’Tis well known, that the use of Gun-powder was not always known, but was first found out by a certain Monk in Germany, in the year of our Lord 1380, who by chance lighted on the finding of its dreadfull strength. Neither is there any one ignorant, what great Victories they that well knew its use, obtained over their Enemies afore it was made manifest. But when it became publickly known, then it served both Parties, so that neither part had more advantage by it than the other, and then the deciding the Controversie consisted (next the blessing of God) in the multitude of the Men, of which their power was composed, and not in Art. And like as it seemed a meerly incredible thing at first when it was heard of, that a Powder of such mighty force could be made of such vile Subjects, viz. Brimstone, and Salt-peter, and Charcoals: Even so will it at first exceed all belief, when it shall be heard say that Waters may be prepared out of such Subjects, which said Waters can doe such wonderfull, and so many great things.
It is also reported [or Chronicled] that the said Monk did not search after Gun-powder purposely, but being addicted to Chymistry, and occupied about Operations upon Salt-peter and Sulphur, endeavoured to distill a Water from them. Now these being mixt, and by chance taking fire, he perceived them to break every thing, and rend it into pieces: And hence came that man to know the unheard-of Virtues of Salt-peter and Sulphur, which being so thoroughly contrary to each other, made such great concussions or shakings. The same thing hapned even unto my self, for purposing to make sharp Waters out of Sulphur, Salt-peter, and other Salts fit for my purpose; I perceived in such Operations, that far greater things mought be brought to pass by such firey Waters than could be done by Gun-powder. Nevertheless, I buried these Secrets in great silence, nor manifested I them to any man, though I knew them above these twenty years; fearing this, that should they be known, they might be as Instruments in the hands of the Christians to torment one another with.
But now seeing God hath vouchsafed to bestow a peace upon the whole Christian World, and that the Turks doe begin more and more to persecute and vex the Christians by their Tyrannical Persecutions, and endeavour even thoroughly to root them out, as they have already made a beginning in Hungary of their detestable attempts, I advised with my friends whether or no it would not be expedient to detect and lay open those Secrets to the Christians, that so they may be used against the Turks, and I was advised by these my friends to proceed on in the revealing of them. Upon this account (all other businesses laid aside) I wholly betook my self to this very one thing, to get great store of those kind of firey Waters in readiness, which may be made use of as most substantial bucklers or defence both offensively and defensively against the Turks. Now I have done this the more willingly and readily, because they kill no man, but doe onely so far debilitate them, that they may be overcome, and easily taken and made Captives. For were this invention of mine such as would kill men, I would never have at any time produced it in publick, and thus divulged it. And therefore I am even yet of this mind, that that Monk Barthold did not well in divulging the preparation and use of Gunpowder, by which such a multitude of Men are destroyed and slain.
But by this Invention of mine, no man is slain, and yet the victory wrested out of the Enemies hands. And the Enemies being taken alive and made Captives, may be constrained to work, and in my opinion may bring more benefit than if they were slain.
I doubt not but that the things I here propound may seem impossible even to the wisest [sort of] men of this World; nor indeed is it to be wondred at if it be so; for they are unheard-of Secrets, and unseen, and so exceed all belief. I dare not here trust my Pen too much, though I could disclose them in a few words, and so, as to bring every one to acknowledge the truth hereof, and to feel it as it were with his hands. But I must deal warily, lest such sharp, and yet not killing, weapons fall into the Enemies hands.
But yet that I may in some sort satisfie the desirous Reader, I doe signifie unto him in brief, that all the whole Art lyes coucht in this knack, that vast quantities of those artificial Waters may be gotten without great Expences; and being prepared, may be afterwards applied to use by some certain secret Instruments both offensively and defensively. For those watry Fires, or firey Waters which I speak of, are of such a burning nature, that neither Men nor Horses whom they touch are able to resist [or endure] them; And yet they doe not kill, unless one be minded to slay others, and then they must have a more peculiar preparation. But as they are by themselves, they kill none, but doe extreamly disturb both Horse and Man, that it makes them even impatient of the pains, and so forceth them upon one another, whereby their order being broken, they ruine themselves. This done, the victory is as it were given into the adverse parties hands, whereby they can without any labour vanquish and take their Enemies Captives. I dare not to say any more hereabouts, this onely I add by way of overplus, that even Women (where Men are wanting) may not onely (by this invention of mine) drive off the Enemies from any fenced place, but they may force them out again out of the place, or o’erwhelm the Company of them that are entred with Stones. Though this seems an incredible thing, yet is it most true, and will without doubt, after it shall come to light, in a short time serve as a most notable defence for the Countrey.
And as touching the easie, and not at all costly preparation of the moist Fires and their due use, together with the Instruments hereto requisite; all this shall be shown and detected to those onely who both can and will use them against the Turks. But to others not, and this we were willing to signifie by way of admonition or advice.
This little, but yet exceeding weighty Secret, and which may be used against our Countries Enemies with most notable benefit, I have revealed enough of at this time. Mean while I hope, that even this very year the Enemies of the Christian World will be notably endamaged by it, which God of his grace and mercy grant, that it may be a solace and help to the Christian World so dreadfully persecuted by the Turk, even for the honour and glory of his holy Name. Amen.
Now follows the third use, and that consists in the melioration of the Metals, by which also great benefit may redound to the Countrey.
As for such things as concern the true and indubitable melioration of Metals by Salt and Fire, I have already sufficiently enough demonstrated in the [fifth part of the Prosperity of Germany], and in the Appendix thereunto.