Text.BP190.C8v/Translation

To the devotees of the Hermetic muses, greetings.

All the books of the Philosophers, dear reader, whoever speaks of that abstruse Hermetic medicine, are nothing but a spagyric labyrinth, in which most students of the art fall into various twists and turns and deceptive paths, so that to this very day, either none or very few have found the true exit. For if by chance an easy path in this labyrinth opens up to the wanderers, which seems to lead straight to the final doors, soon inescapable corners are encountered, which enclose the strayed in perpetual prisons. Thus, if in the writings of the philosophers, sometimes easy and clear paths present themselves, which at first glance seem straightforward to those looking at the letter, soon the unwary operators, deceived by the open words of the philosophers, are entangled in countless tricks. In addition to this, many pseudo-chemists deceive many with their frauds and sophistries, selling and spreading false chemical operations and documents, promising mountains of gold to the overly credulous and instructing them to expect wheat while sowing tares. Therefore, moved by compassion, I offer you these rules full of truth and physical reasons: in which you will have the entire art clearly depicted, as if on a tablet. Examine these, weigh them, and fortify the opinion of your mind with strong arguments, so you cannot err. For he who believes all sophistries without judgment is willingly deceived. The true art is covered with many veils, by which the unwary are easily entangled. Therefore, before you begin to operate, weigh the natural causes with prudent counsel: or do not undertake the matter: it is better to devote time to careful judgment and meditation, than to pay the penalties of rashness and foolish inconsideration. Farewell.