But some or other may here object and say, suppose some perfidious Christian should happen to flie to the Turks, and put such Weapons into their hands, to use against the Christians agen, what shall we do then? [I answer,] such viz. by their diligent search to add to what is found out and to better the same, for ’twill be a facile thing to do. For nature being so most exceedingly richly stored can never at any time be thoroughly found out. And therefore even I my self do hope in some short time greatly to augment [or meliorate] the said Inventions of mine. If God vouchsafe me life, there shall be even yet produced by me to light wonderfull things, which will miraculously promote the safety and happiness of my Countrey, and especially if I shall but find amongst Men a thankfull remembrance thereof.
Moreover, I doubt not but that abundance of Men will wonder if they shall see these my newly invented Warlike Instruments to be published in Print, which is a thing that I would never do, for I have resolved to make such onely partakers of the knowledge of the same, as stand in need thereof.
But because I have conferred with one or two (whom I thought to have born me a loving and friendly mind) about these things, and spake to them too openly about the very business it self, they got some part of the Art it self, and saw the very Instruments in the Workmens hands whom I had taken order with about making them, and without doubt perswaded themselves that they had the full knowledge of the whole Art. Presently upon this they were become invisible and withdrew themselves, insomuch that I suspect that those perfidious Men have repaired to the Courts of some great Men, to offer and sell these my inventions as if they were their own. Now then to meet with such treacherous perfidiousness, I thought good to publish openly somewhat concerning these matters, that so every one may know that whatever Men shall sell such secrets as their own, they were not invented by them but by me, and they have fraudulently stolen them from me. But I except those here, to whom I have revealed them to this intent, that, viz. they may make use of them against the Turk.
And because I can methinks prophetically as it were conjecture that these my newly invented military Instruments will be desired and sought after by a great many both high and low, I judged it a thing worth the while, to take care for the getting some of those same Instruments, and also those moist Fires thereunto appertaining to be prepared, and sent into those places, where they may detriment or annoy the Turks. For without doubt there may be far stronger resistance made with these newly invented Instruments against those our Capital Enemies, than can ever be done with Gun-powder. For Gun-powder is never wont to operate afore it be kindled with the Fire, which kindling and inflamation Water will hinder, and now my moist Fires are not at all impeded thereby. And upon this account it is a thing altogether possible that a fiery Globe [or Granadoe] may be as well emitted [or be as forcible] out of the deep Waters with [or by] them, as it may with Gun-powder out of the Water, the which seems indeed incredible, but yet is very easie to him that is endued with the knowledge of these things.
There yet rest a few admonitions to be given, viz. that no body pass his sentence upon these my secrets here disclosed, with a prejudiced and forestalled judgment, unless he has a mind to slur himself with an infamous mark, but let him have patience, till he of his own knowledge perceive the whole Basis of the business. Many things there be that lie as yet hidden, which (as Prophesies tell us) must be manifested before the Worlds end. This time draws nearer and nearer, though so few believe it. For my part I am verily of this Opinion, that there is such a wonderfull time at hand, the like of which hath neither been seen or heard of from the time of the Floud even to these our days. I pray God to Defend the Pious, and to Convert the Wicked, Amen.
The End of the First Part.
THE
SECOND PART
OF
GLAUBER’S
WORKS.
The First CENTURY,
OR
Wealthy Store-House of Treasures.
BEING
A General Appendix to all his hitherto-published Writings.
The which doth not onely illustrate all obscure places, as well in his Philosophical and Medicinal as Chymical Writings, and explain those hard places to be understood; but also do so abundantly supply those which are defective, that the learned and the unlearned, the highest and the lowest, and more, the meanest Workmen and Husbandmen, may sufficiently be able to comprehend that Glauber hath in all his Writings, written the pure and simple Truth, and hath again brought to light the most noble Art of Alchymy which hath so long lain hid in darkness hitherto; and hath discovered it for the common good of Mankind.