An Hermetic Work.

paration of the Universal Tincture , may be compared to the distillation or extraction of the burning spirit of Avine from the Lees , and may so be obtained ; Oh friends , this is truly a sufficient clear comparison ; for as in a great quantity of Lees of Wine or Beer , a little of the good spirit is hidden and the residue is a useless mud ; and yet that little quantity of spirit is drawn out Avith profit by means of Distillation out of that great quantity of mud or Freces , and is thereby concentrated into a little room , and Avithall is so A'irtuous and piercing a spirit that one spoonful thereof is more worth , than the

Avhole Runlet or Vessel full of Freces . NOAV by such ways or means Avould the Philosophers have us draw forth and extract the Primum Ens or Form of Gold by Art , out of Stones and Sand , though dispersed and diffused far abroad in them , and so to concentrate their virtue and Tincture into a small compass , of the Avhich a very small quantit y ( if but as big as a Pea ) is of more Avorth and value , than a great Mountain of useless and unprofitable dead Earth .

Further , I would not conceal this from thee , that throughout all Germany by , and in the Rivers , are found stones , the Avhich abound Avith Gold and Sdver , and are sufficiently rich ; and if you beat or break them to pieces , you will find within some of them some little holes , pits , or concavities , Avith a yelknv or fusky dark poAvder , Avhich being melted with Borax will yield a silvery Gold , I must avouch and affirm I never saAV or kneAV any mortal manthat understood or observed those stones beforemuch

, , less the golden poAvder hid in them ; Avhich Avithout doubt is by reason of men ' s carelessness to find out the Physical great mysteries of God . Here now I must admonish all men , that it were of great consequence and concernment for Parents to place their Children to be trained up in their youth , Avith some

honest Artist , or Avorkman to teach them that , Avhich in case of necessity might gain them an honest and commendable livelihood . But the rich having a plentiful estate , think they shall leave enough for their Children , never to want ; yet if one misfortune or another happens upon them , or upon their Children , as Burning of Houses , or Ships , or Goods lost by pyrats or Thieves , or Creditors fail , or Ships miscarry ; Then Avhither to turn or what course to take they knoiv not , but only to fly aAA'ay , or live like Vagabondsor fill a Gaol ; and all this for Avant of some laudable Art learnt in then youth .

, And thus they become desperate , The one forsakes Wife and Children to Travel to the Indies , where not a few are devoured b y beasts or Canibals , some droAvned or starved , others sell themselves or become Sonldiers , and like mad Dogs at last are slain ; Others after they have spent their means cannot subsist or provide for their family , and so become vicious livers , and have a miserable doleful life , till they perish and go to hell . All which might have , been avoided by learning some good mechanick Arts in their

youth , or flourishing conditions . But Avhen difficult and raging times approach , or that too many be of a Trade in a City , the one beggars the other , and so there is no remedy but physick , which may likewise fail . But a Physician mi g ht learn something else that would get a livelyhood , besides his practice . Then he need not make so many visits to gape for his fees of his poor distressed Patients : And so the LaAvyer need not for base Profit sell the Law or their Clients' Cause to himself a seat in Hell where

prepare , afterwards to dAA'eh for eA'er . Nor the Divine be afraid of his Patrons or Benefactors , and so sooth them up in their sins , but preach the truth to all without flattery , and so prefer God's honour , and the people ' s real good , Avith a true zeal before his private profit , to the hazard of his soul . So also of all the rest .

Now having declared or toucht this matter , I am passing and go aAvay sig hing ancmourning , That the Genuine Hermetick Philosophy and Medicine , is so little practiced or esteemed , as also the natural true Alchymy ( and not adulterate ) Avhich genuine Art is the Queen of all Arts , and shall remain so to the world ' s end . . When as therefore this art of extracting sand and stones , is so great a treasure ana usef id as Ave have heard , and carelessly kickt by men at their feet every where j Avhy d ° Ave not rather extract them to nourish our selves and families , and defend us from the injuries of the times , handsomely and honestly . Why do Ave not I say leave the Biw ® to their own Inhabitants , and manage our OAVU Countries or earth in Europe where dwell , where is abundantly sufficient to sustaine us , for whatever Ave want j I c » nn °