[Illustration] To the Reader. _Courteous Reader, there hath a desistance been occasioned since the inception of this work, by reason of the occurrence of certaine Authours, that contrary unto my knowledge had laboured so fully herein; but after consideration had (that for the most part they were but translations) I thought it might bee no lesse lawfull and commendable for mee than for others, to communicate unto such as are yet desirous of further information, that wherein I haue bestowed both cost and paines. Notwithstanding, I haue so used the matter, as that I might not derogate from the estimation had of others to increase mine owne. Read it throughly, iudge indifferently, and if thou likest it, practise considerately. If thou art ignorant herein, I am sure it will instruct thee, and though well experienced (which perhaps thou art) I make no question, but that thou mayst finde somewhat which thou hast not heard of before; So farewell._ Your Welwiller _I.B._ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration] Of Fire-workes. I haue euer found (in conference with diuers desirous of instruction in any Art or Science whatsoeuer) that the summe and chiefest end of all hath been, to know the reasons and causes of those things they were desirous to be informed in. Wherefore I thought good, before I came to the matter it selfe, to set down some few Præcognita or Principles (as I may so call them) whereby such as are ingenious, upon occasion, may informe themselues, if they stand in doubt of the cause of any thing that is heereafter taught. _Certayne Præcognita or Principles wherein are contayned the causes and reasons of that which is taught in this Booke._ 1 The foure Elements, Fire, Ayre, Earth, and Water, are the _prima principia_ (I meane the materialls) whereof euery sublunary body is composed, and into the which it is at last dissolued. 2 Euery thing finding a dissolution of those _naturæ catenæ_, that is, meanes whereby their _principia_ are connected, and ioyned together, their lighter parts ascend upward, and these that are more grosse and heauy, doe the contrary.