Ripley reviv'd, or, An exposition upon Sir George Ripley's hermetico-poetical works containing the plainest and most excellent discoveries of the most hidden secrets of the ancient philosophers, that were ever yet published / written by Eirenæus Philalethes ...

AN Advertisement.

THe Compound of Alchymy which seems to be most made use of in this Book for Quotations, agrees for the most part with the Edition published by Ralph Rabbards, and Printed at London 1591. in 4^o. in which Edition the English is not so old as is that Copy which was pub∣lished by Elias Ash∣mole Esq;a: Yet I humbly conceive that this Expositor hath

thought fit to clear the sence of the old English Verse, by the change of some few words, more significant to the present speech, and yet doubtless not differing from the mind of the Author; which change of words, I durst not presume to alter, but that I ought rather in justice to the Author to let them pass; and for this reason like∣wise, that whomsoever shall desire to see the difference, may easily compare all three toge∣ther, because they are all published in Print: and in performing this service, I hope I have done my duty faithfully, and wronged no body. I likewise make bold to acquaint the Reader, that in the Exposition upon Sir G. Ripley's Preface, in the Learned Sophies Feast, pag. 52. line 5. I find this word [greatest,] which from what follows line 11. (I humbly conceive, with sub∣mission) should be [meanest,] as may more manifestly appear from the same Author, in his Secrets Reveal'd, pag. 62, 63. and in Sir G. Ripley's 5th. Gate, Stave 40. line 6. But because I found it [greatest price] in two Copies, I therefore left it so, and by this Advertisement submit it to the Readers Judgment. I have likewise found, that in

the Exposition upon Sir G. Ripley's Epi∣stle to King Edward the 4th. pag. 9. line 2. for Mercury, some Copies read Antimony, which is likewise left to the Readers scru∣tiny, by

W. C. B.

Notes

• a

  In his most excellent and laborious Collection of our Ancient English Hermetick Authors, called Theat•••••• Chymic••m Britannicum▪ Printed at London 165••. in 40. with his learned and ingenious Observations upon the same. And I heartily wish that the learned Philosophere of our Age, could prevail with him to publish his second Vo∣lume of that Collection, which he had almost finished near twenty years since, (as I had it from his own mouth) and hath lain asleep ever since, and likely so to lie; for to the perfecting thereof he is now unwilling to be brought, unless some worthy Friend of his can be wrought upon to prevail with him, before the sleep of death seizes him, and leav•••• those rare pieces of Antiquity to be inevitably lost, to the prejudice of all Philosophers, and great dishonour of the English Nation.