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such Secrets. I learned the Secret of the Philosophers Magnes, from one, oftheir Magical Chalybs, from another; the use of Diana’s Doves, from athird; the Air, or rather the Camelion of the Philosophers. From another; thegross Preparation of their Menstruum, in another; the number of Eagles, inanother: but for the operation on the true Matter, and signs of the trueMercury, I know none like Ripley, though Flammel be eminent. I knowwhat I say, as knowing experimentally the truth, and what is errour.For mine own part, I have had experience of misleading SophisticalWriters, and have made many toilsome laborious Experiments, though butyoung; and therefore having at length, through the undeserved mercy ofGod, arrived at my Haven of Rest, I shall stretch out my hand to such as arebehind.I have wrote several Treatises, some in English, but especially in Latine;one English treatise touching the Stone, very plainly written, but notperfected, unfortunately slipt out of my hand, and perhaps may comeabroad into the World; if it do, I should be sorry. Two Latine Tractates, oneintituled, Brevis manuductio ad Rubinum Coelestem, another, FonsChymicae Philosophiae, I wrote, which for especial Reasons to me known Iresolve to suppress. Two other Latine Treatises, the one intituled, Arsmetallorum Metamorphoseas, the other, Introitus apertus ad occlussumRegis Palatium, I lately wrote which perhaps thou mayst enjoy. TwoEnglish Poems I wrote, which are lost. Also an Enchiridion ofExperiments, together with a Diurnal of Meditations, in which were manyPhilosophical Receipts declaring the whole Secret, with an Aenigmaannexed; which also fell into such hands, who I conceive will never restoreit. This last was written in English, with many other which I wrote for mineown recreation, and afterwards burned.But now at length studying how to profit the Sons of Art to my utmost, Ihave rather resolved to unfold Ripley’s Knots, and so thou mayst have twoWitnesses in one; for by the unfolding of him thou shalt both see the depthof the Man, and discern that both he and I were truly, and not Sophistically,intrusted with this Divine Science and Art; in which it is not notional, asmany men conceive the Art to be, but real Experiments of Nature, taughtme by the only God and master of Nature, that was my Guide; having seenand made the Secret Water of the Philosophers, and known the use of it byocular experience, to the effecting of the admirable Elixir. These writingsperuse, for they are not Fancies, and so with the help of the most High,thou shalt attain thy wish.6