There are others also who fear not to reproach me, and my Writings, as though they were trifles, not attaining their desired end, who (rather than I who have written plain enough) are themselves to be blamed, for being ignorant how to work. Such and other things might deter me, but I would not omit the publishing of these Writings for those mens sake who are pious and honest. Wherefore I openly affirm, that these things published by me are not only no trifles, but most true, and also my own, and not the Invention of another. And I call him a lyer, who shall boast himself the Author without any of my help. But of these enough! yet I would have the Reader know, that for the meaness of the stile, I am not like many Writers, who more look after the flourish of words than the thing it self; I rather seek that my Neighbour may profit by me. Wherefore, for his better understanding, I had rather be prolixe in words, tedious to delicate ears, than write in obscure brevity adorned with Rhetorical figures. For I know that the studious in the Art do affect a prolixe, plain, and distinct information or instruction, rather than a Ciceronian or obscure. And now, in the Name of God, I will begin my Work which is most profitable to all, and will faithfully communicate and publish the same in that manner as it was written by me in my travel, under the title of The Mineral Work, divided into three parts. In the first of which shall be taught how out of sand and golden flints, corporeal gold may be drawn by the help of Spirit of Salt. Which secret, although it may seem small, yet it is that whereby (a knowledge of the true stones and true sand being obtained) life may be sustained, and also the cost laid out may be recompensed, as shall be proved in the following parts.
In the second part shall be treated of the original and generation of metals, and also of the destruction of Minerals and Metals.
In the third part shall be demonstrated the possibility of metallicol transmutation by Nature and Art, and that with divers reasons: which demonstration is not (unless I am deceived) performed yet by any, being the foundation of all metallick Philosophy, and the Golden Crown of all my Writings. Which God grant I may perfect, to the glory of his Divine Name, and the good of my Neighbour. Amen.
The First Part of the
Mineral Work.
A most profitable process of the separation of Gold out of Flints, Sand, Clay, red and black Talk, and other Fossiles, containing very subtle Gold, thin and spongeous, which otherwise cannot be separated, either for its scarcity, or the obstinacy of the Mineral, by reason of the great Cost to be bestowed; viz. very easily with the spirit of Salt.
Know first, (good Reader) that not all Sand, Clay, nor all Flints, and other Fossiles do contain Gold, but only some, without the knowledge of which, this secret availeth nothing. And because the knowledge of these are very necessary for the Artist, I will shew how they are to be proved, whether they contain Gold or not, that he labour not in vain, but that it may prove to his commodity or profit.
The madness of Men, searching after uncertain things is wonderful, but neglecting certain, although exposed to every ones view, for many seeking the perfection of Metals to gain Riches, are busied about an uncertain thing, because of a thousand scarce one obtaines his end: altho’ they may be perfected and purified, I mean imperfect and impure metals, so that good Gold and Silver may thence be extracted, but this Art is given to few, neither is every one fit to perform the business; because it requires an ingenious and experienced Artist: But the thing which is certain, may be performed with small cost and labour by any vulgar Chymist, having any knowledge of the Art of fusion and separation, being an ingenious man, and not seeking things too high or too gainful at the first tryal. Be cautious therefore in the extraction of the aforesaid stones, for if thou shouldst with the spirit of Salt extract many of them, having no Gold without doubt thou shalt find no Gold there: And if thou shouldst extract some contained in them, and if thou be ignorant of the separation of it by Antimony, thou canst thence hope for no profit.
First then, the knowledge, viz. of those stones is necessary afterward of that separation by Antimony. Impute therefore the fault, if thou errest, not to me, but to thine own ignorance, if thou knowest not to extract the Gold; for I have written clearly, though thou shouldst not know any thing that were omitted. And I before admonish thee to be cautious in thy work, lest thou labour for nought: For it is certain, and no fiction, that in many places there are found golden flints, and golden clay, and sand, oft-times abounding with gold. And if they do not abound with it, yet may they be extracted with profit: but the flints abounding with it are extracted with greater gain. There are also found whole Rocks and Mountains of Gold, and great Mountains filled with golden Sand and Clay, not returning the charge of washing, either for its too great rarefaction or spungiosity and levity, by reason of which, its washed away with the sand; all which, how poor soever, may be extracted by the spirit of Salt with gain, and by Antimony fixed and purifyed. In brief, this is such a secret, by which, no man can be an impediment to another, as in other mechanical operations, whereof no man may be ashamed; for God did therefore create Gold in the earth and stones, that we may therefore extract it to the glory of His Name, and the benefit of our Neighbour; neither hath he forbidden the true and genuine use of it. I say therefore in truth, that I have here described this Art, how ever despised by the ignorant, yet of greatest moment, and almost incomprehensible. Now consider the thing a little farther, thou shalt find every where in the earth great Treasures to be hidden, which only through ignorance are not discovered. Truly it is known to all, that there is found golden sand and clay in diverse places, which for the aforesaid Reasons are left unlaboured, but by this our Art may easily be worked upon.