Therefore minerals are counted but unripe fruits in respect of metals, not yet obtaining their ripeness and perfection, nor separated from the superfluous earth; for how should a bird be hatcht of an egg by an heat, not predestined for the generation of a bird? For so we must understand of minerals, which if they be deprived of their metallick nature, how should by fire metals be produced from thence? But thou saist that thou never sawest the production of perfect metals out of courser; therefore that it is neither likely, nor credible to thee, to whom many things as yet lye hid, as from most men, perversly and foolishly denying things unknown; for daily experience witnesseth, that the viler minerals and metals by taking away the superfluous sulphur (however it be done) obtain a greater degree of perfection, therefore should not thy heart believe, and thy tongue speak what thou seest with thine eyes? For experience shews that good gold and silver might be drawn out by art almost out of all course minerals and metals, yet more out of some than of others, and speedier; for there is not that dark night, that is altogether depriv’d of light, which may not be manifested by a hollow glass; nor is there an element (though never so pure) not mixt with other elements, nor any malignity depriv’d of all good, or on the contrary. And as it is possible to gather the hidden beams of the Sun in the aire, so also hidden perfect metals dispersed in imperfect metals, and minerals by fire, and an expert Artist: if once they are placed in fire with their proper solvents, where the homogeneous parts are gathered, and the heterogeneous separated; so that there is no need to go into the _Indies_ to seek gold and silver in those new Islands, which is possible to find plentifully here in _Germany_, if so be the merciful God would please to turn away those present cruel Plagues, and bring them out of old metals, _viz._ Lead, Iron, Tin, and Copper, there left by the Dealers in minerals; indeed without the culture of minerals. Let no man therefore judge himself to be poor, because he is only poor and in want (although otherwise very rich and abounding in wealth, which yet in a moment he is forc’t to forsake) that being ungrateful, neither knoweth nor acknowledgeth God in his Works.