THE FOURTH PART OF THE Prosperity of GERMANY. (continued 3)

But forasmuch as our main scope in this place is to make some mention of the use of the Saturnine Water, we will let pass other matters, and declare some of the virtues of the said wonderfull Water in the melioration of the Metals.

Let the lover of Art therefore know, that the Saturnine Water doth display its virtues in washing the Metals that are to be amended. For if any imperfect Metal, as Iron, or Tin, or Copper, be adjoyned thereunto, and held in such a Vessel, as in which, that Water cannot by means of its fugaciousness vanish away, nor through its subtile and penetrating power run out, and that it be digested for a while in such a Vessel, this Saturnine Bath seizeth upon, washeth, and purgeth the Metal, and transmuteth it into a better and more pure Metal, but yet with no great profit, for it onely shews the possibility.

But yet if some tinging Species be adjoyned thereunto, it does not onely make a pure washing, but likewise exalteth and tingeth the same, according as the tendency of the adjoyned subject is, either unto a white or a red Tincture. But what those Species are, there’s no need of disclosing them to every one. ’Tis sufficient that I have laid open the Water, and the use thereof in the washing of the Metals.

But that the Saturnine Bath may the sooner and readier seize upon the Metals, and wash them, it is the best way, to add one third part of the Mercurial Water of Lune, to the Mercurial Water of Saturn: which Waters do very readily conjoyn, and each help the other in the washing, and do also tinge, according as the property of that Tincture is, which is adjoyned thereunto. I will for Example sake adjoyn the manner, which shall both shew the possibility of the thing, and administer occasion of farther search.

Dissolve one ounce of pure Silver in Aq. Fortis, and three ounces of common Lead, in more Aq. Fortis, mix both the Solutions together, and precipitate them, either with common Salt Water, or with Spirit of Salt, which is all a case. Pour off the Aq. Fortis from the Coagulum, after its being settled to the bottom, which said Coagulum, you need not wash with Rain Water, for this Work, but press the liquor onely through a thick Cloath and so free it of its humidity; this done, dry this metallick Cheese by the Fire, and you shall have a Bath very fit to wash Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. And now when you are minded to try whether or no the success will fadge well, divide your Bath into three parts, and wash those three Metals on the following manner.

N. B. Let no Body take it in evil part, that I here silently pass over my secret bathing Laver, serving to wash the Metals in, and not permitting the Water it self to go away in fume: He that is minded to try this Operation, may for the first time make use of Crucibles, which, although they may bring some loss by letting go part of the Saturnine Bath, yet notwithstanding they will demonstrate the success of the business, and the loss by them caused may afterwards be prevented by due Mediums. The manner of using the Bath aforesaid, is as followeth.

Take of the filings of pure Iron, Copper or Tin one part, mix it with three parts of our dry Bath, and put the matter thus mixt into an earthen Vessel, which hath the compactness of Glass, such as those are, which are made at Siburg near Colen, at Bamberg in Franconia, and at Waldenburg, near Cassela in Hassia, and in other places of Germany. (N. B. The common Vessels and Crucibles cannot retain this Water, but it penetrates through them like Oil.) Heat your Vessel so hot as to cause the Water together with the Metals to melt and flow well, in which liquefaction, part indeed of the water will pass away in fume, but this loss may be easily prevented.

When therefore your Metal hath been thus boild for about one quarter of an hour, part of the same will be found washt and turned into good Silver: nor must you thus understand me as if the Silver in the said Water were onely precipitated by the Metal, and that no part of the Metal it self underwent any Transmutation. For albeit that that Silver which was added to the Saturnine Water be precipitated by the adjoyned Metal, and returns into its former Body, yet nevertheless there is more Silver gotten than was added to the Water. For that Saturnine Bath while it is occupied about the dissolution of the Metal, doth by the efficacy and Operation of the adjoyned Lune, exalt and tinge part of the Metal to an higher degree.

But although this labour does not promise any golden Mountains, it is here put for this end onely, namely, that the possibility of the thing may be learned hereby: yet notwithstanding, if any one did but know how to adjoyn to this Saturnine Water, a golden Ferment, instead of a silvery one, it could not otherwise be but that he would get no contemptible gain and profit: yet if the same Operation be so instituted with a white Ferment, as that not any the least part thereof may go away in fume, and be lost of the Bath, it will bring no loss. N. B. Neither is it always needfull that the Ferments of pure Metals be adjoyned to this Saturnine Bath, for I think that apt Minerals may be found, which may be adhibited in the room of aureous and argenteous Ferments. Nay more, I do likewise think that such subjects may be adjoyned to this Saturnine Mercurial Water, as may be therein fixed into white and red Tinctures; the thing it self I have not as yet tried, nor do I profess my self so great a Master, for I propose to my self this onely end in my Writing, namely, to shew unto such as are desirous after transmutations, the way of arriving unto the truth it self. For it will be far easier for every one that searcheth into the business more thoroughly, and that maketh more accurate tryals, to find out far greater things, yea much more than he could ever believe. More such Woman-like Washings, and more Boys Plays shall (God willing) be manifested in my Work of Saturn.

But now this Saturnine dry Bath may be prepared much easier, on this wise following; choose you out such an Oar or Minera of Lead, which is very pure and clean, and hath nor either Iron, or Copper, or any other Metal admixt therewithall: (N. B. If Silver be likewise in the Oar, it rather profits than hinders, but the said Oar must not have much earth mixt in it, and that which is on to it must be taken from it by washing off the same with fair Water.) One, two, three, or more pounds of this leaden Oar thus washt, must be put into a strong Cucurbit, and so many pounds of Spirit of Salt must be (put on and) drawn off thencefrom, which Spirit of Salt, as being a moist and Philosophical Fire, will reduce the pure Oar of Lead, which it toucheth every where and in all places of the same, into a bright, Snowy, easily Meltable, and fugacious Calx, which is to be well washt with Water and be dried: This is that metallick Bath, and that dry Water of the Ancients, which wets not the hands, and which is able to perform admirable things in the Metals.

But that this Philosophical and moist Calcination of the Oar of Lead, may be accomplished without any costs, some Salt Water must be poured upon the Spirit of Salt, in the Cucurbit, that the Salt may ascend together with the Spirit, and may augment the same with so great a quantity of Spirit, as may quit the costs of the Oar and Fire, and yield you the dry Saturnine Bath for nothing, which said Bath may be employed various ways about the washings and emendations of the Metals. For out of the Oars which never underwent the burning by the Fire, and were never as yet deprived of their growing faculty, this Bath thus prepared is to be preferred far afore that, which is made of the molten Metal.

I do here open to the studious of Art, the Gate that leads unto most great secrets, which were never so clearly manifested by any Man. It must necessarily therefore be, that either God must put a stop, or that the Operator or Labourer himself must be of a stupid and simple capacity, if he cannot learn from these instructions, as much as to live in quietude, and so furnish himself with Food and Rayment.

If therefore God shall vouchsafe his Blessing unto thee in the use of this secret, then give unto him, the bestower of all good things, thy utmost thanks, and be not unmindfull of the Poor. Sustain thy life by the works of thy hands, and let thy light shine before the blind, neither bury the same enviously in the Earth. Do good to every one, that it may be discerned and appear what Tree thou art. Entertain not too great an opinion of thy self, but remember that thou art a Man and mai’st err and fail. Give no body occasion of quarrelling and brawling. If an unjust conflict be brought upon thee, commit thy self wholly unto God, and he will succour thee. Give place to the greater, and spare the lesser, God will defend thee and suppress thine Enemies.

The Heathen Philosophers accounted the Prophet Ezekiel as a clownish Philosopher, because he wrote so very clearly of the Divine Mysteries. For they took it very untowardly, that he was not so envious, as to involve such great Mysteries in silence, but wrote so openly of the same.

He that will now-a-days make it his design to wind himself out of the crew of Sophisters, and such kind of Philosophers that putteth together hurtfull Books, consisting of fine Spun, and seducing words onely meerly for their own gain, and without any profitable information at all in them; he I say that would free himself from such, overcome them, and bear away the prize, must imitate that countrey man, who on a time entring into a Fencing School at Norimberg did behold the Fencers artificially combate together so strongly and so long, untill all the others being tired, and forsaking the Stage, there remained but onely one as sole victor; who, with a disdainfull look, contemning all the rest, assured himself of the victory.

Being therefore about taking up the Prize-Money there deposited, out steps the Countryman, saying, you shall not have the reward, except you beat me too off the Stage: Fight therefore he must with the Countryman, or forsake the prize; but promising himself an assured Victory, he exerciseth his most curious and artificial postures, which he had learned in the fencing School, thereby to make a speedy dispatch with the Countryman, supposing that the Countryman would be frighted, and laying down his Weapons, quit the Stage. The Countryman being no ways scared stood very quiet (as confiding in his own strength) so long, till the Fencer approaching nearer with his oblique Flourishes, made as ’twere a Wheel afore his Nose, whom the Countryman struck all along, with such a smart blow as made the Hair of his Head flye off, and the Bloud run about his Ears. So artificial a Combatant as this being o’erthrown, he was asked by that plain Countrey Fellow, whether or no he would yet once more try the fortune of the Play, but he would no more prove the Countrey down-right blows of a Non-Citizen, but left both the Money and Honour of the Victory to the Countryman, who being asked how he durst adventure upon so artificial and experienced a Fencer, and could so o’ercome him, he replied, that he perceived the Fencer used many oblique Skippings, but was no strong Man: and therefore I opposed my strength to his artificial Flourishes, and so with one blow struck him down. By this History it is evident, that that finely Spun, and sophistical prating of the Schools, makes nothing to the purpose but a certain experience, and an infallible knowledge of things both is and so remains the sole Mistress.

For the sake of those that are lovers of divine and natural Miracles, ’tis expedient that I yet farther manifest some certain secrets of Salt, which are hitherto altogether unknown, and shall be shewn unto my Friends in my Laboratory. Nor do I at all doubt, but that some few will be found who will easily understand these things, and look on them as things credible. But I matter not, whether they credit me who speak the very truth or not. It sufficeth me that I can not onely perform the things I say, but likewise shew them to Friends, whereby they may be able to reap some benefit and profit therefrom.

Salt may be so introverted by the Operation of the Fire, as that it shall lose its sharp properties, and acquire a sweetness, and be brought by the help of other Vegetables and of Water, unto Fermentation, and so yield a good and sweet burning Spirit, a clear, sweet, and strong white Ale, conserving its tast for many years; various drinks, not unlike in tast to the Wine made of Honey and Fruits of Trees, strong and clear Vinegar, and white Tartar, fully as profitable for such Operations, as the common and natural Tartar of Wine is wont to be used about, and may be with those others [afore mentioned] prepared with small charges.

The Air and Fire do in a short time transmute Salt, into true natural Salt-peter, which is no small profit.

The Fire doth likewise very easily endow common Salt with such kind of properties, as render it capable of fatning and dunging barren Fields, Vines, Fruit Trees, Hops, and all other Garden Herbs as well as Sheeps or Beasts Dung.

Salt is also so changed by the Fire in few hours time, as to put on a magnetick nature, and attract the moisture and water out of the Air, and to retain it with it self a long while, and therefore is not easily dried up by the Sun. Corn, as Oats, Barley, Rye, Wheat, Pease, Beans, and other Seeds being steeped in such a Salt for a Night, do by means thereof, grow up the speedier out of the Earth. It is very profitable therefore in the Summer Season, wherein there’s scarcity of Rain, and especially in sandy Grounds, because it holds the Rain Water a good while, so that it is not so easily dried up by the Sun. Besides, too, that Salt is of such attracting virtues as that one ounce thereof, being put in some little Glass to two ounces of Water, hardens all this Water, in the likeness of Salt, so as that you may carry the same about you in a Paper; whereas there were two parts of Water to one of Salt.

This Salt abounds with yet many other wonderfull virtues, some of which I have declared in my Treatise, of the Nature of Salts, stiling it by the name of Sal Mirabilis, and that not without good cause. It is of the form of Salt-peter, and is void of all Acrimony, it is a little bitterish to the tast, and is of a Balsamick Nature. For being rub’d on Beef or other such like Flesh, it keeps the same, though exposed to the open Air, from being infested with Magots, and from being corrupted: And therefore it is an efficacious subject, with which as being a most efficacious Balsom, dead Bodies are conserved from corruption. It converts all things put into it, in long process of time, into an hard Stone, and abounds with many other wondrous virtues, which (for certain causes,) I pass by in silence at this time. Paracelsus calls it Sal Enixum, but I Sal Mirabilis.

Nor ought it to seem at all wonderfull, that common Salt doth so easily obtain by the Operation of the Fire, a better and sweeter quality. I do in very deed affirm, that not onely the common Kitchin Salt, but even those too, which are of a most biting corrosivity, as Aqua Fortis, Aqua Regia, Oil of Salt, of Sulphur, and of Vitriol, may by a certain sweet Vegetable, (without the addition of any contrary Salt) be brought to such a pass in three hours time, as that a Man cannot perceive the least Corrosion at all in them. Nay more, if this very Salt hath dissolved up any Metals, it does not part with them, but holds them still: so that the corrosive Solution of Gold which is made with Oil of Salt, becomes a sweet liquor, which likewise comes so to pass, with the Solutions of Silver, and of the other Metals: so that by this way excellent Medicaments may most easily be made out of Metals.

New Wines being fermented with such a Salt, do change their Tartar into sweet Wine, and become clear in a months time, and suddenly have both the tast and odour as old Wines usually have. Certainly it is a secret of very great concernment, when by reason of the coldness of the Air, the Wines cannot attain unto their due maturity. N. B. There appertains to this fermentation, a singular and excellent Artifice, by which the Wines and other drinks are promoted to a speedy and strong fermentation, insomuch that the Wine boils in the Vessel, though the Vessel should be set out to the Snow and Ice in the coldest time of Winter: whereby the Wines must needs be made better, stronger, and sweeter. It is a very artificial invention, hitherto concealed by me, but now I am minded to reveal the same unto my Friends.

By the same Salt too, Wine, Ale, Metheglin, and other drinks may be in short time turned into good and sharp Vinegar without the help of the Sun, or of a warm Stove.

If therefore any one needs for his Operations any distilled Vinegar, he may even distill it in wooden Vessels, without any Sparkle of Fire, onely in the Air, by the proper efficacy of the liquors themselves, and by the help of the Air: and this in such wise, as that a whole Barrel of distilled Vinegar will not cost so much as one Token, the Barrels or Vessels excepted, which verily is a most Artificial Distillation.

Thus likewise by the same means may a sweet burning Spirit be distilled out of Ale, Wine, and other the like Liquors.

Any common Wine may be rendred so strong by the help of a certain sweet Salt and artificial fermentation, as that it cannot be drunk because of its strength. Some Pots full onely thereof, being poured into a Barrel full of small Wine, will make the same so strong, as to equalize it with generous Wine. He that is so minded may add some sweet Spices in the fermentation, and so make it the more sweet, more efficacious, and more wholsome, and so a little quantity thereof being poured into another Barrel will make all the Wine therein contained become sweet and good.

Out of common Salt may easily be made good Allum and Vitriol, no less usefull for the Dyers than the natural are.

It is likewise a thing easily feasible, and that too in few hours space, to turn the same into a fiery nature, and make it have the same property as the Salt made of Wood Ashes, and of the burnt Lees of Wine and such like, and as Pot Ashes have, and may serve for the Soap Boilers and be applied to the same uses that those Salts are used for.

Moreover, store of sweet Spirit of Salt may be gotten with small charges out of common Salt, serving not onely for the preparation of many excellent Medicaments, but also for the maturation of the meaner and unripe Metals, as we said afore.

These and the like wonderfull things, yea and very many such effects incredible to the unskilfull doth that contemptible and common Salt produce, to the exceeding benefit and profit of mankind: which excellent things I neither would nor could (for the honour of God, the giver of all good things, and for the sake and profit of mankind) any longer conceal. But some or other may object and say, if by the help of common Salt, such great things may be effected, why do not you prefer the same before Salt-peter, which you have so exceedingly praised in the third Part of the Prosperity of Germany, and have constituted it the Monarch as it were of the whole World: whereas notwithstanding it is so venemous a Dragon as is wont to devour all things. Can’t these two Salts I pray, namely the common and Salt-peter, divide the Government of the World between them, and bear sway and command both together.

To such I answer, that although that common Salt be the producer of many wonderfull effects, yet must it needs give place unto Salt-peter, which being inflamed and on Fire is wont to overturn huge Mountains, and blow them up into the Air, which thing seeing common Salt cannot do, ’tis but fitting and right that it should be dignified with so great a Title. However, being by the Operation of the Fire and Air made equal unto Salt-peter, and performing the same effects, it may then worthily be graced as Salt-peter is with the Title of Monarcy.

The effects which I have attributed to common Salt and Salt-peter, I can every hour shew, in very deed, to be most true. Ill therefore do they do, that bark against me for saying that Salt-peter is a universal Dissolvent, and that endeavour by their tatling reproaches to obstruct the truth.

Why do they not produce some better thing, seeing they will not admit of this universal Dissolvent? such Men as these do nothing else but bewray their own foolishness, and kick against the Pricks.

Had they ever done ought, or set their hands to work, for the sake of searching throughly into nature, they would never so boldly contemn, and reject that, which they never as yet understood. They behave themselves very basely, and clearly discover unto all Men’s view, that they have suckt in their uncertain and foolish Opinions, by the bare reading and hearing of uncertain and dubious Writers, whose meaning notwithstanding they understand not; for my part I remain constant in my Opinion, and say, that Salt-peter is an universal Dissolvent, and is able to dissolve all the things in the whole World, if it be made use of in three forms or shapes. Whatsoever the acid Spirit thereof, or the Eagle with its sharp Claws cannot effect, its fixed Salt, or the fiery Lyon will accomplish: and whatsoever is impossible to be done by these two, the Griffon which hath its rise from the Eagle and Lyon, will artificially perform.

N. B. The acid Spirit of Niter doth not dissolve sulphureous subjects, but mercurials onely: Contrarywise, the fix Niter doth not seize upon mercurial subjects, but sulphureous ones; but the flame of Salt-peter performs both: which verily is wonderfull, that things so unlike should in some few hours time be extracted out of one and the same subject. For the corrosive Spirit prepared out of Salt-peter by Distillation, and likewise the fix Salt, are most bitter enemies to each other, which ruinating and slaying one another, and being dead, return agen unto that which they were afore, and partakes of both natures; which the Ancient Philosophers do clearly point out unto us by the Griffon, which is headed and winged like an Eagle, and the hinder part of its Body like a Lyon, as we have mentioned more at large in the foregoing third part of the Prosperity of Germany.

Upon him that rightly understands this ancient Fable of the Griffon, Lion, and Eagle, doth the Sun shine, for he will get no small profit to himself thencefrom. Whatsoever the Corrosive Eagle dissolves and tears a-pieces, that the fix and fiery Lion precipitates. And whatsoever the Lion devours, that the Eagle doth agen snatch from him: but they kill each the other, of whole dead bodies the Griffon exists, which hath the body of the Eagle and Lion. By how much the oftner this labour is repeated, so much the more potent and stronger doth the Griffon come to be, [especially] if both the Eagle and the Lion have filled themselves with food and are grown fat; or by how much the bigger the Eagle and the Lion are grown, by such Subjects as are agreeable unto them, afore their mutual fighting; the Griffon doth also become of magnitude proportionable.

Once every day therefore may such a conflict, slaughter, revivification, and transmutation of these two fighting and capital Enemies, viz. the Eagle and Lion into the Griffon be made. But if you would have it profitable, then must Vulcan sharpen Saturn’s Sythe, by which he may divide the Griffon [in twain,] and may turn whatever proceeded from the Eagle, into the Eagle again; and may transmute that which arose from the Lion into the Lion agen. When the dominion of the Griffon is divided, and that the Eagle bears sway onely over his birds, and the Lion onely over his beasts, like two Kings, then all is well, and there’s no war. But if once the Eagle endeavours to snatch away from the Lion his prey, then ariseth a great war, and of so long a continuance, till they have slain each the other, of whose bodies the Gods doe make the Griffon. But when the Griffon becomes too disdainfull, and affecteth Tyranny, and designs to bear rule over birds and beasts together, he is agen divided by Vulcan, by the perswasion of old Saturn, that so he may return by a reiterated transmutation into the Eagle and Lion: which wheel [or rotation] of reciprocal transmutation doth never rest, but converts it self [or turns it self round] in a perpetual course for Man’s punishment, as long as it shall please the most high God, who, at last, will put an end to all fightings, slaughter, and contention, that afflict this world: at which time all the Eagles and Lions which ever were in the world, shall be turned into the Great Griffon, which will rend and overthrow the whole Earth.

This time all pious Souls doe expect and wait for with ardent desire, and many sighs, that they may be at last freed from the talons of the Eagles, which rend all things a-pieces, and from the claws of the roaring Lions, and enjoy everlasting peace and quietude.

Thus much may suffice to have been spoken of Salt-peter at this time, which, how it may be prepared very plentifully, and with great profit, out of the Salts of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, I have already declared in the foregoing third Part of the Prosperity of Germany. He now that dreams of so managing his affairs as to reap benefit and profit to himself thencefrom, may inquire into the business by a more accurate meditation and search. Yet let him know, That Salt-peter may be very easily made of many vile Subjects, which may be every where had: of which Salt, if you have plenty, you cannot want other things. For not onely most excellent Medicaments against all kinds of Diseases may be made with Salt-peter, as likewise the growing faculty of Fruits springing out of the Earth, be promoted, as of Corn, Wine, and such-like things necessary for the sustaining of the life of Man; but also pure good Gold may very easily, but with great profit, be gotten out of the imperfect Metals.

Seeing then, that by means thereof, a man may be supplied with firm health, food, and rayment, and with Gold and Silver, what other thing is there, I pray, that he can want? That which I have so often said, I doe here repeat and affirm, That there is not in the whole World any subject that can compare with Salt-peter, much less be preferred before it.

Such a noble, yea so kingly a Subject therefore as this is, well deserves to be most highly honoured by us, and to be searcht into by the utmost of our endeavours, because of the so great benefits it bestows upon Mankind. We will therefore proclaim and pronounce Salt-peter to be the Monarch of the whole World, though all its and my enemies, who endeavour to bespatter our honour and repute with the brands of infamy, doe even burst for malice.

O most foolish men, with how vain a hope doe ye expect the Lion and Monarch from the North, as the Jews doe their Messiah, who came above 1600 years ago. The Lion of the North, and the Monarch of the World is even at this time present, and hath always been, but yet hath been known but by a few; the full and perfect revelation of which, God alone knows. I doe verily think the time is now at hand; These things which are known unto us concerning him, are all of them but particulars, and very few too. But if the said Northern Lion shall find out and dig forth the treasures which lye hidden in the Mountains, then will he at last exhibit his power to be seen, and shew himself to be the Monarch of the whole World.

Salt-peter is that great and fire-spitting Dragon, the keeper of the Golden Apples, and that venomous Basilisk which kills all things with his looks. If he be but fixt and made constant in the fire, then is he that Salamander living in the fire, and that Phœnix the bird of the Sun, which having gathered pure Gold out of the Sand, useth it to the making of her nest, and arriving to its utmost old age, burns her self; out of whose Ashes other Phœnix’s are produced.

He that desires to know more of the Griffon, Phœnix, Dragon, Basilisk, and Salamander, all which doe exceedingly thirst after Gold, and dig it out of the Earth and keep it, may read Pliny, and other the ancient Writers of natural things; as also Ambrosius Calepine’s Dictionary of eight Languages, and of the last Edition.

The Conclusion.

These (O friendly Reader) are the things which I was willing to publish at this time for the Countries good; Had I had more time and opportunity, I would have added more profitable secrets, and such too as are of no small moment. If I find that these here written are acceptable, I will in a subjoyned Appendix make a clearer interpretation of such obscure places as may be herein met with.

N. B. I would have the friendly Reader here know, that although I have written these Four Parts of the Prosperity of Germany clear enough, above my other [Writings] [or more clear than the others] yet notwithstanding I have reserved for my self and my friends somewhat amongst all the Processes, and ways of operation, so that I know how to effect the preparations of Salt-peter, and to make use of its various properties, in extracting Gold and Silver out of the Oars, and in the melioration of the imperfect Metals, and transmuting them into Gold and Silver much easier, and far more compendiously, and with much less costs.

The things which I have written, I have written for every one, Friends and Foes together; The other, and those better Secrets, I have reserved to my self and my friends. This shall now (God willing) be my chiefest care, that my Laboratory, in which the truth of the whole business shall be shown unto my friends, may be fitted up and made ready. In the mean time, the Princes and Noble men, whose territories such metallick treasures are in, and cannot be extracted by the help of common fusion, may consider, whether or no it will be agreeable to their minds to make use of these my Artificial, and not vulgar Operations in extracting the Gold and Silver by Salt and Salt-peter out of such-like auriferous subjects. If it shall seem unto them a thing worth while, to institute such operations for the profit of their Countries, they may send unto me a fit person, and one that knows how to deal in the fire, and one that is of a silent disposition, and of good education, who may learn the very work it self in my Laboratory.

But they that are Lords of such places as doe not contain in them those auriferous Minera’s or Oars, and can nevertheless get store of them from the bordering Countries, and are desirous of amending them, and using them for their profit, we deny not to shew and disclose the Art unto them too, (the persons always considered,) namely that artificial and moist Extraction of the volatile and fix Gold, not onely out of Minerals, Stones, Sand, and Clay, but likewise out of the already-molten Metals themselves, as Lead, Tin, Iron, and Copper; in which Metals, there is often times hidden much Gold and Silver, which admits not of being extracted by the common melting Fire; but is easily drawn thereout of, by the maturation and separation that is caused by Salt and Salt-peter, and so brought to common use.

All these things we will not be loth to make friends partakers of, as likewise of other rare and artificial inventions, and such as are profitable to all kinds of men, none excepted; which are such things as will bring much profit to my Country, and shall be shewn in my Laboratory, publickly, and privately unto friends: but with this proviso, namely, if the said friends will faithfully promise unto me, that they will with a faithfull silence conceal those secrets which they shall see and learn from me, and improve the same, onely to the honour of God, to the comfort of the sick, to the help and succour of poor Widows and Orphans, and to the defence of the Truth; and not use them to Diabolical disdain, and detestable pride, and other fooleries and vanities.

The End of the Fourth Part of the Prosperity of Germany.