Part Three.

no matter how clearly one writes. I do not doubt, however, that there will be many who will draw good understanding from these well-meaning writings of mine, and the true transmutation transformation of metals will in time be highly esteemed, however little it is currently held in regard due to the much fraud that commonly creeps into it, for which I shall not fail to provide good reason.

But so that such a noble art might not always remain in contempt, I have resolved to set up a convenient laboratory this coming spring and to show my friends the truth. And although I shall take good care that no faithless Farners Brüder false brothers/swindlers creep in under the guise of friendship, I will not be able to succeed so well that no false brothers (as happened to Christ himself with Judas) will be included. And even if this did not happen, as I hope it will not, it still does not fail that one person or another writes down the art, and when he dies, it comes into the hands of strangers for whom it was not intended, and thus in time it becomes known, especially when saltpeter is prepared in many places beforehand. For without saltpeter, nothing can be accomplished in alchemy, as Paracelsus says: "Alchemy has found it to lie in nitre." I, however, say: Saltpeter has shown us alchemy, or: Alchemy has been discovered through saltpeter. He who now has much saltpeter can accomplish much in alchemy.