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Nature herein: for all the Works of God are intire, we can but behold themand admire them; and therefore we seek our Principals where Nature is, andamend Nature in its own Nature. Nor do we make the simple believe,which is the Trade of Sophisters, that we by our Extractions and ManualOperations upon Vegetables, Minerals, urines, Hair, or the like, intend tomake our so highly prized Elixir; but out of such things in which Naturehath put it, we by Art do make it appear by revealing what was hidden, andhiding what was manifest.But many one marvelleth, and marvel may, and museth on such amarvelous thing.Whereas those who work upon other matters than the true, do betray theirignorance herein most foully, that they do not consider the possibility ofNature, but work after their Fancy; as though out of combustible substancesfilthy in their nature, and made up of heterogeneities, might be produc’d apure perfect Metallick Substance, by reason of its unseverable Unityinvincible, and by vertue of it transcendent Excellency cleansing and fixingall leporous and fugitive bodies in the Mineral Kingdom, and reducingthem to the Anatical proportion of perfectly digested Sol or Luna,according to the quality of the Medicine. When therefore their Principlesare not found, their Conclusion is always deceitful, and then they notknowing Nature in her Operation, but interpreting the words of the craftyand envious Philosophers, according to the Letter, do stand admiring at theUnconformity of their Work to the Promises of the Philosophers, at leastthey understand their Books; they admire what this Stone is, if it be aTruth, or a Conceit; and why they (as well as any) do not attain it ifpossible: Such meditations usually fill the minds of unsuccessfulAlchymists, who though they be (as they esteeme themselves) veryJudicious, yet cannot stumble upon this unhappy Stone.What is our Stone, &c.They marvel at the uncouth difficulty of the thing, n or can they almost tellwhat to judge of what they read; forasmuch as all Philosophers say it is avery easie thing.For Fowls and Fishes to us do it bring, every Man it hath: And it is inevery place, in thee, in me, &c.And in very deed the Antient Wise Men have so written, and do still writethe same; as to wit, That it is found in a Dunghill, according to Morien, andfor the easiness of the charge, they all write plentifully; so that in respect oftime and cost, Artephius and Flammel say it is but the play of Children and30