Your Mastership said: Manie Princes could not see this which I have seen. I, indeed have seen the Matter, of which you give so rare a Testimony; but in the mean while I have not beheld the transmutative Effect; only I give credit to your Words. And, since you have told me, that you will go hence, and after three Weeks return to me again, to teach me some excellent Chymical Arts, as also the way of projection, if it shall then be lawful for you. In the fruition of this good hope, I at this time rest satisfied; in the mean time, giving you hearty thanks, for your exceeding great Friendship shewed to me alreadie, and, for your singular Care, and faithful admonition, that I should not in Chymical Labours, consume both my Goods and Reputation. I assuredly have never yet made tryal of so great, and high things, nor ever will I attempt the me, unless your self will first gratis, and from the pure benevolence of Friendship, demonstrate to me, the way and manner of preparing. Yet I shall admire the Verity of Art, and please my self with the Remembrance of the Friendship you have shewed me; because you, who have revealed this to me, are an Adept Philosopher.
But if any King, or Prince, or any Great Man, or Men, should know, that you are the Possessor of this Art, and therefore (which God forbid) should lay hold of you, and attempt by Tortures to bring you to a discovery, would you reveal this Art to them?
I have not shewed the Stone of Philosophers to any man, except to one aged man, and to your self; to both of you, I have revealed that I am the Possessor; but, henceforth, no man must ever see or hear such a thing. And although any King, or Prince, should (which God I hope will not permit) cast, me into Prison, I would not, after the manner of Circumforanean Physicians [or Mountebanks] or Vagabond Impostors or of poor Alchimists, directly, or indirectly, discover the Art to them, but would rather suffer my self to be most cruelly wracked, tortured, or tormented with burning Fire, untill my life expire.
Good Friend, are there not Authors, which, touching the verity of this Art, write more plainly, then all the number of them, which, concerning it, utter words so obscure, as perhaps they themselves did not understand, unless they adhibited the. Commentaries, and Annotations of evident Paraphrasists. I suppose you have in times past read them, and therefore are best able to inform me, who were Adept.