Page 57 - Charnock alchemical letter

possess, which although it be neither lands nor it rents at this time, yet I
thank God it is sufficient otherwise.

And why I should submit myself unto liberty of the Tower and refuse the
liberty of the world wherein all men most rejoice, is most mighty
princess, because I would give myself to a most solitary life, for the great
love and zeal which I have unto the science, wholly to attend unto my
work, for to attain unto the end, and to the true perfection of the same.

For being at liberty such worldly affairs as all men according unto their
vocation do travel in, shall be the cause through the long continuance of
time, that of myself, I shall never attain unto the same, the trial whereof I
have full often sweetly paid for. And have tended to my work a year two
or three and at last, I was fain to put some other in trust, and to go about
such business as I might not refuse and by this chance I have lost my
work now two sundry times. Wherefore these religious men in times past
in their souls were very apt to accomplish the same for in a shorter time,
then I have made mention of, truly it will not be well done, without it do
please God to bring it to lyeth, by the openly setting forth of this my
book, and that he may be in some man’s keeping wrought already in
some one degree, and he not knowing what it is: As I am assured
wheresoever it be, that it is already made within this our highness’ realm
and hath lain occult above the space of one hundred years beside the
stone which that most prudent prince, Henry the VII had, which as it is
my chief desire, so I most heartily desire God that this his blessed gift in
this time of your highness’ most royal reign may come to lyeth.

And here I made an end with prayer also, desiring God most heartily that
your majesty may long reign over us, in health, princely wealth, royal
honour, joy and felicity.

Your majesty’s humble subject

Thomas Charnock

To the printer on the other side.

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