Page:The Art of Distillation, 1651.djvu/11

 To the Reader. more expert Artit. I rejoice as at the break of the day after a long tedious night, to ee how this o ary art of Alchymie begins for to hine forth out of the clouds of reproach, which it hath a long time undeervedly layen under. There are two things which have a long time ecliped it, viz. the mits of ignorance, and the pecious lunary body of deceit. Arie O Sunne of truth, and dipell thee interpoed fogs, that the Queen of Arts may triumph in plendour! If men did believe what this Art could effect, and what variety there is in it, they would bee no longer traightened by, nor bound up to or lurare in verba Galeni, vel Aritotelis, but would now ubcribe a new engagement to be true and faithfdll to the principles of Hermes, and Paracelus, as they tand etablihed without Aritotle their prince and Galen, and Hippocrates, their lords and maters. They would no longer tand dreaming forth, Sic dicit Galenus, but Ipe dixit Hermes. I deire not to be mitaken as if I did deny Galen his due, or Hippocrates what is his right, for indeed they wrot excellently in many things and de-
 * 2 erve