On this account I affirm, That if the common Seed of Metals, had alwaies a clean, and fitting Matrix, and no accidental impediments intervened, nothing else but Gold (the highest perfection of metals) would be generated; and that this is Natures intention, alwaies to bring to perfection, what she hath begun: but Gold only attains this state, all the rest remaining imperfect; but it shall be clearly demonstrated in the Third Part ensuing, that by genuine Alchymy, even they may be advanced to the same degree, which if it could not be demonstrated, that imperfect Metals might by Art, be brought unto perfection, and by Industry, and the Fire; it might be very probable and credible, that each Metal had his own appropriated Seed and Planet.
But now, if common lead possessing but little silver, by the usual trying of the Cupel, may, by the benefit of maturating Salts, be so far perfected by a short digestion, as to yield much silver; and by a longer digestion or fixation, to yield, even Gold it self, which it had not in it before [Cons. Part 3d.] ’tis evidently perceptible, that ’twas not Nature’s intent, that Saturn should so remain in his Saturnine Estate, but that he should be made Silver and Gold.
The other imperfect bodies may also be maturated by digestion, that they shall yield forth fixt Gold and Silver.
In like manner the spurious Metals or Minerals, as ♁ Cobolt, Zinck, Bismuth, and others of that kind may be so fixed, as to be behind them, in the Cupel, good Gold and Silver, which is most plainly done in the Third Part.
Thus thou seest, That ’tis not Natures Fault, that there is so many imperfect Metals; but ’tis to be imputed to external Impediments; for if that Gold lay not hid in the Potentia in the imperfect Metals, by what Art could it be reduced into action?
Art cannot create either Gold or Silver, but Nature can, and yet doth not alwaies accomplish it upon the Earth without the industry of Art: When a Gardner suffers the seed and root of the Plant to wither, nor commits it to the Earth, that it might be perfected; ’tis not the fault of the seed, but the Gardner, who suffers it, that it comes thus to perish. Nature doth very often want help, as appears in the fruits of Animals, and Vegetables; and why may not help be necessary and profitable in metalline products, where, by the Artificers ingenuity, they may be holpen. ’Tis evident then, that Nature aims, as well to make Gold out of Minerals, and baser Metals, as to make a Man of an Infant; or a Tree of a Nut: and if it be otherwise, it is not to be imputed unto her, but to external Accidents.
Now I suppose that I have sufficiently proved by these things, that all Metals proceed out of one seed and root; and may be reduced thereinto, and also, that Minerals may be compared unto the first buding of Vegetables, imperfect Metals to Semi-adult, or half ripe Plants; but Gold to perfect seed or fruit, brought by Nature unto its end or bound.
But this is to be understood of the Universal Birth, and Generation of Metals; which for the greater part, drawing their Original in the profundity of the Earth out of the Central seed, do grow in Caverns and Veins, and increase together into various forms, and are from these digged out with great costs, hazards, and labour.
Now there’s another Generation actuated in a plainly-diverse manner, without the Central common, and propagated seed, done upon the Earths superficies, by the Operation of the Stars above; yet ’tis the least part of Metals, that are thus generated. It hath been said, that there is a twofold manner of Generation, nature makes use of in Animals and Vegetables, and so its in Metals.
The First is most frequent and notable, the other is rare and insensible: The one is done in Plants, by the preparation of the seed or root; the other strongly perfected by the influence of the Stars, and the Elements efficacy and power: for Example, If Rain-water, being received into some Vessel, exhales in the heat of the Sun, or of the Aire, an Earth remains, which by an innate power, produceth various little Plants, little Animals, small Worms and Flies, without the access of seed.