These (O friendly Reader) are the things which I was willing to publish at this time for the Countries good; Had I had more time and opportunity, I would have added more profitable secrets, and such too as are of no small moment. If I find that these here written are acceptable, I will in a subjoyned Appendix make a clearer interpretation of such obscure places as may be herein met with.
N. B. I would have the friendly Reader here know, that although I have written these Four Parts of the Prosperity of Germany clear enough, above my other [Writings] [or more clear than the others] yet notwithstanding I have reserved for my self and my friends somewhat amongst all the Processes, and ways of operation, so that I know how to effect the preparations of Salt-peter, and to make use of its various properties, in extracting Gold and Silver out of the Oars, and in the melioration of the imperfect Metals, and transmuting them into Gold and Silver much easier, and far more compendiously, and with much less costs.
The things which I have written, I have written for every one, Friends and Foes together; The other, and those better Secrets, I have reserved to my self and my friends. This shall now (God willing) be my chiefest care, that my Laboratory, in which the truth of the whole business shall be shown unto my friends, may be fitted up and made ready. In the mean time, the Princes and Noble men, whose territories such metallick treasures are in, and cannot be extracted by the help of common fusion, may consider, whether or no it will be agreeable to their minds to make use of these my Artificial, and not vulgar Operations in extracting the Gold and Silver by Salt and Salt-peter out of such-like auriferous subjects. If it shall seem unto them a thing worth while, to institute such operations for the profit of their Countries, they may send unto me a fit person, and one that knows how to deal in the fire, and one that is of a silent disposition, and of good education, who may learn the very work it self in my Laboratory.
But they that are Lords of such places as doe not contain in them those auriferous Minera’s or Oars, and can nevertheless get store of them from the bordering Countries, and are desirous of amending them, and using them for their profit, we deny not to shew and disclose the Art unto them too, (the persons always considered,) namely that artificial and moist Extraction of the volatile and fix Gold, not onely out of Minerals, Stones, Sand, and Clay, but likewise out of the already-molten Metals themselves, as Lead, Tin, Iron, and Copper; in which Metals, there is often times hidden much Gold and Silver, which admits not of being extracted by the common melting Fire; but is easily drawn thereout of, by the maturation and separation that is caused by Salt and Salt-peter, and so brought to common use.
All these things we will not be loth to make friends partakers of, as likewise of other rare and artificial inventions, and such as are profitable to all kinds of men, none excepted; which are such things as will bring much profit to my Country, and shall be shewn in my Laboratory, publickly, and privately unto friends: but with this proviso, namely, if the said friends will faithfully promise unto me, that they will with a faithfull silence conceal those secrets which they shall see and learn from me, and improve the same, onely to the honour of God, to the comfort of the sick, to the help and succour of poor Widows and Orphans, and to the defence of the Truth; and not use them to Diabolical disdain, and detestable pride, and other fooleries and vanities.
The End of the Fourth Part of the Prosperity of Germany.
THE
FIFTH PART
OF THE
Prosperity of GERMANY.
Clearly and Solidly demonstrating, and as it were shewing with the Fingers, what Alchymy is, and what benefit may by the help thereof, be gotten every where, and in most places of Germany. Written and Published to the Honour of God the giver of all good things, primarily; and to the Honour of all the great ones of the Country; and for the Health, Profit, and Assistance against Forreign Invasions, of all their Inhabitants that are by due right and obedience subject unto them.
Like as the weighty command of God injoyns all Children to love their Parents, and to submit themselves unto them, with a due obedience in all lawfull and equitable things, and to yield them due fidelity: Even so likewise doth he require from every subject a due obedience to their particular Magistrates, that they most willingly obey them (with a faithfull observance, as being the Fathers of the Countrey, and to whom they are tied by all right of Fidelity) in all such things as pass not beyond the boundaries of equity, and withall it behoves each such subject to communicate any thing whatsoever that is requisite for their safety and defence, and for the repelling and beating off the Enemies.