Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/169

 say, I cannot tell what Judgment to make of it: The Pretences to Inspiration, and that Enthusiastick Cant, which run through the Writings of almost all the Alchemists, seem so like Imposture, that one would be tempted to think that it was only a Design carried on from Age to Age, to delude Mankind: and it is not easy to imagine why God should hear the Prayers of those that desire to be rich. If, as they pretend, it was Zeal for the good of Mankind that made them take such Pains to find out such noble Medicines as should free Men from the most obstinate Diseases to which our Natures are subject, why do they not communicate them, and leave the Process in Writing plainly to Posterity, if they are afraid of Danger for themselves: Concern for the Welfare of Mankind and affected Secrecy, seem here inconsistent things: Men of such mortified Tempers, and publick Spirits ought not to be concerned, though Gold or Silver were made as common as Lead, or Tin, provided that the Elixir which should remove all Diseases were once known.

Though these are reasonable Prejudices against the Belief of the Truth of this Operation, yet one can hardly tell how to contradict a Tradition so general,