Before those dreadfull virtues of Gun-powder were known, certainly no body would have believed the same, had they heard it told, that it were a possible thing to hurry or throw such a great Ball of Iron, into so far a place with so little Powder. And now it is a thing so very common, that he that will not believe it will be laught at. Even so, those things I have here mentioned of moist Fires will seem extraordinarily wonderfull and absurd to the ignorant, untill they shall see with their Eyes, and feel with their hands, that theTurksshall even this very Summer feel it if God permit, and vouchsafe me health so long. If God (I say) shall permit, which I would have you understand, as thus,viz.unless the wrath of God shall be so enkindled against the Christians, and shall therefore put a stop, and prevent the accrewing of any benefit, by any help how great soever it be. For when God pleaseth to punish any Countrey with deserved afflictions, certainly no Instruments of defence will at all help or do ought.
These things was I willing to declare at present, to demonstrate in what manner the Enemies power may by such Artificial moist Fires, and a peculiar kind of Granadoes, such things as never were as yet known in the World be broken. There are verily other far greater effects, and which exceed Mans belief, that may be effected by these my newly found out Fires; and such as are not to be written but to be revealed onely unto those that are truly well Willers to the common Weal, and who study how to destroy the Capital Enemy of all the Christian World. But thus much I add, that by these Artificial, Secret, and unknown burning and flame-conceiving Fires, far greater things may in my judgment be effected at any time whensoever one is minded, than by Gunpowder, for that it operates not afore it be enkindled with the Fire. But my Fires are enkindled and inflamed by the Air, and therefore must necessarily exeed Gun-powder in the production of greater effects, and this time will manifest.
Those common Granadoes being thrown into any City may be covered with wet Hides or Cloaths and be quenched, so as not at all to operate, but it cannot be so with my Instruments. And therefore it is not without cause that I prefer them afore Gunpowder.
’Tis not expedient to make any larger discourse concerning these matters, and to take up any more room by revealing more. I could verily in a few words so disclose these things that every one mought be able palpably to feel, and visibly to see them, and so as that he would assuredly know that far greater things mought be effected by these my Fires than by Gun-powder. They may together with the Gun-powder use these my moist Fires as they think good and as need requires. And I do not question but that hereafter Wars will be waged after another manner than hath hitherto been done, and force must give place to Art. For Art doth sometimes overcome strength. We will illustrate the business by an example.
When any little weak Man Fights with a bigger and stronger than himself, and they have both of them like skill in the use of their Arms, the stronger over Masters the weaker and Conquers him. Butnow if the little Man be better skilled in the use of Weapons than the greater and stronger one is, he beats him and becomes the Victour. And when two are of equal Stature and Strength; they smite alike forcibly, and beat one another alike, just as your Laundresses that beat Cloaths with a wash Beetle, so do these lay on blows on each other with like measure. So among the Ancients did they fight Man to Man, and the strength of the blows prevailed. But when Gun-powder was found out, then a few could kill and put to flight a greater number than themselves.
And now again ’tis every where known, that Men now a days do again fight with equal hand, as ’twere, neither party having more help [by Art] than the other party hath: save that the stronger party doth for the most part get the Victory, so that the Wars in our time consist not in Art, but in the multitude and company of Men. Mean while I firmly hope that if the use of my moist Fires be but known, there will be another kind of Warfare than now is, by fighting on equal Terms with blows as the Countrey fellows do, and whereby the stronger can overmaster and subdue the weaker. But now by the help of Art, the weaker may overcome the stronger. And if so be that Art and strength concur together they are wont to be most efficacious.Davidwith his sling shewed the skilfulness of his Art, and subdued that greatGoliah, who little expected such a mischance from such a little Shepherd. And like asGoliahmocked atDavidwith his Sling, so perhaps will theTurkhave us in derision, should we meet him with such Water-throwing Instruments. But even as that greatGoliahwas smitten down by a Stone of the Shepherd, so may theTurkbe easily burnt and radically rooted out by those moist Fires, if the Christians will themselves.
But some or other may here object and say, suppose some perfidious Christian should happen to flie to theTurks, and put such Weapons into their hands, to use against the Christians agen, what shall we do then? [I answer,] such [a mischief] may be prevented by an accurate diligent wariness, that these secrets be not revealed to every body, but to such onely as are known, and that have possessions, Wives, and Children: for such will hardly be allured or corrupted with any reward. Besides too, the vulgar will not be so easily apprehensive of all things hereto requisite, seeing the Art consists not barely in one or two, but in many things [or circumstances.] It cannot therefore be that such inventions should so easily fall into the Enemies hands, and that for several causes which I forbear to reckon up here. Nay more, if necessity should require there mought (by accurate meditation) a farther inquisition be made, whereby more such inventions mought be found out. For this may easily be effected by Men of a quick piercing Wit,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 theTurk.
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 theTurks. 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.
THESECOND PARTOFGLAUBER’SWORKS.The FirstCENTURY,ORWealthy Store-House of Treasures.BEINGA GeneralAppendixto 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 thatGlauberhath 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.LONDON, Printed in the Year MDCLXXXIX.
THESECOND PARTOFGLAUBER’SWORKS.The FirstCENTURY,ORWealthy Store-House of Treasures.BEINGA GeneralAppendixto 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 thatGlauberhath 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.LONDON, Printed in the Year MDCLXXXIX.
THESECOND PARTOFGLAUBER’SWORKS.The FirstCENTURY,ORWealthy Store-House of Treasures.BEINGA GeneralAppendixto 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 thatGlauberhath 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.LONDON, Printed in the Year MDCLXXXIX.
THESECOND PARTOFGLAUBER’SWORKS.The FirstCENTURY,ORWealthy Store-House of Treasures.BEINGA GeneralAppendixto 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 thatGlauberhath 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.LONDON, Printed in the Year MDCLXXXIX.
THESECOND PARTOFGLAUBER’SWORKS.
The FirstCENTURY,ORWealthy Store-House of Treasures.BEINGA GeneralAppendixto 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 thatGlauberhath 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.
LONDON, Printed in the Year MDCLXXXIX.
THEPREFACE.
Courteous Reader,
That every promise becomes a debt, is reported by a common Proverb or By-word, and therefore to stand to ones word or promise, is a thing which procures a great Ornament or grace no less toJuniorsthan toSeniors. Since therefore in my Writings I have ingaged my Faith or Credit through the promising of some little Works, and yet have not been able, by reason of the scantiness of time, hitherto to satisfie the expectation and desire of very many, by publishing of the same; yea since greater Discommodities and Impediments being cast in my way, do hinder me from day to day whereby I cannot write more things, although I have nothing more in my desires than that in standing to my promise, I may acquit my credit, and set forth the said little Works; to wit, my Vegetable Work, my Work ofSaturn, my Book of Dialogues or Discourse, the fourth part of mySpagyrical Pharmacopœaor Chymical Dispensatory, and my admirable little Book, of the concentring of the Heaven and Earth: truly they being Treatises containing most excellent Arcanums or Secrets, and the most worthy ones whereof Men can be made partakers, notwithstanding I am of necessity destitute of time for the writing of any Treatise peculiarly, and for that cause I am constrained to insist in a nearer path, and for the sake of promoting the publick good, to send forth the said Treatises in publick by a less labour and trouble. The present Treatise notified with the Title of an universal Chest or Cabinet full of Riches, or of a general Appendix of all my Writings hitherto exposed to the publick view performs this, whereby all things which have been either the more briefly and obscurely spoken in them are with a more clear or perspicuous illustration explained, or things that have been wholly omitted are supplied, and by the same endeavour the promised Treatises are added, yet not in that order wherein they ought otherwise to be written down, and the which order here to be observed, would administer very much trouble; but wherein all the secrets have in process of time been made known unto me, and committed to Paper. But it is free for any one to add according to his own Judgment, Medicinal Secrets unto Medicinal ones, Mineral Secrets unto Mineral ones, Chymical Secrets unto Chymical ones, if it shall so please him, and time shall also permit the same, which it in no wise permitteth unto me, every one that acquiesceth and is content with these things may consider, if a certain Cook should set a Dish on the Table filled with the best Meats, as being destitute of time, to put every sort of Meat in a several Dish, whether he could of right be angry with him, or by whisperingly prating, he could dare to say, he was to be blamed as being not skilfull in the affairs of the Kitchin, because collecting so many delicate and such dainty Meats into one Dish, and daring to set them on the Table? I suppose not any one could of right complain of such a deed of any Cook; the Cook, desiring to have it taken in good part, such Meats as he had, such he sets before them; he that refuseth to take of them, may use his own liberty, and may let those Meats alone, which he is not compelled to receive, even as the Cook also may be constrained by none in preparing of the same according to his own will or judgment.
Whatsoever Meat doth not please the Pallate of one, yet will not be ingratefull to the Pallate of another, but on the contrary gratefull, seeing one Food is wont to savour or relish this Man, and another the other, neither is he inordinately affected with the disdain of confused Meats, who taketh of those which relish him, and leaveth the rest for others.
Let every one that blameth these Writings do the same, not in hastily taking them in evil part, but in friendly and courteously excusing me that I have not sent them abroad in a more harmonious order.
They are like unto a certain true and great Cabinet or Chest, filled with very many excellent Secrets, being reduced into my knowledge through a successive diligent search of thirty years and so collected into one heap, that they might either be conserved for my own or at some time be made of publick use or service: out of this Chest every one shall be able to exhaust thoseArcanumsandSecrets, which shall please him or serve his uses.
As to what concerns my self, because I daily behold sometimes this Man, sometimes that Man being snatched away by death, to be carried forth and committed to the Earth, I may easily conclude rationally with my self, that those changes or chances will in a short time happen also unto me; I should commit a very grievous offence or errour, that so many costs, labours and troubles, of so many and so great Secrets being consumed in vain, I should carry them away with me under ground, and not bestow them for a common good: I shall here perform the office of a good House-holder, or skilfull House-keeper or Steward, who after that he hath made abundant of Provision for Winter-cloathing for himself, his Wife, Children and whole Family, if he hath as yet plenty of Linnen and Woollen Cloth remaining, he doth not cast them away, but rather casts them together into a Chest, so long to be kept, untill he shall obtain an occasion of administring them for the use of his Neighbour. In the name of the Lord therefore, in making a beginning with the opening of my Chest of Treasures, I will empty it out by little and little by degrees, and will offer it for a common use, that out of so many Treasures, every one may convert unto his own use, what things he shall judge to be profitable unto him; to wit, a Physician Medicinal things, and a Chymist Chymical things, even as every one shall discern any thing to be fit for his own use, every one of what rank soever shall find those things wherewith he might be content, so indeed that whatsoever he shall not meet withall in the first, second, or third Century may be found in the rest, for which things sake, if ten Centuries shall not be sufficient, I will adjoyn other ten or more, that so I may remove from me all those cares, and carefulnesses wherewith the custody of so great Treasures hath importuned and affected me for so many years. Like unto a travelling Woman, who with the greatest desire expecteth the hour of her delivery, and who desireth the beholding of her Fruit, do I desire that time wherein all things shall be printed in Letters. The Almighty God bestow on me so much presence of mind, health, and strength, and prolong my Life so far, that I may finish it to his Honour, and the Succour, Comfort and Profit of all Mankind.Amen.