The Datura! and Morall 



' The Aflay maifter knoweth by the colour* and other 

 * fignes, when it is refined^ then dooth he draw thecru- 

 fibles from the fire, and weighs every peece curioufly, 

 obferving what every one wants of his weightier that 

 which is of high alloy^ jvaftes but little, and that which 

 is baler, diminiflieth much & according to the wafte, 

 he fees what alloy he beares,according to the which he 

 markes every barre pundually . Their ballaunce and 

 weights are fo delicate , and their graines fo fmall , as 

 they cannot take them vppe with the hand , but with a 

 fmall paire of pincers : and this triall they make by can 

 dle light, that no ayre might moove the ballance. For 

 of this little the price of the whole barre dependeth. 

 In trueth it is a very delicate thing,and requires a great 

 dexteritie, which the holy Scripture vfeth in many pla- 

 ces,to {hew how God prooves his chofen;andto note 

 the differences of the merites oFEuKTwlieFeas God 

 gives the titIe^fH~Af!aj^maifter to" the Prophet lere- 

 wic , that hee may trie and declare the fpirituall vertuc 

 of men, and of his workes , which is the proper workc 

 of the Spiritc of God, being he that weighs the Soules 

 of men . We will reft content with what we have fpo- 

 ken touching filver, mcttalls and mines , and will paffe 

 to the two other mixtures , the which are plants and 

 beafts. 



Of Emcraldes. CHAP. 14. 



IT (hall not be from the purpofe, to fpeake fbm thing 

 of Emeraldes, both for that it is a pretious thing, as 

 golde & filver, as alfo for that they take their beginning 

 jjfrom mines and mettalls,as Ptinie reportes. The Eme 

 rald hath bin in old time in great efteeme , as the fimc 



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