Page 48 - Charnock alchemical letter

The Oxford Man

I perceive by this, that it is no marvel if five in fifteen kingdoms cannot
attain unto the true and perfect making of the philosophers’ stone. But
now, if you could bring me in, any piece of scripture, which maketh
mention of this science but of one word, I would say it very trimly done?

Master Charnock

Well go to, I will say what I may, if you will be satisfied with any
reason, as out of the Old Testament.

The Oxford Man

Nay good Master Charnock be you not offended, for this our
confabulation shall well serve your purpose, and by it when I am gone
you may augment your book to what volume you will, whereby the
Queen majesty and her honourable council shall understand of your
knowledge the better.

Master Charnock

I did conceit that at the first, after we had talked a while, and therefore I
have answered you in each point the more at large. And now to your
question I will begin with Hosea the prophet who did reprove the people,
not for the science but for the abuse of the same, saying, they did
multiply their silver, and of their gold they made them idols.
And the Prince of Tyrus, said unto the prophet, that the gold and silver
which was in his treasury, was not digged out of the earth, nor reared of
his subjects, nor it taken away from his enemies hold but that he made it
himself.

And in Job the twenty-second chapter it is written, if thou wilt turn unto
the Almighty, thou shalt stand fast, and put all unrighteousness from thy
dwelling: thou shalt make gold, as plenty as the dust, and the gold of
Ophir as the flints of the rivers. The Almighty God his own self shall be
thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.

And in Job the twenty-eighth chapter it is written. There is a place where
silver is brought out of, and where gold is tried: where iron is digged out
of the ground, and stones are resolved to metal. These last words, and
stones are resolved to metal, maketh of our science a wonderful mention,
if you applied to that intention.

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