But because the truth is eclipsed in their books by so many seducing and sophistical processes, there will hardly any man be able to pick it out from so many seducements, unless a light from God be given to him first, whereby he may be able so to peruse the dark writings of those men, that he know how to separate the parabolical speeches, from those that are true in the letter it self: or if an honest Godly Chymist by the grace of God in his labours do hit upon the right steps, and yet do doubt, whether he be in the right way or no, then by reading of good and true Philosophers books, he may at last learn out of them the firm and constant truth: else hardly any ones desire may be obtained out of their books, but rather after the pretious time spent, means and health wasted, a man shall be forced to fall a begging at last. In like manner, if the true tincture be taken from Copper, the rest is no more a metal, nor by any Art or force of fire can be reduced to a metallical substance. N. B. But if you leave some tincture in it, then it may be reduced into a brittle gray body, like unto iron, but brittle. _Another way to extract a good Tincture out of gold by the help of the liquor of sand or pebles._ Take of that gold calx (which was precipitated with the oyl of sand) one part, and three or four parts of the liquor of crystals or of sand, mix the gold calx in a good crucible with the liquor, and set this mixture into a gentle heat, so that the moystness may evaporate from the oyl of sand which is not easily done; for the peble or sand, by reason of their dryness keep and hold the moystness, and will not let it go easily; it riseth in the pot or crucible, as borax or Allome doth when you calcine them; therefore the crucible, must not be filled above half, that the liquor together with the gold may have room enough, and do not run over the pot: and when it riseth no more, then strengthen the fire, till the pot be red-hot. The mixture standing fast, put a lid upon it, which may close well, that no coals, ashes, or other impurity may fall into it, and give it so strong fire in a winde furnace, that the liquor together with the gold calx may melt like water; keep it melting so long, till the liquor and gold together be like unto a transparent fair ruby, which will be done in an hours time or thereabouts; then pour it forth into a clean copper morter, let it cool, and then make it into powder, and pour spirit of wine upon it for to extract, which will look like unto thin blood: and will prove more effectual in use, than the above described Tincture.