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 humbly entreated him, that he would shew me the effect of Transmutation upon impure Metals, that I thence might have the better assurance of those things by him related to me, and my Faith being confirmed, securely give credit to the real Truth of the matter. But he very discreetly gave me the repulse; yet taking his leave of me, he promised to return again after three Weeks, and then shew to me certain curious Arts, by Fire, as also the way of projecting; making this Provisoe, if it should then be lawful for him. The three Weeks being elapsed, according to his word, he Came to my House, and invited me to walk abroad with him for one hour, or two, as we both did, having in that Time Certain, Discourses of the Secrets of Nature in the fire, but in the mean while, this well spoken Companion in the way, was not lavish, but rather too sparing of his words, touching the great Secret; affirming, that this singular Mystery tended not, but to the alone magnifying of the most illustrious Fame of the most glorious God; and that very few men considered, how they might; condignly Sacrifice; themselves by their Works to so great a God uttering these Expressions no otherwise, then as if he had been a Pastor of the Church. But I, in the mean time, fayled not to solicit him, to demonstrate to me the Transmutation of Metals. Moreover, I beseeched and intreated him, to vouchsafe to eat with me, and to lodge in my house, urging him with such Earnestness, as no Rival, or Lover, could ever use more perswasive Words, for winning his beloved to a willingness of gratifying him above all others: but he, agitated by a Spirit of so great constancy, made void of all I endeavoured. Nevertheless, I could not choose but speak to him thus: Sir, You see I have a very convenient Laboratory, in which you may shew me the Metallick Transmutation. For whosoever assents to him, that asketh, obligeth himself to him. It is true (answered he) bit I made a promise to you of imparting some things with this Exception, if at my, Return, I be not interdicted, but have leave to do the same.