It is most certain, that very many Medicaments may be prepared, by the help of it, against various effects of the Humane Body. Also it is most certain, that it is very conducent for a particular gradation of the Minor Metals into better. Believe me, that have experienced the same; if you rightly proceed, you will reap no mean Fruits.
But touching the true Universal, I do question, whether by the help of it, it may be procured. Assuredly, if common Gold, as to its degree, can be changed above what is Natural, Why should it be judged impossible, to exalt it further, in length of time? time? My decrepid Age forbids me to put my hand to this Work; yet to Posterity (better able than I to sustain the heat of fire) occasion is given, by Prayers and Labour to search further; perhaps, GOD will grant to them, what he hath denied to us.
This Operation, by which we peculiarly draw profit from the Minor Metals, cannot be performed in common Crucibles, as we before said; because they are obnoxious to breaking, and so the Liquors are easily lost; but in such as will not easily break, unless after a long time, and will not permit the humid Salt to run out. Here it will be needful to peruse those things (relating to this matter) which I mentioned in the Third and Fourth Parts of the Prosperity of Germany.
To prepare these Crucibles is a great Work, greater to make some Pounds of Salt, or rightly to use the same; but greatest of all, (and in which the summ of all consists) to know what Metals are to be joined, or in what quantity. Here many will have enough to do, and be at a loss, although they enjoy my Secret Furnace, and know how to make the Salt of Art in abundance.
Besides all these, we must needs crack the hard Nut, if we will eat the sweet Kernel. It is required of us to know an easie way of separating Gold or Silver from fixed Metals; for such a Metallick Mass, altogether untameable, cannot be separated by the help of Lead, per se, as Ductile Metals; but here is need of another Separation; which is the principal thing.
Nor should any Man perswade himself, that all things are here so clearly written by us, as he can by their literal sence most easily institute the Operation. For there is need of a long time, and a skilful Master. It would be a very inconsiderate thing to set about those things, of which we have no knowledge.
Although this is my Admonition, here often repeated, yet there will be some, who neglecting it, will set about the said Operation, and perhaps find out various profitable things: In like manner, there will be various found, who following my Prescripts, will reap much benefit from the Minor Metals.
Who can deny, but that Mary Ranta, a Brittain, hath Prophesied truly, viz. That true Alchymy should flourish in the Year of Christ, 1660? I my self have not seen this Prediction, but have it from the Relation of others, whereunto I refer the Reader. And add, that if such a Prediction were not, daily Experience doth abundantly witness, that egregious things are here and there performed in Metallicks, by help of my Sal-Mirabile. And there is no doubt, but that all Darkness will daily more and more be dissipated by the power of this Light.
I have unto some communicated the use of this Light for their proper benefit; but these, contrary to my Intention, have caused what I thought to have kept secret, to be spread abroad in publick and many have hit on the right way leading to Verity. If this be done without my knowledge, what would not have been done, if my Laboratory had been open for a year longer? Certainly the World would have shewed it self other than it is, and altogether new; which the new and great Star extending it self from the South to the West, seems to indicate.
Let the most high GOD grant what are necessary, and salutary for us, turn the Ungodly into the right way, and give to his own Children, Rest and Peace, that his most Holy Name and Truth always to be magnified, may not be totally suppressed by the Impious. Amen.