The COROLLARY.
I have, in this Third Dialogue, made mention of a certain secret fiery Water, which can ripen the Volatile and immature Minerals, and Metals: And herein I have principally regarded a Particular Transmutation. But forasmuch as a Particular Melioration of the Metals requires as much time, and no fewer Expences, than the Universal it self does, I would here commend to the Sons of Art the Universal work, which is to be preferred before a Particular one. Such things as we have perhaps omitted in this Dialogue, the Description of my fourth Secret Fire will sufficiently supply the defect; to which, I refer the friendly Reader. He will there see and understand, that the greatest part of the whole Work, and the very hinge of the said Operation, consists chiefly in the true Vessel, in which our Matter is to be ripened; and without the knowledge of which, there can never be any thing done to purpose. Which Vessel, seeing that all the Philosophers have covered over, and hidden with so great a Care and Diligence, and have involved it with such obscure Clouds of darkness, I should do amiss, yea, most extreamly amiss, should I lay it open, and bring it from out of those dark inwrapments, into the Light. Thus much only I say, that it ought to be such a Fornace, and the Vessel it self such a one too, as in which, all the Chymical Operations, viz. Solution, Putrefaction, Distillation, Sublimation, Cohobation, Ascension, Descension, Circulation, Inceration, and Fixation may be perfectly shewn unto an Hermetick Disciple, or Learner, in one hours time, in one little Fornace, in one Glass, and in one Fire, all which must not cost more than the value of one quarter part of a Doller, and is all done without any changing of the Glasses, or putting to, of the hands of the Operator. These are indeed such things as exceed all the belief of the whole World, but yet they do not exceed Glauber’s faith, nor sufficeth it him only to believe, but he can also effect the same, that so other incredulous people may believe likewise.
N. B. On a certain time, as I was familiarly discoursing with a learned Man, concerning such great and incredible things, he presented me with these following Verses, aptly agreeing to this Matter in hand.
Thy* John. * Sirname (Glauber!) given was, as, unto Faith, relating
Yet by good right it should have squar’d unto thy Operating.
Faith’s Objects are invisible, but yet, such things, do you,
As would at first be scarce believ’d, produce by Art to view.