golden flints, corporeal gold may be drawn by the help of Spirit of Salt. Which secret, although it may seem small, yet it is that whereby (a knowledge of the true stones and true sand being obtained) life may be sustained, and also the cost laid out may be recompensed, as shall be proved in the following parts._ _In the second part shall be treated of the original and generation of metals, and also of the destruction of Minerals and Metals._ _In the third part shall be demonstrated the possibility of metallicol transmutation by Nature and Art, and that with divers reasons: which demonstration is not (unless I am deceived) performed yet by any, being the foundation of all metallick Philosophy, and the =Golden Crown= of all my Writings. Which God grant I may perfect, to the glory of his Divine Name, and the good of my Neighbour._ Amen. The First Part of the Mineral Work. _A most profitable process of the separation of Gold out of Flints, Sand, Clay, red and black Talk, and other Fossiles, containing very subtle Gold, thin and spongeous, which otherwise cannot be separated, either for its scarcity, or the obstinacy of the Mineral, by reason of the great Cost to be bestowed; =viz.= very easily with the spirit of Salt._ Know first, (good Reader) that not all Sand, Clay, nor all Flints, and other Fossiles do contain Gold, but only some, without the knowledge of which, this secret availeth nothing. And because the knowledge of these are very necessary for the Artist, I will shew how they are to be proved, whether they contain Gold or not, that he labour not in vain, but that it may prove to his commodity or profit. The madness of Men, searching after uncertain things is wonderful, but neglecting certain, although exposed to every ones view, for many seeking the perfection of Metals to gain Riches, are busied about an uncertain thing, because of a thousand scarce one obtaines his end: altho’ they may be perfected and purified, I mean imperfect and impure metals, so that good Gold and Silver may thence be extracted, but this Art is given to few, neither is every one fit to perform the business; because it requires an ingenious and experienced Artist: But the thing which is certain, may be performed with small cost and labour by any vulgar Chymist, having any knowledge of the Art of fusion and separation, being an ingenious man, and not seeking things too high or too gainful at the first tryal. Be cautious therefore in the extraction of the aforesaid stones, for if thou shouldst with the spirit of Salt extract many of them, having no Gold without doubt thou shalt find no Gold there: And if thou shouldst extract some contained in them, and if thou be ignorant of the separation of it by Antimony, thou canst thence hope for no profit.