Two years since I began to publish my new invented furnaces where also there was mention made of some secrets, which though I thought never to divulge; yet nevertheless I underwent many troubles for the communicating of them. Wherefore I beseech every body that they would no more create troubles to me or to themselves by their petitions or writings, because for certain causes I shall for the future communicate nothing but those things which follow. Expect therefore patiently the time of another Edition, when these five parts shall come forth more corrected and enlarged, and many most choice secrets shall be communicated, which were for certain causes omitted in the first Edition.
I shall now God willing communicate those things which follow, yet upon this condition (because many are such, that by means thereof thou maist with a good conscience, without hurt to thy neighbour, through Gods blessing, get great riches) that thou be mindful of the poor, and a good steward of riches got honestly, and use them to the glory of God and the eternal salvation of thy soul.
The preparation of corn, as of Barley, Wheat, Oates, &c. of Apples, Pears, Cherries, &c., where fermentation being made they do yield by way of distillation a pure spirit very like to the spirit of wine without great costs; of the remainders whereof if the matter were corn, may be made good beer, or vinegar; but if the matter were any kinde of fruit, as apples, pears, a very good drink like to wine, so that by this means thou maist find a double profit, by which thou maist not only have whereby to live honestly, but also to lay up for thy heirs.
An excellent and wholesome drink of fruit, and corn, that is durable and like to Spanish, French, and Rhenish wine.
A distillation of the Aqua vitæ of certain vulgar things not costly and like to the Aqua vitæ of French and Rhenish wine.
A preparation of sugar like to the Western, and of tartar like to the natural Rhenish, out of honey and not costly; where one pound of sugar doth not exceed the price of eight or ten stivers, and a pound of tartar, that doth not exceed the price of two stivers.
A peculiar purification of crude tartar without loss, and a reduction of it into great crystals not costly, so as the price of one pound doth not exceed six stivers.
The taking away of the ingrateful tast and odour of honey so as afterwards there may be made from thence a certain good Aqua vitæ retaining no more the smell and taste of honey: also a very good Mead or Methegline like unto very good wine, with which the same things may be done as with the best wine.
A preparation of Mead out of raisins, great and small, very like in all things to Spanish wine; out of which also is made a very good vinegar without great costs.
A preparation of wine and good vinegar of wild grapes.