THEMINERAL WORK:THE FIRST PART.
THE FIRST PART.
Wherein is Taught the Separation ofGOLD
Out of Flints, Sand, Clay, and other Fossiles by the Spirit of Salt, which otherwise cannot be purged. Also aPanaceaor Universal Antimonial Medicine, and the use thereof. Invented and published in favour of the Studious in theCHYMICAL ART.
ByJohn Rudolph Glauber.
There will be some without doubt, because the Edition of other Pieces (of which I made mention in some former Tractates a few years past) hath been hitherto by reason of diverse journeys, and other various impediments, neglected, who will think (having no knowledge of me) that I am unable to perform my promise; and there are others, who knowing my Condition, and the Contumelies of my Enemies, will fear that I being diverted from my purpose by these Reproaches, will make void my secret promises. But I have resolved to stand to my promise, that these men may see that I am neither moved nor altered with the Taunts of the Envious; but that they may be convinced by real demonstration of my secrets; some of which, I shall now for the publick good endeavour to communicate. And although the ingratitude of the World be cause enough for my silence, yet the uprightness of my Heart would not permit me to conceal those things, notwithstanding the malevolent and ungrateful. Beside also the following Reason moved me, because there are some ambitious men, who falsly boast of the knowledge of diverse of my secrets; wherefore, some have been moved to think that mine are not my own, but the Works and Writings of others; by which means I have been deprived of my due Praise, being attributed to another. And this I have often found, that one or other having by entreaties obtained a secret from me, have afterward through Ostentation ascribed it to themselves.
There are others also who fear not to reproach me, and my Writings, as though they were trifles, not attaining their desired end, who (rather than I who have written plain enough) are themselves to be blamed, for being ignorant how to work. Such and other things might deter me, but I would not omit the publishing of these Writings for those mens sake who are pious and honest. Wherefore I openly affirm, that these things published by me are not only no trifles, but most true, and also my own, and not the Invention of another. And I call him a lyer, who shall boast himself the Author without any of my help. But of these enough! yet I would have the Reader know, that for the meaness of the stile, I am not like many Writers, who more look after the flourish of words than the thing it self; I rather seek that my Neighbour may profit by me. Wherefore, for his better understanding, I had rather be prolixe in words, tedious to delicate ears, than write in obscure brevity adorned with Rhetorical figures. For I know that the studious in the Art do affect a prolixe, plain, and distinct information or instruction, rather than aCiceronianor obscure. And now, in the Name of God, I will begin my Work which is most profitable to all, and will faithfully communicate and publish the same in that manner as it was written by me in my travel, under the title ofThe Mineral Work, divided into three parts. In the first of which shall be taught how out of sand and golden flints, corporeal gold may be drawn by the help of Spirit of Salt. Which secret, although it may seem small, yet it is that whereby (a knowledge of the true stones and true sand being obtained) life may be sustained, and also the cost laid out may be recompensed, as shall be proved in the following parts.
In the second part shall be treated of the original and generation of metals, and also of the destruction of Minerals and Metals.
In the third part shall be demonstrated the possibility of metallicol transmutation by Nature and Art, and that with divers reasons: which demonstration is not (unless I am deceived) performed yet by any, being the foundation of all metallick Philosophy, and theGolden Crownof all my Writings. Which God grant I may perfect, to the glory of his Divine Name, and the good of my Neighbour.Amen.