He may well boast of earthly felicity, to whom GOD shall vouchsafe to give such a Light, of seeing by what Artifice Nature is to be holpen, and that which is superfluous and adhering to vile and abject metals every where, may be removed, and the defect supplied; such an one hath in very deed a rich and durable Mine; neither are Ghosts, Inundations of Waters, evil Tempests, unwholsome Vapours, and other inconveniences, that hinder from a purposed intention, to be feared. But verily man, by reason of the continued wickedness of his Life, being made uncapable of this high Art and Science, is compelled to get out Metals from the Earths bowels, in the sweat of his brows, and to pass over his life in cares and labours.
And thus I conclude this Tract concerning the generation of Metals, and refer the Reader, desiring things more at large, to the Third Part, wherein is accurately taught of what property Metals are, how to be distinguished each from the other, opened without corrosives, reduced into their first matter, and how by the benefit of art and fire, new and better Metals are to be generated out of that first matter.
Likewise, how they are to be examined by a far better way and manner than usual; how to be purged and separated each from the other, and also unfolding (as far as is permitted) a little Book of the most expert Philosopher Paracelsus, or his Book of The Vexation of Alchymists, whereby the honour due unto him (though much obscured by evil slanderers) may be again restored unto him, and the whole world may know that he was most expert in natural things, and wrote very faithfully, and left unto us a large light, though observed by a very few, for the encreasing and propagating whereof, and defending it against the haters of the Light, I will enter upon the Third Part, for my Neighbour’s good, for the accomplishment whereof I pray GOD, the Creator of all things, and the Patron of Truth, mercifully to vouchsafe his assistance. Amen.
FINIS.
THE
THIRD PART
OF THE
Mineral Work.
Wherein under the Title of a Commentary on a little Book of Paracelsus, called, The Heaven of Philosophers, or a Book of Vexations, the Transmutation of Metals are Taught in general; with an Appendix demonstrating their particular Process, Melting, Exploration, Separation, and other necessary Operations.
A Preface to the Reader.
Courteous Reader,