intention was:
carryed further, viz. to learn the
Art of pressing that so noble
juice out of Metals for Metals;
but the Shadow in Waters deceived
the Dog of his piece of Flesh,
which was substantial. Moreover,
this Artist told me that his Master,
who taught him this Art, bad him
bring Glass full of Rain water,
with which he mixed a very small:
quantity of a most white pouder;
commanding me, (here the Disciple
of that Master proceeds in
his Discourse) to go to the Silver-Smith,
for one ounce of Cupellate
Silver, laminate, [or beat
very thin,] which Silver was dissolved
in a quarter of an hour, as
Ice in hot water. Then he presently
gave to me one half of this
potion, by himself so speedily
made, to drink; which in my
mouth tasted as sweet Milk, and I
thence became very cheerful.
He having related these things,
I ceased not to enquire of him, to
what end he had instanced this?
Whether the Potion was Philosophick?
To this, he answered, You
must not be so curious.
Afterward, he told me, how he,
by the command of that Laudable
Artist his Master, took a piece of
the Leaden gutter of his house,
and when the Lead was melted in
a now Crucible, the said Artist
drew out off his pocket a Gasket
full of Sulphureous Powder, of
which, he took a very small part
upon the point of a knife, once,
and again, and injected the same;
upon the Lead in Flux; presently.
giving order, that the fire should
be blown with two pair of Bellows
strongly, for exciting the heat
more vehemently; a little after
he powred out of the crucible,
most pure Gold, upon the Red
stones, which were in the Kitchen.
I (said this most pleasing discourser
to me) did commodiously
behold this verity of the Transmutation
of Metals, but was so astonished
with fear and admiration,
that I was Scarcely able to speak
one word; But my Master heartning
me, said; Cheer, up and be
contented: take for your self a
sixteenth part of this Mass, which
keep For a Memorandum; but the
other fifteen parts distribute to the
poor: and I did as he said.
For, (if my memory deceive
me not) he bestowed this exceeding
great Alms, on the Sparrendamen
Church; but whether, he
gave it at distinct times Or not, or
whether he told it down in the
Substance of Gold, or of Silver, I
asked him not.
And at length (saith he speaking
of his Master) he directly
taught me this great divine Art.
Therefore, the; Narration of all
these things being ended, I most
hum
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