Now albeit, that all those things which are throughly handled in this book are true, and so confirmed by experience as that any one may easily understand and imitate them, yet notwithstanding, I am certain that there will be a very many who by reason of their ignorance, cannot understand them, and apply them to use; because the greatest part of mankind are too much addicted to laziness, and do for the most part refuse to apply their Limbs to work, but would rather walk abroad, and discourse of Arts when they are in their cups.
I say that these secrets of mine will no ways profit such kind of Men, for such must first learn in what manner the [necessary] Instruments are to be handled, and how the Operations are to be rightly instituted and managed in seemly Order.
There are abundance of Men who (if they hap to read some Chymical Writings, or hear others talk of the profitableness of them, (they) are presently inflamed with such a love, that they will even wholly devote themselves to Chymistry on the hopes of growing rich. And now when they have proposed any thing to themselves, and attempt to do it, if they hap to have a sparkle of Fire light on their hands, or that by reason of some other obstacle, all things do not immediately fadge to their minds, they throw away the Tongs, and the Crucibles upon the Ground, and detest (or curse) the Author, because he hath not Written clear enough, and that they do not presently extract great store of Gold.
Let not such as these at all perswade themselves that they can receive any instruction from these my Writings; for my Writings require Men that are diligent, whose minds are never wearied with labour, and who are not sloathful, and impatient of Labour. Now to the studious (searchers) and especially to such Children (or Disciples) adopted or chosen by God, all these things will be unto them clear, manifestly evident, and easie to be imitated.
For as much therefore as I have spoken many things in the First and Second Part of the Prosperity of Germany, concerning the making and use of Nitre, I do now go on in God’s Name, and do teach in this third part, by what easie ways Nitre may be variously made, and be fruitfully and profitably used both by Noble Men and common Men; so that there is not a man in the whole World, but may (if he please) get great benefit thereby.
The Omnipotent God, the Author and giver of every good thing, bestow upon us to be able to enjoy and make use of his Gifts, that all things may tend to the Honour of his most Holy Name, and to the Safety and Preservation of us all. Amen
Of the Preparation of SALT-PETRE.
I shewed in the [First Part of the Prosperity of Germany], the way whereby Wood may be concentrated and turned into excellent Nitre, and which otherwise is every where for the most part consumed by lying rotting in the Woods, and yields no benefit at all unto any Man.
This Operation is to be done with the help of a certain Press artificially contrived for that particular business, the due (or right) description of which, we gave you in the Continuation of Miraculum Mundi. But the circulatory Vessels by which the Lixivium of the wood (or the distilled Liquor out of the wood) is to be excited and heated by the Air, have not as yet been described; and therefore we have determined to do it in this Third Part. This Figure therefore represents them, and its use; and is as follows.