THE BOOK
OF
Philip Theophrastus Bombast
Of Hohenheim, Monarch of Philosophers, Prince of Spagyrists, Chief of Astronomers, Paradoxical Physician, and great Master of Mechanick Secrets.
TOUCHING
The TINCTURE of Natural Things,
Against Sophisters born since the Flood, in the Age of Our LORD
JESUS CHRIST the Son of GOD.
THE PREFACE.
Since thou, Sophister, with foolish and lying Words, hast reproached me in all places, because I was born in Helvetia, that I am rude, and understand or know nothing; also, that being one Letter more than a Physician, I rove and wander about from one Region to another: Therefore I purpose in this small Treatise to discover and lay open to the World, ignorant and unexperienced men; also that in the first Age good Arts were in being; and what your Art is able to effect against mine and mine against yours, and what is to be judged of either, and how Posterity in the Age of Grace will imitate me.
Consider Hermes, Archelaus, and others in the First Age, what Spagyrists they were, and how great Philosophers. That they were such, is witnessed even by their Enemies, who are thy Patrons, (or Idols rather at this time) O Sophister. But if this had not been testified by your Authentick Fathers and falsly-reputed Saints; yet the ancient Smaragdine-Table discovers more of Art and Experience in Medicine, Alchymy, Magick, and other like Sciences, than can ever be taught by you and all your Tribe. If from the Precedent you do not yet understand what, and how great Treasures these be, tell me why no Prince or King was able to subjugate the Egyptians? Then why did Dioclesian the Emperour command all Books of Chymistry (how many soever they were he could come by) to be burnt? For their Books being destroyed, they were long since compelled to bear such an intolerable Yoke, as will in time fall upon the neck of thee and thy Collegues, O Sophister.