I seem to presage to my self, that I have not equally satisfied all Readers in this Preface; but it is, as if I did presume to teach them an Art, unknown to my self; yet I hope better of the greatest part of them.  For my intention was, only to relate to you a certain History.  Therefore, Drink, my Friends, of the following Dialogue, or Springing Colloquy, presented by me, wishing you well, that thence you may satisfie, and allay all the Thirst of your Thirsting Minds:  for I doubt not in the least, but that this Study of Divine Wisdome, will be more sweet to you, than Nectar and Ambrosia.  No other will I communicate, no other have I common, then that of Jul.  Caes.  Scaliger:  The End, of Wisemen, is the Communication of Wisdome:  according to that of Gregory Nyssen:  He who is Good, in Nature, the same very willingly communicates his Goods to others.  For it is the part of good Men, to be profitable to others.

CHAP.  II.

Divers Ilustrious men have written touching the Verity of this Arcanum, among these, take the Sayings of some of them, as follows.

Paracelsus
In his Book Of the Signature of Natural things.

The Tincture of Naturalists, is a, true sign, that by the transmutative virtue thereof, all imperfect Metals are changed, viz. the White into Silver, and the Red into the best Gold, if an exceeding small part of this Medicine well prepared, be injected upon the Metal, while in flux in a Crucible, &c.

The same.

For the invincible Astrum of Metals overcomes all things, and changeth into a Nature like it self, &c.  This Gold and Silver is more noble, and better, than those, which are dug out of Metallick Mines; for Medicinal Arcanums to be prepared therefrom.

The same.

Therefore, I say every Alchimist, which hath the Astrum of Gold, is able to tinge all Red Metals into Gold, &c.

The same.

Our Tincture of Gold hath Astrums in it self, is a Substance most fixed, and in multiplication immutable.  It is a Powder, haveing a colour most red, almost like Saffron, yet its whole Corporal Substance, is liquid as Rosin, perspicuous as Crystal, brittle as Glass, of the colour of a Rubie, and exceeding poaderous, &c.

Also read Paracelsus his Heaven of Philosophers.

Likewise, Paracelsus his Seventh Book, Of the Transmutation of Natural things.

Transmutation is a great natural Mystery, Metallick, and not contrary to the Course of Nature, nor repugnant to the Order of god, as many men of it do falsly judge.  For imperfect Metals, are changed neither into Gold, nor into Silver, without this Stone of Philosophers.

Paracelsus, in his Manual of the
Medicinal Stone of philosophers.

Our Stone is a Celestial, and more than perfect Medicine, because it cleanseth all the impurities of Metals, &c.

HENRY KHUNRADUS