiffen/ ehe vnnd sie sich hierauff begeben/ dann es warlich [sig. )(8r] nicht also leicht/ wie mancher jm einbildt: Noch auch das lehret/ was sie suchen vnnd begehren/ sondern viel ein anders verborgen/ so inn dem jnnersten theil der Natur/ hart verschlossen ligt/ zu welchen/ ohne diesen Schlüssel/ keinem Natürlichen Philosopho/ (Es werde jhm dann mediatè per Magistrum & Præceptorem, oder aber Immediatè per revelationem divinam, quod tamen rarô fieri solet, entdeckt) zukommen müglich.

Hüte sich derowegen ein jeglicher auffs best/ vnd sey gewarnet/ der sich je warnen lassen will/ daß er sich ehe nicht inn solches einlasse/ er wisse vnnd verstehe dann dieses Schlüssels innhalt/ Macht vnd Gewalt gar wol/ damit er nicht mit zu spatem Rewen/ verlust der zeit/ Spott vnnd Schaden/ solche Warnung war zusein/ erfahre.

Jch habe zwar vmb besseren verstands willen zwo Figuren so den gantzen Jnnhalt der recht Geistlichen Chimi, vnd deß Colloquij, so Spiritus Anima & corpus mit einander im andern Theil der Speculativischen Philosophy helt/ Jtem der Welt baw/ Wanderschaffts gemeinen Lebens/ den Breiten weg deß Jrrthumbs/ vnd Schmalen weg der Warheit/ begreifft/ in eine form auffs Papyr gebracht vnd Malen lassen/ auch deutlicher erklärung halben hinzusetzen lassen wöllen/ weiln aber die zeit zu kurtz vnd von dem Kupffer stecher nicht gefer- [sig. )(8v] tigt werden mögen/ hab ich es auff dißmal einstellen/ vnnd biß auff ein andere zeit/ da ich vielleicht noch mehr/ wofehr ich befinden werde/ das solches Ehrlichen Leuten lieb vnd angenem sein wirdt/ an Tag zugeben bedacht/ sonderlich Physicam eiusdem Dornæi, de Luce Naturæ ex Genesi desumpta, Jtem Herrn Magistri Tritheimij vnd dergleichen Bücher so ich allbereit transferiert hinder mir hab/ sparen wöllen. Hiemit Mich dem Günstigen Leser zu diensten. Göttlichem Schirm aber vns samptlichen empfelende.

J[ohann] F[riedrich] J[ungius] A[rgentinensis].

Apparatus

Corrections

Translation

English Raw Translation

Generated by ChatGPT-4 on July 2023. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.

To the favorable reader.

I do not doubt, dear favorable reader, that the study of true philosophy, especially of chemistry, because of the abundant deception - such as people who under the guise of this art of experience promise golden mountains to high and low status people, princes and lords (who nevertheless also want to be deceived) here and there, but in the end do nothing and therefore tarnish this noble art to such an extent that it is despised, mocked, and deemed worthy to be removed from the earth by everyone: many and varied judgments and verdicts will also be passed on this treatise, and it will be deemed useless and foolish to keep publishing more and more books on the subject each day, thereby giving especially money-hungry and thoughtless fools reason and cause to devote themselves to it, through which they not only waste their noble time, but also their sustenance bestowed by God along with themselves.

And I must admit, that today (God have mercy) there are many who, driven by the devil of greed for temporal money and goods, think, conceive and plan nothing else but how they could achieve this through this art and want to fill their insatiable greed with it, as if this divine science were only aimed at making gold and money and enriching oneself with it. But this is not the main aim and goal of this art: this skill also does not primarily aim at this, but at a different philosophical gold, which cannot be seen with physical eyes, but must be felt with inner ones, which is unknown to such people, and they stray so far from the path that they not only deceive themselves but also all those who follow them: and rightly so, since this chemistry is not everyone's profession, but only belongs to the sons of doctrine, and those who plan to renounce this world, if not physically entirely, yet mentally, in addition to which God Almighty has commanded everyone (except those whom he especially calls to this out of his mere providence) to remain in his vocation assigned by him, and has granted and imposed on each one, according to his status and nature, such means and opportunities to sustain himself honorably and uprightly in his assigned office, and to refrain from unnecessary things. Those who, contrary to this, forcibly without being called, intend to intrude into this and are mocked for it, have, in a just way, no one but themselves to blame, according to the proverb, volenti non fit iniuria (to a willing person, injury is not done).

In order that such people might be dissuaded from this study, and be warned of their potential losses, not only of time, effort and labor, but also financial, or that they should not apply themselves to such a study in an unconsidered manner, unless they have thoroughly understood the true principles and foundations of this art, which certainly cannot be achieved in a short time or by simply reading, but must be accomplished through much and long praying and working: But no other and better way might be found for this than that one first teach oneself and then, what the true Philosophical Gold is, where it is grounded, and what its ultimate aim is, so that one does not, after late regret, have cause to lament over oneself and others.

For who is wise, let him become wise quickly: for late wisdom
Is next to foolishness, and brings unbearable pain
Lamenting in vain the serious, and irreparable loss.

Therefore, I could not refrain from revealing, upon the request and insistence of good people, especially the hereafter mentioned honorable gentlemen, the path and method pointed out in this treatise, to approach such a noble Philosophy.

For if one wishes to enter a gate, house, or castle, or even to open a chest or box, as everyone knows, one must first have the key to it, without which one can not have a beneficial and useful opening. Thus, it is also necessary in this divine art, that if one desires to reach the most secret treasures hidden in nature, one must first have the key to them, in order to unlock them with benefit and fruitfulness. This key has been described and published in Latin, a few years ago, by the highly learned and far-seeing Mr. Gerardus Dornaeus, a doctor of both medicines, out of a sincere and well-meaning spirit, for all lovers of true chemistry and philosophy, and everything necessary and useful for such study is described so beautifully and straightforwardly (though in a philosophical manner), that in my opinion, no one, no matter how skilled, intelligent, and highly learned, can reach such secrets without this key. I translated this into German about three years ago, for my own benefit, so that the terms of this art would stick better in memory, and also to acquire a habit in it, not with the intention and mind to publish it, and let it be printed, but to keep it for myself and my own, like several other books I translated. However, a short while ago, the honorable and respected Mr. Lazarus Zetzner, a bookkeeper here, my kind sir and friend, saw it and, since he has printed similar chemical works and still has significant ones under the press, which will come to light in a short time, asked me so earnestly to grant him the favor of sharing this and letting it be printed by him. Even though I have denied him several times, as I am well aware of the peculiar and severe judgments and opinions I am to expect for this.

Especially from those, who although they cannot produce
Anything worthy of praise, yet always delight in speaking ill.
And they hunt for a hollow reputation by criticizing others.

Therefore, in the end, at his earnest persistence, as my special kind sir and trusted friend, I could no longer refuse but had to grant and consent, especially comforting myself that while I did not translate it with the intent of disseminating it, as aforementioned, but solely for my own practice, the work itself is not my own creation but I am only the translator of it. Should anyone find anything crude or incomprehensible therein, they should not interpret or construe it unfavorably, but take it as I intended and want it to be understood, or else undertake a similar task according to their ability and improve upon it, which I would gladly allow and even request.

In conclusion, I earnestly warn everyone not to undertake such studies unless they first find in their hearts that they are particularly called to it. Secondly, they should fully comprehend the principles and foundations of this art in this little book before they embark on it, for it is truly not as easy as some imagine. Nor does it teach what they seek and desire, but much else is hidden, lying deeply enclosed in the innermost part of nature, to which, without this key, no natural philosopher can attain (unless it is revealed to him either indirectly through a master and teacher, or directly through divine revelation, which, however, rarely happens).

Therefore, let everyone be aware and warned, whoever wants to heed the warning, not to engage in this unless they understand the content, power, and force of this key very well, so they do not, with belated regret, experience the loss of time, mockery, and damage, to find this warning was true.

Indeed, for the sake of better understanding, I have brought two figures onto paper and had them painted, which encompass the entire content of the true spiritual alchemy and the colloquy that the Spirit, Soul, and Body have with each other in the second part of Speculative Philosophy, and also the construction of the world, the pilgrimage of common life, the broad way of error, and the narrow way of truth. I intended to include these for clearer explanation, but since time is short and they could not be prepared by the copper engraver, I have put it off for now, and decided to publish it at another time, perhaps with more that I might find will be loved and welcomed by honest people, especially Dornæus's Physica on the Light of Nature drawn from Genesis, as well as the books of Master Tritheim and the like which I have already translated and have behind me. I am saving them for another time. With this, I offer myself in service to the kind reader, while recommending us all to divine protection.

Johann Friedrich Jungius from Strasbourg

Improved translation

Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 9 July 2023. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.