Chapter LX: Front Matter (60)

’Tis well known, that the use of Gun-powder was not always known, but was first found out by a certain Monk in _Germany_, in the year of our Lord 1380, who by chance lighted on the finding of its dreadfull strength. Neither is there any one ignorant, what great Victories they that well knew its use, obtained over their Enemies afore it was made manifest. But when it became publickly known, then it served both Parties, so that neither part had more advantage by it than the other, and then the deciding the Controversie consisted (next the blessing of God) in the multitude of the Men, of which their power was composed, and not in Art. And like as it seemed a meerly incredible thing at first when it was heard of, that a Powder of such mighty force could be made of such vile Subjects, _viz._ Brimstone, and Salt-peter, and Charcoals: Even so will it at first exceed all belief, when it shall be heard say that Waters may be prepared out of such Subjects, which said Waters can doe such wonderfull, and so many great things.

It is also reported [or Chronicled] that the said Monk did not search after Gun-powder purposely, but being addicted to Chymistry, and occupied about Operations upon Salt-peter and Sulphur, endeavoured to distill a Water from them. Now these being mixt, and by chance taking fire, he perceived them to break every thing, and rend it into pieces: And hence came that man to know the unheard-of Virtues of Salt-peter and Sulphur, which being so thoroughly contrary to each other, made such great concussions or shakings. The same thing hapned even unto my self, for purposing to make sharp Waters out of Sulphur, Salt-peter, and other Salts fit for my purpose; I perceived in such Operations, that far greater things mought be brought to pass by such firey Waters than could be done by Gun-powder. Nevertheless, I buried these Secrets in great silence, nor manifested I them to any man, though I knew them above these twenty years; fearing this, that should they be known, they might be as Instruments in the hands of the Christians to torment one another with.

But now seeing God hath vouchsafed to bestow a peace upon the whole Christian World, and that the _Turks_ doe begin more and more to persecute and vex the Christians by their Tyrannical Persecutions, and endeavour even thoroughly to root them out, as they have already made a beginning in _Hungary_ of their detestable attempts, I advised with my friends whether or no it would not be expedient to detect and lay open those Secrets to the Christians, that so they may be used against the _Turks_, and I was advised by these my friends to proceed on in the revealing of them. Upon this account (all other businesses laid aside) I wholly betook my self to this very one thing, to get great store of those kind of firey Waters in readiness, which may be made use of as most substantial bucklers or defence both offensively and defensively against the _Turks_. Now I have done this the more willingly and readily, because they kill no man, but doe onely so far debilitate them, that they may be overcome, and easily taken and made Captives. For were this invention of mine such as would kill men, I would never have at any time produced it in publick, and thus divulged it. And therefore I am even yet of this mind, that that Monk _Barthold_ did not well in divulging the preparation and use of Gunpowder, by which such a multitude of Men are destroyed and slain.

But by this Invention of mine, no man is slain, and yet the victory wrested out of the Enemies hands. And the Enemies being taken alive and made Captives, may be constrained to work, and in my opinion may bring more benefit than if they were slain.

I doubt not but that the things I here propound may seem impossible even to the wisest [sort of] men of this World; nor indeed is it to be wondred at if it be so; for they are unheard-of Secrets, and unseen, and so exceed all belief. I dare not here trust my Pen too much, though I could disclose them in a few words, and so, as to bring every one to acknowledge the truth hereof, and to feel it as it were with his hands. But I must deal warily, lest such sharp, and yet not killing, weapons fall into the Enemies hands.

* * * * *

But yet that I may in some sort satisfie the desirous Reader, I doe signifie unto him in brief, that all the whole Art lyes coucht in this knack, that vast quantities of those artificial Waters may be gotten without great Expences; and being prepared, may be afterwards applied to use by some certain secret Instruments both offensively and defensively. For those watry Fires, or firey Waters which I speak of, are of such a burning nature, that neither Men nor Horses whom they touch are able to resist [or endure] them; And yet they doe not kill, unless one be minded to slay others, and then they must have a more peculiar preparation. But as they are by themselves, they kill none, but doe extreamly disturb both Horse and Man, that it makes them even impatient of the pains, and so forceth them upon one another, whereby their order being broken, they ruine themselves. This done, the victory is as it were given into the adverse parties hands, whereby they can without any labour vanquish and take their Enemies Captives. I dare not to say any more hereabouts, this onely I add by way of overplus, that even Women (where Men are wanting) may not onely (by this invention of mine) drive off the Enemies from any fenced place, but they may force them out again out of the place, or o’erwhelm the Company of them that are entred with Stones. Though this seems an incredible thing, yet is it most true, and will without doubt, after it shall come to light, in a short time serve as a most notable defence for the Countrey.

And as touching the easie, and not at all costly preparation of the moist Fires and their due use, together with the Instruments hereto requisite; all this shall be shown and detected to those onely who both can and will use them against the _Turks_. But to others not, and this we were willing to signifie by way of admonition or advice.

This little, but yet exceeding weighty Secret, and which may be used against our Countries Enemies with most notable benefit, I have revealed enough of at this time. Mean while I hope, that even this very year the Enemies of the Christian World will be notably endamaged by it, which God of his grace and mercy grant, that it may be a solace and help to the Christian World so dreadfully persecuted by the _Turk_, even for the honour and glory of his holy Name. _Amen._

_Now follows the third use, and that consists in the melioration
of the Metals, by which also great benefit may redound to the
Countrey._

As for such things as concern the true and indubitable melioration of Metals by Salt and Fire, I have already sufficiently enough demonstrated in the fifth part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, and in the Appendix thereunto.

But seeing my true demonstration there made, seemed not sufficiently clear and evident to not a few, and that therefore they have most lyingly dared to aver, that there is no such thing as a true transmutation of Metals, and that such like Affirmations as these are meer fables, meer falsities, and meer dreams: Therefore I could not choose but (to stop the mouths of such wicked Men, and shame them,) to lay open and publish an evident and palpable truth.

And this is no great task for me to do, for I was many years ago certain of the truth hereof, and therefore can easily set it afore the Eyes of others, and that not onely particularly [or a particular transmutation] but also universally, insomuch that even the blind may see and palpably feel, that the transmutation of Metals is not an old Wives Fable, but is a certain and firm Science, and what is risen even from the foundation of nature her self. If now I shall prove it to be thus, I have then I hope secured my affairs, and have not onely defended the Writings my self have sent abroad, but withall the most true assertions of other honest Men, and so shall have evidently demonstrated those things which to the greatest part of Men seems a thing impossible to be done.

Albeit that there are many who have left us the truth in their Writings, yet are they so involved in obscurity, that such as know not the Fundamentals of the Art, can never learn ought of certainty from them. Whence it comes to pass, that so many Men have vainly attempted the Art, and therefore the Art it self hath been mightily despised.

The Transmutation of Metals is not a thing of so small a moment (as that eminent Philosopher _Sandivogius_ witnesseth) in his Preface prefixed to his Writings; where he also tells us, that he that obtains the knowledge of the same, so as to transmute any imperfect Metal into a more perfect one, though it be done without benefit, hath met with an open Gate, and entrance leading to greater matters, and this is also exceedingly agreeable with the truth. For if any one shall take some imperfect Metal, and by handling or dealing with it with such or such matters, shall find that it is advanced to a golden or silvery nature, may more deeply look into the business with fuller and more accurate Meditations, and [at length] wholly search it out, _viz._ whence that bettering proceeds, and by what means or in what manner his labours are to be contrived.

And now when such an one doth make fix and constant, such or such a Metal by the benefit of the Fire, and useth no other matter about the Operation but Salt, and doth really find a true melioration of the Metal, certainly he cannot ascribe it to any other thing but the Fire and Salt: and now whereas he assuredly knows, that the melioration of Metals can be perfected by the help of no other thing but of Fire and Salt, he will not need to search for any other, but will rather wholly apply himself thereunto, whereby he may most commodiously deal with the Metals by the means of Fire and Salt, and better them with profit. And if now he be once Master of his desire, he will gain sufficiently thereby. But if not, he cannot blame the Art but himself, who indeed sees the possibility of the Art but hath not (yet) entred in by it, or through it to the great Treasures it discloseth, so as to take to himself a due or competent part. But forasmuch as such happy Men are very seldom found, who find the Key that opens the Doors to such Mysteries, I judged it a thing worth while if I did here detect this very Key, and show by what means the Gate (by which the closest of Arts is made fast) is wont to be opened. And if now it shall please the Studious Artist to enter thereinto, he may with all my heart, and so enjoy those Treasures. I will not pass the bounds I have intended to observe: it is sufficient for me to have shown the right and kingly way, wherein every one may go that listeth, that so he may arrive to his wisht for end.

But as for the Key that unlocks the Closet of Art in true Alchymy, I do confidently affirm, that Salts are such Keys, and especially Salt-peter, and also common Salt and Vitriol, each of which is of it self efficacious enough to open the Door which shuts the Parlour or Closet of Arts in Alchymy. But one Salt joyned with another as is expedient and in convenient wise as Art requires, does effect more and show greater power than if it abode alone, and this my Writings do too and agen largely shew. But those Salts are in an especial manner more excellent as to power and virtues than others are, those I say which being first made volatile or spiritual are afterwards made corporeal, like as the following example doth evidently demonstrate.

_An evident demonstration of the possibility of transmuting the
viler Metals by Salt and Fire into more noble ones._

Take of Vitriol two parts, and of good Salt-peter one part, mix them well, and being mixt distill an _Aqua Fortis_ therefrom, with this Water, dissolve Silver or Lead, and pour into the Solution some Spirit of Salt, or else some common Salt onely dissolved in Water, that so the dissolved Metals may be turned into white Powder, and precipitate to the bottom of the Vessel. This done, wash off the _Aqua Fortis_ from the _Calx_ of Silver or Lead, with Rainwater, and you shall find it to be one quarter part encreased, and this augmentation cannot be washt off with any Water. Now these saline Spirits do make the _Lune_ and _Saturn_ so very volatile, fusile, and flying, that they melt in a small heat and penetrate all hard Bodies. Upon this account I called those fugacious and fusile Metals, by the name of a _Mercury_, which said _Mercury_ of _Lune_, or of _Saturn_ hath assumed to it self onely so much of the Salts as it needed, to amend it self in the Fire, when they mutually act upon each other, and the Salt maturates the Metal.

But what course shall we now take with these Metals, seeing they are so very volatile, that they cannot resist the indifferently strong force of Fire, and therefore go away in fume? And forasmuch as they abide not the Fire and do not die, by what means can they be amended?

There is no better way to be taken with them here, than (for prevention of their volatility) to add to them some metallick body, into which, the fugacious exceeding fusile, and Salt Metal may hide it self, and so brook the Fire. And amongst these six metallick Bodies, I know not as yet of any better than Tin reduced into Ashes, which is most fit for this Operation, because it is the most unfit or hard to melt of any the _Calx’s_ of the rest of the Metals.

If therefore you will make experiment of this Operation, adjoyn to one part of the _Mercury_ of _Lune_ or _Saturn_ two parts of the white Ashes of Tin, which being well mixt and put into a Glass Cucurbit well fenced with Lure, set it into Sand, put Fire thereinto by little and little untill the matter in the Glass be well heated; in this darkish red hot heat, leave it so long untill some part of the matter doth ascend by sublimation up into the Alembick placed at top, and up the neck of the Cucurbit. Then you must put on another Alembick, and take out all the sublimate out of the former Alembick, and put it back upon its matter in the Cucurbit, and it is to be again left so long in the Fire, untill there doth again ascend some part by sublimation into the Head. This being taken out of the Head is to be again put into the Cucurbit, and to be added to its own matter, (and to be proceeded with) till again some portion sublimes up out of the matter into the Alembick. Now these labours are to be so often repeated, untill there ascends no more matter up into the Head, and all the matter abides behind in the bottom of the Cucurbit fixt. This being done, a stronger Fire is to be administred, that the Metals may be operated upon by the Salts. For by how much the more and longer they endure the violence of the Salts, so much the better do they grow, which being taken forth and reduced by the adding unto them their due matters and being separated by a Cupel do yield forth a notable encrease of Gold and Silver.

This undoubted Experiment and evident Demonstration, doth (by its evident Operation) clearly and perspicuously teach and prove the melioration and transmutation of the Metals into better and more pure; but if this way seems to any very laborious and full of troubles, I will show him a more compendious way and such as is of less labour, for the sake of searching out the truth.

Fill a Hassiak Crucible (one of the best make) with the self same mixture, _viz._ one part of the _Mercury_ of _Saturn_, and two parts of Tin-ashes, and squeeze in the matter thereinto with your Thumb pretty hard, and fit at top of this Pot, another somewhat lesser, so as that they may shut close and tight at their mouths, and one may not fall off from the other, if they be turned (topsie turvy:) Now in this upper Pot, put some Plates of Copper in, afore you place it on the lower one, yet on such wise that in the turning the Pots (up and down) they fall not out of their places. Each Pot likewise is to be well fenced with Lute such as will not chap when it is dried, and yet it may be mended if it should a little cleave by dawbing some more on, and this is done, that no fume at all get out. The Lute being dried, place this double Pot or Crucible in a circular Fire, and augment the Fire more and more, and move it nearer and nearer it untill it be well heated. Then put thereto larger Coals, and cover the Pot all over with them, that it may be every where red hot, in which great heat of the Fire it is to be left some two or three hours. Then being cool, take out and open your Pot, and you shall find the Copper Plates in some sort tinged with a white colour, but yet this colour is not so constant and fix as to abide in the Cupel or on the Test with its Body. Therefore necessity requires that those Plates be dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_, and be precipitated by pouring thereon Salt dissolved in common Water, in which precipitation the Silver _Calx_ settles to the bottom. This _Calx_ being freed of its Saltness by pouring Water thereon, and being dried, is to be wrapt up in a Plate of Lead, or some sheet Lead made as thin as Paper, and be put on a red hot Test, in which there must be a little Lead in Flux, which may the more readily receive the silvery _Calx_ wrapt up in the leaden Paper, and which is volatile, and may hinder it from going away in fume; the Lead being consumed, there will be a grain of Silver abiding on the Test, which being dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_, will let fall some Gold to the bottom. If any of the remaining matter in the Crucible be to be reduced, then boil it with Lead, and let it be reduced into _Scoria’s_: out of the _Regulus_ will there also remain on the Test a grain of Silver containing Gold in it. But this way brings no profit, as being here taught for this onely end to demonstrate the possibility of the thing. But if you would get any profit by such an Operation, it will be altogether necessary to use such Vessels in which nothing at all may go away in fume, but all the matter may abide together, and may so get a fixity and constancy: and this cannot be done in Crucibles, but it will bring a profitable melioration by the said way.

Some may now demand from whence that Gold and Silver should come? whether out of the Lead or out of the Tin? doubtlesly it comes from both. And therefore seeing the Copper Plates in this Cementation, as likewise the cementing powder it self have put on a golden and silvery nature, can any one doubt that this is a true Transmutation by Fire and Salt? And this is especially manifest even from the Copper Plates, which had nothing at all toucht them, save the saline Spirits ascending up out of the Cementatory Powder, which in the heat of the Fire penetrated the Copper, and amended it in so short a time. Is there any one now so blinded as that he cannot here see, that this bettering the Metals proceeded from Salt and Fire. Certainly no body will be able to heal him that is blinded with such a darkness of his sight, and therefore must he even lie all his lifes time in such obscure mists. For this Operation is set down so clearly and evidently that it may be even felt and perceived with the hands.

_N. B._ If so be any one is desirous of getting more Gold and Silver by the help of this Operation, he may use the _Mercury_ of _Lune_ instead of the _Mercury_ of Lead, for it will yield far more than _Saturn_ will.

I could exhibit no small variety of these kind of Experiments, but that the shortness of time bids me stop, and forbear their description; those that cannot learn ought from these things, greater ones will not be at all usefull unto them. Thus have I a-new evidently demonstrated, that a particular melioration of the Metals is done by, and proceeds from Salt and Fire alone.

_An infallible demonstration, that a true tincture or universal
Medicine may be made by Salt and Fire, for the melioration of
Metals._

_Recipe_ one pound of the _Mercury_ of Lead, or rather of _Lune_, of the Ashes of Tin two pounds, mix these matters together and put them into a Glass Retort coated, and put it in Sand, or rather in an open Fire, and give a Fire by degrees. In this Operation, the Salts inhering in the _Mercury_ of _Saturn_ or _Lune_, do display or exercise their virtues upon _Jupiter_, and seize upon it and leave the _Lune_ or Lead, and ascend up into the neck of the Retort like _Mercury_ sublimate, and are very heavy and ponderous, and do very rarely fall down into the Receiver, because they presently settle assoon as ever they feel any Refrigeration. Therefore it is needfull that the neck of the Retort be somewhat wide, that so the _Mercury_ sublimate may meet with space and room enough, and may not by wanting room break the Retort. Now when the Retort has been kept three hours in a red hot heat, which time is requisite for the _Mercury_ sublimate to ascend in, then cease from continuing or keeping on your Fire, that so it may cool. Then take out the sublimate out of the neck of the Retort when cold, and you shall find about some eight Lots 4 Ounces, and proceed with it the way following, as we shall by and by tell you.

Mix the Reliques or what is left, with two parts of _Regulus_ of Antimony made with Iron, and melt it into a body: Wash off the _Regulus_ and Tin from the Silver with Salt-peter, and you shall have your Silver not onely encreased by the _Jupiter_, but also indued with somewhat of a golden nature; as much as the Salts could maturate in so short a time, which is indeed a speedy Transmutation. But if you use _Mercury_ of _Saturn_, there will not follow much amendment in so short a time. Yet nevertheless, that even the truth it self may even by this means be searcht out, there may be added a little Lead, and be boiled and reduced into _Scoria’s_, in which there will remain a grain of Silver, which will give you information, how much melioration the saline Spirits are able to bestow in three or four hours space.

But this is not the right way of getting profit, for as much as it shows onely the possibility of the thing.

But if you would have any profit by such an Operation, you must get you a Cucurbit for this sublimation made of good and vitreous or glazefying Earth; and the sublimed _Mercury_ must be taken forth of the Alembick, and be again added to the dry matter lying in the bottom of the Cucurbit, and this Operation of subliming it must be so often repeated, till there ascend up no more, and that all abides fix with the Tin. Then is a stronger Fire to be put thereto, and the _Jupiter_ and _Saturn_ will be maturated by the Salt as we taught afore. And if now any be minded to take that same sublimated matter, as it ascended in the first sublimation, and would make it fix and constant (_per se_) in a Glass, he would get a Tincture that will in projection tinge with a white and red colour, but yet I never have as yet tried the latter of these. However I doubt not, but it may be done. For seeing that this sublimed matter, doth (though it be so volatile) penetrate the Plates of Copper, by three or four hours time cementation, and turns somewhat of the said Plates into the nature of Gold and Silver by graduation, how much more would it do, if being brought to a due fixity and constancy, it should be projected into some molten and flowing Metal? For that in such a white sublimate (principally in that which proceeds from _Lune_) there lies hid also an occult redness, and may be manifested by the Fire, this I say, mine Eyes have seen, and mine hands have felt, but have not as yet brought the Operation to its compleat end, by reason of various lets and want of time.

Farther, by such a sublimate _Mercury_ may likewise be wrought various Transmutations, which I think not fit to divulge. It is in its nature fugacious and volatile, and yet notwithstanding doth it in process of time make all other volatile and fugacious matters, such as are Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt, and even the most flying of all, _viz._ common _Mercury_, fix and constant, which effect is to be attributed to the Salt onely. He that knows rightly to manage this Operation, will not labour in vain, but will be rendred a partaker of great secrets, which thing I leave to the Sons of Art, as a Testament or Will.

But yet that I may kindle some little Torch for to guide the desirous Reader, and may make him more certain of a true Tincture, which this abject _Mercury_ sublimate showing it self in a white colour hides in it, I have thought good, yet farther to add this following way.

Extract out of this sublimate a running _Mercury_, vivifying and separating it by apt and magnetick subjects; and evaporate a little portion or particle thereof, of about the bigness of a Pea, in a Silver Spoon; when ’tis all gone, you will find a purple Powder left in the Spoon. If you cast this Powder upon hot boiling Lead, you will find after its blowing off, a grain of Gold on the Test. The Spoon it self will bear the mark of a purple spot in that place, in which the _Mercury_ went away in fume, and it cannot be blotted or rubbed out, because the _Mercury_ hath deeply impressed the Tincture in the Spoon.

Now may some or other say unto me, whence did that little grain of Gold left on the Cupel, and that purple spot which tinged the Silver Spoon, proceed, came it from the Lead or from the Tin, or from the Silver, or out of the saline Spirits? The greatest part of Men will say it proceeded out of the Lead, Tin, or Silver. But I say, that it did indeed come out of the Lead, Tin or Silver, but that the Tincture adjoyned thereunto is for the most part the true Soul of Niter, which the _Mercury_ took unto it self, and again left it and forsook it assoon as ever it was vexed or forced with the Fire. But I doubt not but that if such a _Mercury_ impregnated with the Soul of Niter, were fixed and made constant in the Fire, it would afford an universal Tincture.

I confess I have tried many a time this Operation in small Experiments, which sometimes answered not my desires, what diligence soever I used thereabouts; but when I attempted it in a greater quantity it never succeeded. This thing seems to be posited in the will and pleasure onely of the Omnipotent God, who will not have those his so great Mysteries and Gifts profaned. I have indeed (like unto _Moses_) seen the promised Land, but yet I do not know whether or no God will bring me thither in this Life, that so I may enjoy those most precious Fruits.

And if God should not vouchsafe me that benefit, yet do I willingly rest content with this, that I have seen with mine Eyes, and felt with mine hands the truth of the Art more than once, which Art so many thousands of Men do so greedily gape after, but yet not with such good hap and success as to find it out or see it.

I have I say seen the truth, but not the Tincture brought to its end or perfection, but yet have I seen its beginning which makes me certainly assured so far, as that I dare to affirm, and confidently aver, that there is in nature such a thing as a true Tincture, and that it may by Gods blessing be prepared by an Artists hand. I have not yet had so much quiet and so much time as to undertake this so weighty a Work. Yet now I have a resolution to set aside all worldly cares, solicitudes and businesses, and to attempt and wait upon this kingly Work, and expect what the divine grace will bestow upon me. For we are to look for all good things from above, for else we labour in vain, whatsoever diligence we make use of.

These things I was willing to publish for the Assertion sake of the truth, and to prove that there was in nature a true Tincture, that so it may evidently appear that Metals may be transmuted both universally and particularly. And if by some desperate Men or by a sudden and immature death (which chances God of his mercy graciously keep from me) all the _Mediums_ or means of perfecting so great a Work, and finishing it should be cut off from me, yet notwithstanding the truth it self will be able to bear witness to my sayings when I am dead and gone. For I have by me even yet those Silver Plates tinged with Purple Spots, which can at all times witness the truth of those things I have here delivered. For it is an impossible thing that Silver should be tinged with a purple colour without a Tincture. If therefore there is to be found the truth in that white and fugacious sublimate, what I pray would be found in the fix and Fire-abiding red Tincture? Would it not be, that effects of far greater moment would be produced by such a Tincture. The Ancients therefore that desired firmness of health and a long life, bestowed such labours and sweats upon getting a true Medicine for humane and metallick Bodies, and some of them arrived to their wisht-for end, but the greatest part of them were deceived with vain labours, and frustrated of their conceived hopes.

If any Man did certainly know that there were in some places to be found mighty treasures of Gold, Pearls, and Precious Stones, and it were granted every one to search after them for his own proper advantage, what think you, he would be lazy and slow, and would not set himself to seek after them. But if any should so order his search that like a blind Man, he neither knows nor sees what it is he seeks after, or in what place it is to be sought by him, certainly such an one would labour in vain, and lose both his time, pains, and costs; and this usually betides the greatest part of Men, for they spend their labours in vain in their search after this Work, because (like blind Men) they neither know what they are to seek, nor where. But yet ’tis credible that there would not such a multitude of them have stray’d from the truth, had but any one so clearly and perspicuously shown and pointed as it were with the Fingers at the place where the Treasure lyeth hidden, as I have now done.

And although the envious and lying Devil should oppose the truth even with his greatest power, and should most cruelly rage against it, yet notwithstanding he will not be able to shew us any one Man that hath produced and brought the truth forth to the light with greater perspicuity and evidence than _Glauber_ hath.

I have therefore yet once more at present shown by a most evident demonstration even before the whole World, and have asserted it for a truth, that not onely the more imperfect Metals do admit of being really transmuted by Salt and Fire into the more perfect ones, but withall, that by them, [_viz._ Fire and Salt] a Tincture may be made.

And now let all mine enemies visible and invisible ones, open and secret ones, what name soever stiled by, come forth and publickly produce the true Transmutation of Metals, with a clearer and more conspicuous manifestation than I have here done. I acquiesce with what I have hitherto spoken; if God shall please I will divulge admirable things in my next third Century. In this little Treatise there are laid open onely four secrets, but yet so clearly and conspicuously that no body hath as yet manifested such and so eminent things with clearer and more perspicuous expressions.

For that first Instrument is clearly enough described, by the help of which, not onely a great plenty of all sharp Spirits may be prepared with very little costs and easie labour, and the four-fold use of these Spirits is able to bring most great profit to the Countrey.

1. All Gold, Silver, and Copper are thereby extracted out of the poorer sort of Oars which _Germany_ abounds with every where, and that in a far easier manner than by fusion, and are so brought to a very gainfull improvement, to the great benefit of all _Germany_, the which hath never been hitherto done.

2. Of the said Spirits is made a Water-attracting Magnet, for the bettering of poorer Wines, that so they may keep good, and be the easilier transported out of one place into another, as I have signified in my second Century. It is a secret which offers gain both to the rich and poor, and may be prepared in great plenty.

3. The imperfect Metals are sundry ways bettered by those saline Spirits, of which may be made vast quantities as I have shown in this Work or Book, and this melioration my Writings do variously teach and treat of.

4. By the help of these fiery Spirits of Salts, preparable in mighty plenty, which is a thing commodiously to be done by the Instrument described in this Book, may the _Turks_ who are the Enemies of the Christian World be resisted without any Bloud-shed. Concerning these fiery Waters, which being such a notable destruction on the Enemies, this is here to be noted, that immense quantities of them are easily gotten without any Distillation and with very little expences.

For if much be to be effected by them, it is necessarily requisite to have vast quantities of them in readiness, without which, no great matters are in this case to be accomplisht. But as concerning the manner of so greatly endammaging the _Turks_ by these moist Waters I cannot so accurately describe the same here, as being a meer stranger to, and ignorant in military affairs. However I will briefly and in few words shaddow out, what way I think it may be done by, _viz._ to resist and mightily endamage the Enemies by them.

First of all, this is the nature and property of these moist Waters. As to outward view they are like Water, and may be handled or dealt with as other common Waters, but their inward virtue is nothing but a meer Fire. And because these moist Waters may be thrown not onely with the hands, but with greater Warlike Engines or Guns a good way off, by artificial Instruments prepared for that purpose; therefore is the use of them manifold, and as necessity requires may they be used several ways for the expulsion and overcoming of the Enemies. We will illustrate our meaning by an example. Suppose I am in a City or Castle besieged by the Enemies, and that I have by me some of those kind of Instruments which are accommodated to this use for the moist Fires. If now the Enemy should set upon the Trench, Wall, or a Bul-wark, and I were furnished with that defensive Water of mine, should stand behind the Wall or Bul-wark in that place which the Enemy sets upon, he could not possibly come at me; for those moist Fires may be cast by the said Instruments far without the City, like a fiery showr of Rain, or like a Cloud, which Rain being forced out of but one onely Instrument would dilate it self far and wide upon many hundreds of Men, and whatsoever it touched it would hurt and burn like common natural Fire, and it would especially blind their sight, so that the Men would not be able to look up or see. If now the Enemies should make their attempt upon any place, and there should be shoured down upon them such a fiery Rain, and by hurting their Eyesight make them quite blind, how would they be able being blinded to get over the Walls or Bul-warks? I do believe that if they should have gotten over the Walls or Forts, and be made thus blind, they would be heartily glad if they could but get out again and recover their own party. But it would be better to beat them off, and blind them when they come with their Ladders to scale the Walls, than to permit them to approach any nearer. But yet if it should so happen that the Enemies had gotten even into the City it self, and there were some Houses in the principal places or streets in which the defendants may rally themselves and that such Houses were furnisht with such moist Fires, and that such fiery showers were shot out thence so blinding them that they durst not open their Eyes, what I pray would they be able to do, being blinded and clearly deprived of the use of their sight? Would they not throw away their Arms and solely mind the getting the Fire out of their Eyes, and yet it would hardly be so done in half a days time, nay if it should touch their Eyes in pretty quantity, it would scarse be quencht in two days time, and if they should go to wipe their Eyes with their hands, then would they make their torments much more intolerable, and would add more Fire to their Eyes, because their hands are likewise moistned and plagued with that continual shour. And now may not such unbidden Guests be overwhelmed and slain with Stones cast on them out of the adjoyning Houses? And may not one Single Woman with such a little Instrument onely filled with these moist Fires defend her House against an hundred Soldiers. Verily in my opinion there may be made a better defence with such a little Instrument that one may carry about with him, than with ten or even an hundred Musquets. For 100 Musquets require 100 Men, all which when they have discharged their Guns once, and have slain some ten or twelve Men (and yet it is not wont usually to happen so in such cases neither) they need some time to load their Musquets again, if they would keep on shooting. But this Instrument may be used even by Women, two or three of whom will haply do more hurt to the Enemy than twenty or thirty, yea haply one hundred Men are able to do with their Musquets. And if the Women and other weak Men do but blind their Enemies, the armed Men may take them thus blinded Prisoners; that so not being killed but made Slaves, they may be set to Work and Till the Land, and this would be far more profitable than the killing of them would be. So then, may not an hundred Soldiers by the help of my Instruments defend any Fortress with greater and more certain defence than a thousand Men could otherwise do. Verily I believe they may. For these blinding Fires of mine, or fiery Clouds and Rain being adjoyned to other usual and customary military Weapons, will most mightily endamage the Enemy, nor will there need so many Soldiers, for the Citizens themselves may use the other [customary] Arms, and the Women and Children may use the Instruments, whereby they would haply defend themselves more strongly than if they committed their defence to chosen and registred Souldiers.

For these Instruments, (by which the moist Fires are driven far off upon the Enemies like fiery showers and Clouds of Rain, and that without intermission, and as oft as ever need requires) although they be great, yet a few Men may govern or manage them, so that it will be impossible for the Enemies to effect any considerable enterprize in besieging any City. But it is needfull to place such Instruments that thus squirt forth Fire, behind the Walls and Bul-warks, that the Enemies great Ordinance may not hurt or destroy them. Verily I cannot so very accurately and compleatly show what [the best] way [is] of endamaging the Enemies by the help thereof, for this the practice it self will better shew us. I can furnish forth the Instruments themselves and the moist Fires belonging thereunto. I commend the use of them unto the Souldiers, who may learn to use them as they shall find good by experience I do again repeat what I have hitherto so often spoken, and I do affirm, that with one such Instrument may some thousands of Men be blinded in a moments time, and being blinded what I pray can they then do? If so be that others shall endeavour to come to help them and fetch them off, they may likewise be blinded, nor can they run away, and therefore must necessarily be taken Prisoners. And this in my judgment may be done in Hostile Invasions and Sieges.

But now whether or no there may be any use of such Instruments in Battailes and Conflicts with the Enemies, I do not well know, but that a City, Castle, or House may be defended by their means, and so drive off the Assailants, is a thing evident and undoubted. Should there be a thousand Enemies beset the House of some particular Citizen, yet must they depart if onely such a fiery Cloud or Rain (the Doors and Windows being shut) should be shoured down upon them. For so they would be rendred blind and not be able to see or find the Door, as it was in _Lots_ time, when his Enemies environed his House to have out those two Strangers, they were smitten with such blindness that they were constrained to leave the House, and it was permitted _Lot_, and his, to pass out of the same without any impediment. And is it not lawfull for us to smite our Capital Enemies the _Turks_ with blindness, and to defend our selves, our Wives and Children?

God himself saith, I will encompass those that are mine, with a Wall of Fire, and defend them against their Enemies. Briefly, this invention of mine, of making such a fiery Mist or Rain, is an incomparable defence and safeguard, the like of which was never as yet known in the World. And now may any one easily conjecture what may be done offensively with this same invention. For example, suppose ’tis necessary to take such or such a place from the Enemy, but now there is not time enough left, nor are there Souldiers enough for the enterprize; and therefore some Stratagem must be used to become Masters of one of the Gates at least whereby the Souldiers may be let in.

And now in my judgment some Gate may be seized on and that easily by the help of these moist Fires of mine, and ’tis thus, let some Souldier or other fit for such a design, be taught the use of my Fire-spiting Instruments, and when he understands it, he may be clad in Countrey Habit, and so let him go to them upon the Guard, and in the Court of Guardhouses in which they be, let him shour in upon them a fiery, Eye-blinding, and forcibly hissing shour. [This done] how can the Guarders possibly resist those that come to the Gate and are ready to enter in? Nay more, the Souldier thus clad may have a Granadoe given him to carry in a Sack, which being filled with those moist Fires, may of its own accord (without any benefit of Gun-powder) leap assunder and fill all the whole room with his blind making Dew, he may throw into those Watch-houses where they keep Guard, and so make all that are there present unfit to fight. And if so be there should be more of those Houses than one, the same Souldier may likewise have more such Granadoes given him, one of which he may throw into each House. Nay farther, if need be, and that you would have it fadge better and have it more certainly succeed, there may be sent several Souldiers with such Fire-breathing Granadoes to several Gates, to o’erwhelm the Watch-men and possess them. For the Watch-men suspecting no evil from one Countrey-man onely, will not cry out Arm, Arm, but let him in without any impediment. Such Fire-breathing Balls or Granadoes may be made of Iron, Copper or Earth, which however, properly are not Fires as long as they feel not the Air, and they then become Fires onely, when any one is so minded to have them such, breaking every thing in their reach like Gun-powder burning, and depriving all such as are present of their sight, and making them Sick. Granadoes made on this manner, and of about the bigness of a Mans Head, do not of their own accord conceive a flame without Air, nor do they flie assunder, or at all operate. But if you would that the Air be let in whereby they may operate, there must be a little Spicket or Tap to be drawn out of the Granadoe, that so the Air entring in may vivifie the Fire that lies in the Ball or Granadoe. Such a Granadoe being thrown into any Watch house, the Watch men will without doubt presently run and take it up and see what it should be, and what end it was thrown in there for; then as they all of them stand round and contemplate upon the novelty, if any of them hap to draw out the Spicket, which without all question they would do, the Air gets in, and the Fire enkindles and breaks that Granadoe thus stuft with that venemous Fire all to pieces, and so will strike them all down together. And may not now the Souldiers in the mean time hasten and break in to that fenced place without any let, and become Masters of the Gate? Verily methinks it should succeed very well. I tell you my thoughts of the business, I never tried the thing it self nor do I ever desire to try. Such as have a desire to try it, and have occasion and opportunity of doing it, may more accurately contemplate thereupon, and so will they find what way they may most conveniently detriment their Enemies most of all by. I have laid the foundation, others must valiantly proceed on and bring the thing to a most usefull Issue. However I do not doubt but that the most part of Men that shall hear me say, that there may be such effects produced by these fiery Waters, that may equal the dreadfull Operations of Gun-powder, will mock at me, and judge it an impossible thing; nor will it be any thing strange they should, because they have not any knowledge of nature.

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 the _Turks_ shall 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. But now 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.