or_o of_o the_o perfect_n magistery_n two_o book_n the_o first_o book_n the_o preface_n touch_v the_o way_n of_o describe_v this_o art_n and_o of_o those_o that_o be_v fit_a disciple_n our_o whole_a science_n of_o chemistry_n which_o with_o a_o divers_a compilation_n out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o ancient_n we_o have_v abbreviate_v in_o our_o volume_n we_o here_o reduce_v into_o one_o sum._n and_o what_o in_o other_o book_n write_v by_o we_o be_v diminish_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_o make_v up_o in_o the_o write_n of_o this_o our_o book_n and_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o they_o very_o brief_o and_o what_o be_v abscond_v by_o we_o in_o one_o part_n that_o we_o have_v make_v manifest_a in_o the_o same_o part_n in_o this_o our_o volume_n that_o the_o compleatment_n of_o so_o excellent_a and_o noble_a a_o part_n of_o philosophy_n may_v be_v apparent_a to_o the_o wise_a therefore_o most_o dear_a son_n know_v that_o in_o this_o work_n the_o whole_a operation_n of_o our_o art_n be_v sufficient_o contain_v in_o general_a head_n with_o a_o universal_a discourse_n without_o any_o diminution_n and_o he_o who_o shall_v operate_v according_a to_o this_o book_n he_o shall_v through_o god_n with_o joy_n find_v that_o he_o be_v come_v to_o the_o true_a end_n of_o this_o art_n but_o you_o must_v also_o know_v that_o he_o who_o in_o himself_o know_v not_o natural_a principle_n be_v very_o remote_a from_o our_o art_n because_o he_o have_v not_o a_o true_a root_n whereon_o to_o found_v his_o intention_n and_o he_o who_o know_v his_o natural_a principle_n and_o all_o cause_n of_o mineral_n yet_o have_v not_o acquire_v the_o true_a end_n and_o proficiency_n of_o this_o art_n have_v a_o more_o easy_a access_n to_o the_o principle_n of_o this_o art_n than_o he_o who_o be_v ignorant_a in_o his_o intention_n of_o the_o method_n of_o his_o work_n and_o be_v but_o a_o little_a remote_a from_o the_o entrance_n of_o art_n but_o he_o who_o know_v the_o principle_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o mineral_n and_o the_o way_n of_o generation_n which_o consist_v according_a to_o the_o intention_n of_o nature_n be_v indeed_o but_o a_o very_a little_a short_a of_o the_o compleatment_n of_o the_o work_n without_o which_o our_o science_n can_v be_v perfect_a because_o art_n can_v imitate_v nature_n in_o all_o work_n but_o imitate_v she_o as_o exact_o as_o it_o can_v therefore_o most_o dear_a son_n we_o discover_v a_o secret_a to_o you_o viz._n that_o artificer_n err_v in_o this_o namely_o that_o they_o desire_v to_o imitate_v nature_n in_o all_o difference_n of_o the_o property_n of_o action_n wherefore_o labour_n studious_o in_o our_o volume_n and_o endeavour_v to_o ponder_v they_o very_o often_o in_o your_o mind_n that_o you_o may_v acquire_v the_o true_a intention_n of_o our_o word_n because_o in_o they_o you_o may_v find_v whereon_o to_o establish_v your_o own_o mind_n and_o by_o they_o know_v how_o to_o escape_v error_n and_o in_o what_o you_o may_v be_v able_a to_o imitate_v nature_n in_o the_o artifice_n of_o your_o work_n the_o division_n of_o this_o first_o book_n into_o four_o part_n first_o we_o intend_v brief_o to_o set_v down_o all_o impediment_n by_o which_o the_o artificer_n be_v impede_v in_o his_o work_n that_o he_o can_v reach_v to_o the_o true_a end_n also_o in_o this_o part_n we_o will_v speak_v of_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o operator_n of_o this_o art_n second_o we_o will_v dispute_v against_o the_o ignorant_a and_o sophister_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o own_o ignorance_n and_o vnskilfulness_n in_o their_o search_n after_o the_o magistery_n and_o the_o proficiency_n of_o this_o art_n damn_v the_o art_n itself_o and_o contend_v that_o it_o have_v no_o be_v or_o be_v not_o but_o in_o this_o part_n we_o set_v down_o all_o their_o reason_n and_o afterward_o most_o evident_o confute_v the_o same_o so_o that_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_o evident_a to_o wise_a man_n that_o their_o sophism_n be_v void_a of_o truth_n three_o we_o intend_v to_o discourse_n of_o natural_a principle_n that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o intention_n of_o nature_n and_o in_o that_o part_n we_o treat_v of_o the_o way_n of_o generation_n and_o mixtion_n of_o they_o each_o with_o other_o in_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n and_o of_o their_o effect_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o ancient_a philosopher_n four_o we_o will_v demonstrate_v the_o principle_n which_o be_v according_a to_o the_o intention_n of_o this_o our_o work_n in_o which_o we_o be_v able_a to_o imitate_v nature_n and_o the_o way_n of_o mix_v and_o alter_v congruous_a to_o nature_n with_o its_o cause_n to_o be_v reduce_v to_o the_o intent_n of_o our_o work_n the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o first_o book_n treat_v of_o the_o impediment_n which_o hinder_v the_o artist_n from_o attain_v to_o the_o true_a end_n of_o this_o art_n chap._n i._n the_o division_n of_o impediment_n the_o impediment_n incident_a to_o this_o work_n be_v general_o two_o viz._n natural_a impotency_n and_o defect_n of_o necessary_a expense_n or_o occupation_n and_o labour_n yet_o we_o say_v natural_a impotency_n be_v manifold_a viz._n partly_o from_o the_o organ_n of_o the_o artist_n and_o partly_o from_o his_o soul_n from_o the_o organ_n of_o the_o artificer_n it_o be_v also_o manifold_a for_o either_o the_o organ_n be_v weak_a or_o whole_o corrupt_v and_o it_o be_v manifold_a from_o the_o impotency_n of_o the_o soul_n either_o because_o the_o soul_n be_v pervert_v in_o the_o organ_n have_v nothing_o of_o rectitude_n or_o reason_n in_o itself_o as_o the_o soul_n of_o a_o mad_a infatuate_a man_n or_o because_o it_o be_v fantastical_a undue_o susceptive_a of_o the_o contrary_a of_o form_n and_o sudden_o extensive_a from_o one_o thing_n knowable_a to_o its_o opposite_a and_o from_o one_o will_n to_o its_o opposite_a likewise_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o impediment_n of_o this_o work_n from_o the_o part_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o artificer_n we_o have_v already_o general_o determine_v the_o impediment_n of_o this_o work_n but_o now_o in_o this_o chapter_n we_o speak_v in_o a_o more_o special_a manner_n and_o more_o plain_o declare_v to_o you_o all_o those_o impediment_n most_o full_o yet_o with_o brevity_n therefore_o we_o say_v if_o any_o man_n have_v not_o his_o organ_n complete_a he_o can_v by_o himself_o come_v to_o the_o compleatment_n of_o this_o work_n no_o more_o than_o if_o he_o be_v blind_a or_o want_v his_o limb_n because_o he_o be_v not_o help_v by_o the_o member_n by_o meditation_n of_o which_o as_o minister_a to_o nature_n this_o art_n be_v perfect_v and_o if_o the_o body_n of_o the_o artificer_n be_v weak_a sickly_a and_o feverish_a or_o like_o the_o body_n of_o leprous_a person_n who_o member_n fail_v or_o of_o man_n at_o the_o last_o point_n of_o life_n or_o wear_v out_o with_o decrepit_a old_a age_n he_o can_v attain_v to_o the_o compleatment_n of_o the_o art_n therefore_o the_o artist_n be_v hinder_v in_o his_o intention_n by_o these_o natural_a impotency_n of_o the_o body_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o impediment_n from_o the_o part_n of_o the_o artist_n soul_n we_o premise_v one_o chapter_n in_o which_o we_o absolute_o and_o manifest_o declare_v the_o impediment_n depend_v on_o the_o part_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o artificer_n it_o now_o remain_v that_o we_o brief_o declare_v the_o impediment_n from_o the_o part_n of_o his_o soul_n which_o most_o hinder_v the_o compleatment_n of_o this_o work_n therefore_o we_o say_v he_o that_o have_v not_o a_o natural_a ingenuity_n and_o soul_n search_v and_o subtle_o scrutinize_v natural_a principle_n the_o fundamental_o of_o nature_n and_o artifices_fw-la which_o can_v follow_v nature_n in_o the_o property_n of_o her_o action_n can_v find_v the_o true_a radix_fw-la of_o this_o most_o precious_a science_n as_o there_o be_v many_o who_o have_v a_o stiff_a neck_n void_a of_o ingenuity_n in_o every_o perscrutation_n and_o who_o can_v scarce_o understand_v common_a speech_n and_o likewise_o with_o difficulty_n learn_v work_n vulgar_o common_a beside_o these_o we_o also_o find_v many_o who_o have_v a_o soul_n easy_o opinionate_v every_o fantasy_n but_o what_o they_o believe_v they_o have_v find_v true_a be_v all_o fantastic_a deviate_a from_o reason_n full_a of_o error_n and_o remote_a from_o natural_a principle_n because_o their_o brain_n replete_a with_o many_o fumosity_n can_v receive_v the_o true_a intention_n of_o natural_a thing_n there_o be_v also_o beside_o these_o other_o who_o have_v a_o soul_n movable_a from_o opinion_n to_o opinion_n and_o from_o will_n to_o will_n as_o those_o who_o sudden_o believe_v a_o thing_n and_o will_v the_o same_o without_o any_o ground_n at_o all_o of_o reason_n but_o a_o little_a after_o that_o another_o thing_n and_o do_v likewise_o believe_v another_o and_o will_v another_o and_o these_o be_v so_o
endeavour_v to_o perfect_a body_n by_o fire_n only_o be_v delude_v in_o their_o opinion_n because_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o attain_v to_o that_o and_o these_o according_o think_v the_o art_n not_o to_o be_v all_o which_o we_o answer_v as_o the_o first_o chap._n fourteen_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n deny_v the_o art_n suppose_v in_o glass_n and_o gem_n and_o their_o refutation_n they_o who_o posite_fw-la this_o art_n in_o glass_n and_o gem_n have_v find_v that_o alteration_n can_v be_v make_v in_o body_n by_o gem_n and_o glass_n because_o what_o have_v not_o ingress_n alter_v not_o but_o indeed_o neither_o glass_n nor_o gem_n have_v ingress_n therefore_o alter_v not_o and_o when_o they_o endeavour_v to_o unite_v the_o glass_n with_o they_o which_o be_v difficult_a to_o be_v do_v they_o miss_v of_o their_o purpose_n because_o they_o make_v their_o body_n also_o glass_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o this_o they_o conclude_v this_o error_n to_o fall_v upon_o the_o whole_a art_n and_o so_o argue_v that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o who_o we_o answer_v they_o operate_v not_o in_o due_a matter_n therefore_o undue_o determine_v they_o can_v but_o condemn_v this_o art_n according_a to_o their_o own_o error_n chap._n xv._o the_o reason_n of_o man_n deny_v the_o art_n suppose_v in_o middle_a mineral_n or_o vegetable_n or_o in_o the_o commixtion_n of_o any_o other_o thing_n there_o be_v other_o suppose_v the_o art_n to_o be_v find_v in_o salt_n and_o allom_n nitre_z and_o boraces_n who_o may_v indeed_o in_o these_o make_v trial_n but_o as_o we_o judge_v not_o find_v it_o in_o they_o therefore_o although_o they_o shall_v by_o their_o experience_n find_v some_o small_a utility_n of_o transmutation_n viz._n by_o dissolve_v coagulate_v and_o coact_v yet_o that_o do_v not_o enervate_a this_o divine_a art_n which_o be_v both_o necessary_a and_o know_v nevertheless_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o in_o all_o these_o thing_n they_o may_v find_v some_o alteration_n but_o that_o be_v very_o remote_a and_o exceed_v laborious_a and_o in_o all_o other_o grow_v thing_n it_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v more_o laborious_a to_o such_o supposer_n therefore_o they_o who_o possess_v this_o art_n in_o all_o vegetable_n do_v indeed_o determine_v what_o be_v possible_a but_o not_o to_o they_o who_o shall_v first_o fail_v in_o their_o labour_n before_o the_o work_v labour_v can_v possible_o be_v perfect_v wherefore_o if_o such_o man_n find_v not_o the_o art_n by_o their_o labour_n it_o must_v not_o be_v argue_v that_o the_o art_n can_v by_o any_o labour_n be_v find_v out_o all_o the_o beforementioned_a erroneous_a person_n determine_v one_o matter_n of_o they_o to_o be_v the_o only_a matter_n and_o suppose_v there_o be_v no_o other_o matter_n beside_o that_o and_o these_o now_o do_v indeed_o condemn_v all_o the_o other_o but_o there_o be_v many_o other_o and_o those_o almost_o infinite_a who_o ignorant_o and_o without_o knowledge_n make_v a_o composition_n of_o all_o or_o of_o some_o of_o these_o thing_n in_o a_o diverse_a proportion_n and_o their_o error_n be_v extend_v even_o to_o infinity_o according_a to_o the_o infinite_a diversity_n of_o the_o proportion_n of_o thing_n mixable_a and_o the_o infinite_a diversity_n of_o miscible_a matter_n and_o in_o both_o these_o infinity_n they_o infinite_o err_v sometime_o through_o superaboundance_n and_o sometime_o through_o diminution_n yet_o in_o these_o correction_n be_v possible_a and_o we_o without_o prolixity_n or_o tediousness_n of_o word_n resolve_v to_o insist_v upon_o these_o infinity_n where_o we_o brief_o treat_v of_o the_o universal_a science_n by_o which_o they_o will_v be_v able_a evident_o to_o amend_v the_o infinity_o of_o their_o error_n and_o correct_v they_o but_o at_o this_o time_n we_o must_v first_o discuss_v natural_a principle_n according_a to_o their_o cause_n as_o we_o tell_v you_o before_o and_o by_o a_o commemoration_n of_o they_o the_o three_o part_n of_o this_o first_o book_n of_o natural_a principle_n and_o their_o effect_n chap._n i._n of_o the_o natural_a principle_n of_o metalick_a body_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_n we_o now_o signify_v to_o you_o that_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_n who_o be_v of_o our_o sect_n studious_a of_o art_n natural_a principle_n in_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n be_v a_o fetent_fw-la spirit_n and_o live_v water_n which_o be_v also_o name_v dry_a water_n these_o we_o grant_v and_o thus_o define_v the_o fetent_fw-la spirit_n it_o be_v white_a in_o occulto_n and_o red_a and_o black_a of_o either_o side_n in_o the_o magistery_n of_o this_o work_n but_o in_o manifesto_n of_o either_o side_n tend_v to_o redness_n therefore_o in_o a_o brief_a and_o also_o a_o simple_o complete_a and_o sufficient_a speech_n we_o declare_v the_o generation_n and_o way_n of_o generation_n of_o each_o of_o these_o yet_o we_o must_v so_o far_o enlarge_v and_o dilate_v our_o discourse_n as_o to_o deliver_v a_o peculiar_a chapter_n of_o each_o singular_a natural_a principle_n in_o general_n we_o now_o say_v that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o be_v of_o a_o most_o strong_a composition_n and_o uniform_a substance_n and_o that_o because_o the_o earthy_a part_n in_o they_o be_v through_o their_o least_o particle_n unite_v with_o the_o airy_a watery_a and_o fiery_a so_o that_o in_o resolution_n no_o one_o of_o they_o can_v be_v separate_v but_o each_o with_o all_o and_o every_o one_o be_v dissolve_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o strong_a union_n which_o they_o have_v each_o with_o other_o in_o their_o least_o particle_n and_o that_o leisurely_o in_o the_o mineral_n bowel_n of_o the_o earth_n by_o heat_n condense_v multiply_v and_o according_a to_o the_o due_a course_n of_o nature_n equalise_v to_o the_o exigency_n of_o their_o essence_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o certain_a ancient_a philosopher_n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o natural_a principle_n of_o metal_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o modern_a philosopher_n and_o of_o the_o author_n but_o other_o say_v otherwise_o that_o argentvive_v in_o its_o nature_n be_v not_o the_o principle_n but_o alter_v and_o convert_v into_o its_o earth_n and_o sulphur_n likewise_o alter_v and_o change_v into_o earth_n whence_o they_o say_v that_o in_o the_o intention_n of_o nature_n the_o principle_n be_v other_o than_o a_o foetent_fw-la spirit_n and_o fugitive_a spirit_n and_o the_o reason_n that_o move_v they_o hereunto_o be_v this_o viz._n because_o in_o the_o silver_n mine_n or_o in_o the_o mine_n of_o other_o metal_n they_o find_v not_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v argentvive_v in_o its_o nature_n or_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v sulphur_n likewise_o but_o they_o find_v each_o of_o they_o separate_v in_o its_o proper_a mine_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o they_o also_o affirm_v this_o for_o another_o reason_n viz._n because_o there_o be_v no_o transition_n as_o they_o say_v from_o contrary_a to_o contrary_a unless_o by_o a_o middle_a disposition_n therefore_o see_v it_o so_o be_v they_o be_v compel_v to_o confess_v and_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o transition_n or_o pass_v from_o the_o softness_n of_o argentvive_v to_o the_o hardness_n of_o any_o metal_n unless_o by_o a_o disposition_n which_o be_v between_o the_o hardness_n and_o softness_n of_o they_o but_o in_o the_o mine_n they_o find_v not_o any_o thing_n in_o which_o this_o middle_a disposition_n may_v be_v salve_v therefore_o they_o be_v compel_v hence_o to_o believe_v that_o argentvive_v and_o sulphur_n in_o their_o nature_n be_v not_o the_o principle_n according_a to_o the_o intention_n of_o nature_n but_o another_o thing_n which_o follow_v from_o the_o alteration_n of_o their_o essence_n in_o the_o root_n of_o nature_n into_o a_o earthy_a substance_n and_o this_o be_v the_o way_n by_o which_o each_o of_o they_o be_v turn_v into_o a_o earthy_a nature_n and_o from_o these_o two_o earthy_a nature_n a_o most_o thin_a fume_v be_v resolve_v by_o heat_n multiply_v in_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o this_o duplicate_v fume_v be_v the_o immediate_a matter_n of_o metal_n this_o fume_v when_o it_o shall_v be_v decoct_v by_o the_o temperate_a heat_n of_o the_o mine_n be_v convert_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o certain_a earth_n therefore_o it_o receive_v a_o certain_a fixation_n which_o afterward_o the_o water_n flow_v through_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o minera_n and_o spongiosity_n of_o the_o earth_n dissolve_v and_o be_v uniform_o unite_v to_o it_o with_o a_o natural_a and_o firm_a union_n therefore_o so_o opine_v they_o thus_o say_v that_o the_o water_n flow_v through_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o earth_n find_v a_o substance_n dissolvible_a from_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o bowel_n thereof_o and_o dissolve_v the_o same_o and_o be_v uniform_o with_o it_o unite_a until_o the_o substance_n also_o of_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o mine_n be_v dissolve_v and_o the_o flow_a dissolve_v water_n and_o
principle_n about_o which_o nature_n employ_v her_o action_n be_v of_o a_o most_o hard_a and_o most_o strong_a composition_n and_o they_o be_v sulphur_n and_o argentvive_v as_o some_o philosopher_n say_v wherefore_o be_v of_o a_o most_o hard_a and_o most_o strong_a composition_n they_o be_v also_o of_o most_o difficult_a resolution_n but_o this_o be_v that_o inspissation_n or_o thickening_a and_o induration_n or_o harden_v of_o they_o each_o with_o other_o may_v be_v in_o such_o wise_a make_v that_o they_o may_v suffer_v contusion_n and_o extension_n by_o malleable_a compulsion_n and_o not_o be_v break_v by_o this_o no_o other_o thing_n be_v mean_v than_o that_o in_o commixtion_n of_o they_o each_o with_o other_o their_o viscous_a humidity_n be_v preserve_v by_o successive_a decoction_n in_o the_o mine_n therefore_o most_o dear_a son_n we_o give_v you_o this_o general_a rule_n viz._n that_o inspissation_n of_o any_o humidity_n can_v be_v make_v unless_o first_o with_o the_o humidity_n be_v make_v a_o exaltation_n of_o the_o part_n most_o subtle_a and_o also_o with_o the_o same_o humidity_n conservation_n of_o the_o part_n more_o gross_a if_o the_o humid_a in_o commixtion_n exceed_v the_o dry_a and_o a_o true_a mixtion_n of_o the_o dry_a and_o humid_a that_o the_o humidity_n may_v be_v contemper_v by_o the_o dryness_n and_o the_o dryness_n by_o the_o humidity_n and_o both_o become_v one_o substance_n homogeneal_a in_o its_o part_n temperate_a between_o hard_a and_o soft_a and_o extensive_a in_o contusion_n but_o this_o be_v not_o do_v unless_o by_o diuturnal_a mixtion_n of_o the_o viscous_a humidity_n and_o subtle_a earthiness_n through_o their_o least_o part_n until_o the_o humid_a become_v the_o same_o with_o the_o dry_a and_o the_o dry_a with_o the_o humid_a and_o the_o resolution_n of_o such_o a_o subtle_a vapour_n be_v not_o sudden_o make_v but_o very_o leisurely_o and_o in_o thousand_o of_o year_n and_o that_o therefore_o because_o it_o be_v the_o vniform_a substance_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o nature_n for_o if_o resolution_n of_o the_o superfluous_a humidity_n from_o they_o shall_v sudden_o be_v make_v see_v the_o humid_a differ_v not_o from_o the_o dry_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o strong_a mixtion_n which_o they_o have_v the_o humidity_n of_o the_o mixtion_n will_v be_v resolve_v with_o the_o dryness_n and_o so_o the_o whole_a vanish_v into_o fume_v nor_o can_v the_o humidity_n be_v separate_v from_o the_o dryness_n in_o resolution_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o strong_a union_n which_o they_o have_v each_o with_o other_o of_o this_o we_o see_v a_o manifest_a experiment_n in_o sublimation_n of_o spirit_n for_o when_o in_o they_o be_v make_v a_o sudden_a resolution_n by_o sublimation_n the_o humid_a be_v not_o separate_v from_o the_o dry_a nor_o the_o dry_a from_o the_o humid_a be_v divide_v into_o all_o the_o part_n of_o their_o mixtion_n but_o their_o whole_a substance_n ascend_v or_o little_a of_o the_o mixture_n be_v dissolve_v therefore_o the_o successive_a diuturnal_a and_o equal_a resolution_n of_o the_o subtle_a fumou_n humidity_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o inspissation_n of_o metal_n but_o this_o inspissation_n we_o can_v also_o make_v after_o this_o manner_n therefore_o in_o this_o we_o can_v follow_v nature_n for_o we_o can_v imitate_v nature_n in_o all_o difference_n of_o property_n of_o action_n wherefore_o our_o intention_n be_v not_o to_o follow_v nature_n in_o the_o principle_n nor_o in_o the_o proportion_n of_o mixable_a element_n nor_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o mix_v they_o each_o with_o other_o nor_o in_o the_o equation_n of_o inspissate_v or_o thickening_a heat_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o we_o impossible_a and_o whole_o unknown_a therefore_o it_o now_o remain_v that_o we_o set_v about_o refute_v the_o aforementioned_a reason_n of_o sophister_n through_o ignorance_n deny_v this_o most_o excellent_a science_n chap._n iii_o a_o confutation_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n simple_o deny_v art_n if_o they_o say_v we_o know_v not_o the_o proportion_n of_o element_n and_o way_n of_o mix_v of_o they_o each_o with_o other_o also_o the_o equation_n of_o heat_n inspissate_v metal_n and_o many_o other_o cause_n and_o consequent_a accident_n of_o the_o action_n of_o nature_n we_o grant_v the_o same_o yet_o by_o reason_n of_o this_o they_o do_v not_o enervate_v our_o divine_a science_n because_o they_o be_v thing_n we_o be_v neither_o willing_a nor_o able_a to_o know_v any_o more_o than_o they_o can_v reach_v to_o our_o work_n but_o we_o assume_v to_o ourselves_o another_o principle_n and_o another_o method_n of_o generation_n of_o metal_n in_o which_o we_o be_v able_a to_o follow_v nature_n if_o they_o say_v philosopher_n and_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n have_v desire_v this_o science_n and_o can_v not_o find_v it_o we_o answer_v they_o lie_v for_o some_o prince_n though_o few_o and_o especial_o the_o ancient_n and_o wise_a man_n find_v in_o our_o time_n have_v as_o be_v manifest_a by_o their_o industry_n find_v out_o this_o science_n but_o will_v never_o by_o word_n or_o write_n discover_v the_o same_o to_o such_o man_n because_o they_o be_v unworthy_a of_o it_o therefore_o they_o not_o see_v any_o to_o possess_v this_o science_n conceive_v a_o error_n in_o their_o mind_n and_o thence_o judge_v that_o none_o have_v find_v it_o further_o if_o they_o fantastical_o argue_v affirm_v our_o impotency_n that_o we_o can_v imitate_v nature_n even_o in_o weak_a mixtion_n as_o in_o the_o mixtion_n of_o a_o ass_n or_o ox_n therefore_o not_o in_o the_o strong_a we_o answer_v detect_v their_o manifold_a error_n that_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n from_o their_o way_n of_o argue_v for_o we_o to_o grant_v that_o our_o art_n be_v not_o because_o they_o strengthen_v their_o error_n and_o fantasy_n from_o a_o like_a or_o from_o a_o great_a to_o a_o less_o in_o which_o be_v not_o contain_v necessity_n but_o contingency_n as_o in_o many_o thing_n this_o also_o we_o show_v by_o another_o way_n demonstrate_v that_o they_o assign_v no_o apparent_a similitude_n between_o a_o weak_a comixtion_n of_o animal_n and_o the_o firm_a and_o strong_a composition_n of_o mineral_n for_o in_o animal_n and_o other_o live_a thing_n in_o which_o the_o composition_n be_v weak_a there_o be_v not_o a_o perficient_fw-la proportion_n nor_o miscible_n of_o proportion_n nor_o quality_n of_o miscible_n nor_o a_o commixtion_n which_o follow_v from_o the_o action_n and_o passion_n of_o those_o thing_n each_o with_o other_o which_o be_v from_o the_o aggregation_n of_o those_o first_o quality_n but_o there_o be_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o many_o a_o soul_n which_o be_v from_o the_o occult_a recess_n of_o nature_n as_o from_o a_o quintessence_n or_o from_o the_o first_o mover_n and_o of_o this_o also_o we_o speak_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o many_o and_o know_v not_o the_o secret_a thereof_o therefore_o we_o can_v perform_v such_o thing_n as_o these_o although_o in_o they_o be_v a_o weak_a mixtion_n because_o we_o know_v not_o how_o to_o infuse_v the_o perfective_a which_o be_v the_o soul_n yet_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o defect_n in_o we_o that_o we_o can_v compound_v or_o make_v a_o ox_n or_o a_o goat_n be_v not_o from_o the_o part_n of_o the_o mixtion_n but_o through_o defect_n of_o infusion_n of_o the_o soul_n because_o as_o we_o know_v how_o to_o make_v a_o weak_a and_o more_o weak_a composition_n so_o we_o also_o know_v how_o to_o make_v the_o strong_a and_o more_o strong_a imitate_v the_o way_n and_o course_n of_o nature_n according_a to_o our_o artifice_n in_o metal_n be_v lesser_a perfection_n than_o in_o animal_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o they_o consist_v more_o in_o proportion_n and_o composition_n than_o in_o any_o thing_n else_o therefore_o see_v in_o they_o be_v less_o perfection_n than_o in_o the_o other_o now_o mention_v we_o can_v the_o more_o free_o perfect_v these_o but_o the_o other_o not_o so_o for_o the_o most_o high_a and_o glorious_a god_n have_v distinguish_v perfection_n each_o from_o other_o in_o many_o form_n and_o those_o thing_n in_o which_o the_o composition_n which_o be_v according_a to_o nature_n be_v weak_a be_v by_o god_n endue_v with_o great_a and_o more_o noble_a perfection_n viz._n that_o which_o be_v according_a to_o the_o soul_n and_o other_o thing_n by_o he_o make_v of_o a_o more_o firm_a and_o more_o strong_a composition_n as_o stone_n and_o mineral_n be_v endue_v with_o a_o lesser_a and_o more_o ignoble_a perfection_n viz._n that_o which_o be_v from_o the_o way_n of_o mixtion_n therefore_o hence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o similitude_n of_o these_o man_n be_v not_o good_a for_o we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a how_o to_o form_v a_o ox_n or_o a_o goat_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o composition_n but_o of_o the_o perfective_a form_n because_o perfection_n in_o a_o ox_n or_o in_o a_o goat_n be_v more_o noble_a and_o more_o