The Third Part of the Prosperity of Germany

fails, or if the work does not immediately succeed according to their wish because of some other obstacle, they throw their forceps and crucibles to the ground and curse the author, complaining that he did not write clearly enough, because they do not immediately extract great weights of gold.

Let such people not persuade themselves at all that they will acquire any learning from these writings of mine; for my writings lay claim to diligent men, whose spirits are never overcome by the weariness of labor, not to the lazy and impatient. But to the studious, and especially to the sons adopted by God, all these things will appear clear, manifest, and easy to imitate.

Since, therefore, in the first and second parts of Prosperitas Germanica Prosperity of Germany I have said much about the preparation and use of Nitrum saltpeter, now I proceed in the name of God, and in this Third Part I teach by what not difficult method Nitrum can be variously prepared and used by the powerful and commoners alike with the greatest fruit and advantage, so that no one may be found in this whole universe who, if he so wills, cannot perceive great utility from it.

Almighty God, the author of all good,