On the Tincture of Gold or True Potable Gold

who is about to undertake such a work, so that everyone who takes this duty upon himself may examine his own standing. For it does not suffice to know how to light a fire or to distill vegetable waters, but a true knowledge of the fruits of both superior and inferior elements is required, and above all, piety.

It is not loquacity but the knowledge of many things that makes a Chemist. There is no one who can deny that the art has been sought for a long time by many, for many years, up to the present day, with many labors and expenses, but has been found by very few.

However, I do not wonder that such a gift of God has been communicated to very few, if any, until now; for of all those I have known, almost every single one, with very few exceptions, has traveled the wrong path.

For some trusted in their riches, thinking they could violently acquire the art for themselves, because they were able to build an excellent laboratory, maintain many operators, and procure an abundance of vessels, minerals, and coals, not considering the word of the Apostle: It is not of him that runneth, nor of him that willeth, but of God that showeth mercy.

Others, whose erudition consisted in various languages, were honored for the elegance of their empty loquacity, attributing the art to themselves alone, and persuading themselves that they held all the Elements at their beck and call on account of their assumed wisdom and erudition; not considering the words of Christ: Thou hast revealed these things unto babes, but hidden them from the great and wise-