Every common silver, may in the space of a few hours be exalted into the nature of Gold, the which if it be done four or five times, which may be in a short space of time, it giveth so much gold, as affordeth a sufficient livelihood, over and above the costs.
Gold may be separated by fusion, from every addition of Copper, Tin, Iron, Lead, Orpiment, Antimony, Arsenick or the like, and be purifyed without Cupels, each being kept apart; profitable for Metallurgists and the like, from the shortness of the time, smallness of the charge and labour, and much gain.
Every imperfect metal without the mixture of other metals, may be ripened by this secret alone in the fire, in the space of an hour, so that it will yield Gold and Silver, but without gain.
There is another very gainful augmentation or increase of the perfect metals, by the imperfect, answering to the Germination or growth of vegetables; for even as every seed being cast into the earth, groweth therein arising to be an herb or a tree, and taketh also its encrease from the same by its inbred attractive power; so is it here also, for Sol or Luna groweth and encreaseth in Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, or Mars, as in their native soil, and are nourished after the manner of herbs, and encrease from day to day. An Art not to be despised by Philosophers.
By the mediation of this, from all imperfect metals and minerals, yielding nothing by the usual examen of Cupels, Gold and silver is produced in a manifold manner, being an argument that the imperfect metals have somewhat of the perfect reconded in them, when they are inverted and shew themselves to our sight, a work not ingrateful to those who work in Metals.
These are the chief things which I have found may be done in metallick works, by the help of this Subject; yet I make no doubt but there are many more unknown to me, to be revealed to others after me who shall make a good beginning from my writings, the which I also wish from my heart, that the hidden mysteries of the natural wonders of God, may at length be brought to light, for the use of mankind.
Among the enumerated Arcanums, some perhaps may seem of little worth to the Reader; but there are some from which may be had a commodious livelihood, so that an Artist need not be at the will of another, without he please. O how great a thing is Liberty, which no man can worthily esteem, who hath not been a Servant himself. A piece of Bread is sweeter to a quiet, prudent man than many dainties, with care, danger, and noise. It is happy for him who can say with Paracelsus, Alterius non sit, qui suus esse potest; Let him not be anothers, who may be his own. But it is good for him that would use well the Gifts of God, not to be unmindful of his Neighbour, lest temporary Liberty cast him head-long into the Dungeon of eternal Slavery. After shewing this subject to be conducible to all the Inhabitants of the earth, I have described its use in Metallicks, which is not to be indifferently undertaken by every man, but by those only who are concerned in digging of Mines, and melting and separating of Metals, whether they be noble or ignoble, learned (as well spiritual as secular, exempted from publick offices) or rude, which maintain themselves from Merchandice, or live upon their Estates, all which may receive Fruit from these Secrets, but not Husbandmen, Labourers, Ditchers, &c. but that to these also somewhat of profit may proceed from my inventions, I will shew in order; although the principal will redound to ingenious Artificers, Engravers, Painters, Statuaries, those who adorn Glass or Clothes with Silk, Gold, or Silver, and they who make Wax-work.
They who etch upon Copper, may prepare from this subject a good corrosive water, by which (the Copper-plates being first smeared over with a covering fit to defend them, and what Images and lines they please, being drawn upon them with a stile or stift) by a very easie and compendious manner, they will be eroded or eaten into.
Painters, by the help of this, may prepare for themselves most excellent Colours, as Ultra-Marine, Smalt, fine red or scarlet Lacca, Venice-Ceruse, and others necessary for their Uses, which otherwise they must have from far, as Italy, Holland, France, &c. and at a dear rate.
Engravers and Statuaries may so harden their Tools that they may hold their points long, if they be to cut stones.