View source for Preface, 1568-02-09, Adam von Bodenstein to the Reader

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| Author=Adam von Bodenstein
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| Recipient=Reader
| Type=Preface
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| Date=1568-02-09
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| Place=Basel
| Pages=3
| Language=lat
| Editor=Julian Paulus
| SourceAuthor=Paracelsus
| SourceTitle=Septem libri de gradibus, de compositionibus, de dosibus receptorum ac Naturalium
| SourceEditor=Adam von Bodenstein
| SourcePlace=Basel: Pietro Perna
| SourceDate=1568
| SourceBP=BP098
| SourceSig=a2r-a3r
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| CP=0
| Translation=1
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| AbstractGPT=The passage discusses the popularity of Paracelsus' books, which contain sacred doctrines on medicine. However, it is warned that the books can confuse and alienate the inexperienced due to their use of enigmas and falsehoods. Despite this, a treatise on Degrees and Compositions of Receptors with annotations has been reprinted for sale. The reader is advised to interpret the text sincerely and without showing ingratitude to more learned individuals. The importance of prayer and asking for divine guidance in performing operations is emphasized. The reader is also warned not to be discouraged by the false explanations added by Leo Suavius to Paracelsus' books, and it is noted that Suavius denies the resolution of metals, indicating a lack of industry and wisdom.
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{{Pagemark|sig|a2r}} {{MarkupUppercase|Lectori salutem.|u=v}} 

<i>{{MarkupInitial|Multos|Lang=lat}} vocatos interq{{EditAbbr|ue}} ipsos nonnullos electos, Paracelsi{{Index|Name|Paracelsus}} libros coemere voluere & relegere certò, lector optime, liquet. Istos (quorum ex numero insignis nugigerulus Leo Suauius{{Index|Name|Jacques Gohory}} primas paulu{{EditAbbr|m}} post principia tenet) sacrata placita, admoranda prouidentia omnipotens, Theophrasto pr&aelig; cunctis hominibus largiter infusa, vt qu&aelig;re{{EditAbbr|n}}tibus miserationem Christi, viam rectam ad vtramq{{EditAbbr|ue}} medicinam commonstraret, obfuscare, immo trucidare ignominiose, in odium ducere meris &aelig;nigmatibus mendacijsq{{EditAbbr|ue}} simpliciorum & tyronum animos deterrere & abalienare, omnes neruos intendere constat illos, quo proximis in angustijs summis auxilium ferre poßint (admoniti exemplo Samaritani & pr&aelig;ceptis sacris) vulneribus mummiam adhibere, & veluti generosi canes Lazarum, lingendo vlcera {{Pagemark|sig|a2v}} refecerunt, vires labefactatas roborare, spiritum vit&aelig; iuuare, summam{{EditAbbr|´que}} clementiam intellectiui venerari addiscant & consuefiant. Factu{{EditAbbr|m}} ergo ijs, alijsq{{EditAbbr|ue}} de causis, vt librorum Paracelsicorum{{Index|Name|Paracelsus}}, iam ante annos publicatorum, vix duo aut tria exemplaria quorundam extent v&aelig;nalia: quocirca cum audirem quosdam raritatem tantorum qu&aelig;ritare, c&oelig;pi ipsis gratificari: iamque in pr&aelig;sentia tractatus de Gradibus & Compositionib[us] receptorum cum scholijs, quibus de Anatomia in fine tractatulus coh&aelig;ret, recudere curaui: sic eni{{EditAbbr|m}} soleo micas salis quo tuear corpusculu{{EditAbbr|m}} ab putredine, imbibere, quousq{{EditAbbr|ue}} ipse balsamus prodeat. Tuum itaq{{EditAbbr|ue}} erit interea agere syncerum, & omnia dextrè qu&aelig; sunt probata interpretati: nullibi doctioribus ingratitudinem exhibere, frontemq{{EditAbbr|ue}} corrugage ob tua{{EditAbbr|m}}met ignorantiam, cum non sit cuiusuis adire Corinthum, sed quod sint in die vigintiquatuor hor&aelig;, quarum {{Pagemark|sig|a3r}} singul&aelig; cum sint inter se in&aelig;quales, alias operationes inferre, iubente Deo, rationem habere, illum{{EditAbbr|´que}} qui humiles & constantes in oratione exaudit, & eleuat, abs{{EditAbbr|´que}} intermißione rogare, vt fastigium imponat in altißimis, tum senties hos labores veros esse, saluberrimosq{{EditAbbr|ue}} fructus producere. Non te absterreant fals&aelig; & colorat&aelig;, quin immo diabolic&aelig; expositiones Suauij{{Index|Name|Jacques Gohory}}, quas nequiter supra libros de Vita longa Paracelsi{{Index|Name|Paracelsus}} finxit & publicauit. Me{{EditAbbr|n}}dacia eiusde{{EditAbbr|m}} rugie{{EditAbbr|n}}tis leonis{{Index|Name|Jacques Gohory}} diligentius perpende, facile quàm sit imprudens, & impudens, insignis sycophanta, & ignarus vniuers&aelig; philosophi&aelig; deprehendes. Metallorum negat resolutionem, quod salis, hoc est industri&aelig; & sapienti&aelig; valde parum in se habeat. Vale: Datum Basile&aelig; festinanti calamo ix. Februarij. 1568.

Adamus à Bodenstein Doctor & Medicus.</i>


{{InfoboxTranslation|Date=2023-04-06}}
To the reader, greetings.

It is clear, esteemed reader, that many have wanted to purchase and read the books of Paracelsus, among whom some have been chosen. Those (among whom the witty Leo Suavius holds a prominent place, a little after the beginning) contain sacred doctrines that the all-knowing providence infused more abundantly in Theophrastus than in any other person, so that he might show the right path to both medicines to those who seek the mercy of Christ. It is known that these books can confuse, or even discredit and alienate the minds of the simple and inexperienced by means of pure enigmas and falsehoods, rather than guiding them towards the true way. Therefore, they must concentrate all their nerves to be able to offer help in the most extreme and difficult situations (taking the example of the Samaritan and the sacred precepts), to apply mummy to wounds, as well-bred dogs lick the sores of Lazarus and bring back their strength, to assist the faltering forces, support the spirit of life, and learn and become accustomed to the highest level of intellectual kindness.

Therefore, for these and other reasons, only two or three copies of Paracelsian books, published years ago, are barely available for sale. Hence, when I heard some people seeking the rarity of such works, I began to please them. And now, in the present time, I have taken care of reprinting the treatise on Degrees and Compositions of Receptors with the annotations, which complements the small treatise on Anatomy at the end, for this is how I usually imbue the small particles of salt to protect the body from decay until the balm itself appears.

Therefore, it will be your job to act sincerely and interpret everything that is proven well, without showing ingratitude to the more learned ones, and without wrinkling your forehead because of your own ignorance, since not everyone can enter Corinth. But remember that there are twenty-four hours in a day, and each hour is unequal to the others. One must consider this when, with God's permission, it is time to perform different operations, and constantly pray without interruption, asking Him to place us on the highest summit. Then, you will feel that these labors are true and produce the most beneficial fruits.

Do not be discouraged by the false, colored, or even devilish explanations of Suavius that he wickedly added and published above Paracelsus's books. By carefully considering the lies of the same roaring lion, you will easily recognize how imprudent, impudent, and ignorant of all philosophy he is. He denies the resolution of metals, which shows that he has very little salt, that is, industry and wisdom. Farewell. Given in Basel, with a hasty pen, on February 9, 1568.

Adam von Bodenstein, Doctor and Physician.