Neither let any one imagine that I will presently communicate this most noble Secret (which clearly shines in the dark) to every stranger; no, no such matter; I will (God permitting) shew these things to my honest friends, that so it may not perish together with me; but however I will well think on that much used Proverb, Fide, sed cui vide; Trust, but see whom you trust.
The Farnnerianists have given me this document; many there have been who have come unto me and declared the miserable state they were in, that what by the Wars, and by other misfortunes, they have lost their Goods, and have begged me for the love of God, to succour them, by communicating to them some operation, whereby they might sustain their lives, promising that they would requite this kindness by their earnest prayers unto God in my behalf.
These and such like words have sometimes moved me that I have given some secret to one or other, and have bestowed on them an overplus too; yet I obliged some of them, that they should convert it solely to their own use, and not communicate it to others without my privity, which thing they promised largely enough. But as soon as they have been gone from me, they have presently sold those secrets of mine to others, and which is more, to my Enemies. Now when by reason of their ignorance, they did not know how to institute the operation aright, they falsely affirmed, that they bought this Art of me at a price, and that they have been cheated; whereas they well know, that it was pure affection induced me to bestow these things upon them without any reward.
These and such other like ἀντίδωρα (or Gift-hinderers) have deterred me from communicating any thing to others for the future; and this I would have every one to consider, and not trouble me with either Letters or Visits.
Yet nevertheless I will communicate store of my secrets unto my Friends, that so they may not clearly perish with me, nor be thrown to my Enemies, and swinish men.
I have done as much as in me lay, nor will I omit to do more where I shall see a grateful mind; in the next place I will (for the service of my Friends) treat about and shew in the [fourth part of the Prosperity of Germany], the Secrets of Saturn, by what means any one that is but a little versed in managing the fire, may seek (or make) some Country fellows, his tributaries, who may pay him an appointed tribute every week, after the Example of Kings and Princes, who bestow upon their faithful servants (that deserve well of the Country by their valour against the Enemies) Kingly gifts as whole Cityes, Towns, Villages, and many Subjects as an inheritance, of whom they may afterwards receive Tribute and live very abundantly or plentifully.
Now by how much the more Country-men there are that be Subject to a noble man, so much the richer is he supposed to be, for they pay the more tribute. And the more Ploughs the Country-man hath a going, the greater is the tribute he pays his Lord, which thing the governance of States or Common-weals induceth, as being a just thing.
Now after the same manner as these things are in use in political governments, are they also in Alchimy, for it doth likewise when we have for some time faithfully served under her, bestow on us tributary Country men (as ’twere) by way of recompence, from whence we may have Food and Rayment.
The more Fields and Ploughs that we give to these country-folks, the more Tribute do they pay. Neither do these forsake their Masters, for they are shut up in a stall, and when their bellies are filled with Coals, and that they are safe from the Rain (or Weather) they are contented, and do perform the businesses that are imposed upon them.
By how many more the Ploughs are which we give unto them (though one Country-man can hardly manage above two or three, so much the more do they give.