Collectanea Chemica, ed. by A.E. Waite, , at sacred-texts.com Of
the Dissolution and Extraction of the Seed in Metals. THE true
Sons of Science have always accounted the dissolution of metals
as the master key to this art, and have been particular in
giving directions concerning it, only keeping their readers in
the dark as to the subject, whether ores, or factitious metals,
were to be chosen; nay, when they say most to the purpose, then
they make mention of metals rather than the ores, with an
intention to perplex those whom they thought unworthy of the
art. Thus the author of the "Philosophical Duel," or a dialogue
between the stone, gold, and mercury, says: "By the omnipotent
God, and on the salvation of my soul, I here declare to you
earnest seekers, in pity to your earnest searching, the whole
Philosophical Work, which is only taken from one subject and
perfected in one thing. For we take this copper, and destroy its
crude and gross body; we draw out its pure spirit, and after we
have purified the earthy