Page:The Art of Distillation, 1651.djvu/22

 To the Reader. enced mater wil teach thee more in the myteries of Alchymie in a quarter of a year, then by thine owne tudies and chargeable operations thou halt learn in even years. In the firt place therefore, and above all things apply thy elfe to an expert, faithful, and communicative Artit, and account it a great gain, if thou cant purchae his favour, though with a good gratuity, to lead thee through the manual practice of the chiefet, and choiet preparations. I aid apply thy elf to an Artit, for there is carce any procee in all Chymitry o eaie that he that neer aw it done wil be to eek, and commit ome errours in the doing of it. I aid expert, that he may be able to intruct thee aright, faithful; that as he is able, o may faithfully performe what he promieth; and communicative, that he may be free in dicovering himelfe and his Art to thee. The truth is, mot Artits reerve that to themelves, which they know, either out of a deire to be admired the more for their undicovered ecrets 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 part