The consideration of this dutifull service, which binds every Subject to his Magistrate, stirred me up (seeing that greivous and sudden Fire which almost destroyed all the Kingdom of Poland, and therefore fearing, lest by dilating it self it should also detriment our Countrey) to take care in publishing, some four years ago, a little Book intituled the [first Part of the Prosperity of Germany]. I therein taught, by what means the vast plenty of Corn and Wine might be so concentrated as to be easily preserved and kept, and so be made serviceable for the common good, and of exceeding profit, in future calamitous times.
I likewise shewed the way and manner of some other Arts, and such as are most usefull for the common good of the Countrey, ’mongst which, that discovery of making Salt-peter out of old and rotten Wood, (from which may a vast quantity thereof be had) is none of the meanest.
I have also bethought my self of another way of pleasuring my Countrey with no small benefit afore I die, and thus I intend it.
First of all, I would have the whole World know by this small Work or Treatise, that I have a mind to demonstrate the most profitable and principal secrets which I have treated of (partly openly or plainly, and partly obscurely or more darkly) in those four parts of the Prosperity of Germany, and that both to the high and low in my publick and private Laboratory, afore this year is run about. To this end, I have already the chiefest and most necessary Utensils at hand, and when all the necessary provision is gotten together and made ready, those said Arcanums which will be so exceedingly profitable to the Countrey, shall be visibly demonstrated to such as the chiefest Magistrates shall make choise of, and to other honest Citizens and Men of the Countrey. And amongst these Arcana’s which are of such great benefit, the three following ones are the most principal.
The first is, the making of good Salt-peter out of contemptible, and every where obvious subjects.
The second is, how by the help of this Salt-peter, easily and copiously to extract the fugitive, and the fixt Gold and Silver and Copper out of the Minera’s or Oars, with a great deal of profit and mighty advantage, and that without any melting or fusion by Fire.
The third is this, the truth and certainty of Alchymy shall be shown, and it shall be proved, that it is not any vain dream, deceitfull Phantasie or Fallacy, as the greatest part and number of its haters and Ignoramus’s have hitherto slanderously reported; but that it is a most true Artifice, and of wondrous consequence, by the help of which, (it making use of Fire and Salt,) all contemptible Minerals and Metals, and which are of no great gain, as Lead, Iron, Tin, Bismuth, Cobolt, Zink, Lap Calaminaris, Marchasites, all other fugacious Minerals may be so fixed and ripened, as that much and true and constant Gold and Silver may be extracted out of them with small costs, but abundance of profit.
These three secrets verily are in my judgment of great moment and therefore are worthy for the great ones, and Princes, and other Fathers of the common Weal to be made partakers thereof by revealing the same unto them.
I have deemed it worth while, in a few words to illustrate the incredible utility thencefrom arising, that any one that hath but any reason may perceive it.
And first, as concerning Salt-peter, the whole World knows what profitable and needfull a subject it is. There can never be so great a quantity thereof prepared, but it may not onely be applied to necessary uses but also to such as bring a great deal of profit. I forbear to speak of its most great use and exceeding profit in making Gun-powder, which no Kingdoms, no Common-wealths can want to defend their Countrey withall, and drive off their Enemies.