358 METALS—THE NOBLER.
helpe
those diseased both inwardly, and outwardly ; who—of the common sort of
chirurgions—are counted uncurable, and are also given over of the
physitians. Those patients shall be holpen through the hidden
mysteries, and heavenly secrets of this science. For, I am sure there
is nothing better in all physick that ministereth eyther better, or
readyer helpe to cure man's body, than this science of preparing Metalls with
fire rightly. I say—rightly prepared ; not as the unskilful apoticaries
have ordered them ; or as the unlerned physitians have occupied them;
for, the apoticary is no other than a servant in the kitchin (as I may
terme him) and no master cooke ; so long as he knoweth not these
preparations which I will shew you. " In like manner it is to be
thought of the physitian that hath no skill in these preparations. For,
wee have seen, and prooved divers times that the first vapour or smoake
of any herbe, or spice is the best that there is therein ; and yet our
learned physitians commaund it to be boyled until halfe be consumed."
Then note, if the best flie awaye in the boyling, what strength can the
medicine have ? Therefore I say that the physitian, without this arte
of preparation, is little or nothing worthe, although they tak the
patient's money. For, he goeth to worke blindly, with a blinde leader,
which is the apoticary. But the physitian that is expert in this
science, and doth prepare his medicines truely, he is to be praysed
above all other. Therefore is the Arte of Alchymie worthy to be praysed
: and the Alchymist to be praysed also. Therefore I will not speak
against this, but hold it in great estimation to our intention; that
is, the helpe of the sicke, and diseased persons, and to prepare the
mineralles wherewith you may doe that
