*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 74240 ***
[Illustration: _in Continuatione miraculi mundi_
_A. Ist der Ofen._
_B. Das distillier gefäs in dem Ofen._
_C. Das loch mit einem faltz dardurch das swänge eingetragen wird._
_D. Die Zange mit deckel darmit das gefäs nach dem eintragen
geschlossē wirdt._
_E. Ein Eisen löffel darmit der schwan eingetragen wirdt._
_F. Die recipienten._
_G. Die banck darauf die recipienten ligen._
_H. der Laborant._]
[Illustration: _in Continuatione miraculi mundi_
_A. Ist der Ofen wie er in der arbeit stehet._
_B. Ist der Vnterste theil des Ofens wie er offen ohne die vorder
wand anzusehen._
_C. Ist das obertheil des Ofens._
_D. Der rost in dem Ofen._
_E. der Herd._
_F. der Müffel so auff den herd gehöret._
_G. der Deckel darmit der Ofen oben gedecket wird wann kohlen
darin sein vnd in voller arbeit stehet._
_H. das rauch fänglein an dem Ofen._]
THE
WORKS
OF THE
Highly Experienced and Famous CHYMIST,
John Rudolph Glauber:
CONTAINING,
Great Variety of Choice Secrets
IN
=Medicine and Alchymy=
In the Working of METALLICK MINES, and the
Separation of METALS:
ALSO,
Various Cheap and Easie Ways of making =Salt-petre=, and Improving of
=Barren-Land=, and the =Fruits= of the Earth.
_Together with many other things very profitable for all the Lovers of
Art and Industry._
Translated into _English_, and Published for Publick Good by the
_Labour_, _Care_, and _Charge_, of CHRISTOPHER PACKE,
_Philo-chymico-Medicus_.
[Illustration]
_LONDON_,
Printed by _Thomas Milbourn_, for the Author, and are to be sold at his
House next Door to the _Gun_ in _Little-Moorfields_; by _D. Newman_ at
the _King’s-Arms_ in the _Poultry_, and _W. Cooper_ at the
_Pellican_ in _Little Britain_. MDCLXXXIX.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE PREFACE TO THE READER
A CATALOGUE OF THE Subscribers NAMES
THE FIRST PART OF GLAUBER’S WORKS
THE FIRST PART OF Philosophical Furnaces 1
THE SECOND PART OF Philosophical Furnaces 15
THE THIRD PART OF Philosophical Furnaces 55
THE FOURTH PART OF Philosophical Furnaces 67
THE FIFTH PART OF Philosophical Furnaces 85
AN APPENDIX 94
Of the Tincture of Gold 96
THE FIRST PART OF THE Mineral Work 100
THE SECOND PART OF THE Mineral Work 114
THE THIRD PART OF THE Mineral Work 125
The APOLOGY of John Rudolph Glauber 147
Miraculum Mundi 161
THE EXPLICATION OF Miraculum Mundi 171
THE CONTINUATION OF Miraculum Mundi 186
A TREATISE Of an Universal Medicine 206
THE SECOND PART OF Miraculum Mundi 221
THE BOOK OF Philip Theophrastus Bombast 231
ANNOTATIONS UPON THE CONTINUATION OF Miraculum Mundi 243
A TREATISE OF THE Nature of Salts 247
A TREATISE Of the Signature of Salts, Metals, and Planets 269
THE CONSOLATION OF NAVIGATORS 278
A True and Perfect DESCRIPTION OF Extracting good TARTAR FROM THE
Lees of Wine 290
THE FIRST PART OF THE Prosperity of Germany 294
THE SECOND PART OF The Prosperity of Germany 318
THE THIRD PART OF The Prosperity of Germany 337
THE FOURTH PART OF The Prosperity of Germany 377
THE FIFTH PART OF The Prosperity of Germany 408
THE SIXTH and Last PART OF THE Prosperity of GERMANY 428
THE SECOND PART OF GLAUBER’S WORKS
The First CENTURY, OR Wealthy Store-House of Treasures 1
The Second Century OF GLAUBER’S Wealthy Store-house of Treasures 35
The Third Century OF GLAUBER’S Wealthy Store-house of Treasures 61
THE FIRST PART OF THE Spagyrical Dispensatory 82
THE SECOND PART OF THE Spagyrical Dispensatory 93
THE THIRD PART OF THE Spagyrical Dispensatory 121
THE FOURTH PART OF THE Spagyrical Dispensatory 129
THE FIFTH PART OF THE Spagyrical Dispensatory 141
THE SIXTH PART OF THE Spagyrical Pharmacopœa 155
THE SEVENTH PART OF THE Spagyrical Pharmacopœa 174
THE FIRST APPENDIX TO THE SEVENTH PART OF THE Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa 187
THE SECOND APPENDIX TO THE SEVENTH PART OF THE Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa 197
THE THIRD APPENDIX TO THE SEVENTH PART OF THE Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa 208
LIBELLUS IGNIUM, OR, Book of FIRES 216
THE THIRD PART OF GLAUBER’S WORKS
A TREATISE OF THE Three Principles of Metals 1
OF ELIAS the ARTIST 51
De Purgatorio Philosophorum 67
Secret Fire of Philosophers 76
A TREATISE CONCERNING The Animal-Stone 84
THE INDEX
Opera Johannis Rudolphi Glauberi
Imprimantur,
_Tho. Witherly_ Præses Coll. Med. _Lond._
_Joannes Betts_ }
_Edvardus Browne_ }
_Guilielmus Briggs_ } Censores.
_Gulielmus Dawkins_ }
TO THE
Honoured, and Truly Learned,
Edmond Dickenson, M. D.
Physician to the KING’S Person and Family.
The Art of Chymistry, (_Honoured Sir_) although in its Speculations
most Noble and Delectable to a Philosophick Mind, and in its Practice
highly Inservient, and Beneficial to Mankind; yet hath it not escaped
the Obloquies, and false Imputations of Detractors, and Calumniators,
who either through Ignorance, Idleness, or Envy (or all of them
conjoin’d) have made a false Representation of this most Noble Art to
the World, and endeavoured to set Mankind at the greatest distance from
that which is its highest interest to court. For which cause, such
Writings as Promulge, and offer at the advancing of the _Chymical Art_,
stand in need of such a Patron as is able to defend them against all
the Cavils of Pride, Envy, and Ignorance.
And if the Exquisite Parts, and Profound Learning in the more Abstruse
Philosophy, together with a Long, and Indefatigable Scrutiny and
Labour in the Chymical Art, accompanied with a happy Practice in the
Honourable Faculty of Physick, be fit Accomplishments to Entitle one
a =Mecænas= of this Art; then are those Excellencies all met and
Concentred in your self, as is evident to the whole World by your
Curious and Learned Epistle to =Mundanus=, and his Answer to it, which
answer will be a Lasting Testimony of your great Worth and Merit.
For certainly, Sir, it is no small evidence of your Worth and Abilities
in the _Pyrotechnick Art_, that a Philosopher who had been more than
forty years an _Adept_, in all that time should not find three Persons,
besides your self, whom he thought worthy to make certain of the truth
of what they sought, and aspired after; and yet gave you an Ocular
Satisfaction and Certitude of that which Thousands have desired to see,
but could not: And further seriously professing, that if he had had the
same liberty from his Master, that some _Adepts_ enjoy, that he would
have revealed to you the whole Secret.
These things have induced me humbly to offer this Book to your
Patronage, not doubting but under your Name and Protection, it will be
able to overcome many Difficulties, and obtain a free passage in this
our _English_ World, to the benefit and advantage of many well-disposed
persons, who seek after Honest, Profitable, and Commendable Arts, which
I am fully perswaded was the chief end of the Author in Writing; and I
am sure is mine in Translating his Works. You are throughly acquainted
with _Glauber’s Writings_, you know his Menstruums, and his Medicines,
and are able to attest the truth of what others may account false
and impossible. As for such of them as concern the higher Classes of
Chymistry, I shall say nothing (being yet but _ad Corinthum vergens_)
but commit them to your Mature Judgment, and Protection, humbly craving
your pardon for this my presumption, and for what Errors or Oversights
I may have committed in this Work; and desiring your Favourable
Acceptance of these my poor Endeavours. I take leave to conclude with
a passage of the abovementioned Excellent =Mundanus=. _I am fully
perswaded, that by the Blessing of God upon your Sagacious Labours, you
will at length obtain that which will abundantly Compensate your Pains
and Cost._ To which I adjoin my own hearty Wishes; and that after you
have been as happy in this World, as true Philosophy can make a Man,
you may be Eternally Happy in that which is to come.
I am
_SIR_,
_An Honourer of_
_Your Name and Learning_,
CHRISTOPHER PACKE.
THE
PREFACE
TO THE
READER.
_That the Art of =Chymistry= is very useful and highly serviceable
in Physick, Chyrurgery, Husbandry, and Mechanick Arts, is long since
evinced by the Excellent Mr. =Boyl= (the Honour both of our Age and
Country) in his Experimental Philosophy, or Philosophick Essays; who in
=Essay I. and II.= shews that the Examination of the Juices of Human
Bodies, by the Art of =Chymistry=, may illustrate their Use and Nature.
And that by it may be Explicated the Nature of our several Digestions,
and their Aberrations. And afterwards =Cap. VIII. pag 194.= speaking
of the advantages that =Chymistry= affords to the =Therapeutick= or
=Curative= part of Physick, (which is the chief and principal), and
to which all the other parts are subservient) is pleased to express
himself thus_: I cannot but think that if _Chymistry_ did no more
than assist us, by the resolution of Bodies, to extricate their more
active parts, and partly by such Resolutions, and partly by associating
Bodies together, to alter the former Texture of Natures productions,
or present us with new Concretes of new Textures; by this very
means, if Men want not Curiosity and Industry, to vary and prosecute
Experiments, there must necessarily arise such a store of new and
active Medicines, that in all probability, many of them will be found
endow’d with such vertue as have not been (at least in that degree)
met with, in the usual Medicines, whether Simple or Compound, to be
bought in Apothecarys Shops; and consequently, even without any notable
discovery, or improvement of Principles, Chymists (even as Matters now
stand with them) may considerably add to the Pharmaceutical part of
Physick. But if the Operations of _Chymistry_ were seriously enquired
into, and throughly understood, I make little doubt, but by a skilful
Application of them, and especially by a series of them, in a Rational
and Orderly way succeeding one another, there may be found out a great
many preparations of Remedies, both very different from the common
Ones, and far more Noble than they. _And presently after he adds._
That if we had but a few Potent Menstruums to dissolve and unlock
Bodies with, I scarce know what might not be done in _Chymistry_.
_Then further in that =Essay= where he treats of the usefulness of
=Chymistry= to the Empire of Man over the Inferiour Works of Nature;
he proceeds to shew that =Chymistry= is very serviceable to Husbandry
in all its parts, and to other professions that serve to provide Men
with Food or Raiment, or do otherwise minister to the Necessities or
Accomodations of Life, as =Bakers=, =Brewers=, =Dyers=, &c._
_Thus far this Learned =Philosopher=: To which I shall only add
this, That if when he wrote those Essays, =Chymists= were able to
contribute so much to the Necessities and Conveniences of Mankind, when
=Chymistry= was but young in =England=, and but few Chymists who were
accurate in their Operations, and perhaps, fewer who had any competency
of Learning, or so much as lightly Tincted with the =Hermetick
Philosophy=; if, I say, that it discovered so great a light when it
had but newly ascended our Horizon, and was, as I may say, but in its
Infancy, what assistance may now be had from it, when (notwithstanding
all the Obstacles, and unkind usage it hath met withal) it is grown
to a more virile Age and Vigour: But although =Chymistry= be much
enlarged, and advanced in =England=, in respect of the Numbers, and
Qualifications of the Lovers, and professors of it; yet are not
Chymists free from pressing Disadvantages, not having the freedom of
administring their own Medicines, how powerful and salutiferous soever,
and otherwise adapted to the Necessities of the Sick, than the common
=Apparatus= of Physick. So, that as the Case now stands, the help and
Succour which the Sick and Diseased receive from Chymical Physick,
is but very small to what they might have, if knowing Chymists had
the freedom of exercising that Art in all its parts, which with much
Industry, Labour, and Costs, they have been sollicitous to attain. But
when this disincouragement of ingenuity and Obstacle of the publick
good, shall become more apparent to those in whose power it is to
redress it, I do not doubt but it will meet with a Remedy._
_But now, to give some account of my present undertaking. I have at
length (by God’s help, and the assistance of my Subscribers) finished
my Translation of =Glauber=’s =Works=, and here present it to the
Reader, in the =English= Tongue. How well I have performed it, I
must submit to the judgments of others: I could have been very glad
to have seen it done by some abler hand; but when I have heretofore
proposed the doing but of some parts of it to those whom I knew might
easily have accommodated =English= Artists therein; telling them that
I wondered so Excellent an Author, should be so long extant, and that
none should unveil him of his =Latin= and =German= Coverings, and put
him into an =English= Dress. I have had for answer, That this Age was
not worthy of it; so that it seems to me, that the Providence of God
had reserved it for fitter times, although to be done by one of the
meanest of the Sons of =Pyrotechny=. But this I can say, that I have
acquitted my self in this matter, as well as the slenderness of my
Parts, weakness of Body, and the necessary Affairs of my Laboratory
would permit me; but_
----Ubi desint Vires, acceptanda est Voluntas.
_I desire the Lovers of =Chymistry= to accept my Labours, with the same
good will that I have undergone them, having no other end but to serve
my Country. And I hereby return thanks to all those generous spirited
Gentlemen and others, who have Subscribed to, and promoted this Work,
without whose assistance (the Charge being very great, as well as the
labour (to me) almost insupportable) it must yet have remained hid and
unserviceable to the =English= Reader. But I am in an especial manner
obliged to that publick spirited Gentleman (whom I ought to name, were
it lawful to do it without his leave) who freely offered me and put
into my hands a not inconsiderable part of the Materials for this Work,
which part also had been more considerable than it was, had not the
Spirit of some, (who unjustly hinder’d it) been as Mean and Sordid,
as his was Generous. But that Loss was, in part, made up to me, by a
well-minded Artist, to whom I also return Thanks._
_I have Printed this Book upon far better and larger Paper than I
proposed to do it in; for at the time of setting forth my first
Proposals, I had not the =German= Pieces, but when they came to my
hands, upon a more accurate computation of the matter, I found that
if I should go on to do the Work upon the Paper I had proposed, the
Book would swell to too great a thickness for its breadth and length,
and not be only ill shaped, but inconvenient to be read. By this means
my Subscribers have a much better Book than I promised them, although
the Charge hath also been Considerably greater to me, than I at first
expected._
_The Reader hath all here in one Volumn which =Glauber= ever Printed,
as far as I can find upon diligent Enquiry at =Amsterdam=, where all
his Writings were Printed, and where I purchased the Original Copper
Plates belonging to them. But whereas, as ’tis said in the =Explication
of Miraculum Mundi=, page 177. That the Cut there described was not
Printed in the Latin Copies, nor to be found among the Original Plates;
yet notwithstanding, I was unwilling that the Work should go without
the Figure of so useful a Furnace as that is, for the Torrefying,
or Calcining of Ores, and separating, and depurating their Metals,
for which reason I have caused it to be Delineated and Printed with
others before the =Continuation of Miraculum Mundi=, after page 188.
I have also procured from the hand of another Friend, who is a Lover
of Art, the Draught of the Refrigeratory, Furnace, or Instrument,
which serves for the making the =Mercury of Wine=, purifying, and
fixing of =Argent-vive=, =Antimony=, =Sulphur=, &c. and many other
uses which an Ingenious Artist will find out. This Furnace the Author
always endeavoured to conceal, but describes it in some part in the
beginning of the sixth part of the =Spagyrical Dispensatory=, to
which Description I have added the Figure. The Figures of the several
Vessels and Instruments belonging to the Fifth Part of the Furnaces,
are referr’d to at the beginning of the Fourth Part, but since, for the
better orders sake I have placed them before the said Fifth Part._
_These Twelve following Treatises were never Printed in =Latin=, but
in the =German= Tongue only, =viz.= The =Third=, =Fourth=, and =Fifth
Centuries=; the =Second= and =Third Appendixes= to the Seventh Part
of the =Spagyrical Dispensatory=. The =Book of Fires.= =Proserpine.=
=Elias the Artist.= =The three Fire-stones.= =The Purgatory of
Philosophers.= =De Lapide Animali.= =The Secret Fire of Philosophers.=
All which I have caused to be Translated (my self being ignorant of the
=German= Tongue) by a person well skill’d both in the =High Dutch=, and
also in =Chymistry=, whereby I hope this Book will not be altogether
unserviceable nor unacceptable even to the Learned; besides, all the
Works of this Author that are in Latin are very difficultly (if at all)
to be met with at any Book-sellers Shop in =London=, and those that
are, at a dear rate: For when I had entered upon this Translation,
I was forced to send to =Amsterdam= to have all the =Latin= pieces
compleat._
_The Author in many places refers to his =Opus Saturni=, =Opus
Vegetabile=, and the =Concentration of Heaven and Earth=, which
Treatises, I am assured, were never printed (at least under those
Titles) which also seems to be manifest from his Epistle to the =First
Century=, or General Appendix, wherein he inculcates, that for want
of time, he had inserted the sum of them all in that Treatise. He
also mentions a Seventh part of the =Prosperity of Germany=, in the
Preface to the Second Part of =Pharmacopœia Spagyrica=, which was never
Printed under that Title, but I am induced to believe it is the =Novum
Lumen Chymicum=, as partly appears by comparing it with the foresaid
Preface. And it is evident that in some parts of his Writings he hath
mentioned a Treatise by one Name, and afterwards Printed it by another,
as, =The Testimonium Veritatis=, which was afterwards Printed by the
Name of =Explicatio Miraculi Mundi=. As for the =Opus Saturni=, I have
heard that there are some Manuscript Copies of it, and had hopes of
obtaining it from two several hands, but both failed me. I have been
also informed, that there are =Five Centuries= in Manuscript more than
I have Printed, but could never understand in what hands they were,
except one of them, =viz.= the sixth, the proprietor of which would not
be so kind as to let me have it to print._
_I have (by the advice of an Honourable Person) left out the Author’s
Religious and Moral Digressions, where I could do it without prejudice
to the matter; as also his Apologetical Writings, except his Apology
against =Farnner=, which I have printed, for as much as it is intermixt
with many profitable Secrets, which perhaps, he would not have
published, at least not at that time if they had not been, as it were,
extorted from him by the ill Treatment of that Ungrateful Man._
_I could not place the several Treatises in that order which the Author
published them, without breaking the order of the several parts, as
of the =Miraculum Mundi=, =Spagyrical Pharmacopœa=, and =Prosperity
of Germany=; for being many years in publishing, they were done
promiscuously, but how they succeeded one another so far as the =Nature
of Salts=, the Reader may satisfie himself in the Preface to that
Treatise. And as his Writings were published by piecemeal, so are the
principal Secrets he teacheth, scattered up and down in divers parts
of them, in one place he treateth of a thing obscurely, or but in
part; in another place of the same thing openly in that part which he
had veiled in the other. Sometimes he declares a Process very openly,
omitting only some small Circumstances, or Manual Operation, which
would seem to many either impertinent, or not necessary to be done,
when notwithstanding, the business will not succeed without it. An
instance of this may be given in his =Sal Mirabilis=, whose preparation
he teacheth obscurely in the =Nature of Salts=, but more openly in the
Second Part of =Miraculum Mundi=. In the =Nature of Salts=, and in the
Sixth Part of the =Pharmacopœia Spagyrica=, he teacheth how to Dissolve
Gold therewith, and thence to make a kind of =Aurum Potabile=, but
wholly omits the adding of a certain Vegetable Sulphur, without which,
the work will not answer the Description; this Defect he supplys in the
=Second Century=, after a twofold manner, the one not obvious to every
Man’s Apprehension, I mean the intent of the Author, =viz.= in those
Processes where he shews the making of a Vegetable Sulphur; but the
other sheweth the necessary Manual Operation in plain and open words.
And this he hath done with all his Secrets on set purpose, that they
should be found out by none but the Industrious._
_And this hath given occasion to many, who have not taken pains to
read him with diligence, or not being experienced in Operating, to
reproach him for an obscure, yea, even for a false Writer, because
they have made two or three Superficial, or Unskilful Trials of his
Processes, which have not succeeded according to their Expectations;
when indeed, the fault was in themselves, either in not perceiving the
Author’s intention, or their own want of skill in rightly managing the
Operation: And I know some Persons that sometime since said =Glauber=
had been too dark in his Writings, who now think he hath wrote too
plain._
_But having mentioned this, I will here (for the sake of those Country
Gentlemen, who have subscribed to this Work) a little Elucidate the
Author’s Process about the inversion of Common Salt, with Lime, for
the enriching of Poor and Barren Land. He indeed speaks of several
Saline Preparations, which greatly promote the fertility of the Earth,
but this with Common Salt, and Lime, is the cheapest of all, and also
is most easie to be done, for any Plowman, or Labourer, having but
once seen it done, may be presently able to manage it. The sum of it
is, that Common Salt be turn’d from its sharpness, into an Alcalizate
Nature (which is hot and fat) which then by its Magnetick force will
attract from the Air a Vivyfying, Fructifying, Salt-nitrous power,
and long retain it in the Earth, which is the cause of all Growth and
Vegetation, as the Author sheweth in the Continuation of =Miraculum
Mundi=, and many other places; but gives the Process of the preparation
in plain and open words in the Appendix to the Fifth Part of the
=Prosperity of Germany=, page 416._
_Neither is the practice of preparing either the Land, or the Seed, in
order to the better Crop, altogether Novel, as may partly be seen in
=Virgil, Georgic Lib. 1.= where he saith,_
Semina vidi equidem multos medicare serentes,
Et Nitro prius, & nigra perfundere amurca;
Grandior ut fœtus siliquis fallacibus esset, _&c._
Which in _English_ may sound thus:
_Some have I seen their Seeds to sow prepare,
With Nitre and Oyl-Lees, for they by care
Will grow far greater, and be sooner ripe,_ &c.
_The Lime must be spread upon the ground, where no Rain can come to
it, till it slake it self by the Air, and fall into a Powder; of this
Powder you are to take four hundred weight to one hundred weight of any
common foul Salt, which is too impure for the use of the Kitchen, where
such may be had, otherwise clean Salt, (for that will be cheaper than
Dung) the Salt and Lime are to be well mixed, and then moistened with
such a quantity of Water, (or rather Urine where it may be had) as will
bring the Lime and Salt mixed, to the Consistency of a stiff Mortar.
Of this Mass Balls are to be made about the bigness of ones Fist, and
laid under a Shead, or Hovel to dry; being dried, they are to be burnt
in a Kiln as Lime is, so that the Balls may be red hot for an hour at
least; or where no Lime-Kiln is near, they may be burnt by building a
Pile in the Field, first with a Lay of Wood, then a Lay of Balls, then
Wood again, and so till all the Balls are placed fit for burning. When
the Balls are burnt, they are to be again placed upon a Floor under a
Shead, or Hovel, where they may be exposed to the Air, but kept free
from the Rain, and if you break them with a Clod-beater presently, the
Air will the sooner act upon them, and cause them again to fall into
a Powder; which Powder may then be carried out and spread, or rather
sowed out of a Seedlet, thicker or thinner as the Land shall require.
Provided this be done in the beginning of Summer about the time of
Fallow, for that being many Months before the Seed is to be sowed, the
fieryness of this rich Compost will be Contemperated by the Air and the
Earth, and changed into a Nitrous fatness, which joining it self with
the Earth, is again Magnetically attracted by the Seed when it is sown,
whose growth it thereby swiftly promoted, and its Multiplication much
augmented. But if any should cast this Matter upon his Land soon after
it is burnt, and presently after that should sow his Seed, instead of
having a greater Crop than he used to have, he would have a less, or
perhaps none, that Year, but the next Year, and soon for many Years,
the same Land would bring forth plentifully. Therefore it is necessary,
that this Matter should lie six or seven Months spread upon a Floor,
and now and then turn’d with a Shovel, as you turn Malt, that it may be
Contempered, and Animated by the Air; or be cast upon the Land so long
before the Seed be sown. The reason is the very same as with Dung, for
none takes fresh Dung and spreads it upon his Land when he is about to
sow his Seed, for if he should, his Seed would be burnt up; but the
Husbandman lets his Dung lie some time to rot, as he calls it, after
which he lays it on his Land, and lets it lie spread some time before
he Plows it in, and all this is but to Contemper the heat of the Animal
Salt contain’d in the Dung, and turn it into a Nitrous Nature. Thus
much I thought good to say about this Matter in the plainest words,
least any, not throughly understanding the Author’s Intention, should
erre in the first Experiment, and so unjustly blame the Author, and
forbear themseldes and deterr others from prosecuting that easie
Practice, which I am confident, if rightly managed, will bring much
profit to many persons in this Nation. This must also of necessity be
a profitable Work to those who will undertake it upon the account of
making of =Salt-petre=; especially to such as understand the Nature
and Generation of that Excellent salt, which is of such incomparable
use in the Preparation of Medicines, separating of Metals, and in many
Mechanick Arts._
_Now for as much as in this Work =Sal Mirabilis=, =Spirit of Nitre=,
and =Spirit of Salt=, are recommended to very many uses, and every
one that hath a mind to make Experiments with them, may not have the
knowledge, or the conveniency of preparing them, I hereby signifie,
that I intend (God willing) to prepare and keep by me the Author’s
=Sal Mirabilis= of both sorts, that peculiar =Spirit of Salt=, which
he commends against the Scurvy and other Diseases, and also to keep
Beer from sowring in the Summer, in the =Consolation of Navigators=.
His =Panacea of Antimony=, and =Golden Panacea=, spoken of in the
Second Part of the =Pharmacopœia Spagyr.= the =Explication of Miraculum
Mundi=, and divers other places. His =Aurum Diaphoreticum=, also the
=Tincture of Gold=, or =Aurum Potabile=, are described to be made
of the =Irreducible Blood of the Lyon=, in the Sixth part of the
=Spagyrical Pharmacopœia=, Chap. 22. These I purpose constantly to keep
by me for the accommodating of Physicians, and others, who shall have
occasion to buy them. Those are Excellent Medicines, and such as a
Physician may have some confidence in; and indeed, this Book contains a
great variety of such Medicines as will get a Physician Honour, which
(I hope) will be tryed by all those who delight to do good, and be
brought into use for the general Help and Comfort of the sick. For I
freely confess, that if I have any thing in Medicine, beyond what is
commonly known, I have had the Foundations of it from this Author; and
if God shall please to grant me life to a fit time, I doubt not but I
shall from those Foundations be able to raise such a Superstructure as
shall testifie the truth of his Writings, and powerfully evince the
Worth and Excellency of Chymical Medicines, and that demonstratively
in matter of Fact, =viz.= by the Curing of both Acute and Chronick
Diseases._
_And now by way of Conclusion, I have only one thing more to add;
and that is a Request to all the Ingenious Lovers of Chymistry, that
they would not occasion this Work which I have undergone with so much
labour, and loss of time from my private Concerns, meerly for the good
of others, to redound to my own hurt; my meaning is, That I might not
be put to the charge and trouble of Letters about Curious Enquiries,
wherein I am to have not the least profit: This I mention, because
I have had divers such Letters come to my hands since I have been
about it, and that sometimes two or three very long ones with many
Queries, in one Week. Now should this continue, and I endeavour to
satisfie all the Doubts, and gratifie all the Curiosities of all such
non-considering persons, truly I should have no time besides what this
would take up, to provide for my self and Family. But notwithstanding
what I have said, if any Ingenious Person shall stand in need of my
Assistance, in preparing of any thing for him, or otherwise, wherein
I may have a reasonable recompence for my Time and Trouble, I will be
ready to give him the best assistance I can. For I am now but just
ready to receive a Writ of Ease from three Years daily labour and
care about this Work, and I would be willing to enjoy it some time,
that I might again with diligence apply my self to my Laboratory, the
effects of which, if God shall see good, may at one time, or other,
shew themselves to the World. In the mean time, I wish all Honest
and Ingenious Lovers of the Spagyrick Art, good success in their
Studies and Labours, that thence the Penuries and Miseries of Mankind,
especially of the sick, may be effectually remedied; that they may
Cooperate as Instruments with the great ends and providences of the
Almighty, to bring about that time, in which God shall be Glorified all
the World over, and Men live in a more serene and tranquil condition
than yet they have done, which shall always be the Desire and Prayers
of him that is a Lover of =Pyrotechny=, and Honourer of all true
Artists._
From my House next Door to the Sign of the _Gun_ in _Little
Moor-Fields_, the 1688.
Chr. Packe.
A
CATALOGUE
OF THE
Subscribers NAMES.
_Tho. Archer_, Med. _Hertford_.
_John Allen_, Med. _Lurgarshal_.
_William Adams_, Chyrurg. _Cambr._
_John Agar_, Chyrurg. _Kingston_.
_John Ashby_, Gent.
Mr. _John Acton_.
B
The Right Honourable _John_ Earl of _Bridgwater_.
Sir _James Butler_, Kt. Judge of the _Marshalsea_ Court.
Sir _John Bowyer_, Knight. _Warwick_.
Sir _Robert Barcham_, Kt. _Warwick_.
The Honourable _Ro. Boyl_, Esq;
_Tho. Berenger_, Esq; _Iver_.
_Tho. Bradshaw_, Esq; _Warwick_.
_John Banson_, Gent.
_Thomas Browne_, Gent.
_John Bourne_, M. B.
_Rich. Boreman_, Med. _Kent_.
_Jonath. Blewet_, Chyr. _Huntingdon_.
_John Burr_, Chyrurg.
_Nich. Bennet_, Chyrurg. _Bucks._
_John Bishop_, Chym.
Mr. _William Boys_.
_Edward Babb_, Gent.
_William Bromfield_, Chyr. _Hitchin_.
Mr. _John Bell_.
Mr. _Tho. Badmanaring_.
_Richard Blome_, Gent.
Mr. _John Bulfinch_.
Mr. _John Bennet_.
Mr. _John Bush_.
C
_Daniel Cox_, M. D.
_Samuel Codrington_, Esq; _Somerset_.
_Isaac Chancey_, M. D.
_Christopher Crelle_, M. D.
_Thomas Cox_, A. M. _Battlesden_.
_Billidge Clayton_, A. M.
Mr. _William Cooper_, Bookseller.
Mr. _Awnsham Churchill_, Bookseller.
Mr. _Henry Clare_.
Mr. _David Congnard_, Junior.
Mr. _David Cunningham_, Turvey.
_Rob. Cooper_, Apoth. _Wolverhampton_.
Mr. _Thomas Carden_, Newberry.
Capt. ---- _Conoway_.
D
Sir _Matthew Dudley_, Baronet.
_Edmond Dickenson_, M. D. Physician to His Majesty.
_William Dawes_, M. D.
_George Dean_, Med. _Westminster_.
_John Dimsdell_, Med. _Hertford_.
_William Dyn_, Gent.
_Thomas Dibben_, Gent. _Somerset_.
E
_Luke Eales_, M. D. _Wellin_.
_Thomas Enden_, Gent. _Lancaster_.
_Tho. Edes_, Apothecary. _Warwick_.
F
_Simon Folkes_, Esq; _Bury St. Edmond_.
_Isaac Foxcroft_, Esq; _Westminster_.
_Charles Ferris_, Phylo-Chym.
Mr. _George Fewtrell_
Mr. _Nicholas Finckley_
G
_Henry Guy_, Esq;
_Thomas Gardiner_, Chyrurg.
_Richard Gee_, Gent.
_Stephen Giles_, Chyrurg.
_Stephen Godfrey_, Gent.
Mr. _William Gibbon_.
Mr. _Andrew Gland_, Apothecary.
H
Sir _James Hayes_, Kt.
_John Hayes_, Esq;
_Rich. Harrison_, Esq; _Hertford_.
The Honourable _Charles Howard_, Esq;
_John Huxley_, Esq; _Stanly_.
Capt. _Elisha Hutchinson_.
_James Harding_, Gent.
_John Hollyman_, Gent. _Wrexham_.
_John Harborough_, M. D.
_Rob. Hopkin_, Gent. _Ashton Underline_.
_Rich. Hope_, Med.
_Gabr. Hubbard_, Med.
Capt. _Hen. Hatley_.
_John Holliard_, Chyrurg.
Mr. _John Hall_.
Mr. ---- _Hooker_.
_John Harvy_, Med. _Saffron Walden_.
Mr. _Luke Halfhide_.
Mr. _Noah Hodgson_. York.
Mr. ---- _Harding_.
Mr. _Edward Heslop_.
Mr. _Jasper Harman_.
I
_William Johnson_, M. D. _Warwick_.
Mr. _Joseph Jewell_
_Robert Johnson_, Med.
Mr. _William Johnson_
_Rich. Ingersal_, Bookseller
L
_William Lloyd_, Esq;
_Josiah Lane_, M. D. _Banbury_
_Henry Lewis_, A. M. _Norfolk_
Mr. _John Long_
Mr. _Jer. Lammas_
Mr. _Robert Lydall_
Mr. ---- _Littleton_
Mr. _Job Lord_
_Matthew Lambert_, Chyrurg.
M
_Thomas Marriot_, Esq; _Warwick_
_Arthur Moor_, Gent.
_John Mouse_, Med. _Wellingborough_
Mr. _Mord. Mouse_. Bucks
Mr. _John Mathews_
Mr. _Ven. Mandey_
Mr. _William Milward_
Mr. ---- _Matson_
N
_Walter Needham_, M. D.
_Francis Nicholson_, Esq;
Mr. _James Newton_
Mr. _John Newman_
Mr. _D. Newman_, Bookseller.
O
Mr. _Dan. Oley_
P
Sir _Henry Puckering_, Kt. _Warwick_
_William Penn_, Esq;
_Tho. Powell_, Esq;
_Richard Palmer_, Esq;
Capt. _Tho. Powell_
_Charles Panton_, Med. _Somerset_
Mr. _Francis Porter_
Mr. _Edward Powell_
_Edward Patteson_, Chym.
_John Peck_, Chyrurg.
Mr. _John Peacock_
Mr. _Edward Page_
Mr. _Samuel Philips_
R
_Luke Rugely_, M. D.
_Samuel Reynolds_, Med. _Ipswich_
_William Russel_, M. D.
_John Rallet_, Med. _Braintry_
_Joseph Rawson_, Cyrurg. _Ailsbury_
_John Rudd_, Med.
Mr. _Tho. Rawlinson_, Distiller
Mr. _Robert Rawlinson_, Distiller
Mr. _Edmond Read_
Mr. _Simon Romny_
Mr. _Michael Rose_
Mr. _James Rance_
Mr. _William Robardson_
Mr. _Robert Ross_
S
The Right Honourable Sir _John Shorter_, Kt. Lord Mayor of the City of
_London_
_Nicholas Salter_, Esq; _Bucks_
_Nathaniel Staughton_, Esq;
Col. _John Stawell_, Somerset
_Nath. Slade_, M. D. _Wrexham_
Dr. ---- _Symcotts_
_William Smith_, Gent. _Bath_
Mr. _Thomas Samborne_, Somerset
Mr. _John Spire_
Mr. _Thomas Stone_
Mr. _William Savage_
Mr. _Richard Salick_
_Tho. Saffold_, Student in Astrology
Mr. _Philip Seddal_
Mr. _John Sloakham_, Colebrook
Mr. _Francis Smartfoot_
_Mat. Sarfati_, Chym.
T
_Robert Toope_, M. D. _Bath_.
_John Tanner_, Med. _Amersham_
_John Tomkys_, A. M. _Warwick_
_Josiah Thorald_, M. D.
Mr. _John Till_
_John Trotter_, Student in Astrology
Mr. _Henry Tash_
Mr. _Isaac Taylear_
Mr. _John Tunstall_
W
Sir _Tho. Witherly_, Kt. Physician to His Majesty, and President of
the Colledge of Physicians
_Richard Wharton_, Esq;
Mr. _Robert Wolley_
Mr. _Edward West_
Mr. _Richard Wyn_, Apoth.
Mr. _Thomas Wigg_
Mr. _Israel Wormal_
_John Walraven_, Chyrurgion
_James Wass_, Chyrurgion
_Charles Wells_, Gent. _Huntingdon_
Mr. _Joseph Wells_
Mr. _William Wheeler_
Mr. _John Webb_
_William Williams_, Med.
Mr. _David Withers_, Berks
Mr. _Edward Wilson_
Mr. _Keeblewhite_
Mr. _Philip Washburn_
Mr. _Richard Weekes_
Mr. _Randal Watson_
Mr. _John Withers_.
THE
FIRST PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces.
Containing a new Art of making _Spirits_, _Oyls_, _Flowers_, and
other Medicaments, by the help of the first of those Furnaces,
after a very easie and peculiar manner out of Vegetables, Animals
and Minerals: With their Chymical and Medicinal use.
A _Preface_ to the Courteous Reader.
_I have hitherto reserved to my self as Secrets, some peculiar Furnaces
and compendious Ways of Distilling, which with diligent study and
speculation I found out some few years since, by which many excellent
Works, impossible to be done by the vulgar Art, may be performed; but
now at last I have, considering with my self how advantageous it may
be to the World, determined to conceal this Art no longer, but for the
good of my Neighbour to publish it, by giving to =Chymists= a perfect
and fundamental information of this new-invented Art, that they may
no longer for the future spend their Time and Money in long tedious
Operations, but may after a more easie way, by the help of my Furnaces,
be able to effect many excellent things. Now this Book shall be divided
into Five Parts, the first whereof shall teach how to build a Furnace,
in which incombustible things are distilled and sublimed, and indeed
such things which cannot be done by Retort or any other Vessels, and
how the Spirits, Flowers, and Oyls of Minerals, and Metals may by the
help thereof be prepared, as also what their Use and Vertues are._
_In the Second Part shall be shewed another Furnace, in which
combustible things, as Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals are distilled
and most perfectly subtilized: by help whereof many most excellent
Medicaments for the cure of most grievous and otherwise incurable
diseases may be prepared._
_In the Third shall be taught a certain new invention hitherto unknown,
of distilling Burning Spirits, as of Wine, Corn, Fruits, Flowers, Herbs
and Roots; as also the Waters of Vegetables and Animals, and that in
a great quantity, in a short time, and without much costs; as also of
boyling Beer, Mead, Wine, and other things, which otherwise are made in
Copper or Iron Vessels; and all this by the help of Wooden Vessels, and
benefit of a certain small Copper, or Iron instrument of two or three
pound weight, and that after a certain easie manner without Furnaces.
This newly-invented Art doth also teach divers Chymical Operations, as
Putrefactions, Digestions, Circulations, Extractions, Abstractions,
Cohobations, Fixations, =&c.= And this invention is very necessary
and profitable for young beginners in this Art, for they need not in
the making of burning Spirits, Waters of Vegetables, Extracts, and
other Medicaments so many Furnaces, and so many Copper, Iron, Tin,
Earthen and Glass Vessels, for it is here taught how all the aforesaid
Operations may be done onely by the help of a certain small Copper or
Iron Instrument in Wooden Vessels as well as by Alembicks and other
great Copper Vessels, by which means a great deal of Costs is saved._
_In the Fourth Part shall be taught another certain, and hitherto
unknown Furnace, in which all Chymical Operations may most easily be
done: being most profitable for the trying of the Natures of Minerals
and Metals; as also for the proving, examining, melting, cupelling, and
separating of Metals, that nothing may be lost of them, and that after
a compendious and easie way, and also to great advantage._
_In the Fifth shall be taught how to make and prepare Iron, Earthen,
Glass, and other kind of Instruments necessary for the aforesaid four
Furnaces, as also other necessary, and most profitable Manuals._
_And in the First Part, the Fabrick of the first Furnace being
delineated, I shall also shew how by the help thereof may be made
Spirits, Oyls, Flowers, and other most profitable Medicaments, also
their Vertues and Use, and that as faithfully as I may, and without
fraud. And truly I do not doubt but those of understanding will approve
of this Work, but ignorant =Zoilus’s= will contemn it: For it is
said according to the Proverb, =He that builds by the highway, will
hear many things from them that find fault=, and especially from the
vulgar, =&c.= But it would be well if those =Thrasoes= would put forth
something more excellent, before they find fault with and carp at other
Mens pains and labours._
_Wherefore let no one rashly judge of this Work, untill he be throughly
informed concerning the same, and then I do not doubt but the Authour
shall be by him commended._
_And if haply all things shall not presently succeed well, to his mind,
with him that shall build this Furnace, and operate therewith, let him
think with himself that perhaps he hath erred in some part, (for it
is a new and unknown work, in which any one may easily err) and not
presently therefore murmur against the Authour, blaming him, because
he hath not wrote clear enough, but let him ascribe it to his own
ignorance, and let him study to understand the Authour’s meaning, and
still be practising upon it, and then I do not doubt, but he will have
better success, which I pray every one may have._ Amen.
The EXPLICATION of the Figures of the first Furnace in all its parts.
=FIG. I.= E. _The first Subliming-Pot, which is set into the upper
hole of the Furnace._ D. _The upper hole of the Furnace._ F. _The
second Pot._ G. _The third._ H. _The fourth._
=FIG. II.= A. _The Ash-hole, with the wideness of the Furnace._ B.
_The middle hole, by which the Coals and Matter to be distilled,
are cast in._ C. _A Stopper of Stone, which is to stop the said
hole after casting in the matter._ D. _The upper hole with a
certain false bottom, which is to be filled with Sand._ E. _The
Cover of the upper hole, which is put on after the putting in
the Coals and Materials._ F. _A Pipe going out of the Receiver,
and joyned to the first Pot._ G. _The first Receiver._ H. _The
second._ I. _The third._ K. _A Stool on which the first Receiver
stands, having a hole in the middle, through which the Neck of
the first Pot, to which a Dish is annexed, passeth._ L. _The
Dish through the Pipe whereof the refrigerated Spirits distill._
M. _A Receiver into which the Spirits collected in the Dish do
flow._ N. _A Screw to be raised higher at pleasure for the better
joyning the Receiver to the Pipe, and it goeth through a Stool._
O. _The place of the Pipe for the Distilling of Spirit of Vitriol
and Allom._ P. _A Grate consisting of two strong cross Iron
Barrs, fastned in the Furnace, and four or five more less, that
are moveable, for the better cleansing of the Furnace._
=FIG. III.= G. _The first crooked Pipe fitted to the Pipe of the
Furnace._ F. _The Pipe of the Furnace._ H. _A Receiver fitted
to that Pipe, and set in a Tub of water, for accellerating the
Operations: which Receiver hath a Cover with two holes, through
the first whereof goeth a single crooked Pipe, and through the
other two crooked Pipes, whereof one goeth into the Receiver,
as did the single, and the other out of the Receiver H, into
H. H._ I. _The Tub of Water._ M. _A third Pipe. By this way
Flowers are sublimed, and Spirits distilled speedily, and in
great quantity._
[Illustration: The Second Furnace.]
THE
FIRST PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces.
_Of the Structure of the First Furnace._
As for the first Furnace, it may be built greater or lesser as you
please, a regard being had of the quantity of the Matter to be
distilled, and also either round or square; either of Bricks, or by a
Potter with Potters Clay. Now when the Diameter is of one span, _viz._
withinside, the height must be of four, _viz._ one from the bottom
to the grate, another from the grate to the hole made for putting in
of Coals, and two from thence to the top of the Pipe, which must at
least go forth out of the Furnace one span, lest the receivers should
by the neerness of the Furnace be heated. The Pipe also must have on
the fore part a Diameter, answering the third part of the intrinsecal
Diameter of the Furnace; also a little larger on the hinder part than
the forepart. Let the grate be such an one, as may be taken out at
your pleasure and made clean, being stopt by the Matter that is cast
in and distilled: for it is easily stopt in distilling of Salts melted
with the coals, whereby the aire is kept from coming to the fire, and
the distillation by consequence hindred: Or let there be put into the
Furnace cross-wise two strong iron bars, upon which lay four or five
lesser, distant the one from the other the breadth of a finger, going a
little out of the Furnace, by which when they are stopt, you may take
them out with a pair of Tongs, and cleanse them from the burnt Matter,
and then again put them into their own places: wherefore also the
Furnace must on the fore part be open under the grate, that you may the
better order the grate.
Also the grate must have above, a covering of Iron or Stone, with a
hole in the middle thereof with a certain distinction, which is to be
filled with sand, that the cover may the better and more fitly shut the
hole, and prevent the exhaling of the spirits which by this means will,
being forced, go forth thorow the Pipe into the receivers, after you
have cast in the matter which is to be distilled.
_Of the Receivers._
Let the Receivers be made of glass, or of strong earth, which
may retain the spirits, and such is the Waldburgick, Hassiack,
Frechheimensian, Siburgic earth, _&c._ They are better that are made
of glass, if they are to be had, and those especially which are made
of strong and firm glass, which may be smoothed about the joints with
a Smiris stone, and so fitted that they may the better be joyned
together, and then they need not luteing (but how they shall be
smoothed with the Smiris stone, and be fitted, shall be taught in the
Fifth part, which treats of Manuals) because by this means they are
joyned so close, that no spirits can go through the joynts: otherwise
you must close the joynts with the best Lute, such as will not let the
spirits exhale, which shall be taught in the Book treating of Manuals.
The form of the recipient you may see in the delineation thereof. As
for the quantity thereof, know that by how much the greater they are,
so much the better they are, for then you need the fewer, but the more,
by how much the lesser they are. Let the superiour orifice be larger
than the inferiour, so that alwaies another receiver may with its
inferiour orifice be joyned to it, and let the inferiour orifice have a
Diameter of three fingers breadth, or thereabouts; I mean in case the
Diameter of the Furnace be of one span. For a greater Furnace requires
greater holes, as also orifices of the receivers, by which means a
sufficient and due proportion of air may be given to the fire: or if
the Diameter of the Furnace be more than a span, it must also have two
or three pipes (which being considered together, should have a wideness
answering the wideness of the third part of the Furnace, for so great
a wideness, and so much air is required, if the fire burn freely and
do its office) to which vessels of the aforesaid proportion must be
applyed, that the fire be not choaked.
Now, the Figure that is annexed will teach the conjunction of the
Receivers, as also their application to the Furnace. And, in the first
place, the Receiver stands in a three-foot stool bored thorow in
the middle, that the neck of the first Receiver may pass thorow, to
which is applyed a dish with a pipe receiving the dropping Spirits:
To the first there is joyned a Second, and to that a third, and so
consequently (_viz._ near unto a wall or ladder) so many as you please.
Let the upper Receiver, and indeed all the rest, be left open: To the
lower as hath been said, is joyned a dish with a pipe, by which the
distilled Spirits run down into another certain glass vessel added
thereunto, which being filled, is taken away, and another is set in the
place of it, because that is set under it without luting, and therefore
may easily be changed. And if you please to distil any thing else,
you may take away that dish with a pipe, and make it clean, and then
joyn it close again (that no spirit may breath forth) to the neck of
the lower receiver. And if that dish cannot be so closely joyned, that
nothing exhale, pour in a spoonful of Water, for that doth astringe,
neither doth it hurt the spirits, because in the rectifying it is
separated.
_Of the subliming Vessels._
These you need not make of glass, or of such earth as may retain the
spirits, as hath been above mentioned; it is sufficient, if so be they
be made of good common Potters earth, and be well glazed within, _viz._
of such a form and figure, as appears by the annexed delineation.
Yet you must chuse good earth that will endure the fire, for the lower
pots are so heated by the fire, that they would be broken if they
should not be made of good earth.
Now I will shew you in general the manner it self of distilling; as
also, the manual necessaries in every distillation.
_The manner of Distilling._
In the first place, let there be some burning Coals put in, which
afterwards must be covered with more until the Furnace be full almost
to the pipe, which being done, let not the uppermost cover be laid over
its hole (that the heat and smoak may pass that way, and not thorow
the pipe, and receivers, which will thereby be red hot; and this will
be a hindrance to the distillation) until the fire be sufficiently
kindled, and the Furnace be throughly hot; then cast in, with an Iron
ladle, of the matter prepared for distillation as much as will cover
the Coals, which being done, stop the Furnace very close, by pressing
down strongly the upper cover upon its hole or sand, which is put in
the lower part of the hole, being a place made for that purpose. Now
let him that casts in any thing thorow the middle hole, presently stop
it with a stopple of stone, and that very close, for by this means all
those things which were cast in, will be forced, after the manner of a
thick Cloud, to break forth through the pipe into the receivers, and
there to condense themselves into an acid spirit or oyl, and thence
to distil into the dish set under, through the pipe whereof they do
yet distil down further into another glass receiver. The Coals being
burnt out, and all the spirits being come forth, you must cast in more
Coals, and more materials, until you have got a sufficient quantity of
Spirits. In this way of distilling, you may at your pleasure cease,
and begin again without any danger.
When you will make clean the Furnace, you need do nothing else, then
draw out the Iron bars that lye on the cross bar, that the _Caput
Mortuum_ may fall down, which afterwards may be taken away with a
Fire-shovel, which being done, you must put in the bars again, and lay
them on the cross-bars as before, upon which you must cast burning
Coals, and upon them others, until there be enough, then on them all,
being well kindled, cast your materials.
When you go to make clean the receivers, and to begin to distil another
thing, you need not remove them, but only pour pure Water into them,
_viz._ by their upper receiver, by the descending whereof the other are
purified.
And by this way, not only out of Vegetables, and volatile Minerals
(incombustible) but also out of fixed Metals and Stones, spirits,
oyls, and flowers, are drawn forth wonderfully, easily, and in good
quantity, which otherwise could never have been done by the vulgar art
of distilling.
Now, in this Furnace are distilled only such materials, which being
distilled, yield an incombustible humidity, as common Salt, Vitriol,
Allom, and other Minerals and Metals, each of which doth yet require
their peculiar manuals, if operated upon.
Now, because this Furnace doth not serve for every matter, because
the materials to be distilled are cast upon burning Coals, which are
things Combustible, I have determined in the second part to give
another, _viz._ a lesser, unlike to this, yet convenient to distil all
combustible things that are endued with volatile spirits, as Tartar,
Harts-horn, Amber, Sal Armoniack, Urine, _&c._ There are, by the help
hereof, made most subtile, volatile, sulphureous spirits of Salts, and
Minerals, as of common Salt, Vitriol, Allom, Nitre, Antimony, and of
all other Minerals and Metals, which otherwise, without this Furnace,
could not have been made, with which spirits, wonderful things are
performed in Medicine and Alchymy, as in the Second Part shall be
demonstrated more largely.
Now I will shew you a way to make other Receivers belonging to the
first Furnace, and indeed, such as are more fit for some Operations,
as the former were more fit for others: wherefore let him that will
operate, chuse these, or the other, as he pleaseth.
As therefore the former being erected upwards by a wall, or ladder,
by which means the spirit might ascend from one into another so long,
until being refrigerated and condensed might again drop downward into
the dish that is annexed thereto: so these are a contrary way set and
placed collateral in a vessel filled with cold Water to condense the
spirits, by which means you need not so many receivers; also they must
not be fashioned like the former, as to be open above, and below, but
only above like pots that serve for boyling: but this you must observe,
that by how much the deeper and larger they are, by so much the better
they are.
Also you must joyn them together by the help of earthen pipes, being
so distinct, that the spirits may be kept back, being yet hot (and
not refrigerated) from passing out of one into the other, but being
forced through the middle of the separation of the pipes, may go to
the bottom of every receiver, and thence arise by another pipe into
another receiver that hath a double cover like the former, where again
descending to the cold bottom, remain refrigerated and condensed.
Now three or four of these are enough (whereas of other, thirteen or
fifteen are required) a regard being had of their Greatness.
You may see the figure of these receivers, as also their joyning
together by the annexed delineation. Now, for the most part, one is
sufficient for him that distils a few things, especially if the matter
be not pretious, and then let one crooked earthen pipe at least be
joyned, one arm with the pipe that goeth forth of the Furnace, the
other with the Receiver, but so that it go into the receiver downwards,
even to the middle thereof, and then you need not shut the orifice of
the receivers, for it is no great matter if somewhat evaporate, _viz._
if the matter to be distilled be not pretious. And by this way may
new spirits and new flowers be made every hour, with the help of one
Furnace, and one recipient, but with this caution, that for every new
distillation, the recipient be washed with Water before it be put to
the pipe; which being put to, you may then cast your species into the
Furnace; and this do till you have a sufficient quantity of spirits.
And this way of distillation serves especially for the trying of the
natures and properties of many and divers Minerals, such as yield in
the fire spirits and flowers. For it would be too tedious in every
new distillation to apply a new and distinct receiver: as also many
studious of the Chymical art would quit their study, being able to make
by retort but one tryal in a day. And no wonder if expences, and loss
of time should deter many.
Now here there is no need of many Retorts, nor of luting them, nor of
receivers, and such like superfluous things; neither is there here
required the constant presence of the operator, the observation of the
regiment of fire, the neglect whereof would otherwise endanger the loss
of the retorts and receivers, and by consequence the loss of labour.
These and such like tedious things are not here to be cared for,
because it is sufficient only to cast the Matter upon the coals, and
cover the Furnace, and then presently go forth the spirits, and flowers
of the same kind with their mineral: of which when thou hast got a
sufficient quantity, thou must draw out the Iron bars, upon which the
coals lye, that they may fall down, and be taken away; and whilst the
Furnace is yet hot, to put in the Iron bars again, and upon them to lay
fresh coals, which then will of their own accord be kindled with the
heat of the Furnace. In the mean time you must take away the receiver,
and make it clean and set it to again, or if you had rather put another
clean one, _viz._ for the new distillation of another Matter.
And by this way, divers things may be in the space of one hour
distilled, and sublimed, _viz._ in a small quantity. But he that will
distil, or sublime in a greater quantity, let him take three or four
pots that the spirits may pass from one into another, that nothing
thereof be lost. Here needs not (as I said before) the continual
presence of the operator, for he may be gone, cease, or repeat as he
please, because the work is without danger of breaking the retorts, and
receivers.
He that knows the use of this Furnace, may do many things in a short
time with little cost. For any one may do more by the help thereof in
one hour, than in the common way in twenty four, by which way also
there is a great saving of coals, because ten pound of coals will do
more this way than a hundred the other. As for example, he that will
try, shall make a pound of spirit of Salt in one hour with three, four,
or five pounds of coals; whereas after the other way are required fifty
of sixty pounds, and at least twenty or thirty hours time, _viz._ in
the common way by the help of retorts: which is indeed very tedious.
Also by this way may be made the flowers or minerals, and metals, in a
great quantity, very easily, and in a short time without great cost,
so as that in one hours space, with three or four pound of coals may a
pound of the flowers of Antimony be made. And this is no small help to
the Physitian, and Chymist.
Moreover this furnace being once built, endures for many years, and
being broken is easily repaired.
And by this way you shall need only materials to be distilled, no
retorts and receivers are in danger, by which means much cost is saved.
Besides the aforesaid ways, I have yet another, and that more
compendious, _viz._ of distilling, and subliming, and more easy, by
which means in a very little time, an incredible quantity of spirits of
Salts, and flowers of Minerals, and metals may be made; which I shall
refer till another time, because for the present I have said enough.
Now I do not doubt, but diligent Chymists will follow my steps, and
find out those things which are unknown to me. _For it is easier to add
to things found out, than to find out things unknown._
The construction therefore of the furnace being in my opinion clearly
shewed, there now follows the manner of distilling, and subliming with
it.
Although haply, and contrary to my hope any obscurity should be
met withal, yet one process will explain another: and the diligent
operator, and searcher of Nature shall without doubt, by his practise
attain the effect after the same manner as I have prescribed: which
together with the blessing of GOD, I heartily wish all pious Chymists,
_Amen_.
_How the Spirit of Salt is to be distilled._
The reason why I enter upon the spirit of salt, before I say any thing
of the spirits of vegetables, is this, _viz._ because it is even the
chiefest, which can be made in this furnace: for few exceed this in
strength and vertues; wherefore I also have given it the preeminency.
Neither is there any of the acid spirits, about which the Chymists
hitherto have been more busied, than this, wherefore also it is of
all, of greatest price, _&c._ for some have mixed salt with potters
clay, and have made this mixture into little balls, which they have
to get the spirit, forced by retort in a very strong fire: some have
mixed salt with bole, some with the powder of tyles, others with burnt
Allume, _&c._
Others using a more compendious way have made salt to flow in a retort,
which hath a pipe both in the upper, and hinder part; by the uper pipe
of which they have dropped in cold water, to elevate the ponderous
spirits of the salt, but by the hinder they have blown with Bellows, to
force the spirits into the retort: and this way is not altogether to be
slighted, yet it hath this inconveniency, that in process of time the
retorts are broken that they can no longer retain the salt, and so the
distillation is intercepted. Some have attempted it with Iron retorts,
but by this means the spirits have been deaded, because they easily set
upon the Iron, whence instead of spirit they have had flegme. And such,
and other tedious wayes of distilling they have invented; and by the
best of them indeed they could scarce distill one pound in 25. or 30.
hours space with 50. 60. or 100 pound of coals; this being the reason,
because the salt is very little wrought upon, and therefore it is that
few ever had the spirit right and good, whence also the vertues thereof
have been unknown.
And this therefore I was willing to make known, that it might appear,
what price this spirit hath hitherto been of, and how easie, and
abundantly, and with what little cost, it may after my new invented way
be made.
It is said above, that the materials may in this way of distilling be
immediately cast into the fire; yet this must be wisely understood. For
although some of the species may without any preparation be immediately
cast into the fire, yet it doth not follow that all and every one of
them must: for in some of them we must use our discretion, as in the
distilling of salt. For if the salt be immediately cast into the fire,
it will not only yield no spirits, but will leap so long upon the
coals, until it find a descent to the lowest part of the furnace: Now
this may be prevented divers wayes; and first indeed after this manner:
Dissolve salt in common water, then quench burning coals with this
water, that they may be impregnated with the salt, which afterwards set
on fire in the furnace: but you must first cast in other burning coals,
upon which you must cast those that are impregnated with salt untill
the furnace be full, as is above said: and while the coals burn, the
salt is resolved by the force of the fire into spirit.
Now you must observe that he that distils spirit of salt after this
manner, must make choice of glass receivers, because the spirit whilest
it is hot, penetrates by reason of its wonderful subtilty, those that
are earthen. And this spirit is of a most grateful taste. But in defect
of glass receivers, I shall shew you another way wherein you may use
those that be of earth.
Mix salt, and vitriol or allome together, grinding them very well in
a Morter (for by how much the better they are ground, the more Spirit
they yield.) Then cast this mixture into the fire with an Iron Ladle,
_viz._ so much of it as will be sufficient to cover the coals, and then
with a great fire the spirits come forth into the receivers, where
being coagulated, they distill down into the dish, and thence into
another receiver. And if thou knowest how to work aright, the spirits
will like water continually run out thorow the pipe, the thickness of
a straw; and thou mayest easily every hour make a pound of the spirit.
Now the reason why thou shalt by this way have more spirits than by the
other, is this, _viz._ because the vitriol and allome, which is mixed
with the salt, makes it flow quickly, by which means it is prevented
from falling down through the coals to the lower part of the furnace,
but sticking to the coals is almost all of it turned into spirits. The
_Caput Mortuum_, which is reddish, easily falls with the ashes through
the grate, and can no more be distilled, but yields by excoction a
white fixed salt, which serves for the flowing of metals; and being
dissolved in warm water serves also for a glyster against the Worms,
which it kills, and purgeth also the Bowels.
Thou wilt object, that the spirit made after this manner, is not the
true spirit of salt by reason of the mixture of vitriol and allome,
but mixed, and compounded. I answer; There can by this way distil no
spirit of vitriol, or allome, being that which I often tryed, casting
vitriol or allome into the furnace, where I received no spirit at
all; the reason of this is, because these spirits are far more heavy
than the spirit of salt, neither can they ascend so great a heighth,
_viz._ of three spans, but are burnt, whence unless the flegme, nothing
distils. Wherefore the spirit of salt that is made after this manner
is not mixed, but pure and meer spirit of salt, of the same tast and
vertue as that is of, that is made by it self; because in this furnace
the spirit of allome and vitriol, cannot be made unless a pipe go out
of the furnace neer the grate, as you may see by the delineation of the
furnace, for otherwise it cannot be made; besides, these spirit are
better, and more truly taught in the second part. And if it be granted
that somewhat together with the spirit of salt comes forth (which is
yet impossible) what hurt I pray you comes from thence either in the
solution of metals, or medicine? wherefore the spirit made after this
way is not to be suspected. Yet I will satisfie the incredulous, and
will shew him another way without the addition of allome or vitriol,
for the distilling of that spirit, but that will be in the second part
of this Book, where I will teach you the furnace, by which is made
spirit of Nitre, Aquafortis, and amongst combustibles, the Oyles of
vegetables, and Fats of animals and other things which cannot be made
by this: and by this way I will satisfie those, who are not pleased
with the former.
Now for want of glass receivers, we are forced to use earthen, but
these cannot retain the spirit of salt made after the aforesaid wayes,
in which case I could indeed discover a certain little manual, by
vertue of which the aforesaid spirit may be received even in a great
quantity in earthen recipients: but for certain causes I shall here be
silent, and shall refer it till the edition of the second part. Let it
suffice therefore that I mentioned such a thing, wherefore omitting
that, I shall proceed to shew you the vertues, and use of this spirit,
as well in Alchymy, as in Medicine, and other Mechanical Arts.
_Of the Use of the Spirit of Salt._
It is worth while, to speak of the power, and vertues of this excellent
spirit; what other Authors have clearly described, I shall here pass
over, and refer the Reader to the Writings of those Authors; touching
only on some few of which they said nothing.
The Spirit of salt is by most accounted a most excellent medicine, and
safely to be used, as well inwardly as outwardly: It extinguisheth
a preternatural thirst in hot diseases, abstergeth and consumeth
flegmatick humours in the Stomack, exciteth the Appetite, is good
for them that are hydropical, have the Stone, and Gout, _&c._ It is
a menstruum dissolving metals, excelling all other therein: For it
dissolveth all metals and minerals (excepting silver) and almost
all stones (being rightly prepared) and reduceth them into excellent
medicaments. It doth also many excellent things in mechanical arts.
Neither is it to be slighted in the kitchen, for with the help thereof
are prepared divers pleasant meats for the sick as well as for those
that are in health, yea and better than with Vinegar, and other acid
things: and it doth more in a small quantity, than Vinegar in a great.
But especially, it serves for those Countries that have no Vinegar. It
is used also instead of Verjuice, and the juice of Lymons. For being
prepared after this way, it is bought at a cheaper rate than Vinegar or
juice of Lymons. Neither is it corruptible as expressed juices are, but
is bettered by age. Being mixed with Sugar it is an excellent sauce for
roast meat. It preserves also divers kinds of Fruits for many years. It
makes also Raisins, and dryed Grapes to swell, so as to acquire their
former magnitude again, which are good to refresh a weak Stomach in
many diseases, and serves for the preparing of divers kinds of meats of
Flesh and Fish; but you must mix some water with the spirit, or else
the Raisins will contract too much acidity. This spirit doth especially
serve for making meats delightfully acid; for whatsoever things are
prepared with it, as Chickens, Pigeons, Veale, _&c._ are of a more
pleasant taste than those which are prepared with Vinegar. Beef being
macerated with it, becomes in a few dayes so tender, as if it had been
a long time macerated with Vinegar. Such, and many more things can the
Spirit of Salt do.
_A distillation of Vegetable Oyles, whereby a greater quantity is
acquired, than by that common way, by a Vesica._
As many Distillers as hitherto have been, have been ignorant of a
better way to distill Oyles of Spices, Woods, and Seeds, than by a
vesica or alembick, with a great quantity of water. And altho’ they may
also be made by retort, yet there is a great deal of care required, or
else they contract an _Empyreuma_; wherefore that way, by a still, is
alwayes accounted the better, which way indeed is not to be slighted,
if you distill Vegetables of a low price, and such as be oleaginous;
but not so in the distillation of Spices, and of other things that are
of a greater value, as are Cinnamon, Mace, Saffron, _&c._ which cannot
be distilled in a gourd still without loss, because then there is
required a great quantity of water, and by consequence great, and large
vessels, to which something adheres, wherefore we lose almost half,
which is not to be so much valued in vegetables that are oleaginous,
as in Annisseed, Fennel, and Caryoway-seed, _&c._ But the loss made in
the distilling of dryer and dearer vegetables, as of Cinnamon, _Lignum
Rhodii_, _Cassia_, is evident enough, and by consequence not to be
slighted. Neither can it be, that all things can be distilled that way,
for a good quantity by coction acquireth a gummy tenaciousness, which
cannot ascend with the water. But that this way for the future may be
prevented, I will shew another way to distill the Oyles of Spices, and
other precious things, which is done with spirit of salt, whereby all
the Oyle is drawn forth without any loss, the process whereof is this,
_viz._ Fill a gourd with Cinnamon or any other Wood, or Seed, upon
which pour so much of the spirit of salt, as will be sufficient to
cover the wood, then place it with its Alembick in Sand, and give it
fire by degrees that the spirit of salt may boyl, and all the Oyle will
distill off with a little flegme; for the spirit of salt doth with its
acrimony penetrate the wood, and freeth the Oyle that it may distill
off the better and easier. And by this way the Oyle is not lost by
the addition of that great quantity of water in those great and large
vessels, but is drawn in lesser glass vessels with the addition of a
little moysture. Distillation being finished the spirit is poured off
by inclination from the wood, being again useful for the same work. And
if it hath contracted any impurity from the wood, it may be rectified:
but the residue of the spirit which remains in the wood ye may recover,
if that wood be cast into the aforesaid furnace upon burning coals, by
which means it may come forth again pure, and clear: and by this means
we lose none of the spirit of Salt. And after this way by help of the
spirit of Salt, are drawn forth Oyls of dearer Vegetables together with
their Fruit, which cannot be done by a still.
There are made also by means thereof Oyles of Gumms and Rosins, clear,
and perspicuous.
_The clear Oyle of Mastick, and Frankincense._
Take of Frankincense or Mastick powdered small, as much as will serve
to fill the third part of a Retort (which must be coated) upon which
pour a sufficient quantity of spirit of Salt, taking heed that the
Retort be not filled too full, or else the spirit when it boyles, flows
over it, then place it in sand, and give fire by degrees, and there
will first come out some phlegme, after which a clear transparent oyle
together with the spirit of salt, which must be kept by it self, after
this a certain yellow Oyle which must be received by it self, and last
of all there follows a red Oyle, which altho’ it is not to be cast
away, yet it is very unlike to the first, serving for outward uses,
and to be mixed with Oyntments and Emplasters, for it doth wonderfully
consolidate, and therefore good in new and old Wounds. The first being
well rectified, is in its subtilty, and penetrating faculty not unlike
to spirit of wine, and may profitably be used inwardly and outwardly,
_viz._ in cold affects, but especially in the stiffness of the Nerves,
caused by cold humors, upon which follows a contraction; but then you
must first rub the member contracted with a linnen cloath, that it may
be well warmed, into which then the Oyle must be chafed with a warm
hand. For it doth do wonders in such like affects of the Nerves.
After the same manner may Oyles be made out of all gumms. The red,
tenacious and stinking Oyles of Tartar, Harts-horn, Amber, _&c._
distilled after the common way by retort are also rectified with
spirit of salt so as to become transparent and to lose the _Empyreuma_
contracted by distillation.
Now the cause of the blackness, and fetidness of these kind of Oyles,
is a certain volatile salt which is to be found as well in Vegetables,
as certain Animals, which is easily mixed with the Oyle, and makes it
of a brown colour. For every volatile salt whether it be of Urine,
Tartar, Amber, Harts-horn, and of other Vegetables and Animals, is
of this condition and nature, as to exalt, and alter the colours of
sulphureous things, and that either for the worse or for the better:
but for the most part it makes Oyles thick, black and stinking, as you
may see in Amber, Harts-horn, and Tartar. The cause therefore of the
blackness, and fetidness of these Oyles being known we may the more
easily take heed thereof in distilling, and being contracted, correct
them again by the help of spirit of Salt. For all volatile salt hath
contrariety to any acid spirit, and on the other side, every acid
spirit hath a contrariety with all volatile salts, that have the nature
of salt of Tartar. For metals that are dissolved with acid spirits are
as well precipitated with spirit of Urine, or any volatile salt as with
the liquor of salt of Tartar; which shall be more at large declared in
the second part.
The volatile salt therefore is by the mortifying acid spirits, as of
Salt, Vitriol, Allom, Vinegar, _&c._ deprived of its volatility, and
is fixed, by which means being debilitated it forsakes its associate
which was infected with blackness by it: it is necessary that we should
proceed after the same manner with these fetid Oyles, _viz._ as follows.
Take any fetid Oyle of Tartar, Amber, _&c._ with which fill the fourth
part only of a glass Retort, and upon it pour by drops the spirit of
salt; and it will begin to be hot, as it is used to be, when Aqua
fortis is poured on salt of Tartar; wherefore the spirit is to be
poured on it by little and little, and by drops for fear of breaking
the glass: Now the signe of the mortification of the volatile salt
is, when it ceaseth to make a noise, and then no more is to be poured
on, but set your Retort in sand, & give fire to it by degrees, as
is used to be done in the rectifying things of easie elevation: and
first of all will go forth a certain stinking water, after which comes
a transparent clear, and odoriferous Oyle, and after that a certain
yellow, clear, and also well smelling Oyle, but not so as the first,
wherefore each must be taken a part by changing the receivers. Now
these Oyles become more grateful than those fetid ones of the shops.
For these Oyles retain their clearness, and fairness, the cause of
their fetidness, and redness being taken away by the spirit of salt.
In the bottom of the Retort remains the black volatile salt with the
spirit of salt, from whence it may be sublimed into an odoriferous salt
resembling salt armoniack in tast. The spirit of salt is also deprived
of its acidity, and coagulated by the volatile salt, and is like
_tartarum vitriolatum_, appointed also for its uses, as shall be spoken
in the second part, of the spirit of Urine.
After the same manner also are rectified other Oyles, which by length
of time have contracted a clamminess, as are Oyle of Cinnamon, Mace,
Cloves, _&c._ with the spirit of Salt, if they be rectified by Retort,
for then they acquire again both the same clearness, and goodness, as
they had when they were newly distilled.
Here I must make mention of a certain error of Physitians, not only
of ignorant Galenists but Spagyricks, committed in the preparations
of some Chymical medicaments. For many have perswaded themselves that
Oyle of Tartar, Harts-horn, _&c._ having lost its stink, is a Medicine
radically taking away all obstructions; but this must be taken with
a grain of salt. For some have rectified these kinds of Oyles by
calcined Vitriol, and by that means have somewhat made them lose their
_Empyreuma_, but with all their Vertues; which others observing have
conceived that the fetidness thereof is not to be taken away, because
the Vertue of them is thereby lost, as if the Vertue consisted in the
fetidness thereof; but that is a very great error, because fetidness
is an enemy to the heart and brain, and in it is no good. But this is
granted, that they that take away the fetidness of those Oyles mortifie
the vertues of them. But thou sayst, How then must we proceed in taking
away their fetidness without the loss of the vertues? Must they be
rectified by the spirit of salt? as even now thou taughtest. R. No,
for although I said that Oyles might be clarified with spirit of salt,
yet it doth not follow that my meaning was, that that clarification
was the mending of them: This is only a way of clarification, whereby
they become more grateful; and it is not to be slighted, a better
being unknown. But how they are to be rectified from their fetidness
and blackness, without the loss of their Vertues, and to be made more
noble, doth not belong to this place, because it cannot be done by this
Furnace: I shall refer the reader therefore to the second part, where
it shall be shewed, how such spirits are to be rectified without the
loss of their vertues, which being so prepared may well be accounted
for the fourth Pillar of Physick. And these things I was willing at
least for information sake to shew you, not to offend you, and that
because I was moved with pity, and compassion towards my neighbour.
_The Quintessence of all Vegetables._
Pour upon Spices, Seeds, Woods, Roots, Fruits, Flowers, _&c._ the
Spirit of Wine well rectified, place them in digestion to be extracted,
untill all the essence be extracted, with the Spirit of Wine; then upon
this Spirit of Wine, being impregnated, pour the best Spirit of Salt;
and being thus mixed together, place them in Balneo to digest, untill
the Oyle be separated, and swim above from the Spirit of Wine, then
separate it with a separating glass, or distill off the Spirit of Wine
in Balneo, and a clear Oyle will ascend; for if the Spirit of Wine be
not abstracted, then that Oyle will be as red as blood; and it is the
true quintessence of that vegetable, from whence by the Spirit of Wine
it was extracted.
_The Quintessence of all Metals and Minerals._
Dissolve any metal (excepting Silver, which must be dissolved in Aqua
fortis) in the strongest spirit of Salt, and draw off the flegme in
Balneo; to that which remains pour the best rectified spirit of Wine,
put it to digesting, untill the Oyle be elevated to the top as red as
blood, which is the tincture, and quintessence of that metal, being a
most Precious treasure in medicine.
_A sweet and red Oyle, of Metals and Minerals._
Dissolve a Metal or Mineral in spirit of Salt, dissolve also an equal
weight of salt of Wine essentificated; mix these dissolutions, and
distill them by retort in a gradual heat, and there will come out an
oyle sweet, and as red as blood, together with the spirit of Salt; and
sometimes the neck of the retort and receiver will be coloured like a
Peacocks tail with divers colours, and sometimes with a golden colour.
And because I would without any difference comprehend all Metals
and Minerals under one certain general process; let him that would
make the essence of silver take the spirit of nitre, and proceed in
all things as was spoken of the other metals. Concerning the use of
these essences, I need not speak much thereof; for to him that knows
the preparation shall be discovered the use thereof. Concerning the
corrosive oyles of metals and minerals, seeing they cannot be described
by any one process, it will be worth while to set down what is peculiar
to each of them, as followeth.
_The Oyle, or Liquor of Gold._
Dissolve the calx of gold in the spirit of salt, (which must be very
strong, or else it cannot dissolve it) but in defect of the strongest
spirit thereof, mix a little of the purest salt-peter; but that oyle
is the best which is made with the spirit of salt alone. From the
gold dissolved abstract half the solution, and there will remain a
corrosive oyle, upon which pour the expressed juice of lemons, and the
dissolution will become green, and a few feces fall to the bottom,
which may be reduced in melting. This being done, put this green liquor
in Balneo, and draw off the flegme: that which remains take out, and
put upon a marble in a cold moist place, and it will be resolved into
a red oyle, which may safely, and without danger be taken inwardly,
curing those that are hurt with Mercury. But especially it is commended
in old ulcers of the mouth, tongue, and throat, arising from the French
pox, leprosy, scorbute, _&c._ where the oyl of other things cannot be
so safely used. There is not a better medicine in the exulceration, and
swelling of the glandules, in the ulcers of tongue and jaws, which doth
sooner mundify, and consolidate. Neither yet must we neglect necessary
purgings, and sudorificks, for fear of a relapse, the cause not being
taken away.
Neither will there any danger follow, whether it be given inwardly,
or used outwardly, as in the accustomed use of other medicaments, and
gargarisms; for it may daily, and truly without all danger be used at
least three times with a wonderful admiration of a quick operation.
_Oyle of_ Mars.
Dissolve thin plates of Iron in rectified spirit of salt, take the
solution, which is green, of a sweet tast, and smelling like fetid
sulphur; and filter it from that filthy and feculent residence: then in
a glass gourd in sand, abstract all the humidity (_viz._ with a gentle
fire) which will be as insipid as rainwater, because the iron by reason
of its dryness, hath attracted all the acidity to it self: but in the
bottom will remain a mass as red as blood, burning the tongue like
fire: it takes away all proud flesh of wounds, and that without all
danger. It is to be kept in a glass close stopt from the air, lest it
be resolved into an oyle, which will be of a yellow colour. But he that
desires to have the oyle, may set it on a marble in a moist Cellar, and
within a day it will be resolved into an oyle, which will be in colour
betwixt yellow and red: It is a most excellent secret in all corroding
ulcers, fistulas, cancer, _&c._ being an incomparable consolidator, and
mundifyer. And it is not without profit mixed also with common water
to wash the moist, fetid ulcers of the leggs; which cause tumours, by
being applyed warm like a bath, for it dryes, and heals suddenly, if
withal Purges be administred. It cures also any scab. That red mass
(being yet unresolved) being put on the oyle of sand, or flints (of
which in the second part) makes a tree to grow in the space of one or
two hours, having root, trunk, and boughs: which being taken out, and
dryed, in the test yields good gold, which that tree extracts from the
earth, _i. e._ from the flints, or sand. Thou mayst if thou pleasest,
more accurately examine this matter.
_Oyle of_ Venus.
Spirit of Salt doth not easily work upon Copper, unless it be first
reduced into a calx, and that after this manner. Take plates of Copper
made red hot in an open crucible, quench them in cold water, and they
will cleave into red scales: then the remainders of the plates make
red hot, and quench as before: do this so often, till thou hast got
a sufficient quantity of the calx; which being dryed, and powdered,
extract with the rectified spirit of salt, in sand, until the spirit
of salt be sufficiently coloured with a green tincture, which you must
decant, and filter; and then abstract from it the superfluous moisture,
that there may remain a green thick oyle, which is an excellent remedy
for ulcers, especially such as are Venereal, being applyed outwardly.
_Oyle of_ Jupiter _and_ Saturn.
Neither are these two metals easily dissolved in the spirit of salt,
yet being filed, are dissolved in the best rectified spirit of salt.
But the operation is performed better with the flowers of these metals
(the preparation whereof shall be hereafter taught.) Take therefore
the flowers, upon which in a gourd glass pour the spirit of salt, and
presently the spirit will work upon them, especially being set in a
warm place; filter the yellow solution, and abstract the humidity,
until there remain a yellow heavy oyle, which is proper against putrid
ulcers.
_Oyle of_ Mercury.
Neither is this easily dissolved with the spirit of salt: but being
sublimed with vitriol, and salt is easily dissolved. Being dissolved,
it yields an oyle very corrosive, which must be used with discretion,
wherefore it is not to be administred, unless it be where none of the
other are to be had. For I saw a woman suddenly killed with this oyle,
being applyed by a certain Chyrurgeon. But this oyle is not to be
slighted in eating ulcers, tetter, _&c._ which are mortified by it.
_Oyle of Antimony._
Crude Antimony that hath never undergone the fire, is hardly dissolved
in spirit of salt: as also the _Regulus_ thereof; but the _Regulus_
being subtilly poudered, is more easily wrought upon, in case the
spirit be sufficiently rectified.
The _Vitrum_ is more easily, but most easily of all the flowers are
dissolved, being such as are made after our prescription a little after
set down. Neither is _Butyrum Antimonii_ (being made out of sublimed
Mercury, and Antimony) any thing else but the _Regulus_ of Antimony
dissolved with spirit of salt; for sublimed Mercury being mixed with
Antimony, feeling the heat of the fire, is forsaken by the corrosive
spirits associating themselves with the Antimony, whence comes the
thick Oyle; whilest which is done the sulphur of Antimony is joyned to
the Quick-silver, and yields a Cinnabar, sticking to the neck of the
Retort; but the residue of the Mercury remains in the bottom with the
_Caput Mortuum_, because a little part thereof doth distill off: And
if thou hast skill thou mayst recover the whole weight of the Mercury
again.
And these things I was willing the rather to shew thee, because many
think this is the oyle of Mercury, and therefore that white powder made
thence by the pouring on of abundance of water they call _Mercurius
vitæ_, with which there is no mixture at all of Mercury, for it is
meer Regulus of Antimony dissolved with spirit of Salt, which is again
separated, when the water is poured on the Antimonial butter; as is
seen by experience; For that white pouder being dryed, and melted in a
crucible yields partly a yellow Glass, and partly also a Regulus, but
no Mercury at all.
Whence it doth necessarily follow that that thick oyle is nothing else
but Antimony dissolved in spirit of Salt. For the flowers of Antimony
being mixed with spirit of Salt, make an oyle in all respects like to
that butter which is made of Antimony, and sublimated Mercury, which
also is after the same manner by the affusion of a good quantity of
water precipitated into a white pouder, which is commonly called
_Mercurius vitæ_: It is also by the same way turned into _Bezoardicum
mineral_, _viz._ by abstracting the spirit of Nitre, and it is nothing
else but Diaphoretick Antimony.
For it is all one whether that Diaphoretick be made with spirit of
Nitre, or with Nitre it self, _viz._ corporeal, for these have the same
vertues, although some are of opinion that that is to be preferred
before the other; but the truth is, there is no difference. But let
every one be free in his own judgment, for those things which I have
wrote, I have not Writ out of ambition, but to find out the truth.
Now again to our purpose, which is to shew an oyle of Antimony made
with the spirit of salt.
Take a pound of the flowers of Antimony (of which a little after)
upon which pour two pound of the best rectified spirit, mix them well
together in a glass, and set them in sand a day and night to dissolve,
then pour out that solution together with the flowers into a retort
that is coated, which set in sand, and first give a gentle fire, untill
the flegme be come off, then follows a weak spirit with a little
stronger fire, for the stronger spirits remain in the bottom with the
Antimony: then give a stronger fire, and there will come forth an oyle
like to the butter of Antimony made with sublimed Mercury, and is
appropriated to the same uses, as follows.
_The flowers of Antimony, White and Vomitive._
Take of this butter as much as you please, upon which in a glass gourd,
or any other large glass pour a great quantity of water until the white
flowers will precipitate no more; then decant off the water from the
flowers, which edulcorate with warm water, and dry with a gentle heat,
and thou shalt have a white pouder.
The Dose is, that 1. 2. 3. 8. 10. grains be macerated for the space of
a night in wine, which is to be drank in the morning, and it worketh
upward and downward. But it is not to be given to children, those
that be old, and weak, but to those that be strong, and accustomed to
vomiting. When at any time this infusion is taken and doth not work,
as sometimes it falls out, but makes the Patient very sick, he must
provoke vomiting with his finger, or else it will not work, but make
those that have taken it to be sick, and debilitated even to death. We
must also in the over much working of these flowers drink a draught of
warm Beer, or rather of warm Water, decocted with Chervil, or Parsly,
and they will work more mildly. But let not him that is able to bear
the operation thereof any way hinder it, for there is the greater hope
of recovering his health thereby, for they do excellently purge choler,
and evacuate flegme in the Stomack, being humors that will not yield
to other Catharticks; they open obstructions, resist the putrefaction
of the blood, the causes of many diseases, such as are Feavers,
Head-aches, _&c._ they are good for them that are Leprous, Scorbutical,
Melancholical, Hypochondriacal, infected with the French-Pox, and in
the beginning of the Plague. In brief, they do work gallantly, and do
many things.
After the taking of them, the Patient must stay in his bed or at least
not go forth of his house, for to avoid the aire, or otherwise they may
be mistrusted.
And because of their violence they are feared, and hated, I shall in
the fourth part of this Book for the sake of the sick set down such as
are milder, and safer, such as shall work rather downward than upward,
causing easie vomits, which also thou mayest give to children, and
those that are old without danger, yet some respect being had of the
disease, and age.
_The flowers of Antimony diaphoretical._
The foresaid flowers if they be cast into melted Nitre, and be left a
while in melting, are made fixt, so as to become Diaphoretical, and
lose their Cathartical Vertue. The acid water being separated from the
flowers, if it be evaporated, leaves behind the best spirit of salt,
serving for the same or such like uses again.
_Of the External use of the Corrosive Oyle of Antimony._
This oyle hath been long used by Chirurgions, for they have with a
feather applyed it to wounds almost uncurable, to separate impurities,
for the acceleration of the cure, that afterwards other medicaments
being applyed may the better operate. But it is better if it be mixed,
with spirit of Salt, for they are easily mixed and it is made more mild
thereby, and the too great corrosive faculty thereof is mitigated.
Neither is there any other besides the spirit of Salt, with which
this oyle can be mixed, unless it be the strongest spirit of Nitre,
for the weak spirit of Nitre precipitates the butter of Antimony, as
you may see in the preparation of _Bezoardicum Minerale_. But the
strongest spirit of nitre dissolving this butter, makes a red solution
of wonderfull Vertue in Chymistry, of which we are not to treat in
this place; and if this be drawn off again by distillation, it leaves
behind the first time a fixed Antimony, and Diaphoretical, which
otherwise must be drawn off twice, or thrice, _viz._ if it be weak, and
not able to dissolve the butter without precipitation.
Now this _Bezoardicum_ is the best, and safest Diaphoretick in all
diseases that require sweat, as in the plague, French pox, feavers,
scorbute, leprosy, _&c._ if it be given from 6. 8. 10. to twenty grains
in proper vehicles; it penetrates the whole body, and evacuates all
evil humours by sweat and urine.
_The Oyl of =Arsenic= and =Auripigmentum=._
As the spirit of salt doth not easily work upon Antimony by reason of
the abundance of crude sulphur, unless it be reduced into flowers,
in the preparation whereof, some part of its sulphur is burnt; so
also _Arsenic_ and _Auripigmentum_ are hardly dissolved with spirit
of salt, unless they be reduced into flowers, and the spirit of
salt be very strong, which may be able to work upon it. These may
be distilled by retort like Antimony into a thick heavy oyl; which
being used in cancrous eating ulcers, exceeds that of Antimony in
mortifying, mundifying, and purging those evils. After the same manner
may corrosive oyls be made out of all the realgars being ordained for
outward uses.
_Oyl of_ Lapis Calaminaris.
Take of the best yellow or red _Lapis Calaminaris_ very subtilly
powdered, as much as you please, and pour upon it five or six times
as much of rectified spirit of salt, mix and stir them well together,
and do not leave them long unstirred, but ever and anon shake the
glass with the materials; and this do oftentimes, or else the _Lapis
Calaminaris_ will grow together into a very hard stone, which can be
dissolved no more, and is prevented by the aforesaid often shaking: and
when the spirit of salt will dissolve no more thereof in _frigido_,
set the glass in warm sand so long, until the spirit be tinged with a
most yellow colour, which then decant, and pour on fresh, and again
set it in digestion to extract, and do not forget to shake the glass
often. The solution being finished filter it, and cast away the
residue of the _terra mortua_. Afterwards set the solution in sand,
and give fire, and almost three parts of the spirit of salt will go
over insipid, which is nothing but the flegme, although the spirit was
never so well rectified; the reason whereof is the most dry nature of
_lapis calaminaris_, to which the spirit of salt is very friendly,
and therefore very hard to be separated from it. For I never knew any
mineral or metal (beside _Zinck_) which exceeds _lapis calaminaris_ in
dryness. At last when no more flegm will go over, let all things cool;
which being done, take out the glass, and thou shalt find a red thick
oyl, as fat as oyl olive, and not very corrosive; for that spirit of
salt being almost mortified with the _lapis calaminaris_ is deprived of
its acidity. This oyl is to be kept from the air; or else within a few
dayes it attracts much air which it converts into water, and thereby
becomes weakened.
This Oyl is of wonderful Vertue, being used as well inwardly as
outwardly. And I wonder that in so long a time there hath been no body,
who hath operated in _lapis calaminaris_ and described the nature
thereof, seeing it hath in it a golden sulphur (of which thing in the
fourth Part) for if the terrestreity thereof were separated from it
artificially, pure gold would be manifested therein; now the greatest
part thereof is volatile, and immature, and cannot easily be reduced
into a body in melting, wherefore hitherto that stone hath not been
esteemed of by Chymists, but to the wise was alwayes pretious, _&c._
_The use of the Oyl of_ Lapis Calaminaris.
If it be given from 1. 2. 3. drops to ten, and fifteen with sutable
vehicles, it purgeth the dropsy, leprosy, gout, and other noxious
fixed humors not yielding to vegetable Catharticks, of which more at
large in the second Part of the spirit of urine and salt of tartar. It
serves outwardly for an excellent vulnerary balsome, the like to which
can scarce be shewed, not only in reducing old corrupt wounds, but
also in those that are green, for it doth powerfully dry, mundify, and
consolidate.
It is also used in houshold affairs, for birdlime being dissolved in
it, yields a certain tenacious matter serving to catch birds, mice,
_&c._ about the house or in the field. For it is as permanent in the
heat of the Sun, as in the cold of Winter, wherefore it may be used
at any time of the year; all small animals stick to it if they do but
touch the matter.
A ligature or string smeered therewith, and bound about any tree
prevents the spiders from climbing up thereon, and other kinds of
insects that are noxious to the fruit; a thing worth taking notice of.
This oyl is not by the pouring on of water corrupted, neither is it
precipitated, as that of Antimony: wherefore it is useful for many
things. Common yellow sulphur boyled in it, _viz._ in a strong fire, so
as to be dissolved in it, swims upon it like fat, is thereby purified
and made as transparent as yellow pellucid glass, and a better medicine
than those common flowers of sulphur: it serves also for other uses,
all which to relate here it would be too tedious.
This oyl being mixed with clean sand, and distilled by retort in
a fire that is very strong (otherwise the spirit of salt will not
leave the _lapis calaminaris_) yields a most fiery spirit, the _lapis
calaminaris_ remaining in the bottom of the retort.
This spirit is so strong, that it can scarce be kept; it dissolves
all metals, and all minerals (excepting silver and sulphur) wherefore
by the help thereof many excellent medicaments are made, which cannot
be made with the common spirit though never so well rectified, which
although it be often rectified, yet it is not without flegm, which
cannot be separated from it by the power of rectification, so well as
with _lapis calaminaris_.
This spirit doth perform many things in medicine, & alchymy, as also in
other arts, as you may easily conjecture; but here is not opportunity
to speak more of these things, yet for the sake of the sick I shall
add one thing, to which few things are to be compared; the plain &
short process whereof I would not have thee be offended at. And it is
this, _viz._ mix this spirit with the best rectifyed spirit of wine,
digest this mixture some while, and the spirit of salt will separate
the spirit of wine, and will make the oyl of wine swim on the top, the
volatile salt being mortified: and this oyl is a most incomparable
cordial, especially if with the said spirit of wine, spices have first
been extracted, and with the said spirit of salt, gold hath been
dissolved. For then in the digestion of this mixture, the oyl of wine
being separated, attracts the essence of the cordial species, and of
other vegetables, being extracted before with the spirit of wine, as
also the tincture of gold, and so by consequence a most efficacious
incomparable and universal medicine for all diseases, fortifying the
_Humidum radicale_, that it may be able to overcome its enemies; for
which let praise and glory be given to the immortal God for ever who
hath revealed to us so great secrets.
_Of the Extrinsecal use of the spirit of Salt in the Kitchen._
I said before that instead of Vinegar, and verjuice it may be used, as
also instead of the juice of Limons, now it remains that I shew you how
it is to be used, and that indeed as well for the sake of the healthy
as the sick.
Let him therefore that will dress a pullet, pigeons, veal, _&c._ in the
first place put a sufficient quantity of spices, of water, and butter,
and then as he pleaseth a greater, or lesser quantity of spirit of
salt: and by this means fleshes are sooner made ready being boyled,
then that common way; an old hen though the flesh thereof be old is
made as tender as a chicken by the addition of this spirit: but he that
will use it instead of the juice of Limons with rost meat, must put
into it the pill of Limons for preservation sake, because it preserves
it. It is used instead of verjuice by it self alone, or mixed with a
little sugar, if it be too acid.
He that will stew beef, and make it as tender as kid, must first
dissolve in it tartar and a little salt before he wets the flesh
therewith, and the flesh will not only be preserved but made tender
thereby: but to keep flesh a long time you must mix some water
therewith, and with weights press down the flesh, that it may be
covered with the pickle: for by this means flesh may be preserved a
great while.
After the same manner may all kinds of garden fruits be preserved, as
cucumbers, purslain, fennel, broom, German capers, _&c._ and indeed
better than in vinegar. Also flowers, and hearbs may a long while be
preserved by the help thereof, so that you may have a rose all the
winter.
It preserves also wine, if a little be mixed therewith. A little
thereof being mixed with milk precipitates the cheese, which if it be
rightly made is never corrupted, being like to such cheese as they call
_Parmesan_. The whey of that milk dissolves Iron, and cures any scab
being washed therewith.
With the help of spirit of salt is made with honey, and sugar a most
pleasant drink, not unlike to wine. There is made also of certain
fruits with the spirit of salt a very good vinegar like to the Rhenish
vinegar. Such and many more things, which I will not now divulge, may
be done with spirit of salt.
And thus have I in some measure taught the use of the spirit of salt,
which I would not have you take as if I had revealed all things; for,
brevities sake, as also for some other reasons I have silently passed
over many things. Neither do I know all things my self: but those
things, which I do know, I have so far declared that others may from
thence have hints of seeking further. He that would describe all, and
every power and vertue thereof, had need to write a whole volum, the
which is not my purpose at this time to do, but may perhaps be done
another time. There shall also be shewed in the second part of this
book, some secrets which may be prepared by the help of this spirit: as
how it may be dulcified to extract the tincture of gold, and of other
metals, leaving a white body, which tincture is a medicine not to be
slighted. Wherefore now seeing it is manifest how great things this
spirit can do, every one will desire a good quantity for his houshold
uses, especially seeing most excellent spirits may be made after an
easie and short way.
_How an acid spirit, or vinegar may be distilled out of all
vegetables, as hearbs, woods, roots, seeds_, &c.
First put a few living coals into the furnace, then put upon them the
wood that is to be distilled, that it may be burnt: out of which whilst
it is burning goes forth the acid spirit thereof into the receiver,
where being condensed it falls down into another receiver, resembling
almost common vinegar in its smell, wherefore also it is called the
_vinegar of woods_.
And after this manner you may draw forth an acid spirit out of any
wood, or vegetable, and that in a great quantity without costs, because
the wood to be distilled is put but upon a very few living coals,
and upon that another, for one kindles the other; and this spirit
requires no more charges than of the wood to be distilled; which is a
great difference betwixt this, and the common way of distilling, where
besides retorts, is required another fire; and out of a great retort
scarce a pound of spirit is drawn in the space of five or six hours;
whereas in ours in the space of one day, and that without any cost or
labor may be extracted twenty or thirty pound, because the wood is
immediately to be cast into the fire to be distilled, and that not in
pieces, but whole. Now this spirit (being rectified) may commodiously
be used in divers Chymical operations, for it doth easily dissolve
animal stones, as the eyes of Crabs, the stones of Perches, and Carps,
Corals also and Pearl, _&c._ as doth vinegar of wine. By means thereof
also are dissolved the glasses of metals, as of tin, lead, Antimony,
and are extracted, and reduced into sweet oyles.
This vinegar being taken inwardly of it self doth cause sweat
wonderfully, wherefore it is good in many diseases, especially that
which is made of Oak, Box; Guaiacum, Juniper, and other heavy woods;
for by how much the heavier the woods are, by so much the more acid
spirit do they yield.
Being used outwardly it mundifies ulcers, wounds, consolidates,
extinguisheth, and mitigates inflammations caused by fire, cures the
scab, but especially the decoction being made of its own wood in the
same. Being mixed with warm water for a bath for the lower part of the
body, it cures occult diseases of women; as also malignant ulcers of
the leggs.
This spirit therefore deserves some place in the shops, _i. e._ it
is unjustly rejected in the shops, seeing it is easie to be made. In
distilling of wormwood and other vegetables, there remaines in the
bottom of the furnace ashes, which being extracted with warm water
yields a salt by decoction, which being again dissolved in its own
spirit or vinegar, and filtred, doth by the evaporation of the flegm,
being placed in a cold place pass into a Crystalline salt, which is of
a pleasant tast, not like unto a _lixivium_, nor unto other salts that
are dissolved in the air. This salt is also more efficacious (being
reduced into Crystals by its proper Spirit) than that which is made by
the help of sulphur, or Aqua fortis, and oyl of Vitriol, and otherways
which Chymists, and Apothecaries use.
_The spirit of paper and linnen cloath._
Pieces of linnen cloth gathered, and got from Sempsters being cast
into the furnace upon living coals, yield a most acid spirit, which
tingeth the nailes, skin, & hair with a yellow colour, restores members
destroyed with cold, is good in a gangrene, and erysipelas if linen
clothes wet in the same be applyed thereto, _&c._ The same doth spirit
made of paper, _viz._ of the pieces thereof.
_The spirit of silk._
After the same manner is there a spirit made of pieces of silk, which
is not so sharp as that which is made of linnen and paper, neither
doth it tinge the Skin, but is most excellent in wounds as well old as
green, and it makes the Skin beautiful.
_The spirit of mans hair, and of other animals, as also of horns._
Out of horns also, and hair is made a spirit, but most fetid, wherefore
it is not so useful, although otherwise it may serve for divers arts:
being rectified it comes clear and to be of the odour of the spirit of
urine. It dissolves common sulphur, and yields a water, that cures the
scab in a very short time.
Now for this business, shreds of woollen cloth undyed may serve, being
cast in a good quantity into the furnace. Pieces of cloath dipt in this
spirit and hanged in vineyards, and fields, keep out Deer and Swine
from coming in, because they are afraid of the smell of that spirit, as
of an huntsman that waits to catch them.
_The spirit of vinegar, honey, and sugar._
He that will distil liquid things, must cast red hot coals into them,
as for example into vinegar in the furnace, or if it be honey, or
sugar, let them first be dissolved in water, by which means they will
be drank up by the coals, which being therewith impregnated, must
afterwards at several times be cast into the furnace, and be burnt; and
whilst the coals are burning, that which is incombustible comes forth.
And by this means you may distil liquid things in a great quantity.
Vinegar which is distilled this way, is of the same nature, as that
which is distilled in close vessels.
But honey and sugar that are distilled after this manner, are a little
altered, and acquire other vertues: but how they shall be distilled
without the loss of their volatile spirit shall be taught in the second
Part. Also after this manner may all liquid things being drunk up by
living coals be distilled.
Of the use of distilled vinegar many things might be said, but because
the Books of all the Chymists treat abundantly thereof, I account it
needless to repeat what they have writ. Yet this is worth taking notice
of, that the sharpest vinegar hath a great affinity with some metals,
which may be extracted by the help thereof; also dissolved, and reduced
into medicaments; yea, many things may be made with the help thereof,
as the books of all the Chymists testify.
But there is yet another vinegar, of which there is often mention
made in the books of Philosophers, by the help whereof, many wonderful
things are performed in the solution of metals, the name whereof the
ancients have been silent in; of which I do not here treat, because
it cannot be made by this furnace; but I shall treat of it in another
part; yet so that I incur not the Curse of the Philosophers.
_How spirits may be made out of the salt of tartar, vitriolated
tartar, the spirit of salt tartarizated, and of other such like
fixed salts._
As many Chymists as there hath been, almost all have been of the
opinion that a spirit cannot be drawn out of salt of tartar, and other
fixed salts. For experience hath taught that by retort little or no
spirit can be drawn from thence, as I had often experience of before
the invention of this furnace: the reason of which thing was the
admixtion of sand, earth, bole, pouder of tiles, _&c._ for to prevent
the flowing of the salt of tartar, being by this means dispersed. But
this is done through the ignorance of Authors, who have been ignorant
of the properties of salt of tartar. For a stony matter, as sand,
flint, bole, _&c._ being mixed with salt of tartar, feeling the heat
of the fire, and being made red with the same, is joyned to it most
closely, so as no spirit can be drawn from thence, but become a most
hard stone. For sand, and such things that are like to it, have so
great an affinity with the salt of tartar, that being once united can
scarce ever be separated. Yet it may be made by Art by the addition of
pure sand, or flint, because the whole substance of the salt of tartar
may be turned into a spirit in the space of one or two hours, as shall
be taught in the second part, and it excells all other medicaments in
vertue, in curing the stone, and gout. And if by the regiment of art
there be left any _Caput Mortuum_ in the distillation, it hath, being
dissolved in the air, a power to putrify metals being prepared, and
mixed with it, in the space of few hours, so as to make them become
black, and to grow up like trees with their roots, trunks, and boughs,
which by how much the longer they are so left, become the better. Of
calx of lead being subtilized, and of salt of tartar may be made a
_spiritus gradatorius_ of wonderful vertues as well in Medicine as
Alchymy. There is made of the _Caput Mortuum_, _per deliquium_ a green
liquor which doth wonderful things; whence it is proved, _That Saturn
is not the lowest of the Planets_; enough to the wise.
_And so is the Lac Virginis, and the Philosophical Sanguis Draconis
made._
Sometimes there is found a certain earth, or bole, which hath no
affinity with tartar, which being mixed with salt of tartar yields a
spirit, but very little. But in this furnace may all fixed things be
elevated, because the species not being included in it, but dispersed,
being cast upon the fire, are from the fire elevated through the aire,
and are being refrigerated in the recipients again condensed, which
cannot be so well done by a close retort.
He therefore that will make the spirit of the salt of tartar, need do
nothing else than to call the calcined tartar into the fire, and it
will wholly come over in a spirit: but then there are required glass
recipients, because those that are earthen cannot retain it.
And this is the way whereby most fixed salts are distilled into a
spirit by the first furnace. In the second furnace (_viz._ in the
furnace of the second Part) it may be done better, and easier, where
together with the preparation shall be taught the use thereof.
_The spirits, flowers, and salts of Minerals and stones._
By this way spirits may be raised from any mineral or stone, and that
without the addition of any other thing: yet so as that the minerals,
and stones, as flints, Crystal, talk, _lapis calaminaris_, Marcasite,
Antimony, being ground be with an Iron ladle cast upon the coals, and
there will arise together with a certain acid spirit, some salt and
flowers, which are to be washed off from the recipients, and filtred,
and the flowers will remain in _Charta bibula_, or filter for the water
together with the spirit, and the salt passeth through the filter, all
which may be separated, rectified and be kept by themselves for their
proper uses. Now this you must know, that you must choose such minerals
which have not been touched by the fire, if you desire to have their
spirit.
_How minerals, and metals may be reduced into flowers, and of their
vertues._
Hitherto the flowers of metals, and minerals have not been in use,
excepting the flowers of Antimony, and sulphur, which are easily
sublimed: for Chymists have not dared to attempt the sublimation of
other metals, and fixed minerals, being content with the solution of
them with Aqua fortis, and corrosive waters, precipitating them with
the liquor of salt of tartar, and afterward edulcorating, and drying
them; and being so prepared they have called them their Flowers: but
by Flowers I understand the same matter which is by the help of fire
without the addition of any other thing sublimed, and turned into a
most subtile pouder, not to be perceived by the teeth or eyes, which
indeed is (in my judgment) to be accounted for the true flowers; when
as the flowers which others make are more corporeal, and cannot be so
well edulcorated, but retain some saltness in them, as may be perceived
by the increase of their weight, and therefore hurtful to the eyes, and
other parts.
But our flowers being by the force of the fire sublimed by themselves,
are not only without saltness, but are also so subtile that being
taken inwardly presently operate, and put forth their powers,
_viz._ according to the pleasure of the Physitian. Neither is their
preparation so costly as the others.
Metals also, and minerals are maturated, and amended in their
sublimation, that they may be the more safely taken; but in other
preparations they are rather destroyed, and corrupted, as experience
witnesseth: Now how these kind of flowers are to be made I shall now
teach, and indeed of each metal by it self, whereby the artist in the
preparation cannot erre, and first thus.
_Of Gold and Silver._
Gold and silver can hardly be brought into flowers, because many are
of opinion, that nothing comes from them in the fire, especially from
Gold, although it should be left there for ever: which although it
be true, _viz._ that nothing comes from gold in the fire, although it
should remain there a long time, and from silver but a little except
it have copper or any other metal mixed, which yet vapours away but by
little and little.
Which I say although it be so, yet they being broken and subtilized and
scattered upon coals, and so dispersed, may by the force of the fire
and help of the air be sublimed, and reduced into flowers.
Now seeing the aforesaid metals are dear, and of a great price, and
the furnace with its recipients large, I would not that any one should
cast them in, especially gold, because he cannot recover them all;
but I shall to those that desire to make these flowers shew another
way in the second part, whereby they may make them without the loss
of the metal; to which I refer the reader. For this furnace serves
for the subliming of metals, and minerals, which are not so pretious,
the loosing of part whereof is not so much regarded. And thus much is
said to shew that gold, and silver, although fixed, may be sublimed.
Now other metals may more easily be sublimed, yet one more easily than
another, neither need they any other preparation but beating small,
before they be cast into the fire.
_Flowers of Iron and Copper._
Take of the filings of Iron or Copper, as much as you please, cast them
with an Iron laddle upon burning coals, _viz._ scatteringly, and there
will arise from Iron a red vapour, but from Copper a green, and will
be sublimed into the sublimatory vessels. As the fire abates it must
be renewed with fresh coales, and the casting in of these filings be
continued, until you have got a sufficient quantity of flowers, and
then you may let all cool. This being done take off the sublimatory
vessels, take out the flowers, and keep them, for they are very good if
they be mixed with unguents, and emplasters: and being used inwardly
cause vomiting; therefore they are better in Chirurgery, where scarce
any thing is to be compared to them. Copper being dissolved in spirit
of salt, and precipitated with oyl of vitriol, edulcorated, dryed, and
sublimed, yields flowers, which being in the air resolved into a green
balsom, is most useful in wounds and old putrid ulcers, and is a most
pretious treasure.
_Flowers of Lead and Tin._
You need not reduce these metals into small crums, it is sufficient if
they be cast in piece by piece, but then you must under the grate put
an earthen platter glazed, and filled with water, to gather that which
flows down melted, which is to be taken out, and cast again into the
fire, and this so often until all the metal be turned into flowers,
which afterwards are again, the vessels being cold, to be taken out, as
hath been said of the flowers of _Mars_ and _Venus_. And these flowers
are most excellent being mixed with plaisters and oyntments in old
and green wounds, for they have a greater power to dry, than metals
calcined, as experience can testifie.
_Of_ Mercury.
This is easily reduced into flowers, because it is very volatile, but
not for the aforesaid reason, because it leapes in the fire, and seeks
to descend. And if you desire to have the flowers thereof, mix in
first with sulphur that you may pulverize it, and cast it in mortified.
And if you cast into a red hot crucible set in the furnace, a little
quick Mercury, _viz._ by times with a ladle, presently it will fly
out, and some part thereof will be resolved into an acid water, which
is to be preferred before the flowers in my judgment; but the rest
of the Mercury drops into the receiver. But here are required glass
vessels, because the aforesaid water is lost in earthen. And this water
without doubt doth something in Alchymy: It is also good being applyed
outwardly, in the scab, and venereal ulcers.
_The flowers of Zinck._
It is a wonderful metal, and is found in the spagyrical anatomy to be
meer sulphur, golden, and immature. Being put upon burning coals doth
suddenly fly away wholly; it is inflamed also, and partly burns like
common sulphur, with a flame of another colour, _viz._ golden purple:
and yields most gallant white, and light flowers.
_The use._
Being given from 4, 5, 6, grains to 12, they provoke sweat wonderfully,
and sometimes vomit, and stools, according to the offending matter.
The vertues thereof being externally used are also wonderful, for
there are not found better flowers, for they do not only speedily
consolidate fresh wounds, but also old, such as always drop water, in
which cases they excell all other medicaments. For they are of such
dryness, which hath joyned with it a consolidating vertue, as that
they do even things incredible. They may be used divers ways, as to
be strewed by themselves, putting over them a stiptick plaister, or
being brought into an unguent with honey to be put into wounds; which
unguents in deep wounds may be boyled to a hardness for the making of
small suppositories, which are to be put into the wounds, which must
afterwards be covered with some plaister, and preserved from the air.
Being applyed after this manner they cure fundamentally, being mixed
with plaisters also they do wonderful things.
If they be mixed with rose, or rain water, so as to be united together,
and afterwards some of this mixture be sometimes every day dropt into
red eyes that water, yielding not to other ophthalmicks, do restore,
and heal them.
These flowers being taken up in lint and strewed upon those places of
Children that are galled with their urin (those places being first
washed with water) heal them quickly. They heal also quickly any
excoriation which is contracted by lying long in any sickness, and is
very painful, if they be strewed thereon.
These flowers also are more easily dissolved in corrosive waters,
than other metals, and minerals, neither doth the spirit leave them
in the fire, but an insipid phlegm only distills off, leaving a fat
and thick oyl, as is above said concerning the _lapis calaminaris_,
being ordained for the same uses, but more efficacious then that. Which
spirit if it be by the violence of fire driven forth, is of so great
strength, that it can scarce be kept. And not only spirit of salt, but
also Aqua fortis, and Regia may after this manner be exalted, so as to
be able to do wonderful things in the separation of metals; but here is
not place for these things, they shall be spoken of in the fourth part.
But you need not make flowers for this work, because crude Zinck
doth the same, although the flowers do it something better: whence
it appears that a metal contracts a higher degree of dryness in
sublimation.
_Flowers of Antimony._
There is no difficulty to make the flowers of Antimony, for Chymists
have a long time made use of them, and because their preparation was
tedious, they were not sold at a low rate.
Wherefore there was no body willing to attempt any thing else in them,
because they were used only for vomiting; the dose whereof was from
1. 2. 3. 4. grains to 8. and 10. in affects of the stomack and of the
head, as also in feavers, plague, morbus gallicus, _&c._ Neither is it
a wonder if Chymists tryed no farther in them, for we see that there
are found men in these days who perswade themselves that there is
nothing which was not found out by the learned ancients, can be found
out in these days, and if there were any thing to be yet found out it
was found out already by them. But this opinion truly is very foolish,
as if God gave all things to the ancients, and reserved nothing for
them that should come after. Neither indeed do they understand nature
in their operations, which works incessantly, and is not wearied in her
labours, _&c._ But however it is manifest that God hath revealed things
in these times which were hid from them of old, and he will not cease
to do the same even to the end of the world.
But to return to our purpose again, which is to shew an easier way of
making the flowers of Antimony, whereby a greater quantity may be had,
as also that they may serve for other uses.
Take of crude Antimony poudered as much as you please, and first make
your furnace red hot, then cast in at once a pound of Antimony, or
thereabouts, _viz._ scatteringly upon the coals; and presently it will
flow, & being mixed with the coals by the force of the fire will be
sublimed through the air into the receivers like a cloud, which will
there be coagulated into white flowers. Note, that when the first coals
are burnt up, more must be put in to continue the sublimation, and
those must be first kindled before they are put in, lest the flowers
be by the dust of the coals arising together with them discoloured,
and contract thence a gray colour: but it matters not if you will not
use them by themselves to provoke vomiting, because there is no danger
thereby, for that colour comes only from the smoake of the coals,
wherefore you need not be afraid of them. But let him that dislikes
this colour, first kindle the coals before he put them into the
furnace, and then he shall have white flowers. Also you must not shut
the middle hole through which the coals, and Antimony are cast in, that
thereby the fire may burn the more freely: for else the flowers of the
superior pots will be yellow and red, by reason of the sulphur of the
Antimony, which is sublimed higher than the regulus. Now you may by
this way make a pound of the flowers with 3. 4. or 5. pound of coals.
It is a little that goes away from the Antimony, _viz._ the combustible
sulphur, which is burnt, all the rest going into flowers. You must have
a care to provide a sufficient quantity of subliming pots by reason
that a large space is required for the sublimation of the flowers.
The flowers that are prepared after this way, are sold at a lower rate,
so that one pound thereof is cheaper, than half an ounce of those that
are made after the other manner. Also they are safer, as being made
with an open free flame of the fire, for they do not provoke vomit so
vehemently; moreover the flowers of the lower pots are not vomiting,
but diaphoretical, as if they had been prepared with nitre, for thus
they are corrected by the fire: And by this way at one and the same
operation divers flowers of divers operations may be made, for the
flowers of the lower pots are diaphoretical, of the middle a little
vomitive, but of the uppermost vehemently vomitive. For by how much
the more they have endured the fire, by so much the better are they
corrected; from whence the diversity of their power proceeds. Wherefore
each of them are to be kept by themselves, and the uppermost for
plaisters or butter, or oyl, and those to be made sweet or corrosive
thereby; The middle for purging, and vomiting, but the lowermost for
sweat, being more excellent than _Bezoardicum Minerale_, or _Antimonium
Diaphoreticum_ made with nitre. Truly I do not believe that there is an
easier way of making vomiting, and diaphoretical flowers, than ours.
Now for the use of them, you must know that those that are vomitive are
to be administred to those that are strong, and accustomed to vomit:
but to Children, and old Men with discretion, as hath been said above
of the butter of Antimony: but those that are diaphoretical may be
given without danger to Old and Young, to those that are in health, and
to the sick; in any affliction that requires sweat; as in the Plague,
Morbus Gallicus, Scorbute, Leprosy, Feavers, _&c._ The Dose of them
is from 3, 6, 9, 12, grains to 24. with proper vehicles to sweat in
the bed; for they do expel as well by sweat, as by urine, all evil
humours. And because they that are vomitive are in a greater quantity
than those that are diaphoretical, and not so necessary as these, and
there may be many more doses out of them; it is necessary to shew you
how those that are vomitive may be turned into diaphoretical; and that
may be done three wayes; the two former whereof I have before shewed
concerning the butter of Antimony made of flowers with spirit of salt,
the third is this, _viz._ put the flowers in a crucible covered,
(without luting) lest any thing fall into it, so set them by themselves
in a gentle fire, that they melt not, but be made only darkly glow for
the space of some hours; then let them cool, for they are become fixed
and diaphoretical. Although they had before contracted some yellowness
or ash-colour, yet by this means they are made white, fixed, and
diaphoretical. Also these flowers are used in stiptick plaisters by
reason of their dry nature, with which they are endued.
Also they are melted into a yellow transparent glass, neither is there
taught an easier way of reducing Antimony by it self into a yellow
transparent glass, where crude Antimony is first sublimed, and being
sublimed is melted into glass.
This sublimation serves instead of calcination, by the help whereof 20
pound are more easily sublimed, than by the help of the other one pound
is brought into calx.
Neither is there here any danger of the ascending fumes, because when
the Antimony is cast into the fire you may be gone, which is a safe,
and easy calcination, whereas the common way requires the continual
presence of the artist stirring the matter, who also takes out the
matter when it is once grown together, and grinds it again; by which
means he hath much to do, before the matter come to a whiteness; but by
our way, the matter is at the first time made sufficiently white, and
more than by that common way of calcination and agitation. I suppose
therefore that I have shewed to him that will make glass of Antimony,
the best, and hitherto unknown way; which being taught, I hope there is
no man will hereafter like a fool go that tedious way of the Antients,
but rather follow my steps. For by this way may any Physitian, most
easily be able to prepare for himself vomitive and diaphoretical
flowers, and also glass of Antimony _per se_.
Of those Flowers may be made oyls both sweet and corrosive, and other
medicaments, as hath been above said of the spirit of salt, and shall
afterwards be spoken in the Second Part.
Let him that will make Flowers of the Regulus, fairer than those which
are made of crude Antimony, cast it being poudered into the fire,
and in all things proceed as hath been said, and he shall have them,
_&c._ for they are easily sublimed. Now, how the regulus is to be made
after a compendious manner, you shall find in the Fourth Part. The
scoriæ also are sublimed, so as nothing is lost. But he that will make
Flowers that shall be dissolved in the aire into a liquor must add some
calcined tartar, or some other fixt vegetable salt, and he shall have
Flowers that will be dissolved in any liquor: but he that will make
red Flowers as well those that are diaphoretical, as those that are
purging, must mix iron, and he shall have Flowers like to Cinnabar: Let
him that desires green, mix copper, if purple, _lapis calaminaris_.
And thus out of any mineral may be made Flowers whether it be fixed, or
volatile; for it is forced to fly on high being cast into the fire. And
these may be used diversly in Chyrurgery, in plaisters and unguents;
for they dry, and astring potently, especially those that are made of
_lapis calaminaris_. Neither are they to be slighted that are made
of the golden, and silver marcasite. Those that are made of arsenic
& auripigmentum, are poysonous, but are useful for Painters. Arsenic
& auripigmentum being calcined with nitre, and then sublimed, yield
Flowers that are safely to be taken inwardly, expelling all poysons by
sweat and stool: For they are corrected two wayes, _viz._ first by the
nitre, secondly by the fire in the subliming: they are not therefore to
be feared, because that Arsnick was poysonous before the preparation
thereof. For by how much the greater poyson it was before preparation,
so much the greater medicine afterwards.
The Flowers of sulphur are taught in the Second Part, although they may
also be made by this furnace, _viz._ the natures and properties thereof
being known by an expert Artist, or otherwise it is burnt.
So also stones being prepared are brought into Flowers, and many other
things, of which we need not say any thing, only let him that pleaseth
make tryal thereof.
And now I suppose I have made plain, and shewed you clearly how
distillation is to be made in this our first furnace; wherefore I will
now end. He therefore that understands and knows the fabrick of the
furnace (which he may understand by the delineation thereof) and the
use thereof, will not deny but that I have done a good work, and will
not disapprove of my labour.
And this is the best way of distilling, and subliming incombustible
things. In the Second Part you shall find another furnace in which are
distilled combustible things, as also most subtil spirits, _&c._ The
first furnace serves also for other uses, as the separation of metals;
of the pure from the impure; for the making of the central salt, and
of the _humidum radicale_ of them all. But because it cannot be done
after the aforesaid way, by which things are cast into the fire to get
their flowers, and spirits, but after a certain secret Philosophical
manner, by the power of a certain secret fire, hitherto concealed by
the Philosophers (neither shall I prostrate that secret before all); It
is sufficient that I have given a hint of it for further enquiry, and
have shewed the way to other things.
_FINIS._
THE
SECOND PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces:
_Wherein is Described the Nature of the Second Furnace; by the
help whereof, all volatile, subtle, and combustible things may
he distilled; whether they be Vegetables, Animals, or Minerals,
and that after an unknown and very compendious Way; whereby
nothing is lost, but even the most subtle spirits may be caught
and preserved, which else without the means of this Furnace is
impossible to be done by Retorts or other Distilling Instruments._
_Of the Structure of the Second Furnace._
The Distilling Vessel must be made of Iron, or good earth, such as can
abide in the fire (whereof in the fifth Part of this Book it shall
be taught) and you may make it as big or as little as you please,
according as your occasion shall require. That of iron is most fit to
be used for such spirits, as are not very sharp or corroding, else
they would corrode the vessel: but that of earth may be used for such
things, as shew their activity upon the Iron, and do make it to melt,
as sulphur, Antimony and the like; and therefore you ought to have two
such vessels, _viz._ one of iron, and one of earth, to the end that
for both sorts of materials (corrosive or not corrosive) you may have
proper vessels, and fit furnaces for their distilling, and that they
may not be spoiled by things contrary and hurtful to them. The shape
of the vessel is shewed by the foregoing figure, _viz._ the lower
part of it somewhat wider than the upper part, and twice as high as
wide; at the top having a hollow space between the two edges or brims,
whereinto the edge of the lid may close and enter in an inch deep. The
lid must have a ring or handle, by which it may be taken off and put
on again with a pair of tongs. The lid must have a deep edge answering
to the hollow space aforesaid. The lower part must have three knobs
or shoulders thereby to rest upon the wall of the furnace; the form
whereof is no other, than that of a common distilling furnace with
a sand Copple; as the figure of it doth shew: but if you will not
have the furnace, then it needeth no knobs or shoulders, if so be the
distilling vessel be flat at the bottom, or else have legs, for to
stand upon them: Beneath the edge of the vessel there comes forth a
spout or pipe of a span in length, and one or two inches wide, and
somewhat narrower before than behind, through which the spirits are
conveyed into the Receiver.
* * * * *
See the fourth Figure before the first part, wherein the Letter _A._
represents the Furnace, with the Iron distilling Vessel fastned into
it, whereunto a Receiver is applied.
_B._ The Distiller, with his left hand taking off the lid, and with his
right hand casting in his prepared matter.
_C._ The external form of the distilling vessel.
_D._ The internal form of the vessel.
_E._ Another distilling vessel, which is not fastned to a furnace, but
only standeth upon Coals.
_The way or manner to perform the Distillation._
When you intend to distil, then first make a fire in the Furnace, that
the distilling vessel come to be very hot. But if it be not fastned
to the Furnace, then set it upon a grate, and lay stones about it,
and coals between, and so let it grow hot, and lay melted lead in the
space between the two edges or brims, to the end, that the lid, when it
is put on, may close exactly, so that no spirit can get through. This
done, take a little of the matter you intend to distil, and cast it in,
and presently put on the lid, and there will be no other passage left
but through the pipe, to which there must be applyed and luted a very
big receiver. As soon as the species cast in come to be warm, they let
go their spirit, which doth come forth into the receiver: and because
there was but little of the matter cast in, it hath no power to force
through the lute, or to break the receiver, but must settle it self.
This done, cast in a little more of your matter, cover it and let it go
till the spirit be settled: continue this proceeding so long, until you
have spirits enough: but take heed, that you cast in no more at once,
than the receiver is able to bear, else it will break. And when your
vessel is full, the distillation not being ended, then take off the
lid, and with an iron ladle take out the Caput Mortuum; and so begin
again to cast in, and still but a little at a time, and continue this
as long as you please.
Thus in one day you may distil more in a small vessel, than otherways
you could do in a great retort; and you need not fear the least loss of
the subtile spirit, nor the breaking of the receiver by the abundance
of the spirits: and you may cease or leave off your distilling, and
begin it again when you list: also the fire cannot be made too strong,
so that it might cause any hurt or damage; but by this way you may
make the most subtile spirits, which is impossible to be done by any
Retort. But if you will distil a subtil spirit by a Retort, as of
Tartar, Harts-horn, Salarmoniack, or the like, you cannot do it without
prejudice (though there were but half a pound of the matter in it) the
subtlest spirits coming forth with force, seek to penetrate through
the lute, if that be not good, but if that be good, so that the spirits
cannot pass through it, then they break the receiver, because it cannot
possibly hold such a quantity of subtle spirits at once. For when they
are coming, they come so plentifully, and with such a force, that the
receiver cannot contain them, and so of necessity must flye asunder,
or must pass through the lutum; All which is not to be feared here,
because there is but a little cast in at once, which cannot yield such
a quantity of spirits, as to force the receiver to break: And when
there comes forth no more spirits, and the former is settled, then more
of the matter is to be cast in; and this is to be continued so long,
until you have spirits enough. Afterward take off the receiver, and
put the spirit into such a Glass (as in the fifth part of this book,
amongst the Manuals, shall be discovered) wherein it may be kept safely
without wasting or evaporating.
In this manner all things, Vegetable, Animal, or Mineral, may be
distilled in this Furnace, and much better, than by means of a Retort:
especially such subtile spirits (as by the other way of distilling
cannot be saved, but pass through the lutum) are got by this our way;
and they are much better than those heavy oyles, which commonly are
taken for spirits, but are none, being only corrosive waters. For the
nature and condition of a spirit is to be volatile, penetrating and
subtile, and such are not those spirits of salt, Vitriol, Allome and
Nitre, which are used in Apothecary shops, they being but heavy oyles,
which even in a warm place do not evaporate or exhale.
But a true spirit, fit for Medicinal use, must rise or ascend before
the phlegm, and not after; for whatsoever is heavier than phlegm, is no
volatile spirit, but a heavy spirit or (rather called) a sowre heavy
oyl. And it is seen by experience, that the Apothecaries spirit of
vitriol will cure no falling sickness, which vertue is ascribed to that
spirit, and indeed justly: for the true spirit of vitriol performeth
that cure out of hand. Likewise their spirit of Tartar (as they call
it) is no spirit, but only a stinking phlegm or vinegar.
The way to make such true spirits, I will now shew, because much
good may be done by them in all manner of Diseases. And this way of
distilling serveth only for those which seek after good Medicines: but
others which care not whether their medicines be well prepared or no,
need not take so much pains as to build such a furnace, and to make
their spirits themselves, for at any time they can buy for a small
matter, a good quantity of dead and fruitless spirits at the common
sellers and Apothecaries.
Hence it is no marvel, that now adaies so little good is done by
Chymical medicaments, which of right should far out-strip all the
Galenical in goodness and vertue. But alas! it is come to that pass
now, that a true Chymist, and honest Son of _Hermes_, is forced almost
to blush, when he heareth men talk of Chymical medicines, because
they do no such miracles, as are ascribed unto them. Which infamy is
occasion’d by none more, than by careless Physicians, which though they
make use of Chymical medicines, (because they would fain be esteemed to
know more than others) yet they do take greater care for their kitchen,
than for the welfare of their Patients; and so buying ill-prepared
Medicines of unskilful stillers, and withal using them undiscreetly
(whereby they many times do more hurt than good to the sick) they lay
such foul aspertions upon the noble Art of Chymistry.
But an industrious and accurate Physician is not ashamed to make his
Medicines himself, if it be possible, or at least to have them made by
good and well-exercis’d Artists: whereupon he may better rely, and get
more credit, than one that knoweth not whereof, nor how his Medicine
which he doth administer to his patients is prepared. But such wicked
and ignorant men will one day fall short of their answer before the
Judgment of the righteous Samaritan.
_How to make the Acid Oyl and the volatile spirit of Vitriol._
Hitherto I have taught, how to distil in general, and to get the subtle
spirits. There remaineth now to describe what Manuals or Preparations
are fitting for every matter in particular; and first,
_Of Vitriol._
To distil Vitriol, there needs no other preparation, but only that it
be well viewed, and if there be any filth amongst it, that the same be
carefully pickt out, lest being put together with the Vitriol into the
distilling vessel, the spirit be corrupted thereby. But he that will go
yet more exactly to work, may dissolve it in fair water, then filtrate
it, and then evaporate the water from it till a skin appear at the top,
and then set it in a cold place, and let it shoot again into Vitriol;
and then you are sure that no impurity is left in it.
Now your vessel being made red hot, with an Iron ladle cast in one or
two ounces of your Vitriol at once, put on the lid, and presently the
spirits together with the phlegm will come over into the receiver,
like unto a white cloud or mist; which being vanished, and the spirits
partly settled, carry in more Vitriol, and continue this so long,
until your vessel be full: Then uncover your vessel, and with a pair
of tongs or an iron ladle take out the Caput Mortuum, and cast more
in; and continue this proceeding as long as you please, still emptying
the vessel when it is filled, and then casting in more matter, and so
proceeding until you conceive that you have got spirits enough. Then
let the fire go out, and let the furnace cool; take off the receiver,
and pour that which is come over into a retort, and set the retort in
sand, and by a gentle fire distil the volatile spirit from the heavy
oyl; having first joyned to the retort the receiver, which is to
receive the volatile spirit, with a good lutum, such as is able to hold
such subtle spirits, the making whereof shall be taught in the fifth
part of this Book, amongst the Manuals.
All the volatile spirit being come over, which you may know by the
falling of bigger drops, then take off the receiver, and close it very
well with wax, that the spirit may not make an escape; then apply
another (without luting it) and so receive the phlegm by it self, and
there will remain in the retort a black and heavy corrosive oyl, which
if you please, you may rectifie, forcing it over by a strong fire, and
then it will be clear; if not, let all cool, then take out your Retort
together with the black oyl, and pour upon it the volatile spirit,
which in the rectifying went over first, put the retort into the sand,
and apply a receiver, and give it a very gentle fire, and the volatile
spirit will come over alone, leaving its phlegm behind with the oyl,
which by reason of its dryness doth easily keep it. Thus the spirit
being freed from all phlegm, is become as strong as a meer fire, and
yet not corrosive. And if this spirit be not rectified from its own
oyl, it will not remain good, but there doth precipitate a red powder
after it hath stood for some space of time, and the spirit loseth all
its vertue, insomuch that it is not to be discerned from ordinary
water, which doth not happen when it is rectified. The reason of this
precipitation is no other than the weakness of the spirit, which is
accompanied with too much water, and therefore not strong enough for
to keep its sulphur, but must let it fall: but after it is rectified
by its own oyl, it can keep its sulphur well enough, because then it
is freed from its superfluous moisture. However the red powder is not
to be thrown away, but ought to be kept carefully; because it is of
no less vertue than the spirit it self. And it is nothing else but a
Volatile sulphur of Vitriol. It hath wonderful vertues, some of which
shall be related.
_The Use and Dose of the Narcotick sulphur of Vitriol._
Of this sulphur 1, 2, 3, 4. or more grains (according to the condition
of the patient) given at once mitigates all pains, causeth quiet sleep;
not after the manner of Opium, Henbane, and other the like medicines,
which by stupifying and benumbing cause sleep, but it performeth its
operation very gently and safely, without any danger at all, and great
Diseases may be cured by the help thereof. _Paracelsus_ held it in high
esteem, as you may see, where he doth write of _Sulphur embryonatum_.
_Of the Use and Vertue of the volatile spirit of Vitriol._
This sulphurous Volatile spirit of Vitriol, is of a very subtle and
penetrating quality, and of a wonderful operation; for some drops
thereof being taken and sweated upon, doth penetrate the whole body,
openeth all obstructions, consumeth those things that are amiss in
the body, even as fire. It is an excellent medicine in the Falling
sickness, in that kind of madness or rage which is called _Mania_, in
the Convulsion of the Mother, called _Suffocatio Matricis_, in the
Scurvy; in that other kind of madness which is called Melancholia
Hypochondriaca; and other Diseases proceeding from Obstructions and
Corruption of the Blood: It is also good in the Plague, and all other
Feavers: mingled with spirit of wine, and daily used, it doth wonders
in all external accidents: Also in the Apoplexy, shrinking and other
diseases of the Nerves, the distressed limb rubbed therewith, it doth
penetrate to the very marrow in the bones; it doth warm and refresh the
cold sinews, grown stiff: In the Cholick, besides the internal use, a
little thereof in a clyster applyed, is a present help: Externally used
in the Gout, by anointing the places therewith, asswageth the Pains,
and taketh away all tumours and inflammations: It doth heal scabs,
tetters and ring-worms, above all other medicines; it cureth new wounds
and old sores, as Fistulaes, Cancers, Wolves, and what name soever
else they may have: It extinguisheth all inflammations, scaldings, the
Gangrene, dissipateth and consumeth the knobs and excrescencies of the
skin. In a word, this spirit, which the wise men of old called _Sulphur
Philosophorum_, doth act universally in all diseases, and its vertue
cannot sufficiently be praised and expressed: And it is much to be
admired, that so excellent a Medicine is no where to be found.
If it be mingled with Spring water, it doth make it pleasantly sowrish,
and in taste and vertue like unto the natural sowre water of wells.
Also by this spirit, many diseases may be cured at home; so that you
need not go to bathes afar off, for to be rid of them.
Here I could set down a way, how such a spirit may be got in great
abundance for the use of bathing, without distillation, whereby
miraculous things may be done, but by reason of the ungratefulness of
men, it shall be reserved for another time.
_Of the vertue and use of the corrosive oyl of Vitriol._
This oyl is not much used in Physick, although it be found almost in
every Apothecaries shop, which they use for to give a sowrish tast to
their syrups and conserves. Mingled with spring water and given in
hot diseases, it will extinguish the unnatural thirst, and cool the
internal parts of the body. Externally it cleanseth all unclean sores,
applyed with a feather; it separateth the bad from the good, and layeth
a good foundation for the cure.
Also if it be rectified first, some metals may be dissolved with it and
reduced into their Vitriols, especially Mars and Venus; but this is to
be done by adding common water thereunto, else it will hardly lay hold
on them. The way of doing it is thus.
_How to make the Vitriol of Mars and Venus._
Take of your heavy oyl, just as it came over, _viz._ together with its
phlegm (but that the Volatile spirit be drawn off from it first) as
much as you please, put it into a glass body together with plates of
copper or iron, set it in warm sand, and let it boyl until that the oyl
will dissolve no more of the metal, then power off the liquor, filtre
it through brown paper, and put it into a low gourd glass, and set it
in sand, and let the phlegm evaporate until there appear a skin at the
top, then let the fire go out, and the glass grow cool; then set it in
a cold place, and within some days there, will shoot fair Crystals; if
of Iron, greenish; if of Copper, then something blewish; take them out
and dry them upon filtering paper, the remaining liquor, which did not
shoot into Vitriol, evaporate again in sand, and then let it shoot as
before; continue this proceeding, until all the solution (or filtred
liquor) be turned to Vitriol. This Vitriol is better and purer than the
common; for it yieldeth a better Volatile spirit, and for that reason
I did set down the way how to make it. There may also be made a good
Vitriol of both these metals by the means of ordinary yellow brimstone;
but because the making of it is more tedious, than of this here set
down, I think it needless to describe its preparation in this place.
_The way to make a fair blew Vitriol out of =Luna= (that is,
silver.)_
Dissolve the shavings or filings of silver with rectified oyl of
Vitriol, adding water thereunto, but not so much as to Iron and Copper:
Or else, which is better, dissolve calcined silver, which hath been
precipitated out of Aqua fortis either with Copper or salt water; the
solution being ended pour it off and filtre it, and drop into it of
Spirit of urin or Sal armoniac, as long as it doth hiss, and almost all
the silver will precipitate again out of the oyl, and so there will
fall a white powder to the bottom; This precipitated silver together
with the liquor pour into a phiall-glass, set it to boyl in sand for
twenty four hours, and the liquor will dissolve again almost all the
precipitated silver-calx and become blew thereby. Then pour off the
solution (or liquor) and filtre it through brown paper, and abstract
the moisture till a skin arise at the top; then in a cold place let it
shoot to Vitriol. With the remaining liquor proceed further, as above
in the preparation of the Vitriol of Iron and Copper hath been taught.
By this way you will get an excellent Vitriol out of silver, which from
4, 5, 6, to 10. grains used only of it self, will be a good purge,
especially in diseases of the brain.
If you have a good quantity of it, that you may distill a spirit
thereof, you will get not only an acid (or sowre) but also a volatile
spirit, which in the infirmities of the brain is most excellent; that
which in the distilling remains behind, may be reduced again into a
body, so that you lose nothing of the silver, save onely that which is
turned into spirit.
Moreover, the acid (or sowre) oyl of common Vitriol, doth precipitate
all metals and stones of beasts or fishes; also pearls and corals,
they being first dissolved in spirit of salt or of Nitre, and maketh
fair light powders of them (which by the Apothecaries are called
Magisteries) much fairer than by precipitation with salt of Tartar
is done, especially of corals and pearls, such a fair glistering and
delicate powder is made; and likewise also of mother of pearl, and
other shels of snailes, that it giveth as fair a gloss to them, as
the fairest oriental pearls have; which way hath not been made common
hitherto, but being known only to few, hath been kept very secret by
them, as a singular Art. Such Magisteries commonly were precipitated
out of vinegar only by salt of Tartar, which for lightness, whiteness
and fair gloss are not comparable at all to ours: But if instead of
the oyl of Vitriol you take oyl of sulphur, then these powders will be
fairer than when they are done by the oyl of Vitriol, in so much, that
they may be used for painting for a black skin.
Having made mention of Magisteries, I cannot forbear to discover the
great abuse and error, which is committed in the preparing of them.
_Paracelsus_ in his Archidoxes teacheth to make Magisteries, which
he calleth extracted Magisteries: but some of his disciples teach
to make precipitated Magisteries which are different from the
former. _Paracelsus_ is clean of another opinion in the preparing
of his Magisteries, than others in the making of theirs: doubtless
_Paracelsus_ his Magisteries were good cordial living medicines,
whereas the other are but dead carkases, and although they be never so
fair, white and glistering, yet in effect they prove but a gross earthy
substance, destitute of vertue.
I do not deny, but that good medicines may be extracted out of pearls
and corals, for I my self also do describe the preparations of some of
them; but not at all after such a way as theirs is. For what good or
exalting can be expected by such a preparation, where a stony matter
is dissolved in corrosive waters, and then precipitated into stone
again? Can its vertue be increased thereby? surely no, but rather it
is diminished, and made much the worse thereby. For it is well known,
that the corrosive spirits (no less than fire) do burn some certain
things; for not all things are made better by fire or corrosives, but
most of them are absolutely spoyled by them. Some perchance will say,
that such preparations of Magisteries are onely for to be reduced
into a finer powder, that so much the sooner they may perform their
operation. To which I answer, that pearls, corals, and other things of
the like nature, if they be once dissolved by corrosive waters, and
then precipitated and edulcorated, never or hardly can be dissolved
again by acid spirits. Whence it is evident that by such preparations
they are not opened or made better, but rather closed or made worse.
And we see also by daily experience that those Magisteries do not those
effects, which are ascribed unto them. By which it appeareth clearly,
that to the Archeus of the stomach they are much less grateful than
the crude unprepared corals and pearls; whose tender essence being not
burnt up by corrosives, do oftentimes produce good effects. For our
Ancestors have ascribed unto corals and pearls, that they purifie the
impure and corrupt blood in the whole body, that they expel Melancholly
and sadness, comforting the heart of man, and making it merry, which
also they effectually perform: whereas the Magisteries do not. And this
is the reason, why unprepared corals, pearls and stones of fishes have
more effect, than the burnt Magisteries. For it is manifest and well
known, that the abovesaid diseases for the most part do proceed from
obstructions of the spleen, which obstructions are nothing else, but a
tartarous juice or a sowre flegme which hath possessed and filled up
the entrals, and coagulated it self within them. By which obstruction
not only head-ach, giddiness, panting of the heart, trembling of
the limbs, a spontaneous lassitude, vomits, unnatural hunger; also,
loathing of victuals; then cold, then hot flushing fits, and many more
strange symptomes are caused; but also a most hurtful rottenness and
corruption is introduced into the whole mass of blood, from whence the
leprosie, scurvey, and other loathsome or abominable scabs do spring.
Of which evil the onely cause (as hath been said) is a crude acid
Tartar, from which so many great diseases do rise.
This to be so may easily be proved; for it is notorious, that
melancholick folks, hypocondriaques, and others do often cast up a
great quantity of acid humor, which is so sharpe that no vinegar is
comparable to it, and doth set their teeth on such an edge, as if they
had eaten unripe fruit.
What remedy now? take away the cause and the disease is taken away. If
you could take away the peccant matter by purgings, it would be well,
but it remaineth obstinate and will not yield to them. By vomit it may
be diminished in some measure. But because that not every one can abide
vomiting, it is therefore no wisdome to turn evil into worse. Shall
then this tartar be killed and destroyed by contraries, which indeed in
some sort may be effected; as when you use vegetables or animals, whose
vertue consisteth in a volatile salt: such are all species or sorts of
cresses, Mustard-seed, horse-radish, scurvy grass, also the spirit of
Tartar, of Harts-horn, and of urine and the like, which by reason of
their penetrating faculty pass through all the body, finding out the
Tartar thereof, destroying the same, as being contrary unto it; and
in this combat two contrary natures is kindled, a great burning heat,
whereby the whole body is throughly heated and brought to sweating;
and whensoever by these contraries a sweating is caused, there is
always mortified some of this hurtful Tartar. But because that of that
acid humor but a little at a time can be mortified and edulcorated by
contrary volatile spirits, and that therefore it would be required to
use them often, for to kill and expell all the Tartar; and because also
(as hath been mentioned before) a strong sweat always is caused by
every such operation, whereby the natural spirits are much weakened,
so that the patient would not be able to hold out long thereby, but by
taking away of one evil, another and greater one would be occasioned.
And therefore such things must be offered to that hungry acid humour,
by which the corrosive nature thereof, may be mortified and grow sweet,
with that proviso nevertheless, that those things be such as are not
contrary or hurtful to the nature of man, but grateful and friendly, as
are corals, pearls and crabs eyes, _&c._
For amongst all stones none are more easily to be dissolved than
Pearls, Corals, Crabbs-eyes, and other stones of fishes.
But the truth of this, _viz._ that every corrosive is killed by feeding
upon pearls and corals, and thereby can be made sweet; and besides,
how a sowre coagulated Tartar, by the help of corals or pearls may be
reduced to a sweet liquor (a pleasant and acceptable medicine to the
nature of man) which never can be coagulated again by any means, shall
be afterwards proved and taught when I shall come to treat of Tartar.
Now in tartareous coagulations and obstructions of the internals
proceeding from the predominancy of an acid humor there is no better
remedy, than to give the patient every morning fasting from ℈ss. to ʒ
i. (more or less, according to the condition of the patient) of red
corals and pearls made into powder, and to let him fast two or three
hours upon it, and so to continue daily until you see amendment: By
this means the hurtful acid humor is mortified, and dulcified by the
corals and pearls, so that afterwards it may be overcome by nature,
whereby the obstructions are removed, and the body freed from the
disease.
This my opinion of the abuse of Magisteries and the good use of Corals
I could not conceal, although I do know for certain, that it will
take but with few, in regard that it will seem very strange to most.
However, happily there may be some yet, that will not be unwilling to
search into the truth, and to consider further of it, and at last will
find this not to be so strange, as it seemed to them at the first: but
he that cannot believe or comprehend it, may keep to his Magisteries.
And if it seem so strange unto any, that corals or pearls made into
powder shall be concocted in the stomach, and so put forth their
vertue, what will you say then, if I do prove, that even whole
pearls, crabs eyes, and corals being swallowed, are totally consumed
by the Melancholy humor, so that nothing cometh forth again among
the excrements? and which is more, even the like may be said of hard
and Compact metals, as Iron, and Speaucer or Zinck: But this must be
understood only of those that are of a Melancholick constitution but
not so in others, _viz._, those that are of a sanguine, and those that
are of a phlegmatick constitution, to whom such like things are seldom
prescribed. For I have seen many times, that against obstructions,
to strong bodies there hath been given at once from ℈ss. to ʒ i. of
the shavings or filings of Iron, and they found much good by it, yea
more help then by other costly medicines of the Apothecaries, whereof
they had used many before, but to no purpose, by reason whereof their
excrements came from them black, just as it useth to fall out with
those that make use of medicinal sowre waters, which run through iron
mines, and thereby borrow a spiritual mineral vertue.
Now if those filings of iron had not been consumed in the stomach,
how come it that the excrements are turned black? so then it is
sufficiently proved, that even a hard unprepared metal can be consumed
in the stomach: and if so, why not as well soft pearls and corals?
Which is also to be seen by children, that are troubled with worms, if
there be given unto them 4, 6, 8. to 12. or 16. grains of the finest
filings of steel or iron, that all the worms in the body are killed
thereby, their stomach and guts scowred very clean, and their stools
also turned black. But this must be observed by children, when the
worms are killed, and yet remain in the guts (because that the iron in
a smal quantity is not strong enough for to expel them, but only make
the body soluble) that a purge must be used after, for to carry them
out; for else if they do remain there, others will grow out of their
substance. But to those that are more in years, you may give the Dose
so much the stronger, as from ℈ i. to ʒ i. that the worms also may be
carryed out, they being better able to endure it than little children,
and although sometimes a vomit doth come, yet it doth no hurt, but they
will be but so much the healthier afterward.
And thus Iron may be used, not only against worms, but also against all
stomach-agues, head-ach, and obstructions of the whole body, without
any danger and very successfully, as a grateful or very acceptable
medicine to Nature; for after a powerful magnetical way it doth attract
all the ill humors in the body, and carrieth them forth along with it.
Of whose wonderful vertue and nature, there is spoken more at large
in my Treatise of the Sympathy and Antipathy of things. Which some
Physitians perceiving and supposing by Art to make it better, they
spoiled it, and made it void of all vertue: for they taking a piece of
steel, made it red-hot, and held it against a piece of common Sulphur,
whereby the steel grew subtle, so they did let it drop into a vessel
filled with water; then they took it out, and dryed it, and made it
into powder, and used it against obstructions, but to no effect almost;
for the Iron was so altered by the sulphur, and reduced to an insoluble
substance (which ought not to have been so) that it could perform no
considerable operation: But if they had made the steel more soluble
(whereas they made it more insoluble) than it was of it self before,
then they had done a good work: for he that knoweth sulphur, doth
know well enough, that by no _Aquafortis_ or _Aqua Regis_ it can be
dissolved; and how could it then be consumed by an animal humor?
Hitherto it hath been proved sufficiently, that in some men, especially
in those that are of a Melancholick constitution there is an acid
humor, which can sufficiently dissolve all easily soluble metals and
stones: and that therefore it is needless to torture, and dissolve
pearls, corals and the like with corrosive waters before they be
administred to patients: but that the Archeus of the stomach is strong
enough by the help of the said humors to consume those easily soluble
things, and to accept of that which serveth his turn, and to reject the
rest.
But it is not my intent here, that this should be understood of all
metals and stones; for I know well, that other metals and stones (some
excepted) before they are duly prepared, are not fit for Physick, but
must be fitted first, before they be administred or given unto patients.
For this relation I made only for to shew, how sometimes good things
(though with intent to make them better) are made worse, and spoiled by
those that do not make an exact search into nature and her power.
I hope this my admonition will not be taken ill, because my aim was not
vain-glory, but only the good of my neighbour.
Now let us return again to Vitriol.
_Of the sweet oyl of Vitriol._
The Ancients make mention of a sweet and green oyl of Vitriol, which
doth cure the falling sickness, killeth worms, and hath other good
qualities and vertues besides: and that the Oyl is to be distilled _per
descensum_. To attain unto this oyl the later Physitians took great
paines, but all in vain: because they did not understand at all the
Ancients about the preparing of this oyl, but thought to get it by the
force of fire, and so using violent distillation, they got no sweet
oyl, but such as was very sowre and corrosive, which in taste, efficacy
and vertue, was not comparable at all to the former.
However they ascribed unto it (though falsely) the same vertues, which
the ancients (according to truth) did unto theirs. But daily experience
sheweth, that the oyl of vitriol as it is found ordinarily, cureth no
falling sickness, nor killeth worms, whereas this Philosophical doth it
very quickly. Whence it appeareth, that the other is nothing like unto
the true medicinal oyl of vitriol, neither is it to be compared to it.
I must confess indeed, that _per descensum_ out of common vitriol, by
the force of the fire, there may be got a greenish oyl, which yet is
not better than the other, because it proveth as sharp in tast, and of
as corroding a quality, as if it had been distilled through a Retort.
Those that found out this oyl, as _Paracelsus_, _Basilius_, and some
few others, did always highly esteem it, and counted it one of the
four main pillars of Physick. And _Paracelsus_ saith expresly in
his writings, that its viridity or greenness must not be taken away
or marred (which indeed a very little heat can do) by the fire, for
(saith he) if it be deprived of its greenness, it is deprived also
of its efficacy and pleasant essence. Whence it may be perceived
sufficiently, that this sweet green oyl is not to be made by the force
of the fire as hitherto by many hath been attempted, but in vain.
And it is very probable, that the ancients, which did so highly praise
the oyl of vitriol, happily knew nothing of this way of distilling,
which is used by us now a days: for they only simply followed Nature,
and had not so many subtle and curious inventions and ways of
distilling.
But however it is certain, that such a sweet and green oyl cannot be
made of vitriol by the force of the fire, but rather must be done
by purification, after a singular way; for the Ancients many times
understood purification for distillation: as it is evident, when they
say, distill through a filtre, or through filtring paper: which by us
is not accounted for distillation, but by them it was.
However, this is true and very sure, that a great Treasure of health
(or for the health of man) lyeth hidden in Vitriol: yet not in the
common, as it is sold every where, and which hath endured the heat of
the fire already; but in the Oare as it is found in the earth, or its
mine. For as soon as it cometh to the day light, it may be deprived by
the heat of the Sun of its subtle and penetrating spirit, and so made
void of vertue; which spirit, if by Art it be got from thence, smelleth
sweeter then musk and amber, which is much to be admired, that in such
a despicable mineral and gross substance (as it is deemed to be by the
ignorant) such a royal medicine is to be found.
Now this preparation doth not belong to this place, because we treat
here only of spirits, which by the force of fire are driven over.
Likewise also, there doth not belong hither the preparation of the
green oyl, because it is made without the help of fire. But in regard,
that mention hath been made of it here, I will (though I kept it always
very secret) publish it for the benefit of poor patients, hoping that
it will do much good to many a sick man.
For if it be well prepared, it doth not only cure perfectly every
Epilepsie or Convulsion in young and old; and likewise readily and
without fail killeth all worms within and without the body, as the
Ancients with truth ascribed unto it; but also many Chronical diseases
and such as are held incurable, may be happily overcome and expelled
thereby, as the plague, pleuresie, all sorts of feavers and agues,
what ever they be called, head-ach, collick, rising of the mother;
also all obstructions in the body, especially of the spleen and liver,
from whence _Melancholia Hypochondriaca_, the scurvy, and many other
intolerable diseases do arise: Also the blood in the whole body is
by the means thereof amended and renewed, so that the Pox, Leprosie,
and other like diseases proceeding from the infection of the blood
are easily cured thereby: Also it healeth safely and admirably all
open sores and stinking ulcers turned to fistula’s in the whole body,
and from what cause so ever they did proceed, if they be anoynted
therewith, and the same also be inwardly used besides.
Such and other diseases more (which it is needless here to relate) may
be cured successfully with this sweet oyl; especially, if without the
loss of its sweetness it be brought to a red colour; for then it will
do more then a man dare write of it, and it may stand very well for a
_Panacea_ in all diseases.
_The preparation of the sweet oyl of Vitriol._
Commonly in all fat soyles or clayie grounds, especially in the white,
there is found a kinde of stones, round or oval in form, and in bigness
like unto a pigeons or hens-egg, and smaller also, _viz._ as the joynt
of ones finger, on the outside black, and therefore not esteemed when
it is found, but cast away as a contemptible stone. Which if it be
cleansed from the earth, and beaten to pieces, looks within of a fair,
yellow and in streaks, like a gold Marcasite, or a rich gold Oare, but
there is no other taste to be perceived in it, then in another ordinary
stone; and although it be made into powder, and boyled a long time in
water, yet it doth not alter at all, nor is there in the water any
other taste or colour, than that which it had first (when it was poured
upon the stone) to be perceived. Now this stone is nothing else, but
the best and purest Minera (or Oare) of Vitriol, or a seed of Metals;
for Nature hath framed it round, like unto a vegetable seed, and
sowed it into the earth, out of which there may be made an excellent
medicine, as followeth.
Take this Oare or Minera beaten into pieces, and for some space of
time, lay or expose it to the cool air, and within twenty or thirty
days it will magnetically attract a certain saltish moysture out of
the air, and grow heavy by it, and at last it falleth asunder to a
black powder, which must remain further lying there still, until it
grow whitish, and that it do taste sweet upon the tongue like vitriol.
Afterward put it in a glass-vessel, and pour on so much fair rain
water, as that it cover it one or two inches; stir it about several
times in a day, and after a few days the water will be coloured green,
which you must powre off, and powre on more fair water, and proceed as
before, stirring it often until that also come to be green: this must
be repeated so often, until no water more will be coloured by standing
upon it. Then let all the green waters which you poured off, run
through filtring paper, for to purifie them; and then in a glass-body
cut off short let them evaporate till a skin appear at the top: then
set it in a cold place, and there will shoot little green stones,
which are nothing else but a pure vitriol: the remaining green water
evaporate again, and let it shoote as before: and this evaporating and
Crystallising must be continued until no vitriol more will shoote, but
in warm and cold places there remain still a deep green pleasant sweet
liquor or juyce: which is the true sweet and green oyl of Vitriol, and
hath all the vertues above related.
But now this green oyl further without fire may at last (after the
preparing of many fair colours between) be reduced to a blood red,
sweet and pleasant oyl, which goeth far beyond the green both in
pleasantness and vertue, and is in comparison to it like a ripe grape
to an unripe: Hereof happily shall be spoken at another time, because
occasion and time will not permit me now to proceed further in it.
And therefore the Philo-Chymical Reader is desired for the present to
be contented with the green oyl, to prepare it carefully, and to use
it with discretion; and doubtless he will get more credit by it, and
do more wonderful things then hitherto hath been done by the heavy
corrosive oyl.
_The use and Dose of the sweet oyl of Vitriol._
Of this green oyl, there may be taken from 1. 2. 4. 8. 10. or 12.
drops at once, according to the condition of the patient and the
disease, in fit Vehicles, in Wine or Beer, in the morning fasting, as
other medicines are usually taken: Also the Dose may be increased or
lessened, and as often reiterated as the disease shall require.
This Oyl expelleth all ill humors, not only by stoole and vomits,
but also by urin and sweating, according as it doth meet with
superfluities; and this very safely, and without any danger at all;
whereby many diseases radically or perfectly may be cured.
Let no man wonder that I ascribe such great vertues unto this oyl, it
coming from such a despicable stone, and its preparation requiring no
great Art or paines, as those intricate deceitful processes do, that
are every where extant in books quite filled up with them. And it is no
marvel, that men are in love with such false and costly processes; for
the most of them do not believe, that any good is to be found in things
that are not in esteem; but only make great account of dear things, far
fetcht, and requiring much time and paines for to be prepared.
Such men do not believe the word of God, testifying, _That God is no
respecter of persons_, but that all men that fear and love him, are
accepted of him. If this be true (which no good Christian will doubt)
then we must believe also, that God created Physick or the matter of
Physick as well for the poor as for the rich. Now if it be also for
the poor, then certainly such will be the condition thereof, that it
may be obtained by them, and easily prepared for use. So we see that
Almighty God causeth not only in great mens grounds to come forth good
Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, for the curing of the infirmities of
mankind, but that the same also are found every where else. Whereby we
perceive, that it is also the will of God, that they shall be known by
all men, and that he alone, as the Maker of all good, may be praised
and magnified by all men for the same.
I doubt not but that there will be found self-conceited scoffers, that
will despise this so little regarded subject, as if no good thing could
be made of it, because they could find nothing in it themselves. But
be it known to them, that neither to me nor them all things have been
discovered, but that yet many wonderful works of Nature are hidden to
us: and besides that I am not the first that writ of Vitriol and its
medicine. For the Ancients, our dear Ancestors, had always Vitriol in
very great esteem, as the following Verse doth prove.
_Visitabis Interiora Terræ, Rectificando
Invenies Occultum Lapidem, Veram Medicinam._
Whereby they would give us to understand, that a true medicine is to be
found in it. And the same also was known to the latter Philosophers:
for _Basilius_ and _Paracelsus_ have always highly commended it, as in
their writings is to be found.
It is to be admired, that this Oare or Metallical seed, which may
justly be called the gold of Physitians (in regard that so good a
medicine can be made of it) is not changed or altered in the earth,
like other things that grow in it, but keepeth always the same form
and shape, until it cometh to the air, which is its earth or ground,
wherein it putrefieth and groweth. For first it swelleth and groweth
like as a vegetable seed doth in the earth: and so taketh its increase
and grows out of the air, just as a seed of an hearb in the earth; and
the air is not only its Matrix, wherein it groweth and doth increase
like a vegetable, but it is also its Sun which maketh it ripe. For
within four weeks at the furthest it putrefieth and groweth black:
and about a fourtnight after it groweth white, and then green; and
thus far it hath been described here: But if you proceed further
Philosopher-like therewith, there will come forth to light at the last
the fairest red, and most pleasant Medicine, for which God be praised
for ever and ever, Amen.
_Of the Sulphureous volatile and Acid spirit of common Salt, and of
Allome._
The same way, which above hath been taught for the making of the
volatile spirit of vitriol, must be likewise used in the making of the
volatile spirits of common salt and allome.
_The manner of preparing._
Allome is to be cast in as it is of it self, without mixing of it, but
salt must be mixed with bole, or some other earth, to keep it from
melting: with the spirit volatile, there goeth also along an acid
spirit, whose vertue is described in the first part. The Oyl of Allome
hath almost the like operation with the oyl of vitriol. Also the spirit
volatile of both these, is of the same nature and condition with that
which is made of vitriol: but common salt, and allome, do not yield
so much, as vitriol; unless both, _viz._ salt and allome be mixed
together, and so a spirit distilled of them.
_Of the sulphureous volatile spirit of Minerals and Metals, and of
their preparation._
Such a penetrative sulphureous spirit may be made also of Minerals and
Metals, which in vertue goeth beyond the spirit of vitriol, that of
common salt, and that of allome, _viz._ after the following manner.
_The preparation of the volatile spirits of Metals._
Dissolve either Iron or Copper, or Lead or Tin with the acid spirit
of vitriol, or of common salt: abstract or draw off the phlegm; then
drive the acid spirit again from the Metal, and it will carry along
a volatile spirit, which by rectifying must be separated from the
corrosive spirit. And such Metallical spirits are more effectual than
those that are made of the salts.
_The preparation of the volatile spirit of Minerals._
Take of Antimony made into fine pouder, or of golden Marcasite, or
of some other sulphureous Mineral, which you please, two parts, mix
therewith one part of good purified Salt nitre, and cast in of that
mixture a small quantity, and then another, and so forth after the
manner above described; and there will come over a spirit which is not
inferiour to the former in efficacy and vertue; but it must also be
well rectified.
_Another way._
Cement what laminated or granulated Metal you please, (except gold)
with half as much in weight of common sulphur, closed up in a strong
melting pot or crucible, such as doth not let the sulphur go through,
for the space of half an hour, until that the sulphur hath penetrated
and broken the plates of Metal: Then beat them into powder, mix them
with the like quantity in weight of common salt, and so distil it after
the way above mentioned, and you will get a volatile spirit of great
vertue: and every such spirit is to be used for such special part or
member of the Body, as the Metal is proper for, out of which the spirit
is made. So silver for the brain; Tinn for the lungs, Lead for the
spleen, and so forth.
_The spirit of Zinck._
Of Zinck there is distilled both a volatile and also an acid spirit,
good for the heart; whether it be made by the help of the spirit of
vitriol, or of salt, or of allome: or else by the means of Sulphur; for
Zinck is of the nature of gold.
_The volatile spirit of the Dross of Regulus Martis._
The black scoria of the _Regulus Martis_, being first faln asunder in
the air, yields likewise a very strong sulphureous volatile spirit, not
much unlike in vertue unto the former.
The like Sulphureous volatile spirits may be made also of other
minerals, which for brevities sake we omit, as also in regard, that
they are almost the same in vertue.
_How to make a white acid, and a red volatile spirit out of salt
nitre._
Take two parts of Allome, and one part of salt nitre, make them both
into powder, mix them well together, and cast into the still a little
and a little thereof, as above in the making of other spirits hath
been taught, and there cometh over an acid spirit together with the
volatile spirit; and so many pounds as there is of the materials,
which are to be cast in, so many pounds of water must be put into the
receiver, to the end that the volatile spirits may so much the better
be caught and saved. And when the distillation is performed, the two
spirits may be separated by the means of a gentle rectification made in
_Balneo_; and you must take good heed, that you get the volatile spirit
pure by changing the receiver in good time, so that no flegme be mixed
with the red spirit, whereby it will be weakened and turn white. The
mark whereby you may perceive, whither the spirit or the flegme doth
go forth is this: when the volatile spirit goeth, then the receiver
looketh of a deep red: and afterward when the flegme doth come, the
receiver looks white again: and lastly, when the heavy acid spirit
goeth, then the receiver to be red again, but not so as it was, when
the first volatile spirit came over.
This spirit may also be made and distilled after another way, _viz._
mixing the salt nitre with twice as much bole or brick dust, and so
framed into little balls to prevent melting: but no way is so good as
the first, especially when you will have the red volatile spirit.
_Of the use of the red volatile spirit._
This volatile spirit, which (being quite freed from flegm) remaineth
always red, and doth look like blood, in all occasions may be accounted
like in vertue unto the former sulphureous spirits, especially in
extinguishing of inflammations and Gangreens it is a great treasure,
clothes being dipt in it, and laid upon the grieved place; Also it
goeth almost beyond all other medicines in the Erysipelas and colick:
and if there be any congealed blood in the body (which came by a fall
or blow) this spirit outwardly applyed with such waters as are proper
for the grief, and also taken inwardly, doth dissolve and expell it:
and being mingled with the volatile spirit of urin it doth yield a
wonderful kind of salt, as hereafter shall be taught.
_The use of the white acid spirit of salt nitre._
The heavy and corrosive spirit of salt nitre is not much used in
Physick, though it be found almost in all Apothecaries shops, and
there is kept for such use, as above hath been mentioned of the spirit
of vitriol, _viz._ to make their conserves, and cooling-drinks tast
sowrish. Also it is used by some in the colick, but it is too great
a corrosive, and too gross to be used for that purpose; and although
its corrosiveness may be mitigated in some measure, by adding of water
thereto, yet in goodness and vertue it is not comparable at all to the
volatile spirit, but is as far different from it, as black from white,
and therefore the other is fittest to be used in Physick; but this in
dealing with metals and minerals, for to reduce them into vitriols,
calxes, flores, and crocus.
_Aqua Regis._
If you dissolve common salt (which hath been decrepitated first) in
this acid spirit of salt nitre, & rectifie it by a glass retort in
sand by a good strong fire, it will be so strong, that it is able to
dissolve gold, and all other metals and minerals, except silver and
sulphur; and several metals may by the means thereof be separated much
better than by that Aqua regia which hath been made by adding of Salt
Armoniack. But if you rectifie it with _lapis calaminaris_ or Zinck,
it will be stronger yet, so as to be able to dissolve all metals and
Minerals (silver and sulphur excepted) whereby in the handling of
Metals, much more may be effected, than with common spirit of salt
nitre or Aqua fortis, as hereafter shall be taught: and first in the
preparing of gold.
_The Preparation of Aurum Fulminans, or Aurum Tonitruans._
Take of fine granulated or laminated gold (whither it be refined by
Antimony or _Aqua fortis_) as much as you please: put it in a little
Glass body, and pour four or five times as much of _Aqua regis_ upon
it, set it stopt with a Paper in a gourd in warm sand; and the _Aqua
regis_ within the space of one or two hours will dissolve the gold
quite into a yellow water: but if it have not done so, it is a sign
that either the water was not strong enough, or that there was too
little of it for to dissolve it. Then pour the solution from the
gold, which is not dissolved yet, into another glass, and pour more
of fresh _Aqua Regia_ upon the gold: set it again to dissolve in warm
sand or ashes, and the remaining gold will likewise be dissolved by
it, and then there will remain no more, but a little white calx, which
is nothing else but silver, which could not be dissolved by the _Aqua
Regia_ (for the _Aqua Regia_, whether it be made after the common
way with salt Armoniack, or else with common salt, doth not dissolve
silver) so in like manner common _Aqua fortis_, or spirit of salt
nitre dissolveth no gold; but all other metals are dissolved as well
by strong _Aqua fortis_ as by _Aqua Regia_. And therefore you must be
careful to take such gold as is not mixed with Copper, else your work
would be spoiled: for if there were any Copper mixed with it, then that
likewise would be dissolved and precipitated together with the gold;
and it would be a hindrance to the kindling or fulminating thereof: but
if you can get no gold, that is without Copper, then take Ducats or
Rose-nobles, which ought to have no Addition of Copper, but only of a
little Silver, which doth not hurt, because that it cannot be dissolved
by the _Aqua Regia_, but remaineth in the bottom in a white powder.
Make those Ducats or Rose-nobles red hot, and afterward bend them and
make them up in Rolls, and throw them into the _Aqua Regia_ for to
dissolve. All the gold being turned into a yellow water, and poured
off, pour into it by drops a pure oyl made of the Salt of Tartar, _per
deliquium_, and the gold will be precipitated by the contrary liquor
of Salt of Tartar into a brown yellow powder, and the solution will be
clear. But you must take heed, to pour no more oyl of Tartar into it
than is needful for the precipitation of the gold; else part of the
precipitated gold would be dissolved again, and so cause your loss.
The gold being well precipitated, pour off the clear water from the
gold calx by inclination, and pour upon it warm rain or other sweet
water, stir it together with a clean stick of wood, and set it in a
warm place, until the gold is settled, so that the water standeth clear
upon it again; then pour it off, and pour on other fresh water, and let
it extract the saltness out of the gold calx: and this pouring off,
and then pouring on of fresh water again, must be reiterated so often,
until no sharpness or saltness more be perceived in the water that hath
been poured off: Then set the edulcorated gold into the Sun or another
warm place for to dry. But you must take heed that it have no greater
heat than the heat of the Sun is in _May_ or _June_, else it would
kindle or take fire, and (especially if there be much of it) give such
a thunderclap, that the hearing of those that stand by, would be much
endangered thereby, and therefore I advice you to beware, and cautious
in the handling of it, lest you run the hazard both of your gold and of
your health by your over-sight.
There is also another way for to edulcorate your precipitated gold,
_viz._ thus, Take it together with the salt liquor, and pour it into
a funnel lined with brown Paper laid double, and so let the water
run through into a glass vessel, whereupon the funnel doth rest, and
pour on other warm water, and let it run through likewise; do this
again and again, until that the water come from it as sweet as it was
poured on. Then take the Paper with the edulcorated gold calx, out of
the funnel, lay it, together with the paper, upon other brown paper
lying severally double together, and the dry paper will attract all
the moistness out of the gold calx, so that the gold will be dryed
the sooner. Which being dry, take it out of the filtering paper, and
put it into another that is clean, and so lay it aside, and keep
it for use. The salt water that came through by filtering, may be
evaporated in a little glass body (standing in sand) to the dryness
of the salt, which is to be kept from the air: for it is likewise
useful in Physick; because some vertue of the nature of gold is yet
hidden in it: though one would not think it, in regard that it is so
fair, bright and clear, which for all that may be observed by this,
that when you melt it in a clean covered crucible or pot, and pour it
afterward into a clean Copper morter or bason (being first made warm)
you get a purple-coloured salt, whereof 6, 9, 12, to 24. grains given
inwardly, doth cleanse and purge the stomach and bowels, and especially
it is useful in feavers and other diseases of the stomach. But in
the crucible, out of which the salt hath been poured, you will find
an earthy substance, which hath separated it self from the salt, and
looketh yellowish; this being taken out and melted in a little crucible
by a strong fire, turneth to a yellow glass, which is impregnated with
the Tincture of Gold, and doth yield a grain of Silver in every regard
like unto common cupellated silver, wherein no gold is found, which
is to be admired: because that all Chymists are of opinion, that no
_Aqua regia_ can dissolve silver which is true. The question therefore
is, from whence or how this silver came into the salt, since no _Aqua
Regia_ doth dissolve silver? whereupon some perchance may answer, that
it must have been in the oyl of Tartar, in regard that many do believe,
that the salts likewise may be turned into metals, which I do not
gainsay, but only deny that it could have been done here; for if that
silver could have been existent in the _Aqua Regia_, or salt of Tartar
(whereas _Aqua Regia_ cannot bear any) it would have been precipitated
together with the gold. But that it was no common silver, but gold
which turned to silver after it was deprived of its Tincture, I shall
briefly endeavour to prove. For that the salt waters (of _Aqua Regia_
and salt of Tartar) out of which the gold hath been precipitated, is of
that nature, before it be coagulated to salt, though it be quite clear
and white, that if you put a feather in it, it will be dyed purple
within few days, which purple colour comes from the gold, and not from
silver, in regard that silver doth dye red or black: and hence it
appeareth, that the salt water hath retained something of gold.
Now some body peradventure may ask, if that the said salt water hath
retained some gold, how is it then, that in the melting, no gold
comes forth, but only silver? To which I answer, that some salts are
of that nature, that in the melting, they take from gold its colour
and soul; whereof if the gold be truly deprived, it is then no more
gold, nor can be such; neither is it silver, but remaineth only a
volatile black body, good for nothing, which also proveth much more
unfixt than common Lead, not able to endure any force of fire, much
less the cupel: But like _Mercury_ or _Arsenick_ vanisheth (or flyeth
away) by a small heat. Hence it may be gathered, that the fixedness
(or fixity) of gold doth consist in its soul or Tincture, and not in
its body, and therefore it is credible, that gold may be anatomized,
its best or purer part separated from the grosser (or courser) and so
that a Tingent medicine (or Tincture) may be made of it. But whether
this be the right way, whereby the universal medicine of the ancient
Philosophers (by whose means all metals can be changed or transmuted
into gold) is to be attained unto, I will not dispute; yet I believe
that peradventure there may be another subject, endued with a far
higher Tincture than gold is, which obtained no more from nature, than
it doth need it self for its own fixedness. However, we may safely
believe, that a true Anima or Tincture of gold, if it be well separated
from its impure black body, may be exalted and improved in colour; so
that afterwards of an imperfect body a greater quantity, than that
was from which it was abstracted, may be improved and brought to the
perfection of gold. But waving all this, it is true and certain, that
if the gold be deprived of its Tincture, the remaining body can no more
be gold; as is demonstrated more at large in my Treatise (_de Auro
potabili vero_) of the true potable Gold: And this I mentioned here
onely therefore, that in case the lover of this Art, in his work should
meet perchance with such a white grain, he may know, from whence it
doth proceed.
I could have forborn to set down the preparation of the fulminating
gold, and so save paper and time, in regard that it is described
by others: but because I promised in the first part to teach how
to make the flores of gold, and that those are to be made out of
fulminating (or thundring) gold, I thought it not amiss to describe
its preparation, that the lover of this Art need not first have his
recourse to another book for to find out the preparation, but by this
my book may be furnished with a perfect instruction for the making
of the flores of gold, and this is the common way for to make _Aurum
fulminans_, known unto most Chymists; but in regard that easily an
error may be committed in it, either by pouring on too much of the
liquor of Tartar (especially when it is not pure enough, so that
not all the gold doth precipitate, but part of it remaineth in the
solution, whereby you would have loss; or else, the gold falling or
precipitating into a heavy calx, which doth not fulminate well, and is
unfit for to be sublimed into flores.
Therefore I will here set down another and much better way, whereby
the gold may be precipitated quite and clean out of the _Aqua Regia_
without the least loss, and so that it cometh to be very light and
yellow, and doth fulminate twice as strong as the former, and there is
no other difference between this and the former preparation, but only
that instead of the oyl of Tartar, you take the spirit of urine, or of
salt armoniack for to precipitate the dissolved gold thereby; and the
gold (as before said) will be precipitated much purer, than it is done
by the liquor of the salt of Tartar, and being precipitated, it is to
be edulcorated and dryed, as above in the first preparation hath been
taught.
_The use of Aurum fulminans._
There is little to write of the use of _Aurum fulminans_ in physick;
for because it is not unlockt, but is only a gross calx and not
acceptable to the nature of man, it can do no miracle. And although
it be used to be given _per se_ from 6, 8, 12. grains to ℈ i. for to
provoke sweating in the Plague, and other malignant feavers, yet it
would never succeed so well as was expected. Some have mixed it with
the like weight of common sulphur, and made it red hot (or calcined it)
whereby they deprived it of its fulminating vertue, supposing thus to
get a better medicine, but all in vain, for the gold calx would not be
amended by such a gross preparation. But how to prepare a good medicine
out of _Aurum fulminans_, so that it may be evidently seen, that the
gold is no dead body, nor unfit for physick, but that it may be made
quick and fit for to put forth or shew forth those vertues which it
pleased God to treasure up in it, I shall here briefly discover.
* * * * *
First, get such an instrument (as above hath been taught) made for you
out of Copper, but not too big, nor with a lid at the top, but only
with a pipe, unto which a receiver may be applyed, which must not be
luted to it; but it sufficeth, that the pipe enter far into the belly
of the receiver; and at the lower part it must have a flat bottom,
that it may be able to stand: over the bottom there must be a little
hole with a little door, that closeth very exactly: and there must be
also two little plates or scales of silver or copper, as big as the
nail of ones finger, whereupon the _Aurum fulminans_ is to be set into
the Instrument; which is to stand upon a Trevet, under which you are
to lay some burning Coals for to warm or heat the bottom withal. The
Instrument together with the glass Receiver being so ordered, that it
stands fast, and also the bottom thereof being warmed or heated, then
with little pincers one of the little scales, containing 2, 3, or 4.
grains of _Aurum fulminans_ must be conveyed upon the Instrument set
upon the warm bottom, and then shut the little door, and when the
gold doth feel the heat, it kindleth and giveth a clap, and there is
caused a separation, and especial unlocking of the gold; for as soon
as the clap is done, the gold doth go through the pipe like a purple
coloured smoak into the receiver, and sticks on every where like a
purple coloured powder. When the smoak is vanished, which is soon done,
then take the empty scale out of the Instrument or Oven, and set it
with the gold, which will likewise fulminate and yield its flores.
Then the first being cooled in the mean time, is to be filled again
and put in, instead of that which is empty, and taken out, putting in
one scale after another by turns, continue it so long till you have
got flores enough: After the sublimation is performed, let the Copper
Vessel grow cool, and then sweep or brush the gold powder which is not
sublimed with a haires foot, or goose feather out of the vessel, which
powder serves for nothing, but to be melted with a little borax, and it
will be good gold again, but onely somewhat paler than it was before
it was made into fulminating gold. But the flores in the receiver
cannot be brushed out thus, especially when they are cast in with an
addition of salt Nitre, as by the flores of silver hereafter shall be
taught, because they are something moist, and therefore pour in as much
of dephlegmed Tartarised spirit of wine unto it, as you think to be
enough, for to wash off the flores with. This done, pour out the spirit
of wine, together with the burnt Phœnix into a clean glass, with a
long neck, set it (being well luted first) into a gentle Balneum, or
into warm ashes for some dayes, and the spirit of wine in the mean time
will be coloured with a fair red, which you must pour off and then pour
on other fresh spirit and set it in a warm place for to be dissolved,
this being likewise coloured, put both the extracts together in a
little glass body, and abstract the spirit of wine (in Balneo) from the
Tincture, which will be a little in quantity, but of a high red colour
and pleasant in taste. The remaining flores from which the Tincture is
extracted, may be with water washed out of the glass, and then dryed if
they are to be melted; and they will yield a little pale gold, and the
most part turneth into a brown glass, out of which perchance something
else that is good may be made, but unknown to me as yet.
N. B. If you mix the _Aurum fulminans_ with some salt nitre, before
fulmination, then the flores will be the more soluble, so that they
yield their Tincture sooner and more freely, than alone of themselves;
and if you please, you may adde thereto thrice as much salt nitre, and
so sublime them in flores, in the same manner, as shall be taught for
the making of the flores of silver.
_The use of the Tincture of Gold._
The extracted Tincture is one of the chiefest of those medicines, which
comfort & cheer up the heart of man, renew and restore to youthfulness,
and cleanse the impure blood in the whole body, whereby many horrible
diseases, as the leprosie, the pox, and like may be rooted out.
But whether this Tincture by the help of fire may be further advanced
into a fixed substance I do not know: for I have not proceeded further
in it, than here is mentioned.
_Of the flores of silver and of its medicine._
Having promised in the first part of this book (when I was describing
the preparation of flores out of Metals) to teach in the second part
to make the flores of gold and silver, those of gold being dispatcht;
there followeth now in order after the gold, to speak also of silver
and of its preparation, which is to be thus performed.
Take of thin laminated or small granulated fine silver as much as you
please, put it into a little separating glass body, and pour upon it
twice as much in weight of rectified spirit of salt nitre, and the
spirit of salt nitre will presently begin to work upon the silver and
to dissolve it. But when it will not dissolve any more in the cold,
then you must put the glass body into warm sand or ashes, and the water
will presently begin to work again; let the glass stand in the warm
ashes, until all the silver be dissolved. Then put the solution out
of the little glass body, into another such as is cut off at the top,
and put on a little head or Limbeck, and in sand abstract the moity
of the spirit of salt nitre from the dissolved silver; then let the
glass body remain in the sand till it be cool; after take it out, and
let it rest for a day and a night, and the silver will turn into white
foliated crystals, from which you must pour off the remaining solution
which is not turned; and from thence abstract again the moity of the
spirit, and let it shoot or turn in a cold place; and this abstracting
and crystallising you are to reiterate, until almost all the silver is
turned to Crystals; which you must take out and lay upon filtring paper
to dry, and so keep it for such further use, as hereafter shall be
taught. The remaining solution, which is not crystallised, you may in
a copper vessel by adding of sweet water thereto, precipitate over the
fire into a calx, and then edulcorate and dry it, and keep it for other
use, or else melt it again into a body. Or else you may precipitate the
same with salt water, and so edulcorate and dry it; and you will have
a calx, which doth melt by a gentle fire, and is of a special nature,
and in the spirit of urin, of salt Armoniack, of Harts-horn, of Amber,
of Soot, and of hair it doth easily dissolve; and it may be prepared or
turned into good medicines, as shortly in our treating of the spirit of
urin shall be taught. Or else, you may choose not to precipitate the
remaining solution of silver, but with the spirit of urin to extract an
excellent Tincture, as hereafter shall be taught.
_Of the use of the crystals of silver._
These crystals may safely be used in Physick alone by themselves 3,
6, 9, 12. graines thereof being mixed with a little sugar, or else
made up into pills; they do purge very gently and without danger; but
by reason of their bitterness they are somewhat untoothsome to take;
also, if they be not made up into pills, they colour the lips, tongue
and mouth quite black (but the reason of that blackness belongeth not
to this place to treat of, but shall by and by follow hereafter). Also
if they touch metals, as Silver, Copper and Tin, they make them black
and ugly, and therefore they are not much used. But if you put into the
solution of silver (before it be reduced into Crystals) half as much
quicksilver as there was of the silver, and so dissolve them together
and afterwards let them shoot together, there will come forth very fair
little square stones like unto Allome, which do not melt in the air,
as the former foliated ones use to do; neither are so bitter, and they
purge also quicker and better, than those that are made only of silver.
_How to sublime the Crystals of silver into flores, and then to
make a good Medicine of the flores._
Take of the foliated Crystals of Silver as many as you please, and upon
a grinding stone made warm first, grind as much purified and well dryed
salt nitre amongst it, then put into your Iron distilling vessel (to
the pipe whereof there is to be applyed and luted a great receiver)
coles made into powder two inches high, and make a fire under it, that
the vessel every where together with the coles that are in it, become
red hot. Then take off the lid, and with a ladle throw in at once of
your Crystals of silver ʒ i. more or less, according as you think that
your receiver in regard of its bigness is able to bear. This done,
presently put on the lid, and the salt nitre together with the crystals
of silver will be kindled by the coles that lye on the bottom of the
vessel, and there will come forth a white silver fume through the pipe
into the receiver, and after a while when the cloud is vanished in
the receiver, cast in more, and continue this so long, and until all
your prepared silver is cast in; then let it cool, and take off the
receiver, and pour into it good Alcolized spirit of wine, and wash the
flores with it out of the receiver, and proceed further with them, as
above you have been taught to proceed with the gold, and you will get a
greenish liquor, which is very good for the brain.
Take the coles out of the distilling vessel, and make them into fine
powder, and wash them out with water, to the end that the light
cole-dust may be got from it, and you will find much silver dust (or a
great many little silver grains) which the salt nitre could not force
over, which you may reduce, for it will be good silver.
There may also be made a very good medicine out of the crystals of
silver, which will be little inferior to the former, whereby the
diseases and infirmities of the brain may be very well remedied, which
is done thus.
_How to make a green oyl out of Silver._
Pour upon Crystals of silver twice or thrice as much (in weight) of the
strongest spirit of Salt Armoniack, put it in a glass with a long neck
well closed, into a very gentle warmth for the space of 8. or 14. days
in digestion, and the spirit of salt Armoniack will be tinged with a
very fair blew colour from the silver, then pour it off, and filtre it
through brown paper, and then put it in a little glass retort or glass
body, and abstract in Balneo by a gentle fire, almost all the spirit of
salt Armoniack (which is still good for use) and there will remain in
the bottom a grass-green Liquor, which is to be kept for a Medicine.
But in case that you should miss, and abstract too much of the spirit
from the Tincture of silver, so that the Tincture be quite dry and
turned to a green Salt, then you must pour upon it again as much of the
spirit of Salt Armoniack, as will dissolve the green salt again to a
green Liquor, but if you desire to have the Tincture purer yet, then
abstract all moistness from it, to a stony dryness: upon which you must
pour good spirit of Wine, which will quickly dissolve the stone, and
then filtre it, and there will remain feces, and the Tincture will be
fairer: from which you must abstract most of the spirit of wine, and
the Tincture will be so much the higher in vertue. But if you please,
you may distil that green salt or stone (before it be extracted again
with that spirit of wine) in a little glass retort, and you will get a
subtile spirit and a sharp oyl, and in the bottom of the retort there
remaineth a very fusile silver which could not come over.
It is to be admired, that when you pour spirit of salt Armoniack, or
spirit of wine upon that stone, for to dissolve it, that the glass
comes to be so cold by it, that you hardly are able to endure it in
your hand, which coldness in my opinion cometh from the silver (being
so well unlockt) which naturally is cold.
_The Use of the green Liquor in Alchymy, and for Mechanical
Operations._
This green Liquor serveth not only for a medicine, but also for other
Chymical operations (for both Copper and glass may be easily and
very fairly silvered over therewith) very useful for those that are
curious and love to make a shew with fair houshold-stuff; for if you
get dishes, trencher-plates, salters, cups and other vessels made
of glass, after the same fashion as those of silver use to be made,
you may very easily and without any considerable charge silver them
over therewith within and without, so that by the eye they cannot be
discerned from true silver plate.
Besides the above-related good Medicines, there may be made another and
especial good one out of the crystals of silver, _viz._ dissolving and
digesting them (for a space of time) with the universal water, which
hath been distilled by nature it self; and is known to every body: and
after its digesting for a short time, and change into several colours,
there will be found a pleasant essence, which is not so bitter as the
above-described green liquor, which is not brought yet by heat to
ripeness and maturation.
N. B. In this sweet universal Menstruum, may also all other metals by a
small heat and the digestion of a long time be ripened and fitted for
Medicines (having first been reduced into their vitriols and salts)
and then they are no more dead bodies, but by this preparation have
recovered a new Life, and are no more the metals of the covetous, but
may be called the metals of the Philosophers, and of the Physicians.
_Besides Physick or physical use._
Lastly, there may be many pretty things more effected (besides the
medicinal use) by means of the Crystals of silver, _viz._ when you
dissolve them in ordinary sweet rain water, you may dye beards, hair,
skin, and nails of men or beasts into carnation or pink red, brown and
black, according as you have put more or less thereof in the water; or
else, according as the hair was more or less times wetted therewith,
whereby the aspect of Man and Beast (which sometimes in several
occasions may not be contemned) is changed, so that they cannot be
known.
This colouring or dye may be also performed with Lead or Mercury no
less than with silver, but otherwise prepared, whereof in the fourth
part.
Now I have taught how to make flores and tinctures of gold and silver
by help of the acid spirit of Nitre. There may be many other medicines
taught to be made out of them, but in regard that they belong not to
this place, they shall be reserved for other places of this second, and
also for the other following parts.
As by the help of the spirit of Nitre, good Medicines may be made out
of gold and silver, so the like may be done out of other inferiour
metals. But in regard that their description is fitter for other places
of this Book, I omit them here. Yet nevertheless, I thought good
to describe one preparation of every metal; after Silver therefore
followeth now Copper.
_A medicine out of Copper externally to be used._
Dissolve burnt plates of Copper in spirit of salt, and abstract the
spirit again from thence to a dryness, but not too hard, and there will
a green mass remain behind, which you may cast in by little and little,
and so distil it, as of silver hath been taught. It doth yield a strong
and powerful spirit, and flores also for outward use in putrid wounds,
to lay a good ground thereby for the healing.
_A medicine out of Iron or Steel._
In the same manner you may proceed with iron and steel, and there will
remain behind a good crocus of a great stipticity or astringency,
especially out of iron or steel, and may with good success be mixed
with oyntments and plaisters.
_Of Tin and Lead._
If Tin or Lead be dissolved therein, after the abstracting of part of
the spirit, they will shoot into clear and sweet crystals. But Tin is
not so easily dissolved as Lead; both may safely be used for medicines.
Also there may be Spirits and flores got out of them by distilling. The
rehearsing of the Preparation is needless, for what for the preparing
of silver hath been taught, is to be understood also of other metals.
_The use of the Crystals of Lead and Tin._
The Crystals of Lead are admirably good to be used in the plague for to
provoke sweating and expel the venome out of the body; they may also
with credit be used in the bloody flux. Externally dissolved in water,
and clothes dipt therein and applied, they excellently cool and quench
all inflammations, in what part of the body soever they do befal.
Likewise the spirit thereof used _per se_ (and the flores mixed among
oyntments) do their part sufficiently.
But the crystals of Tin do not prove altogether so quick in operation,
though they do act their part also, and they are more pleasant than
those that are made of Lead; for in Tin there is found a pure sulphur
of gold; but in Lead a white sulphur of silver, as is proved in my
_Treatise of the generation and nature of Metals_.
_Of Mercury._
When you dissolve common Mercury in rectified spirit of Nitre, and
abstract the spirit from it again, then there will remain behind a fair
red glistering precipitate; but when the spirit is not rectified, it
will not be so fair, because that the impurity of the spirit remains
with the Mercury and pollutes it. This calcinated Mercury is called
by some _Mercurius præcipitatus_, and by others _Turbith minerale_,
wherewith the Surgeons, and sometimes other unskilful Physicians do
cure the Pox; they give at once 6, 8, 10. grains, (more or less)
according to its preparation and force in operation to the patient;
for if the spirit be not too much abstracted from it, it worketh much
stronger, than when by a strong fire it is quite separated from it;
for the spirits that remain with the Mercury make it quick and active,
which else without the spirits would not be such.
The other metals also, if they be not first made soluble by salts or
spirits, can perform either none or but very small operation, unless it
be Zink or Iron, which being easily soluble, are able to work without
any foregoing dissolution, as hath been shewn above, when we treated of
the oyl of vitriol. But that the sharp spirits are the cause of that
operation, may hence be perceived, and made manifest; that although
you take ℥ ss. of quick-silver and pour it down into the stomach, yet
it would run out again beneath, as above it was poured in. But if it
be prepared with spirits or salts, then but few grains of it will work
strongly, and the more it is made soluble, the stronger it worketh; as
you may see when it is sublimed from salt and vitriol, that it groweth
so strong thereby, that one grain doth work more than eight or ten
grains of Turbith Mineral, and three or four grains thereof would kill
a man, by reason of its mighty strength. Also it worketh extreamly,
and much more than the sublimate, when it is dissolved in spirit of
Nitre and crystalized, so that you cannot well take it upon your tongue
without danger. Which some perceiving, evaporate the _Aqua fortis_ by
a gentle heat from it, so that the _Mercurius_ remained yellow, which
in a smaller dose wrought more than the red, from which the spirits
were quite evaporated. And they used it only externally, strewing it
into impure sores, for to corrode or fret or away the proud flesh, not
without great pain to the patient: but also without distinction of
young or old gave it inwardly for to purge; which is one of the most
hurtful Purges that can be used. For this evil guest, however he be
prepared, cannot leave his tricks, unless he be reduced into such a
substance, as that it never can be brought back to a running Mercury,
for then much good can be done in physick without any hurt or prejudice
to the health of man, whereof perchance something more shall be said in
another place.
I cannot omit for the benefit of young innocent Children, to discover
a great abuse. For it is grown very common almost among all that deal
in physick, that as soon as a little child is not well before they know
whether it will be troubled with worms, or with any thing else, they
presently fall upon Mercury, supposing that in regard it hath no taste,
it is so much the better for to get the Children to take it for to
_kill_ the Worms.
But those men do not know the hurtful nature of it, which it doth
shew against the sinews and Nerves: For some are of opinion, that if
they know to prepare Mercury so, that it can be given in a greater
dose (as is to be seen in sublimed _Mercurius dulcis_) that then it
is excellently prepared: but they are in a great errour, and it were
much better, it were not so well prepared, that the less hurt might be
done to Man, in regard that then they durst not give it in so great a
dose. For if that which is prepared with _Aqua fortis_ or spirit of
salt nitre be used in the pox to men that are advanced in years, it
cannot do so much hurt, because it is given in a small dose, and doth
work with them, whereby nature gets help for to overcome and expel that
hurtful venome, and its malignity is abated by the strong salivation,
which provident nature hath planted in it, so that not so much mischief
can come by it, as by _Mercurius dulcis_, whereof is given to little
weak Children from ten to thirty grains at once, which commonly (unless
they be of a strong nature, and do grow it out) doth cause a weakness
and lameness in their limbs, so that (if they do not come to be quite
lame at last) they have a long time to struggle withal, till they
overcome it.
In like manner those also do err, which do shake Mercury in water
or beer so long, until the water come to be gray-coloured, and so
give that water or beer to little children to drink for the Worms,
pretending that they do not give the substance or body of Mercury, but
only its vertue. But this gross Preparation is no better than if they
had ministred the running Mercury it self. Neither have I ever seen
that the use of _Mercurius dulcis_, or of the gray coloured water was
seconded with good success in killing of the Worms. But it is credible,
that it may be done by yellow or red precipitate, in regard of its
strong operation. But who would be such an Enemy to his Child, as to
plague and torture it with such a hurtful and murthering medicine;
especially there being other medicines to be had, which do no harm to
the children, as is to be found in iron or steel, and the sweet oyl of
vitriol.
And so much of the abuse of Mercury: I hope it will be a good warning
unto many, so that they will not so easily billet such a tyrannical
guest in any ones house, whereby the ruine thereof of necessity must
follow. And that cure deserveth no praise at all, whereby one member
is cured with the hurt of two or three other members. As we see by
the Pox, when one infected member is cured by Mercury, and that but
half, and not firm at all, that all the rest of the body is endangered
thereby for the future. And therefore it would be much better that such
crude horse-physick might be severed from good medicaments, and such
used instead of them, as may firmly, safely, and without prejudice to
other parts perform the cure, of which kind several are taught in this
book. But in case that you have Patients, which have been spoiled by
such an ill-prepared Mercury, then there is no better remedy to restore
them, than by medicines made of metals, wherewith Mercury hath great
affinity, as of gold and silver: for when they are often used, they
attract the Mercury out of all the members, and carry it along with
them out of the body, and so do rid the body thereof. But externally
the precipitated Mercury may more safely be used, than internally, in
case there be nothing else to be had, _viz._ to corrode or eat away
the proud flesh out of a wound. But if instead of it there should be
used the corrosive oyl of Antimony, Vitriol, Allome or common salt
it would be better, and the cure much the speedier; and it would be
better yet, that in the beginning good medicaments were used to fresh
wounds, and not by carelesness to reduce them to that ill condition,
that afterwards by painful corrosives they must be taken away. But such
a Mercury would serve best of all for souldiers, beggers, and children
that go to school; for if it be strewed upon the head of children, or
into their cloathes, no louse will abide there any longer. In which
case Mercury must by his preparation not be made red, but onely yellow,
and it must be used warily, and not be strewed on too thick, lest the
flesh be corroded, which would be the occasion of great mischief.
_Of Aqua fortis._
Out of Salt nitre and vitriol, taking of each a like quantity (or if
the water is to be not altogether so strong) two parts of vitriol to
one part of salt nitre, a water distilled is good to dissolve metals
therewith, and to separate them from one another; as gold from silver,
and silver from gold, which in the fourth part punctually shall be
taught.
The _Aqua fortis_ serveth also for many other Chymical operations to
dissolve and fit metals thereby, that they may be reduced the easier
into medicaments: but because the spirit of salt nitre and _Aqua
fortis_ are almost all one, and have like operations: for if the
_Aqua fortis_ be dephlegmed and rectified, you may perform the same
operations with it, which possibly may be performed with the spirit of
salt nitre; and on the other side the spirit of salt nitre will do all
that can be done with the _Aqua fortis_, whereof in the fourth Part
shall be spoken more at large.
Now I know well that ignorant laborators (which do all their work
according to custome, without diving any further into the Nature of
things, will count me an Heretick (because I teach, that the _Aqua
fortis_ made of vitriol and salt nitre is of the same nature and
condition with the spirit of salt nitre, which is made without vitriol)
saying that the _Aqua fortis_ doth partake likewise of the spirit of
vitriol, because vitriol also is used in the preparation of it. To
which I answer, that although vitriol be used in the preparation of it,
yet for all that in the distilling, nothing or but very little of its
spirit comes over with the spirit of salt nitre, and that by so small
a heat it cannot rise so high, as the spirit of salt nitre doth: and
the vitriol is added onely therefore unto the salt nitre that it may
hinder its melting together, and so the more facilitate its going into
a spirit. And the more to be convinced of this truth, the unbelieving
may add to such spirit of salt nitre, as is made by it self, a little
of oyl of vitriol likewise made by it self, and try to dissolve silver
guilded with it, and he will find that his spirit of salt nitre by the
spirit of vitriol is made unfit to make a seperation; for it preyeth
notably upon the gold, which is not done by _Aqua fortis_.
_Of the sulphurised spirit of salt nitre._
There may also be made a spirit of salt nitre with sulphur, which is
still in use with many, _viz._ they take a strong earthen retort, which
hath a pipe at the top, and fasten it into a furnace, and having put
salt nitre into it, they let it melt, and then through the pipe they
throw peeces of sulphur of the bigness of a pea, one after another,
which being kindled, together with the nitre doth yield a spirit
called by some spirit of salt nitre, and by others oyl of sulphur, but
falsely; for it is neither of both, in regard that metals cannot be
dissolved therewith as they are done with other spirit of salt nitre
or sulphur; neither is there any great use for it in physick, and if
it were good for any Chymical operations, by the help of my distilling
instrument might easily be made and in great quantity,
N.B. But if salt nitre be mixed with sulphur in due proportion, and in
the first furnace be cast upon quick coles, then all will be burnt, and
a strong spirit cometh over, whose vertue is needless here to describe;
but more shall be mentioned of it in another place.
_Of the Clissus._
Among the Physitians of this latter age, there is mention made of
another spirit, which they make of Antimony, Sulphur, and salt nitre,
a like quantity taken of each, which they call _Clissus_, and which
they have in high esteem, and not without cause, because it can do much
good, if it be well prepared.
The inventor, for the making thereof used a retort with a pipe, as was
mentioned by the sulphurized spirit of salt nitre, through which pipe
he threw in his mixture. And it is a good way if no better be known:
but if the Author had known my invention and way of distilling, I doubt
not but he would have set aside his, that hath a nose or pipe retort,
and made use of mine.
The materials indeed are good, but not the weight or proportion; for to
what purpose so great a quantity of sulphur, it being not able to burn
away all with so small a quantity of salt nitre. And if it doth not
burn away, but only sublime & stop the neck of the retort, whereby the
distillation is hindered, how can it then yield any vertue? Therefore
you ought to take not so much sulphur, but only such a quantity as
will serve to kindle the salt nitre, _viz._ to ℔ i. of salt nitre four
drams of sulphur: but because Antimony also is one of the ingredients,
which hath likewise much sulphur (for there is no Antimony so pure, but
it containeth much combustible sulphur, as in the fourth part of this
book shall be proved:) therefore it is needless to add so much sulphur
unto Antimony, to make it burn, because it hath enough of it self. And
therefore I will set down my composition, which I found to be better
than the first.
Take Antimony ℔ i. salt nitre ℔ ij. sulphur ℥ iij. the materials
must be made into small powder and well mixed, and at once cast in ℥
ij. thereof, and there will come over a sulphureous acid spirit of
Antimony, which will mix it self with the water, which hath been put
before in the receiver; which after the distillation is finished must
be taken out and kept close for its use. It is a very good diaphoretick
(or sweat provoking) medicine especially in feavers, the plague,
epilepsie, and all other diseases, whose cure must be performed by
sweating. The _Caput Mortuum_ may be sublimed into flores in that
furnace, which is described in the first part.
_Of the Tartarised spirit of nitre._
In the very same manner there may also be distilled a good
sweat-provoking spirit out of salt nitre and Tartar, a like quantity
taken of each, which is very good to be used in the plague and
malignant feavers.
The _Caput Mortuum_ is a good melting powder for to reduce the calxes
of metals therewith; or else you may let it dissolve in a moist place
to oyl of Tartar.
_Of the Tartarised spirit of Antimony._
A much better spirit yet may be made of Tartar, salt nitre, and
Antimony, a like quantity being taken of each and made into fine
powder, and mixed well together, which though it be not so pleasant to
take, is therefore not to be despised. For not only in the plague and
feavers, but also in all obstructions and corruptions of blood it may
be used with admiration of its speedy help.
The _Caput Mortuum_ may be taken out, and melted in a crucible, and
it will yield a _Regulus_, the use whereof is described in the fourth
part. Out of the scoria or dross a red Tincture may be extracted with
spirit of wine, which is very useful in many diseases. But before you
extract with spirit of wine, you may get a red lixivium out of it with
sweet water, which lixivium may be used externally for to mend the
faults of the skin and to free it from scabbiness.
Upon this lixivium if you pour Vinegar or any other acid spirit,
there will precipitate a red powder, which if it be edulcorated and
dryed may be used in physick. It is called by some sulphur _auratum
diaphoreticum_: but it is no Diaphoretick, but maketh strong vomits,
and so in case of necessity, when you have no better medicine at hand,
it may be used for a vomitory from 6, 7, 9, 10, 15.
Also out of the scoria there may be extracted a fair Sulphur with the
spirit of urin and distilled over the Limbeck, which is very good for
all diseases of the lungs.
_Of Stone-coles._
If you mix stone-coales with a like quantity of salt nitre, and distill
them, you will get an admirable spirit and good to be used outwardly;
for it cleanseth and consolidateth wounds exceedingly, and there will
also come over a metallical vertue in the form of a red powder, which
must be separated from the spirit, and kept for its use. But if you
cast in stone-coles alone by themselves, and distill them, there will
come over not only a sharp spirit, but also a hot and blood red oyl,
which doth powerfully dry and heal all running ulcers; especially it
will heal a scald head better than any other medicine, and it doth
consume also all moist and spongious excrescencies in the skin, where
ever they be: but if you sublime stone-coles in the furnace described
in the first part, there comes over, an acid metallical spirit, and a
great deal of black light flores, which suddenly stanch bleeding, and
used in plaisters, are as good as other metallical flores.
_Of the Sulphureous spirit of salt nitre or Aqua fortis._
If you take one part of sulphur, two parts of nitre, and three parts
of vitriol, and distill them, you will get a graduating _Aqua fortis_,
which smelleth strongly of sulphur; for the sulphur is made volatile by
the salt nitre and vitriol. It is better for separating of metals, than
the common _Aqua fortis_.
If silver be put in, it groweth black, but not fixed; some of it
poured into a solution of silver a great deal of black calx will
precipitate, but doth not abide the tryal. You may also abstract a
strong _sulphureous_ volatile spirit from it, which hath like vertue as
well internally as externally for bathes, and may be used like unto a
volatile spirit of Vitriol or Allome.
_Of the Nitrous spirit of Arsenick._
If you take white Arsenick and pure salt nitre of each a like quantity
ground into fine powder, and distill them, you will get a blew spirit,
which is very strong, but no water must be put into the receiver, else
it would turn white, for the Arsenick, from which the blew cometh,
is precipitated by the water. This spirit dissolveth and graduateth
copper as white as silver, and maketh it malleable but not fixed. The
remaining _Caput Mortuum_ maketh the copper white, if it be cemented
therewith, but very brittle and unmalleable, but how to get good silver
out of Asenick and with profit, you shall find in the fourth part. In
physick the blew spirit serveth for all corroding cancrous sores, which
if they be anointed therewith, will be killed thereby, and made fit for
healing.
_To make a spirit of Sulphur, crude Tartar and Salt nitre._
If you grind together one part of Sulphur, two parts of Crude Tartar,
and four parts of salt nitre, and distill it Philosopher-like, you will
get a most admirable spirit, which can play his part both in Physick
and Alchymy. I will not advise any body to distill it in a retort; for
this mixture, if it groweth warm from beneath, it fulminateth like
Gunpowder; but if it be kindled from above, it doth not fulminate, but
onely burneth away like a quick fire; metals may be melted and reduced
thereby.
_To make a spirit out of Salt of Tartar, Sulphur, and Salt-nitre._
If you take one part of salt of Tartar, and one part and a half of
Sulphur, with three parts of salt nitre, and grind them together, you
will have a commposition, which fulminateth like _Aurum fulminans_, and
the same also (after the same manner as above hath been taught with
gold) may be distilled into flores and spirits, which are not without
special Vertue and Operation. For the corruption of one thing is the
generation of another.
_How to make a spirit of saw-dust, sulphur and salt nitre._
If you make a mixture of one part of Saw-dust made of Tilia or
Linden-wood, and two parts of good sulphur, and nine parts of purified
and well dryed salt nitre, and cast it in by little and little, there
will come over an acid spirit, which may be used outwardly, for to
cleanse wounds that are unclean. But if you mix with this composition
minerals or metals made into fine powder, and then cast it in and
distill it, there will come not only a powerful metallical spirit,
but also a good quantity of flores, according to the nature of the
mineral, which are of no small vertue: for the minerals and metals
are by this quick fire destroyed and reduced to a better condition,
whereof many things might be written: but it is not good to reveal all
things. Consider this sentence of the Philosophers. _It is impossible
to destroy without a flame, The combustible Sulphur of the Calx, which
the digged Mine doth doe._
Also fusible minerals and metals may not only be melted, therewith,
but also cupellated in a moment upon a Table in the hand or in a
nut-shell; whereby singular proofs of oares and metals may be made, and
much better, than upon a Cupel, whereof further in the fourth part of
this book. Here is opened unto us a gate to high things; if entrance
be granted unto us, we shall need no more books to look for the Art in
them.
_To make metallical spirits and flores by the help of salt-nitre
and linnen cloth._
If metals be dissolved in their appropriated Menstruums, and in the
solution (wherein a due proportion of salt nitre must be dissolved)
fine linnen rags be dipt and dryed, you have a prepared metal, which
may be kindled, and (as it was mentioned above concerning the saw-dust)
through the burning away and consuming of their superfluous sulphur,
the mercurial substance of the metal is manifested. And after the
distillation is ended, you will find a singular purified calx, which
by rubbing coloureth other metals, as that of gold doth guild silver,
that of silver silvereth over copper, and copper calx maketh iron look
like copper, _&c._ which colouring though it cannot bring any great
profit, yet at least for to shew the possibility, I thought it not
amiss to describe it; and perchance something more may be hid in it,
which is not given to every one to know.
_Of Gun-powder._
Of this mischievous composition and diabolical abuse of Gunpowder much
might be written: but because this present world taketh only delight
in shedding innocent blood, and cannot endure that unrighteous things
should be reproved, & good things praised, therefore it is best to be
silent, and to let every one answer for himself, when the time cometh
that we shall give an account of our stewardship, which perhaps is not
far off; and then there will be made a separation of good and bad, by
him that tryeth the heart, even as gold is refind in the fire from its
dross. And then it will be seen what Christians we have been. We do all
bear the name, but do not approve our selves to be such by our works;
every one thinketh himself better than others, and for a words sake
which one understandeth otherwise, or takes in another sense than the
other (and though it be no point, whereon salvation doth depend) one
curseth and condemneth another and persecuteth one another unto death,
which Christ never taught us to do, but rather did earnestly command
us that we should love one another, reward evil with good, and not
good with evil, as now a dayes every where they use to do; every one
standeth upon his reputation, but the honor of God and his command are
in no repute, but are trampled under foot, and Lucifers pride, vain
ambition, and Pharisaical hypocrisie or shew of holiness, hath so far
got the upper-hand with the learned, that none will leave his contumacy
or stubbornness, or recede a little from his opinion, although the
whole world should be turned upside down thereby. Are not these fine
Christians? By their fruit you shall know them, and not by their words.
Woolves are now clothed with sheeps skins, so that none of them almost
are to be found, and yet the deeds and works of Woolves are every where
extant.
All good manners are turned into bad, women turn men, and men women
in their fashion and behaviour, contrary to the institution and
ordinance of God and Nature. In brief, the world goeth on crutches. If
_Heraclitus_ and _Democritus_ should now behold this present world,
they would find exceeding great cause for their lamenting and laughing
at it. And therefore it is no marvel, that God sent such a terrible
scourge as gun-powder is upon us; and it is credible, that if this do
not cause our amendment, that a worse will follow, _viz._ thunder and
lightning falling down from Heaven, whereby the world shall be turned
upside down for to make an end of all pride, self-love, ambition,
deceit and vanity. For which the whole Creation doth wait, fervently
desiring to be delivered from the bondage thereof.
Now this preparation, which is the most hurtful poyson, a terror unto
all the living, is nothing else but a _fulmen terrestre_ denouncing
unto us the wrath and coming of the Lord. For Christ to judge the
world is to come with thundering and lightning: and this earthly
thunder perchance is given us for to put us in mind and fear of that
which is to come, but this is not so much as thought on by men, who
prepare it only for to plague and destroy mankind therewith in a most
cruel and abominable manner, as every one knoweth.
For none can deny but that there is no nimbler poyson, than this
gunpowder. It is written of the Basiliske, that he killeth man only by
his look, which a man may avoid, and there are but few (if any at all)
of them found: but this poyson is now prepared and found every where.
How often doth it fall out, that a place wherein this powder is kept
is stricken with thunder as with its like, in so much that all things
above it are in a moment destroyed, and carryed up into the air? Also
in sieges, when an Ordnance is discharged, or Mines blown up, all whom
it lays hold on, are suddenly killed, and most miserably destroyed.
What nimbler poyson then could there be invented? I believe there is
none, who will not acknowledge it to be such.
And seeing that the ancient Philosophers and Chymists were always of
opinion, that the greater the poyson is, the better medicine may be
made of it, after it is freed from the poyson, which with us their
posterity is proved true by many experiences; as we see by Antimony,
Arsenick, Mercury, and the like minerals, which without preparation are
meer poyson, but by due preparation may be turned into the best and
most effectual medicaments, which though not every one can comprehend
or believe, yet Chymists know it to be true, and the doing of it is no
new thing to them. And because I treat in this second part of medicinal
spirits, and other good medicaments, and finding that this which can
be made out of gunpowder, is none of the least, I would not omit in
some measure, and as far as lawfully may be done, to set down its
preparation: which is thus performed.
_How to make a spirit of Gunpowder._
Your distilling vessel being made warm, and a great receiver with
sweet water in it, being applyed to it without luting, put a dish
with gunpowder, containing about 12. or 15. grains a piece, one after
another into it; in the same manner as above was taught to do with
gold. For if you should put in too much of it at once, it would cause
too much wind and break the receiver.
As soon as you have conveighed it into the vessel, shut the door, and
the gunpowder will kindle, and give a blast that it maketh the receiver
stir, and a white mist or steam will come over into the receiver. As
soon as the powder is burnt, you may cast in more before the mist is
settled, because else the distilling of it would cost too much time,
and so you may continue to do until you have spirit enough. Then let
the fire go out, and the furnace grow cool, and then take off the
receiver, pour the spirit with the water that was poured in before (the
flores being first every where washed off with it) out of the receiver
into a glass body, and rectifie it in a B. through a limbeck, and there
will come over a muddy water, tasting and smelling of sulphur: which
you must keep. In the glass body you will find a white salt, which you
are to keep likewise. Take out the _Caput Mortuum_, which remained
in the distilling vessel, and looks like gray salt, calcine it in a
covered crucible, that it turn white, but not that it melt; and upon
this burnt or calcined salt, pour your stinking water, which came over
through the limbeck, and dissolve the calcined white salt with it,
and the feces which will not dissolve cast away. Filtre the solution,
and pour it upon the white salt, which remained in the glass body,
from which the sulphureous spirit was abstracted before, and put the
glass body (with a limbeck luted upon it) into sand, and abstract the
sulphureous water from it, which will be yellowish, and smell more of
sulphur than it did before. This water if it be abstracted from the
salt several times, will turn white, almost like unto milk, and tast
no more of sulphur, but be pleasant and sweet. It is very good for
the diseases of the lungs. Also it doth guild silver, being anointed
therewith, although not firmly, and by digestion it may be ripened and
reduced into a better medicine.
The salt which remained in the glass body, urge with a strong fire,
such as will make the sand, wherein the glass standeth red hot, and
there will sublime a white salt into the limbeck, in taste almost like
unto salt Armoniack, but in the midst of the glass body, you will find
another, which is yellowish, of a mineral taste and very hot upon the
tongue.
The sublimed salts, as well the white which did ascend into the
limbeck, as the yellow, which remained in the glass body are good to
be used in the plague, malignant feavers and other diseases, where
sweating is required; for they do mightily provoke sweating, they
comfort and do cleanse the stomach, and cause sometimes gentle stools.
But what further may be done in Physick with it, I do not know yet.
In Alchymy it is also of use, which doth not belong to this place. Upon
the remaining salt which did not sublime you may pour rain water, and
dissolve it there in the glass body, (if it be whole still) else if
it be broken, you may take out the salt dry, and dissolve and filtre
and coagulate it again, and there will be separated a great deal of
fæces. This purified salt, which will look yellowish, melt in a covered
crucible, and it will turn quite blood red, and as hot as fire upon the
tongue, which with fresh water you must dissolve again, and then filtre
and coagulate; by which operation it will be made pure and clear, and
the solution is quite green before it be coagulated, and as fiery as
the red salt was before its dissolution.
This grass green solution being coagulated again into a red fiery salt,
may be melted again in a clean and strong crucible, and it will be much
more red and fiery.
N. B. And it is to be admired that in the melting of it many fire
sparks do fly from it, which do not kindle or take fire, as other
sparks of coals or wood use to do. This well purified red salt being
laid in a cold and moist place, will dissolve into a blood red oyl,
which in digestion dissolveth gold and leaveth the silver: this
solution may be coagulated, and kept for use in Alchimy.
There may also a pretious Tincture be extracted out of it with
alcolized spirit of wine, which Tincture guildeth silver, but not
firmly.
And as for use in Physick, it ought to be kept as a great Treasure.
But if the red fiery salt be extracted with spirit of wine before gold
be dissolved therewith, it will yield likewise a fair red Tincture,
but not so effectual in Physick as that unto which gold is joyned. And
this Tincture can also further be used in Alchymy, which belongeth not
hither, because we only speak of medicaments.
_Of the use of the Medicine or Tincture made of Gunpowder._
This Tincture whether with or without gold, made out of the red salt,
is one of the chiefest that I know to make, if you go but rightly to
work, and prepare it well; for it purifieth and cleanseth the blood
mightily, and provoketh also powerfully sweat and urine; so that it may
safely and with great benefit be used in the Plague, Feavers, Epilepsy,
Scurvy, in _Melancholia Hypochondriaca_, in the Gout, Stone, and the
several kinds of them; as also in all obstructions of the Spleen and
Liver, and in all diseases of the Lungs, and it is to be admire that of
such a hurtful thing such a good medicine can be prepared. Therefore it
would be much better to prepare good medicaments of it, to restore the
poor diseased to health therewith, than to destroy with it those that
are whole and sound.
I know a Chymist, that spent much time and cost to search this
poysonous dragon, thinking to make the universal medicine or stone of
the ancient Philosophers out of it. Especially because he saw, that so
many strange changes of colours appeared, whereof mention is made by
the Philosophers when they discribe their medicine and the preparation
thereof.
The Dragons blood, Virgins milk, Green and Red Lyon, Black blacker
than Black, White whiter than White and the like, more needless here
to relate, which easily may perswade a credulous man as it hapned
also unto him. But afterward he found, that this subject in which he
put so much confidence, was leprous and not pure enough, and that it
is impossible to make that tingent stone of it, for to exalt men and
metals, and so was glad to be contented with a good particular medicine
and to commit the rest unto God.
And so much of that poysonous dragon, gunpowder: but that there is
another and more purer dragon, whereof the Philosophers so often made
mention, I do not deny; for nature is mighty rich, and could reveal to
us many arcana by Gods permission: But because we look only for great
honor and riches, and neglect the poor, there is good reason why such
things remain hidden from wicked and ungodly men.
_To make spirits and flores of Nitre and Coals._
If you distill Nitre (well purified from its superfluous salt) mixed
with good coals, the Egyptian Sun bird doth burn away, and out of it
doth sweat a singular water, useful for men and metals. Its burnt ashes
are like unto calcined Tartar, and for the purging of metals not to be
despised.
_To make flores and spirits of flints, crystals or sand, by adding of
coals and salt nitre to them._
Take one part of flints or sand, and three parts of Linden coals,
with six parts of good salt nitre mixed well together, and cast of it
in, and the combustible sulphur of the flints will be kindled by the
piercing and vehement fire of the salt nitre, and maketh a separation,
carrying over with it part thereof, which it turneth into spirits
and flores, which must be separated by filtring. The spirit tasteth
as if it had been made of salt of Tartar and flints, and is of the
same nature and condition; and the remaining _Caput Mortuum_ also
yieldeth such an oyl or liquor in all like unto that, and therefore
its condition is not described here, but you may find it where I shall
treat of the spirit made of salt of tartar by adding of flints.
_To make a spirit and oyl out of Talck with salt nitre._
Take one part of Talck made into fine powder, and three parts of
Linden-coals, mixe them with five or six parts of good salt nitre, cast
in of that mixture one spoonful after another, and there will come over
a spirit and a few flores, which must be separated as hath been taught
above concerning flints.
The spirit is not unlike unto the spirit of sand: the _Caput Mortuum_,
which looks greyish, must be well calcined in a crucible, so that it
melt, and then pour it out, and it will yield a white transparent Mass,
like as flints and crystals do, which in a cold moist cellar will turn
to a thick liquor, fatter in the handling than the oyl of sand. It is
something sharp like unto oyl of Tartar; it cleanseth the Skin, Hair
and Nails, and makes them white; the spirit may be used inwardly for
to provoke sweat and urine: externally used, it cleanseth wounds, and
healeth all manner of scabs in the body out of hand. What further may
be done with it, I do not know yet: But how to bring Talck, pebles, and
the like stony things to that pass, that they may be dissolved with
spirit of wine and reduced into good medicaments shall be taught in the
fourth part.
_To make a spirit, flores, and oyl out of Tin._
If you mix two parts of the filings of Tin, with one part of good salt
nitre, and cast it in, as you were taught to do with other things, then
the sulphur of Tin will kindle the salt nitre, and make a flame, as
if it were done with common sulphur, whereby a separation is made, so
that one part of the Tin cometh over in flores and spirit, and the rest
stayeth behind, which if it be taken out, some of it in a moist place
will turn into a liquor or oyl, which externally may be used with good
success in all ulcers for to cleanse them. It hath also the vertue, if
it be pertinently applyed to graduate and exalt wonderfully all the
colours of vegetables and animals, which would be useful for dyers. The
spirit of it mightily provoketh sweating: the flores being edulcorated
and used in plaisters, do dry and heal very speedily.
_To make a spirit, flores and a liquor out of Zinck._
In like manner as hath been taught with Tin, you may also proceed with
Zinck, and it will yield a good quantity of flores, and also a spirit
and oyl, almost of the same vertues with those made of Tin: and these
flores corrected with salt nitre, are better than those which are
taught to be made by themselves in the first part of the book.
_To make a spirit, flores and oyl of Lapis Calaminaris._
Mix two parts of salt nitre with one part of _lapis calaminaris_ and
cast it in, and it will yield a sharp spirit very useful for separating
of metals, and there will come over also a few yellow flores. The rest
remaining behind is a dark green Mass very fiery upon the tongue, like
salt of Tartar, and if it be dissolved with rain water, yieldeth a
grass green solution, which being not presently coagulated into salt,
the green separateth it self from the fixed salt nitre, and there
falleth to the bottom a fine red powder, and if it be edulcorated and
dryed, and given from one grain to ten or twelve it causeth gentle
stools and easy vomits, better than prepared Antimony; for _lapis
calaminaris_ and Zinck are of the nature of Gold, as in the fourth
part shall be proved: the white _lixivium_ or lye, from which the
green is precipitated, may be coagulated into white salt, like unto
salt of Tartar; but if you coagulate the green solution, before the
green be separated from the salt nitre, then you will get a very fair
green salt, high in colour and much more fiery than salt of Tartar,
whereby special things may be done in Alchymy, which doth not belong
hither. And if you desire to make such a green salt for to use it in
Alchymy, you need not take so much pains, as first to distil a spirit
out of the mixture, but take three or four parts of good salt nitre,
and mix it with one part of _lapis calaminaris_, and let this mixture
boyl together in a wind furnace, till the salt nitre be coloured green
by the _lapis calaminaris_, then pour it out and separate the green
goldish salt from it, and make such good use of it as you think fit.
But if you will extract a good Tincture and medicine, make it into
powder, and extract it with spirit of wine, and it will yield a blood
red Tincture, both in Physick and Alchymy of good use.
Further you are to take notice, that among all metals and minerals,
which I know (except gold and silver) there is none found, out of which
can be extracted a greenness which is of fire-proof, but only out of
_lapis calaminaris_, which deserves to be well considered and further
thought upon.
_To make a spirit of salt nitre, sulphur and common salt._
Take one part of salt, two parts of sulphur, and four parts of salt
nitre, grind all together, and cast in one spoonful after another to
distil, and it will yield a sharp yellow spirit, which if it be put
among common water, so that the water be not made too sharp of it,
it is a good bath, good for many diseases; especially it healeth all
scabs very suddenly. The _Caput Mortuum_ may also be dissolved in water
and used among bathes, and it is good likewise, but the spirit is
penetrating, and doth operate suddenly in shrinkings and other defects
of the nerves; of such kind of bathes there shall be spoken more in the
third part. Also the remaining fixed yellow salt is good to be used in
Alchymy; for it graduateth silver by cementing.
_To make a spirit, flores and oyl out of salt nitre and Regulus
Martis._
Take one part of _Regulus Martis stellatus_ (made of one part of Iron
or Steel, and three parts of Antimony, whose preparation is described
in the fourth part) and three parts of pure salt nitre, mix and grind
all together, and cast it in by little and little to distil, and there
will come over a spirit together with a white sublimate, which must
be separated with water, as hath been taught above with other flores,
and both the spirit and the flores are good to provoke sweat. The
remaining _Caput Mortuum_, (as they usually call it) is not dead, but
full of life and vertue, whereby much good may be done both in Physick
and Alchymy, as followeth. The remaining Mass, which looks white, and
is very sharp and fiery (if the _Regulus_ have been pure, if not,
then it will look yellowish) may be edulcorated with fresh water, and
it will yield a _lixivium_ or lye in all things like unto calcined
Tartar, but sharper and purer, and may be used almost in all operations
instead of salt of Tartar (but first the _Regulus Antimonii_ must be
precipitated from it by the help of water) and afterward it may be
coagulated into salt and kept for its use; the edulcorated, as also
that which was precipitated with water is a white and fine powder,
useful in the plague, feavers, and other diseases to provoke sweating
thereby, and may very safely be used, and although if it be given in a
greater quantity than usual, it causes some vomits also, yet for all
that it doth no hurt. It is easily taken because it hath no taste. It
is given to children from 3, 4, to 12. grains: to elder folks from ℈
_ss._ to ʒ _ss._ they work successfully in all diseases, where sweating
is needful. This _Antimonium Diaphoreticum_, may also be melted into
glass, and so extracted and dissolved with spirit of salt, and it may
be prepared into several good medicaments: and if all that which may
be done with it, should be described at large, it would require too
much time. The _lixivium_, if it be coagulated, hath wonderful vertues,
so that if one should describe them, he would hardly be credited by
any body, because it is not made of costly things; and truly the life
of man is too short to find out by experience all that lies hid in
it: and it would be but a laughing matter to a proud fool, if one
should reveal it: therefore it is better to keep counsel, than to sow
strife. _Basilius Valentinus_ in his Triumphant Chariot of Antimony,
where he writeth of the signed star, hinted it sufficiently, but very
few take notice of it. _Paracelsus_ also, here and there in his books
under an unknown name, makes frequent mention of it; but its true
preparation and use, by reason of the unthankful was never described by
the Philosophers, which for instruction of Good Honest Men we do here
mention.
Before you edulcorate the _Regulus_ (made by fulmination) you may
extract of it a good medicinal Tincture with spirit of wine, and if
you dissolve it with spirit of salt, there will shoot a white foliated
Talck in all things like unto the Mineral Talck: whereof a liquor may
be made, which coloureth the skin very white, but if this calx of
Antimony, before it be extracted with spirit of wine or dissolved with
spirit of salt be made into fine powder, and exposed to the moist air,
it will dissolve into a fat liquor, which though it be something sharp,
yet doth no hurt to the skin, if it be used with discretion, but rather
cleanseth it more then any other thing, and so it doth likewise to the
hair and nailes; but as soon as the liquor hath been applyed for that
purpose, it must be washed off again with water, lest it do not onely
take away the gross and unclean skin, but also work upon the tender
white skin and do hurt, and therefore I give warning, that you use
it discreetly: for according to the old proverb, you may misuse even
that which else is good in it self. If you put some of it into warm
water and bath your self in it, the gross skin will peal off all the
body, so that you will almost seem to be another body. And this bath
also is good for many diseases: for it openeth the pores mightily, and
cleanseth all the blood in the body, by drawing many ill humors out of
it, which maketh a man light and strong, especially if he be purged
first, before he useth the bath. It is also good for Melancholy, scurvy
and leprosie, especially when the red Tincture drawn out of it with
spirit of wine, be used besides. It is also good to be used in a foot
bath for those that are troubled with corns and other excrescencies
upon their feet, or with nailes that cut the flesh; for it softeneth
them and makes them fit for cutting, and as tractable as wax. For there
is nothing known under the Sun, which softneth more a hard skin, hair,
nailes and other excrescencies, than this oyl. And this I did set
down therefore, because I know, that many are so tormented therewith,
that they cannot well endure their shoes upon their feet. But if you
coagulate this oyl into salt, and melt it in a crucible, and powre it
out into a flat brass bason, that it flow at large and may be broken,
then you have the best Causticum, to open the skin withal where is
need. If you dissolve crude Tartar with it and coagulate it again, you
will get a salt which is used in many Chymical operations; and there
may be extracted out of it a blood red Tincture with spirit of wine,
which proveth very effectual against all obstructions.
Also every combustible sulphur may be easily dissolved with it, and
used among bathes, it acteth his part admirably. If any oyl of spices
be boyled therewith, then the oyl will dissolve in it, and they turn
together to a balsome, which doth mingle it self with water, and is
good to be taken inwardly for some infirmities: but women with child
must not meddle with it, because it makes them miscarry. But after
their delivery, it is good to expel after burthen and other reliques.
But if you boyl _Oleum ligni Rhodii_ with this liquor and rose water
so long till the oyl do incorporate with the liquor and waters and
then separate the watery substance from it, you will get a sope as
white as snow, which may be used for to wash the hands with it, and
it doth smell very well. You may also wash the head with it; for it
strengtheneth the brain and cleanseth the head and hair. This sope may
be distilled, and it will yield a penetrating oyl, very good for the
sinews and nerves.
Now as this liquor of _Regulus Antimonii_ softneth the skin, nailes,
hair, feathers, horns, and the like, and dissolveth them more than any
thing in the world: In the like manner also it hath power to dissolve
not only metals, but also the hardest stones, but not in that manner
which is done by boyling, as was mentioned of sulphur, but after
another way, which is not proper for this place. It sufficeth that I
hinted it. The fiery fixed salt nitre may be dissolved with spirit of
salt or vinegar, and sublimed into a _Terra foliata_. What further can
be effected with it, doth not belong to this place, and perchance some
where else more shall be spoken of it.
_To distil a Butyrum out of Antimony, Salt and vitriol, like unto
that, which is made out of Antimony and Mercury sublimate._
Take one part of crude Antimony, two parts of common salt, and four
parts of vitriol calcined white, beat all to powder and mix them well,
and so cast it in as you were taught to do with other materials, and
there will come over a thick oyl of Antimony like butter, which may be
rectified like any other oyl, that is made after the common way with
Mercury sublimate, and is also the same with it in use, which use you
may see in the first part: the same also may be made better and in a
greater quantity in the furnace described in the first part, and also
with less coals and time by the help of the open fire, because it
endureth greater heat than in the second furnace.
_To distil Butyrum of Arsenick and Orpiment._
After the same manner as was taught with Antimony, there may also out
of Arsenick and Auripigment together with salt and vitriol a thick oyl
be distilled, which not only outwardly but also inwardly is safe to be
used, and may be so corrected, that it shall be nothing at all inferior
in vertue unto the _butyrum Antimonii_, but rather go beyond it: which
perchance will seem impossible to many. But he that knows the nature
and condition of minerals, will not be astonished at my words, but they
will be to him as a light in a dark place.
_To make a rare spirit of vitriol._
If common vitriol be dissolved in water, and you boyle granulated
Zinck in it, all the metal and sulphur contained in the vitriol will
precipitate on the Zinck, and the solution will turn white, the
precipitated matter is nothing else, but iron, copper, and sulphur,
which the salt of vitriol did contain, and now is drawn from it by
the Zinck. The reason why the metal precipitateth out of the salt
upon the Zinck, belongeth to the fourth part, where you will find it
sufficiently explained; The white solution, from which the metallical
matter is separated, must be coagulated to the dryness of salt, and so
by it self a spirit distilled of it, which riseth easily, and is in
taste and vertue not unlike unto common oyl of vitriol, but only that
this is a little purer than the common.
Here perchance many may object: you take the green from the vitriol,
which _Paracelsus_ doth not teach, but bids us to keep it. To which I
answer, that I do not teach here to make the sweet red oyl of vitriol,
whereof _Paracelsus_ hath written, but the white acid oyl; which is
as good, or rather much better than the common, which is made of the
common impure vitriol. To what purpose is it, that you take green
vitriol to distil, whereas the green doth not come over, and although
that green should come over, why should that oyl be better than the
white? for the green in the common vitriol is nothing else but copper
and iron, which the salt water running through the passages of Metals
did dissolve and take into it self, and as soon as such a green vitriol
feeleth the fire, the green turneth into red, which is nothing else
but a calcined iron or copper, which in the reducing by a strong fire
and by melting is made manifest.
_Paracelsus_ hath not taught us, that we should drive over the green by
the force of the fire into a red and sweet oyl, but he hath shewed us
an other way, which is found out by few men, whereof in the beginning
of the second part already hath been made mention.
This spirit or acid oyl distilled out of the purified vitriol, is of a
pleasant sowreness, and serveth for all those uses, which above by the
vitriol were described. And this process is set down onely for that
end, that we may see, that when the vitriol is purifyed, that then it
is easier distilled, and yieldeth a more pleasant spirit, than if it be
yet crude and impure.
And that such a purifying of the vitriol is nothing else but a
precipitating of the metal, which the water (as before said) running
through the veins thereof hath assumed, is thus to be proved; dissolve
any metal in its appropriate Menstruum, whether it be done with
distilled acid spirits or sharp salts, adding common water to them,
or else dry by the fire in a crucible, according as you please, and
then put into that solution another metal, such as the dissolvent
doth sooner seize on, then upon that which it hath assumed, and then
you will find, that the dissolvent doth let fall the assumed metal or
mineral, and falls upon the other, which it doth sooner seize on, and
dissolveth it as being more friendly to it; of which precipitation in
the fourth Part shall be spoken more at large.
This one thing more is worthy your observation, that among all metals
there is none more soluble than Zinck, and therefore that all the other
(as well in the dry as in the wet way) may be precipitated thereby and
reduced into light calxes, in so much that the calx of gold or silver
precipitated in this manner (if so be you proceed well) retaineth its
splendor or gloss, and is like a fine powder wherewith you may write
out of a pen.
_To make a subtle spirit and pleasant oyl of Zinck._
Because I made mention here of Zinck, I thought good not to omit, that
there may be made a penetrating spirit and wholesome oyl out of it
by the help of vinegar, which is thus to be done. Take of the flores
(which were taught to be made in the first part) one part, put them
into a glass (fit for digestion) and pour upon them 8, or 10. parts of
good sharp vinegar made of honey; or in want thereof take wine vinegar,
and set the glass with the flores and vinegar in a warm place to
dissolve, and the solution being performed, pour off the clear, which
will look yellow and after you have filtred it abstract the phlegm, and
there will remain a red liquor or balsome, to which you must add pure
sand, well calcined, and distill it, and first there will come over an
unsavory phlegme, afterward a subtle spirit, and at last a yellow and
red oyl which are to be kept by themselves separated from the spirit,
as a treasure for to heal all wounds very speedily. The spirit is
not inferior unto the oyl, not only for inward use to provoke sweat
thereby, but also externally for the quenching of all inflamations, and
doubtless this spirit and oyl is good for more diseases, but because
its further use is not known to me yet, I will not write of it, but
leave the further tryal to others.
_To distill a spirit and oyl out of Lead._
In the same manner as was taught of Zinck, there may be out of lead
also distilled a subtle spirit and a sweet oyl, and it is done thus:
Pour strong vinegar upon _Minium_, or any other calx of lead, which
is made _per se_, and not with sulphur, let it digest and dissolve in
sand or warm ashes, so long till the vinegar be coloured yellow by the
lead, and turned quite sweet. Then pour off the clear solution, and
pour on other vinegar, and let this likewise dissolve, and this repeat
so often, till the vinegar will dissolve no more, nor grow sweet;
then take all these solutions, and evaporate all the moisture, and
there will remain a thick sweet yellow liquor, like unto honey, if the
vinegar was not distilled, but if it was distilled and made clear, then
no liquor remaineth, but only a white sweet salt. This liquor or salt
may be distilled after the same manner as was taught with the Zinck,
and there will come over not only a penetrating subtle spirit, but also
a yellow oyl, which will not be much, but very effectual, in all the
same uses, as of the spirit, and oyl of the Zinck was taught.
N. B. This is to be observed, that for to make this spirit and oyl,
you need no distilled spirit, but that it may be done as well with
undistilled vinegar, and the undistilled yields more spirit than the
distilled. But if you look for a white and clear salt, then the vineger
must be distilled, else it doth not shoot into crystals, but remaineth
a yellow liquor like unto honey, and it is also needless to make the
solution in glasses, and by digestion continued for a long time, but it
may as well be done in a glazed pot, _viz._ pouring the vinegar upon
the Mineum in the pot, and boyling it on a coal fire; for you need not
fear that any thing of the vinegar will evaporate, in regard that the
lead keeps all the spirits, and lets only go an unsavory phlegm. You
must also continually stir the lead about with a wooden spatulla, else
it would turn to a hard stone, and would not dissolve: the same must
be done also when the solution is done in glasses; and the solution
after this way may be done in three or four hours: and when both kind
of solutions are done, there will be no difference betwixt them, and I
think it providently done not to spend a whole day about that which may
be done in an hour.
And if you will have this spirit and oyl better and more effectual, you
may mix ℥ i. of crude Tartar made into powder with ℔ j. of dissolved
and purified lead, and so distil it after the same manner as you do
distil it by it self, and you will get a much subtler spirit and a
better oyl than if it were made alone by it self.
_To distil a subtile spirit and oyl out of crude Tartar._
Many think it to be but a small matter to make the spirit of Tartar;
for they suppose, that if they do but only put Tartar into a retort,
and apply a receiver, and by a strong fire force over a water, they
have obtained their desire: and they do not observe, that in stead of a
pleasant subtle spirit, they get but a stinking vinegar or phlegm; the
pleasant spirit being gone. Which some careful operators perceiving,
they caused great receivers to be made, supposing by that means to get
the spirit. Now when they after the distillation was done, weighed
their spirits together with the remainder, they found, that they had
suffered great loss, wherefore they supposed it to be an impossible
thing, to get all the spirits, and to lose none, and indeed it is
hardly possible to be done otherwise by a retort: for although you
apply a great receiver to a small retort, and that there be also but a
little Tartar in it, and the joynts being well luted, so that nothing
can pass through, and though you make also the fire never so gentle,
hoping to get the spirit by that way, yet for all that you cannot
avoid danger and loss. For at last the retort beginning to be red hot,
and the black oyl going, then and but then the subtlest spirits will
come forth, which either steal through the joynts, or else do break
the retort or receiver, because they come in abundance and with great
force, and do not settle easily: wherefore I will set down my way of
making this most profitable, and excellent spirit.
_The preparation and use of the spirit of Tartar._
Take good and pure crude Tartar, whether it be red or white, it
matters not, make it into fine powder, and when the distilling vessel
is red hot, then cast in with a ladle half an ounce and no more at
once, and so soon as the spirits are gone forth and setled, cast in
another ℥ ss. and this continue, till you have spirit enough, then
take out the remainder, which will look black, and calcine it well in
a crucible, and put it in a glass retort, and pour the spirit that
came over together with the black oyl, upon it, drive it in sand at
first gently, and the subtlest spirits will come over, and after
them phlegme, at last a sowre vinegar together with the oyl, whereof
you must get each by it self. But if you desire to have the subtle
spirit which came over first, more penetrating yet, then you must
take the _Caput Mortuum_ that staid in the retort, and make it red
hot in a crucible, and abstract the spirit once more from it, and the
calcined Tartar will keep the remaining moistness or phlegm, and only
the subtlest spirit will come over, which is of a most penetrating
quality, whereof from half a dram to an ounce taken in wine or any
other liquor provoketh a quick and strong sweat, and it is a powerful
medicine in all obstructions, and most approved and often tryed in
the plague, malignant feavers, scurvy, _Melancolia Hypochondriaca_,
collick, contracture, epilepsy and the like diseases. And not only
these mentioned diseases, but also many others more, which proceed from
corrupt blood under God may successfully be cured with it.
The phlegm is to be cast away, as unprofitable: the vinegar cleanseth
wounds: the oyl allayeth swelling and pains, and doth cure scabs,
and disperseth knobs that are risen upon the skin, as also other
excrescencies of the same, if it be used timely, and the use thereof be
continued.
N. B. If the black stinking oyl be rectified from the calcined _Caput
Mortuum_, it will be clear and subtle, and it will not only asswage
very speedily all pains of the gout, but also dissolve and expel the
conglobated gravel in the reines, applyed as a plaister or unguent.
In like manner it will dissolve and extract the coagulated Tartar in
the hands, knees and feet, so that the place affected will be freed
and made whole thereby: because in such a despicable oyl there lyes
hid a volatile salt which is of great vertue. But if you desire
experimentally to know whether it be so, then pour upon this black
stinking oyl an acid spirit, as the spirit of common salt, or of
vitriol or salt nitre, or only distilled vinegar, and the oyl will grow
warm and make a noyse and rise, as if _Aqua fortis_ had been powred
upon salt of Tartar, and the acid spirit will be mortified thereby, and
turn to salt. And this well purified oyl doth dissolve and extract the
Tartar out of the joynts (unless it be grown to a hard stony substance)
even as sope scowres the uncleanness out of cloths, or to compare it
better, even as like receiveth its like, and is easily mixed with it,
and doth love it; but on the contrary, nothing will mix it self with
that wherewith it hath no affinity at all. As if you would take pitch
out of cloth by washing it with water, which never will be done by
reason of the contrary nature; for common water hath no affinity with
pitch or other fat things, nor will it ever be taken out therewith
without a mediator, partaking of both natures, _viz._ of the nature
of pitch and that of the water, and such are sulphureous salts, and
nitrous salts, whether they be fixed or volatile. As you may see at the
soap boylers, who incorporate common water by the help of sulphureous
salts with fat things, as tallow and oyl. But if you take warm oyl or
any thin fat substance, and put it upon the pitch or rozin, then the
oyl easily accepteth of and lays hold on its like, and so the pitch
is dissolved and got out of the cloth, and the remaining fatness of
the oyl may be fetcht out of the cloth with lye or sope and common
water, and so the cloth recovereth its former beauty and pureness. And
as it falleth out with sulphureous things, so it doth likewise with
Mercurial. For example, if you would take the salt out of powdered
flesh or pickled fish with a lixivium it would not succeed, because
that the nitrous and acid salts are of contrary natures.
But if upon the powdered flesh or pickled fish you pour on water
wherein some of the same salt (wherewithall the flesh was powdered) is
dissolved, that salt water will extract the salt out of the flesh, as
being its like, much more than common sweet water, wherein there is no
salt.
In this manner the hardest things also, as stones and metals, may be
joyned or united with water, whereof more in my other books are extant;
it is needless here therefore to relate. I gave a hint of it, only for
to shew, that always like with like must be extracted. True it is that
one Contrary can mortifie another, and take the corrosiveness from it,
whereby the pains for a time are asswaged, but whether the cause of the
disease it self be eradicated thereby, is a question.
Here may be objected, that I make a difference between the sulphureous
and Mercurial salts, whereas neither Mercury nor sulphur apparently is
to be seen in either. It is true, he that doth not understand nor know
the nature of salts, is not able to apprehend it. And I have not time
now to demonstrate it, but the same is shewed at large in my book _de
Natura salium_, that some of them are sulphureous, and some Mercurial:
but he that looks for a further direction yet, let him read my book _de
Sympathia & Antipathia rerum_, wherein he shall find it demonstrated
that from the Creation of the World to the time present, there were
always two contrary natures fighting one against the other, which
fight will continue so long till the Mediator betwixt God and Man, the
Lord Jesus Christ shall put an end unto this strife, when he shall
come to separate the good from the bad, by whose lightning and fire
flame the proud and hurtful superfluous sulphur shall be kindled and
consumed: the pure Mercurial being left in the center.
_How to make pretious spirits and oyls out of Tartar joined with
minerals and metals._
Take any metal or mineral, dissolve it in a fit menstruum, mix it with
a due proportion of crude Tartar, so that the crude Tartar being made
into powder together with the solution make up a pap as it were; then
at once cast in one spoonful of it, and distil it into a spirit and
oyl, which after the distillation must be separated by rectification,
for to keep each by its self for its proper use.
_The use of the metallized spirit and oyl of Tartar._
This Tartarized spirit of metals is of such a condition, that it
readily performeth its operation according to the strength of the
spirit, and the nature of the metal or mineral, whereof it is made. For
the spirit and oyl of Gold and Tartar is good for to corroborate the
heart, and to keep out its enemies: the spirit of silver and tartar
doth serve for the brain; that of Mercury and Tartar, for the liver: of
lead and tin for the spleen and lungs: of iron and copper for the reins
and seminary vessels: that of Antimony and Tartar for all accidents
and infirmities of the whole body; and these metallical spirits made
with Tartar, provoke sweat exceedingly, whereby many malignities are
expelled out of the body. Likewise also the oyl hath its operation,
though this of several metals, as of Mercury and Copper, is not well to
be used inwardly, because it causeth salivations and strong vomits. But
externally they are very good for to cleanse all putrid ulcers, and to
lay a good and firm ground for healing them.
The remainder, whereof the spirit and oyl is distilled, you may take
out, and reduce it in a crucible into a metal, so that what is not come
over, may not be lost, but made to serve again.
And as you were taught to distil spirits and oyls out of dissolved
metals and crude Tartar; so you may get them likewise out of common
vitriol and Tartar, _viz._ thus, take one part of Tartar made into
powder, two parts of good pure vitriol, mix them well together, and
distil a spirit of them, which though it be unpleasant to take, for
all that in all obstructions and corruption of blood whatsoever it is
not to be despised, but very successfully performeth its operation;
especially when it is rectified from its _Caput Mortuum_, and so
freed from its phlegm; and its best vertue, which consisteth in the
volatility, be not lost in the distilling.
N. B. But if you will have this spirit more effectual, then you may
join Tartar and vitriol by boyling them together in common water, and
crystallizing; and then cast it in, and distil it, and there will
come over a much purer and more penetrating spirit; because that in
the solution and coagulation of both, many fæces were separated: but
if to one part of vitriol you take two parts of Tartar, and dissolve
it together, and so filter and coagulate it, then the Tartar with the
vitriol will shoot no more, but there remaineth a thick liquor like
unto honey, out of which with spirit of wine there may be extracted a
good tincture against obstructions. This liquor taken from ℈ i. to ʒ i.
doth purge very gently, and sometimes it causeth a vomit, especially if
the vitriol was not pure and good: and it may be also distilled into a
spirit not inferiour unto the former in vertue. Besides the way above
taught, there is yet (for to distil a metallized spirit of Tartar)
another way, whereby several metals and minerals may be reduced into
pleasant spirits and oyls, and of more vertue, and it is done in this
manner.
Take of the Tartar of white Rhenish wine made into powder, pour upon
it sweet rain or running water, so that to ℔ j. of tartar there be ℔
x. or ℔ xij. of water, or so much that the tartar may be dissolved
by it in the boyling, and then boyl the mixture with the water in a
tinned kettle, or which is better, in a glazed pot, until it be quite
dissolved, and in the mean while take off the skum (with a wooden
skimmer) still as it riseth in the boyling: and when no more skum
riseth, and all the tartar is dissolved, then pour the solution thus
hot through a linnen cloth, tyed straight on an earthen glazed vessel,
that the remaining sliminess may be separated. The tartar water being
strained, let it stand for 24. or 30. hours without stirring, and
there will stick a crystallized tartar to the sides of the vessel,
which after the water is poured off may be taken out, and washed with
cold water, and then dryed. This purified tartar keep, until I shall
teach you, what further is to be done with it; and this tartar is pure
enough for the above said purpose, _viz._ to reduce metals into oyl
with it, as shall follow anon. It is also good taken of it self for an
abstersive to make the body soluble. But if you desire to have it yet
whiter and fairer and in great Crystals, you must proceed thus.
You must know this that all salts, if they shall shoot into great
crystals, there must be a great quantity of them, for of little there
comes but little. And if you will make great and fair white crystals of
tartar, which will be no better than the former, but only pleasant to
the eye, then you must proceed in this manner.
Take of white tartar made into powder about ten or thirty ℔. pour so
much water upon it, as is needful for to dissolve it, and boyl it by
a strong fire in a tinned kettle, until all the tartar be dissolved,
which you may know by stirring in it with a wooden ladle, and skim
off diligently all the filth rising on the water; and you must take
heed, that you take neither too much nor too little water to it; for
if you take too little, part of the tartar will remain undissolved,
and so will be cast away and lost among the slime: but if you take
too much of it, then the tartar is too much disspersed in the water,
and cannot shoot well, and so will likewise be lost, being cast away
afterwards with the water. For I have heard many a one complain, that
they could get but little of a pound, and therefore supposed the tartar
to have been naught, whereas the fault was not in the tartar, but in
the workman, that managed not well his work, pouring away one half
which did not shoot with the water: but if you proceed well, then four
pound of common tartar will yield ℔ iij. of pure white crystals. The
solution being well made, and no skim more rising at the top, cover
the kettle, and let it cool without removing from the warm place it
stands in, which will be done within three or four dayes, if the kettle
be bigg. But the fire must be taken away from under the kettle, and so
let it stand for the time mentioned. In the mean while the Tartar will
crystallise to the sides of the kettle, which crystals after the time
is expired, and the water poured off, are to be taken out and washed
and boyled again with fresh water, and so skimmed and crystallised;
and this proceeding must be still reiterated, untill (which is done
the third or fourth time) the crystals are white enough: then take
them out, dry and keep them for use; whereof from ʒ j. to ℥ j. made
into powder, and taken in wine, beer, warm broth or other liquor,
will give some gentle stooles, and serveth for those, which cannot
endure strong physick. This tartar may be sharpned with Diagridium or
any other purging drug, that so you need not take it in so great a
quantity at once, but a lesser dose may serve turn. But if you do not
look for great crystals, but only for Tartar well purified, then you
may use this following manual, and you will get exceeding fair and
glistering little crystals, which need no beating into powder, but by
the working come to be so pure and fine, as if they had been ground
upon a stone, and looking not like a dead powder, but having a gloss,
like unto small glistering snow that fell in very cold weather, and it
is done thus: when the crystals are come to be pure enough by often
dissolving and coagulating, then dissolve them once again in pure
water, and pour the solution into a clean vessel of wood, copper, or
earth being glased; and let it not stand still (as above taught with
the crystals) but as soon as it is powred in, with a clean wooden stick
stirr about continually without ceasing, till all be cold, which will
be done in half an houre. In this stirring the Tartar hath no time to
shoot into crystals, but doth coagulate into the smallest glistering
powder, pleasant to behold, and like unto frozen snow settleth at the
bottom of the vessel; then pour off the water, and dry the powder,
and keep it for use. The waters which you poured off, in regard that
they contain yet some Tartar, ought not to be cast away (as others do)
but evaporated, and the Tartar contained in them will be saved, and
so nothing will be lost, and in this manner not only white Tartar may
be reduced into clear crystals, but also the red being several times
dissolved and crystallized, loseth its redness, and turneth white
and clear. Besides the abovesaid, there is another way to reduce the
Tartar into great white crystals at once by precipitation; but these
being good enough for our purpose, _viz._ to make good medicines out of
metals, I hold it needless to loose more time by the relation of it,
and so I will acquiesce.
_Another way to make a metallised spirit of Tartar._
Take of purified Tartar dissolved and coagulated but once, as much as
you please, pour so much rain or other sweet water to it as will serve
to dissolve it; in which solution you must boyl plates of metals, until
the Tartar have dissolved enough of it, so that it will dissolve no
more; the sign whereof is, when the solution is deep coloured of the
metal, and during your boyling you must often supply the evaporated
water with pouring on of other, lest the Tartar come to be too dry
and burn; and this solution may be done best of all in a metallical
vessel; as when you will make the solution of iron, you may do it in
an iron pot; and for copper you may take a copper kettle, and so forth
for other metals, a vessel made of the same is to be taken. But you
must know that gold, silver, and crude Mercury, unless they be first
prepared cannot be dissolved like iron and copper, but when they are
prepared first for the purpose, then they will also be dissolved. In
like manner some minerals also must be first prepared, before they can
be dissolved with Tartar and water. But if you can have good glasses or
glazed vessels of earth, you may use them for all metals and minerals
for to dissolve them therein, and the solution you may not only use of
it self for a medicine, but also distill it, and make a very effectual
spirit and oyl of it as followeth.
_To distill the spirit and oyl of Lead and Tin._
Take the filings of Lead and Tin, and boyl them with the water or
solution of Tartar in a leaden or tin vessel, untill the Tartar be
sweetned by the water, so that it will dissolve no more, to which pass
it will be brought within twenty four hours, for both these metals will
be dissolved but slowly, but if you would perform this solution sooner,
then you must reduce the metals first into a soluble calx, and then
they may be dissolved in less time than an hour. The solution being
done, you must filtre it, and in B. abstract all the moisture to the
thickness or consistency of honey, and there will remain a pleasant
sweet liquor, which of it self with out any further preparation
may safely be used inwardly for all such diseases, for which other
medicaments, made of these metals are useful. Especially the sweet
liquor of lead and tin doeth much good in the Plague, not only by
driving the poyson from the heart by sweating, but also by breaking or
allaying the intolerable heat, so that a happy cure doth follow upon
it: but externally the liquor of lead may be used succesfully in all
inflammations, and it healeth very suddenly, not only fresh wounds, but
also old ulcers turned to fistulaes; for the Tartar cleanseth, and lead
consolidates.
The liquor of tin is better for inward use than for outward whose
operation is not so fully known yet, as that of lead. But if you will
distil a spirit thereof, then cast it in with a ladle by little and
little, as above in other distillations oftentimes was mentioned, and
there will come over a subtle spirit of tartar, carrying along the
vertue and best essence of the metal, and therefore doth also prove
much more effectual than the common spirit of tartar, which is made
alone by it self, and this spirit as well that which is made of tin,
as that of lead, if it be well dephlegmed first, may be used and held
for a great treasure in all obstructions, especially of the Spleen;
and few other medicines will go beyond them; but besides there must
not be neglected the use of good purging medicines, if need require
them. With the spirit there cometh over also an oyl, which is of a
quick operation, especially in wounds and sores of the eye, where other
oyntments and plaisters may not so fitly be used, for it doth not only
allay the heat and inflammation, a common symptome of the eye wounds,
but also doth hinder and keep back all other symptomes which few other
medicaments, are able to do; and for the residue, if it be driven
further by the strongest fire, then there will come over a sublimate,
which, in the air dissolveth into oyl, which is also of a powerful
operation, not only in physick, but also in Alchymy.
And the Lead runeth together into a fair white _Regulus_, which is
much whiter, purer and fairer than other common lead: but the tartar
retaines the blackness, and raiseth it self to the top as a fusible
dross, which is impregnated with the sulphur of lead, wherewith you may
colour hair, bones, feathers and the like, and make them to be, and
remain brown and black.
I made tryal once of such a distillation in an iron vessel, whereby the
same in the inside was so whitened by the purified lead, that it was
like unto fine silver in brightness: which afterwards trying again, it
would not fall so fair as at first; whereat none ought to wonder, for
I could write something more (if it were fit) of tartar, knowing well
what may be effected with it, if I did not stand in fear of scoffers,
which vilify all what they do not understand. I durst presume to call
tartar the Sope of the Philosophers; for in the cleansing of some
metals, by long experience I found it of admirable vertue; though I
would not be understood thus, as if I did count it to be the true
_Azoth universalis Philosophorum_, whereby they wash their Laton: but
I cannot deny, but that it is of particular use for the washing and
cleansing of several metals; for it is indued with admirable vertues
for the use of metals, whereof in other places more shall be said
hereafter.
_How to make a Tartarised spirit and oyle out of Iron or Steel and
Copper._
If you intend to make a good medicine out of iron or steel or copper
joyned with tartar, then for the iron or steel take an iron pot, and
for copper a kettel of copper, make them very clean and put in it the
filings of iron, or steel, or copper, which you please, and twice as
much of pure tartar made into powder, and so much water, that the
tartar maybe dissolved well by it in the boyling, and so boyl the metal
with the tartar-water so long, till it be deeply coloured by the metal,
as red by the iron, and deep green by the copper; and when the water in
the boyling doth waste, you must still supply it with other, that the
tartar may not burn; for there must be alwayes so much water, that no
skin of the tartar may rise at the top, but that it remain always open,
and there must not be too much water neither, lest it be too sweet, and
not able to dissolve the metal. The solution of iron or steel being
come to be red and sweet, and in taste like unto vitriol, but green and
bitter of copper, pour it off warm by inclination into an other clean
vessel, and let it stand so long again in a very gentle heat of coals,
till almost all the water be evaporated, and the dissolved metal with
the tartar remain in the consistency of honey.
Which metallical liquor may be used inwardly and outwardly (especially
that of iron) which doth purge gently, and openeth the obstructions
of the Liver and Spleen: cleanseth the Stomach, and killeth Worms:
externally used it is a good wound balsome, and goes far beyond all
such as are made of vegetables. It is a singular treasure, not only
for to cure new wounds; but also for to cleanse and heal old corrupt
exulcerated sores, turned to fistulaes; but the liquor of copper is not
so safe for to be used inwardly, for it is not only very unpleasant
in taste, but also causeth vehement vomits: and therefore I would not
advise any one to be forward to use it, unless it be for strong folks
and for to kill worms in them, for which purpose it is excellent good
and surpasseth all other medicines whatsoever; but to little children
it ought not to be given at all, in regard that it is of far too strong
an operation for them.
N. B. And if you will use it to strong bodies against the worms or
stomach-agues, you must observe that the patient (in case that he
cannot get it up) thrust his finger into the throat to further the
vomiting, that it may not stay behind, but come forth again out of the
body, which done health followeth upon it; but if it remain in the
body, it causeth a loathsomeness to use it any more. And therefore you
must take heed to use it warily: and in regard that this liquor is
very bitter, you may mix it with some sugar, to facilitate the taking
thereof; but that of iron needeth no such correction, it being sweet
enough of it self, and therefore I commend and prefer it before the
other: but if you will needs have that of copper (because it worketh
so strongly) then the Patient must keep in from the cold aire, and not
presently after the operation load the stomach with strong drink and
superfluity of meat, contenting himself with some warm broth and a
little cup of wine or beer, and the next day his meat and drink will
taste the better with him, and do him so much the more good.
But externally, this liquor is of the same use with that of iron or
steel, yea, proveth more effectual and speedier in healing. It would
be good that Surgeons knew how to prepare it, and would use it instead
of their salves, wherewith many fresh wounds are spoyled and turned
into horrid ulcers, especially it requiring so little cost and pains to
make it. And if you would have these liquors purer yet, you must pour
on spirit of wine, and extract them, and they will easily yield their
tincture, and leave many fæces behind which are good for nothing: but
the tincture will be so much the better, purer, and more effectual, so
that you need use but four or five drops for purging, whereas of the
gross liquor you must have from 4, 6, 8. to 12. or 16. drops: and this
extracted tincture worketh also much better externally, and keepeth
longer than the balsome or liquor, which in time is corrupted, but
the extraction is never spoiled. But if you will distil the liquor
or balsome, it is needless that it be extracted first, but may be
distilled so as the boyling made it, after the same manner, as above
was taught for Lead, and there will come over a yellow spirit and oyl
from iron or steel, and from copper a greenish spirit and oyl.
The spirit and oyl of iron may safely be used in the plague, feavers,
obstructions, and corruption of blood, from ʒ i. to ℥ i. It is much
better to provoke sweat, than that which is made of crude Tartar,
without addition of a metal: the like doth that also which is made of
copper and more effectually yet, and sometimes causeth a vomit, if it
be used in a greater quantity, than is fitting.
N. B. Although the Chymists do prefer copper before iron, as a more
firm and ripe metal, nevertheless it is found by experience, that
iron or steel by reason of its sweetness is better to be used for an
inward medicine than copper. But for external use, copper (if it be
well prepared) hath the preheminence, being an appropriate medicine
for all ulcers and open sores, in all the parts of the body, if the
same inwardly be kept clean by fitting purges. For not only the now
described medicine, but also many more besides, are taught to be made
out of copper in other places of my books.
A Country-physick and purge I will teach for those, which either live
far from Apothecary-shops, or have no money to spare for physick; and
it is to be made out of iron and copper, whereby they may cleanse
their slimy stomachs, spoyled by a disorderly dyet, whence head-aches,
worms, agues, and other diseases are occasioned, warning withal those
that are either too old or too young, or else decayed and weak, and so
not strong enough for such powerful physick, that they will forbear
to use it, lest besides the worms, they kill and expel life it self
also; but those that are of a strong constitution, and a middle age,
and of a sound heart, may safely use this purge, whereby stomach-agues,
belly-worms, and may other occult diseases may be cured with good
success. The preparation is done thus: Take ℥ _ss._ of pure tartar
made into powder, & ℥ _ss._ or ℥ j. of sugar or honey, and ℥ v. or ℥
vj. of spring or rain water, put all into a clean copper vessel which
is not greasy, and boyl it upon a coal fire as long or somewhat longer
than you use to boyl an egg, or at the furthest half a quarter of an
hour; take off the skum in boyling, let it stand till it be milk-warm,
so that it may be drunk. This potion tasting almost like warm wine
sweetned with sugar, give unto the patient to drink, and let him fast
upon it, and within half an hour it will begin to work upwards and
downwards; whereat you need not be amazed, but only keep the body
warm, and within an hour it will have done working. But if you will
drive out worms from little children by purging, then instead of the
copper-vessel, take a clean iron-vessel, and put in a less quantity
of tartar, sugar and water, and boyl it as abovesaid, and give it to
them, and it will purge only downward, but sometimes it will also give
a gentle vomit, which will do them no hurt, but rather will cleanse the
stomach the better. But if the drink be too weak, so that it doth not
work, it may be used again the next day (but you must take more of the
ingredients, or else let them boyl longer) there is no danger in it at
all, if you proceed aright, and it is much pleasanter to take, than the
bitter worm-feed, wherewith they usually torment children.
The reason why this decoction works in this manner is, that the tartar
and sugar being boyled in metallical vessels with water, work upon the
metal, and extract vertue out of it, which causeth vomiting and purging
(the Tartar also being helpful to it.)
_How to make a Tartarised spirit of Mercury._
Vulgar Mercury cannot be dissolved like the former metals with tartar
and water, without any foregoing preparation; but must be sublimed
first with salt and vitriol, or crystallised with _Aqua fortis_, and
then it may be dissolved by boyling with tartar and water, and reduced
into a balsame, like other metals, but is not to be used inwardly,
unless it be digested a sufficient time, so that its fierceness be
allayed: Externally it may safely be used in all desperate, especially
venereal sores, and it is a very effectual and profitable medicine for
them. But most of all it doth serve for Alchymy, although few do know
this guest, because he will not be seen by every one. The spirit which
comes over from it by distillation, is an admirable thing not only in
physick, but also in Alchymy: yet you must take heed, that instead of
a friend, you do not harbor a great enemy: for its force and vertue is
very great and powerful.
_How to make a Tartarised spirit of Gold and Silver._
Gold and silver also can by no means be dissolved with tartar in a wet
way: but in a dry way adding its helper to it, it will easily dissolve,
which doth not belong hither; but if you will draw a spirit of it, then
the gold and silver must first by dissolving and coagulating be reduced
to crystals, and then dissolved with purifyed tartar and water, and of
Gold you will get a yellow solution, and of silver a white inclining
unto green, which being reduced to the consistency of honey, may be
used safely and without fear. The solution of Gold doth loosen and keep
the body open; it effectually strengtheneth the stomach, heart, lungs,
and liver, and other principal members: and that of silver purgeth
very forcibly, according to the quantity given, like another purge,
but without harm or danger, so that in all diseases where purging is
necessary, it may be used safely from ℈ i. to ʒ _ss._ but that of
gold is used in a smaller quantity: and both the liquor of gold and
of silver may very successfully be used externally: but because for
external uses inferiour metals will serve the turn, it is needless to
use costly things thereto.
The spirit which is forced from it by distillation, is endued with
great vertue: for the volatile part of the metal cometh over-joyned
with the spirit of tartar, the remainder may be reduced, so as it
was taught of other metals. This spirit, especially that of Gold,
is exceeding good in the plague and other diseases, where sweating
is necessary: for it driveth not only by sweating, all Malignities
from the Heart, but also doth strengthen the same, and preserveth
it from all hurtful symptomes. Likewise also that of silver is very
commendable, especially if it be first dephlegmed from its _Caput
Mortuum_, as above was taught in the preparation of the common spirit
of tartar. For any Physitian expert in Chymistry may easily guess what
the spirit of tartar well rectifyed and impregnated with the vertues
of gold may effect, and therefore it is needless to make any further
mention of it, but it shall be left to the tryal thereof.
_To make a Tartarised spirit of Antimony._
Crude Antimony cannot be dissolved in such a manner as above hath been
taught: but if it be first prepared into flores, or a _vitrum_, it
yieldeth easily its vertue in boyling, and it is done thus: Take to
one part of the flores or of small ground _vitrum Antimonii_ made _per
se_, three parts of pure tartar, and 12. or 15. parts of clean water,
boyl the Antimony with the tartar and water in a glazed pot for three
or four hours, and the evaporated water must be still supplyed with
other that the tartar may not burn for want of water, and the _vitrum_
must be sometimes stirred about with a wooden spatula (which the flores
being light do not need): This done, the tartar water will be deep red
coloured by the Antimony, and leave the remaining Antimony settled in
the bottom, from which pour off the solution, and after having filtred
it, evaporate the water from it, and then extract it once more with
spirit of wine, and you will get a blood-red _Extractum_, whereof 1, 2,
3. to 10. or 12. drops given at once, causeth gentle vomits and stools,
which may be safely used by old and young in all diseases that have
need of purging, and you need not fear any danger at all: For I know no
vomit, which purgeth more gently than this, and if you please, you may
make it work only (_per inferiora_) downward, so that it shall cause no
vomits at all: and you need do nothing else but make a toast of brown
bread, and hold it hot to your nose and mouth, and when this is almost
cold, have another hot in readiness, and so use one after another by
turns, till you feel no more loathing, and that the vertue of Antimony
hath begun to work downward: This is a good secret for those that would
use Antimonial physick, but that they are affraid of vomiting, which
they are not able to endure. But if you will not spend so much pains,
as to make such an Extract, then do as you was taught above to do with
the copper, and take ten or twelve grains of prepared Antimony for an
old body, but for a young one 5, 6. grains or more or less according
to the condition of the person, and ℥ ss. or ʒ vj. of pure tartar, and
together with ℥ iiij. or ℥ v. of water put it in a little pipkin, and
boyl it a quarter of an hour, then pour the solution only into a cup,
and disolve a little sugar in it, whereby the acidity of the Tartar
will somewhat qualified. The _decoctum_ drink warm, and keep your self
as it is fit, and it will work much better, than it if had been steeped
over night in wine, which not every one can abide to take fasting; but
this _decoctum_, because it tasteth like warm and sweet wine, is much
pleasanter to take.
N. B. It is to be admired, that well prepared Antimony is never taken
in vain: for although it be given in a very small quantity, so that it
cannot cause either stools or vomits, yet it worketh insensibly, _viz._
it cleanseth the blood, and expelleth malignities by sweat, so that
mighty diseases may be rooted out thereby without any great sensible
operation. Which many times hapned unto me, and gave me occasion to
think further of it; and therefore I sought how to prepare Antimony so,
that it might be used daily without causing of vomits or stools, which
I put in execution accordingly, and found it good, as afterward shall
follow.
Of the solution above described, _viz._ of the flores of Antimony with
tartar make a good quantity, and after the evaporation of the water
distill a spirit of it, and there will also come over a black oyl,
which must be separated from the spirit, and rectified _per se_; and
externally applyed it will not only do the same wonderful operations,
which above have been ascribed to the simple oyl of tartar, but it
goeth also far beyond it, for the best essence of Antimony hath joyned
it self thereunto, in the distilling and so doubled the vertue of the
oyl of Tartar; and this oyl may with credit be used not only for all
podagrical tumors to allay them very readily, but also by reason of its
dryness it doth consume all other tumors in the whole body, whether
they be caused by wind or water: for the volatile salt by reason of its
subtlety, conveyeth the vertue of Antimony into the innermost parts of
the body in a marvellous and incredible way, whereby much good can be
performed in Chyrurgery.
As for the spirit, you may not only use it very successfully, in the
Plague, Pox, Scurvy, _Melancholia Hypochondriaca_, Feavers, and other
obstructions and corruptions of blood, but also if you put some of it
into new wine or beer, and let it work with it, the wine or beer comes
to be so vertuous thereby, that if it be daily used, it doth stay and
keep off all diseases proceeding from superfluous humors and corrupted
blood, so that neither Plague, Scurvy, _Melancholia Hypochondriaca_,
or any other disease of that kind can take root in those that daily
use it, wherein no metal or mineral (except gold) can be parallel’d
with it: but in case you have no conveniency to make that spirit, and
yet you would willingly have such a medicinal drink made of Antimony,
then take but of the solution made with tartar, before it be distilled,
and put ℔ j. or ℔ j ss. of it into 18. or 20. gallons of new wine or
beer, and let it work together, and the vertue of the Antimony by the
fermentation of the wine will grow the more volatile and efficacious to
work. And if you cannot have new wine (in regard that it doth not grow
every where) you may make an artificial wine of Honey, Sugar, Pears,
Figs, Cherries or the like fruit, as in the following third part shall
be taught, which may stand in stead of natural Wine.
These medicinal wines serve for a sure and safe preservative, not only
to prevent many diseases, but also if they have possessed the body
already, effectually to oppose and expel them. Also all external open
sores (which by daubing and plaistering could not be remedied) by
daily drinking thereof may be perfectly cured. For not only _Basilius
Valentinus_, and _Theophrastus Paracelsus_, but many more before and
after them knew it very well, and have written many good things of it,
which few did entertain, and (because their description was somewhat
dark) most despised and defamed them for untruths.
In like manner, and much more may this my writing be lightly esteemed
of, because I do not set down long and costly processes, but only
according to truth, and in simplicity do labour to serve my neighbour,
which doth not sound well in the ears of the proud world, which rather
tickle and load themselves with vain and unprofitable processes, than
harken unto the truth; and it is no wonder, that God suffereth such
men, which only look after high things, and despise small things, to be
held in Error.
Why do we look to get our Medicines by troubling our brains, & by
subtle and tedious works, whereas God through simple nature doth teach
us otherwise. Were it not better to let simple nature instruct us?
surely if we would be in love with small things, we should find great
ones. But because all men do strive only for great and high things,
therefore the small also are kept from them; and therefore it would be
well, that we could fancy this maxim, that also things of small account
can do something, as we may see by Tartar and despicable Antimony, and
not only so many coals, glasses, materials, and the like, but also the
pretious time would not be wasted so much in preparing of medicaments:
for all is not gold that glistereth, but oftentimes under a homely coat
some glorious thing is hid; which ought to be taken notice of.
Some may object why do I teach to joyn the Antimony first with the
Tartar by the help of common water before its fermentation with the
wine: whether it would not be as good to put it in of it self in
powder, or to dissolve it with spirit of salt (which would be easier to
do than with Tartar) and so let it work? To which I answer, that the
working wine or drink, receiveth no metallical calx or solution, unless
it be first prepared with tartar or spirit of wine. For although you
dissolve Antimony, or any other metal or mineral in spirit of salt, or
of vitriol, or of salt nitre, or any other acid spirit, and then think
to let it work with wine or any other drink, you will find that it doth
not succeed; for the acid spirit will hinder the fermentation, and let
fall the dissolved metals, and so spoyl the work; and besides, Tartar
may be used among all drinks, and doth more agree with ones taste and
stomach, than any corrosive spirit.
In the same manner as was taught of Antimony, other minerals and
metals also may be fitly joyned with wine or other drink, and the use
of such Antimonial wine is this, _viz._ that it be drank at meals and
betwixt meals like other ordinary drink to quench thirst, but for all
that, it must not be drank in a greater quantity, than that Nature be
able to bear it. For if you would drink of it immoderately, it would
excite vomits, which ought not to be, for it is but only to work in
an insensible way, which if it be done, it preserveth not only the
body from all diseases proceeding from corrupted impure blood, as the
Plague, Leprosy, Pox, Scurvy, and the like, but by reason of its hidden
heat, whereby it doth consume and expel all evil and salt humors (as
the Sun dryeth up a pool) by sweat and urine, and so doth unburthen
the blood from all such sharp and hurtful humors, _&c._ It doth not
only cure the abovesaid diseases, but also all open sores, ulcers,
fistulaes, which by reason of the superfluity of salt humors can admit
of no healing, and it doth dispatch them in a short time in a wonderful
manner, and so firmly that there is no relapse to be feared.
This drink is not only good for the sick, but also for the whole
(though in a smaller quantity) because that it wonderfully cleanseth
the whole body, and you need not fear the least hurt either in young or
old, sick or healthy. And let no man stumble at it, that many ignorant
men do defame Antimony and hold it to be poyson, and forbid it to be
used; for if they knew it well, they would not do so; but because
such men know no more, than what they get by reading, or by hear-say,
they pronounce a false sentence; and it might be replyed unto them,
as _Apelles_ did to the Shooe-maker; _Ne sutor ultra crepidam_: but
what what shall we say? _Non omnis fert omnia tellus._ When an Ass
after his death doth rot, out of the carcass groweth Beetles, which
can fly higher than the Ass from whence they came; In the like manner
we wish it may fare with the haters of royal Antimony, _viz._ that
their posterity may get seeing eyes, and what they know not, they may
forbear to despise and scoff at.
I must confess, that if Antimony be not well prepared, and besides,
be indiscreetly used by the unskilful, that it may prejudice a man in
his health, which even the vegetables also may do. But to reject it
by reason of the abuse, would be a very unwise act: If perchance a
child should get into his hand a sharp-edged knife, and hurt himself
or others, because it doth not understand how to use a knife, should
therefore the use of a knife be rejected and forbidden to those that
are grown up and know how to use it? Good sharp tools make a good
workman; so good quick working and powerful medicines make a good
physitian; and the sharper the tool is, the sooner a stone-carver or
other craftsman may spoyl his work by one cut which he doth amiss:
which also must be understood of powerful medicines, for if they be
used pertinently, in a short time more good may be done with them,
than with weak medicaments in a long time. Now as a sharp tool is not
to be handled but by a good workman, so likewise a powerful medicine
ought to be managed by an understanding and conscientious physitian,
who according to the condition of the person, and the disease, knows to
increase or abate the strength of the medicine, and not by such a one,
as doth minister it ignorantly without making any difference at all.
Let no man marvail, that I ascribe such great vertues unto Antimony, it
being abundantly enriched with the _primum ens_ of gold. If I should
say ten times as much more of it, I should not lye. Its praise is not
to be expressed by any mans tongue; for purifying of the blood, there
is no mineral like unto it; for it cleanseth and purifieth the whole
man in the highest degree, if it be well prepared first, and then
discreetly used. It is the best and next friend to gold, which by the
same also is freed and purified from all addition and filth, as we said
even now, of man. Every Antimony for the most part agreeth with gold
and its medicine; for out of Antimony, by the cleansing Art may be made
firm gold, as in the fourth part shall be taught, and which is more, by
a long digestion a good part of the same is changed into gold. Whereby
it is evident, that it hath the nature and property of gold, and it is
better to be used for a medicine than gold it self, because the golden
vertue is as yet volatile in this, but in the other is grown fixed and
compacted, and may be compared to a young child in respect of an old
man. Therefore it is my advice, that in Antimony medicine should be
sought, and not to trifle away time and cost in vain and useless things.
Further note, That if you desire to contract nearer together the
vertue of Antimony or any other mineral or metal, as above was taught
to be done with the Tartar, you must by exhalation of the superfluous
moisture in Balneo, reduce the solution to a honey thick liquor, and
pour spirit of wine upon it for to extract, and within few days it will
be very red; then pour it off and pour on other, and let this likewise
extract: continue this proceeding with shifting the spirit of wine,
till the spirit of wine can get no more Tincture; then put all the
coloured spirit of wine together into a glass with a long neck, and
digest it so long in a warm Balneum, till the colour or best essence
of Antimony be separated from the spirit of wine, and settled to the
bottom like a blood red thick fat oyl, so that the spirit of wine is
turned white again; which is to be separated from the fair and pleasant
oyl of Antimony, which is made without any corrosive, and is to be kept
as a great treasure in physick. The spirit of wine retains somewhat of
the vertue of Antimony, and may be used with success of it self both
inwardly and outwardly. But the Tincture as a Panacea in all diseases
acteth its part with admiration, and as here mentioned of Antimony,
so in the same manner all metals by the help of Tartar and spirit of
wine may without distilling be reduced into pleasant and sweet oyles,
which are none of the meanest in Physick: for every knowing and skilful
Chymist will easily grant, that such a metallical oyl, as without all
corrosives out of the gross metals is reduced into a pleasant essence,
cannot be without great and singular vertue.
_How to make good spirit and oyles out of Pearls, Corals,
Crabs-eyes, and other light soluble stones of beasts and fishes._
Take to one part of pearls or corals (made into fine powder) three
or four parts of pure Tartar, and so much water as will dissolve the
Tartar by boyling; put the corals, Tartar and water together into a
glass body, which must stand in sand, and give it so strong a fire,
that the water boyl in the glass body with the Tartar, and may dissolve
the corals. (This solution may be done also in a clean earthen pot
that is glased, and the evaporated water must be supplyed with other,
as above was taught to be done with the metals.) The corals being
dissolved, let them cool, filtrate the solution, and abstract all
the moisture from it in Balneo, and there will remain a pleasant
honey-thick liquor, which may be used in Physick either of it self,
or else once more extracted with spirit of wine and purified, or else
distilled, as you please.
The extract or Tincture is better than the liquor, and the spirit is
better than the extract or tincture: and all three may well and safely
be used; they strengthen the heart and brain; especially those which
are made of pearls and corals, they expel the urin and keep the body
soluble. Those of crabs eyes and of pearches and other fishes open and
cleanse the passages of the urin from all slime and impurity, and they
powerfully expel the stone and gravel in the reins and bladder.
N. B. The distilled spirit of corals being well rectified, is good for
the Epilepsy, Melancholy, and Apoplexy. It expelleth and driveth out
all poyson by sweating, because it is of a golden nature and quality,
whereof in another place more shall be said.
_To distill a spirit out of salt of Tartar and crude Tartar._
If you take a like quantity of crude Tartar and of salt of Tartar,
and dissolve it with clean water, and then evaporate the water still
skimming it, till no skin more do rise, and then let it cool, there
will shoot white crystals, which being distilled as common Tartar, they
will yield a purer subtler and pleasanter spirit, than the crude Tartar
doth, in all to be used as above hath been taught of the simple spirit
of Tartar: therefore it is needless here to describe its use. Before
you distill a spirit thereof, you may use them in stead of _Tartarus
vitriolatus_ for purging, they will cause gentle stools, and drive also
the urin and stone, and are not unpleasant to take. The dose is from
℈ i. to ℥ i. in waters fit for your purpose. This salt dissolved with
water purifieth metals (if they be boyled therein) and maketh them
fairer then common Tartar doeth.
_How to get a powerful spirit out of the salt of Tartar, by the
help of pure sand or peble-stones._
In the first part of this book I taught how to make such a spirit, but
because the materials, which are to be distilled in that furnace must
be cast upon quick coals, whereby the remainder is lost, and that also
not every one hath the conveniency to set up a furnace that requireth
more room than this here doth: therefore I will set down how it may
be got with ease in this our present furnace, without the loss of the
remainder, which is not inferior to the spirit it self. And it is done
thus:
Make a fair white salt of calcined Tartar by dissolution, filtration
and coagulation, pulverise that salt in a warmed morter, and add to it
a fourth part of small pulverised crystal or flints or only of fine
sand, washed clean, mix it well, and cast one spoonful thereof at once
into your red-hot vessel (which must be made of earth) and so cover it,
and the mixture as soon as it is red hot, will rise and boyl (as common
Allome doth, when it cometh to a sudden heat) and yield a thick white
heavy spirit; and when it ceaseth to come forth, then cast in another
spoonful, and stay out the time of its settling, and then another part
again, till all your mixture be cast in. When no more spirit goeth
forth, then take off the lid from the distilling vessel, and with an
iron ladle take out that which stayed behind, whilest it is yet red-hot
and soft, and it will look like unto a transparent clear white fusible
glass, which you must keep from the air, for it will dissolve in it,
till I teach you what you are to do with it.
The spirit which came over, may either be kept as it is, or else
rectified _per arenam_ in a glass retort, and used in Physick; it is
clean of another taste than the spirit of common salt or vitriol, for
it is not so sharp; it smelleth of the flints after a sulphureous
manner, and tasteth urin-like, and it is very good for those that are
troubled with the gout, stone and Tisick: for it provoketh urin and
sweat mightily, and (because it cleanseth and strengthneth the stomach)
it also maketh one have a good appetite to his Victuals. What it can
do else is unknown to me as yet, but it is credible that it may act
its part in many other diseases, which is left free for every one to
try. In my opinion (since the spirit of the salt of Tartar is good to
be used of it self for the stone, and that here it is strengthned by
the sand, which have the signature of the stone of the Microcosme)
there is hardly any particular medicine, which can go beyond it, but I
leave every one to his own opinion and experience. Externally used, it
quencheth inflammations and maketh a pure skin, _&c._ The remainder,
which I bid you keep, and looks like a transparent clear glass, is
nothing else but the most fixed part of the salt of Tartar and flints,
which joyned themselves thus in the heat, and turned to a soluble
glass, wherein lyes hid a great heat and fire. As long at it is kept
dry from the air, it cannot be perceived in it: but if you pour water
upon it, then its secret heat will discover it self. If you make it
to fine powder in a warm morter, and lay it in a moist air, it will
dissolve and melt into a thick and fat oyl, and leave some fæces
behind. This fat liquor or oyl of flints, sand or crystal may not only
be used inwardly and outwardly of it self, but also serveth to prepare
minerals and metals into good medicines, or to change them into better
by Chymical art. For many great secrets are hid in the contemptible
peble or sand; which an ignorant and unexpert man (if they were
disclosed to him) would hardly believe: for this present world is by
the divels craft so far possessed with cursed filthy avarice, that they
seek for nothing but money, but honest and ingenious sciences are not
regarded at all; and therefore God doth close our eyes that we cannot
see what lyeth before them, and we trample upon with our feet. That
worthy man _Parcelsus_ hath given it us sufficiently to understand,
when he saith in his book (containing the vexations of Alchymists) that
many times a despicable flint cast at a Cow is more worth than the Cow;
not only because that gold may be melted out of it, but also that other
inferior metals may be purified thereby, so that they are like unto the
best gold and silver in all tryals; and although I never got any great
profit by the doing of it, yet it doth suffice me that I have seen
several times the possibility and truth thereof, which in its proper
place likewise shall be taught.
This liquor of flints is of that nature toward the metals, that it
maketh them exceeding fair, but not so, as women do scowre their
vessels of tin, copper, iron, _&c._ with ly and small sand, till all
filth be scoured off, and that they get a bright and fair gloss: but
the metals must be dissolved therein by Chymical art, and then either
after the wet or dry way digested in it for its due space of time;
which _Paracelsus_ calleth to go into the mothers womb, and be born
again: if this be done rightly, then the mother will bring forth a
pure child. All metals are engendred in sand or stone, and therefore
they may well be called the mother of metals, and the purer the mother
is, the purer and sounder child she will bear, and among all stones
there is none found purer than the peble, crystal or sand, which are
of one nature (if they be simple and not impregnated with metals:) And
therefore the peble or sand is found to be the fittest bath to wash the
metal withall. But he that would take this bath to be the Philosophers
secret Menstruum, whereby they exalt the King unto the highest purity,
would be mistaken; for their Balneum is more friendly to gold by reason
of its affinity with it than with other metals, but this doth easier
dissolve other metals than gold. Whereby it is evident, that it cannot
be _Benard_ his fountain (_Bernhardi fontina_) but must be held only
to be a particular cleanser of metals. But omitting this, and leaving
it to the further practise and tryal of those that want no time nor
conveniency for to search what may be done with it, let us take notice
of the use of this liquor in physick, for which uses sake this book is
written. That which hath been said, was only done to that end, that we
may observe, that we must not always look upon dear and costly things,
but that many times even in mean and contemptible things (as sand &
pebles) much good is to be found.
_How to extract a blood-red Tincture with spirit of wine out of the
liquor of peble-stones._
If you will extract a tincture out of peble-stones, for use in Physick
or in Alchymy, then in stead of the white take a fair yellow, green
or blew peble or flint, whether it hold fixed or volatile gold, and
first with salt of tartar distill the spirit thereof; or if you do not
care for the spirit, then melt the mixture in a covered crucible into
a transparent, soluble and fusible glass, and in a warm morter make
it into fine powder; put this powder in a long necked glass, and pour
upon it rectified spirit of wine (it needeth not to be dephlegmed,
it matters not if it be but pure) let it remain upon it in a gentle
warmth, till it be turned red (the glass with the prepared peble or
flints must be often stirred about, that the peble be divided, and the
spirit of wine may be able to work upon it) then pour off the coloured
spirit of wine, and pour on other, and let this likewise turn red: this
pouring off and on must be iterated so often, till the spirit of wine
get no more colour out of it. All the Tinctured spirit of wine put
together, & abstract in a Balneum through a Limbeck from the Tincture
which will remain in the bottom of the glass body like a red juyce,
which you must take out and keep for its use.
_The use of the Tincture of pebles or flints in Physick._
This Tincture if it be made of gold, pebles or sand, is to be held for
none of the least medicines, for it doth powerfully resist all soluble
Tartareous coagulations, in the hands, knees, feet, reins and bladder;
and although in want of those that hold gold, it be extracted but only
out of common white peble, it doth act its part however, though not
altogether so well as the first. Let no man marvel, that sand or pebles
made potable, have so great vertue; for not all things are known to
all; and this Tincture is more powerful yet, if first gold have been
dissolved with the liquor of pebles before the extraction. And let no
man imagine that this Tincture comes from the salt of Tartar (which is
taken to the preparing of the oyl of sand) because that of it self also
doth colour the spirit of wine, for there is a great difference betwixt
this Tincture and that, which is extracted out of the salt of Tartar:
for if you distill that of the salt of tartar in a little glass body or
retort, there will come first a clear spirit of wine, then an unsavory
phlegm, and a salt will remain behind, in all like unto common salt of
tartar, wherein after its calcining not the least colour appeareth,
and because none came over neither, it might be questioned where it
remained then?
To which I answer, that it was not a true tincture, but only that
the sulphur in the spirit of wine was exalted or graduated by the
corporeal salt of tartar, and so got a red colour, which it loseth
as soon as the salt of tartar is taken from it, and reassumeth its
former white colour: even as it hapneth also, when the salt of urin,
or of harts-horn or soot, or any other like urinous salt is digested
with spirit of wine, that the spirit turneth red of it, but not
lastingly, but just so as it falls out with the salt of tartar, for if
by rectification it be separated again from the spirit of wine, each
(_viz._ both the salt and also the spirit of wine) doth recover again
its former colour, whereby it appeareth, that (as above said) it was
not a true tincture. He that will not believe it, let him dissolve
but ℥ i. of common white salt of tartar in ℔ i. of spirit of wine,
and the spirit will turn as red of it, as if it had stood a long time
upon several pounds of blew or green calcined salt of tartar; and if
I had not tryed it my self several times, I should have also been of
that opinion: but because I found it to be otherwise, therefore I
would not omit to set down my opinion: though I know I shall deserve
small thanks of some, especially of those which rather will err with
the greater number, than to know and confess the truth with the less
number. However, I do not say, that the supposed tincture of the salt
of Tartar is of no vertue or useless; for I know well enough that it
is found very effectual in many diseases: for the purest part of the
salt of Tartar hath been dissolved by the spirit of wine, it being thus
coloured thereby, and therefore that tinctured spirit of wine may very
fitly be used. But as for the Tincture, which is extracted out of the
prepared pebles, it is clean of another condition: for if you abstract
the spirit of wine from it, though it also cometh over white, yet
there remaineth a deep tinctured salt, whose colour is lasting in the
strongest fire, and therefore may be counted a true Tincture.
_How by the help of this liquor out of Gold its red colour may be
extracted so that it remains white._
This oyl or liquor of pebles is of such a condition, that it doth
precipitate all metals which are dissolved by corrosives, but not after
that manner as the salt of Tartar doth; for the calx of metals which
is precipitated by this liquor; (because that the pebles do mingle
themselves therewith) is grown much heavier thereby, than if it had
been only precipitated with salt of Tartar.
For example, dissolve in _Aqua Regia_ as much Gold as you please, and
pour of this liquor upon it, till all the Gold fall to the bottom like
a yellow powder, and the solution turn white and clear, which you must
pour off, and edulcorate the precipitated Gold with sweet water, and
then dry it (as you was taught to do with the _Aurum fulminans_) and
you need not fear that it will kindle and fulminate in the drying, as
it useth to do, when it is precipitated with salt of Tartar or spirit
of urin, but you may boldly dry it by the fire, and it will look like
yellow earth, and will weigh as heavy again as the Gold did weigh
before the solution; the cause of which weight is, the peble stones,
which did precipitate themselves together with the Gold. For the _Aqua
Regia_ by its acidity hath mortified the salt of Tartar, and robbed it
of its vertues so, that it could not choose but let fall the assumed
pebles or sand; on the other side, the salt of Tartar which was in the
liquor of pebles, hath annihilated the sharpness of the _Aqua Regia_,
so that it could not keep the dissolved gold any longer, whereby both
the gold and the pebles are freed from their dissolver.
This edulcorated and dryed yellow powder put into a clean crucible,
and set it between live coals, that it begin to be red hot, but not
long, and the yellow will be changed into the fairest purple colour,
which is pleasant to behold, but if you let it stand longer, then the
purple colour vanisheth, and it turns to a brown and brick colour: and
therefore if you desire to have a fair purple coloured gold, you must
take it off from the fire, as soon as it is come to that colour, and
let it not stand any longer, else it loseth that colour again.
This fair gold-powder may be used by the rich (which are able to pay
for it) from ℈i to ʒ_ss._ in convenient vehicles; and in all diseases,
where sweating is needful: for besides the provoking of sweat, it
comforteth not only the heart, but also by the vertue of the peble it
expelleth the stone in the reins and bladder (if it be not grown to
the height of hardness) like sand together with the urine: so that it
may be safely used as well to prevent, as to cure the plague, gout and
stone.
How to make further out of this purple coloured gold a soluble Ruby
for medicinal use, shall be taught in the fourth part: for in regard
that it must be done by a strong fire in a crucible, it doth not belong
hither, but to its proper place, where other like Medicaments are
taught to be made.
If you will extract the colour out of this precipitated gold, then pour
upon it (before it be put into the fire for to calcin) of the strongest
spirit of salt, and in a gentle heat the spirit will dissolve part of
the gold, which will be much fairer and deeper in colour, than if it
had been done with _Aqua Regia_: upon this solution pour five or six
times as much of dephlegmed spirit of wine, and digest both together
its due time, then by the digestion of a long time, part of the Gold
will fall out of the solution to the bottom like a fair white pouder,
which may be reduced with Borax or salt nitre and Tartar; it is white
like silver, and as heavy as other gold, and may easily get its colour
again by the help of Antimony. The residue out of which the white gold
is faln, _viz._ the spirit of salt mingled with the spirit of wine,
must be abstracted from the Tincture, and there will remain a pleasant
sowre liquor coloured by the gold, upon the bottom of the glass body,
which is almost of the same vertue, which above hath been ascribed to
other tinctures of gold. Especially this liquor of gold strengthneth
the heart, brain, and stomach.
N. B. Sometimes there comes over with the spirit of wine a little red
oyl, which the strong spirit of salt hath separated from the spirit
of wine, and it is impregnated with the Tincture of Gold. It is an
excellent cordial, few are found like unto it, whereby weak people
decayed by sickness or age, may be kept alive a long time, they taking
daily some drops of it, who else for want of the _humidum radicale_,
would be forced to exchange their life for death.
Here some body may ask, whether this Tincture is to be counted or taken
for a true Tincture of Gold; or whether there be another better to be
found?
To which I answer, that though many may hold it to be such, and I my
self do call it so here, yet that after due examination it will not
prove to be such: for although some vertue is taken from the gold by
this way, yet it doth still keep its life, though it be grown weak
and pale, because it can so easily recover its former sound colour
by a contemptible mineral: if its true Tincture or soul were gone
from it, surely an inferiour mineral could not restore it to life,
but of necessity there would be required such a thing for to do it,
which hath not only so much, as it hath need of for it self, but hath
a transcendent power to give life unto dead things. As we may see
by a man or any sensible beast, that if they have lost their vigor
by adversities, in that no life more is perceived in them, yet by
medicines fit for the purpose, they may be refreshed, and brought to
their former health, so that their former disease appeareth no more
in them: but if their soul be once gone, the dead body can by no
medicines be restored unto life again, but must remain dead so long,
till he in whose power it is to give and to take life, have mercy upon
it. So likewise it is to be understood of gold, when its colour is
taken from it, and yet its life is left, which by the help of Antimony,
being its medicine, as also by the help of iron or copper can be
restored unto it, so that it recovereth its former fair colours, so
that you cannot see at all, that it ailed any thing before. But if its
life be gone from the body, it is impossible for any ordinary metal or
mineral to restore it to life, but it must be done by such a thing,
which is more than Gold it self hath been: for even as a living man
cannot give life unto a dead man, but GOD must do it who hath created
man; so Gold cannot restore to dead Gold, the life which hath been
taken from it, and how could it then be done by an unfixt mineral? But
there is required a true Philosopher for to do it, such a one as hath
good knowledge of gold and its composition.
Now as we heard that like cannot help its like, but he that shall
help, must be more, than he that looks for help from him: Hence it is
evident, that the Tincture, whose remaining body (from which it is
taken) is still gold, can be no true tincture; for if it shall be a
true tincture, it must consist in its three principles, and how can
it consist therein, the body from whence it came being yet alive, and
possessing invisibly all its three principles? How can a mans soul be
taken from him, and yet the body live still? Some will say, that for
all that, this may be counted a true tincture, although the body still
remain gold, and have kept its life: even as man may spare some blood
out of his body, which though it will make him somewhat pale, yet he
liveth still, and the lost blood may be supplyed again by good meat
and drink. But what lame and senseless objections are these? Who would
be so simple as to think, that a handful of blood may be compared to
a mans life? I believe no wise man will do it. Although life goeth
forth with the blood, yet the blood is not the life it self; else the
dead could be raised thereby, if a cup full of it were poured into a
dead body; but where was such a thing ever heard or seen? With such
groundless opinions some did presume to censure the truth, set down in
my treatise _de Auro potabili vero_, saying, _Geber_ and _Lullius_ were
also of opinion, that a true tincture can be extracted out of gold,
the same nevertheless remaining good gold: but it may be asked, what
it hath lost then for to yield a true Tincture, since it remained good
gold? Here no body will be at home for to answer I doubt. What are the
Writings of _Geber_ or _Lully_ to me? What they have written I do not
despise, they were highly enlightned and experienced Philosophers, and
would defend their writings sufficiently, if they were alive: and what
I write, I am also able to maintain.
Do those men think, that the writings of _Geber_ and _Lully_ are to be
understood according unto the bare letter? shew me a tincture of gold
which was made by the writings of _Geber_ or _Lully_? if it were so,
then every idiot or novice, that could but read Latine, would not only
by their writings be able to make the Tincture of gold, but also the
Philosophers stone it self, whereof they have written at large; which
doth not follow, because it is seen by daily experience, that the most
worldly learned men spent many years, and have been at vast charges,
and taken great pains, and studied in their books day and night, and
found not the least thing in them.
Now if such Philosophers were to be understood literally, doubtless
there would not be so many poor decay’d Alchymists. Therefore the
writings of such worthies are not to be understood according to the
letter, but according to the mystical sense hid under the letter.
But because the truth is eclipsed in their books by so many seducing
and sophistical processes, there will hardly any man be able to pick it
out from so many seducements, unless a light from God be given to him
first, whereby he may be able so to peruse the dark writings of those
men, that he know how to separate the parabolical speeches, from those
that are true in the letter it self: or if an honest Godly Chymist by
the grace of God in his labours do hit upon the right steps, and yet do
doubt, whether he be in the right way or no, then by reading of good
and true Philosophers books, he may at last learn out of them the firm
and constant truth: else hardly any ones desire may be obtained out of
their books, but rather after the pretious time spent, means and health
wasted, a man shall be forced to fall a begging at last.
In like manner, if the true tincture be taken from Copper, the rest is
no more a metal, nor by any Art or force of fire can be reduced to a
metallical substance.
N. B. But if you leave some tincture in it, then it may be reduced into
a brittle gray body, like unto iron, but brittle.
_Another way to extract a good Tincture out of gold by the help of the
liquor of sand or pebles._
Take of that gold calx (which was precipitated with the oyl of sand)
one part, and three or four parts of the liquor of crystals or of
sand, mix the gold calx in a good crucible with the liquor, and set
this mixture into a gentle heat, so that the moystness may evaporate
from the oyl of sand which is not easily done; for the peble or sand,
by reason of their dryness keep and hold the moystness, and will not
let it go easily; it riseth in the pot or crucible, as borax or Allome
doth when you calcine them; therefore the crucible, must not be filled
above half, that the liquor together with the gold may have room
enough, and do not run over the pot: and when it riseth no more, then
strengthen the fire, till the pot be red-hot. The mixture standing
fast, put a lid upon it, which may close well, that no coals, ashes, or
other impurity may fall into it, and give it so strong fire in a winde
furnace, that the liquor together with the gold calx may melt like
water; keep it melting so long, till the liquor and gold together be
like unto a transparent fair ruby, which will be done in an hours time
or thereabouts; then pour it forth into a clean copper morter, let it
cool, and then make it into powder, and pour spirit of wine upon it for
to extract, which will look like unto thin blood: and will prove more
effectual in use, than the above described Tincture.
The residue from which the Tincture is extracted, must be boyled with
lead, and precipitated and driven off as you do oares, and you will get
the remaining gold, which went not into the spirit of wine; but it is
very pale and turned like unto silver in colour, which if it be melted
by Antimony, it recovereth its former colour without any considerable
loss in the weight. How the melting in crucibles, and boyling of the
remaining gold is to be done, shall be more punctually set down in the
fourth part; I know several other fine processes, for to extract the
colour easily out of gold; but because the gold must be first made
fit for it by melting in a crucible, and that it is not pertinent to
speak of that operation here in this second part, therefore it shall
be reserved for the fourth, where you shall be informed at large, not
onely how to prepare Gold, Antimony and other minerals, and make them
fit for extraction, but also how to reduce them into a transparent,
soluble and fire-proof Ruby (which are none of the meanest medicines)
and as it was done here with the gold, so you may proceed likewise with
other metals and minerals for to extract their colours. And therefore
being needless to describe each metals tincture by it self, all the
processes of them shall be disclosed in one, _viz._ in that of gold.
The book would grow too big, if I should describe them severally, which
I count needless to do. Let this suffice for this Second part, that we
have taught, how to extract out of the gold its colour after a common
way. Which indeed are good medicines, but for ought I know of no use in
Alchymy. But he that seeketh to have a true Tincture out of gold, let
him endeavour first to destroy the gold by the universal Mercury, and
to turn the inside outward, and the outside inward, and proceed further
according unto art, then the soul of gold will easily joyn it self with
the spirit of wine, and come to be a good medicine, whereof more in my
treatise _de auro potabili_ is handled. If one know the _Chalybs_ of
_Sandivogius_, which is well to be had, he might with little labour
quickly get a good medicine: but because we shew our selves still
ungrateful children unto God, therefore it is no marvel, that he
withdraweth his hand from us, and leaveth us in errors.
_What further may be done with the liquor of pebles._
Many more profitable things, as well in Alchymy, as in medicine, may
be compassed by the oyl of sand; as for example, to make fair painting
colours out of metals, which abide in all elements: Also to frame all
sorts of transparent hard stones out of crystal, which in beauty are
like unto the natural, yea fairer sometimes; also how to make many fair
Amauses or Enamels and the like profitable arts: but they belonging not
to this second part, shall be reserved for the fourth, where all such
shall be taught very punctually with all the circumstances thereunto
relating.
How by the help of this liquor to make trees to grow out of metals,
with their colours.
_Although this process in Physick may be of no great use: yet in
regard that to a Chymical Physitian it gives good information of
the condition of natural things, and their change. I thought it
not amiss to set it down here._
Take of the above described oyl made of sand, pebles or crystals as
much as you please, mix therewith a like quantity of the lixivium of
Tartar, shake both well together, so that the thick liquor may not be
perceived in the lixivium, but be throughly incorporated therewith,
both being turned to a thin solution, and then your water is prepared,
wherein the metals do grow.
The metals must be first dissolved in their proper corrosive
_Menstruums_, and the _Menstruum_ must be quite abstracted from thence
again, but not too near, that the calx of the metal may not grow
red-hot, whereby its growing vertue would be taken from it. Then take
it out of the little glass-body, and break it in pieces about the
bigness of a pulse, and put them in the above described liquor in a
cleer bright glass, that the growing of the metals may be discerned
through it; and as soon as the prepared metals are taken out of the
glass body, they must be kept from the aire, else they lose their
growing vertue. Therefore thus dry they must be broken in pieces, and
laid in the bottom of the glass (wherein the liquor is) a fingers
breadth one from another asunder, and must not be laid together on
a heap. The glass must stand still in a quiet place, and the metal
will presently swell in it, and thrust forth some bulks, out of which
branches and twigs do grow, so finely, that one shall admire at it;
and let none think that this growing serveth only for to please the
eye, for some special thing is hid in it; for all sand or pebles,
although they be white, invisibly containeth a hidden tincture or
golden sulphur, which none without experience will be able to believe;
for if for a time you digest the pure filings of lead in it, there will
gold come to stick to the outside thereof (which gold may be washed
off with water) and the lead will look as if it were gilded. Which
gold came from no where else but from the sand or pebles, although
they were white and clear, so that it could not be perceived in them.
It sheweth also its meliorating vertue, when the metals do grow
therein, and for a certain space of time are digested therewith. For
it may be seen apparently, that the metals in the growing do increase
from this liquor, and attract what is for their turn; which hence
also may be perceived, that when but as much as the bigness of a pea
groweth therein, it will grow twice or thrice as big, which is worthy
to be considered of. Also the pebles or sand-stones are the natural
matrixes of metals, and there appeareth a great sympathy between them,
especially between the unripe metals and them; as if nature should say
to such raw or unripe metals, return into your mothers womb, and stay
there the due time, till you have attained there to perfect ripeness,
for you were taken thence too soon against my will. Further, out of
this liquor there may be made a good borras to reduce the metals
thereby. There may be made also with this liquor fair glased and firm
colours upon earthen vessels like unto Porcellan or China. Also by
boyling it with water, a tender impalpable snow-white earth may be
precipitated out of it, whereof there may be made vessels like unto
Porcellan.
Many other useful things may be brought to pass thereby in mechanical
businesses, needless here to relate.
Also the unripe and volatile minerals may be fixed and ripened thereby,
so that not only they may be the fitter to be used in Physick, but also
the volatile gold and silver contained in them may be saved thereby,
whereof more in the fourth part.
N. B. Hither belongs also the process of the spirit of lead,
Virgins-milk and Dragons blood.
_Of the spirit of urine and of the volatile spirit of salt
Armoniack._
Out of urine or salt Armoniack, a powerful and penetrating spirit may
be made several wayes, which not only is to be used in phisick for many
diseases, but is also found very useful in mechanical and chymical
operations, as followeth.
Take of the urine of sound men living chast, gather a good quantity
together in a wooden vessel, let it stand for its time to putrefy, and
distil a spirit thereof, which afterward in a great glass retort with
a wide neck must be rectified from calcined tartar, and still that
which cometh over first, may be saved by it self, and so the second and
third also, the strongest may be used for the preparing of metallical
medicines, and the weaker for a medicine alone by its self, or else
mingled with fit vehicles: The salt which in the rectification cometh
over with the strongest spirit; may be put to the weakest, to make it
the stronger, or else it may be saved by it self in a good strong glass.
But because the spirit of urine is tedious to make, therefore I will
shew, how to get it easier out of salt Armoniack. The preparation is
thus.
Take of salt armoniack, and _lapis calaminaris_, and make each by it
self into powder, and then mix them together, and cast of it into the
red hot vessel at once no more than ℥ _ss._ or ℥ i. Unto the vessel
there must be applyed a great receiver: for this spirit goeth with such
a force and power, that it were impossible to distil it in a retort
without danger or loss, for I broke more than one receiver with it,
before I did invent this instrument. The spirits being well setled in
the receiver, cast in more of your mixture; this continue so long till
all your matter is cast in; then take off the receiver, and pour the
spirit into a strong glass, which must be well closed at the top, but
not with wax and a bladder, because it softeneth the wax, and doth
penetrate through the bladder; but first stop it with paper, then melt
Lacca or sulphur, and pour it upon it, so that it come to be very well
closed, and then it will not be able to exhale, or thou mayst get such
glasses made, as in the fifth part shall be taught, for to keep all the
subtle spirits in them, for more security sake. And this spirit, if no
water have been mixt with it in the receiver, needeth no rectifying:
but he that will have it stronger yet, may rectify it by a glass
retort, and so keep it for use.
And this is the best way to make a strong spirit out of salt armoniack:
the same may be done also, by taking of filed Zinck, instead of _lapis
calaminaris_: also by adding of salt of tartar, salt made of the Lee
of wood ashes, unquencht lime, and the like: but the spirit is nothing
near so strong (although all those things may be done with it, that are
done with the former) as that which is made with _lapis calaminaris_ or
Zinck.
_The process or the manner of making it, is this:_
Take ℔ i. of salt armoniack made into powder, and as much of salt of
tartar, mix both together by the help of a lye made of tartar, or only
with common water, so that all come to be like a pap, and cast in one
spoonful thereof at once, into the distilling vessel, then cast in more
till you have spirit enough.
N. B. The salt of tartar may also be mixed dry with the salt Armoniack
without any lye or water, and so distilled: but it is not so good, as
when the mixture is tempered with lye or water: for if it be cast in
dry, the spirit will come over in the form of a volatile salt: but if
the mixture have been moistened, then most part thereof will come over
like a fiery burning spirit: In like manner also the mixture of Lyme
and salt Armoniack may be tempered moist, and it will yield more spirit
than if it be distilled dry.
It may be asked: why _lapis calaminaris_, Zinck and unquencht lyme,
calcined tartar, salt of potashes, fixed salt nitre or the like things
prepared by the fire, must be added unto salt Armoniack, and whether it
be not as good to add some bolus, or other earth (as usually is done
to other salts) and so to distil a spirit of it? To which I answer,
that there are two sorts of salt in salt Armoniack, _viz._ a common
acid salt, and a volatile salt of urine, which without mortifying of
one of them, cannot be separated: for as soon as they feel the heat,
the volatile salt of urine carrieth the acid salt upwards, and they
both together yield a sublimate, of the same nature and essence with
common salt armoniack which is not sublimed, onely it is purer than the
common. And no spirit would come over from it, if it should be mingled
with bole, brick, dust, sand, or any other strengthless earth, and so
distilled, but the whole salt as it is of it self (leaving its earthy
substance behind) would sublime thus dry: but that it falleth out
otherwise with the _lapis calaminaris_ (which is also like an earth)
so that a separation of the salts is wrought thereby, and a volatile
spirit cometh over; the reason is, that the _lapis calaminaris_ and
Zinck are of such a nature, that they have a great affinity with all
acid things, and do love them, and are loved by them likewise (whereof
some mention hath been made in the first part) so that the acid salt
sticks to it in the warmth, and uniteth it self with it, and the
volatile salt is set free, and distilled into a subtle spirit; which
could not have been done, if the acid salt had not been kept back,
by the _lapis calaminaris_ or Zink. But that a spirit is distilled
off by addition of fixed salts; the reason is that fixed salts are
contrary unto acid salts, and (if they get the uperhand) do kill the
same, and rob them of their strength, whereby those things which are
mixed with them are freed from their bond: and so it falls out here
with salt armoniack, that when by addition of a vegetable fixed salt,
the acidity of the salt armoniack is killed; the salt of urine, which
formerly was bound therewith, gets its former freedome and strength,
and being sublimed turns into a spirit. Which could not have been done,
if common salt had been added to the salt armoniack instead of salt
of tartar; for the salt of urine would thereby (as by a far greater
enemy) be killed and kept back, so that it could yield no spirit. I
thought fit to give notice hereof to the ignorant (not for those, who
knew it before) and to the unknowing it will do much good, and that
they may have a light for other labours: for I have many times seen,
and see it still by daily experience, that the most part of vulgar
Chymists, whatsoever they do (having got it either by reading, seeing,
or hearing) they hurle it over like botchers, and are not able to give
any solid reason, why this or that must fall out in such or another
manner, not labouring to find out the natures and conditions of salts,
minerals, and other materials, but contenting themselves onely with
the Receipt, saying this or that Author hath written so, and therefore
it must be so, whereas many times such books are patcht up out of all
sorts of authors. And those that stick to so many books, will hardly
ever come to get any good, but are led out of one Labyrinth into
another, spending their life miserably in watching and cares: but if
they would first seriously consider things, and learn to know nature,
and then take their work in hand, then they would sooner attain unto
true knowledge; and so much of this matter by the way. I hope that he
that hath been in error will be pleased with it, and the knowing will
not grudge to have it imparted to the ignorant.
That which remains after the distillation is done, is also good for
use; if the addition have been of salt of tartar, a melting powder
may be made of it, to reduce metals. Of _lapis calaminaris_ or Zinck,
yields _per deliquium_ a clear, white, and heavy sharp oyl, for the
sharper part of salt armoniack, which did not turn to spirit, hath
dissolved _lapis calaminaris_, and is almost of the same vertues for
external use in Chyrurgery with that, which above in the first part
which was taught to be made out of _lapis calaminaris_, and spirit of
salt, save only that this in the distilling doth not yield so strong a
spirit as the other, but onely yields a sharp sublimate.
_Of the use and vertue of the spirit of salt Armoniack._
This spirit is of a sharp penetrating essence, and of an airy, moist,
and warm nature; and therefore may with credit be used in many
diseases, 8, 10, 12. (more or less) drops thereof used in a convenient
vehicle, do immediately penetrate all the body over, causing sudden
sweating, opening the obstructions of the spleen, and dispersing and
expelling many malignities by sweat and urine, it cureth the quartane,
collick, the suffocation of the Matrix, and many more diseases.
In brief, this spirit is a safe, sure, and ready medicine for to
disperse and expel all tough, gross and venemous humors. Also, this
spirit acteth his part externally, quenching all inflammations, curing
the Erysipelas and Grangrene; it allayeth the pains of the gout,
clothes being dipt in it and applyed: and although it draw blisters,
it matters not; laid to the pulse, it is good in ardent feavers, it
asswageth swellings and pains; disscusseth congealed blood, helpeth
strained limbs, and benummed nerves: onely smelled unto, it cureth the
megrim, and other Chronical diseases of the head: for it dissolveth the
peccant matter, and evacuateth it through the nostrils; it restoreth
the lost hearing, being externally laid on with a little instrument fit
for the purpose. Also in the obstructions of womens courses applyed by
a fit instrument in a spiritual way, openeth presently, and cleanseth
the womb, and maketh women fruitful, _&c._ Mingled with common water,
and held in the mouth, asswageth the tooth-ach, proceeding from sharp
humors which are falln in the teeth. A little of it applyed in a
glister, killeth the wormes in the body, and allayeth the colick.
This spirit may also further be used to many other things, especially
by means thereof many pretious and effectual medicaments may be
made out of metals and minerals, whereof some shall be described as
followeth.
N. B. There is yet another matter, which is found every where and at
all times, and is to be got by every one without distillation and
charges, and is as good for the abovesaid diseases, as the distilled
spirit, and if all men knew it, there would not be found every where so
many sick people, nor so many Doctors and Apothecaries.
_To distill a blood red oyl of vitriol by the help of the spirit of
urin._
Dissolve Hungarian or other good vitriol in common water, and let it
run through a filtring paper, pour of this spirit upon it so much, till
all the green be vanisht, and the water be made clear, and a yellow
sulphur be settled: then pour off the clear, and the rest which is
muddy, pour together in a _filtrum_, that the moisture may run off,
and the earth of the vitriol remain in the paper, which you must dry,
and distil to a blood-red oyl, which will open the obstructions of the
whole body, and perfectly cure the epilepsie. The clear water must be
evaporated dry, and there will remain a salt, which being distilled,
yields a wonderful spirit. Before it be distilled, it is a _specificum
purgans_, whereof 8. 10. 12. to 24. grains taken, may safely be used in
all diseases.
_The Tincture of Vegetables._
Spices, seeds or flowers being extracted therewith and digested and
distilled, the essence of them will come over with it, in the form of a
red oyl.
_Vitriol of copper._
If you pour it upon calx of copper, made by often heating the Copper
red hot and quenching it again, it will extract within an hours time a
fair blew colour, and having dissolved as much thereof as it can pour
it off and let it shoot in a cold place, and you will get a fair sky
coloured vitriol, a small quantity whereof will cause strong vomits;
the rest of the vitriol remaineth a blew oyl, good to be used in ulcers.
_The Tincture of crude Tartar._
If you take common crude tartar, and pour of this spirit upon it, and
set it in digestion, the spirit will extract a blood-red tincture, and
if the spirit be abstracted from it, there will remain a pleasant red
oyl, of no small vertue and power.
_To make the oyls or liquors of salts._
This spirit also dissolveth crystals and other stones, they being first
dissolved, precipitated and reduced to impalpable powders, turning them
into oyles and liquors, good to be used in Alchymy and Physick.
_To precipitate all metals with it._
Any metal being dissolved in an acid spirit may be precipitated better
and purer therewith, than with the liquor of the salt of tartar;
for _Aurum fulminans_ which is precipitated with it fulminateth far
stronger than if it were done with oyl of tartar.
R. Some juyce of Lemon and mix it with the solution of gold, before it
be precipitated, and then not all the gold will precipitate, but some
of it will remain in the solution, and in time many small green stones
(not unlike unto common vitriol) will appear; which in a small dose
will purge all noxious humors.
_The oyl and vitriol of silver._
If you dissolve silver in _Aqua fortis_, and pour so much of this
spirit into it till it ceaseth to make a noise, some of the silver
will precipitate in the form of a black powder, the rest of the silver
remaineth in the liquor: the phlegm abstracted from it in Balneo,
till it get a skin at the top, and then set into a cool place, there
will grow white crystals in it, which being taken out and dryed are
a good purge in madness, dropsie, feavers and other diseases, safely
and without danger to be used to young and old. The rest of the liquor
which did not crystallise may be extracted with spirit of wine, and the
fæces being cast away the extraction will be pleasanter. The spirit of
wine abstracted from it, there will remain a medicine of no small value
in all diseases of the brain.
_To extract a red Tincture out of Antimony or common sulphur._
Boyl sulphur or Antimony made into powder in a Lixivium of salt of
tartar, till it turn red, and pour this spirit upon it, and distill
gently in a _Balneum_, and there will come over a fair tincture with
the volatile spirit, silver anointed therewith will be guilt, though
not lastingly. It serveth for all diseases of the lungs.
_How to ripen Antimony and common sulphur, so that several sorts of
such smels, as vegetables have, arise from thence._
Dissolve Antimony or sulphur in the liquor of pebles or sand, coagulate
the solution to a red mass; upon this mass pour spirit of urin, and let
it extract in a gentle warmth. The spirit being coloured red, pour it
off, and pour on other spirit, let it extract likewise, and this you
must iterate so often, till the spirit will extract no more tincture;
then pour all the extracts together and abstract the spirit of urin
from it in Balneum through a limbeck, and there will remain a blood
red liquor, and if you pour upon this spirit of wine it will extract a
fairer tincture then the former was, leaving the fæces behind, and this
tincture smelleth like garlick: and if it be digested three or four
weeks in a gentle warmth, it will get a very pleasant smel, like unto
the yellow prunes or plums: and if it remain longer yet in digestion,
it will get a smel not inferior to musk and ambar; This tincture having
been digested a long time, and got several smels, is not only notably
by the fire increased in pleasantness of smel and taste, but also in
vertue: for so many and various sweet smels are perceived in it, that
it is to be admired, which variety and exaltation proceedeth only from
the pure and ripening spirit of urin, for there is hid in it a fire,
which doth not destroy but preserve and graduate all colours, whereof
in another place more shall be said.
N. B. Betwixt the spirit of urin and the animal and mineral Copper
there appeareth a great sympathy; for it doth not only love copper
above all other metals, and mingleth easily with it, and maketh it
extraordinary fair, and of good use in Physick, but it prepareth it
also to such a medicine, whereby all venerous sores (both by inward and
outward use) how deep so ever they took root in the blood, without the
use of any other medicaments, are perfectly cured; it maketh fruitful
and barren, according as it is used; it cleanseth the matrix, hindreth
the rising thereof, and miraculously furthereth womens courses that
have been stayed, above all other medicaments of what name soever.
If this spirit be mingled with the volatile (but not corrosive) spirit
of vitriol or common salt there will come a salt out of it, which is
inferior to none in fusibleness, and useful both in Alchymy and Physick.
N. B. The liquor of the salt Of tartar, and the spirit of wine do not
mix without water, this being the mean partaking of both of their
natures, and if you add unto it spirit of urin it will not mingle but
keep its own place: so that these three sorts of liquors, being put
in the same glass, and though they be shaked never so much will not
incorporate for all that: the liquor of the salt of tartar keepeth to
the bottom, next to it will be the spirit of urin, and on the top of
that is the spirit of wine: and if you pour a distilled oyl upon it,
that will keep uppermost of all, so that you may keep four sorts of
liquors in one glass, whereof none is mingled with the other.
Although this be of no great profit, yet it serveth for to learn
thereby the difference of spirits.
_Of the spirit and oyl of Harts-horn._
Take Harts-horn, cut it with a saw into pieces, of the bigness of a
finger, and cast in one at a time into the aforesaid distilling vessel,
and when the spirits are settled, then another, and continue this until
you have spirits enough: and the vessel being filled with the pieces
that were cast in, take them out with the tongs, and cast in others,
and do this as often as is needful. The distilling being finished,
take off the receiver, and pour into it dephlegmed spirit of wine,
which will cleanse the volatile salt: pour the oyl with the spirit
and volatile salt through a filtring paper made wet first and lying
in a glass funnel, and the spirit of wine together with the spirit of
Harts-horn and the volatile salt will run through the paper, and the
blackish oyl will stay behind, but it must quickly be poured out, else
it will pass through after them. The spirit together with the volatile
salt rectifie through a retort, and the best part of the spirit will
come over together with the spirit of wine and volatile salt; and when
the phlegme is coming, take of the spirit, which is come over, that the
naughty phlegm may not come amongst it; keep it well, for it is very
volatile, the oyl may be mingled with salt of tartar, and rectified by
a glass retort, and so it will be clear; if you will have it fairer,
you must rectify it with spirit of salt.
The first, which is done with salt of Tartar, is of more vertue; it
cureth the Quartane, and provoketh sweat extremly, cureth all internal
wounds and pains, which were caused by falls, blows, or other wayes:
6, or 8. 10, to 20. drops of it taken in wine and sweated upon it in
the bed. The spirit is very good for all obstructions of the whole
body, from ℈ _ss._ to ʒ _ss._ therefore taken in a fit vehicle,
provoketh urine, and forceth down womens courses, it cleanseth the
blood and maketh sweat mightily. In the Plague, Pox, Leprosie, Scurvy,
_Melancholia Hypochondriaca_, malignant Feavers, and the like where
sweating is necessary, it proveth a rare medicine.
_To make the spirit of mans hair an excellent medicine._
After the same manner you may make spirits out of all kind of horns
and claws of beasts: but since by reason of their ill smel the use of
them is not liked of (though in several heavy diseases, as in the fits
of the mother and Epilepsie, they do admirably well:) therefore I will
acquiesce. However it is worth observing, that the spirit made of mans
hair is not to be rejected in metallical operations, for it dissolveth
common sulphur, and reduceth it into a milk, which by further ripening
may be turned into blood, the like whereunto no spirit is able to
do. The same spirit may also of it self, without addition of sulphur
be fixed into a ruby; but that which is ripened with sulphur is the
better; and if it be brought so far by the fire, that it have lost its
stink, and be made fixed than it will be able sufficiently to pay for
the pains and coals bestowed upon it.
N. B. Hither belongeth the Process to pour dissolved metals upon filed
hartshorn, and so to distil them.
_Of the oyl of Ambar._
Ambar yeildeth a very pleasant oyl and of great vertue especially the
white Ambar: the yellow is not so good, and the black is inferior to
this; for by reason of its impurity it cannot be well used inwardly;
and there cometh over also along with it a volatile salt and an acid
water, which must be seperated; the water (for ought that I know) is
of little vertue; the salt if it be sublimed from the salt of Tartar
and purified, is a good diuretick, and in the Stone and the Gout, may
successfully be used both inwardly and outwardly. The oyl if it be
rectified, especially that which comes over first, is an excellent
medicine against the Plague, Epilepsy, rising of the Mother and Megrim,
6, 8, 10, to 20. drops being taken thereof at once, and the nostrils
also being anoynted therewith for to smell to it; and it is to be
observed, that when it is rectified with spirit of salt, it proveth
much clearer, than done by it self without addition: but if it be
rectified with salt of tartar, it is of much more vertue, though it
fall not so clear, as that which is done by spirit of salt.
N.B. If it be rectified from a strong _Aqua Regia_ having before once
already been rectified with spirit of salt, it will turn so subtle,
that it is able to dissolve iron or copper in some sort, and to reduce
them into good medicines; and in this second rectification by _Aqua
Regia_ all will not come over, but part of it will be coagulated by the
corrosive water, so that it turneth thick, like unto mastich, which in
the warmth is soft, and may be handled with owns fingers like wax, but
in the could it is so hard, that it may be broken and made into powder,
and glistereth like gold.
_Of the oyl of soot._
Of the soot, which is taken from Chimneys, where nothing is burnt but
wood, there may be distilled a sharp volatile salt and a hot oyl. The
salt is in vertue not unlike unto that which is made of harts-horn or
ambar, and it quencheth inflammation, from what cause so ever it do
proceed: The oyl may without rectification externally be used very
successfully for all loathsome scabs, and for a scald head, _&c._
But if it be rectified, as hath been taught to be done with the oyl
of Tartar, of Ambar, and of Hartshorn; then it may safely be used
inwardly, as the above written oyls are used; for it doth as well as
these, yea better in some special cases.
_How to make a good oyl out of soot without distilling._
Boyl the soot in common watter, till the water turn blood red (urin
is better than water) and set this solution (being in an earthen pot)
in winter time into the greatest frost so long till all in the pot be
frozen into one piece and turned white: then break the pot and the ice,
and in the midst thereof you will find the hot oyl unfrozen and liquid
in colour like blood, which is not much inferior in vertue unto that
which is distilled, yet afterward it may be rectified, and so exalted
in its vertue, when you please, and it is to be noted, that this
separation doeth only succeed in the greatest frost and cold, and not
else.
_Of the spirit and oyl of honey._
Of honey there may be made a subtle spirit and a sowre vinegar, if it
be mingled with twice as much of pure calcined sand and so distilled;
and it falleth much better yet if it be made with the flores of
Antimony, which were taught to be made in the first part, whereby
the spirit is increased in its vertue, and its running over hindred
thereby; and so distilling it, there will come over a pleasant spirit,
a sharp vinegar and some red oyl also, which must be seperated: the
spirit after the rectification inwardly used is good in all diseases of
the lungs. It openeth and inlargeth the Breast, strengthneth the Heart,
takes away all obstructions of the Liver and Spleen; it dissolveth
and expelleth the Stone, resisteth all putrefaction of the Blood;
preserveth from, and cureth the Plague; all Agues, Dropsies, and many
other diseases, daily used from ℈ j. to ʒ j. taken with distilled water
proper for the diseases: the sower vinegar coloureth hair and nails as
yellow as gold: it cureth the itch and scabs of the skin; it cleanseth
and healeth old and new wounds, they being bathed and washed therewith.
The red oyl is too strong to be used of it self, it may be mingled with
the subtle spirit which came over first and so used, and the spirit
will be exalted thereby in its vertue.
_Of the oyl and spirit of sugar._
In the same manner as hath been taught of honey, there is also made a
spirit and oyl of sugar, _viz._ adding pure sand to it; or (which is
better) of the flores of Antimony, and then according to the rules of
Art one spoonful after the other of this mixture cast in, it will yeild
a yellow spirit, and a little red oyl, which after the distillation
must be digested in Balneo so long together, till the spirit have
assumed the oyl and be turned thereby very red in colour; it needeth
not to be rectified, but may daily be used either by it self, or with
such vehicles as are proper for your purpose; in all it is like in
virtue unto that which was made of honey; yet this of sugar is more
pleasant than the other; it reneweth and restoreth all the blood in
man, in regard that it received great vertue from the diaphoretical
flores of Antimony; and this spirit may fitly be used in all diseases,
it can do no hurt, neither in cold nor hot diseases; it doth help
nature mightily, and doth so much good, that it is almost beyond
belief. Especially if for a time it be used daily from ℈ j. to ʒ j. The
residue of it is black, and may be kept for the same use again, _viz._
for an addition to other honey or sugar, or else you may sublime it
again into flores in the furnace described in the first part, or in the
furnace described in the fourth part of this book, with an addition of
iron or tartar, or salt nitre, reduces it into a _Regulas_, &c.
_To distil an excellent spirit and a blood red tincture of corals and
sugar._
If you mix sugar with red corals made into powder and distil it, there
will besides the spirit come over a blood-red tincture like a heavy
oyl, which is to be joyned with the spirit by digestion in Balneo,
and it will be as vertuous as that which was made with Antimony
diaphoreticum. It doth perfectly and lastingly cure the epilepsie in
young and old; it cleanseth the blood from all filth, so that the
Leprosie together with its several species may be cured thereby, _&c._
Its use is the same as was taught above of the Antimonized spirit of
sugar.
_Of the spirit of Muste or new Wine._
Take sweet Must or juice of grapes, as soon as it is squeezed out, boyl
it to the consistency of honey- and then mix it with sand, corals, or
(which is better) with flores of Antimony, and so distill it, and it
will yield such another spirit as that which is made of honey or sugar,
only that this is somewhat tarter than that of honey. With honey, sugar
and the juice of grapes, several metals may be dissolved in boyling and
so prepared and made up into divers medicaments, both with and without
distillation, after the same manner as was taught above with tartar:
for honey, sugar, and the juice of grapes, are nothing else but a sweet
salt, which by fermentation and addition of some sower thing, may be
changed into a sower Tartar, in all like unto that which is gathered
in the wine vessels. There may be made also a tartar out of cherries,
pears, apples, figs, and all other fruit, yielding a sweet juice; as
also of rye, wheat, oats, barley and the like, whereof in the third
part more shall be said.
For every sweet liquor of vegetables, if it be turned inside out, by
fermentation may be changed to a natural sowre tartar; and it is
utterly false, that (as some do suppose) only wine yields tartar,
which by daily use made of it by those that have very hungry stomachs
(like Woolves) indistinctly together with the nourishment went into
the limbs, and there turned to a stony matter. If this were true, than
in cold Countries, where no wine groweth, men would not be troubled
with the Gout or Stone; the Contrary whereof is seen daily: though I
must confess, that among all vegetables none yeildeth more than the
vine, the concurrent acidity being the cause thereof; for it turneth
the sweetness into tartar; for the sowrer the wine is, the more tartar
it yieldeth; and so much the sweeter, so much the less tartar. By this
discourse an industrious Chymist may easily come to know the original
nature and properties of tartar, and in default of wine, how to make
it out of other vegetables; common salt or the salt of tartar may be
distilled with honey, sugar, or sodden wine (_sapa_) and it will yield
such strong spirits, that metals may be dissolved with them, and they
are not to be despised in Physick and Alchymy.
_Of oyl Olive._
Out of oyls made by expression (as oyl olive, rape oyl, wallnut oyl,
hempseed oyl, linseed oyl, and the like) there may be distilled a
penetrating oyl, useful both out wardly and inwardly, which is done
thus: Take common potters clay not mingled with sand, frame little bals
of it, as big as a pigeons or hens-egg, burn them (but not too strong)
to a hard stone, so that they may attract the oyl; and when they are
no more quite red-hot, but pretty hot, then throw them into oyl olive
which is the best; let them lye in it, till they be quite full and
drunk of the oyl, which will be done in two or three hours (some cast
them red hot into the oyl, but amiss, because the oyl contracts thence
an _Empyreuma_) then take them out, and cast in one or two of them
at once into your distilling-vessel made red-hot, and let it go; and
within a while after cast in one or two more, and continue this till
you have oyl enough. If the vessel be full of the bals, take them out
with the tongs or ladle, that you may proceed without let in your
distillation, and in this manner you need not fear the breaking of your
retort or receiver, or the burning of your oyle. The distillation being
performed take off your receiver, pour the oyl that came over into a
glass retort, and rectify it from calcined Allome or Vitriol, and the
Allome will keep back the blackness and stink, and so the oyl will come
over clear, which must be yet rectified once or twice more with fresh
calcined Allome, according to the intensness of penetrating which you
look for; that which cometh over first, ought still to be caught by
it self, and you will get a very fair, bright and clear oyl, which is
very subtle; but that which cometh after is somewhat yellow, and not so
penetrating neither as the first; and therefore it is but for external
use to extract flores and herbs therewith, and to make pretious balsams
for cold and moyst sores. Also you may dissolve with it Amber, Mastick,
Myrrh, and the like attractive things, and with Wax and Colophony
reduce it to a plaster, which will be very good in venemous sores and
boyls, for to attract the poyson, and to heal them out of hand. If you
dissolve in it common yellow sulphur made into powder, you will get a
blood red balsom, healing all manner of scabs, and other like defects
of the skin; especially when you add to it purified verdegrease, and in
hot sores _Saccharum Saturni_, which in a gentle heat and by continual
stirring about do easily melt and mingle therewith. It needeth not
to be done in glasses, but may be done in an ordinary earthen pot or
pipkin.
_The use of the blessed oyl._
The first and clear is of a very penetrating nature: some drops thereof
given in some _Aqua vitæ_, presently stays the collick, proceeding
from winds that could not be vented; as also the rising of the mother,
the navil being anointed therewith: and a cold humour being faln upon
the nervs, whereby they are lamed; if you do but anoint them with this
oyl, and rub it in with warm hands, it will quickly restore them, and
therefore in regard of its present help, may well be called _Oleum
sanctum_. If you extract plates of iron or copper with this oyl, it
will turn deep red or green, and is a soveraign remedy for to warm and
dry up all cold and watery sores. It consumeth allso all superfluous
moisture in Wounds and ulcerous Sores, as also all other excrescencies
of the skin: it healeth tettars and scald-heads, and other like defects
proceeding from superfluous cold and moisture. You may also dissolve
in it Euphorbium and other hot gums, and use them against great frost,
for what limb soever is anointed therewith, no frost how great soever
can do it any hurt. The balsames made with gum or sulphur may be also
distilled by a retort, and in some cases they are more useful than the
undistilled balsame.
_Of the oyl of Wax._
In the same manner may be distilled also the oyl of wax, the use
whereof is in all like unto the former; and for all cold infirmities of
the nerves, this is found more effectual yet than the former.
_A Spirit good for the Stone._
Out of stones which are found in grapes, there may be distilled a sowre
spirit, which is a certain and specifical remedy for the stone in the
kidneys and bladder, and also for all pains of the gout. It is not
onely to be used internally, but also externally, wetting clothes in
it, and applying them to the places affected, and it will asswage and
drive away the pains.
_Of the spirit or acid oyl of Sulphur._
To reduce sulphur into a sowre spirit or oyl hath been sought hitherto
by many, but found by few. Most of them made it in glass-bells, but
got very little that way; for the glasses being quickly hot, could not
hold the oyl, so that it went away in a smoak. Some thought to get
it by distilling, others by dissolving, but none of all these would
do the feat. Which is the reason why now-adayes it is found almost
no where right, and in the Drugsters and Apothecaries shops they
usually sell oyl of Vitriol instead of it, which by far is not to be
compared in vertue to the oyl of sulphur. For this is not onely of a
far pleasanter sowre taste, but in efficacy also much exceeds the
other. And therefore being of so great use both in Physick and Alchymy,
as in all hot diseases, mingling the patients drink therewith, till
it get a pleasant sowre tast, for to quench the intolerable drowth,
to strengthen the stomach, to refresh the lungs and the liver: Also
externally for to cure the gangreen: Also for to Chrystallise some
metals thereby, and to reduce them into pleasant vitriols, useful as
well in Alchymy as Physick: I thought good to set down the preparation,
though it be not done in this our distilling furnace, but in another
way by kindling and burning it as followeth.
Make a little furnace with a grate, upon which a strong crucible must
be fastned resting on two iron bars, and it is to be ordered so that
the smoak be conveighed (not above by the crucible, but) through a pipe
at the side of the furnace: the crucible must be filled with sulphur
even to the top; and by a coal-fire without flame be brought to burn
and kept burning. Over the burning sulphur, a vessel is to be applyed
of good stony earth like unto a flat dish with an high brim, wherein
is alwayes cold water to be kept, and whereunto the burning sulphur
doth flame: which thus burning, its fatness consumeth, and the acid
last is freed and sublimed to the cold vessel, where it is dissolved
by the air, and in the form of a sharp oyl runs from the hollow vessel
into the receiver, which must be taken off sometime, and more sulphur
supplyed instead of that which hath been consumed, to the end that the
sulphur may still burn in the crucible: and beat with the flame to the
cold head: and within few dayes you will get a great quantity of oyl,
which else by the (_campana_) glass-bell in many weeks could not have
been done.
N. B. Such a sowre spirit or oyl may also be got by distillation
together with the flores, _viz._ thus: If you take pieces of sulphur
as big as hens eggs, and cast them one after another into the hot
distilling vessel, a sowre oyl together with flores, will come over
into the receiver, which must with water be separated out of the
flores, and the water abstracted from it again in a cucurbit, and in
the bottome of your glass body you will find the oyl, which in vertue
and taste is equal to the former, but you get nothing near so much in
quantity by this way, and if you do not look for the oyl, you may leave
it with the flores, which by reason of their pleasant acid taste are
much toothsomer to take than the ordinary ones.
To the Courteous Reader.
_Thus I conclude this second part; I could have set down more medicinal
processes in this Treatise: but having as many as will be a sufficient
guide for the distilling of other things also, I thought it good here
to acquiesce; and whatsoever hath been here omitted, shall be supplyed
in the following parts._
FINIS.
[Illustration: _Fig:_ I
_Fig:_ II
_Fig:_ III]
THE
THIRD PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces:
_In which is described the Nature of the Third Furnace; by the
help whereof, and that without Stills, and Caldrons, and other
Copper, Iron, Tin, and Leaden Instruments, various Vegetable
burning Spirits, Extracts, Oyls, Salts, =&c.= by the help of a
certain little Copper Instrument, and Wooden Vessels are made for
Chymical and Medicinal Uses._
A Preface of the Copper Instrument and Furnace.
_Now this Instrument is made of strong Copper plates after the
following manner. You must make two strong hemispheares of Copper or
Latten of the bigness of a mans head (or thereabout) and join them
together with a most strong soder, and that without tin, whereof the
one must have a pipe: Now the pipe must be of a most exact roundness,
that it may most accurately fit the hole that is made with an auger
or wimble to keep the water from flowing out like to a tap, of the
length of one span at least, wider on the hinder part towards the
globe, than on the forepart, which also must be according to the
bigness of the globe, greater or lesser, and be exactly joined with
the best soder to its hemisphear, and the diameter of the forepart
being very round like a tap, and most exactly filling the round hole
must be of two fingers breath. Now there is required to the foresaid
instrument or globe, a certain peculiar little furnace made of iron
or copper, =viz.= most strong copper plates, covered within with
stones or the best lute, into which is put that globe like a retort,
so that it may ly upon two iron bars of the distance of a span, or
span and half from the grate; the neck whereof (that pipe) goeth
forth of the furnace one span at least. The furnace also must have
below a place for the ashes, and above a cover with its hole for the
letting forth of the smoke, and for regulating the fire, as you may
see by the annexed figure. It must also below have a treefoot, on
which the furnace must be set, and on the sides two handles by the
help whereof it may be removed from place to place; the which is very
necessary; for it is not only used for the distilling of burning
spirits by wooden Vessels instead of copper, but also for such
distillation, and digestion that is performed in gourds, bolt-heads,
and other instruments of glass, stone, copper, tin, =&c.= which are
to be set in Balneo: also in the boyling of beer, metheglin, wine,
and other drinks, which are to be performed by the help of wooden
Vessels._
_Of Wooden Instruments that are to be used instead of Stills, Baths,
and Cauldrons._
_In the first Figure_, _A_ represents the Furnace with a Copper
Globe. _B._ The Copper Globe. _C._ The distilling Vessel. _D._
The Refrigeratory with a Worm. _E._ The Receiver. _F._ Stools on
which the Vessels stand. _The Second_, _A_ Balneum with a Cover
having Holes in it for the Glasses, set upon a Tree-foot.
_The Third_, A Wooden Vessel for the making of Beer. _The Fourth_,
A Tub for a moist Bath, which is to be warmed by the Copper
Globe. _The Fifth_, A wooden Box for a dry Bath to provoke sweat
with Volatile Spirits.
In the first place I shall speak of wooden Vessels that are to be used
instead of Copper stills, in the distilling of burning spirits out of
wine, beer, lees, malt, wheat, meal, roots, hearbs, flowers, seeds, and
other vegetables, as also oyls of vegetables.
See that thou hast an oken barrel, like to those wherein wine and
beer are kept, of a just bigness, _viz._ answerable to the bigness of
the globe, as is sufficient for the coction: for a barrel that is too
big will make the coction slow, and tedious. A greater globe may be
fitted to a lesser barrel, but not on the contrary, a great barrel to a
little globe: For by how much the bigger the globe is, and the less the
barrel, so much the sooner is the work hastned. Now seeing that this
Art was invented for the saving of costs, which otherwise would have
been expended in providing of stils, cauldrons, furnaces, _&c._ it is
best not to have too great a globe, which requires a greater furnace,
and is more hardly to be carryed, because it is to be covered within
with lute, or a wall; for it is sufficient if it be big enough for the
coction. Wherefore I will give you a just and due proportion of both,
_viz._ of the globe, and vessel, which in distillations and other
operations, the curteous reader may imitate.
A globe of the bigness of a mans head, containing three or four cannes,
whereof each containeth four pints, is sufficient for the heating of a
barrel of 30, 40, 50, 60. and 100 gallons, which by how much the more
remote from 100 and nearer to 30, so much the sooner is it heated, and
the coction furthered; and on the contrary, by how much the nearer it
is to 100 and more remote from 30, so much the slower is the coction.
I do not therefore advise that a huge barrel be chosen for a small
globe, by reason of a long and tedious operation: And if all and every
thing be not so accurately observed to a hair, yet it matters not much,
because it sufficeth to do the same thing by the help of one small
copper instrument of divers forms. For in this way of distilling,
wooden vessels that are requisite to the distilling of spirits, and
boyling of Bear, and for baths are more easily provided, then so many
copper vessels in the common way. For by this means not only costs are
spared, but also it is in stead of building of furnaces, because when
any barrel hath been used, you may remove it, and set another in the
place of it for another operation, the which cannot be done with stills
and cauldrons fastened into a furnace. And this invention is for those
that want Artificers, as Coppersmiths, _&c._ because wooden instruments
are more easily provided: also by the help of this globe may most
secret operations be performed.
For the furnace with the copper globe may be built in one place, and
in another place the _Balneum_, _viz._ the places divided with a
wall, so that he that looks to the fire may not know what is done in
the Elaboratory; for oftentimes the care of the fire is committed to
heedless servants, that break glass instruments by their carelesseness,
by which means oftentimes a most pretious medicine is lost; which
danger this invention is without.
Wherefore this copper globe with its wooden vessels is more convenient
then those copper stills and cauldrons. But this I would have thee know
that this new invented distillation is slower, then the common way
which is performed by stills, and consequently requires a long fire.
I desire therefore the rich that dwell in large and spacious houses,
that they would use the old way of distilling; but the poor, who have
but little houshold conveniences, and the covetous, that they would use
this little copper globe with its wooden vessels: for although there be
a longer fire required, yet these are not to be compared to those costs
which are otherwise expended upon so many copper vessels of so many
divers forms. Let him therefore keep to his copper vessels, who cannot
understand me, for it concernes not me. Without doubt there are some
whom this my new invented way of distilling will please, before other,
being communicated for the sake of the poor labouring house-keepers,
that cannot boyl Beer, and distill burning spirits for lack of vessels:
for a globe of five or four pound is more easily provided, then other
copper vessels of 60, 80, 100 pound: also those wooden vessels are
more easily provided than furnaces, which some for want of place only
cannot build. Choose therefore which way thou wilt, for these things
which I have wrote, I have wrote for the poors sake rather than for
the rich. Certainly rich men that have spacious Elaboratories need not
to be ashamed to follow this way, for it is free for every man to go
a shorter way, unless they had rather prefer the old way before a new
and compendious, whom I cannot help, being contented with a publication
which is made for the sake of my neighbour, whether it be taken well
or ill, with a good minde, certainly knowing that more profit then
disprofit may be obtained by the help thereof. It shall not therefore
repent him of his labor, who knows rightly to prepare and use this
copper, and wooden vessels.
_There follows now the preparation of the vessel._
The vessel being made is to be placed with one bottom, upon a stool
that is fitted for it, which being done, make a hole with a wimble neer
the bottom, for the receiving of the neck of the copper globe, which
is to be covered over with a linnen cloth: make also about the lower
bottom another hole for a tap, by the help whereof the remainder of the
distillation is drawn forth: also you must make a large hole in the
upper bottom, the diameter whereof must be one span for to pour in the
water to be distilled, with a funnel. Also there must be made a hole
near the upper bottom of two or three fingers breadth, into which is to
be put a copper pipe of a span long, which is to be fastened closely
therein; and to this pipe another oaken vessel with a copper worm and
cold water like to other refrigeratories, must be applyed. Also the
joints of the aforesaid short pipe, _viz._ of the first barrel, and
of the second barrel, _viz._ the refrigeratory must be straightly,
and closely united together, which afterward may be the better joyned
together with a fit lute for the distilling. And this is the form and
fashion of the wooden vessel, that is to be used in the place of copper
vessels, in the distilling of burning spirits and oyls. But thou wilt
object that these kind of wooden vessels are porous, and drink up great
part of the spirit and oyls.
I answer; none of the spirits seeketh a violent passage out, in case
the ways be open. There is no danger therefore, when there is passage
enough given them by a pipe that is wide enough. Neither doth oyl
stick to them in distillation, for whatsoever is by force of the
boyling water to be separated from the spices, and seeds that also
is sublimable by the force of the seething water, so as to distill
in, so that in the refrigeratory no more is lost than in the stills.
Distillation being made, the aforesaid spirits may be rectified in
these wooden vessels, (being first washed) as well as in copper stills.
_The making of a wooden vessel for a Balneum, which is to be used
in stead of copper and leaden Cauldrons for digestion, and
distillation by glass vessels._
Make an oaken vessel as big or as little as you please, according to
the greatness, or littleness, multitude, or fewness of the vessels,
of two or three spans high, a little narrower above then below,
and so fashioned above, that a cover of wood, copper, or lead, may
most closely be joyned to it: the cover must have holes greater or
lesser, according to the glasses, as is wont to be in the making of
a _Balneum_, as you may see by the annexed figure. This vessel also
must be placed upon a stool of the height of an ell, or such height as
is required for the joyning of the copper globe with the _Balneum_,
which must have a hole near the lower bottom, for the receiving of the
neck of the aforesaid globe. In defect of such a vessel, which yet you
may provide easily enough, take a wine or bear vessel divided in the
middle, and make a hole near the bottom for the neck of the globe, make
also a wooden cover with holes, &c. He that will be curious may provide
all things according to the best Art.
_A wooden vessel serving for boyling of bear, metheglin, vinegar,
=&c.= as well as copper, iron, and tin vessels._
Make a wooden vessel, which shall be more high than broad, a little
wider above than below, as you please: or take a wine or bear barrel
divided in the middle, and near the bottom make a hole for the neck of
the globe, which is to be covered with boards, which serves as well for
the boyling of bear, _&c._ as those of copper.
_A wooden vessel for a bath for sweet, or mineral water, which may
be according as you please, kept warm, for the preserving of
health._
Make a long wooden tub convenient to sit in, which is to be set upon a
stool of a just height, _viz._ that the bottom of the vessel may answer
the neck of the globe which is put into the furnace: you may also have
a cover, that may cover the whole tub, which may be divided and united
in that place where the head goes forth, as appears by the annexed
figure, or you may cover it with a cloth, laying it upon small crooked
sticks fastned to the tub, yet so that the head may have its liberty,
especially in a vaporous bath of common sweet, or medicinal water; or
make a high wooden cover shutting very close, for a dry sweat, where it
is no matter whether the head be shut in or no.
_Of the use of wooden vessels in distilling, boyling, bathing,
=&c.= And first of the distilling vessel._
He that will distill any burning spirit by help of the distilling
vessel, out of wine, metheglin, bear, barley, wheat, meal, apples,
pears, cherries, figs, _&c._ also out of flowers, seeds, and other
vegetables, hath need so to prepare his materials, that they may yield
their spirit. Where I thought it convenient, and indeed necessary
to say something of the preparation of each vegetable, for better
information sake, or else a profitable distillation is not to be
expected, but labour in vain to be feared.
_And first of the preparation of the lees of wine, bear, hydromel,
and other drinks._
The lees of wine, bear, hydromel, _&c._ have no need to be prepared,
because they do easily enough of themselves yield their spirit,
unless haply having lost all their humidity they be dryed, which you
may make moist again by the admixion of common water, lest they be
burnt in distilling & stick to the vessel; of which thing more in
the distillation it self. Now flowers, roots, hearbs, seeds, fruits,
apples, pears, cannot be distilled without a foregoing preparation.
You must therefore first prepare them, as followeth.
_Of the preparation of all kind of corn, as Wheat, Oats, Barly,
=&c.= which must go before the distilling of the spirit._
And first of all a malt must be made of the corn, as it is wont to be
in the making of bear. Now the manner of making of malt is known almost
to all, wherefore I need not speak much of that, because in all places
that have no wine, there is scarce any house found in which Malt and
Bear is not made, as well in the country as cities. But however, there
is a great deal of difference of making of it, for a long knife doth
not make a good Cook, nor all drinkers of wine are good planters. For
many have perswaded themselves, that, if they follow the footsteps
of their fathers, they have done well (although they have been in an
errour) and being scornful, refuse instruction. Wherefore something is
to be said of the difference of malting. Although I never exercised
the Art of making Beer, yet I am certain I do in that excel all other
Distillers, and Brewers. For I often saw, and indeed with admiration,
the simplicity of many in their operations, although common, and
dayly, to whom though an age should be granted, yet they would never
be more thrifty, being content with their ancient customes. Good God!
How perverse is the world, where no body labours to find out any good,
neither is there any one that thinks of perfecting, and amending things
already found out: Where all things run to ruin, and all manner of vice
increase: for now almost every one seeks only after riches _by right or
wrong_; for it is all one with them, if they have them, not thinking
that things ill gotten shall perish, and that the third heir shall not
injoy them, and that unjust riches shall devour those that have been
honestly gotten, with danger also of eternal damnation. I pray you, if
our Ancestors had been so negligent, and had left nothing to us: I pray
you, I say, what Arts and Sciences should we have had now? It is come
to this pass now, that vertues decrease, and vices increase.
_Of the difference of malting._
The difference of malt, by reason whereof it yields better or worse
beer, and spirit, consists for the most part in the preparation
thereof: for being made after the vulgar way it retains its tast,
wherefore it cannot yield good spirit, nor good beer, which is observed
of very few, wherefore they could not draw forth good spirit out of
corn, but such as savours of the tast and smell of the malt. Which is
not the fault of the corn, but of the artificer not operating aright
in the preparation of his malt, in distilling and rectifying. For
if it were prepared a right in all things, corn yields a very good
spirit, not unlike to that which is made out of the lees of wine, in
tast, odour, and other vertues. Which Art, although it be not known
to all, yet it doth not follow that it is impossible: Now I did not
say that it is that common way, whereby that spirit, which is like to
the spirit of wine, is distilled, but another which is more subtil,
and witty. Out of all vegetables is drawn a burning spirit, yet such
as is perceived by some difference of the tast, and odour, but that
is not the spirits faults, but of the vegetable, as of hearbs, seeds,
corn, _&c._ communicating their vertues, tast, and odour to the spirit:
whence that spirit deserves to be called not simple, but compounded,
for else all the burning spirit (being rightly rectified from its
flegm) is made out of any thing, having the same vertues with the
spirit of wine, although it seem improbable to some. I do not deny
that one simple may yield more or less sweet spirit than another. For
sweeter wines yields sweeter spirits: Also clear wine yields a sweeter
spirit than the lees of wine, although they come forth out of one
and the same vessel: For clarified wine, and that which is separated
from the fæces yields a sweeter spirit than the Lees, and impure and
heterogeneal sediment, which corrupts the simple, and sweet spirit,
with a strong tast and smell: so that that may deservedly, being as it
were simple, be preferred before this which is accidentally corrupted.
And this is to be understood of all other spirits. What hath hitherto
been said, hath been spoken for the sakes of them, who have perswaded
themselves that they could not perform chymical operations so well by
the spirit of corn, as with the spirit of wine, for I never found any
difference of them in the extraction of minerals or vegetables. Let him
therefore that can, receive my opinion, and experience, seeing I will
have nothing to do with contradicting Carpers: Without hurt to others I
dare not reveal the Art of distilling a sweet spirit with great profit
out of corn, in all things like to that which is made of the fæces of
wine, _viz._ without the preparation or grinding of the malt, which
shall haply be [* _See Explicat. Mirac. Mundi_] communicated elsewhere
at some time or other. For this Book is not written for the publishing
of secrets, but of a new invented distillation. But thou that wilt make
a sweet burning spirit out of malt or honey; know this, that the corn
must be brought after a certain peculiar manner into malt, and lose
its ungrateful savour before its distilling, and fermenting, or else
after the wonted manner a certain ungrateful spirit will be drawn from
thence, that cannot be compared to the spirit of wine. The whole Art
thereof consists in a true preparation; for ungrateful things are by
Art brought into gratefulness, and on the contrary grateful things are
made ungrateful by negligence. And thus much for information sake.
_Of the fermentation of Malt._
Take of Malt ground in a Mill as much as you please, upon which in a
wooden vessel set up right, pour cold water, as much as will moysten
it, and serve for mixtion and comminution; then also pour as much warm
water as will suffice for the making the mixture moist and thin, and
also warm; for it must be neither hot nor cold: which being done mix
with it some new barm, and cover it with a cloth, and in a short space,
being exposed to heat, it will begin to ferment (wherefore the vessel
is not to be filled to the top) and leave it so long in fermentation,
until the mixture descends, which for the most part is wont to be done
the third day, and the malt will be ready for distillation.
_Of the fermentation of Honey._
Neither hath honey any need of a singular Art in its fermentation,
because being mixed with 6, 7, 8, or 10. parts of warm water, it is
dissolved, and unto the solution is added ferment, as has been spoken
concerning malt, which afterward is left covered in some heat for to be
fermented, being fit for distillation when it becomes to wax hot. Now
know that too great a quantity of honey makes a very slow fermentation,
_viz._ of some weeks and months; wherefore for acceleration sake, I
advise that a greater quantity of water be added; although otherwise
it yields plenty of spirits, but ungrateful, which therefore I advise
nobody to distil as being unprofitable, unless any one know how to take
away the [1]ungratefulness thereof.
[1] [_See the Consolat. of Navigators._]
_Of the preparation of Fruits, Seeds, Flowers, Herbs, Roots_, &c.
The fruits of trees, as Cherries, Plumbs, Apples, Pears, Figs,
Juniper-berries, Elder-berries, Dwarf-elder, and Mulberries, _&c._ are
bruised in wooden vessels, with wooden pestils; and upon them being
bruised, is poured warm water, and ferment added to quicken it, as hath
been above said of malt. Seeds are broken in a mill; flowers, hearbs
and roots, are cut small, and are stirred up to fermentation by mixing
of warm water, and barm or yest.
_An Annotation._
Before thou distil the aforesaid vegetables prepared by the help of
fermentation, diligently weigh, and accurately observe whether the
mixture be sufficiently fermented, for sometimes there is too much
cold, or hot water put to it; sometimes the vessel is not well covered,
by which means the cold air is let in, whence the fermentation is
hindred, and consequently the distillation of the spirit: For by the
help of fermentation the burning spirit of the vegetables is set at
liberty, without which it cannot be done; also the distillation is
hindred by too much hast, as well as by too much delay; for if you
begin to distill before the time, _viz._ fermentation not being yet
perfected, thou shalt have but few spirits; wherefore also the better
part is, by many that are unskilful, cast to the swine, but without
any great loss, if the matter were malt, because that swine are fed
therewith; but not so if other vegetables were the matter of the
distillation. Also too much slowness where the matter begins to be
sowre before it be distilled, yields very few spirits, that which often
happens, whilst hearbs, and flowers, _&c._ are out of ignorance left
in fermentation 3, 4, 5. and more weeks, before they be distilled, for
the greatest part of the spirit is then turned to vinegar, which would
not be so very ill done, if so be these men knew how to clarifie the
remainders, and turn it into vinegar, that nothing thereof might be
lost; for the vinegars of hearbs, flowers, seeds, and roots are not to
be contemned. And so often times (a thing to be lamented) the better
part, if they be spices, and pretious things, is lost.
The matter of the distillation, and other choice things, as seeds and
hearbs are cast away with loss; wherefore for admonition sake I was
willing to add such things that the operators may have an opportunity
to consider the matter a little more profoundly with themselves, or at
least of learning the art of distilling from countrymen, who do not
suffer their malt to putrefy, grow sower or mouldy, before they fall
upon their distillations, but presently fermentation being made (the
third or the fourth day) begin their distillation.
But some one will object, that my vegetable spirits are not pure by
reason of the ferment that is mixed, having in it self a spirit. I
answer, there is not so great a portion of the ferment mixed which can
corrupt the vegetable spirit. For although some spoonfuls of ferment
yielding but a few drops of spirits be added to a great quantity of the
vegetables; yet there can come no hurt or detriment to so many quarts
of the vegetable spirit. I have seen some supercilious men that would
not add ferment to the matter of their spirit, but sugar or honey, by
which they would promote fermentation, and so have thought to get a
pure spirit, not considering that honey and sugar, after fermentation
are made to yield their spirit also, whereof one spoonful yields
more than ten or twenty of Barm: But hony and sugar fermenting not
without difficulty themselves, how can they promote the fermentation
of other things? Who also have had experience, that the addition of
their ferment hath been superfluous, whilst their flowers and hearbs
have stood some weeks in maceration, before they begun to ferment,
and that often times they have contracted an acidity, mustiness and
stink, the reason of which was an unsutable ferment. There are indeed
the fruits of some trees that have a sweet and full juice, as grapes,
cherries, apples, pears, figs, _&c._ which need not the addition of any
ferment, having a natural ferment of their own, but other vegetables
not so, being lean, as hearbs, flowers and roots. It is necessary
there to promote the fermentation of them by the addition of a sutable
ferment, lest in length of time these hearbs and seeds lose their
spirit exhaling in maceration. And thus much I was willing to say
for information sake, and indeed for the sake of them who seek after
the best and choicest medicines, wanting a good burning spirit as a
companion applicable to them. For this spirit came not only by it self,
as _Aqua vitæ_, into a medicinal use as well internal as external,
especially that which is prepared of cordial, and cephalick hearbs;
but also being united with the proper oyls of those hearbs in many
desperate diseases, where it could put forth its vertues eminently.
And thus much sufficeth concerning the preparation of vegetables that
goes before the distillation of burning spirits.
_The manner of distilling in general followeth._
He that is going to distil, hath need to stir his fermented matter
very well with a stick, that the thicker parts may be well mixed with
the thinner, and then he must fill therewith his distilling vessel set
upon a treefoot, and joyned to the copper globe in the furnace on one
side, and to the refrigeratory on the other, the joints in all places
being well closed either with Oxe-bladders, or with starch and paper.
Also the interiour part of the globe in the distilling vessel must
be fenced with a copper or wooden basket, that the herbs, seeds, and
other things enter not into the globe, into which only water must
come. Also the upper hole must be close stopped with a fitting stopple
wrapt about with linnen clouts, (_viz._ that hole by which the matter
to be distilled is put in) like to vessels of wine that are stopped.
Which being well done, you must kindle the fire in the furnace under
the globe, until all the matter in the whole vessel boyl well, and that
burning spirit rise, and go out, through the refrigeratory (where it is
condensed) into the glass receiver that is set under it, no less than
that distilled out of a still; and you must continue the fire till all
the spirit be come forth, which you may know by the taste. Which being
done, and all things being cold, let the remainders be taken out by the
lower large tap-hole, for meat for swine, or other uses. The spirit
that is drawn off may be exalted, and rectified at your pleasure in the
same vessel, being first made clean together with the refrigeratory.
Note well, that sometimes there is left a fat oyl with the flegm in
rectifying of the spirit, proceeding from that hearb of which that
was the spirit, which did distil off with the spirit from the matter
with a strong fire in the first distillation, but in the rectifying
could not ascend with the spirit in a gentle fire, but is constrained
to remain with the insipid flegm. And this oyl also hath its vertues,
especially that which is rectified by a glass gourd in Balneo, with the
spirit of salt, and clarified. Now the like oyl is got almost from all
hearbs, roots, seeds, flowers, and fruits, but out of one subject more
than another, according to the hot and cold temper thereof. Especially
the sediment of wines yields a good quantity of such oyl, which being
rectified is a medicinal true oyl of wine, but not before endued with a
sweet savour, and it is an excellent cordial, although I know no body
that knew this before.
And thus I have shewed the general way of distilling, burning spirits,
by help of the aforesaid wooden distillatory. Now also follows,
_The manner of distilling Spices, Seeds, Flowers, Hearbs, Roots,
Woods_, &c.
First, the seeds must be broken in a mill, flowers, hearbs, and roots
cut small, the woods broken or rasped, upon which afterwards a good
quantity of water (in which they may swim) must be poured for the
maceration of them, so that when the distillation is ended there
may remain some water, lest for want of water they be burnt in the
distilling, and yield an oyl savouring of an _empyreuma_, and not
sweet. Neither is too great a quantity to be poured upon them, but as
much as shall serve to prevent the burning of the aforesaid vegetables
in the distilling of the oyl thereof. And indeed fresh vegetables may
presently without any foregoing maceration, being put with their proper
waters into the distilling vessel be distilled. But they that be dry
may for the space of some dayes be macerated before they be distilled.
Also the water appointed for maceration must be salted, for the better
mollifing, and opening the aforesaid materials, that they may sooner
yield their oyl. Now green and fresh need not any salt water, yet it
will not be hurtful to mix some therewith, because salt helps the
boyling water, so as to make the oyl more easily to ascend. It also
helps and furthers distillation as doth Tartar and Allome, if they be
rightly mixed and ordered. Which being all rightly done, the materials
that are macerated must be put by a funnel into the distilling vessel,
and fire must be given as hath been spoken concerning the burning
spirit, and the oyl of the seed, or wood macerated in the water will
come forth in the distillation together with the water. And although
by this way more oyl comes forth, _viz._ Maceration being made by the
addition of salt, than without salt, by the help of the sweet water
alone, as is the fashion in all places almost to distill oyls of
spices; yet much remaines inseparable by the water, and consequently
not to be sublimed with the water. Therefore the better way is that
which I shewed in the first part to be performed with the spirit of
salt, which if you please you may follow. All the oyl being come forth
(which is perceived by the changing of the receivers) the fire is to
be extinguished, and the remainder is to be taken out, which if it be
of seeds, hearbs, or fruits, may, being yet warm, be fermented by the
addition of ferment for the distilling of the spirit, of which there
cannot be so great a quantity by reason of taking away of the oyl, as
otherwise is drawn out of things that have not lost their oyl: For all
burning spirit partakes of much oyl, of the essence, and nature whereof
more a little after. Now spirits must be made without the addition of
any salt, for salt hinders the fermentation, without which the burning
spirit cannot be had. But the water that is distilled together with the
oyl, is to be set in a certain temperate place, until the oyl ascend,
and swim upon the water, from whence it is to be separated with a
Tunnel (of which in the fifth part,) also there are some oyls which do
not ascend, but fall to the bottom, which are also to be separated with
a Tunnel, and kept for their uses. Now how these oyls may be kept clear
long, and not contract any clamminess, shall be taught in the fifth
part: but how they may after they have lost their clearness by long
standing, and are become tenacious, be restored and clarified again, is
taught in the first part, wherefore I need not here repeat it.
_How Oyls are to be coagulated into Balsames._
It hath been the custom a long time to turn aromatical oyls into
Balsams, where always one hath been willing to excel another in this
Art, which nevertheless was nothing hitherto, but for a washing and
cleansing; for they could not be used inwardly, but only outwardly for
their odour to comfort the heart and brain. Now the aforesaid oyls are
coagulated many ways, and are made portable in Tin, Silver, and ivory
boxes.
Some have mixed the fat of a lamb with them by help of heat, and have
turned them into a liniment, which they have coloured with divers
colours; as for example, they have corrupted the oyls of green hearbs;
as rosemary, marjoram, lavender, rue, sage, with a green colour, by the
admixtion of verdigrease (which is noxious to the head and heart) where
one corroborates and refresheth, another destroys. They have tinged the
Balsam of Cinnamon, and _lignum Rhodium_ with a red colour by the help
of a poysonous Cinnabar. Others that are more industrious, have tinged
their Oyls with extracted colours of vegetables, which balsams are more
safely taken inward: But they are not durable, acquiring a sliminess
and stink; wherefore they have mixed white wax to coagulate them: By
which means they are become more durable without stinking; but yet
in length of time so tenacious, that being smeared or rubbed upon the
skin, they stick fast by reason of the wax that is mixed with them: at
last others have found out a better way of coagulating aromatical oyls,
and other things, _viz._ by the addition of the oyl of Nutmeg made by
expression, having lost its odour and colour by spirit of wine; which
they called the _Mother of Balsames_. And this way hath been a long
time concealed by Apothecaries as a great secret, until at length it
is become common, so that balsames prepared after this manner are sold
almost in all shops: But although that be the best way, yet they are
not durable balsames that are made that way, because they lack salt.
I do not contemn and disapprove of Balsames made after this way, for
if a better way had been known, better had been made, for no man is
obliged beyond his power. Wherefore they are not only to be excused,
that have used Lambs fat, Wax, and the oyl of Nutmegs in the making
of their Balsames, but also to be honoured for their communication.
Now seeing the aforesaid Balsames cannot be taken inwardly, nor be so
well outwardly administred by reason of their unctuosity, others have
consulted to congeal the Oyls by the admixtion of their own proper
fix-salts: And Balsames prepared after this manner are made free from
clamminess, or tenaciousness, and may be dissolved in wine, beer, or
any liquor.
Wherefore they may be not only conveniently taken inward, but also more
fitly than those old, be rubed outwardly for the odours sake, because
they are easily washed off again with water. They do not only give a
most sweet odour being rubbed, but also by reason of the admixtion
of the fixed salt, having the nature of salt of Tartar, do beautify
the skin. Wherefore they are to be commended, being dissolved in fair
warm water for a lotion for the head, and face; not only because they
beautify, but corroborate with their excellent odour; which those fat
Balsames cannot do. Wherefore this way is to be preferred far before
the other.
Let him therefore that will, receive what I have said, for _rare and
new things are not alwayes accepted_, especially _being obscure_: but I
hope for the approbation of the age to come.
_The manner of preparing follows._
Take the remains of the burning spirit, and being put into a sack,
press it hard: reduce the water pressed out into vinegar, and of roses
thou shalt have a rose vinegar, and of other things another, being the
best in a Family for to season meats: then take the remains out of the
sack, and reduce it to white ashes in a potters furnace, upon which
pour the flegm of its own burning spirit (being separated) to extract
the salt, from which evaporate again all the humidity in a glazed
earthen pot: calcine the coagulated salt gently in a clean crucible,
and it will be white and be like to salt of tartar in tast; from which
abstract, sometimes its own proper burning spirit, calcining the salt
first every time; and the spirit will be so exalted by its proper salt,
that it will presently assume its proper oyl, and will, being poured
upon it, associate it to it self so as to be perceived no more in the
spirit, which will remain very clear: Which being done, calcine the
salt yet once more very well in a crucible, and dissolve so much of
it in its proper flegm, as sufficeth for the coagulation of the oyl,
then mix this solution with the burning spirit, mixed with its oyl, and
set it in a vial of a long neck well stopt, in Balneo, that the spirit
may not exhale, in the coction of it, and in the space of a few hours
there will be an union of the mixture which will be as white as milk.
Which being done, let the glass cool, for there is a conjunction of the
spirit, oyl, and salt, so that neither can be discerned from another,
which is to be poured into a vessel of a wide mouth, and it will be
congealed in the cold like a white ointment, not only to be anointed
withal, but also to be dissolved in any liquor, being of an excellent
odour, which may also be given inwardly very conveniently, and being
used outwardly it makes the skin beautiful and sweet; wherefore this
is that most desired balsame of Princes and Ladies. And by this way
the three principles of vegetables, being separated, and purified, are
again reunited, in which union there is found the whole vertue, tast,
and odour of the vegetable.
Note well, That he that will colour balsames, must draw the colour out
of vegetables with spirit of wine, which he must make to be coagulated
together with it. After this aforesaid manner, therefore you may draw
out of any vegetable that hath in it salt, spirit and oyl, soluble and
well smelling balsomes without the addition of any other strange thing,
which are not to be contemned.
And because here also is taught that most odoriferous balsame of
roses, for roses yield but a little oyl, without which that cannot be
done, know that not only roses or rose leaves also are to be taken
for the making the aforesaid balsome, but also together with the
leaves those whole knots; for that yellow that is in them yields that
oyl, not the rose leaves, _&c._ And let what hath been said suffice
concerning our preparation of balsames, which if they be rightly made,
are not I suppose, to be contemned, neither do I reject those that
are made without salt: Let him that hath better communicate them, and
not carp at ours. And so I would that all and each process should be
comprehended under some one general, _viz._ of distilling burning
spirits, and oyls, by the help of a wooden distilling vessel, and their
conjunction by the help of their proper fixed salt, I could here add
more things concerning the use, and vertues of spirits of wine, and of
those most sweet vegetable oyls; but because they are clearly enough
spoken of by others, I account it a superfluous thing to repeat the
sayings of others, being contented with the description of one only
general process, which you may imitate in other particulars.
_There follows now the use of the second wooden vessel, which
is to be used instead of those of copper or lead, serving for
distillations, digestions, extractions, and fixations._
The vessel being made ready according to the prescription set down
before, there is nothing else to do, than to fit the furnace with the
globe, and at your pleasure to heat water in it, with a government
of the fire in the furnace. Now all things may here be done, which
otherwise are done in a common _Balneo_; where there is no other
difference but of vessels; here is used a wooden vessel, there a
copper, leaden, or iron, _&c._ In this operation also is used the same
furnace with the same globe, which was used above in the distillation,
wherefore you need add nothing else beside, for nothing is more common
than a _Balneum_ in distillation; let the demonstration therefore of
the use of the copper globe suffice. Now I thought it worth while to
set down some Chymical medicinal extracts, not common, which may be
made by the help of this _Balneum_, which being rightly prepared do
many things in many diseases.
_And first of a vomitive Extract._
Take an ounce of the flowers of Antimony, of purifyed Tartar ℥ ij. of
sugar-candy ℥ vj. of rain water two pints, being mixed together, set
them in a strong vial in _Balneo_ for to be cocted, and make them to
boyl strongly the space of ten or twelve hours. Then the _Balneum_
being cold, take out the glass, and pour forth the decoction, and
filter it through a brown paper put into a tunnel; the filtred water
will be reddish betwixt sweet and sowre, which take (the fæces in the
filtre being cast away) and in a small gourd glass draw off all the
moisture with a gentle fire in _Balneo_ unto the consistency of honey
of a brownish colour, upon which again pour a pint of spirit of wine,
poured forth into a vial with a long neck; and set it on _Balneo_ with
a moderate heat the space of eight or sixteen hours, and then the
spirit of wine will separate, and extract the essence, which will be
more pure and noble, the fæces being left in the bottom; which after
all things are cold are to be separated by the Help of Filtration
through a double brown paper. Then take the red tincture that is
filtred, and in a gourd glass in a gentle Balneo draw off almost all
the spirit of wine until there remain a matter like a very sweet
syrup, which being taken out keep as a most excellent vomitive, most
profitable in many diseases, where other Catharticks can do nothing.
For this medicine works most gently, wherefore it may be given to
children of a year and half old without danger, and also to old men.
This medicine purgeth and attracts all humors from the nerves, and
veins, opens all obstructions of the liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys,
by which means many most grievous diseases are cured.
I never found a vomitive comparable to this, which works quickly
and safely. The dose of it is from grain 1, 2, 3, 4. to 10. and 30.
according to the age and sickness. It may be taken by it self, or in
wine, beer, _&c._ and it will within a quarter of an hour begin to
work, and ceaseth within two hours. Sometimes it doth not provoke
vomit at all, but only stools, where a glyster is very helpful if it
be given a little before the administring of the aforsaid medicine,
being made of two or three spoonful of oyl Olive, and salt water; for
the glyster prepares the way below, so that it seldome then works by
way of vomit: when also the patient may presently after the taking of
the medicine hold hot tosted bread to his mouth and nose, which hinders
vomiting and promotes the operation by stool. But in my judgment it
is better not to hinder the medicine seeking a spontaneous way of
operation, and not forced: For vomiting is more convenient for some,
than purging by stool. Now these things I have spoken for the sake of
those, who although they abhor vomiting, yet desire to be purged by the
essence of Antimony, which is of all that I know the most safe, and
sweet Cathartick. For it searcheth the whole body far better than all
others, and frees it from many occult diseases, the which all other
vegetable Catharticks could not do. It hath also this commodity in it,
that although by littleness of the dose, or the strong nature of the
patient it doth not work by vomit or stool, yet it doth not like other
medicines hurt the body, but works either by sweat or urine, so that
Antimony being rightly prepared is seldome administred without profit.
When as on the contrary, vegetable Catharticks being given in less dose
or by reason of some other causes do not work, although they do not
make the body swell, and produce manifest diseases, yet they threaten
to the body occult sicknesses.
Now the _Arcanum_ of Antimony doth not onely not do hurt, if it do
not sensibly operate, but by insensible working doth much good to the
body of man. Wherefore there is a great difference betwixt purging
minerals, and vegetables. For minerals are given in a less dose without
nauseousness, but vegetables with a great deal of nauseousness,
and sometimes with danger to the sick in a greater dose. Now that
nauseousness also proceeding oftentimes from the great dose of the
ungrateful bitter potions does more hurt than the potion it self. I
wish that such kind of gross medicines were abolished, and the sweet
Extracts of Vegetables and Essences of Minerals were substituted in
their place.
_A purging Extract._
Take of the roots of black Hellebore gatherd in fit time, and dryed
in the air, one pound, the roots of Mechoacan, Jallap, of each four
ounces; Cinnamon, Annisseed, and Fennelseed, of each one ounce; of
English Saffron a dram, powder all these Ingredients, then pour upon
them the best rectified spirit of Wine, in a high glass gourd, and upon
this put a blind Alembick, and set it in digestion; in Balneo until
the Spirit of wine be tinged red, which then decant off: and pour on
fresh, and set it again in digestion; until the spirit be red, then
pour on fresh again, and do this so often until the spirit will no more
be tinged red, which commonly is done at three Times. Mix these tinged
spirits, filter them, and in Balneo by a glass Alembick, with a gentle
heat draw them off from the Tincture, and a thick juice will remain
at the bottom of a brownish colour, which you must take out whilst it
is yet hot, and keep it in a clean glass for its uses. The Spirit of
Wine drawn off from the extract may be reserved for the same use. Now
this extract is given from grains 3, 6, 9, 12. to 31. according to the
age, and strength, being mixed with Sugar, it hath not an ungrateful
tast, and it works gently, and safely, if it be not given in too great
a dose. And if thou wilt have it in the form of a Pill, mix with it
being yet hot, an ounce of clear Aloes, and half an ounce of Diagridium
powdered, being mixed bring it into a mass for Pills, and keep it for
your use. The dose is from grain 1. to a scruple. It evacuates all
superfluous humors, but it is not to be compared with the medicine of
Antimony. And this extract I put down for the sakes of those that fear
Minerals, and abhor Vomits, which in my judgment is the best of all
vegetable Catharticks.
_A Diaphoretical Extract._
Take the wood Sassafras, Sarssaparilla, of each six ounces; Ginger,
Galengal, Zedoary, of each three ounces; long Pepper, Cardamoms,
Cubebs, of each an ounce; Cinnamon, Mace, of each half an ounce;
English Saffron, Nutmeg, Cloves, of each a dram: Let the woods be
rasped, the roots and spices poudered, pour upon them, being mixed,
the spirit of wine, and let the tincture be drawn forth in Balneo, as
hath been abovesaid of the purging Extract, evaporate away the spirit
to the consistency of honey, which keep for your use. It is good in
the Plague, Feavers, Scorbute, Leprosie, Frenchpox, and other diseases
proceeding, from the impurity of the blood, curing them by sweat. The
Dose of this Extract is from a scruple to a dram with proper vehicles:
it provoketh sweat presently, driveth away all venenosities from the
heart, and mundifies the blood.
And although it be a most effectual vegetable Diaphoretick yet it may
not be compared to those subtile spirits of minerals, of which in the
second part. Also animal diaphoreticks have their commendations, as the
flesh of vipers, the fixed salt of spiders and toads, in their peculiar
operations, where each alone without the mixture of any other thing
puts forth and sheweth its operations; neither are animal and vegetable
diaphoreticks to be compared to the mineral, as _Bezoarticum minerale_,
_Antimomum diaphoreticum_, and _Aurum diaphoreticum_.
_A Diuretical Extract._
Take the seeds of Saxifrage, Carraway, Fennel, Parsly, Netles, of
each 3. ounces, the root of liquorish, the greater burr, of each an
ounce, the powder of woodlice half an ounce. Let these being mixed and
powdered be extracted with spirit of Juniper according to art: then
mix these following things with the extracted matter: Take the salt of
Ambar, Soot, Netles, of each half a dram, purified Nitre a dram: Let
these be powdered, and mixed with the extract and this mixture be kept
for use. The dose is from a scruple to a dram, in the water of parsly
fennel, _&c._ This extract forceth urin, opens the ureters, purgeth
the reines, and bladder from all viscous flegme (the mother of all
tartareous coagulation) _viz._ if it be used timely: In this case is
commended also the solution of flints, and crystals, made with spirit
of salt. A greater commendation have salts of nephritick hearbs made by
expression, and crystallisation, without calcination, the preparation
whereof shall not here, but elsewhere be taught.
_A somniferous Extract._
Take of _Thebaic opium_ four ounces, of Spirit of Salt two ounces,
purified Tartar one ounce, set them being mixed in maceration in
Balneo in a glass vessel for a day and night, and the spirit of salt
with Tartar will open the body of the _opium_, and prepare it for
extraction, upon which pour half a pint of the best spirit of wine,
set it in a gentle Balneo to be extracted. Decant off the spirit that
is tinged, and pour on fresh, set it in digestion till the spirit be
coloured. Then mix the axtractions together, and put to them in a
glass gourd two drams of the best Saffron, of oyl of Cloves a dram,
and draw off the spirit of wine in Balneo, and there will remain a
thick black juice, which is to be taken out, and kept in a clean glass
vessel. The dose thereof is from one grain, to five or six, for those
of a mans age, but to children the sixth or eighth part of a grain. It
may be used in all hot distempers without danger. It provoketh quiet
sleep, mitigates pains as well outward as inward, it causeth sweat; but
especially it is a sure remedy for the epilepsie in children that are
new-born; for as soon as it is given to them to the quantity of the
eighth part of a grain in wine, or womans milk, there presently follows
rest, and sweat with sleep, by which means the malignity is expelled,
the children are refreshed, and desire victuals, and the fit returns
no more afterwards. Although haply the like symptomes may be perceived
again, yet if the aforesaid dose be administred again, the children are
refreshed, and cured wholly, whereas otherwise they would have dyed,
_&c._ whereof I have not restored few with this medicine. Moreover also
there are very effectual anodine medicines, as those volatile spirits
of vitriol, allome, Antimony, and other minerals, with which, as also
with that narcotick sulphur precipitated from the volatile spirit of
vitriol, nothing may be compared.
_A Cordial Extract._
Take red roses four ounces, of the lilly of the valley two ounces, the
flowers of borage, rosemary, sage, of each an ounce; cinnamon, lignum
aloes, of each two drams; cloves, mace, nutmeg, galangal, cardamoms
the lesser, of each half an ounce; the shavings of ivory, hartshorn,
of each an ounce; of _English_ saffron a dram, of _nux vomica_ a dram:
Mix them and reduce them to a fine powder, and let the tincture be
extracted with spirit of wine in Balneo, which is to be drawn off
again, unto a just consistence. Let the extract be kept for use. It may
be used in almost all faintings, and other affects that are not joyned
with a preternatural heat. The dose thereof is from grains 3, 6, 9. to
a scruple with proper vehicles; being often administred it refresheth
the spirit, corroborates the brain, and other parts of the body. It
is made more efficacious by the adding of the essences of minerals,
especially of gold, of which thing see the first part concerning the
sweet oyl of gold.
_Of an odoriferous Extract._
I need not teach the making of any odoriferous vegetable extract,
because the manner of drawing forth, or distilling oyls of vegetables
that have sweet odores, hath been shewed a little before, as of
hearbs, flowers, and seeds, which are the most noble, and sweet
essences of vegetables, by the odour whereof the heart and brain are
corroborated, which being reduced into balsams are made transportable.
Better extracts therefore, and more excellent cannot in my judgment
be made out of vegetables, then those aforesaid oyls, unless any one
would mix aromatical extracts made with spirit of wine with metallick
solutions, and being mixed digest them, then there will a certain
most odoriferous oyl go from the extract not only more efficacious,
but more excellent than that common distilled oyl by reason of the
admixtion of the spiritual metallick vertue, especially of gold and
silver, dissolved in the acid _Menstruum_ communicating its vertues
to the Aromatical oyl. Moreover any vegetable oyl may be exalted in
vertues and odour by the help of spirit of urine, or salt Armoniack,
by the help whereof not only odoriferous oyls are exalted, but also
the inodorous oyls of vegetables are made odoriferous, if they be a
while digested in spirit of urine: and not this only but every mineral,
and metallick sulphur, although the odour thereof be bound up with
most strong bonds, is opened by the benefit thereof, and is reduced
by digestion in a very little time into a most sweet and odoriferous
essence. Lixivial spirits exalt the odours, and colours of sulphurs;
acid purge sulphurs, but change their colours and odours. Musk and
Civet get the sweetness; and excellency of their odour from the subtile
urinous spirit of a certain Cat, digesting some certain fat and
converting it into such a kind of most odoriferous matter.
And let this that hath been said suffice concerning Extracts, which
might have been omitted, because many of these kind of Extracts are
found in the writings of other authors in many languages: but I was
willing to set down these, lest this book might seem to contain in it
nothing else besides the new way of distilling, being furnished also
with good medicines.
_Of Baths._
A little before hath been given a description of a Tub for a Bath in
which any one may sit with his whole body except his head, not only
to be washed in sweet warm water, whether medicinal and mineral, but
also to sweat in without water, where the vessel is heated by warm
vapours, either of sweet waters, or minerals. And every one may provide
such Baths for himself according to his necessity at home, whereby the
same diseases are cured as those that are cured by the help of natural
Baths, so that he need not for the baths sake go a great journey,
but may stay at home with his family and follow his Calling without
trouble, when he hath occasion and need to used them.
And whereas it cannot be denyed, that by the use of the Baths most
grievous diseases which cannot be cured by Physitians, are happily
cured; I was willing for the sake of my neighbour to publish this
instrument together with the preparation of mineral waters; which
publishing will not without doubt be without profit, and advantage.
Wherefore I will in brief shew you the preparation of mineral, and
sweet waters, and their use, and first,
_Of a Bath of sweet or common water._
There is no art to make a Bath of sweet water, for you have nothing
else to do, then to fill your vessel with river or rain water, and
to make a fire, which by the help of the copper globe will heat the
water, which being sufficiently heated, you may sit in it, and cover
the Tub, that the hot vapors evaporate not, nor the cold air enter in,
and cool the exteriour parts of the body: Wherefore also you must apply
a clean linnen cloth about your neck, lest the warm vapors evaporate
there: which being rightly observed, you may sit the space of 1. 2.
3. hours, or as long as you please or your sickness require. You must
keep a continual heat as much as is necessary, which may be done by the
help of that globe. If you be thirsty in the mean time you may drink
some proper distilled drink according to the nature of your disease,
of which thing nothing now, because I am resolved to write a peculiar
_book de Balneis_, and here only to shew the use of that copper globe
in heating of Baths. And although there be not a perfect instruction of
all, yet of some Baths, and their uses there shall a short instruction
be given in this place.
_Of the nature, and property of natural Baths._
Know that the greatest part of medicinal waters in _Germany_, and
other countries as well hot as cold carry with them from the earth a
certain sulphureous acidity more or less: in which acidity consists
that medicinal faculty and vertue of this or that water. And if those
waters lose their odour and tast by the exhaling of their subtile
spirits, then also they loose their vertues; although also there be
found some waters, which have not only a spiritual sulphur, but also
are impregnated with a certain mineral, or metallick body mixed with
Allome, or Vitriol, which comes not elsewhere then from the common
water running through the mines. There are found also other baths, the
power and vertue whereof consists not in any spiritual sulphur, nor in
any metallick body mixed with salt, but only in a certain spiritual
salt mixed with a certain subtil fixed earth, which waters do not
run through metallick mines as others do, but rather stones of the
mountaines calcined with a subterraneal fire, whence also they borrow
their subtil acidity with their insipid earth. And this no man will
deny that hath the knowledge of volatile and fixed salts of minerals,
and metals: the which I am able to demonstrate with very many, and
most evident reasons, if time and occasion would permit; but it shall
be done sometime or other as hath been said in a peculiar treatise.
Now therefore I will only teach how by salts, minerals, and metals,
artificial Baths may be made, which are not only not inferiour to the
natural in vertue, but also oftentimes far better, and that without
much cost or labour, which any one may use at home in stead of the
natural for the expelling of diseases, and recovering of health. And
although I am resolved to set forth a book that shall treat largely of
the nature, and original of Baths, and of their use; yet I am willing
now also to say something in brief concerning it, and that from the
foundation, seeing that there are so many different opinions of learned
men, and those for the most part uncertain.
As concerning therefore the original of the acidity as well volatile,
as corporeal, as also the heat of Baths, know that is not one, and
the same; for else each would have the same properties, but daily
experience testifies the contrary: For it is manifest that some Baths
help some diseases, and others are hurtful for them, which comes
from nothing else but from the difference of the properties of the
mineral waters proceeding from a diversity of mines impregnating those
waters. In a word, sweet waters attract their powers, and vertues
in the caverns of mountains from some metal and minerals of divers
kinds, that have naturally a most acid spirit of salt, as are divers
kinde of marcasites containing copper and iron, and sometimes gold
and silver; also kinds of vitriol and Allome called by the ancients
_Misii_, _Rarii_, _Chalcitis_, _Melanteria_, and _Pyritis_, whereof
some are found white like metals, but others dispersed in a fat earth,
of a round figure in greater or lesser pieces: which sulphureous salt
mines whilest the water run through, and humectates, that spirit of
salt is stirred up, having got a _vehiculum_, and falls upon the mines
by dissolving them, in which solution the water waxeth warm, as if it
had been poured on quick lime, or like spirit of vitriol, or salt mixed
with water, and poured on iron, and other metals; where continually and
daily that water running through the mines whose nature and properties
it imitates, carrys something with it: wherefore there are so many,
and such various kinds of Baths as are the mines by which the water is
heated. Let him that will not believe take any mineral of the aforesaid
quality, and wrap it up in a wet linen cloth for a little while, and
he will see it experimentally that the mineral stone will be heated by
the water, and so heated, as if it were in the fire, so as thou canst
scarce hold it in thy hand, which at length also by a longer action
will cleave in sunder and be consumed like quick lime.
I will publish some time or other (God willing) more fully, and clearly
in a peculiar treatise this my opinion, which I have now delivered in
very few words. Although to the sick it be all one, and it matters not
them, from what cause the baths come, and whence they borrow their
vertues, if so be they may use them; this controversie being left
to natural Philosophers that will controvert it, which none of them
can better decide than a skilful Chymist, that hath the knowledg of
minerals, metals, and salts.
_And first of sulphureous Baths that have a subtil acidity._
In the second Treatise I have demonstrated the manner of distilling
subtil, volatile, sulphureous spirits, _viz._ of common salt, vitriol,
allome, nitre, sulphur, antimony, and other salts of minerals, and
metals, and their vertues, and intrinsecal properties, now also I will
shew their extrinsecal use, as they are to be mixed with waters for
Baths. The vertues therefore of Baths proceed not from insipid water,
but from those most subtile, volatile, sulphureous, and salt spirits;
but these being of themselves not mixed with water unfit for Baths,
to be used for recovering of health, by reason of their too great
heat, and subtilty; the most high God hath revealed to us unworthy
and ungrateful men his fatherly providence shewing to us by nature
the use of them, and the manner of using of them for the taking away
of diseases; which (nature) being never idle, works uncessantly, and
like a handmaid executes the will of God, by shewing to us the various
kinds of distillations, transmutations, and generations. From which
teacher we must learn all arts and sciences, seeking a certain, and
infallible information, as it were out of a book writ with a divine
hand, and filled with innumerable wonders, and secrets. And this is a
far certainer knowledg then that empty, and imaginary Philosophy of
those vulgar disputing Philosophers. Dost thou think that that true
Philosophy can be sold for a hundred Royals? How can any one judge of
things hid in the earth, who is willfully blind in things exposed to
the light of the Sun, hating knowledge? I wish knowledge were sutable
to the name: how can any one that is ignorant of the nature of fire,
know how to work by fire? fire discovers many things, in which you
may as in a glass see things that are hid; The fire shews to us how
every thing, waters, salt, minerals, and metals, together with other
innumerable things are generated in the bowels of the earth by the
reflexion of that central, and astral fire: for without the knowledge
of fire all nature remains vailed, and occult. Fire (always had in
great esteem by Philosophers) is the key for the unlocking of the
greatest secrets, and to speak in a word, he that is ignorant of fire
is ignorant of nature with her fruits, and he hath nothing, but what he
hath read, or heard, which oftentimes is false, according to that; _He
easily speaks untruths that speaks what he hath heard_.
He that is ignorant knows not how to discern betwixt the truth and
falshood, but takes the one for the other. I pray thee, thou that art
so credulous, dost thou think that thy teacher writ his books from
experience, or from reading other Authors? May they not be corrupted
and sophisticated by antiquity, and frequent description? Also dost
thou understand the true, and genuine sense of them? It is better to
know, than to think; for many are seduced by opinions, and many are
deceived by faith that is without knowledge.
And thus much for youths sake I was willing to say, that they would
not spend their tender years in vanities, but rather would make tryal
in the fire, without which no man obtains a true knowledge of natural
things; which although it seem hard in the beginning, yet it is
pleasant in old age.
_Now follows the mixture of those subtile mineral, sulphureous, and
salt spirits with water._
As concerning the weight of the aforesaid spirits that are to be mixed
with sweet water, giving it the nature, and property of natural baths,
I would have thee know, that of those, which in the second part I
shewed to be various, and divers, being, _viz._ not equal in vertue,
the same weight cannot always be so accurately observed: seeing also
there is a consideration to be had of their strength, and of the
strength of the patient.
Now you may at the beginning mix one or two pound of the spirits with a
sufficient quantity of the water, and then by sitting in it make tryal
of the strength of the artificial Bath, which if it be too weak is to
be increased by adding a greater quantity of the spirits, but if too
strong, then it is to be diminished by abstraction; of which more at
large in _Arte nostra Balneatoria_. Now this observe, that it is best
to make Baths in the beginning weak, then stronger by little and little
by degrees, as the nature of the sick is accustomed to them, that it
be not overcome by the unaccustomed use of them being too strong.
Wherefore Baths are to be used with discretion, and cautiously, for
which matter I refer the reader to my _Artem Balneatoriam_, in which
he shall find plain, and perfect instruction; let it suffice therefore
that I have shewed the use of the Copper Globe, in heating Baths, which
let the sick take in good part, untill more come. Now follows the use.
_Of Sulphur Baths._
Apply the furnace with the Copper Globe to the Tub after the manner
aforesaid, and pour in a sufficient quantity of sweet water, which make
hot with the fire kindled in the furnace by the help of the globe:
which being sufficiently warmed make the patient sit in it, and pour
into it so much of the sulphureous spirit as is sufficient; which
being done cause that the tub be covered all over, that the volatile
spirit vanish not, and as necessity requires, continue the heat till
the patient come forth. Know also that the water is to be changed every
time, and fresh spirits to be mixed. And this is the use of the Copper
globe, in heating baths of sweet or medicinal water, and that either
of vegetables, or mineral, and this made sulphureous by art or nature;
whereby most grievous, and otherwise incurable diseases are happily
cured: Of which enough now in this Treatise.
_The use of the Copper Globe in dry Baths, which are more excellent
than the moist in many cases._
I might have put off this matter unto its proper Treatise, where all
things shall be handled more largely, and clearly: yet by reason of
some unthought of impediments for a while procrastinating the edition
of the promised Treatise, I am resolved to say something of their use,
after I have made mention of the humid, and indeed not only of the use
of those subtile, sulphureous, and dry spirits, but also of the use
of subtile, vegetable and animal spirits which are medicinal, because
in some diseases dry baths are more commodiously used, than moist. He
therefore that will provoke sweat by a dry bath without water, let
him provide a wooden box, or wooden instrument convenient to sit in,
standing upon a stool boared through that you may raise it up more
or less according as you please, and having boards appointed for the
armes and feet to rest upon. This box also besides the great dore
must have also a little dore serving for the putting in of a burning
lamp with spirit of wine, or of any earthen vessel with coals for to
heat it. [_See the sixth figure._] The box being well warmed, let the
patient go in, and sit upon a stool, let the box be very close shut
all about, and the furnace with the Copper Globe be fitted thereunto,
under which let there be a small fire kindled, by help whereof the
volatile spirit growing warm, goeth forth into the box like a most
subtile vapour, penetrating all about the patient. But when this spirit
is not sufficient to heat the box, set in it a burning lamp with spirit
of wine, or some earthen pot with coals (the best whereof are made of
Juniper or the vine, especially of the roots as being such that will
endure long, and cannot easily be extinguished by the vapours of those
spirits) that the patient take not cold, and the vapours of the spirits
may the better penetrate the body of the patient. Let the wick for the
spirit of wine in the burning lamp be incombustible made of the subtle
threads of gold, of which thing more in _Arte Balneatoria_. In the mean
time that volatile spirit penetrates, and heats the whole body, and
performs its office, being this way used better than by being mixed
with water. When the patient hath sate there long enough let him come
forth, and go into a warm bed to sweat. Now before he go into the box
let him take a dose of that volatile spirit, inwardly which is used
outwardly to provoke sweat, and accelerate the action. And by this
means not only those volatile sulphureous spirits of salts, minerals
and metals, are used outwardly without water to procure sweat, but also
the spirits of many vegetables, as of mustard seed, garden cresses,
crude tartar, also of animals, as harts-horn, urin, salt Armoniack,
_&c._ for the expelling of most grievous, and desperate diseases. Now
the aforesaid spirits have divers properties, the volatile spirits of
salt, minerals, and metals have some, those of vegetables and animals
have others; those have a sulphureous and fiery essence; these a
mercurial, and aerial; wherefore they serve for different uses. In some
diseases those sulphureous are preferred; but in others vegetable and
animal, where also a consideration is to be had of the sickness, and
bath it self, that one be not used for the other, to the great dammage
of the sick. For almost all natural baths, and volatile spirits of
salts, minerals, and metals, partake of some most subtle, penetrating,
heating, and drying sulphureous salt spirit; but the spirits of
vegetables, and animals partake of a certain volatility that is most
subtle, penetrating, heating, opening, cutting and attenuating, both
urinous and nitrous, _viz._ contrary to the former; as appears by the
pouring on of any volatile sulphureous spirit, as of common salt,
vitriol, allome, minerals, and metals, upon the rectified spirit of
Urin, or salt Armoniack: where presently the one mortifies the other,
and takes away its volatility, and subtilty: so that of both subtle
spirits of divers natures there cometh a certain salt of no odour and
efficacy. Whence it is manifest that all spirits partaking of divers
natures, and essences have not the same faculties. Therefore be thou
cautious in giving most potent spirits, lest thou give an enemy instead
of a friend, and learn their natures, vertues, and essences, before
thou usest them in medicine. But thou dost ask, whether is that great
force of those spirits gone as it were in a moment? Did it evaporate
in that duel? No I say, but transmuted into a corporeal substance,
for of a most pure, mineral, subtle, and most volatile sulphur, and a
most penetrating animal _Mercury_ is made a certain corporeal salt,
which is wonderful, and deserves to be called _Aquila Philosophorum_,
because it is easily sublimed with a gentle heat, in which many things
lye: for it doth not only conduce to the solution of metals, especially
of gold, but also of it self by the power of maturation doth become a
most efficacious medicine: Of which no more at this time, because I
will only advise the reader, that he be diligent in searching out the
nature of spirits, which although they change their bodies, yet are not
therefore to be called dead, but rather reduced to a better perfection.
And let this suffice concerning the dry use of baths in provoking
sweat for the expelling of diseases: now for what diseases this or
that spirit serves, thou shalt find in its proper Treatise, of which
there hath been mention above, but in a word, know that those volatile
sulphureous spirits of salts, minerals, and metals, are good in all
obstructions of the inward parts, _viz._ of the spleen, lungs, and
liver, but especially are most excellent in heating the cold nerves,
because they do most efficaciously heat, attennuate, cut, expel, and
mundify, wherefore they are good in Contractures, Palsies, Epilepsy,
Scurvy, Hypochondriacal Melancholy, Morbus Gallicus, Itch, and other
corrosive ulcers, and Fistulaes, _&c._
But the spirits of another kind, as of Tartar, Harts-horn, salt
Armoniack, Urine, _&c._ are hot also, but not so dry, and besides
the heating vertue, have also a penetrating, cutting, mollifying,
attenuating, absterging, and expelling power; wherefore also they work
wonderfully in all obstructions of the inward and outward parts: for
they do better than all others, open the pores of the skin, and provoke
sweat, mollify, and open the hemorrhoides; provoke the _menses_ of
young and elder women, purge and heat the womb, and therefore cause
fruitfulness; they heat and purge a cold and moist brain, acuate the
intellect, and memory, let they that be great with child take heed
of them, and also they that have a Porous open skin. Such and other
more properties, and that deservedly are ascribed to these spirits.
Now those two aforesaid baths (in one whereof those spirits are used
in a humid way, being mixed with warm water, for the whole body to be
bathed, and sweat in, but in the other in a dry way where the vapours
are by force of the fire made under the Globe, forced up into the
sweating box towards the patient, which being used after this manner do
oftentimes penetrate, and operate more efficaciously than that humid
way) are not to be slighted for the recovery of health, as doing things
incredible. Now those spirits not being found in shops, nor being
made by any according to the manner that I have shewed in the second
Part, I would have thee know that there is yet another matter, which
needs not to be distilled, and it is mineral; which being put into
the Copper Instrument, doth of its own accord without fire yield such
a sulphureous spirit, which penetrates very much, and goeth into the
sweating box, like in all things to that which is made out of salts,
minerals, and metals. Nature also hath provided us another matter that
is to be found every where, which being in like manner put into the
Instrument doth by it self, and of its own accord without fire yield a
spirit, in vertue not unlike to that which is made out of crude Tartar,
or salt Amoniack, Soot, Urine, _&c._ Of which in the second Part,
doing, _viz._ the same things with that which is made with costs and
labours. Those foresaid two matters therefore can do the same things,
which are required for a bath and sweating, which those two foresaid
kinds of spirits, _viz._ mineral and sulphureous, vegetable and animal
can do, _&c._ Now what those two matters which are easily every where
to be found are, thou desirest to know; but I dare not if I would, for
the sake of the pious to reveal them because of the ungrateful, and
unworthy. For it is an offence to cast pearl before swine, which yet
the pious may, by the blessing of God find out by the reading of the
rest of my Writings.
_Now follows a wooden vessel which is to be used instead of a
Cauldron in boyling of Beer, Metheglin, Vinegar_, &c.
[Illustration: _fig_: I
_fig_: II]
Many things might be said concerning this matter, for although men
may be found in any part of the world, who know how to make malt
of corn, and of this beer and vinegar; yet many things may be said
of this matter for the correcting of it; but because it is not my
purpose to shew such things now, yet I shall say something of the use
of the copper globe which any one may provide instead of Caldrons, and
which is to be used with a certain wooden vessel in the boyling of
Beer, which by this way he may, as hath been spoken above concerning
the operations, make as well as by the help of Caldrons. Moreover I
could here also teach some other most profitable secrets, _viz._ [_See
Consolat. of Seamen_] how honey may be freed from its ungrateful odour,
and tast by the help of precipitation; and how afterwards a most sweet
spirit is to be drawn out of it very like in all things to the spirit
of wine: also how the best and sweetest wine clear, and durable like
to Mallago, may be made thence: also how after purging it is to be
crystallised, so as to resemble Sugar-candy in goodness and tast: also
how the sweetness thereof may be converted into Tartar, very like to
the natural: [_See Explicat. Mirac. Mundi._] Also how out of fruits
of trees, as cherries, apples, pears, _&c._ a very good, and durable
wine in goodness, colour, tast, and vertue, like to the natural, may be
made; also how out of unripe grapes, that are not maturated either by
the inclemency of the country, or air, their acidity being changed into
sweetness, very good Wines like to the Rhenish may be made: also how
out of sorrel, and other vegetables, a very good Tartar may be made,
and that in a great quantity without much costs, resembling the Rhenish
in colour, tast, and other vertues: Also how out of Corn, (whether
malted, or ground in a Mill) a very good spirit is to be made, and also
a very good vinegar like to the Rhenish; also how out of Corn, (ground
in a mill) or Meal, a very good spirit is to be distilled without any
loss of the Meal, continuing yet fit to make bread. Such and more of
this sort might be taught in this place, but because it is not good to
divulge all things together, and at once, and this book would by this
means grow bigger than I am willing it should, if such things should be
here taught, I shall make an end of this Book (omitting other excellent
possible secrets of nature) which although it be but little, yet will
without doubt be profitable to many. And so Reader farewel.
THE
FOURTH PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces:
_In which is described the Nature of the Fourth Furnace; by the
help whereof, Minerals and Metals are tryed, and examined after
a more compendious way, than hitherto after the common manner;
also the separation of Metals by the force of Fusion, and other
necessary things that are done by the power of Fusion or Melting.
Most profitable for Chymists, Tryers, and Diggers of Minerals._
Of making the Furnace.
In the first Figure, A. _represents the Ash-hole with its door_.
B. _The Register appointed for governing the fire._ C. _The Hole
with its door assign’d to receive the Crucibles and Coals._ D.
_The Hole with the door of the First Story._ E. _The long Pipe of
Iron in the top of the Furnace._
The second Figure, _A Cone or Casting Vessel belonging to this
Furnace_.
This furnace may be made greater, or smaller, as you please, according
to the matter to be tryed: and if the _Diameter_ thereof within, be
but of one foot, you may set in it a crucible containing two or three
pound; but greater crucibles require a greater furnace. Now this
furnace must be quadrangular, and be built of stones, and lute, such
which abide the fire, of the height of one or two foot from the bottom
to the grate, which must be such as may be cleared from the dross mixed
with coals, or such as was the grate of the first furnace, consisting
of too strong cross iron bars fastned in the furnace with certain
distances for the receiving of 5, 6, or 7. other lesser iron bars
which are to be moveable, so that when they are obstructed they may
be removed, and cleared from the dross; the lower part of the furnace
must have near the bottom a hole (in the forepart) of the heighth,
and breadth of a little span, with an iron or copper door, shutting
close: the lower part also must have another hole near the grate on
the other side with its register for the government of the fire, and
for the attracting of wind. Above the grate, and a hand breadth from
the grate must be another hole for putting in of coals, and crucibles,
sutable to the proportion of the furnace, and the height thereof must
be of one foot, and the latitude of half a foot, if the inward Diameter
of the furnace be of one foot, whereby the crucibles may be the more
conveniently handled, and the coals be cast in with a fire-pan: Let
this hole also have a very strong door of stone covered over with lute,
either of which may endure the fire, and shut very close, that the fire
may thereby (when the crucible is placed in the fire) attract air, but
only from the collateral hole under the grate. Let the height of the
furnace (being coated above) from the hole appointed for the putting
in of coals and crucibles, be of one great span: Let there also be a
round hole in the furnace, having the third part of the intrinsecal
diameter of the furnace, appointed for the flame and smoke; to which
if you will use a very violent fire, put to it a strong iron pipe of
the height of 5, 6, 8, or 12. foot, for by how much the higher you set
your pipe, the stronger fire may you give, and if you will you may
erect above the furnace 1, 2, or 3. partitions with their doors serving
to divers uses according to the flame that is gathered into them, by
reason of divers degrees of fire, which is in them, for the lowest is
so hot, that it can easily contain in flux fusible metals, minerals,
and salts; and serve for cementation, calcinations, and reverberations;
also for burning of crucibles, and other earthen vessels, made of the
best earth (of which in the Fifth part) and for vitrifications, and
sometimes for trials and burnings, _&c._ The second division of heat,
which is more remiss, serves for the burnings of minerals and metals
as of lead, tin, iron and copper, that are necessary for calcinations;
also for the necessary calcination of Tartar, and the fixed salt of
other vegetables, that is required in chymical operation, as also the
calcining of bones, and horns for cuples, and the ashes of wood. The
third division or chamber is yet more remiss, and serves for the drying
of crucibles, and other vessels that are made of the best earth, and
afterwards to be burnt in the first partition. There may also other
things be done by the help of these partitions, so that thou needest
not for their sakes kindle a peculiar fire. But if thou wilt give a
melting fire the strongest of all, put a long pipe to the lower hole
appointed for drawing wind, and having a register; for by how much the
fire attracts the air more remotely and another flame is forced to
beat upon the metals, so much the greater power of the heat is there
in the fusion of them. For which business sake thou hast need to have
as that inferiour pipe, so also that superiour pipe in the top of the
furnace. And if thou hast a fit chamber, in which another may go up
from below by the proper chimney, thou mayest build another furnace
in the superiour chimney, and perforate the wall with the applying of
a register, that the fire may be forced to attract the air from below
through the collateral chimney, where you need not that long pipe but
only may open a door, or window of the lower chamber, that the air
may come into the chimney; and the fire attract the wind out of the
collateral chimney, which it doth very vehemently, yea and stronger,
than if it were helped with bellows, so that even the furnace, unless
it were built of very good and fixed earth, would by too great a heat
be destroyed; for oftentimes the strongest crucibles melt with too much
heat, wherefore a register is made for the governing of the fire.
And by the help of this furnace, with Gods blessing, I found out my
choisest secrets. For before, and indeed from my youth I underwent the
trouble of those vulgar labours performed by bellows, and common vents,
not without loss of my health, by reason of the unavoidable malignant
and poysonous fumes, which danger this furnace was without, not only of
poysonous and malignant fumes, but also of all excessive heat: For our
furnace sends forth no fume (but above, so drawing, that the door being
opened for the putting in of coals, it attracts by the vehemency of the
fire, another fume, that is remote by the distance of half an ell. And
because the fire doth so vehemently attract, it keeps its heat within
it self, so that there is no fear of burning; yet you must cover your
hand that holds the tongs with a linnen glove twice double, and wet in
water, and with the other hand a wooden fence that is perspectible to
preserve your eyes; otherwise it wants all danger of vapours, or fumes,
as hath been said, and all excessive heat; the which is a great benefit
in Art. I do ingenuously confess, if I had not found this a few years
since, I had not without loss left off all Alchymy together with its
tedious labours. For I had spent many years of my life in great misery
of labours, in superfluous cares, and watchings, as also in stinks, so
that going into my Elaboratory with loathing, I should behold so many
materials in so many, and such various pots, boxes, and other vessels,
and also as many broken as whole instruments of earth, glass, iron,
and copper, and did judg my self so unhappy that I had made my self a
slave to this Art, and especially because scarce one of 100, whereof
I was one, did get his victuals and cloths thereby. For these reasons
I was determined to bid farewel to Chymistry, and to apply my self to
Physick, and Chirurgery, in which I was always happy. But what? Whilest
I thought to do as I resolved, and to cast forth of the doors all and
each vessel of divers kinds, I found some crucibles broken, and in them
many grains of gold and silver, formerly melted in them, which together
with others gathered together, I thought to melt; but seeing I could
not melt such things being very hard to be melted, without the help of
bellows (which I had sold) I began to consider the matter with my self
more seriously, and so I found out this furnace, and being invented, I
presently built and proved it, which in tryings I found so good, that I
did again take hope of my labours, and would no more despair.
Seeing therefore an easie, and compendious way of melting metals, I
began to work, and to begin a new search, and every day I found more
and more in nature, _viz._ the greatest and most pleasant secrets of
nature; wherefore I did without ceasing seek, until God had opened mine
eyes to see that which I sought a long time for in vain. Where also I
observed, that although I had before had more knowledge of nature, yet
without this furnace I could scarce have done any thing that had been
singular. And so God willing, by the help of this furnace, I found out
more and more dayly, for which blessing I give to the immortal God
immortal thanks, resolving to communicate this new invention candidly,
and faithfully for the sake of my neighbour. Judge therefore O Chymist!
whether this, or that which is made by the help of bellows and common
vents, be the best? For how long doth he that will melt a hard metal
in a wind furnace give fire to it before it will flow, and with what
loss of time, and coals? He that doth melt by the help of bellows hath
need of a companion to blow, with great danger of breaking the crucible
with the winde, and of making it fall when the coals are abated, or of
impurities falling into the crucible in case the cover thereof should
fall off, although there can be no detriment by impurities falling in,
if the matter be metallick, but not so if it be a salt or mineral,
(without which that cannot be perfected in the fire) not induring the
impurities of the coals, but boyling over by reason of them. Now our
furnace is free from this danger, because the wind comes from beneath
and crucibles come always into sight, not being so overwhelmed with
coals as in the common way, _&c._ For by this means the matter to be
melted is flowed, although the crucibles be not covered over with
coals, nor with a cover, and although thou hast not a companion to
blow, for you may at pleasure give any degree of fire by the direction
of the register. When therefore thou makest any trial in the fire have
this furnace which is recommended to thee, which build rightly with its
register for the governing of the fire, and for the drawing of wind,
and without doubt this labour shall not be in vain.
_How minerals are to be tryed._
The manner of trying minerals hath been already made known, wherefore
it is not needful here to write many things, because divers Authors,
as _Georgius Agricola_, _Lazarus Ercker_, and others have sufficiently
wrote thereof, to whose writings I refer thee, especially to that most
famous _Lazarus Ercker_ which is so much commended, _De Probatione
Mineralium_, as well maglignant (obstinate) as mild. But thus much
know, being that which experience hath also taught us, that neither
he nor his predecessours had a perfect knowledge of all things, nor
would reveal all things they knew. For many excellent things do yet
lye hid, and perhaps shall yet for a while lye hid by reason of the
ingratitude of the world; although the most famous Philosophers do
with one consent affirm that imperfect metals, as lead, tin, iron,
copper, and Mercury, are intrinsecally gold, and silver, although it
may seem very improbable to many that are not curious, but contented
with the opinions of their parents; supposing those minerals to be
barren that leave nothing in the cuple, when they are tryed with lead:
when as yet that proof by cuples although famous, is not yet that
true Philosophical trial of metals, but only vulgar, according to
the testimony of Philosophers, as of _Isaac Hollandus_, and others,
especially of _Paracelsus_ in many places treating of metals, but
especially in his book _Vexationum Alchymistarum_, containing a true
description of the properties, and perfection of metals. Which although
not being to be understood by all, matters not; for a very easie art
is not to be communicated to all, according to _Paracelsus_ saying.
Imperfect metals being freed from their impurities have in them
abundance of gold, and silver. But how metals are to be purged, and
separated he doth not teach, but only commends _lead_ to be the Author;
which made the Alchymist believe that it was common lead, not knowing
that the water thereof (lead) did not only purge other metals, but also
lead it self; supposing also that the trial of tin, copper, and iron,
made in a cuple with lead to be that true genuine bath thereof; not
observing that lead hath no affinity with iron, and tin in a stronger
fire, but to reject what is black, and unclean, without any perfection.
Now this lead can do, if _viz._ it be mixed with a mineral that hath
gold or silver in it, and be melted in the fire being incorporated with
it, it may together with their impurities enter into the Cuple, the
good gold and silver being left in the Cuple, which is the proof of
minerals that are digged, and used; and it is done upon this account,
_viz._ gold and silver may be naturally purged of their superfluous
sulphur, so as never to be any more radically united, and mixed with
those that be imperfect, as being polluted with abundance of crude,
impure sulphur, although they may be melted together in the fire; yet
that mixture being retained in the fire, the combustible sulphur of
common metals, acts upon its own proper argent vive, and turns it into
dross, which being separated from the metals enters into the porous
matter of the cuples, that which doth not happen in tests, fixed in the
fire, which that dross being separated from the metals cannot enter
into, being made of an earth that is durable in the fire, the dross
remaining in them, which otherwise was wont to enter into those cuples
that are made of the ashes of bones, or wood. Wherefore by little and
little it goes away into the cuple, _viz._ as much as the fire reduced
into a Litharge, or dross, until all the Lead mixed with the Gold and
Silver together with other imperfect metals mixed with it go into
dross, and hide themselves in the cuple, the pure gold and silver being
left in the cuple. For Lead in a plain vessel, feeling the heat from
above, but beneath cold, is turned into a Litharge, which if it be in
an earthen fixed vessel, the Litharge remains, and goes in a yellow
transparent glass at last, if it be not mixed with other metals, as
iron, copper, tin; which being mixed therewith, give to the glass a
green, red, black, or white colour, according to the quantity of the
metallick matter: but in a porous cuple made of ashes, the Litharge, or
dross finding pores, enters into the cuple by little and little, and
successively, until all the Lead be entred in, which could not be if it
were not turned into Litharge. This vulgar trying is therefore nothing
else but a transmutation of Lead, with the imperfect metals mixed with
it, into dross, which entring into the cuple leaves in the cuple pure
gold, and silver, that cannot be turned into dross by reason of their
purity.
But perhaps this discourse may seem to thee unprofitable, and
superfluous, because this trial of metals is known all the world over:
but for answer, I say that it is not superfluous, because many refiners
erre, supposing that corporeal Lead together with the imperfect metals
that are mixed with it, goes into the cuple, not being yet turned into
Litharge, because corporeal Lead is again melted from thence; for whose
sake this discourse is not properly ordained, as being those that
operate out of use, and custom only without discretion; but rather
for their sakes, who do incessantly seek after, and search into the
secrets of nature, _viz._ seeking after that Philosophical tryal, which
is known to few, by the help whereof more gold and silver is obtained
than by the common way, but it is not to be discovered in this place;
for all must not have the knowledge thereof; It is sufficient that
I have demonstrated the possibility thereof. Yet know this, if thou
knowest how to prepare Lead, Tin, Copper, and Iron, and to fit them for
a radical union, _viz._ that aforesaid water of Saturn, so as they may
endure the force of the fire together, thou mayst separate and attract
gold, and silver from the aforesaid imperfect metals, and with gain
leaving them in the cuple, or else you shall draw little or nothing
from thence [_See Explicat. Mirac. Mundi._] And if you do intend to try
them with Lead after the vulgar way, and bring them into dross, yet you
do nothing, because tin and iron abounding with gold and silver, do not
remain with the lead in a strong fire, but are lifted up like a skin or
dross, by reason of their superfluous sulphur, swimming like fat upon
water, without any separation, unless it be tin or iron, which got gold
or silver from the mine in their first fusion.
And by this means it falls out sometimes, that some may make a good
proof, but out of ignorance, not knowing a reason of their operation,
wherefore they cannot do the same again. For if Chymists, and Refiners
did consider the matter more profoundly, enquiring the cause, wherefore
lead being tryed, deprived of its silver, and melted in a cuple,
should yet contain in it self silver, without doubt they would hit
upon a good foundation; without which knowledge all their labour in
imperfect metals would be in vain. And let this suffice concerning
that Philosophical tryal, which is known to few; There is no need of
speaking any thing of that vulgar, being every where known, of which
_Lazarus Ercker_ wrote plainly and fully.
There is also another proof of minerals, which is without Lead, with
Venice, or any other good fusible glass, where one or two ounces of
the powdered mineral are mixed with half an ounce of the powdered
glass, and being mixed and covered in a crucible, are melted, and
poured out; by which means the glass attracts, and dissolves that
mineral, and is thereby coloured, which shews what metal is contained
in the mine, after which may be made another tryal by Lead, tryal
being first made by the first proof. And this is the fittest proof for
the hardest minerals, which are even invincible, as are the _Lapis
hemititis_, _smiris_, granats, talck black and red, and those which
abound oftentimes with gold, and silver, which because they cannot
be mixed with Lead are not esteemed, but are oftentimes cast away,
although they abound with gold and silver, and this because they
cannot be tryed, Which being tryed after the aforesaid manner, and
consequently the treasures lying therein being discovered, thou mayst
afterward with more confidence handle them, and reduce them to better
profit. Now those colours which follow, indicate the tenure of them.
Glass resembling the greenness of the Sea signifies meer Copper, but
the greenness of grass, signifys copper, and iron mixed together: glass
of a rusty colour signifys iron: yellowish glass signfys tin, glass
of a yellow golden colour, or like a red ruby signifys silver: Blew
glass like a saphir signifys pure gold; a smaragdine signifys gold
mixed with silver: An Amethyst colour signifys gold, silver, copper,
and iron mixed together. Besides these, glass sometimes gets other
colours, according to the diversity of the weight of divers metals
mixed together; which use will teach with a further practise that is to
be made with Saturn.
There is also another precursory tryal of minerals, and metals, which
is made with Salt-peter; where especially tin, iron, and copper do
largely draw forth their treasures hid in them, which they will not
yield being tryed by Lead, the which is not a sign of their poverty,
but rather of not a true tryal made by Lead, which is not the true,
and genuine judge, and tryer of metals. For otherwise (if it were) it
would draw forth their treasure as well out of a greater quantity of
metallick matter, as out of a lesser. Now follows the tryal by Nitre:
Make a mixture of one part of sulphur, of two parts of pure Tartar, and
four parts of purified Nitre, then take an ounce of this mixture, and
one dram of the mineral or metal ground small, mix those together, and
being put into a crucible, put a red hot iron or burning coal to them,
and that mixture will be inflamed, and yield a most vehement fire,
reducing that mineral or metal into dross: And what is not brought into
dross must again be mixed with the aforesaid mixture, and be burnt as
before, until the whole be consumed by the fire. Then make that dross
or salt containing in it the metal that is destroyed, to flow so long
in a strong crucible, untill it be made glass; which being poured out
there are found grains of gold or silver, which came from the mineral
or metal that was tryed. And this opperation (if it be well done) will
be a pleasant sight, but without profit, because it cannot be done in
a great quantity, and by reason of the price of the Nitre. Wherefore I
set this way of tryal only for demonstration sake, that it might appear
how almost all tin, iron, and copper, contain in them gold and silver,
although they do not draw it forth in the Cuple.
Now do not suppose that this is transmutation, which is only
separation; wherefore thou must consider with thy self how that may be
performed otherwise. But take heed that thou do not kindle this mixture
from beneath, being put upon the coals, but from above, by reason of
the danger of flashing: Also metals are easily fusible by the following
mixture. Take one part of the saw-dust of the wood of the teil-tree
being well dryed, two parts of sulphur, eight or nine parts of pure
Nitre. Make _stratum super stratum_ in a crusible, and take to 11, or
12. parts of this mixture; one part of the metal subtilly ground, and
kindle them, and the mine being melted will yield grains of pure Gold
and Silver, if the mine were not too impure, the impurity thereof be
consumed by that most vehement fire. And if this tryal be not for thy
profit, yet it is rational, and may be for thine instruction.
_Of the melting of mines and metals._
The melting of these in a great quantity is not for this place, because
they cannot be done by this furnace, but it is treated of plainly
enough by others in their writings of minerals.
_Of the separation of metals._
This is a most ancient and profitable Art, whereby one metal may be
separated from another: And it is for the most part done 4. ways,
_viz._ by _Aqua Fortis_, by cement, by flux with sulphur, and lead,
and lastly by Antimony; which ways that most witty _Lazarus Ercker_,
hath clearly, and distinctly described, whose description is not to
be found fault with, although some necessary things may be added
thereunto, which being but few, I thought it superfluous to add them in
this place.
And that separation consists in three chief metals, Gold, Silver, and
Copper; he made no mention of other metals, and two of the aforesaid
four ways are in use, as very easie, for they are done with _Aqua
Fortis_ and Cement, the two others most commonly neglected, which are
done by benefit of melting with Sulphur and Lead; and also by Antimony:
that which is admirable, because metals are easier separated by benefit
of these two ways, than by _Aqua fortis_ and Cements, suspected of
wast, whereas not Sulphur and Antimony, but the ignorant worker, not
knowing the nature of Sulphur and Antimony, is rather to be blamed,
because he knows not how to order them, and withall leaves the nearer
way of separation: and I must needs confess it that without this
furnace I would not separate with them, because with that common way
of furnaces and bellows, the stink of Sulphur and Antimony hurtful to
the Liver, Lungs, Brain, and Heart, is received by the Nostrils to the
hazard of health: for which cause I do not wonder that those two wayes
requiring greater diligence than those two former by _Aqua fortis_ and
Cements are rejected. But this Furnace being known, with which without
danger one may melt, I doubt not of excelling the two former ways
hereafter as more profitable than them. For he who knows Antimony, may
not only easily with small cost separate Gold from the addition without
any loss of it, and speedily refine it, but also easier separate gilt
silver, than by Sulphur, Lead, _&c._ in great store without any loss of
Gold or Silver.
And this is the easiest way of the separation of Gold and Silver which
is done by the benefit of melting, requiring no more charge than the
coals; for there is Antimony which hath Gold in it as much as it is
worth, which will be the separators gain: I would have you know this,
how Antimony may again be separated from Gold and Silver, not by
the common way, which is done by bellows, but by the special way of
separation wherewith the Antimony is preserved, so that it may be used
again for the same purpose; which I will treat of in another place.
Besides the four ways spoken of, there is also another way, best of
all, by the nitrous spirit of salt, namely after this manner: ℞ the
spirit of salt (prepared by our first and second Furnace) acuated
with Nitre disolved in it, to which add grain Gold mixed with Silver
and Copper; put it in a glass vial in hot sand to dissolve, and the
Gold together with the Copper will be dissolved in it, and the Silver
left in the bottom of the vial: decant off the solution, to which add
something, precipitating Gold, and make them boyl together, and the
pure fine gold will be separated and precipitated like the finest meal,
serving Writers and Painters; the Copper being left in the water; which
thou mayst if thou wilt precipitate from the water, but it is better to
take away the water, which will serve again for the same use. If the
precipitated Gold be washed and dryed it gives in the melting (by which
nothing is lost) the best and purest Gold. For finer gold can neither
be made by _Aqua fortis_ nor by Antimony.
Therefore this is the best way of all, not only for the small cost, but
also for the easiness yielding the best Gold of all others.
Then take the calcin’d Silver left in the gourd, sweeten and dry it,
which done make a little salt of Tartar to melt in a crucible, to
which by course put a little of the refined silver with a spoon, and
it will be presently made a body without any loss. You may also boyl
that Calx as yet moist newly taken out of the gourd with a Lixivium of
Salt of Tartar, even to the evaporation of all moisture: and melt the
dry remnant, where also nothing is lost. Without this medium the calx
of Silver (drawn from _Aqua Regia_) is not fusible of it self, turning
into a brittle matter, like horn that is white, or of a middle colour
between white and yellow, called therefore of Chymists the _Horn of the
Moon_; in reducing which many have tried much, which reduction we have
already taught. For want of spirit of salt take _Aqua Regia_ made of
_Aqua Fortis_ and salt Armoniack, which doth the same, but with greater
charges. This also is to be preferred before other ways, which makes to
the separation of any Gold of any degree, if so be it exceed Silver in
weight; which is necessarily required in the solution made with _Aqua
Fortis_.
But that you may see the prerogative of this separation, mark a little,
when you separate by the _Quarto_ and by _Aqua fortis_ you must put
just two or three parts of refined Silver to one of course Gold, where
first the cost and labour of refining the Silver to be melted and
grained with Gold are required: then a good quantity of _Aqua fortis_
to dissolve, precipitate, edulcorate, dry and melt a great deal of
silver. Consider then I pray, the labours and charges of my separation
and the vulgar. When thou separatest with Cements there is need of
boxes, and continual fire of one degree, which labour is tedious for
times sake, and costly for coals, which labour you must twice or
thrice take in regard of the mixt dross. Now again consider the labour
and charges of both separations. When thou separatest by Sulphur and
Antimony, which is the best way, without great charges, if thou knowest
to separate Gold from Antimony without blowing, but this is tedious
because thrice greater labour than our way, tedious indeed by reason
of the difficulty of a perfect separation of Gold and Silver from the
Antimonial dross. Think therefore what way of separation you will use
to refine Gold speedily, surely you will chuse mine.
This way of separation hath also this prerogative, that it hath no need
of refined silver which is done by the benefit of burning, but only its
granulation, solution or separation by the use of _Aqua Fortis_, where
though copper mixt with silver makes wast, yet by the help of this salt
it is soon precipitated. By this means gilt silver is soon separated,
the gold being dissolved by the nitrous spirit, and precipitated with
the aforesaid matter precipitating. As for the separation of gilt
silver which is to be done by help of fusion, and none is easier
done than with Sulphur and Antimony, where when the necessary manual
(ingredients) are known; a great deal is separated in a short time, but
if thou knowest not how to handle Antimony and Sulphur (for which our
Furnace very well befits) leave them, and use the common way; therefore
lay not thy fault afterward on me, writing for thy good.
_Of separating the courser metals._
The manner of separating Tin from Lead, and Copper from Iron, without
loss of both metals, by preserving both, hath hitherto been unknown,
which seems impossible to me by reason of the combustibility of both
metals; and superfluous for the small profit, and saving charges. But
how Gold and Silver may be separated from Tin with which commonly this
abounds, without any wast, hath been long since sought to no purpose:
but a possibility will appear to a serious considerer; and though I
never tryed in great quantity, being content with a precipitation made
with a little; I am yet perswaded this business will succeed in a
great quantity and with much profit; namely by the help of a Furnace
made on purpose where gold and silver precipitated with lead and _Halb
Kopf_ by extream heat of fire; that tin is extracted to the remanence
of the tenth part, which remainder you must peculiarly take and keep.
Which done you must precipitate new tin in the foresaid Furnace, and
so extract to the remainder of the _Regulus_, which being extracted
from, is to be added to the first and reserved; which labor is to
be reiterated, till thou hast a sufficient quantity of _Regulus_
filling the Furnace; which again thou must precipitate; for by this
means gold and silver are brought together, so that they may easily
afterward be separated from the superfluous tin. By this means I count
the separation profitable, where but little substance is lost, which
is turned into ashes and smoak. Nor doth adding lead and _Halb Kopf_
hinder, because sometime lead is mixt with tin, and the _Halb Kopf_
is separated again. It is good therefore to separate pots and old
dishes, by reason of the mixture of lead, and to precipitate the gold
and silver from them, by the adjection of _Halb Kopf_ only, where the
residue is no way altered by the _Halb Kopf_, therefore thou mayst sell
it, or refine it again: which in my judgment will be to great advantage.
_What is to be held concerning the perfection of Metals._
This knot is scarce soluble, for so many and divers opinions of
so many ages, so that most men slighting the testimonies of true
Philosophers, will not believe the truth, especially, because scarce
one of an hundred can be found who is not impoverisht with this art:
the incredulous therefore is not to be blamed for his doubting, no
signs of truth appearing, yet experience testifies a possibility by art
and nature, though examples are rare. I pray with how great absurdity
should one deny Heaven and Hell never seen? But thou saist we must
believe this as revealed by God, his Prophets and Apostles; but so is
not this, but the Philosophick tradition of Heathens. I answer, though
most Philosophers were heathen (yet some have been Christians) yet
their works are not to be despised, because not handling our salvation:
to whom if CHRIST had Preached, surely they had believed him. For
it appears by their books, that they were pious and honest Men; who
though not Professors of CHRIST, yet they did His Will indeed, which
we, though not in words, in action deny; who if they had been wicked,
why took they so much pains in making books for the good and profit
of their Neighbour about Vertue and Piety? Why spent they not rather
their life time in leisure and pleasure, as is the custom now adaies
with them who are appointed to instruct us? Why should they gull
posterity with trifles and lyes, expecting from thence no profit? For
most of them were not poor, but very rich Kings and Princes. Besides
these, there have been many Christians seriously confirming the truth
of the Art: Men indeed of special note, namely, Bishops, Doctors, _&c._
Such were _Thomas Aquinas_, _Albertus Magnus_, _Lullius_, _Arnoldus_,
_Roger Bacon_, _Basil_, &c. Why should very pious men deceive posterity
with their Works, and lead them into Errors? Although there should
not remain the Works of Famous Worthies, yet there would be a plain
confirming the truth of this Art. For I am perswaded there are some to
be found having this knowledge, and privately possessing it. For who
is so mad to reveal himself to the world, to receive nought but envy
for his reward? Let no man therefore doubt of this secret Art’s truth.
But say you: Why stand you so much for the Art? Did you ever see or
perform any thing in it? I reply, though I never made projections to
perfect metals, nor saw transmutations; yet I am sure of this, I have
often from metals with metals, leaving no gold and silver in the cupel,
extracted gold and silver by the help of fire: But I will not have you
think that one imperfect metal will perfect another, or turn it into
gold or silver, impure and drossy without, in comparison of gold and
silver; for how can such metals perfect another imperfect? Which thus
understand. For as in the vegetable Kingdom, water cleanseth water,
or juice with seething as is wont to be done in purifying honey and
sugar, or any other vegetable juice, with common water, and white of
eggs: so also you must understand of mineral juices or metal, of which
if we know the water and white, surely we might refine the impurity,
in which gold and silver lie hid, as in black shales, and powerfully
extract gold and silver, which is not a transmutation of metals, but
an eduction of gold and silver from the dunghil; Dost thou ask how
Gold and Silver can be educed from copper, iron, tin, and lead, to
wit, by the help of lotion, out of which none is drawn with that best
proof (as ’tis thought) of Cupels? To which we answered before of
the proof of Cupels not to be sufficient for all the several metals.
I need therefore say no more, but I refer the studious Reader to
_Paracelsus_ his Book, the _Vexation of Chymists_, where thou shalt
find another lotion and purification of metals, which heretofore was
unknown to Miners and Dealers in Minerals. As for example: A Miner
finding the oar of copper, useth his skill delivered by the ancients
to his utmost endeavour, whereby he may cleanse it and reduce it to
metal: where first he breaks it into pieces, and boyls it, for to take
away the superfluous sulphur, then by vertue of melting, he brings it
into a stone (so called) which afterward again he commits to fire,
and freeth it by the addition of lead, of its gold and silver; which
done, he blacks and redens it, turning it into copper, which is his
last labour, whereby the copper is made malleable and vendible: which
done, the Chymist coming, tries another separation, by whose help gold
and silver is extracted, as yet tryed of very few, of which mention is
here made. _Paracelsus_ also saith in the same place, that God hath
given some an easier way of separating gold and silver from courser
metals, and indeed without refining the oar, which is a special and
curious Art, which he teacheth not in plain tearms, but only saith it
is sufficiently taught in seven rules of that book, where he treats
of the nature and propriety of metals; in which you may seek it. And
this purification of courser metals I count most easie, which I have
often tryed in small quantities: and I doubt not but God hath shewn
other Artists also other purifications by which imperfect metals are
perfected; for example, if one would purge the fruit of the earth by
distillation, so that the dregs and impurities being taken away, it
would grow up with a new clear clarified body: as if one distil black
and impure Amber by a retort, the separation would be made by Fire, of
the water savouring of an _Empyreum_, of the oyl and volatile salt,
and the _Caput mortuum_ be left in the bottom of the retort; by which
means, in a very short time without great labour, is made a great
alteration and emendation of Amber, though the oyl be black, impure,
and stinking: but if it be again distilled by a retort with some
mundifying water, as with the spirit of salt (namely through a fresh
clean glass retort) there will be made a new separation by that spirit
of salt, and a far clearer oyl will be extracted; the dregs with the
stink left in the bottom of the retort, which afterward may be twice
or thrice rectifyed again with fresh spirit of salt, until it get the
clearness of water, and sweetness of sent resembling Amber and musk.
And this transmutation makes of a hard thing, a soft; unlike the former
in shape, which though never so soft and liquid, oyly, may again be
coagulated, so that it becomes as it was at first, after this manner
following. Take the said oyl very well clarifyed, add to it fresh
spirit of salt, set it in digestion, and the oyl will attract from the
spirit of salt, salt enough for its own recoagulation, and again it
acquires the hardness of Amber, of an excellent clear and admirable
colour; of which half an ounce is worth more than some pounds of black
Amber; of which scarce the eight or tenth part remains in purifying,
all the foul superfluities cast away.
By this means I think one may cleanse and mend black metals, if so be
the manner of their cleaning were known by distillation, sublimation
and recoagulation. But thou say’st that metals cannot like vegetables
be purified by force of distillation, to which I present our first
furnace not given to peasants, but Chymists, purifying metals; so also
the possibility of their perfection is shewn by help of fermentation.
For as fresh leaven can ferment the vegetables juices, which are
perfected by fermentation, the dregs being cast away as one may see in
wine, ale, and other liquors, whose lasting and perfection proceeds
from no other thing but fermentation purifying the vegetable juices,
without which they could not otherwise withstand the Elements, subject
to corruption in a very short time, which fermented last some years:
so also if we knew the proper ferment of metals, surely we might
refine and perfect them, so that they not being any more subject
to rust, would be able to prevail against fire and water, and be
nourished and fed by them. For so the world heretofore perished with
water, and shall at last perish with fire, and our bodies must rot
and be purified by fire before we come to the sight of God. And thus
far of the fermentation of metals, wherewith they are amended and
perfected. Metals also are purify’d and amended like milk set on the
fire; whose cream the better part (the substance of butter) in the top
is separation from the whey and cheese, and the hotter the place is,
the sooner the separation is made even, so it is with the separation
of metals; where metals put into a Fitted hot place by themselves
without any addition of another thing (the metals being before reduced
to a milky substance or curd) are separated in time, by parting the
nobler parts from the ignobler, opening a great treasure: and as in
winter time milk is hardly separated with a weak heat; just so metals
if not helped with Fire, as one may see in iron, which in a long time
under the earth is turned into gold without Art. For often iron oar
is found with golden veins very goodly to behold, severed from the
course, earthy and crude sulphur, by force of the central heat. And
commonly in such oar no vitriol is found, being separated and bettered
by its contrary. But a long time is required for that subterraneous
separation, which Art very speedily performs; as is wont to be done
with milk in winter when we presently make butter of it, when we put it
to the Fire to part the cream speedily; which separation is helped by
the precipitation made with acid things, mortifying the urinous salt of
the milk, by which means all principles are separated by themselves,
as butter, cheese, whey: so in a quarter of an hour separation is made
by boiling, which else without acid things could not be done in some
weeks. If then it be possible in vegetables and animals, why not in
minerals? For what but gold and silver is found in lead, iron, tin and
copper, though it doth not appear? Why is all goodness denyed to the
courser metals granted to vegetables and animals not equal to them
for lasting? Whence is the natural perfection of lead, tin, iron, and
copper to be proved? Nature ever seeks the perfection of her fruits;
but course metals are imperfect; Why then is not nature helped with
Art in perfecting them? But the bond of metallick parts is worth
observation, which being broken, the parts are separated. Urinous salt
(as I may say) is the bond of the parts making milk, as of butter,
whey, and cheese, which is to be mortifyed by its contrary acid for
separation. But in iron the parts are bound with a vitriolate salt, as
with a bond, which is to be mortified with its contrary, urinous or
nitrous salt for separation. He therefore who knoweth to take away the
superfluous salt of iron, either by moist or dry means, doubtless shall
have iron not soon subject to rust.
Fire also hath incredible force of it self in changing metals. Is
not steel made iron by force of Fire, and iron of steel by different
proceeding? Experience dayly teacheth us also divers kinds of changes
and refinings by Fire; why is it not possible in metals by an expert
Chymist having skill in them? Who would believe that a live bird lurks
in an egg, and an hearb having leaves, flowers, and odour, in the
seed? Why may not then abortive metals, getting not yet perfection, be
perfected by Art, with help of Fire? Is not an unripe apple or pear
ripened by the heat of the Sun? Which some curious and industrious
men observing, have imitated nature in their works; and have found
some metals not destroyed with the heat of Fire, but enriched with a
secret gainful heat; so that melted (digestion being made) they have
yielded double weight of gold and silver. Yea I my self have seen the
common oar of lead digested after the aforesaid manner, which was not
only inriched with silver thereby, but also partaked of gold which
it wanted before in ordinary tryal. Besides one might work this in
great quantity, as with an hundred pounds; which work of minerals will
without doubt bring great profit to the skilful triers of lead: But
know this, that not every tryal of lead will be furnished with gold,
but the oar to be ever enriched with silver, experience being witness.
Many such things are found in Nature incredible to the ignorant, and
those that are unexercised. But if we mortals were more diligent in
reading the book written with the hand of God in the pages of the four
Elements, surely we should Find more secrets and wonders in them, but
skill and wealth is got with sweat of face and not by sloth; therefore
_labour_ and _pray_. Metals are also meliorated by the help of
gradation like to germination.
For it is well known, that the shoot or grass of some fruitful
garden-tree implanted in a wood, makes that tree afterwards to bear not
wild fruits, but very good and sweet like them of the implanted shoot,
as one may see in iron dissolved in an acid spirit, fermented with
Venus and turned into Copper: by which means doubtless copper is turned
into silver, and silver into gold, if the true manner of fermentation
were known.
Now this transmutation is like digestion, making beef or horse flesh of
grass in the stomach of oxe and horse, and mans flesh of beef, in the
stomach of man.
The better parts also are separated from the worser by the attractive
strength of the like, as is to be seen in a metal abounding with
sulphur, to which if iron be added in fusion, the sulphur deserts its
native metal, (by which means it is more purifyed) and joins its self
to the iron, with which it hath more affinity and familiarity, than
with its own metal; for example, if iron be added to lead oar full of
sulphur in the melting, this melted metal is made malleable, which else
would be black and brittle. And if something else to be put to the
melted malleable metal were known to us, to take away in the melting,
the redundant, crude, combustible sulphur, questionless it would yet be
made purer; which thing being unknown, metals remain in their impurity.
And indeed God hath done well in this as in all other his works, that
he hath concealed his knowledge from us: for if it were known to the
covetous, they would buy up all lead, tin, copper and iron, to turn
into gold, so that rurall and poor Labourers could hardly buy metallick
instruments for their use, for the scarcity; but God will not have all
metals turned into Gold.
A Similitude of taking away the superfluous sulphur of some metals
in fusion, being given to keep the purer parts; so likewise is there
another manner of separating, the purer parts from the impure, namely,
by the attractive power of the like, where the purer parts are drawn
together by their like, the impurer and heterogeneous part is rejected:
and that may be shown as well by the moist as dry way; an example of
the moist way followeth.
If quick Mercury be added to impure gold or silver dissolved in its
proper _menstruum_, the mercury draws to it self the invisible gold
and silver from the _Menstruum_ and mixt impurity and associates what
is purest to it self, which separation swiftly succeeds. Mercury
performs the same likewise in the dry way: namely, when some earth
having some gold and silver, is moistned with acid water, and they
are so long bruised together, till the Mercury draws the better part;
which done you must wash the dead earth left, with common water, and
separate the Mercury being dryed from the attracted gold and silver,
by trajecting them through a skin, but the Mercury draws but one metal
from the earth, and indeed the best at one time; which being separated,
it draws another metal; for example, if in some one earth, gold,
silver, copper and iron ly hid, the first time the mercury draws the
gold, the second the silver, but copper and iron hardly by reason of
their dross, but tin and lead easily, but easiest of all gold by reason
of its purity like to mercury.
_Another Demonstration by the dry way._
Put under a tile a cuple with lead, to which add a grain of very pure
gold, most exactly weighed (for memories sake) make the gold in the
cuple to fulmimate, and the lead will enter the cuple, the gold being
left pale in the cuple: of which pale colour there is no other cause
than the mixture of silver, drawn from the lead by the gold. But thou
wilt say, that thou knowest this, that gold fulminated with lead, is
made paler and weightier, by reason of the silver in the lead, left
with the gold in the trial, augmenting the weight, and thence making
it pale: to which I reply, though lead leave some silver in trying in
the cuple, mixt with the gold added to it, augmenting its weight, and
changing the colour; yet it is proved by the weight, that lead leaves
more being mixt with gold in the cuple, than when tryed without gold.
Hence it is proved, that gold in the fire draws its like from other
metals, augmenting its weight: and this also gold doth in the moist
way: for if it be dissolved in its own _menstruum_, together with
copper, and put in digestion, and then separated, it attracts gold from
the copper; which labour, though not done with profit, yet witnesseth a
possibility. But if the _menstruum_ of gold augmenting the attracting
power of gold or multiplying the same were known, but diminishing the
retentive power of copper, doubtless some gain were to be expected; and
indeed more, if gold and copper, together be melted in fire with the
dry mineral _menstruum_; by which means the weight of gold would be
increased according to _Paracelsus_ saying Metals mixt together in a
strong fire, continued a pretty while, the imperfection vanisheth and
leaves perfection in its place.
Which surely well done, is a work not wanting gain. For I freely
confess, that I would sometime incorporate silver with iron, when
as gold from iron gave me a good increase of pure gold, instead of
fixt silver sought after. And by this means often some not thought on
thing happens to Artists, as to my self with fixt silver, not rightly
considering the business. Therefore medling with metals, be sure when
you find some encrease, to weigh well what it was at first. For many
think long trying silver with iron, by the Blood-stone, Load-stone,
Emraud, _lapis calaminaris_, Red-talck, Granats, Antimony, Arsenick,
Sulphur, Flints, _&c._ having mature and immature, volatil and fixt
gold in them, finding in the trying good gold; that this gold is made
of the silver by the help and use of the foresaid minerals, which
is false, For the silver drew that gold out of those minerals, in
which before it lurked volatile. Yet I deny not the possibility of
changing silver, as being inwardly very like gold, but not by help of
cementation with the said minerals, because that gold proceeds not from
the silver, but those minerals, attracted by the silver. This labour is
compared to seed cast into good ground, where dying, by its own power
it draws its like to it self, whence it is multiplyed an hundred fold.
And it behoveth in this work now and then to wet the metallick earth,
with proper metallick waters, being dryed up with heat (which operation
is called of the Philosophers inceration) else the earth will be
barren, and it behoveth that this water be neer in kind to the earth,
so that when they are united they yield a certain fatness. For as it
appears from sandy dry earth, moistened with rain water, not bringing
forth fruit agreeable to its seed, for the small heat also of the Sun
consuming the moisture, and burning the seed in the earth, which mixt
with cows dung or other, keeps the water so as that it cannot be so
soon consumed. By the same reason it is necessary that thy earth and
water be mixt, lest thy seed be burnt up. Which work if well handled,
it will not be in vain, requiring the exceeding diligence of nourishing
the earth with warmth and moisture, when the earth is drown’d with too
much moisture, or hath too little, it cannot increase, and this is one
of the best labours, with which I draw forth good gold and silver of
baser metals, requiring the best vessels, retaining the seed together
with its earth, and water in its proper heat. I doubt not but this
work also in a greater quantity, may be performed, firmly beleiving
that the courser metals, especially lead, the fittest of all not only
to be perfected into gold and silver, but also into good medicine:
which without question is a Philosophick labour granted from God, as a
great comfort to the Chymist, but warily to be used. For that all and
singular Gods gifts he will not have common: as indeed I have found,
when I had invented a very excellent work, that I shewing it to a
friend, neither could I afterwards teach it to him, nor do it again
for my self. Therefore indeed justly men are doubtful in writing such
matters: for many seek with idleness to get the inventions of others,
performed with great costs and labour. Therefore it is safer to be
silent and give leave to seek, than to publish secrets, that they may
undergo the pains and charges to be born in inventing high matters;
nor any more hereafter may the ingrateful so impudently gape after
others Labours. Therefore I would entreat all men both of high and low
degree, that they would not molest and tire me hereafter with their
Petitions and Epistles, and that they would not turn my good will of
benefiting others to the ruin of my self, but be contented with my
writings published for the profit of my neighbour. Nor do you think
that I possess and promise golden mountains. For what I have written,
I have writ to discover nature, in these discourses of the perfection
of course metals in small quantity; For I never made trial in a great
quantity, trying truth and possibility in a lesser only, in small
crucibles: therefore those things which I have writ are written to that
end that the possibility of the Art, may appear, of perfect metals to
be wrought out of Imperfect, therefore he who hath occasion may make
trial in a greater quantity: but as for my part wanting opportunity,
I expect Gods blessing, whereby upon occasion I may make tryal in a
greater quantity, and so receive the fruit of my labour and great
charges.
Also metallick bodies are transmuted by another means, namely by
the benefit of a tinging metallick spirit, as one may see in _aurum
fulminans_, sometimes kindled upon a smooth clean metallick plate,
fixing a very deep golden tincture upon the plate, so that it may
bear the Touch-stone. The same also happens in the moist way, where
plated metals put into a gradatory spirit made of Nitre, and certain
minerals, being pierc’t by the spirit, obtain another kind agreeing
to the spirit. But if one doubt of the metallick gradation, made with
_aurum fulminans_; he may try the certainty from the often fireing of
fresh _aurum fulminans_, upon the same plate; for he shall see that
it is not the colour of the metal, and outwardly gilded, but deeply
tinged. Likewise one may try the certainty by a humid spirit, if the
transformed metals are tryed, whence the mutual action and passion
of subtilized spirits plainly appears, for the power of spirits is
very great, and incredible to one not exercised; and this gradation
of inferiour metals, Philosophers both ancient and modern, doe not
only confirm, but also diggers of minerals taught by experience, that
mineral vapours by penetration change courser into purer metals,
_Lazarus Ercker_ being witness, that iron is changed into a good
natural copper in green salt waters, & that he saw a pit, in which
iron nailes and other things cast in, by the penetration of a cupreous
spirit were turned into a good copper. I do not deny that metallick
dissolutions of some metals do stick precipitated to the plates, and
to make them of a golden, silver, or cupreous colour; for it is well
known, that iron cast into a vitriol water not to be turned into
copper, but to draw copper out of the water, of which thing we treat
not here, confirming the possibility of metallick transmutations by
a tinging and piercing spirit; therefore I again maintain that great
power is in metallick spirits; look only upon course and opake earth,
and besides that clear and limpid water with which the clearer and more
powerful air proceeding from the water cometh from the earth. Are not
whole Countries drownded with water, sometimes Towns and Cities taken
away? Cannot the air destroy the strongest Houses; especially shut up
in the Earth, shake the Land for some miles, and afterward demolish
whole Cities and Mountains with the death of Men? all which things
are done naturally. Wind artificially raised by Nitre threatens a far
greater danger, which no man can deny. Although that corporeal Elements
exercise so great power, yet they cannot pierce metals without hurt,
nor stones and glass, and things soon penetrated by fire. Therefore not
by an occult but a manifest power of Sun and Fire, which it hath over
metals, stones and glass, which are easily pierc’t by them without any
impediment: and why should not metals compact of a certain metallick
subtile and piercing spirit be penetrated by help of fire, and changed
into another species? As is already spoken of _Aurum fulminans_ and
_aqua gradatoria_. Therefore there is no doubt of the possibility of
the metallick tingent spirit changing courser metals into finer, both
by the dry and moist way; For Metals may be purified the same way as
Tartar and Vitriol, and other salts, namely by the benefit of much
water. For it is manifest that vitriol is purged with iron and copper
mixt with it, namely dissolved and coagulated in much water, so that
it waxes as white as allom; which purification is but a separation of
the metal from the salt, made by the benefit of much water debilitating
the salt, so that it cannot longer retain the mixt metal, which is
precipitated like some slime, not unprofitable, because the chiefest
part of the vitriol, from which is the greenness, _viz._ Copper,
Iron, and Sulphur. And as by help of separation metals are drawn from
vitriol, more perfect than salts; so also it is with metals when the
perfecter and better part is separated by help of precipitation: as
for Tartar, it is purified by the addition of water, but its better
part is not precipitated as in vitriol, but the courser part which
is its blackness and fæculency. As for example; Common Tartar by
the often solution (made with a sufficient quantity of water) and
coagulation is made very pure and white, because in every solution
made with fresh clear water, it always becomes purer; and not only by
this means white Tartar, but also red and feculent, is reduced into
transparent crystals, and indeed very speedily by vertue of a certain
precipitation; whose limosity is the cause of the obscurity of the
crystalline salt of tartar, and is nothing else but an unsavory thing,
dead and useless, mixt with the tartar in its coagulation in Hogs-heads
of Wine, and separated again by power of solution.
And these examples of the two salts of Vitriol and Tartar, are not
in vain set down, because they shew the difference in precipitation:
For in some Metals, by force of precipitation, the courser part is
separated; but in other, the better and choicer, according to the
prevalency of this or that part.
In Vitriol, the better part (Copper and Iron) is the least, which is
precipitated and separated from the courser and greater part, _viz._
Salt; But, in Tartar, the courser and less part is precipitated and
separated from the greater and better part clarify’d: The like is in
Metals. Therefore, let every one be wary in separating; and consider
before, whether the better or courser part of the Metal is to be
precipitated; without which Knowledge, no Man can meddle with this
Business. Let also the Workman be ware, who expects any profit from his
labour, of Corrosive Waters; as _Aqua fortis_, _Aqua Regia_, Spirit of
Salt, Vitriol, Allom, Vinegar, _&c._ in the Solution from which no Good
proceeds, as utterly destroying and corrupting all and each of them;
proving the same in these words, _From Metals, by Metals, and with
Metals, Metals are made perfect_. Metals are also purified, maturated
and separated from their Vices, by Nitre burning up the superfluous
Sulphur.
And all the aforesaid perfections of metals are but particular. For
every particular medicine, as well humane, as metallick, purgeth,
separateth and perfecteth or amendeth by the taking away the
superfluity. For a universal medicine worketh its perfections and
emendations, by strengthening and multiplying the radical moisture
as well of animals as metals, expelling its enemy by its own natural
vertue. But thou sayst excellent examples indeed are delivered by me,
but not the manner of doing them. _R._ I have delivered more then you
think, although you don’t perceive it: for I am sure after my death
that my books will be in greater esteem, from which it will appear
that I have not sought vain glory, but the profit of my neighbour to
the utmost of my power. But do not, seeing my freeness of writing,
think that you may wrest many things from me. For assure your self,
that although I have written many things for the publick good, yet I
intend not by this means to trouble my self. For I cannot satisfy the
desires of all men, nor answer their Epistles, nor inrich all men, who
neither am rich my self, nor have sought riches. For although I have
gotten the knowledge of these things by Gods blessing, and have tryed
the truth of it in small quantity, yet have I never made experience in
great store for wealth sake, being contented with Gods blessing.
And let this suffice concerning the several purifications of metals
according to my experience; as for that universal medicine so
famous, I cannot judge of it, being a thing unknown to me; but the
possibility thereof I am forc’t to affirm, being moved with the
several transmutations of metals; which being unknown, it behoves
us to be contented with that favour which God hath bestowed on us.
For oftentimes questionless it is better to know little, for Eternal
Salvations sake; for most commonly wealth and learning puff up. And
pride brings to the Devil the Author of it, from whence God of his
mercy preserve us.
_Of the Philosophers Stone._
I have undergon much charge and labour for many years, to extract the
tincture or anima of gold, for a medicine to be made therewith, which
at length I have obtained, where I have observed the remainder of the
gold, the soul or better part being extracted to be no more gold, nor
longer to endure fire. Whence I conjectured, that such an extraction
being fixt again, can perfect courser metals and turn them to gold:
But I could not hitherto try the truth of my conceived opinion living
at this time in a forraign place; therefore against my will, although
greedy of novelty, I have been forc’t to abstain from the work. In the
mean time considering the opinions of the Philosophers concerning their
gold, not the vulgar, asserting the universal medicine to be prepared
therewith. I have again affused a certain Philosophical Vinegar to
Copper for to extract the tincture, where almost all the Copper like
whitish earth is separated from the tincture in digestion, which earth
by no Art I could again reduce into a metallick body.
Which experiment again confirmed me of a possibility of this Medicine.
Which labour though I never followed, yet I doubt not but an humane
medicine, though not also a metallick is attainable thence by a
diligent workman. The soul therefore with all the metallick attributes,
consisting in so small a quantity, which is scarce the hundredth part
of the weight, which being extracted and separated, the remaining body
is no more a metal, but a useless and dead earth; but it is not to
be doubted but being fixt again, it may reassume and perfect another
metallick body. Therefore I am confidently perswaded by the aforesaid
Reasons, that such a medicine is to be made of mineral and metallick
things, _viz._ in the flowing, changing baser metals into better. But
do not think that I writing these things make gold or copper the matter
of this medicine, which I do not hold, well knowing that there are
other subjects easily to be handled, abounding with tinctures.
So thou hast heard now my opinion of the Universal Medicine, which my
experience in Gold, Copper, and other Minerals and Metals hath caused:
which I will not preach for _Gospel_, because it is human to erre.
Therefore no certainty is to be had, before its final and compleat
perfection, and indeed once or twice tryed for certainties sake. For an
excellent way once found out, cannot alwaies be often repeated, which
happens doubtless as well to others as to me. Therefore we must not
triumph before the Victory; for unthought on impediments may frustrate
Hope: but God is rather to be implored in our labours, that he would
be pleased to bless our endeavours, that we may use well his gifts in
this life as good stewards, and afterward bestow the free reward of our
labours, watchings, and cares on us sinners, namely, everlasting Rest
and Salvation out of his meer Mercy.
_Whether Minerals, as Antimony, Arsenic, Orpin, Cobolt, Zinc,
Sulphur, =&c.= may be transmuted into metals, and into what?_
It is long since debated among Chymists, whether the aforesaid Minerals
proceed from the same principles with Metals, and whether to be counted
Metals; in which Controversy they have not agreed to this day, when as
one approves that which another denies, so that a student of Chymistry
knows not to what side he had best assent.
But this knowledge not a little helping, concerning the purifying of
metals, I would put my opinion also grounded upon experience, for the
satisfying the doubtful, the simplicity of them is strange who hold not
one and the same beginning to be of minerals and metals, saying, if
metals might be made by nature, of minerals surely it had long since
been done; but it never was, experience witnessing; for remaining
minerals, they are never transplanted into metals. I Answer, metals
grow one way, also vegetables another, soon budding, and again soon
dying; but it is not so with metals; for all lasting things have long
time of digestion, according to the saying, _That which is soon made,
doth soon fade_; this is to be understood not only of vegetables and
minerals, but also of animals, as appears from the budding of some
vegetables, coming in six Months space to their perfection, and then
again perishing: when as things requiring longer time of digestion and
perfection are much more lasting. A Mushroom in the space of one or two
nights grows out of rotten wood, again soon vanishing: not so the Oke.
Oxen, and Horses in the space of two or three year come to perfection,
scarce living the twentyeth, or twenty-fourth year: but a Man requiring
twenty four years to his perfection, lives sixty, eighty, or an hundred
years. So also we must conceive of lasting metals requiring many ages,
and also very long time of digestion and perfection; metals therefore
requiring a very long time of digestion to their perfection, it is
granted to no man ever to see the beginning, and end of them; the
transplantation of minerals into metals by nature cannot be denyed;
especially, because that in the oars of metals, especially of course
ones, minerals are also found; wherefore diggers of minerals, when
they find them, conceive good hopes of finding metals, of which they
are termed the _Coverlids_, for seldom metals are found without
minerals, or minerals without metals; nor also are ever minerals found
wanting gold or silver; therefore minerals are properly termed the
_Embryo_ of _Metals_; because by art and fire a good part of gold and
silver is drawn out of them by fusion; which if they do not proceed
from the metallick roots, whence proceeds that gold and silver? For an
Ox is not born of an Infant, nor a man of a Calf; for alwaies like is
produced of its like.
Therefore minerals are counted but unripe fruits in respect of metals,
not yet obtaining their ripeness and perfection, nor separated from
the superfluous earth; for how should a bird be hatcht of an egg by
an heat, not predestined for the generation of a bird? For so we must
understand of minerals, which if they be deprived of their metallick
nature, how should by fire metals be produced from thence? But thou
saist that thou never sawest the production of perfect metals out of
courser; therefore that it is neither likely, nor credible to thee,
to whom many things as yet lye hid, as from most men, perversly and
foolishly denying things unknown; for daily experience witnesseth, that
the viler minerals and metals by taking away the superfluous sulphur
(however it be done) obtain a greater degree of perfection, therefore
should not thy heart believe, and thy tongue speak what thou seest
with thine eyes? For experience shews that good gold and silver might
be drawn out by art almost out of all course minerals and metals, yet
more out of some than of others, and speedier; for there is not that
dark night, that is altogether depriv’d of light, which may not be
manifested by a hollow glass; nor is there an element (though never so
pure) not mixt with other elements, nor any malignity depriv’d of all
good, or on the contrary. And as it is possible to gather the hidden
beams of the Sun in the aire, so also hidden perfect metals dispersed
in imperfect metals, and minerals by fire, and an expert Artist: if
once they are placed in fire with their proper solvents, where the
homogeneous parts are gathered, and the heterogeneous separated; so
that there is no need to go into the _Indies_ to seek gold and silver
in those new Islands, which is possible to find plentifully here in
_Germany_, if so be the merciful God would please to turn away those
present cruel Plagues, and bring them out of old metals, _viz._ Lead,
Iron, Tin, and Copper, there left by the Dealers in minerals; indeed
without the culture of minerals. Let no man therefore judge himself to
be poor, because he is only poor and in want (although otherwise very
rich and abounding in wealth, which yet in a moment he is forc’t to
forsake) that being ungrateful, neither knoweth nor acknowledgeth God
in his Works.
What I pray is in less esteem in the world, than old Iron and Lead,
which are acceptable to the wise to use in the Lotion of Copper and Tin
with the mineral White? But how they are to be washed, is a difficulty
to the unexercised in the fire, and shall be delivered by similitudes:
You see Antimony fresh digged out of the earth, very black and impure;
which by fusion separated from its superfluity (which, though nature
gave to it not in vain, but as an help to its purification, according
to that: _GOD and Nature do nothing in vain_) is made more pure,
and endowed with a body nearer to metals than its mineral, which if
afterwards melted with salt of Tartar, the crude and combustible
sulphur is mortified thereby, and is turned into dross, and separated
from the pure mercurial part, so that hereby is made a new and fresh
separation of the parts, of which one portion being white and brittle,
sinks to the bottom, the other lighter, to wit, the combustible sulphur
is on the top with the salt of Tartar; which poured out into a Cone,
when they are cold, may be separated with the hammer; the inferior
part of which is called by the Chymists _Regulus_, which is purer than
Antimony cast the first time out of its mineral; and this is the usual
purging of Antimony used by Chymists; to which (_Regulus_) if afterward
any thing should be added, for a third purification, without doubt it
would not only be made purer but more fixt and malleable. For if white
Regulus be preparable out of black Antimony, why not as well malleable
metal out of the _Regulus_.
_Another way of separating the superfluous Antimonial Sulphur_,
℞ Antimony powdred one part, Salt-peter half as much, mingle them, and
kindle the mixture with a live coal, and let that Antimonial sulphur,
with the nitre be burnt up, the darkish mass being left, to wit, of a
brown colour; which melted for the space of an hour in a strong fire
yeilds an Antimony like to that which is made with salt of Tartar, but
somewhat less in quantity: in like manner the parts of Antimony are
separated, _viz._ if Antimony, Nitre, and crude Tartar be mingled in
an equal weight, and being mixt are kindled and melted. There is also
another separation of the Antimonial parts; when of small bits of Iron
one part is pat into a strong crucible, in a wind Furnace, to which
being red hot, cast two parts of ground Antimony, for fusion, and the
superfluous combustible sulphur will forsake the Antimony, and joyn to
the Iron, a metal more amicable to it; mixt with which, it forsaketh
its own proper pure Mercury, and sulphur or _Regulus_, which is almost
the half part of the Antimony.
And these four ways, by which the superfluous combustible sulphur of
Antimony is separated are most common, not set down as secrets, but for
demonstration sake, that it may appear how sulphureous minerals are,
to be perfected and purified, which are little amended; yet shewing
a better way not only for Antimony, but also for Arsenick and Orpin,
although these two cannot be so done with Iron, Nitre and Tartar,
by reason of their volatility; but with Oyl, or other fat things in
close crucibles, giving a _Regulus_ like to the Antimonial; and these
_Reguli_ make Tin hard, to sound and be compact; if to one pound one
ounce be added in fusion, for making good houshold stuff. And in tryal
they give good Gold.
And as it is said of purging Antimony, so also it is to be understood
of the rest, as _Wismuth_, _Zinck_; _Lapis calaminaris_, Lead, Tin,
Iron and Copper, to be purged from their superfluous sulphur, if thou
wilt draw more perfect metals, _viz._ Gold and Silver out of them
with gain. And so I make an end of metallick lotions; recommending
to Chymists, _Nitre_, _Tartar_, _Flints_ and _Lead_; for who knoweth
to use them, shall not lose his labour in Chymistry; but ’tis to be
lamented, that every where good earth and fixt in the fire, is not
to be gotten, retaining Lead and Salts; for without our old Saturn
little or nothing can be done in refining metals; therefore who goes
to try any thing in this Art, let him seek the best earth retaining
Lead twentyfour hours space; afterward let him consult with Tin, what
_Vulcan_ has to be done with Iron; who will tell him what he must
suffer, before he obtain the Crown.
_Of the tincture of Sol and Antimony._
Sometimes an alteration happens to mans body, from the attraction of
mineral vapors (which cannot be done by my Furnace) in the tryal;
therefore here I will set down a certain medicine for the Workmans
sake, as well for preserving as curing, namely, a clear rubin fixt,
and soluble of Gold and Antimony. Take of pure Gold half an ounce,
dissolve it in _Aqua Regia_; precipitate the solution with liquor of
Flints, as before is said in the Second part; edulcorate and dry the
calx, and it will be prepared; take _Regulus Martis_ (of which is
spoken a little before) beaten fine, to which mix three parts of the
purest Nitre; place the mixture in the crucible between burning coals,
putting to fire by degrees: which done make a stronger, _viz._ for
fusion; for then the Mass will be made purple; which taken forth and
cooled grind very small, of which take three or four parts and mix
with one part of the aforesaid golden calx; place it mixed in a strong
crucible covered over in the aforesaid winde Furnace, and make the mass
to flow together like metal, and it will assume the Antimonial Nitre in
the fusion, and will dissolve the Gold or the calx of Gold, and a mass
of an Amethyst colour will be made therewith, which so long leave in
the fire, till it get the clearness of a Ruby, which one may try with
a clean wire or iron bowed and put therein, although the mean time the
mass deprived of fusibility, is thickened; it is meet to add some Nitre
or Tartar, for speeding fusion, and that as often as shall be needful.
Lastly, pour the mass, when it shall come to the utmost redness of
a Ruby, hot into a clean copper morter, which there leave until it
cool, and it will be in colour very like to an Oriential Ruby; then
bruise it hot into powder, for taking air it would melt, and extract
the tincture by the affusion of the spirit of Wine in a Vial, and the
Gold together with the Antimony will remain very white like the finest
Talc, to be washed with clear water, in a glass, edulcorated and dryed;
which melted with a stronger fire, gives a Yellow glass, in which no
Gold appears, yet separable by way of precipitation with the filings of
Iron and Copper, from which it recovers its ancient colour, but without
profit, by reason of the wast, the tinged spirit is to be taken away
from the tincture, which is a very soveraign medicine in many grievous
diseases.
Although thou mayest suspect this not to be the simple tincture of
_Sol_, but of Nitre and Tartar mixt, be sure that the quantity of Nitre
added not to exceed; and suppose that tincture of Tartar and Nitre,
I pray what waste is there? since that is so good a medicine by it
self, & I am perswaded, this tincture of _sol_ to be better than those
set down in the Second part. That Ruby may be so used by it self with
proper vehicles, seeing it is a soveraign medicine of it self; or else
exposed to the air and resolved to a liquor; for the medicine is no
less than a tincture, because the Gold in it, and the purer part of
Antimony are made potable without corrosives. Wonderful is the power
of salts in metals to be destroyed, perfected and changed by fusion;
for it happened to me one time making this Ruby, placeing two other
crucibles also with metals, by this containing gold with the prepared
_Regulus_ of Antimony (for easily two or three, or more crucibles may
be placed in this furnace, to be ruled with one fire, which cannot be
done in a common furnace by that means) about to put in a certain salt
into the crucible next to the crucible of gold, that by a mistake I
cast it into the crucible with gold only, whence so great a conflict
arose, that there was danger of boyling over; therefore forced to
remove it out of the furnace presently with tongs, and to effuse
it, supposing that the Ruby was left by my rash putting in of salt;
therefore I would only save the gold. And I found the effused mass red
like blood, purer than a Ruby, but no Gold; but white grains like Lead
dispersed here and there in the salts, by reason of their smalness,
not separable but by the solution of the salts, which being separated
by the solution of water from the red tincture like blood, remained
in the bottom of the glass, which afterward for fusions sake I placed
in a new crucible in that furnace, but willing to try the fusion, I
found the crucible empty, and all the Gold vanished, a little excepted
sticking on the top to the crucible and the cover, which I took away
and melted for experience sake in a new close crucible, but all of it
presently feeling heat flew away like Arsnick, no sign being left in
the crucible; and so I was deprived of my Gold.
At length I took the red solution, and abstracted the water from the
salts, and I found the salt red like blood, which I put in a clean
crucible in the furnace for to try whether any metallick body might
thence be extracted; but I found the effused salt deprived of all
tincture and redness, which seems strange to me even to this day, that
by help of this salt the whole substance of gold, _viz._ the tincture
together with the remainder flew away, having so great volatility.
Which labour afterward I would reiterate, but it happened not so at
all as at the first time; there was indeed some alteration of the gold
made, but its volatilization was not so great, the cause of which
thing, I think was the ignorance of the weight of the aforesaid salt,
cast in at the first time against my will.
And two reasons chiefly moved me to insert this history, First, that
it may appear how soon one may mistake in a small thing frustrating
the whole process. Secondly, That the truth of the Philosophers may
appear writing that gold by art is reducible into a lower degree, equal
to lead (which happened to me in this work) and that it is harder to
destroy gold and make it like to an Imperfect metal, than to transmute
an imperfect metal into gold; therefore I am glad in my heart that I
saw such an experiment; of which thing our phantastick Philosophers
will hear nothing, writing whole volumes against the truth, stifly
affirming, gold to be incorruptible, which is an arrant lye; for I can
shew the contrary (if need be) many ways. I wonder indeed what moves
such men to slight a thing unknown, I do not use to judg things unknown
to me.
How dare they deny the transmutation of metals, knowing not how to
use coals and tongs? truly I confess those rude and circumforaneous
Mountebanks, not a little to defile and disgrace true Chymistry, every
where cheating men by their fraud, being needy and opprest with penury;
unless peradventure they find some credulous rich man giving them food
and raiment for the conceived hope of Gain and Skill, of which also
some being furnisht with gold, go clad like painted Parrots, whom I
judg to be hated worse than a Dog or a Snake; but innocent Chymistry
is not therefore to be despised. Some covetous men besotted with
folly and madness, laying out their moneys with an uncertain hope of
gain, who afterward the thing ill succeeding, are forced to live in
poverty, whose case is not to be pityed, destroying their money out of
covetousness. Some seek wealth not out of covetousness, but rather that
they may have wherewith to live, and may search nature, which are to be
excused if they are deceived by knaves, yet not to be praised if they
spend above their ability.
_Another tincture and medicine of Gold._
Dissolve gold in _Aqua Regia_, being dissolved, precipitate it with
liquor of the salt of flints, pour some more of the aforesaid liquor
to the precipitated gold, then place them in sand to boyl for some
hours space, and the liquor of flints will extract the tincture of the
gold, and be dyed with a purple colour, to which, pour rain water, and
make it to boyl together with that purple liquor, and the flint will
be precipitated, the tincture of an excellent colour with the salt of
Tartar left; from which it is necessary to extract the water even to
driness, and a very fine salt of a purple colour will remain in the
bottom of the glass, out of which with the spirit of wine, may be drawn
a tincture as red as blood, little inferior in vertue to potable gold;
for many things lie hid in the purple salt, of which more things might
be spoken if occasion permitted; therefore let it suffice to shew the
way of destroying gold, for that golden salt may in a very short time,
_viz._ an hour, be perfected with small labour and transmuted into a
wonder of nature; confuting the slanders of the noble Art of Alchimy;
for which gift we ought to give immortal thanks to the immortal God.
_Of Looking-glasses._
I have made mention in the treatise of _Aurum potabile_, not only of
the material heat of fire, but also of turning the finest beams of the
Sun into a material bodily substance, by help of certain instruments by
which they are collected. I have also mentioned there a concave Glass,
whose preparation I will here give, it being not known to all men, the
best that I know is as followeth. First, patterns are to be made of
the best matter, namely, hair and Potters clay, of which thing in the
Fifth part, conformable to the glasses, in form and figure circularly
round; for else they cannot gather the Sun-beams together, and again
put them forth; the fault of which thing is to be ascribed only to
the pattern or mold; for the fusion and polishing of glasses is no
singular Art, being known even to Bell-founders, but to melt them when
very well shap’t of the best matter and rightly to polish them, this
is Art: and first to cut the patterns round, being very well shaped
by the use of a sharp Iron Instrument cannot briefly be demonstrated;
therefore I will send the Reader to Authors prolixly handling this
thing, _viz._ _Archimedes_ and _Johan. Baptist. Porta_, and others; but
if thou wantest those Authors, or dost not understand them, see thou
have a Globe exactly turned for making the Molds as followeth: first
make a mixture of meal and sifted ashes, which spread equally between
two boards, as the manner is to spread past made of Flower and Butter
for Pyes and Tarts, answering in thickness to the glass to be shaped,
then with a Compass make a circle as big a you please, which cut with
a knife, and put it on the Globe, and sprinkle quick lime on it out of
a searce or sive, and put clay well prepared with haire over it of the
thickness of two fingers breadth; and if it be a great piece you must
impose cross wires strengthning the Mold, least it be bent or broken.
Afterward one part being hardned with the heat of the Sun or fire,
take away all that from the Globe, and put it on some hollow thing,
on which it may on all sides stand well, and also sprinkle quick lime
or the powder of coals on the other side, and put upon this the other
part of the pattern, and again expose it by degrees, to be dryed by
the heat of Sun or fire, lest it crack; which done, take away the ends
making those parts of the Mold or pattern from the inward or middle,
which ends set one against another to the inward parts, the distance at
least of a hands breadth, and put between in the top a few live coals
to harden the Mold all over; to which put on other coals, and then
more, and so by degrees even to the top, that they may be well kindled
in their lighter parts; but if the Molds are very thick, one fire will
not suffice, but it will be necessary to add more coals, until they be
throughly kindled in the inner parts; afterward, let the fire go out
by degrees, that the types may grow cold, but not altogether, but so
that you may touch them; and presently besmear finely the sifted ashes
mixt with water, with a pencil, to stop up the chincks arisen from the
burning the hair, and for smoothing the types; then again make both
parts (after thou hast first framed a hole in them for a Tunnel) clean,
being wary lest any foul thing fall upon them; and carefully bind them
together with iron or copper wier; and very well lute over the joining
with clay prepared with hair; and put on an earthen Tunnel, and place
the Mold in dry sand up to the top: And thou oughtest in the mean while
thou burnest and preparest the Mold, to melt the metallick mixture,
that it may be poured into the hot Mold, the Metal being well melted,
cast in a bit of searcloath, which burning, pour out the melted Metal
into the hot Mold, being wary lest coals or some other thing fall into
the crucible, and be poured with the Metal into the Mold, spoiling
the glass; then let the glass cool of it self in the Mold, if the
matter do not moulder in the cooling: And if it should moulder in the
cooling, which indeed would lessen it, it behoves that the cast glass
be presently taken out of the Mold, and covered over with a hot earthen
or iron vessel, that it may cool under it, which otherwise, cooling
shut up in the Mold not being able to moulder, is broke in pieces, but
a little below you shall perceive, what be those mouldering metals.
And this is the common way (and the best) of melting, if so be thou
art exercised; there are also other ways; first, when molds are made
of wood or lead, agreeing to the glass, to be impressed with sand,
or the finest powder of tyles or other earth, as is the custome of
copper-smiths; and this way only serveth for lesser glasses.
The third way which is the best of all, but hardest to one not
exercised, is as follows; make a waxen Mold with a Cylinder to be
placed between two boards, as is aforesaid of the first way, which put
upon the globe for to shape it, and let it be hardned in the cold; then
take it away, and spread over it the following mixture with a pencil;
which see that it be dryed in the shadow, then apply potters clay,
prepared with hair, the thickness of one or two fingers breadth; then
take away the wax in manner following from the earth: make a round
hole in the earthen mold with a knife, coming even to the wax; which
done, place it near a coal fire, the mold being bending down, and the
melted wax will run through the hole, into which pour the hot (not
burnt) metal, _&c._ that liniment which is anoynted on the wax must
be very well prepared least while the wax melt, it fall and melt away
with the wax, nor let the wax pierce the earthen mold and spoil it.
Now the liniment follows: Burn potters clay well washt in a Furnace
even to redness; afterward grind it and take away its finest part with
washing of water, so that you may have an impalpable powder, which dry,
and again burn with a strong fire: after grind it with rain water and
salt Armoniack sublimed, upon a stone, as Painters use to prepare their
colours, bring it to the just consistence of a paint, and the mixture
will be made; the salt Armoniack keeps that fine powder, lest it melt
away with the wax: and the prepared earth makes a tender and fine
fusion.
_The metallick mixture for the matter of the Looking-Glass._
There are divers of these mixtures, of which one is alwaies better than
the other, which by how much ’tis the harder, by so much the glass is
the better; and by how much the harder the metal is, by so much the
better it is polisht; nor doth the hardness of the mixture suffice, but
its whiteness is also required: for red proceeds from too much copper;
black from too much iron, or duskie from too much tin, and doth not
make the true representations of things, but changeth the shape and
colour of them: for example sake, too much copper rendereth the Species
redder than they are to be, and so of the rest; let therefore the
metallick mixture be very white; but if burning glasses are to be made,
it is no matter what colour it be of, if so be that the mixture be
hard. I will set down one of the best, ℞. of Copper plates the thinest
beaten to pieces one part, of white Arsnick a quarter part; first
moisten the plates with the liquor of the salt of Tartar, and make a
Stratum super Stratum, with plates and Arsnick powdred, by sprinkling
this on them, until the crucible be filled; to which pour the oyl of
Linseed, as much as sufficeth to cover the copper and Arsnick; which
done put on the cover with the best lute, then place the crucible
(the lute being dryed) in sand, so that only the upper part of the
cover may stick out and administer fire by degrees, at first little;
secondly somewhat stronger, till at length it be hot, that all the
oyl may evaporate; in the mean time, the oyl will prepare the copper,
and retain the Arsnick, and will make it enter into the plates, like
oyl piercing dry Leather: Or place the crucible upon a grate and put
Fire to it, which administer by degrees, until the oyl evaporate in
the boyling. Lastly, when it shall coole, break the crucible, and thou
shalt find the copper of diverse colours, especially if thou shalt take
Orpin in stead of Arsenick, and twice or thrice increased in magnitude,
and brittle.
R. of this copper one part, and of latton [_Orichalcum_] two parts,
melt it with a very quick Fire, and first indeed the latton, to which
afterward add the friable copper; pour out the mixture melted and thou
shalt have a very hard metal unfileable, yet not so brittle, but like
steel, of which diverse things may be formed serving in stead of iron
and steel instruments; take of this hard metal three parts of the
best tin without lead one part, melt and effuse it, and the matter
of looking-glasses will be made. This mixture is a hard white metal
making the best looking glasses, but if this labor seem tedious, take
of copper three parts, of tin one part, of white Arsenick half a part
for the matter of looking-glasses, which are fine but brittle, as well
in the melting as polishing, therefore carefully to be handled. I must
here set down a thing worthy to be observed, and known to few; _viz._:
a false opinion of many, especially of those who attribute knowledge
to themselves of the proprieties of metals. In the second part (of
subtile spirits) mention is made of the pores of metals, for experience
witnesseth, that those subtile spirits as of harts-horn, tartar, soot,
and sometimes those sulphureous ones of salts and metals do evaporate
through pewter vessels, which at the first hearing every man cannot
conceive, for whose sake this discourse is made. Make two balls of
Copper, and two of pure Tin not mixt with lead, of one and the same
form and quantity, the weight of which balls observe exactly, which
done, again melt the aforesaid balls or bullets into one, and first the
copper, to which melted add the Tin, lest much Tin evaporate in the
melting; & presently pour out the mixture melted into the mold of the
first balls, and there will not come forth four nor scarce three balls,
the weight of the four balls being reserved; if then metals are not
porous, whence I pray doth that great alteration of quantity proceed?
therefore know that metals are porous more or less; gold hath the
fewest pores, silver hath more, Mercury more than that, Lead more than
Mercury, Copper more than Lead, and Iron than copper, but tin hath most
of all.
If we could destroy metals, and again educe them destroyed from power
to act, surely they would not be so porous. And as a child without
correction is unapt to any goodness, but corrected is endued with all
kind of vertue and learning, so also we must understand of metals
which left in their natural state, namely drawn out of the earth
without correction and emendation remain volatile, but corrupted and
regenerated are made more noble, even as our bodies destroyed and
corrupted, at length shall arise clarified before they come into
Gods sight. Well said _Paracelsus_, that if in one hour metals were
destroyed an hundred times, yet they could not be without a body,
reassuming a new species and indeed a better, for it is rightly said,
_Unius corruptio, alterius generatio_; for the mortification of a
superfluous sulphureous body is the regeneration of the Mercurial soul,
for without a destruction of metals perfection cannot be; therefore
metals are to be destroyed and made formless, that thereby the
superfluous earthy combustible sulphur being separated, the pure fine
Mercurial species may spring forth. Of which thing more, when we Speak
of Artificial stones.
_Of the smoothing and polishing of looking-glasses_
A looking-glass, though it be very exactly melted and proportioned, yet
is of no value if not rightly polished and smoothed; for easily in the
smoothing any part it may suffer some dammage hurtful to it, and it is
necessary to take from them first, the grosser part by the wheel, as
the custom is with Pewterers and Copper-smiths with a sandy stone, then
to apply to them a finer stone with water, until they are sufficiently
smoothed by grinding; which done, the looking glasses are again to be
taken from the wheel and to be moved to the small wooden wheel covered
with leather, rubbed over with a fine prepared glazing stone until the
crevises contracted in the turning no more appear, having got a cross
line, afterward another small wheel covered with leather is required,
to which a bloodstone prepared and washt with the ashes of tin rubbed
on, to which likewise by the aforesaid means, according to the same
line, the looking-glasses are so long to be moved till they get a
sufficient fineness and brightness. You must keep such looking-glasses
from the moist air, and breathing, and to wipe them when infected with
air and breathing not with any woolen or linnen cloth, but with a Goats
or Harts skin, and not any way, but according to the cross line, with
which the looking-glasses are smoothed. They may also be smoothed by
lead artificially melted, by first rubing them with a smiris and water,
and then with a finer smiris and lead; lastly with a blood stone and
ashes of tin: likewise also with whetstones, by changing for a finer
every time, whence at length also they acquire a splendour by the ashes
of tin.
Also the outward part of the looking-glasses (convex) may be smoothed,
which represents the species short, and spreads the dispersed rays:
but the inward part (hollow) gathers and multiplies, and puts forth or
exposeth the Image.
Let these things suffice concerning the melting of looking glasses,
& polishing requisites, for the collection of the Sun beams, and
although from the aforesaid mixture other kinds of looking-glasses
might be made representing wonderful shapes and several excellent
things, as Cylindrick, Pyramidal, Parabolick, _&c._ they are omitted as
impertinent to this place, yet I could shew a way to make them, because
I have undergone no small labors and charges in the searching of their
preparation and use, if it were necessary. But of all looking-glasses
that is most useful whose preparation we have shewn, whose diameter is
at least two or three spans, if thou wilt perform any special thing;
although it be but of one or two spans, yet it gathers abundance of
beams, so that thou maist melt tin and lead with it, if it be well
shaped: yet the larger are the better. Nor ought they to be too deep,
that they may cast their beams the further, and better perform their
actions or functions, let them have the twentyeth or thirtyeth part of
the sphere (the section being exactly observed) which is the foundation
of the Art.
_Of Artificial Gems, and Metallick Glasses._
As for metallick glasses pertaining to Alchymy, and much conducing to
the perfection of metals, and esteemed by the Ancient Philosophers, I
would not omit to say somewhat in this place, because they are easily
made by this furnace.
And indeed the Ancients have found these glasses questionless by
chance, in reducing the calcined bodys into glass by a strong fire,
for very many secrets by this means not sought for are found out.
Oftentimes it happens to our labors, that past hope we find somthing
better or worse, than the thing sought; and I think it hath thus
happened with these glasses, but however it be, I am sure these glasses
have stood us in much stead; for _Izaak Holland_ saith plainly, That
vitrified metals being again brought to metals, by that reduction do
give better and nobler metals than the first vitrified; and indeed
gold gives a tincture, but silver gold, and copper silver; and so
consequently the glass of other metals give better metals in reduction,
the truth of which experience proves, and although I have not yet made
great tryal in this work, yet I know that metals brought into dead
ashes to be turned into clear glass cannot be again reduced into metals
without great profit: yet one metal is more pliable than another,
nor are our glasses the Artificial stones of gold-smiths fixed to
other large ones for ornaments sake, made by the addition of glass
made of fusile sand; but ours are made of the juice of metals. But I
do not deny the vertue of Venice glass, and others in the mundifying
of metals, chiefly copper and tin, which yet is not comparable with
metallick juices. I freely confess I have tryed this thing twenty
times, and I never was deceived by it: but I know not whether it may
prove so in a greater quantity, because I never tryed it, doubting of
my vessels not fit to retain fusible glasses a requisit time: for I
have spent much labor in making these kind of vessels, but hitherto in
vain. For there is very great hope of gain, if thou hast very strong
crucibles, nor is this perfection of metals without reason, for whilest
the metal is burnt to ashes, much of the superfluous combustible
sulphur is burnt (as you may see in Lead, Tin, and Copper, from the
sparks appearing in their calcination whilest they are stirred and
separating) which if again reduced (_viz._ being calcined) its better
and heavier part (by benefit of melting) sinketh to the bottom, the
worser flowing on the top is changed into dross or glass. And so
the separation of metals is made by the help of the Fire alone, to
the ignorant and unexpert incredible: but consider gilt silver to
be separated in fusion, which is as it were corrupted by the common
sulphur, and the metallick species, being lost, it turns to a black
dross before that in melting it forsakes the gold: which way also
silver is separated from copper, and this from iron. Observe also that
black and crude Antimony, being reduced into ashes by calcination,
and melted is separated by a strong Fire, the purer parts descending
pure and white like silver, but the impure parts ascending are changed
into glass or dross, which separation would never be made without
incineration although the Antimony should have stood long influx.
Thou seest therefore the power of Fire alone in melting metals,
wherefore believe thou that thy labor shall not be in vain if thou
knowest how to help the Fire. Exercise thy self therefore in it,
for thou art sufficiently instructed, and this furnace will help
thee; without which it is impossible to manage such things well, as
experience testifies, confirming my words.
Mention being made of metallick glasses, which belongs to the
perfection of metals, I am forced to say somthing also of other
_Amausa_, or coloured glasses, which are called Gems, and are worn for
beautifying, which though it be not profitable, yet it is a delightful
labour, which knowledge, as well noble as ignoble have long sought,
not for gain, but recreation sake, erring from the true way (although
prolixly described in many tongues) through ignorance of the art to
render crystal or flint fusible, and colouring it, being content with
lead glasses made of one part of crystals, or flints, and three or four
parts of minium or ceruse, glass of no worth, as not only very soft
and unapt for polishing, but also heavier than it ought by means of
the lead, and having a yellow or green colour, for every glass made of
crystal or flint, and minium or ceruse by themselves, _viz._ without
the addition of other colours, gets a yellow colour from the Lead,
hindering and altering other mixt colours; therefore a good stone is
not made this way of lead and flint, but Leaden glasses of this sort,
Venice glass, Ashes of tin, and colours being added to them, be used
diversly of the goldsmiths, namely to colour gold, otherwise of no
moment.
Therefore I will give another preparation, namely out of flints _&c._
crystals alone without minium and ceruse, with metallick colours,
having the colour and elegancy of excellent stones; but not harder than
glass; for although crystal is harder than iron, yet by melting it is
deprived of its hardness in some measure, and is made like to glass,
yet so much hardness reserved, as serves to write on another glass,
which glasses are easily polished, and in all things and by all, most
like, hardness excepted, to natural stones; with which not only various
kinds of stones may be made, and other gold, silver, and wooden works
or pictures adorned; but also diverse supellectils, as salts, hafts
or hilts, cups, _&c._ and also images and antiquities may be formed
(by fusion) like to those cut out of gems by the hand of an ingenious
workman, most delightful.
They are made after this manner: first you must look for flints and
crystals not coloured, but very white, gathered out of sand or streams,
which you must heat in a covered crucible, and quench them glowing hot
in cold water, that they may crack and may be pulverised; otherwise
they are so hard that when they are powdred, they take part of the
morter and so are defiled; therefore it is worth your labor to handle
them well. Afterward ℞ of flints prepared, and the purest salt of
Tartar, made in glased vessels, but not in copper or iron, equal parts,
mingle them and keep them for use.
And if thou wilt make this mass into a gem, you must first mingle some
colour (what you desire) afterward so long place it (being put into a
clean covered crucible scarce half full) in a very strong fire, till
all the salt of Tartar hath evaporated, and the flint together with
the colour come into substance fusible like glass: you must then put
a small clean iron wier, and draw out a little of the melted mass for
tryal; whether it have stood long enough in the fire, whether there
be yet pustles and little sands, or whether it being exactly melted,
it shall descend to the bottom, which done, you must take off the
crucible, and place it under some hot iron or earthen vessel, that it
may wax cold with the melted stone; otherwise the mass will be broken
in the crucible into very small parts, and would be unfit for greater
works: neither must you pour out the melted mass for fear of the
attraction of aire, and pustles to arise thence. But being willing to
make out of the Mass by Fusion, not Engraving Money or Images; there
is no need to leave the mass in the crucible to cool, but presently
to pour it out hot in a copper morter, and nothing will stick to the
crucible, but all the mass will be poured out without any waste: And
this mass, if thou wilt, thou maist powder or break into very small
bits for fusion and impression. But the mass when cooled in the
crucible, is to be taken by breaking the crucible, and to be reduced
into greater or lesser stones by cutting: but melting for money or
images; you must place the money or image, which you will imitate,
with the backside or hinder-part downward in an iron Ring, a Fingers
breadth broad of greater capacity than the money, upon a stone or plain
wood, and sprinkle on a little Tripoly, or fine Sand, through a cloth,
namely, as much as sufficeth to cover the mold, and upon this to put
more, well moistened with water, like ashes of cupels, and to press it,
being most tenacious, firmly to the mold, but warily, lest the mold be
moved; which done, you must turn the ring, and with a knife lift up the
mold, and to take it, being lifted up with ones hands or tongs, the
image being left in the sand, to be dryed by heat of the Sun or Fire.
Afterward to cast the image, place the ring with the image impressed
in the sand under a tile, and administer a strong fire, that the whole
ring, with the sand, and the image in the sand may be very hot: then
take off the ring, to see if the image have suffered any loss; which,
if it have not, you must put upon it so much of the aforesaid glass,
coursly beaten, as sufficeth in the fusion to fill the image impressed
on the sand; which done, put the ring again under the tile, and
administer a fire of fusion, till the glass melt in the ring; to which,
touch with a smooth iron and light, (with a handle) being hot the ring
being taken first out of the furnace with tongs, pressing the glass
well to the mold; and then place it under a hot iron, or earthen vessel
to cool; and being cold, take the image from the mold, which answers to
it in all things, if thou hast aright proceeded, exactly representing
the Carvers art, or a seal impressed on a jewel, which excellent work
is most fit to feign, and represent Antiquities and Rarities.
_The colouring of the aforesaid mass follows, by which it is made
most like to Gems._
It behooveth that colours be taken from metals and minerals, namely
from Copper, Iron, Gold, Silver, Wismuth, Magnesia and Granate; of
other colours I know nothing of certainty, Copper commonly makes a
colour green like the Sea, Copper with Iron, grass-green; Granate a
smaragdine colour, Iron yellow or jacynth; Gold the best skie colour;
Wismuth common skie colour; Magnesia Amethystine, mixt, they give other
colours; E. gr. Gold mixt with Silver gives an Amethyst colour; Iron
and Copper, a pale green; Wismuth and Magnesia, a purple; Silver and
Magnesia, various colours like an Opal.
Images are also made of divers colours, if the masses of diverse
colours be broken into bits and mixt, be put upon the Mold, _&c._ And
if thou desirest an opac mass (green, red, skie colour, _&c._) add a
little calx of Tin darkning, on which as on a Basis the colours insist.
For example; in making a Turcoise stone or a Lazulus, mingle with the
Azure made of the silver Marcasit or Zafora (to colour the mass) the
calx of Tin, that they may melt together, and before the impression be
made, put upon the Mold some prepared gold, then spread and put upon
this the aforesaid glass; and the fusion and impression being made,
will be made thence a stone having golden veins like _lapis Lazulus_
very delightful; But there must be a _calx_ of Gold not losing its
splendor in the fire, such as is made by Mercury, or that which is
better, which is precipitated out of _Aqua Regia_: of which above.
_Of the preparation of the colours for colouring the mass of Flints
and Crystals._
The plates of copper often heated, are to be quenched in cold water of
which more in the Fifth part, from three to six grains of it may be
mixed with ℥ j. of the mass for a Sea-green colour. Iron is reduced
into crocus by reverberation; of which from four to ten grains are
added to the mass for a yellow or Jacynth colour; Silver is dissolved
in _Aqua fortis_, and precipitated with the liquor of Flints after it
is edulcorated and dryed, whereof from one to six grains, added to ℥ j.
of the mass, they make mixt colours.
Gold is dissolved in _Aqua Regia_, edulcorated and dryed, precipitated
first with liquor of Flints, whereof from grain four to ℈ _ss._ mixt
with one ounce of the mass, make a most elegant Saphire. And if from
three to six of that soluble ruby made of the Gold, and the nitrous
_Regulus Martis_ be added to ℥ j. of the mass, they make a very polite
ruby: Magnesia pulverised, whereof, from six to fourteen grains, to ℥
j. of the mass, make an Amethyst.
Marcasit dissolved in _Aqua Regia_, precipitated with the liquor of
flints, edulcorated and dryed, whereof from one to five grains, to ℥ j.
of the mass, give a Saphire, but not comparably so polite as one made
with gold.
But being unwilling to calcine Marcasite, let him take Zafora, and
mingle to ℥ j. from five to ten grains; Granates of _Bohemia_, or
Oriental pulverised, add from six grains to ℈ j. to ʒ j. of the mass,
for little green stones like to the natural smaragd or emrald: other
things which remain of the mixture of the colours, are to be learned by
experience.
To what uses coloured flints and crystals are appointed, is not here to
be treated of; one use excepted, which I set down for the eyes, which
are weakened by too much watching, the heat of fire and smoak; see
thou have a waxen mold circularly round, of the bigness of a dish or
trencher; (the Optiques are wont to call such _lentes_) to which, put
the best clay well mixed with hair: anoint the waxen type with oyl, and
exactly apply the best prepared earth of crucibles (and durable in the
fire) the thickness of a finger; which being dryed, perforate in some
part, that the wax being melted by the fire, may flow forth: afterward
burn the mold in an earthen furnace; being burnt, fill it with prepared
glass, and place it in a wind furnace till the glass melt; which at
length being cooled, take off the type by attrition, and there shalt
thou have the crystal resembling the form of the type; which afterward
thou must make and polish like spectacles in an iron dish on both
sides; and take it out with a strong iron wier, and thou shalt have a
good crystalline _lent_ for a small price, which otherwise is scarce
made of crystal of so great a bigness. And if thou wilt, thou maist
colour the glass green, very pleasant to the sight, and fit a foot
to it for greater benefit. And the glass doth not only serve for the
Multiplication of light in the night time, that you may see a thing a
far off in a chamber, but also for the fixing and calcining minerals by
the Sun-beams, and melting of Metals, and multiplying of Pictures, like
an hollow glass, and also for other uses it may be compared with an
hollow looking-glass, which doth the same of an equal bigness with the
hollow glass; nor is there any other difference of them but reflexion.
This glass-instrument is made likewise another way, and by less cost
and labor, if it be of a polisht looking-glass, if two great orbes are
cut out with a diamond, and if they are somewhat softned with Fire, and
are left there so long in the heat, until they shall stick like wax
very close to the stone, which done, let them be cooled again, which
afterward taken out, will represent the form of an hollow glass; to
which, it behoves to fix a leaf on the convex part. And the glasses do
the same that an hollow metallick looking-glass doth, the reflexion
excepted, which is not so strong as of the hollow glass: And although
the glasses are sooner broke, yet they are very fit for the making of
the following Instrument.
And they are bound together with a strong wier, applyed across on the
concave part, and an hole is cut in the brim with a diamond on one
side, of the bigness of a pea, then the crevises are exactly closed in
every place with the best lute; which done, a silver or copper ring
is to be tyed about it, holding those glasses straightly, so that the
Instrument may be fitted to the foot, all which well done, those strong
wiers are separated or cut off, with which the glasses were bound at
first, namely, near the copper ring: afterward very pure _Aqua vitæ_ is
to be put in through a funnel, as much as is required for the filling
it up; the Instrument being filled, the hole is shut up, which is to
be kept for use; and this Instrument is better than the hollow glass;
especially, if it have in its diameter the breadth of one foot, and
may be applyed to prospective pictures, it doth excellently represent
and multiply them.
Behind which, if you place a candle in the night, it gives so much
light in the Chamber, that you would think it came from the Sun. It
doth also many other things which are here omitted as superfluous. And
you may gather the dispersed light in the aire in the night time with
it, so that you may read the smallest writing. Such and others of the
like things may be done by this furnace, all which to set down, would
swell the Book too much. Other things of the metals examination and
purification by fusion, in another place.
Take this, Reader, which is given to thee, in good part, at another
time thou shalt have better; and do not mistake my writings, as if
I did reprove the examinations of metals by the Ancients, fusions
and separations, who only would communicate my opinion, and yield my
assistance for further proceeding; for I know that dealers in metals
giving too much credit to their small proof when they find nothing,
do, contemn oars as barren, often abounding with gold and silver;
when nevertheless, _John Mathes._ says expresly in his _Sarepta_,
that minerals oftentimes tryed in a small quantity do yield no gold
and silver, which in a great quantity, yield a great deal, wherefore
credit it is not always to be given to such tryals, often deceiving, as
experience testifies.
And this not only in those minerals which are digged out of the earth;
but also in those clayie and sandy minerals, abounding with silver and
golden flames; out of which neither by the less nor greater proofs, nor
ablution nor Mercury is drawn with gain that thin and fiery dispersed
gold: which by some waters is done without fire easily; for I know such
mines are found neer many rivers of Germany, and many places in other
Nations of Europe, out of which honest gain without much cost and labor
may easily be gotten. Neither are they dreams, which I have spoken
parabolically of the perfection of metals, for it is possible by art to
help nature in the perfecting things. There is therefore no more need
of any thing than of knowledge; therefore the nature of metals being
known, and their properties, they are easily separated, purged and
perfected.
But what I have written of the universal medicine, I have done for
the aforesaid causes, which have made me believe the thing, not as
professor of the Art. The other things of coloured red glasses and
looking glasses I have added, because they are easily prepared by this
furnace, as sometimes necessary in some works. Other things of the
handling metals are not without cause now omitted, which happily may be
sometime delivered in another place, wherefore now we end.
FINIS.
[Illustration: _fig._ I.
_fig._ II.
_fig._ III.
_fig._ V.
_fig._ IV.
_fig._ VI.]
THE
FIFTH PART
OF
Philosophical Furnaces:
_In which is treated of the wonderful Nature of the Fifth Furnace:
Also, of the easy Preparation of the Instruments and Materials
belonging to the foresaid Four Furnaces. Most profitable for
Chymical Physitians._
_Of the Preparation of the Furnace._
As concerning this, of which, though I made no mention in the Preface;
for it was not my Resolution to mention it in the last Part, because
I was purposed only to treat of the Instruments, as well earthen, as
those of glass, and also of the other necessary things belonging to
those four parts premised; yet I am willing now in this Part, (which
I have judged to be the most convenient place for it, for which I
did before design another) to discover the wonderful Nature thereof,
as far as I may for the Studious Artist’s sake. And although I know
that more in this part, than in all my other writings, especially the
ignorant and unskilful, will be offended; yet I will not therefore pass
it by, perswading my self, that by this means I shall do a work, that
will be most acceptable to the searchers of Art, and Nature. For I do
devoutly affirm, That this is the choicest of all my secrets that I
confide in, in which I have already seen wonderful things, hoping that
the Divine Benediction will some time or other be obtained upon the
practice thereof. And as for the structure of it, much cannot be said
thereof, because it is not built as other Furnaces are, but it is every
where found extructed by Nature, being ordained for no other works,
than those of Nature, _viz._ for the making of any _menstruum_ that
shall dissolve gold, silver, and all other metals, and minerals without
any noise, as also pretious, and common stones, and also glasses: the
original of which, is the original of the _Menstruum_. Now what, and
what manner of Furnace that is, that produceth this Royal _Menstruum_,
(coming from the _Menstruum_ it self) and that easily without any
labour, you may easily conjecture, that it is not any common one, by
the help whereof other things are distilled, that can yield such a
_Menstruum_ that is not corrosive: which certainly is not any common
_Menstruum_, because there is but this one _Menstruum_ that I know,
which doth not partake of any corrosive quality, that doth more than
any, or all other corrosive waters whatsoever. For all corrosives
whatsoever they are, as _aqua fortis_, _aqua regia_, spirit of salt,
vitrioll, allome, and nitre cannot together, and at once dissolve the
close union of gold, and silver, and other most hard subjects, that
cannot be dissolved in waters, though never so caustick.
This indeed is wonderful, and stupendous, that a thing every where
found most vile and base, should doe so great a miracle: I know not
what moved me to write of it, knowing that I shall in this part
offend not onely the wise by writing so openly, but also the ignorant
detractors, and slanderers that will accuse me of falsity. And truly
these considerations might justly have deterred me, but that I knew I
might doe a good work, recalling many from their errors: For many are
perswaded that there is no other dissolving _Menstruum_, besides the
aforesaid corrosive spirits; but those are Chymists that are ignorant
of Nature; yet the Philosophers with one consent say, that those
corrosive destructive spirits make a fruitless solution of metals;
for experience testifies, that the solutions made by the help of _aqua
fortis_, and _regia_, and other spirits, colour the hands, being
that which a true Philosophical solution doth not, and furthermore,
testifies, that those, _viz._ which colour the hands, are not to be
reckon’d among the true Philosophical solutions, but to be contemned as
Malignant. Wherefore I was willing to write these things to instruct
those that erre. Let no man therefore perswade himself, that a
_Menstruum_ so vile and contemptible, is of less efficacy, than those
corrosive spirits. I my self did once scarce believe, that so great
Vertues could be in so most vile a _Menstruum_, until I had experience
of the truth in good earnest.
I could here add more things concerning the original of the universal
_Menstruum_, which is so contemptible, which doth by its wonderful
powers and vertues dissolve all metals, minerals and stones radically
without any noise, unites and fixeth them; the solution whereof doth
not colour the hand; the conjunction is inseparable, and the fixation
incombustible; I say, I could add more things concerning it, but that
divers inconveniences, which by this means I might incur, as also
the envy and hatred of others do deter me. For although any one doth
think to discover the possibility of Art, and Nature; yet few would be
content therewith, being very desirous of all manner of revelation;
and if we should not gratify them, we should forthwith incur their
hatred and envy, who would without doubt judge otherwise of the matter,
if they had but any experience of our labours. Be thou therefore
(courteous Reader) contented with this discourse, that shews thee the
possibility of Art and Nature; and diligently seek after it in the fear
of God, and without doubt thy labour shall not be in vain.
_Of the Building of the Furnaces._
How those Furnaces of the first and second part are to be built and
made of Potters Clay, and Stones; I need not say much, because there
be many Books extant, treating of this matter sufficiently; yet this
caution is to be observed in building of the Furnaces, _viz._ that
those Furnaces, in which a very strong fire is not kindled, need not
so strong walls, as those in which we distil, sublime, and melt, with
a most strong fire. And for what belongs to subliming and distilling
Furnaces; you may erect them of those common bricks which are made of
the best clay, and well burnt, compassing them about with very strong
walls, that they may the longer retain the heat: or else you will
continually have something to do in mending them, and closing their
chinks, which hinder the regiment of fire. Wherefore they must be
compassed about with iron hoops, that they may be durable and not gape.
Now what concerns the melting Furnaces, the aforesaid bricks are not of
use in the building of them, because they not being durable melt in the
fire; wherefore you must make other bricks of a very good earth that
is fixed in the Fire, such as is that of crucibles, _&c._ of which,
afterwards; which are to be made in a brazen or wooden mould, and to
be burnt, and it matters not whether they be round or square, a regard
being had of the Furnace, that six or eight of them make one course, or
row. But you need not build the whole Furnace of those stones, for it
is sufficient, if the place only, where the coals still lye, be made of
them, and the other part of the Furnace be made of common bricks.
_A Lute for the erecting of Furnaces._
Lute may be made divers wayes for this business; for men prepare their
Lute several wayes as they please. Some mix with sifted Potters earth,
the beaten hairs of Cows, Oxen, Harts, or the chaffe of Barley, Tow,
Flocks, Horse dung, and the like, that hold together the clay, and
prevent chops, to which they add sometimes sifted sand, if the clay be
too fat, beating the mixture together with water, and bringing it to
a just consistence. And this is the best mixture, that is not subject
to cleaving, yet weak, because in length of time the hair and chaffe
are burnt, wherefore the Furnace becomes thin and weak. Many leave out
combustible things, and mix Potters clay, and sand together, and temper
them with brine, for the making of their Furnaces. And this is the best
mixture, because it is not combustible as the other is, neither is it
subject to cracking, by reason of the salt: and for this purpose, the
brine of fish and salt flesh doth serve, and is very good, because the
blood helps the joining of them together: but if the _Caput mortuum_
of vitriol or _Aqua fortis_, being mollifyed, be mixed with Potters
clay and sand, you go a better way to work: for this Lute is not at
all subject to cracking, but fixed in the fire and permanent. With
this Lute are Retorts, and Gourds very well luted, and coated, also
the joints of Retorts, and Receivers closed: this being mollifyed with
a wet cloth applyed to it, may again be separated, and taken off, as
that also with which salt is mixed: but the other Lutes that want salt
will not be separated, by reason whereof glasses oftentimes are broken.
Wherefore in defect of the _Caput mortuum_ of Vitriol, temper the clay
and sand with brine: But many mix the filings of iron, powdered glass,
flints, _&c._ but you need not them for the building of the Furnaces,
but only for the coating of certain glasses used for separation, and
distillation, because the filings of iron being helped with salt,
binds, and joins together most strongly.
_Of the closing of the Joints, hindering the evaporation of subtle
Spirits._
The aforesaid Lute is sufficient for the closing of the Joints of
the first Furnace, where air is not kept from the Spirits, but not
of the Vessels of the second Furnace, where most subtle Spirits are
distilled, which it cannot retain, penetrating the same with the loss
of the better part: wherefore you must make choice of another; unless
upon the other being well dryed, a mixture made of quick Lime, most
subtilly powdered, and Linseed-oyl, besmeared over with a pencil, which
the porous clay attracting to it, is fortifyed, so as to be able to
retain those most subtle Spirits: but this Lute can hardly be separated
again; because refusing water, it cannot be mollifyed; wherefore the
clay is to be tempered only with the white of eggs, and to be applyed
with linnen clouts: but you must prevent the burning of the linnen, by
reason of the extream heat of the neck of the Receiver, by putting
between an iron or strong glass, _viz._ betwixt the receiver and the
retort. The joints also may be closed with oxe bladders wet in the
white of eggs, also with starch tempered with water, if it be sometimes
applyed, being smeared on paper. For by this means those most subtile
spirits are easily retained, but not corrosive, for which use the
_caput mortum_ of _aqua fortis_ is more convenient which after it is
dryed must be smeared over with a mixture made of linseed oyl, and
quick lime.
And divers kinds of these lutes are had being destined to divers uses.
_Another Lute for broken Glasses._
It happens sometimes that glass vessels, as receivers, and retorts,
have some cracks, but otherwise are whole and sound; which are greater
in those glasses that do again suffer the heat of the Fire, wherefore
at last the glasses are broken, which if you will prevent, make a
liniment or thin lute of linseed oyl, quick lime, and red lead; which
being smeered over a linnen cloth apply to the crack, upon which being
dryed apply another: but if the crack be very great, you may apply
three or four linen cloths, for the greater safety sake: as you may
apply the whites of egges beaten together, upon the cracks with linnen,
and cast upon it quick lime sifted very fine, and press it down hard
with your hand: which being done, you may apply over them more linen
clouts wet in the whites of eggs, and cast upon them quick lime again:
which when the lute is well dryed, retaines the spirits, but sooner
subject to the corrosion of corrosive spirits than the former.
Note well that quick lime is not to be mixed with the white of eggs,
and so used upon linen clouts, as the manner of some is; because the
whites of eggs acquire a hardness from the lime before they be united,
and therefore cannot stick, but linen clouts wet First therewith before
the quick lime be cast upon them, so that the lime doth not immediately
touch the glass, being applyed betwixt two linen cloths.
_How those subtile spirits when they are made, may be kept that
they evaporate not._
Those glasses in which those spirits are kept are for the most part
stopt with cork, or wax, upon which afterward bladders are bound: which
stopping is convenient for some spirits, that do not prey upon cork or
wax: For all corrosive spirits, as of vitriol, Allome, common salt,
nitre, _&c._ corrode cork, and lixivial spirits, as that of harts-horn,
tartar, salt armoniack, urin, wine, _&c._ melt wax, and penetrate it.
And although other stopples might be made, which might retain both
sorts of spirits, yet it would be tedious and laborious to open those
so often, and to stop them again. Wherefore I have found out a fit kind
of glasses, _viz._ of such, whose mouths have distinctions, and are fit
to receive their covers; as it appears by the delineation. [_See the
first figure_]. _A._ signifies the cover: _B._ the glass containing
the spirit. _C._ a drawer by the help whereof the spirits are taken
out of the glass, when there is occasion, into the distinction in the
brim of the mouth; _viz._ of the glass that contains the spirit, is
put quicksilver, and upon this is put a cover; this being done, the
Mercury closeth the joynts of both glasses running in the brim, so
that nothing at all can evaporate: for the spirits do not penetrate the
Mercury, unless they be very corrosive (a thing to be noted) which then
in process of time turn the Mercury into water, but very seldom; and
then the Mercury is to be renewed. But we need not give so much honour
to corrosive spirits, being not to be compared to those volatile ones,
which being abstracted from corrosives not prey upon Mercury; and much
less than these, do lixivial spirits corrode Mercury; and for the sake
of these were these glasses invented, by the help whereof most subtile
spirits are without any loss of their vertues, if you please, a very
long time preserved and kept. And because when there is occasion the
spirits cannot be poured forth by reason of the Mercury in the brim,
you must get a drawer like to that, by the help whereof wine is taken
out of the vessel, but lesser, having a belly with a little mouth made
very accurately. This being let down you may take up as much as you
please, as is needful; the upper orifice whereof being stopped with
the finger nothing drops out; being put into a lesser glass is thence
poured forth for your use. Then you must again cover the remainder of
the spirit that is in the glass, and as oft as is needful take out with
that drawer as much as is useful. And this is the best way by which the
most subtile spirits are retained; which also are very well retained in
those glasses, whose stoples are of glass smoothed with grinding. But
this is a more costly way of keeping in spirits, and it is done after
this manner.
_How glass stopples are to be smoothed by grinding for the
retaining of spirits in their glass vessels._
First of all order the matter so that you have glass bottles of several
sorts, some greater, some lesser, with strong necks, and mouths, with
their glass stopples, which being smoothed by grinding shut the orifice
of the bottle very close: Now they are smoothed thus. Put the stopples
in the turn, being set or fastned in some wood, bring it into a round
shape, then being moistned with _Smiris_, and water mixed together, let
it be put to the mouth of the bottle, so as to be turned round in the
mouth of the bottle, which you must often take away from the stopples
being fastened to the turn, for the oftner moistening of it, which is
with that mixture of prepared _Smiris_ and water, with the help of a
pencil, or feather; and that so often and so long, until the stopple
stop the mouth of the bottle most closely: which being done, you wipe
off the _Smiris_ with a lint from the stopples and mouth of the bottle,
then smeer over the stopple with a liniment made of some fine washed
earth, and water, or oyl, and again turn it round in the mouth of the
bottle, and often smear it over with this fresh mixture, until the
stopple be most exactly smoothed, which afterward is to be tyed to its
proper bottle; the same also is to be understood concerning the rest,
that one may not be taken for an other, _&c._ And that you may not need
to take away so much from the stopples, and bottles, get some copper
moulds made for the stopples, which stopples must be taken whilest they
be yet warm, soft, and new drawn from the furnace, that they may be
made of a just roundness, as also other copper moulds. Which must be
put into the mouths of the bottles, whilest they be yet hot and soft,
for the better making of them round, whereby afterwards the stopple may
more easily, and quickly become fit to stop the mouths of the bottles
very close, (as for example: _A._ is the stopple, _B._ the glass or
bottle) if thou knowest how to order them rightly, they will quickly
and easily fit one the other.
In defect of a turn, proceed after the following manner, which is
slow, yet safe, because in a turn the glasses, oftentimes waxing hot
are broken by reason of the over great hast; and it is thus, make
an iron or wooden receptacle fit to receive the glass bottle, which
being covered about with linen, and put in, join both parts of the
receptacle warily and softly, with the help of a screw, that the bottle
be not broken, and that that instrument, or receptacle of the bottle
being fastened to a form with the help of the screw, cannot be moved.
Afterwards cause that another wooden instrument be made for the stopple
(as for example, _A._ the stopple with its receptacle _B._ the bottle
with its receptacle) that may be separated in the middle, and be again
reunited with a screw after the putting in of the stopple, which being
smeered over with the aforesaid mixture of _smiris_ and water, take the
instrument with both hands, and put the stopple round about the neck
of the bottle, and grind it round upon the other, as Wine Coopers are
used to do in smoothing the taps; and that so long until the stopple
be fit for the bottle; then reitereate the same labour with the earth
_tripolis_, until it be compleated; and it will stop as well as a
stopple made by the help of a turn [_See the second and third Figures
before the fourth part._]
After this manner also you must work those greater glass receivers of
the first furnace, that without luting they may be closed. Stopples
also of vials or Boltheads for fixation may be wrought after this
manner, which in stead of luting may be put into the mouths of the
vials, upon which are put caps of lead; by which means in case of
necessity they may be lifted up, _viz._ in case the spirits by too
strong a fire be stirred up and rarified, by reason of the danger the
glasses are in to be broken, and may again fall down into the mouths
of the bottles being pressed down with the leaden caps, and so stop
close again. And this way of stopping is better then that which is done
with cork, wax, sulphur, and other things: because in case the fire be
not well governed, and by consequence an errour is committed, you may
preserve your glasses by lifting up of the stopples, _viz._ when the
spirits are too much stirred up. And although this be a better way of
stopping than the other common way; yet that which follows is better
then this, whereby the spirits are easily retained, the glasses being
preserved, and without all danger of being broken. And it is thus,
_viz._ get a glass pipe to be made crooked according to the figure set
down, into the belly whereof is quicksilver to be put from half an
ounce to an ounce, or thereabouts, and let this pipe which hath a belly
be put into the vial containing the matter to be fixed (as for example.
_A._ the pipe with a belly, _B._ is the vial, and again _C._ signifies
the aforesaid leaden cap with the neck of the vial _D._) the joints
whereof afterwards are to be covered over with lute, and the vial will
never be in danger of being broken. _See the fourth Figure._
These foresaid ways of stopping are the best, by which the breakings
of glasses are prevented, _viz._ whilest men are in an errour about
the fixing of spirits of salts, minerals and metals, which although
they are fixed with great costs and labours, yet do not satisfie
what is promised and expected, because those kinds of fixations are
violent and forced, and by consequence contrary to nature: but in
the profitable fixation of spirits, not so, where we must follow
Nature, and not commit our selves to fortune in our labours. For only
fools are wont to break their glasses in their supposed tincture; but
Philosophers not so; for _every violent thing is an enemy to Nature_;
and all the operations of Nature are spontaneous. They erre therefore,
and never shall come unto their desired end, who attempt violent
fixations. I cannot be perswaded that bodies dead, or half dead can
be so mixed together as to multiply: but I could easily believe that
the conjunction of male and female of one and the same species, sound
and nourished with sound and wholesome meats to be natural, and to
make a spontaneous propagation, and multiplication of their species;
_viz._ of those that endure in a good, and adverse fortune, in life,
and death; but the conjunction of dead things, to be dead, and barren.
Do but consider how many and various instruments both gold, silver,
copper, iron, tin, and lead; as also earthen, glass, stone, and other
vessels of other materials have been already invented, and found out
for the fixing of Mercury alone with gold and silver, but in vain,
because they have no mutual affinity. For although Mercury adheres to
metals, or metals to it, yet that is not by reason of any affinity for
multiplication, or perfection sake: for it appears by experience that
Mercury flies away in the fire, and leaves the gold, silver and other
metals. Where it is clear that they have no mutual affinity requisite
for the multiplication of metals, nor is it ever possible: For they
that have a mutual affinity embrace one the other and abide together
for ever, although volatile, yet never leave one the other, like gold
and Mercury, when they are united together with the strongest bond,
so that they can never be separated although with the strongest fire.
Wherefore a great care is to be had in the fixation of things joined
together; which if they have a mutual affinity, will embrace and retain
one the other, without the help of any curious glasses with long necks.
Of which things if thou art ignorant, abstain from medling with them,
as being more hurtful then profitable, as dayly experience both mine
own, and others do witness. But that thou mayst the better understand
what things have a mutual affinity one with the other: attend a little
to what I shall say.
Is not he to be laughed at for his folly who will pour rain, or common
water on gold, silver, and other metals to fix them? See therefore the
unwise actions of many covetous Alchymists in so hard a matter, that
spend their time in trifles, reaping according to what they have sowed,
and at last leave off their work which they have undertaken, after they
have expended much cost, and spent their labour in stenches, watchings,
and cares. For I have oftentimes seen those, that although they have
not chosen common water for their _menstruum_, yet have made choice of
_May_-dew, snow or rain gathered in _March_, and water distilled out
of Nostock, or excrement of Stars; vegetables and animals for their
solvent, in which they have lost their labour.
For as the radical union of the aforesaid things with metals is
impossible: so never is any good to be produced from thence, by reason
of their difference. And such may deservedly be compared to those,
who ascending a very high ladder that hath many steps, doe presently
endeavour to fly from the lowermost to the uppermost; which is a thing
impossible: so neither can there be any conjunction of things that do
so much differ. But as any one may easily ascend the highest step by
degrees, so also any one may (which yet he need not do) join together
extreams, by adding first a thing that is most near to one of the
extreams, and then to this another next to it, and so by consequence,
until you come to the other extream, which is a thing that requires a
very long time, and is a work without profit. And if things be joined
together that have the next affinity, the one will be delighted in
the other, and the one will embrace the other, will overcome, and
retain it. As for example, there is a certain salt, and that only,
that can coagulate, and turn into a body like to it self, even common
water, which can be fixed in a very little time, with, and by one only
certain mineral, which is very volatile. Minerals also may be fixed
by metals, and metals, (a thing which I never yet tryed) by a certain
thing more excellent than metals, without all doubt. But therefore it
is needful in the fixation of minerals to begin with the coagulation
of water, whereby it is turned into salt; and this afterward into a
mineral; which would be too tedious; but it is sufficient to begin in
things most near, in which nature hath begun to operate, but hath left
imperfect; for then there is hope of gain, if contrary things are not
joined together, else not. Behold how ready Nature is at hand to help
any thing that is administred to it, which it can help: as for example,
make salt of calcined Tartar by the help of solution and coagulation
(but do not take that for it, of which a little before mention hath
been made, which is far better than salt of Tartar) of which after it
is calcined, observe the weight; upon which afterwards pour half the
weight of most pure rain water; distilled to avoid the suspition of
impurity; then draw off the water gently in _Balneo_, or Sand, which
again pour upon the remaining salt of Tartar, and again draw it off;
this do so often as is needful, until all the water be consumed. Which
being done, take out the salt, and weigh it, being first made red hot
in the Fire, and thou shalt find it to be increased in weight, which
increase came from the water, and not elsewhere.
Note well that the cohobation of the water is to be reiterated often
upon the salt of Tartar. Observe, that by this means, the water is
convertible into salt by Art, _&c._ And if thou dost not believe the
conversion of things material and corporeal, how wilt thou believe
the conversion of things immaterial, as of the Sun, and Fire into a
material fixed substance; of which thing, something shall be treated
in our Treatise of _Aurum potabile_, and more at large afterwards in a
Treatise _De Generatione Metallorum_, if God permit: For you must know
that the circulation of the Elements, and things elementated, _viz._
how one is converted into another; and how they nourish and cherish
one the other: as for example, the Earth yields Water, the Water Air,
the Air Fire, and the Fire again Earth; which if it be pure, yields
pure Earth. But that thou maist understand aright how any thing to be
fixed, may be retained by another, by reason of affinity, observe the
following example. The Husbandman casting seed into the Earth for to
multiply, doth not choose any Earth, but that which is convenient for
multiplication, _viz._ an Earth that is neither too dry, nor too moist;
for the seed cast in sand cannot grow, but is lost: For whatsoever is
to be preserved, is to be preserved by an equal temper; which, by
how much it is more equal or like, so much the more perfect substance
it doth produce. Humidity therefore being necessarily requisite for
the growth of vegetables, without which, they can neither grow, nor
multiply, but the seed being cast into moist sand, and the Rayes of the
Sun acting upon the sand, and suddenly consuming the humidity thereof,
whence follows the burning up of the seed in the dry sand, because
there was no affinity betwixt the water, and sand; without which, the
water could not be retained by the sand, and consequently, the seed
deprived of its nutriment; it follows necessarily, that some _medium_
be required, or bond joining and binding the rain, and sand; _viz._
salt, by the help whereof, the rain water is retained by the sand, that
it be not so easily consumed by the heat of the sun.
The sand therefore retains the salt, and the salt, the rain water for
the nutrition of the bud: but every salt is not convenient for this
business; for although Christ saith, _Luk. Chap. 14_, Verse the last,
that earth without salt is barren; yet any common salt is not to be
understood thereby: [_See more de Natura Salium._] for some salts, as
common salt, salt of Vitriol, Allome, _&c._ do not only not do good,
but do hurt to Vegetables, hindering by reason of their dryness their
growth and increase. Now lixivial salts promote them, that which
Country-men do better understand, than our supposed Philosophers:
for they know how to help their barren ground with the excrements of
Animals; which are nothing else but a lixivial salt mixed with Sulphur,
making the earth fat and fertile. And by this means a _vehiculum_
(rather a bond) is administred to the rain water, that it may the less
be consumed by the heat of the Sun. Moreover, all seed (consisting in
a lixivial salt and sulphur) loves its like, from whence it borrows
its Nutriment, which is observed but by a few Learned or Unlearned.
Husband-Men may well be excused of their ignorance, because they
work only out of Use and Custome. But others that bear the Title of
Learning not so; whose Duty it is to Render a reason of Germination,
who may deservedly be Ashamed of their Ignorance, being less knowing
than Husband-Men. It is manifest, that Dung makes the Earth Fruitful;
but how, and for what reason, not so; but if it did want nitrous salt,
it would neither make it Fertile, nor promote Germination: for it is
not unknown, that Nitre is made out of the excrements of Animals. The
goodness therefore of the dung consists only in the lixivial salt
contained in it, and not in the straw.
But you will ask perhaps, why doth not any other salt help Germination?
Why is the salt of dung required to Germination, and no other? We have
already answered that, like are helped with like; and contraries are
destroyed by contraries: For experience doth testify, that every seed
consists in a lixivial salt and sulphur, and not in any acid salt;
wherefore also it doth desire and embrace its like. Let him therefore,
that will not believe it, make tryal of the distillation of the seed of
any vegetable; of which, let him force over a pound by a retort; and he
shall see by experience, that not an acid spirit, but a flegm together
with plenty of oyl, and volatile salt whitening the whole Receiver,
comes over; being that which no root or stalk can do: for the chiefest
vertue, odour, and tast of vegetables, animals, and minerals is found
in the seed, in which thing provident Nature hath done very well,
whilest she attributes the chiefest faculties to the seed, being
more obnoxious to injuries then the rest, which is also preserved,
nourished; and cherished by its like.
Now this discourse which might otherwise have been omitted, was
therefore appointed, that the cause of the germination of vegetables
might be made the more manifest; and that what things have been spoken
of the attraction, and fixation of all things might the better be
understood. The germination therefore, and multiplication of both
minerals, vegetables and animals must be spontaneous, and not forced,
as is that barren and frustraneous of the false Chymists, because
preternatural. Wherefore when you fix any thing be cautious in the
adding of any thing that should retain it, with which nothing can be
fixed. Fire indeed doth always do its office; but it knows not how to
help any preternatural thing; which it doth wholly destroy, against
which nothing can be prevalent, unless it be rightly ordained according
to Nature.
And thus much is spoken for instruction sake, to thee that intendest to
fix any thing, lest otherwise thou losest thy labour.
_Of the making of the best crucibles._
The best crucibles that are requisite for the fourth furnace, not being
found in every place, I thought it worth while to set down the manner
of making them: for I am not ignorant how oftentimes many for want of
these are constrained to be content with those that are useless, and
truly with great loss of metals, whilest the crucibles are broken in
the fire, and consequently with a tediousness in drawing them out of
the ashes.
Chymists have been in a great errour a long time, and not only they but
also goldsmiths, and they that separate metals, as also others that
need the help of crucibles, who perswade themselves that the best earth
that is fit to make the best crucibles is to be found no where but in
_Hassia_; and therefore with great charges have caused that Gibsensian
crucibles be brought over; not considering that almost in every place
in Germany such earth is to be found, which indeed is a very great
folly of men, proceeding from the not knowing of good earth which is
to be found almost every where. I do not deny but that the earth of
_Hassia_ is very good for crucibles, tyles, retorts, and other vessels
which are to be set in a very great Fire, for which cause also is
commended Gibsensian, and Waldburgensian crucibles.
A few years since some have made their crucibles, and other vessels
that will endure the fire well, of earth brought out of _England_, and
_France_ into _Holland_, which have retained metals very well in the
fire, but not salts, because they are too porous and not so compact
as those of _Hassia_, wherefore those of _Hassia_ are still preferred
before others, retaining better, metals, and salts. But although this
earth be brought from thence to other places, yet such strong crucibles
could not be made thereof, the cause whereof being not the constitution
of the air, and place to Which some have falsely imputed it, but an
error in the making and burning of them. For in _Hassia_ there is a
great abundance of wood, of which there is no sparing in the burning
the crucibles even to a stony hardness, which could not be done by a
smal Fire of turffes.
The like errour is committed about stone pots, and other vessels which
are made at _Frechemium_ and _Siburgus_, and other places near _Colen_,
which are carryed almost through all Europe, the goodness whereof is
ascribed only to the earth, and not to the making. But now experience
hath taught us that any good earth doth become stony in a violent
fire, without respect of the place where it is taken. Wherefore it
is very probable, being a thing possible, that such vessels are made
elsewhere: for every earth being burnt retaining a white colour, _viz._
with an indifferent Fire, makes pots, and crucibles porous, but with a
stronger, and with a longer delay, compact like glass, especially if
common salt be cast in a plentiful manner upon them, being burnt with
a very strong fire, because it addes to them being very well burnt
within an external glasy smoothness, by which means they will be the
better able to retain spirits in the Fire. Wherefore let no man doubt
concerning the making the foresaid vessels of any other earth that is
white in burning, with the help of a very strong Fire: which by how
much the greater whiteness it gets in burning, by so much the better
and excellent pots it makes; and seeing there is a great difference of
making crucibles to be set in the Fire, and of stone pots retaining
liquid things, I shall shew the manner of making both, _viz._ of stone
pots belonging to the first and second furnace, and of crucibles to the
fourth, and thus it is.
He that will try the goodness of white and pure earth, _viz._ whether
it grows stony in the fire, let him cast a peice of crude earth of the
bigness of a hens egge into a very strong Fire, observing whether it
doth quickly or slowly cleave and break in pieces; which if it doth not
cleave and become powder, although it may have some cracks, is good
earth, and fit for burning, if so be the mixture be well made, in which
lys the art.
The earth that is to be burnt, for pots, receivers, and bottles, needs
no other preparation then that for bricks, which because for the most
part it is too fat, you must mix with it clean sifted fusible sand,
tread it with your feet, and knead it with your hands before vessels be
made thereof; which being made are to be dryed in the heat of the Sun,
or in some other warm place; and being dryed are to be burnt in a very
strong Fire for the space of twenty four or thirty hours, on which in
the mean time you may cast salt if you please, which being thus burnt
do like glass retain easily all liquid things. But let him that makes
crucibles, tyles, bricks and other vessels appointed for a very strong
Fire, use more diligence in the making of them. And truly first he must
beat very small with a wooden hammer, the earth being dryed well in the
Sun, or elsewhere, and being beaten searse it through a great searse,
and to one part of the sifted earth mix two, three, or four parts (the
fatness of the earth being considered) of the earth burnt in a potters
furnace, and powdered, which being mixed with a sufficient quantity
of water he must tread with his feet, and afterwards knead with his
hands, and the earth will be prepared for the making of vessels, and
when he makes crucibles and tests, let him provide for wooden moulds
both greater and smaller, made in a turn, by the help whereof they may
be made, for the aforesaid vessels cannot be formed by the usual art of
the potters; because the matter of them must be very lean, appointed
for a most strong fire; wherefore commonly they are made by the help of
moulds after the following manner.
Let a piece of the prepared earth be applyed with your hands to the
mould, which you must hold in one hand, applying and fitting the earth
thereto with the other, or hold it with your legs, that the earth may
be applyed with both your hands. Also you must first rub the mould very
well with clean sifted sand, for else the earth will so stick to the
wooden mould, that a crucible can scarce be taken off without danger,
which being done, it is further fitted by striking it with a wooden
instrument smoothed for the purpose, by which means the crucible lyes
very exactly upon the mould, for by this means crucibles are made very
strong; which being done also let the crucible be taken off, and set
upon a board, and be dryed, first in the air, then by the heat of the
fire, or sun, and then be burned in the first chamber of our fourth
furnace, or in a potters furnace. And if you intend only to melt metals
and not salts, you need not burn the crucibles if they be well, and
exactly made.
Now this caution is to be observed in melting by the help of crucibles
not burnt, that you must give fire above by little and little, for fear
of breaking the crucibles feeling a suddain heat.
Now that they may be made equal in strength, weight, and thickness, you
must weigh one crucible rightly made by the help of the mould in one
scale, and a piece of the prepared earth, which is to be put into the
other scale, and if they be equal in weight, take out that piece, and
put in another; and this do so often, till you be come to the number of
the crucibles which you would have made: By this means they are made
equal, and you need not cut off any overplus of the earth when it is
fitted to the mould, because all are made equal, by reason of the equal
weight of the matter of each of them, and the work is sooner done then
otherwise.
This indeed is the best way but tedious and laborious, wherefore
considering the matter a little more seriously, I found at last that
the following way is far better than the former: whereby not only
stronger crucibles are made, but also more in one hour, then in that
former common way in three or four. Where first, the mould is made of
latten (on which I advise you to apply the earth) signified by the
letter _A._ _viz._ that being the best, which is made by the help of
fusion. Then the counter-mould answering this, signified by the letter
_B._ yet so that that do not enter too deep into this, not touching
the bottom by the distance at least of one fingers breadth; but in
greater crucibles a greater thickness of the bottom is required, as the
practise will teach thee.
Let him therefore that is making crucibles apply the earth to the
mould, as hath been above said in the First manner, which being done,
let him again take off the crucible that is formed or cast, and set
it in the air to be dryed. Then having First made a sufficient number
of crucibles, let him make the mould clean from the earth or sand,
and annoynt it with grease, or oyl Olive taken up with a sponge, as
also the counter-mould, into which let him put the crucible being half
made and dryed, and into this the mould, which he must strike above
twice or twice or thrice with a heavy wooden mallet, that the earth
may be rightly, and exactly applyed to the mould; which being done let
him take off the mould, and turn the countermould together with the
crucible, which let him knock a little against the form (where the
crucibles are made) and let him take in his hand the crucible falling
from thence; which he must afterwards dry and burn, as hath been above
said in the First manner. And by this way are made the best, and the
best proportioned crucibles, Fixed and smooth, not only for melting of
metals, but also for minerals and salts; the like to which I never yet
saw, as being without all danger, if so be rightly made of the best
earth. And that they may be made equal in weight and strength, they
must be weighed as before hath been said, And this labour is easie and
pleasant, when they are made with ones own hand, and that greater or
lesser at pleasure.
After the same manner also are made tests _viz._ by the help of the
like kind of moulds, which must not be long but plain like shells as
appears by the annexed Figure, _A._ and _B._ Not only tests but also
cuples are made by the help of these moulds. [_See the fifth and sixth
Figures._]
Now tests are made more easily this way then crucibles, because the
earth only is weighed, and being handled with the hands is put into the
counter-mould, which then you must with the upper-part press hard; that
it may be made conformable to the mould, _viz._ plain, not long, that
which may easily therefore be made; and for this cause those crucibles
are easily again taken out, _viz._ if the mould be turned, or the
counter-mould be a little knocked against the sides of the form. And if
the earth be beaten in too fast that it goes out at the sides, you must
cut it off with a knife, or else the crucible, or test is hardly taken
out, sticking to the brims, which practise will teach thee. For all
things cannot be so accurately demonstrated by a pen.
And take this for a caution, that thou do not make thy tests and
crucibles of earth that is too soft, but of that which is half dry,
otherwise they are hardly taken out of the moulds; for that is more
easily and rightly applyed to the mould. And if thou proceed rightly
according to the prescript, scarce one crucible of a hundred will be
lost.
This also is to be observed, that the superfluous earth which is cut
off must not be mixed again with the mass for crucibles, because it
is spoyled with the fat, or oyl that is smeared over the moulds, and
therefore cannot be so well mixed again, and being burnt cleaves, for
which cause bad crucibles are made. Wherefore it is to be kept apart
for mending of furnaces that are spoiled with an extraordinary heat of
the Fire; or for covers of crucibles that are to be made by the help of
the hands only, or of moulds, which we cannot want, if we would work
all things exactly.
Now for tyles, and other vessels that serve for distillation, and
melting, they are made by the help of wooden moulds after this manner.
Let the mould be made exactly like to the tyles, and other vessels,
then cut off leaves from the earth being very well prepared, with a
copper wier upon two equal tables of wood, and then a piece of the
earth is to be laid with a knife upon the mould, that it may there get
some hardness; which afterward is to be taken away, dryed well, and
burnt. And if any thing further is to be done, _viz._ by cutting off,
or adding, it must be done by earth half dryed, or a little hardened.
For by this means any one may get for himself earthen vessels that are
necessary, without much cost or pains for certainty sake. For those
that are sold, are negligently made, in which oftentimes in the drying,
the cracks which are made, are filled up with some earthen liniment,
before they are burnt, which therefore are not durable in the fire,
but are broken, and that oftentimes not without great loss of the
metal, which is again to be gathered out of the ashes by the help of
a tedious washing. It is better therefore to work those vessels with
ones own hand for certainty sake. For not all and every crucible can
alwaies and every where be made equal, and be of a like durableness
in the Fire, though they are made most diligently: and therefore a
consideration being had of their goodness, they may be used for divers
uses, and the better may be used in the melting of the better metals.
But let no man perswade himself that all these can indifferently hold
in the Fire, although they be the best of all, how many soever you
make; for I never yet saw any earth which could hold litharge in the
Fire and salt of Tartar, because the best that ever I saw is not free
from penetration of them, which is the greatest impediment of some
profitable operations, which therefore are omitted.
And let this which hath been spoken, suffice concerning the making of
crucibles: let every one therefore that hath a care of his business,
use better diligence for the time to come in the making crucibles for
more certainty sake, and he will not repent of his labour. Now how
Tests and Cuples may be exactly applyed to the aforesaid Molds, is
not my work at this time to shew, because many years since it hath
been done by others; especially, by that most ingenious Man, _Lazarus
Ercker_, whose Writings concerning the manner of making of Tests and
Cuples I cannot mend, to which Authors I refer the Reader, where he
shall find sufficient Instruction and Information concerning this
matter. But there are also other Tests, of which I shall say nothing in
this place, but elsewhere happily I may, by the help whereof, lead is
bettered in tryal if it be sometimes melted again.
_Of the vitrification of Earthen Vessels belonging to the first and
second Furnace._
In the defect of glass Instruments belonging to our first Furnace,
you may make such as are very useful, of the best Earth, which being
well glazed, or double glazed, are sometimes better than old Glass;
especially, those that are made of Earth that do not drink up the
spirit, such as is found almost every where, which becomes stony being
burnt: Now the Art of burning hath not hitherto been so well known, of
which something hath been said already, where the Earth being burnt
with a very strong fire, is made so compact, as that it becomes hard
and solid as a stone. The Potters Furnaces being too weak for this
strong burning, there is required a peculiar Furnace for this Work;
in which, the strongest fire for the burning of them may be made: But
because no body thinks to build such an one, only for some few Vessels
not worth the spending of costs and labours: there is yet another way
of vitrifying of any sort of Earth (red Clay only excepted) not to be
slighted if well done; especially, if the matter vitrifying when it is
cold after the burning is ended, doth not cleave and chop, and it is
not hurt by corrosive spirits as the glass made of lead, retaining
spirits, as well subtle as corrosive, as that white vitrification
of the _Italians_ and _Hollanders_: you must therefore in defect of
a fitting Furnace, wherein Vessels being burnt become stony, make
them of the best Earth, and glaze them with the best Glass of Tin,
but not of Lead; and by how much the more the calx of Tin goes into
the vitrifying mixture, so much the better is it made; for Tin being
reduced into a calx with Lead, hath no more affinity with corrosive
spirits; wherefore it is more fit for vitrification. But he that will
not be at so much costs, let him vitrify with Venice Glass powdered,
which vitrification also is not to be slighted, requiring a very great
heat for the burning, and therefore flowing with great difficulty in
these common Potters Furnaces; wherefore you must mix some Borax with
the Glass, that it may flow so much the more easily in the Potters
Furnace; else you must pour upon the earthen Vessels being burnt, Water
mixt with Glass, so that it the Glass may stick to them every where
exactly, which afterwards being well dryed, shall be gathered together
into one heap artificially, lest they take up too great a space, like
earthen Dishes that are to be burnt, and afterwards compass them round
about every where with burnt Bricks, an hole being left open above
for the casting in of coals, yet so, that the Bricks be distant from
the Vessels the breadth of an hand, whereby the coals being cast in
above, may the more freely go round about down to the bottom; which
space being filled with dry coals, you must put upon them other living
coals, that the fire being kindled above, may by little and little burn
downward and perform its work; which being so done, the Vessels will be
out of all danger, if so be they are all well dryed.
The fire being kindled and burning, you must cover the hole with
stones, until the fire of its own accord be extinguisht; the coals
being spent and the vessels become cold.
N. B. Now if there be a great heap of vessels, you must first, the
coals being burnt, add fresh coals once more; for else the vessels
being placed in the middle, cannot be sufficiently burnt, nor the glass
sufficiently flow; wherefore caution is required in the governing of
the fire in this manner, where, if all things are rightly done, the
vessels are better and more truly burnt and vitrifyed than in any
common Potters Furnace whatsoever; yet with greater danger to the
vessels than in a Potters Furnace compassed about with walls. But
let him that burns crucibles and other smaller vessels, burn them in
our melting or distilling Furnace, being covered with coals, giving
Fire first above, for so I my self was wont hitherto to burn all my
crucibles, and burn and glaze all other distilling vessels; and this in
defect of fitting Furnaces is the best way of burning and vitrifying,
where in three or four hours space, the vessels are exactly burnt and
vitrifyed. Now the earth that is to be burnt quickly, must be the best,
and durable in the Fire, for fear of breaking of some of the vessels.
Let him therefore in this case for security sake, use our fourth
Furnace, who hath built it with his chambers, in the first wherereof
he may burn and vitrify without any danger. But that foresaid way of
burning and vitrifying, is not to be slighted; wherefore I would have
thee be admonished to be cautious in giving of Fire, that you give no
more or less than you should, lest afterwards you impute the cause
of your errour committed, to me, whilst the vessels are broke as if I
had not wrote the Truth, but to thy self that errest, and must for the
future be more diligent, and cautious in this work.
I know other vitrifications of divers colours hitherto unknown, and
indeed most secret, not to be communicated to every one indifferently:
but he that knows how to reduce metals into a true glass, retaining the
colour of its metal, is indeed the inventor of a very great secret; to
whom, if he consider the matter more profoundly, and exercise himself
therein, a Gate is open, with the blessing of God, to a greater light.
There are also other vitrifications, with which the earth being
covered doth appear, as if it were adorned with Gems; but because it
is not our purpose now to treat of such kinds, I shall make an end of
vitrifications, one only excepted, which I shall communicate for the
sake of the Sick, and Physitians; and it is this:
Make little earthen Cups very smooth and white of the best earth
being burnt: then make the following glasse to flow in a very strong
crucible, in which dip one cup after another, being held with tongs,
and first made red hot in some little Furnace, letting them lye covered
therein for a while, that the earth may the better attract the glass;
which being done, let them be taken out, and be set again into the
foresaid collateral Furnace, where they were before made red hot, when
one is taken out, dip another in the molten glass in its place, which
also is again to be set as the first into the aforesaid Furnace; and
this is to be reiterated so often, until all the pots be covered over
with glass: all which being done, the Furnace is to be shut close every
where, that the wind enter not into it, and so it is to be left until
it become cold of it self, and the glass covering over the cups remain
intire, which otherwise cannot be if the cups be set in a cold place;
now the glass is made after this manner.
Take of crude Antimony two parts, of pure Nitre one part; grind them
well being mixt together, kindle the mixture being put into a crucible
with a red hot iron, and the Sulphur of Antimony will be burnt together
with the Nitre, a mass of a brown colour being left behind, which you
must take out while it is hot with a spatle that it may cool, which
afterwards being melted in another strong crucible for the space of
half an hour, or an hour, makes that glass with which the aforesaid
cups with their covers are covered over.
_Of the use of the aforesaid Cups._
There is no one that can deny that Antimony is the most excellent of
all vomitives, wherefore, so many and so various preparations have been
invented by Physitians for the taking away of the malignity thereof;
whereof I have shewed some, together with the use thereof in the First
and Second Part of this Book, where alwaies one is better than another;
yet notwithstanding ’tis confest, that Antimony reduced into Glass, is
sufficient to purge the Stomack and Bowels from all corrupt Humors, and
that without all danger, (being rightly administred) as well by vomit
as by stool, by which means many grievous imminent Diseases are not
only prevented, but also presently are cured.
But you infer, that this is yet a crude and imperfect preparation, and
therefore not so safe. To which I answer, that Antimony that purgeth,
needeth no preparation, for if all the crudity thereof were wholly
taken away by fixation, it would no more cause vomiting or stools;
wherefore the aforesaid glass of Antimony is not to be feared, because
it is not dangerous, but may safely be given to Children that are one
or two years old, but not in form of a powder, but in infusion or
extraction of its chiefest vertue made with honey, sugar and wine,
sweet or sowre. After which manner being given, it attracts from all
the bowels all vitious humours, and evacuates them as well upward as
downward, without danger; of which thing elsewhere more at large. Let
him that useth the aforesaid Cups, infuse one or two ounces of wine,
and set them a whole night in some warm place, and the wine will
attract from the glass so much as doth suffice it, which afterwards
being drank in a morning, doth perform the same as an infusion made
with the powder of Stibium; and this is a more delicate way than the
other, because a Cup is sent to the Patient that he may infuse in it
the space of a night, two or three spoonfuls of proper wine, placeing
it in some warm place, which he may drink up blood warm in the morning,
with a due ordering of himself afterwards: Which, in my judgment is a
more delicate way, being made with ones one wine, and ones one hand,
than that tedious way of potions, both large, bitter, and nauseous. And
this Cup may oftentimes be used, and if at length the wine should not
attract sufficiently, the Cup with the wine is to be set in seething
hot water for a little time, that the wine might the better attract,
and work, when need shall require. Now he that gives such kind of Cups
to others, must instruct them concerning the ordering, and administring
of the same. One Cup is sufficient for the Master of a Family, with
his whole Family for all the daies of their life. It is not to be used
by all, and every one, and in all Diseases indifferently, but only by
those that are strong and young; and where the principal parts are
not hurt. Cups may also after another way be covered over with Glass
without Antimony, as follows.
Sublime _Auripigmentum_ in a Glass or Earthen Gourd; and take the
gallant golden coloured Flowers thereof, which being after a peculiar
manner melted, yield a red and most beautiful Glass almost like an
Oriental Ruby, which being broken in pieces, may be used in stead of an
Ornament; but this is more soft, and brittle, than Glass of Antimony.
This Glass, or those Flowers of _Auripigmentum_, which are not yet
reduced into Glass, do notably glaze the aforesaid Cups with a red
beautiful Colour.
He therefore that will vitrify the aforesaid Cups, must first heat them
red hot in a Fire made with Coals; and being thus hot, dip them in the
aforesaid melted Flowers, and being taken out thence, put them under
an earthen, or iron red hot vessel, and there let them cool which do
perform the same things as those which are said of the Antimonial Cups.
These Cups are not dangerous, as to be feared, because as Antimony is
corrected by calcination, so _Auripigmentum_ is by sublimation: from
which, if all the malignity be taken away either by Fire, or by nitre,
the vomitive vertue is taken away, as afterward shall be demonstrated
more at large in these five parts, when they shall come forth again
with enlargements, _viz._ what purging things are, and how they put
forth their vertues, a consideration being had of their malignity.
There are also other ways of vitrification, and indeed very fine, and
most desireable by all, if they should be communicated; but because it
is not now my purpose to treat here of mechanical things, but only of
some particular vitrifications of vessels belonging to our furnaces, I
am resolved to omit them at this time, and make an end of these things.
I am resolved, God willing, to set forth these parts more corrected,
and in a larger manner, where many excellent things now omitted for
some reasons, shall be published, and communicated.
Wherefore I will now put an end to this fifth part, where although
I might have added something that is singular concerning artificial
furnaces, yet because time will not now permit, it shall be deferred to
another time and place, where we shall treat further of the examining,
trying and separation of metals: For the best way of melting of metals
in a greater quantity hath not yet been known: And although they that
deal in minerals perswade themselves of the perfection of their art,
yet I can demonstrate an easier, and more compendious way of melting of
metals in a shorter time, in a greater quantity, and with less costs
and pains. Of which more at large elsewhere, wherefore (Courteous
Reader) be contented with these things, and if I shall see that these
few things shall be acceptable to thee, I will sometime hereafter for
thy sake and to thy profit communicate _wonderful secrets_ which the
world will not believe, and which hitherto are hid, either out of envy
or ignorance.
FINIS.
AN
APPENDIX.
Two years since I began to publish my new invented furnaces where
also there was mention made of some secrets, which though I thought
never to divulge; yet nevertheless I underwent many troubles for the
communicating of them. Wherefore I beseech every body that they would
no more create troubles to me or to themselves by their petitions or
writings, because for certain causes I shall for the future communicate
nothing but those things which follow. Expect therefore patiently
the time of another Edition, when these five parts shall come forth
more corrected and enlarged, and many most choice secrets shall be
communicated, which were for certain causes omitted in the first
Edition.
I shall now God willing communicate those things which follow, yet upon
this condition (because many are such, that by means thereof thou maist
with a good conscience, without hurt to thy neighbour, through Gods
blessing, get great riches) that thou be mindful of the poor, and a
good steward of riches got honestly, and use them to the glory of God
and the eternal salvation of thy soul.
The preparation of corn, as of Barley, Wheat, Oates, _&c._ of Apples,
Pears, Cherries, _&c._, where fermentation being made they do yield
by way of distillation a pure spirit very like to the spirit of wine
without great costs; of the remainders whereof if the matter were corn,
may be made good beer, or vinegar; but if the matter were any kinde of
fruit, as apples, pears, a very good drink like to wine, so that by
this means thou maist find a double profit, by which thou maist not
only have whereby to live honestly, but also to lay up for thy heirs.
An excellent and wholesome drink of fruit, and corn, that is durable
and like to Spanish, French, and Rhenish wine.
A distillation of the _Aqua vitæ_ of certain vulgar things not costly
and like to the _Aqua vitæ_ of French and Rhenish wine.
A preparation of sugar like to the Western, and of tartar like to the
natural Rhenish, out of honey and not costly; where one pound of sugar
doth not exceed the price of eight or ten stivers, and a pound of
tartar, that doth not exceed the price of two stivers.
A peculiar purification of crude tartar without loss, and a reduction
of it into great crystals not costly, so as the price of one pound doth
not exceed six stivers.
The taking away of the ingrateful tast and odour of honey so as
afterwards there may be made from thence a certain good _Aqua vitæ_
retaining no more the smell and taste of honey: also a very good Mead
or Methegline like unto very good wine, with which the same things may
be done as with the best wine.
A preparation of Mead out of raisins, great and small, very like in all
things to Spanish wine; out of which also is made a very good vinegar
without great costs.
A preparation of wine and good vinegar of wild grapes.
Durable and wholesome drinks of gooseberries, barberries, mulberries,
strawberries, and the like.
The mending of troubled acid musty wines, _&c._
The preparation of a very good vinegar out of certain vegetables which
are to be found every where, which may be compared to that which comes
out of France, and in a great abundance, whereof two rundlets of nine
Gallons do not exceed the price of one Royal. [A Royal or Imperial is 4
_s._ 6 _d._]
The promoting of the ripening of wines of the cold countries of Europe
(a very few that are very cold being exempted) that they may yield very
good sweet and durable wines, whereas otherwise they could come to no
maturity, being very like to those which hotter countries yield.
A certain secret way of carrying wines from mountainous places, where
carts, ships, and other commodities are wanting, where the carrying of
ten pipes, doth not exceed the price of one pipe otherwise carryed, so
that by this means, outlandish wines may be brought to any place with
great profit.
A very good and easie preparation of verdegrease out of copper, whereof
one pound doth not exceed the price of six stivers.
A new and compendious distillation of vinegar, of which a rundlet of
eighteen gallons doth not exceed the price of half a ryal, with which
many things may be done, especially the crystallizing of verdegrease,
of which one pound prepared after this manner, doth not also exceed the
price of half a Royal.
A compendious and very easie way of distilling a very strong spirit of
urin, and that without any cost and pains, so that twenty or thirty
pints shall not exceed the price of one royal, being very excellent in
medicine, Alchimy and Mechanique affairs, by the help whereof a most
beautiful blew vitriol may be made out of copper, being very profitable
in Alchimy and medicine, making silver so fusible, that by the help
thereof, glass vessels, as basons, dishes, and candlesticks, _&c._ may
be so guilded as to be taken for silver.
A way of distilling the spirit of salt in a great quantity, and that
with small costs, so that one pound thereof will scarce exceed the
price of six stivers being very excellent in Alchymy, Medicine, and
other Arts; especially for the doing of these following things, _viz._
the separation of gold from silver without hurt to the Cups or other
things, also the solution and separation of gold mixt with copper and
silver by the force of precipitation, where the _Menstruum_ that is
preserved, may again be used for the same uses, which separation is the
easiest of all other humid separations, whereby gold is reduced to the
highest degree.
The separation of volatile sparkling gold out of sand, _&c._ very
profitable, without which otherwise it could never be separated,
neither by the help of Washing, nor by Mercury, nor by the force of
Melting.
An artificial secret, and hitherto unheard of, trying of stubborn
Metals, finding out their Contents, which otherwise could not be found
out: for oftentimes there are found golden mines, which are stubborn,
in which nothing is found out by the common way, and therefore they are
left unlaboured in, and sometimes elsewhere, where there are not found
Mines of Metals, there are found other things, as white and red talc,
that yield nothing, being tryed the common way, or very little, all
which yet abound with gold and silver, which may be separated this way.
A new, and unheard of compendious way of melting Mines in great plenty,
where, in the space of one day, by the heat of a certain separating
Furnace, more may be melted than by the common way in the space of
eight daies, where not onely costs are saved, but also is hope of
greater gain.
Another way for the better proving of things melted, and a new way of
separating silver from lead.
A very speedy way of melting Minerals, whereby they are melted in great
plenty, by the help of Pit-coals in defect of other coals.
The fixation of Minerals, Sulphureous, Arsenical, Antimonial; and
others that are volatile, which cannot be retained and melted by the
force of fire, by the help of a certain peculiar furnace with a grate,
so that afterwards they may by infusion yield gold and silver.
The getting of gold and silver, that sparkles, and is rarified, out of
sand, pure clay, flints, _&c._ by the help of melting.
The separation of gold lying hid in baser minerals and metals most
profitable, which cannot be done the common way.
A very quick Artificial and easie separation of melted gold and silver
by the help of fusion, so that in the space of one day, by the help
of one furnace, some hundreds of Marks may be separated with far less
costs and labour, than by the common way by cement and _Aqua fortis_.
The reduction of elaborated gold, of chains and other ornaments unto
the highest degree; also the separation of gold from guilded silver,
by the help of fusion, by which means a hundred marks are more easily
separated than twenty of the common way.
A certain way whereby more silver is separated from lead then by the
Copper.
A separation of good gold from any old iron, which although it be not a
labour of great gain, yet it is sufficient for those who are contented
with a few things.
A separation of gold and silver, from tin or copper, according to
more or less. The maturation of mines, so that they may afterwards
be able to yield more gold and silver, then by the common way, also
the separation of gold and silver out of Antimony, Arsenick, and
_Auripigmentum_.
The separation of the external sulphur of _Venus_, that the Son _Cupid_
may be born.
The separation of silver from the cuples, into which it enters in the
tryal without melting or any other labour or cost.
The preparation of divers earthen things to be done in any part of the
world, like to the Porcellan, that hold fire and retain spirits.
A certain Allome exalting and fixing any colour, especially requisit
for scarlet and other pretious colours, with a certain perpetual
cauldron, that doth not alter colours, and is not costly.
A making of colours for painters, as of purple gum, ultra-marine, not
costly, and especially of that rich white, never before seen, like to
Pearl and Margarites; also a peculiar colouring of gold and silver.
To conclude, I refer the Reader unto the Residue of my Books, that
Treat of those Secrets more plainly; which I am resolved shortly to put
forth.
* * * * *
_Those Secrets are all openly taught in the following Treatises, as in
the Explication of Miraculum Mundi, Apology against Farner, Prosperity
of Germany, =&c.=_
_FINIS._
Of the Tincture of Gold,
Or the True
AURUM POTABILE:
_What it is, and how it differs from the false and sophisticated
Aurum Potabile: How it tis be Spagirically prepared; And how to be
used in Medicine._
_Of Aurum Potabile._
There is no man that can deny, that the true and ancient Philosophers
did study long life, and the conservation of their health. Whence
it came to pass that they did diligently seek out the subject of
preserving health, and prolonging life: wherefore by the help of fire
they did practise the separations, and proofs of all vegetables,
animals, and minerals, seeking out their powers and vertues: Who
found out the greatest harmony of all things as well in the heavens,
as on earth, betwixt the Sun, Gold, Man and wine. For it cannot be
denyed, that the life of all things proceeds from the heat of the Sun;
wherefore they sought to unite gold the terrestrial sun or body fixed
and perfect, caused by the rays of the sun, with man by the help of
spirit of wine.
But haply there will be some, whom this my narration may offend
denying that gold is the Son of the sun, or a metallick body fixed and
perfect, proceeding from the rayes of the sun; asking how the solary
immaterial rayes can be made material and corporeal? But they are very
ignorant of the generation of metals, and minerals. And although I am
not now resolved to write of the generation, and original of metals,
yet endeavouring to demonstrate that there is a vivifying power of the
sun to be found in gold (destroyed and volatilized) and to be prepared
into a most wholesome medicine for man, I will not omit for the sake
of the ignorant and incredulous, to demonstrate the truth by one or
two examples, which although I could demonstrate by most certain and
firm reasons, yet for brevities sake I am now resolved to omit them,
recommending to the searcher of the Nature, and propriety of metals,
my treatise _De Generatione Metallorum_, which without doubt will take
away all scruple from him; objecting only against him that oppposeth
the truth, two questions and reasons which are to be confuted: and the
first is, whence comes that increase of both the quantity and quality
of any viscous, mineral liquor, that hath been exposed long to the
Sun in an open glass vessel? Whether from the Sun, or elsewhere? But
thou sayest, that that encrease comes from the air, the vehicle of all
things. I answer, if from the air, whether was not that air impregnated
by the Sun? and whether there be any thing in the air, which it
received not from the stars? But place this liquor in a cold Cellar, in
a moist air, and thou shalt by experience know that no weight is added
thereto, even as in the Sun, or (in his stead) fire: that Liquor will
draw some phlegmatick moisture which will be easily separated by heat,
the weight of the former liquor being left. This may be shewed by this
Example: dissolve some sulphurous metal, as Iron, Copper, or Zinck,
with any acid spirit, and at length take away the spirit, make the
remainder red hot; yet not too much, but as much as sufficeth to take
away the spirits, which afterward (its weight being observed) put in
a crucible on the fire, but take heed lest the metal run over, but at
length let it darkly glow with the crucible, for the space of three or
four weeks, which done, take it away again, and weigh again the metal,
and thou shalt find the evident encrease of the metal, which thou shalt
perceive more evidently by this way, as follows: Put copper, or some
sulphurous metal, with 16 or 18 parts of lead in a well-burnt cupel;
made of the ashes of wood or bones, in a tryed furnace, (the weight
of the cupel, copper, and lead first exactly observed) and cause the
copper to evaporate by fire with the lead, which done, take the cupel
when it shall be cold, and again weigh it, and thou shalt find it far
more weighty, so that its weight (though much of the lead goes into
air in the cupellating) not only exceeds its former weight, but also
of the copper and lead by the said cupellation; therefore it is justly
demanded whence this Encrease proceeds, whether the heat of the fire
was not coagulated into a metallick body by means of that melted metal?
Therefore it is probable, that if you knew the metallick matrixes in
the surface of the earth, in which the beams of the Sun and heat of
fire being received, may be coagulated, metals may as well be generated
in them, as in the bowels of the earth.
But thou repliest it is probable the heat of vulgar fire to have
something metallick in it, which comes by attraction of the melted
metal in the Cupel, but not in the Sun-beams.
He that will thus try the truth, let him put a cupel very well burnt in
the beams of the Sun, together with copper and lead, to which let him
apply a hollow Looking-glass, so that it may be operated upon by the
Sun-beams gathered into a center, and may thence be made hot: But thou
must continually hold the Looking-glass in thy hand, that thou maist
turn or direct it to the Sun, according to the course thereof, lest the
cupel wax cold, the beams of the Sun being turned away, but if it be
rightly observed, the work shall be done no less than in a furnace of
fire with glowing heat.
You must have a Looking-glass at least in diameter two feet, nor must
it be too deep; but be in depth the 18 or 20 part of the globe, that
so it may the further cast the beams: it must be very artificially
smoothed, that it may more exactly gather the beams to the center. Now
the preparation of these burning-glasses is not of this place, but in
the fourth part of our Furnaces, where we have taught not only how
they are to be made of metals, but also of glass, and how polisht and
used.
This demonstration, which might be otherwise omitted, is therefore
set down, that it may be known how Gold proceeds from the Sun, and is
secretly endued with its proper strength and proprieties, by Chymistry,
reducible into that which it was before its coagulation, namely, into
a heating and living spirit, communicating its strength and faculties
to man’s body. Therefore the Ancients used great diligence in the
reduction of gold, in which nothing is found more excellent than the
purest and finest spirit of wine made by distillation, and they did
not use common gold melted out of stones, or washt out of sand, but
purged by benefit of fire, and Philosophically quickened and unlocked,
not by help of corrosive spirits, the usual way of vulgar Chymists,
but by some water which Nature freely gives without help of violent
distillation; by which they manifest that which is hid in gold, and
they have hid what is manifest, and therefore they have made it fit
for the separation of its tincture from a gross and black superfluous
body. For they knew that the compact body of gold hath no affinity with
the vital Spirits, therefore they have chosen only the finest part of
gold to their Elixir, _viz._ Its tincture, which they have radically
joyned with the spirit of Wine, and being joyned, have made them
spiritual or volatile, so that neither can be separated from each other
in the fire, and being in the fire, are sublimed, or fixed by a longer
digestion; and coagulated into a fixt stone, which they count for the
greatest treasure in this World. Therefore the ancient Philosophers
affirming, that there is not a better medicine under the Sun than it,
which is made from the Philosophical union of wine and gold, both by
an inseparable recoagulation and fixation; nor without gold can spirit
of wine, nor this without it be made a medicine, because gold without
spirit of wine cannot be made volatile, nor this be coagulated and fixt
without it. We therefore, their posterity justly, follow the opinions
of the most famous men, not for their authorities sake, but for ocular
demonstration, which is the truest tryal.
Therefore the knowledge of the preparation of this medicine being
bestowed on me from the highest, I have intended, because a man is
not born for himself, briefly to deliver its preparation and use: but
I will not cast pearls before swine; but I’le only shew the way to
the studious searchers of the work of God and Nature, who doubtless
will understand my writing, but not the ignorant and unskilful; let
therefore the brevity of the preparation offend no man, because I mean
not to prostitute this Art (divinely obtained, not with idleness,
but with much watching, labours and pains) nor give to the unworthy
a bit before chawed, but only to communicate it to the pious, who
shall see with open eyes, that the thing is so. I desire therefore,
the simplicity of my stile may offend no man, being not adorned with
rhetorical figures, after the wonted manner, for truth wants not many
and elegant words, being contented with simplicity and brevity, with
which it is easier and better demonstrated, than with those intricate
and sophistick discourses.
℞ of living gold one part, and three parts of quick Mercury, not of the
vulgar, but the Philosophical every where to be found without charge;
and labour, (thou maist also add living silver of equal weight with
the gold, and indeed better than only gold, for the greater variety
of colours proceeding from the mixture of male and female: but one
perswaded that a better Tincture proceeds from gold alone may mix
gold only, not so, one skilful of metals, who knoweth the power of
the cordial union of gold and silver, dissolved in one and the same
_Menstruum_) put them mixt in a Philosophical vessel to dissolve, and
in the space of one quarter of an hour, those mixt metals will be
radically dissolved by the Mercury, and will give a purple colour;
after encrease the fire by degrees, and it will be changed into a very
fine green, to which taken out, pour the water of dew to dissolve,
which may be done in half an hour, filtre the solution, and abstract
the water through a glass alembeck in B. which pour out again afresh,
and abstract, which do three times, in the mean time that greeness
will be turned into a black colour, like Ink, stinking like a carcass,
and therefore odious: and it behoves sometimes to take away the water
reaffused and digested, and that blackness and stink will depart in the
space of forty hours, and will produce a pure milky whiteness, which
appearing, take away all the moisture till it be dry, which will be a
white mass, and in few hours of a pleasant colour, divers colours first
appearing, it is turned into a fine greeness better than the former,
to which you must affuse the spirit of wine well rectified, to the
depth of two or three fingers, and that green gold dissolved will draw
that spirit of wine, for the great amity, like a dry spunge drawing
waters, and will communicate to it a quintessence as red as blood, by
which means the greeness is deprived of its quickening tincture, the
superfluous ashy body being left.
You must decant and filtrate the tinged spirit, and in a B. by a glass
alembeck, abstract it from the red tincture, attracting the fiery
essence of the spirit of wine, so that they may be very close and
inseparably conjoyned, from which an unsavoury water only distils, the
vertue of the spirit of wine being left with the tincture of gold like
a red fiery salt, fusile and volatile; of which grain 1. can tinge ℥ i.
of spirit of wine, or any other liquor, with a blood-red colour, for
it is soluble in any moisture; and therefore may be kept in a liquid
form for the Panacea of most desperate Diseases. Now I will communicate
the proprieties of the true tincture, by which true potable gold is
known. This tincture next the stone is the best of all medicines,
between which and that, there is but this difference, the soul of gold
is volatile, nor hath entrance into imperfect metals, and therefore
cannot transmute into pure fine gold, which vertue is attributed to the
Philosophers stone. The soul of gold, though it be the best part, yet
it is not fixt in fire, but volatile; but the Philosopher’s Stone is
fixt in fire, and remains, by reason of a longer digestion. But whether
that soul or volatile tincture and red Lyon may be fixt by help of
fire, and turned into the Universal medicine, and tinging stone, that I
know not, because hitherto I have not tryed, _&c._ therefore he may who
extracts the soul of gold, make further tryal, whether he can find any
thing better. For this Work treateth of nothing but the best medicine
of gold, but other things I know not.
Therefore the deceit of the Distillers of Wine, and other vegetable
waters, selling potable gold, is not unknown, being not ashamed to sell
any water coloured yellow or red to the ignorant for a great price.
And the errour of others dissolving the body of gold in _Aqua Regia_,
or spirit of salt, which again they abstract to a dry remainder, to
which for extraction they affuse the spirit of wine: Which is not an
extraction, but some particular solution of gold, made by help of the
corrosive spirits left in the gold, tinging the spirit of wine with
a yellow colour, which so coloured, they call their potable gold;
which notwithstanding is reduced into gold, the spirit of wine being
abstracted, which can do no more than any other Calx of gold, which
the _Archeus_ cannot digest, but separates, being indigested, with the
Excrements. And also it is the errour of others, ignorantly deceiving
themselves and others, extracting the Calx of gold with peculiar
_menstruums_ and spirits, knowing not that the _menstruum_ affused to
gold to be red of it self by a long digestion, which decanted, they
administer instead of potable gold, who if they weighed the remaining
Calx, would by experience see that nothing departed from the gold;
which you may try by the setting the spirit or _menstruum_ in a remiss
heat, or longer in cold, which of it self doth wax red, as if it had
been affused to the Calx of _Sol_. But the cause of this redness is
(unknown to them) nothing but a certain nitrous salt and volatile, as
of Antimony, Urine, Tartar, Hartshorn, Hair, _&c._ exalting the colour
of any Sulphur.
Wherefore it necessarily follows, if _Artists_ mingle with the spirit
of wine in which is a sulphur, such exalting salts, that it will thence
be exalted in colour, and wax red; which also happens to them, who use
to extract a tincture with distilled Oyls, having a volatile salt, as
are oyl of Lemmons, Cloves, Soot, _&c._
For such-like tincture or potable gold is inefficacious, as experience
witnesseth. But I would not say there is no other tincture to be
prepared out of gold, beside this tincture: for being dissolved in
sweet _menstruums_, that it cannot be separated by precipitation, it
can do wonderful things in many grievous Diseases; but alwaies the
living metal is to be chosen instead of the dead.
But true potable gold is not so only in name and shew (as are divers
waters tinged with a yellow or red colour) but also endued with golden
faculties and vertues, so that it may actually appear to be made of
gold, but irreducible by Fire into Gold, spiritual and penetrative,
strengthning the vital spirits, that they may overcome their enemies.
But it must also be endued with this Vertue, that it may change
imperfect metals, chiefly Mercury, Lead, and silver into pure gold;
not truly like a fixt tincture, tinging with profit the baser metals
in flux; but only perfecting particularly in a moist way by digestion,
where some part of the metal alone is turned into better. For this
tincture of salt or gold is very volatile, so that it cannot resist the
fire; but with a gentle heat it melteth like wax, and is sublimed like
red salt, soluble in spirit of Wine, that it may be fit for Physical
uses.
Also true potable gold being tasted, is neither corrosive, nor
astringent like other solutions of gold: neither doth it pollute the
hands, the nails and hair with a black or yellow colour, but rather
makes them more fine; neither doth it infect copper, tin, lead, with
rust or a black colour, but rather makes them more clear; neither is
it a body of gold reducible by extraction, nor into white gold, which
may recover its former colour by Antimony, and _Aqua Regia_, but it
is like an ashy earth, and sublimable in a gentle heat like Arsenick,
not enduring the tryal of the cuple, which vertues if it have, it may
be called the true Tincture of Gold: but if not, not so, but rather a
sophisticated potable gold, not to be medled withal.
_Of the medicinal use of this golden Medicine._
We have before demonstrated the sun to be the original of gold, or
endued with the incredible vertues of the terrestrial sun. For the
strength and vertues of all vegetables, animals and minerals lie hid
in it; which cannot be manifested but by a Philosopher, and that by
separation, to wit, of the intrinsical and pure parts, from the impure.
This speech will happily seem to thee incredible, or not very likely
to say that gold is reducible into a spiritual essence, agreeable to
humane nature, endued with the strength of all animals, vegetables and
minerals. Surely thou shalt hardly perswade him whom _Vulcan_ hath not
made a Philosopher to believe it. But who will trouble himself so much
as with sure reasons to decide all Controversies, which if possible,
yet for many reasons is here omitted; but for sureties sake I will send
back the Reader to the second part of our Furnaces, where he shall find
how out of Antimony and Sulphur, by a good Chymist, with the help of
fire, may be drawn not only the force and faculty of divers vegetables,
but also their natural odour; which yet did not appear in them before
they were radically dissolved, which if it may be done by any imperfect
and fetid mineral, why not also by a perfect and mature mineral?
If we were good naturalists, and very diligent Chymists, then we need
not to fill Elaboratories with so many pots and boxes, nor spend so
much cost in fetching in so many forreign medicinal species, because
without question the strength and properties of all vegetables,
animals, and minerals, by an easier way may be found in some few
subjects. And as the true tincture of _Sol_ well fixed, is endued
with all the vertues of all vegetables, animals and minerals; so also
deservedly is ascribed to it the force of curing all diseases; but
with a difference. For there are divers kinds of the Gout in hands and
feet, as also of the Stone and Leprosie; which sometimes are inveterate
and uncurable Diseases, sometimes new and curable. Who therefore, not
mad, would promise to cure all and every disease indifferently, by any
certain medicine? Certainly no man, although he had the very stone of
the Philosophers.
For oft-times the Stone of the Bladder is expelled or cut out, most
hard and insoluble by _Aqua-fortis_, which not any medicine not
corrosive could dissolve; which strength, although they ascribe to
their medicine, yet they cannot perform it. Promises therefore do not
suffice, which none can perform: for _Promises become Debts_, which is
observed by few; wherefore by the haters of the Art the truth suffers,
and the hope of good success of Chymical medicines dyeth. _It is best_
therefore _to perform more than promise_, and the work shall praise
the workman. How can a Medicine penetrate to the extream parts of the
body; to wit, the hands and feet, and dissolve the coagulated matter
waxing hard, which out of the Body no corrosive Medicine can dissolve?
It is sufficient if a medicine finding a viscous tartareous and salt
matter, nor yet coagulated, do dissolve and expel it. The like is to
be understood of the stone in the reins, and bladder. In this manner
I will ascribe the curing of the Gout in the hands and feet, the
stone in the kidneys and bladder, to my tincture of _Sol_, as well in
old as young; but so that, if need be, specifical Catharticks may be
administred, and extrinsecally Bathes for promoting the cure, whereby
Nature may the sooner do its office. But above all things, we must not
slight Divine Providence: For ofttimes God smites us with a Disease
incurable by Art, unless Divine wrath be first appeased _by humble
Repentance_, which is the best medicine of all. As also the cure of
all Diseases coming of the corruption of the Blood, as the Leprosie,
the French Disease, and other impurities; which are taken away by this
tincture, if withal Catharticks and Diaphoreticks are administred,
cleansing and renewing the blood above all other medicines. This
Tincture also takes away all the obstructions of the Liver, Spleen,
Kidneys, and other parts, because it warms, attenuates, incides, and
evacuates the original of divers Diseases. It also cures all violent
and acute diseases, as the Epilepsie, Plague, Feavers, _&c._
It provoketh the Menstrues of old and young, chiefly, if also
extrinsically it be rightly administred: which way many are well cured,
who otherwise are like to perish miserably; it warms and cleanseth the
Matrix above all other Medicines, and renders it fit to perform its
office: It preserves it also from all accidents of _Sterility_, and
other very grievous Diseases, causing death. It expels the water of the
Dropsie by urine, it rarifieth and dryeth up the superfluous moistures
of the internal and external parts, like the Sun drying and consuming
waters, by which means the body recovers its pristine sanity: of other
diseases to write in particular there is no need, because in all and
every one, without difference, it may be used as a general Medicine,
in old as well as young. This medicine doth not only restore, but also
conserve health till the predestinated time.
The Dose is from three grains or drops to twelve or more, but to
Children 1, 2, or 3. with its appropriated vehicle, or in wine or beer
to be administred daily, which Dose may be taken oftener in a day,
respect being had to the sick party.
And so I make an end, hoping to have pleased my Neighbour: for without
doubt, who useth this golden Medicine well, shall do well, chiefly
lifting up his heart (acknowledging his sins) to God the Giver and
Creator of all good, in filial humility, imploring his help and
blessing; which the omnipotent God and merciful Father, that he would
bestow on us his temporal blessing in this life with sound health, and
hereafter life eternal, of His free grace, _Let us pray, Amen_.
_FINIS._
THE
MINERAL WORK:
THE FIRST PART.
Wherein is Taught the Separation of
GOLD
Out of Flints, Sand, Clay, and other Fossiles by the Spirit of Salt,
which otherwise cannot be purged. Also a _Panacea_ or Universal
Antimonial Medicine, and the use thereof. Invented and published in
favour of the Studious in the
_CHYMICAL ART_.
By =John Rudolph Glauber=.
A Preface to the Reader.
_There will be some without doubt, because the Edition of other Pieces
(of which I made mention in some former Tractates a few years past)
hath been hitherto by reason of diverse journeys, and other various
impediments, neglected, who will think (having no knowledge of me) that
I am unable to perform my promise; and there are others, who knowing my
Condition, and the Contumelies of my Enemies, will fear that I being
diverted from my purpose by these Reproaches, will make void my secret
promises. But I have resolved to stand to my promise, that these men
may see that I am neither moved nor altered with the Taunts of the
Envious; but that they may be convinced by real demonstration of my
secrets; some of which, I shall now for the publick good endeavour to
communicate. And although the ingratitude of the World be cause enough
for my silence, yet the uprightness of my Heart would not permit me to
conceal those things, notwithstanding the malevolent and ungrateful.
Beside also the following Reason moved me, because there are some
ambitious men, who falsly boast of the knowledge of diverse of my
secrets; wherefore, some have been moved to think that mine are not my
own, but the Works and Writings of others; by which means I have been
deprived of my due Praise, being attributed to another. And this I have
often found, that one or other having by entreaties obtained a secret
from me, have afterward through Ostentation ascribed it to themselves._
_There are others also who fear not to reproach me, and my Writings, as
though they were trifles, not attaining their desired end, who (rather
than I who have written plain enough) are themselves to be blamed, for
being ignorant how to work. Such and other things might deter me, but
I would not omit the publishing of these Writings for those mens sake
who are pious and honest. Wherefore I openly affirm, that these things
published by me are not only no trifles, but most true, and also my
own, and not the Invention of another. And I call him a lyer, who shall
boast himself the Author without any of my help. But of these enough!
yet I would have the Reader know, that for the meaness of the stile,
I am not like many Writers, who more look after the flourish of words
than the thing it self; I rather seek that my Neighbour may profit by
me. Wherefore, for his better understanding, I had rather be prolixe in
words, tedious to delicate ears, than write in obscure brevity adorned
with Rhetorical figures. For I know that the studious in the Art do
affect a prolixe, plain, and distinct information or instruction,
rather than a =Ciceronian= or obscure. And now, in the Name of God, I
will begin my Work which is most profitable to all, and will faithfully
communicate and publish the same in that manner as it was written by
me in my travel, under the title of =The Mineral Work=, divided into
three parts. In the first of which shall be taught how out of sand and
golden flints, corporeal gold may be drawn by the help of Spirit of
Salt. Which secret, although it may seem small, yet it is that whereby
(a knowledge of the true stones and true sand being obtained) life may
be sustained, and also the cost laid out may be recompensed, as shall
be proved in the following parts._
_In the second part shall be treated of the original and generation of
metals, and also of the destruction of Minerals and Metals._
_In the third part shall be demonstrated the possibility of metallicol
transmutation by Nature and Art, and that with divers reasons: which
demonstration is not (unless I am deceived) performed yet by any, being
the foundation of all metallick Philosophy, and the =Golden Crown= of
all my Writings. Which God grant I may perfect, to the glory of his
Divine Name, and the good of my Neighbour._ Amen.
The First Part of the
Mineral Work.
_A most profitable process of the separation of Gold out of Flints,
Sand, Clay, red and black Talk, and other Fossiles, containing
very subtle Gold, thin and spongeous, which otherwise cannot
be separated, either for its scarcity, or the obstinacy of the
Mineral, by reason of the great Cost to be bestowed; =viz.= very
easily with the spirit of Salt._
Know first, (good Reader) that not all Sand, Clay, nor all Flints, and
other Fossiles do contain Gold, but only some, without the knowledge
of which, this secret availeth nothing. And because the knowledge of
these are very necessary for the Artist, I will shew how they are to be
proved, whether they contain Gold or not, that he labour not in vain,
but that it may prove to his commodity or profit.
The madness of Men, searching after uncertain things is wonderful,
but neglecting certain, although exposed to every ones view, for many
seeking the perfection of Metals to gain Riches, are busied about an
uncertain thing, because of a thousand scarce one obtaines his end:
altho’ they may be perfected and purified, I mean imperfect and impure
metals, so that good Gold and Silver may thence be extracted, but this
Art is given to few, neither is every one fit to perform the business;
because it requires an ingenious and experienced Artist: But the
thing which is certain, may be performed with small cost and labour
by any vulgar Chymist, having any knowledge of the Art of fusion and
separation, being an ingenious man, and not seeking things too high or
too gainful at the first tryal. Be cautious therefore in the extraction
of the aforesaid stones, for if thou shouldst with the spirit of Salt
extract many of them, having no Gold without doubt thou shalt find no
Gold there: And if thou shouldst extract some contained in them, and if
thou be ignorant of the separation of it by Antimony, thou canst thence
hope for no profit.
First then, the knowledge, _viz._ of those stones is necessary
afterward of that separation by Antimony. Impute therefore the fault,
if thou errest, not to me, but to thine own ignorance, if thou knowest
not to extract the Gold; for I have written clearly, though thou
shouldst not know any thing that were omitted. And I before admonish
thee to be cautious in thy work, lest thou labour for nought: For it
is certain, and no fiction, that in many places there are found golden
flints, and golden clay, and sand, oft-times abounding with gold. And
if they do not abound with it, yet may they be extracted with profit:
but the flints abounding with it are extracted with greater gain.
There are also found whole Rocks and Mountains of Gold, and great
Mountains filled with golden Sand and Clay, not returning the charge
of washing, either for its too great rarefaction or spungiosity and
levity, by reason of which, its washed away with the sand; all which,
how poor soever, may be extracted by the spirit of Salt with gain, and
by Antimony fixed and purifyed. In brief, this is such a secret, by
which, no man can be an impediment to another, as in other mechanical
operations, whereof no man may be ashamed; for God did therefore create
Gold in the earth and stones, that we may therefore extract it to the
glory of His Name, and the benefit of our Neighbour; neither hath he
forbidden the true and genuine use of it. I say therefore in truth,
that I have here described this Art, how ever despised by the ignorant,
yet of greatest moment, and almost incomprehensible. Now consider
the thing a little farther, thou shalt find every where in the earth
great Treasures to be hidden, which only through ignorance are not
discovered. Truly it is known to all, that there is found golden sand
and clay in diverse places, which for the aforesaid Reasons are left
unlaboured, but by this our Art may easily be worked upon.
There are found also silver Mountains, out of which, silver cannot be
extracted for the little weight it yields: there is also found in many
places a certain yellow or reddish earth, or such like clay, which
though it contain store of silver, yet it cannot be extracted with
profit by this way, yet separable, with gain, but not by the spirit
of salt, which leaves it untoucht, but by some other thing, every
where to be found in plenty, of which, for some reasons we shall speak
nothing here.
And this way of separation makes much for the poor mineral of copper,
which with profit cannot be worked upon by the vulgar way, to be
separated from the Copper, afterward by ripening it into a better
metal, or turning it into verdy-grease for want of a better art, which
business also may well and honestly more than maintain a family.
This way also may the rejected dross of the gold, silver, and copper
be with profit separated. But because I have decreed to handle here
only the extraction of gold out of stones, therefore these menstrues
which are used in the extraction of copper and silver, are deservedly
omitted, and reserved for another place, where sometime they shall be
delivered, to wit, if I shall see that this demonstration shall be
accepted in mens eyes, which more very excellent shall follow. As now
I have undertaken a more excellent matter in love to my countrey, by
which it may appear, that _Germany_ however reduced to want, is yet
rich enough, if it would but at last look upon its hidden treasures.
There is no need to offer a fore-chewed bit, for demonstration is
sufficient, neither will we obtrude a good upon the negligent; for
to the ungrateful the best things are unacceptable. These therefore
being waved, in short we will give the demonstration and extraction of
those flints, not doubting but the expert and experienced, though the
sluggish may not, will thence reap profit, and give God the praise.
What belongs then to the aforesaid stones, out of which gold may be
extracted, thus the matter stands. All kind of flints for the most part
have invisible gold, sometimes visible and invisible, volatile and
corporeal together: but many commonly contain impure iron-like volatile
gold, and also mature, and a few, sulphureous and copper-like.
Stones which the _Germans_ call _Quartzens_ and _Hornstein_, containing
pure and corporeal gold, although mixt with silver and copper, may
be burnt and ground, and extracted with Mercury, and if they abound
with gold, be purged by flux; which labours are usual with diggers
and dealers in metals, of which I do not intend to write, because
others have heretofore writ of them. But those flints _Quartzen_ and
_Hornstein_ every where almost to be found, containing but a mean
quantity of dispersed iron-like Gold, Marcasite-like, and that either
fixt or volatile, cannot be separated with gain, to wit, neither by
Mercury nor by Flux, wherefore they are neglected by the Miners, either
out of ignorance or for the intolerable costs. But I having tryed
those base stones, that how little gold soever they possess; yet may
it be separated with great gain, I would not intermit to publish this
knowledge for my Christian neighbours sake, not doubting but this
publication will be profitable to very many. For I am not ignorant that
there are as well learned, as unlearned, noble as ignoble, secular as
spiritual, either by war or otherwise exposed to poverty, so that they
are hardly able to maintain their family, _&c._ and for their sakes and
others in want. I have published this secret, which rightly handled
may bring no small gain yearly, but especially where those stones are
plentiful, and also that spirit of salt, whereof the description is
given in the first part of the Philosophical Furnaces, and hereafter
there shall be given a better, if nothing hinder; in the mean while
use and enjoy these. And if it happen so that thou canst not rightly
perform all things of the aforesaid tractate, blush not to learn the
manual Operations [which cannot be so exactly described] from those
that are experienced, lest you hereafter unprofitably spend your labour
and costs. As for those stones know that very many of them are found in
several places, chiefly in those that are sandy and mountainous, but
in some more and better than in others: for there is seldom seen sand
without flints, and oft-times the sand it self, though very little doth
not want Gold. But they are very likely to be found on the shoars of
Rivers, where the waters washing away the sand from the flints they are
found in great abundance, though they are not so easily known by their
outside, as those which were found clean in the sand, because they are
covered with slime. Wherefore they must be broken with a hammer, that
that may be seen which is in them, which may better appear if they be
burnt, and quencht in cold water. For the stone retaining its whiteness
when it is burnt and quencht doth contain nothing; but acquiring a
redness it shews there is something in it, and the more red it is the
better token it is.
N. B. But this is not to be understood of sandy stones, waxing red
in some part, in the fire, containing no gold, but of flints out of
which by a mutual percussion fire is brought forth, which the more
pure they are the purer gold do they yield. There are also flints out
of which fire is forced by percussion being red in the fire, which
contain no gold but Iron; which you may know by that clear redness
before the burning, which being burnt is changed into an obscure
redness, not shining and crude: but the flints containing Gold, being
burnt do acquire a fair golden yellowness, or reddish colour, as if
they were covered with gold, and that through the whole substance if
they be broken in pieces. And these give a pure gold, but those other
yield a red extraction like blood, yielding not gold, but the purest
and malleable iron, good in Chymick uses, (but chiefly for silver to
be cemented and exalted) for gold is seldome to be found in them; the
which is well to be observed lest thou draw out iron in stead of gold,
and so lose thy labour.
Also the best stones containing gold, are those which are white and
shining, here and there throughout having in the whole substance green
spots and lines, red, yellow, skie-coloured and brown. There are also
black flints out of which fire is forced by percussion, having gold and
iron, which may be separated with profit, yielding sometimes plenty of
ironish Gold, which may in like manner, be separated of which afterward.
They are very good flints also which being burnt retain a whiteness,
with veins green, skie-coloured, and such like, neither are they
disesteemed which burnt, have black spots, and not veins.
But the stones (_Quartzen_ and _Hornstein_) although they in burning
are not altered, yet if there be seen before gold volatile and
spiritual, they by separation of themselves yield gold.
Gross and subtle sand having light and yellow gold, yields in the
burning a skie-coloured smoak, and is exalted in colour, _viz._
brownish: but that hath nothing which is not altered.
Subtle earth, yellow or red, passing through sand or a mountain like a
vein contains also gold, which is for the most part volatile, and not
mature, flying away in reduction, having ingress into silver and other
metals, and therefore for this reason conservable.
For thy better knowledge thou mayst prove the stones, with white
fusile glass, which thing is treated of in the fourth part of the
Philosophical Furnaces, that thou mayst not have cause to impute the
fault of thy errour to me; therefore I would have thee understand,
_viz._ that all stones contain not gold, neither in all is it separable
by the spirit of salt: they are therefore to be known before they be
applyed to the work.
_Now follows the preparation of flints, and the extraction of the
gold contained in them, by the spirit of salt._
First the flints being made red hot in the fire, they must be quencht
in cold water, after taken out and cooled, and finely powdered.
N. B. When they are broken in a Mortar the better parts may easily be
separated from the baser: for while they are finely powdered, always
the best part goes into red powder first, the worser part thicker
and harder, containing little or nothing, being left; And if they be
coursly powdered and sifted through a fine sieve the more subtle part
like red powder goes through the sieve, the unuseful part being left
in the sieve like white dust, which may be cast away: and if yet some
redness appears, it must again be powdered in a Mortar, and the better
part shall go into a red powder, the baser part being left in the sieve
hard and white which is to be cast away, but you must observe that
not all and every of these flints are thus separable by powdering;
for some being beaten do every where retain the same colour, without
any separation of the better parts, which you must finely powder and
extract in the whole substance, But they (_viz._ those separable) are
more easily extracted, because all the gold contained in one pound
for the most part may be gathered out of three or four ounces finely
powdered and separated in the aforesaid manner; so that it is not
needful to extract the whole stone, nor to spend so much spirit of
salt. But sand and clay need not such a preparation, but without a
preparation being made before, are extracted by the affusion of the
spirit of salt.
℞ then of the flints as aforesaid prepared and separated two, three,
four, six pound, to which being put into a cucurbit of glass whole
(undivided) pour of the spirit of Salt to the depth of three or four
fingers breadth, and place it in hot sand or _Balneo_, that there the
spirit of salt may be hot, and may extract the Gold, and so let it
continue for five, six or more hours space, until the spirit tinged
with a deep redness, can extract no more. And perchance at the first
time (though seldom) it may not be tinged with so great a redness, then
must you decant that same imperfectly tinged spirit, and pour to other
flints after the manner expressed, prepared in another cucurbit, and
place it with the flints in a moderate heat for to extract the gold;
which done pour it off again, and pour it to fresh flints, and do so
often until it hath drawn to it a sufficient quantity of gold; which
afterward thou must keep, until thou hast gotten a greater quantity,
and all the Gold may be separated at one time from it, as afterward
shall be said.
Which done pour to the reserved flints in the first cucurbit, a fresh
spirit of salt, and leave that so long in heat, until it be coloured,
and extract the gold that is left in the flints, and was not at the
first time extracted; which spirit being afterward decanted, pour it
to the flints reserved in the second and third cucurbit, to extract
the residue of the gold which was left at the first time; and so
consequently to the others reserved, until the spirit be sufficiently
coloured, and can attract no more; which afterward pour off and put it
to the first, which was reserved. You must also pour a fresh spirit to
the remainder of the extraction for the extracting of all the gold. At
length pour to it also common water to wash away the tinged spirit of
gold remaining in the flints, that none of the Gold may be lost.
And this labour is so long and often to be repeated till there remain
neither flints nor spirits; in the mean while you should cast away the
flints extracted and washed, that the cucurbits may be filled with
fresh flints, and so continue the work; and if there be no more spirit
left to continue the extraction, you may then separate the extracted
gold from the spirit, which is done as followeth: but first you must
have plenty of glass vessels, or retorts of the best earth, which may
retain the spirits; which you may so far fill with the impregnated
spirit, that the spirit in the abstraction run not over, which done,
it is to be extracted in a dry _Balneo_ by little and little from the
Gold, which spirit ye may use again in the aforesaid work. And the Gold
which is left in the bottom of the vessels, is to be separated from
the vessels with a crooked iron wier and (kept being very like to red
earth) for its use, until thou hast gotten a good quantity, _viz._ so
much as sufficeth for separation and purgation (of which afterward) to
be made by Antimony.
_N. B._ But when thou shalt extract red talc with spirit of salt,
red or black granates, _Smiris_, or _Lapis Calaminaris_, and other
Fossiles, which beside fixt Gold contain much immature and volatile
Gold; you must in the abstraction cast in a little iron, _viz._ to
the solution, which retains and fixes the gold which otherwise flyes
away in fusion. Wherefore those solutions and extractions of Talc and
other things containing volatile gold are better extracted out of iron
Cucurbits by earthen alembicks than out of glass and earthen retorts,
because then that volatile gold doth attract only so much thence as is
sufficient for its fixation; which iron is after easily separated by
the Antimony from the gold, as shall after be taught. And this is to
be noted, that not the whole granate is soluble in the spirit of salt,
although it be long left in digestion, always retaining its former
colour; wherefore there is a difference to be made, or a preparation to
be learned, requisit for the solution of the gold contained in them.
And you must extract Talc not with too much or excessive heat, lest
its substance be totally dissolved in the spirit and be a hinderance
to the work; because there is little profit then, for it is therefore
appointed, that a little gold dispersed in a great quantity of Talc may
be reduced into a little compass that it need not that all the quantity
of Talc be made fusile, because it will thereby procure loss. But there
is no danger in flints, because the spirit of salt doth not dissolve
them as it doth Talc, but only extracts gold from thence, the stony
body being left. The _lapis calaminaris_ may also otherwise be handled
in the extraction and fixation than granates, flints and Talc, because
it is almost wholly soluble in the spirit of salt; which work is not
here to be handled, because the extraction and fixation is taught in a
peculiar way in another place, neither do I mean to treat of it here,
but only of the extraction of gold out of flints every where to be
found. And this is the way of extraction of Gold out of flints and sand
in heat by the spirit of salt, to be done in glass vessels. But there
is another way too, which is done in cold without glass vessels, which
I thought worth the setting down, that in the aforesaid work you may
choose which you please, this or that, and it is done as followeth.
We must have in this way store of earthen funnels well burnt, and not
sucking up the spirits; for want of which we must have such as be
of strong glass: there must also be a form with many holes in it to
receive the aforesaid funnels, under which must be placed glass dishes
or basons to receive the strained spirit.
_Here follows the work to be performed by Funnels._
The Funnels being put in the holes of the form, you must first put a
big piece of _flint_ in the straighter part of the Funnel, to which
after put lesser pieces, and on these again less, _viz._ as much as
serveth to fill the straight part of the Funnel, of which the larger
part is after to be filled with powdered flints, but so that there be
left a depth of three or four fingers breadth for the spirit of salt.
By this means those greater pieces in the lower part will hinder the
passage of the fine powder in the Affusion of the Spirit of Salt.
Which being done as it ought, pour to the flints contained in the
Funnels the spirit of salt, two or three fingers breadth in deepness,
which forthwith shall work on the flints, and attract their gold, and
then run into the dish or bason set underneath: and because for the
most part at the first time, some of the powder passeth through with
the spirit, you must so often pour the same spirits on the flints until
there be a stoppage, and the spirit come clear; afterward pour this
spirit into the second Funnel with flints; and then into the third,
and so consequently, until it be strained through the flints of every
Funnel; or till the spirit be sufficiently coloured, which you must
keep until you have gotten a sufficient quantity to be distilled by
retort for the separating the spirit from the gold. Then that first
spirit being strained through the flints of each Funnel according
to order and coloured, pour a fresh spirit to the flints of all the
Funnels according to order, beginning at the first, till you come to
the last, until that be sufficiently coloured; which being done, pour a
fresh spirit of salt to the flints (according to their order) contained
in every Funnel. And when you see the strained spirit not to receive
a tincture, it’s a sign that all the gold is extracted; and then pour
on no more spirit but common water, that it may be strained, and the
water will attract the spirit of salt left in the flints, that none
shall be lost, which acidish water save by its self to the same, and
the like uses: which being done, take out the extracted flints, and
fill the Funnels with fresh as before, _viz._ to be extracted; and do
this so long as you have flints and spirit. But you must not pour a
spirit not sufficiently tinged into the spirits that are well coloured
and impregnated with gold, but keep it a part, and pour it still to
fresh prepared flints, according to order, contained in divers Funnels,
_viz._ until it be sufficiently coloured; and being coloured, separate
it by the glass retorts with the rest, extracting it from the gold by
abstraction; and being abstracted again, use it to a new work like
the former. And by this means with 100 pound of spirit of salt may be
extracted some thousand pounds of flints prepared, and separate the
gold contained in them, which otherwise by fusion cannot be done. But
the chief point consisteth in the extraction (the spirit of salt being
well and rightly first administred) _viz._ that the spirit may not be
wasted, whereby many stones may be abstracted with a little spirit. But
this caution is to be observed in this extraction, which is done in
cold, that it requireth a stronger spirit of salt than that, which is
done in heat by cucurbits, or else the busines goes on slower: but with
a stronger spirit by this (the cold) way they are extracted sooner and
easier than by that which is done in heat; and neither so dangerous,
laborious or costly: this extraction then, _viz._ the cold, requires a
stronger spirit of salt (which is worth noting) than the hot.
And this is that way, by which those golden flints, and other golden
fossiles are prepared, and with the spirit of salt are extracted, and
by which it is again separated from them: Now shall follow the manner
of purification, _viz._ of the Gold left in the Retort.
_N. B._ The pure gold being extracted out of the flints, not the
iron-like, there needs no great business of purification; for thou
mayst purify it by fusion with borax, or with the fluxing powder made
with the equal weight of nitre and tartar: but if the gold extracted
out of Flints be mixt with iron, as for the most part it is, then
you must not fuse it with Fluxing Powder, because it is not thereby
purifyed or rendered malleable Gold, but separate it by lead, by
which way it is purged and made malleable. And if such Gold have any
sulphureous impurity mixt besides, it is not to be separated with lead,
because it is then partly turned to dross and other impurities by
the iron with loss; wherefore it is to be purged with three parts of
Antimony and separated; by which means nothing is lost; which is the
best way of separation and purification of Gold, _viz._ the ferreous,
without which it cannot otherwise be separated without loss.
_How impure Gold may be separated and purged by Antimony._
This work is necessary to be known, if you think to have any benefit
by the aforesaid extraction of Flints by the spirit of Salt, which
without this separation and reduction is of no moment: and what profit
I pray is there by the extraction of immature Gold, which by the common
way cannot be purg’d, requiring the industry of the Artist in fusion,
whereby it may be separated from its sulphureous fæces and fixed?
For it is easie to conjecture, that such spiritual and volatile gold
mixed with Iron, by that common flux is not reducible into a body, but
rather into dross: for experience testifies that gold dissolved with
the spirit of salt, and also iron, or any other sulphureous thing,
the spirit of salt being abstracted cannot be reduced whole by the
vulgar flux made of Nitre and Tartar, going into dross: which if it
happen to corporeal, pure and fixt gold, how shall it be otherwise with
that which is incorporeal, unclean and volatile? for the Gold being
ironish commonly, which is extracted out of stones, and iron having
great affinity with gold (by reason of which being nearly united,
it is difficultly separated, so that it easier goes with iron into
dross than parted from it) you must of necessity make a flux not only
attracting that impure gold, but also purifying and cleansing it, that
which Antimony alone doth, which with its combustible fusible Sulphur
easily enters that ironish Gold: But by its Mercury it attracteth
the pure corporeal gold, and cleanseth it, and separates it from all
dross without any loss: wherefore there cannot be a better flux, but
requiring industry, or an ingenious separation of the Antimony from the
gold, without wasting the gold; which is done as follows.
And first your ferreous gold, that is left in the abstraction of the
spirit of salt, must be finely powdered in iron retorts or pots, and
mingled with it two or three parts of Antimony powdered, and mixt in a
very strong crucible filled and covered, and then fused in our fourth
furnace, until that flow like water; which soon appearing, pour them
together into a heated Cone, smeared within with wax, and when they be
cold, separate from the dross the _Regulus_ (having most of the gold)
with a hammer, and keep it by it self. Which done, you must again melt
the drossy Antimony (as yet containing much gold) that was left, in the
crucible, and add to it a little filing of Iron, mixing them with a
crooked wier, and that Antimonial combustible Sulphur will be mortified
by adding iron, and will yield a _Regulus_ containing the rest of the
gold, which, as a regard is had to the quantity of iron added, will
be more or less, and for the most part will answer in weight to the
weight of the iron; then cast the mass (well flowing) into a Cone
heated and smeared on the inside with wax, which being cold, separate
again the _Regulus_ from the dross with a hammer, which also is to be
kept by it self; melt the dross again, as before, and precipitate it
with iron, and extract the _Regulus_ thence, which keep by its self,
for it contains gold and silver mixt. For the best gold is precipitated
the first time, but afterward the baser sort, and at last only Silver.
Wherefore every _Regulus_ is to be kept by it self, that the purest
gold may be a part, and the silvered gold by it self.
_N. B._ And if the Antimony, by the addition of Iron, do lose its
fusibility, and therefore can yield no _Regulus_, it’s required, that
you at every time when precipitation is made, by adding iron, that you
do also cast in some _Misy_, to make the mass to melt in the crucible
and precipitate the _Regulus_. All the gold and silver being reduced
into three or four _Regulus_’s, you must keep the drossy parts by
themselves that were left, of which we shall speak hereafter.
_Now follows the way of separating the Gold and Silver from the
Antimony._
The aforesaid antimonial _Regulus_’s may many waies be purged, and
first by help of Bellows on a plain earthen test, as the custom is with
Goldsmiths when they make Gold fusile by Antimony, which labour is
tedious and dangerous; which cannot be done often without the loss of
health, nor in great quantity: wherefore when a better way is known,
’tis a folly to do it so. The _Regulus_’s also may be purified by lead
on a teste, which work may be done in a great quantity, but it requires
abundance of coals and lead, where the Antimony cannot be preserved:
but it may be done with gain, and is to be preferred before the former
waies: Thou maist if thou pleasest calcine the aforesaid _Regulus_’s
to ashes, and then fuse them; which way the gold and silver may easily
be drawn out. Thou maist also fuse them in a crucible, and by the
addition of some salts, separate the antimony from the gold and silver,
turning the antimony into dross, which being separated, those are found
purified and malleable, which though it be the easiest way, it is yet
also very dangerous, for the salts often, if you do not warily proceed,
do spoyl much gold and silver, and sometimes leave gold immalleable,
and so double the pains.
But he who knows how to do this by Nitre only, he may with great
gain, and in a short time, purifie a great quantity of the aforesaid
_Regulus_’s without loss of the gold, silver, or antimony. There are
also other means for the doing of it which to relate were tedious and
indeed impossible. Wherefore I will set down the best of all, most
profitable in the separations of great quantities of _Regulus_’s. Where
first is required some peculiar little Furnace with a Fire almost
like to that in our first part of Philosophical Furnaces, built for
the subliming of Flowers; it wants indeed a grate, but it hath little
vents for to make the coals burn, that thy antimony separated from the
gold, may be sublimated or elevated into sublimatory vessels. Which
being rightly built and heated, let so much of the _Regulus_ be cast
in with a spoon as the Fire can bear, which will quickly melt and be
elevated, the air being attracted by the vents, without any trouble:
which being sublimed, you may cast in more, if you have more, until all
the _Regulus_ be separated and sublimated from the gold and silver,
which are left in the Fire pure and malleable; the furnace being cold,
you may take out the Flowers and keep them (of which afterwards) for
uses, which way you may not only separate a great number of _Regulus_’s
from gold and silver in a small time, but also keep all the antimony,
which may many waies be used in Alchymy and Medicine with great profit.
Which sure is an excellent knowledge, for not only hereby may any one
get abundantly, without wronging his neighbour, but also help many sick
People, _viz._ by that excellent Medicine made of the Flowers: which
is a special gift of God, for which we owe immortal Thanks. And this
is, of all others that I know, the best way of separation of gold from
antimony, which is not only done in great quantity, in a short time,
and with small charge, but also without loss of the Antimony.
_Here follows the Use of the Antimonial Flowers._
First, you may take the whitest of the Flowers out of the lower hole,
and keep them for a Universal Medicine; but reduce the rest (being
less pure) into _Regulus_ by the salt of Tartar, for divers uses, as
shall be said afterward; or you may mingle them with an equal weight of
common sulphur, or antimony, which being mixt in a covered crucible,
melt them, and they will yield an antimony like to a natural, good to
purifie gold: or thou maist mingle them with other metals or minerals,
that by this means they may be made better. Or thou maist use them in
Chyrurgery, for they of all stiptick plaisters make the best. In brief,
the aforesaid Flowers may many waies be used with good gain and success.
The aforesaid antimonial dross may also be reduced into Flowers, and
used in the same manner; which indeed are endowed with as excellent
Properties, as they which are made out of _Regulus_’s; because in that
fusion and separation of gold extracted out of Flints and Talc, the
gold only that was fixt and mature, was separated from the _Regulus_’s,
(the immature and volatile being left in the dross) and elevated with
the Flowers: It follows thence, that these are better, as well in
medicine as in the transmutation of metals.
Or, if thou wilt, add to the antimony (as aforesaid used) old iron,
to reduce it in a furnace, and take the _Regulus_, having gold and
silver, which may therefore be used in other operations of Chymistry,
where there is need of _Regulus_, as we may shew hereafter. But the
dross doth yield a _Regulus_, _viz._ in a very strong Fire, and a
Furnace with a peculiar separatory by abstraction, which although it
contain not gold, yet it may be used not without gain, as if it be
mingled with Tin in fusion, it procures to it a hardness and sound,
useful for fashioning divers sort of Houshold-stuff, which is not so
easily darkened as the common Tin, or if thou wilt not, thou maist make
weights of it.
Hitherto we have treated of the extraction of gold out of Flints, and
of its putrification by antimony; now we will teach you how to use
the rest of the antimony, as well in the perfection of base metals as
in medicine, as well for the preserving of Health, as the curing of
Diseases.
But seeing we have made mention of an Universal Medicine, to be made
out of antimony aforesaid, I would not have thee think that that is
such as can take away all distempers in general, without distinction,
which vertue is only ascribed to the Philosophers Stone, but not by me
to this medicine; to which I attribute no more than I have tryed: But
this in truth I dare affirm, that there is, besides the stone, scarce
any comparable to it; for it doth not only preserve the body from
divers Diseases, but also happily frees it from the present, so that it
may deservedly be termed a _Universal Medicine_.
_The Preparation followeth._
℞ of the flowers purified from the dross a pound, _viz._ of Antimony,
by which the extracted gold was purified, which for the most part
are of a yellow colour, having gold volatile and immature: in defect
of which, take the flowers made out of the golden _Regulus_’s, being
for the most part white, to which pour in a Glass Vial, strong and
long-necked, of spirit of wine tartarised, three or four pound, mingle
and stir them well together, and put on it another crooked pipe (within
which let there be some ounces of Quicksilver, as is described in the
Fifth Part of our Philosophical Furnaces) and make strong the joynts
with a bullocks bladder thrice folded, made wet; which dryed, place the
glass in _Balneum_, and give fire by degrees, that the spirit of wine
with the antimony may digest, in which leave it for 24 hours space,
and so soon as the fire is out, take out the glass, when it is cold,
pour off the spirit tinged red from the Flowers, and pour on fresh;
and place it, as before, in _Balneum_, to digest 24 hours space, till
it be red, and do this the third time, or so often till the Spirit be
no more coloured, for then no more is to be poured on, and that which
is coloured, is to be filtred with Cap-paper. The rest of the Flowers,
after the extraction, as not requisite to this business, are to be
either kept by themselves, or thrown away. But the tinged Spirit is
to be abstracted out of a glass cucurbit by an alembick, to the half,
from the tincture, which distilled spirit may again be used in the same
work: but the tincture left in the cucurbit is the medicine, of which
mention has been made.
Now mention being made also of tartarised spirit of wine, that I
may satisfie the doubtful concerning that I will here also give its
description, which is as followeth.
℞. of Tartar 20 or 30 pound, put it in a large coated retort, and place
it in sand, and distil the spirit off with a soft heat.
_N. B._ This work may better and sooner be performed by that instrument
of our second Furnace; and because it requires great and large
receivers, as being very penetrative, thou maist first apply a tin or
copper Serpent to the neck of the retort, instead of a receiver, which
is placed in a tub filled with cold water, that the spirits being
thereby cooled, may be retained, which afterward you must abstract
to the half, out of a glass cucurbit by an alembick: for the other
half with the black oyl is unprofitable in this work, and therefore
to be taken away. After that, mingle the more subtile part, distilled
with half of the _Caput Mortuum_, of the aforesaid Spirit, calcined
to a whiteness, and abstract it half again in a gentle _Balneum_,
out of a glass cucurbit by an alembick, the joynts whereof are every
where to be well closed, and the calcined Tartar shall receive with
it self the stench, together with the Phlegm, only the purer part of
the Spirit, and more subtile distilling forth, which is again to be
mingled with the other half of the Tartar calcined to a whiteness, and
to be rectified by another alembick; the _Caput Mortuum_ may again
be calcined to take away the fetidness, that it may be used again.
And this is that tartarised spirit of wine, with which the aforesaid
tincture and essence is extracted, and truly not only this, but of all
other metals, which no other can do. And if it were lawful, I would
write something more of its wonderful force and vertue which it hath
in purifying baser metals, with which it hath a great affinity; for it
can separate the pure from the impure, of which more in another place.
But when it is to be used in mending of metals, it needs not so much
rectification as is required in the extracting of metallick medicines;
where you may draw it in plenty out of the dry lees of wine. But there
is also another tartarised spirit of wine, which may also be used in
this same work, which is made after the following way: Dissolve in a
pound of the spirit of wine six ounces of Crystal of Tartar; which
solution use in the aforesaid extraction, in the same manner.
_Of the Virtues of this Medicine._
This Antimonial Tincture doth, above all other Medicines evacuate
vitious humours, and insensibly purgeth impure blood; opens any
obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, Reins, and the other vessels,
attracting to it all malignities, and leaving no impurities behind it.
And because it cleanseth the blood, it cures the Leprosy, French-pox,
and itch, and other Diseases proceeding from the impurity of the blood.
By its penetrative and attenuative vertue, it resolves all tartareous
humours, and evacuateth them, _viz._ which ingender the Gout, the stone
of the Bladder and Reins; but not the Stone perfectly coagulated,
only it mitigateth its pain, and hinders its encrease; but being not
hardened or coagulated, it attracteth and evacuateth it totally and
fundamentally out of all parts; it takes away also all Feavers, and
other diseases coming from the superfluity of humours. It gently
evacuateth the water between the skin, by siege and urine. In brief,
it strengthens and purges the principal parts, and preserves them from
all preternatural accidents. It is a most excellent preservative in the
time of pestilence, and other contagious diseases; and of them being
caught, it is a most absolute remedy, expelling the disease suddenly
from the heart, and evacuating it. In few words, ’tis of all others
a most excellent Universal Medicine, very profitable to both old and
young, and also very safe; but warily to be ministred, by reason of
its strength with which it is endued, which is most powerful, for it
is as a great fire, which extinguisheth the lesser. Truly a better
medicine cannot be desired than this, which is extracted of a very mean
thing, in a short space of time, and with very small cost and pains. I
ingenuously confess, I never saw its like, which I doubt not to be the
best in the World. Wherefore then do we seek any other but this, _viz._
which excels in those things which are desired from the real medicine?
But as it is most excellent, yet I am certain, that many deluded people
will be offended at it, being prepared out of Antimony, a mean and
despised thing, and after a plain way. But ’tis no matter, _For the
world will be deceived_, looking after gay things, disrespecting and
despising mean things, when all good things, yea, even when God himself
doth rejoice in simplicity, for which, by wicked and proud men he is
not sought unto. But this is the effect of sin, by which man is so
blinded, that though he know not good, when set before his eyes, yet he
is studious of evil.
_Of the Use and Dose of this Medicine._
Seeing of all medicines it is the most powerful, it had need be warily
used, for a smaller dose is alwaies safer than a greater; which
therefore may after be given; the which is to be observed in all
diseases of young and old. To children of 2, 3, 4, or 6 months old,
against the Worms, Scabs, Feavers, and Epilepsie, you need not give
above half a drop with a proper vehicle, which you may repeat three or
four times a day: it killeth the Worms, it emptyeth the stomach of evil
humours: it refresheth them, and preserves them from scabbiness; and
because it evacuateth evil and corrupt humours, it preserveth them from
the small pox and measles, _viz._ if it be used every month; but to
children of 1, 2, or 3 years old, you may give a drop, and to children
of 4 or 5 years old a drop and a half: to young people between 15 and
24 years, may be given 2, 3, or 4 drops. To stronger bodies from 25 to
50 years, 4, 5, 6, or 7 drops. But the dose must be greater or less,
with a regard had to the sickness of the patient. And in the Stone and
Gout, may be daily administred in wine or beer, _viz._ in the morning
fasting, unless the patient be very weak; for then you may give it
twice or thrice in a day, and continue this till the cure be perfected;
where is to be observed that he must keep a temperate dyet.
In the Leprosy, French-Pox and Scurvy, every morning may a dose be
given, and the disease shall totally be rooted out. Otherwise, _viz._
the strength being too much wasted and weakned, you may give only every
other day, _viz._ so long as shall be need.
In the Epilepsie it may be given daily; and also in the Dropsy. In all
Feavers, two or three hours before the fit. In the Plague it is to be
given presently, and every day to be repeated: but for a preservative
to be drunk every week once. In all other internal affects it must
be given daily, until the declining of the disease; but afterward by
little and little, the medicine is to be used till the disease be fully
cured.
In external, as in fresh wounds by a blow, thrust or shot, broken
bones, _&c._ every day once; with a necessary extrinsical application
of a Plaister. In old Fistulaes and Cancers, it may be used once every
day intrinsically and extrinsically, the place affected may be cleansed
with Mineral Oyntments. For by this means every inveterate evil, how
desperate soever, is throughly cured, and pleasantly, without all pain.
But although this be most precious of all medicines, yet there is a
_menstruum_ not corrosive, with which not only more easily than with
the spirit of wine tartarised, a Universal Medicine may be extracted
out of Antimony, and endued with better than the aforesaid vertues;
so that for the charge of one royal, in three days time, so much may
be gotten as may serve to cure some thousands of men, but also all
vegetables, animals, and minerals and metals, are radically dissolved
and reduced into their first matter: by which means not only very
great Poysons are changed into most wholesome medicines, but also
bitter things are deprived of their bitterness: for by it things are
so corrected, that they do no more provoke stool and vomit, _viz._
which are very vehement Catharticks (by nature) being changed into
most excellent restoratives. Also fetid things being corrected by it,
do acquire a sweet odour. And it doth not only (which seems a wonder)
dissolve vegetables, animals and minerals with those things which come
of them, but also the very Glasses; wherefore you must alwaies chuse
the strongest glasses for digestion and solution, or in the defect
of such, the weaker are to be changed every 6 houres. And yet it is
not at all altered by those things that it doth reduce and turn into
their first matter medicinal, neither in vertue nor colour; for it
alwaies keeps the middle place between pure and impure, of which this
falls to the bottom, but that swims on the top of the _menstruum_,
which may again be used. In brief, it’s vertues in preparing medicines
cannot be enough praised. But it may be compared with the Mercurial
water of _Basilus Valentinus_; and the _Alcahest_ of _Paracelsus_
and _Helmont_, which I judge to be the _Fire_ of the _Maccabees_
turned into a thick water under-ground. It is a perpetual fire, but
not alwaies burning visibly; it is a water permanent, not wetting
the hands, the Sope of the Wise, the Philosophers _Azoth_, and the
Royal-Bath.
Which Menstrue though I have known some years, and have often used
it with metallicks, and by it have found out many secrets, yet I
never thought of its use in Physick, until being askt of one who was
a great Student of _Helmont_, whether I knew the preparation of the
liquor _Alcahast_ of _Paracelsus_; and naming some of the vertues of
this liquor in preparing Medicines, I began to bethink my self, and
I observed that it was my _secret Balneum_, that purifies minerals.
Wherefore I presently made tryal with vegetables and animals (for I
knew the Vertues thereof in metallicks) and I found wonderful and
astonishing things in it, which before were incredible to me. I affirm
and confess therefore sincerely, that all and every the invented
medicines published by others and my self, how rare and costly soever,
are most mean things in my estimation. For this _Universal Key_
was wanting to us. For our vegetables and minerals, however by art
macerated, cannot be perfectly resolved, and therefore we hitherto have
had but part of their vertues. But now we need not much art, labour
and cost, to reduce a whole body without corrosives, into the first
matter, like in shape to some clear and excellent water, of its own
accord casting forth its superfluous terrestreity, and becoming a most
wholesome medicine, consisting of the three purest principles; the
which cannot be done without this _menstruum_. For, What else could
Physicians extract out of herbs than Syrups, Electuaries, Conserves
and Waters? With which Preparations they were not amended, but only
qualified with the addition of Sugar or Honey, because there is no
separation made of the pure from the impure, or good from bad. For all
are left mixt together in the Electuaries and Conserves, but in the
Syrups and Waters distilled there is only some part. Extracts indeed by
the spirit of Wine are not to be disesteemed, if rightly prepared, but
they are no better than their simples; and besides, want that which the
spirit of wine cannot draw out, which remainder, though being calcined
for the drawing out the salt, which is mingled with the extract, yet
that is not of much moment, for fire destroyeth the vertue of herbs,
so that fixed salts, as crystallised, do perform nothing in medicine,
those excepted which without combustion are made out of the juice of
herbs, of which in the third part of our Furnaces Philosophical. But
none dares extract the most strong or efficacious sort of herbs for
medicine, because they in preparation are not corrected or amended.
But by this means the most strong Herbs, which without this Preparation
are poysons, are matured and purified by the liquor _Alcahest_; so
that they may safely be taken against most grievous Diseases. For God
did not create these herbs in vain, as some think, which he purposely
created that his wonderful works might appear, and that it is possible
to take away the Curse from them by a man, being freed from the
malediction by the regeneration through Christ. See _Opium_, Mandrake,
Henbane, Hemlock, and other stupifying things, how deadly they are,
being cautiously used; which corrected by this Menstrue, become
most safe and excellent medicines. How dangerous is spurge, scamony,
hellebor, gambugium, and other strong purgers (being administred
unwarily) no man is ignorant: all which are by this way corrected,
and changed into most wholesome medicaments. Who, I pray, dares eat
Wolfsbane, and poysonous Toad-stools, and other venomous vegetables?
which are all so corrected by the liquor _Alcahest_, as that not only
they are not poysonous, but are also turned into most safe and wholsome
medicines of many diseases, _Nux vomica_, Levant-berries, and other
things that disturb the Brain, are by this means made wholsome; also
poysonous Animals, as Spiders, Toads, Serpents, Vipers, _&c._ are by it
corrected, as that not only they are not poysonous, but do resist and
expel poyson.
N.B. Consider the Spiders signed with the cross, who change their skin
every month, and renew themselves, which the Serpents and halcion do
but once a year. How great the vertue of worms, earthy and crude,
_&c._ is in resolving tartarous humours, and the French Disease, many
know; What then will they do, being corrected with this Menstrue? The
_Cantharides_ and _Millipedes_ are also so corrected, that they may
more safely be used in provoking Urine. And if that most venomous
Basilisk, of which there are so many fables, whose sight only kills
men (which according to the letter is false) could be had, he might
be changed into medicine by the liquor _Alcahest_; as that mineral
Basilisk, Gun-powder may be; which in a moment kills innumerable men;
also Arsenick, Orpiment, Kobolt, and the like; so that they be deprived
of their malignity, and be reduced into very excellent medicines.
In brief, its excellent vertues which it manifests in correcting of
venomous simples cannot be sufficiently described. Wherefore it’s
worth our pains to search it with all our power, that we may prepare
admirable medicines, that the sick may not for the future be so vexed
with those tedious and bitter cups. Truly I cannot enough admire its
great vertues, which have been hid so long. It is not a corrosive
thing, and yet dissolves every thing, but some things sooner than
others. It changeth and amendeth their natural vertues; wherefore it
may be the comfort of Spagyrists, having a long time sought for rare
medicines, _viz._ being that by which vegetables are separated and
corrected, and also animals and minerals. Wherefore all conscientious
Physicians may have commended to them the Preparation of this universal
Menstrue, by the help whereof to prepare their medicines; of which the
original and preparation is vile, but its vertues most efficacious,
the finding out and uses abstruse. Wherefore it is not obtained, but
from God, _from whom proceeds every good gift_. Do not think then that
gluttony and drunkenness, idleness, pride, and lying, the contempt of
thy neighbour, malice, avarice, with an impious life, to be the means
by which it is to be obtained, for it is only _the gift of the merciful
God_, _viz._ this Menstrue, the gate and key of which is only Divine
mercy. But that thou maist know what is to be determined concerning
medicines prepared out of poysonous simples, I will in brief expound
that by example; for all vegetables, animals, and minerals, called
poysons, making war with humane nature being intrinsically used, and
therefore not undeservedly shunn’d of all, are like some powerful
unvanquishable enemy, with all his power seeking the oppression and
destruction of his contrary, who being checked by a mediator of no
less strength, and reconciled with his contrary, does no more (being
unable before the reconciliation to resist his powerful enemies) fear
the contrariety of his enemy, which now is made his friend, bringing
aid for the exstirpating and vanquishing of all such-like (otherwise)
invincible enemies. Even so is it with venomous vegetables, animals,
and minerals, destructive to humane nature: which by the liquor
_Alkahest_ (a checker and reconciler) are so corrected and reduced,
that they hurt not, being deprived of their malignity and made friends
with men: whereby they are not longer poysonous enemies, but very
safe and wholsome remedies, agreeing to humane nature, overcoming and
expelling other the like enemies otherwise poysonous and invincible,
for by how much the more enemy before reconciliation it was, by so
much the more help is brought by it, the reconciliation being made.
There is not the like found in nature, which can so suddenly correct
Poysons, and reduce them into their first matter, and bring them into
very wholsome essences. Let religious Physicians then that can, get
this. And so I end this declaration (not without cause set down) which
will move those hearts which are not as yet hardened. This certainly
is a true Philosophical correction, with which that which is malign
is turned into a wholsome substance. What profits that correction, I
pray, which is made by the admixtion of other things, as in the mixture
of Catharticks and Cordials? Truly nothing, neither can the Cordials
do any thing but debilitate the Catharticks; for nature is not at
once able to expel a purging poyson, and attract a thing confortative
and corroborative: For a Purge being given, forthwith that shews its
strength in the body, whose malignity nature resisting, desireth to
expel it, before that it can attract the confortative; wherefore that
friend is expelled, together with the disease. The same happens in the
mixture of sugar, honey, and other sweet things with bitter, sharp,
and tart, _&c._ whose unpleasantness is not corrected by sweet things,
but only dulled, thereby acquiring another smell and taste, without
any other essential alteration. Which correction is like to that which
is made in Taverns, amending the air with sweet fumes, which before
was infected with the spittings, spewings, and stinks of rustick
drunkards, which is to rusticks an excellent correction, attracting
the ill as well as the good aromatick odour, being by drunkenness
deprived of their judgment, but not so to sober men enjoying the use of
Understanding, to whom that seems a rustick correction. In this manner
(not to be commended) are at this day simples corrected. But a true
and Philosophical correction is done by it self, without the addition
of other things, by benefit of the fire only, as well actual as
potentially moist, by ripening, mending, and separating the malignity;
which is done by the liquor _Alcahest_; as it is called by _Paracelsus_
and _Helmont_.
But whether this my liquor be the same _Alcahest_ of _Paracelsus_ and
_Helmont_, it matters not if it perform the same things.
Fire, and a fiery vertue may do much, but not by burning and
destroying, but by maturation and nutrition; and feeding and
moistening. Of which moist Fire, see _Artephius_, _Bernhardus_,
_Basilius_, _Paracelsus_, &c. for maturation is not done with cold
things, but hot, promoting germination. And what ever Nature hath
left imperfect in the vegetable, mineral, and animal kingdom, _viz._
accidentally; that may be amended by Art with the liquor _Alkahest_,
which is the best way of correction, until by benefit of art, and the
help of nature, some better thing be found out, _&c._
And these are the vertues of that wonderful liquor _Alkahest_, which
is made use of in the preparation of medicines: And, because it is
said before that it shews its vertues on metallicks also, I could not
conceal them from the studious. But all its vertues shall not here
be related, for it is endued with so many, that no mortal is able to
number them. As for me, although by divine favour and the instruction
of that excellent man _Paracelsus_ (excellently in a certain place,
but observed but by few; describing it, speaking of it briefly, but
very plainly and clearly naming it) I did obtain the knowledge thereof,
which afterward daily I did more and more encrease, so that I could
hardly believe that any ever had spent so much money and pains in the
searching of its vertues, for the trying of metals: yet I must needs
confess, although happily I have made more tryal therein than any
other; that many of its vertues are as yet unknown to me. Seeing then
that its vertues and strength cannot all be tryed by any man, by reason
of his short life, although searching an hundred years; and that by our
merciful Father only to a few, and but part of the knowledge of its
wonderful and incredible force, is granted, to the glory of His Divine
Name, in favour of the poor sick, which none, how learned soever, with
his ambitious learning and craft could ever obtain. Therefore some
excellent gifts being given from the Father of lights, the Omnipotent
GOD, to some of His Children, _gratis_, and out of meer mercy, _viz._
for some causes, I easily believe, that it is not His Will that it
shall long be kept close, but be revealed to the world, to the glory
of His Name, and the benefit of our poor neighbour. Wherefore I could
not longer hold my peace, hiding my talent which I received _gratis_,
though small, but communicate it _gratis_ to my neighbour; but so that
the Divine mystery may not be gotten by those ungodly abusers, but
only by the worthy through divine favour. I affirm therefore expresly,
that in whole nature such a thing may not be found; for not only by
its help all animals, vegetables and minerals may be reduced into
very excellent and safe medicines, but also be brought into the first
matter; minerals and metals may be purified, washed and fixed, and so
changed into better bodies. That which is worthy admiration, that in
so vile and mean a subject should lye hid so great vertues, by which
alone without any other art, may be acquired riches and honours, and
lost health. Than which thing, what doth mortal man more need in his
misery, besides the Divine Word, the comfort of the soul, than for
necessary sustentation of life, soundness of body, and honest report
before God and men? All these things may be had with this subject, so
that one need not to involve himself into any other troublesome art
or vanity of this world, having this secret, whereby all necessaries
may in abundance be procured: of which gift that this unclean world is
unworthy, I do affirm sincerely, because it swells with ambition and
avarice; for which we are not able to give God the Donor sufficient
thanks in our whole life, wherefore I would have all what state or
order soever earnestly admonished, that they do not use this gift from
Heaven to the destruction of their souls, but in thankfulness to Him
that gave it, and every way to the good of their Christian Neighbour.
_Now follow the Vertues which it manifesteth in Metallicks._
First, it (_viz._) the Philosophical Menstrue, doth radically dissolve
all minerals and metals without noise, and reduces them into very safe
and wholsome medicines. Out of gold it makes potable gold; out of
silver potable silver, and so consequently of other potable metals; so
that it may well be called _The Universal Mercury_.
Secondly, This secret Menstrue purgeth, washeth, and transmuteth
minerals and metals to a more noble species; wherefore it may well be
called _Sapo Sapientum_, by which the saying of the Philosophers is
confirmed; _Ignis & Azoth abluunt Latonem_.
Thirdly, By it all minerals and metals are matured and fixed, so as
that afterward the immature gold or silver incorporated with them,
may by cupellation be drawn out with gain; wherefore ’tis deservedly
compared to _Hermes_ seal.
Fourthly, It makes metals volatile, and radically conjoyns them that
they abide together, and one act on the other in the fire; it destroys
and revives, kills and renews; wherefore it is compared to the Phenix.
Fifthly, It separates metals without any loss, and that speedily; but
after another manner than corrosives, so that each of them may be had
by themselves. For Example: Being about to separate gold, silver,
copper, iron, tin, lead mixt; one, or two, three, or four of them mixt,
that they may appear each by themselves, without the loss of any, you
need not cupellate the mixture with lead, which way only gold and
silver are gotten out, with the loss of all the rest: but by this way
they are all preserved, where by turns, one after another, they are
extracted wonderfully and swiftly, in half an hours time, by this sharp
_Vinegar of the Philosophers_, &c.
Sixthly, By it metals may suddenly be mortified and reduced into
transparent glass, irreducible, and like _Amausa_, but reserving
the propriety and nature of every metal: which in the reduction of
Gold do give perfect silver; whereby is confirmed that saying of
the Philosophers, _The corruption of one thing is the generation of
another_; and that of _Paracelsus_, _Ex aliquo fiat nihilum, & ex
nihilo aliquid_. But this incombustible water, or permanent water,
shews the truth of the Philosophers writings, generally mentioning
it. In it the solution, putrefaction, distillation, sublimation,
circulation, ascension, descension, cohobation, inceration,
calcination, coagulation, fixation and fermentation, _&c._ in their
work to be done at one time and one way: In which only operation all
the colours appear of which the Philosophers make mention; as the head
of the crow, virgins milk, dragons blood, peacocks tayls, green and red
lyon, _&c._ There is also by it demonstrated the truth (by the liquor
_Alkahest_) of that Hermetical saying, _That which is above, is as that
which is beneath_, &c. and many other things are performed by its help,
as making that secret Sandivogian _Chalybs_; also that long sought-for
oyl of Talc.
So far (courteous Reader) hath come my Experience; neither doubt I, but
by it to obtain that universal _Salamander_ which lives in the fire.
These things which I write are true, and no fallacies. And though this
secret be incredible to the ignorant, for the wonderful vertues it
sheweth in the preparation of medicines, I would willingly publish it
to the World for publick good, but on consideration I held it not meet
to communicate it for certain causes. But only lest the knowledge of it
should perish, and that the true (and almost extinct) medicine for the
curing of diseases vulgarly incurable, might flourish, I have revealed
this secret _menstruum_ to two friends, _viz._ its preparation and use.
[See the preparation in _Mirac. Mundi_, and _Apology against Farner_.]
But do thou not think, because I write of these high things, that I
do intend to make common the Secret to all in general; not so, but I
endeavour to confirm him that seeketh, and give him occasion to Search
this secret deeper; which being found, he shall not only find the truth
of my words, but he shall daily by exercise obtain far greater things
than these.
And because I have never aspired after vain riches and honours, nor
never desire them; I might well be perswaded to leave to others, as
yet not hating the wicked World, my troublesome labours, because in
this my painful age such tedious labours are very burdensome; besides
Philosophy hath pointed me another way, so that what I am able I have
determined to abstain from these vanities, and to seek a perpetual
good, the life of rest; but my counsel shall not be wanting to those
that seek it: for besides moved with the former reasons, also seeing
innumerable many vain philosophers, as well learned as unlearned,
uncessantly working, and losing their time and labour, and at last
despairing, are perswaded that there is no truth in the Philosophers
writings, but to be all filled with lyes and deceits; whence royal
Chymistry is disgraced.
But this _menstruum_ sufficeth to defend the writings of the
Philosophers, without the metallick transmutations; so that I verily
believe the time to be near, when the Omnipotent GOD, before He judge
the World by fire, will shew His omnipotency to the Nations, by the
revelation of the wonderful and incredible things of nature; of which,
transmutation of metals is not the least, which in the third part of
this Mineral Work I shall deliver to the last age, (being acceptable
to God) to the profit of my neighbor, and for demonstration sake.
Wherefore I now pass over such things, with a firm hope, that this
faithful Admonition shall be received as an undoubted and infallible
truth.
_How the aforesaid =Regulus= of the flowers and dross of Antimony,
is to be used in the bettering of course Metals, shall be shewn,
that ART may not be abused._
The Antimonial _Regulus_, a radical metallick humour, may help to
perform wonderful things, for being reduced to a water without a
corrosive, it resolveth all metals, cleanseth, washeth, and purifieth
them, and turns them into a better species, so that particularly not
a small gain may be from thence received. But how it may be reduced
into water, and how by its help metals may be resolved, volatilized,
and again fixed, hath been demonstrated by _Artephius_, _Basilius_ and
_Paracelsus_; wherefore we need not here repeat their writings, but
refer the Reader to their works.
But not only the _Regulus_, but also all Antimony may many waies be
used in the separation of metals, _viz._ For the extraction of hidden
Gold, which not be done without Antimony; as shall appear by the
following example. When you find a marcasit or other ironish fossile,
that will not yield to the tryal by lead, add to it three parts of
Antimony, and being well mixt, melt them in a covered crucible, and
being melted, pour it into a cone; and when all is cold, separate the
_Regulus_, which purge again by fire as before, and thou shalt find
gold contained in the aforesaid fossile: And if it be indued with more
plenty of gold, for it is not all drawn out at one time, _viz._ with
the first _Regulus_, another _Regulus_ is to be melted, by adding more
iron and salt-petre, which is also of a nature near to _Sol_. And
if these marcasit fossiles are not ferreous, you must in the first
fusion, add iron and nitre to them, or else they yield no _Regulus_.
By the adding more scales of iron, more _Regulus_ is made, and for the
same use as that is, of which above in the fusion and separation of
extracted gold; weights also may be made out of the dross. And thus are
_lapis calaminaris_, marcasit, kobolt, zink, talc, and other fossiles
separated, _viz._ containing gold.
But all gold containing iron (as that of Stiria, Carinthia, the
Granacia, and of Transylvania _&c._) may this way be easily separated
with profit, by the help of iron. And if the iron have no gold, yet if
the Antimony have it, it may thence be separated by fusion with iron,
_viz._ if it be brought to a _Regulus_. The rest of the Antimony may
again be fused with new iron and new glass of more weight than it, but
less than this, and be reduced into a _Regulus_ fit for the following
uses. Out of the dross let weights (that nothing may be lost) be made,
that thou maist have the more gain; as may appear from the following
example.
When you have the Antimony, a hundred of which contains two duckats, if
you will separate the gold; take a hundred [weight] divided into three
or four parts, fuse it according to art, adding a little iron and salt
of ashes, and reduce them into small _Regulus_’s, weighing a pound or
two. Then melt the dross with half the weights of the iron in a large
and strong crucible, and thou shalt have more _Regulus_’s about fifty
pound or more, dross 40 _lib._ which make weights of, or else guns,
_&c._ the rest, about eight or nine pounds, will vanish into smoak. And
so thou hast reduced the gold contained in a hundred weight, into one
or two pounds, which thou maist sublime by fire into flowers (leaving
the gold in the fire) for its uses, but those 50 or 60 pounds of the
_Regulus_’s prepared by adding much iron, they having little or no
gold, you may mingle with tin for its beauty, hardness and sounding, to
make divers sorts of houshold-stuff, as platters, dishes, _&c._ for tin
mixt with the _Regulus_ looks like silver for whiteness and hardness,
and sounds like it, nor is it so easily dulled as unmixt.
Now let us weigh what gain may come from the separation of the meanest
Antimony. Put case that a hundred weight of Antimony be sold for three
Royals (for so for the most part the Polonian is sold, than which,
although that of _Hungaria_ and _Transilvania_ be dearer, yet this hath
more gold) to which add 60 pound of iron, which is sold for half a
royal, and the charge of coals and crucibles requisite be half a royal
more: the total of the expences is four royals, for which take two
duckats in gold, sixty pound of _Regulus_, eighty pound of dross, and
one or two pound of flowers. Those 60 _lib._ of _Regulus_ may be sold
at the price of tin, whereof a pound is sold for a quarter of a royal,
and then their whole price is fifteen royals. Then the eighty pound of
refuse made into weights, may be sold at forty shillings, or at least
twenty four shillings, or half a royal; and all things being considered
and reckoned, as they ought, there may remain the value of sixteen
royals.
And though the Antimony should yield but one duckat, and a pound
of _Regulus_ should be sold at the eighth part of a royal, yet the
remainder would be above six royals: And in a day there may easily be
two hundred weight separated by two men. And then suppose it should
contain no gold (as some Antimony doth not) yet may four or five royals
be gotten daily.
But when you have Antimony, one hundred whereof contains three, four,
or five duckats, and iron requisite to the separation containing one
or two ducats, then there is so much more gained. Then let him that
undertakes this business seek for the best Antimony and iron, and he
may well gain in a day twenty, thirty, and sometimes sixty royals.
_N. B._ And if you should have so much _Regulus_ that you could not mix
all of it with tin, for want thereof, then it may be sold in parcels,
so that one ℔ may go at a fourth part of a royal; by which means the
daily gain may not be diminished, but may be rather encreased; as may
be seen by what follows. The _Regulus_ of Antimony is the masculine
species of Lead; whose first being is gold impure and immature: but the
first being of common Lead is impure and immature Silver; as experience
witnesses; for Antimony being purged and fixt, yields gold, but the
common lead only silver. And because Antimony, which is better than
common Lead, is called the _Philosophers lead_, or their _secret lead_;
of many so named, but known of few; not that the thing is unknown,
or of an unknown original, but by reason of its hidden proprieties;
therefore I say that its vertues are not all to be known by any mortal,
though he should have a hundred years to search into wonderful nature,
for it is unsearchable, and the creator of all wonders, let him injoyn
himself silence, neither let him glory in the knowledge of it, who hath
not made tryal of it; for in it, through it, and by it, Nature and Art
do strive for perfection. Of which more elsewhere.
_Now follows the Use._
Having mentioned _Antimonial Regulus_, which is Lead and better than
the common. It must also purify impure metals, wash them, separate the
occult Gold and Silver in them; that which the common Lead can do, to
which, if those be added, it attracteth the more impure part in the
Cupel, which it converteth into dross, and draweth down with it into
the porous ashes, leaving the purer Gold and Silver in the Cupel: but
from some Tin and Copper not yielding to the Lead, nor willing to be
washed by it, it cannot extract their Gold and Silver; neither hath
any one written the way of separation by it. _Lazarus Erker_ indeed
hath described (and others also) the way of separating Silver from Tin
and Iron, which is not to be disesteemed if it be accidentally mixed
with Silver, which is separable that way, but not so, being generated
in, and radically mixt with them, requiring other Lead, willingly
embracing Tin and Iron, which nothing but _Regulus_ can perform.
But seeing Tin and Iron do for the most part, contain much Gold (but
chiefly Tin) _viz._ inseparable by the common way, it will be worth our
pains to seek another Lead and way of separation; as it is apparent
to Refiners, proving Tin and Iron by the common way on a test; whilst
Tin and Iron melted in the Lead, do forthwith shew their stubbornness
by innate proprieties and forsake it, _viz._ as a contrary rising to
the top like dross or ashes, without any separation, Gold and Silver
being excepted, if accidentally mixt together, which are left with
the Lead; but not so being hid in their middle or center. But that
the truth hereof may appear, I will demonstrate it by example: Place
on a test under a tyle 16. parts of Lead, and one of Tin, after the
manner of proofs, give a fusing fire for to separate the dross; and
all the Tin almost flying away, will at the bottom be burnt, and
separated like ashes, being sublimated on the top of the Lead; not
deprived of its Gold and Silver incorporated together, which afterward
I shall demonstrate, when all the Tin is sublimated from the Lead, and
calcined, and the test taken from under the tyle, and the rest of the
Lead poured off, and you shall find after cupellation no more Silver
than the sixteen parts of Lead did contain before, if they had been
cupelled without Tin; sometimes less, Some part being taken away by
the Tin in the examination: the same is done with Iron, altho’ thou
shouldst add Copper with glass of Lead, to retain the Tin and Iron,
thereby to separate their Gold and Silver, you would effect nothing:
for although some more Silver may hereby be extracted, yet that would
not come from the Tin or Iron, but from the Copper: it may therefore be
extracted another way, of which, hereafter.
In the mean while I will prove clearly, that the separation of tin and
iron by common lead, thereby to get their gold and silver, is of no
value, which being left in them, are turned into ashes and dross.
Take any tin, and reduce it into ashes by lead, or agitation, on a
smooth earthen vessel (tryed before, by the common way, for distinction
sake, which calcine well, that the corporeal tin powdered, may be
calcined, or being melted, may be separated from the ashes). Then take
of these ashes one part, and of the following flux, or of that a little
after six parts or more; being mixt, fuse them in a strong crucible
with a strong fire, until the Flux have Consumed or drunk up all the
calx of the Tin, and of them both shall be made one, _viz._ yellow or
red Glass, which may be tryed with a crooked wier put in: which if it
seem not clear, the crucible must be covered again, and a greater Fire
be given, until the Fire be perfect; which labour in one half hour is
finished: which done, pour it into a brass mortar, afterward to be
covered, until it be a cold, that it leap not out and be lost.
Afterward powder it, which with calx of Tin, mix the equal weight of
filings of Iron; being mixt, put them into a strong Crucible (because
the Flux is very penetrative) covered, and give a strong fire for
fusion half an hour: which done, pour it out, for the Tin hath made
separation, and reduced some part of the Lead out of the Flux, sinking
to the bottom to be separated when it is cold, to be reduced into
dross on a test, and then to be cupelled, and you shall find grain Gold
drawn from Tin without Silver. And if before you weigh the calx of Tin
by the lesser Hundred weight, and after that the grains of Gold, you
may easily conjecture how much Gold is contained in the whole hundred
weight of Tin ashes, _viz._ at the least 3, 4, 5, or 6. _Lotones_, or
_half Ounces_, if thou work aright.
See then the Fault is not to be imputed to the metals, but us, being
ignorant of the separation of the Gold and Silver.
You should not perswade your self by this means to get much wealth
out of Tin; for I have not written this for that end, but only to
demonstrate the possibility. And if thou think that Gold will come
out of Iron by the fluxing powder, mingle then filings of Iron with
the Flux, before thou put in the calx of Tin, and thou shalt find in
so doing, that Gold doth come neither from the Flux or Iron, but out
of Tin; then being hereby assured, that ’tis the Tin which contains
Gold, thou mayst consider, how most conveniently that may be extracted,
_viz._ with other Lead, and another way, as shall be hereafter taught.
Neither think that Tin contains no more Gold than you have heard;
for more there is if you can wisely extract it: neither do I deny,
that more Gold may be extracted out of the Tin, but more care than
this is to be given, if you desire more plenty. But Gold may thence
be extracted, not only by Flux, but diverse other wayes, in diverse
weights; for what is written, is only for demonstration of the
possibility, that the Gold contained in the imperfect metals, may be
extracted by a secret separation.
_The Fluxing Powder requisite to this Work._
℞ one part of very pure and white Sand, or Flints, having no Gold
fusible; to which, add three parts of Litharge of Lead; being mixt,
fuse in a very strong Fire, that thereof a transparent Glass may be
made of it, which pour out, that it may be cold, and reduce it to
powder; which use in the aforesaid manner. But you may ask, why Sand
and Flints are mingled, seeing they are not of a metallick nature:
to which I say, the calx of Tin, cannot, as also other Fossiles be
Examined by Lead alone, for the following Reasons, _viz._ because in
the Calcination of Tin, its metallick nature is hidden, but the impure
and earthy parts are manifest, wherefore it hath no longer affinity
with Lead and other metals; unless the hidden parts of the lead be
manifest, and also other metals and the manifest be hidden, for then
they easily embrace one the other, and are again mingled well, and not
altered.
What belongs to the alteration of other metals doth not belong hither;
for to this place only pertain Lead and Tin, the alteration of which is
demonstrated by this tryal; whereby it appears to be thus.
Lead reduced into ashes, by it self, or into Litharge, and deprived
of its metallick form, cannot so in this work be used without the
flints or sand, for the following reason. The lead and glass thereof
made by it self is very fusible and volatile; but the calx of tin is
very difficultly fused: which two calxes, although they should be
mingled to fuse in a crucible, yet would not be mingled, nor being
fused, embrace one the other, by reason of the difference of their
fusibility; because the calx of lead alone being fused by a small fire,
will perforate and penetrate the crucible, the calx of Tin being left
in the crucible: wherefore you must add sand or flints to the lead,
_viz._ to hinder its fusibility, that it may endure the same degree of
heat with those that are difficultly fused, and further their flux. For
like things do mutually affect and embrace each other; as water doth
water, oyl oyl, and glass glass; and metals other metals; but water
is not mingled with oyl; neither are glasses mingled with metals, but
metals with metals, and glass with glass, whether it be made of metals
or out of sand. Wherefore they greatly err who mingle the calx of
metals difficultly miscible, or other hard things with lead to prove or
examin, not considering that corporeal lead hath no affinity with them:
who remaining in their errour, and not weighing the thing further,
consequently can find nothing of any moment.
But when the calx of metals united with lead by a _medium_, as flints
or sand, are brought together into transparent glass; then the lead
being precipitated and separated from the mixture, it cannot be, but
that the gold and silver contained in them must be carried away with
it. This is a true and philosophical tryal, and not to be contemned,
for many things may be by it performed.
_N. B._ But this is not to be passed by, that in the mutual mixture and
fusion of the glass of lead and the calx of tin, and other hard metals,
one may easily err, _viz._ in the precipitation (which is done with the
mixture of iron) of the gold with the lead into _Regulus_, by either
the excess or defect, so that nothing may be gotten, which is committed
in precipitation. For if the mixture stand long in the fire not fused,
it is burnt, so that it cannot well be separated, and if it stand too
long fused in the fire, the gold is attracted by the dross, by reason
of the mixture of the iron, having great affinity with the gold, so
that by this means nothing can be gotten: wherefore the Work is to be
done warily, and with wisdom and industry. You must have a care you
burn not the _Regulus_ of lead with too much fire, when you reduce it
into dross; for fear of attracting the gold from the iron, and turning
it into dross. And although this may by Art be prevented, yet we must
not presently create every one _Master of Arts_, it requiring diligence
and daily exercise, besides the reading of Books. But this Secret shall
other where be communicated.
This admonition then I give, that thou do not impute thy errour (if
thou dost err) to me, but to thy self, for what I have written is
true: and do not thence infer an impossibility of attracting gold by
iron, out of lead, and of turning it into dross, which is no wonder to
me, though it may so seem to thee. Which he who hath the knowledge of
metals will himself easily perceive. But that thou maist be certain,
try the certainty after the following manner: Take two hundred _lib._
of lead, of the lesser weight of the Refiners, put it on a test under
a tyle; add eight or ten _lotons_ of pure gold, of tin two or three
_l._ six or eight of iron, _viz._ of the lesser weight: make them flow
together an hour to make dross; as Examiners use to do; then pour it
out, and separate the lead from the dross, _viz._ to cupel that which
is separated, then weigh the grains of gold left, and thou shalt find
half of it consumed by the dross. If this happen to corporeal gold
and fixt, How will it be with that which is newly extracted out of an
imperfect metal? Therefore you must diligently search out the natures
of metals, and then such cases will not seem incredible.
From hence then, and other Examples mentioned it appears, that
that separation which is done by tests and cupels, is not true and
legitimate; and consequently, that another profitable separation of
metals is to be sought; because by this the greater part of gold and
silver burns into dross, witness Experience, for which cause the
former example was alleadged; whither belongs the proof, _viz._ how
much gold the dross hath attracted, which is done as followeth: ℞ the
remaining black dross, to which add a double weight of salt of tartar,
put it in a crucible filled but to the half (for fear of boyling out)
and covered, that nothing fall in, under a tile or among live coals,
one or two hours space to digest; and a new _Regulus_ of lead shall
be precipitated, which separated from the dross, you may cupel, and
you shall find new grains of gold attracted by the iron in the dross,
and now separated by the salt of tartar, overcoming the force of the
iron. And so you have heard from two examples, how in the coction of
the separation gold may be drawn out of the lead by tin and iron, and
that therefore there is need, that gold be separated by the _Antimonial
Regulus_ out of the aforesaid metals, and not by lead, if you would
extract the true substance with gain.
N. B. Gold may likewise be separated out of the glass of lead (being
first dissolved with the ashes of tin) with coal dust, adding it in
the flux and stirring it with an iron wier; and also with common
sulphur, by burning it on it: but the aforesaid way with iron, is to be
preferred before those two which spoyl the gold, _&c._ wherefore the
remaining dross is to be gathered, which by some abstracting furnace by
other means may be tryed, for to recover the spoyled or lost gold and
silver.
And all these are alleadged to demonstrate that the gold in tin and
iron is to be separated by the _Antimonial Regulus_, and not by Lead.
But how this separation may be perfected, you shall hear in the third
part, where we will treat of lead, explained by _Paracelsus_, in his
book called _Cœlum Philosophorum_, and other artificial Chymical
labours: wherefore here we omit it, being superfluous to handle one
thing in divers places. In the mean while exercise thy self in lesser
things, that thou maist be more fit for greater when they shall be set
forth. But wonder not at my liberality in publishing so great secrets,
for I have reasons for it. Such a burden is too much for me alone,
neither doth it profit the Covetous to sell his goods to them which
keep not their words, nor pay the money, after they have obtained
their art, which hath hapned to me. Wherefore I have determined to
communicate some secrets to all the world indifferently, that the poor
may receive some profit by them; knowing that though I write plainly,
yet that all will not at the first view obtain their desires. For some
are so dull, that they cannot imitate a work though often seen. For
some have often visited me, to see my new manner of distilling, which
though it was sufficiently demonstrated to the eye, yet they could
not imitate it, till with often perusals at length they have found
the right path. Others have left it as too hard a work, when it would
not presently succeed, which if it hapned to those who had an ocular
demonstration, how much more difficult will it be and hard to them who
have nothing but what they have heard or read. Wherefore I am certain,
that though I should publish every one of my secrets, yet could
they not be performed by all men, my coals and materials being left
sufficing for my necessity. Wherefore I fear not to publish, the next
opportunity offered, divers profitable and excellent secrets, _viz._ in
favour of all and every one.
As for that spirit of salt necessary to this work, you may find it in
the first part of my Philosophical Furnaces corrected and amended; but
the way of separation in the fourth part.
And so I finish this work, being published in favour of those who by
war (though honest men) are reduced to poverty. But what things are
deficient in this little tract shall (God willing) be delivered in the
next (which shall follow in a short time) largely and clearly without
fraud.
_FINIS._
THE
SECOND PART
OF THE
Mineral Work.
_Of the Birth and Original of Metals and Minerals, =viz.= How they
are produced by the Starrs, and take to themselves a body out of
the Water and Earth, and are found in a sundry shape. Written
and brought to light for the sake of the Diligent Searchers of
Nature._
A Preface to the Reader.
Courteous Reader,
_Whereas in a former little Book, lately by me published, I mentioned
this little Tract of the Generation of Metals, and through want of
time, could not hitherto make it publick, although earnestly desired
by men of the meanest and highest condition: I have now determined
to spare so much time from my other Imployments, as to do this Work
for the publick good, no ways doubting, but that (although this my
opinion of the Generation of Metals, doth not agree with all the
=Philosophers=) yet will it get credit from, and the assent of not a
few quick-sighted men._
_That which I here declare, I do not exhibit it with flattering words,
or many circumstances, or the testimonies of other Writings, but with
a naked and genuin simplicity; for which very cause I would not make
this little Tract too prolix, but have unfolded my mind with the most
Compendious stile that I could. But let none think that I endeavour
to weaken and nullifie the Opinions of other men concerning the
Generations of Metals, and obtrude mine in the World, no, not in the
least: I leave to every man his free will, and the Liberty of viewing
others, who have written Monuments of this thing, and of comparing of
them with my writings, that he may evidently perceive which of the two
Corresponds most with Nature and Truth: I aim not at any Honour hereby,
as if I were wiser than the common sort: Nor do I reap any benefit by
making this little Book, but ’tis done only for this end and purpose,
That (because I have formerly written of Metalline things, and have
also made mention of this little Tract of the Birth and Nativity of
them) I may give light unto my Writings, and render them more easie
to be understood; for I should most bitterly suffer, if but one only
should be lead into errour by my Writings, but I trust that the light
is springing up unto many, by the guidance whereof they will more
cautiously handle than hitherto they have done. Let the Benign and
Merciful God, our Father of all things, of whose Wonders the Heaven and
Earth are full, give unto His poor needy Children that which may tend
to the Glory of His most holy Name, and to our health._
OF THE
Birth and Nativity
OF
METALS.
There have alwaies been many, and various Opinions concerning the
Original of Metals and Minerals, _to wit_, of what matter they are
first of all generated in the Bowels of the Earth; and how come to such
a fixity, insomuch, that a young Beginner in this hard Science, hath
been in suspence; which of them he should assent unto, and by what
Phylosophy he should direct his course.
And whereas, throughout the whole Universe in so many Nations, there
are so many men, both of high and low degree, as well Learned as
unlearned, who busily seek at this day, to get their Felicity from the
Metals; and whereas, without the true Knowledge of them, nothing at
all of profit can be had (for by what means I pray can any one convert
any imperfect Metal into a better, if he be ignorant of what Parts it
is composed; into what Parts it is to be resolved before that it can
obtain a more Noble Form) and that the Knowledge of their Generation
is worthily necessary for their Melioration; we will in a few words
clearly evidence, What is to be considered as to their Nativity.
Although the whole Company of Phylosophers do almost unanimously
testify, (but yet in succinct, obscure, and ænigmatical Terms) That
Metals receive their Generation from above, by the force of the Stars,
and are produced in the bowels of the Earth; yet some there are, who
contend very ignorantly, and affirm, that Metals have not any seed at
all, as other Animal, and Vegetable things have; and that (upon this
account they have no propogating faculty, but were produced such in the
belly of the Earth, by GOD in the first Creation of things). But this
Deceit is too gross, and palpable, and may be met withal most easily,
by daily experience, declaring the contrary. For when being found in
the Earth, they are by the Miners brought to light, we abundantly, and
ocularly perceive, that even now they daily grow, and will not cease
from this motion, unless rob’d of their Vegetable Vertue and Life, by
external Accidents, which very thing convinceth the Opinion of Errour.
Some there are, who teach that God, when he made the World, did instil
into the Matrix of the Earth, not the Metals themselves, but their Seed
only for its own propagation; which, if so, then long ago, would this
Seed have afforded a new harvest of it self (of which, no footsteps
are any where extant) by its own absolute Vegetation. Know therefore,
that the manner of the Metallick Seed is far different from that of the
vegetable and animal Seeds, which are perceptible to the sence of sight
and feeling.
For the Metals are not all together created in the beginning of things,
but begotten in length of time, out of the bosome of the Elements; and
on them, being created by the Omnipotent GOD, is this Command injoyned,
and this Power implanted, that they should give growth to all things,
by their Vertue and Efficacy; for accomplishing of which thing, the one
cannot in the least want the Company of the other.
For the Stars or Elements of Fire, delivers out the metalline Seed out
of its own bowels; which the air carries down into the Water, that
it may adapt to it self, a palpable form or body, which the Earth
(embraceing it) doth cherish, nourish, and augment from form to form,
until it comes to be a perfect Metal, which it (at length) brings forth
into the light, as a Mother doth her mature young one; which Conception
and Generation of the Metals, taking its Original at the very beginning
of the World, will alwaies continue even unto its Dissolution.
For by the efficacy of the Elements, new things are from thence
generated, and contrarily, old things are destroyed; which thing is not
only done in Metals, but most apparently in Vegetables and Animals: for
none can deny, but that various Hearbs, and little Animals are produced
upon this Stage, by the alone vertue of the Elements, without planting
of the Herbs; and without the Seed of the Animals, which to pursue, I
could lay down many Documents, were it needful, but ’tis altogether
needless, to say any thing of that, of which none are ignorant. And
now, who will not believe, but that the same may be done in Metallicks.
God Omnipotent hath implanted in the Starrs, or Element of Fire, the
vivifying prolifick and seminal vertue of all things, which power it
doth not keep shut up within it self, but sends and lets it down by
Divine appointment into the earths center, by mediation of the air and
the water; which fiery beams cease not, by reason of their implanted
impulse and vertue, to go forward, until they do at last meet with
a place, beyond which it is impossible for them to go, nor can they
stay there any longer, but leaping back from the center unto the
circumference, are dispersed throughout the whole earth, cherishing
and impregnating it: which thing, unless it were done, and those
sidereal vertues should remain in the center of the earth, and never
flow upwards, nothing at all would grow upon the Earth. But because
heat, and whatsoever is of the fire, is endowed with this nature, to go
forward as far as it can, and where it can go no farther, ’tis struck
back, and leaps from the center to the Superfices; which thing is
evident in a burning-glass, whereinto when the Solar beams fall, and
cannot penetrate the compact and polisht metal, they are dispersedly
forced backwards, and in those fiery beams, whilst (every where) they
leap back, do in the porosity of the earth snatch up, as it were, a fat
humidity, adheres thereto, and by mutual mixtion are coagulated into
a certain palpable Essence, out of which, according to the purity or
impurity of the place, a pure, or an impure metal is with length of
time produced; because a metal doth not presently become ripe in the
same moment of time, but the Seed of the Metal is by little and little
nourished and increased in the matrix of the earth, with the heat of
the central fire, until it attains its perfection.
Like as in the generation of Vegetables and Animals, it comes in use,
whose Seed being received into the suitable matrix, takes encrease from
thence by little and little, until (if no obstacles prevent) it obtains
a predestinated and appointed form, whence ’tis, that according to the
purity of the place the metals are also varied: For it is but one only
seed out of which Metals and Minerals do proceed: but the place and
other accidents are the cause of their Unlikeness, as we shall prove in
the subsequent writing.
But to some men it will seem monstrous, that I say there’s a place
in the middle of the Earth, the which nothing can pass through or
penetrate, but is stopt; that which is heavy remains there, but the
more light is carried backwards: which opinion it will be worth while
briefly to explain.
In the Creation of the World, the Elements being as yet not separated
each from the other, but being a _Chaos_, God instituted their
separation, and ordained a place where the more ponderous part of the
mass should be separated, (which is the Earth) which thing is even
continually done, because every heavy thing or earth knits it self to
its assigned point, as a Bee doth to his hive, from whence at length
this Globe is made or born, upon which we inhabit: Presently after,
that which was next in weight, the water, made its separation from the
other Elements, and encompass’d the Superfices of the earth, having
the same center with the earth, insomuch that if the earth were not,
the water it self would have chiefly or primarily encompassed the
stable and founded point of Gravity or the Magnet; but because the
earth exceeding the water in ponderosity, doth intercede, it worthily
assumes its appointed place, and takes the waters upon its back.
Now, as the other two Elements, the lightest of them, the Fire, God
likewise sent to its proper aboad, a place most remotely distant from
the inferiour Globe of the heavy Elements; the other light Element, the
Air, being the _medium_ between the fire and the water, God hath set it
between them two, that constantly touching each the other, they might
mutually circulate, cherish, and uphold each the other, until being at
length dissolved, they are reduced into their own nothing, from whence
they were produced.
For the Fire cannot burn without the Air, nor the Air be conserved
without the Water, nor the Water be nourished without the Earth, nor
the Earth (being as it were dead) bring anything to light, except the
Element of Fire doth first spiritually instill thereinto its own seed,
whence it is afterwards made corporeally and sensibility, such as is
necessary for all growing things.
And now, lest what I have spoken (_viz._ that the Earth hath its own
center unpassable by any thing, whereinto the sidereal rays striking,
are contracted into a streight room, and (driven back) from thence are
sublimed and distilled throughout the whole Orb, from which all kind of
Metals and Minerals (by the help of the Earth and Water corporifying
them are produced) may seem a fable.
Know, that this Philosophy is demonstrable by many uncontroulable
reasons; which Philosophy I do not my self only embrace, but also
many more have done, ’mongst whom the most famous _Sandivow_ is not
the least, who writ, That in the Earths center is a vacuity, in
which nothing can rest, the which thing even the reason or order
of Nature seems to evidence, in whose middle point a void place is
necessarily requisit, into which all the vertues of the Stars may pour
out themselves, may mutually operate upon each other, and excite a
marvellous heat, permitting neither delay or quietude for any thing in
that place: but from thence, even the unbroken vertues of the Stars are
by little and little enforced to go back unto the circumference, where
joyning themselves to the most pure earth, they exclude a metallick
child; so that you need not wonder, because of that most intense heat
that sways there, when as all the Asterisms, the Sun, the Moon, the
other Planets, with Starrs innumerable, do into that place inject their
powers with all their might. If you consider but the solar magnitude
only, being by Astronomical Calculation 64 times the bigness of the
earthly globe (omitting to speak of the other innumerable huge bodies,
that jointly cast their influences into the belly of the earth) what
an unspeakable furious heat thinkest thou that all these will give,
which in the center of the earth muster up their vertues, and make
them manifest and efficacious: Consider a little how much one pugil of
the Sun-beams can do, being taken in a concave glass, or a metalline
ring well polished, or any other instrument, and straightened into
the center for a concave-glass rightly made, having but the Diameter
of a span, doth easily burn wood, or any combustible body; but if the
Diameter be two spans, it melts with the Sun, Lead, Tin, Bismuthum,
and other metals easily fluxible; if 4 or 5 spans, then it melteth
Copper and Silver, and so mollifies Iron, that it may be wrought upon
the Anvil. If now experience evinceth this thing, that a little handful
of the beams collected and strengthened into a point, be of so great
force as to melt even metals, and to fume away ☿, ♁, and Arsnick,
Auripigment, Koboltum, and other volatile and immature metals of like
kind; what thinkest thou would be, if the beams were congregated the
compass of 10 or 20 fathoms, doubtless they would burn up all other
metals, except Gold, like a flame, and elevate them into fume? And what
are 10 or 20 fathoms, if compared to so many thousands of thousands
which are attributed to the Sun, whose heat (passing by to speak of the
other great Starrs) if it were congregated into one place, (which is
so done in the earths center) what an incomprehensible burning heat,
thinkst thou, would be there? verily nothing would be fixt enough to
resist the burning; and indeed there is nothing in reality that doth
resist it, whence necessarily that point is vacuous wherein nought can
rest or remain.
Thou wilt object, that I speak of many things, but prove a very few;
for who was ever there, and beheld such a Cavity? I Answer thus, that
albeit, there be no ocular Testimony of this thing, yet naturally
Phylosophy affords Testimony sufficient, whereby ’tis in very deed
demonstrated, that such a place there is: now none denies, that the
Sun and Stars by their motion do inviron the terrestrial Globe, and
imprint their beams thereon, which being granted (for no sober man will
contradict this) it also follows, that those hot and invisible beams
do by an innate force and vigor go forwards, until they are somewhere
stop’d, and a further progress prohibited them; which thing is done
in the middle most point of the Earth, or all the Phylosophers are
altogether Lyers, who unanimously believe, that the heat is carryed
directly forwards, and not backwards: but behold an apparent Example
of this thing: Put a Coal upon some thick brass, or iron plate, and
thou shalt see that the side under the Coal will first wax hot by the
penetrating heat; take off the Coal and try with thy hand, and thou
shalt find it hurtful by the overmuch heat; try also the under side of
the Plate, and thou shalt find it to be but gentle warm, and after a
little delay, try yet once again, and thou shalt find that the heat is
gone directly forward, and that the underside of the Plate is hotter
than the upper part, whereupon the Coal lay.
Hence thou maist clearly perceive, that the heat never goes backwards,
but is carried directly forwards; which being so, thou shalt be
enforced to confess _nolens volens_, that in like manner the Astral
heat sticks not in the Superfices of the earth, but pierceth even to
the very bottom center.
Well, but thou wilt again object, If the Sunbeams descends through
the earths thickness, even to the very center, Whence is it, that the
whole earth grows not hot thereby, or at least so warm as it is on the
surface? for ’tis found by experience, that the digg’d-up earth is not
warm, but cold, and no heating beams are therein perceptible. Take
this for an answer, That the dispersed beams of the Sun do not display
their efficacy, but only in those places where they are collected and
become sensible; a hint of which you may observe in the earths surface
it self; where a speedier passage being not permitted, but through the
hardness of the stones, and its own density, there being a stop and
obstruction, the heat becomes duplicated, and manifestly augmented,
insomuch, that in all very hard rocks and clifts there is sometimes
created so great a heat by the continual Conflux and Condensation of
the Sunbeams, that if accidentally, wood or fuel be laid thereto, it
burns and flames up, which never happens in a thin and porous Aire (how
near soever to the Sun) it being uncapable of stoping those beams; for
by how much the higher you ascend into the Aire, by so much the more
intense shall you find the Cold to be; insomuch that the most Touring
Mountains, altho’ posited in warm Countries, are alwaies covered with
Frost, Ice, and Snow, when as in the bottom of those Hills, the Ground
is very warm, and brings forth varieties of Fruit, although it be more
remote from the Sun: The cause of which Cold in the Tops, and of Heat
in the Bottom, only consists in the reflection of the solar Beams,
which are stayed and multiplied below; which thing cannot at any rate
be done in the Fire that is above.
These beams having first passed the superfices of the Earth, where
they were a while joined and multiplyed, are by little and little
debilitated, and return to their simplicity; whence it comes to pass,
that that part of the Terrene Globe, which is furthest distant from
the Centre, hath as little heat, as the Aire on high: but if it were
possible to ascend higher, and nearer to the Sun, the heat would by
little and little be encreased, and be found greatest at the Sun it
self: In like manner may a Comparison be made about the Earths heat,
which near the Surface is very faint, but nearer the Centre, more and
more encreasing; (there being its Seat and Collection) so that the
middle Earth, between the Sun (from whom the heat flow) and the Centre,
where the whole being gathered together, is repercussed, may deservedly
be esteemed the coldest part; of which truth, a certain demonstration
is readily produceable.
For when in the hottest day of Summer, watry Clouds are elevated by
the Winds, higher than ordinary, they are made pure Ice by the force
of a most intense Cold, which fall down in little bits of that form
or shape, which they were imprinted with by the Aire, to the great
detriment of Vegetables; and is by us call’d Hail, and so cold, that we
are not able long to hold it in our hands, and usually lies some daies
in the Suns heat ere it melts by the warm Aire, and returns into Water.
Now then if there were not a great Cold in the middle Region of the
aire; whence is it, that those Clouds are so frozen; and who knows
how great the Cold is, where the Aire, in its own middle point, is
most of all cold; doubtless it is so great, that no living thing is
able to live therein the twinkling of an eye, but would incontinently
be transmuted into a stone, even as we have frequently perceived the
earthy Exhalations born up on high into the middle Region of the
Aire, to have been there coagulated, and compacted into the most hard
stones, and so to have fallen down; and not only stones weighing some
pounds, but also metals too, and chiefly iron of a great weight,
representing the shape of many conglomerated drops, have been in that
part of the Aire condensed out of dry Exhalations, and thrown down
thus concreted; the which thing others have handled more at large;
whence ’tis sufficiently evident, that the Sun-beams, in such places
as they can freely pass through, without any impediment, give not any
heat from themselves: but only where they are detained and fixt, and
by how much harder the detaining matter is, by so much it causeth
a better heat. Thou also seest that Wood, or any porous Body never
contracts from the Sun, so great a heat, as a stone doth; nor doth a
stone, so much as a metal, although all placed the one by the other,
to the Suns heat; the cause of which diversity, doth alone consist in
the pores, of which some bodies have more, some less; thereby granting
a more speedy passage to the heat; for ’tis (as I have often said)
the property of the heat, to hasten directly forwards, as long as
’tis not impeaded, and extreamly unwilling to go back. A Testimony
whereof, as well the Kitchen Fire, as the Solar, or Fulminous Fire
affords unto us; for if any body sitting near the Fire, hath casually
in his pocket, any metal, be it a key, knife or money, the heat (easily
penetrates the thin Garments) lights upon the metal, whereto it adheres
and augments; and gets so much heat, that sometimes it cannot be held
in the hand; but the cloathing, although nigher the Fire, is scarce
gently warm; the same thing usually falls out in Thunder, whose Fire,
because it flyes very furiously, if it hath not room to pass the pores
of solid withstanding bodies, it dissipates and dissolves them in a
moment, and leaves porous bodies whole, which Lightning, often melts
the sword in the scabbard, or money in the purse, the Receptacle of
them being whole: It also breaks the hollow and marrowy bones of
Animals, the flesh remaining whole and sound; the Cause thus, for that
this fulminous heat most swiftly penetrating, is deprived of time to
penetrate, and warm a metal by degrees, and will not return backwards,
contrary to its own nature, and therefore subdues and conquers the
weaker Element by force and power; for Fire only is the most potent of
the Elements, and knows not how to yield to the other three, but they
are compelled to stoop to it, with which priviledge the said Fire is
from God endued, even from its very infancy.
In the same and like manner is it with the Sun’s, Moon’s, and other
Stars heat, and occult Vertues, which by their efficacy, hasten
on forwards so long, until they meet with that which they cannot
penetrate, where making a stand, and heated as it were together, are
compelled to go back, searching after a place to rest, and become
corporeal; for the chiefest heat being in the Earths Centre, gives
not any delay to any thing, but continually drives back, what flows
thither, into the porous and moist Earth, where the Beams being
sublimed and hidden, may cloath themselves with a sensible Corporeity,
and proceed from one degree to another, until they are well concocted
into perfect Metals, no impediment intervening.
But let me not be mistaken by any one, as if it ’twere my Opinion, that
in the Centre of the Earth, the fiery place is constitute, of which the
Scriptures make mention; for I have nothing to say as to that place;
nor desire to know ought concerning it. This place which I describe, is
discovered to us by natural Phylosophy, but that place the Scripture
makes mention of, I leave to Theologists, by which they may terrify the
wicked Multitude, that they precipitate not themselves rashly, and by
Troops thereinto.
And now because the Hellish fire is here mentioned, I cannot omit
to blast the most unsound Opinions of some putatitious Doctrines
thereabouts: There are in many places found Mountains, belching forth,
with huge force, flames, fumes, ashes, and stones: In _Europe_, is
the Hill _Ætna_ of _Scicilia_; in Island, is _Hoctu_, behind Norway;
there’s also _Vesuvius_, adjoining to Naples, and many more other
places in other Parts of the Earth; some part of which continually burn
and fume; others at certain times and intervals; which places, many
account for the fumings of Hell.
But verily this cannot be rational, because those burning Mountains
have a natural Original, and Cause of Fireing, known but to very few;
for in some places are found Mountains wholly Sulphure which being
kindled, either by the Central or Elemental fire of Thunder, or any
other accident cannot but burn, and when such a Mountain hath but once
taken Fire, and begins to burn, who can restrain the burning; no body,
because of the greatness of the Fire, and danger of what may happen,
being therefore left to it self, it feeds downwards, being never
destitute of matter fit for the fire.
And now if any one understanding by the Monuments of the Antients, that
these Mountains have burned for some Ages, yea, and for Thousands of
Years, should wonder, whence Fuel sufficient for that Fire should be
had, let him know, that this may easily be done; that a Mountain should
burn without intermission, not only for the magnitude of the Terrene
Globe, in which a mountainous Wax, or Bitumen, Brimstone, and such like
Combustible Things abound: But also, because of the never-interrupted
Motion of the Stars, whereby they never cease replenishing the Earth
with their out-flowings, and generating (besides Minerals) such
Combustible matters as these, augmenting and cherishing the Fire.
But they endeavour to confirm their Opinion by the lamentable Howlings,
which at some times are heard nigh those Mountains; which Cryes, the
credulous Vulgar People report to be of the Souls, which are lost: But
these are but Trifles; for those Out-cryes are then only uttered, when
the Mountains endeavour to throw out much fire, otherwise they burn and
fume very gently, which as soon as the Adjacent Inhabitants perceive,
they well know, that they shall shortly have an Harvest of ashes, fire,
& stones, out of the Mountains: and that they may avoid the hazard and
danger threatned by the Fire, they carefully keep far enough off. And
for the most part, a great Quantity of the Sulphure is prepared in the
neighbouring parts, whereby the needy get their food, by digging it up,
purging it from its Impurities, and preparing it for humane uses; but
as to the Cryes, it seems to be nothing else in my opinion, but only
the fire breaking forceable through the streight Channels, the hard
Stones and Caverns, and produceing thereby a dreadful sound, which they
commonly call Ejulation, or Howling. They also add, that about those
fiery Mountains, Ghosts, Visions, and Spirits usually appear visibly.
This also is true, and Grounded upon Nature, but yet thou canst not
prove that they are Devils and infernal Spirits; there being even
otherwhere seen, and found diverse Spirits in the Bowels of the Earth,
being Monsters not unwonted, or strange to such as dig, or are Miners,
by which they are frequently injured; yea, and sometimes destroyed,
lamed or infected; sometimes these spirits are hurtless and idle
spectators, or playing with the workmens implements; or even labour
themselves not in the least filling their Pockets, how strongly soever
they shew themselves bent upon their work. But such spirits appear in
various forms, oftentimes resembling an Horse, a Dog, or other Beast,
sometimes a Dwarf-like crooked man; frequently they appear cloathed
with an ashy Cowle of a _Monk_; they usually are Testimonies of great
Felicity and rich Mines; sometimes they do great mischief, by choaking
the Miners with a wicked habit, or throwing them headlong into the
Pits, by reason of whose malice many of the rich Mines are unavoidable
left undigged, they boldly defending their hidden Treasures.
Let these things concerning the spirits, about the burning Mountains,
or those remaining in the profundity of the Earth, and appearing in
the several shapes, be spoken by way of Parenthesis. And now I return
to the thing in hand, and will demonstrate, that there is nothing of
Community betwixt these burning Mountains and the central or infernal
fire, but that these blow out a thick and material fire; which I thus
prove.
First of all, These Mountains do at sometimes cease to burn, breathing
out smoak only between whiles more copiously: sometimes they dye and
expire through want of fuel to supply them.
But the central fire can never be either diminished or vanish as long
as the sun shines and starrs glister, and send down their vertues
into the earths centre. Even as the infernal fire shall never expire,
the Scripture thus testifying, wherefore that fire, though a most
furious Mountainous fire, cannot be either of these two, but is meerly
material, subject to encrease and decrease, and its food desisting,
plainly extinguisheth: Besides, the fire of those Mountains heats not
fervently, but for the greatest part smoke obscurely; but the adjoyning
Earth is very hot, for the space of some miles, so that you cannot long
stand there without injuring your feet. The Waters also which slow down
from them, are boyling hot, and manifestly smell of sulphur a good
Portion whereof they have within themselves.
Besides these flaming and smoaking Mountains, there are sometimes found
other Denns or Caverns, breathing forth neither Flame nor Fume, and yet
a great heat, which is another kind of fire, which is largely treated
of in the Chronicles of Metals, where amongst other things, this is
also added; That on a time a Wind gaping, arose in a certain Mountain,
and sent forth a huge heat, and in the night only was some splendor
perceptible, ascending towards Heaven, and sometimes a breathing heat
was only observed.
On this a curious _Monk_ was in himself perswaded to let down into the
cranny, a pot, bound on an Iron Chain, with intent to draw up some
molten Gold, which he believed to be thereunder, which when it came to
touch the fire, it presently melted and fell down, the which in like
sort burnt away like Chaff, with a good part of the Chain also, and
was ejected and thrown up again in the form of a fume, with a great
noise and crack, but the Monk hardly scap’d with his life, the gold
being left behind in the Hell; but thou maist readily divine what sort
of fire this was, which reduced the Pot and Chain into fume in the
twinkling of an eye, that it was not a material fire, because void of
smoak, but the astral fire.
It is well known to the Miners, that the central and gehennal fire
doth oftentimes ascend the high parts of the Mountains, and warm
them, and there cherish and maturate the metals: which Caverns, when
in their searching for Metals, they come nigh unto, they feel too much
heat, that they are even against their wills compelled to desist. But
this heat, although indeed in the action of the growing, Minerals doth
usually excite and make great enough; yet for the greatest part it
derives its Original from the central fire, and this central from the
Starrs. But after what manner and reason the starrs beget the central
fire, and this generates the Minerals and Metals, I will demonstrate to
the unknowing as briefly as I can.
Thus therefore stands the case: We read in _Moses_, in the first
of _Genesis_, that God, when he made the World out of the confused
_Chaos_, did give the Elements their original first, and assigned to
Earth its proper place, and injoyned on earth its Office to be done;
but by what means they are preserved by the interceding perpetual
Circulation, natural Philosophy doth demonstrate. It will not therefore
be to our purpose to treat prolixly of them, but only of the rise
and nativity of metals, will I compendiously speak as far as I know
of them, _viz._ in what manner the metallick kind draws its original
from them, together with its encrease and augmentation, and how having
arrived to the top of their perfection, they come to their end.
I have a little before demonstrated, that the superiour element
of fire, as the Sun, Moon, and the other Starrs, send down their
invisible vertues and fiery beams into the earths center, where they
are congregated, and cause huge heat, and being not permitted there
to rest, leap back again, and are scattered throughout the universal
Globe, and impregnate it with various and wonderful Crescentials, which
are called Minerals by the Philosophers, cherishing and perfecting them
in various forms. The reason and manner of which thing I will here in a
few words unfold.
Every spiritual thing, come it from whatsoever body it will, is
invisible and impalpable, nor can any thing be made of it alone, but
it’s forced to remain a spirit, until it meets with a subject whereto
it may adhere, be united, and by the benefit thereof be turned into a
Corporeal Nature, and pure, answerable to the purity of the subject and
spirit, the spirit is in the room of seed; but the subject answers to
the earth or matrix in which the spirit is concocted, into a sensible
body suitable to its own nature. But ’tis to be known, that the manner
of Metallick conception and generation, is far different from that of
the Vegetable and Animals: For in most Vegetables that have arrived to
their perfection, nature works out a seed for a farther propagation
and encrease, being the most excellent part of the herb, which at the
Springs Entrance being committed to convenient earth, produceth a new
plant in all points like unto the former, from whence it sprang, by
which doing new seeds of the same plant, are always conserved. Although
indeed some plants are not propagated by the seed, but by the root.
Yet they are very few, and in such, the root it self serves instead of
seed. And that in some places Plants grow out of the earth, without
the assistance of either seed or root, its done by the help of the
Elements, in whom the same force of impregnating the void earth and
production of Plants, is at this Instant, as was at first, when they
generated and brought them forth in the beginning of the World. In like
manner is there a twofold production of Animals, the one done by a
proper sperm, by which they are propagated, the other is a production
of some little Animals, upon the world’s stage, even without Sperm, by
putrefaction only, and the mutual action and passion of the Elements.
These two waies have footing also in Minerals, the one is the Universal
impregnation made by the Starrs in the beginning of the world, the
other is Daily. And even as the first generation of Vegetables and
Animals is to be accounted far more excellent than that which is
accidental and quotidian, so is it with Minerals likewise. As some
Vegetables arrive to their perfection, and perish sooner than other
some, so do metals and minerals also; and by how much the sooner and
quicker growth they have, by so much the sooner do they perish; and so
on the contrary. And as a rational and movable Animal is a thousand
times in his nobility and fixity beyond a Vegetable, so also doth a
Mineral, by reason of his fixity, far transcend any Animal; which wants
an immortal soul.
Now when the Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, fatally terminating
their period, are corrupted, and return into a nothing, each Element
takes to it self what is its own. The Starrs, the Spirit, the Earth,
keeps the body which it formerly gave, and the Principles of the thing
do each return unto their Fountains from whence they at first did flow.
And in this manner is there perpetual Death and Regeneration of things,
by the testimony of Experience.
There are many ways by which Metals are brought to light, _viz._
by huge Fires: if by Accident and Carelesness of Shepherds, a Wood
catcheth fire, the Earth by reason of the intollerable heat Gapes, and
the molten Metal flows forth and is detected: sometimes also vehement
Earthquakes discover them.
Besides, the Veins of Metals are found out when deep Wells and Pits are
digged, or by the Plowing in the Fields, they are sometimes dig’d up,
and their Veins discovered: strong Rivers washing away the Earth and
Sand, do sometimes open their Veins; the Fruits of which being found in
the Banks, give cause of searching after them.
They are also discovered by means of an Animal, even an Horse, by
pawing with his foot, beating away the Earth uncovers the Vein, which
happen’d at _Goslaria_ in _Ramelsbug_; even Hogs searching after
Acorns, have diged up Mine-pits; or a pure Metal lifts up it self into
the Aire in the likeness of a Reed, by which means the exceeding rich
Mines of Silver at _Kuttenberg_ in _Bohemia_, was by a Monk manifested
to the World, who walking in the Wood gathered a Silver Reed growing
out of the Earth, and put it in his Cowle, and declared the thing in
the Convent.
Sometimes also most vehement storms pulling up very great Trees by the
roots do open veins. Most frequently a Corruscation gives undoubted
testimony of Veins, which being enkindled by the warm air, runs a long
some space, in the likeness of a blew flame; nor is the finding out
of the process of Veins (not lying over-deep buried) very difficult
if you rightly consider, for they continually breath forth a warm
Sulphureous vapour, upon which, not only the Grass growing is thiner
than is elswhere wont to be, but even the Trees that grow upon them are
dwarf-like, have paler and thiner Leaves than other Trees elsewhere
planted have.
Likewise where the Dew, Hoar-Frost, sooner melts and vanisheth, ’tis a
testimony that a Metal is thereunder; the cause of which melting, is
the warm vapours attending from the Veins.
But that testimony which the most imploy themselves in, in seeking by
an Hazel rod (which my self have many times experienced) is fallacious
and uncertain.
This is the Work of the Art, if any one conjoyning Metals in the Fire
under a certain constellation, melt them into an electrum and make of
them a little Ball, perfortated in the middle, wherein a wand of hazel
of one years growth wanting little boughs, is to be implanted, which
carry streight out before thee where thou conjecturest Metals to be,
when the little Ball, bows the Rod & bends towards the ground it is
without doubt that thereunder are metals, & that the labour undertaken
about them will not be in vain.
This testimony proceeding from the Natural and infallible foundation
of Philosophie, is deservedly to be preferred before all other Arts
concerning the finding out of Metals.
Nor mayest thou wonder thereat, for we are unacquainted with most
things; who is it that can certainly unfold why the Magnet atracts
Iron, and heated Amber attracts Straw, Grass, Thread and other
Vegetables? the whole Earth is full of unsearchable Wonders and Secrets
of GOD which are to be diligently observed by us.
Now as to the causes, why so many kinds of Metals are generated so
unlike amongst themselves; some think one thing, and some another; many
will that the Seven Metals onely have their product from the Seven
Planets, _viz._ Lead from _Saturn_, Tin from _Jupitur_, Iron from ♂.
Gold from the _Sun_, Copper from ♀. Quick-silver from ☿. and Silver
from the _Moon_; but I am not of that Opinion; for how can the Sun,
☽, or any other Planet seek out to it self in the profundity of the
Earth, a peculiar place where to sow its Seed, and procreate a Metal
conformable to it self; whereas we see that no Metal is digg’d out of
the earth, alone, but alwayes mixt with others; for thou shalt never
find Lead but there is silver in it, more or less; no Tin is dig’d
or washed out but it hath Gold and Silver; all Copper and ♂ contains
Silver, and sometimes much ☉ which is neither conceived of, or believed
by the Metallurgists, nor is ever Gold found without Silver or Copper,
and ☽ is very seldom void of ☉ or other Metals; but if each Planet
should generate its own Metal, how comes it that another is adjoyned to
it? I speak of those Metals only, which are either solely contained in
their own Veins, or else are found and washt out in grains in the Earth
or Sand, either pure or mixt with stones.
I exclude those which are (two or three mixt with each other) each in
his own proper Vein, and are a burden or impediment, to one another, as
Metallists speak, and are often carried along a great while together,
and not seldome do come together making one Vein, and are by and by
separated and dispersed into various little Veins; and now, if each
Planet should create his own proper Metals verily he would also chuse
his own place, and would not suffer another to possess his proper nest,
and disturb his operation.
But let us allow to each his proper Metal, and then what Starr should
we assigne to Bismuth Cobolt, ♁ and Zink for their Generator, they
being undeservedly excluded from the Metalline Company, wherewith
they are nearer affined then ☿, being fusible with other Metals, and
brought to use by the Artificers hand, which with ☿ Cannot be done;
indeed some are to be found alone, in Veins, as Lead and Silver, but ☉
being any where found and cleansed from every Mineral, and washed out
of the Sand, yet never wants Silver and Copper; Tin and iron are also
gotten out of the Sand, and Earth in small pieces, never simple, but
mixt with stone; these grains or pieces yield the most Excellent Tin,
(Called by the _Germans_ =Seiffenzin=) and for the most part contains
more Gold than that which is digged out of the pit, Because while those
litle granulated stones are washed out (=Switter or Sintranpen=) many
granulated ones containing much Gold, commix themselves therewith,
and are excocted and melted together with the Tin; in like manner the
little grains of Iron yield the most Excellent Iron. The Miners find
☿ either runing or inclosed in a Red stone but to be excocted and
vivified by Art; sometimes also Copper is found in very little stones
(=Recauplein=) like the Angulated Piris Stones; otherwise all Metals
grow in their own Mines or Veins of the Mountains, out from whence
being gotten with greatest labour and cost, together with hazzard of
life, are purged from the Mine, by beating, washing, and melting; but
how each are to be known, exploded, digged, beaten, washed, melted,
and separated from heterogeneous things, is copiously demonstrated by
the most Famous and Antient Metallists, _George Agricola_ and _Lazarus
Erker_.
I do therefore conclude that Metals, and Semimetals or Minerals, have
their birth from one common Seed, but are by accident severed into
various forms and shapes.
For the Vertues of the Stars being jointly carried into the Centre of
the Earth, do not remain alone, but being mixt each with the other,
goe back into the Caverns of the Mountains, seeking a place of Rest,
where they may make themselves a Body; which if it be pure, makes also
a pure Metal, if impure, an unpure Metal; and such place is most like
unto a Matrix, conceiving Seed from the Male, which if it forms into a
body, cherisheth, and being excocted to maturity, perfects it. Now the
Astral Spirits supply the room of man-like sperm, which being received
into the moist Earth, in Caverns, as in a Matrix, is nourished, and
fashioned into diverse metallick Forms, and palpable Bodies, according
to the purity of the place.
Hence also ’tis evident, That various kinds of Metals are generated out
of one Seed accidentally, because the Metals, whilst in being, do grow
riper by little and little, and are more and more meliorated, and daily
experience doth demonstrate, that they are nobilitated, not only under
the Earth, but even above it. Hence ’tis, that the Miners diging out an
immature Mineral, as _Bismuth_, _Cobaltum_, or _Zinck_ examining it, as
they do silver, and finding nothing, say, that they came sooner there
than they ought, which Minerals being exposed to the Aire, and then
exploded, and tryed after some years, are found to contain much silver.
On this account I affirm, That if the common Seed of Metals, had
alwaies a clean, and fitting Matrix, and no accidental impediments
intervened, nothing else but Gold (the highest perfection of metals)
would be generated; and that this is Natures intention, alwaies to
bring to perfection, what she hath begun: but Gold only attains this
state, all the rest remaining imperfect; but it shall be clearly
demonstrated in the Third Part ensuing, that by genuine Alchymy, even
they may be advanced to the same degree, which if it could not be
demonstrated, that imperfect Metals might by Art, be brought unto
perfection, and by Industry, and the Fire; it might be very probable
and credible, that each Metal had his own appropriated Seed and Planet.
But now, if common lead possessing but little silver, by the usual
trying of the Cupel, may, by the benefit of maturating Salts, be so
far perfected by a short digestion, as to yield much silver; and by a
longer digestion or fixation, to yield, even Gold it self, which it
had not in it before [_Cons. Part 3d._] ’tis evidently perceptible,
that ’twas not Nature’s intent, that Saturn should so remain in his
Saturnine Estate, but that he should be made Silver and Gold.
The other imperfect bodies may also be maturated by digestion, that
they shall yield forth fixt Gold and Silver.
In like manner the spurious Metals or Minerals, as ♁ _Cobolt_, _Zinck_,
_Bismuth_, and others of that kind may be so fixed, as to be behind
them, in the Cupel, good Gold and Silver, which is most plainly done in
the Third Part.
Thus thou seest, That ’tis not Natures Fault, that there is so many
imperfect Metals; but ’tis to be imputed to external Impediments; for
if that Gold lay not hid in the Potentia in the imperfect Metals, by
what Art could it be reduced into action?
Art cannot create either Gold or Silver, but Nature can, and yet doth
not alwaies accomplish it upon the Earth without the industry of Art:
When a Gardner suffers the seed and root of the Plant to wither, nor
commits it to the Earth, that it might be perfected; ’tis not the fault
of the seed, but the Gardner, who suffers it, that it comes thus to
perish. Nature doth very often want help, as appears in the fruits
of Animals, and Vegetables; and why may not help be necessary and
profitable in metalline products, where, by the Artificers ingenuity,
they may be holpen. ’Tis evident then, that Nature aims, as well to
make Gold out of Minerals, and baser Metals, as to make a Man of an
Infant; or a Tree of a Nut: and if it be otherwise, it is not to be
imputed unto her, but to external Accidents.
Now I suppose that I have sufficiently proved by these things, that all
Metals proceed out of one seed and root; and may be reduced thereinto,
and also, that Minerals may be compared unto the first buding of
Vegetables, imperfect Metals to Semi-adult, or half ripe Plants; but
Gold to perfect seed or fruit, brought by Nature unto its end or bound.
But this is to be understood of the Universal Birth, and Generation
of Metals; which for the greater part, drawing their Original in the
profundity of the Earth out of the Central seed, do grow in Caverns and
Veins, and increase together into various forms, and are from these
digged out with great costs, hazards, and labour.
Now there’s another Generation actuated in a plainly-diverse manner,
without the Central common, and propagated seed, done upon the Earths
superficies, by the Operation of the Stars above; yet ’tis the least
part of Metals, that are thus generated. It hath been said, that there
is a twofold manner of Generation, nature makes use of in Animals and
Vegetables, and so its in Metals.
The First is most frequent and notable, the other is rare and
insensible: The one is done in Plants, by the preparation of the seed
or root; the other strongly perfected by the influence of the Stars,
and the Elements efficacy and power: for Example, If Rain-water, being
received into some Vessel, exhales in the heat of the Sun, or of the
Aire, an Earth remains, which by an innate power, produceth various
little Plants, little Animals, small Worms and Flies, without the
access of seed.
The same happens in Metals, when the Sun, or any other Star operates
upon the moist Earth; the astral Vertues are congregated, and being
made corporeal, do exhibit diverse Minerals and Metals, according to
the purity of the Matrix, or moist Earth; where the Water is instead
of the Matrix, and the Stars instead of the Father, or Seed: likewise,
it is not possible for Metals to be generated in the Centre, where all
things are dry, but far off from that place, where the Waters moisten
the Earth, and with which the Central Spirits can join themselves, and
pass into Bodies and Metals.
For a dry spirit cannot coagulate himself into a body, by reason of
his dryness, but wants a fit subject, from whence to take its body,
which is Water: as soon as ever the sulphureous spirit is mixt with the
water, it is no more common water, but the rudiment and beginning of a
metallick generation called ☿ by the Philosophers, not the vulgar being
already made metalline, but a viscous water, which the metallurgists
call Gur or a fermenting spume, which if contained in a convenient
place, and Cherished with the due Central heat, and an humidity, is in
length of time maturated into a metal.
The Conception therefore, and generation of metals is not only in
the profundity of the earth by the mediation of the central spirits
carryed upwards, but also in the superfices by the stars casting their
invisible beams into a subtle, and fat earth where they are held, and
become Corporeal.
For the sidereal fire never ceaseth to infuse its virtues into the
earth, and to Impregnate it with various products of vegetables,
animals, and minerals, according as it meets with a matrix, nor is this
done only in the earth as being most fit for metallick generation, but
even in the air in thick Clouds, do they act the same thing.
Truly we frequently see that not only little Animals, as Palmer-worms,
Caterpillars, Frogs & other insects are there conceived and thence
excluded, and descend mixt with the rain, but tis also evident by
Credible Testimonys, that stones of an hundred weight, also Masses of
Iron in the form of small Conglomerated drops, exceedingly malleable
have fallen down from the air, and also various Comets and other
Igneous substances being gathered together in the air: are kindled;
their matter being taken away they dy, and falling down upon the earth
like a fume of Arsnick they infect it with their brats, whence an
harvest of many deadly diseases doth most plentifully bud forth. Nay
even thunder and lightning it self is nothing else, but a subtle nitre
enkindled, and with the Crack falling stones are procreated in the air;
thence it appears, that not only the central fire doth ingravidate
the Intrals of the earth: but also the Astral fire seeks a place of
creating metals in the superficies or in the air it self, but no where
more apt then in the veins and dens of the earth.
I well know, that there are many Opinions of those metals, which
are not in the bowels of the earth; but are found above either in
the earth, or sand in little grains, but they are for the most part
Erroneous. Most men do think that gold which is found on the banks of
Rivers and there washed out, was not generated in that place, but were
broken off from some veins of gold by the strength of waters, falls,
or floods, and brought thither out of the mountains, which indeed may
be true, for somtimes torrents do hurry alongst them little shining
golden grains which are afterwards taken up on the hairy backs of the
beasts, but that all gold found in Rivers, and streams, is by the help
of currents washt out of the mountains, seems unlikely, but was rather
generated there; for sometimes gold is gathered by a river from whence
the fountains are exceedingly remote and distant, which should bring it
thither.
Likewise in open Mountains, never seen by any fountains, is gold
gathered out of the earth or sand, of which kind is almost all the
gold, which the Hollanders buy of the Indians of the value of an
hundred or thousand markes, which is not gotten out of the fountains
or rivers, but for the greatest part out of the sand in open places,
Elevated from the waters.
Such sublime and dry places have been in Germany, also where the
auriferous earth was carryed down to the rivers, and separated from
the gold, and even to this day where little grains of Zwitter or Tin
are washed out, are grains of gold also found, not in low deep places,
but scattered about the mountains and are usually melted with the Tin,
whence tis that such Tin is generally wont to abound with gold, which
thing I have frequently found experimentally.
The cause why gold is oftner found near rivers and streams is this,
because that being carryed on with force they wash away the sand, being
lighter and leave behind them, the more heavy grains of gold, from
which the remaining sand is washed away with less ado; but now the
Rhenish gold, such as here is in Germany, and the like, is not pure,
but mingled with silver and copper; nor is it always alone, or fine,
like a metal, but in the form of an heavy and sulphureous powder, whose
combustible sulphur being burnt and removed by fusion, it acquires a
golden colour tenderness, ductibility and purity.
But that which is brought from India, is, as to appearance gold, and is
some greater, some smaller graines, and not as that with us is, yet not
fine, but some is found better than other some.
I sometime saw a dutch Merchant having a lump of this kind of gold
well nigh fine or of Twenty four Carracts weighing some Lotons, but
generally they are of the bigness of a midling sand. But that which is
washt out in Hungaria, and Transilvania is esteemed the finest of all,
which I have found equivalent to duckets.
Now I suppose that I have sufficiently demonstrated, that all gold is
not generated by the central fire in the belly of the earth, but also
in the superfices thereof, by the vertue of the superiour stars, and
not only gold, but other, metals and minerals, especially ♂ and ♀ are
in like manner generated, and ♂ most frequently, which is plentifully
found every where in round or angulated little stones, for the most
part of a golden Nature, and though commonly neglected yet deserve well
to be observed.
Such also are those flints which are within of a reddish colour
conteining a golden iron, for there is a great familiarity and
friendship between ♂ and ☉, where under lys hid, a great secret and in
the third part shall be explained more at large.
Now for a further conviction of such as are incredulous, the metals are
generated upwards or here above in a moist earth without the central
seed, this example is conducible in marshy parts, and places that are
always moist, the Superiour Stars have a fit Subject to generate Metals
in, witness Holland, where they yearly dig a peculiar turf or earth,
which they burn instead of wood, which contains, besides sulphur,
Arsnick, ♂ and ♀ yet, all, is not thus, but only that which is dig’d
out of the most deep places, and is called =bactert=, the rest called
=been= seldom contains any thing other thing than, sulphur & a little
Arsnick, whereas the other hath very much, sulphur and Arsnick being
an unwholesome fire to such as are not there unto accustomed, which
although it be in depth Twenty Thirty or Forty feet, yet do they scarce
extract or dig out five or six, or at the utmost ten foot, because in
some depth it wants sulphur altogether, and is unfit for the fire.
Now then such as try for bituminous Turf, or such as search for the
depth of a Marsh, or seek after a sandy bottom, drawing forth the earth
with long borryers or Caugers, do find that by how much the deeper they
go, so much the less, sulphur they find, and at the bottom none at all.
Whence tis evident that sulphur Arsnick, or that Mineral that lys hid
in the earth received his Original from above, and not from beneath.
But the most Metals are produced in the earths bowels, and the fewest
nigh the Circumference, whose seed is found more powerful in the deep,
than in the Circumference; for the sidereal virtues do constantly
hasten to the centre, and not finding further passage fight together,
and strive each against the other, and cause a huge heat, by the
repercussion whereof the whole globe grows warm, and is gravidated with
all kinds of Minerals.
Thus then are all Minerals, and Metals procreated, as well in the
deep as in the Circumference, out of a most subtle Astral seed, with
a sutable moisture wherein it frameth a body to it self, nor let any
wonder that Metals are generated of an insensible, and most subtle
warm vapour, if joyned with humidity, they fall not down from heaven
as a stone from an house, but descend spiritual, and getting a fitting
place in the earth do (by the waters mediation) put on a body, and get
their weightiness from the earth, even as the seeds of vegetables and
Animals, which (as is most evident) give only the form, increase and
life, but supplys not the place of the body it self.
But most false is the foundation of such as imagine, that Metals have
there Original from common running, ☿ and burning sulphur (each being a
semi-mettal) tis indeed certain that metals are born of ☿ & sulphur but
not the common, but such aforementioned, _viz._ Astral, a sulphureous
warm, dry, and spiritual soul, and terrestrial viscous water, from
whose mutual conjunction (as of Male and Female Seed) all Metals are
born.
That Erroneous Opinion hath been the cause of many labours on, ☿
and they are not a few, who have wasted all they had by this, their
philosophy. And how many have attempted to fix common, ☿ either with
or without Gold or Silver, and do at this day attempt the like, with
hopes of turning it into Gold or Silver, but all in vain, my self have
to my loss tryed it, and how far I have come, the third part shall
declare.
In like sort as great a number have attempted to extract runing, ☿ out
of Metals, intending to fix it (as the first of Metals) into Gold or
Silver, but all in vain, for as the beginning was foolish, so the end
terminates in loss; and such have chiefly with much trouble sought
after the ☿ of ♄ or Antimony being perhaps seduced by the sayings of
the Philosophers, who affirm that ♄ the father of all Metals reduced
into ☿ may be easily Changed into Gold, but this is not that running
☿ but a viscous water, that may be handled like the first being of
Metals, according as the Artificer willeth, and may be changed into any
form. I cannot tell what madness possesseth men that aim to reduce ♄
or ♁ into running ☿ in hopes of a more easy fixing it, whereas neither
of both ever was running ☿ and in my opinion will never be, but grant
it may be made ☿ to what will it be more profitable then ♄ it self,
it being hereby made more volatile, and not more fixt, but say they
☿ is a purer substance then ♄ and will therefore the more freely be
amalgamated and fixed with the Sun and ☽ no, by no means. Well! I will
grant that ☿ may be made of ♄ or ♁ which yet I can hardly believe,
what will it profit thee? Nothing at all; but now I readily believe,
and have experienced that ♄ and ♁ being after a Philosophical manner
reduced into ☿ that is, into a viscous water, is most easily joyned
with the ☉ and ☽ and is to be fixed even without them, but twas never
seen that, the putatitious ☿ of ♄ did ever accomplish any praise worthy
thing in the Meliorations of Metals. I grant that running ☿ may easily
be made out of any Metal by the addition of vulgar ☿ and I have tryed
it, but what profit comes therefrom; enquire of those that have to
their loss practised thereabouts.
If running ☿ were the principle of metals, some smal portion thereof
would verily be found in all mines of metals, or in most of them, but
because it is not there found it necessarily follows, that such opinion
is to be accounted a vain fiction.
Now all Philosophers do unanimously testify that nature forms the first
rudiments of metals, out of the Astrall Spirit, and terrestrial water,
by affirming that every thing may by art be reduced into that, out of
which it was at first made.
And whereas metals may be reduced into a viscous water without any
corrosive, and this by a due heat and digestion transmuted into more
pure, and better metallick forms, tis undoubtedly credible that they
proceed from hence, and not only metals, but also many stones, and
mineral things, either conteining metals, or void of them, found upon
the earth, and under it, have their first beginnings after the like
manner, my self having seen some mine-diggers, in sandy mountains
diging for other things, who have accidentally chanced upon this _Gur_
or Kur, thinking it to be a Lump of Fat, one of them carryed it home,
and anointed his shooes therewith, but the next morning he found them
over laid with a stony crust, and the lump or mass it self converted
into an hard stone, but I am not ignorant that stones are otherwise
generated, the reason how, pertains not hereunto.
A metal being reduced into its first matter like to Kur, is in the
Artificers hand to induce into it, what form he lists, nor can it
indeed be ever meliorated unless it be first reduced to its _prima
materia_. In a solid metal, it cannot be perceived of what parts it
is compounded, but being resolved, it’s parts are discovered, and it
being by extraction deprived of its proper Soul, wherein its life and
whole dignity lodgeth it is no more a metal, but resembles an unshapen
brittle earth, without metallick Liquability, and its whole goodness
consists in a very little quantity of soul, and starry masculine seed,
the remaining body being a dead and vile earth.
Finally, even this (which I have mentioned in my treatise of Potable
Gold) sufficiently confirms that metals are also created upon the
earth, because, that not only the solar beams being collected in
various subjects become corporeal, but even the heat of our usual
fires doth likewise do the same thing which the tryals of the Cupels
abundantly testifies, let the Reader search and view the place. Nitre
and other salts are evidently produced by the sun, in a moist earth,
which thing will never be effected in a dry. And the Philosophers
making mention of the melioration of metals, have always minded
inceration, as exceeding necessary to their intention.
In this work, moisture is the patient, and heat supplys the place of an
Agent; this is discernable in Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, there
being nothing that can attain perfection, without due moistening or
endure the action of a maturating heat.
And by how much the thicker and fatter the water is, by so much the
fitter for a matrix, and therein seed will more greedily and speedily
stick and germinate.
But by how much the thinner, it is by so much the more fit it is to be
accounted for the seeds vegetation.
Water of it self cannot be made a metal, unless it be first impregnated
with seed by the stars, and gifted with a Vegetating life; which seed
is the original, the soul, and life of all metals; and how much the
more of such seed they have, so much the better and more fixt they
necessarily are.
On this account I firmly adhere to this Opinion, That metals receive
their Soul, Spirit, and Life from the Starrs, as from an universal
seed, and their Body from the Water as an universal mother, and derive
the diversity of Bodys, and degrees of Goodness according to the
Scituation, purity or impediments thereof, and are digged out by men
(for whose sake (as the noblest Creature) all things are made) with
great greediness, costs, and hazards from the Bowels of the great
Animal, and are prepared and elaborated for their many-fold Uses.
Let thus much suffice as to the generation of Metals; but now by what
means they arrive to the utmost end of perfection and Dye, and are
hindred in their growth, we will not pass over in silence.
Thus therefore the Case Stands, There is a certain time prefixt to
all Creatures, how far they may come or protract their life, which
predestinated time if it be cut off, and attaines not unto its scope or
end, it comes by accident and may not be imputed unto Nature, and this
is done sundry wayes according to the various tempers of such enemies
as they meet withal, some are hurt by the cold Air, prohibiting their
growth, as is evident in Metals digged from their mines or trunks and
exposed to the air, then ceasing to grow, and were they ripe or unripe
Metals, so remaining, but if they get a new matrix, then as the seed
of a plant on the Earth, they begin again to grow and hasten towards
perfection. To some, as to Vegetables and Animals; the aire is the
life, of which being robbed, they expire and Dye. The air destroys
Fish, the water is their life, but the death and destruction of
two-footed and four-footed Animals.
Even as all the elements have their proper ofspring which they cherish,
so are they the destroyers of other things, which the rise and death of
Metals clearly teacheth.
For as soon as ever (being conceived in the earth) they begin to grow,
they become partakers of a certain saltish Nature, as their matrix, in
which, and by which, they are afterwards perfected, wherein as long as
they remain uninterrupted, they go forward, and are bettered in quality
and quantity, but as soon as ever their contrary, as Aire or common
Water meets with them, they are stopt from proceeding further in the
matrix and Dye.
They being (because of this most subtle salt) while in being, most
impatient of both _viz._ Water and Aire.
Now if the aire invades them, their life, consisting in a Volatile
salt, is elevated and drawn back by the Stars: If water breaks in,
they dissolve and are washed away, the matrix being destroyed by its
contrary Element, whence ’tis that such Metals in their _primum Ens_,
lying Embryon like, and obnoxious even to the smallest corruption,
do perish, and never attain to the appointed perfection by reason of
such destructive accidents and injuries, whose tender salt is gon into
sulphur, and is no more subject to the corruption of either Water or
Aire. As for those that are Mature and perfect, if they are not cut
off from their stock being extracted out of the Earth, from which
they have no more nutriment, their sulphurious covering being laid
aside, the defence and safegard of their Nature being banished, they
rightly resemble a decrepid Old man, whose Radical moisture is dryed
up and are dissolved and eaten up by the same Astral Salt, or Vehement
Corruscation, from whence they did spring, and thus are reduced unto
Nothing; amongst which, _viz._ metals, as well as amongst Vegetables
and Animals, Nature observes a perpetual Circulation of Life and Death.
It sometimes happens that the diggers finding a metal excavated by the
Astral salt, like to the Hony Comb by the Bees, are accustomed to say,
that they came thither too late, whence it is concluded that the same
corruscation is the begining and end of metals.
Tis of small moment to know who first digged up metals applying them
to use; _Adam_ was the first to whom GOD revealed the Art, because he
could not want it.
It seemeth certain, that that which was by his successors discovered to
_Noah_, and from him propagated unto us will undoubtedly be conserved
unto the Worlds end, because of its great necessity and benefit.
But as this Art is profitable and useful, and noble, so it is
chargable, costly, and dangerous, and also uncertain of getting gain,
but yet not to be neglected on that account, it being an honest thing,
and pleasing to GOD, and managed heretofore by many Prophets and Kings,
and now at length, diservedly had in great estimation by us Christians,
because of its necessity.
He may well boast of earthly felicity, to whom GOD shall vouchsafe to
give such a Light, of seeing by what Artifice Nature is to be holpen,
and that which is superfluous and adhering to vile and abject metals
every where, may be removed, and the defect supplied; such an one hath
in very deed a rich and durable Mine; neither are Ghosts, Inundations
of Waters, evil Tempests, unwholsome Vapours, and other inconveniences,
that hinder from a purposed intention, to be feared. But verily man, by
reason of the continued wickedness of his Life, being made uncapable
of this high Art and Science, is compelled to get out Metals from the
Earths bowels, in the sweat of his brows, and to pass over his life in
cares and labours.
And thus I conclude this Tract concerning the generation of Metals, and
refer the Reader, desiring things more at large, to the Third Part,
wherein is accurately taught of what property Metals are, how to be
distinguished each from the other, opened without corrosives, reduced
into their first matter, and how by the benefit of art and fire, new
and better Metals are to be generated out of that first matter.
Likewise, how they are to be examined by a far better way and manner
than usual; how to be purged and separated each from the other, and
also unfolding (as far as is permitted) a little Book of the most
expert Philosopher _Paracelsus_, or his Book of _The Vexation of
Alchymists_, whereby the honour due unto him (though much obscured by
evil slanderers) may be again restored unto him, and the whole world
may know that he was most expert in natural things, and wrote very
faithfully, and left unto us a large light, though observed by a very
few, for the encreasing and propagating whereof, and defending it
against the haters of the Light, I will enter upon the Third Part, for
my Neighbour’s good, for the accomplishment whereof I pray GOD, the
Creator of all things, and the Patron of Truth, mercifully to vouchsafe
his assistance. _Amen._
_FINIS._
THE
THIRD PART
OF THE
Mineral Work.
_Wherein under the Title of a Commentary on a little Book of
=Paracelsus=, called, =The Heaven of Philosophers, or a Book of
Vexations=, the Transmutation of Metals are Taught in general;
with an Appendix demonstrating their particular Process, Melting,
Exploration, Separation, and other necessary Operations_.
A Preface to the Reader.
Courteous Reader,
_I will not conceal from thee the reason why I have taken upon me
in this Third Part to explain a Book of =Paracelsus=, called =The
heaven of Philosophers=, lest thou should’st believe I wanted matter
to write, did I not encrease my Book by the Writings of other men.
That Good which I have here decreed to write, I could have done even
without the admixtion of =Paracelsus=’s Books, but this properly is the
cause, because =Paracelsus= in our precedent Age, published very many
most elegant Books for the Publick Good, but obscure enough, and for
this reason are by the unskilful accounted false, and are contemned;
but yet because they are stored with =Arcana=’s or Secrets, they are
most highly to be esteemed. Now, after that I had perceived the said
Books to be true, I did very impatiently bear such sinister reports
of this man, as blazed him abroad for one Ignorant of all things, and
a Vagabond; who in very deed had but a few Equals in true Genuine
=Philosophy=, =Medicine=, and =Alchymy=._
_He did many good turns to all, especially to the Poor, of which many
Testimonies are extant; and amongst others, that Epitaph is to be seen,
which is in the Hospital of St. =Sebastian= at =Saltsburg=, where
he was buried, and to which he bequeathed his Goods, and is graven
in Capital Letters in a Marble, and erected in the Wall, the Tenour
whereof I my self have read, and is thus: =Here lies buried= Philippus
Aureolus Paracelsus, =a famous Doctor of Medicine, who by a wonderful
Art cured those direful Diseases, the Leprosy, Gout, Dropsy, and other
incurable Contagions of the Body, and to his honour gave and bequeathed
his Goods unto the Poor. He died in the year of our Lord, 1541. the
24th. of= September._
_And what hast thou now to say? Had he not been such a one as is
mentioned in the Epitaph, the Magistrate would not have honoured him
with so eminent an Encomium. Moreover, all prudent Lovers of Truth do
to this day believe, that he never had his equal: And although through
the Envy of some unlearned men he is despised, yet it derogates nothing
from him, for he will still remain =Paracelsus=._
_And now, seeing that our =Paracelsus= hath hitherto undergone such
bitter things, and that none have dared to open their mouths against
those slanderers, I will attempt the explication and illustration
of his chiefest Books, and prove that he was not either a Lyer or
Impostor, but most experienced in the light of Nature; and to this
end will I begin with his =Heaven of Philosophers=: I will not avow,
that he could make heaps of Gold and Silver, (himself mentioning not
any such thing, but he only discovers the possibility of the thing,
which even I also will endeavour to declare, although I am ignorant of
doing it in great quantities, which thing I am not greedy after) yet
’tis my contentation to be capable of discovering truth from falshood,
and convince such as are incredulous, having some hopes, that by this
my faithful writing, an occasion will be administred unto others of
searching after and obtaining their desired end._ Amen.
The Heaven of the Philosophers:
OR,
A Book of Vexations.
By Philippus Theophrastus Paracelsus.
_The Art and Nature of =Alchymy=, and what is to be thought concerning
it; being comprehended in Seven undoubted Rules, respecting the Seven
vulgar Metals._
The PREFACE. _Theophrastus Paracelsus_ to all Alchymists and
Readers of this little Book.
_Beloved and Expert of the Art of =Alchymy=, and all ye who promise
to your selves much Riches and Gains of much Gold and Silver, which
thing =Alchymy= doth plentifully teach, and ye (who being occupied
about these things) would be vexed, and cannot cease until you have
experienced what it gives, and what promises it performs; verily, daily
Experience teacheth, that there is not one of a thousand that becomes
Master of his Desire; which I will not call the fault of the Art or
Nature, but the unskilfulness of the Artificer._
_Wherefore I will not stuff this little Book of =Alchymy= with
difficult Art and tedious Labours, as the common Alchymists are wont to
do._
(℞ ♁ melt it with Nitre and Tartar, of this take one Lot, of Gold one
Lot, of Tin three drams, of Schlich one dram, of Sulphur two Lots, of
Vitriol two lots; let them flow with ☽ in a Crucible with Arsenick.)
_Because also all the signs of Heaven, and the characters of the
Stars and Planets, together with their changed and inverted terms and
names, as also the Receptacles of the matter, and the Instruments of
Artificers are usually very well known; It will not be needful to treat
of these things anew in this Book, although herein are used these
signs, names, and characters, when it seems convenient and profitable._
_Now here is delivered another Reason of =Alchymy=, in seven Rules,
accommodated to the seven Metals, after an infallible manner, although
in Expressions not adorned, but undressed and simple: Yet, as to the
sence, the expressions are abstruse and profound as can be; which may
deservedly be called the Mistriss and Summ of all =Alchymy=; from which
even the mysteries of other things may be produced, divined, and known,
with many new Speculations, from whence new Cogitations and wonderous
Operations, do (by examining and trying) come forth to the Light, that
in many places they are even, in the Examen or tryal it self, found to
contradict the Pleasures of the Philosophers._
_Likewise in this Art nothing is more certain, than that which is least
apprehended and believed; and this is the only fault and cause of all
various Operations in =Alchymy=; whence ’tis that many suffer loss by
their own unskilfulness, and so labour in vain, either because there’s
more of the matter, or less, or equal weight, whence the thing is more
corrupted in operation and destroyed; or if the thing is truly lighted
on, it is become more exalted, and tends unto Perfection._
_For the way is most easie, but is found by but very few. It’s also
expedient, that an ingenious man consider the Art and certain Rule of
=Alchymy=, whether he would make something or nothing: he ought to make
a nothing, that he may bring something unto nothing, and that something
may be again generated out of nothing; which Saying is incredible,
but yet most true; =Corruption makes a good thing perfect=: Yea, good
cannot appear, because of his covering and hider; good also is begun
whilst ’tis hidden; the hider ought to be removed and destroyed,
then the good being freed, will manifestly appear in his lustre,
the =Gloss=: the hider or covering is the Mountain, Sand, Earth, or
Stone wherein the Metal was generated. Now every visible metal is the
obscurer or hider of the other six metals._
_Because therefore that by the Element of fire Imperfect things are
corrupted, burnt up, and sublimed such as the five metals, ♂, ♃, ☿,
♀, & ♄ are; but the Perfect not at all, =viz.= the two most Noble, the
☉ and the ☽, therefore they ought to abide even in the fire, and to
assume their body out of the other Imperfect metals, in which they are
destroyed, and to appear visibly; which thing, how it may be done, and
what helps are thereto necessary, shall be taught in the seven Rules,
=viz.= What the nature and property of every metal is; what operation
he hath, being mixt with others; and what he can do._
_’Tis also to be observed, that these seven Rules cannot forthwith
be understood by one that is somewhat dull, at the first reading and
view, a weak understanding cannot compass hard things. Hence every of
these Rules wants much search and travel. Some are pufft up and proud,
supposing themselves well to understand; and these things are childish,
which are here delivered, and they know far better, and do plainly
contemn these things of mine._
=Glaub.=] This Preface is of it self perspicuous, and needs not any
singular Interpretation or Explication, but indeed the Process which he
mentions requires a more accurate Observation.
_Take Antimony, melt it with Tartar and Nitre, of this take one lot; of
Gold one Lot; of Tin three drams; of Schlich one dram; of Sulphur two
lots; of Vitriol two lots: let them flow with Silver in a Crucible with
Arsenick._
This is the Process of making Gold and Silver, which _Paracelsus_ will
not have to be accounted like unto other Processes, of much labour and
long time, but is confident, that by the help hereof he can get Gold
and Silver with little labour, time, and costs.
’Tis not to be doubted, but that this hath been tryed by thousands,
and frustrated the hope of such as laboured thereabouts; and that not
without cause, they imagining that these are foolish ingredients to be
taken for such work; my self have heard many of those that have made
trial, to be very much displeased: By what means can gold and silver
be made by volatile and preying ravenous things, such as ♁, Vitriol,
Sulphur, & Arsenick are, which do not only yield from themselves no
Gold or Silver, but even corrupt them, and bring them to fume, or at
the least turn them to _Scoria_; my self trying this when I had blown
them altogether, I found that these metalline species, as Schlich,
Vitriol, Sulphur, and Arsenick did, corrupt the Sun and Moon, spoiling
of its metalline form, and transmuted it into _Scoria_ or dross. But
now this is the thing which _Paracelsus_ requires and aims at, and
therefore should not by any means hinder or deterr us; he presently,
for the better explication of his meaning, adds, Something ought
to be made a Nothing; and again, the Nothing to be made Something;
which thing the unskilful doth not heed or believe, that Metals being
corrupted and made _Scoria_, when by the benefit of Art they are
reduced, are by this means meliorated; which albeit it be most true,
yet are they but a very few (as he saith) who believe it to be true:
and he confirms the whole process throughout the Chapter, even to the
Chapter of ☿, and explains it, saying, _Corruption makes a good thing
perfect_.
The Good cannot appear by reason of its covering. The hider or veil
must be taken away, that the Good may be freed and become conspicuous;
that also the first covering, under which metals are hidden, and
wherein they are generated, is a Mountain, Sand, Stone, or Earth, all
which are to be separated by fusion, that the metals may become pure.
Here the Metallurgist desists, and is clearly ignorant of any other
covering. But _Paracelsus_ addeth, That each metal is a hider of the
other metals, which thing the Seven Rules do largely demonstrate, and
adviseth the Chymist not to rest satisfied, when he hath gotten from
the Mines a vendible metal, as ♂, ♀, ♃, ♄, melted from the dross, but
to consult further with natural Philosophy, and to examin whether or
no these are pure enough, without any adhering and deteriorating veil.
How great the difference is betwixt a rude and a vile Mineral (where
the metal is largely dispers’d and commixt with much stony matter
and other impurities) and a tractable metal faithfully separated, is
well known. So much, and more, is the difference betwixt a vulgar and
imperfect metal, and the Gold and Silver which it contains shut up in
its bowels. But because the melting of metals out of their mines is,
by reason of its long use, grown vile, and not esteemed an Art, but
a Trade, and every where exercised, without any ones admiration; yet
in its beginning, before it became so commonly known, it was worthily
accompted a deep Secret, although now disrespected. We may not doubt,
but that even yet another veil adheres to metals, and may with as much
facility be removed; and its inward, pure, and fixt center, Gold and
Silver be melted out and separated, if the way were but known. But
because men do not bestow any further Labour and Industry in searching,
and the use of vulgar metals is highly necessary, we rest contented, in
that metals once melted from their mines become malleable, and fitted
for the use of man: Nor is this unadvisedly done, for the life of man
can as little want Iron, ♃, ♀, and Lead, as it can gold and silver.
_Paracelsus_ teacheth, That imperfect metals are corrupted and brought
into a nothing, by the force of fire; which they cannot sustain or
bear; but their good parts, Gold and Silver, cannot be destroyed, but
in the great strait and force of fire do come together out of the
imperfect metals, and mutually defend each other, the impure portion
being burnt up and removed.
Now then, that the species and ingredients of this process may be
understood, something must be mentioned by us thereabouts.
Thus then ’tis written; ℞. ♁ melt it with Nitre and Tartar, of this
take one lot; ’tis to be noted that you are not to take the lot of the
whole molten mass, but of one of the two, either the upper part being
the _Scoria_, or inferiour or lower being the _Regulus_, which this
flowing mixture sends downward.
But which it is, it cannot be perceived by the words; yet because
_Paracelsus_’s intention here is to destroy gold and silver by the
admixtion of the aforesaid ingredients, and to bring them to nothing,
out of which nothing the destroyed augmentation of the sun may be
afterwards by some additament, obtained, in reducing it, it seems
probable to think that the _Scoria_ of the mixture is not to be taken,
but the _Regulus_, which hath Ingress into Tin, Arsenick, and Schlich,
and unites them with gold and silver, for it is the Property of the
_Regulus_, to unite & conjoin contrary Metals and Minerals.
Tin is joined with malleable metals, and melted and suffers the fire
with them, brings them into _Scoria_, the which thing Sulphur, Vitriol,
and Schlich, also perform, and are here used by _Paracelsus_ for
no other end than to corrupt the sun and moon, and bring them into
_Scoria_. But what schlich (=Schlich=) this is, because no proper
name of Gold, ☽, ♂, ♀, ♄, or ♃, is added, no body can easily tell,
for this is called schlecht by Chymists and Metallurgists when they
take a Mineral excellently well ground, and washed with water, thereby
separating the mineral or the rubish and stone, the heavyer, and more
noble part of the metal remaining in the bottom of the vessel, which
examining they thereby Conjecture the value of the metal or mineral:
this labour they call a bringing into _Schlich_, or also _Secher_, and
because all metals may be reduced into schlichs or calx, this word
Schlich or Calx may suit with all metals, or else it may be that most
small dust or powder in polishing mills, (=Schleiff-muhleu=) where
various Iron Instruments, Swords, Brest-plates, and other Arms are
Polished, and which is wont to be under the grinding stone in deep
guttars destinated to that purpose, or gathered in wooden vessels, and
sold to such as dy black cloaths, and is called calx or Schlich. But
now whether or no, he means this or the calx of any other metal, it is
uncertain, nor doth it much concern; for the Sun and ☽ may be reduced
into a nothing without any of these Calces, and may be again augmented,
and brought into something, as you shall see in the following Chapters
of the Transmutation of metals.
Vain was their expectation who thought to turn all these speices, thus
blown together, into Gold and Silver, but yet could not get any other
thing than a yellow, or spadiceous _Scoria_ contrary to their hopes
but the Corruscation (=Blief=) is most blessed and gladsome, if any
one can get by reduction from a destroyed metal brought into Scoria, a
most noble one and better than heretofore it was. But this destruction
and reduction is not uniform, but is perfected many several ways as the
following Chapters teach.
The First Rule.
_Of the Nature and Property of =Mercury=._
_All things are absconded and hidden in all things, but of all things
there is one which is a coverer or hider of the rest, and is a
Corporeal Body, External, Visible, Moveable: all fluxes are manifest
in this vessel, for this vessel is a Corporeal Spirit, and therefore
all Coagulations, and Consistences are captivated and shut up therein
being overcome by its flux compassed about and strengthened thereby,
what this flux is, its cause and name what it is called, cannot be
found, because there is no heat which may be therewith compared. The
burning of the =Gehennal= Fire may be likened thereunto, on which
account this Flux hath nothing at all of Community or Affinity with
other fluxes, which are melted by the heat of common fire, and become
hard and coagulated by natural cold. These fluxings or meltings cannot
thus operate with ☿, they are too weak, he values them not; hence ’tis
to be observed, that the mortal Virtues of the four Elements have no
ingressive Operations upon the Cœlestial Virtues, which Virtues we also
call Quintessence, because Elements cannot either give unto, or take
any thing from this Quintessence; the Cœlestial or Infernal Virtue
cares not for the four Elements._
_Hence note, That none of the Elements, nor any Elementary thing, be it
dry or moist, hot or cold, none of these can do any thing against that
Quintessential Virtue, but each hath its operation and efficacy for it
self apart._
=Glaub.=] In this Chapter or first Rule of ☿, _Paracelsus_ useth
succinct but yet perspicuous words, saying, that the fluidity of
Mercury ariseth not from the four corruptible Elements, but from the
Quintessence, and therefore hath not any affinity with these Elementary
fluxings and meltings. Now, what this Quintessence properly is, which
_Paracelsus_ here mentions, much might be spoken, but ’tis not so
convenient at this time, my self and other Philosophers have largely
treated thereof, and therefore speak not of it now.
This only I add over and above, That _Paracelsus_ will have the
Quintessence to be a thing not subject to the four Elements, but
permanent and incorruptible, whereby he gives to understand, That
seeing ’tis so, that the fluidity of Mercury hath its originality from
the Quintessence, and not elementary Fire, so its coagulation is in
like manner to be made by the Quintessence and not by the elementary
Fires, be they hot or cold.
But now, what that Quintessence is, that coagulates Mercury, and
transmutes him into Gold or Silver, it may be easily conjectured, that
it is not to be sought for out of Vegetables and Animals, but to be
extracted out of Metals, and ought to be much more pure, fixt, and
meltable than they are.
Many are the things which _Paracelsus_ hath written of this
Quintessence, attributing great Virtues thereunto; he that desires it,
may read thereof in his Writings. Likewise many Philosophers affirm it
to be a thing reduced by the benefit of Art into the purest and highest
substance. Which name of Quintessence, some there are that attribute
unto that Tincture, wherewith perfections are wont to be made. By which
it is evident, That by the name of Quintessence is alwaies understood
the most pure, the best, and the most powerful part of a thing. But be
it what it will be, ’tis clear, That Mercury is a wonderful subject,
nor is to be coagulated and fixed so easily, as many have falsly
believed, and tryed the contrary to their great loss.
Many are the Coals which have been vainly consumed about his fixation,
and are consumed, although alwaies in vain; my self have also, though
not often, handled him with a great deal of tediousness, which although
not permanently fixt, yet observing therein many singular things, of
which I count it expedient to relate something. In him is a most great
power and virtue, most friendly to Metals; he is easily mixed with the
purest Metals, and most difficultly with the impure; which denotes him
to be of a most pure nature: And now, if he come to be fixed, I could
demonstrate, if need were, by indubitable reasons, that a thing more
pure than Gold would flow therefrom. It alwaies produceth something as
often as it is added to Metals, and constrained to undergo some fire,
helping them evidently, even whilst it is in its Volatility; what then
would it do, if being therewith fixed, it were along while melted with
them in the Fire?
This I add for the better Lights sake.
When I was in my youthful days, and saw many attempting to fix Mercury
with Gold and Silver, by Amalgamation, Sublimation, Coagulation,
Precipitation, and other Labours of that kind, to transmute it into
Gold and Silver; my self also attempted somewhat about him, by the
advice of _Paracelsus_’s Sayings, That in Saturn its Coagulation is
to be found. On this account I melted in a little Crucible 6 or 7
parts of Lead, and added one part of Mercury; this I put into another
Crucible where Nitre did flow, that it might be covered over thereby;
in the mean while I melted the glass of ♄, (being made of 4 parts of
_Minium_, and one part of Flints) in a greater Crucible, whereto I put
the two former Crucibles heated to be covered by the glass. These
three I again sunk into a new Crucible flowing with the glass of ♄,
thinking that I should this way keep in the volatile Guest, having now
shut up Mercury in so many walls, I put him to the fire, intending
to fix him, and then indeed he sustained it, not being able to break
through; but increasing my fire, and the Glass melting with Nitre, away
he goes leaving an empty nest, and left ♄’s weight whole and perfect,
which having examined, it yielded a grain of Silver heavier than the
common ☽ which I believed to be Mercury fixt and coagulated, but
reiterating that labour, I found it to be otherways, _viz._ that the
Mercury was not it self fixed, but flown away, but yet by his occult
power penetrated and meliorated the lead, that it afforded a little
silver; also the whole mass of lead was hereby made black, and hardened
like tin, whereby I perceived, that Mercury being a pure, meer fiery
spirit, is most impatient of the Fire, and cannot be fixed without a
Quintessence.
But thus much indeed it can do, if being joined with other metals,
it can be so long held, as to endure the Fire; although it presently
vanisheth away, it doth in a manner change them, not by bettering
them, but stirring them up by its penetration, that they may mutually
act each upon the other, and receive a meliorating faculty, although
without any great profit, as far as I know, but I only intend to
discover its possibility, its miraculous and almost unsearchable
power, for it may deservedly be esteemed a Miracle of Nature. It is a
meer invisible Fire; albeit such as are ignorant account it cold, and
by Art it may be made far more fiery and volatile; which I sometimes
have tryed, where being often injected into a vehement fire, again and
again, and received in Glasses, it hath elevated it self without any
fire, and gone away into its own _Chaos_. In a word, many men have
accomplished prodigious things with Mercury, but all of them without
any fruit; of which more shall be spoken in its place.
The Second Rule.
_Of =Jupiter= and his Nature._
_Whatsoever thing is manifest, (as the Body of =Jupiter= for example)
the six other Corporeal Metals are therein hidden spiritually, and
one more profound and remote than another. =Jupiter= partakes not of
the quintessence, but of the nature of the four Elements, therefore
his fluidity is manifested by a little heat of the Fire, and his
coagulation in like sort perfected by a little cold, and hath communion
with the rest of the metalline Fluxes._
_Wherefore by how much one thing is in nature like to another, by so
much the readier is it united thereunto, if they mutually touch one
another; that also which is nigh, is more efficacious and sensible; for
that which is afar off, doth not enforce, nor is that which is remote,
how great soever it be, much feared. Hence ’tis that heaven is not
desired, because ’tis far distant, nor seen by any one; neither is hell
feared, because it is far off, whose form none hath known and seen, nor
felt the Torment, and therefore ’tis valued as nothing. Those things
then that are absent, are little regarded, or plainly rejected, being
constituted in a thick place, for by the property of the place every
thing is deteriorated or meliorated; which thing may be proved by many
Examples._
_By how much therefore =Jupiter= is farther off from ♂ and ♀, and
nigher to the Sun and Moon, by so much the more Golden or Silver-like
is he in his own body, and seems more great, potent, pellucid,
sensible, more fair, pleasant, notable, palpable, more true and more
certain than elongated, or at a distance. On the contrary, by how much
the more he is elongated, by so much the more vile and abject he is
in the matters aforesaid: for things present are alwaies more notable
than those which are absent: by how much any thing visible is nearer,
by so much a thing invisible is more remote. Therefore it behoves the
Alchymist to study how he may place =Jupiter= in a spiritual =Arcanum=
and remote place, in which are =Sol= and =Luna=; and that he may take
=Sol= and =Luna= from far, and bring them near, into a place where
=Jupiter= existeth corporally, so that the =Sol= and =Luna= may also
be corporal and truly present before his eyes in the =Examen=. For
there are various labours and modes of transmuting metals from their
imperfection, into a perfect state._
_To mix one with another, and again to separate the one from the other
pure and sincere, is nothing else but a genuine permutation made by
the labour of Alchymy. Note, that =Jupiter= hath much Gold, and not a
little Silver. Put to him =Saturn= and =Luna=, and the =Luna= will be
augmented by the rest._
=Glaub.=] Although I do not certainly know the reason why _Paracelsus_
beginning with Mercury, passeth next to Jupiter; nevertheless it is
very probable that he would thereby point at some singular Mystery.
Here he repeateth the former sentence, saying, Every visible metal
hideth in it self the rest invisibly, from which if we would reap any
good, their invisible and spiritual Gold is to be taken and brought
near, or to be visible; and on the contrary, the visible to be removed
afar off and made invisible. But how this ought to be done he doth not
teach, but leaves the Reader to search it out in his seven Canons or
Rules, which are very difficult to be understood not only by a rude
Tyro, but even by one well exercised: And seeing that not one in a
thousand understands them, it is no wonder that his Writings have been
had in Contempt.
Without doubt he aimed at our good, supposing he had written very
clearly, and directed his speech in such a manner, as if he had to do
with one that is skilful in the metalline nature, without having any
respect to the common blindness and ignorance, whereby he received
great thanks, and was highly esteemed of by all.
But what shall we say or do? ’Tis bad meeting with wicked proud men, as
thou most clearly writest; yet because the unexercised, if they have
even once erred, they wrack and abuse the Writer with meer slanders:
Hence it comes to pass, that many desire rather to be silent, and leave
unto fools their own toys and vanities: But the Case being with more
accurate examination considered, it seemeth evil to be revenged on the
Innocent as well as the Guilty.
As for Tin, if thou searchest into its nature and property, it is a
pure (compared with the other metals) unripe metal, abounding with
very much combustible Sulphur, whereby it obtains its liquifaction
and corruption in the fire: which being removed (and it may be done
with a gentle fire) it loseth its metalline fluidity, and very much
resembles unmelted ashes, whereto if you add another sulphur, whereby
that ashes may turn into a metal; and again convertest it into ashes,
repeating this labour until all its combustible sulphur being burnt up,
it refuseth to go into ashes, by Calcination, and then melt it, ’twill
easily give forth its gold and silver in the trial (=im abtreiben=.)
Now, in the being mixt with Lead, it causeth a strife in a strong
Fire, and getting uppermost, turns into ashes, that is to be imputed
to the combustible sulphur, whereby it so being melted with Gold,
Silver, Copper and Iron, it makes them brittle like to Glass, but being
dispelled of that Sulphur, by roasting or calcining by Incineration or
Cementation, or any other way, it doth not any more make them brittle
(which thing to do is full of difficulty) but is melted with them, and
most easily separated with, Venus (=last sich sehgern=) she knowing how
by her kind and flattering words to perswade the two old men ♄ and ♃,
mutually to abide each other in the fire; Gold and Silver will also do
the same thing; but because they are precious and easily flow out of
the Crucible, and the Work may perish, it is sufficient to use ♀, which
also will give from it self its own hidden Gold and Silver, and not to
take these metals which are purified with great labour, and drown them
afresh in impure metals, and destroy them.
There are also other waies of purging ♃, from his superfluous sulphur,
_viz._ a Nitrous fire. If filed ♃, being mixt with Nitre, Sulphur, &
Sawdust, be kindled, part of the tin is elevated up into flores, and
a part remains reducible in a strong fire, which is to be so often
handled the aforesaid way, till all the substance be reduced, into
flores and ashes, the metallick form and nature being most plainly
destroyed; after this, let the flores be gathered out of the Receivers,
and the ashes elixiviated or washed, and by the help of a good Flux be
reduced into a metal, which is to be again filed, sublimed, and burnt,
as before, until all the Tin remains like Scoria, and will not sublime;
which being melted with Lead and separated, (=mit Blen amstieden und
abtreiben=) thou shalt find gold and silver shut up in its bowels.
Likewise pour fixed Nitre (the liquor of it) on the filings of Tin,
digest it its time, supply the evaporating moisture with new Liquor,
that it may be alwaies moist, but yet let it not be too wet, but like
thick water. This Liquor dissolves and takes away the combustible
sulphur of the Tin, and fixeth that which is incombustible, and makes
it capable of enduring the fire; so that being melted with Lead, and
purged (=aensieden und abtreiben=) it yields its gold and silver.
Another separation is thus instituted; Reduce Tin with common ♄ or
_Regulus_, ♁ j. into Glass or Amausa, which keep a good while in
Flux in a strong fire, (forget not the inceration of Nitre or salt
of Tartar) by which labour the purer parts of the ♃ being gathered
together, do give a _Regulus_, the impurer parts separating themselves
with the Lead and Salt into Scoria, the _Regulus_ being purged
(=abgetieben=) thou shalt have the fixed gold and silver in the Cupel.
But ’tis to be known, that these Operations may be done without Copper,
but yet will yield more ☉ and ☽ if Copper be added; not only for that
the ♀ it self gives forth its ☉ and ☽, but because Tin of it self,
without the admixtion of ♀, doth not willingly let go its own ☉ and ☽.
But in seeking of shelter amongst its own ♀, and withdrawing it self to
the _Scoria_, is there hidden (the Labour being finished) the _Scoria_
can no more attract it into it self.
♀ therefore is as it were a Receptacle, wherein the Sun and Moon
collected and separated out of the mass, can defend and hide it self,
and is by Chymists called a Bath or _Balneum_.
In the 4th. Chapter, which treats of ♀, a more large account is given
of this labour of metalline Glass. Moreover gold and silver may be
separated out of tin in this wise.
Melt common Lead in a Test (=treib scherben=) under a Muffle (=een
muffel=) and being throughly hot, cast in a little ♃, and it will
incontinently have Ingress, but will forthwith ascend and kindle like
burning sparks and go into ashes; which must be taken off with a
crooked Instrument, and more new Tin put in; which being burnt, let it
be taken out. Repeat this labour so long, till all the Lead be devoured
as it were by the Tin.
Put these ashes on a Test, under a Muffle, and let them be yet well
heated by the fire for an hour; so that if any grains of ♄ remain, they
may be made ashes, and the calcined ashes of the tin may be the better
fixed. Reduce these ashes, and ’twill become a metal, which let be
again made ashes upon a Test; repeat this labour, until in reduction
it refuseth to go into a metal, but remains a _Scoria_ and a metal
destroyed; which put into an excellent Crucible, and by a Flux made of
Tartar and Nitre, let it melt its due time, and the fixed Tin, together
with part of the Lead, will go to the bottom into a _Regulus_; which
being washed (=abgetrieben=) makes manifest the gold and silver hid
in the Tin on the Test. This Labour is neat, easie, and but of small
charge, especially where wood and coals are cheap, the _Scoria_, from
which the _Regulus_ is separated, is not to be thrown away, but kept
for other uses, of which we shall presently speak.
Now he that promiseth Gain unto himself from this small work on a
Test, is deceived, because hereby is only found how much ☉ and ☽ is
contained in an hundred weight of ♃, and what costs are expended in
its melting, whereby may be computed what gains may be expected every
day, nor indeed is this work (thus done under a muffle) so profitably
accomplished, as ’tis in greater Furnaces, where being a greater heat
of fire, a more plentiful gain is promised. And although because of
many various Imployments my self never tryed, yet I will briefly
delineate and describe how a large Return may be made, according to
Calculation, computed by a smaller quantity.
An hundred of Tin requires 10 or 12 C. of ♄; (the work being wisely
handled) the price of the Lead, ♃, Coals and Labour, being summed up,
and being substracted from the ☉, there seems to remain but a very
little to defray the charges. But if you look thereinto a little more
narrowly, you will find a recompence and benefit arising thence, not
to be despised, especially if you use Lead impregnated with ☽, which
by reason of not considering the benefit and gain, remains unseparated
therefrom. Likewise you may use a golden ♃, such being often found
as contains as much ☉ as the ♃ costs; and you may also meet with ♄,
which contains as much ☽ as the Lead is worth, but not separated by
the Refiners, because they are ignorant of this separation, which by
the usual way cannot be separated with profit: and that your Labour
may be the more beneficial, you may add to your ♃ some golden or
silver stones and minerals, as Marcasites, ♁, Arsenick, Auripigment,
Cobolt, and various Pyrites or Kisij (which because of the small
quantity of their included ☉, are never wont to be melted) & let them
be _scorified_, which yielding also their gold and silver, do bring in
a greater profit; but especially if these Minerals having been first
melted with Copper, are by the benefit of Iron (or melted with Iron)
brought into _Regulus_, and their Gold reduced to a narrow compass,
which _Regulus_ being thrown into the Lead, together with the Tin, let
be made into _Scoria_, and then their ☉ is gotten without much charge,
and is depurated by the Tin. But now, if you would have this separation
profitable, it is not to be done in Crucibles, but in well compact
Furnaces or Hearths, whereon the bright flames running, let your metals
be throughly heated or calcined, and your Calcination, Incineration,
or Annihilation being accomplished, let Reduction be made in an acute
Furnace, (=im Stichofen=,) of which thing my time permits me not to
give any larger account; its sufficient to have experienced the truth
thereof in a lesser quantity; any one may try his fortune in Metallick
Operations.
Now, although there are more waies of separating ☉ and ☽ from ♃, yet
what I have already declared seems sufficient for this time; the
following Chapters, wherein the nature of the other metals is treated
of, will manifestly open what I have decreed to discover concerning
them.
The Third Rule.
_Of =Mars= and his Property._
_The six hid Metals have thrust out, or expelled the seventh from
them, and made him Corporeal, leaving unto him lowest Dignity, and
imposing on him the most thick hardness and labour. In this body have
they manifested their whole strength, and hardness of Coagulation to
be, shutting up, or keeping inward, their Colours and Nobility, with
their Fluidity. ’Tis hard and full of Labour, to make a Prince or King
of a Peasant, or common Fellow: But ♂ by his Vertue, obtains Honour,
and gets up into the high Throne of the King: But ’tis expedient, that
care be used, least hastily posting forward, he be taken. It is to be
considered by what Art ♂ may be promoted to the Throne; but the ☉ and ☽
put in the place of ♂ with ♄._
=Glaub.=] We are come now to _Mars_ in order, it being the _3d._
according to the Compute also of the Astronomers, descending from
above. Now _Paracelsus_ doth not attribute the first place to ♄, as the
Astronomers do, but to ☿; and haply, not without great Cause, hinting
hereby some singular thing. He goes on, and says _Mars_ is rude, sharp,
and thick, because the other Metals have cast out their most ignoble,
and basest part upon him, which thing experience testifies: He is
composed of hard knotty Timber, and hath in him but little good; he is
sharp and churlish, and not at all to be compared to gentle, tender,
and noble ♃; but if he be once freed from his knottiness, which is
hard to do, and render’d tractable, he shews his Virtue, and discovers
himself also to be a partaker of the Royal Blood. _Paracelsus_ adds,
that ♄ can take away his knots, and elevate him to an higher degree,
although the Astronomers are very much displeas’d with the Conjunction
of these two, as being the Author of all evil, and have therefore
inserted peace-making, and benign _Jupiter_ in the middle. Now that
Lame _Saturn_ may polish and make crabbed ♂ smooth, _Paracelsus_ tells
you that there’s need of Caution, lest by over hastiness, he bring
loss upon himself. He stoutly resists, nor doth he easily yield, but
rather busily contrives how to captivate and destroy others; yet
_Paracelsus_ mentions its possibility; whose Reasons, Way, or Manner,
we will briefly illustrate. ♄ indeed is by Birth, fitted to wash the
other imperfect Metals, and to purge them from their superfluous
Sulphur, if any good doth accidentally adhere unto them, but knows not
how to remove their radical, and innate Impurity; and that it is not
alone sufficient for this thing, the trial of the Test witnesseth; for
although you add Iron to ♄, to be separated upon the Cupel; (=Abgehen
Lassen=) yet hath it no sincere ingress into ♄; but if it be so far
brought by great labour, it doth not remain, but speedily separates to
the Superficies, like _Scoria_, and leaves nothing with the Lead, but
what was accidentally in it, himself withdrawing with his whole power,
and native goodness; Tin also doth the same; but Copper albeit it swims
not upon the Lead, nor goes away, yet it is not therewith radically
joined, but being reduced with the Lead, into Liquable _Scoria_,
descends into the porous Ashes, of which we have accurately treated in
the Fourth Part of our Furnaces, and in the Appendix.
Lead is not therefore the true washing of Metals, but that it may so
become, ’tis clear that it must be aptly prepared; and if you do more
exactly contemplate on the thing, you’ll find it very rational; for by
what means can ♄ the most liquable of all the Metals, freely copulate
with ♂, which is the hardest: Indeed ’tis true, that they enter each
into the other by mutual fusion; but ’tis forcedly and superficially,
not radically; as if one boils Water, mixt with Meal, into a Pulse; the
Water thickens, the Flour moistens; yet neither entring into the other,
radically; but the Water getting into the Pores of the Meal, or Flour,
makes it Pap: In the same manner is it with ♄ and ♂, they are indeed
mixt; but cannot equally sustain the violence of the Fire. ♂ doth not
alter his breeding or wit; but in the melting together, remain an hard,
and not easily melted Metal; nor is the humidity and liquability of the
Lead hereby corrected; for although they are become one Mass, yet each
keeps his old Condition: but if they are so order’d, that both of them
may undergoe the same Fire; then the Iron will yield, and deliver his
Gold unto the Lead, and his warm Volatile Sulphur maturates the Silver,
lying hid in the Lead; exalts it, and makes it corporeal, that each
bestows on the other, his Goodness and Virtue; each supplies the others
defects, and both are perfected; for although hard crabbed ♂ be made
flow with liquid and combustible Sulphur, or a Sulphureous Mineral, as
♁, _Arsenick_, or _Auripigment_; yet is not any transmutation made,
each remaining in his own Nature, without alteration; like as ☿ being
reduced into _Amalgama_, with ☉ or ☽, makes no solution, only adheres
unto the Gold, and easily separates therefrom, leaving the Gold to
himself: But if any one know how to conjoin, ☉ and ☽ with _Mercury_
radically, they would not forsake one the other; but would perfect
themselves mutually in a strong Fire; so would the other Metals too,
were they but radically commixt. Some one may ask, what is this radical
or spiritual Commixtion of the Metals, and what I understand thereby?
for Answer, They are to be so united with an implanted Love, that they
freely join together, and so remain equally, enduring prosperity and
adversity; and neither of them discernible from the other, that they
penetrate the shut Gates, and thick Walls, without any obstacle; that
the Volatile exhales not in the Fire: that which is liquable, separates
not from what is illiquable; thereby penetrating the Vessel, leaving
behind it, the more fixt, or rougher part, in the form of _Scoria_:
But thou mayst demand by what means I spiritualize the Metals, and
radically conjoin them; what, must they first be dissolved in _Aqua
fortis_, or other corrosive Spirits, and be distilled by an _Alembick_,
that they may become Volatile? No, I mean not any of this; this kind of
spiritualization is a meer deceitful, and cheating Labour, hindering
many thousands, which otherwise would be nigher to the Truth: All
the Philosophers disswade you therefrom, that you do not torment the
Metals with sharp spirits, whereby instead of being perfected, they are
corrupted and mortifyed radically. ’Tis madness to pour more Water into
any one that is suffocated with Water, thereby to restore him to Life;
this is to put the Bridle on the Horse’s Tail. Now ’tis evident, that
the superfluity in imperfect Metals, is their combustible and corrosive
Sulphur; and by how much, the more imperfect and base they are, so
much the more of a combustible Sulphur do they possess: an evident
Testimony, of which we have in Iron, or ♂: ’Tis only his acid Sulphur
that deprives him of every degree of dignity, which gross, acid, and
vitriolated Sulphur, did he not so much abound withal, he would not
contract Rust so easily; and by the attractive Moisture be so soon
corrupted: and were he not so quickly rusty, he would be put to better
uses, than now he is. But you may object, that you cannot conceive, how
he can have such a corrosive Sulphur, whence should it happen to him,
for the Mineral, and Stones, whence he is extracted, do not appear to
be impregnated with such a Sulphur; whence comes it therefore to be in
him? Besides, if the Mineral did partake of such a Sulphur, surely it
would never abide a Fire so violent, but it would be driven away.
My Friend, thou dost not at all understand the Nature of Metals, and
for what end it was, that Nature left such a Sulphur in Iron, and the
other imperfect Metals; for it is a Nutriment unto their better Parts,
being like an _Embryo_, and as it were, a Covering or a Matrix, in
which a noble Child is maturated, and is (after the ripeness of the
pure Metal) thence excluded. For Natures intention was not, that Iron
should be but Iron, but rather Gold; but the digger not willing to wait
so long, and knowing the manifold uses of Iron, allows not time for it
to become Gold, just like the Fisher-man (who catching a very small
Fish, and the Fish desiring to return into the Water, until being grown
bigger, he might the better fill the Platter) said, nay, but I will
hold thee, as thou art, for ’tis uncertain, whether or no, being grown
bigger, thou mayst then be found. Just thus doth the Miner do, he waits
not the Irons becoming Gold, but puts it to its present use.
’Tis commonly known, that there is abundance of corrosive Salt therein,
which is not combustible in melting Fire, neither needs it any further
demonstration; it having been also treated of in the Annotations of my
Appendix: and that thou mayst see that a Metal can preserve, and keep
its volatile combustible Sulphur in a melting Furnace, I will expound
it somewhat clearer: Gold having already obtained its perfection (it
being a mature product) Nature hath separated this combustible Sulphur,
or acid volatile Salt therefrom; because it needs it not for any
further nutriment: neither would it hold it, if it should be put unto
it, but thrusts it from it in the Fire, and hath no affinity therewith,
as the other imperfect Metals have.
Now _Luna_ although it be not so compleatly perfect as _Sol_; yet, ’tis
more perfect than the others, and hath notwithstanding, a Commerce with
this sulphureous Salt; yea, so as to hold common Sulphur a very long
while in a great heat, which we shall declare anon in the separation of
Metals; and if ☽ (which is almost a ripe Metal) doth thus, questionless
the other more imperfect ones will do it more willingly; which thing,
that you may be the more assured of, incorporate a sulphureous Salt
with any Metal, and continue it in a great heat; and after a few hours
you shall see that your Metal will hold that Sulphur, and defend it
against the force of Fire; but if a Metal be in some sort freed from
this sulphureous Salt by a melting Fire, it doth again receive and
hold it; Will it not therefore hold its own, wherein it was born and
from whence it came forth. ♂ excells them all as to this, being not
only a friend to sulphureous and corrosive Salts, but also to Vrinous
which (when it cannot have acid salts) it doth by a magnetick power
attract and defend these in the fire. For example; mix the filings of
♂ with Nitre and salt of Tartar, and these salts, in a melting Fire,
will be fixed with ♂, and resists the Fire. Which thing is most worthy
observation, and by no means to be neglected.
But to return to my former purpose of demonstrating, that Imperfect
Metals are not only, not bettered by corrosive salts and spirits, but
are rather corrupted: Daily experience doth prove it before the eyes,
that all such as have used corrosive spirits in their bettering of
metals, have done no good at all therewith, but have, to their hurt,
lost both their time and labour: whereas those that have used other
_menstruums_ that are not corrosive, have profited more therefrom,
and have seen more than they have sought; such as those are in a way
tending to dissolve metals without corrosives; to make them spiritual,
and radically to unite them, that they may mutually act in, and sustain
or undergo the Fire alike, and may co-operate to purity and perfection,
and may ennoble themselves. Of which _Spiritualization_ more shall be
spoken in the Sixth Chapter, where _Paracelsus_ also treats thereof.
This therefore do I affirm of ♂, that he must be handled with such
_menstruums_ as are not only not corrosive, but contrary to Corrosives,
and such as mollify and separate those Corrosives which the Metals
hold in fusion, that so for the time to come they may attract no more
any moisture, and thereby contract Rust, and be corrupted; but may be
rather able to preserve and defend themselves against Corrosives and
combustible Sulphur. But let none think, that ♂ being by this Antidote
freed from its thick, earthy, and combustible, and corrosive sulphur,
will be wholly turned into ☉, for ’tis the smallest part of ♂ that is
good: by how much the ☉ is more noble than common ♂, by so much is
the ♂, from whence the Sol is separated more vild than other Iron,
and the remainder is nothing else but a most vild Earth or _Scoria_,
void of all metallick fusion. The milk of a Cow or another Animal, if
unmixt with water, is good milk; but yet ’tis far inferiour in goodness
to pure, good, well-wrought Butter; and by how much milk is more vild
than butter, by so much is the whey and acid milk from whence the Cream
is separated, more vild than that which is sweet and abounds with
Cream. If generous wine be spoiled of its spirit most sweet and most
excellent, by the benefit of Destillation, one part of that is better
than 12 parts of wine out of which it was extracted; the remainder
cannot be wine any more, but is much inferiour to good wine, as wine is
to the spirit.
The like is it with Metals, which being deprived of their soul, whereby
they obtained a metallick form, they can no more be malleable Metals.
Therefore ’tis good to consider whether or no in the separation of ☉
out of the Imperfect metals, it will be answerable (in value) to the
metal, and other Expences necessary about extracting it; but now, if
you know how to apply the residue of the Metal to other uses, you may
with the more confidence attempt the separation. But to return to the
words of _Paracelsus_, I will shew how ♂ may, through ♄’s help, arrive
to a Kingly dignity. I have before said, that there is no familiarity
between the most fusile and most hard metal, but the one will be gone
away in fume before the other will melt, and that we cannot want ♄
in the separation of ♂; but how it is to be handled, I will briefly
explain.
Saturn of himself is liquable and volatile, but yet can be made
illiquable and fixt without detriment of the Radical Moisture or
Metallick Nature; so as to undergo the same Fire with ♂, and being
brought to this pass, it is then fit for the separation of ♂. ’Tis
many waies made illiquable (=Hartflussig=) but the best way is by
fixed Salts, of a contrary nature to the superfluous Sulphur in ♂, and
excellently well separated from the _Reguli_ made of ♂; for Nitre and
Salt of Tartar do not only harden ♄, but unite other metals with him,
making them spiritual, and most like to transparent, soluble Glass,
the which having sustained the Fire their proper time, the Agent being
taken away, and the Patient sufficiently purged, the purest part of the
Metals, thus spiritually mixt together, doth by the force of ♄ separate
from the other unprofitable part. The _Regulus_ is purged easily, so
that there’s no need of separating the whole Mass by precipitation and
reducing it into _Reguli_; but ♄, by his innate force, doth in its
due time finish the separation or precipitation of the pure from the
impure, of metals thus spiritually commixt and united. This is enough
spoken concerning the way of separating gold out of ♂, by ♄, _viz._
♄ being first fixed by salts, and made hard to melt, so as to endure
the same force of Fire with ♂, or otherwise ’twill be impossible to
have any thing from ♂ by the usual way of the Refiners, by the help
of scorifying with ♄ (=mit ansieden=) and separation (=abtreiben=)
which even as ♃ also doth not stay with common Lead in a strong fire,
but separate themselves and go into _Scoria_; the which we have also
hinted in the First Part of this little Book, whereto we referr the
Reader. This separation of ☉ out of ♂, may be done with _Regulus_ of ♁
and Nitre, and in some manner better than with common Lead, but that
I do not deliver the whole Process from top to bottom, let no body
wonder thereat, for then the Book would grow to too great a bulk, and
I should not receive any reward the more from the Unthankful: Let it
suffice, that I have declared the manner and the Species wherewith ’tis
to be done; for ’tis for the sake of such Chymists as are most expert
in the Fire and Metalline Works that I write, and not for the common
Destillers of Waters. And as touching what may tend to illustrate what
is said, it shall be supplyed with some Processes at the end of the
seven Rules.
Whereas I have attributed to ♂ in the First Part of this Treatise and
elsewhere, that he doth not only unwillingly deliver his own gold, but
also if any be either accidentally, or of set purpose, added thereto,
he swallows it up and hides it, and will not restore it without
detriment and loss. Some body may admire how it’s possible for to be
done so easily by ♄ and Salts; let him know that this Extraction of
☉ out of ♂ is not any the common Examen or Trial, (=abtreiben=,) but
a true and Philosophical separation (=Seigerungh=) wherewith ♂ being
well dissolved, is most throughly separated from his thick and hard
body, concerning which, I never met with any full pregnant Processes
any where. And albeit that I am not ignorant that many, yea most that
read, will not have any higher thought or consideration, yet I say that
there is something else hereunder; and do believe, that it is to be
esteemed far more excellent than Sol it self; which that thou maist not
over-much trouble thy head about, I will not be shy in communicating
it also unto thee. _viz._ Out of Iron is prepared a Salt without any
corrosive, which is able to extract the soul from Gold, that it will
remain half dead. But ♂ will be impregnated as it were divinely, so
as to be able to give forth a golden Child: the debilitated Gold will
recover its lost Colour and Virtue by ♀ and ♁. Other Philosophers have
likewise made mention hereof, _viz._ that ♂ will not spare even the
King, out of whose bowels he will steal Treasures, and will not blush
to adorn himself with the same. Concerning which Secret the most famous
_Sandivow_ wrote on this wise. “The Chymists know how to change Iron
into Copper or ♀, without the Sun: They likewise know how to make ☿ out
of ♃: Others there are that can make ☽ out of ♄; but if they knew how
to administer the Solar Nature to these mutations, questionless they
would find a thing more precious than any Treasure. On which account I
say, that we must not be ignorant of what metals are to be conjoined
one with the other, and whose nature of them corresponds to Nature.
There is therefore given one metal, which hath a power to consume the
other metals, for it is as it were almost their water and their mother;
one thing there is that only resists it, and is bettered thereby,
_viz._ the _humidum Radicale_ of the Sun and Moon; but that I may
discover it, ’tis called _Chalybs_.”
Thus you see, that from ♂ also some good is to be gotten, although all
speak ill of him; and indeed he is wicked if he gets possession: Nor
will he spare the highest Powers, from whom he will forcibly wrest
their hidden Treasures, but yet by Commerce with ♀ he will again repay
it in time to be distributed amongst the subjects; although the king
being robb’d of his goods, looks pale upon it, yet he lays not down his
Life, and he remaining alive, there is no cause of complaining, for
as long as the Riches are not exported, but remain in the Kingdom,
distributed amongst the subjects, he is able to receive his former
majesty and splendor from his Revenues, and to gather new Riches, and
preserve his kingly dignity whole and sound.
Here I foresee that our common Know-littles, in the light of Nature,
will traduce me, as if I enterpret _Sandivow’s Chalybs_ to be common
♂, and say that ’tis not to be understood according to the Letter, but
the Author would hint somewhat else thereby; but ’tis no matter, what
I have written, I have written, and that not without cause. I am not
ignorant, that he means not common Iron no more than I, but his inmost
Magnetick force and power, or essence, prepared without corrosive, and
known to few, which doth most greedily extract and transmute the soul
of Gold above all other things. And herewith we will rest and cease.
The Fourth Rule.
_Of the Nature of ♀._
_The other Six Metals have in ♀ framed all their colours, and the
=medium= of their Flux (with inconstancy) into an External body. It
would be therefore profitable to hint to the understanding by some
examples, by what means the visible may by the benefit of Fire be made
invisible, and this again made visible and material. All combustible
things may naturally be changed in the Fire, out of one form into
another, as into a Coal, Soot, Ashes, Glass, Colours, Stones, Earth,
but the Earth is reduced into sundry metallick bodies; and if a metal
combust or corrupted with old age, is thereby become unmalleable,
sharp, and brittle, let it well flow, and ’twill again become
malleable._
=Glaub.=] Although that ♀ being malleable more than all the metals, in
and out of the Fire, is fit for all Operations, yet even this is not
void of a combustible sulphur, but is radically polluted therewith, so
that it will most easily, of it self, without addition of any other
sulphur, be reduced into _Scoria_, and be corrupted, which corruption
is occasioned by the muchness of its combustible sulphur; Gold and
Silver being void of that Sulphur, are not subject to destruction. So
that, although they undergo the Fire a most long season, yet go they
not into _Scoria_ like the other imperfect bodies; and for the reducing
of them into ashes, combustible sulphur must be added; whereas the
imperfect metals too much abounding with the same, are changed by a
most light heat into Ashes, Powder, or _Scoria_, which _Scoria’s_ are
melted into either transparent or darkish tincted Glass, according to
the nature of the metal; which Glasses may be melted into malleable
Metal, and again into Ashes and Glass, as you please, but alwaies with
some loss, by reason of some combust parts irreducible into metal,
the metal also remaining, as it was at first, without being any thing
bettered.
He who knows how to melt Metals into pellucid Glass, by the addition
not of metallick things, but of such things as have affinity with the
metals, as Salts, Sand, or Stones, shall in reducing them, alwaies
find his metal better than it was in the beginning: And that the
Reader, for whose sake I have written these things, may the more
throughly understand my mind, I will explain it somewhat more clearly.
_Paracelsus_ hath above affirmed, That every visible metal is an hider
of the other metals lying hid invisibly therein, and that the hider is
to be removed, if you would that those visible metals become visible
and corporeal, which being most truly spoken, I know not what light it
may be illustrated withal. The words also are succinct and easie to be
understood, yet no body believes them; There’s scarce one amongst an
hundred that conceives what they tend unto. _Metals cannot be changed
without putting off their metalline form_; for if you keep them a long
time in Flux, by themselves, or joined with others, if they remain in
their Corporality, they cannot help each the other, but being destroyed
either by themselves, or joined with other Metals, and nourished in
the fire their due time, it cannot otherwise be, but that they should
be bettered, for so long as it retains its metalline form, it cannot
be holpen. ’Tis necessary that a hard body be broken and annihilated,
before there can be made a separation of the pure from the impure.
But this is to be done by a genuine Chymical manner, and they are to
be dissolved and throughly opened, with things of affinity with them,
whereby the purer parts may be united, and the more gross may be
separated. If a metal be forced with a most vehement Fire, its parts
do firmly hold together; for if it be fixt, then the parts abide in
the Fire; but if volatile, then the parts thereof fly away together,
their natural bond holds them together, defending them against the
Fires power, but dissolve their bond, and then they are compelled to
submit to _Vulcan_’s Force and Empire, and will let you make of them
what you please. It may well shame the Chymists to work so disagreeably
with Nature, and may well learn by the Husbandman’s labours to send for
Nature’s help. The Husbandman therefore, when he sows his seed, to have
a good Crop therefrom, he casts not his grain upon any sort of earth,
without consideration, but chuseth such earth for each proper seed,
as being well dung’d, may suit best therewith, and in a convenient
season sows his grain, that it, being putrefied and annihilated, may be
multiplied, he leaves it to the warmth of the Sun, and to the vivifying
Rain to concoct and maturate it; well knowing, that without precedent
putrefaction and loss of its form, it cannot be multiplied. He likewise
knows, that when it hath arrived to its maturity it must not be left
in the Field, but must be reaped, and then the better and more heavy
part is to be fanned and separated from the lighter and worser part,
_viz._ the Chaff; the which operation is, by Experience and long Use,
known to be good and needful. This Process must a Chymist observe, for
one Metal may be made the field of another, wherein putrefying, it may
get it self a new body, which being done, he must likewise know how to
separate the new body from the _fæces_, from which ’tis gathered and
made; and how to fan _Vulcan_ like the best and most ponderous, from
the lightest, for both of them will be made better by the foregoing
preparation, and the annihilation of the bodies. When a Country-woman
intends to separate the better part of the Milk from the more gross
and cheesy part, she puts it in a quiet warm place, that the best part
may rise up, and the worst part go down; the which being as yet not
sufficiently purified, she adds her art, and puts it into a Churn, and
doth so long stir or agitate it until another separation be made of the
pure from the impure, which we call _Butter_; which notwithstanding,
had it lain never so long by it self, had never come to have been
Butter, without the Hand and Art of the Country-woman. Who would
believe that in Milk there lies Butter, if he did not daily see it?
This separation of the Butter from the waterishness, proceeds from the
quick shaking and agitation, whereby the Milk heats; and if it doth
not fadge, then do they put thereto some warm moisture, which uniting
it self with the moisture of the Milk promotes a separation, for heat
alone is the meer cause of hastening the separation. This now may
seem a gross Example to the Ignorant, but let none imagine that this
separation of the Butter from the Milk is alledged in vain, but rather
to show the way how out of imperfect Minerals the golden and silver
milk or part, is to be separated by the access or addition of a warm
Mineral water, and by the Fires agitation: Even as warm Water helps
the moisture of the Milk, that so it doth the easier separate its own
heterogeneous Butter (and yet the way of separating the Butter from the
Milk, without agitation, by the affusion of a warm thing and coction,
is not unknown;) so also the Metals are separated, if they are along
time boiled with their own Water.
Now, because of themselves they are compact bodies, if you keep them
in Flux a long season, they remain compact, and are not able by their
own power to shew forth their Good or Evil, nor make it appear, whether
or no they contain Gold or Silver: They are to be a long time boil’d
with Water, that being dispersed, they may be translated out of their
metalline nature, and the pure (by the agitation of the Fire) may be
separated from the impure; which purer part of the metal doth not swim
at the top, like Butter, but settles to the bottom like a _Regulus_,
after the metallick manner, and all being cool, it must be separated
from the _Scoria_, and in a Cupel be washed to the utmost purity
(=abgetrieben=).
But now ’tis worth the while to know what Water this is which is fit
for this Work, and makes a separation of metals; for seeing that it
must have power to dissolve metals, it’s expedient that it be a friend
unto them, and of the same kin, or (that I may speak clearer) ’tis
fit that it be their dissolver and examinator; and this old _Saturn_
hath power to do, out of which it may with small costs and labour be
prepared; but the common _Saturn_, although it be called the Water
of Metals by all the Philosophers (but in the usual washing in the
Cupels ’tis not found so to be) yet as long as it remains in a compact
metalline form, ’tis unfit for this thing; let him first be made Water
himself before he reduceth the metals into water; which work is easie,
of small cost, and of a few hours labour, and it goes into Water,
and the Metals are thereby washt. Of which more shall be said in the
following Chapter of ♄, and elsewhere. This also is to be noted, That
if Copper being dissolved with the Water of Lead, be digested its
proper time, the moisture dries, and the metal is hardened, and returns
into a metallick body; therefore the Solution is to be kept alwaies
liquid by the affusion or pouring on of new water, lest the mutual
action be hindered, which the Philosophers call _Incineration_: Which
being neglected, all the Work doth not presently perish, but there
remains most elegant _Amausa_, and tinged Glass, which shines among the
Copper, giving out from it self a Blood-red Colour, wherewith not only
wooden Vessels may be adorned, but also Glass-Painters may use it; of
which red Glass there hath been some found in old Churches; but ’twas
believed that the Art was throughly lost; but this came not by chance
without doubt, but was purposely concealed by those whose practising
hereabouts did perceive a better thing to lie under it; for the red
_Amausum_ or Glass, being burnt its proper time with a strong fire,
gives a _Regulus_ yielding in the Leaden washing (=im abtreiben=) good
Silver. But if you seek for ☽ out of ♀, it’s better not to make the red
_Amausum_ or Glass at all, but to keep on with Inceration, that it may
not come to be red, but may remain a pellucid and green Glass, even
until ♀ be well washt.
Moreover this is to be noted, That ♀ and the other metals are not
only reducible into soluble and insoluble Glass, by this _Saturnine_
Water, but the same is to be done by the addition of clean Flints
and Salts, by which they are made much fairer than those done with
♄; but in the separation (=Seigerungh=) they are vilder, because the
Dissolvent is not so metalline, and after purgation, they do not so
easily give their _Regulus_ as those that are done with the Water of
♄. There’s also another way, by which the superfluous burning sulphur
of ♀ may be washed, and she cleansed without the water of ♄ or of the
Flints, _viz._ with _Salt-Petre_. If ♀ or any other imperfect metal be
often mixt therewith and burnt, the purer parts come together, and the
combustible parts come together, and the combustible sulphur separates
in the form of _Scoria_. To conclude, This separation and washing may
be done by the help of other fixed Salts, but none so good as the
Water of ♄. Now let the Reader know, that those things spoken in a
rude stile, concerning ♀, want not their weight, even as the following
Chapters will openly declare.
The Fifth Rule.
_Of the Nature and Virtue of =Saturn=._
_Thus speaks =Saturn= of himself: The other Six Planets have excluded
and thrust me out, who am their Examinator, from the spiritual City,
assigning me an habitation with a corruptible body; for what they
neither are, nor will be, I am constrained to be: My six Brethren are
Spiritual, wherefore as often as I am in the fire, they pass through
my body, and both I and they perish together in the Fire, the two
best excepted, ☉ and ☽, who are most neatly and purely washt in my
waters, and wax proud. My Spirit is Water, softning the hard bodies
of my Brethren; but my body is addicted to the Earth, whatsoever I
lay hold on, is also made like the Earth; and is converted into one
body. It would not be good that the World should know what is in me,
or what I could do; it would be better did they but know how to get
that thing which is mine, and is in my faculty, they would lay aside
all other Arts of =Alchymy=, and handle this thing only, which I am
able to perfect. The Stone of Coldness is in me; this is the Water by
which I cause the Spirits of the six other Metals to congeal into the
Corporeity of the Seventh, that is to promote ☉ with ☽. =Antimony= is
twofold, the one sort is the common black ♁, wherewith ☉ being mixt and
melted, is purged; this is of nearest kin to Lead; the other is white
=Magnesia=, =Bismuth=, and nearest to Tin; being mixt with the other ♁,
it encreaseth ☽._
=Glaub.=] Here we have mention made of _Saturn_, from whence the Bath
(spoken of afore) for ♀ and the other metals is prepared, and that
twofold, the common and ♁, both which I have mentioned in my former
Tracts, as profitable for this washing; but one is fitter for some
metals than the other. _Venus_ willingly enters into ♄, and may most
rightly be washed and separated (=geseigert=) with the common Saturnine
water, ♂ and ♃ will not; but ♁ receives them most greedily, holds
and washeth them, which is impossible for the common ♄ to do. Yet
notwithstanding _Paracelsus_ seems to hint at some other thing here,
speaking of the transmutation of ♄ with other metals, aiming (as I
conjecture) as well at an universal as a particular transmutation of
Metals by Saturn. Now Saturn also, as he is the water and washing of
other metals, so may he himself be washed with Salts, which, as I shall
anon declare, are his water.
But let no body wonder that I speak no larger of the nature and virtue
of Saturn, whom I set so high an esteem upon; for it hath been most
frequently mentioned, and after this will be; so ’tis not fit so often
to repeat the same thing, one Chapter illustrates another. See such
other small Tracts as I have written of Saturn, and compare them well
together, and without doubt you will perceive my meaning. That which
_Paracelsus_ adds concerning the difference of ♁ is plain enough, and
wants no illustration; for common Lead and ♁ (although much differing
in the diversity of Sulphurs) was by the Philosophers called Black
Lead. Bismuth, ashy Lead, and Tin, among the ancient Metallurgists, is
white Lead; which appellations we shall leave to the ancients, and say
no more thereof.
The Sixth Rule.
_Of the =Moon=, and her Nature and Property._
_If anyone goes about to reduce ☽ into ♄ or ♂, it will be as difficult
as to make ☽ (with great profit) out of ☿, ♃, ♂, ♀, or ♄. But ’tis not
expedient to make vile things out of good, but to make precious things
out of base and abject things._
_’Tis also fit to know of what matter the Moon is, and whence ’tis
risen; he that is ignorant of this, will find it impossible to make
=Luna=._
Quest. _What therefore is_ Luna?
Answ. _It is the seventh external, corporeal, material, of the Six
metals therein hidden; for alwaies (as it hath been very often said)
the Seventh hath the other Six spiritually hidden within it self;
neither also can these six be without an external, material metal; nor
can any corporeal Metal be without the six spiritual ones and their
Essence. If you melt the seven Corporeal Metals, it doth nothing as to
making ☉: after mixtion, each as its nature is, remains fixt in the
fire, or volatile. For example, mix as well as you can ☿, ♃, ♄, ♂, ♀,
☉ and ☽, it will not therefore follow, that the ☉ and ☽ will transmute
the other five, that they become ☉ and ☽: Although they are blown
together into one mass, yet each remains in its own state, =viz.= if
you take of the corporeal mixtion; for transmutation consists in the
spiritual mixtion and union of Metals, because Spirits admit of no
separation and mortification._
_Although you kill the Body an hundred times, yet will they alwaies
have another Body more noble than the former. And this is the promotion
of Metals from one mortification into another; that is, from a more
ignoble degree to a higher, that is =Luna=, and from a better to the
best, that is =Sol=; a most illustrious and royal Metal; ’tis also
true, and alwaies will be, which hath been often spoken of before,
that alwaies the six metals generate the seventh, and deliver it from
themselves into a palpable and visible substance._
Quest. _Now, then if it be so, that the =Luna=, or any other metal,
is alwaies caused and produced from the other six, What therefore is
its Property and Nature? =I answer=, Out of ☿, ♃, ♂, ♀, ♄, and ☉, no
other metal can be made, but ☽; the reason is, because as to the other
six metals, each are indued with two good virtues, which in all make
Twelve: these virtues are the Silverish or Lunar Spirit, which in brief
understand thus; Silver is compounded into a corporeal Metal, out of
the six Spiritual Metals, and their Properties, in number twelve, and
is likened to the seven Planets, and the twelve Cœlestial Signs; for
the ☽ hath from ☿ the Planet, and ♒, and ♓, a bright white flux and
splendor, ☿, ♒, ♓; also ☽ hath from ♃, ♂, and ♉ a white colour, a great
constancy against the fire and fixation, ♃, ♂, ♉; from ♂, ♋, and ♈, it
hath hardness, a good clangour or sound, ♂, ♋, ♈; from ♀, ♊, ♎, it hath
the means of Coagulation and Malleability, ♀, ♊, ♎; from ♄, ♑, ♏, it
hath a fixt body with heaviness and gravity, ♄, ♑, ♏; from ☉, ♌, ♍, it
hath a sincere purity, and a great constancy, against the violency of
the fire, ☉, ♌, ♍._
_Thus is briefly explained what is the exaltation and cause of the
spirit and body of Silver, with its own compound Nature and Essence._
_It must also be known what matter the metallick spirits do take in
their first Nativity, when they are carried down into the Earth from
the Cœlestial Influences, =viz.= a vile Dirt or Stone, which the
Mine-digger by breaking the body of the metal, destroys and burns in
the fire, in which mortification the metalline spirit assumes another
body, not fryable, but pure and malleable. Then the Alchymist coming,
destroys this metalline body, kills and prepares it by Art, but that
metallick corporeal Spirit makes apparently conspicuous, another more
noble and much more perfect body, whether it be the Sun or Moon; then
both the metallick Spirit and Body being perfectly united, are free and
safe from Corruption by the Element of Fire._
=Glaub.=] _Paracelsus_ in this Sixth Chapter repeats the words which
have been oftentimes afore mentioned, _viz._ That every visible metal
is an hider of the other metals which lie spiritually hid within it;
withal teaching, that it is impossible for corporeal metals, although
melted together never so long, to be meliorated, unless they are first
made spiritual; which I have oftentimes demonstrated and shewed to be
the very Truth, and the right way to Transmutation.
But he doth not in express words teach the way by which they may be
made and rendered Spiritual; nor is it convenient to chew a Morsel, and
thrust it into the mouths of the Ignorant.
Now I say, that as touching the spiritualizing of Metals, _Paracelsus_
doth not advise that Metals be dissolved in corrosive Spirits, &
digested & destilled over the Helm with it, by often Cohobations.
The Spiritualization which he mentions here, is not to be done with
Corrosives, for they are rather corrupted by them than perfected,
neither in Glasses, but in Crucibles, and that in a few hours, without
Corrosives, whereby they are so depurated, and as it were poudered,
that they are transparent in and out of the fire, and dissolvable in
any water. This is a true spiritualization of metals, and gainful if
it hath the said Properties: ’Tis otherwise called by the Philosophers,
the first matter of Metals, and at this time known but to few.
Our Laborators now adays know not any metallick spirits, but such, as
by the help of peregrine and noxious things, they drive over by an
Alembick or Retort; but Experience testifies, that these are wholly
useless and unprofitable for Melioration. And although the ancient
Philosophers write, Make the fixt volatile, and the volatile fixt, yet
they mean not that the metals should be destilled. Which sublimation
or destillation they did not meddle with, but all their metallick
labours, as _Solution_, _Putrefaction_, _Destillation_ _Sublimation_,
_Calcination_, _Inceration_, _Cohobation_, and _Fixation_, were done in
one earthen vessel, without Corrosives; nor did they weary themselves
with those ridiculous labours that are done by the means of Glasses.
But of this more in another place.
Now read diligently over and over again what _Paracelsus_ writes at the
end of the Chapter, and it will appear, that he speaks of fusion, and
not destillation in Glasses; where he shews, that a metallick spirit
at its first descending from the stars into the earth, hath a most
vile form, like a stone, or dirt, which the digger of it melts with a
strong fire, whereby it gets a better form, and becomes a malleable
metal. And here he is at a stand, and cannot proceed any farther. Now,
saith _Paracelsus_, the Alchymist comes and takes this metal, and by
his Art destroies the metallick body, killing and preparing it; and
by his labour it assumes a more noble and fixt body, called (because
of its maturity) Gold or Silver. The ☽, although it be more pure and
excellent than ♀, ♂, ♃, and ♄ yet having not arrived to maturity, it is
(in comparison of the ☉) like a flower, which is more excellent than
the herb, but inferiour to the seed, which is the most perfect part
of the same. And, as in Vegetables the flowers are indued with a more
elegant colour than either the seed or fruit: So also is the ☽ more
abounding with Tincture than the ☉; which I have very often tried, and
could demonstrate by many Examples; contrariwise, altho’ the flower be,
as to the form, colour and odour, above the seed, yet in goodness and
durability it is much inferiour; for the flower at an approaching cold
falls away;, but the seed endures, and if it be helped, it produceth
a new herb, flowers, and seed, by which its species are conserved and
propagated. And as in Vegetables the herb is the greatest part, the
flowers less, and the seeds least, so in Minerals is the like order
most fitly observed: for should Nature produce only Flowers and Seeds
with the Herb, whence would there be Grass for Beasts, whereby they
might fill their Bellies, and so yield dung for the Country-man to
dung his ground withal, that it might produce a new Crop of Herbs.
Without doubt there’s more Tincture hidden in ☽ than in ☉, the inmost
part of which is a meer redness; but the centre of ☉ is a most fixt
and splendid Sky-colour, which is to be well observed. As for the
other Properties of ☽, which are most frequently known, ’tis needless
to mention them; as to purity and fixation, ’tis nearest to ☉, and
therefore in metallick things ’tis to be likened to a Flower: ’Tis
plainly void of combustible and preying Sulphur; but being not as yet
arrived and concocted to perfection, it is a most suitable Vehicle to
extract ☉ out of volatile and unripe Marcasites, and other auriferous
Minerals, and to make it corporeal. Concerning which I have formerly
written, and will write more hereafter.
The Seventh Rule.
_Of the =Sun=, its Nature and Property._
_Corporeal ☉ is the seventh Metal of the six spiritual ones; in it self
it is a meer Fire; but the Reason of its being outwardly of an elegant,
yellow, visible, sensible, ponderous, cold and malleable body, is,
because it hath in it the coagulation of the other six metals, whereby
’tis compell’d into a visible body. And as to its being melted with
Elemental fire, ’tis from hence, because it hath a fluidity of Mercury,
♓, and ♒, spiritually hidden in it self; the which is also outwardly
evident, because it is most easily mixt with the ☉, and detained by
him._
_And whereas after melting, it grows hard by the Cold, =viz.= is
coagulated, and grows stiff, that comes from the other five metals, ♃,
♄, ♂, ♀, and ☽; in these five metals the Cold dwells and bears sway,
and therefore ☉ cannot be fluid out of the fire, because of Cold. Nor
can ☿ with his heat, nature, and fluidity help him against the five
cold metals, for its heat sufficeth not to keep the ☉ in perpetual
flux, so that it is enforced to obey the other metals rather than one
only, ☿, who (as to coagulation of metals) hath nothing to do, its
Property being to make liquid, and not hard: It is the work of heat and
life to make liquid, but cold is the cause of hardness, stiffness, and
unmovable, being therefore likened to Death._
For Example. _If you would reduce the six cold metals to fluidity,
whether it be ♃, ♀, ♄, ♂, ☽, ☉, it is to be done by the heat of the
fire, for metals are not melted with cold Snow or Ice, but are hardened
thereby. Now, as soon as they are melted by the fire, and that the
heat ceaseth, the cold rusheth in, whereby the metal stands still,
grows stiff, dies, and remains immovable. And because that ☿ is alwaies
fluid and living, tell me, I pray, whether or no such a thing proceeds
from heat or cold? Some or other may say, it is because of its cold
and moist nature, and that it is living because of Cold; but whoever
saith thus, and believes thus, is ignorant of Nature, and deceived and
seduced with the vulgar, whose belief of any thing is out of the right
way, & amiss, & are therefore to be avoided and shun’d by him that
would truly know; for ☿ is not living, by reason of cold, but because
of its heat and fiery nature, as all things else live because of heat,
for heat is the cause of life, and cold the cause of death._
_But that ☉ is in it self a meer Fire, not alive indeed, but hard,
shewing its fiery heat only outwardly, as yellow mixt with red, and the
other five metals, are cold, =viz.= ♃, ♂, ♄, ♀, and ☽, giving their
virtues to the ☉, =viz.= according to their frigidity a body, by their
fire colours, by their siccity hardness, by their moisture weight or
heaviness, by their resplendancy sound; and that it is not combustible,
and to be destroyed by the Element of Terrestrial Fire, that is by
reason of its fixedness. Fire doth not burn Fire, nor destroy it, but
Fire joined to Fire becomes the greater and more powerful in strength.
The Cœlestial fire descending from the ☉ upon Terrestrials, is not such
a fire as is in Heaven, nor such as our fire is on Earth; but with us
the Cœlestial fire is cold, a rigid and congealed fire; and this is
the body of Gold, and therefore we cannot tame or master ☉ with our
fire, we can only divide it and melt it, as the sun dissolves and melts
snow, congealed ice and water. Wherefore it is not permitted for one
fire to destroy another, because ☉ it self is fire, and in Heaven it is
resolved, but with us it is coagulated._
Gold is in a threefold state with its Essence.
1. _The Cœlestial_ } { _Resolved_.
2. _The Elemental_ } _is_ { _Liquid_.
3. _The Metallick_ } { _Corporeal_.
The End of the Seven Rules.
=Glaub.= We are now come to ☉, a kingly and most excellent Metal,
the which _Paracelsus_ compares to a meer absolute Fire, and so ’tis
found to be, if it be separated into parts; ’tis likewise endued with
a seed-like nature, more hot than the Herb it self or the Flower. But
to what end should we write of bettering it, when as it needs it not,
being already constituted in the highest degree of perfection, and
Nature not being able to promote it to an higher degree: Now then if
it be to be made better, ’tis behoveful to make it Medicine, for never
was a more excellent metal than it seen. An Herb planted in a fruitful
soil, and brought to its perfection by the heat of the Sun, the seed
being ripe, it remains not in the same form, but withers, and the seed
falls away; but if it be seasonably gathered, it lasts a long while,
and may, at your pleasure, be put into the Earth, for the production
of new Herbs of its kind; or else it may be used for the health of
Mankind, having no other notable Use besides. In like manner, Gold
having arrived to its perfection, if it be to be farther advanced, it
must be made Medicine, or be put upon the Metallick Earth, as Seed is
on the Common Earth; where putrefying or augmenting, or growing, it may
exhibit and produce a metalline Off-spring. Every body knows that a
good Medicine may be thence made, and that various waies, but few know
the manner how; but that ’tis able (like the Vegetable seed) to make
Encrease out of the imperfect metals (being its own Earth) _Paracelsus_
teacheth in this place, and many Philosophers witness the same, which
is not only true in a particular melioration, where by attracting its
like out of the imperfect metals, it is encreased; but ’tis also to be
believed as true, that from it may be separated, by the industry of a
skilful metallick Philosopher, its inmost Vegetative power and purest
portion (all its husks, or outside, wherewith ’tis cloathed, being
laid aside) and may thereby be exalted to a more than perfect estate,
although ’tis incredible to many, yet ’tis not in the least to be
doubted of, except we would make all the Philosophers to be Lyers.
As for my self, although I never set my hand to so hard a Task, yet
I believe and affirm it to be in the nature of things, as having
evidently observed by my other metallick Labours, that this Medicine is
in the possibility of Art; the which I will also in due time set upon,
if God give Life and Leisure. What the other properties of ☉ are, and
by what means good Medicines may be prepared therefrom, I have spoken
thereof in many places of my writings, and in its proper place more
also shall be spoken. And here we rest and conclude this little Book of
the Rules of the Seven Metals.
GOD and Nature make nothing in vain.
_The Eternal City of all things (there’s an Eternal place in all
things) without time, without beginning, and without end, is every
where essentially. It operates in that wherein is no hopes, and that
which is accounted impossible, unexpected, incredible, and plainly
deplorable, will be true even to admiration._
=Glaub.=] _Paracelsus_ having finished his Seven Rules of the
Properties of Metals, begins after a sort, to repeat and illustrate his
sentiment or opinion, comforting the Operator, lest happily he should
be discouraged, if his affairs do not presently meet with good success;
but let him ingeniously proceed, because _Nature makes nothing in
vain_; that which is least of all believed, comes most of all to pass;
his words are clear enough of themselves.
Item. _Note now some things on_ Argent Vive.
_Whatsoever whitens is of the Nature of Life, and of the Property and
Virtue of Light, which causeth and makes Life. The Fire with its heat
gives birth to this motion. And whatsoever blackens, is of the Nature
of Death, of the Property and Virtue of Darkness, (having the efficacy
and force thereof) which causeth Death; to the which hardening or
induration the Earth with its Cold is the coagulation and fixation. The
House is alwaies dead, but the Inhabitant is a living Fire: If thou
hast found out the true Use of Examples, thou hast overcome._
=Glaub.=] Paracelsus speaking here of Mercury, mentions Fire, which by
its heat is the cause of Light and Life, but that which blackens, is
the cause of Death; where making as it were a pause or stand, he adds
these pregnant words.
_Sacrifice the fat Vervein (=or Sulphur=). ℞ eight lots of Salt Nitre,
four lots of Sulphur, two lots of Tartar, mix them, and let them flow._
=Glaub.=] Here begin the Complaints of the Alchymists, because
_Paracelsus_ writing of so good a matter, doth so suddenly break off,
adding such a Receipt, as in their judgment hath no affinity with
Mercury, but is to him as a thorn in a man’s eye. This powder indeed is
a good fusile powder, for the reduction of such metals as are otherwise
hard to melt; but in this place ’tis meerly vain and needless, because
☿ by his innate fiery power and heat, doth alwaies flow; wherefore
we want not this Flux for him. Had he written in this place, how he
(_viz._ ☿) is to be coagulated and fixed, we would most willingly have
heard him, and as willingly have been content that he had kept his
fluxing powder to himself.
Such as these ought to blame themselves and not _Paracelsus_, that
wish’d well unto them. The words which went just before, may excuse
him; for he said, that _GOD and Nature made nothing in vain_; whereby
he intimates, that this powder is not so strangely to be look’d on, as
if it did not pertain to ☿, who is more than enough fusile already,
and wants it not. Nor was this mentioned to vex the Alchymist; no,
_Paracelsus_ knew this nimble fusile powder, and its operations upon
the metals, better than he that complains thereof, (’tis of incredible
benefit in the metals, did any one know how to use it) and he placed
it here, that we might perfectly learn its highest force and efficacy
upon the metals; the which thing his foregoing words do also admonish
us of: It operates beyond hope, that which is judged impossible is
unexpected, incredible, and desperate, will prove true to admiration.
Wherefore, think you, would he have added this fire had it not been
needful in this place? doubtless he knew how to burn the wings of ☿,
and thereby to stay his flight. And although I know not how to fix
☿ herewith, yet have I experienced wonderous things as well in the
metals as ☿, for if the metals, especially ☿, be Philosophically joined
herewith, sublimed and destilled, they afford wonderful _Menstruums_.
It’s also here said, _Sacrifice the fat Vervein_ (or Sulphur). ’Tis
full well known, that the superfluous Sulphur in metals that are
imperfect, is the cause of their baseness, and this fire is able to
burn it up, but ’tis impossible that all should know it; there’s need
of use and diligence, if you desire _Icarus_, flying with his Father
_Dædalus_, and approaching too nigh the Sun (whereby his wings being
burnt, he tumbled down into the Sea) should be drowned in the waters.
The which let suffice, for there’s enough spoken unto a wise man; let
us therefore proceed.
_What is to be determined concerning the Coagulation of ☿._
_’Tis not at all expedient to kill ☿, to coagulate him, and then reduce
him into ☽, and to weary him with many sublimations and other things,
for this is but the destruction of the Sun and Moon that is in him.
There’s another more compendious way, whereby ☿ is made ☽, of small
cost and charge, without any labour of coagulation: Every man reads in
the Writings of the Alchymists, such Arts as are mean and vile, and
easily preparable, whereby in a short time he might make abundance of
☉ and ☽, and are tired and vexed with the Writings of such as do not
teach them clearly and plainly, and would willingly hear this, =viz.=
Do so and so, and thou shalt have good ☽ and ☉ to inrich thee._
But good Sir stay a while, and wait till the Secret be plainly opened
to thee in positive words without any labour; so as to enable thee (in
as ’twere a moment of time) to take ♄, ☿, and ♃, and make _Sol_ and
_Luna_ thereof. The Art will never be so easily known, how short and
facile soever it be in it self.
=Glaub.=] _Paracelsus_ goes on, and saith, That ’tis not needful to
coagulate ☿, that ☉ and ☽ may be thence made, and that it is to be
done with a most easie labour, and therefore few words are best. And
here _Paracelsus_ is to be compared to that Rich man, who having heard
that many perished with famine, ’tis said that he should answer, That
before he would be tormented with hunger, he would rather feed on rusty
Bacon and Pease, believing that all abounded with this fare; the which
they despising by reason of their daintiness, deservedly perished. In
like manner the good _Paracelsus_ believed, that all Chymists were
his equals, as to the knowledge of Metals, not dreaming of the many
poor Colliers that torment ☿ by their solutions, precipitations,
sublimations, resuscitations, fixations, and other labours; when as
they are ignorant of what it is, what abounds or is wanting therein,
and so for want of knowledge, toil and labour to no purpose: ☿ is a
subject of wonder, and is frequently wont to deceive the Alchymists,
whom (_viz._ ☿) if you would on the other side deceive, when you pursue
him, give him a little breathing (because by force he’s not to be
compell’d) that he may a little wander about, but trust him not too
much, lest flying away, he leaves behind him an empty Nest. For which
Work the first Furnace, with its many Glasses, very well fitted and
united, will serve excellently well. But in few words, ’Tis a subject
of an inexhaustible wonder, the which I alwaies found the most stubborn
of all the metals, that I have bestowed grievous pains about; but yet
do believe, that he that knows rightly to deal with him, will reap a
benefit from him not to be contemned. But who is there that discovers
the Way? Wonders must alwaies remain unknown unto us, and albeit we
know not all things, yet let us acknowledge the great Mercy of GOD, and
give Thanks to Him for that which we do know.
_The Receipts of =Alchymy=._
_What shall we say of the many Receipts and the various Vessels,
such as are the Furnaces, Glasses, Tests, Waters, Oils, Salts,
Sulphurs, Antimonia, Magnesia, Salt Nitre, Alume, Vitriol, Tartar,
Borax, Atramentum or Copperas, Orpiment, Spume of Glass, Arsenick,
=Calaminaris=, =Bole-Armoniack=, Vermilion, Calx, Pitch, Wax, Lute of
Wisdom, Powder’d Glass, Verdigrease, =Salt Armoniack=, Soot, Rosin of
the Pitch-tree, Chalk, Mans-fat, Hairs, Egg-shells, =Lac Virginis=,
=Ceruse=, =Minium=, =Cinnabar=, =Vinegar=, =Aqua-fortis=, =Crocus
Martis=, =Elixir=, =Lazure=, =(ultro-Marine)= Soap, Tutia, =Havergold=,
Crystals. What likewise shall we say to their preparations,
putrefactions, digestions, probations, sublimations, calcinations,
solutions, cementations, fixations, reverberations, coagulations,
graduations, rectifications, amalgamations, and purgations. Most Books
are fully stufft with these Alchymical things, as also what things
are to be done by the benefit of Herbs, Roots, Seeds, Woods, Stones,
Animals, Worms, Bone-Ashes, Cockle-shells, Muscles, =&c.=_
_All these things are the Labyrinths of =Alchymy=, and are great and
but vain Labours. Moreover, although ☉ and ☽ might be made by the means
of these things, yet by reason of the multitudes of them, the Work is
rather hindred than advanced; and therefore it cannot be truly learned
from the aforesaid things, how to make ☉ and ☽. But all such things are
to be omitted, as operate not with the five imperfect Metals, for the
production of ☉ and ☽._
_What therefore is the true Way, and the short Path void of all
difficulties, that leads to the speedy making of good =Sol= and
=Luna=? How long will it be ere thou revealest it? I believe that thou
understandest nothing of this matter, may somebody say, but dost only
mock us with these Riddles. =For answer=: It hath been already spoken
of, and is evidently enough discovered in the Seven Rules; He that
understands not, let him blame himself. Besides, let no body be so mad,
as to perswade himself, that the Art is most easie to be understood,
and to be perfectly known by the vulgar; that is neither so, nor must
it so be; but it will be better understood in an occult and hidden
Sence._
_This is the Art, =viz.= If you make the Heaven or Sphere of ♄ to flow
with life in the Earth, put in all the Planets, or which you please of
them, but let there be of =Luna= least of all; let it flow so long,
until the Heaven of ♄ doth wholly disappear, and the Planets remain
alone dead with their own corruptible Bodies, and have assumed a new,
perfect, uncorruptible body, that body is the Spirit of Heaven, by
which the Planets become again corporeal and alive; as afore, Take out
that new Body from the Life, and out of the Earth, and keep it, for it
is =Sol= and =Luna=. And thus hast thou the Art plainly uncovered and
intire; if thou dost not yet understand and apprehend it, ’tis well,
for so it must be; nor must it be publickly divulged._
=Glaub.=] In this Chapter _Paracelsus_ teacheth, That there’s no
need of so many ridiculous species, for the transmutation of Metals,
but that there’s virtue enough in the metals to operate upon, and to
better one another, if they are rightly conjoined amongst themselves;
yet in some Labours we cannot be without Salts and Minerals, because
they are useful to mollifie hard Metals, and to dispose them to
assume a melioration. But ’tis to be observed, that Corrosives are
to be omitted, and such Salts only to be used as are friendly to
Metals. Likewise other Minerals and Fossiles may be fruitfully used in
fusion, (=Seigerungh=) separation, and other metalline Operations, as
additaments (=als Susans=). The which thing _Paracelsus_ denies not,
but only rejects, and that deservedly, those ridiculous Compositions
of the unskilful Alchymists, which they making in their use Sol. He
dehorts the studious Artist, and endeavours to bring him into the right
way.
Furthermore, he teacheth but in an occult sence, how good _Sol_ and
_Luna_, such as will endure all trials, is to be extracted out of
imperfect Metals; but ’tis so obscurely done, that no body can thereby
understand the thing; and such only as aforehand know somewhat, and
have had the like Labours under their hands, are able to understand his
meaning.
Doubtless this Process hath found many an one work enough, who have at
last attained to nothing; but yet some have by chance lighted thereon,
and so perceived the Truth of his Words, most of which Inventions do
casually happen; and whilst that one thing is sought after, and by
accident lost, something is oftentimes found more excellent than that
which was intended.
In like manner, most things unsought after have happened to me;
and also my Labours have manifested to me the greatest part of
_Paracelsus_’s Arts, and not his Writings. And who will certainly and
plainly teach what lies under that Covering? Many Archers there are,
but few hit the mark. Neither seems it so necessary to take nothing
else but the aforesaid Metals; the which thing _Paracelsus_ also in
his forementioned Process doth hint at, saying, When thou makest the
Heaven, or Sphere of ♄, to flow with Life in the Earth, sow in all the
Planets, or such as you please of them; but let not the Moons part be
biggest, but let it be the least of all. By which words ’tis easily
conjectured, that the greatest part must be of Saturn, whereby the
other metals are to be washed and purified, and the least part of the
Moon. But some body may ask, What reason is there for the Moon being
here, she being already pure, for the washing of whom there’s no need?
Why this hath been already elsewhere answered thus, _viz._ That she may
attract, defend, and make corporeal, the washed, purified, and tender
Sun, which would otherwise remain in the _Scoria_: Notwithstanding
this separation may be made without the _Luna_, but then ’tis not so
gainful. Neither also is it necessary to conjoin the Metals, and so
make but one work in washing them with Saturn; each of them may be
taken apart, and so cleansed, unless a man knew how to contrive the
composition, then indeed the Work would be facilitated, and more Sol
gotten; the which is to be well observed, if either none, or very
little Luna be taken. But if you take not ☽, then ♀ is to be added, as
being of nearest affinity to ☉ and ☽, in its malleability, and so that
will attract the volatile and immature ☉ out of the imperfect Metals,
and defend it in the fire, but much weaker than ☽. Tin and Iron being
most impure and sharp metals, may be washed with Lead, but with much
difficulty, and may be deprived of their spiritual and occult ☉, but
with far greater charges and cost, than if you took in ☽, or at least
wise ♀. Now knowing this, Why do we not give to every one its proper
additament, for the expedition and enriching of the Operation? ’Tis
worth the while to be able to make a good mixtion of Metals, and with
profit to wash them with ♄, in which mixture none believes how much
there’s placed, nor my self neither, had I not with Loss learned the
same. For, when in former years I sought after somewhat in this kind
of operation, as washing and separation, and had sometimes found out
a good _Proba_; I have gone to repeat the same labour again, and have
egregiously erred. And although I have for many years wrought hard in
this kind of labour, and spent much (which I repent not of) yet I dare
not boast of catching the best prey, but am content with a piece of
Bread, but yet I do not dispair, _Good things come slowly on_, and the
thorny prickly Budds spring forth before the Roses come. Now, if thou
learnest the weights the Work will be safe, and thou needest not to
doubt of doing the same in a great quantity. _Paracelsus_ goes on, and
bids you to let the Planets which you have put in, to flow so long with
the Heaven of ♄, until the Heaven of ♄ vanish, the Planets will remain,
having received a new body, which is to be taken out of the Life
and the Earth, which will be ☉ and ☽. And these words are variously
interpreted by sundry men, especially what the Heaven of ♄ is, and are
perswaded, that if that were known, the residue of the Process they
could state well enough. Many understand hereby the common separation
made by a peculiar ♄, taking the _Regulus_ Stellate of ♁, which is
stampt with a Cœlestial Star, the which they blow on and melt with
the Life, (which they interpret to be the fire) in the Earth (a Cupel
or Test =treibscherben=) the bodies being left upon the Test, like
mortified Metals, the which reducing by a fusing addition, and melting
with Lead, (=angesotten=) and promising themselves Gold and Silver,
they find themselves to be in an errour, and accuse _Paracelsus_ of
Sophistry and Deceit, because they can’t make good quantities of ☉ and
☽, by means of his Writings.
And now, what this Sphere of Saturn is, may be variously explained:
It may not unfitly be taken for common ♄, because being fused, it
shines, and is turned round: or it may be taken for its Glass, which
being melted in the fire, shines like the Sun: or it may be the Stellar
_Regulus_ of ♁, because its _Stria_ represents Stars when ’tis broken.
But what benefit is it to know the Heaven of ♄ and to be ignorant of
the true requisite Life, and the reduction of the dead and reducible
bodies. Common Fire is not the Life that _Paracelsus_ mentions, but it
may be stirred up thereby; and so he saith; The fire with its heat, is
the Nativity to this motion: If by the Elemental Fire he should mean
the Life, and by the separation of ♄, or blowing of the _Regulus_ of
♁, (the flowing which _Paracelsus_ mentions) then it must necessarily
follow, that the destroyed bodies which remain, should be made more
perfect, and the Spirit of Heaven should yet remain with them; for thus
he writes, _viz._ The Planets by it do become corporeal and living,
as they were before; but in these kind of separation, scorification,
or blowing off, it is not found so to be; but in these Operations
their Bodies remain like _Scoria_, in which is neither spirit or life,
much less ☉ and ☽ to be found, though never so diligently sought
after. _Paracelsus_ saith expressly, _viz._ That Body (_viz._, of
the slain or kill’d bodies) is the Spirit of Heaven, by which the
Planets do again become corporeal and alive as before; from whence
’tis to be understood, that those bodies are spiritual, & not only
corporeal and resuscitated, but such as may give life even to slain or
destroyed bodies, the which can’t be said of them, for a spirit must be
penetrative and vivifying, and they are not such. For if (according to
_Paracelsus_’s mind) the dead bodies ought to be reduced to Corporality
and Life, ’tis necessary that they have some hidden power; (which
every one knows not) whereby they may demonstrate most speedily their
embodying and vivification in a spiritual manner, without the addition
of any peregrine Flux, or else they are deservedly to be rejected.
But if any one should now imagine, that metals being by the red fire
deprived of life, made spiritual and again corporeal and living, should
forthwith be all ☉ and ☽; he promiseth more to himself than is right,
and is deceived (for _Paracelsus_ saith, that That new body is to be
taken out of the Life and Earth and kept, for ’tis ☉ and ☽) for ’tis
impossible even for the Philosophers Stone, to convert the whole bodies
of Metals into ☉ and ☽, for out of nothing, nothing can be made, as the
Philosophers say; and Experience testifies, none but God only made any
thing out of nothing; but that thing which is, may by Art be reduced
into nothing, and that again reduced into something. Seeing therefore
that the greatest part of metal is an unprofitable, combustible
noxious Sulphur, which never was a metal, but adhering only outwardly
unto them, and being combust, reduceth their _humidium Radicale_ into
_Scoria_; which _Humidum Radicale_ only (after its destruction) and
not the whole mass of Metal or superfluous Sulphur, is reduced by the
spirit of the Saturnine Heaven, out of nothing unto something, _viz._
a Body and Life; the Sulphur which before the corruption was nothing,
remains still a Nothing; and if thou throughly observe the thing, the
Case stands clearly thus; _viz._ If in this operation there must be a
separation of the imperfect metals, and a gathering together of the
more pure, and a dispersing of the more impure parts; these separated
parts must therefore necessarily be much unlike one another; and by
how much ☉ and ☽ is more pure, if compared with imperfect metals, from
which ’tis separated: And these separated parts are not of the same
Goodness and Nature; as if ten duckets were divided into two parts,
each part would have 5 of the same goodness and weight. Now, if from
one of these halfs you take two or three parts, and put them to the
other half, it only makes the one bigger, and the other less: And if
there be nine parts on the one side, and but one left on the other
side, yet cannot the major part boast of its excelling the other in
quality, but only in quantity: As to Goodness, they are both equal.
But now, if you take a Mineral or Metal commixt with stones, and by
measure divide it into two equal parts, and then pound them, and by
pouring water thereon, separate the lighter parts after the accustomed
manner, and the heavy Metal will settle to the bottom: Now the dross
and metal will fill the former measure, but will very much differ in
their goodness.
Or if any one take two measures of Wine, and by the heat of Fire,
separate the more excellent Spirit by destilling in a Glass Alembick,
and leave the other measure in the Cucurbit: These two parts, though
equal in quantity, yet they do much differ in goodness; the one part
will be more noble than Wine, and the other worser; and as the other
residence is no more Wine, being deprived of Spirit, Life, Soul, and
Strength, and is thereby unable to defend it self from death, but tends
to putrefaction; so on the other hand, the Spirit is not subject to
putrefaction, but preserves other things therefrom.
The like is to be understood of this metalline separation, for the
remainder, from which ☉ is separated, can no more be made Tin, Copper,
or Iron, but is a gross earthy Sulphur, by the reason of the ☉ taken
thence; whereas before it was ♃, ♀, ♂, or ♄. And by how much the Spirit
of Wine is more excellent than common Wine, and ☉ than an imperfect
Metal, by so much also will the Spirit of Wine and ☉ excel, if they
are again separated, and new fæces segregated therefrom. But this is
not so necessary in this place; ’tis sufficient to have declared the
way and reason of this metalline separation, about which we have even
now treated, _viz._ That the whole metal, nor the ½ or ¼ part thereof,
will become _Sol_, and the rest remain a metal; but the separation of
the pure is very small in quantity, in comparison of the much impurity
whence ’tis separated. Nor let any one think he hath not attained
the Art, and so will not rest here, if all things become not ☉; ’tis
sufficient if there be some gotten, and that all the Labour is not
bestowed in vain.
_By what means Crystals are to be Conjured, and all things to be
seen in them._
_To Conjure is no other thing, than well to observe a thing, to know
and understand what it is: Crystal is a Figure of the Air, in which is
to be seen whatsoever is moveable in the air or unmoveable. The like
appears in a Looking-glass, in Crystal, and in the Waters, for the Air,
Water, and Crystals, are all one to Sight; like a Glass wherein an
Object is to be seen, as it were, reverted._
=Glaub.=] I do not fully know what _Paracelsus_ intends by this
Conjuration of Crystals, because it appertains not to the metalline
Arts; but yet it seems not to be here added without good reason,
somewhat he would intimate hereby. We read of the Ancient _Pagan_
Philosophers, that they conjured Crystals, and beheld in them many
wonderful things; the which, whether it be true or no, I leave as I
find it, because in my Judgment, such an Art seems not natural, but
belongs to Diabolical Magick, which I have nothing to do with.
_Paracelsus_ also hath elsewhere written of wondrous Looking-glasses
of the same, and hath taught how to compose them of Metals, melted
together in a certain Time and Constellation; the which many have
attempted to do, but not one (as far as I know) hath attained the
Mystery. It seems very probable, that he intends by this Conjuration
of Crystals, that the Metals are to be made like to pellucid Crystals,
Air, or Water, wherein the soul of the Metal may shine, if you would
spiritualize them, and make them yield their ☉ and ☽. And in this Sence
it agrees with the aforesaid Chapters.
It likewise seems, that the mentioning of this thing is necessary
for the sake of those, who practising on a separation with ♄, have
experienced, the Metals are to be first reduced into Transparent
Crystals, before they part with their occult _Sol_: Which I have
elsewhere spoken more largely of, about _Amausa_, and therefore will
here end.
_Of the Heat of =Mercury=._
_They that believe that =Mercury= is of a moist and cold nature, must
lay down the Bucklers, for ’tis not so, but it abounds with a great
heat and moisture, which being naturally planted therein, keeps it
alwaies fluid: For, were it of a cold and moist Nature, it would
alwaies remain rigid and hard, like to congealed Water, and were to be
melted like other metals, by the heat of the fire, which it (=viz.= ☿)
hath no need of, because it hath already a fluidity from heat, whereby
it flows, and is alwaies constrained to live, and not to die, grow
stiff, congeal, or be fixed. But this is singularly to be noted, that
the Spirits of the seven Metals, or of as many of them as are conjoyned
in the Fire, are wonderfully provoked and stirred up, and =Mercury=
chiefly, and they emit, and send out their forces amongst each other,
for a mutual Victory and Transmutation; the one takes away the Virtue,
Life, and Form from the other, communicating a new Nature and Form;
so the Spirits or Vapours of Metals are stirred up by heat and mutual
action and passion, and are transmuted from one Virtue to another, and
at last to Perfection and Purity. But what else is to be done with ☿,
that so his heat and moisture being taken away, he may catch a great
Cold, and be congealed, stand still, and die; do as you hear in the
following Figment._
℞ _a most pure Silver Vessel, in which shut up =Mercury=, then fill a
Pot with molten Lead, in the midst of which put in the Vessel with the
=Mercury=; let it flow a whole day, and the hidden heat will be taken
away from =Mercury=, and the external heat will communicate to it the
internal cold of the Lead and ☽, being both of a cold nature, by which
=Mercury= will grow stiff, rigid, and become hard._
_=Note=, The Cold which =Mercury= hath need of for its hardening and
death, is not outwardly perceptible, like Snow or Ice, but is rather
hot. Nor is the heat by which =Mercury= flows, felt by the hands,
but ’tis rather cold. Hence Sophisters (that is men speaking without
knowledge) pronounce him cold and moist, and study how to coagulate him
with hot things, and thereby rather liquifie than harden him. Which
thing Experience it self testifieth. True =Alchymy=, which by one only
Art teacheth to make ☉ and ☽ out of the Five Imperfect Metals, useth
no other Receipts, than only from Metals, out of Metals, by Metals,
and with Metals, are Perfect Metals made; for with other things it is
=Luna=; for in Metals it is =Sol=._
=Glaub.=] Here _Paracelsus_ demonstrates their Judgment to be false,
who say that Mercury (in it self a meer Fire) is by nature Cold, and
returns to speaking of Spiritual Metals, the which being stirred up by
great heat of Fire, do operate upon one another, meliorate, change, and
advance to perfection, as hath been taught in the foregoing Chapters.
Then he adds a Fable or Story, how to coagulate or fix Mercury; but it
must not be taken in the literal sence, but of the spiritual ☽, whereby
Mercury is to be promoted to Coagulation, in a moist way, and not in a
dry, as the other Metals are, which Process I never yet attempted. Then
he finisheth with an universal Rule of Transmutation, saying, Perfect
metals are made from metals, out of metals by metals, and with metals,
and that out of some ☽, out of others ☉ is made. He adviseth to take
no strange thing, and only metalline subjects are to be taken for this
Work out of some _Luna_ only; out of others _Sol_ only, or ☉ and ☽,
both are to be extracted, which I have often tried; as in ♄, which of
it self gives only ☽, Tin, ♀, and ♂, by themselves give only _Luna_,
and pure _Sol_; but commixt with other Metals in a due proportion,
they give only ☉, and very little or no ☽: Which maturation is to be
ascribed only to the labour and mixtion, which is deservedly to be
admired.
_What Matter and Instruments are needful in =Alchymy=._
_There is no special need of any thing, excepting a Fire-place, Coals,
Bellows, Tongs, Hammer, Crucibles, Test, =(treib scherben)= and Cupels
made of good Beech-ashes. Then put in ♄, ♃, ♂, ☉, Copper, ☿, and
=Luna=. Proceed to the end of ♄. ’Tis very difficult and uncertain to
find out Metals and Minerals in the Earth and Stones; yet because all
Metals are to be first sought after and digged out of the Earth, this
Labour is not to be contemned, but is Praise-worthy. Nor will this lust
and desire in digging in Mines sooner cease, than the love of young
Men to Maids will fail; and as the Bees are greedy of extracting Honey
and Wax out of the Rose, so prone and forward should a Man be, to find
out the Minerals in the bowels of the Earth, but without Covetousness;
he that is overmuch greedy, receives least, for God doth not fill
all men with gold and silver, but with want, dung, dirt, misery, and
scarcity. Some men also God bestows a peculiar Intellect upon, and a
piercing knowledge of Minerals and Metals; so that they know a far
more compendious way of making =Sol= and =Luna= without digging in the
Mine-pits, and without the Examen or Trying, and Fusion of Minerals. So
that ’tis not so altogether necessary to dig in the Earth for native
=Sol= and =Luna=, but by a certain knowledge it might be made of five
Species, (but of Minerals become Metals, which are Imperfect Metals,
and are so called) =viz.= ☿, ♃, ♄, =Mars=, and =Copper=: Of some more
easily, of othersome more difficultly is =Sol= and =Luna= to be had._
_=Note also=, That out of =Argent Vive=, Lead, ♃, Gold and Silver is
easily made; out of ♂ and ☿ difficultly. Nevertheless ’tis possible,
but in the beginning and access of =Sol= and =Luna=._
_Out of =Magnesia= and Lead comes =Luna=._
_Out of ☿ and =Cinnabar= ariseth pure =Sol=._
_Likewise an Ingenious man (as I well remember) is able by due
attention and preparation so to handle a Metal, as to be able by his
ingenuity to do more in the Transmutation of Metals to perfection, and
to guide the same better than all the Signs and Planets of Heaven can
do. ’Tis also needless to observe the Twelve Signs, and to calculate
the motions and Regiment of the Planets, and to observe a time, a day,
the hour of this or that luckey or unluckey Planet; such things neither
promote nor hinder any thing; they neither hurt nor profit ought in the
natural Art of =Alchymy=: But if thou rightly understandest the art
and possibility thereof, then go to work and labour when thou seest
it most convenient; but if thou want’st the knowledge and practice
thereof, then all the Planets, Stars, and Signs will wholly fail thee.
It also comes to pass, that metals lying long in the Earth, are not
only changed into Rust, but by a longer staying in the Earth, they
return into their Native Stone, of which sort are many found, albeit
they are not observed, for there are found stony pieces of Money, of
the =Gentiles=, which were Metal heretofore, and by Corruption were
transformed into Stone._
=Glaub.=] Here we are, in the first place, taught, that for the making
of ☉ and ☽ there needs not many Instruments nor Species, but the metals
are only to be conjoined, but not by the common separation or washing:
For if you should wash all the metals with Lead, yet would there remain
no more ☉ and ☽ than was taken at the beginning; the rest will descend
with the Lead into the Cupel, and will lie at the top thereof like
_Scoria_; therefore he doth again direct to a spiritual Commixtion and
Philosophical Separation. Also he adds, That ’tis an honest, good,
and necessary thing to dig up Metals, but that the other is the more
excellent, and that deservedly, for it separates Gold and Silver by
Art from the more vile metals; for all such as apply their minds to
metals, do well know with what dangers, costs, labours, and Cares, they
are to be gotten out; but yet ’tis not therefore to be abstained from,
especially since we labour by this Rule, of having a fore-known and
certain end of our pains and work; the which cannot indeed be done in
metallick Mineings, for we are frequently drawn by vain hopes to bestow
all our Estates on the Mines; and having spent all in vain labour, we
are at last compelled to desist from the Work; but yet if it succeeds
well, they yield the more plentiful Returns; and many Chronicles of
Metals do testifie, That many Poor men have, by the Benefit of a rich
Mine-pit, grown most Rich and Wealthy in a few years space. The finding
out of Mines therefore doth wholly consist in Chance and Casualty,
where Profit and Loss are equally and alike to be expected: The Work
is likewise very chargeable, and can’t be set upon by every body, and
therefore ’tis not for ordinary People, who have but little to lose,
but for rich Men, who, though they lose much, are notwithstanding
able to live, unless happily a Poor man lights upon some Earth or
Sand that is very rich in ☉ and ☽, and other Metals, by the washing
whereof he may get a livelihood; or else finding a rich Mine, and so
betakes himself to a Rich man for his Copartner, such a one as is able
to bear the Charges of digging it forth; and this is often done. But
yet be it as it will, the thing is full of uncertainty. Whereas this
Metallurgy, or Work on Metals, which _Paracelsus_ makes mention of, is
to be preferred far before the other, if any one (by the Grace of GOD)
attaineth the Art, whereby he may with profit extract the ☉ or ☽ out
of the already-digged-up Imperfect metals, which are every where to be
sold.
But to return to the business in hand, _viz._ To illustrate the
Writings of _Paracelsus_, who deserved much of his Country. He names
some metals, out of which Gold and Silver may easily be extracted, and
others, out of which ’tis difficult to get it, but in both _Sol_ and
_Luna_, is to be added; for ’tis profitable, yea, necessary (the which
I have frequently exhorted to) in the extraction of Gold and Silver out
of imperfect metals, and is volatile, and may the more commodiously
make it corporeal and fixt. Then he adds, That Metals, by a longer stay
in the Earth, do die, and return into stones and earth, from whence
they had their original. The like happens to Man, and all Creatures;
nor is there any thing in the World, how glorious soever it be, but is
vain, empty, and perishing, but the Knowledge, Love, and Fear of GOD
alone.
_What thing =Alchymy= is._
_=Alchymy= is an intention, imagination, and studying, or considering
how or whereby the Species of Metals are transmuted from one degree and
nature into another. Let therefore every ingenious and understanding
man throughly consider the good Art of =Alchymy=, for he that
speculates and well studies, will the sooner attain the Art and find
out the Truth._
_=Note=, That very much is to be attributed to the Stars and Stones,
for the Stars are the framers of all Stones. And all the Cœlestial
Constellations, the Sun and Moon, are in themselves nothing but stones,
from which the Terrestrial do arise, being as it were their burnt part,
Coal, Ashes, Outcast, Excrement, Expurgation, from which the Cœlestial
Stones separating themselves, become clear and transparent by their
proper brightness: And the whole Globe of the Earth is nothing else
but a dejected, slidden down, commixt, broken, recocted Rubbish, and
blown as ’twere into one Mass, having obtained Rest and Constancy in
the middle Circle of the Firmament. ’Tis also to be noted, that =Gemms=
(the names whereof I shall presently mention) together with the other
Stones, came down into the Earth from the Celestial Stones or Stars,
to which they are nearest in all perfection of Purity, Fairness,
Brightness, Virtue, and Constancy, or Fixity, and Incorruptibility
in the fire, and are in a manner like to the Celestial stones and
constellations, being parts of them, and of the Nature derived from
them, and are found by men in an impure gross vessel, and are supposed
by the vulgar (who judge rashly of all things) to have been there
born or generated; such as are found are polished, and are carried
throughout the World to be sold, and are accounted as great Riches,
because of their form, colour, and other Virtues, of which I am now
going to Treat._
Of =Gemms=.
_The =Emerald= is a green Transparent stone; it helps the Eyes,
succours the Memory, defends Chastity; the which being violated, it
self, =viz.= the stone, is hurt._
_The =Adamant= or =Diamond= is a black Crystal; ’tis called =Evax=,
because it produceth Joy: ’Tis obscure, and of an Iron colour, most
hard, is dissolved with Goats blood, and exceeds not the bigness of a
Filberd Nut._
_The =Magnet= is a stone of Iron, because it attracts Iron._
_The =Margarite= is a Pearl, and not a Stone; ’tis generated in shells,
and is white; for whatsoever is generated in Animals, in a Man or Fish,
is not properly a Stone, but only in the opinion of the vulgar: It is
properly a depraved (or a transmuted) Nature on a Perfect Work._
_The =Jacynth= is a yellow pellucid stone; ’tis also a Flower, the
which the Poets fain to have been a Man._
_The =Sapphire= is a Skie-colour stone, of a Celestial nature._
_The =Ruby= is a stone deeply red._
_The =Carbuncle= is a stone of the Sun, emits light and splendour, like
to the Sun in his own nature._
_=Coral= also is like to a stone, all red, it grows in the sea, on wood
or a shrub, of the nature of the Water and Air; ’tis presently changed
by the Air, and turns to a stone, grows red, is incombustible in the
Fire, and therefore may be esteemed a Stone._
_The =Chalcedony= is a stone with bright and obscure colours, with mixt
and cloudy fluidities and colours, ruddy, like to a Liver, the vilest
of all the =Gemms=, shining with every colour._
_The =Topas= is a stone, shining also in the night; ’tis found in
either rocks or stones._
_The =Amethist= is a stone of a red and yellow; it shines._
_The =Crysopassus= is a stone fiery in the Night, and in the day it
appears Golden coloured._
_The =Crystal= is a white transparent stone, like to Water congealed
by the Air, and cold, (or of the Air and Cold) it is sublimated,
extracted, or (as they say) washed out of other Rocks._
_And now, for a Conclusion, I will give you this most true farewel. If
any one will use a right reason, sence, and cogitation towards Metals,
what they are, and whence they come, let him know, that our metals
are nothing else but the best portion of common stones; they are the
Spirit of the stones, that is, the Marrow, Oyl, Pitch, and Fat of the
stones; but it is not sincere, pure, and perfect, as long as ’tis mixt
and hid in the stones; this therefore is to be sought for and found in
stones, and to be known in them and extracted from them; and then it
is no more a stone, but a well-wrought and perfect Metal, assimilated
to the Cœlestial Stars, the which also are peculiar stones, distinct
from these stones. Whoever therefore is willing to find out metals, let
him firmly believe this, and thus account, That he must not be only
intent on the common Metals, nor have his hope placed in the bowels of
the Earth, that so he might get good Minerals from thence, for often
times there is above or without the Earth in sight, which is not in the
profundity and depth thereof, and oftentimes is better, and more rich._
_Therefore all such stones as you meet with, whether great or small,
as great whole stones or flints are to be most accurately search’d or
look’d into, and to be considered of what Nature and Property they are;
for oftentimes a most vile Flint is found to be more excellent than
any Cow. For the Matrix or Rock, =Abbruch=, whence they are gotten,
from whence such a stone did arise, is not alwaies to be earnestly
sought after, that you may have more from thence, for these stones have
no Rock, the Heaven is their Rock; oftentimes also the Abject Earth,
Powder, and Sand, hath much gold and silver Dust, =(Schlich)= which
observe._
=Glaub.=] Here _Paracelsus_ declares what _Alchymy_ is, whose words
being perspicuous enough, need no illustration: Then he leads us to
the birth of metals, the which are generated in the Earth, out of the
Stars above: He attributes to Gemms the nearest place of Perfection,
but does not intend that we should earnestly seek after them, to have
gold and silver from thence, but that the metals should be made like
them, as to their outward Aspect, and then afterwards the ☉ and ☽ is to
be extracted, to which all the scope of the foregoing Chapters tend,
which is to be observed and enquired into, what his meaning is: Nor are
the bare Letters alwaies to be trusted to, here is nothing mentioned by
him in vain. What affinity have Gems with the metals? None at all: And
although sometimes the hidden ☉ and ☽ may be extracted, yet he doth not
at all intend here that we should make that, but repeating the former
Doctrine, he hints unto us, That the metals out of which the ☉ and ☽
is to be extracted with profit, are to be first reduced into soluble
or insoluble Glass, most like to Gemms; a good Company of them he here
reckons up, and adds to what use they serve; not that we might learn
their Nature, Colour, and Properties, (as I suppose) but to teach us,
that as they are found different in Colours and Virtues, even so may
the metals be prepared into Colours like unto them. He that neither
understands nor will believe, let him seek better things, and get help
and assistance elsewhere.
Then at length, by way of addition, he concludes what Metals are,
and that they are not alwaies to be gotten out of the profundity of
the Earth, but are sometimes to be found most plentiful in most vile
powder, sand, and stones; neither is it necessary to be earnest in
seeking their rock or original, whereby more may be gotten, because the
Heaven by its operation generates them every where: he reproves men for
their blindness, because they alwaies gape after great Mines, lying
deep, dangerous to be found, and chargeable to dig out. That which
is laid before their feet, as it were, they disdain to acknowledge,
peevishly affecting the dark, and stubbornly contemning the light
exhibited to them by honest men, and by an innate malice they study to
extinguish it. And thus is this Book ended, the which _Paracelsus_,
a most experienced man, hath left behind him, written of Metallick
things, and is most full of abstruse wisdom, although few believe it,
to the Elucidation and explaining whereof, I have heretofore uttered my
mind, nothing doubting, but that hereafter it will be in better esteem
with All.
Indeed I could have written more openly, and explained his words more
largely, and more exactly have discovered his occult sence, but time
and want of leisure permits it not at present. But if I seem to any
body to have written more obscurely, let him consult with my other
Writings, for they illustrate one another.
_Now follows the Praxis of the aforesaid Theory._
The afore-written Explanation of the Book (_of Vexations_) of
_Paracelsus_, hath taught a most certain and undoubted Transmutation
of Metals, and hath sufficiently advised by what means they are
to be handled. But because this action requires a great experience
in metallick affairs, I am willing to add some special waies of
Proceeding, and that in perspicuous words; but ’tis impossible to
write so plainly that none may erre; it would be too prolix, tedious,
and unfit, and as if many Elements of the Physicks, and other subtile
things, were read to a Child that is not capable of understanding them;
the labour thus bestowed, would be wholly in vain: Nor do I undertake
to instruct the Tyroes or Novices in _Alchymy_, but such as are skill’d
in the metallick labour of fusion, washing, separation, and the like,
of a subtile Intellect and experienced Judgment.
I would verily have written more clearly, did I not fear that the Art
would become a Trade; some will think that I have written too openly,
and will be angry that such Secrets are made known to the World: Who
can satisfie all People? But be it as it will, ’twill be alwaies good
to have done a profitable Work for my Neighbour.
_This is the =ART=._
When thou hast put in the Heaven of ♄, and hast made it to flow with
its Life in the Earth, then add the Imperfect Metals in a due Weight,
_viz._ ♄, ♃, ♂, ♀, and a little ☽; let them flow so long with the
Heaven, until with it they disappear, and having lost their nature and
metalline form, are reduced into earth. This metallick earth being
yet joined to the heaven of ♄, and compassed wholly round therewith,
raise up by the spirit of Heaven, and make it corporeal, and it will
receive its former metalline form; but although it be bettered,
yet let it be killed three, or four, or five times, and raised up,
that the melioration may be greater, and produce in the separation
more =Sol= and =Luna=. There needs no Tyle, (=Muffel=) Cupel, Test,
(=treibs-scherben=) Cucurbit, =Aqua-fortis=, and such like Vessels and
Instruments necessary in other Metalline Labours, but ’tis perfectly
finished in one only Crucible, in one Furnace, with one only Fire, and
in the space of a few hours, from the beginning to the end. And to
speak more plainly in this Process, the Sphere of ♄ is the _Regulus_
of ♁, the Life is a whitening Salt, having its operation and motion
from the Fire; the Earth is the Crucible. And thus hast thou the whole
Process of the Work laid open, the which I have tried above an hundred
times in a small quantity; but let the studious Artist, above all
things, observe the Fire, of what original, nature, and virtue it is,
and the other things will be the more easily understood; for the Wood,
the Coals, and such-like burning things, are not the Fire properly,
but only its habitation, in which the Fire being occultly dispersed
in the Air, is made manifest, visible, and perceptible. Even as the
Man is not the Life or Soul, but only the receptacle wherein the Life
or Soul, being infused from above, doth lodge: Nor is the man any
more a man, but a meer carcass when the soul expires. In like manner
Gold ceaseth to be Gold when deprived of its soul, but is volatile,
and a Mineral without colour. Whence ’tis evident, that the Goodness
of metals consists not in their bodies, but in their souls: On this
account ☽ is added to the Imperfect Metals, that it may receive that
invisible soul which lies largely diffused throughout their bodies,
that it may collect it, make it visible, perceptible, and corporeal,
whereby the mixtion of both (_viz._ of the _Luna_ and the Soul of the
Imperfect Metals) being made, it gets the name of ☉. Some body may ask,
_Whether or no Gold will be produced, if no ☽ be added to the metalline
mixture?_ For answer, There will be ☉ produced, but less in quantity
than if _Luna_ were added, because the most tender (and as it were
incorporeal) golden soul of the imperfect bodies is not able to quit
it self and get out by its own proper force, from so many impurities
as ’tis invironed with, without some other help, nor make a new body;
’tis needful and good to administer and lend to it a body wherein it
may be contracted, and thereto betake it self, for which the _Luna_ is
most fit; the which being by a vivifying Fire radically united with the
unclean metals, and well subdued or exercised in the mutual ascension
and descension, the purer particles of the Imperfect bodies do come
together in this Circulation of the _Luna_, adhere thereto, are mixed,
and become corporeal, the impure corruptible body being left, and a
separation made of the good from the bad.
So then, I have now taught perspicuously the Art of extracting _Sol_
and _Luna_ out of all the Imperfect Metals, either apart, or conjoined
with or without the addition of the _Luna_. If therefore thou attainest
to the Art, I am glad; if not, thou hast no cause to complain of me,
for I have candidly imparted unto thee the meer and naked Truth.
_Another Separation of =Sol= and =Luna= out of the Imperfect
Metals, by ♄._
First of all, melt ♄ well in a melting Vessel, (=Scherben=) add ♃, ♂,
and ♀, mixt in due weight, melt them together, and forthwith the ♃ and
♂ will corrupt the Lead, being reduced into _Scoria_ like to yellow
Earth, and being reduced, they will in part restore their own Lead and
Copper, but the ♃ and ♂ remain like black _Scoria_, which are to be
kept: Let the Coppery Lead flow well again, and again add ♃ and ♂, and
there will be again made _Scoria_, which are presently to be reduced.
Let this Labour of Scorification and Reduction be repeated, until there
remain scarce one or two pound of Lead out of an hundred to be washed,
and you shall find ☉ and ☽ in part, which the Metals give out from
themselves in this operation: But the _Scoria_ which can’t be reduced,
let lie well heated red hot, in a peculiar Furnace, for some daies, and
be fixed, and they will give in the reduction a golden and silvery ♄
or Lead to be washed, that so the remaining ☉ and ☽ which the _Scoria_
drank up, being extracted, may be of use unto us. This labour (which I
never tried in great quantity, will doubtlessly (in my opinion) succeed
in quantities; any one may try the thing, and exactly compute how much
profit may be thence had every year.
Also the most Imperfect Metals may (by the benefit of Salts not
corrosive) be truly and infallibly fixt and wash’d by a particular way,
that they may give much ☉ and ☽, concerning which none need to doubt;
the which I having oftentimes mentioned in my Writings, will not repeat
it again.
Metals also being first reduced into a Calx, may be purged and wash’d
by the glass of Lead, made by the addition of Flints, so as to yield
much _Sol_, concerning which I have written heretofore: But there’s
required much ♄, whereby the metals may be largely diffused, otherwise
it will not let fall the fæces; nor can its more pure parts be gathered
together into a body, and concentrated; I take in the Flints, that they
may receive into themselves the fæces of the unclean Metals, and so
make a separation of the pure from the impure. And like as we are wont
to mix the whites of Eggs to Honey, Sugar, and other Vegetable Juices,
in the purification of them by Water, that thereby the viscousness of
the Juices may be attracted, and so be clarified. In like manner, the
Flints do in this operation occupy the place of the whites of Eggs,
and ♄ of the Water wherein ♂, ♀, or ♃ is to be dissolved; the Labour
is most pleasant and speedy, exceeding gainful, if the Crucibles
(perforated by the Litharge) would but hold the mixture, and not let it
pass through so soon.
But whosoever shall be so happy as to find Vessels which can keep in
the Glass of Lead for ten or twelve hours, he need not be solicitous or
careful of other Arts to inrich himself by. For my own part, I could
never be so happy hitherto, albeit I have carefully sought it for so
many years. One only pound of Iron, ♀, or ♃, doth sometimes yield half,
yea a whole lot of _Sol_, if the Work be rightly managed. And if you
add a fix’d Salt, as of Tartar or bare Pot-ashes, it will then yield
more, but the Crucibles will be the sooner perforated to our grief. I
do believe that one or other will be a curious Searcher after this, and
may in due time find how to make this Work succeed very well, both in
Crucibles and in great Fires, or melting places; and will be thankful
to GOD the Giver, and to me the Writer hereof. Heretofore I did set by
this Labour very highly; and although I would not then communicate it
to any body for a great price, yet now (being not permitted to make any
further Progress therein) I freely bestow it, that others also may try
their fortune.
Also imperfect metals are purged from their combustible and noxious
sulphur, by the suddain fire of Nitre, of which we have formerly spoken
about Mercury, the which is to be lookt on as the most speedy, and as
it were a momentary Melioration of metals N. B. especially if they are
reduced into a soluble salt without a Corrosive, for which thing ♂ and
♀ are most fit, exhibiting a Philosophical Vitriol, the which may be
most commodiously purifyed to perfection. There’s a great secret lies
here under, and haply greater than a particular work may require; let
the Poetical fable of _Venus_ and her son _Cupid_ be considered of;
what is there meant by _Cupid_, whether or no it be not ☉. Verily I
could discover more good ways of producing ☉ and ☽ out of the more vile
metals, but because there’s enough already spoken in the explication of
the seven Canons or Rules, it seems good to me to forbear. He that doth
not understand that nor can apprehend its drift or scope, will not be
profited by the addition of more things. If the fundamentals are laid
open, any one will conveniently administer his intent and labours: But
yet I will add over and above, a most pleasant work, Parabolically,
being the foundation and Basis of the whole Alchymical Art, under
which is comprehended the radical solution of metals, _Conjunction_,
_Destillation_, _Sublimation_, _Ascention_, _Descension_, _Cohobation_,
_Cementation_, _Calcination_, _Inceration_, and _Fixation_, and so I
will end the work of _Transmutation_.
There was a man (♄) who had two sons, (_Bismuth_ or _Tinglass_, and
♃) the younger (♃) said to his Father (♄), give me my portion, (Note
well, _Bismuth_ and ♃ were always accounted Lead, as well by the
Philosophers, as by the ancient workers on metals, the one _viz._
_Bismuth_, they called an ashy colour’d Lead, the other (♃) a white
Lead, and this a black Lead,) and behaved himself stubbornly and
unmannerly, that is, ascending or getting up; his Father gives it him,
and he goes a wandring therewith, (Note well, when ♃ and _Bismuth_
together with ♄ do feel the fire, the ♃ is separated from the ♄ and
_Bismuth_, and ascending, takes some-what from ♄ with it, and becomes
a Contumacious _Scoria_, and this is to go a wandring) and he enters
into an Inn, _where ♂ the Host, and ♀ the Hostess_, had the sign
of the World (♁) in a hanging Table, who having entertained him,
dispoiled him of all his Fathers goods, (Solution) Then there grew
such a great scarcity of Corn (with drought) that all men were even
deformed by reason of the Famine (corruption), to prevent which he
is enforced to keep hogs, (that is to dwell with fætid Nitre) and to
feed on huskes, (that is _Tartar_) (inceration, imbibition) by which
being humbled (Digestion, Circulation, Edulcoration, Putrefaction) he
returns to his Father, (Incorporation) as a lost Son, (some thing is
made nothing, and nothing is made something again) he brings forth
a new Garment, (_Argenteous_) he puts a Gold Ring on his finger, (☽
impregnated with ☉) after which he remains constant with his Father,
and becomes a good and thrifty Householder, that is, a fixt metal.
And now that I thus compare this Transmutation of imperfect bodies,
especially of ♃ to the parable of the lost Son let no body be therewith
displeased, for I did it for the easier knowledge thereof. There lies
under it a great secret, I never observed the like-changes in my whole
Labours; for first of all, in the Solution appears a blackness, which
haveing remained his time, there follows the tail of the Peacock,
greenness and then whiteness; but whether or no a redness would
follow, if it be detained longer in digestion, I am not certain, for
I never arrived beyond the whiteness. It is a most pleasant Labour,
greatly exhilerating the Artificers mind, of small charges and little
difficulty; if they, find the weight and good vessels, it shews the
way and opens the Door to higher Secrets, happy is he who attains
the things, he’ll never be satisfyed with the sight thereof, nor
admiration, how rich, generous, fair and glorious Nature is in her
retirements. Note well, that every Metal may be washt apart with ♄
and Salts, so that being exalted, it may yield ☉ and ☽ in separation,
and pass through all colours, but it will not be so profitable, as
if they were all joined together, for then one operates spiritually
upon the other, changeth and perfects him. And now having abundantly
discovered, how ☉ and ☽ is to be extracted out of the imperfect metals,
and because in that labour ☉ and ☽ is most an end jointly together,
’tis very necessary to know, by what Art they may be separated each
from the other, that so each may be had by it self, which is to be
done thus; If this mixture hath more ☉ than ☽, ’tis most profitably to
be melted by Antimony and precipitated into a Regulus with Iron washed
with Nitre and purifyed. This work you may find described in my former
Books. N. B. If the Nitre in the separation of purification of the
Reguli, prey upon some of the ☉ and ☽ and attract it to it self, let
none grieve thereat and account his labour lost, but let him remember
the saying of _Paracelsus_, Destruction or Corruption makes the good
perfect; The Nitrous Scoria, in which the cleansed Reguli are, let be
carefully kept and fixt, then by a strong flux let them be reduc’d and
you shall receive the lost Son, much more elegant than he was before
it’s being lost, so that hereby you lose not, but rather become a
gainer. Here would be a fit place to speak of a certain profitable work
if the drift of the thing would permit. Enough is spoken to a wise man,
Fools will not profit by any thing: But if it contain more ☽ than ☉,
let the mixture be at first of all granulated, and burnt with Sulphur,
let it be precipitated, either with ♁ alone or without it, with lead
and Salts; thus separating the ☉ from the ☽ into Reguli; then wash it
with Nitre or with Lead, and let it be purifyed, the work being to
be done in like manner. You are to note that if the precipitation be
done with ♄, then the _Caput mortuum_ (=Halb Kopff=) is to be added,
whereby the work will be apparently hastned and bettered. N. B. If
the Reguli of the maturated or fixt Metals be coppery or pale, they
need not be washt, but ’twill suffice if being granulated, they are
precipitated with Salts, and the _Caput Mortuum_ (=Halb Kopff=,) all
the ☉ and ☽ will come forth in peculiar Reguli, the Copper and the
Lead will be scorifyed, and may in acute Furnaces (=Stich ofen=) be
reduced, and be aplyed to other uses according to the rule of Art.
I judge it inexpedient to heap up more things concerning Extraction
(=Seigeren=) washing, and the separation of metals, being every where
mentioned in my other writings. Also it will be needless to explain,
by what manner metals may be more commodiously melted so as to yield
more and better metals, as also how the poor and rough Minerals that
abound with a preying and devouring Sulphur, whereby the metal in its
fusion, is turned into _Scoria_, and affords so little profit, that
being not able to quit cost, they remain unmanaged, the which Sulphur
especially in the Minerals of Copper and Lead, may by a singular Cement
or Gradatory fire, be inverted and changed, so that afterwards in
their fusion, It’s so far from swallowing up the metal, and turning
of it into _Scoria_, that it rather exalts it so as to give ☉ in the
separation, the which could never have been done without this burning
or roasting. No body doth throughly search after any help for this or
that metal, either before the melting or in the melting of it, if the
gross fire is not able to melt it down, but most frequently the best
part remains in the _Scoria_ without profit or use. ’Tis possible for
an experienced Chymist, profitably to extract that ☉ and ☽ which the
_Scoria_ have swallowed up, what by fusion and by adhibiting suitable
_Menstruums_. A work of this nature hath been hinted in my discourse of
the Extraction of Flints, and more shall be likewise mentioned when I
come to write of the felicity and hidden Treasures of _Germany_, which
time let the Reader with patience expect. A nother benefit would arise
to such as work on metals, if they had the perfect way of separating
☽ and separating the ☉ by precipitation, that lies therein, (=Neider
Schlagh=) that it may not be so unworthily wasted with the ☽ by the
Artificers.
And thus I conclude this Appendix or addition to the Mineral work, the
which I have brought forth to light with a good will for my Neighbours
sake, that so, being accepted with a serene mind, the Glory of God may
be thereby advanced; for which end I wish with all my heart a divine
benediction on the Labours of every honest and active searcher into the
metalline affairs. _Amen._
The APOLOGY of
John Rudolph Glauber,
Against the Lying Calumnies of
CHRISTOPHER FARNNER.
’Tis an ancient Proverb, _He that toucheth Dung is defiled, and will
alwaies savour of a Dunghill_. Experience makes it evident.
I ever hated Quarreling, as more agreeable to the Pevishness of Women,
than the more Generous Temper of Christian Men; and have, as much as I
might, alwaies declin’d it, being rather desirous to suffer injuries,
to bear losses, by silence to forgo those things I might lawfully
lay claim to, to undergo any thing, so that I might enjoy my beloved
Peace (with which GOD has blest me hitherto). Neither have I ever,
so long as I have liv’d in the World, (and I am pretty ancient) been
taken, by the worst of men, for a contentious Person: But perfidious
_Farnner_, unprovoked, urges me to this vindication of my self, by
going about not only to hurt my Person, but also by a Pride no less
than his Envy, to explode and defame all my Writings, and by infamous
Letters dispersed abroad, to render me odious to all good men. Which
wicked Enterprize, though I heard of it by many, I durst not believe,
till a printed Epistle of his came to my hands, which having perused, I
thought I could not enough admire his detestable Impiety, and the many
scandalous names he had for me.
Art thou not ashamed _Farnner_, to expose my Works to the contempt
of others, when thou neither dost, or ever canst understand ’em, and
before now hast prais’d ’em, as may be proved from your own hand? I’m
sure I never merited that you should cavil at me where-e’er you come,
and proclaim my Writings unprofitable. You ought rather all your Life,
in consideration of the many benefits you have receiv’d at my hands, to
have behaved your self as a Man grateful to me; but instead of that,
notwithstanding the Obligation that lies upon you to the contrary,
you have despightfully recompensed all my kindness with the basest
Ingratitude, which is directly opposite to goodness.
To what end do you deny that you had your greatest knowledge from me,
and in the mean time expose it as your own, and upbraid me from whom
you had it?
I never before believ’d you unfaithful, but alwaies thought you candid,
and have communicated so great things to no man as to your self. I
believe you will not deny your coming twice from _Lochgovia_ to me
at _Kitzinga_, and entreating me to communicate some Secret to you,
whereby you might get a livelihood. Have you not been forced twice,
being repulsed, to return home with this Excuse, That I wanted time to
instruct you? And when you came the third time, I suffered my self to
be perswaded, and did communicate some Secrets to you _gratis_, on this
consideration, That you should impart those things wherewith I trusted
you, to no man without my leave; which you promised by an Obligation,
(_viz._ That you wou’d keep all things secret) under the penalty of
Disgrace, and the forfeiture of all your Goods. Why hast thou falsified
thy Word, and contrary to thy Promises, so wickedly ridicul’d me among
all men, when with thy whole Family thou didst promise to be faithful
to me? Not only Obligations, but also thine own Letters are Witnesses:
Neither do I question, that if I had lost or wanted them to convince
thee, thou wouldst have denied, and that with an Oath, that thou
wast ever beholden to me for any thing, as thou hast already begun,
and as thou in thy spightful Writings despisest all my Secrets, and
proclaimest thine (which yet are mine) with praise. You doubt whether
or no the reading this will make me repent that I ever trusted you
with so many things, which I had never done, had not you obliged your
self to labour diligently with me in my Laboratory, to produce those
things for the profit of us both. But what can I do with them? They are
perished and gone which yet might sufficiently have sustain’d both you
and me, had not you made ’em publick.
I pray, What gain can you hope for from them, now they are every where
known? Wherefore when I see those things taken from me, and by you
imparted to all men, in spight of me, for your own advantage, I think
fit (for I cannot hope for any farther profit from them privately)
to make ’em known to the World; and by the Grace of GOD, I may live
without them: But if I also should buy all thy goods which thou
unjustly possessest and sellest to every man, of thee, and distribute
them about the world, thou wilt see thou canst not easily recover them,
or others in their room. I indeed will give you nothing for the future,
neither can my unfaithful Servant, whom you have made as good as your
self, give you any thing, for whatever he hath learn’d of me these
two years, he has given you, which you also have laid up among your
own wares and exposed to sale. Who will hereafter trust you, you have
so wickedly deceiv’d me? Every man will abominate you, and shun your
Partnership and Company, neither undeservedly, for the Laws of your own
Obligation make this your Fate: So the merit of the Crime shall return
upon the Author, and you can be more sure of nothing, than that Divine
Vengeance will pursue you. I confess indeed some others, as well as
you, have injur’d me, but none by so wicked an act; whom nevertheless
GOD (to whom I refer’d my Cause) hath so severely punished, that each
of them, by one cause or other, has brought upon himself his deserved
Reward of Punishment. But I had yet farther tolerated you to exercise
your Trade at your pleasure; neither had I followed you to _Lochgovia_,
to urge your Obligation to you, but had committed Vengeance to GOD;
only for that you were not content to sell those things publickly for
your filthy lucre, which you had of me, and which you obliged your
self to keep secret, and to take that profit to your self which was
due to me, but also you have rendered me, and the things you had from
me, odious; which has been so much to my disadvantage, that I can no
longer bear, but am now resolved to the utmost to refute those impious
and lying Calumnies, which you by your Letters have sent into the
world concerning me, and to defend my self and my Works, against which
you have so wickedly inveighed, that all the world may see how great
your perfidiousness has been towards me, and that your Heart acted by
Hellish wickedness, has raged against me with horrid Lyes, Taunts and
Reproaches, contrary to all manner of Equity: You must needs know,
that nothing can be more troublesome to me, than to spend that time
in reproving your Lyes, which I could otherways employ to greater
profit; wherefore I shall answer your trifling stories as briefly as
is possible. Every wise man will easily see how frivolous your Excuse
is. Do you think that any honest man will believe you, if you say you
don’t owe the greatest of your Knowledge to me? No surely, for no man
is ignorant of it: About two years since, you did not know how to bring
a Crucible to the Fire, much less to make a trial of Brass; which you
did not learn of me, but my unfaithful Servant taught it you, whom you
for that cause esteem; yet seeing you know so much, how lawfully may I
complain of him, what a Rascal he has been to me, and that you for that
very reason have taken him to your self, that you may fish from him
whatever he had learned in those two years he served me; although he
did not shun you, because he was unwilling to communicate those things
he had learn’d of me to any man else.
And so you make your self Master of my Secrets, and Covenant with him
to undo me and mine: Is this the part of a good man? You do not only
expose those things you had of me, but those also which my perfidious
Servant has since given you, to be sold at a price, when you have no
right to sell another mans goods, to which you have no title. We’ll
come to the point and expose all your wickedness, as well your impious
speeches, as perfidious actions, to the view of the world: But first of
all, I will lay before you the obligations you gave me, as most sure
pledges of your truth, that by the review of them, you may judge your
self how honest you have been, and how faithfully you have kept your
promises; and every man shall thence see, (especially those among whom
you have so wickedly ridicul’d me) with what base ingratitude you have
recompensed all my Favours.
_The first Obligation which =FARNNER= gave me, runs thus_;
_Forasmuch as the most excellent and learned Mr. =John Rudolph
Glauber=, moved by a singular affection towards me, has communicated,
shewen and demonstrated to me undernamed, some of those secrets whereof
he is Master, and hath enjoined me to silence; I therefore bind my
self, and promise upon my Credit and Reputation, and call God and my
christian profession to witness, that I will divulge none of those
things to any man living: but if it be so (which God forbid) that I
do at any time communicate any of those things to any man, then I
shall most willingly renounce all my right in those Goods, movables or
immovables, which I shall possess, and give him absolute power to take
them to himself, and convert them to his own use and advantage: and
not that only, but I give him farther power to proclaim me perfidious
and wicked, to defame me and make me abominable to all men, for which
reason, the laws of Silence shall be observed by me most strictly. Nay
farther, in consideration of the many benefits he has bestowed on me,
I give up my self, my beloved wife, and my children to serve him in
all things lawful and honest, to go when and where he pleases, and to
ease his labours; and if he dye first, (which God avert) to be alike
serviceable to his whole Family, which care he also has promis’d to me
and mine: I promise then, (if my Fates grant me life) that I will be to
my utmost, serviceable to him so long as he lives: In witness whereof,
I have hereto set my hand and seal. Given at =Kitzinga=, the =15th= day
of =June, 1652=._
Testis, Spirensis Canonicatus Quæstor, _Lochgoviæ_ & _Horrhemi_.
Christopherus Farnnerus.
The second _Obligation_.
_=I Christopher Farnner=, for the time being Canonicate Quæstor of
=Spire, Lochgovia and Horrheme=, in the Dukedom of =Wirtemberg=, to
all by whom these presents shall be read, make known, that the most
excellent and learned Mr. =John Rudolph Glauber= for little or no
reward, has communicated some of his secrets to me, and with me made
a covenant after this manner, That I must oblige my self for what he
hath already done, or hereafter shall do for me, to be all my life
thankful, not only to him, but to his Children also. But for as much
as ’tis most certain, this life will have an end, but we know not the
time when, the first Obligation is not full and clear enough, and for
that cause I bind my self and promise, (so help me God) and swear by
the King of Heaven who always bears witness to the Truth; and farther,
upon my Credit and Reputation, for the preservation whereof every
Christian man should be induc’d to keep his promise, if (which that God
would in mercy avert, I shall not cease to put up my daily Prayers) the
above named Mr. =Glauber= and his beloved wife shall die, and leave
their Children unmarried, I do oblige my self by this most solemn Oath,
to observe faithfully, and as a Christian man ought, these following
things: =viz.= I will forthwith take his Children to an inheritance
with mine, and to my utmost skill, instruct them in the secrets of
their dead Father, and shew them all things requisite and necessary,
as fully as to my own Children; and that after this manner, That what
ever of their Parents heritage belongs to them, they shall wholly
possess, and they shall lawfully demand it as their proper due; and if
any thing goes from him, I will redeem it, so that my Children shall
lay no claim to it: on the contrary, (for those secrets communicated
to me, which hereafter may redound to my profit) I make the aforesaid
Mr. =Glauber’s= Children Heirs with mine, that they may be admitted
equally to my Estate, and alike enjoy the Goods of me living: But
if I =Farnner=, contrary to my expectation, shall depart this World
before Mr. =Glauber=, he is bound to instruct my Children in his Art,
according as they are qualifyed, only so far, as that thereby they may
get their living, and that they may not be burdensome to him. He may at
his pleasure instruct him that he shall esteem most fit in some secret,
with which he shall afterwards teach his Brethren to get themselves
maintenance. And for the same cause, I call my little Son =Alexander=,
and surrender him to Mr. =Glauber= and his service, so that he may keep
him as long as he shall be willing, and it shall not be in my power to
take him from him according to the agreement we have both made with
him: all which things are restrain’d to this on either side, That if
the Parents of either part die before their Children are provided for,
which God forbid, and our Children shall be free by the early death
of their Parents, then each shall to his utmost, provide for his own
Children._
_That all these things may be observed the more firmly, I affix my
Seal and name, and by my own hand writing, oblige my self so, that if
at any time I falsify my word, my Children may be call’d to witness my
perjury. Given at =Kitzinga= the =10th= of =September=, in the year
=1652=._
Christopher Farnner.
NB. I did not require this obligation of _Farnner_, neither wou’d I
have taken it, but admonish’d him to be true to the first, with which I
was content; for he gave me this for no other reason, but to get more
out of me: But, because I had found out his cheats, and he wou’d not
be advis’d for his own profit, he at last makes mention of this new
obligation, in a certain epistle of his, thinking thereby I was oblig’d
to a farther communication of my Art to him, tho I have often told him,
that I valu’d not this last obligation but wou’d give it him again:
But when he refus’d to take it, I cancell’d it, and kept it by me, for
this reason, that it might be seen how he had bound himself by this new
Obligation, which certainly he wou’d never have done, without very good
cause.
_Expressions gathered out of certain of =Farnner=’s Epistles sent
to me; from which is evident how greatly he is beholden to me._
_Therefore I faithfully assure you, that I will shortly leave my House,
and take a Journey farther off, to provide for my Family; my Wife too
is very willing to go with me, and to be interested in our agreements,
but I can’t see what shou’d oblige her to it, when it can’t be effected
very commodiously: Yet I resolve, if nothing extraordinary hinder me,
after eight daies, that is, on the =¹⁴⁄₄th.= day of =April=, to depart
hence, and then answer your most friendly Letters, together with my
beloved Wife, and all my Family, to take part with you in all your
Labours, and help you with the greatest diligence. But because I intend
to be so suddenly with you, I shall write no more at this time._
March 26th. 1653.
Out of another Epistle, _July_ 17th. 1653.
_I hope you will excuse me, that I did not come to you, because
hindered by my Wife’s faultiness, who telling me she wou’d come with
me, privily laid Obstacles in my way; this offence wou’d not destroy a
Knave: Wherefore I again intreat you not to cast me off, but continue
your wonted favour to me; and I shall endeavour in my place to give
you ample satisfaction; neither shall any thing hinder my speedy
performance of what I have promised._
Out of another Epistle, _July_ 29th. 1653.
_Forasmuch therefore as I have by the wicked deceit of my Wife, broken
the many Promises I made of coming to you, unless I wou’d have taken
her wicked =Amasius= or galant, as Companion in the Journey; it has
at length pleased God to take her away, and so put me in a capacity,
=Worthy Sir=, of serving you without the least impediment, wherefore
I give my self wholly to your Commands: And altho’ I have been
perswaded by Persons of principal Authority to marry again, I will
not, but commit my self to be manag’d by your Counsel, as you were my
Father. Therefore, since we are parted, if my Fates grant me Life and
Prosperity, I will come to you, and commit my self to your guidance and
protection, Worthy Patron; for which reason I shall forbear to write
any thing at this time of your Laboratory, more than what I see in your
Letters, that all things may proceed the more regularly. Wherefore,
though I have been solicited by many, yet shall reject all as much as
I may commodiously, in hopes of this, that when I have first gotten
your consent, I may communicate my labour to some, whereby I may get a
good Sum of Money: But these things shall be deferred till our happy
meeting._
In another Epistle he saith;
_That he was confident he could find out all my Art by my Writings,
except that the Vessels do not alwaies abide the Fire, and that the
Apothecaries refused to buy his Medicines, unless he would teach them
the way to prepare ’em: Again, he would give me Fifty R. Dollers for
each month, for my part, as may be shewn from himself; these are his
words: And if he was not oblig’d to me, why would he give me Fifty R.
Dollers each Month?_
From all which (and much more I might add, which for brevities sake I
omit) it evidently appears, that _Farnner_ was obliged to me, which
he would never have been, had not he receiv’d some benefit from me,
which render’d him bound to me: But if he is oblig’d to me, why was
he so wicked, as in his lying Epistles so malapertly to despise, and
disparage me and my Secrets, which he had from me? Hence then every man
may perceive what they ought to judge of him, that he has both behav’d
himself most perfidiously wicked toward me, and also, that he has
sufficiently declar’d himself the most ungrateful in the World.
But that no man may suspect that I wrest any word of _Farnner_’s, in
his obligations given to me, to his disadvantage, or my own ends, I
have taken care to have his own hand-writing view’d by Notaries and
Witnesses, who will attest, that what I have printed is word for word
the same with what I have in writing under his own hand.
_A Specification of those =Chymical Secrets= which =Farnner=
learn’d of =Glauber=, and in the trial found true, and of those
which yet are found and brought to trial; where it must be known,
that those, of which there is no mention made here, if =Glauber=
should relate them, they would not answer his expectation in
Practice, according to his information: Also the Charge which he
must be at who will make trial of those Secrets after a right
manner, is here added._
1. _Glauber_’s Panacea, for 30 R. Dollers.
_About which these things are to be considered: It is made chiefly of
=Antimony=; to which, according to his common way, Sulphur is added;
which done, another Separation is made, in which, from a whole pound
of Sulphur and Antimony, no man shall receive more than three ounces
of the purest Sulphur. There are indeed two other Subjects, which
produce a golden Sulphur better than Antimony; but I have found a way
to extract a thick and pure Sulphur from all sorts of Metals (except
=Luna= and =Sol=) and Minerals, and after =Glauber=’s manner to make
Tinctures. All these Secrets annexed will be taught for the price
named._
2. _To reduce Minerals and Metals into Dross, after =Glauber=’s way,
to reduce them to nothing, and then without Charge to bring them to
their own Species again, or to turn them into fluid Oil, or Powder, or
Tinctures; which things bear an affinity to those above: For Twenty R.
Dollers._
3. _=Glauber=’s =Alkahest=, and a way to prepare it, perhaps unknown to
=Glauber=, and built upon a more firm foundation; Fifty R. Dollers._
4. _The Trial of all sorts of Brass, but not of every sort at once, for
every one must have a particular Practice._
5. _To make store of Flowers of Coral for a little Cost; ten R.
Dollers._
6. _To make melted Tin hard, that it shall shine and sound like
[Silver]; Ten R. Dollers._
7. _To make white Vitrifications upon Vessels; for Ten R. Dollers._
8. _Plenty of Spirit of Salt._
_This is not prepar’d after =Glauber=’s way, and though =Glauber= was
so great a Lyer as to affirm, that in a clear Fire fifty pound of this
Spirit might be prepared in one day, yet he cannot produce above one
or two pound: Wherefore my invention is much better, and my Spirit is
pure, but =Glauber=’s has =Vitriol= mix’d in it._
_And though I gave =Glauber= a great Sum of Money to communicate these
Secrets to me, yet I have not found any of them true, according to his
Information, but was fain, with great industry to seek other waies of
working those abovenamed._
_And for those that follow, though they may seem to be derived to me
from =Glauber=, yet they have not succeeded by his Information, but I
was forced to go another way to work, which will hardly be found by
=Glauber=._
9. _To prepare good store of the =Spirits of Vitriol=, =Nitre=, =Salt=,
=Aqua fortis=, =Aqua Regis=, also =Sulphur=, after a manner not yet
known, and which will scarce be known to =Glauber=; forty R. Dollers._
10. _To produce plenty of volatile Mineral Spirits, which Spirits
ascend the Still before the Phlegm; but the abovenamed after the
Phlegm._
NB. _These Spirits have the same taste that Spirit of Wine hath, and
evaporate like it, and are void of corroding: neither do I doubt, but I
can produce such Spirits from Metals also, though in metallicks I have
made no trial yet._
11. _Flowers of Minerals and Metals, almost without diminution,
compendiously under a refrigeratory cover, which =Glauber= never saw;
Ten R. Dollers._
12. _The Quintessence of all Vegetables: Although =Glauber=, in his
Tract, promised to bring that also to light, yet he never performed it
from all Vegetables, but only from hot, which give Oil, which is of no
moment; but that from cold, to wit, Herbs, is artificial. Thirty R.
Dollers._
13. _To give new strength to dead and eager Wines, and make them as
good as ever, or better; Two Hundred R. Dollers._
NB. _=Note here=, That I very much run against =Glauber=’s Tract of
=Vinary Secrets=; and if my own Industry had not taught me more than
that, I might indeed, according to his instruction, encrease the
strength of Wine, but with an ingrateful relish, so as I could never
hope to try eager Wines according to Art. But now I cannot only bring
to maturity all sorts of Liquors from both sweet and sowre Grapes, and
other sorts of Fruits; and give them new strength in the Hogshead,
but also render them pallatable to all men. Whoever hath tasted
=Glauber=’s Wines, and shall afterwards taste mine, will easily discern
a difference._
14. _To give any Wines what relish I please._
15. _To prepare a burning Spirit of all sorts of Bread-Corn in
abundance, with great ease and profit, very much like that which is
made of the Dreggs of Wine, and sustaining all Trials: There are
already eight pounds of it in trial, whether they will bear a Voyage by
Sea, or not; they are sent beyond Sea, which if they will undergo; Two
hundred R. Dollers._
NB. _Further, I knew how to reduce all burning Spirits into one form;
as, the Spirit of =Juniper=, or Bread-Corn, like to Brandy, or to make
spirit of Wine like spirit of Bread-Corn or =Juniper=, so that it shall
not be discerned of what subject ’tis made._
_Neither do I doubt, but that I know also how it comes to pass, that
some Liquors carry’d beyond Sea, are corrupted: Which therefore, if by
the benefit of this trial, the Certainty is made known to me, a good
reason, and after what manner it may be help’d, may be learn’d of me
for a trifle._
16. _To encrease the strength of all sorts of Beer, that they shall
have equal Virtue with =Rhenish=-Wine, and yet the Beer lose nothing
of its relish, but be both more pleasant and durable; for when thus
order’d, it will not so soon sowre; but if it be decay’d, which will
happen to Wine in time, the Vinegar which will arise from it, will be
as good as Wine Vinegar: fifty R. Dollers._
17. _To give sowre Beer its natural sweetness, and in fourteen days to
make it sell for fresh; and so, though turn’d three or four times, to
make it sweet in fourteen daies time without fail._
18. _To produce Vinegar of Bread-Corn, and such other things, very like
Wine-Vinegar in all things without fail; fifty R. Dollers._
19. _To prepare Vinegar of green woods, an Hundred measures daily,
together with Oil of Wood, without Charge; but if any man will have
this like other Vinegar, it requires rectifying, which will ask some
time and cost: Ten R. Dollers._
20. _Although =Glauber= delivered in a little Tract, a way to make
Tartar of the burnt Lees of Wine, yet I have alwaies committed many
Errours, by following his very Oral instructions, till bethinking my
self, I at last made it with fruit, and plainly reduced it to Crystals._
NB. _Whoever will follow the Directions of that Tract, may._
21. _To separate every Oar of Copper with profit, and from thence to
produce Gain._
22. _Of that sort of Copper Oar, if by chance they have any ☽ from
thence, to separate it with fruit, without loss of the Copper and Lead._
23. _To separate Lead from Tests and Cupels, for small Cost, and as
little Labour._
24. _To separate Gold and Silver by melting._
25. _To build a Furnace, in which one may both torrifie, melt, and try
Metals in the Probations of =Cineritium=; containing the small Trials
of an hundred Crucibles, or more, only heat with Wood._
26. _Further, a Furnace, in which, without Bellows, one may try a good
quantity by the Probations of =Cineritium=._
_=And Lastly=, Forasmuch as the lesser Trials have deceived me, if I
went to work on a greater quantity, I will teach wherein my chief skill
consists._
1. _In the lesser trial I have found, that with the Spirit of Wine,
as ’tis generally prepar’d, I can make an Anatomy of all Vegetable,
Animal, Mineral, and Metallick Subjects, separate their three
Principles, make the volatile fix’d, and the fix’d volatile, and force
’em through a Limbeck._
2. _To force the Anima and Salt of Gold through the Limbeck, and to
reduce it, well mix’d with its Spirit and volatile Salt, into a potable
body like Vegetable Essences._
_But because Gold may be reduced into such a sort of Essence, it will
not be very hard to render the imperfect Metals and Minerals, with
their Three Principles, potable: and these Principles are inseparable
in their volatility; wherefore I doubt not but they may be fix’d._
3. _Furthermore, I have found by small trials the way of taking all
Corrosion from all Corrosive Spirits, by this general Spirit, and of
reducing them (by the help of Divine Providence) into sweet Oils or
=Menstruums=; which if it answer the desire in large quantities, (and
I don’t doubt it) =Glauber= with his =Alkahest=, which indeed is not
wholly to be despis’d, must be forc’d to hide: for I have hopes, that
by the assistance of Divine Providence, whatsoever subject I shall
propose to my self, I can separate and purge its three Principles;
lastly, join them, and so produce a better subject and more pure: But
’tis true, seeing I was so often deceived in the lesser trial, I did
not interpret it as Truth, but Speculation. However, I can effect very
well whatever I have here said, as well in the great as lesser._
4. _But forasmuch as so many excellent, as well as new, Secrets, offer
themselves, that I can’t chuse but clearly know them, and therefore
’tis impossible that I should make all those Secrets abovenamed
profitable to my self: And although I am now about many things, that
hereafter a great quantity of them may be expos’d by me to be sold
in pounds and hundreds; yet I shall not be so envious to refuse a
Communication of them to any man for the named Reward; nor keep from
him any knowledge I can give him._
_Yet he must know, that it is very troublesome to instruct any man
that is altogether ignorant and void of skill in Chymistry; Therefore
whoever will learn any of these things of me, let him either come
to me, or signifie his wind by his Letters, thus: To =Christopher
Farnner=, Canonicate Quæstor of =Spire=, &c._
* * * * *
These are the words of the perfidious _Farnner_, which he hath used in
his most false and wicked Writing.
_A Specification of those Chymical things._
This, good Reader, is the Beginning or Preface of that Lying Writing,
in which he hath exposed to Sale those Secrets he had of me, and found
good: Besides, he adds, That those Secrets which he had of me, which
do not succeed according to his desire, are not added; but those only
whose Truth he has found in the trial.
Now we’ll open this _Pedler’s-Stall_, and look through all its parts,
to see what is in it.
These words follow:
1. Glauber’s _Panacea_;
About which these things come to be considered.
Here _Farnner_ saies my _Panacea_, for the greatest part, is prepared
of _Antimony_; besides, there are yet two other subjects, from which a
purer Sulphur may be extracted, than that which is drawn from Antimony:
Which vain fancies he may vend, or what else he will, I can’t hinder
him, seeing I have taught him to extract nothing but a pure Medicinal
Sulphur from Antimony, by the benefit of a singular Liquor, which I
call _Alkahest_. He adds also, That he can extract the same Sulphur
from all sorts of Metals and Minerals (except ☉ and ☽) and after
_Glauber_’s way convert them into Tinctures.
I declare against this his first Position: _Farnner_ here saith,
That _Panacea_ may be prepared from Antimony for the most part, and
promises to communicate it to any man that desires it, for a certain
price, to wit, thirty R. Dollers. But thou hast seen, gentle Reader,
how strongly he bound himself, by his Obligation given to me, to
keep secret those things I had taught him, and communicate them to
no man, under the Penalty of Disgrace, and the forfeiture of all his
Goods. I confess indeed, being cajol’d by his frequent solicitations,
I taught him the way of preparing the _Panacea_, but from no subject
but Antimony. This _Panacea_ of Antimony _Farnner_ exposes to sale,
for thirty R. Dollers; and moreover has taught that Preparation to
many, from whence great profit hath redounded to him; when yet this
was not lawful for him to do: But he shall be forced e’re long to
give his Reasons for so doing, and I will one day see if I can have
a remedy for this evil. I will now only shew how wicked he has been
to me: Wherefore I am compelled to expose those secrets he had of me
and every where makes common, to the view of the whole World, that
no man shall need to give Money to _Farnner_ for ’em, or any other
reward, but may come to the knowledge of them for nothing: for if that
knowledge is divulg’d by _Farnner_, who unjustly, by the publication
of it, endeavours to heap up to himself Fame and Riches, I may well
communicate them to all men faithfully, that every man may save his
money: But because this _Panacea_ is prepared by the benefit of a hot
and Saline Liquor, which I call _Alkahest_, therefore ’tis necessary
that he who desires this _Panacea_ should first know the Preparation
of the Liquor it self, without which he can effect nothing. Indeed it
grieves me, and I am very hardly brought to discover and divulge to the
World so excellent a _Menstruum_, by which so many rare Medicaments may
be prepared; and I had never done it, had not this perfidious _Farnner_
chang’d and adulterated it and its use in the Preparation of the
abovenamed _Panacea_ of Antimony and others, from Minerals, Animals,
and Vegetables, and by prostituting and communicating it to all men. I
think him, indeed, a Boar out of the Forest, broke into my Garden of
Flowers, that has with his snout routed up all the many Fruits, which
with much sweat and labour I have planted; but the deed will once be
rewarded.
Now follows a very short Description of the Preparation and use of
that Liquor, needfully requisite in Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral
Medicaments: And though I might teach another and far better way of
preparing it, yet there’s no necessity for throwing all my Pearls
before Swine: It is sufficient, to my sorrow, that I cannot recal those
which this unfaithful _Farnner_ has sent abroad, and am forc’d to
behold their destruction with the greatest trouble.
_Of the Preparation and Use of a certain secret Universal
=Menstruum=, with which one may institute an Anatomy of all
Vegetables, Animals, and Metals; correct them, and from thence
prepare good Medicaments._
Of this _Menstruum_ the Modern Philosopher _Helmont_ makes mention
in some places of his Writings, and attributes wonderful Effects to
it, which he exhibits in the Preparation of Medicaments, and gives it
the name _Alkahest_; which name _Paracelsus_ also remembers; but in
few words, it is the same as if we should say _Alkali est_; for when
the Letters _l_ and _i_ are joyn’d with a dash, it produces the word
_Alkahest_. But what moved _Helmont_ to call it _Alkahest_, we shall
not here dispute: I indeed believe he did it, thereby to demonstrate
its Nature and Essence; for in German _Alkahest_ is as =Al gar heis=,
or =Al zu hees=; but in the _Brabantick_ Idiotism, which was the Mother
Tongue of the Author, it sounds =Althohees=, that is, very hot, and so
the name answers to the Essence; for this Liquor is nothing but a meer
fiery Water, by whose immense and Secret heat Vegetables, Animals, and
Minerals, if they are put into it a certain time, are forthwith purged,
ripened, and made better, so that they become excellent and wholesome
Medicaments, which without this fiery water cou’d not be done. This
_Menstruum_ then, is nothing but an igneous Liquor, prepared of urinous
Salts, which is endowed with those Virtues which are attributed to it
in my Treatise of Flints.
_An Admonition._
Here it is to be noted, that this _Menstruum_ may be prepar’d of more
than one Subject; for Nature is Copious, and sets before our eyes many
various Ingredients, from which, by the help of Art, divers things may
be effected; as may be evidenc’d in this admirable Liquor, which may
be made not only of the common _Sal terræ_, or _Salt Peter_, but also
of the fix’d Salt of all Vegetables, and especially of Tartar; ’tis
no matter of what Subject it is prepared, for it has still the Same
Virtues that are ascribed to it, forasmuch as, if a right Preparation
be made, the common _Sal terræ_ and the fix’d Salt of Vegetables are
of one and the same Nature and Essence: For the genuine _Sal terræ_,
or _Salt-Petre_, may be made of Salt of Tartar; and of _Sal terræ_, or
Nitre, a fixed Salt, like Salt of Tartar; of Spirit of Wine, Salt of
Tartar; and of Salt of Tartar spirit of Wine: of Wine-Vinegar, Nitre;
and of Nitre, corrosive Vinegar. So those Salts partake of either
nature, and will be manag’d at pleasure; neither are they undeservedly
by the ancient Philosophers, called Hermaphroditick Salts. Wherefore
it is not for any one to be offended at its base original, and
accordingly undervalue it; ’tis no matter wherein the good consists,
’tis sufficient to say it is good, and may be converted to good uses:
Good things ought to be so much the more esteem’d, by how much the
more mean and base their original may have been, for Nature and true
Art use both base and abject things in their Works, and nevertheless,
their desires are accomplished: But on the contrary, the vain reason of
Man in his labour aims at nothing but Sublimity and specious Notions,
and therefore brings nothing to a good end, but destitute of a happy
success, finishes his fruitless labours with great damage.
To conclude then, take this advice; Be not offended at this wonderful
Liquor, because of its mean original, but let the Work praise the
Work-man.
_Now follows the Preparation._
If any man will prepare this Menstruum of Salt-Petre, he must extract
and coagulate that Salt from the earth with common water, and adding
coals or some other vegetable Sulphur, fix or calcine it so long, till
it be resolv’d in the Air into a fiery liquor, then the preparation
is finished. But because that sort of earth, from which this salt is
extracted, cannot be found every where, in its stead, you may take
Nitre well cleans’d, which must be melted in a Crucible, upon which
you must cast a small quantity of coals and that so long, till the
coals upon the flowing Nitre will take fire no more, but remain dead
upon it, for then your Nitre is fix’d and prepar’d, so as from it,
this so admirable water may be made, which is made after this manner;
While the fix’d Nitre flows yet in the Crucibele, pour it into a brass
mortar that in that it may cool, then beat it to powder, and spread
it on a Glass table plac’d in the Cellar, or some other moist place,
that there it may flow; so you have that fiery water which is endowed
with so many wonderful virtues in the preparation of medicaments of
vegetables, Animals and Minerals, of which I made mention before. But
if you wou’d make such a liquor of _Tartar_, which will be best for
preparation of Medicaments of vegetables and Animals, then you must
bring common _Tartar_ made pure by Calcination, Filtration, Solution
and Coagulation, and by flints purg’d from all impurity, into a fair
and bright Salt, mixing six or eight parts of the purest _Tartar_ with
one part of flints well pulverated, which mixture you must melt in a
cover’d Crucible, and pour it into a brass Mortar to cool: This bright
and white fiery mass you must reduce into powder and put it into a
Glass body, and pouring rain water thereon, boil it upon hot Ashes,
for then the rain water will dissolve the _Tartar_ only, and leave
the Flints at the bottom, like a Mucilaginous matter which draws to
it self all the impurity of the _Tartar_, which before, by the common
solution and filtration cou’d not be taken away, and so keeps it,
that the Salt of _Tartar_, is by this means freed and purg’d from all
impurity: then you must filtrate this solution, and draw the water from
it by a limbeck, that so that Chrystalline fiery liquor may remain
in the Glass: And this is that preparation by which vegetables and
animals are reduced into the best medicaments; but to prepare metallick
Medicaments, and especially for the making them better, liquor of
_Tartar_ is not to be added, but only liquor of the Salt of fix’d
Nitre, which is not prepared by coals, but by the Regulus of Antimony,
and that after this manner;
Put three parts of clean and pulverated Nitre to one part of Regulus
Martis, put this mixture into a Glass wash’d clean, and by a prudent
increase of fire, make it boil a little in a Fixatory Furnace, and
in this degree of fire, leave it five or six hours, then take it out
that it may cool, then very finely pulverize it, and pour upon it rain
water, and the Nitre, which by the Regulus of Antimony comes out fix’d,
wash out; and lastly abstract the water, so you will produce a fiery
liquor fit for use in metallick operations.
NB. This fixation may be as well made in cover’d Crucibles, as in
Glasses, and is good enough, only the management of the fire must be
observed, neither let the heat from the begining be too intense, least
your Nitre evaporate before it be brought to a fixation, but keep a
gentle fire, and it will effect the fixation in conjunction with the
Antimony.
_The Praxis. How by the mediation of this liquor Vegetables,
Animals, and Minerals may be converted into good Medicaments._
Take an herb, root, or seed, beat it very small in a stone Mortar, then
put it into a glass, and pour upon it so much of this fiery Menstruum,
as that the herb may be sufficiently imbrued in it, afterwards set it
upon sand some days, or boil it, that of the herb and Menstruum may be
made a thick liquor, which done put to it as much spirit of Wine, well
dephlegmated, as there was of Alkahestick Liquor, and well mix them,
in a small heat, lest the spirit of Wine evaporate; so long digest
it, till the separation shall be made, and your Alkahest, with the
fæces, will go to the bottom, but the spirit of Wine, with the Essence
and Virtue of the Herb, will stay at the top, which afterward, though
never so much stirr’d, will not mix, but each remains still in his own
place: pour all that whole matter into a wide-mouth’d Glass, and there
let it settle; then separate the Medicine which the spirit of Wine has
extracted from the Herb, with a gentle inclination from the Alkahestick
Liquor, which retains with it self the fæces of the Herb, so you will
have the Virtue and Essence well corrected and perfectly ripen’d in
the spirit of Wine, which abstract from the Essence of the herb in a
Bath, and the Medicine which remains like a red juice, and endowed with
great Virtues, keep and use it as it is ordain’d by God and Nature.
But the Alkahestick Liquor, mixed with the fæces of the Herb, Calcine
in an earthen Vessel, that all the relish and scent of the Herb, which
remains in it, may be exhal’d from it, and afterwards dissolve it in
Water, and filtrate it, and draw it to a fiery Liquor, so it will be as
good as it was before, and you may put it to the same uses as often as
you please.
Animals are to be bruised after the same manner in a Stone Mortar, and
with the Alkahestick Liquor digested, and by spirit of Wine separated,
and in Vegetables the labour is the same.
But Metals in their proper Corrosive Menstruums must be dissolv’d
precipitated, wash’d, edulcorat’d, exsiccated, and then lastly with the
Alkahestick liquor poured on, digested, dissolved, and with spirit of
wine separated and reduc’d into a potability.
But Minerals which may be pulveriz’d need not be dissolv’d and brought
to a calx, but ’tis sufficient, that after pulverisation with the
Alkahestick liquor poured on, they be digested, and by spirit of wine
separated.
Nevertheless, you may also at your pleasure render metals brittle and
frangible, _viz._ By the help of the Regulus of Antimony, so that they
may be pulveriz’d, then pouring your Menstruum upon them, dissolve,
digest and convert them into Medicine: Which method is certainly good;
You may also proceed another way with metals prepar’d by Antimony,
_viz._ Mix them with three parts of pure Nitre, and in a Glass or
earthen vessel, by the dry way dissolve, digest, fix, and by spirit
of wine prepare into Medicine, which also will be good, for it is
more profitable to operate by the dry than by the moist way, as it is
customary to be done in vegetables and Animals.
And this is the shortest method of reducing Animals, Vegetables and
Minerals by the Alkahestick liquor to the best Medicaments.
But how imperfect metals or Minerals, which otherwise in a Cupel or
Cineritium trial, leave no gold or silver behind them, are to be
brought to maturity and fix’d, that afterwards in the Cineritious
trial, they may give a perfect gold and silver is done another way,
whose process is this:
Mingle and melt so much (Regulus) of Antimony with the imperfect metals
or minerals as may render them friable, that they may be pulveriz’d,
with these mix three parts of the purest Nitre, and this mixture close
stopt up, put upon a fire in glass or earthen vessels to fix for some
hours, afterwards take it off, and as they are melted pour them out,
that they may give the regulus which is to be taken away, and with lead
put into a Cupel and reduc’d to dross, then that gold and silver which
the imperfect metal or Mineral got in the fixation, stays in the Cupel
which may be examined by the lesser weights of probation, whence it
will appear how great a fixation so little time will produce.
This is the plenary and fundamental instruction of the use of _Tartar_
purg’d by flints, to extract the essence of vegetables and animals
and of Nitre fix’d by coals and Regulus of Antimony, which begets a
penetrating, correcting, bettering or ripening and purifying fiery,
but not corrosive, virtue, which goes beyond all things, penetrates
and corrects as above written, I have attributed to it. But least the
ignorant of natural things should esteem and proclaim this a corrosive
liquor, we will prevent them, and shall endeavour to demonstrate, that
this liquor is no way a corrosive, but an enemy to and destroyer of all
corrosives.
Like loves its like, with it is mingl’d, and immutably stays with it,
as may be seen in spirit of Salt, Vitriol, Alum, Nitre, Vinegar and
other corrosive spirits when they are mixed. But unlike things if they
are join’d, are contrary to themselves, and fight against each other,
and forcibly withstand one another so long, till the strong o’er comes
the weak and kills and destroys it or produceth another substance from
it: that may be seen if this fiery liquor of _Tartar_ or Nitre be
mix’d with a corrosive Spirit, for it can not consist with it, because
contrary to it, then which of these is the stronger, destroys the
weaker and takes its nature to it self.
And this difference arises from the unlikeness of the nature of either
liquor, for one corrosive does not destroy another, as also one fix’d
urinous liquor does not destroy another urinous liquor; because one
contrary fights against another contrary, but not against his like, so
’tis true, as hence may be fully demonstrated, that this fix’d liquor
of _Tartar_ or Nitre is not corrosive, but only a fiery water and a
perpetual enemy to all corrosives, and both kills and takes away their
corrosive faculty from them. But some will say that the corrosive
Spirits of Salt, Alum, Nitre, Vitriol and such like are fiery waters:
I confess it, but yet with this distinction, those Spirits are indeed
hot waters, but not vivifying, but rather cold and killing fiery
waters, which no way ripen, purge or correct Vegetables, Animals and
Metals, but destroy and kill all things they are mix’d with. But the
fix’d liquor of Nitre or _Tartar_ is contrary, and ripens, purifies and
brings to perfection all it is mix’d with, which is impossible to all
corrosives, whence it is as clear as the Sun, that it is no destroying
corrosive, but a correcting fire.
Now follows another Clause of _Farnner_’s Epistle.
2. _All Mineral’s and Metals._
I much wonder that _Farnner_ was not afraid to offer this process to
others at a price, which is plainly and clearly described in many
places of my Books: and is done only by Nitre, by which sulphurous
metals (but not all metals and minerals, as he vainly boasteth) are
reduc’d to dross, from which by spirit of wine, a metallick tincture
may be extracted, as we have shewn above in the tract of the Alkahest:
that dross is truly fiery, and therefore easily attracts air, and is
turn’d into oil, of which I have largely treated in the second and
fourth parts of (_Furn._) and in the _mineral work_ especially in
the explication of the wonder of the world, as also in my Hermetic
Colloquies.
3. Glauber_’s Alkahest_.
In this Paragraph _Farnner_ openly betrays his vanity, bragging, and
hellish calumny, in reprehending the industry and labour of good men,
and boasteth of a more firm foundation than perhaps I know of; whence
it will appear to any man of Understanding, what this most ungrateful
of men would be at, namely, which is the only thing he can do, he would
do what he could to bring those Secrets I intrusted him with into
contempt with all men, and introduce his own foolish trifles.
First, he saies, _Glauber_’s _Alkahest_, and presently subjoins another
and better foundation or way of preparing it: which if he points at
any thing but my Alkahest, why then does not he forbear mentioning
and contemning my Alkahest? for he does contemn it, and endeavours to
prove, that that way or fundamental is unknown to me. Now he exposes it
to sale at fifty R. Dollers.
4. _The Trial of all sorts of Coins._
’Tis true, _Farnner_ did not mention this as a vendible, for it is not
worth purchasing with Money of him: for the common way of trying money
has been shewn not only by many provers of Metals, as _Lazarus Ercher_,
_George Agricola_, and many others, but I my self also in many places
of my Writings, and especially in my explication of the Wonder of the
World, have fully and exactly taught it, which _Farnner_ can never be
able to mend nor imitate.
5. _Flowers of Coral._
You must know what belongs to this Process that _Farnner_ did not
learn this Preparation of me, but of another man, which pleases him
extreamly, though ’tis of no moment. But he most unworthily calls them
Coral Flowers, which he exposes to sale at ten R. Dollers, seeing they
are not Flowers, but rather to be called a Cremor; for when in a very
hot fire they are reduced into a white Calx, from this Calx, by the
help of Water, is drawn a Cream after this manner: The calcin’d Corals
are put into common Water, and left in the Water a whole night, then in
the top will appear a little skin, as is usual in _Calx viva_, which
must be taken off to dry. Lastly, while that is doing, another little
skin appears, which is also to be taken off, and that so often, till
the Water will give no more.
I know also, that this Powder is held up by some Apothecaries as a
certain singular Secret, (but that indeed exceedeth it) which is
prepar’d of _Calx viva_, which I have also shewn to some that have
attributed great things to this Powder, who, the Experiment being made,
seeing me produce true things, What need is there, said they, to burn
precious Corals, when common Chalk (or _Calx viva_) will give the same
thing as Corals, and they prepar’d no more Powder of Corals, but of
_Calx viva_.
Therefore this does not deserve to be called a Secret.
NB. That Corals, Pearls, Pearl-shells, and Tortoise-shells, as well
those that are in the Sea, as those that are in Running Rivers, if they
are burnt together, are brought into a true and natural Lime, like that
which is made of burnt Stones, needs no probation. He that will not
believe me, let him go to _Holland_, and other Sea-Ports, and he shall
see that the men of those Countries do not use Lime made of Stones,
which are wanting in those places to build Walls, but that which is
made of burnt Shells, which the Sea in great abundance casts upon the
shore; which yet, is not so good as that which is made of Stones, which
some Lovers of Curiosity have also brought them from _Germany_.
6. _To make melted Tin hard._
And this Paragraph, by right, ought to have been omitted, for it is not
worth Ten R. Dollers, requiring no Art in the making it; and I my self
taught it many years since, as well in the First part of the Mineral
Work, as in the Fourth part of my Furnaces; and it is made by _Regulus_
of Antimony, of which one part is mix’d with 12 parts of melted Tin,
and no more, for otherwise the Tin would be made brittle, and rendered
unuseful; rather if one part of _Regulus_ is mingled with twenty parts
of melted Tin, it will come out hard enough. And farther, it may as
well and rightly be made of _Zink_, as by _Regulus_ of Antimony, and
needing no great matter of Labour, melts sooner than _Regulus_ of
Antimony.
7. _White Vitrifications._
These Vitrifications also, which he exposes to sale at Ten R. Dollers,
are of no moment, for they are prepar’d of Glass of Lead, Tin-Ashes,
and Flints, and Wood-ashes.
In _Holland_ this Preparation is very common: whether _Farnner_ is
excellent at it or no, I much doubt; How then shall he teach others?
And if he does excel, who will be the better for it? For no man studies
these Curiosities, or so much as looks after them, or covets them.
_But although =Glauber=, &c._
Here _Farnner_ again vomits at me a mighty heap of his infernal Lyes,
which are as noisome as any dead Carcass, as if he intended to infect
me with their venom; but these stories do not at all agree with his
other; for here he saies, Although he had with a great Sum of Money
purchased certain Secrets of =Glauber=, yet he had made no Examen of
them, but he was forc’d to convert them to other uses. In the beginning
of his Calumnious Paper, he thus writes: =A Specification of those
Chemical Secrets which the under-written= Farnner =learn’d of= Glauber,
=and in the Trial found True=.
Here any impartial man may see what to judge of this double:Tongu’d
Monster. Here he denies what before he confess’d; he both calls them
_Glauber_’s Secrets, and here affirms, that they never succeeded to his
purpose: which if true, Why does he prefix my Name to them, if he never
made trial of them? But if they have succeeded, and in the trial he has
found ’em true, as he above confesses, Why does he here deny it? Can
the same thing be True in one place, and False in another? Certainly I
can refute such horrid Lyes no way better than by his own words. For if
I should say, See here, there, or in that place thou lyest, he would
not care, but answer, He did not lye at all, but spake the truth; and
I might represent a Contest between two scolding Women, one whereof
calling the other Whore, and the other throwing back upon her the
same things; but this will do nothing; wherefore I shall take another
method.
In the first Obligation he gave me, he expresly saies, That I had
communicated, demonstrated, and shewn him some Secrets: But if they
were not for his use, why did he give me a valid Obligation, to keep
those secrets from the publick? Not bent to these things, Why did he in
all his Letters (which he sent me, and which are kept safe to confirm
what I say) confess, and profess, that he, his Wife and Children, were
bound to me, and that he wou’d come to me, that with his he might serve
me all my Life.
If none of my secrets have succeeded to him, Why did he give me long
since a new Obligation to be grateful to me? as I have demonstrated
from his obligations and extracts out of his Epistles.
NB. What! Cou’d he not make trial of those things he had of me, in
eighteen Months time? But if the trial has prov’d the truth of those
things, and he has bound himself to me by a new Obligation; Why then
does he dare to say, That none of those things which I communicated to
him, prov’d successful? Why two years after? Now he is alienated from
me, and having broken his Promises of coming to me, and working with me
in my Laboratory, (being married again) is an Excuse for his absenting
himself, yet he asks me to communicate to him more secrets, and then
he’ll come. _NB._ But if the first secrets have not stood the Test, why
does he desire more of me?
For he might know over and over in two years time, whether my Writings
wou’d conduce to him or not.
In one Epistle, in which he boasts of killing a man, he writes thus:
Wherefore I again and again intreat you not to cast me off, but do to
me according to your wonted Favour. I will on all occasions, as I have
promised, in my place, satisfie you; neither will I cause that any
thing should therein be desir’d; for which reason also I will effect it
both better and sooner.
From these and the like words, which in two Epistles he us’d to me, I
could collect nothing of Fraud, and perhaps at that time he meant none.
But when he had kill’d that Man, and married another Wife, all his
Promises and Obligations were to no purpose. And from that very time,
all his endeavours have tended only to do me what hurt he could, and
he daily hates me more and more; which at last appears more publick in
these his lying Calumnies.
Indeed, I am apt to think the Devil and _that Murder_ had possessed
his Heart. NB. For his Epistle to me witnesseth, that for fourteen
daies together he had sought occasion how he might catch that man with
his Wife, and bloodily revenge himself upon him; I suppose, by the
instigation of Satan, whereby both the Man was kill’d in his Sins, and
the Woman with many wounds compell’d to a lewd kind of Life; of both
which Crimes _Farnner_ is yet guilty in his own Conscience, and (unless
a speedy Repentance follow on his part) he will never be freed from
them. But if in a sudden passion he had done it by chance, he might
merit some excuse.
But to endeavour it fourteen daies together, is nothing but a Devilish
Revenge and Cruelty, which can by no means be excus’d in a Christian,
though he do it never so secretly.
But besides, he uses evil Arts; for he drew my Servant to him
by Flattery, and receiv’d him into his intimate friendship,
notwithstanding he knew I turn’d him away for his infidelity. What he
writes, that he bought his Secrets of me at a great price, is a pure
falsity. Indeed he forc’d a small Reward upon me, half of which I gave
him back again, and what I kept he got over and over by communicating
my Secrets to other men, so that he has fully receiv’d what he gave me;
and by this his communicating to others, (which was done unknown to me)
he broke his Promise; which nevertheless for Peace sake I passed by.
Wherefore, if he will confess the Truth, I am sure he can never say
that he bought all those Secrets I intrusted him with, at so great a
price.
Hitherto we may believe how much Money has come to him; for since he
has sent abroad his institory Letters five months ago, (nay, as I am
told, two years ago) before I could know it: he could not chuse but get
money by it, when forthwith he with my perfidious Servant proceeded
to that insolence, as in a knit Society with some of _Frankford_, he
caused his Calumnies to be every where spread, and sent abroad, not
only throughout upper _Germany_ and _Belgia_, but also into _France_,
and other Foreign Countries, to get Money. Yet, according to my hopes,
this institory Ware-house (by the Grace of GOD) will soon fall.
8. _Plenty of Spirit of Salt._
In this Paragraph also he goes on after his manner to disgrace me,
accusing me of Lyes, as if it was false, and impossible to prepare
fifty pound of Spirit of Salt in one Furnace, and in one day; and adds,
that this Spirit is not so good as his, for _Every man for himself_:
but this is done by adding Vitriol.
Which Vitriol does not hurt the Spirit of Salt, as is demonstrated in
many places of the First Part of my Furnaces; and he denies that fifty
pound or above may be prepar’d in one day in my Furnaces, when yet it
may be done commodiously enough, and needs no farther proof.
From all which a wise man may easily judge how good a Christian
_Farnner_ is, whose mouth uttereth nothing but wickedness, contempt,
and contention, and except my inward faculties fail me, the envy of his
heart, his hatred, lyes, and infernal calumnies, shall be display’d.
What is his spirit of Salt to me, or mine to him? Let him prepare it
after his way, and I will do it my way, when need requires: Wherefore
does he endeavour to defile my things with his, since they cannot be
deservedly reprehended by any man, much less by him.
9. _Spirits of Vitriol, Nitre, Salt, Aqua fortis, Aqua Regia, in
plenty; also Sulphur; at Forty R. Dollers._
In this place may be seen the inhumane and devilish nature of this
wicked fellow; for he scarce utters three words but he proceeds to my
disparagement.
But what hath _Glauber_ to do with his spirits, for he does not use
them? and if he does need them, he can make them without him.
What does he care, if you can prepare them after a better way than he,
which yet never can be?
Whatever _Glauber_ has writ of these things is worth the reading; and
he can defend both himself and it, neither can you or yours spot his
fame, which is so well known to the World.
10. _Mineral Spirits: for twenty R. Dollers._
Here _Farnner_ ventures to promise a way of preparing volatile spirits,
which is eight years since fully described by _Glauber_, in the second
part of his Furnaces, whither I referr the Reader.
11. _Flowers of Minerals and Metals; for Twenty R. Dollers._
But if any man will explore another man’s nature, let him permit him
to speak, and he shall easily know what temper he’s of; but especially
that, of all things, may easily be discern’d in a drunken or angry man,
who can very hardly conceal his internal blemishes. In like manner we
may see by _Farnner_ that he endeavours to hide his lying Proceedings
in my name. What if I had seen his way of preparing metallick flowers,
what profit or loss should I sustain by it? He glories of those things
which merit no praise. He promises to make metallick Flowers under a
frixatory Cover, when yet Flowers can’t be made under it, for they are
not Flowers when the metals are burnt under a frixatory Cover, into
a Calx, or reduc’d to ashes, there is, and so remains a heavy Calx:
but the Flowers of metals shou’d be brought to a very light sort of
Flowers by Sublimation; as is describ’d at large in the First Part of
my Furnaces.
_Farnner_ indeed, with his Shop, leaving his filthy knife, should
rather have gone to the Chymical School a little, than (being ignorant
of Chymical terms) sold his heavy Calxes or Metals to other men for
light Flowers, and despised _Glauber_’s way of preparing Flowers, which
yet has been reprehended by no man. These his Flowers, with his Coral
Flowers, are course Meal, which don’t deserve the name of Flowers, but
Cream. Indeed, if _Farnner_ had not so vehemently inveighed against me,
I had not display’d him thus, nor deign’d his vain Proceedings one word
of answer.
Yet ’tis no matter, though good men are sometimes in this life bark’d
at, and provok’d by mad Dogs, since it often happens that by this means
excellent things are made publick, which otherwise would lie secret.
12. _The Quintessence._
Here you may see, candid Reader, that wicked _Farnner_’s endeavours
tend to disturb the quiet of all good men, and destroy my well-grounded
and yet irrefutable Writings by his foolish Opinions, which he shall
never be able to do, no more than a little Whelp is able to attack an
armed man, whom by his barking he cannot hurt.
My Tract which I writ of the Essence of Vegetables, and printed at
_Norimberg_, under the Title of _The First Part of the_ Spagyrick
Pharmacopæa; neither _Farnner_, nor any man else, could reject or
contemn; but that little Tract will defend it self.
I have made publick many and excellent inventions, but no man can shew
one place wherein I reprehended and brought into contempt other mens
Works, as this _Farnner_ does. If he would act as a good man ought, and
had any thing against me, he should speak it to my face, and not abuse
me so wickedly behind my back.
13. _All acid Wines._
It troubles me Indeed, that I communicated this excellent secret
of encreasing the Virtue of acid Wines, and making them better, to
_Farnner_. What he writes, that he found out those things, is a pure
Lye, which he had of me; when nevertheless he is not afraid to tell so
impudent a Lye, as that he had found out a better foundation of that
Secret, which is most notoriously false; for neither he nor any other
man, nor I my self, can find any thing better than the pure Essence of
Wine, conducing to that Work; which Essence of Wine, by the strength
of its innate fiery Nature and Property, all sorts of immature Wines
may be ripen’d in fermentation, and turn’d to a brisk Staple, and good
Wine, in which lies all the Art.
For he that knows this, may also correct acid Wines, yet let him have
a care that he does not take foul Brandy-wine, as _Farnner_ has done,
wherewith he has done it, as he saies.
This excellent Art, and heretofore unknown, to him that knows how to
handle Wines, may serve instead of many; and this unfaithful _Farnner_
might have receiv’d much profit from it, if he had not made it publick;
but since he has every where publish’d it, there shall henceforth no
profit accrue to him nor me, if I should be destitute of better things,
for he has defamed this excellent Secret every where by his lying
Epistles sent abroad.
As for me, though he has taken from me the great profit which redounded
to me from it, by his prating and lyes, I do not this from such a
trouble of mind as will happen to him, if he shall be forced indeed to
want all its fruit.
If this perfidious _Farnner_ had hid this Secret, he would have needed
no other Arts, neither need he have sold it for an hundred Duckets,
but he might from it have procur’d to himself sufficient whereon to
live. A greater damage has happen’d to me by his publication than I
can declare; and I very hardly endure that so excellent and profitable
a Secret should be despised; neither will any good man approve it,
especially they that sustain loss by it, and for that cause will
alwaies abhorr him. He might have gotten enough by it, in secret, and
without detriment to his Neighbour, but that he was minded rather to
marr the profit and propagate the damage of not only himself, but me,
and many others that have knowledge of it; which no man can deny to be
a wicked act.
That Reward which _Farnner_ gave me for communicating to him my
Secrets, in all amounted to but sixty or seventy _Ungarici_ (an
_Ungaricus_ is Nine Shillings of our Money,) which yet, from the
communication of those Secrets I trusted him with, he receiv’d again,
so that all those things which he had of me, cost him little or
nothing. Nevertheless, he does not stick to say, That he gave me a
great sum of Money for my Secrets, which yet I refused to take; and
though he twice made a Journey of Fifteen miles to me, that he might
get something out of me, yet I deny’d him, and communicated nothing
to him, till he came the third time, and learn’d some of my Secrets,
and afterwards, when he had oblig’d himself to work with me in my
Laboratory, I communicated more to him. Neither had I shew’d him
the least of those many Secrets for his Present, which will never
compensate the damage I have sustain’d by him, had not he oblig’d
himself under the loss of all his Goods, as also his Credit and
Reputation, that he, his Wife and Children, should serve me so long as
I should live, as plainly appears from his Obligations given to me.
But if he had given me a Thousand _Ungarici_, or Duckets, and I had
known he would have expos’d this Secret to sale, I would rather have
given him all of it back again, than suffer’d it to be made common.
Neither can his vain Excuse, That he exposes his own inventions, and
not mine, to sale, profit him any thing; when ’tis evident enough, that
nothing in the nature of things can be found, which may render small
Wines better than the _Anima_ or Quintessence extracted from other
Wines; for the _Anima_ of Wine only, and nothing else, can encrease
the strength of Wine. Neither is the comparison of this melioration of
Wines incongruous with two torn Garments, neither of which can be worn;
but if either of this is cut, and that which yet is whole and good, is
sewed to the other, and so of two torn, one whole Garment is made; then
that Garment may be worn, when yet, before, neither of them was useful.
The same also is to be understood of small wines that are neither
durable nor vendible, but after one Hogshead is strengthen’d by
another, it becomes not only durable, as good Wine, but vendible, and
will yield as good a price as two small Hogsheads. And this Secret is
both very noble and profitable in those places, where the wines are
seldom brought to maturity, and for that cause are not durable nor
saleable. For there is a lamentable Complaint among Vintners, that
immature wines are not vendible, and they can get no money for them.
Thus they say, Have we labour’d in vain with our wines a whole year?
Look there the wines lie, and no man buys them: in the mean while we
suffer want and can’t make our selves merry with our wines, for they
neither profit us nor others; unless we have presently some other
better wine, wherewith to mingle this, and so render it vendible, it
will strait be corrupted, and turn’d to water. These and the like
Complaints I have often heard from Vintners; but if they had the wit of
Taylors, that can make one new Garment of two old ones, their affairs
would be in a better condition, for after this manner they might
preserve their acid wines, and there would be no need of mixing better
wine with them. For which excellent Invention, all men that deal in
wines, ought to thank GOD and me.
I pray, who would not have communicated these things to a man that
had given himself for a pledge? But if he must not stand to these
Obligations, I can’t see whom we may trust. I curse the unhappy hour
wherein this unprofitable subject and that perverse man (if he may be
call’d a man) came first in my sight: which troubles and molestations
he brings upon me in my old Age, which might spend its time much
better, than by refuting his detestable Calumnies. Neither does his
wickedness to me hurt me only, but my Children also.
In his last Obligation he promises, That if by premature death I should
be taken out of the world, that he, for the kindnesses I had done him,
would adopt my Children for his own, and make them his Heirs: but here,
in his most false writing, endeavours all he can to deprive my (yet
young) Children of their own, and convert their Goods to himself, as
indeed he has done.
Further, He in his last Obligation also saies, he humbly pray’d GOD
to prolong my Life and Health, but in this place he endeavours by his
Cavils and Calumnies to kill me, and if he could do it with his own
hand, (which God forbid) I believe he would not stick at it: It is a
small thing with him to spill Man’s blood, for he has experienc’d his
ability that way.
I indeed esteem it the Goodness of God to me, that it is His will,
perhaps, that this should rather turn to my profit than disadvantage;
for hereby I am taught to be wiser another time, and to shun humane
Frauds.
14. _All Wines._
Here any wise man may judge whether or no this thing deserves to be
sent into Foreign Countries, and there to be sold at a price; when
there is no Country-man that does not know that Wine assumes the relish
of the Herbs, Flowers, _&c._ which are steeped in it.
15. _Brandy-Wine of all sorts of Corn._
That _Farnner_ brags of this knowledge, he owes it to GOD and me,
from whom he had it: For when at first he complain’d to me, that he
could not keep the Corn from burning in the Still, and so make the
Brandy-wine stink, I upon his intreaty communicated this Secret to him.
But because _Farnner_ so much glories of this knowledge, he shall not
enjoy it long. I must confess, indeed, that this Secret is not of less
value than that whereby wines are meliorated; neither does he get less
by it: but forasmuch as I resolve to buy all his Wares every where of
him, I will neither leave him this, that he should be free from the
trouble of informing others in this thing, and that otherwise would be
forced to make long Journeys to buy them of him, may leave off those
Journeys, and take this way of preparing it: Take as much Corn as you
will, whether Barley, Rye, Oats, or Wheat, steep it in sweet water for
some days, then place it that it may sprout after the same manner as
Corn is Malted for the making of Beer; turn it well for a certain time,
lest it be corrupted by too much heat: then when it is well sprouted,
spread it abroad, that it may presently cool, and it will never sowre.
But if you would use it presently, then take as much of it as your
Destillation will require, and in a Kettle full of water, boil it so
long, till the grains are broken, then pour it into a wooden Vessel,
and when it is luke-warm, add to it the fresh dreggs or grounds of
Beer, and let it ferment; when it has fermented enough, which is
usually at the end of two or three daies, then Brandy-wine is made in a
common Still, by destillation from that Corn; what remains in the Still
will serve to feed Oxen, Cows, Hoggs, or other Cattel.
But the Brandy-wine which proceeds from thence, must be rectified, as
the way is, and by this means it is render’d more sweet and grateful
to the relish, than any other Brandy made of Corn: the reason is this,
That all Bread-Corn, of which Brandy-wine ought to be prepared, if it
be put to ferment presently after softening, it is necessarily in the
still, by boiling, reduced into a pap, and so being corrupted by a
dustion, produces a stinking Brandy-wine.
But this protuberating and burst Corn cannot be burnt, and therefore
makes good Brandy.
Also the Corn may be broken on a Mill-stone, water poured upon it, and
distilled out of a Still, placed within another, or in a Kettle full
of water, so also it cannot be burnt; yet this way it will yield but
little.
NB. But if any man will give this Brandy a relish, like that made of
the Lees of Wine, then he must rectifie it upon the Lees of Wine, for
this way by the Oil of Wine, which is plentiful among the Lees, he
acquires his ends, and in all things he may use this instead of that.
NB. Also, he that will, may, without this previous coction and
fermentation, pour the budding Corn hot into a vessel of luke-warm
water, for by this means the Corn begins to ferment of it self, and
needs no other Lees to its fermentation; yet it does not produce so
sweet a Brandy, as if it had first been boiled: for by coction the
ill taste is taken from the Corn, which the Brandy otherwise retains.
Further, also it produces much more Brandy, if the Corn is so boil’d,
that it may be broken. And this, good Reader, is a most excellent and
profitable Secret, and will bring you in much wealth, if you use it
rightly, and you may make great quantities of it.
_Farnner_ did no man wrong, by taking (according to his own estimation)
a Hundred Duckets for it, for it is worth much more, especially if the
residue of the Corn pays the charge. Yet no man hereafter will give him
so much for it now ’tis made publick.
Indeed it is injurious to me to divulge it, but because it is now in
the foul hands of _Farnner_, ’tis better that others also enjoy it,
than that he only should reap the benefit of it. But though by my
communication _Farnner_ should put on a Lyons skin for his defence, yet
he can’t hide his Asses ears under it; as appears from this Paragraph,
where he writes, that he had sent four measures cross the Seas, to try
if they wou’d bear the Sea-water; for then he thinketh he hath made
his Port. Good God! how resplendant is the Wisdom and Philosophy of
this _Farnner_! Certainly, if he shall make one or two Experiments of
this kind, that his Brandy-wine will bear the water, he’ll duly merit
to be created the chief Professor in the Academy of Idiots, for that
will befit him, seeing that the reason is not hid to him, as he writes;
wherefore Drinks are alter’d by the Sea-waters.
But he will make his first Experiment in these four measures, and if it
proves well, then he promises to teach this Art at a price.
O the blindness of this perverse World swelling with Pride! Who ever
heard that a good burning spirit, whether made of Wine or Corn, will
be corrupted by the sea-water? I grant it may be corrupted, if it
be invalid before: But a good and firm burning spirit will never be
corrupted by sea, for all wines bear the water, those only excepted
which labour with a defect of spirit, but strong wines very seldom,
for the more spirits there is in any Liquor, whether Wine, Beer, or
Metheglin, it is in the less danger of being corrupted.
But if the spirit which is in wine, be its preserver, and defender
from Corruption, How comes it to pass that Brandy-wine, which if well
prepar’d, is nothing but spirit, should be corrupted? If the Spirit in
wine be the Preserver and Defence of the wine, which yet is weaken’d
by a great quantity of water, so as the wine remains good, and is
safe from the corruption of water: Why then should not it defend it
self, since it is so strong and free from water? Who doubts that a
concentrated Life is able to perform greater things than a diffuse and
weak life?
Hence you may see how great knowledge _Farnner_ has drawn from the
light of Nature, that he should boast so.
16. _To strengthen all sorts of Beers._
In this place _Farnner_ again shews his Asses ears, when he writes,
That he can strengthen Beers, that they shall not be inferiour to
Rhenish wine. Here every wise man may discern how great and stupendious
this man’s folly is.
Behold, he attributeth the goodness of Rhenish Wine to its strength,
which indeed is a great errour; for the goodness of Rhenish-wines
consists not in their strength, but sweetness. French Wines are far
more fragrant than Rhenish, yet in sweetness and soundness it comes not
near it. So likewise _Hungarian_, _Greek_, _Italian_, and _Spanish_
Wines, _&c._ are much stronger, but for sweetness, as well as goodness
and wholsomeness, Rhenish wine, far better, although the other excell
it in strength. And so this is a great absurdity: Indeed Beer may be
strengthen’d, by adding a burning spirit to it in fermentation, whereby
it may endure the longer; which thing I can’t deny, and it ought to
be done: but that a Vinegar may be drawn from them like Wine-Vinegar,
is a pure story; for though it may happen that Beer may give a strong
Vinegar, yet it never yields Wine-Vinegar, for a great difference may
be discern’d between Wine and Beer-Vinegar, though they have both
the same strength, if you make trial of both: Whence it appears,
that _Farnner_ is ignorant what Vinegar is, because he knows not the
difference of it.
Strong and right Wine-Vinegar is known by these Trials. First, if it be
shaked in a Glass, it by and by receives its clearness, and leaves no
scum, dreggs, or bubbles, on the top, as Beer-Vinegar does: for let it
be never so strong, it retains its own nature, and causes a scum, if
it be shook just as the Beer it is made of: but Wine-Vinegar leaves no
scum. Secondly, the longer Wine-Vinegar is boiled, the stronger it is;
the reason is this, There is naturally in it an innate sharpness, which
is not volatile; but the sharpness of Beer-Vinegar consists in its
volatility, which in boiling is abated; so that the longer it boils,
the weaker it is. And these are the two chief and most certain trials
of Vinegars, which _Farnner_’s Vinegar will never bear, and therefore
will still be Beer-Vinegar, and does not deserve that it’s Preparation
should yield Fifty R. Dollers.
_Acid or Sower Beers._
What belongs to this, requires nothing of Art, neither is it worthy to
be taught at a price when every Country man can do it, by projecting
and well stirring in a vessel of acid beer, two or three handfuls of
beech ashes well sifted, made wet with a little beer, and leting them
lie in it about eight days, for then the ashes by reason of the Salt
which is in ’em takes away the sowreness of the beer, and make it
drinkable.
NB. If the beer be not too sowre, a handful of sifted ashes may be
sewed up in a linen bagg, and put into the Beer through the bung, and
there left for this way the Beer may be preserv’d from sowreing and
need not be stirred nor troubled. Also some handfuls of wheat put into
the beer, draws its sowerness from it, the same also is done by egg
shells, Crabs eyes, Tortoise shells, Sea shells, calx _viva_, and such
like things which attract the sharpness, and turn it into sweetness.
But whence is it that _Farnner_ now so abounds in the knowledge of
wines and beers, when yet but two years since, when he prepar’d and
sold brandy wine and beer, that he complain’d to me, that he had
sustained much damage in handling them, so that he shou’d perish
unless he learn’d how to take away and remedy the burning of Corn in
the Still, the ill smell of his brandy wine and the sowreness of Beer.
Why cou’d not he then help himself, and beware of those Losses? he
will object that at that time a certain light shone upon him, by whose
benefit he knew Nature. However true his objection be, it will never
induce me to believe that this light cou’d in so great a measure so
suddenly help him, which is a great absurdity: for so much knowledge
is given to no man in a nights sleep, it is a false story. But that my
faithful instruction, with which I instructed him, has enlighten’d him,
and like a guiding star led him in the right way, is most true, tho he
is unworthy of those precious Pearls which like a wild boar he treads
in the dirt under his feet.
18. _Vinegar of Corn._
What belongs to this Paragraph, is demonstrated in the sixteenth
paragraph, that tis impossible to make a vinegar of Corn, like that of
wine: wherefore this cannot (as he thinks) deserve fifty R. Dollers.
19. _Vinegar of green Woods._
Indeed I wonder that _Farnner_ is not ashamed of these things which I
have many years since so clearly describ’d or to bring them to light
anew, that he might get money by teaching those things to others, which
are already published in the first part of _Furnaces_, And so he adorns
himself with other mens Feathers.
But he will object, I have in the trial found these things true, and
therefore describe them, but he does it to this end, and to no other
than that he may cheat them of their mony who did not know that I had
so long since writ of them. He that desires any of these things, may
find ’em in the first part of my _Furnaces_, and he shall not need to
give _Farnner_, ten R. Dollers for his instruction herein.
20. _Altho =Glauber=, &c._
Here he contemns my way of extracting _Tartar_ from the lees of wine,
when yet it was a year since clearly and perspicuously describ’d and
published at _Norimberg_, which _Farnner_ cou’d never correct. But he
bragg’d that he had found by a certain position another compendium,
which indeed might be, since it is easier to add something to an Art
once found, than to find the Art it self, but it does not become him to
disswade men from this Art which is already described, and which may
be had gratis, and to despise it and bragge among all men of his own
inventing a better. What good men will think of these bold malignities
may be easily judg’d: but if I had writ nothing of these things, who
would have taught him that there was _Tartar_ in the lees of wine? But
I not only found and writ what was in them, but also largely taught how
they might be usefully extracted.
Yet this trifler dares as impudently, as falsly say, that he had
corrected it, and added to it, and therefore wou’d not let it go
without his price.
After the same manner he deals with my other secrets (which, tho he had
them of me, he braggs that they are his own) with which he proceeds, as
with the lees of wine, namely with my Alkahest, Panacæa, Melioration
of wine, compendious distillation of Corn, preparation of vinegar,
correction of beer and others in many places.
Whence cou’d he have known what was meant by my Alkahest and Panacæa,
or how small wines and and beers should be meliorated, how Corn without
adustion shou’d give plenty of burning spirit, and whether there was
_Tartar_ in the lees of wine or not, and how it might be extracted
thence, except he had seen and learn’d all these things of me? of which
also I had many years since publickly made mention in my writings,
which is so well known that he cannot deny it, how much soever he
opposes the truth.
21. _All Copper Ores._
In this place _Farnner_ teaches that Copper Ores are to be separated,
when, yet they are not separated but melted, that thence the Copper
may come forth, which Copper if it contains silver being mix’d with
a due weight of lead, it is separated: but Mines of copper are never
separated, which he does not understand, and so he betrays his
ignorance in these terms. This way of separating is sufficiently known,
and every where where copper mines are found, is wrought in abundance
and cannot be hid. He that possesseth Copper mines, will easily find
men that will thence elicite the copper, and afterwards separate it,
neither will any man need to go to _Farnner_ on that account. Indeed I
wonder at his extream impudence, that he was not afraid to promise that
he wou’d teach others so many Sciences, of which if he knew the half
part, his village wou’d not hold all the furnaces he wou’d need for the
demonstration of them.
Further, for these and the following Sciences, which yet; are the most
difficult and laborious of all, he requires no money, but for a certain
reward promises to demonstrate them all.
22. _From Tests and Cupels._
He has drawn this separation also from my writings, that therewith he
might fill his calumnious letters: neither do I believe he cou’d do it
before he had seen me do it. It is done by the powder of coals, as I
have plainly described in my Chymical Colloquie.
23. _Gold and Silver._
This Art Lazarus =Eicher= has described, but because his way is too
hard, I have shewn an easier in the explication of the wonder of the
world, and there the following melting Furnaces are also described, and
therefore I need not say any thing of them here.
All these inventions which _Farnner_ braggs off as his own, are mine;
for my unfaithful Servant taught _Farnner_ those Furnaces which he
learn’d of me.
_And at length_,
I have nothing to say to these four last paragraphs, because they don’t
concern me as the former doe, and _Farnner_ himself exposes them as
speculations and not as experiments, as I also believe that they are
only fancies and foolish imaginations: yet there is one thing which I
must answer, which he mentions in his third paragraph, that the time
will come when _Glauber_’s Alkahest must be forc’d to hide, altho it
is not wholly to be rejected. But if it be so unprofitable that it
must hide, why does he expose this to sale at fifty R. Dollers, and
the Panacæa which is prepar’d with it, at thirty? and he has already
got sufficiently by it: if it be so improffitable, why then does he
offer to Sell it to others knowingly and willingly at a price? If
_Farnner_ has rightly term’d my Alkahest unuseful and must be forc’d to
hide, he has surely deceiv’d many. But I confidently assert, that my
Alkahest will never hide, but defend it self in all places: Perfidious
calumniators, thieves and their accomplices shall hide, but not my
Alkahest. If he has found out better things than I, let him publish
them as I have done, that every man may judge whether they be true or
false: Why this boasting and wicked vanity in despising others? For
truth needs few words and less braging. In his writing in which he
sets down the value of every Secret contain’d in the last paragraphs,
namely, from the twenty first to the twenty eighth, he promises to
teach other men for no certain price, but on courtesy, those secrets
which yet are the best, if he cou’d know them. But if he can effect
those things and teach ’em to others, he wou’d not certainly teach them
gratis, for ’tis impossible for him to build those Furnaces requisite
to the making of those things in half a years time.
From which it sufficiently appears how ignorant he is of what he
writes: Certainly if his wares which he had of me gratis, should find
Chapmen, no doubt but in one year he would get some thousands of ducats.
I thought fit to answer you these things now, that I might shut your
foul mouth which was so wide open to lyes, but if after this you don’t
cease your lyes and calumnies, you will compel me to use other means
to bridle your malice. In the mean while I doubt not, but all good men
in this short Apology (in which I have not refuted thy lying calumnies
with indecent or contentions words, but from thy own obligations and
hand writing) will plainly see how wickedly and perfidiously thou
hast behaved thy self towards me. This damage which thou hast done
me, neither you nor all yours both present and future faculties, nor
all thy servants can ever repair: It remains therefore, that I say
with Job, God gave, and God has taken away, blessed be the name of
the Lord. But I don’t believe you will escape divine punishment, to
which I commit my cause at this time. It is certain that every thing
has its time, which I also patiently expecting your downfal (when God
shall take upon him the patronage of a just cause,) perhaps with these
my eyes shall sooner see than hope. Indeed I wanted not matter to
dispute these things more largely, but that for a reason known to my
self, I was hinder’d in doing it at this time. But as soon as I can,
God assisting me, I shall not be wanting to propose to all impartial
men in the world, questions to be resolv’d, from which every ingenious
and good man may see, animadvert and give judgment, how ungrateful,
perfidious, unjust and inhumane thou hast been to me.
Miraculum Mundi;
Or, A Plain and Perfect Description of the admirable Nature and
Property of that most powerful Subject, called by the Antients,
The Universal Menstruum,
OR,
_The MERCURY of PHILOSOPHERS_.
By which _Vegetables_, _Animals_, and _Minerals_ may easily be
Transmuted into most Salubrious Medicines, and the Imperfect Metals
into Perfect and Permanent.
A Preface to the Reader.
_To whomsoever this little Book (treating of the Propriety, Nature,
and Essence of that incomparable Subject, by the ancient Philosophers
called, =The Universal Menstruum= or =Solvent=, shall occurr, and is
offended in reading of those great virtues by me ascribed to it; and
because he understandeth not the thing, judgeth it not to be credited;
I would have him know, that whatsoever power I have attributed to it,
that that is in no wise a Figment, Dream, or vain Opinion, but to be
taken for a Truth, found out by a diligent and manifold Practice. But
which will be most profitable, for me to prostitute all my inventions
to the World, or conceal them? For which cause I will (at least for
the present) only point at many wonderful things which may be performed
by this universal Menstruum, but not treat of them, leaving it free
for every man to believe my sayings as far as he pleaseth; but if
they shall be credited by no man, it shall not disturb me, it being
sufficient for me to have shewed where and by what reason, the truth or
secrets of nature are to be found._
_As for the Subject whose nature and operations I have determined to
touch upon, it is like to that of which I have made mention in my
=Mineral work=, by the signal name of =Alkahest=, which appellation
I have there demonstrated, not to be imposed upon it without reason.
But seeing that long since the chief Menstruums of some Philosophers,
were called by the same name, and that I know not whether theirs were
like to mine or mine to theirs in nature and virtues, shall not much
trouble me; for it matters little for diverse Menstruums to be called
by the same name, although they do not answer one another in all
things. For even as wine is wine, although it come from =Germany=,
=Italy=, =France= or =Spain=, nevertheless each is wine, although the
one exceed the other in strength and rellish, as long as the same
nature and virtues are found in it, which ought to be in wine: The
same is to be judged concerning my =Alkahest=: To wit, that if the
virtues be agreeably to the name, from whatsoever =Subject= it be
extracted, it rightly meriteth the same name, which that it may the
better be understood, I mean by the name of =Alkahest=, a very hot,
fiery, dry, and also humid water void of all corrosive power, by which
=Vegetables=, =Animals=, and =Minerals=, are dissolved without noise,
yet not all in the same manner, and elaborated into Salutiferous
medicines, as I have shewed in the =first part of my Mineral work=.
And because I have written such things of it, many have endeavoured to
prepare such a Menstruum, every one from his own Subject; Impostors
also have offered to others, a water plainly corrosive instead of it,
fasly pretending that they had obtained the secret from me, and that
it is the same which I have described in my =Mineral work=; then one
sells that putatious =Universal solvent= to a another at a dear rate,
whose nativity and preparation lies hid with the seller, that so the
blind leading the blind both may fall into the ditch; which thing, when
I knew it, I was constrained whether I would or no, to lay open to the
Reader, what is properly the nature of my =Alkahest=, and what are its
virtues and powers, so that those who erre, may have a rule by which
they maybe able to judge of any other pretended =Alkahest=, whether it
be mine or not._
_Therefore this incomparable subject is called an universal solvent,
because by its benefit, many incredible things are performed in the
preparation of good Medicines, and also in the preparation of metals,
yet let no man believe that it dissolveth metals swiftly and violently,
like =aqua= =fortis=, =aqua regia=, or other corrosive waters, not
in the least, but worketh altogether after another manner, =viz.=
=Vegetables= and =Animals= are dissolved in digestion, by the moist
way, in which solution, the pure parts are separated from the impure._
_And Minerals and Metals also being dissolved in the moist way by its
benefit, may be washed, purged and maturated, and reduced either into
good medicines, or into better metals, but not with the same advantage
and celerity as in the dry way, by which very many incredible mutations
are presently performed, to be admired by the inexpert, too tedious
here to be treated off. Besides those two ways of dissolving, which
(that I might demonstrate the possibility of the matter) I have shewed
to some; there yet occurrs another far different from those, by which
metals and other Subjects are swiftly, meliorated to the eye, and
are maturated, depurated, and transmuted into the best of medicines,
and into purer bodies: the reasons of which, solution there is no
need to expose to every one, chiefly, because that labour requireth a
skilful Chymist and there are few who heartily search into the secrets
of nature, but most Chymists vexing themselves with vain processes,
understand nothing solid in Medicine or in Chymistry, which imaginary
Artists, when they happen upon true writings, cannot reach their sence
with their dull brains; they speak evil of the Author, disdaining his
industry and unwearied labour, in communicating his talent; whence it
comes to pass that he which brings forth any thing of good, finding
nothing but ingratitude, chuseth rather to carry his talent with him to
the grave, than to publish it to his own damage. And this is the only
cause, why I have not plainly prosecuted the use of this Menstruum in
the preparing of medicines, and meliorating of metals, but have only
pointed at what may be effected by the help of it, that it may be made
manifest, what is to be judged concerning it, and whether that which is
sold for such by others, be like to that described in my =Mineral work=
or not: I doubt not but many will quickly despond, thinking that their
=Alkahest= will in no wise perform those things which I here ascribe
to my Menstruum, and will also believe the matter not to be so easy,
as before they thought it to be, but although it arise from a vile
subject, that nevertheless its invention and use is very difficult. For
whosoever hath such a menstruum, by which these following things may
be effected, he may indeed rejoice in the possession of the =universal
solvent= or =Mercury= of =Philosophers=, having a door opened to true
medicine and Alchymy. Therefore for the sake of Searchers, I will begin
to shew somewhat of its virtues and powers, as far as I may, that the
=Magnalia= of =God= may thence be made manifest, and that I may give
occasion to every man, to render praise, and thanks to his Creatour,
who is the giver of all good._
_Of the Transcendent Virtue, Power, Nature, and Property
of this Wonderful_
Universal Menstruum.
It is worth our noting, that three Operations especially may be
performed by the benefit of this _Menstruum_.
I. It maturateth all Vegetables and Animals, being dissolved into a
Liquor, and taking away their Venom, converteth them into salutary
Medicines.
II. It dissolveth Minerals and Metals, as well by the moist as by the
dry way, correcteth their venoms, ripeneth and fixeth their crudity, so
that they may be made good Medicines; and after fixation, yield good
and genuine Gold and Silver.
III. Those Metals, Minerals, Stones, and other compact Subjects,
not dissolvable by the aforesaid waies, it dissolveth, maturateth,
purifieth, and in an hours space exalts Metals, more than the two
former Solutions can do in a whole day, whose change into better may
be observed in every hour: It dissolveth Metals and Minerals into a
penetrating spirituality, so that the Metal is not separated from the
_Menstruum_, but a solution is made of both, either by the dry or moist
way, from which the more pure part of the Metal, or that which is
Gold or Silver, after the premised fixation, is precipitated by Art,
especially if many were jointly dissolved. Whence it is sufficiently
manifest, that in all the Imperfect Metals Gold and Silver is notably
absconded, not discoverable by the vulgar Examen of Cupels: which
Operation being performed by a _Menstruum_, prepared in so gross
a manner, it is credible, that if this volatile Hermaphrodite and
spiritual Mercury were again fixed, and rendered Corporeal, that it
would be by many degrees more subtile, penetrant, and efficacious, for
the dissolving, altering, and perfecting of Bodies, than it was before.
This is its Use in general; but specially it abundantly exerts its
manifold Virtue; before whose description, it seems not amiss to point
out the common Name of this subject, and what the common People think
of it. Which, that I may expedite in few words, know, that it is
nothing else but the naked salt of the Earth, of which _Salt-Peter_ is
made. But that every salt of the Earth, or common _Salt-Peter_, hath
those Virtues which I here assign to my subject, I shall in no wise
say, seeing that it ought to be diversly prepared for divers uses,
according to which, thou maist expect divers Virtues.
This subject is necessary to be known by all the Inhabitants of the
whole Earth, to all orders and degrees of men, because not to man only,
but also to every Creature, it is profitable or noxious, according to
its various application.
This subject serveth for _Physicians_, _Chirurgions_, and
_Apothecaries_, of which they may prepare excellent Medicines against
the natural Diseases of Men. Whence the truth of that common saying
of Philosophers is undoubtedly asserted, _viz._ _That of the greatest
Venom the greatest Medicine against Diseases is to be prepared_. And
that Nitre is the word of Venoms, I have evinc’d in the second part
of my Furnaces, where I preferr it to the _Basilisk_ himself; and
that from the same Nitre, and its mediation, is to be prepared a most
excellent Medicine. In the First Part of my Mineral Work, for the
sake of Physicians, Chirurgions, and others, applying themselves to
Physick, I have shewed how by the help of my Alkahest, Medicines are to
be prepared from Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, far exceeding the
ordinary waies of Preparation.
But it is not my mind at present to discourse much of Medicines, it
may suffice to have shewed what Virtues this Universal subject hath,
and to what uses it may be appointed. I say, that it may be profitable
to all orders of men, as well to the superiour, as to the inferiour,
to spiritual and secular, noble and ignoble, rich and poor: of which
orders the Physician is not to be deemed the lowest.
That I may perform my promise, what unheard of things may be done, by
the benefit of this subject, in natural diseases incident to man, who
is obnoxious to all kind of miseries, I will in the next place reveal
somewhat for his health and comfort.
But this my Medicine, which I deliver, is not of great price, but of
great Virtue, and of which the poor as well as rich, may be partakers,
and (by the blessing of God) may be freed from every curable disease.
_The Preparation._
_Take two or three pounds of this =Menstruum=, whose corrosive nature
transmute by force of fire into a nature not corrosive; and you have
the =Menstruum= prepared, with which you shall elaborate this Medicine,
in this manner: Dissolve in this =Menstruum= as much of the first
Ens of Gold (which is to be found in all places of the World, but
especially in golden Mines more copiously) as it will attract in the
heat; so that a red Solution may be made, which digest for some daies,
with its own weight of the dissolving Wine; make separation of the pure
parts from the impure, by removing the fæces which sever themselves
from the Medicine, by falling to the bottom, this being concentrated
by an easie heat, will be a red pellucid stone; very like to a soluble
salt, which is to be carefully preserved. This Medicine will be second
to none, except the stone of Philosophers, and will be of the same
goodness, after a Hundred Years, that it was the first day it was made,
performing all things which I shew with amazement, for which no mortal
man can ever render sufficient Thanks to God._
_The Use of this Medicine in general._
This Universal Medicine will cure every natural disease both in young
and old, strong and weak, in a very small dose, without any danger, not
nauseating the stomach, as the usual Potions do; and is to be taken
in any Liquor, according to the Condition of the Sick, as warm Broth
or Gruel, Wine, Beer or Ale, Water, Milk, _&c._ from one grain to
eight grains, which is the highest dose. It operateth after a diverse
manner, according as the strength of the sick, or the nature of the
disease requires: if you continue in the Use of the prescribed Doses,
the operation will be insensible; it strengtheneth and mundifieth the
radical moisture, and in a wonderful manner expelleth every Evil out
of the Body being taken daily, every other or every third day: It
preserveth from accidental Diseases, correcteth Venom, and resisteth
infectious Airs. But if the Dose were greater, the Operation will
be more evident, by Sweat, Urine, Spitting, and sometimes by Stool,
according as you please, by encreasing or lessening the Dose; and if
the disposition of the Disease comply, it is cured by a small quantity
of this Medicine, without ocular observation; but being radicated,
requireth a manifest operation, if it refuse to yield to a small Dose
acting invisibly; because both in preparing and using this Medicine,
regard is to be had, that you neither err in excess or defect, but by
observing a _Medium_, you shall obtain both Profit and Honour.
Those of ripe years may take from one to six grains every day, if they
have leisure to attend the Cure, but if not, three grains every fourth
day, until there remain no foot-steps of the Disease: taking nothing
besides this Medicine, and keeping that day from the cold Air, and
abstaining three or four hours from Food. In the _Leprosie_ and foul
Scab, there is no Remedy safer than this Medicine, extirpating the
Roots of the Evil without trouble. Nor will you ever be frustrated in
the desired effect, if the Sick have strength sufficient to undergo the
Cure. [See its Preparation and Use more particularly described, in Part
2. _Phar. Spagyr._]
After the Description and Use of this Medicine, by which the health of
Man may be preserved, and being lost, may be restored, which is far
to be preferred to all the Treasures of the whole World. There now
follow other Secrets, shewing how by the help of this subject a man
may acquire an honest Living; and, as I have said in the Preface, this
subject may be provable to all orders of men in the World, whether
superiour or inferiour, Ecclesiastical or Political, noble or ignoble,
rich or poor, by conferring or admonishing somewhat of good to every
one in his Profession. Therefore I will now begin to teach some signal
uses of it, that it may be manifest to all men, that this is an
Universal subject, which I have alwaies judged such, and that others
with me may find it so.
In the first place, all Fossiles or Minerals digged out of the Earth,
may be perfectly examined by the mediation of this subject, what metals
they contain, how many, and how much of each: It is an infallible
Guide to the diggers and melters of Ores, saving them both loss of
time and matter. An excellent Artifice, by which the value of all
Minerals may be discovered without much labour and charge, being highly
necessary for Metallurgists, of _Germany_ especially, being quite
undone by a continual War, who may in a short time lay up great Stocks
or Treasures, to be imployed against the Enemies of their Country in
time of necessity: by whose benefit also rich Mines of gold and silver
(which otherwise would for ever lie neglected) may be discovered, when
they are swiftly and accurately examined.
The Marcasites of Gold and silver being melted by the mediation of
this, by a singular compendium, hitherto unknown, do afford more metal
than by the common way.
The volatile and immature Marcasites of gold and silver, are fixed in
the space of three hours, so that they yield more metal than they could
have done without fixation.
Those three things are very necessary and profitable to every
Magistrate having Mines in his jurisdiction, by which he may obtain
much wealth.
All Gold and Silver which is not purely melted from its Marcasite, is
swiftly purged from all additament, the Silver is separated from the
Gold, by fusion only, with small labour and cost, but in great weight.
Gold and Silver are easily drawn out of old Tin vessels, the tin being
preserved almost in the same weight, and being made better than it was
before, may serve for the same uses to which it is wont to be put.
From _Bismuth_ much silver is separated, the _Bismuth_ being preserved,
this secret being agreeable to those places which abound with that
Mineral.
From old Copper much Silver may be separated, the Copper remaining
unhurt, by which Artifice Countries abounding with this metal, may not
a little profit themselves.
Every common silver, may in the space of a few hours be exalted into
the nature of Gold, the which if it be done four or five times, which
may be in a short space of time, it giveth so much gold, as affordeth a
sufficient livelihood, over and above the costs.
Gold may be separated by fusion, from every addition of Copper, Tin,
Iron, Lead, Orpiment, Antimony, Arsenick or the like, and be purifyed
without Cupels, each being kept apart; profitable for Metallurgists and
the like, from the shortness of the time, smallness of the charge and
labour, and much gain.
Every imperfect metal without the mixture of other metals, may be
ripened by this secret alone in the fire, in the space of an hour, so
that it will yield Gold and Silver, but without gain.
There is another very gainful augmentation or increase of the perfect
metals, by the imperfect, answering to the Germination or growth of
vegetables; for even as every seed being cast into the earth, groweth
therein arising to be an herb or a tree, and taketh also its encrease
from the same by its inbred attractive power; so is it here also, for
_Sol_ or _Luna_ groweth and encreaseth in _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Venus_,
or _Mars_, as in their native soil, and are nourished after the manner
of herbs, and encrease from day to day. An Art not to be despised by
Philosophers.
By the mediation of this, from all imperfect metals and minerals,
yielding nothing by the usual examen of Cupels, Gold and silver is
produced in a manifold manner, being an argument that the imperfect
metals have somewhat of the perfect reconded in them, when they are
inverted and shew themselves to our sight, a work not ingrateful to
those who work in Metals.
These are the chief things which I have found may be done in metallick
works, by the help of this Subject; yet I make no doubt but there are
many more unknown to me, to be revealed to others after me who shall
make a good beginning from my writings, the which I also wish from my
heart, that the hidden mysteries of the natural wonders of God, may at
length be brought to light, for the use of mankind.
Among the enumerated Arcanums, some perhaps may seem of little worth
to the Reader; but there are some from which may be had a commodious
livelihood, so that an Artist need not be at the will of another,
without he please. O how great a thing is Liberty, which no man can
worthily esteem, who hath not been a Servant himself. A piece of Bread
is sweeter to a quiet, prudent man than many dainties, with care,
danger, and noise. It is happy for him who can say with _Paracelsus_,
_Alterius non sit, qui suus esse potest_; _Let him not be anothers, who
may be his own_. But it is good for him that would use well the Gifts
of God, not to be unmindful of his Neighbour, lest temporary Liberty
cast him head-long into the Dungeon of eternal Slavery. After shewing
this subject to be conducible to all the Inhabitants of the earth, I
have described its use in Metallicks, which is not to be indifferently
undertaken by every man, but by those only who are concerned in digging
of Mines, and melting and separating of Metals, whether they be noble
or ignoble, learned (as well spiritual as secular, exempted from
publick offices) or rude, which maintain themselves from Merchandice,
or live upon their Estates, all which may receive Fruit from these
Secrets, but not Husbandmen, Labourers, Ditchers, _&c._ but that
to these also somewhat of profit may proceed from my inventions, I
will shew in order; although the principal will redound to ingenious
Artificers, Engravers, Painters, Statuaries, those who adorn Glass or
Clothes with Silk, Gold, or Silver, and they who make Wax-work.
They who etch upon Copper, may prepare from this subject a good
corrosive water, by which (the Copper-plates being first smeared over
with a covering fit to defend them, and what Images and lines they
please, being drawn upon them with a stile or stift) by a very easie
and compendious manner, they will be eroded or eaten into.
_Painters_, by the help of this, may prepare for themselves most
excellent Colours, as _Ultra-Marine_, _Smalt_, fine red or scarlet
_Lacca_, _Venice-Ceruse_, and others necessary for their Uses, which
otherwise they must have from far, as _Italy_, _Holland_, _France_,
_&c._ and at a dear rate.
_Engravers_ and _Statuaries_ may so harden their Tools that they may
hold their points long, if they be to cut stones.
_Embroiderers_ may put any durable Colour they please upon the silk
with which they work.
They who paint Glass, by an easie work, may thence prepare all Colours
or Enamels for Glass, so that there will be no need to have them from
_Venice_.
They who work in Wax, by the benefit of this, may whiten it
exceedingly, and colour it as they please.
_Printers_ may add this subject to their Ink, which will cause it to
adhere most firmly to the Paper, and render the Letters very fair.
It is convenient for _Clockmakers_ or _Watchmakers_, if a Water be
destilled from it, which soldereth Iron or Steel without Fire, if a
drop of that _Aqua fortis_ be dropped upon it, whence the Iron growing
hot, it presently waxeth soft, as if it had been soldered in the fire
by the help of Copper.
All _Smiths_ may by it harden their Files, and other Iron Tools, as
hard as if they had been made of the hardest Steel.
_Tin-workers_ or _Pewterers_, may harden their Tin or Pewter, and give
to it an elegant whiteness, so that it will resemble Silver both in
colour and sound; neither will it easily tarnish, and by reason of its
hardness will endure longer than common Tin or Pewter.
_Cabinet-makers_ may strike an excellent Black upon Pear-tree,
Cherry-tree, Box, Walnut-tree, and other hard Woods, which may be used
for curious Works instead of Ebony.
_Skinners_ or _Furriers_ may dye their Ermins, Fox-skins, Wolf-skins,
and the like Furrs, with a Scarlet, Crimson, or deep Black colour, far
exceeding the natural.
In like manner, _Feather-dyers_ may swiftly give any lasting colour to
their Plumes.
_Taylors_ may take out spots or stains out of Woollen, Linen, or Silk
Garments, and restore their beauty.
If _Shoomakers_ put old Iron to this subject, they may therewith adorn
their Leather with an excellent Black.
_Weavers_ may render their Linen threads so fine and soft, that they
shall emulate Silk.
_Dyers_, by this, may give so firm and unchangeable a ground to their
Cloth, that the superinduced Colours shall not be corrupted or spoiled
by any Wine, Vinegar, Urine, Pickles, Air, or Sun.
_Potters_ may thence prepare a Glassy colour, not unlike to the _Indian
Porcellane_, of which Vessels may be made, having the Aspect of Gold,
Silver, or Copper, a singular Ornament for Noblemens Tables, hitherto
unknown to the World.
_Souldiers_, _Merchants_, _Travellers_, _Carriers_, and others who are
much in the open Air, may of this prepare a Varnish, in which they may
dip a Linen Cloth, which will not permit either Air or Water to pass
through it, with which they may defend their Boots or Clothes, so that
they may travel dry in the Rain.
They who make Tapestry, may restore their faint or faded colours, so
that they shall be strong and beautiful.
Mistrisses of Families may prepare of it fine Soap or Washballs, far
exceeding that of _Venice_.
_Houshold-Maids_ may with it scowre or cleanse their metallick vessels,
so as to render them neat and beautiful.
_Women_ may change the yellow, pale, or brown colour of their face and
hands into a beautiful whiteness.
_Old Women_ may by an easie way take away the wrinkles of their face
and hands; as also, the Corns of their feet, and boil their Linen to
such a softness, that it shall come but little short of Silk.
_Gardeners_ by this subject may destroy all Insects, by mixing it with
Water, and pouring it into those places where they breed, for they will
either die in their holes, or run out to die, because they are not
able to abide that fire. It also ripeneth Fruits, if a little of this
_Menstruum_ be applied to the roots, at the entrance of the Spring; and
if a large quantity of Apples be covered well over with it, they may
thence prepare a lasting Wine, Vinegar, or burning Spirit.
_Bakers_ may use it instead of Ferment or Yeast, if they dissolve a few
Hops therein.
_Brewers_ may have very strong Ale or Beer by its help, if they extract
their Hops with it.
Mead or Metheglin, as also Beer and Canary, which are upon the turn,
and growing sowre, may by this be rendered drinkable.
_Comb-makers_, and other Horn-workers, may by this soften their Horns,
so that they may imprint upon them what Images they please.
_Keepers of Armories_ may preserve their polished Arms or Harness safe
from Rust, by anointing it over with this subject.
_Bird-Catchers_ may by help of this prepare such a Birdlime as will not
be hurt either by Cold or Heat.
_Souldiers_ by means of this may prepare from Gold a fulminating
Powder, of which the magnitude of a Pease being put upon a red-hot Iron
plate will give a greater clap, than half a pound, yea, a whole pound
of Gun-powder; the same may also be prepared without Gold, only by
the addition of Salt of Tartar and Sulphur; as it is described in the
second Part of our Furnaces.
_Engineers_ and _Makers of Fire-works_, may perform many wonderful
things by help of this subject.
There may also many new Works, belonging to Weaving and the Smith’s
Art, be thence made, which may be communicated to neighbouring
Countries, whereby Money may be brought in lieu thereof to a Countrey
impoverish’d by War.
If _Vine-dressers_, or _Keepers of Vineyards_, pour a little of this
subject to the Roots of their Vines, they will have ripe Grapes, and
_Must_, or new Wine sooner than their Neighbours; of which they may
make a good advantage.
Nevertheless, Must and Wine also may be ripened after another manner,
in the Hogshead, without this Art; so that they who understand the way,
may have alwaies good Wine, when others have it sowre. A Secret very
profitable to cold Climates, which for the most part produce sowre or
tart Wines. It is also agreeable to Countries abounding with Wine, when
through a want of the heat of the Sun the Grapes do not ripen well;
which may be helped by this Art, so that it may be readily sold.
But because the greater part of men, especially of the meaner sort,
cannot be perswaded to things which they have never seen nor heard of,
I well know, that if I should in plain words describe the reason and
manner of meliorating Wines, scarce one man in a Hundred would believe
me, but would rather say, Our fore-Fathers were wise men, and got
great Estates by Wine, without the knowledge of this Art, nor did they
desire it. If Nature will not ripen our Wines, let them be sowre; yet
notwithstanding, if sometimes they will not serve the Master, they may
be drank by the Servants.
Men of this sort are incurable, neither are they (being old) easily
tamed; and young men take little care how prudently they manage their
Affairs. Hence it comes to pass, that Antiquity obtains upon all men.
But that the Vine-dresser may see that the present Age is more skilful
than the former, I will set before him only one demonstrative Example,
by which he may plainly see how much they differ.
Our fore-Fathers knew not how to make any thing of the fæces or dreggs
of Wine, but a burning Spirit or Brandy, which being extracted, the
remainder they threw away, or sometimes mixed it with the Fodder
of Cattel, very rarely dried them in the Sun, and burnt them into
Pot-ashes; but by my invention, there may be thence drawn a far greater
quantity of burning Spirit, then also a large quantity of Tartar,
and at last the Pot-ashes, which is a threefold profit. Which if you
manage the matter well, from a Pipe of Lees, you will have at the
least seven or eight Urns (_which will be about a Fifth part, an Urn
being four Gallons_) of good Wine, from the residue, you will have
the burning Spirit, and Tartar, at the last the clavellated Ashes,
the profit being four times as much as heretofore, which thing was
altogether unknown to our Ancestors. How many Thousand weight of Tartar
is every year thrown away in _Franconia_, _Suevia_, _Alsatia_, the
_Palatinate_, upon the _Rhine_, _Mosell_, and _Danube_, which would be
very profitable to those Countries, if the men were Artists.
But what doth it signifie to teach, if there be none to hear or
learn: for it is more adviseable to sit still and do nothing, than
to be largely imployed to no purpose. But I am perswaded, that after
my death, there will be some who will understand my good will to the
World, and search out the truth out of my Writings, to their own great
profit. There is an opportunity or season for every thing; Trees first
bring forth Budds, then follow Blossoms and Leaves, and last of all,
Fruit.
There remains yet another thing very profitable to Country-men; the
juice of Apples or Pears being pressed out, by the help of this
subject, such an Effervescency (or working) is promoted, as Wines
may be thence made, having the relish of the natural, and but little
inferiour in durability and strength: and although the beating of the
Apples be somewhat tedious, (which is now done much quicker by Mills)
that labour is recompensed with a good profit, by the Wine arising from
the juice; a Secret very necessary for cold Countries, which cannot
ripen Wines, and yet abound much in Apples, but by this way may save
much in the price of Wines, for which they usually pay dear.
I have indeed many Arts relating to Wines, but they belong not to
this place, my purpose here being to treat of those only, which are
administred by my _Universal Menstruum_: Arts (as I think) hitherto
known to none, or at least not divulged, that it may be manifest to the
Reader what proficiency the World hath made in good things. Whether
the matter be credited, or not, signifies little to me, I my self also
might have doubted, if I had not learned by experience; but Judgment
ought not to be given rashly; we are to know, that God doth wonderfully
dispense his benefits to those who are his Servants, and whom he hath
appointed to be his Instruments, to bring his wonders to light.
If Husbandmen moisten their seed with this _Menstruum_, it will sooner
be ripe, and have larger, fatter grains than ordinary: Which being
done, I will shew by what means they may make great profit of their
grain. The grain being whole, not ground, pour to it warm water,
impregnated with this _Menstruum_, in a Hogshead well stopped, let it
stand and ferment or work for a time, the water will extract all the
strength of the grain, the remaining husks serving to feed Hogs: If
you ferment Hops with this Liquor, or extract, it will be good Beer:
If you will not do this, you may thence draw a very good spirit, the
residue, in a short time, will be Vinegar; and if you be wise, you may
put this burning Spirit or Wine to many uses, by which you shall have
more profit than by selling it; a Secret not to be despised where grain
is cheap. I have yet one thing to add among my Wine-Arts, concerning
grain, and the Fruits of Trees and Shrubs, which is to be received with
thankfulness, as a great Gift of God to Mankind. _Viz._ It is found by
industry and manifold experience, that from Rye, Wheat, Oats, Rice,
Millet, also from Apples, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, Plumbs, Sloes,
Damascens, Quinces, Figgs; as also from Goose-berries, Mulberries,
Barberries, Black-berries, Elder-berries, and other-like Fruits of
Trees and Shrubs; from all these, I say, may be prepared, with little
labour and cost, a Drink very like to Wine, both in taste, smell, and
strength, being grateful, wholesome, and durable. For which large
bounty, the Inhabitants of cold Climates (which never see Grapes)
cannot render to God sufficient Thanks.
There yet remains a manifold use of this subject in Medicine, which if
it were rightly described, would make a great Volume, which belongs
not to this place, but shall be done more commodiously at another time
in a peculiar Treatise. It were to be wished, that this subject were
better known, and more used by ingenious Chymists and Apothecaries,
that so many dead Herbs and unprofitable Waters might not be set to
sale. What, I pray, would it avail, if the whole Mass of Blood being
inflamed with an intolerable heat (as happeneth in the Plague and other
contagious Fevers) you should wrap the head with a moistened Rose-Cake,
comfort the Temples, Pulses, Hands and Feet with Water? think you
by this to drive away the Disease? Not at all, but rather render it
worse, as Experience hath often witnessed. But it seems to me as if a
vaporary Bath or Cauldron were too hot, and one should go and cover the
Furnace all over with cold linen, to temper the heat, a thing to be
laughed at; but the wood which causeth the flame being taken out, the
Furnace cools of its own accord. By a like reason, the malignant Fire
of hot Diseases is in the space of a few hours, drawn out from the most
inward Penetrals of the Heart, by four grains (at the most) of a good
Medicine, where no place is left for external Coolers, or corroborating
Epithems. Which thing I have observed not only in one, but in many
Experiments; That the Venom being excluded from the Heart, the Body
hath returned to its due temper, and by degrees to health and strength.
To what purpose are so many Ointments, Oils, Emplasters, _&c._ when
a small quantity of a good Medicine is able to effect more than them
all? A whole year is often spent in the curing a small Ulcer or Wound,
and then left worse than at the beginning, the Bridle (according to
the Proverb) being applied to the Horses Tail, and not to the original
of the Disease. The Fountains of external Ulcers are to be dried
within, and not imprudently to be stopped up with outward Plasters,
which otherwise, without any outward Remedy, by a small quantity of
a good Medicine, may be radically cured in the space of a few weeks.
Therefore such a Medicine is to be sought, and all other trifles to be
laid aside: But what dost thou, seeing the World will be deceived, and
desireth no other? For if any Physician have a good Medicine, which is
much easier for the sick to take, than many ingrateful Potions; this
is neither esteemed nor rewarded, for if he require a Fee or Reward,
he is answered, That he gave only a few grains of powder, two or three
times, which cannot be so dear: Hence chusing a certain thing for
an uncertain, he requireth his reward according to his visits, and
prescribeth Bottles full of Physick, which may be long in taking, and
he have the fitter opportunity to encrease their number.
The same thing hath also obtained in Chirurgery, for if an honest
Chirurgeon quickly cureth an outward Evil by the help of a good
Medicine, he shall not have a due reward, but shall be told, That he
hath only applied two or three Plasters, which can be worth but little.
Therefore instead of being paid for a quick Cure, he reaps nothing but
ingratitude; so that being better taught, it behoveth him to do like
others, by employing a month or more about that Cure, which he could
perform in three daies.
For this, and the like causes, very few are treated with good
Medicines, but Physicians study delaies, after the old manner, if not
in respect of the sick, yet at least for their own profit; for if the
sick readily pays his Fees, he, either out of ignorance or voluntary
neglect, neglecteth the matter, for which he will have an heavy account
to give.
The present World doth only this, he that standeth, let him stand, and
he that falleth, let him lie, none regardeth it; every one taketh care
of his own matters; nor will he put his hand to the quenching of the
fire. That famous Patron of Art, _Alexander_ the Great, who bestowed
upon his Philosopher _Aristotle_ more than a Hundred Thousand Crowns
a year, for his Inquiries into Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals,
now ceaseth to be. The most wise _Ernestus_ Duke of _Bavaria_, and
Elector of _Cologne_, What Expence hath he not been at in collecting
the Writings of that incomparable _German_ Physician and Philosopher,
_Paracelsus_, and other such Cherishers and Advancers of Arts, our
_Germany_ hath lately brought forth? but _Mars_ (the Sword) asserting
his Empire, hath banished _Jupiter_ and _Mercury_ (Justice and Arts)
so that they play least in sight; but sure it is, that if they be not
quickly restored and advanced to their dignity, it will be to the
unspeakable detriment of the Country, and to the great advantage of
Strangers; _Which God of His Mercy prevent_.
And now the benevolent Reader hath seen, what wonderful and incredible
things may be performed by the benefit of this subject; yet I will not
deny, but that it may also serve for many more things which I know
not, being profitable for all orders of men, superiour and inferiour,
learned and illiterate, great and small, according to their several
Vocations and States. But some men may say, I do indeed believe that
many great things may be done by its means; but because thou dost not
together and at once shew the way of preparing the Universal Medicine
or Tincture by its help; there is therefore reason to doubt whether
it be the _Universal Secret Menstruum_ of the ancient Philosophers,
to wit, the _Hermaphrodite Mercury_, so much spoken of by them, every
where to be found, a thing contemptible and vile, to be found in every
Dunghil, by nature cold and hot, a great Poison, quickly killing and
quickly healing, a matter to be found with all men, which the rich and
poor equally possess, which _Adam_ brought with him out of _Paradise_,
and many more Epithets of the Ancients, which are all agreeable to that
thing. To this I answer, That in my judgment the Ancients had no other
Universal Mercury, to which all their marks do perfectly agree, and
may be applied. Do not all men know it, seeing and beholding their own
Urine, of which it is generated? Is it not a very vile matter, which we
keep not in the House, but throw out of doors, according to the Precept
of the Philosophers, to be sought in Dung? Is it not a great Poyson
when made into Gun-powder or _Aqua fortis_? and, Have not I shewn that
a Universal Medicine may be made of it? Is it not a meer Fire, and
also being pure, cold as Ice? and if you will, hath it not equally
masculine and feminine gifts? Doth it not so impregnate the imperfect
Bodies in the space of a quarter of an hour, that they generate Gold?
Is not it self impregnated by the heat of the Fire, that it bringeth
forth those Fruits? Is it not highly volatile, and presently firmly
fixed? Is it not a Water both moist and dry? a great Corrosive, and
yet being rightly prepared, an Enemy to Corrosives? Is it not most
heavy and most light? To what thing, except Nitre, doth this Enigma
of the Philosophers agree? For, What is blacker than a Crow, whiter
than a Swan, more hurtful than a Serpent destroying many, lighter than
the Wind, heavier than Gold? Is not this the true devourer of his own
Children (the Metals) the _Azoth_ of Philosophers, the Soap of the
Wise, the Urine of Boys, Sulphur vive, the Salt of Strangers, the
Secret Fire of Philosophers?
Are not all these things in Nitre? But by what method they may be there
found, is not my business to shew in this place, let it be sufficient
to have pointed out the subject in which they are to be sought and
found, which no man before me hath been so kind to do. For further
demonstration, to wit, that from Nitre a true _Universal Solvent_ (I
would not have you imagine it to be _Aqua fortis_) may be prepared,
there needeth not. But thou maist contradict it if thou canst, or name
another subject in which are all those things. Which I know thou canst
not do, if thou could’st at once take a view of the whole World.
That I have not written any thing concerning a Tincture to be prepared
of it for the Imperfect Metals, (which defect the ancient Philosophers
have supplied) thou maist think that I have not proceeded so far, and
that I have wanted time and opportunity to make a farther Progress,
nor did I ever aspire to so great things, but have contented my self
with those of a meaner Rank. But how far I have penetrated by searching
into Nitre, may be seen in the Second Part of my Furnaces, where I
have prescribed some notable Processes from a gross subject, of which
this is not the least, where I shew, that some years before, I would
have melted a Calx of Gold, and because it would not melt, I added
by intervals a Fluxing Powder, prepared of Salts, till all flowed
well, then the Crucible being taken out of the Fire, and the matter
poured out, when I expected Gold, instead of that I found Lead, but
the Fluxing Powder was very red, (although made of the whitest Salts)
being tinged with the _Anima_ of Gold, the Gold being divested of
all its dignity. Which thing, when I had considered, believing some
Secret to lie in the matter, I several times repeated the labour, but
alwaies in vain: the cause of which errour was not the subject, but
my self, who had not observed the weights and degree of Fire; or God,
who would not that I should make any farther discovery. Truly, if that
Labour had succeeded, I should long since have possessed the Stone
of Philosophers, who am now forced to sustain my Family by meaner
things with labour. But passing by this, see, I pray you, what the
most accurate _Philippus Paracelsus_ ascribeth to rude Nitre, when he
saith, _Chymistry hath discovered the matter to lie in Nitre_. Let
_Basil Valentine_, _Sendivogius_, and the ancient Philosophers, be
considered, and you shall see that all their Sayings are accomodated
to the operation of this subject, and that I have not attributed
too much to it, but rather less than is due. I could, had I a mind
so to do, compose all the terms of Philosophers with this subject,
but to what purpose so great a prolixity? He that shall once come so
far as I am, the Secrets of the Philosophers will be sufficiently
manifest to him, and will freely confess, that this is the only true
_Universal Solvent_, and that there is no other. Many have alwaies
believed this thing to be prepared of Nitre, but because they were
not fully confirmed in their minds, they tried nothing with it, and
therefore found nothing. Many men in my time have endeavour’d to fix
Nitre into a Tincture, but because they took it crude without a due
Preparation and fit Associate, such as it was when they committed
it to the Fire, such it remained; but if they had known how to have
joined an amicable subject with it, perhaps it might have been more
profitable. _Basilius_ commandeth to associate it with a brisk and
lively female, from whose embraces the Queen might bring forth issue:
All the Philosophers say, that to _Mercury_ is to be added its own
weight of Gold and Silver, (but not the common) and that of both is to
be made one indissolvable thing; for while the Gold is dissolved by
the Mercury, in the same moment the Mercury is coagulated by the Gold,
the solution of the Body, and the coagulation of the Mercury, are done
both by the same Work. Certain it is, that there is one thing among
Minerals, which is conjoined and fixed with our Nitre, and during the
fixation, passeth all colours; but I know not the end of the thing,
having never performed that labour, and by reason of my great age,
think not to repeat it; nor will I be the adviser of any man, that he
should search after an uncertain labour with a certain Loss: but if
any man in doing this shall miss his hope, let him not blame me for
giving him the occasion by this Writing, who have wrote this only for
this end, that I might make it manifest, that the name of _Universal_
is not undeservedly assign’d to it: Neither also is there any need,
that a thing of so great moment should be made known to an ungrateful
World. Any of those things which I have shewn may be done by it, are
sufficient for a man to sustain his Family.
Some man may except, and ask, Who hath revealed to thee, that this is
the _Mercury of Philosophers_? I answer, That I know it to be such from
the properties, form, and nature assigned to it by the Philosophers,
which thou also, if thou hadst Philosophick eyes, wouldst acknowledge
to be such, which is wont to hide it self from the proud, and to reveal
it self to whom it pleaseth God. If a skilful Gardener should happen
into a Garden, where he should see that wonderful Vegetable, _Noli
me tangere_, (which at the first was brought from the _East Indies_,
therefore planted and cherished with great care and admiration in great
mens Gardens) of which he had read so many portentous things, _viz._
That refusing every touch, it would fall to the ground. And although he
had never before seen this Herb with his Eyes, would he not certainly
apprehend this to be that very Herb? for the Vertues attributed to it
argue that it cannot be any other. So he whose eyes it hath pleased
God to open, so that he can apprehend all the Properties to be in
a subject, which the Philosophers affirm to be in their Universal
Mercury, Will he not, acquiescing in that, desist from seeking out
another?
Lastly, _Sal Nitre_ is the only growth, generation, and encrease of
all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, as also their Destruction,
and Regeneration, by a perpetual Circulation of the Elements, by
which things being dissolved, do again return into the same from
which they arose: For the Nitre of Vegetables in the bodies of
Animals, by the intervening digestions and separations, is generated
into a Mineral Salt, which none will deny: and Nitre or Salt of the
Earth, is Vegetable, Mineral, and Animal, which cannot be said of
any other subject, but the Universal Matter. And even as it is the
chief Conserver of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, so it is also
their Destroyer and Death; therefore by them it is both loved and
hated. Vegetables love it, when growing in the Earth, they thence
draw their nourishment; for when the Earth is dead, or void of Salt,
it affordeth neither nourishment or encrease to feed, Christ himself
being witness, when he saith, _Ye are the Salt of the Earth_: but if
the Earth be destitute of Salt (or the Salt hath lost his saltness)
it is altogether dead, and can bring forth no Fruit. An ignorant man
saith, that Dung maketh the Earth fruitful, but undeservedly, for not
the Dung, but the Salt which lies hid in the Dung, doth this, which is
generated of Vegetables after their putrefaction, and again transmuted
into their seeds and roots which are in the Earth; the same Animals
again receive in their food, whereby their bodies are strengthned and
preserved from Corruption. For no man is so rude, but he hath learned
by experience, that Salt is the Preserver of things both living and
dead. But an ignorant man may object, that other things also have a
preservative Power, as myrrh, aloes, and other Balsamick Liquors,
which preserve Flesh and Fish from putrefaction. To this I answer,
That it is not myrrh or aloes, but their salt, which effecteth this.
Honey also and sugar preserve things, which are not salts. I answer,
That thou understandest not the nature of Salts; those are sweet
salts, the other are bitter salts, which by putrefaction are changed
into sowre and acid. Also every burning spirit of Wine, and other
Vegetables, preserveth other bodies, although they are not in form
of salt, nevertheless it is nothing else but the most pure volatile
salt of the Wine; mixed with its sulphur, which doth this; for none
of the Principles is sincere, and wholly free from the mixture of
the rest. Vinegar doth the same thing, and is a meer salt, which if
time would permit, I could easily demonstrate. What man’s senses are
so dull, that he cannot understand one thing to pass into another,
by the mediation of putrefaction, to him even great Volumes would
profit nothing. From the sweetest Must (or new Wine) Sugar, Honey,
by the help of putrefaction and Fermentation alone, is made an acid
Tartar, a strong Vinegar, and a volatile burning Spirit; all these
will presently return into a nitrous salt, which few understand, those
especially who are believed to know much. Not only Man is delighted
with salt, without which he cannot be sound and in health, but also
all Animals. Mice, above all, are very greedy of Salt, the which if
they find not, they lick the saline efflorescences of Walls, and make
a very nitrous Urine. Pigeons also frequent old Walls, which abound
with salt. Hens pick out the grains of Oats from Horse-dung, which
are full of salt, preferring them to fresh Oats, and thence become
more fruitful, in laying more Eggs, the salt concocting the small
stones which they swallow, in their Ventricles, is the first matter of
Eggshells; but if, being shut up in Pens or Coops, they have not that
salt earth, with the small sand or stones, which they usually devour,
or their stomachs being weak, doth not digest them, the Eggs they lay
afterwards, will be such as we call windy Eggs, having no shells, or
such as are very imperfect. Minerals growing in the bowels of the
earth (Experience being witness) rejoice in salt, from which they
associate to themselves bodies, and make an encrease: In like manner,
they love it out of the earth, and by it are ripened and meliorated;
amongst which Salts, Nitre, as I have said, is endowed with a singular
sympathy towards Metals. On the contrary, Minerals as well as Animals
and Vegetables, abhor salt, if they be unduly associated with it, for
so they are corrupted and destroyed; for salt being adhibited in a due
manner, is the only preserver, augmenter, and perfecter of Vegetables,
Animals, and Minerals, which all the Philosophers confess; amongst
whom, _Plato_ ascribeth to salt something divine, to whom succeeding
Ages have assented, seeking many things in salt, yea, even the stone
of Philosophers it self; but being ignorant what a true salt was, and
of the manner of applying and preparing it, they could not make any
further progress. Hence any man may easily see why the Ancients called
those Secrets by the name of _Alchymy_, _viz._ as a certain handling
and melting of salt, for which reason also they familiarly used these
words; _In Fire and Salt consisteth the Magistery_: Implying, that by
the benefit of fire and salt, a true Medicine was to be prepared, as
well for the health of men, as for the perfection of Metals.
If God prolong my Life, and grant me opportunity, I will hereafter,
for the good of Mankind, openly declare what _Salt_ and _Fire_ are,
that the incredible Vertues of those two bodies, as yet unknown to the
World, may be made manifest to all Men. One thing I will add, that the
Philosophers pointing out the Universal matter, speak obscurely, when
they say, that it is everywhere to be found, that the Poor hath it as
well as the Rich, and that no man can live without it, whence many have
sought for Air, Rain, Snow in _March_, _May_-dew dreaming the universal
matter to be in those, and when their labour hath happily ceased, they
have obtained somewhat of a nitrous salt. It is certain, that the Stars
do impregnate the Air and Clouds with their Catholick seed, which
presently falling in form of Rain, Snow, and Dew, render the Earth
fruitful and fit for germination, and that they are again drawn upwards
by the warmth of the Air, leaving their Nitre in the earth, to be
again impregnated by the stars, and again to descend to conciliate the
fertility of the earth, lest the earth at any time should labour under
a want of this universal seed, but continually applieth it self to the
vegetation of things, and preserveth a perpetual Circulation of the
Elements. Hence _Hermes_ hath written, that _That which is above is as
that which is below_. Yet nevertheless, we need not seek it among the
stars, seeing that it may sufficiently be had, by a far shorter way, at
hand, and before our feet. For so much the words of _Hermes_ intimate.
_The Words of the Secrets of_ HERMES.
True it is, and remote from every cloak of a Lye, that whatsoever is
below, is like to that which is above; by this the wonderful things
of the work, of one thing, are acquired and perfected, even as also
things are made of one, by the consideration of one, so all things are
made of this one by conjunction. Its Father is the Sun, its Mother
the Moon, the Wind carrieth it in its belly, the Earth is its Nurse,
the Mother of all perfection. Its power is perfect, if it be changed
into Earth; the subtile and thin being separated by the fire from the
gross and thick, and indeed prudently with moderation and wisdom; this
ascendeth from the Earth unto Heaven, and again descendeth from Heaven
to the Earth, and receiveth the power and efficacy of the superiours
and inferiours. In this manner thou shalt acquire the glory of the
whole World; thou shalt drive away all darkness and blindness, for this
is a Fortitude excelling all other power and strength, for it is able
to penetrate and subdue all things, as well those which are thick and
hard, as those which are subtile. In this manner the World was made,
and hence its admirable conjunctions and wonderful effects, seeing that
this is the way by which those wonderful things are effected, and for
this reason I am called by the name of _Hermes Trismegistus_, seeing
that I have three parts of the wisdom and philosophy of the whole
World. So I conclude my Speech which I have made concerning the _Solar
Work_.
These are the words of the most ancient Philosopher _Hermes_, who for
his perfect knowledge of Nature, is deservedly stiled _The Father of
Philosophers_; in which words he hath sufficiently hinted, That his
little Bird without wings (which flying day and night is not wearied)
is the Spirit and Life of the superiour and inferiour Elements, the
Conserver of the superiour and greater, and of the inferiour and lesser
World, and that it lies hid in Nitre: For the better understanding of
which, let a man throughly consider the Air, in which the _Universal
Spirit_, the first Ens or Being of all things, dwelleth, without
which no Animal can live a quarter of an hour, nor any Vegetable or
Mineral be produced; neither can the Sun shine, nor the Fire burn.
Even as the Excrements of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, by a
continual Circulation, are transmuted into Elements, the Elements into
Excrements, and those again return into Aliments, by an uncessant
renovation and transmutation, which Man only doth not attain.
The _Husbandman_ knoweth that the Leafs, which every year fall from
the Trees, afford a new vigour and nourishment, that the Excrements
of Cattel produce very good Grass, that the Fæces or Recrements of
Minerals, from which a Metal hath been once separated, is in a short
time impregnated by the Stars, that being melted, they again yield the
same Metal which they had done a little before: and the _Scoria_ of
metals are every where returned to their Mines, where in a years time
being recruited by the attractive power of the Universal Spirit, they
are again impregnated, so that they again by melting afford metal.
Doth not the Earth, from which _Salt-Petre_ hath been extracted,
being exposed to the Air in the interval of some months, yield other
_Salt-Petre_, and this as often as you will, as if nothing had been
extracted from it? Doth not all things which are calcined, _viz._ Lime
made of Stones, Shells, Woods, Herbs, from which the Fire hath forced
the Universal Spirit, by a very strong Appetite or Magnetism, draw the
Universal Spirit again afresh, and return into a Corporeal Nitre? Is
not the heat and vertue of the sun, the excrement or superfluity of
the sun, by which it is nourished and sustained? If heat were nothing
to the sun, the Air, by its Nitrous Essence, could never render it
weighty, nor cause it to distill in fruitful Rains; nor could the Earth
bring forth Fruit, and afford fresh nutriment and food to the sun,
its conserver: Whence it followeth, that an Excrement is alwaies the
conservation and nourishment of that thing which makes or separates
it. But here _Plato_ commandeth to rest; at another time (God willing)
more shall be spoken. We have heard, that in salt especially in Nitre,
although slighted by the unskilful, there are found most potent and
profitable vertues, as well for _true Medicine_, as for _Alchymy_. Nor
is it reasonable that any man should be offended with its cheapness
or low esteem; but he may rather think, that that which is despisable
before the World, and imaginary Philosophers, is most precious with
God, and those who know the mysteries of Nature. Therefore it remains,
that in the nature of things there is not a better subject, by which
more and greater wonders may be performed, than _Sal-Nitre_. Therefore,
I also constantly affirm, That of it may be prepared the true _Mercury
of Philosophers_: but I will not say, that I know the Preparation of
the _Stone of Philosophers_ from it, because I never went so far: But
those things which I have delivered concerning it in the correction of
metals, and other good Arts, Experience alone hath taught me; in which
I acquiesce, and all those things, if the matter should require, and it
should conduce to a good end; I should not blush to demonstrate singly
through their parts, that it may be laid open to all men, that all
these things may be performed, but not by every man; seeing that I have
not written for that end, that they should be prostituted to all men,
for then I should have wrote more fully, but that they might remain
in the power and custody of Friends. It can hardly be believed, what
great troubles my Writings have created me, while one accosts me from
this place with long Letters, willing me to unfold this or that. Others
address me with a great Catalogue of Questions, of which, if I should
answer the tenth part, I should scarcely have Bread to eat.
If the LORD see good, he will afford me time and occasion of doing yet
better things, but if not, let the Reader accept the _will for the
deed_: Truly, there are many Sciences of great moment in my Possession,
by which I could point out a safe path to Posterity, for the attaining
of higher things, but because I have alwaies studied to maintain my
Family, with my own honest labour, without detriment to my Neighbour,
I am (contrary to my _genius_) prohibited to publish more, being
constrained to apply my hands to ancient labours. Some may inferr; If
thou hast found out more, act by others, thy hands being suspended from
the Work, let it suffice thee to have disposed of thy labours. But he
that shall thus say, confesseth himself, not to know the World to be
perfidious: If I could have been made partaker of faithful Operators, I
should long since have had a free prospect of my affairs.
But it is not at that pass as many believe, men are now perfidious,
keeping no promises, every one seeketh his own, right or wrong;
Benefits are rewarded with evil, which hath happened to me more than
once; when I have adopted one for a faithful fellow-labourer, the
contrary hath happened: For as soon as he hath learned any Secret,
believing himself to be more learned than me, hath feigned divers
excuses to get away, which if he could not effect openly, and with
Consent, he hath attempted it privately; or hath carried himself so
petulantly, that I should thank GOD to be freed from him. Whence it
came to pass, that I alwaies lost my purpose, perceiving the Proverb to
be true, _He that will have his business well done, must be both master
and servant_.
But I trust, that in a short time after my death, those who shall,
distribute my Laboratory among them, where I have made a stand, will
further search out the secrets of Nature, and being lighted by my
Torch, will come to the desired end: but it will be much more grateful
to me, if my Secrets, which I have found out with great Costs, Labour,
and Care, should be known to many, than that they should be intombed
with me, without Usury. To which end I will alwaies, according to
my power, be a most ready helper and Counsellor, for the sake of
Posterity.
THE
EXPLICATION
OF
Miraculum Mundi.
Set forth
In Testimony of the truth of that Matter, and for the Advantage of the
Lovers and Followers of _ARTS_.
Reader,
_In the first place, before I prove and verifie the powers and vertues
of the aforesaid Universal subject, which I have attributed to it,
in every point, it will be necessary to make known after what manner
the mentioned Salt of the Earth performeth its Operations, that the
benevolent Reader may not be confounded, nor imagine that it exerciseth
all its Operations in one only manner and way, to wit, crude, as it
is of it self; for it doth not so, but it exerteth its power in three
manners, forms, or figures, =For Example sake=; Its first Use is in
many Businesses and Arts, as it is simply drawn from the Earth, being
purified, and is known to all men. It is applied to another use,
being first calcined by fire, and changed and exalted into a more
fixed substance. Again, for another use, it is first destilled into
a volatile Spirit, and =Aqua-fortis=. And so that subject performeth
its Operations in Figures, simple, as it is in its self, in form of a
Sun; =secondly=, as a fixed fiery Liquor; =thirdly=, in the figure of a
volatile spirit, or corrosive =Aqua-fortis=; as shall be demonstrated
below, from point to point, in order._
_Point_ I.
_In the first place all Fossiles, by the mediation of this Subject,
may be perfectly examined, what Metals they properly contain, how
many, and how much of each._
For the verifying and demonstrating this first point, I will begin to
shew, that Minerals may be most commodiously proved by the Mediation of
the Salt of the Earth, and in what manner this is to be done. First,
The Mineral is to be finely powdered, whether it be _Gold_, _Silver_,
_Copper_, or _Lead_. To a hundred weight of this, add three or four
hundred weight of Calcined or fixed Nitre, [Note, _That the small Say
weight is here meant_] mix all very well together, put the mixture into
a very strong Pot, which is to be shut with its Cover, set it upon a
small foot in such a melting Furnace, as is described in the fourth
part of my Furnaces, kindle the fire by degrees, and let the minera, or
Ore flow well with its liquor in the Pot, like water, then pour it out
into a Vessel fit for this purpose, suffer it to cool, then take out
the Regulus; if it be ☉, ☽, ♀, or ♄, weigh it in a Probatory Balance,
and you shall find how much ☉, ☽, ♀, or ♄, there is in that Ore. NB.
That Iron and Tin cannot be proved in this manner, for ♂ is not fusible
in such a fire, and ♃ is reduced into _Scoria_ by Combustion, by
reason of the Salt. NB. That if the Regulus of ☉ or ☽ come not pure,
or contain any ♀ or ♄, suffer it to run upon a Test or Cupel, with a
little ♄, till it sparkle and shine, and you shall have the Metal fine,
which is a proof that may securely be trusted, and according to that a
Computation may be made, without any fear of fraud or Sophistication;
the Regulus of Copper or Lead, need no other trial, but are judged
good. NB. That if the Ore be stubborn, and yields no Regulus in the
first melting, let the Pot be again set into the Furnace, (if it be yet
whole, putting to the Ore, giving no Regulus, a piece or two of Iron)
being covered, least the Coals fall into it, suffer it to flow, then
the iron entereth into that untameable Sulphur, existing in the Ore,
and hindering it from passing into Regulus, and suffereth the Gold,
Silver, Copper, or Lead, contained in that Mineral, to fall down, which
is to be poured out into a fit vessel, and the Regulus will settle to
the bottom, which being cold is to be separated from the Scoria; but
if you will prove whether or no the Gold containeth any Silver, or the
Silver any Gold or Copper, or the Lead any Silver or Gold, then suffer
the Regulus to flow upon a Cupel, till it sparkle with a Splendour,
and afterwards make separation by _Aqua fortis_, and you shall find
how much of every Metal is permixed with the other. There is no need
to describe this separation at large, because it is every where known,
and now very perspicuously taught by _Lazarus Erker_, so that it needs
no repetition: I have here shewed, and proved, that by the Mediation of
Nitre, Minerals may easily and speedily be examined. Therefore, this
first Point being now proved and verified, I give thanks to God, who I
trust, will further assist me.
_Point_ II.
_The Marchasites of Gold and Silver, being melted by the Mediation
of this, by a singular Compendium, hitherto unknown, do afford
more Metal than by the common way._
That which is contained in this second point is not the least amongst
my Lucriferous Secrets, but one of the best, which I have always
reserved most secret within my own Breast. Many Men have often allured
me with fair Speeches, to demonstrate it, but hitherto I have not been
prevailed with to do it, not out of envy, or that my self alone should
have that art at command, but because Faith is hardly any where to be
found, it is now reputed an honour to promise many things, and perform
few, but a disparagement to keep Promises; for I have often learned to
my loss, that when through fair Words, and Promises oftentimes more
than I required, I have been perswaded to Communicate this, or that
Secret; as soon as it hath been out of my hands, I have found the quite
contrary, for instead of a Reward, they have either derided me, or
began to quarrel and contend, and in this manner, the Benefits which I
have confer’d upon them, have been recompensed with great Impiety.
The Process followeth.
Let there be a Furnace built of good Stone, which is able to endure
the Fire, small or great, as you please, or according to the necessity
and commodity of your Labour, in the following manner. First build
an Arch about a Cubit high from the ground, the which cover and make
level above with Iron Plates, or Stone that will hold the Fire, which
shall be the foot of the Furnace, the length of which ought to exceed
the breadth four times, that is, it ought to be four times as long as
broad; by this Arch or foot of the Furnace there is yet another Furnace
to be erected, whose bigness within must behalf the breadth of the long
Furnace, and about two Cubits high from the wind holes, into which the
Wood is to be put, and in that Furnace, on that side which adjoineth to
the melting Furnace, is to be a hole, through which the flame of the
lighted Wood may strike upon the Hearths of the Furnace; and heat them;
above, let there be an Iron Cover, to that end that when the wood is
put in, the Furnace may be covered with it, and the flame may be forced
to enter by the side into the Melting Furnace, and let the Melting
Furnace, the Hearth being now perfect, be divided according to its
length, into three Chambers or parts, so that every Chamber be square,
that is, as long as broad, and between every Chamber let there be a
Wall, with a hole in the lower part, that the flame may pass freely
into the second and third Chamber, between which two let there be also
the like Partition or Wall, with its hole at bottom, and let the third
or last Chamber be close, saving its little door, let it have one only
hole, by which the flame may pass out, also on one side of the Furnace,
there is to be a hole in every Chamber, by which the Hearths may be
discerned, and the Minerals and Metals taken out and put in, but the
Chambers are not to exceed a Foot, or a Foot and a half, in heighth;
in the upper part of which, let there be a Cover or Cap of good Earth,
well luted and accommodated to it in such manner, as whensoever need
shall require it may be removed with a pair of Tongues, and put on
again. All these things being thus rightly prepared, let a Hearth be
made in the first Chamber of good Earth, which can sustain the fire,
let the Earth not be too fat, or too lean, but of a middle condition;
in the second let there be a Test made of Argill, or Wood Ashes, but
in the third Chamber, let there be a Hearth of good Earth, and in the
Name of the Lord, let the fire be kindled in the side Furnace, that the
Furnace with its Hearths may be throughly dried. Which being done, let
the Ore of ☉ or ☽ being rightly prepared, be put into the last Chamber,
that it may be made hot by degrees, and burn, but not melt, which
may be hindered by the help of the little door, and the fire may be
governed at a beck, according as it shall be necessary, and the Mineral
requireth, or shall be able to suffer; the Minerals are sometimes to be
stirred and turned well about in all parts, with an Iron Hook or Ladle,
that they may be well Calcined. In the first Chamber let there be put
so much Lead as the Hearth will hold, and when it moveth well, put
upon it, spoonful after spoonful, of the Calcined Mineral in the last
Chamber, stirring it with the Lead, and turning it with an Iron Ladle,
and let it be so long upon it, till the Lead shall have attracted all
the Metal, then the Scoriæ are to be taken out with an Iron Ladle
fit for this work, and to be kept by themselves; then again, more of
the Calcined Mineral is to be put upon the Lead, and so the melting,
turning, and taking out of the Scoriæ, is to be continued as long as
there is any of the Mineral at hand, or as much as is sufficient for
the Hearth; and if during this labour, the Lead should be impregnated
with a sufficient quantity of Gold or Silver, by the Mineral, (which
may be perceived by taking a little out in a Spoon, and examining it
upon a Cupel) then let Nitre be burned upon it, and let it be repeated
two or three times, for so the Lead will be purifyed, grow white, and
be rendred ductile, and passeth freely in the Test, without waste,
which yet would not be if it had not been first depurated by Nitre; the
Lead into which the Gold and Silver hath passed, is to be taken from
the Hearth with a Ladle, and the Hearth made of Ashes, in the middle
Chamber is to be filled with it, and the Bellows to be planted against
it, to blow the Coals to the other side, and according to the common
manner, the Lead is to be deduced into Salt, and the Cake of Gold or
Silver is to be taken out, and afterwards to be throughly depurated
in good Tests: And so in that Furnace may be performed three Labours,
and more of the Gold and Silver is retained then by any other way, for
blowing with Bellows wastes and destroys much of a Metal, and reduceth
it by burning into Scoriæ, which the sweet flame of wood doth not
do; the Scoriæ being taken out, suffer them to pass through a high
Furnace, that if there be yet any Lead among them, it may be saved, to
be used again in the former Labours, (to wit for attracting Gold and
Silver, in the first Chamber, from the Minerals Calcined in the last)
in this manner nothing will be lost, and not only more Gold and Silver
obtained, but also without so great a charge of Coals as is used in the
ordinary way. You should have always two of those Furnaces, or more (if
you have a great quantity of the Mineral) in your Elaboratory, that
whilst you work in one, the other may be repaired, and when there is
need, furnished with new Hearths.
This is the best and most profitable manner of melting the Ores of
Gold, Silver, and Lead, containing in themselves Lune, and this without
Coals, and strong blowing, but by the flame of wood only. A. the Foot
of the Furnace, B. C. D. the three Chambers, E. F. G. the three little
doors of the Chambers, by which the Minerals and Metals are put in and
taken out, H. the Cover or Cap of the Furnace, I. the Wind holes, or
Registers by which the flame is governed, K. three holes in the Walls,
or Partitions of the Chambers, through which the flame passeth, for the
heating of the Chambers and Hearths, L. the Furnace on the side, into
which is put dry wood, M. the Ash hole, N. its Cover or Stopper, O. the
hole in the side, by which the flame is conveyed into the Chambers, P.
the Iron Rods, with which the Minerals are turned, whilst they are in
torrefying and the Scoriæ are taken away from the Lead, Q. a Spoon or
Ladle, by which the torrefied Mineral is put upon the flowing Lead,
and the Lead which is impregnated with Gold and Silver, is removed
from the first Melting Hearth to the other, R. the Tongs with which
the Cakes of Gold and Silver, are taken from the second Hearth, S. the
Furnace in which the Cakes of Gold and Silver are perfectly depurated,
T. the Tests, V. the Cineritia. NB. That the Works coming from the
first Hearth, may also be perfectly finished in the second Chamber,
but it is better to do it on Tests fit for this purpose. [_The figure
of this Furnace is not printed in the Latin Copy, nor to be found
among the other Originals._] NB. That what concerns this Point, is of
greater moment than many will believe, because in our Country, there
are found in many places rich Mines, abounding with Gold and Silver,
which nevertheless are not rightly depurated by the common way of
Melting, so that they afford so little, that it will not pay the charge
of the Coals; and therefore it is yet unknown how much good Metal they
contain, but it lies hid in obscurity, which nevertheless might be
very well perfected in this manner, with great profit. I know Mines of
this sort in various places, which I have found very poor, according
to the common way of proving, but according to my Method very rich.
What Treasures doth _Hungary_, _Bohemia_, _Carinthia_, _Stiria_, and
_Saltsburg_ posses in their Regions, unknown to them, and yet after an
easie manner to be obtained? What Treasures hath _Misnia_, _Thuringia_,
_Brunswick_, and _Fichtelburgh_, hid in them, and do no good? There
is no Man of a sound mind, but may easily by labour and observation
discern what a great difference there is between the common way of
Melting, and mine, if he seriously consider the matter. A Mine of Lead
doth not want an exquisite Art of melting, because it is of small
price, nor will the loss be great, if some of it be burnt in melting,
or remain in the Earth. In like manner the vulgar way of melting
Copper, by high Furnaces, and strong blowing, is sufficient. But the
Mines of Gold and Silver, are not to be treated so grosly, but after a
more subtile and profitable manner, that nothing of them may be lost,
but may be of greater use and profit, than hitherto hath been done. For
the Mineral of Gold, although it is not in some great Rocky Mountains,
yet for the most part, it is found in Flints, and Stones containing
Iron, or in any crude Mineral in which ofttimes Antimony, red Sulphur,
and Arsenick, is mixed together with the Minera of Gold. As may be seen
in _Carinthia_ and its Confines. But how should such a Mine, if melted
with Coals after the common manner, yield its fruit without loss; for
whether it be torrefied, or not, if it be cast upon Coals, and agitated
with the strong blast of Bellows, that which is immature flieth away,
carrying with it self that which is good; that which remaineth passeth
into Scoria. For although it should be mixed with Lead, the Minera of
Lead, or Salt of Lead, yet they would not remain conjoin’d, but the
Lead is easily melted, floweth, and leaveth the Ore, which by strong
blowing is reduced into Scoria, retaining much gold, which so is lost,
as well as the other which flew away in smoak, and at the best but a
very little saved, which hath entred the Lead.
NB. But, in my way, it is necessary that the Ore should be broken
and subdued, and thereby forced to yield its Gold, if it be well
incorporated with the lead, and the volatile is preserved with the
fixt; add, that the flame lightly striking or playing upon the matter,
destroyeth nothing, and by this way, there is no metal lost. That the
thing is so, I will prove by a certain similitude or comparison; make
proof in what manner you please, of gold or silver Ore, and observe how
much good metal that contains, afterwards prove the same in a great
quantity upon Coals, and you shall find much less in that, than in
your small proof; when nevertheless the contrary ought to be, because
a great fire hath a greater force of acting upon the Ore, than a small
one; and this is the only cause, because a great quantity requireth a
more violent fire than a small one; which is averse to all crude and
volatile Minerals. But by my way, there is found as much, if not more,
in a large quantity, as in a small proof. Therefore I will here shew
yet by another manner of probation, that by the common and usual way
of melting Minerals, all the metal cannot be obtained, and sometimes
scarcely half or a third part. To an hundred pounds of the Mineral,
reduced into a small powder, add 8, 12, 16, or 18 pound of granulated
Lead, or as much as the Mineral shall need, mix the Mineral and the
powder of Lead, which with a little Spoon are to be committed to a
fiery hot Cupel, placed under a Cineritium or Muffle, give a strong
heat, and the Lead will attract all the metal from the Ore, and cast
out the Scoria or dross, which will rest upon the moving Lead; which
being done, you must have at hand a hot Iron Rod, with which you may
move and stir the Scoria every way well, up and down upon the Lead, to
the end, that if any good metal should as yet remain in them, the Lead
by that moving may lay hold on it, and catch it to it self; afterwards
suffer the Scoria for a little while to heat and burn upon the Lead,
that it may flow well; then let the heat of the fire somewhat abate,
and the Scoria will become thicker and fit to be drawn out with an Iron
rod, which is to be broad at the point, round, and sharp, that the
Scoria may be every where clean and wholly drawn away from the Cupel,
which are diligently to be kept, that nothing be lost, and lest the
future essay should be false. This being done, drive the Lead remaining
in the Cupel with an indifferent heat, then there will remain the gold
or silver, which that hundred pounds of Ore did contain; that grain
or portion is to be taken out and reserved. NB. That whilst you are
proving the Mineral, you may also impose another Cupel, of the same
magnitude and weight, and as much Lead upon it as was mixed with the
mineral, without it, suffer it to flow alone by it self. The grain or
portion which comes to be obtained from the mineral upon the other
Cupel, will be what that mineral did contain. Afterwards the two Cupels
are to be weighed apart, and as much as this, in which the Ore was
wrought, shall be heavier than that in which only the Lead flowed, so
much of Lead or Copper that hundred weight of Ore did contain; and
so much gold or silver as the grain or portion remaining in the Cupel
weigheth, and so much Scoria or dross as was removed and drawn out with
the Iron Rod.
NB. Some man may object, That the _Scoria_ cannot be so accurately
and purely removed from the Cupel, but somewhat will be left behind.
I answer, That although the removing of the _Scoria_ should not be
exactly done, which notwithstanding may be done, if diligence be used,
because the _Scoria_ to be removed are not pure _Scoria_, but as yet
contain somewhat of the Lead, which may be easily as heavy, yea,
heavier than the _Scoria_ remaining in the Cupel, and which cannot
be removed, nevertheless the proof will be just and good. But if by
a melting made in a great quantity, you shall find as much ☽ or ☉, ♀
or ♃, (NB. that Iron and Tin cannot be proved in this manner) as the
small proof demonstrated, [I think it should be, if you shall not find
_&c._ and the character ♃ should be ♄.] believe that you have not
rightly proceeded, and that that which is lost is gone in fume, or by
combustion, into _Scoria_. Seeing therefore that this proof is of a
great weight, and accordingly is to be made by a great melting Work, I
will declare that labour more copiously. _For example sake_, I take two
Cupels, accomodated to one and the same form, I weigh them singly, if
one be heavier than the other, then with a knife I pare or scrape it a
little above or below, so that they may be of equal weight, afterwards
I put them side by side conjunctly, or one before, and the other
behind, under a Cineritium; when they are duly hot, I put upon one
the Mineral, mixed with the granulated Lead, and upon the other, the
granulated Lead only; then I suffer them to flow together, seasonably
abstracting the _Scoria_ from that where the Mineral is; then I cause
both to cease. Now supposing that I have added to the Hundred weight
of Ore, 1200 pounds of Lead, and also wrought 1200 pounds of Lead in
the other Cupel alone, and each Cupel to have weighed three Lothones,
according to the weight of the City, and that I find in that Cupel in
which the Mineral was wrought, a portion of Gold or Silver, weighing
(according to the probatory weight) nine Lothones, and in the other
Cupel, a portion of Silver weighing three Lothones, which the 1200
pounds of Lead yielded: But in regard that I also added to the Mineral
1200 pounds of Lead, which also have yielded three Lothones, which I
substract from the nine Lothones, and there remaineth six Lothones of
Gold and Silver, which the Hundred weight of Ore hath yielded. NB. If
you would know whether the Mineral also containeth Lead and Copper,
and how much, then I weigh both the Cupels apart, observing how much
that in which the Mineral was wrought is heavier than that in which the
Lead was wrought alone, and so much Lead or Copper I may affirm to have
been, together with the Gold and Silver, in that Mineral; suppose the
Cupel in which the Mineral was wrought to weigh 30 pounds, according
to the probatory weight, more than that in which the Lead was agitated
alone, then I am sure that there was so much Lead or Copper in that
Mineral, together with the gold and silver (for iron and tin do not
enter the Cupel, but pass into _Scoria_, but the ☉ and ☽ remain on
the Cupel) and the remaining weight, to wit, seventy pounds, I find
all in _Scoria_, for a little flieth away in fume: in this manner it
may be observed what quantity a hundred pounds of the Ore of Lead or
Copper containeth of good Metal, and whether it have any gold or
silver or not; according to which a computation may be made, whether
it will pay the Charge in a great quantity, or not, and what gain may
be had from it. This is a most desirable proof, invented for the use
of gold and silver, which are necessarily by this way yielded in great
quantity; if it happen otherwise, the errour is to be ascribed to the
working; for the Mines of copper and lead, this proof doth not succeed
in great quantity, although by it may be certainly known how much of
either of them is contained in an hundred weight of Ore, for both these
metals are easily burnt by the fire, and reduced into _Scoria_, which
happeneth not to gold and silver, if they be rightly handled; only here
it is made appear what quantity of _Saturn_ or _Venus_ is contained in
an hundred pound- of Ore of _Saturn_ or _Venus_, which is impossible
to extort in great quantity, by the common and known way: for soft and
sulphureous metals of this sort lose much, because part is driven away
by strong blowing; another part is reduced into _Scoria_: but by my way
nothing is lost thus, and but very little remaineth behind. I know yet
another way, and that better too, of perfecting the Minerals of gold,
silver, copper, and lead, with a certain compendious profit; but seeing
that in my _Miraculum Mundi_ I have made no mention of a Work of this
sort, I shall here say nothing of it. I also know a way of extracting
from very poor Copper Mines, all the Copper contained in them, without
great labour and cost; which Mines are every where in great quantity
to be found, but are not sufficient to pay the Charge of melting in
the common way; but this my secret way will yield great profit, for
scarcely one pound of Copper will remain behind, and be lost in an
hundred pounds of _Scoria_.
_Point_ III.
_The volatile and immature Marcasites of =Sol= and =Luna= are
fixed in the space of three hours, so that they render a double
quantity of Metal, to what they could have done before fixation,
=&c.=_
This fixation is a singular secret, in perfecting Antimonial and
Arsenical Minerals, which are wholly crude, which commonly yield a
little Gold: For when Minerals contain much Antimony, Arsenick, or
Orpiment, and are torrefied in the common way, then the Arsenick or
Orpiment destroyeth much of the Gold, carrying it away in fume; but
if they be melted without a foregoing torrefaction, then the blowing
forceth away more; if from a Mineral of this sort, the yellow or red
Sulphur, Arsenick, or other rapacious substances, be diminished or
consumed, by closing it in Earthen Vessels, as many do, then by this
means the Mineral is burnt, loseth its flux and ingress into Lead,
so that much of the gold is destroyed, and reduced into _Scoria_; to
prevent which, this following way is the best: With one part of the
mineral mix half a part of Nitre, let it be kindled with a Coal, and
fixed, then the Nitre burneth away the greatest part of the rapacious
sulphur, and fixeth the rest, so that there is but little of the Gold
lost, and it keepeth its flux and ingress into Lead; if it be put into
the foregoing Furnace, and there wrought, it yieldeth all the gold and
silver which it containeth, and nothing is lost. Here some may object,
and say, That although in this manner, more gold may be obtained; yet
the Nitre maketh the work dear, which I indeed confess to be true, if
the Nitre be bought at a dear rate, but if by an artificial Culture, it
may alwaies be had at hand, it will cost little, and this torrefaction
and fixation, may be perfected with great profit.
_Point_ IV.
_All Gold and Silver not purely melted from its Marcasite, may be
swiftly purged from every Additament, the silver separated from
the Gold, by fusion only, with a small labour and cost, but in
great weight._
This way of purifying ☉ and ☽ from all addition quickly, and in an
easie manner, is a thing most profitable, and an Art highly necessary
to be known by those who handle metals; for it is sooner done, than
by the way of cupellating or blowing off with Lead, but is dearer, by
reason of the Nitre; nevertheless, the labour is easie and pleasant,
and it is done in this manner: Let a Crucible of impure gold or silver
be placed in such a Furnace as is described and depicted in the Fourth
Part of our Furnaces, let it be melted, then cast in some Regulus of
Antimony, more or less, according to the greater or lesser impurity of
the Gold, and according as it hath more or less need of cleansing for
its purification. When all shall flow and be clear in the Crucible,
cast into the Crucible upon the metal, at several times, about so much
Nitre, as there is of addition to the Gold; let it flow, then the
Nitre attracteth the Regulus of Antimony, together with the impurity
contained in the Gold, which passeth into Scoria. And this Process
doth not serve only for impure Sol and Luna, but also for such Sol and
Luna which contain Copper, Iron, Lead, Tin, Chalcitis, Aurichalcum,
and other metallick and mineral matters, Tin especially, which is
difficult to be separated from Sol and Luna by Lead, without loss. But
in this manner it may be quickly and easily done. But that my meaning
may be the more rightly understood and the less errour be committed
in working, I will here institute the Process clearly, and in express
words. Suppose to ℔ j. of gold or silver, there be two lothones of
Copper, and three lothones of Tin (_a lothone is half an ounce_) which
I would separate, and if it be done by the known way of blowing off
with Lead, there will need at the least thirty or forty lothones of
Lead, and nevertheless one part of the _Sol_ or _Luna_ will be lost;
but by my way to two lothones of Copper, and three lothones of Tin,
adjoin five lothones of Regulus of Antimony, then abstract the Regulus,
together with the addition of Copper and Tin, by the mediation of
Nitre, which may be done in the Crucible in the space of one hour,
which by torrefaction and agitation in the common way, could scarcely
have been done in 10 or 12 hours; besides nothing of the Additaments
is lost, all remaineth in the Scoria, from which, afterwards, as well
the ♃ as the ♀ and Regulus of Antimony may be recovered, to wit, if
the Scoria, in which the ♃, ♀, and Regulus of Antimony is, be put into
a Crucible, a live Coal cast in, and then the Crucible covered with a
tyle, let them flow a quarter of an hour, pour all out, and you shall
find in the bottom of the Cone a little Regulus, in which will be the
remaining _Sol_ or _Luna_, which the Scoria did prey upon; let them
be depurated on a Cupel, if they be not already pure enough: The
Scoria being again melted, cast in a live Coal, suffer all to flow
well together, again there will fall another Regulus from the Copper,
the ♃ & ♂ remaineth, and neither by Coals nor any other art, can be
brought into Regulus; but if these Scoria be driven through a probatory
Furnace, then they also yield the Tin again, and that better than
it was before. This Process is not only pleasant, artificial, swift
and easie, by which gold and silver is quickly and purely separated
from all addition, but there is also hidden in it a great mystery:
But because I have only proposed to prove those things to be true and
natural, of which I have made mention in my _Miraculum Mundi_, let
what I have now said suffice, and what is here desir’d may be found
perspicuously and satisfactorily declared in the following Processes.
_Point_ V.
_Gold and Silver are easily drawn out of Old Tin or Pewter Vessels,
the Tin being preserved almost in the same weight, and being made
better than it was before, may serve for the same uses to which
it is wont to be put._
This Process also is very well performed by the mediation of Nitre,
_viz._ in this manner. Let the Tin, in which is ☉ or ☽, be reduced
into Ashes, even as Lead is wont to be prepared, for the working of
Minerals; and let there be mixed with it as much powder of Nitre, let
the mixture be put in a strong Pot which will endure the fire, upon
which put subliming Pots, let the mixture be kindled in the lower Pot
(which is under the Subliming Pots, and must have a little hole in
the side for that purpose) with an Iron Rod, red hot, then the Mass
beginneth to burn, and sendeth many Flowers into the Subliming Pots,
the Tin and Salt-peter remaining in the Pot, take out, and melt in a
Crucible, if there be much Lead, then that falleth together with the
☉ and ☽, to the bottom of the Crucible, but the Tin with the Nitre
passeth into Scoria, which if the melted Mass be poured out into a
Cone, they are Separated from the Regulus of Lead, and after cooling
maybe taken out, which Regulus of Lead, by the addition of other Lead,
may again be wrought, and in a strong Crucible be reduced into Scoria
with Nitre; then there will remain a little Regulus of Lead, which
containeth the ☉ and ☽, which was in the ♃. The first and last Scoria
may be reduced by a strong blast in a Probatory Furnace, then the Tin
will be again obtained, better, harder, and whiter than it was before;
the reason is, because the Nitre hath consumed part of the combustible
Sulphur, and also separated the Lead. Although this Process is not
done with any great profit, yet nevertheless it shews the possibility;
but he that knoweth how to handle the matter, will suffer no loss, for
those sublimed Flowers are of greater worth than Salt-peter and Tin,
because they may be prepared into a good Medicine; they are also very
available in those curious red Colours for Cloth [_Scarlet, or Bowdy_]
exalting them in a wonderful manner, and firmly abiding in the Cloth,
shining, and giving it a fiery ground.
_Point_ VI.
_Much Silver may be separated from Bismuth, the Bismuth preserved,
a Secret agreeing to those places which abound with that Mineral._
This Secret is not of so little weight as perhaps it will seem to some;
for no Man even to this day hath proved this in the matter it self and
with effect, yet seeing that it may easily be done, _viz._ in this
manner, melt Chalcitis in a Crucible, and cast upon it successively so
much Nitre, until all the Chalcitis shall pass into Scoria, or green
Glass, pour out the Mass into a Cone, then the Silver will settle to
the bottom in form of a Regulus, which was contained in the Chalcitis,
then put the Scoria of the Chalcitis into a Crucible and melt them well
for the space of an hour, so all the Chalcites will be revived, rendred
Corporeal, and a little will be lost. He therefore that can make the
Salt-peter himself, and needs not to buy it at a dear rate, will hence
reap great profit, otherwise not; however it proveth that the Salt of
the Earth can perform what is here attributed to it.
_Point_ VII.
_From old Copper much Silver is separated, the Copper preserved
unhurt, by which Artifice Regions abounding with this Metal, may
reap no small profit._
That this extraction of Silver from Copper by means of the Salt of the
Earth, may be verified, you are to proceed in this manner: Mix with the
Copper its own weight of Regulus of Antimony, then melt both together,
upon which cast so much Salt-Nitre successively or at times, until
it turn the Copper together with the Regulus of Antimony into green
Scoria, then make the fire stronger, and cause these Scoria to flow
like water, and luit a Regulus, which although it be not sufficiently
pure, it may be depurated upon a Cupel with a little Lead, and it
yieldeth the Silver which the Copper contained. NB. This process is
most true, and will never deceive any Man, but I do not say that he
shall obtain Riches by this means, but only prove to be true, what I
have ascribed to it in my _Miraculum Mundi_. NB. But he that knoweth
how to fix the Scoria, that is the Copper and Regulus of Antimony with
Salt, and to melt them into Artificial Stones, or Enamel, so that
nothing be lost, he shall be sure not to undergo the Labour in vain;
otherwise he may cast in a live Coal upon the Scoria, from which the
Silver is separated, when they are in Flux, and let them flow half an
hour, then it leaveth the Regulus of Antimony together with the Copper,
which the Nitre hath reduced into Scoria, and afterwards another
Regulus, to be applied to use, which if all things be well handled,
from both, _viz._ from the Regulus of Antimony and Copper, (after their
Edulcoration) a green colour for Painting may be extracted, and so the
Labours will be compensated, and the gain will be so much the greater.
_Point_ VIII.
_Every common Silver may in the space of a few hours be exalted
into the nature of Gold._
This Gradation of Silver is performed by the help of a certain Mineral
Sulphur, to wit, of ♂ and Antimony, in this manner. Adjoin to ☽ as much
Regulus Martis, and again let it be separated from it by Nitre, which
labour is performed in the space of an hour, to the remaining Silver
adjoin again as much Regulus, which is again to be abstracted; and let
this labour be reiterated five, six, eight, or ten times, which may be
done in one day, afterwards let the ☽ be dissolved in Aqua-fortis, then
the Gold, which the Nitre by the help of the ☽ hath obtained from the
Regulus, will remain in the bottom, which is to be edulcorated, and
corporify’d with Borax, the Gold will be good in an excellent degree,
but the value thereof is scarce enough to pay for the Regulus, and
Nitre. But he that knoweth how to make his own Nitre, or can obtain it
without price, may reap a considerable profit: Especially if he know
how to transferr the detracted Scoria into further use, which is not
here sought, but is only proved that ☽ may be exalted into ☉ by the
help of Regulus _Antimonij Martialis_.
_Point_ IX.
_Gold may be separated by fusion from every addition of Copper,
Tin, Iron, Lead, Orpiment, Antimony, Arsenick, or the like,
without Cupels, each being kept apart._
This manner of separating of Metals, from one another, and of
depurating ☉ without Cupels, is a most pleasing, fair, and profitable
secret, by which in the separation of Metals, much time and expence
is saved, and no detriment to be feared, which no man, even to this
day could effect, my self excepted: You are to proceed in this
manner. First, the mixt Metal, whether it consist of few or many, is
to be granulated, the grains are to be conjoined with a fourth part
of powdered Sulphur, somewhat moistened, and to be set on fire in a
Crucible luted according to art, which being done, the cover of the
Crucible is to be taken off, and the enkindled Metal to be covered
with the fourth part of its weight of Antimony. NB. That if there be
much ♂pper], or ♃ in the mixture, then the more Antimony is to be
adjoined, that it may draw to it self the imperfect Metals. Therefore
when the Mass flows with the Antimony, inject a little well purified
Nitre, dried and pulverized, and when it flows well, the Mass is to
be poured out into a Cone, and the Regulus, if there be any, to be
shaken out, which will contain the greatest part of the ☉ which was in
that Mass. NB. If there shall be no Regulus, that is a sign that there
was not Nitre enough to suffice the crudity, which is to be remedied
thus: Return the Mass into the Crucible, and permit it to flow, which
being done, throw in as much filings of Iron, as you judge there is
Gold in the Mass, and mix it with the Mass with a red hot Iron, cover
the Crucible, and give a melting fire for a quarter of an hour, pour
it into a Cone, when it is cold separate the Regulus from the Scoria,
which will be about the same weight with the filings of Iron, which
you used in the precipitation, purifie the Regulus in a small new
Crucible, by the injection of Nitre, if it yieldeth Gold without
Silver, then it is a sign there is Gold yet in the Mass, therefore it
is necessary to flux the Mass again, and precipitate with Iron, if the
Regulus be yet golden, then it is to be depurated apart by Nitre, and
to be kept; but if it hath more ☽ than ☉, it is a sign that all the
Gold is precipitated, afterwards suffer the Mass to flow again, and
inject as much filings of Iron, stirring them well with the Mass, with
a red hot iron, permit them to flow well together, then it rendereth
as much Regulus of Silver, as there was Iron put in, afterwards also
the ♀ will be precipitated, and last of all, the Scoria are again to be
fluxed well being mixed with Nitre, that it may appear whether there be
yet any Metal in them. The Regulus of ☽ is also depurated in the same
manner as the Regulus of ☉: Venus, ♃, and other Additaments, are melted
by Bellows, so that nothing is lost. This separation of ☉ and ☽ from
the viler Metals, by melting, hath been long sought by many, but found
by few. _Lazarus Erker_, in his Writings hath taught by what means ☉
may be separated from ☽ by fusion, but that separation is unlike to
this which I have mentioned, because here it is not only shewed how ☉
may be separated from ☽, but also from other Metals.
_Point_ X.
_Every imperfect Metal, without the mixture of other Metals, may
be ripened by this Secret alone in the fire, in an hours space,
so that it will yield Gold and Silver, but without profit; an
indication that the viler Metals, may by Art be promoted into the
Nature of the perfect, to the great profit of Metallurgists._
This is done only by the power and virtue of Salt Nitre, whereby the
Metal is penetrated, depurated, and fixed into a more perfect, or
exalted in maturity, but cannot be performed with much profit in a
great quantity, but it proveth that Nitre hath a virtue of transmuting
every imperfect Metal into perfect, which is done in this manner. Let
the Metal be laminated into very thin Plates, whether it be ♀, ♄, or
♃, ♂ is indeed corrected by this way, but melteth not in any Crucible,
and ☿ also is transmuted into other forms, but not into ☉ or ☽. Make in
a Crucible _stratum super stratum_ with Saw-dust, Sulphur, and Nitre,
as also with the laminated Metal, of which mention is made in the
second part of Furnaces; kindle the mixture at the top, then a great
and suddain flaming fire will arise, by which the laminated metal is
penetrated, partly fixed, and amended, so that if it be wrought on a
Cupel with Lead, it leaveth some ☽ or ☉, which nevertheless before,
would have yielded neither, whence it is manifest, that the flame
excited by the Nitre hath corrected the Metal. NB. That ☿ is first to
be coagulated, and Chalcitis to be pulverized, before they be commixed
with the sudden fire of Nitre, and enkindled. In these Labours,
although they may be esteemed of small moment, a great Mistery is
hidden, which nevertheless will be valued by no man, although it should
be discovered in plain and open words, because the process is mean,
costeth little, and may be performed in the space of a quarter of an
hour.
_Point_ XI.
_Metals also grow up in this subject, in the form of Vegetables,
before the eye, in the space of two or three hours, to the length
of a Finger, or hands breadth, into many branches and twiggs,
without Fruit indeed, but is a demonstration that even Metals
themselves do germinate in it like Vegetables._
This Point is mentioned only for this end, to shew that Nitre hath a
power of making Metals to grow after the manner of Vegetables. Which
thing the Liquor of Flints also performeth, of which mention is made
in the Second Part of our Furnaces; but the Liquor of fixed Nitre is
better; which is prepared by fixing it with powder of Coals and Flints,
which is also taught in the Second Part of our Furnaces, so that there
is no need here to repeat it. If therefore the metals being prepared in
little bits, be put into this liquor, they will grow and encrease after
the manner of Herbs, and so quickly, that in a few hours space they
will grow to the height of a hands breadth, which is very delightful
to the eye, and worthy of a singular meditation, whence so sudden
an encrease should proceed. Certainly many things might be written
concerning this matter, but because in this place I have promised no
more, but to verifie what I have attributed to the salt of the earth in
my _Miraculum Mundi_; let what is said suffice.
_Point_ XII.
_There is another augmentation or encrease of the Perfect Metals,
very gainful, by the Imperfect, answering to the germination or
growth of Vegetables, =&c.=_
As for this augmentation, it is done by a way far distant from the
foregoing, _viz._ in this _Sol_ and _Luna_ are joined with Lead, Tin,
and _Venus_, or with Tin alone, where it is to be left for a convenient
time, then the Sol attracteth from the Lead or other imperfect metals,
a golden Essence, is encreased and made heavier. The Process is this:
Take one lothone (_or half an ounce_) of Gold, eight or ten lothones
(_which is four or five ounces_) of Lead, let them be melted together;
if you please, you may add Tin or Copper; put the Crucible, together
with the Lead or other imperfect metals, into a strong Crucible, give
a temperate and constant Fire, that the Lead with the Gold may only
flow, but not be white hot; cast into the Crucible upon it half an
ounce of the best Nitre, cover the Crucible well, that no Coals fall
in, and keep it in a constant easie fire, then in such a time the Lead,
together with the other metals, which were mixed with it, will be
turned into Glass, but the Gold being pure, is separated from the Glass
by it self, and will adhere to the bottom of the Crucible, which when
the Crucible is broken, take out and weigh, and you shall find your
Gold encreased, and that it hath taken weight from the other metals.
Although this labour affords no profit, yet it sheweth how the nature
of metals are to be known. There is yet another way of trying this
thing, thus, _viz._ Take half an ounce of Gold, join with it 5 or 6
ounces of Lead, and drive away the Lead again upon a good Test, till
the Gold sparkle and shine, and you shall find your Gold to be made
much heavier than it was before, which weight it hath drawn from the
Lead only.
_Point_ XIII.
_By the mediation of this from all Imperfect Metals and Minerals,
yielding nothing in the usual Examen of Cupels, Gold and Silver
is produced in a manifold manner, being an Argument that the
Imperfect Metals have somewhat of the Perfect reconded in them,
when they are inverted, and shew themselves to our sight._
If we would obtain Gold and Silver from the Imperfect Metals, by the
help of Nitre, an equal weight of Regulus of Antimony is to be added
to them, that they may be rendred frangible, and fit to be pulverized,
so that they may be commixed and fixed with Nitre in this manner: Take
an ounce, or an ounce and a half of Copper, Lead, Tin, or Chalcitis,
melt it with as much Regulus of Antimony; pulverize the mixture, and
mix with it its equal weight of the best Nitre, put the mixture into a
crucible, kindle it with a live coal, then the mixture will be reduced
by the Nitre into Scoria, which must be melted by a very strong fire,
in a Wind Furnace, then the Metal will pass into a Regulus, but the
Regulus will remain in the Scoria, which by the casting in of a live
coal may be precipitated and brought to Regulus again: but weigh the
metallick Regulus according to the Hundred weight, and drive it (if
it be Lead) upon a Test, then you shall find it to contain gold and
silver, which the metal had not before. If the metal be Copper or
Chalcitis, a due proportion of Lead is to be added to it, that it may
be wrought upon a cupel, then it leaveth gold and silver, which without
this Operation it would not have done. This Work may also be effected
by another way, _viz._ Mix ♄ or ♀ with its own weight of Regulus of
Antimony, suffer it to flow well with the metal in a melting Furnace,
inject successively by a little at a time, so much Nitre as both the
Metal and the Regulus did weigh, then let the Regulus and the Metal be
fired by the Nitre, that some of the superfluous sulphur may be burnt
and the mixture reduced to _Scoria_, afterwards give a strong fire,
that the Scoria may be well melted, then the Metal will be separated
from the Regulus, which may be tested, and the correction of the metal,
made by the benefit of the Nitre, will be manifest.
As for these 13 Metallick Labours, they are in themselves very good,
and profitable to be known by every one handling Metals, some of which,
if they be accurately manag’d, and by a skilful Artist, will afford
great Gain, and they are all done by the help of the Salt of the Earth.
But I will not deny, but that those Labours may also be performed
by another way, which needeth no Nitre. But I do not now intend to
say any thing of that, but only to prove that all those Secrets and
Transmutations may be effectually performed by the contemptible salt of
the Earth.
In Mechanicks.
_Point_ I.
_They who Engrave or Etch upon Copper, may of this subject prepare
a good corrosive Water, by which (the Copper Plates being first
smeared over with a Covering fit to defend them, and what Images
or Lines they please, drawn upon them, with a stile or stift) by
an easie and compendious manner, they will be eroded or eaten,
which otherwise would require a long time to be engraven._
That a corrosive and graduating _Aqua-fortis_ may be prepared of Nitre
by destillation, needs no proof, the way of making it being every where
known, as a thing common, only here it is proved, that this shortening
of the Engraver’s Work may be performed by the Salt of the Earth.
_Point_ II.
_Painters by the help of this, may prepare for themselves most
excellent Colours, as =Ultra-Marine=, blue Smalt, fine red or
Scarlet =Lacca=, =Venice= Ceruse, and others necessary for their
Uses, which otherwise they must have from far, as =Italy=,
=Holland=, =France=, &c. and at a dear rate._
That excellent colours for Painting, may be made by the salt of the
Earth, I will thus prove: Blue Smalt is otherwise prepared of flowing
Sand, Chalcitis, and Potters-ashes: But if instead of those ashes, you
take the fixed salt of the Earth, the smalt will not be only rendred
more open, loose, and fine, but also purer, by reason the salt of the
earth is purer than those ashes. _Lacca_ for the most part is made of
Flocks shorn from crimson or scarlet cloth in the dressing, and by a
singular _lixivium_ (instead of which Nitre may be taken) the colour
is extracted, which is to be precipitated, edulcorated, and dryed
upon clean Boards in the sun, or by a stove. Verdigrease and Ceruse
are commonly prepared by the help of Vinegar, in Iron Vessels put in
Horse-dung; but if the Copper or Lead be dissolved in spirit of Nitre,
and the Copper precipitated by a _lixivium_ of salt of Tartar, but the
Lead by salt water, then edulcorated and dried, the Copper will exhibit
a green colour, which may be used in all Paintings, and will not
corrode and destroy other colours, as the common Verdigrease is wont to
do: And the Ceruse is rendered more delicate white, and pure than that
which is prepared by Vinegar, with which oftentimes much Chalk is mixed
to augment it, and is not so conducible to Painting, nor to the shops,
as that which is made _per se_, without any mixture.
_Point_ III.
_Engravers and Statuaries may so harden their Tools, that they may
hold their points long, if they be to cut stones._
That Iron may be hardened by Cementation with Salts, so that it may
serve instead of Steel, is now openly known; but the iron or steel is
to be kept in cementation as long as need shall be, not with common
salt alone, but mixed with the powder of coals and salt of ashes; then
the Iron grows as hard as steel, but steel is rendered harder than it
was before.
_Point_ IV.
_Embroiderers may put any durable Colour they please upon the Silk
with which they work._
It may be known, that Nitre, as being a depurated salt, will easily
induce colours, and constantly preserve them, yea, exalt them, which
many know, they especially who dye cloth with rich grain colours,
as Scarlet, Crimson, _&c._ when they add the spirit of Nitre in
the boiling, to aluminate it, (as the Dyers call it) the colour is
wonderfully exalted, and made much more fiery, so that it may be sold
dearer than common Crimson or Scarlet. This spirit of Nitre also
tingeth Ashes, Nails, or Hoofs, Quills, or Feathers, with a golden
colour, but if the Nitre be fixed by calcination, then it also equally
exalteth, but not into a red, but a Purple; Dyers use Potters ashes for
these Works, but fixed Niter is much purer, and rendereth the Work more
beautiful than those impure ashes.
_Point_ V.
_They who Paint Glass, by an easie Work, may thence prepare all
Colours or Enamels for Glass, so that there will be no need to
have them from =Venice=._
The Painters of Glass sometimes complain, that their fusory Glass or
Enamel will not readily flow, and that the Glass which they are to
colour is melted first; the Salt of the Earth being fixed, remedieth
this, if the colouring Glass be mixed with it in a due proportion,
and again melted, for by this means they will be rendered fluxible at
pleasure.
_Point_ VI.
_They who work in Wax, by the benefit of this, may whiten it
exceedingly; and colour it as they please._
That Salts with Water do whiten yellow Wax, being melted thin, and
exposed to the Air, and often sprinkled with the Salt Water, is
sufficiently known, and wants no proof but not better than salt-Nitre
it self.
_Point_ VII.
_Printers also may add this subject to their Ink, which will cause
it to adhere very firmly to the Paper, and render the Letters
very fair._
That fixed Salts will readily conjoin Ink with Water, is not unknown,
and none better than fixed Nitre, which also excelleth all sharp
_lixiviums_, having a power of cleansing Lead, Tin, Copper, or other
Vessels.
_Point_ VIII.
_It is convenient for Clock-makers, or Watch-makers, if a Water be
destilled from it, which soldereth Iron or Steel, without fire,
if a drop of that =Aqua-fortis= be dropped upon it, whence the
Iron growing hot, it presently waxeth soft, as if it had been
soldered in the fire by the help of Copper._
If an _Aqua-fortis_ be destilled from Niter and calcined Vitriol (NB.
that there must be no Water or Phlegm in the Spirit) and two little
pieces of Iron be melted with it, (between which there must be little
Filings of Iron) then the Iron groweth hot by the _Aqua-fortis_, which
acteth upon it, and the one will be joined to the other by melting, as
if it had been done by the fire. But he that will use that water, must
know how to prepare it himself, because such is no where to be found to
sell.
_Point_ IX.
_All Smiths may by it harden their Files, and other Iron Tools, as
durable, as if they had been made of the hardest Steel._
Fixed Salts being mixed with ashes and powder of coals or sand, after
that they have remained 24 hours in a close Fire, do harden iron like
steel; as is proved before in the third point.
_Point_ X.
_Pewterers may harden their Tin or Pewter, and give to it an elegant
whiteness, so that it will resemble Silver both in colour and sound;
neither will it easily tarnish, and by reason of its hardness, will
last longer than common Pewter._
If Tin be often melted, and extinguished in a _lixivium_ of fixt Nitre,
it is made harder than it was before; but if it be put to Nitre in
Flux, and suffered to melt in it; then also it will be more hard. NB.
But if the Tin be reduced into Scoria by Nitre, and the Scoria again
reduced, it will be rendered harder and fairer, than by the two former
ways.
_Point_ XI, XII, XIII.
_Cabinet-makers may strike an excellent Black upon Pear-tree,
Cherry-tree, Box, Walnut-tree, and other hard Woods, which may
be used for curious Works instead of Ebony. Skinners or Furriers
may dye their Ermins, Fox-skins, Wolf-skins, and the like Furs,
with a scarlet, crimson, or deep black colour, far exceeding
the natural. In like manner Feather-dyers may swiftly give any
lasting colour to their Plumes._
If an _Aqua-fortis_ be destilled from Nitre and Vitriol, and a
little silver dissolved in it, and Rain water poured thereon (for
the weakening of the _Aqua-fortis_) then not only all hard Woods,
are blacked by it, so that they represent Ebony, but also skins and
feathers are made black as a coal, a ground being first laid upon the
feathers, skins, or woods, that the Colours may remain and endure firm.
Therefore the 11, 12, and 13 points are thus verified together.
_Point_ XIV.
_Taylors may take out Spots or Stains, out of Woolen, Linen, or
silk Garments, and restore their Beauty._
Of fixed Nitre is made a Soap, so subtile and pure, that by it all
Spots may be taken out of Garments.
_Point_ XV.
_If Shoemakers put old Iron to this subject, they may therewith
adorn their Leather with an excellent Black._
If Nitre be dissolv’d in Vinegar, and old Iron lie some time in it,
it will make an Ink with which Hides may be blacked with an excellent
Black. But there is no need of Nitre for this use, for if Iron be put
to Aqua Calcis, it effecteth the same thing; only mention is made
of this in _Miraculum Mundi_, that it might be manifest, that this
Universal Subject may be of use, to all and singular Artificers.
_Point_ XVI.
_Weavers may render their Linen Threds so fine and soft, that they
will emulate silk._
All Men know that the boiling of Thread in a strong Lixivium renders
it soft and delicate, but seeing that fixed Nitre is better than a
strong Lixivium, it will also perform this work better than any common
Lixivium.
_Point_ XVII.
_Dyers by this may give so firm and unchangeable a ground, to their
Cloth, that the superinduced Colours shall not be corrupted, or
spoiled by any Wine, Vinegar, Urine, Pickles, Air, or Sun._
If the Spirit of Nitre be put into the first boiling with the Alum
and Tartar, for the aluminating the Cloths, it will give a permanent
ground, as is already proved in the fourth point.
_Point_ XVIII.
_Potters may thence prepare a Glassy Colour, not unlike to the
=Indian Porcellane=, of which Vessels may be made having the
aspect of Gold, Silver, or Copper, a singular Ornament for
Noblemens Tables, hitherto unknown to the World._
The Glasing of Earthen Vessels, that they may appear like a natural
Metal, is an egregious art, but it doth not always succeed, for the
Colours are easily burnt and destroyed by too much heat, so that no
Metallick Vitrification can be discerned. Vessels therefore, ought to
be glased not in a common Potters Furnace, but in a peculiar Furnace,
that the fire may be oftner observed. If the Vitrification be to
represent Gold, or Silver, or Copper, then Gold, and Silver, and Copper
is also to be taken in this manner: Take one part of Gold and Silver,
or Copper, Regulus of Antimony two or four parts, melt the Regulus
and the Metal, pulverise them in an Iron Mortar, and mix them with an
equal portion of Nitre, suffer the mixture to be fixed in a Crucible,
with which mixture the earthen vessel is to be rubbed over or gilded,
afterwards to be committed to a Furnace fit for this purpose; if you
proceed right, you will obtain a very beautiful Vitrification, as if
the Vessel was gilt with Gold, Silver, or Copper, which will not vanish
or decay, and will far exceed in beauty and splendour the Vessels which
are gilt with those Metals, for those in process of time lose their
splendour, but these do not as long as the least bit remains.
_Point_ XIX, _and_ XX.
_Souldiers, Merchants, Travellers, Carriers, Fishermen, and others,
who are much in the open Air, may of this prepare a Varnish in
which they may dip linen Cloth, which will not permit either Air
or Water to pass through it, with which they may defend their
Boots or Cloths, so that they may travel dry in the rain. They
who make Tapestry, may restore their faint and faded Colours, so
that they shall be strong and beautiful._
Here mention is made of a certain mixture in which if Linen Cloth be
dipped and dryed will not permit water to pass through, and it is done
in this manner. There is nothing wanting in Linseed Oyl, but that
the humidity be taken from it, which always hindereth its dying; now
to effect that, there is no better way, than to boil the Linseed Oyl
gently and gradually with the Flowers of _Lapis Calaminaris_ or Saturn,
(which are sublimed by Nitre) so long till the Oyl be tenacious, and
groweth hard enough for this use. NB. That a Linen Cloth immersed
in this mixture, and shining Talk being finely laid upon it, may be
coloured of any colour, which will very strongly adhere to it, and
may serve for the making of Tapestry. Therefore in this manner the
nineteenth and twentieth Points are confirmed.
_Point_ XXI, _and_ XXII.
_Mistresses of Families, may of it prepare fine Soap or Wash:balls,
far exceeding the =Venetian=. Houshold Maids, may with it scour
their Metalline Vessels, so as to render them neat and beautiful._
That fixed Nitre will wash and purifie Linen cloth beyond all Soap, no
Man will deny, who comprehendeth the matter, concerning which thing,
the Ancients have written much, and not in vain, calling Nitre the
Soap of the wise, but not for the washing of Womens Linen, but for the
intrinsecal purifying of the imperfect Metals: Their External Purgation
may also be performed by help thereof, so that the twenty second Point
is also verified.
_Point_ XXIII.
_Women may change the Yellow, Pale, or Brown Colour of their Face,
and hands, into a beautiful whiteness._
That an Egregious Cosmetick may be made of Nitre, calcined with
white Talk (by which ill coloured skins may be whitened) is not to
be doubted. For if Nitre fixed by the Regulus of Antimony alone,
performeth that, why should it not yet do it better, if it be conjoined
with some white Mineral Talk in the Calcination?
_Point_ XXIV.
_Old Women may by an easie way, take away the Wrinkles of their
Face and Hands, as also the Corns of their Feet, and boil their
Linen to such a softness, that it shall come but little short of
Silk._
It is easie to verifie this, to wit if Nitre be fixed with Regulus of
Antimony, and set in a moist Cellar to run into an Oyl, which Liquor
will be so fiery, that if any hard Skin, or Corn, be often anointed
with it, it will so soften it, that it may be cut away with a Pen
knife, and afterwards other smooth and soft Skin will grow in its room.
_Point_ XXV.
_Gardeners by this subject may destroy all Insects, by mixing it
with water, and pouring it into those places where they breed,
for they will either die in their holes, or run out to die,
because they are not able to abide that fire. It also ripeneth
Fruits, if a little of this Menstruum be applied to their Roots,
at the entrance of the Spring; and if a large quantity of Apples
be well covered over with it, they may thence prepare a lasting
Wine, Vinegar, or burning Spirit._
It is not to be doubted, but that fixed Nitre will kill all Worms
in the Earth; I have often tried it with good advantage, and found
it true, in this manner: Many years ago, I had a Garden, in which
was a Bed of Asparagus, which I covered all over in the Winter with
Horse-dung, to defend it from the Frost, which occasioned the breeding
of many small Worms like Threads, sticking to the Roots of the
Asparagus, so that they could by no means grow or increase, only by
reason of the great quantity of Worms, which took away the nutriment of
the Vegetable for themselves. And once by chance throwing some fixed
Nitre exposed to the Air, and turned into a Liquor, out at a Window
into the Garden, it fell upon that place where these Worms were, the
fixed Nitre was dissolved by the following Rain, and penetrated the
earth; which done, the Worms in great numbers crept out of the earth,
because they could not abide that fiery Liquor, the Asparagus grew up
in the same place more plentifully and perfectly than before, which
moved me also to apply this Liquor in other places; by this means the
whole Garden was in a very short time freed from Worms.
_Point_ XXVI.
_Bakers may use it in stead of Ferment or Yeast, if they dissolve a
few hops therein._
If pure Nitre with flower be throughly moistened with warm water and
set in a warm place, then, by its own proper power and virtue, it
beginneth to ferment, especially if some fresh Hops be put to the
water, by which also other things are promoted to fermentation.
_Point_ XXVII.
_Brewers by its help may have very strong Beer, if they extract
their Hops therewith._
In the like manner also warm Beer may be excited to fermentation.
_Point_ XXVIII.
_Mead, and Metheglin, as also Beer, and Canary wine, which are upon
the turn, and growing sowre, may by this be rendred drinkable._
Any kind of Drink, whether it be Canary, Metheglin, or Beer, which
easily sowre in Summer, if you would amend them, to a Tun of the Liquor
put about two or three Ounces of fixed Nitre put up in a Linen Rag
into the Bung-hole at the top of the Cask, and let it hang down into
the Liquor, then in a short time the sowre Liquor will be rendered
drinkable.
_Point_ XXIX.
_Comb-makers, and others who work in Horn, may by this so soften
their Horns, that they may imprint upon them what Images they
please._
That every Horn, or Bone may be softened, if it be sufficiently boiled
in a Lixivium of Nitre, may easily be apprehended; which thing another
strong Lixivium, not so fiery as that of Nitre, will also perform.
_Point_ XXX.
_Keepers of Armories may preserve their polished Arms, or Harness
free from rust, by anointing them over with this Subject._
It is credible, that fixed Nitre will preserve Iron from Rust, seeing
that it is equally contrary to Corrosives, with a simple Aqua-Calcis
which performeth the same.
_Point_ XXXI.
_Bird-catchers, may by the help of this prepare such a Birdlime, as
will not be altered by Cold or Heat._
If a Spirit be distill’d from Nitre, and Lapis Calaminaris dissolved
in it, and the Spirit again drawn off, there will remain a thick and
heavy Oyl, with which the Glue for Wood being throughly humected and
dissolved, it becometh tenacious and viscous, which will not be dried
by the heat of the Sun, but keepeth its unctuosity in all Seasons. N.B.
That Spirit of Salt, or Vitriol, also performeth the same thing, if any
Glue be dissolved therein.
_Point_ XXXII.
_Souldiers may by help of this prepare a fulminating powder from
Gold, of which the magnitude of a Pea, put upon a red hot Iron
Plate, will give a greater Clap, than half a pound, yea a whole
pound of Gun-powder; the same may also be prepared without Gold,
by the addition of Salt of Tartar and Sulphur, as it is described
in the second part of Furnaces._
As for this point, it needeth no proof; for it is sufficiently known,
that of ☉ dissolved in Spirit of Nitre (in which also was dissolved
Sal Armoniack) and precipitated with Salt of Tartar (or Spirit of
Urine, which is better) then edulcorated and dryed, such a powder will
be made, which being put upon an Iron, Copper, or Silver Plate, and
enkindled by a light heat, fulminateth more strongly than half a pound
of common Gun-powder, concerning which, I have treated at large in
other of my Writings.
_Point_ XXXIII.
_Engineers, and makers of Fire-works, may perform many wonderful
things, by the help of this Subject._
That common Nitre is used in the making of Gun-powder, and other
Fire-works, wants no Testimony, being a thing every where known.
_Point_ XXXIV.
_Many new Works belonging to the Weavers, and Smiths Art, may
be made thence, which may be Communicated to Neighbouring
Countries, in lieu of which, money may be brought into a Country
impoverished by War._
As for this point, it is most certain, that by the mentioned Subject,
various Manufactures may be perfected, which thing let no Man doubt;
but there is no need here to particularize; let it suffice that I have
verified (by the assistance of God) those things which I have named,
and proposed to explain in that place.
_Point_ XXXV.
_If Keepers of Vineyards, pour a little of this Subject to the
Roots of their Vines, they will have ripe Grapes, and new Wine
sooner than the rest of their Neighbours, of which they may make
a good advantage._
Plebeians, Country-men, Gardeners, Vine-dressers, and the like, who
are conversant about the propagation of Vegetables; do say, and
believe, that Dung causeth Fertility, and the increase of things: But
a Philosopher, penetrating farther into Nature, and who is a most
diligent Searcher of her Works, attributeth that to the Salt which is
hidden in the Dung, and the matter it self is no otherwise, for by
digestion in the Stomachs of Men and Bruits, the essential Salt, as
well of Animals, as of Vegetables, is transmuted into a Nitrous Salt,
which together with the Excrements passeth out by the Belly, and is
used by Men for the propogating of Vegetables of all kinds, but another
Salt which doth not participate with that, is separated by another
way, to wit, by Urine, the greatest part of which Salt is acid, and
contrary to the growth of all Vegetables, (although it carrieth along
with it some volatile Salt) it destroyeth, mortifieth, and taketh away
from them the power of growing, yea, Life it self, if they be often
moistened with it; but the Nitrous Salt reconded in Excrements, on the
contrary, vivifieth all Vegetables, and maketh them to encrease, grow
strong, and bear Fruit, which all men know. Therefore if it be probable
that it is not the Dung, but the Salt which is hidden in the Dung, that
causeth fertility and encrease, it will be possible, that an encrease
by such a Salt may be procured in all Vegetables equally as with Dung
it self, and indeed better, for there is Urine also conjoined with the
Dung; which if it be not for some time exposed to the Air and the Rain,
for the washing away that sharp Salt, the Dung would avail nothing to
the fattening of the Earth, which Country-men know, and therefore they
do not presently use their fresh Dung, but lay it in the Fields before
Winter; Vine-dressers in their Vineyards; and leave it there all the
Winter, to that end, that the Rain may wash out that sharp and hurtful
Salt; and this being done, then at length they mix it with their Earth;
and the event teacheth them that this fattens more than Dung carried
fresh out of Stables, and full of Urine. Therefore if I know how to
make a Nitrous Salt, which is reconded not only in the Excrements of
Men and Brutes, but also in Rainwater and common Earth, I may use this
instead of Dung, (being first purged from its contrary acid) one pound
of which will perform more than an hundred weight of Dung; yet in the
mean time it conduceth to that purpose, if a little Sheeps-dung be
dissolved together with the purified Nitre, in Water, with which the
Roots of the Trees are to be moistened or Seeds throughly wetted with
the same. And this I have proved more than once, and found, that by
the help of Nitre well depurated, an encrease is most powerfully and
swiftly promoted, yea, more than can be believed. NB. That I would have
none understand me, as if common Nitre were to be taken, which is not
at all profitable in these matters.
_Point_ XXXVI.
_Nevertheless Must and Wine may be ripened after another manner in the
Hogshead, without this Art, so that they who understand the way may
have alwaies good Wine, when others have it sowre, =&c.=_
This is a very fair and profitable Secret in those places, where Wines,
by reason of cold, cannot come to maturity, but are forced to remain
crude and impotent, which by this Remedy may be brought to maturity
in the Hogshead; so that Wine which is eager and sowre, may be made
delicate, friendly, generous, and durable. And although I here write
nothing but the truth, and what I have often effectually proved, yet I
very well know, that but a very few will apprehend or believe it, which
matters little to me; I am satisfied, that I have verified what I have
written in this point.
_Point_ XXXVII.
_There remains yet another thing very profitable to Countrymen. The
juice of Apples or Pears being pressed out, by the help of this
subject, such an effervescency or working is promoted, as Wine may be
thence made, having the relish of the natural, and but little inferiour
in durability and strength, =&c.=_
In this point mention is made how the juice of Apples, and Pears,
may be corrected, that it may be like to Wine, keeping many years
uncorrupted: which certainly is a Secret of great moment and profit.
Apples, when ripe, of their own accord fall from the Trees, every
thing hath its period; what advantage may be made by this Art in those
places, where a great quantity of Fruit groweth; whether is it not
better to make this use of them, than to leave them to rot and be
lost? I will do what lies in me, and not bury my Talent, that I may
be rendered excusable before GOD and the World, although that which I
teach may not be received, as becometh it to be used. At length, after
my Decease, it will be observed, what is hidden in my Writings, but
the _Phrygians_ were wise too late. Therefore I again affirm, that all
things contained in this point, are purely true, and may be perfectly
effected. [_See Apology against_ Farnner.]
_Point_ XXXVIII.
_If Husband-men moisten their Seed with this =Menstruum=, it will
sooner be ripe, and have larger and fatter Grains than ordinary:
which being done, I will shew by what means they may make great
profit of their Grain, =&c.=_
The 35 Point confirms the truth of this, That Grain will grow the
more plenteously, if it shall be humected with the Nitrous Water
above-mentioned, before it be sown, but common Nitre is not here to
be understood. The other is also consentaneous to Truth, which is
written about the most profitable use of Grain, which none need doubt;
for as yet more may be done in that than I have here spoken of, for
without much labour and cost, by that water, every good and kernelly
substance, as I may so speak, of Grain, is extracted, which Extract
may be kept for many years, as a Treasure of great moment, of which
afterwards, at any time or place, (by the addition of Water of Hops)
good Beer may be made, and Vinegar, and burning Spirit; it is also of
such a very Nutritive substance, that in case of necessity it may be
used instead of Bread, one pound of which will afford more nourishment
than two or three pound of Bread made after the common manner. It may
also be kept in Garrisons with great commodity: Also it may be used at
Sea, by those who sail to the _Indies_, and trade about in Ships, when
they want Bread; of which by the addition of warm water of Hops, may
be made very good Beer, at any time of the year, for it is easily and
wholly dissolved in warm water. For this reason also it may be most
commodiously carried from place to place by Armies in time of War,
which in the Field, at any time, Winter or Summer, with the water of
Hops, it may be boiled into Beer, and there is no need to carry the
water far, because it is to be found in all places; neither are Hops
of any great burden; therefore in one only Tun there may be carried of
this Extract as much as sufficeth for the brewing of six or eight Tun
of Beer; and which is more, by this means, wholesome Beer may be made
in the _Dog-daies_, as well in Camps, as in Cities and Ships, without
any fear of impediment or future sowrness; at which time good Beer is
not otherwise made, because then it is wont presently to grow sowre;
and many other Commodities are procured by this means, all which to
declare, would be superfluous. Let what hath been said suffice.
_Point_ XXXIX.
_I have yet one thing to add among my Wine-Arts, concerning Grain,
and the Fruits of Trees and Shrubs, which is to be received
with Thankfulness, as a great Gift of God to Mankind, =viz.= It
is found by industry and manifold experience, that from Rie,
Wheat, Oats, Rice, Millet; also from Apples, Pears, Peaches,
Cherries, Plumbs, Sloes, Damscens, Quinces, Figgs; as also
from Goose-berries, Mulberries, Barberries, Black-berries,
Elder-berries, and other like Fruits of Trees and Shrubs; from
all these, I say, may be prepared with little labour and cost,
a Drink very like to Wine, both in taste, smell, and strength,
being grateful, wholesome, and durable, =&c.=_
In this point mention is made, That of the Fruit of Trees and other
Bushes and Shrubs, a clear Drink may be made, which is also grateful
and durable, being like to Wine in taste, colour, and virtue; which
thing, although it may seem strange to those who are ignorant of the
matter, nevertheless it is most true; so that those things which are
contained in this point, may be boldly credited. For what should it
profit me to write those things which I am not able to prove, it
would only turn to my disgrace and detriment. For this reason I have
determined to have such a Laboratory prepared, in which not only the
owners of Metallick Mines (if they desire it of me) may learn the
manner by me newly invented, for the compendious melting of Minerals,
so that they shall yield more Metal, than by the known and common
manner; but will also shew other Secrets, that the _Magnalia_ and
wonders of God may be made manifest, and We stirred up to give Thanks
to the Giver of all Good: Which Elaboratory shall continue open for one
whole year, which being past, it shall again be shut up and cease; for
I purpose not to render the whole course of my Life obnoxious to those
great Labours, but at length to enjoy a quiet tranquility; which thing
I am willing that all men should know, that they may spare me with
their Letters, which it is impossible for me to answer, much less that
I should see the Persons, seeing that the burden of journying is to me
altogether insupportable; but whatsoever I may perform at home, I will
not refuse. [_See for this point Apology against_ Farnner.]
Here thou hast, benevolent Reader, a fundamental Explication of my
_Miraculum Mundi_, (as for those last points, to wit, 36, 37, 38, and
39, they might indeed have been very commodiously explained here, but
because this is done at large, in a peculiar Treatise, entituled,
_The Prosperity of_ Germany; there is no need to explain them in this
place; therefore what the benevolent Reader finds wanting here, there
he shall find it at large, to which I remit him) whereby it will appear
to all men, unless to those who are wilfully blind, that I have not
ascribed too much to the Salt of the Earth, as a universal subject,
but that I have proved to the whole World, that every thing which I
have attributed to it, is possible, and plainly agreeable to Truth.
But that these Secrets which I have proved, may be performed by the
benefit of the Salt of the Earth, may not be done by other waies, and
perhaps nearer, I go not about to deny, but do necessarily affirm, that
the mentioned Metallicks, as well as the Mechanicks, may be performed
after other manners. Only here it is verified, That the Salt of the
Earth is deservedly esteemed a universal subject, which no man will
deny, nor will be able to refute by Arguments, supported by truth, how
wise soever he may seem to himself. Therefore let its vileness offend
no man, for the best of things is oftentimes hidden in things of small
price. Wherefore all men erre, who attribute good to outward splendor,
in which yet it is not, but is only to be sought, found, and obtained
in things vile, and of low esteem. =Note this, believe this, otherwise
thou wilt never attain to any Good.=
But here some Man may object in this manner: If Nitre be a Universal
Menstruum according to my praises of it, it will thence necessarily
follow, that the stone of Philosophers should be made by it, of which
nevertheless I have here made no mention. To obviate this Objection, I
do indeed readily confess, that I have not proceeded in this subject,
any further than those things which I have now proved; but without
doubt it containeth in it self greater things, than are manifested
to me and others. I have made a beginning, I have strowed the way,
let others follow me, and prosecute the thing further, if God shall
grant it to them; as for me I am content with small things, and do not
anxiously, or sollicitously aspire after the highest. Yet in the mean
time, this I freely confess, if I were not so old as I am, I should
not leave this Matter unessay’d. It is not to be doubted, but many men
have sought the Universal stone in Nitre, but what they have found,
that themselves know; and of this I am the more assured, because there
Matter in the end of the Work taking fire, hath vanished like a Clap
of Thunder; hence the ancient Philosophers have performed their work
in Winter, lest they should be hurt by Corruscations; it is most
true, and void of all errour, that a most noble essence of this sort,
obtaining a power of expelling all the Natural Diseases of Mortals, and
of transmuting all the imperfect Metals into Gold cannot be prepared
from an impure Metal, or Mineral, nor also of Gold it self. Much
less of viler and more unlikely things in which Fools are miserably
Occupied, prodigally, and unprofitably wasting their Goods; but in
my judgment, it should be no other thing than a Concentrated Astral
fire, exalted by Art, into the form of a stone, without any other
Adventitious matter. For in the nature of things, no purer Essence
can be found, than fire, exercising a very great power in all things,
especially in Metals: For if we had not fire (I pray consider it) all
Arts, and Mechanicks would grow cold, and be involved in the dark
silence of Cessation. Arts were invented, and draw their Original from
the fire, otherwise how should Metals be got out of their Minerals,
and prepared for use? truly they would be of no use at all. Therefore
the fire containeth more than can be believed. He that doth not know
fire to be a most powerful Element, knoweth nothing, nor without this,
can he find out any thing, neither by any just right can he assume the
Name of a Philosopher. The fire alone, without the addition of other
things, is sufficient to make Metals of stones, and particularly, the
best Metals out of the vilest stones, provided we know how to use it;
but universally, being concentrated into a stony matter; which last
although I have not experienced, nevertheless I have observed, if (by
the favour of the Almighty) a man could exalt the fire into a Corporeal
fixed substance, he would certainly have a Tincture for men, and the
imperfect Metals. But some man may object, by what way is this Crown
to be obtained? Truly by no other than by Divine Revelation. For the
Secrets of God of this sort, are not so easily to be found out, nor
will they be manifested to Impious men, although the whole World is
infected with a foolish madness, who doatingly think by force to extort
Gold from things in which it is not, and one that hath understanding
of the fire and Metals, cannot sufficiently admire those foolish and
doltish Labours, which they who are Captivated by the hunger of Gold,
undertake for the making the stone of Philosophers; many being willing
to ascend the Ladder, are presently sollicitous about the uppermost
Round, when notwithstanding they are as yet far from the lowermost
step: But this is a matter of a higher and more diligent search. In the
fire, I say, are contained Secrets of great moment, yea, insomuch that
some Philosophers (among whom _Plato_ is the chief) write that God is
most clearly discerned and apprehended in Fire and Salt. Fire, and the
Immortal God alone can make light of darkness, which is granted to no
Mortal to do; without fire is darkness and death: Without fire nothing
can live, nothing groweth or encreaseth.
In sum, Fire is the most Noble, and most Potent Work of God in the
whole Universe, he that knoweth how to use it rightly, will have need
of no Art. Let the Benevolent Reader also take with him my small
judgment concerning the great stone of the wise; let every man believe
what he will, and is able to comprehend. Such a work is purely the gift
of God, and cannot be learned by the most acute powers of an humane
mind, if it be not assisted by the benign help of a Divine Inspiration.
And of this I assure my self, that in those last times, God will raise
up some, to whom he will open the Cabinet of Natures Secrets, that they
shall be able to do wonderful things in the World, to his glory, the
which I indeed heartily wish to Posterity, that they may enjoy, and use
to the Praise and Honour of God, _Amen_.
The _EPILOGUE_.
I doubt not but many Men considering the great good that may be
effected by the benefit of Nitre, will be desirous of knowing how they
may attain it in great quantity, that so they may not be forced to
buy it at a dear rate; which certainly would be a great help not to a
few who labour in the fire, and I could wish from my Soul, that all
honest and pious Chymists might be able to recover some compensation
for the Coals they have consumed without fruit. But seeing that I have
made mention of the production or preparation of Nitre, in a peculiar
Treatise entituled, _The Prosperity of_ Germany; it is needless here to
repeat it. But this I will say by way of prediction, that Nitre, being
thoroughly known by my Writings, true Alchymy, or the Transmutation of
the imperfect Metals into better, will in a short time be as common, as
it was in _Egypt_ long since in the time of the Emperour _Dioclesian_,
who could not overcome or subdue the _Egyptians_, until he had by
many Cruelties extorted their Books from them, which he burnt, and so
brought them under the yoke of servitude. NB. That it is no wonder
that the Transmutation of Metals should have been so common with the
_Egyptians_ only, seeing that Nitre is found in all places of the Land
of _Egypt_, and the famous River _Nile_ is impregnated with Nitre,
which only by its overflowing (which it doth twice in a year) so
fateneth the whole Country, that it is made very rich and fruitful in
all things without dung; for the _Nile_ aboundeth with Nitre, as the
Sea doth with common Salt. For at certain times of the overflowing,
_viz._ in the beginning, the inhabitants are wont to dig deep Pits,
that they may remain full of the water, which being afterwards dried
up by the Sun, Nitre is very Copiously prepared, as common Salt is
made in _Spain_, and other hot Regions. This therefore I was willing
to discover for the information of the Reader; if he be wise, and God
be propitious to him, he will believe that I have said enough; but if
not, an Explication ten times clearer will not help him. Therefore let
it suffice, that what is here desired, shall be had in those Treatises
which are entituled, _The Prosperity of_ Germany, whereby a man filled
with the Love of God, will be greatly delighted.
THE
CONTINUATION
OF
Miraculum Mundi.
_In which Nature is clearly laid open to the Eyes of the whole
World; demonstrating, that the chief Medicine of Vegetables,
Animals, and Minerals, may be prepared of Salt-petre, and that
Salt-petre truly merits the Name of an Universal Menstruum._
The PREFACE, to the READER.
_This Treatise, to which I have given the Title of the =Continuation of
Miraculum Mundi=, containeth four excellent =Arcanums=, which I doubt
not, but will prove very profitable to the publick. The first of these
I offer to Country-men, as Husbandmen, Vine-dressers, Gardiners, and
all such who are occupied in Tilling and manuring the Earth, that they
may learn a new Method of fattening and enriching their Fields and
Gardens, without the usual and customary way of dunging, and thence
yearly acquire a greater profit._
_The Second, I give to all Citizens, Merchants and others who have time
and leasure, and abounding in riches, know not by what means to augment
or improve their Gold and Silver. Which way I will shew them, and how
to effect it after a much better and honester manner than putting it to
Usury, or incommoding or oppressing their Neighbours._
_The Third, I present to all Conscientious Physicians that they
may learn to prepare Salutiferous and Efficacious Medicines with
small charge, little labour, and in a short time; that (as becomes
Christians) they may help and succour the Miseries of the sick, and
acquire to themselves an honest livelihood._
_The Fourth, I dedicate to all persons of great Name and Authority,
by the benefit of which, they may preserve their Health entire, and
recover it when lost._
_The Omnipotent God give us his Divine Grace, that we may make such use
of his fatherly bounty, as may tend to the promoting of his Honour, and
the Love of our Neighbour. =Amen.=_
Arcanum I.
_Being a Gift given to Husbandmen, keepers of Vineyards, Gardeners,
=&c.=_
Although I had determined with my self to reserve the Press, mentioned
in the first part of _The Prosperity of_ Germany, (by which the
juice might be pressed out of great Trees, the searching after which
hath wearied many Mens Brains) for the third part of the same work;
nevertheless, it seems good to me to describe it in this Treatise for
the good of the publick. And that chiefly for this reason, because the
Omnipotent God hath now revealed to me other manners of extracting
Salt-petre, in plenty, out of all Wood, and that without a Press;
and not only from Wood, but also from all Vegetables, Animals, and
Minerals, so that by an easie business, and in a short time, without
a Press and putrefaction, Wood, and Salt may be converted into
Salt-petre: Yea, in the space of three or four hours, every Vegetable,
or Animal, as also Salts of every kind, may be so transmuted, as that
they pass into a Fatt, fervid and sulphureous Salt, which afterwards by
the benefit of the Air is animated, and converted into Salt-petre. Such
a Salt, although it doth not presently conceive flame, and burn like
Salt-petre, yet it is now brought to that pass, that in the manuring or
dunging of poor and barren ground, it doth the same thing as the dung
of any Cattel is wont to effect. Hence by the same Salt every pure Sand
destitute of all fatness, is quickly so fatted, that it is rendered
fit for the sowing and bringing forth Corn. Few will believe what Salt
can perform, when spoiled of its Corrosive force. Therefore Christ
saith not in vain to his Disciples, _Ye are the Salt of the Earth_.
That Earth which wanteth Salt is dead; nor can it bring forth Fruit:
For this inverted Salt serveth not only for sandy and plainly barren
Fields, but also for those which are fruitful, that they may be sowed
every year, and bring forth Fruit. Truly it is a great Gift of GOD,
of which this ungrateful World is not worthy. It often happens, that
a Husbandman, through want of Dung, is forced to let his Fields lie
unsown, till he can have an opportunity to sow them; but what a loss is
this to those who in the mean time must pay the Magistrates, Taxes, or
Duties, for them, and yet make no benefit of them. Were it not better
for such to possess only the Third or Fourth part of what they have
of such Land as would yield him every year an encrease. Certainly by
this means, that Land which otherwise is scarce able to maintain one
Country-man, would be sufficient for the keeping of ten, if it were
fatened after this manner by an inverted wood or salt. In like manner
also Vineyards [_and Hopyards_] might be so fattened, that the Labour
bestowed upon them might not be in vain, but they might abound in
Fruits.
So also Fruit-trees, and Meadows, and Pastures, which bear but little
Grass, may by the same Salt be so amended, as to bring forth better
Fruit and richer Crops of Grass. But let this suffice, concerning those
things in this place, more shall follow (God willing) in the Third
Part of _The Prosperity of_ Germany. In the mean time the Plenty of
Corn and Wine will be in part consumed. But I doubt not but that this
excellent Gift of God will be sought into by good Masters of Families,
be had in esteem, and even from this time to the World’s end, be put to
use for the promoting of the Divine Honour, and the well being of many
Thousands of men.
[Sidenote: Vid. _Prosp._ Germ. _p._ 3.]
But the manner of expressing of Wood by its proper Fire, and again of
coagulating this acid juice, by the benefit of the fixed Salt remaining
in the burnt Coals or Ashes, into a Salt fattening of barren ground, or
of reducing it into _Salt-Petre_ by the benefit of the Air, is indeed
an excellent and singular Artifice, which rendereth all unprofitable
Wood highly profitable and beneficial; yea, these are Inventions so
profitable, as the like hath been yet published by no man. And this
Invention is much better than that of reducing Wood into Pot-ashes, in
which all the acid juice passing away in smoak, wholly perisheth, and
is lost, and from a great quantity of Wood a very few ashes remain, and
out of them there is found but a little Salt (scarcely the Tenth Part)
fit for the fattening of ground, or to be turned into _Salt-Petre_. For
it is not the ashes, but the salt contained in them, that serves to
both those purposes. Therefore this my method of extracting the juice
of wood, and converting it into a good salt, is far to be preferred to
the making of Pot-ashes of Wood. Nor doth this press serve only for the
pressing out the juice of Wood, where Wood is plenty, but it may be
also used with great profit in Moorish places where Wood is wanting,
and which abound with Turf, which may be used instead of Wood. For
the juice of Turf is equally fit with the juice of Wood for enriching
of Land; so that no Country hath cause to complain that the Creator
of all things hath not plentifully provided it with some part of that
_mundane_ Treasure. Countries that lie high abound with Wood, and the
low afford abundance of Turf. Therefore, as in Regions of an higher
scituation, an unspeakable quantity of Wood perisheth by putrefaction,
and growing, and again rotting, serveth for no use or benefit; so also
it is in places lower scituated, with Turf, in which very often vast
Tracts yield not the least profit to any man, although in their inward
Penetrals are hidden great Treasures. Seeing that it is so in Moorish
and Marshy places, if they are overgrown with Grass, and Beasts should
be sent to feed upon that Grass, what profit will thence accrue to men?
But if they shall be invironed with too much wet or plashiness, (too
boggy) so that they are impassible by men, they are of no utility at
all.
There are Marshy tracts which are covered over (or swerded only with
Moss) which neither afford Turf, or nourishment for Cattel, inasmuch as
the growth of Grass, and Turf fit for burning, is hindred, either by
too much Sand, or large Moss. And yet those very tracts being pressed
by Fire, yield a fertile juice, by which the neighbouring Fields
(especially the Sandy) may be rendered fruitful. For those Moors or
Marshes contain nothing but that fatness which the Rain-water hath
collected from the neighbouring, high, and sandy grounds, and washed
down with it self into the Valleys, where it concreteth into Moss;
whence of right it should be restored to those barren sandy grounds, to
fatten them. And by this means it may be brought to pass, that great
fruitfulness may be conferred on much desert and waste Land, which
brings no profit at all to Mankind. What I say, is agreeable to the
Truth it self, and perhaps in Process of time, will be found most true,
and come into use in very many places. But at this time, these things
seem to Country-men, meer Dreams, and far exceed the Capacity of their
maulted Brains. But as every fat Marsh is able to fatten the adjacent,
barren, high, sandy grounds; so the Ocean is the Universal Medicine,
and nutriment of all high and barren Regions, through which it passeth,
and by the salt contained in it, bestows upon them fruitfulness. [_Vid.
Nat. Salium._] Whence the incredible Providence of the Divine Goodness
manifestly appeareth, for which uncessant Thanks are to be given to the
Almighty by all men, for His Fatherly Care, and great benefits never
to be forgotten. But how the Sea-salt fatteneth, and maketh fruitful
sandy-ground, which is destitute of all fatness, shall afterwards be
exactly demonstrated. Here, by the way, in the Description of my Press,
for the pressing of wood, I was willing to mention this thing. How much
better therefore is this my Art and Invention of preserving the juice,
and almost the whole _pondus_ or weight of the wood (the unprofitable
Phlegm only excepted) in that transmutation, than the invention of
reducing it to Pot-ashes? For any man of Understanding may easily see,
That in that open burning of the wood the noble Sulphur is consumed
by the Fire, and can be of no benefit. But if the business may be so
ordered, that the wood shall burn, and not consume it self in burning,
but be converted into a sulphureous Salt, it will be a thing of great
moment. He that knoweth how to perform this, hath indeed attained the
scope, and arrived to the desired end. Although a Coal be deprived of
its juice, nevertheless it retains almost the same quantity that the
wood had, whereof it was made. One pound of such Coals being burnt,
scarce yields an ounce and an half of ashes, which ashes afford but
a third or fourth part of Salt, fit to be changed into _Salt-Petre_,
or to fatten the Earth. Therefore it is no small Art to preserve the
Sulphur of the Coals (whose Virtues are great) and to convert it into
so noble a Salt.
For the acid juice of wood being pressed out, and reduced to sweetness,
will effect far more in the manuring and fattening of Fields, than
any one can easily believe. Hereafter, if I shall see it necessary, I
shall publish yet more and greater things; but I shall yet for some
time suspend the publication of the Third Part of _The Prosperity
of_ Germany, till I see how things will prove; being assured that my
Writings for time to come will be more grateful, than to this present
Age. I will now enter upon the description and use of the Press so
often mentioned, for the expressing and again coagulating the juice of
Wood.
_Of the Figure, Use, and Utility of the Press, by whose help the
Juice is plentifully pressed out of Wood, without great labour,
fit for the making of =Salt-Petre=._
_The Form or Figure._
First, Let a round Furnace be built with Bricks of the same form with
that in the first Figure, noted with the Letter A. It must be like a
Glassmaker’s Furnace, large at the bottom, and rising round by degrees
to a small point at the top; in the top must be a round hole, opening
about a foot broad, by which the Wood may be put into the Furnace. To
the hole is to be fitted a Cover or Stopper, made of the same matter,
with the Bricks, and burnt as they are, to shut up the hole. On one
side of the lower part of the Furnace, is to be a door, by which the
Coals may be taken out. On the other side is to be a little hole, to
which an earthen Channel or Pipe of about three or four cubits long,
is to be fitted, in which the smoak or fume of the wood, forced out by
the fire, may be condensed into an acid juice, and may destil into a
wooden Vessel or Barrel, which is to be fitted to the Pipe, to receive
the destilling acid juice. See the first Figure noted with _pag._ 13.
at the beginning of this Treatise.
A _is the Furnace or Oven wherein the Wood is char’d_.
B, _The Cover of the Furnace_.
C, _The Door at which the Coals are taken out_.
D, _The Canes or Pipes wherein the sap or juice of the Wood is
condensed, and from thence runs into the Receiver_.
E _is the Vessel or Receiver into which the Vinegar of Wood runs_.
All things being prepared in the manner aforesaid, let the Furnace be
filled with wood up to the top, and if the wood be not dry enough,
intermix with it, in the putting in from the bottom to the top, some
dry Shrubs or Bushes, or small Faggot-sticks, by whose help the wood
may be the more easily kindled. After the wood is kindled, and burns
well, the hole in the top of the Furnace is to be close shut with its
Stopper, that there may be no exit for the smoak, but that it may be
forced to descend and seek its passage through the lower hole, by the
Channel or Pipe. Therefore when the wood begins to burn, and yet can
emit no flame, the heat presseth out all the juice, and forceth it into
the pipe, in which, from the smoak, it is changed into an acid Juice
or Liquor, which destilleth by the Pipe into the appointed receiving
Barrel. All the wood being turned into Coals, and emitting no more
fume, the whole Furnace, wheresoever it may admit the air; and also
the hole to which the Pipe is fitted, is to be smeared over with wet
ashes, that the Coals in the Furnace being suffocated or choaked, may
remain entire. The Coals being taken out, may be put to necessary uses,
being equal in goodness to other Charcoal which Colliers make in Woods.
NB. I would have this understood, of such wood as is of a pretty good
thickness, and suffers its self to be reduced into Coals; for if you
cast into the Furnace Bushes or small Brushy wood, to press out the
juice, you will obtain only a Powder of Coals, which after the juice
is pressed out, is to be left in the Furnace open (not smeared over,
as we taught above) till it pass into ashes, which is required for
the coagulating the expressed juice; as shall appear by and by, when
we come to speak of its coagulation. NB. When you have no occasion
for Coals, or cannot sell them, it is necessary, that letting the
Furnace be open, you suffer them to burn to ashes. If this operation
be instituted in a place where there are stones fit to make Lime of,
it would be worth the while to fill the Furnace with a layer of Wood,
and another of Stones, from the bottom to the top, which Chymists call
_Stratum super Stratum_, and after the juice is pressed out to open
the Furnace, that the wood may be turned into ashes, by doing of which
at the same time the stones will be calcined, and changed into Lime,
which being exposed to the air, (yet so that the Rain cannot come to
it) will fall to pieces into a fine powder. To this Powder, being mixed
with wood ashes, the acid juice is to be poured, which was pressed out
of the wood, that those two contrary natures may mutually work upon
each other, and well unite: in which operation the sharp spirit of the
wood loseth its Acrimony, and the fixed Salt of the wood and stones is
altered, so that from both there proceedeth a contrary middle nature,
and a sweeter salt; which being long exposed to the air, draweth from
thence a Life, and is transmuted into the best Salt-Petre. NB. This
mixture is so to be exposed to the air, that lying under a Covering or
Roof, and being open on the sides, it may be defended from the Rain,
and nevertheless attract the air. If it shall be dried by the air, it
must be moistened again with the Urine of Men or Beasts, that it may
never be throughly dry. If these things be rightly performed, you shall
have plenty of the best Salt-petre, from this matter, in the space of
a year and an half, or two years at the most; which being extracted,
purified, and boiled up, shooteth into very pure Crystals. The rest of
the matter being again laid in its former place, under the covering
or shed, and being ordered in the same manner, as before, will in the
space of two years produce new Salt-Petre, which may be extracted and
boiled up as before; for that mixture still remaineth good, provided
it be moistened with Urine when dry, as was said. NB. He that desireth
to acquire Salt-petre sooner, after the conjunction of the acid spirit
with the ashes, and the precipitation and mortification of both, from
that conjoined matter, by the pouring on of water, he may extract and
boil up the Salt, and then dissolve the Salt in Urine, and digest it by
Circulatory Vessels; by which means he may obtain the best Salt-petre
in the space of one year. This labour of pressing the juice out of
Wood, and at the same time of making Stones into Lime, may be used
in all those Cities and Places where wood and stones are plenty. But
if this operation were to be instituted in a Wood, there would be no
need of a Furnace built with stone, seeing that the Pile of Wood might
be covered all over with green Turfs, after the same manner which
Colliers use in making their Charcoal, only with this difference,
that here must be a hole in the side, to which the duct or pipe is
to be adjoined. The juice being pressed out, the pile or stack is to
be every where well closed, that the Air may have no passage, if you
would preserve the Coals. All being cooled, the Coals may be taken out
and sold, or put to necessary uses, so that the expressed juice, which
being received in no Vessel, would have vanished in smoke, plainly
costs nothing; but if you do not desire Coals, let them be burnt into
ashes, that they may serve for the coagulating the spirit into salt,
and afterwards by the help of the air, in a certain space of time
transmute it into good Salt-Petre.
[Illustration]
[Illustration:
_A. Ist der Ofen darin das holtz gebresset wirdt._
_B. Der deckel darmit der Ofen geschlossen wirdt._
_C. Die thur an dem Ofen dardurch man die kohlen aus nimbt._
_D. Seind die röhren darinnen sich der holtzsafft Condensirt vnd
heraus rinnt._
_E. Ist ein fas darin der holt essig laufft._]
[Illustration:
_A. Ist der Ofen._
_B. Das distillier gefäs in dem Ofen._
_C. Das loch mit einem faltz dardurch das swänge eingetragen wird._
_D. Die Zange mit deckel darmit das gefäs nach dem eintragen
geschlossë wirdt._
_E. Ein Eisen löffel darmit der schwan eingetragen wirdt._
_F. Die recipienten._
_G. Die banck darauf die recipienten ligen._
_H. der Laborant._]
[Illustration:
_A. Ist der Ofen wie er in der arbeit stehet._
_B. Ist der Vnterste theil des Ofens wie er offen ohne die vorder
wand anzusehen._
_C. Ist das obertheil des Ofens._
_D. Der rost in dem Ofen._
_E. der Herd._
_F. der Müffel so auff den herd gehöret._
_G. der Deckel dar mit der Ofen oben gedecket wird wann kohlen
darin sein vnd in voller arbeitstehet._
_H. das rauch fanglein an dem Ofen._]
NB. It is here also to be noted, that the expressed juice carries along
with it a sharp hot Oyl of a dark reddish colour, which is not to be
cast away, but is to be poured upon the Ashes together with the acid
Spirit, that putrefying with the Salts, it may with the rest put on
the nature of Salt-petre. But he that will may apply the same to other
uses; forasmuch as it is profitable for other things. Any Wood exposed
to the Rain, or standing in the Water, easily rotting, being anointed
with this Oyl, will be preserved, so that it will not so easily rot,
seeing that the water cannot adhere to the Wood, but is forced to slide
off, or is hindered from penetrating the Wood. Carters, or Waggoners
may use the same instead of Grease to their Wheels and Axle-trees,
especially when it is a little thickened with Suet or Rosin. But
the best use of it that I yet know (if you except Salt-petre) is to
dissolve and boil it with a sharp Lixivium made of Lime and Ashes, by
which it becometh a very hot and penetrant Soap, procuring fertility;
if a poor sandy ground be sprinkled with the same and moistened: For it
rendereth it very fruitful; which thing it doth not only in Fields, but
also in Trees and Vines, insomuch, that one Tun of it avails more in
the fatening of Fields, than ten Cart Loads of Horse-dung or Cow-dung:
And a Hogshead, or Tun of this Soap may be carried into Fields and
Vineyards, far remote, more easily than ten Loads of Dung, which is
carried to Vineyards situate in Rocky places with great labour, and no
small charge.
NB. If this Soap be used for the fattening of Vines, too much of it is
not to be used at a time, least the Vines grow too fat and luxuriant;
therefore its moderate use is required, which needs not that exactness
in the dunging of Arable Land: Although in that an excess brings
damage, and indeed it is the excess of good things that doth harm.
A Tree, or Vine being made too fat by dunging, grows luxuriant, and
putteth forth more fruit than it can bear and bring to Maturity. The
Wood it self becomes too fat and soft, so that in the Winter it is
easily injured by the cold. Whence in all things a Mediocrity ought
to be observed. This Black Soap made of the Oyl of Wood, is truly a
very great gift of God, in those places where Sand renders the ground
barren. Hence the admirable Wisdom of our Creator appeareth, as it were
thus speaking to us: _Ye rude, and unskilful men, wherefore do you
leave this place uncultivated? Because you cannot sow it with any kind
of Grain, I will that it shall produce wood, and afford you a matter,
with which, if you will, you may render it fat._ For it is sufficiently
known, that Animals, and Vegetables rotting, dung the earth, and render
it fat; which thing even the Rusticks have now learned, that they do
the same without putrefying or rotting, when they cut down, and burn
the Trees and Bushes, which had grown up in the Fields, during the
long time of the War, and spread the Ashes on the ground, by which it
is fatned. But that they know not how to save, invert, and use with
the Ashes for dunging, the acid Spirit, and hot Oyl, which vanish in
the burning, ought to seem strange to none, seeing that no man hath
hitherto declared it to them. Nevertheless, I perswade my self that
this way of dunging of Land, will come into use, in process of time,
but I believe not quickly [here in _Germany_] by reason of that great
quantity of grain which every place affordeth in this time of Peace.
But if hereafter, a new War should happen (which God avert) and the
Fields should lie many years untilled, through the want of Men, Horses,
and other necessaries, then I believe, and not before, this necessary
Art will be sought after.
But what other things the said juice of Wood is able to effect, we
cannot here declare, by reason of our intended brevity: Yet this I
will add, that if this acid Spirit be rectified, it may be used in
the preparation of good Medicines, in Mechanick Arts, in the making
of many fair Colours, from the extraction of Metals, Minerals, and
Stones, and for all things for which common Vinegar is used; yea, far
more commodiously, because it much exceedeth the common Wine, and Beer
Vinegar in sharpness. And even it self alone is a Medicine which cureth
many incurable Diseases; being mixed with warm water, and used in a
Bath for washing the Body, is far more efficacious than those Baths
which issue out of the Earth; especially in all Scabs, in Members
relaxed by the _French_ Palsie, _Paralysis Gallica_ [I suppose he means
the Venereal Lues] in Fistulous and stinking Ulcers in the Legs and
other parts of the Body. Also in the Gout, Stone, Cramp, Sciatica,
Palsie, Diseases of the Womb, and all sorts of sickness otherwise to be
cured by the help of Baths, which this Vinegar pressed out of Wood, far
exceedeth in Salubrious Vertues.
The same also doth the hot Oyl which is expelled by expression with
the Spirit, which exerteth wonderful Virtues in curing those Ulcers
and external affects. For which certainly, as a great gift, and to
be easily found in all places, none of those who are burdened with
grievous Diseases, can render sufficient thanks to the Almighty: But
especially the Poor, who have not Money to buy Physick.
NB. Here also it ought to be observed, that those who use the Bath
tempered with the juice of Wood, should before they enter into it drink
some spoonfuls of this Vinegar. For this Vinegar by penetrating the
whole Body, casteth out all things superfluous and noxious to nature by
sweat, and openeth all Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, and Lungs:
And especially when the Vinegar is elicited from a Wood, or Herb, which
is endowed with peculiar Virtues for the eradicating of those Diseases.
As for Example: The acid Spirit of the Vine, Beech, Birch, and the
like, taketh away the Obstructions of the Internal Bowels. That of the
Oak, and other hard Woods, cureth the Corruption of the Blood, and all
Diseases proceeding thence, as the Pox, Leprosie, external Ulcers of
all sorts, Scabs, Fistula, and all open Sores. Also all Contractures
or Cramps, Falling-sickness, Apoplexy, and Palsie. So the Vinegar of
Ash, Cherry-tree, Plumb-tree, Sloe, or Bullace-tree, Medlar-tree,
Arbute-tree, and the like Trees, which bear Fruits having Stones or
Kernels, cure the Gout, and the Stone of the Reins and Bladder. That
of Balsamick Herbs, as St. _John_’s Wort, Sage, _Paul_’s Betony, or
Fleuellin, Sanicle, Betony, Lung-wort, Liver-wort, Saxifrage, and
other like, taketh away the internal Hurts of the Liver and Lungs, and
all inward affects arising from Blows, Falls, _&c._ So efficacious
a Medicine is this juice of Wood, that the most costly Galenical
Compositions are forced to give it place. In making the Bath one Pound
of the acid Spirit is to be added to ten pints of water, and this
quantity to be augmented, or diminished, according to the condition of
the Patient and the Disease.
Before the use of the Bath, some drops of the Oyl may be adjoined to
the spoonfulls of Spirit, which so fortifieth the Spirit, that it more
readily penetrateth the body, more forcibly accosteth the Disease,
and the sooner expelleth it. In Gouty Pains, and in the stone of the
Kidneys, the same Oyl being rubbed upon the part with the Spirit, gives
a relief not to be contemned. In brief, this juice of Woods and Herbs,
if it be duly prepared and used, is able to shame and confound all the
Apothecaries Shops of Galenical Medicines, notwithstanding their proud
Furniture of Painted and Gilded Glasses and Boxes.
And I do not doubt but in process of time, that Physicians out of a
good Conscience, will explode those unprofitable Coctions, and in their
room institute better preparations, that God may have his due praise,
and the miseries of the sick receive succour.
For although this acid water doth not contain the Virtues of the whole
Herb, nevertheless it is to be reputed and used as an efficacious water
of Herbs, in Medicine, seeing that that which is used in the Shops hath
very little virtue, as daily experience witnesseth: It being nothing
but the pure Phlegm of the Herb, the chief Virtues and Essence of the
Herb remaining in the supposed fœces, although the water hath carried
along with it something of the Smell and Taste. Look upon any dry Herb,
which the heat of the Sun or Air hath deprived of all its Phlegm and
Humidity, and see whether it be also deprived of its Smell, Taste, and
Efficacy. And although in length of time it will lose all its Taste and
Smell, nevertheless its chief Virtues yet lie hid in it. Yea, although
its _acetum_ be drawn from it by distillation, that an unskilful man
would think that there remained no virtue at all in the remaining black
Coals of Wood or Herbs, yet the most efficacious Virtues yet lie hid in
the best Sulphur and Salt. And that great Virtue doth yet remain in the
Coals, is not unknown to Rusticks, who in the Winter burn them to warm
themselves, and boil their food, which thing they could never do by the
Phlegm separated by distillation. Those black and contemptible Coals
are of so great vertue, that they emulate the powers and properties of
the most Noble Creature the Sun, for which cause they merit the name of
Terrestrial Suns. For whatsoever the Astral and Sydereal Sun effecteth
in the superiour Firmament, the same doth the Terrestrial Suns, _viz._
Coals, which are its Vicars, also effect. The superiour rendereth all
things partakers of Life and Growth, the same doth also the inferiour
Suns. In the Winter time when the Sun is far distant from us, all the
Vegetables of the Earth are as it were dead: In the Spring upon his
return, all things revive, grow, move, increase, and are nourished.
Insects themselves which have hid themselves in Holes and Caverns of
the Earth to fly from Cold, and have lain as dead, do again come forth
into the light. All which effects are produced by the superiour Sun.
The same things also the inferiour Sun can effect. For when Flies,
Spiders, and other like Insects in any Parlour or Chamber, to shun the
cold, betake themselves to Holes and Chinks, and there lie as it were
dead; the first heat they perceive by the making of a fire in that
room, recover their former life, and again creep out of their hiding
places, as upon the Suns approaching us in the Spring. Yea, if in such
a Room made hot, there had been before reposited great Insects, as
Frogs, Snakes, Lizards, and the like, as also Herbs killed by the cold,
they would revive, recover strength and grow equally as if they had
been illustrated by the Rays of the great Elementary Sun. Therefore
if this Contemptible Coal, which in the judgment of the unskilful is
deprived of all its Juice and Virtue, can perform these things; what a
Medicine think you may be prepared by the help of Art of such a Coal?
But some Putatious Physician may here ask; who can prepare any Medicine
from so dry and insipid a Coal? It can neither be dissolved by the
strongest Corrosive Liquor, nor by the most intense fire, if no air
come to it: of which, if the least Portion shall touch it, it presently
conceiveth flame, and is consumed, so that nothing of it remains but
a few ashes mixt with a little Salt. And those Virtues which refresh
all things living, and revive the dead, all perish by Combustion,
and vanish in smoak, which could they be taken and preserved, might
doubtless afford a Medicine of great moment. To this I answer:
wherefore cannot so great an efficacy be preserved, and used for the
making of a good Medicine, before that it vanisheth by burning, and
flieth into the air? Whatsoever Philosopher is ignorant of the manner
of effecting this, truly he is a weak Philosopher, who ought to blush
in that he setteth himself before others, and contemneth them who
exceed himself in Learning and Science. He that knoweth not how to use
any palpable and coagulated matter, before it be consumed by burning,
and vanisheth away, by what means will he elicit the same out of its
Chaos, and concentrate it? But that the way of freeing this Noble
Sulphur from its Bonds and Keepers, is not known to everyone, is no
wonder. For it will not come at every call. Of all the Philosophers,
there is none who more clearly and openly teacheth by what means it may
be delivered from its Bonds, than _Sandivogius_, who expresly saith,
_That this Sulphur lies hid and is held Captive in an obscure or dark
prison, and kept by very strong keepers. But that Salt only in the
conflict or fight, gave him a deadly wound._ No Man hath spoken more
clearly than this worthy Author. Therefore he that knoweth not how
to extricate that Vital virtue from its bonds, and how to use it in
Medicine, let him read the above cited _Sandivogius_, who will clearly
instruct him. If he cannot learn of him, there is no reason why any one
should labour to help him.
I will propose the matter by a similitude; a Man is compounded of
three things, _viz._ Body, Soul, and Spirit; The _Body_ is visible,
immoveable, gross, earthy, and corruptible: The _Spirit_ is invisible,
movable, living, and nevertheless mortal; But the _Soul_ of Man, which
is his most noble part, is immortal.
In like manner, there is also a certain _Anima_ or Vital Principle in
Vegetables and Minerals, although there are few who know how to extract
it. Therefore as in Man the Soul is the most noble part; to which the
Spirit is inferiour, and the Body the lowest or vilest; so it is also
with Vegetables and Minerals. To acquire the _Anima_ or Vital Principle
of any Vegetable or Mineral, that fixed and constant _Anima_ is to be
separated by the help of Art, from the gross, unprofitable, and dead
body. For as long as the gross body adhereth to this noble Principle,
so long it cannot move it self in a due manner, nor demonstrate its
nobility, but is held Captive by its gross body, till it be set at
liberty, by some body who knows how to dissolve its bonds. Being freed
from its bonds, and the gross body laid aside, it can presently exert
its power. Therefore let this be the principal care of Physicians, that
instead of a body dead, and destitute of Virtue, they labour to attain
the fixed and living _Anima_ of Vegetables, that using that in the cure
of diseases they may perform far greater things than now they do.
I have here inserted this discourse, only for this cause, that I might
shew that a whole or intire body is of very little moment, and that
that thing whereby any Good is to be effected in Medicine, is to be
found only in the most noble part, to wit, the _Anima_.
And even, as in Minerals, besides a fixed and incombustible Sulphur,
there is also found another, combustible and fugacious: so also there
is found a twofold Sulphur in Vegetables, in the destilling of which,
by a Retort, an Oil is expelled, together with the acid Spirit and
Phlegm, which indeed hath its virtues, but can in no wise perform those
things which that part remaining in the black Coals is wont to effect.
For by how much a Medicine shall be more fixed and constant, by so much
the more do they enter and encounter long and fixed diseases; so on the
contrary, fugacious medicines are found less efficacious in eradicating
the same.
What I have said concerning Vegetables, _viz._ That there is in them
a volatile and fugacious spirit, and a constant fixed _Anima_; the
same is also to be understood of Minerals, which besides a combustible
Sulphur, possess also a fixed and constant _Anima_.
But whosoever knoweth how to conjoin the _Anima_ of Vegetables with
the _Anima_ of Minerals, hath obtained a Medicine which is able, after
a wonderful manner, to corroborate the Vital Spirit in Man. For the
_Animæ_ of Vegetables and Minerals, are the Rays of the Sun coagulated,
which necessarily contain a vivifying or enlivening power, seeing that
the sun maketh all things partakers of Life.
And a man, if he only beholds the sun, or its Vicar the fire, the
earthly sun, although he be in some very deep and cold place under
ground, where he cannot feel its warming and enlivening power; yet he
shall perceive his Heart to be recreated and strengthened by the bare
aspect of it: But how much greater a recreation and corroboration would
he perceive, if he should take the _Anima_ of Wine, or of some other
Herb conjoined with the _Anima_ of Gold, for the curing of his body,
with both which it hath a great familiarity; for like rejoiceth in
like, and desireth to be joined to it: And therefore it ought to seem
strange to no man, that I assert, the _humidum radicale_ of the humane
body may be augmented by the _Animæ_ of Vegetables and of Gold: For the
_Anima_ of Vegetables is nothing else but an essential universal salt,
which is found in all things.
Seeing therefore that Philosophers confess, that the redness of gold
and whiteness of silver may be encreased by its own universal salt, it
is reasonable for us to acquiess in the same opinion, and to maintain
it against those that erre. A visible and palpable demonstration is
to be credited. Nevertheless I easily perswade my self, that this
discourse of mine will not be credited by many, which I cannot help. It
contenteth me, that I have written the Truth, and lighted a Candle to
my Neighbour.
After one and the same manner, of Wood of little or no worth, I have
shewed the making of _Salt-petre_, for _Souldiers_, _Gardeners_,
_Vintners_, and _Husband-men_, fit for the dunging of Orchards,
Vineyards, Fields, and Meadows; of commodious Baths, for the Sick;
of a good Vinegar for Chymists and Apothecaries, necessary for many
extractions. It now remains, that I also offer a Gift to the Owners
of Metallick Mines. If they shall humect or moisten the _Calx viva_,
or Lime made of stones, in the Press, as we have taught, with the
_Acetum_ or Vinegar of Wood, they shall obtain a cheap Flux, by which
those hard and untractable stones digged out of metallick Veins, may
easily be melted; for the acid spirit of Wood is fixed by the Lime, and
converted into a salt, causing an easie Flux. Nevertheless, this salt
will be of greater profit to Husband-men, for the dunging and fattening
their Fields (for whose sake I also describe it) than in the melting
of Mineral bodies. Physicians may use the noble and efficacious juice
of Wood, for the happy cure of many incurable diseases, and to their
own honour and profit. This Vinegar of Wood being exposed in Hogsheads
to the cold in Winter, that it may be frozen to Ice, the Phlegm only
freezeth, but the sharp spirit, with the Oil, is not turned into Ice,
but remaineth in the middle of the Hogshead so sharp, that it corrodeth
metals like _Aqua-fortis_. If Princes and Great men would be pleased to
take care that the Wood in their Dominions (otherwise rotting in the
Woods) might be turned into _Salt-Petre_, they would do well, and it
would not repent them of their labour, seeing there is a time at hand,
in which _Salt-Petre_ will be much wanted.
There is yet another secret, which for the sake of Country-men I ought
to discover, which will yield them no small profit; which is this: If
Hop-poles be burnt at the ends which are to go into the Earth, and
those burnt ends dipt in the Oil of Wood, that they may imbibe or
suck in that fatness, and afterwards set into the earth, they admit
no humidity or moisture, which otherwise they are wont to do, being
every year diminished in that part which standeth in the earth. It
also cometh to pass, that they communicate their fatness to the vines
and stalks of the Hops to which they are joined, and render them more
fat and fruitful, by this means affording a twofold profit, first in
preserving the Hop-poles from rotting a longer time than they are wont
to last. The other is, That the Roots of the Vines and Hops, drawing
fatness and nourishment from the bottoms of the poles grow the faster,
and are more fruitful. Moreover, those ends of the poles, in length
of time growing rotten, yet there is no loss of the Oil, but still
the same profit remaineth, seeing that those rotten ends of the poles
being taken up and planted again in the earth with the Roots of Hops,
they will afford them nourishment for some years, better than if they
had been dunged with dung. In like manner, by the help of this Oil of
Wood, strong and durable quick-hedges may be made for the fencing in
of Vineyards, Orchards, Gardens, and Hop-yards, by which Beasts and
Thieves may be kept out. For this purpose the sharp end of the stakes
fit for the Hedges, are to be put into the Fire till they grow black,
and then whilst they are hot, be dipped into the Oil, that they may
well imbibe the same.
With these, being drove into the ground after the usual manner, an
Hedge may be made by planting a young shoot or set of Thorn, Crab-tree,
_&c._ all along between the Stakes. Those sets or sprigs, which
otherwise, growing but slowly, are many years before they come to a
requisite height and thickness, their roots now obtaining fatness and
nourishment from this Oil, arrive to maturity in less than half the
usual time, and become a thick and strong Quick-hedge before the Stakes
are rotten. Moreover, there is no danger of wild Beasts coming into
those places where the Hedge stakes are imbrewed with this Oil, seeing
that wild Beasts shun all strong odours, and dare not approach them. If
you shall imbibe Hempen-Cords, or such as are made of the Bark of Trees
twisted together with Grass, with the said Oil, and then bind them
about Fruit-trees, it will hinder the creeping up of Spiders, Ants, or
Pismires, Palmer or Canker-Worms, and other the like Insects, which
are wont to damnifie Fruit; inasmuch as those Insects plainly abhor
such hot Oils. _By this means also may Rats and Mice be hindered from
creeping up Hovel-posts, and devouring the Grain._
There is yet another manner of promoting the dunging of Fields, and the
happy growth of Seeds, and not only those Fields which are lean and
sandy, to which Cow-dung may be used, but also those which are hard and
craggy, in which neither sand nor any dust of Earth is found.
But in making manifest this Artifice to the whole World, my intention
is not that the World should thereby be inriched with great profit, as
I have endeavoured by describing the manner of Dunging poor Sandy Land,
by the acid juice of Wood. My Scope or end is only this, That every man
may see and consider how many wonderful things may be effected with
wood and shrubs, which are every where found in great quantity, and
nevertheless are of no use or profit.
Who would credit any man, affirming, that it might be effected, that
not only Grain, but all sorts of Trees, and excellent Vines should
grow in any hard and naked Rock, without the addition of any Earth or
Dung? Truly, I believe that there is no man in the World, to whom this
will seem likely. This will more amaze _Farnner_, with his whole Crew,
than my _Miraculum Mundi_ did. Yet because the thing may be done, I
cannot forbear to divulge the Artifice, only to this end, that I may
subject the Divine Wonders to the eyes of the blinded World. But yet
it cannot be, but that it will be profitable in many places, in those
especially which lie near Rivers, and afford Wine; such are those
which lie upon the _Mœne_, _Mosell_, _Necker_, _Rhine_, _Danube_, and
other the like Rivers, where great and craggy Mountains frequently
occurr; in which having the heat of the Sun all the day, Vines might
be commodiously planted, if Earth and Dung could be carried thither.
Certainly Vines grow no where better than in Rocks and Craggs, into
whose clefts and cracks they insinuate their roots, that they may
thence attract to themselves nourishment, which few other Plants are
wont to do: And because for the most part much Wood grows about such
Rocks, it would be worth while to press out its juice, by which the
hard Rocks might be reduced into a soft Dust, fit for the Reception of
Vines, which might be performed by this operation; which nevertheless
would not be necessary to undertake, but for the manifesting of the
wonders of God to the unskilful, and shewing that such things may be
done. If any desireth to plant in a place of this sort, in which Vines
or Trees growing freely in rocky and stony places, as Cherry-trees,
Plumb-trees, Service-trees, and others, bearing Fruits which have
Stones; at the beginning, a little hole is to be cut in the Rock by
the help of Masons Tools, which is to be filled with the Vinegar of
Wood; which being done, the hole is to be covered to keep off the Rain.
After some daies, let him see whether the Vinegar hath insinuated it
self into the Rock, and again fill up the hole with fresh Vinegar, and
cover it with a Stone, as before. And this Labour is to be repeated in
the Summer time so often, till the Rock hath drunk up much Vinegar,
and be thereby so softned for the space of an Ell in length, breadth,
and depth, that it may be easily dug up with a sharp Instrument, and
become a great hole; the matter digged out is again to be cast into
the hole, and to be again filled with the Vinegar of Wood, and covered
with stones, and so left till all the matter grows so soft, that it
may be crumbled to pieces with the fingers. And in the _Autumn_, when
Trees have lost their Leaves, or in the _Spring_, before the Leaves
come forth, _viz._ in the Month of _March_, Vines or Trees are to
be planted in the matter contained in the hole, and the matter to
be trampled close down about their Roots, then all to be wetted by
the pouring on of Water, and the event to be committed to God. So
the Vines or Trees grow as well as if they had been planted in other
manured ground. The reason is this; Because the Rocks consisting not
of Sand, but of stones, fit for the making of Lime, do contain much
_Salt-Petre_, as also the acid juice of Wood, partaketh of the same
nature, this, by corroding the Rock, dissolveth the _Salt-Petre_ in
the stone, and setteth it free, and at the same time loseth its own
corrosive Acrimony, so that it cannot hurt the Roots of Vegetables, but
is like to Cow-dung or rather better, for it fatteneth and nourisheth
the Roots better. Therefore a Tree or Vine planted after this manner in
a Rock, if it shall once put forth, afterwards dieth not, but the Roots
insinuating themselves into the Clefts of the Rock, seek their own
nourishment. Nevertheless every Winter when the Leaves are fallen off,
some of that acid juice is to be poured to the Trunk of the Tree or
Vine, that during the Winter, it may again soften some Portion of the
stone, which will afford new matter of nourishment to the Roots. And by
thus affusing of fresh juice every year, there will be no need of Earth
or Dung, seeing that the Stone is changed into earth and dung by the
juice of the wood.
Although this _Arcanum_ will seem a thing impossible to many, yet it
is most true, of which, if any will make trial, he may easily do it in
this manner: Let him get a stone which doth not consist of sand, but
of such of which Lime is made, which being exposed to the Sun, let him
pour upon it the acid Liquor of Wood; which when the stone shall have
well imbibed or drank in, let him pour on more, and repeat this labour
so often, till the stone be rendered so soft, as it may be rubbed to
powder between the fingers. In this matter, rubbed or ground small, let
him sow any Seed, which will sprout forth thence, as if it had been
sowed in any good earth: The reason we have already declared, _viz._
because the stone is converted into earth, having its own _Salt-Petre_,
or proper Dung in it self, and moreover, changing the juice of wood
into _Salt-Petre_. He who rightly understandeth and followeth my
Doctrine, and shall set about the Work with diligence, will without
doubt attain his end. But if he tries with a Sandy stone, he will
effect nothing. For stones of this sort want a nourishing Salt, and
they wholly refuse solution by the Liquor of Wood, so far are they from
imbibing, coagulating, and changing it into a Dungy Salt. But after the
following manner any one may prove, that natural Salt-Petre may be made
of the stones of which Lime is made, and the juice of Wood. Let him
take some pieces of this sort of Lime-stone, not yet burnt (for when
burnt, it is much more facile, as I have taught) and immerge or dip
them all over in the Vinegar of Wood, and dry them in the heat of the
Sun, or some other warm place, and let him repeat this labour so often
until they be so soft that they may be rubbed or ground to pieces like
Earth. From this ground matter extract the Salt with Rain-water, which
will be plainly like to Salt-Petre. So of the Stone is made Earth; of
the Salt of that Stone, and the Vinegar of Wood, Salt-Petre; or a salt
equally Serving with the Dung of Cows or Sheep, for the dunging of all
Vegetables.
Nevertheless we have not written these things to that end, as if it
were necessary to plant Rocks with Vines, by the help of the Vinegar
of Wood. Our purpose is only to set forth how the great efficacy of
the juice of Wood may be known, and how by its help, fertility may be
procured even to the hardest Rocks, which being hitherto unknown and
unheard of, my diligent search and enquiry hath now brought to light.
Let it not seem absurd to any, that I ascribe so great power to the
Vinegar of Wood; for common Vinegar doth the same thing in softening of
hard Rocks: Why then should not this acid juice of Wood do it, which
far exceeds the common in strength and sharpness? It is said, that
_Hannibal_ made a passage through the _Alps_, for himself and his Army,
softening the Rocks by the benefit of Vinegar; what Vinegar that was,
Histories do not mention. Perhaps it was the Vinegar of Wine; but if he
had had the Vinegar of Wood, he might sooner have attained his desire.
This _Arcanum_, without doubt, will give occasion of finding out many
other profitable things, by the help of this Vinegar. I have opened
the way, let another come, who by searching further may enlarge it,
that thereby some perfection may the sooner be acquired. There are many
things lie hidden in Nature, which through our sloth and negligence not
being sought after, yield no profit to Mankind. But I doubt not but
time will produce sedulous men, who will make a further progress in
this Vinegar, so that much profit may redound from it.
There is found another kind of stones, which for the most part is used
for the building of Houses, which being soft, is easily cut, so that
steps or stairs, and Window-frames are made of it. It is to be reduced
by the help of Fire into a Calx of a white, ashy, and reddish colour;
it also refuseth to be melted; nor is it like to Sandy stones, but is
Partaker of both natures, and contains much Salt-Petre. But neither
by its reduction into a Calx, nor by the pouring on of water, can it
be extorted from them, except it be first prepared after a singular
manner, for then it yields to water; concerning which thing I have
written a peculiar Treatise, which God willing shall shortly come
forth. There are whole Mountains of this sort of stone, containing a
great Treasure of Salt-Petre, which hath hitherto been known to none.
These few things I was willing to offer to Country-men, concerning
the pressing of wood, and the utility thereof. The Circulatory
Vessels in which the juice of the wood, and all the salts of the Air
are animated by an uncessant motion, and converted into Salt-Petre,
I will not divulge at this time, but reserve them for my self and my
Friends. [_These are described in the Third Part of =The Prosperity of=
Germany._]
In the mean time this excellent Art will not sleep, but will be
exercised in many places. Now whosoever shall need the same, he will
know what is to be done. For I have determined to bestow the same for
the good of my Neighbour, lest it should be buried with me in oblivion.
I have also an Artificial Invention (_which is taught in The Prosperity
of_ Germany) of turning common salt in the space of a few hours, so
that it shall be plainly like Salt-Petre, for the enriching of poor,
lean fields; and yet an hundred weight of it will scarce cost a
_Doller_ (_which is about_ 4 _s._ 6 _d._) Which is indeed a singular
Gift of God in these last times, which will be highly profitable both
to the Rich and Poor, in all places of the World. For if the Culture
of Wine and Corn shall every where become better, and more profitable,
by the help of this Art, it cannot be, but that all men will receive
profit, and obtain a more commodious way of living.
For by this Art, not only all Fields, whether they have lately brought
forth Fruit, or whether they have lain fallow, and for some time
brought forth nothing, are brought to that condition, that they may
bear Fruit every year: but also barren places, which would never bring
forth any Fruit, are rendered fertile, and fit to bear Fruit; so that
no place can be found in the world, how barren soever it be, which by
this _medium_ may not be rendered fertile. Moreover, this Art is to be
greatly esteemed, because by it ground may be fattened in those places
where no Cattel are found, and therefore afford no dung; seeing that
hitherto no other than the ordinary way of dunging hath been known.
So also in places far remote from the Dwellings of men, to which
Dung cannot be carried, this Art may be exercised with great profit;
especially when Dung is difficult to be procured, or costs dear, and
is not carried to those remote places without great charge, for which
reason they cannot be tilled, but are forced to lie uncultivated.
Seeing that one Hogshead of my fattening Salt can effect more than some
Cart-loads of common Dung. Nevertheless this is to be noted, That when
any Field dunged with the said salt, is to be sowed with Corn, the seed
is first to be macerated or steeped for one night in water, in which
that salt is dissolved. For being so prepared, it will grow faster than
if it had been committed to the Earth, without any foregoing maceration.
Consider, when the Souldiers have taken away the Horses and Carts,
carried away the Oxen, devoured the Cows and Sheep, and wasted the
whole Country, by what means shall the wasted Fields be dunged
and restored to the Husband-man, that returning to their former
fruitfulness, he may reap from them the expected Fruit.
Indeed, in time of Peace, when Horses and Oxen abound both for the
ploughing of the ground, and making of Dung, Dung is alwaies of worth,
there never being too much of it, and therefore this my Invention may
bring not a little profit. Whence it may be of a far greater advantage
in those places, where (by the Divine permission) those Locusts have
eaten up all things. Ought we not then to receive so excellent a Gift
of God with all Thankfulness?
_The Omnipotent GOD give to us all His Grace, that we may shun all
temporal and carnal Security, as the deceitful snare of the Devil, and
seek after that which is eternal, constant, and perpetual._ Amen.
Arcanum II.
_Being a Gift presented to rich Merchants, =&c.= that they may
improve their Money and Estates without Usury._
Although I had determined to treat of this _Arcanum_, with other
excellent uses of _Salt-Petre_ in the emendation of Metals, in the
Third Part of _The Prosperity of_ Germany; yet for certain reasons
I have deferred the publishing of that Book for some time; but
considering my profitable Inventions of making _Salt-Petre_, and not
doubting but that there will be found men who will put _Salt-Petre_ to
better uses than that of making Gun-powder, I could not forbear here to
describe one good and profitable use of the said salt in the emendation
of Metals, which is free for any boldly to experience, seeing that
I have written the very Truth. He that shall follow the sence of my
words, and hath some skill in metallick Labours, will not lose his
pains, but will thence reap no contemptible profit. But if any man
would perswade himself that such a work is to be done without labour
and trouble, and great Masses of Gold to be obtained with idleness,
he will be greatly deceived, not considering that this requires his
putting his hand to the plough, and using great diligence.
I have described the following Operation openly and clearly; affirming,
that it will succeed to the Operator, according to my description. If
any shall erre in the performance, let him blame himself and his own
ignorance, and not me. For in this process all things are plain, and to
be understood according to the Letter, and may also be performed by an
easie imitation.
_The manner of the Operation._
R. of Copper one part, of Gold or Silver two parts, and of _Regulus
Martis_ three parts, all which melt together in a good and well-covered
Crucible, taking great heed that no Coals fall into the Crucible and
corrupt the Work. All being melted, and the cover taken off, yet warily
that no Coals fall into the Crucible, cast in as much _Salt-Petre_,
well dried and powdered, as there is of Copper and _Regulus_ in the
Crucible, to the melted matter, and again cover the Crucible, with
the same caution about the Coals, which so put about the Crucible,
that they may not lie upon its Cover, but it may be at liberty, to be
commodiously lifted up with the Tongs for the inspecting the Mass in
the Crucible. For if the Fire should be too great, the _Salt-Petre_
would boil over the Crucible, and inferr loss. And this may easily
happen, seeing that the _Salt-Petre_ entring and working upon the
_Regulus_ and Copper, swelleth and riseth up. Wherefore it is
necessary, that this Work should be done in such a Furnace, as I have
described in the Fourth Part of my Furnaces, having its doors, by which
the Fire may be governed, and rendered stronger or weaker.
After that the _Salt-Petre_ hath imbibed the _Regulus_ and Copper, and
turned them into a reddish _Scoria_, which is wont to be done in the
space of a quarter or half an hour, the lower door being opened, the
upper one must be shut, that the Fire becoming stronger, may melt the
_Scoria_, till they flow like water; which when you see, by lifting
up the Cover a little, remove the Coals about the upper part of the
Crucible, and take off the Cover, and having taken good hold of the
Crucible with your Tongs, lift it out of the Furnace, and pour out the
melted matter into a melting Cup or Cone, [_Such a one is described by
its Figure in the Fourth Part of Furnaces_.] being first heat, and well
smeared within with Wax; in the bottom of which, when cold, there will
be a _Regulus_ of pure Gold, which being freed from the Scoria, will be
so much encreased in weight, as it hath attracted from the Copper and
_Regulus Martis_, which will be the fiftieth part of the weight of the
Gold.
The red Scoria, which have a fiery taste upon the Tongue, contain the
Salt-Petre, Copper, and _Regulus_ reduced into a Scoria; which if you
would separate from the Salt-petre, as soon as you have parted it from
the _Regulus_, put it again into the Crucible in the Furnace, put a
Coal to it in the Crucible, which being well covered, let it again
flow well for a quarter of an hour. In this Operation, the Coal or
Coals put to the Metals, _viz._ the Copper and _Regulus_ of Antimony,
will separate them by precipitation from the Salt-Petre, so that
they will become a _Regulus_ together, and the fixed Salt-Petre will
be separated, and rest upon the _Regulus_, from which being cooled,
it may be removed by knocking it off. If the operation be rightly
performed, you will recover almost all the _Regulus_ and Copper: but
little also of the Salt-Petre is lost, which hath now put on another
nature, becomes fixt, and answereth in virtue to the salt of Tartar.
NB. Because those Scoria cannot be so perfectly removed from the
Salt-Petre by the Coals, but it still retaineth somewhat of the Copper
and _Regulus_, which the Coals could not precipitate; they may be kept
in some warm place, lest they be dissolved by the air, till you have a
quantity of them; which being reduced by burning Coals, may yield their
Metal. Of which more shall be said anon.
* * * * *
This Labour, although it squares not with the capacity of the rude and
unskilful, nevertheless it is easie to be done by those who have any
knowledge in the melting of Metals. But all the manners of operating
cannot be so accurately delivered, that every unskilful man should
presently be rendered capable of understanding them; I write the
Truth openly, and he that well understandeth me, may rejoice with
profit. I write not to unskilful _Tyro_’s, but only to those who
know how to handle Metals in the Fire. It may be here asked, Whether
this augmentation of the Gold, ariseth from the Copper, or from the
_Regulus_ of Antimony? I answer, from both, but more from the Copper
than from the _Regulus_. For there is no Copper or Antimony found,
from which Gold is not elicited after the aforesaid manner, seeing
that there is in both an invisible and spiritual Gold, nevertheless
one containeth more than another; and being melted with Gold, give
it forth to the same, which also attracteth it. Therefore as often
as Copper, and Regulus of Antimony, and Salt-petre shall be melted
together with Gold, so often will the Gold receive an encrease; so that
this Labour being repeated eight or ten times every day, there will be
an augmentation of the Gold not to be contemned, for besides all the
Cost, it will afford the daily Gain of one Floren out of an hundred.
(_A Floren is 2 s. in =Germany=, about two and twenty pence value in
our Money_.) This is certainly a profit to those who will put their
Money to Usury, much more honourable and safe than their trusting it in
the hands of others.
But seeing that this Labour is to be performed in Crucibles, (and that
too in large ones, if the gain aforesaid be expected) it doth not want
its trouble and difficulties; for if a man will use great Crucibles,
he can hardly perform the Operation above three or four times in a
day; and if he use small ones, although it be ten or eleven times
repeated in a day, yet the profit will be very small. I will therefore
here appoint a way to do it without Crucibles, upon Hearths instead of
Crucibles, which neither let out the melted matter by running over,
or by their cracking or breaking, as Crucibles are wont to do, but
alwaies remaining in the Oven or Furnace, save the trouble of putting
in and taking out of the Fire. For Crucibles, how good soever they be,
being exposed to the cold Air, by taking out, and thence being suddenly
again put into a great heat, are very easily broken. From whence it is
manifest, that great danger of losing some of the Gold attends the use
of great Crucibles, so that their use is to be abstained from, altho’
the Work it self be of great profit. But good strong Hearths may be
used for this Labour, without all danger; for as long as they are left
in the Furnace, so long they are good, and the melted Mass doth not
flow out. If I had not found out this way of working with Hearths, I
should not have divulged this operation, which is as followeth.
_The manner of preparing the Hearths or Tests._
An Iron Ring or Hoop is to be made, either square or round, of the
thickness of one finger, and four fingers high (or deep) one side being
a little narrower or lesser in compass than the other; being well
smoothed or polished on its inside, having two ears or handles, whose
magnitude and space will be known by the quantity of the matter which
is to be daily handled. To prepare the Focus or Hearth, place your Ring
or Hoop upon some smooth stone, and then put into it, so standing,
your Earth, being first rightly prepared, (_for this purpose our
=Stafford-shire Clay= is excellent, as also for making of Crucibles to
abide the Fire_) so that it may a little exceed the upper superficies
of your Hoop, force it down strongly with a broad Iron Hammer, by
beating or knocking it in, and what riseth above the top of the Hoop,
cut off with a Knife, that it may be even with the Ring; then remove
it with the Ring, and strew upon the stone some fine sand, or rather
the fine powder of broken Crucibles, upon which set the Ring, with the
bottom upwards, that the other side, which before lay upon the stone,
may be wrought in with the Hammer, as the first, so that the Ring or
Mould may be exactly filled with the Earth. The Focus or Hearth being
prepared in this manner, the larger side thereof is to be so excavated
or hollowed away by a bowed or crooked Knife, having two handles, so
that the rotundity declining from the Superfices of the Ring, even to
its middle, where inclining it self, it may keep the thickness almost
of a finger at the top or superficities of the Ring, and so it will
become like a Vessel or Pan, having a round or spherical Cavity, such
Hearths or Tests are wont to be prepared of Ashes, for the bringing of
Gold and Silver to a purity in Metallick Mines, Mints, _&c._ at length
that hollowed roundness is every where to be smoothed with a smooth and
round Hammer or Mallet, and after the smoothing, the whole Test being
inverted with the Hoop, is to be set upon a Board, without stirring
it; if the inside of the Hoop or Ring were before besmeared well with
Oil, it will the easier come off of the Test, which being exposed to
the Air, and dried a little, is then to be set in the heat of the Sun
or warm Furnace, that all the humidity being taken away, it may obtain
its requisite dryness, before it be put into the Furnace to endure the
Fire; for except it be very well dried, it will crack or chap in the
Furnace, and be wholly unprofitable for this Work.
The Test being taken out of the Ring, and set by, the inside of the
Ring is again to be anointed with Oil or Grease, for the making of
another Test, of which so many are to be made as need requires, or the
quantity of the prepared Earth will allow. The earth that was left in
the hollowing of the first being mixed with the rest, whilst it is yet
moist, serveth again, so that there is no waste or loss of the Earth.
The same earth also serves for the making of the Covers or arched Roofs
with which the Tests are to be covered, to keep the Coals from falling
into the melted matter. NB. There is no need of having two Hammers,
seeing that one sufficeth, having one end of a hands breadth, and
smooth, and the other end round.
_The way of making the Covers of the Tests, which are called
=Muffles=._
First, a Type or Mold is to be made of Wood, answering to the bigness
of the Test, but not with one Handle, as those are made for the
purifying of silver, but with two oblong Necks, and without Chaps or
Chinks, which otherwise are wont to happen, that so the Cover may
remain entire. Then to this wooden Mould the Earth is to be applied,
and the Cover to be wrought in the usual manner.
_Of the Figure of the Furnace._
The Furnace is so to be built, that it may have within-side the space
of an hands breadth all round the Test from its Walls, for Coals, the
Test standing in the middle; so that the magnitude of the Furnace is
to be proportionable to that of the Test, and may be either round or
square, provided it be built with good Bricks, or fit Stones, and Lute,
or Earth rightly prepared. There ought to be at least a span between
the bottom and the grate, which also ought not to be fastened to the
Furnace, but standing upon four Feet, that it may be taken in and out
by the foreside of the Furnace (when need requires) being alwaies
open. Let the Furnace rise above the Grate the heighth of a span,
being every way close, having no door. Upon this heighth of a span a
hole is to be left of an hands breadth and heighth, by which the Test
may be inspected, and the mixed Metals put in and taken out, and the
Fire may have its passage. NB. But if the Test should be above a span
over, which would also cause the Furnace to be the greater; then that
hole being too little, would not allow a sufficient passage for the
Fire; therefore the hole is to bear a due proportion to them. From
this hole, nourishing the Fire by its ventilation, the Furnace is yet
to be carried up the heighth of two spans, to its upper hole or top,
where the Coals are to be put in. Moreover, an Iron Cover is to be made
with hollow Superficies, with Iron Buttons, or little Knobs infixed,
by which the Lute being put on, may stick fast; the Convex or upper
part of the Cover must have a Handle, by which it may be lifted up
when the Coals are to be put in, and afterwards put down again to shut
the Furnace. _See the Figure of this Furnace, in all its parts, at the
beginning of this =Continuation of Miraculum Mundi=, noted at the top
with Pag. 62._
A, _The Furnace, as it is working_.
B, _The lower part of the Furnace open_.
C, _The upper part of the same_.
D, _The Grate_.
E, _The Hearth or Test_.
F, _The Muffle that belongs to the Hearth_.
G, _The Cover of the Furnace, with which it is to be covered when
the Coals are in and at work_.
H, _The Vent for the Smoak_.
When you will work with the Furnace, first put in the Grate, and upon
it the foot or prop made of firm Lute, and upon it the prepared Test,
and upon the Test its Cover or Muffle, the foremost neck of which
ought to come close to the hole on the foreside of the Furnace, and
the hindmost neck to touch the back of the same. The foot also which
supports the Test, ought to touch the fore-part of the Furnace, that
the space between the Test and the Wall of the Furnace, may be well
stopt or closed. Also, if the neck of the Cover or Muffle doth not fit
close enough to the foremost Wall, the joints are to be well closed
with Lute mixed with Hair, that the Fire may have no passage by them,
but may pass through the hindmost neck of the said Cover, and under
the Cover it self into the Test, and thence out of the foremost neck.
If the Fire shall have any other passage by the foremost neck, the
heat will not be Sufficient to melt the Metal. Therefore the chief
Artifice concerning this thing, is the building of the Furnace in due
form and proportion. An Iron door is to be fitted to the Furnace under
the Grate, for the governing the Fire, by which it may be encreased or
diminished, as need shall require. And the other hole in the superiour
and fore-part of the Furnace, by which the Metals are put in and taken
out of the Test, is also to have a door, that necessity requiring, the
fire may be governed, and if too great, it may be restrained. To this
also a little Chimney or Funnel is to be fitted, which may receive
and carry away the noxious fumes of the Metals and Coals, that they
may not hurt the Operator. All these things being rightly prepared,
the Furnace being well dried, is to be filled with Coals, and to be
covered with its Cover, a lighted Coal or two being put next the Grate,
the doors are to be shut, that the Fire may kindle by degrees, by
which the danger of breaking the Test, and its Cover, the Muffle, by
a sudden heat, may be avoided. The Furnace, Test, and Muffle, being
all red hot, the Metals (_viz._ the Gold which is to be augmented, and
the Copper and _Regulus_ of Antimony, from which the augmentation is
expected) are to be put upon the Test with an Iron Ladle, the great
door below, and the little one above, are to be opened, that the Fire
growing more powerful, may forthwith melt the Metals on the Test,
which being rightly melted, a little dry Salt-petre in powder is to be
cast in upon them with an Iron Ladle, which will presently change a
portion of the melted matter into a Scoria: When it flows no longer,
but ceaseth from operating on the Metals, lying upon them like Dross, a
little more Salt-petre is to be cast upon the melted Metals, which will
again change part of them into Scoria. This Injection of Salt-Petre
is to be continued so long, until the Scoria shall be no longer hard,
but remain liquid like Water, which is a sign that the Salt-petre hath
abstracted the Copper and _Regulus_ of Antimony from the Gold, and
its operation to be finished. And so much _Regulus_ of Antimony and
Copper is not to be put upon the Test, [I believe the word _not_ is an
errour of the Printer, in the Copy, and ought to be left out] that it,
when a due portion of Salt-Petre shall be added, may be full to the
brim, and the Coals not be burnt out in vain, in the empty Test, which
is well to be noted. The fluid Scoria of the Salt-Petre, Copper, and
_Regulus_ of Antimony, are so long to be kept in Flux upon the Gold,
as you think the Test can suffer it; for by how much the longer the
Gold shall remain in its Flux, under these Scoria, so much the more of
spiritual Gold it will attract from them, and render it corporeal; and
the Gain will be so much the greater. Nevertheless, for the greater
certainty sake, after the Scoria have lain ten or twelve hours in Flux
upon the Gold, they may be taken out of the Test, to see whether the
Test be yet strong enough to sustain them longer in flux, because in a
continual flux they are wont to attenuate and perforate the Test with
holes, especially if they were not prepared of good Earth, which is
able to endure the Fire. Therefore, if you find the test yet strong
and thick, and not perforated with holes, you may again add the Scoria
to the Gold lying in the test, and keep them so long in flux, as you
think the test will hold good. When the Scoria condense themselves,
and flow with difficulty, a little fresh Salt-petre is to be added, by
which being reduced to a thinner flux, they may give nourishment and
encrease to the Gold, which in this operation hath the place of a seed,
as the Copper and _Regulus_ of Antimony supply the place of the earth,
by affording aliment and augmentation to the Gold; the Salt-petre is
in the stead of Rain, which moisteneth the Earth, and rendereth it
fruitful; therefore by how much the longer the Gold lieth and groweth
in this Earth, so much the more encrease it obtaineth. After the test
is no longer fit to bear the fire, or you would leave working, open the
lower door of the Furnace, and take off the Cover from the top, that
the heat of the fire may be diverted from the test, and the Scoria grow
thick, and the Gold under them hard, draw out the Scoria by degrees
with an Iron Hook, from the Gold, that it may remain in the test
intire, and in one compact Mass, and not be mixed with the Scoria, like
Grains, and occasion loss. All the Scoria being taken out, the Gold is
to be freed from the test with a thin sharp-pointed Iron, then taken
out with the tongs, and weighed, to see what encrease it hath got.
NB. That as long as the Test keeps firm and good, it were better not to
take out the mass, but to be left upon the Gold in continual flux. This
is a Labour not to be despised, seeing that the first Coals being burnt
out, more are to be added only; so that this operation may be continued
for some daies, without intermission, provided the Tests be well made,
which also ought to be done if you expect any profit; of which you need
in no wise doubt, if the operation be rightly instituted; especially
if the Antimony and Iron, of which the Regulus is made, be good: For
the more Gold the Antimony, Iron, and Copper shall contain, the more
volatile Gold the fixed Gold which is melted under them, will attract
to it self. But if you want such Metals as are rich in Gold, and are
forced to be content with the common, the Gold will nevertheless get
an encrease in the Operation. NB. When Metals containing Gold are to
be had, there is no need to keep the first _Scoria_ in so long a flux
upon the Gold, seeing that presently after the Copper and Regulus of
Antimony shall be turned into Scoria by the Salt-petre, they may be
removed from the Gold with an Iron Hook, and new Metals forthwith
added, and again reduced into Scoria by the Salt-petre. This labour of
removing the Scoria, and adding fresh Metals, being long continued,
will add the greater encrease to the Gold, because Copper, Iron, and
Antimony contain much corporeal Gold, which in their reduction into
Scoria, associateth it self with the Gold. Therefore when those Scoria
are withdrawn, and new Metals added, it cannot be, but the encrease
of the Gold must be greater than proceedeth from the first Scoria,
in which only the spiritual Gold is rendered corporeal. The addition
of fresh Metals, and the abstraction of the Scoria repeated 10, 15,
yea 20 times a day, must necessarily give a great encrease to the
Gold, if the Metals contain both corporeal and spiritual Gold. The
abstracted Scoria may be reduced in a Test of the same Furnace (of
which Tests there ought to be many in readiness) and the Copper and
Regulus precipitated from them, and put to other uses, of which my
other Writings every where make mention. And they are precipitated by
the Powder of Coals, or Antimony. The way of precipitation is this;
the Salt-petre hath absorbed the Sulphureous Metals, _viz._ the Copper
and _Regulus Martis_, and changed them into Scoria. Now, if to these
Scoria some other Sulphur be injected, which the Salt-petre coveteth
more than the Copper and Regulus of Antimony, it layeth hold on that,
by which those Metals which it had first absorbed, are dismissed, and
fall to the bottom. But the Regulus and Copper cannot be so separated
by precipitation, but that somewhat of them will yet adhere to the
Salt-petre. These may be fixed together, that they may render Gold
again in fusion, or the fixt Nitre may be extracted from the Scoria,
with Rain-water, to be used for other Labours; as shall be taught
hereafter. The residue of the Scoria will be yet of use to Potters, to
glaze their Earthen Vessels. But if the Scoria and Salt-petre be not
separated, but left together, they may be used with greater profit for
the making of Salt-petre, or for the dunging of Land (of which we shall
presently speak) than if they be separated. The manner of doing these
things shall be described in their order. But first it seems good to
me to exhibit a proof, by which every one may know the certainty of
this matter, _viz._ that this work doth not only afford a profit to
the Operator, not to be contemned, but also that the Gold doth obtain
a true and certain encrease from the Copper and Regulus of Antimony,
whereby the Work may be undertaken with the greater boldness and
confidence; which I thus demonstrate. Take a small piece of silver,
freed from its gold by _Aqua fortis_, that you may be sure there is no
Gold in it: to which, in fusion, adjoin so much Copper and Antimonial
Regulus, as being reduced into Scoria by Salt-petre, and again
separated from the silver, may leave it malleable and ductile. This
being dissolved in _Aqua fortis_, will leave at the bottom undissolved
a reddish powder of gold, which it hath attracted to it self from the
Copper and Regulus of Antimony. Now, so much as there shall be of this
Gold, so much and no more corporeal Gold did the Copper and Regulus
contain, which the Silver hath absorbed. The Scoria possess no more
corporeal Gold, but yet abound with spiritual, which you may find by
the following Experiment. Cover those Scoria put into a new Crucible
with Powder of Coals, and set the Crucible into a small Wind-Furnace,
that they may melt. In this melting, the Nitre will rather enter the
Sulphur of the Coals, than that of the Metals; and associating it self
to that, dismisseth the Copper and Regulus. Which being done, pour out
the melted Mass into a Cone, and when it is cold, separate the Regulus
separated to the bottom, which will be the same Copper and Regulus
of Antimony which the silver hath deprived of their corporeal gold;
which is demonstrated as followeth: Take a bit of Silver, cleared from
its Gold, which join with the said Regulus by melting, and reduce the
melted mass by Salt-petre into Scoria, as before, pour the mass into
a Cone, and being cold, separate the Silver. This being dissolved in
_Aqua fortis_, leaves at the bottom no reddish powder, as the first
silver did. By which it clearly appears, that the Copper and Regulus of
Antimony had yielded all their corporeal Gold to the Silver in fusion,
which nevertheless can afford no gain, except the Labour be many times
repeated with fresh Copper and Regulus. But because this repetition is
wont to require no small quantity of Copper, Regulus of Antimony, and
Salt-petre, to bring the silver to a golden nature; and moreover, every
one knoweth not how to make profit of the Copper and Regulus, deprived
of their Gold, or to put them to other uses, and that Salt-petre is not
seldom sold at a great price, no great profit can accrue by this Labour
to such. Nevertheless, they will obtain no small gain, who after the
extraction of the gold, know how to use the Copper, Antimonial Regulus,
and Salt-petre, which I have shewed in many places of my Writings.
But those Metals being melted with Gold, and turned into Scoria by
salt-petre, bring far greater profit than when wrought with silver. For
somewhat of the silver is consumed, as well as somewhat acquired by it;
but nothing of the gold is lost, if the Crucible be firm, that nothing
run out. NB. If any gain be expected from silver, such Iron, Antimony,
and Copper are to be used, as are pregnant with Gold, and to be often
abstracted from the silver, and the metals themselves afterwards to be
put to other uses, bringing profit, to say nothing of the Salt-petre,
which may be made at a far cheaper rate (that it can be bought) by
those who seek profit from Silver. I have instanced these Experiments,
to demonstrate that every Copper, and every _Regulus Martis_ contain
somewhat of corporeal Gold, and being reduced into Scoria, do yield it
to the adjoined Gold or Silver; and that nothing more can be extorted
from them, except being reduced into Scoria by Nitre, they be for some
time kept in Flux upon the silver, or Gold which is better, that their
spiritual Gold may insinuate it self into the corporeal, and augment
it, which the following Experiment sheweth.
Take of Copper, and Regulus of Antimony, deprived of all corporeal
gold, by the addition of other gold, what quantity you will, melt them
with gold, and convert the Copper and Regulus into Scoria, after the
usual manner, with _Salt-Petre_, which keep in Flux upon the Gold for
6, 8, or 10 hours, and then pour all out into a Cone; the gold being
separated from the scoria, and weighed, will shew what it hath gained
in this operation. This encrease from the twofold matter added, _viz._
the _Copper_ and _Regulus Martis_, is profit; which notwithstanding
proceeds more from the one than the other, as this Experiment will
prove. Take one part of silver, which holds no gold, and one part of
_Regulus Martis_, being melted in a Crucible, reduce them, as hath been
often said, by salt-petre, into scoria, and being well melted, pour
them out into a small Ingot; which when cold, separate the scoria from
the silver with a Hammer; the silver will be pure white, and of very
easie fusion, but will contain nothing of gold. NB. If to the silver
and Regulus of Antimony, you shall also add Copper, and then turn all
into scoria by the help of salt-petre, and when well melted, pour them
into an Ingot, so that the scoria flow upon the silver. This silver
being separated from the scoria with a Hammer, or by lying a while
in water, you shall find that part which was covered by the melted
scoria, to be all over so gilt, that you can scarce rub it off with
your fingers, which Gold hath adjoined it self to the Silver, chiefly
from the Copper. For if more Gold had proceeded from the Regulus, the
melted Silver would also necessarily have been gilded by that, which
yet without the addition of Copper is not wont to be. Nevertheless, let
no man perswade himself that the Regulus of Antimony being omitted, the
same augmentation would happen, because the greatest part of the Gold
proceeds from the Copper. For without the Regulus, the Copper would not
suffer it self to be reduced into Scoria by the Salt-petre; so that
necessity requireth, that all those matters should be conjoined in the
said manner, to acquire any profit.
Here thou hast, benevolent Reader, Specimens sufficient for the trying
the truth and certainty of this thing: It’s free for every man to enter
upon the prescribed way with greater and longer Operations, that he may
attain the desired profit.
What I have many times said, I say again, That this Operation is true,
and brings great profit, provided it be instituted in a due manner.
The Salt-Petre is the chief thing required in this Operation, which
he that knows how to prepare with small cost, and understands what I
have written, may boldly undertake the Work; but he that must buy it
at a dear rate, I will not advise to meddle with it. He that cannot
understand what I write, ’tis better for him to spare his labour and
charge, and employ himself in those things which do not exceed his
capacity.
It behoveth me now to shew the use and benefit which the scoria which
are left in this Operation are of, that there may be no waste or loss.
But the quantity of scoria in this Operation will be more or less,
according as it shall be exercised. If good Antimony, Copper, and Iron,
which contain corporeal Gold, may be had in plenty, and Salt-petre
also cheap, the loss will not be great, if the scoria should not be
altogether put to the best advantage. For if there be enough of the
Copper, _Regulus-Martis_, and Salt-petre to be had, they are to be
reduced into scoria, flowing upon the Gold, that with it they may leave
the Gold contained in them. But here no regard is had to the spiritual
or fugacious Gold which they contain, which is laid aside with the
scoria, and new Copper and Regulus is put to the Gold, and the scoria
again laid aside for other uses, so that in one and the same day, this
labour of adding new matter, and as oft separating the scoria, may
be repeated ten or twelve times. Whence it comes to pass, that the
Gold is every time inriched, and attracteth more corporeal Gold from
those matters in one day, than it could do in fourteen daies, if they
contained only spiritual Gold. But on the contrary, a great quantity of
Copper, Regulus, and Salt-petre are required for this labour, which if
they cannot be had cheap, the charge will be the greater, seeing that
those Metals which are pregnant with corporeal Gold, will abundantly
compensate the charge, especially if benefit be made of the scoria,
which we will presently shew. But if a quantity of the said matters
be wanting, and vulgar Antimony and Copper be used for the extracting
the spiritual Gold only, there will not be made so many _Scoria_; but
it sufficeth, that the first scoria be left so long in flux upon the
gold or silver, until they have yielded some augmentation to the same.
And in the mean time, the addition of no other thing is required, but
Salt-petre, of which a little is to be injected to the hardened scoria,
to render them more fusile, and to cover the Gold the better with
their flux. This way will not cost so much, besides a good quantity of
Coals: Nor will the Work it self be so troublesome, seeing that it need
be inspected only once in two or three hours, and any Boy may govern
the fire. Or if the Furnace be so built, that (like a dull _Henry_)
the Coals constantly sliding down, the fire may feed it self, the
Operation may be continued night and day without any looking after. In
the working the other way with Metals containing corporeal Gold, there
is more labour and care, seeing that every hour the scoria ought to be
removed, and new metals to be added. Therefore every man may chuse that
which is most convenient for him.
Moreover, where neither Antimony, Copper, or Iron abounding with
corporeal Gold, are to be had, the Operation may be instituted in
another manner, and applied to the making of salt-petre in abundance,
and with small costs. For after the Regulus and Copper, in flux
upon the gold, are reduced to scoria, they are not to be removed,
as otherwise they are wont, but the Copper with the Regulus must
be precipitated from the Nitre, by the Powder of Coals, in which
precipitation the gold taketh to it self the metal reduced into scoria,
so that the fixt Nitre only is to be removed, which is afterwards to be
put to other uses: And the Copper and Regulus, by the addition of new
salt-petre, are again to be reduced to scoria, and to be precipitated
from the Nitre by the Powder of Coals, and the Nitre again removed. So
the Copper and Regulus will alwaies remain in flux upon the gold in
the Test, and nothing but the added Nitre will be every time separated.
NB. This Labour doth not indeed draw forth so much gold as that which
hath new metals added every time to the gold; but yet it excelleth that
in which the Metals are kept in a continual flux upon the gold, without
the addition of new; for as often as the Copper, with the Regulus, are
burnt by the Nitre, so often the Nitre burneth and consumeth somewhat
of their superfluous sulphur, and by how much the more the combustible
sulphur is burnt and consumed, by so much the more the spiritual gold
in it is dissolved, and adjoineth it self to the corporeal gold, to get
it self a body.
And this is the difference of those Operations, of which a man may
chuse which he pleaseth, or rather that which fits the matters, he hath
at hand. Whichsoever he shall undertake, it will afford a profit not to
be slighted, especially if he pay not too dear for his Nitre, or can
make it himself at a cheap rate.
_How Profit may be made of the =Scoria= which remain after this
Operation._
It behoveth the studious of Art to know, that there is a difference in
the scoria removed from the gold by the forementioned Operations. Those
which are removed from the gold only remaining in the test, and in
which the Nitre, Antimony, and Copper remain mixt, are metallick, from
which the Copper and Regulus may be precipitated and separated, by the
casting in of crude Antimony or Powder of Coals. The scoria from which
the Metals are already precipitated in the test, are nothing but fixt
Nitre. The scoria also differ, in which the Metals are precipitated by
Antimony, from those which are precipitated by Coals; those partake
more of sulphur, these less; for the sulphur of coals differs in its
nature from the sulphur of antimony, and requireth that a difference be
observed, and that either scoria being put to its due use, it may bring
the desired profit. And this is the difference: When the Copper, with
the _Regulus-Martis_, is precipitated by coals, that the Copper, with
the Regulus of Antimony, is precipitated, but the Iron which was in the
Regulus admitteth not of precipitation, but remaineth in the scoria;
whence it comes to pass, that the Regulus, after precipitation, is
found to be lighter than when it was put into the Crucible. Therefore
what the precipitated Regulus hath lost, necessarily remaineth in the
scoria; for which cause those scoria are of more hard and difficult
fusion than those which remain after the precipitation with Antimony:
For when the metals are precipitated by the casting in of Antimony,
to one pound of scoria, an ounce, and sometimes more, of Antimony, is
cast in, which precipitateth all the Copper and the Regulus attracted
by the Nitre, and giveth a more ready fusion to the scoria. But nothing
more plainly sheweth the difference, than the pouring of water upon
the scoria, to make a _lixivium_. The scoria upon which the coals
were cast, yield a clearer and sharper _lixivium_ than those on which
Antimony was cast. On the contrary, the Antimonial Scoria, by reason of
the Antimonial combustible sulphur, are of a drier nature and property.
The best thing in both the scoria, is the fixt Nitre, which is to be
drawn out of them by Water, and may be put to various uses, with no
small profit.
In the first place, from those scoria a good Medicinal Tincture may be
drawn by the affusion of spirit of Wine, of which mention is made in
divers places of my Writings. Those scoria far excel all Dung, and also
common salt-petre it self, in promoting of vegetation. Nevertheless,
they are first to be made more temperate, because they are too fiery to
be used alone. They also effectually promote the augmentation of Gold,
and also the health of the humane body, by their most pure Essence
extracted by the spirit of Wine.
They may without injury be called _The Philosophick Dung_, because they
augment the growing power in Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, neither
in Operations of this kind is there any Equal in the world.
Their smell is like that of humane Excrements; nor are they unlike
to them in Aspect, but most efficacious in their use. There are many
things of great moment yet lie hid in them, all which it is not for me
to describe. Those things which I have hitherto written, I have often
done with my own hands, and proved by many Experiments. What I deliver
is not from hear-say, or the reading of others Books, being resolved to
publish those things only, which an infallible Experience hath taught
me, so that every man may boldly, and without any doubting, give credit
to them.
Moreover, this fixed Nitre is endowed with the same virtue with other
strong _lixiviums_: Nevertheless, it is more efficacious than that of
any common Wood, inasmuch as Nitre exceedeth the fixed salt of Wood in
its maturity. The residue of the scoria from which the _lixivium_ is
extracted, serveth for the glazing of earthen Vessels.
He that desireth to know more of fixed Nitre, may find it in my
_Furnaces_, as also in my _Pharmac. Spagyric._ and especially in _The
Explication of Miraculum Mundi_; where he will meet with many things
worthy of admiration. For the Philosophick Dung, see the 35 Article of
_The Explication of Miraculum Mundi_, my Apology against _Farnner_, and
the Description of my Press for Wood, in this Treatise; in which places
he may find those things which will abundantly satisfie him. Concerning
this Universal (tho’ contemptible) subject Nitre, we will treat more,
God willing, in the following second part of _Miraculum Mundi_.
Here we have shewed the well-minded Reader, how by this one only
Operation, he may encrease or augment his Gold, inrich his Fields with
a fruitful soil, and preserve his health; so that there will be none
who may not receive profit from it.
I cannot but here commemorate what some time happened to me in
this Operation. When the Copper and _Regulus-Martis_ were mixed by
melting together, and reduced into scoria by Nitre, the matter thence
proceeding was wonderful, appearing in variety of fair Colours,
emulating a Peacocks Tail. Therefore when I saw such various colours,
I presently thought with my self, whether that matter might not be fit
for making a Tincture, which might change the imperfect Metals into
Gold; seeing that I had read in some Philosophers, that there is more
Tincture in Iron and Copper than in Gold, which gave me an occasion of
considering whether this conjunction of _Mars_ and _Venus_, might not
be the Adultery spoken of by the Poets, or rather the Vitriol of the
Philosophers; for this matter retaineth a very fair greeness, not only
in the fire, but also out of it, as well wet as dry. Whence I began
to perswade my self, that Iron was the Gold of Philosophers, Copper
their _Luna_, and Antimony their _Argent-vive_, and Nitre to perform
the Office of a _Solvent_ or Bath, in which they are dissolved and
digested. Being moved with all these things, that I might make a trial,
according to my simplicity, I put all the said matters into a Glass,
and committed it to _Vulcan_, (or the Fire) which being administred by
degrees, all the matter passed together into a black colour; to which
a very fair greenness, with variegated colours resembling the Tail of
a Peacock, succeeded, which continued in the fire for some weeks. But
seeing that it would not at all be changed, I being wearied with the
tediousness, took the fair matter out of the glass, and put it into a
Crucible, which I set in a Glass-makers Furnace, that I might perform
this Operation with the less Labour: And after three daies I again took
it out, and I found all the matter changed into a glass of a bloody
colour, but not transparent. The Crucible being broken, I found in the
bottom a little Regulus of an Iron-like colour, which being tested with
Lead, yielded white Silver, which being dissolved in _Aqua-fortis_,
left no Gold at the bottom. Being strook with admiration, I began to
think whence that Silver should proceed, seeing that I did not expect
Silver, but Gold; at length being satisfied in that, I was of opinion,
that from this subject by one and the same labour, might be made both
a red and a white Tincture; but I have not hitherto had time and
opportunity to try the truth of the matter experimentally. Whatsoever
I have here written, is only that I might afford matter to others who
are desirous of seeking, by whose diligent searches some good may
be obtained. This Admonition I also think necessary, That they who
endeavour to bring any subject to a constancy in the Fire, by fixing,
as the Chymists call it, that they lute and close well their Vessels,
lest the Air (which is a great impediment to the Operation) should
hinder the Work.
For Example. A Wood-coal, for the greatest part, consisteth of a
fugacious and immature Sulphur, mixt with a few fæces, being put into
an open Crucible, and set in a small Fire, it is presently burnt,
and being all consumed, leaveth nothing in the Crucible, but a few
Salt-ashes; but being put into a Crucible well closed and defended
from the Air, and committed to a great Fire, and therein kept for many
years, yet would lose nothing of its weight, colour and body, but would
remain a black Coal, without any alteration. But on the contrary,
if any Mercurial salt be added to the Coal in a due weight, and be
enclosed with it in a crucible but one day, and kept in the fire, the
coal will be changed into a red, fiery, heavy stone, more Metallick
than Vegetable, whose admirable Virtues the Tongue cannot declare.
Seeing therefore that from any fugacious and volatile Vegetable in so
short a time a constant fixed thing may be made by Art, Why should not
the same be made much better of some Mineral or Metal, which is much
nearer to Fixity? And although these coals black the hand, nevertheless
they contain much good, which he that knows how to come at, will by
the same easily make his hands white again, and draw that from it
which is more conducive to the health of Man’s Body, than from all
the costly and fading things in the whole World. _A Word is enough
to the Wise._ Although I have here shewed, that sulphurated Nitre is
a true Medicine for Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, yet I would
not be understood as if I affirmed there was no other, which is not
my intention, seeing that if this Medicine were to be generally used
for Vegetables, it would be too costly, [_and there are other things
described in this Book for that purpose, which are far cheaper_] and I
have shewed it only to the end that the wonderful Works of GOD might be
manifest to those who are willing to try. For if any one will macerate
the seed of any Vegetable in the Tincture drawn from sulphurated Nitre,
by the Spirit of Wine, in a warm Bath, he may from that macerated seed
produce a growing Herb, in a few hours space.
A Tincture of this sort will effect more in curing of Diseases, than a
whole Apothecary’s Shop. But he that knoweth how to join some spiritual
Gold with this Tincture, that the Gold may thence attract to it self
nourishment and encrease, as a Vegetable doth from the Earth, will
easily obtain a Universal Medicine. But if any think that I mean such
a Medicine as changeth the imperfect Metals into Gold, in flux, he is
mistaken, for that is to be attributed to the Stone of Philosophers
only. But I call it Universal, as it is the chief Medicine of Animals,
Vegetables, and Metals, which I intend alwaies to keep by me, ready
prepared, that I may render others partakers thereof. I intend also
this Winter to prepare a great quantity of the Universal Medicine
for Vegetables, by the benefit whereof Grain may be made to grow
in meer Sand, that so this Invention may become profitable to many
men, provided they will but undertake the work: Not that I intend to
prepare this of Nitre, which is too costly for the Dunging of Fields.
For common Salt, which is abundantly cheaper, in a few hours, may be
so changed, that losing its corrosive Nature and Property, it becomes
plainly like Nitre in taste, figure, and virtue, but not inflamable,
and excelleth the Dung of Cattel for dunging of Land. Neither let any
man fear that this Preparation of common Salt requireth much labour
or trouble, or is difficult to be done; for he that shall see the
Operation but once, will easily be able to understand and imitate the
same.
Hence, seeing that in all places there are many barren Fields to be
found, it cannot be, but that great profit may be acquired by it.
Arcanum III.
A Gift offered to all diligent Physicians.
_The profitable use of =Salt-Petre=, in the Concentration of
=Metals=, and Preparation of Excellent =Medicines=._
Although in the First Part of _Miraculum Mundi_ I have described
divers concentrations and emendations of Metals; nevertheless in those
there is nothing common with that _Arcanum_, which I intend here
to describe. For those _Arcana_ concern only the emendation of the
imperfect Metals; but this also treateth of the Preparation of many
excellent Medicines.
_The manner of concentrating and amending of Metals by =Nitre=._
First, a Man is to be made of Iron, having two noses on his head,
and on his crown a mouth, which may be opened, and again close shut.
This, if it be to be used for the concentration of Metals, is to be so
inserted into another man, made of Iron or Stone, that the inward head
only may come forth of the outward man, but the rest of his body or
belly may remain hidden in the belly of the exteriour man. And to each
nose of the head, glass receivers are to be applied, to receive the
vapours ascending from the hot stomach. When you use this man, you must
render him bloody with fire, to make him hungry and greedy of Food.
When he grows extreamly hungry, he is to be fed with a white Swan: When
that Food shall be given to this Iron man, an admirable Water will
ascend from his fiery stomach into his head, and thence by his two
noses flow into the appointed Receivers; a Water, I say, which will
be a true and efficacious _Aqua-vitæ_; for the Iron man consumeth the
whole swan by digesting it, and changeth it into a most excellent and
profitable Food for the King and Queen, by which they are corroborated,
augmented, and grow. But before the Swan yieldeth up her spirit, she
singeth her Swan-like song, which being ended, her breath expireth with
a strong wind, and leaveth her roasted body for meat for the King, but
her _anima_ or spirit she consecrateth to the gods, that thence may be
made a _Salamander_, a wholsome Medicament for men and metals.
This manner of operating, by which metals are wont to be concentrated,
I was willing to describe in this Enigma, that it may be known to
be no Fable, but that the same manner hath been described by other
Philosophers before me. This appears from the sixth Key of _Basil_,
where he delivers the like manner. _Basilius_ writeth concerning
_Salt-Petre_ speaking of it self; _When my End is threatned, &c._
From which words it is manifest, that he used the same way for the
particular and universal emendation of Metals, as also for the
preparing of excellent Medicines. But because this Enigma is a little
too obscure for the unskilful, I think good to interpret it word by
word.
The Iron man is the destilling Vessel, which I have described in
the Second Part of my Furnaces. This is put into another Iron or
Stone Furnace, and the fire under it. To the noses or pipes of the
upper part, some Receivers are to be so applied, that at least three
Glass-Receivers may be applied to one nose, the first of which is to be
firmly luted to the nose; the second must enter the perforated belly
of the first Glass, by a Pipe; and in like manner the third must be
inserted into the belly of the second; the Pipe of the second Glass,
which entereth the belly of the first, is to be well luted; the third
is not to be luted to the belly of the second, but to remain open,
that the expiring gass may go out of the second into the third. To the
other nose also three or four Receivers are to be applied after the
same manner, but so that the last may reremain unluted. The white Swan
is the _Amalgama_ of Tin and _Argent-vive_, to which Nitre is added;
and it is done as presently you shall hear. [_See the Figure of this
Furnace, before the beginning of this Treatise, noted with =pag. 96=._]
A _is the Furnace_.
B, _The Vessel in the Furnace_.
C, _The Hole with an hollow Verge, through which the Swan is
conveyed into the Vessel_.
D, _The Tongs holding the Cover with which the Vessel is to be
covered as soon as the Swan is put in_.
E, _An Iron Ladle, wherewith the Swan is put into the Vessel_.
F, _The Receiver_.
G, _The Bench that supports the Receiver_.
H, _The Laborator_.
R. one part of Tin, melt it in a Crucible, when it is melted, take the
Crucible out of the Fire, and pour out the melted Tin into another
earthen Vessel, and mix therewith one part of _Argent-vive_, which
will presently be absorbed by the Tin, but the Tin will become so
brittle and friable, that it may be ground upon a stone to fine powder.
With this fine powder mix two parts of good and pure _Salt-Petre_, by
grinding them well together, till the _Amalgama_ cannot be known from
the _Salt-Petre_, but one white powder be made of both. This powder is
_The Swan of Basilius_, of which he prepareth Meat for the King; but
I call it _The Fulmen of Jove_, by which all Metals are destroyed and
reduced into nothing. And from this nothing, Metals much better and
more noble are generated _de novo_. Concerning this destruction and
regeneration of Metals, consult _Paracelsus_’s Book of _The Vexation
of Alchymists_, and the Third Part of my _Mineral Work_, and you shall
find, that _Paracelsus_ hath involved this Operation in obscure words,
as also _Basilius_, who delivereth the same in his sixth Key, with the
same obscurity, which here, without any covering, I have openly and
clearly made manifest.
NB. I would have the studious of this Noble Science know, that
_Jupiter_ alone, or Tin mixt with Glass only, in this artificial
destillation by the fiery man, yields that medicinal spirit, without
the addition of _Argent-vive_, and leaveth the meat or augment of ☉
and ☽ in the bottom. But that our Ancestors have adjoined _Mercury_
or _Argent-vive_, I also by experience have found it profitable. But
it is chiefly done for this end, that the Tin being rendered friable
and fit for grinding, may the better be mixed with the Nitre; for it
would be laborious and troublesome to file the Tin to mix and destil
with the Nitre, as _Baptista Porta_ teacheth in his Natural Magick.
This reduction into Powder by Mercury, is performed in a very short
time, and wonderfully promoteth the Labour, whilst the Mercury acting
upon the porous Jupiter, penetrateth him, and rendereth him compact. On
the contrary, _The Fulmen of_ Jove burneth the wings of Mercury, and
maketh him remain stable, so Jupiter is an help to Mercury, and Mercury
to Jupiter, and both become more noble by the power and efficacy of
Salt-petre; for Jupiter possesseth much combustible sulphur, which
nevertheless burneth not _per se_, without some help; in the effecting
of which _Salt-Petre_ is a Master, having neither superiour nor equal.
Well doth _Basil_ say, that sulphur only is Nitre’s best Friend, and
also its worst Enemy, which we have found to be most true, in this
operation.
When the Tin and Nitre grow hot together, they take Flame like
Gunpowder; the purer part, like some subtile spirit, vanisheth into the
Air, and the more fixed, stable, and better remaineth at the bottom;
for the noxious and superfluous Sulphur of the Tin is burnt by the
Salt-Petre, which being separated, the rest of the Tin acquireth a more
compact and better body. The Mercury also adjoined in this operation,
yieldeth whatsoever good he hath, offering his Spirit for Medicine,
and his Body for the encrease of Gold or Silver; so that more profit
accrues by the addition of Mercury, than if Jupiter were fulminated by
Nitre alone. Very few will believe how noble a Sulphur there is hid in
Jupiter, which can be made manifest by Nitre only. Truly Mercury can by
no way be better deceived and overcome, than by the Fulmen of _Jove_,
which casts a terrour upon all the gods. Therefore they are very wary,
lest they be touched with that Thunder, and slain with sudden death.
If Jupiter were destitute of his most efficacious Thunder, neither his
father ♄, nor ☉, nor ☽, with the rest of the gods, would be subject to
him. Mars, Venus, and Mercury would only sport themselves with him.
Mars would shew him his Sword, ♀ would intangle him with her amorous
Net, and ☿, the deluder of all dreaming Alchymists, would fly away, and
laugh at him. _Volens nolens_ they all fear Jupiter, and must allow him
the Empire; the conversation of _Iove_ is perilous to all the Metals,
even as it often brings subjects into no small danger, to converse
with their Prince. Hence the vulgar Proverb, _Procul a jove, procul a
fulmine_; He that keeps from the fire, is not in danger of being burnt.
But leaving those things, we will now address our selves to the
operation it self, and plainly shew how it is to be performed. And
first, let the studious know that this Work requires a diligent and
skilful Operator; but he who knows not how with skill to handle the
Fire, I advise him to abstain from this Work. The Art is true and
excellent, so that he that understands but a little, may see the
whole Work to stand upon a firm foundation drawn from Nature. He that
knows the nature of Metals and Minerals, knows that the goodness and
perfection of Gold and Silver, the best of Metals, consists in a
stable, fixed, and incombustible matter, and on the contrary, that the
imperfection of the imperfect Metals, proceedeth from a combustible and
stinking Sulphur only; which superfluous Sulphur, if it shall be any
way separated from them, that which remaineth, ought necessarily to be
purer, more fusible, and constant in the fire. There are many waies
by which that superfluous and combustible Sulphur is separated from
Metals; of which mention is made in the Mineral Work, and the fourth
part of Furnaces. In this operation, the manner of separating it by
combustion, is performed by Nitre. In this Treatise also other waies
are indicated, yet Nitre is to be used in them all.
But the studious of Art ought to know that in this Operation, not only
the superfluous Sulphur of Jupiter and ☿ may be separated and consumed
by burning and each Metal concentrated and amended, but also to both,
or to ♃ alone other Metals may be added, and by the help of Salt-petre
may be fulminated and concentred; for the Fulmen of _Iove_ doth not
only concenter and amend his own proper body, but also other Metals
adjoined to him. Nor do I know a nearer way of destroying Gold and
Silver quickly, than the Fulmen of _Jove_, which so destroyeth all the
Metals, that afterwards without the addition of other things, they
cannot by any force of fire be reduced to their former fusile bodies,
inasmuch as in melting _per se_, they alwaies pass into Glass, every
one being tinged with that colour which is proper to the metal. Gold
is changed into a very elegant glass, like to a _Ruby_; the glass of
Silver hath the colour of a _Chrysolyte_; the glass of Copper hath a
green and red colour like a Jasper; the glass of Mars differs not much
from it; the glasses of Tin and Lead remain white. These Glasses being
(by an artificial reduction) reduced into their bodies, are much better
and nobler than they were before. This sudden fire also clippeth the
wings of Mercury, so that part of him is constrained with the ♃ to
abide the fire. That swift fluxing powder which is compounded of Nitre,
Tartar, and Sulphur, mentioned in the second part of my Furnaces, is
also not to be contemned, for when that mass is mixed with ☿, and
kindled by a live Coal, the ☿ is altered, as when it is to suffer the
fire, it maketh a cracking noise, till it breaks through the fire, but
being apprehended by the Fulmen of _Jove_, it hath no time allowed
it to cry out; for when it beginneth to feel the heat, it singeth a
Swan-like song, but before it can break out from the Fulmen it is
killed. _Basilius_ calleth this _The Song of the Swan_, alluding to
what the Ancients have delivered concerning that Bird, _viz._ That when
she is old, and ready to die, she sings a song, which being ended, she
presently dieth. This Saying the vulgar believe of that Bird, which yet
is false, seeing that I never yet heard any man say that he had heard
the Song of a dying Swan. The ancient Philosophers hereby meant our
Metallick Swan. But let any one enquire, whether the _Amalgama_ of ♃
and ☿ may be compared with a Swan; because it may every way be broken,
within and without, it is like to the Feathers of the said Bird, and
therefore the Philosophers have not unfitly called it a Swan. As for
its singing, it is thus; When the _Amalgama_ is mixt with Salt-Petre,
and wrapt up in Papers, and one after another of them cast into the
Iron man, the ☿ with the ♃ beginneth to sing a Song like the fine Note
of some Bird, which endureth no longer than the crowing of a Cock,
seeing that the flame presently followeth, which maketh the separation.
But that any one may be more certain of this matter, I will openly and
clearly expound the Operation word by word.
R. of Tin and ☿ each ℔ j. make an _Amalgama_, as I have taught above;
grind this with ℔ ij. of pure Salt-Petre, freed from all its fæces,
reducing the whole mass into a minute powder, till the _Amalgama_ can
be no more felt by the fingers. This fine powder distribute into sixty
equal parts, more or less, and put each part into a Paper, so that
every Paper may contain about two lothones, or an ounce, wrap them up:
This quantity is not to be exceeded, especially if the Iron man and the
Receivers be not large; for the lesser Vessels require the less of the
matter: For the matter being cast into the red-hot Vessel in Papers,
when it taketh flame, giveth a crack or puff like Gun-powder, which is
kindled with a Coal. The Labour is easie, which may be called _The Work
of Women_, or _Play of Boys_. For as soon as one Paper is enkindled,
the vapours ascending with smoak and wind, pass into the Receivers,
which being quietly settled, another Paper is presently to be cast
in that it may sing its Swan-like Song, and pass into the Receivers
in a fume. This casting in of the Papers is so long to be continued
till they are all spent. You can scarcely put in above ten Papers,
or fifteen at the most, in an hour; for if one Paper be cast in too
soon after another, the ascending Spirits of the ♃ and ☿ would not all
settle, but some would fly out at the hole of the last Receiver, and be
lost. By this means the Iron man is nourished by degrees with his food,
_viz._ the white Swan, even as Infants are successively fed by their
Mothers.
After all the Papers are in, the fire is to be let go out of its own
accord; and when all the Spirits are condensed in the Receivers, the
Receivers are to be removed one after another, in which is the _Anima_
of Tin and Mercury, and of that metal which was added, of a white or
ashy colour, if Tin and Mercury only were used. But if Gold was added,
it will be of a purple colour; if Silver, of a yellow; if Copper,
the colour will be reddish. And this is not only to be understood of
the matter which passeth into the Receiver, but also of that which
remains in the bottom of the Iron man. The _Anima_ hideth it self in
the corporeal flowers which ascend into the Receivers, by which it is
the more easily acquired, and which otherwise, perhaps, by reason of
its great subtilty, would be very difficult to obtain. If you can put
your hand into the Receivers, you may take out the flowers with a bent
spoon, which hide the _Anima_; but if not, with an Iron Wier fitted for
the scraping them off, or by washing them out with Water, which are to
be handled further, as you shall presently hear.
The mass remaining in the stomach of the Iron man, being taken out
when it is cold, hath a fiery nature and a white colour, if it were
only of Tin and Nitre, but if any other metal was added, the colour
will be varied, as above. This mass cannot be reduced to its former
body by Fire alone, how vehement soever it be, seeing that when it
is melted, it runneth into glass, and that too very difficultly.
Nevertheless, by the following operation it may be reduced to its
pristine Body: Put it into a very strong Crucible, which cover, and
set in a Wind-Furnace that will give a very strong Fire (such as is
my Fourth Furnace) the Fire being raised by degrees, let it be made
white-hot, and when it is so, the Cover being a little removed, throw
into the fiery mass a little Sulphur, Antimony, or Coals in fine
powder, put on the Cover again, and lastly, cover the Crucible over
with Coals, that all the matter may flow well. In this operation the
combustible Sulphur will enter the fixt Nitre, and separate it from the
fixed Metal, and with the same, whatsoever of Sulphur, Antimony, or
Coals was added, will be turned into black Scoria. The Tin, with the
Mercury, and the Metal, if any were added, separateth it self from the
Scoria, and returneth into a metallick body, which after it is poured
out and cold, is to be Separated from the Scoria. Jupiter hath the
aspect of his former body, but is amended, as the proof will shew him
that pleaseth to make it; the remaining Scoria are to be kept, because
an excellent universal Medicine may be made of them. The _Regulus_
being melted again, is again to be amalgamated with its own weight of
Mercury, which _Amalgama_ is to be mixed with its equal weight of
Nitre, and put up into Papers, and again cast into the Iron man, as
we have shewed before, that the Flowers and _Anima_ may be collected
and added to the former. The remaining mass is to be precipitated with
sulphur, as before, and the Scoria being separated from the Regulus,
to be added to the former, and the Regulus to be again brought with
Mercury to an _Amalgama_, that with Nitre the Flowers and _Anima_ may
be again elicited. This Labour is to be so often repeated, until half
the Regulus be converted into scoria: That part which remains being
examined by the Cupel, will shew how much gold and silver is generated
by this Labour. Which profit will serve to buy other Coals and Metals
to carry on the Work. The _Anima_ which passed into the Receivers
yieldeth a most excellent medicine; so do also the scoria which were
reserved at divers times, afford one little inferiour to that; and
how they are to be handled, we will teach in order. Therefore by this
only operation a universal medicine for humane and metallick bodies is
acquired particularly, and from the remaining part, an amended metal
paying the necessary costs which are required for the continuing the
great Work.
How therefore particularly of Tin and Copper often fulminated, one may
get a profit not to be contemned, I will clearly shew; forasmuch as
I have not performed that labour only once, but many times; in like
manner I will deliver the way and mode whereby an excellent medicine
may be prepared for the curing of all curable Diseases, which also I
have often done. But how a Universal medicine may be prepared of the
_Anima_ of metals, for humane and metallick bodies, I cannot teach; for
I have not hitherto had time and opportunity of perfecting so great a
Work. Nevertheless, I do not at all doubt, but that the Philosophick
stone may be made of this _Anima_: But by what means I think this may
be effected, (saving to every man his own judgment) I will not conceal
from the studious of the Divine Wonders. What I have done with my
hands, I can render others the more certain of; those things which I
have not done, I leave as they are. The beginning of the Labour I have
clearly enough proposed; from which, if any man cannot learn more, ’tis
best for him to abstain from this kind of Labour.
All the Philosophers cry out with one voice, _Fix the volatile, and
volatilize the fixt_, and you shall have the true universal medicine.
From which scope he will not erre, who shall take good subjects for
his work. Therefore, because in this our operation, Gold (besides the
rest of the metals) being endowed with a most pure body, is rendered
volatile and fugacious, and stript of its _Anima_, verily it will
be credible, that of the _Anima_ of Gold, if the _Anima_ of Mercury
shall be joined with it and digested to fixation, may be made the
_Salamander_ constant in the Fire. The purple _Anima_ of Gold and
Mercury which hath passed into the Receivers, I free from the Flowers
of Tin, by washing it out with the sweet universal Water, known to
every one, filtring it through Paper, coagulate it, and then fix it
into a tinging stone. And I doubt not, but some good thing will thence
proceed.
From the scoria remaining after the reduction, you may easily extract
a medicine. Nevertheless, those scoria are divers, and have a diverse
nature; for those which remain after the operation with Tin and
Argent-vive, are of another nature and property than those which
proceed from the working with other Metals adjoined to those two, as
Gold, Silver, Copper, or Iron. Every Metal hath its own proper powers
and virtues, which in the extraction of the Scoria go forth together,
and render that Extract more noble, or else diminish its virtues. Gold
and Silver have a different nature and properties from Copper and
Iron. Nevertheless Copper and Iron are not malignant or hurtful in
the Scoria, but also possess great virtues. Nevertheless the greatest
virtues which are elicited from the Scoria, are to be taken for a
Tincture of Sulphur; for the Metals being destroyed by fulmination,
and again reduced into a body, leave but a very small part in the
Scoria, seeing that their greatest part returneth into a metallick
body. Therefore the Scoria principally consist of fixt Nitre, and
that Sulphur by which the destroyed Metals are again reduced into a
metallick body from the Nitre. The Scoria of the Metals destroyed and
precipitated by Coals, or common Sulphur, have one and the same nature,
virtues, and properties. The Scoria of that reduction made by Antimony,
partake of another nature, to wit, of a grosser and stronger than those
which are made by common Sulphur or Coals, for they sometimes cause
vomiting, which the other do not.
And this I would note, that because Antimony as yet containeth many
Arsenical qualities, common Sulphur containeth but few, and Coals none
at all; that therefore also the Scoria made by these, are safer than
the other; nevertheless, I confess that those are somewhat cruder,
and more immature than those made with Antimony; but being extracted
with Spirit of Wine, yield an excellent Tincture, which is a kind of
a Universal Medicine; for it is sufficiently known, that no subjects
(Gold and Silver excepted) are found fitter for Medicine, than
Antimony and common Sulphur. And because Wood-Coals exactly answer to
this common Sulphur in their nature, properties, powers, and virtue,
therefore I commend the Scoria’s made by them, and prefer them to those
prepared by Mineral Sulphur and Antimony; not that there is a greater
efficacy in Coals than in Antimony and common Sulphur, but because
those of Coals dissolved by fixt Nitre, are rendered more apt and
easie to render their virtues to spirit of Wine, are of a more easie
extraction, and are somewhat more familiar to the animal nature, than
common Sulphur and Antimony. But the Medicine prepared of either of
those scoria, is efficacious, and differeth but little in its external
species and colour. All the difference in those Tinctures, is, That
that which is extracted from the Antimonial scoria, if it be taken
in a little the larger dose, before fixation, causeth vomiting, and
operateth more forcibly than the other two. All three after the manner
of sulphurs, gild silver, help the growth of Vegetables, by dunging,
and nourish and augment Gold being made spiritual, and closed up in the
moist way.
And although I do not yet know what it can perform in the transmutation
of Metals, yet I am perswaded, that if it were fixed and rendered
constant in the Fire, and made to have ingress into metals, that it
would effect something in transmutation. It sufficeth me at this time
to have indicated the way by which a universal Remedy against all
curable Diseases, is to be prepared of the remaining scoria. He that
desires to know more, let him set to his hand, and search farther;
the way is opened to him: But if he desires somewhat better, let him
set upon the Spirit of Mercury and Gold, which is forced into the
Receivers, and search for it in that. As for the remaining parts,
_viz._ the metallick flowers, and the running Argent-vive, which
passed together into the Receivers, the running Argent-vive may be
separated from the Flowers, and used again for the like labour, by
amalgamating it with Jupiter. The Flowers are again to be reduced with
the fulminated metals, that nothing of the Gold and Silver may be lost;
so this labour being continued, will give a perpetual encrease of Gold
and Silver, besides the tinging _Anima_, and the Expences will be only
for the Salt-Petre, which will be little to those who know how to make
Salt-Petre themselves, for the making of which, I have shewed the way;
so that without any great labour, trouble, and cost, not only an honest
livelihood may be gotten, but also a good medicine, for the relief and
comfort of the forsaken Sick.
But before I conclude this my concentration of metals by Salt-petre,
I think fit here to adjoin some admonitions for the benefit of the
studious of these Labours. When in the reduction of the metals
destroyed by the Fulmen of _Jove_, the scoria are left too long upon
the gold, and not poured off in due time, they (after a certain
magnetick manner) attract the remaining _Anima_ which the Fulmen
hath left in the Gold, and leave the whole pale. If Argent-vive be
amalgamated afresh with this pale Gold, and this Labour sometimes
repeated, the Gold will be wholly spoil’d of its _Anima_, being partly
driven into the Receivers, and that which is left attracted by the
scoria, then the gold loseth all its colour, and the scoria put on a
bloody colour. From this red scoria the Tincture is to be extracted, by
a certain singular Artifice, and to be used in the known manner. The
pale Gold recovereth its yellow colour by Iron, Copper or Antimony.
Moreover, this is also to be observed, When by the Fulmen of _Jove_
the _anima_ of ☉ and ☿ is propelled into the Receivers, the Receivers
being taken off, the Flowers which hide the _Anima_, are to be taken
out, and kept in Glasses close stopt. For the said _Anima_ of ☉ and ☿
is so spiritual, volatile, and fugacious, that like a Bird it presently
flies away, and leaves an empty Nest; the truth of which thing I have
experienced. _He that will not believe what I say, let him try, and he
will find it to be true._
But that I may shew the studious of the Hermetick Medicine how he may
experience this matter, I will declare by what chance I my self came to
know it.
At a certain time, when I had taken the _anima_ of Gold and Mercury,
made by the Fulmen of _Jove_, out of the Receivers, not clearing one
Receiver so well, but that somewhat of the _anima_ remained therein;
I put in some ounces of Water, that I might thereby the better wash
out the remaining Flowers: In the mean time, some more urgent business
called me away, I set the Receiver with the Water in it, upon a Table
in my Laboratory, before or near a Window, and forgetting it, left
it there for some daies; the Cold being then very sharp, in that
time had frozen all into Ice; I coming into my Laboratory, to see if
some Glasses, in which were Water, were not broken by the Ice, as is
usual, I found some wholly filled with Ice, and seeing this Receiver
to lie there, I presently believed that Receiver to be broken by the
Frost; but taking it up in my hand, I found that the Water in it was
not frozen, but remained clear, therefore I rejoiced that the Glass
remained unhurt, and wondered much whence it should proceed; but I
could impute it to no other thing, but to the hot spirit of Gold and
Mercury, of which notwithstanding there could not above three or four
grains remain in the Glass, which although so very little, preserved
some ounces of Water from freezing. From that time weighing the matter
more diligently, I found an incredible heat in that _Anima_. Let others
enquire and search what may be performed by such a heat; this I know,
that hereafter there will be sedulous Artists, who will thank me for
this my faithful Institution.
For it is very likely, that this subtile and fiery Spirit of Gold and
Mercury, such as it yet is before fixation, may be presently used with
great profit, in the taking away many occult Diseases of the Body.
Moreover, it is to be observed, That if Metals, whether Gold, Silver,
or Copper be to be conjoined by amalgamation with Tin and Argent-vive,
they ought first to be reduced into pure and shining Calces, that they
may be the more readily received by the Mercury: But only a fourth or
sixth part of the Calx is to be added in the Amalgamation, lest the Tin
(by too great a quantity of the Calx) be hindered in fulminating, for
the whole operation consisteth in a right fulmination. But lest any
should erre in working, he may first make trial, whether all things be
well mixed and prepared, by putting half a dram of the mixture into a
small Crucible, and upon that a live Coal, and beholding the Fulmen
with an intent eye, that he may see what colour it gives: If it riseth
so white and clear, that it dazleth the eyes, as the looking upon the
Sun is wont to do, all things are rightly and orderly mixt; the smoak
is tinged with the colour of the adjoined Metal, as Purple from Gold,
Blue from Silver, Green from Copper, but Tin and Argent-vive only give
White. Also from the Mass remaining in the Crucible, it may be seen
whether the Fulmen be rightly performed, _viz._ if the _Caput Mort._
or residing Mass be porous, and fiery upon the Tongue, being touched
therewith. The Colours also of that Mass are various, according to the
added Metal; Tin and Argent-vive alone leave a fiery white matter.
Neither is this to be passed by, being of no small moment, _viz._ If
you seek not a Medicine, but only the emendation of Metals, it is
not necessary to add Mercury with the Metals, but the Gold, Silver,
or Copper may be melted with Tin, for so they become a brittle Mass,
which may be powdered in a Mortar, and mixed with an equal weight,
or a little more, of Salt-petre, and put into a strong Crucible, and
covered, then put into a circular fire, so that the fire may approach
it by degrees, till the Crucible and Matter be hot, and at length
taking flame, may be enkindled and dispersed. In which operation many
Flowers flie away, and a fiery Mass remaineth in the bottom, which is
again to be reduced into a metallick body in a strong Crucible, in a
Wind-Furnace, by the addition of some combustible sulphur, and after
the reduction, to be reduced again into powder, and mixed with fresh
Nitre, and again treated in the same manner, by sometimes repeating the
former Labour. At length that Mass being reduced in a Crucible, the
Gold, Silver, or Copper will be found augmented by the Tin.
NB. Because in this operation, not a little of the Metals flies away
in fume, the Crucible may be set in some Wall, and on the Wall over it
some Vessels or subliming Pots capacious enough may be fastened over
it, that the Metals being kindled by the Fulmen, the elevated Flowers
may be preserved and advanced to a purer Metal than they were before.
This Labour doth not differ much from the Operation of _Basilius_, in
which Salt-petre saith, _My Lover is a cheerful or pleasant Woman_, &c.
There are only two feminine Metals, _viz._ _Luna_ and _Venus_, either
of which serveth to this Labour, yet this is more profitable than
that, yea, and the same Labour giveth an augment to Sol, Mars, and
Saturn, which are not feminine. When Tin is melted with ♀ or ☽, these
pleasant females are elevated with joy, they sing, dance, and suffer
themselves to be handled in what manner soever it shall please one to
treat them, therefore they are called _brisk or pleasant Women_. This
is an Operation not to be contemned, forasmuch as it well compensateth
the Labour, and requireth but small costs besides the _Salt-Petre_, and
also may be wrought in a great quantity, but our former with Mercury is
better. There is yet more lies hid in this operation, but I think it
not necessary here to recount all things. Let the Reader kindly accept
of this, and shortly (God willing) more and better shall follow.
Whatsoever I have here written, is the very truth, and confirmed by
many Experiments, in which every one may safely confide, and if he
operates aright, will find the truth; for all things here delivered,
are to be understood according to the Letter, and so to be observed in
all the Labours.
A
TREATISE
Of an Universal Medicine;
OR,
A True Aurum Potabile.
Being an accurate Description of a True Universal Medicine, and
of its admirable Virtue and Efficacy which it sheweth upon the
_Vegetables_, _Animals_, and _Minerals_. A Gift presented unto
all such Noblemen as are desirous to preserve their Health, and
to attain to a Long Life; it being an _Universal Medicine_, or _A
True Aurum Potabile_.
_After that I had by GOD’S assistance described three excellent
Processes in the Continuation of the =Miraculum Mundi=, and had
bestowed the same on men of several orders, that thereby they might the
easilier, and with a safer Conscience, provide themselves with Food
and Raiment: =I= was also desirous of tendering some small Present to
Noblemen too, and such who are of eminent power and authority, and
whom =I= had not forgotten to present with some Gift, which may serve
for the preservation of their good health for a long time, and for the
restauration of it when lost._
_For it is a thing of the greatest Concernment for the Nobles, and
such men as are placed in the degree of Power and Authority, to have
the fruition of bodily health, whereby they may wisely rule over the
subjects committed unto them by God, and may use a sound mind about the
defence of the Good, and the punishment of the Ungodly. Now a sound
mind inhabiting in a sound body, doth proceed (next after the Divine
Grace) out of a sound Heart and Brain. And it cannot be, that a publick
Government can be rightly and well administred without a good Health;
and this is as clear and evident as the noonday light is. Forasmuch
therefore as the safety and preservation of all Kingdoms and Republicks
is placed in the Wisdom of their Rulers and Magistrates, and that
imprudence and ignorance of the Rulers is wont to ruin their Subjects,
it is a thing of the highest consequence to save the Head of the whole
Kingdom or Country sound, whole, cheerful, prudent and ingenious, and
that he be not made unfit or uncapable for the Government, by diseases,
sadness, slothfulness, and stupidity. Therefore the love of my
Neighbour constrains me to publish this Universal Medicine for the sake
of the Great ones of the World, seeing it is so much conducive to the
perpetual felicity and happiness of a sound and good Government; for no
man can be said to be a sound man, if he be not of a sound constitution
of Body. What benefit, =I= pray, can a sick man bring to himself, or to
other men? Verily none at all, but is rather an hindrance and detriment
both to himself, and unto others likewise: For when the Head is ill,
there are a great many Members must serve it; but if the Head be sound
and well, it exerciseth the governance of the whole Body very happily._
_What profit has a man that is tormented with Sicknesses and Dolours,
of all his vast Wealth and Riches, since he can neither use them
nor enjoy them, looking upon them with a kind of nauseate, and at
last leaving them with grief behind. Certainly a sound body is to be
preferred far before all the Treasures of this World, and no body will
gain-say this. He is to be judged the Happiest man, that possesseth
those two the greatest Gifts of God, =viz.= good Health and Riches.
Sickness and Poverty are to be esteemed worse than even Death it self._
_We sometimes see, that pious Magistrates and Governours are snatcht
away, and killed with small Diseases, which otherwise might have yet
Ruled very many years over their subjects, had they had but good
Medicaments, by help whereof they might have been succoured._
_As for the way of Conserving good Health, and recovering it when lost,
this little Book doth most exactly shew the same, which =I= commend
unto all those who are desirous of its preservation._
Of a Universal Medicine,
OR,
AURUM POTABILE.
The Medicine that is honoured with the Title of _Universal_ must be of
this property, _viz._ to operate universally upon the three Kingdoms,
_viz._ the Vegetable, Animal, and the Mineral, and to be able to
succour each of them, as a most high Medicine should do. Whatsoever
now does not abound with such an excellent property, the Title of
_Universal_ is falsly attributed unto it; nor is it worthy such a Noble
Name.
Therefore it doth, in the first place, behove me really, and in very
deed, to demonstrate in this Book which treats of such a Universal
medicine, that this same medicine which is so intituled, doth also
possess those very same virtues and properties which a Universal
medicine ought to have. And farther, Such a Universal medicine ought
not only to be a most friendly Auxiliary and Helper, universally, to
those three Kingdoms, _viz._ the Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, but it
is likewise necessary that it be also preparable out of all those three
Kingdoms, Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, and that too out of each
apart, without the addition of any peregrine thing, and without any
great labour, for the benefit and profit as well of the Poor as of the
Rich.
They therefore do extreamly erre who are of such a foolish opinion, as
to Dream that the matter of the universal medicine is only produced in
such or such a place, and is to be fetch’d out of this or that Country
with a great deal of Labour and Charges.
This opinion is Diametrically opposite to the common Vogue and Saying
of all true Philosophers, who do unanimously confess, that their matter
is every where to be found, and every one has it, and it is in the
possession both of the Poor and of the Rich: And this verily is so open
and evident a Saying, that nothing can be spoken more apparently.
For my part, I do affirm, that this Art is Vegetable, Animal, and
Mineral, and that there is not a man to be found in the whole World,
that has not the knowledge of this universal matter, and that does not
use the same. Yea more, I do also affirm, that even a new-born Infant
cannot live without it.
I have already accurately demonstrated in many places of the Writings I
have hitherto published, that Nitre is found in all the things of the
whole World; and so not only in all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals,
but also in the very Elements themselves, _viz._ in the Earth, in the
Water, in the Air, in the Fire: And for this reason it both may, and
deservedly ought to be called a Universal matter; for without the
Elements can no man live. And now, whether any one believes this which
I here mention, or does not credit it, ’tis all a case to me, what I
have said I have said, nor need I say more. And thus much let suffice
concerning the universal matter.
The Preparation I have openly enough treated of in many places of my
Writings, but especially in my _Miraculum Mundi_, and in the other
Writings thereunto appertaining; and therefore I forbear to make any
more prolix declaration, and to multiply any more words about it.
But yet notwithstanding, I do here adjoin thus much, and confess,
that although I have several times prepared that universal medicine,
yet the Preparation thereof has not at all times answered my desires;
nor hath it as yet been ever brought by me unto the utmost perfection
and fixation, because I have wanted both time and opportunity of
accomplishing it, and many other Impediments have hindered me from
compassing the same according to my mind. But as concerning what
Progress I have therein made, and that I can as yet perform or finish
the same in three daies time; this, I say, I will consecrate to
eternal memory, and in no case hold my peace, but speak on, for the
instructions sake of Posterity.
And this I do to this end, that the omnipotence and bounty of God may
be the more manifest, and that His Divine Name may be honoured the
more, and that many Thousands of Sick people may be succoured with a
most present and speedy Remedy.
This is the only cause that stirred me up to make this Discourse of the
universal medicine; for I neither would, nor indeed ought I to burthen
my Conscience by the concealment thereof, nor to hide and bury with
me in my Grave, such a noble Gift of God, and the Talent which of His
Gracious Benignity He hath been pleased to bestow upon me.
But yet I would not that any one should perswade himself that he
shall (by his soothing words and large promises of golden mountains)
squeeze out from me the Preparation of the same, whereby he may make
use thereof to lead his Life in Pleasures, Pride, and Impiety, and so
hurt poor mankind. No, let such an one be assured, that I will never
do so, for it is not in my power to reveal to every one such a great
Gift, and which is of God, and not of Man, but ’tis in the power of
God alone so to do: And as for my self, I would much rather die, than
to reveal and prostitute it to a wicked man. Besides, I would not
have any one to suppose, that whereas I call this medicine of mine
Universal, it is therefore able to transmute the Imperfect metals into
Gold, so as to furnish one with such vast Treasures as the Philosophers
attribute unto their universal medicine: No, for I am as yet ignorant
of such a transmutation, nor indeed do I covet it, or gape thereafter,
but give unto God only most great Thanks for that medicine, by which
(being vouchsafed me of His meer bounty) I am able to succour the
miserable, sick, tormented, and diseased ones, and celebrate the glory
and benignity of the Lord. I do withal readily confess, that I have not
as hitherto received any benefit at all therefrom about the bettering
of the Metals thereby; nor do I at all seek after any benefits in that
kind of way, being contented with that Medicine, advanced to such a
pass, as whereby it may be able to suffice me to get Food and Raiment
by God’s help. I covet not after abundance of Riches, and do only beg
of God, that He would neither afflict me with Poverty and Want, nor
bestow on me too much Satiety and Fulness, lest I should be lifted up
with Pride, and say, _Who is the Lord?_ Nay verily, if I could with
this Medicine get my self great benefit, as to the metallick affairs,
yet would I not do it, nor would I lay out such a great Gift of God,
upon temporary things, thereby to rob the poor, miserable, sick people
of the same, for whose sake God was pleased to bestow it.
Perhaps it may so come to pass, that this my Medicine may, by the
labour of diligent searchers, be brought to such a pass, as to be
capable of exercising its power upon the lesser and imperfect metals,
and that by a fruitful or profitable amending and correcting them:
But this is a thing that God reserves to Himself, as posited in His
alone good pleasure, whose Grace and Favour we must with a patient
expectation wait for: Mean while we may lawfully enjoy this most
excellent medicine, which being a most certain Argument of the verity
and power, arising from such a notable Art, doth abundantly serve to
stop the shameless mouths, and break the mischievous Teeth of all
_Farnnerian_ Asses. But yet notwithstanding some or other of them may
haply spue out some poisonous stuff out of his shameless mouth, and
say, With what right can I impose the name of _Universal Medicine_ upon
this Medicine of mine, seeing that I do not in the least deny, that it
is not available to bring me any benefit out of the metals, but can
only heal the Diseases of the Sick: Whereas the Philosophers do on the
contrary attest, that their Universal medicine hath such virtues as are
wont to transmute the lesser or meaner metals into Gold, and that with
most exceeding profit.
For answer to such as these, I say, that although this medicine of
mine which is here treated of, hath not hitherto brought me any profit
by the melioration of the metals, yet it demonstrates it self to be
universal, and to be worthy that same Title; for I have been hindered
through want of time and other letts (as I said afore) from hitherto
bringing it unto perfection and fixation. And I pray who can tell what
God will be pleased to vouchsafe in process of time. A new-born Infant
cannot well be upbraided (if wanting wit and judgment it does not
attempt and effect some great matters) and be on this wise twitted. Ho!
it is not a man, ’tis beardless, it understands nothing, it lies along
and cannot help it self, it has nothing but what they reach out unto
it. Well, well, let the Infant but arrive unto its due age, and let its
due meat and drink be administred unto it, and then in length of time
it will attain to a requisite stature and strength, and will propagate
and multiply its own kind. For if there be but once the humane form,
there will not proceed ought else thencefrom, but a perfect man. Just
so stands the case with my medicine, which is exceeding like to a
new-born Infant, whereto regard being had, according to a Philosophical
manner, there will be no doubt, but that it will arrive unto a due
perfection.
And now, the things which it doth even already perform, do all of them
sufficiently argue and testifie, that process of time both can & indeed
must produce thereout of some better thing; even as a good Parent
wisheth for nothing more, than that (whilst himself is living) his
Children may grow up to man’s estate, and be happily married, and by a
new Offspring preserve his Name and Stock, and yield their help towards
the multiplication of mankind, and he himself is wondrously joyed in
his Grandchildren: But yet in the meanwhile he cannot be at all certain
that his Life shall be so long prorogued, as to have a fruition of so
much happiness, and therefore must commit the whole affair to God’s
pleasure, and patiently wait upon him, and See what that Omnipotent
Creator (who indeed shewed unto _Moses_ the Promised Land, but granted
him not so long Life as to enter thereinto) will do with him and his;
even so hath the Lord shewed unto me the Promised Land, but whether
or no I am worthy to arrive so far as to enjoy the pleasant Fruits
thereof, GOD only knows; His merciful bounty hath bestowed upon me in
my old Age a Philosophical Infant, which doth exceedingly rejoice me:
But yet verily am I utterly ignorant whether or no He will vouchsafe
unto me so long a Life, as to see the virile or man-like age thereof.
Therefore, like as a Father, unto whom in his old Age the Divine Bounty
hath vouchsafed an Heir, tho’ (haply) he well knows that the said
Heir cannot possibly arrive unto man’s estate, during his (_viz._ the
Father’s) life, yet nevertheless he is exceedingly joyed, in that he
hath an Heir to keep up his Name, and which will in time trace his
Father’s footsteps (_viz._ have more Children): Even just so doth my
new-born Philosophical Infant exceedingly rejoice me, though haply I
know that my Life will not last so long, as to be a Possessor of the
same, in the state of its being advanced unto perfection. However,
I doubt not but that God will stir up other nursing Fathers to this
tender Infant, that being educated and nourished by them, it may arrive
unto a Man-like strength, and unto virile powers and virtues, and may
become serviceable to the advancement of the Honour of God, and to the
succouring of many Thousands of sick People. The way of attaining this,
I have, according to my simple judgment, too and agen, and peicemeal as
it were, opened and revealed in divers places of my Work, _viz._ how it
may be most commodiously effected, and therefore I judge it needless to
treat thereof any farther in this place.
_Of the Nature, Form, Properties, and admirable Virtue and Efficacy
of my True =Aurum Potabile=._
As touching the form of this same new-born Infant, I would have the
well-minded Reader know, that it is like unto a poor, naked, tender
Babe, of no splendour, of a simple aspect, but yet carries within it
self all the colours of the whole World, which by how much the older
it grows, so much the fairer colours doth it yield. The Fire affords
it nutriment, and clothes it with Garments of various colours, and
makes it strong, fair, noble, and potent, insomuch that it may not
undeservedly be termed its Father. Being born out of the Earth its
Mother, it loves it, and useth it for its nutriment, until that
arriving unto full years, it becomes like its Father the Fire, and
leaves its Mother the Earth, and like a Lord of full age, bears rule
over its Hereditary Possessions. But during its Minority and Infancy,
all its actions are look’d on as childish, but yet so that presently
(or even now) appears what kind of notable man he will be, making good
that Proverb; _Urit mature quod vult urtica manere_.
_That which will a Nettle be,
Stings betimes, trust you me._
For seeing that a new-born Infant doth abound with so much virtue,
as to be able to do so much good, What would not he be capable of
effecting, should he attain to a ripeness of years? It will be
therefore worth while to hear and see what virtues it is able to
exercise upon Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals; and first, we will
treat about the Vegetables.
_By what way a Trial is to be made, whether or no this =Aurum
Potabile=, or =Aqua-vitæ of the Philosophers=, be a most high
Medicine for the Vegetables._
Every body knows, that the Vegetables which are to grow up, and be
multiplied, must be also nourished. This nourishment now is nothing
else but a sulphureous Salt, whether it hath its Rise from the
Vegetables, or from the Animals, or from the Minerals; for ’tis all
a case to the Vegetables, from whatsoever it proceeds, so that they
have but their nutriment, by which they may grow, be encreased, and
be multiplied. The Husband-man useth the Dung of any Cattel or Sheep,
to dung his Lands withal, that the Seed sown in the dunged Earth, may
thence extract the Salt, and convert it into its own nutriment, and so
grow up, and be encreased; and besides this kind of Dunging he knows
none.
But the true Naturalist makes use of the Excrements of other Animals,
yea, and the Minerals themselves too, for the dunging of the Ground;
concerning which thing, I have written at large in my other Writings,
and especially in my _Miraculum Mundi_; and therefore there’s no need
at all of making any farther repetition of the same here. Forasmuch
therefore as my _Aurum Potabile_ is also a sulphureous Salt, but yet
far stronger, and more efficacious than that which lies in the common
Dung of Beasts and Cattel, and so consequently promotes the accretion
or growth, and multiplication of all the Vegetables in a wonderful
maner. I have judged it a thing worth while to set down in this place
the use thereof in the melioration of the Vegetables, that so it may
be evidently demonstrated, that this my Potable Gold is the most
excellent Medicine for all the Vegetables, and that their _Particular_
Medicine which doth first proceed from the Dung of Sheep and Cattel,
doth afterwards display its virtues by an _Universal_ operation. For if
the _Dung_ of Horses, Cows, and Sheep (as ’tis barely Dung) could but
succour Men and Metals, like as it brings a medical or helping succour
unto the Vegetables, then might it by the same reason be likewise
called _Universal_.
But whereas it is an helper to the Vegetables only, and hath no
conjoining familiarity with the Minerals and Animals, therefore is
it rightly and deservedly to be referred to the order of particular
Medicines, which are helpful to the Vegetables only. But yet
notwithstanding, the Salt being extracted out of those sorts of Dung,
and converted into Saltpetre, (which is a thing easily done) doth then
admit of being transmuted into a _Universal Medicine_: But now, afore
such a Transmutation be made, it does not exceed the order or bounds
of _Particular_ Medicaments. But this _Aurum Potabile_ of mine merits
the name of a true Universal Medicine, as being not only a most high
Medicine for the Vegetables, but also for the Animals and Minerals too,
and this shall be perfectly demonstrated as follows.
You must get some Vessels made of the best Earth, and strong, and such
as being well burnt in the Fire, become like a Stone. And amongst
such Earths, the _Colen_, _Siburg_, _Waldenberg_, and other such-like
natured Earths, are the fittest for this Work; let them be made very
thick, and such as will not imbibe any Water. If you want such as
these, cause then your Vessels to be made of Glass; for every porous
kind of Earth, though it be glazed over with Lead-glass, yet it is not
so fit for this kind of operation; therefore you must of necessity
provide your self with fit and convenient Vessels, and have a most
especial regard to this admonition. Let such a Vessel be a span long,
or high, or deep, and let it have the same breadth or largeness, and
let its bottom be perforated with some small holes, like as those Pots
which are made for the keeping of Flowers in are wont to be: The Pots
being thus prepared and filled up top-full, with clear and lean Sand,
you may put or plant therein three or four Seeds of such Herbs that you
have a mind to plant, that so if haply one of them comes not to good,
the second, third, or fourth may. When the seeds are on this wise put
in the said Sand, and shall have been moistened with our Universal
Water, the Pots must then be set abroad to the Sun and Air, that so
the Seeds may spring up and grow; which seeds, if good, and not too
old, will in a few daies time, grow up out of the Sand, as if they had
been in any other fat Earth. Now, when they shall have sprouted up so
high as a fingers length, you must leave in your said Pots two of the
biggest and strongest stalks or sprouts, and pluck up the others, lest
they should impede each others growth; and you must let them have room
enough in the Pot to grow.
This Vessel thus filled with Sand, and planted with seeds, is to be set
upon another strong Dish or Platter, and which is made of the like sort
of Stone-like Earth, that so if that medicinal water should happen to
penetrate and destil through the sand, it may not be lost, but being
saved, may be again poured into the pot-full of sand. Moreover, you
must diligently take heed that no Rain-water fall therein and wash
away that medicinal water, and so take from the Herbs their nutriment.
The sand must not be too much wetted, but lie alwaies somewhat moist,
lest by being quite dry, or too wet, the whole Work be corrupted by
either the excess or defect of the due, temperament: All things here
prescribed being duly observed, the Herb springs up in a short time,
and bears Flowers and Fruits sooner and better, than if it had grown
in other dunged Earth. The Colours become fairer, the Odours will be
stronger, the Virtues also will be greater, and these Herbs do likewise
longer keep their virtues, and are not so corruptible as others are.
After that all the humidity which you poured first on, shall have been
consumed by the Sun and the Air, so as that it is plainly vanisht,
there must some other Rain-water (wherein a little of that potable Gold
shall have been dissolved) be again poured on upon the Sand, that so
the Herb may have its due supply of nourishment, so long as it shall be
a-growing, for the whole World knows, that there does not grow ought at
all out of sand, which is only wetted with bare Rain-water.
Likewise by the help of this Universal Medicine all kinds of Herbs
and Plants may be made apt to germinate and grow even in mid-Winter,
and may be at any time amended, if so be that dissolved Liquor be but
poured on upon the Roots. So will they be sooner ripe, and yield their
Flowers and Fruits much speedier than those that are dunged after the
common way; yea, and more too. I say, that as to their virtues and
efficacy, they are to be preferred far before the common ones. The
bare simple Universal Medicine is wont to shew so much efficacy, as is
here mentioned: But now some metallick Ferment being added thereunto,
makes it far more efficacious; for by means thereof, the Herbs acquire
greater and better virtues.
If there be adjoined thereunto an aureous ferment, the Herbs will not
only get the virtues of the Gold, but will also appear spotted here
and there, in their Leaves and Flowers, with golden spots like little
Stars, and will wonderfully please the sight by their delicate aspect.
If a Silver Ferment be thereto added, the Herbs will be impregnated
with Silvery virtues, and be painted with silver spots as they grow.
The Herbs being by this means bettered with a golden Ferment for
the Heart, and with a Silver Ferment for the Brain, do with a more
admirable efficacy succour those Members. And if the great ones of
the World did for their Health’s sake take care for the nourishing
such Herbs as these in their Gardens, there’s no doubt at all to be
made, but that they would thencefrom obtain most great benefits. For,
besides their wonderfully delighting the sight with their beauty and
delicateness, and besides their admirable virtues, in which they far
excel the common Herbs, they do likewise bring this exceeding great
profit, _viz._ they may be made use of instead of my _Aurum Potabile_,
which perhaps some great men may be averse from taking, through the
perswasions of their ignorant Physicians, who most-an-end do, by reason
of their sottish stupidity and ignorance, snarle and bite at such kind
of eminent Medicines, and divert their Lords and Masters from the using
of them, as if they were so many Poisons.
If therefore (to free themselves from that needless care) they did but
make use of these Herbs instead of my Potable Gold, they would however,
by the help of such Vegetables, enjoy so much of the efficacy of my
Potable Gold, as to keep themselves in good Health, or to recover it,
being lost.
Besides too, the said Potable Gold may be most commodiously and fitly
applied to the use of Mankind, not only by the help of the Vegetables,
but also of the Animals too, and that on this wise.
Hens (or Pullets, _&c._) are to be a while nourished with Oats,
Barley, Wheat, or other kind of Grain, macerated with the Liquor of
that Universal Medicine; and being nourished therewithal, they will by
concoction or digestion transmute those Medicinal Virtues into their
Flesh, and so be far more efficacious and nobler than the flesh of
other Hens or Poultry. The Dung likewise of such Fowls may be Saved,
and mixt with Sand, and Herbs be therein planted, which by this means
will be rendered better than the common Herbs, because they assume to
themselves the Reliques of that Liquor which the Fowls did not consume,
and by digestion transmute into their Flesh, and so do convert it into
their proper juice, so that there is not any thing at all of that
Liquor lost, but the whole of it passeth into most notable profit.
Verily this is an excellent and admirable Transplantation of an
Universal Medicine, into the Vegetables and Animals, the which the
tender great ones of the World may make use of with the greatest
security.
Such now as these (_viz._ the great ones) seeing that this Universal
Medicine of mine doth not at all hurt the tender seeds of Herbs, or
the young Pullen, but rather bestows on them a greater efficacy and
strength, will doubtlesly be induced to believe and understand thus
much, _viz._ that this same Medicine will in no case prove hurtful unto
Men, who as to tenderness, cannot be like the seeds of Herbs, or like
tender Pullen.
If this Medicine be of so great an efficacy as to be capable of
transmuting some venenate Mineral, such as Mercury is, into true Gold,
and that in a few hours space, as we shall see and hear by and by, it
must necessarily follow, that it is not infected with any malignity or
venom, for the malignity of one thing does not amend or correct the
malignity of another thing, but rather makes it worser.
From hence it is apparently manifest, that that Potable Gold does not
at all partake of any malignity, but is a most wholsome Medicine for
both Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals: Which thing, if any one will
not give credit unto, or shall not be capable to understand the same, I
know not what other help to afford him; for minding my own affairs, I
have propounded and set down all things out of a good and sincere mind;
if so be that any one hath ought that is better, let him produce it
out-right, and not despise those things which he does not understand,
lest haply he hazardeth his good name, as that convicted Lyar _Farnner_
hath done, and be derided, and made a laughing-stock to the common
People.
But _Farnner’s_ setting upon me with his calumnies and slanders, hath
ministred unto me an occasion of answering, and of defending my self:
Upon this occasion of my replying, there have sprung up, and come forth
to the Light most excellent Secrets and _Arcana’s_ of Nature. Surely I
should never have so openly published my knowledge in natural things,
but should have lain hidden in quiet, had not that Blood-sucker and
secret Murtherer thrown me out of my tranquility by his venomous biting.
But that it may not seem a thing strange and absurd, that I write,
that this _Aurum Potabile_ of mine doth induce into the growing Herbs
a golden Nature, it seems a thing expedient unto me, to confirm the
business by some true Histories.
In the _Hungarian_ and _Transylvanian_ Chronicles, it is mentioned,
That in those Countries, in which the soil or ground hath every where
about in the Mountains, an aureous or golden nature, and from whence,
for this Thousand years, even to this very day, much Gold hath been,
and yearly is digged out by the GoldMiners, and been molten, and
coined into Moneys, there have been oft times found such Vines, as
have not only had their Leaves, but also the Grapes too gilded over,
as it were, with Gold, just as if they had been artificially gilt.
Nor is this an old Wife’s Fable, but a thing most certainly true, and
which many have affirmed unto me for a most undoubted Truth, some of
which Persons have had their Habitations in those places, and othersome
of them do even live there at this day. About some six years since,
when I lived in _Franconia_, it chanced, that a Vine to whose Roots I
laid Gold opened, and reduced into its first Ens, produced Bunches of
Grapes, whose Stones were gilded: Which Story I have mentioned more at
large in the Consolation of Navigators. And but very lately a certain
Nobleman of _Hungary_, told me for a most certain Truth, that not far
from _Cremnitz_, being one of the Mountain Cities of _Hungaria_, a
certain Husbandman found in his Vineyard a piece of corporeal Gold,
above an Ell long, grown out of a Stone, and twined round about the
said Stone, a little piece of which was given me by the said Nobleman,
because of the Novelty and Wonders sake.
But put case that this were not true, which notwithstanding is very
true and indubitable, as being a thing known to the whole World, that
such gilded Grapes are often found in _Hungaria_ and _Transylvania_;
yet however, those things that I have mentioned, and attributed unto my
Potable Gold, are most assuredly true.
Nor can I alleadge any other cause for these gilded Grapes and Leaves
in _Hungaria_, but this, that the Earth there is impregnated with
golden vapours, or with the not yet hardened and coagulated first
Ens of Gold, and that aureous water being mixt with the Rain-water,
insinuates it self into the Roots and from thence ascends up into the
Boughs and Grapes, and in them manifests it self, and becomes visible.
Even thus also is it with my _Aurum Potabile_, (which is like to a
spiritual Gold) if it be dissolved with common Rain-water, and be
therewithal commixt, and the sand (in which the seeds of the Vegetables
were sown) be moistened with that Liquor, the nutriment is attracted
out of the sand by the Vegetable Herbs, and being attracted, renders
them partakers of an aureous nature: And this experience testifies to
be a thing most true; nor can it be otherwise.
By these few things here spoken, every body (as I suppose) will
sufficiently enough perceive, that my _Aurum Potabile_ is a most high
Medicine for the Vegetables. Now we will likewise prove by some few but
yet clear and convincing Arguments, that it is a most high Medicine for
the Minerals too.
_Of the Use of my =Aurum Potabile= in the melioration of the
=Minerals=._
As concerning the bettering of the Minerals by my Potable Gold,
thus stands the case: It is capable of exhibiting to those that are
inquisitive after the transmutation of the Metals, and would make trial
of the same, some most exact proofs of the possibility thereof, both
in the moist and in the dry way.
In the first place, it is behoveful for every one to know, that the
said _Aurum Potabile_, when brought to its due perfection, and such
as my self know, hath the resemblance of a bright and clear water, is
of a burning, hot, and fiery taste upon the tongue, and gives out a
sulphureous, but yet pleasant odour.
But some may say, What can any such virtues be in a clear Water? What
reason have you to call it Potable Gold, for that ought to be yellow
or red? To such an one I answer, That in the whiteness is a redness
hidden, which is not discernable in its tender Infancy; but when by
the help of the fire it arrives to a greater age, then it discovers it
self, and shews forth its comeliness and excellency together with most
eminent strength and efficacy: For thus say the Philosophers, _Unless
you make our Gold white, you cannot make it red_. And in another place,
_If any one knows how to destroy Gold, so as it shall be Gold no more,
he hath arrived to a most great Secret_. And again, in another place,
_Our Gold is not common Gold, but Gold potential, not formal_ (_or Gold
in power, not in shape_). Such Sayings and Sentences the whole Troop
of the Philosophers is full of; by which it is exactly demonstrated,
that the true _Aurum Potabile_ ought not to be presently red, as to
the outward view, but that it merits this Title, if there be but only
that golden and red virtue and efficacy lying hidden in its internal
principle. For if this whiteness did not cover over an hidden redness,
it could never possibly become red. Now my _Aurum Potabile_ being
coagulated by the means of fire, and reduced to a stability in the
fire, is turned into a stone of a blood-red colour, and yields not in
the melting any corporeal Gold, unless a metallick body be adjoined
unto it, into which the Spiritual and Philosophical Gold, betakes it
self, that so cloathing it self with a body, it may become Corporeal.
This potable Gold of mine is, _Lac Virginis_, or the _Virgins Milk_,
which is coagulated with a small heat. This _Coagulum_ Passeth into (or
becomes) the _Dragons-blood_, which being coagulated, must necessarily
yield the constant or durable _Salamander_. I confess, that hitherto
I have not prepared it; nor had I any opportunity to prepare it, but
remain contented with my _Lac Virginis_, as with a most excellent
Universal Medicine, patiently expecting what the Divine Grace will in
time to come bestow upon me.
But that I may proceed on to shew that my _Aurum Potabile_ doth
likewise heal the Minerals, amend them, and make them golden, I will
here set down some waies of doing the same both in the dry, and in the
moist way.
_The manner of trying (by the moist way) whether or no my =Aurum
Potabile= be a true Philosophical Volatile Gold._
Take of my potable Gold ℥ j. and ℈ j. or ʒ ss. of Common Quick-silver,
put them into a strong Glass, and so small, as that it may be half full
with this matter. (NB. The glass must have a round bottom, whether
it be a piece of some small Bolthead, or of some small Phial, that so
the Mercury may gather it self into one Ball in the bottom) and place
your glass, with the potable Gold and Quick-silver, in Sand, to the
heighth of the Liquor, then heat it, and leave it for about one hour
in a sufficient heat, that the Phlegm being exhaled, the potable gold
may stay behind in the form of a white Salt: This done, pour agen upon
that Salt so much Rain-water as it evaporated in the boiling, or fill
the glass so full with Rain-water, as it was before full of the _Aurum
Potabile_, that so lying a while upon the said Salt, it may dissolve
it, which is hereby again turned into the same potable Gold, having the
same colour, the same taste, and the same virtues as it had before. The
Mercury being freed from the said potable Gold, which is to be poured
off, is found to be hard, and fix in the bottom like the best gold, and
of the same bigness or quantity, as when it was put into the glass. NB.
If by some errour committed the _Argent-vive_ be not enough tinged and
brought to a due degree, but hath gotten some blackness, it is to be
taken out of the glass, and put into some little Crucible, and to be
heated red-hot with live Coals, that so it may receive the due golden
colour; which said colour it will get, and will be like the best Duckat
Gold, and will abide good and firm in all trials. But that _Aurum
Potabile_ which was used about the coagulation of the Quick-silver, may
be often made use of about the same labour; but yet you are to note,
that you alwaies take each time less and less Quick-silver to this
operation, because the potable Gold doth in each of those successive
labours lose by little and little its virtues.
This way of coagulating of Mercury may be likewise used about the
coagulation of other Minerals and Metals, provided that the said metals
be reduced into thin Plates or Leaves, and so put in; for being put in
too thick, they cannot be totally digested in so short a time by the
_Aurum Potabile_, into the due degree of Perfection, but remain (as
their inside part) crude, and therefore an accurate regard is hereunto
to be had. If this Labour be rightly done, the Metals will be throughly
transmuted into pure and good Gold, and that of the same magnitude,
figure, and form they were of when you put them in; but yet one metal
is sooner transmuted, and more commodiously than another, according as
it shall be of a nearer affinity unto gold. NB. If the Metal be not in
a due manner proceeded withal, but be as yet black when it is taken
out of the potable Gold, it is then to be well heated red-hot, that so
it may get its golden colour. And if there be even yet any doubt left,
let him put it in ♃, and purge it by the Cineritium, or the Cupel, that
so he may be assured of having true gold, and may be freed from all
kind of scruple and doubt; for neither ♃ nor ♁ will take away ought
therefrom; which thing the proof it self will most clearly demonstrate.
_The manner of making a Trial, by the dry way, concerning the
Transmutation of the Imperfect Metals, by my =Potable Gold=._
Take of my potable gold, or _Lac Virginis_, ℥ j. and put it in a
glass dish; which done, and the dish placed in sand, evaporate all
the humidity, until there remain about almost half an ounce of white
Salt; put this Salt in a Crucible, with ℈ j. or ʒ ss. of the Plates
of Silver, or Copper, or Iron, for Tin & Lead need not be laminated:
Place your Crucible, together with the Salt and the Metal, amongst
Wood-Coals, and the Salt will presently melt like Wax, and penetrate
all the whole Metal, and transmute it into gold; and this operation
is done in one quarter of an hour, or half an hour at the utmost. The
molten Salt being poured forth out of the Crucible, you will find in
the Same Crucible the Plate of the Metal, of the same quantity and
shape it was of when put in, and throughly transmuted into pure good
gold. The Tin and the Lead will be molten into Granes, as being of
easie fusion, which Granes will have the nature of pure good gold. If
the Crucible should be too much heated with too intense a Fire, it
may also happen, that even the ☽, Copper, and Iron too may melt into
granes. And this I thought good to inform the Studious of.
These (O thou Lover of Arts) are the too Examens and Proofs of my
potable gold, and of trying it both by the dry and the moist way, which
if thou shalt rightly perform, thou shalt not erre from the mark. But
now I must needs confess, that this Transmutation is not gainful, and
I have already said before, that my divulging of all these things is
only to this end, _viz._ visibly to shew the possibility of the Art.
For although that the gold gotten by these proofs be true, and purely
good, and passing all the usual Trials, yet nevertheless it brings
no profit, because this _Aurum Potabile_ requires so much expences,
(afore it arrives unto this degree of power) as that the gold gotten
by the benefit thereof, cannot countervail the same. Nay, if it should
be somewhat profitable in this way, yet would that man do much amiss,
that should waste away and imploy so kingly a Medicine for the getting
of a little Gold, seeing there are other waies to get Gold by. And
verily, it would be a great sin and shame for a man to consume such a
most excellent and eminent Medicine for little mony’s sake. Neither
is it for this end, that I have thus mentioned what I have here said,
_viz._ to use it about the making of Gold; for my aim is only this,
that all the world may see that there are men to be found, even at this
very day, upon whom the Divine Grace hath bestowed the Art of preparing
and making most excellent Medicaments. I do not envy, that other men
should learn something out of my Writings, and take the opportunity of
advancing this Work to a farther perfection: But I would not have the
impious ones at all to perswade themselves that they shall obtain this
Instrument to do evilly, and to exercise their wickedness by God, who
knows what He has to do, will not do those things which are (perhaps)
liking and pleasing to our fancies. I can every hour demonstrate
the truth of what I have written, with which demonstration I rest
satisfied.
I can easily conjecture that various men will pass various censures
upon my Writings, but this is what I am not able to prevent; nor indeed
do I much care, but I do herein comfort my self, in that I have written
an undoubted Truth, and can defend it even before the whole World. I
can withal readily guess, that some or other may object against me,
and say as followeth, _viz._ That my Potable Gold is a bare solution
of common Gold, which being adjoined unto the other Metals, is by them
precipitated, and so reduced into its former body; and this cannot be
said to be a true transmutation of the Gold. To refel this objection
therefore, I demand, Whether or no the common corporeal Gold can be
dissolved without some corrosive Liquor? For this _Aurum Potabile_ of
mine is void of all corrosion, and is a fiery water, most extreamly
contrary unto all corrosives: Seeing it is nothing else but fixed
Nitre, or a sulphureous Salt, betwixt which Salts verily, and common
Gold, there is no familiarity at all; nor are there any such virtues
therein, as to dissolve the Gold: But put Case it could so be, that
the body of common Gold should be dissolved with those fixed Salts,
and that by such a Solution it should dissolve (or make) my _Aurum
Potabile_, verily it would necessarily follow, that such a solution of
Gold would be of a yellow or red colour. But now ’tis not so with mine,
for my _Aurum Potabile_ is so clear and bright, as that it far exceeds
the bright transparency of even Fountain-water it self: Besides too,
the solution of corporeal Gold tingeth the hair, hands, and nails with
a black colour; but on the contrary, my Potable Gold does not so at
all, and therefore justly and deservedly, it both may and ought to bear
the Title of _Philosophical Gold_; for all the Philosophers that have
been true Possessors of an Universal Medicine, do confess in express
words, _That their Gold, or the solution thereof, doth not at all
colour the hands_, by which Character and Sign they distinguish betwixt
the vulgar and philosophical Gold.
From hence it necessarily follows, that my _Aurum Potabile_ is prepared
of the true Philosophical Gold, seeing it does not tinge the hands with
any colour.
But put case that a Solution of common Gold should be made by the
help of some _menstruum_ that is not corrosive, (but such is not
my solution) yet notwithstanding, it would not throughly tinge the
Imperfect Metals and common Quick-silver in digestion with them, and
transmute them, but would cover over (as it were,) their Superficies
only with the colour of the precipitated Gold, like as is wont to be
with all other solutions of Gold, and such a powder performing the same
effect, may be prepared of common gold; the way of the Preparation
thereof I have delivered in my Writings. Silver being therewithal
laid over, is as well gilt, as if it had been done with Gold and
Quick-silver: The superficies therefore is only gilded over, but the
body of the Silver it self is not at all transmuted, but abides in its
former state. So Gold dissolved in spirit of Salt, doth, by the help
of the Vitriol of Venus, gild over the Superficies of any Iron, but
the Iron retains its Irony property and nature: If to such a solution
plenty of Water be poured, and _Argent-vive_, Tin, Lead, Iron, or
_Bismuth_, be put thereinto, the gold is wont to precipitate out of the
corrosive water, in the form of a porous Sponge, and to adhere to the
metal thereinto put. Now, as soon as ever the water is shook about,
the precipitated gold disperseth it self abroad in the water, like a
troubled muddiness, and the Metal is the same as it was before putting
in, without any transmutation at all.
Moreover, if any Solution of common gold could tinge the whole body of
the imperfect metals (but yet this can never be) it would necessarily
gild over the external superficies of the Metals, and especially the
external superficies of pure Luna, when rubbed or smeared over with
the same; and even this now my _Aurum Potabile_ does not do; but if
it be smeared upon Silver, it colours and paints it with all kinds of
colours, and as infinite as appear in the Peacock’s Tail, and in such
wise too, as that they cannot be easily rubbed out; and these Colours
are an undoubted Argument, that this my _Aurum Potabile_ is not the
vulgar Gold, but the Secret Gold of the Philosophers.
All these, and other the like Objections, I could most easily prevent
by due and fitting Answers, if they should be objected against me; but
I think no body will be so audacious, as (without producing any better
things) to oppose himself against those things which in the judgment of
the whole World are accounted for good.
_Of the Use of my true =Aurum Potabile= in =Medicine=._
To what purpose should I make many words of the most great Efficacy
and Virtues of my Potable Gold in Medicine? I do not deem it a thing
necessary to write a large Book concerning them, for such kind of
Writings do many times more hurt than good: For there is such an odd
custom of Writing so prevalent, as that some men blush not oft-times to
ascribe such great virtues to some coloured Brandy-wine, as can hardly
be attributed even to _Aurum Potabile_ it self. I confess, that many
times there lies more Virtue in some very vile mean thing, than in
precious and sumptuous Pearls.
But seeing that every one cannot discern the true from the false, and
is constrained (on the contrary) to give credit unto those things which
he draws in by his Ears, it cannot possibly be, but that he erre from
the Truth, and often chuse the evil instead of the good; which defect
is easily helped by making trial, and proving them, for this way is
wont to try the Truth of things.
Should I but describe in an accurate manner the Virtues of my Potable
Gold, it would fill a large Volume: And this is not my intent in this
place, but (God permitting) it shall shortly be effected in a little
Book, wherein shall be comprized many other of my best Medicaments, and
shall shortly come abroad under the Title of _Glauber’s Pharmacopœia_:
And in this place I will in few words hint out the Use of my _Aurum
Potabile_.
Therefore, forasmuch as my Potable Gold is (as I have already
frequently repeated) a concentrated Fire, and reduced into a liquid
form, and all its whole Essence may be said to resemble nothing else
but some tender penetrating Fire, yet void of flame, every one may
readily conjecture what it is helpful for, and what use it is of in
Medicine.
Amongst all the Elements, the purest, subtilest, most penetrative, and
most efficacious, is Fire, and this is granted by every body; for the
force of the Fire, _viz._ its heat penetrates even the most compact
bodies, as Metals, and Glass; nor is there any thing that can stop its
way; the Water, Earth, and Air are easily shut out. The Omnipotent God
Himself is compared with Fire, from whom all things receive Spirit and
Life, and without whom nothing can live or move it self, for without
him, all things are dead, hard, and cold; as appears in the bodies of
men and other Animals, which being alive, are alwaies hot, but being
dead, become more cold than any Ice.
Therefore, as long as that small spark of Life in Man, and other
Animals, is fed and nourished with its due Food and Drink, so long also
doth it attract its nutriment, and continues in its vigorousness.
But as soon as it is destitute of its nutrition, and that it be taken
thencefrom, the Life doth presently begin to be debilitated, and to
fade, like as a kindled Lamp, if Oil be not poured thereunto, doth at
last go out, and extinguisheth.
Seeing now that the Life of a Man is a meer fire, and is fed and
sustained by a suitable Food and Drink only, like to a Lamp, which
(without the pouring on of Oil, and without Air, without which no fire
can burn, nor any Life live) cannot conserve its light. Some or other
may demand, What the reason is, that such men are so easily seized on
by Diseases, who have no want of the best Food and Drink, and which too
is most fit for the sustaining of Life? Hereto I answer, That in such
kind of men, the gross, crude, tenacious, and cold humours do shut up
the passage to the point and spark of Life, whereby it is deprived of
the nutriment, being hereby kept back. For an Example of which, Take a
kindled Lamp, in which the Wick or Cotton is furred and clogg’d up with
the Dreggs of impure Oil, whereby the Oil can have no farther access to
the burning Flame; and hence it comes to pass, that it goes out, and
vanisheth, and dies, though there be store enough of Oil. So likewise
is it with an old Tree, though there be store of Dung thereto applied,
yet the vegetation is not alwaies, and for ever, but all things die at
last. Now, the crude, gross, and clammy humours insinuating themselves
into the Roots, do hasten on this death, and the Roots being stopt or
clogged, the due nutriment is withdrawn or with-held from the Tree,
like as is wont to happen in Men, and in burning Lamps, as we said but
now.
All things have their natural Causes, the which thing God Himself hath
doubtlesly so ordained and implanted in Nature, that all things in
their order hastening on to their destruction, nothing may be found
wholly constant and stable in natural things, but be all subject to
decay and death, and that Eternity alone, and Divine stability, (or the
durability of celestial things only) might be laid open.
Bright clear Water, having its course through Channels and Wooden
Pipes, doth, after many years time, at length fill them with Dirt,
stops them up, and bars up its own way and current. This is the
Operation of the clear and cold Water of Fountains; the hot Baths do it
far sooner, as appears in the _Aquisgrane_ Baths, and others, in which
the _Aqueducts_ and conveyances for the Water are to be frequently
opened and cleansed, whereby the Water may have the freer passage. Bur
those Waters, which being hot, do (when cool) presently let fall their
fæces in the Vessels, and stop or furr them up, do most speedily of
all shew this same operation. The same is also done in open Vessels,
if, _viz._ the clear and transparent Water of Fountains be several
times heated in a Copper, and be agen so often cooled, there doth then
at length stick on to the inside of the Copper a tenacious sliminess,
which at last is turned into an hard Stone.
If now the pure and bright Water of a Fountain effecteth such an
operation, What, think you, would that Water do, which in its own
nature is troubled or muddy, thick, saltish, and slimy. Hence it is
that not only new-prest Wines, or that thickish, muddyish Must, do let
fall their fæces to the bottom, and fasten their Tartar to the sides of
the Barrel, but even the old Wines do likewise do the same, but not so
much as the new ones do.
Now then, seeing that such kind of troubled drinks are used by men for
nutriment, it is clearly necessary, that (the internal Bowels of the
body being stopt by their dregginess) their nourishing property of the
Life must with-draw, like as the feculent Oil withdraws from the light
of the Lamp: For all those things which a man feeds upon, and daily
drinks, do in process of time stop up the passages of the internal
bowels and conveyances in the body of man, and so despoil the vital
Fire of its nutriment. Therefore by how much the more this nutriment of
the Life is withdrawn, so much the sooner is the light or vital Fire
extinguished, and the cold and darksome death approacheth the nearer,
and becomes superiour. From hence arose that old Proverb, _Eat such
things as are well cook’d or baked; Drink such drinks as are clear;
Speak such things as are true, that so you may be long-lived_.
But now some may say, I will therefore shun troubled drinks, and feed
upon well-drest and well-prepared Meats, that so by shunning the way
for Death’s entrance, I may enjoy a long-life. I confess, ’tis well
said, for sobriety in meat and drink, and the shunning of gross and
crude meats, and troubled drinks, do much help to conserve health:
But yet it does not follow, that he shall not be at length subject to
Diseases, nor die; for there is no meat that is so well cook’d, and no
drink that is so clear, but it carries with it its hidden fæces, with
which the internal Vessels may in a longer process of time, be stopt
up, and Diseases introduced, even as we shewed but now, by an example
drawn from Fountain-water, which in process of time stops up its own
passages: And by the same reason too must those Trees that are in the
highest tops of the Mountains at length die, when (though they are
nourished with most clear Rain-water) their nutrition is with-held from
them by the stopping up the pores of the Roots.
But yet I do not say that an Oak, or some other wild Tree, in wild
places, which is nourished only with the Rain-water, and the Leaves
which yearly fall off, dures no longer than some Fruit-bearing Tree
does, which is dunged and nourished in the Gardens with singular care
and labour: No, for it is known, that an Oak doth many times endure
and live a Thousand years; whereas on the contrary, such a tilled or
tenderly-kept Tree scarce attains to the Hundredth year, and this is
to be imputed to the diversity of nutriments. The Stag in the Woods,
and the Crow in the Air, live above an Hundred years, but being caught
and finely fed, they scarce live Fifty years. A man that lives barely
upon Bread and Water, will doubtless prolong his Life to far more years
than if he used delicate food and drink; and this is a most manifest
thing, and yet men lay it not to heart, but by enjoying too great
a plenty of delicacies, they burthen Nature with too great a load,
from whence obstructions of the bowels do arise, and a way laid for
Diseases to enter in. A Tree that is dunged with too much Dung, gets
to it self, together and at once, too much fatness, and this choaks up
the Roots and hinders nutrition, whereby the body and boughs thereof
cannot be supplied, and so consequently Death must enter in, and put
out the Life of that Tree. What Counsel now? You will haply say, If
that obstructions be the principal causes of Diseases and Death,
are there no Remedies, by whose help such like obstructions may be
prevented; or (if they already are made) be wholly removed and taken
away? Yes, I say, that both may be done, _viz._ a timely prevention,
and also a thorough abolition of them, when they have gotten head;
and this to be done by such kind of Medicaments which are friendly to
Nature, and contrary unto the things from which those obstructions and
constipations have their rise; for cold, tenacious, impure, and watery
humours must necessarily be attenuated, mollified, cut, and opened by
heating, attenuating, inciding, or cutting, penetrating, and fiery
Medicaments; for daily Experience teacheth, that it is a thing clearly
impossible for obstructions to be taken away, what kind soever they
be of, without the help of warming and penetrative Medicaments. And
amongst all those Medicines, these are found to be the most certain
and most efficacious, _viz._ the volatile Spirit of common Salt, or of
Vitriol, void of corrosiveness; the volatile spirit of crude Tartar;
the spirit of Urine, and of Salt-Armoniack, and other the like fiery
Spirits, which do exercise their Virtues with most excellent success
in the taking away of those kind of obstructions. But forasmuch as
those volatile spirits do for the most part set upon and resolve such
obstructions as are but beginning, and not as yet confirmed, but do
not seize upon the more fixt and inveterate ones, as having not so
much strength as to subdue and cast out them, for they are to be cast
forth by their like, that is, by the more fixt Medicaments; which thing
no skilful Physician will gain-say. The whole drift therefore of the
business lies in this, _viz._ by what means such kind of Medicaments
may be gotten, as by whose help not only the newly-risen obstructions,
but also the inveterate and confirmed ones too, may be driven out of
the body of man. Now, this cannot be effected by Herbs, and such-like
natured things, as is sufficiently witnessed by this present Age, for
no body that is subject to those kind of obstructions, is cured by
the help of the Herbs, and such-like things. For after that the sick
Patient hath a long time used the palliative Cure in vain, Death at
length comes forcing in, and snatcheth him away after his licking in
many Pots full of such stuff, which notwithstanding, by some good
Medicine might have been easily prevented: For, I pray, how can it
possibly be, that a cold, gross, crude, and not well-prepared Medicine
should draw forth cold and gross humours, which should be heated, cut,
and mollified? ’Tis just as if a man would melt one piece of Ice with
another piece of Ice, and so reduce it into Water; but yet it will
never be done without fire or heat. And therefore a penetrating, fiery,
living, and good Medicament, is to be applied unto those cold and
tenacious obstructions, to heat, extenuate, and scowre them out; and
the Syrups, Conserves, and the cold, dead, and mucous or slimy Juleps
should be removed.
Verily, I cannot sufficiently enough wonder, when I think upon the
small regard that is had to the Life of Man, and how rashly and
wantonly it is neglected, out of meer pure ignorance.
The present World is so blind and perverse, as that it neither will nor
can believe this, though it be shown it even with ones fingers: But yet
this stubborn perverseness does not hurt any so much as it does the
Innocent, who understand not these things, and are even constrained
to credit those things only which they hear of; all other things they
commit to Chance and Time, together with the rest of those errours,
unto which, as likewise unto other abuses, this endeavour of mine, will
(if God so please) some time hereafter administer some Redress.
We do therefore conclude and determine, that the principal and chiefest
occasion and cause of Diseases and Death, are these slimy, gross,
tenacious humours, which by little and little seize on and stop up
the internal bowels of the body, and withdraw (or withhold) from the
radical humidity its nutriment, and so debilitates the vital fire more
and more, and at length quite extinguish it.
Now, to remove and throw off these Furrings, there is no other Remedy,
but that the passages of the internal bowels be kept open and clean, or
that they be opened and unlocked, as ’twere, if already stopt up.
Now this thing my _Aurum Potabile_ can perfectly effect; a better
Medicine than which, and one more apt and fit to open all the
obstructions of the body of man, ’twill not be so easie a matter
to find; for it is in its nature a subtile, fiery, penetrating
essence, warming all cold affects, attenuating the gross, inciding or
cutting the tenacious, and consuming, and drying up all humours and
Waterishness; insomuch that (being made use of) it doth inhibit and
impede the generation (or growth) of all kind of obstructions, and by
mollifying and inciding them when they are already generated, doth
wholly take them away: Upon this accompt, by its corroborating the
radical moisture and vital spirit, and preserving it safe and sound, it
gets the preheminence over all other such Medicaments as perform the
same effect: Most worthy is it therefore to be called and esteemed the
concentrated center of all Medicaments. For all those virtues which are
found simple and divers or distinct in any of the Vegetables, Animals,
and Minerals, and which do, by a _Particular_ Efficacy, set upon
Diseases; are concentrated in my _Aurum Potabile_, and being collected
into one, do display all the virtues of those particulars universally,
and therefore do these virtues discover it to be well worthy the name
of an Universal Medicine: For this Medicament does not only exceed all
other Medicaments in the most speedy operation of its virtues in the
curing of the bodies of men, but also it plainly abounds with the same
admirable virtues in the bettering of the Vegetables and Minerals; and
therefore it is to be preferred beyond all others, and to be extolled
with the highest Praises.
But now, if in case it should abound with far more noble and more
efficacious virtues, (as to the taming and subduing the Diseases of
men) then it already hath; and yet, on the contrary, should effect
nothing by those its virtues in the melioration or amending of the
Vegetables and Minerals, it could not possibly claim to it self the
Title of an Universal Medicine, but would be rank’d amongst the
number of _Particular_ Medicaments, as tending only to the curing of
the Diseases of Animals. But now, seeing that (as we said before) my
_Aurum Potabile_ doth most powerfully help not only men, in the Animal
Kingdom, but likewise in all the Vegetables and Minerals, (out of
the Dominion of which three Kingdoms, _viz._ Animal, Vegetable, and
Mineral, there is nothing in all Nature to be found) and is a most
high Medicine unto them all; therefore also the Name and Title of a
_Universal Medicine_ doth rightly and properly appertain thereunto.
The Philosophers do indeed ascribe thus much unto their Universal
Medicine, _viz._ that it is able to heal all the Diseases of Mankind,
and of the imperfect Metals, and their defects, and transmute the
said metals into perfect Gold. But concerning its being the supream
medicine for Vegetables too, that they are silent in: Why they silently
pass this over, for my part, I cannot certainly tell, nor do I deem
it necessary to expound the same: ’Tis sufficient that my self have
proceeded farther, and do manifestly declare, that it will perform the
same in the Vegetables too.
But yet I would that every one should understand me aright, and not
count me so simple, as if I did liken or compare my _Aurum Potabile_
with that great Stone of the Philosophers, which transmutes vast
quantities of imperfect metals into most pure Gold by projection: No,
no, I do not ascribe such great Virtues unto my Medicine, which it has
not in it, but yet withal I cannot tell, whether or no in process of
time some better thing may not arise therefrom.
Farther too, the Philosophers say of their Medicine, that it can
make variously-coloured precious Stones agreeable in any colour to
the natural ones, out of all kinds of Flints. And now, perhaps some
or other will require this of my _Aurum Potabile_; to whom I reply,
as afore, so agen now at present, that my _Aurum Potabile_ is as yet
imperfect, and is but in its infancy, which haply (being brought by the
benefit of the fire unto perfection) will effect the self-same thing:
But in the state which at present it is in, and whereunto my self have
brought it, and ’tis at present constituted in, it is turned in three
hours space in a covered Crucible, into a transparent Stone, red like
blood, and resembling a Ruby: Of which, if a little bit be cast into
molten glass, it makes it green, yellow, sky-colour’d, or even black
too; according to the moreness or lessness of the quantity thrown in,
or according as it is longer or lesser while kept in Flux. If now it
operates these things, whilst unfixt and immature, any one may easily
conjecture what it would effect, were it brought to a perfect constancy
in the fire.
But it tingeth some sorts of the white Flints, kept for some hours in
the Fire, with various colours, and transmutes Sulphur it self into
most excellent Gold; which effect makes me more admire, than all the
things that I ever heard of; and how this betided me, it will be worth
the while, at present to make mention of. I did once put some ounces
of my said _Aurum Potabile_ in a porcelane dish, as they call it, and
placed it in Sand, that by the evaporation of the Phlegm, I might
reduce it into a Salt: But whilst I was absent, the heat of the Fire
being too much encreased, a good part of the Liquor boil’d over the
Dish, and spilt it self into the Sand, Now when I came to look to it,
I perceived that the Liquor which boild over the dish had hidden it
self in the hot sand, I took out the said sand, which with the _Aurum
Potabile_ was gathered into one body or mass, and I put it in a glass,
and poured Rainwater thereupon, and placed the Glass in hot Sand,
then I put the Water with which I extracted the Salt, into a Tunnel,
together with the sand which was to have the salt separated from it,
and so I separated by a Filter the Liquor thus impregnated with the
salt, from the sand, which said Liquor past through transparent, and
unchanged in colour and taste: But now this sand, which was white at
first, was clad now with a red colour, which stirred in me an exceeding
admiration, that this Potable Gold of mine should tinge the sand. This
sand I put in a Cupel, and brought it to the Test, and it yielded me
pure good gold; and this made me wonder the more; for verily it is a
wondrous transmutation, and such as I never heard of.
Upon this account do I perswade my self, that a piece of Crystal may
by a bare digestion in this potable Gold, be digested into a precious
Stone, but I have never as yet tried it, but yet I will try it, if God
prolong my Life.
Having made this trial with the sand, I presently conjectured, that the
sand which I planted my Herbs in, and which I moistened with my _Aurum
Potabile_, did not impart the full virtues, and all the qualities of
the gold to the Herbs, implanted therein, but did retain the better
part to it self, for its own melioration, and afforded but the smallest
portion thereof to the Herbs: Nor did this conjecture deceive me, for
upon this occasion I searcht farther into this business, and found it
even so. And therefore, for the future, I used no more sand, for the
communicating the golden virtues and faculties unto the Herbs, but
instead thereof, I used Sawdust, in which I began to sow or implant the
Herbs, for Wood is not endowed with such powerful or strong virtues,
as to be capable of extracting the aureous Essence out of the Potable
Gold, like as the sand doth.
Upon this accompt therefore any rotten Wood or even the Sawdust of
Wood will be more fit for this Work of planting, than sand it self is,
for the sand attracts to it self the most principal virtues of the
_Aurum Potabile_, and thereby doth better it self, and bestows upon the
Vegetables some small Reliques only. Had I not accidentally found this
effect, the sand would have robb’d me of much benefit.
Moreover, this thing likewise, which is well worth the knowing, must
not be passed over in this place, _viz._ that what herbs soever are
(by the help of my _Aurum Potabile_) grown up, they are all of them
greater and stronger than the common sort are, and do far exceed them
in colour, taste, smell, and in all virtuous qualities. The reason is
this, because the said _Universal Medicine_ is a meer fire, and bestows
its fiery vigour upon the Vegetables and Herbs: For it is a thing
sufficiently known, that by how much hotter the Countries be, so much
the more efficacious Herbs do they produce.
The Herbs that grow in the lower _Holland_ Countries, are not
comparable to those which the upper _Germany_ (which is of a drier
and hotter soil and air) doth produce, neither in odour, savour, nor
virtues. Nor doth High-_Germany_ produce Herbs of that efficacy and
bigness as _France_ doth, which is of a hotter and drier air than
_Germany_ is; for in _Germany_ Rosemary will hardly preserve it self
safe from being injured by the Winter season; whereas in the French
Desarts it grows so exceedingly well, as that it runs up like Trees,
capable of defending one against the Rain, the which thing is not usual
in the more cold Countries. Verily most excellent Honey is brought from
_Marseilles_, (where the Bees suck it out of the Rosemary Flowers)
into _Germany_, _Holland_, and other Countries, wherewith excellent
Metheglin is made, and other Fruits and Flowers conserved therewithal.
But that Honey which the Bees are wont to gather in _Holland_ and
_Friezland_, about in the moist Meadows and moorish Fields, from the
Flowers there growing, hath scarce any odour at all, but yet it is in
goodness beyond that which the Bees gather from the strong-smelling
Flowers of wild Trees, or from the Blossoms found in the barren Broomy
Thickets. By this therefore it appears, that there is a vast difference
between the Virtues of the Herbs in this or that Country, and that such
men are not a little deceived, who without any regard had, esteeming
of all the _Europæan_ Herbs alike, do attribute to the Herbs of the
Northern Countries, as _Denmark_, _Swedeland_, _Norway_, _Poland_, the
self-same Virtues as the ancient Physicians ascribed to theirs, in the
more Southern Countries. And thus do our modern Galenists, affirming
that their moist Herbs in these cold Countries are of equivalent
Virtues to those Herbs which the ancient Physicians have made mention
of; but Experience sufficiently testifies what effects they shew, and
what errours the said Galenists commit.
* * * * *
_Avicenn_, _Averroes_, _Ægineta_, and the pillager _Galen_, were not
_Germans_, _Swedes_, _Danes_, or _Polonians_, but dwelt in those hot
Countries, wherein the soil or earth was day and night heated with
the Solar rays, and impregnated with an aureous property, and so
communicated to the Herbs wonderful Virtues and admirable Efficacy.
Extreamly therefore do they erre, that dare attribute the very
self-same virtues to the Herbs of our colder Countries. But I confess,
that by the benefit of Art, the self-same virtues may be bestowed on
the Herbs, even in our most cold Lands, which those Authors attribute
to their _Arabian_ Vegetables; _Where Nature ends, there the Artist
must begin_, say all the Philosophers, but especially _Hermes_, who
is, as it were, the Father of all the Philosophers, doth clearly and
openly testifie the same in his _Smaragdine Table_, saying, _That which
is beneath, is like that which is above; and that which is above, is
like that which is below, for the accomplishment of the Miracles of one
thing_, &c.
And albeit that these words are expounded with divers Explications,
yet notwithstanding, the general sense and meaning of them points at
nothing else but the superiour and inferiour ☉, which generates all
things, and brings them to perfection: We cannot by any force draw
unto us the upper ☉, much less enjoin him to make our Lands partakers
of his more hot beams, and to fill the Herbs that grow therein with
the self-same virtues that the _Arabian_ Vegetables were endowed with:
Alas, the Sun neither hears nor knows us, but proceeds on in its
accustomed course, and dischargeth that Office which was imposed on it
by the Divine Power. If we are desirous of bettering those gifts of
Nature that are vouchsafed unto us, then must we set about the Work
of Art, and see whether or no it (being an imitator of Nature) can
afford us any help. And this it will do very easily, insomuch that our
_Europæan_ Earth may bring forth as efficacious Herbs as the _Arabian_
soil doth, and that with small Costs and Labours; so that there is no
need of my more chargable _Aurum Potabile_ for the accomplishment of
that business; for a sulphureous and fluid salt Water will perfectly
effect the same, seeing that in salt and sulphur the Solar beams are
abundantly concentrated and coagulated. This is our Terrestrial ☉, by
the virtue whereof all things do grow, which if we do but know how
rightly to fit and order, we should verily effect the very self-same
thing by the help of Art, that the superiour and natural Sun operates
in the Herbs, after its natural kind of way.
He now that neither understands nor apprehends these things, is not
at all worthy to be accounted a Philosopher, but follows after blind
Leaders, and hurries others as well as himself into darkness. The Sun
performs its course in the Firmament, according to its accustomed
manner, and cannot be rendered either greater or lesser: But we have
the inferiour Sun in our power, and can accommodate it to our Herbs
according as we list our selves, and in what quantity we please.
Upon this accompt _Art doth far outstrip Nature_; and ’tis in our
power, by the help thereof, (_viz._ of Art) to outstrip it, if so be
we have it and know how to use it. But this Discourse of mine hath
been more large than I intended, and minds me of desisting therefrom.
I suppose I have spoken enough for a wise man’s instruction; and thus
much I thought it was expedient for me to hint by way of a Parenthesis.
But yet however, that I may the more clearly and more perspicuously
set down all matters, that so every one may see and apprehend, that I
have set before them the meer pure naked Truth; I judge it expedient to
insert here yet more Examples and Instructions, that so whoever has a
mind to make trial, may in very deed experiment the Truth of this thing.
Coagulate my Potable Gold into a red Salt, and put in 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 12 grains, more or less, into half an ounce of Crystal glass melted
in a Crucible, that lying in the superficies thereof, the said grains
of _Aurum Potabile_ Salt may be molten. This done, the glass will
presently attract into it self the Tincture, and become of a Jacynth
colour, and so delicate, that it is not a whit inferiour in colour to
the natural Jacynth. NB. If the melting be continued yet longer, the
glass will be tinged with a golden, green, sky-coloured colour, and at
last with a black-colour too, if it be too long left in the fire.
He that desires to make a Ruby, let him put the bare coagulated Potable
Gold (without the addition of any peregrine thing) into a pure and
covered Crucible, and there leave it in fusion for some hours, and he
will get such a delicate blood-like coloured glass, as is capable of
refreshing a man’s nature, when debilitated with the multiplicity of
cares, troubles, and labours, and this by a bare looking thereupon.
And any one may easily conjecture what a refreshment it will be to a
man’s mind, when (after abundance of vain-spent labours, and exceeding
earnest expectations of the Blessing of God upon them), he doth at last
see with his own eyes, that that thing is possible to be effected,
which with such an incredible, ardent a desire he hath so long a time
sought after. Without doubt the seeing of the promised Land did affect
_Moses_ with an unexpressible joy, though he never entred thereinto.
What man knows by looking upon the seed of any thing, what colours
and what figure the Plant is of, that will proceed therefrom? but in
its growing up by a due nutrition, it doth at length become manifest,
which afore lay therein hidden: Even so the true first Ens of Gold
lies hidden in my _Aurum Potabile_, and is not visible to the sight,
much less doth that appear which shall or may by Art be made thereout
of, before it shall have arrived unto its constant fixity or fixation,
(as the Chymists phrase it) by the help of the fire. And therefore
must there be a patient expectation until this Infant wax ripe, and
attaining unto a man-like estate, it performs man-like actions.
Who would ever have believed that there lies hidden in an Egg the whole
essence of a Bird, with all its Members, Feathers, and whatever else
appertains thereunto, but that it is a thing so thoroughly common? The
Must of Wine, if drank in too great a quantity, hurts the stomach,
weakens it, and causeth Colick pains; and the same Liquor, after it is
become a strong and clear Wine, corroborates the stomach and the whole
body, and so at length lays off those virtues or properties which it
held hidden in it self whilst it was Must. He that knows a Vegetable
Seed, an Animal Egg, or a Mineral _primum_ Ens, doth at last also come
to know, that from a Seed there must proceed an Herb, from an Egg a
Bird, and from the first Ens of Minerals an Universal Medicine: But he
whose understanding cannot comprehend these things, but contemns them,
as an abject or contemptible Seed, Egg, and first Ens of Minerals,
_viz._ a sulphureous Salt, such a one doth even ignorantly despise the
Herb, the Bird, and the Universal Medicine hidden therein. Therefore
no body should contemn those things that he has no knowledge of. And
seeing it is clearly perceptible, that the first Ens of Gold hides
within it the true Universal Medicine, and which Time, Art, and Nature
will really produce unto the Light: Therefore there is no reason why
any one should undervalue my Potable Gold, or despise it, because it
is as yet in its infancy, and is like some common salt water; but he
should rather think thus with himself, that it is like the white of an
Egg, which hides within its inward bowels, as I may so say, its yolk,
which in process of time will bring forth a most delicate Bird.
But these things which I have already spoken of the nature and
properties of my _Aurum Potabile_ may suffice; its Medicinal use shall
shortly be clearly described amongst my chiefest Medicaments, and so
be published, together with them. But he that is minded to make use of
the same in the mean while, may safely do it, and without any kind of
hazard at all, for it operates nothing else, but what is conducive to
the good health of man’s body, corroborating the debilitated radical
humidity or vital spirit, and confirming it, by which the life of man
is nourished, encreased, and conserved many years in a wish’d-for,
healthful estate, just as a Lamp is kept alive by the pouring on of
Oil, or the vigour of the Fire by the apposition of Wood thereunto,
by which it is preserved from extinguishing and dying: But yet the
use thereof must be warily and judiciously admitted, because being a
meer pure fire, it must be moderately adhibited. At the beginning of
administring it, one or two drops may be given in Wine, Ale, or other
Drink, unto the Sick, but best of all in the spirit of Wine: Then the
next following day one little drop more may be added, and so the Dose
may each day be augmented by the apposition of one small drop, until it
work by Sweat and Urine, and sometimes also gently by Stool.
This Operation being made (and on this wise active) then the Doses are
to be in like manner daily lessened by the omission of one drop at a
time, until the Sickness be happily removed, and so the Sick need no
farther use of the same.
All things being thus rightly instituted, it will manifestly appear,
that all Sicknesses, yea, the hidden ones too, are expulsed by this
Medicament, and even as it were consumed like as Wood is consumed by a
burning fire, in such wise, as that nothing at all of it remains, save
the fixed Salt, but is all reduced into a Nothing: For all Diseases, as
we shewed afore, have their rise from moist humours, which nothing can
heal and remedy more commodiously and safely than this _Aurum Potabile_
of mine, which is such a vehement resister of all over-abounding
humidities, opening, inciding, consuming, and dispelling them, just as
the ☉ consumes Water in a Vessel, and wafts it away by evaporation.
Hence it is, that it both cures, and by way of a preservative, prevents
the _Leprosie_, _French-Pox_, _Quartane_, and all other _Fevers_; the
_Scurvy_, _Epilepsie_, _Apoplexy_, _Hypocondriack Melancholy_, _the
Stone in the Reins and Bladder_, the _Gout_, and all the _Diseases of
the Matrix_, both known and unknown, and the various Sicknesses of
Women, as also the dreadful _Plague_, with all the evil effects arising
therefrom. For it is found that nothing is subject to Corruption and
Death, but an abounding Phlegm, or an immature humidity which is wont
most speedily to pass into a putrefaction.
From hence it is clearly manifest, that the sanguine man, which is
endowed with a drier temperature, has a far better fruition of his
health than the phlegmatick man hath, who abounds with moisture.
Dry Sugar dures many years, but being moistened, it turns sowre, and
becomes ropy and ill-savour’d, tho’ it be a Salt, and is mixt with
other corruptible Vegetables to preserve them.
From hence may it be seen, that a superfluous humidity opens the Gate
for Death to enter in by, and seize upon the Life: But on the contrary,
a temperate siccity preserves all things in an healthful state, and
barrs up the passage against any corruption. The Roof of a curious
and stately-built House being full of chinks and holes, lets the Rain
in, which moistens all the whole structure, and causeth it to rot and
spoil: But if the holes in the Roof be stopt, and the windows by which
the Rain beats in be shut, and the windows on the other side of the
house, where the wet beats not in, be on the contrary opened, that the
warm Air passing in, thereby may throughly dry up all the moisture,
and so inhibit or put a stop to the Progress of Putrefaction, then the
whole frame and building will be kept sound and good, which otherwise
would be rotted and quite spoiled. Such men as live in the moorish
fenny Countries, and feed upon a waterish Meat and phlegmy Drink, are
for the most part of an unsound temperature, and troubled with Catarrhs
and the Scurvy. But on the other hand, those that inhabit high and
lofty places, and have the fruition of a drier and purer Air, and that
feed upon such meats as are more conducive unto health; these men know
nothing of those watery sicknesses, but have flourishing and strong
bodies, and have firm, compact, and excellently well tempered flesh.
And this difference is not found only to be in Men, but also in all
other things. For not only Bread, Flesh, Fruit, and such other things
as are used for daily food, do grow mouldy much sooner in the moist
places, and so corrupt, but also even Metals themselves too, as Iron,
Copper, Tin, and the like, even these cannot shun the corruption of the
Air, but are laid over with Rust, which (in a drier air) they do not so
easily contract.
By all these circumstances it is so clearly evidenced, that superfluous
moisture is to all things alwaies hurtful, and gives an inlet unto
Corruption, that I think there is no body that will dare to say any
thing to the contrary.
And therefore seeing that this _Aurum Potabile_ of mine doth (amongst
all other Medicaments, what Title soever dignified with) most notably
excel in the taking away of Corruptions, and may be most safely made
use of both for preservation from, and curing of Diseases, it ought to
be accounted and esteemed of as an _Universal Medicine_, and that very
deservedly, and which gives place to none.
These few things I was willing to describe here in this place,
concerning the use, efficacy, and virtues of my Potable Gold, in the
curing of the Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals. There shall suddenly
follow more concerning the same, in _The Description of the use of my
Principal Medicaments_.
It now remains, that I make some brief mention of the preparation of my
aforesaid Potable Gold, although I have already often done the same in
many places of my Writings, and have very clearly shown the same, but
yet after a Philosophical manner, and without setting down any Receipt,
but here and there by piecemeal; as for example, in my _Miraculum
Mundi_, in its _Exposition_ and _Continuation_, where it is briefly
described, so as that it therefore needs not any farther illustration.
But yet, that I may abundantly satisfie all men, I do (by way of
over-plus) admonish every one, that he do not think that this subject
is to be sought after from foreign and far remote places, with a great
deal of costs and charges; for the matter out of which my _Aurum
Potabile_ is made, is in every place, and offers it self even in a
manner _gratis_, to the most poor as well as the richest, and without
Costs, and is brought to its perfection in three daies space: To that
perfection, I say, (that you may rightly understand my mind) as its
infancy requires, _viz._ so as to become a _Lac Virginis_, or a clear
Universal Medicinal Water, which I call _Aurum Potabile_, and in which
the most precious Dragon’s-blood lies hidden, which is to be transmuted
in a certain limitted time, by fixation, into a constant Salamander;
the which I have not as yet ever effected, and therefore forbear to
use more words, resting satisfied with this my _Aurum Potabile_, which
I have many a time prepared by my labour, and here treat of, and
forbear to multiply any more words about things of greater moment. In
the mean time I doubt not, but that (if time and labour be bestowed
hereabouts) this _Aurum Potabile_ would arrive unto the utmost fixity
and constancy, both in the moist and in the dry way.
Farthermore, I deny not, but that this same _Aurum Potabile_ may be
made of all the things of the whole World, but yet easier and sooner
out of one subject than another. _There is no Infant that is born so
poor, but that he necessarily enjoys that subject, and cannot live
without it_: Therefore some of the ancient Philosophers have written,
_That =Adam= and =Eve= had the same matter in =Paradise=_; when as yet
they had no cloathing.
_Mary_ the Prophetess and Sister of _Moses_, calls it, _The Work of
three hours_; another calls it, _The Philosophical Work of seven
daies_: I _Glauber_, being a new Disciple of _Hermes_, do most truly
affirm, That this my _Aurum Potabile_, which I here treat of, may be
perfected not only in three daies, but even in three hours space, and
that out of such subjects as are every where to be found, and which all
men know and make use of, and cannot be without.
I speak the pure naked Truth, without hiding it under any Coverings of
similitudes or enigmatical expressions. And that no body may think that
these my Writings are not to be understood according to the Letter,
but that they conceal all things under an hidden meaning, I do again
affirm this third time, that the _Aurum Potabile_ which I write of, may
be made of any Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, but yet sooner out of
one than another. For although any one may prepare it out of a piece
of Wood, Bread, or Flesh, and out of an handful of Straw, Leaves, or
Grass, yet notwithstanding, it may be easier made out of an handful of
the salt of any Vegetables and Animals, as being their concentrated
center; and this I bequeath to the whole World as an infallible Truth.
But I would have every one rightly to understand me, what Salt I here
point at, _viz._ I mean no other, but that which is to be found in all
things.
But that the true meaning of my words may be yet the clearer and
openlier disclosed, I will adjoin a short but fundamental Discourse.
It is not sufficient for a lover of Art, that is inflamed with a
desire of obtaining some good thing, barely to read over such or such
a Philosopher, and presently to perswade himself, that by the meer
reading, he shall forthwith understand clearly and perspicuously the
Art treated of. No, but he must accurately meditate, and consider what
that is which he seeks for, whence it hath its original, and by what
means or what way he may obtain it. For if we will make our search from
the utmost and extreamest Coasts (or Bounds as it were) even to the
inmost bowels or center, we shall find, that God was One and alone from
Eternity, even till the time wherein it pleased him to create visible
things for His own glory and delight. And when He went about doing
this, He said, _Let it be_: Assoon as this _Fiat_, or _Let be_, was
pronounced by God, it began to move it self, and to change (or turn)
into four Elements, out of which Elements there afterwards arose all
those Creatures, which can be discerned with our Eyes, and without the
four Elements they could neither be nor consist, and without them even
Nature her self can bring forth nothing.
Now, if any one would endeavour after what is purer and better than
those things which are generated from the Elements, he must make his
attempts by _ART_, the which, by overcoming or outstripping _NATURE_,
hath its tendency to that Butt whereunto Nature cannot attain; and
he must there begin his operation where Nature ended hers, as not
knowing how to make any farther progress: For then is a _Quintessence_
obtained, which exceeds Nature one degree, and cannot be promoted by
Art any farther.
But if any one has a desire of obtaining any better and greater thing
than this same _Quintessence_, he must then proceed some other way;
for (as we said but now) Art cannot make any farther progress beyond
a Quintessence: And therefore necessity requires, that there be made a
regress or retrogradation unto the Center from which the very Elements
themselves have their original. This Center is that Divine _Fiat_ or
_Universal Hermaphroditick_ Salt, participating of both natures, which
being the true _Primum Mobile_, comprehends hidden in it self two
contraries, which acting one upon another, do bring forth the three
Principles of the three Kingdoms, _Vegetable_, _Animal_ and _Mineral_,
and do nourish them by the four Elements, and multiply them, and this
is the common course of nature.
But now Art makes a much farther progress, and reduceth the
_Circumference to the Center_, and doth not permit unto that _Center_
or _Primum Mobile_, that the _Patient_ be overcome or subdued by the
_Agent_, by the operating of those two contraries upon each other,
nor does it suffer it to pass into those three kingdoms, _viz._
_Vegetable_, _Animal_, and _Mineral_, as into its Circumference, but
doth so subdue, and keep, and bridle in that _Primum Mobile_, that
it does not divide or dilate its Virtues by a large circumferential
walk, as it were, but doth in a manner swallow them down into its
own self, or concenter them; just as if a Dragon should bite off his
own venomous Tail, and therewithal nourish himself, when he cannot
light upon any other Food, and so by this means becomes a most high
Medicine. And therefore most wisely said _Hermes_, _Our Dragon doth
not die, but by its Brother and Sister_. It is a thing necessary,
that one fire should overcome the other, and transmute it into a more
noble essence. Such a fire as this, is my _Alkahestical Arcanum_, or
true _Aurum Potabile_, with which wonderful things may be effected.
It is a transparent clear Water, wherein the colour and form of fire
lieth hidden and introverted; but yet that internal Fire is easily
and speedily manifestable, and educible unto view, by either the dry
or moist Fire. The dry way is done by the heat and fire of common
Wood-Coals; and as for the moist way, a well-rectified Spirit of Wine
is to be used, and such as is void of all its Phlegm. Take therefore
of the dry and concentrated Fire ℥ j. put it into ℥ iij. of the moist
Fire or Spirit of Wine, which moist fire will presently swallow up
the dry one. These being both of them digested by a due heat of Fire
for some hours, in a long-neck’d Phial or Bolthead, will put on a
blood-red colour, and will manifest and expose to view its concentrated
Virtues, with curious colours, and with a pleasant taste and smell, by
which heart-corroborating qualities it far excels all other Aromatical
Essences, that serve for the strengthening of the heart; for those
properties which afore lay turned inwards, and were shut up in its
inmost bowels, are all of them drawn forth and made visible, and become
subject to the external distinguishing senses. By this means the abject
and little Infant which was clad in a white colour, becomes a speaking,
strong, and prudent man, and this very _Lac Virginis_ it self is
changed into the most efficacious _Dragons-blood_. This now is the most
true _Aqua-vitæ_, and the most true _Wine of Health_, some few drops of
which being daily taken, do conserve good health, and bestow long Life.
Many honest men have with their own eyes seen at my House the admirable
and most speedy effects of my often-mentioned true Potable Gold, and
especially its operative efficacy in the transmutation of the Imperfect
Metals.
If therefore such a one as is troubled with grievous Diseases, and who
finds no help in those vulgar, commonly-known Galenical Medicaments,
shall need the help of this my _Aurum Potabile_, I will out of
Christian Charity willingly bestow upon him so much thereof, as may be
requisite for the recovery of his former health; and this I will the
rather do, that the wonderful miraculous deeds of the Divine Power may
be made known in these last times.
No body shall fish out from me more Directions than those which I have
too and agen hidden in my Writings, concerning this _Aurum Potabile_;
let it suffice every one, that he can find this Medicine ready prepared
in my hands, the which scarce one of an hundred would be able to make,
were he a Possessor of the Secret.
This Medicine shall lie ready prepared by me as long as I live; I
will not deny it to any body; nay more, I will openly shew the use
thereof too, unto some of my friends, in the melioration of both the
Vegetables, Animals and Minerals themselves, that so the Wonders of
GOD, and the possibility of Art may be manifested, and come to light.
And now, may it please the Omnipotent GOD, who is the beginning
and the end of all things, to inspire us, out of His meer Grace
and Mercy, and implant in our cold hearts, which are stopt up with
darkness, the warming heating spark of His Holy, Eternal, Infinite,
and all-correcting Light, that it may therein, as in some saltish and
sulphureous Earth, be nourished, and grow up like a little Seed, and
bring forth Fruit a Thousand fold, to the Salvation of all our Souls.
_Amen._
THE
SECOND PART
OF
Miraculum Mundi.
In which is described the Magnificent Coming of
ELIAS THE ARTIST;
And that the wonderful _Salt of Philosophers_ is the most Excellent
Medicine of _Vegetables_, _Animals_, and _Minerals_.
By the help of which, not only _Vegetables_ do grow, and are
multiplied; Diseases of Men and Animals, whether internal or
external, are miraculously Cured, and Imperfect Metals really
changed into _Sol_ and _Luna_; yea, pure _Sol_ rendered able
to sustain the Force of Fire beyond the natural 24ᵗʰ. to
the 28ᵗʰ. degree but also from every Plant natural _Sol_ is
extracted, and disposed to _fixedness_, for multiplication of it
self.
THE PREFACE.
Candid Reader,
_Among ancient Philosophers of the Heathen, as =Chaldees=, =Egyptians=,
=Persians=, =Greeks=, and =Romans=, yea, and the =Hebrews= themselves,
it was a long-received Custom, enigmatically to propose what they
esteemed most worthy of confederation, lest such Secrets should either
be divulged or lost; to the end, that unworthy persons having regard
to the Letter only; and not respecting the Sence expressed in those
words, might know nothing at all of them: But contrarily, the Worthy,
enlightened with the Light of GOD and Nature, well understanding what
is signified by those Words, might thence reap most profitable Fruit.
The Truth of this is sufficiently proved by the Writings of ancient
Philosophers; also by the Books of =Moses=, and the Histories of the
Prophets. For all these, or the greatest part of them, do indeed need
another explication, than the Letter it self seems to inferr, because
some occult matter is in that contained._
_In like manner our Christian Philosophers, both ancient and modern,
discovered their =Arcanum=’s enigmatically; as, among many other,
=Basilius= and =Paracelsus= did: For, although these men delivered all
things true, yet they are understood by very few: Which hath been the
occasion of Contempt and Reproaches, with which ignorant men, and the
evilly-disposed, asperse all Philosophers (among whom Kings themselves,
and divers Princes, in times past have been, and are yet found) and
say, =There is no such thing in Nature, as the Transmutation of Metals
into a better state=; and that =The Universal Tincture or Stone of
Philosophers was never found by any Man=. Truly it is a matter worthy
of sharp Reproof, and not to be suffered, that the Chymical Writings of
many excellent pious men, should (although most consonant to Verity)
be so maliciously rejected, and proclaimed false. This is rather due
to Chymical Mountebanks, (understanding nothing less than Chymistry)
because they expose to sale the Philosophers Stone unto others: This
sort of men have rendered Chymistry so vile and abject at this day, as
many men judge it a Reproach to be called =Chymists=._
_That we might, as far as is possible, prevent this evil, and
demonstrate those things to be true, which the above-named Writers have
left to us, under the Title of =The Salt of Ancient Philosophers=,
which by =Paracelsus= is called =Elias= the Artist; we resolved to
effect the same thus._
_=Paracelsus= treating of the Transmutation of Metals, because he was
not willing to insignize =The Salt of Philosophers= with its true
name, refers the Reader to =Elias the Artist=, who, he saith, when he
comes, will teach the way by which the Transmutation of Metals may be
effected. Here Men imagine Wonders, and generally regarding the words
themselves, expect the coming of a certain Man sent from GOD, whom
they believe, shall in the later Ages of the World, discover occult
Arts, and make known the Secrets of Nature. Whereas, if the Name =Elias
the Artist= be rightly considered, or a transposition of the Letters
be made, we read =Artis Salia=, and these Salts indicate =Elias the
Artist= of =Paracelsus=. These perform Wonders, so as a man possessing
the Salt of Art, or knowing the nature thereof, may effect Wonders.
=Elias the Artist= to such a man appears to be the cause of effecting
marvellous things._
_=Basilius=, in his Testament, did very obscurely describe this Salt,
where he sheweth the way of making =The Stone of Philosophers= of
common Vitriol; yet no man is able from those Writings to gather which
way he should prepare the same._
_Also he that considers the words of =Paracelsus=, where he foretells
the coming of =Elias the Artist=, will find, that in that he describes
Vitriol, both obscurely and openly; obscurely indeed in his Treatise
entituled, =The Tincture of Naturalists=; openly, in that which he
left, touching Vitriol in Species. He would not expresly say, that
=Elias the Artist=, or =The Salt of Art=, was expresly contained in
Vitriol; only this he was willing to shew to Posterity, =viz.= That
the Art of changing vile Metals into better, was descended from the
Ancients unto him, and with him should perish, until the coming of
=Elias the Artist=, who should shew the true Transmutation of Metals,
=viz.= in the =58th.= year of the following Age. This time many have
expected with grief and trouble, but in vain hitherto._
_Many Philosophers, besides =Paracelsus=, have predicted the Coming of
=Elias the Artist=, who coming from the =North=, attended with a strong
Lion, shall teach Arts, find out and manifest the secret Treasures of
Nature, and dispose the various mutations of mundane things for the
benefit of Mankind. These have many men in vain believed to be spoken
touching some one man; for if we consult the Writings of those men,
who have set down this Prediction, we shall find them not to have
intended a =Man=, but =Salt-petre= only, and his Brother the =Salt of
Art=: Hence it is that they cry out, =O our Salt! O our Salt-petre! O
our Radical Salt!= Hence also it is, that they write, =If GOD had not
created this Salt, it had been impossible to make our Medicine=; and
various expressions like to this, in many places of their Writings
they use, as I have declared in several of my Tracts, especially in
the Third Part of =The Prosperity of= Germany, where (among other
things) I said, =I hoped that in time to come, by me should be unto all
men exhibited= Salt-Petre, =or= The Salt of Art, =sitting (like some
Monarch) in a Triumphal Chariot=._
_I doing this, take =Paracelsus= out of his Sepulchre, and (as himself
predicted) turn him towards the Orient, that is, I expose him to the
Light, by which the verity of that Prediction may be discerned by All._
_Perhaps my Disciples may do the same; and they seeing the verity
of the Transmutation of Metals, or restoring the Sick to health in
a way unheard of, draw me after I am dead, or whilst I live, out of
the Sepulchre into which my evil-minded Enemies have cast me. And
when they do these things, they will effect so notable a mutation in
=Medicine= and =Alchymy=, as indeed for the future there will be even
no Artist, who will not see and understand the frauds, ignorance, or
hatred of the proud and high-flown Adversaries of Art and Truth,
and justly oppose themselves against such malicious Enemies of true
Verity. Thus may those who have long before been blind, receive sight,
profess themselves to have been Opposers of Truth, and strenuously
labour to suppress and amend what’s amiss. In such a time not only
true =Medicine=, and the most noble Art of =Chymistry= would begin
to flourish, but also all Arts would ascend to a greater degree of
perfection; and so one Age will exhibit it self much more excellent
than others. Wherefore my Prayer is, that the Gates may be opened to
divine and natural =Arcanums=, that =Elias the Artist=, and the =Salt
of Art= would discover the predicted =Golden Age=, and that the most
Wise GOD would unto pious men grant an entrance into the =Land of
Promise=, that they may thence bring Fruits, and present them to their
Neighbours, for the Honour of GOD most high, and the solace and comfort
of the Needy. =Amen.=_
_Indeed =Paracelsus= makes some mention of this Salt in his Works,
calling it =Sal Enixum=; but we in our Treatise (published in the year
1658.) of the nature of Salts, have somewhat more largely expounded
the matter, calling that =Sal Mirabile=. In the present Treatise of
the Salts of Art it is expresly called =Elias the Artist=; the verity
of which Appellation, we shall by the help of GOD clearly demonstrate,
=viz.= that =Elias the Artist= of =Paracelsus= signifies no other than
the =Salt of Philosophers=, prepared of =Salt-petre=, =common Salt=,
or =Vitriol=. Indeed it is in taste like =Salt-petre=, yet it is not
inflammable, although it may be procured by Art. =Paracelsus= and
=Basilius= made it of =Vitriol=, as several parts of their Writings
shew, which for better knowledge sake I shall here insert._
_=Elias= and =Elisha=, what men they were, and what miracles they
wrought, Sacred Letters shew. The Miracles they wrought were Divine;
the same almost is our Salt able to perform in a natural way: Therefore
not without reason have we called it =The Monarch of the World=, or
=Elias the Artist=; for there is no subject found in the nature of
things, by help of which we are able to do the same, as may be effected
by the benefit of This. The truth of this all Animals, Vegetables, and
Minerals do witness, as we shall demonstrate variously anon._
_But some One may say, Since =Chymistry= is treated of in so various
Tongues, and there are found almost infinite numbers of Chymical
Books, How comes it to pass, that this Salt hath so long remained
unknown, even until this day, and it was never so clearly described
by any Writer, as we thence could understand what it is, or which way
it should be made? I answer, Writers and Readers also are found of a
twofold condition. They, who writ by the guidance of Experience, did
all acknowledge, and obscurely describe this Salt: Otherwise they, who
compiled their Books from the Writings of others, being ignorant of the
thing it self, proposed nothing but Fictions, leading the Reader into a
Labyrinth and various By-paths._
_Writers are diligently to be considered; regard is not so much to
be had of their Words as of their Sence; if this be minded by you,
you will find none of the true Writers, who did not make mention of
this Salt, which, as it is manifest to those that understand, so it
is hid from those who are yet ignorant of these things. You may find
very many, who in Writings seek the =Stone of Philosophers=, and yet
are ignorant what they seek, or what the Stone is, whether it be
something black or white, hot or cold. And if such a thing should
be presented to those men, they would neglect it, and after their
fashion leaving the most precious Jewel, proceed to please themselves
in Dung. Many men handle this Salt with their hands, yet what they
have in their hands they know not, because they are blind, and their
arrogant mind instigates them to betake themselves to things more vile.
But on the contrary, not a few may be found, who will divulge none
of those excellent things which they know. Oh, how happy is he that
studies Taciturnity! he is permitted to lead a quiet life. I indeed do
seriously bewail my so liberal Communication of Secrets, but I did that
to discover the Wonders of GOD, to serve my Neighbour, and to preserve
our Art. Egregious things would often be exhibited to the World, did
not the high Ingratitude of mortals deterr the Writer, and prevent
his good intention. When they find a man endowed with the Knowledge
of some things beyond others, they flock about him, entreating him
to impart his Secrets to them: there are found divers of this sort.
The Wealthy come, the Needy come, and men of a middle condition also
come. The first sort of men being, for the most part, very covetous,
will return nothing in exchange; the second sort have not any thing to
give; but the third only we have sometimes found grateful. What we have
acquired with very great labour, we cannot easily impart to Enemies.
Yet it often happens, that those who are judged good, are afterward
found evil, and in a =Farnnerian= manner, for Benefits received, return
Calumnies and Reproaches. Therefore, in such cases there is need of
great circumspection, and we must not discover all we know, lest
afterward we repent. But as for my self, I have not changed my mind, I
have begun to make known the Wonders of the Omnipotent, and will go on
(GOD willing) and kindle an unextinguishable Light to this blind World.
In this Treatise I shall only describe the wonderful Virtues of the
Salt of Art, reserving the way of preparing or use to my Friends; for
what are our Arms, we must not cast them away, lest our Enemies take
them up, and wound us with them, after the example of =Farnner=._
_I speak of the =Salt of Art=, the Virtues of which I know, I will not
communicate its Preparation or Use; all shall be open to my Friends,
(yet with respect of persons) more than is fit, is already discovered
to Enemies. Is there any reason we should =cast Pearls before Swine=?
If what others obscurely treated of, I should here openly communicate
to Enemies, would they, think you, cease to do evil, and begin to do
well? Although I purpose not at all to discover the Preparation and Use
of this =Sal Mirabile=, yet I doubt not, but that I shall prepare and
make easie the way for finding it out; so as in a few years space all
=Europe= will see =Alchymy= flourish, and not so much any other way, as
from the discovery of this Salt._
_Of other Arts, which we shall perceive to arrive to a more excellent
state, the reason is the same. It is sufficient that I have shewed
such an incomparable Salt is found in the nature of things; yea, I
demonstrate the place where it may be found. If =Columbus= had not told
us, That the Occidental part of the Earth did abound with Gold and
Silver, who could have found the same, to bring such Treasures thence
to us? If some One had not revealed, that gold, silver, and precious
stones were contained in Caverns of the Earth, and Pearls to be found
in the Sea, who (doubting the event) would ever have been at those vast
charges of Diggings and Fishings? But now we all know such Treasures
are to be found there, none refuseth to search for them. And although
they are not obvious to all, yet that they are in being no man doubts;
even so I judge it to be with our =Sal Mirabile=. The virtues of it I
deliver, which are great, and with most easie labour, and a very little
direction; other things may be thereby obtained. The only moving cause
why I propose these things, is the most Wise GOD, whose wonderful Works
I neither would nor could hide or keep to my self any longer._
THE
SECOND PART
OF
Miraculum Mundi, &c.
I. _Of the Original of this Salt._
Touching the Original of this Salt, I have before shewed which way it
should be made of F. and common Salt. Yet I would not have these words
be so taken, as if the same could be prepared no other way than this.
The methods of preparing it are various; for it may be prepared of G.
only, without the mixture of common salt, yea, of allume, sulphur, or
common salt, without the addition of H. or without the benefit of the
Fire of any other salt. No salt can be found, which is not a commodious
matter for this salt of Art; yet it may be collected from one more
easily, and more copiously than from another. But because we exhibited
one only way of preparing that before, as well for other reasons, as
because of want of time, and lest we should be too tedious to the
Reader; therefore we now think it convenient to signifie, that these
wonderful salts may be prepared, and that they are endowed with special
virtues denied to others, which they exercise, as well universally as
particularly, in Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals. For, Who can deny
that salt to be of another nature, which remains after the Destillation
of spirit of common salt, and that which is left in the Destillation of
_Aqua-fortis_ or _R._ although they be salts of a most diverse nature,
of which these are prepared?
Yet every one of these is endowed with power of dissolving and fixing.
But that which is made of _Sal Armoniack_ volatilizeth all bodies so,
as the souls of them pass over by Alembick; in like manner a spirit
separated from _Sal-Armoniack_, by the help of C. manifests other
virtues and properties, than those which are found in the Spirit of
common Salt. To one more accurately considering these, _Arcanums_ of
great note will exhibit themselves: But more of these elsewhere.
_Of the Name of this Universal Salt._
On this Salt we impose the name of, _The Universal Salt of
Philosophers_, respecting those excellent Powers and Virtues, with
which it is endowed above any other Salt. We deservedly call it
Universal, because it is the highest of those Medicaments which
proceed from Minerals, Animals, or Vegetables; as in the following
Treatise shall be demonstrated: Of Philosophers is added, because the
demonstration of this matter is necessarily grounded on Philosophick
foundations.
_Of the Virtues of this Universal Salt._
Touching its virtues, they are innumerable, and we judge it impossible
to discover them all; for if I should undertake only to write what
I know of the virtues thereof, a whole years time, day and night
labouring, would scarcely suffice. Perhaps GOD will discover more to
others; perhaps they, who are younger than I, may find what is to me
unknown. By me the first, by me the Guide is opened to the Searcher an
entrance to things more excellent.
My purpose is to communicate to others those things, which the most
Bountiful GOD hath largely conferred on me, for His Honour, and the
profit of my Neighbour: I intend, I say, to divulge the wonderful
Works of GOD, but at this time (by reason of various businesses and
hindrances) I shall only make mention of some of the virtues, which I
find to be in my _Sal Mirabile_, or Salt of Art, reserving the more
special explanation of all things to a more commodious time.
This Salt is rightly called Universal, because it is the principal
Medicament of the three Kingdoms, _viz._ of Animals, Vegetables, and
Minerals, and hath power to perfect and augment the same. I remember
that heretofore I have attributed to Nitre the Dignity of this,
and not without reason; yet in many things it is inferiour to this
_Sal Mirabile_, so as it deserves not to be compared with the same.
Therefore in no wise correspondent to Verity are those Writings, which
teach, That by the help of a certain Corrosive, a transparent Salt may
be extracted from a Metal, and that Salt, dissolvable in water, is
the true Salt of the Wise. Such Writings are of no other use, than to
seduce the Ignorant by Lyes.
For the salt in which a Metal is dissolved, deserves no more to be
called or esteemed a simple salt, but receives the condition of a
metallick Vitriol, whether that Vitriol is green or yellow, of _Sol_
and _Luna_, or white, of _Mercury_, _Jupiter_, and _Saturn_; or
blewish-green, of _Mars_ and _Venus_; for what is to be an Universal
Medicine, extending it self to all Kingdoms, must necessarily have
no extraneous thing mixed with it. This is consentaneous even to the
Judgment of Rusticks.
The true Universal Salt should be partaker of no metallick matter;
but altogether pure, and most easily able to put on the nature of all
things contained in the kingdoms of Vegetables, Minerals, and Animals,
and so exhibit it self a most excellent Medicine. And since these
Properties are most fully found in our Universal salt, there is no
reason we should ascribe to it less Honour, or not preferr it before
all salts.
Intending to expose the Verity of these sayings to all, we begin first
with Vegetables.
_Of the wonderful power of the =Universal Salt= in the kingdom of
=Vegetables=._
I said in my _Miracle of the World_, and the Continuation thereof,
that a sulphureous sweet salt is the most excellent Medicament of all
Vegetables: The Truth of which no man hath cause to doubt; for I have
shewed in various places, that barren grounds are made fruitful by the
addition of that. Of this salt, which we may use instead of Dung, there
is great diversity, for it is prepared of Wood-ashes, of Stones burnt
to Lime, and of other bodies putrefied by length of time. But the Chief
of all these is Salt-petre, being the salt of Vegetables, Animals, and
Minerals putrefied, especially because it is endowed with a certain
occult and sweet Fire. Also the signature proper to it, clearly
exposeth to our sight its augmentative virtue; for it exhibits not it
self in a Cubical form, as is observed in corrosive salts, (altogether
adverse to the augmentation of Bodies) but Dart-like or acuminate. By
this signature Nature intended to shew of what condition and virtue
salt-petre is. And indeed, if Experience be consulted, the things we
have proposed will be found true, _viz._ that in Nitre is a principal
Virtue, augmenting Bodies. As for example: R. what Corn you will, steep
it for a night and day in Rain-water, wherein Nitre is dissolved,
commit it to the earth, and you will find, that it not only shoots up
more copious stalks and ears, and hath a more swift germination and
ripening, but also is endowed with a much more acceptable taste, than
other Corn in the vulgar manner produced by the help of the Dungs of
Animals. But of this matter, more at large elsewhere.
Pure Nitre is a salt genited in old Stables, from the Dung and Urine
of Animals. Urine and Dung are no other than Vegetables themselves,
putrefied by digestion in the stomachs of Animals; which concoction is
wont to be perfected in 24 hours space: But Vegetables and Animals,
out of the stomachs of Animals, cannot be putrefied without long time,
especially when they have acquired some undue hardness.
Thus we see Putrefaction differs in respect of time, yet it
acknowledgeth no diversity; for whether it be made in the stomach of an
Animal, or out of it, it is all one, and never different in virtues. By
this _medium_ the Vegetable kind hath its propagation and encrease, but
altogether in a rustical manner, because a better way is not yet known.
Indeed, unto Philosophers is known a more easie and more compendious
way of reducing Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals to their first
matter, or into a sulphureous sweet Salt; yet they reserved the same
among their _Arcanums_, lest such a most noble Art should be made too
common.
As it is altogether impossible that the seed of any Vegetable set in
dry Herbs should grow, or Man himself, or any other Animal, should be
able to sustain Life, encrease, or be multiplied, with the only use of
Sand or Flints; but earth moistened with a saline liquor, is required,
unto which the seed must be committed; and in Man such Aliment must be
digested in the stomach, as will easily be changed into nutriment of
the Parts: so it is impossible to augment Metals, unless they have been
before reduced to their first matter, and so spiritually conjoined each
to other, as one may give nourishment and encrease to the other. All
these things are far more easily and more readily performed by Art than
by Nature.
By Art that all Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral subjects may most easily
and swiftly be reduced to their first matter, which is a sulphureous
sweet Salt; and by that means be multiplied, the true Universal Salt
clearly demonstrates; which salt, if we observe its signature or
long figure) is not only more excellent than Salt-petre, but is also
generated easily in the air. We have discerned sand or a stone to
imbibe this salt, if exposed to the air, and from an ingenited virtue
thence to grow, yea, and that which first grew being taken away, in a
few daies space another hath shewed it self, and so to Infinity. Indeed
these things seem impossible, but they are not so to him who rightly
knows Nature; for that augmentation is effected in a Magnetical manner,
of which we do more fully treat in another place.
Hence, not without good cause, do we ascribe to this Universal Salt the
title of HERO, and a most rich and liberal Monarch.
The PROCESS.
_A most easie Way of acquiring =Spirit of Salt= together with the
=Sal Mirabile=._
R. of common salt two parts, dissolve it in a sufficient quantity of
common water; pour _A._ upon the solution; put the mixture into a glass
Body, or a glass Retort well coated, or else into an earthen Body or
Retort. If a Body, set on an Head, and begin to destil with Fire of
sand, encreasing your Fire gradually; with the first heat comes off
the unsavoury Phlegm, which gather apart; when the Liquor comes forth
sowrish, change your Receiver, and receive the sowre Spirit: Continue
the operation till no more spirits will arise, then let out the Fire,
and permit the Vessel to stand in sand till all is cooled, when cold,
take it out, and if it be unbroke, fill it again with the aforesaid
matter, and proceed as we taught: The Phlegm is not to be cast away,
but must be kept, that in it may be dissolved Salt (because it is
better than common Water) for another destination. Thus from every
pound of Salt you will have ℔ j. of the best and most pure spirit.
Dissolve the salt remaining in the Body or Retort (if neither be broke)
in Water, filter and evaporate the Water, let it crystallize, the
Crystals will be white, endowed with wonderful Virtues, to be declared
here following.
Note, If the Glass be broke, there will be no necessity of dissolving
the Salt, it will be enough to take out the dried _Sal Mirabile_, and
reserve it for Use.
Note, This destillation may be performed in a silver Body, for so
doing, we shall be free from all danger of breaking; yet the Vessel
must be made of very pure Silver, void of all Copper, lest those most
sharp spirits do attract the Copper from the Silver, and so the Body
become altogether porous and soft. Although in the salt is no property
agreeing with silver, yet every destillation it raceth off some of
the silver, which that you may save, gather the white Powder left in
the Filtre, after filtration of the dissolved salt. Dry this Powder,
moistened with a strong _Lixivium_, and melt it in a Crucible into
silver; yet you must not institute this melting of the silver _per se_,
because it hath acquired such volatility from the spirit of salt, as it
will fume all away.
And although every destillation some quantity of the silver be raced
off, yet you may destil the same matter some hundreds of times in the
same Body, before you shall need a new one. Thus we shall have the less
need of Glasses, and sooner perform the destillations, because a strong
Fire may be given at first, without fear of breaking the Vessel.
A yet more compendious way is, when we set the Body alone upon a
Trivet, and by putting Fire under it, extract the spirit; for so we
shall need no Furnace, unless we will, for better constringing the
heat: Nor will any great quantity of Coals be spent in such extraction,
because ℔ j. of salt may be destilled with two or three ℔ of Coals.
This spirit being of it self sufficiently clear, and of a grateful
taste, needs no rectification.
Yea, it is able to effect more than we ascribe to it in our Writings.
Also the remaining salt effects other incredible things, besides those
we ascribed to it in our Treatise of the nature of salts.
Plainly, after the very same manner as we have taught spirit of salt
to be prepared, so may also be made _Aqua-fortis_ and _Aqua-regis_.
Instead of salt, take Nitre, and you will have _Aqua-fortis_; and if
to a solution of Salt and Nitre, equal parts, you add a sufficient
quantity of B. you will, by help of Destillation, acquire _Aqua-regis_.
Therefore since the infallible _Basis_ and Foundation of _Medicine_
and _Alchymy_ is C. or else D. it is now known to us, which way, and
for little Charge, we may produce large quantities of this Medicine;
whereas in the vulgar way great Costs and Labour is required; and the
more easily we can obtain it, the more abundantly profitable will it be
to us, especially when we intend to bestow time in the transmutation
of the more vile Metals. Wherefore its principal Use is directed to
the Preparation of F. as is said most easily. Hence also the spirit of
salt and _Sal Mirabile_ may duly be used in true Medicine and fruitful
Alchymy.
Of a Lyon and Panther is produced a most sharp-sighted Lynx; yea, of a
Lyon and Eagle is genited a most potent Dragon, vomiting Fire, flying
on high, and carrying up in the air an Horse, with a man sitting upon
him. Although these can do very much, yet they could not preserve
the most noble Art of Alchymy from being accounted unprofitable
and neglected by evil-minded and ignorant men. Yet at length an
unsatiable _Gulo_ consuming all things, being genited of a Dog and a
Wolf, restored the same to a due splendour. This dares to demonstrate
the species of Metals to be mutable, contrary to the opinion of
_Aristotle_, and by this means plainly shew and confirm, that _Alchymy_
is most profitable, and contemned without cause. _Alchymy_ stands
obliged to this, because by the same it hath recovered its pristine
and truly royal honours; to this, because it both acquires favour and
praise.
_Of the Utility which our =Salt of Art= contributes unto all Men,
of what state or condition soever they be._
The Utility of this is very great, for if seeds, before they be sowed,
be steeped in it, they will yield an incredible encrease; which is a
thing of very great concern to all men dwelling on the Earth, because
they shall never sustain the want of Bread.
And will not the Husband-man, gathering in his Fruits for less labour
and charge than in the vulgar manner, be able the more certainly to pay
his Dues to the Magistrate?
Of Artificers also the Reason is the same; because they being hereby
better able to exercise their Crafts, may also return the benefits
thereof to their superiours.
Unto Physicians, by the help of this, are known more excellent
Medicaments, and they being present, more speedy and certain relief is
procured to the sick.
So is it with Apothecaries, Chirurgions, and their Medicines, Plasters,
and Unguents, which by this are more perfectly prepared, and therefore
the Cure is sooner, and more happily absolved, than by Medicines
vulgarly known.
And I believe every Artificer and Trading Man, when he can perform
his Work with less labour and charge, and acquire his Wares for less
trouble and cost, will sell his Commodities to his Neighbours, at a
cheaper rate than he could before he found the benefit of this salt.
Husbandmen and Gardeners, and other such labouring men, when they can
more easily, sooner, and more abundantly reap their Fruits than before,
cannot chuse but sell to the buyers for less price than they could
afford them at when they had no benefit of this.
Thus we generally see, of how great Utility our _Salt of Art_ is, or
what benefits may thence redound to men of every condition. What man,
considering these things, will not imploy all his faculties that he
may become the Master of such a salt, whence he may not only benefit
himself, but his Neighbour also?
_Of the Use of this =Sal Mirabile= in Medicine._
1. This Salt ought to be numbred among Universal Purgers, for by a
Magnetick Virtue it extracts all sorts of noxious humours out of the
Body.
2. This purging Property is augmented by Metallick or Mineral Bodies
dissolved in it.
3. For expelling all depraved humours, the most profitable to be
dissolved in it, is Antimony; when the Medicine is to be appropriated
to the Heart, Gold; when to the Brain, Silver; to the Liver, Spleen,
and Reins, Iron; to the Lungs, Tin and Sulphur; to the Habit of the
Body, Copper and Mercury.
4. If purging Vegetables, Minerals, and Animals be boiled in the Water
in which this salt is dissolved, and that decoction be used in a
Clyster, we know all corrupt humours will be evacuated thereby.
5. In all those Persons, young or old, which cannot or will not take
purging Medicaments, either by the mouth, or otherwise, it will be
very profitable to free their bodies from corrupt humours, to make
suppositories of Honey and this salt mixed.
6. In _Head-achs_, all _Fevers_, and the _Epilepsie_, it will deserve
the praises of a suitable Purger.
7. In _Catarrhs_, when the Head is full of Phlegmatick Humours, half a
grane, or a whole grane of this snuffed up the Nostrils early in the
morning, or in the day-time, wonderfully evacuates the Phlegm.
8. It is an admirable Remedy in Affects of the Jaws, and parts
adjacent, as the Tongue, Tonsils, Cheeks, and Gums, having their
original from a sharp Catarrh falling down, and oftentimes conjoined
with Ulceration and Corruption, as is frequently known to happen in
Scorbutick Diseases. For it extracts the humours causing the _Evil_,
and heals the part vitiated, if it (dissolved in Water) be often used
hot as a _Gargarism_, and the use of Purging not neglected.
9. In like manner, in the _Tooth-ach_ it performs Wonders, drawing out
the Humours causing dolour in the Teeth; if as much as will lie on the
point of a knife, or ʒ j. of it, be applied, tied up in a fine Cloth,
to the aking Tooth, yet after the use of some gentle Purgation.
10. It is a famous Medicine in Affects of the Eyes and Ears, drawing
their Original from a _Catarrh_, provided the use of some Purging
Medicine be not neglected.
11. This salt is egregiously useful, and especially after Metallick
Bodies have been dissolved in it, against green Wounds of the Body and
old Fistula’s.
12. If it be mixed with a due quantity of common Water, and thence a
Bath be made, it admirably clears away the _Scab_ and like Affects of
the skin, better than natural Baths themselves; for by its famous power
of attracting depraved Humours, lying between the skin and flesh, and
producing such Affects, it heals and extracts the same, especially if
that power be helped by some other Medicine.
13. It extracts Humours of every kind, sharp, gnawing, or which, are
most firmly inherent in the external parts, or which often produce
Vermin like Lice, and cannot be removed by Baths or Unguents.
14. This used internally and externally, (_viz._ in a Bath) extracts
the Water out of Dropsical persons; and this it effects so much the
more powerfully, if Gold be dissolved in it.
15. It is a famous Medicine for removing Dolours of the Gout, or
diminishing the same.
16. Inwardly given, it is conducent against bloody Fluxes of every kind.
17. Also externally applied, it wonderfully stops Blood in Wounds,
especially if after it is calcined and reduced to Powder, it be mixed
with Cobwebbs or Peacocks Dung, or which is better, when Steel hath
been dissolved in it.
18. It kills and expels all Worms.
19. In _Fractures of Bones_, and in _Ruptures_, it is a most excellent
Medicament.
20. It, dissolved in Water, and put upon the body, not only preserves
Insects from Corruption, but also greater Animals, and Man; yet it may
be used in a more dry form.
21. It is an excellent Conditure not only of Animals but also of Plants
and Flowers.
22. It preserves bodies dissected from rottenness, stink, and dryness;
contrary to what we have observed Turpentine, Spirit of Wine, Aloes and
Myrrh to do; yea, from decay, as we have seen done in Salt-water.
23. It of Gold produceth an excellent _Elixir_, in a few daies, some
granes of which used either liquid or dry, most gently expels depraved
Humours by Urine, Sweat, and Seidge. Such an Universal _Arcanum_ was
never before this time known to Mortals; we liberally give it, for the
Honour of GOD, and Health of our Neighbour.
24. It so prepareth Gold, as by the help of Alcolizate spirit of Wine,
it passeth the Alembick of a golden colour, and is a famous Medicament.
25. Also by the help of that (although after another manner) a blue
Tincture may be extracted from Gold, of excellent use in Medicine and
Alchymy.
26. It is able to impress the nature of Vegetables on all Metals; so as
Metals this way prepared, and added to the Roots of Herbs, impart to
those Herbs the nature of the Metal applied. How famous the use of such
Metallick Medicines will be in Medicine, it is easie to understand.
_Of the Utilities of the =Salt of Art=, in various ARTS._
1. It suddenly coagulates River-Water, Rain-Water, or any destilled
Water, so as it becomes Ice, and may be carried in Paper, a Sack, or
Wooden-Box or Chest, wheresoever you will, and be dissolved when need
is, so as the salt may be separated from the Water; which salt is not
at all changed by the Water, but may oftentimes again be used for like
Coagulations.
2. After the same manner Wine, Vinegar, Beer, Metheglin, and like
Drinks, may be reduced by coagulation into a clear substance, and again
be most easily dissolved.
3. Also by help of that may be coagulated saline spirits, as,
_Aqua-fortis_, _Aqua-Regis_, spirit of Salt, spirit or oil of Vitriol,
and the like, so as they will become hard salts, without any change or
corruption, portable in Paper or wooden Boxes, to other places, where
being dissolved when need is, they exhibit a Liquor distinct from the
salt, the salt in the mean while keeping its coagulating Virtues intire.
4. To Honey and Syrup it gives the consistency of sugar.
5. Fountains may be so stopped with it, as their flowing to be stayed.
6. It changeth wood in process of time into a most hard stone.
7. It abstracts the superfluous Phlegm from Wine, Beer, Vinegar, and
spirit of Wine, so as they become the stronger.
8. It separates the Phlegm from subtile Mineral-spirits, whence they
are made volatile and more powerful.
9. It takes away from Wine, Beer, Vinegar, and spirit of Wine, its
ungrateful taste or odour, and unto them also gives greater clearness.
10. Also it corrects the unsavory smell of Vessels, so as we may
commodiously use them.
11. It preserves for a long time all Fruits, as Cherries, Apples,
Pears, Grapes, Garlick, yea, Hens-Eggs, and whatsoever may be changed
by the air, and otherwise would be corrupted.
12. Unto _Painters_ it may be a _Basis_ for their Colours.
13. The seeds of Vegetables moistened in it, are wonderfully
multiplied, so as from one only grane 10, 20, or 30 ears will arise:
And the same will be effected, if the salt it self be committed to the
earth.
14. It causeth the Earth long to keep the Rain-Waters it receiveth.
Hence must necessarily arise great profit to the Fruits.
15. This applied to the Roots of Trees, recovers them, though almost
dead before, and makes them fruitful.
16. Yea, Animals suffocated or drowned in Waters, as Dogs, Cats, Mice,
and Insects, by help of it may again be restored to life.
17. It attracts the breathings of many men lying together in one
Chamber, and coagulates the same as snow or ice; not indeed by any
reall co-touching, but being included in some Glass, and hung up by a
Thread. Even so, in a Magnetick manner have we observed such breath or
vapour to adhere to the outside of Glass like true Ice. But this is a
Winter operation.
18. Flowers and odoriferous Herbs, by addition of this, may be
preserved without change of odour, taste, or colour.
19. By the benefit of this salt, various colours and very many
odoriferous species may be prepared; whence the Roots of Plants, if
they be applied to them, attract the colour or odour, which they
communicate to the Herbs themselves.
20. It takes away the bitterness of Oil-Olive, rendering it sweet and
clear, better than boiling can do.
21. Linseed-Oil being mixed with it, is presently clarified, and freed
from its Aquosity, which otherwise cannot be effected in many daies.
[See more in the Second Century.]
_Of the Use of the =Salt of Art= in =Alchymy=._
1. It dissolves and fixeth all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals.
2. In three hours space it reduceth all the aforesaid into their first
matter, whence most excellent Medicaments are made, and whence proceeds
a product of Metals, new and more excellent than others.
3. It demonstrates, that in all Herbs, none excepted, there is volatile
☉, and teacheth which way it should be fixed.
4. It adds strength to _Aqua-fortis_, _Aqua-Regis_, and spirit of salt.
5. In a few hours space, it extracts the soul from Gold, so as it
ascends by Alembick, and becomes a very excellent Medicament.
6. To the white body of ☉, and of other Metals, spoiled of its soul, it
restores the same.
7. In a very short time it reduceth Gold to such an essence, as it may
be united with the seeds of Vegetables, and communicate it Self to the
Herbs.
8. It extracts Gold, Silver, and Copper from Metals most compendiously,
and with very great profit, in a dry way, without fusion or any
addition.
9. It gives more noble qualities to metals, whilst they are washed in
it, so as even by the help of such a Lotion, Iron can join it self with
Mercury, yea, become fluid and ductile, like Copper, which is a thing
very profitable.
10. It brings imperfect Metals by graduation to maturity, and so
changeth them into ☉ and ☽, as well by the dry as humid way.
11. It can ripen every iron into steel.
12. By the help of this, Iron may be changed into Copper, Copper into
Silver, and Silver into Gold, either by the humid or dry way. Also
every Gold may be brought to the 28th. degree, yea, to a true Tincture.
But of the last I have as yet made no experiment; nevertheless, it
seems not to be impossible, because there is no metal which may not
be changed into another, and indeed more excellent metal; yea, we
know that common ☉ keeping its colour, may be exalted. And although
the way of making this Tincture is not yet certainly known, yet there
will be some one, that shall succeed us, to whom GOD will grant the
knowledge of the same, who shall stop the mouthes of all slanderous and
evil-minded men, and discover their malice.
But some one may say, How shall we know this colour of Gold to be true
Gold, and not Copper? To him I answer; For this Process neither Copper
nor any other Metal is required; only a Vegetable Sulphur with the Salt
of Art absolves that. Whence then should the Copper have access to the
Gold? To say, from the Vegetable Sulphur, is nothing: for that must
be numbred among Miracles. Hence, if that should be Copper, we see it
may well be demonstrated, that all Metals yea, and _The Philosophers
stone_ it self, may be prepared of Vegetables. Which is a saying most
nearly correspondent to Truth: for there is no Plant, yea, I say,
no Excrement, no not humane Dung, which exhibit not true Gold, or a
true Tincture. Therefore this colour, which we find to have access to
Gold, by help of the _Sal Mirabile_, and Vegetable Sulphur, argues
not Copper, but true Gold. The Elementary Rays of ☉ have passed into
Sulphur in the coagulation in Herbs; this, by help of the Salt of
Art, is changed into Tincture, when fixed, and added to Gold, becomes
corporeal.
From these and the like, we judge the certainty of the Transmutation
of Metals to be sufficiently manifest to every one. Indeed many have
endeavoured to demonstrate this, but none more clearly than I have
done, because this appertains to _Sal Mirabile_ only. Therefore let
Ignorants cease to gain-say GOD and the Truth, lest they be severely
punished.
These, and various such-like Transmutations, may be performed with very
great profit; therefore I judge it needless to speak more of them.
Occasion of knowing many things offers it self to Posterity, if GOD
give the Blessing. For the Utilities of this Salt are daily more and
more known to my Disciples, so as it cannot otherwise be, than that
all _Europe_ by the help of this Salt only, shall see true Alchymy
flourish. Whence, and not undeservedly, it is called the _Salt of Art_,
or _Elias the Artist_, who entring into the World, should communicate
various Arts to the same. Here you now have him, teaching those things
which alwaies were accounted impossible.
The World not contented with this _Elias_, must necessarily expect
another. The Jews considering the abject state of Christ, esteemed him
unworthy the Honours of the before prophesied of _Messias_, altho’ with
their own eyes they saw very many Miracles wrought by him. If the same
happen at this day in this case, what wonder is it? It is very hard to
belive, that such a wonderful Salt can be found in most abject Vitriol.
Could such men know the nature of common Vitriol exposed to the eyes of
all men, they would easily understand more to be contained in the same,
than I have attributed to my _Sal Mirabile_. It is better something
should be reserved to Posterity, than all things laid open to our Age.
I have begun, let others proceed.
_Paracelsus_, in that Chapter he writ of Vitriol, saith, By help of
this every Iron may be changed into the best Copper but which way,
something more excellent, _viz._ Iron, may be changed into Gold, _Elias
the Artist_ (which we call the _Salt of Art_) when he comes, will
demonstrate, That the occult virtues contained in Vitriol may be more
known to every man, what this Author left in Writing, touching Vitriol,
I thought good here to insert.
Therefore, since I in this Treatise denominate my _Salt of Art_,
_Elias the Artist_ long since predicted, some one may properly say,
_My =Glauber=, you proclaim your =Sal Mirabile= to be =Elias the
Artist=; but in =Paracelsus=’s Writings we read, That when he comes,
he will teach the way of transmuting Iron into Gold; now shew us which
way your =Sal Mirabile= can do this_. I answer, That here is nothing
of impossibility, I have obscurely in this and other places shewed;
but which way the Operation is to be instituted, I have not declared:
because I my self have not as yet obtained a perfect understanding of
the same. Nevertheless, that it is possible we have often observed; for
Iron hath access to Gold, and so augments it even as it augments Copper.
For when Copper is dissolved in a certain salt, and the solution is
poured upon thin Iron Plates, not only the Copper and Iron settle to
the bottom, and so becomes Copper again, but also whilst the coction
is performing, a great quantity of the Iron hath access to the Copper,
so as you take out more Copper than you put in. I bring for a true
Testimony of this Experiment, the Saying of that most true Writer,
_Lazarus Ercker_, in his Probatory Book, where he saith, He had often
observed, that Iron Instruments in length of time were changed into
Copper, without any depravation of their Figure. Yet it is credible,
that this Mutation is from Spirits, not from Bodies, because Spirits
are endowed with a greater penetrative power.
Since the Writings of this man are in the hands of few, I thought good
here to insert what he hath left written, touching the Transmutation of
Iron into Copper.
_Whether =Copper= may be made of =Iron=._
Courteous Reader,
_I did for a long time persist in denying, That Iron in Coppery Waters,
such as are made of Vitriol, green Tartar, and the like, could be
precipitated into Copper; nor could I in any wise believe, that any
encrease could come to Copper, from Iron; but daily Experience hath
taught the contrary, =viz.= That in Mines and Mountains of Vitriol,
were left Iron Instruments, which after long time were changed wholly
into Copper. For although precipitation of Copper is made, by the
benefit of Iron, yet the same quantity of that, as is put in, is not
taken out again. Notwithstanding this, here it is to be observ’d,
that together with the Copper, which is so precipitated, Silver also
(if any be) settles to the bottom. Therefore they seem to do well,
who for Precipitation of Silver, besides Copper cast also into the
=Aqua-fortis= Plates of Iron: And so in one and the same Operation,
Silver and Copper settle to the bottom, and we save all, which the
separatory Water did contain._
As it is manifest, Copper may be made of Iron, so also that the same
may be changed into Gold, is most easily demonstrated. That it is
possible, I have often observed, although without profit, because the
true way of Operating was then unknown to me.
Iron is not changed into Copper in every solution, but in that which
is in certain Determinate Salts. For, if you dissolve ℥ ss. of Copper
in _Aqua-fortis_, and to repress the sharpness of the _Aqua-fortis_
add a little common Water, cast in Plates of Iron, or duly institute
coction; ℥ ss. of Copper will indeed be precipitated by the Iron,
but the Iron not changed into Copper. The certain reason of this, we
believe, is, because no Salt having power of Graduation, was added to
the _Aqua-fortis_. Of Gold, the reason is the same, if it be dissolved
in _Aqua-regis_; for the Gold is here found to be precipitated alone,
and the Iron not changed into Gold, because of the defect of salt
convenient for gradation.
But if a solution of Copper or Gold be made in spirit of salt, and Iron
cast into that solution, then not only the Copper or Gold settles to
the bottom with the Iron, but also in this solution part of the Iron
passeth into Copper or Gold, because the spirit of salt more potently
acts upon the Iron, and introduced Tincture better than _Aqua-fortis_.
Although any Iron, as you see, may be changed into Copper or Gold,
yet no profit is thence to be expected, for commonly some part of the
Gold remains in the solution, and is not precipitated; and which way
this may be separated from the Water is not known to all. Therefore
it is better to omit this Operation, than to labour and be at charge
to no purpose: For reduction of this Gold, mixt with the solution,
experienced men are required, which will do all things with judgment,
and are not contented with that only which exposeth it self to sight.
Yet I do not in any wise think that such gradation cannot be instituted
without profit. If we can really transmute a very small Particle of
Iron into Gold or Copper, Why may we not also do the same in a greater
quantity? It is our faults if we do it not, who are ignorant how to use
rightly Salts of gradation, sufficiently able to compleat the work.
That the way of effecting that was known to _Paracelsus_, I doubt
not; yet he would not communicate it to the ungrateful World, but
referred the divulgation thereof to the coming of _Elias the Artist_,
and that not without Reason. I doubt not, but that this gradation may
be performed with very great profit, by help of my _Sal Mirabile_,
or _Salt of Art_; yet I cannot subscribe to it as an infallible
certainty. I have other things now in hand to speak of: My Labours and
almost incredible Charges have discovered various secrets, which I
publickly communicate for the profit of my Neighbour. Other things may
be effected in time, by which (Darkness being discussed) Light may be
given to the World, and the Miracles of the Omnipotent GOD be exposed
to the view of all. _Here is need of Labour._
That Gradation of Iron may be made by the help of appropriate salts,
so as to be changed into Copper, Silver, or Gold, our _Sal Mirabile_
plainly enough declares, whether the gradation be instituted in an
humid way, or Cementation made in the dry.
Now it remains, that we demonstrate, that such gradation may be made by
spirits, having power of perfecting and fixing, so as no consumption
of the Iron be, as we see done in the addition of _Aqua-fortis_. It is
sure that the same gradation which _Lazarus Ercker_ said, he observed
in the aforesaid Mountains, is of like condition; and since we possess
such Spirits, we also, remote from Mountains, may effect the same. I
cannot believe that any other can (if he would) teach us the way of
preparing such spirits, besides _Elias the Artist_.
In what relates to me, I say, that this gradation of Iron may be the
better performed, Copper, Silver, and Gold must first be reduced into
Vitriol, having power to effect gradation, and that indeed by the
benefit of the _Salt of Art_. I have more than once, by the help of
the _Salt of Art_, changed silver or gold into a green Vitriol: I need
not speak of Copper, the mutation of which is far more easie, yet the
other is not very difficult, and indeed in an humid way. For I have
not seldome (when it happened that the Iron being consumed, my labour
was to no purpose) had one end of an Iron Wier changed into Copper,
and the other into Gold. If time will permit, for my Friends sake, and
that they may be mindful of me, I will repeat the same labour. But the
principal thing, which infers difficulty in this Operation, is a too
great corrosion of the Iron by the Vitriol.
Note. Besides this, there are other things, which cause difficulty, and
so render the labour invalid, in the dry way as well as in the humid,
_viz._ the aptness of Glasses to break in the humid; and of Crucibles
in the dry way; whence it comes to pass, that the _Sal Mirabile_ cannot
be kept in them a due time, but runs out.
The gradation of iron into gold, in what way soever made, without gold
can very difficultly be perfected; and if a glass happen to break, Who
shall be able to gather up what runs out? The loss of one gradation, by
the breaking of the Vessel, and outflowing of the Liquor, will scarcely
be repaired with 5 or 6 other gradations compleated without loss.
Therefore it is best to desist from such Works.
Of that Operation, which is performed by the dry way, the reason is the
same. For here the gold, which is added for gradation, is almost all
lost, without regard to the breaking of Crucibles, which by that means
cannot contain the _Salt of Art_ its due time: And besides all this,
the substance of the Crucible will imbibe some of it, and together with
the same part of the Gold; and, Who can without loss extract it thence?
Yea, we think the Crucibles drink in a greater quantity of the gold,
than we acquire by the gradation, although our Work succeed well. By
Experience it is manifest to me, that when there are eight parts of
Gold, but one part of Iron in gradation is changed into Gold, which way
soever the Work is performed. What will it avail to spend our time in
perfecting those things, the event of which is very uncertain? This is
the reason why very many with me have refused this profitable Operation.
We considering the possibility of the matter, whether it was possible
to prevent those difficulties, began to labour, but to no purpose, a
great while, until at length it pleased the Highest Giver of all Good
things to hear our Prayers, and opened to us the way of preparing such
Glasses, as (although not luted) are able to bear the vehemency of Fire
without coating; and Crucibles also we know how to harden so, as they
will continually keep Metals in Flux. I now hope, if GOD hinder not,
for better success.
A man not fearing the breaking of Glasses and Crucibles, might perform
egregious things, this way handling Metals, according to his will
instituting gradations and fixations, and so reduce Metals to due
maturity, even as the sun, by continual digestion, ripeneth Fruits:
For no man, if he fear breaking of his Vessel, and loss of his matter,
is able to keep the same till its final compleatment in a Glass or
Crucible.
By the benefit of either of these inventions, such things may be
effected in Medicine and Alchymy, as before were impossible to be done.
Yet let no man sollicite me (considering the great labour and vast
charge I have expended thereon) to divulge this secret. Nevertheless,
that it may not be buried with me, I purpose to communicate that to two
of my most loving Friends, adding (besides many other _Arcanums_) a
succinct Explanation of this second part of the _Miracle of the World_.
It will concern these men to use the same for the Honour of GOD, and
good of their Neighbour. I did not this to profit our selves, because
they are rich enough and I live contented with what I have, but only
that the sustentation of the Poor might be chiefly regarded.
Iron may also another way be changed into Gold or Copper, _viz._ by
the help of fiery spirits, which _Salt-Petre_ (the Cousin-German of our
_Salt of Art_) exhibits, and of which I have very plainly discoursed
in a special Treatise, not yet published. That you may see the
possibility, I will declare the matter by example.
Make a Fulmen of Tartar, Sulphur, and Nitre mixt, to this add of the
_Minera_ (or Ore) of Copper, Silver, or Gold, never exposed to the
vehemency of Fire, but still endowed with its own Sulphur, endowed with
power of tinging and perfecting Gradation an eighth part. Put ℥ fs. or
℥ j. of the mixture into a Crucible at one time, and set this Crucible
under the Receiving Vessels of our fifth Furnace, and with a live Coal
kindle the Fulmen, and then the Orifice being well closed, you will
find and observe the Gradation of Iron unto Copper, Gold, or Silver,
according to the diversity of matter added to the Fulmen. Here most
commodiously may be used Steel-Needles; these I have often drawn out of
a Crucible, wholly changed into Gold.
Note. He who intends to make Gradation with Gold, must necessarily
apply Receivers, in which he may collect the volatile Spirits of Gold.
If a man be contented with a very small quantity, he needs not use
Receivers, afterward (being first assured of the certainty of the
Operation) he may build a Furnace fit for it. I built such a Furnace,
in which the last Summer, for my Friends sake, I performed this
Operation.
Note. If a sufficient abundance of good Metals be wanting, that your
labour may not be in vain, it will be requisite to make the same
spiritual with Salt-Petre, before they be added to the Fulmen. If you
would make trial of graduating into Gold, to ℥ j. of the Fulmen, you
may add ʒ j. of fulminating Gold (precipitated with spirit of Urine,
not with _Lixivium_) and your endeavour will have good success, if you
proceed right.
By help of this Fulmen, all Metals may be changed into Gold or Silver;
that is, the true Regal Cement of ancient Philosophers, which they
alwaies kept secret; only _Paracelsus_, in his Preface to the Book
of Cements, was willing to make some small discovery; _You must not
=(saith he)= so much regard the Ingredients of the Cement, but the way
of cementing is only to be considered, the Fire only, which is in it,
must be endowed with power of fixing and graduating._ Yea, in his Book
of Vitriol he almost speaks the same.
But some one may say, What is that Regal Cement, or what is the way
of using the same? Although this hath been alwaies kept as a Secret,
yet I in these last times communicate the same to All. There is indeed
no Metal, which may not (even without the addition of any other thing
having power of perfecting Gradation) by the help of this only, be
turned into gold; as in our work of ♄ we largely shew. Yet this
Operation is not done with so great profit, as that which adds Powders
perfecting gradations to the Cement; nevertheless it is sufficient to
shew the possibility.
But that the Doctrine of _Elias the Artist_ may be more manifest by the
aforesaid _Paracelsus_, we thought good here to subjoin his own words
at large, which take as follows.
THE BOOK
OF
Philip Theophrastus Bombast
_Of =Hohenheim=, Monarch of Philosophers, Prince of Spagyrists, Chief
of Astronomers, Paradoxical Physician, and great Master of Mechanick
Secrets_.
TOUCHING
The TINCTURE of Natural Things,
Against Sophisters born since the Flood, in the Age of Our LORD
JESUS CHRIST the Son of GOD.
THE PREFACE.
_Since thou, =Sophister=, with foolish and lying Words, hast reproached
me in all places, because I was born in =Helvetia=, that I am rude,
and understand or know nothing; also, that being one Letter more than
a Physician, I rove and wander about from one Region to another:
Therefore I purpose in this small Treatise to discover and lay open to
the World, ignorant and unexperienced men; also that in the first Age
good Arts were in being; and what your Art is able to effect against
mine and mine against yours, and what is to be judged of either, and
how Posterity in the Age of Grace will imitate me._
_Consider =Hermes=, =Archelaus=, and others in the First Age, what
=Spagyrists= they were, and how great Philosophers. That they were
such, is witnessed even by their Enemies, who are thy Patrons, (or
Idols rather at this time) O Sophister. But if this had not been
testified by your Authentick Fathers and falsly-reputed Saints; yet
the ancient =Smaragdine-Table= discovers more of Art and Experience
in =Medicine=, =Alchymy=, =Magick=, and other like Sciences, than can
ever be taught by you and all your Tribe. If from the Precedent you
do not yet understand what, and how great Treasures these be, tell me
why no Prince or King was able to subjugate the =Egyptians=? Then why
did =Dioclesian= the Emperour command all Books of Chymistry (how many
soever they were he could come by) to be burnt? For their Books being
destroyed, they were long since compelled to bear such an intolerable
Yoke, as will in time fall upon the neck of thee and thy Collegues, O
Sophister._
_In this Middle Age the Monarchy of all Arts is at length derived to
me, =Theophrastus Paracelsus=, Prince of Philosophy and Medicine; for
unto this am I chosen by GOD, that I may extinguish all Phantasies of
devised, putatitious, and false Works, and presumptuous Words, whether
they be the Placets of =Aristotle=, =Galen=, =Avicen=, =Mesue=, or
any other Follower of them. And my Theory proceeding from the Light
of Nature, shall never fail through its unconstancy, nor be changed,
but begin to flourish in the 58th. year of the following Age. Then the
Practice following, it shall be proved by admirable and incredible
Signs, so as it shall be openly manifest to Mechanicks and the Common
People, how constant and unmoved the =Paracelsick Art= stands against
the Trifles of Sophisters; in the mean while that Sophistick Art hath
need of Papal and Imperial Privileges, to strengthen and uphold its
Impertinencies. But whereas I am by thee, O Sophister, accounted a
Beggar and Vagabond, the =Danube= and the =Rhine=, I being silent,
shall answer for me to thee. Often hath those impertinently-devised
Calumnies of thine against me, displeased many Princes and Earls, also
Imperial Cities, Noblemen, and Knights; for I have a Treasure in a
certain City of =Forum Julij=, called =Weiden=, hid in the Hospital
there, which neither thou =Leo the Roman=, nor thou =Charles the
German=, with all your Substance, are able to purchase. Although a
signate Star fell upon the =Arcanum= of your Names, yet it was known
by none but the Sons of the Divine =Spagyrick Art=. Wherefore since,
thou Verminous and Lowsie Sophister, judgest the Monarch of Secrets to
be an ignorant Fool and prodigal Decocter, I will now, in the middle
Age, openly discover (as an honourable prosecution of those things I
have asserted) the Virtues and Preparation of that Tincture, for the
profit and honour of the Lovers of Truth, and that the Contemners of
true Arts may be reduced to Beggary. The latter Age will be illustrated
and honoured with this =Arcanum=, as the Gift of GOD, and manifest
Endowment of the true Spirit, so as from the Beginning of the World the
like sprout of Understanding and Wisdom was scarcely ever heard of. In
the mean while, Vice shall not be able to suppress the Just, nor the
Riches or power of those that are evil, be any Damage to the Upright._
Of Philip Theophrastus Paracelsus
His Tincture of Natural Things, _&c._
CHAP. I.
I _Philip Theophrastus Paracelsus Bombast_, say That (after the
manifestation of Divine Grace) many waies to the Tincture of natural
things, were found out, which did all finally tend to the same scope
and end: For _Hermes Trismegistus_ the _Egyptian_ set about this Work,
according to his own Reason. _Orus_ the _Grecian_ observed the same
Process. _Hali_ the _Arabian_ persisted in his own order; but _Albertus
Magnus_ followed a Process very prolix. Every one of these proceeded
in his own manner, yet they all attained to one and the same end at
last, _viz._ to long Life, and an honest sustentation and Conservation
of the same in this vale of miseries. At this time, I _Theophrastus
Paracelsus Bombast_, Monarch of Secrets, am endowed with peculiar
Gifts of GOD, _viz._ in such a manner, as every searcher of this
high natural Work must needs imitate and follow me, whether he be an
_Italian_, _Polonian_, _French-man_, _German_, or whatsoever he is,
and whosoever he is. Hither must you all, Philosophers, Astronomers,
and Spagyrists, how high soever you be, come after me. I by my own
immense Labours, will shew and open to you, Alchymists and Doctors,
that corporeal Regeneration. I will teach you that Tincture, Arcanum,
or Quintessence, in which the Foundations of all Mysteries and Works
are latent: For every man may and ought to give credit to another in
those things only, which he hath experienced by Fire. If any one,
otherwise than by this experience, offer any thing in Chymistry, he is
not to be believed, because the true must be separated from the false
by Experience in Fire. Assuredly the Light of Nature was created for
this end, _viz._ that by it the trial or Proof of every thing should
appear; yet to those only who walk in that Light. With this Light
we shall be taught by the best demonstrations, That all those who
ever before me entred this so difficult Province, with their proper
phantasies and acute speculations, have made trial to their own hurt.
Therefore, by my Foundation, many Rusticks have been made Noble-men;
but on the contrary, by the putatitious and opinionative Art of those
men, of Nobles, many have been transmuted into Rusticks; because
they could bear golden Mountains in their Heads, before they had put
their Hands into Coals. But first are to be learned _Digestions_,
_Destillations_, _Sublimations_, _Reverberations_, _Extractions_,
_Solutions_, _Coagulations_, _Fermentations_, _Fixations_, and every
Instrument requisite for this Work, is to be known by use, as Glasses,
Cucurbits, Circulatories, Vessels of _Hermes_, Earthen Vessels,
Balneums, Wind-Furnaces, Reverberatories, and other such-like; as also
a Marble, Mortars, and Coals; so may you at length proceed in _Alchymy_
and _Medicine_.
But as long as you by Phantasie and Opinion adhere to your Fictitious
Books, you will be apt for, and predestinated to none of these.
CHAP. II.
_Of the Definition of the Subject and Matter of the =Tincture
of Natural Things=._
Before I come to the Process of the Tincture, it is convenient I should
discover to you the Subject thereof; for this was alwaies kept secret
(with a peculiar concealment) by the Lovers of Verity. Therefore the
matter of the Tincture (here you must understand me in a Spagyrick
sence) is a certain thing, which from three passeth into, or remains
in one Essence, by the Art of _Vulcan_. But that I may signifie the
same to you by its Name; according to ancient use, it is by many
called the _Red-Lion_, but by few known. This, by the help of Nature,
and the Art of the Artist, may be transmuted into a white Eagle,
and of one two be made; yet then the golden splendour shines not so
much to the Artist, for they two kept in one shine more. Now, if you
understand not the use of Caballists and ancient Astronomers, thou art
not born of GOD for the _Spagyrick Art_, nor by Nature chosen for the
_Vulcanick Work_, nor created to open thy mouth in _Alchymistick Arts_.
Therefore, the matter of the Tincture is a very rich Pearl, and a most
precious Treasure, and the noblest thing (next to the manifestation
of the most High) and most worthy of humane consideration, that can
be in the earth. This is the LILI of _Alchymy_ and _Medicine_, which
Philosophers have so diligently sought, but through defect of intire
knowledge, and perfect Preparation, they attained not to the perfect
end thereof. By their Searches and Experiences, a Beginning only of the
Tincture is given to us; but the true Foundation which my Collegues
should imitate, was left to me; wherefore no man must mix his Vizors
with our Intentions. I, after my long Experiences, deservedly correct
Spagyrists and separate the false or erroneous from the true, having
by continual Searches found out those things, by reason of which I may
justly reprehend and alter many and diverse things. Yet had I found
the Experiments of the Ancients more excellent than my own, I would
not have sustained so great Labours, as I willingly undertook for the
sake, profit, and honour of all good Alchymists, _&c._ Therefore,
since the subject of the Tincture is so sufficiently declared, as a
more faithful discovery cannot, nor must be made between two Brothers,
I will enter upon the Preparation thereof; and after I have posited
the Experiences of the First Age, I will also add my own Inventions,
unto which, in time to come, the Age of Grace will adhere, whomsoever
thou (_Sophister_) from thy own Philosophy in the mean while shalt
constitute Patriarchs or Principals.
CHAP. III.
_Of the Process of the Ancients in preparing the Tincture; and of a
more short way found out by =Paracelsus=._
Ancient _Spagyrists_ putrefied _Lili_ for a Philosophick Month, and
then destilled from it the humid Spirits, so long as until the dry
were elevated: The _Caput Mortuum_ they again imbibed with the humid
Spirits, and from it, by destillation, often abstracted them, and
continued this Operation so long, as until the dry Spirits were wholly
elevated. Then they united the abstracted humours and dry spirits by a
Pellican together, 3 or 4 times, until all the _Lili_ remained dry in
the bottom.
Although the first Experience followed this Process before fixation,
nevertheless our Ancestors often obtained their wished end perfectly.
But they would have had a more short way of coming to the _Red-Lyon_’s
Treasure, if they had learned the Concordancy of Astronomy with
Alchymy, as I have demonstrated it in the _Apocalyps of Hermes_. Yet
since every day (as Christ spake for the comfort of the faithful) hath
its proper Care, the Labour of _Spagyrists_ before me was vast and
great, which now by help of the Holy Spirit assisting, will be eased
and lightned by my Theory and Practice, and declared to all those, who
abide constant in their Labours with patience; for I am experienced in
the Property of Nature, and know the Essences and Conditions thereof,
and the conjunction as well as resolution of the same. Which is the
highest and greatest thing in Nature, never yet known to Sophisters.
When the first Age had the first Experience of the Tincture,
_Spagyrists_ of one simple made two; but afterward, when in the middle
Age that Invention was lost, their Successors, by diligent search,
at length happened on the two names of that simple, and with one
denomination called it _Lili_, as the subject of the Tincture: Then the
Imitators of Nature putrefied this matter (no otherwise than as Seed
in the Earth) for its due time; because before this Corruption, nothing
could of it be produced, nor any _Arcanum_ discover it self; and after
putrefaction, they abstracted the humid spirits from the matter, until
by the force of Fire they were dried and sublimed; that this way (no
otherwise than as the Husband-man waits on the Seasons of the year) the
said spirits might come to maturity, as one thing is wont to rise and
fall after another. And lastly, as after Spring the Summer appears,
they incorporated those Fruits and dry Spirits, and brought the
Magistery of the Tincture so far, until it should come to its Harvest,
and dispose it self to ripeness.
CHAP. IV.
_Of the Process of preparing the =Tincture of Natural Things=,
abbreviated by =Paracelsus=._
Ancient _Spagyrists_ would not have undergone so prolix a Labour, and
made such tedious Reiterations, if they had learned their Work from
my School, and in their labour followed the Rules of the same, but
would full as well have obtained their end with much less Labour and
Charge. At this time, in which _Theophrastus Paracelsus_, the Monarch
of Secrets, comes, is the Season of Invention, which was hid from all
Spagyrists before me. Wherefore I only say; Take the Blood of a Rosie
colour from the Lyon, and the Gluten from the Eagle, which, after you
have joined them together, coagulate according to the old Process. Thus
you will have the Tincture of Philosophers, which infinite men have
sought, but very few found.
Whether thou wilt or no, Sophister, this Magistery is in Nature, and
is a wondrous Work of GOD above Nature, and the most precious Treasure
in this Vale of Miseries. If you consider it externally, it appears
to be that which transmutes some vile thing into another much more
noble than it was before. Yet that Miracle is produced by a Spagyrist,
because he had patience, and was not weary, and by the Art of his
Preparation did corrupt the vile extrinsecal Body, and from thence
raised up another and most precious Essence. If thou hast learned, or
knowest any like thing by the light of _Aristotle_, or from the Rules
of _Serapio_, produce it here, and bring it to light by experience.
Now keep the Law of the Schools, as becomes a Lover of Honour, and a
Doctor. But if thou knowest nothing, or art able to do nothing, Why
dost thou contemn me, as an irrational _Helvetian_ Calf, and accuse
me to be a Vagabond Circulator? Art is another Nature, and a peculiar
World, as Experience witnesseth and demonstrates against thee and thy
Idols. Therefore the Alchymist sometimes compounds certain Simples,
which he afterwards, according to his necessity, corrupts, and thence
prepares another thing. For so, very often of many, one thing is at
length made, which effects more than Nature per se is able to do; as is
sufficiently manifest in _Gastaynum_, where of _Saturn Venus_ is made;
in _Carynthia_, of _Venus Luna_, and in _Hungary_, of _Luna Sol_. Not
to mention other Transmutations of Natural things (sufficiently known
to Magicians) which bring greater wonders to Light than _Ovid_ speaks
of in his _Metamorphosis_.
But that you may rightly understand me, seek your Lion in the _Orient_,
and your Eagle toward the _South_, which are to be assumed for this
Work. You cannot find better Instruments than _Hungary_ and _Histria_
produce. But if you would deduce that from Unity, through Duality into
Trinity, with an equal permutation of either, then you must direct your
Journey towards the _South_, for in _Cyprus_ thou canst not obtain all
thou desirest; yet here we must discourse no farther than at present we
have declared. Of these _Arcanums_, which exhibit transmutations, there
are many more, although known by few; and should they by the Lord GOD
be manifested to any one, the rumour of this Art would not therefore
presently break forth, but the Omnipotent, together with it, would give
understanding to conceal these; and other things, until the Coming of
_Elias the Artist_, in which time nothing shall be so hid, as not to
be revealed. You very clearly see (although there is no need to speak
of this here, which may by some be taken in derision) in the fire of
Sulphur, is a great Tincture of _Gemms_, which indeed exalts them more
sublimely than Nature _per se_ is able to do. But this Gradation of
Metals and Gemms must in this place be omitted by me, because I have
very sufficiently writ thereof in my _Secrets of Secrets_, in _The
Book, of Vexations of Alchymists_, and in other places. As I have begun
our Ancestors Process of the _Tincture of Natural Things_, So I will
perfectly conclude the same.
CHAP.V.
_Of the Conclusion of the Process of the Ancients, made by
=Paracelsus=._
Lastly, the ancient _Spagyrists_, by a certain orderly augmentation of
fire, long continued, fixed their pellicanate and dry _Lili_, until
from blackness, through a change of all colours, it became red as
Blood, and with its colour had put on the condition of a _Salamander_.
Rightly indeed did they proceed in such a Labour; and it is equal and
fit, that every man, who would compass this Pearl, should proceed after
the same manner. To declare this more clearly to thee, would be very
difficult for me, if you have not in the School of Alchymists learned
to observe the degrees of fire, and also to change your Vessels. If you
have done this, then you will see, that as soon as your _Lili_ shall
be made hot in the Physical Egg, it will with wonderful apparitions
become blacker than a Crow, afterward, in success of time, whiter than
a Swan; and lastly, passing through yellowness, become more red than
any blood. _Seek, seek =(saith the first Spagyrist)= and you shall
find, knock and it shall be opened unto you._ It would be an impious
and uncomely thing to put Meat into the mouth of so perfidious a Bird.
He should rather be suffered to flie out, as I, and all others before
me were compelled to do. Therefore follow the true Art; for this will
lead thee to the perfect knowledge of That. There is no reason to set
down any thing here more amply or clearly than I have already done;
let thy _Pharisaick_ Schools teach thee what they will, from their
own unstable and tottering Foundation, it will not reach their end or
scope; but after you shall, as accurately as is possible, have learned
Alchymistick Industry, nothing then in the nature of things will be
so difficult, but it, by help of this Art, may be manifest to thee.
Indeed, Nature her self brings forth nothing to light, which is brought
to its highest perfection; as in this place may be seen by the Unity or
Union of our Duality; but Man should, by Spagyrick preparations, deduce
it to that, unto which it was ordained by Nature.
Thus far have I said enough of the Process of the Ancients, and of my
correction of _The Tincture of Natural Things_, as to its preparation.
Now, we having this Treasure of the _Egyptians_ in our hands, it
concerns us to convert the same to our profit, which is two-foldly
offered to us from this Spagyrick Magistery. In the first way, how it
may be applied for Renovation of the body; in the second, how it is to
be used for Transmutation of Metals: Therefore, since I _Theophrastus
Paracelsus_ am experienced in both diversly (according as the signs of
the Work, both in experience and proof, have appeared better and more
perfectly to me than any other) I will describe and propose the same.
CHAP. VI.
_Of the Transmutation of Metals by Projection of the Medicine._
If the Tincture of Naturalists be to be used in Transmutation, one
pound of it is first to be projected upon a thousand pounds of ☉ in
Flux; then your Medicine will be prepared for transmuting the Leprous
humour of Metals. This is a wonderful Work in the Light of Nature,
_viz._ that by this Spagyrick Magistery or Operation, that which
before was such a Metal, should perish, and become another Metal.
That renders _Aristotle_, with his evilly-founded Philosophy, a Fool:
The Countrymen in _Hungaria_ casting Iron for a convenient time into
a certain Fountain called _Zipferbrunnen_, find it consumed into a
_Ferrugo_ (or Iron scurf) which melted in a strong Fire with Bellows,
is presently pure Copper, which never more returns into Iron. Likewise,
in the Mountain _Kuttenberg_ (as it is commonly called) they strein a
_Lixivium_ from _Marcasites_, in which Iron is presently changed into
the best Copper, highly gradated, and more malleable than other natural
Copper. These, and many such like, are better known to Simple men than
to Sophisters, for these men transmute one species into another; yet
these Arts remain for the most part absconded, by reason of the notable
contempt of Ignorant men, and also partly by reason of the just Envy
of Artificers. In _Istria_ I have often brought Venus beyond the 24
(_alias_ 38) degrees, so as the colour of Sol could not ascend higher,
and it was constant in Antimony, or in the Quartal Examen; this indeed
I used in all Cases, as the other.
Although ancient Artists were earnestly desirous of this _Arcanum_,
and sought the same with very great diligence, yet very few could
after perfect Preparation deduce it to its end. For the Transmutation
of a Minor-Metal into a better, brings with it many difficulties and
hinderances; as when Tin is to be transmuted into Silver, or Copper
into Gold. Perhaps GOD will have the Magnalia of Nature hid from
many Men, by reason of their Sins. For sometimes it hath happened,
that when this Tincture hath been prepared by Artists, and they
could not bring Projection to effect, that the same (through their
neglect and carelessness in keeping of it) hath been devoured by Hens,
whose Feathers afterward fell off, and grew new again, as I my self
have seen. This way, by abuse, through negligence of Artists, came
Transmutation into Medicine and Alchymy. For when they could not use
that Tincture according to their own desire, they converted the same to
Renovate Men, as you shall hear more at large in the following Chapter.
CHAP. VII.
_Of the Renovation of Men._
Some of the first and ancient Physicians in _Egypt_, by this Tincture,
lived 150 years. Also the Life of many was produced and prolonged
for several Ages, according as we find it clearly recorded in divers
Histories, which seems a thing almost incredible. For its Virtue is so
admirable, as it extends the strength and vigour of the Body further
than is possible by Nature, and Conserves it in that degree so firmly,
as it lives safe from all Infirmities. And although it be grown aged,
yet it appears as in a youthful Constitution.
Therefore this Tincture is an Universal Medicine, like an invisible
Fire consuming all Diseases, howsoever they are predominant. Its Dose
is very small, but the Operation of it most potent. With it, by me,
the Leprosie, Venereal Lues, Dropsie, Epilepsie, Colick, Rosy-drop,
[_Gutta Rosacea_] and like Diseases, have been cured and healed; also,
the Wolf, Cancer, _Noli me tangere_, Fistula’s, and other internal
Diseases, more certainly, than can be believed; of which _Germany_,
_France_, _Italy_, _Polonia_, _Bohemia_, &c. will give a Testimony
large enough.
Now, thou Sophister, behold _Theophrastus Paracelsus_, and consider how
your _Apollo_, _Machaon_, and _Hippocrates_, natural Physicians, sought
this Tincture for resisting Diseases, because all Physicians aim at
long Life, and by this Universal, they, for the most part, obtained it,
and that very efficaciously; and according to their own Arbitriment,
named it the Tincture of Naturalists. For in all Medicine, what can be
greater, than such a cleansing of the Body, by which every Superfluity
in it, is totally eradicated, and transmuted? The Seed being found,
all things are perfect. What profits the evilly founded purgation of
Sophisters, since it removes nothing of that, which should be taken
away? Wherefore the most excellent Foundation of a true Physician
is, Regeneration of Nature, and Restoration of Youth: Then, that
new Essence, expels all whatsoever is adverse to its self. For this
Regeneration, the Powers and Virtues of the Tincture of Naturalists
were strangely found out, and until our time used by true Spagyrists,
and absconded as a Secret.
_Of VITRIOL._
Nature generates a Salt, called _Vitriol_. This is a peculiar kind
separated from all other Salts, possessing also Virtues different from
them. Its Virtues are so many, and so famous, as of right they ought
to be described in this Book. For, a perfect Cure of the Jaundice
is latent in Vitriol, also of the Gravel and Stone in the Reins
or Bladder, of all Feavers, Worms, Falling-sickness, _&c._ And in
Constipations of the Body, it is a famous Deopilative: In the mean
while of other Virtues in this Chapter to be mentioned, I here am
silent. The Description of this is to be directed both to Medicine
and Alchymy. For in Medicine, it is an excellent Remedy; in Alchymy
it is profitable for many other things. But the Art consists in the
Preparation of Vitriol for Medicine and Alchymy. For Vitriol crude, is
no such thing. It is like Wood, of which all things may be made. It is
profitable for Medicine of the Body; it profits also in Chirurgery,
or External Diseases, as the Psora, Tetter, Hereditary Leprosie, and
others; where all other Remedies are ineffectual, and as it were dead
to the Disease. Vitriol assaults Diseases of this kind powerfully, and
cures them fundamentally. Therefore the true Preparation of Vitriol is
in a special manner to be known by Physicians. For its Virtues when
crude are other, than when dissolved; and other when calcined, than
when converted into a green, red, or white clear Oyl. This is the
condition of it, that as often as it is reduced into another form, so
often it is made a peculiar _Arcanum_.
This confounds all Apothecaries, and Writers, both _Italians_ and
_Germans_. For this part is such, as it alone _per se_ can fill a
fourth part of all their Shops, and cure Diseases proportionally.
This being present, there is no need of so many Boxes, Pots, Glasses,
_&c._ set all of a row, and disposed in order in Shops. It concerns
a Physician, not to take care for so many Boxes, and Beyond-Sea
Medicines, but to be circumspect, provident, and wise as a Virgin;
since in such numbers of Vessels adulterate Remedies are for the most
part contained. If he use the aforesaid circumspection, at his own
doors he will find more choice Remedies, against all Diseases, than
_India_, _Egypt_, _Barbary_, or _Greece_ can afford.
Let every Physician follow this Basis, for it is now known even to
plain Country-men, that meer Frauds are contained in those Boxes:
Which, as they are for the most part of Wood, so are they that use them
Wooden Doctors and Apothecaries: But like with like do very well agree.
_Of the Species of =Vitriol=._
There are many Species of Vitriol, for they vary according to the
Pits out of which they are taken. The common Probation of this is,
as Coperas is proved upon Iron, but this is not true. The Genuine
Probation is, that it be used crude against the Worms, in that manner
as we will now explain; and accordingly as it expels Worms, so is it
more or less excellent in Medicine. In Alchymy, another Probation by
Cuprosity is more available; yet it may also be thus proved. If Vitriol
change Iron into Copper, and that speedily, and the same be perfectly
well gradated and soft under the Hammer, then is that Vitriol best in
Medicine and Alchymy? For there is a Conjunction of Iron and Vitriol,
where of Iron it makes Copper good and excellent. Of the best Vitriol
the best Copper is made. Let no man wonder, that Copper can be made
of Iron by Vitriol; for there is also this virtue in Nature, _viz._
that the Water of Borax makes Quick-silver of Lead. Also experience
teacheth, that _Cachymia’s_ transmute all Metals into other, no
otherwise than as Vitriol changeth Iron into Copper. Nor is Vitriol,
only the transmuter of one Metal into another, but there are also other
things, which have like effect upon all Metals. The reason why we know
not them all, is, because Sophisters pervert Arts for their private
benefit, using them only to supply their Purse and Kitchin.
In _Hungary_ is a River proceeding from Vitriol, or _per se_ consisting
of Vitriol, not coagulated into Crystals. If Iron be put therein, and
left for its due time, it turns to a Rubigo, or Rust. If that Rust
be melted by a Wind-Furnace, it is presently made pure and constant
Copper, not convertible into its own Nature of Iron. There are infinite
Mines of Vitriol found throughout _Germany_, all which cannot be
described apart. Yet the aforesaid Probations are to be used both in
Medicine and Alchymy. There is besides these another Probation (not
profitable in Medicine, but in Alchymy only) and that is: If the
Colcothar of Vitriol do from it self by Fire, give or yield Copper.
If it give Copper, then in Medicine it is weak, but in Alchymy strong
Vitriol. Likewise the Colours of Vitriol are to be observed: That
which is all over blue, mixed with no other Colour, is not so good in
Medicine, as that Vitriol, which is (as it were) parted, and all over
filled with red and yellow Lines and Veins. What in the Air inclines
to whiteness, is efficacious, and fit for the green and white Oyl of
Vitriol: what turns to a redness and yellowness is more excellent for
the red Oyl. There needs no more to be said touching the Species of
Vitriol, than what is suggested by Probation; which every Physician and
Alchymist should make, according to the use he intends it for. Lastly,
this Probation is never fallacious. If mixed with Galls, or Oak-Apples,
it makes good Ink, then it may be used in all Cases: But if it maketh
an aqueous, or waterish Ink, that needeth many additions, it is not so
good.
_Of the Virtues of =Vitriol= in Medicine: first, of it Crude,
and its Colcothar._
In explaining the virtues of Vitriol, I will first speak of the virtues
of it Crude, and of its Colcothar. Therefore, know ye, Vitriol is a
famous Purgation, in grievous and difficult Diseases of the Stomach.
For it sometimes happens, that the Stomach is distempered by Meats and
Drinks, and falls into a Diuturnal Disease, which continues unto death,
and by depraved Meats and Drinks, it often comes to pass, that the Sick
are either contracted in their Members, or die.
Also among Souldiers, through Immoderation, it frequently happens,
that burning Feavers, Dysenteries, and other Diseases arise. In all
these Evils, the highest, and most excellent Remedy is a Purgation
by Vitriol, which rightly and Allegorically is called _Gryllum_. Its
Dose is as much as you can take up at six times upon the point of a
Knife. If that Operate not, repeat the same Dose, and if not this Dose
neither, give it a third time, and it will be sufficient. To the Weak,
give it in Wine or Water; but to a strong Man, that is not easily
Laxative, in rich Wine. It so exhibited, will throughly purge upwards
and downwards. Indeed Hellebore, both the Spurges, Coloquintida,
_&c._ do famously purge also; yet not with virtues equal to Vitriol.
The Reason of this is, because in Vitriol is a certain sowreness,
which hath a conjoined Sharpness, Acrimony, and Detersion; by which
saline sowreness the Operation obtains a full and perfect power, which
neither Hellebore, nor Coloquintida, _&c._ hath. For the Nature, or
way of Purgation is here two-fold: One purgeth _per se_, the other
by Saltness. Therefore here the two virtues are better than the only
one in Hellebore. In Saltness a Specifick Form is latent, and that of
such a Nature, as all Worms touched by it die. And that is a singular
power, which destroys Worms, being what none of the aforesaid doth.
Therefore it is evident to every one, that a Purgation, which hath in
it self sowreness and saltness, together with a Laxative virtue, doth
in a double way and manner exquisitely cleanse, evacuate and purge.
Wherefore, for Internal Diseases, it is twice more noble, and more
excellent than other Purgations. But because I intend at large to
declare to you the Nature of Vitriol, there is no need I should also
explain those Internal Diseases: Yet in general I say, that a Purgation
of this kind in all Vices of the Stomach, in the Falling-Evil and
Vermination, is most profitable and most safe, if it be used according
to the condition of time, Disease, Person, _&c._
Touching Colcothar you are to know, that it is not inwardly to be
taken, but only to be applyed in Chirurgick Diseases, _viz._ in putrid
Ulcers, which admit not of Sanation: For in these it discovers the
way to perfect healing. Yet there are many Chirurgick Diseases, as
Grievous, Malignant, Worse and Worst. Against the Worse and Worst,
Colcothar is not conducent, yet is effectual against those, which
consist in the first degree; and therefore to be applied to them. For
the Worse and Worst of all, its Oyl is to be used according to the
degree of the evil, and of the Oyl. All Ulcers of this kind, how many
soever they be, are cured by Vitriol; but according to the degree, the
use of it is, that it be reduced to good Colcothar, which must be
certain times extinguish’d in Vinegar; and being dry, be sprinkled on,
or permixed with some Plaster, which by the Physician shall be judged
apt and fit for that evil. So it makes an Escar, which taken off by
Fatness, a good and easie Cure follows. But the Evil, which is not
obedient to this Cure, of it you shall thus judge, _viz._ that there is
yet more venom latent, which must thenceforth be searched out with Oyls
applied; because the Basis of the Ulcer cannot sufficiently be amended
with Colcothar for an intire Sanation. If crude Vitriol be dissolved
in Vinegar, and the Solution thickened with Colcothar into a Powder,
and so applied, it soon cleanseth the bottom of the Ulcer much more
potently, than of Colcothar is said. But the best way of reducing it to
Colcothar, is to extract the water thereof, and therewith to imbibe the
_Caput mortuum_, until it be consumed, afterwards to dry it leisurely
in the Air. If this be used, it induceth a better bottom in Ulcers. But
whatever you do, mind the degree of Ulcers, Tetters, _&c._ Whatsoever
of these is not cured, set about the Cure of, with its separated Oyl
and Water of which afterwards.
Although Colcothar answer not the desired end, yet by reason of that
the Cure must not be despaired of, but you must think of correcting
it in distilling. For by Preparation the Medicine is brought to the
highest degree, so as it even cures all Ulcerous Affects, as the Wolf,
Cancer, and the like. These are explained more at large where we speak
of the Preparation of them.
_Of the Water of =Vitriol= in Chirurgick, and Internal Diseases._
Alchymy discovers many excellent Arts to Physicians; by which,
wonderful Sanations of many Diseases are made. For this cause in the
beginning of Medicine, Physicians always used Alchymy; because this
was the Mother and Genetress of many Commodities. These two Faculties,
[_viz._ Medicine and Alchymy] as _Sociates_ so long kept together, as
until Deceivers and Humorist Sophisters arose, who mixed Venom with
Medicine, and made her a Strumpet. Such Medicine as this, will always
remain, as long as Humorists live. These things I thought good to
premonish you of, that henceforth you may give the more diligent heed
to this head Chapter, by reason of its famous Medicinal Utility.
But this is always to be premised, _viz._ That as often as unskilful
Men take in hand any Art, so often do they every way defile and corrupt
it, and of a Pearl make a stinking Puddle. The very same is also
committed in Vitriol. At first, the Spirit from Vitriol extracted, was
wont to be gradated to the highest. By this exalted, the Ancients did
perfectly cure the Falling-Evil, whether Recent or Inveterate, both in
Men and Women, of what Condition soever they were. But here unskilful
Laborators rushing in, attempted otherwise to reduce the Virtues of
Vitriol, and thus failing of the first way and _Arcanum_, they suffered
that to expire, and then sought an Oyl in the Colcothar, which could
not any way be made to that end, or have such a Use. For what is to
take away the Epilepsie must have a subtile, sharp, and penetrable
Spirit.
In that consists a faculty of piercing through the whole Body, and
of leaving no one thing untouched therein. And by that pervasion, or
penetration, the Disease is assaulted in its own place. For it cannot
be known certainly and indubitately, whence comes the Seat, or Centre,
or Period thereof. Hence we conclude, that a Physician hath only need
of such Remedies, as can penetrate the whole Body. This is the Reason,
why sordid Humorists heal none, but prostitute all their Doctrine and
Profession. Therefore, I positively affirm, that in the Oyl, which
those Laborators seek, is no penetrating Spirit. A meer Terrestreity
(as I may call it) is by them used, which penetrates not at all, but
where it falls there it lies. Wherefore it is greatly to be bewailed,
that the true Process is suppressed by that unskilfulness, and a false
substituted in its stead. But I am perswaded, the Devil contrived that,
to the end the Sick should not be cured, and the Sect of Humorists
might thenceforth spread the more.
Let us return to the beginning; how the Spirit of Vitriol was found
out. The Humid Spirit of Vitriol was at first distilled from its
Colcothar; then it was gradated, by distilling and circulating _per
se_, as the Process teacheth. This way the Water began to be used for
many Diseases, both Internal and External, as for the Falling-sickness,
_&c._ and thus a marvellous Sanation was effected. But in the
extraction they were wonderful diligent; for they took the Spirit of
Vitriol corrected, as above, and distilled it from Colcothar eight or
ten times, with a most strong fire; so the dry Spirits were mixed with
the Humid Spirits, and the Work so long continued, as until the dry
Spirits came forth together with the Humid, by extracting. Afterward,
both Spirits put into a Phial were gradated to the highest. This
Medicine they found to be of much more powerful Operation against
Diseases, and by that Medicament effected so much, as they confounded
all Humorists in General. Yet here is no Correction added to it (by
Artists) by Spirit of Wine, to render it of greater Penetration. But it
was of no greater degree, than as I shewed.
Now I will Communicate to you my Process, which I commend to all
Physicians, especially for Cure of the Falling-Evil, the singular
Cure of which, consists in Vitriol. For which cause, Charity to our
Neighbour binds us to institute a more diligent Cure in this Disease.
The Process is thus.
I imbibe the Vitriol with Spirit of Wine, and afterward distil it
from the dry and humid Spirits: This being done, I find the following
Addition to be very profitable, _viz._ If Spirit of Tartar, corrected,
be mixed to a third part of the Vitriol, and Spirit of Treacle-water
Camphorate, be added in a fifth part, with respect of the Vitriolate
Spirits. Thus I administer it, before the assault of the Fit, or
certain times in a day. This Medicine is famously efficacious against
this Disease; yea, so excellent, as a better cannot be desired from
Nature.
Therefore, the first Process invented by the Ancients, is to be
retained with the said Correction, _viz._ by imbibing with Spirit of
Wine before distillation, and by adding the Spirits of Tartar and
Treacle-water after distillation, as is said. For so is attained the
Heart of Nature, and every Virtue.
I hope I shall not be blamed, but commended rather by every good Man,
that considers the horridness of this Disease, which would even move a
stone to Commiseration. Since so great is the vehemency and horridness
of this Disease, as almost any Man may lawfully say, Cursed be all
Physicians, who passing by such Sick, yield them no relief, but like
the _Priest_ and _Levite_ in _Jericho_, who forsaking the wounded
man, left him to be cured by the _Samaritan_. I pray here give your
judgment, what Condemnation were that _Priest_ and _Levite_ worthy of,
who passing by the distressed, _stopped their Nose_, as the Proverb is;
surely they were worthy of Hell Fire, from which is no Redemption.
And who can judge any other of all Physicians, none excepted, that
look upon this Disease, and yet pass by with their Nose stopt? Who
can otherwise say, than that they must render an account of it at the
last day? Notwithstanding, all these men are generally so disposed,
as they will not wag their hand, or bestow one penny, for acquiring a
more certain Foundation for the cure of this Disease. Did they not, as
it were, by compact imitate _Priests_ and _Levites_, but would rather
study to imitate the _Samaritan_, GOD certainly would recompense their
fidelity with a manifestation of the Secrets of Nature, with which they
might be helpful to the Sick. And if such Virtues were not incited in
Nature, the Almighty would undoubtedly create them anew. Therefore I
testifie, together with you noble and ignoble men, that all Doctors
generally have basely erred and deviated from the Truth. Whatsoever
those Seducers, _Galen_, _Avicen_, _&c._ foolishly devised, to that
they adhere, and relie upon those Lyes, so far are they possessed with
the Devil, that they cannot exercise Charity towards their Neighbours;
and in this manner they make themselves the Sons of Damnation; for
their only study and drift is to heap up Wealth. The Kingdom of GOD is
first of all to be sought, yet not after the fashion of the _Priest_
and _Levite_, but according to the _Samaritan_ nature. If we be
merciful, and follow the example of the _Samaritan_, GOD is with us,
who will presently help us with a Remedy not yet created in Nature.
In the mean while, since Physicians deal with the Sick _Levitically_
and _Priest_-like, the most Wise GOD withholds Medicine, and reserves
it to himself. The Sick flie to the Kingdom of GOD, but Physicians to
the Infernal Abyss, prepared for _Levitical_ Doctors of the same sort.
Therefore open your eyes and look, the way is two-fold, one leads to
infernal shades, this the _Levites_ follow; the other way leads to
Heaven, unto which the _Samaritan_ directs his Feet.
That Vitriolate _Arcanum_, and its extraction, is not only excellent in
the _Falling Evil_, but is also conducent in other species like unto
it, as in _Swounings_, _Extasies_, _&c._ Also it is after the same
manner beneficial in all Oppilations and inward Imposthumes, and is no
less efficacious in precipitation and suffocation of the Matrix. Yet
in it are many more Virtues acquirable than are here commemorated, if
greater diligence in inquiring be bestowed thereabout, and Physicians
themselves would be better men. But the Devil, whom they serve,
possesseth them, and stirs them up to the hating of Him who loves
Verity. Even thus things are acted about the Health of Good Men.
It is further to be known, that the aforesaid Receipts of the
preparation of the humid spirit of Vitriol cannot more clearly be
described; for to understand that, a sufficient Artist is required;
those sordid Decocters cannot understand a thing of so great moment.
Therefore you are only to expect all-sufficient Information from true
_Artists_, and _Alchymistick Laborators_; so also by them you must
be fully instructed about the correction of spirit of Wine. For the
Doctors of Academies are so very rude, as they can scarcely discern
_Agarick_ and _Manna_. Yet this kind of Asses are created Doctors. You
have Treacle-Water contained in my practice, in the Chapter of the
Cure of the _Falling-Evil_; what others there are of this kind, are
not here to be recited. By this Chapter you may learn, That the Art
and all Virtue of Vitriol, consists in well-extracting the Spirit,
and graduating it to the height, and by addition deducing it to
Penetration, whereby it may search out the center, root, and seed of
the Disease. For ’tis impossible so exquisitely to find the places,
as those Doctors babble of Humours. Certainly, the Foundation is not
yet known, as what it is that makes a Disease, or where that lies,
or what that is, which casts a man into so grievous a Fit. Therefore
every Operation is only to be committed to that _Arcanum_, which
Nature hath directed to the Disease; that _Arcanum_ searcheth out his
Disease, as the Sun penetrates all the Angles of the World. Briefly, I
say, whosoever endeavours to be a true Physician, ought first of all
to learn to be a _Samaritan_, not a _Priest_ or _Levite_. If he be a
_Samaritan_, all things he hath need of will be given him; nothing
will be occult to, or hidden from him. But to him who will first be a
_Priest_ or _Levite_, nothing will be given, unless it be Infidelity,
which he also had before. Thus are such men paid in their own Coin.
_Of the Red Oil of_ Vitriol.
You are also to understand, how of the _Colcothar_ by a Retortive
Destillation, in a Chymical manner, a blood-like and most sowre Oil
may be prepared. This Oil Laborators have judged more efficacious
in the aforesaid Diseases than the Spirit, but that their judgment
was erroneous. The vulgar Process of preparing it I think not to
mention here; for every thing of moment is cited in manual Operation
and diligent Inspection, also in convenient Instruments. As touching
the Virtues you are first to understand, that it is a sowre thing,
so far exceeding all sowreness, as nothing than it is more sowre. It
likewise contains a corrosive nature, for which cause it had need be
used circumspectly and warily, _viz._ not _per se_, but in a good
Concordancy and suitable mixture, with respect to that against which it
is exhibited. We will explain this by Example: The Viper is a Serpent
most venomous, therefore of no use alone, but in Composition it is most
excellently useful; for of it Treacle is made. The very same is also
to be judged of this Oil, _viz._ That it is not to be used alone,
but in a Composition suitable and fit, as of Treacle we have said. By
reason of its sowrness, it profits a Stomach free from Choler and an
Imposthume; but if either an Imposthume or Choler be present, it is
manifest by Experience, that it hath no good effect. For the Imposthume
is inraged by it, and exasperated by such sowrness, passeth into an
unquiet matter. And if Choler be present, a mutual Ebullition and
Strife is caused, no otherwise than as is seen between _Aqua-fortis_
and _Tartar_, neither of which can remain or persist with the other.
Therefore diligently and circumspectly consider, lest you erre to
the damage of the Sick. In Composition this Oil is profitable for
other Affects, as in all Fevers and want of Appetite, if given in the
aforesaid manner, _viz._ in a good concordancy. There are many other
Virtues said to be in this Oil, but Experience confirms few of them.
I have seen and proved those to be egregious Lyars, who have boasted,
that they could do Wonders with this Oil. It is true, it is useful
in the _Stone_ and _Gravel_, yet I have known no man cured by it. In
all it doth something, but not to purpose: Yet in my Practice, in the
Chapter of the Cure of _Gravel_, you shall find a Composition thereof,
for this and other diseases. But as I said of the Corrosion of this
Oil, used by it self, so I do also affirm, that the same Corrosion hath
power of diminishing or breaking the _Stone_, and expelling _Gravel_;
yet that is done with so great difficulty, as there is need of some
other Invention, than hath hitherto been practised; for otherwise it
may not safely be used. As much as any man hath gained by Experience,
so much I allow of. This Medicine is new; wherefore it daily ought to
be proved anew, and as oft as need is permixed with new Compositions.
But as to Chirurgery, of this Oil you are to note, It doth indeed
excite great dolours, yet it inferrs present Health, even in the most
difficult diseases. For in the Hereditary Scab of the Head, called
_Achores_, it is so effectual, as it takes the same off in one whole
piece, as a Man pulls off an Helmet from his Head. With this Oil the
whole Head is to be anointed with a Feather, where it is hairy, for
3 daies continually; then expect its Operation. If you see it not
sufficient, anoint it more often, according as the Scab shall be. The
same Oil may also be co-tempered and mixed with Water of _Selandine_,
and the Head often washed therewith. Yet he who would be healed,
must not think that his Cure can be effected without dolour; for
the condition of the Sick is the same as of a pregnant Woman, which
brings not forth without exceeding great pain. So Meat, without pain,
cannot be prepared for us; with dolour and sweat also we are freed
from diseases. This way all _Tetters_, _Scabs_, and _Itch_, together
with all other Vices of the skin, howsoever arising, are healed; and
likewise the depraved _Tentigo_, by anointing herewith, is cured, and
the _Wolf_ and _Cancer_ expelled and mortified; yet in this case you
must diligently observe, if the Evil be very forcible (that the Venom
so deeply penetrate, as the quick and sound flesh be in success of time
like to be eaten away and fall off) to apply a good _Oppodeloch_ for a
defensive.
But in whatsoever estiomenous Ulcers, other Remedys be deficient,
this Medicine yields relief, by reason of the degree it holds. It
will not be improper to mix this Oil with some fat Unguent, and so
apply it. This way it will cause less pain, but it is not so swift in
operating: _Dolour_ can by no means be avoided, no more than a Woman
in Travel can be delivered without pains. The best, and most sublime
way of preparing this Oil, is to destil it into spirit; so a very small
weight will be sufficient in all the aforesaid diseases, which are then
removed with little trouble.
These things I have found out by experience of the Red Oil of Vitriol,
which in grievous diseases is an excellent and famous Medicine; for
fetid and contagious diseases of this kind, as are the _Scab_, _Itch_,
_Tetter_, _Achores_, and other like Affects, which are of affinity to
the _Leprosie_, may be cured by this great Gift of Nature, which is
here offered to the Physician, by which he may effectually cleanse
and heal diseased men. There is not an abundance of Remedies of this
kind, therefore I will carefully preserve this Oil, _&c._ for all
other Coctures are nothing worth, nor do they remove these loathsome
diseases, but with their fatness do cause them to be reincrudated and
encreased.
_Of the White and Green Oil of =Vitriol=._
It is worthy of consideration, that from crude Vitriol an Oil is
destilled by descent, sometimes white, and sometimes green, according
to the condition of the Vitriol. This Oil deserves a singular
commendation; for since it is prepared of crude Vitriol, therefore
it also contains the spirit of the same, touching which I have above
treated. This Oil, made by descent, demonstrates by those its Virtues
that it is an excellent and admirable Remedy for the before-mentioned
internal diseases. The same Oil whether it be white or green, (but the
green is better) if circulated and mixed with the above-commemorated
spirit of Vitriol, is a certain and indubitate Remedy against the
Falling-Evil, and all its species. But it is worthy your observation,
that this disease is seldome so solitary, as not to have other Evils
concurrent with it. Indeed, that such a concurrency is, is evidently
manifest by all diseases. Hence it is now clear, that a Remedy against
the principal Evil is not sufficient, but Secrets against concurrent
symptoms are also required. For this cause in my Practise I have
designed a peculiar Chapter of the Falling-Evil, not for the principal
Remedy sake, which in this place is sufficiently described, but only
for the understanding of those things, which concurr together with
the first Affect. If other Accidents do not concurr together with the
first Affect, there is no need of exhibiting other Medicaments than the
principal, which is sufficient. Therefore, touching the green Oil, thus
do ye: Graduate it to the highest, that it may be separated from its
terrestreity and fæces, in _Balneo_ first, afterward in dry Fire. So in
_Balneo_ the phlegm is taken away, and the terrestreity removed by dry
Fire, and the spirit of the Oil only is collected, which in it self is
circulated. Afterward you may make addition with spirit of Wine, but
there is no need of adding more, if it be only to be used as a Primary
Remedy, without Medication of coherent diseases.
It is to be given in Water of Pæony, alwaies before the coming of
the Fit, whether it be frequent or seldome, _&c._ Therefore mind the
Paroxisms. As soon as the spirit of the Oil finds out the center of
the disease, then the Fit is pacified, and thenceforth waxeth more and
more gentle. But when it exerciseth a power of Healing, it first of
all excites a _Vertigo_ sensible to the Sick, who notwithstanding do
not fall nor foam, nor are shaken, or quake, nor deprived of reason,
but are seized with a gentle sleep, and are much better presently. At
length the _Vertigo_ also ceaseth, and the sleep is ended; yet in the
mean while the Medicine must continually be applied, several times
reiterated, according to the condition of the Disease and Patient. This
way the Cure is to be followed, and all things diligently administred.
This belongs not to a drunken Physician, or _Doctor Levite_.
_Of the =Vitriolate Oyl= to be used in =Alchymy=, and also of
the Crude._
Now to speak of the Alchymistick Virtues absconded in Vitriol: I will
first propose to you the Virtues of Crude Vitriol: How every Crude
Vitriol of Iron makes Copper. For the Alchymist doth not this, but
Nature, or Vitriol, by the Operation of the Alchymist performs the
same. And this is the sublime power of Nature. And in the light of
Nature it is done, but not without admiration; to see any Metal, as
it were put off it self, and become another; which is almost, as if
of a Man, a Woman should be made. But in these things Nature hath her
singular Privilege granted by GOD, for the sake of Man. I speak this of
Transmutation, that you may understand, that the foolish Philosopher
_Aristotle_, was not well grounded in his Philosophy, but was meerly
fatuate. Now I will give you the Receipt, that you may know how, in
all places of _Germany_, to make Copper of Iron; whence we may easily
gather, what the power of Transmutation is, and that many other
Transmutations may be made; although they as yet be unknown to Us.
To change Iron into Copper is not of so great moment, as to turn Iron
into Gold. Therefore, what is least, GOD manifests, but the greater is
yet hid, until the _Elias of Sciences_ shall come: For Arts also, want
not their _Elias_. The Receipt of this Transmutation is thus.
_R._ Of the Scales, or Filings of Iron (without all other Metals, as
Copper, Tin, _&c._) ℔ j. Quick-silver, ℔ _ss._ Put both into a large
Iron Pan, or Pot, and pour on them one Measure of Vinegar, and of
Vitriol ℥ _iiij._ Sall-Armoniack, ℥ _j._ _ss._ Boil them together, and
continually stir them well with a Wooden Spatula. If the Vinegar vapour
away, pour on more, and add new Vitriol.
By this Decoction, Iron is changed into Copper: If it be made Copper,
it all passeth into the Quick-silver, the boiling being continued
for ten or twelve hours. After the Cocture is ended, separate the
Quick-silver from the Iron (as much of it as is left) and well wash it,
that it may be clean. Put that Quick-silver into a Bag made of Leather
or Cotton, and press it out; so you will see an Amalgama left. Suffer
that Amalgama to expire by Vulcanick Heat, and you will find pure and
good Copper. Of this Copper, _R._ ℥ _ss._ of Silver as much, make them
flow, or melt them together, and the Silver will presently ascend to
the sixteenth degree. This way you may prove, that such Copper is made
of Iron: But that the degrees are fixed, is not true. Yet he, who in
Regal Cement is able well to operate, may thence receive a sufficient
Recompence for his pains. The whole business consists in the Operation,
and in Judicious labouring: Yet in this most men erre. Nevertheless, by
the aforesaid Process, you may always make Copper of Iron. I so often
inculcate this, only to confirm the transmutation of one into another.
Also of Vitriol such is the Nature, as if the Colcothar thereof be
calcined, it with easie liquefaction is turned into Copper. For in
it is a wonderful Coppery Nature, and in Copper also a Nature of
greatest Affinity to Vitriol. If Copper be dissolved in _Aquafortis_,
and Crystallized, it makes every Copper Vitriol, and it is no more
Copper: So also of Vitriol, Copper is made; and that is no more
Vitriol. Therefore the Reason of such Affinity in Vitriol and Copper
is very strange. What is Cuprous or of Copper, makes good Vitriol.
So Verdigrease, which is good and highly gradated, gives a Saphyrick
Vitriol.
Although it may seem ridiculous for us to discourse of these things;
yet it cannot be deny’d, that in Vitriol a Tincture is latent, which
is of greater efficacy than many can believe. Blessed is he that
understands this. But touching the Oil of Vitriol, further note. If the
Oil of Quick-silver, and this Oil be conjoined, and so coagulated in
their Process, a Saphire of wonderful Nature and Condition is produced:
Not indeed a Saphire stone, but like unto it, of an admirable Tincture;
of this I will say no more. Hence it is evident, that stupendous, and
to be admir’d _Arcanums_ are treasured up in Nature, and in many other
things created by GOD, and produced by Nature. Now, it would be more
commendable for us to search out these things with an indefatigable
labour and study, than to consume our days in Luxury, Drunkenness,
Whoredom, _&c._ But at this time, Lascivious Whoremongers, are in
greatest Honour, and so are like to be, until with these Vices one
third part of Men be suffocated, and another third part destroyed
by Pestilence; so as one part of the World, will scarcely remain
untainted, or unconsumed. For with this abomination the World cannot
long endure, nor good Arts flourish. Therefore, of necessity these
evil Courses must be annihilated and cut off, otherwise no good can
have place. But when this evil time is expired, the Golden age shall
flourish; that is, Man at length shall use his own Understanding, and
live as a Man, not as a Brute, nor act as a Swine, or lie in the Caves
of Murtherers or Robbers.
Therefore, since I have communicated to you these things of Vitriol,
out of my good affection to all; I do earnestly entreat all Physicians
in general, when they shall see the unhappy and miserable sick so
afflicted with that most grievous Disease the Falling-Evil, seriously
to confider, what GOD the Creator, their own Consciences, and Charity
to their Neighbour, command and require of them in such a deplorable
State as this; and not contemn, or slightly esteem of the Virtues,
which by GOD himself are insited in Vitriol. Let Charity move you
night and day to be diligent in these things: Let none be found idle,
but every one make it his business to help his needy Neighbour: But
be not you deterred herefrom, because Lawyers do not this. Hear what
Christ said: _Woe to you Lawyers_. Surely this is not a light Saying.
Nor take you any offence at _Theologians_, because they rather seek
Rewards and Salaries, than take care for the sick: These are they,
which in _Jericho_ passed by. Be ye _Samaritans_, and press after
the _Samaritan_ Virtue: So GOD will conferr on you such profound and
necessary Gifts, as in curing the sick you shall be sensible of no
Deficiency. All things you have need of shall be given you, do you only
search out this Treasure.
Thus far _Paracelsus_.
An Admonition.
Although all things we have in the foregoing Discourse proposed,
touching our _Sal Mirabile_, be consentaneous to Verity; and the
Virtues, which we have ascribed to it in Medicine, Alchymy, and
various Arts, do powerfully discover themselves, yet we find very
much diversity in it, according to the diversity of matter, of which
it is made. For, that which is prepared of Vitriol, is of a far other
Nature, and endowed with far other Properties, than that, which is made
of _Salt-Nitre_. And what is made of common Salt, agrees with neither
of these: For one possesseth a greater sharpness than another; yea,
this more than that, dissolves Metals. The more potent, are fit for
Transmutation and Solution of Metals; the more weak subservient to
Medicine; the weakest, and most sweet, profitable for multiplication
and propagation of Vegetables.
These things, he who would reap the desired Fruits of his Labours,
ought necessarily to know, and consider accurately of. For if any one,
in hopes of future Multiplication, committed to the Earth the Seeds of
Vegetables imbibed with the stronger Salt, he will indeed never obtain
his desired end, nor will the Earth give forth any Plants, because
such sharp Salts do rather destroy, than augment Vegetables. In like
manner, Metals are delighted with a convenient Salt, _viz._ with the
more sharp, as Vegetables are with the more sweet. Therefore, when we
find our labour to be frustrated, we must not impute that to the _Sal
Mirabile_, but to our own Unskilfulness.
Indeed these Salts are endowed with far more noble Virtues than we
mentioned in the precedent Discourse; but the high Ingratitude of Men
of this Age, permit us not to discover the same. For if you communicate
your Secrets to those Men, from whom you cannot require a promise of
Secrecy; be assured, the knowledge of those Secrets will presently come
to others, who will proudly use the same to thy Disparagement.
If you do the contrary, and keep to your self, whatsoever you have
purchased by your own Labour and Costs; you will create Enmities to
your self. So as which way soever you take, you will sustain loss.
The Consideration of these things, have caused me to resolve to
expose my Laboratory, with all my Arcanums, to the view of others.
The end of this only was to exhibit to the sight of all, the truth of
those things, which I have purchased with indefatigable Labour, and
communicated to the World by writing; that this way, the Mouths of the
Malevolent and Ignorant may be stopped.
I could, if it were needful, give various other Reasons, by which I was
moved to make my Laboratory common to those that desired it.
Now the year is past, in which I promised _in my fourth part of the
Prosperity of_ Germany, I would build a Laboratory, and exhibit
the Wonders of GOD to my Friends. I then publickly and privately
demonstrated various most excellent Inventions, not without labour
and very great Charges, all which I value not, since I know, that by
this means I have discovered the Truth to many, which they also will
publickly own to the honour of the most high GOD, and Correction of
envious Detracters.
I did purpose also, in the following year, to continue my Labours
for the sake of faithful Friends, but (besides other hinderances) my
Age prevented that, Nevertheless, those, to whom I have committed my
Laboratory, will perform the same, and exhibit a Light to this blind
World. This I was willing to signifie to all, that they may for the
future cease to trouble me with Letters.
But whilst I exhibit the Virtues of my _Sal Mirable_, and to it
(prepared in Glasses after the above recited manner) ascribe the virtue
of changing imperfect Metals into Silver and Gold, I would not have
this matter so understood, as if we could by the help of it acquire
to our selves Gold in a very great quantity, it is sufficient to have
demonstrated the possibility (of Transmutation) and the same to be
proved by a small quantity.
It is most certain, that very many Medicaments may be prepared, by the
help of it, against various effects of the Humane Body. Also it is most
certain, that it is very conducent for a particular gradation of the
Minor Metals into better. Believe me, that have experienced the same;
if you rightly proceed, you will reap no mean Fruits.
But touching the true Universal, I do question, whether by the help
of it, it may be procured. Assuredly, if common Gold, as to its
degree, can be changed above what is Natural, Why should it be judged
impossible, to exalt it further, in length of time? time? My decrepid
Age forbids me to put my hand to this Work; yet to Posterity (better
able than I to sustain the heat of fire) occasion is given, by Prayers
and Labour to search further; perhaps, GOD will grant to them, what he
hath denied to us.
This Operation, by which we peculiarly draw profit from the Minor
Metals, cannot be performed in common Crucibles, as we before said;
because they are obnoxious to breaking, and so the Liquors are easily
lost; but in such as will not easily break, unless after a long time,
and will not permit the humid Salt to run out. Here it will be needful
to peruse those things (relating to this matter) which I mentioned in
the Third and Fourth Parts of the _Prosperity of_ Germany.
To prepare these Crucibles is a great Work, greater to make some Pounds
of Salt, or rightly to use the same; but greatest of all, (and in which
the summ of all consists) to know what Metals are to be joined, or in
what quantity. Here many will have enough to do, and be at a loss,
although they enjoy my Secret Furnace, and know how to make the Salt of
Art in abundance.
Besides all these, we must needs crack the hard Nut, if we will eat the
sweet Kernel. It is required of us to know an easie way of separating
Gold or Silver from fixed Metals; for such a Metallick Mass, altogether
untameable, cannot be separated by the help of Lead, _per se_, as
Ductile Metals; but here is need of another Separation; which is the
principal thing.
Nor should any Man perswade himself, that all things are here so
clearly written by us, as he can by their literal sence most easily
institute the Operation. For there is need of a long time, and a
skilful Master. It would be a very inconsiderate thing to set about
those things, of which we have no knowledge.
Although this is my Admonition, here often repeated, yet there will be
some, who neglecting it, will set about the said Operation, and perhaps
find out various profitable things: In like manner, there will be
various found, who following my Prescripts, will reap much benefit from
the Minor Metals.
Who can deny, but that _Mary Ranta, a Brittain_, hath Prophesied truly,
_viz._ That true Alchymy should flourish in the Year of Christ, 1660?
I my self have not seen this Prediction, but have it from the Relation
of others, whereunto I refer the Reader. And add, that if such a
Prediction were not, daily Experience doth abundantly witness, that
egregious things are here and there performed in Metallicks, by help of
my _Sal-Mirabile_. And there is no doubt, but that all Darkness will
daily more and more be dissipated by the power of this Light.
I have unto some communicated the use of this Light for their proper
benefit; but these, contrary to my Intention, have caused what I
thought to have kept secret, to be spread abroad in publick and many
have hit on the right way leading to Verity. If this be done without
my knowledge, what would not have been done, if my Laboratory had been
open for a year longer? Certainly the World would have shewed it self
other than it is, and altogether new; which the new and great Star
extending it self from the South to the West, seems to indicate.
Let the most high GOD grant what are necessary, and salutary for us,
turn the Ungodly into the right way, and give to his own Children, Rest
and Peace, that his most Holy Name and Truth always to be magnified,
may not be totally suppressed by the Impious. _Amen._
ANNOTATIONS
UPON THE
CONTINUATION
OF
Miraculum Mundi.
Explaining and Defending the _SECRETS_ therein contained;
As also the True _Aurum Potabile_ therein mentioned.
It is truly said, that He who builds an House by the Highway exposeth
his Building to the judgments of all sorts of men, and to their
censure especially who have not skill enough in Architecture, to erect
a Country Cottage. The same is wont to happen to those who write
concerning things not common or unknown. For you shall presently
hear People saying, _Who knows whether this be true or not?_ thereby
signifying that they cannot perceive those things which exceed their
Capacity; but nevertheless they will not altogether reject them,
because they are yet in doubt concerning the truth of them. This their
doubting is not to be taken ill, because it proceedeth from ignorance,
but not from envy. On the contrary, there is another sort of perverse
men, who being puffed up with their own putatitious knowledge, despise
unknown things, not out of simplicity or ignorance, but out of a meer
diabolical envy to those who have a greater knowledge and experience of
things than themselves.
This hath also happened, and doth daily happen to me, especially since
the publishing of my _Miraculum Mundi_, in that I have there disclosed
Secrets of great moment, of which the Vulgar, nor yet the bubbles
of Envy, have plainly no knowledge; and therefore out of meer Envy,
reproach them for Unprofitable and False.
But to stop the mouths of such persons, I intend shortly to build a
spacious and well-furnished Laboratory, and in it to place a good
Laborious Operator, who being occupied therein with continual Labours,
shall shew the Divine Wonders to those who desire to see the same.
Which being done, I shall have no farther need to defend my Writings
against every Calumniator; seeing that I know there will be those (GOD
willing) hereafter, who will defend the truth which they have seen with
their eyes and handled with their hands.
In this Laboratory shall be seen not only those Artificial destilling
Furnaces, and my Press for Wood, with the circulatory Instruments
necessary for the easie making of Salt-Petre; but also those things
shall be shewed, which I have treated of in my _Miraculum Mundi_, and
its Continuation, yea, and much more than I have there declared.
Those things also which I have ascribed to my _Aurum Potabile_ shall
be demonstrated to be the very truth, _viz._ That crude Mercury, in an
hour or two’s time, may be by it converted into pure Gold. Nor shall
this only be proved, but also that after my _Aurum Potabile_ hath
tinged and changed the ☿ into pure and constant Gold, that nevertheless
it hath yet great Virtue, _viz._ that any Arsenick, whether white or
yellow, being digested in it for some hours, is so changed, that its
poisonous quality passeth into a good Medicine, resisting all Poison.
Nor doth it only become a powerful Medicine against venomous and
incurable diseases, which cannot be eradicated by purging, bleeding,
sweating, and the like Remedies, whilst it Tinctureth the evil Humours
in the Blood and other parts of the Body, and changeth them into good
Humours. But this also being changed into Medicine, and its Venom
converted, sheweth its power in Metals; if it be cast upon melted
Copper, then the Copper poured out and proved on a Cupel with Saturn,
leaveth behind it some good Silver and Gold. These two proofs are
sufficient for the defence of my _Aurum Potabile_. But that any one
may be yet rendered more certain, after those two Experiments, _viz._
the coagulation and transmutation of Mercury into pure Gold, and the
conversion of poisonous Arsenick into a safe Medicament, he may yet try
a third, and that indeed incredible, with the same _Aurum Potabile_
that hath been twice used, as before, and this not upon mild or slight
Poisons, but upon the most dangerous and indefensible both to Men,
Beasts, and all living things, to wit, Mercury sublimate, which being
digested for some hours in the said _Aurum Potabile_, layeth aside all
its horrid and formidable Venom, and passeth into a safe Purging and
Diaphoretick Medicine, and losing its former white Colour and corrosive
Venom, it becomes a sweet red Powder, purging out the _Gout_, _Pox_,
_Leprosie_, and other detestable diseases, and impregnateth Saturn in
some measure with a Golden Tincture. So also white Arsenick, after
digestion, putteth off its white colour, loseth its corrosive faculty,
and is changed into a sweet and yellow powder.
These Experiments and Proofs ought not to be hidden to the Studious of
good Medicines, but to be made manifest to the everlasting and immortal
testimony of the Truth, against all ignorant Sophisters whatsoever.
I have, for my defence, the most sharp Sword of Truth, whose edge, if
any desire to feel, let him come forth; the defence of the Truth will
be grateful and easie to me, although the malice of the whole world
should oppose me. I here challenge all those Calumniators who being
moved by a diabolical envy, have endeavoured to oppose my most true
Writings; let them come forth with their Lyes into the open light,
and into the view of the whole World, and shew any Experiment like to
those which I here promise to shew, that we may see how filthily or
basely they will appear, like the darkness vanishing by the light and
splendour of the Sun. If they cannot, as indeed it is not in their
power, (_for he that hath any knowledge of things never contemneth a
good one_) nor will be possible for them to do; forasmuch as they know
nothing, it is but reasonable that for the time to come they should
restrain their virulent tongues, and cease to calumniate those things
which they neither know nor understand.
I do not wonder that those Slanderers, attempting the coagulation of
Mercury into Gold, have erred, seeing that it hath sometimes happened
to my self, that I have erred two or three times together, and could
not effect that Transmutation, until the cause thereof was known to
me: For if through too much haste the humidity of the _Aurum Potabile_
shall exhale or evaporate too fast, the Mercury being dried up, cannot
be sufficiently penetrated, nor throughly tinged.
An errour also may be committed, if the glass containing the Mercury
and the _Aurum Potabile_ grow hot too fast, so that the Mercury with
the _Aurum Potabile_ boil, and leaps, disperseth it self by too
much motion, and exhibiteth it self in form of a powder, when it
ought to remain in the bottom, concreted into a round mass. So will
he also greatly erre, who shall use Mercury that is not pure and
clean, but adulterated, and defiled with many sordes or impurities,
which Impediments deny ingress to the Tincture, and render the trial
uncertain and precarious. Therefore it is necessary that the Mercury
be first well ground with Salt and Vinegar, in a _lignum vitæ_, or
Stone or Glass Mortar, and by a diligent washing freed from all its
blackness, whereby it more easily admitteth the Tincture. I have found
that Mercury very fit for this Operation, which is sublimed by the
_Fulmen of Jove_, into which my _Aurum Potabile_ hath a swift Ingress,
and tingeth the whole of it.
Truly it shews the great ignorance and boldness of those Calumniators,
to dare to spread such false clamours and rumours, saying, _That
Mercury cannot be indeed tinged into Gold by my =Aurum Potabile=, but
that the Gold which was before in my =Aurum Potabile= applieth it self
to the Mercury, and in some sort coagulateth it, but doth not render
it fixt and constant_. But this is indeed a very rude and ignorant
Assertion, which every one but meanly versed in the handling of Gold
and Mercury, is able to detect of Folly.
For if common Gold, dissolved in Water, would readily coagulate
Mercury, what should we further seek or desire? But this is greatly
wide of the matter, seeing that in all such Solutions the Gold in
digestion adheres to the injected Mercury by precipitation, and passeth
with it into a white _Amalgama_, the Mercury constantly persevering in
its pristine Nature, not admitting the least transmutation into Gold,
the which exceedeth not the knowledge and capacity of Rusticks, but is
difficult to be understood by those putatitious Doctors, who believe
such things to exceed all Belief.
It is well known, that the purest Gold hath no more of perfection than
what it needeth for its own defence; that hath not the least power to
amend any other metal, and to render it fixt and constant, much less
that it can coagulate Mercury, (the derider of all Alchymists and
Sophisters) into Gold. Of both is made a white _Amalgama_, but not
hard yellow Gold constant in the Fire. He that believeth not me, let
him make trial himself, and he shall find it answerable to my words.
Besides, all corporeal Gold refuseth solution by fixt Nitre, of which
my _Aurum Potabile_ is prepared, the which, if it were yet possible,
the Gold would not be hid in it, but the solution would be yellow,
and would colour the skin with a subrubid or blackish colour, which
my _Aurum Potabile_ doth not. Therefore its tinging Virtue consisteth
not in corporeal Gold, but in a golden Tincture, from the first _Ens_
of Gold, converted into an Astral Essence, by the benefit of Art. By a
like reason the _Astrum_ of _Luna_ impresseth Mercury with the nature
of Silver, the _Astrum_ of _Venus_ transmuteth it into Copper, the
_Astrum_ of _Mars_ converteth the same into hard Iron, the _Astrum_
of _Jupiter_ of it maketh Tin, and the _Astrum_ of Saturn investeth
it with the nature of Lead. For Mercury is transmuted into that
Metal, whose _Astrum_ it shall receive. So the _Astrum_ of Mercury
changeth all the metals into a running _Argent-vive_, although this
transmutation brings little or no profit. Nevertheless, I intend to
prepare the _Astrums_ of all the metals, and thereby to shew the power
of Nature and Art to the studious of the Truth, and so to manifest it
to the World. The _Astrums_ of metals being extracted from their first
_Ens_, they are no longer metals, but their tinging Anima’s, which at
length with Mercury, become corporeal metals.
This is the true and genuine Foundation, upon which the whole structure
of my _Aurum Potabile_ is built. Therefore, as pure Gold, cannot render
Mercury partaker of its own golden nature; so neither Silver, nor
Copper, nor any other metal, will communicate its nature to Mercury,
but being precipitated, attracteth it to it self, but in no wise
changeth it. Hence the Philosophers say, That the Tinctures of Metals
are not to be sought in the metals themselves, but in their first
_Ens._ As _Basil Valentine_;
_Quod prima Entia non efficiunt,
Hoc Aurum & Argentum non faciunt._
Which is to be well regarded by him who desires to attain his wishes.
From all these things it appears, that my _Aurum Potabile_ being
made of the first _Ens_ of Gold, by Art, into an Astral Tincture,
ought to be an excellent Medicine; as also, that it is such, I have
largely demonstrated: For if it were not better than a common Solution
of Gold, it would not change Mercury into true Gold, neither also
would it have the power of transmuting a most potent Poison into an
excellent Medicine. Without doubt, such Medicaments, which by the
help of my _Aurum Potabile_, from most violent Poisons, are changed
into so salubrious a nature, as Antidotes, do powerfully refill other
Poisons and pertinacious Diseases, and may be used in Physick with
great admiration. What would it profit, if the Body should be purged
by an hundred stools, and at the same time the Disease doth not
consist in the matter of stools, but still keeps its place, and gives
no way, except it be attacked in its own quarters? Neither will it
avail anything to let all the blood out of the body, if the fear of
the Disease be not in the blood. Yea, if it were there fixed, and the
whole mass of blood wholly corrupted, it would be in vain to undertake
to amend the same by bleeding; for all the blood cannot be drawn out,
without peril of Life. And if, for example sake, two or three pounds of
twenty should be left in the body, to be amended by sanguifying Meats
and Drinks, and good Blood to be encreased, yet the event would not
be answerable, because the encreasing blood would be corrupted by the
former. E. g. An Hogshead of sharp Vinegar, out of which, if you should
draw all the Vinegar, leaving only the fæces or Lees, and should by
degrees pour into it noble and generous Wine, the Wine would be plainly
corrupted by those few fæces. Even so it is with those fixed Diseases,
which have taken such deep root in the humane body, that they cannot be
taken away neither by Purging, Bleeding, nor Sweating, nor by outward
Anointings. Therefore they are to be tinged and amended in those
places, to which they pertinaciously adhere, by the help of Tinctures
or Astral Medicines, as above is done with Mercury, and Mercury
sublimate, that remaining there, they may put on a better nature and
quality, and no farther molest the humane body. And this is the true
and genuine way of Curing radicated and incurable Diseases. Yet I would
not be so understood, as if I condemned all Purgation; for Purging
being used at a due time, brings no small profit. Blood-letting also
being seasonably used, wants not its utility; but being often abused,
is the cause of great mischiefs, and not seldom hastens on untimely
death.
Moreover, the following Experiment, for the trying the Truth of my
_Aurum Potabile_, is not to be contemned. Rub some _Argent-vive_ upon a
small Silver Plate, and what is superfluous, and doth not adhere, wipe
off with a Linen cloth, after the manner of Goldsmiths, (or Gilders)
who gild with the _Amalgama_ of Gold and Quick-silver: Digest the
Silver Plate in my _Aurum Potabile_, for half an hour, or an hour, then
take it out, and you shall see with how, fair a Golden Colour it will
be gilt. For in this digestion the Mercury is not so heated, that it
can vanish in smoak, and therefore adhereth to the Silver Plate, and
is tinged by my _Aurum Potabile_ into the best Gold. Now try the same
operation with another Silver Plate, rubbed over with _Argent-vive_,
and digest it in a solution containing corporeal Gold, to see if that
Plate will be gilt like the other. For the Plate coming out white, you
will see a very great difference.
I could here add more such Experiments, if I thought it needful. If
Goldsmiths (or Gilders) could gild their Silver Vessels, by such a
coction (or digestion) in a solution of corporeal Gold, without doubt
they would soon leave the common way of gilding by the _Amalgama_ of
Mercury and Gold, because by its poisonous Mercurial fume, affecting
the bodies of those who handle it, it is wont to cast them into
dangerous and lasting Diseases. But because they can effect nothing by
such golden solutions, they are forced to supersede their Use, and to
acquiesce in the old usual way.
These few things of my _Aurum Potabile_, which is the Fourth and Last
Article in my _Continuation of Miraculum Mundi_, I am constrained to
publish for its defence, that every one may know I have not attributed
too much to it, but that it can perform much more; the truth of which I
am ready to exhibit. Therefore this is a Medicament most worthy to be
presented to Great and Noble Men, as a precious Gift.
As for the Third Process in the same Work, which is offered to
Physicians and Citizens, that they may by an easie labour obtain good
Medicines for Mankind, and an honest livelihood; it is openly and
clearly described, so that in it not the least thing is hidden or
concealed, I cannot force any to believe or try the matter; I have
enough to do with my own affairs; but if in my Youth I could have
obtained such a Manuduction, as I have hitherto and still do administer
to others, I should not have been forced to the searching out of Nature
with so great charge and labours, heavy stinks, and great danger of my
Life, as I have. I here again assert that which I have often asserted,
_viz._ That by the fulminating of Salt-Petre with Tin and Mercury,
much Gold and Silver is acquired; which thing I have often done, and
as yet can do it, and do promise that in due time I will demonstrate
it publickly in my Laboratory to Friends. The other point, in which I
have taught how Rich men may augment or improve their Gold and Silver,
much safer than they are wont to do by putting it to Usury, I have
truly and candidly revealed, and have kept back nothing. NB. But that
there are other waies of acquiring Riches, without great Cost and
Labours at the Fire, the troublesome Exercise of Merchandise, or other
things, disturbing or hurting the mind, I do in no wise deny. For the
like things are every where obvious, in divers place of my Writings,
especially in the 2, 3, and 4 parts of _The Prosperity of Germany_,
where mention is made of an Excellent Work, by means of which an honest
livelihood may be obtained in tranquility, without noise, meltings, and
blowings of Bellows, and that by the help of a certain Water extracting
Gold and Silver from Sand, Earth, Clay, Stones, and Minerals, without
great labour and costs. And although there should not be at hand any
such Earth, Sand, or Stones, which contain Gold and Silver, from which
these cannot be elicited by common melting; (yet there is hardly any
place in the World, where these matters do not occurr) nevertheless
there is no want of Lead and Tin, from which two at all times, and in
all places of the World, Gold and Silver, by the help of the said Water
of Salt-petre may be extracted; which is an excellent and profitable
Art, the which, lest it should die with me, I have already shewed it to
some Friends.
I also here promise, that in my publick Laboratory I will shew and
demonstrate various Secrets. But let no man perswade himself that I
will do this to all men, without descrimination, or admit every unknown
Person to this demonstration, but only those whose Piety and Candour I
my self have long known, or such as shall be recommended by them, or
other known Friends.
Moreover, besides my publick Laboratory, I will also have a private
one, in which shall be shewed to my Friends the more curious and
excellent things which I have mentioned in my Writings.
There shall be shewed rare and hitherto unknown Wonders of Nature, as
Vegetable and Mineral Plants. As for example.
_Vegetables of a Metallick Nature_; of which we have spoken in the
Treatise of _The Nature of Salts_.
_Herbs springing up or growing out of hard Flints, yea, out of
pieces of Iron._
_Metals in a few hours growing up like Vegetables, by the help of
a certain Water_; concerning which, see my Description of the
Liquor of Flints, in _The Second Part of Furnaces_.
_Metals in a few hours space, like Herbs, without the addition of
any foreign matter, growing up, so that they lose nothing in the
trial of the Cupel._
Also divers manual Operations, and Compendiums not common in the
Destillation of excellent Spirits, profitable both in Alchymy and
Physick, such are Spirit of Nitre, Spirit of Salt, _Aqua-fortis_,
_Aqua-regis_, and the like, by which they are so easily and swiftly
destilled, that with two or three pound of Coals, by a Body and Head,
in Sand, every hour may be destilled one pound of spirit, and that so
pure, sweet, and clear, that it needs no rectification.
But seeing that this is a thing unheard of, and therefore will be
look’d upon by the common Chymists as a thing incredible, I cannot
forbear here only to point at the way, by which it may appear possible
to be done.
Suppose that I have need of some pounds of spirit of salt, and want the
opportunity of preparing it in a long time, by the force of fire, I
use the following preparation. Instead of a great and continual fire,
I use a separatory Art, severing the pure from the impure, dissolving
common Kitchin-salt, or salt-petre, in common Water, and adding to the
solution put into a Cucurbit a separatory sulphur. The Cucurbit, with
a Head or Retort, (by which also the Destillation may be made) being
set in sand, I kindle a fire, by which the water containing the salt
may boil, and so by the sulphur, in the boiling, the pure parts are
separated from the impure; the purer parts are rendered very fugacious
and sweet clear spirits; the grosser, more earthy and fixed salt
remaineth in the Cucurbit or Retort, of a very wonderful Nature and
Property. And after this manner, from one pound of salt or salt-petre,
may easily be destilled one pound of spirit of salt, or spirit of
Nitre. From a pretty large Cucurbit, in ten hours, may be made ten
pounds of spirit of salt, or spirit of Nitre, which two spirits being
mixed together, make an _Aqua-regia_. The quantity of your spirit in
each Destillation will be greater or lesser, according as your Cucurbit
is larger or smaller. He that desireth to make _Aqua-regia_ by the
same destillation, must dissolve equal parts of salt and salt-petre in
Water, and destil by a Body or Retort.
This is indeed an excellent Compendium for all those that need a great
quantity of those Spirits. Gold, Silver, as also all the other Metals,
may be dissolved without _Aqua-fortis_, or _Aqua-regis_, and the
like spirits, by the help of certain salts dissolved in water, which
truly is also a famous Invention. So also it is with those other rare
Experiments above mentioned; as for example, If a metal ought to grow
in height, something contrary is to be added to it; for this, while it
flieth from its contrary, arising out of the mass, groweth up as well
in the dry as the moist way.
If we would have an hard Metal or Flint bring forth an Herb; the Metal,
whether it be gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, or lead, are first to be
reduced into a tender Powder by salts, and that Powder being put into
an Earthen Vessel, is to be moistened with a certain peculiar Water,
and the seeds of the Herbs to be sowed or set therein, which after they
are grown to perfection, are to be no longer moistened, but the powder
is to be exposed to the Rays of the Sun, which again becoming a metal
or an hard stone, plainly like to another metal or stone, containeth
the inhering Roots of the Herb, and causeth the Ignorant to admire how
an Herb should grow out of a piece of Gold, Silver, Iron, Copper, or an
hard Flint. This is also certain, and not to be doubted, that the said
Herbs so growing out of the Metals, do obtain the nature and properties
of those out of which they arise.
Although these Experiments of Herbs thus growing afford no profit, yet
they are noble Operations of Nature and Art, having more in them than
they promise at the first sight, therefore I have not here brought them
in vain, inasmuch as they are of no small moment.
But that I may here (at least) mention somewhat of this growing
faculty of Vegetables and Metals, be it known to every one, that in
my publick Laboratory shall be seen the seeds of all sorts of Herbs,
and especially of Grain, as Wheat, Barly, Oats, and others, _viz._ by
what means they may be so prepared, as to acquire a swift faculty of
growing, and that one grain may produce ten, twenty, or thirty strong
stalks, with full ears, and fruit an hundred fold.
In like manner shall be shewed to some Friends, how Salt-Petre, as the
only promoter and helper of the growing faculty, may be sowed it self,
so that it shall recompence the labour an hundred fold; for salt-petre
multiplieth it self, and groweth up out of common salt, like other
Vegetables; whence that old Proverb of sowing of salt might perhaps
take its Original.
It behoveth that I here make mention of yet another wonderful thing
concerning the growing faculty, to be shewn (God willing) in my private
Laboratory. And it is this, that Gold and Silver do grow, are encreased
and multiplied out of gross Saturn, even as the seeds of Vegetables,
out of a dunged and salt Earth, so that in fifty ounces there is daily
an augmentation of one ounce, if not of two. He that shall be here a
good Husbandman, and skilful in ploughing of Saturn, and rendering him
fertile, and of sowing or planting in him a fit seed, he will have a
plentiful Harvest, answerable to the seed which he sowed, and will
easily gain three or four times as much.
Therefore, because the growing faculty of Vegetables, Animals, and
Minerals, or Metals, taketh its rise from the only and Universal Salt
of the Earth, and this from the Salt of the Sea, and the Sea Salt, from
the Sun, if the Divine Goodness shall grant me Life, I will shew to my
Friends, how by small labour and charge, the Universal Salt fatness,
fit for the rendring all barren and sandy ground fruitful, instead of
Dung, may be copiously separated from Sea Salt. Yea if need require, I
can easily demonstrate, that also the natural Seed of Gold, the true
Universal Medicine may be prepared of the same, or that it may be
acquired from the visible Ocean which is known to every Man. But seeing
that belongs not to this place, we referr the Reader, desirous of such
subtile knowledge, to the Treatise of the Nature of Salts, where he
will find those things which will satisfie his desire.
These, and the like Experiments shall be shewn in my Laboratory, among
all which, that is the most excellent, by which a Man, without the
incommoding of another, and with great quietness and Tranquility, may
honestly get his Food and Raiment. There shall be also demonstrated
those four _Arcanums_ treated of in _the Continuation of_ Miraculum
Mundi, and many other things treated of in my Writings, which
many believe cannot be effected. That so I, by giving an occular
Demonstration, may vindicate my Writings from the Injuries and
Reproaches of the ignorant, and also leave behind me somewhat for the
good of Posterity.
A
TREATISE
OF THE
Nature of Salts:
OR, A
Clear Description, declaring by a perfect Explanation, the Nature,
Properties, and use of such Salts as are commonly known, as also
of a certain other very wonderful Salt, hitherto unknown to
the World; by whose help all Vegitables, Animals and Minerals,
without diminution of their weight, or change of their form, may
be transmuted into hard and incombustible Bodies:
WITH
A most firm Demonstration that Salt (after God and the Sun) is the
only Beginning, Original, Propagation and Augmentation of all
things; from which the greatest Treasure of the whole World; and
the greatest Riches may be obtained.
THE PREFACE.
_The manifold and various sorts of food, whether prepared of Flesh or
Fish, if brought to the Table not seasoned with Salt, are not grateful
to the Palate; in as much as they neither exhibit a pleasant relish,
nor conduce to the health of the Body. Every man will readily assent to
the truth of this trite and vulgar Maxim, if he shall consider with an
accurate mind, that among all the Seasonings and Sauces of food, Salt
holdeth the chiefest place, and that there is no other equal to it, so
that among so many, there is no one to be preferr’d to it._
_Therefore what great and excellent Treasures, admirable Virtues, and
most worthy Endowments, in which, by diligent search, and inquisition
the minds of men may be occupied, are contained therein, I have
determined in this present Treatise to enquire into, and declare;
inasmuch as for the space of fifteen or sixteen years, I have
endeavoured nothing more, than that by all my Labours I might serve
the Divine Glory, and the publick good. For by my first endeavours
I published a Work, treating of =Philosophical Furnaces= in five
parts, and I discovered five Furnaces, adapted to the various modes
of Distillation; I also shewed the way of preparing (by an artificial
manner) excellent Medicines which drive away various and divers
Diseases afflicting the Humane Body, which profitable and artificial
Inventions, no man before me hath revealed._
_Next follows my =Mineral Work=, shewing the Original, and emendation
of Metals and Minerals: To which succeedeth my =Pharmacopœia
Spagyrica=, in three parts, treating of Vegetables, and by what means
efficacious Medicines may be prepared of them._
_Next after these, was my Work of =the Admirable Nature and Properties
of Salt-petre=, in which is solidly demonstrated, that that Miracle
of all sorts, is the true Universal Solvent of Philosophers, which is
subservient to the use of all men, high and low, rich and poor. That
little Treatise I have called by the name of =Miraculum Mundi=, which I
have augmented by an Explication and Continuation, and fenced it with a
defence and Apology, against the wicked Insults of Envy and Scorn. In
all these I have set before the Eyes of this blind World, the Divine
Miracles and Misteries of Nature._
_After this, came out another Treatise, under the Title of the
=Prosperity of= Germany, in four Books, the two latter of which are
not yet Printed, but shall be published in a short time, if God shall
prolong my life, which contain very profitable Precepts of the Oeconomy
and Administration of things familiar._
_Then another little piece, called, =The Consolation of Sailers=;
teaching how they may defend and preserve themselves in all long
Voyages, as to the =East-Indies= and other parts, against Hunger,
Thirst, and other incommodities of that kind, to which they are wont to
be Obnoxious._
_Moreover, =A Treatise of Tartar, Vinegar, and Spirit of Wine=, shewing
their easie attainment and preparation._
_To these I have adjoined, =a Treatise of= Aurum Potabile, and
another of true =Aurum Potabile=, or the =Universal Medicine=, and
other Apologetical Writings, in which I have not only set forth the
perfidious unfaithfulness of men, but have also revealed many excellent
Sciences, that by all these Writings I might illustrate the Divine
Glory, and contribute to the benefit and profit of my Neighbour, by
giving him as it were wholsom and excellent food, whereby both his Body
and mind may be equally refreshed._
_And although the said Meats be wholsome, of a good Savour, and contain
their own Salt; nevertheless, it seems to me necessary, to salt them
as it were afresh, and to season them with a certain Sauce, that they
may be tasted with so much the greater appetite and pleasure. And I
have so much the more a mind to do this, as I more studiously endeavour
to observe that precept of the ancient Doctors, that no Meat should
be brought to the Table without Salt. For it was a received custom in
former time in well ordered Families, to set the Salt first upon the
Table before any other Dish, and not to take it away till all other
Dishes were first removed: The which indicates, that Salt is a most
profitable thing, and an highly necessary gift of God, therefore of
right claimeth the precedency of other Meats in setting upon the Table,
and of remaining there, till they are again removed. But that this most
Noble and Divine Gift, may the better be understood by the ignorant,
and may be made more known than hitherto it hath been, I cannot pass
by, but I must indulge my self, as my time will allow, in a few words,
and as it were by the bye, to shadow out, and depict its great and
admirable efficacy, for the profit of Mankind. But here I shall speak
but of few things, and that very compendiously, the studious of Divine
Wonders may find the rest in the Writings of other pious and diligent
Men, if he hath a desire to know more._
_As for the Original of Salt, which is drawn out of the Ocean, as
an Universal Storehouse, Writers are divided into divers parts and
Opinions. Some think that those Salt Fountains, which in many, and
various places of the Earth break forth from their Springs, and by the
help of boiling, yield their Salt, do not take their beginning from
the Ocean, but from a Salt peculiarly generated, and brought forth
in many places of the Terrene Globe, like Metals. And they establish
their Opinion by this Argument; That the Water of those Fountains
much exceedeth, oftentimes, that of the Sea in saltness; and on the
contrary, the Sea Water being brought by long and tedious Passages
through the Earth, necessarily looseth its saltness, and therefore
leaving its Salt, it ought to come forth plainly sweet, or insipid.
This reason, at the first sight, seemeth so agreeable to truth, that
one can hardly think the matter to be otherwise. But most Springs of
sweet Water, in their first rise were Salt, which penetrating the
passages of the Earth, have deposited their Salt in the same, to
nourish the Earth, and that they might come forth sweet for the daily
use of Man. Whence they have given rise to so many, and such various
Rivers, which again return in that Universal Store-house the Sea, or
Ocean, by which incessant and Reciprocal Flux, they are impregnated
with Salt, and Communicate the same to the Earth, that it may never
labour under a want of due nourishment, but may render Minerals,
Stones, Trees, Grass, Beasts, and even Men also, partakers of the
same perpetually, and so may serve as well for the Sustentation,
Propagation, and Conservation of Irrational, as Rational Animals, the
which no man of a sound mind can deny, except he will also deny the
Circulation of the Blood in the Body of Man, or =Microcosm=, which
is plainly unknown to not a few, and will say, that the blood in the
little Toe, or little Finger, or left Ear, or other places, doth not
arise from the Liver, the Universal Fountain of Blood, but that it is
particularly generated and produced by the Vital Spirit, in those very
parts, which savoureth not a little of Absurdity._
_Seeing therefore, that the constant Circulation of the Blood in the
=Microcosm=, can be in no wise deny’d, why should not also such a
Circulation in the =Macrocosm= be admitted as true? For as the Blood
of the Human Body arising from the Liver, diffuseth it self through
all the Passages and Veins of the Body, as well small as great, and
Conserveth the life of the whole, nourisheth all the parts, and
augmenteth the good juices, which are changed into Flesh, Bones, Skin,
and Hairs in the Members themselves, and leaving the unprofitable
Phlegm to be expelled by the Pores of the skin: So also is it with the
Nutriment and Universal Aliment of the great World, while the Salt
water without intermission, of the great Sea, or Ocean, encompassing
the whole Globe of the Earth, by many small and great passages or
Veins, passeth through all the parts of the Earth, and nourisheth and
sustaineth them with its Salt, that Minerals, Metals, Stones, Sand,
Clay, Shrubs, Trees, and Grass may be nourished and grow, and in
growing take their encrease. The rest of the Water being freed from
all saltness, is exterminated as a superfluity in the Superficies,
and being diffused into various Springs, as well small as great, is
expelled, no otherwise than the superfluous sweat of the Blood in the
=Microcosm=, by innumerable passages and pores. But that in many places
of the Earth, the Water doth not leave its salt, but carrieth it along
with it self, that may very well come to pass for divers reasons. For
first, the most excellent Governour, by His Divine Providence, hath
most wisely ordained and appointed, that a salt water of this kind,
which men could in no wise be without, should break forth out of the
Earth, and it is thus effected: The Sea-water every where passing
through the passages and clefts of the Earth, in some places is dried
up by the Central fire, and coagulated into hard and great pieces,
which being digged up by men, and dissolved by the help of Water, and
freed from its fæces, is boiled up in fit Vessels, and reduced into a
pure =Salt=._
_But if it happeneth that other Water passing through those passages,
findeth pieces of Salt of this kind, it dissolveth so much of the same
as it can carry along with it, and afterwards is boiled into Salt after
various manners, according to the greater or lesser quantity of Salt it
hath carried along with it._
_But that one Salt Fountain is richer in Salt than another, the cause
of the difference is in the Water, which passing by, doth more or less
associate it self with the Salt, and so is made stronger or weaker._
_These few things are sufficient for the refelling of their Opinion,
who assert, that Saline Fountains do not draw their original from the
Sea, but are generated and produced in a peculiar manner in the Earth,
by the help of the Stars._
_But if this should seem credible, nevertheless it would seem more
credible, that the Sun and Stars casting their Rays and Influences
into the Ocean or Seas, should there generate Salt, which afterwards
penetrating through the pervious passages of the Earth, should convey
due nourishment to the same._
_This reason may also be assigned of the greater or lesser quantity of
Salt in Fountains or Salt-springs, that those passages which receive
salt water from the Sea, differ in scituation of place, and are also
differently disposed or allotted by the sea-water it self, which being
various and manifold (in respect of saltness) differs much in one place
from another._
_For by how much the nearer the Sea-water is to the =North=, it
contains so much the less salt, so that oftentimes it scarcely holds
the tenth or twelfth part of Salt. But the nearer it is to the =South=
or the =East=, it is inriched with so much the more salt. For this
reason, in many places of the =East= and =West Indies=, the sea
aboundeth and swelleth with so great a force of salt, that when it is
stirred up by the vehement impetuosity of Tempests, it casts out with
its surges a copious spume or frothy scum upon the shore, which being
afterwards dried by the Rays of the Sun, the Inhabitants are wont to
use for the salting of Flesh and Fish. Experience teacheth, that in
places of this sort, four pounds of Sea-water yield one pound of salt,
and the fertility of those Lands also indicates the great quantity of
salt, which without any cultivation or human labour, both Winter and
Summer inrich the Inhabitants with most excellent Fruits. But those
Regions scituated near the Arctick Pole, or North, do not enjoy so
great a fertility, because they want the greater and more penetrating
Beams of the Sun, and do not exhibit so great a quantity of Salt, which
is the cause of all fertility, and therefore those Regions are denied
so large and spontaneous a fruitfulness._
_But that Salt which the Unskilful have been accustomed to have in
little or no regard, may be had in greater honour, I neither could or
would any longer pass by its due Name in silence, and therefore I have
called it the greatest Treasure, and most ample Riches of the World._
_Moreover, that I may prove and demonstrate, that this common abject
salt, known to every man, (in which the life, conservation, growth, and
propagation of all the Creatures consisteth, and which is the beginning
and end of all things) doth deserve this title, and that a greater
Treasure is not found in the Earth; it will be necessary to do this,
that I make manifest the infallible Verity of the Mysteries of GOD and
Nature._
_But I desire of the unprejudiced Reader, that he will not be offended
at the vileness of abject and contemptible salt, nor think that I,
in giving this Title to it, and calling it the greatest Treasure and
chiefest Riches of the whole World, have exceeded or given it too great
honour. For so great and honourable a Title doth of right belong to
it, and should as yet be insignized with a greater, if a greater by
me could be attributed. And I easily perswade my self, that if those
who are captivated by the hunger of Gold, shall see this Book, and
read the Title, they will conceive no other thing in their minds, than
the description of the great Universal it self, or the revelation of
great Riches and massy Treasures, which they will hope to find in this
Treatise, never dreaming that poor abject and contemptible salt should
be set before them, and therefore will say, What is all this noise
about a handful of Salt? Who could have thought that =Glauber= would
have dared to have given such a Title to Salt? But I earnestly require
of thee, my Friend, that thou wouldst patiently read those things which
in this Writing I have put before thine eyes, concerning Salt, and that
thou wouldst accurately examine them, that thou maist apprehend me to
have written the pure and sincere truth. If they exceed the capacity
of thy mind, and thou hast not hitherto learned or understood the same
from the Books of others, I would have thee to understand that all men
have not knowledge of all things, and that the Omnipotent GOD hath left
many =Sciences= to Posterity, which he hath hitherto concealed from
the proud and haughty. Read over and over the true Writings of the
ancient Philosophers, that thou maist know, and throughly know, that
those men who have searched the most intimate Penetrals of Nature, had
salt in great estimation, to have industriously concealed its Mysteries
and =Arcanums= from the ingrateful World, which now in these last
times are brought to light, for thee and all others, to be received as
incomparable Gifts, with a grateful mind._
_Therefore Reader bend thine Ears, and open thine Eyes, overgrown with
blindness and darkness, attend to those good things which I shall
discourse to thee of salt; if thou wilt make trial, and will search
them throughly by an accurate examination, whether they agree with God,
Nature and Truth, I doubt not, but thy mind will be enlightened with
a great light, and thou wilt become as a man renovated; but if with a
proud mind thou shalt refuse to learn and understand those things, or
scoff or mock at them, thou shalt be reckoned amongst the number of
Fools, and perpetually abide in the same, although =Aristotle= himself,
and all the Professors and Doctors should sit upon thy long Ass-ears,
and thou with the same shouldst endeavour as an Ass with a sack to
cover thy foolish Pride and proud folly. It is much better for a man
to know many things, and measure or estimate himself in his own way
or manner, than to know nothing, and bear himself out with the vain
pride of his own ignorance. I have never seen any man endowed with
true knowledge, who hath preferred himself to others; on the contrary,
I have found very many, who being stirred up by envy, hatred, and
inhumane malice, do nothing sooner or more readily, than insult and
make a mockery at pious men, to whom the Divine Bounty hath granted
his Gifts, and as it were, devour them with their Wolf-like Teeth,
which diabolical wickedness the Divine Justice in its own time will not
suffer to escape unpunished._
_Thus much I was willing to say to the proud Caviller; now therefore
attend to those things which I shall speak concerning Salt._
A
TREATISE
OF THE
Nature of Salts, &c.
I. _Of the Nature of SALT._
That it may be demonstrated in a _Compendium_, how many good things,
as first the Tranquility of our mind, the chiefest Temporal Good, the
Conservation of our Bodily Health, the great Riches and Treasures, and
other things which are necessary for humane use, are latent or hidden
in the despicable Body of Salt; in the first place let us hear what
our Saviour Christ himself saith, who is the Truth, the Light, and the
Life, in the Gospel of St. _Luke_, Chap. 14. Ver. 34. and in _Mark_,
Chap. 9. Ver. 50. _Salt =(saith he)= is a good thing._ And in _Luke_,
Chap. 18. Ver. 19. _No man =(saith he)= is good, but God alone._ But he
calleth his Disciples the Salt of the Earth, and addeth, _If the Earth
wanteth salt, it is unprofitable, neither doth it bring forth Fruit_.
And Dung it self, without Salt, is of no use. This is as if he should
have said, Salt is the most noble thing of the whole World; and yet
amongst Fools the most abject and contemptible. Be ye like to this,
and do the Will of God, and as Mediators, lead Sinners to GOD, which
otherwise cannot be done. _I am your Head, your Master, and go before
you; tread ye in my footsteps, follow me, I am the Way_, &c.
But to return to Salt, we will hear the opinion of others concerning
it: There is here no need to cite the Writings of Philosophers at
length, seeing they are at hand, and from them it may be manifest to
every man, that next after GOD, the Sun, and Fire, they have esteemed
it the most Noble Creature, and have given to it Honours as it were
Divine. The Heathens would not sacrifice to their gods without Fire and
Salt. If you read the Old and New Testament, you shall find that God
himself hath commanded to have regard to Salt. In the Gospel of St.
_Mark_ you shall find that all men are to be seasoned or preserved by
Fire, and all sacrifices with salt, and that the Lamp or Light upon the
Altar was never to be put out, but to be kept in continual Burning.
In the Christian Church, this manner is still observed, that no Infant
is baptized, without some Light or Candle be present, and the Priest
sprinkles a little salt upon the mouth of the Baptized, with these
words, _Receive the salt or seasoning of Wisdom_; as if he should
say, _Learn to understand and know God and be not like the Beast,
which hath no understanding_. These Ceremonies are observed in some
places at this day. The Greek Church baptizeth with fire and water,
by that Rite indicating the Holy Ghost to be like to fire, because he
warmeth the cold hearts of Men, enliveneth them, and turneth them to
GOD. God Himself calleth himself a consuming Fire; and the Holy Ghost
hath alwaies appeared in the form of Fire, and shewed Himself to the
Disciples of Christ in fiery Tongues. The _Abysini_ professing the
Christian Religion in _Africa_, under the most Potent King and Priest
_Prester John_, baptize with Fire and Water, and make a sign or mark
in the Foreheads of the men which are baptised, by Burning. In short,
there is not any man among the Heathens, Jews, Turks, and Christians,
who doth not highly value Fire and Salt, of which notwithstanding he
knoweth no more than a mad-man, or than a Swine, or an Ox, or other
irrational Beasts, which pass their life without understanding. But
these two Creatures of God, to wit, Fire and Salt, are one and the
same in the foundation of Nature; for Fire produceth Salt, and Salt
is again converted into Fire, and Fire into Salt, so that by a mutual
conversion they are alwaies changed one into the other. Therefore
_Hermes_ the Father of Philosophers faith, _That which is above, is as
that which is below, and that which is below, as that which is above_;
as you may read in his _Smaragdine_ Table. The Sun or Fire is above,
Salt is below, which is by an easie way rendered combustible, like the
sun or fire; as I have taught in many places of my Writings, and all
Philosophers, with an unanimous consent, do confess, that the greatest
Secret lieth hidden in fire and salt. Hence is the word Alchymy from
fire and salt, which penetrate all things, and Fire is the Symbol of
GOD, who hath alwaies exhibited himself to mortal eyes, in the form of
Fire: But Salt is the Symbol of Eternity, inasmuch as it defendeth and
preserveth all things from Corruption.
There are some who determine the Evangelist _John_ to have understood
Hermetick Philosophy; and there is yet extant an Hymn, composed and
sung by the ancient Fathers, in honour of the same _John_, in which
occurr these words: _Who maketh Gold of Rods or Twiggs, and Gemms of
Stones_. Nevertheless I leave those things to every man’s judgment, and
here I only say this, That both Heavenly and Earthly Mysteries were
known to the Prophets and Apostles.
But although I have never taken in hand so great a Philosophick Work,
nevertheless it is so known to me from the Writings of the Prophets
and Apostles, and from the Light of Nature, that by comparing things
Divine and Humane, I could easily subject it to the Eye, but that power
is not allowed me, and therefore I trust that no man will make an
evil Interpretation of what I have said, seeing that thereby I aim at
nothing but the glory of God, and the profit of my Neighbour.
There is no need for any man to seek many things from the Old and
New Philosophers, seeing that by reading and considering the Divine
Writings of _Moses_, the Prophets and Apostles, he may obtain his
desire, and may without doubt, in them, find the Stone of Philosophers
described, provided he shall have but a little knowledge of Nature. I
will say no more, but that the infallible Truth occurrs in those. All
these things are to be taken so, that things Divine may be understood
in a Divine sence, and Natural things in an Elementary sence, without
changing or mixing, seeing that they have no Communion among themselves.
But lest it should seem to any, to be absurd, that St. _John_ the
Evangelist should make Gold of Sticks or Twiggs, and Gemms of Stones,
as the said Hymn teacheth, by an Art indeed great, and to be admired,
I have thought it necessary to open and shew to the Unskilful by what
means that might be done.
In the first place, this was possible to St. _John_, as he was a man
abundantly gifted with the Holy Spirit, and seasoned with the Salt of
Wisdom, so that he might perform this action supernaturally, as well as
naturally, seeing that he was endowed by the holy Spirit, without all
doubt he had also the natural Light in his possession.
But by which of those powers he effected this, is not for us to know,
nor doth it behove us to know. But because few will believe that St.
_John_ wrought the same by natural means, and many not believing in
Nature and Art, will only say, that it could never be that Wood should
be transmuted into Gold, and Stones into Gemms. And although the
later should be in some sort credible, by reason of the alliance or
likeness between Stones and Gemms, nevertheless the former, by reason
of the great disagreement between Woods and Metals, inasmuch as they
belong to divers Kingdoms, they object, exceeds all Belief, and other
Objections of this sort, may be found among the Unskilful, by reason
of the external species of place. But such things are wont to move no
admiration in Philosophers, much less any doubt, seeing that they are
not ignorant how great familiarity there is of the Vegetable Kingdom
with the Mineral, both which have their Rise from the same Subjects,
_viz._ Salt and Fire, which their Anatomy doth clearly demonstrate. And
although this may exceed the Capacity of some, yet it doth not thence
follow that it is not true. If all things were to be spoken truly and
openly, I confess there would be found a very small number of those
who rightly understand Nature, seeing that almost all men who have but
frequented a School for some years, and obtained any thing of Latin,
whether they understand Nature, or are ignorant of her, will be taken
for Philosophers, traduce those Philosophers who are illuminated by
the light of Nature, with strange Cavillings and wicked Lyes, every
where setting forth themselves by their own ignorance. Therefore it
is no wonder that the Secrets of Nature should lie hid, and by the
ignorant and unskilful of this sort be all taken for Fables and foolish
Whimsies, which their Sheeps Brains cannot reach. But who is able
to cure this Evil? Perverse manners are to be left with a perverse
World. But that I may prove and demonstrate that it is not altogether
impossible for Art to transmute Wood into Gold, I will point out by
what means it may be done.
First, Then it is manifest before all things, that all Wood and every
Herb hath its original from a certain sulphureous salt, to which Metals
also owe their Rise and greatly agree in similitude, and by an intimate
agreement in the same name; so that how easily a Mineral suffereth it
self to be changed into a Vegetable, and that again into a Mineral, I
have signified in other places of my Writings. Indeed if you shall look
upon the external difference of any Wood or Herb, and a Metal, it will
indeed appear great; but being reduced to their first matter, they will
not differ in any discrimination; as is manifested in my _Continuation
of Miraculum Mundi_.
Therefore if the first matter of Vegetables be adjoined to any
metallick seed, this is nourished by that; and again, if a metal
be reduced to its first matter, and any Vegetable seed put to it,
that will be changed into a Vegetable; which Experience hath often
shewed me. But if those two had not a great affinity with each other,
they would not so easily admit of a mutual conversion one into the
other; the seeds indeed differ between themselves, but they agree in
the first matter, which appeareth thus: If a sulphureous salt, not
corrosive, be mixed with sand, and moistened with water, and the seeds
of divers Herbs sowed in it, for every seed doth thence attract its
own nourishment, every one, according to its species, producing its
like, endowed with various colours, smell, and proper taste, powers,
and virtues, all which proceed from one only salt, and are manifested
by the heat of the Sun, and the operation of the internal Archeus. But
to make the matter more clear, it is to be known that the principals
of Vegetables are Water, Salt, and Sulphur, from which also Metals
take their original, and not from running Mercury, as many think.
For that _Argent-vive_, in its own peculiar nature, is also a metal
arising from the same three principles, from which the other metals,
and all Vegetables draw their original; _viz._ from Water, Salt,
and Sulphur, which their Anatomy maketh manifest. Here the rout of
Unskilful men will take Counsel to resel this my opinion, inasmuch as
it will seem worthy of credit to few. But the cause of this incredulity
is the rudeness and unskilfulness of men of this sort, who having no
Experience in Natural things, nor in no wise enlightened by the Light
of Nature, are blinder than a Mole.
Those things which hitherto I have so often, and with so many words
inculcated, the same I here repeat and affirm, to wit, That a Metal
may be converted into a Vegetable, and that again into a Metal, and
that no Vegetable is found, from which a natural and yellow Sulphur, in
all things like to the Mineral, may not be prepared; and this Sulphur
prepared of any Vegetable, if it be adjoined to any fixed metallick
Sulphur, it is maturated by the same, into a metal, yet not without a
_medium_; as I have often indicated in my Writings, and that _medium_
I have said to be Salt. Therefore whosoever knoweth how to adjoin any
immature sulphur, whether Vegetable or Mineral, to any ripe Metal,
the fixed and constant sulphur of Gold and Silver, will be nourished
and encreased by the Vegetable or Mineral sulphur, not fixed, and
will transmute that into the species and property of the other, as
the Ferment shall be white or red, in like manner as the seed of any
Vegetable doth. So gold and silver may be made of a sulphureous salt,
according to any ones will, which nevertheless requires a due time,
seeing that a transmutation of this sort is perfected gradually, and by
a due heat, as also in the propagation of Vegetables & Minerals it is
wont to be done. From these things it appears, that this Transmutation
is the meer Work of Nature, which many Experiments which I have made,
and yet am able to make, do evidently demonstrate; therefore there is
no reason why such things should seem so wonderful or absurd to any.
Whether St. _John_ performed the Transmutation of which we have
spoken, by the help of any natural Art, or whether he did the same by
a Divine Power, we will not here dispute; but let it suffice to have
demonstrated that such things may be performed by a natural reason.
For when Wood, Bread, or piece of a Bone; or also any Herb shall be
adjoined to its own salt, in due manner of Art, and reduced to its
first matter, that salt transmuteth the Flower, Bread, Wood, or Herb
into a sulphureous salt, which encreaseth the growing faculty of
Vegetables and Minerals. A salt of this sort being mixed with a small
quantity of white Flint reduced to powder, and melted in a strong Fire,
will give a red and pellucid stone or glass, which if it be kept long
in the Fire, it turneth green, and at length black, like a Coal, and
acquireth so great hardness, that it may be cut and polished after the
manner of other precious stones. Here the desirous of Art may see, that
by one and the same way, and in one and the same time, that Gold may be
prepared of Wood, and fair and pellucid stones, of various colours, of
white Flints. But that the Eyes of the studious of Divine and Natural
things, may be the better opened, I will more clearly expound what the
first matter is.
Therefore, as to this first matter, of which we here speak, that of it
Metals no less than Vegetables may be brought forth, it is to be known
how easily it may be prepared by the help of Fire, and of a certain
Salt not corrosive, of Metals, Vegetables, and Animals, and indeed so
swiftly, that in the space of three hours a piece of Bread, Flesh,
or of any Metal, may be transmuted into a sulphureous salt. The same
thing also happeneth in the stomachs of Men and Beasts, in which the
Vegetables and Animals which are eaten, are consumed in the space of
24 hours, and transmuted into that sulphureous salt from which they
have drawn their Rise. But Metals being too fixed and compact, those
stomachs have no Jurisdiction over them, inasmuch as they are not able
to reduce them to their first matter, except the same were so reduced
before, and so should come into the stomach, opened by a radical
solution, and so are digested and consumed like Animals and Vegetables.
But what need is there of the help of humane stomachs to perform such
things, seeing that Operations of this sort may be perfected by the
help of Fire and Art. A moist putrefaction without the help of Fire,
performeth the same thing in Vegetables and Animals, in a long Process
of time; but in Metals very difficultly, and not except in a very
long time. Neither are humane Stomachs themselves alike potent, in
reducing every Vegetable to its first matter, inasmuch as they exercise
their power only upon those Vegetables which by a due Preparation are
first rendered fit to be digested and concocted by the stomach, and
reduced to their first matter. For first they are boiled, roasted, or
prepared by some other way, because those things which are admitted
into the Body, contrary to humane Nature, exercise nothing but venomous
Operations. By a like reason Metals and Minerals refuse to be brought
to their first matter in a humane Stomach, seeing that the stomach
cannot suffer them, as being averse to humane Nature, but ejects them
as a certain Venome, not without great peril of Life. Here I except
Gold, which Metal only, being first rightly prepared, doth not refuse
reduction into its first matter in the stomach of Man; nevertheless Art
doth it more easily and readily. He who knoweth not this Artificial
Reduction, must be content with the Natural, which nevertheless is not
desirable, by reason of the toil, stink, and length of time which it
requires. For which reason it is of less account than the artificial.
Some of the ancient Philosophers have indeed (not without reason) used
the Dungs of Animals, by reason of the incredible Virtues which they
possess. But because we have better and fitter Medicaments at hand,
not without reason we omit those, and leave them to them who labour
under the want of better; which happeneth to Country people, who being
remote from Cities and Medicines, are wont to use Dungs in various
Diseases instead of Medicines. They purge the Bodies of Boys and Girls
with Mouse-dung, Horse-dung, and Goose-dung, being dissolved in Wine
or Beer, and strained through a Linen Cloth, they use in curing the
Falling-sickness by Sweat. In the Cure of an _Erysipelas_, or _Burns_,
or _Scalds_, they use Hoggs-dung; and in all kind of _Swellings_
Sheeps-dung; in a _Quinsey_ white Doggs-turd, or Humane dung, as also
to other Diseases of the Neck, which the rude and ignorant are wont to
drink against various inward and outward defects of the humane Body.
I remember once to have seen an admirable Cure done in a moment by the
help of humane dung, in a certain, long, and tedious Disease, which
it plainly and swiftly removed, drawing those into admiration who
were ignorant of the reason of so swift a Cure. He that understandeth
the nature and properties of Dung, will easily perswade himself, that
wonderful things may be effected by the same. The reason is ready,
because humane Dung is nothing else but Bread and Flesh, reduced into
their first matter, all their Bonds being loosened, and rendered fit
for the exercising of their Virtues; and from humane Dung is elicited,
without any great difficulty, a natural Burning, and like to Mineral
Sulphur, of which being mixed with Coals and Salt-petre, Gunpowder
is wont to be made; as also a certain Salt, not much unlike the _Sal
Enixum_ of _Paracelsus_. And both those, to wit, that Sulphur, and
that Salt, the Humane dung containeth in it self; the which may put
forth their wonderful Virtues, by admirable Operations, I think may be
doubted by no man. Put a piece of Gold for a time into Humane dung, and
afterwards cleanse it by washing, you shall find it equally yellow, as
if it had lain in a Lixivium, in which common Mineral Sulphur had been
dissolved. And that yellowness adhering to the Gold [_or rather Silver,
for the better distinction_] is but the Vegitable or Animal Sulphur
arising from the Food which the Man hath eaten.
This I say is the cause that the Dungs of Men and Beasts produce
so great effects, which Bread and Flesh otherwise cannot produce,
before they are reduced into their first matter. Nevertheless, I do
not therefore admit them of value in Medicine, but only shew whence
they have their Virtues of resisting Diseases, that by this means I
may assert Vegitables, Animals, and Minerals do highly exercise their
Virtues, when they return to their first matter, not that it is at
all necessary to be done in the Stomachs of Animals, seeing that the
Operation of the fire alone serveth for this reduction.
In what manner soever this first matter be made, whether by the
Stomachs of Animals, or by the Operation of fire, there is no great
difference, only that which is made by fire is purer, and not so
stinking, as that which is done by the Stomachs of Animals, although in
gilding of Silver, they are found to be equal, and obtain a Sulphurous
nature. And hence it appears, that there lies hid in Bread, and in
Flesh, a fugacious and spiritual Gold. And for this reason I conclude,
that in all things of the World born of Salt, and brought to Maturity
by the heat of the Sun, there is necessarily reconded a fugacious
Volatile, and spiritual Gold, yet in greater quantity in one subject
than another, but not manifested till the body containing it, by the
help of art, returneth to its first matter.
The which Art, seeing that it is out of the reach of Rusticks, it is
but reasonable, that they should make use of Dungs, without any ill
interpretation. For in the greater, and more powerful Virtues to be
produced, Dungs are found more potent than those things from which they
proceed. Bread, Wine, Flesh, and the like things destinated for the
nourishment of the Body, are not Medicines, but only Nutriments, from
which, after an Animate Body hath separated its Aliment, that which is
left, obtaineth Medicinal Powers and Virtues; and did I not fear that
this dungy discourse should lead me too far from my purpose, I could
declare things to be admired of Dungs. For Metals also being prepared
but once by the help of Animals, may be wonderfully Converted, and
reduced to their first matter, although it is in no wise necessary
that we should take that way of doing it, seeing that an easier and
better way is at hand, than that by the help of Animals. But he that is
ignorant of this artificial Conversion, must be content with the other,
till the teachings of experience, shall bring him to better things.
That incredible Virtues are hidden in the Dungs of Animals,
_Paracelsus_ at some time declared, in the presence of some Noble-Men,
to some Unskilful Physicians, who being moved with anger, departed,
thinking themselves to be highly reproached by _Paracelsus_, because
they had asked of him some great Medicinal Secret, and he had set
before them Humane Dung. But without doubt, he would have shewed them
great Secrets hidden in such a matter, which exceeded their dull
Capacities, but not the incomparable Ingeny of _Paracelsus_, who
without doubt had revealed to them those Secrets which himself had
found, had they not gone away from him with wrath and Indignation.
In another place of his Writings, he saith in express words, that
he that knoweth not his own Dung, knoweth nothing at all, and is a
blind Ass, to whom nothing of Heaven and Earth is manifest; which
words do plainly prove _Paracelsus_ to have been able to perform many
things with Dung. But this I assert, that this my Transmutation, and
Conversion of things into their first matter, doth far excel that
which is done by Dungs, in as much as being endowed with a greater
efficacy, it appeareth not in the species of Dung, but of a Sulphureous
Salt, and may commodiously be used by all Men, and in all Diseases.
Its Virtues are not restrained to any particular Disease, but operate
generally, not only in all Humane Diseases, but also in all Infirmities
and Defects of Vegetables and Minerals, as I have shewed in other
places of my Writings. What I have here spoken of Dungs, I would not
have any think that I have done it to the end that I would have them
used in Medicine, but for this reason, that I might shew the great
difference between an Herb as brought forth by the Earth, and that
which being first digested, the Animal Stomach hath freed from its
Bonds, and reduced it to the operation of its hidden Virtues: The
which I have very clearly proved by the Dungs of Animals. Therefore
the expert and learned Physician, setting aside all Dungy Medicines,
may by the Spagyrick Art, reduce his Herbs to their first matter, that
is a Sulphurous Salt, and may perform by Salts of this sort, more and
greater things, than by the unprofitable, and destitute of all Virtue,
Barks, Shells, and empty Husks, which a multitude of Physicians are
accustomed to use at this day. I have thought fit to expose to the
light these few things, concerning the first matter of things, and
Dungs, which are not distinguished, by any great difference: But let us
return to the matter it self, and see how fairly the light of Nature
shineth from the Divine Light.
As God formed the first Man _Adam_ of the Earth, and breathed into
him a living Soul, and placed him in Paradise, and the Devil withdrew
him from God, and Precipitated him into Eternal Damnation, using the
Serpent as a Mediator: So also, Man who fell from his Creator, being
deceived by Satan, by the Divine Serpent and Mediator, to wit, Jesus
Christ, was again to be reconciled to God, which could no otherwise be
done, and God permitted it so to come to pass, who otherwise might have
bridled the Devil, so that he could not have seduc’d a Man, and also
could have kept Satan himself in his Angelical Estate, that he should
have had no hatred against God or Man. Now this Philosophick Elementary
Secret may be compared, in all points, to the Heavenly Mistery. For if
the Elementary Sun, in the separation made by God, in which he lifted
himself on high from the rude and formless Chaos, had not ejected his
earthly and corruptible Sulphur, and sent it down to the Abyss of the
Earth, the Rays of the Sun, when they now penetrate the Earth, would
not be hindered to Communicate with the Solar Progeny or Issue, so that
the Bowels of the Earth would produce nothing but Gold; and the other
Metals, _viz._ Iron, Lead, Tin, Copper, _&c._ should not be, which
nevertheless are brought forth impure owing their received impurity
to that impure, stinking, and earthly Sulphur, which is mixed with a
Metallick Body in the Bowels of the Earth.
But to help Metals infected with a Sulphur of this sort, that they
may become like to Gold, as the Son of the true Sun, it is necessary
that Sol should humble his Son, to wit Gold, and suffer him to put
on a Saline nature, whereby he may become the Medium of reducing
radically the imperfect Metals to perfection. Salt is the only
Medium of reconciling Gold to common Sulphur, and of making of it a
Tincture, changing the imperfect Metals into perfect, of which all the
Philosophers, whom few understand, have written so clearly.
Concerning this matter I have written very clearly in a Treatise, which
I lately published, describing a Saline Water, or _Aurum Potabile_,
which certainly containeth a great Mistery, although very many can
neither understand or believe it. For because it wholly tingeth
Mercury, it cannot be a solution of common Gold, because no Water,
nor no Liquor prepared of Corporal Gold it self, can give to Mercury
a constant Tincture. It may indeed be done that Gold dissolved, may
adhere to argent vive, or that to Gold, so that both may pass together
into a white Amalgama: But that such an Amalgama should become yellow
and hard, or the _Argent vive_ transmuted into Gold, will never happen,
although it should be digested or cocted an hundred years in such a
Golden solution. For the snowy whiteness of Mercury never suffereth
it self to be tinged or coloured by common Gold, but is obedient to
any tinging and coagulating Sulphur, concerning which in the Appendix
to the Continuation of _Miraculum Mundi_, more things are declared.
Let these few words be well examined, in which will be found a great
Mistery; to wit the whole Philosophick work it self, provided the
light of Nature shall a little shine. Nevertheless this is not so
efficacious, as that it can reveal such Misteries to a Man who wants
Venus to open his Eyes, with which he may behold the light of Nature.
For without God, there is no light, and without light, no life, no
Understanding nor Wisdom; Obscurity is Death, and Death Eternal
Destruction.
Salt speaketh thus of it self; _I am fire and life, and no Combustible
Sulphur can be made Gold, except I be the Mediator_. Salt is the only
Medium between Combustible and Corrupt Sulphur, or the imperfect
Metals, and Gold. The pernicious Sulphur or Satan, which lieth hid
in lean Death, is first to be vanquished and overcome in Hell, then
arising a Glorified Body, it occupieth its Royal Throne, and Converteth
the Diseasie Metals into Gold.
But to delay the Reader, burning with a desire of Divine and Humane
Mysteries, no longer, I will describe the whole Operation in a
Philosophick manner, briefly, clearly, and truly, as I have oftentimes
done it with my hands, but never yet, by reason of various Obstacles
have brought it to a due perfection.
To the common Salt of the Earth well cleansed, adjoin a Terrestrial
Sulphur in a due weight, the injected Rays of the Sun being first
received by the Salt; the Salt and Sulphur will fight in Hell so long,
until the Salt overcometh the Devil and Death, and ariseth a Glorified
Body, by which its sick Brethren are to be Cured, or Converted into
Gold.
This is the whole Operation, in which nothing is omitted, but the
weight, and the name of Satan or Death. But the name of the Salt I have
already manifested, and nothing here remains, but that I should express
the name of Satan and Death, which for the Glory of God and Profit of
my Neighbour, I will not conceal.
The Death and Devil of all Metals, is that Combustible Sulphur, which
having its seat in all things, is equally in Vegitables, Animals, and
Minerals. Conjoin Salt and burning Sulphur, and cause them to fight
until the life (that is Salt) shall overcome and swallow up the burning
Sulphur, which is Death, and from both will proceed a Glorified Body,
like a fair Ruby, or pellucid and red Carbuncle, by which the Diseases
of Men and Metals may be cured. In this manner of operating, delivered
in few words, lieth hid a mistery of great moment, which one of a
thousand will scarce understand, and by reason of the vileness of the
matter, it will be to many offensive, and contemptible. But we will
have no regard to Fools, blinded with their own folly and madness, who
seek good where it is not to be found, and neither do nor will know it
when put before their eyes. If after a Sophistical manner I should have
proposed some Chymical Operation with a long and tedious Circumstance
of words, I make no doubt, but the blind World would more readily have
received it, than a short and compendious way of operating of this
sort: Whence _Sendivogius_, and other true Philosophers, have not said
without cause, that if the true manner of Operating should be revealed
to any man, nevertheless, by reason of the vileness of the matter, it
would not be believed. For this reason, some will object; I pray what
good is like to be in so vile and abject a thing as Salt? And when was
Sulphur wont to be made Gold? Hence also, they neither will nor can
believe the truth.
But that I may clearly prove, that there are Secrets hidden in Salt
and Sulphur, it behoveth, that I manifest those things more largely.
Salt is the Symbole of Eternity, seeing that it is not diminished nor
altered, neither by Fire, Air, Water, or Earth, but preserveth all
things for a longtime from Corruption. It is a thing well known, and
conversant in the sight of all the World, and is a help to all other
things, yet wants not the help of any thing. Burning Sulphur is the
Symbole of Death, and the true Infernal Devil, which no Element, nor
any other thing (one Salt excepted) is able to vanquish and overcome.
For although Sulphur not yet freed from its Bonds, being surely kept
in its Prison should suffer it self for many years to be tortured by
the fire, yet would it not receive any sensible mutation, nor any loss
of weight, provided there be no open passage for its Exit. By the like
reason, if it should abide an hundred years, in the Air or Water, yet
it would in no wise putrifie. Salt only overcometh it, and changeth it
into a Carbuncle; I say into a Carbuncle, so called, because shining
with a pellucid redness, it sheweth like a burning Coal, and for its
excellency may be accounted among Precious Stones. It is found by few,
but they who have it in possession, hide it, nor do they expose it
to Sale like Diamonds, or other Gemms. It is not digged out of rough
Mountains, as others, but is sought by Prayers to God, and acquired by
the Labour of the Hands.
But why do I say so much? Seeing that I have already exceeded my due
limits, yet I know, that what I have said will exceed the capacity and
understanding of the Impious. But that no man should doubt, that salt
and sulphur are most noble Creatures, although very lightly esteemed, I
will prove that salt is the _beginning and end of all things_. In the
Creation of the World salt was first made, from which afterwards the
four Elements proceeded, so that by the Philosophers salt is called
_The Center of the Elements concentrated_; and by the same reason,
by which it was the first, it still is, and remaineth the last. All
things arise from salt, and after they are destroyed by death, do again
return into the same. _Et sal thesauros grandes & possidet ignis._
_In Salt and Fire are contained great Treasures._ Salt is Fire, and
Fire is Salt, and they contain in themselves a third thing, to wit,
an hidden Spirit. When the most Omnipotent Creator had pronounced the
word _Fiat_, and had created salt, the _Chaos_ was afterwards parted
or divided into four portions, and divers seats or places assigned
to each, and also each had its Name given to it; which being done,
the Elements took their beginning, instituting in themselves mutual
actions, and ordaining their generations. The most pure and subtile
part became the Firmament, and gave the Sun, Moon, and Stars the more
gross and heavy, joined together into a mass of Earth, and like fæces
or dreggs, occupied the lowest place. The watery and airy Portions
encompass the Terrene Globe.
Now when the superiour or fiery part, with the Stars operate and
immit their powers upon the lower part or Sea, the Water is rendered
pregnant, or as it were with young, and generateth Salt without
intermission. But lest this continual generation of Salt, effected by
the operation of Fire, should be produced in the Sea or Water only, and
the rest of the Elements should be idle, God hath also given to each
of these its proper Gift, _viz._ to the Air, that it should receive
the seed sent from the Stars, and communicate it to the Water; to the
Water, that it should distribute the received seed through the passages
and clefts of the Earth, that so by this reason Minerals and Metals of
every kind might as well be produced within the earth, as all kinds of
Herbs, Fruits, and Trees, without it in the superficies, serving for
the nutriment, encrease and multiplication of Animals. This thing is
witnessed by daily Experience; for if the Sea should not disperse its
salt through the earth, so many excellent Minerals could in no wise
exist in its bowels, neither in its superficies could not so many and
so great Trees nor so various and manifold Herbs, and such divers sorts
of Grass, be brought forth. For as much Salt as Vegetables draw to the
external superficies, and Minerals to the inward bowels, so much the
Sea or Salt-water restoreth to them, so that the Earth may never labour
under a want of its salt, of which the Indigent are to be rendered
partakers. For if the Sea should not provide for the Globe of the Earth
a continual nourishment, the Earth it self being destitute of the same,
would not be able to afford a due aliment and encrease to other things.
For a Chest which is continually exhausted by taking out, and nothing
put in, at length being empty, retaineth nothing. But because the
wise Providence of God hath appointed that the Terene Globe, without
intermition, should be fertile in bringing forth good Fruit for the
nourishment of Mankind, necessity requireth that a perpetual aliment
should be afforded to the Earth, from the Sea, for which end the Stars
never cease in animating the Air and Water with their influences, that
the Elements, by mutual helps, might succour one another, and no stop
or hinderance should be put to the course of Nature. For if one Element
only rest, and cease to perform its office, the other would also cease
from working, and fall into such a Rest.
Except the Stars should generate Salt, and the Water receiving it,
should disperse it through the Earth, by what means should it come to
pass, that any thing should be brought forth, grow, and encrease? The
whole Orb of the Earth would at length grow dry, and perish, which
nevertheless by the perpetual access of salt, never intermitteth, but
is encreased and sustained.
There is no Stone which can want Salt, which argueth Salt to be its
beginning and nourishment, and that those Mountains, in which is a
great quantity of a saline nutriment, do grow and encrease thereby,
as receiving it in a plentiful manner from the nearest sea. This is
no where more easily to be found, than in those places in which the
Mountainous Coasts are very fertile and fruitful in Metals, for the
acquiring of which the Rocks are to be digged through with holes in
height or depth, affording a commodious going in and out. But when in
places of this sort all the Metals are dug out, or the metallick Veins
are broken off (& lost) from the transverse Walls, or sides, or also
from the sliding or dropping Waters, they are rendered unprofitable;
and for that reason such a Mountain is to be deserted; nevertheless it
doth not cease to grow, and indeed as well the Stones as the Metals,
having their seat in it. Whence it is wont to happen, that those
holes or passages abovementioned, through which one might have walked
upright, in a long process of time, do so grow together, and become so
little and strait, that he who desires to go into the most intimate
Penetrals, must stoop even to the ground. This is to be understood of
such sorts of Stones as abound with salt, for places not passable by
salt, are found to be fit neither for the generation of Stones, or of
other things, as also those which refuse to admit Water: For Water is
the Vehicle which carrieth Salt through the whole Globe of the Earth,
and by it disperseth its nourishment, as the Air is the Receptacle of
the Astral seed, of which the Water is to be rendered a partaker.
Those things which I here write, altho’ they may seem to be vile,
and of small moment, nevertheless they are most true, and cannot be
rendered more clearly and truly by any man. And altho’ the same might
be proposed by a more prolix description, yet there is no need of that
prolixity, when all things may be delivered more compendiously.
Nevertheless, that I may as yet confirm by a clearer demonstration,
that the Life of the whole World is Salt, and that of it all things
take their original, I will bring for witness the Universal Opinion
of all the Philosophers unanimously asserting, That all things being
reduced into their first matter, return into salt; from which Saying
it followeth, that they have taken their beginning from Salt; and this
Argument can be refelled by no man.
Now some man may say, How shall I be sure of this? or, By what
reason may all things be reduced to their first matter? To obtain
the knowledge of those Labours and Operations, it behoveth thee
by experience to go to clear Philosophers and Chymists, because I
intend not at the present to treat of operations of this kind. Every
Countryman taketh notice of the Work of Nature, who seeth daily, that
every Herb, every Wood, every Man, and every Animal, after that
it hath attained its end by Death, passeth by putrefaction into a
sulphureous salt, hidden indeed in a putrefied Dung, but unknown to
him, although with the same he dungeth his poor and barren Land wanting
salt, and rendereth it fat and fertile. As long as the Herb, Wood,
and Animal enjoyeth its own vital Air, it doth not dismiss its salt
by which it is preserved, but superfluous fæces. But as soon as death
hath taken away the vital Air, and dissolved the _Vinculum_ or Bond,
the rest of the parts can no longer subsist, every one going out to
that place whence it proceeded. Rain dissolveth the salt, and by all
Rivers carrieth it back to its Mother the Ocean, from whence it had
come forth; the Spirit is attracted by the stars; the earthy matter
remaineth in the Earth, to which it oweth its Rise. For the Fruits of
the Earth do not obtain this universal nourishment from the Sea, by
right of Inheritance, but they take it only as a profitable Aliment,
given them to enjoy as long as they live; after death, the universal
Mother, to wit, the Sea, taketh it back, and bestoweth it upon others
which she hath accommodated to it. If thou hast a mind to make trial of
this thing by another way, burn any Herb, Wood, Stone, or Animal in the
Fire, for so whatsoever is spiritual flieth into the air, and the salt
will remain in the ashes, to be extracted with water, and separated
from the dead earth. Salt therefore in all things is _the beginning and
the end_, and most worthy, which is accurately to be noted, inasmuch as
it is that which containeth great mysteries and secrets.
He that is ignorant of these things, deserveth not to be called a
Philosopher, but rather a proud Ass, knowing and maintaining nothing
but slanders and calumnies, with which, to conceal his own ignorance,
he cavilleth at the Truth, and bringeth it into contempt. The Ancients
were not ignorant of the excellent Virtues hidden in salt, so that many
of the Philosophers have thought that something Divine was hidden in
salt, and therefore they have expresly written, that the knowledge of
God can be drawn from nothing more clearly than from Fire and Salt.
Therefore they at all times adjoined to their Sacrifices and Altars
Fire and Salt, as Symbols of God and Immortality. They were afraid
to touch any Fire or any Salt with unwashen hands, lest they should
draw the Divine Wrath upon themselves, if they should defile those
most noble Creatures with impure hands: They swore by Salt and Fire,
not using any greater Oath; and in any matter to be searched out by
a diligent examination, they proposed to the interrogated Salt and
Bread, that so he should witness the truth; whence perhaps came that
Proverb, _Salem & Mensam, non violabis_. Our Saviour Christ is called
The _Salt of Wisdom_. In holy Baptism, the Priest putting a little
Salt to the mouth of the Infant, is wont to add these words, _Receive
the Salt of Wisdom_; which custom, with the burning of Wax-Candles,
alwaies adjoined in Baptism, that Christ might be remembred to be the
light of the world, is now in many places abrogated by Innovations;
so that it is to be feared, if the world should continue long, the
matter would come to that pass, that it would also be prohibited to
name the very Name of Christ. For truly it is already come to that
boldness, as to prohibit the Celebration of our Saviour’s Nativity,
under the injunction of a certain penalty. O the miserable condition of
_Christendom_ at this day!
Christ himself calleth his Disciples _the Light of the World_, and _the
Salt of the Earth_, _Luk._ 19. 9. Salt and Water, by Faith and Baptism
unite God and Man: so also fixed Gold and combustible sulphur are
copulated by the help of salt and water, which thing, although it may
seem impossible, nevertheless it is very well known to true Chymists;
for when they are minded to separate melted Gold and Silver, they are
wont to inject a little sulphur, which interceding between both, like a
Partition wall, disjoineth the gold and silver, by reason of the enmity
which it hath with the gold, disagreeing with the sulphur by so great
an antipathy, that it can at no time suffer it. Nevertheless salt and
water take away this Enmity, reducing both into favour with each other,
no otherwise than Christ, the Salt of Wisdom, and the Divine Light, as
a Mediator, reconciled the filthy sinner to God.
Christ saith in certain places, _salt is good_, or _it is a good
thing_: When the Earth wanteth salt, being dead, it bringeth forth no
Fruit; the same is Dung, when destitute of salt.
Here I have the eternal Truth Himself my Witness, reproving my impious
_Farnnerian_ Enemies, who endeavour to refel my _Miraculum Mundi_ with
their false Calumnies and Cavils. In which Book I have demonstrated by
most manifest Arguments, that the Earth is rendered fat and fertile,
not by Dung, but the Salt which is in it. These Calumniators being
convicted by the true testimony of this witness of their shameful Lyes,
must without doubt bridle their venomous Tongues, and for time to come,
cease to tear me with their savage Teeth. _The Truth may indeed be
pressed, but never quite born down_; for GOD at length will bring it to
light, although for some time it may be pressed and perplexed by Satan
the Father of Lyes, and its capital enemy.
In another place Christ saith, _None is good but God_. Also in another
place, _Salt is good_. This is truly a most efficacious testimony, and
famous praise, by which Salt is extolled.
Salt is also taken for Understanding and Wisdom, and for that reason
a rude and ignorant man is called dull and insipid, and in the same
sence a speech is said to be unsavory or witless, as if having nothing
of salt, it were unhandsome and stupid; whence the vulgar Proverbs
are wont to say, How heavy and insipid is this man? How dully and
unsavourily doth he speak? Also that usual saying, _That which
relisheth, nourisheth_; and so on the contrary, where there is no
savour, there is also no nourishment. There is nothing can be brought
forth in the nature of things, without the _medium_ of salt; yea, Man
himself is not born without the Sun, Man, and Salt. Therefore a certain
Philosopher saith very appositely, _The vigour of salt is fiery, and of
a Celestial Original_. The sun and salt are the Parents of all things,
which procreate all things, and without which nothing is procreated;
Bread and Flesh, which are seasoned with salt, afford more Virtues than
all other Foods which are not salted. Salt being added to Wine in its
fermentation, rendereth it stronger and sweeter.
NB. That nevertheless the salt here spoken of ought not to be common
and vulgar salt, which doth not give a good relish to Wine. Empty
Hogsheads may indeed be purged by common salt dissolved in warm water,
so that every ill taste or smell may be drawn out, and the wine
preserved in its vigour. Moreover salt exceedeth wine in corroborating
the heart of Man, and is therefore in many things to be preferred
before it. And he that knoweth how to conjoin true salt with wine, and
in the same to dissolve the Sun of the earth, (which is Gold) may from
it extract a Royal Medicine, as is shewn in other places of my Writings.
For any man of understanding may easily see, that if the noble
virtues of these three things Corroborating the heart, to wit, Gold,
Wine, and Salt shall be joined together, what a noble Medicine will
proceed from such a Conjunction. _Paracelsus_ hath not without reason
determined with the Philosophers, that no true _Aurum Potabile_, can
be prepared without Salt. If there were no Salt in the Earth, neither
Herbs, nor Grass would be brought forth for the food of Animals, nor
the life of Man sustained. All Animals also do therefore desire the
Salt of fruitfulness, concerning which, you shall find more, in the
description of my Green Liquor. The Combination of Gold and true Salt,
restoreth decaying seeds to their pristine fruitfulness, and also
restoreth to half dead and barren Trees, their faded greenness, if
that Medicine be applied to their Roots. On the contrary, common salt
before preparation, is hurtful to Vegetables, and killeth them by its
Corosion, but after preparation it exceedeth dung in fatening them:
Nevertheless, there are some Vegetables, which are able to bear the
Corosive power of salt, _viz._ those which grow spontaneously upon the
Sea shore, as the Herb _Kaly_, of which the Ancients prepared their
_Sal Alkali_; for being burnt it leaveth a very sharp salt. Also all
those Fruits which are of a sowre, or bitter Taste, or have sowre, or
bitter Rinds, do equally bear the Corrosion of salt, as Olives, Limons,
Oranges, Lentisk, and the Palm, which also rejoiceth in common salt; as
on the contrary, the Vine, Grain, and Fruit-Trees are delighted with
the sweeter Sun; concerning which, more hereafter.
I remember to have read, that in the Island _Sardinia_, near the City
_Catar_, so great a quantity of salt hath been digged up, that it was
given to the Inhabitants for their necessary uses, for nothing, and
the rest was sold to Foreign Sailors and Merchants to be Exported. And
the Countreymen so abounding with salt, gave it so largely to their
Cattel, that they wonderfully abounded in Milk, whence they made most
excellent Cheese, which was sold all _Europe_ over, but whether it
be that which we call _Parmasan_, I know not. But it appears, that
so great a plenty of Milk and Cheese proceeded from salt only, which
is also very agreeable to the Truth. The same Author (whose Name is
_Bernbardus Comesius_) also taketh notice, that in the _West-Indies_
there is a City standing in a sandy and barren place, abounding with a
great multitude of Fishes, which are there taken. And the Inhabitants
cast the Heads of the Fishes into a pit, or hole in the Earth,
sprinkling them well with salt, and after a certain time taking them
out, they plant or sow in every Head, a Corn of some Grain, and cast
the same into the sandy Earth, and those Grains growing, do again bring
forth an hundred fold. That this might be so done, is not dissonant to
the truth, seeing that the Heads of the Fishes preserve the salt in
the Earth, that it cannot be washed away with the Rain, nor the Grain
be deprived of its Alimentary Juice. But such ways of sowing Grain,
are tedious and laborious. I have a far other preparation of salt,
which without much cost and labour, rendereth a great quantity of it
fit to make sandy ground fruitful, and yet is not washed away by the
Rain, salt is to be rendered sulphureous, that it may generally and
universally nourish.
N.B. Here some may say, if a sulphurous salt be the effecter of
Fertility, how is it that the _Mare Mortuum_, or dead Sea of _Sodom_,
abounding with sulphur and salt, doth neither bring forth Fish, nor
contribute any thing to fruitfulness? I Answer, because the said Sea
is full of bitter and Vitriolate Minerals, which by their Venom are
hurtful to all Fish, and Vegetables, and also Fishes themselves cannot
live in Waters which are too salt, which is to be observed. For every
thing that is too much, is turned into a Vice. But what Fertility salt
imparteth to natural things, may be learned by Fish, many thousands of
small Fishes at once, proceeding from the Spawn of one Fish, which is
not granted to Birds and Animals. It was not in vain that God would
have King _Pharaoh_ Dream first of seven fat Kine, and afterwards
of other seven lean ones, descending from the Earth into the Sea,
thereby signifying fruitfulness to draw its Original from the Sea.
_Joseph_ being illuminated by God, both by Divine and Natural light,
understood this, and interpreted the Dream: To wit, that it was in
the power of salt. Salt is insignized with the Title of the Fountain
of Philosophers. _Hesiod_, _Homer_, _Plato_, _Pythagoras_, and other
Philosophers, deliver that of all things, salt is most affine or near
to God. I assert, that by the help of salt, many become the chosen Sons
of God. If the Earth should want salt, there would not thence proceed
any fruits affording necessary Aliment for Men, whence Mankind would
perish, not being able to draw its Nourishment and Multiplication from
the Air, but is constrained to take it from the Earth. Salt becometh
Milk, Honey, Sugar, Wine, Bread, Flesh, and passeth into all those
things which we want. Salt is all in all things, the beginning and the
end of all things which God hath created.
But some man may here ask; whether therefore do all things arise from
salt? Whether it be necessary that salt in the seeds of Herbs, should
be changed into Herbs, in the seeds of Animals, into Animals, and
in the seed of Metals, into Metals? Whether such degrees may not be
sooner passed by the quicker progress of Art, correcting the more slow
advance of nature? I answer; yea, it may be done, it is possible for
Art to bring salt to its highest perfection, by a far more compendious
way, than nature can. But by what way that may be done, is not proper
to shew in this place. This I would have you to know, that wonderful
Generations do arise from the Sun or Fire, united with salt, which
otherwise would not appear. For Example, in the Months of _June_,
_July_, and _August_, fill a wooden vessel with common water, and
expose it to the Rays of the Sun, that it may night and day receive
the Astral Influences, and be dried up, being dried up fill it again
with more water, and so keep the Vessel always full, in which at
length, from the salt contained in the water, there will be brought
forth Vermin of all sorts without any seed; such as is accustomed to be
brought forth in other putrid Waters, as Frogs, Toads, and Serpents.
NB. That the Vessel must be made of Wood, not of Metal, least the
water should suck in a Vitriolate Juice which is adverse to the life
of Animals: Also beware that nothing of Iron or Copper fall into the
Vessel, and corrupt the Operation. Or fill the same Vessel with sand,
and moisten it with water, then subject it to the Sun beams, and when
it is dry, moisten it again, repeating the Humectations, and by this
Operation you shall see various and unknown Herbs to come forth and be
produced, without any seed, as is manifest from other places of my
Writings.
Gold the most constant of all Metallick Bodies, and as it were
invincible, feareth not the violent assaults of any other Element, and
subsisteth in the fire it self with so great constancy, as not to lose
any thing of its weight, although for many years it should be kept
in a continual torture of Fire. Nevertheless, salt draweth from it
its Anima, and taketh away that fair red colour, and that constancy,
whereby it was wont to resist the fire, so that it obtaineth the
colour of Lead, and the brittleness and fugacity of Antimony. A thing
exceeding the credit and belief of the unskilful, although experience
it self witnesseth it to be true. Hence it appeareth, that there is a
greater power in Salt than in all the Elements and Elementary things,
and therefore we deem it to be justly called the Center of the Elements
concentrated. Gold eludeth the most potent and subtil powers of the
fire, which nothing can resist, and yet is overcome by Salt, which by a
stupendious Miracle of Art, attracteth its most Noble Part, _viz._ its
Anima being separated from its more gross and earthy parts. How noble
a thing the Anima of Gold is, any Man may easily imagine, and without
doubt may see, that it hath the chief place in Medicine. This is like
to what _Sendivogius_ hath written concerning his _Chalybs_ spoiling
Gold of its Anima, but although such an extraction hath divers times
succeeded to me according to my wish, that the Anima being extracted,
the body of the Gold hath been left brittle, fugacious, and black;
yet I confess, that the same Operation hath not always answered my
desire; as if God would not permit such a secret to be commonly known.
Therefore I am well content with lesser things, and have shewed these
things only to the end that I might manifest the Powers of Salt, and
teach them to others: Nevertheless, I would not have any Man perswade
himself, that this Royal Medicine may be extorted from Gold, by the
help of common Culinary salt; for to this matter another Salt is
required, to be prepared by Fire and Art. But of this Artificial
Concentration of Gold, the fourth part of _the Prosperity of_ Germany,
which God willing, shall shortly be published, will shew more at large.
More indeed might be said concerning Salt, which we leave for another
time and place, seeing that those things which have hitherto been
spoken, seem to me to be sufficient.
Therefore I conclude, and affirm Salt to be a help to all things, and
on the contrary, to want the help of nothing.
Here some Man may ask me and say, Of what Salt dost thou speak, for
there are many sorts of Salt? I speak of the Universal Salt, known
to all Men, which is boiled up from Sea water, or Salt Springs, or
digged out of Pits in Mountains or other places, and put to common and
familiar uses. This known Salt, I here call (and not injuriously) the
Universal Treasure, and general Riches: For it administreth Nourishment
to the whole World, that not only the Beasts of the Earth, Fishes in
the Waters, and Birds in the Air, but also all Metals in the Bowels
of the Earth may subsist for the use of Man, to say nothing of the
great and Universal Medicine, which may be obtained by its benefit.
Of right therefore it meriteth the Title of the Universal Treasure of
the World, seeing that nothing can be found, which doth not owe its
Original to Salt. But that one salt is purer, better, and more precious
than another, I do not deny, that the Original and beginning of all
salts, is one and the same, and that their difference happeneth only
from Accidents. For so long as salt is pure, and mixed with nothing,
as it is made by the Sun in the water, it is one and the same, and
possesseth one and the same Taste, and the same Virtues: But as soon
as it is mixed with other things, or changed by the fire, its first
nature being laid aside, it becometh either better or worse. This is
taught by Wood and Stones, reduced by the fire into Coals or Ashes, in
which part of the salt flieth away with the smoak, the rest remaineth
in the Ashes, shewing a far other nature from that which it had before
it was destroyed by the violence of fire. Indeed, by the Operation
of the fire, all salts obtain a fiery and sulphureous nature, and
therefore necessarily assume another Property, which being well known
needs no dispute. The most known, most simple and void of all mixture
is that salt which is elicited from Sea-water, or salt Fountains, or
Mountainous Caverns. Vitriol and Alum, are indeed also salts, but
infected with an Earthy and Mineral Property, and therefore unworthy of
the name of simple salts.
Salt-peter is also numbred among salt, but it cannot be said to be a
simple salt, such as the Sun operateth. For it is either digged out of
the Earth, being generated of the Urine of Men and Beasts, and elicited
by water, and by decoction shooteth into Christals, and separateth
from other Salts; or it is taken from the Mortar of old walls made
with Lime, or it is taken out of Mountains and Limy or Chalky Hills,
by the help of water; or it is made by Art of common Salt, Wood, or
Lime-stones. But which way soever it cometh, it is of one and the same
nature, and burneth with a flame, as my Treatise of _the Prosperity of_
Germany, describeth more at large. Salts extracted from the Ashes of
burnt wood, do again possess another nature and other Properties, and
are called by the Name of Alkalies. Also there is another Salt prepared
from Urine, common salt, Soot, and Bulls blood, known by the Name of
Sal Armoniack, and is used instead of another Sal Armoniack, which was
digged up in certain Mountains, and brought to us, which now ceaseth to
come.
These are the most noted salts, and serve for very many uses, as Sea
salt, Fountain salt, Mountain salt, which is also called Sal Gem, which
are used in the Kitchin for seasoning of food, for the salting of Flesh
and Fish to preserve them some time from Corruption. The use of Vitriol
is chiefly in Dye-houses, for dying Silks and Cloth black, as also in
Apothecaries shops, where it serveth for the preparing of Medicines:
Concerning these things, see more in the first part of my Furnaces.
Alum is profitable for Dyers, Physicians, and other Artificers. Of
Salt-petre is made that devilish thing call’d Gun-powder. Besides this
it is profitable for the making of many excellent Medicines, and for
the Chymical Emendation of Metals, and the inventing and utility of
many Mechanical Arts, as appears by the second part of my Chymical
Furnaces, and the second part of my _Pharmacopœia Spagyrica_, also
_Miraculum Mundi_, its Defence, and Continuation, as also the four
parts of _the Prosperity of_ Germany.
Of fixed salts, those which Wood Ashes afford, have their use in
Medicine and Alchymy, but they are more frequently used in Dying of
Cloth, and making Soap. Sal Armoniack is used in Medicine, Alchymy,
and other Arts, but all those salts are so well known, that we shall
supersede any farther Declaration of them. Those therefore which we
have here mentioned, are Salts, which hitherto, by a long Progress of
time, and continual experience, have made manifest their own Virtues
and Powers. Among those, the Culinary or Kitchin-salt is most eminent
in nobleness, excellency and necessity, inasmuch as it is that from
which all the rest do arise, as also by the help of Art may be made, as
my Writings every where teach; and is the _Basis_ of all other Salts,
whether known or unknown; which thing is most true, and will alwaies
remain to be true: For by a very easie business, by fire and the
addition of any metallick sulphur, it is turned into Alum or Vitriol;
by the help of Sulphur, Fire and Air into a burning Salt-petre; and
by the help of a certain peculiar strong fire, it passeth into an
alkalisate salt, and being deprived of its sharpness, becometh very
profitable for the dunging and fattening of Fields, and sandy and
barren Land.
Moreover, the common Kitchin-salt suffereth it self to be purged
and cleansed by its own spirit, and by that purgation and cleansing
acquireth a clearer and whiter colour, pleasanter taste, and more
excellent powers and virtues for the seasoning of Food, and salting of
Flesh and Fish, for it becomes sweet, clear, and pellucid like Crystal,
and shooteth into square Crystals like Dice, reduced into Figures so
perfect, that they cannot be more perfectly formed by any Instrument.
Hence no man will deny, but that such a cleansed salt is more
conducible to health than that which is gross and impure.
I admire at our supine negligence, who are so little sollicitous about
our own health. We daily see with our eyes, that no man can want the
use of salt, that it is subservient to the health of man, and also
necessary for Cattel. And if when gross, as it comes from the pans,
and as yet loaded with many fæces, it doth much good; without doubt it
would do much more, if it were cleansed and prepared by an artificial
preparation. It is the interest of great men (if not of others) who
have the government of many Subjects, to preserve a firm health of
Body, and to cause such salt to be prepared for the use of their
Tables. The Cost required for the doing this is small, by which the
salt is made so sweet, that by its pleasantness it will invite every
one to covet it. It doth not provoke thirst after the manner of common
salt, inasmuch as it wanteth those earthy fæces which yet adhere to
common salt, but quencheth it, allayeth hunger corroborateth the heart,
as also the stomach, brain, and all the members of the body, admitteth
no putrefaction in the body, preserveth it against all Diseases, and
excelleth with wonderful Virtues, to which that gross salt is in no
wise to be compared. Truly it is a great Treasure and high Gift of God,
by which Mankind is sustained, nourished, corroborated, and encreased,
for which great thanks are to be given to God.
Besides the commemorated Purgation of salt, inversion and commutation
of common Salt into Alum, Vitriol, Salt-petre, Alkalies, and the like
salts mentioned in my Writings, there is yet a more secret purgation
and emendation of the same common salt, exalting it into a more noble
and far more excellent state, concerning which I do not remember that I
have read any thing in any Author, except in _Paracelsus_, who maketh
mention of it in few words, in the Chapter of the Virtues of common
salt, saying, The Virtues of Salt consist in its preparation; crude
salt only doth this, that it preserveth the goodness of Flesh and
Fish. But if it shall become a _Sal Enixum_, it keepeth all things
in their state, safe and sound, for an incredible space of time, it
turneth Wood into Stone, as also dust and sand; the Leaves of Trees
remain green in it; whatsoever is besprinkled with this salt, refuseth
all mutation. It preserveth like a Balsam, and effecteth more, because
in process of time it coagulateth all things.
These are the words of that incomparable Physician and Philosopher,
concerning his _Sal Enixum_, but what this name signifies I know not,
but I call it _Sal Mirabile_. He attributeth this to it, that it is
able to preserve all things safe and sound for an incredible space of
time: Nor doth he erre from the Truth, for he that can prepare such a
salt, may not only perform that, but also much more.
The manner of preparing it is well known to me, because I have often
made it, and found in it things incredible: Whether my preparation
agrees with the preparation of _Paracelsus_ or not, nevertheless all
things which _Paracelsus_ ascribeth to his _Sal Enixum_, and far more,
I do in no wise doubt to attribute to my _Sal Mirabile_; neither is
it any matter to me or others, whether I use or not use the same
preparation that _Paracelsus_ did, provided my salt performeth the
same things which I affirm it can perform. Also I would not give the
same name to my salt, which _Paracelsus_ did to his, lest Calumniators
and Cavillers should, out of envy and hatred, take occasion thence of
calumniating me, and saying, That my Salt is not the _Sal Enixum_ of
_Paracelsus_, which hath already happened to me, when I gave the name
_Alkahest_ to my Universal _Menstruum_: For the proud Sophisters and
ignorant haters of me, in their debauched Cups, have taken occasion to
cry out against me with loud vociferations, saying, _The Alkahest of
=Glauber= is not the Liquor Alkahest of =Paracelsus= and =Helmont=_;
when nevertheless mine exceedeth the Liquor of _Paracelsus_ and
_Helmont_ by many degrees. For mine is at hand, and to be seen, by
help of which I prepare my _Aurum Potabile_, tinging Mercury into pure
Gold. That _Liquor_ of _Paracelsus_ and _Helmont_ is plainly invisible,
and can be prepared or procured by none: _A small Bird in the hand, is
better than many thousands of great birds that flie in the Air, & can
neither be seen nor taken_. And this is the reason why I would not call
my Salt by the same name, because I would not afford my haters, the
wonderful Brethren of Ignorance, new matter of flouting, scoffing, and
defaming me; although I well know, that my _Sal Mirabile_ doth not in
the least come behind the _Sal Enixum_ of _Paracelsus_ in Virtue, and
perhaps also much to exceed it; which in the following Narration I have
determined to make manifest.
As _Paracelsus_ delivereth, that his _Sal Enixum_ defendeth all things
which are put into it from Corruption, for an incredible space of time,
and at length, by an admirable Metamorphosis, transmuteth them into
stone; my _Sal Mirabile_ doth not only perform that, but effecteth ten
times more.
But before I enter upon the description of the Virtues lying hid in my
_Sal Mirabile_, I think it necessary to indicate, That Salts of this
sort do every where occur in the Earth, and being dissolved by Water,
are carried to the superficies, and such Fountains are enumerated by
_Gerogius Agricola_, shewing in what places they may be found, and that
all things put into them are in a short time converted into a stony
matter; which other Writers also testifie, and especially _Celsus_ in
his Book _De rebus metallicis_. Nor is there any reason why any man
should doubt it, seeing that Fountains of this sort offer themselves
in our _Germany_, although few judge them to be of any moment. There
is such a one in a certain place of _Helvetia_, which in a certain
space of time converteth all Wood cast into it wholly into Stone. And
the Inhabitants of that place do very often make trial of the thing
by Experiments, by cutting some Wood, and reducing it to the figure
of a Whetstone, and putting it into the water of the said Fountain,
in which, being converted into a stone, they afterwards use for the
whetting of Sythes, and other the like Instruments. I my self have seen
whetstones of this sort, and had them in my hands, from the figure of
which it sufficiently appeareth, that they were first wood, and have
been converted into stone by so wonderful a Metamorphosis. The matter
is out of all doubt, and there are many Fountains obvious in other
places, of the same Nature. I have not seen that in _Helvetia_, but I
have seen the Infant of _Basil_ with Dr. _Exius_, who is yet living.
To this Infant, in a very large Glass, standing upon a low settle,
the Signior _Exius_ had poured a certain peculiar Liquor, which had
preserved it plainly uncorrupted and unhurt, to that time that it was
shewed to me. And they told me, that the Infant was by the Liquor
changed into stone; but I, seeing I did not touch or handle it, cannot
affirm that for certain; but I saw it sitting with a full body, as
if it had been but new born, since which time it is now above Twenty
years, and then it had been Ten or Fifteen years in that Water, in
which also it yet remains, as I have lately heard. But no man knoweth
what water that was which the Signior _Exius_ had put to that Infant,
whether he took it from a Fountain turning wood into stone, or whether
he made it by Art. There is a Fountain of the like nature and property
in _Austria_ at _Neapolis Viennensis_, a fenced City about eight miles
distant from _Vienna_; I being a young man, long time since travelling
towards _Vienna_, fell into a burning Feaver, known by the name of
_The Hungarian Disease_, which seldom any stranger escapes, and having
somewhat recovered my former health, came to the said _Neapolis_, and
suffering a Relapse, was constrained to stay there. And the Disease had
so debilitated the Appetite of my stomach, that it neither desir’d nor
digested any Food. The Inhabitants advised me to go to a Well of almost
an hours Journey from the City, situated near a certain Vineyard,
and to drink of the Water to recover my lost Appetite. Following
their Counsel, I took a great piece of Bread with me to the Well,
nevertheless I gave but little credit to their words, who told me, that
I would eat all that piece. Coming to the Well, I eat the crumb of
the Bread sopped in the water, and it relished to me very pleasantly,
who before at home loathed the greatest Dainties. I took up the same
water with my hollow crust of Bread, and drank it, which so excited
my Appetite to eat, that at length I also eat up my Cup, which I had
made of my Bread; returning home much better and stronger, I declared
to the Inhabitants the event, succeeding according to my wish, who
affirmed to me, that if I would continue the use of that water, the
faculties of my stomach would be throughly confirmed. I asked them what
kind of water that was? They answered that it was water of Salt-petre,
which I believed, being then unskilful in such things, but afterwards
I found the contrary: For it could not be the water of Salt-petre,
seeing that in no wise conduceth to the stomach, but rather occasioneth
nauseousness and loathing. It might be, that the water of the said
Fountain being evaporated to a Cuticle, might shoot into Crystals
like to Salt-petre, but notwithstanding was not true Salt-petre, as
wanting all burning, and not taking flame, which they might easily
have found, if putting a little of that salt upon a burning Coal, they
had tried it after the accustomed manner of trying Salt-petre: For
now it is certainly evident to me, that that Fountain contained that
Salt which _Paracelsus_ called _Sal Enixum_, and I _Sal Mirabile_; and
also that it is the nature of that to shoot into long Crystals, and
yet not to conceive flame. That _Well_ is enclosed with wood, in which
many water-Mice have their Habitation, which presently will seize and
swallow any crumbs of Bread cast into the water. I asked why a _Well_
of so great moment was enclosed and fenced with wood, and not with
stone? They answered, That could not be done without damage, for the
wood being taken away, which had now passed into a stony nature, it
would come to pass, that the sand falling into the well, would choak it
up. The wood which did not touch the water was now rotten, as I then
very accurately observed, being a young man of 21 years of age.
Staying in the same City the following winter, I found, that the Moors
or Marshes about the same, which rendered it so strong, were never
frozen into Ice by the cold of the winter; which is an Argument that a
certain peculiar salt is latent in that water; which is the reason that
the Planks or Piles fixed into the Marshy ground, upon which many, yea,
the greatest part of the Houses of that City, do stand, or are set, in
a long progress of time, are changed into meer stones, and afford a
firm Foundation to the Houses built upon them.
From all those indications I have hitherto conjectured, that all
the Springs about that City abound with that sort of salt which
_Paracelsus_ calleth _Enixum_, seeing that in the said Marshes I
have seen the Grass green all winter, which is a certain indication
of this kind of salt there existing. The watery Animals which are in
the Fountain and Marshes near to the City, confirm the conjecture,
among which the number of the water-Mice is not small, which cannot
live in all waters; and the shell-Fish, or Tortoises, which are every
where in an incredible quantity, in the water flowing about the City,
and watering the Marshes and Gardens, although wont to be esteemed
by great men among Delicacies, are here of no account at all; and
for that reason both the Citizens and Countrymen put two or three of
those shell-fishes into the vessel in which they save the washings
of their Dishes, to give to their swine, saying, that this sort of
Animals abiding in their wash, conduceth much to the fattening them.
And from these things it appeareth, that water-Mice and Shell-Fish of
this sort, do delight in sweet waters, tempered with a certain salt.
Any man that hath a mind to take the said Shell-Fish, or Tortoise,
goeth into the Meadows or Pastures in a morning, which are watered with
this kind of water, where they wander about in the wet Grass, seeking
their Food; and also in the evening after sun set, when they return
again to feed. If they perceive any body in their way, they presently
betake themselves to the water, and in their entrance into the water,
they retract their four feet, which with their head and tail (like to
the heads and tails of Serpents) they hide and secure in their shell,
which is so hard, that it can scarcely be broken with a strong and
heavy Hammer. The Inhabitants, when they will boil them, prick them
with some sharp Instrument, at the feeling of which, they again put
their head and tail out of the shell, which they presently cut off
with a knife. The body being boiled in water, the shell openeth of its
own accord, out of which the Fish being taken, is purged, and prepared
with Butter, Wine, and Spice, and is not much differing from Veal,
nor of an ingrateful taste, and therefore reckoned amongst delicate
Foods, by those who are given to feed daintily. Truly, I am perswaded,
that Animals of this sort are not to be used as Food, but are rather
profitable to the health of Mankind, because they abide in pure waters.
These few things my Experience hath administred to me concerning these
Waters, by which Wood is changed into Stone, yea, not Wood only, but
also the skin and bones of Animals. I have also seen half a Loaf of
Bread turned into a Stone; whence any man may conjecture, how great a
fixing power is latent in the said salt, concerning which there is yet
more to be said.
This Transmutation of Wood into Stone will put all the Brethren of
Ignorance to the blush, who with their ridiculous Mockeries laugh at
and deny the wonders of Nature of this kind, that by the operation of
Art emulating Nature, a Body should be spoiled of its fugacity, and be
transmuted into a constant and incombustible body. All Wood being burnt
by the fire, is consumed, leaving nothing behind it except a few salt
ashes, which nevertheless being transmuted into a stone by a fixing
water of this kind, retaineth its pristine body, and cannot be consumed
by any fire. This is an infallible Argument, most clearly refelling
those Ass-like Deriders of Art. Can these Belweathers be more clearly
refuted by any other Argument or Testimony? I speak these things, to
the end that they may be brought to a more easie belief, and not to
be amazed with so great admiration, when they shall in the following
Treatise hear me affirm, That any subtile Spirit of Wine, by the help
of this kind of Water, may be changed into a fixed Salt, constant in
the Fire.
Seeing therefore it may come to pass, that by such a Transmutation any
fugacious Spirit of Wine may pass into a fixed and constant Salt, Who
will deny, but that the same constancy may be afforded to fugacious
Metals, by a water of this kind? But by what means such an operation,
which seems impossible to every man, may be effected, may be worth the
while to indicate in few words, seeing that it happened to me casually,
not seeking it, and which I my self at that time should not have
believed, although any one had seriously affirmed it to me.
The _Sal Enixum_ of _Paracelsus_, or my fixed Salt, which dissolveth
all things, is endowed with that virtue and efficacy, that it
dissolveth all things by Fire; at a certain time I had dissolved Gold
with it by the dry way, and would make trial whether Spirit of Wine
would take a Tincture from it or not: The dissolution being made, I
would have poured upon it a burning Spirit of Wine, but by chance I
poured upon it in the Glass Spirit of Juniper; afterwards perceiving
my errour, I set the Glass aside, and half a year after, I found the
Spirit tinged with a bloody colour, which I filtred through a brown
Paper, and put the clear Tincture into a Glass, to separate the Spirit
from it by the Fire. But seeing that I obtained not a Spirit, but an
insipid Phlegm by evaporation, I found that that Red Salt, in a long
process of time, had rendered the Spirit fixed, and by a wonderful
change had coagulated it into a fixed Salt. The same Salt afforded
me another Experiment, and indeed yet worthy of greater admiration:
A certain Friend gave me a glass of Oil of Citrons, prepared from
mouldy or decaying Oranges and Citrons, by destillation, which Oil
smelt mustily, to take away which ill smell, I would have poured upon
it Spirit of Salt, but by chance put to it my _Sal Enixum_ dissolved,
and destilled it by fire, which indeed rendered me a clear Oil, but
in small quantity, and scarce the one half; Therefore continuing a
stronger fire, when nothing more would destil, I let the fire out,
the Glass being cold, and taken out of the sand, I found all the
residue of the matter turned into a black Coal, and when I had taken
it out of the Glass, I put it upon a burning Coal, to see whether or
no any Oil yet remained; but the matter being consumed by the fire,
left many Ashes, and discovered the fixing nature of my Salt. And
searching more accurately into the operation, I found many wonderful
things, which afterwards gave me occasion to call that Salt by the Name
of _Sal Mirabile_. Let others search into the matter, by more exact
Meditations, that they may be able to penetrate into it with a deeper
sight. He that cannot see the virtues of this Salt, is destitute of
Eagles eyes, beholding the Rays of the Sun with an unmoved aspect, and
hath the eyes of an Owl, which can see somewhat in the dark, but is
blind at Noon-day. Truly, it is a thing to be admired, that an Oil so
combustible, in the space of a few hours, should be reduced to that
state, that it should glow and burn in the fire like a Coal. Therefore
let it not seem strange to any man, that any Wood abounding with much
combustible Oil, should in a long progress of time, by the help of
this Salt, be transmuted into a Stone. The knowledge of these things
happened to me by chance; But who doubteth, but that the studious of
Art may, by a sedulous and accurate search, find out many more? These
are enough to the wise.
Now followeth the Praxis, demonstrating the Theory, by what means this
Salt is to be prepared, and to what uses it is to be adhibited, and
what wonderful and incredible things may be performed by _its_ help, as
well in Alchymy as in Medicine.
I. _Of the Preparation of =Sal Mirabilis=._
This my _Sal Mirabile_ is prepared and separated from all vulgar
Salts, by the help of Art, nevertheless more easily from one than from
another: For it may be elicited not only from the Salt of the Kitchin,
but also from other salts, as Salt-petre, Vitriol, and Alum: Alum
and Vitriol abound with many sulphureous and mineral qualities, and
therefore occasion much difficulty and labour in their separation; and
Salt-petre possesseth a fugacious and burning nature. Therefore setting
those Salts aside, we prepare our _Sal Mirabile_ of that common salt
which is used in Kitchins, separating from it, by the help of fire and
Water, whatsoever is earthy and terrene; and the same being prepared,
as much as in us lies, we use it to the Honour of God, and the profit
of our Neighbor.
_Of the external Figure, Colour, Taste, and Smell of =Sal
Mirabilis=._
This _Sal Mirabilis_ being rightly prepared, looketh like Water
congealed or frozen into Ice; it appeareth like the Crystals of
Salt-petre, which shoot into a long Figure; also it is clear and
transparent, and being put to the Tongue, melts like Ice. It tasteth
neither sharp, nor very salt, but leaveth a little astringency
upon the Tongue. Being put upon burning Coals, it doth not leap and
crackle after the manner of common salt, neither conceiveth flame like
Salt-petre, nor being red hot, sends forth any smell; which gifts or
endowments no other salt possesseth.
II. _Of the External and Internal Use of my =Sal Mirabilis=._
In the first place it is to be known, that my _Sal Mirabilis_
containeth many great and hidden Virtues, inasmuch as it is not so
sharp and acute as other salts, and therefore its internal as well as
external use, is easily admitted in Medicine. Externally adhibited, it
cleanseth all fresh wounds, and open Ulcers, and healeth them; neither
doth it corrode or excite pain, as other salts are wont to do. Within
the body it exerciseth admirable Virtues, especially being associated
with such things whole Virtues it encreaseth, and which it conduced to
those places to which it is necessary they should arrive: For Salt is
the Conducter and Rector both of good and evil Powers or Virtues, and
carrieth them along with it self, according as they shall be joined
with it. As the nourishment of Vegetables and Minerals consisteth only
in Salt, so also the nourishment of Animals dependeth upon the same.
For if the Herbs, Bread, Flesh, and all other things which we eat,
should be destitute of salt, they could in no wise sustain, nourish,
and encrease the Bodies of Animals, for by such it would forthwith
come to pass, that they should consume and die: Therefore Food also
nourisheth, as it is well and in due manner seasoned with salt, for a
thing that hath no relish, is unfit for nourishment, according to the
common Proverb, _Quod sapit, nutrit_; _And that which hath no taste,
doth also not nourish_. Therefore the Omnipotent GOD hath given salt
to all His Creatures, by which they are nourished and sustained; so
that there would have been no need of salting of Foods with salt,
appointed for the use of Man, had not Sin and the Curse debilitated
and corrupted all things, seeing that they were endowed with their own
Salt by Nature: Therefore for the succouring of Nature, those things
which contain little salt, are to be salted with common and vulgar
Salt, which is appointed by God for this end, that it might afford
nourishment to the humane Body, corroborate and strengthen it, as we
see that Bread, Flesh, and all Herbs or Sallets, may be indeed eaten
without salt, but not to afford so much nourishment: For it is commonly
known, that Flesh, Fish, and Sallets being salted, do far better
satisfie and nourish, than if those Foods should be received into the
stomach wholly destitute of Salt. For this reason men that undergo hard
labours eat Flesh, Fish, Herbs, and other Foods, plentifully seasoned
with salt, whereby their Bodies are preserved in their due strength;
but those who are not exercised with Such labours, feed upon Foods not
so salt, but of a more easie digestion. Salt therefore is the only
nutriment not only of Vegetables and Animals, but also of Minerals;
yea, it universally nourisheth and encreaseth whatsoever existed in the
World.
Seeing therefore that without salt nothing can exist or live, and that
the life of all things consisteth in salt alone, as is witnessed by
daily experience; Wherefore do Fools think Salt to be a thing of so
small moment? I answer, That this happens because very few know what
Salt is, what Powers and Virtues it exerteth, and what is reconded
in its inward Penetrals: As is said a little before, I compare salt
to a Carrier, because he carrieth or conveyeth all those things which
are put to him, whether good or evil, thither to where they are to be
conveyed, without any labour or trouble, but committing the care to
him, who taketh all the burden.
In like manner, Salt being mixed with good things, which administer a
good nourishment, assisteth the nutritive faculty, and is the conveyer,
helper, and strengthener of the adjoined nutriment: Being mixed with
venomous and hurtful things, it encreaseth and confirmeth the Venom
with great detriment to the Body, insinuating it into the Passages and
Members, into which, without salt, the Venom could not have penetrated;
therefore with the good it is good, and with the evil it is evil, and
being addicted to neither part, is subservient to both, according to
the will of the Artist, making good the vulgar Proverb, _Salt and
Wine quicken the wit_: That is, when mixed with good things, they be
moderately used. So also the contrary is true, if it be said, that
_Salt and Wine deprave the Wit_; which I could demonstrate by many
Examples, which for brevity sake are here omitted. Nevertheless, that
I may be the better understood, I will instance in two things: As I
said but now, if Salt be mixed with good subjects, containing a good
nourishment, such are Bread, Flesh, and Herbs, the same are rendered
fitter for nourishment, if daily experience may be credited, which no
man will deny. Why therefore should not the contrary be likely, that it
should render an evil thing yet worse, and corrupt it more, if it be
associated with it. As for example, Common _Argent-vive_ is esteemed
Poison, and indeed truly, and is rendered obnoxious to a greater or
lesser poisonous quality, according as it shall undergo this or that
Preparation. If one swallow half an ounce of it, it operateth nothing
in the Body, and passeth away without hurt; but being sublimed with
salts, and exalted in its venomous quality, being exhibited in the
weight but of two, three, or four grains, is sufficient to kill a man.
In the same manner Orpiment, as digged out of the Mountains, performeth
nothing of good in an humane Body, exciting frequent and intolerable
vomitings and stools, if given in too great quantity; nevertheless
one, two, three, or four grains of the same may be taken without
any danger, causing easie vomits and stools; but being exalted by
sublimation with common salt, becometh so hurtful a Poison, that being
drank, it forthwith killeth Men and Beasts. So also it is with white
Arsenick, which being sublimed with Salt, obtaineth such a poisonous
nature, as is commonly known, although the cause of that evil be known
to few, as the said Examples do sufficiently declare. I will yet add
one thing over and above, for the sake of the Ignorant: They who have
been versed in the Labours of the Fire, know those things, and want not
my teaching, although their number be very small, but of the Ignorant
and Unskilful it is large enough. Arsenick and Cobolt are indeed most
vehement Poisons, but nevertheless are not hurtful to the Body, if they
be taken in their corporal form; but being exasperated by sublimation
with Salts, and reduced into a more fugacious nature, arrive to that
vehemence, that they are able to kill a man only by their odour. Those
who have mixed Arsenick with Vitriol and Salt-petre, for the preparing
of graduating Waters, as they call them, have experienced the Truth of
this. Such Waters are so vehemently poisonous, that they smite the
Heart with a trembling of any one that taketh in their odour by the
Nose, and also extreamly debilitate the Brain. That vulgar Proverb,
which saith, That _Salt corroborateth the Heart and quickeneth the Wit_,
is true, when wholesom and healthful things are associated with it; but
if things unwholesom and poisonous be adjoined with it, it doth the
quite contrary, suffocating the Heart, and weakening the Brain, both
which I my self have found.
Long ago, when I was young, being occupied with Arsenical Waters of
this kind, it often happened to me, that those strong saline Spirits
had almost put out my Candle. Again, on the contrary, I have found,
when I have mixed corroborating subjects with Salt, that it hath
encreased their strengthening Virtues, and exalted them in a wonderful
manner. Therefore it is not without reason that _Paracelsus_ teacheth,
That Gold exerciseth no power or virtue in the humane Body, but by
the Spirit of Salts, which insinuate the virtues of Gold into the
Members, and augmenteth them. Here some may say, Seeing that other
Metals exert their powers in humane Bodies without Salt, Why should
not Gold also do the same, if it hath any virtues? I answer, That
this is the reason of the difference, because the other Metals being
reduced into small Particles, by filing, do act in the humane Body,
by reason of their own Vitriolate Salt, which they retain in melting,
more easily admitting solution in the Stomach, and performing their
Operations, by reason of that natural acidity, which Operations would
be exasperated by the addition of Salt. But that the imperfect Metals
effect nothing of good in the body of Man, is witnessed by Tin and
Copper, in a Vessel of which, Wine standing all night, and then drank,
causeth Vomitings and Cholical pains, as also Palpitations of the
Heart; in exciting of which, Copper exceedeth Tin, which doth not so
frequently excite Accidents of this kind, especially that which is not
adulterated with Bismuth or Tinglass, but is pure and unmixt. Lead
being swallowed, drieth, and cooleth too vehemently: But the filings
of Iron are used medicinally, not without great profit, because they
kill and expel the Worms in Children; and its _Crocus_ is also wont
to be mixed with astringent Medicines with Fruit. Silver being filed
and taken, is of no use in the humane Body, because it hath in it self
no salt, with which Iron and Copper are endowed. Nevertheless, being
prepared with Salt, it obtains an entrance into the Members of the
Body, and expelleth all hurtful Humours, and strengtheneth the Brain.
But being bitterer than Gall, it is so ingrateful to the Palate, that
it is more difficult to be taken than Vitriol it self. Gold, the most
eminent among all the Metals, in purity and nobility in its own nature,
possesseth no Salt, and therefore hath no Operation at all in the Body,
whether it be taken in filings, or reduced to a subtile powder; for the
_acidum_ of the Stomach is not of so great power, that it can enter
and dissolve Gold as it dissolved Copper and Iron, but dischargeth
it with the Excrements in the same form in which it was taken. Hence
the Unskilful have been so bold, as to exclude Gold from a medicinal
use, as a thing destitute of all Virtue, and altogether of no use;
an errour truly not Philosophick, but foolish, proceeding from meer
unskilfulness and ignorance, seeing that Experience doth altogether
testifie the contrary. He that believeth no Virtues to be in Gold, may
by an easie experiment find the contrary, if he shall dissolve it in
Spirit of Salt well cleansed and rectified, and shall drink a little
of this Solution mixed with Wine or Beer, or any warm Broth or Gruel,
for he shall perceive a very swift and healthful Operation, calling
out all Superfluous fæces, according as they shall offend, either by
Vomit, Stool, or Sweat, or Urine, without any weakening of the Body,
but evidently confirming its strength, as I have shewed in my Book
entituled, _The Consolation of Navigators_, in few words, by reason of
the shortness of time, which did not allow me to treat of this matter
more at large. Nevertheless I here assert, that a solution of Gold of
this sort by Spirit of Salt, is able to perform very much in Medicine,
although by reason of its ingrateful relish, it is not much to be
esteemed: For seeing the spirit of Salt, with which the Gold is to be
dissolved, ought to be very strong from this corrosive Liquor, without
which the Gold cannot be dissolved; first, this incommodity ariseth,
that its use is unpleasant, it blacketh the Lips and edgeth the Teeth;
to which may be added, that a great quantity of Liquor is required
for this solution, and the acidity by degrees bringeth loathing to
the sick, and sometimes the sick cannot bear the sharpness. Moreover,
if this solution be taken in Broth, it hindereth its operation, and
wanteth the desired success, of which it is not destitute when drank
in Wine or Beer. For this reason this Medicament, which in itself is
very noble, and of great moment, is difficultly admitted into use. But
because we have said that Gold without Salts is able to operate nothing
at all, its whole solution consists in such a _menstruum_ which is
neither corrosive, nor of an unpleasant relish, nevertheless openeth
the Gold, and rendereth it apt to become a very wholsom Medicine; which
endowments I have found in no other thing but my _Sal Mirabile_, which
being void of all corrosion and unpleasantness, is it self an excellent
Medicament, and conciliateth a pleasant sweetness to all things which
it dissolveth: For when it dissolveth Gold, it doth not stain the lips
and hands with any colour, like other solutions, which are made by
_Aqua Regia_, or spirit of salt; neither also doth it astringe like
other solutions, but is of pleasant use, and exerteth its gift by a
noble Operation. I have tried many admirable things with this Salt,
and at length obtained a solution, or rather an extraction of Gold,
green as Grass, and is a very wholesom and most noble Medicament: For
he who hath brought Gold to a greeness, hath performed much, in praise
of which, many ancient Philosophers call it _The Blessed Viridity_. But
what this greeness may effect in Medicine, belongs not to this place,
seeing that I intend here to treat of nothing but Salt, and to prove it
to be the Beginning and End of all things, and that it encreaseth and
exalteth the powers and virtues of all things.
And seeing that this is agreeable to Truth it self, and cannot be
disproved by any man, it must necessarily be granted, that a Salt
brought to the highest degree of Purity, (as mine is) must be far
better, and more noble than any gross and impure Salt. Also because it
amplifieth and exalteth the virtues of all Vegetables, Animals, and
Minerals, and that Gold exceedeth in nobleness all other Creatures
which are found under the Sun, it is easie to conjecture, that if the
purest and most noble part of Salt shall be associated with Gold, that
also a most noble Medicine must thence arise: For Salt and Gold, being
the Off-spring of the Sun, are (as it were) immortal and incorruptible,
and therefore afford help to all mortal and corruptible things, and
defend them from putrefaction and corruption.
Nevertheless, I would not have any man perswade himself, that in
these words I go about to assert any Immortality, my purpose tendeth
not thither, seeing that I am not ignorant that there is no Medicine
against Death. I would only signifie this, that from the association of
Salt and Gold, there must necessarily proceed an excellent Medicament.
If Salt carrieth and promoteth the Virtues of other things, wherefore
also should it not promote and convey the Virtues of Gold? Truly
there is found no Herb so abject, no Stone so vile, nor no Bone so
contemptible, that doth not possess its own Virtues: Who then can deny
that Gold, as the most Noble Creature of God (after the Sun and Salt,
of which it is generated) should possess Gifts and Endowments, to be
preferred to those of the more vile Creatures? That nothing of evil
can proceed from two excellent subjects, to wit, Gold and Salt, every
unskilful Rustick can understand; Wherefore then cannot those proud
and idle Scoffers perceive it? I think it to be, because they would
not be numbred among rude and ignorant Asses, if subscribing to my
words, they should confess such a Medicine to be _in rerum natura_, and
notwithstanding to be ignorant of its Preparation. But it were better
for them not to envy those who have received such Gifts, nor to assault
the Innocent with so many filthy Calumnies and Slanders, but to leave
those things to them which exceed their own Capacities.
I now make mention of my Green-Lyon, whose wonderful Virtues are to be
declared and manifested to the whole World; although I well know, that
this Green-Lyon will not find fewer enemies than my white or red _Aurum
Potabile_ hath done: For the Devil can in no wise suffer, that any
thing which is profitable to Mankind should be made manifest, therefore
he useth all his power and arts to hinder the knowledge of the Truth,
by casting stumbling-blocks in its way. What various Arts have been
excogitated, to bring my _Aurum Potabile_ into Contempt, and indeed by
such a sort of men, who might easily think that I should not grant one
drop of it to such haters of the Truth, although they should petition
me for it.
And seeing those Pot-Companions could not ask it of me, they have
endeavoured to extort it from me, under pretence of the sick, not that
they would serve the sick, but only get an occasion of contemning it,
and of bringing it into an Odium with the Sick, lest by it they should
recover their former Health. Have they not taken counsel together in
their Meetings, one offering this, another thing, so that by every way
possible they might oppugn my _Aurum Potabile_? But, this Hatred and
Envy, carried on against me with great study, I leave to the Divine
Vengeance; and although many watery and obscure Clouds may endeavour
to hide the Sun, and to overspread his warm and vivisick Beams with
darkness, nevertheless they shall effect nothing; for at length being
dispersed into vapours, and vanishing in Clouds, they will give place
to the Solar Rays. There is nothing able to extinguish the Truth, which
may indeed be prest, but never overcome, and is therefore like the
Light, never wholly extinguished. The Air is never filled with so many
dark Clouds, but at length they being dissipated, the Sun again appears
to sight. By a like reason also the Truth at length freeth it self from
the snares of lyes, and cometh forth into the Light: Therefore I may
without fear propose the Truth, although there be many that can but ill
bear my liberty of speech; for GOD is to be obeyed rather than Men and
the benefits due to Good men are not to be omitted for the sake of
those which are Evil.
Therefore (in the Name of God) I will go on in declaring the Virtues of
my _Sal Mirabile_; because I have said in the precedent discourse, that
Salt is the Rector or Disposer of all things, carrying their virtues
conjoined with it self, to their due place; therefore it is not fit
that evil and venomous things should be adjoined to it, but such as are
good only, if any thing of good be expected from it.
But there is no Creature under the Sun more noble, excellent, and
pure than Gold, nor which more resisteth the destruction of all the
Elements, which without a true solution, as we have said, cannot render
the Body of Man partaker of its Virtues, and all corroding solutions
are found to be unfit to dissolve it; therefore such a solution is
required, as may be performed by the help of a _Salt_ which is not
corrosive; therefore taking such a one in hand, we will see what good
is to be expected from it.
_Of the Use of my =Sal Mirabilis=, as well in the Solution of
Metals, as in the Preparation of Medicines._
First, it is to be noted, That not only Metals, but also all Stones,
and Bones themselves, refusing the solution of all corrosive Salts,
may be radically dissolved by my _Sal Mirabile_, and most things so
dissolved, whether they be Metallick, Vegetable, or Mineral, put on a
green colour, of some of which the greeness remaineth, but of others,
in process of time, is changed into a yellow or red colour.
Concerning this wonderful mutation and solution, I could write a
great Volume, if I had not designed this Labour for another place,
intending here only to describe the solution of Gold, because another
better cannot be found. I have found the solution of the rest of the
Metals which are adhibited, to be unfit either for the preservation or
recovery of Health, as I have admonished a little before; but I have
found Salt and Gold to be most noble subjects, of which an excellent
Medicine must necessarily be prepared: For Salt exalteth the Powers and
Virtues of all things to a high degree of perfection, and insinuateth
them into the humane body: This seems to me not unlike the volatile and
fugacious Spirit of Vegetables, as of Wine and Beer, _&c._ which coming
into the Body of Man, addeth strength to the Animal Spirit, that it
moveth it self more readily, and with greater alacrity. Indeed every
other Meat and Drink, whether it be Bread or Water, communicateth some
strength to the Body, but not so powerfully and efficaciously as any
generous Wine, whose Spirit is very pure, efficacious, and subtile;
so that its too plentiful use awakeneth all things that lie hid in
a Man, and brings them to light. In the same manner Salt encreaseth
and confirmeth all things, & being united with them, maketh manifest
all their hiden Virtues, which without Salt would remain in darkness.
Who could have manifested to us that great Poison which lies hid in
Arsenick, if Salts had not revealed it? If any melancholly Person
(who otherwise in his own nature is prone to stilness, like one dead)
shall drink any spirituous Wine, or strong Drink, his Spirits, that
were before dull, and as it were buried in a Dream, will presently be
awakened, and his Tongue set at liberty. The same doth Salt perform,
which addeth an encrease to the powers of all things, especially of
the Metals, which it rendereth manifest and known. And indeed without
Salt Poisons could not have been known, as I have said a little above,
concerning Arsenick and _Argent-vive_: If Salt worketh those things in
evil subjects, by dilating and encreasing their malignity, Why should
it not effect the same in good subjects, by augmenting their goodness?
Therefore, because among Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral subjects, there
are none more noble and eminent than Gold and Salt, which have their
original from the Sun, it would be ill done to pass them by, and to
seek viler subjects, for the making of an excellent Medicine, seeing
that if we take Wine, Salt, and Gold, there are no other things which
afford us so excellent Virtues. Therefore acquiescing in these, we will
endeavour of them to make a most noble Medicament.
_The PROCESS._
Take three or four parts of _Sal Mirabile_, and one part of Gold
(rightly fitted or prepared for this Operation) mix them, and put the
mixture into a strong Glass Retort, well luted, which place in an open
fire, encreasing the fire by degrees, until the Glass be red hot,
urge the fire, and continue it stronger, for an hour, then cease, and
let all cool, take out the Retort, and free it from the Lute, that it
may not be mixed with the matter contained in the Glass, but that may
remain pure, which is to be accurately separated from the Glass, and
together with what is sublimed into the neck of the Retort, to be put
into a clean glass; which matter will look of a greenish colour: To
this matter pour some Rain-water, that it may be dissolved in an easie
heat, and the Salt, with part of the Gold, may be mixed with the Water.
Filter this grass-green Solution through Paper, and draw off some part
of the water by destillation, that the green Liquor may remain, not
corroding nor tasting sharp, nor yet too urinous, but fit to be drank
in all Vehicles. The Gold which the _Sal Enixum_ hath not dissolved,
you will find after the solution, which you may again use for the like
Work; but the green Liquor you may presently use, as well in Medicine
as in Alchymy, which will afford you many profitable things. He that
will draw off all the Phlegm to a green Salt, and then extract that
salt with an alkalized Spirit of Wine, will obtain a Medicine yet
more efficacious: For the Spirit of Wine will not be tinged with a
green, but a red colour, and will be very sweet, rendering the Golden
Virtues of the Salt more efficacious, and more commodiously and readily
insinuateth them into the Members of the Humane Body.
NB. This is to be noted, That the _Sal Enixum_ doth not imbibe the
whole mass of Gold in dissolving, but only its purer part. Now, if you
repeat this Operation upon the same pure mass, as yet once more, you
will extract the greatest purity, and without all doubt obtain a most
noble Medicament, which no man can refute, although he be a capital
Enemy to the Truth. This is the Operation, no less compendious than
true, of preparing a great Medicine of Gold, Salt, and Wine, meriting
the name of an _Aurum Potabile_, whose great Powers and Virtues are now
to be manifested to the necessitous Sick.
_Of the Powers and Virtues of my =Green-Lyon=, =Vitriol of Sol=,
or Wonderful =Golden Salt=._
This green golden Liquor may be safely and pleasantly used by all,
whether young or old, sick or in health, without any difference of
Persons, because it containeth nothing which is evil or prejudicial:
For a cleansed Salt and Gold, never inferr any ill, but are alwaies
profitable, exercising their wholesom Operations, as well in
Vegetables, as Animals and Minerals, as in the following Treatise shall
be clearly demonstrated.
First, This green liquor, only by its external aspect, cheereth the
Heart, Brain, and all the vital Spirits, seeing that of all colours
there is none superiour to the Green in pleasantness, of which all men
are witness, who have overcome the intense cold of a sharp Winter,
behold the renewing greenness of the Trees half dead, and Herbs
extinct, in the Spring time, with great delight and pleasure, and feel
all the Blood in their Body to be renewed and revived.
Secondly, This Golden Liquor being drank, strengtheneth and confirmeth
the whole _humidum radicale_, Stomach, Brain, and all the inward parts
of the body, beyond all other Medicines which I have hitherto known.
Also it expelleth Melancholly, and all anxieties of Mind, taketh
away Palpitations of the Heart, openeth Obstructions of the internal
Vessels; it healeth the hurts of the inward parts, as Liver, Lungs,
_&c._ and cureth all inward Exulcerations; it cureth Gravel and Stone,
whether in the Reins or Bladder; it keepeth the Body soluble; expelleth
Wind, with the pains of the Cholick; preserveth the Blood from
Corruption; cureth the Leprosie, Scabs, and Fevers of all sorts; in
process of time it taketh away the Gout; to the insulting Apoplexy and
Epilepsie it affordeth present Cure; it cleanseth the Blood infected
by the Scurvy, Plague, and other contagious Diseases; it preserveth
and freeth from all internal Ulcers; defendeth the Lungs, Liver, and
other parts, and removeth Exulcerations already arisen, and takes
them away radically. It so tingeth all the inward parts of a Man with
its Balsamick Virtue, that not being easily obnoxious to Diseases,
they enjoy a sound and long Life. Outwardly used, it healeth all
fresh wounds, no less than old and open Ulcers, without any Ointments
or Plasters; for in curing Ulcers of this sort, there is nothing in
Animals, Vegetables, or Minerals, which answereth to this in Virtue; as
also inwardly it cureth Ruptures.
This is the nature and property of Gold, that it most potently taketh
away all filths, and also astringeth; which two things are necessarily
required in the Cure of all Ulcers. This Salt, by its own help,
commodiously doth the same, and also wonderfully promotes the Virtues
of the Gold: The said Liquor very quickly taketh away the Ulcers of
the Mouth and Throat, with all their scorbutick Infection, which are
wont to give way but very slowly to other Medicines: And this it
doth, although the Tongue, Uvula, and all the Palate should be full
of Pustules. In short, for the taking away all internal and external
Ulcers, I think no Medicine preferrable to this Liquor; but all other
defects of the Body which it cureth, for brevity’s sake, I will pass
over.
Moreover, this green and golden Liquor hath this nature and property,
that beyond all other Medicaments, it conciliateth a wonderful
fertility to all things, as its signature, the wit, the green colour,
and my diverse infallible Experiments, do truly testifie. Hence the
seeds of all Vegetables being macerated in the same Liquor, and set in
meer naked Sand, they put forth golden Sprouts and Plants, having a
smell much stronger and pleasanter, a fairer colour, and greater length
than those which grow out of a fat Earth. Therefore this green Liquor
holdeth the chief place in rendering Vegetables green and fruitful, and
augmenting their growing faculty; so also among all the Medicines, I
know it hath no equal in conciliating and preserving fertility in the
humane body: For in all the Diseases of Mankind it bringeth great help
and comfort, and effecteth more in assisting the fruitfulness both of
Male and Female, than can be believed, and is so great an exciter of
Venus, that it bringeth great solace not only to Old men, who being
baulked by their younger Wives, are forced to lie still, but also to
such Women who are barren in their flourishing age, and therefore
destitute of Heirs.
I write not dreaming, but am taught by Experience, having seen some men
so strengthened by this Medicine, that they have seemed to themselves
never to have been weak, the which also some Women have experienced.
Nevertheless such Medicaments are not to be administred too frequently
to this Sex, seeing that without this sort of help they are wont to be
sometimes exagitated by a more salacious Itch than is convenient: Its
use is more safe to Old men, inasmuch as it cannot do them the least
damage. Nor ought those things which I here deliver, to seem a wonder
to any, for they have their certain and undoubted causes of Operation.
Let those two Subjects, of which the Green-Lyon is composed, to wit,
salt & gold be inspected; they are the best of things, & necessarily
required to the generation of all things; for, what herb can be brought
forth without seed and salt? not indeed the least: for if the earth or
sand wanteth salt, the seed of the Herb can neither have nutriment nor
production: Yea, if the seed it self be also sowed in a fat Earth, and
yet be destitute of the Rays of the Sun, it can in no wise grow out
of the Earth, but will be suffocated and perish; the which thing is
not hid to Rusticks, who after they have sowed their seed, do ardently
expect the warm Sunshine. Therefore, for a desirable coming up of
Vegetables out of the Earth, and their encrease, there is required a
fat and salt Earth, as also the warm and fruitful heat of the Sun, with
necessary Rain; which also is to be understood of the generation and
multiplication of Animals.
NB. In _Aurum Potabile_ salt supplies the room of fatness, Gold is
the Sun, and the Spirit of Wine performeth the Office of the warm and
fruitful Rain; so also no Minerals are procreated, but by the help of
the sun, and labour of salt. They exercising their operations upon the
Water, generate Minerals, as the Writings of the ancient Philosophers
teach.
Some ignorant man may here object and ask, How it can be, that the
Sun, by operating in the depth of the Earth, should generate Minerals
and Metals of salt? Let him know, that the Sun, by his hot Rays, doth
excite the central fire in the profundity of the Earth; which central
fire is not unknown to those who are occupied in digging Metals out
of the Earth, who sometimes feel so strong a heat, that laying aside
their Clothes, they are constrained to labour very leisurely, yea,
sometimes wholly to intermit it; as I have taught in _The First Part
of my Mineral Work_. Therefore no man of a sound mind will dare to
oppose these things, seeing that it is wholly agreeable to Truth, that
generation and encrease in all Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, do
arise from the sun and salt, to which water is wont to be an help.
Seeing therefore that my golden Liquor is prepared of such subjects, it
can operate no other thing than fertility, and thereby signed by Nature
with that beautiful greenness, by which it signifieth its endowment
to render all things fruitful: God adorneth nothing with His marks
and signs in vain; from which, as from His signatures, the powers and
virtues may be more clearly known, than from Books. For the signature
with which things are signed by GOD and Nature never erreth; but the
Books and Writings compiled by Men very often erre. Wherefore did the
ancient Philosophers and Poets worship _Venus_, the Goddess of Love and
of Generation, and attribute to her a beautiful green, generated of
the spume or foam of the sea? What is the foam or froth which the sea
calleth out upon the shore, but salt, which being dried up by the heat
of the sun, is reduced to salt? And the Poets, especially _Virgil_ and
_Ovid_, who were men of great literature, would not have handled such
things with so prolix an ambage of words, but that they were willing by
their Fabulous writings to reveal that great Philosophick Mystery to
the world: Therefore I constantly assert, That this green Liquor is the
chief Medicine of all things to grow or be encreased, as its pleasant
Viridity and infallible Experience do testifie. The Ocean, the Mother
of all fertility, sheweth also its greenness, especially in those
places where it is rich in salt, and strongly irradiated by the Beams
of the Sun. This is well known among Seamen, who from the change of
the water into a greener colour, presently collect, that they are near
to hotter Regions, in which the Sun-beams are more strongly projected;
for in such places the Sea is so salt, that it shineth like fire: The
Urine of those pissing out of a ship, falling into the Sea, sheweth
like sparks of fire; there four parts of water are found to contain one
part of salt. The Mediterranean Sea is not so full of Salt, as that
which is between _Spain_ and _France_; and again, in this it self is
found not a little difference, seeing that the _Spanish_ side exceedeth
the _French_ in saltness; and the Ocean it self, by how much the nearer
it is to the North, by so much it is less salt; for which reason also
the salt is weaker, and of less Virtue, being more remote from the
beams of the Sun. Therefore the _Danes_, _Sweeds_, and other Nations,
inhabiting the Northern parts, although they have plenty of Sea-water,
nevertheless they do not make salt of it, but fetch it from _France_ or
_Spain_; which is a Testimony evident enough, that salt is elaborated
in the water by the most ardent Beams of the Sun, and produced for the
sake of an universal fertility.
This is indicated by the _German_ name of the Sea, _Meer_, which is all
one as if we should say _Vermeer_, that is, _Encrease_, _Enlarge_. An
Appellation very well agreeing with the thing, because without the Sea
nothing would encrease in the Earth, but on the contrary, all things
live, and are encreased by it.
Hence the green colour is a manifest Index and Signature of
Fruitfulness, which might be demonstrated by infinite examples, which,
for the avoiding of prolixity, is not here necessary, seeing that the
thing it self is so manifest.
Some profligate Deriders, who love to oppose the Truth, may say, That
this green colour doth not proceed from Gold, but from Copper, that so
they may draw honest men away from the Truth, because no Gold seemeth
to them to be of use in Medicine; with which Cavil they have before now
accosted my _Aurum Potabile_. That I may stop their impure mouths and
obviate the frivolous Objections of this sort, I say, that I indeed
confess, Copper among the Metals doth obtain a green colour, if it be
dissolved in _Aqua fortis_, and other corrosive Liquors of that kind:
But Gold being dissolved in the same, appeared in a yellow colour, and
not a green, which is known to every body. But who would think me to
be so stupid and rude, to impose upon any so open a Cheat? Who also in
any wise could hide such a Cheat? For Copper being dissolved in salt
waters, would presently discover the Fraud, by its evil nauseating and
Vitriolick taste, of which but one drop being swallowed down, would
excite violent Vomitings, and would not be a Medicine, but rather a
Poison. Moreover, if you put a Knife into such a solution, it will
be presently covered over with the Copper, and appear to be Coppery.
The contrary plainly happeneth, if any pure Iron be dipped in my
Green-Lyon; for it will presently appear to be gilt with the colour of
Gold, and that more fair and eminent than any Ducat, or other piece
of golden Mony exhibiteth. If any Iron-Wire be put into it, and there
left for a certain time, it will at length be changed into a pure Gold,
which is an infallible testimony, that that Liquor doth not draw its
original from Copper, but from Gold. Again, it may be objected, that
a vulgar solution of Gold by _Aqua Regia_, also tingeth Iron with a
golden colour, and adhereth to the same; therefore this is no strange
thing, forasmuch as it is common and known to every man. I answer, That
such a Solution, not green, but yellow, doth indeed by precipitation
adhere to the Iron, and dissolved the Iron it self, and reduced it
into a Mud, but doth not penetrate it, and preserve it in its form,
as my green Liquor doth, which therefore is not to be numbred among
those corrosive solutions; but that which is done by the _Sal Enixum_,
is rather to be called an Extraction than a Solution: For my _Sal
Mirabile_ is of that nature, that it doth not throughly dissolve any
fine Powder, or Calx of Gold, but only extracted from it whatsoever
is most pure, and leaveth the rest like a black Powder. Moreover,
that Solution is not corrosive; for if it were, it would corrode and
dissolve the Iron, and not tinge it with the colour, and advance it
to the degree of Gold, the Iron remaining whole. By a like reason
the green Solution of Copper, made with the vulgar corrosive waters,
associateth it self with the Iron, in a green colour, corrodeth it,
and forsaketh the Copper. But if Copper be dissolved with my _Sal
Mirabile_, that solution doth not penetrate Iron, but transmuteth the
whole in its own form into Copper, yet not presently, but in a long
progress of time.
From all these things may be seen the great difference between the
vulgar corrosive solutions of Gold, Copper, and other Metals, and
mine, void of all corrosion, which is performed by my _Sal Mirabile_,
dissolving the Bodies of the Metals, after a far other manner than
those corrosive solutions are made. Therefore it is not to be reckoned
among vulgar solutions, seeing that it possessed far other Virtues.
The vulgar solution of Gold, made by _Aqua Regia_, hurteth all things,
as a corrosive Poison; a little of it being put to any Vegetable seed,
deprived it of all its growing faculty, and throughly killed it. Some
drops of it being drank by a Man, would corrode his throat and stomach,
like Poison. A Liquor of this sort, by its corrosive and gnawing
faculty, converteth the Metal put into it into slime or mudd. That
solution which is made by the rectified Spirit of Salt, may safely be
taken by any, when a sufficient quantity of Water is mixed with it; but
it is not sweet, it constringeth the Tongue, and staineth the Hands;
this doth not my green Liquor, for it neither coloureth the Hands, nor
astringeth the Tongue, nor yet corrodeth the seeds of Vegetables, but
rather exciteth them to fertility.
Whence it appears, that my said _Sal Mirabile_ is not corrosive, but by
it self is a good Medicine for all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals,
which Experience it self most evidently argueth: Therefore it can
work nothing but good, because prepared without any Corrosive, and
represented to the eye by a wonderful signature, to wit, the fair Green
colour.
This signature is an undoubted token of its extraordinary Virtues, in
rendering all living things vegete and fruitful, which lie absconded
in its inward Penetrals. And this I think sufficient to be said to
those foolish and idle Cavils of ignorant Scoffers, with which they may
insult over me.
Whatsoever I have here ascribed to my Green Lyon, my red _Aurum
Potabile_, extracted with Spirit of Wine, also performeth the same, and
that as well in Vegetables and Animals, as in Minerals; for the Spirit
of Wine can hurt none of them, but rather insinuateth the virtues of
Gold into Vegetables and Animals, and rendereth them more efficacious.
But concerning the solution of Gold by my _Sal Mirabile_, and its
efficacy and operation, this may suffice for the present.
As for the solution of the other Metals, there is no need to make many
words, or to write a large Volume about it, seeing that from what hath
been already said, any man may easily conjecture, that solutions of
this sort, made by the help of _Sal Mirabile_, are far better than
those made by Corrosives. The Vitriol of _Venus_ made by its help, doth
not hurt Vegetables, as common Vitriol, which killeth the same by its
corrosion; but the Vitriol made by _Sal Mirabile_ wonderfully promoteth
the growing faculty in Vegetables, so that Lunar, Venereal, Martial,
Jovial, and Mercurial Herbs may be produced, which will have wonderful
effects, especially if the Vegetative faculties of Lunar Herbs be
encreased and promoted by the Salt of Luna; of Venereal, by the Salt of
Venus, and so of the rest.
Enough hath been spoken to the Wise, but he that hitherto cannot
apprehend what I have said, is an Ass, and unworthy of such _Arcanums_.
From this Foundation a diligent Physician may erect a far other method
of Curing, and may prepare for himself such Medicines, by which he may
obtain Honour and Wealth. I have for many years observed, that Herbs
are wont to acquire Martial faculties and properties, if they grow
out of a reddish Martial Earth, although they were not before of a
Martial nature, but of a Solar, Lunar, Venereal, Jovial, Saturnine, or
Mercurial Property.
But how much more would the innate properties and virtues of Herbs be
strengthened and encreased, if they were not nourished by the Dung
of Animals, but set in pure sand and watered with _Sal Mirabile_
impregnated with the virtues of Metals, and thence acquire the
promotion of their growing faculty. Truly other Herbs of far greater
Virtues, and other odours and tasts, would be brought forth, than the
common, which are wont to be produced by the Dung of Animals, and the
simple Salt of the Earth. By this means so strong an attractive Power
may be conciliated to the Seeds of all Herbs, that by a Magnetick power
they may attract to themselves the Astral powers and influences, and
so encrease their Virtues, that without any Preparation they might be
able to cure all Diseases to admiration. NB. That it is necessary, that
he that would exactly understand the nature of Herbs, should know how
to promote the vegetative faculties of Solar Herbs, with Solar Salt; of
Lunar with Lunar, and so of the rest, and not that he should intermix
the one with the other, without any consideration; which without doubt
would be a hindrance to the desired success.
Consider these things with an accurate Meditation, as great Secrets and
_Arcanums_, which will not be revealed to the perverse World. A word to
the Wise is enough; therefore I will add no more; but I make no doubt,
but that this Revelation of my _Sal Mirabile_, in process of time, will
be accepted by diligent Physicians, and bring so much benefit, that
they will by the same effect much good in comforting and curing the
Sick. All things have their time, so also this Arcanum, which in its
time will be in vigour; but I would not have any man perswade himself,
that he may fish out of me the Preparation of my _Sal Mirabile_, I will
not _cast Pearls before ingrateful Swine_, but will reserve them for
Friends. But lest an occasion should be given to ignorant Deriders, and
those that hate me, of calumniating and slandering me, as if I my self
were ignorant of preparing of a Salt of this sort, I have determined
to deliver some small portions to divers prudent men, not of this Salt
only, but also of those Salts which are endued with the Virtues of
Gold, Silver, and other Metals, that at any time they may be able to
exhibit a clear Testimony of the Truth: And I will produce those Herbs
themselves, that I may have them in readiness to shew to others.
Therefore let no man trouble me with his Letters, to ask of me this
salt, or other Medicines, for I will communicate them to none, but such
as I know, and with whom I am familiar.
Great Thanks are to be given to Almighty GOD, who hath made this
present unworthy World partaker of such _Magnalia_. I have sought, and
have opened the way to others; let another also seek, and enter by the
way I have shewed, that insisting in my footsteps, he may by the easier
labour, obtain a greater light of Nature.
But that I may omit nothing which pertaineth to the good Institution
and Doctrine, and concerneth the glory and honour of Salt, I will yet
over and above add one infallible Testimony, by which any rude and
ignorant man may evidently see, that all fertility consisteth in Salt
only, and that it is the most precious Treasure of the whole World, for
the health of the Body, and that in it lie hid most ample Riches.
Fertility is indeed already demonstrated in many foregoing Testimonies;
but because the History of the Prophet _Elisha_ agreeth more than a
little with these my sayings, and may be a clear Testimony to them, I
have thought fit here to adjoin it. We read in _2 Kings_, 2. 19. that
the men of the City said to _Elisha_, _Behold, it is good to dwell in
this City, as my Lord seeth; but the water is naught, and the ground
about it is barren: Bring hither to me =(saith he)= a new Vessel full
of Salt_. Which being brought, he went to the Spring into which he cast
the Salt, saying, _Thus saith the Lord I have healed this Water, from
henceforth there shall no dearth and barrenness arise thence_. So the
Water was healed even to this day, according to the word of _Elisha_
which was spoken.
That this great Mystery may the better be understood, it will be
necessary first a little to consider the History it self, from which it
may be known by what means the Salt of _Elisha_ became so strong, that
it expelled Death, and rendered the Water good, and the barren Earth
fruitful.
When _Elias_ was to be carried up into Heaven, he said to _Elisha_, Ask
of me what I shall do for thee, before I am taken from thee. _Elisha_
asked of _Elias_, that he would grant to him a double portion of his
Spirit: _Elias_ answered, _It is a hard thing which thou hast asked;
if thou shalt see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be as thou
desirest, but if not, thou shalt obtain nothing_. And when they went
on together talking, behold, there cometh a fiery Chariot with Horses
of Fire, and parted them asunder; so _Elias_ was carried to Heaven in
a fiery Chariot; and _Elisha_ seeing this, cried out, _My Father, my
Father, &c._ Listen therefore, Wherefore did _Elias_ say to _Elisha_,
_If thou shalt see me when I shall be taken from thee, thou shalt have
thy desire, otherwise not_? And why with this condition? Could not
_Elias_ at his own will have rendered _Elisha_ the possessor of his
wish? Perhaps very easily, but _Elias_ would not without some _medium_,
because _Elisha_ was to be doubly seasoned with the Celestial Fire, by
which he was separated from _Elias_, for Fire bringeth forth Salt; the
Celestial Fire bringeth forth a Celestial Salt, and the Elementary Fire
an Elementary.
In this History is set before our Eyes the eternal Divine Light, and
also the natural, although few discern either of them, inasmuch as
their hearts are hardened and obscured by a horrid blindness. And
both the Old and New Testament are full of such Mysteries; so that
I dare boldly affirm, That all the Treasures both of Soul and Body
may be found in the Holy Scriptures, if we will; and that we have no
need to read the Writings of the Heathen Philosophers. I add this
one thing, That it is of God alone to open the Eyes of those who
desire to understand Divine and Natural Mysteries; for without divine
illumination, all things are dead and buried in darkness. This Truth
putteth to flight the diabolical Cavils and Slanders of all scoffing
Mountebanks and Jack-puddings. But which of them will oppose this, and
seek fertility from any other thing than Salt? Truly, I believe no man,
except that most profligate _Farnner_, with his wretched Followers,
who determine, That Salt doth not fatten, but Dung; when nevertheless
this is to be ascribed to the former, and not to the later. But those
Ass-like Brethren of Ignorance, being convinced of their filthy Lyes
by the most evident Truth, will I hope have their impure and shameless
mouths more than sufficiently stopped. I therefore acquiesce in this
demonstration, in which I think I have evidently proved, That the Sun
and Salt are the most noble Creatures of God, and that Salt is by me
rightly and deservedly called the greatest Treasure, and the greatest
Riches of the World; because after an earthly manner of speaking,
nothing can be more desirable for fruitfulness. Salt is the Original
of all fertility, the Sun is the original of Salt, and God the Creator
of all things, of the Sun, to whose Name be Honour and Glory for ever,
_Amen_.
But although this demonstration, which doth evidently shew, that salt
is the greatest Treasure in the world, be most clear, and beyond
all doubt; nevertheless, I doubt not, but it will not satisfie the
Covetous, who will say, Where is the _Stone of Philosophers_ which we
expected from thee, as the greatest Treasure of the whole world, that
it being known and acquired, we might lead a brave life? But stay,
my friend, until some man shall come and render sordid men partakers
of so great a Gift: For thinkest thou that if I its possessor, that
I would describe so great a Mystery, in such clear words as I have
described the fertility of the Earth: Not at all; nor have I the power
of doing that, seeing that a man cannot give to any those things which
are not his own, but God’s. Nevertheless, that the pious searcher
after Truth may have some manuduction to a Work of so great moment,
I cannot but hold forth to him that small Light granted me by Divine
Grace, provided he hath not Owls eyes, shunning the light of Nature,
because they cannot bear its splendour; which if he hath not, it
cannot be, but he will give credit to a manifest Truth. And concerning
so great a work, this is my opinion, That it is altogether possible,
that the most noble universal Pearl, to wit, the Medicine and Stone of
Philosophers, restoring the diseasie Bodies of Men and Metals to their
pristine health and state, may be prepared of common salt: But of the
Preparation, which is unknown to me, I can affirm nothing certain; but
that it may be done, manifold and infallible Experience hath caused me
to believe; which Experience I keep to my self, and will not part with
it to any, although I could very freely, if I might or durst make pious
men partakers of it: But because Faith is effected in us by God alone,
it is to be sought from Him by Prayer, and not to be expected from Men.
Therefore that (according to my promise) I may demonstrate, That
the Stone of Philosophers, lying hid in salt, may be got out of it
by the benefit of Art, I desire only this thing of the studious of
divine Mysteries, that he would search after those things, in my
Writings lately printed, which I have spoken concerning the little
Fish _Echineis_, _viz._ by what means he may be taken with a Net out
of the salt Sea, for there he will find a sufficient manuduction, of
which it is not necessary that I should here say any more. Those are
the things which I was willing to add in honour of that noble creature
salt: He that will not believe the most noble Pearl, of a universal and
particular Medicine, to be included in the inward Penetrals of Salt, I
cannot help him; it is free for every man to seek and walk in another
way.
Would it not be too tedious, I could also plainly prove, that from
marine Bodies, (as Coral, Mother of Pearl, Oyster-shells, and the like
things, being dissolved into water, and precipitated) may be extracted
corporal Gold, which I have done with my own hands, and therefore can
boldly witness it.
But I will shut up the Tables, what I have hitherto spoken being
sufficient for this time; from which I hope and believe that others
will receive benefit: Which I heartily wish, together with the divine
benediction to all pious men. _Amen._
A
TREATISE
Of the Signature of
Salts, Metals, and Planets.
OR,
A Fundamental Institution evidently shewing by what means not only
the Virtues, Signification, Nature, and Properties of _Salts_,
_Metals_, and _Planets_, may be easily known, but also the
reasons of their Names and Appellations, and this not from Books
or Writings, but from their naked Signature, to be obtained and
known by the help of the Circle and Quadrant.
=Written for their sakes who delight in the Profitable and highly
Necessary Contemplation of Divine Miracles.=
To the well minded READER.
It is a common saying, _Beware of those whom Nature hath marked_,
the which is indeed true, if it be understood concerning men who are
insignized with some preternatural marks, or of the abortions of
Nature, but concerning other things it is false. For the Almighty God
hath signed all His Creatures, as well small as great, equally with
their own certain signatures, and hath as it were subjected their
depicted Lineaments to the Eyes of men, by which they might know what
the nature and property of every thing is, and what Commodity and
Profit it may bring to mankind. Hence not only all Vegetables, as
Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees, but also Animals, as Beasts of every kind,
yea, and Man himself, which abide upon the Earth, the Fishes inhabiting
the Waters, and the Birds of the Air; but also all things moveable
and immoveable, he hath signed with their peculiar forms and figures,
to signifie to us by those their signs, of what use every Herb, every
Animal, every Bird, and every Fish is, and for what purpose it serveth.
And this is the Divine Inscription which the Divine Finger hath written
upon all things, and by which the nature of all things should have been
learned by us.
But after that Men began more and more to decline from the humane,
to a brutish nature, and ceased to have the Reason of so noble a
Signature, preferring their brutal Conceptions to the Divine Works,
and postponing the Signatures incited in all things by Nature; it
came to pass, that in a long process of time that true Signature, or
Divine Inscription, being obscured, perished by degrees, and wholly
vanished; so that but a very few are found in this Age, who are endowed
with any knowledge of so great a Science; for the greatest part of men
are wont to follow the duct of Books and Writings, and study to learn
the Virtues and Proprieties of things out of them. Neither could this
study be disapproved of, if the true, incorrupted, and entire Writings
of the ancient and singularly-experienced noble Authors remained with
us. But because in a long Series of time their frequent descriptions,
emendations, and interpretations have so corrupted them, that scarce
any thing of truth is to be found in them; it were far better that such
mangled and corrupted Writings were not so much followed, but that
rather that old foundation laid by God himself, upon which all those
Writings, all Characters, and all Signatures do rest, and from whence
they have received their beginning, should be again brought out of
Darkness into Light, and the nature and properties of things learned
from thence. This would be the true way of coming to the knowledge of
Nature, in a short space of time, without so many errours, to which, by
those false Writings, a man cannot come in many years.
Some perhaps may ask, where that ancient Foundation laid by God ought
to be sought, or where it may be found? I answer, Every where, inasmuch
as it is before the eyes of every man, but especially shewing it self
in the Heavens, where the Sun, Moon, and all the Stars are constituted
by God in a round Figure, signifying to us that all Forms and Figures
take their beginning from a round Circle, and that a Circle or
Rotundity it self, as a most perfect thing, pertaineth to the Heavens,
and to GOD Himself. The Ancients certainly put it in that manner, that
by a round Circle they might denote those things which they could
neither comprehend by number, pronounce by words, nor conceive by their
ingeny; and on the contrary, those things which did not exceed their
capacity, ingeny, nor number, they signed with a square Figure: So that
things celestial, and exceeding humane capacity, they have denoted by a
Circle, but things visible, earthly, and subject to humane capacity, by
a Square, proceeding from a Circle.
And although the same ancient Philosophers, attributing a Circle to God
only, were of the opinion, that God could not be more aptly exprest
by any thing than a Circle, having (like Himself) neither beginning
nor end: Nevertheless all those things which after God they esteemed
great, they also noted with a Circle, to wit, the Sun in the Firmament,
and Gold in the Earth; the first of which, some of those Philosophers
thought to be God himself. Others of those Heathen Philosophers have
feigned for God the Effigies of a Serpent, winding himself into a
round Circle; and all earthy things of a celestial original, they have
represented by a Square, and so they have shadowed out the Celestial
and the Terrestrial, by the Circle and Quadrant.
Therefore as they observed how much of the Celestial or Terrestrial
Nature were in the things to be signed, so much of the Circle or
Square they added or substracted, and according to that they varied
their Figures: And not only in the Celestial Lights, to wit, the Sun,
Moon, and other Planets, but also in all earthly Creatures, produced
in the Earth by the operations of the Sun, Moon, and the rest of the
Planets and Stars, _viz._ Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Iron, Lead, and
Argent-vive; they have used this manner in signing them all with
Characters of this sort, and have noted them with the same Characters
which they have given to the Celestial Lights, producing and effecting
the Causes of those inferiour Creatures. So the Sun and Gold, as the
most perfect Creatures of God, are signed with a Circle having a point
or center in the middle; the Moon and Silver appear in the figure
of an half Circle, or of two semicircles, at a small distance from
one another; which shew their Bodies not to be absolutely perfect,
but as yet to labour under some defect. The Characters of the other
Planets, as ♄, ♃, ♂, ♀, and ☿, are also the Characters of the rest of
the Metals, _viz._ Lead, Tin, Iron, Copper, and Argent-vive, because
they are much more vile and imperfect than Gold and Silver, and are
noted with more imperfect Characters; such are an half Circle and half
Square, signifying that they scarce answer to the perfection of Silver
in the half part, and hardly to the fourth part of that of Gold.
But that I may propose the thing more clearly, I think it necessary to
inclose the Characters of the Celestial Lights, as ☉, ☽, ☿, ♀, ♂, ♃,
and ♄, and of the Terrestrials, as Gold, Silver, Argent-vive, Copper,
Iron, Tin, and Lead, which the ancient Astronomers and Philosophers
have imposed upon them, in Squares, consisting of the same magnitude,
that by those it may appear in what degree they differ from each other
in perfection.
[Illustration]
Here those Characteristick Figures of the Signatures are enclosed as
it were in little Houses, which are the Squares: Now, if into one of
those I put the Character of the Sun or Gold, _viz._ a round Circle
noted with the letter B, it toucheth four parts of the Square, marked
1, 2, 3, 4, and filleth it up, signifying that among Celestial and
Terrestrial Creatures, the Sun and Gold do excell all other things, in
their perfection.
The Character of the Moon or Silver, under the letter C, toucheth three
sides of the Square, to wit, the superiour with the top of her Horn,
marked 1, the lower side marked 3, and the bending of her back toucheth
the third side, marked 2; but by reason of the incurvating concavity of
her Superficies, she cannot touch the fourth side, marked 4.
The Character of _Mercury_, under the letter D, with both his horns
toucheth the upper side of the Square, marked with number 1, and with
the bottom of the Cross the lower side number 3: the other two sides,
2 and 4, he leaveth untouched, so that the half part of the Square
remaineth untouched by _Mercury_. _Luna_ toucheth three sides or the
same, and _Sol_ or Gold is contiguous to all the four sides.
_Venus_ or Copper, under the letter E, also adhereth only to two sides
of the Square, to wit, to the superiour number 1, and to the inferiour,
marked with the number 3, but the sides, 2 and 4, remain untouched.
In like manner also _Mars_, or Iron, toucheth only the upper and lower
sides, as you see under the letter F. So also _Saturn_, or Lead, under
G; And _Jupiter_ or Tin under H, you see touch but two sides of their
Squares. Therefore from this figure may be seen in what degree of
perfection the Metals exceed one another, so that he who hath respect
to this figure, cannot erre in discerning the said degrees.
The Ancients have not imposed these Characters, neither by chance nor
in vain, but they have directed the whole reason of characterising
to this end, that the Character might exactly agree with the Nature
and Property of the thing signed; as the great agreement between
the Celestial Luminaries or Planets, and the Metals, doth clearly
manifest. Nevertheless these things are not to be discerned by all
men, but by those only who are able throughly to inspect the nature
of Metals, and from that knowledge of the Metals, to know the said
degrees of perfection; for so much of rotundity as exhibits it self
in the Character to the sight, so much also of purity and perfection
is in the signed body; and so much as it shews of the square, so much
also it hath of imperfection: And this is a Chymical Axiom or Precept
altogether infallible, and so certain, that he who in the emendation of
Metals shall follow it, will not easily erre.
Gold, the most perfect of the Metals, by touching the four sides of
the square, argueth its great perfection: Silver is not far from the
perfection of Gold. And among the rest of the Metals, Argent-vive,
Iron, and Copper have the half, but Lead and Tin only the fourth degree
of perfection.
These few things we think sufficient for those who are desirous of
so great knowledge. He that desires to know more of these Harmonical
Signatures, of the Celestial Lights, and Terrestrial Bodies, let him
accurately examin this Foundation, and he will find those things which
neither _Aristotle_ long ago, nor our Schools at this day, have had any
knowledge of. This I dare assert for truth, That the Ancients, in the
_Egyptian_ Schools, have hidden great Mysteries under the Characters
of their Signatures, and not only in those signs imposed upon the Sun,
Moon, Stars, and Metallick Bodies, but that they have manifested great
Secrets by the very Names which they have given to all things, which
was not by chance that they have given to this thing such a Name, and
to that another: But when after times changed many Names, thence it
happened, that those Signatures fell into great uncertainty, and are
now perplexed with many doubts. The Names which from _Adam_, _Noah_,
and their Posterity, were in use with the _Egyptians_, _Chaldeans_, and
_Hebrews_, the _Greeks_ also had in use, and from the same Foundation
called things by due and true appellations. The _Latins_ have taken no
care about those derived to them, although the only and true Foundation
of every Investigation of those Secrets is placed in those. Indeed I
being ignorant of the _Egyptian_, _Chaldean_, and _Hebrew_ Tongues,
know not how to interpret those Names with their signature. But one
that is skilful in those Languages, and endowed with some knowledge
of natural light, by applying himself to such searches, by a prudent
inquisition, will find the Truth of those things which I have here
written, to wit, That the Nature and Property of all things are posited
in their Names and Characters: I will expedite the matter by a clearer
Explication, and in a few words expound the Circle and Quadrate.
In my Treatise of the _Nature of Salts_, I have clearly taught and
demonstrated, that all things in the World have their original from
the Sun and Salt. The Ancients have designed the Sun by a Circle,
and Salt by a Square: But as a Circle is first drawn before that a
Square can be put to it; and as a Circle by right is preferred before
a Square, inasmuch as that is the Original of this; so also the sun
is to be preferred to salt, to which it hath given Rise, and which it
hath preceded in its existency, and which being compared with the sun
its Original, is less to be esteemed: Hence, without the sun, salt
generateth and produceth nothing; nor yet the sun without salt, because
in every generation and production there is necessarily required the
conjunction of Male and Female, the sun performing the office of the
male, and the Moon of the female.
So _Eve_ the Female, as a Square, arose from _Adam_, as from a Circle,
and from both, to wit, from the circle and the square conjoined, the
fertility and propagation of mankind hath drawn its original. The Poets
have attributed this propagation to _Venus_, and noted it with a sign
composed of a Circle and a square, saying, that the Goddess _Venus_ was
born of the froth or foam of the Sea and Salt, and dried up by the Rays
of the sun.
The Character of _Venus_ being weighed with an accurate consideration
of mind, very perspicuously sheweth how wisely and prudently the
Ancients have shadowed out the Mysteries of Nature by their Characters.
Venus is signed with a round Circle, with a Cross pendant from the
Circle; the Circle denoteth the Sun; the Cross, Salt: For when four
lines are conjoined in their extremities, they make a Cross, all
the ends meeting in one point. But if all those Lines be disposed
foursquare, they form a Quadrate. Therefore in things signed, the Cross
and the Square differ only in their external Figure, and signifie one
and the same thing.
That this Mystery may be the better apprehended, I will interpret the
true signature of those principal Creatures of God, (to wit, the Sun
and Salt, from which all things proceed) attributed to them by the
Ancients, according to their Latin significations _Sol_ and _Sal_, that
their degrees and difference in nobility and goodness may evidently
appear: For the more Circles there are conspicuous in those words,
the more of purity and goodness they argue to be in the things which
they denote; and the more Squares there are in a Word, the more of
earthiness, imperfection, and impurity is shewn to be in the thing
thereby signified. But this Rule holds only in those words which were
imposed upon things by the Ancients, in others not.
Seeing therefore that it is beyond all doubt, that these two words,
_Sol_ and _Sal_, were by the Ancients imposed upon the things they
signifie, according to a true signature; we will therefore further
explain them.
And here it is first to be noted, that all the forms and figures of
Vegetables, _viz._ of Trees, Herbs, and other things growing out of the
Earth, and also of Animals, whether Men or Beasts, also of Minerals, do
take their original only from the circle and square, so that by those
it may be known what bodies or members are round or long; for the Body
of a Man, as also the Trunk of a Tree, have not only a round, but also
an oblong figure, and the joints of every finger, and the leaves and
branches of Herbs and Trees shew forth the same figure, so that in
those the Circle and the Quadrate are every where found.
And not only all the Creatures of God are noted with the same
signature, but also all Writings and Letters, proceeding from _Adam_,
_Noah_, and their Posterity, have taken their beginning from the Circle
and Square. As for example: All the Latin Letters, even from the
beginning to the end, you shall find to be composed of a circle and a
square. _A_ containeth two lines and a half of a square; _B_ consisteth
of two semicircles, and one line of a square; _C_ is a semicircle; _D_
is formed of a semicircle, and one line of a square; _E_ hath three
lines and a half of a square; _F_ two and a half of the same; _G_
consisteth of a semicircle, and half a line of a square; and so on to
the last Letter of the Alphabet: So that all the Letters being composed
of a circle and a square, were left by the Ancients to shadow out and
signifie those Mysteries to Posterity.
Therefore seeing that in my Treatise of _the nature of Salts_ I have
evidently demonstrated the Sun and Salt to be the beginning of all
things, I think it necessary to interpret those two words, _Sol_ and
_Sal_, according to their nature, and to prove that they are the true
beginning, and true end of all things.
Between the words _Sal_ and _Sol_ there is no other difference, but
the middle letter, which in _Sal_ is _Alpha_, but in _Sol_ _Omega_;
by which two Christ manifested himself to St. _John_: But the initial
and final letters of both words are the same, they are distinguished
only by the middle letters, _Alpha_ and _Omega_, and that not without
great reason; for as _Sol_ generateth _Sal_ from the beginning, and all
things which are take their original from him, so also the end of all
things shall happen at the last day, when all things born and arisen
from the Sun and Salt, shall again be consumed by fire, as _Peter_
writeth, to wit, that the Sun, Moon, and all the Stars, shall fall from
Heaven, and that the whole Earth shall be reduced to Ashes. Therefore
in _Sol_ and _Sal_, the beginning and end of all things are perfectly
discerned. Neither do these two words only set before our eyes the
beginning and end of all things, with the destruction of this earthy
and fading World, but they also make manifest the whole Mystery of the
Holy Trinity, which I could very easily demonstrate.
But because the _Egyptian_ Learning, built upon the foundation of
Nature, is lost, and in the room thereof Sophistical Schools have
grown up, which by their vain loquacity have altogether oppressed and
banished the truth; it might easily happen, that I might bring a Nest
of Hornets about my Ears, if I should write such things publickly, as
fly the knowledge of the learned multitude. Therefore it is better to
be silent, than to incumber my self with unnecessary contentions.
But that we may see there have also been others, who were not ignorant
of the Mysteries hidden in salt, it seems fit to me, in the end of this
Discourse, to subjoin the opinion of a certain learned man, explaining
the Greek word ἁλς, _Chap._ 13. _Book_ 4. and as it were, bringing
into view the great Mystery of God hidden in the same, that so we may
be invited to read the learned Book of the said Author, concerning
salt, which containeth many things highly worthy to be read, and of
the reading of which no man will repent; the name of the Author is
_Bernardus Gomesius_, printed at _Frankford_, in the year 1605, a Book
truly worthy of any man’s reading, and as such I studiously recommend
it to those who are desirous of learning any thing of good.
But to return to my purpose, I seriously affirm, that the nature and
property of Metals may be learned and openly known, not only from the
signature assigned them by the Ancients, but also from that which the
fire introduceth into them, and this signature proceeding from the
fire, is far to be preferred to that of the Philosophers; not therefore
because the Element of Fire possesseth a greater authority or might
than all Philosophers ever had or can have: But because the Fire
alwaies performeth immutable actions, and committeth no errours, nor
can it commit any, provided the Operator who handleth the fire doth not
deviate from the manner of operating, for at all times in one and the
same manner it sheweth the signatures of the metals.
The nature of the fire is such, that whensoever we will, it exhibiteth
to us, by a singular signature, the occult nature and hidden properties
of the metals; for even as any burning spirit of Vegetables, or
volatile salt of Wine, being drank by men, stirreth up their nature
and properties, and exposeth these things to view, which before lay
dorment, and which would not have been known, if the warm spirit of the
wine had not manifested them: So also is it with Salt, which, as we
have taught in the precedent Treatise of the nature of salts, hath a
power and faculty of exciting the nature of metals, and of manifesting
their medicinal Virtues. But the Fire, of which we here treat, hath the
faculty of subjecting their perfection to our eyes.
For as by the pure spirit of Wine the vital spirit of a Man is
presently cheered, and being awakened, the hidden signature forthwith
goeth out of the inward Penetrals of the heart; so that the Sanguine
sing, dance, play, and are occupied in Amours; the Cholerick break
forth into quarrels and fighting; the Phlegmatick grow drowsie and
sleepy, and the Melancholy are taken up with speculations, meditations,
and searches. These signatures the spirit of Wine can draw forth from
the most inward recesses of men. By the same reason the signature of
Metals is awakened, excited, and educed by the operation of the fire,
_viz._ when they are melted in a Crucible; for the smoak or fume going
out from them, presently indicateth the nature and property of every
of them. Pure Gold, and free from all addition, emitteth no fume
alone, but being melted with salt, giveth a purple exhalation. Silver
alwaies exhaleth somewhat of a blue, bitter, and unpleasant fume: The
fume of Copper is green, and stinketh: Of Iron not so much as Copper,
being also red, striketh the Nostrils with a stink: Lead and Tin send
forth a white fume, stinking and poisonous: Argent-vive, in its whole
substance, vanisheth in a venomous fume, and these are the signs of
the fumes, by which melted Metals, when they are not mixed, are wont
to be distinguished and known from one another. But if Copper, or any
other imperfect Metal, shall be mixed with Gold or Silver, it changeth
the fume, and rendereth the proof or examen doubtful and uncertain:
Nevertheless of the judging of the perfection of Metals by the Fire,
this Experiment is of all the most perfect and certain, _viz._ when
they are so melted by a very strong fire, that they move themselves,
and are as it were turned or whirled about in the Crucible, and by how
much the rounder this motion shall be, and the higher it elevateth it
self, by so much it sheweth the Metals to be more perfect; the more
depressed and equal, and the plainer the superficies shall be, the
lesser of perfection is in that melted Metal. The trial of this thing
is easily made, by which it is found, that among all the Metals Gold is
chiefly moved on the Test, or in a Crucible, by a round or spherical
motion; next Silver; next to that Copper; next to Copper Iron; after
Iron Lead; and lastly, after that Tin.
The same difference of perfection and imperfection is shewed by the
pouring of a melted Metal upon a Porphyry stone, or any the like well
levigated, and put into a Kettle of Water, so that the water may not
touch its superficies, which is to receive the melted Metal: This
therefore being poured out upon the said Stone, leapeth and divideth
it self into many grains, greater or lesser, more round, or less
round, according as the Metal shall be more or less pure. But of all
the Metals, there is none more imperfect than Tin, which by effusion
upon such a Stone, very rarely disperseth it self into grains, but if
the effusion be dextrously made, it dilateth it self in breadth in a
very thin form, like to writing Paper, so that it may be writ upon
(by a stile or stift) like Paper, and folded and sealed, and sent to
others, after the manner of other letters: Such letters made of Tin,
are hurt by no Water, so that they may be of great use, where necessity
requireth secresie in sending letters.
But that Tin spreadeth it self into such broad leaves, and doth not
separate into grains, after the manner of Gold and Silver, the reason
is its imperfection, which its before-mentioned signature evidently
argueth, containing but little of roundness, and taking the greatest
part from the square.
The knowledge of a metallick perfection is also acquired from the
rotundity of the metallick motion in the Examen of Saturn, or the
separation which is made by Lead in a Cupel, where Gold, before all the
rest boileth with a spherical roundness, and all the lead being sent
away in fume, by the violence of the fire, remaineth on the Cupel or
Test, in a pure, round, or spherical body, especially when there shall
not be too great a quantity of Gold.
Silver doth not answer to Gold in its round body, in which it
remaineth, yet it exceedeth Copper in roundness, which sometimes also
remaineth pure and round, if it be in a small quantity.
Iron and Tin do not admit the Examen of Lead by the Cupel, for
indurating the Lead, they deprive it of all flux, so that by combustion
it is reduced into a powder.
Argent-vive is by the Fire wholly driven away into the Air, in which
nevertheless keeping a perpetual flux, its signature of perfection
may be judged of in the Cold, which perfection exceedeth that of
the other imperfect Metals, and cometh near to gold and silver; for
being diffused into small grains, it exhibiteth in running a round
or spherical body, imitating melted Gold: So that it is not without
reason, that the Ancients in its signature have used the signs of ☉, ☽,
and a square; being within wholly Gold and Silver, if it be coagulated;
the truth of which many Experiments have demonstrated to me, made by
the Waters of gradation, as they are called; Experiments, I say, which
I have performed in small Instruments, for hitherto I could not make
them in great ones, and in a large quantity. If any young man shall
have a desire to try the same, let him in the first place beware that
he use not corrosive and eating waters, and by this means render the
Argent-vive more fugacious.
It behoveth that he seek and know true sulphur, which if it shall be
red, he shall also bind it with a red bond; but if white, he shall
preserve its colour constant, and bind it with a white bond; otherwise
it is wont to vanish in fume.
These few things I could not pass by, but signifie to the studious
of the Divine Signature of Metals and Planets. Let every one occupy
the powers of his Ingeny in the exercise of this Science, that he may
become expert in the wonders of things, especially of those which lie
hid in the words or names imposed upon things signed by the Ancients,
who have found out great Secrets, as well Celestial as Terrestrial,
and have comprehended them in those. Some such words of the Ancients
I would have interpreted here, but that in so doing I should have
divulged those things which are not vulgarly known, for which cause it
is better to pass them by in silence. He that will bend his endeavours
to so great a Science, may obtain many wonderful things; but of these
enough; it sufficeth at the present to have laid the Foundation, the
rest I leave to him, who being prompt to the study of seeking, shall
bring his mind to the acquiring of this knowledge; if he shall once
get into the right path, he will find out more than he seeketh or
desireth. Also Mountains, Woods, and Countries, by their signatures do
not only indicate the Treasures and Riches, given them by God, but are
also wont to foretell their own Fates, as their Rise, Encrease, and
Destruction. It remains, that we briefly examin, and take a short view
of the signatures of salts, with what notes or marks they are signed
by God, and also by what they signifie their natures and properties;
for without doubt, they have their signatures, and especially the
common and vulgar Salt, the which, wherefore should it not have its
signature, seeing that it is the original of all other things? There is
not found any Herb or Weed so vile, any Worm so abject, which wanteth
its marks given it by God, by which it manifesteth to us its nature and
virtues. I have above indicated the Sun by a Circle, and Salt to be
designed by a square added to it: and in the Sun and Salt all earthly
things as Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, to have the beginning and
end of their generation, propagation, and encrease; also all things
being risen from the sun and salt, to be signed by the Almighty God,
with certain signatures, from which their nature, powers, virtues,
and properties may be known; neither have I only asserted, but also
affirmed, that all the Mysteries of Languages and Words may be searched
out and known by those signs, to wit, the Circle and Quadrate.
These things are so certain and true, that they are beyond all
confutation, which I will make plain to every one, by one only
Argument, not exceeding the Capacity of a simple Boy, if the envious
Brethren of Ignorance, being lifted up by their great pride, shall
refuse to undertake it. That the Sun is conveniently and appositely
signed with a Circle, no man will deny, because it never sheweth it
self to the sight in any other figure than a round fiery Sphere, which
sign being attributed to the Sun, by the Ancients, so remaineth even to
this day.
The Ancients have also signed Salt with a square, which by the length
of time, and the negligence of men, hath vanished, so that every
one hath signed the species of salts according to his pleasure, one
in this, another in another manner; and by this occasion peculiar
Characters are invented by almost every Chymist, whence one useth not
that which another doth. But at this day among them, for the most part,
Salts are signed in the following manner. The common Kitchin Salt hath
the Character of a Circle, cut by a line transverse: Salt-petre hath a
Circle representing the form of an Egg, and cut by a line drawn from
the top to the bottom; But who was the Author of those Characters to
these Salts, I know not, neither is it much matter, whether a man know,
or not know it; but without doubt they were men who had never seen
Salts brought to their highest Purity: For vulgar salts, as they are
every where found, have not their proper figure and form which they
ought to have, and which they obtain after their cleansing: So the
vulgar and simple salt, as it is made from the Sea, or salt Fountains,
or dug out of the Earth, hath not its true and proper signature,
neither can it have, by reason of its many earthy feculencies; but
after all its fæces are removed, and it hath obtained a great purity
and cleanness, its own true signature, to wit, a square then appeareth,
and indicateth the sign which is due to it. I have already demonstrated
this to be true in my Treatise of the Nature of Salts, where I have
taught by what means every common Kitchin Salt is to be so purged, that
it shall be no longer rough, foul, obscure, and astringent, but clear
and transparent like Crystal, both in small grains, and greater pieces,
of a sweet savour, and a square or cubical figure, and which way soever
it is thrown, alwaies exhibiteth four Angles, like to a square, as if
it were formed by Art: Going forth in this most pure form, it seemeth
thus to speak to Mortals: _Here ye see my true and natural form, given
to me by the Sun my father, in the body of the Water my mother, which
the Earth indeed hath covered with a rough and vile Garment, but Art
hath again taken it off (praised be God) restoring to me my pristine
form, to the future advantage of many sick; therefore as I was created
from the beginning, so now I appear, without any impediment, to perform
those things for which I was appointed by Divine Creation_.
If the Sun in the Firmament could by any accident be so defiled and
corrupted, that he should lose his Light, it could in no wise be
that any thing in the whole World could remain alive for one day.
Which thing Experience it self sheweth us, when the Moon interposing
between the Sun and our Eyes but for one hour, depriving us of his
Rays; in which Case the Sun in no wise suffereth, nor is in any manner
corrupted, but only hindred for that little time, from transmitting
to us his vivifying Rays. Therefore if so small an Impediment in the
Orb of the Earth can cause so many Diseases, and other Incommodities
to men, why should not also the fæces obscuring Salt, eclipsing its
natural form, and rendering it more ignoble, be a detriment and
impediment to its Powers and Virtues? Let every man judge, if a gross
and impure Salt can be as commodious to all Men and Beasts, as that
which hath been restored to the highest purity of its Body.
Seeing therefore that it is the great interest of Mankind to enjoy such
a pure Salt, I have determined to prepare a quantity of it, according
to that manner of purging it, prescribed in my Treatise of the _Nature
of Salts_, that I may be able to accommodate many therewith. I have
hope, that at length the Eyes of Mortals will be opened, that they may
see how for a long time they have been seduced by blind Leaders, and
finding this, will have a greater regard to their own health. Truly
there is but a very small Labour and Cost required for the cleansing
of common Salt, to free it from its earthy fæces, and render it clear,
transparent, and in the Water of a Cubical Figure, and that without
the addition of any foreign thing, only by solution, filtration, and
coagulation of its own proper spirit.
If by these Operations you shall bring salt to its highest purity, you
may boldly assert, that you have acquired such a salt as the pure Sun
operated in the pure Water at the beginning; when the Sun, seated in
the height of the Firmament, would very freely perform his Office, yet
being hindered by gross and turbid Clouds, interposing between him and
the Earth, whereby he cannot render us partakers of his all-warming
Rays, we ought not to impute the fault to the sun, inasmuch as he is
not in fault, but rather to those thick and dark Clouds, which hinder
us of his splendour and efficacy.
So also is it with Salt, which would freely exercise the Gift bestowed
upon it by the Almighty Creator, were it not hindred by its terrestrial
fæces; therefore this impediment is not to be attributed to salt, but
to the intervening fæces, which hinder its salutary virtues. If it were
in our power to remove those thick Clouds from the sun at our pleasure,
as it is to separate the earthy fæces from Salt, we might every year
make our selves a very commodious Summer, which nevertheless cannot be
done, seeing that God the great _Pater familias_, hath reserved this
alone to His own Power.
As for the signature of Salt-petre, that certainly is very unequal,
by reason of the great diversity of this Salt, arising hence, that
it is well or ill purged, is defiled with more or fewer fæces, or
other strange salts. The Common, which is required for the making of
Gun-powder, is never perfectly pure, but alwaies mixed with other
Salts, which cannot be separated from it by the accustomed and usual
manner of solution and coagulation: Hence also you shall find no
salt-petre, which can have that true and genuine signature, which God
and Nature hath given it.
For by whatsoever vulgar labour and pains the Salt-petre which is
got out of Stables, is purged by Solution and Coagulation, it is yet
impossible that it should obtain its due cleanness and signature. But
to acquire that, it behoveth to use the following Operation.
First, some pounds of Salt-petre are to be taken, which are to be
purged by Solution and Coagulation, and that to be so of ten repeated,
untill it acquire that purity which it is wont to admit by this
vulgar Operation. Being so cleansed, it is to be divided into two
equal parts, and one of them to be mixed with white Potters-earth (or
Tabaco-pipe-clay) of which little Balls are to be formed, to be dried
in the Sun, and put into a Glass Retort well coated, or an Earthen
one which will hold the spirits, that the pure spirit of Nitre may
be Elicited by Distilation, and received in a large Glass adjoyned
to the Retort, containing some Water, into which the spirit entreth
freely. The other part of the cleansed Salt-petre, being put into a
Crucible, is to be reduced into a fiery fixed Salt, by the casting
in of Charcoal, Tartar, or the Stellate Regulus of Antimony, then
to be dissolved in rain Water, and filtred through brown Paper: So
much only of this Liquor of fixed Nitre, is to be poured drop by drop
to the distilled Spirit of Nitre as will suffice for the fixing it.
This Operation stirreth up a great noise, hissing and bubling, which
ceasing, admonisheth to leave off pouring in any more, and indicateth
that those two contrary Natures, to wit, the acid spirit, and fixed
liquor of Nitre have mutually satiated one another, and the corrosive
spirit hath lost its corrosive nature, and the fixed fiery liquor its
fiery quality, both returning to the pristine nature of Salt-petre.
From this liquor, the Glass being imposed in sand, the unprofitable
Phlegm is to be distilled off so long untill a Cuticula or thin skin
appear at the top of the matter, the sand being cold, the glass is to
be taken out, and set in a cold place, and let stand for one night to
shoot into long and sharp Chrystals, to be freed from the rest of the
liquor, by pouring it off. This liquor is again to be freed from its
unprofitable Phlegm by distillation, and again to be exposed to the
cold to Chrystallise. Whatsoever shall remain after every Operation,
is again to be Evaporated in sand, till the Cuticle appear, and to
be reduced to Chrystals in the cold, which Chrystals may be used as
common Salt-petre. The Chrystals of the two first Operations, are once
more to be dissolved in Rain Water, Filtred, Evaporated and again
Chrystallised, which are now white as snow, and extend themselves into
length, thin, sexangular, and so equal, as if they were smoothed with
a Plain: For not the least roughness or unevenness is to be seen in
their superficies, but they Exhibit the true and natural signature of
Salt-petre. If any one shall be desirous of bringing this Salt yet
to a higher purity, he may again divide this purified Salt into two
parts, and from one draw the Corrosive spirit by distillation, and fix
the other with Coals, and destroy both by Commixion, repeating the
Operations as we have already taught, he will prepare a Salt-petre
far more Excellent as well in Chymical as Medicinal Operations, as is
manifest in many places of my writings.
If you Operate rightly all the Chrystals, none excepted, will be
straight, sexangular, and equal in length, without any roughness, or
unevenness, which is the true and genuine signature of well purged
Salt-petre.
NB. The fixed liquor of Nitre, being left in the Air for a long
time, and afterwards Evaporated to a Cuticle, shooteth into small
Chrystals, representing the Effigies of Stars, whose figure appeareth
in a rotundity so neatly and pleasantly Constituted, that those six
Rays proceeding from the little body in the center or middle, seem
to be most exactly disposed and distributed to an equal distance and
length, as in a circle. Truly it is an admirable and stupendious work
of Nature, and a signature very unlike to the former, in as much as the
six Angles of this, are comprehended after a Circular manner, but in
the other they extend themselves only in length and sharpness. Those
things which we have here delivered concerning the true signature of
common Salt, and Salt-petre, the same are also to be understood of the
signature of other Salts, which must be free from all their sordes and
fæces, before they can shew forth their true signature.
Vitriol and Alum, which always shoot in a knotty and uneven Figure,
after they have laid aside their defilements, exhibit clear and
pellucid Chrystals, which yet will be much clearer it purged by several
Operations. Yea, being reduced to their highest purity, they put on a
Cubical figure like common Salt, nevertheless in Elegancy, Beauty and
Pleasantness, giving place to that. Hence it is manifest, that nature
is always ready for the gracing and adorning of her own fruit, if a
helping Hand be afforded her by Art.
Before I put an end to this Treatise of the signature of Salts, I think
it fit to point out in what degrees of Dignity, those two Words _Sol_
and _Sal_ differ, and are distinguished.
The word _Sol_, containeth two Circles and the half part of a square,
O. is a whole Circle; S. hath two semicircles, which being conjoined,
make an entire Circle; this being cut in the middle, and the half of
the section turned upwards, towards the right hand, and the other half
downwards, towards the left; giveth two semicircles forming the Letter
S. L. is the half part of a square.
The word _Sal_ hath only one Circle, to wit, the Letter S. consisting
of two semicircles: Also one square, constituting the Letters A and
L, which argueth that the good which is in Salt is partly tempered
with the other Elements, and partly combined with Earth. The Sun far
exceedeth Salt in purity, nevertheless it is not absolutely perfect
because the Letter L containeth the half of a square, which sheweth
that it cannot be endowed with an absolute and perfect purity, neither
is it as Telescopes at this day demonstrate, by whose help those
solar spots have been observed in those times. Neither also ought it
to have an absolute perfection, the which belongs only to God, and
not to any creature, in the number of which is the Sun: Nevertheless
that he is the purest of all creatures, there is no Man dare deny.
Hence it came to pass, that the ignorant Heathens, attributed to the
Sun Divine Honour, thinking that besides the created, there was as
yet another uncreated Sun; That is, the Omnipotent God himself, the
Creator of the Elementary and shining Sun, which according to the Words
of Christ shall also perish at the end of the World. By a like reason
there is a twofold Salt, _viz._ one Eternal, Divine and Celestial;
the other Terrestrial and fading. And as the Holy Spirit proceedeth
from the Eternal Light, and Divine and Celestial Salt, for the warming
and enlightening the Hearts of Men involved in darkness and for the
defending our souls against the crafts and deceits of Satan; so also
from the Elementary Sun or Fire, and the Terrestrial Salt, proceedeth
that most noble saline spirit for the strengthening of humane Bodies,
defending them against various Diseases, and preserving them in good
Health. Therefore there is an Eternal and Divine _Sol_, a Celestial
_Sal_ and Holy Spirit; and also an Elementary, frail Sun, Salt and
Spirit. But it is our Duty to Love, Praise, Honor, and Adore the
Eternal Sun, and to him to commend the health of our souls. And to
use and enjoy temporal and fading things for our necessities, with
thanksgiving.
_The Explication of the Word_ ἄλς _or_ Sal, _by_ Bernhardus
Gomesius.
But before we undertake to expound such excellent places, it behoveth
us to invoke the divine Being; that, that which cannot be fore-known by
any Augury and Divination, we not erring, but being led by the Divine
inspiration and instinct, may at length expound; seeing that in the
treating of things so Divine and unspeakable (that being wanting) if
we should erre, in might be unpardonable, but if we shall piously and
happily prosecute the matter, universal thanks and praise may be given
to God alone, and to Christ the great giver of Salt. First, therefore
we are to shew what the Celestial Salt is, and by what means it may
be distinguished from the Terrestrial Salt, of which Christ speaketh
in the Gospel. And because the Evangelical Words of Christ will be of
great force to us in the speaking of it: And seeing that Christ when
he would grace the Apostles with a high Title, called them the Salt of
the earth: we think it not improper to call him the pure and undefiled
salt of Heaven. For there is scarce any thing of so many preparations
of an inferiour nature which excels the (as it were) Divine strength
and efficacy of Salt in this part: For Christ and his blessed Humanity
is the only Salt that is placed upon the Table of the Blessed. In whom
Salt is the fullness of his infinite, inexhausted, and neverending
divinity; which abundantly filleth both Heaven and Earth and all things
therein; and then again making himself palatable to us, he exhibits
himself to be tasted most sweetly by all Men. For from that all things
that are, and ever were and that shall be hereafter, have both received
their being, and are made perfect, and without it could not be, for his
Divine seasoning, or become palatable to the seasoner.
So this salt endeavours to express his, in whose name are both in
Greek and Latin three Letters in one syllable; or rather to adumbrate
this one and the same Divinity common to the three Persons. For tho’
the Divine mystery and sacred things are shut up in Letters chiefly
with the _Chaldees_ and _Hebrews_, because GOD spake by them: Yet they
don’t always want the Elements of the tongues, especially the _Greek_,
which was both derived from them, and words construed from these things
are not imposed from their power but from their propriety, as _Plato_
the greatest of the _Greeks_ supposes; For that the divine infinity
and Immensity is exprest and explicated in Greek letters, is shewn in
the _Apocalyps_, Cap. 1. where _John_ saw and heard our Lord Christ
preaching of himself, I am α and ω, the Beginning and the End.
For as the sun, when it lightly touches with its perspicuous light, by
that its image and splendour it is forthwith given: So the Heavenly and
Infinite Divinity, with all Goodness, as it were His Brightness, does
not only leave His imprest Image in the things themselves, but also in
Letters, with which those things are enlightened and made perspicuous.
The like we have found in Salt, design’d in Greek notes; for that which
in Latin is called _Sal_, in Greek is called ἄλς, express’d by the same
Letters, though chang’d in order, and extended in three Letters, but
one Syllable; but the Greek word expresseth both more plainly.
For the first Letter of it is α, which by its infinite roundness, as
with two Horns, seems to be brought into the following Letters; which
note plac’d with the Holy and Divine Trinity, signifies the first
Person of it, to wit the Immense Father: Who as άλΦα, is an infinite
beginning in himself; so the same pours out and infinitely communicates
his Nature to other two Divine Persons proceeding from himself: in one
of which by Generation the Son; but in the other by inspiration he
produces the Holy Ghost. And further, the α shews it self, its certain
divine Operation follows that Eternal, Infinite and never ending Power
of the same Mighty Father, which also he sometime pour’d out from his
Almighty Infinity, to procreate the Universe. As also in two horns, I
mean Benedictions one is found to be in Creatures by the Creation of
things; and the other in their Preservation; both by the Wisdom of the
Omnipotent Son, and by the Goodness of the Holy Spirit.
But the middle Letter λ, is a Note full of sweetness: which is
expressed with a Face, round, and composed for Mirth; and its Figure is
not unlike a Circle. For from the superior Angle two sides stretching
backwards, seem to make a Triangle, yet without a base and without end,
as the Letter it self expresses. Which note again relates to the same
Trinity, and represents the second Person of it, to wit the Son, or
Word proceeding out of the most sweet Mouth of the Father: In which,
two eternal Relations, as they call ’em, as to Infinite sides, are
found: the one whereby he relates to the Father, from whom he proceeds
by his eternal Generation; the other whereby he is Related to the Holy
Ghost, whom he breaths together with the Father by an eternal and
infinite habitude, and without any intermission.
But this note λ, I mean Christ the Son of GOD, and Mediator between GOD
and Man, is never when time presents, wanting in his most beneficent
Actions: that he who had taken the Human nature to the Divine, and was
made the Corner stone, might (as he has done) connect the two Walls,
to wit the _Israelites_ and _Gentiles_ as two sides, when he built in
himself a strong and safe Sanctuary for them both, that flying to Him,
they might escape the fearful sentence of everlasting damnation.
Lastly, the Letter ς, concludes this Monosyllable. This note is
design’d with a certain sinuous and Circumflext line drawn from hence
and thence, which going from the two extreams in the middle, designs
as it were two distinct semi-circles; out of which is shewn that they
are made and constituted. Which lineament compar’d with the Trinity
it self, adumbrates the third Divine Person, to wit the Holy Ghost.
For that spirit proceeding out of the Bosom of both the Father and of
the Son, by one and the same Inspiration, so knits those two distinct
Persons, to whom he is co-equal and co-eternal, by an Infinite tie of
Love, that he remaining a distinct Person, might agree with them in
their most simple, individual, and immense nature.
But as to the other Persons, so also his Communication is attributed to
the Holy Ghost in time; which is wonderfully expressed by the shape of
this Letter ς: Yet if we consider its lower extream, which seems as it
were to arise of the former Letters of the Monosyllable, that is how it
comes to be stretch’d chiefly towards the right hand: then from right
to left, is wrested a little by ascending by a sinuous derivation: and
thence at last, with the like following obliquity it ends again on the
right hand. For the same Holy spirit proceeding from those two eternal
and infinite Persons, as from an immense Fountain of Infinity, whilest
from time to time he communicates his Gifts to the World, first those
on his right hand, that is into the hearts of Men, he pours out to them
that are illustrated and endued with the Divine Light of Nature: Then
the same Light remaining, as it were bending from the right, ascending
a little to the left, he brought forth the Mosaick Law written with the
Finger of God, that is Dictated by him to the _Israelites_. Lastly,
leaving the Mosaical Law on the left, he return’d to the right hand,
and season’d the Evangelical Law deliver’d by Christ our Saviour, with
his most Wise and Loving salt of Grace.
From all which, that which pertains to the business, appears from those
three Letters of _Sal_, making one Syllable; and again, this unfolding
it self in those three Letters, shews us, that there is in _Sal_ a
certain impress or image of the sacred and Individual Trinity, which
we worship, Three in One, and One in Three. Which Trinity we should
have had, as an infinite, eternal, and inexpressible thing, commonly
unknown, and incomprehensible, and as a most remote Salt, never
heretofore put into an humane or Angelick Saltseller, we should have
left untouch’d; unless at length the Divine Person of this Trinity,
the Word, in taking the Humanity to himself, as it were Salt into a
Saltseller, had presented to our taste so much Divinity; for this very
Saltseller, both in figure, is covered with the eternal splendour of
the Father, as also pointed and illustrated with the embroidered Notes
of His Passion and likewise adorned with the Unction of the Holy Spirit
is alwaies placed upon the Heavenly Table of the Blessed, to season
their Food and solemn Banquets, after an eternal and ineffable manner;
for in him all divine, and most sweet relishes and excellent tastes
of His eternal Wisdom are season’d anew; for Christ Himself is not
only the Heavenly and most Wise seasoner of the most opulent Feast,
but also the very seasoning, and thing seasoned, and the Food which
is so placed; for by Him his Heavenly Father, the King of kings, and
magnificent Lord of lords, who out of His Goodness, and as He loves His
good things, gives most liberally to all People a very large measure
of Salt, that is, the help of His Grace to seek Him, and ask of Him
Heavenly things.
True, that they who are called to the Heavenly Banquet may prepare
themselves to come in this measure, and most happily sit down in it;
but if (like fools) they refuse to come, the Measure being taken from
them, they will be plung’d into eternal punishment. In which respect
they may be likened to Flesh and Bones put into a Pot together, and
water and salt put to them, hung over the fire to boil, and afterwards
brought to the Table: Of which the Bones, which will be neither
seasoned by salt, nor softened by water, are thrown under the Table, to
be broken by Doggs; but the Flesh, because it is made tender by heat
and water, and takes the seasoning, is again sprinkled with a purer
salt on the Table, and eaten with the greatest pleasure: For as Bones
are to Flesh, so are Evil men mingled with Good: Of which these, when
they will neither relish the Salt of Divine Grace, nor be washed nor
softened by pure Water, nor warmed by the heat of the Heavenly Word
to be willing to divine things, will by the severe Judgment of the
great Taster Christ, at his magnificent Table, be reserved to the most
exquisite punishments: Which obstinate and unseason’d Fools, He, for
their hardness, finding unworthy his heavenly Table, plucks out from
among the Righteous, and throws ’em down into Hell, there to be torn in
pieces and devoured by those infernal Dogs, to all Eternity.
But the Good, who have been seasoned not only with the former, but
also the later Salt, I mean with antecedent (as we say) and consequent
Grace, and are not only adorned with Virtue, but have suffer’d all
crosses and afflictions of this Life for Christ: These, as Flesh
worthy His Table, the divine Taster offering to God the Father, He
seasons with the new Salt of Glory; and though Aliens and Strangers,
places them among the Angels and Citizens of Heaven, and with these
Commands an equal Mansion of Blessedness to be given to them, though
nevertheless they both come to the same felicity, by a different way
of meriting it. For from what those above Angelical Citizens, from the
very beginning of things, and since first a full desire seiz’d them,
they have preferred the Heavenly Suppers of Christ to the mid-day
Dinners of the most insolent _Lucifer_; they have deserved to follow
those Oppipary, and (as they call ’em) Princely Banquets seasoned with
the most sweet Salt of Grace, and made resplendent with the shining
light of glory.
But the Inhabitants of the Earth, and Men, strangers of Heaven, opprest
by the great weight of a Body, and involved in the thick darkness,
have made so long a Journey to the Country, by a far more tedious
way of travelling; for the Universal occasion of desert is not to be
snatch’d by those in the Journey of Life it self, and those under
the terminative moment following the Creation; but they ought rather
studiously and laboriously to take this by a continual and daily period
of life, even to their death: Besides that, the Journey to the Country
is so hard and wearisome, and exposed to so many dangers, brings so
many anxieties upon strangers every where, leads them into so much
anguish of mind and troublesome solicitudes, that it is plain, that not
humane ability, but divine grace must cause, that strangers are not
deficient in the way, or that they do not wander from the true scope or
end of their Journey: Which would be the fortune of every one in the
World, unless Christ, by divine Counsel constituted the _Parochian_ of
the whole World, who giveth to his strangers every where Salt and Wood,
doth recreate and refresh them, and also lead them into the way that
directs to the same Heavenly Country.
This may suffice to be spoken of the signature of _Salts_, _Metals_,
and _Planets_, at this time. He that diligently weighs it, will search
Nature deeply enough: If God grant me life, I shall publish a Tract of
the _Signatures of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals_; also in which I
shall deliver many things good and profitable for all sorts of Men.
* * * * *
_O Eternal, Almighty, Bountiful, and Merciful GOD and Father, the Heat,
Light, and Sun of Justice, enlighten and warm the hearts of all men,
overwhelmed with a sleepy numbness, shadowed with thick darkness, and
made rigid by an horrid coldness, that they may see, know, love, and
fear thee, and give thee due Thanks and Praises for all thy Benefits,
and at last awakened, they may receive that sight they had before lost._
* * * * *
_O Eternal Word of God, most sweet, wholsom, and palatable Salt, Jesus
Christ, recreate and refresh our sick and miserable souls, by thy
Divine Virtue and Efficacy, that we being corroborated, neither Death
nor the Devil may hurt us._
* * * * *
_O Holy Ghost, the only Leader to Truth, who proceedest from the
Eternal Fire and Heavenly Salt, comfort all the sudden and desarted
Sheep, wandering this poison’d Marsh and Valley of Miseries, among
devouring Wolves, and corroborate them, that they may patiently endure
their Cross; and hereafter separate them from the stinking Goats, and
bring all the Elect into the green and heavenly Pastures, that there
they may continually behold the eternal Light, taste the heavenly Salt,
and enjoy the =fulness of Joy=, Peace, Grace, and Mercy for ever._
Amen.
THE
CONSOLATION
OF
NAVIGATORS.
In which is Taught
How they who Travel by Sea may preserve themselves from Hunger and
Thirst, as also from Diseases, which are wont to happen to them in long
Voyages.
=Written for the Help, Comfort, and Solace of all those who make long
Voyages for the Good of their Country.=
THE PREFACE.
Reader,
_OUR SAVIOUR CHRIST hath prescribed to us this Doctrine, that we
should =behave our selves towards our Neighbour, as we would that
he should do to us=; yea, =that we should love him as our selves=:
This He hath earnestly commended unto us, as the indispensible Will
of God, contained in the Law and the Prophets. But although there be
few who consider this, and all men seek only their own, yet one or
other is still found, who calleth this duty to mind, and as far as he
can, taketh every opportunity or occasion of serving his Neighbour.
Although also there may be some who bear a love to others, and desire
to assist them with their counsel and help, and yet are destitute of a
power of giving them any thing; for no man can distribute more than he
hath. Moreover, Covetousness and Envy so far governeth some, who have
plenty enough to bestow upon others, that they will do good to none but
themselves; of which sort there are many now to be found in the World,
and hence Charity towards our Neighbour is wholly vanished._
_Seeing therefore that the Almighty, of His singular Grace, hath
bestowed on me a small Talent, in searching out the Secrets of
Nature, it is, without doubt, to the end that I should thereby do
good to others; which Talent I would not bury, but have put to use
in writing particularly from year to year, for the publick Good,
and being affected towards my Neighbour, have made them publick. I
have also determined, if time shall permit, to publish yet more and
better things of this nature. But after that some described Voyages
to the =East= and =West-Indies=, and other far distant places, had
happened into my hands, I perceived, not without great admiration
what immense daggers occurr on the Seas, not only from Robbers and
Pyrates, but also the adversitys of violent Winds, (to pass by many
other Calamities in silence) by which the Ship, together with all in
it that draw breath, are overwhelmed, and perish: And when I further
contemplate those things with an intent mind, nothing seems to me more
grievous and intolerable than Hunger and Thirst, or the want of Meat
and Drink, which sometimes happeneth to Ships by adverse Fortune: For
when they are overcome by the hand of an Enemy, they are wont indeed to
suffer the loss of their Goods, but the Lives of the men are for the
most part saved; which loss of Goods they may again easily repair by
Merchandizing; and although they should be adjudged to death, yet their
pain would quickly have an end. But if through an ill fate of necessity
one be destitute of Bread and Water, and be forced to tear another in
pieces to eat, that is of all the highest misfortune, and death it self
were more desirable, than to sustain extremities and miseries of this
sort. And although the want of Food doth not so frequently happen,
yet the want of Water often falls out, whence Seamen are grievously
tormented with Thirst, to whom, as in a most urgent Calamity, Mercy
and Christian Compassion ought to be administred; but, Who can carry
them succour afar off, and in a tempestuous Sea? And seeing that the
Prosperity of =Maritime= Countries (where for the most part there is no
Wine, no Fruits, no Mines, as in the upper =Germany=, and other places)
consisteth only in Navigation, it were very well worth the while that
this should be promoted to the utmost. I have therefore diligently
considered the matter with my self, and have found that a Remedy may be
applied to this Evil, =viz.= the want of Meat and Drink, by providing
in time an =Apparatus=, or certain matter to be carried in Ships,
which is of far greater efficacy in mitigating =Hunger= and =Thirst=,
than common Bread and Water; yea, is able to prevent and expel that
Disease which is so familiar to Seamen, to wit, the =Scurvy=, which is
often a great hindrance to Sailing: So that this matter may be carried
together with the usual Provisions, as a Preservative, and in case of
necessity, as if the Ship be overmuch harass’d with Storms, or be
hindred by other infelicities, or detained longer in the Voyage than
expected, it may be taken and used. It were indeed to be wished, that
these materials might never be wanted in any Ships, but as the old
Proverb hath it, =A superfluous Caution never doth hurt=; therefore it
is alwaies better to have a thing in readiness, which we do not use,
than to want it when its use is necessary. But what those materials
are, of which I speak, and how they are to be used when need is, I
shall communicate to my Neighbour, for the publick Good, not at all
doubting, but that this invention will prove highly profitable to many
who use the Seas._
_The Reader now understands what hath moved me to write this Treatise,
=viz.= the love of my Neighbour, and that I have not composed it only
for the sake of some few, but that I have emitted it to the publick,
to the end, that those highly profitable Inventions might afford help
and comfort to all Mankind, and especially to all that use the Seas,
and such who are infirm in their health: Nor do I doubt but that this
my sincerity of mind will be a great preservative, comfort, and relief
to those who pass the Seas, when they are in danger, by the benefit of
which, they may escape various Chances and many Misfortunes, or beware
of them for the future: For by this means which I shall here produce
against Hunger and Thirst, or other Diseases which are wont to afflict
Sailors, it will be found, that what I ascribe to them may be fully
deduced to the desired effect. And therefore many Thousands of men may
thence receive Fruit and Profit, as long as the World shall endure;
so that all who travel the Ocean, and are afflicted with any Disease,
ought to rejoice, and give Thanks to God._
_Now, if any one should yet doubt of the success of this matter, (which
nevertheless is shewed from so clear and irrefragable Fundamentals)
I leave him to his freedom, whether he will put the matter into
examination, and certifie himself of the Truth, before he give credit
to it: Which also may be proved in a small quantity, and not only on
the Seas in Voyages, but on the Land also in the House, among both
the Sound and the Sick. Therefore let no man vilifie what he doth not
understand, but let him commit the thing to trial, and see its reason
and quality, before he contemneth it, or pass an immature Judgment,
lest his curiosity or imaginary Wisdom from a vain instinct, deceive
him, or confound him with shame, when the proof shall shew it to be
better than he could perswade himself._
_But that in some places I have used obscure words, and have not
proposed all things so clearly, as that every man will be able to
understand them, let no man wonder at this for I have certain reasons
for so doing; for no man will have any prejudice or injury thereby,
seeing that nevertheless there are such points of this sort elucidated,
which will remain after me safe and sound: Therefore whatsoever the
Reader shall here find written, let him esteem it worthy to be received
and embraced, as the Gift of God; the which, if I find to be gratefully
accepted, more (God willing) shall follow. Also to all those who shall
have need, I offer the Medicaments aforesaid, profitable against Hunger
and Thirst, and all Sea-faring Diseases, a good quantity of which I
will cause to be prepared, that every man may use them that will, and
thence satisfie his desire._
_Wherefore it is the interest of any to whom I have committed the
Preparation of this Medicine, to betake himself to it, and when need
shall be, he will not be unwilling to use it. I have not sought my self
in these things, being content to serve my Neighbour out of Christian
Charity. And although this my good Will shall not be accepted by
foolish and ungrateful men, nevertheless God shall have the praise,
who hath committed to us a mutual participation of love and good
will, which also in his own time will grant the benefit of this to be
derived and redound to my Children after me, by some pious Souls, of
which I make no doubt, and therefore readily acquiesce in my present
condition._
THE
Consolation of Navigators, &c.
Now to come to the Work it self, we will point out the Remedies, whose
use is so necessarily required in Navigation, and which is able to
preserve us not only from the pressures of Hunger and Thirst, but also
from the injury of Diseases; and they are no other than Corn and Water
concentrated, or reduced into a more compact and narrow compass, the
one for the extinguishing of Hunger, the other of Thirst; and how they
are both to be concentrated, and administred in case of necessity, I
will exactly describe and teach. And,
I. _Of the Concentration of Corn or Grain._
As for this, it is sufficiently explained in the _First Part of
the Prosperity of_ Germany; so that it might be here passed over;
nevertheless I will make this short repetition.
Make a Malt of Wheat, Barley, Oats, or any other Grain, as is usual
for the brewing of Beer, [_See the full Description_, _Prosp._ Germ.
_p._ 1. _cap._ 2.] and extract all the strength with Water, as if Beer
were to be made thereof: Afterwards boil this Liquor away gently in
broad and shallow Vessels or Coppers, to the consistency of Honey: The
Dreggs or Grains serve for Food for Cattel, but the inspissated liquor
or juice may be commodiously carried by Sea, and at pleasure may be
made into Beer with a mixture of Hops and Water. And because for the
most part eight Tuns of Grain afford one Tun of the inspissated Juice,
every Tun of Grain maketh a Tun and an half, yea, two Tuns of Beer,
for every Tun of Liquor maketh at the least eight, ten, twelve, or
more Tuns of Beer, according as you will have it stronger or smaller.
Therefore it is easier and cheaper to carry in a ship one Tun of this
Juice, than ten or twelve Hogsheads of Beer, which easily corrupts
and grows sowre; but on the contrary, this Liquor being kept from the
Air, retaineth its goodness; and this is of singular advantage, seeing
that good fresh Beer may be made of this juice. To this also belongs
another great Commodity, _viz._ that if this Juice be mixed instead
of Water, with Wheat flower, and baked, it makes an efficacious Bread,
which affordeth far more nourishment to sailers than their common
Bread, and containeth in it self so great power, that it can refresh
and cheer the Sick: For which reason our Ancestors did not in vain use
to temper fine Flower with clarified Honey instead of Water, and make
Bread thereof, which they called Cakes of Life, because they were a
great support to the Humane Body, and as it were excited the Life it
self: But in our daies all things being subservient to _Avarice_, you
may see those sweet Cakes, made up with common, impure, and unclarified
Honey, which cannot generate much good blood, or juices; but this our
Bread will approve it self to be of a greater sweetness, nobility, and
efficacy, inasmuch as the elicited juice of Grain, affordeth a far
better nourishment than Honey. But if any desire to proceed farther
with it, this concentrated Liquor of Corn will yet afford a greater
utility, _viz._ if being inspissated or brought to a thick consistency,
it be mingled with fine Flower of the best Mault, and Bread made
thereof, which after it is baked, is to be cut into pieces, and again
put into the Oven, till it be dry and hard, and then put up into Chests
or Hogsheads, to preserve it from the Air, and so carried to Sea; for
then this Bread, when necessity requires, may be infused in warm Water
with a few Hops, and excited to the separation of its fæces, and it
will acquire the substance of Beer: But that which doth not pass into
the Liquor, nor become Beer, may be heat in a Kettle, and some Butter
put to it, which will very much comfort the languishing stomachs of
Seamen, as well, or better than the eating of Bread softened in Beer.
But in regard that bitter Potions are not agreeable to all Palates,
it may also be made into Beer without Hops, by mixing the bread with
good water only, and afterwards boiling it for the evaporating the more
phlegmatick part, which will have a pleasant taste. But this Bisket
also, or twice baked Bread, may be ground small in a Mill, and put up
close in Casks, and preserved on shipboard. Afterwards, when need shall
require, you may temper it with warm water, and in an open Hogshead
(which yet must have a bottom) suffer it to settle, and clear it self;
so the flower ascendeth upwards, and the water attracteth the sweet
liquor, and hence becometh excellent and wholsom Beer, which if it be
drawn out at the bottom of the Hogshead runneth as clear, as if it had
been made some Months; for there is now a separation made of the pure
part of the Bread, from the impure or gross, and when that which is
fine is drawn off, the gross part may also be drawn out of the Vessel,
which being boiled with butter, affords a singular pleasantness to the
taste; yea, also is of a greater salubrity, and better digestion in
the stomach, than Pease, Beans, or French Barley boiled: So that here
is nothing lost, Bread or Meal of this sort affording good Beer, and
also a wholsom Food to eat. And thus on shipboard one may at any time
of the year not only have good fresh Beer, but also thence may be made
good Vinegar. And this may suffice to have briefly taught the manner of
mitigating Hunger and Thirst by concentrated Corn.
I shall now treat of the Cure of Diseases, to which Seamen are liable,
and which often bring death.
Now, if you regard the Nature of Man, you shall generally find, that
he useth no measure or mediocrity in eating and drinking, but rather
puts down so much till his belly will hold no more. Which Vice one man
obtrudeth upon another, under the shew of kindness and good-will, from
an old custom and enormous abuse, although in this one offends more
than another. Therefore while the Appetite is more liberally indulged,
than admitteth of a good digestion, the Liver assumeth a Chyle which is
scarce half concocted: Whence also a gross blood is generated; and so
in process of time the Viscera are filled and obstructed with crass and
viscous humours; hence they cannot perform their office as they ought,
but rather many and divers Diseases do arise, according as the heap of
crudities encompass the Flesh covering the Joints, obstruct the Veins
and Nerves, and deprave all the _mediums_ of nourishment; therefore
when the Evil cometh to that pass, and grows prevalent, the whole body
is sensible of it, but chiefly in that place where it fixeth its seat:
And hence necessarily one part suffereth by the hurt of another, till
at length all the powers go to decay, and the whole body languisheth,
and cannot help it self, and unless succoured by Art, dyeth.
For these causes Physick was invented, that those Diseases arising from
intemperate eating and drinking, might be met in the way, the perverse
Enemy or primogenial Vice of the body be removed, the viscous and
phlegmatick _Saburra_ of the depraved humours dissolved and opened, and
the oppressed Members expurged, that so the body may again recover its
former healthful estate; the which is wont to be done by divers means,
and in various manners, according as the Physician understandeth the
Disease to be, so he also affords his help, _viz._ taking it away by
Evacuations upwards or downwards, by Sweat or Urine, or by other means,
as the nature of the Disease requireth. But by which way soever the
recrements of the malignity be dissipated and expelled, and the inward
parts be freed from them, it is well, and the Physician hath performed
his Office, also meriteth Thanks and a due Reward. Therefore whosoever
well understandeth the nature, rise, and birth of diseases, and also
possesseth a good Medicine, or can obtain one, is fitly qualified for
a Physician; but he who knoweth not the disease, nor is also furnished
with fit and efficacious Medicines, nor knoweth how to obtain them,
grievously erreth by trying Experiments so long, till the Evil more and
more encreasing, the Sick at length expires; the which is so well known
that it needeth no proof; so that many who have contracted diseases
from immoderate eating and drinking, are afraid to commit themselves
to an unskilful Physician, but chuse rather to cure themselves by
abstinence and fasting, which way is indeed safe, although it be
tedious and full of delay.
Others again use vulgar and trifling Medicines, and yet recover their
health, tho’ late, thinking that this happened by the use of their
Medicine, when nevertheless the length of time, and the sparingness
of their meat and drink, during their illness, whence the superfluous
pravity of humours hath gradually wasted, hath effected this; which
also sometimes happens to those who take no Physick; but by how much
the greater the pravity of the humours is, by so much the longer it
will be before Nature will be able without help to overcome and expel
them. The which, if it take 4, 5, or 6 weeks to accomplish, a Physician
(by the benefit of good Medicines) might effect it in 2 or 3 days. So
great is the difference between a Cure which Nature performeth in a
long time, and that which is quickly done by Art.
But here it may be objected, that all diseases take not their beginning
so much from an evil and superfluous humidity, as from manifold other
causes, one being derived from this, another from another cause. To
this I answer, that all those affects of the Body which exist in the
skin, and do not proceed from external accidents, as wounds, bruises,
falls, _&c._ whence the bruising of the body, and also Death, at length
happens, do draw their original from the intemperance of eating and
drinking, which administer occasion, and furnish matter to noxious
humours, which hence occupy and infect divers Members; for one part
affecteth another, till the whole body abounds, and is imbued with a
multitude of viscous humours. When the Stomach is over-gorged, and
its tone is spoiled, it contracteth cold crudities, and falls into a
dangerous estate, How then should it rightly digest the Food? and,
What good can it transmit to the Liver? And seeing the Liver receiveth
nothing but what is evil and depraved, What can that procreate of good,
and diffuse throughout the whole body? Therefore as I have said, one
Member must suffer by another, till the errour become common. Whilst a
Tree or an Herb in the ground remains temperate, that it be neither too
wet nor too dry, its root draweth from the earth virtue, and imparteth
it to the trunk, and the trunk to the branches, leaves, flowers, and
fruit, and is able to produce fruit conducible to health, for many
years. But if the root be ill placed, the Salt being ill disposed,
whatsoever the stock there finds, it associates to it self, and also
comnmunicateth the same, and no better to the branches: And if it stand
too wet, it brings forth an insalubrious Fruit, which by reason of too
much moisture, falleth off before it is ripe, in whose stead fungous
protuberances arising from putrefaction, spring up, and such Plants do
not endure long.
Again, if the Root stand too dry, it cannot thence have juice
sufficient to nourish the Tree, and bring forth Fruit, but will
by degrees wither away and die. So also it is with Men, and their
Diseases; for according as their Bodies are treated, they are healthful
and fruitful, or else diseasie. Now seeing that I have proved Diseases
from redundancy or humidity, or from driness, it will be easie to
provide preventive Remedies against them; or if any errour or delay
should happen in this, it may be amended in the curative part, by which
the Evil may be abolished. These are required to be of that nature and
property, that they attract the superfluous and pernicious humours
from all the Viscera and principal Internal Members of the whole Body,
into the Ventricle, conciliate a new concoction or digestion, separate
the pure from the impure, adjoin the one to the Liver, and eject
the other by Seige: And so the body is not only freed from depraved
burthensom humours, but also recovereth its strength, and is cured of
all Infirmities. Which manner of Curing, at this day, the more the
pity, is known but to few; seeing that it is not to be effected with
common Herbs, but somewhat better is required, than what the Philosophy
of old Women prescribeth: Nevertheless there is a great efficacy in
certain Simples; as may be seen in _Hellebore_ or _Helleboraster_, by
whose benefit the Ancients prolonged their lives, by the daily use of
a certain dose of it. Moreover, Tabaco where it cometh to maturity,
effecteth things to be admired, being rightly prepared and administred;
yea, even that which (being crude) is taken in Pipes, cooleth and
refresheth the body, and also in some measure relieves against Hunger
and Thirst; which common experience daily witnesseth. But whence this
Virtue happens, Tabaco-takers neither know nor care, but acquiesce,
in that they either receive pleasure or profit by it: Therefore, if
Tabaco, or any other vulgar Plant can perform so many and so great
things, being yet crude, without any preparation, What would not an
Extract or concentrated Essence of all the Vegetables do, being rightly
made? which nevertheless ought to be of that nature, that it may not
only dispel every heap of malignant humours, but also strengthen the
inward parts, and preserve from all things which may happen in the
generating of a Disease.
Such a Medicine is that which I here present to all those who
continually use the Seas, and besides the Scurvy, undergo many other
Diseases; by which they may not only efficaciously protect themselves
against the assaults of Distempers, and hinder their progress when
already began, but also under the present want of Meat and Drink, may
make sound an infirm body: But how, and from what Ingredients this
Euporist may be made and prepared, needs not to be manifested to every
one. This is a great Gift of God, which ought to be honoured, and not
prostituted to the Unworthy. Let it suffice at this time, that such a
Medicament may be obtained at a small price; I will not suffer it to be
buried with me, but will leave it to others, who may keep it, and sell
it to those who desire it at a reasonable rate.
This is given in form of an Electuary, and may be taken for a
Preservative, daily, or every second, third, or fourth day, as occasion
requireth, in the quantity of half or a whole Pease, upon an empty
stomach, fasting two hours after it, if need be, but if not, Food may
be taken presently after it, although it is better to abstain some
hours: But when a Disease hath already invaded a man, whether it be
_Fever_, _Scurvy_, _Headach_, _Catarrh_, or any other Disease infesting
Seamen, let the Patient forthwith swallow down of this Electuary the
magnitude of an ordinary Pease (for it hath no unpleasant taste) and
sweat if he can; if not, let him keep however a very moderate Dyet all
the day, and in Summer time, as much as he can, avoid the intense heat,
and in Winter, the extremity of Cold; the next day let him take the
quantity of a Pease or two, and so let him encrease or diminish the
dose, according to the state of the Disease. These things being well
observed, all Sicknesses will give place.
If a man carry with him but half an ounce of this Medicine to sea, in a
long Voyage, he will possess a _Panacea_, both for the preventing and
curing all Diseases incident to his body.
This is of very great use and profit especially for Masters of Ships,
to whom I also highly recommend it as such, and not to them only, but
also to all the Inhabitants of the Earth, to whom it promiseth no
less success. If a Medicine can be invented, (besides that universal
one of the Philosophers) accommodated to all diseases, truly this is
one, and will perform all, or even more than I have attributed to my
_Catholicon_ in the _Second Part of my Pharmac. Spagyr._ that is a
Powder, but this, of which I now discourse, an Electuary prepared of
certain good Ingredients and Sugar. I affirm again, That there is no
disease, whether internal or external, for the curing of which this
Medicine doth not suffice; for it doth not only resist the _Fever_,
_Scurvy_, and _Pox_, but even the _Gout_ and _Leprosy_ it self,
provided they be not too much fixed and radicated; yea, although
they be very inveterate, and cannot be throughly rooted out by this
Medicine, nevertheless it gives relief in them, and renders them more
tolerable, and hinders the accession of the daily fits, and keeps it
under. Certainly where this Medicine can yield no help, Nature must be
wholly ruined and tired out. What I have here written, is the Truth,
which I am able to prove by experience; however it is free for every
one to believe or not believe me, as he pleaseth: Christian Charity
to my Neighbour hath compelled me, if it be well taken, it is well,
if not, I have done my part, and discharged my Conscience. Nor will I
insist any farther on the praise of this _Panacea_, I have said enough
to those who believe, or can understand me.
And thus I have set before the whole World, that Medicament which can
preserve from, and cure the most grievous Diseases accompanying Ships
and Voyages, and also relieve in the extremity of Hunger.
This being done, there yet remains another Remedy whereby the Body
may be relieved, and refreshed in extremity of Thirst, when drink is
wanting; and this is done by Water concentrated, which is of so great
virtue, that it giveth such a refrigeration to a thirsty Palate, that
in the whole World there is not the like. Seeing therefore that in long
Voyages Water is often wanting, and putrefieth and stinketh, it will be
very necessary here to declare and shew, how Thirst may be restrained
and rendered tolerable in time of necessity. Then also how common Water
may be preserved from corruption; moreover, that one Tun may effect as
much for the quenching of Thirst, as otherwise 2 or 3 Tuns of common
Water can. Which is not only my saying, but the Truth it self; as I
will here prove by manifest testimonies: And this is to be done as I
have said, by Water concentrated and coagulated. But what that is, I
will first shew, and then by what means it is to be prepared and used.
To explain the genuine Property of concentrated Water to many, may seem
unnecessary, in regard that Seamen are not skilled in such discourses,
nor careful about them; and that they rather belong to Philosophers,
and the Contemplators of Nature, that they may render the knowledge of
them familiar to themselves: But this Treatise without doubt will come
into the hands of wise and experienced men, as well as into those who
use the Seas, and therefore perhaps I shall not lose my labour, if I
somewhat more exactly describe the nature of that water.
It is sufficiently evident to all those who have saluted but the
Thresholds of Nature, that the Omnipotent God, in the first Creation
of the World, hath separated the Elements from the rude _Chaos_, as
also the Elements from one another, placing the Earth in the bottom or
foundation of the Center, and over that the Water, over the Water the
Air, and over the Air the Fire; so that every of them holdeth its own
receptacle and seat, from whence, without the will of God, it cannot
recede. Nevertheless, we find that one alwaies participates of the
other, and none is found without another, although one be predominant
and visible; but the rest exist in it invisibly, and by the skill of an
Artist, may visibly be deduced from it. So from the Earth we elicite
Air, Water, and Fire; from the visible Water, natural Earth, Air, and
Fire; again, from the Air, Earth, Water, and Fire; and from the Fire,
Air, Water, and Earth. Hence the Elements are continually circulated
from one species into another, which indeed we do not observe or
perceive, and no Element can want an Element, but draweth its life and
nutriment from another. The Fire cannot burn without Air; the Fire
operateth upon the Water, and of it maketh Air; the Water resteth in
the Earth, and moisteneth the same; the Fire impregnateth the Air; the
Air insinuateth the Seed into the Earth; the Earth nourisheth and
cherisheth the Seed unto perfection, and afterwards bringeth to light
what it hath conceived, and carried in its belly.
These things are only hinted at by the way, and not without cause.
But to return to our concentrated water, that we may explain its
nature, know, that water is the _principium_ or beginning of all the
Elements; which thing is sufficiently manifest, and may be seen daily,
especially in the _subterranean_ Mines of Metals, whose inward bowels
are so penetrated, that there is not only water, but we also see it to
be quickly transmuted into various forms of Mineral Bodies, the which
without is familiar; and the more limpid or clear the water is, the
brighter Stones and purer Minerals it generateth: Of which you may read
more in that Treatise, [_The Second Part of the Mineral Work_] where I
have described the generation of Minerals; also that Flints and Sand,
in the Earth, Rivers, and Seas, receive their encrease from water, is
sufficiently manifest; for all sand was primitively water only, and
hath passed out of water into hard sand or stones, and into which it
may again be changed. But this is not to be used as a Remedy against
Thirst, because it is now too hard, and difficultly returneth to its
first matter, _viz._ Water, except by the benefit of another subject,
which is a _medium_ between Sand, Flints, Crystal, and common water,
_viz._ Salt, which hath an agreement with the nature both of common
water and that of stones, and may be easily changed into either of
them; as you shall hereafter hear. But this concentrated water, which I
here propose for the vanquishing of Thirst, and refreshing of the body,
is salt prepared and concentrated, either of the waters of Mountains,
or of the Sea, which are of the same goodness: Of which afterwards is
prepared by Art a water so excellent, that for repressing of Thirst
and refreshing a languid body, there is no Remedy in the world may be
compared to it.
Here some one ignorant of natural things may object, and say, How can
it be that Salt should repel Thirst, seeing that when it is eaten,
it exciteth and encreaseth the same? To this I answer, That common
salt, as it is first extracted or boiled, can in no wise restrain the
Appetite of drinking, but rather provoke it, except its pravity be
first corrected and depurated; for every salt seems to have laid aside
its nature and property, so long as it contains earthy and gross fæces,
which nevertheless may be removed from it by solution, filtration,
and coagulation; whence also it is bitter, astringent, and hard; but
this harshness and terrestreity being removed, the salt remaineth no
longer hard, but is reduced into a soft and fluid Liquor, not sweet,
but pleasantly acid, tasting like an Apple or the stones of Grapes. And
this purification must be made by the force of Fire, _viz._ when the
salt in destilling is sublimed in earthen Vessels, by strong Flames;
and then the purest and most noble part only ascendeth, and the more
gross and earthy remaineth in the bottom, and is of no use; but the
purer part is of great power and virtues, not only against Thirst,
but is also very necessary for many other things, as shall hereafter
be demonstrated. That otherwise in impure common salt a great Virtue
is latent, let no man doubt, seeing that it may be daily observed:
Wherefore that excellent Philosopher _Plato_ writeth, _That in salt
there is somewhat divine_; and according to the opinion of other great
and wise men, GOD hath openly manifested Himself in Fire and Salt, and
the ancient Philosophers were hence taught to prepare their _Universal
Medicine_; which Art of preparing they have called _Alchymy_, or _The
melting of Salt_; but I speak not this by experience, in regard that I
never yet durst attempt so great a Secret, being contented with smaller
things; but this I know, and have divers times done, _viz._ that by a
certain Artifice, I have precipitated from common Salt some corporeal
Gold, although without profit, and only to see the possibility, which
without those precipitations remaineth spiritual, and at length by them
obtaineth a corporeal substance.
Indeed the greatest Mystery of the whole World consisteth in Fire and
Salt, and with those two (after God) nothing may be compared; for
the Flame raiseth Light out of Darkness, which otherwise none but
God can do. It is also fit to restore life to the dead, no otherwise
than the warm Sun or Oven reviveth Worms, Frogs, Serpents, Flies, and
other Insects, which have been killed by the Cold; of which I have
made mention in the second part of my _Pharmacop. Spagyr._ as also in
_Miraculum Mundi_, and its _Explication_. Many men use Fire, yet know
not what they have or use: So also it happeneth with salt, all men use
it out of custom, but observe not what they taste. Salt is a thing of
great moment; by it we give strength to resist Corruption, both to the
living and the dead.
And so it is, that if men had not salt, or at the least those Plants
and Fruits, in which it dwells, they would putrefie while yet living.
Which would also happen to Cattel, if they did not eat Grass, which
contains in it self its own salt, and sufficeth them in feeding;
nevertheless if something better were given them with it, it would
be very profitable for them; for if to horned Beasts, as also Hogs,
some saltness were given with their meat and drink, they would thereby
acquire much strength and fatness.
Seeing therefore that Salt, whilst it is yet gross and rude, and
defiled with many impurities, performeth such things in living
Creatures, and preserveth Flesh and Fish, as also all Herbs and
Grass, long from Corruption; What could not such a salt do, which
by the help of Art hath received a greater purity than Nature hath
bestowed upon it? For the Fire containeth a power of correcting and
purifying salt, and converting it into a finer and better substance.
The common salts which we daily use, do indeed give a relish to all
Edibles, and preserve them from putrefaction; yet nevertheless they
dry, astringe, and bind the belly; also excite Thirst; but salt being
rectified and depurated, communicateth a sweet and grateful taste,
also more powerfully resisteth Corruption than the other, neither doth
it bind the belly, but keepeth it soluble, expelleth Urine; nor doth
it cause Thirst, but rather taketh it away both from the sick and
sound: So great a difference is there between the common and corrected
and depurated salt, which Rusticks little understand. The nature and
property of common salt is known to every one, as far as concerns the
Kitchin, but the rectified is known to few: And the Spirit of Salt,
which is in use in Apothecaries shops, and which they also sell, being
for the most part not rightly prepared, effecteth little, and therefore
not frequently used: But if it were made and rectified as it should be,
it would not only have a pleasanter taste, but also a better operation.
So many things bear Names which are not agreeable to the thing, and
therefore cannot perform what is expected from them.
The Ancients have ascribed great Virtues to Spirit of Salt in Medicine,
which it indeed hath, if after its destillation it be well rectified
and dephlegmed; but if it be administred so crude as it ascends the
first time, it may perhaps do more harm than good, inasmuch as a great
deal of terrestreity comes over with it, which in the rectifying
remaineth in the bottom of the Glass, as an insipid, bitter, or
astringent salt. And although this be well enough known to some,
nevertheless they abhor to rectifie their spirit, because the spirit
in rectification loseth a great part of its weight, by separating its
superfluities.
I taught, many years since, how to prepare the spirit of salt in
quantity, whose description is also exactly set down in the _first
and second part of my Furnaces_. It also demonstrateth its utility in
Metallicks; as manifestly appears in the _first part of my Mineral
Work_, where the manner of extracting Gold from Stones, by its help,
is taught. Altho’ the spirit for that work should be prepared after
another manner, than that which is to be used at Sea, or on shore, for
the curing Diseases or repressing of Thirst; wherefore I’ll first teach
the way of making this, and then also shew its Use.
As for the manner of anatomising Salt by Fire and Art, and transmuting
it into a pure and sweet spirit, it is various, for one useth this,
another way, as I also have taught divers waies, in the _first and
second part of my Furnaces_; but here I will appoint another, which is
the best and most commodious for the uses treated of in this Book, and
is thus to be performed.
Get some strong Retorts, made of good Earth (but Glass is better) fill
them with the following mixture of Salt and Earth, then according to
Art, destil thence a spirit gratefully acid, which duly rectifie,
and it will be prepared for Use. The salt is to be thus prepared for
destillation: fill a great Crucible with Sea-salt, which cover with
an earthen Cover, and by degrees put Fire about it of flaming Coals,
encreasing it, until the salt be all over red-hot; this being done,
presently remove it from the fire, and let it cool; by this means, if
any greasie sordes, or other combustible impurities, adhere to the
salt, they will be consumed and vanish. Dissolve the salt in common
water, filter or strain it through a fine close Linen Cloth, that
the fæces may be separated; the clear Liquor evaporate in an earthen
glazed Vessel, till the Cuticula appear, then make little balls of
clay and sand, about the bigness of Walnuts or Pigeons Eggs; dry them,
and heat them red-hot in an earthen Vessel, and so the fat spirit of
the Earth will be burnt away; then imbibe those balls with your strong
salt water, by letting them remain in it for some hours, that they may
drink in as much of it as they can, then take them out, and dry them:
With these fill your Retorts, and administer Fire by degrees, and at
length urge with the strongest flames, so long, till they emit no more
fume, for then all the spirit is come forth: The Receiver must be of
Glass, and very large, in whose bottom must also be a little water,
to attract and condense the spirit. The Destillation being finished,
the spirit is to be rectified by it self in a low Cucurbit in sand,
and first the water or phlegm will come over, (which you may keep for
another destillation) then the pure and sweet spirit will rise limpid
and clear, and an unpleasant salt will remain in the bottom, which is
to be cast away, and the spirit to be kept for the uses to be shewed
hereafter.
But if you desire to have the spirit yet more pure, and efficacious,
you may rectifie it again upon calcined or powdered Flints, which will
retain in the bottom whatsoever is yet gross or impure, and the spirit
will be rendered very pure and subtile; for the Flint at the first
was Water and Salt, and hence both contain in themselves so streight a
communion. This may be seen among the Glass-makers, who reduce Sand or
Flints into clearness by melting, that thence they may make pure Glass;
for Salt in the Fire dissolveth sand, Flint, Crystal, and together
with them receiveth the Essence of Glass; yea, and these very species
and matters, by the help of an _Alkaly_ Salt, are resolved into a
diaphanous Glass, which being put into common Water, melt like salt;
of which I have discoursed in the _Third Part of my Furnaces_. When
we destil the aforesaid rectified Spirit of Salt again from powdered
Flints, from the innate love which it hath to the Flints, it carrieth
some part of them upwards with it self, and is made better for use in
all Diseases, especially in the _Dropsie_, _Stone_, and _Gout_ it is an
excellent Medicine. The Flints remaining in the bottom, yield a water
which dissolveth the hardest Crystals, and is acid like the spirit of
Salt, and nothing else but part of it coagulated with them, and may be
administred in all cases as the Spirit of Salt.
Let no man wonder that I ascribe more to this Spirit rectified with
Flints, than to any other common spirit of salt; for few know what
Virtues are latent in flints or sand. All Birds and four-footed Animals
use sand. Many men administer the powder of Flints and Crystal, for the
corroborating of weak stomachs. Hens devour Sand and small Pebbles,
that they may thence have matter for their Eggshels, and being debarred
of it, lay Eggs without shells. Wherefore I affirm, That this spirit
of Salt, abstracted from flints, to be better in many Diseases than
the common spirit, and especially the Crystals, or spirit of salt
coagulated, of which we have above made mention.
Let this Suffice concerning the Preparation of spirit of salt. Now we
will also teach, how it is to be administred either at Sea or on Shore,
for the repelling of Thirst, and the Cure of Diseases: To what other
purposes the spirit of salt serves, besides Medicine, I have shewed
elsewhere; here my intention is only to signifie of what great use and
profit it may be in Voyages to Sea, which was the only occasion of
writing this Treatise.
_Of the Use of =Spirit of Salt= in Ships, against Thirst, and
also the Scurvy._
In the first place, this spirit is profitable to the body, when a small
quantity of it is put into the Hogsheads of Water, thereof Seamen
and Souldiers drink, to which it gives a grateful acidity, like that
of Wine, and is far more effectual in quenching of Thirst, and in
less quantity than other Water, and besides preserves the Water from
corruption and stinking, which otherwise in long Voyages it is wont
to suffer, contracting a muddiness, blackness, and breeding Worms,
which generate the _Scurvy_; for the Water containing the spirit of
salt, cannot corrupt; which spirit also preserveth other things, both
living and dead, from putrefaction. And because the water with the acid
spirit of salt extinguisheth Thirst more than any other, it necessarily
follows, that so great a quantity of water need not be carried for
a Voyage, as otherwise is usual. Moreover, seeing that the spirit
of salt resisteth all putrefaction, it suffereth not the _Scurvy_
to take root, for it refresheth and exhilarateth a man with great
vigour, corroborateth the stomach, and all the members of the body, it
consumeth pituitous matter in the Reins and Bladder, expelleth Urine
and Stone, keepeth the Belly soluble, promoteth digestion; it suffereth
no Disease to grow from corruption of the Blood, to which otherwise
Sea-faring men are subject: Moreover, it exerteth its salutiferous
Virtues, if a little of it be mingled with Wine and Beer, in Ships,
which will long preserve it in its goodness and sincerity, causing
it the better to repress Thirst, and therefore to go the farther in
use. Also Beef, Mutton, and Veal may by it be preserved a long time,
_viz._ if they be put into stone pots, and powdered or condited with
some salt, dissolved in the spirit of salt. Nevertheless it behoveth
that the Flesh be without many Bones, and that all the legs, shins, or
shanks be cut off. Moreover, a very small quantity of the spirit being
added to the water in which Fish is to be boiled, maketh the Fish eat
firm and close, and of a much solider relish than when sprinkled with
Vinegar. So also Raisins being put into water impregnated with spirit
of salt, will grow soft, and swell, and will recover their strength
and sweetness, as if they were fresh plucked from the Vine, which will
afford a great refreshment to those who frequent the Seas.
In a word, this spirit may commodiously be used, not only in Water,
Wine, or Beer, but also in all sorts of Food in Ships; for it giveth
a very pleasant taste to all meat and drink, and correcteth them so,
that they become more wholsom. It hath also another very profitable
use, _viz._ If in hot weather but one drop, or so small a part of the
coagulated spirit, as the magnitude of an Hempseed, be mixed with sugar
and held upon the Tongue; for it so cooleth the mouth, and allayeth
Thirst, that there will be no need of bad Water or Beer, by which the
body is more violated than corroborated, through drinking often and
much of them. Nor is this the least of its virtues, that when in a
long Voyage there is a want of water, a little more of the spirit of
salt may be put into it than will serve for a grateful acidity; for
so it will quench Thirst for a longer time, and in a less quantity
than otherwise a greater quantity of water can do. Yea, although the
Ship should be cast away, and the men forced to betake themselves to
their Boat, or broken pieces of the Ship, as it often happens, if they
have but an ounce of the spirit of salt in a Glass, or half so much of
it coagulated, in defect of Drink, they may sustain their lives and
health therewith so long, till it please God to afford them a means of
_getting_ to shore; nor will they be forced to drink their own Urine,
or Sea-water, which is pernicious.
These and the like Virtues the spirit of salt sheweth in Ships, which
for brevity sake, are not all declared.
I have also meditated how the _Sea-water_ may be made sweet and
drinkable by precipitation, which would be very desirable in want of
water: And so far I have _attained_, that I can precipitate a good
quantity of the salt from the water, which also becomes much sweeter,
but yet not so fully, but some saltness remains in it. Although in case
of necessity this water may be used in Ships for the boiling of Pease
and Beans, as also for the fermenting of _concentrated Corn_. What I
now know concerning this precipitation, I will make manifest for the
good of my Neighbour, and shew a good beginning how Sea-water may be
made fit to drink.
There is a certain kind of Mineral called _Mary’s Ice_; it is not the
_Muscovian_ Glass, as perhaps some may think, but another thing; when
it is heat red-hot in the fire, and so cast into Sea-water, it is
presently reduced to a tender and white powder; which being done, the
Water will be agitated and moved hither and thither; then the Powder
attracteth to it self part of the Salt from the Water, and settleth to
the bottom of the Vessel, and the Water groweth clear, which may be
poured out, and if this labour be once or twice repeated, the Water,
by this precipitation, will indeed be made sweeter, but not altogether
potable. Also the salt or solution of _Saturn_ dismisseth much of the
salt from Sea-water, yet by that it is not rendered drinkable. The best
way which I now know, is this which follows, but it is somewhat costly:
Nevertheless when necessity urgeth, sweet and good water profiteth
a man more than a Bond of an hundred pieces of Gold. Hence this Art
deserveth to be honoured, although it be costly; for a man ready to
die with Thirst would give all he hath for a draught of Water to save
his Life: Wherefore somewhat of this precipitation may be committed to
Ships, for their preservation, which may be used in great necessity,
but if no such be, it may be brought home again, and kept for another
Voyage, seeing that it will in no wise decay, but be as good after an
hundred years, as the first day of its preparation.
But what this is, there is no need openly to divulge, but he who
desireth it, may come to me and have it: But for the information of
those who are skilful in _Chymistry_, I will intimate this; That the
precipitation of Salt from Water, is necessarily to be performed by a
singular sand, which doth not only drive salt downwards, but also all
Phlegm, Sordes, and Impurities; so that although the water should be
like to a Fen or Dunghill in filth and stink, by the benefit of this
precipitation, in a few hours, it should become like clear Fountain
water, because the evil odour and taste would also be precipitated.
The same may be done in all Waters, how nasty and muddy soever, and
not only in Waters, but also in all potable Liquors, as Wine and Beer,
although the Wine were red, seeing that the precipitation casteth to
the bottom all muddiness, colour, and stink. And hence not only those
Liquors, which are changed red by corruption, or other accident, but
also Crystals, which are red by nature, may be reduced to a perspicuous
clarity; which is a thing very profitable for Vintners; for otherwise
the Sea-waters become sweet when they are carried far through common
sand, which imbibeth their salt; for those two have a mutual communion
and communication, seeing that both are generated of Water; hence also,
by the fire, they are resolved into a dry Water, or pellucid Glass.
Whence any man knowing in the nature of things, may apprehend, that
this precipitation of Sea-water is built upon a foundation agreeable to
Nature.
My _Alexipharmac_, or Mineral-Electuary, before mentioned, as also the
Spirit and Crystals of Salt, may be administred, as well at Land as on
Sea, against the _Scurvy_, _Fevers_, and other Diseases.
And although in the _Second Part of my_ Pharmacop. I have already
described a certain Mineral Remedy, under the Title of a _Panacea_,
and commended it against all Diseases, by which admirable Cures are
e’ry where done, yet I prefer my Mineral Electuary before that, because
it is more accommodated to use, seeing that when need requires, it
may be taken out of a Box with a Knife only; neither is there need
of any Vehicle, as Wine, Beer, or others, which are necessary to be
used with the _Panacea_; neither is there need of weighing it, but
may be proportioned by the Eye, according to the age and strength of
the sick. Those who are of full age and strength, may take as much of
the Electuary upon a fasting stomach as will equal the magnitude of a
Pease, and fast some hours after it, if time and opportunity permit;
also let the Patient avoid the cold Air, and the heat of the Sun in
hot seasons. It is to be taken twice, four times, or oftner, in a
week, according to the necessity of the sick, to which it must also be
proportioned by encreasing or diminishing the Dose; for if one grain
should not work, the Patient may take two, ascending to 3 or 4, if need
be. When a small Dose is administred, it works insensibly; if a little
more, then it worketh by stool, and sometimes by vomit, when it findeth
diseasie matter in the stomach; if it findeth depraved salt humours, it
casteth them out by sweat, spitting, or urine, and throughly purgeth
the body from every evil. In brief, I say, it greatly purifieth the
Blood, openeth all obstructions of the internal principal members, as
the _Liver_, _Spleen_, and _Lungs_, beyond all _Phlegmagogues_: It
hindereth the growth of all _Apostemations_ both within and without
the body; it consumeth _Fluxes_ and _Catarrhs_, which fall upon the
Eyes, Ears, and Teeth; it exterminateth the venereal _Pox_ in a
short time; it also cureth the _Dropsie_, _Leprosie_, _Gout_, and
_Falling-sickness_, both in old and young; expelleth the _Stone_ both
of the _Kidneys_ and _Bladder_; cureth all sorts of _Fevers_; and
lastly, it healeth all inward and outward _Wounds_ and _Ulcers_, being
taken inwardly, and a due Diet observed.
This is a safe and approved Medicine in the cure of all curable
diseases, nor doth it fail to help in inveterate affects, _viz._ when
a disease hath been long growing, and is now firmly rooted and fixed,
that it cannot be totally expelled, as the _Gout_ and _Stone_, yet then
this Medicine mitigateth the pain, and maketh the Fits slower and more
tolerable, and suffereth not the _Disease_ to encrease, but to be more
and more abated and diminished. It cures all _Scabs_ and _Ringworms_,
or _Tetters_, proceeding from an impure Blood and Liver, only by taking
it inwardly, without any outward unctions. What shall I say more? This
Medicine cannot be sufficiently praised, seeing that it operateth
universally against all the diseases both of Men and Beasts: But I must
forbear, for if I should shew all its Virtues, this Treatise would
swell to too great a bulk.
In _Maritime_ Towns, and other places where the _Scurvy_ is regnant, a
better Medicine than this cannot be found, for it removeth all pravity
of Humours, from which such diseases proceed; it preserveth from the
_Plague_, and other Contagions, and happily cureth their Infections;
it strengtheneth the Memory, Heart, and Brain; preserveth from the
_Palsie_ and its Concomitants: In time it restoreth those who have
their Members contracted, and their Nerves repressed and immovable,
after the being anointed with Mercury, for the cure of the _Pox_. He
that will take it every week or once in 3 or 4 weeks as a preservative,
shall not have the _Tooth-ach_, nor shall his Ears be troubled with
ringing or other noises, nor shall his Eyes be troubled with sharp
Rheums; but by the benefit of this, those continual inveterate
Corroders of the Body, _Catarrh_, _Fistula_, _Cancer_, and other almost
incurable symptoms, are throughly cured.
Hence both Rich and Poor, and those especially who go long Voyages
to Sea, and want Physicians, ought to esteem this _Alexipharmac_,
and provide themselves with it against a time of necessity. If any
man carries with him half an ounce of it, it will be sufficient for
preservation and curation for more than a year, in many diseases. If
a Ship going to the _East_ or _West Indies_, carry with them half a
pound of it, they may save the Lives of many men; one of which is of
ten times more value than the price of the Medicine, by help of which
the lives and health of many Hundreds of Men may be preserved, and
being sick, may be reduced to their former health.
Now it is farther necessary to describe the Virtues which the Spirit
of Salt sheweth on Shore; for that which is profitable to the sick
on shipboard, is not hurtful for those who dwell at Land: For this
spirit may be used in all Houses in their usual drink, as Beer or Wine,
especially in these moist Regions, where the Scurvy commonly reigneth;
so that there is scarcely an House to be found, in which there is not
one at the least infected with this Disease; for the drink is hereby
made clear, so that it well dilateth the Urinary passages, moreover
hindereth the growing of the stone in the Kidnys and Bladder; it also
gives a pleasant taste to the Wine, removeth its superfluous Tartar
and precipitateth it to the bottom, so that _Spanish_ and _French_
Wine acquire a clearness like to _Rhenish_ wine. In Summer time, after
Liquors have once wrought, it suffereth them not to fret, grow mucous,
or work again, but keepeth them from many Accidents. _French_ Wines,
as sold in many places, have neither odour nor taste, but good Wine is
endowed both with a Vinous relish, and a grateful odour; and when these
are wanting, the name agrees not with the thing. But the Spirit of
Salt, with the Essence of Wine, conciliates to _French_ wine the smell,
taste, and colour of _Rhenish_ wine. Hence also being so meliorated, it
will, like _Rhenish_, keep many years, which otherwise will hardly hold
good two years. Moreover, by the spirit of salt that quality may be
taken away from Honey, which renders its taste somewhat ungrateful, and
its hidden Impurities may be precipitated, so that an excellent wholsom
drink may be made of it. Which is a famous Art to be used in those
places where there is no wine; for when Honey is well depurated, and
the unpleasant taste taken from it, it becomes as a comforting Balsam
to Man; as that old Souldier had experienced, whom _Alexander_ asked
what he had used to prolong his Life to so great an Age, he answered,
That inwardly he had used Honey, and outwardly Oil. And it is evident
to many, that there is a great virtue in Honey, but by reason of the
unpleasant taste, it is loathed; which yet is removed by the spirit of
salt, so that a drink prepared of such pure Honey, is as wholsom as
the best wine: which hath also this benefit, that every Housekeeper
may have this drink at his Table, at any time of the year. This honied
Nectar also holdeth good many years, after the manner of the best
_Rhenish_ wine, and is made for a small charge, and will be a great
comfort to those who are not able to go to the price of wine. Moreover,
every one may make his own drink as strong and as sweet as he pleaseth;
which is the principal head of the Art, to take away the ungrateful
taste from the Honey, which being removed by the spirit of salt, the
drink will become clear, to which you may add a little _French_ or
_Rhenish_ wine for taste sake. You may thence also make good Beer,
which will hold its goodness 10 or 20 years, or more, _viz._ if instead
of common water you take the water of Hops, to dissolve the purified
Honey, to which (if you please) you may give divers tasts, by putting
into it divers Herbs, as is wont to be done in wine and beer. But this
you are especially to regard, That for this business you do not use
unrectified spirit of salt, for such would spoil the taste, and corrupt
the drink, but alwaies take that which is well rectify’d, which I have
sufficiently taught the manner of doing of, both in this Treatise, and
divers other places of my Writings.
NB. There is no need to put the spirit into a Vessel of Wine or Beer,
but it sufficeth to keep it in a small glass, and as often as you have
occasion to put some drops of it into a Bottle of Wine or Beer, and so
to drink of it. Every one therefore may make his drink as he will, by
putting in more or less of the spirit, according to his Palate; which
doth not only serve to make the wine and beer clear and diuretick, but
may also be used in Fountain-water, in hot weather, for the allaying
of wine: For if some drops of it be put into a bottle of water, it
giveth it a grateful acidity, not much unlike to the natural Mineral
acid waters, and in hot weather allayeth the over-great heat of the
Blood, and quencheth Thirst, so that there is no need of burdening the
stomach with much wine or beer. Also all those drinks, as wine, beer,
and water, which are mingled with the well-rectified spirit of salt,
are far wholsomer than other ordinary drinks. If a little pure Steel
be dissolved in spirit of Salt, and then put to fair water, it will
have almost the same taste with the _Spaw_-water, and if some quantity
of it be drank, it looseth the belly, and evacuateth black Excrements,
whence a man grows lively and vigorous, as if he had drank of the
_Spaw_-waters.
And this benefit may accrue by it to all Travellers, who carrying with
them a little spirit of salt in a glass, may at all times, and in all
places, correct and amend their beer or wine in their Tuns, and give
it a better relish: But because this spirit is more liable to be lost
in a liquid form by any accident befalling the glass, therefore being
coagulated into a dry form, it may be more commodiously carried about
in a Paper or Box, of which the magnitude of a small Pease drank in one
cup of water, quencheth Thirst better than a great quantity of water
alone. This spirit or salt will be serviceable to men of all sorts,
but to none more than to Seamen or Souldiers, in war-like expeditions,
of which sometimes more die through want of water, than by the sword,
who also for the most part contract their Diseases from the filths in
Ships, which might easily be prevented. What will it profit a Captain
of a Man of War, or the Commander of a Merchant-ship to have many men
for his defence and service, if they are disabled by a Disease? Were
it not then better to use all diligence to preserve their health, and
to restore it when lost? Which may be done with small Labour and Cost.
A General brings an Army some time into the Field, of 10, 20, or 30
Thousand Men, and seeing that those observe no due order in eating and
drinking, and being destitute of Medicines, if the _Plague_, _Fever_,
or _Bloody-Flux_ comes among them, they drop off one after another
like Flies in Winter; when notwithstanding they might be succoured and
helped in those Diseases by my Electuary, [_This Electuary I think
to be the =Panacea Antimonij= made up with Sugar._] Salt of Salt, or
Spirit of Salt, inspissated or thickened with Sugar. The spirit of salt
hath alwaies been highly esteemed, both by ancient & modern Physicians,
for its great virtues which it sheweth both inwardly & outwardly;
besides which, it is of great use in other Arts, as I have shewed in
the _first and second Part of my Furnaces_. And that the Reader may
see that I am not singular in what I have ascribed to the spirit of
salt, I will here set down the Experience of that no less learned than
famous Physician _Conradus Kunrath_; of the spirit of salt, as he hath
expressed it in his _Medulla Destillatoria_, printed at _Hamburgh_,
_Anno_ 1638. in these words, _Part_ 1. _pag._ 59.
The Great and Effectual Operations which are attributed to the
Spirit or Oil of _SALT_.
_The Spirit or Oil of Salt is not of so acrimonious a taste, as Salt
commonly is: Nor hath it so great an acidity as the Spirit of Vitriol,
but it tasteth almost like the juice of wild Apples, with somewhat of
sweetness intermixt. It discusseth, dissolveth, consumeth, and dryeth,
yet it doth not heat too much, but hath a temperate nature, mitigating
and comforting the natural heat, which it also encreaseth, and
dispelleth all things contrary to Nature, preserveth the state of sound
humours unhurt, especially profitable for those who are phlegmatick,
whose viscous =Saburra= of humidities it consumeth, taketh away
=Catarrhs= which fall from the Head, and preserveth from all Diseases
which arise from a noxious Pituity, Mucor, and Fluxes. Yea, those who
use labour and study, shall perceive their Strength to be restored by
it, and as it were renewed._
_Experience, the Mistris of things, witnesseth, That it is a present
Remedy against the =Falling-sickness=, being administred in good
=Aqua-vitæ=: Against the =Apoplexy=, =Palsie=, or =loss of Speech=;
as also the trembling and beating of the Heart, and all dejections of
Mind; as also in the time of the =Plague=, or in any infectious Air, it
may be administred with profit, by mixing half an ounce of the Spirit
or Oil of Salt with two ounces of the Juice of Violets, and as much of
the Electuary of Juniper-berries, in a Stone or Glass Mortar, and the
Patient taking the quantity of a Filberd in the morning upon an empty
stomach._
_This Compound-Medicine being given to Women with Child, facilitateth
the Birth, and is highly profitable against various symptoms of Women
in Child-bed, without any danger. If any desire to preserve their
native heat, let them often use this =Alexipharmack=._
_Whoever is burdened with superfluous moisture, let him take this
Spirit or Oil of Salt daily, in Wine or some other Vehicle._
_In Coldness, and continual Fluxes, which stop up the Breast, it
conduceth much, and taketh away inveterate Coughs and grievous
=Asthma’s=, which are stirred up by those Fluxes. It dissolveth,
consumeth, and dissipateth depraved humours, collected and indurated
in the stomach: and although of it self it communicateth little
nourishment, yet it excites the Stomach to a good Appetite, and
disposeth the Meat to a good digestion and passage through the body._
_It helpeth in the Tartarous and indurated =Obstructions of the Liver
and Spleen=, which it openeth and relieveth, and hence removeth and
taketh away the =Jaundice=, =Dropsie=, =Hypocondriack Melancholy=, and
pains and affects of the =Ribs= and =Viscera=, and also whatsoever
ariseth from Wind and Flatulency, and other symptomes proceeding from
the said causes, it especially absumeth the =Anasarca=, or Water under
the skin, and throughly removeth watery Tumours in the Genital Members
or Legs, which for the most part happen to those who are Hydropical,
Phthisical, or labour under a Distemper of the Liver. It also taketh
away the great Thirst in those, which otherwise in this kind of
diseases doth not lightly afflict, so that the Patient shall have no
desire of drinking, but may remain some daies without. The same is also
a Remedy against all putrid =Fevers=._
_In tormenting Pains of the Belly, and =Cholick=, which are excited by
the viscosity of humours, or intemperature of flatulency, or force of
cold, and a dense and tough Phlegm driven into the Intestines; this
spirit resolveth and consumeth, and so openeth the stopt passages of
the Bowels, and looseneth the Belly, that it easeth the Iliack pains,
whether it be taken at the mouth, or administred Clysterwise. In
the =Lientery=, =Dysentery=, or =Hæmorrhage=, it is to be given in
Clysters; in like manner in =Nephritick= Diseases, and the dolorous
=Stone in the Bladder=, which it dispelleth and exterminateth._
_In =Ruptures=, as the =Hernia= and =Enterocele=, let some drops be
given daily in good Wine; let the Tumour of the =Scrotum= be also often
anointed with this Spirit or Oil, and cherished by a fit Truss, or some
other bandage, and in a few daies the sick will recover his former
health._
_It killeth all =Worms= in the Body, casteth them out, and prohibits
their breeding again._
_It is a most effectual preservative against the contagion of the
=Plague=; and also is very conducible to those who are already
infected. It also wonderfully profiteth such as have eaten Poisonous
Mushrooms or Opium, as also those who are hurt by Serpents, Vipers,
Spiders, and the like venomous Insects, it is accommodated both to
inward and outward use, because it consumeth virulent humidities. For
the stinging of Wasps and Hornets, it is to be applied topically._
_For fat Women, and those who are troubled with impurities of the
Matrix, from a superfluous phlegmatic humour, it is very profitable;
for by the benefit of it, every redundancy and incommodity of Phlegm is
purified, consumed, and dried up, so that the seed may more easily rest
in the Womb, and fertility be greatly promoted._
_In protuberant Excrescencies of the Eyes, =Films=, =Cataracts=,
=Blisters=, =Pustles=, or =Spots=, =Dimness= or =Darkness of sight=,
it is to be used in a good Collyry, or other commodious Vehicle. In
=Blows=, =Bruises=, or =Falls=, when the Blood is congealed, (which
we call black and blue) in the Eyes or Face, let a bit of a Sponge or
Lint be wetted with the Spirit or Oil of Salt, and applied to the place
affected; or else dissolve in the same a little red Myrrh, and with the
Dissolution mix a little Honey, and anoint with it. It driveth away
noise and pain of the Ears, also when the Ears send forth an ulcerous
and purulent matter, the same Medicine may be administred with an happy
success. And in these Symptoms it is to be mixed with Wine-Vinegar, and
dropped into the Ears, and rubbed upon the diseased parts._
_In the =Thrush=, and other sore mouths of sucking Children, also
in the glandular or kernelly Swellings of the Neck, foulness of the
Tongue, swelled and rotten Gums, =Scurvy= in the Mouth, =Tooth-ach=,
superfluous humours and filths adhering to the Teeth and Gums, this
Spirit or Oil of Salt is an excellent Remedy; as also in preserving
from those Evils, it is to be conjoined with clarified Honey, and the
Mouth, or parts affected in it, to be anointed therewith. Against the
evil Affects and Ulcers of Womens Breasts, some linen rags are to be
humected with the Spirit or Oil of Salt, and they will be quickly
healed. The moist =Itch=, =Tetters=, =Ringworms=, and other contagious
Affects of the Skin, are happily cured by both the inward and outward
use of this Spirit. =Ulcers= and fungous =Tumours= in the Venereal
Disease, or others, if we would bring them to a suppuration, the Oil
of Salt will effect it, being applied either alone, or mixed with
other convenient Remedies. For the healing of venomous Ulcers, which
pierce the Bone it self, as also all virulent Apostems, the Spirit or
Oil of Salt is to be mixed with White-wine, and Barley-Flour, into the
consistency of a Plaster, which is to be applied to the Sore._
_Also in cancerous, eating, and spreading Ulcers, it is very
profitable, being mixed with the juice of Rhue, and aptly applied._
_That I may summarily express its use both inwardly and outwardly, it
resisteth all fluid and corroding Vices, and layeth the foundation of
their Cure. In luxated, shortened, or contracted members and joints,
it affordeth present help, being used alone, or joined with fit
fomentations or Epithems._
_In the taking away of =Warts=, this Spirit is to be mixed with the
juice of Marigolds, and applied to them: It also taketh away Corns, if
after they are softened with warm water, they be well cut and anointed
with this Oil. In the =Erysipelas=, St. =Anthony’s= fire, this being
mixed with Elder-Vinegar, and applied, is of great virtue._
_The Hands or Feet being corrupted or chapt by Cold, are recovered by
the benefit of this Medicine. This Spirit or Oil greatly conduceth
to help the weariness and weakness of the Feet and other Members,
restoring to them their strength and vigour, if they be well bathed
therewith before the fire._
_Moreover, in the dolorous =Gout= it is a famous Remedy, and a
profitable =Anodine= for allaying the pain, if besides its internal
use it be also applied topically: For to this our Medicine are to be
joined Oil of Turpentine, Oil of Wax, Oil of Camomile, or also Oil of
Cowslips, with which the parts affected are to be well anointed. But
where the members are contracted by =Fluxions= and =Catarrhs=, fit
Fomentations are also to be used, and besides our Oil or Spirit, the
dulcified Oil of Vitriol, and pure Oil of Turpentine, are to be mixed
together, and the parts to be therewith anointed before the fire.
And hence the Nerves and Joints are so comforted, that they will not
so easily admit such Fluxions again. Also if there be =Tophes= or
=Nodes= in the Joints, they will be discussed beyond belief; being duly
anointed with this Oil, mixed with the dulcified Oil of Vitriol._
_It is also used with great profit both inwardly and outwardly, against
the =Cramp= and =Convulsion of the Nerves= by Cold._
_In external Wounds and Symptoms there often happens a Putretude, and
also proud Flesh sometimes starteth up, and causeth great pain. These
Protuberances being anointed with this Oil or Spirit, are presently
dissolved and consumed, and also preserved from future corruptions._
_In brief, this is a most excellent Medicine, overcoming many Diseases.
Moreover, the Reader is to know, that this spirit or Oil of Salt,
(besides those Virtues which I have declared) if it be diligently
prepared, and rightly prescribed, may be used for the preparing of many
excellent and precious things in the Chymical Art; for it dissolveth
Gold, Gemms, and other Stones, Pearls, Corals, =&c.= so that they are
reduced into excellent Medicines, in a liquid or potable form, highly
useful for Mankind: But how those Processes are to be instituted, I
shall here pretermit, But he that hath drawn a good foundation of
working from that information which my =Medulla Destillatoria= hath
faithfully propounded, let him weigh the matter with an accurate mind,
and put his hand to the Work, there is nothing in it so tedious, but he
will easily conceive; moreover, let him associate himself with honest,
sincere, and skilful Artists, and take their counsel, then he will find
out many Secrets of Nature, and singular Arcana’s, and will see that
his care and diligence hath not been in vain: Then let him use that
Experience to the Glory of God, and the help of his needy Neighbour._
The Virtues or most efficacious Operations of the _Spirit_ or _Oil
of Salt_, in which Gold is rightly dissolved, according to Art;
or, when it shall be made an _Aurum Potabile_.
_Philosophers and Physicians, endowed with the great Exercise and
Knowledge of Things, have attributed to the Spirit or Oil of Salt,
in which Gold is rightly dissolved, or the =Aurum Potabile= made
with it, very great operations in the body of Man, inasmuch as in
all Diseases and Infirmities, of what name soever, it giveth present
help, and in all dejections of the vital spirit, although they tend
to the fatal period, it giveth such relief, that life and vigour may
be yet somewhat farther protracted, if two, three, or four drops be
administred as occasion shall serve in a good =Aqua vitæ= or Cordial
Water. In like manner, if three drops be administred once a week in
generous Wine, or =Aqua vitæ=, or other fit Vehicle, it renovateth a
man, makes him youthful, changeth gray Hairs, produceth new Nails, and
Skin, preserveth from various and diverse symptoms of Diseases, and
preserveth the body in such a state, even to the prefixed hour of the
Divine appointment._
These are the very words of that famous Philosopher and Chymical
Physician _Conradus Kunrath_, in his _Medulla Destillatoria_; as the
Reader may there see.
Now any may easily conjecture, that although this learned man had found
out many things, yet that he knew not all, but what was known to him,
that he divulged. But that as yet more might be done by that Spirit
or Oil of Salt, than what he had set down, easily appeareth from that
which he sheweth at the end, concerning the Oil or Liquor of Gold,
prepared by the Spirit of Salt, which words are Truth it self, and much
more may be done by the benefit of that solution. He hath written what
Experience hath taught him, the rest he hath left to the study and
searches of others.
Seeing therefore that I also (not to speak boastingly) have often
handled Furnaces and Coals, and among others, have found this Liquor
of Gold or _Aurum Potabile_, made with Oil of Salt, to be of great
virtue, and knowing its great use, power, and virtue by experience, I
will describe it in an open stile, lest so noble a Medicine should be
buried. Such a Liquor of Gold as is here mentioned, is compounded of
the purest Sol, and the most highly rectified and again concentrated
Spirit of Salt: The Sol is to be first melted, and throughly purged
with Antimony, then to be dissolved in _Aqua Regia_, and precipitated
with ☿, to be edulcorated and brought into a subtile Calx, which must
be heat red-hot (to free it from the ☿) and then dissolved in strong
and well-prepared Oil of Salt; being dissolved, abstract part of the
spirit of salt from it, and a very yellow Liquor of Gold will remain
at the bottom, which yet is not, fit for use alone, seeing that the
Oil of Salt containeth too much Acrimony; therefore a drop of it is to
be mixed with a spoonful of Beer, Wine, or warm Broth, before it be
administred to weaken the spirit of salt; but if any desire to have it
sweeter, instead of Wine, Beer, or Broth, it may be mixed with melted
Sugar, or syrup of Roses. The Dose for a man of ripe age, is two or
three drops, which if he shall perceive not to operate sufficiently,
he may encrease to three or four drops, so long, till he shall find
an evident operation, which appearing, let him encrease the Dose no
longer, but rather diminish it a drop; and when the Oil of Gold rightly
performeth its operations, these signs will appear: In the first use,
a certain loathing or nauseousness of the stomach, will be perceived,
when the Oil of Gold findeth there a vitious pituity, and endeavouring
to expel it, driveth it downwards, and ejecteth it by stool. 2. The
Excrements are as black as a Coal, and during the use of the Medicine,
the sick maketh a discharge by stools at least twice, sometimes three
or four times, without any impediment or sence of necessity, as is
wont to be in the working of Purges. The Urine will also be thick and
turbid, because the Medicine dissolveth the Tartar and Phlegm in the
Reins and Bladder, and by degrees expelleth it. NB. That by the black
Excrements, it is manifest, that Gold may be radically dissolved in
the stomach of a Man, which some think to be impossible. The humane
stomach hath a greater power in the destruction of things than the
strongest fire, as may be here seen by the Gold: Yea, all things which
are eaten or drank, in the space of 24 hours, it throughly dissolved
and transmuteth into a new form of Excrements.
If the stomach of a man can effect such things, why not Art also? Yea,
hence it is expresly proved, that the colours of Gold, at length, when
it is radically dissolved and destroyed, do appear, and may be known,
seeing that in Colours Blackness hath as it were the first and chief
place, and containeth all others hidden and concentrated under it.
NB. That these black Excrements should not be cast away, but the
radically-dissolved Gold ought to be separated from them, with which
perhaps some great thing may be effected.
I some time since administred this Oil of Gold, for eight or ten daies
successively, to a certain Infant, for the freeing his body from
Mercury, which had been imprudently given him for the Worms; I ordered
the Excrements to be saved, for some Experiment, which nevertheless,
because they stood long and bred Worms, I could not use, but commanded
them to be put to the Roots of a young Vine, which had not yet born
Grapes, being but of two years growth, which produced a small Grape
with large stones, which had golden spots like Stars, admirable to
behold. This Example is worthy of a profound consideration. It also
seems to me, that the Urine of those who continually use the aforesaid
golden Liquor should be auriferous, although it appear not in the
colour. The thing is out of doubt, seeing that men, in the use of the
said Medicine, attract only a certain hidden virtue from the Gold, and
again send the rest forth of the body, that that Gold is better than
other common Gold: The Benignity of the Divine Being hath disposed and
ordained every thing in the World for the best.
Seeing that in the Stomach of Man or Beast the Food is destroyed
and putrefied, Nature taking a little from it only for nourishment
sake, casteth out the rest by siege, which yet is not of so abject a
condition, as to want its virtues? for if these Excrements be mixed
with any Earth, moistened with Rain-water, and exposed to the open Air,
there will thence spring forth divers Herbs, without the addition of
any seed; but if the seed of any Herb be adjoined, then is also brought
forth fruit of the same substance and quality; so that these Excrements
may degenerate, and be converted into whatsoever Fruits we will: From
which Fountain the multiplication of Herbs and Metals may perhaps take
its original. Therefore it is necessary, that Putrefaction should go
before Multiplication; which our Saviour himself told his Disciples,
saying, _Except a grain of Wheat shall fall into the Earth, and die,
it remaineth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit_. The
Axiom of Philosophers is, _Where Nature endeth, and leaveth the Work
imperfect, there Art ought to begin_. But the manner of proceeding
farther they have involved in silence. Nature from the beginning hath
sublimed a Mineral _Ens_, or first matter of Metals, as much as it
could, and brought it to the royal seat, or highest perfection: Art
hath destroyed the most perfect body of Gold by corrosives, and being
destroyed, hath again dissolved it in the body of Man: But if any know
the manner of proceeding farther with it, he may easily reduce that
Essence of the dissolved Gold into a better, and multiply it: But I
would not have this taken for an Oracle, seeing these are only my
Cogitations.
The Use of this Medicine is to be continued till the body is freed from
all ill Symptoms; nor are any other Remedies to be intermixed with it,
that its operation may not be hindered: But before this Medicine be
administred, a Dose or two of my _Panacea_ ought to be given, (of which
the _Second part_ of my _Pharmacop._ treateth) for then its effects are
to be admired.
This Oil of Gold, or _Aurum Potabile_, is of much greater force in
all those Diseases, in which the simple spirit of salt is conducible,
because the Oil of salt hath double the strength of the spirit, and
also diffuseth its virtues much better, by reason of the Gold which is
anatomized in it; the which, because it is of a hot and dry property,
agreeth very well with the Oil of salt, whose nature is hot and moist:
and hence it effectually resisteth all Corruption which may arise in
the humane body.
[Sidenote: Spirit of Salt, a Remedy against Drunkenness.]
Besides, the Virtues which the spirit of salt, and especially the Oil
of Gold prepared with it, manifest both within and without the body; it
is an egregious preservative against Drunkenness, which is the root of
many Diseases, and the gate by which many evils enter: For strong Wine
or stale Beer being drank, suffer nothing in the stomach, because it
cannot restrain their subtile spirit, which presently flieth up into
the Head, and disordereth and confoundeth all the senses. But if in the
drinking, a little spirit of salt be mixed with the Wine, it openeth
the Orifice of the stomach, and suffers not the spirits to fly upward,
but restraineth and bindeth them, also mitigateth and represseth
that unnatural Thirst, which otherwise the Wine causeth in excessive
drinkings: Nor doth the Wine, which is mixed with spirit of salt, so
easily hurt the Liver; for as the spirit of wine heats and inflames the
Liver, so the spirit of salt corrects and cools it. Add that the spirit
of salt permits not the liquor to lie lurking in the stomach, but
presently casteth it out by Urine: and the sooner the superfluous Wine
is cast out of the body, the less hurt it can do. But this is to be
understood of the spirit of salt well rectified, and subtilly prepared.
In short, I might sooner want Paper to write, than matter to express
what good the spirit of salt coagulated can do, being taken in drink;
I have said enough for the present; in my _Vegetable Work_ I will more
fully discourse of this matter, in which I now acquiesce. Whatsoever I
have here written of a Medicine against all Sea-faring Diseases, and of
the concentration of Corn and Water, against Hunger and Thirst; as also
of the most efficacious use of Spirit of Salt, against Drunkenness,
and of the melioration of Wine, Beer, Water, and other Drinks, is
built upon the pure foundation of Truth, which Experience it self will
sufficiently testifie; with which I put an End to this Discourse.
A True and Perfect
DESCRIPTION
OF
Extracting good TARTAR
FROM THE
Lees of Wine,
And that after a Plentiful Manner.
_To the most Reverend =PRINCE JOHN PHILIP=, Lord Arch-Bishop of
=Moguntina=, High Chancellor of the Empire, and Elector, Bishop
of =Herbipolensis=, Duke of =Franconia=, &c. my most Honoured
Lord._
I presume, you remember (most Reverend and Noble Lord Arch-Bishop and
Elector) that about Two Years since, I crav’d Your Lordship’s Licence,
to Extract _Tartar_ from the Lees of Wine; which your Highness was
pleased to grant me. From which Work, seeing I have been hitherto
hindered by the multiplicity of other business, and the great Waste
and Loss which is daily sustain’d in the Electorate of _Moguntina_,
and Bishoprick of _Herbipolensis_, proceeding from the ignorance
of the Lees, daily troubles me; I have determined to dedicate this
gainful _Extraction of Tartar from the Lees of Wine_, to your Electoral
Reverence, under whose Patronage I may be safe, and for this Reason
especially, Because none of the Princes of _Germany_ enjoy a greater
Vintage than your Reverend Highness; to whom not only a good part of
the Tract of the _Rhine_, but almost the whole Jurisdiction of _Mœne_,
together with _Franconia_, by Divine Providence, belongs; being very
fruitful in Wines; where also much Lees are cast away, thro’ Ignorance
_of the way_ of extracting their _Tartar_, for the Good of the Country,
from which a good Spirit of Wine might first be drawn by Destillation;
the _Tartar_ contained in the thick Lees, and remaining in the bottom
of the Still, is by all Men cast away, as unprofitable, a few excepted,
who with great Labour dry them, and of them make clavellated Ashes:
Which Waste or Loss of the Lees, seeing that it makes every year an
incredible Loss of _Tartar_, I have thought fit to expose the Knowledge
of this Mystery to the Eyes of all Men, for the Good of my Country, by
which some being instructed, may set about the _Extraction of Tartar_
with great Gain, not doubting, but many, when they shall see this
Labour to be profitable to others, undertaking the same, will bring
great Profit to their impoverish’d Country.
Therefore I trust, this Little Work will be acceptable to your Reverend
Highness. And I pray the Giver of all Good Things, to furnish both your
Soul and Body with His Gracious Benefits, who study to be
Your Highness’s most
Humble Servant,
_J. Rud. Glauber_.
_A True and Perfect Description of Extracting good TARTAR from
the LEES of WINE, =&c.=_
First of all, we must know what Dregs are, or what is their Essence and
Nature, how they are resolv’d into Parts, and the Good separated from
the Unuseful, because without the knowledge of the thing we can’t give
a right judgment of it, but must erre: Therefore it is necessary that
we know what we have in our hands, that we may the safer handle it. For
this cause I shall shew the Ignorant what are properly Dregs, and which
way the better part may be extracted, that hereafter so great a Good
may not by ignorant sluggishness be laid aside, but converted to the
profit of all.
All thick matter, whether it be of Wine, Beer, Vinegar, or the like,
when it has stood a little, sends the earthy, heavy, and more thick
part of it, to the bottom, which we call Dregs or Lees, upon which the
clearer part flows, to be separated from the impurity, as in the making
of common drinks may be seen.
There was no use of these Dregs heretofore, except the making Brandy
with ’em, and the rest to be thrown out of doors, in which was much
Virtue, which Men did not think of: But that all things are not
unprofitable which the Vulgar pronounce so, and that there may be great
Virtue in ordinary Matter, I shall demonstrate by this Excrement of
Wine.
When the Juice out of the Winepress is put into Hogsheads, that there
working, the dregs falling to the bottom, the clean Wine may come out,
the superfluous Salt of new Wine, while it is squeez’d out of the
Grapes, with the same labour is separated, part sticking to the sides
of the Vessel, which we call _Tartar_; but the greater part of this
Salt or Tartar, imply’d in the turbid dregs like Sand, sinks to the
bottom. Besides, this is the property of Salts, that by a hot humour
they make a thin water, the humour growing cold, not being able to keep
all the dissolv’d Salt that is compell’d to separate, which excluded
the Vehicle, seeks a new place. If you put into the Solutions Sticks
or Strings, that Crystalline Salt, in a cubical or angular figure
agreeable to its nature, will stick to them; or otherwise it cleaves to
the sides of the Vessel.
’Tis beyond all Controversie, that the Grape above all Vegetables has
much Salt, not sensible, unless it is fermented with a minute heat,
which working by Nature, endeavours a separation, while the purer and
more liquid part retains so much Salt as the Wine has need of, the
thicker Salt being exturbated, part of which incrustates the sides of
the Vessel, part of much thickness sticks, and subsiding with them,
gets the appellation of dregs, from which the vulgar are wont to destil
a Spirit or Brandy Wine: But these dregs are not a useless matter, as
they have been hitherto thought, for much _Tartar_ may be extracted out
of ’em with little cost.
But he that shall search more narrowly into the thing, will find a way
whereby poor and decaying Wine may be made good.
In some places, as suppose in _Franconia_, _Alsatia_, _Austria_, and
the _Rhenish Tract_, most fruitful for store of wine, these lees of
wine are made nothing of, but are given to Swine and other Cattel to
drink, by which means the Tartar in it so purges ’em, that they are
soon fat; they seldom try to draw the spirit thence. Otherwhere, where
wine is not made, especially where they fetch their wine a great way,
they are much esteemed of, not only because wine may be drawn from ’em,
but also put in small Hempen sacks, are pressed in adapted Presses,
a good mixt wine flowing thence saleable to others; yet this being
but a small wine, many have destinated it for Vinegar, to which it
best agrees; but he that knows how to restore to it what it lost in
pressing, may make a palatable strong wine, not inferiour to what it
was at first: But this Secret belongs to another place, I shall here
only treat of Vinegar and Spirit of Wine.
In _Holland_, _France_, _Italy_, this pressing of the dregs and
preparation of Vinegar is of frequent use, and very profitable to many,
who get nothing but what they squeeze out of the dregs they have of
the Vintners, and convert the Wine into Vinegar; the residue of the
dregs they put into Barrels, and sell it to Hatters, which being boil’d
in water, they thicken rough Hats with it; for Wool is brought into a
little compass by hot water, and by how much the hotter that is, the
Hats are made the thicker by it: For since it is the nature of Tartar
to make the water wherein ’tis diluted hotter than fire, and since
there is much Tartar in the dregs, by virtue of which, water acquires
a more intense degree of heat, which the ignorant Hatters ascribe to
the limosity of dregs, rather to be attributed to the inherent Tartar,
hence they put so much dregs in every pot as they know to be needful to
the constipation of the wool.
And this is the use to which prest Lees are put, but if they have a
greater quantity than the Hatters use, sometimes they are corrupted,
part turns to Worms, and afterward to a most stinking dirt fit for
nothing. When they sell them to the Hatters, then the Vinegar made of
the wine prest out of them, which cost them little, brings ’em great
profit, otherwise they would not gain much by their own Art, if they
were not eas’d by the Hatters taking the residue.
But after what manner Vinegar may be made, I shall briefly shew:
Vinegar-makers dispose many Hogsheads upon Stands a foot high from
the ground, under which a pot to receive the Vinegar is set, erected
in a hot place, the upper head being taken out, about the middle of
the Hogshead they place two pieces of Wood across, sustaining another
foraminous bottom, upon which they put the Vinous dregs, filling the
Vessel even to the top, then they cover it with the head or some good
square Cover, that little Air may enter; when in two or three daies,
by putting in your hand, sufficient heat is perceiv’d, the wine which
before was prest out of the dregs, is to be pour’d to it, so that the
wine may be above the dregs, so the Hogshead close covered is left,
till on the opposite row another Hogshead can be filled with the
like dregs and grow hot; then the Wine being drawn out of the first
hogshead, is poured into this, till the dregs in the first hogshead
begin again to be hot, which are again to be macerated in the first
Wine. This mutual affusion and depletion of the Wine is to be repeated
till a just acidity follows, which may be done in the space of two or
three weeks, according to the heat of the Air; which will be good and
permanent Vinegar, to be kept for sale in another Hogshead. Presently
the first dregs being hot, fresh wine is to be pour’d to them, doing
all things as before, till this wine also shall become good Vinegar. If
you have many Hogsheads, you may make Vinegar all Summer only, but if
you will also work in Winter, the place may be made hot by the help of
a Furnace.
After this manner in _France_ and _Holland_, many Families are
maintain’d and enriched, by the dregs of Wine prest and converted to
Vinegar.
And now I shall produce my Invention, a good Gift of God, as I take
it, to good men; ’Tis certain, that in Viniferous Countries, where
much dregs are bought for a small price, they may obtain a profit
to themselves not to be despis’d; for which (next to God) they are
beholden to me, who by unwearied toil have found this Science, and let
’em shew their gratitude towards Needy Persons, lest they incurr the
displeasure of God, and so turn this Blessing into a Curse.
First of all, let there be a good Press, with a long Beam, from which
hang weights, let there be put in small bags at least 5 or 6 Firkins of
Lees, and them soundly prest.
The wine that comes out by pression, you may turn to Vinegar, either by
the help of other Lees, or some other method; pour as much of the thick
in the sacks with a due proportion of water into a Still, let it not
boil in stilling, the Head being on, apply the refrigeratory, manage
the destillation as otherwise Spirit of Wine is wont to be drawn, keep
the Spirit proceeding thence till there is a good quantity of it,
which you ought to rectifie or clarifie by several destillations: (tho
this Spirit is not abundant in the dry dregs, yet there is sufficient
to pay for the making of the Vinegar and Tartar) when there comes an
insipid water, take out the fire, open the Pipe or Cock coming from
the Still, let the water with the dregs run through the Channel into a
great sack put to the Press, when ’tis close ty’d, press it, that the
moist may be separated from the dry: the Liquor cooling in a peculiar
Vessel, and congealed into Tartar, will stick to the sides, the rest
falls down like sand: Take out the dregs remaining in the sack, dry
them in the heat of the Sun, burn them under a Still as wood, and you
will have very sharp ashes, commonly called clavellated ashes, useful
for _Dyers_, the price of which (at least) exceeds the pression and
preparation of Tartar. When you have finished one destillation with
the Press, fill the empty Destillatory with fresh water and dregs,
as before, and while you draw spirit thence, press the first dregs,
and continually put the destillation to the same Press, which coming
out hot, don’t put it to the former, but give proper Vessels to each
destillation. The day after, put the first water from which the Tartar
went to the bottom, to the third destillation, instead of fresh water,
that is, by dissolving and destilling new dregs in it, as I have
taught: Let the fæces of the fourth destillation be pour’d in the
second water, which hath let fall its Tartar, and so afterwards, by
which Compendium you will make no waste of Tartar, but what remains in
the water, may take encrease from the new dregs to which it is pour’d,
and it will give its Gain: But if you will, you may animate that acid
water from which the Tartar is separated, and with a small charge, by
Grain and Fruits of Trees, give it life and soul again, that it may
again be made Wine, not unlike the first prest from the Lees, after the
same method it is turn’d into Vinegar, (because ’tis already sharp,
the life or soul only that preserve from Corruption being wanting) the
way of proceeding will bring great Gain to him that understands it.
If you know not the administration, do as I have order’d, and instead
of common water, dissolve the hard dregs in this acid, and you will
have good Tartar; but that languid water may also be adhibited to other
uses, which I shall set down in the end of this Book: This do, that the
fæces be not burnt by too great a fire, nor the spirit stink, and the
still be spoil’d, which you may prevent if you anoint the bottom with
Lard before you put in the heavy water, and draw off the spirit. Here I
might shew a Compendium whereby the dregs, tho’ dry, should not be in
danger of burning, but it would be long and tedious to the Reader. But
if you mind diligently what I have written, you will get enough.
When you have gotten a good quantity of Tartar from the Lees, not
neat to outward appearance, but very like dirt or sand, purge it yet
more, that either it may be reduc’d to a very fair Crystal, or till it
cleaves in great Fragments to the sides of the Vessel, which you may
effect by the following Way. Fill a _Vesica_ with limpid water, almost
to the top, put a little granulated Tartar into that water, soundly
boiling to dissolve, putting a stick to the bottom, you may see when
it is dissolv’d, add more by degrees, till no more will melt in the
water, which you may thus find out: Fill a Pewter Saucer with this
Liquor, if it contracts a little skin or cream, it shews that it has
enough Tartar to produce Crystals, but if not, add more Tartar, till
you see this sign in the pot; while it boils, add the scum taken off
with a perforated Brass Ladle, to the dry Lees, which by reason of the
Tartar adhering, when burnt, conduces to the clavellated ashes; when
the boiling has drawn Tartar enough, let it be let out thro’ the Pipe
of the Still into a clean Receiver, where while the water cools, the
Crystals will incrustate on the sides; apply the rest of the water to
the same uses, you will do better; if you shall change it into Wine or
Vinegar, let the Crystalline roughness remain in the Vessel, for if you
add a new boiling, greater and fairer sorts of Crystals will be made,
because by how much the thicker this Tartar is, so much the dearer
’tis held; and thus you may conciliate thickness to your Crystals.
When it shall seem enough, pour the rest of the Solutions into another
Vessel, in which the first Tartar has concreted, let it dry of it
self, afterwards strike the sides of it with a great blow, and great
Fragments of Tartar will fall down, which you may sell for profit, put
the vessel to the same labour again.
This is the exact description of producing good Vinegar and Tartar
necessary for many Arts, from the basest dregs, and of justly getting
much profit with little pains.
Now I proceed to make the Wine which some call Adust, or Spirit of
Wine, of the Lees of Wine, without any Costs.
After the defecated Wine is pour’d out, put the fæces into the Still,
add as much water as the dissolution of the inherent Tartar requires,
kindle a fire, stir it at the bottom with a wooden Ladle, that it may
not burn to; when you can no longer bear the heat of the water with
your hand, and the spirits break forth, take out the Ladle, put on the
Head, and destil till you perceive no spirit, but meer Phlegm; the
remaining Liquor draw out into a sack close ty’d, work it in the Press,
and you will have spirit of wine by destillation, and also Tartar by
expression, concretion, crystalisation, with double encrease; as I
shall shew more clearly by and by, that before you begin to work, you
may be sure, how much you hope to gain thereby, lest you labour in
vain, maturely consult that you may discern by a premis’d computation
what is to be done.
For instance, If five Firkins of Lees cost half a Doller each, five
Firkins will yield two R. Dollers and an half; from these I press out
two Firkins of Wine, two Firkins remain in the sacks, one Firkin is
supposed to waste in the transfusion, when yet a Vessel seldom soaks
up four quarts: I turn the two Firkins of Wine into Vinegar; the two
Firkins of thick Lees being diluted with Water, I draw Spirit of
Wine, and press out the Tartar; this Wine drawn by the Fire, together
with the dregs left of the Tartar, being reduced by burning into
clavellated ashes, do equal the Charge of making the Vinegar & Tartar,
but two firkins of dregs afford from 40 to 100 pounds of Tartar, as
the Wine is sweeter or more acid, (tho’ the harsh affords more Tartar
than the sweet) but if they yield but 40 pounds, this Tartar refunds
the price of the Lees; the Spirituous Liquor and clavellated Ashes,
recompence the Wood, and the two Firkins of pressed wine you have
over-plus to be turn’d into Vinegar.
Or if you buy two Firkins of Lees for one R. Doller; first you may
draw off the spirit; after that, you may press out about ten pounds
of Tartar, both together saleable at one Doller, as much as the Lees
cost; all the Liquor of the Spirit will be clear gain, by an egregious
short labour to grow Rich. Suppose a Firkin to cost a Doller, and to
yield not above 9 pound of Tartar, each of which is worth two Bazeins;
tho’ some Lees are better than others, yet seldom any are found so
poor, that do not afford their value in Tartar; even the _Rhenish_,
_Franconian_, and _Austrian_, one Firkin yielding one Doller,
oftentimes affords fifty pound of Tartar, or more. Besides, we must
note, if the Lees are dear, Tartar and burning spirit of wine can’t be
cheap, because the dearness of them depends on the scarcity of wine:
But if the Lees are dear, the Vinegar, Spirit, and Tartar cheap, (which
yet was never known) so that the quantity of Tartar will not yield the
price of the Lees; neither also can you have the Vinegar and spirituous
wine _gratis_; yet you shall have this profit above others, living on
Vinegar and burning wines only, that the Tartar and clavellated Ashes
collected from the refuse of the eliquated wine, by others rejected,
you may get an help, that you may sell the spirit of wine, that cost
you little, for more than otherwise. If therefore he gains by only
pressing wine, or destillation of the spirit, how much rather you that
acquire both Vinegar and spirit of wine from those dregs for a gratuity?
One thing more I add for confirmation: If 8 Firkins of Lees, that cost
4 Dollers, make 4 or 6 Firkins of vinegar, or one of burning wine or
brandy, that vinegar or brandy yields 10 or 12 R. Dollers: The prest
or destilled dregs, if they give fifty or sixty pound of Tartar, they
equallize the first price of the dregs; but if there be a less quantity
of Tartar, the vinegar or spirit will stand you in but little, which
being made better, or sold cheaper than ordinary, you (the seller) will
allure buyers before others.
Some man may say, the Art indeed has been unheard of, and is gainful,
but does not agree with every age and condition; for all don’t
understand Merchandising, but rather some abhor it, seeing the
Scriptures compleatly testifie, that the fraud between the buyer and
seller sticks as fast as a pin between the stones of a wall; to whom I
answer, that to every Christian an honest Occupation is permitted by
Divine Providence for the sustentation of him and his, but he need not
burden his Neighbour in any case. For that it is lawful to endeavour a
livelihood this way, or that, is attested to by a laudable example, in
both the Old and New Testament.
This is the true way of pressing wine from Lees, and reducing it to
Vinegar, and drawing out Brandy and Tartar, and incinerating the refuse.
It remains that I set down the uses to which the rest of the water from
the Tartar may be adhibited with profit; but we must know by the way,
that the sourness in that water is nothing but Tartar dissolved, which
does not take a Crystalline form at the sides of the Vessel: therefore
this acid water performs whatsoever is effected by Tartar diluted in
common water.
Since there is no man but knows how to dissolve Copper in tartarised
water, without the help of salt, as in the dealbation of ordinary Coins
and Silver Vessels among the silver-workers may be seen, who take away
the Copper sticking in the superficies of money or silver-vessels by
boiling, the silver appearing as if it had nothing of copper mix’d with
it: to this work the aforesaid water may be very profitably applied;
and seeing that a great quantity of it remains in the working of the
Lees, it can scarcely be better imploy’d than by the following method.
If the viler Marcasites of Copper, every where obvious, and which
cannot otherwise be melted with profit, as also the _Scoria_ or dross
of Copper, which is thrown away, be boil’d in this water, it will
attract the Copper to it self; cast in Filings of Iron, and they will
be exalted into Copper, and the extracted Copper will be precipitated
from the water by the addition of the Iron. This gradation of Iron into
Copper being done, which in outward appearance will be like a dirty
Mudd, it is to be edulcorated with clear water, and then throughly
melted by the force of fire, which will yield a very fair Copper, no
way coming short of other Copper in goodness. Which Labour is very
profitable, because a great quantity of tartariz’d water proceeds from
this Work; but that it may the more easily act upon the Copper, in
extracting it from the stone or Marcasite, a little salt is to be added
in the boiling.
But if the Marcasite or Copprious-stone abound with too much sulphur,
which yet seldom happens in the more ignoble Marcasites, they must
first be torrefied, that the sulphur may be burnt, then to be ground,
and boil’d with the tartaris’d water, and precipitated with Iron;
which way more Copper is acquir’d than was in the Copprious-stone it
self, because while it is precipitated, part of the Iron is exalted to
Copper, part turns to Vitriol unlike to the natural in hardness; for
a green solution remains, whereby Cloth and Yarn are made as black as
with common Vitriol; also it affords the best Black for Shoemakers to
colour their Leather, and is naturally adapted with Oak to conciliate a
black colour to Wood.
If this vitriolated Water be boil’d in an Iron Pot till it be dry,
and the residue melted in a strong fire, you will obtain a most
tenacious or tough Iron of wonderful virtue, if not to be preferr’d
to good Copper, at least to be compar’d with it. And so the common
Copprice-stone of Iron is better than the filings or scales of Iron,
if with the Lees of wine it be reduc’d by the spirit of the world into
small Balls, when you melt them, a very ductile and pure Iron will come
out, fit for more uses than common Iron; which labours if any will
enter upon, they will reap fruits not to be despis’d.
It would not be beside the matter to annex the manner how you might use
both your Tartar and Ashes at home, neither that you might be forc’d
to sell them abroad, but it would be too long, and rather hurtful than
profitable to the present business. This I think to treat of farther
another time, by the Grace of God.
THE
FIRST PART
OF THE
Prosperity of Germany:
Wherein is Treated of
The Concentration of Wine, Corn, and Wood, and the more
profitable use of them, than hath hitherto been.
TO
All those Patrons that Love GOD, and favour their Country,
_HEALTH_.
_Ye Pious, Prudent, and your Country-loving Patrons._
The Most Excellent Glorious God, and our most Merciful and Bountiful
Father, hath (out of his great Love unto, and Fatherly Care of us,
from Eternity) set Nature before our Eyes, that he might signifie to
us his Will; which said Nature, is no other thing but the proper,
eternal, and only Will of God. To this Nature, God hath (as to his
obedient and faithful Instrument) absolutely delivered, and committed
his Will and Command to be by her faithfully and diligently performed;
she accomplisheth the Task imposed on her, without intermission, nor
resteth she one moment of time from doing the Divine Will with her
utmost study and endeavour.
Therefore, deservedly ought we to learn to know, worship, and love the
Creator above all things else whatsoever, seeing the Creator is known
by the Creatures.
If his Creatures be great, and unperceivable to our sight, and so
wonderful; certainly it of necessity follows, that the Creator is far
greater, and far beyond all Human Understanding; and this, everyone may
easily understand: ’Tis therefore clearly and evidently manifest, that
God Created all things for the service of man, that he might thereby
acknowledge the Divine Bounty, and Honour, and fear the Creator, and
bestower of all good things, and yield him due Thanks for his Gifts.
But seeing that it may so be, that the most just God will sometime or
other, at last (being provoked by the perfidious malice of men, avenge
himself on the most Impious living of this perverse World, by bringing
scarcity of Food, (War, and the Plague); and seeing that it may so be,
as that the small Company of the Pious, lying hid amongst the Impious
Crew of the wicked, may partake of the same punishment: Therefore I
thought it very expedient, with a cheerful mind to publish (to the
Honour of God, and my Country, and for the comfort and solacing of its
Pious Inhabitants,) the Talent that God hath vouchsafed unto me, by the
help of which, very many such Calamities as may come, _viz._ Famine,
War, and the Plague, may be prevented.
But the way I have pitched on to serve my Country in, doth chiefly
consist in the manifestation and Revelation of those most great
Treasures that lie hidden in _Germany_, being such as by the
regardlessness of Men have been hitherto unknown, unsought, and not
gotten forth. I have therefore endeavoured, faithfully to manifest in
this present Treatise, by what means those Treasures are to be sought
for, and rightly ordered for the profit of my Country; and withal, to
open the Treasures of the Noble State of _Germany_, wherewith it is
most abundantly enriched, beyond all the other Countries of _Europe_,
and hath hitherto enjoyed, and used (but not so well as it should have
done) _viz._ Wine, Corn, Wood, Minerals, and Metals. For Ungrateful
Men have extreamly wasted unprofitably, the most wealthy, and rich
Benediction of God, who hath bestowed Wine and Corn on them, in
abundance, and the Relicks (which they spent not) have they suffered
to corrupt and perish with lying. Nor is there any body that doth in
the least entertain any thoughts, by what means such an abundance of
so great Gifts, might be kept and preserved for future years, which
may be accompany’d with extream scarcity and Dearth. Every one shifts
for himself and his, with that plenty of Goods he enjoys; and leaves
another to take care for himself, and to see for time to come, that he
provide himself for things necessary whereon to live. And it is come
to such a pass, that the overplus which remains of the abundance of
the Blessing of God, is meerly cast away through a careless disregard,
and so nothing is preserved for after times. And yet our Lord Jesus
Christ himself when he fed many thousands of Men with Bread, commanded
his Disciples carefully to preserve the remaining Crumbs, that nothing
might be lost; the which without all doubt he did for no other end, but
that we might have the Gifts of God in high esteem. But where shall
we find such as will imitate, and do the same; certainly no where,
which is inexcusable with God and good Men. Certainly such a largess
of Divine Gifts, is not bestowed on us, that they should miserably
perish, or be cast away; but we should rather labour and take care
of diligent laying up and preserving (like so many Laborious Ants)
all that overabundantness which we cannot make use of. Let it be but
considered, I pray, in what great heaps Corn lies heaped hoarded up,
and is spoiled. And is it not the same with Wine, which being gathered
in such over-great quantities, is become vile and abject, or cast away?
What, cannot there be store laid up out of this very plenty (which
now is grutched at, as ’twere) as so many great Treasures for future
Calamitous Years?
Well however, though as yet this hath been left undone, yet I am
confident, that some good Housholders will be found, that will not
despise this Instruction and Admonition of mine, but will condense the
so much superfluity of Wine, and Corn, and preserve it against future
Years scarcity. Nor do I at all doubt, but that others, after they
have by this Book well learned the manner, will turn the superfluous,
and cast away Wood (which lies and rots, and is reduced to nothing)
into Salt-petre in great quantities; that by its help the Enemies may
be resisted, and the Inhabitants defended. But in the three following
Parts, which treat of the Concentration of Metals, and Minerals,
wherein all kinds of Medicaments resisting natural Diseases, shall be
taught, I know that every one will find refreshment, and help, against
the future Plague, and Contagious Diseases. So then, when we have Food
and Drink necessary for a Livelyhood, and Salt-Nitre to defend us
against our Enemies, and Medicines serving for the preservation of us
in Health, there remains nothing else we can desire, save a little Gold
and Silver, by which we may exercise Trade, or Merchandise, and furnish
our selves with Outlandish Wares. The which, that we also may get out
of those Mountains, we every where meet withal, and out of those
abject, and given-over Mine-pits, I question not, but (God permitting)
to effect it, and clearly to shew it in the three following Books of
the Concentration of Minerals and Metals. Upon this account I would
no longer keep by me this small Book of the Concentration of things,
but publish it to the Honour of God and my Country, (it being a Talent
vouchsafed me by God.)
I do therefore Dedicate it to all Pious, Faithful, and Good
Housholders, hoping that my sincere Admonition, and Instruction, will
find some place, and not be rejected.
The three Parts I promised, shall shortly follow: Furthermore, I
offer my most faithful help to every one in the opening and revealing
the said Concentration of Wine, Corn, Wood, Minerals, and Metals;
for all things being in a readiness, I can easily shew the manner of
Concentration. And seeing I am ignorant, how long a time the most
Merciful God will vouchsafe unto me, the use of life and light; I would
not willingly bury with me a Science so eminent, so Noble, and so
profitable to my Country. But if now it should so fall out, that few or
none should at all mind it, yet have I done my part, and satisfied my
Conscience. Though indeed I do not in the least doubt, but that there
will be some good and faithful Housholders, by whom these Profitable
Inventions of mine, will be regarded, and be made use of for God’s
Honour, and for the Conservation of the Country, and its Inhabitants.
This I certainly know, that if this Counsel, or Direction of mine,
concerning the Concentration of Wine, Corn, Wood, and Minerals (which
proceeds from the simplicity and sincerity of my mind) shall find
any place of entertainment, that our most praiseworthy Country of
_Germany_, will in a few Years space become most exceeding happy, and
be so enriched, that both high and low will be much joyed, and praise
God, and give him thanks.
But I easily conjecture with what various and different Judgments this
Off-spring of my Brain, will be expounded. One will haply give credit
to the things I have said; but another will condemn and disdain them,
as mere Impossibilities, and Dreams. But however, the truth will at
length break forth, and the work it self will purchase to its Master
due Praise, and herein I content my self. The most Blessed, most
Merciful God, and our Father, that great Housholder, bestow on us his
Divine Benediction, that so we may institute in most places of this our
most dear Country this Concentration of Wine, Corn, Wood, and Minerals;
and may by the help thereof obtain such Treasures, as may serve for the
sustaining of our life, in time to come, and for the resisting of our
enemies, and for the Glory of God, and the help and succour of very
many needy ones in Distress.
The PREFACE.
_If the Proverbs of the Ancients are to be embraced as wholsom
Doctrines, then certainly this (being none of the least) is not to
be rejected; and is thus, =That he that will not hear, ’tis fit he
should afterwards feel=. The meaning of it is this; If so be any one be
regardless of a warning, and so come to damage, every one is wont thus
to say of him, He is but justly rewarded, why did he not yield to a
faithful warning? who will help him now?_
_But however, I have endeavoured (for the Honour of God, of the
Magistrate, and of my Country, and the benefit of my Neighbour) to
shew, by good Admonition, and by a profitable Testimony, by what
means, that great plenty we have in these as yet prosperous times,
wherein we have abundance of Corn, Wine, and other things in great
plenty throughout all =Germany=, may not unprofitably be lost; but be
preserved for support in those years of scarcity that are next to come,
according as =Joseph= that most excellent Steward mentioned in Holy
Writ is said to have done._
_And now that there may be as much prevention as is possible, that
the Wine, and Corn perish not with lying, but be preserved against a
future scarcity, I have published this little Book for every ones view,
concerning the Concentration of Vegetables, Animals, Minerals, and
Metals, in which, the prosperity and felicity of all =Germany=, and
indeed the Universal Treasure and Wealthiness of the whole World, is
seated._
_And because such an abundant plenty of all these things begets a
nauseating and loathing, as it were, of those Minerals, Metals, Wine,
and Corn, wherewith =Germany= exceeds all the other Countries of
=Europe=; I judged it well worth while to constringe, or concentrate
this plenty into a little room, and preserve it from the loss and
destruction of the same, arising from Negligence and Contempt. For
when such vile, or cheap things are driven into a small compass, the
baser and unprofitable part goes off, and the nobler and better part is
driven together, and preserved, and doth not so easily become corrupt
as afore, when both good and bad are commixed together._
_And this is to be understood of the Minerals, and Metals, and of
Wine, Corn, and Wood. For where the Water is separated from the Wine
and Beer, and the more Noble Parts are concentred, as it were into a
Centre, you may even preserve them as long as you list. And when you
need either Wine, or Beer, the concentrated parts may be relaxed by the
apposition of Water, and be enlarged, insomuch, that one Vessel will
hold six Vessels of Wine; and this, taking up but one place, and yet
contains six times the quantity, there will not need so much costs, nor
will so much Wine be spoiled by vapouring away, as would be by six Wine
Vessels, which must always be kept full. Besides, this farther benefit
ariseth hencefrom, =viz.= That out of such concentred Juices (if they
be at hand) there may be made every =Autumn= new Wines sooner than
ordinary, 4, 5, or 8 weeks time or more, and be sold at a bigger rate,
than in the very =Autumn= Season, when the Grapes are ripe, and every
Body furnished with Wine._
_=NB.= For such a work there is requisite a certain peculiar
Instrument, and artificial knack, by the help of which the Must may
be holpen to a speedy fermentation; there are also other Conveniences
which arise from these thus concentred Musts, which for Brevities sake
we here omit. So likewise Beer being after the same manner concentred,
doth bring a many more Utilities than ordinary Beer. For that Corn
which eight Barrels were scarce sufficient to contain afore, need no
more but one here, the which being put in the Beer Vessel, will not
turn into Vermin; nor will it flie out of the Barn, but may be used
after 10 or 20 years. Such Artificial Factitious Ales, seeing they are
(in their condensation) boiled a longer while, are far better than the
common sorts which are made of dried Corn, or Malt. Whosoever therefore
shall in a great plenty of Grain, buy up Corn, and condense it by such
Artificial Concentrations, and so lay it by, till a scarcity comes,
will gain abundantly, and will not only get to himself an honest,
and to others no ways injurious profit; but will withal (being thus
studious of Charity and Mercy) deserve exceeding well of his Neighbour,
if he helps him in his great necessity, and he will readily pay him
for his Corn, whereby he may get Money to sustain his Family and be a
profitable gainer._
_So then, no body is injured by this condensation, and concentration
of Ale, or Wine, but both the Buyer and Seller are Gainers, and this
should of right, be in every Man’s heart, what condition soever he be
of. It would be well done of Noble Men, Princes, Kings, Emperors, and
other Magistrates and Common Wealths, if they would provide in their
Store-houses for Warfare, such kind of condensed Liquors, and Juices,
that so the poor may in a time of scarcity be made partakers of that
plenty, and they will have no loss thereby, but rather benefit._
_But the Condensation of Wood, and turning it into Salt-petre or Nitre,
is far more profitable than that of Wine or Ale; for wood may be had
even as it were =gratis=, and be with a very small Cost transmuted
into Nitre, the which may be kept without hurt in the Storehouses for
a long time, seeing it is not wont to corrupt or perish, and be there
conserved until it be made up into Gun-powder with Coals and Sulphur,
both which are also not subject to corruption; so that it is not so
very necessary (nay, rather it is hurtful) to have such vast quantities
of Gun-powder in their Castles and fenced places. There are examples
enough of Towers in which Gun-powder hath been stirred up, which either
through negligence, or else by lightning, being fired, have in less
than a moments time o’return’d whole Cities, and slain abundance of
men. Now this mighty inconveniency may easily be prevented by this
only Remedy, =viz.= If the Powder be not made up, but the matter
thereof (=viz.= Nitre, Sulphur, and Coals) be only kept in readiness,
wherewith the said Powder may be made, as necessity requires: Besides,
herein also doth the concentration of Wood exceed (as to profit) the
condensation of Wine and Ale, not only because there lie vast heaps of
Minerals in =Germany=, (which not containing a fixt and corporeal Gold,
are therefore disesteemed) that admit of a separation of their better
part, and fixation of it by Nitre; but withal, the meaner Metals (their
superfluous Sulphur being burnt up) may be transmuted into better; and
the perfect Metals, =viz.= Gold and Silver, may (by the help thereof)
be destroyed, and be enforced or concentred into a better part; the
which thing the following =Second=, =Third=, and =Fourth Parts= treat
of._
_So then, this Transmutation of Wood into Salt-petre or Tartar, of both
which not only great quantities may be sold, but may be also applied
to sundry uses, will bring to our noble Country of =Germany= (in which
there is an incredible quantity of Wood to be had almost every where
=gratis=) a most notable encrease of Power and Strength, not only
against its future, but its present Enemies._
_Whosoever therefore shall have abundance of Wood, shall likewise be
enriched with store of Wealth, provided he will but set his hand to
the work, and not fear that ever =Salt-petre= will be such a Drug, as
to be of no value, and not vendible: And yet if it should so be, yet
in the Explication of my =Miraculum Mundi=, already published, I have
manifested so much, and will, in the three following parts of this
Book, manifest such things as concern the use of this =Salt=, that
there will never want such, as penetrating into the knowledge of these
Secrets, will not full well know its Use._
_He that hath Eyes, let him look about, and use them, for the time
comes, yea, and by little and little approacheth, in which Knowledge
will be a profitable thing; and it will be well for those who are
seasoned with the knowledge of things profitable. Verily, Knowledge is
better than store of Goods, for no body can carry them with him, nor
(in some cases) help either himself or his Friends with them. Happy
is he that can say with the Philosopher, =All that is mine do I carry
with me=: How injuriously do they speak of the most bountiful Lord God,
who accuse Him for that He hath forborn the bestowing of Wine, plenty
of Corn, Pome-Citrons, and Gold on some Countries, and yet fully as
great Treasures are to be found there, if the Eyes of the Inhabitants
were not darkened? If there were nothing else, yet certainly there
is Wood to be found, which without any labour, costs, or trouble of
Rich or Poor, doth grow night and day, and offers it self unto us, and
as it were, saith unto us in these words; =What! am I of no use? Do
not I come forth to thy view, that thou maist by contemplating on me
acknowledg the Divine Bounty, and make use of me with thankfulness?=
There is not therefore any reason why one Country should exalt it
self before another, because it is better; or contrarily complain,
that the Divine Benediction less regarded it than other Countries;
no, each Country hath enough, if it would but be content with what it
possesseth. As for those Countries which are even destitute of Wood,
they do nevertheless abundantly enjoy the Divine Benediction; witness
=Island=, and other cold Northern Countries, which have their Corn,
and other Necessaries for Life, brought them out of other Countries.
But now on the other hand, these Countries afford Cod or Stock-fish
dried; and so, though they want Trees, Fruit, Corn, and Wine, yet they
do not want, and are equally as well nourished by the Divine Bounty as
the rest be. Though they want Wood, yet have they Pit-Coals; for the
Earth there is very sulphureous, and at the Mountain =Hekla= it burns
perpetually, and casts out fire, smoak, and ashes, and yields to the
Inhabitants a great quantity of Brimstone, which they dig out and sell
to our Country Mariners and Traffiquers, thereby sustaining themselves._
_Some one or other may object to me and say, Seeing that =Salt-petre=
is to be accompted of as an =Universal Subject=, and to be found in
all things, it must necessarily be, that seeing =Island= has no Wood
at all, the =Salt-petre= is to be found in the dry Stock-fish, for
otherwise this Salt can’t be said to be =Universal=, as being not to be
found in such or such a Country._
_Well then, to clear this doubt, I do affirm, (as I said before)
that Nitre is in Fishes also, though not in such plenty as in other
subjects, =viz.= in Wine, Wood, and Corn: But it is found far more
plentifully and potently in Stones, with which those Countries are well
stored; and any one may easily guess what Riches they would produce,
were they but versed in the knowledge how to extract it; for in Stones
which by burning are turned into Lime, (the which may be done without
Wood, even by dried Turf or Pit-coal, and that easily) Nitre is as
abundantly hidden, as in Wood, and in other Vegetables: Nor is there
ought else requisite, save the knowledge of the way of its extraction._
_If therefore that harsh and wild kind of Country, wherein nothing
grows, be put in the Philosophical balance, with the most rich Country,
it would (seeing it contains hidden in its Earth and Stones such great
Treasures) easily exceed it, and obtain the chiefest place. There is
therefore no reason why any one should complain before God: A small
man doth usually exceed, as to swiftness and agility, one that is
big and tall: A weak man may oppose the acuteness of his wit against
the strength of the lusty: A poor man enjoys Quietude, and patiently
undergoes his more hard fortunes; but contrariwise, the rich is
invironed with cares. And this may be also understood of other living
Creatures. These things being well considered, every one may understand
and perceive, that God hath satisfied every one, and that there is no
Creature that can justly complain._
_It is reported of the =Peruvian= part of =America=, That it is
enriched with the most abounding Silvery Mountain =Potosi=, seated in
a part of that Region, and is about some 50 =German= miles in compass,
and that it doth by its exceeding cold Air hinder the growing of any
Vegetables, and yet notwithstanding, there is such a notable power
and excellency obtained by the Riches of that place, that the City
there founded doth abound with the best Wine, Corn, Sugar, and other
such-like necessary things, and is scarce inferiour in bigness and fair
Buildings to any City of =Germany=, and from this very Mountain only
receiveth it this felicity. It is hence evident, that all such things
are not unprofitable, which (by reason of the meanness of the outward
shape) are not so well known to every body; for sometimes a Countryman
throws a Stone at a Cow, which is far more worth than the price of the
Cow is, and yet it is contemned, because unknown._
_The external and superficial Figure therefore of a thing is not
alwaies to be regarded, but its inward parts are to be search’d into
and viewed; and that we may attain hereunto, =Alchymy= points out
to us the way, (she being the Instrument of the true praise-worthy
Philosophy) and opens the Gate, whereby we may search into the inmost
bowels of every thing._
_He who well knows the fire, and the use thereof, will not be
distressed with want. And he that has no knowledge of the same, neither
will he throughly search into Natures Treasures: From these things it
is evident what Treasures we =Germans= do unknowingly possess, and yet
convert them nor to our use; And were not foreign parts as ignorant too
of these things as we our selves are, they would readily have upbraided
us =Germans=, that we spend more time in eating and drinking, than on
good =Arts= and =Sciences=._
_Now as concerning my writings about the concentration of =Wine=,
=Corn=, and =Wood=, and the condensation of ’em, I shall never be
better able to prove and confirm the Truth of the same, than by
producing it to manifest light, that so the Eyes seeing it, all
admiration may cease, and all incredulity vanish. There is credit
therefore to be given to all the things mentioned in this Book, as to
an experienced Truth, and which are not made publick for any other
ends, save only that those natural Sciences may tend to the utility and
benefit of my Neighbour. Whoever therefore shall believe them, will
purchase Honour and Profit; and contrariwise, he that will not believe,
will get only disgrace and detriment._
_I will therefore predict or foretell, that this one only Artifice of
making =Salt petre= in such great plenty, and the way of using it to
metalline works, will bring incredible Treasures to our Country of
=Germany=, if we be not too negligent, or let it slip by a sluggish
slothful drowsiness. I do verily believe, that if God doth yet
vouchsafe me one years life, that this said Artifice of =Salt-petre=
will be profitable to very many; but if so be that it shall not
please the Divine Majesty to prolong my life so short a time, it may
however be accounted of, that God hath indeed shewed us =Germans=,
as heretofore he did to =Moses=, the =Land of Promise=, but hath, by
reason of our sins and incredulity, shut up the passage against us._
_But that I may absolutely serve my Neighbour, and that he may have
no cause to complain, as if I had served him but by halves, in that I
have not described the Press for Wood, together with the appertaining
Instruments, I do now therefore certifie every one, that all the things
necessary and requisite for the concentrating of Wine, Corn, and Wood,
are to be seen in my custody in perfection._
_If now any one be desirous of receiving benefit from his Wine,
Corn, or Wood, and that he find it highly to concern him to get this
knowledge he will well know, by the inspection of the Work presented
afore him, wherein lay the defect as to the getting this thing, and
what means the said defect is to be holpen by; but the Instruments that
I have mentioned, shall be no longer to be seen, than from the Calends
of =March= to the Calends of =September=, this present year 1656.
=viz.= six months time; for I have purposed to my self, not to render
my life burdensome alwaies unto my self, by carrying such troublesome
burthens about to and fro, but at last to get a quiet seat and abode.
So then it will, by this here spoken, be evidently manifest to every
one, what he is to do as touching this matter._
_The three other Parts concerning the concentration of Minerals and
Metals, shall (if God permit) shortly also follow._
_But because Nitre is the alone Instrument of that work, and that no
body can get any eminent profit, unless he can have Nitre at a very
cheap rate, it is wholly necessary that some labour be bestowed about
the procuring it, which if you can get good store of cheap, then will
the hoped-for profit be perceived, both out of Minerals and Metals:
If not, vain will it be for you to make your search into that Mineral
kingdom._
_Well, I do affirm, That by the benefit of Nitre, things wonderful may
be effected in Metallick Labours; yea, ten times more than what I have
described in my small Treatise, called =Miraculum Mundi=, or dare to
describe for the future; for all things requisite to true =Alchymy=,
may be perfectly accomplished in it, by it, and with it._
_Herewith I conclude this Preface. Whatsoever is here wanting in this
Treatise, for brevities sake, the demonstration visibly exposed to
view, will afterwards compleatly recompence, insomuch that any one will
easily wind himself out of all doubts. And here we rest for this time._
THE FIRST PART
OF
The Prosperity of Germany, &c.
In the Name of the most Holy Trinity do I begin to describe the
most great Wonders of God, that I may manifest to everyone (without
concealing ought) His Grace and Mercy, which He embraceth Mankind
withal; and I pray God, the Father of us all, the merciful Creator of
Heaven and Earth, to guide and direct this Work, that it may serve to
His Divine Honour, and tend to all our welfares. _Amen._
* * * * *
We will enter into _Franconia_, and see what a wealthy and large
Benediction of God is to be found therein: And I will first begin with
Wine, none of the least of the most noble Creatures of God, and will
demonstrate how ungrateful we shew ourselves to the bestower of all
good things, and how basely we abuse His Goodness.
Every one knows what a noble Creature wine is, how strained from the
Grape and made, and therefore this thing needs no further description,
forasmuch as others have heretofore sufficiently enough done this
task and daily Experience is an abundant testifier of the use of the
same. It is behoveful here, that we only signifie how it ought to be
handled better than it has hitherto been, and may so likewise bring
a greater profit and utility to the tillers thereof than hitherto.
Every one knows, that wine is the noblest amongst all drinks, and
most conducive to health, and may and ought to be called the Purest
drink: It cherisheth old men, and heats the cold, but such as are of
a tender age, should deservedly shun wine, because being drunk too
soon, it easily inflames the Liver, and dries it up, and stirs up
various Diseases, and at last causeth Death it self. So then, there is
nothing so good, but may also do hurt, nor is any thing so evil, but
doth sometimes bring some benefit, according as the difference of the
use is which it is applied unto; as is here evident in Wine; the which
being drunk moderately, and at due seasons, doth not only excellently
well digest and concoct the Meat in the Stomach, but likewise evidently
strengthens the Heart, Brain, and Vital Spirits, and generates pure
and sound Blood and Flesh. Contrariwise, being immoderately taken,
it overflows as ’twere the Stomach, Lungs, and Liver, fills those
Vessels with many evil humours, and obstructs them, so that they cannot
well perform that office whereto they are destinated by _GOD_ and
_Nature_, but are overwhelmed with whole Troops of Diseases; for the
Heart and Brain is set upon by their spiritual efficacy and hot nature
and property, and is weakened, and the vital spirit is overcome and
suffocated, as we see in the fire, the which when greater doth alwaies
suppress and overcome the lesser.
Hence it comes to pass, that men that load themselves with daily
drinkings, do little differ from new-born Calves and Geese, and are
wont to be neither profitable to God, nor to Men, nor to themselves.
* * * * *
_In the Name of God_, therefore we will proceed on in the matter we
have proposed, and see by what means more profit may be reaped from
Wine than hath hitherto been.
In the first place, he that aims at the bettering of any thing, must
know what the thing is which he studies the amending of, and of what
parts it consisteth.
Therefore, as concerning Wine, it consisteth as well as the other
Vegetables of three principles, _viz._ of _Salt_, _Sulphur_, and
_Mercury_ (that I may use the Philosophers terms). The _Mercury_ is
its insipid moisture, and the _Sulphur_ is that burning Spirit which
is extracted or drawn out thereof. You shall thus know the thing, by
this following Experiment. Put a Cucurbit full of Wine in a B. and
with a gentle heat draw off what will come, but yet so, that the parts
which in the destillation alter or change themselves, be each of them
received apart in its peculiar Receiver. For example; If there were
12 parts of wine, or 12 measures, there ascends first only one part
of spirit, which is the soul and life of the wine; after it, come ten
parts or measures of insipid water; the remainder in the bottom of the
Glass is a thick and austere or harsh matter, which being the Tartar or
Salt of the wine, is also almost one part or measure of the wine. Of
these three parts all wine is compounded, but yet partakes of one or
the other of the Principles, more or less, according to its being more
or less mature, or its growing in such or such a place. As for example;
The Austere Wine hath alwaies more Tartar and less Spirit than the Ripe
Wines; and contrarily, the ripe wine doth abound with more Spirit than
Tartar, as the _Spanish_ and other extraneous wines witness, which do
alwaies abide sweet, and plainly have no Tartar in them; the reason is
this, Because in those warm Countries they are brought by the Sun to
meer sweetness, and so are ripe; so that the austere Tartar or Salt is
throughly changed, and concocted into a sweet Sugar. Hence it comes,
that the said wines do not in the afore-proposed Examen leave any
austereness, as our wines in _Germany_ do, but rather yield twice as
much spirit, and scarce the half part of insipid water: Whenas austere
Wine yields about a twentieth part of spirit, the ripe _German_ wine
yields almost a twelfth part, and the _Spanish_ a sixth part of spirit,
four parts of water, and one part of fæces without Tartar. So that from
good _German_ wine there comes (as I said afore) one part of spirit,
ten of water, and one part of austere or sowrish matter.
He that knows these things, will easily contrive and prepare for
himself by the help thereof, at all times, be it hot or cold, good and
constant, or durable wine. Neither is there any room left a man here
of complaining, as if God shewed greater bounty to men one year than
another. The fault of this defect is not to be imputed to God, but to
our own selves, who know nothing, nor are willing to know, nor study
how to help Nature; for Art can bring an assistance and help to Nature
when she is impeded in her work, and is unable to bring her Fruits
unto a maturity, provided the Artist removes away that which the wine
naturally abounds withal, and addeth thereunto what it is destitute of.
For example, Let us examin a thin wine, which being not sufficiently
concocted and ripened by the Sun, is endowed with too much sharpishness
and water, and contrarily has but little of spirit; if now to such a
wine, when it begins to boil or ferment, some spirit shall be added,
so that it may work together with it, it will be even as well ripened
in the wine-vessel, by the benefit of this fiery spirit, as if it had
been ripened by the Sun, as it hung upon the Vine; insomuch, that by
this means there mought be made excellent wines every year, if any had
but the knowledge of thus helping them.
NB. But now such a spirit must not be such an one as that common Adult
or Brandy-wine is, but a grateful and pure Essence of wine; the manner
of making it I have described in my _Vegetable Work_. Now by how much
the more this Spirit shall ferment or work with such a wine, so much
the stronger and more efficacious doth the wine become: Forasmuch as
all the Virtues of all the whole wine consist in the Spirit only, and
the Tartar or Salt doth by its muchness make it austere and sharp. But
_Musts_ being by such an Artifice made stronger and more efficacious,
do keep a longer time afterwards without corrupting, and may be carried
or transported whithersoever one please; whence it comes to pass, that
they are never spoiled, as they are otherwise usually wont to be, when
’tis not of ripe growth.
From these things ’tis evident, that out of one Must, grown in one and
the same _Autumn_, there may with ease be made wines of 3, 4, or more
kinds, according as there is more or less of this spirit added to the
_Must_ and fermented with it.
There is also another way, by the help whereof every austere wine
is easily corrected and amended, thus: In the Vintage time, let the
liquor of the _Must_, or of the expressed juice of the Grapes, be so
boiled in peculiar Vessels, that the unprofitable moisture or tasteless
water do exhale by little and little, until thou hast as much as thou
wouldst, or as the efficacy of the wine, or the degree thou wouldst
by correcting reduce it to, shall require: For, in the exhalation of
the superfluous moisture nothing goes away, save that insipid water;
but the sweetness and the austereness remains in that thick and
condensate juice, like to Honey; so that that boiled mash comprehends
all the strength and virtues of the wine, concentrated as it were, and
condensate, and will again disclose them, if it doth again work, with
water thereto added in a due proportion; but the use of this condensate
_Must_, which as yet hath not wrought or fermented, is this, That it
can be at all times carried, and most profitably sold in far remote
Countries, which thing could not afore be done.
For every one knows, that when there is a cold Summer, Wines become
immature and acid, and are not wont to keep; for as soon as they come
to be a year old, they are covered over with a filmy skin, and being
mouldy, corrupt, because they have not in them spirit enough. From
whence it comes to pass, that many times Vintners, or Vineyard-keepers,
suffer great loss, after that they have diligently betook themselves
to dress the Vineyards for an whole year, and have lived sparingly
and hardly, and working hard, have sustained their lives with Bread
and Water, hoping that upon selling their wine they should scrape
together a little Money, to buy them some Clothes and other Necessaries
for their Family’s supportation; for the expected plenty of the wine
hoped for, and of the profit accruing by the store of Money for it,
when sold, hath prop’d them up with this hope; but now the wine fading
and deluding their hopes, and turning into an acid and austere taste,
they cannot sell it, seeing ’tis scarce worth the carriage; or if it
be sold, ’tis at such a mean rate, as scarcely sufficeth to discharge
the Cost of dressing it; and what shall now be done for Food, Drink,
Raiment, and other Necessaries to sustain the Family?
And yet the Vines must be dressed for the next year too, and more
Monies laid out upon them; but from whence shall Monies come for Food
and Raiment, in the mean time? Alas, what course will they take if some
such-like years should follow one another together? Either the poor
miserable men must, together with their Wives and Children, famish,
or else turn Souldiers, and be kill’d, or be made so desperate, as to
betake themselves to thieving and robbing, and so finish their daies by
an Halter: For the present world is so much estrangd from Mercy, that
one will not use so _much_ Christian Charity, as to help another in his
necessity.
And besides, the ingratitude it self of men doth sometimes make others
slow and fearful of administring and affording a mutual help; forasmuch
as very many, when they are rid out of their incumbrances, do refuse to
restore those things, or by labour to requite or make amends for the
things by which they were delivered out of their Straits.
Hence it comes to pass, that he who does a friendly good turn, for
such an ingrateful man, loseth his Money, and by reason of that so ill
placed formerly, abhors the lending his helping hand again.
Now, that such great inconveniences may be removed, and the
Vine-dressers somewhat holpen, so as that they might every year sell
their wines at a beneficial price, and may never be oppressed with
that foresaid detriment; it may very conveniently be done by the help
of this concentration or condensation, by evaporating the _Must_ to
the consistence of Honey, the which may profitably be carried into far
distant places, in which no wine is accustomed to grow, and be there
sold. Such now as buy up such Must thus condensated by boiling, do now
know how by dilating it with Water, to reduce it again into good wines.
This Artifice therefore being so laudable, will be helpful to both, to
the Vine-dresser, in yielding him presently ready Money for his Must,
and to the Merchant, in easilier furnishing him with Wine, and quitting
him of so much Charges in the Carriage.
But that the business may be yet the better and more clearly
understood, let us see by making computation, what the benefit and
profit of this condensation is.
Let us suppose then, that a Wine not ripe remains acid and weak, and
that a _Franconian_ Urn, or half an Hogshead of _Frankfort_ measure,
yields scarce a Florin, or a Doller at the utmost. Such a Wine as this
will not quit the Costs of the Carriage, though but for 12 miles; [_a
=German= mile is three of ours_.] for it degenerates by the carrying
it, and becomes mouldyish, as ’twere, and turns sowre, so that the
Huckster can’t sell the same, and he’l have a care how he buys such
wines another time; and the Vineyard-keeper is even enforced to keep
them to his great loss, forasmuch as all his safety or dependance is
built thereupon.
As for the Rich men, tho’ they have some acid wine, they are not undone
by the loss, for they have still by them other better wines, which
they mix those worser and more acid wines withal, and so sell them
off; or else they keep such thin wines till the Autumn comes, with
more plentiful and riper Grapes, and to the Must proceeding from them,
do they pour this thin Wine, and let it work therewith anew, and by
this means it becomes vendible. But yet the Gain arising hencefrom, is
sufficiently poor and mean: For by how much the thinner the acid wine
is than it ought to have been, tho’ it be mixt with good Wine, yet
doth this become so much the worser; nay, it sometimes happens, that
both are corrupted and lost; for as much of help as the acid Wine gets
from the good wine, so much of goodness doth depart even from the good
wine. So that such a kind of bettering after what manner soever it be
instituted, cannot be very profitable or advantageous.
For example, that I may be the better understood, let us instance in
two pieces of Gold, each of which should be the value of 25 Imperials:
Let them be put in the Balance and examined, and being examined, let
one of them be the due weight, and let the other be less in weight or
price the value of four Imperials. If now you are minded to take so
much away from that piece which is of current weight, as to make them
both of alike weight, you may indeed so do, but yet you are no waies
benefited thereby, but rather suffer loss: Forasmuch as you took away
from that piece that was of due weight, and added unto the other piece
that wanted of weight, so much of its value is departed, and both
pieces will be unfit to go in payment, as wanting their due value and
weight. What profit therefore can hence redound unto any man? Even so
is the case with the Wine, for if one should get some two load of wine,
and could sell one of them for 20, and the other but for 10 Imperials,
and yet should not be accounted of as vendible Wine, and now the
Merchant should mix that thin wine with the better, that they may both
be equal, would not that better wine become worse, and that thin wine
be rendered not much the better? For my part therefore, I cannot see
that such a kind of meliorating can bring much profit.
But as for my bettering and correction, it is always profitable,
whereby the acid wines are not corrupted by the acid, but the good and
superfluous humidity only is separated by the benefit of Art, and the
good part being condensate in it self, and by it self is reduced into a
narrower compass.
_NB._ He that is so minded, may separate from the sweet Must, a fourth
part only, or a fifth or sixth part, by evaporation, and presently
bring it to such a pass, as to work or ferment; for they become so
much the better, by how much the more water hath been consumed by
evaporation: If the Quintessence of wine be added to that working Must,
the wines become the better, and the more generous. This kind of way
may be made use of in those places in which the wine doth for the most
part remain acid; for there needs not this Art to those Vines that
Nature hath ripened.
Besides, the wines may be condensated to the thickness of Honey,
that they may be thereby rendered the fitter for Transportation. Six
Hogsheads, or _Oma_, of Must, may be so condensated, that one Hogshead
will hold them; the which (if need be) may again by the apposition of
5 Hogsheads of water, which quantity it lost in the condensation, make
6 Hogsheads of wine of the very same goodness and efficacy as it would
have been of before the condensation, if it never had been condensated,
but been presently put out of the Press into the Barrels, to have
fermented and work’d into wine after the usual manner.
_NB._ But now if any be desirous of making his wine better and more
noble than it would have been afore the Concentration, then he must
not put five, but only 4 parts of water; for should he add but three
Hogsheads or parts, it would be yet better and nobler by one degree
than the others: Hence is it manifest, That it is in the hands of the
Artist to make and alter these wines at his pleasure, and to render
them strong, stronger, and middling, and by the addition of water to
give them even what efficacy and what virtues you list. But now, to all
the mixtures he may add the soul of wine, if he has it, that the wines
may thereby be the sooner clear and pure. For the Quintessence of any
wine being conjoined with new Musts, and working with them, brings them
in a short space of time to clarity and purity, so that they become
transparent, but principally when they are tartarized, or full of
Tartar, for the spirit of Wine brooks not any Tartar, but precipitates
it in the fermentation to the bottom, or drives it away from it self,
and so by consequence makes the Wine clear and transparent. But as
concerning, what means the Tartarized (Spirit or) Essence of Wine is to
be artificially prepared by, ’tis needless to repeat here, forasmuch as
it is already described in divers of my Writings hitherto published,
but especially in the Vegetable Work.
Besides, it is not so convenient, that every one should know, by what
means the concentrated Musts may be prepared with water, and the
Tartarized Quintessence. It is sufficient in this place, to know how
the Musts are to be concentrated, or brought into a narrow compass,
that so they may be transported and sold. Let this be the care of the
Merchants to know how to use them when they have bought them. For the
Brains of the Vineyard keepers are incapable of these things. Yet
nevertheless, there will be some Men who will know how to make a due
use of such boiled and condensed Musts, if they can but get them, and
every one may be Master of this Affair, if he has but Coppers and
Kettles, necessary for such an Operation; whereby he may make store
enough of Juice. But yet every Countryman can’t get such Kettles,
neither will it be worth while, forasmuch as a small Portion of Wine,
will not be able to quit the Costs. But whosoever bestows his Study and
Moneys in exercising this Artifice, will reap thence from a great deal
of Utility and Advantage. But whether he does these things, or does
them not, he neither benefits, nor injures me. ’Tis sufficient, that I
have evidently demonstrated to the Vineyard Masters, by what means they
may always sell their Wines, whether they be ripe, or have come short
of their Maturity.
But for the better instruction of the Courteous Reader, I will compute
the Charges of this Operation, and show, what gain is to be expected
from the Condensation of these Musts.
In the first place therefore, let us buy some Musts in those places,
in which they are thin, and are sold for a mean price, _viz._ twelve
Urnes, or six Hogsheads, or Oma’s, for _xij._ Imperials; [an Imperial
is about 4 _s._ 6 _d._] this Must we will condense to the Consistency
of Honey, so that there may be but one Hogshead, or Oma remaining.
Let the Costs requisite to this Concentration (always provided you
are furnished with the Copper Vessel) be valued at half a Dollar,
or thereabouts; and the charge of the Wood we’ll count an Imperial
for. The Wine Cask which is to be filled with this condensate Juice,
we will value at half an Imperial, its carriage forty Miles, we’ll
reckon six Imperials for. All which Charges being summed up, make
nineteen Imperials and an half. And so much will be the Charges of one
Hogshead, or one Oma of this Condensate Must, and its Carriage forty
Miles. This Must now being brought into such a place where Wines are
dear, you may at any time of the year, by the addition of Water, and
by Fermentation, transmute into good Wine. And that one only Hogshead
being the condensate Juice of six Hogsheads of Must, will yield thee
so many Hogsheads of such Wine as the Must would have been afore its
Concentration. And if thou desirest to have thy Wine stronger and
nobler, than as it comes out of the Press, and than it could be afore
this Condensation, you may omit the putting thereunto so much water
as it lost in the Condensation, and lessen it proportionably, that so
those six may make no more than four Hogsheads, and they will be the
more generous; the which thou shalt far better have by this means, if
_viz._ You know how thereunto to adjoin a Quintessence.
If now, that one Hogshead of juice, which afore its Condensation was
six Hogsheads, doth again yield four [and no more] it must of necessity
be much better, and more noble than otherwise it would have been, had
it been made after a Natural manner, (_viz._ just as it came from the
Press.) And by this means too, it will last the better, and may be the
easilier transported and sold.
So then, if in such a place as is 40 Miles distant from Wine-making
Countrys, an Hogshead, or Oma, is sold but for twelve Imperials, and
you have of six Hogsheads of thin Wine, made four of better, and
each of these you sell for but 12 Imperials, yet you shall have 48
Imperials, out of which substract your 19 and ½ Charges, you shall have
clear Gains 28 Imperials, and ½. But I have set a most low price on
this Wine, for in such places which are about some 40 Miles from those
Countries, in which abundance of Wines grow, an Hogshead, or an Oma,
is not usually sold at the Rate of 12, but of 24 Imperials. The gain
therefore of about a Wayn-load of such a thin Wine, which haply would
have corrupted with lying, and never yielded any profit, doth at the
least yield above fifty Imperials.
Every one now may easily see how much Gains this Artifice of the
Concentration of Musts doth bring. For besides this Commodity arising
from this Labour, _viz._ That the Musts being presently sold, yield
ready Money; there is this also, that the Money being again presently
disburst, opens the way for the next years profit. The Merchant also
has this benefit by this Labour, that he is not enforced to pay so
much Water’s carriage so long a Journey; and that he may even at his
pleasure make his Wine more or less strong and efficacious; for what
a deal of profit is this, for to have all the Wine of six Hogsheads,
carried in one Hogshead.
Besides, the Merchant doth not only gain the price of the carriage of
those five Hogsheads, but also is quitted of the fear of the Carter’s
corrupting, or spoiling that Juice by the way, as is usual with them
to do with Wine, drawing it out, and filling up the Vessels again with
Water. This danger these Juices are not subject unto; and may be kept
in great plenty in fruitful years of Wine, until you need them. For
they are not wont to be corrupted, if they are but kept in pure, and
well shut Vessels. By this means every Vintner may in such exceeding
plentiful years, furnish himself with a great Treasure, and store of
Wines, and so afterwards, when a dear year comes, reduce his Juices
into Wine, and enjoy a great deal of profit.
I have to this end described this so famous an Art, that the common
Vine-Masters, may have present sale for their Musts, and not be
enforced so long to keep them, till some Carrier comes and enquires
after Wine, but may presently get their Moneys, and may profit
themselves by bestowing them to the use of their Family. So then,
it fares not only well, which the Vine-Masters, and the Merchants,
but also with all such as dwell in those places which yield no Wine,
because by the benefit of this Medium (or Artifice) they may also drink
Wine at a cheaper rate. For if any Honest Citizen provides himself with
an whole Hogshead, or half an Hogshead of this Juice, he may turn it
into stronger, and weaker Wines, and all times of the Year make new,
and as yet fermenting sweet Musts, whensoever he pleaseth, and as oft
as his need requires; and may by the apposition of Spices, or Herbs,
make Aromatical, or Physical Wines; which thing cannot be effected
without these Condensate Juices; forasmuch as Sweet _Musts_, cannot be
carried by Land to any other place, for that they presently ferment,
and boil up, and will either break out of the Vessels, or rend the
Cask, and be lost, which (by having these Juices) is not at all to be
feared. I do therefore think that I deserve exceedingly well of very
many, by the faithful manifestation of this Artifice; which deed of
mine, whether it be praised, or dispraised, yet will it not be despised
by such men as shall apprehend, and perceive the benefit and Commodity
of so great an Artifice.
It remains now, that we also describe, and set afore your Eyes the
Instruments and Vessels serving to this Condensation, (without which,
this Concentration cannot be effected) and withal shew the manner of
proceeding, which is to be thus ordered.
In the First place, provide a Copper of such a bigness as you shall
judge needful for the great, or less quantity of Juice you have; let it
have a plain and even bottom, and let it have the sides about a Span
high, and get it well Tinned over in the inside, and not Leaded, the
which Vessel you must put in a Furnace of a sizeable bigness, and so
order it, that being set in the Furnace, the Flame may come but only
to the bottom, and not be able to touch the sides. The Walls of the
Furnace are to be some two foot high, and must have an Iron front, or
Stone Door, serving for the putting in the Wood, and registring the
fire, by opening and shutting it. At the backside is to be an hole of
such a bigness, as may suffice for making the fire burn by the access
of the Air, and for carrying away the Smoke and Flame. But it must be
so ordered, as to be covered with a broad stone, if need be, that so
the fire may on such wise be registred, that the Juices may not boil
over by the overmuch fire, or taste of burning. These Juices are to
be so long boiled with the wood, until they begin to wax thick, and
then more new Must is to be thereunto added, this addition is to be so
long made, and so often repeated, until the Copper be almost filled
with those thick Juices. Then the holes of the Furnace that serve for
giving air, are to be shut both above and below, that there may be no
flame under the Copper, but the bare _heat_ of the fire, and a sweet
and gentle warmth, which will bring the Juices by a sweet decoction to
the consistence of Honey, and will condense them without any adustion,
insomuch that they will become as sweet as Sugar.
These Juices, you may let out by a Pipe, or Cock placed near the bottom
of the Vessel, and shutting it again, pour in more to be condensed
after the same manner, until all the Musts are condensed, but you must
not presently put the Condensate Juices, as soon as ever they come hot
out of your Copper, into your Barrels, but let them run first into
some wooden Vessel, and be there left so long till they are cool, then
put them up in your Barrels, and shut them up tight, and so may you
keep them whole and sound, and free from Corruption, even as long as
you list: For if you should put them hot into your Barrels, and so shut
them up, the Barrels would burst, or else when you open them, would (by
reason of the pent-up Vapours, which can have no exhalation) break or
run out.
NB. And here comes a notable Secret, which I think good to add. When
the Juices have rested some two or three weeks, and be afterwards
dissolved with warm water, the residue of the Tartar which would have
made the wines acid, will fall down undissolved to the bottom, in the
form of small and big Crystals, and being washed with common water,
may be used instead of Tartar forasmuch as it is nothing else than a
meer absolute Tartar. Now this separation of the Tartar, is of great
concernment as to the Wine, for it thereby becomes much better than if
those Crystals had remained dissolved with it. Nor is any thing lost by
this means, for that the Tartar is of as much value as the Juices: And
besides, the Wines will be by this means freed from their acidity, and
rendred better and sweeter; which thing verily deserves to be esteemed
of as a great and profitable Artifice; and which, many there are that
will know to use it to their great profit.
Verily, he that is of so dull an Apprehension, as not to be capable
of understanding these things, that are so clearly, and evidently
manifested, will not be any whit the better by larger Discourses. But
he that has a desire of setting about this work, will insinuate, or
work himself by a farther Meditation into the inmost centrality as
’twere of this so great an Artifice, and will with a far juster mind
bear with me, in that I have not so much time at present, as to use a
more prolix, or larger Stile.
But if so be, any do desire to have this Artifice declared unto him,
by a more clear delivery, let him read my Explication of the Appendix
adjoined to my Fifth part of the Philosophical Furnaces; as also the
Vegetable work, and there he shall find more such Artifices. Or if
haply it concerns him, he may see in my Laboratory, the Furnaces and
Coppers requisite to such a work, together with the Manual Operations.
I am even constrained briefly, and as it were by the bye, to insert
thus much, that if some more than usually unskilful Men cannot
understand those things which I have declared concerning the three
Principles, _viz._ That all Wine must needs consist of the same, to
wit, Salt, Water, and Spirit; I dare boldly and confidently averr, that
he who knows how to conjoin (according to art) these three Principles,
may every where make good Wine.
NB. But yet I would not have such an one perswade himself that he can
do any good, if he mixeth Tartar, Water, and Spirit of Wine together,
no, no, that is not the way for him to be Master of his desire. There
are far other-guise Manual Operations, requisite to this Artifice, and
such as I think it inexpedient to manifest in this place. Let every
one be content with the things at present shown him, haply God will
sometime or other bestow (on him) better.
CHAP. II.
_Treateth of Corn: Shewing what means it is to be Concentred, and
Condensated by, so as to be Exported in great Quantities into
other Countries, whereby both Gain and Moneys may be thereof
made._
I have instructed you in the foregoing Chapter, after what manner such
Wines as are of a mean price, may by the help of Concentration be
conveniently transported out of one Country into others more remote,
where no Wines grow, and produce good profit. The which Artifice may be
of most great benefit to the Inhabitants of such Countries as abound in
Wine, and want sometimes Chapmen or Merchants for the same.
’Tis very well known to every one, that in most places of _Germany_
(but especially in _Franconia_, and in the other Countries adjoining)
Corn is so exceedingly plenty, and of so vile a price, that the
inhabitants know not what to do therewith; and for that reason it lies
and rots in their Barns and Granaries, the exceeding abundance thereof
either hindring the sale of the same, or the great costs and charges of
Carriage hinder the Transportation of it into the lower Countries of
_Germany_, where ’tis dear enough.
Hence comes it to pass, that the miserable Inhabitants have indeed
Wine and Corn enough, but want Moneys to pay the Tributes due to the
Magistrate; so that tho’ they have such plenty of the Divine Gifts, and
so much Riches, yet for all that they are in great penury and want, in
that they cannot sell off so much as to pay their Family’s expence,
_viz._ Men-servants and Maid-servants wages, or so much as to sustain
them. Verily, this is a punishment from the hand of God, and a singular
one too, by which he corrects us ungrateful men. In time of the Wars,
when a huge Scarcity pinched the Inhabitants of _Germany_, then the
common outcry went up to Heaven, and promised largely an amendment of
life; but when the War was over, and all quiet, and a most wisht-for
Peace returning, then all men generally became worser, and more wicked,
tho’ the goodness and bounty of God had bestowed on them such a great
plenty of things so exceeding necessary: And now such great Fulness
being enjoyed, they now gape after Money too, and murmur against
God, as the _Israelites_ did, who loathing, as ’twere, the plentiful
abundance of things necessary, murmured at _Moses_.
The reason why Corn is so exceeding plenty, is this:
After the making of Peace, and sending away the Souldiers, many
Commanders being weary of warfare, and abounding with Money and Horses,
bought (or rather squeez’d out) of the poor Inhabitants, every where
destitute of Money, most notable Farms, for a very mean price, and did
set themselves with the utmost of their Industry to till the Earth,
which had lain fallow a long time; which Lands became so fruitful
that it even amazed all men. The poor Inhabitants too, who now had
gotten a little Money, they also set their hands to the Plough, and
used even the utmost of their endeavours in the tillage of the Earth:
From hence it came to pass, that they were so furnished with such a
vast deal of Corn in a few years space, that they knew not at all
what to do therewith. As for carrying it into far distant Countries,
the troublesomeness and charges of the Carriage were too great an
hindrance: To lay it up in the Granaries, that the Air will not suffer
them to do, tho’ in the time of _Joseph_ such a thing was done in
_Egypt_, where the Air being Nitrous, dry, and not so easily subject to
corrupting, as ours is, preserved the Corn from Corruption.
What I have here written, hath proceeded forth from a good mind and
sincere intention, and I hope ’twill do more good than hurt. I know
that the eyes of many will be opened to see what a _Babylonish_
Confusion the present World is in; I pray God to be an helper to the
Good, and to be a reducer of the Wicked from the course of their
Impiety, into the Right way.
_The Process of Concentrating Corn is this_:
In the first place, you are to make a Malt of your Barly, Wheat, Oats,
Spelt, or any other kind of Grain or Corn, the which dry either in the
Sun or in the Air, or else in an Oven heated a little, and not to be
scorched and parched as it were after the Brewers custom; for so the
sharp fume of the wood would stick thereunto, and make it black and
bitter, and it may easily be conjectured, that there would be no good
come of it, for by this means the smoak of the wood would stick on to
the Corn and the Sprouts it has thrust forth, and are moistened, and
so would make the Ale that is boil’d thereoutof unwholsome, and of an
ungrateful bitter flavour: But now such Malt as is dried in the Air,
Sun, or in a warm Stove or Oven, has no such ungrateful taste as comes
from the smoak of the wood, but remains sweet and pleasant.
NB. Else you may do thus; The Corn, after it hath sprouted and hath
been thrown abroad on some Floor, open to the air, and thereby been a
little freed of some of its moisture, may be dried purely and quickly
too in the Brewers great Coppers, in which they are wont to boil their
Ale or Beer, provided it be continually stirred about with some wooden
stick without ceasing, that it may be all over hot, and so become dry.
But yet you must have a care that your fire be not too strong under
your Copper wherein you dry your Malt, and so burn the Corn, and make
it taste untowardly; this done, the dried Malt is to be ground as other
Malt which is used to make Ale withal is wont to be, but yet so, that
it be not too finely ground nor too grosly; for if it be too gross,
and the Grains be unbroken, the water cannot sufficiently get out the
Virtues and Juice in the boiling, but that the best part will remain
in the boiled Grains, and so be thrown away on the Beasts in their
nutriment; but if it be ground too small, it will run into heaps,
and hinder the straining out of the Ale; therefore a mean is to be
observed, and care taken that no errour be committed, by either excess
or defect. The Malt being on this wise prepared, every one may boil
his Ale according to his custom, and so much thereof as his Vessels,
Coppers, and Coolers will admit of: Some do pour boiling water on their
Malt, and mix them both by stirring them well together, and then let
them settle for some time that the water may take into it self the
strength of the same; then they draw out that water by a Tap, and pour
on more, and repeat the Infusions so often, until the water can get out
no more sweetness, and there remain nothing but the insipid Husks, the
which are nourishment for Cattel.
NB. Othersome that have no Vessels to extract the Virtue out of the
Malt in, by boiling water, do put the prepared Malt in wooden Vessels
or Tubs, and pour thereon warm water or cold, and stir it very well
about, and leave it so for some hours, that the Malt may be macerated;
then do they put it in a Copper, and pour thereunto so much water as
may keep the Malt from burning to in the boiling; and having boiled
it for half an hour, they pour it out upon a bed of straw, fitted for
that purpose, and placed over a Cooler, and so strain the Ale: This
Labour of pouring on, boiling, and straining, is so oft repeated, till
the water sucks no more sweetness out of the malt. This manner of
boiling Ale is used by those only who want store of Vessels, and pretty
large ones: The former way is not only better and more commodious, but
likewise more fit for the boiling of a greater quantity of Ale.
NB. This is to be observed in this place, when the best and first Juice
or Extraction is drawn out of the Vessel by a Tap, and fresh boiling
water poured a second time on the malt in the Copper, and again drawn
off by the Tap, those two waters in which the chiefest Virtue of the
malt is, may be boiled and thickened by little and little in a plain or
flat Copper. The third and fourth pouring on are indeed as yet good,
but yet not fat enough, and seeing they are not very strong, are not
worth the boiling away, for they won’t quit the costs of the Fire,
and therefore are to be applied to some other uses. Now when a man is
about this work, he may so order his boilings, as to have several of
them one after another; and then those pourings on, _viz._ the second
and third, remaining of the first course of boiling may be poured on
the second course of boiling, in the stead of bare water: And so is it
to be handled, that alwaies the first and second pouring on (and which
contain in them the chiefest Virtues of the malt) may be boiled to the
consistency of Honey in a Copper made for that purpose, of Evaporation;
and the third and fourth pouring on may be alwaies kept for the next
following course of boiling, and be poured on the malt in the room of
bare water, and so are to be condensed by evaporation in a Copper, as
the first and second pouring on were done withal in the first course
of the boiling; and so always the _3d._ and _4th._ pouring on of the
former course of boiling, is to be the first and second in the next
following course of boiling; and this way of proceeding draws out of
the malt its best and chiefest Virtues, and lessens the charge of the
boiling: For the Costs would be far greater, if the third and fourth
pouring on were to be boiled off _per se_.
NB. The Coppers and Pans necessary for the thus reducing these
extracted Juices to the consistency of Honey, are already described,
where mention is made of the Concentration of Wines. He that can’t well
enough understand me, may take the pains to come and see my Furnaces,
Coppers, and other Instruments appertaining to this work; as likewise
the manual Operation, for I cannot help him any other way. And as for a
larger description of these things, my time will not permit me at this
instant to make it. The Juices being condensate, are to be drawn out of
the Copper by a Tap fastened therein, or laved out, and being cool, put
them up in Barrels, and shut them up tight, that the external air may
not get thereinto; for thus may you keep them uncorrupt, even as long
as you please.
NB. In your boiling them you must be very diligent that the Juices be
not burnt to, by the overmuchness of your Fire, or that by being heat
too hot, they boil not over; all which may be prevented by Registers
(as the _Chymists_ call them) destinated for the regulating of the
Fire. This is a most compendious way of extracting the Virtues out of
Corn, and of reducing them into a narrow room, the which if you order
according to Art, that nothing of your Juices be spilt or lost, 8
Barrels of Malt will yield you one full of Juice, and which contains
all the Virtues that were in those eight Barrels; the residue serves to
fatten Beasts withal.
NB. He who knows how to convert those remains to his use, in another
kind of way will do better, and extract thereoutof so much as he is
constrained to lay out in buying his Corn, insomuch that he can have
his Juices as it were even _gratis_. But of these things more hereafter.
As touching these Juices, they comprehend in them the whole Virtue of
the Corn, out of which you may when you please boil Ale, make Adust or
Brandy-wine or bake spiced Cakes; for if it be used to them instead of
Honey, it makes them much the sweeter. These Juices therefore are to be
prepared in those places in which Corn is sold at a very mean rate, and
which cannot be exported to foreign parts, and is there in such great
plenty, as that the Country-men know not what to do therewith, but
there it lies in great Stacks and rots. Farther, they are yet prepared
with greater benefit and more gain where the plenty and cheapness of
wood is, the which yields no small encrease and addition to the Gains.
But that the nature and condition of this Labour may be the better
understood, the following Computation will shew. Suppose I take 8
Barrels full of Corn and bring them into Malt, then boil it into Ale
after the aforesaid way, and condense it into a Juice, wherewithal
I fill one Barrel: This one Barrel now is far more commodious to be
carried into foreign places either by Waggon or by Ship, than those 8
barrels, and will bring me double or treble the profit that 8 _Medimni_
(a Measure containing some six bushels, or the eight barrels) of Corn.
Why? because the greatest labour is already over, and there remains but
very little to boil the Ale out of the Juice, as the following Example
will demonstrate.
I buy me eight barrels in that place where Corn and Wood are to be had
at a mean rate, and there passeth some River or other by the place,
as the _Mhene_ in _Franconia_, _Nicer_ in _Suevia_, _Visurgis_ in
_Hassia_, and the Dukedome of _Brunswick_, _Albis_ in _Saxony_ and
_Misnia_; for in all these places there is abundance of Corn, and
store of Wood, and the price of each, mean enough in conscience. If
now one _Medimnus_ (or six bushels) of Corn be esteemed at the price
of one Imperial, eight _Medimni_ will yield eight Imperials; the Wood
will cost one Imperial, the Labour one Florin: The juice out of the 8
barrels of Corn may be put in a Fir-Cask, as they use to do with Honey,
that so in paying the carriage, it may not be accompted for Wine or
Ale, but some dry Goods, and so valued by the hundred, as other dry
Wares are priced; so then the Barrel will cost the Carriage by Water to
some of the Maritine or Sea-coast Cities, two Florins. Now if we sum
up all these Expences upon the Corn, Carriage, Fire, and Labour, they
come to 12 Florins or 8 Imperials. But now, out of that one Barrel of
Juice there may be made eight Barrels of the best Ale, and if you will
have it somewhat smaller, then ’twill make 10 or 12, according as you
boil your Ale to a stronger or weaker degree. However, this is certain,
that one Barrel of Corn will yield more than a Barrel of good Ale; so
that out of one Barrel of Corn may be made one and an half of strong
Ale. Now then, if one of those Barrels of Ale yield three Imperials,
the eight Barrels, which cost the buying, and reducing into one Barrel,
and the transporting it, eight Imperials, may there be sold for 24
Imperials; from which the eight being subtracted, the remainder of the
Gains is 16 Imperials, which verily is enough upon those 8 Barrels.
But put case the Corn were dearer, and the Carriage of the Juices to
those places did cost more, and that those 8 Barrels of Corn, or one
Barrel of Juice, did yield (besides all the costs) only 8 Imperials
profit, yet would this be profit enough, and may well content a Man.
I forbear to mention the other benefits and profits arising over and
above besides this Gains; for by this kind of way is saved and made
vendible that Corn which would else be spoiled: Besides in a plentiful
time the mean-prized Corn may be bought up, concentrated and kept
till a scarcity come. Nor is there any cause of fear that it will be
devoured by the Mice and Rats, or be spoiled with lying, or wax mouldy,
or be any other way corrupted.
Nay more, it occupies less room than the Corn would; for where one
Barrel of Juice lies, there should have lain eight Barrels of Corn.
Besides, the Magistrates and Subjects may by this means reap much
profit and help. The Magistrate may be satisfied by taking Corn of
the Inhabitants instead of tribute. The Subjects may by the benefit
of this Medium satisfie the Magistrate, and there will not need the
selling his Cattle, or Sheep in the Fold, or to borrow Money upon use,
and to give his Wife and Children for pledges. For there is requisite
no other labour than that the Magistrate appoint a place to boil his
Ale, in which the Corn may be malted, boiled and thickned into Juices.
As for Wood, that he has himself and needs not lay out a farthing upon
that. So now, by this means may a Country be brought to that degree of
happiness as never to want Money, Corn, or any other necessary things.
For where the Juices can be but brought to the Sea-towns many thousand
Barrels full may be sold to those Magistrates and Merchants which send
their Ships into the _East_ and _West-Indies_; in which Countries may
be made good Ale at any time of the Year, even in the midst of Summer,
or in the Dog-daies themselves, if you have but Hops and Water at hand;
the which is far better and more profitable.
For in the room of this one Barrel of Juice, there must have been
stowed 8 Barrels, and yet that sometimes turns sour too, and is
spoiled, the which never betides these Juices. Now such Ale prepared
of the Juices by means of Hops and Water are much wholsomer than the
common Ales are, because that the Fire hath consumed all the Crudities;
in the boiling of the Juices or hath corrected them, and this every one
will readily believe or assent unto.
Nay more, these Juices may (and that with very great profit too)
be sent into those places wherein (by reason of the abundance of
People there) Corn and Ale is much esteemed, as in _Holland_, and
the bordering Countries. If the Ale-brewers could but once get such
Juices, without doubt they would not be at the costs to brew it out of
the Corn, for they would not need so much time to brew in, nor such
Coppers, nor so many Mens help, all which they must necessarily have
in the common way of brewing. In these Juices, there is much sparing
of Fuel, (the which makes the common way of brewing Ale, more costly,)
and of Men’s labour which doth likewise prove chargable. Nor are we
silently to pass over that great benefit which they have hereby, for
that good Ale and such as will not sour may be made without any danger
even in the midst of the Dog-days. Every one knows what it is to
brew Ale (then,) and that the brewing is at other times sufficiently
troublesome, _viz._ so to order it as to prevent the danger of souring.
But now this brewing (that I mention) is void of all this kind of fear
of souring; whereas the usual kind of brewings do for the most part (in
the Summer season) become sour either in the straining it through the
Grains, or by standing in the Coolers: but these labours are in our
brewing already dispatched, and that in those places where the charges
of Labourers, Wood, and Room fit for boiling it in, are not so great.
This work therefore is of mighty profit both to the buyer and seller:
For the seller can afford his Corn at a reasonable rate. And the buyer
need not be at any other charges in brewing good and wholsome Ale at
any time of the Year save only the hire of one man that may prepare
or sit the Juices, and Hops, and Water for the boiling, and set it
a-working or fermenting and pour it into the Vessels. Whereas on the
contrary in the common brewing of Ale there needs many mens help, huge
Coppers, and wooden Flats and a great deal of room to brew in, and
store of Fire which is sufficiently dear in some Countries; all which
are avoided in the brewing with the Juices. Do but consider I pray
what a notable and profitable thing this would be in great Cities,
and especially in those places where Houses, Fuel, and Mens labour
are very dear, if such kinds of Juices were set to sale; that so
every Master of a Family might buy up some Barrels of this Juice, and
dissolve them at his own home with Water and Hops, in a small Copper
according to his pleasure, and make the said Juices into Ale, as fat
or as lean or small; and as bitter or as sweet as he listeth; and
then put it up in his own purified and well cleansed Vessels, and he
and his, drink thereof all the whole year; and if need be, might make
either Physick-drink or Spiced-ale. And would it not be much better
than the buying such Ales of the _Brewers_, which are sometimes either
too new or too stale, and oft-times acid, impure, not well boiled, and
stinking, and instead of Hops have Aloes, Xanthium or Burr, Henbane and
such like Herbs put in them. For in some places, the _Brewers_ use such
kinds of Herbs and the like hurtful things, instead of Hops, to make
their Ale bitter, and to save a few charges in the making their drink.
Therefore all such as use to drink of such kind of Beer are never wont
to be in compleat health; and especially in watery and moist places
they are for the most part afflicted with the Scurvy, Melancholly,
_&c._ which is the usual fruits of such kind of Drinks, for they
obstruct the internal parts of the body and the principal members, and
stir up such Diseases. But our Ales that are made of the Juices and
good Hops do not only not stir up such Distempers, but do even (by
their purity and clearness) resist them, and preserve men from them;
but especially if such Juices be made of such Malt as has not a smatch
of the smoke of Wood, but is dried in the Air, and which are so handled
in the fermentation or working of them as that all the defilements
settle to the bottom; for then will you have such Ale, as doth both in
wholesomness and sweetness exceed such Wines as are infected with, or
have a tang of, _Sulphur_, or that grow in a soil abounding with Chalk.
They dull not the head, they do not cause windiness, they puff not up
the body after the manner of other Ale; they do not stop the Urine but
provoke it, and keep the Belly soluble: They are Medicinal without the
addition of Physical Herbs, are sweet and wholsome, and of an excellent
tast, and such as the like of them cannot be made without this medium
or way.
Such Ales deserve a peculiar praise, and many would there be who would
drink of Ales often, could they but get such: and would leave off the
drinking troubled, unwholsome, and sulphured Wines. For my own part I
will make use of such kind of Ale, and Wine, in my own house for the
sustaining of mine own Family.
I could mention much more concerning such Ales if the time would
permit me, but I have spoken enough already. And as for what remains
unwritten here, may be gotten out of, (or understood by) the things
here described. I question not but that good (or provident) Masters of
Families will set about this business of preparing these Juices, and
of sending them into such places where they may be sold to Ships that
are bound for far Countries, and so mightily enrich those Countries
with store of Money that abound with Corn.
Besides, the _Brewers_ of Ale or Beer that are in great Cities will not
disdain such an excellent Art, but will themselves buy such Juices at a
considerable rate.
Princes, Nobles, and great Cities, will also provide (or buy up) great
quantities of such Juices, and lay them up in their Forts and Castles,
and in their Store houses as a good Treasure, that so they may have it
to use in time of necessity. Nor will good (or provident) Housholders
neglect to furnish themselves therewith, that so they may have
wherewithal to sustain them and theirs in a time of scarcity.
In the time of Wars, eminent Captains and other Military chieftains
will take care to have them, and carry them into their strong holds,
and there loosen them (or put a proportionable quantity of Water to
them) and turn them into good Ale; as for Water, there’s to be found
(enough) of that every where, and so need not store up that, and as for
Hops that is easie enough to be bought.
So then, there will be a notable benefit by this Artifice to strong
Holds and Castles, and such fenced Places as fear a Siege. Briefly,
Words cannot express the benefit and profit which will redound to all
places, by these Juices, in times both of Peace and War.
Therefore every Magistrate who has a care of his Subjects health and
preservation, will worthily and with his utmost diligence carefully
provide for the having such prepared Juices, that so in times of
necessity they may be at hand for use.
But now, some may object and say; I perceive and well see that this
Artifice is good and profitable, but ’tis not so easie a matter for
every one to purchase himself Coppers requisite for this work? To such
I answer. ’Tis not so needful that every one should furnish himself
with such (utensils); if there be in every City but one man only that
is imployed thereabouts, who may buy off his Neighbours Corn and pay
them their Money for the same, ’tis sufficient. And if others also
betake themselves thereunto, there will be the more Money gotten, and
the Country made the richer; neither is any reason to fear or doubt,
but that, if he shall bring eight thousand Barrels of Corn condensed
into a thousand Barrels of Juice unto the Cities on the Sea coast, he
will sell it off for ready money. Will a thousand Barrels (think you)
be sufficient (or be a drug) in some populous City wherein are daily
drunk some thousands of barrels of Ale? Verily he that shall expose to
sale in such a like City many thousand Barrels, would not stay long
there, but would be loaden (or furnished) with ready Money for the
same, by those who knew the Art of making Ale with such Juices.
I do verily believe that it would be altogether much better to sell
Corn after such a manner, and so to have profit by it, than let it
perish with lying; which is a great sin before God, and a shameful
disgraceful thing before Men.
But further, It may be objected and said. If this Artifice of making
Ale were set up in those places, in which there is wont to be a certain
Tribute paid the Magistrates for every Barrel (of Ale,) it would not
be allowed of, because by this means the Tribute or Customs due to
the Magistrates would be diminished. This inconvenience is easily
prevented, if the Magistrate impose the same Tribute of Ale on the
Juices. For by this means the Tributes or Customs would not be at all
diminished, but be equally as profitable upon the Juices, as upon Ale.
The like may be done with the condensate Juices of Wine.
So then ’tis clearly evident, that there cannot possibly arise any
detriment from these Juices, but rather infinite profits and commodity.
And therefore every Magistrate should seriously cause his Subjects to
make these kind of Juices of such Corn as they cannot sell, and instead
of spoiling it get riches by it. Certainly this would be far better,
and far more profitable for such Subjects as are very poor and go
miserably tattered and naked, and have nothing to help themselves (of
which sort there are not a few.) Verily there would be no want of any
thing, but the Subjects as well as their Rulers would have enough: And
for this reason have I willingly undergone this trouble and this labour
in manifesting and laying open this Artifice.
And although I am not to expect any reward from any body for
manifesting a thing of so much concernment (for this is an unthankful
World) yet have I obeyed the will of God and have out of a Christian
love benefited my Neighbour, and in this well-doing do I rest, no
ways doubting but that God the rewarder of every good (action) will
recompense in another place, this my well-doing which I bestow upon the
World.
Farther, I can in a kind of a Prophetical manner predict, that if
regard be had of this my wholsome Doctrine and Admonition, many
Countries will in a very short time recover their former happiness,
and both the highest and lowest will live in a prosperous condition;
but especially those who first set upon this business afore it becomes
common, will get great riches. Now then, whosoever they be that by
the help and benefit of this way shall get the blessing of God, let
them not forget the poor, but bestow that blessing on the cherrishing
and comforting poor Orphans and Widows, to the Honour of God. For
the Treasures and Riches in this temporal Life cannot be better laid
out, and laid up, than in distributing them amongst the poor. For by
that means there’s no fear of being spoiled of them by Thieves and
Robbers; And more, in the Life to come, they shall be recompensed with
a ten-fold reward.
CHAP. III.
_Of the Concentration of =Vegetables=._
We have already taught in the two foregoing Chapters by what means Wine
and Corn are to be by an Artificial condensation reduced into a narrow
compass, and brought to be a gainful Merchandice. It now remains to
shew the way conducing to a condensation of the Virtues lying hid in
Herbs, Bushes, Shrubs, and Trees: (which Vegetables do most plentifully
abound in most places and yield no profit) that so even out of them as
well as from Wine and Corn may be reaped a very great profit. No body
is ignorant of this, _viz._ That there is nothing more vile and of less
esteem than the Grass (or Herbs) of the Field, and Briars or Bushes,
and Shrubs, and lofty Trees too, especially when being at a good
distance from Men’s dwellings they cannot be applied to any use, and
upon this account are they not valued at all, nor by reason of their
distance profitable to any, but there they grow and perish in those
vast woods and desart places. And this is to be seen in those most huge
Woods of _Germany_, such as are the _Ingriones_, the Wood _Ardenne_,
the _Ottonicane_, _Hercinian_, _Semane_, and _Bohemian_ Woods, and the
woods of other Countries, in which woods there rots and is spoiled
above ten times more wood than men make use of.
Now no body hath hitherto known what use to put those Woods unto; such
Woods as are not too far off from Cities or Villages, do Men make use
of for building, for firing, for boiling, or brewing, and for baking,
and other occasions, so that the Wood which is daily used, and every
year fetch’d from the bordering Woods or Forests, is thereby saved from
rotting and being spoiled.
But as for such wood as is in Mountains and Woods scituated far off
from mens dwellings, and which are not frequented, that is not of any
use at all, they are Dens and lurking places for cruel Beasts, as Bears
and Wolves; which said wild beasts do annoy and hinder other profitable
ones, as Staggs, Does, Boars, Hoggs, Sheep, _&c._ from feeding on the
wild Fruits of such places. But who is there will amend it, and bring
such places to a due or good use? What! should such vast Woods, which
are the receptacle of those cruel wild Beasts be cut down and lie a
rotting, or be consumed by Fire, so to destroy those wild beasts?
Surely no body will attempt it, as fearing the toilsomness requisite
hereunto: And besides, forasmuch as no other profit is to be thereby
expected, save an extirpation of those wild beasts, there’s no body
will take that Task upon him. Nor is it a thing so behoveful to Fire,
and burn down such huge Woods, as we read in History, that some have
heretofore done, _viz._ most great Woods have been burnt, meerly to
destroy Insects and other hurtful, wild, and ravenous beasts. There is
an hazard run in so doing, for such a Fire may spread wider, and do a
great deal of mischief.
There are such Examples which may be produced, which witness how
that Fire being put to Heaths, have (by burning thereof) crept into
the bordering Woods and destroyed them, and mightily injured the
neighbouring Inhabitants: And therefore ’tis not so advised a Work to
consume Woods by Fire; and to cut them down, that so they may lie and
rot, and be thereby rooted out, cannot be done, because of the great
costs thereto requisite.
So that such places must of necessity even remain the Receptacles of
hurtful Beasts and Thieves; for albeit that sometimes the Glass-makers
do in suchlike places build their Furnaces or Glass-houses, yet they
fall far short of consuming so much Wood by their making of glasses,
for those Woods are scarce the thinner or lesser for that: Tho’ they
spend daily in every such Glass-house twenty loads, yet such a vast
quantity as that is, will not decrease. Besides, the Glass-men do not
use all the wood without making any difference, but make choice of
the streightest and smoothest wood, such as they may best and easiest
cleave: As for shrubs and knotty _Oaks_ and _Beach_, those they touch
not. So then the best Trees only are used about their Glass Works,
and the brushy woods, as _Briars_, _Thorns_, _&c._ and which are the
most commodious hiding places for the wild Beasts, are unmeddled
withal, as being unprofitable for the Glass-makers: Nay, they let most
curious arms or branches of _Beach_ lie a rotting, and make use only
of the body of the Trees. Moreover, in such Woods as are far off, the
Glass-makers build no Houses, but do erect them as near as possible
they can, to such places as are inhabited, because they must of
necessity have commerce with men.
Farther, ’tis not a little wood that is spent in the Mines about
Metals, especially in such Mines where Iron is molten; but what we said
but now touching the Glassmen, the same is to be observed here; for
such metal-melting Houses are never erected on the high Mountains, or
are built in far remote Woods, because they must have the assistance
of Men, and water to drive their bellows-mills, and besides the place
must be such, as that all Necessaries may be brought them in Waggons,
and their Iron transported into the Cities or Towns. Nor do the
Metal-melters indifferently use any wood they meet with; nor make they
their Charcoals of every kind of wood, but leave the shrubs and bushy
woods as unfit for coaling. And therefore those great and vast woods,
tho’ there be Glass-houses and Metal-melting-shops in many places, do
remain untouch’d, because no body knows the use of them.
But now, forasmuch as I have all my life-time most accurately search’d
by a diligent observation into the wonders of God, and have not spared
any labour or costs about the secret wonders of Nature, and have
learned from Nature her self, my instructing Mistriss, that God being
a true and just Lord over his Family, did neither do, make, or create
ought without certain and just causes, which notwithstanding is not
regarded by the most part of us men, who imitate the irrational beasts,
and alwaies live without the knowledge of God and of His Works. Verily,
we have no colour of Reason at all for it, not considering that men
were created and appointed by God for another-guise end, than the brute
beasts, which are void of all Reason; and we regard not the Truth of
that old Saying, _God and Nature never make any thing in vain_.
So then, whereas this is a Truth (as assuredly it is) certainly we may
see that these huge Woods were not in vain made, but that they have
some benefit (for so they have) _viz._ a most great Treasure for such
who know it, and know how to use it. Which I will therefore shew, as
clear as the Noon-day Sun, and will so set it afore the eyes of the
blind and darksom world, that the Deriders and Contemners of natural
Philosophy, such as is to be Learned only by the fire, and not out of
_Aristotle_, may be even enforced, will they, nill they, to confess and
grant that the Fire is the true Teacher and Master of natural Arts, and
so will be; for whosoever they be that are Ignorant as to the Fire, and
that know not its wonderful efficacy, tho’ they may be most skilful
Proficients in foreign Tongues or Languages (which in the more-secret
Philosophy makes not at all to any purpose); yet nevertheless they will
not be able to accomplish any the least matter in things of so great
a moment: I do therefore say, that such men as are skilled in natural
things, are not of right to be contemned, or secretly back-bitten by
those who say, Believe not such a man that hath not attained the empty
vain Title of a Doctor in the Universities. I confess ingeniously,
that I never frequented the Universities, nor ever had a mind so to
do; for should I have so done, haply I should never have arrived to
that knowledge of Nature, which I mention without boasting, as I now
possess; neither doth it ever repent me, that I have put my hands to
the Coals, and have by the help of them penetrated into the knowledge
of the Secrets of Nature; I do not desire to disturb any one in this
way, or to thrust any out of their places; I never was willing to live
on the costs of great men, but have with my own hands gotten me my Food
and Raiment, alwaies advisedly thinking on that most known Verse;
----_Alterius non sit qui suus esse potest.
Let not him anothers be,
Who can of himself live free._
But to return to my concentration of Wood, I can with truth affirm and
will experimentally demonstrate it, that the greatest Treasure of the
World; yea, as great or greater than is in Wine or Corn, lies hidden
in Wood. Wine and Corn do require the Labour of Man for its growth out
of the Earth; but Leaves, Grass, Briars or Bushes, Shrubs, Twigs, all
sorts of Trees great and small, do come forth out of their seeds and
sprouts and grow up and encrease infinitely without any help of man at
all.
Therefore I say that more profit may be reaped of Wood than of Corn
and Wine, were the Art of extracting thencefrom so great a benefit but
known to any.
So then, forasmuch as this little Book (as being the first part of
the Treatise of concentration of things) treats of the emendation of
Vegetables only; and that of Wine and Corn is already finished; I will
now in the name of God set about Wood, Leaves, and Grass, and lay open
those most great and hitherto hidden Treasures and Riches, and set
them forth before the Eyes of the whole World. And I pray God, the
Omnipotent, Wise, Unsearchable and Merciful Lord and Father of all
Creatures in Heaven, in the Earth, Water and Air, that he would so
govern and guide my hand that I may here write and teach nothing save
only such things as serve for the Glory of his Divine name and the
health of all Mankind. _Amen._
We have shewn in the two foregoing Chapters how Wine and Corn are to be
condensed into their juices, that so they may be commodiously sent into
those places, in which profit may be gotten.
Here now falls in this question, How the Juices are to be squeezed out
of Herbs, Twigs, Shrubs and great Trees, and being pressed out what
good they serve for, seeing they are not of use for meat and drink like
those which are extracted out of Corn and Wine.
To this question I make this reply, that indeed there is not any
food to be prepared from them, but that yet other things are thence
preparable, and such as men cannot be without, _viz._ Wholesome
Medicines, and likewise Gold and Silver wherewith a man may also
buy, besides Wine and Corn, other necessaries as Garments and other
appurtenances which men stand in need of, besides meat and drink.
But to begin the work it self, we should in the first place teach
the way how juices may be squeezed out of Leaves, Grass, Shrubs, and
then afterwards shew their use. But forasmuch as none is of so weak a
judgment as to lay out Moneys or things valuable, and to bestow his
labour and sweat on such a thing whose use and profit he is ignorant
of; ’tis therefore necessary, that (before we come to teach the way
of squeezing out the Juices) we first shew, what benefit and profit
ariseth from that kind of work; that so a Man’s labour may not be spent
in vain: To give satisfaction herein, I affirm, that the greatest and
best virtues of all Vegetables are hidden in a certain Salt which the
Physicians and Philosophers call the Essential Salt. Of this Salt all
Vegetables are full, but yet, one fuller than another as experience
testifies. Such Herbs as have not much taste, as Lettuce, Coleworts,
Rapes and such like have a less portion thereof, and are therefore
easily putrefied. But such as are sharp and bite the Tongue, as
_Water-robbin_, _Arsmart_, _Laurel_, _Pepper-wort_, _Scurvy-grass_,
all the kinds of _Cresses_, all the sorts of _Radishes_, _Leeks_,
_Onions_, _Garlick_, _Mustard_, and such like; also all bitter
Herbs, as _Carduus benedictus_, _Wormwood_, _Fumitory_, _Esula_,
_&c._ all such as these are full of it. Besides, all such Vegetable
plants as are naturally sour, yield much of that Salt; amongst which,
may be reckoned, unripe _Grapes_, sour _Apples_, sour _Cherries_,
Wild _Plums_, rough (or wild) _Grapes_, the unripe _Mulberries_ or
_Black-berries_, the unripe _Barberies_, _&c._ But yet some of them
yield more, others less Salt; which inequality and changableness is
accidental, for they are as to their natural foundation like each other.
NB. Some Herbs and chiefly those which have a notable bitterness, as
_Carduus benedictus_, _Wormwood_, _Fumitory_, do (after their being
squeezed, and when their Juice is depurated, and the Phlegm draw off,
and the remaining Juice concreted or condensed in the cold,) yield
natural Nitre, and such as being put upon a burning Coal will presently
burn up in a flame, like the common Salt-petre which is usually
extracted out of the Earth digged in Stables, and so concreted, or
crystallized: As for other Herbs and Fruits which are not bitter, but
have a piercing sharpness, as all the _Cresses_, they (after their
expression or squeezing) yield a volatile Salt, which does not burn
like that which is drawn out of bitter Herbs: Such as have an acidity
in them, as _Sorrel_, _Barberries_, _Ribes_, curled _Grapes_, wild
_Apples_ and Orchard ones, and other unripe Fruits, do yield another
Salt, _viz._ a Salt tasting like the acid taste of Wine, and resembling
Tartar of Wine, in taste, virtue, efficacy & propriety.
And now albeit that these three kinds of Salts are unlike in taste,
yet notwithstanding the one is most easily transmuted into the other,
insomuch that Tartar may be made Salt-petre, and Salt-petre Tartar. The
third sort which is more volatile than the others, and which proceeds
from the _Cresses_, _Mustard_, _Aron_, _Pepper-wort_, _&c._ will easily
be turned into either of the former.
But as concerning this last, it is virtuous in Medicine, as I have
hinted to you in several places in my other Writings, but (set aside
its Medicinal use) and it is of but little benefit. The two latter,
_viz._ The Nitrous, and Tartarous are of various use. The Dyers use
Tartar in Dying their Cloths, and Salt-petre is used to make Gun-powder
withal, and for the Transmutation of Metals, and other such like Arts,
as I have clearly proved in my Explication of my _Miraculum Mundi_.
Forasmuch therefore as both sorts of Salt are used in great quantity
throughout the whole World, and that there can scarcely be had so
much as serves for necessary use, and upon that account are always
good Commodities, and that Salt-petre is twice the value of Tartar,
therefore ’tis but fitting, and well worth while to extract Salt-petre
out of the Juices of Herbs and Trees, it being of more value, and
better price than other Salts. But if it should so be, that there
should be so much Salt-petre as that it should be of a poor price,
then may the Juices be turned into Tartar. But forasmuch as it will
not easily so happen, that there should be such a glut of Salt-petre,
it will be the best way, to improve those Juices on the making of it;
and specially because it may at all times serve for the profitable
bettering of Metals; nor can ever so great a quantity be produced, but
that it will sometime sell off. ’Tis more profitable, and better to use
it for the bettering of the meaner Minerals than to make Gun-powder
with it; and were not that most pernicious Art already too well known,
it were better to be without it, than to make it, so far should it be
(from any one) to describe the manner of making Gun-powder.
But forasmuch as neither my desire nor will tends to be any occasioner
of hurting my Neighbour by the help of Salt-petre, but inclines rather
to benefit him thereby; and to this end I have already clearly enough
disclosed many most profitable Arts which proceed therefrom, _viz._ in
my _Miraculum Mundi_, and in the Explication of the same, and moreover
shall do in the following third and fourth part of this Book, about the
bettering and concentrating of Metals: I am, verily, confident, that
none will interpret it in the worst part, if I shew the way of making
Salt-petre out of Wood and other things, that so, our Country may by
the benefit of (such) Herbs, Grass, and Wood, which otherwise, ly a
rotting, and are of no profit, be enriched (if it be only sold) with
abundance of Treasure, and may afterwards be spent on most profitable
Arts, as may be seen in the _Miraculum Mundi_, and in the Concentration
of Minerals and Metals. So that he that would not make it into
Gun-powder, has no need so to do.
Besides these Virtues of Salt-petre which we have reckoned up, there
do daily more and more new and admirable ones spring up out of the
dark, all which, were they here to be summed up they would even draw
the whole World into an admiration of them. But we will forbear to
multiply more words concerning things of such moment; for it may
easily be perceived from what has been hitherto demonstrated, and from
those Publications I have made (by my Writings) that many more, and
greater things lie hidden in this Subject, which neither I, nor others
know of. Deservedly therefore may Salt-petre, or Nitre, be termed an
Universal Subject, and Wonder of the World, notwithstanding many rude
and unskilful Fellows, will upon this saying, shrink up their Noses,
and audaciously contradict me (and say) that Nitre is not the true and
Universal Dissolvent.
But if Nitre be not that Universal Subject, then let those that prate
against this Judgment or Opinion of mine, produce another and better
Subject; which, yet, in my Opinion they will never be able to do. If
it were not an Universal Subject, how comes it to be so plentifully
found to be in all things. Is it not found in all Vegetables? Is it
not in all living Creatures that live either under the Earth, or in
the Waters, or in the Air, or on the Earth? Is it not met with (or
found) in the inmost Bowels of the Mountains, and even in the most hard
Stones? I will demonstrate it in this small Treatise by most clear
Arguments, and will most evidently evince it.
In the first place, that all Vegetables have it, is already clearly
demonstrated and proved, for I my self (and I am the first, as I know
of) made trial and turned their Juices into natural Salt-petre. But I
will now so evidently shew the truth of this thing, that even those
blind Back-biters and Detracters shall feel it with their hands.
In the first place therefore, I demand, whence the common Nitre is
gotten? Is it not out of the Earth, which is digg’d out of the Stables
where Beasts stand? For it has insinuated it self into (or joined it
self with) this (Earth) passing out of the Excrements of the Beasts in
length of time, and hath coagulated it self therein, out of which it
is at length drawn by pouring on of water, and then is boiled up into
Salt-petre. Who can deny this? I think no body can. So then if this
be granted, that Nitre is found in the Stables where Cattle stand,
the Question is, By what means, and way it came into the Stables? It
is by the help of the Urine and Excrements which the Beasts have
there cast forth. Then again, I ask whether or no those Beasts have
those Excrements from their Meat and Drink, or from elsewhere? They
cannot arise from water, forasmuch as they drink nothing but Water:
So that they must necessarily have their rise from the food they eat,
and that consists of the Vegetables, Grass, and Herbs. Therefore we
affirm, that the Salt-petre was of necessity in these Herbs, and
Grass, afore the Beasts feeding on them. For if it had not been there
it could never have been made in the Beasts Bodies that which it was
not afore. For their Stomachs contribute nothing to this Operation,
save a bare putrefaction. And besides, the Countreymen do even the
same thing, for they gather up Stubble, the Leaves that fall from the
Trees, the Grass, and such like things, and put a great quantity of
them into a Pit together, and there leave them so long, till by the
help of Putrefaction they are all turned into Dung, and therewith do
they afterwards Dung their Ground (in such wise) as is wont to be done
with the Excrements of Beasts. Therefore, forasmuch as that putrefied
Grass and Stubble doth dung the ground and render it fruitful, (as
well) as the Excrements of Beasts, it must needs be granted, that they
have likewise Salt-petre in them. For it is not the Dung, but the Nitre
in the Dung, that is, the Author of that Dunging Impregnation and
Fertility, as I have already confirmed by Arguments in my _Miraculum
Mundi_, and which will be sufficiently convincing proofs here in this
place.
I would therefore fain see that Man that dares be so bold and heady
as to deny this thing, that the Essential Salt neither is, nor can be
made, Nitre.
And now we come to treat of the Beasts in the Fields, of the Fish
in the Waters, and of the Birds in the Air, that so by a thorough
examination of all these sorts we may see, whether or no they are
enriched with Salt-petre, and whether or no their Essential Salt be
like the Essential Salt of the Vegetables, and can by the same means
pass into Nitre.
In the first place, and above all, this is here to be considered,
as a main principle, (_viz._) That all those things which dung the
Fields and Lands, and fatten them, most necessarily contain in them
Salt-petre. For from this only, and alone, comes all the fertility
throughout the whole Earth, which Axiome cannot be gainsayed. But now,
that the Animals, or Beasts, Birds, and Fishes are Partakers of the
same Virtues, I firmly gather from hence.
First of all, it is not unusual for the Gardiners to put the Horns,
Hoofs, and Bones of Beasts, to the Roots of Trees, and so cover
them over with Earth, and that on this account, because they make
them exceeding fruitful. This now is every where used: Likewise the
Gardiners do every where buy up Hens Feathers, Hens, and Pidgeons Dung;
as also from the Tanners and Curriers the Offals or Shavings of the
Beasts Skins, and their Hairs, and use them to enrich their Gardens.
The Vine-dressers also buy up the shavings of Horns of the Comb-makers
in many places where they can get them, by which, they fatten their
Vines, far better than with Dung, and that lasts for nine or ten years.
The Gardiners do likewise buy up from the Tailors bits, or pieces of
Woollen and Linen to dung their Gardens when they plant Colworts. If
they did not find any Nitre, or Fertility in them, to what end would
they lay out their Money on so base a Matter? To the Ignorant and
Unskilful, these things may seem wonderful and incredible, because
such a kind of dunging Land is not every where in use. He that is
incredulous, let him go to _Colen_ on the _Rhine_, and there he’ll
find that I have spoken nothing but the truth. All these things do
the Gardiners make use of according to their ancient custom, for from
their Predecessors learned they these Secrets. Nor know they what other
reason to alledge for their doing this, but only tell you, that they
serve exceeding well to enrich their Fields and Vineyards.
But I do assuredly affirm, that ’tis the Nitre that is hidden in these
things, performs this effect: There is therefore far more abundance of
Salt-petre in the Superfluities (as Nails, Horns, Hair, _&c._) than in
their Excrements, or Dung. And I thus prove it.
First, Because they will give you for one Sack full of the Shavings of
Horns, half an Imperial, which is as much as will buy four or five such
sacks full of Cow, or Sheeps dung.
Secondly, They will give the Tanners, or Curriers, above an Imperial
for one Cart-load of the Shavings of the Hides, whereas with the same
Money they may buy three or four Load of dung. Rags are sold for a
quarter of an Imperial. Were they not virtuous or effectual, why should
they be so dear? This here spoken, we have proved so to be, by the
customary practice of the common men only, as Husbandmen and Gardiners.
Were it lawful for me to reveal somewhat to the purpose, I could teach
how to extract out of every hundred weight of Bones, in Beasts, Birds,
and Fishes, ten pound of Salt-petre. But this is not to be divulged.
Now it remains in the next place, to confirm, that Nitre does not only
lie hidden most plenteously in the Vegetable and Animal Subjects, but
that it may be digged, or gotten out, and prepar’d of Stones, Rocks,
Cliffs, Hollows of Mountains, and out of the plain Field in a very
many other places; and this is undeniable, for ’tis evidently known,
and if need were, I could, for witness sake, make mention of many
such Testimonies. He that is desirous of knowing more, as touching
this salt of the Earth, let him peruse the ancient Philosophers. But
forasmuch, as every one hath not those Books at hand, and that many
Men cannot understand them, I will for Amplifications sake add yet
one demonstration, to shew whence that Nitre ariseth, which sticks on
to, or swells out of those moist and old Walls of Houses. Comes it
not from the Mortar, with which the Bricks are joined together? Not
only all _Stones_ are fit for making Calx, or Lime of, but also all
kinds of Stones, which break, or grow in the Waters, like Drops, or
Pebbles: Likewise, those stony things which grow in the Sea, as Coral,
the Pearl shells, or Mother of Pearl, and Shell fish of all sorts,
which being burnt, moulder in the Air, have in them plenty of Nitre,
and will easily yield it forth to those who have the way of extracting
it disclosed unto them. But this is not the place to mention it in,
because I have determined to treat here, of only expressing the Juices
of the Vegetables, concentrating them, and making them gainful or
profitable.
Forasmuch as we have hitherto understood (or shewn) that Nitre or
Salt-petre may be had from all things, _viz._ from Herbs, Wood,
fourfooted Beasts and creeping Things, from Birds in the Air, and
Fishes in the Water, yea from the very Elements themselves, as Earth,
Water, Air, and Fire; It must needs follow that it is that so much
spoken of Universal Spirit without which nothing can either be or
live: It is the begetter and destroyer of all things; in which all
things are, as I have demonstrated in my _Miraculum Mundi_, out of the
most ancient Philosopher _Hermes_. I therefore hope, that no body will
any more doubt thereof or oppose himself with a perverse stubbornness
against a truth so manifestly known. Were not the shortness of time
an impediment unto me I could most easily produce more arguments and
those too more pregnant. If any one is minded firmly to cleave to his
own stubborn perverseness, even _Hermes_ himself should he arise from
the dead, would lose his Labour in teaching him; and therefore let them
keep their contumacy to themselves.
We have sufficiently confirmed and that by arguments enough, that
Salt-petre is an universal Subject, and every where to be found. Hence
it may be easily believed that it may also be met with in woods, and
that more strong, more powerful, more corporal, palpable, and visible
than in any other Subject: Upon this account therefore is it to be
also sought for, and drawn forth out of them too. But forasmuch as
such an Extraction cannot be made afore that the Juices are prest out
of the Wood, out of which Juices the Nitre is to be drawn forth, the
whole Art consists in Squeezing out these Juices, but yet by another
kind of way than is done with Herbs. Therefore the due Presses being
fitted ready, I shall be able to shew him who requesteth it at my
hands (so as he does not endamage me) the way of squeezing them. For
to prostrate a work of such great moment to every ones view, whereby
those that are unworthy, should partake of such great Secrets, and by
which a thing of so much value should be obnoxious to a common Abuse,
is not verily, either necessary, profitable, or laudable. Let not
any one therefore take it amiss, that I have so careful a regard of
things so considerable. Let it suffice, that I have detected the thing,
wherein such great Treasures have hidden themselves, which hitherto are
profitable to no body, but are easily acquirable, or to be had. Do but
look a little upon those most vast Woods of _Germany_, which are stored
with such mighty abundance of Trees, that wood is of no account. There
hath been none as yet that has converted them unto their use, save
a few, who in some places make Pot-ashes of the wood they burn; and
yet they have but small gains therefrom, because they can’t have vent
sufficient for as much as they could make by their burning the wood,
nor do any use them, but Soap-boilers, and Dyers.
Besides, I never as yet saw the Man that duly attempted that Artifice,
and so administred it as to get therefrom a greater gain. For sometimes
they gather scarce an hundred weight of Pot-ashes out of the burning of
ten or twenty great Trees, and they can hardly have above five or six
Imperials for it. And now consider but the great Labour and Sweat in
burning so much Wood into Ashes, and of boiling the Ashes into a black
Salt, and then of making this Salt red hot in peculiar Furnaces, that
it may become white, green, or blueish; all this consider’d, ’twould
make a Man admire what ’tis that could stir up those that follow this
work, or order it to be done, to suffer such a quantity of Trees to be
burnt up, for so very little profit. But what need many words? They
have the wood for nothing, and (as the Proverb runs) _The half White
of the Egg, is better than the empty shell_. Haply if they knew how to
make any thing better, or more profitable out of their Wood, they would
not omit so to do.
How many hundred weight of wood, are they to burn afore they have one
hundred of Pot-ashes? But now if the Juices that are squeez’d out of
them were boiled into Salt-petre, they would get ten times the profit
with far less trouble.
Let us compute the case, and suppose that out of an hundred pounds of
Wood, there are squeezed forth twenty pounds of Juice, and that from
these twenty pounds of Juice, you have some 4 or 5 pounds of Nitre, and
that a midling Oak or Beach will load, when cleft, some ten Carts, and
each load hold twenty hundred weight. Now then, one hundred yielding
five pound of Nitre, a load of twenty hundred, yields an hundred pound
of Nitre; the Tree that is about ten load, yields a thousand weight.
Now we’ll put case that a hundred weight of Nitre yields twenty
Imperials, which being ten times multiplyed, makes two hundred
Imperials for ten loads, or for that one Tree divided into ten loads.
But to wave so accurate a computation, and not to extend it too far, we
will suppose a hundred of Wood to hold only three pound of Nitre, and
a load to be about twenty hundred of Wood; this load will yield Sixty
pounds of Niter, and the Tree ten loads, So there will be Six hundred
pounds of Niter. If now one hundred (of Nitre) will cost ten Imperials,
that Tree will yield sixty Imperials for the six hundred pounds of
Nitre. The smallness of the cost (in making it) makes the labour the
more profitable; nay, if by this invention of mine, the price of
Nitre should fall down, even to ten Imperials (which notwithstanding,
will not so easily come to pass) yet would the gain thereby be great,
yea ten times more than that which comes from the Pot-ashes. But he
that knows how to use this Nitre, for the concentrating of Metals,
(concerning which the three following parts of this Book shall treat)
will not have any cause of fear, that this Nitre will lie on his hands
and yield him no profit.
By what hath been said, the well-minded Reader will easily perceive
what vast treasures are oft-times before his eyes, and through
ignorance lie as yet unknown, and not used to advantage. What man knows
God’s end, in producing to light such great Mysteries and Secrets of
Nature, in this most filthy Dregs of the World? To give thereof a
Reason, we will not tire our understanding, but give most humble thanks
to God for such great mysteries that he hath revealed for the comfort
of many men, and will pray unto him graciously to bestow on us his
fatherly blessing, to the end that we may well use such great gifts so
freely bestowed.
But now if any should be of the mind that it is wholly unnecessary,
that this Art should be made publickly known, because that Gun-powder
is made of Salt-petre, and that by Gun-powder many Cities and most
strong holds are overthrown, and nothing is to be expected thencefrom,
but Slaughters and Destruction: To such, I answer, That it was not for
this end that I disclosed this most great and most profitable Art, that
by its base abuse I might help on these horrid Calamities; but my aims
have been chiefly at this, if haply any new Foreign Enemies should
invade our most dear Country (which is a danger we seem not far off
from) we might be able to receive them with like Arms or Weapons, and
by a just defence drive away such a Calamity.
And withal, that those most thick and vast Woods being despoiled of
their thickness, may not for the time to come be a shelter for Thieves
and Robbers, as likewise for wild beasts, all which oftentimes do much
mischief.
And farther, That many thousands of Men may get their Food and Rayment
more Commodiously and more easily, and may make good Gold and Silver
from the unprofitable Wood. For by means of this Art, thousands of
moneys may be gotten in our _German_ Countries, without any hurt to
our Neighbour. Nor is it needful to cut down any great Tree, for the
superfluous Branches or Loppings, and the shrubby briary Underwood
which is all about the Trees, and doth chiefly afford a passage to the
Stags, and hiding places to other hurtful Creatures, will be sufficient
for this kind of use or imployment.
The other Trees that grow up aloft may be preserved to build Houses
withal, which may be employed about Hunting: And besides, when the
Trees are freed from that thickness, and have thereby a free access
of Air, they will the more easily dilate their Boughs, and grow up
taller. And then too, those wild Beasts that are profitable, will (when
such vast deal of underwood or shrubbiness is taken away) meet with
fatter pasture, and with more plenty of Grass, and escape by having a
freer Course from the pursuing Woolves, which now they are letted from
by those most thick Shrubs and Bushes. But yet if so be that in such
places in which is such a deal of Wood, and to no man useful; a good
part even of the great Trees should likewise be cut down, and used
about this Artifice of ours; yet notwithstanding there would not arise
to the Possessors thereof any loss, but much Profit; and when all’s
done, there would be yet remaining a huge multitude of Trees. Consider
I pray those most spacious Woods the _Arduenne_, _Ottonick_, _Semane_,
and _Bohemian_ Woods, and many others which the Countries in _Germany_
are cloathed (or environed) with.
Can it be imagined, that they can at all be lessened by the Glass
Furnaces, or the melting of Minerals and Metals.
These places that are one year bared by cutting down the Trees, you
shall see in few years covered over again, by the benefit of nature,
with new Trees; so that it cannot possibly be, that though even a very
great many Presses should be used to press the Juices out; such a
vast immenseness of Woods should be exhausted, and make any sensible
diminution of the Wood.
But now, if any one shall believe these writings of mine, and shall,
after the afore-mentioned way, set about the Concentration of Wine, or
Corn, or Wood; I do faithfully affirm unto him, that I have in this
Book openly proposed the very naked Truth, without any disimulation,
and have not omitted any thing save the revealing of the Presses, which
for certain causes I conceal.
And therefore I certifie every one, that I will not as yet divulge this
most wonderful secret, of thus-boiling Nitre out of the Juices of Wood,
or else I would have described the Press too. Besides, though a man
should even see the Press, and know how to make it, and were ignorant
of the purification and concentration of the Juices, he would not bring
the Art to effect; so that, without my instruction, the work cannot so
easily be made publickly known. And though this seems to be a thing so
mean, yet this squeezing out of the Juices of Wood, is far beyond (or
richer) than the operations on Wine or Corn. But I doubt not but that
many, well considering of this unheard of, and very gainful Artifice,
will begin to think whether or no good Nitre may not likewise be gotten
out of other Subjects easie to come by. Now then I must methinks needs
instruct these.
The common Fossile Salt, and Sea Salt may by the benefit of this Art,
be also turned into Natural Nitre; but I judge it needless to speak
more of this, for as much as that which I have already mentioned
concerning the Wood seems abundantly enough. Breifly, God doth in all
places set before our eyes His Omnipotency, where he gives not Wood,
there vouchsafes He Stones and Bones, out of which Nitre may as well
be extracted, by those that are skill’d in this Art, as it may out of
other things. And where Fire is wanting, there is Water however. But
I know that it is certain, and past all doubt, that by the certain
experience of Art, plenty of good Nitre may be made out of Sea Water.
Now if any shall object and say; Thou affirmest that Nitre is to be
found in all places of the World, but especially in Wood and Stones;
but yet, that there are many places which have neither Wood or Stones,
& have only a Marshy Moorish Soil, which brings forth Grass only: By
what means can Nitre be there, or in what things, or what places should
it be sought for, thinkest thou there?
I answer; I have already, in what hath been said afore, confirmed,
that Nitre may be drawn in large quantity even out of Grass; but
verily there’s no such need here of so doing, to rob the beasts of
their food, and to use the Grass about Nitre-making: For the Cheese
and Butter that come from the Grass, will easily yield more than the
Nitre that’s made thereof, would; God deals not so unjustly or unwisely
with the Creatures as to give his blessings with a liberal hand to
one, and take the same away from another: No, no; The Treasure of his
Riches is inexhaustible, and he gives his Creatures largely to partake
of them; nor doth that axiome (or maxime) which is so very usual in
this perverse World, prevail at all with him, _viz._ The fall of one
is the rise of another; but his will is, that all should have their
necessaries abundantly supplyed, that every one should have enough,
and that every thing should come to perfection. Therefore it is not at
all necessary, that Nitre should be extracted out of the Food which
the Beasts live on, because it may easily be extracted out of other
Subjects which bring not any profit to Man or Beast, and this in
great quantity too. For in such plain low Countries and moist watery
grounds, where you shall not meet with either Mountains or Vallies, or
Stones, or Wood: The most gracious God hath, like a provident and wise
housholder provided for the inhabitants, giving them a certain kind of
earth inlaid with many Roots and Fibers that grow therein, which the
_Dutch_ call =Torf=, we _Turfs_, the which they use instead of Woods,
to boil with, and about other necessary uses; so that they may easily
be without the wood, which is yearly brought them in such vast quantity
out of other Countries. Now these same Turfs contain in them the like
Essential Salt as Wood does which Nitre is extracted out of.
As concerning Stones, they do not in those places shew themselves to
sight (as lying deep) if you except such as are burnt (or Bricks) and
which are brought hither to build houses withal, yet God hath bestowed
on them a matter sufficiently apt to make Lime withal, so that they
may be without, even Stones themselves. The Shell-fishes of all Sorts
(serve to this work), and sometimes the raging of the Sea, drives the
Fishes shells ashore by heaps, and like little hills, the which being
carryed by the Inhabitants into the Cities and Villages, they put them
in the Lime-Kilns, and reduce them by a strong fire into good Lime,
and that by means of the Turfy fireing we mentioned but now; so that I
do not see any reason why, in these Countries that are destitute of
Wood and Stones, there should be found less Salt-petre than in others,
in which huge quantities both of Wood and Stone are found. Nay, rather
I affirm, that there is more there, than is in almost any Country of
_Europe_; for do but compare the price of Turf and Wood, the Wood is
dearer, the other cheaper; besides the Wood is harder to press out, and
this yields its juice more easily.
So then, from all the foregoing demonstrations I absolutely conclude,
that there is not any place in the whole World, wherein great
quantities of Salt-petre may not be made.
And if I should say, that there is not to be found in the whole world
any places in which Nitre may be easier and plentifullier made than in
the low Countries of _Germany_, as _Brabant_, _Holland_, _Zealand_,
_Flanders_, _Frieseland_, the _Groningen Fields_, the County of
_Emdane_, and all those Countries which run as far as the _German_ and
_Baltick_ Sea, in this their moorish kind of ground; verily I should
not speak untruth, but if need were, I could witness it of a certainty.
But lest my Writings should remain too obscure and unknown to such as
are unskilled, and that such may not overmuch torment their Brains by
unnecessary Pleadings how this may be effected, I judge it altogether
necessary openly to confess the Truth before every one, and say,
That Nitre or Salt-petre, were but its true use known, is justly and
worthily to be accounted of as the greatest Treasure of the whole
world, as being a thing by the help of which, good Health, Honours,
and Riches may be purchased; and this we shall confirm in the three
following parts. If then that this be granted, then this also will be
yielded too, that the Subject-matter out of which it is extracted, is
not to be despised, but to be highly valued; and therefore ought Wood
and Turf to have their due Honour given them, concerning which, I have
by many Arguments affirmed, that the one of them is every where in the
upper _Germany_ in great plenty, and the other in the low Countries of
_Germany_, (nor doth these at all come short of the others) and that
both may and ought to yield Nitre. Besides, not only the bare Turf is
hereto useful, but likewise the hitherto thrown-away ashes, which are
every where cast out as unprofitable.
NB. They are not useful in washing, as wood-ashes, with which the
Laundresses make Lyes, and being they are not, they are thrown away as
good for nought. But yet there is in them a great quantity of a certain
salt, which being inverted by Art, passeth into Nitre; therefore
through meer ignorance is there cast away, together with those Turfy
ashes, a vast quantity of unripe Salt-petre, from whence a mighty
profit might redound to those Countries, but being improvidently thrown
away, is meerly lost. But yet I would not have any imagine, that the
Salt which is made of the Lee of Turf-ashes, is presently Salt-petre;
no, for ’tis needful that the subtilty of Art be first thereto used,
afore such a Salt be brought to that pass, as to burn like Salt-petre:
But yet care is to be taken, that that Art become not common, for then
so Noble a thing, and so profitable to our Countries, will be known
by Enemies as well as Friends; which to prevent, it must be warily
handled, and the principal work here requisite is this, _viz._ That it
may not be published so imprudently, as to render the ungrateful and
unworthy partakers of the same, as well as the thankful and worthy ones.
By these things here spoken may every one see and gather, that God is
no respecter of Kingdoms and Principalities, and provides for some
better than for other some; all Men are His Creatures and Heirs of all
His Goods, if so be they be but willing, and do not stubbornly oppose
and slight the Divine Grace, and do not wantonly cast it away and
neglect it: Concerning which we shall speak more in the following part,
touching the Concentration of Minerals.
This we must yet farther add, _viz._ That common Salt-Nitre is in all
Coasts, in all Tracts or Continents, and in all Countries; yea, even in
all those places in which there’s neither Wood, nor Stones, nor Leaves,
nor Grass, nor Earth, nor any bottom of Earth: As for example; Near
_Greenland_, where the Sea is said to have no bottom, where the Whales
are caught, and which do greatly inrich the Merchants with their fat or
oil: Did they but know, that the remaining Flesh and Bones were even
yet of great use, and knew they but how to turn them into Salt-petre,
they would preferr it far before their Fat, for the sake of which, so
much labour and trouble is undertaken; for in the flesh of one Whale
only (which as it is, is not at all profitable to any man) I dare say,
that there may be found 20, 30, 40, 50, yea, sometimes 100 Centenaries,
or hundreds weight of Salt-petre. And so likewise the Intrails of the
dried Stock-fish that are caught in _Island_ and _Norway_, should I
affirm, that they would even almost excel the Fish it self in value, I
should not be deceived. I find no difficulty that might hinder me from
affirming this to be agreeable to the Truth.
Do not the Salt-petre-men preferr the Nitrous Earth that’s found in old
burying places (if they can have it) far beyond other Nitrous Earths?
And this among others, that most excellent Examiner of Metals, _Lazarus
Ercker_, in his Book of examining of Metals, affirms, and gives this
Earth the chiefest place. Nor is it to be wondered at, that of late
in _Poland_, towards _Muscovy_, where formerly great Battels have
been, and many thousands of men slain, and by reason of the multitude
of them, have (after the Battel) been thrown into deep Caverns of
Mountains for the easier burying them) there hath been a great quantity
of Salt-petre extracted out of the Earth. Were there not gain and
profit to be gotten, those men that are imployed in the extracting and
boiling it, would not lay out so much Money on unprofitable Ashes of
Carcases.
But to pass this by, let any one make but this Experiment: Fill some
Vessel with Bulls or Ox-blood, and put it in a warm place till it
putrefie and be turned as it were into Earth; then extract a Lye out
of this Earth, and boil it so long, till a little skin appear on the
top, then lay it by in a cold place, to shoot into Crystals, or little
Stones, and these will be true Nitre.
NB. There is another and more compendious way of extracting Salt-petre
out of the blood of Animals, which belongs not to this place to treat
of; let us but compute the account a little. If there are yearly kill’d
in some great City some ten thousand Oxen, besides Calves, Hogs, Sheep,
and Goats, and the blood be cast away as unprofitable, [_now an hundred
weight of blood yields some 5, 6, 7, or 8 pound, or more, of Nitre._]
the question is, How many Hundreds of Salt-petre is lost? That this may
be the more clearly evidenced, _viz._ That there is much Salt-petre in
all Beasts, Fishes, and Birds, take another Experiment: Let a Beast,
Bird, or Fish be laid in some warm place, where no Rain comes, to
putrefie, out of the Carcass there will come Worms; of these Worms or
Maggots take about one pound, more or less, put them in a Glass with
a narrow neck, stop the glass with Paper only, and set it at the Sun,
but not too hot, and in a few daies the worms or maggots will be turned
into water; then pour out this water into a Copper Vessel tinn’d over,
clarify it with the whites of Eggs, as Vegetable juices are wont to be
clarified; then evaporate the clarified Juice, by little and little,
by decoction, till it be covered over with a skin; as we have taught
you in the Vegetable Juices; then set it by in a cold Cellar, and there
will shoot good and natural Nitre, but especially if that Liquor shall
have stood a while afore in the air.
The self-same Experiment may any one make with other Vermin that arise
from Flesh or Cheese, and he shall find that even living Creatures have
Salt-petre in them: so then there is nothing to be found, wherein that
Universal salt of the World is not seen to be; but in some the salt
doth sooner put on a _Salt-petre_ nature, and in others it is already
made _Salt-petre_ by Nature.
Let this serve as an example, _viz._ The Essential or Universal salt of
Vegetables, Animals, & Minerals, is indeed in its own nature nitrous,
but it does not conceive any flame afore it has attracted life and
flame from the Air. Further, one salt attracts that Life sooner and
willinglier than another does, according as it is by Nature framed.
By how much the more volatile and urinous the salts are, so much the
sooner do they change themselves into Nitre; and by how much the more
biting and more corrosive, so much the more difficultly and slowly
do they put on the nature of _Salt-petre_. But because Nitre is a
salt that partakes of both natures, _viz._ of a Urinous and Corrosive
Nature, and is compounded as it were of both a Urinous and a Corrosive
Salt, therefore by the help thereof one skill’d in Nature may easily
help the salts, and make of them whatsoever he pleaseth. Nor is there
in the nature of things any salt, but may by the help of Art be turned
into Nitre; but especially those salts which are sublimed by fire, and
are elevated by the force thereof; as likewise those that are in the
Urine and Excrements of all Animals; yea more, Animals, Vegetables,
and Minerals themselves do easily assume the nature of Nitre: This now
is the first degree of salts. Another degree of salts are those that
are somewhat fixer, (as the Sons of Art call them) and are such as are
left in the fire, from Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals: These do more
hardly pass into the nature of Nitre; but the hardest of all, are those
salts which are in the third degree, as common salt, Sea-salt, Mountain
or Fossile salt, Alume and Vitriol; for by Art are even these brought
to that state, as to pass into true Nitre, but harder than the former,
for they need a longer time for transmutation, than the abovenamed
flying, volatile, and urinous salts. And therefore I would not have any
of you to opinionate, that when I say in my Writings, that this or that
salt may be converted into _Salt-petre_, assoon as ever it is extracted
out of the _Lixivium_, or by barely calcining with fire, that (I say)
it should presently be true burning _Salt-petre_; no, there is a yet
farther time thereto required, whereto it may attract its life and soul
out of the Air, and become burning or inflamable.
Every common _Barber_ and mean-pated fellow, knows that the most
_Salt-petre_ hitherto made, hath been boiled out of a Lee, drawn out
of the Earth taken out of old stables, wherein Sheep and other beasts
have stood. And why, I pray, out of the old standing places of Sheep,
Oxen, and the like Cattel, and not likewise out of the new? It is on
this account, because old Stables do not only in _long_ Process of time
imbibe more salt out of the Excrements and Urine, and consequently
yield more Salt-petre; but also those very salts (that come from the
Excrements of the beasts) and which is the main thing, have in long
process of time received their soul or life from the air, which new
salts have not as yet attained unto: For let any one boil, and try
his conclusions on the fresh Dung and Urine of Animals, as much as he
list, they will never become Nitre, unless they draw their Life out
of the Air. Let any one take some good Salt-petre, and mix it with
Earth, and destil off the Spirit in a Retort, there will come over
into the Receiver such a sharp and corroding water, as will dissolve
Metals, Stones, and all other even the hardest Mercurial Bodies, and
yet the Salt-petre was not corrosive before, but it hath gotten that
degree of corrosivity from the fire’s operation. Contrariwise, let some
good Salt Nitre be taken, and be calcined in a Crucible, with burning
Coals or such-like other matters as will burn or calcine it: By this
operation it will be changed into a very fiery and fixt Salt, but not
so corrosive, and thus it will dissolve all Fat, Oils, Greases, and
sulphureous Bodies, which thing the former corrosive Spirit will not
do; for such bodies as are dissolveable by this fixt and urinous Salt,
the former acid Spirit leaves them untouch’d; and on the other hand, it
will dissolve those bodies which cannot be dissolved by the fixt Salt,
and yet are they both extracted out of one and the same Subject, by the
help of the fire. Hence may it easily be conjectured, that this is an
Hermaphroditical Salt, and partakes of both natures, seeing it puts on
both (or either) of them; for the Philosophical Maxim witnesseth, that
every thing hath its Original out of that into which it can be changed
and resolved.
Now when I pour the acid Spirit that destilled over into the Receiver
on that fixt Salt again, they are both of them divested of their nature
and property; the Spirit loseth his sharpness and acidity, and the
fixt salt puts off its fiery nature, and so they both become again an
Hermaphroditical Salt, but yet not presently, but ’tis necessary to
allow them some time of standing together in the Air, whereby they may
receive that life and that burning nature which the Fire hath deprived
them of. But yet notwithstanding, this comes sooner to pass in this,
than in other contrary subjects, because these two Contraries have
heretofore already been one Salt-petre; for such as never have been
Nitre, but are hereafter to be so, require a longer abode in the Air.
These instructions we give to those that might haply think that Salts
may be animated without the help of the Air.
And now, that I may perfectly demonstrate that Salts do get their life
out of the air, without any encreasing in weight thereby, and not
from elsewhere, I will give you this following example. Take 1 _l._
of Honey or Sugar, and let it be dissolved in ten pounds of Water,
and let this Water be set for some weeks in a warm air, the Honey or
Sugar will be as a magnet to this Water, and will by attracting a life
out of the air turn it into sharp Vinegar, and that without any thing
at all encreasing the weight of the same. By this means Water, by the
addition of Honey, Sugar, Malt, or any other Vegetable Juice, will,
by the operation of the hidden and attracting essential Salt, pass
together with it into excellent Vinegar. But now some or other may
imagine that the Honey, or the juice of the Fruit and Corn, have in
them an hidden acidity, which by the help of the warm encompassing air,
hath revealed it self, and so did not attract its birth out of the air:
But I will shew you the contrary, as follows: Take a pound of Honey,
Sugar, or some other Vegetable Juice, and force it over in a Retort
into a Receiver, and you will find that there will destil over 10 or
12 lots (or half ounces) of insipid Water, and so many of acid water;
the remainder is a dead ashes, and have nothing in them; the Vinegar
and Phlegm that ascended, will not yield one pound of Liquor, and the
Vinegar it self, with its acidity, will scarce be so strong in taste as
those ten pounds of water that are turned into Vinegar by the air.
This now demonstrates, that there was not in the Honey any more acidity
than what was thence drawn out by the help of destillation, for the
remaining ashes have not any taste at all. But put case that the
acidity which is driven out of the Retort into the Receiver by the
force of Fire, should be as sharp as _Aq. fortis_, (when as tho’ it
is scarce as sowre as Vinegar) yet would it hardly make ten pounds of
Water so acid as to be compared with the other which is made by the
essential Salt and the Air; so that it is evident that the acidity (as
being a life) is drawn by the Magnetick Virtue of the Honey out of the
air.
But as touching this Essential Salt of Vegetables, its being a Magnet,
to extract an acetous spirit out of the air, and communicate it to the
dead water. You are here well to observe, that the universal spirit
or soul of the World may be drawn out of the Air many and sundry
waies. In the aforementioned Example of Vinegar is a spirit extracted,
which is fit for the converting of Vegetable Liquors into Vinegar. In
Hermaphroditical salts, the Universal Nitrous spirit becomes burning,
as in Wine, Ale, and Metheglin. All these are so made by the means of
air, without which no Wine or Ale can ferment, and without fermentation
it is impossible for a burning spirit to be generated; which said
spirit is easily afterwards turned into Vinegar, and this Vinegar into
Nitre, and this Nitre again into a burning Spirit or Vinegar; for every
Life is of one and the same original, and may by the benefit of Art be
changed out of one nature or property into another.
So likewise the same is to be understood in the generation of
Salt-petre, all Salts of Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals are dead,
afore they get themselves a life after a magnetical manner out of the
Air, and be made into Salt-petre; for amongst all salts, none deserve
to be called a _Live Salt_, but that one of _Salt-petre_, which by the
Philosophers is called the _Watchful Dragon_, which likewise at the
beginning was dead, but hath got himself a Life out of the air. By all
which it is most clearly manifest, that the life of all things ariseth
out of the air, and that those Creatures which come not into the air
want Life and that such things as already have life, are choak’d and
die if the air be taken from them. Hence comes the death of all things,
by a suppressing or taking away of air, (in which air the Life of
all things consists) what way soever it be done by, as the aforesaid
example of the Vinegar teacheth; for if Honey or Sugar were not made
thin with Water, there would never have hapned that changing into
Vinegar. So likewise _Grapes_, _Apples_, _Pears_, _Barley_, _Oats_,
_Wheat_, were they not moistened with water, but remained dry, they
never would get the nature and property of Vinegar, and that for this
reason, because the air could never infuse its life into a dry and shut
up body.
This they well know who are imployed in making a quantity of Vinegar;
and upon this account do they in Summer time set their Vessels open
to the Sun, and in the Winter, they keep them in warm stoves near the
fire, and both afore and behind, and at the bottom do they make holes
to give the Air entrance, that so they might the speedilier promote the
changing of the Wine, Ale and Metheglin into Vinegar.
They likewise know this too, that even strong Vinegar if it be a long
time shut and kept from Air, corrupts and dies. The which thing, seeing
it is to be as well understood of other Subjects, as of these here,
_viz._ Salt-petre and Vinegar, we may affirm thus much, That by how
much the more of warm Air comes to the Wine or Ale, so much the sooner
will they pass into Vinegar. And by how much the more of warm Air the
Salts draw, so much the speedier will they draw a Life thereout-of,
and put on themselves the nature and property of Salt-petre. This is
the reason why the Salt-petre boilers do sometimes turn or dig up
the Earth from whence they have had Salt-petre, and moisten it with
water, that so the Air may the more commodiously penetrate that Earth
by its operation, and infuse Nitre thereinto. But yet this business
goes slowly on, and may be compared with that where a man presseth
out Grapes or Apples a little, and then exposeth those Reliques of
the press’d Grapes or Apples to the Air, or else grinds Malt somewhat
grosly and moistens it with water and so sets it by that it may be
endued with the nature and virtues of Vinegar: It would indeed come to
pass, but yet much slower than if Wine, Ale, or other Drinks were set
by so, without the huskiness or bran: The same is to be observed in
the making of Salt-petre. By how much the more, the Air toucheth the
Salts, so much the speedier will it reduce them into living Nitre. This
may be seen in old walls that are built in moist places, you see how
the Lime sprouts out and is converted into Salt-petre. We see not the
same thing done in the inside of the wall, where the Air can cannot
penetrate into it. Hence know I of a truth, that it is not the husks of
the Grapes, nor the husks or bran of the Corn grows sour, but it is the
thin Juice or Liquor that is either pressed out of them, or extracted
with water. And I likewise see that ’tis not the Ashes, nor Calx vive,
nor the like calcined things that becomes Nitre, but only the Salt
that is hidden in them. Therefore seeing that all calcined things
being moistned with water and for a long time exposed to the warm Air
do extract a Life and become Salt-petre, and that the Ashes and Calx
are like a dead Earth and never yield Salt-petre, but remain a dead
Earth. Likewise, forasmuch as such Earth doth not at all conferr ought
to the generation and making of Salt-petre, but is rather every where
an hindrance thereunto, whereby the Air cannot associate it self to
the Salt; therefore do I separate the earth, body, shell, and useless
garment, and keep the Salt, and I introvert it by the Air and turn it
into Salt-nitre, but yet not without the addition of Water, in which
the Salt is dissolved and rendred more fit for extracting a Life out of
the Air; for otherwise should the Salt remain dry this transmutation
would be a tedious while a bringing to the desired end.
If therefore the Salts that are prepared by the fire are dissolved in
water, and the water be together with it kept by peculiar Instruments
in perpetual motion, and some heat be also thereto adjoined, so that
there be not the least Atoms of the Salts to be found which have not
the uncessant penetration of the warm air, and which are not animated,
(because the warm air and motion do in all places touch and vivify the
Salts): Such an operation as this does more in four Weeks, than if
the Salt lay in the heaped up Earth and open to the air (far longer)
wherein it would not in a whole years time attain to so great a change.
But this perpetual agitation and heating consisteth in a certain wooden
Instrument which may of its own accord by an unceasing motion heat
the Salt-water, so as that every Week a growing alteration may be
evidently seen and perceived. It is not of any great charge, and one
may get ready as many Vessels to be filled with Salt-water to make
Salt-petre with (as he pleaseth) for one Man can manage an hundred
of them or more and conserve them in continual heat and motion, so
that a Man may keep such an Art secret as long as he pleaseth. And as
concerning the ordering the salt by the help of the fire and getting it
a magnetick and attractive faculty afore it be dissolved in water to
be put into the Vessels; and also how the Vessels are to be prepared,
this cannot be conveniently declared in writing, but it is expedient
that as well the manual operations requisite for the endowing of salt
with a magnetick faculty, as the Instruments necessary for the turning
it into Salt-petre be also well lookt into, with all the appurtenances
thereto belonging. Any one will easily comprehend them all, and be able
to imitate them; yea far easier than any gross or great work, and it
may be improved in any subject whatever. It is not any sordid kind of
operation, but pure and clean, it needs not any making of Lixiviums,
nor any decoction, nor any evaporation, but perfecteth it self without
impediment or retarding the work, and coagulates the Salt into Nitre.
Verily it is a most delicate and most profitable invention, from which
many others may have a beginning and flow.
Thus have we declared and proved that the soul of the World vivifying
dead salts, and turning them into Salt-petre, adds not unto them
either weight or encrease, and yet nevertheless it is of such abundant
efficacy and power as to reduce them all to Life, which Life is no
other thing but the little Bird of _Hermes_, and easily admits of being
esteemed for the most noble amongst all the Creatures GOD hath made,
set aside but the soul of Man, and may by the help of Art be again
extracted out of the Salt-petre. But that I may mention the thing more
openly and more clearly; I say, that the salts must (by the help of
Fire and Art) first get a magnetick and attractive power and faculty
afore they can draw a Life out of the air. Now then, after that the
universal Life of the World is caught and fettered as it were by the
salts, and hath turned the dead salts into living nitre, yet that life
lies hidden in that Salt-petre invisibly, and can but a little or
scarce any thing at all shew out or display its virtues by reason of
the Gross body of the salt.
NB. If so be that any one shall but know how to draw out this Life
again out of the Nitre, and bring it into a body, and make it visible,
he shall have a thing so admirable that he’ll scarce find the like (as
I believe) in all natural things. For there is such a sweet and red
Liquor, as to sight, thence had, that one only small drop will tinge
a thousand parts of water with a Golden colour: which (said Liquor) I
have not as yet brought to a constant or fixed Medicine, but do make
use of it in Medicine (as it is) and I find in it things wonderful. But
this little Bird (as far as I know) cannot be again extracted out of
the Nitre by any other subject than with a net artificially prepared of
Sheeps-skins.
Such a worthy thing as this is, do I rank in the number of great
secrets and mysteries, and I suppose it to be that work which the
knowledge desiring _Jason_, being holpen by _Medea_ who was most
skilful in the Chymical Art, took away from the Dragon, and called it
the Golden Fleece: But I would not have any one perswade himself that
I speak here of such a Tincture as is extracted out of fixt Nitre (and
likewise the same is extractable out of Salt of Tartar) by Spirit of
Wine. No, that is no true Tincture, but the Spirit of Wine is somewhat
altered and tinged by the fixt salt. But that Liquor of mine is the
true, occult, and inmost Tincture, Virtue, and Life of the Nitre,
and is of a golden Nature, but plainly flying and volatile, one drop
whereof doth so gild an whole Imperial, as if it were gilt over with
Ducket Gold. This Tincture cannot be changed or altered by any contrary
Menstruum, be it Corrosive or Urinous, no nor by _Aqua-fortis_, or
Liquor of Salt of Tartar; the like of which is scarce to be found in
all nature.
For if there be a most delicate colour drawn out of the Vegetables, as
Cochenele, Saffron, and such like, by the help of the Spirit of Wine,
and there be dropt therein but one only drop of _Aqua-fortis_, the
colour will presently turn pale, and if you add more, it will vanish
for altogether. Or else if a drop of the Liquor of Salt of Tartar
should be put therein, it would presently change colour and become
duskyish. But now, this true Tincture of Nitre, or Soul of the World
suffers not any change from either of the contraries. And should one
have even a metallick Tincture, or extract even from Gold it self, yet
would it not stand in this tryal, but would be precipitated either by
the acid or the fixt salt, and separate from the Menstruums. But ours
doth constantly abide in every trial, and resists both the contraries.
I do therefore repeat what I have often said, that there is more lies
hidden in Nitre than many thousands of Men can perswade themselves of.
But because it is so vile and abject a thing, no body thinks that there
lies hidden any thing of good therein. But do but read the chiefest of
the Philosophers, and you shall therein find that they do enigmatically
point at Nitre, and do call it the Dragon which is to be slain by its
Brother or Sister afore it parts with its Treasure; But enough of this.
The things hitherto mentioned, have I produced for this end, that
my Neighbour may be the better certified concerning them. All the
Philosophers Books are full of this thing, amongst whom, _Hermes_, and
_Basil Valentine_ excel, who have written most clearly. _Paracelsus_
saith openly, Alchimy hath found it in Nitre. The late Philosopher
_Nuisment_, hath published a Treatise of the Salt and Spirit of the
World, and is verily most worthy the reading, which (said Book) I
commend to the Reader that studies these things. Therefore do I here
again repeat what I have so oft reiterated, _viz._ That Salt-petre is
the most admirable, the most excellent, and the most powerful Subject
of the whole World, whose wonderful properties cannot be enough
search’d into. But because it hath its rise from dung and putrid
rotten things the greatest company of foolish ones do despise it, but
the small company of Philosophers and Wise-men (who are those that
know what admirable virtues it has) do most highly esteem it, and set
thereon a great value. The well disposed Reader will clearly find more
as to its virtue and efficacy, in the three following parts.
O thou the original of all good things, and Treasure of all Treasures,
vouchsafe that we may well and rightly improve this earthly and fading
Treasure, and may so search after, and use it unto the end, that we
lose not the chiefest good, but may rather find and keep thee for ever.
_An Admonition, adjoined as an Over-plus._
In the first Chapter of this first part of the concentration of things,
have I plenarily manifested, by what means, new Wines and Musts are
(by the help of an Artificial condensation) to be brought into a
narrow compass, that so they might be carried into far remote places
wherein there are no Wines, and may there be sold to great profit. But
yet I forgot to shew, by what means the savour which the winy Juices
contracted in their concentration, is wholly to be taken away in the
fermentation when they are again dissolved in water, that so the Wines
made of those Juices may not have any untoward and unpleasant taste.
’Tis an Artifice without which no man can easily, quit himself in this
Art of making Wine. But that I may certify every one hereabouts, the
Medium (or Basis) necessary about the precipitation in this work is no
other thing but common _Sulphur_ excellently well purified, a little
portion whereof (according to the nature and property or disposition
of the Juices) is to be hereto added, which must boil up (or ferment)
with the Wine, that so it may draw to it self all the filths, and all
the strange odour, and savour or taste in the fermentation and by
precipitation cast them down to the bottom, which being done the Wines
become sweet, clear, and get a good savour. Furthermore it is to be
known by what means (seeing that there are many fæces and defilements
that will separate themselves out of those kinds of Wines as well as
out of others, and settle to the bottom) even they are to be put to
some use, that so there may not be any loss, but that the gain may
be by so much the greater. Divers ways are there of making profit
from them; as for instance, The remaining Wines may by pressed out
in bags, or else they may be turned into Vinegar, or a spirit may be
thence destilled, and the remaining gross matter be boiled in water,
and the Tartar therein dissolved, and prest out in bags, that it may
so shoot into Tartar. But as touching this expression I have taken
care to have a peculiar Book published at _Norimberg_, (viz. _The
Treatise of the Lees of Wine_.) So that it is wholly needless to make
any mention of the same, in this place. The Courteous Reader may use
it to his occasions, as being such a Book, in which he will find the
said pressing out the Wine and Tartar, and also the making of Vinegar,
clearly described, with all the circumstances thereabouts, and without
all question if he rightly understands me, and sets about the work, he
will do himself a great deal of good.
NB. But if so be that any shall know the Art of turning the Tartar of
those Fæces into Salt-petre, (and such a thing may be done and that in
a very short time) he will get twice the profit, that is to be gotten
by making Tartar of them; forasmuch as he need not put himself to the
inconveniency of pressing them.
In the second Chapter of this first part where mention is made of the
concentration of Corn, there it has been alleadged that the remaining
husks or branny parts which remain after the extraction of the Juices,
may be made to yield as much yea more Moneys than will pay the costs
about the Corn. But it is well known, that those reliques that are
left in your boiling up of Ale, are improved to fatten Beasts with. If
now a _Medimnus_ (a measure of about some 6 bushels) of Corn doth cost
half, nay even a whole Imperial, those reliques (that are left of it in
working) can scarce cost less than one eighth part of that Imperial.
And now out of such a _Medimnus_ or measure of such reliques, they
would very hardly when turned in the Beasts, into nutriment, have
made in them two pounds growth of flesh, the price of which (said two
pounds) would not amount to the eighth part of the said Imperial:
Whereas now, if those reliques were handled after the afore-mentioned
way of reducing Wood into Juices, they would easily yield as much,
or more Salt-petre than the price of the Corn was at the beginning.
So that here’s an enriching Treasure offers it self to the pious and
diligent Housholder, whereby he may do good to those in need.
In the third Chapter of the first part, is mention made only of the
Concentration of Wood, of the pressing the Juices out of the Wood, and
of the making Nitre; But because there is not every where such great
quantity of Wood, as to imploy it to the making of Salt-petre without
omitting the more necessary use of it, yet notwithstanding the case
may be so ordered as that a great quantity of Salt-nitre may be made
of the Leaves of the Trees and the Grass that grows under the Trees,
and there’s no need to cut down the Trees, if a Man has no mind so to
do. Besides too, in such places where there’s but little Wood and much
Corn, even the very stubble or straw (of the Corn) is fit enough to
be made into Salt-petre. So that there is no place where there is not
matter found for the making of Salt-petre.
And therefore I cannot forbear but must needs teach all pious
Housholders (whether they have their Houses in Cities or in Villages) a
certain easie Artifice, by the help of which they may gather a Treasure
for their Children, without any labour and costs, and such a one as
Thieves can never rob them of.
And now, seeing I have revealed in this small Book, for the benefit
both of Rich and Poor, high and low, three Artifices or Workmanships
by which, Wine, Corn, and Wood may be made more profitable; but yet
have not brought any assisting help to such as want both Wine, Corn,
and Wood, I have judged it worth the while (that so even they who have
nothing, and yet nevertheless desire to provide for their Wives and
Children in some honest way) to bestow on them a secret Art, whereby
they may seek their advantage or profit. And I hope the thing will
redound to the Honour of God, and to all our Healths.
Besides, I will shew a way to such as have no inheritance left them
from their Parents, nor have any thing come to them by Marriage, by
what means they may without labour and trouble get a Treasure for their
Children.
First of all, Let such a one take care to have some shade or hovel
made, to join to that side of his dwelling that lies in the middle
’twixt the North and the East part of Heaven, or some other more
convenient place, so as to admit the Sun and Air to it, but to keep off
the Rain. Under this Pent-house or Hovel, let him dig a large Pit, and
with the Earth he digs out let him make banks round the Pits-mouth that
so it may keep the Rain off of every side. This done, let him each day
in every year, or whensoever he can conveniently carry and throw into
that Pit these following matters, so long till his necessity forceth
him to dig all out again, and to see how much Treasure he hath gotten,
even whilest he slept. Now these matters are, All sharp and bitter
Herbs, growing in by places, amongst bushes, and in the way sides, and
such as the Beasts feed not on, as _Esula_, _Cicuta_ or Hemlock, Hen
bane, Fumitory, the thick stalks of Tabaco that are thrown away in
those places where it is planted, the hard stalks of Colwort, which the
Beasts eat not of, and likewise all those things they leave in their
Troughs; likewise Firr tops or Apples if you have them at hand; also
the Leaves that fall from the Trees in Autumn are to be gathered; also
Pigeons-dung, and Hens-dung, Birds and Hens Feathers; all the Ashes
which Women usually make their Lees with, and other Ashes that are not
fit for that use, as also such out of which the Lixivium or Lee is
already extracted; the soot of Chimneys, Hogs hairs, the horns of Oxen
and Cows, and the bones which the Dogs eat not of. All these matters
may he throw into his Pit, and that he may the sooner fill it, he may
gather as much as ever he can from the bordering places, and throw it
therein, that so in one or two years time he may with all those things
fill up his Pit. Mean while he must pour into the Pit the piss gathered
in his House, and that he may have enough he must also get as much as
he can from his Neighbours, so as to keep the things thrown in the Pit
in a continual moisture, whereby they may the sooner putrefy. In want
of Urine, common Water may be taken; if Sea-water or other Salt-water
can be had, it will be the better. Also the Brine of Fishes-pickle, and
the salting or salt-water that Flesh is macerated (or pickled) in are
of good use in this business; likewise the Blood of Oxen, Cows, Calves,
Sheep, which you may easily have at the Butchers; all these things
putrefying together do put on the nature and property of Salt-petre.
If now, all those matters in your full pit shall have well putrefied,
then cease from pouring on any more moisture, and all the things are to
be left so long till they are dried. And then if you need Money, let a
Salt-petre maker be sought for, and bargain with him about the price
of drawing out your Salt-petre by water, of making it, and selling it.
This done, cast the remaining Earth again into the Pit, together with
the remaining Lixivium that shot not into Nitre, and there leave it for
a year or two, and moisten it sometimes with Urine, or if you have not
this, with common Water. This Earth will again yield Salt-nitre, but
not above half so much as at first.
NB. If you stand not in need of Money, let the matter lie, and as oft
as it dries, so often moisten it again with the aforesaid moisture,
that so the Nitre may more and more grow and increase. By this means
shall such a one gather a secret Treasure, & shall not know almost how
he came by it. If he needs it not himself, his Children will find it.
Thieves & Souldiers will not steal it away. If one Pit be full then
another may be made, that so nothing at all of those matters, which
otherwise are most base, (but in this case most suitable) may be lost.
Now if there were but only one in every Village that were appointed to
exercise this Labour, there would be found out as it were in a small
Country many thousand hundreds of Salt-petre, and so these matters
still serving for the same use, there would never be any scarcity of
Salt-petre. And now, Nitre being present, Gold and Silver are not far
off. Let every one observe this, and esteem it. Men will sometime or
other at last, become thrifty and wise, and will see what blindness
they have been possessed with.
Give GOD the thanks, and be helpful to thy Neighbour. GOD hath bestowed
on me, I bestow on thee, do thou likewise bestow somewhat upon thy
Neighbour, and it will be well with us all.
THE SECOND PART
OF
The Prosperity of Germany,
Wherein is shewn,
By what means Minerals may be Concentrated by Nitre, and turned into
Metalick, and better Bodies.
_For the benefit of my Country, and of all such as affectionately and
industriously follow after Metalick Affairs._
Friendly Reader,
_I have taught in the first part of this Book, by what way the
Vegetables, as Wine, and Ale, are to be concentrated, whereby they may
yield more profit than hitherto they have done, and also, how Wood
is to be reduced into Salt-petre. In this present Second part, shall
be taught, how the Salt-petre is to be used, and how, by it Minerals
may be Concentrated, and wrought into Metalick Bodies. And as to this
Concentration, thus stands the case; that is to say, forasmuch as a
good part of Minerals are of very little use, and lie neglected as
things of no worth, and prove not profitable to any one, (whereas if
there were Men that understood but the Art of it, there might redound a
great benefit to the Lands where they are). It hath seemed to me worth
while to declare it to my Country, nor doubt I but that there will
arise some diligent ingenuities, who will lay the thing to heart, and
take care thereabouts, and will even set their hands to the work it
self, and thence get much profit; which to me would be very pleasing
and acceptable. Therefore (in the Name of God) will I set about the
manifestation of the Gifts of God (which lie every where unknown, and
wholly disesteemed, and which yield no Man any fruit) and lay them
open before the Eyes of the whole World, that so they may be better
known hereafter, and be of more benefit to the Country. And I beseech
the most Wealthy, and the most Ancient Housholder, our most merciful
Father, to bestow a Blessing, and good success on this my endeavour,
that it may tend to the Honour of his most Holy Name, and the health of
all our Souls._ Amen.
_Of the difference of Minerals, and what is understood by the
Name of Minerals._
As concerning the word _Mineral_, why all Fossile and Metalick Mines
are so called afore they have been wrought upon, and brought by the
fire into Malleable Metals, I judge it but of small moment to make any
tedious Comment thereupon; besides, others have long ago thoroughly
treated of that, and yet it makes but little to the thing it self. But
my purpose is (at present) to teach, what means such little esteemed
Minerals may be made useful, and profitable by; but afore I begin this
work, I will recite, and shew the many sorts of Minerals that there be;
then next that, I will shew how, by the benefit of fire, and the hands
of the Artificer, they may be converted into better bodies, and become
useful, and profitable for Mankind.
Under the Name of Minerals are comprehended, or reckoned these
following, _viz._ _Antimony_, _Auripigment_, White, Yellow, and Red
_Arsenick_, _Cobolt_, _Lapis Calaminaris_, _Zink_, _Bismute_, or the
_Silvery Marchasite_, likewise the _Golden Marchasite_, _Pyrites_, or
_Copperas_ stones, _Vitriol_ of various kinds; as also, its kindred,
may be added to the number of Minerals. And albeit, that some do also
referr Alume, Salt-petre, Sal Armoniack, Sal Gem, and others of that
kind to the rank of Minerals, yet cannot I acknowledge them for such,
or reckon them up amongst the number of the above mentioned, seeing
there is nothing Metalline to be found in them: Such only therefore do
I call Minerals, that have in them a Metalline nature, and which do
admit of being joined with other Metals, and of being molten together
with them in the fire, and out of which the known Malleable Metals, may
be extracted. These are they which I intend to treat of, and will see,
what good is thencefrom extractable.
And first of all we’ll speak of _Antimony_.
_Antimony_ is the noblest Mineral of all, not only because it doth
for the most part contain Gold in it, but upon this account too,
because more eminent Medicines may be thencefrom prepared for the use
of Mankind. In the Mine-pits it has its peculiar Veins; that which is
found in _Transilvania_, hath some little bigger portion of Gold in
it, and is accompted of as the best in all _Europe_, next that is the
_Hungarian_ ♁, which likewise doth sometimes contain no contemptible
portion of Gold; next is the _Fechtenbergick_, which is found at
a small Town call’d, in the _German_ Tongue, _Gold-Gronack_; the
_Polonian_ sort, and that which is found in most places of _Germany_,
contains but little Gold, or none at all; but there is some which has
much Silver in it, and (for the most part) is neither wont to be used,
nor desired, or sought for, save by the Letter Founders, and these
use it to make their Matters flow. Also many do use it (_viz._ ♁) in
Medicine, and do much good therewith, but it hath certain Enemies who
are none of the wisest, and so is hated, and rejected. But yet there
lies in it more hidden good, than all its Enemies are able to conceive
of, witness my _Panacea_, which is mentioned in the second part of my
_Pharmacopœia Spagyrica_.
And _Basil Valentine_, certainly an excellent Philosopher, writ the
Triumphant Chariot in its Honour, which is an exquisite Book and
profitable to read.
But as concerning the way of making a Regulus out of Antimony, and as
to the uses it serves for, that I have described in the fourth part of
my Furnaces. Moreover, as to the manner of depurating Gold thereby, and
cleansing it from all Heterogeneous mixtures, and as to the graduating
of silver, thereby, that it may become Golden, all this have I spoken
of in the Explication of my _Miraculum Mundi_; and as to what other
effects may profitably be done, therewith in Metalick Operations, shall
be shown, partly in this Treatise, partly in the third and fourth
ensuing parts. As concerning the way of separating it in quantity out
of the Ore, _per descensum_, is to be seen in _George Agricola_’s Book,
that he wrote of the Metalick Art, and in others; nor indeed belongs it
to this place to speak thereof.
_Of_ Arsenick.
_Arsenick_ likewise is a good Fossile, or profitable Mineral, and is
put to many Uses. It also hath its singular, or distinct Veins in the
Earth, whence it is taken; it is forced out of the Ore by Ascension,
and Descension, and is purified for use: It is found white, yellow,
and red. Also some silvery Minerals or Ores do in their solution, or
melting; yield much Arsenick, which the Melters of the Ores do catch
in Chimneys or Funnels made for that purpose, and keep it for use;
concerning which, you may read in _George Agricola_’s Writings. So
likewise, _Cobolt_ yields Arsenick, and so do some Golden Minerals, or
Ore; that which is separated from a Minera of Gold, _per descensum_,
is very red, and auriferous; and this, those that deal with Metals,
have experience of; which, if they separate not from the Gold Ore afore
they melt it, it carrys away a great part of the Gold, and hides it in
its Belly in the melting, so that they would not have so much Gold as
there is in the Ore. For indeed, such a kind of Arsenick, is an unripe
Gold, as shall be hereafter proved: So then, there lies more hidden
in that Contemptible, and Venomous Arsenick, than any one will easily
perswade himself to believe. There are also Medicines prepared out of
it, but such, as serve only to be externally applied, in inveterate,
and virulent Evils, as the Cancer, and Fistula. It is also used in
Colouring and Dying Cloaths, concerning which, you may peruse my other
Writings.
_Of_ Auripigment.
This Mineral is in a manner of the same Essence that Arsenick is of;
but this does not come forth of Minera’s, or Metalline Ores, but
hath peculiar Veins of its own, in which it is generated; it is an
unripe Mineral, and doth for the most part also contain Gold. It is
exceedingly Poisonous and Volatile, and therefore it is but little
used, save only by Painters. It can be fixed by Nitre, and it makes
Copper white, and brittle, as Arsenick doth: And it suffers it self to
be sublimed out of its yellowness, into Transparent Rubies, which are
used for Ornaments sake.
_Of_ Cobolt.
Amongst all the Minerals that are to be found _Cobolt_ is the most
poisonous; it’s an unripe silver, and it ofttimes yields in melting
good silver, yet one sort more than other; some also there is which
hath not any Silver at all, and is used about the sky-colour’d Smalt,
to help make it, with an addition of Fusile Sand, and Potters Ashes.
But when they meet with that which has Silver in it, they separate
it thencefrom by Fusion; besides, it may be so fixt by the help of
Salt-petre as to yield permanent Silver, as shall anon be spoken of.
_Of the_ Silvery Marchasite.
The silver Marchasite, or Wismuth, is a known Mineral; it’s every where
found to and again in the silver Mine-pits, as well as Cobolt is, but
yet it is much more fixt than Cobolt; neither is it of so poisonous a
Nature. It is gotten out of its Ore, or Minera, most easily by a small
flame of wood fire, and is used by the Pewterers to make their Pewter
hard, sounding, and fluxile. Likewise, out of its scoria or drossy
parts, is the blue Smalt also prepared, which the Potters use to glaze
their Pots, and the Glass-men to make sky-colour’d Glasses. It doth
very frequently abound with much silver, and ’tis rare to find any that
is wholly void of silver: And if it holds so much silver, as is of more
value than the Marchasite can be sold for (as ’tis barely _Bismute_)
they separate it, if not, they leave it in it. For if an hundred weight
doth not contain 20 or 30 Lots, or half Ounces they do not separate it,
because the Marchasite will yield so much. But now, the Silver may be
gotten out of the Marchasite, by Salt-petre, so as that the remaining
Marchasite shall lose nothing of its goodness nor be at all spoiled, as
I have shewed in the Explication of my _Miraculum Mundi_.
_Of the Golden_ Marchasite.
The name of _Marchasite_ is proper to every unripe Metallick matter
(and is) of as many sorts as there are Metals; hereupon the matter
which has Gold in it, is called the Golden Marchasite; that which has
Copper, the Coppery; that which has Iron, the Irony, and so that which
abounds with Sulphur, is called the Sulphureous Marchasite. But now
there is Sulphur in all the Marchasites, and sometimes Arsenick too,
but (the Golden ones) have more of Gold than the other Marchasites
have; Besides, out of all kinds of Marchasites proceeds (for the most
part) a Vitriol, which shews the nature of that Metal, which the
Marchasite contains; one while Copper, sometimes Iron; ’tis rare to
find a Marchasite that hath no Metal at all in it; if it hath nothing
of Gold, Silver, or Copper, yet has it Iron, and gives out of it self
a Vitriol useful for Dyers, and which such as prepare _Aqua-fortis_
cannot be without.
_Of_ Zink.
_Zink_ is a Volatile Mineral, or a half ripe Metal when it is drawn
out of its Ore. It is much clearer and brighter than Tin, yet not so
malleable and fluxile as Tin is, and it is usually put to Tin to make
it brighter and harder. We have it not much growing in _Germany_, but
great quantity of it is every year brought us by the Merchants out of
the _East-Indies_. The way how to prepare it for Medicinal uses, have
I described in the first part of the Philosophical Furnaces. It is
a golden but an unripe Mineral, it gives Red Copper a Yellow Colour
and turns it into Brass, as _Lapis Calaminaris_ doth; and indeed that
same Stone is nothing else but unmeltable _Zink_, and this _Zink_ may
properly be called a fusile Lapis Calaminaris; for as much as both
of them partake of one nature. But with _Zink_, there is most an end
conjoined Lead too, and then it is not fit to make Brass of, unless
the Lead be first taken thereoutof; so it is at _Goslaria_, where
together with the Minera or Ore of _Zink_ is Lead also digg’d out mixt
amongst it, and is called a Lead Ore, though there be contained in
that Ore, four times more of Zink than there is of Lead, and yet they
burn up the Zink for to have the Lead, which Lead hath some Silver in
it. In the melting it flies away in fume, and it is a volatile and
combustible Mineral, and sublimes it self up into the holes of the
Furnace, whereupon the Melters or Founders are constrained to knock
it off frequently, least it should too much lessen the Furnace; this
matter they knock off, they call Calmei (which is Lapis Calaminaris)
and which turns red Copper into Brass, with encrease (of its weight);
and so verily by means of the not-knowing or being skill’d in this Ore,
a great quantity is yearly burnt up and lost. Sometimes the founders
do gather somewhat of the Zink, which is most excellently excellent;
but that Ore might be melted with far greater profit, if they did not
so burn up the Zink, and force it into fume, but seeing men are hardly
drawn back from an old custom, it must be born with.
But yet (I say again) if that Ore were handled in a due manner, there
would redound far greater profit thencefrom than now doth. Such a kind
of Mineral as this is doth Westphalia also yield, which the founders
there accompt for a Leaden Ore, because it has some load mixed with it,
but when it comes to be freed or molten it goes (all) away in fume, and
therefore they say, it is also a Calmei or Calaminaris Ore, and so it
lies unused.
_Of =Calmei= or =Lapis Calaminaris=._
_Calmei_ Ore is digged out in many places in _Germany_, but there is
none of such note as that which is found at _Aquisgrane_, for that is
wholly void of all kind of Leadyness, and much different from that of
_Goslaria_, or _Westphalia_; and therefore it is also very fit to make
Brass of, which is there made in plenty, and farther, this has Gold in
it, though not so much as to quit the Costs of separating it. But there
is no Mineral richer with Gold than this, and could it but be ripened
(and I doubt not at all of the possibility of so doing) a good deal of
Gold might be drawn out from thence.
As concerning what else may be performed with that Mineral, I have
formerly told you in my First and Second Part of Furnaces, nor is it
needful to treat of the same thing more at large in this place.
_Of Common_ Sulphur.
_Sulphur_ or _Brimstone_ is the most known, most used, and most
combustible Mineral of all. As touching its uses in Medicine, and
in Alchimy, about the separation of Metals; may you find something
mentioned by my self, in the writings I formerly published, and in the
writings of others too.
But at present we will only mind you of this, _viz._ That it is the
very Foundation and Root of all the Metals; for tis rare to find any
mine wherein _Sulphur_ does not shew it self. Very many places in the
World, is _Sulphur_ both made and digged out of the Earth, in very
great quantity, & that chiefly in _Island_, and in _Italy_, nigh to
those always burning Mountains, _Heckla_ and _Vesuvius_; it is also
drawn out of Marchasites _per Descensum_ in many places of _Germany_,
so that enough of it may every where be had for a little money.
These are the chiefest Minerals that I ever knew of, and these are they
which are commonly sought after, and applied to use. But now, besides
these, there are so many various kinds of Fossiles and Minerals to be
met withal, that one cannot reckon them all up, or give them peculiar
Names. One contains Sulphur, and Arsenick, another, Cobolt and Sulphur;
another Antimony, and Arsenick, and of that kind are there very many
more. But yet those that we have reckoned up, are the most known, and
most in use, and therefore shall at present be sufficient for us to
speak of.
Having now taught what Minerals are, and which of them are most known &
used; I will now teach, in the next place, by what means they may (by
the help of Salt-petre, & of other Subjects) be fixed, concentrated,
imbodied, or brought into Metals, so as to be rendred profitable for
the use of Mankind, and which otherwise lie every where to and again
neglected and, are wont to be of no esteem.
And as to the Concentration of Minerals, thus stands the Case with
them; they are either to be fixed & subdued, as ’twere by the help of
Salt-petre, that so they may not so suddenly fly away in fume in the
fire, and be burnt up, but may abide the fire and suffer themselves to
be molten; or they are to be reduced into bodies by the help of Metals,
that so they may come in use, and that by augmenting the Metals, as
Lapis Calaminaris does, or they are to be purifyed, separated, and made
better, as shall be mentioned of _Sulphur_, _Antimony_, and the others,
that so those kind of Minerals of which there lies to and again, at
present, great quantities, wholly neglected, and profitable to no body,
may hereafter be of use and benefit.
And first of all, as to the fixation of the Minerals, the way of
proceeding is thus, _viz._ The Mineral is to be powdered, and to be
mixt with equal weight of burning Salt-petre, and so to be fired, that
the combustible and volatile part of the _Sulphur_ may be forc’d away,
and the Mineral may afterwards brook the fire the better, and be molten
and forced downwards (_per descensum_); which operation I have treated
of in the explication of my _Miraculum Mundi_, and therefore think it
needless to repeat the same thing again here. By this mean therefore
may _Arsenick_, _Auripigment_, _Cobolt_, _Zink_, _Bismute_, and other
Volatile Minerals be in some sort fixt by the inflaming and burning
up with Salt-petre, so as afterwards to endure the fire, and to yield
forth the good they have in them. There’s also another way of imbodying
Volatile Minerals, _viz._ by the benefit of Metals; if the Metals and
Minerals are joined together in a due measure, and be likewise united
together by the virtue of a Cementing fire; then doth the volatile
Mineral penetrate it self into the Metal, and becomes Metalline,
and doth also encrease the Metal, as is evident in Calmei or Lapis
Calaminaris, which being joined with red Copper and cemented, enters
into it, augments and encreaseth it, and turneth it into Brass; whereas
there cannot be any Metal educed out of the Calmei by the usual way of
melting. In like manner may all Arsenical minerals be (by cementation)
introduced into Copper, & made corporeal; and these do not colour the
Copper yellow as Calmei doth, but make it white, nor is the Copper
rendred maleable thereby but britle; but yet ’tis not without profit;
for if that white Copper be handled after a convenient manner of
taming or over-mastering it, then the Gold and Silver that was in the
Arsenick, betakes its self into Regulus’s, which are to be depurated in
a Test or Cupel, or else by the help of Salt-petre; but there cannot
any metalline body be made out of Arsenick, Auripigment, or Cobolt, by
bare melting. The way of proceeding with it is thus; The Copper is to
be cut into small bits, and to be moistned over with _Linseed_ Oil,
and the Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt or any other Realgar is to be
powdered and strewed thereupon, and so a bed of Copper, and a bed of
Arsenick to be put one a top of another in a melting Pot; then the Pot
is to be well covered and fenced with Lute, and placed in a circulatory
fire, and the fire is to be put nearer and nearer to it, until the
Pot is through red hot, then let it cool, and you shall find that the
Arsenick hath gotten ingress into the Copper, and makes it black and
brittle. The Copper thus burnt, may be reduced into powder, and burnt
with good Salt-petre, whereby the Volatile Gold and Silver which was
contained in the Arsenick, is made corporeal, and abides as constant
upon the Test as other fixt Metals do; so that by this means permanent
and good Gold and Silver may be gotten out of every sort of Arsenick,
Auripigment, Cobolt, and the other volatile, venomous and base minerals.
NB. This kind of operation is very dangerous to those that are
unskilful, and who being unversed in the Chymick Art, have not learned
to take heed to themselves. And therefore it behoves every one to
beware of doing ought rashly or heedlesly. He that knows not how to
carry himself (or his business) warily, let him forbear to meddle at
all with this labour or process: But as for one who is better versed,
and pretty well experienc’d, he may set about this work safely and will
gain by it: Because there is oftentimes found Arsenick and Auripigment
that hath in it much hidden volatile Gold and Silver, and which cannot
be retained in the common way of melting by Fire, but will totally fly
away: But now if it be imprinted in the Copper by Cementation, and
fixt in the same by Salt-petre, and then precipitated by means of Lead
or Iron into Regulus’s, it will render all that fixt which afore was
unfixt and flying. But as concerning such a Cementation and Fixation to
be done by Nitre, will be manifested by the following process.
NB. But you are carefully to observe, that one mineral must help
another in the separation of their Gold and Silver (if you would
undertake this Labour for profit): For so each will produce what it
has in more abundance, and thou wilt have a greater reward for thy
pains and costs. For example, I prove and try Auripigment or Arsenick,
and find that it is auriferous, and I have a mind to perfect it and
turn it unto my use; hereupon do I look for such Copper as is likewise
auriferous, (and indeed there’s plenty enough of such every where):
Into this Copper do I introduce my auriferous Arsenick by Cementation,
and that I may not need to cupellate (or blow off) the same upon a Test
(for the very Labour of so doing will cost more than the gains will
be of that separation) I do precipitate the Gold that is therein into
a Regulus, which Regulus being purified, I obtain the Gold that was
contained in that Arsenick and Copper, neither is there any need of
cupellating all the Copper. But that the precipitation of the Regulus
may be the more commodiously done, I proceed on this wise. I find out
some Antimony of a good sort, and which is of a Golden nature; likewise
such Iron as hath Gold in it, both which, _viz._ the Iron and the
Antimony, may easily be gotten, and then I set on the separation which
I thus institute.
First of all I implant the auriferous Arsenick into the auriferous
Copper (if such may be had) then reduce I these into powder, and fire
them with an equal admixt weight of burning Salt-petre; by this means
the Arsenick is made a little more fixt, and suffers it self to be the
better dealt withal in the fire, but if you are well skilled in this
kind of labour you may spare your Salt-petre and may melt down your
Copper (burnt with the Arsenick and powdered) with an equal weight of
Antimony. And if of its own accord it lets fall a Regulus out of it
self, then there needs no precipitation, the Regulus may be laid by,
and that which remains may be likewise precipitated into a Regulus with
common Iron; and this (last Regulus) is also of use, as shall hereafter
follow: But if not (that no Regulus falls) then that Mass may again be
put into a Crucible, be molten, and a little Iron filings be cast in
to make it settle; the which must be stirr’d about with a red hot Iron
rod, and when it’s well molten, ’tis to be poured out into an Iron
Cone; which being cool, the Regulus may be knockt off, in which Regulus
will you have the Gold that was in the Arsenick, Copper, Antimony
and Iron. This Regulus must be cupellated either by Salt-petre in a
Crucible, or with Lead upon a Test; which done, you will have the Gold
that lay hid, and shut up in the afore-mentioned Minerals.
But now, if one hath a mind to make that separation yet more
compendious, and to have greater benefit thereby, he may add to that
Copper burnt by the Arsenick, some Silver burnt with Brimstone, and
so melt it with the Antimony, and by the means of _Mars_ precipitate
them into a Regulus, then the Silver will so much the better draw to
it self the Gold out of the Arsenick and Antimony, and yield (in the
separation) greater benefit.
NB. If so be a man be not skilful in this operation, let him forbear
his Silver a little, and add some Silver to the Regulus by melting
them, and then afterwards purifie the Regulus by Salt-petre; for so the
Gold that is in the Regulus associates its self to the adjoined Silver,
and inricheth it with no little increase, _viz._ according as the
Minerals have had more or less Silver, in the making their separation.
And this is such a work as seems sufficiently able commodiously to
sustain life; but it requires an experienced Artist, not a giddy headed
fellow. Neither have I written this process for those who are not as
yet well versed in Pyrotechny, but for such who are well skill’d and
dexterous; and although this kind of operation needs no great store
of Art, yet notwithstanding, every one will not rightly perfect it,
and therefore do I warn such as are not well skill’d in Pyrotechny
to desist from this labour, and betake themselves to some other, and
set themselves about doing such things in which haply they are better
skill’d, and not to lay the blame on me, when they are frustrated of
their expectation, as if I had not dealt faithfully and sincerely in
my writing, but let them rather impute it to their own preposterous
rashness and unskilfulness; and what loss soever they bring upon
themselves, let them impute it only to their own (misconceptions).
To deal plainly with you, that labour is conjoyned with some
difficulty; but yet if any one be diligent and well exercised in the
Pyrotechnical Art, the operation will succeed in such an ones hands
very pleasantly; nor will he want a worthy profit, especially if he
takes such Minerals as are richest, and use them about this separation.
But some perhaps will say, Whence shall I have those so good Minerals?
Who demonstrates to me, which are auriferous, and which are not
auriferous, which are good, and which are to be rejected, that so least
being deluded in this, I should lose all my labour? I would have such
a one know, that if he has not gotten so much skill and experience as
to prove a Mineral, whether it be auriferous, or not, he is not at all
fit to take upon him this Labour of separation, and he were far better
advised, if he wholly abstained from setting about it. But yet that I
may not omit ought which may seem to be desired from me, I will over
and above add here in this place, what way Minerals may be proved by,
whether they be auriferous or not, and ’tis on this wise to be done;
all Realgars, as Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt, and others of that
kind, are first of all to be implanted into Copper by cementation,
then are they to be molten, or throughly purged and subdued with Lead
(like as you do with a crude Mineral); after this, there comes out a
certain little silvery Pellet, and this you are to prove as you would
for Gold. Now according to the moreness or lessness of the same, so is
the business to be ordered, and compute to be made, whether or no the
said Mineral is worth the pains of separation as aforesaid. Likewise
the Copper it self may be cupellated with Lead alone, and then the
remaining silver Pellet be proved for the Gold, with Aqua-Fortis;
but as for the Antimony, and Iron, they may be well melted jointly
together in a Test under a Cover or Muffel, or in a clean Crucible in a
Wind Furnace, with this observation, that there be used twice as much
Antimony as Iron, and so a Regulus will settle, which is to be purged
or tried with Lead in a Test, and kept flowing till all the fugacious
parts are evaporated, which done, there is found a silver Pellet, which
is to be proved with Aqua-fortis, how much Gold it has.
NB. This probation, or trial is to be accounted of as a certain and
lawful trial, but such though as you may easily err in the doing of,
and so may have nothing, though it had in it a good part of Gold; for
the Antimony will not easily suffer it self to be vanquished, or go
off, but it will break the Test, or Cupel, and the little Pellet which
is the probatory Globulus betakes it self (by reason of the fierceness,
or eating penetrativeness into the Test) so that the Proba or trial
it self, may most easily become fallacious, and yield no certain
discovery. Which to remedy, the business is to be thus managed, after
that your two parts of Antimony shall have been well melted in the
Crucible, with your one part of Iron, there must be put thereinto a
little dried Salt-petre powder, and the Pot, or Crucible must again be
covered over, and care taken to make them melt well together; then are
they to be poured out into an Iron Cone first smeared over with Wax,
and when ’tis cold, the Regulus is to be knockt off from the Scoria,
to which must be added twice or thrice the weight thereof of Lead,
and the Regulus of the Antimony doth in the melting-pot separate it
self by Salt-petre from the Lead, and the Lead is to be afterwards
cupellated, and so that goes all off, and the true weight is had. But
albeit, that this description be clearly enough delivered, yet certain
I am, that one in ten will not understand it aright, and therefore it
is behoveful, more fully to inform, and clearly to shew the Reduction
of that Regulus into scoria by Salt-petre. To make this trial or proof
’tis not needful to take a huge vast pot to fill with Iron, ’tis
sufficient to take of Iron 100 _l._ of the smaller probatory weight,
and 200 _l._ of Antimony, both which are to be molten together, and
to be precipitated with a little Salt-petre, for so the Regulus doth
the better separate it self from the scoria’s, the which is then to
be washt and purified by Lead and Salt-petre. This Regulus that comes
from the Antimony and Iron, put with three times its weight of Lead in
a clean Crucible, and make them well to flow in a wind Furnace, but
cover your pot close that no Coals fall in, and so hinder the work,
then take off the cover and throw in a little powdered Salt-petre, and
again cover the Crucible, and above all things have a care that there
fall not in any Coals, and let them lie and operate a little upon each
other, then the Salt-petre imbibes all the Antimony, Iron, and Lead,
and thereby becomes hard. This being done, some more Salt-petre is to
be again cast in, and you must make them flow together, and so all the
whole parcel of Antimony, Iron, and Lead, betake themselves into the
Salt-petre, and pass into scoria, but part of the Lead remains whole
or free, and is not scorified, and therein will the Gold be, which the
Antimony and Iron had immixed in them, which if it be blown off on a
probatory Cupel, or Test, under a Muffel, there will then remain the
true weight.
NB. But it is expedient, that there be a just proportion observed
in this kind of Work, that you take not overmuch Salt-petre to this
ablution, or converting it into scoria, and so bring all the Lead
into scoria, but the business is so to be managed, that there be left
remaining one third part at least, of those three parts of Lead you
took, which is not reduced into scoria with the Antimony; then may it
be poured out into a Cone, and when ’tis cool, the Regulus is to be
knockt off from the scoria, and Cupellated.
NB. He that is minded to wash Metals after this manner by the help of
Salt-petre, and to reduce them into scoria, must have an especial care
that not a Coal falls into the Crucible, for they will much hurt, and
will again precipitate them, which the Salt-petre hath already imbibed,
and so render the operation invalid. Besides, it is worth the while to
admonish, and tell you that all Arsenick, and Antimony is auriferous,
but yet so, as that one sort is richer than another, and that abundance
of Copper and Iron hath likewise in it Gold, which no body finds out,
nor can it be separated by that old beaten way of Cupellating it with
Lead. But some, or other might here say, Where shall I find Arsenick,
Antimony, Copper, and Iron, which have Gold in them? Had they any thing
of worth in them, others would doubtlesly have extracted it, and not
have suffered it to come to my hands whole and sound? To satisfie such
an one, I answer thus, tho’ those that work on the Metals, do for the
most part know, that there is in Arsenick and Antimony, a Volatile
Gold, yet know they not how to extract it thencefrom with profit, for
the separating way they take would cost more than the Gold they should
have would yield, because (according to their usual way and custom
of working) all of it would vanish away with fume. And this is to be
understood of Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt, and Antimony, all which
may (by the way we have here mentioned) be tamed and introduced into
Copper, and be made permanent and fixt.
But now, that there should sometimes be Gold implanted, naturally in
Copper, and should there also be left remaining untoucht, is so done on
this account, because there is not in it so much as to pay the Costs
of the separating it by Lead (for verily the Cupellating it with Lead
on a Test, requires great expences.) This is the reason why Gold lies
immixed in the Copper oftentimes, and cannot be thence extracted with
profit.
The same is to be understood of Iron, for a Vein of Iron doth
oftentimes offer it self, which is very much impregnated with the more
precious Metals, and yet no body either knows, or observes it. For the
Ore of Iron is for the most part wont to be forced out by unskilful
Men who have no care at all of the Gold, but only of such an Ore as
contains a good portion of good and malleable Iron; and suppose they
did certainly know, that there were in 100 _l._ of Iron, some Lots of
Gold, by what means (I pray) would they extract it thencefrom? For
Iron cannot be dealt withal by Cupellation on the Test, much less can
it be separated (as Copper is) by the means of Lead; so that there’s
no reason for any one to wonder that there are so few to be found,
that promise themselves, or seek after much good out of Iron, seeing
it is not so apt a Subject to be separated, and subdued as Copper
is. But by the help of Arsenick, Auripigment, or Antimony, ’tis no
difficult matter to tame, and bring it under, so as to make it yield
forth what it has: And ’tis thus. This Iron, which is auriferous, may
first be cemented with Arsenick, as we have afore taught of doing so
with Copper, then is it to be precipitated into Regulus’s by means of
Antimony, which Reguli being imbued, or mixed with Lead, and reduced by
Salt-petre into scoria, and cupellated, the Gold doth at last offer it
self (which was hidden in the Minerals, or Ores, and so despised) and
that with no contemptible profit. But now if any hath a mind to have
the business yet more perfect, he may instead of Lead, add some Gold,
and then reduce the Regulus into scoria’s, by Salt-petre, and abstract
it from the Gold; for so the Gold you put thereto doth the better hold
that other Gold which it has attracted out of the Regulus, and there
is made a much more plentiful encrease, than if the Regulus had been
scorified upon Lead. Nor are the scoria to be thrown away, but they
may be precipitated by throwing in live Coals, whereby the Salt-petre
doth again let fall the Regulus which it hath swallowed up, and which
Regulus you may separate from the dross when ’tis cold. This Regulus
may be afterwards commodiously used in other Metalick Operations, that
so it may yield anew out of it self the Gold; concerning which business
there will a place fall in to speak of by and by. And besides, those
drossy Offals (which for the gratest part are fixt Salt-petre) are
also of good worth, which may be reserved for the subsequent Metallick
Operation, which may be stiled a perpetual Metallick-working artifice;
so that there is nothing at all wasted, but all things are of use. And
this way of the separation of Metals is so very profitable, as that any
one may get himself sufficient gain for to supply the necessities of
Life. But if you have no fansie to meddle with Arsenick, or Auripigment
and would willingly shun them by reason of their poisonous nature,
they may even be omitted, and you may cement that auriferous Iron,
with the Golden Marchasite, melt it with Antimony, and precipitate it
into Regulus’s. For even by this means too, the Gold that was in the
Marchasite, is brought in use, and yields an increase to that Gold
which is extracted out of the Iron and Antimony. But if so be there be
no Golden Marchasite to be gotten, that separation may be ordered, even
with Iron and Antimony, and if the Iron be but auriferous, the Labour
will not be without profit.
This kind of separation or eduction of Gold out of the volatile
Minerals, and baser Metals will be an egregious aid or benefit to such
as have learned rightly to operate in the Fire, and whom (otherwise) a
grievous want of things and small estate afflicts; for there is enough
of the aforesaid Minerals, every where obvious, but they cannot be well
handled, or wrought upon by reason of their unfixedness and immaturity,
and therefore do they lie neglected and as it were wholly useless, and
are not made beneficial to any. I know that some do well understand
the way of fixing Cobolt, and Bismuth by Salt-petre, and do thence get
an abundance of Silver; and likewise there are some that know how to
tame and subdue Arsenical Realgars by the help of Salt-petre, so that
they suffer themselves to be molten, and yield forth their hidden Gold
and Silver. But he that shall so manage the business as to adjoin
thereto the auriferous imperfect Metals, such an one will make a more
successful work thereof; especially if he gets himself some auriferous
Iron, the which he may get for a small matter: And besides, if he makes
his Salt-petre himself, then all that whole operation of fixing or
separating the volatile Minerals would be done with very little costs,
and yield much gain.
NB. But now if any one would yet get more profit by this separatory
operation, then he must contrive the doing it not in Crucibles or Pots,
but in hearths (or furnaces) where a great heap of the volatile Mineral
may by fixing Nitre melt together, and be precipitated into Regulus:
then the Regulus may be separated from the Scoria, and be depurated by
Nitre in other Furnaces, and be fitted for use; and so by this means
may there be so much gain gotten, the like whereof, the great heaps of
Ores which Men are necessitated to dig out of the bowels of the Earth
with so much expence and charges, will scarce afford.
Likewise all Minerals may by the help of Salt-petre be fixed by the
moist way, so as to yield permanent Gold and Silver; whereby (without
doubt) full as much, if not more, is obtained, as is by the dry way.
The way of operating is this. Dissolve a volatile Mineral, be it
Cobolt, or Zink, Wismuth, Calmei, Arsenick, Auripigment, or any other
the like mineral, in a strong _Aqua-fortis_; the solution being made,
separate the _Aqua-fortis_ again; then shall you have remaining a white
Calx, which is fixed by the virtue of the _Aqua-fortis_: So that now
it will admit of being molten with Lead, of being separated from the
Scoria, and of being cupellated. But he that knows how to melt that
Calx with Antimony and to precipitate it with auriferous Copper and
Iron, gets more Gold than by that operation with Lead. But haply, every
one can’t perform that separation; for the excoction or melting, the
reduction into Scoria, and Cupellating upon the Test, are operations
more known and easier to be done.
Moreover, there are also some Minerals, which may be fixed with the
moist fire, that is, with a most strong _Aq. fortis_, so as to
yield their Gold and Silver in the _Scoria_, but especially Tin,
Quick-silver, and Lead: If a vehemently-strong _Aq. fortis_ be but once
abstracted from Tin, it makes it so fixt, as that it will not fly away
in the greatest Fire, but will melt into a white Glass. But now, if you
would have it to yield forth its Gold, you must melt other Metals with
it, into which the Gold may insinuate it self, and be made corporeal,
such as are Silver and Lead. Lead, if it be dissolved in _Aq. fortis_,
and precipitated by Urine, it gets such a hardness, that it will scarce
melt in a Crucible; if you precipitate it with a Lixivium, it becomes
glassy; if with Salt-water, it is rendered exceedingly volatile;
for common Salt makes all Metals volatile, and on the other hand,
Nitre fixeth them both by the moist and by the dry way, binds them,
and constrains them to abide in the Fire; and this you are to know
aforehand. Now, for the better confirmation of this thing, see how
easily the common Mercury is made to abide the fire, if _Aq. fortis_
shall have been several times drawn off therefrom, insomuch that it
will suffer it self to be made wholly red-hot. But now, if the same be
sublimed with Spirit of Salt, it becomes more and more volatile, so
amongst all Salts there’s not one that fixeth Minerals, save this most
noble Nitre, and this hath a natural aptness to do it both by the moist
and dry way, as hath been even now demonstrated.
And verily, this way of fixing the imperfect Metals (which is done by
the help of Nitre, by either the moist or dry way) is to be preferred
far before that which is done only with a Fire of Wood, not barely on
this account, because it is sooner and speedilier performed, but for
this reason too, because it fixeth better and more durably: For if any
one shall endeavour to make _Arsenick_, _Cobolt_, or other volatile
Minerals, permanent or fixt, by the bare force of common fire, How
much time, I pray, must he allow it? Haply it will require some months
for this kind of Work, if not a whole year, yet at least half a year
’twill need; whereas by the means of Nitre it may be done in one or two
daies: For if a volatile Mineral be mixed with Nitre, do fulminate,
and be edulcorated, and that fulmination be repeated 3 or 4 times, it
will afterwards endure a sufficiently-vehement melting Fire. Or if a
Mineral be only dissolved in _Aq. fort._ and that _Aq. fort._ again
drawn off therefrom, it will even by this means be rendered fixt and
constant in the Fire; so great is the force and virtue that lies hid in
Salt-petre: And this the ancient Philosophers well knew, and therefore
said that the most vehement fire of all was to be used to the fixation
of volatile Minerals; and this fire is hid only in Nitre, and is no
where else to be found; for the Central Fire hath too soon withdrawn
it self from the volatile Minerals and baser Metals, and left them
unripe, and they can be advanced to a maturity, both by our common
Wood-fire, and by the fire of Salt-petre, and be fixed. And now I
suppose that I have more than sufficiently proved, by what I have said,
That Salt-petre fixeth Minerals and Metals, both by the dry and moist
way; nor can any one reasonably deny the same. Moreover, I judge it
not fit to pass this too over in silence, _viz._ That Salt-petre doth
likewise make volatile, not only the unripe Minerals, but also the fixt
Metals themselves; so as that they suffer themselves to be sublimed
and destilled wholly (like common Sulphur or Mercury) save the fæces,
which are somewhat blackish and stay behind. Any understanding man
may easily consider here what benefit is to be hoped for from such a
Destillation of Metals; for seeing that all things are by destillation
brought to the highest purity (as is clearly evident) it may well be
concluded, that when in impure metals the pure parts are separated from
the impure, something of excellency must therefrom proceed. I will say
no more of this matter at present, for I have already clearly enough
demonstrated and plainly enough delivered this kind of destillation or
purification of metals, in the third part of my _Spagyr. Pharmacop._
and have there shewn, that every imperfect metal, if it shall be
destilled, yields volatile Gold, and that that volatile Gold may be
made corporeal, without almost any Cost in a particular way, (and
haply also in a universal, which I confess I have not as yet proved)
thither therefore referr I the studious Reader of Hermetick and truly
Philosophical _Arcana_ and Secrets.
But that the difference of those waies of fixing or concentrating the
volatile Minerals, and likewise the imperfect Metals, may rightly
be perceived and laid open, and that it may appear how much more
compendious and easie that way which is done by Nitre is than that
which is done with common fire; it will be a good help to set down here
some process for an example, by which it will be manifest how laborious
this way of doing it barely with Wood is, and contrarily how easie that
way of doing it by the moist Fire of Nitre is.
It is impossible to fix _Arsenick_, _Auripigment_, _Cobolt_, and
such-like as these without the help of Saltpetre, unless they are
first introduced into other metallick bodies, and are together with
them, burnt with a Fire of Coals, and reduced into Ashes, and turned
into Scoria, and wholly destroyed, and then at last reduced again
into a metalline form, by the force of the intense fire of a Blast or
Bellows: All which, that they may be dexterously performed, you must
proceed on this manner, as followeth.
First of all, the _Cobalt_, _Arsenick_, or any Realgar like these, that
is auriferous, is to be introduced into Copper or Iron by cementation,
in the way that we have aforementioned; then the Copper or Iron thus
cemented with the Realgars, is to be reduced into fine powder, and to
be commixed with Antimony, Calmei, or Calaminaris, the Marchasite, and
such order is to be taken, (if for Gains sake you would do a greater
heap of matter) to have them slowly and by little and little made
red-hot in Furnaces or Ovens, such as in which the flame may have room
to play, and as’twere brandish it self at top of the matters, and stir
them, and so let them be calcined and burnt into ashes, until they emit
no more fume, and this will be in some few daies; then are they to be
reduced in a convenient Furnace, and restored to their metalline form;
then again must they be put into the former Oven, and there be calcined
and burnt into ashes, still stirring them to and fro, and the ashes are
to be reduced, by the vehement Blast of Bellows, and this ashifying and
reduction is to be so long repeated, till there be a Regulus found in
the reduction, and all the residue turns into unprofitable Scoria. This
Regulus then is to be reduced on a Test into Scoria, and the Regulus
being cupellated, the Gold and Silver which the volatile Minerals
contained in them, doth shew it self.
NB. Altho’ this reparation is attended on with indifferent labour, yet
notwithstanding (if there be a great quantity of matter dealt in) it
is also gainful, especially where Minerals and Coals are to be had for
a small price, and also the other imperfect metals (as Lead, Copper,
and the like) that concurr in this kind of Operation; by which it also
comes to pass, that there is a greater quantity of Gold and Silver
extracted. For example, I burn Copper or Iron with Arsenick, Cobolt,
and other poisonous volatile Realgars, or with bare Calmei only, which
also avails to constringe or bind fast; with these I mix Antimony,
Bismuth, Zink, and Lead, and melt them together: Hence ariseth a
brittle mass, which is to be reduced into ashes, either in Ovens, as is
already afore-shewed, with the flame of Wood, which darts it self at
top of that mixt matter, and by heating ripens it, or by live Coals in
a peculiar Furnace, and that on this wise: Let there be built a great
or small Furnace, (of good Bricks or Tiles that will endure the Fire)
according to the quantity of your matter which you take to prepare,
let it be at least a foot over in the inside: in the forepart let it
be open a foots heighth from the Pavement or Ground, to this end,
that the Grate may be put in and taken out, as need is. Then some 2
or 3 foot higher than the Grate, let a door be made, whereby you may
throw in the Coals, and above or at top of the Furnace are to be made
Chimneys, fitted to receive and condense the fume of the metal, that
it may not fly into the air, but being there cool’d, may be taken out.
All this being done, fill the Furnace with Coals, and when they are
well kindled, cast in a portion of your metalline mixture, which will
quickly melt, and being melted, will run through the fiery Coals, and
still keep fuming, and elevate it self up into the appointed Chimneys;
that which melts down through the Coals and Grates, and is in the
form of metal under the Furnace, (which bottom must be made somewhat
shelving), that the metal which falls down may run into a hole or pit,
is to be taken up with an Iron Spoon, and again thrown in upon the
Coals, and this is to be so often repeated, and so long, till all your
whole mixture be burnt into ashes, or carried up in fume, and so shall
be ashified and sublimed in the appointed Tunnels or Chimneys, which
Flores or metalline Fumes you must take and reduce them in a reducing
Furnace, so part of them will pass into a fusile Metal, but brittle.
This Metal now must be again ashify’d in that roasting or burning
Furnace, and be reduced by blast of Bellows; and this ashifying and
reduction is to be so often repeated, till all be seen turned into
Dross or Glass; which Dross or Scorias are then to be reduced with the
most vehement blast of Bellows, and so they will produce a Regulus
which is to be cupellated with Lead, as is abovesaid.
NB. But if so be that of the last-made Scoria a Regulus cannot be made
by the blast of the Bellows, and that the Scoria remain Scoria, ’tis
a sign that you have taken too much Tin, or that your Fire hath been
too intense; and therefore you must take such Scoria, and beat them to
powder, and mix them with a little of either the fluid Ore of Lead,
or Spume thereof, and make them flow in a reducing Furnace, then the
Lead draws the Gold and Silver out of the Scoria, which may afterwards
be cupellated. But as concerning the manner of making the roasting or
ashifying Furnace, as likewise the fusing or reducing Furnace, I cannot
indeed at present here decipher it, but I will do it in the Third Part
following, where more such-like concentrations of Metals shall be
mentioned and treated of. And farther, the well-minded Reader must also
know, that this kind of Concentration is not at all written for those
that are as yet wholly ignorant of the Art of melting metals, but for
such only as have already sweated at the Fire, and have been often and
much versed in such Separations or Liquefactions.
I question not, but there will be many that will despise this my way
of operating, and count it an impossible thing, such are to be left
to please themselves with their own fancies. But withal, some will
be found, to whom the nature of metals is known, and these will give
credit to what I say, and will abundantly profit themselves, especially
in those places where Minerals, Coals, and other things requisite
are to be had for a small price. The greatest Expence in this way of
Concentration is the Coals, which too cannot be any thing much in those
places where there are such vast Woods. Every one may have his liberty
to try it or let it alone.
NB. But I do openly affirm, that if so be any one shall know how
rightly to handle and manage this Work, it may be compared with the
perpetual or alwaies-lasting mines; and where minerals may be had, it
will be most gainful; but I will not perswade any to attempt it in
those Coasts where all things are dear. Nor do I think it amiss to
disswade them that have no experience in these kind of Operations,
lest upon the ill management of the Operation, the effect should not
succeed so luckily as they hoped for, and that then they should lay
the blame upon me. That which I have at present written, is agreeable
to the Truth, and may be successfully and gainfully performed by an
experienced Artist or Laborator: And therefore as I have afore warned,
so do I again advise the unexpert to abstain from this Work, unless he
means to lose his Labour and Expences.
Such things as I have here omitted for brevities sake to speak of the
_Concentration of Metals_, the Third and Fourth Part shall abundantly
declare; but whoever he be that shall know how to bring to pass such a
Concentration, either by the means of Salt-petre, by the dry way of a
flame, or the moist way, by the help of _Aq. fort._ shall have a better
effect than he that useth the Fire of Wood; but on the other hand, this
Fire by Wood is of less Cost than the administration of the Work of
Salt-petre is. Alas! What a deal of costs and labours have I bestowed
in my life, in searching out and trying those kind of businesses, and
having now brought it to this pass, as to be able to yield me the
Reward of my Pains, I am not able to manage so vehement a fire, and
to order the matters which require so great an heat? Therefore do I
now with a willing mind make an offer of these my Experiments, to
those who are of a vigorous age, and have Bodies capable of undergoing
the toiling in the Fire. But that I may return to the things afore
spoken of, and that that ashifying and reduction may not seem to the
unexperienc’d altogether impossible and incredible, I will for their
sakes bring undeniable Reasons or Arguments, whereby it shall be
sufficiently enough evidenced, that such a cineration or turning into
Scoria, hath its foundation in Nature, and that after this manner:
Whosoever he be that hath seen or experienced somewhat in metals,
knows, that the separation of the more excellent metals from the more
vile, is to be done by the benefit of the Fire: for if so be that Gold,
Silver, Copper, Iron, Lead, Tin, should be melted together into one
mass, and you would separate them by the Fire the one from the other;
this cannot be done any other way, but by adding to that mixture some
other adventitious and destructive thing whereby the baser metals may
be dissipated and deprived of their metallick form, of which sort is
common Sulphur and such-like; for this works first on the imperfect
metals, destroys them, or brings them into scoria and dross, which
when they are so, and no more metals, they have no communion with
metals, nor desire or love to be commixt with them afterwards: and by
how much the more sulphureity there is in Metals, so much the easier
doth common _Sulphur_ destroy them and turn them into Scoria: But, by
how much the nobler the metals shall be, so much the less detriment
doth _Sulphur_ bring upon them, and the less able is it to disturb (or
alter) them. But besides, _Sulphur_ does not only do this, but even
the Fire, and Salt-petre both in the moist and in the dry way. It is
done with _Sulphur_, if the metallick mixture be granulated and burnt
therewithal, or that it be despoiled of the metalline Nature, then must
it be molten and by precipitation be driven or be separated into divers
Regulus’s. For the _Sulphur_ converts the _Mass_ into Scoria, which
when they are molten, that which in them is the most noble doth always
separate it self from the Scoria, and settle to the bottom; then next
the most noble part comes other which is excellent, but yet short of
the former, and so consequently it descends from one degree to another,
as from Gold to Silver, from Silver to Lead, from this to Copper, from
Copper to Iron, _&c._ as hath been by my formerly described separatory
Art sufficiently enough shewn. But Nitre performs the separations it
makes in a different manner: For after that the metallick _Mass_ is
molten in a Crucible, and that this (_viz._ Nitre) hath been thereinto
put, it doth in the first place set upon the sulphureous part, and
turns that into Scoria, then the baser Metal, and thus it does on,
so long till it hath attracted all the imperfect Metals to it self,
and reduced them into Scoria: and so the perfect Metals remain alone,
pure; which order or governance of Operation, is also to an again,
extant in my Writings.
Again, the bare fire is wont to keep another different way of
destroying and scorifying Metals, than Sulphur and Nitre do.
For if a Metalline mixture be put in the fire, the more imperfect part
thereof is consumed in the first place, and driven into ashes, the more
excellent part gathers up it self into a globular form; and as long as
it finds any consumable thing therein, so long does it work and act
thereupon, nor leaves it off afore it hath reduced all into ashes. But
that part which is of a constant and durable nature, remains unhurt
by the fire; but yet if the combustible part be too much bigger in
bulk than the abideing part, it does not only carry away with it the
silver, but sometimes also a good part of the Gold, and brings it into
ashes. And now, if those ashes shall be molten with a strong fire, then
the ashes which arise out of the imperfect Metals, are turned into
Glass, or scoria, but the ashes of the perfect Metals do reduce, and
restore themselves into a malleable Body, whether it be Silver or Gold,
according as it had this or that Metalline mixture in it; and if you
proceed yet farther, with melting the aforesaid scoria in the fire,
there will a new Regulus fall out, which contains in it that Metal,
which is the noblest next Gold and Silver, _viz._ Lead, and Copper;
the Tin, and Iron do for the most part abide in the scoria: Even as
it is in Cupellation, or the separation of the Metals by the Cupel,
the separation is there also done, by the bare fire only, and when
the fire acts upon the mixture, it reduceth the Lead into scoria, or
spume, or Litharge, and while this is reduced thus, it spares not the
Tin, Iron, or Copper, forasmuch as they are likewise combustible, and
of affinity thereto, but turns these together also into scoria, which
said scoria do then creep, or sink into that penetrable, and porous
Cineritious Vessel, or Test, as long as any of it remains: But the Gold
and Silver which know not how to be thus burnt up into scoria or ashes,
like the other imperfect Metals are left depured and cleansed upon the
Cupel: The like also, is to be judged of the aforesaid incineration
of Volatile Minerals, or imperfect Metals; that is to say, when they
undergo the force of the fire, they cannot but go into scoria and
ashes, and if they have in them somewhat that is especially good, and
durable, yet the greater part being combustible, has the prevalency;
so that the more excellent part which is in it, is converted together
into ashes and scoria. But yet it may be afterwards reduced, for by
the vehement blast of Bellows, it separates it self from the more base
part, and again assumes a body Metalline, whether it be Gold or Silver.
By this Discourse any one that is not wholly void of all Metallick
knowledge may see, that the Metallick Incineration and Reduction, which
we have afore delivered, is built upon a firm foundation: But he that
cannot understand or apprehend these things, is uncapable of being
holpen by any art. But the following third and fourth parts will yield
a more clear light, or instruction. Furthermore you are to observe,
that there are likewise other ways whereby Metals are reduced into
scoria, and the better and more excellent part is afterwards extracted
out of the scoria, _viz._ by the help of Terrestrial things which are
together, sulphureous, of which sort is all Sand, Flint, and the like.
If ought of this kind be permixt and molten with the metalline Calxes,
it retains with it the viler part, and lets go the more excellent; as
for instance, there’s the Glass of Lead: For if the ashes of Lead be
molten with Sand, or Flints, all the Lead together with the Flints is
converted into Glass, or scoria, but the Silver or Gold which was in
the Lead separates it self like a Regulus, and descends to the bottom.
Some kinds of Salts also are able to make those scoria’s, _viz._
those Salts which are extracted out of burnt ashes, and are commonly
called Alkalies, such as are the burnt fæces of Wine, the Tartar of
Wine, Potters-ashes made of the ashes of Wood, and other such like;
these also love to dissolve the sulphureous parts of metals, and do
leave the Gold and Silver that is therein whole and sound, and so
make a separation of the good from the evil, and give them a notable
splendour: Concerning which washing, we will treat more fully in the
following third part.
Besides too, even common Salt destroyeth and reduceth the imperfect
metals into scoria, but not after such a manner as Alkalies do by
washing, but by dissolving and extracting. For if a metallick Calx,
or Ore, be powdered and mixt with common Salt, and molten together,
the Salt doth more readily seize upon the metal, than on the rest of
the drossiness, dissolves it, and turns it into as it were scoria. But
to illustrate this thing by an Example, If I would separate a mineral
which hath in it, Iron, Copper, Gold, and Silver, and should melt it
thus mixt with the Salt, then the Salt would the first time lay hold on
the Iron only, and leave the other metals; but if so be there were not
so much Iron, as for the Salt to satisfy its devouring self, it would
dissolve the Copper too, the Silver and Gold remaining untoucht; for
Salt is a common Enemy to Silver, but a Friend to the Iron and Copper,
which it willingly dissolves in the melting, and attracts to it self,
whether it be each apart by themselves, or both jointly together,
which if you are minded again to separate each from the other, you
must powder that molten Mass, and pour water thereupon, and boil it;
so the Iron and Copper enters into the water, together with the Salt,
whereinto if you afterwards put some Iron Rods, the Copper precipitates
it self, and the Iron abides in the salt water, and is made very fit
to use in dying like Vitriol; but if it will not be coagulated like
Vitriol, then the Copper (which hath precipitated it self about the
Iron) is to be washt and molten, out of which comes purer Copper. But
yet such a Copper may be converted to better use than to be molten, of
which more shall be spoken in the third part.
By this means, may one separate and bring into use those Coppery
Minerals, which have much Iron in them, and by which, the Copper is
otherwise rendered unmalleable and unprofitable: and this is such an
Evil, as the Metal-workers have hitherto little known what remedy
to apply; whereas in the mean while there lie in many places no
contemptible Mines of Copper, neglected and unmedled withal, because
they have Iron commixt with them. Some there have been, who have
endeavoured to extract the Iron by the help of a Load-stone, but this
way is too troublesom, and so is not profitable; but it may be aptly
and conveniently done after this manner, did they but know how rightly
to use here that aforesaid salt water, and the precipitated Copper: For
the salt exalteth the Iron, and the Iron doth again exalt the salt, and
animate it, so as that it may afterwards with a little labour and costs
be, all of it, and without any loss, converted into good Salt-petre.
But some or other may say, what profit would there redound unto me,
if I should season one or two, or more Copper minerals with salt,
whereby the Copper may be thence drawn out? I would have such an one to
know, that in that Operation, some hundreds, or thousand pounds may be
done together, and the business may be ordered upon fire in distinct
Furnaces, that so a great profit may be gotten; and not only thus, but
the same may likewise be done without any Furnace or Oven, with many
hundred, or thousand pounds in one Operation, at the open Air in the
Field, or in a Wood, where that Ore and salt are to be found; so that
the salt may serve as a covering to the mineral, and the mineral as a
covering to the salt, and the Wood may serve both for the Furnace and
fire.
This now in my judgment is an artificial extraction of Copper out of
the Mines, (especially when ’tis such an Ore), which (otherwise) is not
of any profit by reason of the immixt Iron, or else consists of such a
lean Vein of Copper, as will not suffice to quit the costs of getting
it out, but yet it may by this means be separated, with no contemptible
profit. For there are every where almost such poor Copper Ore as this
which lie and are not dreamt of: For indeed it cannot be expected,
that, (if when a Copper Mine (or Ore) doth contain in it some small
matter of Copper, it being so overwhelmed as ’twere with the muchness
of heterogeneal medlies or mixtures, that it cannot precipitate it self
into Regulus’s but passeth into Scoria) it should answer the costs that
are to be spent on the forcing it out; and therefore such Minerals must
of necessity remain without use. And how many such kind of Ores have I
found in _Germany_, which a man may have by heaps, but no body regards
them, for that (as we have already said) they are too barren or poor:
Whereas notwithstanding they may be most easily perfected by the help
of Salt, so as to be made very gainful, & the costs exceedingly well
repaid that shall be laid out upon them, especially in those places
where there is such an abundance of Salt, that the Inhabitants know not
what to do with the plenty they have of it. Many such places there are
in _Germany_, as _Tirole_, _Saltzburg_, _Bavaria_, and the Diocess that
we call _Bergtes-gaden_: in which places all the whole mountains do not
only abound with Salts, but have no small portion of Copper too: Nor is
it so in those places only, but likewise every where; Salt is common
and of a small price throughout all _Germany_.
And as we have already shown you, that Iron and Copper may be
commodiously extracted out of the Ores by melting it with common
Salt, and may be again separated from each other by precipitation: So
likewise may the same be done in a moist way by boiling; and is thus,
if the Ore be ground and a long while boiled with very Salt-water, the
Copper will be dissolved and passeth into the Salt-water, out of which
it is to be precipitated, and so fitted for use. But now, if the Salt
be distilled into a Spirit, then is it apt not only to extract Copper,
but also Gold out of the Ore, and will be of exceeding much profit: But
this operation hath already been long ago described by me, in the First
Part of the Mineral Work.
NB. But it will be yet more profitable and gainful to prepare that
water out of the Salts and especially out of Nitre, which water is
but of small price, and yet notwithstanding it is of that Power and
Virtue, as to dissolve or extract all the Metals out of the Ores: and
as well the Silver as the Gold and Copper in the solution, may be again
precipitated singularly or each _Per se_ one after another; and this
kind of water may you likewise use about all Fossiles or Ores with a
most wonderful abbreviation.
But now, if you use common _Aqua-fortis_, it extracts only the Silver
and Copper, and leaves the Gold: and if you take common _Aqua-regia_,
it attracts only the Gold and Copper, and leaves the Silver; so
that neither of these hath (as we use to say) all the points in it,
especially seeing such a kind of Water serves but once only; nor is
there as yet any one found who knows how to separate the metals in
the solution one from another, so as that the water may still remain
good and fit for other the like uses. But as concerning this Water
of mine, thus stands the case, _viz._ One Metal may be precipitated
after another out of the Water, and each distinctly, and yet for all
this, the Water loseth not ought of its Virtue, but may be many times
serviceable; certainly it is a most profitable invention, which (in
the doing or perfecting some metals and minerals) is to be preferred
many degrees before any melting by Fire. For if that there are several
Metals of diverse kinds, in one Ore; as Gold, Silver, Iron, Lead (and
this often happens so) and they should be forced out by Fire, they
would yet remain mixt together; and there’s a great deal of work to
separate them. For first they are to be cupellated on Tests with a
great deal of Lead, that so the imperfect Metals, as the Iron, Copper,
Tin and Lead if therein, may go off; then the Gold is to be separated
also apart, or by a particular operation, by the help of a separating
Water, and this is not every bodies work, nor have all such as are
skill’d in the Art, in all places necessary provision at hand. But on
the other hand, there needs not in that other kind of way, any thing
save the Water and some Glasses, with these may you manage and compleat
all the whole business, and get a great deal of gain without noise and
trouble. For as to such a one as betakes himself to this kind of work,
his Neighbours cannot accuse him, that he will (one time or other)
ruine their Fortunes and Houses by Fire, for they hear no blowing of
the bellows, nor see they any Coals carried into his House. Nor will
the _Smiths_ say that ’tis his fault that Coals are so dear, as ’twas
objected to him who called himself the little Country fellow. Besides
too, he will shun the suspicion of the Magistrates, nor will he give
them occasion to suspect him to be a rich blade, and so torment him
with the more grievous exactions and with quartering of Souldiers.
And now yet more, This kind of extraction does not only appertain to
the getting out the Gold and Silver out of the Ores or Minerals and
such as are volatile and crude, and which are every where to be met
withal, and may without detriment to any, and with a safe conscience be
fixed and separated by the help of this Water: But you may also by the
mediation of this Water, profitably and with very small Labour separate
all metallick mixtures, such as are mixt at their first forcing out
of the Ores, or are melted into one Mass on any other account, and
so obtain each Metal pure and free from all heterogeneities. As for
example, Put case I have in my hands a certain metallick Mass, which
hath in it Gold, Silver, Lead, Tin, Iron, and Copper: Now I would
willingly separate the Gold & Silver therefrom: hitherto there hath
been no other way known of obtaining it but by cupellating such a Mass
or mixture upon the Test with Lead, and so depurating it; in which
cupellation, the Copper, Tin, and Iron, do pass together with the Lead
into the Test, but the Gold and Silver remain behind, which are to be
afterwards separated with _Aqua-fortis_, that you may have each by
it self. But the Iron, Copper, Lead and Tin do remain intermixt with
each other in the Test, and should you again melt them even by the
strongest blast, yet will they be commixt, and can hardly be separated
the one from the other. But by this way of ours if they be dissolved in
the water together, you may continually precipitate thence one Metal
from another, and take them each apart, and not only the Gold and the
Silver by themselves, but the Copper, Tin, Iron, and Argent-vive (each
apart).
But it is not so necessary (if in such a metalline Mass wherein are
contained so many Metals, the Gold and Silver be but the smaller part)
to dissolve all the other baser metals together, to get out the Gold
and Silver; this will not be advisedly done, but it would be better,
first to purify that Mass upon a Test with Lead, and so to separate the
Gold and Silver by the help of that water, or else that Mass may be
burnt with Brimstone, and the Gold be thence precipitated and depured.
But if the Mass hath less of Iron, Copper, and Tin, than of Gold, there
will not be such need of purifying the Mass, by first burning it upon a
Test, and then separating it by _Aqua-fortis_, as is commonly known and
used to be done: but the whole mixture must be dissolved, and the Gold
and Silver, which you please, be separately, or apart precipitated into
a clean Calx, then the Copper also apart, then the Tin; but as for the
Iron, you may forbear to precipitate that, because there are no great
matters to be performed with its Calx, and it will be better to draw
off the _Aqua-fortis_ thence, whereby it may again be had pure, and fit
for use.
Then the Iron which abides behind, if it be made red hot, yields a
most excellent Crocus Martis, and a most excellent Ingredient for
Chirurgeons, for all their Wound-balsams and Exicatory Emplasters; it
is stictick; it will also be serviceable to Painters to make exquisite
colours therewithal, so that the Iron which is the basest Metal in the
whole mixture, if it shall be thus wrought upon and brought into good
Crocus Martis, yields the money that was laid out upon the water, and
yet this very water, after its abstracting from the Iron is not less
fit for use, but is better than it was before. For in its abstraction
from the Iron, it brought over with it some Goldenness, which Golden
property doth afterwards, in other metallick solutions, associate it
self to the Metals, is imbodyed, and yields as much Gold as the price
almost (of the water) afore (thus used) could be judged at.
So likewise there’s no need of reducing the Calx of Venus into Copper,
but it is twice more precious than other good common Copper, because it
can in a few hours space be changed into excellent Verdigrease, and so
is 4 or 6 times the value of Copper it self. Further, it is not needful
to melt down the precipitated Calx of Silver without any farther
profit, but ’tis better to melt it by the means of the liquor of
Sulphur or Antimony, for by this operation will it become auriferous,
and be meliorated. Finally, you are not bound to melt even the Calx
of Sol, without any profit in melting, but you may even thereoutof
draw some profit; for if it be amalgamated with the Mercury of ♄ or
☽ it becomes more augmented from the ♄ and ☽; or else it may be used
by the Goldsmiths to Gild withal, and by Painters, if its brightness
and splendour be first restored unto it, for so it may be used about
Painting or writing. So then, from this operation doth result a
manifold benefit, and both the Iron and Copper, as also the Gold and
Silver are rendered better, and more precious than they would have
otherwise been, if they had been separated each from the other after
the common manner, by the fire.
Therefore, there is not only a great benefit gotten in that way of
operating, in thus extracting Gold and Silver out of their Ores, and
out of the Crude Minerals, and in this so compendious a separation of
a Mass (or mixture) of Metals; but also, that separation brings more
profit than the commonly used and perceived way of separating Gold and
Silver by _Aqua-fortis_ doth, in which way the Mass is to be first
burnt to purity, and all the heterogeneities are to be taken away upon
a Test; then the Silver is to be dissolved in _Aqua-fortis_, and to
be separated from the Gold; this done, then the dissolved Silver is
to be precipitated either by Copper, or by putting water thereunto,
or else the water is to be thencefrom distilled; from whence, there
is not only to be expected no greater profit than what is had (or
gotten) out of the Gold separated from the Silver, but withal even half
the water is lost. But now here (in my way) the greatest part of the
_Aqua-fortis_ is preserved, and is indeed meliorated (if there were Tin
or Iron in the Mass) the very bare Crocus Martis only yields as much
as the water cost, & the Flos Æris is meer gains; the Calx of Silver
is by a solution of Antimony enriched with Gold, the Golden Calx is
augmented by Saturn, and Luna, So that the gain is fourfold, besides
that Gold which is gotten by Separation out of the Silver; and now
may not I justly call this an Artificial extraction or reparation of
the Metals, by the moist way; but now, like as this is a very notably
profitable way of extracting the Metals out of the Ores or Minerals, &
of artificially separating them by the moist way; so likewise may the
same be done in the dry way by fusion; if (_viz._) the Minera’s are
dissolved by Antimony or Lead, & one of the Metals after another shall
be thencefrom precipitated; so that it is not so altogether necessary
to cupellate such a Mass, and by the separatory water (or _Aqua-fortis_
to separate that, which (by that burning on the Test) shall have been
throughly purged; But if all the Metals shall be molten together into
one Mass, there may (first) be precipitated the Gold, then the Silver,
then also the Copper, and by the help of Nitre be rendred pure and
malleable; and this too may be done without much labour or costs; so
that as well by the moist, as also by the dry way, all the Metals may
be very commodiously and compendiously, and in short time separated
the one from the other by the benefit of Salt-petre. Suppose I have
a Mass that has Gold, Silver, or Copper and Iron in it, and I would
have it suddenly depured; therefore I may only burn it with Sulphur,
and by the help of Saturn precipitate one Metal from another, and
purifie the Regulus, by Nitre, and such a Mass though it were 100 pound
weight could I separated with the easy labour of one day, & for 3 or
4 _Dollars_ costs; but as for such an one as hath no use for solution
& precipitation, or hath not convenient melting Pots and Furnaces, he
may granulate such a Mass, and thence precipitate the Gold, Silver,
and Copper, each apart, and draw off the water from his Mars; then the
Mars yields him the price of the water; the Calx of Venus yields the
reward of his pains and labour, and the augmentation or melioration
which happens to the Calx of Sol and Luna in the reduction is clear
gain; so that the Gold and Silver are, as it were gratis, and without
any expence separated from each other, and that both by the dry way and
by the moist way; for the Silver is equally as well graduated and made
auriferous in the dry way, by the fusion or melting in the operating,
or by the transfusing (or through melting) with the Antimony; so then
good Gold may by this way be precipitated out of any Silver not
aureous, provided the business be but dexterously managed.
In the first part of this Book, (where I treated of the concentration
of wood,) I wrote, that a Juice might be pressed, by a peculiar Press,
out of any wood, which afterwards might be turned into good Salt-petre
by the benefit of the Air and time: I likewise there added some
reasons, whereby it might be evinced, that it was possible for Art to
perform such things, which are no other but the Rewards Nature her
self yields, and that the Salt-petre which is wont to be every where
digged out of the Stalls, or Stables of Cattle, is nothing else but the
essential salt of Vegetables, and Animals, which is in a long tract of
time, and by the hidden virtue of the Air, turned into Salt-petre.
But now if any one should haply perswade himself, that if he exposeth
that Juice of the Woods to the Air for some Days, or Weeks, that it
will presently become Salt-petre, certainly he would be much besides
his aim, neither indeed is it lawful to prescribe Nature the time of
her Operation.
Does not a Husbandman deserve to be called Ass, or Blockhead, if some
few days after he hath sown his Corn, he should go into his Field to
see if his Corn were ripe or not? Just thus are you to conceive of this
work, for in all things must you expect the due time, in the Generation
both of Animals, Minerals, and Vegetables, so that there is not the
least need of any farther proof of this matter: For every Generation
requireth its own proper time.
But, that very many haply have wearied themselves with imagining about
that kind of Press, which I have mentioned in the first part of the
_Prosperity of Germany_, and yet have not found it, is not to be much
wondred at. However it is assuredly true, that such a Press may very
easily be prepared, by which you may daily press a great quantity of
Juice out of Wood, be it believed or not believed. But seeing that such
a Press hath been seen with me, and hath been beheld prepared, and wood
squeezed out therewithal, and set to ripen in the Air, sure it cannot
be long ere the truth will manifest it self and publickly vindicate it
self from all its slanderers.
I say again, that such a Press is found by me, and that it is an
artificial one, and is of less costs than will be easily believed. Nay
more, every day brings forth new and better Compendiums, so that there
will not hereafter be any use or need for the Press, to squeeze the
wood out by: but every Vegetable and Animal, may without labour and
trouble be in a short time, and without the press, transmuted into good
Salt-petre, so that many hundred weight of Salt-petre may be generated,
or produced (by the labour of only one person) out of the bare Wood,
Leaves, and Grass, (where they may commodiously be had) and yet ’tis
not the person aforesaid, but the air that causeth this Generation: for
the person doth no more but expose to the air the subject matter, upon
which it may operate, and out of which it may bring forth Salt-petre.
But there is nothing which I admire more at, then, that this present
Age is so sluggish and averse from searching after the secrets of
Nature. Whereas, were but the Properties only of that stupendious,
or wonderful subject Salt-petre, well known, there might well be a
forbearance of reading many Chimical Books seeing that by it alone may
many wonderful things be performed. I have a little afore shown, how
both a moist and dry extraction of Gold and Silver, & the other metals
is to be done by Salt-petre; and if Nitre were of no other use but this
only, yet were it well worthy to be beloved and esteemed by all, and
they should as much as in them lies labour not only to produce it in
plenty out of vile things, but withal to know how to make use of the
same with profit.
But whereas I have not so very openly and clearly described, or
published the precipitation which is done as well by the moist, as
by the dry way of the extraction and separation of metals; I would
not that any one should take it in evil part; for there are exceeding
weighty reasons, that make me fear to prostitute such excellent
Inventions, or to chew meat (as it were) and thrust it into every
Asses mouth. Let it suffice, that I have shewed, that such things are
possible. But yet the Art lies not so fixed in my breast, nor is it
my mind to suffer it to lie buried with me: No, God hath blessed me
therewithal meerly for this end, that I might help and succour others,
to the performance of which, I am most ready and willing; but yet not
every one without any exception, but such as are ingenious Lovers of
the Wonders of God, and know how decently to use all things, least I
being too improvidently liberal, should put new Weapons into the hands
of mine enemies.
I could have buried-over these things in silence, and haply been
at more quiet, but it was no ways possible for me to suppress the
wonderful Works of God, so as to withhold them from coming abroad to
light, and to the view of Men, to the Honour of God. And whensoever it
so comes to pass, that the things delivered at present in this second
part, and which shall be delivered in the following third and fourth
parts, shall be believed, and be brought to effect and be done: then
all the crew of Slanderers and Enemies of the truth shall be confounded
with shame, before the whole World, and that Genuine Alchymy, shall
again be embraced, and honourably flourish: For Salt-petre must be the
Master, as _Paracelsus_ saith, in a certain Chapter where he treats of
common salt, and mentions Salt-petre with a commendable Testimony. Nor
hath _Basil Valentine_ done a less faithful Work as to his Nitre; but
few there are that understand it.
I am not of the mind to boast of the knowledge of many things, but
yet thus much I find, that there is not in all nature any subject
given that may in good deed be compared with Nitre, as to eminency or
excellency; much less deserves to be preferred before it. Let not the
Lover of this Art be disquieted in his mind, so long as there are two
parts to follow, and come forth: For then men will see, and be even
enforced to confess these things which afore they did not believe. And
upon this score do I shorten this part, that I may the sooner come to
the third and fourth parts: In which parts (God willing) there shall
be disclosed many most highly profitable inventions for the benefit of
mankind, but yet they shall be veiled, after that same way and manner,
as others afore me have used to do, that so Pearls may not be cast
afore Swine.
But that I may return to my purpose, and shew that what I have said
is true, and that great things may be done (as to the melioration of
Metals) by the help of Salt-petre, it will be necessary, that those
things which we have already written in this second part be made a
little more clear, and may be visibly demonstrated to the unskilful and
incredulous, in what it is, that this profit we at present speak of, is
seated.
And first, as concerning the Generation of Salt-petre, there hath
been enough said already, _viz._ That it may be prepared by heaps out
of otherwise unprofitable Wood, Shrubs, Briars, _&c._ which rather
endamage the Ground, than do any good, because they become a refuge for
cruel Beasts, which sustain themselves upon the great ruining of the
other Wild ones: Nor needs this work any greater costs than to cause
a House to be built in the Woods, under which the wood, together with
the circulatory Vessel, may stand dry; and besides too, one man is
sufficiently able to manage the whole business, nor is there any thing
else required but those unprofitable underwoods, or Briars, _&c._ or
if you have not such, then, the Leaves that the wind blows off from
the Trees. And if also you add some Salt thereunto, even it will be
likewise turned by the help of the wood into Salt-petre, and hereby
will arise a greater profit: Neither is there any necessity of taking
the Salt we use to season our meat withal. But yet if you can have it
in plentiful quantity (as may be in many places of _Germany_, where
it much abounds) it will be well, but if it be not to be so easily
had, the wood it self will make Salt-petre enough; nor needs there any
other thing, but to begin the work, and let Nature alone to perfect
it, and to produce the Salt-petre. But farther, as _Germany_ doth
never want store of wood, so wants it not salt, for there are whole
Mountains of salt, which to exhaust, is a thing impossible; especially
in the Territories of the Arch bishop of _Saltzburg_, in the Elector of
_Bavaria_’s Country, the Diocess of _Berchtsgaden_ as we call it; which
places, besides their abounding with Salt, do also abound with store
of Wood. Have I not reason to believe that great Treasures and Riches
may be hence reaped. Salt they have at their Feet, and vast Desarts
at hand, which are of no use: O improvident Mankind! What account
shall we give that so behave our selves in our Stewardship. Would it
not be much more praise-worthy to have drawn forth those Treasures,
to the Honour of God, and not to have suffered them to have remained
without being used, and unmanaged; what is the greatness of the charge
requisite to the carrying on this Work that deterrs them? What expence
I pray is it, seeing that a little shead may easily be built in the
Woods? And besides, where great Woods, and many Trees are, there are
also found Minerals both ripe and unripe, and the ripe may be forced
out by Wood, or Coals, the unripe may be fixed, or ripened by the help
of Salt-petre, and the Gold and Silver also may be afterwards thence
separated by the Salt-petre.
And now I pray, would not the Country be enriched hereby with vast
Treasures, and store of Wealth? But put the worst, if every Country did
not abound with store of Wood, yet hath it a great deal of superfluous
Grass and stubble, and this yields as good Salt-petre as the Wood does.
And if in case every Country, or Seignory had not Minerals of their
own, which might be ripened by Salt-petre, and from whence Gold and
Silver might be drawn, yet nevertheless may they be had out of the
bordering Provinces. Nay more, if so be the already excocted Metals
should be advanced to a maturity by the means of Salt-petre, yet would
not even this kind of work be without an acceptable gain, and it would
be better for us so to do, than to hang them up at the Walls in our
Houses, for Ornament, and Pride’s sake. If an Enemy comes, one Ounce
of Gold, is better than a Thousand pounds of Tin, or Copper, which
the owner thereof must necessarily be constrained to leave behind
him, whereas he could carry away the Gold with him; which kind of
concentration we shall treat of in the following third part: and in
the fourth part shall be taught, by what means even Gold and Silver
may be concentrated, that so it may lie hidden from the Enemy, and be
transported (under another kind of form or shape) into such places,
where it may be free from the Enemies Clutches.
And farther, that water which we speak of, serves not only to extract
Gold and Silver out of the Ores, or Minera’s, (which otherwise, could
not be drawn forth by any excocting or forcing) but also for the
taming, and bringing to use that which is in huge Stones, Flints, and
the baser Fossiles (in which, Gold and Silver are only as it were, a
little sticking, and will not be thence had by any art of melting) and
that with profit too well worth the Labour. So that there is scarce
required 6 or 7 Loths of water to extract the Gold and Silver out of
100 _l._ of Ore; and if there were but 2, 3, or 4 Lots of Silver at the
most, in 100 _l._ of such matter, yet would it be a gainful extraction,
especially if the things, or subject, be Arsenical, or as yet Volatile,
and cannot brook the intenseness of the fire, but are driven away by
a strong blast. _For in that extraction by the water, that which is
volatile, is fixed, and retained together_, that it afterwards admits
of being fused, or molten, and that this is so, will evidently appear
to any, experimentally. Let him but take Arsenick, and dissolve it
in Aqua-fortis, and again draw off the water, and he will be able
presently to melt the Arsenick, and make it red hot. Quicksilver is
well known to be a very Volatile matter, but yet even that, (if the
water of Salt-petre be several times drawn off thencefrom) is made so
fixt as to stand and abide wholly in a most intense fire. For, that
which Wood and Coals do (in a long time) perform; the very same doth
such a water effect in a few hours space.
But some or other may oppose or question thus; How can it possibly be,
that if those matters be so very poor, 8 or 10 pound of water should be
sufficient to extract the Gold & Silver which is contained in them; for
it seems as if 8 or 10 pounds of water were hardly enough to moisten
100 _l._ of Ore or Minera, but would be lost amongst such a deal of
Stuff: Let such an one know, that what I have written is possible and
true; I can prove it and demonstrate it even to the sight; but as
concerning the administration of that Work, ’tis not fit it should be
made too common.
And verily, in this sticks the main difficulty, here is the Art and
Skill; ’tis not for every one to acquit himself here, and if that the
gold and silver were extracted by means of this Water, yet even then
the chiefest of the Art is to know how to precipitate the pure Gold and
Silver thencefrom, and incorporate it, which knack I justly reserve
for my Friends; for verily, this is such an Art, as by the benefit
of it alone I shall renew ancient friendship with many, and moreover
purchase me more new friends: And therefore let no body be angry at me,
or count it amiss, that I would not publickly disclose so excellent
an Invention, and put new Weapons into mine Enemies hands to hurt me
withal. [_This is taught in the following parts._] And if I should do
so much as clearly to mention every thing, yet nevertheless should
I incurr the enmity of many men, as much as if I never had done it;
and besides too, it cannot possibly be, that all things should be so
nakedly and plainly decyphered to the unskilful, as that they should
presently be able to do every thing. If they once make trial, and
cannot do the business that they aimed at in their minds, then they
curse him that writ, and bestow many a bitter wish on him, as if he had
been too obscure in expressing himself, and so they despise that which
is otherwise laudable.
But if so be that the possibility of a thing is only demonstrated,
and no Receipt added, then they will not undertake any frustraneous
Labours, nor will have cause of cursing any. But some or other may
here enquire, Where shall I find such a sort of Minerals and Fossiles,
out of which I may extract Gold and Silver? If any such had been to
have been found, they would not have lain idle & waited for my coming;
others would have taken them away long ago, and converted them to their
own uses. I think it expedient to demand as well of such a one, who
those others should be, that should have taken them away before thee?
If their Experience be as little as thine, and thine no greater than
is theirs, there’s no danger of your fore-preventing or deceiving one
another, seeing you are all alike ignorant of the thing.
Think’st thou that the number of those that are experienc’d in
Metals is so large? ’Tis confest, there are enough Excocters or
Metal-Separators, but yet they must _per_ force leave that untouch’d
which they cannot find out, seeing they know no other way of ordering
their Affairs, but the old Road. It oftentimes happens, that there is
more Gold driven away into the air by these Excocters, than is left
behind in the fire, and yet forsooth that Crew arrogate to themselves
abundance of knowledge, and perswade themselves, that they stand not
in any need of any ones advice. Nor indeed do I invite them to any
new Studies and Operations; let all such as list, use the same way
of excocting or separation that they have learned; but if there be
among them those that are not ashamed to learn better, such may be
counselled. My purpose at present is, to do some acceptable Service
to those that have no Mine pits, and who cannot separate Minerals or
Ore in gross, as I may say, and yet would be very glad to enjoy in
private some little small gleanings as ’twere of the bits or small
pieces that the Excocters leave, whereby they may get sufficient gain
for the commodious sustaining of Life. These are they whom I have a
mind to assist; the Richer sort have enough already to fill or satiate
themselves withal; nor need they any information of mine; as for the
Poor, there’s no regard had to them. The whole Artifice therefore
consisteth in the extracting (when there’s but a very little Water
used) and then in the precipitation of the Metals, so that the Water
may remain good, and fit for other uses. There’s plenty enough of poor
Minerals and Fossiles even every where, and which no body regards and
knows. It would not be amiss to look upon or consider of all Flints,
Rocks, and Stones you meet with, and consider what property they are of.
Concerning this I have written in the First Part of the _Mineral Work_,
_viz._ How by the Spirit of Salt Gold may be extracted out of a Flint:
But as hitherto, few there are that have set about that Work, partly
because they could not prepare the spirit of Salt, and partly because
they knew not how to precipitate from it the extracted Gold, nor knew
how to melt the extracted Calx of _Sol_ with Antimony; all which I must
needs confess, is not for every one to perform. But now this Extraction
which is made by the Water of Salt-petre, doth extract the Silver
too, which being thence precipitated, the water remains as virtuous
as afore; and indeed, if a comparison be made ’twixt this and that
Extraction, there is as much difference as is between black and white,
and between the day and night; therefore I say that this is a thing
worth the learning, for it may be of exceeding much profit in times
of affliction. Greatly is that pledge to be esteemed of, _Which_ (as
the old Proverb is) _redeems its Lord_. Art is no burthen to a man to
carry, but it rather carries or bears up a Man, easeth him, and makes
him be of a cheerful mind, because it is a thing on which we may safely
trust. It is more precious than Gold and Gems, which may be lost, but
this abides firm and constant even to the Grave, and doth abundantly
enrich its master.
This Extraction doth likewise serve for the drawing forth Gold out of
Silver, tho’ it be not gilt, which to do is not in every ones power,
tho’ many know that Silver hath Gold in it, yet if it be not of so much
value as to quit the Costs that are necessarily to be expended upon
it, it is left as it is; and now there is no where separated Gold out
of Silver, unless it be gilt, and they see it sticking thereupon. Any
other silver whatsoever, how much gold soever it possesseth, is not
separated, when as though, sometimes there might be made more gain
thencefrom. But I must needs confess, that the separation of the Gold
from the Silver, the usual and known way is conjoined with abundance
of labour, and not worth the costs spent about making the separation,
unless, haply, the silver partakes much of the Gold: Whereas on the
contrary, this my way of separating is done with light labour and small
costs, and therefore may be used about all silver whatsoever, though it
has in it never so little Gold.
But that the business may be yet more clear, and the better perceived,
it will be useful to add this information. When you would separate the
Gold from the Silver by Aqua-fortis, it must first be purified with
Lead, by burning it upon a Test, now in this work there’s the Test,
Fire, the sufficient portion of Lead, the labour and time spent hereon
to be considered, and when all this is done, then the Lead has entred,
together with the Copper that was in the Silver, into the Test, and
may be esteemed of but as a thing just kept from being lost. Besides
too, the Copper carries away with it, a good part of the silver into
the Test. And altho’ that by a most vehement blast of Bellows the Test
may be molten, and part of the Lead, Copper, and Silver recovered, yet
the expences necessarily requisite to this operation, are more than the
regain’d Metals are worth, so that these costs, charges, and troubles
are too great. Then finally, when all this is done, and that the silver
shall have been depured by burning, then it must after all this, be
granulated, and this is some charge, and then when all this is done, it
may be separated by Aqua-fortis, and being separated, be again molten
into a Mass.
Now my way of working is freed from all these kind of linked labours,
and so much trouble and loss of expences and time may be avoided; for
when I take on me to separate any Silver, whether it has much or little
Gold, I cut it into bits about the length and bredth of my Finger, so
as that I but put it into my separatory Vessel; then I make it gently
or by degrees red hot, to the end that the defilements may be the
better washt off, and the separatory water may the better work upon
it. Then pour I in the water, and suffer the Gold, Silver and Copper
to be dissolved; then (after this) do I precipitate the Gold, then the
Silver, then the Copper; all which operations, from the beginning to
the end, are done in three or four hours space, nor requires it any
expence save only the water, and a little fire, to keep the water warm,
that it may the more strongly work upon and dissolve the Silver; the
Metals thus separated from each other and edulcorated, may be melted;
and now from thence may any one see, how much difference there is
betwixt ours and the common separation of metal, by the moist way; and
if there be any one that would use this way of mine, of separation,
he would doubtlessly get much gain and riches, neither could any
one endammage him by way of prevention, and he would get himself an
exceeding profit wheresoever he be, not only out of guilt Silver, but
also out of any other; for there is not a City so small, but it hath
a Silversmith, who buys up the old Silver, and separates it his own
way, which is very laborious and costly, and therefore he would the
willinglier give his Silver to another to separate, whereby himself
might be spared the labour and cost, were there but any one that would
offer him his help thereabouts.
And seeing that all Copper holds Gold hidden in it, and that that
Copper is not any impediment in this my way of separation, but is
resolved together with the Silver, therefore doth it always bring some
increase to the Gold and consequently more gain; but the labour will be
yet more gainful if it be prepared with a separatory water, which hath
other Golden species or things added thereto in the making, and which
render the water aureous, such as are Lapis Calaminaris, Zink, the
Minerals (or Ores) of Iron and Copper; for hereby is made a water that
is in it self auriferous, and which doth readily (in the separation)
join its volatile Gold to the Silver, and suffer its self to be
incorporated; in so much that even such Silver as hath already been
separated and purged, will yield Gold enough in the separation, if it
be dissolved with such a separatory water, which hath been impregnated
by graduating things.
And even as this same extraction which is done in the moist way,
by the water of Salt-petre is exceedingly eminent and of much use,
as being sufficient to supply many thousands of men with food and
necessaries for life, so as that they need not at all to be compelled
to deceive or damnify one another; so likewise, no less excellent is
the extraction, which is done by the dry way; if, _viz._ the Volatile
Antimonial Minerals, or Ores (whether they contain in them Gold, or
Silver, or Copper, Iron, or Tin, and what metals soever they contain in
them) be molten with twice, thrice, or four times as much Antimony in
a Crucible, and be (by the means of Iron) precipitated into Regulus’s;
for by this work, what good soever there was in the Ores, and even the
Metals themselves, may be obtained each apart: for when the Antimony
hath extracted the Gold out of the Minerals, the Gold may then be first
precipitated, then the Silver, lastly the Copper; and all of them with
a very small cost and little labour, insomuch, that in one days time
many pounds of Gold and Silver may be drawn by this art out of the
Minerals: and this too by a little fire. For the Antimony penetrates
the mineral like water, and dissolves what is good in it; and as for
that which is of an earthy nature it casts off from it self, and brings
it into scoria. But it brings the Metal to a Metalline form in the
precipitation, which must then be cupellated, or purified by the help
of Salt-petre. And if haply you cannot get Antimony for this work, than
common Brimstone may serve in its stead, and it will perform the same
thing, if the Minera be ground and mixt therewith, and be molten in a
covered Pot or Crucible, and be precipitated by Iron, for so the Metals
falls down in a Regulus, and the Sulphur abides behind in the scoria.
But this kind of work requires a skilful Artist or Melter, who hath
already been long and much versed in precipitations; for else he will
be intangled therein, and not find the wish’d for success.
NB. This is to be understood of that kind of Minerals and Fossiles
which partake of _Antimony_, _Arsenick_, _Cobolt_, _Marchasite_ or
_Sulphur_, being such as _Antimony_ and _Sulphur_ love to seize upon
and dissolve in the melting: such Minerals or Ores as have sand and
stones among them, they (_viz._ _Antimony_ or _Sulphur_) will have
nothing to do with them; of this kind are Granates, Talk, and such
like: so neither, doth the water of Salt-petre in the moist way extend
its virtue to all the Minerals, nor extracts it Gold and Silver out of
all of them; but especially it acts not at all on them which are very
sulphureous, unless they are first Torrified or Calcined as ’twere,
and so freed from the _Sulphur_, then at length the water performs its
office else not. Nor doth the water act upon Granates or other Minerals
and Fossiles which are (as to the outward appearance) smooth and as it
were glassy. And therefore all such must first of necessity be master’d
by an incense fire, and subdued.
There are likewise to be found some Minerals and Fossiles which
suffer not what they have in them to be introduced into either Lead
or Antimony, or to bestow their Treasure upon them; nor will they be
forced out nor cupellated, but both are and remain scoria, and do
retain that form of glass which they afore had unless haply you make
them stoop, and master them by a most strong blast; for by this means
they suffer their Gold and Silver to be wrested from them: But they may
be mastered too, if you thereto add in the fusing some Potters-ashes,
or salt of the Lees of Wine, or Ashes made of Wood, and melt them
together, for so by this means also will they be obedient to thee; for
salts dissolve in flux all stony Minerals, and such as resemble glass
and scoria, which otherwise no other fire is able to do. But to make
any more accurate description of that thing, appertains not to this
place, but to the following Third Part of this Book; that which we have
here minded, is only to make light touches as ’twere about shewing the
variety of Fossiles and Minerals; and that, if haply any one should
light on such a Mineral, out of which he cannot extract the metal,
neither by the help of Antimony, nor by the water of Salt-petre, he
should not think it void of every thing or that he has not dexterously
and conveniently enough handled the same, but may know, that the only
cause is, the property of the Mineral it self.
And now, even as the Sulphureous minerals do chiefly admit of being
separated by Antimony admixed in the melting, and those that are stony,
not so; even so the water of Salt-petre doth more willingly extract the
stony Minerals, than the sulphureous ones; but yet, if the sulphur be
taken from them by Torrefaction, it is able to dissolve even these too.
But it chiefly loves those that have Stria, and are a spotted
(Quartzig) sandy, poor kind of Minera: which (otherwise) you cannot
extract commodiously neither by Fusion or by Mercury: But that you
may never be deceived here, it will be altogether expedient to be
acquainted with both ways, both with this which is done by flux, &
with that moist way which is done with Water; both ways are good, and
exceedingly profitable in the separation of the Minera’s or Ores;
and that not only of such as may be every where had, but likewise of
metalline mixtures: whether it be by melting them together, or else
by some sad mischance of your Houses being burnt; or finally, if it
proceed from thence, that Gold and Silver do lie hidden unknown in
copper, Tin, Iron, or Lead; now they may with ease be separated from
each other by both those aforesaid ways, and on such wise as that
nothing may be lost.
The ancients knew not how to extract the Gold and Silver out of Copper
as the modern Refiners are wont to do, but took them together as they
lay and so applied them to any uses whether to make Bells or great
Guns. Neither was the separation by _Aqua-fortis_ so much in use in
those days as in ours: Nay more, if in a Mark of Silver there was
no less than the quantity of a Ducket of Gold, yet notwithstanding
they did not separate it, but did make it up into money as it was,
as the old Coins do sufficiently testify. For it is evident that all
Silver almost, partakes of Gold, and ancients being unexercised and
not well versed in the Art of separation, all the Silver though never
so auriferous was Coined into Money, or put to other uses; but their
successours smelt out what they had done, and therefore bought up all
such Money, and separated it, & made thereof an exceeding gain: so that
there is not in our age so much as a Dollar, Schrenckbergick, Gross,
Crucifer, even to the smallest half Penny, of Gold Coin to be had
throughout all _Germany_, all being changed and bought up and wiped off
the Gold. But yet there is Silver enough left, both made into money,
and wrought up by the _Gold-smiths_, a Mark whereof contains, ⅛ or ¼ of
a Ducket of Gold; and therefore seeing the common way of separation by
_Aqua-fortis_ cannot be of use here, because the costs are too great,
and the little portion of the Gold will not countervail the same; it
may be done this way, and separated by either the moist, or by the
dry way, and that with profit, though there should be less than ⅛th
part of a Ducket in a Mark of Silver. And besides, Bells ever have much
Silver in them, neither was it separated therefrom by the ancients (as
we have said afore): and likewise old Tin hath a great deal of Gold and
Silver in it, which was of old wont to be molten and wrought up with
the Copper into Bells or great Guns. Many there are that well know,
that there is Gold and Silver in these things, but how to extract them
thence, they know not: For Copper admits not of being cupellated (or
purified) by Lead, much less of being separated, & yet more difficult
is it to do it by _Aqua-fortis_. But yet, it may be effected and that
with a great deal of profit by the way which we have shewn, both the
moist and dry too. And therefore he that shall be well skill’d in these
operations, doing it either by melting with Antimony, or by the Water,
will get abundance of profit out of your old and broken pieces of
Bells: Nay should he buy them whole, yet would he get no small matter,
for he may extract their Gold and Silver, and then melt them anew.
For there is not barely in Bells that portion of Gold & Silver which
the Copper and Tin had naturally in them, and of which the Bells are
made; but also, it was the custom of the ancients, (when a new Bell was
molten or founded,) to call some God-fathers or Witnesses (according to
their ancient custom) who named the Bells afore they were baptized: And
like as it is even at this day the usual custom every where throughout
Christendom in the baptizing of Infants for the God-fathers to give
their God-child some Money (or Plate) as a remembrance; so the ancients
did do in the baptizing of their Bells, as they were flowing in the
Furnace they cast thereinto Gold and Silver, to testify their affection
to Holy uses, and also that the Bells might fuse the better, and yield
a clearer sound. Upon this account I say, that ’tis no small gain that
may be gotten out of old Bells, seeing there never is a Bell which is
destitute of Gold and Silver.
And now the well-minded Reader sees what use this extraction and
precipitation of Gold & Silver which is done either in the moist or in
the dry way, is of; and that not only in Minerals and Fossiles, but
likewise in metalline mixtures too, out of which there can nothing be
obtained by any other way.
Who I pray will not now magnifie or highly esteem of Salt-petre, and
take care about having it prepared in great plenty, and so convert it
to his profit, seeing it is clearly manifest that so much good may be
done with it both in Metalline Affairs and Medicine? I do what I am
able, I offer my self to all good Men: If they will not listen to me,
I am not to be blamed but am void of fault. Man’s Life is too short,
than for one Man to be able to describe all the things that may be done
by the help of Salt-petre; neither indeed is it to be wished that many
should know it.
But seeing I but now treated of the precipitation of Metals and
Minerals, I think it worth while, to shew the cause of that
precipitation, that so the studious of Art may have a more certain
foundation of this thing. That which is to be separated, must of
necessity be a bound up or fast knit body, for else it would not
need any reparation; therefore forasmuch as one Metal knits up, or
incloseth another, they cannot be separated from one another, but by
the breaking or destruction of the bonds which they are tied withal,
and knit each within another; this destruction now, is to be done by
the Fire, both in the moist and likewise in the dry way. Copper, Tin,
Iron, and Lead, may in the dry way be separated from Gold and Silver,
if they are Cupellated together on a Test: For then the superfluous
or burning _Sulphur_, in the imperfect Metals acts upon it self and
reduceth its own proper Body or Metal into Scoria, and seeing that
there is a great part of Lead therein, those Scoria are fluxile, and it
doth by little & little (as much of it as goes into scoria) insinuate
it self or slide into the porous Tests of Hearths. But the Gold and
Silver which have no superfluous _Sulphur_, do remain unhurt upon
the Test, washt and clean & do now shew themselves in their clarity
& brightness; This is the separation of the good from the bad, or
the combustible from the incombustible, which is done by the force
of Fire only, and solely: by which, the imperfect Metals are by the
help of Lead converted into brittle scoria, and so creep into the
Tests, and separate themselves from the perfect Bodies; and this is a
very easie work, and well enough known to every body, and is by the
Refiners called Cupellation. But now in this separation, there’s only
a separation made of the imperfect Metals from the perfect, but the
Gold and Silver remain mixt together, and if you would have each apart
too, then ’tis necessary that the one be dissolved and separated from
the other by a most strong _Aqua-fortis_. But if the portion of the
Silver be more than the Gold, then the Silver is dissolved by a common
_Aqua-fortis_ made of Salt-petre and Vitriol, and so the Gold will fall
to the bottom: and this way of separation is well enough known and used
by all the Refiners and Goldsmiths; but if there be more Gold than
there is Silver, then do they dissolve the Gold by _Aqua-regia_, and
so the Silver remains undissolv’d; nor is the _Aqua-regia_ any thing
else but a strong water of Salt-petre, in which some _Sal-armoniack_ is
dissolved; for the common or simple water of Salt-petre doth dissolve
the Silver only and leaves the Gold; and contrariwise the _Aqua-regia_
dissolves the Gold only, and meddles not with the Silver; but if they
know not the right way of ordering the _Aqua-regia_, they are wont to
add to the Gold in the melting so much Silver as may make up three
times the weight that there is of the Gold, and so they separate it by
_Aqua-fortis_, which (kind of operation) we call (=die Quartz=).
There is yet another way of separation, which is known unto them, and
this is done by Cementation, if (_viz._) divers Metals are commixt
together, and they are mixt with Vitriol, Salt, and Tiles, _Stratum
super stratum_, and so kept together a while for some due time in a
continual fire; then the Salt and Vitriol do assume to themselves the
imperfect Metals, and leave the most perfect, that is the Gold, alone.
Cementing doth also attract Silver and Iron, Copper and Lead; but this
kind of separation is only used to impure Gold, perfectly to purifie it.
There is yet another way of separation, which is done by Antimony, and
is likewise only used to Gold, to cleanse it from its impurity and
vitiosity. There is also another way of separating by fusion, in which,
if you would have a metalline mixture which hath Gold, Silver, Copper,
Iron, Tin, and Lead in it, to be separated into its several kinds, then
the mixture must be granulated and burnt with Sulphur, and being burnt,
it must be melted in a Pot, and so by precipitating it either with Lead
or Iron, one Metal must be separated orderly from another; which way is
wont to be used (as far as I know) but by few, because they are not so
understanding in Nature, nor know any cause why one Metal separates it
self from another, sooner and more readily out of the mass or metalline
mixture, and settles to the bottom.
But that the ingenious Lover of Art may have some directory, as
’twere, and some occasion to consider with himself more deeply, and
may have a willingness to undertake so excellent and profitable an
Art, I have a mind to discover the cause of the precipitation. It is
sufficiently evident, that _like rejoiceth with like_, and that there’s
a disagreement ’twixt unlike things. Oil loves to be mixt with Oil, &
Water is willingly united with Water, but not at all with Oil, lest
by a _medium_ intervening. Hence it is, that for as much as one Metal
is of a different nature from another, that such as are alike, love
each other, and such as be unlike do abhor and shun each other; and
therefore when there are divers Metals in one mass, and that you would
separate them, it is necessary that you do it by adding such a thing as
is of affinity to the more imperfect part, and is at Enmity with the
perfecter part. As for examp. Sulphur is a friend to all the Metals,
save Gold, and that it hates; but yet it loves (even in the imperfect
Metals) one better than another: for by how much the more like they
are thereunto, and the more imperfect, so much the more readily is it
a friend or enemy thereto. And therefore when the Sulphur shall have
been put into the mass in the combustion, then the most noble parts
flie off, and do their best to free themselves from the fellowship of
the imperfect and unclean metals; but yet they cannot rid themselves
without some assistance; and therefore if some sulphureous or imperfect
Metal shall be put to the sulphureous mass, then the sulphur laies hold
upon it, and lets go the more perfect part, tho’ not so pure as yet,
but it needs a greater purification; concerning which there may be read
more at large in the Explication of my _Miraculum Mundi_. This work is
called _Precipitation_, when the more perfect part is precipitated and
separated from the more vile, and that out of one and the same mixture.
The same reason is there in the precipitation made in the moist way, if
(_viz._) _some_ Metals, or _all_ together, be dissolved in the water,
one is thence precipitated after another orderly. First, That which
is the most noble and most perfect, then the 2 & 3, and so regularly,
until they are all precipitated. This is that most excellent and
hitherto wholly unknown, and most gallant Invention wherewith I hope to
become serviceable to my Friends.
He that well understands this precipitation, will gain much, but if
he only meddles with this operation in a careless manner, and meerly
customary as ’twere, and so not know the reason it self, why such, or
such a thing is, he may worthily be compared to an Ass that carrys a
sack, but knows not what is therein contained, nor whither he is to
carry it. Therefore I will yet farther add a more clear information.
Iron precipitates Copper out of both the dry and moist solution; Copper
precipitates silver both in the moist and dry solution: _Mercury_ doth
chiefly precipitate Gold, and altho’ Copper, Iron, Tin, and Lead, do
also precipitate Gold and Silver, yet each Metal hath its own peculiar
precipitation, and farther note, that Precipitations done with Salts do
exceed those done with the Metals, for by them may all the Metals be
precipitated; and this hath even hitherto been kept secret.
And besides, one Metal does not only precipitate another, but doth
likewise change or alter it. As for examp. If I put the Plates
of Copper in a solution of Silver, then (whether the solution or
operation be done either in the moist way or in the dry way) the
silver precipitates it self by means of the Copper. And if I but know
how to manage that business knowingly and skilfully, the Silver will
also graduate some of the Copper into Silver in the precipitation, and
there will be gained more silver than was put in the solution. In like
manner, if I precipitate Copper with Iron, out of a solution of Copper,
then doth the Copper precipitate it self by reason of the Iron, but
withal, some part of the Iron doth exalt it self in the precipitation
into Copper; and seeing that this kind of operation is confirmed by
often Experience, there is none can safely question it. But I do not
say, that in such a gradation all the Iron is turned into Copper, or
all the Copper into Silver; nor did I ever try it; but yet I readily
believe, that it is a thing possible to be done by reiterated workings.
Mercury precipitates Gold most willingly, but only in the moist way,
for in the dry way it cannot subsist; but to precipitate it in that
way, Iron serves excellently well; Copper also and Lead are profitably
useful hereabout also, but yet Iron is better.
There is a singular precipitation of Silver with Mercury, which I will
here mention. The Chymists some hundreds of years ago, made Silver
out of Cinnabar, but without any benefit or profit; neither did their
silver they got come from the Mercury, but from that silver which they
added to the Cinnabar. They took common Cinnabar, made of Quick-silver
and Brimstone, and brake it into small bits, about the bigness of
the Nail of ones Finger, and made Layes, or _Stratum super stratum_,
thereof, with filings of pure Silver, then they luted up all well, and
kept it in a moderate heat for 20, 30, or 40 hours, and by this way
they found that their Cinnabar, which at first was red, was made black;
this matter they cupellated with Lead upon a Test, and so got as much
Silver as was the weight of the Mercury in the Cinnabar.
NB. As much silver as they got, so much wanted there of the silver
they put unto it, and so there was no Gain made from hence; and
they supposed (but falsly) that the Quicksilver extracted the soul
out of the silver put thereunto, and that therefore the said silver
was rendered volatile. Nor indeed is it contrary to Reason, that
_Argent-vive_ should extract the soul from Silver, & thereby convert it
self into silver; and that on the other hand, this exanimated silver be
made wholly volatile, if it be not animated anew by other Metals; and
this is what some have done and attained to, by the help of Lead.
But the Operation which I treat of at present is rather an attraction
or precipitation of silver by Mercury, and this precipitation is to be
done in the moist way, and is most wondrous easie; nor is it without
Encrease or Gain, provided you are willing to wait its time, and ’tis
thus.
If one part of purer silver be dissolved in _Aq. fortis_, and in the
solution two parts of Rain-water be added to one Part of _Aq. fortis_,
and there be likewise thrown in three or four parts of Quick-Mercury,
and all this be left some daies or weeks in a cold place, unmoved, then
the silver precipitates it self out of the Water to the Mercury, and
the Mercury dissolves it self into the Water, and both together yield a
wonderful representation of growing things, like Mountains and Vallies,
and certainly is of a most pleasant aspect. The result of which is
this, _viz._ if they stand so a long time and shall be afterwards
edulcorated and reduced by Lead, then the Silver gets no small encrease
from the Mercury: But yet there’s no gain to be thence had unless those
out growings (or representations of fine things) be suffered to operate
and germinate above a Year: And this, few operators will yield to do,
and to be withheld so long a time from the fruits of their Labours. Now
the reason of this operation is thus: The _Aqua-fortis_ is a moist and
cold Fire, and ripens as well as the dry and hot fire, but he need be a
skillful Artist that sets upon this Work.
It is evident that some of the ancient Philosophers maturated their
Universal Medicine by a moist fire, as you may see in _Artephius_ and
others. Othersome Philosophers extracted a certain secret water, or
universal Menstruum and dissolvent out of the Nitrous Sea, and did
thereby perform most notable things, but they always kept it secret,
and the description they have made thereof, hath been obscured, or
painted over with Riddles, or dark expressions, when they say, that
♄ draws his secret water out of the Sea, of as clear brightness as
the Moon: which way of drawing it belongs not to this place to shew:
only thus much is hinted, that out of Nitre may be drawn an Universal
Menstruum, which is more excellent than the Corrosive Spirit of Nitre,
which said Spirit doth indeed dissolve all things, but after the
manner of corrosives, whereas this which ♄ draws and is of the clear
brightness of the Moon, hath nothing of Corrosivity in it, but is mild
and sweet, and wets not the hands, or tingeth them, as that Corrosive
doth; and altho’ such a water be Volatile, and not fixt, yet is it of
such a nature as to constringe, and fix other fugitive, and unfixt
things. ’Tis a thing most worthy of admiration to consider how those
Natures have a mutual love each to the other, and embrace one another,
and are converted the one into the other. And thus much may suffice to
have been spoken concerning the precipitation of the Metals out of both
the dry, and moist solutions.
Let no body seek to fish ought more out of me by their Letters; but as
for such as formerly have been my friends, and even now are, or shall
hereafter be, to these I will not deny any thing, always provided, that
nothing be done against a _decorum_ (as they use to say) or a discreet
behaviour.
But now if any one thinks that (if he comes flying from the East or
West) I must presently lay aside all my business, and only attend
upon doing and answering what he demands: No, that’s a thing my
Affairs won’t permit me to do, for I have somewhat else to manage. And
therefore would I forewarn such an one, that he enters not on such a
Journey afore he be certain whether or no it stands with my convenience
or not. For this hath many a time already happened unto me, _viz._
for some one to come with a desire of knowing this or that secret,
who (when I would have told it him, but that I had no time then to
accommodate him) hath gone away stomaching at me, and began to reproach
me publickly afore all Men, as if I were some inhumane, or merciless
fellow, and would not satisfy his request. Some also there have been,
who out of the meer malice of their mind have divulged, that I my self
have nothing, seeing they can get nothing from me; there are many such
perverse kind of men to be found, who make no Conscience of enervating,
or sucking out the very Marrow of the Bones of others, so as they may
be but benefited thereby themselves; which verily is a great evil and
inhumanity. How often have such kind of men come unto me, whom, (when
they have spoken with their kind words unto me, and also carry the
garb, and outside show of very honest Men, and promised all decent
thankfulness) I have satisfy’d, and yet have afterwards fled off from,
and broken their Faith: Therefore it is the best way for him who has
any singular thing, to bury it over in silence, and so he need not fear
of being drained by others, that know how (by the perswasive flattering
Art) to get out his skill, and give no thanks afterwards for the same.
If I had not already began to describe the _Prosperity of Germany_,
certainly I would not now begin; but forasmuch as I have taken upon me
to finish what I have begun, I will stand to my promise, and will in
like manner shortly publish (if God shall see it good) the third and
fourth part.
And seeing that in both the following parts, the melioration, or
concentration of the Metals, is chiefly to be done by the help of
Salt-petre, I was willing more amply to confirm in this second part,
that which I wrote in the first part of the Generation of Salt-petre.
And I do again and again averr with the greatest asseveration, that
such a generation of Salt-petre out of wood is very true, and is
founded on Nature her self.
Now must I proceed a little onwards, and withal demonstrate to the
simple, that the putrefactory Stomack, in which the wood is digested
and putrefied, and which transmuteth all wood, and resolves likewise
all Leaves and Grass in a short time, transmutes and reduceth it into
Dung, is as the stomack of Animals is, and this may be done in a most
vast Quantity, as hath been proved in the first part of the _Prosperity
of Germany_; and this no Mortal Man can ever refute, _viz._ that the
essential salt, or salt of Nature, is no other thing but Salt-petre,
but is not as yet burning, or flaming up, until it be animated by the
air, and conceive a life thencefrom, the essential salt of Vegetables,
barely such, is not so, _viz._ Salt-petre, as hath been sufficiently
manifested.
Now whatsoever gives fertility and power of growth, is Nitrous; if
therefore there lay hid no Nitre in Minerals, as in stones, why would
the Gardiners carry slackt Lime into their Fields, and use it instead
of Dung to dung their Fields withal? Whence doth the Salt-petre come
that grows on upon old Walls, if not from the Lime? What is the reason
that the Salt-petre men do seek after old ruined walls, to make
Salt-petre thereout of, were nothing in them? I verily believe that
this is an indubitable Argument, that there is Salt-petre hidden in all
things: For the salt of the World, or the Universal Essential salt, is
nothing else but Salt-petre, when it hath after a due time attracted a
life out of the air, to which end my secret circulatory instrument was
invented, that such an animation might be the more conveniently brought
to pass.
Nor do the other kinds of salts, _viz._ Sal-Gem, the salt made out of
the natural salt fountains, or sea-salt, likewise all salts which are
made out of the Lees of Wood ashes, or of Lime, also Alume and Vitriol,
all these are not so widely different from salt-petre, but they may
easily be transmuted, and converted into salt-petre by the animation
of the air, by the help of my circulatory vessel; but for the better
perception of the operation, I will subjoin this Example.
Dissolve as much Sal-Gem, sea salt, or salt made out of the salt
fountains, or common salt which is frequently used in boiling of
meats, or salt made of Wood ashes, or of the stones of Calx-vive, in
Aq. fortis, as much as the water will assume to its self, or be able
to dissolve, and let it again cool; then the salt does not concrete
or shoot granularly, any more but into longish Cones like salt-petre.
Pour off the Aq. fortis, or Salt-petre water, and dissolve it, _viz._
the salt, again in a Lixivium of Lime, and cristallize it, so shall
you have therefrom a Natural, or Genuine Salt-petre, and no less
combustible than any other Salt-petre that is digged out of the
stables where Cattle have stood. Then again may there be, by the said
Salt-petre water, more salt prepared, either common salt, or salt out
of Herbs, or Wood, and be dissolved and crystallized, from whence
results a new salt-petre, and this operation may be so long repeated,
until all the salt-petre water be turned together with the salt, into
salt-petre.
This transmutation of salt-petre is perfected in some hours, and
from hence may a worthy reward for your pains be reaped, could it be
otherwise performed than in Glasses; and indeed, out of one pound of
salt-petre, would there come an hundred pounds of petre, if a part of
the transmuted salt be still distilled anew into water, and more new
salt be by it again transmuted. But there is no such need of setting
about a work so laborious, seeing there is at hand a far speedier, or
more dexterous way of doing the same, if _viz._ those salts shall be
animated by the air, by the circulation that I have contrived, and
so be turned into salt-petre in great quantity: which animation, or
hatching as ’twere, may be done in vast quantity by easie labour, and
little costs, the air (as we use to say) turning or making both sides
of the Leaf: For one portion continually kindles and animates another,
no otherwise than as a little Leaven doth a great Mass of Dough, and
as a little Fœces, or Yeast, yea, as little as will lie in a Spoon,
serves to ferment a whole Vessel of Ale; the same is done here. And
indeed, common salt-petre may be implanted into other salts, even as
a Vegetable Seed is sown in the Earth, so as thence to get in a short
space of time a great encrease, even an hundred, or a thousand-fold.
But the sluggish Companions who had rather fatten themselves with
eating, drinking, and sleeping, and wholly give themselves to laziness,
who is able to wait so long in the expectation of this thing? Alass for
ye, ye sloathful, lazy, and devouring Gluttons, with what face dare
ye so manifestly to betray your laziness? I pray, if you put out your
Money to Use, and have 5 or 6 _per C._ as we use to say, a Year, must
you not expect the years revolution afore ye receive it? And besides,
you run here a hazard too, least your Debtor breaks, and defraud you
of the very Principal it self: If you lay out your Moneys on building
Houses, so to make a great gain thereby, may not your Tenant be reduced
to such wants as not to have wherewithal to pay you, unless haply,
out of the very Stubble, or Litter of his poverty? May not your Ships
which float about in the Sea, be cast away by Storms and Tempests, or
be taken by Pirates? Why are ye not as Patient in your expectation as
the Husbandman is, who after he hath sown his Grain, must wait a whole
year afore he reaps with advantage what he hath sown. Nay, yet more,
if he be pretty fortunate, he scarce gains 6 in the 100, the costs and
pains being reckoned; and in the mean time he is in fear, lest the
Corn should be blited by the cold, or being near ripe, should by a bad
season be spoiled and corrupted in the field. If there happens a year
that is droughty, then the Corn cannot grow up high, or ’tis eaten by
the Mice; but now in the preparation of Salt-petre all those Cares are
saved, and 100 Dollars may yearly yield thee 2, 3, 4, or more gains,
and that without any wronging thy Conscience, and without endamaging
any other, and without Extortion; for if thou hast much Salt-petre,
thou maist promise thy self much gold and silver also, for there will
alwaies be such as buy it up; and if thou attentively heedest, thou
hast so much delivered thee in my Writings, as that thou thy self
maist spend it all on the melioration and Separation of Metals: Nor
needest thou, if thou thinkest it good, sell any of the same. Nor is
there any reason that thou should be asham’d or repent of such a Work,
because one man is sufficient, without any others help, to manage the
greatest operation: nor need there great expence, save only a little to
build a Small Cottage, wherein the Salt-petre may be kept dry. If you
have huge Woods at hand, you may make your Salt-petre out of wood; if
you want wood, then out of the dung of Horses, Oxen, or other Beasts,
and Sheep, or else out of even common Salt, which we use in seasoning
our Meats, out of wood-ashes, and out of Lime: Whatever it be prepared
from, it will not cost much, for 1 _l._ of Salt will yield thee 1 _l._
of Salt-petre.
But haply some or other may be in the mind to think or demand, why
_Glauber_ himself sets not about this work, and reserve the whole Gain
to himself? To these I answer, that I am not of Such a greedy desire,
as to wish for all to my self; nor will it at all be unacceptable to
me, if another hath likewise somewhat; nor will it be at all less
lawful for me to do for my self so much as seemeth me good, as for any
other to take his liberty, and to do to himself as seemeth him good.
Besides too, I am not of the mind to make the thing so very common, but
will see whom I communicate ought unto, that so it may be applied to
good uses, and not come into the hands of the Unworthy.
The first ten years however Salt-petre will not be of so vile a price,
but that it may be made and sold to profit; Who knows whether or no
he shall live so long? And if at the utmost it should after 20 or 30
years be of so mean a price, because of this Invention of mine, yet in
the interim they may all that while enjoy the profit of the same; and
it may be expected from the hands of God, that He will, for the time
to come, provide for them some other waies: But never will it be so
vile, as to be worth nothing; and if it were so, that you could not
make any Money of it, (tho’ it is impossible that it should ever be
such a drug) yet (by that manuduction which I have afore given in the
1, 2, and 4_th._ Parts of my _Furnaces_; as also in _The Explication of
Miraculum Mundi_; in the _2d._ & _3d._ Part of my _Pharmac. Spagyr._
and in This Second, and shall be in the following Third and Fourth
Parts of the _Prosperity of Germany_;) it may be improved about many
eminent uses, and so Gain be thereof made; for Salt-petre is such a
Subject, as you can never have too much of, and is therefore worth
our labouring after, and our endeavouring how to prepare it in good
quantity, and withal, of finding out what benefit it is naturally able
to afford us; for it is even a wonder to consider how great things may
be done by the help thereof: It is the greatest Poison and yet may a
most excellent Medicine be thereout of prepared: Colder it is than Ice,
and yet hotter than any fire. It is the Generator of all things, and
also their Corrupter; it vivifies and kills all things; it is heavier
than gold, and yet lighter than the Wind; it is also Fire and Water,
Air and Earth, Male and Female; it impregnateth and suffereth it self
to be impregnated; it is light, and is also darkness; it is black and
white: There are in it as many Colours as the world affords; it is fixt
and volatile, corporeal and spiritual; it kindles and burns all things,
and doth also quench all burnings; it is the Beginning of all things,
and yet it causeth the End of all things; that which is Soft, it makes
to be congealed and become stiff; and again, that which is stiff or
hard, it makes soft.
O Thou Creator of all things, How great a vastness is there of
thy wonderful Works? and what a fewness is there of those who
understand, or know, or labour to know it! O thou eternal Light!
illuminate the dark breasts of the lost Sons of the World; O thou
vivifying fire, mollifie, enkindle, heat the stubborn hearts of
sluggish Mankind, that are oppressed with sleep, and frozen with
cold, that so they may seek thee, and know thee, and learn to
fear thee in true Humility, and to honour & worship thee without
Hypocrisie. _Amen._
_An Admonition, and short Repetition of those things which
are treated of in this Treatise._
_That the Friendly Reader may make this Book yet of more use and
benefit to himself, I thought it worth while by way of an Overplus,
again to set here afore his eyes those Secrets which have been herein
mentioned, what ’tis that the use of them doth consist properly in._
_First of all, it hath been shown, how by the means of Salt-petre, all
Volatile, and immature Minerals are to be brought to a ripeness both
in the moist way and in the dry way, that so they may yield forth out
of themselves in the melting, good durable Gold and Silver. Then I
taught by what way the Volatile, Arsenical, Coboltick, and Antimonial,
Auriferous, and Argentiferous Minerals, may by an easy labour, be by
an artificial fusion, and extraction, and also by a precipitation
into Regulus’s, and by the purification or cupellation of the said
Regulus’s, by the help of Salt-petre, converted or brought into use in
the dry way, and the Gold and Silver hidden in them be drawn forth.
Thirdly, I have shown the extraction of Gold and Silver out of all
the barren, or poorer sort of Minerals or Ores, which are not worth
the charges of excocting, or the usual way of proceeding, and of the
drawing them out by a singular Art, with the water of Salt-petre, and
of rightly working them; which way is to be preferred far afore any
usual excoction of those poorer kinds of Minerals, not only because
such an extraction is performed without a melting fire, and a Furnace;
but also, because in this extraction there is more obtained than is
by excoction or forcing out: And yet farther, that which was Volatile
in them is fixed together, and retained, by that Water of Salt-petre
which would otherwise in a melting Fire fly away in fume. And more
than this too, Gold and Silver may by this moist way and that with
very easie Labour be extracted and in a due manner perfected, and that
commodiously and with no small profit, out of any, the vilest Fossiles
(or things dig’d out of the Earth) as out of disesteemed Earths,
Dusts, Sands, and Flints, from whence, otherwise you cannot extract
any thing neither by Excoction nor by Mercury: So that in all places
of the World what coast soever, so it be somewhat a dryish soil, is to
be found such kind of Earth, Clay (or Marle) Sand, Flints, and such
like which contain in them a thin or sparing kind of Gold and Silver,
and from which they may profitably be extracted. Verily it is a dainty
Art which may be used in all parts of the World, nor is it at all
burdensom to carry, but may be excellently (well, or safely) preferred
till need requires. But this is to be noted that the fatter Earth or
Clay must first be made red hot and burnt afore it be moistned with
the Water of Salt-petre. For without so doing, the Earth would always
remain thick (or clammy,) would drink up much water, and it would
not easily be separated, but being burned, it suffers it self to be
extracted no other than as if it were Sand. So neither do the Ore or
Fossiles of Iron which are auriferous and abound with Iron, suffer the
Gold to be extracted and precipitated out of them as readily as other
Minera’s or Ores do. But the iron, (if then be overmuch of it) makes
the Water thick and pappy like Mud. And therefore you must put into
that solution a part of common Water, to make it the thinner, that so
the Gold and Silver may be the easilier precipitated thencefrom. The
auriferous Coppery Ores are to be burnt first, if they are sulphureous,
if not, they may then be extracted, though not burnt. The sandy, stony,
brittle, and pebblish, Fossiles need no other preparation but to be
burnt and ground._
_Likewise all auriferous Irony, or Coppery Ores, may be separated by
common salt, without a Furnace, or melting fire, and that in the open
air (as we said afore where we treated of the poorer Coppery Minera’s,
or Ores:) and many hundreds of pounds may be done at one time, and
with one labour, and the Gold which is extracted mixtly with the
Iron and Copper, may be separated out of the solution, by the moist
precipitating way there delivered, and that with a mighty profit and
gain, because that same precipitation hurts not in the least either the
Copper, or the Iron, as to their malleability._
_In like manner may you precipitate the Gold out of any Vitriol water,
and that in quantity (when it has any in it): and on such wise too,
that the precipitation of the Vitriol shall not at all change ought of
its nature; and this is so compendious a way, as that if there were
contained no more than one quarter of a Drachm of Gold in 100 =l.= of
Vitriol, yet would not that precipitation be of no use or profit. And
on this wise and manner may all other Mineral waters be precipitated._
_Moreover, as concerning the means of easily preparing the salt so
as to serve for the extracting the Copper, in all Countries, but
especially on the Sea Coasts, the Concentration of salt out of the
waters, or the Sea will afford you no mean, or obscure Documents
touching that thing; which concentration it treated of in the Book
Intituled, =The Consolation of Navigators=._
_But forasmuch as there is mention made in this Treatise of a yet other
certain Artificial separation of Gold and Silver out of the imperfect
Metals, in which, Antimonial scoria have place, in a forenamed
extraction, which I would willingly (but as yet have not) delivered;
let no body so construe it, as if I either purposely, or carelesly
omitted the same: No! The Case is far otherwise, and this is the true
reason; seeing this Book now in hand is become more prolix than I
intended, I determined with my self to reserve that most profitable
process for the following third part, which God willing, I will very
shortly publish, till then, I entreat the Friendly Reader to expect or
wait for it with a good and patient mind._
_Mean while he may acquiesce with these two ways, =viz.= the dry and
the moist, and delight himself herein, and withal take care (as far as
in him lies) to have ready by him, some quantity of Salt-petre; for the
following third part shall treat of nothing else but the performing
and doing of processes by the help of Salt-petre. He therefore that
knows how to make it in plenty at a small rate, may hope for so much
the greater benefit; and this I judged expedient, to add here for
admonitions sake. More shall be discovered (God willing) in the third
and fourth following parts._
[Illustration: A. Ein Kleiner Zinßbaur mit einem Plug. B. Ein
Zinßbaur mit 3:Pflüge. C. Deß Zinßbauren Huet. D. Deß Zinßbauren
3:Pflüge. E. Die Register dar durch daß Feür regiret wirt. F. Daß
eingesetzte Glaß mit seinem Helm vnd Recipienten. G. Die Thüer Zu
dem Röster. H. Daß Aschenloch I. Ein Körblein mit Kohlen.]
[Illustration:
☉ ☽ vnd ♂︎ mit ♃ Gagen,
♄ mus die Garne tragen,
Stelt ☿ recht nach dem Windt,
So wird gefangen Fraw ♀ Kindt.]
THE
THIRD PART
OF THE
Prosperity of Germany.
In which is Delivered,
The way of most easily and plentifully extracting _Salt-petre_ out
of Various Subjects every where Obvious and at Hand.
TOGETHER
With a succinct Explication of _Paracelsus_ his Prophecy; that is
to say, in what manner it is to be understood the _Northern
Lion_ will Institute or Plant his political or civil Monarchy;
and that _Paracelsus_ himself will not abide in his Grave; and
that a vast quantity of Riches will offer it self.
LIKEWISE
What an one that Artist _Elias_ is, of whose coming in the last
Days, and his disclosing abundance of Secrets, _Paracelsus_ and
others have predicted.
To the READER.
Friendly Reader,
_Although there are very many Causes that might disswade me from
Publishing this Third and the Fourth following Part of the =Prosperity
of Germany= in Print, (because of the inconveniencies and hurt done me
by the perfidious =Farnner=, against whom no body hath hitherto opposed
himself; but all have connived and wink’d thereat; and consequently
have every one left such a perfidious Treachery unpunish’d) and
incourage me to leave =Germany=, a most ungrateful =Germany= as it is.
Yet notwithstanding, the Love to my Neighbours (amongst whom there are
many honest and good Men to be found, who lead a troublesome kind of
Life to get their daily food) hath compelled me. To such therefore as
these are, would I willingly give [or hand forth] a Torch [so to direct
them] that they may for time to come fare better and more easily get
things necessary to uphold Life withal; but yet after such wise, as
that they set their Hands to the Work, for the Gods sell not ought to
those that Labour not, but all good things are sought, and found out by
daily Labour and diligent search._
_Now albeit, that all those things which are throughly handled in this
book are true, and so confirmed by experience as that any one may
easily understand and imitate them, yet notwithstanding, I am certain
that there will be a very many who by reason of their ignorance, cannot
understand them, and apply them to use; because the greatest part of
mankind are too much addicted to laziness, and do for the most part
refuse to apply their Limbs to work, but would rather walk abroad, and
discourse of Arts when they are in their cups._
_I say that these secrets of mine will no ways profit such kind of Men,
for such must first learn in what manner the [necessary] Instruments
are to be handled, and how the Operations are to be rightly instituted
and managed in seemly Order._
_There are abundance of Men who (if they hap to read some Chymical
Writings, or hear others talk of the profitableness of them, (they) are
presently inflamed with such a love, that they will even wholly devote
themselves to Chymistry on the hopes of growing rich. And now when they
have proposed any thing to themselves, and attempt to do it, if they
hap to have a sparkle of Fire light on their hands, or that by reason
of some other obstacle, all things do not immediately fadge to their
minds, they throw away the Tongs, and the Crucibles upon the Ground,
and detest (or curse) the Author, because he hath not Written clear
enough, and that they do not presently extract great store of Gold._
_Let not such as these at all perswade themselves that they can receive
any instruction from these my Writings; for my Writings require Men
that are diligent, whose minds are never wearied with labour, and
who are not sloathful, and impatient of Labour. Now to the studious
(searchers) and especially to such Children (or Disciples) adopted or
chosen by God, all these things will be unto them clear, manifestly
evident, and easie to be imitated._
_For as much therefore as I have spoken many things in the First and
Second Part of the =Prosperity of Germany=, concerning the making and
use of Nitre, I do now go on in God’s Name, and do teach in this third
part, by what easie ways Nitre may be variously made, and be fruitfully
and profitably used both by Noble Men and common Men; so that there is
not a man in the whole World, but may (if he please) get great benefit
thereby._
_The Omnipotent God, the Author and giver of every good thing, bestow
upon us to be able to enjoy and make use of his Gifts, that all things
may tend to the Honour of his most Holy Name, and to the Safety and
Preservation of us all._ Amen
_Of the Preparation of SALT-PETRE._
I shewed in the First Part of the _Prosperity of Germany_, the way
whereby Wood may be concentrated and turned into excellent Nitre, and
which otherwise is every where for the most part consumed by lying
rotting in the Woods, and yields no benefit at all unto any Man.
This Operation is to be done with the help of a certain Press
artificially contrived for that particular business, the due (or right)
description of which, we gave you in the _Continuation of Miraculum
Mundi_. But the circulatory Vessels by which the Lixivium of the
wood (or the distilled Liquor out of the wood) is to be excited and
heated by the Air, have not as yet been described; and therefore we
have determined to do it in this Third Part. This Figure therefore
represents them, and its use; and is as follows.
There must be two Boxes (as ’twere) made of Boards, each of them of
like bigness and capacity, as the Figure (or Letter) A shews. These
Boxes are to be so placed, that a Vessel may be set under one end of
each Box, to receive in it (if need be) the Lixivium poured into them:
Let one of the Boxes or Vessels be filled top full of Horse-dung, Hens,
or Pigeons-dung; or else with the Leaves of the Trees, amongst which
Fir-tree Leaves are best; then pour thereupon so much of this Lixivium
which we shall make a description of by and by, so much as may suffice
to moisten the Dung or Leaves contained in the Box or Vessel, and a
little to over-top it. The next day (after you have so done) when you
judge that all the matter is throughly wetted, let the Lixivium run
out by a Tap, the which said Lixivium you must pour into the other Box
filled with the like matters, and which stands just against it. Let
these things stand thus wetted for some days; In the mean time, the
matter contained in the first Box, grows hot, and the useless moisture
being most plentifully resolved into Vapours out of the Lixivium,
the said matter doth daily get more and more efficacy. As long as
you observe the heat of this Box to continue, and the evaporation of
moisture to last, so long must it be left in the same positure whereby
the Lixivium, thus poured on, may by its notable power consume and
dissolve the Dung, or the other matters contained in the Box, and turn
them into Water. And here you are to observe this direction. You must
always put in new matter instead of that which is turned into Liquor,
and so one Box may be always at all times kept full of the matters. But
now when your materials being put in the first Box, begin to cool, the
Lixivium which now lies in the second Box or Vessel, must be poured
upon the matters yet warm, in the first Box, that so it may again
contract a heat thence-from by little and little, and so may dissolve
those matters. And now whilst these things are thus detained in the
first Box or Vessel, the materials that are in like manner put in the
second Box do heat each other, and the unprofitable Phlegm evaporateth:
Now as long as this second Box vaporateth, the Lixivium must not be
drawn out of the first Box and be poured thereinto, but all the matters
are to be left to heat or burn (as it were) themselves. And when you
perceive that the materials cool, then the Lixivium must be drawn off
from the matters in the first Box, and be poured upon them in the
second Box; and hereby the matters contained in the first Box will
again wax hot, be burnt, and be turned into Liquor. By how much the
oftner and longer this repeated pouring on of Lixivium is done, so much
the more, and sooner are the materials consumed; from which matters
thus consumed, a most excellent Salt-petre may afterwards be made, for
the heat makes the matters rot. Now then to make trial (if it be well
enough done) take some of this Lixivium boil it away to a sufficient
height for Chrystallization, set it in a cold place to shoot, dry the
salt you find, being dry, put it on a live Coal, which if you find it
burn up, it is a sign that it is full time to draw off, and take all
your Lixivium to the intent that Salt-petre may be thereof made by due
evaporation and coagulation. But if you chance to find it otherwise,
and that the salt does not flame up, the Lixivium must lie longer in
the Boxes to be heated and animated by the Air which is magnetically
attracted by means of the heat: This labour being rightly ordered,
there may be made excellent Salt-petre out of the said matters by the
help of a convenient Lixivium, in ten or twelve Months space without
any costs, save some small trifle about the Lixivium; neither is the
Work so grievous or troublesome, for there is nothing more required but
that the Lixivium be several times poured out of one Box into the other.
NB. There are yet, besides the other aforenamed several sorts of
matters that offer themselves, out of which, Salt-petre may be made by
the help of the Boxes, & a due Lixivium far speedilier & plentifullier;
but I judge it not needful to divulge every thing: Likewise there may
be made a convenient Lixivium to prepare Salt petre sooner, by and
after another manner, to wit, in a dry form, without such putrifying as
is done in the Boxes or Circulatories; but even this Artifice too, will
I reserve yet a little longer for my Friends.
Nay yet more, there may be (by a yet secreter and shorter method)
excellent Salt-petre extracted by the means of such a Lixivium in three
hours space, and that with most great profit: And this way of preparing
Salt-petre, I do preferr before all the others, and have found it the
most excellent (Petre) of them all.
_The =Lixivium= is on this wise made._
Make you a strong Lixivium of Wood-ashes, and when you burn the
unprofitable Wood in the Woods into ashes, make by the same labour of
your Fire some good Lime of stones fit for such a purpose; Then quench
this Calx or Lime with Water, that so it may fall into powder, then
pour thereon as much of the Lee of the Wood-ashes now spoken off, as
is sufficient, mixt it with a wooden _Spatula_, and repeat this mixing
and stirring it very often, some days following, that so the Lee may be
made the stronger by reason of the Lime, and be like Fire, the which
has an excellent virtue to putrefy the vegetables and animals, and to
turn them into burning Salt-petre. (See the foregoing Figure belonging
to this Operation noted at the top page, 1.)
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Hie sitzt der Haen, vund brütet den Basi: liscum aus.
A. Sen die 2 Kasten. B. wie die Kasten in wendig anzusehen. C. der
Mist, oder die Holtz: blätter, wormit die Kasten gefullet. D. Der
Sumpff, oder das Geschir, daerin die Lauge abgezapff et wird. E.
die Pump. F. der Man, der die Lauge aus dem Sumpff auff die Materi
in den Kasten pumpet. G. der gelöcherte bodemin den Kasten. H.
der vnteste bodem, wor, auff die Lauge sonder aus zurinnen stehen
bleibet.]
_Here the Cock fits that hatches the Basilisk, by the top of the
Chest._
A _Are the two Chests._
B _The appearance of the Chests within._
C _The Horse-dung, or Leaves of Trees, wherewith the Chests are
filled._
D _The Cistern or Vessel to receive the Lixivium._
E _The Pump._
F _The Man that pumps the Lixivium out of the Cistern, upon the
matter in the Chests._
G _The Bottom of the Chests full of holes._
H _The second or lowermost Bottom where the Lixivium is kept
without running out._
_Another way of making Excellent Salt-petre in great Quantity out
of Lime and the Lee of Wood._
Take the aforesaid Lime and Wood-ashes, of each as much as you will;
and twice as much Horse-dung or Cows-dung, mix these matters exactly
in a wooden Vessel or Tub, with Mans Urine or beasts Piss, and make
it of the thickness as the thicker sort of Mortar that the _Masons_
use, is wont to be of. You must have good store of this Paste made.
Then make a certain arch of boards, which said arch must be some
three, four, six or more feet broad, and deep or high, and the length
of it must be double to that (or twice as much, as broad, and deep,
or high) according to the conveniency of the place, and the quantity
of Salt-petre you would make. The arch thus made, must be all over
dawbed with the aforesaid mixture, the thickness of an hands breadth,
just as we see Vaults, or Arches built up, of Stones and Lime upon
wooden arches. Now when all is duly ordered, there must be put some
Fire in under the vault of the arch, at first it must be very gentle,
least the arch (of wood) as being the very foundation and supporter
of the (other) arch should presently kindle and be burnt, which must
not be, but be kept whole rather, untill the arch or covering thereon
which is made of Lime, Ashes, and Dung, be perfectly dried. This done,
there must be dawbed on, upon the said arch formerly made, more of the
aforesaid prepared Calx, of about an hands-breadth thickness, and you
will find that the humidity of this latter mass or second arching will
be in a short time attracted by the first arch, and that this second
pargetting will soon be dried: When this is done, there must be again
the third time made another dawbing on, after the afore-prescribed
manner. And this Operation is to be so long and so often repeated
untill the arch be a foot or two in thickness, which when so, it is
strong enough, nor needs it any more its wooden prop, and therefore
now the Fire may be put thereto, and it may be burnt. And thus have
you a vault or arch prepared, which is a most commodious instrument to
make a quantity of Salt-petre by: And now if occasion require, and the
condition of the place will permit, there may be built or made three
or four arches after the same manner; though it be better to have them
placed one by another, and to be of less magnitude or capaciousness;
for so they are more convenient for Operation, as any one that
practiseth hereabouts will easily apprehend and find.
Likewise it is better to build this arched Vault which we have called
an Arch, long and narrow, than short and broad, because the Fire
being put under one part of such a long Chimney-like Vault, will very
well diffuse its heat to every place thereof, and so keep the arch
continually hot.
When this Chimney like vault is wholly dry, it must be again moistned
with Mans or Beasts Piss, that it may thence contract more new
humidity, which we observe will easily be, seeing we know that it is
made up of Horse or Cows-dung, and not barely of Lime, for then it
would not so readily and easily receive the humidity, as when Dung
is mixt with it; the wetted Chimney-arch must be dried by the force
of Fire put thereunder, the which may also be a little augmented
proportionable to the bigness and thickness of the vault or arch.
NB. You must take good heed, that the fire you put under be not too
much augmented, and so hurt your arches, but let it always be such as
may suffice to dry your arch by little and little, or else the Dung
will be burnt up, and the already generated Salt-petre will be spoiled,
for the Fire can easily endamage the Petre.
But now when we shall have often thus moistned the said arches with
Piss, and shall take notice that they (_viz._ the arches) do attract
no more thereof (_viz._ of the Piss) as being already filled with the
Salt of the Urine, the which may be done in some four or six Weeks
time, there must be little bits broken off with an Iron Instrument in
several places of the arch, and these bits must be powdered and be
dissolved in Water so to make a Lixivium of it, be filtred, and after a
due evaporation made, must be Chrystallized and dried; the dried Salt
matter must be put upon the Fire to see if it will flame or not: If we
shall find it thus to be and to burn like Salt-petre, we must break
down all the arch, and by the help of a certain Mill, reduce it into
powder very fine, and pour hot Water thereupon, to extract the Lixivium
with, then evaporate it as much as is convenient, and set it by in a
cool place to Chrystallize; this artifice of Boiling and Chrystallising
shall be declared in proper Figures or Cuts in the end of this Work.
But now if so be we perceive that the Salt extracted out of those
little bits of the arch do not as yet flame up, ’tis a sign that it is
not as yet sufficiently animated by the air: For the air gives life,
which the Fire strongly attracteth, so that by the help of the Fire
the air and life are attracted, whereby the Salt is animated and made
inflammable. The Fire therefore here, is to be again administred (or
put under) and the arched matter to be continually moistned with Rain
water; and that Rain water is best, which (if it may be had) falls down
when the Wind is in the North; though when there is no Rain water to
be had, other water may be substituted in its stead. This pouring on
of water is to be so long continued (always, permitting the Furnace or
Arch to be rightly dried afore it be sprinkled with new water) untill
the Salt, sticking in the arch, be found to be sufficiently animated by
the benefit of the fire and air, and be inflammable when you make trial
thereof by the aforesaid method.
This is a compendious way of making good Salt-petre in quantity enough,
by only Lime, Wood-ashes, and Mans or Beasts Piss. If you proceed
rightly on, you may get you a great quantity of Salt-petre in a most
short space of time, and that for small costs, & in a manner no labour
at all. The Lime and Ashes from whence the Petre is extracted, may be
mixed again with new lime and new ashes, and other arched vaults be
made thereof, upon which Urine must be continually poured in like
manner as we taught afore, that so they may be animated by the help of
fire and air into Salt-petre. But if you have always at hand new Calx,
or Lime and ashes, it is better to make new arches, thereof in the
place of those you have pulled down, and to imploy the residue of that,
out of which the Salt-petre hath been already extracted about dunging
some barren Soil, especially the moister sort of Ground, because it is
impossible so thoroughly to separate all the Salt that nothing abides
behind in the reliques.
This way I communicate to all, but I reserve for my Friends only the
way by which, with the help of other Waters that cost nothing, and may
be had in every place, a far greater quantity of Salt-petre may in a
yet shorter time be prepared by the said arches, than is done by the
help of Mans or Beasts Urine. Nay more, there are some waters which in
eight days time, we have observed to have been coagulated into burning
Salt-petre, which secret verily may be practically improved with most
notable benefit in all parts of the World that Men live in.
Besides the subjects already mentioned, here offer themselves to our
Hands many others which are obvious to all, of which such arches may
be made, and which will yield more Salt-petre than the afore recited
matters will; but let what has already been delivered, suffice. I
cannot here forbear, but must tell you that there are some subjects to
be found which (without the making the aforesaid arches, though there
lie notwithstanding abundance of secrets therein) will bring a most
notable benefit, and that belong not to this place, and which may be
changed in three hours space into excellent Petre; which labour (or
operation) I keep for my Friends, and should it be divulged, it would
bring nothing but hurt, and therefore it is better to be silent: There
shall more secrets be delivered in the following discourse, where we
speak of the Northern Monarche.
_Here follows another way of plentifully extracting =Salt-petre=
out of Rocks and Stones without Vegetables or Animals._
To the intent therefore that it may be sufficiently evidenced, and
that I may prove it to be true, that Salt-petre is an universal Salt
or Subject, and is consequently contained in all the things the World
possesseth, I judge it a thing worth while to set down here some proofs
or trials thereto accommodated.
It hath been sufficiently enough already shown in the first part of the
_Prosperity of Germany_, that good Salt-petre may by Art be extracted
out of all the subjects of the World: But the way of so doing was not
at all disclosed. For as much therefore as all Men do so greedily
desire it, I determined with my self to describe first of all, the
Presses requisite to the extraction of Salt-petre out of Wood, to the
end that so it may evidently appear unto all Men, that it is a thing
agreeable to nature, and that it is most easily accomplishable, to
press a juice out of any Wood, which may be turned by the air into
good Salt-petre. But as for the circulatory Vessels, I was not willing
(then) to communicate them, but rather kept them a little longer for
my Friends, which said Vessels I have notwithstanding set down in this
Third Part.
Likewise it seemed not expedient unto me to reveal unto such as are
enemies, the transformation (or changing) of Animals, much less of
Minerals into Salt-petre. Yet however I have done so much by my
Manuduction, as for any wise Men easily to understand the same by what
hath been exhibited, and I have in some sort opened it, that such
things are possible to be done. But I have not so clearly shown the
way of effecting the same, least I should take away the occasion of
other Mens exercising their ingenuity in bethinking themselves how it
is to be done: Otherwise, it is not prohibited any one to seek a fuller
information, from those that have knowledge in these affairs.
Therefore forasmuch as the way of extracting Salt-petre out of Stones,
is look’d on as a most impossible thing by such as are not skill’d in
this Art, I have determined to describe the same, for the sake and
benefit of such as succeed us; The knack of this Artifice consisteth
more in the knowing of the Stones, than in the extracting of the
Salt-petre out of them, for the extraction is not any other way to be
done, than as the making of their Lee out of the common Nitrous Earth
is wont to be, concerning which thing, _Lazarus Ercker_ hath written at
large. The knowledge therefore of the Stones, and the preparation of
them whereby they may communicate (or let go) their Nitre unto Water,
is the principal thing, and without that, there cannot be any thing
done in this Operation.
First of all therefore ’tis necessary that the lover of Chymistry
knows, that there are various Stones to be found that yield Salt-petre,
_viz._ all such Stones of which (being commonly calcined by the force
of the fire) they make Lime for to build houses withal. For there lies
hidden in these kind of Stones, abundance of Salt-petre, which cannot
be gotten out thence by the help of common Water by any kind of way or
method: But when they are burnt with a violent Fire, they yield an hot
Salt, extractable by the benefit of common water; which Salt indeed
is not Salt-petre, but yet may most easily be turned by the air into
Petre, like as it was formerly Salt-petre afore the Stone was burnt,
and now first got another nature by the burning.
The truth of this thing, _viz._ That there resides natural Salt-petre
in all Stones, which may be burnt into Lime, may be proved on this wise
following:
Take of these Stones which Lime may be made of, ℥ _ss._ or ℥ _j._
powder it very fine, pour thereupon as much of the best _Aqua-fortis_:
Place the Glass in which this matter is contained, in a warm place upon
ashes or sand, that the stone may be dissolved in the _Aqua-fortis_:
After it hath thus stood for about one quarter of an hour, take out
your Glass out of the ashes or sand, though the stone be not wholly
dissolved as yet, and pour thereon drop by drop, some Lixivium of wood,
untill the ebullition of the Lee or Lixivium poured upon the dissolved
stone ceaseth, and (the noise ceasing) you shall perceive some kind of
Salt produced from them thus commixt, _viz._ from the dissolved stone
and the Lixivium. Pour some common Water upon this Salt, so much as
may serve to dissolve the Salt in a warm place, the solution being
made let the Liquor be filtred, or be strained through some thin Linen
cloth, that so the part of the stone undissolved, and the fæces may
abide behind in the Filter or Linen cloth: The filtred Liquor must be
coagulated into Salt by evaporating it away in a brass Vessel, then you
are to weigh it: And now that we may exactly know, how much Salt-petre
was in that ℥ _ss._ of the stone, you must proceed on farther thus:
Take the same quantity of _Aqua-fortis_ as you used but now, about the
solution of the Lime-stone, and pour thereon likewise the same quantity
of Lixivium, that you used about the precipitation of the dissolved
stone, and let there be made a precipitation, let the precipitated
matter be coagulated into the substance of a salt, and then also weigh
how much this quantity of salt is: and now, as much less weight, as
you observe to be in this salt than in the first Salt in which the
Lime-stone is, so much Salt-petre was there in that half ounce of
Lime-stone. This is a most certain trial, and by this means may we most
easily find how many pounds of Salt-petre, are contained in an hundred
weight of stones.
NB. To the end that the proof you make, may be most certain, we must
use the lesser Centenary, or hundred weight, as being more usual, and
more accommodate for the trying of Metals.
And albeit, that the using of Aqua-fortis to this Operation, is
altogether without profit, where you would extract that salt in great
plenty out of the stones, yet notwithstanding, it is not so slight or
trivial a thing to know a certain way of trying what stones do most
abound with Salt-petre, that so if we have a mind to extract Salt-petre
out of them, we may take those, in which it lies in a plentiful manner.
Besides, those stones which do commonly yield a Calx or Lime by
Calcination, and which the Bricklayers use; there are found other
stones, out of which there cannot be made any Lime by Calcination,
and yet nevertheless, abundance of Salt-petre may be thence extracted
without any previous Calcination. He that delights himself in this
work, must exactly know aforehand such kind of stones: Forasmuch as
no body would easily perswade himself that Salt-petre is contained in
them. Nor do I think that ever afore this time the way of extracting
Salt-petre out of these kinds of stones was used; but whether there
was no body that knew that there was Such a Salt contained in them,
or judged it a thing not to be regarded, this I know not. But this I
know well enough that that way of extracting Salt-petre out of them was
never observed and used in _Germany_, though there lies a most notable
quantity of Petre in them, and easily extractable thence, did we but
know the way.
Therefore, forasmuch as there is plenty enough of such stones in all
places, and that Salt-petre may easilier be made of them, than of wood,
I could not forbear, but must needs open and disclose this artifice for
the good of the Country, and clearly explain it in this place.
Therefore, as concerning those stones which are here mentioned, there
is such a plentiful store of them in most places, that they even make
whole Mountains; they are in substance like a soft and tender stone,
whitish in colour, [or of a shining colour] ashy colour’d or reddish,
and are easily broken, and may be fashioned into all kind of shapes, or
figures; and therefore they are frequently used about building Houses,
for the making various Ornaments about the House, as for the corners
of the Houses, the Doors, Windows, Steps or Stairs, or other External
Ornaments. As long as they are yet in the Mountain, and not exposed to
the air, they are of a considerable hardness enough, and do always hold
it. When being used about Buildings, they are put in such places, where
they may abide at all times dry, or else always moist.
But if so be they are one while dry, and another while moist, and
are always obvious to the air [or weather] they easily become soft,
and there scales off from them yearly, a little portion of the back
of a Knifes thickness, like Meal, so that they are yearly lessen’d,
and are not at all fit to build stable, or durable Houses with. The
Stone-Cutters can easily distinguish these kind of stones from others,
nor do they willingly use them where there is plenty of others to be
had. And now, if you should go about to make your trial with these
stones, like as you did with those that they make Lime of, according to
the afore delivered Probation, so to know what quantity of Salt-petre
is contained in them, it will not succeed so, because the Salt-petre
becomes Volatile in the Calcination of it, and doth for the most part
fly away into the air: and much less can you with [bare] water extract
ought out of the Crude, and not Calcined stones; for such do not yield
any Salt-petre at all, unless they have been placed in a moist air
for about half a years space, whereby they may of themselves fall in
pieces; for being so ordered, they easily yield forth their saltness
to the water that is poured on them, and consequently yield plenty
of Salt-petre. Of which thing, this is a most certain Testimony, if
(_viz._) such stones are laid in some dry place, whereto the Rain
cannot come, and we do most frequently sprinkle them with common water,
and they do thereby turn into a powder. And if it fall out otherwise,
’tis a sign that there is very little Salt-petre to be found in them,
and that the labour you shall bestow about them will be in vain. But
such stones as grow soft, and fall in pieces, in six or eight Months
time, do promise notable Rewards for your Labour, _viz._ a great
quantity of the wisht for salt; an hundred weight of these kind of
stones thus fallen in pieces, will easily yield you ten pound of
Salt-petre, more or less according to the Condition of the stone. The
extracting of the Lee, or salt, is done with common water, in the same
manner as the Lixivium is otherwise extracted out of that Earth which
is digg’d up in the Stables where Beasts stand; which way of extracting
Salt-petre, of coagulating and perfecting it, is clearly and perfectly
enough described by _Lazarus Ercker_, heretofore the Emperours chief
Overseer of the Metallick Affairs, in his most experienced Book of
his Art of the proving of Metals; insomuch, that I esteem him to have
rendred the hardest, or most difficult part, very clear, and therefore
I will referr the well minded Reader thither.
But for as much as every one cannot buy himself a Book of such great
bulk, only to get thereby the knowledge of the way of extracting and
evaporating Salt-petre, I have judged it worth while to set down here
for the sake of the Chymical Students, such directions as the aforesaid
_Lazarus Ercker_ hath delivered us hereabouts. For I was never of the
mind to cast off such things as have been well delivered by other men;
I only add unto them, those things that are mine: Let others do the
like, that are the Authors of any new thing, that so there may arise
some benefit thereby unto our Neighbours, for whose sake, that we may
(_viz._) serve them, the most great and blessed God hath bestowed on us
such various knowledge.
But that we may get a certain knowledge of distinguishing the said
stones, I think it altogether necessary to treat of them more at large.
Therefore although this kind of stones are plentifully enough, to be
found every where in the World, yet they are not known, or regarded,
because we cannot perswade our selves, that there is any the least
portion of Salt-petre contained in them; for albeit, that an hundred
pounds of such stone should contain in it ten pound of Salt-petre, and
we should reduce the same into a most subtile powder, and should labour
to extract from thence a Lixivium or Lee, with either cold or hot
water, yet should we not hereby get so much as one Ounce of Salt-petre.
The reason is this, because there is not to be found in such a stone as
soon as ever it is digged out of the earth, any Corporal Salt-petre,
which may be extracted by means of water, but there lies hidden only
a certain Soul or Magnet of Salt-petre, by the virtue of which, that
which gives a Corporeity thereunto is to be first attracted out of
the air, to the end that Salt-petre may arise thencefrom. And this is
hereby evident, for were it otherwise, and were there in that stone any
Corporeal Petre at the first digging, it must necessarily be extracted
thencefrom by the help of water; but we find it impossible to make any
such extraction, unless that stone be before laid for some certain time
in the air, and doth, together with its softness, acquire (or make)
Salt-petre in a Magnetical manner.
But for all this, we know that this our reason so exceedingly well
founded, will not yet satisfie the unskilful, unless we make it yet
more clear unto them with other Expressions, and various Examples; but
I pray how is it possible to declare all such Circumstances to one that
is utterly ignorant. ’Tis too much labour to boil Meat for another, and
to thrust it into his Mouth too. It is surely sufficient enough to have
shown the truth, and discovered the way by which the operation is to be
contrived, though all things be not founded on such palpable Reasons.
But forasmuch, as the work, which I treat at present of, is an
altogether new thing, and unknown to any men, the necessity of the
thing requires, that we do a little more openly and clearly exhibit
(and set down) the whole knack.
We presuppose, that it is a thing well known already, even to all,
that each thing hath in it its peculiar magnet, by the benefit of
which, it attracteth unto it self from the air, or earth, whatsoever
is profitable for it; and especially, because we have largely treated
thereof in our Works; insomuch, that we deem it altogether needless
to repeat the same here. However ’tis requisite that I add thus much,
_viz._ That the Minerals do abound with a certain Magnetick Virtue,
more than other things do; and that they do attract their Life, Figure,
or Shape, and Essence, out of the air, like as the Animals do, that so
they may be nourished, and encrease; but being destitute, or deprived
thereof, they are observed to be as it were dead, and bound, or wholly
void of vigor.
As for Example. Let the Minera, or Ore of Vitriol, or Alum, be digg’d
out of the Earth, that the Vitriol, or Alum in this Minera, be already
duly digested and ripened, the salt may even presently be extracted
thereout of, with common water. But if they have not as yet attained
their full maturity, there is no salt extracted thence, unless the
Minera be first torrified, or calcined. Nay more, a Minera, or Ore,
that is yet less ripe, will not yield any Salt, neither by the force of
the fire, nor without it; but must be yet farther exposed to the air
for some time, that so it may first attract that out of the air, that
is requisite to make Vitriol or Alum of, and thus (these things being
first done) the Alum, or Vitriol, is most easily gotten thereout of, by
a convenient Extraction and Evaporation.
We made mention in the second part of the _Philosophical Furnaces_,
of a certain Minera, or Ore of Vitriol, which is plentifully found at
[_Herckeroda_ in _Hassia_] sticking in that Earth, which in that place
they make their Crucibles or Pots, in great quantity with; and we
shewed a way of making a red and sweet Oil of Vitriol thereof, yet with
this Caution, _viz._ That we shall not have from the said Minera, not
the least portion at all of this Oil, if we do not expose it, broken
in bits, to the cold air, for half a year, that so it may fall into
powder. Such as have heeded this going to work, have made thereof amost
sweet Oil; but such as have neglected the doing this, which I published
out of a sincere heart, and have reduced the said Mineral into fine
powder, and laboured to extract a salt thencefrom, by boiling it in
simple water, bestowed their labour in vain, because of their refusing
to expose that Minera for a while to the air, and they received not
so much as one Grane of Vitriol; and thereupon they took occasion to
slander me, and to accuse me of Lying.
But now, when they have observed that this Mineral that they cast
away, being exposed to the air, had attracted therefrom a salt by its
Magnetick Virtue, when it had lain so long as to mould into powder of
its own accord, and that thereout of a Vitriol doth proceed, they were
enforced to believe that there lay hidden some Vitriol in those stones;
which notwithstanding, could not be extracted by means of water, and
so they have afterward publickly confessed, that what they afore
gainsay’d, or oppos’d, was agreeable to the truth.
Thus likewise, there are various sorts of Copper (Ores) endued with an
attractive power, and upon that account, there cannot be separated any
Metal, by fusion, when it is first taken out of the Earth, unless we
have first exposed it for some Months unto the Air.
Every Nitrous Earth, out of which Salt-petre hath already been
extracted, doth (when it is again exposed to the air) attract
Salt-petre anew, and this we observe to happen in all Wood-ashes, but
especially in Lime-stones Calcined; for, it attracteth more salt out
of the air, than its weight was afore its being Calcined. For, at the
first time, you will scarce get _ij._ or _iij._ ℔. of salt out of
a centenary, or hundred weight; now by how much the longer it lies
exposed to the air afterwards, so much the more plenty of salt doth it
yield, as is sufficiently well known already. He that is ignorant of
that we speak, or else cannot understand it, let him make trial, and he
shall find that what we say is a truth. Such as are Ideots do extreamly
need these kind of Admonitions, that so, the business being the better
understood, we may take from them all occasion of ignorantly detracting
from my Writings.
I say again, that if the stones which we here treat of, are but well
known, though they do not at the first yield any salt, by endeavouring
to extract it with simple water, yet is there no difficulty at all
therein, nor should we at all mind that, but let them only be left in
the air for some due time, and by this means they will plentifully
enough attract, and yield us, by a convenient extraction, good
Salt-petre. The Ancients did extract Salt-petre, chiefly out of stones,
which way of Extraction is now wholly lost, or out of use. All the
_Europeans_ do now extract their Salt-petre out of the Earth of the
Stables where Beasts stand; albeit, that the very Name it self of
Salt-petre, doth declare, what matter it was first produced out of,
_viz._ out of Rocks and stones: For ’tis as much as to say, salt educed
out of Rocks.
Nay, even to this day there is Salt-petre extracted out of Rocks in
the _East-Indies_, the which they transport thence in Ships into our
Lands: Our Commonwealth of _Amsterdam_ only doth yearly receive some
thousands of hundreds of that Salt, which is extracted out of the bare
Rocks without the addition of any other thing; I wonder what the reason
is, that, that way of extracting is unknown to us _Germans_; surely I
impute it meerly to the want of skill to manage this business.
Thus therefore do we think we have sufficiently declared that Nitre may
in very deed be extracted out of stones; and that so clearly that I
cannot see what reason any have to misbelieve my words.
But now that the certainty of the thing may be the more apparent, and
that no body may think it a fable, that Salt-petre may be extracted
out of stones, we will shew some places in which Salt-Petre lies in
the stones in a most plenteous manner: And although that there are
sundry such places that offer themselves unto us, where the stones
contain Salt-petre in them, we will demonstrate the verity of this in
those places we have lived in, for ’tis impossible for us expresly
to pronounce such or such a Mountain in this or that Country full of
Salt-Petre, which places we never saw. ’Tis not given us to search all
places of the Earth, but such places as we have seen and come to, we
have left but few things in them untoucht, whose nature we have not
throughly examined.
Therefore for Examples sake, we will take some part out of our own
Country, and exhibit or shew unto all Men, those stones which are
therein found to participate of Salt-petre, any one that is studious
in these affairs may do the same in other places, and make a diligent
inquiry into them, and he will find that almost all Mountains are
filled therewith, and yet is known to none or at least-wise to but
a very few. In _Francia_, (or _Franconia_) and indeed at _Kitzing_
where I dwelt before I came to _Holland_, I often went into the Field
in clear weather, with an intent to search out Minerals, and although
that sundry Men ignorant of (such) businesses, do report that there
are not any Minerals at all to be found in _Franconia_, and that never
any Veins of Gold or any other Metal have been found there, because
all the Inhabitants do live contentedly with the plentiful provenue of
Wine and Corn; nor do they labour about finding out any other Treasures
(for there is not any Country in all _Germany_ in which is gathered
more abundance of Wine, and of a better sort, than in _Franconia_
aforesaid; which gathering of Wine is to be accompted to the _Franks_
or _Franconians_ instead of Mine-pits, and yield them imployment
enough) yet nevertheless forasmuch as my mind was ever bent that way,
and I was naturally inclined to search very inwardly into those things
which offer themselves unto us, amongst the wonderful works of the most
great and glorious God, I could not omit the visiting such places,
which seemed to all Men as unfit for bringing forth Minerals, and
which were judged to be clearly void of the same, as being willing to
try whether or no some things that others knew not of might not offer
themselves unto me. Nor was my hopes in vain, for I found far more than
my expectation was, and if necessity required I could shew those very
places.
But forasmuch as I have proposed to my self, here to shew such places
only in which Salt-petre may be plentifully made, I will at this time
pass by the other Minerals in silence: Yet so, as not wholly to leave
such things, as offer themselves in the way, untoucht. I will therefore
take in hand some part of the _Rhine_, which is between _Kitzing_ and
_Aschaffenberg_, and will very briefly (for my purpose is not to write
a Chronicle) shew what treasures the most Great and Blessed GOD hath
vouchsafed unto those places, besides Wine and Corn so plentifully
abounding there.
_Kitzing_ is an Eminent I own and well built, belongs to the Bishoprick
of _Wurtsburg_, and is founded upon Lime-stone, and therefore the soil
is very fruitful; and yields Wine and Corn in abundance. But as soon as
ever we are past over the Bridge of the _Mhene_, the Earth begins to be
sandy, and has abundance of Flints in it, which contain in them some
Gold as well as Iron. The manner of extracting it is described in the
second Part of the _Prosperity of Germany_, and is confirmed in this
third Part.
About a mile distance opposite to the said City is situated an high
Mountain, very full of huge Trees, in this Mountain are various
Castles (or Houses) the chief of which is the _Cossel_ Castle, which
is the House belonging by succession to the Lords of the County _de
Cossel_: At the bottom of the Mountain there is a Village of the same
name, belonging to the said Castle (or Palace.) In this Village there
are abundance of Springs, the Waters of most of them I have often
times tasted, and have perceived them to be mightily impregnated with
Salt-petre, insomuch that the Beasts do altogether shun the drinking of
them, much less can Men use them about the boiling of their Victuals:
Yet some of them yield sweet water very fit for domestick affairs.
These Nitrous Fountains are of no use, nor do they effect ought, save
that they drive some Mills, and run through the Village a particular
way afore they fall into the _Mhene_.
And forasmuch as the aforesaid Earls have known that the chief part (or
most part) of the said Fountains are wholesome by reason of the plenty
of Salt-petre in them; they have therefore taken care to have a great
House built, that so the place may be rendred commodious for those that
by reason of some disease should come unto this place for the sake of
washing their sick bodies; and there are abundance known to come, that
are ill, in the Summer time, from places far remote; several of them
too by a due using this Bath are restored to their former health.
They know not any other use of these nitrous Fountains than what is
aforesaid; whereas if they did but know how to add some Virtues to the
said waters by the benefit of the Juice of the wood, of which there is
great store in that place, they would find by the use of them then,
many wonderful effects in the curing of Diseases.
Being therefore earnestly intent upon the search hereof, _viz._ from
whence these nitrous Waters should chiefly proceed, I found that the
Mountain nigh that place, extending it self for some miles, was every
where full of Salt-petre, and that it stuck in the Rocks themselves,
out of which whatsoever is on the Mountain grew. I did therefore
diligently search out, what condition those Stones were of, which
the workmen dig’d out in these places, and I knew that there was a
great quantity of Salt petre contained in them, insomuch, that as
many Mountains as here (abouts) seem to be replenished with the same:
Nay more, if you shall break one or two of those Stones with which
the Houses of the Village of _Cossel_ are built, you shall find every
where in them abundance of Salt-petre. I went to visit the place it
self where those Stones are digged out, but found not any Salt-petre
among the digging, because the Air had not as yet displaied its Virtues
thereupon: But I observed that in those stones exposed a while to the
Air, there was plenty of Salt-petre. He that would see it with his own
Eyes, let him go into any House of the _Cossel_ Village, whose Walls
are of ancient standing, and he shall find that there is abundance of
Salt-petre in those stones, and withal, that the Pillars belonging
to the Bath-house do yearly wax less, for as much as scalings of the
thickness of the back of a Knife do still fall off, by the power of the
separated Salt-petre, as I have often very accurately and curiously
observed. If the Earls or Counts did but know the true use of this
excellent and o cult Treasure, they would get far greater riches out of
that bare Mountain only than by all the County. I doubt not but that
seeing I have in this place detected this Treasure, there will some be
found that will labour for their own profits sake to find it out.
Not far off from the said Mountain the whole Earth abounds with Iron,
not in the form of Veins but of Reins, insomuch that the Metal of Iron
offers it self in various particles or pieces of diverse magnitudes;
for in some places it is found as big as an Hazle-nut, or an Acorn; in
other places as big as an Egg, or ones Fist, yea and as big sometimes
as ones Head, which by the force of the Fire is made facile and yields
abundance of Iron; nor did I ever yet meet with any Metal of that sort
more excellent than that is, but no body knows it, though it may be
commodiously prepared or fitted for the use of Man, because there is
in this place plenty enough of Wood and Water to be had [for such a
purpose.]
This Mountain stretcheth out it self some miles, reaching as far as
_Iphovia_, and the jurisdiction of the City of _Wurtzburg_; so that
the chiefest and greatest part thereof is seated in the Bishoprick of
_Wurtzburg_: And therefore might immense and vast Treasures be gotten,
were there but such as were lovers of Art and would make themselves
skill’d in the Operation.
Besides, this Mountain yields abundance of white and red Gypsum, which
may be reduced to an exceeding whiteness by the force of the Fire.
Besides this too, we have known Marble and Alabaster digg’d out hence,
and yet it has not been very durable, for it becomes nitrous after it
hath lain exposed a while to the Air, and falls to powder, and yields
plenty of Salt-petre, were it but rightly managed, for there’s no want
of Wood here.
There is yet moreover found in the said Mountain another Castle which
is called _Swansburg_, and belongs to the Bishoprick of _Wurtzburg_,
where the Soldiers did heretofore use the Metallick Rods, to search
after, and to see if they could find (by the using them) some
Treasures; and they tried whether or no (the Castle being burnt by the
occasion of the War) any such Treasures lay any where hidden. What
they found I do not yet know: But this I know, that the said Rods did
shew good Metal to be every where (thereabouts) The which thing gave
occasion of explaining or unfolding the said matter in its proper
places. Besides this, they digged up nothing else but such nitrous
stones for some fathoms depth. I once viewed this place, and found
that the stones extracted some years afore out of this Mountain were
altogether brittle, and is a manifest token that the whole Mountain is
fill’d with Salt-petre.
There is besides this Mountain, another nitrous one that I know of,
of the like condition in the mid-way ’twixt _Kitzing_ and _Wernfeld_
(and is about a miles distance from _Carlstadt_) but that which is here
had, differs from the former in this, _viz._ that the stones which it
exhibits are of a red colour, nor are they so much impregnated with
Salt-petre, as those of _Kitzing_ aforesaid, for they are richer in
Petre, and are of a more ashy colour.
There are likewise such kind of stones also that they cut or dig forth
at the _Mhene_ near the City _Rotenfeldt_, but they have not in them
so much Salt-petre as those have that are found in the _Cossel_ and
_Swansburg_ Mountain.
There’s abundance of such stones in several places in _France_, but my
purpose is not to mention them all, for I was minded to mention such
only as my self have seen, and that are near bordering upon the _Mhene_.
They that have a mind to deal with them may make their search, and they
will find in all Countrys of the Earth fit stones for their purpose,
the which we may hereby know, if being kept a while in the Air, they
wax soft, and scale off in most thin leaves, and there sticks to your
Fingers in rubbing them off, a reddish Meal.
Besides this too, you may have a most certain sign of such Petry places
by those Spiders that have a small body and round, and long feet, for
they stick to those stones in abundant measure: For such Spiders do not
feed upon hearbs, grass, flies or other insects, but on old Walls, and
they seat themselves chiefest of all on those aforesaid stones. They
are not all venemous as the common house Spiders are, and therefore the
Children do gather them, and are much delighted with them. Now they
sticking on to the softer sandish stones do most certainly demonstrate
that Salt-petre is contained in them; for tis that which they are
nourished with, and conserve their life by, and this I was willing to
signify unto you. But put case that no such nitrous stones were to be
found, yet however there is not the opportunity denied us of making
Salt-petre of the common Lime-making stones, and of them there is every
where plenty enough, if they are calcined by the benefit of Wood, and
made nitrous with the juice of wood.
What shall I say of the Calcined fæces of _Tartar_ which are yearly
gathered up and thrown away in vast quantities, in all that tract which
lies on the River _Mhene_, between _Bamberg_ and _Franckfort_, whereas
notwithstanding some hundreds of hundreds weight of Salt-petre might
be extracted thence-from, did they but mind it. For whatsoever Tartar
is therein contained, is all of it Salt-petre when ’tis duly boiled
with a Lixivium of Lime, and being hence strained, and a sufficient
evaporation made, it be set by to Chrystallize. For it attracts the
soul after a magnetick manner, which Operation if rightly instituted,
there may be prepared thence from a most inflammable nitre in three
days space, the which is likewise of far greater profit than the
getting out the Tartar by the help of a Press, and with a great deal of
labour; or else than the making Potashes, as we see usually done.
Besides too, there are found other stones that being burnt do yield
abundance of Salt-petre, such as are the Tophi (or soft sandy stones)
which may be abundantly gathered near _Triefelstein_, which is a
Monastery situate on the _Mhene_, in other places of _Germany_ they
make even whole Mountains: So that it is evident that there is no where
any want of convenient matter to gather Salt-petre from, if Men would
but set their hands to the work. These stones are obvious unto all; and
who knows what Treasures the Woods (which we do not at all search into)
abound withal? Would time permit me I could shew that various kinds of
Metals are conserved in the Mountains situate between _Kitzing_ and
_Franckfort_, and especially in the _Speshardensine_ (Mountain,) the
disclosing of which, some other more commodious place will admit of.
Now follows what we mentioned of the aforesaid
LAZARUS ERCKER.
_Of the manner of Boiling =Salt-petre=._
AND FIRST
_By what means a Lixivium is to be made out of a Nitrous Earth_.
If you are minded to make a Lixivium of such an Earth, dig it as deep
as you shall find by proving it to be either good or naught, especially
if you intend to make it in great quantity, and keep it in a dry place.
Then take care to have some great wooden Tubs, or Vessels made, so
large, that each of them may hold about some ten Wheel-barrows full
of the Earth, and whereby you may be able to prepare Lixivium enough,
answerable to the work you have proposed to your self to do, and to
the bigness of your Copper. Now there are commonly required for such a
work, to one Copper Pan that weighs two hundred weight, eight Wooden
Vessels which are to be placed in such order, that on each side there
may stand four in a row, opposite to each other. These same Tubs are to
be so far distant from the next Collateral Vessels, as is requisite for
the Wheel-Barrow wherein the Earth is brought to come between: Yea, and
it is necessary that there be half an Ell’s space betwixt the said Tubs
and the Earth, or Ground, it self, whereon they are placed. Likewise,
each of the Vessels, or Tubs, must have a hole in the fore-part, and
towards the bottom thereof, fit to put in a Plug (or Tap) at: Then
finally, there must be put under those Plugs, a long Vessel like a
Channel-pipe, which may receive in it the Lixivium running out of the
Tubs, and may guide it along into a peculiar Wooden Vessel, as into
a common Store-house set in the Earth hollowed for that purpose, to
receive the said Lee in.
All your Tubs being thus rightly ordered, put in upon every Tubs bottom
another (false) wooden bottom, perforated with many Holes, and let it
lie two Fingers breadth distant from the true bottom: Upon this (false)
bottom lay yet another made of Bull-rushes, or your small sort of Reeds
which grow plentifully in Ditches about the thickness of a quarter
of an Ell: In want of these Reeds throw in upon the aforementioned
perforated bottom, the quantity of a Span (thick) of Chopt Hay, or
Straw, laying some very thin boards thereon, that so it may not be
scattered (or float) abroad. And your Vessels are made compleatly ready.
Now then, put of the Earth you have already tried and gathered, as much
into each of your Tubs, as they can hold, yet with this Caution, That
the top part of your Vessel be empty a Spans heighth. And observe this,
that if you can get some old ashes of the Curriers, or Soap-boilers,
as much of it as two or three Wheel-barrows will carry, it must be put
in upon the topmost (made) bottom of the Tub, afore the Earth, but
now spoken of, be put in. At the top of the earth, lay a Cover made of
Twigs, (or Withes) and fasten it with a wooden stick at the top of the
earth. This done, pour common water upon the earth contained in the
Vessel, an Hands breadth in heighth, so as that it may rather touch (or
be poured) on the Twigs, than the Earth it self, least the said earth
become unequal thereby, and hollowed in several places. Let it stand
thus for eight hours, which time being overpast, draw your Plug out,
and let the water you poured on, run out at the hole beneath, which as
long as it is muddy, you must always pour in again into the Vessel,
repeating this so often, till it comes out clear, then keep it, and
this water is called a weak Lee or Lixivium.
This done, pour common water again upon the earth from which the Lee
hath been already, once separated, that so it may extract the residue
of the Lixivium out of the earth; and this Lee is of no use, save that
it may be poured on upon new earth, instead of simple water; for it
oftentimes doth even yet contain a great deal of Nitre, insomuch, that
you may sometimes extract out of an hundred weight thereof, three or
four pound of Nitre.
This Extraction being finished, take out the unprofitable earth out
of the Vessel, and put in new; and continue the Operation, after the
aforesaid manner, reiterating it so long, and so often, until you have
gotten store enough of the Lixivium, that the work of boiling be not
intermitted for want of Lixivium.
Besides, there must be some Wooden Vessel placed at the upper part
of the Copper which this Lixivium is boiled in, out of which may run
so much Lixivium into the Copper as is wasted away by boiling, that
so there may be still kept the same order of boiling, and the same
quantity of Lixivium in the Copper. This boiling is to be on this wise
continued, until a Centenary, or hundred weight of Lixivium in the
Copper, yields according to the less assay (or weight) twenty five
pounds of Nitre; and this may be done in two Days, and one Night.
This being thus done, you must have ready yet two Tubs, or Vessels
(more) of Wood, made after the afore prescribed manner, and furnished
with a (false) perforated wooden bottom, besides its own bottom, and
likewise with such a bottom as is made of Reeds (or Bull rushes);
only you are to observe this here; That there must be put yet another
perforated wooden bottom upon this topmost bottom of Reeds, upon which
there must be first cast in some chop’d Straw, then some Ashes of Firr,
Beach, or any other Tree, so much in quantity as may overtop the Straw
an Ell or Cubit, [_Ulna_] high; or rather (if it may be had for a very
mean price) as much as may fill the Tubs, or Vessels. But yet, these
Ashes are not to be just simply thrown in (as they are) upon the Straw,
but afore this is done, they must be first well mixt together, then
moistened with some of the best hot Lixivium, that there may be made
a Mass. Then when the Ashes are on this wise prepared, and put in the
Vessel, the Lixivium boil’d to its heighth, and which yields in the
proof twenty five pound, must be poured thereon, as hot as possibly it
may, and is to be often drawn off by the lower hole, until (if troubled
or muddy) it becomes clear.
After that all the Lee hath thus passed through the Ashes of both
Tubs (the which is done upon this account, That all its fatness may
pass into (or be left with) the Ashes, which Ashes are hereby rendred
stronger to wash withal) keep it in a peculiar Vessel.
Then pour the common Lee or Lixivium upon the Ashes remaining in the
Tubs, which when it hath passed through the Ashes, is called the second
stronger Lixivium: Then again pour on yet a third time, hot Lixivium,
and when ’tis drawn off, it is called the second weaker Lixivium:
Lastly, the common Lee, or Lixivium, may be poured on cold upon the
Ashes, that so all the virtue of the same may be wholly extracted.
* * * * *
The Figure before going (_Numb. 1._) will shew you the way of placing
the Tubs, of preparing the Lixivium, and ordering the boiling.
A _Are the eight Wooden Tubs, wherein the earth is put_.
B _Channels, or Conveyances, by which the water runs into the said
Tubs._
C _Channels, or Gutters, by which the Lixivium is conveyed into a
Vessel set thereunder._
D _The Vessel in which the Lixivium is gathered, or received._
E _The little Vessel out of which the Lixivium runs into the Copper._
F _The Furnace._
G _The Copper._
H _The door of the Furnace whereby Wood is put in under the Copper._
I _The Lower Wind-draught (or Ash-hole) of the Furnace._
K _The inward shape of the Furnace._
L _An Iron Grate, which the Wood is put upon._
_The manner of preparing the Liquor, out of which =Salt-petre=
may be made by Boiling._
First of all, pour your second weaker Lixivium into your Copper, and
set it a boiling, then let your second stronger Lixivium run thereinto
by little and little; and then lastly, the first Lixivium it self, and
which is the chiefest of all, until the Copper be almost filled, and
the Lixivium be boil’d enough to shoot.
And now when you perceive that your Liquor is made strong enough by
boiling, put in a Brass Ladle perforated (or full of holes) several
times, even to the bottom of the Copper, and if the Lixivium lets fall
out of it any Salt, you will find it at the bottom, the which you may
take up with your Ladle.
Note also, That the Scum which at the end of this Boiling is
plentifully gathered, must be carefully taken away: Now then try the
readiness of your Lixiviums Crystallization, on this wise: Put either
two or three drops on a cold Iron, or on a Polish’d Plate of Iron, and
if it stands, or grows hard; that is, if when you turn the Iron up and
down, it does not run (or flow) down, these are signs of the fitness
of your Liquors Crystallization. Or else, you may put some of the
Lixivium in a Brass Vessel, and set it in cold water, and so you shall
see whether the Liquor be fitted enough to Crystallize; for assoon as
ever the Lixivium shall be cold, there will be plenty of Salt-petre
generated: Nay, even the very Brass Spoon it self denotes the goodness
of the Liquor, it being put into the Liquor, and again taken out, it
will show it sticking on it, as if it were Oil.
Out of a Centenary, or hundred weight of Liquor thus perfectly
prepared, there will proceed more than seventy pound of Salt-petre.
_The way of rightly using the Liquor for the Generating of a more
Crude_ Salt-petre.
Pour your Liquor prepared after the afore-shown manner, out of the
Copper into a narrow Tub, or Vessel, made of Firr, or Pine-tree wood;
wherein let it remain quiet, till it be a little refrigerated, and the
muddiness, or slimyness [_Limus_] appear, and you find that the salt
sticks on in Granes to the sides of the Vessel; now when you perceive
your Lixivium so cooled, as that you can put your finger thereinto
without burning, pull out the Plug, wherewith an hole made in this long
Vessel, about a span’s heighth from the bottom, was shut, or stopt,
and so let the Liquor run forth, into very great Wooden Vessels, and
deep, purposely made for such a business; or else into Copper Pans,
buried almost (up to their Necks) in the earth, (for the cooler the
place is, which they stand in, so much the better, and the more plenty
of Salt-petre is gathered, and Crystallizeth) and you will find that
your crude Salt-petre will shoot therein, the thickness of almost two
fingers breadth, partly of a whitish colour, partly yellow, and partly
blackish.
After that this boil’d Liquor hath stood for two days, and so many
nights in the Vessel, the Lixivium of the Salt-petre which swims at
top, must be taken away, which you may mix with the strong Lixivium,
and pour a second time upon Ashes, for else the Lixivium will contract
too much fatness, and there will be no Salt generated.
Sometimes it happens, that when the Ashes are not good, there’s no salt
at all gathered in the Liquor, in which case there is no presenter
Remedy, than to mix such a Lixivium stronger than is fit, with another,
and so pour it again upon new, and good Ashes, and then let the boiling
be again perfected after the afore-prescribed manner.
Likewise, when in the boiling you find the Lixivium very muddy, whereby
the Collection of the Salt is oft-times hindred, it must be taken away,
and let the Washer-Women, or Lawndresses have it, and other must be
substituted in its room, and be farther purified by the help of Ashes.
* * * * *
The Figure signed (_Numb. 2._) shews the manner of preparing the
Liquor by boiling, and of extracting and gathering the Salt
thereout of.
A _Long narrow Tubs, or Vessels, in which the decocted Liquor of the
Lixivium is cooled._
B _The Furnace wherein the Copper stands._
C _The Man that manageth the boiling, and extracts, or draws out the
salt with a Ladle, the which he lays in a Withy Basket placed on the
Copper, that so the Lixivium (in it) may again run down into the
Copper._
D _The little Basket._
E _The little Tub out of which the strong Lixivium runs (by little and
little) into the Copper._
F _Coolers, or Vessels, in which the Crude =Salt-petre= shoots._
G _Four Brass Pans put in the Earth, hollowed for the purpose, in which
likewise the =Salt-petre= is generated (or shoots.)_
H _A strong Vessel whereinto the Lixivium remaining after the
generating (or shooting) of the =Salt-petre=, is put._
_The way to purifie the Crude =Salt-petre=._
When all these things are thus done, and the Lixivium that swims at
the top of the Salt-petre is taken away, lift up those Vessels, or
Brass Pans, containing that salt, and turn them up and down in some
convenient place, that so the residue of the Lixivium, that lies as
yet in them may flow, or run clearly out, into another Vessel set
thereunder.
This done, take the Salt-petre out of the Coolers, or out of the
Coppers (or Brass Pans) with an Iron Spatula, or rather with such an
Instrument as your Plasterers use (=eine telle=, a Truel) and put it in
a Tub that has a hole in the bottom thereof, that so the Lixivium may
be perfectly separated therefrom. They that sell that crude Salt-petre,
and not at all purified, for the Salt-petre Boilers, do pour thereon
pure (or clear) Well-water, by the means of which, it is made more
white, that which is thencefrom separated they do again mix with other
stronger Lixivium and so boil it up for the following use.
But if you have a mind to purifie this crude Nitre from its salt, and
all its Impurities, that it may be rendred fair, and white, you are to
proceed this following way:
Take almost as much Well-water as is sufficient for the dissolution of
the Salt-petre, put it in the purifying Copper Vessel, first cleaned
with water, and dried with a cloth, and put the fire under it, and
make it most exceeding hot, then throw in your Salt-petre by little
and little, and in pieces, continually stirring the Salt-petre that
sticks at the bottom with a spoon, that it may be the easier, and
sooner dissolved; this only is to be observed, that there is required
a more gentle fire, while the Salt-petre is cast into the Copper, so
as the water may be kept always hot. When all the Salt-petre is almost
dissolved in the water, promote the boiling thereof, by augmenting
the fire, then try if there be any salt in a (biggish) gross form,
residing in the bottom of the Copper Vessel, which if you find to be,
(for indeed, the Salt-petre it self is not so very easily dissolved,
nor doth its being admixt in a more copious manner, at all benefit the
Lixivium) take it forth with a Spoon, (or Ladle.)
This done, separate the Scum swimming at top of the boiling water, then
have ready a Brass Vessel that will hold about ℥_j.ss._ of Liquor,
fill it half full with the Lixivium, set the Vessel in cold water to
cool, and you shall find your Nitre presently to Crystallize, or shoot
therein.
Hereby may you try whether your Purgative water be strong enough, or
not; for if it be stronger than is fit, you will find a little skin
spread it self over the matter contained in the Vessel, and when it
comes to be so, add thereunto more hot water, keeping the fire in that
degree of heat, as may suffice to keep the water contained in the
Copper, gently boiling.
Now when you have kept it thus boiling for some season, try the
goodness of your water again, after the aforesaid manner; and if
you shall find a Crystallization therein, and no Concretion, or
heaping-together, leaving a gaping, or chap in the midst, the business
is well done; but if it be otherwise (than thus well done) so that it
be wholly shut in (or gathers a skin all over) at top, pour on hot
water, until your Matters come to succeed after the manner aforesaid.
Then after all this, take of the best Wine Vinegar, about one pound
thereof, and pour it into the said water, and you will presently see a
blackish spume, or filth arise in plenty at the top thereof, and when
you have left it so a while, it may be easily taken off, because of the
thickness it contracts.
The boiling being yet a while longer continued, pour in the same
quantity of Vinegar again, and diligently separate the Scum as afore:
This pouring on of Vinegar, and separating of the Scum, may be repeated
yet a third time, and oftner, whereby the purgatory water may be made
altogether pure, and that there appears not any more spume.
When all this is done, cast in upon this water two or three Ounces of
Burnt-Alum, most finely powdered, stir all well with a Spatula, whereby
the Salt-petre may shoot into longer Crystals.
Then after this, pour out the purgatory water into the aforementioned
deep Vessels, and cover them over with Linen Cloths, that the Liquor
cool not. Let it stand thus one hour or two at most, and a yellow slime
will settle to the bottom: Then let the water while it is yet warm flow
out hence, into other Vessels made of wood, and especially of Elm, and
which are large enough; or else, you may let it run into Copper Pans
set deep in the Earth, for the better coolings sake, which cover over
very neatly with Cloths, that so the Crystallization may begin from the
bottom, and not at the upper part, as we see it wont to happen, where
it is not kept by Coverings from the External cold: And we also observe
therein too, that the Crystals shoot not into that length, as when the
Crystallization begins from the bottom.
Let them stand thus for two or three days, until you see no more
Crystals generated, which you may on this wise try.
Put some of the Lixivium in your (little) probatory Vessel, wherein, if
you find that there are no more Crystals generated, you may take out
the rest of the Lixivium: Then take out the Petre with an Iron Spatula
(or Truel) and put it into a Vessel that is full of holes in the
bottom, that so all the Lixivium may be the better separated therefrom.
And you shall have your Salt-petre pure and white, and freed from its
Salt.
Forasmuch as the Lixivium here separated hath as yet some saltness in
it, it may be mixed with other strong Lixivium to be (agen) boil’d up,
for the production of the Crude Salt-petre is usually holpen forward
there-withal.
Some there are that for the better purifying the Petre, do put Calx
vive in together (with it) whereby the water becomes most white like
Milk, and the Salt-petre gets a greater fairness.
You must withal observe that during the time that the purifying water
is contained in the Copper, your fire must be most gentle, least by
overmuch boiling you get some damage, for a little fire is able easily
to cause (a too vehement) ebullition, and when it has got strength (or
the start of you) it is hardly allayed again. The scum which you take
off from it you may pour upon ashes as if it were a Lixivium, that so
nothing (from whence any profit can be hoped for) may be lost.
There is sometimes seen to stick to the bottom of the Copper
(especially when it is used about many boilings) a certain stony and
hard substance like Tartar, which unless it be taken away, your Copper
will easily suffer damage under that same matter and be burnt.
The earth and ashes left, after the weak Lixivium (hath past through
them) are to be laid up in some convenient place, and there kept for
four years or more, that so they may be again apt to yield a-new more
Lixivium by extraction; which, that it may be the better and easier
done, there must be made in them (many weeks afore they are wrought
upon) by digging some Pits or Gutters, that so they may be freed by the
heat of the Sun from that moisture wherewith they as yet abound. Nor do
the ancients so much wander from the Truth in that they suppose it much
better and more profitable to keep all the earth under a roof or shed,
and that it will be far sooner reduced unto a fitting goodness, than to
lie open to the weather, for much of the Salt-petre is corrupted (or
spoiled) with an abundance of moisture, especially with the Rain it
self: For it needs only a little wetting whereby it may be generated,
and extreamly shuns, or is injured by too much moisture.
Besides these ways, there are many that mix with this earth that is
yet contained in the Tub the Saw-dust of Firr, or some other Wood (the
height of) a Fingers length (on it): And they perswade that Salt-petre
is also generated and multiplied from that fatness which is mixed
with the Saw-dust, and that the earth prepared on this wise can be so
changed in a years space (so it be kept in a dry place) that it may be
again made use of as afore. Yea and they suppose too that they can do
much here, if they pour upon such a barren (or lean) earth, thus lying
in a dry place, the reliques or remains of the dyes, which the _Dyers_
are otherwise wont to throw away, and evident it is that they are
aluminous, but yet not so frequently.
Besides such waters of the _Dyers_ they are wont also to mix soot with
their earth, (yea and the ashes too of which Lawndresses do commonly
make their Lee;) that so it may be made the more fruitful and may be
the sooner brought to use.
This only is to be noted, that there are sometimes found earths that
give a thick black Lee, which being used by it self is too fat, to
which is to be added a leaner and dryer earth, that so the Salt-petre
may be the better and more plentifully generated.
The way therefore how, and the instruments by which crude Salt-petre is
purifyed, is shown by the 6 and 8 Figure (in _Lazarus Ercker’s_ Book I
think he means.)
_The manner of purifying the gross and blackish =Salt= that comes
out of the =Salt petre=._
That black or rather ashy colour Salt, which is found in the Copper
while the nitre is prepared by boiling, and likewise in the narrow Tub
or Vessel, may be reduced into very good Salt, and very convenient
for daily use, and no ways at all hurtful to Man, if it be but duly
purified; which said purification is to be thus ordered.
The Copper being well cleaned fill it with most clear Well-water, put
fire under it and make it boil, throw in the said Salt by times (not
all at once) into the boiling water, that so it may be dissolved;
which, that it may be the sooner and better done, stir it continually
with a _Spatula_, when you think that it is all dissolved pour out the
Lixivium into some Vessel or Tub, & you shall see the grosser part will
settle to the bottom, and the Lixivium will clear up: When you perceive
this, pour this clear Lixivium again into the cleansed Copper, and boil
it so long till the Salt settles to the bottom, which take out of the
said Copper with a perforated Ladle, and put it in a Basket that is
placed over the Copper, that so all the superfluous Lee or moisture may
again run down into the Copper, and yields (or leaves) the Salt perfect
and dry.
Some there are who afore they use this Salt about domestick affairs, do
decrepitate it first, and perswade themselves that it becomes thereby
the more virtuous (or strong.)
What remains behind of the Lixivium in the Copper, you may boil it up
like as you would any other Lixivium appointed to be Crystallized,
then pour it out into the Vessels destinated to that purpose, and you
shall see Salt-petre to be generated in them; for seeing the said Salt
proceedeth out of the Salt-petre, this Lixivium cannot be wholly void
of Salt-petre, and therefore may it be separated from that Salt by the
aforesaid way, and be purified.
But you are to note here, that where there is too great a quantity of
Salt-petre permixt with the said Salt, or that the Salt it self is too
black and impure, that Salt cannot get its due lustre and whiteness by
barely one such a purifying Operation, and therefore there is requisite
a reiteration of this Operation, so that it be again dissolved in new
water, and be purifyed, whereby it may become altogether white.
However, such a black and impure Salt, may be purified even by this way
(following.) Pour the solution it self, while ’tis yet hot, (the water
I mean in which the Salt is dissolved) upon the ashes which a Lixivium
hath been already poured on before, and you shall see the Salt Lixivium
to be wholly purified: But yet all the Salt which is extracted thence,
is not sufficiently white, but that which is gathered last of all is
yellowish, and therefore must be yet once again purified. Note also
here, that when such a Lixivium of Salt is poured on the ashes, they
must be well edulcorated (after the operation is finished) least the
Salt sticking in the Reedy or Bull-rush-bottom should give an unfitting
saltness to the Lixivium that is next poured thereupon.
And thus have you the common method of boiling and preparing
Salt-petre, in which you meet with what may be well disallowed or
rejected, _viz._ it is extreamly tedious, nor is it at all gainful,
for out of a centenary of Lixivium, we have no more than three or
four pound of Petre; to get which too, all the rest of the water must
be done off by evaporation, which is a long time doing, and requires
no small costs. Yet I will shew in what follows, by what means this
inconvenience may be prevented, which I have proved by mine own
experience.
_The way of augmenting the Crude Lixivium afore its boiling._
The Salt-petre boilers have hitherto variously sought after the way
of augmenting (or fortifying) the Lixivium of Salt-petre, that is, of
causing a more plentiful provenue of Salt-petre, in the Water remaining
of the extraction of Salt-petre, but in vain, because they were
ignorant of the lesser proof which all things here are tried by. Its
augmentation is done on this wise.
Take of a Lixivium, a Centenary of which contains _iiij._ ℔. of Nitre,
pour so much of it as a Tub or Vessel will hold, upon new earth, let
it stand for twelve hours; then draw off the Lixivium, and as much as
you find wanting of what you poured on (which may easily be known by
the emptiness of the measure which it was in, afore you poured it on,
and in which it is now gathered or received again) pour so much simple
water on the Earth, which draw off in like manner, and mix it with the
Lixivium, and you will then have the same quantity that you had in
your Vessel afore. This done try the Lixivium by the lesser experiment
or proof and you will find it to contain _vj._ ℔. of Nitre. Pour this
Lixivium that contains in it _vj._ ℔. of Nitre upon other new earth,
and proceed on the manner aforesaid, and you shall have your Lixivium
to contain _ix._ ℔. of Nitre. You may pour this a third time upon
other new earth & proceed on with it after the aforesaid manner, and
you shall yet have more Nitre out of a Centenary of Lixivium. But you
must be always wary in this Operation, that you draw off, neither more
nor less Lixivium from the earth than you had before in the Vessel.
These things it pleased me to add, concerning the second pouring on of
water, meerly for the experiments or proofs sake, whereby we may be
made certain of the augmentation thereof (forasmuch as the Lixivium
doth by this means hold in it more Nitre) and that we may be forced to
acknowledge its augmentation even in that way. Then after this is done,
you may use the weaker Lixivium instead of water, to fill up the first
measure, and so the Lixivium will be the easier, and more augmented;
and we may in a short time have sufficient quantity hereof for to boil.
And although this augmentation of the Lixivium requires a great deal of
labour, yet are all the (pains, &c.) recompensed, because we hereby get
in one Weeks space, and with less expence of Wood, far more Nitre than
by the other common ways: But yet there are requisite more Vessels for
this kind of working, wherein the separated Lixivium may be kept.
I will also give the Reader a manuduction here, by what way the boiling
of the Lixivium is to be ordered, or contrived: First of all, this is
well to be regarded, that forasmuch as a great boiling requires a great
quantity of earth, and yet there does not at all times, earth of a like
goodness offer it self (especially seeing a Man cannot make proof of it
all) upon which the costs and labours (necessary about it) may be well
(or at the best hand) bestowed: It seems wholly expedient, not to make
such a great Coction (or boiling-trade) but to do it with only three or
four Tubs, that so we may choose only the best convenient earth, which
we may dig in the Cities (or Towns) out of Houses of long standing,
and out of Stables, but yet not too deep: Such a Lixivium as contains
in an hundred weight of it eight pounds of Nitre, may be increased to
eighteen or twenty pounds, if we proceed according to the aforesaid
method. And therefore such Nitre boilers as inhabit those regions where
there is scarcity of Wood may give hereunto good heed.
Now the Lixivium augmented on this wise, doth not attract all the nitre
out of the earth it self, but there doth yet some always remain behind:
And therefore you need not presently throw it away, but pour thereupon
some simple Waters, which after it hath stood thereon for some hours,
draw off again, and you shall have a weak Lixivium, which you may try
by the proof, and proceed on therewith in the method of augmenting it,
and so you will have a continual labour.
This likewise is to be observed in an especial manner, let the
Work-house in which this boiling up of your Salt-petre is done, be very
low, and covered with thatch, that so the heat may be the better kept
about the Tubs, and this Operation may be done as well in the Winter as
in the Summer, and that the weak Lixivium may not at all congeal.
And now, even as Salt-petre is made by boiling, out of the Lixivium
which is made of Earth, even so is it of that Lixivium which is gotten
out of Stones or the Lime (and Dung) Arches (afore-spoken of;) only
there is this difference, That this last way of my contrivance (with
stones &c.) is easier, and yields more Nitre. Such as are pleased with
this kind of work may set about it, nor will they bestow their Labours
in vain; there may be abundance of things, and those wonderful ones
too, effected with Salt-petre, as I have abundantly demonstrated in my
foregoing Writings, and shall in my following ones too, more clearly
demonstrate if God vouchsafe strength and abilities.
But before I come to the practice it self, and to describe the benefits
of Salt-petre in specie (or in particular) it is wholly necessary to
shew how wonderful, yea how incomparable a subject, that Salt-petre is.
And this thing I have already handled at large in the _Second Part of
the Philosophical Furnaces_, in the _Second Part of the Pharmacopœia
Spagyrica_, but especially in my _Miraculum Mundi_, and in the
_Explication_, and _Continuation_, and _Defence_ of the same.
* * * * *
_Here the Author runs out into a large digression in his own
vindication, upon the occasion of certain Letters sent him by one =I.
H. S.= who Stiled himself the Son of =Sendivogius=; in which Letters he
highly extols the Hermetick learning of the Author, but blames him for
Writing so plainly of great secrets, and exhorts him to be more sparing
and obscure for the future. Withal offering his service (and begging
the Authors leave) to defend his Person and Writings against =Farnner=
and others. The Author not taking his advice nor yet accepting of
his service (suspecting him to be a self designer) this =I. H. S.=
afterwards published a Book entituled =Lucerna Salis Philosophorum=.
In which he offers to teach the making of the =Philosophers-stone=
at a price or reward; and reproacheth =Glauber= whom he before had
so highly magnified in several Letters, advising People to avoid his
writings as Sophistical. In this Treatise he mentions a Prediction
or, Prophecy of three Monarchs that were to appear in the World: The
first of =Paracelsus=, concerning =Elias= the Artist. Secondly, That of
=Cosmopolita= of the coming of the =Northern Monarch=. Thirdly, That of
=Jacob Behmen=, That a Lily shall bring forth Flowers from the North.
He intimates that himself is the =Elias= of Arts. Secondly, That some
=Northern Monarch= shall do mighty things in the World: And Thirdly,
that the Writings of =Jacob Behmen= should be again Printed a new.
After the Author hath shewed the ill dealing of this =I. H. S.= with
him, and vindicated himself, then he proceeds briefly to Comment upon
these three Predictions or Prophecies._
* * * * *
By what hath been said, may the Candid and well-minded Reader judge
what judgment is to be had of this Monarch of Arts I. H. S. Every
one that reads them will find whether or no such a Monarchy is to
be expected from such a ones Writings. But now that I my self may
likewise here produce my opinion, concerning _Paracelsus_ his meaning
where he writeth, _I say that the most eminent Secrets will not be
known afore =Elias= the Artist shall come and teach them_: (But I
pray) what hath the holy Man _Elias_ to do with Arts? verily no thing
at all. _Paracelsus_ minded or pointed at some other thing, he well
knew, that no body comes unto such knowledge, unless by Revelation
from God, by godly Prayers, and by searching: This is the true _Elias_
which _Paracelsus_ speaketh of, if (_viz._) the word _Elias_ be read
backwards, and E changed into A: For then ’tis the same with _Salia_
(that is, Salts) such as these (_viz._ salts) are known unto, to
them is _Elias_ a master or teacher. And where the said _Paracelsus_
speaketh of Salts he adds _Alchimy finds it (to be) in Nitre_: Hereby
shewing and pointing at _Salia_, Salts, which word being read backward
is _Elias_? And this is my opinion as touching the coming of _Elias_
the Artist, and I do yet (again) say, that to him to whom Salts are
known, hath _Elias_ appeared. And let this be sufficient to have spoken
of the first Monarchy of I. H. S. and what is to be judged thereof.
_Now follows the Second =Monarchy=._
As for the second Monarchy, he alledgeth the Prophecy of _Paracelsus_,
which runs thus: _A Lion shall come from the North, and become the
Monarch of the World_: Which Prediction is not at all to be understood
according to the Letter. What has _Paracelsus_ to do with the Northern
Lion? What business has he with the Monarch of the World. Some there
are that endeavour to attribute that Prophecy to one or other of the
Northern Kings, but yet that was not in the least _Paracelsus_’s
meaning, he drove at a far other-guess business, and by that Lion he
meant Salt-nitre, which is wont to be brought unto us by the Northern
Winds, Rain and Snow, and that several times yearly as is well known
unto all; hereupon many amongst the Philosophers, and some of them the
latter Philosophers, have filled great Vessels with the Rain and Snow
that comes out of the North, and aimed at the preparation of a Tincture
thereout of, but they found nothing else but Salt-petre, which to get,
I have shown a much shorter way.
_Paracelsus_, _Basilius_, and others have Written many things of the
green and red Lion, all which are to be understood of Salt-nitre, which
may most easily be transmuted into the green or red Lion, concerning
which thing I my self have made mention in many places.
But some or other may reply, How can it be said that the Lion shall
be expected out of the North, if _Paracelsus_ did by it understand or
mean Salt-petre, for that cannot be said to be expected (or waited for)
which hath always been? Surely the approach of this Northern Lion is
not to be supposed or thought to be as to the outside aspect and known
use, but only according to the internal virtue, & the Treasure therein
hidden; concerning which, the Philosophers have written many things
enigmatically, and kept up all things most secretly. Verily he to whom
the inside of Salt-petre is known will be able to report wonderful
things, for ’tis that only that is the true Monarch, and is able to
institute a good governance for those that possess and know it. This
Monarch will not be to any one a stirrer up to kill others, and to take
from others their Goods and Kingdoms, and to disquiet the whole World,
as we see other Monarchs do, but he will bring Peace and Concord, and
will perswade the Soldiers to stay at home and to get their food by the
labour of their hands, and not to shed the blood of the innocent; he
will injoin the greedy Usurers to be beneficial to the poor & to put an
end to their immoderate usury; he will shew to the Divines, that all
their contentions are vain, and that they cause nothing but inquietude,
dissention and discord amongst Men, and will require at their hands
to Preach concerning friendship to, and love of ones Neighbour, which
under this unprofitable contending is wholly lost, and to banish away
all hatred; and contrary-wise to strive after patience and Christian
humility. These kind of Doctrines and governance the inward or inside
knowledge of the Northern Lion will bring with him, and not any War or
shedding of Blood. But afore the said Lion is tamed and made gentle,
he is very ravenous, and the venomous Basilisk, and devouring Dragon,
preying both upon Men and Beasts, demolishing Cities and Castles, and
destroying Goods and Men together. Thus have I in brief expounded my
opinion of the coming of the Lion from the North, let everyone believe
it as he listeth. And thus much shall suffice for the Second Monarchy,
and how it is to be understood.
_Now follows the third Monarchical =Prophecy=._
As for what concerns the third Prophecy which I.H.S. doth also make
mention of, (& will have it) to concern a certain Writer, whose name is
_Jacob Behmen_, who exercised the _Shooe-makers_ Craft, and published
many Theological and also Chymical things, which _John Beth_ doth
again Print: As far as I know by his writings, he was an honest Man,
but I do not know what he understood in Alchimy; but however this is
evident, that he never exercised or practised Chymical Operations,
and that his Chymical writings are most difficult to be understood,
but his Theological writings are read by many. My opinion concerning
the business is this, that this same I. H. S. was minded to quarrel
with me, that so there being a brawling bred between us he might make
his Books the more saleable. I have therefore thus plainly answered
him, but if he proceed on in contrarying and opposing me, I shall be
constrained _Nolens Volens_ to meet with him another kind of way, for
I am even wearied and glutted with contention. If he will needs brawl
and scold let him do it with those that have no work to do, such as
he himself & his associates are, who have no Family to rule and look
after, I can for my own part bestow my time better than in those
contentions, which bring no profit, but only to the Bookseller, whose
Books before they are known sell well.
But to conclude, I will in a few words open the ill affected mind of
J. H. S. to the Candid Reader. When I had lookt into his Treatise,
and perceived that he had ranked me amongst the Sophisters, I showed
to some of my faithful Friends, the Letters which he had written unto
me, that so I might hear their Judgment concerning them; verily, there
was not one amongst them all, but wondered at the wicked mind and
falseness of this Man: Yea, one of them did afterwards inform him by
his Letters, what way I had purposed to take, _viz._ again to wipe off
that undeserved Title he had put upon me, and to defend my self against
such Monstrous Impiety; To which he received from the said _J. H. S._
an Answer, which he likewise shewed me, wherein (’mongst other things)
he pretends, that the cause of his hatred [against me] was, because I
had in some places written so very clearly of the Universal Medicine:
Yea, and he farther adds, that it is no such great despising one, or
Contempt to call one a Sophister; for _Geber_ was accounted for a
Sophister, and yet was he a King. And that if I wrote against him, he
would do the same against me, and endamage not only me, but my Children
too; which Epistle is yet kept safe. Now let any Honest Man consider
whether this be a Human, or Diabolical action.
Some, when they heard this, perswaded me to pass over all in silence,
and that there would come of it such another brawling business as
was with _Farnner_, whose Exhortation I yielded to, that I would
not so much as once answer him, how great Lies soever he told, but
rather purposed by referring all till the next Spring, to get me
Friends by the benefit of my very eminent Inventions (God willing)
which should not only intercede, or stand up for me, but also for my
Children too, after my Decease: I doubt not, but that there maybe some
principal persons found, which are capable of overturning such Inhuman
Perverseness.
These few things was I constrained to add (in a Parenthesis) for the
defence of my Writings, thereby to paint out the deceitfulness of Men,
and to discover what is to be opinionated concerning such turn-coated
Foxes: The which I entreat the Reader not to take in evil part, but to
accept of the Secrets laid open in this Treatise, as a Reward for his
pains in reading this Apology.
Now follows the Most Potent Lion, and Monarch of the North; to whom
none in the World may be compared, nor _did_ ever any excel him
in Glory and Power, or _shall be_ like unto him.
But before I begin to write any thing of that Omnipotent Monarch, I
have thought it profitable to add here in this place, for the better
knowledge of the same, _Paracelsus_ his Prophesie, as I met with it,
whereby any one that is skill’d in nature, may sufficiently see, that
_Paracelsus_ did not mean a King, but the great Philosophical Mistery,
and would point that out unto us: His Words therefore are as follows.
The Prophesie of Dr. _Philip Theophrastus Paracelsus_ of the
_Northern Lion_.
_They will not leave me in my Sepulchre, but will hale me out thence,
and lay me down towards the East: And I do foretell unto you, that
there are three great Treasures hidden._
1. _The First is at =Weyda=, at the =Alps= of =Julia=._
2. _The Second is between =Suevia=, and =Bavaria=: The place I do not
poine at, because of avoiding the being the original of many evils, and
because of the shedding of Bloud._
3. _The Third is between =Spain= and =France=._
_He now that shall find these, will be carried in Triumph, and be
admired by all: Likewise between =Suevia= (or =Scawben=) and =Bavaria=,
there are Books which contain no mean and common Artifices, that will
offer themselves together with precious Stones and a Carbuncle._
_I will here likewise declare the Age of such as shall find them._
_The First will be 31 years old._
_The Second 50 years old._
_The Third 28 years old._
_And these shall be found not long after the exit (or ruine) of the
=Austrian= Empire, and it shall happen, that in this very same time, a
Yellow Lion shall come out of the =North=, which shall be Persecutor
of the Eagle, and at length its Conquerour: He shall subject under
this Empire all =Europe=, and a part of =Asia= and =Affrica=, and
shall profess the good and =Christian Religion=, and shall have many
Followers thereof. It shall first of all be a most troublesom work for
him to chase away the Claws of the Eagle out of the Empire; but afore
this comes to pass, there will arise extreamly great Dissentions, and
various Grudges amongst all Men in all Countries; the Inferior will
rise against the Superior, so that there will be a great tumult, but
yet notwithstanding the Members shall suffer the punishments of their
wickedness, and the head abide safe._
_Nor shall here be an end, but there shall be kindled a great fire,
which shall turn all into ashes, but the Omnipotent God will be at hand
to help his own people, for there shall yet remain a small sparkle of
Piety, which will take rooting, and encrease by little and little, and
strike a terrour into the plundering Robbers, and make that alive,
which seems to be dead. The Enemies and Persecutors of Christ, will
call themselves powerful, and every where bring in great Devastations,
insomuch that there will seem to be an end of our Actions._
_Now whilst the Enemy is placed in the very topmost pitch of fortune,
the most Just God, will (by the help of a small company) destroy, and
utterly root out the Northern Lion, accompanying him, together with
all his Clerks; yet abundance shall be Converted, and believe on his
Omnipotence, and in the most Holy Name of God._
_When therefore this Lion hath gotten the Eagles Scepter, every body
will reverence, and run after his Majesty: He_ _shall be powerful in
Deeds and Counsels, and the Subjects that now refuse him, shall receive
him with the greatest joy, and acknowledg him their Superior._
_Then must the aforesaid Treasure ’twixt =Suevia= and =Bavaria= be
found, which is equivalent to the Riches of twelve Kingdoms, where also
lies hid, a Carbuncle, as big as an Egg, richer than any price._
_The other Treasure that lies between =Spain= and =France=, is indeed
great and potent, but yet it gives place to the former, it shall be
manifested at the entrance of the Lion that comes from the North, and,
which shall take the Eagle, and then at length shall men consider well
what I =Theophrastus= have been._
_Now when the praised Northern Lion hath finished his Course, and hath
broken the edge of the Eagles Claws, then shall Peace and Concord every
where speedily and vehemently fly thereunto, but yet he will send
afore, some signs and tokens by which it shall appear unto us, that
the Messengers sent forth shall declare the coming of the Lord. There
is yet one only thing that I =Theophrastus= do beg at your hands, that
ye do not any of you impute unto me the things which I now lay open;
forasmuch as I cannot be against the Will of God, which I must put in
execution in the Nature of things._
_These are those Secrets of Secrets that I was willing to open
unto you. This Treasure far exceeds other Treasures; my Arts are
hidden in that place betwixt =Suevia= and =Bavaria=, and they are
these, =viz.= =The true Transmutation of Metals of a short way: The
Universal, more than perfect: The= so much talk’d of =Aurum Potabile=,
and =Philosophers stone=: But he that by the guidance of God has an
entrance opened to the finding of them, shall there find (besides
other stones) a precious Carbuncle, which lies hidden in a little Box
cunningly made by Men, and covered over with Gems; the Key of the
little Box is in a Golden Coffin, the Golden is put in a Silver one;
the Silver one in a Tin one; and it lies in such a place as God hath
chosen, or appointed._
_The Omnipotent God will bestow upon him that finds them his Divine
Benediction in all his Affairs, and will give him power to oppress
all evil, and to draw out good; whereby things necessary may likewise
be obtained from God who is able again to reduce the world he made of
nothing, into a nothing: Let the Son and Holy Spirit be also with us,
the Blessed Trinity, for ever and ever._ Amen.
* * * * *
First of all, _Paracelsus_ saith in this his Prophesie, that Men shall
draw him out of his Grave, and place him towards the East; who is so
simple as to think that this is to be understood according to the
Letter? What Profit and Honour would thence arise to _Paracelsus_, if
his Bones were digg’d forth, and translated into another place? Whereas
if he were even now living, he could not desire a better and more
excellent Tomb, than that he lies in. Whilst he was living, he was not
so proud; he very well knew that the Honours of this World are fading
and vain. Nor did he ever require, that any Epitaph should be erected
to his Honour: Although (when his Friends had taken care to lay him in
a decent place.) The Magistrate commanded a very notable Epitaph to be
engraven on his Tomb-stone for a Testimonial of his Deeds, the which
Epitaph will bring him Praise enough while the World lasts. The said
Epitaph runs thus.
_The Epitaph of =Theophrastus Paracelsus=; which is to be seen
Engraved on a Stone at =Saltzburg=, in the Hospital of =St.
Sebastian=, erected against the Wall of the Church._
Here lies Buried _Philippus Theophrastus_, an Eminent Doctor of
Physick: Who by a Wonderful Art, took away those Dire Maladies, the
_Leprosie_, _Gout_, _Dropsie_, and other the Incurable Diseases of
the Body; and Honourably Distributed, and gave his Goods unto the
Poor. He Died the _24th._ Day of _September, Anno 1541_.
How could he be possibly more praised after his Death, than I see to be
done by this Epitaph. But yet I would not have you think that I desire
you to account of my Opinion as if it were Gospel. It pleased me here
to put it for this end, to shew, what my thoughts are, as concerning
this thing, every one may believe as listeth him, but as for my part
I will in no case believe, that the Prediction is to be explained
according to the Words or Letter: But whereas it is said, that he shall
be taken out of his Sepulchre, and put in another towards the East, I
do thus interpret it: That if any shall understand his Writings, they
shall thencefrom perceive what, and how great a one he was, and so
will make his Cause their own, and will defend his Writings against
Inimicitious Zoilists (or Carpers) and Ignorants, who as well since his
Death, as whilst he was alive, entreated him very inhumanly, and as it
were, oppressed him with Lies, and Infamous Libels, and so do they take
him as it were out of his obscure Tomb, and place him towards the East,
by which it may appear to every one what an incomparable Man he was;
to the performance of which, I will not refuse to lend my poor help,
though small, (God permitting.)
He doth afterwards add, that there are three great Treasures hidden,
which whoever shall find, shall triumph very nobly; the places which
_Paracelsus_ points at, and where those Treasures are hidden, are,
where the Metals are digged; and indeed such places they are, as in
which there lies hidden the highest Tincture, and which otherwise is
not to be found neither in Gold, nor Silver, nor in all the other
Metals, or Minerals.
I do think that _Paracelsus_ knew these Minerals, and made a Tincture
of them, and thereupon was willing thus obscurely to describe such
Treasures.
He that shall find, that is dig it forth, and shall know the way
of preparing a Tincture thencefrom shall doubtlesly be magnified,
especially if he will disclose them unto others.
Now I believe that if these Treasures should be digged out by some
godly, honest, and wise Man, (for the finding them is denied unto
reprobates) would not hunt after or affect vain Glory, but be
contented in that he knows it: But it is not convenient to open or
disclose what this _Minera_ is, wherein God hath put such a singular
Tincture, and which he hath hidden from the proud and covetous. But
seeing that all things reside in the hands of God, who can give unto
his own People that which he denies unto others, I do not at all fear
any one’s exhausting so easily a Treasure lying so profoundly hidden,
although I should make known this subject.
Thus much I have experienced, that there lies in them a much more
excellent Tincture than in the other Metals or Minerals, but I do not
boast that I have thence drawn the universal Tincture and made it fix,
for time and occasion would not as yet permit it. But I have often
times in a particular way instituted a graduation of _Luna_, by the
help thereof, insomuch that it hath left some fix’d _Sol_: Whereby
I have observed, that many excellent and profitable things may be
effected, when that volatile Tincture is by the rule of Art made fix’d
and fluid. However I will make trial, if God shall vouchsafe me life
and strength, and see what I shall thence obtain.
As concerning the name of the subject, it is called _Magnesia
Saturnina_: which is found between _France_ and _Spain_ in the
_Piedmont_ Mountains; ’tis commonly called the _Piedmont-magnesia_,
but ’tis very much unlike (to one another) for some of it is of a
yellow colour, and this the _Venetian_ Glass-men use, when they make
Glass, that it may become pellucid and transparent. The Glass doth at
first become of a purple or Amethist colour, but this colour abides
not one hours space in the subject, but it evaporates, because it is
not fix’d enough as yet, and then the Glass becomes wholly transparent
and bright, but if they would have the Glass hold the purple colour,
they presently work it up as soon as ever the Magnesia is therein
molten. Many years agoe, when I attempted operations about things of
less moment, and changed Crystals into variously colour’d Glasses, I
found that this purple colour was not fix’d in the Fire; and that the
Magnesia had in it many impurities, whereby my Glasses were obscured:
But yet I attempted to extract from thence the pure Tincture by Art,
and to free it from its unclean fæces, and to this end used various
Menstruums, but yet effected nothing; until at length I saw that by
mixing that magnesia with fix’d nitre, it was by boiling them in a
strong Crucible, opened by the Nitre, from whence proceeded a delicate
purple colour. I poured out the Mass and powdered it, and extracted
it with hot Water, and passed the Liquor through a Filter, and then
had I a most dainty purple fiery liquor, which did almost every hour
(standing but only in the cold) change colour, so that it became one
while green, then sky colour, another while of a blood colour of
its own accord, then again presently it received other most elegant
colours. Out of which liquor I did a-new separate the more pure part,
and I used this red powder to tinge my Glasses, the which thing I
indeed obtained, but because the Tincture was more fusile than the
green stone it self which it was extracted from I was constrained to
leave it off. However this I experienced, that there lies a mighty
Tincture hidden in the said Magnesia, and thenceforward I pondered upon
the business more deeply, and adjoined the Magnesia thus fusile unto
_Luna_, and then I found some _Sol_: but I could not bring the work to
any fuller perfection because of the want of time, & store of business.
I am of that opinion that (by Gods permission) a Tincture may thence be
extracted for Metals and Animals. These are my conceptions, but I well
know, that the ignorant _Momus_, or Carper, will hence take occasion
of mocking at me, but this I cannot at all hinder.
This _Saturnine Magnesia_ in the _Alps_ of _Julia_ is much purer and
excellenter than that _Piedmont Magnesia_, is and there is in it more
Tincture, the which we may extract most easily by the help of Nitre,
and albeit the _Minera_ be of a yellow colour, yet is there extracted
thencefrom by the benefit of Salt-petre, a most elegant Tincture, of
a greenish colour, and is likewise one while purple; then sky colour,
then again red, and by and by again it assumes a green colour, the
which also is so fusile, it fixeth every _Luna_, and doth in some sort
make it golden. These two Minerals I have often times handled, and have
thencefrom gotten the green Lion, but have not proceeded any farther.
The third Treasure ’twixt _Suevia_ and _Bavaria_, is not much unlike
unto these two, and without doubt such kind of Treasures will offer
themselves even in many other places where such Mountains & Mine-pits
are found out, were but the right way of digging out and ripenning
them, but known unto us; which knowledge is only granted unto the Sons
of GOD.
These things was I willing to mention, that so it may be known what
my opinion is as touching those Treasures. For I am firmly perswaded
that the universal Medicine may be thence prepared, especially out of
that which very much abounds shining in Metal resembling a vein of
Lead, and yet yields not any Metal by fusion, because of its exceeding
volatility, and of wholly flying away in the form of a vapour: Yet
nevertheless, that Northern Lion is able to master it and to fatten its
young ones thereby. And if GOD shall vouchsafe any one such a Treasure,
he will verily find more Art-containing Books than is indeed needful.
And whereas _Paracelsus_ adds that the Lion out of the North will
(after he hath found the aforesaid Treasures) become a Potent Monarch,
this is easie to be believed, for he is enriched with the digged-out
Treasures, and is able to manage his affairs as listeth him. He will be
able to give whole Kingdoms unto others, and yet his power will not be
diminished, he will in like manner be able to institute good precepts
and government, and there will be a notable affluence of all things,
insomuch that there will be nothing wanting. There are many Men would
lead an honest Life, were they not constrained by poverty and need to
do evilly.
The Northern Lion is able (when he hath found the Treasure) to abolish
all these vices, and contrarywise recover a good political Governance,
Peace and Quietude. For Wealth and Riches are able to transmute Strife
into Peace, and these the Northern Lion can abundantly exhibit,
insomuch that he may deservedly be Stiled a most Potent Monarch. But if
so be that evil companion, _viz._ Sulphur be joined unto him, which may
provoke him, he becomes more venomous than the Basilisk, and is able
to kill in a moment of time, both Men and Beasts, yea to ruin Castles,
Mountains, and Fortifications, and to annihilate them. But on the
contrary when he hath found the Treasure, he becomes tame and liberal,
and lays off his anger, and bestows on all Men sundry most acceptable
gifts.
Furthermore, _Paracelsus_ saith that a yellow Lion shall come out of
the North, which shall dull the Eagles Claws; all which verily is to
be only understood concerning Salt-petre’s transmuting virtue much
conducing to a perfecter augmentation of the Metals, from whence ☉
and ☽ together with the Carbuncle may be atchieved; and not at all
of a certain Northern King and the Roman Eagle. For the yellow and
fiery Lion which is here treated of, is fixt Nitre, and if it be
joined to the volatile Eagle, that is, to the volatile Corrosive Salt;
this (Eagle) is overcome by that (fixt Salt) and is tamed, because
the Corrosive virtue which it abounded withal, is taken away: So
that he that is skill’d in Chymistry may well enough understand what
_Paracelsus_ drives at, and that he does not at all mean those Monarchs
and Rulers, as may be gathered out of his Manual, where he Writes, that
the Blood of the red Lion is to be commixt with the liquor of the white
Eagle, and that from them by a due Coction is the universal Tincture to
be extracted.
Therefore they do evilly that interpret the Writings, and these
predictions of _Paracelsus_ otherwise, they earnestly expect external
Monarchs, but experience hath taught that those Lions do bring with
them nothing but an hungry Stomach, which can hardly be well filled (or
satisfied) with the Sheep and Lambs of all Countries. And I pray God,
turn them from us and continue unto us Peace and Concord, which is most
of all to be wished for.
Moreover _Paracelsus_ further saith, that he was constrained to detect
this Treasure and hidden secrets, to shew the nearest way to the
description of the Philosophers-stone, which (Stone) whoever finds and
knows how to open the Gate, he shall find a Carbuncle as big as an Egg,
together with other Gems, which are conserved in a Chest made of Gold
and Gems, and this Chest in a Golden Sepulchre, the Golden one in a
Silver one, the Silver one in a Tin one, on which the Key is placed.
And now will there be any one so foolish as to interpret this according
to the alleaged Words: No certainly unless he be deprived off the light
of Nature. It was never heard off, that ever there was any Carbuncle
found of the bigness of an Egg: neither the _Roman_, nor _Grecian_,
nor _Persian_ Monarchs are reported to have had such an one, and from
whence then should _Paracelsus_ only have the same? All Men therefore
see that this Prophecy is not at all to be understood barely according
to the Letter. Now in that he calls the universal Medicine a Carbuncle,
he does not therein offend, because even other Philosophers have
imposed upon their Tincture this very name, and this meerly because of
the form it has, for if there is to be a certain Tincture that should
tinge the white Metals into yellow _Sol_, it must of necessity be red;
and therefore some of the Philosophers have likewise called their
Tincture _Hæmatitis_, for likeness sake.
Nay more, forasmuch as it is mentioned of the Carbuncle that it shines
in the night like a burning live-Coal, and yet such a stone was never
any where seen or found, it necessarily follows that those things
which are delivered thereof are not to be understood according to the
Letter. The chiefest _Lapidaries_ do Witness that they never saw it;
the Oriental Rubies are the chiefest red Gems that we know of, of
which there is scarce one found that is bigger than ones nail, which
notwithstanding, if it be pure and shining, is sold for many Thousands
of Duckets. In like manner, Granates are red, and of a meaner price,
and shine no more in the Night than Rubies do. But that a shining in
the Night like a live-Coal, should be attributed to a Carbuncle, is not
done without cause; verily, the Authors of that thing are not at all
to be supposed to be such Merchants, continually handling Gems, (as if
they had ever seen such a stone): No, but they were the Philosophers
themselves, whose words which they wrote of the prepared Tincture,
the after Writers did falsly construe their meaning and understood it
literally, perswading themselves that there was such a Carbuncle in the
nature of things. Therefore we have no reason to induce us to believe
that the ancient Philosophers did in very deed describe or mean such
a Stone as shines by night, but let us rather perswade our selves as
being thereto constrained by the Verity of the thing, that they did not
in the least mean a natural stone, but a stone prepared by Art, and
their Tincture. And this, the very Name it self seems to point out; for
_Carbo_ signifies a greater Coal; and _Carbunculus_ signifies a little,
or lesser Coal.
Now if so be that any one would endeavour to prove with Oaths to this
blind, proud, and wicked World, that such a red stone shining by night,
may be made of a Wood, or stone Coal, certainly every body would mock
at him, and would say, That he propoundeth meer Lyes; and therefore no
body ever dared (though he were never so certain of the Truth of the
thing) to write ought of the same.
But some or other will say, Whence come you to know these things, and
by what Notes or Testimonies do you prove that you are to be credited,
as touching this Business, seeing no body ever writ that these things
were so? To such an one I answer, That I leave every one at his
liberty; for whether he believes my Sayings, or believes them not, ’tis
all a case to me. However I say, that I can change by melting, a meer
black Coal by the help of a Salt (but not common Salt) into a most red
stone in one hours space. For Coals are nothing else but a fixt and
volatile Sulphur, which if we will fix it, will be fixt; if we will
volatilize it, it will be so. A wood Char-coal (though there’s much
difference amongst them) should it lie shut up firmly & most tight in
an Iron Vessel even for an hundred Years so as that no air get in, and
should be (all that while) kept in a most vehement fire, yet would it
not shew the least sign of being consumed or changed, but let but the
air come unto it, and it will be reduced into ashes in a moment. If now
you have understanding and sense, consider with your self more largely
as touching this thing, and you will find many profitable and good
things if GOD shall open unto you the Eyes of your mind: This red stone
having the form of Glass, being poured out of the Crucible, shines in
the dark like a burning Coal, according as is the Coal you prepare it
of. And albeit that this Glass can perform many good things in Medicine
and Alchimy, yet it is not at all the Stone of the Philosophers, which
they call a Carbuncle, for that must be fixt, and resist the Fire,
both which are denied to this Glass to be, for it is volatile, and can
easily be changed by the Fires force.
I have several times made this stone of Salt and a Coal, but never had
time as yet to bring it to a perfect fixation, and therefore I cannot
determine certainly, what may be farther hereof made. However I would
not have the lover of the wonders of GOD to be unacquainted with this,
that (_viz._) my said Stone of a Coal, or my red Carbuncle, if it be
dissolved in the air, it yields a green fiery Liquor, which if smeared
upon any Silver it gilds it as Sulphur does. If the Divine Clemency
shall supply me with life and strength and that my enemies, and
opportunity shall permit, I will some time or other set about the work
of fixation, that so it may appear what is thence to be hoped for.
And now friendly Reader who art not addicted to either party tell me,
whether or no there does not redound unto thee more light from this
most brief treating of the Carbuncle, than from the obscure _Lucerna_
or Candle of I. H. S. in whose Book there are indeed the names of a
many Authors cited, but none of their Writings are explained, and
therefore it is rather a bringing others into a Labyrinth, than a
showing of the true way.
_Paracelsus_ adds, that this Carbuncle is hid in a little Chest made
of Gold and Gems, this Chest in a Golden Coffin (or Tomb), this in a
Silver one, and finally this Silvery one in a Tin one; which sayings
verily are to be taken or understood in a far other sence than they are
uttered, as well as the words foregoing: For to what end should there
be such a multitude and variety of Coffins? My opinion hereabouts is
this: Forasmuch as there lies in Tin (as _Paracelsus_ testifies in his
Book of _Vexations_, when he saith, that _Jupiter_ has much Gold in it,
and not a little Silver) a spiritual Gold and Silver hidden, and that ☽
contains ☉, and ☉ contains Tincture, we are to understand these things
of them, they being as so many Coffins.
But some may say, to what use serve the Tin and Silver, if they are
to be removed afore we can come to the Golden Coffin, and get to that
which contains the Carbuncle, may we not presently even at first dash
seek such a stone in ☉, and leave Tin and ☽ untoucht? I could most
easily satisfie such an objection, and give a sufficient reason of
_Paracelsus_ his Writing such things, but that I judge it inconvenient
to communicate such things of so great a consideration (or moment) to
wicked Zoilists or Carpers.
However I cannot here let this slip, _viz._ that there lies hid in ♃ an
excellent Mercurial Liquor, which is thence extractable by the benefit
of that Key which lies upon the Sepulchre or Tomb, _viz._ by the
benefit of Salt-petre. This mercurial Liquor, loosens the bonds of ☽,
and makes it fit, so as to be extracted (or made into the best ☉, out
of which the Carbuncle is to be afterwards made, for every (kind of) ☉
doth not at all resemble the nature of a seed, but supplies the place
only of an House or covering, which containeth seed in it, and which
(covering) must of necessity be removed by him who desires the seed it
self.
I have in other places shown how properly the metalline stock or nature
may be compared to a Vegetable Apple: _Saturn_ is the root of the Tree;
_Mars_ the Trunk or Body; _Jupiter_ the Bark of the Trunk; _Mercury_
the Juice contained betwixt the Bark and the Trunk; _Venus_ the green
Leaves; _Luna_ the white Flower or Blossom; _Sol_ the Fruit or Apple of
the Tree containing the seed of the Vegetable.
Now then, even as it is a thing evident to all, that the Apple it self
is not the seed of the Tree, but the Nut or Kernel is hidden in its
inward part, so that the Apple doth only keep or hold in it the seed;
even so in like manner ☉ is not at all to be accompted as the seed
of Metal, but only as a preserver (and coverer over) of the seed. He
now that lights on the true Key, which _Paracelsus_ hath put upon the
Golden Coffin, (_viz._) the inside of Salt-nitre, he will be able to
open, not only the Tin Coffin, but the Silver and Gold Coffin too, and
to take that Coffin thereout of, which contains the Carbuncle and other
Gems.
These are the things I was willing to publish according to my opinion,
concerning that great Carbuncle lying so deeply hidden in those
Coffins: I permit others to expound them otherwise, for I do not
offer these things to the old Men who stiffly contend for their own
conceptions as it were for the best thing they have, it being an hard
matter to tame an old dog; but I present them to such only as are the
younger students of the true Hermetick Physick or Medicine, and who are
not already drawn into various errors by the reading of many Authors.
And he that refuseth to believe that even the greatest _Arcana_ may be
handled or treated of in a meer simple or plain Stile, and that they
need not at all any prolixity, shall never attain his wish’d for end,
though he were able to recite by heart even all the Philosophers Books.
And thus much may suffice in this place.
Lastly, _Paracelsus_ adds at the end of the Prophecy, that the most
Great and Blessed GOD will grant to the finder out of these Treasures
notable Power and Fortitude, whereby he may oppress all evils, detect
good things, and get every profitable thing, certainly whoever he be
that shall find such an universal Treasure, he will labour to suppress
every noxious thing, and to disclose (on the other hand) whatsoever is
any ways profitable for man-kind, and necessary, and this to the very
utmost of his power. For the Philosophers say, _Our Art doth either
find a Man honest and godly, or it even makes him such an one_; that
is, it is altogether impossible for such an one that lights on such
Treasures to be an ungodly Man, so, as for those highly precious gifts
of God not to stir him up to godliness and Mercy.
I could render this Prophecy of _Paracelsus_ more clear, but that I
study to be brief, and could manifestly prove, that it is not to be
understood according to the bare Letter, but that _Paracelsus_ had
regard to this great universal of the Philosophers, which is clearly
enough hinted in these words which are mentioned at the end of the said
Prophecy, _viz._ _That all evils may be kept under, (or abolished)
and that all good things may be drawn forth or advanced, and withal,
all necessary and useful things may be gotten_. These words do openly
enough point at the universal Treasure of the Philosophers, by which
all evil is kept under, and all good educed, and all necessary and
profitable things acquired. On this wise are my Conceptions of them,
let another interpret them according as seems him good. For when the
Lion shall have found the said mineral Treasure, he will be incited or
stirred up to such a great passionate wrath and power, that is able
easily to dull the edge of the Eagles Claws, that is, his adversaries.
’Tis impossible for the Eagle to get such a Treasure, but a thing most
easie to the Lion; For there is not a subject in all nature that can
make the Lion so fiery and powerful as the _magnesia Saturnina_ can,
and therefore it easily tames all Corrosives, and cuts off their Claws.
Experience confirms the things I here mention, and therefore I will say
no more: Yet however I think it expedient to add this one thing more of
the nature and properties of the Lion and Eagle.
It is sufficiently manifest, that the Eagle is called the King of all
Birds, and the Lion the King of all four-footed Beasts. Not, as if the
Eagle were the greatest amongst the Birds, and the Lion the strongest
and greatest Animal amongst the Beasts: No, no, There are bigger Birds
and Beasts than the Eagle or the Lion; Geese, Swans, and our Country
Storks are bigger than an Eagle, (I omit to speak of the other huge
Birds in _Asia_, _Africa_, &c. Amongst which the Ostrich is reckoned
for one, which is as big almost as a Horse, and runs swifter than a
Horse.) Then, for Beasts, there are some of the (like proportionable
stature) as the Rhinoceros and Elephant, which fear the Lion no more
than the Ostrich and other (great) Birds do the Eagle; yet nevertheless
do they acknowledge the Lion and Eagle for King, and that deservedly
too, because of the Velocity, strength, valour, and other virtues that
those Creatures have.
But yet Historians rank the Griffin and Dragon amongst the Birds and
the greatest Animals. They paint (or describe) the Griffin, a winged
Animal, one half part resembling a Lion, the other half part an Eagle;
the Claws, Wings and Head like an Eagles, the other part of the body
like a Lions. But this is a Philosophical and Poetical Fable, by
which they would disclose and lay open other Mysteries and Arcana’s.
For there is never to be found in all this whole compass (of the
World) such a Dragon as flies in the Air or spits out Fire; but all
these sayings, point at Salt-petre. They likewise feign the Griffin
to be of such power as to be able to carry away through the air an
armed Souldier on Horse-back; these and greater things than these can
Salt-petre do; for ’tis able to blow up whole Castles and Fortresses
with many myriades of Men into the air; and would to God this were
not so well known. The Philosophers have only shadowed out their
Dragon amongst other Birds. Our Dragon never dies but by the help of
his Brother and Sister, that is of the fixt Lion, and corrosive fluid
Eagle, the which thing may be likewise said of the Griffins. For of
the fixt burning Lion, and fluxil or fluid corrosive Eagle, there is
created no other thing but a Griffin, part Eagle and part Lion, which
lifts (or blows) up Mountains of most vast weight; when they fight each
with the other they kill one another and are raised up again out of
the dead Carkass. And thus there are regenerated (or again born) other
Lions and other Eagles out of the Griffin, and (if you are so minded)
both the Lion and also the Eagle may be fed and fatted with the common
Flesh of other Wild Beasts, so as thence forward they may generate
innumerable Griffins, which you may use not only in time of War against
the Enemies, but also in the Mountains, to dig out Treasures thence,
and being digged to carry them into the Nest.
NB. It is reported of the Griffin that he gathers much Gold which
he carries with him into his Nest; But all these things are to be
understood of the strength and virtues of Salt-petre; concerning which
I could be much more prolix and more clear were I not even constrained
to over-pass it and let it alone because of the ungodly crew of wicked
men.
And now let us enter with the Philosopher _Virgil_, into the dark Cave
or Den of the _Sybill_, and let us see whether or no we can find the
Book there (that is Salt-petre) wherein are found all the secrets of
nature: Or rather, let us enter into the Stable with the three wise
Men or Kings that came from the East, and let us there seek the Son
that was born of a Virgin, who is the King of the World & the King of
all Kings, and let us apparel or adorn him with due gifts or presents,
that his age & strength may grow up and be augmented, & he may at
length drive away the Diseases of his three brethren, _viz._ of the
Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral. This Infant needs not Gold, Myrrh,
and Franckincense for his sustentation, but we will bestow upon him
instead of Gold, Myrrh, and Franckincense, three other things for
multiplications sake; common Sulphur shall supply the room of Gold;
common Salt, of Myrrh; the external green boughs of Firr or Elder, of
Franckincense; thereof will we make his Bed, and these shall be his
coverings.
The Salt which is animated by the Sulphur and converted into Milk
shall be his food, so long until he becomes great and strong enough,
yea a Potent Monarch, and then will he gainfully reward his Tutor (or
Guardian) _Joseph_, for his laborious Wardship.
The Magi and Philosophers observed the Star of our Infant, which
shineth so brightly as that it dazles the sight of the beholder; nor
can any one look long upon it without hurting his sight, and thereupon
it is worthily called the Son of the ☉: For there is not any clear or
bright light without the Sun, the Country fellows therefore do not
perceive such a light, but the Chymists can (whensoever pleaseth them)
make and see such a light.
The things which I here declare concerning the nativity of Salt-petre,
are most easie to be understood. It is generated or born in the
Stables, The ☉ is its Father, the ☽ is its Mother, the Wind conveys
the Paternal seed in a spiritual manner, into the moist Earth of the
Stable, by which, the Virgin Earth being impregnated doth after due
time produce its young to light.
NB. That Earth which produceth and conserves Herbs, Grass, and
Metals is called the Mother; and that Earth which doth not produce
(as in Stables, &c.) is as yet to be accompted as a Virgin, which
doth afterwards yield so noble an offspring. No Earth out of which,
Herbs, Trees, and Minerals are born doth ever conceive again, or ever
intermits the production of such things, and for that reason is it
called the Mother of all things. But now that Earth that is found in
Stables, which conceives neither the _Solar_ nor _Lunar_ beams, nor
is moistned with either Rain or Dew, cannot produce any thing, unless
the beams are conveyed thereinto from the Sun by the Air, then the
impregnated Virgin in the Stables, brings forth an offspring, which is
by the Philosophers presented for its sustentation, with a threefold
kind of gifts; to wit, Sulphur instead of Gold, and that being in like
manner fixt and most pure; with Salt instead of Myrrh, which is pure
and preservative, and with the Juice or Resin of the Firr-tree, or
Elder, instead of sweet smelling Franckincense. These three things are
the Aliment or food of the new Infant; The Green Boughs of the Firr or
Elder, do furnish him with a Bed for his Cradle; The Sulphur and Salt
yield him sweet milk to nourish him; so that there needs not any thing
else but a good overseer, _Joseph_, that may keep off the Rain and the
cold Air from this Infants Bed.
By such a means as this may we nourish our most tender Infant and
advance him to his Kingly Monarchy; when he shall arrive thither he can
make all his Brethren sound and rich: For the Vegetables do only desire
profitable and convenient food, or some fat earth, whereby they (being
well and sound) may attain to their perfection and encrease themselves;
which thing Salt-petre does better than any other.
Nor do the Minerals desire ought else but that the impurity and
superfluous Sulphur be taken away from them, that so they may (after a
perfect Purification) cast forth their seed, that is Gold; and this,
Salt-petre does most perfectly. Then Lastly, the Animals seek not after
other food than what the Earth supplies them withal, which to effect,
Salt-petre must of necessity be at hand.
Salt-petre therefore is the only preserver of all Vegetables Minerals
and Animals, but the soul of Man doth not at all belong thereunto, for
it is the propriety of Jesus Christ; but as for the bodies, Salt-petre
is the most profitable medicament. Whatsoever I have here produced
in this place, I have already Written the same in other places of my
Treatises, in another kind of manner and expression, and therefore I
suppose it to be plainly needless to make any farther addition: He that
will not be able to light his dark Candle at this shining light, will
be blind all his life time, and consequently incurable.
As concerning the preparation of Sulphur with Salt, how it is to be
made a _Lac Virginis_ I have already mentioned it abundantly in many
places. And as for the making of the Cradle or Bed, and what form ’tis
of I shewed about the beginning of this Work: So that now there remains
nothing behind but the applying the hands to the work, if we desire to
get honour and goods from (this) principal Monarch.
Salt-petre is the only Artificer to reduce Metals unto their first
matter, or of making them Astral. For the Stars are nothing else
but pure fire. They exercise fiery Operations, and produce fiery
things; like as the Vegetables do putrefy by the Salt-petre in the
Dung, and are reduced unto perfection and multiplication, without
which putrefying there can never be made any multiplication of the
Vegetables, as Christ himself witnesseth; if the Wheat does (not)
putrefy in the Earth it can produce no fruits. The like is in the
Animals too, yet especially in the Eggs of Birds, which said Eggs must
stink and rot afore the hatching of the Chicken comes. Therefore in
vain have many tried so to defile (or putrefy) Metals and reduce them
to their first matter. Now though the Philosophers tell us that Metals
are to be first putrefied afore they can be multiplied, yet they meant
not such a putrefaction, but the putrefaction of Metals must be done by
the help of fire, and withal must be so effected by Artificers, here
below, as the Metals are wrought by the Stars in the Heaven, for we
must imitate Nature. And forasmuch as nature generates all Metals by
a Celestial Fire, therefore the Artist must go no other way, but must
imitate nature if he would do any good on’t.
As for Vegetables and Animals, we willingly allow them a moist
putrefaction, but for the Metals, a dry and fiery putrefaction suits
with them, and which may be perfected in two or three hours space,
as may be seen in my _Continuation of Miraculum Mundi_, and in (my)
_Testimony of the Truth_, [or _Explication of Miraculum Mundi_:] And
this is the only cause (or rock) against which many have fallen,
and so have not gotten any good thing, (or profitable.) Now, afore
putrefaction it cannot be enceased; and every thing which induceth
a putrefaction into other things must of necessity consist of two
contraries in its nature: Water poured upon Water remains Water, and
there is no change wrought; but from Fire and Water do many wonderful
things proceed. If we pour the corrosive Spirit of Nitre, of Salt or
Vitriol upon another corrosive Spirit, they easily embrace each other
and are commixt without noise, and there is not thence generated any
new thing, but it always remains an acid corrosive Spirit. If we put
one strong Lixivium to another like Lixivium, there is no noise (or
hissing) stirred up, nor any change made; but now if we mix that same
Lixivium with a corrosive Spirit the one operates upon the other,
being both contraries, and there is generated of them both somewhat
of a middle nature, which has not the likeness of either. This now is
clearly evident in strong fixt Nitre, or any other Lixivium of Wood,
when it is poured into _Aqua-fortis_, and they act one upon the other;
then of them both, there proceeded a certain middle thing, _viz._
burning Salt-petre, which brings all things to putrefaction, and
promotes or advanceth their multiplication, the which thing is after a
sort known in the Vegetables, and Animals; but as for the Metals, the
Philosophers have accompted it as a secret even to this very day; and
therefore hence comes it to pass that there hath been so much erring
in putrefaction (which is the very key of the Art) and nothing hath
hitherto been brought unto the wish’d for end.
Forasmuch therefore as Metals ought to be putrefied by the Fire, we do
not find any thing more commodious than Salt-petre, which in one hours
space, putrefieth all the Metals prepared aforehand, and multiplies
them, _viz._ when a commodious and moist Matrix is put into the Fire,
wherein (a man) may put his (metalline) seed to be therein multiplied;
for seed is not multiplied without a Matrix, and this is daily
observable in the Vegetables and Animals.
Now, as a Vegetable seed needeth for its multiplication a fat and moist
Earth, and an Animal Matrix; so likewise the seed of Metals needs a
metalline Matrix, without which it cannot be multiplied: And by how
much the more apt and commodious the Matrix is, so much the more noble
is the Fruit, and so on the contrary.
So then, by this time all men know that by how much the stronger
and better the contraries be, so much the better are the fruits, as
hath been already said. The stronger the _Aqua-fortis_ is, and the
more fixt the Salt or Lee is, that are mixt together, the better and
the more plenty of Salt-petre is there generated. But especially if
we concentrate corrosive Spirits by Metals & do make them (thereby)
yet more corrosive, as also if we concentrate fixt Salts by Flints,
and so make them yet more fiery, they do then perform many wonderful
Operations. For whereas the bare contraries do yield but only Salts;
being concentrated, they do yield forth fruits that break out as if
it were Trees: Concerning which you may see in the second part of the
Furnaces, about the Liquor of Flints. This is that which we see and
believe, _viz._ that by how much the more the contraries are contrary
to each other, so much the greater product is there of Fruits. But
because Fire and Water are naturally exceeding contrary to each other,
therefore do they also produce the greater fruits, _viz._ Metals, which
are greater than either the Vegetables or Animals are.
NB. If the Artist can think upon a yet hotter Fire than the common
Fire is, and a colder Water (than usual) and know where to find them,
such will of necessity likewise produce Metals that are more excellent
than the Vulgar.
But seeing that amongst all the fires there is not given a hotter than
Salt-petre, a cold wife is to be associated unto him, and the wedding
is to be celebrated in Hell, then will both of them leave (behind them)
Sons of Riches and Health.
’Tis an usual custom throughout all _Germany_, haply other Kingdoms
have the like, that when two contract Matrimony, the Bridgroom and the
Bride, are led into the bathes two or three days afore the Wedding is
Celebrated, and they are there wash’d, to the end that they may be the
more acceptable to each other: And although they put on their best
apparel and do adorn themselves with most clean dressings, yet do they
at last put off all their fine Ornaments when they desire to conjoin
themselves and multiply.
The same is here to be understood of the new metallick multiplication:
If each party be but only sound & of a good constitution (though the
outward raiment be vile) yet are they able to beget as fair Children,
as Royal Persons, (who are loaden with Gold, Silver, precious Stones,
and Pearls,) can. Hence it is apparent, that the Garments contribute
nothing to the business, but that the multiplication doth solely
depend upon the soundness and good constitution of the bodies; and
this _Pythagoras_ well knew, and willingly left it to posterity, for
he observed that the soul of the Metals being by Art forced out of
the body did presently pass into the nighest bodies and after their
death, again into the next: Hence it was, that he fell into a great
errour, when he concluded, that the same was also true as to the
transmigration of the soul of man, and the order therein the same; to
wit, that the soul of one man did not presently pass into another man,
but as well into Sheep, Birds, Fishes, _&c._ And for that reason, his
successours, (a great part of whom inhabit _Africk_) will not to this
day kill so much as a little Worm, fearing least that they should kill
such an Animal, as contains in it the soul of their Father or Mother.
Besides too, he signified that the soul of a man was better and more
pleasant in Frogs than in the most Potent King. Without doubt this
errour arose from hence, _viz._ his seeing the souls of Metals that are
forced out of their bodies, to occupy or possess the nearest and more
commodious subjects. By how much the purer the Subject is that the soul
of Metals finds or lights on in its departure (or going off from the
Metals) the willinglier doth it possess it. We Christians have a more
perfect knowledge of the soul given us than was given _Pythagoras_,
but if we speak of Metals, then this saying of _Pythagoras_ hath good
foundation, which thing, no experienced Philosopher will ever be able
to gain-say or confute with truth. This we know most certainly, that
God doth esteem the soul of a beggar as much as of a King; the bodies
do indeed make the difference for some bodies are better adorned than
other some. Likewise, the noble and not adulterated Alchimy teacheth
us that the soul of ♂ or ♀ is as good as the soul of ☉ is; herein is
the difference between them, that their bodies are bigger and stronger,
and so their noble soul is contemned and rejected by the ignorant,
because of the rude grossness of their bodies. Hereupon, the curious
searchers of nature have laboured to destroy those gross bodies, and
to draw out their pure soul, that they might translate it into better
and purer bodies, (the which thing also succeeded according to their
desire) and by the extracted souls they transmuted the imperfect and
impure bodies of the Metals into most pure Gold: Nor were they ignorant
of the Artifice of particularly purifying the gross and impure bodies
of the Metals, like as the sick bodies of men being purified by the
virtue and help of medicaments are restored to their former health and
vigour. For when an impure Patient meets with an expert Physician whom
he (_viz._ the Physician) undertakes to cure, he doth first of all
(if his Patient haps to have the _Itch_, _Scabs_, the _Scurvy_, _Lues
Venerea_, _Pustules_ and other stinking sores) prescribe him a purge
whereby all the impurities may be first expelled. Then he permits the
sick person to use a sweating-house, or stove, in which he may sweat so
much as to be very much debilitated by the heat. Lastly, he brings him
into a Parlour or Chamber that has a pure air in it, to refresh him,
and therein he manageth the cure of him, until he hath recovered his
former health and purity; and if the sick be not made clean or pure by
the first purgation and sweating, he reiterates the same remedies as
often as need shall require, and till the sick be perfectly freed from
impurities.
Just so, doth the skilful Chymist proceed in the purification of the
imperfect Metals, for he expels all the excrements which they are in
an especial manner endued (or soil’d) withal, _viz._ the impure and
stinking Sulphur by the help of the fire, and by the help of little
appropriated stoves (or pots) even until they get their due purity; Art
therefore imitates Art. But if so be that all Physicians were skill’d
in Alchimy and Astronomy we should not need such plenty of Coffins, for
in them (_viz._ Alchimy and Astronomy) one true Art doth continually
produce out of it self another.
The Astronomer when he would give a man his judgment as to the manner
and term of his life, doth first of all look to the hour of the
nativity, and fisheth out what condition that aspect is of, that doth
at that time bear chief rule in the Firmament, which when he hath found
out he doth by the means of calculation, predict what good or what evil
things will befal the Child (or party) whilest he lives.
Although these prognostications are not at all Infallible, yet are they
not therefore by any means to be totally rejected. For we oftentimes
find many things true by experience which otherwise we would not
credit: Nor is it so much without reason that we so esteem them, but
this ought not to be done compulsively (or, as if they forced us) for
’tis the usual Proverb, _The Stars incline, but do not necessitate_.
For like as a man that is born under an evil aspect may by doctrine
and information be made good, so that here the aspects may be of no
moment; so on the other hand, we often find that such an one as is
born under a most excellent aspect is corrupted and depraved by his
conversation with evil men. And these very things doth even Alchimy
demonstrate the truth of: For even as soon as ever the Infant is born
& begins to suck in the air, he doth even then attract such influences
(according to the opinion of Astronomers) as the Stars do that very
hour emit from themselves upon the inferiour bodies (or things here
below,) and so consequently he imitates the nature of these: Even so
the new born Metallick Infant, doth in the moment of his birth attract
a metallick Astrum or Constellation, like to that which did at that
time bear the chief sway, and so consequently receiveth qualities like
the qualities of this Star or Astrum. And although that the metallick
Infant were made a partaker of a good Star (or aspect) the first time
of its nativity, yet notwithstanding it may be accidentally infected
afterwards, so as thence to become an evil Metal: And on the other
hand, that which was bad at the first may be reduced to that pass by
Art and a convenient discipline of the fire, as that the best Metal may
thencefrom proceed, and this, experience witnesseth every day, nor can
it be denied by any but such from whom the light of nature lies hidden.
If now the superior Stars can exercise such great virtues, what hinders
but that the inferiour ones may exercise the same if not greater,
provided we but rightly govern and tame them. The superiour Stars are
not at all subject unto our power, they are submitted or put under
God’s guidance only. But the inferiour ones may be handled by us
according to our pleasure. The Physician may apply them to Medicine,
the Chymist may apply them to Alchimy. He then to whom the knowledge
of using the inferiour Astrums aright, is granted, may use them with
most great honour, and eminent benefit, whether he be a Physician
or a Chymist, which (said Astrums) others are constrained to leave
untouch’d to their great disgrace and loss. But men now adays are too
much given to laziness and sloath, so that there are but few to be
found that will search after nature’s Secrets. A many there are that
challenge to themselves the title of learned Philosophers and yet are
altogether ignorant of the foundations of true Philosophy. There is
not in this age scarce any esteem at all, of true Philosophers, though
notwithstanding they deal with us so sincerely and do clearly set afore
our Eyes, the interiours of nature, and leave us excellent Writings.
So _Pythagoras_ whom we mentioned afore did upon this accompt suppose,
that, (because he saw the souls of Metals to be carried out of one
body into another, and to Operate as well in this body as in the other
former, and consequently to animate this, and make it more perfect,)
the case was the very same with the human soul, and by this means he
directed as it were his successours to the universal and particular
work of Metals.
And even just after the same manner hath _Virgil_ done, when he would
that his Carcass should be cut into pieces, and be reduced unto a
Life by a continual instillation (or dropping in) of burning Oil.
Perhaps the occasion of his falling into those cogitations was this,
either because he observed that the dead metallick bodies were by the
operation of the Fire, and addition again animated, and so he perswaded
himself that the like might possibly be done in man; or that well
knowing the impossibility of doing this thing he would give an occasion
to such as came after, more curiously to search, and so was willing
to point out with his Fingers as it were at the multiplication and
propogation of the metallick bodies (as _Pythagoras_, of the souls.)
Most certain it is, that it will not be any difficulty to him that
knows Nitre aright, and can so order it as to operate in metalline
bodies in the form of fire, to multiply _Sol_ (in an universal way) and
to make the viler Metals more perfect (in a particular way.) And this I
was willing here to add. ’Tis well for him that useth the gifts granted
him by God, to his glory and the benefit his neighbour.
And thus much may suffice to have been spoken in this place concerning
the nativity and multiplication of Salt-petre, and the Potent Monarchy;
more shall be spoken upon some other occasion if God please.
_Now follows the use and benefit of =Salt-petre=._
Having thus shown the Generation of Salt-petre out of every Kingdom,
_viz._ of the Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral Kingdom; it now remains
yet, briefly to shew what wonderful things the same doth effect in
Medicine and Alchimy, which thing we do not find that ever any one of
the Philosophers did perform, but kept all to themselves for secrets.
Forasmuch therefore as I have made a beginning of the thing already
in the second part of this Book, where I spake of a certain moist
separation; that is, I there delivered that it is possible to extract
Gold and Silver out of all (yea even the most vile) Metals, by the
benefit of a nitrous Water, so as that any one that will but set his
hand to the work may thence get his sustenance most plentifully; it
seems a thing necessary to finish what hath been already well begun.
Now forasmuch as I did in that place let pass the describing the manner
it self of Extraction, a many Friends have much desired an illustration
of the things there spoken, but I could not hitherto by any means
satisfie their petition, because that the abundance of my imployments
denied me the time of Writing.
Now therefore I have determined both to gratifie these and others by
opening this most noble artifice, but yet so, as that I will reserve
some things unto my self, that so all things may not be made so common
to my Enemies. And if so be that any of my Friends desire a more plain
explication, and desire an addion of the things I have omitted here, it
will be an easie matter unto me to satisfie their requests.
This Art therefore doth not only conduce to this, _viz._ to extract
fixt Gold and Silver out of all sand, earth, stones, yea and out of
the more vile Metals (or Ores of Gold and Silver; (but also to extract
the volatile and immature Gold, and Silver, and to make it fix, and
that in such a compendious manner as that it will be a matter of (in
a manner) no costs or labour: Nay more, if so be there cannot be had
any poor Metals, Stones, or such like subjects that contain in them
Gold and Silver (though even these are plentifully enough to be had in
every part of the World): Yet nevertheless may that Art be exercised
with profit, about even the imperfect Metals such as ♂, ♀, ♃, ♄, ☿,
_Calmei_, _Zink_, _Bismuth_, _Cadmia_, _Arsenick_, _Auripigment_,
_Granates_, _Talk_, _Smiris_, _Hematitis_, and such kind of Fossiles,
are; and which contain ☉ & ☽, partly fixt, and partly volatile, and may
be commodiously extracted by the help of a nitrous Water.
Besides too, most excellent Gold may be in like manner profitably
separated out of all such things as are made by Art of Silver, whether
they be gilded with Gold, or not, insomuch, that if there be but a
most few grains contained in a large portion of Silver, they may be
separated with gain. And if so be any be so minded to impregnate the
separated ☽ again with Gold, that so it may again yield Gold by a
following separation, he may most easily do so; yea, this operation
may be so often repeated after this wise until all the ☽ pass (by
Graduation) into _Sol_, which thing may be compared to a perpetual
durable Mine-pit of Gold, and is perfected by the benefit of Salt-petre
only; and therefore it both may and ought to be called and that
deservedly a Store-house and comfort for mankind. For when we prepare
that Salt-petre of medicinal Subjects, all the Salt-petre doth not
put on the form of christals, but much of it abides permixt with the
water, which water doth abound with a most notable nitrous virtue of
thoroughly promoting Christallization, insomuch that the seeds of
Rye, Wheat, Millet, Oates, Beech-wheat, and such like, when they are
macerated or steeped therein some due time, afore they are sown in the
Earth, do multiply themselves extraordinarily, so that we see 3, 4, 6,
yea and sometimes 20 plants spring forth out of one single Grain.
With the same nitrous Liquor too, (so it be prepared of true medicinal
things, may be made a most excellent Medicine (which may be in a manner
compared with potable Gold, and by the help of which, great diseases
and as it were incurable, are happily healed) and that in a few hours
space.
Forasmuch therefore, as such a Kingly medicament (of which I have made
some mention in the Second Part of my _Pharmacopœia Spagyrica_, where I
treated of nitre) & such a most excellent & incomparable dunging of the
Ground, may, together with the Salt-petre, be prepared & instituted;
so most easily & almost without cost, (on which depends the health of
the body, and fertility of the Ground, whether you respect Corn, or
Wine, or Hops, or any other things, that man useth instead of Meat and
Drink for the sustaining of Life; or else the extraction of ☉ and ☽ out
of all the most abject Subjects every where found) may we not justly
pronounce thus much of Salt-petre, that it is altogether profitable and
commodious to all men; and therefore well worth the searching after,
and the application to the use of Man.
Therefore like as by the help of Salt-petre, we see we are able to
get all such things as an honest man seems to need, such as are Food,
Drink, Health, yea and ☉ and ☽ too, and all this most plentifully and
perfectly: so on the contrary, the use of this Salt-petre is very
hurtful when it is used for evil, and this is sufficiently seen in the
time of War. Yet nevertheless we should not esteem less of it than
it really is, because of its being abused, but rather the benefits
attending it (which are very many) should stir up our minds to make a
diligent enquiry into it. The end of the World is at hand, and sundry
things are detected, which the ancients reserved amongst the highest
Secrets, but they are but little esteemed; some of them, I will here
exhibit and show unto you.
_Now follows the Process, Operation, or Manner of extracting =Sol=
and =Luna= out of all the Metals with Profit._
That you may gainfully extract ☽ out of the Metal (or Mineral) of
Silver, Litharge, stones, and the like fossiles, which have ☽ in them,
First of all you must commit them to the fire, that they may be made
red hot (but yet this needs not be done with sand) then powder them,
and put them in a Glass Cucurbite, pour thereupon as much _Aqua-fortis_
as is sufficient, put this Cucurbite in a pan full of sand, and then
heat the sand by little and little by putting Fire thereunder; that
so the _Aqua-fortis_ may by the help thereof attract the ☽ out of the
powder; then pour off the _Aqua-fortis_ from this powder, and pour it
upon the other like conditioned powder, that it may also extract the ☽
out of that too, and this decanting and pouring on, must be repeated so
often until there be no more dissolved.
The _Aqua-fortis_ is always diminished or wasted because some
of it adheres to the Metal, and therefore must there always be
other _Aqua-fortis_ put in the room of that which is wasted; The
_Aqua-fortis_ which adheres to the Metal is to be thence separated
by the benefit of boiling, on this wise; Pour common Rain-water upon
the Metal contained in the Cucurbite, and mix it well by strong
shaking of the Glass, then heat the sand so as to make it boil, and
so that hot water will draw to it self the _Aqua-fortis_ out of the
Metal, which said water contains ☽ in it. Then when this water is
abstracted by inclination or pouring off, put on some Rain-water a
second time upon the powdered Metal remaining in the Cucurbite, and
this will extract that which the former water left of the _Aqua-fortis_
partaking of ☽ (unwash’d off:) and so let nothing of the ☽ remain in
that metallick powder; when it’s thus done the matter is to be thrown
away as altogether unprofitable, unless there lies hid therein any
Gold; which if it be so, we must pour some _Aqua-Regia_ thereupon, and
order the operation according to the foregoing method; then mix both
the strong waters together, both that which extracted the ☽ and that
which extracted the ☉, mix them diligently, and there will thence arise
a certain white Water, and the solution will be like Milk; For the
☽ cannot abide the _Aqua-Regia_, but there will precipitate a white
powder which snatcheth (or precipitateth) down with it self out of the
Waters the Gold too. We may make use of the decanted Water to extract ☉
out of the other Metals; for the pouring on of the _Aqua-fortis_ with
the ☽ in it, to the _Aqua-Regia_, doth not at all take away ought of
the virtues.
Upon the precipitated powder of ☉ and ☽ hot Rain-water is to be several
times poured, that so all the sharpness of the _Aqua-fortis_ may be
extracted. The powder of the ☽ is to be put upon some Cap-paper and
dried. And as for the way of separating the ☽ from the ☉ we will
presently teach in what follows.
The edulcorating waters as well of ☉ as of ☽, are to be all of them
mixt together, and then the ☽ will settle to the bottom, and attracts
the ☉ which was in the other water (or washings): so that there remains
not any either ☉ or ☽ in the edulcorating Water (or washings): nor are
these waters of any farther profit as to the work of separating as
afore, yet notwithstanding there may be made excellent Salt-petre of
them, as we shall mention in what follows.
When you have rightly edulcorated and dried the precipitates of ☉ and
☽, they are to be put into a strong Crucible, this Crucible is to
be placed in a Gentle fire, until the matter therein contained doth
flow, which is easily done, for it is very fluxile; as soon as ever
you perceive it flow, turn it out, for fear least any of it should
penetrate the Crucible, and so bring damage or loss to the Operator.
When the ☽ is poured forth, you will find the ☉ sticking to the sides
and bottom of the Crucible like pale Gold, altogether Crude and not at
all fluxile. The ☽ turn’d out is brittle, fusile, and volatile, and is
by the Chymists call’d Horny-Luna, but I call it the ☿ of ☽, it being
of excellent use in Alchimy, as shall be shown in what follows.
The Crucible in which that ☉ remained may be kept to melt such like
precipitates of ☉ & ☽ in again; when this hath been done pretty often
(in the same pot) melt down this ☉ by adding a little borax, and you
shall receive a palish Gold, because in this first melting, some of the
☽ doth adhere thereunto.
This now is the common way of separating these precipitates of ☉ and ☽
from each other, there shall follow a better way in what ensues.
NB. That if so be, both the Metals are boiled in a strong Lixivium
after their edulcoration; or if some fixt Salt made of a Lixivium,
be powdered and permixt with it afore melting, then the ☉ and ☽ are
reduced together, and may be afterwards separated by the help of
_Aqua-fortis_: There is yet a more accurate way; (and it is this) when
we mix the edulcorated Calxes of _Luna_ and _Sol_ with ( A. ) and being
mixt put them in a coated Retort, and put fire thereunder by degrees
(as is wont to be done in destilling) and keep it for 6 or 8 hours in a
continual Cementation; and so the volatile ☿ of ☽ is made fixt by the
help of ( A. ) and corporeal: Yea and tingeth some part of the added
( A. ) so that by the benefit of this Cementation, the ☽ is made more
Golden. This Cement is to be most finely powdered and to be reduced
by the following melting: and you will find your ☉ and ☽ augmented.
The melting is thus; Take of the best Salt-petre, and ( A. ) each
alike: mix them, and separate the Spirit of Nitre by a Retort, which
(Spirit) is much fitter for separation than simple _Aqua-fortis_: The
_Caput Mortuum_ remaining behind in the Retort, is to be powdered, the
fixt Nitre is to be extracted with Rain-water out of the powder. This
Lixivium or extracting Liquor will be of a green colour which is to be
coagulated into a Salt by a due boiling; which Salt is able to reduce
the ☿ of ☽; and to make aureous or Golden, yea, and to reduce the
Cemented ☿ (of ☽) too.
NB. It is better to mix the fixt Salt-petre, or the Green Lyon simply
with the horny ☽, to cement it in a Retort, than (to take it) out of
the Retort, (and) reduce it with a stronger fire; and so we shall have
an excellent augmentation of ☉.
NB. The _Mercury_ of _Luna_ cemented with ( A ) may be likewise reduced
by this means, (_viz._ with this flux) that we take one part of Flints
that will melt in the fire, and of the fixt salt of ashes four or five
parts, and so mix them together, and melt them into a white glass; ’tis
able to reduce the best Cements. And this is the best way of all of
reduction.
Besides, all those ways of reducing a Cement, there may even this way
too be instituted, and that not unprofitably. Take of the fusile Glass
of Lead four parts, of the cementing Powder one part; melt them in an
iron Crucible in a strong Fire, and some of the Lead will be reduced
out of the Glass of Lead, and will be near (or partake of) ☽: This Lead
is to be blown off on the Test, and you shall find an aureous ☽: But
for as much as the Lead separated from the Glass of Lead in the iron
Crucible, contracts a blackish colour from the Iron; it is profitable
to add to the matter in the filling or melting, some Salt of Ashes,
as being that by which the Lead becomes depurated, and so is easily
separated on the Test.
But if so be, that (for this work) the Metals (of Minerals) of ☉ & ☽
cannot be had to precipitate the _Mercury_ of ☽ out of them, (then) the
artificially-made (vessels or plate) whether simply Silver, or else
guilt with ☉, may be made use of; let these be dissolved with the _Aq.
For._ left after the precipitation, & precipitated with Salt water or
_Aqua Regia_, and be edulcorated and mixt with ( A ) and be fixt in
a Retort. Now this Operation is to be done in a Retort, that so the
precipitated ☽ that is altogether volatile, may not be wasted, which in
a Crucible evaporates away, a good part of it, which cannot be so done
in a Retort; for in a Retort, that which flies up, sticks in the Neck,
and may be separated thencefrom, and be mixt with other Cements: And
besides too, the Cement is easilyer separated from the Glass, than from
an uneven Crucible; for some part always sticks thereon, and cannot be
gotten off.
When you are minded to purifie this Cement sooner (or more speedily) it
may be molten with an equal weight of Antimony, and there will arise
from your golden ☽ a Regulus, which must be purified with Salt-petre.
Concerning which work of Reduction, and which is far easier than that
which is done by the help of the Glass of Lead, I have most clearly
and fully handled it, in my Testimony of the Truth, or the Explication
of my _Miraculum Mundi_. By this means every ☿ of ☽ may be rendred
aureous, and that as oft as one will, yea, even until all the ☽ be
changed into Gold by Cementation and Gradation. Now if you would
otherwise separate ought of the aureous or golden ☽, or extract the
Metals (where nevertheless you would reduce the separated ☉ and ☽) it
may be effected by this means most commodiously and most gainfully of
all, because the Calx of ☽ is made aureous by Cementation. This labour
yields a continual augmentation of ☉, by which we may live very well
and plentifully.
_Another Augment or Encrease of =Sol=._
Dissolve ☽ or ♄ in _Aqua Fortis_, also ♃ in _Aqua Regia_: (NB. Let
there be always thrice as much Silver as Tin;) mix the solutions very
accurately, and when you see that all the matter is fallen down (or
precipitated) to the bottom; pour off the water, which said water will
very commodiously serve instead of _Aqua Regia_, to dissolve other ♃
in. NB. If your _Aqua Regia_ be not strong enough, it will not at all
dissolve the Tin, therefore in such a Case, you may pour on the Tin,
_Aqua Fortis_ mixt with simple water, which after they have a while
acted upon each other, there must be some salt-water poured thereupon,
that so the ☽ or ♄ may be precipitated to the bottom of the Vessel, in
which (Vessel) the white ashes of the Tin ly. This matter lying in the
bottom, is to be edulcorated, dryed, and reduced by a strong fire, by
which operation you have not only an augmentation of your _Luna_, but
it is likewise made golden.
NB. This business may also be thus managed, First, dissolve ♄ or ☽ in
_Aqua Fortis_; to the solution add an equal quantity of Rain-water,
pour this mixture upon ♃, and let the solution be made in a pretty warm
place with sand; separate that which is dissolved, the matter that is
yet somewhat harder, by decanting or pouring it off; then make the
precipitation with salt-water, edulcorate it, dry it, and melt it, and
you shall have Encrease.
But if this Mass will not so easily melt, then powder it, and mix it
either with Antimony, Glass of Lead, or with a fluxing matter made
of salt of ashes and flints, that thereby it may be made fluxile or
meltable: That which is made fusile by the help of the Glass of Flints,
is presently pure; so is not that which is done by the help of the
Glass of Lead, for that must be hence separated, and be (by the benefit
of ♁ and ♂) reduced into Reguluses, and be purified and washed by
Salt-petre. Therefore it is the better way to promote the melting, with
the Glass of Flints than with Antimony, because the ☽ may be afterwards
separated without Loss, which is not so easie a thing for every one to
do (otherwise.)
The Reduction which is made by the help of the Glass of Lead, is
indeed (otherwise) a most easy way, but by that way which is done with
Antimony, we get more ☉ than by any other way.
_Another way of Augmenting =Sol=._
Take the golden Talck, Granates, Smiris, Hematitis, the aureous
Scoria’s of Copper, the greenish, reddish, golden Flint, Sand, or Clay;
extract their volatile Gold with a strong _Aqua Regia_; pour into the
solution, a solution of Lead made by _Aqua Fortis_; mix it well; when
the matter is settled, separate the _Aqua Fortis_ by inclination;
edulcorate the said Calx of ♄ with water, and dry it, and so have we
gotten the volatile Gold extracted out of the _Aqua Regia_ by the ♄:
This volatile Gold is made fixt on this wise. Take the most subtle
Powder of ☉, or its most thin Leaves, add thereto thrice as much of
this ☿ of ♄; or four times as much, or six times, according to the
quantity of it, by which we formerly got (or fish’d out) the volatile
Gold: Set it in such a place where it may have a gentler heat, so as
that the ♀ of ♄ may just flow, and not fume; the matter is to be thus
kept in this heat for some hours, or rather days, that so the filings
of ☉ or its thin Leaves may by little and little attract the volatile
Gold out of the ☿ of ♄, and consequently be therewithal augmented.
NB. But seeing it is a most difficult thing to keep such a very
temperate heat as that nothing at all of the ☿ shall fly away, and the
☉ shall not melt in the Crucible: It is better to put the ☉ mixt with
the ☿ of ♄ in a coated Retort, and set it at a strong Fire for a season
for so nothing of the ☿ of ♄ flies away, or penetrates the Crucible.
That which ascends up to the Neck of the Retort may be separated,
and be kept for common ☿ of ♄, out of which may be prepared a most
excellent Medicine.
_Another Augmentation of =Sol=._
Take of red Arsenick, Auripigment, _Hungarian_ Antimony or Cinnabar
one part, of ☿ of ♄ three parts, and some thin Plates of Gold; let
them stand in a Glass Retort in a pretty hot place, and so the ☉ will
attract the volatile Gold out of the added Minerals, and will thereby
augment it self. And if so be that there be any thing sublimed up to
the neck of the Retort it may be taken thencefrom, and be reduced to a
kind of Tincture. And so we may here have a particular augmentation of
☉, and a matter whereout of a Tincture may be prepared.
NB. The vessel that is most fit for the fixation of the Tincture, is
such an one as is made of fixt ♄.
NB. The ☿ of ♄ or ☽ may be reduced by a secret fusion (or fusile
matter) whereby it presently yields an aureous ☽ or ♄: but especially
this ☿ of ☽ or ♄, by the help of which, there hath bin a fixt or
volatile Gold extracted out of the earth, stones, sand, and such like
Minerals, is to be on this wise reduced, whereby we may receive (and
get) as well the volatile Gold as the fixt.
Likewise too, the ☿ of ☽ or ♄ may be artificially distilled, purified,
and prepared for a singular Medicament; But yet let no body perswade
himself that such a distillation is to be perfected after the common
way with retorts or cucurbites, for it is a meerly vain thing to hope
for the separation of the pure from the impure that kind of way, for
because the fire forceth up the good and bad alike, the which thing
is not at all so done by my more secret Philosophical distillation;
for by it, the most pure soul only of the Metal is driven up; as for
the terrestreity that remains, it is separated of it self by that more
impure (thing) to which it is conjoined, and makes a dirtyish slime.
The purer part will be found (by the help of the Cementatory Copple) to
contain both ☉ and ☽; as well the purer part of that which is prepared
by it self of this (bare) ☿ of ☽ and ♄: as that which is prepared
of such (a ☿,) as by whose help fixt and volatile Gold hath been
educed (or gotten) out of the nitrous Water; which way also is a most
compendious one, of reducing the (extracted) volatile and fixt Gold.
For when we reduce this ☿ of ☽ or ♄ by the help of fusing things, some
part of the ☉ may easily perish and evaporate: But now here, nothing
at all perisheth: For that which does not remain (behind) in the said
artificial distillation, and so separate it self from impurities, goes
out (or passeth over) and yields a most excellent Medicament more
excellent than ☉ it self, which you are well to observe.
Besides too, it is a thing most easie to be done to fix the soul of
☽ or ♄ (that is carried [or forced] up, together with the volatile
Spirit,) in the said instrument with ☉; which to effect, there
(otherwise) needs a longer time. Therefore even by this one only
process is both made a most excellent Medicament, and withal, ☉ is
gotten too. These things we have here exposed in very few and plain
Words most agreeable to the truth, and do most exactly answer to
experience; nor is there any reason of blaming me because of my
speaking somewhat obscurely, seeing it is evident that not one of my
Predecessors did ever exhibit (or publish) any of those things. Well,
what shall I say? Excellent Gold may be extracted out of all the kinds
of Metals, by the help of Salt-petre; yea with so much facility; that
it would seem an incredible thing to most Men, though I should clearly
set down all the circumstances, word for word: But yet this (extraction
is) not (to be done) without the benefit (or help) of ☉ and ☽: For when
we have a purpose of augmenting any thing, there must in the first
place of necessity be the seed of the thing that is to be augmented,
and according to the quality of the seed there must be a fit matrix in
which it may take its growth or increase. For example, When we seek for
the increasing of any vegetable seed, we prepare a convenient Earth
for the same, to which Earth we commit that seed, and so the like
sort of Herb buds forth, which doth again produce thousands of seeds;
which seeds are again put into the Earth, and so are multiplied even
to infinity. This multiplication of Vegetables is sufficiently enough
known, and a most easie work it is to multiply a Vegetable, if we have
but its seed, and that it be well conserved least it die. So likewise
out of one Fire may be made many yea infinite other Fires, for one
is always kindled by another. But when all the seed is dead, ’tis an
impossible thing to produce a new seed.
Therefore the most Great and Blessed GOD, hath most excellently ordered
it, so that the seed of Vegetables may be kept the year about; for if
it should not be so, we might well fear the destruction of the chief
Herbs in the Winter season, which now (by the benefit of their seeds
sowed in the Earth) we are able to produce a new.
Now the progress or order of the seed of Animals is widely different
from these, although that even they are committed to such like Animal
bodies, as being their fruitful soil, for multiplication sake: But yet
this sowing is done by a vastly different way from that of Vegetables;
For we can keep the seed of the Vegetables, and carry it from place
to place and so plant or sow it in any part of the Earth we please;
which cannot be done with the seed of Animals for we cannot so conserve
that, or transport it out of one place into another, or sow it as
listeth us our selves. But it must be committed unto the matrix, in
that very moment of time that it passeth out, for it cannot be fruitful
and entire if it be but a moment of time out of the body. The sowing
therefore and conception are performed both together by both bodies,
_viz._ by the Male and Female. The cause of this thing is thus, because
the seed of the Animals abounds with a volatile, invisible, and living
Spirit; which once lost the work of multiplication is wholly taken
away. Therefore like as one [Animal] multiplication is perfected so is
the other, nor may we by any means transgress the course of nature.
In like manner are the Minerals also multiplied, and by the same manner
that it is once perfected by, is it to be always after perfected by.
The Multiplication of the Vegetables and Animals is well enough known
to every one, and is every where done, nor (by reason of its being so
very common) doth it at all cause in any one an admiration; But the
multiplication of the Minerals is not so publick a thing, for there
are but a very few that understand it, though it be as easie as the
multiplication of Vegetables and Animals, insomuch that I also believe,
that there is not any one to be found, that is so stupidly foolish,
that would not be able presently to apprehend and do the same, were the
way but shown unto him. Now that there are so many that erre, and who
walk in an unlawful or contrary path, this is not to be imputed to the
art it self, but to those that meddle therewithal so inconsiderately,
and do not imitate nature, who always keeps her course allotted her by
God.
The Multiplication therefore of the Metals doth solely consist in the
knowledge of the seed; for as the condition or quality of the seed
sown is, like fruits will follow, such nature as the seed you sow is
of, such fruits will you reap, and no other. For Example, I seek after
☉: Therefore I must first of all, of necessity have the seed of ☉, at
hand, afore I can sow it or multiply it. Now to have this seed, we
must not set about it with words or imagination, but by (getting) the
knowledge of nature; for she shews us the safest way, if we did not
withdraw our selves from hearing her teach us. Now like as she commits
☉ and ☽ to the Earth, even so, and no otherwise must we also do, if we
hope for any good success.
And as we said above, that there lies hidden in every Vegetable and
Animal seed, a certain vital or procreating Spirit, without which it
is wholly unfit for ought; even so, there resides a certain Spirit in
the Minerals, which vivifies and effecteth all, which being absent,
death it self follows. This spirit is of no weight or form, and there
is nothing to be seen by us but only the habitation or house wherein
it dwells; so that scarce the thousandth part of the seed is life and
spirit, all the rest is dead. The truth of this thing doth (among other
things) appear even from hence, _viz._ if some Vegetable seed be kept
beyond its due and naturally appointed time, whereby the Vegetative
virtue and spirit vanisheth, it doth not yield any fruit at all, nor
can it multiply it self, though it hath its former shape, bigness, and
former weight. And therefore, there is not any thing in the three-fold
Kingdom of either Vegetables, Animals, or Minerals, but is procreated
and multiplied meerly and solely by the benefit of this spirit and
implanted Life.
Therefore, even as all the Metals were first wrought after a spiritual
manner by the Stars in the Earth (in a convenient Matrix) by the
Stars, and made fix; so according as the Matrix it self is pure or
impure, so pure or impure Metals are generated; now the Matrix of all
things is water or moist earth, in which the Stars are congregated (or
united together) are made corporeal, grow up, and are multiplied. Here
therefore, if Art would imitate nature, there are required Male-like
Astrums and Feminine Matrixes, in which the Astrums may exercise their
operations. Therefore by how much purer the metallick Astrum or seed
is, and the Matrix purer, so much the nobler effect is produced; and so
on the contrary.
But seeing that there is not any Star nobler than ☉, nor Matrix nobler
than ☽, there is no more required, but that we make common ☉ Astral
by Art; and that we prepare ☽ on such wise, as that it may be instead
of a Matrix, wherein the Astrums of ☉ may exercise his operations;
and so without doubt, there will thence come such Children as will
be like their Parents. Nor is there any ground for any one to think
that there is any other way allotted to augment ☉ and ☽, besides that
afore mentioned which is to be instituted in a spiritual manner:
After this manner the World it self was Created, where the Spirit of
God moved upon the Water and impregnated it; and even as we daily
see that the Stars do impart to the inferiour things their virtues,
and they are thereby multiplied; even so may we do the same by art
in these inferiour things; for such as are above, are also beneath.
Those above are beyond our reach; but the inferiour ones, not so: For
art can do the same with or upon the inferiour things, as the Stars
upon the superiour ones. As _Hermes_ doth clearly demonstrate in the
_Smaragdine_ Table. He that understands these my sayings, will also
understand those things, which _Paracelsus_ delivers in his Book of the
_Vexation of Alchymists_, in the _5ᵗʰ._ Rule especially of ☽; and
_Basil_ (_Valentine_) where he treats of Sulphur.
It is a thing most easie to be done, but most difficult to be found
out, to multiply even the most vile Metals, by the help of the Astrums,
and by this secret way. He that well knows Salt-petre and can rightly
handle the same, will by the help thereof perform a many profitable
things; for as it is altogether impossible to get ☉ out of the viler
Metals, without it: So on the contrary it is most easie so to do by its
help. Briefly, He that knows how to handle Salt-petre aright, he will
excellently well understand the Writings of the Philosophers, and let
him know, that he has a light given him, to arrive unto great Secrets.
For we may extract ☉ and ☽, out of all the common meaner or viler
Metals, so that an expert Chymist needs not seek after peregrine,
or strange Materials. An excellent purification, fixation, and
augmentation may perfectly be done by the help of Salt-petre, which
being a thing that but few know of, so seems it impossible, and yet
the things I propound are most true. It makes bodies volatile and
spiritual, and by and by again makes them fixt and compact: So that
unto it alone is that saying of the Philosophers due, (_Make the fixt
volatile, and the volatile fixt_) and to no other Subjects: Now if
Metals be not spiritualized, there’s no hopes of their augmentation.
_Of something must a nothing be made, and again out of the nothing must
something proceed_: So saith _Paracelsus_, which likewise is very true,
though there are but a few that believe the same.
The melting together of variously mixt corporeal things, yields
forth neither ☉ nor ☽: But contrarywise a spiritual Union which is
done with a most strong heat, is a notable author (or promoter)
of Multiplication; for the Spirits do most notably penetrate, and
by variously acting upon each other, do induce alterations and
meliorations, which is denied to dead bodies to perform. The Spirit
doth diversly bestow a life, and vivifieth, but the body is of no other
use, but to yield an house or habitation to the Spirit; the which is
well to be regarded.
Those metalline Spirits (when the work is finished) do insinuate
themselves anew into other bodies, which bodies they make far better
than the former were, and all this by the help of Salt-petre.
_Basil_ brings in Salt-petre speaking of it self on this wise. He that
intends my death needs be a prudent Man, that so he may expel (or force
out) my soul from me; when this is done, I adventure upon all the
things I am able to do, but I can do nothing that has in it firmness
(or substantially) in the bottom, (or radically): _Venus_ is my
chearful Woman, whom (in this place) I take to Wife, but the wedding is
celebrated in the very inward parts (or center) where the sweat flows
out of us both in a most plentiful manner. So the subtile (part) in us,
expelleth all defilements, whence it is, that we leave behind us most
rich Children, and do reserve (or keep in store) most eminent Treasures
for the dead bodies, which we give them by our Will and Testament.
Who would speak more clearly, and would not understand these words of
themselves, (or as they are) without any interpretation.
The ancient Philosophers wrote, that at the rising of the Sun is a
Bird found in those hotter Countries; which builds his nest with Gold;
and when he is grown old, and can live no longer, he gathers together
exceeding dry Wood, which being kindled by the heat of the ☉, consumes
both the Nest and the Bird too, from the allies moistned with rain
Water, they say there arise Worms which will be again changed into
other Phœnixes.
These sayings are indeed Fabulous, yet nevertheless there is a
most high secret disclosed by them: for if we rightly consider all
circumstances, we shall find that Salt-petre is hereby meant, which
gathers the Gold into his Nest, that is, extracts the Gold out of
Metals, Stones, and Minerals, and doth afterwards increase his Family
by the burning them. This to a wise man is enough.
Now that this Arcanum may be the more manifest, I will add over and
above, another way of extracting the fixt and volatile Gold out of
Stones and all kinds of Minerals, by the help of Salt-petre, and of
making them corporeal.
We may very well compare this work to a fishing Trade, concerning
which the Philosophers have written many things, but very obscure;
_Sandivog_, hath more clearly treated of that thing, but _Isaac
Holland_ clearest of all. Verily this Philosopher was an excellent
fisher of Pearls and an excellent presser of Cheese, and for this very
reason he assumed to himself such a name. For _Isacus_ by transposition
of Letters is the same with _Casius_, (or Cheese) So that it may be
said to be _Holland_ Cheese; not that _Hollandus_ was in very deed a
maker of the usual Cheese with milk, but that he bears some kind of
resemblance (in his work) with such Men: For he bestowed abundance of
labour about working on that Universal, that hath some Cheese-like
fashion in it.
Even as the _Hollanders_ gather the greatest quantity of Milk more than
all Nations besides, out of which they press their Cheeses, and so
sustain them and theirs; so the more skilful Chymists do frame or make
Cheeses after a Philosophical manner, and that out of Metals, Salts,
and Herbs: and this very much agreeable to that method, according
to which we see the _Hollanders_ proceed in making their Sheep-milk
Cheese, where they boil in the Milk some green Herbs, and so do thence
extract a colour afore they set about the coagulating Or curdling
of it. That is, they dissolve ♄ or ☽ in _Aqua-fortis_, and a Golden
matter, though it be but ♀ or ♃ (if they have not at hand any better)
in _Aqua Regia_: They mix together both solutions having both of them
the form of Virgin-milk, and they add as much salt as is sufficient.
(NB. ’Tis better to add Salt-water, or Spirit of Salt,) and you shall
presently see that milk to be coagulated, like as (when we pour on some
Salt-water or Spirit of Salt upon Cow or Sheep milk) we observe daily
to happen: where the Water is partly separated by decantation, and
partly by expression from the coagulated or cheesy substance wrapt up
in a Linen cloth, that so a Cheese may thence be made.
Just so do we proceed in the making of our metallick Cheese; for when
we pour Salt-water or Spirit of Salt upon the solution of ☽ or ♄ mixt
with that (solution) which is of a goldnish Nature, _viz._ of ♀ or ♃:
we presently see a precipitation made; which done we abstract the clear
water swimming at top of the precipitated matter, by inclination or
pouring off; the which we may keep for farther uses, principally for
the solution of other Metals and golden Subjects. We put the Cheese
or white Coagulum abiding in the bottom of the Vessel, into a Linen
cloth, and by strong squeezing it free it wholly from the wateriness,
which said water is to be kept as well as the former, for being used
about making new Cheeses, it makes them of the better savour, and more
aureous and vendible.
This Whey, or that water which is plentifully gathered in the making
the Cow-milk Cheeses, though it affords varieties of Profit to mankind,
whether they give it their Hogs to fatten them, or use it themselves
for their daily drink, especially in Summer time, or apply it to other
uses as we see daily done, yet do not I see any better benefit than
that which it yields to the _Curriers_. For they put in it some old
Iron, and when the solution is made, they moisten with that water the
hide already perfect (or ready dressed) and when ’tis dry they moisten
it therewithal again, and this they do three or four times, until it
hath gotten a fixt colour, blacker than a Coal. They do also sometimes
administer some of it unto Children (with good success) to kill and
expel the Worms: Nay more, they are likewise wont to make a Bath
thereof very profitable for those that are troubled with the Scabs or
Itch, because it hath gotten a drying force from the ♂, and thereupon
it makes the skin smooth and hard: and seeing that the Country Fellows,
and Labourers can do so much with it, what hinders but that we may
institute such a curing more perfect, and that on this wise.
Take sweet Cow-milk, or (which is better) Goats-milk, two measures,
boil it over the Fire, put thereinto while it is yet warm ʒ _j._ or ʒ
_ij._ of Spirit of Salt, mix it well, and you shall see the coagulum
or curd presently separate from the whey; out of which, Cheeses may
be made by expression, which are far better than others, by reason of
the addition of the Spirit of Salt, whereto if you add some Cummine,
Carraway, or some spices, they are yet better and more to be preferred.
The Whey here separated is of a grateful savour, and by reason of
the admixtion of the Spirit of Salt, is somewhat acidish, and a most
certain and most safe loosner or absterger, being administred to
Infants that are troubled with the Worms, or even to Elder ones that
are feeble. How many Infants have we observed to die unexpectedly after
they have been for some while and often afflicted with a burning Fever,
the Convulsion fits, and other such like effects, and meerly because we
will not perswade our selves that they have the worms, & so forbear the
using any remedies to purge them out? Now in such a case this whey is
exceedingly excellent, being used after this manner.
Take of the most subtile filings of steel as much as will lie upon a
knife’s point, mix it with as much honey as is sufficient, and give
it the Children: and for their ordinary drink, let them use the said
Whey, and so by this means, that filings being dissolved by the Whey
kills the Worms, in the ventricle or stomach and drives them out, and
verily is a most excellent Medicament; especially if taken two or
three days; nor have I hitherto met with a nobler, than this is. And so
there will redound some profit to Children and Infants too, by this our
way of making Cheese, for which we owe immortal thanks to the Great and
Glorious God.
Besides this, I have likewise observed the excellent use of this Whey,
in the administration of my Panacea of Antimony, if there be taken a
draught or two thereof, at the end of the Purgation; for it gently
carries off the reliques that stick to the intestines.
He likewise that is so minded, may before his dropping in the Spirit
of Salt, add some Anise-seed or Fennel-seed to the milk as it boils,
thereby to correct its Flatulency or Windiness.
And I do most curteously intreat the well-minded Reader to take it
in good part, that I have been so prolix in declaring the virtues of
our Whey; necessity it self, and the love of my neighbour forbad my
concealing of them: For very many Infants are killed with the Fever,
and Epilepsy, or Convulsion-fits, and so suddenly die, for no other
cause but our not meeting with the Worms, which their bodies are full
of, being ignorant of convenient remedies.
Now then to return again to our Cheese, and to demonstrate the
most eminent benefit, both of it, and of our water which is thence
separated; we are first of all to know, that even it is also able to
tinge (some) subjects with a certain colour, not with such a black
colour, indeed, as the Whey of Milk, prepared as aforesaid, dyes the
Curriers Hides with, but with a yellow colour, and more durable than
that which is given to the hide, for that we therewith extract a
Tincture out of ♀ and other aureous Subjects, and with the Tincture,
do sometimes anoint (or tinge) _Luna_. If now the water abound with
such virtues; what virtues will not the Cheese it self abound withal?
And like as our Cheeses are diversly impregnated with spices, so are
they of different savour, and price, and more or less wholsome. But now
if that virtue which is in ♃ is also added to our Cheeses, there will
proceed from thence admirable Cheeses; and this, that Philosopher was
minded to point at, who writes that by the help of the Saturnine net,
he is able even in a clear night to extract the little Fish _Eschineis_
out of the Sea.
The Ultimate (or extream) letters of this word _Eschineis_ _i._ and
_s._ if conjoined together, so as that the letter _z._ be thereof made,
and then the word read backward, it will sound in the _German_ tongue
the same with _Zienesch_, (_viz._) the ashes of Tin; but yet let not
any one perswade himself that those ashes of Tin are such as are made
by means of the (bare) fire, but are prepared by the benefit of the
spirit of Nitre.
Saturn does not only claim (or merit) the praises of being a
husbandman, but also of being a good fisher, and hunter, as (among
other writers) _Basil Valentine_ doth egregiously shew.
When ☉, ☽, ♃, and ♂ pursue (or hunt) the wild beasts, ♄ is bound to
carry the net: _NB._ the hunting dogs here are Salts, the hare that is
caught, is much like the colour of the hares skin, being stript of the
same, he will yield excellent flesh, which the Princes can as little
want as the Subjects can. _See the foregoing Figure of the Hares and
Hounds, with a Flaming Heart, and the word VENUS._
Common Vitriol, but that especially which is found in those places
where Gold is, is the green Sea containing excellent fishes.
Neither was _Isaac Holland_ an excellent maker of Cheese only, as we
said but now, but withal, he was a singular fisher of Pearls; for
with the net of ♄ (the night being clear) we may catch most excellent
Pearls, but yet ’tis a very hard thing to take them out of the net, nor
can they be separated but with a great deal of prudence and art, from
the threds of the nets, to which they do stick so firmly.
But yet this separation is best of all done in a clear Light, the Sun
shining upon the Earth with his beams, and wholly dissipating the
Vapours, least it should be hindred by their being present. For the
parts being exposed to the Air in a (perhaps he means unseasonable)
seasonable weather are corrupted, nor does any thing remain behind
but the shells. And even these shells do in their inside shew forth
such diversity of delicate colours, as that the most ingenious Painter
cannot imitate them with his pencil, and such they are as with which
the other shells of mother of Pearl or the commoner sort cannot at all
compare: For in one place they represent pure ☉, in another pure ☽,
in another they are of a Green colour, Sky colour, Red, Yellow, and
variously coloured, so that they much exceed in beauty, the Peacocks
Tail. If then the shells are so fair as that we cannot sufficiently
enough admire them; what I pray will the beauty of the Pearls
themselves be? Nor let any one perswade himself that I do here cast
Pearls before swine by too much divulging secresies; (no) for there
are yet many necessary things hereto requisite to make the Pearls come
in sight; and if so be that any one should know the way of dexterously
extracting them out of the net it self; yet the fixing of them doth
require abundance of labour still, whereby they may be able to defend
their fairness and excellency, against all the Elements; however, in
the mean time the lover of Chymistry, may delight his mind with those
shells, and admire at the most admirable variety of the colours in them.
Some haply there will be, that when they have taken the said Pearl,
by the help of ♄ and ☽, will think it a most easie thing to separate
it from the net, by the benefit of destillation; but let those good
men know, that this is a thing impossible to be done; for I my self
bestowed abundance of labour in vain on this operation, and this
hath to my knowledge so happened to others too; for in the common
destillation, that Pearl being commixt with the net, even the Mother
together with the Daughter do jointly ascend and get out; and thus
to do is not at all agreeable or helpful for the great work; though
nevertheless _an excellent particular Medicament may thencefrom be
made_. Concerning which, I have spoken in the second and third Part of
my _Pharmacopœia Spagyrica_; nor may we expect (by such a destillation)
the thing we wish for. But if so be you desire to see the Mother,
wrap the net together with the Infant in pure linen, first mundifyed,
and washt in the fire; or put them in a glazed Stove, and put fire
thereunder by degrees, and make the Net and Pearl to sweat largely,
which being kept apart, yields a singular Medicament, for to quench all
the Internal heat of the Body, and always to cool the burning Mercury.
The provocation of the sweat being finisht, break the sweating glasses,
and look for your Pearl, and you shall find that it is gone out of the
shells, by the force of the heat, and is roasted (as it were) together
with the Net, and cannot possibly be (as yet) seen; yet nevertheless
it is brought to a farther maturity, and doth yield some profit in
an especial (or particular) way. But the Sudatory it self, contracts
incomparable Colours from the sweat of the Pearl.
Now then, live contented with the most beautiful mother, and delight
thy mind by barely beholding it, until it shall please God to give
unto thee, the infant also. When it was my hap at first to behold
that beauteous mother, my mind, that was wearied with the long labour
of searching thereinto, was so refreshed, that I can scarce declare
it with words; yea I was so delighted, that I placed that delectable
mother in such a place, where it might lie always open to my sight,
and that so long till she shewed me her infant likewise, which Infant
verily was not unlike to _Cupid_. Do you also seek, and you will find
what you wish for: Implore God, and he will give unto you; Knock at his
doors, and they will be opened unto thee, if so be that GOD shall find
thee worthy; for he bestows his Grace and Mercy upon none, but such as
are of an humble and thankful mind. Take for an example of this some
Tinder, or Touchwood, which being handled with dirty fingers, refuseth
to take fire, though it be never so copiously smitten out of the Steel
with the Stone (or Flint.)
All things depend on the mercy of GOD, nor can we effect any thing
by our labour. Him only should we seek, and he will manifest himself
by the works of nature, even as the nature of a man is known by
Chiromancy, and Physiognomy.
Two contraries do always produce a third thing, and are the cause of
every generation, and change of things; if fire be added to fire, there
ariseth no new thing from thence; neither if you put water to water;
but water and fire being conjoined, there are produced new Generations;
for the fire acts upon the water, and impregnates it according to the
nature and properties of (both) the water and fire; from whence there
proceed things pure or impure, according to the purity or impurity of
the water and fire.
The thing (or operation) it self, must be accurately known and handled,
if you would have any good to redound from thence unto you. The Sun is
in himself always good, yet doth he operate as well evil as good. If
this same Sun bestows his Rays or Beams upon the Rain as it falls down,
the Rain doth thence contract (or get) a honeyish dew, which falling
upon the blossoming of Trees, makes them corrupt. Now we cannot rightly
impute this evil to the Sun or to the honey it self; but we see that it
proceedeth from hence, (_viz._) because that honeyed dew is not duely
and speedily enough washt away with the rain, but is evaporated by the
heat of the ☉; whence it comes to pass, that the blossoms wither, and
worms are generated in them, and so the whole blossom is corrupted.
We will set down here yet, one more similitude for the sake of such as
love the truth. Put case thus then; a diligent Gardiner walks abroad
in his Orchard for his recreation, and if he happens to find a large,
great and curious principal Apple lying on the ground, he presently
takes it up, and does not only well view and consider of it, but tasts
it too; which if he finds to be of an acceptable flavour, he seeks
out the Tree it self, with an intention to pluck off more such like
conditioned Apples; having found out the Tree, he much sets by it, or
esteems it, because the fruits thereof do exceed all the rest in the
Orchard, both in tast and fairness, and he takes care about that more
than the rest, dungs the roots well, prunes off the withered branches
with a sharp crooked knife, and artificially cuts off those that are
unprofitable, and usually called suckers, that draw away the juice from
the fruit-bearing boughs.
Even just after this manner doth a diligent Chymist act; if therefore,
(as he walks in his Laboratory,) searching out the secrets of nature,
he happens upon a Golden Apple, he seeks after the tree, that bears
such fruit, and having found it, he very charily keeps it, and
ministers unto it all such things as are necessary to its conservation,
that so he may thence receive more such like-conditioned Apples; and
therefore gardiner-like he puts dung to the root, that is, Nitre;
he prunes off the dry barren wood, and also the hurtful superfluous
boughs, that is, the superfluous Sulphur, with a sharp red hot iron,
whereby that same tree may, for the future, yield egregious or select
fruits, without any impediment, which thing he also finds to come to
pass.
NB. _Paracelsus_ doth very openly set before us this labour in his
_Cœlum Philosophorum_, in the sixth Rule of Mercury, where he saith,
Sacrifice the fat Vervains (or superfluous suckers); and yet, these
words of his, are only superficially lookt on, most people not
understanding what _Paracelsus_ means by those words, though he hath
clearly and perspicuously enough signed his writings.
It is a necessary thing here for the Chymist to know, how the case
stands, as concerning the metalline tree, and what is to be accompted
its Root, Trunck, Blossoms, and Fruits; ♄ is the Root; ♂ the Trunck
or Body, ♃ the Bark about the Trunck; ☿ the nutritive Juice between
the Bark and the Trunck; ♀ the green Boughs and Leaves; ☽ the pleasant
Flower, or Blossom; and ☉ the ripe Apple containing in it self the seed
of the Tree.
That Apple which yet sticks on the tree, doth, when it hath arrived
to its full maturity, fall down upon the earth, of its own accord, if
it be not gathered by the Gardiner; and then afterwards the leaves
themselves, when the weather is somewhat colder, fall off, which do
as it were bury the apple, which lying hidden under the leaves, is
consumed by rottenness, by little and little; but the seed assuming
to it self a natural humidity from the putrefying tree (or fruit
rather) instead of nutriment, begins to take root in the spring time;
out of which there grow up, in process of time, Apple-trees, which
are to be in their fit season transplanted: this transplanting being
finished, the Gardiner joins to such a wild tree, generated from the
seed, the Scions of such fruit as he has a mind to, and that by either
ingrafting, or inoculation. And so an industrious gardiner may get from
the fruit of one tree, an innumerable company of great trees, and those
of such a nature and kind, and grateful a savour as he likes best.
Even on this wise doth the Chymist do, joining fruitful Scions to wild
truncks or stocks, by inocculation, so that he never wants good fruits.
He that cannot learn ought from these things, I cannot help him any
other way, for I do not see how I can set down those things clearer
than I have done.
But for the undertaking of this labour, there is required an Artist,
no less diligent than ingenious. And of how much the better quality
the dung is, that is laid to the root of the tree, and (by how much)
the knife which the boughs are cut off withal, is the sharper that
so it may not hurt the green (or growing) bark of the tree, and so
the nutritive juice flow forth, so much the better are the fruits
generated. As it is easie for a wise man to reap hence some things; so
it’s difficult for an imprudent man.
I doubt not but that there will be some, that being judicious men,
will know that there is an opportunity given them by my writings,
published out of a sincere mind, of making farther inquiry after a true
transmutation, and consequently of esteeming it, more than we find
to be usually done (because that most things are oft-times proposed
craftily and cautiously).
But that such a noble art may be freed from any farther contempt,
I have purposed, the next following Spring, to frame a convenient
laboratory, and to demonstrate the truth thereof to my friends. And
although my endeavours shall be to prohibit any entrance by any means
to the faithless brethren of _Farnnerus_, yet notwithstanding, I know I
cannot so prevent and foresee, but that one or other may adjoin himself
to the number of the true lovers of Chymistry, and feigning friendship,
lay snares for me.
But put case that such a thing should not happen, it cannot be but
that the Arcana’s will be divulged; for such things as this or that
man sees, and writes down, may reasonably be thought, will come to
other mens hands after they are dead; especially if the preparation of
Salt-petre be afore instituted, or set up in divers places; for nothing
can be done in Alchimy, saith _Paracelsus_ without Nitre; Alchimy is
found to reside in Nitre say I. Salt-petre shewed us Alchimy, or,
Alchimy was found out by Nitre.
He therefore that has abundance of Salt-petre, can perform egregious
things in Alchimy. Had not the _Ægyptians_ been possessors of great
plenty of Salt-petre, verily they would never have been so skilful in
Alchimy; nor could they have had those riches, by which they were able
to avert (or decline) the yoke of the Roman Monarchy.
As long as they knew the use of Sulphur (Salt-petre I believe he means)
they enjoyed Monarchy (without servitude to others) (and this was even
to the time of _Dioclesian_ the Emperour, who knowing their power,
commanded all the Books they used, to be burnt) and then their Monarchy
and their Art it self perished together.
The Poets have feigned many stories of _Jupiter_’s Golden shower;
certainly did we but know the manner of duely managing Salt-petre and ♃
together, we should be likewise able to produce the golden shower.
_Jupiter_, when stirred up with anger, doth with his Thunder and
Lightning, strike a terrour into all the Gods, and into whatsoever is
upon the Earth; and yet the rain that falls then, at such a time, is
of an excellent Quality, and makes the Earth more fruitful than the
rain that commonly falls is wont to do; because there is a certain
tinging and penetrating spirit sticking in the Thunder, that tingeth
the air and the rain, and animates it; if therefore we can (by the
virtue of Nitre, and this same ♃) produce such Thunders, & can give to
the Thunder fire & air, by which it might operate; verily there would
nothing hinder, but that we might (_Jupiter_-like) make a Golden shower
too. The purer the ♃ shall be, and the more clear the Air, so much the
purer will the Rain be, and the Air is more impregnated and filled
with the common Vital Spirit.
He now that knows how to separate the life out of the water and air,
rightly animated, gets a true _aurum potabile_, or the Soul of the
world: besides this too, there offer themselves apparently such things
to be done, as are able to exhibit his daily food. And thus much let
suffice for this time.
He verily that perceives (or understands) not these things so clearly
proposed, surely he will not, though all the Gods themselves should
relate them, understand ought of those things that are taught. In
the mean time, I hope that my friends will see with their Eyes, and
feel with their Hands, the most certain truth of these, and the like
operations, and consequently of my writings, in a laboratory, which God
willing, I will in a short time erect, and will then defend me against
all envious, and carping men.
This one thing I will yet add over and above, that the astrum of Gold
doth tinge his own proper Mercury, or (the ☿) of the first _ens_,
(therefore) chiefest of all: The Astrum of ♄ (tingeth) ☽; the Astrum of
♃, common ♀; the Astrum of ♂, ♀; for those three superiours do always
operate upon these three inferiour (Planets;) so that they are, as it
were, upper men, and lower women: ☉ he is left in the midst, which
whosoever adds unto the others for the compleating of the operations,
will perform excellent things.
But he that knows how to make that Astrum of ☉ corporeal and fixt, he
may translate the Astrum of ☉ on this wise prepared, out of one place
into another, and conserve it like a Vegetable seed, to be implanted
into all the Metals, in time and place convenient; which blessing, we
rightly attribute to the blessed great GOD, the giver of every good
thing, in the first place, and then to Salt-petre as being the Northern
Monarch.
It now remains, that we briefly shew, by what means that Nitrous water,
out of which that most noble Pearl, ☉ and Gems are taken with the Net,
may be prepared for farther uses, so that such a fishing may need but
very small costs, and may nevertheless (besides the daily food which it
most plentifully provides us) bestow on us a most excellent medicament.
We have taught in the foregoing directions, how we may by the help
of _Aqua-fortis_ or _Aqua-regia_ most easily extract both the fixt
and volatile ☉ and ☽ out of the Metals, Flints, Sand, Clay, and such
subjects as are every where obvious, and precipitate, coagulate, dry,
and reduce it into a fixt metallick body.
Now in doing these things, part of the separatory water here used,
is as yet good enough, and may be kept for farther uses; but part
thereof (_viz._) that which is extracted out of the Metals by the
help of common water, is, by reason of the mixing sweet or fair water
therewith, rendred too weak for operating withal, and therefore must it
be corrected and amended by some certain singular way, so as it may be
again used about doing the same work.
Were it not for costs and labours we might separate that fair water
from the _Aqua-fortis_ and _Aqua-regia_, by the benefit of a glass
Cucurbite, but forasmuch as there is given us a more compendious way,
we will make choice of that.
For he that intends to get himself riches by the benefit of this
separatory work delivered by me, or by the extraction of ☉ and ☽, will
need a great deal of _Aqua-fortis_ and _Aqua-Regia_, for what profit is
it if you would extract them out of (but) a few Metals or Minerals?
Seeing that scarce the one half of those strong Waters can be separated
by pouring off from those subjects upon which they are poured, but
the chiefest (or biggest) part of them sticks to the said metalline
Matters, and contains in it as much ☉ and ☽, as that which we have
abstracted by decanting it, and requisite it is that we thence abstract
the same by the benefit of fair Water by due boiling, from whence it
comes to pass that there will be also gathered a great deal of (insipid
or useless) Water, (over and above.)
Those _Aqua-fortis_’s that are poured off, and hold in them ☉ and ☽,
when they are mixt together, the ☽ and ☉ precipitates to the bottom
of the Glass like powder, so that there remains nothing of the Metal
in either water, nor is that water arising from the mixing of the
_Aqua-fortis_ wherein the ☽ was dissolved, and of the _Aqua-regia_
wherein the ☉ was dissolved, at all the weaker, but it retains the
virtues of extracting ☉ but not of ☽, because that the _Aqua-regia_
being added to the _Aqua-fortis_ converts it all of it into
_Aqua-regia_.
This precipitation being made, and the clear water separated from the
precipitation by decanting it, you may extract that acid Water, which
yet adheres to the precipitate, with fair Water; but for as much as the
virtues thereof are thereby much weakned, ’tis better to proceed after
another kind of way, and we preferr this way (as best.)
Take the Calxes of ☉ and ☽ as they lie at the bottom of the
_Aqua-regia_ (or the acid mixt Spirits) and put them in a Linen cloth
placed in a Funnel or over a Glass with a wide mouth, and the greatest
part of the _Aqua-regia_ will strain through into the Glass set
thereunder; when no more water drops out, which we find is wont to be
within half an hours space, tie up your cloth with a strong thred, that
so nothing of the calx therein contained may get out; put it under some
weight or heavy matter, that so all the _Aqua-regia_ may be squeezed
out, and the calx only may remain behind like Curd or new Cheese.
But for as much as the Calxes of ☉ and ☽ are not edulcorated, hence it
comes to pass that the Cheese thence prepared, after the manner now
spoken of, is as yet corrosive, nor is it easily dried. Both of them (☉
and ☽) we may easily correct, if we only admix therewith (as ’tis laid
in a dish) a fourth part of fixt Salt, for by the virtue thereof even
the corrosive Spirits sticking as yet therein are mortified, and the
exsiccation, cementation, fixation, & reduction thereof is promoted.
The Reduction being made of ☉ and ☽ which we are now made partakers of,
that goldenish silvery Masse is to be granulated, and to be dissolved
in new _Aqua-fortis_, and be precipitated with that _Aqua-regia_ by
the help of which, ☉ hath been extracted out of the Metals; the Cheese
is to be freed from the water by squeezing it, and is to be sprinkled
over with a fixt Salt, and to be melted. And all these Operations are
to be so often repeated as necessity shall require, and there shall
be at hand any Metal whereout-of Gold may be extracted, and so there
may thence arise a continual Labour, which is beneficial, because
that _Aqua-fortis_ may (when the Labour or Operation is finished) be
used about other such like extractions, and that which is the weaker
sort may be prepared into Salt-petre: out of which may be made anew,
excellent _Aqua-fortis_ by the addition of Vitriol or Copperas, and so
destilling them. The Vessels wherein the precipitation of Metals is
performed, yea and the presses too by whose help the water is squeezed
out of the Cheese, must be framed of strong Glass or of glazing Earth
well glazed.
But for as much as the Vessels of Glass are very subject to be broken,
and earthen Vessels, unless they have the solidity of Glass, waste
abundance of water, and so moulder away; it would seem more convenient
in my judgment to make the expression of the water out of the Cheese,
between two Plates of Silver, for the water of the Cheese doth not at
all corrode the ☽: Yea and if the Tunnels requisite to this work were
made of ☽, it would not be amiss, nor would there be any fear of their
breaking.
NB. The Extraction also of ☉ made with _Aqua-regia_ may likewise be
put into a Silver Cucurbite, whereby the work may be facilitated, and
all loss and damage which otherwise may be lookt for (feared) from the
using of Glasses, may be prevented. And suppose a Cucurbite, a Press
and two Tunnels did cost one hundred imperials; yet notwithstanding
the certainty and celerity of the Work will repay those costs very
easily, seeing that all things are hereby done much safer, and much
more speedily: Besides too, there’s nothing lost but the price of the
fashioning your Vessels, for the Silver is always of the same value,
and may again be sold at your pleasure. But he that wants suchlike
Silver Vessels or cannot buy them, he may make use of Glass ones so
long till he can get Silver ones; but it is necessary that the Silver
of which these Vessels are made be very pure, and have no Copper in
it; least the _Aqua-regia_ extract the Copper thereout of, and so the
Vessels (especially the Cucurbites) do in process of time get an undue
softness.
The manner of extracting Metals by the help of this Cheese-water,
is already disclosed in the foregoing (writings); however this I am
constrained to advise here, that it is much more expedient, to use
presently at the beginning for the extraction of ☉, rectified Spirit
of Salt actuated with _Aqua-fortis_, than _Aqua-regia_, because that
by thus doing there will be more plenty of ☉ gotten in the reduction
than when the operation is accomplisht by _Aqua-regia_. It would be
too long to reckon up the cause of this thing in this place: ’tis
sufficient that I have shown which is good, which ill. Nay more, Spirit
of Salt is cheaper than _Aqua-regia_, if prepared according to my
description: Nor is there any reason to give credit to that slanderous
fellow, _Farnnerus_, as if such a Spirit made by Vitriol, according to
the manner mentioned in the first part of the Philosophical Furnaces,
were not of any use, or at least-wise could not be prepared in great
quantity by the aforesaid way: For when all circumstances fall not out
as is wisht, the blame is not to be imputed to my description, but to
the ignorance and unaptness of the Chymist himself.
If now those good men cannot accomplish such operations which are word
for word faithfully described unto them: how would they be able then
to arrive by speculations and various trials to the knowledge of any
thing, as I my self have done? I do therefore attest here too, that we
are able most easily to prepare not barely 10 or 20, but even 30, 40,
50 pounds and more every day with one only Furnace.
Nay more, if men did more accurately ruminate upon this business,
they would find, that out of one pound of Salt may be made in a Glass
cucurbite in sand, one pound of the best, most grateful Spirit of Salt
needing no rectification, and that in one hours space: And by the
benefit of a Furnace scarce a span wide, and with a very few Char-coal,
scarce exceeding three pound weight. Verily if there be any artificial
destillation this is it: And now let the Find-faults look about them
and see if they can understand these things we have spoken; we can at
all times demonstrate the truth hereof. It is altogether inconvenient
to shew such an artificial destillation unto swinish Men, it is only
due to the Lovers of the truth, of which sort there are to be found but
a very few in this present age.
And that this is true, _viz._ that a most grateful Spirit of Salt
may most easily be prepared in vast quantity, doth even hencefrom
most evidently appear, in that there are some in these places who
having followed my information, do, because of their making it in
great plenty and without any great Labour, sell a pound thereof for
an imperial. For my own particular affairs do not permit me to take
on me that Labour, yet notwithstanding, I have bestowed the artifice
on such Men as now know it as well as I my self do, and who likewise
do make that Spirit in such quantity as may supply all _Europe_. But
forasmuch as I did not heretofore find out so far, as to see it excel
_Aqua-regia_ in the extraction of Gold out of such Stones, Sand, and
Clay as contain Gold in them, and which are every where obvious. I
could not omit the commending of it in this place, most highly unto
all Men; for that Spirit hath an especial delight in ☉, not only in
that which is fixt, but also with that which is volatile, whereby it
extracts it and renders it fixt. There are some Minerals, Stones, Sand,
Earths, which have in them abundance of volatile Gold, which is not
in the least durable (or fixt,) but is carried up (or forced away) in
the form of a vapour and vanisheth into the air, and so consequently
not at all to be accounted for true ☉, seeing it cannot brook the
force of the melting Fire. Besides this, there do oft-times occur
moil precious Treasures of no profit to any man, which may be brought
to most eminent uses (or benefit) by the Extraction, Precipitation,
Cheese-making, and Liquefaction delivered by me. For such Metals as
the Spirit of Salt do not tie and make fixt in the extractions, ☽ or
♄ makes them such, with which we have taken or fisht the _Sol_ out of
the _Aqua-regia_ or Spirit of Salt; to the obtaining of which this is
also of much conducement. If the Cheese now made be altogether fixt by
the help of an artificial Cement, and the gradatory fluxing matter be
especially reduced in such a Vessel, out of which not so much as the
least volatile part can evaporate: by which it comes to pass, that not
only the volatile Gold you have caught is made fixt, but even a part
of the net of ☽ or ♄ is by graduation made aureous: For every volatile
Gold doth exercise its operations in the Fire upon other Metals, and
makes them aureous, so that the _Sol_ ariseth thence to be of a greater
quantity, than that was which by the help of the silvery or leaden Dart
was taken out of the extract. Heed these things and proceed on in a
legitimate course, and you shall find such things as you cannot as yet
conceive of. The Fishing is clearly enough described in this place, and
so is the Cementation and Reduction of the Cheese clearly proposed, and
may be most easily perfected.
But God (if thou becomest acceptable unto him) can yet shew unto thee a
much more compendious way of perfecting this work with less labour, and
of obtaining greater things.
Be content for this time with what hath been at present taught, give
God the thanks and forget not the Poor, and He will then shew unto thee
more and more compendious ways, of cheerfully managing the work (here)
described, to his Honour, and the Comfort of the Poor, and without any
wronging thine own Conscience, or hurting of thy Neighbour.
You need not be much sollicitous about such kind of Earths, Stones or
Sand, from which you may extract the Gold, for every land is every
where stored with such, nor need we spend much time in searching
after them. Likewise it will be a most easie thing for thee by my
writings to make Salt-petre, of Salt-petre to make _Aqua-fortis_ and
_Aqua-regia_: One bare pound of _Aqua-fortis_ may be sufficient for
thee to begin the operation withal, for there is not much of it lost in
the work it self; and what of it is wasted may easily be repaired by an
addition of common Salt: And as for the extracting both the fixt and
volatile Gold and _Luna_ out of the Earth, and of perfecting it, thou
hast no reason to hope of finding a more compendious way than that is
which I have here exhibited unto thee.
You may leave such Metals (or Ores) as have in them plenty of _Sol_ and
_Luna_, unto others; and take only the scoria as ’twere, and thencefrom
extract your part, and none will forbid you that. But if so be thou
canst be but a partaker of an aureous Earth (or Ore) then will all
things fadge the better.
NB. The ☉ and ☽ that is in the Extractions may be precipitated by the
help of ☿, but much more chargeably and more difficultly than by ☽ or
♄, because the ☿ used in this operation cannot be used a second time.
NB. The ☉ and ☽ may be also extracted from the water without
precipitation; by abstracting the _Aqua-regia_ from the ☉ and the
_Aqua-fortis_ from the ☽: but besides this kind of proceeding being
full of Labour, we should receive but little fixt Metal, and scarce the
one half of what is gotten by the aforementioned way: For the ☽ and ☉
do retain with them some part of the _Aqua-fortis_ and _Aqua-regia_,
and thereby become sharp or sour which is a thing contrary (or an
Enemy) to all Fluxes, and which also does not only cause an evaporation
of such Volatile Gold and Silver as is therein, (but withal some part
of that which is fixt too,) in the melting. But now in this Fishing
trade that I have described, being caught it is either edulcorated, or
the corrosive power is extinguisht by the addition of a fixt Salt; so
that hereby the ☽ or ♄ holds with it self as well the volatile as fixt
Gold and ☽.
NB. He that shall institute this operation aright, will find that the
volatile Gold will (in the secret Reduction) yet farther transmute part
of the ☽ and ♄ into ☉ by Graduation, and so will reap a double (portion
of) ☉ for which God is deserved to be thanked.
I have herein been more prolix than I intended, which I entreat others
to accept in good part: It could hardly be that the things I have
delivered, could be couched in fewer words. Wise Men indeed need not
many words, but where are such? Better is it therefore to set down
things at large.
_Now it follows that we shew by what means we may have benefit out
of the edulcoratory Water, and not be forced to throw it away._
We have taught in the precedent discourse, how those waters which ☉ is
extracted and precipitated with, may be used for a farther extraction
of ☉: For when the _Aqua-fortis_ in which ☽ or ♄ is dissolved is
mixt with the _Aqua-regia_ wherein ☉ is dissolved, there ariseth
not any mutation or changing, but that ☽ or ♄ only which was in the
_Aqua-fortis_ settles to the bottom, so that this water wherein such a
precipitation is made, may afterwards serve instead of _Aqua-regia_,
and so consequently with it may ☉ be extracted out of the Metals.
But seeing that the precipitated ☽ or ♄ must be excellently well
edulcorated by often pourings on of water, afore it be dried, hence it
comes to pass that there is gathered a vast deal of such edulcoratory
Waters. Now that even this may not be thrown away as useless, and that
nothing may be lost in so noble a work, I have here determined briefly
to declare, by what means we may likewise catch some benefit even out
of that too.
To do this, ’tis necessary that the useless water be separated from the
_Aqua-fortis_; now such a separation cannot be effected in metallick
Vessels because of the sharpness of the _Aqua-fortis_; least in length
of time they should be dissolved: But to perform the same in Vessels of
Glass would take up much time and fire; there is therefore of necessity
another way here required to perform the same; and a better than this,
which I will here deliver, I think can hardly be contrived. Make you
therefore an Arch of Lime, Ashes, and Horse-dung, according to the
afore prescribed manner, where we treated of making Salt-petre (about
the beginning of the book) dry it by putting fire thereunder, _&c._ The
Arch being dryed, pour on, by little and little, so much edulcorating
water, as the Arch is capable of attracting, and until you shall find
it to be made thoroughly moist; the Arch being on this wise moistned,
dry it again: and being dryed moisten it again as afore. And so repeat
this work of moistning and drying so long till the Arch will receive
into it self no more water. This done, there remains no more, but to do
thus, _viz._ Let the said Arch be broken to pieces, and be ground with
a Mill into fine powder; upon the powder let be thrown fair water, and
so let there be made a Lixivium, out of which by due boiling may be
made most excellent and delicate Saltpetre.
But here must be very good heed taken, that you use about the building
of the Arch, Wood-Ashes, and Lime made of Stone (or Chalk); whereby the
sharpness of the edulcoratory water may be extinguisht (or mortified)
by the fixt Salt inherent in the ashes and lime, and the corrosivity
be taken away, and most excellent Nitre may arise thencefrom; for if
_Aqua-fortis_ be permixt with the fixt Salt of wood-ashes, both of them
lose their Nature, and Nitre is made thereof.
But that the operation may more luckily succeed, and we may be the
more certain of the event, it will be the best way, to put in, by
little and little, some Lee of wood-ashes first of all, (afore the
edulcorating water be thrown upon the Arch) and this putting on, to be
so long continued till all ebullition and noise cease, whereby all the
sharpness of that water may be taken away; this done, that water is to
be poured upon the Arch, and you are to proceed on according to the
afore-prescribed method; and so shall you have excellent Salt-petre,
whether your Arch be made of Lime and Ashes, or of Mud and Ashes.
NB. If this taking away of the sharpness of the edulcoratory water by
the benefit of a wood-ashes Lee, be not finished, and done before it be
poured upon the Arch, it is clearly requisite that it be done in the
Arch it self, by the goodness of the Lime and the said ashes, by which
that sharpness may be extinguished.
It is, I confess, all a case whither that sharpness be extinguisht
with a _Lixivium_ afore; or else be done in the Arch it self. Yet
nevertheless, seeing that Operation is the safer which hath a foregoing
taking away of the sharpness afore it be poured on the Furnace,
therefore it is better so to institute it; specially, seeing it then
matters not at all any thing, what condition the matter is of which
the Arch is made with; because then such a water needs no more but
an unfolding (or evaporation) and coagulation, and this may as well
be done by the help of an Arch made of mud, as by one made of Lime:
Otherwise if the sharpness of the edulcoratory water be not taken away
by the _Lixivium_, an Arch made of mud is of no use, for by this means
you would not get any _Salt-petre_ at all, but rather all the water
would be consumed by evaporation, which need not be at all feared, if
we use an Arch made of Lime and Ashes, seeing that that water is by
this means mortifyed.
And so, by this means, that edulcoratory water may be most commodiously
prepared for farther uses, and the Salt-petre which is extracted
thence, is exceeding good to make _Aqua-fortis_ with; and we may gather
as much in quantity thereof as the extraction of ☽ and ☉ out of the
Metals, Stones, Clay, and Minerals requires.
NB. If any one be desirous of more excellent benefits, let him
dissolve, in that edulcoratory water, (_B._) or (_C._) and in the
Lixivium (let him dissolve) (_D._) then mix both Solutions: When the
fermentation is over, he will have double the quantity of Nitre, than
what he would otherwise have from the bare mixtion of the contraries
together, and pouring them on the Arch; the reason of which thing is
this; because (_E._) is nothing else inwardly but Nitre, but it cannot
come forth to light before the body be broken, and till that salt which
sticks (or lies hid) within, be wholly freed (of its bonds) whereby it
may be turned, together with the Corrosive Spirit into Nitre.
The like is to be understood of (_F._) because even that also is broken
(as I may say) to pieces by the Lee of the wood-ashes, and so the Salt
that lies hid within, and which is nothing else but Nitre, shews it
self to sight, and passeth with the other Salt of the Lixivium into
Nitre.
Certainly this labour, _viz._ the mortification of the edulcorating
water by a Lee of wood-ashes, and the concentration of Nitre, upon the
Arches made of lime or mud, is an egregious invention; nor do I think
that this business can be better managed any kind of way, than by what
hath been here shewn, especially if the Species, here notified, be also
thereto adhibited (or made use of) (I know not I say, any way) by which
greater plenty of Nitre may be gathered; for the coagulation cannot
be done in a Copper or Iron pan, because not only the Pan would be
corroded and wasted, but the Nitre would be rendred impure. But if now
the operation be instituted aright, we shall get more Niter than indeed
is requisite for the extracting ☉ and ☽ out of the Metals; so that we
may get us ☉ and ☽ without any costs: which invention verily is a most
noble one even in all parts of the World, and a most high gift of God:
for which, we have good reason above all things to render Him deserved
thanks, and next Him, to those who open such a Noble and Unheard-of
Invention, and which is so profitable to all Men.
But this Invention will be especially profitable in those places of the
World, where _Aqua-fortis_ is much used, and is presently after the
first using thereof, thrown away as unprofitable, as it usually happens
in the Mint houses, where abundance of ☽ and ☉ is separated in great
quantity, and consequently abundance of _Aqua-fortis_ consumed, so that
by the benefit of this invention of mine, we might get much every year;
but most of all in those places where are found such Stones and Sand
which are endued with Gold, but yet will not yield any by the help of
the usual melting.
Besides too, this invention is exceeding profitable for such kind of
Metals of ☉ and ☽, that have not as yet gotten their due ripeness
or fixity, and so fly away in the melting, and yield either none at
all, or at best but very little of Gold. For the common melting fire
forceth away the Volatile Gold, and ☽ that resides in the Metals (or
Ores) which is not at all so here, for all (of it) is made fixt by the
_Aqua-fortis_, and preserved.
I do believe that there is not a place to be found, where such kind of
Stones, Sand, or Clay may not be gathered, as hold in them Gold and ☽,
either fixt or Volatile, and which may be extracted thencefrom most
easily, and with exceeding profit according to the way aforespoken of.
But, for as much as there are many, who pretend that such like Stones,
Sand, Clay, and Minerals as have Gold in them, are no where to be
found, and that consequently this invention of mine is altogether in
vain: To such as these I thus apply, _viz._ That such like Subjects
are therefore unknown, because few there are that seek after them, or
are willing to experience ought, but remain contented with such things
only as the Ancients have taught, and perswaded themselves that ☉ and ☽
cannot be separated out of the Metals, but only by the force of fire,
where as notwithstanding the operation may be far easilier, and more
profitably instituted, according to the method by me prescribed, but
especially in those Metals (or Ores) of ☉ and ☽, which either require
too much expence for their melting, or are as yet unripe and volatile,
and so fly away in the melting; for a great quantity of ☉ and ☽ may be
extracted with a little quantity of _Aqua-fortis_; yea the extraction
being duly made, and to the best profit, there may be thereof made
Salt-petre; so that such an extraction of ☉ and ☽ requires but very
little costs.
If any one desires an easier way of extracting ☉ let him use Spirit
of Salt prepared after the manner by me delivered, which said Spirit
he may fortify by adding a fourth part of Salt-petre, which very same
(when the Extraction is finisht) may be reduced into Salt-petre, like
as we have said of _Aqua-fortis_ that hath been already used.
NB. An easier operation yet then all these, is this, which may be
performed the dry way.
Take the Metal, Stones, or Mineral, reduce them into powder, mix them
with the Salt (G) and make them with clay into Balls about the bigness
of a little Head. Make these balls red hot, and by this means the Salt
will dissolve the _Sol_ in the Fire, and attract it out of the Metals.
This done, grind the Balls or Pellets, and extract thencefrom in a
large Pot or Vessel a Lixivium with boiling hot water, for the Salt
which hath attracted the ☉ in the Cementation, mixeth it self with the
Water: Out of this Salt-water mayest thou afterwards catch the ☉ by
the help of a Solution of ♄, added for the precipitation; now out of
the Salt it self mayest thou make excellent Salt-petre. So that you
may most easily extract out of the Earth both fixt and volatile ☉ and
☽ without any melting it. Nay not only ☽ and ☉ but even Copper too,
whether we proceed the dry way or the moist way: For we may extract
good _Sol_ out of the scoria of _Sol_ and _Luna_ and _Venus_ which are
cast away, yea and out of _Mars_ it self too, and by the afore-shown
way.
NB. The reason is this, because the Iron being purged in a strong Fire
is heapt up as it were into goldenish Scoria which but few know of,
and will believe, though it be most true. For when a Metal is so burnt
with such a vehement Fire as to referable glassy Scoria, it hath gotten
to it self a more noble nature, and thenceforth is able to exhibit or
yield good _Sol_: Yea though they be the Scoria of ♀ or ♂, which thing
that excellent _Metallurgist Isaac Hollandus_ did also know, when he
said, _If any one makes ☽, ♁ or ♂ into Glass, and reduceth it, it will
not be ☽, ♀, or ♂, but ☉: And if any one full turn ☉ into Glass, and
then reduce it, it will not be ☉, but Tincture_.
Nor was this knack unknown to _Bracescus_, who taught the making of the
Philosophers stone out of the scoria of Iron, but he is laught at, by
another Philosopher, though undeservedly. Though I do not know the way
of extracting the Tincture out of Iron, yet this I know; that there
have been many who have extracted good _Sol_ by _Aqua-regia_ out of
the very green Scoria of Iron, when notwithstanding, the ♂ it self out
of which the _Scoria_ came was destitute of Gold; the cause whereof we
showed but now.
Now if they had but known my invention of most easie preparing a
convenient Menstruum for the extracting of the Tincture, and then the
manner of afterwards separating the _Sol_ again, without losing the
Water, certainly they would have been able to perfect that Extraction
with a great deal of benefit, whereas (not having this) they only
beheld the possibility of the thing without profit.
For if this Labour be instituted according to my invention
afore-written, we may extract the _Venus_ (which commonly is in the
poorer Minerals) out of them, and that with much profit and in great
quantity, and the extraction being made, (whether it be done the
moist way or the dry) we may by the benefit of the solution of ☽ or
♄, get out the ☉ thence whilest it is yet mixt with the water, yea
and afterwards by the benefit of ♂ the Copper it self. He now that
well understands the reason of this Fishing and reduction needs not to
search after the Metals (or Ores) of _Sol_ and _Luna_, for whatsoever
Metals (or Ores) of _Venus_ contain but even a very little portion
of them, will be able to furnish a man with necessaries sufficiently
enough.
But that the Reader may not think that these sayings of mine, _viz._
that there are subjects to be in all places found that are endued with
Gold, are fictions, and are not founded upon any experiments, (for I
doubt not but that abundance will not only account these sayings for
falsities, but deride them too) I thought it not much from the purpose,
if I shewed some little place only, where you may find such Metals (or
Ores) as are endued with Gold, which notwithstanding were never brought
into use, that so it may hence appear that such Golden subjects must be
likewise found in many places.
Let us therefore cast an eye to a part of the _Mhene_, and let us get
out those Treasures that are there hidden, and at present are not
profitable to any, which nevertheless may be of mighty conducement and
benefit to the whole Inhabitants of those parts.
The _Mhene_ is a River most abounding with Boats and Fish; it hath
its rise out of a very high pine-bearing Mountain, it is in some sort
conjoined with three bordering well known Rivers, _Sata_, _Adrana_, and
_Nava_; which again spread themselves unto the ¾ quarters of Heaven,
as _East_, _South_, and _North_. (_This piniferous Mountain is not
barely one Mountain, but consists of many which are exceeding full of
=Pine-trees=, =Beech=, =Oakes=, =Birch=, and other Trees set very thick
together, and so yields an Harbour for both wild and tame Beasts._)
This Pine-bearing Mountain, and which is the highest in all _Germany_
(and of which _Gaspar Bruschius_ wrote a particular Treatise, which
is exceeding profitable for such as study metallick affairs to read,)
is stored with many notable Metals (or Ores.) For there was not only
Gold digged out plentifully in various parts of that Mountain, many
years since, (and thereupon there’s a City called _Goltgangh_ by the
_Germans_, as if you should say a Vein of Gold:) But withal the other
more common Metals that lie here hidden do for the most part all of
them contain Gold, with notwithstanding is not at this day by reason of
the ignorance and unskilfulness of Men separated from them. Nor are the
bare Metals only of that place all of them endued with Gold, but almost
all the Earths, Sand, and Stones have _Sol_ in them. Yea even in this
time even Antimony the first _Ens_ of Gold is digged out in that place.
Therefore it may most easily be proved, that this Mountain out of which
the _Mhene_ flows forth is stuffed with _Sol_ both in the outside and
inside parts, with which proof I must at present in this place rest,
least I should be too tedious. All such as are skill’d in metallick
Affairs do well know, that all the metalline Ore, that they get in and
about this Mountain, is endued with Gold.
The most studious searcher of nature _Mathesius_ in _Sarepta_ testifies
that he saw an Iron Stone or Ore endued with Veins of fixt and
malleable Gold.
The afore-praised _Gaspar Bruschius_ in the description of this
Mountain, mentioneth amongst other things, that in a little Town called
=Einsiedel=, situate near the said Mountain, was a Tin mine heretofore
found, by the Treasures of which the aforesaid little Town was built.
There did a certain Metal-man called _Sigismund_ =Wans= learn from an
_Italian_ Woman, whom he married after the death of her former Husband,
how _Sol_ was to be separated from _Jupiter_: From whence he got him so
much riches, that even afore he died, he caused an egregious Hospital
to be built, and withal contributed thereto many thousands of Crowns,
with which twelve ancient Men, and three Priests should be always
nourished; to the performance of which there is verily a great deal of
Gold required yearly.
This now is not to be at all accompted as a meer fable, but the
very pure truth: For in that edifice, the Effigies of the Founder
_Sigismund_ =Wans=, and the Foundress _Barbary_, are yet to be seen
even at this very day. Of which likewise _Matthew Merianus_ in his
Description of _Franconia_, maketh mention. But it is sufficiently
enough evident (besides these Testimonies) that this Mountain is
repleat with Metals (or Ores) and especially with Golden ones, both
within and without, and hence arose that Proverb of the ancients,
_viz._ That the Country-man doth in this Pine-bearing Mountain
oftentimes throw a stone at an Ox (or Cow,) that is more worth than the
Ox it self. Strangers give credit hereunto, as _Italians_ and others,
and do yearly visit this Mountain, and dig the Gold out of those places
where they know there lies much hidden, and take it up at their backs,
and carry it away with them: And many such there have been with me,
who have afforded their help to strangers in digging out Gold: Who
forasmuch as they knew not the manner of extracting it (and that they
understood by others that I also dealt in Metals,) brought me various
kinds of Earths, Stones, Sands, Clays, that I might try what was in
them: and they did all of them abound with Gold.
The Country-men that live about that Pine-bearing Mountain do daily
for Gaine’s sake carry such earths and stones, endued with Gold, unto
_Norimberge_; which one or other likewise buys, extracting thence by
melting excellent Gold.
But now if so be these men did but know the extraction of ☉ by the help
of _Aqua-fortis_ only (without melting) out of the earths and stones
(as is here taught): the needy Country-men might live like the richest
Citizens, the Citizens like the Nobles, and the Nobles like Princes;
which seeing it hath not so pleased God (to have it) all (these) things
have remained hidden. Every one may easily believe the things I here
utter, Seeing it is already taken for granted that this Mountain doth
abound with egregious Metals (or Ores,) and especially with Golden
ones. Upon this accompt therefore the most Noble Marquess of _Arspach_
who is Lord of this Pine-bearing Mountain hath prohibited any Foreigner
from exporting such Earths (or Ores) thence for the time to come; and
though he hath thereby done something to it, yet he cannot wholly
hinder it, forasmuch as that Mountain is too vast and large.
But now when I pass down from this pine-bearing Mountain along the
_Mhene_ downwards, to such places as are more plain (or even ground)
where Wine and Corn grows, there’s no body seeks after _Sol_ and _Luna_
there, but each man professeth himself well enough content with the
Wine and the Corn, nor hath there been any Metal digged thence or
there sought for many years: Because they thought that no plains can
produce Metals, which thing I judge to be false, and do gain-say it;
and contrary-wise affirm that there are some parts in plains, that
as to the production of Metals may be compared with the most high
Pine-bearing Mountain. Now, elsewhere there ly high Mountains of each
side of all the _Mhene_, out of which there comes a mighty quantity of
Wine, but the Metals ly hid to all.
Besides these, I my self tried, that there are Ores of all kinds to be
found on both sides the _Mhene_ throughout all the East of _Franconia_
even to _Maguntia_ where the _Mhene_ runs into the _Rheine_, but yet as
far as I know, there is not any Metal anywhere digged but Iron only;
and therefore neither can I positively shew and direct to such or such
Mine-pits, out of which you may apparently get Gold and Silver, but
as is said, there are every where found some footings (as ’twere) that
contain Gold and Silver, and that such Stones in the _Mhene_ are rarely
without Metal: But no body proves or tries them, or puts them to use.
At _Bamberg_ (which is an Episcopal Metropolis) men are become more
diligent, insomuch that they have found out several places wherein is
to be had the Metal (or Ore) of _Sol_: Such as this Metal (or Ore) of
_Sol_, hath been very oft-times brought me by the Inhabitants of that
City, but all of it in a manner did contain a fluxile and immature
Gold, which cannot be extracted by the common way of melting, but
vanisheth away into the Air, and so I did not at that time much esteem
it, but left it as an unprofitable Ore. But now I have found that such
fluxile Metals (or Ores) of _Sol_ may be brought in use, not by the
help of a vehement melting, but only by a nitrous Water, in which this
kind of fluxile Metal (or Ore) of _Sol_ is fixed in the extracting it,
and then stays in the melting, and yields perfect _Sol_.
Concerning such a fixation of fluxile _Sol_ in stones, by a nitrous
Water, I did not at that time know it, otherwise this knowledge of mine
would have been extraordinarily profitable to the Inhabitants of those
places. Yea and the Bishop of _Bamberg_ himself who is a great Lover
of the Metals gave me some proofs of his Clemency for services of no
moment that I did him, so that I would then gladly have bestowed my
utmost power in lieu of his favours, but nothing could be effected by
the way of melting, because of the volatility of such a Metal. But now
there may be gathered very considerable Treasures by the benefit of
nitrous Water. For not far from _Bamberg_, there is found a Stone of
great bigness that is exceeding full of Granates, which are about the
bigness of Millet or Hemp-seed: Besides too, all the Mountains of that
place do most plentifully abound with Metal (or Ore) of _Sol_.
There is such a Vein of unripe Gold, not far from _Bamberg_, that lies
thwart the _Mhene_, which much hinders the Vessels, and especially
those Boats which are wont to bring vast quantities of Boards, Beams,
_&c._ yearly; insomuch that they cannot always get over it, but at such
time only when the waters are increased. Now in the Summer time, when
Rain hath not fallen awhile, this Vein is seen bare, when the water
is fallen away some Ells height; and hereupon the Mariners have smote
against it with force, and Tools thereby to remove it, if possible, but
all in vain.
But for as much as I never was minded to run thither, nor yet am so
conditioned, as that envious Dog, who having hay under his possession,
could neither eat it himself, nor would suffer the Ox to eat the same;
therefore I was willing to lay open these things: I cannot at present
say any more of this fluxile Ore of ☉; yet if any one desires more, let
him repair to an Inhabitant and Citizen of _Bamberg_, by name _N. N._
a Farrier, who many times delivered to me that kind of ore during my
aboad at _Kitzing_. This man will satisfy every ones request, and will
shew where it is to be found.
There have verily been others that have brought unto me various kinds
of Ores; but I have long since forgotten their names. If you only
seek, you will find in that place, abundance of such Golden Metal (or
Ores) but all of them in a manner, fluxile (or crude,) and possessing
but little fixt Gold, and although they should not have in them any
fixt ☉, and that not any thing could thence be extracted by the way of
melting, yet notwithstanding it is now known to _D. G._ by what means
(by the liquid way of Nitrous water) all the fluxile (or crude) ☉ may
be abundantly extracted out of the stones, be fixed, and be turned into
good ☉ with abundance of profit.
The _Mhene_ near _Bamberg_ is occupied with Vessels or Ships, and I my
self have sailed along the _Mhene_, and on both sides of the _Mhene_
from _Bamberg_ even to _Wirtzberg_, did light upon various kinds of
Metals (or Ores) which were not void of ☉ and ☽, out of which much ☉
and ☽ may be extracted by the help of this invention of mine, by the
moist way by Nitre water, if men would but only apply themselves to the
work.
But indeed the Corn and the Wine which God hath so abundantly
vouchsafed to those Countries, is the cause that no body minds any
thing else, for they have enough to suffice them, and therefore leave
the Metals (or Ores) of ☉ and ☽ untoucht.
Without doubt, the whole Wood that reacheth from _Wirtzberg_ or
_Kitzing_, even almost to _Bamberg_, is full of Metals (or Ores) and
yet (as far as I know) there is not digged any of the Metal (or Ore) of
_Sol_ or _Luna_ therein.
It is reported that there was _Sol_ and _Luna_ digged up heretofore
at _Cassel_; at the other side of the _Mhene_, towards the Town
which the _Germans_ call =Koningshoefen=, in the Mountain they call
=Hasbergh=, there was heretofore, Copper digged, which now is left of,
because the Copper is not fusile enough, nor hath it any sulphureous
flint joined with it, by the help of which it is made fluxile (but
is) inclosed in a Sandish Stone. Now out of 100 weight of this, there
can hardly be extracted, by the help of a strong melting fire _iiij._
℔. for the Sandy Stone being destitute of a sulphureous flintiness,
doth in the melting turn the Copper it self together into Scoria; yet
notwithstanding we are able by the help of Vinegar to extract above
_xij._ or _xvj._ ℔. of Copper, and this I have tryed more than once.
But whether or no that Metal (or Ore) of Copper, contains in it any
Volatile Gold, I never tryed, but that there is some ☽ therein, is
true; yea, and the Copper is very malleable, and we can thence extract
by the help of Vinegar, that which is most fair, and this I humbly
declared to the most noble _Moguntine_ Elector, he being at this time
Bishop of _Wirtzberg_; but by the Tryers (or Refiners) of that place,
it is haply accounted of as unprofitable because it yields but little
by the help of Fusion.
I must needs confess that but little can be gotten out by melting, but
such Copper may be profitably extracted by the Acetum of the Wood,
which Grows in the places all about in abundance, and may be had for
nothing.
The _Mhene_ doth every where yield such kind of Flints as are endued
with Gold. Near _Carlstadt_ there offers it self in a Wood a certain
white and fat Earth, and after some sort silverish, otherwise firm (or
strong,) and is fit for making of Crucibles, and other Instruments (or
Vessels) to be used about the Fire.
You may likewise find such conditioned Earth at _Klingenberg_ upon the
_Mhene_, where most excellent Wine grows, which the _Glass-makers_ of
_Spechart_ use to make the Crucibles or Pots in which they melt their
Glass.
It hath not as yet been known that there hath been any Ore found in
the County of _Wertheimen_ where great plenty of _Russellein_ Wine
is gathered; yet nevertheless I have proved several Earths, which I
found about _Breiberg_, which is the inexpugnable Castle of the Lord
_Charles Ferdinand_ the Count of _Wertheimen_, in which I found there
was contained much Gold.
Besides these, I found opposite to _Wertheimen_ where there are
Vineyards, an Iron stone (white like snow, covered over with other
stones,) which is endued with ☽ and ☉: as to the external shape it
resembles a white Flint, very weighty, so as that it scarce yields
to the weight of a piece of Iron of like bigness: But it is nothing
regarded, and is accompted of as a common stone.
The County of _Erbach_ doth indeed yield plenty of Iron, but there is
nothing at all found of other nobler Metals; yet my opinion is, that
even in this Iron are contained both ☉ and ☽: because that there is
sand found in several places thereof which yields good Gold, as I have
observed more than once; the extraction of which may be excellently
well performed by the benefit of Salt-petre.
Likewise Talk of sundry kinds is found in the said places, which is
endued with ☉ and ☽: and it would easily yield them forth, were it but
rightly handled, and dealt with according to the way by me prescribed:
which hitherto we never heard to have been done by any.
The County of _Erbach_ and likewise of _Wertheimen_ do abound with Iron
Metal (or Ore) and all kinds of Minerals, which contain in them, ☉ and
☽.
Nor are the Metals (or Ores) of less goodness that are in the
_Specharten_ Wood, and the bordering Countries; and yet notwithstanding
’tis evident that it yields nothing at all save this, _viz._ That there
is excellent Salt made there and Glass, in great plenty. It is a thing
well enough known to all men that here are various Metals (or Ores)
found, but never hath any so procured as to have them wrought upon, and
thereby to enjoy them.
We find in Several places, an Earth impregnated with white, black, and
yellow Talk, especially (in that part) which is near to _Aschiburg_,
and which contains both ☽ and ☉: which notwithstanding by reason of the
smalness of the quantity thereof have never hitherto been thencefrom
separated.
Not far from a Village which the _Germans_ call _Schiltkrop_ there
offers it self a stony Talk, Somewhat ruddish, which besides Copper
contains also volatile ☉, and of no use at all because there’s but
little ♀ therein contained, and that the ☉ is volatile and cannot be
obtained by the means of melting. Perhaps this Talk was known even
of old time, for the place where it is found in plenty is by the
Inhabitants of that place called the Gold-pit even to this day: for it
is not incredible but that there was Gold found there.
However there is not at this time any extracted out of that Talk. I
have very often extracted thence most beauteous Verde-grease by the
help of destilled Vinegar. For seeing that there is plenty of Wood to
be had in that place, and consequently requires no costs, we may get us
vast quantities of Acetum _gratis_, (or for nothing): and by the help
thereof extract the Copper out of the said Talk: Verily many noble Nen
would have (thencefrom) whereon to live honourably.
NB. But if we make a Spirit of Salt, and with it being fortified with
a fourth part of Nitre, extract the Copper and the ☉ out of the said
Talk, and then first catch the ☉ by ♄, and then precipitate the ♀ by
♂, we shall not only have very malleable Copper, but shall likewise
receive even pure ☉; and this I testify upon my own knowledge.
He that hath determined the experimenting of these things, and yet sees
that he does not rightly perceive the things we have here mentioned, I
advise him to come unto me in a friendly way, and I will not be wanting
unto him to serve him and the Country by any farther information.
Verily there lie hidden incredible Treasures in those places,
which none know of, and which yield nothing at all by the help of
Liquefaction, and which we are constrained if we would have them fixt
and metalline to make them so by the benefit of a sharp Water, and this
I was willing to open and notifie for the Countries sake.
O thou Zoilist or Carper that understandest not this knack, pass
not thou thy judgment hereupon, but rather examine thy Wines, and
tell us which is best:, either the _Heubachen_, _Klingenbergick_, or
_Wertheimen_ sort: Verily neither of these Liquors though they are
strong, are convenient for the extracting of _Venus_ and _Sol_ out
of that Talk: There is a far stronger required, to wit, some nitrous
Spirit of Salt, or Spirit of Nitre acuated with common Salt. When the
extraction is ended there may be gathered plenty of Nitre out of the
remaining Menstruum. Insomuch that there is nothing else required but
labour, for the costs expended on the work are not at all considerable:
And thus in a little space of time, we may get a great quantity of
Copper and _Sol_.
After the same manner as we have shown that it is a thing possible
to extract Volatile _Sol_ by the help of Salt-petre out of such
a disregarded Talk and other Stones, and to make it fixt, so we
can also extract the same out of several other Minerals, that are
plentifully enough lying on both sides of the _Mhene_. So that now,
no body hath any ground to say that the Ores cannot be found in this
or that Country, or such convenient Minerals, as out of which we may
extract the volatile and also the ripe Gold acording to _Glauber_’s
prescription.
If now such may be found in those places that are adjacent to the
_Mhene_, which we always judged to be void of such treasures, what
shall we not find in those places, which have already yielded us
various kinds of Metals for some hundreds of years successively,
and do yet daily exhibit them; such as are _Hassia_, the Dukedom of
_Brunswick_, _Saxony_, _Thuringia_, _Moravia_, _Bohemia_, _Hungary_,
and that such like parts of the Earth abound with Metals. Therefore,
Friendly Reader, do not thou perswade thy self that there is any place
in which we are not able to extract many good things out of the Earth.
I have likewise found various Metals in our _Holland_, and yet never,
did any one ever hear that there was the least particle of them
therein found, especially in that place that they call _Velauw_; yet
notwithstanding it yields Veins of Iron, and a Yellow Sand which hath
in it ☽ & ☉.
Neither doth that, place afford only such Sand Stones, & Earth, out
of which volatile ☉ & ☽ may be extracted, but withal there offer
themselves at the Sea-shore in those Sand-hills, which the _Hollanders_
call _Duynen_, which the stony Sea heaps up, Stones of a Sky colour,
which contain ♀. They are called by the _Hollanders_, _Ultramarine_.
In this place, is likewise gathered plenty of Ostiocolla it is about
the length and thickness of ones Finger; yea and sometimes is as big as
ones Arm; and as in a clear Season it is easily noted, (or met with) so
in a Rainy Season it is not to be seen: It is in some sort hollowed in
the inside; it is of a white colour, like stone-lime, and thereupon the
Chyrurgions use it to consolidate the broken bones of their Patients.
Some (as they have related to me) have extracted ☽ thereout-of. There
is not therefore, any place that does not contain some Metal, and
especially ☉ and ☽.
Thus Friendly Reader, you see that there are in all parts of the Earth,
such Subjects, as do contain, if not fixt, yet at least wise volatile
Gold; insomuch that no body may on good ground, complain that nature
hath denyed him ☉ and ☽, so he but knows how, and be willing to extract
it.
Did _Germany_ but know those Treasures which the Earth contains, and
did use them aright; certainly they need not give place to the power
of any Monarch. But it seems as if God had cast a blindness upon men,
or at least keeps them blind, even until the due time approacheth of
helping those that are his.
I have here shewn the way for the Country to get riches and power by;
but as concerning the way by which we may extract both the volatile
and fixt Gold out of Stones, Sand, and Clay, without any considerable
labour & costs, according to this invention of mine; I will shew it in
my Laboratory, which by Gods permission, I have begun to erect for the
sake of Friends.
But whereas I have omitted some words in the description of this
invention; you are to know that it was done upon this account; least
otherwise such a noble Artifice should fall into the hands of my
enemies; I will never be wanting to illustrate (or explain) such
things as are somewhat more obscure, unto my friends. The main things
are delivered clear enough, to such as are in any measure skill’d in
Chymistry, but the unskilful may not hope for any thing else (thereby)
but labour in vain. The thing in it self is easie, and without rubs, so
as that any one who hath but once seen the way, may understand it, and
manage it.
I could have exhibited the things I have delivered, in a briefer stile,
but upon consideration of the common good I would not; he that cannot
from these things perceive and learn ought, let him think that God is
not willing to vouchsafe him the Grace of understanding them.
And now, if I had been minded to have exalted this work with mighty
praises, I should not have done unseemly at all, for as much as this
labour shines even in the dark, and makes many doubtful things firm and
clear.
For by the means of this labour, we may get us, not only abundance of ☉
and ☽ very easily, but likewise most excellent medicaments, and which
are not to be accompted common; nay, even the off-drawn Salt-petre
it self, is a most excellent medicine for all Vegetables, because it
is capable of multiplying them abundantly, in so much that he who is
skilful in this kind of work and does not forbear from setting about
it, will never want any thing.
What greater things can a man desire from God, than a sound Body, daily
Bread, and as much ☉ & ☽ as necessity requires? now these gifts of God
do abundantly flow in upon us by this labour; if it were not for the
wicked Farnnerianists who are not worthy of any good thing, and do
contemn every thing that they understand not, and (so consequently)
restrain me from treating of these things, with any longer and clearer
discourse. The whole world would be amazed to see the so exceedingly
easie method of bettering of the Metals, and of making them perfect,
and which method but few there are that know. But whatsoever we have
omited here, shall, God willing, be shortly delivered in my work of ♄,
where we will demonstrate by what means ☉ and ☽ may be extracted with
exceeding profit out of vile (or common Lead, so that we need not any
other Subject, but Lead and the Salt of the Earth or a Mineral fire (by
whose help, nature bringeth (or advanceth) all Metals to maturity) for
the performing this work; and hence the word Alchymy (which signifies
nothing else but the melting of Salt) seems to have taken its original.
He therefore that knows how by the help of Salt, to make Metals
volatile, and again fixt (which is not to be done but by solution and
coagulation) such an one knows the true and unsophistcate Alchimy, and
follows the universal exhortion of the Philosophers, where they say,
_Make the fixt Volatile & the Volatile fixt, Dissolve & Coagulate_, &c.
He that hath in any measure meddled with Salt-petre, easily perceives
what my meaning here is, and what I drive at. He whom Nitre obeys, him
do all things else obey. I have determined (by God’s permission) to
erect a Tryumphant Chariot for Nitre, & to set it thereupon, as the
greatest Monarch of the Word & to exhibit it to the ignorant.
Whereas now I had written down this most noble way of compendiously
extracting volatile and fixt Gold out of Stones, Sands, and Earths,
and of farther augmenting other ☉ and ☽ thereby, I found nothing
pretermitted of what may any waies help to the profitably accomplishing
the Work, save this, _viz._ Whence such aureous Subjects are to be
taken, out of which we may extract volatile and fixed _Sol_; or by what
means they (_viz._ ☉ and ☽) may be prepared by such like labour in
great quantity.
To satisfie such as these I neither will, nor can deferr it. So then,
as touching the Golden Materials, there hath been enough shewn already
to prove that they are every where to be found, and put case there
were none to be found, is there not a Golden Silver every where to be
found, and that Silver may be separated from the Gold, be Cemented, and
again made aureous, as often as one shall please. Yea, and Gold may be
profitably extracted out of a certain (sort of) Tin, especially the
_Geyersbergick_ and so likewise out of some Iron too.
Now that such, (_viz._ Gold) may be made in great quantity we may
dissolve the ☉ that sticks in Stones, with Spirit of Salt, acuated
with a little quantity of Nitre; for such a spirit will not be so
costly as Nitrous water is. and besides this too, it will (after it
hath been used in the said separation) yield excellent Salt-petre, of
full as much price and value as the Spirit of Salt it self was of. So
that by this means we may extract the ☉ without those costs (too): And
this moist extraction may be excellently well performed in a Vaporous
_Balneo_.
But if we seek after the dry way (of doing it) then the Stones are to
be mixt with Salt and a fourth part of Nitre, and being mixt are to be
made up into little balls by the help of some fat Earth, so as to stick
together: Then are they to be dried in a peculiar Furnace, or else even
in the open field, with a Fire of Wood, the which may be done in one
hours time. The Cementation being made, they are to be powdered, and
out of the powder is a Lixivium to be extracted by the means of Water,
and you shall have the ☉ permixt with the Lixivium, which is to be
thence extracted by the help of the solution of ♄, out of the Lixivium
may Nitre be afterwards made. And now by this means may a most easie
and no ways costly operation at all, be instituted with some hundreds
weight.
[Sidenote: * _Mentioned in the Second =Century=._]
But as concerning the melting and reduction of the ♄ which contains
in it the ☉ which it caught, it may easily be done, but ’tis by the
benefit of a peculiar[*] Tigil or Pot, the making of which is known
only unto my self; which said Tigil or Crucible lasts a long time,
and doth not at all let any thing of what is thereunto put, run out,
because it has its cover made of the Lute of Wisdom.
But now again here may arise another doubt, and it may be demanded, how
we may have so much Spirit of Salt for the moist way, or so much Salt
and Nitre for the dry way, as is requisite to make this extraction of
the Metals. Salt-petre is chargeable, and the Spirit of Salt will be
difficultly gotten in such plenty; and haply they will stand us in more
than the Gold thereby extracted would be worth? To such I answer, It
is not so precisely necessary to buy Salt-petre for this work, seeing
that the said dissolvent when it hath done what you would have it, both
in the dry and moist preparation, may be again turned by the help of
common Salt and other mean Subjects, into excellent Nitre: so as we may
thence have more Nitre, than it was afore. And farther, as concerning
the Spirit of Salt it may be made in great plenty, insomuch that (by
the benefit of one Furnace) there may be daily made 50, 60, 70, yea
100 pounds thereof, and out of every pound of Salt may you extract a
whole pound of rectified Spirit of Salt with the help of two or three
pounds of Coals: So that, that Spirit will in a manner cost nothing
at all save Salt and Coals, which doth again after it hath been put
to its appointed use, yield more Nitre than the Salt and Coals cost.
This operation therefore may be done without any costs as it were. The
things I here mention are true, although I well know that scarce one
of a hundred will believe what I say; however I matter it not, but
it is sufficient to me that I know these things, and can exhibit (or
demonstrate) them to any Friends.
Albeit that this be a most easie Labour and of no expences to extract
volatile and fixt Gold out of Ores, Sand, Clay, according to the
prescribed rule; yet I question not but that many men that are given to
slothfulness will desire here, a yet easier way, whereby they may heap
up a great deal of Gold without any trouble at all. To such as these,
I verily could shew an easier way of extracting ☉ out of the Minerals
without melting, did I not count it wholly an unbeseeming thing, to
detect all these secrets both to Friends and Enemies alike without any
distinction. I will not be at all wanting to communicate my more secret
way to those who deserve well, & thankfully acknowledge towards me and
mine, the benefit they have received.
But yet, that the knack may be in some sort manifested, and it may be
somewhat known by what means ☉ and ☽ may be gotten even out of the Ores
and Minerals themselves, I will a little stretch out the thred of my
discourse, and will in some sort delineate the very work it self.
You are therefore to know, that all those Minerals which contain
fluxile (or unripe) or volatile Gold, whether they be stony or not,
do for the most part contain in them some Iron: Now then, when a man
would thence extract the ☉ by the Spirit of Salt, it cannot be but
that together therewith the Iron would be dissolved too, to the doing
of which there is much spirit required: And albeit you may make the
said spirit most easily according to the way by me delivered, yea
and may besides, by the addition of some even the most mean matter
again make excellent Nitre, so as that the Nitre thence extracted
shall be of more value, than the costs expended about the operation;
yet notwithstanding, this business is not void of all kind of labour
and trouble, and it requires diligent men (not drones) of which sort
there’s more scarcity than plenty. But now this which we treat of at
present, may a beardless Country Boy of about some 10 or 12 years old
perform: It requires but little Fire, and all the (Metals) may be
extracted in great plenty. Which to do, you must know that where the
Metals (or Ores) are sulphureous, that _Sulphur_ must be taken away by
the force of the fire, for else the Spirit of Salt leaves all untoucht.
NB. However it is your best way not to force away by the fires violence
the _Sulphur_ out of the goldenish Flints, because that so, there goes
off part of the Spiritual ☉: but rather extract every such aureous
_Sulphur_ with a strong Lixivium made of fixt Nitre, and precipitate
it with ☿ dissolved, and so the aureous _Sulphur_ goes to the bottom,
and is to be edulcorated, and ♄, ♀, or ☽ is to be thereto added, and
so they will seize upon the volatile (Gold) and the ☉ is by the means
of the Lixivium made in some sort fixt, and is to be separated by
destilling of the ☿: The edulcorating waters do again yield Nitre. So
that the extraction requires no costs at all, at leastwise but very
little.
NB. When we have extracted the aureous _Sulphur_ (by the help of fixt
Nitre, or some other very strong Lee of Wood-ashes,) out of the Flints,
and have precipitated it with the solution of the ☿, and edulcorated
it, and sublimed it by a Retort, there is thence made an elegant (or
delicate) Cinnabar, which by the addition of the filings of Silver
may be changed (by Cementation) into fixt ☽ which ☽ is aureous, by
reason of the volatile ☉, which was permixt with the _Sulphur_. Whereas
otherwise, other Cinnabar is by this way (of proceeding) wont to yield
only ☽: For the filings of the ☽ thereto added, become volatile, and
vanish away into the Air, for the Cinnabar hath extracted the soul
thereout-of, and hath by it made it self fixt; so that there redounds
no profit at all thence-from, save only that the possibility of nature
is laid open. But now when the Cinnabar of this place (or mentioned in
this place) is mixed with fusile ☽, edulcorated and precipitated with
Salt, or with the Calx of ♄, either alone or else both mixt together
(_viz._ the ☽ and ♄) they do greedily betake themselves into each
other, and there ariseth thencefrom a black stone, which being kept
in an apt (or suitable) Fire by degrees, and that for a due time,
doth daily more and more acquire a fixity: Yet do I believe that
it needs a long time, to make it wholly fixt: which thing seeing I
have not as yet any experience of, I will not here mention ought of
certainty concerning it, perhaps some particular Tincture may thence be
extracted, because that the subjects which constitute it are excellent
ones, for as _Sulphur_ is said to be the Father of all the Metals, so
is ☿ called the Mother. What may not a burning _Sulphur_ not unlike the
common Mineral _Sulphur_ that is in all Metals, be extracted by Art out
of any Vegetable? which (said _Sulphur_) I have implanted in mercurial
subjects more than once, and have fixed it in them; yea and by the help
thereof have so extracted natural Gold thence-from.
Verily it is to be wondred at, that this science or skill hath been
hitherto unknown to the Inhabitants of the world, and that no body
hath commited the same to writing.
But indeed all men may cease to admire, when they shall consider
that the Great and Blessed God bestows his gifts, and the knowledge
of Nature to such only as it Pleaseth him, _viz._ to such as bear an
humble, and pious Mind; and contrariwise denyeth them to such as are
impious and proud.
And here falls in a thing highly needfull to be known; by him
especially, who would effect ought in Chimistry with profit (and that
is this, _viz._) That there can be no bettering of the Metals at all
(be it either in the universal or in a particular way) but by the
benefit of _Sulphur_ (which is the father of all the Metals) & this
both in the moist and in the dry way. (NB. The Spirits of Salt, of
Nitre, Vitriol and Sulphur, serve instead of a sulphur though a moist
one, and perform their office in the moist way.)
If therefore all the Metals were at first a _Sulphur_ (for no Metal is
there wherein it may not be found, and besides too, it is known to be
in all the Vegetables) by what means possibly can it be, but that being
by the help of a Sulphur, Salt, and apt Fire, reduced to fixity, it
(_viz._ any Metal) should yield good ☉ seeing that it (_viz._ Gold) is
nothing else but a fixt pure _Sulphur_. But for as much as _Sulphur_
(as being of the Masculine kind) cannot produce any Metal alone, but
that there must necessarily be ☿ thereto adjoined, (as being of the
Feminine kind); every one is bound to seek after an apt or suitable ☿
(as being the Female) for his _Sulphur_ (as being the Male) and to join
that ☿ to this _Sulphur_, and let these two celebrate their Nuptials in
Hell, where _Vulcan_ is President.
Now then, when the Agent hath acted on the Patient, and perfected the
operation, whether by the moist or by the dry way, it shews it self to
be a pure product, and so much the purer too, by how much the Agent and
Patient were more or less pure.
When we sow fruitful Seed in a fat Soil, good Fruits do thence-from
proceed. Now then let _Sulphur_ be the seed there, and ☿ the field it
self, yet so as that your _Sulphur_ (or seed) be pure, and that the ☿
(or ground) have no Tares in it; but let it be duely endued (or dungd)
with Salt, and so let it have the fruition of the solar beams, and
patiently wait for the thence proceeding fruits. Now if you meet with
such a subject as hath both _Sulphur_ and ☿ already joined together
by nature; you are there only to begin the operation where nature
left off, and so by the help of Fire and Salt, bring it unto its due
perfection, which nature was constrained _nolens volens_ to leave
imperfect, by reason of the defect of Salt and fire.
I could here present the Student of _Hermetick_ medicine, with such a
foundation, as out of which abundance of commodious conveniencies might
be expected; but the ingratitude of the men of this Age, prohibits the
divulging such things.
Therefore do I herein follow _Paracelsus_, who saith, _We could verily
lay open most mighty Arcana in a very few words, if it seemed good unto
God to grant unto all men the same =(equity of)= Riches_.
Turn over and over his Writings, Reader; and thou wilt easily attain
the foundation of the truth; but especially, view well such writings as
he hath left us concerning _Sulphur_ and _Vitriol_, which we will here
rehearse in this place (because of the affinity of the matter) for thy
sake and benefit, which writings of his if any one can make nothing of,
verily neither will he understand those things which we shall add.
And now are all things (requisite) sufficiently laid open to such,
to whom God vouchsafes his blessing; and contrariwise, the same will
always remain hidden and unknown to the impious.
Thus much I add (_viz._) That neither can any Tincture be obtained
without _Sulphur_, nor any _Sulphur_ fixt without Salt; both these now
are found conjoined in Vitriol, from which the noxious superfluity is
to be separated, and the pure is to be made fixt.
_Now follow =Paracelsus= his words, concerning =SULPHUR= and
=VITRIOL=._
_I will present unto you, as one well skill’d, my experience in all
respects concerning Sulphur, =viz.= what is contained in Sulphur, both
as to Medicine and Alchimy, and to other things, and unless God be
against it and hinder, the operations of =Sulphur= are so stupendious
and admirable, that the natural Light in man cannot enough admire them.
Now if God himself doth not hinder, then the defect is in the workmen,
that so handles the =Sulphur= as that the operation answers not to the
implanted Virtue._
_Now seeing that every babling fellow is a =Physician=, and every
prater an =Alchymist=, this is the cause why (in plain Terms) the
Sciences (of =Physick= and =Chimistry=) cannot be brought to light._
_This now is the Foundation or Basis, =viz.= That in =Sulphur= are
contained such great Arcana and Virtues relating to both Faculties
(viz. =Medicine= and =Alchimy=) that no body can ever search them out
sufficiently: I say, that there lies such excellent Virtues hidden
therein, as may very deservedly cause in all Men great admiration. For
after long experience gained in both Faculties, such are the Virtues of
=Sulphur= found and known to be, that there are not many other things
that are either its superiour, or which may therewithal compare in
=Medicine= and =Alchimy=._
_=Sulphur= reproves =Aristotle=, when as he saith that the species of
things cannot be changed: For =Sulphur= is transmuted; did =Aristotle=
live now adays he would wholly be ashamed and blush._
Thus far he, as for the many more additions that he makes every one may
read them in his Works.
As concerning my self, I say thus, That nothing at all can be done in
Alchimy without _Sulphur_ or sulphureous Salts; like as without seed,
neither Vegetable nor Animal can; as is clearly evident, be possibly
generated. _Sulphur_ is instead of Seed, and _Mercury_ instead of a
Matrix: But you must not think that I do here speak of common _Sulphur_
only, and common _Mercury_: [No!] I do comprise under them such as are
far more excellent, and this you are well to heed. If now a metal be
not sulphureous, it must be brought to a due softness by the force of
Fire, which is done thus, _viz._ Making it red hot and quenching it
some times in water. But if so be it is already soft enough, then bare
powdering it is sufficient, without so much as ever heating it red hot
and quenching the same. Put this powder in Pans of cast Iron, and that
there may be the less waste of Fire, let it be encompassed with a wall
or mured in a Furnace; fill them half full, and pour thereupon (whether
it be Metal or Ore, or Sand, Stone, or Clay, or golden Mineral,) so
much of the water which we shall by and by describe, as the Iron Vessel
can contain, yet so that the said Vessels want of being top full the
breadth of 3 or 4 fingers, least as you stirr it about some of it spil
over. This done, put to an hundred pound weight of the Metal or Ore,
about one pound of an aureous, silvery, _Magnet_. Then put Fire under
the Pans or Cauldrons, and make the water boil, continually stirring
the matter contained in the Iron Pans, with an Iron _Spatula_.
Now forasmuch as this water is of such a quality as that it can neither
dissolve ☉ nor ☽, it leaves both the ☉ and ☽, and by reason of the
admixtion of the _Magnet_, it attracts only the Iron or the Copper.
When the water hath attracted as much ♂ or ♀ as it can, it is to be
drawn away, and more new put on in the room thereof, and you must
proceed on to boiling as afore-mentioned, and thus are you to reiterate
this work, until all the ♂ or ♀ shall be extracted out of the Metal,
and nothing remain behind save a dead Sand, which may most easily be
separated from the _Magnet_, by the pouring on of common Water, for
the sand mixeth in self with it, and the _Magnet_ remains pure in the
bottom of the Vessel, which hath received into it self the ☉ and ☽:
This ☉ now and ☽ is again easily separated from the _Magnet_, which
said _Magnet_ may be again used for such another work.
Thus now, one only person can by this means daily separate a great
quantity of Metal from the ☉ and ☽ it has in it; all the artifice
consisteth in the preparation of such a water as extracteth ♂ and ♀ out
of the Metals or Ores: And therefore must it be of such a nature, as to
dissolve neither ☉ nor ☽, & be nevertheless strong enough to dissolve
♂ & ♀ and to separate them from the ☉: For that the _Magnet_ cannot
extract the ☉ out of the ♂ and ♀ unless they be afore dissolved. But
as touching the quality (or composition) of this water; ’tis no ways
expedient to divulge it, forasmuch as the whole business dependeth
thereupon, nor can any thing at all be effected without the knowledge
thereof. When now _Venus_ and _Mars_, or else _Venus_ alone, or _Mars_
alone, are extracted out of the stone (or ore) by the benefit of the
said water, the precipitation of them may be made by the addition
of some contrary thing, whereby it comes to pass, that not only its
sharpness is taken away but also excellent Nitre may be thence prepared
afterwards, which is to be separated from the _Mars_ or _Venus_: The
precipitated _Mars_ may be reduced with a strong fire, and so it will
be made fluxile, and which easily melts in a Crucible like _Venus_,
and becomes malleable; yea, and of more worth than the best _Venus_,
because it performs very many profitable things in Alchimy, which we
forbear to speak of here, for some certain reason.
He therefore that knows such a menstruum or dissolvent, and which
requires no costs to make it, and yet notwithstanding doth very well
dissolve _Mars_ and _Venus_ (and leave the _Sol_ and _Luna_): Such
an one verily may in all places find plenty of _Mars_ and _Jupiter_
(_Venus_ I believe he means) which contains plenty of both fixt and
volatile _Sol_ and _Luna_: neither need he be much sollicitous about
Golden Metals or Ores.
Forasmuch then as the whole Artifice consisteth in the knowledge only
of the water, and in the manuals (or contriving) of the placing of the
_Magnet_, and in the separating all the unprofitable matters from the ☉
and ☽; he that does not know such a _Magnet_ and how to prepare such a
dissolvent, by whose help ☉ and ☽ may be concentrated, and ♀ and ♂ be
separated from them, let him search hereafter even as I, my self have
done: But if so be he cannot find out or invent either of them, let him
get from me what he desires to know, and I will not omit to satisfy his
request, provided it may be done without my detriment and disquiet. But
now you must not think that therefore I will give answers to all such
as trouble me with their tedious Letters, for my time permits not the
doing of such matters.
There is yet another way by which we may expect profit out of such
Minerals as contain in them much ♂ if we deal with them on this wise.
Let it be reduced with the strong blast of bellows, and you shall find
either a greater or lesser _Regulus_ in the bottom (according to the
muchness or lessness of the ♂ that the stone contains) which _Regulus_
compriseth in it self the ☉ and ☽ which was in the Mineral or Ore, if
such an Iron be malleable, Plates may be made of those _Regulusses_,
with are to be dissolved (in the Cauldrons made of cast Iron) with that
secret water, out of which solution, the ☉ may be extracted by the
benefit of the _Magnet_, according to the afore-prescribed manner. But
if the said _Regulus_ be brittle, and not malleable, then may it be
granulated: Nay, it would not be much amiss to make large Cauldrons and
such like Pots thereof by melting, that may be of 2, 3, or 4 Fingers
thickness. Nor must we suppose that what the said water dissolves of
the Cauldron and takes from it, besides that which it receives from
the Plates or Granulated Iron put therein to dissolve, is meerly lost:
No, for even it doth in like manner exhibit its _Sol_ too; so that by
this means a most rich Mine-pit may be made.
But some will say, whence shall we have such Minerals that yield ☉, and
that bring such great profit? We have said before, that such Minerals
or Ores containing such Iron, are every where to be found: Nor can
you light on any common ♂ which has not ☉ therein, which may easily
be extracted from thence, and that with most great profit. This now
is known unto most (Refiners) that there is plenty of corporeal ☉ to
be found in the Iron that we commonly use which (said corporeal ☉) is
far surmounted (as to quantity) by the volatile ☉; but if a man would
separate it thence by the help of fusion and the addition of ♄, it
requires too much costs, and therefore men never attempted any other
way of extracting it.
All _Germany_ affords this sort of Iron (that is thus endued with Gold)
in a most plentiful manner, & I could shew very many places in which it
may be found, if some pregnant (or notable) causes did not prohibit me
from so doing.
But that all men may know, that I tell the very truth, and do not like
a vain man tell you of great Treasures, and that they are every where
to be found in _Germany_, and yet notwithstanding by reason of their
not being known are not of any use; I will show some of them with my
very Fingers as it were, which haply in respect of othersome that I
know not of as yet, will be but a very few, and these very vile or
poor, too.
First of all then, all the Iron that is in the Pine-bearing Mountain
and about it, doth contain both fixt and volatile ☉; and this I have
often experienced some years since, when I lived at _Kitzing_ in
_Franconia_, and extracted thence from by the help of a melting Fire
excellent ☉: For as then, the manner of extracting ☉ from thence by
waters only, without any melting fire, was to me unknown: For at
that time those most eminent Men Mr. _Christopher Herbst_, the chief
Physician of the Prince of _Arsparch_, and Mr. _Adam Renningen_ the
said Prince’s Lieutenant, and chief of his House, (or Governour) in the
Castle of _Blassenburg_ near _Culmbach_, presented me various kinds
of minerals, to try what was in them contained: And amongst these
Iron ones I find all of them to be endued with Gold, which might be
exceeding profitably extracted thence by the afore-disclosed moist
way. There were likewise given me such like conditioned stones and
metals (or ores) which were found near _Bamberg_, of which we have said
somewhat afore. The truth of this thing is the more confirmed by the
Lord _Fleishman_, Governour of the Province of _Bamberg_ my singular
Friend, who wrote unto me some few months since, that an excellent
Gold-mine is found in the Province of _Bamberg_, but yet that the Gold
thereof cannot at all be separated from the Iron by the force of Fire;
which volatility of _Sol_ I signified to him in my answer might most
easily be amended.
Now like as all the Minerals and the Iron it self which are found near
the Pine-bearing Mountain, are very much endued with Gold, so those
which are found in _Misnia_, _Saxony_, _Thuringia_, and _Bohemia_, do
abound with ☽: both of which may be extracted thence by the way by me
delivered, with very great profit. I know by good experience that in
the _Hungarian_ ☉ and ☽ Mine-pits much volatile Gold and Silver is
forced away into the Air through meer ignorance.
Certain I am, that the Metals (or Ores) throughout all _Carinthia_ and
_Styria_ do possess much volatile and fixt Gold; especially the Iron
Metal (or Ore): For I have many a time made experiments of that thing.
Moreover, the _Hircinian_ Wood, _Brunswick_, and _Hassia_ yield
such kind of Minerals. Nor is _Suevia_ destitute of such Iron as is
impregnate with ☉; and amongst other things I think good to declare,
that some few months since, a certain _Basilian_ Ruler sent me a
potion of such kind of Iron; withal relating, that the lesser
experiment did there yield ten Crowns of Gold, and that an hundred
weight was of this Iron sold for nine _Florins_ price. Which Iron
when I had tried by the help of a fusing or melting Fire I got a
sufficiently great quantity of ☉, but in proceeding by my moist way, I
got twice or thrice as much.
Such kinds of stones as these are found in plenty throughout all
_Germany_, to which may be reckoned the red and black Talk, the Irony
Talk, black and red _Granates_, _Smiris_, _Hæmatites_, and the like,
which always are endued with ☉, if not with fixt, yet with volatile
Gold. So that now it is manifestly apparent, that in those places where
☉ is digged, all the stones are repleat with volatile Gold at least,
if not with fixt ☉ too: like as all the Iron that is digged in _Spain_
doth of a certainty besides volatile Gold contain also corporeal Gold.
Nay more, there are not only found such stones that have Gold in them
in those hotter places, but also in most cold places too, witness
_Norway_; where you may meet with whole Mountains consisting of Iron,
Talk, and Granates; out of which there has not hitherto been any ☉
gotten by the help of a melting fire with any profit; though I my self
have found ☉, in the lesser experiments.
Last year Mr. _J. W._ brought me various Ores out of the County of
_Eysfeldein_, that I might try what they contained. Amongst others,
there were some little grains of Iron round like a Pease, though
somewhat lesser, thus generated in the Earth naturally: This Earth as
I was informed, is altogether black, one handful of which contains
10, 15, 20 Grains: wherefore it is not improbable that all the Earth
of that place is repleat with Iron; these little Grains are so very
tractable, as that they may be made into Plates with an Hammer, and
contain much Gold.
Such a kind as this of black Iron grains (yet not so round or tractable
as those but now spoken of) were brought me from _Saxony_, which are
endued with plenty of Gold, but volatile; they are easily pulverisable,
and (as was related to me) are to be found near the Mountain which the
_Germans_ call _Geyersberg_, where also is gathered a Tin stone, which
doth also contain Gold, such as _Misnia_ yields more plentifully. Out
of 100 weight of this Tin, I found that 10 or 12 Crowns of Gold might
indeed be extracted; but this work requires such costs as far exceed
the price of that which is extracted: and therefore they sell off the
Tin, just as ’tis digged out, to avoid the expence of extracting the ☉.
That which is gathered in the said Mountain, I have often tried, nor
did I ever find it destitute of ☉, the which may be very well extracted
by my moist separation.
The _Stabelein_ Abbot presented me with such like Iron stones and
several others that had Gold in them, together with diverse Minerals,
some 18 months ago, some of which were gathered in _Westphalia_, some
in the Province _Luttinge_, in that part that is under the Government
of the Elector of _Cologne_, _P. M._ The Prince himself having a mind
to see by what means I would extract the volatile Gold out of them,
came unto me, but he died in his Journey homewards; since that I have
not received any more of such like aureous Metals (or Ores.)
Amongst other (Ores) I knew an Iron Metal (or Ore) found in
_Westphalia_, the half whereof was very aureous, but of no use, because
the Metal-men were ignorant of the way of separating those Metals from
one another; whereas notwithstanding both the pure Copper, and the ☉ it
self may be most easily separated from the Iron according to the way by
me delivered.
There were also a while ago several Iron stones brought me by the
_Cologne_ Merchants, and especially Mr. _Peter Sevet_ (_P. M._) which
are found in plenty in the Mountains, and do abound with much ☉:
Besides this too, all the Mountains of _Germany_, do yield a yellow
Earth, endued with Iron and ☽: of which kind a certain Physician of
_Erfurt_ sent me some, which (as he related to me) at _Eysfeldt_ near
_Erfurt_ towards the Province of _Moguntia_ is plenty thereof.
Such an Earth containing silver, I my self found here in the bordering
places ’twixt _Arnheim_ and _Embrick_, but not of such worth as that of
_Eysfeldt_ is.
Who knows but that that same place which we call _Velaw_ hides in it
vast Treasures. For I have found near _Amheim_ a white Clay and Earth
out of which I extracted some ☽: Yea and I found there too, true Veins
of Iron, which whether or no they contain ☉ and ☽ I cannot tell: For
I never proved them, but the first opportunity I have I intend (God
willing) to make an Essay.
Thus ’tis evident that there is not at all wanting unto us the matter
of effecting some good and profitable thing by, but the love of
idleness is the reason why we neglect abundance of sufficiently obvious
Treasures.
The Earth nourisheth men of diverse natures; for some of them are
altogether slothful, sluggish, and extraordinarily backward to labour,
and yet nevertheless get fat bodies enough: On the other hand, there
are some who are very diligent, & do too much consume themselves, and
concerning whom (being like unto a burning Candle) they may say thus of
themselves, _by serving others, am I consumed_. And as much benefit as
the Candle gets by affording a light unto others and by consuming it
self; so much doth there redound, especially from ungrateful men, to a
diligent man who by serving others wasts and consumes himself.
These and such like most abject Subjects are plentifully enough to be
found in all parts of the World where Mountains are, and out of them
may you extract ☽ and ☉ by the help of my nitrous Water, were but the
way of doing it known, which way hath been hitherto reserved amongst
_Arcana_ by reason of mens extream ingratitude. And I pray is it not
altogether useful and expedient that we should gather such Treasures,
and make use of them to Gods Honour, and to the defence of Kingdoms and
Mankind? Is there not sufficient store of idle fellows, whom it would
be very expedient either to invite to labour or (if they shun work) to
banish them the Kingdom?
I believe that this blindness will hardly leave men afore they are
reduced to straits, but beware least you hap to begin to grow wise too
late.
This work, like as is every other perfection of Metals is done by
Sympathy and Antipathy: For that, dissolvent which drives off ☉ and ☽
from it self, by Antipathy, all this doth a mercurial _Magnet_ greedily
attract by Sympathy, seeing it thus, that _viz._ as like loves like,
and draws it to it self; so one contrary hates another contrary, and
drives it away.
Two contraries do always produce a third thing. Where the Agent acts
upon the patient, and that this patient is even enforced to suffer
against its will, and cannot by any means shun the force of the Agent,
there must of necessity arise some better product from them.
When water is added to water, neither of them suffer, because they are
both of them of the same nature: But when fire and water are joined
together, the weaker is the sufferer, and from them doth a third thing
proceed.
The stinking and volatile _Sulphur_ is the enemy of ☉, and common Salt,
of ☽; and by how much these have more stench the one, and sharpness the
other, so much the greater is the hostility they shew. The greatest
matters are performed by love and hatred; such things as are friendly
beget a chearfulness, joy, and vivacity: Whereas, on the other hand,
the things that we abhor beget a teadious wearisomeness, grief and
death: therefore the more acceptable a thing is, the more it brings of
life; the less acceptable the more of dolour doth it bring. All the
perfection therefore of the baser metals consisteth only in Antipathy
and Sympathy: And if once we do but rightly know the nature of metals,
all things are easily accomplished.
It is storied of a certain Philosopher in _Italy_, That he had
committed some evil deed, for the which he was accused, apprehended,
and cast into prison, being here shut up, he could not be brought,
neither by entreaties, nor by threats; no, nor by any means to confess
his fact; but at last they put into his company a man of no sobriety or
modesty at all, who did so grieviously exasperate him with his words,
that the said Philosopher could not brook it, and so rather chose
death; for he affirmed, that the mind of man was far more noble, than
to be plagued by such a tag-rag, with reproachful contumelies.
Even just so is it with Metals, by how much the nobler and purer they
are, so much the less will they commix themselves with impure things.
Gold the purest of the Metals cannot be knit with stinking impure and
common _Sulphur_; for there is an antipathy betwixt them. Salt alone is
endued with those virtues as to be able to reduce contrary natures into
agreement, and to commix them; and being commixt, the fixt ☉ is able
to make the unfixt _Sulphur_, like unto it self in respect of fixity,
whereas otherwise they always persecute each other with hatred. _Sol_
cannot suffer any thing until it has gotten the nature of a Salt, and
then may it be tormented (as it were) by the impure _Sulphur_, and be
changed into better.
When the Soul of the imperfect Metals (which is a spiritual ☉) is to
be forcibly pluckt, and severed from its body, it cannot possibly be
done without the dolour or pain of the Patient; for where the pure and
spirituous goldenish substance that dwelleth in the corruptible bodies,
is to be made Corporeal, and consequently assume a more noble form, the
first form must necessarily be annihilated, that so the hidden tender
body may come forth to light and be seen.
And this verily is done by another kind of way than the common and
already known; by which (said common way) the Metals are separated
by _Aqua-fortis_ from one another, and are afterwards Molten. For
if any one should make one Metalline Mass of ♂, ♀, ♃, ☉, and ☽, by
melting, and then would again separate them, by the help of common
_Aqua-fortis_, he would effect nothing; for the _Aqua-fortis_ would
dissolve only ☽ and ♀ and part of ♃ and ♂, and leave the remainder with
the ☉ undissolved; or if he should pour on _Aqua-regia_, there would be
only ☉ and ♀, together with some part of ♃ and ♂ dissolved, and that
which remains of the ♃ and ♂ (undissolved) would be left behind with
the ☽, and so there would not be made any good separation.
But if so be that any one has a mind to attempt this thing on this
wise, and should say, I will dissolve ♂, ♀, or ♃, by the help of
_Aqua-fortis_, or as much of it as possibly I can, for so the ☽ that
is in the mixture must needs be dissolved. Now then when its dissolved
I will precipitate it (_viz._ the ☽ out of the solution, by salt
water (if it be so yet); the ☉ therefore remains, which could not be
dissolved by the _Aqua-fortis_; or, if I should dissolve the Metal (or
mixture,) by _Aquaregia_, then the ☉ is dissolved, (but not the ☽),
and so I can precipitate the ☉ out of the solution, by a Lixivium, and
edulcorate it, and melt it, and so by this means may I get it. Well
(let me tell you) that neither will this way fadge, for these Metals,
and especially ♂ and ♃ are too terrestrial, and admit not of such a
separation, though there should be in the aforesaid Metals, abundance
of Corporeal ☉ and ☽, whereas notwithstanding the greatest part is
fluxile, and must be again made fixt and corporeal by solution; for
in this work the already pure and fixt ☉ and ☽ may be altered, so as
that a Mercurial magnet cannot be able to assume them. As for example,
Take you a Metal, as ♂, ♃, or ♀, which (as is well known) there is
Corporeal ☉. Dissolve this in _Aqua-regia_, and precipitate the ☉ by a
Lixivium of fixt Salt; boil this precipitate with ☿, and see if that
precipitated ☉ will pass into the ☿; you’ll find not, for this ☉ hath
gotten a Crust (as it were) in its precipitation by the Lixivium; that
is, it is environed with a saline Terrestreity, in so much that the ☿
cannot attract the ☉.
Neither likewise can ☿ attract or assume such a silvery Calx as is
precipitated out of the solution with salt water, and that by reason
of the terrestreity alone, which adheres thereunto by means of the
precipitation, by which it is altered and deprived of a pure Metallick
form.
The truth hereof may you easily experiment, on this wise. Dissolve a
particle of pure ☽ in _Aqua-fortis_, and dissolve the same quantity
of pure ☉ in _Aqua-regia_, precipitate the ☽ with salt water, and the
☉ with a Lixivium, so as that the ☽ be precipitated into a white, and
the ☉ into a yellow Calx; edulcorate both Calxes apart after the best
way that possibly you can, with hot water many times, so long till the
edulcorating water be wholly sweet, then weigh these dryed Calxes,
and you shall see that the ☽ and ☉ you took, are one fourth part
heavier than before the solution of them; and this is to be ascribed
to the Salts only, that have adjoined themselves to the Metal in the
precipitation, and cannot be thence seperated by edulcoration; and
therefore such a silvery Calx yields not (when molten,) a pure Lunar
body, but a certain Ashy coloured Mass, fluxile and volatile, by reason
of the Salts; and this Calx is not changed (or swallowed up) into the
☿ neithar before nor after its being molten, nor (after its melting,)
can it ever be dissolved by _Aqua-fortis_ or _Aqua-regia_, which
alteration proceeds meerly from the Salts that have adjoined themselves
thereto in the precipitation.
Even just so is it with such a golden Calx, which being separated
by precipitation out of the _Aqua-regia_ with a Lixivium, will not
have ingress into ☿, by reason of the impurities that accompany it;
and therefore this golden Calx (when it is made hot) kindles, and
vehemently operateth upon it self, and this is meerly from the Salts.
From hence it is clearly evident that the Calx of ☽ precipitated by
Salt, and the Calx of ☉ by a Lixivium, have not any communion with ☿,
how then can such a Calx, which is (now) at first forced out from many
terrestrial parts, and imperfect Metals, and separated from them, have
a greater communion therewithal, have ingress thereinto, and conjoin
it self therewith by digesting. Other wayes therefore must be taken,
by which you may extract the volatile and fixt Gold, that lies hidden
in ♂, ♃, ♄, or ♀: Now many there be who do in vain search into those
things which they know not the nature of, and so walk in darkness like
one that hath already fallen into a Pit.
But if you come to know such a menstruum or dissolvent, which is an
enemy to ☉ or ☽, and yet nevertheless doth plainly dissolve ♂, ♃, ♀,
and ♄, then the spiritual ☉ that lies hidden, will manifestly appear
corporeally and visibly, and will pass into the _Mercurial_ Magnet.
Besides, this dissolvent must likewise be of such a nature, as that
(when in the solution or digestion of the imperfect metals, it makes
the spiritual and volatile Gold corporeal, and casts it off from it (as
I may say) by antipathy in the form of a powder) this powder may not
be environed with any crustiness as abovesaid, but that both the Calx
of ☽ and of ☉ may have their natural metallick splendor, whereto the
☿ may adhere, and may attract unto it self whatsoever the dissolvent
separates by the continual digestion.
Farther, this Dissolvent must be of such a nature as not to be so sharp
as to dissolve the ☿ for then the work would not succeed; indeed it
is scarcely necessary to make use of the ☿, to receive into it the
spiritual and fixt Gold which is separated in the digestion fixation
and separation of the Volatile ☉ of the Metals; for when it is once
evacuated it will never again occupy (or seize upon) its impure body;
yet notwithstanding this chiefly is done for this reason, _viz._ that
the spiritual ☉ & ☽ in the imperfect metals may be the more willingly
made Corporeal, when it finds a fitting subject wherein it may lie
hidden and rest. Besides too, this spirituall ☉ and ☽ of the Metals, is
indued with such virtues, as that it tingeth some part of the ☿ into ☉
and ☽, when it hath thereinto entred, whereby it yields the more profit.
Thus much likewise are ye to know, that this labour does not only
proceed in the moist way, but also in the dry; but yet far easier in
the moist than in the dry way; yet in the (dry way) a greater profit
is gotten in a shorter time. For like as to one measure of Milk are
required 1, 2, 3 or 4 spoonfuls of Salt, that so the Cheese (or Curd)
may be separated from the water (or whey), but there needs not the
quantity of one spoonful of the Spirit, which is much stronger than
the bare Salt: Even so stands the case with Metalline operations; for
by how much the greater and more powerful the Agent or Contrary is, so
much the sooner and stronger doth it perfect its operations. Hence it
is, that where the Agent must be yet more strongly active (as in the
dry way, it must of necessity be where the strong fire adds virtue and
vigour to the Agent) it being consequently more contrary (or powerful)
the separation is sooner perfected. For example, Let us see how it is
with Milk, where 10 or 20 drops of Spirit of Salt separate some cold
Milk, there will need but half the quantity only when the Milk is
boil’d or otherwise heated; even so is it with our Agent, whereby we
make the Volatile Gold in the more vile or meaner Metals, corporeal
and visible; it operates far more strongly in the dry way, than in the
moist way; for in the dry way, the external fire aideth our fire, and
hereupon finisheth its operation so much the sooner; but in the dry way
must another Magnet be made use of.
Thus much let suffice touching the particular washing or external
purgation of the viler Metals; as concerning the internal, central,
universal washing, by which the interiour Soul of ☉ and ☽ is extracted
for the Tincture, I do not as yet (certain) know any thing thereof, nor
desire I to know such abstruse and hidden things: content I am with
such things as God of his meer grace hath bestowed upon unworthy me,
and if God shall so please, so far to profit mankind either by mine
or any others help, he will also present an occasion of laying hold
thereon (_viz._ on the Tincture) for all good things come from God.
Now in this action (or operation) is required an ocular inspection,
such great things cannot be understood by Books or Writings, and he
that desires to excel in these (operations) let him take it in good
part, that (I say) he ought frequently to here me as a master, and to
see me labouring about these things, which otherwise he will never
learn, for the common Alchymists are plainly ignorant of this work; yea
the Ancient Philosophers did hide it as a secret, the most they could,
that so it might not be trodden under foot by Swine.
But whereas I do so clearly set down these things, otherwise than
ever any before hath done, the consideration of the time (or age)
requires it, and best of all known it is to God, why he now delivers
these things to be divulged. Forasmuch as mention hath been made in the
aforegoing treatise of Spiritual ☉, which might be extracted, together
with the corporeal, and some or other would perhaps very willingly know
what is to be understood by the name of spiritual ☉; I think it not
much amiss a little more largely to explain these things for the sake
of the Ignorant.
Every Spiritual thing is invisible, and void of a palpable body; but
now if a body be given thereunto, in which that spirit may be made
corporeal and visible, then the spirit is not any more a spirit,
but is changed into a body; if therefore the Spirits are good, they
do likewise make good Bodies, and so on the contrary. For all the
Philosophers tell us, that the Spirit or Soul in Iron and Copper is
more noble than in ☉ it self, because the body which it dwells in is
gross, terrestrial, and impure.
The case then standing thus, it is no wonder that if these spirits are
separated by art and force, and expelled from such grose bodies, and
joined to other purer subjects, they then produce some good thing.
Would not the other Beasts reverence the Ass clad in a Lions skin, as
if he were their King, and this mearly by reason of his skin; though
inwardly he were an Ass? If so be any man be but cloathed in silken
rayment, and go gawdily; do not every body put off their hats to him,
and honour him, though inwardly he haply is a thief or a knave; and so
on the contrary, if a most honest and most learned man go in tattered
apparel, or at least in mean rayment, is he not rejected, and despised
by all. From hence it sufficiently appears how sinisterly the common
people judge of all things, and neglect the inside, and only look
to the outside shew. ’Tis the external Shape, according as tis good
or bad, that makes a man esteemed by the vulgar either good or bad,
contemptible or honourable, though his nature (or education) possesseth
other properties.
The like is to be understood, concerning the contemptible Metals,
_Mars_ and _Venus_, which according to the report of all the
Philosophers have more Tincture in them than _Sol_ it self hath; but
yet by reason of the grossness of their bodies are they rejected: now
therefore, by how much better the means or way is by which this noble
Spirit is extracted, and added to the pure bodies, so much the better
is the product.
When therefore the gross bodies of ♂ and ♀ are artificially broken, and
the spirit dissolved, and thence forced out, it seeks it self another
body wherein it may dwell and be at rest. Therefore when we do by art
disturb (as I may say) the gross bodies of _Mars_, _Venus_, _Jupiter_,
or _Saturn_, and dissolve the pure Soul, and expel it by antipathy, out
of its impure houses, and contemptible garments, and set before it a
pure ☿, it possesseth it, and so assumeth another nobler body than it
had before, and which then is ☉ and ☽, according as ’tis managed. This
is my opinion, and after the same manner is the thing to be understood
concerning Spiritual Gold.
But what business have we here with the Spiritual ☉ of Metals? Let
us be content with the Corporeal, and leave the Spiritual to the
Philosophers, to make the Tincture with. But forasmuch as upon the
occasion of my teaching the means of extracting Corporeal ☉, I could
not leave the speaking of the Spiritual wholly untoucht, I made also
some kind of mention of the same; and it will be beneficial to some or
other, who till they do understand my meaning, may be content with the
Corporeal ☉. But such as have open and attentive Ears to consider what
my drift is in this discourse, my doctrine will be more profitable unto
them, than either _Sol_ or _Luna_.
There is yet one thing more to be added. In some places they are wont
to reduce the _Sol_ and _Luna_ into a powder with ☿, that so the
Corporeal ☉ and ☽ may be separated and extracted from the Stone (or
Ore); and this is no new or unheard of thing.
But this is more rare (or seldomer used): a Metal which hath not as
yet arrived to his due maturity but is as yet conjoined with his first
ens, and consequently it flies away in the melting, and neither yields
☉ nor ☽, when it (_viz._ such a Metal) is commixt with ☿ salt and
vinegar, and let lie to act upon each other for some days, it comes to
pass that the Mercury attracts the immature, Spiritual ☉ and ☽, and
makes it corporeal and fixt, so as it may thenceforward be molten. If
then the Spiritual ☉ and ☽ doth so easily enter into the ☿, and make it
Corporeal, it is yet much more facile to be done by my way, which is
effected by the help of more strong (or powerful) instruments, than by
bare ☿ only, and Salt and vinegar, with which they mix the Metal with
the ☿, nor can they possibly do so much as my secret menstruum which
penetrateth all things.
When now the Matter, together with the Salt and Vinegar is duly
separated from the ☿ by the help of fair water, they pass the Mercury
through a skin of Leather, which is again serviceable for the same
uses; but that of it which adheres to the ☽, is thence separated in
an Iron Retort, then is tried the weight of that which is separated,
and as much as there wanteth of the weight of the ☿, so much of ☽ do
they receive in its stead, which is a thing well worthy thenoting, and
deserves a farther inquiry, and is not here set down in vain.
Let not any one despise these few things which I have here adjoined,
for they comprise in them most great mysteries; yea and greater than
most will believe.
Neither let any one imagine that I will presently communicate this most
noble Secret (which clearly shines in the dark) to every stranger; no,
no such matter; I will (God permitting) shew these things to my honest
friends, that so it may not perish together with me; but however I will
well think on that much used Proverb, _Fide, sed cui vide_; Trust, but
see whom you trust.
The _Farnnerianists_ have given me this document; many there have been
who have come unto me and declared the miserable state they were in,
that what by the Wars, and by other misfortunes, they have lost their
Goods, and have begged me for the love of God, to succour them, by
communicating to them some operation, whereby they might sustain their
lives, promising that they would requite this kindness by their earnest
prayers unto God in my behalf.
These and such like words have sometimes moved me that I have given
some secret to one or other, and have bestowed on them an overplus too;
yet I obliged some of them, that they should convert it solely to their
own use, and not communicate it to others without my privity, which
thing they promised largely enough. But as soon as they have been gone
from me, they have presently sold those secrets of mine to others, and
which is more, to my Enemies. Now when by reason of their ignorance,
they did not know how to institute the operation aright, they falsely
affirmed, that they bought this Art of me at a price, and that they
have been cheated; whereas they well know, that it was pure affection
induced me to bestow these things upon them without any reward.
These and such other like ἀντίδωρα (or Gift-hinderers) have deterred me
from communicating any thing to others for the future; and this I would
have every one to consider, and not trouble me with either Letters or
Visits.
Yet nevertheless I will communicate store of my secrets unto my
Friends, that so they may not clearly perish with me, nor be thrown to
my Enemies, and swinish men.
I have done as much as in me lay, nor will I omit to do more where I
shall see a grateful mind; in the next place I will (for the service of
my Friends) treat about and shew in the fourth part of the _Prosperity
of_ Germany, the Secrets of _Saturn_, by what means any one that is but
a little versed in managing the fire, may seek (or make) some Country
fellows, his tributaries, who may pay him an appointed tribute every
week, after the Example of Kings and Princes, who bestow upon their
faithful servants (that deserve well of the Country by their valour
against the Enemies) Kingly gifts as whole Cityes, Towns, Villages, and
many Subjects as an inheritance, of whom they may afterwards receive
Tribute and live very abundantly or plentifully.
Now by how much the more Country-men there are that be Subject to a
noble man, so much the richer is he supposed to be, for they pay the
more tribute. And the more Ploughs the Country-man hath a going, the
greater is the tribute he pays his Lord, which thing the governance of
States or Common-weals induceth, as being a just thing.
Now after the same manner as these things are in use in political
governments, are they also in Alchimy, for it doth likewise when we
have for some time faithfully served under her, bestow on us tributary
Country men (as ’twere) by way of recompence, from whence we may have
Food and Rayment.
The more Fields and Ploughs that we give to these country-folks, the
more Tribute do they pay. Neither do these forsake their Masters, for
they are shut up in a stall, and when their bellies are filled with
Coals, and that they are safe from the Rain (or Weather) they are
contented, and do perform the businesses that are imposed upon them.
By how many more the Ploughs are which we give unto them (though one
Country-man can hardly manage above two or three, so much the more do
they give.
Such Country-men as these doth the true Alchimy distribute amongst her
Servants, whereby they may thenceforward lead a quiet Life.
If God shall vouchsaft me life and leisure yet a while longer, I have
purposed with my self to bring most mighty benefits unto my Country.
In the mean while, let these things be accepted in good part, Those
same tributary Country-men may be shewn my Friends, together with
sundry other profitable Inventions, in my laboratory.
THE
FOURTH PART
OF THE
Prosperity of GERMANY.
In which are revealed many excellent, usefull Secrets, and such as
are serviceable to the Country: and withall, several Preparations
of efficacious Cates extracted out of the Metals, and appointed
to Physical uses; as also various Confections of Golden Potions.
To which is also adjoyned a small Treatise, which maketh
mention of my Laboratory; in the which there shall be taught
and demonstrated (for the publick good and benefit of Mankind)
wonderfull Secrets, and unto every body most profitable, but
hitherto unknown.
The PREFACE to the Friendly READER.
_Although I promised, above a year ago, in the Preface to that Book
which I published of the =Nature of Salts=, that (besides Salt) I would
likewise adjoyn some Broth and sugared Sawces and Seasonings to the
other Meats disht out upon the Table: yet notwithstanding such as are
searchers after good Arts, would not in any case allow me so much time
as to prepare those Sawces; and being prepared, to dish them forth
upon the Table: but earnestly requested this boon onely, =viz.= that
I would not forget to furnish the said Table with Cheese and Butter.
The satisfying of whose request, I confess my self very ready to yield
unto, nor doe I find any other obstacle, save onely the scantness
of time, which I am constrained to imploy about other affairs more
necessary._
_But however, seeing it is esteemed a very praise-worthy action in
a Man, by diffusing his kindnesses in many places to benefit many,
I have deemed it a thing well worth while, to adjoyn (setting aside
other things) unto the afore-disht-out Meats those promised Sawces,
with Butter and Cheese, in to boot; but yet, with as much brevity as
conveniently may be._
_Had a longer space of time been permitted me, I would have clarified
the Sugar better, and made the Sawces more savory, which the hasty
posting away of time hath hindered the performance of._
_Besides, forasmuch as I have promised a Fourth Part of =the Prosperity
of Germany=, together with a disclosing of excellent metallick
Medicines, it hath seemed good unto me (for the fulfilling of my
promise) to publish these my most efficacious Sawces under the Title of
the Fourth Part of =the Prosperity of Germany=; and the rather, because
I have not time sufficient for the description and detection of other
Secrets._
_Now by how much the viler and more contemptible cloathing these
present Arcana’s do come abroad in, so much the greater and more noble
virtues do they hide under their sordid or despicable rayment. I was of
the mind, I confess, to have kept yet longer by me this Fourth Part,
that so (being sent abroad to publick view in a more convenient season,
it mought have been more adorned with Secrets of greater moment afore
its being exhibited to every ones view. And amongst those Secrets,
one eminent one, is the Concentration of Gold and Silver, and their
reduction into such a form and figure, as that it cannot at all be
known by our Enemies (who sometimes rush in upon us unlookt for),
(which [sore affliction] God (of his mercy) keep us from.) And so by
this means may it come to pass, that such kind of Bodies being thus
hidden under an unknown Garment, will not be robb’d and taken away._
_And whereas I have demonstrated in the foregoing Third Part, by what
means great Treasures of Gold and Silver may easily be gotten in all
places throughout all =Germany=, by the help of my Inventions; I made
no question, (nor indeed can it otherwise be) but that such as are
diligent House-holders will listen unto my sayings, and put in practise
many of those things, especially seeing I will both counsel and assist
them, as much as in me lyes._
_If now the searching after so great Treasures be [not] too securely
and negligently handled, it will undoubtedly come to pass, that our
Country will (by such a notable Medium, and such great Treasure) be
rendred even wholly invincible. History maketh mention, that the
=Ægyptians= (by their skill in the Meliorating of Metals) enjoyed such
vast riches, and so great a power, as that they cast from off their
necks the Yoak of the =Roman= Monarchy, even untill that time in which
their Books comprising the Art were burnt by the Emperour =Dioclesian=,
whereby they were enforced to be subject to the Empire of =Rome=. For
the most noble Art of Printing Books was in those days unknown, and
their Sciences were wont to be written in Parchment with great labour
and much cost; and undoubtedly they were not throughly stored with such
kind of Books, whereby the =Romans= did the easilier get them into
their hands and burn them._
_Now when once a Writing is committed to the Press, it may be printed
off in an almost-infinite Number, for a Printer will doe more in one
day, than a vast multitude of Scribes would be able to write. And being
it is so, who could possibly be able to scrape together out of all the
places of a whole Country such a multitude of Books, thereby to root
them out in these our times, and by burning annihilate them, as the
=Romans= did._
_This one thing I here say, =viz.= Did I but know and find that those
things which I have hitherto published, would not onely be acceptable,
but be also put in use and practise, it would be as a spur unto me to
stir me up to adjoyn to what is already done, more and greater Secrets.
Meanwhile let what is at present offered be well accepted, and what is
promised, be patiently expected._
_Of the word =Sawce=, and what is meant thereby._
I have obliged my self by promise, to adjoyn unto those my Meats which
I have hitherto disht out upon the Table, some good Sawce and Pickle;
which Meats, seeing they appertain not unto the plain common ways, but
belong to a very excellent Skill or Science; it is altogether needfull,
that the Sawces be correspondent thereunto, and that even they as
well as the meats themselves, be by reason of their savouriness,
gratefull unto the Palate. Now therefore as in the Feasts of great
men, the Pickles are not set on the Table afore the Guests have
fill’d themselves with Flesh and Fish, and so allayed their hunger,
but are set afore them (afterwards) as so many Vehicles to drill down
the Wine with the greater delectation, for such Pickles do for the
most part communicate a sweeter (or toothsomer) tast to all kind of
Fruits, Seeds, and Spices, and Sugar: So likewise must I, in the making
and dishing out such Sawces for this Feast of mine, mind onely this
business, _viz._ to take care of providing my self of the best Sugar,
and choice Spices; and these are extractable onely out of the Metals;
_Saturn_ affording Sugar, and _Sol_ and _Lune_ yielding most sweet
Spiceiness.
But afore I dish out my Pickles, I have thought good to set afore them
a sweet Broth or Seasoning, [together] with Butter and Cheese, that
haply one or other of my Guests are minded to dip a piece of Roast-meat
therein, or else to tast of my Butter and Cheese, whereby they may with
the greater delight tast the sweetness of the following Sawces.
And although I was minded to exhibit in this place some excellent and
efficacious Metallick Sawces: yet notwithstanding I could not chuse but
first present you with a fore runner as ’twere, signifying unto you,
how that by the help of Salt good Broths and Sawces may be made out of
the Vegetables, and Sawces, serving for the bettering of Cheese and
Butter made out of Animals: that so my Treatise of the Nature of Salts
may not be at all defective, and that every one may see what a most
noble and most excellent Creature Salt is, which is capable of exalting
the Animals, Vegetables and Minerals to a far more worthy degree by so
excellent a Melioration of them.
Salt and Vinegar are commonly reputed to be the best Sawce, and ’tis
most truly spoken: For amongst all the Sawces and Seasonings put unto
Meats, Salt and Vinegar bear the bell; now the Vinegar is for the
most part made of Wine, Fruits, Ale, Honey: But as for Salt, if it be
turned by distillation and rectification into a sweet and acid Spirit,
it becomes a sweet and strong Vinegar, and to be preferred before all
others: so that there’s no need at all of the Vinegar of Wine, Ale,
Honey, and Fruits. We will therefore shew unto such as are desirous of
sweet or savoury Sawces and Picklings needfull for Flesh and Fish, and
of well tasted Cheese and Butter, the way of preparing the same by the
help of Salt; whereby a Man may make himself for his own Kitchin use or
Cookery, various Sawces as him listeth. And having shewn this, we will
proceed on to the description of metallick Sawces.
He that is desirous of a good Sawce or Pickle fit for Flesh and Fish,
will not find any thing that is more fit or proper than a well-prepared
and rectified Spirit of Salt, the which he may prepare with whatsoever
Herbs and Spices he pleaseth, according as is agreeable to his Palate.
For example, Like as otherwise most acceptable Broaths or Sawces are
wont to be made with Wine, Vinegar, Pepper, and other Spices, and are
put unto the Boiled or Baked Flesh or Fish in the same Dish, or set
by the same in little Sawcers, that so all those Meats may leave the
more gratefull tast upon the Palate: Even so may the same be effected
with Spirit of Salt, and that far more commodiously, and to better
profit than if Wine or Vinegar were made use of to the confection of
those well tasted Sawces. But it is my Spirit of Salt I here speak
of, (which being prepared according to my prescription, is of a most
delicate pleasantness,) and not of that which is most an end sold in
the Apothecaries Shops, and in other such like places, and is for the
most part ill prepared, and not at all rectified, and consequently by
its ungratefull sharp and harsh tast, it provokes to Vomit, if it be
taken into the Stomach; ’Tis likewise of a yellowish colour, and with
its sharp constriction draws up the Tongue, whereas it should be more
clear and transparent than Fountain Water, and by the pleasantness of
its acidity excell the juices of Apples, Grapes, or Limons. And being
furnished with such a sweet or pleasant Juice of Salt, I need not any
Wine, Vinegar, or other sharp Juices of Grapes, Limons, Rasp Berries,
Sorrel, and the like, to give a pleasant and savoury tast unto my Flesh
or Fish: for it may be done far better with this good Spirit of Salt,
than with Wine or Vinegar: For, that Spirit of Salt serves instead of
them all, nor is it at all subject to corrupt as other Juices are, but
conserves its sweet and pleasant essence without any decay. But if you
would make use thereof singly or alone, then must a little Water or
Sugar be mixed therewith, that the acidity or sharpness thereof may be
a little allayed, and thus may it serve instead of a Sawce to be added
to either baked or boiled Flesh or Fish. But now if a man be minded to
add green Herbs for alterations sake of the tast, such as are Parsly,
Garden Cresses, Spanish Pepper, and the like; he may beat or shred them
small and moisten them with Spirit of Salt allayed with Water, and so
put them instead of a cold Sawce to Flesh and Fish. But if now the
Sawce is to be poured warm to the Fish and Flesh, then must a little
Butter be thereto used, and that on this wise following. Take some pure
and clean Water, and make it somewhat sharper (with good Spirit of
Salt) then strong Wine, Vinegar, put thereunto some good Salt Butter or
Fresh, at your pleasure; and likewise such Spice as (besides Pepper,
Ginger, Nutmeg, and such like) you list to add, as also Salt if need
be; put it in a little Earthen Glazed Pot, and not in a Copper or Iron
Vessel, for they are altogether unfit for this Operation; set the Pot
over a few Coals and heat it gently to melt the Butter, then stir it
throughly about without ceasing, with a Wooden Spoon, and then being
molten it assumes to it self the saline Vinegar, and the Sawce becomes
thickish, the which must be then poured out to the boild and seasoned
Flesh or Fish. But if green Herbs, as Chervil, Parsly, Cresses,
_Piperitis_ or Spanish Pepper, and such like are to be adjoyned
thereunto, you may bruise or chop them small, and then put them into
the Pot unto your hot Broath or Sawce, and mix them well together,
and then presently pour out your Sawce to the Flesh or Fish, for by
this means the Herbs retain their tast and greenness, and so delight
the Eyes with their lovely aspect, and please the Palate with their
pleasant tast, which would not be if they boiled much with the Liquour,
for then they would lose both their subtile tast and green colour.
Moreover, you are warily to observe in this thing, that this Broath
or Sawce be not let lie upon the Coals too long, and so the _Acetum_
separate it self again from the Butter; which to prevent, there may be
mixt with the Sawce one, two, or three yelks of Eggs, which being well
stirred with the same makes it the thicker, and better to stick on to
the sopping when you take it out of the Dish where the Flesh or Fish is.
Such Sawces do give the Fish either boiled or fried, a most acceptable
tast, and probably if some Sugar be thereto added it would do very well
for Flesh too. But yet, sharp Juices or Broaths are better and more
agreeable for Fish. Now after this manner may every one make his own
Sawce as he listeth, and render the same with some Herbs and Spices,
the more savoury unto his Palate; and consequently needs not either
Wine or Vinegar, nor any other acid things.
If any one has but any pure and clean Spirit of Salt at hand, he may
(by the addition of certain Herbs and Spices) prepare his Sawce as
best likes him, and make it far more pleasant and delightsome than if
it were made with Wine, Vinegar, or Ale-Vinegar, nor can you get these
every where neither. But the Spirit of Salt may be prepared and so had
every where, and therefore on that account too is it deservedly to be
preferred before all other seasonings.
Now in the Winter Season, when green Herbs are not to be gotten, the
pounded Roots of Spanish Pepper may serve, or Mustard Powder reduced
with Sugar and Spirit of Salt into hot and cold Sawces. Nor would I
have any one to be so bold [and foolish] as to contemn these my Sawces
afore he hath tasted of the same; for I doubt not but that if he once
comes to tast the delightsome pleasantness of the same, he will prefer
them afore all other, and will give the Vinegar of Salt its due honour.
And now to give an experiment, taken out of the Treasury of Salt, unto
those that are delighted with the tast of good Butter and Cheese; let
them listen unto those things which here follow. If thou art desirous
to prepare a durable Cheese of Cows Milk, and such Cheese as hath
all the tokens of a good Cheese, _viz._ such as is weighty, compact,
close without Eyes, and putrifying Holes, void of sliminess and bad
smell, thou may’st be a Master of thy desire by observing the following
Operation.
Take of Cows Milk, Sheeps or Goats Milk, or of either of these
which thou hast at hand, as much as thou pleasest, or as much as is
sufficient, (but amongst these Milks, Goats Milk is the best, Sheeps
next, and Cow Milk inferiour to the other two both in goodness and
excellency:) Heat it at the Fire, and pour it out into a wooden Vessel
(_N. B._ Iron and Copper Vessels are not to be used in this way) and
reduce the Milk into a Curd by the pouring on of Spirit of Salt. Now
one Spoonfull of this Spirit is enough to curdle ten measures of Milk.
This done, and the Milk and Spirit of Salt having been well stirred
about with a wooden Ladle and curdled, put the same into Hair Strainers
or in very clean Linnen ones, that so the Whey may drain out and be
separated, then gather up the ends of your Strainer, and lay thereon
heavy weights and squeeze out all the wheyish moisture. Then take your
Cheese out of these Strainers, and put it into wooden Vessels, and
there break it into small bits or pieces; which being thus broken,
sprinkle some Salt, and some of your pure Spirit of Salt too thereupon,
and mix all well together with a wooden Ladle or with your hands well
cleansed: Being thus mixed, fill your Vessels or Cheese Fats [which
let be] greater and lesser [as need is,] and squeeze and compress the
matter well in, as they are wont to do in making of Cheeses. Then
expose them to the warm Air, and dry them, and it will give you compact
and durable Cheeses, not unlike to those they call Parmesant, and such
as will be void of Eyes, and of fœtid and putrid Holes, Slimyness, and
such like defects usually incident to the common Cheeses, nay they
never are obnoxious to those faults.
The reason is, because the first Coagulation or Congelation of the
Milk is made by the help of pure Spirit of Salt, which defends from
all putrefaction, and not by the help of the fœtid putrid Rennet, from
which nothing can proceed but Rottenness and Worms.
Then farther, the Spirit of Salt being together with [Crude] Salt
sprinkled thereupon (after the squeezing out of the Whey) doth in an
especial manner resist all that putrefaction that is wont to be in
Cheeses, and condenseth the Cheeses, and impedes any fermentation,
which dilateth the said Cheeses and makes them spongious and porous;
and by thus condensing them, it makes them remain safe and free from
all putrefaction.
Such Cheese therefore as is brought to this perfection, doth well
deserve the preheminence above the rest, and is extolled by the praise
of those Ancient Verses, _viz._
Good Cheese must neither _Argus_ be, _Largus_ nor _Magdalen_,
_Methuselah_, nor _Habbacuck_, nor _Lazarus_, [Amen.]
That is, it must not be eyed like _Argus_, nor tough like _Largus_,
nor hairy and crying like _Magdalen_, nor hoary like _Methusalem_, nor
light like _Habbacuck_, nor full of stinking holes and rotten sores
like _Lazarus_: which defects if Cheese wanteth, it well merits the
title of goodness: and such are those Cheeses which are made by the
help of the Spirit of Salt; do but make such a Cheese and try whether
or no it will not be of a more pleasing relish than all others are.
Such Cheeses are never corrupted, they never become tenacious, limber,
full of holes, and worms. The Spirit of Salt being poured into the
holes of Sheep Milk Cheese, or Cow Milk Cheese, doth either kill all
the Worms or cause them to get packing, it contracteth the holes, and
turns the bad Cheeses into good ones, and this my self have tried.
Thus friendly Reader, hast thou learned how to make a fit Sawce for
Fish and Flesh, and likewise good and durable Cheese; it now remains
that we teach thee how also to make good Butter.
If you are desirous of making good Butter by the help of Spirit of
Salt, and such as is dainty, pure and yellow, and of a most delicate
tast, and such as will not easily contract a ranck tast, you may obtain
your desire by proceeding on this wise. Take off the Cream from good
Cow Milk, and make it into Butter, afore it be any thing mouldy, or
of an unpleasant tast, and separate the Butter-milk according to the
usual custom, then put the Butter in a wooden Vessel, and wash it so
long in pure cold Salt Water, untill there be no more Wheyishness left,
and that the Salt Water do come off thencefrom, as clear as it was
at first putting on, and that the Butter appears sufficiently clean,
which wash it once agen, on this wise following. Dissolve in pure and
rectified Spirit of Salt, as much Salt as it will dissolve in the cold:
And herewithall wash your Butter anew, yet several times, and work
it well with that Spirit, and by thus proceeding will it absume the
residue of the Wheyishness which is the cause and rise of rankness, and
which common Salt Water could not remove. This done, the Butter is to
be seasoned with common Salt according to the usual manner, and thus
will it abide perfectly good for a long time. But now the big Sea Salt
is accounted the fittest for this purpose, which being a little heated
red hot in the Fire, comes to be of a very delicate whiteness, and doth
the easier admit of reduction into fine Powder, and is better than that
which is boiled up in Iron, or Leaden Pans or Cauldrons.
_N. B._ But he that can get such a pure sort of salt of a sexangular
shape like a Dye, as is prepared in my Laboratory, he may use that,
as being by far the purer. As for the Vessel it self whereinto the
Butter, prepared and cleaned after the aforementioned manner, is to
be put, it must be ordered on this wise following. You must get you a
new Oaken Barrel, and so steep it in strong Salt Water, not the common
[Sea Water,] as that it may well imbibe the Salt into this Vessel must
the Butter, washt as aforesaid, be prest and thrust in so tight and
close, that there may not be any hole or gaping place left therein; but
you must leave two Fingers breadth in the Barrel at top of the Butter,
which is to be filled up with Spirit of Salt, glutted with good and
pure Salt dissolved therein, that so the Butter may be well covered
over, and all Air being excluded, it may keep fine and savoury a long
time. Now when you would Dish out some of this Butter on the Table, you
must take it out of your Tub with a clean Wooden Spoon, and not an Iron
one, and wash the same in pure and clear Water afore you eat it, if you
would not have it retain the sharpness of the Spirit of Salt.
Well, here is yet a better way still, _viz._ Take new Butter and let it
melt very gently over the Coals, and it will be covered over with much
frothy Cheesyness, let that froth be neatly scummed off; which being
so done, it will look in the Pot like to a pure and clear Oil, pour it
out very clearly into another Vessel, that the sediment at the bottom
may abide behind. This Butter when ’tis cold looks just like yellow
Wax, but yet is it a little softer than it ought to be, and therefore
it must be well wrought its due time with Spirit of Salt impregnated
with new Salt, that it may obtain the hardness of common Butter, and
then be salted, and barrel’d up, and kept for use, which will be far
better than the common Butter. For although this purging it by the
Fire takes from it all its Cheesyness, from which it had its hardness;
yet notwithstanding the Spirit of Salt gives unto it a far different
and much better hardness, and causeth it to excell all other sorts in
goodness and long keeping.
These things was I willing to take out of my Kitchin and set afore you,
namely Sawce, Cheese, and Butter of good and exquisite tast, which if
they please not the Palate of some or other, I would have him even
forbear to use them. It is not without some weighty cause that I have
done these things, which I well know will undoubtedly undergo the
perverse Censures of Spies and Mockers, who probably will say, what
Womanish Toys, and Childrens Baubles doth _Glauber_ here Tattle about,
making himself a Laughing Stock to the Women, and Female Sex, who will
say of him, that by his teaching to make Butter and Cheese, he hath
thrust his Sickle into the Womens Harvest. Well, let them prate as
pleaseth them, Geese are not wont to utter ought else but a Goose-like
Gagling. For my part I minded nothing else but to have this Treatise
be a meer Woman’s Work, and Boys Play, [but yet] it will reveal to the
Ignorant more good, than [is attainable] by the perverse instructions
of all such Authours whose Writings are Spinn’d out to that height of
subtility as to exceed every ones Capacity.
’Tis not every one that will easily apprehend those [Knacks] which I
teach and reveal under this Cheese-making Trade, and these Kitchin
Operations; nor indeed doth it much matter that they should understand.
God will open the Eyes of such as he shall judge worthy of such great
gifts, and will conceal and hide the same from the Proud and Wicked
Crew.
Having thus finished this Cheese and Butter-making: Let us in Gods Name
enter upon another Work of Women, and Boys Play, which Kitchin-like
Labour, and Cheese and Butter-making, is meerly metallick and doth far
excell in excellency and nobility the hitherto described Operations,
although it be performed by the help of the self same Salt. For without
Salt no imperfect Metal can be really bettered, the very title of the
Art it self witnessing as much, which being stiled Alchymy, signifies
no other thing than a melting of Salt: but yet I do not tell what kind
of Salt is here to be understood, [or, that any kind of Salt is here
meant] but thus much onely do I averr, that the transmutations of the
Inferiour Metals must be effected by Salt.
Now then, forasmuch as this Treatise of mine depends on a former,
intituled of the nature of Salts, as being an overplus; so it is
likewise altogether necessary, that instead of Fruit and Sugar, I use
Salts and Metals about the preparation of these my Sawces.
And whereas the making of the Sawces [or Sweet-meats] with Sugar,
doth not onely belong to the meaner Sex, but also to the more noble,
and yet nevertheless the Operation it self is nothing else but a meer
washing and boiling, and a true Womens Work, we will therefore in our
description bring the same upon the Stage under the Title of the Work
of Women, and Play of Children.
If we rightly look upon the Work of Women, and compare our metallick
labour therewithall, there presents it self unto us, a very notable
agreeableness betwixt them. The Womens Work is to boil and wash, and
when they are about to boil, they set their Pots over the Fire, and
having washt their Flesh, they strow thereon some Salt and Spices, and
boil the same in the said Pots with Water, Wine, or Vinegar, till it be
tender, and become fit to be eaten. They likewise feed the Fire they
boil withall by putting Wood thereon, whereby the heat may be kept up,
and no impediment may betide their Work: And this is the way and method
observed by the Female Sex in their boiling.
But as to their washing off the filth from their Cloaths, they are wont
in the first place to pour hot Water thereupon thereby to wash off the
more gross part of the Dirt: and then they use a sharp Lee, or some
Sope, or even both together to take away the remainder of the filth,
and to wash out all the Spots and Dirt, then do they agen wash off the
Sope and Lee with fair and hot Water: But as for the odour that the
Sope leaves, and which by no washing how much or how oft soever it be
done can be carried off, to get that off I say they are wont to lay
their Linnen out in the open Field, and sprinkle and moisten it with
pure Water, which being dried by the Sun, Air, and Wind, they do agen
repeat the same labour, untill all the stinking smell of the Sope be
drawn forth by the Sun and the Air, and a better and more wholsome
Odour come in its room. Then at last they dry them at the Air and Sun,
and being dry, they fold them up and put them in their Chests and
Trunks, and keep them for their use.
Just so do we deal with Metals, when we wash off their defilements, and
do by boiling turn them into wholsome Food or Medicaments; but yet we
do not use common Vinegar, common Salt, and common Spices, but mineral
or metallick subjects, as also a duplicate Fire, _viz._ one of them
is a secret, philosophical, moist, cold, and vaporous Fire; and the
other is the elementary and common Fire, by which we stir up the former
Philosophical Fire to display its virtues, and render it powerfull and
efficacious.
The elementary Fire we make with Wood, Coles, or Oil: The universal
Agent, or Philosophical, Cold, Moist, Digesting, Penetrating,
Mundifying, Bettering, and not Burning, but Conserving, and vaporous
Fire, we seek for in Salt, and leave the Operation to the vivifying Sun
and Air; which being well done, we obtain wonderfull Plants, and most
efficacious Food, or Sawce for our Life.
And forasmuch as my purpose here is, to treat of such metallick and
medicinal Sawces, I will here in God’s name adjoyn some of them, which
being as so many samplers or patterns, every one may at his pleasure
imitate in composing and making of the like. And he will here find
a way of confecting some good Medicament, as clearly and evidently
demonstrated by me as was lawfull for me to do, nor was it in my power
to discover the same more perspicuously: And therefore I beseech every
one to take in good part what is here presented, and to forbear to
trouble me for the time to come with needless questions.
So then, seeing I am about to treat in this place of metallick Sawces,
it is also behovefull to have a metallick Sugar and Spice, and this,
_Saturn_ will afford us in the steed of the common [Sugar] by whose
help we reduce _Sol_ and _Lune_ as being most excellent Spices, into
most effectual Medicines.
Nor would I have it seem strange to any one that I use Lead here
instead of Sugar, for the inmost juice of Lead, doth exceedingly
out-go the sweetness of any Sugar, which thing _Isaac Holland_ doth
very evidently testifie in his Treatise of _Saturn_. The Chymists do
frequently extract a sweet Salt out of Lead, with distilled Vinegar,
and call it the Sugar of Lead, and do very well know and find that
there is such a sweetness in Lead as is not in any other Metal beside.
From it therefore will we prepare our Sugar to make our metallick
Sawces withall, as follows.
Take of Lead-ashes one, two, three, or more pounds, which put in a
strong well glazed Earthen Pot, then pour thereupon some Wine or Ale,
Vinegar, or Vinegar of Honey, as much as may over top it an hands
breadth. Set your Pot upon the Coals and make the Vinegar boil.
_N. B._ The Ashes are to be uncessantly stirred, in the boiling with a
wooden _Spatula_, lest they gather into one entire solid Mass: After
that the Vinegar has boiled for about half an hour, and is become
yellow, and as sweet as Sugar, you must decant it from the Ashes, and
pour on more, and agen boil it, and extract more sweetness, and this
labour must you repeat so often untill the Vinegar can extract no more
sweetness; then having put all these Vinegars together, pour them
gently off from the Fæces that settle in the bottom of the Vessel, and
being thus Separated, filter the same through Cap Paper or by a filter,
that so the Liquors may be very clear, and may give you by separation,
that sweetness of the Lead which they hold up in them.
Into these clear Vinegars, therefore being put in a Glass Vessel, pour
thereinto (by little and little) as much rectified Spirit of Salt,
that so the yellow Vinegar may be turned into a white Milk, and may
by little and little settle to the bottom like curdled Cheese, from
which the Vinegar being now become agen clear is to be removed by
decanting; then put the Saturnine Cheese in some strong Linnen Cloath
and tie it hard up, and squeeze out the residue of the moisture, and so
dry it and lay it by for use. It is a most tender Powder, of a bright
snowy colour, and void of all tast; for in the precipitation, all the
sweetness being introverted by the Spirit of Salt, hath hidden it self
within, which doth again afterwards (when that mass shall be reduced
into a Sawce) shew it self, and discovers its former tast, as we shall
hear anon.
I would have the friendly Reader know, that I am not minded to produce
here many and divers Operations, for I am straitned in my time, which
stops me from giving you a more prolix and circumstantial description:
I do onely propose some few, and leave every one to his fancy to make
the rest of the Sawces or Medicaments, according to the ways here
prescribed, according to his likeing, and that as many as he will, and
out of such subjects as best pleaseth him.
But that I may contract these things concerning my Sawces into a narrow
room, I suppose it is well enough known, that Sawces and Junkets are
disht out in the second course for this end, either to close up and
Strengthen the Stomach, or that if a fudling storm be at hand it may
drill the readilier down into the Stomack by these kinds of Vehicles.
But yet my purpose is not directed to this end as to teach the making
of such banqueting Dishes in this place, as may allure Wine into the
Stomach by such an unprofitable Prodigality, and so detriment the
Body it self too. No, but the main drift of my Sawces should rather
be this, _viz._ to remove that evil which is stirred up in the Body
of Man, by the common Junkets and the overmuch guzling in of Wine,
and to Strengthen the Stomach, Heart, Brain, and other Members of the
Body, to heal the parts that are hurt, and in particular, to restore
them to their former health: And finally, to be as a kind of guide and
manuduction to lead on the Ingeny of Men in such wise, as that they may
by an easier way arrive unto the Knowledge of the universal Medicine.
To begin therefore, I confess that of [all] fruits preserved with
Sugar, none have a more gratefull tast on my Palate than Bar-berries,
and Ribes, or St. _John_’s Grapes as they call them; which fruits,
preserved up with Sugar, do not onely get the Stomach an Appetite,
but do withall allay Thirst, and do extinguish all the internal heat
stirred up and kindled by overmuch drinking: The like metallick Sawce
or Junket shalt thou prepare on this wise.
Buy some Steel filings of the Needle-makers, and take thereof as
much as you please, dissolve them in rectified Spirit of Salt, which
Solution will be green, and be of a sweetish tast; abstract the insipid
Phlegm, insipid I say, for although it be a very strong Spirit of Salt
that is poured upon the Iron, yet nevertheless no Spirit comes off, but
onely an insipid Phlegm in the abstraction and distillation, and the
Irons retains all the acidity of the Salt, and remains a red, sweetish,
astringent Juice.
Take of this, and of the Saturnine Powder which we taught you the
making of but now, of each alike weight, and put them into a well
coated Retort, and the _Saccharum Saturni_ will presently drink up
the Juice of the Steel. Put the Retort in a Vessel fill’d with Sand,
and augment the Fire by little and little that all the insipid Phlegm
may be wholly drawn off. When ’tis all come off, and that acid drops
begin to come, then must you apply thereunto a Glass Receiver, and the
Fire is to be encreased by degrees untill the Retort be throughly red
hot, which must continue so about an hour, or half an hour a least.
By this means, the Spirits of the Salt which were in the Steel, do
almost wholly come over into the Receiver, and do carry over with
them [the Spirits] of the _Saccharum Saturni_, and oil of _Mars_, in
the form of a red sublimate, which settles it self in the neck of the
Retort, which sublimate when the Retort is cold and broken you must
take out of its Neck, and keep it from the Air, for in the Air it will
dissolve into a red, sweet, and Astringent Oil, of no small virtues
in Medicine and Alchymy. In the bottom of the Retort you will find a
molten Mass, resembling _Lapis Hæmatitis_, which being separated from
all defilements, will give you a red, brittle, fusile Stone, and in
some sort astringent, of great virtues in Medicine, and without doubt
in Alchymy too, if it were but first made constantly to abide in the
Fire. And even this too, must you keep from the Air, for it is still
impregnated with the Salts, and therefore is easily resolved.
Now when you would make use of this Stone in Medicine, break a little
bit thereof into small Powder (for it is no harder than other Salt, and
therefore doth easily admit of grinding to Powder.) This Powder heals
both internal and external Wounds and Ulcers, being administred in the
quantity of two, three, four, five, six, or more Grains, according to
the age and condition of the Sick, and being taken in a convenient
and proper Vehicle, it is highly Sanative and a stopper of Bloud.
Being applied externally to Wounds, it wonderfully forwards healing;
hinders all Symptoms, and fundamentally dries, and cures all Ulcers and
Fistulaes, if used outwardly and inwardly too.
It doth most safely and most certainly help all the overflowing of the
Menses in Women, and is so excellent a Medicament in the _Dysentery_,
_Lientery_, and other _Fluxes_ of the Belly, that its like is not to be
found.
Thus have we that true and genuine _Hæmatitis_ of the Ancient
Physicians, of which they have written so many things, but what through
the carelesness of the Physicians that succeded them, and what through
the length of time it became wholly lost instead of which there hath
been hitherto used the insoluble and hard Stone of Iron.
The Ancients imposed upon their more noble Medicaments, Names deduced
from similitudes or resemblances, as may be seen in this our living
_Hæmatitis_, and in the dead _Hæmatatis_ of the common Physicians,
which is call’d for at the Apothecaries, and administred to stop
Bloud withall; But yet it is nothing else save the Stone of Iron,
and such Oar as is very rich and abounding with this Metal, the
fragments of which appears [either] in the form of spear-like Stria’s
or Streeks, or like a cleft stone. This our live _Hæmatitis_ is of
the same form, but soluble, and is of a very pleasant and astringent
sweetness, and containeth most efficacious virtues for the allaying
of all bloody Fluxes both outward and inward. Now that common and
well-known _Hæmatitis_ doth not possess any more virtues than that Iron
Scinder-dust which the Smiths smite off at the Anvil, doth. And as for
that red Sublimate which ascended up in the neck of the Retort, it is
twice stronger in subduing the afore-mentioned diseases, but it is not
of so sweet a Tast as is the Stone it self, which resided in the bottom
of the Retort. And being externally applied in cleansing and mundifying
old Fistulous Ulcers, it works much stronger than this our _Hæmatitis_
(which is more pleasantly administrable in internal defects) doth. But
whoever he be that knows how (by many Solutions and Coagulations) to
make this Stone constant in the fire, will obtain a far more excellent
Medicament: concerning which, we will speak more in the end of this
Treatise.
* * * * *
This now is such a Sawce or Junket, as every good Physician and
Chyrurgeon hath just cause most highly to esteem in all Fluxes and
Sores, both old and new, if he would obtain that repute which he
thirsteth after; for it is endued with great Virtues, whereas on the
contrary, the Juyce of Sloes, the common _Hæmatitis_, and _Crocus
martis_, are, in comparison of this, to be accounted of as meer
dead Medicaments. I could tell you of more virtues that are in the
red Sublimate, and this in an especial manner, _viz._ that without
being either bound on, or inwardly taken, but sympathetically and at
a distance, it is able to cure any issues of Blood whatever. But I
shall doe better to pass these things over in silence, because to the
greatest part of unskilfull Men, they will not onely seem wonderfull,
but impossible likewise. However, I commend to every ones acceptation
this so excellent a Medicament, for all internal and external Issues of
Blood, in all wounds and hurts, as also in all the obstructions of the
Spleen, Liver, and other members of the body.
After such a manner as this, may any one easily turn all the Metals
into Sugars, and into most excellent Medicaments. But forasmuch as the
Metals are not all of them indifferently fit to be administred inwardly
to the sick, I will make mention of Gold and Silver onely as being the
best of all, and pass by the others, and will teach the preparation
of yet more Sawces and Junkets; Copper, Tin, and Argent-[_vive_] are
somewhat cruder bodies, and require greater care and diligence, to have
the Title of good Medicaments. We will therefore let them pass, as
having Gold and Silver at hand, which are more ripe.
_The manner of Preparing a good Sawce or Junket out of Silver,
which helpeth the Distempers and Diseases of the Brain._
The skilfull Chymical Physicians have assigned Silver for a Medicament
for the Brain, which Assignment of theirs I acquiesce in, and doe here
present you with such a Sawce or Junket as is of most especial use for
the succouring of the Brain.
Take of common _Aqua Fortis_ (such as is commonly used about the
dissolution of Silver) one pound: In two ounces of which you must
dissolve one ounce of pure Silver; Dissolve likewise one ounce of Lead
by it self: Put both Solutions together in a glass with a wide mouth;
and being thus mixt, pour thereupon as much rectified Spirit of Salt
as is sufficient for the precipitation of both the Metals. Pour off
the clear water from the precipitated Metals, and pour upon them some
fresh water, and stir them well about; which done, and the precipitated
Calx settled to the bottom, the water is to be again decanted off, and
more fresh water poured thereon: and this Labour is to be so often
repeated, untill that precipitated Powder be void of all Acrimony: then
put it in a pure linnen Cloth placed in a Funnel, that so the remaining
moisture may drain from it. Then tie the cloth very firm, and squeese
out, in two balls (or squeesings) all the residue of the moisture out
of that silvery Cheese, and lay the same upon Cap-paper, and that will
drink up all the rest of the moisture, and will soon dry your Cheese.
This Cheese (or precipitated Powder) is to be put into a well coated
Glass-retort, and to be forced with a gentle fire of Sand, that so all
the superfluous moisture may be separated. Then, at last, the Fire
being augmented, will force out part of the Silver and Lead in the form
of white Flores, ascending up in the neck of the Retort. Now when the
Retort hath been thus kept red-hot for one hour, let the fire go out
of its own accord, and take out the cold Retort, and break it, and you
will find in the bottom of the same a white and sweet Stone, which will
melt (upon a red-hot Plate of Metal) like Wax, and penetrate the same,
and is volatile like _Argent-vive_. Two, three, four, five Grains, even
to eight or ten, of this Stone ground into a Powder, being administred
(respect being had to the Patient’s age and sickness) yield a most
present comfort in the diseases of the Head and Brain, and so are those
white Flores wont to doe likewise: but in Chymical operations they
are of eminent use. Now although this Stone be it self of a fugacious
nature, yet notwithstanding in progress of time it makes _Mercury_,
together with it self, constant in the fire; of which thing I have
elsewhere already mentioned in my Writings, so that I need not say any
more thereof in this place.
However, I cannot omit to tell you, that, although, otherwise, there
is no familiarity at all betwixt Silver, and Lead, and Salt, yet
nevertheless these three may be so prepared as (by a certain mixtion)
not to refuse each others society. Hence it comes to pass, that if the
Salt be rightly fitted for this operation, it puts forth more powerfull
virtues, and for that reason doth the Silver suffer the more, and doth
by so much the sooner attain to a constancy in the fire: and so ’tis
evident, that the name of Alchymy or fusing of Salt, was not imposed on
this Art for nothing. For by the help of Salt, are the Metals to be
molten and meliorated, which thing you may take notice of.
_Another Sawce or Junket made of Gold and Silver._
Take some pure Silver, and dissolve it in _Aqua Fortis_, and
precipitate it with Spirit of Salt, and free it from its Acrimony with
common water, and squeese out the water, and lay your matter upon
cap-paper to dry, and deal with it in all respects as we spake afore in
the Process of _Saturn_. Of this Calx take three parts, and one part of
Gold dissolved in the Oil of Salt; and first put your Silver Calx into
a strong Glass-retort, which must be well coated, then pour thereto
your yellow Solution of Gold. Place the Retort in Sand, and, first,
force out your Spirit of Salt, in which forcing out, the Calx of the
Silver will retain with it self the Gold; and of them both will be made
a purple Stone, inclining somewhat to redness, fusile, and volatile.
But the Oil of the Salt will carry up with it something of the Gold
and Silver into the neck of the Retort; which, together with the
aforesaid Stone, you shall take out of the broken Retort; but yet you
must keep each apart, for a medicament of great moment: [both] which
(if they were turned (by Solution and Coagulation) into a fix Ruby,)
would doubtlesly perform their work, in the metallick Operations, with
greater benefit and profit.
So have you here, briefly described, the third Junket, which, should it
be described with all its Circumstances, the Process it self would in
good sooth be more prolix and tedious than is fitting. And forasmuch
as my Writings may seem unto many sufficiently tedious, ’tis but fit
that I aim at brevity here in this place; though (on the other hand)
they will seem (I well know) too short and brief unto others. But
_Jupiter_ himself pleaseth not all alike. And the birth-day of him who
can satisfie all, is yet to come; for he is not as yet born. For behave
thy self as thou wilt in thy actions, either in briefly delivering thy
self, or in uttering thy mind in a longer discourse, thou shalt not at
any rate fulfill the expectation and desire of all men. I doe therefore
here dish out this Junket, and commit the care of eating the same to
the Guests. Every one that will, may more accurately weigh and consider
of the same, that so he may come to find, how great the Efficacy and
Utility of this Process is, though delivered so very briefly.
_Another Junket or Sawce, =viz.= A Confection of a Mineral
=Alkermes=._
There is in the Apothecaries shops a Confection made of the Berry or
Grains of _Kermes_, known by the name of _Confectio Alkermes_; in
which composition, there are added to the said Berries some Pearls
done into Powder, and Leaf-Gold, and Amber-grease, and other such-like
corroborating Simples. This medicament being confected with Sugar, is
lookt on as the chiefest amongst all those Medicines which are wont to
be administred for strengthening the Heart, and it merits the praise
ascribed to it. But now instead of the Leaves of Gold, (which cannot be
digested or concocted by the stomach, and are therefore carried forth
with the Excrements without any operation,) I will substitute another
Gold, which being made suitable, and accommodated unto nature, shall
be able to put forth its virtues, and supply the place of foliated
Gold, in the Confection of Alkermes.
And if any one be so minded, he may omit even the grains or the berry
it self (for they are not to be had every-where) and make use of this
Juyce of Gold, which I am about to teach in this place, and mix it with
Sugar and other Powders that are strengtheners of the Heart. For this
Golden Confection of a purple Colour, doth most notably strengthen the
Heart by its corroborative virtue, and the Gold it self gives a far
more excellent purple or scarlet Colour than the Grains of that berry
doe, which are brought us from _Mompelier_. The way of preparing the
said Gold, is as follows.
Dissolve the Calx of _Sol_, or of Gold, in strong Spirit of Salt, and
pour upon the Solution some three or four parts of water more than the
Solution is, that so the Acrimony of the Spirit of Salt may be somewhat
allayed. Being thus prepared, put thereinto a bit of Tin, and such as
hath no Lead commixt therewith, which said Tin, the allayed Spirit
of Salt will seize upon, and dissolve part thereof. And being also
debilitated thereby, it will let fall all the Gold that it contained,
in the form of a purple Powder, adhering partly on to the Tin, and part
will be of its own natural colour, and settle to the bottom, but as
subtile as the Atoms that fly about in the Sun-beams, and resembling
little stars. When therefore the whole body of the Gold is precipitated
into a most delicate and fine Powder, out of the Spirit of Salt, which
will now be clear and bright: Pour off the Spirit, and take the Tin out
from the Golden Powder, and wash the Powder with clean and pure water,
that so none of the Spirit of Salt may be therein discerned; and being
now thus prepared, it may be used instead of Gold about the Confection
of Alkermes.
Moreover, if you are so minded, you may take some pure Sugar-candy,
and make it up into a syrup with weak Spirit of Salt, and then put
thereunto this Golden Powder with a little Amber grease and some Powder
of Pearls, and so make full as good, nay a better Confection than
that common _Confectio Alkermes_ is; because a greater corroborating
of the powers of the Heart, and a delicater purple Colour cannot be
found in any other thing than in Gold. If now you operate aright, it
cannot otherwise be but you must needs attain to this purple and golden
Confection.
_N. B._ The Tin must be very pure and clean, for by how much the whiter
it is, and the acuter sound it has, so much the fitter is it for this
work. And in the Composition it self you may use this following weight
or measure.
Take of the Calx of Gold one Lot [or half ounce] and dissolve it in
three or four Lots of strong rectified Spirit of Salt: Pour unto the
Solution twelve or fifteen Lots of pure water; then to all this, put
two Lots of Tin, and set the Glass that the Solution is in, upon hot
Sand, and heat it scalding-hot, but let it not boil. When it hath thus
stood for one or two hours, all the Gold will be turned into Powder,
of a Purple and Gold-like hue, and settle to the bottom. Then having
poured out the Water, and separated the Tin, separate all the Acrimony
from the Powder by several washings, and so will you have it fitted
for the Confection. This done, take twelve Lots of Sugar-candy, and
one Lot of rectified Spirit of Salt, and as much pure fair water as
is sufficient to reduce the Sugar into a thick Syrup; Hereto add one
Lot of that purple and tender golden Powder, and it will tinge all the
Sugar with a Purple or Scarlet-colour. Then add likewise thereunto,
two Lots of Pearls made into fine Powder, and one Quintula (about two
drams and an half) of Amber-grease, mix them well together and set it
by for use, as being a most efficacious Confection. And if you please,
you may add to the former ingredients other strengthning and refreshing
Powders. The Dose of this Confection is from 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, to 20
Grains, according as the persons are. It corroborates the Heart, Brain,
and the whole Body, and doth likewise (by reason of the Spirit of Salt)
allay thirst, and stirs up the appetite to food.
* * * * *
And thus much may suffice this time about Sawces or Junkets. It now
remains that we likewise search after some select and harmless Purges
out of the Metals too, and adjoyn them to the former. When in feastings
(or merry-meetings) the Guests are wont to drink Healths to their
Lords, and tope off many Cups, and store of Glasses full of strong
Wine, it cannot possibly be, but that their Stomachs must be stufft
with tenacious and clammy humours, and the Head much oppressed with
Catthars, and the Bowels fill’d with store of wind. Now here cannot
be a better and more profitable way of succouring these Stomachs and
Heads, thus beset with so many tenacious humours, and of helping the
whole body thus corrupted by so often repeated draughts, than by a
purgative Medicine, which by expelling all the evil and offensive
humours opens all the passages of the Body, and again brings the
so necessary respiration. We will therefore present you here with
three such purging Medicaments, and those very good ones. One is of
Antimony; The second of Silver and Antimony; And the third of Gold and
Antimony: Each of which, by it self, doth far exceed the other purging
Medicaments made of the Vegetables.
For Metals do penetrate the Body far better, and do perform their
Operations with less hazard than the Vegetables do, most of which
abound with a resinous clamminess, which doth often stick to the
Bowels, and cause great gripings, which is not to be feared at all from
metallick purgative Medicines: which (upon this account) are to be
preferred before those that are prepared of the Vegetables; nor do I
contemn these Vegetable Purges, for they are good, and may be made use
of, where better are not at hand.
Therefore, forasmuch as I have in my time, made trial of many such
Medicaments, and have in very deed found, that metallick Purges do
excel the Vegetable ones both in pleasantness and efficacy, and are far
safer; I could not but commend the same above all other Purges to such
as come after me, but yet leaving every one at his pleasure to make use
of either these or them.
_A Purge of =Saturn=._
Dissolve two ounces of Lead in pure _Aqua Fortis_, and pour upon
the Solution one ounce of Butter of Antimony, that so they may be
precipitated together into a white _Coagulum_ or Curd, whereto you must
put a good quantity of fair water, and stir it very well about, that it
may imbibe the Spirit of Salt which was in the Butter.
Then pour off this water, and put on more, and repeat this labour
so long, untill all the sharpness be washt out of the precipitated
Powder. This white Powder being dried is a most excellent Purge,
educing all evil and hurtfull humours out of the Body without danger,
and being administred from one Grain to ten, according as the Patient
is, doth work downwards, especially when it is given in a lesser Dose.
But if there be need of vomiting too, then the Dose may be encreased,
especially unto those that can brook vomiting, and cast with ease.
It may be used without danger as a good and safe Purge, in all such
Diseases as purgative Medicaments are, and may be administred.
_A Purge of =Lune=._
Dissolve two ounces of pure Silver in four ounces of _Aqua Fortis_,
and pour upon this Solution one ounce of the Butter of Antimony, which
together with the Silver will go into a white Curd, as we said but now
of the Lead in the preceeding Process. Wash this Powder with common
water, and dry it and administer it in the same Dose as the Saturnine
Powder is to be given; and it will perform its part in all Diseases,
but especially in those of the Head.
_N. B._ The Butter of Antimony must be made of the _Regulus_ of
Antimony, with rectified Spirit of Salt, and not with _Mercury_
sublimate, as the common custom is.
_Purging Gold._
In the first place, you must make a most strong Spirit of Niter thus,
_viz._ put equal parts of calcined Allum and good Salt-peter into a
well coated Retort, out of which is to be drawn (leisurely and by
degrees into a very large Receiver luted on to the neck of the Retort)
a Spirit, which will make the Receiver look red. All the Spirit being
distilled, let the Fire go out of its own accord, and leave on the
Receiver so long till all the Spirits are setled, and that the Receiver
be become clear agen: Macerate the Lute, which joyned the Receiver on
to the Retort, with water, and have an especial care when you take
off the Receiver, that none of the Lute fall into the Spirit. Put the
Spirit in a strong Glass, and shut it up well with Wax, that it may not
exhale, for it is very strong, and is red as Bloud, because it had no
water put unto it in the Receiver.
Pour two ounces of this strong Spirit upon one ounce of the Butter of
Antimony, and it will presently pass into a red Solution, whereto put
one ounce of pure Gold that it may be dissolved, which Solution will be
redder than Bloud. Then pour in thereupon some common fair water, and
the Antimony and the Gold will precipitate into a Purple Powder, which
is to be washt well with water, and so dried.
Its Dose is from one, two Grains to six, (according as the Age and
Party is,) it may be given in Wine, Ale, Water, or any other Liquor,
which may be as a Vehicle unto it. It works without any danger, and
doth safely and pleasantly (beyond all other Purges) drive out all
offending Humours out of the Body of Man.
_=Aurum Diaphoreticum=, or Sweating Gold._
If no water be poured upon the just-now-spoken of red Solution, thereby
to precipitate the same, but that that strong Spirit of Niter be
drawn off by a Retort, it then takes from the Antimony its purging
and vomiting power and makes it Diaphorical. Nor needs the Purple
Powder, when it’s taken out of the Glass, any washing at all, because
being administred in two, three, four, five, six, or ten Grains Dose
it may be safely taken, and it provokes Sweat. It is therefore very
profitable in all the Diseases that are to be expelled by Sweat; yea
in the Leaprosie, Gout, Dropsie, French-pox, Plague, Scurvey, and in
all Feavers doth it play its part even to admiration, for (by reason
of the Gold which it contains in it) it doth both provoke Sweat, and
strengthen the powers of the Body.
The former Powder or purging Gold, being mixt with an equal weight of
purging _Lune_, or purging _Saturn_, and molten in a Crucible, turns
into a red Stone or Glass, of which, little Tablets or Pellets somewhat
bigger than a Pea may be again cast or molten, and kept for use. And
now when there’s need of purging, let one of those Tablets be put in to
some spoonfulls of Wine and lie therein all night, and let the Wine be
drunk off in the morning following, just after the self same manner as
other purges are wont to be administred. For there is so much virtue
extracted by the Wine out of the glazen Tablet as to give several
Stools. If one Tablet or Pellet be not sufficient, then may a second,
or a third, or more be adjoyned thereunto, and so left all night in
the Wine, that so the Wine may work more effectually if need requires.
The Tablets or Pellets remain good a long time, and may be many times
applied to the self same use.
But if any one should be desirous of performing this labour even yet
better, he may get a little Pot or Cup to be made for him of white
Earth, and may have it glazed both inside and outside with this same
Glass; for two or three Spoonfulls of Wine infused for a night in such
a Cup, and drunk off next morning, are capable of purging you even as
doth the other.
These are the effects of these purges in Medicine. They likewise do
some good in Alchymy, if all three of them, _viz._ the Saturnine, the
Lunar, and the Solar are reduced by melting into a Glass: this Glass
being Philosophically cemented somewhat of the Silver, Lead, and
Antimony will be meliorated, and turned into Gold by the Gold.
* * * * *
Now for a Farewell, take this which follows. If the God _Appollo_ the
Inventer of Medicine, would bestow his light upon any one, and by his
hot Beams melt the waxen Wings of the untamed, flying, and (to his
Father _Dedalus_) disobedient Son _Icarus_, (and flying out of the
Isle of _Creet_, over the _Icarian_ Sea,) that so he might fall down
into the sweet and sulphureous Sea of the Sun, and may remain drowned
therein: Then from this dead Body (which is not wont to be subdued by
any other means) may a most excellent Medicine be prepared. For what
way soever he is handled by otherwise, whether he be turned into a
white sublimate, or be reduced into a yellow or red precipitate, he is
notwithstanding always corrosive; and brings more hurt than good, and
therefore may very deservedly be eschewed.
Or if we did but know the way of fixing it without any corrosivity,
by those three principal Columes of all Medicine, namely Vitriol,
Sulphur, and Antimony, he would undoubtedly be administrable without
any fear, and be withall capable of performing great matters. For then
he would not stir up and cause so many purgations, and such vehement
Salivations, and other hurtfull symptoms as usually comes to pass, but
would bring a most speedy help to the Sick by his gentle operation by
Sweat and Urine, and get the Physician a most eminent praise.
This I would have every one know, that Sulphur has a power of killing
all Corrosives, and reducing them to a sweetness, whether it be done
by the dry way or by the moist. And of all Sulphurs, a Vegetable
Sulphur is the fittest, which being freed from its inflamable nature,
is capable of reducing [any] Corrosives, though never so great, unto a
sweetness in one hours space. Nay more, any Metal being first dissolved
in such like Corrosives, doth together with the same become a sweet
Medicament: And so when Gold is dissolved in Spirit of Salt, and
Silver, Tin, Copper, Iron, and Lead are dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_,
and that that Corrosive Dissolvent is transmuted by a sweet Sulphur,
it so comes to pass that the Metal together with the Corrosive is made
a Medicament, and becomes potable. Such potable liquor of the Metals,
(but especially of Gold and Silver,) and void of all Corrosivity, will
you meet withall in my Medical-shop; which liquor, as well those of
Silver, and Copper, as that of Gold, are red. The Liquor of Gold may
be used instead of _Aurum Potabile_, and it guilds Quicksilver and the
other Metals with a golden Colour, like as the Silver-liquor guilds
_Mercury_, and Silver [or Copper, probably] with a Silver Hue; and the
Coppery-liquor guilds _Mercury_ and Iron with a Coppery Colour.
_N. B._ _Aurora_ being inflamed with the love of _Jupiter_, and
withdrawing him together with her self into Heaven, if both of them
be again thrust down headlong by the other Gods into the Salt-Sea,
they come forth out of this Bath, so delicate and so white, that she
resembles the fairness of _Diana_; and he, the comliness of _Apollo_:
but not as yet constant in the Fire. But when the time of bathing is
over, _Mars_ coming to the Sea Shore, draws both of them out upon a dry
Island called _Irony_, from Iron; where they are yet once more washt by
_Vulcan_, (who makes use of _Saturns_ help) in a dry Bath, who washeth
off the Defilements far more accurately than the Salt Sea could, for
he leaves not off washing and purging them, untill all the Defilements
are separated from both their Bodies, and that they be made like unto
_Diana_ and _Apollo_, in Constancy and comeliness.
Mars seeing that his Sister _Venus_, and Brother _Jupiter_ did come
forth out of the Salt Sea with so lovely a fairness, leapt thereinto
himself, that so by spending some time in washing, he might rinse off
those black Defilements from his black Body. But there was such store
of filth washt off, as made all the Sea green and sweet, and it hid [or
swallowed up] _Mars_ himself, being now much diminished, insomuch that
he could never have escaped out of that Sea, had not _Sol_, out of meer
pity on him, dried up the water of the Sea, for old limping _Saturn_ to
come unto him, and to take poor wretched him out of the Dirt and Mire,
which he also did.
But because there was such a deal of Mire and Filth as that this (slim)
lame, (hopping Fellow) could not get out agen, he even there stuck fast
with _Mars_, and so lost his Life. Of the dead Bodies of these two,
_viz._ of _Mars_ and _Saturn_, _Vulcan_ did at length make one Head
having two Faces, or a double Countenance, one resembling _Apolo_, the
other _Diana_; and upon this account was the name of double-visaged
_Janus_ bestowed upon it by _Vulcan_.
By these few and short Operations and Processes, may any one make and
devise many more such like. I am not at this time, for my part, minded
to busie and trouble my self about any more tedious a description
of such matters, for I guess that in what I have already said and
disclosed to the unthankfull, I have too much exceeded my bounds.
Every one may choose to himself those things which he shall deem most
profitable, and forbear to despise that which he shall not be capable
of apprehending the meaning of.
’Tis a usual Proverb, _That a Cup of generous Wine must accompany
Dainty Delicates_.
Because therefore we have in the three precedent Sawces or Junkets,
presented you with fine savoury Cates, it is but fitting that we
accompany the same with three dainty draughts, and those drawn out of
the best of Metals too, namely out of Gold and Silver, because the
Cates or Sawces themselves were composed of the same. Our Ancient
Predecessors called those Drinks of old time _Nectar_, or the drink of
the Gods, which in our days are known by the names of potable Gold, and
potable Silver.
Concerning these two, do many of _Ignoramus_ his Fraternity babble many
Stories, and falsly boast that no true potable Gold can be prepared, or
be in Being without the Philosophers Stone. This conclusion of theirs
is clearly untrue, for a Man may easily make Gold and Silver potable,
though he hath not any knowledge at all of the universal Medicine,
which is to be thus understood, _viz._ when the Gold and Silver
either alone or conjoyned, are dissolved in a sweet and not Corrosive
_Menstruum_, and rendred fit to be administred to the Sick in Water,
Ale, Wine, or any other Liquor. For those kind of Solutions may be
taken for a simple potable Gold and Silver.
But now for any one to dissolve Gold in that corroding _Aqua Regis_, or
Silver in _Aqua Fortis_, and then to imagine that he hath potable Gold
and Silver, he is altogether in an Errour. Potable indeed they are,
because they may be drunk like other Liquors: But forasmuch as those
kind of Solutions do corrode all things, and bring extream Detriment,
they are justly rejected, and the rather because being poured into Wine
or Ale, they defile and thicken the same; which, no true potable Gold
dissolved in a Not-corrosive _Menstruum_, will do, but when ’tis mixt
with Wine, Ale, or Water, it remains bright and clear. Besides too,
true potable Gold must be of such a property, as to have no visible
corporal Gold producible thereout of, and yet notwithstanding, be able
to indue the meaner Metals, yea and _Mercury_ it self with a golden
nature, if they be therein boiled, or to coagulate and transmute them
into Gold by the dry way in a Crucible, whether it be done with profit
or without profit [it matters not.] Now this tinging virtue comes not
from corporeal and dead Gold, but from a spiritual living and ringing
Gold.
If therefore the common and corroding solution of Gold, cannot be
accounted for a true _Aurum Potabile_, and that the spiritual and
tinging Gold, which is dissolved without any corrosiveness should not
come under this Title neither, whence I pray should it be sought for,
and where should it be inquired after. I confess, I do easily perswade
my self, that as for the first Ens of Gold if we did but know how to
wash and purge it in such wise, as that being turned into a bloud red
liquor, it would admit of Distillation by an Alembick or a Retort, we
should have a better potable Gold. But where shall we find such an
Artificer, as can teach us the way of preparing such a potable Gold?
’Tis therefore our best way to content our selves with such Medicaments
as we have at hand, so long untill God bestoweth better upon us. This
likewise I believe, that if we did but know such an Artifice as to wash
and purge Mercury, in such sort as that it might pass into a ponderous
and sweet Water, and if we could so adjoyn some pure Gold thereunto
instead of a ferment that they might lift up [or sublime] themselves
together, and again become constant and fix: that then, from them would
arise a red and soluble Carbuncle, or true potable Gold. But these
are onely my simple thoughts and conceptions, no dispraise to those
suppositions which other men have entertained concerning this matter.
So likewise if spiritual Gold, and the spiritual Sulphur of the Vine
be conjoyned by the help of Salt, they give a good potable Gold, which
contains in it Gold potentially, but not actually or palpably, as may
be seen in my Treatise of the true _Aurum Potabile_, which being clear
like Water, and a bright or fair potable Gold, I do adjoyn to my Cates
or Sawces instead of White-wine.
But even as White-wine the longer it is kept, the yellower it grows,
so likewise white _Aurum Potabile_ doth not retain its whiteness above
two or three months, but becomes more and more yellow, and is at length
turned into a redness, but still retains its tinging faculty. He
therefore that shall not be well pleased with the tast of [my] Wine or
potable Gold, let him tarry till being more old they become yellow or
red, for then they are of a pleasanter tast, as having (through long
Process of time) lost their Sulphureous Tast.
But as touching the manner of making that potable Gold, as also all
other unpleasant, sugacious, and unripe metallick Potions, pleasant,
ripe, fix, and sweet Liquors, that shall be revealed afterwards.
Furthermore, I do here serve out instead of a good drink, the
golden-coloured Soul, or my Tincture made of Niter, of which I have
spoken in the second part of my Spagyrical Dispensatory. It is of as
much virtue in Medicine as that potable Gold is, which I made mention
of but now, but performs nothing in Alchymy or in the Transmutation of
Metals; but what it would do if it were made fix and constant in the
Fire, I do not as yet know, for I have not as yet brought it to that
pass. But how it may be made fix shall be presently shown. This very
Tincture in the degree it is at present in, produceth great effects in
Medicine, yea and greater too than those which I published about it, in
the second part of my Spagyrical Dispensatory. It is of a delightfull
Tast to the Palate, it removes the obstructions of the Liver, Lungs,
and Spleen, it provokes Urine, expels the Stone, prohibits Obstructions
with the Excrements, it may be most safely used by old and young, yea
even by those whose strength is much debilitated, and it is wont to
afford them present help; it wonderfully Corroborates, and makes all
Animals, Minerals, and Vegetables fruitfull, and this will easily
appear so to be, if you do but take some Vegetable Seed and macerate in
the same, and then put in the Earth, it grows far speedier and ripens
much sooner than other Seeds are wont to do.
I have sometimes macerated Wheat, Barly, Pease, and the Seeds of such
like Corn in this Liquor for a night, and being thus steeped, have sown
it in pure Sand, and they have grown ripe far sooner than those which
have been planted in good and fat Earth: which is such a thing, as hath
made many Men extreamly to wonder, when they saw Corn grow in bare Sand
without any other Earth or Dung, and be able to arrive to such perfect
maturity.
Many other Salts there are of no great cost, and such as are to be had
in vast quantity, with which, Corn being macerated and sown in barren
Lands, and in such as are not dunged doth come to perfect maturity;
and this I have tried not onely once, but oftentimes; and have also
purposed (if God please) to bring it into publick use, in these
United Provinces: to which end, the most Supreme Orders, General and
Provincial, have granted me a Priviledge (or Patent) for many years;
whereby it is forbidden to sow or plant barren, sandy Grounds and
undunged, after this kind of way, without my consent. The main Basis
of the knack lies in Sea-salt, which may be plentifully had in these
places, and be easily prepared and made use of (to fatten lean and dry
Grounds with) instead of Dung.
But amongst all such like Medicaments, the Tincture of Nitre bears away
the Bell, for it causeth many Stalks to spring up out of one Grane, and
to yield fruit, a thousand fold. Nor doth it onely make the Vegetables
fruitfull, but Men too, and the terrestrial Animals, and even the Birds
themselves that live in the Air. And by the same reason also may it be
brought to pass, that even the Metals may be multiplied by the help
thereof, as we shall declare anon, in what follows.
Both these Wines or efficacious Drinks doe very well suit with the
metallick Sawces or Junkets, they heat the Body, help the concoction
of the Stomach, corroborate the Spirits, give good Nourishment, drive
forth out of the Body the superfluous Excrements, in a due manner by
Stool and Urine, they cause Chearfulness, bestow a prosperous Health,
give a comely Look, and change the Complexions into the Sanguine and
best Complexion; in the accomplishment of all which things, that pure
and golden coloured Tincture of Niter excells.
And here I must make a little digression, and set somewhat more clearly
afore your Eyes, the four primary Complexions; from which the other
mixt ones do arise, according as a Man partakes the more of this or
that Complexion.
Therefore as touching the Complexions, the Ancient Physicians judged
thereof according to the form and colour of the Hair, and were of
this Opinion, that the Sanguine Complexion which of all others is the
purest, produceth red Hairs and a white Skin full of small and bright
Pores, such Men being indued with hot and moist Bloud, and of a sound
Constitution are diligent, learned, pious, prone to Venery, Ingenious,
Chearfull, and for the most part long liv’d, but are subject to hot
Diseases, as Feavers, the Plague, and the like; and do in their nature
resemble the Sun, amongst the Planets, and Gold amongst the Metals.
The _Cholerick_ have very black Hair, a yellowish Skin, and their Bloud
is hot and dry, and they are wrathfull, quarrelsome, strong, bold,
Warriours, addicted to Whoredoms, subtle, wicked, false, merciless,
rejoycing at others harms, as is wont to be in War. They are tormented
with raging Feavers, as also with the overflowing of the Gall, and they
are of the nature of _Mars_ and _Venus_ amongst the Planets; and of
Iron and Copper amongst the Metals.
The Hairs of the _Melancholy_ Complexion are for the most part betwixt
a white and black colour, and their Skin is white. They are of a
cold and dry nature, quiet, laborious, musing, industrious, sincere,
pious, and mercifull, inclined rather to weeping than laughter,
if they hear of any mischances, they aim at Justice, and fear God
without Hypocrisie, or esteem of Men. They are subject to all kinds
of Diseases, are afflicted with a debility of their Limbs, and are
compared to _Saturn_ and _Jupiter_ amongst the Planets, and to Lead and
Tin amongst the Metals.
The nature and property of the _Phlegmatick_ is moist and cold,
the Hair and Skin white, the Wit dull, a dreaming sleepy quality,
negligent, carefull of nothing, obstinate, envious, slow, and gross,
and unteachable, the Body consists of thick or homely Limbs, and is
wont to be troubled with the Scab, Ulcers, and cold Feavers. ’Mongst
the Planets the Moon, and ’mongst the Metals, Silver, are supposed not
much to differ from their Disposition.
These are the marks (as is believed) of the Complexions in Men and
Beasts. But yet you are to know, that one [single] Complexion doth very
rarely bear absolute sway in any Man, but they are for the most part
mixt, and so the denomination is given according to the predominant
Complexion.
A Man that consists of a sanguine and phlegmatick property, is as it
were double complexioned, and both the colour and denomination are
divided, so that from red and white, yellow hairs arise, and the Men
themselves are of a good, temperate and fruitfull nature; and thus is
it to be understood of other Commixtions.
But forasmuch as a pure and sanguine complexion is esteemed the best
and wholsomest, the Ancient Physicians in their Cures were wont to
call the superfluity of any phlegmatick scabby person, Phlegm and
watery Blood: [the superfluity] of the Melancholick, sad and irksome
cogitations [or pensive dumps:] and [the superfluity] of Cholerick, a
mad raging brain. Now of this Phlegmatick, Melancholy, or Cholerick
[person] do we make a Sanguine one, that is, a Man of a sound and
pure blood. Upon this account have they ascribed this property unto
their Universal Medicine, _viz._ that it does not onely change all
the imperfect complexions of Men, as the Cholerick, Melancholy,
and Phlegmatick into the Sanguine; but doth also transmute all the
imperfect, unripe, gross, and volatile Metals into pure Gold. For if a
Medicine be of so much virtue as to convert all the Complexions into
the Sanguine one, it will necessarily transmute all the imperfect
Metals likewise, as _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Mars_, _Venus_, _Mercury_ and
_Lune_ into _Sol_ or Gold.
Now forasmuch as I have often found by the frequent Experiments that
I have made, that my said Medicine, or Tincture of Nitre is wont to
colour all kinds of Hair, as white, brown, black, (black I say, which
may seem impossible unto many, but nevertheless is very true; for to
dye white Hair with a yellow colour is a thing commonly known, but
to tinge black Hair with a yellow or red colour, is a great secret)
and even all other colours, none excepted, with a golden colour; and
this it does while it is as yet of an unripe and flying nature: Upon
this account I dare perswade my self, that if it were but brought to a
fix and constant nature, it could not possibly be, but that it would
bestow upon the imperfect Metals, a golden nature and perfection. But
by reason of its too tender a nature, which is extreamly impatient of
a Fire of Coals, I pondered upon the business more accurately, and
perceived, that it is indeed a thing possible to be done, although
that hitherto I never had a convenient time of perfecting of the same.
And as concerning the manner how it may be done, I cannot but out of
Christian Love, discover the same to my Neighbour.
During the time that I considered not the Words of the Angel in the
Sepulchre of Christ, saying, _Why seek ye the Living among the Dead?_
and therefore search’d about in filthy Sepulchres, in which I could
not find the Life. God at length vouchsafed to look upon me with
his gratious and mercifull Eyes, and brought me into the right way,
insomuch that leaving the Sepulchres and Monuments or Tombs of the
Dead, I began to look for Life amongst the Living, and not amongst the
Dead.
God onely is the alone and eternal Life, who bestoweth upon us the so
much desirable _Sun_, (as being the Servant of God) by the help of the
Air. Let us boil, roast, bake, and labour as much, and in what manner
soever we please; yet shall we never find any liveliness, save from the
Sun, the Servant, Minister, or instrument of the Omnipotent God. [For
else] we [doe but] prepare us Medicaments destitute of virtues, of fine
out-side Colours, but within, dead and full of poison, because from
things wanting life, no help can be expected.
Forasmuch therefore, as we gave not life unto our own selves, neither
can we defend the same against death without that one onely life coming
unto us from above: it is very expedient, that, omitting the stinking
dung, we betake our selves to the pure and living fountain of God, as
being the Centre of all life; and doe seek for life, from the Sun, as
being the great master of all the created Palace [or World.] The way of
effecting this, will I reveal unto you in a few words.
If we accurately weigh with the utmost of our discretions this whole
business, we clearly see it afore our Eyes, that there is no other
life to be any-where found, besides that universal life which God hath
implanted in the _Sun_, and which the _Sun_ sends down unto us by the
help of the Air. Let any one make trial, what way soever it likes him,
and he shall find this most true.
If you would putrefie an Herb or Animal in a shut glass, so that the
Air cannot penetrate [into it,] there will indeed be Magots generated,
but they will want life so long, untill the glass being opened, they
receive life and motion from the Air. If you put Herbs, or the Flesh of
living Creatures chopt or bruised in a glass, and shut it close, and
keep the glass for a while in hot Horse dung, or else in warm water,
there will Vermine [or Maggots] be indeed generated, but yet void of
life, which (the glass being opened) will begin to stir of themselves;
and so having gotten life, creep out, and become greater, and will get
other forms or shapes. Place likewise in a warm place, some little
Barrel half full of Wine and let the bung-hole be open, that it may
putrefie and begin to wax sowre; The ascending vapour will gather it
self about the said Bung hole into a tenacious matter, which will yield
small little vermine [or Mites,] much like those which are engendred
in Cheese; and which at length will, by reason of the Air, live and
creep forth. If you put a Cover over the hole, all these little Mites
will again dye, because they are deprived of the Air from which Life
doth proceed. Then the Cover being again taken off, and the Air
admitted, they doe agen creep; and following after the Air, endeavour
to get out of the Barrel: out of which, if they doe but stay some hours
onely, and feel the full Air; They attain to another form, and get
wings and fly away, which cannot be done without the Air, seeing that
without it they can have no life.
Let such Earth as hath Seeds sown therein be so covered over, as that
the Air cannot penetrate into it; which being shut out, nothing will be
brought forth: or let it be some Plant, which hath already sprouted up
out of the earth; if you doe but take the Air therefrom, it will cease
growing and plainly wither and come to nought.
From whence it is clearly evident, that the rise of all Life is to be
imputed to the Air, which very Life it self, the Sun hath first wrought
in the Air, and Art knows how to extract the same again thereout of, by
a certain Magnetical way, and make it visible, palpable, and sensible.
But all the Air is not meer life, but contains this same life
dispersed, or dilated in it, like a great deal of water containing
in it but little Salt, it self being visible, but the Salt which is
therein, invisible. And just so is the life dispersed in the bodies of
Men, and other Animals, and, being invisible, hath its habitation in
the blood, so that, without it, the whole body would be immovable and
remain dead. Now when either a Man, or any other living Creature is
conversant in the open Air, he attracteth to himself by his breathing,
(by a certain Sympathetical power and property) as much Air as is
requisite for the Heart, (which is the Center, Receptacle, or House of
the Life) for the nourishment of the spiritual Life, and as for the
residue, and unprofitable part, it casts it away by the Antipathetical
virtue and property of the out-blowing (breath or) expiration. So that
no Man, no Animal, no Herb, no Mineral, can possibly enjoy a living and
growing faculty, if this food of Life were withdrawn therefrom. Which
seeing it is so, and cannot be otherwise, it doth necessarily follow,
that the true universal Medicine cannot be prepared in any shut up
(or close) Vessels as is commonly done. Do but look I pray upon the
Birth and Generation of Salt-peter, the Body of which is nothing else
but the essential Salt of the Vegetables, Animals, or Minerals, which
attracteth to it self the Fire out of the Air, as is well known.
Therefore, whereas all Salts are wont to be turned (by the help of the
Fire and Air) into burning and live Salt-peter, and that no body can
bring the same to pass without Air: we should by good right learn from
thence thus much, _viz._ to endeavour to make our Medicaments too,
alive by the Air. For a Medicine that is destitute of life will subdue
and destroy a Disease even just as much as common Salt will overturn
a Mountain, and throw it out of its place, without being animated as
it were by the Air, and transmuted into burning and living Salt-peter.
Truly therefore and by experience do I say, that all the faculty of
growth, all Transplantation, and every life owes its birth to the Air,
and without it do they all become dead and so remain.
The Air receives [its] vital food from the Sun, and the Sun derives
its Original from God, the Center and Beginning of every Life. And
therefore when we are desirous of extracting that vital food out of the
Air by the help of Art, and of reducing it into a visible body, it is
behoovefull and expedient, that we expose thereunto a certain Magnet,
which may draw the same unto it self, and be by little and little
augmented therewithall, and may grow both in quantity and virtue,
even as an Herb out of the Earth; or as an Animal gets it self growth
and encrease by meat and drink, and adds to it self an augmentation
of strength and greatness, and at length associates it self unto [or
couples with] its like, and multiplieth its kind.
Man himself doth without intermission attract to himself the Air, by
the help of his Lungs; but the Heart retains onely the vital food
thereof, and rejecteth all the rest like so much excrement. The Body
it self also doth daily assume food and sustenance by the Mouth, but
the Stomach transmits the nutriment that is separated thereout of, to
the Liver, to be reduced into blood and flesh: but the Excrements,
as the Dung, Urine, Sweat, and the like, it banisheth out of the
body by the usual passages. Thus like wise stands the case with our
Medicament. According as the Magnet is, that we expose to the said Air,
so accordingly doth it attract its like out of the said Air, whereby
it may get to it self, Life, Virtue, and Power. But it cannot possibly
be, that it should extract that virtue and faculty simply pure and
clean; No, but it gets to it self also a certain, unprofitable, and
watery Essence, which is associated unto that [virtue,] which acqueity
doth again go off, as a superfluous Excrement, and must necessarily
bestow the Life onely upon the Magnet, that it may be therewithall
encreased and strengthened. If I desire to have a Vegetable, then must
I sow a Vegetable Seed; or such a Magnet is to be placed there, as may
associate or adjoyn unto it self its like out of the Air. If you would
have an Animal, then an Animal Seed, or Animal Magnet is to be used.
But if that which I seek is to be more pure, and more constant [or
lasting:] a purer Magnet must necessarily be exposed; for like doth
always seek its like; love, o’ercome, and conserve it: according to
the testimony of the Ancient Wise men, _Nature rejoyceth with Nature:
Nature overcomes Nature: Nature retains Nature_.
* * * * *
And therefore seeing our purpose tends to this, namely, to extract the
invisible faculty of Life, the power and virtue of the Sun out of the
Air; to concentrate it, and make it corporeal, visible, and palpable;
It behooves us to provide our selves with a fitting Seed or Magnet,
which may earnestly attract, overcome, and hold the same. Now such
Magnets are pure Gold, and the most pure Soul of Salt-peter, both of
them being the true off-spring of the vivifying Sun.
Because therefore like desires its like, loves, and seeks after it, a
poisonous Magnet must not be exposed [to attract] a vital food: For
as is the nature of the Magnet, so likewise doth it attract good or
evil out of the Air. It is a thing that Husbandmen are well acquainted
withall, namely, that Wheat produceth nothing else but Wheat, and from
Tares do Tares arise. If the Seed or Magnet be aureous and pure, it
will also acquire to it self pure and golden Virtues, and be encreased
by them.
_The manner of so placing the Magnets, that (by Solutions and
Coagulations) they may receive the Astral and vivifying Rays of
the Sun, and may render them visible, corporeal, palpable, and
durable in the Fire._
You must get made some flat and strong glass Dishes or Platters, in
which you must put your Magnet the thickness of half a fingers breadth,
and expose it moist to the Sun, that the unprofitable humidity may
vanish by evaporation. Which done, (and in the Summer time it will
be done in a few hours, especially if there were not too much of the
Golden Liquor put into the Dishes) expose the same Dishes, which
contain in them the [thus] dried Salt, in the night-time, open to the
cold and moist Lunar Beams, that the Salt may by its magnetick virtue
associate unto it self from the Air, the Water, which carries in it
the universal food of the Air, and consequently may be dissolved. This
Solution is to be agen set out in the day-time to the Sun-beams, which
will again dry up the unprofitable moisture, and leave in the Salt,
that vivifying and golden Seed, which it contracted in the cold Night
and Air, together with the humidity, which is void of any virtue. The
Salt being freed by the Sun from its superfluous moisture, must be
again exposed at Night to the Lunar beams, that it may again imbibe
the Astral virtues, and may be agen dissolved in the imbibed water,
that, being the next day, as the day afore, exposed to the Sun, it may
be animated anew with those same virtues: These exposings by turns [to
the _Sun_ and _Moon_,] must be so long and so often repeated, untill
the said Magnet, (after its being dried at the day time in the Sun)
will, at the nighttime, hardly admit of any moisture from the Air, and
that being dry and put upon a red-hot Plate, it readily melts without
fume. For then may it be applied to use, as being a constant and fix
Medicament.
This interchangeable Solution and Coagulation must be repeated some
hundreds of times, and every Solution and Coagulation is to be
accounted for a Philosophical day.
If now in the Summer-season the heat of the Sun be not strong enough in
our Countries for the effecting of this operation, the said heat may
be concentred by Glasses, or metallick Instruments, and be made more
efficacious, that the Coagulation may be ripened [or hastned.] But in
defect of such Instruments, and want of the heat of the Sun, which is
frequently over-cast with store of Clouds, you may easily forward the
Coagulation with our Common Fire, and that too with a more unfailable
and speedier operation than that is, wherein the drying up by the Solar
heat is always to be waited for. And although this operation, which
is performed in the _Sun_, is to be accounted of as far the better,
yet notwithstanding the _Sun_ doth operate together with our Common
Fire after an invisible manner, when we cannot make use of the _Sun_
it self. For wheresoever the Air is, there also is to be found the
invisible _Sun_, and the occult virtue and power of life. He that can
have the opportunity of using the _Sun_ in this operation, needs not
any other Fire. But the using of our Common Fire requireth a peculiar
Iron Furnace, whereon the Dishes or Basons are to be placed to dry.
But yet the heat must not be underneath, and strike at the bottom of
the said Basons, but it must be such as may strike the heat downwards
at top of the matter onely, and may gently and by little and little
consume the humidity: For else there would be hazard of the Liquors
boiling over, and of being lost, if the heat should be placed under
the bottom of the Dishes. The Iron Furnace may be made of Iron Plates,
resembling Arched work, [or Oven like] and be placed within a Stone
Furnace, and have a Door fitted thereunto, that so neither Dust nor
Ashes may fly thereinto, and by this way will the Salts be dried in two
or three hours time. And now, that you may not need to wait till the
night approacheth, you may have a wooden Box or Chest made, and covered
over at the top, but pierced full of holes all round about the sides,
which (with the Basons placed therein) may in the Winter-season be set
abroad to the cold Air, and in the Summer-time may be placed in some
moist Cellar, that so the Salts may attract from the Air the food of
Life. For in all places of the World doth the Air contain in it (though
in one place more plentifully, and better, than in another) that occult
faculty and virtue of Life, without which, neither Men nor Animals are
able to live. But by how much purer the Air shall be, so much the purer
and more excellent is the acquired Medicine. As for the Transmutation
of Metals, it matters not much what Air it is that you get, for every
sort of Air is fit for this operation. We doe in this place manifest
onely the way of fixing it: Now every one knows that a pure and clean
Air is better than a gross and an impure one, and that the heat of the
Sun is better than the heat of Coles, or of a Lamp.
_Thomas Aquinas_ writes, that God with his Angels cannot want our fire,
and therefore is he reproved by _Paracelsus_, because he saith that
God cannot want the Elementary fire. Alas, Good man, he did not so
accurately weigh this matter, for this proposition tends onely to this
end, namely, to set afore our eyes the purity of the Fire necessary for
the Coction of our Medicine. From whence it is sufficiently manifest,
that a Medicament will be so much the better, by how much the purer
the Fire shall be. For a gross Air begets a gross Blood. But in this
operation, the Air is the Meat and Drink of our Golden Salt, but the
Water or Phlegm is to be driven away by heat, it being a superfluous
Excrement adhering on to that Air. Now in those manifold Solutions
and Coagulations, the Magnet doth always retain some good thing, and
encreaseth both in weight and virtue, and attaineth a constancy: like
as Men and other Animals are encreased with Meat and Drink, and doe
grow in stature, and multiply themselves. The whole work therefore of
making this kingly Medicament by the help of the secret Solar fire,
doth consist in a good, pure, and golden Magnet, and afterwards in a
true Solution and Coagulation: Which if it be too speedy and strong,
the over-much heat will burn up and consume the attracted food of Life.
If therefore a Medium be not used, it so happens, as ’tis wont to be
in any Earth that is too moist, and therefore not [capable of] bearing
fruit. So that nothing is more necessary than to have a due regard of
mediocrity, not onely in the Solution, but in the Coagulation likewise.
And this is that way by which the Solution done in the Air, and the
Coagulation made in the Sun, doe reduce the Mercurial water, and the
Minerals prepared with Salt into fusile and tinging Stones; which
thing the Common fire will never perform in a glass closed up, and
without the Air.
Note this, and believe it, and doe it, and thou wilt find what thou
hast believed, come to pass.
Supper being ended, and the Drinking-bout over, ’tis time for the
Guests to go to Bed, unto whom the custom of some is to present a
closing Cup, made of good and profitable Herbs, ’mongst which, such as
are more bitter, are for the most part in greatest esteem, because they
close up the mouth of the Stomach, and beget a quiet Sleep.
Now to parallel this Custom, I will here set one down, for those that
are desirous of such like bitter Potions, and such an one as they may
prepare according to their pleasure, and apply to use.
Take of common _Aqua Fortis_, which you must rectifie by a Cucurbit,
or by a Retort, that it may be bright and clear. Dissolve therein, by
boiling in hot Sand, as much cupellated Silver as it will dissolve;
but you are to note here, that there must not be any Copper at all in
the Silver, for it would spoil the Medicament. Into the Solution pour
strong and well rectified Spirit of _Sal-Armoniack_, so long till the
_Aqua Fortis_ makes no more Ebullition. When all the tissing and noise
is over, there will be about the half part of the Silver precipitated,
and settled to the bottom, and will be of an ashy colour. Place the
Glass in Sand, put Fire thereunder, and boil the precipitated Silver
with the _Menstruum_, in which boiling there will separate yet more
Silver out of the _Menstruum_, and the residue will remain dissolved up
in the _Menstruum_, which is to be filtered through Cap paper, and then
to be evaporated by little and little in Sand, that all the humidity
may be abstracted.
_N. B._ The _Aqua Fortis_ and Spirit of _Sal-Armoniack_, turn into
a liquid and volatile Salt, and have lost their corroding property,
which Salt hath introverted the Silver, and drawn its bitterness forth,
insomuch that both Salts are converted into one bitter and green Salt.
This Salt must be dissolved, filtered, and purified by pouring Water
thereon, and again drawing it off; and being hereby rendred more pure,
it resolves it self in the cold Air into a green and bitter Liquor, one
drop of which is able to make a whole Cupfull of Wine bitter. And this
Wine being drunk is profitable to the Stomach, causeth quiet Sleep,
dissipates Windiness, and keeps the Belly Soluble.
_N. B._ This Salt guilds over Glasses, and other glazed Vessels with
Silver, nor does it vanish away but remains constant. It likewise
performs other considerable effects in Alchymy, as may be seen in my
other Writings, but especially in the second part of my Furnaces, of
the last Edition. And thus do I leave the Guests to their rest, that
they may Sleep even till broad Day-light.
The Sun being up, and some of the Guests being very droughty or thirsty
with their Yesternight Surfeiting, and being tormented with overmuch
Heat; they endeavour to extinguish this Inflammation of the Liver, with
cold Fountain Water, or with small Beer, or with hungry and sharpning
Wine. Others send to the Apothecaries for some Syrup of Roses, or
Violets, and mix that with Fountain Water, and so drink it off. But
the burning hot Liver is presently smitten with a sudden horrour, the
Stomach is refrigerated, and beset with clammy Humours, and most an end
the Limbs are debilitated, the Skin becomes Scabby and cold Feavers
possess the Stomach. Instead therefore of such like drink, I will here
substitute a far better cooling Potion, which shall not hinder the
health, as those do, but be profitable to the same.
Take one pound of Spirit of Salt, not of that yellow, unrectified
Spirit that is sold in the Shops, but of our well rectified Spirit;
wherein dissolve as much Tartar as it will associate unto it self in a
gentle boiling; filter the Solution through Cap-paper, that so all the
Fœces which were in the Tartar, may abide in the Paper, and the Spirit
of Salt itself together with the [dissolved] Tartar may pass through,
bright and clear; if the Solution stands long in a cold place, part of
the Tartar will shoot into Crystals, and part thereof will remain mixt
with the Spirit of Salt, and give it a gratefull vinous Acidity. If you
use white Tartar then the said Spirit will remain white, red Tartar
tingeth the same with the colour of a Ruby. _N. B._ The Spirit of Salt
is of such a nature, as that it makes all colours more fair. You may
therefore use red Tartar to make this Potion withall, because of the
loveliness of the colour, wherewith it tingeth the Spirit of Salt, for
as to the virtues and efficacy of them, there is no difference to be
found between them.
This Tartarized Spirit of Salt is very sweet, and tasts like an acid
Wine, some drops of which, being drunk in cold Fountain Water, will
not at all hurt the Liver: nor will it onely allay the droughtiness
and thirst, but also stir up in the Stomach an Appetite to meat and
drink. And therefore I do commend this Tartarized Spirit of Salt,
beyond all other thirst-allaying Remedies, and it may be taken safely
and pleasantly, both _Summer_ and _Winter_, because the unripe and acid
Wines being drunk with Fountain Water and Sugar, do refrigerate the
Stomach, and load it with tenacious humours, and weaken the Appetite,
and hinder digestion.
Most profitable therefore is this our Spirit unto those, who daily
drinking much Ale, may always mix a little of the same with their Ale.
For it makes the Ale to tast like an acidish Wine, it allays thirst, so
that there will not need such a guzling in of so great a quantity of
thick Ale, it discusseth Wind, expells Urine, hinders the generation
of the Stone in the Bladder and Reins, and if it be already generated
it dissolves and consumes the same, and by little and little drives
out the same with the Urine. Being administred to such as are troubled
with the Feaver, Gout, Stone, and Scurvy, and that in all their drink,
it is a pleasant and profitable Remedy. Concerning the use of which,
you may find more spoken in my Treatise, intituled, _The Consolation of
Sailors_.
Now besides all this, there is yet one thing more that I shall here
admonish you of; namely, that by the Spirit of Salts help may a Remedy
be administred to many more hurtfull disorders, but especially in the
stead of those sharpish Waters, unto which, Men are wont to come from
far and undertake long Journeys, losing their most pretious time and
Money, neglecting their Calling, their Houshold Affairs, their Wife and
Children, upon the bare hope of recovering their former Health: Whereas
notwithstanding, the Spirit of Salt well prepared with Tartar, and
having a little Steel Powder put thereinto, will perform the very same
effect as the Calibeat Waters are wont to do, and so they may avoid the
loss of so much expences, and of their pretious time; and thus every
one may discharge and follow his own Calling and Domestick Affairs, and
yet for all that, be cured by the help of the Tartarized and Chalibeat
Spirit of Salt which openeth the Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen.
But what shall I say much for? Some haply there are that go the more
willingly to those Waters every year for other reasons. Such as have
old chiding Wives at Home, that take it very ill if their Husbands
do but stir out of Doors, and are continually a plaguing them with
Scoldings and ill Words, have not these think you great reason to seek
some Diversion?
Young Women also love to visit these Waters and Baths, who meeting not
with so much heat in their feeble and aged Husbands, as to beget them
with Child, betake themselves to those Waters and Baths, where at all
times they meet with active strong Companions, full of strength and
Metal, who without doubt do frequent the said places, for this very
end, namely, to apply warm suppositories to those cold Women, and
uterine emplasters to make them Fruitfull, and to take away Sterility.
Such kind of Dames being restored to their former health, and returned
Home, their Husbands find (after some few Months) how effectual the use
of those Waters have been upon their Wives.
Besides, it most an end happens that the Master and Mistress being
absent, the Houshold Affairs are very awkwardly administred and
managed by the Children, the Men-servants, and Maid servants; and that
common _German_ Proverb doth usually take place; _The Cat being out
of the way, The Mice upon the Shelves do play_. The truth of this is
sufficiently testified by frequent Examples. And therefore it is much
better to drink these acid Waters at Home, whereby both Money and Time
is spared, and many evils prevented. And thus much may suffice to have
been said concerning a refrigerating Drink.
And now, seeing we have at hand good Cheese and Butter, good Sawces
or Cates, and delicate Drink, can we not be here with content? Verily
in my Judgment here’s enough disht out for one Banquet. But some may
say, in very good time! _Glauber_ [indeed] does not onely teach us the
preparation of good Meats, but likewise of Cheese, Butter, Sawces, [or
Junkets,] and pretious Wine, but yet tells us not from whence the Milk
to make the Cheese and Butter withall is to be had, nor whence the
Sugar and Spices for the Cates, and the Grapes needfull to make the
Wine with, are to be gotten? What benefit have we by knowing how to
make Cheese and Butter, and yet want Cows to yield us Milk? To satisfie
these, we will demonstrate unto them, that even both the Milk it self,
and the precious Spices, and most excellent Grapes are all attainable
by the help of Salt.
In my Treatise called _Miraculum Mundi_, as likewise in that called
_The continuation of the same_, and in that Book, _of the nature of
Salts_, I have clearly enough shown, that all the faculty of the Growth
and Nourishment of all growing and movable Creatures doth take its rise
and original out of Salt alone, and that the correction or melioration,
not onely of Vegetables and Animals, but even of the Minerals too, is
to be sought for from the same.
But forasmuch as this bettering of the Metals meets with but little
credit and is very hardly believed and understood, (nay ’tis plainly
thought a thing impossible to be effected,) I could not choose but
manifest and demonstrate the truth of the same unto the whole World;
namely, that like as the Metals are in long process of time maturated
by Salt in the Bowels of the Earth: Even so may the same be likewise
maturated, mundified, and amended out of the Earth, by Salt, by the
help and benefit of Art; not onely by the moist way, but also by the
dry, and that with one Fire, in one Furnace, and with one Servant, whom
I will in this place call _The Countryman paying his yearly Rent_.
When his belly is continually fill’d with Coles, his Plows never cease
going, so that weekly, monthly and yearly he is able to pay his master
the due hire, namely Gold and Silver, wherewith all things necessary
for houshold expences may be gotten.
And although this Countryman, which I will here describe, be not that
[great] Country-Farmer, which I have mentioned in the _Third Part of
the Prosperity of Germany_: yet notwithstanding he is a little one,
and one that will discover so much unto the ignorant as to cause them
to believe that the things which I speak of are possible to be done,
and that there is a yet richer and better Countryman. But this here
is to be accounted as a small Cow, and which will however supply you
with Milk, Butter and Cheese, for necessary uses, if not with Sugar,
Spices, and Wine too, to be set out upon the Table. If this Country
fellow be too little and small for any one, he may even provide himself
of a better, and learn by the consideration of this, by what means such
Countrymen are to be nourished, that so the Rent may be gotten from him
in its due time.
A. _The little Country Tenant with one Plow._ B. _The Countryman
with three Plows._ C. _The Countryman’s Cap._ D. _His three Plows._
E. _The Registers to govern the Fire by._ F. _The Glass set in with
his Alembick and Receiver._ G. _The Door to shut the Crate._ H. _The
Ash-hole._ I. _A Basket of Coals._ [See the Fig. before the 3d. p. of
_the Prosperity of Germ._ noted with pag. 76.]
In the first place you must prepare you some pounds of good Spirit of
Salt, after the way which I prescribed with Vitriol, without which
it will effect nothing, for out of this [Vitriol] it doth in the
preparation carry over with it the spiritual Gold, or tinging Spirit,
which said [spiritual Gold] is, in the performing of the operation,
fixed, together with that spiritual Gold, which lyes hidden in the
inferior Metals, and so becomes manifest.
Then (in the next place) you must build you a Furnace, which is called
by the Chymists the _slow Henry_, or _dull Harry_, but I call it _The
little Country Farmer_ or _yearly Renter_: you may build it, I say, of
what bigness you please; or for Example sake, the Tower which holds
the Coles may be about Man-heighth, and about one Cubit broad in the
inside, but so, that the top part and bottom part be narrower, and the
middle part wider. To this Tower you must adjoyn two or three Furnaces,
which are here called the Countryman’s Plows, and in which the Vessels
are to be placed, which hold the Metals that are to be maturated by
the Spirit of Salt, and which have a continual heat, whereby the
never-ceasing coction is holpen from the Tower that contains the Coles.
Now see that you make all things cleverly and well proportioned,
whereby that the Fire may be well and commodiously governed, and may be
conserved for twenty four hours at least, without any looking too or
medling with, as may be seen by the now described Figure.
The Vessel, in which the Spirit of Salt, with the Metal, is to be
exercised (or laboured) with a daily Coction, must be made of such
matter as doth not flie with the heat of the fire, nor is not eaten
with the sharpness of the Spirit, (but) such as may be seen in my
Laboratory, and will for the most part dure and hold the Spirit of Salt
a whole year without breaking.
All things being ready and fitted, the Countrymans Belly is to be
filled with Coals up to the Neck, and his Head covered with a Cap, that
the Fire may not find any out-let, save by the lower holes, through
which, the heat may find an entrance into the adjoined Furnaces; and
as for the Vessels, they are to be filled with the Spirit of Salt, and
with Metals fitted for this Operation, and to be covered with their
Alembicks, that the Spirits which ascend in the boiling may be received
and conserved. When all the Spirits of the Salt are come over, they are
to be again returned back upon the dried matter in the Cucurbit, and
are to be agen drawn off by distillation. This operation and cohobation
being often repeated, doth ripen and fix the spiritual Silver and
Gold, whereby it becomes Corporeal: But yet the Spirit of Salt alone
is not able to give Gold, but ripens Silver onely, but by the addition
of other Salts, it will give Gold too. And even for the fixation of
Silver, common Salt may be also added to the Spirit of Salt, that so
the Spirit of the Salt may be made strong in the digestion; yea and in
time so very strong, as to fume even in the cold Air, and therefore a
little water may be also added besides the Salt.
Hence it comes to pass, that in one days digestion six pounds of
Spirit of Salt will give seven pounds of the same; unto which, if you
again add one pound of Water, and one pound of Salt, you shall have
eight pound of Spirit of Salt: which by the addition of another pound
of Salt, and one pound of Water more, it may be farther augmented;
insomuch that the Spirit of Salt, by a continually-repeated addition of
Water and Salt, gets a perpetual encrease, and the Metal is so far from
being at all hindred in its maturation, as that it is daily ripened
more and more. For the Agent and Patient are continually encreased, and
become bettered both in quantity and quality, which verily is a most
excellent work, and never so manifestly described by any body as by my
self.
But that I may be yet better understood by every one, I will here
adjoyn a way which every one may imitate, and which teacheth how,
by the Spirit of Salt alone affording not Gold but Silver, the said
operation may be instituted with Copper.
You must take care to have a Vessel made either bigger or lesser,
of such matter as the Spirit of Salt cannot spoil or prey upon; And
pour thereinto as many pounds of the Spirit of Salt as it will well
hold, and as many pounds as there be [of Spirit,] so many ounces of
Copper-plate must you put in, and to them add twice as many ounces
of Salt, so that to one ounce of Copper there may be two ounces of
Salt. The Spirit of Salt being drawn off even till the Copper and Salt
be dry, it will be stronger and more in quantity, because, from the
adjoyned Salt, it hath acquired to it self an encrease and greater
Virtues. Pour this Spirit agen upon the Copper, which in the first
distillation was wholly dissolved up; and boil the Spirit of Salt
over the fire, that the Copper, together with the Salt, which was not
carried over by the Spirit in the first distillation, may be again
dissolved.
The Furnace being cool’d, Take the glass out of the Sand, and pass
the Spirit of Salt with the dissolved Copper through Cap-paper, and
wash the white Calx that remains in the Paper with water, dry it,
and melt it with a fix Lixivial Salt, and you shall find as much pure
Silver, nay, even somewhat more than the Copper had in it by its own
nature. Put the green filtred Solution agen into the Cucurbit, being
first well wash’t; of which, if there be six pounds, add thereunto one
pound of Salt, and half a pound of Water, that so there may be seven
pounds and an half, provided the Cucurbit will contain so many pounds,
if not, then put the less matter therein. Then being placed in Sand,
draw off the Spirit of Salt from the added Salt, even to dryness, and
as much increase as you find it have above six pounds, lay it by, and
add as much water to these remaining six pounds, which you must again
put upon the dry matter in the Cucurbit, and then agen distill it off
till the said matter be dry, and repeat the same Operation again by
pouring on and distilling off. If the Spirit of Salt be augmented in
quantity one pound, then put more Salt into the Cucurbit, and agen
augment the six pounds of Spirit of Salt by the addition of Water, and
repeat the pourings on, and drawings off after the aforesaid manner,
always removing at each Distillation, the increase that is over and
above six pound: and renewing the apposition of more Salt, after that
the former is drawn off, untill you shall have gotten in the fifth,
sixth, seventh, eighth, or tenth Distillation as much Spirit as you at
first took, to begin your Distillation, [which was six pound.] Now all
the operation consisteth in this knack, namely, that you so operate,
as that nothing flies away in fume, for all the encrease ariseth from
the Salt and Water which you added thereunto. When you have gained thus
much, you may (without adding any more new Salt) pour on the Spirit
of Salt several times upon the Salt which is left remaining in the
Cucurbit, and agen draw it off so often thencefrom, untill it hath
brought over with it self almost all that Salt. Which [Salt] being
almost wholly changed by the Spirit of Salt that was poured into the
Cucurbit, Dissolve up the remaining Mass of the Copper and Salt, and
the Sand being cold, take out your Cucurbit, Filter the Spirit through
Cap-paper, and wash the white Powder left in the Paper, and dry it,
and melt it as afore with a Lixivial Salt, and you shall have as much
pure Silver as the Spirit of Salt was able to fix, of the Copper, in
such a time. Then put this green Spirit of Salt into the Cucurbit
together with more new Salt, and repeat the said labours ten or twelve
times, and the Spirit of Salt will be always encreased and rendred more
strong, and the Copper will agen yield forth Silver.
This Labour, you may at your pleasure, continue as long as you list,
for you will always get some Silver, and have an encrease of Spirit.
For both the Agent, _viz._ the Spirit of Salt, and the Patient, _viz._
the Copper doe encrease both as to quantity and quality.
But it may be demanded, Whenee that Silver comes? That which gave
forth it self the first time we impute not unto the Spirit of Salt,
as if by it made, no! but we say that it was in the Copper before,
and was melted out of the Oar, together with the Copper, for this may
well be. For there’s no Copper to be found which does not hold some
Silver hidden in its belly: and though the Refiners have as accurately
separated it as they could, yet nevertheless we doe conclude that
that first Silver separated in the first Operation, was what was left
of the Oar in the Copper, and remained unseparated by the Melters
[or Refiners] therefrom, and was not made by the Spirit of Salt, but
onely separated. And the Spirit of Salt being in its nature an enemy
to Silver, does not dissolve it. But whence then did that come, which
offered it self unto us the second, third, and fourth time; whereas in
the first Solution, all the Silver was clearly taken out, and none at
all left therein, but was all of it separated by filtration? What shall
we here say, or indeed how shall we dare say otherwise, but that we
believe and confess, that the Spirit of Salt did by its operation make
the same of the Copper. Nor is there any reason why this should seem so
very strange unto us, forasmuch as yearly, in the Earth, all Copper is
naturally turned by Salt into Silver, and not onely Copper, but all the
other Metals were at first, Salts: not such indeed as we use about our
Cookery in the Kitchins, but such as are impregnated by the Sulphureous
Stars [or Constellations.]
But forasmuch as we doe at present treat onely of Copper, we doe not
therefore meddle with the rest of the Metals: for very rarely is Copper
digged out of the Earth but it hath Vitriol therein, or, in defect
of Vitriol, a Sulphur salted with a vitriolate salt. For any sort
of Sulphur being burnt, and its fatness flaming, the sharp Salt is
released, and passeth away in fume, resembling the tast, of the fiery
Oil of Vitriol, and is captivated [or caught] in the great Alembick
under which the Sulphur is burnt. This sharp Oil supplies the place of
an Agent as to the Minera’s or Oars, in the Veins of the Earth; and
doth more and more ripen the Minerals and Metals, but exceeding slowly:
for Nature doth scarce attain to that limit in a thousand Years, which
Art doth in a few Months time. For there are no impediments to obstruct
the operativeness of our Agent, such as are the Stones, Flints, Sands,
and various Earths which frequently occur, and are much abounding in
the bowels of the [Metallick] Veins: insomuch that it can discharge
its Operations freely, and without any Impediment at all: and besides
too, we use our external fire by which we help this our Agent, and
strengthen its virtues, and keep it in a continual action.
By all this discourse may every one see, that when we speak of ripening
Silver out of Copper by the Operations of the Spirit of Salt, it is
not contrary to nature, but altogether agreeable with the same. But
now we doe not say that any one will suddenly become rich by this
Labour, done with the Spirit of Salt and Copper, but we have described
this Operation in this place, for this end, namely, that hereby the
possibility of the thing may be learned, and that there may be good
ground to believe, that even this too is most true, _viz._ when we
write that by such or such an Agent, corroborated or fortified with
such or such Subjects, and placed in such-like Digestions, Gold may be
extracted as well as Silver out of the meaner Metals, which how little
soever there be of, may notwithstanding prove profitable. For having
once made onely some pounds of Spirit of Salt, you will not need to
make any more anew, for in the digestion and maturation of the Metals,
it will daily encrease, and that in a plentifull manner, and that too
without any considerable costs, seeing that the Salt it self, which
is to be added, is likewise cheap enough. If you make your Cucurbit
of pure Silver, (for the Spirit of Salt will not work upon that) and
digest your matters therein, you need not then stand in fear of the
breaking of Glasses: Besides too, you may always let such a made Vessel
lie in the Furnace, and as soon as ever the Spirit is drawn off, you
may presently put it on agen, nor is there any need of your waiting
so long, and ceasing from the work till the Vessel cool. If therefore
a Tower to put the Coals in (as afore) be added to that Furnace,
or Furnaces, then is it a true Countrey Farmer, or Tenant, for the
sustaining of whom, there will need no other charge but that of Coals,
and yet notwithstanding he gives you a perpetual gain without labour,
cost, and trouble. Nay more, if we do but rightly weigh the business,
we shall find that the daily encrease of the Spirit of Salt in these
labours, is easily sold for more Money than the Coals will cost, so
that all that Gold and Silver which is gotten out of the Metals, doth
offer it self unto us for nothing. Besides, such kind of Metals may be
taken for this Operation as are wont to yield more Silver and Gold than
Copper, and the plentifulness thereof will be yet more, if several such
kinds of Metals are joyned together and so dissolved, and digested,
in which operation they better one another by a mutual action; for
one supplies what another wants, and likewise from another, are those
superfluities which it has in it, taken therefrom: so that (as we said
afore) the mutual melioration of those Metals may be set on foot and
promoted, as it were without any cost, and by a very little labour.
Whosoever he be therefore that has the knowledge and experience of
the nature and property of the Metals, which they are, that have a
correspondency with each other, and that love to better each the other;
and is not ignorant what Agent is agreeable to Gold; such a one I say
as this is, will commit unto his Countrey Tenant the care of Weekly and
Monthly paying the due Rent, and will be able by this means to serve
God his Creator without wicked Usury; to do good unto his Neighbour, to
extricate himself out of that Diabolical Fellowship, of the impious and
the great crew of evil Men; and to lead his Life in Tranquillity and
Quietude; which verily is a great and singular gift of God, unto any
one that can arrive unto such a knowledge.
But yet no Man hath any reason to perswade himself, should he be a
Master of this Art and Science [here shewn,] that he shall be able
daily to separate great heaps of Gold out of the more imperfect Metals,
whereby he may be enabled to lead a vicious Life. No, for my endeavour
shall (in the first place) be, not to make any wicked Man partaker of
this Art.
And secondly, the whole business consisteth in the blessing of God, as
we find it Written, _Paul hath planted, and Apollo Watered, but God
hath given his Blessing_: For without this Blessing, all our Labour
is but in vain: And this the Prophet _David_ doth likewise testifie,
saying, _In vain do ye rise up early, and being loaden with many cares,
go to Bed late, and eat your Bread with troubles: For unto them whom
God is favourable doth he bestow his gifts even while they are Asleep_.
Moreover St. _Paul_ saith, _It is not of him that wills, nor of him
that runs, but of God that sheweth mercy_. And therefore a wicked Man,
though he should possess so great a thing, yet would he not do any good
upon it, if he wanteth Gods Blessing. Besides, I do not here bring
forth my little Countryman upon the Stage, as if he could help any one
unto huge Treasures; no, but onely as one that can bestow so much as
may suffice, honestly to live. Unless haply a Man should light upon
rich Veins and metalline Oars, which should abound with much corporeal
Gold, and so by this means should yield great Treasures. Now so much
cannot be lookt for, from such Metals as have in them but a spiritual
Gold onely, unless the true weight be found, and that there be gotten
the knowledge of those Metals which have a great affinity with each
other, and which being joined together yield forth Gold. Otherwise
you must not expect ought else from this Operation save an honest and
moderate profit.
But now, as touching what Metals they are that have such affinity, and
what the true proportion of the weight is, no body hath any reason
to enquire of me, for I do not as yet profess my self an expert and
absolute Artist in this matter, for sometimes I have a very gainfull
success of my trials that I make, and sometimes agen I get less.
I was willing therefore to shew the way here, of ripening the meaner
Metals by the help of Salt, and that too in a manner without any costs:
which way of so doing being by me laid open, may suffice for this time,
nor did ever any reveal it before me (I speak it without boasting) or
produce it unto publick view in so open a manifestation as I have done.
And now if this separation should be used about the fixed Gold onely
which lies hidden in the Oars and Metals, yet mought great profit be
thereby gotten in all places; for there is no place in the World in
which there are not to be found such Earth, Sand, and Stones as contain
in them corporeal Gold, which may be extracted by the afore prescribed
way without any costs at all. But here is to be observed that those
things which I have written, and clearly demonstrated concerning such
separatory Operations in the third part of the Prosperity of _Germany_,
are to be agen read over, and well lookt into.
Moreover, this is also to be known, that this maturation if instituted
by the dry way, brings more profit than if done by the moist way; for
in the dry way the Agent is more holpen than in the moist way, in which
there is always plenty of moisture. But however, both ways namely the
dry way, and the moist may be done with one and the same Fire, nor will
the cost be any more than if the moist way were made use of alone by it
self.
For that Tower wherein the Coals are, and which is to keep the Spirit
of Salt in perpetual digestion, and to heat the adjoined Furnaces,
is always bright hot at the Grate, upon which [grate] if a cementing
Vessel filled with Salt and Metals be placed, there will then be even
thence as much profit as by an adjoined Furnace, and so by the Fire of
one Furnace, and by the self same labour and cost is a double Operation
performed, and a continual rent may be expected from the double
Countryman.
You must likewise note, that there is a great difference of Salts, and
that one Salt is more fit for this labour, and another for that; but
by how much greater the Acrimony is, that the Salt abounds withall,
so much the more potent an Agent it is: insomuch that it is of great
concernment for a Man to know how to concentrate the moist Fire or
Agent, concerning which Concentration there is no need of mentioning
any thing in this place; forasmuch as I suppose that these things which
are at present spoken are sufficient enough.
Moreover I would have the Son of Art know, that the Salt of the
_Macrocosm_ or of the Ocean, which we have taught the making the
Spirit of, is nothing at all so efficacious as that which is gotten
out of the _Microcosm_: For whatsoever things are found to be in the
_Microcosm_ or greater World, the same are likewise in the _Macrocosm_
or lesser World, namely, Man. But it is not my purpose to discourse
farther of this thing in this place, but will (God so permitting) treat
more at large of the same, if I come to write somewhat of the nature
and signature of the greater World. For hereby great mysteries may be
learned, which omitting to speak more of, I keep close to Salt and say,
that that Salt which comes out of the Ocean or Sea of Man, or of some
other Animal, that is, which is voided out of the Bladder, is far more
fit for the Transmutation of Metals, than that which is gotten out of
the Sea, as being the Bladder of the great Animal.
The Ancients have called the World the great Animal, and very rightly,
for in its Center it hath a fiery heart by which (as being the great
Animal) it moves it self, and conserves its life, as shall be Spoken
of in another place if God shall permit, for according to the common
Proverb, _Man proposeth and God disposeth_.
_Morien_ was not ignorant that _Arcana’s_ of great moment lie hidden in
Urine, but hath manifestly signified it. For when he had prepared the
Tincture for King _Calid_, he wrote upon the Vessel in which it was,
these words, _He that carries all things with him, needs not any others
help_. And having so done, he silently betook himself unto his Cell.
But he had said before unto the King, In thee O King! the Medicine is,
by which words, he meant Urine. For out of Man’s Urine may a fix Stone
be made, which shall be manifested in other places.
Furthermore this likewise is to be here known, that it is a most
notable and a true experiment and artifice in Alchymy, that is, in
the true melting of Salt, when the Agent of Salt, and the Patient,
or Metal, are so thoroughly conjoined and mixed, as that the Agent
is disperst throughout the Patient, that so the Patient may suffer
the more, and consequently that that Patient Metal may be the sooner
ripened and fixed. When a Flock of Sheep being in the Fold, see the
Woolf coming, they are indeed all terribly affrighted, but are not all
bitten and torn, and so a part of them feel the hurt and the other part
remain free. But if the Woolf seizeth upon the Sheep in the open Field,
and that the Sheep are scattered far and wide so that they cannot
possibly flock together, they will certainly suffer more grievously.
* * * * *
For Example sake, when I would meliorate Lead by means of Salt, whether
by the moist way by Spirit of Salt or by the dry way by dry Salts, if
now I cannot radically conjoin the said Salts and Lead together, I do
but little to purpose, because Lead and Silver, unless prepared by
singular Ingeny and Skill, are not touched upon by Salt and its Spirit,
and so suffering but superficially onely they are able to resist a long
time. But being radically united unto Salt by the benefit of Art, so
as that they cannot be distinguisht from each other, then they suffer
in all their parts and die, which death is their melioration and life.
He that desires to arrive at this Goal, must rise betimes, and use a
most notable diligence, for sloathfulness hedgeth up the way of coming
thereunto: Even I my self am no perfect Artificer, but wait upon the
Omnipotent God, expecting what he will please to bestow upon me for
time to come, and I live content with my present enjoyments. Thus
likewise let another do.
But if now _Saturn_ is to be used after another way and to serve
instead of Earth to receive and multiply the metallick Seed, there’s
no need of dissolving it in Salts, but it will be better to have it
onely swell or puft up in them, and keep in such a positure as Earth
is, conserving the Seed sown therein, in a moderate humidity and in the
temperate heat of the Sun, which way is also a good one and commodious
for the production of good metallick Fruits, and that by the help of
Salt, as the following Process shews, under this title, namely,
_The Fire and =Azoth= wash =Laton=._
Some of the Philosophers have called their Patient _Laton_, and their
Agent _Azoth_. But what subject that is which they meant by the name
of _Laton_ there are many Opinions of Authours concerning it, in whose
Writings may be seen, that the greatest part of them do intend thereby
_Saturn_, but yet not the vulgar: and even so is it too concerning
their _Azoth_, or Vinegar, that being likewise diversly accepted. But
be it as it will, yet this is certain, that even in the common _Saturn_
do many abstruse secrets lie hidden, (to say nothing of the more
mysterious _Saturn_, did we but know how to get it out.)
All Philosophers do suppose, that the Heart in _Saturn_ is better than
that in Gold it self, and for that reason do they call Lead a Leaprous
Gold, and say, that if it could be mundified by a true washing, some
great matter would proceed thereout of. Many Men have very much busied
themselves about this washing, but yet have not attained unto ought
else, save that they have brought the _Saturn_ into a white, fugacious,
and liquid Body, concerning which labour I have made mention in this
Treatise of metallick Cates and Sawces, and also in the third Part of
the Prosperity of _Germany_.
In my judgment, the common _Saturn_ is a commodious Earth, for
the reception of a metallick Seed, and for bringing the same unto
multiplication Witness _Paracelsus_ himself who tells us, that _Saturn_
may be compared to the Earth, for all such things as it seizeth on it
makes like it self, and turns them into Earth, _viz._ in the common
Fire, for _Paracelsus_ here intends that.
But now, if some metallick Seed be sown in _Saturn_, as being a
commodious metallick Earth, and that such an Earth and such a Seed
be moistned with a due metallick Water, and be exposed to the fruit
producing and vivifying Sun, the earth together with the Seed, doth by
reason of the moistning caused by the pouring on, or affusion of the
mineral Water, swell up, and become porous, and receives and conserves
the Water, so that the ripening Sun cannot dry up the Earth, and
consequently burn up the Seed. And by how much the oftner the Earth
is moistned with the mineral Water, and the Sun expelleth the said
humidity, so much the speedier doth the Seed ripen, and attain to his
maturity.
For like as the Husband-man when he is about to sow this Corn, chooseth
such a ground, as contains a fat and tenacious mould, which may not
be washt away with the Rain, nor suffer the due nourishment to be
withdrawn from the Seed; for if the Seed be sown in Sand, a little
Rain can easily wash away the Sand and Seed, and impede the faculty
of growth, which in a fat and tenacious Soil is not wont to happen.
For the Water or Rain should but onely moisten the Earth, that it may
not be too closely comprest, but become porous and admit of the Rains
penetrating unto the Seed: which when so, then is there hopes of the
Seeds sprouting, in such a fat Earth which swells up by means of the
Water, and of bringing forth its Fruit.
Even just after the same manner are the metallick Seeds to be sown,
and ripened; and for Example sake, let us take the vulgar and common
_Saturn_, (well mundified) for that Earth, into which we will sow such
a Seed as having a great affinity with _Saturn_, loves to be augmented
therein, whereby it may bring forth fruit. And like as the Seed of any
Animal requires an Animal Matrix, as a Field or Earth to be multiplied
in, and hath not any affinity with the common Earth: Even so likewise
doth a metallick Seed require a metallick Earth, Matrix, or Ground,
wherein it may germinate and be multiplied.
Now this multiplication is on such wise made, as is done in the
Animals, by the conjunction of Male and Female, one performing the
office of the Agent, and the other of the Patient. So then, we will
make some trial in this Process which is here annexed, not for the
intent of getting great Treasures thereby, but for the sake of
searching into, and getting the knowledge of Nature; we will take
the Male in the room of the Seed, and the Female instead of the
Ground or Field, and we will try whether or no the Seed will admit of
multiplication.
Let us therefore take the common _Saturn_ for the Feminine Matrix,
and Antimony of the Male-like-seed, which we will sow into its own
Matrix, as Husbandmen are wont to do. I do not gain-say but that there
are other Seeds, and probably better to be found to be implanted in
_Saturn_, than Antimony is: But yet here I content my self with this
of Antimony, as having an intention of onely shewing at this present,
by what way it may appear that a metallick Seed may be brought to a
faculty or possibility of growth in the Saturnine Earth. And upon this
account for Demonstrations sake of this Labour, was I willing to use
Antimony, it being a masculine Seed of a Saturnine kind. For common
_Saturn_ is usually accounted for the true first Ens of _Lune_, and
Antimony for the true first Ens of _Sol_, and they are in very deed
found so to be. For you shall not find any Lead without Silver, nor
any Antimony without Gold; so that I strongly perswade my self that
from those two, there cannot arise ought else but what is good and
profitable, did we but know how legitimately to compound and handle
them. And although I do not profess my self to know many things, yet
will I simply tell you my opinion, concerning the way which I suppose
such a Commixtion and Maturation may be effected by.
A Philosopher saith thus,
_By Gold and Silver you will nothing do,
Unless you use their first Ens thereunto._
The first Entities of both these are Lead and Antimony, the latter of
which, (_viz._ Antimony,) is not to be admitted in that impure state
that we find it in, unto the former, as unto its Bride or Spouse,
but must first be washed in a hot and sharp Lixivial Bath, that it
may thereby attain to a delicate silvery whiteness, and shine like
a Star in the Firmament; which Antimony thus purged, is called by
_Paracelsus_, the signed Star.
But yet I would not have any one to think, that I do here mean the
common stellate _Regulus_ of _Mars_, which would be dissolved in Spirit
of Salt, and would separate it self from the Lead, which ought not to
be: But that signed Star must be so prepared, as not to admit of being
dissolved in Spirit of Salt, for else it will not serve for this Work.
It must be so concreted as if it were so many thin Shells (one within
another,) and so very hard as to be able to cut Glass, and to strike
Fire out of a Flint. This signed Star being so washt, is to be sown
into its own Matrix, and by the solar Heat and fruitfull Rain, to be
promoted and enforced unto growth.
Take of the thus prepared masculine Seed, or signed Star, [A] parts,
and of the feminine kind, [B] parts, melt the signed Star in a pure
Crucible, unto which being molten cast the Woman in, which being cast
in, there is presently made a sweet Conjunction and Commixtion of them
both in that infernal Heat, in which they familiarly couple together.
The Mass being commixt, is to be poured out of the Crucible through
wet Brooms into cold water, and is to be reduced into Grains, and so
the masculine Seed or Husband will be legitimately and duely mixt
with its Earth or Ground, or Wife: which Earth together with the Seed
which it contains is to be put into a firm Vessel, which fears not the
violent corrosion of the Spirit of Salt, but in such a quantity as
that scarcely a tenth part of the Vessel may be filled therewithall:
Then must there be put thereon as much mineral Water, namely pure
Spirit of Salt, as the Cucurbit can bear, and Fire is to be put
thereunder, whereby the Spirit of Salt is to be again drawn off, by
which Operation, the Earth together with the included Seed will day by
day be refreshed, be moistned and swell up, by reason of the Spirit of
Salt, no otherwise than as if you should moisten some dry and as it
were parched Earth, with Water. For the _Saturn_ is not dissolved by
the Spirit of Salt, but onely swells up, and becomes foliated, and yet
remains whole or entire, nor is it much unlike unto lovely lookt Talk,
which shines with a delicate whiteness: and therefore the Philosophers
say, sow your Gold in white foliated Earth. Without doubt they meant
not common Gold, for then they would not have said, our Gold, but would
have simply said onely Gold, had they not intended a peculiar Gold, or
first Ens of Gold.
_N. B._ I cannot by any means omit to give you thus much notice,
namely, He that cannot hit upon the manner of preparing the said signed
Star, may endeavour the making of common _Saturn_ aureous, particularly
after this manner, as follows. Extract with Spirit of Salt out of
the Oars or Veins and metallick fugacious Earths, the spiritual Gold
that lies hidden therein, and extract or draw off this Spirit thus
impregnated with Gold from _Saturn_, which Spirit may by this means be
all agen had, and be used about new extractions. And as for the Gold
which the Spirit extracted, that the _Saturn_ hath imbibed, and indues
it self thereby with a golden nature; which if you imbue or moisten
with many such extractions, that goldenness will, as I may so term it,
grow up or increase in each cohobation, and the Spirit of Salt it self
will become augmented.
If now the _Saturn_ be imbued with a sufficient Portion of spiritual
Gold, it must be reduced by X, or Alkalies, that so the spiritual Gold
may be made corporeal, which will exhibit it self pure unto you, after
that the _Saturn_ shall be driven away on the Test. But yet there
is no need of doing this, seeing it will be better to granulate the
_Saturn_, and by those repeated cohobations to draw off the Spirit of
Salt agen, being each time impregnated with that spiritual Gold, and
so by this means will you enrich your _Saturn_ with the greater plenty
of Gold. And being so enriched it must be reduced by a fixing X, in my
secret Crucible, which neither suffers any thing to go away in fume,
nor to run out; in which reduction the spiritual Gold and the fugacious
_Saturn_ it self are fixed, so that both Gold and Silver are found on
the Test with great profit, this labour requiring no other costs save
those of the Fire.
This Operation which separates fugacious and fix Gold out of the Oars
and Stones, is far better than that which is made by the Solutions
of _Lune_ and _Saturn_, described at large in the third part of the
Prosperity of _Germany_. For here, we do not need either _Aq. Fortis_
or Vinegar for the Solution of _Saturn_ or _Lune_, neither need we the
same to get the extracted Gold out of the Spirit of Salt, but being
free from that labour and costs, we [onely] draw off from _Saturn_,
that Spirit which hath extracted the Gold, which [_Saturn_] attracts
and holds the volatile and fix Gold that was in the extraction,
insomuch that there is not requisite to this labour of drawing off the
extractions from _Saturn_, any thing else save onely Coals and Fire.
Add hereunto also, the gainfull encrease which daily comes in by the
addition of Salt and Water, by which the Spirit of Salt is day by day
augmented without any costs.
_N. B._ When the Spirit of Salt becomes too strong by reason of the
Salt put thereto, that Water wherewith the Oar is washt, after the
first extraction of the Spirit of Salt, [or after it hath first been
extracted with Spirit of Salt] may be made use of [and put thereto]
instead of common Water. For it is somewhat sourish, and hath likewise
a golden nature.
_N. B._ Praise God, and forget not the Poor, seeing thou art
sufficiently informed and taught by what means thou maist get great
Treasures.
The things I here write, are not for this end, namely, to teach others
how to make great heaps of Gold, but onely to shew them a way of
attaining to a good Medicament, and withall, of knowing and perceiving
by the same labour, that the melioration of the Metals is altogether
possible and certain.
Whoever he be that could attain so far as to bring Antimony and Lead,
as being the first Ens of Gold and Silver, into a certain Dissolvent,
so as that the one would not precipitate the other; then at length
would he have entrance upon the right way, which leadeth unto great
things, like as also Gold and Silver being dissolved in one and the
same _Menstruum_ gives beginning to things of great moment. I dare
affirm therefore, that he that can reduce Gold and Silver, or Antimony
and Lead, with Salt, into an agreement, hath opened a most strong Gate
which leads unto a great Treasure; for then the Patient must suffer
even unto death, and must die, out of whose dead Body, new and living
Bodies do afterwards come forth.
Although I have often told you in my Writings that Gold has no greater
enemy than combustible Sulphur, and that nothing is more inimicitious
to Silver than Salt, and nothing more displeasing to _Mercury_ than
a strong _Lixivium_, and that amongst these contraries there is a
perpetual Antipathy so long, untill they are constrained by Art and
Skill to become friends and mutually to embrace each other: yet
notwithstanding; this will not be so easily fesible by every prating
Boaster, and that makes a great noise by his lofty vapouring speeches;
no, but for the sake of these very Men, are such great _Arcana’s_
justly and deservedly wrapt up in darkness, and indeed ’tis fit they
should so be.
Moreover if there be required a great suffering, ’tis necessary that
both the Gold and Silver, as being Male and Female, should suffer
together and not barely the one or the other apart: for hereby this
Regeneration will be made so much the nobler and the more magnificent.
For Example, make a Circle, and cut or divide it with Diameters
crosswise [or at right Angles through the Center] so that the extreams
of the Diameters which divide themselves in the middle or central point
of the cross may touch the Circle, and that of those four extreams
[or Semi-diameters] one may touch above, and the other beneath, and
the other twain may reach, one to the right side, and t’other to the
left. Place the Gold in the uppermost extream marked with the letter A,
and his enemy, namely Sulphur, in the lower extream, which the letter
C, demonstrates. In like manner place Silver on the left side of the
Gold, at the letter B, and its enemy, _viz._ Salt on the right side
marked D, and you will see how aversly these enemies behold each the
other. The _Sol_ looking about him espies his capital enemy, Sulphur,
directly opposite unto him, and hath _Lune_ at his left side, and Salt
at his right; and very willingly would he enter into friendship with
_Lune_, and Salt which are joyned at his side, if they but would, or
indeed could. But he honours not his capital enemy Sulphur, with so
much as a look. The _Lune_ placed by the side of the Sun, does not
permit the Salt to joyn it self with the Gold. For when the Salt is
with the _Sol_, it clearly hinders the _Lune_ from associating it self
with the same. Nor can it possibly be that Salt, _Lune_ and Gold should
enter into a thorough familiarity. Thus too is it with _Lune_, who hath
her capital enemy diametrically opposite unto her, and very willingly
would she enter into friendship with both her neighbours, _viz._ _Sol_
and Sulphur, if they were not such great enemies (to each other,) and
refused this familiarity. For if _Lune_ associates unto her self the
Sun, then Sulphur denies to come into the society. If she admits the
Sulphur as her companion then, then _Sol_ is excluded, as abominating
the friendship with his enemy Sulphur. Much less therefore can _Lune_
be the companion of them both together. _See the Fig. in the Book of
Dialog._
But now if the Gods please, that these four capital enemies, should
unite in one sociable amity, and that wonderfull regenerations should
arise from this new familiarity, (then) do they command _Vulcan_ to
heat in the Fire this Circle comprizing those four capital enemies,
thus constituted in the four aforesaid extreams, and casting such
hatefull looks upon each other, and yet not knowing how to escape out
of the Circle, and to press them together more and more with his Hammer
by little and little, untill all four being driven into one mass, do
come together into one body, which body doth then obtain a power of
reconciling all enemies, and of effecting great matters.
By this here spoken may any one easily conjecture, what great suffering
there is in this Conjunction, and what great streights do afflict
these enemies, when each of them must thus against their will enter
into friendship with his capital enemy. Verily we find them to be such
sufferings as have not their like again, and therefore do they produce
to light, such great and such wonderfull regenerations. Now whatsoever
it be that is exercised in but a small suffering, the same doth admit
of but small emendation.
The greater the suffering, the greater the melioration, so that that
affliction which brings with it even death it self, brings with it also
so much the more noble and magnificent Regeneration and Resurrection.
He that suffers not in this World, shall not have the Crown put upon
him after his Resurrection. By how much the greater and more innocent
the suffering and affliction of this life is, so much the greater, and
fairer a Crown may be expected in the other World.
The Grape is prest so long, till it be rid of all its juice, this juice
doth indeed bring a sweet and pleasant delightsomness unto mortal man,
but the Grape it self which the juice is prest out of, ceaseth to be a
Grape, and perisheth through defect of juice, and passeth into nothing.
But unto the noble Vine, hath God given this benefit, that it yearly
bears not barely one but many Grapes together: All which being pluckt
off, it doth nevertheless produce the following year no fewer, but
rather more Grapes; and still remains a blessed and fruitfull Vine,
because it is furnisht with roots and fertile Boughs. On the contrary,
they that have devoured the good and sweet juice themselves, remain
always hungry and thirsty, and that for this reason, because they guzle
down the juice too new and fresh, whereby their Bellies swell, and they
receive no nutriment therefrom.
This is a thing certain and undoubted, that the bodies of the Metals
become by suffering and dying far more excellent and more noble. He
therefore that knows that the patient is to be subjected unto its own
agent, and doth also understand by what way they are to be conjoined,
will never labour in vain, but will reap the wished reward of his pains.
When the agent doth touch onely the superficies of the patient, and
penetrates not into its heart or root, there will verily be but a very
little good done, save onely this, _viz._ That the Agent being afore
rendred aureous, is able to give unto its patient also a golden nature,
and to bring the same to an aureous degree, and to bestow upon it the
perfection of Gold: but that melioration which is done onely by it self
proceeds on very slowly.
As concerning the manner of enduing the Spirit of Salt with an aureous
nature, that so it may the sooner render its patient a partaker of
golden virtues, we have spoken of that already, and demonstrated it
clearly enough; he that does not understand, we cannot help him any
other way.
_N. B._ When the Eagle, the Servant of _Jupiter_, hath with his beak
and talons pluckt out the coagulated beams of the Sun out of the Cliffs
and Rocks, and brings them unto _Jupiter_, he is so very bountifull,
that he sends down the same unto us by the Rain, which is of so much
efficacy, as that all the Herbs upon which it falls are bettered, and
the martial, venereal, saturnine, _Lunar_ and mercurial Herbs do put
on the golden nature of the Sun; so efficacious is the golden Rain of
_Jupiter_, if the Eagle hath first brought unto him the coagulated rays
of the Sun.
And that I may be the better understood, and that it may be known, that
the Melioration of Metals may be accomplished by a dry Agent, full as
well, yea and better, and more profitably than by a moist Agent; I have
judged it a thing worth while to adjoyn the following Process under the
Title of _the Great Country Farmer_.
And let the studious Artist know, that the amending of the Metals by
the dry way, by the operation of dry Salt, is far more easie, and may
likewise be dispatcht in a greater quantity, than is wont to be done
by the moist way: and that there is nothing required to this operation
save Salt and Coals, be the Metals that are to be fixed, even what they
will.
For Example, if a man be desirous to fix _Saturn_, or to procure unto
it a Silvery nature, there needs not pure Lead be taken for this
work, seeing he may have the Oar or Vein thereof for much less price;
and indeed there is some that is a wild and sulphureous Oar, which
yields not, in the melting, any good Lead, and may be had in great
plenty in some places of _Germany_ that I know of, for a very small
price, or rather for none at all. Such a wild Oar of Lead as this is,
which yields neither good Lead, nor is fit for the Potters to glaze
their Pots withall, by reason of its hard fusion, doe I chuse for my
operation, not onely because it costs less than other such Oars of Lead
doe, but for this reason too, because it hath store of Sulphur, and fit
enough for fixation.
This Vein or Oar doe I bring into small Powder, and mix as much Salt
thereto as need requires, then cast it in upon the Coals, in such a
Furnace as I have described to make store of Spirit of Salt in: The
Salt and the Sulphur exercising their vehement or powerfull virtues
upon the Lead, causeth it to be afflicted with terrible dolours,
insomuch that part thereof ascendeth on high [or sublimeth] with
part of the Salt, and betakes it self into Receivers fitted on for
that purpose. In which sublimation, the Salt and the Lead ascend in
a spiritual manner, and contrary to their will, suffer spiritually,
and so are constrained to enter into friendship, finding a place of
quietude in those cold Receivers, and there setling together. The
residue of the Oar, and part of the Salt being burnt up, and emitting
no more flores, but falling down through the Grate like Ashes, more new
or fresh Coals must be put into the Furnace, and new matter must be
thrown thereupon, as afore; and this Labour is to be continued so long,
as it shall please any one to follow it. Now by this, the _Saturn_ is
far more vehemently afflicted, than in the moist way by the Spirit of
Salt; And if unto the Oven [or Receiver] receiving the fume, and in
which the flowers of the Salt and Lead settle, there shall be applied
yet several Receivers, there will then be therein caught store of
Spirit of Salt, which being rectified, may be agen made use of in the
moist way. The flowers being taken out of the Oven or Receiver into
which the fume goes, are to be agen thrown in upon the live Coals in
the Furnace, that they may suffer anew and be sublimed. After that they
are all sublimed again on this wise, they are to be agen taken out of
the Oven, and be cast in upon the live Coals; and must be afflicted
with these Labours so often repeated, untill they become fix and ascend
no more, but fall down into the Ashes. Which being washt, will yield a
Salt profitable for many things, and will quit all the costs which have
been laid out upon Lead, Salt, and Coals; so that the Spirit of Salt
which is gotten, and that which is amended in the Lead Oar by the Salt,
cost nothing. The Ashes being washt are to be reduced, in a Furnace,
by blast, and be so often tormented, till a good portion of Silver be
gotten by this operation, which the elaborated matter, being purged by
a due separation upon the Tests, will give. And so shall you have Gold
and Silver by the benefit of this operation, by which [operation] we
have manifested unto you the _Great Country Farmer paying his yearly
Rent_.
Now like as _Saturn_ is dealt withall in this operation, even so are
the other Metals wont to be handled too; but yet you must observe the
Regiment of the fire, which, according to the diversity of the Metals,
must also be diversly administred. And even the Commixtion it self
requires good heeding, as being a business of no small moment.
Moreover, in this operation you must also note, That one Salt is more
fit for this operation than another is; for by how the sharper nature
they have, so much the more commodious and profitable doe they shew
themselves to be. So Common Salt sublimed, as is done in this Labour,
will operate far stronger than Common Salt it self unsublimed. Besides,
there are Salts to be found which work yet far more powerfully, yea so
strongly, as that they need not the help of an external fire, but doe
produce their effects even in the cold. The operation of which, in the
moist way, if any be desirous to promote and strengthen by an external
fire, he may so doe, in a Lamp-Furnace, and free himself of the charge
of Coals, and be exempt from that frequent Labour by which the Fire is
to be maintained.
Some moist Fires are of such great virtues, as that they need not any
Lamp-fire, but a small golden thread or wire in burning Spirit of Wine
is capable of administring heat sufficient.
And the burning Spirit, if made of Leaves, Grass, rotten Fruit, or
Corn, and Grape-stones or husks will be but of small costs, or in a
manner none at all. Now a pound of such Spirit being placed with a
Golden wiek in a convenient Lamp will suffice for three or four days,
and give heat enough. But yet nevertheless, that moist fire doth ripen
its Metal without the help of any external fire at all, and yields its
profit, but then it requires a longer space of time.
Put case therefore, that I make my moist fire so strong as to be able
to perform its office in the cold, and that it needs not any external
fire: And if I were to make a fire, it would needs require one Ducket’s
charge: If now, standing any-where, it yields me two Golden Duckets
out of the maturated Metal, it wou’d doe well enough, and abundantly
recompence the labour and costs expended. For there’s nothing wanting
of the Metal [you took to ripen] save that which is changed into Gold
and Silver.
And forasmuch as I can set by many such Vessels, and those great ones
too, there’s no doubt to be made, but that my gain will be the greater,
and that with very little labour. For now, at first, the labour of
preparing the moist fire, is in a manner no labour at all, for in three
or four days may be so much made as is sufficient for the maturating of
a great deal of Metal. For this fire may be compared to a Seed, which
being sown in the Earth afore Winter, doth in the Summer-season produce
store of Fruit, and fit to be reaped.
And though this maturation proceeds on exceeding slowly, and excludes
all hast, yet it brings with it this benefit, namely, that it requireth
no other labour in the Winter-time, but to be onely once laid by, and
the perfecting thereof must be committed to God and Time.
There are various and divers such cold Fires, that promote the
maturation of the Metals, and may be gotten out of divers Subjects,
namely, out of Tartar, Urine, Hairs of Animals, Horns, Calx-vive, Soot,
the Blood of Animals, the Feathers of Birds, the Bones of Horses,
Oxen, and other Beasts, cut of which such a fire is very difficultly
prepared, one of them, here reckoned up, excepted, out of which the
said fire may by an easie labour and business be made, and without
costs. It is therefore a great gift of God, and an especial grace from
our Creator, if he maketh us possessors of such a Country Farmer, which
being sustained without any costs, doth notwithstanding very largely
pay his yearly Rent. To God therefore are uncessant thanks to be
returned for so great a benefit.
But we have said enough of these moist and dry Metal-ripening Fires;
what way soever any one is minded to chuse, that way may he follow, for
it lyes in his own free choice. If he chance to err, let him not lay
the blame upon me, who out of a good mind have undertaken these labours
of writing, but cannot thrust the chewed meat into any ones mouth. I
will by God’s permission show the wonders of God to some friends this
next Summer, that so such as come after us may likewise have occasion
of praising God, and of giving him thanks.
But even as the common Earth, when it is moistned with often showers,
and now and then freed of them by the heat of the Sun, retains in it
self a fruitfull Salt, and doth necessarily acquire a fertility: So
likewise our Earth doth not onely daily encrease in goodness, but in
weight too, and becomes more ponderous: but you must not think that
this heaviness or weight proceeds from the Spirit of Salt’s insinuating
it self into the porous Earth, no: For if the said Mass should be
but onely eight days time in the digestion, and the Spirit of Salt
be [then] washt off, yet would it be encreased a quarter part; which
ponderosity comes indeed from the Spirit of Salt, out of which the
_Saturn_ draws something unto it self for nutritious sake, as the
Common Earth does out of the showres of Rain, and becomes more weighty.
For if there were no occult and nitrous virtue in the Rain, it would
conduce but little to fertility; and if there were no spiritual and
astral Gold, or spiritual and astral Sun in Salt, the immature Metals
could not be ripened by the same. By how much the oftner therefore,
a good Spirit of Salt is drawn off from the _Saturnine_ Earth, and
_Saturnine_ Seed, so much the sooner also doth that Seed arrive unto
its full ripeness. For at every turn [of drawing off] something of the
good part of the Spirit of Salt remains behind, attracted by the Earth
and Seed, from which the melioration and augmentation doe arise: as may
be seen in the Vegetable Seeds which sprout forth out of the Earth, and
are encreased by the help of Rain.
The possibility of these things I have seen, but have not hitherto
brought the said matters to a full maturity, or to speak more rightly,
I have not finished the whole operation. He that is minded to make
a thorough trial, may so doe: and if he misseth the effect of his
endeavours, let him not blame me, for I doe not aim at drilling on
any one by my perswasions, to bestow his charges on an uncertain
thing. But I mention these things that so the nature of Metals as also
of Salts may be known, and that (by the help of this knowledge) the
Writings of the Philosophers may be the better understood. For the
labour here proposed avoucheth the truth of those Operations which
the Philosophers call their Calcination, Dealbation, Incineration,
Ascention, Descention, Cohobation, Inceration, Distillation,
Sublimation, Volatilization, Maturation, Fixation, and say that all
these and the like Chymical Operations may be made in one Vessel, with
one Fire, in one Furnace, without any change of the Labours, Vessels,
or Fire.
For the Philosophers have described their greatest secrets and
_Arcana’s_ parabolically, and in Riddles, but especially the Poets, as
_Ovid_, _Virgil_, and many others, who are very hard to be understood
by those that have not the knowledge of the nature of Metals, which
being once known and understood, renders the meaning of the Poets
easie. For the Poets were wont to impose one while such a name upon
such a Metal, another time another name upon another Metal, which
custom of theirs, he that does not heedfully mark will easily fall into
an errour, and miss the apprehension of their meaning.
For Example, in one place they call Copper _Venus_, in another, the
Wife of _Mars_, in another, the Sister and Wife of _Jupiter_. And
so deal they with Silver too, one while they call it _Lune_, by and
by _Diana_ or _Jana_, another time _Vesta_. _Apollo_ is by them
stiled one while _Sol_, then _Phœbus_, then _Latons_, so that it is
exceeding necessary, for those that are desirous to learn ought out
of their Writings, to be well acquainted with those different names
and Appellations. And although the Poets do account all the Metals for
the Sons of _Saturn_, yet do they sub-distinguish them and stile them,
_Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Venus_, &c.
The common Lead is _Saturn_, and so is Antimony, _Saturn_, _Bismute_,
_Tutia_, _Lapis Calaminaris_, the Ashy Colour, Yellow, White, and red
_Magnesia_ are termed by the name of _Saturn_: The white _Marcasite_
and _Zink_ are deemed to be of the Family or Pedegree of _Jupiter_:
_Orichalcum_ or white and red Copper, are stiled by the name of
_Venus_. But according as _Venus_ is impregnated, and according as the
Copper is white or red, so hath it its name. The red Copper is as yet
a Virgin. Forasmuch therefore as the Poets have committed unto Writing
the Transmutation of the Metals under the Cover, and vail of Fables,
and have made mention of _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Mars_ and _Venus_; it
can never possibly be, that he who knows not this different distinction
can understand their meaning. And for an Example hereof, consider
but the Fable of _Diana_ and _Apollo_, brought forth at one Birth by
_Latona_, who was gotten with Child by lying with _Jupiter_, and was
driven into exile by jealous _Juno_, and having a long time suffered
Persecution by the biting Serpent _Python_, and being driven to flye
through all the Countries of the World, did at last after many grievous
labours and troubles pass over the tempestuous Sea into the Island
_Ortygia_, and betook her self to her Sister _Asteria_, by whom she was
received, and begat these Twins, _viz._ _Diana_ and _Apollo_.
Who will be able to apprehend the meaning of this Fable, save he that
well understands the nature of the Metals? Verily no body will so much
as dream of or smell out ought of those Mysteries, unless he shall
meet with such like Histories in his metalline labours, and then at
length will he understand what the meaning of the Philosophers is.
But for Example sake, let us take two Metals which have an affinity
with each other, namely _Jupiter_ and _Venus_, these I joyn together,
that so the Woman may be impregnated with the masculine Seed. _Latona_
therefore being great with Child, I cast her forth into exile, that she
may be continually persecuted by the biting Serpent _Python_, untill
she flies through the Salt and stormy Sea, into the Island _Ortygia_,
to her Sister _Asteria_, dwelling in the Island _Ortygia_, and there
bring forth the fair _Diana_ and _Apollo_. Now these things are easily
understood, were but the genuine Appellations substituted in the room
of such strange terms, of which thing I have onely some knowledge, but
do not profess my self a perfect Interpreter. Yet methinks I cannot
choose but say somewhat. The venemous Serpent _Python_ is a sirname of
_Appollo_, for he is produced by the efficacy of the Sun, and is that
corrosive Salt which doth so long afflict and torment the impregnated
_Latona_ all over the dry part of the World, untill she betakes her
self by the Sea, that is, by that strong Salt Water, unto her Sister,
that is, unto pure _Venus_, and precipitates her self, and brings forth
the fruits of _Jupiter_, namely, _Diana_ and _Apollo_ together. The
Poet doth here mind both the moist and the dry way together, when the
Metal is wrought with a due Cement, and made fix it is [then] dissolved
with the Salt Water of the Sea, and pure Plates of _Venus_ are put into
it thus dissolved, that so the pure Metal may draw unto it self her
impregnated Sister, who brings together with her Gold and Silver, which
having been so long hidden in its body doth now manifest it self.
It is indeed the better to fix the Metals by Cements, and so to render
their fugacious Gold and Silver compact, which may be as well done
in the moist way by sharp Waters and moist Fires. But if the Metals,
legitimately impregnated, do first pass through a dry and burning
hot Fire, and are afterwards yet once more transmitted through the
moist and cold Fires, then _Pluto_ sends the mundified Soul out of
_Purgatory_ unto _Neptune_, by whom it is carried into Paradise, where
it doth afterwards remain safe and free from all danger of the Serpent.
Upon occasion of the aforesaid Fable, and particular Transmutation
of the inferiour Metals, this is to be yet more observed, that every
_Jupiter_ is not fit to impregnate _Latona_, but that onely which is
yet living, efficacious, young, and full of Seed is able to impregnate
_Latona_. For _Latona_ carried with her no more but the Seed onely of
_Jupiter_ into the Island _Ortygia_, and left behind her all the body
of _Jupiter_.
Moreover this is to be considered, that _Latona_ did bring forth
_Diana_ first, in the Bosom or Lap of _Venus_, that is, of the Midwife,
but _Diana_, presently after she was Born, performed the office of a
Midwife in receiving her Brother _Apollo_ in her Lap, which thing is
sufficiently manifest unto those who have laboured (though but little)
in the Metals. For should the Nativity of _Apollo_ have preceeded,
_Venus_ could not have received him, for which reason _Diana_ ought
to come forth first, that so she might the more commodiously receive
_Apollo_ from _Latona_. I know not how by any means it may be proposed
more clearly.
Every one that does but know the nature of the Metals doth well
understand, that when Gold and Silver are spiritually dissolved in one
Water, and that plates [of _Mars_ probably] are put in to the Solution
of the Gold and Silver, neither of those Metals will adhere to the
Plates. But if the Plates of Copper are put into that Bath, he shall
presently see that all the Silver that was in the Water will adjoyn it
self thereunto. And now, after that the Silver is thus precipitated and
sticks on to the Copper, the Gold will likewise fall down out of the
Solution, and apply it self to the Silver; which labour I have more
at large handled in the third part of the Prosperity of _Germany_. It
could not therefore otherwise be, but that _Latona_ must first bring
forth _Diana_, and _Apollo_ afterwards, seeing that _Venus_ the Sister
of _Latona_ could be helpfull onely in the bringing forth of _Diana_.
It was therefore necessary that _Diana_ her self should be an assistant
in the Birth of her Brother _Apollo_, for otherwise he could not have
been Born.
My time admits not of producing any more such similitudes in this
place. We will defer them till some other time, namely, for the Edition
of the Work of _Saturn_, wherein shall be taught how the most vile, and
most abject Metals are to be maturated by the benefit of Salts, whereby
they may in a particular way yield forth Gold and Silver.
But forasmuch as I cannot divine, what impediments may put a stop to
the edition of the work of _Saturn_, and that in this very Treatise
here is often mention made of _Saturn_. It cannot I think be any ways
hurtfull, if some good thing be yet farther adjoyned. And such things
as are here manifested of _Saturn_, it will not be needfull agen to
mention them in other places, seeing there doth yet still remain
matter enough for to fill a whole Book of the Secrets of _Saturn_. And
there lie such wonderfull Secrets under the vile and dirty Garment
of _Saturn_, as being manifested, would exceed all the belief of
unskilfull Men. For he is not onely an expert Fisher in Fishing Pearls
out of the Salt Sea, but is withall an expert Hunter, in driving the
Wild Beast out of his green Grove or Cops, and of catching him in his
Nets, as we have told you in the foregoing third part of the Prosperity
of _Germany_.
Nay, he is a bathing Gentleman of singular skill, who by his bathing
and washing his Children, adorneth them with the comeliness of _Diana_
and _Apollo_. When he is alone, he serves onely for _Apollo_ and
_Diana_ to wash off their accidental impurities and defilements,
that so they may recover their natural fairness. The other Metals
can’t brook his so over sharp and rigid bathing, but are rather
suffocated and killed therein, than become more fair and more pure.
But if _Saturn_ shall have first washt himself even unto the highest
whiteness, in a Bath of common Salt, he is not then so austere and
severe, but prepares for his Children a far more tolerable Bath, which
being agreeable [or proportionable] to their Weakness and Sickness,
renders them all fairer and more pure. His greatest virtue consists in
his Water which doth both particularly and universally free the Metals
of all their defilements. I have often had a particular experience
[hereof,] and yet daily can (God be praised) shew and teach the same
unto others. But I cannot do any such thing in an universal way, and
inform others as to that; nor do I vainly brag of so great a matter,
though I have my thoughts as touching the manner how this thing may be
effected. Nay the more I conceived about that matter, the lesser would
I boast of the same.
Verily it is a great shame to boast of that thing, of which thou hast
not even the smallest knowledge, or at least dost not know any thing
else, but what thou hast drawn in, by the reading of other Writers.
’Tis a common proverb, _That those Cows which Bellow, or Low overmuch,
are said to yield the least Milk_, and that this is a thing true, yea
most true, experience it self doth testifie.
The Chymical Art is become at present so common, that almost every
body, after he hath but viewed over one or two Chymical Books, (though
he never moved his hands to the Work, nor understands so much as the
Chymical Terms themselves) is nevertheless wont impudently and lyingly
to boast of the knowledge of the universal Medicine. Nay thou shalt
see some to proceed on to that heighth of boldness, as even to write
Books of so great a Secret, and to dare promise the Revelation of the
same unto others, and yet for all this know nothing at all, and have
not so much as any the meanest foundation, but rely solely upon that
knowledge, which (being as we said afore, drawn out of other Writers)
causeth in them a most uncertain hope, of a thing most extreamly
obscure.
He that is not a stranger unto, nor ignorant of metallick affairs, can
easily discern the Lyers from the true Writers, and can judge who are
true, and who false. Such as do know somewhat are not wont to make
a bragging noise of their skill. On the contrary, those Brethren of
Ignorance do offer unto every one that most secret miracle of Art and
Nature, namely, the universal Medicine, which thing a true Philosopher
neither ever did, nor ever will do. But as for the revealing of the
particular washings, purgations, and meliorations of the Metals,
whereby Gold and Silver are to be extracted, if any one doth know these
things and discloseth them, and desires not to bury his Talent in the
Earth, he does well.
Neither would any one be endammaged by such a discovery though those
particular _Arcana’s_ should be known even unto all Men, and that every
body could effect such Operations; for nothing could redound from them
but great gain throughout all the World.
But these things here mentioned may sufficiently serve for an evident
and manifest admonition for every one to beware of the Books of such
Writers, (but why do I say Writers? they are rather Collectors and
Describers, who after the manner of Botchers do patch up new Books
our of old cast Garments) and to give no credit at all unto them as
containing nothing of truth in them, and to think that those kind of
Men betake themselves to this Book-patching Trade, meerly to get their
Bread by.
Some such Men have I known, that provide not either for their Food or
Rayment any other way, than by the sale of such false Philosophical
Books, which they have from the Printers to sell to others, receiving
a certain price for their labour, which they bestow in profering them
to Sale. O miserable Philosopher! Who doth not know so much as to get
his Food at Home in his own House, but is constrained to shift after
it by the bare selling of such kind of Books. Let this here spoken be
as a warning. If need required, and occasion were, I would not fear
to divulge their names too; who having not any the least knowledge of
nature, do nevertheless dare to offer the Revelation and Confection
of the great universal unto others, and cast such a great blemish of
reproach upon the most noble Chymical Art, as makes it much contemned,
whereas a more noble and more excellent Art cannot be found. I’le not
censure any, but yet it would become the magistrate to examine those
great Philosophers, whether or no they were actually and in very deed
skill’d in that great universal, (which they boast so wonderfully of,
and write Books of such great moment, and promise to teach others too,
as if they excelled even _Hermes_ himself in the knowledge of the Art)
and if in the proof or tryal they gave good satisfaction, and confirmed
the truth of their Writings by a real and true melioration of the
Metals, then to honour, defend, and protect them, as rare and singular
Philosophers. But if they know nothing nor could perform ought of their
pretended Art, the magistrates would not do unjustly if they punished
such men, and made them exemplary, seeing too that they endeavour to
asperse and backbite other honest men, who are endued with the skill
and knowledge of such great things, with lying reproaches. A good
Gardener being wont to gather good Honey out of the Bee hive which he
has in his Garden, if he finds a Nest of Wasps or Hornets any where
near, built in some hollow Tree, and that they steal away the Honey
from his Bees, he right worthily destroys such a Nest, and roots out
of his Garden those Thieves and Robbers of his Honey, that so for the
future they may not detriment them any more.
Were but one or two of those Fellows handled in such a manner the rest
would be deterred and would not so easily promise others by their
deceitfull Writings, the making of the Philosophers Stone, which
they are so extreamly ignorant of. Certain it is therefore, that no
true Philosopher, were he a partaker of the great universal, will
indifferently offer the same unto all Men, and calumniate (without any
cause given) those that are so innocent (and who have forgotten more
than others have learned) and publickly bespatter them with most false
Lyes before the whole World, to the great detriment of the Persons so
abused.
But to return to my purpose, and to shew in this place yet another very
considerable _Arcanum_ of _Saturn_, you must know, that I have already
published divers great secrets in this fourth and third preceeding
part, but cursorily onely, because I have not as yet attained to the
one half part of their most great utility, and I was willing onely to
shew what things mought be done.
But forasmuch as I have fortified their use with good and sharp
Weapons, and that one or other sometime lighting thereupon by chance,
and reaping great profit therefrom, may possibly judge that he is no
ways at all bound or beholding unto me for the same; I was willing
for the better information, and instruction sake, to adjoyn these few
things, which are very weighty and considerable.
In divers places of the foregoing third part, and of this fourth part
too, I have the preparation of the _Mercury_ of _Saturn_ and _Lune_,
that is, I have shewn how _Saturn_ and _Lune_ may be reduced out
of their Solutions, by the help of Salt, into a Snow like, fusile,
fugacious, pure and dry Water; which Waters are by me called the
_Mercuries_ of _Saturn_ and _Lune_, by reason of their fusile and
volatile nature: They are metallick Waters not wetting the hands, and
yet by reason of their form do they bear the name of Water, because
being put into a Crucible, and molten with a small Fire, they are
pellucid and transparent like unto Fountain Water, insomuch that they
may be seen through even to the very bottom: But yet the Water of
_Saturn_ is of a more transparent clarity than the Water of _Lune_ is.
But forasmuch as our main scope in this place is to make some mention
of the use of the Saturnine Water, we will let pass other matters,
and declare some of the virtues of the said wonderfull Water in the
melioration of the Metals.
Let the lover of Art therefore know, that the Saturnine Water doth
display its virtues in washing the Metals that are to be amended.
For if any imperfect Metal, as Iron, or Tin, or Copper, be adjoyned
thereunto, and held in such a Vessel, as in which, that Water cannot
by means of its fugaciousness vanish away, nor through its subtile and
penetrating power run out, and that it be digested for a while in such
a Vessel, this Saturnine Bath seizeth upon, washeth, and purgeth the
Metal, and transmuteth it into a better and more pure Metal, but yet
with no great profit, for it onely shews the possibility.
But yet if some tinging Species be adjoyned thereunto, it does not
onely make a pure washing, but likewise exalteth and tingeth the same,
according as the tendency of the adjoyned subject is, either unto a
white or a red Tincture. But what those Species are, there’s no need of
disclosing them to every one. ’Tis sufficient that I have laid open the
Water, and the use thereof in the washing of the Metals.
But that the Saturnine Bath may the sooner and readier seize upon the
Metals, and wash them, it is the best way, to add one third part of the
Mercurial Water of _Lune_, to the Mercurial Water of _Saturn_: which
Waters do very readily conjoyn, and each help the other in the washing,
and do also tinge, according as the property of that Tincture is, which
is adjoyned thereunto. I will for Example sake adjoyn the manner, which
shall both shew the possibility of the thing, and administer occasion
of farther search.
Dissolve one ounce of pure Silver in _Aq. Fortis_, and three ounces of
common Lead, in more _Aq. Fortis_, mix both the Solutions together,
and precipitate them, either with common Salt Water, or with Spirit
of Salt, which is all a case. Pour off the _Aq. Fortis_ from the
_Coagulum_, after its being settled to the bottom, which said
_Coagulum_, you need not wash with Rain Water, for this Work, but press
the liquor onely through a thick Cloath and so free it of its humidity;
this done, dry this metallick Cheese by the Fire, and you shall have
a Bath very fit to wash _Venus_, _Mars_, and _Jupiter_. And now when
you are minded to try whether or no the success will fadge well,
divide your Bath into three parts, and wash those three Metals on the
following manner.
_N. B._ Let no Body take it in evil part, that I here silently pass
over my secret bathing Laver, serving to wash the Metals in, and not
permitting the Water it self to go away in fume: He that is minded
to try this Operation, may for the first time make use of Crucibles,
which, although they may bring some loss by letting go part of the
Saturnine Bath, yet notwithstanding they will demonstrate the success
of the business, and the loss by them caused may afterwards be
prevented by due _Mediums_. The manner of using the Bath aforesaid, is
as followeth.
Take of the filings of pure Iron, Copper or Tin one part, mix it with
three parts of our dry Bath, and put the matter thus mixt into an
earthen Vessel, which hath the compactness of Glass, such as those are,
which are made at _Siburg_ near _Colen_, at _Bamberg_ in _Franconia_,
and at _Waldenburg_, near _Cassela_ in _Hassia_, and in other places
of _Germany_. (_N. B._ The common Vessels and Crucibles cannot retain
this Water, but it penetrates through them like Oil.) Heat your Vessel
so hot as to cause the Water together with the Metals to melt and flow
well, in which liquefaction, part indeed of the water will pass away in
fume, but this loss may be easily prevented.
When therefore your Metal hath been thus boild for about one quarter
of an hour, part of the same will be found washt and turned into good
Silver: nor must you thus understand me as if the Silver in the said
Water were onely precipitated by the Metal, and that no part of the
Metal it self underwent any Transmutation. For albeit that that Silver
which was added to the Saturnine Water be precipitated by the adjoyned
Metal, and returns into its former Body, yet nevertheless there is more
Silver gotten than was added to the Water. For that Saturnine Bath
while it is occupied about the dissolution of the Metal, doth by the
efficacy and Operation of the adjoyned _Lune_, exalt and tinge part of
the Metal to an higher degree.
But although this labour does not promise any golden Mountains, it
is here put for this end onely, namely, that the possibility of the
thing may be learned hereby: yet notwithstanding, if any one did but
know how to adjoyn to this Saturnine Water, a golden Ferment, instead
of a silvery one, it could not otherwise be but that he would get
no contemptible gain and profit: yet if the same Operation be so
instituted with a white Ferment, as that not any the least part thereof
may go away in fume, and be lost of the Bath, it will bring no loss.
_N. B._ Neither is it always needfull that the Ferments of pure Metals
be adjoyned to this Saturnine Bath, for I think that apt Minerals may
be found, which may be adhibited in the room of aureous and argenteous
Ferments. Nay more, I do likewise think that such subjects may be
adjoyned to this Saturnine Mercurial Water, as may be therein fixed
into white and red Tinctures; the thing it self I have not as yet
tried, nor do I profess my self so great a Master, for I propose to my
self this onely end in my Writing, namely, to shew unto such as are
desirous after transmutations, the way of arriving unto the truth it
self. For it will be far easier for every one that searcheth into the
business more thoroughly, and that maketh more accurate tryals, to find
out far greater things, yea much more than he could ever believe. More
such Woman-like Washings, and more Boys Plays shall (God willing) be
manifested in my Work of _Saturn_.
But now this Saturnine dry Bath may be prepared much easier, on this
wise following; choose you out such an Oar or _Minera_ of Lead, which
is very pure and clean, and hath nor either Iron, or Copper, or any
other Metal admixt therewithall: (_N. B._ If Silver be likewise in
the Oar, it rather profits than hinders, but the said Oar must not
have much earth mixt in it, and that which is on to it must be taken
from it by washing off the same with fair Water.) One, two, three, or
more pounds of this leaden Oar thus washt, must be put into a strong
Cucurbit, and so many pounds of Spirit of Salt must be (put on and)
drawn off thencefrom, which Spirit of Salt, as being a moist and
Philosophical Fire, will reduce the pure Oar of Lead, which it toucheth
every where and in all places of the same, into a bright, Snowy,
easily Meltable, and fugacious Calx, which is to be well washt with
Water and be dried: This is that metallick Bath, and that dry Water of
the Ancients, which wets not the hands, and which is able to perform
admirable things in the Metals.
But that this Philosophical and moist Calcination of the Oar of Lead,
may be accomplished without any costs, some Salt Water must be poured
upon the Spirit of Salt, in the Cucurbit, that the Salt may ascend
together with the Spirit, and may augment the same with so great a
quantity of Spirit, as may quit the costs of the Oar and Fire, and
yield you the dry Saturnine Bath for nothing, which said Bath may be
employed various ways about the washings and emendations of the Metals.
For out of the Oars which never underwent the burning by the Fire, and
were never as yet deprived of their growing faculty, this Bath thus
prepared is to be preferred far afore that, which is made of the molten
Metal.
I do here open to the studious of Art, the Gate that leads unto most
great secrets, which were never so clearly manifested by any Man. It
must necessarily therefore be, that either God must put a stop, or
that the Operator or Labourer himself must be of a stupid and simple
capacity, if he cannot learn from these instructions, as much as to
live in quietude, and so furnish himself with Food and Rayment.
If therefore God shall vouchsafe his Blessing unto thee in the use of
this secret, then give unto him, the bestower of all good things, thy
utmost thanks, and be not unmindfull of the Poor. Sustain thy life
by the works of thy hands, and let thy light shine before the blind,
neither bury the same enviously in the Earth. Do good to every one,
that it may be discerned and appear what Tree thou art. Entertain not
too great an opinion of thy self, but remember that thou art a Man and
mai’st err and fail. Give no body occasion of quarrelling and brawling.
If an unjust conflict be brought upon thee, commit thy self wholly unto
God, and he will succour thee. Give place to the greater, and spare the
lesser, God will defend thee and suppress thine Enemies.
The Heathen Philosophers accounted the Prophet _Ezekiel_ as a clownish
Philosopher, because he wrote so very clearly of the Divine Mysteries.
For they took it very untowardly, that he was not so envious, as to
involve such great Mysteries in silence, but wrote so openly of the
same.
He that will now-a-days make it his design to wind himself out of the
crew of Sophisters, and such kind of Philosophers that putteth together
hurtfull Books, consisting of fine Spun, and seducing words onely
meerly for their own gain, and without any profitable information at
all in them; he I say that would free himself from such, overcome them,
and bear away the prize, must imitate that countrey man, who on a time
entring into a Fencing School at _Norimberg_ did behold the Fencers
artificially combate together so strongly and so long, untill all the
others being tired, and forsaking the Stage, there remained but onely
one as sole victor; who, with a disdainfull look, contemning all the
rest, assured himself of the victory.
Being therefore about taking up the Prize-Money there deposited, out
steps the Countryman, saying, you shall not have the reward, except you
beat me too off the Stage: Fight therefore he must with the Countryman,
or forsake the prize; but promising himself an assured Victory, he
exerciseth his most curious and artificial postures, which he had
learned in the fencing School, thereby to make a speedy dispatch with
the Countryman, supposing that the Countryman would be frighted, and
laying down his Weapons, quit the Stage. The Countryman being no ways
scared stood very quiet (as confiding in his own strength) so long,
till the Fencer approaching nearer with his oblique Flourishes, made
as ’twere a Wheel afore his Nose, whom the Countryman struck all
along, with such a smart blow as made the Hair of his Head flye off,
and the Bloud run about his Ears. So artificial a Combatant as this
being o’erthrown, he was asked by that plain Countrey Fellow, whether
or no he would yet once more try the fortune of the Play, but he would
no more prove the Countrey down-right blows of a Non-Citizen, but
left both the Money and Honour of the Victory to the Countryman, who
being asked how he durst adventure upon so artificial and experienced
a Fencer, and could so o’ercome him, he replied, that he perceived
the Fencer used many oblique Skippings, but was no strong Man: and
therefore I opposed my strength to his artificial Flourishes, and so
with one blow struck him down. By this History it is evident, that that
finely Spun, and sophistical prating of the Schools, makes nothing to
the purpose but a certain experience, and an infallible knowledge of
things both is and so remains the sole Mistress.
For the sake of those that are lovers of divine and natural Miracles,
’tis expedient that I yet farther manifest some certain secrets of
Salt, which are hitherto altogether unknown, and shall be shewn unto
my Friends in my Laboratory. Nor do I at all doubt, but that some few
will be found who will easily understand these things, and look on them
as things credible. But I matter not, whether they credit me who speak
the very truth or not. It sufficeth me that I can not onely perform the
things I say, but likewise shew them to Friends, whereby they may be
able to reap some benefit and profit therefrom.
Salt may be so introverted by the Operation of the Fire, as that
it shall lose its sharp properties, and acquire a sweetness, and
be brought by the help of other Vegetables and of Water, unto
Fermentation, and so yield a good and sweet burning Spirit, a clear,
sweet, and strong white Ale, conserving its tast for many years;
various drinks, not unlike in tast to the Wine made of Honey and
Fruits of Trees, strong and clear Vinegar, and white Tartar, fully as
profitable for such Operations, as the common and natural Tartar of
Wine is wont to be used about, and may be with those others [afore
mentioned] prepared with small charges.
The Air and Fire do in a short time transmute Salt, into true natural
Salt-peter, which is no small profit.
The Fire doth likewise very easily endow common Salt with such kind of
properties, as render it capable of fatning and dunging barren Fields,
Vines, Fruit Trees, Hops, and all other Garden Herbs as well as Sheeps
or Beasts Dung.
Salt is also so changed by the Fire in few hours time, as to put on a
magnetick nature, and attract the moisture and water out of the Air,
and to retain it with it self a long while, and therefore is not easily
dried up by the Sun. Corn, as Oats, Barley, Rye, Wheat, Pease, Beans,
and other Seeds being steeped in such a Salt for a Night, do by means
thereof, grow up the speedier out of the Earth. It is very profitable
therefore in the Summer Season, wherein there’s scarcity of Rain, and
especially in sandy Grounds, because it holds the Rain Water a good
while, so that it is not so easily dried up by the Sun. Besides, too,
that Salt is of such attracting virtues as that one ounce thereof,
being put in some little Glass to two ounces of Water, hardens all this
Water, in the likeness of Salt, so as that you may carry the same about
you in a Paper; whereas there were two parts of Water to one of Salt.
This Salt abounds with yet many other wonderfull virtues, some of which
I have declared in my Treatise, _of the Nature of Salts_, stiling it
by the name of _Sal Mirabilis_, and that not without good cause. It is
of the form of Salt-peter, and is void of all Acrimony, it is a little
bitterish to the tast, and is of a Balsamick Nature. For being rub’d on
Beef or other such like Flesh, it keeps the same, though exposed to the
open Air, from being infested with Magots, and from being corrupted:
And therefore it is an efficacious subject, with which as being a most
efficacious Balsom, dead Bodies are conserved from corruption. It
converts all things put into it, in long process of time, into an hard
Stone, and abounds with many other wondrous virtues, which (for certain
causes,) I pass by in silence at this time. _Paracelsus_ calls it _Sal
Enixum_, but I _Sal Mirabilis_.
Nor ought it to seem at all wonderfull, that common Salt doth so easily
obtain by the Operation of the Fire, a better and sweeter quality. I do
in very deed affirm, that not onely the common Kitchin Salt, but even
those too, which are of a most biting corrosivity, as _Aqua Fortis_,
_Aqua Regia_, Oil of Salt, of Sulphur, and of Vitriol, may by a certain
sweet Vegetable, (without the addition of any contrary Salt) be brought
to such a pass in three hours time, as that a Man cannot perceive
the least Corrosion at all in them. Nay more, if this very Salt hath
dissolved up any Metals, it does not part with them, but holds them
still: so that the corrosive Solution of Gold which is made with Oil
of Salt, becomes a sweet liquor, which likewise comes so to pass, with
the Solutions of Silver, and of the other Metals: so that by this way
excellent Medicaments may most easily be made out of Metals.
New Wines being fermented with such a Salt, do change their Tartar
into sweet Wine, and become clear in a months time, and suddenly have
both the tast and odour as old Wines usually have. Certainly it is a
secret of very great concernment, when by reason of the coldness of the
Air, the Wines cannot attain unto their due maturity. _N. B._ There
appertains to this fermentation, a singular and excellent Artifice, by
which the Wines and other drinks are promoted to a speedy and strong
fermentation, insomuch that the Wine boils in the Vessel, though the
Vessel should be set out to the Snow and Ice in the coldest time of
Winter: whereby the Wines must needs be made better, stronger, and
sweeter. It is a very artificial invention, hitherto concealed by me,
but now I am minded to reveal the same unto my Friends.
By the same Salt too, Wine, Ale, Metheglin, and other drinks may be in
short time turned into good and sharp Vinegar without the help of the
Sun, or of a warm Stove.
If therefore any one needs for his Operations any distilled Vinegar,
he may even distill it in wooden Vessels, without any Sparkle of Fire,
onely in the Air, by the proper efficacy of the liquors themselves, and
by the help of the Air: and this in such wise, as that a whole Barrel
of distilled Vinegar will not cost so much as one Token, the Barrels or
Vessels excepted, which verily is a most Artificial Distillation.
Thus likewise by the same means may a sweet burning Spirit be distilled
out of Ale, Wine, and other the like Liquors.
Any common Wine may be rendred so strong by the help of a certain sweet
Salt and artificial fermentation, as that it cannot be drunk because
of its strength. Some Pots full onely thereof, being poured into a
Barrel full of small Wine, will make the same so strong, as to equalize
it with generous Wine. He that is so minded may add some sweet Spices
in the fermentation, and so make it the more sweet, more efficacious,
and more wholsome, and so a little quantity thereof being poured into
another Barrel will make all the Wine therein contained become sweet
and good.
Out of common Salt may easily be made good Allum and Vitriol, no less
usefull for the Dyers than the natural are.
It is likewise a thing easily feasible, and that too in few hours
space, to turn the same into a fiery nature, and make it have the same
property as the Salt made of Wood Ashes, and of the burnt Lees of
Wine and such like, and as Pot Ashes have, and may serve for the Soap
Boilers and be applied to the same uses that those Salts are used for.
Moreover, store of sweet Spirit of Salt may be gotten with small
charges out of common Salt, serving not onely for the preparation of
many excellent Medicaments, but also for the maturation of the meaner
and unripe Metals, as we said afore.
These and the like wonderfull things, yea and very many such effects
incredible to the unskilfull doth that contemptible and common Salt
produce, to the exceeding benefit and profit of mankind: which
excellent things I neither would nor could (for the honour of God, the
giver of all good things, and for the sake and profit of mankind) any
longer conceal. But some or other may object and say, if by the help of
common Salt, such great things may be effected, why do not you prefer
the same before Salt-peter, which you have so exceedingly praised in
the third Part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, and have constituted
it the Monarch as it were of the whole World: whereas notwithstanding
it is so venemous a Dragon as is wont to devour all things. Can’t
these two Salts I pray, namely the common and Salt-peter, divide the
Government of the World between them, and bear sway and command both
together.
To such I answer, that although that common Salt be the producer of
many wonderfull effects, yet must it needs give place unto Salt-peter,
which being inflamed and on Fire is wont to overturn huge Mountains,
and blow them up into the Air, which thing seeing common Salt cannot
do, ’tis but fitting and right that it should be dignified with so
great a Title. However, being by the Operation of the Fire and Air
made equal unto Salt-peter, and performing the same effects, it may
then worthily be graced as Salt-peter is with the Title of Monarcy.
* * * * *
The effects which I have attributed to common Salt and Salt-peter, I
can every hour shew, in very deed, to be most true. Ill therefore do
they do, that bark against me for saying that Salt-peter is a universal
Dissolvent, and that endeavour by their tatling reproaches to obstruct
the truth.
Why do they not produce some better thing, seeing they will not admit
of this universal Dissolvent? such Men as these do nothing else but
bewray their own foolishness, and kick against the Pricks.
Had they ever done ought, or set their hands to work, for the sake of
searching throughly into nature, they would never so boldly contemn,
and reject that, which they never as yet understood. They behave
themselves very basely, and clearly discover unto all Men’s view, that
they have suckt in their uncertain and foolish Opinions, by the bare
reading and hearing of uncertain and dubious Writers, whose meaning
notwithstanding they understand not; for my part I remain constant in
my Opinion, and say, that Salt-peter is an universal Dissolvent, and is
able to dissolve all the things in the whole World, if it be made use
of in three forms or shapes. Whatsoever the acid Spirit thereof, or the
Eagle with its sharp Claws cannot effect, its fixed Salt, or the fiery
Lyon will accomplish: and whatsoever is impossible to be done by these
two, the Griffon which hath its rise from the Eagle and Lyon, will
artificially perform.
_N. B._ The acid Spirit of Niter doth not dissolve sulphureous
subjects, but mercurials onely: Contrarywise, the fix Niter doth not
seize upon mercurial subjects, but sulphureous ones; but the flame of
Salt-peter performs both: which verily is wonderfull, that things so
unlike should in some few hours time be extracted out of one and the
same subject. For the corrosive Spirit prepared out of Salt-peter by
Distillation, and likewise the fix Salt, are most bitter enemies to
each other, which ruinating and slaying one another, and being dead,
return agen unto that which they were afore, and partakes of both
natures; which the Ancient Philosophers do clearly point out unto us by
the Griffon, which is headed and winged like an Eagle, and the hinder
part of its Body like a Lyon, as we have mentioned more at large in the
foregoing third part of the Prosperity of _Germany_.
Upon him that rightly understands this ancient Fable of the Griffon,
Lion, and Eagle, doth the Sun shine, for he will get no small profit to
himself thencefrom. Whatsoever the Corrosive Eagle dissolves and tears
a-pieces, that the fix and fiery Lion precipitates. And whatsoever the
Lion devours, that the Eagle doth agen snatch from him: but they kill
each the other, of whole dead bodies the Griffon exists, which hath
the body of the Eagle and Lion. By how much the oftner this labour is
repeated, so much the more potent and stronger doth the Griffon come to
be, [especially] if both the Eagle and the Lion have filled themselves
with food and are grown fat; or by how much the bigger the Eagle and
the Lion are grown, by such Subjects as are agreeable unto them, afore
their mutual fighting; the Griffon doth also become of magnitude
proportionable.
Once every day therefore may such a conflict, slaughter,
revivification, and transmutation of these two fighting and capital
Enemies, _viz._ the Eagle and Lion into the Griffon be made. But if
you would have it profitable, then must _Vulcan_ sharpen _Saturn_’s
Sythe, by which he may divide the Griffon [in twain,] and may turn
whatever proceeded from the Eagle, into the Eagle again; and may
transmute that which arose from the Lion into the Lion agen. When the
dominion of the Griffon is divided, and that the Eagle bears sway onely
over his birds, and the Lion onely over his beasts, like two Kings,
then all is well, and there’s no war. But if once the Eagle endeavours
to snatch away from the Lion his prey, then ariseth a great war, and of
so long a continuance, till they have slain each the other, of whose
bodies the Gods doe make the Griffon. But when the Griffon becomes too
disdainfull, and affecteth Tyranny, and designs to bear rule over birds
and beasts together, he is agen divided by _Vulcan_, by the perswasion
of old _Saturn_, that so he may return by a reiterated transmutation
into the Eagle and Lion: which wheel [or rotation] of reciprocal
transmutation doth never rest, but converts it self [or turns it self
round] in a perpetual course for Man’s punishment, as long as it
shall please the most high God, who, at last, will put an end to all
fightings, slaughter, and contention, that afflict this world: at which
time all the Eagles and Lions which ever were in the world, shall be
turned into the Great Griffon, which will rend and overthrow the whole
Earth.
This time all pious Souls doe expect and wait for with ardent desire,
and many sighs, that they may be at last freed from the talons of the
Eagles, which rend all things a-pieces, and from the claws of the
roaring Lions, and enjoy everlasting peace and quietude.
Thus much may suffice to have been spoken of Salt-peter at this time,
which, how it may be prepared very plentifully, and with great profit,
out of the Salts of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, I have already
declared in the foregoing third Part of _the Prosperity of Germany_.
He now that dreams of so managing his affairs as to reap benefit and
profit to himself thencefrom, may inquire into the business by a more
accurate meditation and search. Yet let him know, That Salt-peter may
be very easily made of many vile Subjects, which may be every where
had: of which Salt, if you have plenty, you cannot want other things.
For not onely most excellent Medicaments against all kinds of Diseases
may be made with Salt-peter, as likewise the growing faculty of
Fruits springing out of the Earth, be promoted, as of Corn, Wine, and
such-like things necessary for the sustaining of the life of Man; but
also pure good Gold may very easily, but with great profit, be gotten
out of the imperfect Metals.
Seeing then, that by means thereof, a man may be supplied with firm
health, food, and rayment, and with Gold and Silver, what other thing
is there, I pray, that he can want? That which I have so often said, I
doe here repeat and affirm, That there is not in the whole World any
subject that can compare with Salt-peter, much less be preferred before
it.
Such a noble, yea so kingly a Subject therefore as this is, well
deserves to be most highly honoured by us, and to be searcht into
by the utmost of our endeavours, because of the so great benefits
it bestows upon Mankind. We will therefore proclaim and pronounce
Salt-peter to be the Monarch of the whole World, though all its and my
enemies, who endeavour to bespatter our honour and repute with the
brands of infamy, doe even burst for malice.
O most foolish men, with how vain a hope doe ye expect the Lion and
Monarch from the North, as the _Jews_ doe their Messiah, who came above
1600 years ago. The Lion of the North, and the Monarch of the World
is even at this time present, and hath always been, but yet hath been
known but by a few; the full and perfect revelation of which, God alone
knows. I doe verily think the time is now at hand; These things which
are known unto us concerning him, are all of them but particulars, and
very few too. But if the said Northern Lion shall find out and dig
forth the treasures which lye hidden in the Mountains, then will he at
last exhibit his power to be seen, and shew himself to be the Monarch
of the whole World.
Salt-peter is that great and fire-spitting Dragon, the keeper of the
Golden Apples, and that venomous Basilisk which kills all things with
his looks. If he be but fixt and made constant in the fire, then is he
that Salamander living in the fire, and that Phœnix the bird of the
Sun, which having gathered pure Gold out of the Sand, useth it to the
making of her nest, and arriving to its utmost old age, burns her self;
out of whose Ashes other Phœnix’s are produced.
He that desires to know more of the Griffon, Phœnix, Dragon, Basilisk,
and Salamander, all which doe exceedingly thirst after Gold, and dig it
out of the Earth and keep it, may read _Pliny_, and other the ancient
Writers of natural things; as also _Ambrosius Calepine_’s Dictionary of
eight Languages, and of the last Edition.
_The Conclusion._
These (O friendly Reader) are the things which I was willing to
publish at this time for the Countries good; Had I had more time and
opportunity, I would have added more profitable secrets, and such
too as are of no small moment. If I find that these here written
are acceptable, I will in a subjoyned Appendix make a clearer
interpretation of such obscure places as may be herein met with.
_N. B._ I would have the friendly Reader here know, that although I
have written these Four Parts of _the Prosperity of Germany_ clear
enough, above my other [Writings] [or more clear than the others] yet
notwithstanding I have reserved for my self and my friends somewhat
amongst all the Processes, and ways of operation, so that I know how to
effect the preparations of Salt-peter, and to make use of its various
properties, in extracting Gold and Silver out of the Oars, and in the
melioration of the imperfect Metals, and transmuting them into Gold
and Silver much easier, and far more compendiously, and with much less
costs.
The things which I have written, I have written for every one, Friends
and Foes together; The other, and those better Secrets, I have reserved
to my self and my friends. This shall now (God willing) be my chiefest
care, that my Laboratory, in which the truth of the whole business
shall be shown unto my friends, may be fitted up and made ready. In the
mean time, the Princes and Noble men, whose territories such metallick
treasures are in, and cannot be extracted by the help of common fusion,
may consider, whether or no it will be agreeable to their minds to make
use of these my Artificial, and not vulgar Operations in extracting the
Gold and Silver by Salt and Salt-peter out of such-like auriferous
subjects. If it shall seem unto them a thing worth while, to institute
such operations for the profit of their Countries, they may send unto
me a fit person, and one that knows how to deal in the fire, and one
that is of a silent disposition, and of good education, who may learn
the very work it self in my Laboratory.
But they that are Lords of such places as doe not contain in them
those auriferous Minera’s or Oars, and can nevertheless get store of
them from the bordering Countries, and are desirous of amending them,
and using them for their profit, we deny not to shew and disclose
the Art unto them too, (the persons always considered,) namely that
artificial and moist Extraction of the volatile and fix Gold, not
onely out of Minerals, Stones, Sand, and Clay, but likewise out of the
already-molten Metals themselves, as Lead, Tin, Iron, and Copper; in
which Metals, there is often times hidden much Gold and Silver, which
admits not of being extracted by the common melting Fire; but is easily
drawn thereout of, by the maturation and separation that is caused by
Salt and Salt-peter, and so brought to common use.
All these things we will not be loth to make friends partakers of,
as likewise of other rare and artificial inventions, and such as are
profitable to all kinds of men, none excepted; which are such things
as will bring much profit to my Country, and shall be shewn in my
Laboratory, publickly, and privately unto friends: but with this
proviso, namely, if the said friends will faithfully promise unto me,
that they will with a faithfull silence conceal those secrets which
they shall see and learn from me, and improve the same, onely to the
honour of God, to the comfort of the sick, to the help and succour of
poor Widows and Orphans, and to the defence of the Truth; and not use
them to Diabolical disdain, and detestable pride, and other fooleries
and vanities.
_The End of the Fourth Part of the Prosperity of_ Germany.
THE
FIFTH PART
OF THE
Prosperity of GERMANY.
Clearly and Solidly demonstrating, and as it were shewing with
the Fingers, what Alchymy is, and what benefit may by the help
thereof, be gotten every where, and in most places of _Germany_.
Written and Published to the Honour of God the giver of all good
things, primarily; and to the Honour of all the great ones of
the Country; and for the Health, Profit, and Assistance against
Forreign Invasions, of all their Inhabitants that are by due
right and obedience subject unto them.
Like as the weighty command of God injoyns all Children to love their
Parents, and to submit themselves unto them, with a due obedience in
all lawfull and equitable things, and to yield them due fidelity: Even
so likewise doth he require from every subject a due obedience to
their particular Magistrates, that they most willingly obey them (with
a faithfull observance, as being the Fathers of the Countrey, and to
whom they are tied by all right of Fidelity) in all such things as pass
not beyond the boundaries of equity, and withall it behoves each such
subject to communicate any thing whatsoever that is requisite for their
safety and defence, and for the repelling and beating off the Enemies.
The consideration of this dutifull service, which binds every Subject
to his Magistrate, stirred me up (seeing that greivous and sudden Fire
which almost destroyed all the Kingdom of _Poland_, and therefore
fearing, lest by dilating it self it should also detriment our
Countrey) to take care in publishing, some four years ago, a little
Book intituled the first Part of the Prosperity of _Germany_. I
therein taught, by what means the vast plenty of Corn and Wine might
be so concentrated as to be easily preserved and kept, and so be made
serviceable for the common good, and of exceeding profit, in future
calamitous times.
I likewise shewed the way and manner of some other Arts, and such as
are most usefull for the common good of the Countrey, ’mongst which,
that discovery of making Salt-peter out of old and rotten Wood, (from
which may a vast quantity thereof be had) is none of the meanest.
I have also bethought my self of another way of pleasuring my Countrey
with no small benefit afore I die, and thus I intend it.
First of all, I would have the whole World know by this small Work
or Treatise, that I have a mind to demonstrate the most profitable
and principal secrets which I have treated of (partly openly or
plainly, and partly obscurely or more darkly) in those four parts of
the Prosperity of _Germany_, and that both to the high and low in
my publick and private Laboratory, afore this year is run about. To
this end, I have already the chiefest and most necessary Utensils at
hand, and when all the necessary provision is gotten together and made
ready, those said _Arcanums_ which will be so exceedingly profitable
to the Countrey, shall be visibly demonstrated to such as the chiefest
Magistrates shall make choise of, and to other honest Citizens and Men
of the Countrey. And amongst these _Arcana’s_ which are of such great
benefit, the three following ones are the most principal.
* * * * *
The first is, the making of good Salt-peter out of contemptible, and
every where obvious subjects.
The second is, how by the help of this Salt-peter, easily and copiously
to extract the fugitive, and the fixt Gold and Silver and Copper out
of the _Minera’s_ or Oars, with a great deal of profit and mighty
advantage, and that without any melting or fusion by Fire.
The third is this, the truth and certainty of Alchymy shall be shown,
and it shall be proved, that it is not any vain dream, deceitfull
Phantasie or Fallacy, as the greatest part and number of its haters and
_Ignoramus’s_ have hitherto slanderously reported; but that it is a
most true Artifice, and of wondrous consequence, by the help of which,
(it making use of Fire and Salt,) all contemptible Minerals and Metals,
and which are of no great gain, as _Lead_, _Iron_, _Tin_, _Bismuth_,
_Cobolt_, _Zink_, _Lap Calaminaris_, _Marchasites_, all other fugacious
Minerals may be so fixed and ripened, as that much and true and
constant Gold and Silver may be extracted out of them with small costs,
but abundance of profit.
These three secrets verily are in my judgment of great moment and
therefore are worthy for the great ones, and Princes, and other Fathers
of the common Weal to be made partakers thereof by revealing the same
unto them.
I have deemed it worth while, in a few words to illustrate the
incredible utility thencefrom arising, that any one that hath but any
reason may perceive it.
And first, as concerning Salt-peter, the whole World knows what
profitable and needfull a subject it is. There can never be so great
a quantity thereof prepared, but it may not onely be applied to
necessary uses but also to such as bring a great deal of profit. I
forbear to speak of its most great use and exceeding profit in making
Gun-powder, which no Kingdoms, no Common-wealths can want to defend
their Countrey withall, and drive off their Enemies.
And if there were no need of it for this thing, yet would it be of
mighty moment, and bring in abundance of profit by extracting Gold
and Silver out of the poorer Oars which will not bear the charges of
melting, and now there will never be so much Gold and Silver, as that
it will not be of any profit to a Countrey.
Nay more, if there were no want of Gun-powder, nor of Gold nor Silver,
(which time when ’twill come, and how it should come, for my part I
cannot see) yet (having Peter) we cannot be in want of Bread; and how
great soever the plenty is of Wine, and Corn, and Fruits, yet there is
never wont to be too much. Corn and Seeds being macerated with Salt
peter afore they are sown, and the Roots of Vines and Trees being
moistned with a very little of its liquor, do not onely grow more
plenteously, but also produce more plenty of Fruits, and such as ripen
far sooner, and are of a sweeter Tast, than if they were dung’d with
that stinking Beasts Dung liquor. If then, Salt-peter be a subject
so excellent, as that we can by no means want it, and that it may so
easily be prepared out of Wood and Stones in plenty; if above all other
things it makes the Earth fruitfull, if it can extract plenty of true
Gold and Silver out of the contemptible Sand and Flints, what can we
desire more from it, unless it be a sound and healthfull Body, whereby
we may in fulness of health quietly and peaceably enjoy such great
benefits vouchsafed us by God? But now this very same Salt being justly
called the wonder of the World can bestow upon us, this very health we
speak of.
I do affirm that Alchymy it self, or the Transmutation of the lesser,
or meaner Metals into the greater or more noble, and into Gold and
Silver, is not a vain dreaming dotage, and an opinion void of reason,
but is the very truth it self, and confirmed by many experiments; the
demonstration of which, I do, God willing, this Summer not rashly but
advisedly set about shewing it by publick and evident experiments, and
its use for the good of the Country.
Now then, forasmuch as the Countrey is every where sufficiently
stored with Iron, Lead, Salt and other mineral matters, and such like
contemptible subjects, and yet notwithstanding there is not at present
any profit arising thereby; verily it cannot be, but that in a few
years time (if such melting Houses were in all places made) Men would
be rendred Masters of great Treasures. Who knows what God will do, and
whether or no it may not so come to pass, that it may be said of the
great ones of [our] Countrey as is mentioned in Holy Writ concerning
_Solomon_. And he made Silver as plentifull as the Stones that lie in
the Streets, _&c._
But that I may yet more open the Eyes of the Studious after all, and
show them, by what means all these things may come to pass, and fall
out true, I do hereby assure him, that there’s no need of taking
those Metals for this Fusion, that are already pure enough as Iron,
Lead, Tin, and already fit to be imployed about Mans use; no, those
common and sulphureous leaden _Minera’s_ or Oars which are found to
be uncapable of yielding profitable and venal or sellable Lead, are
well enough for this Fusion and operation we speak of; and so likewise
those Irony and Coppery Oars, out of which (seeing they admit not by
nature of any fusion or melting) mallable fusile Copper or Iron cannot
be extracted. For this Operation of ours needs not Copper, Iron or Lead
to work upon, as being content with those poor sort of Oars, and with
the bare Salt which the Earth is every where well replenished withall,
so that there’s no cause to fear that there will ever be a want of any
matter for such an Operation.
But what need I speak much of these unknown, and so very profoundly
hidden secrets of nature, seeing I have openly enough taught already,
in the second part of the _Miraculum Mundi_, by what means, pure
and natural Gold may be gotten out of every Herb. This very thing
I publickly demonstrated in my Laboratory above a year ago, in the
presence of most learned Men, Professors, Doctours of Physick, and
other Men both noble and ignoble, as their Testimonies, which are
[under] hand affirm.
But there’s no need of that, forasmuch as the manner it self of the
Operation is published in Print, and manifested to every one, and there
can hardly pass over one years space, but that even a thousand Men or
more may imitate the Operation and search into the truth it self of the
business.
But that the well minded Reader may have a little more light, and may
himself see what foundations the work I have undertaken is built upon,
I have judged it altogether necessary in a few words to set afore your
Eyes, what Alchymy it self is, and whether or no it has any foundation
in Nature and Art. For if so be any ingenious Man gives an Herb, an
Animal, or a Man any name, certainly he does it not rashly and without
any ground, but well knows and understands for what cause he intitles
any thing by such or such a name, and it is chiefly done on this
account that by such assumed names the nature of the Herb, Animal, or
Man, and its properties might be known. A few Examples will illustrate
it the more.
What reason have the Physicians and Philosophers of old to call the
Herb St. _Johnswort, perforata_? Because its leaves are full of small
holes, and it is so signed by nature, to shew, that it has eminent
virtues [and peculiarly appointed] to take away and cure external
and internal stabs and wounds of the Body, and this is confirmed by
experience. Why are some Herbs called _Saxifragers_? because their
nature is, to cleave assunder and break through great heaps of Stones
in their growing up, and to penetrate through old Walls, by the growth
of their hard roots. Their Seeds likewise are like unto the smallest
Sand and after a sort stonyish and do break the stony matter in the
Reins and Bladder of Man’s Body and bring it forth. So a Serpent hath
its denomination from creeping, because it wants Feet, and creeps and
crawls along on the Earth.
A Shoemaker hath his title from his making and sewing of Shoes. A Black
smith is not wont to be called a Gold-smith, because he works not on
Gold but on Iron, and he hath his denomination from Iron, which he is
occupied about.
The same is to be understood of the word Alchymy, which denoteth no
other thing save a Fusion and liquefaction of Salt, and so it teacheth
us, what cause it was for, that the Ancients called the Transmutation
of Metals Alchymy; _viz._ because of the fusing or melting of Salt,
without which, no particular Transmutation of the viler Metals can
be perfected and accomplished. Therefore it was not an unadvised and
rash action that the Ancient Philosophers did when they put the title
of Alchymy on the Transmutation of Metals, but as a Gold-smith is so
called from the Gold, which he is a Labourer in, so is it with this.
The name therefore doth openly point out the matter transmuting the
baser Metals into the more noble, _viz._ Salt, which being as an
universal Agent does not onely maturate and bring to due perfection the
Metals generated in the Bowels of the Earth by a natural Operation,
but it also does the same out of the Earth by the Operation of Art,
Salt alone, and Fire alone are sufficient for the maturation and
transmutation of the unripe Metals. For Salt (as being the Agent) is
driven or forced as ’twere by the Fire to display its virtues upon the
Metals and by exercising its power, to render them better and more
noble, as _Paracelsus_ openly witnesseth in his _Cœlum Philosophorum_,
saying, that the Corporal mixtion of metals though commixt a long
time and kept so in Fusion, is neither wont to give, (nor indeed can
contribute so much as ought to their Transmutation. But if so be the
metals are to be perfected by any amending, they are to be conjoyned in
a spiritual commixtion, and so they come to their hoped-for amendment;
and this is very agreeable to the truth, and evidently signifies,
that without a saline agent and fire, there is no way of attaining
to a particular transmutation and bettering in the metals. _Elias_
the Prophet, whose name inverted yields the word _Saliæ_ [or Salts,]
did not work his most great miracles afore he came into _Zarpath_, or
_Sarepta_, that is, into the melting House [or fusing Work-shop] where
he filled the poor Widows Oil Vessels, that so she might have wherewith
to live in a time of scarcity. For as long as the terrestrial Salts do
lie hid in barren and stoney Mountains, in which there grows nothing
but _Juniper_ Bushes, and are [there] nourished by the Stars, they
cannot shew forth their wonders, but they are wont then to disclose
them when they come into the melting Houses. Even so is it with Salt,
when it comes into the melting Shop, it doth effect so much as not
onely to fill the Oil Barrels but the Cellars and Barns too, and that
plentifully, but especially when the due [or suitable] Salts _Elias_
and _Elisa_ do come together, and _Elias_ is carried in his fiery
Chariot into Heaven, and sundred from _Elisa_ and doth send down a
double portion of his Spirit upon _Elisa_ his Companion; by which,
_Elisa_ being strengthned and acquiring more strength than it had
afore, is made fit for greater and more powerfull Operations.
But amongst those most great miracles, this was an eminent one, that
after the departure of _Elisa_ the Prophet out of this life, there was
another dead Man thrown into his Sepulchre who by the touch of his
Bones was restored to life.
Therefore, like as this miracle did supernaturally happen by the divine
power: Even so [doth it come to pass] naturally, by the virtues of our
_Sal Mirabilis_ corroborated with a double Spirit, which doth not onely
restore a dead [body] and Wood turned by the Fire into Charcoal, when
it is cast into the Sepulchre, that is into the Earthen Pot or Crucible
to the white Bones of our _Sal Mirabilis_, and bring it (in the space
of one quarter of an hour) unto its former viridity and life, and with
this very green Liquor of the Wood may other half dead Trees, as also
other things be restored to viridity, and increase, and their former
fertility, more than by any thing else: But also, even various dead
insects, if they be put to our _Sal Mirabilis_ can recover life again.
And although that this may seem a new unheard of, and incredible thing,
yea a meer Paradox to any one, yet is it as true as truth it self; the
true way of which Operation I will (God willing) describe and shew
clearly in the first Century of my general Appendix.
But although that these wonderfull Operations of my _Sal Mirabilis_ may
seem such, as to be never capable of being effected yet, to all such as
know its Composition, ’tis a thing very easily accomplished. Nor can
it be but that the divine wonders should be still more and more laid
open by the help of my _Sal Mirabilis_, and be exceedingly sown abroad,
and made known to such as are ignorant. Which being done, the World
will conceive a far other guess Opinion of Alchymy, and judge otherwise
thereof than hitherto it has done.
But that such as are admirers of the divine and natural wonders,
may clearly see how large an extent those things I have hitherto
discovered, are of, I cannot omit the adding of the solar Work or
Smaragdine Table of _Hermes_, the Father of all the Philosophers, the
which being in my judgment accommodated to this discourse of mine I
will illustrate.
But to summ up all I will say, I have here briefly declared, that if
a Spirit be elevated or sublimed from a true Salt by the help of a
strong Fire, or be drawn from out of its Body, and be again returned
to the same own fixed Body left behind and be restored to it in a due
manner; that fix Salt, gets double the strength and virtue it had, (as
hath been shown concerning my _Sal Mirabilis_) and does perform things
wonderfull; which _Hermes_ and _Basil Valentine_ have hinted unto us in
these next ensuing expressions.
* * * * *
_Hitherto belongs the small Circular Figure, noted =Pag. 19.= at
the beginning of the third Part of the Prosperity of =Germany=._
_The Smaragdine Table of =Hermes=, &c._
[See it at the end of the First Part of _Miraculum Mundi_.]
_The Ænigma of Brother_ Basil Valentine.
There is a Stone, of all others the least precious, out of which is
extracted a fugitive [or volatile] Fire, and out of this Fire is the
Stone it self made, it is of colour white and red and yet is it no
Stone. In this Stone doth nature operate, and produceth a Limpid or
clear Fountain, which choaketh in the Waters and swallows up his own
fixed Father, untill at length a Soul be given [or restored] him, and
[his] fugitive Mother be made like [him] in the Kingdom. Likewise this
Stone brings power and great strength, it exceeds the Sun in Age,
[its] fugitive Mother [is] prepared by _Vulcan_ and [its] Father [was]
begotten by the Spirit. Likewise the Soul, Body, and Spirit consist or
abide in two, out of which, all things are; these things are of one,
and is one thing, conjoyning the fix and the fugitive. They are two,
and three, and one, and if thou art ignorant of this, thou will be
frustrated and deprived of the effect of the Art.
_Adam_ is placed in a Bath, in which _Venus_ finds her like, now this
Bath was prepared by that old Dragon, when he had lost his strength
and power. But now this is nothing else (saith a Philosopher) but a
duplicate _Mercury_. In this is its name hidden, which is to be sought
after with all diligence and continual labour.
_The Event proves the Actions._
It seemed unto me very expedient to set down here in this place, these
few, but exceeding weighty words of _Hermes_ and Brother _Basil_,
because they do so notably square with this Work of mine which I have
here described. And therefore I do here again affirm what I have often
said, _viz._ That he who knows Salts well, but especially Niter and
Vitriol, and knows how to conjoyn them, is well skilled in Medicine
and Alchymy; and sufficiently enough understands that the Smaragdine
Table of _Hermes_ is Vitriol, an excellent Smaragd or Emrald, and that
Niter is (according as _Paracelsus_ and _Basil Valentine_ have at large
described) the Kingly Infant of the Sun, with whose descriptions we at
present content our selves. I will make a more prolix mention of the
same in my Centuries, those things that I have adjoyned here I could
not, for certain reasons let slip and pass by.
Now by these few words it is manifest, what virtues Salts are endowed
withall, and what miraculous effects they shew, when they are cast into
the melting Fire, _viz._ Such Salts as are corroborated with a double
Spirit poured down from above. These Salts (I say) are wont not onely
to fill the poor Widows Oil Vessels, but even the Cellars and Barns
with Wine and Corn.
But I would not that any should interpret it amiss, in that I make
some kind of Comparison ’twixt the wonderfull virtues of Salts, and
the miracles of the Holy Prophets: For verily the thing it self admits
it, and by such Comparisons, the natural light is greatly strengthned,
which thing we shall speak more at large of elsewhere.
Whosoever he be that well knows the nature and properties of Salts,
and is something skilled in the management of the Fire, he will hereby
easily learn thus much, as easily to perceive that there is such a
thing, as a profitable transmution of the more vile Metals into the
more noble ones.
But there are requisite to this Operation manual Arts, peculiar
Furnaces, and singular Commixtions of Metals, the knowledge of all
which, he must have that desires beneficially to employ himself in
these Operations. The whole Operation with all the appurtenances
requisite, and all the things thereto appertaining, shall (if God
please) be exposed to be seen in my Laboratory this Summer. As my
Writings lately published, and the Labours performed in my Laboratory
the last year, do sufficiently enough testifie that I have both
publickly and privately demonstrated and manifested the truth of the
chiefest secrets which I have mentioned in my Writings. And as for what
remained of being done the last year, this present Book promiseth the
demonstration of, this Summer. What Writer alive, did ever endeavour
the demonstration of the truth of his Writings by most evident
experiments? None at all save _Glauber_.
Therefore I doubt not but that seeing this little Book offers the
Countrey such great benefits and Commodity, there will not onely
be some of the Vulgar sort, but also many of the Noble ones [or
Magistrates] be found, to whom the reading of the same will not be a
tedious thing.
And now I return again to speak of Alchymy, openly disclosing my
Opinion concerning it, and firmly averring, that Salts onely have power
to wash, maturate, and perfect the unripe Metals.
But some of ther may here say, if Alchymy be the fusing of Salt, by
what means can it possibly ever be, that Gold and Silver should be
gotten out of Salt by melting? If there were Gold in it, cannot it be
gotten forth easier than by melting in the Fire? I answer, you are not
so to understand it, as if huge heaps of Gold could be gotten by a bare
fusing and melting of Salt. No! no such matter. But when the Metals
have Salts adjoyned to them in a due manner, and so undergo a melting
Fire, they do (in that fusing) display their virtues upon the Metals,
and do so bring them to a maturity as to yield forth Gold and Silver.
For Salts are the universal ripening Agents, both in the dry and in the
moist way, as is clearly evident from the third and fourth part of the
Prosperity of _Germany_, so that there needs no more to be spoken as to
this.
But yet, that these things may not seem new, or altogether absurd, I
say, that in all Salts there lies hidden spiritual Gold, but yet it
cannot be extracted from them without the addition of the Metals. For
all the things that are, are generated, encreased, and sustained by the
Sun, (and amongst these may be reckoned up the smallest Vegetable) do
contain the fugacious beams of the Sun hidden in them, which said beams
may by the benefit of Art be made corporeal and fixt. This I taught and
demonstrated more prolixly in the second part of my _Miraculum Mundi_.
I will teach the same in the first Century of my general Appendix,
which said Appendix shall illustrate all my Writings with more clear
notes; and I will evidently show the way, by which true and natural
Gold is to be gotten (by the benefit of a certain precipitating matter,
out of Sea Salt, both by the dry and by the moist way. This Operation
brings not any considerable profit, but doth in very truth show the
possibility of the thing. But he who knows the way of conjoyning true
and due [or proper] Metals with legitimate [or suitable] Salts, and
of handling them in a due and true way of Fusion, will get Gold and
Silver out of all the imperfect Metals, and that with no small profit;
and this shall be demonstrated in my Laboratory this present Summer by
God’s help.
And for the more evident proof hereof, it seems worth while to adjoyn
a Story out of the Journal of _William Litgou_ of _England_, [rather
_Scotland_] who Journying through _Italy_, testifies that he saw in
_Trapundia_, a City in _Sicilia_, much Gold excocted or drawn out of
Sea Salt; which thing, seeing it agrees with my Opinion, and confirms
what I say, I will add the Words of the Authour himself as they are in
_Latin_.
“The fourth City of _Sicily_, is _Trapundia_, scituate in the
West-side, and opposite to the City _Biserta_, seated on the
_Barbarian_ Coast of _Africa_, which yields pure Gold, which is
exported by the Merchants into _Italy_, _Venice_, _Dalmatia_, and
_Greece_. It is excocted in some Artificially made Salt-pits by
the more vehement beams of the Sun, which Pits are filled and
emptied every month. Now the Salt here on the Sea-shore, has a
colour like the redness of a Ruby, or Corral: The City is almost
the one half of it imployed about working thereupon. The Gold it
self being purged is distributed throughout the whole Christian
World.”
These are the words of the said Authour, I know nothing of the
certainty of the thing it self, he that is desirous to find out the
truth of this Relation may easily do it. As for my self, I easily
credit this Relation, because of the Mount _Ætna_ which always is
burning in that Island, and because of the Sulphur too, which all
the Land of _Sicily_ abounds withall. And verily it seems a thing
altogether likely, that when the Inhabitants of this Island upon the
Seashore, make Salt of the Sea Water for their necessary use, by
digging Pits in the Earth after the manner of all those hot Countries,
and letting in the Sea Water, and that the warm beams of the Sun
separate [or any of] the unprofitable sweet [or insipid] Water, in
Vapour, and that that Water of Salt is endued with a notable sharpness;
it extracts the Sulphur out of the Earth which is there in plenty
every where, and it renders this [Sulpher] by the help of the heat of
the Sun, constant, corporal and fixt, so as that it can be afterwards
molten in a melting Furnace into Gold. If now the most hot beams of the
Sun, and Salt Water can change common earthly Sulphur into Gold, why
may not the same be done also by the benefit of Fire, Salt, and Art.
That all Gold is at first naturally generated of a pure Sulphur in the
Earth, no body will indeed deny. That any Sulphur may by the help of
Fire and Salt be fixed and changed into natural Gold, daily experience
witnesseth, not onely in my own Laboratory, but in my Disciples
Laboratories too, the which, visibly demonstrates, and even by manual
Operation confirms the truth of those things which I have mentioned in
the second part of my _Miraculum Mundi_, hereabouts.
That which is mentioned in the old Hymn of the Ancient Church-Fathers,
_viz._ who made Gold of Rods or Twigs, and Gems of Stones, seems to the
ignorant altogether as Paradoxal, new, and incredible: and from which
’tis gathered that St. _John_ the Evangelist made Gold of Sticks of
Wood, and Gems of common Stones: I can in a few words demonstrate that
both are true.
Dissolve common Sulphur, or any Vegetable in common Salt, this Solution
will make the Sulphur of a red colour. Keep this Solution for at least
one hours space in the Fire, you shall find a little of the Sulphur
changed into Gold; to the red Salt, adjoyn the Calx of _Saturn_, melt
them by Fusion into one Body, and reduce the Lead by a Cupel, you shall
find a grain of Gold, it yields indeed no profit but demonstrates the
certainty and possibility of Art. But if any one shall be skilled in
managing this Operation in great quantity (as shall be done this Summer
in my Laboratory) he will not complain of loss, but will always get
profit.
But let this suffice as to the making Gold out of any Wood, or any
Herb, by the help of Fire and Salt.
Let us now see by what means Stones of manifold colours may be made by
the help of Salt, out of Wood or any Herb. Adjoyn to the red Salt made
of Wood, a little Powder of white Flints, put them in a Crucible, and
melt them in the Fire, that they may become a red Glass, resembling
almost the colour of a Ruby; if you keep them longer in the melting,
the red colour will be changed into a green, and have the likeness of
an Emrald: After this, comes a sky-colour, resembling a Saphir, then
follows a yellow, not unlike a Jacynth: then in a longer continuance of
Fire, it becomes black and like an Agath. Indeed these Stones are no
harder than common Glass, but as to their colours and beauty do exactly
resemble the precious natural Stones.
These two _Arcanum’s_ indeed do as to the outside view seem not very
excellent, but yet I believe, the well minded Reader, to whom I offer
them as a pledge or Love-token for to remember me by, will not think
them (seeing they teach the extracting of Gold out of any Wood or
Vegetable, and how by white Flints to make Stones of several colours)
of so small a moment or value, as they appear here to be, but will
believe that he has a foundation laid open for him, to arrive to
greater secrets.
As concerning these kind of wonderfull things, and Transmutations
hitherto unknown to the World, and changing things into more noble
and better Species, I will treat more at large in the ten Centuries,
in which, my Writings shall be declared with more evident and clearer
Explications, to which I refer the well minded Reader, concluding this
Book with those Verses of _Ovid_.
_Jamque opus exegi, quod nec Jovis ira, nec Ignis,
Nec poterit ferrum, nec edax abolere vetustas._
_And now, a work I finisht have, of which, =Jove’s= wrath, or flame,
Or Sword, or all devouring time can ne’er raze out the name._
An APPENDIX
TO THE
FIFTH PART
OF THE
Prosperity of GERMANY.
Clearly and perspicuously revealing and declaring, (for the benefit
and profit’s sake of the whole Countrey) by what means those
three _Arcana’s_ promised in the said fifth part are to be
advantageously effected. Together with an adjoyned Explication
of some obscurer places which are not so clearly disclosed in
the third and fourth parts of the Prosperity of _Germany_, as
likewise in the first Century.
Friendly Reader,
_I doubt not, but it will seem a wonder to many, that =Arcana’s= of
so great moment and so much utility should be laid open by me, in so
perspicuous and evident a description, as for every one thoroughly to
know them._
_However, any Body may easily perswade himself that I have not so done
without weighty causes, which to reckon up here at present, I judge
it not so altogether necessary, but that it will be more commodious
to refer it to some other convenient time. The chiefest and which is
the most over-swaying reason amongst all the rest, is this, =viz.=
the perverseness of some abusive Men, not onely endeavouring to make
my Writings envied [or hated] by Men of common rank, but also by the
great ones, by their lying reproachfull slaunders; and especially most
falsely averring, that those three =Arcana’s= which I promised in the
Fifth Part of the Prosperity of =Germany=, are of no profit, and
therefore cannot be effected with any advantage, and that I my self
sought after nothing else by promising their discovery, save onely by
imposing them upon [or selling them unto] others to scrape some Monies
together. Now forasmuch as this is the property of Slanders, to be
admitted far easilier and readilier than the truth it self, and that
for this reason many have diverted their minds from the truth of this
thing by busying them about these Calumnies, and so have not known how
the case stands; but (on the contrary) seeing I am conscious of mine
own Innocency, and am far wide of those Crimes so falsely charged on
me, I have judged it most just and most highly necessary, not to suffer
those most false Accusations to rest upon me, but to shew the contrary
to the Eyes of the whole World, and by demonstrating and disclosing
the very truth it self, to recover my honour so perfidiously and
treacherously snatcht from me; the which could not possibly be done by
any better way than this._
_Necessity therefore required the Work it self to speak, and to defend
its own self, which indeed is a true and genuine defence, and way of
stopping the shameless and lying Mouths of all reproachfull Slanderers.
God will in time recompence such false Mens most wicked Works, whereby
they have exceedingly injured me. Mean while every one may apply these
most profitable inventions to their use, and undertake the doing one
or other of the Operations whereby they may reap some benefit, which I
wish them from my Soul._
_Nor do I doubt, but that a very many Men will, by following the
Doctrine by me prescribed, and insisting upon the foot-steps of my
Writings, which are founded on the truth, as being a sure Foundation,
=get themselves no small profit=; whilest they quietly and peaceably
enjoy the gainfull practising on my =Arcana’s=: And especially of
that most easie secret, by which, fugacious and volatile Gold is
extracted out of all kinds of Flints, (every where plentifully offering
themselves, and so by the help of Lead, is rendred Corporeal. Which
Work verily is such, as that one Man doth no ways damnifie another by,
but may rather help and profit him. Therefore do I at present affirm to
every body with that truth which God loves, and will defend, that all
the following Operations which I manifest in the publishing this little
Treatise, have been wrought by me not once onely but often times, and
have been shown to many others, so that no body has any reason to doubt
hereof, nor need he be sollicitous about any other thing but how wisely
to manage, the Operation, and to be diligent about his labours. But if
it should so fall out as that a Man should commit an errour or two,
which may easily happen, let him not ascribe the errours he commits,
to the Art it self, and thereupon to accuse it of falsity, but let him
rather inquire into the occasions and reasons of his own errours, and
without doubt by such enquiries will he attain his end, and get the
hoped for fruit: in which thing, my first and second Century will by an
easie Manuduction help him._
_These are the things which for the truths sake and to witness it, was
I willing to produce. And I do hereby signifie to every one that now
my publick Laboratory is at an end, and shall remain shut for time to
come, which I was willing every one should know._
_[The first] Operation shewing the way of reducing any Lead, or any
Vein of Lead by the help of common Salt, [and] by Coals, into
Ashes, in the Furnace called =Stichofen=, that so the Gold and
Silver may be extracted with profit._
Take of Lead or a Leaden Vein two parts, and of common Salt one part.
The Lead Oar is to be ground in a Mill, and so are they to be commixt,
and by little and little thrown with a Shovel upon the Coals in the
Furnace, serving to make Ashes, and which has Pipes or Chimnyes fitted
thereunto to receive the fume and the ascending Flores. That molten
part of Metal and Salt which falls through the Grate is to be again
taken up with your Shovel, and cast in upon the Coals untill the whole
Metal, or all that metallick Vein shall be turned into Ashes. Then
farther, all the burnt matter, is to be freed by divers washings from
all the defilements, and the remaining Ashes of the Metal or Metallick
Vein, is to be reduced into a Metal in a Furnace which the _Germans_
call _Stichofen_. These incinerations and reductions are to be so
often and so long repeated, untill you find (by making trial with some
little piece) that your Lead is now fitted to be handled or wrought on
in the Hearths or Furnaces by the Fire of Separation. For then in the
Hearths or Tests it is changed into Litharge, whereby it may the more
commodiously yield forth the Gold and Silver, which by the Fire and
Salt are therein maturated.
_N. B._ But you are here to observe that the leaden Oars can indeed be
commixed with the Salt, and so thrown in upon the Coals: But now Lead
admits not of being so dealt withall, for it is not mixable with the
Salt, and therefore it requires that the Salt be first cast in upon
the Coals, and then must it be thrown in afterwards at top of it. And
this way is to be observed and so often repeated and so long, always
throwing in, first the Salt then the Lead, till the Lead being turned
into ashes, hath wholly lost its metallick Fusion. The said ashes are
to be washt with Water and reduced in the Furnace, on such wise as we
spake of but now.
_N. B._ Other lesser Metals may be added to the Lead or to the leaden
Vein or Oar, and so be reduced into Ashes together, as Tin, Iron or
Copper. But yet these leaden Oars are more advantageous and profitable
if they are taken alone, as being more fit for this kind of labour,
seeing they have already in them Iron and Copper, and yield not any
good and vendible Lead, by reason of their wild nature, and so there’s
no need of burning up Copper and Tin which are already vendible.
_N. B._ Whilest this Incineration is done, many Metallick Flores does
ascend up into the Receptacles appointed for the fume to go up in, and
which are adjoyned to the Furnace, which (if need be) may be taken out,
and by washings be freed from the Salt which ascended together with
them, and by Reduction be restored or reduced to their former body: and
will yield Lead which contains in it Silver, and is to be converted
into Litharge like other Lead, that the Silver may be separated
therefrom.
This likewise is heedfully to be observed in the other _Minera’s_ or
Oars turned into Ashes, that afore their Reduction, they be thoroughly
washt from all the Salt, and the light filths or defilements are to
be well separated from the metalline body; for if this be neglected,
the Salt being forced with the strong blast of the Bellows would carry
off the Metal together with it self, and the Ashes of the Coals would
hinder the Fusion of the Metal it self, and reduce the same into
_Scoria’s_.
As concerning the Reduction it self, this is well to be regarded, that
the Fire must be kindled in the Furnace at least two hours afore the
Ashes of the Oars that are to be reduced, are to be put in, that so the
Furnace may be thoroughly bright-hot within; for if it be not through
fiery-hot, the Cast in _Minera’s_ melt not, and being not molten they
lie in the Fire, and hinder the blast of the Bellows, and spoil the
Operation it self.
These labours therefore require a skilfull Artificer, and one versed in
such Operations, for they are not so very Facile as they seem to many,
to appear to be.
Then farther, this is likewise to be noted, that if the _Minera’s_ or
Oars that you take to this Operation are full of Sulphur, and that that
Sulphur is not wholly taken away by torrifying [or calcining them]
it will by its fierceness reduce in the melting the body of the good
Metal into _Scoria’s_, and instead of Metal present you with Dross.
And this is that Incineration and Reduction which I have showed in my
Laboratory, both to Friends and Enemies; But yet I have (since that
time) found out a far easier way of doing this labour, by the help of
which, one Man will do more in one day, than he could otherwise in
eight days. But because this way is not as yet made common, it seems
not convenient in my Opinion to divulge it here; for as much as I have
determined with my self in this present Appendix to disclose onely
those things which I exposed to be seen in my Laboratory by others.
_By what means Gold, Silver, yea and Copper too, may with great
profit be extracted out of the poor Metallick Veins by the moist
way, and which cannot quit the costs of doing it by Fire._
First of all, the metallick Earths are to be made red hot, and to be
quenched in cold Water, that so being made brittle they may be ground
in a Mill. If Sulphur be admixt in them, then must they by a foregoing
fireing be freed from the same, because the Sulphur hinders the _Aqua
Fortis_, from duely dissolving those Oars. Being now thus prepared,
they are to be put into the stronger Glasses, or into Earthen Cucurbits
made of the best Clay, and the following Water is to be poured upon
them, and is to cover them over three fingers breadth. The Cucurbit
being filled with these matters is to be set in a Case [or Pot] full
of Sand, and prepared for this use, and all the Water is to be
drawn therefrom by Distillation: which is not onely all of it again
recovered, but withall doth get it self an encrease or augmentation
from the Salt-peter or the Salt, so that there ascends more Water by
Distillation than was poured on.
The Oars are to be taken out of the Cucurbit, (or Cucurbits, if there
were more Pots used) and being taken forth you must pour common Water
thereupon to extract the remaining Salt thereout of, in the which Salt
is found the Gold and the Silver that was in the Oars.
_N. B._ This is to be observed in this labour, that all the Spirits are
not to be drawn off from the Oars even to the dry Salt; and this not
onely to shun the dammage that might happen by breaking the Glasses,
but also for this reason, _viz._ that there may be left behind with
the Salt a little Acrimony, because of some Salts which easily pass
into Salt-peter when some _Aqua Fortis_ is drawn off them. And albeit
that _Aqua Fortis_ will easily turn the whole Body of Kitchin Salt into
Salt-peter, yet notwithstanding ’mongst all the Salts one Salt admits
of a speedier, another of a slow Transmutation, according as it is more
or less akin in its nature unto Salt-peter.
And therefore to prevent this errour, some humidity is to be left with
the Oars. For when all the Spirits are drawn off, and the Salt is
turned into Salt-peter, the Water would not be sharp enough to hold up
the Gold that is extracted, when the Solution is made, for the Water
would dissolve barely the Salt-peter, and leave the Gold remaining
behind with the Oar.
If this errour should chance to be committed, the Salt-peter is to be
extracted out of the Oars with the Water, and more new Salt must be
poured on upon the same Oars together with the _Aqua Regis_ that was
drawn off by Distillation; that so this _Aqua Regis_ having been once
abstracted may not afterwards transmute all the Salt thereto added
into Salt-peter. For by how much the oftner the _Aqua Fortis_ is drawn
off from the Salt, so much the less is the Salt turned by it into
Salt-peter, and at length, it will come to such a pass as to remain
just as it was afore the abstraction [of the so oft drawn off Spirit.]
For this is the nature of _Aqua Fortis_, _viz._ to transmute half its
weight of Salt into Salt-peter at the first time; the second time it
transmutes but a fourth part; the third time much less; and at length
will transmute none at all; but puts on the nature of Spirit of Salt;
which notwithstanding is most fit to extract Gold and Copper withall
out of the Oars _in infinitum_, if Salt be thereto added, out of which,
it is wont to get it self a perpetual encrease (and be) like other
Spirit of Salt.
Now then, to prevent this inconvenience, the _Aqua Fortis_ may be
left off for altogether, and those Minerals and Metallick Earths may
be extracted with the Spirit of Salt onely, and Salt added thereunto:
onely observing this thing in the Distillation, _viz._ that some of the
humidity be left behind with the Oars whereby they may be the easilier
taken out of the Glasses.
Moreover this is to be likewise known, that Gold, Silver, and Copper
may be extracted out of their Oars or Earths even without _Aqua
Fortis_ or Spirit of Salt, if onely Salt or Salt-peter be but added.
For if some Oil of Vitriol or of Sulphur be poured upon the Water of
Salt-peter, or that the Water of Salt be acuated therewithall, it
becomes strong enough to extract Gold, and after the extraction and
distilling the Phlegm off, there follows by distilling a pleasant
Spirit of Salt, or from Salt-peter a good _Aqua Fortis_. This labour
therefore is more gainfull and less troublesome, than if _Aqua Fortis_
or Spirit of Salt were used thereunto.
There are other easier and more compendious ways of extracting Gold,
Silver and Copper out of their Earths, which, seeing they have not been
as yet shown in my Laboratory, I shall silently pass them by at present
and that not without reason. But yet there is frequent mention made
of the like [Operations] in my first Century, in which he who has an
earnest desire to know more of those kind of ways, may make enquiry.
_The Preparation of sutable and proper Waters to extract Gold,
Silver and Copper out of poor Oars._
Take of Salt-peter one part, of common _Aqua Fortis_ two parts; these
being joyned together, extract Silver and also Copper. But to extract
Gold out of its Oars or Minerals, there must be taken one part of
common Salt, and four parts of _Aqua Fortis_. One pound of Salt, and
four of _Aqua Fortis_, make four pounds and ½ of _Aqua Regia_, the
other half pound of Salt stays behind with the Metallick Veins or Oars
in the bottom of the Cucurbit, and contains the Gold that was in them,
and is to be extracted with common Water.
_The way of getting out the Gold and Silver out of the washt-out
Salts by precipitation, and of reducing them to their peculiar
bodies without detriment or loss._
If it be Water of Salt-peter and hath Silver in it, the Water of Salt
being poured in, precipitates the Silver to the bottom. But if Water
of Salt, and has Gold in it, the Gold is precipitated by pouring on a
_Lixivium_ which hath in it a little liquour of Flints. And now this
Water it self thus mixt by pouring (other precipitating liquors on it)
yields (by decoction) most excellent Salt-peter. And the _Aqua Fortis_
and _Aqua Regis_, which ascended by Distillation, are fit to make new
extractions of Gold, Silver, and Copper out of their Earths; and by
iterated extractions (by the Salts and Waters thereto added) do they
get a perpetual encrease, insomuch that in these extractions of Gold,
Silver, and Copper, there are not required at all any other expences
save those few, bestowed on firing. Therefore in the beginning of this
Work there is not required ought else but one onely pound of _Aqua
Fortis_, because in the progress of the Work it proceeds on to an
infinite encrease, yea, enough for the extraction of many thousands of
pounds.
(Hence is it that this Work is an unheard of Operation, and doth
almost exceed all belief, and from which there must an immense gain of
necessity accrew, because Gold, Silver, and Copper may by this means be
extracted out of their poor Metallick Earths without costs.
There remains yet one thing which is to be heedfully regarded in the
precipitation of the Gold and Silver. A common _Lixivium_ cannot
precipitate all the Gold out of the _Aqua Regis_, and therefore I bid
you add to the _Lixivium_ some liquor of Flints, and this will also
appear in my first Century.
Therefore it behoves every one, clearly to see whether or no he makes
use of true and genuine Liquor of Flints in his Operation, that so he
may not instead of it, use a bare simple _Lixivium_ onely, and so
commit a great errour, as it hath happened to some as I have been told.
But he that can’t make true and good liquor of Flints, or else has
it not at hand, may substitute in its steed, common Spirit of Urine
prepared in a Copper still, which together with the said liquor
precipitates all the Gold out of the _Aqua Regis_.
_N. B._ But this Gold thus precipitated by Spirit of Urine, fulminates
like Gun-powder, unless it be burnt with common Brimstone afore the
Reduction, and that this fulminating faculty be taken away from it,
which inconvenience the liquour of Flints is not wont to bring.
_N. B._ If there should be much Zink, Iron, or _Lapis Calaminaris_ in
the Oars of Gold or Silver, the _Aqua Fortis_ or _Aqua Regis_ would
not all ascend by the Distillation, nor get increase; but some part
thereof would stay with those Metallick Earths, and with the _Lapis
Calaminaris_, _&c._ and by adhering thereunto be concentrated: but yet
there would not be any loss by that, for by the pouring on a Lixivium
of Wood-ashes, may it be turned into good Salt-peter, of as much value
as may easily recompence the charges of the _Aq. Fortis_, or _Aq.
Regia_.
Besides, you are likewise to observe this, that if there should be
Copper admixt in the Oars of the Gold and Silver, the _Aq. Fortis_
would extract the Copper too, as well as the Silver.
But now the nearest way of separating these two Metals from each other,
is this, Let Spirit of Salt be poured to the _Aq. Fortis_, and it will
precipitate all the Silver out of the _Aq. Fortis_, down to the bottom
and the Copper will be left in the water; which if you put some Iron
into, it will stick to the Iron, and by this means be gotten out of the
water.
This water now, after the Metals are withdrawn from it, is fit to make
new Salt-peter with, and by addition of Vitriol to yield a new _Aq.
Fortis_ by distillation.
_Alkali_ Salts do in the Fusing bring the precipitated Silver to its
former body, which otherwise is very fugacious.
The Copper is turned into excellent Verdigrease. And so the Oars of
Copper, though never so poor, may be extracted, and that with no small
benefit: Because the Verdigrease made of the bare Copper is twice the
price of the molten Copper it self.
_The manner of making good Salt-peter in plenty, out of
Kitchin-Salt and =Calx-vive=._
Take the Stones of Lime, which have been thorowly changed or reduced
into Powder by the Air, four parts: of Kitchin Salt, or Common Salt,
one part, [by weight, and not by measure] whether pure or impure [it
matters not:] and of this mixture is a thickish paste to be made by
moistning it with Urine, or, in want of that, with Water; which is to
be made up into a Pile with Wood, and so may it be made _Stratum super
stratum_, of what bigness you please: and it may be done in a Furnace
made for that purpose, or else in the open Field abroad in the Air.
But you must beware in the building up of this Pile, that the mass
of Salt and _Calx-vive_ be not too thick laid, and too much; but it
would be better to make it up in balls or pellets, that so they may
be well fired by the flame, which must penetrate everywhere through
the pervious heap or pile: which cannot be, if the mass be spread too
broad, and so stop up the passages of the flame.
The heap being made as big as you are minded to have it, the fire
must be put under, and so long fed, till all the wood is burnt, and
the balls themselves have been red-hot, a whole hour at least: that
the Acrimony of the Salt may in so great a heat be changed by the
_Calx-vive_, and get it self a milder nature, and consequently be so
much the easier transmuted into Salt-peter.
_N. B._ The Salt that is on this wise transmuted, is most fit for
dunging Lands, and to be used instead of the common beasts dung, as I
have at large taught long ago in many places of my Writings.
This is the preparation of turning Salt into Salt-peter, which
Artifice, if any be minded to work about, it is necessary for him to
order his Operation this following way.
_The manner of making Salt-peter out of this prepared Salt._
First of all, this introverted Salt must be exposed to the open Air,
and beams of the Sun; but yet so, as that the heap may not be moistned
by the Rain, and it must lie in its heap the heighth of some three or
four Feet; the which heap is to be wetted either with Man’s piss or
Beasts; or if there be not enough of this to be had, then with bare
water onely, that so the pellets or balls lying quietly for some days,
may be dissolved and be mixed with the rest of the matter.
Now when the warm Air hath consumed all the humidity, and dried up
the heap, the aforesaid moistning is to be repeated; which being
again consumed, and the heap dried, the labour of repeated moistnings
and exsiccations is to be so long continued, as long as necessity
requireth: For in long progress of time is the Salt-peter generated,
which must be washed out with water, and by decoction be reduced into
Stria’s or Crystals.
This generation of Salt-peter proceeds indeed slowly on, but yet it
brings a great profit. For if once the Salt-peter be but generated in
such an heap of Salt, and the reliques left after the washing out of
the Peter be again put to the same heap, there will new Salt-peter
be generated in process of time: so that new Salt-peter will every
year offer it self to be washt out of the heap: and this work may be
continued without end.
But he that would have some Salt-peter from this inverted Salt in
a shorter tract of time, let him know, that the Seed or Ferment of
Salt-peter must be added unto the said heap, that so this same Seed may
get augmentation from the Salt, and encrease and grow, like as an herb
is wont to grow in a fat and saline Earth. For all things have their
Seeds, and doe draw their Encrease out of other Salts. The Seed of
Salt-peter is volatile, as is its acid Spirit: its Root is fixed Niter;
which being implanted in all sharp Salts, doth beget Salt-peter in a
most plentifull manner, and such as is very good, or even better than
that which ariseth out of those acid Salts and Alcalies.
We doe not here show this propagation of fix Salt-peter by acid Salts,
because it is described in the following Labour and Operation.
Therefore like as any Vegetable may be propagated and multiplied not
onely by the help of its Seed, but even of its Root too; Even just so
is it with Salt-peter, for it admits of propagation and multiplication
by the means both of its Seed and of its Root, as other Herbs doe.
As concerning the Seed of Salt-peter, it is very easily preparable by
those who deal in metallick separations and extractions by the moist
way. For if Gold be separated from Silver by _Aq. Fortis_; or that Gold
and Silver be by it extracted out of their Oars, this very operation
hath already abundantly recompenced the charges laid out thereon, and
so it offers it self without any costs, and as it were _Gratis_.
And now, if I pour this water on, instead of common Water, upon the
inverted Salt, it does not onely become good Salt-peter, but doth also
yield (as being the Seed of true Salt-peter) an hundred fold encrease,
after the manner of the Seed of all Vegetables, and doth the same as
they do. And by how much the more of this Nitrous Seed is sown in the
Earth, so much the more Salt-peter, and so much the sooner too is
generated. For when a Gardener doth sow his Seed sparingly, he must
necessarily have but a thin harvest: and so on the contrary is it to
be understood of a plentifull harvest. And if now there should be any
one that should upbraid the Gardener with the slowness of his Seed,
because it produceth not Buds, nor Stalks, nor Flowers, nor Fruits in a
few days space, would not he say that he cannot compell nature, for it
reserves to it self its due time, and its natural course?
The very same would I have you understand here concerning Salt-peter:
if haply my Enemies, those most ignorant Sheepsheads, would object
against me, that seeing the Salt-peter doth not presently, in a few
days, grow or spring forth from its seed sown, therefore that seed was
nor true nor good, or that it is altogether impossible that Salt-peter
should be generated so plenteously out of Common Salt: I answer such,
as the Gardener does, ’Tis necessary to allow Nature her own appointed
time.
But that it may evidently appear, that this my planting of Salt-peter,
and that this augmentation may be far more evidently demonstrated, than
that of any Vegetable seed; the business may be tried for confirmation
sake in a small Experiment, afore you set about a more laborious and
prolix exercise, and to prevent your fears of attempting it in vain.
Take the Salt prepared with the _Calx-vive_ three pound, and put each
a-part in several Earthen Vessels. Take likewise of the Water of
Salt-peter already used (as being the Seed of Salt-peter) one ounce,
two ounces, and four ounces: with the one ounce of that _Aq. Fortis_
commix as much Common water as may serve to moisten one pound of the
aforesaid inverted Salt: Then to the two ounces of the same _Aq.
Fortis_, adjoyn likewise as much water as may serve to moisten the
other pound of Salt with: And so doe with the other four ounces, and
therewithall moisten the third pound: Set those three Pots, containing
the three several pounds of the said prepared Salt, at the heat of the
Sun, but so, as that the Rain may not come, and wash off all the Salt.
All the moisture being consumed by the Solar heat, moisten your matters
in your pots with Rain water onely, so often, as the drying needs the
watering it. When two or three months are over, take out each pound
separately by washing it out of the matters in each pot, and you shall
find a vast difference, and shall see that that one pound of Salt which
had those four ounces of Nitrous seed in it will be all transmuted into
Salt-peter, save a few feces: but that pound which had two ounces
of the said Seed poured upon it, will contain a lesser portion of
Salt-peter; and the other which had but one ounce onely will have the
least portion. Moreover, if you pour those Salt-waters you washt out,
and which are not yet turned into Salt-peter, upon the feces again,
and so dry it as afore, and bestow yet other three months on these
exsiccations and moistnings, and then again boil the Salt-peter out of
the Salt, it will be much encreased and bettered; and so you will have
so much the greater encrease of Salt, by how much the longer you shall
have prosecuted this Labour. Such Experiments doe demonstrate, that by
how much the more Seed there is sown in a fat and salt Earth, so much
the more plentifull encrease of the Seed is to be expected.
But those deriding mockers and persecutors of Art and Truth may here
object and say, that the Salt-peter ariseth from the Salt-peter water
onely that was put thereunto, and not from the Salt it self? But I
answer, That that used _Aq. Fortis_ is indeed the Seed of Salt-peter,
but can never recover the Nature of Salt-peter without the help of some
fix body: Like as the Seed of an herb cannot become an herb, unless it
be cast into a moist and salt Earth, from thence doth it get its body,
and so is encreased.
Verily I willingly confess, that the Spirit of Nitre may be reduced
to the former nature of Salt peter, by assuming it self a body out of
all the fix Salts. But yet, as far as I have hitherto known, by my
manifold inquiries and investigations a long time, I could not find
any other Salt (save the following) by the help of which, those Waters
used about metalline Washings, may be sooner and better transmuted into
Salt-peter, like as this, and the following Salts doe: And therefore
I doe commend it as of the best rank for the making of Salt-peter.
The manner of preparing good salt Nitre out of the extracted Oars
is already revealed in the first Century, and therefore needs no
superfluous repetition here.
_Another Preparation of Salt for the making of Salt-peter._
Take Common Salt one part, and of a sulphureous Oar, which the
_Germans_ call _Schewelkies_, two or three parts, if they contain less
Sulphur: But if they have Vitriol in them too, then must you take
equal parts of both. Grind the sulphureous Mineral in a Mill, mix it
with the Salt, and heat it red-hot by well torrifying or calcining
them for two hours (in Furnaces serving for such a work,) either upon
a Grate, or else without a Grate, upon Hearths; that so, during this
Candefaction, the Sulphur may have ingress into the Salt, and may alter
it. This Salt being washt out of the sulphureous Minera with water, and
boiled till a skin gathers at top of the water, it shoots into long
Stria’s or Crystals, like Salt-peter, and tasts like it, but falls
into Powder in a warmish Air. If it be burnt and prepared by putting
_Calx-vive_ thereto, after the way afore going, it is convertible into
good Salt-peter, but sooner and in a shorter time. If the Minera’s
you use have Copper in them, or any other Metal, yet nevertheless may
they be gotten out thence by fusion, for there will be nothing lost in
this operation but the Sulphur; and this must have been driven away
by burning it, however, if you would have any of the Metal out of the
Minera.
_N. B._ The _Caput mortuum_ out of which the Spirit of Salt by the
addition of the Vitriol is extracted, yields such a like Salt, and
very fit to make Salt-peter withall. There are also several other
ways, which yield no small plenty of such Salts, and that in a manner
without any costs, especially if the help of Stone-coals be thereto
used. Besides too; this you are to be advised of, that (seeing the Salt
is to be burnt with the _Calx-vive_) one Calx is better than another,
for some Lime stones are more apt for the making of Salt-peter, but
primarily those, which when you touch your tongue with, doe yield a
fiery tast; with which sort, the Lime made of Sea-shells doth not
compare as to goodness.
_By what means the Root of Salt-peter is to be implanted in acid
Salts, so as to be thereby augmented, like at the Root of a
Vegetable, being transplanted, gets an increase from the saltness
of the Earth._
Even as we have demonstrated in the foregoing discourse, that the acid
Spirit of Nitre is the seed of Salt-peter, and doth encrease it self
out of _Alkali_ Salts like as an Herb doth out of the Earth: Even so
by the same reason, fix Salt-peter, which is the root of Salt-peter,
admits of transplantation, yet not by fixed Salts, like as the sharp
Spirit does, but by sharp Salts, whereto it is to be united by
implantation: For, two Acidities, and two Alkalies, cannot produce any
new Essence, but two Contraries doe always produce a third. The acid
Salt, which is of the meanest acidity, and which doth easiliest admit
of being transmuted into Salt-peter, is the common Kitchin-Salt, which
we taught the way but even now of inverting by the Minera’s of Sulphur.
And if that such provision cannot be had to prepare it by, the very
Kitchin-salt it self being taken both in the moist and in the dry way,
would perform the same, as I have already shown in other places of my
Writings. And as for the making of fix Nitre, you may meet with the way
of doing that too and agen in my other Writings, and especially in that
place where I have treated of the dry separation of washing of Metals,
_viz._ when sulphureous and Antimonial Metals are washed by Nitre.
_The way of preparing Spirit of Salt, necessary for the Extracting
of Gold and Copper out of their Oars; as likewise of making good
Salt-peter of the matter left after the distillation is finished._
Mix with two parts of Vitriol or Allum, one part of Kitchin-salt, and
throw in this mixture upon hot burning Coals, the Spirits of which
are to be taken in great Leaden Cisterns instead of Receivers. This
operation (besides the salt Spirit it gives) yields also sharp Flores.
If any shall provide himself with double Leaden Cisterns, and shall
make the Outer one to hold in it the lesser Cistern, and so fill this
outer one with cold water, he shall obtain more plenty of Spirits by
reason of this better refrigeration. But such Cisterns requires a great
deal of Lead; for verily even those three alone which I had in my
Laboratory contained a thousand and forty pounds of sheet Lead.
There may be other kinds of Receivers applied to this use, which, to
reckon up, would be too tedious in this Book.
The matter remaining after the Distillation may be ground in a Mill,
and one part thereof mixt with two parts of _Calx-vive_; and so balls
are to be made thereof, and to be put upon wood and burnt, as we shewed
afore, that so they may be transmuted into Salt-peter.
But besides all these, there hath been a far better and more
compendious incineration, and bettering of the lesser and more perfect
Metals shown and demonstrated to my friends, in my Laboratory, which
requires not so many Circumstances and Labours, as the foregoing more
prolix operation, which is performed by throwing Common Salt upon the
Coals, does: For it is to be done in a peculiar Furnace, and with
purer Salts; and being wrought about a greater work, yields very
considerable profit: so that it impregnates Silver and Lead with Gold,
with twenty four hours easie labour, and renders them worth the labour
of separation.
In like manner, Copper may by the help of such Labours be very much
amended, and gets no small portion of Silver, if it be added: so that
with a little fire and a very few expences, every sort of Copper,
though it has endured the fire scarce twenty four hours, is wont to
be so much bettered, as to shew in the Touchstone the marks of two,
three, and sometimes six Lots, according as it has been diligently
and circumspectly handled. Hence comes it to pass, that by vile and
every-where obvious Subjects any Silver and Lead may be maturated by
little and little into Gold, and so may Copper it self be ripened
without any detriment into good Silver, by a few repeated Labours. Now
these operations requiring but small costs, and but a few labours to
accomplish it, may be exercised without intermission, and bring vast
profit. These inventions are such as never were as yet thought on by
any, and so never at any time saw the Light. But now they that saw
and learned, in my Laboratory, the great incineration, did not all of
them see this Labour and Artifice, and apprehend its use, but such
of them onely that stayed out constant, even to the end of the whole
Demonstration in my Laboratory. And as for such as too soon forsook
their Master and the School, they are (and indeed very deservedly)
altogether ignorant of this operation. For should they have been
masters of this _Arcanum_ too, they would verily have detrimented me
more, which God of his mercy prevented, and hereby provided, that all
[my Arcana’s] should not fall altogether into mine Enemies hands. The
Furnace which I used about the said Incineration and Melioration of
Metals, is as yet in my Laboratory, and will haply there remain all
this _Winter_. But as for mine own part, I have determined with my self
to leave off Chymical Labours, communicating them to others, with whom
this more compendious bettering of the Metals will be yet longer to
be seen. Therefore all the whole Drove of my Enemies, though never so
big, will not at all be able to oppress the truth, what mad attempts
soever they make against it. For although one or another of them hath
theevishly stole from me my Secrets, yet presently the Divine goodness
hath largely supplied me with others. I have now laid a sure Foundation
in Alchymy, and have kindled a Light for both Friends and Enemies,
which will very hardly be extinguisht as long as the World endures.
But now, that some little knowledge may be had of this more compendious
Incineration, and bettering of Metals, _viz._ of Iron, Copper, Tin and
Lead into Silver, and of _Lune_ into Gold; I say that it is to be
done in a twofold manner. The first is, when the Metals are destroyed
either with common, or else with prepared and moist Chymical Fires,
and converted out of their own Metallick being into an Earthy nature
and Essence, are imbibed with spiritual Salts, and burnt by a close
Cementation, so as by their mutual efficacy and actings upon each
other, to amend themselves, and afterwards by reduction and separation
to yield forth Silver and Gold with profit. And this Labour admits of
being exercised in as great a quantity and plenty as any one pleaseth,
and is clearly void of tedious troublesomeness, and great expences,
for one onely person may discharge this Operation in one onely Chimny,
and that with no small quantity of matter too. Nay more, (and which
is of greater moment) if any one shall in this operation make use of
such Salts as they call Graduating Salts, which are easie to be got,
and cost almost nothing, he will get far greater profit, especially
if he shall put Copper-plates to be burnt with the Metals reduced by
the said Cementation into ashes which said Plates, those Graduating
Spirits will penetrate wholly and throughout, and in this penetration,
better them, and bring them unto a more noble degree, so as to give on
the Test, Silver impregnated with Gold. Nor is it necessary that those
Copper-plates be separated by Lead in the secret Pot, so to get the
Gold and Silver made in them, by the said operation, though they have
already gotten a meanly-white Colour. ’Tis better and more profitable
to put them yet again in some new Cementations, and urge them more with
the violence of the Fire, and they will be enriched with a greater
access of Gold and silver, then afterwards are they to be Separated by
adding a due [quantity of] Lead, which is [thus] done, when the Lead
containing the Gold and Silver, together with the Copper, are melted
together into a great Cake, these are to be put in the Furnace, which
the _Germans_ call _Seigerofen_, that so the Lead melting may flow
down, and in flowing or running down may carry away with it all the
Silver and Gold that was in the Copper. By this Artifice is the Copper
conserved, and is to be a new made into Plates, and to be used about
new Labours, and be again enriched with Gold and Silver by Cementation.
_N. B._ There is not at all any need of any peculiar Lead for
this Separation of the Copper, forasmuch as that Lead may be used
thereabouts which is molten out of the Powders of the Cement, and
already contains in it Gold and Silver, which Metals are conserved by
one and the same work in the labour of Separation, and are already
gotten by the Gradatory Cements out of the Minerals, and the more
imperfect Metals.
And this now is my more compendious Incineration and Cementation of the
imperfect Metals, to make them better and more perfect. This Operation
have I shown to some Friends in my Laboratory, which will moreover
be in many places exercised with profit. And now any one may easily
foresee and guess, what shame mine Enemies, (who with their Diabolical
Clamours and Calumnies, say my Writings are unprofitable and all over
full of Lyes,) must at length be confounded withall, and how basely
they have behaved themselves. Nor verily is it to be doubted but that
there will be such frequent exercise and so familiar a practice of
Alchymy (which is an Art that produceth infinite benefits) throughout
all _Europe_, that even abundance of Work-men [or Trades men] will
leave their Trades, and many Countrey-men leave their Plows, and set
themselves about Alchymy, and by the Assistance of my Writings get
themselves Food and Rayment in an easier and pleasanter way, even out
of the contemptible Sand, and abject Stones. Whereupon it will of
necessity follow, that in all those places where now poverty is rife,
plenty of Gold and Silver will again come in sight. These are new
fruits which God bestoweth in this Age. And every one that gets so far
as to obtain their fruits, let him have regard to the poor and needy,
and not forget his Benefactours from whom such things proceeded lest he
pull upon himself the wrath and anger of God.
Moreover, there were some other _Arcana’s_ ocularly demonstrated in
my Laboratory, during the shewing of those meer prolix secrets, the
reckoning up of which here I judge needless. Some of them are of no
small concernment, which by the same Sinister or unlucky mishap fell
into the hands of mine Enemies, and will without all doubt be by them
manifested. For that very reason will I my self reveal some, in my
second Century (God permitting) that it may not be concealed from any
one, what excellent secrets I have disclosed for the use of mankind.
’Mongst other _Arcana’s_, this is none of the meanest, which, [_viz._]
teacheth to extract Copper, (by Waters of almost no cost or charges,
out of poor Oars of Copper which are every where obvious, and are not
rich enough to defray the charges necessary for a melting Fire,) and
bring it to use, and that in great quantity, and so easily as that
without question the poor Countrey-men that can very hardly sustain
themselves, their Wives and Children, will for the time to come set
about such an Operation, and get such _Minera’s_ or Oars, or even the
_Scorias_ of them, to extract the Copper out of them and sell it, and
so provide themselves Food and Rayment against a sharp Winter, whereas
otherwise they must live miserably in want and poverty. The Operation
it self is this.
_How Copper may easily and very profitably be extracted and made
corporeal (without any melting or fusion) by a certain Water of
very small expences._
There are two sorts of Oars or Veins of Copper met withall, some are
mixt with Sulphur, and refuse extracting with _Aqua Fortis_; insomuch
that you must first remove the Sulphur from them by rotting as it were
and burning them, afore that Salts or sharp Waters can display their
virtues upon them. Now that roasting (or calcining) then, is to be done
on Hearths by the flame of Wood, on which, that metalline matter broken
into Powder, is to be uncessantly stirred with Iron Instruments, so
long till it emits no more sulphureous stinch: This done, they admit of
extraction with _Aqua Fortis_.
Other _Minera’s_ or Oars which have no Sulphur admixt with them, need
not this calcining, for they are to be onely heated red hot in the Fire
and quencht, with Water and so broken to pieces, and then are they made
fit for extraction.
But all sharp Waters which dissolve Copper may be used to extract the
Copper out of poor coppery Oars, and that with profit, when the Waters
are of no great costs, but are to be had for a very little charges.
Such are an _Acetum_ or Vinegar of Corn, _Acetum_ of Woods, which any
Countryman may get easily and in great quantity; also, Water of common
Salt, Water of the Lees of Wine, out of which adust Wine (or Brandy)
or Spirit of Wine is prepared, and which else are cast away. These two
latter are of the meanest price, and may therefore be easiest of all
gotten. The Operation it self is this.
The Oars being reduced into Powder must be put into small and low
(Copper) Pans, about the thickness of a Span, for if they should lie
too thick or compact, they would more hardly be stirred with a wooden
Stick: Upon them thus lying in the Pans, pour that acid Water the
heighth of a Span or at least a hands breadth above the matters; then
put Fire under the Pans, let it boil strongly, and let the matter be
uncessantly stirred, that so the Water coming to it in every part, it
may extract all the Copper the more easily. When this Water has boiled
one or two hours, and so gotten a most green colour, and that it can
dissolve no more Copper, it must be poured out, and more put on, and be
on such wise boiled so long till it hath gotten the same colour. Now
this pouring on is to be repeated with new Water so often and so long
till it imbibes (or extracts) no more greenness, which is a sign that
all the Copper is extracted out of the Oars.
_N. B._ If there should be but little Copper in the Oars, the first
Water will extract all the Copper, and so there will not need the
pouring on any other Water. Nay more, it sometimes happens that even
the first Water would attract more Copper if the Oars had had more of
the same. Therefore the Copper is not to be precipitated out of that
Water which hath not extracted Copper enough, but is to be reserved
and poured upon new Oars, that it may be thoroughly impregnated with
Copper, and so the precipitation with Iron may not be used in vain. For
by how much the more Copper, the Waters shall be extracted (or held up
in them) so much the greater is the gain, and so much the less Water is
required to this Work.
It is a thing easie to be understood by him that shall thoroughly
search into this Operation, and manage it with due diligence, so as to
commit no errour.
_N. B._ If you have store of these green Waters, put in some old Iron
for one or two nights, and you shall get out the Copper that will
adhere unto it like filed Copper, and ’twill leave the Water white
and clear, which said Water can be used no more about this kind of
extraction, but may be poured upon _Calx-vive_ mixt with Wood-ashes,
and so be dried up, by the Air or the Sun, under some Roof to keep off
Rain, and from this used Water, and the _Calx_ or Lime is Salt-peter
generated in such a manner as I taught afore.
_N. B._ This Copper which sticks on to the Iron, is to be freed from
all the Saltishness by washing it with common Water, and is to be
afterwards dried, and so may be used in the stead of pure Copper, for
if molten it nothing at all differs therefrom, if the Operation be but
well managed. Nay more, it has in it a most notable Commodity, as being
more tender and more pure, and more commodious for many Operations than
that gross common Copper is. ’Tis also very fit to be converted into
most excellent Virdigreese, if it be moistned with sharp Vinegar and
set in the heat.
Moreover I have shown in my publick Laboratory, by what means Spirit of
Salt, _Aqua Fortis_, _Aqua Regis_, and my _Sal Mirabilis_ may be easily
gotten, and that in great quantity too, by a Separatory Sulphur, which
is nothing else but Oil of Sulphur or of Vitriol, of which I have very
clearly treated in the second part of the _Miraculum Mundi_. Likewise
how Gold may in one quarter of an hours space be converted by the _Sal
Mirabilis_ (in a Crucible) into its first matter; or, into a red,
transparent, sulphureous, and soluble Stone, which suffers it self
to be dissolved by common Water into a most excellent Medicine. This
golden Water being poured to the roots of Herbs, makes them to have a
golden property, as concerning this thing you may consult my Treatise
of the nature of Salts, and the second part of my _Miraculum Mundi_.
Besides, I have shown to some of my Friends, how in the extraction of
Gold and Silver out of the poor Oars a Gradatory and withall fixing
Spirit may be received, which is able by graduation to perfect (or
exalt) any _Argent-vive_ into Gold and Silver, according as the
extraction has been made either of Gold or Silver Oars.
This so great a secret hath as yet escaped mine enemies hands, and so
has that my secret incineration and cementation of Metals, of which
they would likewise have been Masters had they waited but yet two or
three days longer; for I presently showed such Operations to those that
stayed, and unto other honest Spectators.
To these may be also added that notable _Arcanum_ of bringing Lead in
one quarter of an hours space to such a pass, by means of a graduating
Fulmen, without almost any costs, as to be so impregnated with Gold as
to be worth the separating.
These and such like _Arcana’s_ with many most profitable discourses
have been seen and heard in my Laboratory, a tedious and needless
Repetition of which I willingly omit.
Finally, to mention somewhat by way of addition, ’tis necessary that I
say onely thus much, that happily in some short time, the business will
so come about that many Men will not for the time to come take on them
such a deal of care about the laborious, costly, and uncertain ordering
of Mine-pits, but will rather lay hold on and manage (and that with
greater profit) such as can be had and gotten better on the outside of
the Earth. But especialy there will not be a few who will set about
these Cementations of mine for gains sake, for they have many times
many lying idle by them, and which yields them no profit, which by this
assisting way they will augment, and without doubt it will be effected
too by many.
Verily I cannot at all see (as far as I know) whether there can be
found any honester and certainer way of sustaining Life in the whole
World, than this true melioration of Metals, which brings with it so
great a benefit. For even Merchandise it self though it be so very
gainfull, yet doth it stick amidst Sins, as firmly as a Nail does in a
Wall.
The Services of Lords and great Men are laborious and full of
servitude, which many have experienced. And as for War, that snatcheth
away abundance of Men by an immature death.
Far better therefore is it to live quietly with one’s Family in some
poor Cottage, and to feed on a piece of Bread, than to hunt after
uncertain Riches by most great dangers. Therefore I doubt not but there
will be many found for time to come, who being holpen by my Writings,
will more commodiously sustain themselves together with their Wives
and Children, than hath been hitherto done. Nor do I at all doubt,
but that many will take it very untowardly, that I have so manifestly
and so perspicuously revealed all things. For this is often done and
daily is it, that I am upon that account reprehended by others, as the
following Letter may witness, the like of which I could have here added
more had I so listed.
There is no Body can satisfie all. Even _Jupiter_ is not the same
(or alike acceptable) to all: One is troubled with hear, another is
burdened with cold. What things soever I have written, they are clear
and evident to such as are skilfull in the Art, and have understanding
in the business, and therefore they had rather I had written more
darkly. But the unskilfull and ignorant do judge that I have plaid the
Sophister in Writing, because they hit not the mark.
But all their judgments and Censures mought be tolerated whatever they
be that they pass upon my Writings, did they not by reason of their
ignorance, contemn the good things themselves, and say of such things
as are most true, that they are Fallacies and Lies: but this needs
not seem strange to any, forasmuch as such wicked contemnings proceed
from those that by reason of ignorance and blockishness do no better
understand the business. But this is plainly diabolical, to be highly
benefited by any one, and to be made partaker of such great secrets,
and yet afterwards impudently to deny the same and say, that they never
had any good thing conferred upon them. The detestable malice and
impiety of these Men hath enforced me to manifest in this Appendix, so
many excellent secrets, which I would at no time have laid open, had I
not been so treacherously deceived by those perfidious Men.
_This is the Letter written unto me, of which I made some mention
even now._
“Thou hast written too clearly, and again too manifestly; beware
lest God stir not up against thee another new Farnerian Devil, to
punish thy easiness [or forwardness] of publishing such Mysteries.
For they are not to be profaned by the ungodly, let not the present
corruption of Men deceive thee, and that blindness [of theirs]
which for the most part ariseth therefrom; for all wicked Men are
not blind, I know many Farners that are defiled with all kinds of
Evil, and yet are not all of them so blinded as thy Farner is. Nay,
their Wit is so penetrative and so clear-sighted, that should they
but read the divine Books that thou hast published there would
not be a secret in all nature, but they would know it; nay more,
they would in a short time perfect that Philosophick Work. Which
should it so come to pass, (the more’s the grief) what a many
Slaughters, what Whoredoms, how many ruinings! And what evils of
all sorts would break in upon mankind; of the which, thou thy self
(though innocent) would’st be the cause. I know that the detestable
Calumnies of the impious Farner enforced thee to publish them,
for he every where reported and to all, that thou wert ignorant
of them. But my most dear Sir, what is your knowledge as a thing
of nothing, unless another likewise knows that you know it? God
knows that thou knowest, for he gave thee thy knowledge. Thine own
conscience also knows it. What? Cannot these two most plenarily
bless or make a Wise Man happy? The pleasure that depends on the
Opinion of Men is unhappy. In vain do we seek after true Felicity
without us, if so be its solid principle or foundation should be
within us. What matters it, if Men think thee to be less learned
than thou art, as long as the very light it self of nature shines
unto thee? I would to God that I could once accomplish that, which,
by thy divine Books it is most certainly manifest unto me, thou
hast perfected, and let all Men believe me to be a most stupid
Fellow; I wish not thus, as if I did at all doubt of the truth of
any Work. For though I should have perfected the whole work an
hundred times, I could scarce be more certain of the truth thereof
[than now.] He that knows the way of concentrating Fire, and of
uniting the terrestrial Sun to this concentrated Fire, and the
_Arcana’s_ of Fermentations doubts not, nor seeks after any thing
more. I may boldly say, that seeing nature doth perform whatever
she has a mind unto, by these three, it must necessarily be, that
it should do some most eminent thing. But if I could but once have
finished the Work it self amidst those thousand of businesses that
have hitherto withheld me, and kept me off from the Operation,
I should have been long ago able to wind my self out of the
intricacies of this present Age, and wholly devoted my self unto
God, and to the most holy Philosophy. I beseech thee therefore my
[dear] Master, and entreat thee by God and by the most laudable
charity thou owest thy Neighbours, to write more obscurely for the
time to come, nay, and if it may be, to wrap over the Books thou
hast already published with some new cloudings, lest that celestial
treasure fall into the hands of the unworthy, and so become
hurtfull to pious Men. Pardon Sir the liberty of my complaint, for
there is no other cause thereof save piety to God, and a Zeal to
the most Learned, most upright Man, and one that too well deserves
from ungratefull mankind. And albeit thou knowest not me, yet canst
thou not be unknown to the Curious, seeing thou hast Written such
wonderfull things. Nor can there be any one that shall but once
have read over thy Books, but he will be highly obliged unto thee,
if he has but any light of Justice [or Righteousness] remaining in
him, _&c._”
Many such like Letters as these, have been ofttimes sent me from
learned and skilfull Men, tending to this end, to warn me not to
publish such excellent secrets for the time to come. Yet nevertheless,
amongst those that are rendred partaker of such, there are some who
(although the Operation it self has been sometimes manually showed them
very perspicuously and clearly,) are notwithstanding so sottish and
ignorant, as that they cannot imitate the aforeshown Operation. But
some there are also that are come to such an heighth of Treachery, as
that (being either seduced by their own false malice, or drawn away
with the desire of profit,) they deny even the truth, certainty and
stability of that very thing themselves have manually experienced, and
dare to say it is false, this verily is an astonishing and detestably
malicious wickedness, and justly and deservedly gives every one an
occasion to shun such devilish Men more than a Dog or Snake.
I _Glauber_ may justly and deservedly be compared with a burning
Candle, by serving others, am I consumed; have not I by the publishing
such very excellent Writings kindled a clear and new light to the
whole World, and added and consumed mine own peculiar Oil, and that in
vain too, as reaping no recompence proceeding from a gratefull mind?
_An Explanation of some obscure places which are to be met withall
in the Third and Fourth Part of the =Prosperity of Germany=, and
in the first Century._
In the Third Part of the Prosperity of _Germany_.
_In the Operation which teacheth to extract Gold and Silver with
profit, out of all Oars or Metallick Earths, in Page 360, =A.=
signifies =Lapis Calaminaris=._
_Page 361. =A.= is once met withall there, and signifies the same
=Lapis Calaminaris=._
_In Page 370, the same Letter =A=, once put, signifies the same
=Lapis Calaminaris=._
_In Page 370. =b.= where we treat of the Waters used about Washing
or Edulcoration, and show their use, the Letter =B.= signifies
pieces of Cloth, and the Letter =C.= the shells of Eggs, and all
Cockle-shells and Muscle-shells, [or Shell-fish] of all kinds, in
the water and out of the water: but the Letter =D.= denotes the
Feces or Lees of Wine._
_In the same Page, the Letter =E.= shows or signifies Eggshells, and
the Shells of all Shell-fish._
_The Letter =F.= signifies Stones and Lime._
_In Page 371. =a.= the Letter =G.= signifies Oil of Vitriol._
In the Fourth Part of the Prosperity of _Germany_.
_In Page 397. =b.= the Letter =A.= signifies one part, and =B.= three
parts._
_In Page 398. =a.= by the first =X.= is understood =Alkalies=, and
by the other =X.= is meant a fixt Salt, helping on Liquefaction or
Fusion._
Here follow some profitable Operations, and which appertain to the
Extraction of Metallick Earths; they are indeed treated of, or
published in the first Century; but because of the omitting of some
words, they are hard to be understood: which, forasmuch as they
comprise the things that primarily concern the Extraction of Gold and
Silver, it seemed to me a matter worth the while to insert the same in
this Appendix, the which (as I hope) will not be unacceptable to those
that search after such great Secrets.
31. _By what means volatile Gold is to be compendiously extracted
by the moist way, out of coloured Flints, red Talk, Granates,
Sand, Clay, and such-like Oars or Minerals, and made corporeal._
First of all, such Minerals are to be heated red-hot in the Fire,
and be quenched, then ground with Mill-stones, and are to be put in
Stone-Pots, or _Waldenburg_-Pots, or _Colein_-Pots, that in them they
may be moistned with pouring _Aqua Regia_ thereupon. These Pots you
must put Coals about, and heat them well. The Minera’s being together
with the _Aqua Regia_ well heated, there must be poured thereupon so
much Common warm water, as will suffice to wash off the _Aqua Regia_.
Being on this wise moistned, they are to be put into great Pots made
of good Potters Earth, having a many little holes in the bottom, over
which is some Cap-paper to be spread, that nothing of the Oars fall out
through the holes, but the water onely may distill down. After that
all the first water is run out, you must pour on more hot water, and
these pourings on are to be so often repeated, till the water tasts on
more saltish, for then it has carried off with it the _Aqua Regia_ that
contained the Gold in it.
_N. B._ The Pots are to be set upon a Bench or Dresser that hath holes
in it, so that the [Waters] may pass through the bottoms by the holes,
and Vessels may be set there-under.
_N. B._ The Minerals may also be put in Barrels, having a double
bottom, such as those Barrels are in which they use to wash out the
Salt-peter with Common water out of the Earth. And now after the same
manner are the pourings on of Common water to be so long continued till
there is no more saltishness perceived.
_N. B._ Albeit that there is no more tast of saltness discernable, yet
nevertheless some of the Salt doth as yet abide with them, [_viz._
with the Oars] and which is to be turned into Salt-peter, on this wise
following.
32. _How good Salt-peter is to be made with profit even out of
these Oars._
Mix these Minera’s that are thus deprived of their Gold with an equal
weight of _Calx-vive_ and Wood-ashes, then heap them up in a heap under
some Shed or Pent-house, and moisten them for half a year, or for an
whole year by repeated pourings on, of either Man’s piss or Beasts,
as often as (after the drying up of the moisture) need requires. In
want of Piss you may use Common water. By this means the _Aqua Regia_,
which was not thoroughly washt off with the warm water, and so remained
behind in the Oars, will, by the assistance of Urine, or even of
Rain-water, convert the Salt in the _Calx-vive_ into good Salt-peter,
which is to be washt off like other Salt-peters, and be reduced into
Stria’s or Crystals. The remaining matter being freed of the Salt-peter
by washing it off, may be again put under the same Shed or Roof, to
keep off the Rain, and be exposed to the Air and Solar heat, and be
moistned with Urine, and it will in its season again yield Salt-peter,
and will even keep doing the same for many following years, if it be
dealt withall on the like manner. And so even the very _Aqua Fortis_ it
self, which remained behind in the Oars, will bring its benefit. The
reason of this manner of Salt-peter making is this, because the _Aqua
Fortis_, or Spirit of Nitre, is as it were the seed of Salt-peter, and
is of this nature, _viz._ when it is put among other Salts, (like as
when some Vegetable seed is sown in the Earth,) it augments it self
thereby, and is multiplied, even as the Seeds of Herbs are wont to doe.
And haply, hence came that old Proverb, of _sowing Salt_, which the
unskilfull and ignorant mock at, saying, How can it be possibly done,
that Salt should be sown and multiplied, seeing the Rain can dissolve
it and wash it away? These foolish ones did not know either what Salt
was to be sown, or how. Evident it is, that even this is the sentence
and opinion of the ancient Philosophers, that even Salt may be sown and
multiplied in the manner of Vegetables.
_N. B._ Out of the extracted Oars or Minerals being conjoyned with
_Calx-vive_ and Wood-ashes, may Salt-peter be made, in a few days
space, by moistning the matters with pouring on, even barely Common
water, and so drying it up again: but then there will not be such a
quantity, as when more continued and more frequent pourings on of Urine
have preceded.
_N. B._ It is likewise a thing possible to be done, to make good
Salt-peter even in one days space, with the Waters used about
the Edulcoration [or washing of the Oars] if they be poured upon
_Calx-vive_ so long till all the noise [or tissing ceaseth] which is
made in the Solution. And thus out of the sharp water of Salt-peter,
and the fix Salt in the _Calx-vive_ is presently generated Salt-peter,
shooting into long and delicate Crystals, after that the superfluous
moisture shall have been thence drawn off in a Copper-pan. The
remaining Salt-peter water must be again boiled in a Copper even to
the appearance of a thin skin, and then be set in the cold to shoot
more Salt-peter; these Labours are you to go on withall untill all the
Salt-peter be boil’d out.
I think now that I have written and delivered all things perspicuously
and clearly: He that cannot comprehend them, must even let them alone
as an Ass must the Harp.
As concerning the sharp Waters which are used about the Extracting of
Gold out of the Minerals or Oars, so as the Gold may not be lost that
is in them, but be conserved, and that with profit, there are several
ways that offer themselves, amongst which we have thought good to
produce these following.
33. _The ways of Reducing volatile and fixt Gold unto a body,
out of the Edulcorating Waters (so called) with which the Gold
aforesaid hath been Extracted out of the Oars; and also of
usefully or profitably improving the said already used Waters
themselves._
He that desireth to enter upon the best way, may pour into the Solution
of the Gold, or into the Water containing the dissolved Gold, a
Solution of Silver or Lead, and in such a quantity as he shall guess
the Gold is of, that is dissolved in the Water. As for Example.
Suppose there be two or three Lots [Lotones or half Ounces] of Gold in
the water, there must then likewise be dissolved so many Lots of Silver
or Lead in _Aqua Fortis_, or thereabouts; which Solution is to be (be
it more or less) put to the said water, and to be well mixt by a strong
shaking it to and fro, till it becomes like Milk. When it shall have
settled, it must be shaken again, and those strong agitations must be
several times repeated in an hours space. Then all being well settled,
the clear water is to be poured off, and the grosser matter is to be
put in a Filter, that so all the humidity may by distillation [or
filtration] be removed from the dissolved _Lune_, or dissolved Lead,
and the Metals themselves may afterwards by reduction be reduced into
their pristine body, by such an help as we will presently teach.
_N. B._ If the Silver or the Lead should not have extracted all the
Gold out of she Water, or drawn it to themselves, which may easily
happen, yet notwithstanding there is not any loss of the same. For,
because the _Aqua Regia_ being debilitated by pouring plenty of water
thereupon is rendred unfit to extract any Oar anew, there may be poured
into that edulcorating Water out of which the Gold is already drawn by
the Solution of Silver or Lead, a sharp [or strong] _Lixivium_ made of
Wood-ashes and _Calx-vive_, and rendred a little sharper by a little
Liquor of Flints. For the Flints doe precipitate all the Gold out of
the Solutions. And now the _Aqua Regia_ being kill’d by the _Lixivium_,
lets fall every Metal that it has in it, whether it be onely Gold, or
Copper, or Iron, in the form of a yellow Powder: This Powder is to be
dried, and to be reduced after that manner which I told you but now,
that I would teach.
The same Gold may likewise be gotten out of the _Aqua Regia_ (first
debilitated by Common water) very commodiously by a Solution of Mercury
or Quicksilver put thereinto; The Mercury abides in the _Aqua Regia_,
and the Gold falls to the bottom like a tender fine Powder, which being
washt and made corporeal by reduction will be 24 Carracts fine. And as
for getting the Mercury out of the _Aqua Regia_, it is not to be better
done than by pouring thereinto a sharp _Lixivium_, by which the Mercury
is constrained to fall down to the bottom like a yellow Powder, which
is profitable for such-like precipitations. The _Aqua Regia_ and the
_Lixivium_ serve for to make Salt-peter withall.
The Edulcorating-water out of which all the Metals are already reduced
[or precipitated] being boil’d in Coppers, till a skin appear at
top, and then poured out into other Coppers or wooden Vessels, yield
excellent Salt-peter, fit for the distillation of _Aqua Fortis_ for a
new Operation. He that is skill’d in managing this work, will get as
much Salt-peter as will pay the costs of the _Aqua Fortis_; insomuch,
that the Gold is extracted without any costs. For five or six pound of
_Aqua Fortis_, which holds in it two or three pound of dissolved Salt,
and is precipitated with a sharp _Lixivium_ of _Calx-vive_ yields about
some ten pounds of Salt-peter: and this will certainly answer the price
of the Water or _Aqua Fortis_; and so you will have Gold extracted out
of the Stones without expence or charges.
34. _Another and better way of getting out the Gold that is
Extracted out of the Oars, out of the =Aqua Fortis=._
Make, by Calcination, some Ashes, of one part of Tin, and four parts
of Lead, and put them in an Iron-pot, whereto pour the extracted Gold,
or the _Aqua Fortis_ containing the Gold, boil it and continually stir
the Calx with an Iron rod, that so all the sharp Spirits may cleave to
the Lead and Tin ashes, and the Phlegm onely may exhale. After that
the said Calx of the Metals hath concentrated all the Spirits, and is
become wholly dry, let it be taken out, and be cast upon Coals in a
secret Melting-pot or Crucible, in which operation the fire forceth out
all the Spirits into the Recipient, which are to be again made use of
for new Extractions. The volatile Gold, and which is mixt with Iron,
adheres to the Calx of the Metals, and is to be reduced in the Furnace
which the _Germans_ call _Stichofen_; whereby the Lead impregnated with
the Gold, and exalted by it, is gotten, which by reparation yields the
Gold and Silver.
_N. B._ If that Lead should not contain Gold enough as to be worth
the while of separating it on the Cupel [or Test] it is to be again
commixt with Tin, and be reduced into Ashes, and by this Calx are
new Extractions to be Concentrated, that so by the so many repeated
Labours, the Lead is at length made rich enough, and yields (by
separation) a good portion of Gold and Silver.
If (in the separating) the matter be turned by the blast of Bellows
into Litharge, it is not needfull to melt such a deal of Lead on the
Tests, which would require so much fire. But however, it is a thing
feasable for the Gold to be gotten out of [or by] the Tests without
melting, which shall be taught afterwards.
35. _How an =Aqua Regia= is easily acquired for the Extraction of
Stones._
Forasmuch as Spirit of Salt may be had in great quantity, you need
onely dissolve some Salt-peter therein, and this Solution is to be
used to extract the Minerals withall. For the Spirit of Salt being
made stronger by the Salt-peter, doth readily and willingly seize upon
the tender Gold that is in the Stones. And as for the Spirit of Salt,
it may be used as it comes over in the first distillation without any
rectification.
36. _An easier way of getting an =Aqua Regia= usefull for
extraction._
Because that these Operations do always bring forth Silver impregnated
with Gold, and that _Aqua Fortis_ is requisite to make the Separation
of them; the Solution of Silver may be used, and so the labour of the
aforesaid incineration be omitted. Into the _Aqua Regia_ wherewith you
have extracted the Gold, pour in a Solution of Silver, and it will fish
out the greatest part of the Gold out of the _Aq. Reg._ and is, [_viz._
the _Aq. Reg._] to be afterwards made use of to a new extraction, and
be again divested of its extracted Gold by a Solution of Silver. In
want of a Solution of Silver, the extract is to be concentrated with
the Ashes of Lead, and you must proceed (by driving off the Spirit out
of the Ashes, and by reducing the same Ashes in a Furnace,) after the
same manner as we taught you but now in our foregoing directions.
_N. B._ You are here to note, that the _Aq. Fort._ which containeth in
it the dissolved Silver, and is poured into the _Aq. Reg._ or nitrous
Spirit of Salt, doth add an encrease unto these same Waters. For
the _Aq. Fort._ doth corroborate the Spirit of Salt far better than
Salt-peter doth.
37. _How the Silver (wherewith the Gold has been separated out of
the =Aq. Regia=) is to be gotten [or reduced] out of its =Calx=._
After that the Solution of the Silver being poured into the _Aqua
Regia_, hath extracted the greatest part of the Gold; the _Aqua Regia_
is to be poured off clear from the Silver remaining in the bottom, and
is to be used about new Extractions. But if so be it should yet contain
Iron in it, it must be concentrated by Lead-ashes. The white Calx of
Silver is to be put upon some Cloth over a glass or stone Vessel, and
so is to be freed from the remaining _Aqua Regia_, which will drop
from it; and by pouring on of warm water, it must be altogether rid
of the _Aqua Regia_, which as yet adheres thereunto. This done, your
Linnen-cloth being strong and three double, the Common water is to be
squeezed strongly thereout of, and the Calx it self laid by, to dry;
which may afterwards be reduced in the Secret Crucible, or be used
about a Cementation of _Lapis Calaminaris_ into Gold and Silver.
38. _How the said =Calx= of Silver is to be reduced without any
loss of its weight, and without any Detriment._
Forasmuch as this white _Calx_ of Silver is made so very volatile
by the Salts, as that it cannot be reduced at all in the common
melting Pots or Crucibles without great Detriment, there is no way of
preventing that loss more commodiously than this which follows.
Mix this silvery _Calx_ with an equal weight of a _Sal Alkali_, and
cast it into the secret red hot Crucible, wider at bottom and narrower
at the top, the which you must cover with its Cover made of the Lute of
Wisedom. By this means will the _Calx_ melt, nor will it lose any thing
by fume, nor will it penetrate into the melting Pot or Crucible: and so
the Silver impregnated with the Gold will be conserved without hurt,
which being granulated the Gold may be separated by _Aq. Fortis_: Now
this very Solution of the Silver by the _Aq. Fortis_, may be again used
to gather [or separate] more new extracted Gold, and so will afterwards
produce the Silver to be reduced the same way we instructed thee, and
so give thee a perpetual Separatory Operation of Gold and Silver, which
may every where be exercised with a great deal of profit.
39. _Another way teaching to reduce fugacious Silver with greater
profit._
Put upon the Rudder of thy Silvery Ship, the little Fish called
_Remora_, that so it may be freed from its speedy flight, and abide
quiet. Melt thy said Ship together with the _Remora_ that fits on
the Rudder in the secret four-square melting Pot, in which melting
together, there is not onely recovered all the Silver without any
Detriment, but it doth also get an increase of its weight, out of the
white Bristles or Fins of the little Fish, and becomes enriched with
Gold by its Bloud: so that this Additament yields (in the Reduction)
a greater quantity of better Silver than other Additaments do. But as
concerning other Commodities or Benefits that this fugacious Silver
bestows, it shall (God willing) be taught afterwards.
Thus much was I willing at present to teach and reveal, concerning the
extracting of volatile Gold out of Stones and the poorer Oars, and of a
successive graduating of Silver into Gold. There shall be more taught
elsewhere.
40. _A gainfull extraction out of the poor Oars or Minera’s of
Silver and Copper, by the moist way._
These Minerals or Oars are to be dealt with after the same way as we
showed above about the Minera’s of Gold, _viz._ they are to be heated
red hot, quenched, and ground with Mill-stones and be moistned with
_Aqua Fortis_, and to be extracted after the like manner as the Oars or
Minera’s of Gold are, all the difference being onely in the Waters; for
_Aqua Regis_ is to be used to extract the Gold with, and _Aqua Fortis_
for the extraction of the Silver. If therefore there be the Minera’s of
Gold and Silver at hand, the Gold is to be extracted by _Aqua Regis_,
and the Silver by _Aqua Fortis_; and both the Solutions are to be mixt
together, in which mixion the Silver precipitates to the bottom in the
_Aqua Regis_, and withall fisheth out the Gold out of the _Aqua Regis_.
Neither is it here any impediment if the Oar of Silver should also
contain Copper in it, which will be extracted together with the _Aqua
Fortis_. For the Silver and Gold fall down to the bottom, and the
Copper abides in the _Aqua Regia_, which is again fit to extract more
Gold withall, and may indeed be used as many times as any one shall
please. The Copper it self is extracted out of the _Aqua Regis_ by
Iron Plates, but they tinge the _Aqua Regis_ with a yellow colour, and
therefore make it altogether unfit for any farther labours of this
kind. Better is it therefore to concentrate it upon the Ashes of Lead,
that so that spiritual Iron in the _Aqua Regis_, may convert some of
the Lead into Gold by Gradation, and the _Aqua Regis_ it self having
been so often used may be yet again used.
41. _Another far easier way of plentifully extracting Gold and
Silver out of the poor Minera’s or Oars, Sand and Clay, and the
like Minerals without the Fire of melting._
Fill a Glass Cucurbit, or one made of the best Earth, and excellently
well luted a little more than half full, with the Minera, Sand, or
Stones containing in them, fugitive and fix Gold, and hereupon pour as
much of the following _Menstruum_ as is sufficient to moisten them;
then presently put on an Alembick (for assoon as ever the dissolving
Water is poured on the Oars or Minera’s, it presently works and fumes)
and draw off therefrom (in Sand) all the humidity by Distillation:
that so in the distilling the Gold it self may be dissolved, and the
_Aqua Regis_ it self may by Distillation be recovered; which is again
profitable for a new Operation, as we shall tell you by and by. All the
moisture being drawn off, let the Cucurbit cool in the Sand, and then
take it out, and put in some Water, that the Minera’s and Salt may be
softned. Now extract very carefully and diligently, all the Salt out
of the Oar, in which said Salt is the Gold that is extracted out of
the Oars or Minera’s, and boil it up into a red Salt, to which must
be added some Litharge, and so must be molten in such Pots as will
not break. The Litharge will imbibe all the Gold, which how it is to
be separated from the Lead, we will presently teach in the following
discourse.
42. _The preparation of the Water necessary to this extraction._
For the extraction of Gold, Salt is to be dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_,
and for the extraction of Silver, you must dissolve Salt-peter in _Aqua
Fortis_. With these Waters, of which you may furnish your self with
plenty without any great labour, moisten the Oars and then distill them
off again from the said Oars, and they will be always fit for such like
Operations, insomuch that you need never to make new Waters. Nay more,
in all the several Operations and Extractions of the Oars, they will
be more and more augmented, so that if thou usest but at first no more
than two pounds of the same Waters, they may suffice thee for infinite
extractions.
_N. B._ By this means, all the Gold, how little soever, may be
extracted by thee out of all Flints, Sand, and other Minerals without
any expences, the Fire onely excepted.
This also is expedient for me here to show, that sometimes there are
to be found fugacious Minera’s of Gold, and coloured Flints which are
sufficiently rich with Gold, and are painted as ’twere with delicate
colours, _viz._ green, sky-colour, and red: but in the heating them
red hot, those colours vanish, and leave the Flints white. Such as
these admit not of heating red hot, like as others do, which retain
their colours in a red hot Fire. Therefore such must be reduced into
Powder without any previous heating red hot, and you must extract them
[as they are] that so the volatile Gold may be attracted by the _Aqua
Regis_, which said Gold being abstracted [again] by the Ashes of Lead
commits it self to [or imbibes it self in] the said Ashes, which are to
be reduced by the help of the secret Crucible; in which Reduction, the
Gold becomes corporeal and admits of being separated from the Lead with
profit.
_N. B._ Such Stones may likewise be mixed with the sharp coagulated
Spirits, and these [Spirits] may be forced over by a Retort: For so,
the fugitive Spirits of the Salts carry over with them the Volatile
Gold, and make a very excellent Gradatory-water, transmuting fugitive
Mercury into Gold, with greater profit, than if this very volatile Gold
had been made Corporeal with Lead.
This secret is none of the least of those which teach the Extraction of
Gold out of colour’d Flints or Stones.
Such a volatile Gold may also pass into other Metals by gentle
Cementations, and so become fix, and will bring no small profit, nay
rather a greater benefit than if it were gotten out by fusion. In such
Cementations, the volatile Gold hath time of getting a body with the
other Metals, and of acquiring a fixity, and is as it were a golden
Seed, which augments it self into Gold, in, or out of the Metallick
Earth.
43. _Another Water to Extract Gold and Silver withall._
For Gold, let Salt; for Silver, let Salt-peter be dissolved in the
Water [or _Aqua Fortis_] and let be thereto added as much Oil of
Vitriol as half the Salt as you put. This Water extracteth Gold and
Silver out of the poor Minera’s Sand and Stones, and requireth the same
operation as the precedent ones doe. It is likewise augmented even to
infinity, insomuch, that Gold and Silver may be extracted out of the
poor Mines without Costs, if you except but the fire.
_N. B._ Oil of Sulphur does the same that Oil of Vitriol doth, and
therefore may it serve instead thereof in such Extractions of Gold and
Silver.
44. _Another far easier way of plentifully Extracting Gold and
Silver out of the poor Minera’s or Oars, with very little or in a
manner no Costs at all._
Mix the Oars or Minera’s with their due Waters, and therewithall fill
small Pots or Crucibles made of the best Earth, which put near one
another in a great Iron pot. Put an Alembick upon the Pot, and draw
off the Spirits by distillation, which [Spirits] will requite all thy
disbursements, and will so give thee Gold _Gratis_, which you are to
wash out of the Oars with Water, and get it [or corporifie] by _Saturn_.
45. _Another yet easier way._
Moisten the Oars with their due Waters, cast them in by little and
little upon the live Coals, and that in such a manner as we taught thee
about distilling Spirit of Salt. By this Distillation the Spirits pass
into the receiving Vessels, and the Gold and Silver are dissolved and
stay behind with the _Sal Mirabilis_, and is to be washt out of the
Oars with Water, and to be molten with _Saturn_. Thus is gotten the
Gold and Silver that was in the Minera’s or Oars, without any expences,
and the Spirits quit all the Costs.
46. _How Gold and Silver may plentifully be extracted out of Fat
Clay._
Although that the Extraction of Gold and Silver by moist waters is a
sordid operation, as was aforesaid at the beginning, yet is it not done
without profit; because the Gold and Silver may be gotten out of the
Waters by precipitation, and of the used Waters may Salt-peter be made.
But now the case is far otherwise with fat Clay, for that, it being
fat, the Spirits hide themselves therein, that the one half thereof can
hardly be recovered, unless such an Earth be freed of its fatness by
heating it red-hot: and this requires some labour to effect it.
But seeing that in all places of the World, wheresoever any Earth is,
there is such a kind of Earth, and that in no small quantity, that
contains Gold and Silver: and there hath not as yet been any body that
hath endeavour’d to reduce it to any profit, and bring it into use,
but especially when it contains not in it so much Gold and Silver as
to defray the charges of separating it by Lead. But I have found out
a very easie way of doing it with profit, and I think it my duty to
disclose that Artifice for the publick good; and it is thus:
Mix such an Earth as contains therein Gold and Silver with the Water
of Vitriol, which I have afore described, and make it up into balls
somewhat bigger than ones fist, which throw orderly and by little and
little into my first Furnace, or into my second distillatory Furnace,
and draw off the Spirit by Distillation. The dissolved Gold and Silver
remaining in the _Sal-Mirabilis_ is to be extracted out of those balls
broken small, with warm water, and to be reduced by Lead, after the
afore described manner.
47. _By what Artifice Gold may be plentifully and easily extracted
out of Granates, Agates, Saphires, Rubies, Sand, or other hard
Minerals which suffer not themselves to be tamed neither with
Lead, nor with sharp Waters._
It is certain that all Granates, what Colour soever they are of, or
what place soever you meet with them in, whether you have them out of
Rivers, or wash them out of Sand or fat Clay, or that you find them in
the high Mountains and Rocks; they always contain in them much Gold:
but by reason of their Glassy nature, they cannot by any means be
extracted with _Aqua Fortis_ or strong Waters, nor can they by reason
of the hardness of their bodies fusion be molten with Lead. Hence
it is, that as hitherto they have never been so handled as to have
their Gold extracted out of them with profit, and therefore are they
neglected as unprofitable, unworthy, abject, and contemptible Minerals,
whereas notwithstanding it is a thing feasible for a man to enjoy
their Gold and Silver with a little labour, and as it were without any
trouble. But now what course must we take to doe this, seeing they
elude the sharpest powers or efficacy of all strong or sharp Waters,
whereby their heart may be penetrated, and Gold may be extracted out
of their bowels? I answer; They are to be overcome by Concentrated
Spirits, and which are reduced to the form of Salt, as also by a fusile
Salt of Lead, and be so divested of the Gold they contain in them, and
without this will the victory over them hardly be obtained. For Spirits
being reduced to the form of Salt, doe abide the fire most patiently,
and perform a double labour; one by their Acrimony, the other by
a strong fire, insomuch that nothing can escape their power, and
therefore all things are tamed and subdued by them, and doe afterwards
readily obey the virtues or power of Saturnine Salt, and yield forth
their Gold by fusion.
48. _A Demonstration, above the reach of any Confutation, shewing
that more Gold and Silver may be gotten out of the Oars or
Minera’s of Gold and Silver, by the hitherto prescribed ways, by
sharp Waters or Salts, and in a manner without Costs, than is
wont to be done by many Expences, and by the fire of Melting._
I believe it is not unknown to any one that is but a little acquainted
with the knowledge of the Minera’s of Gold, that the Gold cannot be
gotten out of them without the addition of Lead, or the help of some
matter rendring the fusion more easie. And now when such Oars contain
but little Gold, and contrariwise much Lead, or matters requisite to
promote fusion are of necessity to be thereto used, how can it be,
that that little portion of Gold or Silver should recompense or defray
such great expences? Therefore such poorer Oars have hitherto lain as
cast-aways, as being uncapable of bearing the Expences of reparation,
and so are not put to any use, nor are at all profitable.
But admit that the Oars do contain as much Gold and Silver, as that the
Costs of melting may be repaid by them; yet such a fusion, compared
with this invention of mine of Extracting Gold and Silver with Waters
and Salts, is as if you should compare Water with Wine, or the night
with the most brightsome day, which have no comparison.
For, first of all, the common melting of Metals is accompanied with far
greater Expences, than that Extraction of mine with Salts, which verily
needs but a very little charge. Then farther, it can never be, that all
the Gold should be so perfectly Extracted out of the Oars, but that
some of the same will abide in the Scoria’s; besides, the volatile Gold
and Silver, which must necessarily be blown off by the vehement blast
of the bellows, and the acuteness of the fire, and so be lost.
Now amongst all the conveniencies that arise from the Extracting of
Gold and Silver out of the poor Mines, that is none of the meanest,
_viz._ that not onely all the fix Gold and Silver are conserved by
the Salts, but also the Volatile too, and this latter is made fix and
constant in the fire, together with that former fixt part, whereas by
the Fusing fire it is all of it lost.
_N. B._ For the Waters of the Salts doe make the volatile Spirits
of Gold and Silver, and which otherwise would vanish away fix and
constant; for by a strong blast and force of fire are they rendred
yet more fugacious. Hence comes it to pass, that [there is but the]
one half part of that Gold extracted by the fire of the usual way of
melting, that the Waters of Salts get out of the Oars. Upon this
account my Invention doth not onely yield this commodiousness as to
get both the fix and volatile Gold and Silver together, without any
detriment out of the Oars, but also gets not a little in sparing Coals,
(not to mention this, that one man does more in the Extraction of Gold
and Silver by Salts, than three men are wont to doe in the common way
of Fusion.
* * * * *
By what hath now been said, it is evidently apparent, what a deal
of benefit and profit this invention will bring in all places of
_Germany_. For this Extraction may be used commodiously and profitably,
not onely in all Minera’s or Oars both rich and poor ones, but also may
be used in Extracting the Gold and Silver out of all colour’d Flints,
wherewith all Rivers, Brooks and Fields do abound.
But some or other may haply say here, by what means can it possibly be,
that Gold and Silver should be extracted out of the Stones that lie
too and agen every where in the Streets? I answer such, that indeed it
is very rare to find fix Gold and Silver in such Stones, but yet they
have in them a spiritual, unripe and volatile Gold, which is not onely
made fix and constant in the extraction made by Salts, but it doth
likewise turn some of the Lead it self that is added in the fusing and
separating it into its own nature by Graduation. Hence ’tis evident,
that in all places of the Terrestrial Globe wheresoever Stones are,
good Gold and Silver may be gotten with profit, by a little labour and
small costs. Praise and glory be eternally given to the most bountifull
Lord God for such Inventions. _Amen._
* * * * *
These are the Secrets which I publickly demonstrated and divulged [or
communicated] in my Laboratory, for the benefit of my Countrey. And I
do now again affirm and witness that if even the very bare Letter be
observed, no body can err. And if so be that any one should change this
or that order, and so think to better the Operations, and should err,
let him not lay the fault upon me who have Written the naked truth, but
let him blame himself.
I had several other things of no small moment, to have spoken to here
at present, the which I shall God willing very suddenly dispatch in my
second Century, for the present time does not permit it.
And in the said Century will I declare with a yet clearer and easier
manifestation, those Secrets here disclosed, the which could not at
present be done because of my too much hast.
And now I wish to all the pious Students after this so great an Art, a
large and plenteous blessing from the mercifull Lord God, as to this
so very excellent a Work, that the poverty and want of abundance of
miserable People may be supplied in many places. Which if it be (as I
hope it will) it will exalt the honour and glory of the most high, and
will encrease the Prosperity of the Countrey, and withall will check
and keep under the most base attempts of mine Enemies. But especially
if the counsel that I have proposed in my first Century, (_viz._ that
every one may have liberty to exercise such Operations,) takes place.
This being granted, it cannot be, but that Gold and Silver and Copper
will every where be gotten out of the Earth, with the help of these my
Writings, to the great profit and benefit of all the whole Countrey.
And so I conclude this so much hastned Appendix, wrested from me
occasionally by perverse Men. Those things that I have not in such
or such a place clearly and evidently enough expressed for want of
time, I will express God willing in my second Century with a clearer
Explanation, and thither do I refer the well-minded Reader.
_The End of the_ Appendix.
THE
SIXTH and Last PART
OF THE
Prosperity of GERMANY.
In which the _Arcana’s_ already revealed in the Fifth Part are
not onely illustrated with a clearer Elucidation; but also such
are manifested as are most highly necessary to be known for the
Defence of the Country against the _Turks_: Together with an
evident Demonstration, adjoyned [shewing] That both a particular
and universal Transmutation of the imperfect Metals into more
perfect ones by Salt and Fire is most true; and withall, by
what means any one that is endued with but a mean knowledge in
managing the Fire, may experimentally try the truth hereof in
four and twenty hours space.
To the Friendly READER, Health.
_I taught in the First Part how the over-abounding quantity of Wine and
Corn is to be Concentrated, that it may abide uncorrupt for a very many
years, and when necessity requires it may be an help to many in need._
_In the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Parts I taught the Extraction
of both fix and unfix Metals, to great profit, and almost without any
Costs, out of the bodies of vile, poor Minerals and Metallick Earths,
which will not quit the Costs of a Fusing-fire, and this to be done by
no costly Waters; and withall, how to bring them into use, which no
body afore me ever did. And did not I disburse a great deal of Monies
in building a convenient Laboratory, in which I produced such most
profitable things to the view of every one, and demonstrated them to
be true? And what have I reaped for these so great benefits I have
done, but a most ungratefull casting off their remembrance? Have not
all the things I have taught been accused of falsity and deceit both to
the high and low, by those who have so audaciously dared to deny the
Melioration of Metals by Fire and Salt? These have also asserted, that
the making of Salt-peter of Common Salt is altogether impossible; and
they have affirmed it to be a thing quite contrary unto nature, that
Metals should be gotten out of the poorer sort of Metallick Earths by
the help of a Water made of Salt-peter; but yet that even this is most
certainly true, the Appendix of my Fifth Part, and my Second Century,
doe demonstrate by indubitable Experiments._
_And albeit that the three said =Arcana’s= are evidently enough
delivered and described, so as even to be palpably felt by the hands of
those that know how to manage the Fire, yet notwithstanding they have
brought but very little benefit as yet, because that although they are
most true, yet are they contemned and disregarded by unskilfull Men,
out of meer Envy and most perverse hatred, and doe even yet stick in
contempt._
_However, not regarding these [base dealings] and that I may mete them
all things in full measure, I have a mind yet farther to detect some
secrets, by which there may redound to the Country very notable fruits:
And that not onely by converting the many Metallick Earths that contain
in them Gold and Silver, and which have not hitherto been profitable
to any unto a gainfull and a beneficial use; but also by defending the
Country against the most dangerous invasion of the =Turks=, who are the
Capital Enemies of the whole Christian World, and that by so strong and
efficacious a defence, as never any mortal man did yet contrive the
like of._
_As to what belongs to Mineral Treasures, I have exhibited a
sufficiently clear and manifest description of them in the second,
third, fourth and fifth Part of the Prosperity of =Germany=, and also
in the Appendix to the fifth Part, and in the second Century. But yet
there is nothing so perfect and absolute but that in process of time
there may be added and adjoyned thereto some new thing, and somewhat
of perfection: Witness my Instrument which I mentioned in the second
Century, by the help of which, Gold, Silver and Copper are easily and
plentifully extracted out of their Metallick Earths, and that on such
wise, as that there are requisite no other Costs but the bare Charges
of the fire. And farther, this way would bring no small profit even
from those Metallick Earths which are ranked amongst the poorest sort
of Oars; if it were well known, and exercised in many places, there
would flow thencefrom most mighty profit throughout all =Germany=, and
the said Instrument would by its assistance wonderfully promote the
same._
_For although I have heretofore publisht several ways of preparing
sharp Waters, and of extracting the Metals with them out of the poor
Minerals; (and yet even these ways bring no despicable gain) yet they
perform not that which is wont to be accomplished by the help of the
said Instrument. For this Instrument serves not onely to extract those
sharp Waters in a greater quantity, but is also far fitter and more
convenient for the Extraction even of the Metals themselves out of
their Earths, and for the separation of the Dissolving =Menstruum= from
the Metals, than those Glass Vessels are, which have been commonly used
about this Operation._
_Therefore it much concerns him that employs himself about these kind
of Operations, well and thoroughly to know its Use. I made indeed some
mention of the same in my Second Century, but yet not so clearly as
for any one thoroughly to understand its Use by what I there spake.
Therefore I have thought it expedient to give here somewhat a clearer
and more perspicuous description of the same, that so I may not seem to
be at all wanting in my diligence unto any one, but may be said to have
done all things with a due candour and openness._
_The Description of the Instrument, serving for the plentifully
preparing of Spirits, and for the easie extraction of Metals out
of their Oars, without much Cost._
This Instrument is to be made of good Earth, that can sustain both
the Fire and the Spirits; Metals are unprofitable to make it with,
because they doe not long resist the Corrosion of the Spirits; But
now, that the said Instrument may the longer abide in the Fire, its
outside superficies must be fenced with Iron bonds. This Earthen
Vessel therefore must be made of such an Earth as abides the violence
of the Fire, and resisteth the Corrosivity of the Spirits, so as that
it breaks not nor chaps with too much heat, nor be corroded and eaten
thorough by the Corroding Spirits. Such Earths there are enough of
too and agen in _Germany_. Moreover, this said Instrument may be made
greater or lesser, according as you are minded to prepare a greater or
lesser quantity of Spirits; But however, it must not be made too big,
for then (if it exceeds a due magnitude) it will not abide the fire so
well. Therefore is it necessary to have several of these Instruments
made, if a man be minded to make at one and the same time a great
quantity of Spirits. But if any be minded to set about this Operation
so as to have huge quantities of Spirits, it will be his best way to
have his Instrument made of Iron plates, such as the Armourers use, and
to strengthen them with Iron rods, and so fence it both in the inside
and on the outside every-where with Lute or strong Clay. For by this
means the Instrument being made of a sufficient bigness for the work
you would put it to, will in its inward superficies hold the Corroding
Spirits, and in its outward superficies undergo the violence of the
fire without detriment, and be far more commodious than so many little
Instruments that are made onely of Earth.
_Of the Form and Figure of this Instrument._
The matters out of which the sharp Spirits are to be drawn, are not to
be put nakedly in [as I may say] into the Instrument it self, but are
to be put in some strong Earthen-pots and so put in, that after the
Spirits are distilled off they may be again taken forth, and other Pots
fill’d with new matter may be put in, in their room; and this to be so
often done as need requires.
And seeing the Salts that are to be distilled are not put naked into
the Instrument, but are put in, in Earthen-pots; the Instrument must
necessarily be so prepared, as that those Pots may be put in as often
as need is, and be again taken forth, when the Distillation is done,
and new ones be put in, in their stead.
The Instrument therefore must be of a like bigness both above and
below, and ’tis no matter to have it much exceed the heighth of your
Pots you put in.
One side of it must have a Door to put in the Pots at, and to take them
out again, the which Door must be made to shut handsomly after your
putting in and taking forth.
To the other side must be fitted a Pipe somewhat large, by which the
Spirits may have a passage forth into the Receiver. And the Instrument
must be on such wise placed in the Furnace, as that the Door and Pipe
may lie without the said Furnace. To the Pipe must be added another
Leaden Pipe, twining round like a Serpent, and therefore is by the
Chymists called a Serpent [or a Worm:] the which must be set in a
Vessel full of Water, that so the Spirits passing out may be cooled and
be caught in the Recipient.
_Of the use of the Instrument._
When you will distill your Spirits, you must put thereinto so many Pots
filled with your prepared Salts as your Instrument can hold, then close
the Door well, and put Fire in the Furnace. This done, the Spirits will
ascend out of the Pots thus heated in the Instrument, and finding no
other out-let but by the Pipe and Worm, they will enter into them, and
being there cooled will run down into the Receiver. You shall know if
all the Spirits are forced out of the Salts or not, when they cease
to flow out through the Worm into the Recipient. Which when you shall
perceive, you must open your Door and take out the Pots in order, and
then put in new, that so the Distillation may be continued on without
any delaying. But now, those Pots that are to be put a-new into the
Instrument, must be set nigh the Furnace a while, that they may grow
hot: for else being put in cold, they would not brook the sudden heat,
but chap and break. When all the Spirits are distilled off, then you
may put in other new Pots in the room of them you took out, and the
Operation is to be so long and so often repeated as need shall require,
or as any one has a mind to do. The Salts that remain behind in the
Pots you take out, are to be moistned and macerated with some Phlegm or
weak Spirit, and they do again, sometimes emit Spirits by Distillation,
but yet not in such quantity as at first they did.
This is that way of preparing sharp Waters usefull for the extractions
of Copper and Gold. But as for _Aqua Fortis_ requisite for the
extracting of Silver, it cannot be prepared by this same Instrument,
because it will corrode the Worm or Leaden Pipe, if it should pass
through it, which the Spirit of Salt and _Aqua Regis_ do not do.
_N. B._ When therefore you would make an _Aq. Fortis_, you must make
you another twining Pipe or Worm of some other Metal which will not be
preyed on by the _Aqua Fortis_, or else set some other Stone Vessels to
the Nose of the Pipe that goes out of the Furnace.
It is also a thing possible to be done, to make such strong _Acetum_
of Corn and Honey by the addition of some Salts, as that it shall
not onely extract Gold and Silver, but also Copper and Lead out of
metallick Veins or Earths.
Thus much may at present suffice to be spoken concerning the
preparation of sharp Waters needfull for the extraction of Metals out
of the Oars. The preparation [or Operation] it self follows.
_How Metals are to be extracted out of their Earths or Oars, by the
help of this Instrument._
The preparing or fitting of the Minera’s or metallick Earths for
extraction, hath been described in the Appendix of the fifth part, and
therefore needs not be repeated here.
But as we there showed, that the roasted [or calcined] and powdered
Oars were to be put into Glass or Stone Cucurbits, that so they might
be moistned with the sharp Waters, and be macerated [setting the
Cucurbits] in warm Sand; so the very same thing is to be done here,
this onely excepted, that [_viz._] the earthen Pots supply the place
of Glass and Stone Cucurbits, and the Instrument it self in which the
extraction is made, performs the office of Sand: After the extraction,
the Water impregnated with the extracted Metals is poured off, and the
remaining matter it self is washt by pouring common Water thereupon,
after such a manner as hath been prescribed in the Appendix of the
fifth part.
_By What means the Metals extracted by the dissolving Water out of
the Oars are to be separated from that same sharp Water without
any Detriment, nay rather with an augmentation of the said Water._
We have taught in the Appendix of the fifth part, that if a Man be not
minded to precipitate the Metals out of the Solution by the contraries,
_viz._ by Alkalizate Liquors, then there is no commodiouser and nearer
way than that which separates the dissolving Water from the extracted
Metal, by Distillation in Glass or earthen Vessels.
If now any one is minded to encrease his dissolving Water in this
separation he may be Master of his desire by adding thereto common
Salt, and drawing off the Water from it, which said Water will by this
means be encreased and rendred stronger. And now there will come no
inconvenience to the Metals themselves that are held up in that Water,
in that some Salt remains with them, (no,) for in the reducing them,
the said Salt gets them an easier and readier Fusion and Flux.
But yet it is not necessary to leave the Salt with the Metals, seeing
it is better to separate it from the Metals with common Water, and so
use it again to the same labours rather than let it be lost in the
melting.
_The Reduction of the Metals from which the dissolving Water is
separated._
Albeit that that Reduction hath been already described in my second
Century, yet I thought it worth while here again to repeat the same in
a few words.
It is to be done two manner of ways, and that partly in Crucibles, and
partly in the melting Furnace which the _Germans_ call _Stichofen_.
The pure Metals, as the Gold and Silver are wont to be molten and
reduced in Crucibles: the Copper may be reduced in the said Furnace,
and needs nothing to be added about its Reduction. But for the reducing
of Gold and Silver, fix Salts, the Glass of Lead, Borax and other
additions of that kind, (of which we have made mention in the second
Century) may be made use of. And as touching the addition of those
matters which are wont to be used to promote the easier Fusion, this
is primarily to be regarded, whether or no the Metals are pure and
alone [by themselves] or else have other Metals mixt with them, that
(so acordingly) convenient additions may be applied. For if the Gold
should also have Copper or Iron in it, then there cannot be any better
thing added than Antimony, which reduceth the Gold by one and the same
labour [or Operation] and also separates the Copper and Iron therefrom,
which thing, other such like matters that are used to make the Fusion
the easier, do not perform. Therefore it is necessary that he who would
set himself about such Operations, do well understand the Artifice of a
metallick Fusion, and so administer or order his labours by adding or
taking from, according as the subject requires and as is best. It is
impossible to prescribe such things to any one in such a manner as to
make him presently understand, learn, and imitate the same.
_Some other manual Operations which are needfull to be known in the
use of this Instrument and which may be exercised._
First of all, it would be no small or mean _Compendium_, [or good
Contrivance] if this same Instrument were composed of two or three
parts, taking for the lowermost part a broad Iron Pot, and so to set
on the upper part with its Door and Pipe thereto annexed. And because
the bottoms of the Iron Pots do a little bow rounding, and that yet
notwithstanding the Pots you put therein may not stand leaning or
awry, the bottom is to be made level with calcined Allum, that so the
Pots put in upon that may stand upright. From hence likewise ariseth
this Commodity too, that if your Pots should chance to break, and the
dissolvent run out, it would not be so lost but would lodge it self in
the burnt Allum, and may easily be recovered in the preparation of the
sharp Waters and be applied to use.
Secondly, the Instrument may likewise be so prepared, as that the Pots
may be put thereinto by taking off the upper part, and then the Pots
being put in, the upper part must be adjoyned again to the nether part,
and [so] be again covered with its Cover; for being thus, there needs
not the Door in the side to put the Pots in by.
_N. B._ There must be some Notch or Channel likewise fitted to the
top of that upper part, which being filled with Sand may receive in
it the Cover, and so prevent the out-let of the Spirits that way, by
means of its tight shutting; as we have taught in the second part of
the Furnaces. The Instrument prepared on this wise, will haply be more
commodious to many Men, than if it had a Hole or Door in the side. But
every Man may choose either this or the other way, which he pleaseth.
Thus have I now taught, and opened the use of my more secret way of
easily preparing the sharp Spirits of Salts in great quantity, and the
manner of dealing about the Extraction of Metals out of the poorer
metallick Earths: Away (I say) most easie to do such great things, and
which was never as yet known unto the World.
But yet I doubt not but that the Metals will for the time to come be
plentifully and very profitably extracted (and so applied to common
use) by the help of this Artifice and Instrument, out of the poorer
_Minera’s_ which contain in them Gold, Silver, and Copper, and which
will not quit the costs of the Fire; and forasmuch as by the help of
this Instrument, the sharp Spirits of Salts may be gotten easily and
in large quantity, not onely for the Extraction of the Minerals, but
also for the concentrating of moist Fires, and seeing that wonderfull
things may be done by the help of those Fires; I do therefore commend
it to the Studious of Art, as a thing of better esteem than ordinary,
and have sufficient reason of so doing. For to omit the saying, that
those cold Fires do give an excellent Magnet for Water or Ice, they do
also abound with such virtue as by which they can ripen and better the
Metals; the which we will make a larger description of, in what follows.
Besides too, there may haply be effected far greater matters with those
cold Fires, as to the defence of the Countrey against the _Turk_, that
Capital and Bloud-thirsty Tyrant and Enemy of the Christians, in some
cases than with Gun-powder: if such moist Fires be cast into places a
prety distance off by suitable Instruments, or be forced out of those
lesser and greater Guns and War-like Canes, they will bring far greater
Detriment to the Enemies than Gun-powder is want to do.
By this means, one weak Woman will in some cases be able to repel many
armed Men; but this is a thing which such Men as are unskilfull in
natural affairs, will deny till it be made manifest, and used against
the _Turk_. Therefore I have a mind to set aside all other businesses,
and to make those kinds of admirable Fires to the utmost of my power
in great quantity, forasmuch as I well and assuredly know how great
Detriment may be brought upon the _Turks_ by the help thereof.
Fires they are which any one may carry about with him like Waters; they
will not burn or overthrow Horse and Man sooner than any have a mind
they shall. Nay yet more, if any has a mind to fortifie their Virtues,
he may by adding other Fire-breathing matters, make them far more
vehement and efficacious, and do far greater matters with them as being
much more hurtfull than with those simple Fires.
And now seeing I have so very much commended the concentrated Fires of
Salts, to
1. Diligent and provident Masters of Families, thereby to take away the
superfluous watriness from their smaller Wines, Ales, and other Drinks,
and so to concentrate them, and carry them (in case of necessity) into
the strong and fenced Cities;
2. To the poor Chymists, that they might by them correct and better the
Metals and so help their own poverty and want;
3. And to the Christian Chieftains of War, and faithfull Rulers of the
Countrey, that they may stoutly resist the _Turks_, that are the sworn
Enemies of the Christians.
I judge it altogether necessary to treat of them somewhat more clearly.
_By what means and way this threefold use of cold Salts may be most
profitable to the Countrey._
First of all, the concentrated Spirits of Salt may bring most great
advantage, by concentrating the poorer sort of Wines, the which they
make better, as is shown in the second Century: when the superfluous
Water is removed from them, insomuch that they do not onely keep
their goodness constant and durable, but may likewise be far more
commodiously and easily transported out of one place into another, so
that necessity requiring, they may be more easily transported out of
such places as are more remote from Cities and fenced places into the
stronger holds and fenced Cities, and so be conserved.
It is as yet fresh in every ones Memory how miserably the case stood
with Men in the foregoing War, which lasted thirty years. If any
Farmer had his Cellars full of Wines, and the Soldiers break in to the
Countrey, did horribly abuse the gifts of God, that which they could
not consume by their detestable Gluttony, they wickedly spilled upon
the ground; the Soldiers I say, and such Men as profest themselves
Christians, and durst boast of the Christian Religion. From hence may
it easily be conjectured what it would be, if such a multitude of
_Turks_ should over-run our Countrey, which imminent evil, God of his
mercy turn away from us.
In the days of _Noah_, the Men then lived in all security, and not at
all regarded the Preachings and Admonitions of that godly Man, by which
he exhorted them unto Repentance for 120 years together, they did Eat,
they Drank, Married and gave in Marriage, till the Floud swept them all
away, and there was no more room for Repentance left, as sacred Writ
testifies.
We reade of _Sodom_ and _Gomorra_, that the Inhabitants of those
Cities being even drown’d in Leachery, did so despise the reproofs and
warnings of the godly Man _Lot_, untill a Fire was sent upon them from
the wrath of God and consumed them.
Who is there that in this Season feareth God, and lives piously? He
that is the strongest oppresseth the weaker, nor does at all think on
this, that there is one far more powerfull than he himself is, who
comes when he pleaseth, and punisheth such powerfull Oppressours. But
these things, and such warnings of this nature are plainly mockt at.
Did not God sufficiently enough warn us the last year 1660, and
shewed unto us his wrath, by those dreadfull Tempests and Storms,
and Earthquakes, wherewith almost all _Europe_ trembled. Doth he not
also this very present year (1662) shew us his self-same displeasure?
What portends that Comet that was seen in the Heaven, any one may
easily guess what it means. Verily it threatens nothing else but evil,
especially because it extended its Tail contrary to the usual wont
of other Comets, towards the upper part of the Heaven, just as if
it should say, I will show unto the Men, that ’tis not this or that
Countrey, this or that Enemy that shall chastise you, but ’tis the King
himself of all Kings, who is in Heaven, that hath purposed to punish
you for your Wickedness; whose Rod ye may [yet] divert from you that is
stretcht out to punish you, if you apply your selves to him by serious
Prayers, true Repentance, and unfeigned amendment of your Lives, now
whilest you have time allotted ye to repent in, if such admonitions
as these can but find entertainment with you. And what I pray will
this warm Winter bring upon us, the which being destitute of all cold
Ice and Snow hath permitted the Trees to flour in the very month of
_February_, and the Medows to be clad in Flowers, and ripe Cherries
to be seen? Without doubt, nothing else but all kinds of poysonous
Diseases and which will speedily kill Men, and with which mankind will
be afflicted; and if so be that an intense cold should yet follow,
which may easily be, there would doubtlesly follow a great Dearth of
Grain and Provision by spoiling the Wine and Corn, whose buddings are
already come so far forth, as that the cold may easily destroy them.
And now are we not sufficiently enough admonished by these fore-runners
and signs of the wrath of God coming on us, and hanging over our Heads?
Besides all this, let us consider that great Conjunction of all the
Planets in _Sagitary_, such as hath never been since that time in which
all the Planets were in Conjunction in _Aquarius_. And this Conjunction
[in _Aquary_] preceded the deluge, which destroyed all mankind by the
breakings in of the Waters, _Noah_ and his onely excepted. But as
concerning what that great Conjunction in _Sagitary_ the next year 1663
will show us, and bring upon us God knows. _Sagitary_ is a martial
sign, and deadly, and portends nothing but Dissentions, Seditions, and
uproars of War; and therefore prophesieth unto us nothing but bloudy
Wars, insomuch that it is much to be feared that this ungratefull World
will be consumed, and blotted out as ’twere by Fire, and the Sword,
and the anger of God: which evil, God of his mercy turn away from us.
Certainly these Conjunctions are not wont to fore-signifie or bring
along with them any good. But I heartily wish I may prove a Liar in
this case, though I fear me, that there is more evil coming upon us
than will be welcome unto us.
For when God sheweth us any thing with his Finger, it should be of more
concernment unto us than all humane Writings, for they may err. But
God never does any thing in vain and without cause. Never did there at
any time a Comet shew it self in the Air but many Calamities succeeded
it. That old Proverb may very likely prove true, which the Ancients
have pronounced, _viz._ that it will come to pass in the year 1660,
that Alchymy will begin to flourish, but will bring along with it such
changes for [some] years following, and such dreadfull changes too,
that the third part of Men will perish with Famine and Pestilence, the
third part will perish with Fire and Sword, and there will be but a
third part onely left.
But yet I would not that you should take or look upon this my
prognostication on such wise as if all these things should infallibly
come to pass as I have predicted. No, I was willing onely to open to
you my Meditations upon the years to come. For all things are seated in
Gods power alone, in whose hands onely and alone we know our firm helps
and assistance to be ready for us, and therefore do not in the least
confide in our own strength and power, which are more vain than are all
fading things.
But forasmuch as there are natural means granted us, of driving away
our Enemies, we may well use them as far as in us lies, for that it
belongs unto every Christian Man, to do his utmost to repell with all
his power the common Capital Enemy of all Christendom.
And now therefore that I my self may not be found to be the least in
defending my Countrey, I have determined to exhibit in this Book the
help and assistance that I can afford, and this is not Money and Wealth
which I have not, but by offering such artificial inventions, and
disclosing them, whereby the Enemies may be valiantly resisted. For
in all things we see, that many times far greater things may be done
with Wisedom and Prudence, than with Strength and Fortitude, and this
is clearly evident in the most efficacious Operations of Gun-powder,
which produce far greater effects than Mens hands, though never so
strong, could ever bring forth.
’Tis well known, that the use of Gun-powder was not always known, but
was first found out by a certain Monk in _Germany_, in the year of
our Lord 1380, who by chance lighted on the finding of its dreadfull
strength. Neither is there any one ignorant, what great Victories they
that well knew its use, obtained over their Enemies afore it was made
manifest. But when it became publickly known, then it served both
Parties, so that neither part had more advantage by it than the other,
and then the deciding the Controversie consisted (next the blessing of
God) in the multitude of the Men, of which their power was composed,
and not in Art. And like as it seemed a meerly incredible thing at
first when it was heard of, that a Powder of such mighty force could
be made of such vile Subjects, _viz._ Brimstone, and Salt-peter, and
Charcoals: Even so will it at first exceed all belief, when it shall be
heard say that Waters may be prepared out of such Subjects, which said
Waters can doe such wonderfull, and so many great things.
It is also reported [or Chronicled] that the said Monk did not search
after Gun-powder purposely, but being addicted to Chymistry, and
occupied about Operations upon Salt-peter and Sulphur, endeavoured to
distill a Water from them. Now these being mixt, and by chance taking
fire, he perceived them to break every thing, and rend it into pieces:
And hence came that man to know the unheard-of Virtues of Salt-peter
and Sulphur, which being so thoroughly contrary to each other, made
such great concussions or shakings. The same thing hapned even unto my
self, for purposing to make sharp Waters out of Sulphur, Salt-peter,
and other Salts fit for my purpose; I perceived in such Operations,
that far greater things mought be brought to pass by such firey Waters
than could be done by Gun-powder. Nevertheless, I buried these Secrets
in great silence, nor manifested I them to any man, though I knew them
above these twenty years; fearing this, that should they be known, they
might be as Instruments in the hands of the Christians to torment one
another with.
But now seeing God hath vouchsafed to bestow a peace upon the whole
Christian World, and that the _Turks_ doe begin more and more to
persecute and vex the Christians by their Tyrannical Persecutions, and
endeavour even thoroughly to root them out, as they have already made
a beginning in _Hungary_ of their detestable attempts, I advised with
my friends whether or no it would not be expedient to detect and lay
open those Secrets to the Christians, that so they may be used against
the _Turks_, and I was advised by these my friends to proceed on in the
revealing of them. Upon this account (all other businesses laid aside)
I wholly betook my self to this very one thing, to get great store of
those kind of firey Waters in readiness, which may be made use of as
most substantial bucklers or defence both offensively and defensively
against the _Turks_. Now I have done this the more willingly and
readily, because they kill no man, but doe onely so far debilitate
them, that they may be overcome, and easily taken and made Captives.
For were this invention of mine such as would kill men, I would never
have at any time produced it in publick, and thus divulged it. And
therefore I am even yet of this mind, that that Monk _Barthold_ did
not well in divulging the preparation and use of Gunpowder, by which
such a multitude of Men are destroyed and slain.
But by this Invention of mine, no man is slain, and yet the victory
wrested out of the Enemies hands. And the Enemies being taken alive and
made Captives, may be constrained to work, and in my opinion may bring
more benefit than if they were slain.
I doubt not but that the things I here propound may seem impossible
even to the wisest [sort of] men of this World; nor indeed is it to be
wondred at if it be so; for they are unheard-of Secrets, and unseen,
and so exceed all belief. I dare not here trust my Pen too much, though
I could disclose them in a few words, and so, as to bring every one to
acknowledge the truth hereof, and to feel it as it were with his hands.
But I must deal warily, lest such sharp, and yet not killing, weapons
fall into the Enemies hands.
* * * * *
But yet that I may in some sort satisfie the desirous Reader, I doe
signifie unto him in brief, that all the whole Art lyes coucht in
this knack, that vast quantities of those artificial Waters may be
gotten without great Expences; and being prepared, may be afterwards
applied to use by some certain secret Instruments both offensively and
defensively. For those watry Fires, or firey Waters which I speak of,
are of such a burning nature, that neither Men nor Horses whom they
touch are able to resist [or endure] them; And yet they doe not kill,
unless one be minded to slay others, and then they must have a more
peculiar preparation. But as they are by themselves, they kill none,
but doe extreamly disturb both Horse and Man, that it makes them even
impatient of the pains, and so forceth them upon one another, whereby
their order being broken, they ruine themselves. This done, the victory
is as it were given into the adverse parties hands, whereby they can
without any labour vanquish and take their Enemies Captives. I dare not
to say any more hereabouts, this onely I add by way of overplus, that
even Women (where Men are wanting) may not onely (by this invention of
mine) drive off the Enemies from any fenced place, but they may force
them out again out of the place, or o’erwhelm the Company of them that
are entred with Stones. Though this seems an incredible thing, yet is
it most true, and will without doubt, after it shall come to light, in
a short time serve as a most notable defence for the Countrey.
And as touching the easie, and not at all costly preparation of the
moist Fires and their due use, together with the Instruments hereto
requisite; all this shall be shown and detected to those onely who both
can and will use them against the _Turks_. But to others not, and this
we were willing to signifie by way of admonition or advice.
This little, but yet exceeding weighty Secret, and which may be used
against our Countries Enemies with most notable benefit, I have
revealed enough of at this time. Mean while I hope, that even this very
year the Enemies of the Christian World will be notably endamaged by
it, which God of his grace and mercy grant, that it may be a solace and
help to the Christian World so dreadfully persecuted by the _Turk_,
even for the honour and glory of his holy Name. _Amen._
_Now follows the third use, and that consists in the melioration
of the Metals, by which also great benefit may redound to the
Countrey._
As for such things as concern the true and indubitable melioration
of Metals by Salt and Fire, I have already sufficiently enough
demonstrated in the fifth part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, and in
the Appendix thereunto.
But seeing my true demonstration there made, seemed not sufficiently
clear and evident to not a few, and that therefore they have most
lyingly dared to aver, that there is no such thing as a true
transmutation of Metals, and that such like Affirmations as these are
meer fables, meer falsities, and meer dreams: Therefore I could not
choose but (to stop the mouths of such wicked Men, and shame them,) to
lay open and publish an evident and palpable truth.
And this is no great task for me to do, for I was many years ago
certain of the truth hereof, and therefore can easily set it afore
the Eyes of others, and that not onely particularly [or a particular
transmutation] but also universally, insomuch that even the blind may
see and palpably feel, that the transmutation of Metals is not an old
Wives Fable, but is a certain and firm Science, and what is risen
even from the foundation of nature her self. If now I shall prove
it to be thus, I have then I hope secured my affairs, and have not
onely defended the Writings my self have sent abroad, but withall the
most true assertions of other honest Men, and so shall have evidently
demonstrated those things which to the greatest part of Men seems a
thing impossible to be done.
Albeit that there are many who have left us the truth in their
Writings, yet are they so involved in obscurity, that such as know not
the Fundamentals of the Art, can never learn ought of certainty from
them. Whence it comes to pass, that so many Men have vainly attempted
the Art, and therefore the Art it self hath been mightily despised.
The Transmutation of Metals is not a thing of so small a moment (as
that eminent Philosopher _Sandivogius_ witnesseth) in his Preface
prefixed to his Writings; where he also tells us, that he that obtains
the knowledge of the same, so as to transmute any imperfect Metal into
a more perfect one, though it be done without benefit, hath met with an
open Gate, and entrance leading to greater matters, and this is also
exceedingly agreeable with the truth. For if any one shall take some
imperfect Metal, and by handling or dealing with it with such or such
matters, shall find that it is advanced to a golden or silvery nature,
may more deeply look into the business with fuller and more accurate
Meditations, and [at length] wholly search it out, _viz._ whence that
bettering proceeds, and by what means or in what manner his labours are
to be contrived.
And now when such an one doth make fix and constant, such or such a
Metal by the benefit of the Fire, and useth no other matter about the
Operation but Salt, and doth really find a true melioration of the
Metal, certainly he cannot ascribe it to any other thing but the Fire
and Salt: and now whereas he assuredly knows, that the melioration of
Metals can be perfected by the help of no other thing but of Fire and
Salt, he will not need to search for any other, but will rather wholly
apply himself thereunto, whereby he may most commodiously deal with
the Metals by the means of Fire and Salt, and better them with profit.
And if now he be once Master of his desire, he will gain sufficiently
thereby. But if not, he cannot blame the Art but himself, who indeed
sees the possibility of the Art but hath not (yet) entred in by it,
or through it to the great Treasures it discloseth, so as to take
to himself a due or competent part. But forasmuch as such happy Men
are very seldom found, who find the Key that opens the Doors to such
Mysteries, I judged it a thing worth while if I did here detect this
very Key, and show by what means the Gate (by which the closest of
Arts is made fast) is wont to be opened. And if now it shall please
the Studious Artist to enter thereinto, he may with all my heart, and
so enjoy those Treasures. I will not pass the bounds I have intended
to observe: it is sufficient for me to have shown the right and kingly
way, wherein every one may go that listeth, that so he may arrive to
his wisht for end.
But as for the Key that unlocks the Closet of Art in true Alchymy,
I do confidently affirm, that Salts are such Keys, and especially
Salt-peter, and also common Salt and Vitriol, each of which is of it
self efficacious enough to open the Door which shuts the Parlour or
Closet of Arts in Alchymy. But one Salt joyned with another as is
expedient and in convenient wise as Art requires, does effect more and
show greater power than if it abode alone, and this my Writings do too
and agen largely shew. But those Salts are in an especial manner more
excellent as to power and virtues than others are, those I say which
being first made volatile or spiritual are afterwards made corporeal,
like as the following example doth evidently demonstrate.
_An evident demonstration of the possibility of transmuting the
viler Metals by Salt and Fire into more noble ones._
Take of Vitriol two parts, and of good Salt-peter one part, mix them
well, and being mixt distill an _Aqua Fortis_ therefrom, with this
Water, dissolve Silver or Lead, and pour into the Solution some Spirit
of Salt, or else some common Salt onely dissolved in Water, that so
the dissolved Metals may be turned into white Powder, and precipitate
to the bottom of the Vessel. This done, wash off the _Aqua Fortis_
from the _Calx_ of Silver or Lead, with Rainwater, and you shall find
it to be one quarter part encreased, and this augmentation cannot be
washt off with any Water. Now these saline Spirits do make the _Lune_
and _Saturn_ so very volatile, fusile, and flying, that they melt in a
small heat and penetrate all hard Bodies. Upon this account I called
those fugacious and fusile Metals, by the name of a _Mercury_, which
said _Mercury_ of _Lune_, or of _Saturn_ hath assumed to it self onely
so much of the Salts as it needed, to amend it self in the Fire, when
they mutually act upon each other, and the Salt maturates the Metal.
But what course shall we now take with these Metals, seeing they are so
very volatile, that they cannot resist the indifferently strong force
of Fire, and therefore go away in fume? And forasmuch as they abide not
the Fire and do not die, by what means can they be amended?
There is no better way to be taken with them here, than (for prevention
of their volatility) to add to them some metallick body, into which,
the fugacious exceeding fusile, and Salt Metal may hide it self, and
so brook the Fire. And amongst these six metallick Bodies, I know not
as yet of any better than Tin reduced into Ashes, which is most fit for
this Operation, because it is the most unfit or hard to melt of any the
_Calx’s_ of the rest of the Metals.
If therefore you will make experiment of this Operation, adjoyn to one
part of the _Mercury_ of _Lune_ or _Saturn_ two parts of the white
Ashes of Tin, which being well mixt and put into a Glass Cucurbit well
fenced with Lure, set it into Sand, put Fire thereinto by little and
little untill the matter in the Glass be well heated; in this darkish
red hot heat, leave it so long untill some part of the matter doth
ascend by sublimation up into the Alembick placed at top, and up the
neck of the Cucurbit. Then you must put on another Alembick, and take
out all the sublimate out of the former Alembick, and put it back upon
its matter in the Cucurbit, and it is to be again left so long in the
Fire, untill there doth again ascend some part by sublimation into
the Head. This being taken out of the Head is to be again put into
the Cucurbit, and to be added to its own matter, (and to be proceeded
with) till again some portion sublimes up out of the matter into the
Alembick. Now these labours are to be so often repeated, untill there
ascends no more matter up into the Head, and all the matter abides
behind in the bottom of the Cucurbit fixt. This being done, a stronger
Fire is to be administred, that the Metals may be operated upon by the
Salts. For by how much the more and longer they endure the violence of
the Salts, so much the better do they grow, which being taken forth and
reduced by the adding unto them their due matters and being separated
by a Cupel do yield forth a notable encrease of Gold and Silver.
This undoubted Experiment and evident Demonstration, doth (by its
evident Operation) clearly and perspicuously teach and prove the
melioration and transmutation of the Metals into better and more pure;
but if this way seems to any very laborious and full of troubles, I
will show him a more compendious way and such as is of less labour, for
the sake of searching out the truth.
Fill a Hassiak Crucible (one of the best make) with the self same
mixture, _viz._ one part of the _Mercury_ of _Saturn_, and two parts of
Tin-ashes, and squeeze in the matter thereinto with your Thumb pretty
hard, and fit at top of this Pot, another somewhat lesser, so as that
they may shut close and tight at their mouths, and one may not fall off
from the other, if they be turned (topsie turvy:) Now in this upper
Pot, put some Plates of Copper in, afore you place it on the lower
one, yet on such wise that in the turning the Pots (up and down) they
fall not out of their places. Each Pot likewise is to be well fenced
with Lute such as will not chap when it is dried, and yet it may be
mended if it should a little cleave by dawbing some more on, and this
is done, that no fume at all get out. The Lute being dried, place this
double Pot or Crucible in a circular Fire, and augment the Fire more
and more, and move it nearer and nearer it untill it be well heated.
Then put thereto larger Coals, and cover the Pot all over with them,
that it may be every where red hot, in which great heat of the Fire
it is to be left some two or three hours. Then being cool, take out
and open your Pot, and you shall find the Copper Plates in some sort
tinged with a white colour, but yet this colour is not so constant and
fix as to abide in the Cupel or on the Test with its Body. Therefore
necessity requires that those Plates be dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_,
and be precipitated by pouring thereon Salt dissolved in common Water,
in which precipitation the Silver _Calx_ settles to the bottom. This
_Calx_ being freed of its Saltness by pouring Water thereon, and being
dried, is to be wrapt up in a Plate of Lead, or some sheet Lead made
as thin as Paper, and be put on a red hot Test, in which there must be
a little Lead in Flux, which may the more readily receive the silvery
_Calx_ wrapt up in the leaden Paper, and which is volatile, and may
hinder it from going away in fume; the Lead being consumed, there will
be a grain of Silver abiding on the Test, which being dissolved in
_Aqua Fortis_, will let fall some Gold to the bottom. If any of the
remaining matter in the Crucible be to be reduced, then boil it with
Lead, and let it be reduced into _Scoria’s_: out of the _Regulus_ will
there also remain on the Test a grain of Silver containing Gold in it.
But this way brings no profit, as being here taught for this onely
end to demonstrate the possibility of the thing. But if you would get
any profit by such an Operation, it will be altogether necessary to
use such Vessels in which nothing at all may go away in fume, but all
the matter may abide together, and may so get a fixity and constancy:
and this cannot be done in Crucibles, but it will bring a profitable
melioration by the said way.
Some may now demand from whence that Gold and Silver should come?
whether out of the Lead or out of the Tin? doubtlesly it comes from
both. And therefore seeing the Copper Plates in this Cementation,
as likewise the cementing powder it self have put on a golden and
silvery nature, can any one doubt that this is a true Transmutation by
Fire and Salt? And this is especially manifest even from the Copper
Plates, which had nothing at all toucht them, save the saline Spirits
ascending up out of the Cementatory Powder, which in the heat of the
Fire penetrated the Copper, and amended it in so short a time. Is there
any one now so blinded as that he cannot here see, that this bettering
the Metals proceeded from Salt and Fire. Certainly no body will be able
to heal him that is blinded with such a darkness of his sight, and
therefore must he even lie all his lifes time in such obscure mists.
For this Operation is set down so clearly and evidently that it may be
even felt and perceived with the hands.
_N. B._ If so be any one is desirous of getting more Gold and Silver by
the help of this Operation, he may use the _Mercury_ of _Lune_ instead
of the _Mercury_ of Lead, for it will yield far more than _Saturn_ will.
I could exhibit no small variety of these kind of Experiments, but that
the shortness of time bids me stop, and forbear their description;
those that cannot learn ought from these things, greater ones will not
be at all usefull unto them. Thus have I a-new evidently demonstrated,
that a particular melioration of the Metals is done by, and proceeds
from Salt and Fire alone.
_An infallible demonstration, that a true tincture or universal
Medicine may be made by Salt and Fire, for the melioration of
Metals._
_Recipe_ one pound of the _Mercury_ of Lead, or rather of _Lune_, of
the Ashes of Tin two pounds, mix these matters together and put them
into a Glass Retort coated, and put it in Sand, or rather in an open
Fire, and give a Fire by degrees. In this Operation, the Salts inhering
in the _Mercury_ of _Saturn_ or _Lune_, do display or exercise their
virtues upon _Jupiter_, and seize upon it and leave the _Lune_ or Lead,
and ascend up into the neck of the Retort like _Mercury_ sublimate, and
are very heavy and ponderous, and do very rarely fall down into the
Receiver, because they presently settle assoon as ever they feel any
Refrigeration. Therefore it is needfull that the neck of the Retort be
somewhat wide, that so the _Mercury_ sublimate may meet with space and
room enough, and may not by wanting room break the Retort. Now when
the Retort has been kept three hours in a red hot heat, which time is
requisite for the _Mercury_ sublimate to ascend in, then cease from
continuing or keeping on your Fire, that so it may cool. Then take
out the sublimate out of the neck of the Retort when cold, and you
shall find about some eight Lots 4 Ounces, and proceed with it the way
following, as we shall by and by tell you.
Mix the Reliques or what is left, with two parts of _Regulus_ of
Antimony made with Iron, and melt it into a body: Wash off the
_Regulus_ and Tin from the Silver with Salt-peter, and you shall have
your Silver not onely encreased by the _Jupiter_, but also indued with
somewhat of a golden nature; as much as the Salts could maturate in
so short a time, which is indeed a speedy Transmutation. But if you
use _Mercury_ of _Saturn_, there will not follow much amendment in so
short a time. Yet nevertheless, that even the truth it self may even
by this means be searcht out, there may be added a little Lead, and be
boiled and reduced into _Scoria’s_, in which there will remain a grain
of Silver, which will give you information, how much melioration the
saline Spirits are able to bestow in three or four hours space.
But this is not the right way of getting profit, for as much as it
shows onely the possibility of the thing.
But if you would have any profit by such an Operation, you must get
you a Cucurbit for this sublimation made of good and vitreous or
glazefying Earth; and the sublimed _Mercury_ must be taken forth of
the Alembick, and be again added to the dry matter lying in the bottom
of the Cucurbit, and this Operation of subliming it must be so often
repeated, till there ascend up no more, and that all abides fix with
the Tin. Then is a stronger Fire to be put thereto, and the _Jupiter_
and _Saturn_ will be maturated by the Salt as we taught afore. And if
now any be minded to take that same sublimated matter, as it ascended
in the first sublimation, and would make it fix and constant (_per
se_) in a Glass, he would get a Tincture that will in projection tinge
with a white and red colour, but yet I never have as yet tried the
latter of these. However I doubt not, but it may be done. For seeing
that this sublimed matter, doth (though it be so volatile) penetrate
the Plates of Copper, by three or four hours time cementation, and
turns somewhat of the said Plates into the nature of Gold and Silver by
graduation, how much more would it do, if being brought to a due fixity
and constancy, it should be projected into some molten and flowing
Metal? For that in such a white sublimate (principally in that which
proceeds from _Lune_) there lies hid also an occult redness, and may be
manifested by the Fire, this I say, mine Eyes have seen, and mine hands
have felt, but have not as yet brought the Operation to its compleat
end, by reason of various lets and want of time.
Farther, by such a sublimate _Mercury_ may likewise be wrought various
Transmutations, which I think not fit to divulge. It is in its nature
fugacious and volatile, and yet notwithstanding doth it in process
of time make all other volatile and fugacious matters, such as are
Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt, and even the most flying of all, _viz._
common _Mercury_, fix and constant, which effect is to be attributed to
the Salt onely. He that knows rightly to manage this Operation, will
not labour in vain, but will be rendred a partaker of great secrets,
which thing I leave to the Sons of Art, as a Testament or Will.
But yet that I may kindle some little Torch for to guide the desirous
Reader, and may make him more certain of a true Tincture, which this
abject _Mercury_ sublimate showing it self in a white colour hides in
it, I have thought good, yet farther to add this following way.
Extract out of this sublimate a running _Mercury_, vivifying and
separating it by apt and magnetick subjects; and evaporate a little
portion or particle thereof, of about the bigness of a Pea, in a
Silver Spoon; when ’tis all gone, you will find a purple Powder left
in the Spoon. If you cast this Powder upon hot boiling Lead, you will
find after its blowing off, a grain of Gold on the Test. The Spoon it
self will bear the mark of a purple spot in that place, in which the
_Mercury_ went away in fume, and it cannot be blotted or rubbed out,
because the _Mercury_ hath deeply impressed the Tincture in the Spoon.
Now may some or other say unto me, whence did that little grain of
Gold left on the Cupel, and that purple spot which tinged the Silver
Spoon, proceed, came it from the Lead or from the Tin, or from the
Silver, or out of the saline Spirits? The greatest part of Men will
say it proceeded out of the Lead, Tin, or Silver. But I say, that it
did indeed come out of the Lead, Tin or Silver, but that the Tincture
adjoyned thereunto is for the most part the true Soul of Niter, which
the _Mercury_ took unto it self, and again left it and forsook it
assoon as ever it was vexed or forced with the Fire. But I doubt not
but that if such a _Mercury_ impregnated with the Soul of Niter, were
fixed and made constant in the Fire, it would afford an universal
Tincture.
I confess I have tried many a time this Operation in small Experiments,
which sometimes answered not my desires, what diligence soever I used
thereabouts; but when I attempted it in a greater quantity it never
succeeded. This thing seems to be posited in the will and pleasure
onely of the Omnipotent God, who will not have those his so great
Mysteries and Gifts profaned. I have indeed (like unto _Moses_) seen
the promised Land, but yet I do not know whether or no God will bring
me thither in this Life, that so I may enjoy those most precious Fruits.
And if God should not vouchsafe me that benefit, yet do I willingly
rest content with this, that I have seen with mine Eyes, and felt with
mine hands the truth of the Art more than once, which Art so many
thousands of Men do so greedily gape after, but yet not with such good
hap and success as to find it out or see it.
I have I say seen the truth, but not the Tincture brought to its end or
perfection, but yet have I seen its beginning which makes me certainly
assured so far, as that I dare to affirm, and confidently aver, that
there is in nature such a thing as a true Tincture, and that it may by
Gods blessing be prepared by an Artists hand. I have not yet had so
much quiet and so much time as to undertake this so weighty a Work.
Yet now I have a resolution to set aside all worldly cares, solicitudes
and businesses, and to attempt and wait upon this kingly Work, and
expect what the divine grace will bestow upon me. For we are to look
for all good things from above, for else we labour in vain, whatsoever
diligence we make use of.
These things I was willing to publish for the Assertion sake of the
truth, and to prove that there was in nature a true Tincture, that so
it may evidently appear that Metals may be transmuted both universally
and particularly. And if by some desperate Men or by a sudden and
immature death (which chances God of his mercy graciously keep from
me) all the _Mediums_ or means of perfecting so great a Work, and
finishing it should be cut off from me, yet notwithstanding the truth
it self will be able to bear witness to my sayings when I am dead and
gone. For I have by me even yet those Silver Plates tinged with Purple
Spots, which can at all times witness the truth of those things I have
here delivered. For it is an impossible thing that Silver should be
tinged with a purple colour without a Tincture. If therefore there is
to be found the truth in that white and fugacious sublimate, what I
pray would be found in the fix and Fire-abiding red Tincture? Would it
not be, that effects of far greater moment would be produced by such
a Tincture. The Ancients therefore that desired firmness of health
and a long life, bestowed such labours and sweats upon getting a true
Medicine for humane and metallick Bodies, and some of them arrived to
their wisht-for end, but the greatest part of them were deceived with
vain labours, and frustrated of their conceived hopes.
If any Man did certainly know that there were in some places to be
found mighty treasures of Gold, Pearls, and Precious Stones, and
it were granted every one to search after them for his own proper
advantage, what think you, he would be lazy and slow, and would not set
himself to seek after them. But if any should so order his search that
like a blind Man, he neither knows nor sees what it is he seeks after,
or in what place it is to be sought by him, certainly such an one would
labour in vain, and lose both his time, pains, and costs; and this
usually betides the greatest part of Men, for they spend their labours
in vain in their search after this Work, because (like blind Men) they
neither know what they are to seek, nor where. But yet ’tis credible
that there would not such a multitude of them have stray’d from the
truth, had but any one so clearly and perspicuously shown and pointed
as it were with the Fingers at the place where the Treasure lyeth
hidden, as I have now done.
And although the envious and lying Devil should oppose the truth even
with his greatest power, and should most cruelly rage against it,
yet notwithstanding he will not be able to shew us any one Man that
hath produced and brought the truth forth to the light with greater
perspicuity and evidence than _Glauber_ hath.
I have therefore yet once more at present shown by a most evident
demonstration even before the whole World, and have asserted it for
a truth, that not onely the more imperfect Metals do admit of being
really transmuted by Salt and Fire into the more perfect ones, but
withall, that by them, [_viz._ Fire and Salt] a Tincture may be made.
And now let all mine enemies visible and invisible ones, open and
secret ones, what name soever stiled by, come forth and publickly
produce the true Transmutation of Metals, with a clearer and more
conspicuous manifestation than I have here done. I acquiesce with what
I have hitherto spoken; if God shall please I will divulge admirable
things in my next third Century. In this little Treatise there are laid
open onely four secrets, but yet so clearly and conspicuously that no
body hath as yet manifested such and so eminent things with clearer and
more perspicuous expressions.
For that first Instrument is clearly enough described, by the help of
which, not onely a great plenty of all sharp Spirits may be prepared
with very little costs and easie labour, and the four-fold use of these
Spirits is able to bring most great profit to the Countrey.
1. All Gold, Silver, and Copper are thereby extracted out of the poorer
sort of Oars which _Germany_ abounds with every where, and that in a
far easier manner than by fusion, and are so brought to a very gainfull
improvement, to the great benefit of all _Germany_, the which hath
never been hitherto done.
2. Of the said Spirits is made a Water-attracting Magnet, for the
bettering of poorer Wines, that so they may keep good, and be the
easilier transported out of one place into another, as I have signified
in my second Century. It is a secret which offers gain both to the rich
and poor, and may be prepared in great plenty.
3. The imperfect Metals are sundry ways bettered by those saline
Spirits, of which may be made vast quantities as I have shown in this
Work or Book, and this melioration my Writings do variously teach and
treat of.
4. By the help of these fiery Spirits of Salts, preparable in mighty
plenty, which is a thing commodiously to be done by the Instrument
described in this Book, may the _Turks_ who are the Enemies of the
Christian World be resisted without any Bloud-shed. Concerning these
fiery Waters, which being such a notable destruction on the Enemies,
this is here to be noted, that immense quantities of them are easily
gotten without any Distillation and with very little expences.
For if much be to be effected by them, it is necessarily requisite to
have vast quantities of them in readiness, without which, no great
matters are in this case to be accomplisht. But as concerning the
manner of so greatly endammaging the _Turks_ by these moist Waters I
cannot so accurately describe the same here, as being a meer stranger
to, and ignorant in military affairs. However I will briefly and in few
words shaddow out, what way I think it may be done by, _viz._ to resist
and mightily endamage the Enemies by them.
First of all, this is the nature and property of these moist Waters.
As to outward view they are like Water, and may be handled or dealt
with as other common Waters, but their inward virtue is nothing but
a meer Fire. And because these moist Waters may be thrown not onely
with the hands, but with greater Warlike Engines or Guns a good way
off, by artificial Instruments prepared for that purpose; therefore is
the use of them manifold, and as necessity requires may they be used
several ways for the expulsion and overcoming of the Enemies. We will
illustrate our meaning by an example. Suppose I am in a City or Castle
besieged by the Enemies, and that I have by me some of those kind of
Instruments which are accommodated to this use for the moist Fires. If
now the Enemy should set upon the Trench, Wall, or a Bul-wark, and I
were furnished with that defensive Water of mine, should stand behind
the Wall or Bul-wark in that place which the Enemy sets upon, he could
not possibly come at me; for those moist Fires may be cast by the said
Instruments far without the City, like a fiery showr of Rain, or like
a Cloud, which Rain being forced out of but one onely Instrument would
dilate it self far and wide upon many hundreds of Men, and whatsoever
it touched it would hurt and burn like common natural Fire, and it
would especially blind their sight, so that the Men would not be able
to look up or see. If now the Enemies should make their attempt upon
any place, and there should be shoured down upon them such a fiery
Rain, and by hurting their Eyesight make them quite blind, how would
they be able being blinded to get over the Walls or Bul-warks? I do
believe that if they should have gotten over the Walls or Forts, and
be made thus blind, they would be heartily glad if they could but get
out again and recover their own party. But it would be better to beat
them off, and blind them when they come with their Ladders to scale the
Walls, than to permit them to approach any nearer. But yet if it should
so happen that the Enemies had gotten even into the City it self, and
there were some Houses in the principal places or streets in which the
defendants may rally themselves and that such Houses were furnisht with
such moist Fires, and that such fiery showers were shot out thence so
blinding them that they durst not open their Eyes, what I pray would
they be able to do, being blinded and clearly deprived of the use of
their sight? Would they not throw away their Arms and solely mind the
getting the Fire out of their Eyes, and yet it would hardly be so
done in half a days time, nay if it should touch their Eyes in pretty
quantity, it would scarse be quencht in two days time, and if they
should go to wipe their Eyes with their hands, then would they make
their torments much more intolerable, and would add more Fire to their
Eyes, because their hands are likewise moistned and plagued with that
continual shour. And now may not such unbidden Guests be overwhelmed
and slain with Stones cast on them out of the adjoyning Houses? And may
not one Single Woman with such a little Instrument onely filled with
these moist Fires defend her House against an hundred Soldiers. Verily
in my opinion there may be made a better defence with such a little
Instrument that one may carry about with him, than with ten or even an
hundred Musquets. For 100 Musquets require 100 Men, all which when they
have discharged their Guns once, and have slain some ten or twelve Men
(and yet it is not wont usually to happen so in such cases neither)
they need some time to load their Musquets again, if they would keep on
shooting. But this Instrument may be used even by Women, two or three
of whom will haply do more hurt to the Enemy than twenty or thirty,
yea haply one hundred Men are able to do with their Musquets. And if
the Women and other weak Men do but blind their Enemies, the armed
Men may take them thus blinded Prisoners; that so not being killed
but made Slaves, they may be set to Work and Till the Land, and this
would be far more profitable than the killing of them would be. So
then, may not an hundred Soldiers by the help of my Instruments defend
any Fortress with greater and more certain defence than a thousand
Men could otherwise do. Verily I believe they may. For these blinding
Fires of mine, or fiery Clouds and Rain being adjoyned to other usual
and customary military Weapons, will most mightily endamage the Enemy,
nor will there need so many Soldiers, for the Citizens themselves may
use the other [customary] Arms, and the Women and Children may use the
Instruments, whereby they would haply defend themselves more strongly
than if they committed their defence to chosen and registred Souldiers.
For these Instruments, (by which the moist Fires are driven far off
upon the Enemies like fiery showers and Clouds of Rain, and that
without intermission, and as oft as ever need requires) although they
be great, yet a few Men may govern or manage them, so that it will
be impossible for the Enemies to effect any considerable enterprize
in besieging any City. But it is needfull to place such Instruments
that thus squirt forth Fire, behind the Walls and Bul-warks, that the
Enemies great Ordinance may not hurt or destroy them. Verily I cannot
so very accurately and compleatly show what [the best] way [is] of
endamaging the Enemies by the help thereof, for this the practice
it self will better shew us. I can furnish forth the Instruments
themselves and the moist Fires belonging thereunto. I commend the use
of them unto the Souldiers, who may learn to use them as they shall
find good by experience I do again repeat what I have hitherto so
often spoken, and I do affirm, that with one such Instrument may some
thousands of Men be blinded in a moments time, and being blinded what
I pray can they then do? If so be that others shall endeavour to come
to help them and fetch them off, they may likewise be blinded, nor can
they run away, and therefore must necessarily be taken Prisoners. And
this in my judgment may be done in Hostile Invasions and Sieges.
But now whether or no there may be any use of such Instruments in
Battailes and Conflicts with the Enemies, I do not well know, but that
a City, Castle, or House may be defended by their means, and so drive
off the Assailants, is a thing evident and undoubted. Should there be a
thousand Enemies beset the House of some particular Citizen, yet must
they depart if onely such a fiery Cloud or Rain (the Doors and Windows
being shut) should be shoured down upon them. For so they would be
rendred blind and not be able to see or find the Door, as it was in
_Lots_ time, when his Enemies environed his House to have out those
two Strangers, they were smitten with such blindness that they were
constrained to leave the House, and it was permitted _Lot_, and his,
to pass out of the same without any impediment. And is it not lawfull
for us to smite our Capital Enemies the _Turks_ with blindness, and to
defend our selves, our Wives and Children?
God himself saith, I will encompass those that are mine, with a Wall of
Fire, and defend them against their Enemies. Briefly, this invention of
mine, of making such a fiery Mist or Rain, is an incomparable defence
and safeguard, the like of which was never as yet known in the World.
And now may any one easily conjecture what may be done offensively with
this same invention. For example, suppose ’tis necessary to take such
or such a place from the Enemy, but now there is not time enough left,
nor are there Souldiers enough for the enterprize; and therefore some
Stratagem must be used to become Masters of one of the Gates at least
whereby the Souldiers may be let in.
And now in my judgment some Gate may be seized on and that easily by
the help of these moist Fires of mine, and ’tis thus, let some Souldier
or other fit for such a design, be taught the use of my Fire-spiting
Instruments, and when he understands it, he may be clad in Countrey
Habit, and so let him go to them upon the Guard, and in the Court of
Guardhouses in which they be, let him shour in upon them a fiery,
Eye-blinding, and forcibly hissing shour. [This done] how can the
Guarders possibly resist those that come to the Gate and are ready to
enter in? Nay more, the Souldier thus clad may have a Granadoe given
him to carry in a Sack, which being filled with those moist Fires, may
of its own accord (without any benefit of Gun-powder) leap assunder
and fill all the whole room with his blind making Dew, he may throw
into those Watch-houses where they keep Guard, and so make all that
are there present unfit to fight. And if so be there should be more
of those Houses than one, the same Souldier may likewise have more
such Granadoes given him, one of which he may throw into each House.
Nay farther, if need be, and that you would have it fadge better and
have it more certainly succeed, there may be sent several Souldiers
with such Fire-breathing Granadoes to several Gates, to o’erwhelm the
Watch-men and possess them. For the Watch-men suspecting no evil from
one Countrey-man onely, will not cry out Arm, Arm, but let him in
without any impediment. Such Fire-breathing Balls or Granadoes may be
made of Iron, Copper or Earth, which however, properly are not Fires
as long as they feel not the Air, and they then become Fires onely,
when any one is so minded to have them such, breaking every thing in
their reach like Gun-powder burning, and depriving all such as are
present of their sight, and making them Sick. Granadoes made on this
manner, and of about the bigness of a Mans Head, do not of their own
accord conceive a flame without Air, nor do they flie assunder, or at
all operate. But if you would that the Air be let in whereby they may
operate, there must be a little Spicket or Tap to be drawn out of the
Granadoe, that so the Air entring in may vivifie the Fire that lies
in the Ball or Granadoe. Such a Granadoe being thrown into any Watch
house, the Watch men will without doubt presently run and take it up
and see what it should be, and what end it was thrown in there for;
then as they all of them stand round and contemplate upon the novelty,
if any of them hap to draw out the Spicket, which without all question
they would do, the Air gets in, and the Fire enkindles and breaks that
Granadoe thus stuft with that venemous Fire all to pieces, and so will
strike them all down together. And may not now the Souldiers in the
mean time hasten and break in to that fenced place without any let,
and become Masters of the Gate? Verily methinks it should succeed very
well. I tell you my thoughts of the business, I never tried the thing
it self nor do I ever desire to try. Such as have a desire to try it,
and have occasion and opportunity of doing it, may more accurately
contemplate thereupon, and so will they find what way they may most
conveniently detriment their Enemies most of all by. I have laid the
foundation, others must valiantly proceed on and bring the thing to a
most usefull Issue. However I do not doubt but that the most part of
Men that shall hear me say, that there may be such effects produced
by these fiery Waters, that may equal the dreadfull Operations of
Gun-powder, will mock at me, and judge it an impossible thing; nor
will it be any thing strange they should, because they have not any
knowledge of nature.
Before those dreadfull virtues of Gun-powder were known, certainly no
body would have believed the same, had they heard it told, that it
were a possible thing to hurry or throw such a great Ball of Iron,
into so far a place with so little Powder. And now it is a thing so
very common, that he that will not believe it will be laught at.
Even so, those things I have here mentioned of moist Fires will seem
extraordinarily wonderfull and absurd to the ignorant, untill they
shall see with their Eyes, and feel with their hands, that the _Turks_
shall even this very Summer feel it if God permit, and vouchsafe
me health so long. If God (I say) shall permit, which I would have
you understand, as thus, _viz._ unless the wrath of God shall be so
enkindled against the Christians, and shall therefore put a stop, and
prevent the accrewing of any benefit, by any help how great soever
it be. For when God pleaseth to punish any Countrey with deserved
afflictions, certainly no Instruments of defence will at all help or do
ought.
These things was I willing to declare at present, to demonstrate in
what manner the Enemies power may by such Artificial moist Fires, and a
peculiar kind of Granadoes, such things as never were as yet known in
the World be broken. There are verily other far greater effects, and
which exceed Mans belief, that may be effected by these my newly found
out Fires; and such as are not to be written but to be revealed onely
unto those that are truly well Willers to the common Weal, and who
study how to destroy the Capital Enemy of all the Christian World. But
thus much I add, that by these Artificial, Secret, and unknown burning
and flame-conceiving Fires, far greater things may in my judgment be
effected at any time whensoever one is minded, than by Gunpowder, for
that it operates not afore it be enkindled with the Fire. But my Fires
are enkindled and inflamed by the Air, and therefore must necessarily
exeed Gun-powder in the production of greater effects, and this time
will manifest.
Those common Granadoes being thrown into any City may be covered with
wet Hides or Cloaths and be quenched, so as not at all to operate, but
it cannot be so with my Instruments. And therefore it is not without
cause that I prefer them afore Gunpowder.
’Tis not expedient to make any larger discourse concerning these
matters, and to take up any more room by revealing more. I could verily
in a few words so disclose these things that every one mought be able
palpably to feel, and visibly to see them, and so as that he would
assuredly know that far greater things mought be effected by these my
Fires than by Gun-powder. They may together with the Gun-powder use
these my moist Fires as they think good and as need requires. And I do
not question but that hereafter Wars will be waged after another manner
than hath hitherto been done, and force must give place to Art. For Art
doth sometimes overcome strength. We will illustrate the business by an
example.
When any little weak Man Fights with a bigger and stronger than
himself, and they have both of them like skill in the use of their
Arms, the stronger over Masters the weaker and Conquers him. But now
if the little Man be better skilled in the use of Weapons than the
greater and stronger one is, he beats him and becomes the Victour.
And when two are of equal Stature and Strength; they smite alike
forcibly, and beat one another alike, just as your Laundresses that
beat Cloaths with a wash Beetle, so do these lay on blows on each other
with like measure. So among the Ancients did they fight Man to Man,
and the strength of the blows prevailed. But when Gun-powder was found
out, then a few could kill and put to flight a greater number than
themselves.
And now again ’tis every where known, that Men now a days do again
fight with equal hand, as ’twere, neither party having more help [by
Art] than the other party hath: save that the stronger party doth for
the most part get the Victory, so that the Wars in our time consist
not in Art, but in the multitude and company of Men. Mean while I
firmly hope that if the use of my moist Fires be but known, there will
be another kind of Warfare than now is, by fighting on equal Terms
with blows as the Countrey fellows do, and whereby the stronger can
overmaster and subdue the weaker. But now by the help of Art, the
weaker may overcome the stronger. And if so be that Art and strength
concur together they are wont to be most efficacious. _David_ with
his sling shewed the skilfulness of his Art, and subdued that great
_Goliah_, who little expected such a mischance from such a little
Shepherd. And like as _Goliah_ mocked at _David_ with his Sling, so
perhaps will the _Turk_ have us in derision, should we meet him with
such Water-throwing Instruments. But even as that great _Goliah_ was
smitten down by a Stone of the Shepherd, so may the _Turk_ be easily
burnt and radically rooted out by those moist Fires, if the Christians
will themselves.
But some or other may here object and say, suppose some perfidious
Christian should happen to flie to the _Turks_, and put such Weapons
into their hands, to use against the Christians agen, what shall we do
then? [I answer,] such [a mischief] may be prevented by an accurate
diligent wariness, that these secrets be not revealed to every body,
but to such onely as are known, and that have possessions, Wives,
and Children: for such will hardly be allured or corrupted with any
reward. Besides too, the vulgar will not be so easily apprehensive of
all things hereto requisite, seeing the Art consists not barely in one
or two, but in many things [or circumstances.] It cannot therefore be
that such inventions should so easily fall into the Enemies hands, and
that for several causes which I forbear to reckon up here. Nay more,
if necessity should require there mought (by accurate meditation) a
farther inquisition be made, whereby more such inventions mought be
found out. For this may easily be effected by Men of a quick piercing
Wit, _viz._ by their diligent search to add to what is found out and to
better the same, for ’twill be a facile thing to do. For nature being
so most exceedingly richly stored can never at any time be thoroughly
found out. And therefore even I my self do hope in some short time
greatly to augment [or meliorate] the said Inventions of mine. If God
vouchsafe me life, there shall be even yet produced by me to light
wonderfull things, which will miraculously promote the safety and
happiness of my Countrey, and especially if I shall but find amongst
Men a thankfull remembrance thereof.
Moreover, I doubt not but that abundance of Men will wonder if they
shall see these my newly invented Warlike Instruments to be published
in Print, which is a thing that I would never do, for I have resolved
to make such onely partakers of the knowledge of the same, as stand in
need thereof.
But because I have conferred with one or two (whom I thought to have
born me a loving and friendly mind) about these things, and spake to
them too openly about the very business it self, they got some part of
the Art it self, and saw the very Instruments in the Workmens hands
whom I had taken order with about making them, and without doubt
perswaded themselves that they had the full knowledge of the whole Art.
Presently upon this they were become invisible and withdrew themselves,
insomuch that I suspect that those perfidious Men have repaired to
the Courts of some great Men, to offer and sell these my inventions
as if they were their own. Now then to meet with such treacherous
perfidiousness, I thought good to publish openly somewhat concerning
these matters, that so every one may know that whatever Men shall sell
such secrets as their own, they were not invented by them but by me,
and they have fraudulently stolen them from me. But I except those
here, to whom I have revealed them to this intent, that, _viz._ they
may make use of them against the _Turk_.
And because I can methinks prophetically as it were conjecture that
these my newly invented military Instruments will be desired and sought
after by a great many both high and low, I judged it a thing worth the
while, to take care for the getting some of those same Instruments,
and also those moist Fires thereunto appertaining to be prepared, and
sent into those places, where they may detriment or annoy the _Turks_.
For without doubt there may be far stronger resistance made with these
newly invented Instruments against those our Capital Enemies, than can
ever be done with Gun-powder. For Gun-powder is never wont to operate
afore it be kindled with the Fire, which kindling and inflamation Water
will hinder, and now my moist Fires are not at all impeded thereby.
And upon this account it is a thing altogether possible that a fiery
Globe [or Granadoe] may be as well emitted [or be as forcible] out of
the deep Waters with [or by] them, as it may with Gun-powder out of the
Water, the which seems indeed incredible, but yet is very easie to him
that is endued with the knowledge of these things.
There yet rest a few admonitions to be given, _viz._ that no body pass
his sentence upon these my secrets here disclosed, with a prejudiced
and forestalled judgment, unless he has a mind to slur himself with an
infamous mark, but let him have patience, till he of his own knowledge
perceive the whole Basis of the business. Many things there be that
lie as yet hidden, which (as Prophesies tell us) must be manifested
before the Worlds end. This time draws nearer and nearer, though so few
believe it. For my part I am verily of this Opinion, that there is such
a wonderfull time at hand, the like of which hath neither been seen or
heard of from the time of the Floud even to these our days. I pray God
to Defend the Pious, and to Convert the Wicked, _Amen_.
_The End of the First Part._
THE
SECOND PART
OF
GLAUBER’S
WORKS.
The First CENTURY,
OR
Wealthy Store-House of Treasures.
BEING
A General _Appendix_ to all his hitherto-published Writings.
The which doth not onely illustrate all obscure places, as well in
his Philosophical and Medicinal as Chymical Writings, and explain
those hard places to be understood; but also do so abundantly
supply those which are defective, that the learned and the
unlearned, the highest and the lowest, and more, the meanest
Workmen and Husbandmen, may sufficiently be able to comprehend
that _Glauber_ hath in all his Writings, written the pure and
simple Truth, and hath again brought to light the most noble Art
of Alchymy which hath so long lain hid in darkness hitherto; and
hath discovered it for the common good of Mankind.
_LONDON_, Printed in the Year MDCLXXXIX.
THE
PREFACE.
Courteous Reader,
_That every promise becomes a debt, is reported by a common Proverb or
By-word, and therefore to stand to ones word or promise, is a thing
which procures a great Ornament or grace no less to =Juniors= than to
=Seniors=. Since therefore in my Writings I have ingaged my Faith or
Credit through the promising of some little Works, and yet have not
been able, by reason of the scantiness of time, hitherto to satisfie
the expectation and desire of very many, by publishing of the same;
yea since greater Discommodities and Impediments being cast in my
way, do hinder me from day to day whereby I cannot write more things,
although I have nothing more in my desires than that in standing to my
promise, I may acquit my credit, and set forth the said little Works;
to wit, my Vegetable Work, my Work of =Saturn=, my Book of Dialogues or
Discourse, the fourth part of my =Spagyrical Pharmacopœa= or Chymical
Dispensatory, and my admirable little Book, of the concentring of the
Heaven and Earth: truly they being Treatises containing most excellent
Arcanums or Secrets, and the most worthy ones whereof Men can be made
partakers, notwithstanding I am of necessity destitute of time for the
writing of any Treatise peculiarly, and for that cause I am constrained
to insist in a nearer path, and for the sake of promoting the publick
good, to send forth the said Treatises in publick by a less labour and
trouble. The present Treatise notified with the Title of an universal
Chest or Cabinet full of Riches, or of a general Appendix of all my
Writings hitherto exposed to the publick view performs this, whereby
all things which have been either the more briefly and obscurely spoken
in them are with a more clear or perspicuous illustration explained,
or things that have been wholly omitted are supplied, and by the same
endeavour the promised Treatises are added, yet not in that order
wherein they ought otherwise to be written down, and the which order
here to be observed, would administer very much trouble; but wherein
all the secrets have in process of time been made known unto me, and
committed to Paper. But it is free for any one to add according to his
own Judgment, Medicinal Secrets unto Medicinal ones, Mineral Secrets
unto Mineral ones, Chymical Secrets unto Chymical ones, if it shall so
please him, and time shall also permit the same, which it in no wise
permitteth unto me, every one that acquiesceth and is content with
these things may consider, if a certain Cook should set a Dish on the
Table filled with the best Meats, as being destitute of time, to put
every sort of Meat in a several Dish, whether he could of right be
angry with him, or by whisperingly prating, he could dare to say, he
was to be blamed as being not skilfull in the affairs of the Kitchin,
because collecting so many delicate and such dainty Meats into one
Dish, and daring to set them on the Table? I suppose not any one could
of right complain of such a deed of any Cook; the Cook, desiring to
have it taken in good part, such Meats as he had, such he sets before
them; he that refuseth to take of them, may use his own liberty, and
may let those Meats alone, which he is not compelled to receive, even
as the Cook also may be constrained by none in preparing of the same
according to his own will or judgment._
_Whatsoever Meat doth not please the Pallate of one, yet will not be
ingratefull to the Pallate of another, but on the contrary gratefull,
seeing one Food is wont to savour or relish this Man, and another the
other, neither is he inordinately affected with the disdain of confused
Meats, who taketh of those which relish him, and leaveth the rest for
others._
_Let every one that blameth these Writings do the same, not in hastily
taking them in evil part, but in friendly and courteously excusing me
that I have not sent them abroad in a more harmonious order._
_They are like unto a certain true and great Cabinet or Chest, filled
with very many excellent Secrets, being reduced into my knowledge
through a successive diligent search of thirty years and so collected
into one heap, that they might either be conserved for my own or at
some time be made of publick use or service: out of this Chest every
one shall be able to exhaust those =Arcanums= and =Secrets=, which
shall please him or serve his uses._
_As to what concerns my self, because I daily behold sometimes this
Man, sometimes that Man being snatched away by death, to be carried
forth and committed to the Earth, I may easily conclude rationally with
my self, that those changes or chances will in a short time happen
also unto me; I should commit a very grievous offence or errour, that
so many costs, labours and troubles, of so many and so great Secrets
being consumed in vain, I should carry them away with me under ground,
and not bestow them for a common good: I shall here perform the office
of a good House-holder, or skilfull House-keeper or Steward, who after
that he hath made abundant of Provision for Winter-cloathing for
himself, his Wife, Children and whole Family, if he hath as yet plenty
of Linnen and Woollen Cloth remaining, he doth not cast them away, but
rather casts them together into a Chest, so long to be kept, untill
he shall obtain an occasion of administring them for the use of his
Neighbour. In the name of the Lord therefore, in making a beginning
with the opening of my Chest of Treasures, I will empty it out by
little and little by degrees, and will offer it for a common use, that
out of so many Treasures, every one may convert unto his own use, what
things he shall judge to be profitable unto him; to wit, a Physician
Medicinal things, and a Chymist Chymical things, even as every one
shall discern any thing to be fit for his own use, every one of what
rank soever shall find those things wherewith he might be content, so
indeed that whatsoever he shall not meet withall in the first, second,
or third Century may be found in the rest, for which things sake, if
ten Centuries shall not be sufficient, I will adjoyn other ten or
more, that so I may remove from me all those cares, and carefulnesses
wherewith the custody of so great Treasures hath importuned and
affected me for so many years. Like unto a travelling Woman, who
with the greatest desire expecteth the hour of her delivery, and who
desireth the beholding of her Fruit, do I desire that time wherein all
things shall be printed in Letters. The Almighty God bestow on me so
much presence of mind, health, and strength, and prolong my Life so
far, that I may finish it to his Honour, and the Succour, Comfort and
Profit of all Mankind._ Amen.
THE
FIRST CENTURY:
OR
_GLAUBER’S_ Wealthy Store-House of Treasures.
PART II.
_In the Name of the most Holy Trinity I begin to write the First
Century of my General =Appendix=, or an Exposition of all my Writings
hitherto set forth._
I. _Concerning Fire and Salt, and what Alchymy is._
Alchymy is a Science, and Art of destroying, of purging immature
or unripe and impure Metals, by Fire and Salt, and by a singular
Artifice, of converting the more pure part into a better form and kind,
according to the words of _Paracelsus_, who saith, _Every Something
is to be converted into Nothing, and every Nothing into Something_.
Also Corruption renders that which is good perfect, the which is to be
equally understood of particular and universal Operations.
Nevertheless it is not of necessity that I should here tediously treat
of a particular Transmutation of Metals by Fire and Salt, because
that hath been already long since performed in the second part of the
Miracle of the World, and also in the fifth part of the prosperity of
_Germany_.
A Square within a Circle.
+----------------+
| |
| _In the Sun |
| and Salt are |
| all things._ |
| |
+----------------+
II. _A Demonstration whereby it is proved that Fire and Salt are
most noble Creatures of God, and that in Fire there lies hid the
purest Salt, and in Salt a most efficacious Fire._
That Fire and Salt are most noble Creatures of God I have evidently
enough demonstrated in my little work concerning the nature of Salts.
But that there is a subtile saltish spirit in any fire, and that
between the heat of the Sun, and of our Kitchin fire, as to their
saltish spirit, a great difference doth interpose is sufficiently and
over sufficiently known. But to comprehend or lay hold of, to concenter
such a pure saltish spirit of _Sol_, to render it corporal, palpable or
perceivable, and visible, remains hidden and unknown to us by reason of
our sins; because God reserves so great mysteries for his own alone,
of whom he is honoured and feared: for God himself useth no better
similitude than the fire, whereunto the Ancients exhibited divine
honour, and by the help of the same, perfected all their Sacrifices:
So among the _Caldeans_, Fire, and God are called by one and the same
name of _Esch_: and among the _Heathens_, the chief Philosophers, yea
_Hermes_ himself thought the Sun to be a God, and worshipped it for a
God. These things are found expressed by _Mutius_ concerning the nature
of Gods, and therefore those things are not necessary which may be here
repeated. Yet that is well to be noted, that God hath always appeared
to his Saints under the shew of fire, and hath talked with them out of
it, it being that which is full of the greatest mysteries, yet observed
but by a few, as in a peculiar little work concerning the concentration
of the Heaven and the Earth I will more plainly and fully declare.
I affirm therefore, that it can scarce be, that the admirable, yea
incredible nature of fire should be described without the revelatian of
the highest or greatest mysteries of God. Therefore it is better that
such Secrets are passed by in silence, than that precious pearls should
be cast before Swine, who are wont to receive them with laughter, and
proclaim that they are nothing but the mere sophistries of triflers,
even as is evidently manifest from the description of _J. H. S._ of the
Philosophers Stone, wherein Nature, he saith, makes not use of Glasses,
Vessels, Fire, Salt, Urine, and the like in the bowels of the Earth;
and the universal _Elixir_ may very fitly be prepared by him, who also
hath not handled any Chymical Labours, or was never busied about Fire
or Salt: Let it shame the man of such stinking lies, wherewith he
endeavours to cover his own ignorance, I on the contrary affirm, that
all those that know not how to handle Fire and Salt, do in very deed
know nothing, but do give credit unto those things only which they
hear, or read in others writings, and also for that cause are unworthy
of the name and title of true Philosophers; for true Philosophy is to
be thoroughly or perfectly learned by the help of Fire and Salt alone,
the which God willing shall be more evidently demonstrated.
III. _It is moreover demonstrated, that in all Salts an admirable
Fire doth lurk as being laid up therein, through the indeavour
whereof very many admirable things may be perfected as well
in Medicine as in Alchymy: and also that it may be altogether
performed, that out of Vitriol the Stone of the ancient Wise
men, out of Salt Peter a spiritual Gold, and an excellent
yellow tincture, and out of common Salt the true Pearl of the
Philosophers may be prepared._
In all Salts, that a most potent Fire doth lurk as being laid up
therein, those have best known who have the labours of the fire
thoroughly viewed and certainly known. For through the efficacy and
operation hereof, salts are reduced unto a fiery force, or power, or
unto a moist fire, out of which they before arose, after the laying
down of their earthliness, yet one salt draws out one fire far unlike
to the fire of another, so that this is volatile, the other is fixed,
and remaining constant in the fire; another is partly volatile and
partly fixed, even as the operation shall procure this or the other
property unto them, yet all such fiery salts may by the benefit of Art
be concentred, and made more efficacious than they were made by some
one distillation. For example sake. If any one beholdeth Vitriol, and
considers of the nature thereof, he shall in very deed certainly find
that by the help of, a strong fire, there may be allured or extracted
out of it that which was in the beginning, to wit, a fiery spirit,
which by the aid of external fire, being reduced into a narrow Central
room, or Con-centration, draws out that internal fire, uncloathing
it self of, or displaying so great virtues, that it reduceth into a
Coal all things which it moisteneth or encompasseth, even like as if
it had been burnt up by common Kitchin fire, or by Glasses receiving
the Sun-beams and burning up all things that are objected against it.
Concerning these fiery salts, and the preparation and use of them,
I being here to deliver a few things, I will take my beginning from
the fire of Vitriol, and the preparation of the same, the various and
manifold use whereof shall be afterwards explained in its own place.
IV. _Of the Preparation of the Fire of Vitriol._
Retorts made of the best earth do draw out the fire of Vitriol by
distillation after this manner following.
Common Vitriol is calcined in earthen pots unto a redness, and reduced
into a powder, it is put into an earthen Retort, and placed in a
Furnace, and a great vessel adjoyned to the neck of the Retort, which
is to receive the Spirits going forth; the fire is kindled by degrees,
and is gradually increased untill the Retort be brightly red hot,
in which degree of fire it is so long to be urged untill no white
Clouds or little vapoury Mists do any longer appear. This operation
is perfected in 24 hours space at the most. But if the Retort shall be
very large all the Oyl cannot be extracted in the space of 24 hours,
but will require a longer time for the operation, which experience
it self will determine: after all the Spirits are distilled off and
settled to the bottom of the Receiver, the clay luting which joyned the
Receiver to the neck of the Retort is to be mollified with a wet cloth
put round about it, and the Receiver taken off, and the spirits poured
out of it into a glass body well coated with Clay, the which (having
an Alembick put on) is to be set in sand, that the volatile Spirit may
slowly and gently be drawn off, and kept for its use afterwards to be
taught. Also afterwards the phlegm is to be drawn off, and reserved
for its own uses, because it hath its own peculiar virtues. At length
also the last spirit is to be received in a peculiar vessel, the which,
after that it hath ceased, and fiery drops do follow, the fire is (by
degrees) to be removed, and when the sand is cold, the gourd is to be
taken out, in which (the Alembick or head being taken away) thou shalt
find a fiery Oyl of a black or somewhat reddish colour, the which is
again to be rectified in an open fire in a Retort well coated, that it
may be rendred more fiery and clear.
By this oyl admirable things, and those not only profitable for
Physicians but also for Chymists, and other Artificers, are perfected
as we shall straitway see.
There are indeed other ways or means also by which this oyl is
attained, but this afore taught is the easiest of all, although it
require the more time. But if any one stand in need of a greater
quantity of the same, he may procure those greater Cans prepared of
the best Earth, they being so joyned to each other, that the uppermost
being placed on the fire, the rest might be placed without the fire, so
that the lowermost may receive the oyl going out by descent.
V. _A proof whether this Oyl of Vitriol be well prepared and
strong, and fit enough for that operation of which we here treat._
Let down a quill or some small piece of wood into the Oyl, the which,
when thou hast left in it for some small time, draw it out; if it shall
be burnt unto a Coal the oyl is well prepared, but if not, it is a
sign that somewhat of moisture is as yet therein, which is again to be
expelled by fire.
VI. _Another tryal or experiment._
Dip in the oyl a piece of woollen, linnen, or which is better a piece
of cotton cloth extended to the breadth of a finger, and pour on the
same being taken out and laid down some drops of the spirit or oyl of
Turpentine, the which if being kindled they shall conceive a flame it
is a sign that the oyl was well prepared.
VII. _Another further Proof._
Pour into some little glass some small quantity of spirit of wine
wanting all phlegm, and pour on the same some drops of this oyl by
little and little; and if the spirit of wine kindle and burn all away
the oyl is prepared after a due manner.
_NB._ I admonish that every one doth warily handle this operation:
for in these two fires, to wit, saltish and sulphureous ones, there
is great virtue hidden, the which seems probable but to a few, if
it should be manifested unto them, neither that have I consulted
or decreed that it should be made known to very many. These few
particulars do sufficiently teach after what sort such fires are to be
used in Medicine, Alchymy and other Arts; but these experiments are
sufficient.
VIII. _Concerning the use of this fire of Vitriol in Medicine._
The use of this fire, as also of the volatile spirit of the same,
and of its flegm, thou shalt find described in the second part of my
Furnaces, and among other Authours; so that the repetition thereof is
here superfluous, this is onely to be known that this fire being onely
besmeared or anointed with a feather on all uncurable and Cancerous or
eating Ulcers, kills the Poyson, and causeth that such Ulcers do very
easily admit of cure, if so be the Escharre be but first removed by the
applying some ointment or emplaister which cures adustion or burning.
For this oyl burns up all wild or forreign flesh, and that which (as
proud) lifts up it self with an abounding poyson, like unto a certain
bright burning Iron, and separates all evil and hurtfull flesh from the
good and sound flesh.
IX. _Of the general use of this Oyl in Alchymy._
By this mineral fire, all kind of Transmutations of things are
perfected, but particularly it exalteth some of the more base metals
into a higher degree, and makes them more constant, of which more shall
be said in the following Chapters or Treatises.
In the general, some Vegetables, Animal and Mineral subjects, may by
the operation of this Oyl be reduced into fixt Medicines, and indeed
far more commodiously than by the common fire of Wood or Coals.
And moreover which is a far greater thing in this very oyl a fiery
Tincture is hidden, and is manifested by the benefit of Art, as Fryer
_Basilius_, and other Philosophers do affirm.
X. _Of the use of this fire in other Arts._
By the virtues of this invisible, and yet essential fire, all sorts of
most profitable matters are performed, the which notwithstanding is not
here safe for me to describe, but I am constrained to refer it till
another time, it onely in this place seems worthy my labour, briefly to
shew that this fire performs all those things which the fire of Coals
is otherwise wont to effect.
Truly it is a fire, but it shineth not like the fire of Wood or Coals:
But he that will have it to shine, he must needs add unto it a subtile
or fine Sulphur, that he may extract or allure forth of it a visible
fire.
This fire being defended against the entrance of the Air, remains
occult for many thousands of years, and doth not manifest it self,
unless any one make it manifest.
Truly it is an admirable fire, and most fit for the effecting of many
incredible things, whereof we have spoken many things sufficient for
this time.
XI. _An evident demonstration of such a fire lying hid even in the
Salt of the Kitchin, and that known to every one._
After that _Plato_ and many other Philosophers took notice that nothing
endowed with life did consist without Salt, and that dead Carcasses
themselves were preserved for a long time from putrefaction by the
virtues of the same; they thought and wrote that a certain divine thing
lay hid in it. But after what sort this divine and hidden thing is to
be made visible, they have not taught. But without doubt, those most
wise Philosophers would by this word shew and denote something of a
singular excellency.
Because therefore God himself is a fire, and hath never appeared to his
Saints in any other shape but that of fire, and besides also all Salts
are generated in the moist bowels of the earth from an Astral fire, and
on the contrary, a true fire may by the operation of Art be extracted
and rendred palpable and visible out of all Salts, it being that which
without doubt lay not hid unto them, therefore it is also very likely
that those Philosophers have not without a cause of great moment
written that a certain Divine or fiery Being did secretly lurk in Salt.
But that they have intimated not any thing to be better, or more
noble than that fiery and saltish Spirit may be foreseen by an easie
conjecture; for if a certain divine thing shall lie hid in Salt as
they write, it shall of necessity follow that that divine spark being
freed from all its earthly bonds should be far superiour to all earthly
things in beauty, virtues, efficacy and power; and that next to the
eternal God himself it should remain the chiefest and most precious
Pearl in the World.
But who shall teach us the manner of separating so precious a Pearl
out of the common and Kitchin Salt? none but God alone, or some good
friend; who can make his friend a partaker of the knowledge received
from God?
But since that very few mortals do seek, love, fear and honour God
with sincere hearts, but do much rather cleave fast unto the frail
and unjust Mammon, and attribute divine honour unto the same; its no
wonder that God doth reserve those things to himself, or at least doth
sparingly bestow on us those things which he abundantly supplyed the
Ancients withall from his own bountifull hand: And moreover the same
omnipotent Creatour enlightning some fit subject, with a certain spark
of nature, grants unto him also so much wit that he knows that by a
due silence he is to beware of this wicked dreg or dross of the World.
Whence it is no wonder that the light of nature is at this day made
known to so few mortals.
But before I treat in many particulars of that precious Pearl of Salt,
it seems altogether necessary for me, first to shew the manner and
reason of extracting that fire out of Kitchin Salt; the separation
whereof can be perfected in no other respect than through the violence
of common fire, to wit, whenas the Salt being mixt with a certain
earthly matter that it cannot flow, is urged in a retort with a most
strong fire, that the more pure part of the Salt, which is nothing else
but a sharp spirit, may depart into the Receiver joyned to the Retort,
in which sharp and sweet spirit a most efficacious fire lurketh which
in manner following is to be extracted and concentred.
XII. _Of the preparation of the fire of Salt._
Take of this acid or sharp spirit of Salt, rectifie it out of a Glass
Retort in sand; the flegm will come over first, which was put in the
receiving Vessel in the first Distillation to condense or collect the
spirits the more commodiously. After that all the flegm is come off,
and acid drops begin to come, remove or change your Receiver, and take
your spirits therein; continue the Distillation so long untill all the
spirits be come forth, it being indowed with an acid sweetness, is an
effecter of very many operations, which doth bring much profit both in
Medicine and Alchymy, as is manifest out of diverse of my writings,
and especially out of the 2d. part of my Furnaces, and the comfort of
Mariners.
In this sweet and sharp spirit like Wine there is an infernal fire
hidden, which doth equally like Coals burn up all things put into it,
like as the fire of wood and coals doth Vegetables and Animals, and
it reduceth all things which common fire doth, by calcining them into
ashes, such as are immature metals, tin, lead and the like, which when
they are put into it, it burns them up by calcining them into white
ashes.
XIII. _A Concentrating the rectified Spirit of Salt into a moist
and cold Fire._
Every Spirit of Salt consisteth of two things, to wit, Fire and Water,
which water the fire doth so firmly co-knit to it self, that it cannot
be wholly separated by any distillation or rectifying; but it always
adheres to the fire, how often soever it be rectified or distilled: if
any one therefore desireth by rectifying to separate them he must of
necessity put immature metal-like subjects to the Spirit of Salt, the
which, by how much the more immature or unripe they are, by so much
they render the spirit of salt the purer; such are _Lapis Calaminaris_,
_Zink_, and _Iron_, which by reason of their moist and attracting
nature, do draw to them that invisible fire out of the spirit of salt,
as it were that agent whereof (as to their maturity or perfection) they
are necessarily destitute, and without which fiery agent, a metallick
kind of body is able to attain unto no perfection in the earth.
Such metallick subjects therefore, the spirit of salt, they being
put into it, assaulteth, and as much as it can dissolves them. This
solution being distilled out of a glass retort by sand, with the more
gentle fire, sends forth nothing but a meer and unsavoury phlegm, the
fiery essence it self remaining with the mineral in the Retort, the
which if it be more and more urged, and the fire more increased, that
it may become plainly burning bright, then that mineral cannot longer
retain the fire of the salt, but dismisseth it, which descending into
the receiving vessel, is condensed into a thick and fiery oyl, which
is afterwards to be kept in strong and well stopt glasses, because it
fumes without intermission, and desires to return into the air, as it
were its Chaos from whence it came forth.
This fire is the operator of great effects in Alchymy and Medicine, of
which effects very few have known how to discourse. But it hath far
different properties and qualities from that which is extracted out of
Vitriol, whereof it shall be afterwards treated.
And although through the help of this fire, incredible things may be
performed as well by Chymists as Physicians, and other Artificers;
yet it is a consuming, destroying, and also a ripening fire; neither
hath it the least of the most noble Pearl with it whereof we have made
mention above, and the which in this preparation is converted into such
a fire.
That Pearl, if it should be extracted or allured out of Salt, in my
simple opinion it were to be extracted not by the benefit of the fire,
but through the endeavour of metallick and attracting subjects.
But although I do not profess my self to be so skilfull a Master, and
do not arrogate to my self the knowledge of so precious a pearl, yet
I cannot but bewray that small little spark of Nature which God hath
granted unto me, that so every one may have a clear knowledge and sight
of what admirable mysteries Salt doth hide in its own vile body.
XIV. _The manner whereby that most precious Pearl of Salt may at
least wise in some respect be rendred conspicuous or apparent._
Even as I have admonished in my foregoing writings, that the powers,
colours, and virtues of all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals are
found concentred in Fire and Salt, so also I now affirm and assert the
same thing that by Salt through the benefit of Fire, all Vegetables,
Animals, and Metals, may in their own species, nature and properties be
increased and propagated into an infinity. So that we have the seeds of
them.
For example sake, I prepare Kitchin Salt by the fire, that its tartness
being lost, it puts on the nature of an Alcali or Lixivial Salt, I mix
some parts thereof with some barren earth, or with naked sand, the
which I moisten with water, in these I sow the seeds of vegetables,
that they may be nourished by that Salt and may grow, which in thus
growing do obtain their own proper figures, virtues and colours, they
appear green, yellow and red, sky-coloured, purple coloured, and white,
_&c._ and have a sweet, sour, sharp, bitter, savour, even as God
hath bestowed on every particular kind its own proper nature, which
operation proceeds from this one onely Salt, and the fiery beams of the
Sun being tempered with air.
When therefore Beasts are fed with these Herbs growing, and receiving
nourishment from the Salt, they are of necessity also nourished and
increased by the same; even as also the same Herbs growing from the
same Salt do supply nourishment and increase themselves.
But if any one could obtain the true seed of Gold, and increase that
seed by the help of Salt and Fire; he might (without doubt) obtain
great plenty of Gold, but God will not have it that the tail of the
Goat should be as long as the Cows, the which being lifted up with too
much pride, would strike out her own eyes with her too long tail.
If therefore all things and Gold it self, as also Silver, Pearls, and
precious Stones, are after an invisible and occult manner hidden in
Salt, and may by the help of art and nature be rendred palpable and
visible; why also might it not come to pass that the most excellent
Medicine and most precious Pearl of the wise men might be allured forth
out of the same Salt? Truly common Pearls are bred out of Salt waters,
wherein if the first matter of Pearls were not, after what manner or
sort should they bewray themselves out of the same? Therefore that it
may evidently be made manifest, that by the operation of art, also
Pearls may be extracted out of Salt which do far excell those Pearls,
which by fishing are drawn out of the depth of the Sea, in beauty,
virtue, efficacy and excellency; I will prescribe as much indeed as
hath been granted unto me, for demonstrating the possibility of the
thing, a certain manner whereby every one shall be able to take to him
a firm and sure foundation of weighing or considering of the matter
more exactly.
XV. _An operation of alluring forth a Philosophical Pearl out of
Salt._
Dissolve thou in common water, as much of common Salt as thou wilt, by
how much the greater plenty thou shalt take, by so much the more thou
shalt obtain.
In like manner dissolve in _aq. fort._ one or two Ounces of Silver,
pour this solution of _Lune_ on the dissolved Salt, and stir both the
dissolutions up and down divers times, that it may become white and
like unto Milk. For Silver cannot well indure the Salt, but departing
from it is precipitated to the bottom, and there resides, in the form
of a snow-like Powder, which by the effusion or pouring off the water
is to be separated and dried.
This silver powder hath extracted a spiritual and philosophical gold,
or the said precious Pearl out of the Salt Water. Because _Diana_ hath
known no less how to fish Pearls in the Salt Sea, than to hunt wild
Beasts in the green Woods: But that Pearl is made corporal and visible
in manner following.
XVI. _How the Pearl being attained is made visible._
It is to be noted that that silver powder being thus by it self, and
without an admixture of other fixxed Salts, doth very hardly by fusion
return into its former form of silver, but that it flows like Salt, and
pierceth any vessel whatsoever, yea doth depart into a smoak. For the
spirits of the Salt do render the silver so fluid and volatile; that it
is made altogether mercurial; and therefore its more tender and noble
part may be separated from its more gross part by distillation, if this
could be done by glassen, or earthen, or metallick vessels.
When this mercury of _Lune_ is melted in an open crucible, it vanisheth
into smoak. It being put into a Glass Retort, refuseth to yield to the
fire, the which being too much increased makes the glass to melt, and
destroys the glass together with the silver. If earthen vessels be
used, the same mercury pierceth the same unhurt like oyled Leather,
when it departs, the Salts also depart into smoak, and do leave little
grains of silver adhering to the vessel, whereof in this respect there
is made a loss, which renders the sublimation void.
Of Iron vessels also here is no use, because of the Salts that are
admixed with the silver rising up against the Iron, they dismiss the
silver reduced to its ancient body, and besides a little spirit of salt
they send forth nothing, so that no separation is made, but the pure
and impure do remain co-mixt.
For the sake of avoiding those discommodities I have tried many ways
and manners in vain, and at length I took notice, that if such a matter
be added to the most penetrating mercury of _Lune_, which may so hinder
its efficacy of solving and co-melting, that it may be changed into
a porous lump, than that, through the benefit of fire there might
be an easie separation thereof, which without this help doth most
difficultly exist.
In the name of the Lord, therefore adjoyn thou unto thy fishing Net;
that is, unto the mercury of _Lune_, such a matter in due weight and
measure which admits not of melting, and which suffers not the mercury
of _Lune_ to conflux, or melt together. Such are wooden Coals being
reduced into a fine powder, with the which being mixt with the mercury
of _Lune_, thou shalt fill thy distilling vessel, whether it be earth,
or iron, or glass which is the best of all, even unto the half part,
and shall set it in the fire, the which is to be gently increased by
degrees, untill the glass become burning bright, keep the vessel so
long in this heat untill all the spirits are departed, which ceasing,
thou shalt take away the vessel being cold, in which thou wilt find the
remainder of the mercury which did not ascend, reduced into a corporal
or imbodyed silver, or at least wise such, to which adding a little
borace is easily reduced into silver, the which doth contain somewhat
of gold; but keep thou that subtile and pure matter which ascended in
distillation as a precious treasure, and meditate after what sort,
or by what means thou mayst be able to fix this precious Pearl, and
convert it into a fusible, or flowable, and piercing stone.
But in what respect, or in what manner this thing is to be done, in
very deed I cannot tell, because I am he who have not hitherto had
leisure, nor time of perfecting that thing, and therefore I have been
willing here to shew onely these things which I have seen with my eyes,
and handled with my hands.
Another shall be able by his own judgment to make tryal, and to see
what God will bestow upon him, I have shewn in stead of the mercurial
Statue or Image, that which shall suffice at present.
XVII. _A more easie manner of obtaining a Philosophical Pearl._
If thou shalt be desirous of obtaining a Philosophical Pearl after a
more easie manner, thou must of necessity thus operate.
Unto half a Loton, _i. e._ two drams of the mercury of _Lune_, add a
little of the powder of Coals, and put the conjoyned matters into a
small glass, the which set in a crucible encompassed with sand unto
that height which the matter in the glass it self shall determine. On
the mouth of the glass put a small piece of some glass that it may
be well covered, and so place thou a less crucible with the upside
downward upon that little glass, that its (top) utmost and highest
bound being overwhelmed with the said sand may drive away all air from
that little glass.
Set that crucible being in this manner co-fitted, and containing the
little glass shut up between them in live Coals of Wood, and make them
bright burning hot, that that may remain fired for a quarter of an
hours space, then let them cool, and thou shalt find a little lifted up
by sublimation, the rest being melted by borace, will afford a silver
impregnated with gold, yet without gain, the which demonstrateth onely
in the space of half an hour, what may be done: but what gain may be
obtained by this very operation shall hereafter be shewn.
Furthermore it is here to be seen how most beautifull a Pearl doth
bewray it self, although very little of it come forth, because in this
labour no small part thereof flies away into the air, and sheweth onely
its colours alone in the glass, far more beautifull than gold, silver,
and precious stones; if any one shall rightly operate, neither shall
there be any Painter who shall express it by imitating and painting.
For this time take what hath been spoken in right and good part, and
immediately weigh thou so great a thing the more exactly, pray, labour,
seek, and in seeking thou shalt find such things which thou couldst
never before have believed.
The Brethren of ignorance, my enemies, will here object against me, and
say, that these most elegant colours have drawn their original from the
silver: unto those I briefly answer, That they were indeed extracted
out of the Salt by the help of the silver, but that they do not (_per
se_) or by themselves pertain to the silver, for if they were of the
silver they would also be solved by _aq. fortis_, the which, since it
is not done, they are not silver, but the meer _Anima_ or Soul of the
salt. That this thing may be confirmed by a more evident argument, I
bring the solution of Saturn or Lead, the which it self also can fish
out the same Pearl from Salt, without Silver. If anyone shall operate
after the same manner which I but now shewed, I also add this, that I
am hereafter to teach a way whereby _Saturn_ may be able to fish pure
simple gold out of all salts.
Let us now return unto the moist and cold fire of the Philosophers, and
see what an admirable fire God hath hidden in Salt Peter.
That a most potent fire doth lurk in Salt Peter is not worth our
confirming by any argument. That horrible Gunpowder which shakes or
rends all things asunder proveth the thing most manifestly, and _Aq.
Fortis_, which dissolveth and destroyeth all Metals, yet another fire
of far more powerfull virtue is hidden in the same Salt, which very few
have known and beheld, and the which we will here make manifest, for
the honour of God, and the profit of all mankind.
XVIII. _Of the preparation of the moist and cold fire of Salt
Peter._
Take of Potters earth being without sand, and burnt, 2 parts, and 1
part of Salt Peter very well purified, with both these matters being
reduced into powder and well mixed together, fill a glass retort well
coated with clay, put it in a Furnace for distillation, and joyn a
Receiver to the Neck of the Retort, into which put as many pints
or pounds of water as there were pounds of Salt Peter mixed with
the earth, that the Spirits going forth may so much the sooner be
condensed into moisture, after thou hast exactly joyned and luted thy
Receiver to the neck of the Retort, with a due lute (or clay) kindle
a fire according to Art by degrees, and the spirit of the Salt Peter
(representing a yellow or red mist in going forth) will joyn it self to
the water placed in the Receiver.
All the Spirits being come forth, take off thy Receiver, and separate
them from the water, put this sharp spirit of Niter into some strong
glass: it being by distilation freed from its superfluous phlegm and
rectified, is applied unto Medicinal and Chymical uses: concerning the
operations and virtues whereof there is mention made in the second part
of my Furnaces, and in the Dispensatory of _Schroderus_. Moreover, the
manner of extracting and concentring a fire of this spirit is this.
Pour this spirit of Niter on the powder of _Lap. Calaminaris_ or _Zink_
reduced into small little grains that it may dissolve as much as it
can: and when it will dissolve no more in the Cold, place the glass in
hot sand that it may dissolve more of the matter, filtre the solution
and by sand draw off all the phlegm in a glass retort; the phlegm being
all come off, change thy Receiver, and increase thy fire and drive
out a fiery oyl, which oyl thou shalt keep well stopt, because it
uncessantly fuming would wholly vanish away in the Air.
This fiery smoke of Salt Peter, as also that of Vitriol, and common
Salt, burns up all Herbs, Grass, Leaves and Flowers, and whatsoever it
toucheth, just as if they were burnt with a strong heat of the Sun or
Fire.
And this is the preparation of the moist and cold fire of Salt Peter,
of the use and efficacious operation whereof in Medicine and Alchymy,
it shall be more exactly and fully treated on in the following Chapters.
XIX. _Of the moist fire of Allome._
Allome also by the work of Distillation and Concentration yields an
efficacious fire most like to that of Vitriol, in efficacy and virtues,
but the plenty doth not answer by reason of too much earth wherewith
it abounds, yet if somewhat of the other Salts be added unto it, it
rightly and orderly bestows its fire.
XX. _Of the moist and cold fire of Sulphur._
Although Sulphur finds not a place in the order of Salts, because it
refuseth the solving in water, yet it contains a vitriolated salt laid
up in it, which doth not manifest it self before that the more fat
substance thereof shall be withdrawn by inflaming, by the operation
whereof the salt is attenuated or made thin, and is carried on high by
the flame like a sharp smoke, so that this sharp sulphureous spirit
burns all things which it toucheth, after the manner of all those fires
which are drawn out of salts.
For the attaining this vitriolated and sulphureous spirit the flame of
the sulphur is to be received, in a certain Alembick made of glass or
earth, peculiarly for this operation, wherein that vitriolated spirit
of salt condenseth it self, and issues forth like a thick fat, and
fiery oyl, not unlike to that which is made of Vitriol, whereof it is
treated on in my Furnaces.
All these things do very evidently confirm those particulars, which
I have many years agoe committed to memory: concerning Sulphur and
Vitriol, to wit, that Sulphur is the original of all metals, and that
no metal at all is digged out of the earth, which hath not either
Vitriol or Sulphur, or for the most part both adjoyned unto it, for
no sulphur is destitute of vitriol, nor vitriol of sulphur, so that
both of them do challenge the rise or birth of any kind of metals
whatsoever unto themselves. And every sulphur is by its own proper
agent or vitriolated salt, which it hath in its possession by nature
(whereto the central fire of the earth is an assistant) excocted or
boiled up more and more into a metal; neither doth this universal agent
or vitriolated salt depart from the fatness, or its patient, untill the
fatness together with the agent shall depart into a malleable metal,
or a metal that undergoes the hammer. Lead, iron and copper, do make
this thing manifest, which metals do never appear without vitriol and
sulphur, and that for this cause; because they being as yet unripe and
imperfect ones, do stand in need of their agent. A less plenty of
Sulphur or Vitriol is found with silver, than with Copper.
Gold hath little of Vitriol or Sulphur, yea plainly none at all, if
it shall attain to its highest maturity, because it is then found to
be pure and malleable, and wants not a further fusion or melting, but
by how much the more of Copper, Gold, and Silver have, by so much the
more of Vitriol or Sulphur they have, as also require the more time for
their ex coction and perfecting.
From these particulars, it manifestly appears in what respect metals
may in a long time be generated in the bowels of the earth by their
first principle, namely Sulphur; and may be ripened to perfection, by
its own Salt, or agent, which it hath in its possession.
If nature doth effect this in a long time, why also may it not come to
pass, that art should perform the same in a shorter time?
But let these things that have been spoken be sufficient, he that
understands not, nor also perceiveth the scope or mark, which I so
clearly shew is blind, and doth not admit of a remedy for his blindness.
Truly I judge these few things, (but yet such as shew a most long way
with a most shining Torch) to be sufficient concerning the moist and
cold fires of minerals, by which the ripening and perfecting of metals,
are to be perfected as well by nature in the bowels of the earth, as by
art above the earth.
_N. B._ If therefore a mineral may by the help and impulse of its own
vitriolated Salt, wherewith it is endowed, be ripened from its vile
form and lowest degree unto a better, and at length unto the best of
all, that is, unto the purest gold, it being that which none (that is
seasoned but with the least knowledge of natural things) will deny.
Also if such a Sulphur is hidden in any vegetable, which answers to a
mineral Sulphur in its nature and properties, why also might it not
come to pass, that this same Sulphur might be perfected into mature
gold, alike equal to the other? from hence it most evidently appeareth
that in any Herb, although the most abject one, which is promoted by
the Sun unto its maturity, a spark of the immature beams of _Sol_ may
be found, which through the operation of art, are to be changed into
pure gold. But after what manner such a Sulphur may be extracted out of
any Herb or any Wood whatsoever, in all things like to a mineral one,
I have long since delivered in my little work concerning the nature of
Salts, and in the second part of the _miraculum mundi_, and below I
will demonstrate by a much more clear manifestation.
Let us proceed to Animals and Vegetables, and consider whether in these
very things, such a ripening fire may be found, and may from thence
also be drawn and made visible.
But we must know that no small living creature or small Herb can grow,
live, and receive, increase without a certain fiery and Salt Agent; the
which although it cannot be believed by any one that is lifted up with
pride, and of a stupid brain, yet it in very deed exilteth, and can
easily be demonstrated by the hand of the Artificer.
XXI. _A most powerfull manner of extracting a fire out of any Wood,
or any Herb whatsoever, and of rendering it palpable and visible._
Fill some glass, stony, or earthen distilling vessel with any dried
Wood or dried Herb, and distill off the Vinegar or sharp liquor from
thence, and separate the Oyl from it; and pour that sharp liquor
on _Lapis Calaminaris_, _Zink_, or ashes of lead, which matters do
dismiss all the unsavoury moisture in distilling, and retain the whole
sharpness with themselves, the which being distilled from thence
ascends like unto meer fire, it being of great use as well in Medicine
as Alchymy, whereof mention shall be made hereafter.
But here it is to be noted that this fire extracted by distillation,
is onely a part of that fire of the Wood and Herbs, and that the other
part remains in the Coals thereof, which is far more fixed than that
which ascended, and is that Sulphur which we spoke of but now, which
wholly answers to the nature of a mineral Sulphur, and which may be
extracted out of the Coals being solved by _Sal. Mirabilis_, which
shall be taught and manifested in the following Chapter.
For if there were no fire in them, after what sort should they burn and
draw out heat? all Coals being converted into ashes, after that their
hidden Sulphur hath done its office, the feces of the Wood remains
like dead ashes, wherein as yet lies hid a certain singular vegetable
fire, being altogether of another nature, and wholly contrary to that
which ascendeth in Distillation. This water being extracted out of the
ashes presents a _Lixivium_, the which by decoction exhaleth all the
moisture, and leaves the rest a fiery Salt, whereof in the second part
of my Dispensatory. If it be made hot without fusion, or melting, it
becomes the more fiery, so that it being bound to the skin for some
hours in the bigness of a pea, it burns a small hole therein as if it
had been burnt with a bright burning iron. And therefore Chyrurgeons
make use of such fires that they may open unripe Ulcers, or make Issues.
It may be seen by these particulars that in any Wood or any Herb, there
are also fires of divers kinds, the which also are found in living
creatures, they being partly volatile and sharp, and partly fixed, and
obtaining the nature of _Alcalies_ or _Lixivial_ Salts.
Both Salts or Fires, after they are conjoyned they lose their fiery
nature, and get unto themselves another quality and property; to wit, a
middle one, and these two contrary fires become an essential tartarous
Salt, and sweet in use, wherein no fire appears, although that fire
being turned out and in by art, may be again extracted and made visible.
Concerning these wonderfull changes of nature, and conversions out of
one species or particular kind into another, many things are found up
and down in my writings. In the first part of the continuation of the
miracle of the World, it is manifestly described after what sort a
plenty of such fire may be attained out of Woods, but the concentring
thereof is here delivered. In general it is here to be noted, that one
Wood or one Herb doth more abound with such a fire than another. But by
how much any Wood or Herb is the elder, and by how much the longer the
Sun-beams have operated on it, by so much the more of fire is in it, as
is manifest from the Vine; which hath received plentifull Rays of that
sort, and therefore excells all other vegetables in the greater and
stronger fire, as appears not onely by the burning spirit, but also the
tartar, or tartarous Salt thereof, which is almost all fire, and yet
without Distillation and Calcination it cannot be manifested.
That therefore it may be brought forth into open view, and be rendred
visible, we must make use of the following operation.
XXII. _The manner of manifesting the fire of the Vine._
Fill thou a Glass Retort with common Tartar, and distill forth the
volatile spirit and oyl, the which thou shalt separate after a due
manner. Great virtues are in this oyl, whereof I have made mention in
the second part of my Furnaces. The spirit is to be rectified in B.
that the fiery substance onely may depart, and the unprofitable flegm
remain behind; the rectified spirit is to be poured on the fixed Salt,
(residing in the Retort, which must be first calcined by a strong fire
and made fiery) and from thence again distilled, that the fixed Salt
may retain the rest of the unprofitable flegm, and the spirit attain
the greater fiery virtues for the performing of wonderfull effects in
medicine, the which my writings do teach.
XXIII. _Another manner of extracting or drawing forth a far more
stronger fire out of Tartar._
Dissolve thou that Alcalizated Salt from which the spirit was
abstracted in rectifying in a little water, that it may become a very
sharp _Lixivium_ or Lye; pour one pound of this _Lixivium_ on two
pounds of white Tartar in a Gourd, and that being reduced into powder,
put on a head which being well luted on with clay, set it in sand and
kindle a fire by degrees, if thou shalt rightly work thou shalt obtain
a most subtile fire, one drop whereof doth burn the tongue, as if it
had been touched with a burning Iron.
How wonderfull things may be effected by this fire, I have already
shown in other places of my writings.
XXIV. _A manner of drawing forth as yet a more vehement fire out of
Tarter._
Take of crude Tartar and the _Regulus_ of _Mars_, or the purest
metallick part of iron, the _scoria_ being separated, equal parts, the
which thou shalt mix by beating together, put them in a crucible with a
cover so well fenced with clay that it may admit of no air, keep them
in a bright burning fire for the space of an hour, then take them away.
From all these particulars it is made known to every one that a
vehement fire lies hidden in vegetables readily serving for the
effecting of many admirable things in Medicine, Alchymy and other arts,
from the declaring whereof the shortness of time and this treatise,
commands us at this time to cease. But moreover we must see whether
living creatures also are potent in the same fire, and in what respect
any one may be made partakers of the same.
XXV. _The preparation and Con-centration of fire out of Animals._
As the Vine is the most noble of all vegetables, so man also is
esteemed by all that are indowed with judgment to be the most noble of
all Animals, or living Creatures; the truth whereof the thing it self
affirmeth by a plentifull Testimony.
Therefore we pass by all other Animals in silence, and do here shew (by
the following manner) the preparation of that fire onely that lies hid
in Man.
The Ancient Philosophers have called the great World, _Macrocosmus_,
and man as it were the lesser World, _Microcosmus_, and a comparison
being made, they have determined that what things are found in the
great World, the same are to be found in the lesser World, that is in
Man.
From whence also they unanimously believed, and also committed to
memory, that as well the life of the greater, as of the lesser World,
doth consist in a saline and saltish spirit, and that this spirit doth
bear rule in one place more, in another less. Neither is there any one
also who will or can deny, that the whole earth is filled with Salt as
it were its Balsam; and that minerals are alike equally bred thereby in
the very bowels of the earth, as vegetables are in the Superficies.
Yet notwithstanding the Salt of the great World is no where more
plentifully found than in water, or in the Seas; the which as it is
a thing most known, it needs no confirmation. The same thing is to
be understood concerning the little World, _viz._ Man, and although
the whole body in all its parts abound with their true Balsam, yet a
greater plenty of this Salt and Balsamick spirit, is found in his flesh
than in his bones, a greater plenty likewise in his bloud than in his
flesh, but the greatest plenty in his Bladder, or in the Salt Sea of
the lesser World, the which is hidden to none, but it is the custom not
to seek necessary things in remote places, but in places nigh where
they are most easie to be found.
Hence because a more plentifull Salt is no where found in man than
in his Urine, we of right lay hold on an occasion of seeking and
con-centrating the fire in the same, and we make use of the following
preparation.
XXVI. _The operation of preparing a fire out of man’s Urine._
I have at large delivered this operation in the second part of my
Furnaces, whither I refer the Reader; where he shall not onely find a
manifold composing of this fire, but also its various use in Medicine.
But although it be needless to describe that operation there repeated,
yet it seems meet to me (for a more evident declaration’s sake) here to
adjoyn some admonitions which concern it.
XXVII. _Observations which concern the preparation of an Animal
fire._
Such a fire is for the most part drawn forth out of man’s Urine being
putrified by it self for the space of some weeks, and is by rectifying
converted into a moist and fiery essence as the second part of my
Furnaces sheweth; I have there taught a more easy manner of drawing
forth the same fire out of _Sal-Armoniack_, which is prepared out of
Urine, and by the addition of a strong _Lixivium_ it is distilled and
rectified.
I have also taught the manner of preparing the same fire out of
_Sal-armoniack_ by the Addition of _Lapis Calaminaris_, by distilling
it through a Retort.
Spirits rightly prepared after these manners are equally profitable in
Medicine, Alchymy, and other arts; because they are those which being
well made are all of them good, after what manner soever they may be
prepared.
But although these volatile animal fires do readily serve for the
performing of famous and notable things (and the fixed Salt of Urine
it self, may by Distillation and rectification be con-centrated
into another kind of fire) yet they are at a far distance from that
true Philosophical fire which the Ancients have hidden with so great
care and diligence, because that in these preparations the best and
chiefest part of the fire flies away and is lost. But this I say, that
these fiery Spirits of Urine being con-centrated even as I have taught
them to be, are indeed able to effect all those things which I have
attributed to them, and shall as yet attribute. But indeed they do not
coagulate the con-centrated fire of the Vine, which coagulation is not
the least key for the composing of an universal Medicine.
For when the Spirit of Urine attains this nature, that by coagulating
the most subtile Spirit of Wine, (when poured on it) into a Salt, this
Salt extracts the soul of Gold duely prepared; the which also, if it
be changed by it self, and converted into a dry and sweet Salt, and
be fixed, possesseth the virtues of a Medicament of a most famous and
great use in Medicine.
Every one that is illustrated, but even with the least light of nature,
shall be able by an easy business, to smell out what may hiddenly lurk
under this Salt.
From the most pure Vine is the substance of the Spirit of Wine, which
strengthens the heart of man beyond all other things, as also his
brain, and other members.
The Spirit of Urine is the purest and most subtile Mercurial Animal
Salt, not having its like in penetrating, opening, and resolving.
This subtile Mercurial, Animal and piercing fire therefore, being
joyned to the most pure vegetable, that is, the Spirit of Wine, that it
may be changed together with it into a dry Medicine, any one shall be
able by an easy conjecture to foresee what it will effect in Medicine.
But that I may make manifest the errour, and demonstrate the cause
wherefore a Spirit of Urine is so seldom prepared, which will coagulate
the Spirit of Wine into a Salt, I admonish that a respect be had by
every one of the following particulars.
For first it is to be taken notice of, that the most subtile part onely
of the Spirit of Urine, and not the more gross part, is fit for the
coagulation of the Spirit of Wine: If therefore in the preparation of
the same, the most subtile part shall be lost, through the negligence
or ignorance of the operator, it can in no wise be brought to pass,
that the more gross and dreggy part should cause that coagulation.
But that most subtile Spirit doth not onely vanish away in distillation
through an insufficiency of the Luteing not being good, but also a
great part of the same is lost before distilling, to wit, when the
Urine being successively gathered, is constrained to stand and wait
too long, so that the Spirit by little and little exhaleth and departs
into the Air, especially when it is gathered together in the Summer
or Winter time, for that fire not being patient of any extreme, is
expelled by a little heat or cold, and therefore the fittest times
for collecting the same are the Months called _March_ and _May_, or
_September_ and _October_, in which Months the Air is temperate,
neither too hot, nor too cold, those Months therefore are the fittest
for collecting and extracting of an Animal fire out of it.
Furthermore, _Calx-vive_ or _unslaked Lime_ is to be added to the Urine
(when putrified) and distilled, that the insipid water may be so much
the more easily or readily separated from that volatile fire, the
which is not done if it be distilled _per se_.
I would not pass by these few things in silence for the sake of the
Reader, and of him that is studious of good Medicines: But after what
manner Metals may be amended by this Animal fire is not here shewn,
but God willing shall by and by in the following Chapters. But we put
an end to the preparation and con-centration of Animal and Vegetable
fires, with these sayings, whose admirable virtues and faculties in
medicines, Alchimy and other profitable Arts, shall here be manifested
in order, as much as time will permit.
Look I pray you on the Elementary Sun, as also on the fire of woods,
and the virtues of light, and the virtue of both, the which all
creatures, and especially mankind it self, is constrained to make use
of for their own safety; could even the least grass bewray itself? or
any small worm be bred and live without the Sun? could any workmanship
or artifice be exercised without the help of common fire? the which, if
it were not, we should be constrained to eat unboyled Herbs, and raw
Flesh like wild Beasts: yea, the whole conversation and negotiation or
traffique among men should be wholly taken away, if earthly fire and
light should be wanting unto us.
If there were some one man onely in Some whole City or Province, or
in a whole Kingdom, who alone could make others partakers of fire and
light, would there not be made the greatest concourse of all men unto
him? but because it is known to every one, and everyone hath known by
an easy manner, how to strike it out of flints, it is had in no esteem,
for it is customary not to esteem those things which are made common,
although they are pretious. The same thing hath happened to the fire,
the which although it ought to be made of greatest account, yet it is
reckoned of no worth because it is common and vulgar.
But even as the common fire, and that known to every one, doth by
very many most profitable operations bring much good to mortals,
who can least of all want the use thereof; so also I affirm that
those artificial and hidden fires are to be very much accounted of,
because a Phisician can hardly be without them, for the preparations
of efficacious Medicines, and a Chymist can never want for the
transmutation of the more base metals into better, either of them
without the aid of those fires shall perform nothing of any great
moment in Chymical Labours.
He that works and is ignorant of such fires, what will he effect in
metallick operations? he being conversant in cold and darkness is
afflicted with the Same difficulty, as a certain brewer or baker is,
who wants wood in the winter season, or who is not able to use water,
it being congealed into ice, the one he cannot bake although he hath
the best meal, and the other brew drink although he have abundance of
the best malt.
So also goes the matter with Alchymical Affairs, the want whereof
causeth that we handle not the most noble Alchimy with any profit, but
rather receive loss from the same, daily experience being witness,
that 100 are wont to be sooner undone than that it happens to any one
man to get himself riches thereby. The blame of which discommodity is
not to be transferred on an impossibility of the art, but rather to be
imputed to the want of those moist, cold, and ripening fires extracted
out of Salts, the which after what sort they ought to be used for the
amendment of metals, as also for medicine and other arts, shall be
taught partly in this, and partly in the other Centuries.
XXVIII. _The general use of our concentred fiery and ripening
Spirits, extracted out of Salts, in the amendment and converting
of metals into more noble ones; also the preparation of many
excellent medicaments, and the increase and amendment of many
other arts, are briefly here demonstrated; the which, God
granting, shall more largely be declared in their particular use._
That I may discourse in few words whether imperfect metals may by
the operation of the more common and gross Salts, and of the fire be
broken, destroyed, cleansed, and reduced into a better form, it being
that which the fifth part of the prosperity of _Germany_ confirmeth by
divers experiments.
I affirm that the pure Spirits of Salts, do with a greater efficacy,
and far better effect the same, the which, since those simple Spirits
are able, better and more easily to perform than gross Salts, why
should not also con-centrated Spirits after the best and easiest manner
of all perform the same thing?
From a like reason the use of Salts shall not be of so great efficacy
in the preparation of medicines, and other arts, as the useing of
common Spirits is; the which, notwithstanding being still for the most
part clogged with much phlegm, do of necessity not disclose so great
virtues, as those con-centred fiery Spirits do which are freed from all
phlegm.
The Sun-beams are for an example which do not send forth so great heat,
when they are co-mixed with a moist air, as also green and wet Woods do
not so vehemently burn with heat, as withered and dry ones are wont to
do.
Yea if the hot beams of the Sun are con-centred in or by some hollow
glass increasing the fire, or the fires of Coals by a strong blowing of
the Bellows, and are as it were constrained into straights or narrow
passages, they effect ten times, yea one hundred times more than those
which are not centred together after such a sort. But by how much the
more strictly those forces of the beams of the Sun, or of other fires
are con-centred by so much the greater, stronger, and sharper heat they
draw out.
A burning glass of one foot Diameter, onely enflames Wood; but one of
two foot Diameter will melt Tin, Lead, and other metallick matters
of that sort, which are easie to be melted, as _Bismuthum_, or the
whitest, lightest, and basest kind of Lead, _Zink_, the non-splendent
metallick dark matter _Koboltum_, &c. But if you extend the Diameter to
four foot, the Sun-beams taking the stronger increase will melt silver
and copper, and will render iron it self so bright burning hot, that it
may be wrought with a hammer, as if it had been heated with Coals. This
effect is to be ascribed unto the con-centring of the Sun-beams by an
instrument, and to the constraining of the heat of Coals, by Bellows,
or Wind.
The same thing is to be understood concerning our con-centred and
moist fires, which ought to be compared, not onely with the common
beams of the Sun, or with the heat of Kitchin fire, but also with
those Sun-beams which are con-centred by a glass, and with the fiery
heat of Coals constrained or forced by windy blasts. Whence they must
of necessity be of greater virtues than the common Salts, and watery
spirits of them, the which the more quick sighted will sufficiently
comprehend and believe. Simple Countrey People do see this thing with
their eyes, and handle it with their hands, as well knowing that the
subtile, hot, sweet Spirits of Wine and Ale, (and those procuring
strength to the heart,) when they are freed from all moisture by
Distillation, and con-centred by Rectification; effect ten fold more
than if they had still remained with their humidites.
That thou mayest understand the thing more clearly, well weigh thou
Grapes, Bread-corn, or the Fruits of Trees, which we eat in that
substance as the trees bring them forth unto us: and they afford us a
nourishment, but not such a one, as their juice being pressed out, and
separated from its dreggs, and by fermentation reduced into a clear and
sweet drink.
If necessity compell, Bread corn may be used for nourishment as it
is, yet not so well as when it is separated from its husks, being
changed into meal, and reduced by water into a mass or lump, and Salt
and Leaven added, and by fire concocted or digested into Bread of the
best Savour. By the same reason Bread-corn being boiled in fair water
yields a potion indeed somewhat better than the water it self, but
if it be artificially handled, and boyled up into Ale or Bear, the
husks are separated from the more pure juice, the which afterwards by
fermentation, separates many dreggs from it, and arrives to a more
noble nature, yielding a sweeter and better drink. But if the same
juice be after that brought by distillation into a greater purity, and
con-centred together by rectifying, that the virtues thereof may come
into a narrow compass, (because it is a meer fire) it will exercise
far greater virtues, than gross Bread-corn which wants a power of
exercising so great virtues.
So also doth it succeed with con-centrated Salts, to wit, when the
dreggs are separated from them by the help of art, and the more pure
parts converted, and con-centred into a fiery substance, performing
effects of great moment in Alchymy. But that Salts do commonly destroy
metals, as well by a moist as a dry way, is known to every Barber, and
persons of no reputation. But after what manner metals being destroyed
may be reduced into more noble bodies than they were before, there
hath been none hitherto (who being skilled in that artifice or craft)
that have not hid it with the greatest care. Hence it hath come to
pass, that nothing of profit hath been perceived from metallick
transmutations, and Alchymy it self hath been made a mock of by the
most unskilfull rout of ignorant ones, as if it were most false, and at
the farthest distance from truth.
That this doubt therefore may be taken away, and the truth it self may
be more evidently placed in our view, I have resolved in my mind, by
God’s assistance, to place before the eyes of the whole world, a true
and profitable transmutation of metals, by a clear description, and
to assert the certainty of so many writings set forth by such men, by
the most true experiments, so that every one that is seasoned but even
with a light or small knowledge of the fire, may by an easy business
hereafter obtain some profit from them. But I will first treat of
common and crude Salts, and then of the simple Spirits of those, and at
length of their con-centred Spirits and Fires, which we have taught to
extract out of them.
But before I attempt to describe and assert this kingly and noble art,
I have been led first to shew the cause why some places do occur in
the description of the same, wherein words are omitted, and signs or
blanks reposed instead of the same.
Indeed this was therefore done, that the art may be concealed from the
unworthy, and they in all respects to be driven from the same, and may
be made known onely to Adeptists, and the Sons of Art.
Besides also that all secrets may not in all places, and without
difference be divulged, but that the chief things thereof may be
preserved for friends, lest they be trodden under foot, and broken to
pieces by the unworthy, but that they may be left to friends as it were
a certain secret stroak, and that an unknown one to others, for to
fight successfully.
I therefore earnestly require of every one by a friendly Petition that
he be not suddenly angry, if he be not able clearly to perceive, by
the sharpness of his wit, all those things which I propose, but rather
let him consider that they are not written for him, but for others;
by whose capacity they can be perceived. Neither is it altogether
necessary that all do know all things, neither also would it be of
concernment if friends and enemies attain all those things in their
understanding alike, without any difference, which I here openly
produce by my descriptions; it is sufficient that some onely, and
indeed those that are worthy may clearly and knowingly possess the
same, and testifie the truth.
XXIX. _An infallible practice of changing the more imperfect Metals
into more perfect ones by the help of crude Salts._
As I have already a little before, and also in other places of my
writings, evidently enough demonstrated that Salts, or the spirits
of Salts, are in the earth, or out of the earth a universal Agent,
promoting the maturation or ripening of metals: So here I again firmly
affirm the same thing, and do say, that by Salts the gross bodies of
metals are destroyed, and trans-changed into more noble metals, and
that indeed after divers manners, and that more easily or difficultly
as any one shall be more or less conversant in Chymical labours.
I will hear God willing make manifest all things, yet not to every one,
but to the worthy onely; and that indeed after the manner of a Clock or
Watch-maker, who taking some Clock or Watch in pieces, do lay up all
the parts thereof in some place without any order; the which he that is
unskilfull in the art, shall never again compose and reduce into order.
But another who before hath handled that art, will by an easie labour
again conjoyn all those parts, and reduce them into the former body of
a Clock or Watch.
All those therefore who have experienced the foregoing labours to be
perfected by the fire, shall by these my descriptions easily dispatch
or accommodate themselves in future things, not easie to be understood
by the rout of ignorant persons which have made no experiments in the
fire; who will in vain look into those things which I have written;
no otherwise than as if any one being plainly unskilfull in reading
and writing, should behold written letters, and knows not what they
signifie, or what argument they may contain: Such a man if he would be
angry with the writer, should he not do him much injury, because as
being far remote from the fault of that ignorance which hinders him,
whereby he cannot read these letters which he had never learned to
read.
The same thing must be understood concerning my writings, which are
openly published, not for the sake of any one, but onely of those who
have first learned to understand those kind of writings.
But that I may set upon the thing it self, and may teach the amendment
of metals for the better, and shew the very foundation of the whole
business, I say, that a true changing of them is attempted in vain,
unless they are first destroyed, and wholly slain. A grain of Wheat, as
Christ himself saith, will never increase or multiply, unless it first
putrifies in the earth. If therefore metals ought to be destroyed by
Putrefaction, that must needs be done by the help of Salts, according
to the truth of the Philosophers Maxim: the corruption of one thing,
is the generation of another. The death of one thing, is the life of
another. Since therefore metals must die, it must needs be that death
be brought on them by enemies, or contrary things, because nothing in
natural or artificial things dieth, unless it be slain by its own enemy.
Since metals therefore ought to be destroyed, and killed by their
enemies; it is of necessity that they are invaded, tortured, and so
long vexed by the same, untill the Agent as the stronger part, be
overcome by the Patient as the weaker part; that it be slain by it, [or
rather the Patient be overcome by the Agent,] and be translated into a
better nature, in which action the Patient ought not to depart from the
Agent, but to be tortured with an un-intermitting torment.
Whosoever seeing his enemy and conceives himself of the weaker force,
indeavours as much as in him lies to decline him, by retreating, but
all occasions of running away and slipping aside being taken away,
he is constrained to deliver his life to his enemy, who handles the
Patient or suffering party according to his own pleasure, and doth
whatsoever he will, therefore after the same manner is the melioration
of metals, the which although they should be melted together with Salts
their enemies, yet would they make little account of them, but would
separate themselves from the same; so that every part of them being
unhurt, would keep its own nature and essence. But if the Salts do take
away the occasion of flight from metals, and do inclose them in their
Prisons, that they have no way of escaping, but remain, suffer, and
die, then they obtain victory over the Salt, and of slain metals are
made more pure and better.
This thing is done in the fire by the moist and dry way, of which
enough hath been spoken already.
This is the whole and intire art, and there needs no other superfluous
teachings; yet he whom these things doth not Suffice, let him read the
following operations thorough, wherein he shall find truth, and see
with his eyes, and handle with his hand; those things which have been
heretofore impossible to him, and very many more.
XXX. _After what manner Metals may be slain by their enemies and be
transmuted into better._
Unto Metals not one but many enemies are adverse; and part of those
enemies are enemies to some and friends to others, but the other part
is friendly to some, and at enmity with others. For example sake.
Nothing more prosecutes Gold with an hostile hatred than burning
Sulphur and sulphurious Salts, such as are Alcalies, and crude tartar;
the cause of this hatred is, because Gold is nothing else, but a
fixed Sulphur, and therefore it disagreeth by a capital hatred, with
every burning Sulphur; Silver and Lead do love every _Sulphur, and all
sulphureous Salts, such as are Vitriol, Salt Peter, Salt Armoniack, and
the like_, the which they stand in need of for their colour; they have
an hatred against _Kitching Salt, because it is of a mercurial nature_,
and therefore not requiring its help, but onely desiring a Sulphur and
Tincture, _Copper, Iron, and Argent vive_, or Quicksilver do possess
both natures, to wit, _a mercurial and sulphureous one_, and for that
cause they prosecute all Sulphurs, and any Salts with love.
Tin is an enemy of all Salts, whether they are sulphureous or mercurial
ones, when it is slain by Sulphur and Salt, and recalled unto life, it
obtains a more pure and thin or fine body, whether of Gold or Silver,
according as it shall be handled.
Moreover, if any should desire to obtain as yet a better essence out
of better metals, its necessary that he slay them by their enemies,
and raise them up again by their friends; by how much the greater and
vehement the enemies are whereby metals are slain, by so much the more
those metals do suffer, and with so much the more famous and better
bodies do they re-arise.
The whole art therefore consisteth in this, that metals are overwhelmed
by their greatest enemies, are slain by them, and after death are
separated from them, and that by their best friends, are restored unto
a better life.
Thou hast the whole art, neither doth any other thing remain than that
thou attempt the matter, and set to thine hand.
For example sake, I will add an operation. Slay a light metallick
matter by the sharp Spirits of sulphurious Salts, that it may become
a white calx; free this from the Salt Spirits, by water being poured
thereon, the which being freed, cannot be reduced into a metallick body
by any violence of fire. Likewise slay mercurial metals as are B. by
mercurial, Salts their enemies, and change them into white calx’s, the
which being freed from their saltness, _will be liquid or flowable_;
mix those calx’s, to wit, the mercurial and sulphurious being slain,
put them into a double vessel of cement, cover the uppermost with a
certain plenty of B. fence well the juncture of the cementing vessel
with clay, set them into a cementing furnace, and at the beginning
administer a gentle fire, that the calx’s may rise up against or
assault each other, and the fixed sulphur may bind the fugitive
flowable and mercurial calx’s, D. for although in the cement something
would depart into smoak, yet that is intercepted by E. and after a
certain manner is thus exalted into the degree of F. Too much fire is
not presently to be joyned to the cement or plaistering it self, that
some time may be granted to the matter that is swift of flight, whereby
it may adjoyn it self unto the fixed matter, and may also become fixed
and constant with the same for four hours space, therefore the fire
shall be somewhat the more slack, and afterwards for the space of
eight or ten hours, it shall be kept in a clear bright burning heat,
that G. may not melt: the said time being ended, the fire is to be
extinguished, and the cementing vessel to be taken away, in G. a black
or brittle body shall be found containing Silver, the easy separation
whereof we shall afterwards hear.
The calx of both metals being coagulated into a hard stone, if by
grinding it be reduced into powder, and be put into a furnace fit for
this thing, a metallick body will be attained, being impregnated, not
with a little Gold and Silver, especially if the metals shall be slain,
not by the Spirits of common Salts, but with gradatory martial waters.
In this cement, H. is rendred aureal or golden, and I. is silvery, by
one and the same endeavour. The profit also it self is of no small
moment, especially if this operation be exercised with the greater
quantity, and the bigger instruments alwaies to supply or afford Silver
being pregnant with Gold for separation.
XXXI. _A brief and compendious manner of extracting and rendring
corporeal, a volatile Gold out of coloured Flints, Red Talck,
Granates or Red Marble Stones, Sand, White Clay and the like
metallick earths._
At the beginning, these mineral or metallick earths are to be made
bright burning hot, to be quenched in cold water, and to be broken in a
mill, into meal or powder.
After that they are thus broken, thou shalt put them into some
Waldenburge, or Cullein Can, and shalt pour so much of _Aq; Regis_ on
them, that they may onely be moistened, and let them, together with the
Can, be placed in a fire of coals, and incompassed therewith, to be
made hot; after that the minerals and _Aq; Regis_ have waxed well hot
together, so much hot water is to be poured on those very minerals as
shall be necessary for the extracting of the _Aq; Regis_.
Put the minerals thus moistened with the water into great pots, and
those made of the best earth, having many little holes in the bottom,
on which lay paper for sustaining of the minerals that they may not
fall out through the holes, but may dismiss the water onely. After the
first water is gone forth, other hot water is again to be poured on,
and this effusion of water is so long to be continued, untill it depart
with the very same sweetness as when it was poured on, and no longer
offers any sharpness to the tast. So the common and hot water brings
away with it the _Aq. Regis_, and the _Aq. Regis_ Gold out of the
minerals.
The earthen pots may be placed in a bench bored thorough with holes,
through which their bottoms may pass, that so the water may be received
in vessels set under them.
_N. B._ The minerals may also be put into barrels or hogsheads having a
double bottom, such as are used for the cleansing of Salt-Peter, that
so water may be so long poured on them, untill all the acrimony be
extracted by the water.
XXXII. _After what manner out of Minerals being extracted, a true
Salt-Peter may as yet be gotten with profit._
The minerals being after the said manner freed by extraction, they are
to be co-mixed with an equal weight of _calx vive_ and wood ashes,
and cast together into an heap under some open gallery or room, that
now and then it may be moistened with Urine, or in want of that with
Rain-water, as oft as they shall be dryed.
In this operation the _Aq. Regis_, which remained in the minerals, and
was not wholly extracted by the hot water by the help of the Urine
or Rain-water, changeth the Salt in the _calx vive_ into the best
Salt-Peter, the which may be washed off with Rain-water, and boiled up
after the wonted manner.
Therefore after the said minerals have been handled for half or a whole
year after the said manner, and are by rinceing deprived of the Salt
it self, they may again be (under an open Gallery or Roof so exposed
to the air, that Rain come not at it) collected into an heap and be
handled after the former manner, for the supplying (in their own time)
new Salt Peter, the which may be done for many years together. So also
from that _Aq. Regis_ which could not be drawn forth from the minerals,
a profit is received.
The cause of this Salt Peter, its being made, is this, because the
_Aq. fortis_, or _Aq. Regis_, or Spirit of _Nitre_ in the same Waters,
contains as it were the seed of Salt Peter, it obtains that nature,
that like an Herb it may take an increase from other Salts, and be
multiplied; whence perhaps the old proverb arose, to sow Salt, which
thing the ignorant have received with mock, saying after what sort
can Salt be sown and multiplied, when it is solved and drawn from
Rain-water? But it hath lain hid from those, what kind of Salt it
is, and after what manner it is to be sown; the which we have here
demonstrated, also the saying of the Ancient Philosophers, asserting
that Salt may be sown and multiplied like Vegetables.
As to what pertains to those sharp waters, whereby gold is extracted
out of minerals, by what skill they are to be handled as also without
loss, yea that they may render that gold with profit; the following
operations are to be observed.
XXXIII. _A way shewing the extraction of a volatile and fixed Gold
out of the Water, from which the Minerals are withdrawn, and the
profit which may be received by that Water._
The best way is this, into the solution of gold, or into the water
which containeth gold, pour in the solution of _Lune_ or _Saturn_ more
or less, even as you suspect more or less of gold to be in that water:
As for example. Let there be in the water two or three half ounces
of gold, dissolve thou therefore about two or three half ounces of
silver, or lead, in _aq. fortis_, and pour this solution into the water
containing the gold, be it more or less, mix them well together by
shaking or stirring, that the water may obtain the form of milk; after
they have settled in quietness, shake or stir them again, and repeat
this motion for divers times the space of one hour, and at length
suffer all quietly to settle to the bottom. Separate all the clear
water from the sediment by pouring it out, and strain the sediment
itself through a filtre, that the water may be wholly separated from
the silver.
This silver is to be dried, and reduced into its former body, after the
manner which shall by and by follow.
_N. B._ If the silver or lead had not extracted all the gold, the
which may easily happen, yet that gold is not lost, for because sweet
water whereby the _Aq. Regis_ is weakened is present, the which now
remains unfit for another use of extracting out of minerals; now by
the solution of _Lune_ or _Saturn_ deprived of their gold, a sharp
_Lixivium_ made of wood-ashes, and _Calx vive_ may be poured on the
same, with which a little .......... is to be added or admixed. For
.......... do precipitate or fix all gold in solutions.
After this manner the _Aq. Regis_ is killed, and every metal which it
has yet retaineth, it dismisseth like a yellow powder, whether it be
gold alone, or mixed with copper or iron, which powder is to be dried,
and reduced after the manner which shall strait-way be taught.
_N. B._ That the water after the total precipitating of the metals,
being exhaled in a Copper Kettle unto a thin skin, and exposed in
peculiar vessels unto the cold, it will afford thee a beautifull
Salt-peter, concreted or grown together into drops or Ice-acles,
whereof thou may’st again make an _Aq. fortis_, to be again made use of
for the like operations.
He that shall rightly operate shall get so much Salt Peter as will
recompence the charges of the _Aq. fortis_, and _Aq. Regis_: So that he
shall extract his gold without costs. For five or six pounds of _Aq.
fortis_, wherein two or three pounds of Salt is dissolved, and the
which hath at length been precipitated by a sharp _Lixivium_ prepared
with _Calx-vive_, doth render ten pound of Salt Peter, the which doth
answer the price of five pound of _Aq. fortis_, and this is the manner
of extracting gold out of minerals without cost.
XXXIV. _Another and better manner of extracting gold by Aq. Regis._
Take of .......... by torrifying made into ashes, pour the extraction
into an iron Pot, and stir the _Calx_ with an iron _Spatula_ while
it boileth. All the sharp spirits do stick fast to the ..........
the phlegm alone vanisheth by exhalation. When therefore the spirits
are wholly con-centred with the .......... and .......... are dried,
they are to be put into a close Tigil or Crucible upon Coals in a
secret Crucible or melting Pot, then the fire expels the con-centred
spirits into a receiving vessel; the which spirits may be used for
a new extraction. A fugacious gold mixt with iron, remaineth with
the .......... which Calx being reduced in a Furnace fit for those
operations, which the _Germans_ do call _Stichofen_, draws out a lead
mixt with gold, the which being expelled by a Cupel enricheth the
operators with the best gold and silver.
_N. B._ But if such lead should not contain so much of gold and silver,
as that it should deserve a separation by a Cupel, that is again to be
mixt with .................... and to be reduced into ashes, and the
operation is so long to be repeated, untill the lead being rich enough
in gold, may deserve that separation.
The separation is also to be perfected with the Bellows, lest so great
a plenty of lead should be melted out of the Tests, which operation
requires much fire, yet the lead may be collected or conjoyned in the
Test without a wastefull melting, as shall be taught hereafter.
XXXV. _An easie making or composing of Aq. Regis, for extracting of
minerals._
Because a plenteous quantity of spirit of Salt is easily prepared, the
Salt Peter is onely to be dissolved therein, and with that solution
minerals are to be extracted. For the Salt Peter strengthens the spirit
of Salt, that it can so much the more easier set upon and snatch to it
the tender gold in those minerals.
The same spirit of Salt, may also without any rectifying be administred
for this operation, to wit, such as ascends in the first Distillation.
XXXVI. _Another as yet more easier way of preparing Aq. Regis for
extraction._
Because silver doth always in this operation bewray its being
impregnated with gold, which is to be separated by _Aq. fortis_, the
solution of silver is also fitly used to extract after this manner.
Pour the said solution into _Aq. Regis_ which hath extracted gold, that
the silver may attract the greatest part thereof to it self. But the
same _Aq. Regis_ may again extract other gold, and be attracted by the
solution of silver.
But if there should be no solution of silver in readiness, the gold
extracted is con-centred with and the operation is perfected by the
means or after the manner abovesaid, by driving the spirit out of the
.......... and by reducing it in a Furnace, called by the _Germans_
_Stichofen_, as was said before.
_N. B._ _Aq. fortis_ being dissolved therein, or poured on or into _Aq.
Regis_, or the nitrous spirit of Salt, it adds an increase and strength
to the _Aq. Regis_, because _Aq. fortis_ doth corroborate the spirit of
Salt better than Salt Peter.
XXXVII. _How the Calx of silver, which hath fished out gold by Aq.
Regis, is to be recovered._
When the solution of silver is poured into _Aq. Regis_, and the
chiefest part of the gold is extracted; rest is so long granted
unto it, that the Calx of the silver may settle to the bottom, and
afterwards the _Aq. Regis_ by pouring it forth is separated, cleared
from the Calx of the silver, again to be used for a new extraction;
unless perhaps as much of iron had been admixed with it, in which
case .......... the white Calx of the silver is put into some Cloath
laid in an earthen or glass Tonnel, and hot water is to be poured on
it, to take away with it the _Aq. Regis_, which is left in the Calx
of the silver. The remaining water is to be pressed out of the Towel
or Cloath, and the Calx dried, and reduced in the secret Crucible, or
is made use of in the con-centring of .......... into silver or gold,
_viz._ gold and silver.
XXXVIII. _After what manner precipitated silver is to be reduced
without a loss of its weight._
Seeing the greatest fugacity is procured unto this Calx of silver, so
that its former body cannot be restored unto it in common Crucibles
without great loss, this discommodity cannot after a more convenient
manner be prevented than by that which follows.
Mix thou an equal weight of .................... with this volatile
Calx, and cast it into a close bright burning Crucible, that is narrow
above, and broad beneath; the which after thou hast covered with a
Cover, and well fenced with the lute of Wisedom, thou shall melt the
matter together, nothing whereof shall depart into smoke, neither shall
so much as the least of it pierce through the Crucible, and all the
Silver which the gold received is by this means attained without any
loss.
This silver thou shalt by fusion reduce into grains, and shalt separate
the gold from the same in _Aq. fortis_. And thou shalt again apply the
silver thus reduced unto a new labour, in which labour thou proceeding
without intermission shalt have a continual separatory operation of
gold and silver; and this labour thou mayest exercise with great profit
in all places.
XXXIX. _Another manner of reducing a fugacious or volatile silver,
with greater profit._
Place thou at the Stern of this little golden Ship, a little fish whose
name is _Remora_, that it may be spoiled of its swiftness and may be at
a stand, cast this silver little Ship with the little fish _Remora_,
sitting at its Stern, into a close and square Tigil or Crucible, that
by fusion they may depart into one body. In this fusion not onely all
the silver is returned without any loss into its former body, but also
is by the white _Finns_ of the little fish, augmented with a certain
increase of its weight, and becomes more golden; so that by this
additament more of better silver is gotten, than if by the addition of
other things it had been restored to its former body.
What other profits any one may be able to obtain through the help of
this volatile silver, we will God willing hereafter teach.
These are the things which I at this time have been willing to teach,
concerning the extraction of a volatile gold out of stones, and the
more poor minerals, as also of the extending or bringing forward silver
by successive degrees into gold; of which matter more things shall be
spoken in other places.
XL. _An operation, teaching to extract Stones and Minerals, or
Mines that are poor in Silver, and Copper by a moist way._
These matters being made bright burning hot, are to be quenched with
water, then moistened and extracted with _Aq. fortis_; after the same
manner as was taught above concerning the minerals of gold, and no
difference is here met with but in the waters extracting, since gold is
extracted with _Aq. Regis_, and silver with _Aq. fortis_.
If the minerals or mines of gold and silver are at once in readiness,
the gold is extracted by _Aq. Regis_, and the silver by _Aq. fortis_,
and the solutions are to be united, in which dissolving, the silver
being precipitated by the _Aq. Regis_, doth also snatch with it the
gold from the _Aq. Regis_; and although copper shall be present with
the mine of silver, and it be extracted together with the silver by
_Aq. fortis_, yet it is no impediment to the operation, for the silver
and gold do sink to the bottom, and the copper is retained by the _Aq.
Regis_ to be afterwards administred for a new operation, and that
indeed as often as any one shall be willing.
The copper is recovered from the _Aq. Regis_ by thin plates of iron
being put therein, which operation makes the _Aq. Regis_ red, and
wholly unfit for the like labours.
Therefore the iron being then spiritual, promotes something out of the
lead unto the degree of gold, and so the _Aq. Regis_ being thus often
used, it is again rendred profitable.
XLI. _A more easy manner as yet by far, of plentifully extracting
Gold and Silver out of poor mines, as Sand, White-Clay, and other
the like minerals, by fire without fusion._
The mine or mineral _Argilla_, or White-Clay, _&c._ containing a
volatile and fixed Gold, being rosted or calcined, and broken in pieces
in a mill, fill thou a glass gourd therewith fenced with clay, or
made of the best earth, half full, and pour so much of the following
_menstruum_ on that matter, as that it may be well moistened: but as
soon as that _menstruum_ is poured thereon, it presently begins to give
a smoak, wherefore it is altogether necessary, that thou presently put
a head on the gourd or body, which is to be set in sand, and all the
moisture separated by distilling, and that while the distillation is
performing the gold may be dissolved, but the solving matter it self is
to be collected in a receiver by it self, the which hath the virtues of
_Aq. Regis_, and may be again applyed for use, as shall by and by be
shewn.
After that all the humidity is come forth, take the gourd (being cold)
out of the sand, and pour some water on the matter that it may become
soft, and that a Salt may be extracted from it, wherein the Gold
lurketh, which was contained in the mine; coagulate the Lixivium being
full of Gold, into a Red-Salt, the which by adding Litharge, is to be
melted in such Crucibles which are not broken.
The Litharge draws the Gold unto it out of the Salt, which is to be
separated from the Lead, after that manner which shall be shewn in the
following Chapters or Treatises.
XLII. _The preparation of a Water necessary for the extracting of
Gold._
Take of .................... this water of small charges, which thou
shalt prepare plentifully without trouble, pour upon mines, and again
separate it by distillation, to be again used in new labours, that
there may be no need to prepare it again anew, because this doth
not onely alwaies remain effectual, but also is increased in every
operation: So that thou mayest be able to extract mines and minerals
_ad infinitum_, if so be thou shalt prepare but one pound or pint at
the first.
_N. B._ By this means all Gold how little soever it be, is plentifully
extracted out of flints, sand, and any other minerals, without any cost
excepting fire.
XLIII. _Another water for extracting silver._
Take .................... this water extracteth silver out of the poor
mines of silver, sand, and stones; the operation of the same, is like
the former one, and its increase is like the increase of the former
water, so that after this manner silver may be plentifully extracted
out of poor minerals, and no other cost is required besides fire.
_N. B._ Instead of .......... may .......... be taken since it performs
the same thing in extracting, which the other performeth.
XLIV. _Another easie manner of plentifully extracting gold, and
silver out of poor minerals, it being of little or no cost._
Mix thou the mine or minerals with the requisite waters, fill with
the same .................... of good earth, set them near each other
in a great .......... put it in .......... and distill the spirits,
which pay all the charges, and which supply gold and silver without any
costs, the which is to be received by lead.
XLV. _Another more easie manner of extracting gold and silver out
of minerals._
Mix the mine or mineral with the requisite waters, and moisten it by
degrees, cast the whole into .......... the spirits depart into a
receiving vessel, and in the time of distillation, the gold and silver
are dissolved by that dissolvant, the which being extracted, remain
with or among .......... and are rinced by water out of the mineral, so
that they are attained without costs, and the spirits being collected
in the receiving vessel, do recompence all charges.
XLVI. _An easie operation of plentifull extracting gold and silver
out of fat white Clay or Potters-earth._
Although gold and silver be extracted out of minerals by moist waters,
by a troublesome operation as we have taught in the beginning, yet such
an extraction brings no small profit, because they may be freed from
those waters by precipitation; and those very waters do readily serve
for the making or preparing of Salt Peter. With a fat Argilla or white
Clay, the matter goes otherwise, because the spirit hath crept into
the fat earth, and scarce a half part is received, unless the earth be
first deprived of its fatness by making burning bright, it being that
which doth also require its own peculiar labour.
Seeing that therefore in all places of the world, wheresoever earth is
found, such fat white Clays containing gold and silver do plentifully
offer themselves, and none hath been hitherto found, who hath
indeavoured to extract and bring them to use, especially whenas they
contain but little of gold or silver, not able to defray the charges of
the lead bestowed.
I could not but open a very easie way of performing that thing with no
small profit, the which is perfected by the following labour.
Mix such an earth containing gold or silver, with .......... or of
that greater one, and cast it by degrees into my first or second
Distillatory Furnaces, and draw forth the spirits by distilling, that
the solved gold or silver may remain in .................... From that
which is broken by a Mill or grinding .......... is washed off with hot
water, and is reduced by lead as is shewed before.
XLVII. _After what manner by the help of art, gold may be easily
and plenteously extracted from the sand of =Granates=, =Agaths=,
=Saphyrs=, and =Rubies=, and other stoney Mineral earths, which
do neither admit of fusion, nor Lead, nor sharp Waters._
It is certain that all _Granates_ or Marbles, the red, black,
ash-coloured, duskish, also of whatsoever colour they are, or
wheresoever they are found, whether in Brooks or Rivers, or in Sand,
or fat Earth, or in high Rocks, do always contain much of Gold, but
that by reason of their glassy nature, they cannot be tamed by _Aq.
fortis_’s, and by reason of their most difficult fusion cannot be
wrought by Saturn or Lead; for that cause they have made none partaker
of their gold, and they have been neglected as unprofitable earths,
whenas notwithstanding they being handled by little labour, they are
able to afford much gold.
Some one therefore may ask, because they cannot be subdued either by
lead or _Aquæ fortis_’s, what course must be taken, that gold may be
extracted out of their bowels? I answer. .................... and
also by a Fusible .................... they may be so overcome, that
the gold which they have may be withdrawn from them with profit, for
.......... because they can bear the fire, they are .......... and
perform by a double labour, one through their sharpness, and another by
reason of a strong fire, so that nothing is safe from so great forces,
but all things are constrained to yield unto so great violence. Hence
they do willingly afterwards enter the Salt of Lead, and in time of
melting do readily draw out their gold.
XLVIII. _A most firm demonstration, that sharp Waters and Salts
after the manner of the ways hitherto described, do draw forth
more Gold and Silver as it were without cost, out of Mines or
Minerals containing Gold and Silver, than sumptuous or costly
melting Fires._
It is not unknown to every one that is seasoned but even with a mean
knowledge of gold bearing Mines, that without the addition of Lead
or other flowable things, Gold can in no wise be melted out of them,
whenas therefore there is little Gold in those, and nevertheless much
of Lead or other matters is required to be added for an easie fusion or
melting sake, who shall be fit for the undergoing of so great costs?
Hence it hath come to pass that such poor minerals could bring nothing
of profit in common.
It being also granted, that there is so much of Gold and Silver in
Minerals, that they will defray the charges of fire and fusion, and
afford Gold and Silver with profit, yet such operations are not
comparable to my inventions using Waters and Salts, no more than as
Water to Wine, or Night to Day.
For first, fusion or melting far exceeds in its costs the extraction
which is perfected by Salt and Waters. And then it can never be brought
to pass that fusion should expell all the Gold and Silver out of Mines
and Minerals, but leaves some thereof in the drosses, next also there
is made a loss of all the volatile Gold and Silver, which are cast
forth by a most strong fire, and driven away into the air; on the
contrary, of the more ample and wealthy profits, which the extraction
of Gold and Silver out of Minerals bringeth, this is not the least,
that not onely all the Gold and Silver which is fixed, is drawn out
without any detriment or loss, but also those two metals being as yet
volatile are extracted at once and made fixt and constant in the fire,
whenas notwithstanding by the vehemence of a melting fire, they are
wholly dispersed and reduced into nothing. For the Waters of Salts do
fix the volatile fugative spirits of Gold and Silver, the which by the
vehement blasts of Bellows, are rendred as yet far more volatile, so
that by the help of fusion scarce half the Gold is gotten which the
extraction by the Waters of Salt affordeth.
Add to this, that not onely all the Silver and Gold, as well the
volatile as the fixt is gotten together without any loss, but also the
charges of Coals are far less, and one operatour may perform as much of
this extraction of Gold and Silver, as three in the labour of fusion or
melting.
From hence it is easily to be seen, how much profit and fruit may be
gained by this my most excellent invention in all places of _Germany_.
For this extraction is not onely for extracting Gold and Silver as well
out of rich as poor Mines, but also snatcheth out all the Gold and
Silver, in Flints tinged with any colour, wherewith all Brooks, Rivers,
and Fields are filled.
Now follow some particular transmutations of the imperfect Metals into
more perfect ones, by common fire, and Crude Salt, and by the not
common con-centred moist fire of Salt.
XLIX. _A fundamental and evident demonstration, that a true
transmutation, or trans-changing of Metals may be exercised in
all places of the earth, wheresoever Men may dwell, yea in the
least Cottages of Countrey folks, and indeed by the same matters
and vessels which are found in them._
It is well known, that even the poorest and vilest or meanest Countrey
can want neither fire, nor salt, nor earthen vessels, necessary for
the boyling of Meats. Therefore being furnished with Salt, a piece of
Copper of some old Kettle shall easily supply him, the which it shall
be free for him, by fire and salt to trans-change into a better and
more noble body, but because Man hath a far better and commodious Salt
for the transmutation of Metals in his possession, which excells common
Salt in its goodness, he may of right and worthily make use of his
own proper Salt before a strange and foreign one, and that after this
manner.
Boil thy own, or the Urine of another man, to the consistancy of Honey,
in which decoction, all the unprofitable moisture of the Urine departs
by exhalation, and the Salt thereof remains in the Kettle or earthen
Pot; admix thou with this condensed Urine, so much of _Calx-vive_,
or the ashes of burnt Woods, that it may come into a thick or gross
lump. But thin plates of Copper cut in pieces, and purged by making
them bright burning hot ought to be in readiness, and also an earthen
Pot having its Cover, wherein let that mass of Urine, and _Calx-vive_,
together with the thin plates of Copper be put; when thou hast all
these things in a readiness, mix the Urine as abovesaid with the
_Calx_ or slack-lime or ashes, and fill thy Pot to the height of three
or four fingers, upon which put some of the plates of Copper, and so
_stratum super-stratum_ till the Pot is full, then cover it with its
Cover, which thou shalt well fence with Lute made of Meal, Water, and
Paper, that not any vapour at all may come forth. For assoon as the
_Calx-vive_ is mixed with the condensed or co-thickned Urine, the
Spirit of Urine begins to operate by its own proper efficacy, and
therefore it is necessary that the Cover be straightway laid on the
Pot, and be fenced with a due Lute or Clay; the Pot being thus filled
and cover’d, set it aside in some certain place for the space of half
a year, in which time the spirit of Urine being stirred up by the
_Calx-vive_, displays its virtues on the Copper, and exalts it into a
higher degree, as that it is tinged of a skie and green colour mixed,
and is rendred fit for the Painters Art; one pound whereof is more
worth than two or three pounds of Copper, one pound whereof doth for
the most part render one pound with four or five ounces of this colour,
and so it affords a profitable transmutation of Copper.
L. _After what manner, out of this partly Green, partly Skie-colour
of Copper, Gold and Silver is to be separated._
He that desires to separate Gold and Silver out of this colour,
whereof no great masses are attained, but onely and alone whereby it
is demonstrated that the thing may be done, he must use the following
operation.
First, he must take good heed in taking the colour out of the earthen
Pot, lest any thing of the mass of the Urine, and _Calx_ be mixed with
the beautifull colour, and render it impure.
The thin plates being taken out, they are to be often crookedly bowed,
and moved upwards and downwards, that the colour may fall off from the
plates like scales. The remaining Copper which is not yet turned into
colour, is reserved for a new labour; to be repeated after the same
manner. Wine-vinegar is poured on the colour, or the sharp water of
Tartar extracted after the Distillation of adust Wine from its Lees,
with water by decoction, and it is to be so long boiled in a Copper
Kettle, or an earthen Pot glazed, till all the colour shall be solved;
the Solution being cast into a Filtre, the Vinegar or Water of Tartar
onely passeth through, and a reddish powder is left in the Filtre, the
which being melted with Lead in a Cupel, after the exhalation of the
Lead, it leaves a grain of Gold. For the spirit of Urine hath ripened
somewhat of the Copper into Gold, which the Vinegar or Water of Tartar
did not dissolve but left, attracting onely the Copper by solution. And
because somewhat of Silver is ripened in the Copper through this same
operation, and is dissolved with the Copper, by the Vinegar or Water of
Tartar, something of common Salt is to be added to the Water of Tartar
or Vinegar, that the Silver may not be solved by the same, but may
remain with the _Calx_ of Gold, and may be retained with the same.
_N. B._ Pure and clear Vinegar ought to be taken for this labour,
if you would preserve the colour unhurt, for after some part of the
Vinegar is evaporated away, the green colour of the Copper grows
together into fair green small stones, one pound whereof is more to be
esteemed than five or six pounds of Verdi grease, which is sold in the
Shops.
This artificial operation therefore affords a beautifull and
christalline vitriol of _Venus_, and some small quantity of Gold and
Silver; whereof although there be not so great plenty that it may bring
profit, yet it shews the possibility of the thing, and teacheth that a
transmutation of Metals, may be exercised in any small Cottage by any
Countrey Man.
But if any one shall collect Urine, and extract from thence the
volatile spirit of its Salt by Distillation, he shall far more deeply
pierce the heart of the Copper, and shall obtain more of Gold and
Silver than he can get by the but now mentioned rustical labour, of
which matter more things are found in other places of my Writings.
LI. _After what sort pure Gold may be extracted out of any Copper._
In all Copper a spiritual occult Gold lies hid, the which in the
labour of separation by Lead in a Cupel or Test, is not taken notice
of, or considered. But this very Gold is nothing else but the colour
of Copper, so firmly adhering unto its body, that it remaineth very
difficult to be separated from thence, but the operation being
rightly instituted, although it be not gainfull, yet it demonstrates
a possibility of the thing, for the sake of experiencing whereof, to
wit, whether there be Gold in all Copper, thou must labour after the
following manner.
Dissolve Copper in _Aq. Regis_, and pour much water on the solution,
that by this water the dissolved Copper may be largely diffused. Into
this solution diffused by the water, pour Lead that is dissolved in
_Aq. Fortis_, so that one or two half ounces of Lead may answer to one
pound of Copper. But as often as the Lead shall settle to the bottom,
thou shalt shake or stir it, that the solution may be well mixed, and
that the Lead may attract something of Gold; and may precipitate it
with it self to the bottom, the which being dried and separated in a
Cupel, will leave a small quantity of Gold, not for an argument of
profit, but a token of a possibility, which testifies that there is
Gold in all Copper. But if any thing of profit were to be received,
such Copper was to be taken which was already changed into vitriol. But
among vitriols the _Hungarian_, _Cyprian_, _Indian_, _Japanick_, and
other the like do excell, which do offer themselves in the Mines of
Gold-bearing Copper, and are handled after the following manner.
LII. _The manner of extracting Gold out of natural vitriol._
Dissolve thou vitriol in common water, and pour on the vitriol
dissolved, a littled of dissolved Lead, and stir both solutions by
frequent motions, that the Lead may attract the Gold out of the
vitriol, to be dried and separated by a Cupel, which will remain like a
grain of greater or lesser quantity, as the vitriol shall contain more
or less of the same.
Of the vitriolated water out of which the Gold was extracted, thou
shalt again make vitriol by so long boiling, and evaporating till a
thin skin appear, which being then exposed to the cold will shoot into
Crystals. But this operation brings with it more profit, if it be not
now boiled up into Crystals, but that vitriol onely be taken which is
drawn out of its Mineral into Water, and after the extraction of the
Gold, is at length boiled up into vitriol.
But least this fishing of Gold out of vitriol should seem wonderfull
unto any, we will shew a way, whereby Gold may be extracted out of Sea
Water, or Sea Salt, the solution of Lead assisting: The manner is as
followeth.
LIII. _After what manner Gold is to be extracted out of Sea Salt,
or Sea Water, not indeed with profit, but onely that it may be
demonstrated, that Gold is hidden even in Sea Water or Sea Salt._
Fill a great Copper Kettle with Sea Water, and pour thereon a little
dissolved Lead; the which goes to the bottom because it cannot indure
Salt, and is straightway precipitated into a white powder, move and
stir the water in the Kettle often, that the solution of Lead may every
where touch the Sea-Salt-Water.
Through this action, a spiritual Gold adheres to the leaden powder, and
sinks to the bottom together with it, which powder being freed from its
Salt by common Water, and dried, and melted in a Cupel, leaves a small
grain of Gold, as a remainder.
_N. B._ For this fishing Silver is more fit than Lead.
LIV. _How, out of poor Mines of Copper, from which no profit can be
perceived, Copper, as also Gold it self if it be present, is to
be easily and without costs, extracted and separated._
The sandy or sulphurous Mine or Mineral of Copper is to be roasted or
calcined, by burning even to the consuming of the Sulphur, because
sharp waters do not assault sulphureous matters, the Mineral being
calcined and beaten into a powder, fill a gourd, and pour our solving
secret on the same, the which I have taught above at the extracting of
Minerals.
The whole dissolvent in abstracting or distilling is recovered, and
that indeed not without increase. But the Copper and Silver do stick
fast in the dissolved Salt, which remained in the Mineral after the
abstraction, and the which is to be washed out with water, out of which
water, which drew out that Salt, the Gold contained therein, may by the
solution of Lead or Silver, be drawn forth.
But if the same water be boiled untill a thin skin appear at the top,
and exposed to the cold, it will shoot into a green vitriol, but for
the extracting the Copper out of the Salt-Water, Rods of Iron are to
be put therein, which do attract the Copper, the which being withdrawn
and washed clean, and melted into Copper by fusion, is administred for
other uses: For because it is like to a tender and filed powder, it is
changed by an easie business into Verdi-grease, after the manner which
shall by and by be taught.
LV. _After what manner Gold may by an easie business by Fire and
Salt, be separated out of Copper._
If Gold shall be mixed with a mass or lump of Copper, all the Copper is
to be reduced in a bright burning Fire into Ashes: and the Ashes are
to be infused in our secret _Aceum_ or Vinegar, the which dissolveth
the Copper onely by decoction, and leaveth the Gold undissolved, like a
shining powder, to be dried and melted with Borace, out of which Gold
of twenty three Caracts proceedeth.
That Vinegar, our secret _Aceum_, draws all the Copper from the golden
_Calx_. The Copper is separated from the Vinegar by Rods of Iron, being
laid therein as we have taught in the foregoing manner.
LVI. _How Copper being extracted out of vitriolated Water, and
adhering to Rods of Iron, is to be changed into Verdi-grease._
This pure Copper may be moistened with the strongest Vinegar, and put
into earthen Pots, the which being covered with its Cover well fenced
with Clay, are to be placed in Horse dung, and to be left therein for
a time, yet so as that the heap of Dung be sometimes renewed. All the
Copper is in a short time changed into Verdi-grease, and indeed far
more pure than that which is set forth to Sale in the Shops, and which
is made in _Spain_, by the husks or pressed out of clusters of Grapes.
_N. B._ In extracting Copper out of Mines, regard is to be had unto
this thing, to wit, that with poor and wild or course veins of Copper,
_Lapis Calaminaris_, or _Zink_ is sometimes found to be admixed; which
is no ways perceived to be in them. But if those Minerals are extracted
with _Aq. Regis_, and this be to be taken away by Distillation, none of
the _Aq. Regis_ goes forth, but onely a flegm without savour, because
the _Lapis Calaminaris_ or _Zink_ doth retain all the Acrimony with it,
just as if those two Minerals should say to the _Aq. Regis_, we do not
as yet let thee go, because as yet, we have need of thy indeavour for
our amendment, _&c._
But it is certain that whatsoever Minerals and Metals do retain with
them sharp spirits, are as yet immature, and may be ripened by those
spirits, that they may bestow Gold and Silver, as hath been already
said, and shall as yet more largely be spoken to.
LVII. _Out of wild or course Minerals, or veins of Lead, admitting
of no melting, out of which no good Lead, much less Gold or
Silver, can be drawn, how to extract not onely Lead, but also
Gold and Silver with profit._
As we have said above, that some Minerals or Veins of Copper do appear
in Mines, the which by reason of _Lapis Calaminaris_ or _Zink_ do
refuse all melting, and can be by no fire reduced: So also we here
admonish, that Minerals of Lead are found, the which do indeed contain
much Lead, but by reason of the _Lapis Calaminaris_, _Zink_, and a
sulphureous Sand being admixed with them, they cannot be overcome by
any melting, for these matters do take away a ready flowing from the
Lead, and do cause that such Minerals, which for the most part together
with Lead, do also hide not a little of Gold and Silver, are cast away
as altogether unfit, and unprofitable, whenas notwithstanding very much
profit might be received from them after this manner.
Let the Mineral by pounding be broken in small pieces, and in my little
secret Furnace which I have fitted for the calcining of Minerals, let
it be roasted with bright burning Coals, that the gross Sulphur may
conceive a flame, and burn. If in time of operation the matter should
gather it self into heaps or knobs, and in co-heaping should make round
Pellets, it being taken out of the Furnace, let it again be beaten,
be set upon live Coals and roasted, and these labours be so often
repeated, untill all the Sulphur shall be consumed, and the Mineral
doth no longer co-heap it self into knobs, but being made bright
burning hot like dead ashes; it no longer sends forth a sulphureous
stink. At length out of these ashes being well washed, a dead and
unprofitable matter separates its self from the good and metallick
earth, the which being melted by it self in a Furnace called by the
_Germans_ _Stichofen_, becomes a flowable Lead which containeth Gold
and Silver.
But if the Mineral be so stubborn that it altogether refusing all
melting, could not by it self be reduced, and nevertheless contain
Gold and Silver, something of Litharge is to be added to that metallick
earth, which procures a flux unto it, and yields that Gold and Silver
bearing Lead, which by the common operation wholly refuseth to offer it
self.
LVIII. _Another way teaching by the help of Salt and Fire to draw
Silver and Gold with great profit, out of all stubborn or rude
and untamed metallick earths, in whose Veins Lead, Copper,
Gravel, or course Sands, Iron, or =Lapis Calaminaris= have for
the most part conjoyned in Society, and which do deny all profit
by vulgar operations._
As Fire burns up every gross and combustible Sulphur in Mines or
Minerals, that these do at length subject themselves unto melting, and
do render Metals easie to be hammered: so also Salt fixeth, and makes
constant whatsoever volatile body endeavours to flie away into the air,
that it may afford a ripened, melted, and profitable Metal. For that
cause such Minerals common Salt being added as was abovesaid, are to
be roasted in live Coals, that that devouring gross Sulphur may vanish
by burning with a flame, and that together also the Metal it self may
be promoted to maturity, and so that by this very thing, good Gold and
Silver may be separated, whenas notwithstanding otherwise, not any one
should obtain so much as the least thereof out of these very Minerals.
Such an amendment and changing the more imperfect Metals into the more
perfect ones, may be attained by the help of Salt and Fire.
If therefore common Salt and gross Fire are able to perform this in
Minerals, what shall not these, not common but secret Fires of Salts
effect, in trans-changing Metals already pure, into more pure and
subtile ones?
LIX. _After what manner Metals are to be amended by pure Fire, or
the fiery spirits of Salts._
It may easily be perceived if a gross Salt and Fire do some good to
more gross Metals, that also a more pure Fire and Salt may do more
good on purer Metals. Instruments whose edges are made very sharp by
whetting, are far more fit for operation than those that are dull, and
will perform more. By how much the sharper an Auger or Wimble is, by
so much the sooner it boareth thorough the Wood, and on the contrary,
by how much the more blunt it is, by so much the slower it pierceth
thorough.
He that is earnestly desirous to obtain any good in the amendment of
Metals, he must of necessity apply the subtile and strong spirits of
Salts, that he may destroy Metals with the same, may kill them, and
reduce them unto their former life, and so may procure more noble
bodies unto them. When their former body is restored to those moist
and cold Fires of Salts, to wit, that they may return unto the form of
Salt, but of a more noble and subtile one, Metals may far more speedily
be destroyed; a double Fire performs more than a single one, since
therefore Salt is by it self no other thing but a meer and con-centred
Fire, and the Fire of Wood or Coals joyning it self with the other
a greater efficacy must needs be expected from them than by common
Fire alone, but we have hitherto made mention of such operations,
and therefore its needless here to repeat them. From what hath been
hitherto said, every Chymist may gather and learn those things which
concern the amendment of Metals, wanting the help of Salt and Fire;
more God willing shall follow.
LX. _Let us now ascend higher, and demonstrate what incredible
miracles or wonders our secret Fires of Salts may effect nigh to
that great work of Philosophers._
As in the foregoing Chapters it hath been sufficiently confirmed,
that unripe Metals may by the help of Fire and Salt, be particularly
promoted to a more perfect maturity: So also in the multiplying of
Animals and Vegetables, that thing evidently appeareth; to wit, if
sufficient meat and drink be administred to any Infant, that he groweth
dayly in bigness, and strength of body, untill he come to the age
and perfection of a Man. The same multiplying in Vegetables offers
it self to our view, in that a small seed or root do snatch to them
their nourishment from an earthly Salt; and the beams of the Sun, and
do rise up into a perfect, great, and fruitfull Tree. This particular
transmutation is conversant before our eyes, and therefore is a thing
most known, but after what sort the most noble part or purest essence
is to be extracted out of the bodies of Vegetables, Minerals, and
Animals, that other more weak bodies may be strengthned and amended by
the same Philosophers have always hidden and covered with the greatest
endeavour. Hence it is, that there hath been very few, and as yet are,
who have had the knowledge of this highest Science.
As to what therefore belongs to the great work of the Philosophers, all
the Philosophers do in their writings with one accord affirm, the which
I do also in all my writings affirm to be most true, and do as it were
shew with my Fingers, to wit, that nothing in the nature of things doth
effect a Tincture and Tinge with a most gratefull colour, but Sulphur
alone, and that one onely, and that this same combustible immature and
volatile Sulphur is fixed and changed by the operation and help of
Salts into a true Tincture, the which is as certain as that which is
most certain, and yet laborious also, and requiring a space of time
long enough, especially if any one doth insist in a moist way. The way
of coming unto the end of such a work as I think, yet with the safety
of others judgment, this is the best, if any one bind or fix such a
Sulphur, which was already brought unto a perfect maturity by nature,
they might bring this profit with it, that it should not require a
longer time for its maturity.
But such a fixed and tinged Sulphur, is no where more nearly found
than in Metals, and especially in Copper and Iron, but the better and
more pure in Gold; the finding out whereof notwithstanding (by reason
of its most firm and intimate conjunction with its body, as also its
separation) hath been always esteemed almost impossible. For unto
diligent searchers, a true separator which might separate the pure part
from the impure, hath for the most part every where been wanting.
For as it is known such a hard or compacted metallick body, can very
difficultly be separated and divided into its parts.
The solution of sharp waters, sups up indeed every Metal, but it
effects no separation. For because Metals are Homo-geneal things, and
the metallick Sulphur is so strictly bound to its metallick mercury, by
the bond of the metallick Salt, it can never be brought to pass, that
by such solutions, or by precipitatings, or by other ways, one part
should be separated from the other.
If a Metal being dissolved by a water be precipitated all its parts
being so mixed as they were before its dissolution do fall down and
settle, and admit of no separation. But if any one would also render
Metals spiritual, that so the more pure parts might be disjoyned from
the more impure ones by distillation, yet there is no separation
made, but the more pure body it self ascends, and again as before, it
consisteth of three principles, performing indeed more in Alchymy and
in Medicine than the more gross bodies of Metals, but is unfit for a
true Tincture, because nothing operates in all bodies, but a lively
Soul, and that which vivifies or quickens other dead bodies, for it is
the spirit, as Christ saith, which quickneth, the body is unprofitable.
Let man, or any other living creature be for an example, the which as
long as it lives, it moves it self and operates as long as the spirit,
the Authour of Life is present with it; but that vanishing away the
body wants all motion, and remains a dead Carcass. If now it could
be brought to pass, that we could lay hold of such Animal Spirits,
and could render them corporal ones, we might also perform incredible
things by the same, and perhaps fashion or form a living creature of a
lump of earth, the which notwithstanding God hath reserved to his own
self. But this that bountifull Father hath granted unto us, that out of
unmoveable subjects, or those wanting a moveable and animal life, we
may extract their pure Souls or Essences, and render them corporal, and
effect thereby things of great moment in Medicine and Alchymy.
But the souls of Metals do excell herein, as being more fixed and
constant than the essences of vegetables, but they are far more
difficultly attained. For the souls of vegetables do suffer themselves
to be easily extracted, but the colours and souls of Metals do hardly
admit of extraction, and for that cause are accounted of by the
ignorant for a thing impossible to be done, nor indeed is it altogether
without some cause; for the separation of the tinging soul from the
hard metallick body is a thing of great moment: many are the ways
that have been attempted for the procuring of this Sulphur; and some
ignorant fellows have written Books, of the acquiring or getting of the
same, whereas ’tis evident that they never saw such a Sulphur.
The most learned and most witty _Helmont_ wrote egregiously concerning
this Sulphur; but yet not so clearly as that any one could out of those
his writings get a perfect knowledge of the same. Nor indeed is it
expedient that such kind of Pearls should be cast under the feet of
swinish Men. There is no Writer (as far as I know) that hath mentioned
any thing concerning this matter, clearer than _Isaac Holland_ in
his _Ch. De Amausis_, where he teacheth, that he who hath gotten the
art of changing Metals into transparent Glasses with their peculiar
colours, hath purchased a notable secret in Metallick affairs. He
alludes (by way of likeness) to the bodies of Men brought to a clarity
or brightness after this life, and thus declares his Doctrine and
says; The souls of Metals do shine forth through their _Amausa_’s, or
clarified bodies, clad in their proper colours, even as the Souls of
Men shall hereafter shine in the other World, from [or through] their
clarified bodies. And further he saith, that when such _Amausa_’s [or
Glasses] are reduced into their former bodies; then the _Amausa_’s of
Copper and Iron become fixt, that of Silver becomes Gold, and that of
Gold becomes Tincture. The Said Authour hath not clearly expressed the
manner of accomplishing this, but in my opinion (without prescribing
ought to any one) this is the nearest way of attaining to such an
operation, _viz._ of getting the souls, or the pure Sulphurs of Metals,
_viz._ If the Metals be first reduced into _Amausa_’s, or transparent
Glasses, out of which their souls are easier extractable than out
of their gross bodies. But now, for such an extraction here is such
a _menstruum_ required as doth not work upon all the whole body, or
dissolve it, but doth onely attract there out of the colour and purest
Sulphur, and leaves the body behind white. But where shall we find
the description of such a _menstruum_? none speak of it openly, but
many mention it obscurely; nor indeed is it so necessary that such an
_Arcanum_ of so great moment be manifested to every one.
But however, this in brief you are to be admonished of, that like
draws its like and extracts it. If a mercuriality be to be extracted
out of the metallick masses [or bodies,] then ’tis expedient to use a
mercurial _menstruum_, for like rejoyceth in its like. So sulphureous
essences are extractable by sulphureous _menstruums_, and not by
mercurial ones. For Water doth willingly associate it self with Water,
and Oyl with Oyls. And forasmuch as all the Philosophers write that
the Sulphur or tinging Soul in Iron and Copper, doth as to goodness
and nobleness equalize the Sulphur in Gold, it will be needless (in my
opinion) to take Gold, but to bring Iron and Copper to that pass, that
they may become transparent Glasses, from which their colours may be
extracted. But if so be that any one is minded to prefer Gold before
these, and to extract the tincture hence from, he may do as he pleases,
and will find in many places of my writings a manuduction, [directing
him] to the transmutation of Gold, (and so of the other Metals too)
into transparent bodies, which thing is highly necessary. For there is
not an easier way of extracting the tincture out of Metals, than by
first reducing them into transparent _Amausa_’s. Now the _menstruum_
serving for this extracting of the Sulphurs out of the metallick bodies
is to be so prepared, that it dissolve not the body, but extract onely
the Sulphur or pure Soul there out of. Such _menstruums_ _Paracelsus_
himself makes mention of, and affirms, that with them the skie-coloured
Saphyrs, the red Rubies, and the yellow Jacynth may be so deprived of
their colours, as that there remains no more of them save onely the
white bodies. Besides, that white Crystals may (by the help of tinging
sulphureous Spirits) be died with various colours. Verily ’tis a secret
of most mighty concernment, to have the skill how to prepare such a
_menstruum_ as will penetrate the most hard Stones and most compact
Glasses to extract them, and withall to communicate to othersome
various colours, without the corrupting, breaking and destruction of
any of the bodies, the which thing seems in my opinion very likely to
be true, though as yet I know not how to do it. That which I have tryed
by my operations I can write and teach, _viz._ how all the Metals may
very easily (yet one more easily than another) be changed into fair
transparent and most delicately coloured glasses, and how out of these
glasses the pure and tinging metallick souls may be extracted, _viz._
by such _menstruums_ as are sulphureous, subtile, not dissolving, but
onely extracting.
But for as much as these kinds of _menstruums_ are not (as far as I
know) described by any one, and yet are the producers of such notable
effects; I could not omit the discovering of something concerning them,
for the sake of such as are Students in true Philosophy, and after
some sort shew that kind of extraction, which is to be accomplished
by the help of our con-centrated spirits of salt, or of our moist
Philosophical fires.
LXI. _How a vegetable subtile sulphur is to be so actuated by the
nitrous moist fire, that it may extract the fixt sulphur of
metals, or their pure tinging soul._
First of all, the oyls of the vegetables are to be exalted by
distillations, and often repeated rectifications to the highest
degree of purity and subtilty, and afterwards to be once rectified by
some con-centrated nitrous fire, that so being already of themselves
subtile, they may get a fiery vigour endued with a faculty of seizing
upon metallick sulphurs, and of extracting them out of the hard and
compact bodies. For any vegetable oyl how subtilly soever it be
prepared, hath not any power of entring into the metals, and much less
of having any ingress into their glasses, nor can it extract in the
least, though such bodies should be covered with it for a long season.
But now if an artificial operation shall have sharpenedw such an oyl
with those most subtile spirits of salts, and have rendred it more
acute and penetrative than those con-centrated spirits of the salt do
lead in the sulphur, and bestow on it a power of attracting to it self
its like.
And albeit that such con-centrated spirits do when _per se_, and alone,
wholly dissolve metallick glasses and make no separation at all, no,
nor do not extract the least particle of any sulphureous substance,
yet the case with them is vastly altered, when such fiery spirits are
artificially united with most pure sulphureous oyls; insomuch that they
bestow on them a faculty of working upon metals, and of extracting
from them a most pure sulphur; nay farther, they purchase these oyls a
capacity not onely of extracting the colours out of metals, but also
out of other things. Now we have taught at large in our second part
of Furnaces, the manner of rendring the oyls of vegetables subtile;
and as for the nitrous fire requisite to this operation, the way of
con-centrating it is to be found in this Book a little before, so that
’tis wholly needless to repeat the same things over again which have
been afore treated of. And thus far is my knowledge come, _viz._ how
(by the help of oyls animated and actuated by the aforesaid means) to
extract the most pure soul out of metallick _Amausa_’s, or those hard
and glassy subjects: But how such a sulphur is to be brought into a
tinging medicine, I (professing not my self so great a master) do not
as yet know. Neither is it at present needfull to exceed the due bounds
by so large a treating of such worthy things; for things wonderfull
may be effected by this _menstruum_ both in Medicine and Alchymy, and
in other arts, concerning which we shall (God willing) presently add
somewhat more.
And whereas I have made mention here of clarified bodies, and
con-centrated spirits; I judge it worth while also to shew what
difference there is betwixt those con-centrated spirits and clarified
bodies as the Chymists call them.
The clarified bodies therefore are nothing else save bodies purged and
mundified by the operation of the fire. For the fire is the ultimate
examiner of all things, as being endued with such a power by which
it burns up all things, reduceth them into ashes and powder, and out
of the ashes makes glass; that being the utmost or ultimate thing
whereunto all things are reduced. If therefore there be in any thing
any good, which being burnt in the fire is by fusion or melting,
turned into transparent glass, it doth manifest it self in its utmost
or ultimate essence, and shine forth in its brightness, insomuch that
every one may see what lay hidden in its life afore thus burning
it. For example, I take wood, an herb, or an animal, I burn it and
transmute it into ashes; these ashes I melt and turn into glass. Having
thus done, there appears no colour visible, for the glass is white, and
that because the sulphur is consumed in the burning; and the mercury
is fled away into the air in smoke, as being two principles which are
no ways able to resist the force of fire: But the salt, as being a
contemner of the fire remained in the earth of no efficacy.
But now a metal being by the fire turned into ashes, though part of
the sulphur and mercury hath in the combustion and vitrification flown
away into the air, yet notwithstanding the best part remains; and this
is the reason why such metallick glasses are coloured according to
the metals nature and property, and which (afore thus burning it) was
hidden. We will yet farther evidence it by an example.
If I burnt copper or iron, and reduce it into ashes, and do by melting
it turn it into glass, then the copper if _per se_ and no other thing
added unto it, yields a green glass, and the iron yields a yellow
coloured glass. But if there be made an addition, then are produced
glasses of other colours, as for example.
If I add to burn iron or _crocus martis_ the glass of lead, then the
glass made by melting will have the yellow colour of a Hyacinth. The
same _crocus martis_ being molten with common glass, made of wood-ashes
and salt; yields a greenish coloured glass which is the natural and
proper colour of the iron. For the lead altered the colour of the
former mentioned glass of the iron and made it yellow in the melting,
and so hindred it from manifesting its true and natural colour. The
glasses of two several colours being molten together do exhibit false
colours, as may be seen by co-melting a skie colour and a yellow glass,
the which being molten together yield a green colour, and doth so
represent it self both in the fire and out of it too. From hence took I
occasion to write and teach the way of finding out (by molten glasses)
what kind of metal is hidden in any mineral or metallick earth. Which
way of proving mines or minerals is far better and speedier than that
which is usually done by a decoction and exhalation of lead in the
Cupel. Thus may you mix five, six, eight or ten grains of some finely
powdered mineral, with one or two lots of Venice glass being of easie
fusion, and put the matter thus mixed in a well covered crucible, and
by melting it reduce it into glass. The colour which will be in the
said glass, will shew what metal the _minera_ contained: Lead will
yield a duskish colour, tin, a white, copper, a Sea-green; iron a
somewhat greenish, silver a yellow, and gold a skie coloured: each of
which colours is the true and internal colour of the respective metal.
Gold doth also resemble a Ruby as to colour if other colours be added
thereunto. But yet in the mean time, the skie-colour is its proper
and natural colour, and so is yellow of silver: and this is notably
agreeable with the truth, though to such as are ignorant, it seems
a thing wonderfull, for indeed such mens knowledge ends in external
things, but they are wholly ignorant of internal ones. But now the
colours of gold and silver are better and more perfectly known, if
there be added unto them some fix and white sulphur, which prevents
the gold and silver from being thoroughly reduced into their peculiar
bodies by fusion. If the _Calx_ of gold or silver be molten with Borax,
they both return into their former bodies, and do not pass into glass
any ways coloured: But that some glass of easie fusion be mixed with
those _Calx_’s, together with a little powder of flints and so molten,
then the flints will (by reason of their sulphur) hold with themselves
the gold and silver and so keep them that they admit not of fusion [or
reduction] in their whole body, but do remain in the glass with some
part of the metalline property which renders their internal colours
visible, which else would not appear to sight.
_N. B._ If you have the minera’s of gold and silver at hand and melt
them with glass, their colours will also appear, because that in the
minera’s there always is some sulphur that hinders the metal from
wholly returning into a body, so that some part of it abides in the
glass and therein shews its colour. This also is to be minded, that if
haply some minera or metallick earth contains not one metal barely, but
2 or 3 more metals, then always that metal of which the most quantity
is in the said minera doth after fusing shine in the glass beyond the
rest. As for example.
Suppose I would make tryal in the red Granates [stones] I powder some
eight or ten gr. and mix them with one lot of white Venice glass finely
powdered, and I melt them, and so turn them into glass. Now in this
transmutation the glass doth not become red, but of a delicate grass
colour, and so teacheth me what metals are hidden in those Granates,
_viz._ copper and iron, and also more of this, [_viz._ the iron] than
of the other. And though there should be some gold too, yet is it
unperceiveable because of the predominancy of the iron over the copper
and over the gold: For (in this operation) that metal onely manifests
it self to sight, which is in greater plenty therein than the rest be.
_Isaac Holland_ would by this vitrification signifie unto us, that
after this life, _viz._ when the world is consumed with fire, there
shall arise from the bodies of men reduced into ashes other clarified
bodies, and of such and such colours, according as their souls have
(either good or bad) framed, or as it were made unto themselves in this
life-time in their gross bodies. What other thing [I pray] are fair
colours, but the virtues of those subjects out of which they emit or
send forth their splendour.
Take a similitude hereof from the melting of minerals, wherein though
a mineral of silver or copper hath in it much silver or gold, yet if
the superfluous sulphur be not (before the melting the said mineral)
separated by a little as ’twere roasting fire; but be (together with
that gross sulphur,) set in a vehement melting fire, there will not
verily be any metal gotten hencefrom, but that stinking sulphur would
transmute the good metal into black Scoria’s. So likewise, no fair and
transparent glass can be (by melting) made out of pure metals, if that
kind of gross sulphur should adhere unto them.
These few things touching clarified bodies, I could not pass over in
silence, and much less could I omit this, _viz._ that the bodies of
all things may be much better transmuted into clarified bodies by our
secret fire, than by the common fire. For the common fire drives away
the volatile parts, whereas on the contrary, our fire doth preserve
them and renders them fixt and transparent as well as the other parts.
And therefore of necessity these bodies must needs shine with fairer
and brighter colours than those others, in which the common fire hath
expelled the mercury and sulphur, and left remaining nothing else but
the salt.
But now as concerning such a transmutation into ashes by our moist and
secret fires, any one may easily guess the way. For whatsoever is put
in them must be necessarily burned into ashes, and they far better
ashes too than are made by burning in the common fire. For if the
common fire burns any herb or wood into ashes, the sulphur burns away
in a flame, the mercury betakes it self to its wings and away flies it,
and the salt abides behind in a few ashes or a little earth. Now our
Philosophical calcination takes away nothing but conserves all [the
princip’es so called] together; and doth in the first place produce to
view a black coal, then afterwards other various curious colours, and
then a white colour, and at last to compleat the operation, it yields a
red fusile and medicinal stone.
_N. B._ Here it is to be noted that for preparing a pure medicine, a
pure subject is to be made use of; for if so be that any one would
endeavour the transmutation of an herb, wood, or any animal into a
medicament by the help of the secret fires, then all the ashes and
feces which were in the herb would also adhere unto the medicament and
would render it impure, therefore necessity requires that you do not
take the whole herb, or the whole animal, but onely their essential
salt, the which being void of feces consists onely of the pure
principles of the herb; and doth easily admit of being transmuted into
a red tinging, and more soluble stone than the herb it self with its
feces by it, doth.
I would not have you to account of these things here delivered you as
if they were of small moment. No, for they are such things as cover
over with this their vile or base covering, such matters as are of
great weight, and which will not come to every bodies knowledge. Surely
’tis a considerable thing that a part of any vegetable, animal or
mineral body should (by conserving all the most volatile parts, and by
rendring them altogether constant and stable, without the least loss of
weight) be ripened into a fixt soluble and tinging red, and medicinal
stone. This way of transmuting all things without loss of the weight
thereof into clarified bodies, is of all others the best. And those
bodies on this wise clarified are without doubt of greater efficacy
than are the gross bodies themselves of the animals, vegetables, and
minerals, which do as yet abound with their gross and impure feces.
But if so be any one be not herewithall content but panteth after
higher things, he may advise with himself about extracting the soul
out of this red and fixed stone, and reduce it again by a reiterated
operation unto the form of a stone, whereby he will without doubt
make it yet far more effectual. And by how much the oftner any one
shall repeat this same operation, so much the more effectual a medicine
will he obtain, for it will at every reiteration notably augment its
virtues, for by such actions the efficacy and virtues of things are
con-centrated and driven into a very little compass, wherewithall
wonderfull things may be performed.
We are yet moreover to see what spirits are, but principally what
con-centrated spirits are, and what they are able to do.
And because the matter in hand gives occasion of treating thereof in
this place, we will briefly give you a declaration of the same.
LXII. _What spirits are, and by what means they operate good or
evil._
In the first place, there are spirits called vegetable ones, _viz._
When vegetables are beaten to pieces, and being contused are moistened
with water, (provided they have not juicyness enough of their own, or
do altogether want it) and so fermented, being fermented they are to
be distilled, which distillation brings forth subtile and efficacious
spirits, and such as are the effecters of many profitable things in
Alchymy and in other arts, besides the use thereof in medicine.
Secondly, sundry and divers spirits are also made out of animals by
distillation, as out of Blood, Urine, Hairs, Horns, Hoofs, and such
other parts of animals, also which spirits have their use in Medicine
and Alchymy.
Thirdly, there are also spirits which are expelled, or forced out
of minerals and metals by the force of fire, but principally out of
Salts, as Vitriol, Allum, Salt Peter, common Salt and such like; of the
preparations of which kind of spirits, the Books of Chymists are full,
and therefore stop us from the superfluous repetitions of the same. But
as for the concentrating of them and the utility of them, it hath been
already described by us.
I hereby give occasion for all the diligent searchers after true
Medicine and Alchymy; to contemplate, what may be effected in Medicine
and Alchymy, if those fugitive spirits were, by our fixing and moist
fires which separate not any one part from each other, but do fix all
the parts together, deprived of their volatility and made fixt. These
few things we were willing to mention concerning the spirits which are
subjected to a Man’s power and are within his reach, and serviceable
for the use of mortal Men.
LXIII. _The particular medicinal use of the con-centrated spirits
of salts._
We have heard that the con-centrated spirits or moist fires of salts
do reduce all things into a _Calx_, after a Philosophical manner,
without a forcing away of the mercurial part, and a burning up of the
sulphureous: insomuch that (by conserving, altering and bettering) they
fix the whole. Being therefore compelled by a love to my neighbour,
I have a mind to set down in this place some medicaments, as well
universal as particular; but yet so as that they may not fall into
the clutches of [my] unworthy enemies, but may be reserved onely for
friends.
And first, here shall be a medicine mentioned, that amendeth the weak
digestion of the Stomach.
Take out the teeth of a Wolf or a Dog when he is half dead, (being
first shot with a Gun) and pour thereupon two or three parts of the
con-centrated spirit of salt in a Cucurbit, set the glass upon sand
that it may be heated moderately, whereby the oyl of salt may dissolve
them and bring them into a thick pulse or mash. Upon this mash pour
warmed water that so all the Acrimony of the spirit of salt may be
separated therefrom, and that there remain onely the white pulse,
wherewith (because some of the oyl of the salt doth yet remain, and
is not washable off wholly with water) a little Sugar-candy is to be
mixed, that so that remaining Acrimony may be allayed, and the pulse be
the pleasanter for your uses.
LXIV. _An Antidote against Poyson._
The teeth of a mad Dog being prepared after the aforesaid manner, do
yield an Antidote against Poyson. And indeed so do the teeth of all
Animals, but especially the teeth of Stags and their Horns, do (after
such a preparation) resist all Poysons.
LXV. _What Beasts they are whose Teeth and Horns doe (as to
medicine) exceed the rest._
The teeth of all ravenous animals, as likewise of Sea-monsters, and
their Horns, are of great use in medicine; as of _Wolves_, _Bears_,
_Lynxes_, _Tygers_, _Lyons_, _Leopards_; and as to the watery animals,
_Crocodiles_, and such like ravening fishes, whose horn, teeth,
and scales, and likewise the claws of Birds of Prey, may be by the
con-centrated spirit of salt, converted (after the aforesaid manner)
into good medicaments.
LXVI. _An experimental discovery of what Vermine are fit for the
use of medicine._
Take strong and well rectified spirit of salt, or onely a strong _Aq.
Fortis_, put thereinto your Vermine, of what kind soever it be, and it
will presently endeavour to get out assoon as ever it feels the said
moist fire. But being it cannot get out, it will struggle till it dies.
Now by how much the longer the worm or flie liveth in the _Aq. Fortis_,
by so much are its virtues in medicine greater, and this may serve as
advice to every one. As for the way of preparing medicaments out of
Bark of Trees and Husks shall be mentioned by and by.
LXVII. _An experimental discovery, of what Herbs are profitable for
Medicine, or unprofitable._
You are to make use of the way but now mentioned concerning Vermine,
and such Herbs as thou knowest not, or such whose virtues are to thee
unknown, put (one after another) into the moist fire; and that Herb
which is of a slower solution, excells that which is sooner dissolved,
both in strength and virtues. For example, Lettice, Purslane, Mellons,
Cucumbers, and such like waterish Herbs, (and so is it with fruits
too,) have a moist nature, and are presently turned into water by those
fires. But Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Dodder, and other hotter Herbs,
require a longer time for their solution. Ginger, Pepper, Cloves,
Nutmegs, Cinamond, Cardamoms, Zedoary, _&c._ do require a yet longer
time as to their solution, afore they will thoroughly pass into a
water. From hence may any one know the nature and properties of Herbs
very easily. This also is to be observed, that the Medicine out of a
Vermine, or out of any Herb, is by so much the more efficacious, by how
much the vehementer venenosity it abounds withall.
LXVIII. _The manner of preparing an effectual medicament out of
venemous Vermine and Insects._
I have taught in the second part of my spagyrical _Pharmacopæa_,
a way of correcting venemous insects by the fixt Liquor of Niter,
and of transmuting their venome into an effectual Medicine, which
[way of preparation] he who is studious of good medicaments will
there find. But now in this place is taught, by what means such like
Vermine, and such Herbs as abound with Venome are to be corrected by
the con-centrated fire of salt, and to be turned into excellent and
penetrative medicaments. The operation whereof is thus.
Pour into some glass vessel, one, two or three ounces of our
con-centrated fire of salt, then put thereunto such Vermine as you
would prepare your Medicine of, one after another, provided that you do
not put more in, than the said fire is able to dissolve and consume.
When all are dissolved and converted into water, all the poysonousness
is lost [or gone] and they become good medicaments.
LXIX. _The manner of separating the medicament made of Vermine
dissolved by the moist fires._
There is found to be a great difference amongst Vermine and venemous
insects. For some of them are of a dry nature and property, some of a
moist, some of a fat and oily nature, insomuch that it is altogether
needfull to make a due distinction of their natures. Such insects as
be of a dry nature as Cantharides and such like, are to be used in
the form of a salt. The aqueous Vermine, as Earth-worms, Spiders, and
such like; they exhibit their medicinality in the form of a Liquor:
The Balsamick Vermine, as the May-worms, and others of that kind, do
(beside the medicament they afford) yield also a fat and Balsamick Oyl;
and indeed (both for external and internal medicinal use,) much more
effectual than the Liquor it self.
But that the thing may be the better understood, I will here set down
an operation, which every one may follow as a leading Star.
LXX. _How the operation in dealing with all kinds of Vermine is to
be used._
Take some ounces of May-worms, put them in a glass, pour upon them so
much of the concentrated spirit of salt, that the Worms may be well
covered therewith and be by little and little dissolved; after that
they are wholly dissolved, put the solution into a separating glass,
shut the mouth of the glass with your finger, then turn the glass
upside down, keeping it so long shut with your finger, till all the
fat oil swim at top of the Liquour. Then take away your finger that
the Liquour may run out, and when the oil comes, shut the mouth of
the glass again with your finger, and let it run out into another
glass. Keep this Oil or Balsam as a precious treasure, with the which
thou wilt perform wonderfull effects in the curing of diseases, but
principally in the Gout and Stone. But yet thou wilt get but little oil
from these Worms, and when you put them into your dissolving Liquor,
you must have a care that you do not touch them with your hands, but
take or catch them with a small Forceps, and so put them into your
glass. For they have in them this property; if you touch them with your
hands, they presently colour them with their fat Balsom that they cast
out, which somewhat resembles the smell of Musk. As if they should say,
_Pray let us live, for we give thee all we have: Take this Balsom and
make use thereof for the curing of incurable diseases._
Some men studiously carefull in such affairs have gathered this Balsom,
and have found it to be far more efficacious than the Worms themselves,
yea indeed too strong, because they were ignorant of the way of
correcting it.
LXXI. _The separation of the medicinal Liquor from the moist fire,
after the separation of the Oil._
As concerning the Liquor from which the Balsom is separated, _viz._ the
medicinal parts is very hardly separated without a mortifying of the
moist fire; therefore the moist fire of the Salt is to be killed with a
contrary fire, that so the separation that is required may be made; and
’tis thus to be effected.
Filter the Liquor consisting partly of the dissolved Worms, and partly
of the fire of salt, that so it may be rendred clear, and free from the
Coals or Husks of the Worms, it haply there be any of them remaining
undissolved. And if (by reason of the too much fatness) it be very
difficult to filter, pour thereunto so much common water as to make it
thinner, and more ready to pass through the Cap Paper. Into this thus
cleared Liquor, drop the Liquor of Salt of Tartar, and it will kill
the sharp fire of the salt; so that there will arise from the fire
of the salt and from this Alkaly-salt a salt of a middle nature, and
concreting into Crystals, and will leave the other part in a liquid
form; the which said part will be either white or yellow according as
the saline fire which you made use of, is. Now this Liquor is more
virtuous than the concreted salt is, as being that which contains the
essence of the Worms, which doth not congeal or shoot with the salt,
but abides in the form of a Liquor. Experience will teach the business
more largely.
Now such qualities as these Worms had afore their preparation and as
yet not deprived of their Venome; the same do they obtain after their
preparation, but with this provizo, these qualities are safely used,
which afore were hazardous. But now the properties of these Worms are
these, they do not onely draw out of the body all podagrical humours,
but also expell the Stone out of the Reins and Bladder beyond all other
medicaments; and besides, do cure other such like diseases as are
meerly unknown, and are adjudged plainly incurable. More, it wholly
takes away that volatile Gout, which runs wandring through the Members
of the Body. But here ariseth this Quæry.
LXXII. _Whether or no every moist fire of salt is also fit for this
labour?_
For answer I say, that indeed this very labour may be accomplished
by any moist fire; whether it be prepared out of vitriol or common
salt, or salt peter. But withall I affirm, that there proceeds a great
difference from those salts. For the con-centrated spirit of niter,
doth (after its being mortified with a fix salt) shoot into salt peter.
The con-centred spirit of salt, shoots into square Crystals. The same
doth oil of vitriol and salt of tartar. But the salt that is in this
operation made of the common salt exceeds the others, as to sweetness.
That which comes from vitriol, doth beget a nauseating by reason of its
bitterness; and that which ariseth of salt peter is of a middle nature.
But yet they do all three of them enjoy a laxative and purging faculty;
and likewise provoke Urine either stronger or weaker according as the
Vermine are, which these said fires have been used in the dissolution
of.
_N. B._ That the operation of the Liquor doth always exceed the virtues
of the salts. When the sharp spirits of salt are not mortified with
a _Lixivium_ of Tartar, but with the spirits of Urine or of _Sal.
Armoniack_; the salt and liquor become far stronger, than when the
precipitation is done with Salt of Tartar. For the spirit of _Sal.
Armoniack_ doth for the most part precipitate the dissolved and
corrected Vermine into a Powder, which being washed off with common
water, and freed from all Acrimony or sharpness is used in medicine, in
a dry form. But this, the _Lixivium_ will not do, but always conserves
the Vermine in the form of a liquor.
LXXIII. _Question. Whether or no there may be any more or any other
usefull things learned from this solution of venemous Vermine?_
For Answer. Yes, for this operation doth not onely teach the good and
bad properties of all Vermine, but doth withall evidently demonstrate,
that every animal of what kind soever, (yea and Men themselves too)
when they are put into such an agony and perceive the approach of
death, do discover and clearly evidence the internal motions of [their]
nature, which they have (in their life time) been indued withall.
LXXIV. _The way how to know the internal nature of every Worm in
the earth, Fish in the water, Birds in the air, yea even of Man
himself._
Take a _Scarabæus_ or Beetle, either such a one as lives in Horse dung,
or else one that is of a coppery colour, put him into a glass wherein
is some _Aq. Fortis_, and you shall see that in the utmost necessity
[or last agony] of death, he will not endeavour to get from out of the
_Aq. Fortis_, but will strive to hide himself in the earth according to
his innate property. But whereas the bottom of the glass is too hard
for him to get thorough, he will be so long endeavouring to accomplish
his desire, and in striving to get through the bottom till he dies.
From hence may it be perceived what his ultimate refuge [or shift]
is: _viz._ to endeavour the shunning of his approaching death, by
sheltering himself within the earth.
If you put a flie in the _Aq. Fortis_, she will not go to the bottom
but will do her utmost to get out at top, because her living is in the
air, and so all volatile or flying things are wont to do. As for a
fish if it be put to its shifts, it endeavours to shun the danger by
betaking it self to the bottom.
In such a kind of manner doth the nature of men become apparent, when
they are reduced to the extreamest of difficulties. A godly man, whose
thoughts are in this life time always upon God, will constantly adhere
unto him in his Agony, and being upon dying will betake himself to
him for his refuge, in whom he hath at all times built his hope, and
waiting or looking for help from thence, from whence he hath always
hoped for it.
But the ungodly Man who hath never in his life time feared God, nor set
him before his eyes, but hath always yielded himself with his thoughts
unto the will of Satan, he will very hardly implore (in his greatest
anguish) the help of any other than of him, to whom he hath (in this
life time) adhered in all his thoughts and actions.
LXXV. _The preparation of good medicaments out of venemous
vegetables, by the con-centrated spirits of salts._
We have hitherto taught, that our moist fires of salts do indeed
destroy all things, but do not burn up, or force away ought of such
things as the common fires are wont to do. That this is true, even
the vegetables themselves bear witness, which being put into our
moist fires are therein dissolved, and pass into a water. But their
oil which is in them is separated, and swimmeth at the top, and so
may be separated thencefrom, as we have mentioned above concerning
the May-worms. After the same manner the essence of the herb may be
severed from the spirits of the salts, as we have there declared. The
oyls which by this operation are drawn out of the herbs and other
vegetables, do obtain great and peculiar virtues, because they are
excellently well corrected by the efficacy of the moist fires, and are
amended, which correction, and bettering they do not at all attain by
their being distilled and expressed.
LXXVI. _The correction of the too vehemently purging subjects by
the moist fires, whereby they may be safely made use of._
_Diagridium_ or _Scammony_, _Hellebor_, _Cataputia_, _Gambogia_ and
other vehemently purging subjects may be dispoiled of their venemous
faculty, by the aforementioned way, and be rendred more sweet and
milder.
LXXVII. _The correction of the too vehemently operative Diureticks,
whereby they may be of safe use in the cure of the Stone._
Dissolve Cantharides, May-worms, Earth-worms, Millipides or Pig-lice,
in our con-centrated fires, and follow those ways of operation which
we have afore prescribed, and you shall acquire an excellent and safe
medicament, having a faculty of healing the Stone of the Bladder and
Reins.
LXXVIII. _The amending of narcotick and somniferous subjects by
our moist fires, that so they may perform or shew their virtues
without hurt or danger._
Take _Opium_, Henbane seed, Mandrake, or the like subject that provokes
to sleep, pour on it the con-centrated spirit of salt, and it will
melt [or dissolve] therein; if there be in it any oilyness, as in the
Henbane seed is usual, it will separate it self, and swim on the top
of the liquor, the which is to be severed from the liquor, and to
be warily kept; because it being onely anointed on the Temples will
presently cause sleep. The liquor is to be used internally, as we have
prescribed in the precedent preparations.
LXXIX. _The amending of venemous subjects, that are together
purgative, sudorifick, diuretick, and somniferous, by our moist
fires; insomuch that they do not onely become safe, but are the
effecters of much good in medicine._
Amongst the number of such kind of subjects, are Stavesacre, or the
seed of the louse-killing herb, Levant Berries, vomiting Nuts, and many
others of such a like faculty, which are to be proceeded withall after
the same manner, and by the same operations as the former.
By this or the like way may all venemous, and vehemently operative
vegetables and animals be corrected, so as to be safely admitted to
internal uses, and to be producers of such effects as are of great
moment in Physick; whereas otherwise (though they have in them
excellent virtues) they cannot by reason of their vehement operations
be taken into the body without danger.
LXXX. _Whether or no poisonous minerals may be corrected as well as
the vegetables and animals, by our secret and moist fire of salt,
and be turned into wholesome medicaments._
You are to know, that not onely venemous animals and vegetables but
likewise all the minerals that abound with poison may be amended, and
their most present or speedily operative poison be converted into most
excellent medicines. For example.
LXXXI. _How the venenate and volatile minerals are so to be
inverted by our moist fires, that the volatile be rendred fix,
and the poison be made a medicine._
Take of white or red Arsnick one part, pour thereto two or three parts
of the con-centrated fire of niter, the which [niter-spirit] you shall
distill thencefrom in a head and body in sand; then take the remaining
matter out of the glass, and wash it with common water; which being
done, you shall have the Arsnick, Diaphoretick, and such as may with
safety be taken into the body; but yet in a small dose, because it
doth sometimes provoke vomit, and principally when the nitrous fire is
something of the weakest. But to prevent such vomiting, the said fire
is to be twice or thrice drawn off from the Arsnick, by an Alembick;
that so the poison may the better be slain, and the volatility
transmuted into a fixity; and the same Arsnick may be afterwards molten
and handled with the other metals without all danger of poison, which
was impossible to be done afore. For the Arsnick whose poisonousness
is not as yet removed from it, cannot be admitted into the body
without great danger. Neither do we here insert the preparation of
such medicaments out of Arsnick, and the like venemous minerals, for
this cause that they should be introduced into medicine; no, for there
are other safer medicaments to be had, our aim herein is onely this,
to shew that even the most poisonous, and most fugacious or volatile
minerals may be inverted or turned in and out by our moist fire, and
dispoiled of their venenosity and rendred fixt.
LXXXII. _The manner of transmuting the fugacious and easily
fluxible minerals by the moist fires of salts, so as that being
fixed they hardly admit of fusion or melting._
To exemplifie this, let us consider of Tin or _Zink_, which are
reckoned amongst the metals of most easie melting, and are most
volatile. For the vulgar know that Tin is molten with a very little
fire, and doth thereby vanish in fume, if it be but kept in continual
flux. But if it be calcined by continually stirring it into ashes, it
becometh fix, nor doth it admit of reduction to its former body by any
violence of fire, but is turned into glass.
So after the same manner do we roast or calcine Tin, _Zink_, and the
other flying metals with our moist fires, and burn them into ashes,
and they such ones too as do not return to their former body, and thus
’tis done; when we pour on them our fiery liquors, so as that they heat
together, or do even by abstraction [or distillation,] again free the
said metals from those liquors; for then these metals remain in the
bottom like to dead ashes, nor do they suffer themselves to be by any
means reduced to their former bodies.
_N. B._ But whoever he be that knows the using of such matters and
powders thereunto, as can reduce such ashes to their former and fusile
bodies, such a one will not spend his labour in vain; for he will get a
metal of a much more noble and better nature than Tin, whose greatest
internal part is gold and silver.
But yet let no body imagine that he can perform this reduction by
the help of Borax or Salts; no, in no-wise. For there are metallick
matters required to this labour, to cause a fluxing or melting, sundry
preparations whereof I have taught to and again in my writings, but not
under such a title or name as if this power or efficacy of thus doing
were ascribable unto them. For I have barely mentioned their use in
other metallick transmutations.
LXXXIII. _How flying mercury is to be so fixed as to admit of
heating red hot._
Coagulate common mercury with common sulphur into a black ashes, and
then mix this ashes with the con-centrated fire of vitriol, or rather
with such a fire as is extracted from sulphur it self; so as that there
may arise from this mixture a thin mass; of which mass put one or two
lots in linnen or cotten rags, and so rowl them up that one fold may
come over another, and the mercury may be in the middle. Then tie this
ball firmly and strongly with a thread, and let it be environed all
about with the fire, that so all those rags may be red hot and changed
into Coals.
Take out all this red hot mass, let it cool, separate the burnt linnen
rags, and you shall find the mercury turned into a red powder; but yet
it hath no ingress into the metals, nor performeth it any thing of much
moment in medicine, because it is converted by the burning of our fire
into a dead earth. Neither have I here mentioned this coagulation as
if any gain were to be received thencefrom; but onely on this account,
that the most great virtues and powers of our fires may by the
operation thereof be demonstrated.
LXXXIV. _Another experiment easily demonstrating the possibility
of rendring mercury constant in the fire, by our secret fires of
salts, which thing the known and common fire can never do._
Melt one part of common and yellow sulphur in a crucible or earthen
Pot, and being molten like oil cast thereinto two parts of common
mercury, and mix the matter well with a _Spatula_, that the sulphur may
assume the mercury, and may pass with it into a black mass. To which
mass you must yet add so much sulphur as the weight of the whole mass
in the Pot is of. Then all is to be molten together, and to be by well
stirring so long mixt untill it get an ashy colour. Then you are to
dip in the said mass as it is in flux, pieces of linnen, such as they
are wont to use about fuming their Barrels with a brimstony odour, to
preserve them from stinking. Such rags being put on an Iron Crook may
be kindled, by which kindling they are burnt up, the sulphur and part
of the mercury vanishing into the air, but some part being calcined
with the flame of the sulphur and fixt, sticks to the burnt linnen.
But what virtues this calcined mercury abounds withall I cannot tell,
as having never experimented it, and I have onely inserted here this
operation, for this end, that the power of our moist fires may be made
apparent. Many more meditations and inquisitions will be thereby laid
open, which otherwise would never have been sought after nor found
out. For in this labour there operateth a twofold fire, _viz._ the
visible flame, and invisible moist fire which the sulphur hideth, and
by the burning up of its body, manifesteth, and renders visible and
efficacious.
For that heavy acid oil of sulphur, which sticks hidden in all sulphur,
performeth most great matters in metalline things; and because the
flame or external fire exasperates and forceth on the internal, sharp
and moist fire of the sulphur, that acid quality lets upon that subject
that is adjoyned to it, and destroyeth the same, and advanceth unto a
more fixed state.
But that I may in some sort satisfie the greedy searcher after truth
in this thing, it seems to me expedient here to mention the occasion,
which (without studying thereafter, _viz._ this coagulation of mercury)
did by chance bring me thereunto; and did chiefly shew me an excellent
_Arcanum_ of bringing all Wines, Vinegars, and other such like drinks
easily and speedily to a clarity and transparency. Such a secret it is,
as I believe never was known as yet to any, and therefore worthy to be
here set down for the common benefit of mankind.
LXXXV. _An historical discovery of the reduction and restoration of
tenacious and corrupt Wine, to its former clarity and goodness._
I had some Wine in a Vessel that became viscid or ropy and tenacious;
for the amending of which, I sent for a Wine cooper, he pours it out
(as is the usual custom) into another fresh vessel, and used thereunto
all his art, that so he might better it. He passed it oft times through
a long Pipe made of white plates, and perforated with many small holes,
and many other means he used, even whatever he had knowledge of, but
yet all he attempted was in vain, then at last he put into the Wine no
small portion of salt, and shook them both together very strongly, but
all in vain, insomuch that he left my Wine corrupt [as he found it] and
out of all hope of restoring it.
But because there was too much salt thrown into the Wine, yea so much
as that it might be perceived even by the tast, the Wine was rendred
unfit to be drunk, though it should have [thereby] recovered its former
clearness. So there remained nothing else to be done therewithall, save
the extracting of its spirit by distillation. Yet nevertheless I had a
good mind yet to try whether or no it could possibly be freed from that
tenacity: to this end therefore I kindled some sulphurized rags, being
sprinkled over with the mineral or oar of lead reduced into powder, and
with that fume imbued I my Wine, as is the usual custom when Wines are
through corruption degenerated from their good state or condition. I
added thereto the oar of lead because that as the sulphur was burning
the fume of the lead might penetrate the Wine and precipitate all the
defilements to the bottom. But this experiment did not fadge. Then I
took mercury and mixt it with sulphur after the aforeshown manner [in
the foregoing Chapter] and dipt some rags therein and kindled them,
hoping that the mercury being transmuted into fume would have ingress
into the Wine. But yet it appeared quite contrary in the use, the
sulphur indeed was consumed by burning, but the mercury would emit no
fume, but was contrarily turned into a red powder, and stuck on to
the burnt rags. After these burnings, (_viz._ of this mercurialized
sulphur) often reiterated, the Wine did not smell of the Brimstone, as
it’s usual to do, but of Musk or Ambergrease, and recovered its former
clarity; but yet not fit to be drunk because of the overmuch quantity
of the salt thrown thereinto.
Thus it happened unto me, the which thing others may consider of with
a more accurate meditation, and may haply (from this history apprehend
such things, as may in other matters be very profitable. For it is not
in vain that I mention these things in this place. Enough is said to
the wise. ’Tis sufficient that I have showed the way, if any one refuse
to go in the same let him blame himself.
LXXXVI. _How our moist fires of Salt are able after a sort to fix
the yellow and common sulphur, so that it may be used with profit
both in Medicine and Alchymy._
Take one part of yellow sulphur beaten into powder, and four or five
times so much in weight of the con-centrated fire of salt peter, which
spirit pour upon the said powder in a glass cucurbit, and abstract it
thencefrom several times by an Alembick; this done, the sulphur in the
cucurbit will get a red colour and become pellucid or transparent.
If it resolves in the air into a fat oil, the operation is well
handled; if not the labour is to be repeated either with the self same
fire or with more new, which is the better way. For the said fires are
to be so often drawn off thencefrom untill it flow [or resolve] into a
fat oil: An oil I say of sulphur which is endued with great virtues,
not onely in Alchymy and Medicine, but may likewise be used in other
arts with a great deal of profit. But especially it is an egregious
Balsom, resisting all the sicknesses of the Lungs, and other putrifying
corruptions, as shall be apparently evidenced in the following
Centuries, more largely treating about these things.
LXXXVII. _A way of turning Antimony into a snow-white medicament,
by our moist fires of salts, and which is of safe and profitable
use against the Plague, all Fevers, and other diseases._
When the _Regulus_ of Antimony made _per se_ without iron, and beaten
into a powder is perfused or throughly moistened with the con-centrated
fire of salt peter, and is for a while kept in warm sand; the moist
fire burns the _Regulus_ of the Antimony into a white powder. After
that the whole shall be of a white colour, pour thereto common water,
and it will imbibe or draw to it the fire of the niter, which will
again be fitting for other labours, and perform the office of spirit of
niter.
The white powder being by many washings rendred sweet, and then dried,
performs the office of an excellent diaphoretick medicament and may
with safety be used; it strongly resists the Plague, all Fevers and
other diseases, that are to be expelled by sweat.
LXXXVIII. _By what means black and crude Antimony is to be reduced
by the nitrous fire into a white powder, and the combustible
and yellow sulphur separated therefrom, that it may serve as a
=Panacæa= for the resisting of all diseases, and may operate by
the four Emunctories, Vomit, Stool, Sweat, and Urine._
Antimony is by so much the better and nobler, by how much the longer
and fairer Rays or Stria’s it appears to be of, and therefore such is
of greater efficacy in medicine than all other sorts. To this therefore
being powdered, pour so much of the nitrous fire as may serve to
dissolve it; the which fire will presently even in the cold, begin the
work of its dissolving. When that is done, put the glass in warm sand
that all the Antimony may be dissolved, and its yellow sulphur may
swim at top of the solution like a yellow powder. The solution being
cold, strain it thorough a pure linnen cloath, and the sulphur will
stay behind in the cloath, and hath its peculiar use in Medicine and
Alchymy. But to the solution pour common water, thereby to quench and
weaken the nitrous fire, so that the Antimony may fall down to the
bottom, in the form of a tender and snow-white powder; the which being
well washed and dried, may be made use of as a _Panacæa_ to drive away
many diseases: For it operateth with a singular efficacy by all the
Emunctories, but yet very safely, unless any one doth too foolishly and
unskilfully abuse the administration; It is also endued with all those
virtues that I have ascribed to my red _Panacæa_.
LXXXIX. _By what means the con-centred fire of Kitchin salt drives
over Antimony in a retort like Butter, and affordeth a matter of
profitable use in Medicine and Alchymy._
Pour upon the _Regulus_ of Antimony beaten into a powder, the heavy
con-centrated oil of common salt, the which being again drawn off
thencefrom in a retort by distillation, brings over with it as much of
the _Regulus_ of the Antimony as it can, and ascendeth like a thick
Butter. It is a mighty fire, and very fit for the ripening of some
immature metals; and withall is most profitable in Surgery, and lays
a good Basis and foundation for the curing of incurable and cancerous
Ulcers. If you pour water upon this oil, the Antimony precipitateth
out of it, in the form of a white powder; and is to be afterwards well
washed and dried; so that being reduced into that white powder, it
becomes a good medicament to be used in all those diseases, wherein the
aforesaid medicaments are appliable; but with this caution, that it
be given but in a very small dose, because it is of a more powerfull
operation than the aforegoing medicaments prepared by the help of the
nitrous fire are of, and that for this reason, because the oil of
common salt makes things fugacious or flying, but the nitrous fires
renders them more constant in the fire.
XC. _The way of turning mercury into a red, and strongly purging
medicament by the operation of the nitrous fire._
Abstract two or three parts of our nitrous fire, from one part of
purged mercury, by distillation in a glass cucurbit; and it will make
the mercury far more fixt than if _Aqua Fortis_ were many times drawn
off therefrom by distillation. This red mercury is to be freed from
its saltiness with common water, and so becomes a strong purge, and
is to be used in a small dose of one, two, three, or at the most four
grains, and effecteth the cure of _Morbus Gallicus_, and other such
like loathsome diseases.
After the same manner there may be easily prepared, not onely sundry
and excellent medicaments, by the operation of our moist fires, but
there may be likewise done things of great moment in Alchymy and other
arts; concerning which time will not permit me at this present to make
a more ample narration of, but I will remit it to the next following
Centuries.
Now forasmuch as I call in this Treatise the concentrated spirits of
salt, moist fires, and yet as to their outward shape they represent
no shew of fire at all; I deem it necessary to shew by a more firm
demonstration, that they abound not onely with fiery virtues, but also
are (after their inside is turned outwards, and their outside inwards)
true, visible, palpable, and sensible fires, but especially the nitrous
fire, which best of all confirms this our opinion and saying, it being
prepared by the Chymick Art and operation out of a fiery subject.
XCI. _The way of converting or turning the internal and yellow
colour of our moist and white nitrous fire from the inmost parts,
outward, and making it visible._
That there is hidden a yellowness and redness in niter, is not
beyond the reach of any ones capacity, but it is very easily likely,
and credible. For seeing that salt peter is a solar child, it must
necessarily answer to [or resemble] its father the Sun in colour, form,
virtue and efficacy, if it would purchase belief with any one as to
its original and nativity. But salt peter shines with a white colour,
but the Sun is clad with a yellow garment and shines like the fire;
insomuch that there is no correspondency or likeness of colours, though
otherwise there is found the greatest similitude in burning, and in
ripening all things. This onely being the difference between salt
peter and the Sun, the one, _viz._ the peter doth particularly onely
augment, ripen and advance all things; but the Sun doth universally
bestow on all things, life, increase or growth, and nutriment, but yet
the salt his companion is an helping assistant as shall be evidently
proved in the end of this book.
I do verily believe, that if it were an easily accomplishable thing by
us, _viz._ to extravert the internal and innate redness in salt peter
outwards, and to separate the same from its unclean and gross body, and
knew we how to render it fix and constant, we should perform things of
most great moment, in an universal way.
But yet for the removing of this doubt, I will shew that salt peter is
the son of _Sol_, though (as to its outward Physiognomy) it resembles
not its Father. I do therefore say, that its Father is the yellow Sun,
from him it is generated, but yet by the help of the white Moon, she
is the Mother, and bestows on it the white colour. But I say, that
the paternal bloud and fiery virtues it hides in its inmost bowels.
So wisely is Salt Peter signed by its Parents, _viz._ by the Sun its
Father, and the Moon its Mother. The Father bestows on this, his Son
a fiery heart; the Mother a white and cold body; from hence ’tis that
it is clad with an Hermaphroditical nature, being Male and Female
together, hot and cold, red and white, vivifying and killing.
XCII. _Of the admirable nature of Magnetism, attracting to it self
its like._
According to my simple and small judgment, the red colour of salt peter
is not (by the operation of any other thing) to be separated from its
white body, better and more commodiously than by the affinity and
likeness of some certain magnet that will touch it.
For example: Let us consider a little of common gold and common
quick-silver, they are so linked with a tye of mutual love, and
internal likeness to each other; that the one draws the other unto it
self.
For if in dealing with mercury any portion thereof should happen to
fall on the ground, and dashing it self into a thousand Atoms, it
cannot be by any kind of way better gotten together again, than by the
help of such a magnet, as will attract to it self the dispersed and
dilated Atoms; such a magnet metals are, and especially gold, as being
conjoyned to it in the nearest affinity; therefore I sweep together
this so widely dispersed mercury, together with the earth and other
defilements from which the said mercury is scarcely distinguishable as
being all over covered therewithall: and to these defilements do I put
a piece of copper, silver or gold, which being well shaken to and agen
amongst these filthes, draws to it self the widely dispersed and small
Atoms of the mercury, and so recovers it by extracting it out of all
that rubbish.
Now when the metal hath attracted mercury enough, and can attract no
more, the mercury is to be wiped off from the metal with a linnen
cloath; which being again well shook amongst the trash as you did
afore, draws to it self the other Atoms: these labours are to be so
often repeated, till it be all extracted, and so renders it thee the
same without any loss.
Just so and after the self same manner may the inmost soul, and which
is largely dispersed throughout the whole body of the salt peter, be
extracted thencefrom; were onely such a magnet but known unto us, as
had a great affinity with the soul of the niter.
I will yet set down another, and a more evident similitude, that so
the business may become the more clear and manifest and be the better
understood.
XCIII. _A clear and evident demonstration, whereby is shown that
even the most hidden things may be manifested and rendred visible
by their magnets._
Let the admirable nature and property of the common magnet be well
considered; nature having endowed it with two plainly contrary virtues,
one of attraction, the other of expulsion. For on one of its sides it
draws iron to it self, and on the other of its sides it drives it off;
and thus it does, not onely in its great pieces, but also when ’tis
broken into very small bits. For always on one side it draws to it
self the iron, and on the other side drives it from it self, by this
operation respecting both poles, _viz._ the Northern and the Southern.
But to return to my purpose: I will demonstrate by evident examples
and operation, that the inmost and most hidden nature and properties
of things, are wont to be most evidently manifested and obtained, by
attracting, and repelling magnets. For all the things that are, have
their enemies and their friends, as shall be proved in the following
operations.
XCIV. _An operation demonstrating or affirming, that the internal
and hidden natures and properties of things may be manifested and
obtained by attractive or repulsive magnets._
Dissolve some lots of lead, and such as is wholly void of silver, in
_Aq. Fortis_, and precipitate the lead by pouring thereunto some salt
water, this [precipitated lead] wash with fair water and dry it. Take
some three or four ounces of this _Calx_ of lead, and thereto admix a
fifth part of pure gold, being first reduced into most pure and most
subtile Atoms, on such wise as hath been taught in other places of
my writings; but if you have not at hand such a _Calx_, use another
_Calx_ of gold prepared any kind of way, but yet the first _Calx_ is
the fittest for this operation. Melt both the _Calx_’s, _viz._ the
leaden and golden one in a crucible, that the lead may become a fusile
stone; but the gold _Calx_ will (by this operation) be much heavier,
and be white, this whiteness is nothing else save pure and good silver,
drawn out of _Saturn_ by _Sol_ sympathetically, and made visible, which
(afore) lay hidden in the lead in a spiritual and invisible manner.
But some may here demand; forasmuch as there is so much silver hidden
in all lead, whence comes it that none are found that get it out
from thence? I answer, that there are indeed a many that would get
out great masses of silver out of lead, did they but understand the
art, and could so bring it to effect. But seeing they are ignorant
of the natures of metals and their properties, and know not how to
do any thing, they cannot become masters of their wishes. Now in
this extraction, there is a two-fold cause presents it self, _viz._
Sympathy, and Antipathy. The gold by reason of the kin and amity it
hath with the lead, draws thencefrom unto it self the spiritual silver;
and because of an inbred hatred it has to salt, it drives away the same
from it self. The gold therefore (in extracting the spiritual silver
out of the lead) hath an assistant, aiding it by a contrary operation,
and so bringing to pass, that there is so much the more silver
extracted, because the salt being added to the lead, doth by reason
of that inbred enmity and difference ’twixt it and silver drive this,
[_viz._ the silver] away from it as its enemy.
And although that out of such lead prepared with salt may silver be
always molten, yea without adding any gold thereunto, meerly because of
the inimicitiousness that is between silver and salt, whereby is caused
that the silver is thrust out of the lead by the same as by its enemy;
yet so much silver is not gotten by that way, no not by the half, as is
drawn out by the addition of gold.
For when the gold attracts, and the salt expels, there are made two
actions together, the one by Sympathy, the other by Antipathy, both
aiming at this mark, _viz._ to extract the hidden silver and gold out
of the lead.
Let there be evaporated in a cupel two small centenaries or hundreds
weight, each of like weight; and to one of the centenaries add some
pounds (of the proportionable small weight as the centenaries are) of
pure gold, and there will come from that centenary more silver by the
help of the gold, than from the other, whereto was added no gold: But
the gain by this operation will not be much, or haply none at all;
but this is onely to shew, that it is verily possible, for gold being
put upon the cupel with lead, to get some silver thereout of, and to
be more in weight; which effect is produced onely by a sympathetical
faculty. Be now if salt doth also lend to gold its assistance, then is
there a twofold operation of a double operator; whilst in extracting of
the silver out of the lead, the gold is occupied in attracting, and the
salt in expulsion.
These things were of necessity to be laid open by me, forasmuch as
they teach by what means the inmost and most pure parts are to be
separated from the more gross; so that every one may know the natures
and properties of things themselves, _viz._ with what love they imbrace
each other, or what hatred there is betwixt them.
By this experiment then, may any wise and understanding man easily
learn and believe, that even out of salt peter or [any] other white
body, the red soul may be extracted. Whosoever therefore shall know how
to get these helpers, _viz._ Sympathy and Antipathy for his purpose,
shall never labour in vain, but shall at all times reap fruit by his
labours.
And as we have shewn that out of any lead, by the help of gold, a good
part of silver may be extracted; so likewise may the same be clearly
proved to be done with the other metals, and which may also be effected
without the help of gold. Yet nevertheless the more fixt metal doth
more readily and willingly atract the more volatile and purer part of
the other impurer metals, than an unclean metal doth, and even much
more readily yet, when there is afore adjoyned to that metal from which
any thing is to be extracted, an enemy of that thing which you labour
to extract.
Upon this account therefore was I willing to insert an experiment, that
so none might account of the thing mentioned as of small moment, but
rather that he accurately ponder thereupon in his mind, that so he may
thereby arrive to things of great moment by a well examining of the
same.
Now as it hath been clearly and evidently taught that fixt silver may
be gotten out of any lead, as well by Sympathy as by Antipathy, even so
may it easily be proved, that the spiritual gold may be extracted out
of other metals, partly by Antipathy, and partly by Sympathy, but much
easier by Antipathy and Sympathy joyntly together, so that one matter
may draw unto its self the object it loves, and the other may drive
from it what it hates; as we have proved in lead. If then this may be
done in metals, why may it not be likewise done in other subjects.
We will therefore proceed on and see, whether or no it can be so
brought to pass, that the hidden redness may be drawn out of salt peter
by Sympathy and Antipathy.
Having therefore understood by the things already spoken, that like
draws to it self its like, and is repelled from its unlike, there
remains nothing else for us to do but to know what that like is, by
which salt peter suffers it self to be extracted.
When we advisedly consider the rise or birth of salt peter, it is not
to us unknown that it draws its originality from the excrements of
animals, but especially from the dung of horned Beasts, as Cows and
sheep. And forasmuch as Sheep and Cows do feed onely on Herbs and Grass
that grow in the Fields, and that those vegetables do proceed from the
terrestrial salt by the help of the solar beams, it is more clearly
evident than the Noon-day light, that the hot Sun is the Father of salt
peter and the cold night the Mother, the earth the Nurse, and Salt the
Food, nutriment and encrease of the same; the which is to be understood
as in reference to the _Macrocosm_ or great World. But the vegetables,
or all shrubs, herbs, and all grass which arise out of the earth in
the _Macrocosm_, cannot be more aptly compared with ought, than with
the Hairs and Wool of Men and Beasts, which are born out of the earth
of the _Microcosm_ or out of the animal body, like as the shrubs and
herbs, and grass do spring forth and grow out of the _Macrocosmical_
Earth. Upon this score, the hairs, hoofs, or claws, and horns of
Beasts; likewise the feathers and claws of Birds, and also the teeth
and scales of Fishes, do altogether square as to their similitude with
salt peter; they being such things as whereout of, together with other
the superfluous excrements of nature, true and good salt peter may be
made with ease.
And like as to the procreation of vegetables in the _Microcosm_, and
for their increase or growth, there is requisite fat and salt earth,
the warm splendor of the sun, and the fruitfull Rain, whereby all kinds
of fruits are born, and ripened; but contrarily by the penury or want
of salt (it being the onely nutriment,) and of the warm Sun beams, and
of the Rain which is the promoter of all fertility, every thing that
is vegetable must needs perish and die; even so is it in the body of
Man: For as long as the heart of Man is in a prosperous healthfulness,
and that the central fire, or vital spirit, and radical moisture be
not defective, all things are well and in good equipage, and the whole
body takes increase or growth, and the hairs grow plentifully: But on
the contrary, when meat and drink fail, the whole body suffers loss,
consumes and withers away and the hairs fall off.
But to comprise all in brief, I say, that all growths and augmentations
as well in the _Macrocosm_ as in the _Microcosm_, must of necessity be
at a stand and lessen as soon as the warm solar beams, together with
the nutriment it self ceaseth and is deficient. So then it is a truth,
that in Man as being a _Microcosm_ or little World, and in the other
animals, the hairs may be compared with the Trees, Shrubs, Herbs, and
Grass of the great World, because of the great likeness that is between
them.
And therefore the hairs of animals and hoofs, claws, feathers and
scales of them are very like to salt peter, insomuch that one part doth
after a sympathetical manner extract from the other, the most great
virtues and inmost soul, and so one doth manifest the other.
For example, when the skin, hairs, claws, hoofs, or nails of a man or
any other animal, as likewise the feathers of Birds are smeared with
the spirit of niter, or anointed therewithall, they presently become
as yellow as gold, and do as t’were put on a golden hue. It may now
be demanded, from whence ariseth that colour? comes it from the hairs
themselves, or from the niter spirit? If that golden colour did arise
from the hairs themselves, then it would of necessity be, that it
should also discover it self, when the hairs are moistened with other
sharp and strong waters; but thus ’twill never do, but onely when they
are smeared with the spirit of niter, or else with _Aq. Fortis_, which
containeth the niter spirit. From these things therefore it is evident,
that the superfluities of the _Microcosm_ have a most notable affinity
with the superfluities of the _Macrocosm_, _viz._ herbs, and grass.
Hence comes it to pass, that one part draws or sucks from the other
part its best virtues and power, and renders them visible, which afore
lay hidden invisibly and impalpably in their gross bodies.
XCV. _The manner of extracting out of niter its gold-like soul._
If we would go the nearest way to work with niter to extract its
soul, then the gross niter is first to be mundified by distillation,
then afterwards out of this purged body is the most pure part to be
extracted by a convenient magnet, and the gross fœces to be removed;
and this most pure soul to be brought by concentration and fixation to
the utmost degree of perfection and dignity.
And albeit I could here set down in more clear expressions, the manner
of extracting it, yet I am not so minded to do because of the unworthy.
Let this manuduction suffice, whereby is shown what means it is to
be done by, _viz._ by some magnet attracting to it self its like by
a magnetick operation. I can at all times exhibit such a yellow gold
like soul of niter, and use it in the sicknesses of my neighbour. But,
enough as touching these matters, we shall be more large concerning
them, in the following Centuries.
XCVI. _How the moist and cold fire of niter is to be so ordered as
to yield its visible flame._
Put some ounces of our con-centrated and moist fire of niter in a
glass, and pour thereupon drop by drop a sharp _Lixivium_ made of Wood
ashes, or rather of fixed niter, and keep pouring on so long, till all
the noise, fuming, and ebullition cease, and that the moist fire it
self be wholly allayed and slain. This done, all the corroding faculty
is taken away from that fire, which said fire doth by this operation
return to its former nature, and is changed into such a salt peter
as it was afore its being converted into a moist fire. Out of this
salt peter, being now made purer and better by so many conversions
and operations, may a new moist fire be extracted by distillation and
con-centration, which is far better and much stronger than the former.
And now if this second moist fire be again extinguished with a
_Lixivium_ of fixt niter, and be again turned into salt peter, and this
peter be by a new distillation and con-centration turned into a moist
fire, this said fire will be endued with far greater virtues: For in
every mortification and vivification it becomes one degree stronger,
nobler, and more efficacious; and so is the salt peter it self too by
those conversions and reductions exalted several degrees, and is at
length brought to that pass, that it can do more wonderfull things than
the common is wont to do; for one pound of such a salt peter being
exalted to the utmost degree of subtilty is far more efficacious than
many pounds of common salt peter, and stronger, and much excels it in
virtue. But it is not expedient that every one should know, what may be
effected with such a most subtile and most pure salt peter.
The ancient Philosophers hid the preparation and use of common salt
peter; and why should not we also hide such a salt peter exalted to the
utmost degree of subtilty, wherewith the common peter is not at all
comparable, especially in all such labours whereunto the common sort
is wont to be applied, this operates much readiler, and far better and
more effectually.
But that the truth may be clearer than the noonday, I will add one
operation of a metallick transmutation, by which it shall be clearly
evidenced unto every one what such a most subtile salt peter is able to
effect.
XCVII. _An operation shewing the manner how by the help of salt
peter promoted to the highest degree of subtilty, the superfluous
combustible sulphur of the imperfect metals may be kindled and
burnt up; even as common fire burns up wood, insomuch as nothing
will be left remaining save a little fixt salt and ashes; so
likewise in this burning up of the impure metals by our most pure
salt peter, there remains also nothing save that fixt gold and
silver which lay spiritually hidden in the metal, and is [now]
left by the combustible Scoria’s._
Every one knows that out of the common Salt Peter and Brimstone, may
Gunpowder be made; but yet short in goodness, of that which is made of
purified salt peter. By how much the purer and subtiler the salt peter
is, so much the better and stronger powder doth it make. The same may
be understood as touching the other uses of salt peter.
Further, every one knows that the common salt peter reduceth the common
metals into a Scoria by burning them, and washeth gold and silver,
and leaves them pure, concerning which fiery washing I have hitherto
mentioned several things. But that the common salt peter doth perform
this washing better than the pure, and this pure better and more
efficaciously than the purest, is no such matter in the least, which
thing experience will most manifestly open to him who will try the
same. Verily a small fire will not do those things which a greater will
do, nor will this greater effect such things as the greatest will, and
this is so evident and manifest that there is none dares deny it.
Take one part of the _Regulus_ of Antimony and four parts of pure Tin;
melt them in a crucible and pour them out, and let them cool; this
mass makes all iron and steel fusile, therefore when you would melt
iron or steel, fill a crucible with either of the metals, set it in a
Wind Furnace, and leave it so long in the Coles till all the matter
wax highly red hot. Then take off the cover and put into the crucible,
half as much of the said mixt mass of _Regulus_ of Antimony and Tin, as
the iron or steel put in the crucible weighed, then put on the cover,
and cover it over with the Coles, and urge the fire as strongly as
ever possibly you can, that so the mass you put in, may cause the iron
or steel to melt. When ’tis all well molten, pour it presently forth,
least the Tin flying away in fume, leave the molten iron, and so it
returned to its former hardness and not suffer it self to be fused.
This matter consisting of the _Regulus_ of Antimony, Tin, and Iron, or
Steel, is so hard, that you may strike fire thereout of with a flint.
Now then if you would experiment the abovesaid combustion or burning
up, take a good strong crucible made of potters earth, and fill it with
salt peter, set it on live Coals so that the salt peter may melt, then
having cast your tin and iron in the form of small rods, heat one end
of the rods so as not to melt, hold the other end in a pair of Tongs,
and put it into the molten salt peter, that the iron together with the
tin and _Regulus_ of Antimony may be burnt up as if it were wood, and
vanish away with the flame into a fume. For almost all tin and iron are
a meer sulphur, and being consumed by the flame, leave nothing else in
the crucible save _Scoria’s_, which being washed with water, and boiled
on a cupel or test with lead and blown off, do leave behind, the true
gold and silver hidden in both metals.
For when by the flame of so pure a salt peter, the impure sulphur of
the iron and tin is burnt up, it must necessarily be that what good
soever was in the metals do remain behind.
I do not therefore here set down this operation, as if I would thereby
promise any one golden mountains. No such matter. For I onely manifest
these, and such like labours meerly for this end, that every one may
know, that salt peter being brought to a requisite purity, is wont to
burn up imperfect metals as one burns up wood; and it may be easily
gathered thencefrom, that such a pure salt peter doth as to its virtues
much exceed the common peter.
As for such like labours of burning up the imperfect metals by salt
peter purified in a due manner, and of getting pure gold and silver
with profit, they shall be taught in the following Century (God
willing.)
For even as this first Century doth for the most part treat of fire and
salt; so the chiefest part of the following Century shall treat of the
wonderfull and great efficacy of purified salt peter in destroying,
and reducing metals, and that with great bettering of them, and with
no small profit. And albeit I was desirous of inserting in this first
Century, such like profitable betterings of the metals, yet it could
not well be done; principally because that there are many other things
concerning the profitable use of the con-centrated spirits of salt,
that I must necessarily pass over here, because the number of this
Century is already up, and therefore must I refer them to the following
Centuries.
And forasmuch as there is frequent mention made in this Century, of
glasses and crucibles, which none can be without in the preparing
and use of these moist fires, because of the many hazards and losses
wherewithal common instruments are accompanied, for they often break,
or else easily let out or spill the boiling matters; it is altogether
requisite that I should here have manifested this excellent invention
of mine, which preventeth all such discommodities; and which I hinted
at in the second part of my _Miraculum Mundi_.
But whereas I have bestowed both those inventions there on the poor,
of meer gift, it would be an unjust thing to take away from them what
is theirs; nay rather they should have by good right more bestowed on
them. So then being not able to proceed any farther as to this case,
this thing onely remains, _viz._ an affirmation that neither Medicine
nor Alchymy can want or be without such excellent Inventions. But yet
if any one desires to have them, he may write to those two men, to whom
I have given them, that they may trade for the poor; whatsoever any one
that is desirous of knowing those secrets shall bargain with them for,
he will not be repulsed but obtain his desire, and purchase from them
the secret; the which process I will nevertheless describe, omitting
the naming of the matters.
XCVIII. _The way of putting glasses in distillation and digestion,
and so conserving them, that the boiling matter be not spilt._
Take .................... with this matter fence your glass, that the
matters you put into them run not out, or be spilt, and you shall not
lose them.
XCIX. _The manner of preparing such crucibles as will hold metals
in flux a long time, and which can neither be broken nor melted._
R. .......... mix these matters and moisten them with common water,
that they may be converted into a mass, of which you shall (by a
crucible mold) frame small and great crucibles, knocking them into your
mold with an heavy mallet, according to the manner I described in the
fifth part of my Furnaces. Then take them forth of the mold and dry
them in the air, and when they are dry use them; for they need not any
burning in the Potters Furnace. They will (being rightly handled) stand
a long time in the coals, and will not chap, neither will they melt
with the most vehement fire.
C. _An infallible demonstration, that in salt and fire all things
lie hidden; or, that by the help of the Sun and Salt all things
are generated, arise, grow, and encrease._
Forasmuch as I caused to be stamped at the beginning of this small
work, a circle with a square in its inside, and with these annexed
words, _In the Sun, and in Salt are all things_; (the truth of which
figure and inscription is sufficiently enough evidenced by the so many
operations described in this Century;) it seemed worth while unto me,
to make an assertion here in the end of this Treatise by a true and
evident demonstration, that all things are procreated, conserved, and
encreased by the Sun and Salt, as being the principal and most noble
creatures of God; but with this provizo, that there be present the
seeds of those things that require multiplication.
For though the Sun and Salt were yet far excellenter and nobler
subjects than they now be, yet notwithstanding could they not produce
or generate so much as the smallest herb or meanest worm (to say
nothing of a Man) without seed. If we have but seed, then it is
permitted us by God, to propagate the same by the Sun and Salt. The
begetting of seeds, God hath reserved to himself alone. The seed
therefore is for us sufficient, which if we have, we are able to
propagate and encrease it even to infinity, by the efficacy of the Sun
and Salt, (that universal nutriment of all things.)
The universal medicament and nutriment that the Countrey men use
about conserving their Vineyards, Grounds, and Pastures, is the Dung
of Cattle and Sheep; from the which Dung being laid to the roots of
the Vines and Trees, and thrown into the Fields and Pastures, the
Vegetables do attract their necessary nutriment, do grow and bring
forth fruits needfull for the support and nourishment of Men and Beasts.
But forasmuch as this nutriment which all the Vegetables do extract
out of the Dung of the Beasts is nothing else but a urinous Salt, and
that we know how to prepare out of the common Salt, such a urinous Salt
which may be used about dunging and fatning the Earth instead of Dung,
therefore verily we may be without that said Dung, being but furnished
with such a Salt; the which being Alkalizated by the fire doth extend
it self much wider, or goes farther, and dures much longer in the
Earth, nourishing and dunging it, than the Beasts Dung doth.
Besides it gives to all Fruits and Corn, a far sweeter savour, and
smell, than Dung it self doth, the truth of which will easily appear
to him that will make tryal of the same. Nay more, and what is of far
greater moment; there may (by the help of such Salts) be communicated
to Fruits, especially to those that grow on Trees, and to Grapes, a
most fragrant odour; if instead of Dung, such Salts be used to the
Fields and Gardens, and some spices or other things of a fragrant smell
be mixed with those Salts, and put to the roots of the Vegetables. An
example will illustrate it more clearly.
Plow up some part of some barren Ground, such as is so for want of
Dung; or, even some meer sandy Ground, and throw upon it of the said
salt as much as is sufficient, and by plowing mix it with the Earth it
self, and sow therein any kind of grain you please, and it will spring
up out of the salted Earth or Sand, and be encreased, and recompence
the pains taken about it, with an hundred fold encrease of the seed,
even just as if you had dunged it, nay better than with the common
Dunging.
And now I pray, whence doth that faculty of growing, encreasing, and
multiplying arise, save from Salt alone, which you sowed your barren
Field withall? For the seed cannot purchase to it self nutriment,
and aliment, growth and encrease from the barren Sand and Rain-water
onely. And this you may try the truth of very easily, if you fill two
wooden Chests or Boxes with common Sand, and put to the Sand in one of
them one, two, or three pounds of that inverted Salt, (according to
the bigness or smallness of your box) and in the other box let there
be onely Sand. If now you sow divers seeds in each of the Sands, and
set them in the air, moistening them with Rain-water, those seeds will
indeed grow out of both the Sand-boxes and get increase, but yet that
which grows where it has been sprinkled with Salt is far fuller and
perfecter, insomuch that it will hold on its growth till it comes to
its utmost ripeness, whenas the other seeds in the other Sand-box will
by little and little perish and dye.
It evidently appears from hence that the faculty of growing and
increasing, in all things proceedeth from Salt onely. If so be
therefore, that Pease, Beans, Oats, Barly, Rye, Wheat, Wine, and all
kinds of Fruits, do grow, and are increased by the benefit of Salt, it
necessarily follows, that Salt is the subject and universal nutriment.
But that it may be understood how the common Salt (which otherwise is
wont to corrupt or extinguish all the faculty of growth in those things
it is mixed withall) is to be inverted or turned in and out, that its
hurtfull corroding property being put off it may put on the nature of
Alkalies or urinous Salts, I do here covertly set down the manner of
the operation, so that it may remain hidden to mine enemies and be
communicated onely to my friends.
Take common Salt, _&c._ [See the Preparation in Append. 5. p. _Prosp.
Germ._]
Let them be well heated red hot together at the fire, this done, the
salt will be dispoiled of its Acrimony and get an urinous property,
and being used in a due quantity instead of Dung, to barren Grounds,
causeth that the seeds sown therein produce much fruit. But this kind
of dunging requireth frequenter Rains than that which is done with
Dung; and therefore it may be better and more commodious in moorish
places than Beasts Dung, if it may be done, which conjoyns the said
salt, and produceth the most wished effects
But especially the said salt is far better for Vines and Fruit Trees
than Dung is: for it gives to Grapes, Apples, Pears and such like
Tree-Fruits, a far better savour than Dung is wont to afford: Besides,
this benefit accrues to Vines thereby, that being sprinkled with that
Salt, they have oft times nutriment enough for twenty years, and do
every year bring forth Fruit most plentifully: whereas the nutriment of
dunging will scarce suffice for five or six years.
Further, That Salt may be far easier, and with much less costs carried
and transported into the high Mountains than Dung can; for a far
greater quantity of Dung is required than of the said Salt, which said
Salt diffuseth it self far larger, or goes much farther than the Dung,
and dures longer.
I did this very spring-time last past, put such an inverted salt to
some half dead Vines, which being planted in a lean sandy ground could
scarce grow up a fingers heighth, and they presently began to flourish,
and grew up so fast that the growth was day by day perceptible. When
therefore on a certain day I was shewing some Friends of mine the
melioration of metals, in my Laboratory, to be effected by the help of
common salt, as they were wondring at the thing, I shewed them those
Vines afore my Laboratory, that sprang up from the half dead stocks,
and they measuring some of the branches of the Vines, found that in
two or three months they were grown some 6, 7, 10, and 11 foot long,
and the stocks or stalks whence they grew were two or three times
thicker than at first; which great change or transmutation in the
Vines, proceeding from the salt, would be more admirable and profitable
than that of metals, if we did not look upon that transmutation of gold
with such covetous eyes. And forasmuch as this transmutation spoken
of, was observed in the month of _July_, and that there are almost
yet three months for Vines to encrease and grow; any one may easily
conjecture what an encrease the wood [or branches] of the Vines would
have in the space of a whole Summer.
But let this suffice concerning the inversion of the common salt, being
a most profitable promoter of the growing faculty in all things; the
which things I was necessitated to declare here in the end of this
small work, that so I might demonstrate those things which I asserted
at the beginning of the same, _viz._ that in salt lie all things
hidden, and by the seeds of things and the help of the Sun are rendred
visible, palpable and essential.
_An Admonition to the friendly Reader, or a Proposition not
prescribing or tying to any body, whereby is shewn how much
benefit the Countrey may in general obtain by my not chargeable
extraction of Gold and Silver out of the fugacious or flying
Minerals._
That my inventions may be in many places profitable for the whole
Countrey, I judged it worth while, briefly to declare my meditations or
conceptions thereabouts; and to make a declaration of the way or manner
which I judge it may most exceeding profitably be done by.
First of all, I suppose it is sufficiently well known that Princes and
Noblemen are occupied or troubled with otherguess burdens and business
than to employ or busie themselves with the care and enquiry after
the metalline mine-pits, that are here and there in the Countries
subject unto them. And if they should commit the care of these things
to their servants, ’tis likely that they would rather pass their time
in feastings or merry meetings, than in a painfull search of Mines and
metallick Veins in the woods and mountains. And as for the subjects
themselves, seeing they are altogether rude and ignorant of such arts,
by what means, and with what success they can undertake such kind of
Labours, any one may easily guess. These are the Causes why things
of such great moment are let slip without any profit at all, and are
plainly neglected. But in my judgment, though it be but slender, any
Prince that hath many Subjects under his obedience, may every year
gather store of gold and silver, and that without costs, if he would
but onely cause a small Laboratory to be erected, wherein the poor
Mines may be extracted with due waters; and leave given to such of his
subjects as breath after the knowledge of such Arts, to frequent such
a Laboratory, and there to learn such Arts, with this _Proviso_, that
every one should bring the gold, silver and copper boiled or gotten
out of the poor minerals by the help of the said extraction, into the
Mony-shop or Coining-house, at such a rate as they are every where
esteemed or valued at, and not transport it out of the Countrey. Now
by this means, not only the chief Magistrate would without any cost
and labour get no small profit by the mony, but likewise every body
would to their utmost, labour in the inquisition after such poor Mines,
that he might get Gold and Silver, and other Metals, out of those poor
metallick Veins, and get gain for him and his. But now if the Prince
or Magistrate will not permit his Subjects the exercise of such a
work, but keep all to himself, any one may easily conjecture, that
not so much as a man will set about searching after such Mines, but
will rather hide them, especially if the Magistrate (as is wont to be
sometimes done) would constrain his Subjects to such kind of Labours.
This (according to my simple opinion, no ways prescribing to any what
to doe) would be the readiest way, without hurting of any man (nay
rather it would help and assist many a man) of furnishing our Country
with Gold and Silver Coin, which Foreigners have made it bare of. But
this will not be by any way, unless the Magistrates themselves do
make a beginning, as to the institution of such a work, by this means
inviting and stirring up their Subjects to undertake such like Labours,
which will bring great Treasures even to the whole Country. By this
means may rich Mints be set up in very many places, instead of those
which at this time afford Mony or Coin so sparingly, and no small
portion of Copper too, mixed with it.
These few things was I willing to advise for the sake of the good
of the whole Country; only laying down my simple opinion without
prescribing a rule to any, hoping, that no body of what rank or
condition soever they be, will take it otherwise than well.
Secondly, Every Prince and great man would mightily promote the common
welfare of his poor, if he would but take the care of shewing the
way of so inverting common Salt by one hours heating it red hot, and
bringing it to that pass, that it may be made use of instead of Cattles
dung, for the fatning and bettering of barren Vineyards, unfruitfull
Gardens, and other Fields that are backward or slow in bearing Fruits:
for verily, even from this very Art would redound much profit to some
Countries. For, many Vineyards here and there, and many Grounds do want
due tillage because of the scarcity of Dung, whereas otherwise they
would prove very profitable both to the Subjects and Magistrates, if
they could be fatned and made fertile by this kind of way.
Besides too, all Wines would be had in much more plenty, and be of
a far sweeter and pleasanter taste, by such a medium, than if the
Vineyards and Fields were dunged with Beasts dung. But as touching this
thing, see more in the continuation of my _Miraculum Mundi_.
_The end of the First Century._
The Second Century
OF
GLAUBER’S
Wealthy Store-house of Treasures.
_Which doth Illustrate his hitherto published Writings, with
a more evident Explanation, and doth more clearly demonstrate
the Truth hidden in them._
The First _Arcanum_ or Secret of the Second Century,
SHEWETH,
_By what means such Metals as are imperfect, wild, and in a manner
unapt for use or sale, may be ripened or bettered by Common Salt
and Fire, so as to yield forth Gold and Silver with benefit and
advantage._
I have in the foregoing first Century, as also in the Appendix to the
fifth part of the prosperity of _Germany_, described the incineration
or reduction into ashes, which is to be done with Coals in a peculiar
Furnace, fit for torrefaction or calcining.
Though this be a laborious way and tedious, yet is it not without its
benefit, provided that a great quantity (as I have already oft times
said) of the not vendible minerals and metals be thereto used. But that
such an incineration may be done after a more easie and compendious
manner, the following way may be made use of.
Build an Hearth of good and fitting earth upon a firm foundation, put
thereupon a Furnace [or an Arch] of good stones, adjoyn hereto an
Oven, [or side Furnace] out of which the fire may play and emit its
flame over all the said Hearth, and pass thereout of by a Chimny made
for that purpose. Upon this Hearth put those metalline earths being
broken in a Mill, and commix them with the Salt, and Coals reduced
into powder, and leave them for twenty or twenty four hours, that they
may be all well fired and heated red hot: For by this means, the salt
makes the fugitive metal in some sort constant and able to brook the
fire; and the wild sulphureousness leaves the metalline mineral, and
adjoyns it self to the salt, and converteth it into a vitriol or _Sal.
Mirabilis_. This twenty or twenty four hours heat, gets a constancy and
fluxibility to those wild metallick veins, and doth withall by that
labour so fit and prepare the salt, that it doth afterwards by an easie
mutation pass into good salt peter.
After that the said minerals have gotten themselves a better state by
the said Cementation, they are to be drawn out of the Fire or Hearth,
with iron instruments fit for such a purpose, and new and fresh
minerals are to be put in, and to be dealt withall after the same
manner as we said but now.
The minerals that are taken forth are to be broken in a Mill, and then
the salt to be washed off with common water, and to be afterwards used
about making salt peter, the which we have taught in the Appendix.
The light Coals [or Scinders] and unprofitable earth is to be separated
by water, from the metalline part, and this metalline part, or heavier
_limus_, being reduced and molten in the Furnace called _Stichofen_,
yields a beautifull or pure and gainfull metal.
There are sometimes found in many places of _Germany_, wild, fugacious,
and unmeltable minerals of lead, which for that they contain in them
Sulphur, Antimony, or _Lapis Calaminaris_, do not admit of reduction
in the Furnace called _Stichofen_, but do either go off in fume, or
turn into dross. But being first roasted after the aforesaid manner,
and fitted for liquefaction, the lead, comprehending in it silver too,
may be thence gotten with profit, whereas otherwise they are wont to be
dealt withall without any fruit, and are therefore given over. This
incineration therefore is profitably used to such degenerate minerals.
Now if so be any would deal with vendible and good metals, and would
have profit from them by incineration, he must proceed this following
way.
II. _The manner of reducing lead into ashes, and so handling it
with the spirits of salt, that gold and silver may be thence
gotten with profit._
I have at large taught in my first Century, that in the ripening of
metals and other chymical operations, a greater fire is endued with
stronger power than a lesser, which is easie to be understood by those
that have any wit.
I just now taught the maturation and bettering of unprofitable and wild
metallick earths with crude and gross salt.
But forasmuch as the gross salt and a weak fire cannot of necessity put
forth so much strength as a stronger fire is wont to doe, therefore
for such as desire a stronger fire than the common salt, the purer
part is to be (by the help of Art) drawn out of the crude salt and
to be separated from its grosness and impurity, the which is easily
brought to pass by distillation. And as for these fires of salts, and
the procuring them in great plenty, my writings, but especially the
precedent first Century, do clearly and evidently treat of them, and
this second Century will yet treat of it more.
III. _The operation of incinerating the lead, or reducing it into
ashes._
Having built a Furnace such as is for Cementation, put therein a
strong iron Pot, just after such a manner as the sand cupels [or pans]
are wont to be made, let there be a Grate to make a fire on, let the
Furnace be bigger or lesser according to the bigness or littleness of
the Pot you would put in, or according to the quantity of lead-ashes
you would make. Put fire under the Pot and heat it red hot, and put
thereinto so much lead as is requisite for the covering of the bottom
of the Pot; the lead being molten, stir it about in the Pot without
ceasing, with an iron spoon having a long handle, the which labour will
turn the lead into ashes in the space of about two hours. Take these
ashes out, and put in more lead into the Pot, and repeat this labour
so often untill you have gotten enough ashes. These ashes of lead are
fitted to receive an amendment by the spirits of salts, and afterwards
to yield their gold and silver by fusion, and that with profit.
IV. _The manner of bettering the ashes of lead by the spirits of
salts, and of extracting thencefrom the gold and silver with
gain._
First of all, you must have plenty of the spirit of salt or _Aq.
Regis_, as concerning the easie getting such spirits, we have mentioned
the way at large in the foregoing Appendix, and will yet treat more of
them in this present second Century.
Besides, you must also provide your self of red or reddish kind of
flints, which (besides iron) do also contain in them a volatile gold.
Out of these is the tincture to be extracted by the spirit of salt, or
by _Aq. Regis_; after that manner I delivered at large in the first
Century, and in the Appendix to the fifth part of the prosperity
of _Germany_, and will yet farther teach more clearly and more
compendiously in this Century.
These extractions are to be poured upon the lead-ashes, that they
may be well moistened therewithall; the unprofitable phlegm is to be
evaporated by a gentle heat, and the fire to be augmented that the
spirits also may follow; of which more heavy spirits there will be
enough remaining in the secret Cementatory Pot, and as much as is
sufficient for the due operation upon the lead, that so being bettered
it may afterwards prove a gainfull emitter of its gold and silver.
He that has a desire of exercising this labour with greater profit, may
satisfie his desire, if he will but pour on such extractions twice or
thrice upon the said lead ashes, that they may be con-centrated by them
afore they are cemented in the Cementatory Vessel, and may be reduced
into the bettered lead. For by this means, all the labours and costs
will be more largely recompenced, and the more plenty of gain gotten.
This now is the making the lead-ashes, whether you do either _per se_,
or by the help of the other metals, convert it by Cementation into a
better metal.
V. _A brief description of the secret Cementatory Pot, which
admits not of any spilling, and which is sealed with the Seal of
=Hermes=, of which I made mention in the first Century._
Build with Stones or Clay or Potters earth such a Furnace as that is,
which I described in the first part of my Furnaces, as necessary for
the making of spirit of salt. But let the lower part thereof be a
little broader that so the Metals being cast upon the Coals may not
stick to the walls of the Furnace and so be somewhat lost, but may fall
directly down on the live Coals. It must be made four square and of
such a bigness as may serve the purpose according as you are minded to
cement a greater or lesser quantity of metal therein.
VI. _Of the Cover of the Cementatory-pot, what it ought to be, that
so it may suffer nothing to goe away in fume._
This Cover of this Cementatory Box or Furnace which I told you was to
be made of the Lute of Wisedom, is not properly a Cover but a Leaden
Cistern, serving for the reception of those spirits which are driven
up by the fire out of the Lead-ashes. This Lead receiver is to lie in
another Leaden Cistern, which is to be filled with water, and ’tis to
be so fitted to a pipe that is to come out of the Furnace, that the
ascending spirits passing thereinto may be the better refrigerated by
the water, and the sooner condensed, and saved for farther uses.
VII. _Of the use and benefit of this secret Cementing Pot._
When any one has a mind to cement the Lead ashes, from which the
extractions of the coloured Flints have been sometimes abstracted in
the said Cementatory Box, and to graduate them, or so bring to pass
that they may contain [or hold the] Gold and Silver, let him first of
all fill his Furnace with Charcoal, and let him so order it that his
fire may kindle by little and little till the Furnace be well heated
red hot; till this is done, the Cover that is at top is to be taken so
long off, that so neither the heat nor smoke may pass out at the side
through the Pipe into the adjoyned Leaden Cistern.
When the Furnace is thoroughly heated, and that ’tis now time to begin
the Cementation, the top of the Furnace is to be shut with its Cover,
that the heat may be forced to pass through the Pipe into the Receiver.
Having so done, you are to fill an Iron Spoon or Ladle of your prepared
Lead-ashes, and put them into the Furnace at the fore-hole which serves
for the throwing in your Coals, the which ashes are to be so put in as
to cover the Coals over, but not so as to choke them but that they may
have air enough to burn, and that the fire be not put out, but doe just
in that manner as you are wont to distil the Spirit of Salt. By this
means all the Spirits that remained yet behind in the Lead-ashes, will
betake themselves into the Receiver, and the Ashes of the Lead will be
bettered by the graduating and tinging spirits, and will part of them
be reduced into a body, and part will yet retain the form of ashes,
and fall down through the Grate to the bottom of the Furnace. Then the
Furnace is to be again filled with Coals, and more Ashes are to be put
thereon with a Spoon as afore, and this labour is to be continued so
long till all the Ashes are consumed.
All the labour being finished, take out your Ashes together with the
lead reduced into a body, melt them in the Furnace which is called
_Stichofen_, they will melt wondrous easie, then put some small part
thereof to the Test, thereby to try whether or no they are enriched
enough, to be turned into a Litharge and undergoe the metallick
separation.
If they won’t as yet brook the trial, let the Lead be again turned
into Ashes in your Iron Pot, and repeat the whole afore prescribed
labour, and that so often till at length the Lead be rendred rich
enough in Gold and Silver, the which may be converted into Litharge
after the usual manner, and separated from the Gold and Silver. The
Litharge being taken away, and gathered together, and broken in a Mill,
serves for farther uses in this operation. The _Regulus_ of the Gold
and Silver that is left upon the hearth is to be taken out and to be
farther mundified in a Cupel after the accustomed way.
This is that more compendious incineration and reduction of Lead, which
kind of bettering it, enricheth the operators with Gold and Silver.
_N. B._ That in this Cementation the sharp spirits do carry over with
them some of the Volatile Lead into the Receiver, and there it settles
to the bottom; the which powder being freed from all the Acrimony of
the spirits by due washings, and being then dried, may be used to all
such intents and operations to which the Mercury of Saturn is wont to
be used, and which is made by dissolving the Lead in _Aq. Fortis_, and
precipitating it by Salt-water.
_N. B._ This distilled Mercury hath more hidden under it than the
other hath; for it carries hidden in it a Volatile Gold, which may be
separated from it and improved about the gradation and Tincture of
other Metals, and that with no small profit, concerning which we will
say more afterwards.
Thus, friendly Reader, hast thou my more compendious incineration and
reduction into better Metals; the which I would not hide from thee, and
hereby shall I satisfie those to whom the way prescribed in my Appendix
is too tedious and laborious and they may make use of this way instead
of that other, which withall is easier and will without all doubt yield
more Gold and Silver than that other way.
VIII. _Another emendation or bettering of Lead by the graduating
extractions of coloured Flints._
Extract either coloured Flints, such as have in them Volatile Gold or
Sand or Clay, by the spirit of Salt or _Aq. Regis_, and draw off the
Liquor by Distillation. If you thereto add Salt afore their extraction
the dissolvent will receive encrease from the Salt, especially if done
in such an instrument, in which a great quantity of extracted matters
may be abstracted in a few hours, without either Cucurbits or the
other commonly known distilling Vessels, and the same operation may be
continued a long while. By this means, there is not onely the least
loss of your dissolvent, but it rather gets no small encrease from
the Salt. By this instrument also, thou maist not onely prepare great
store of sharp spirits necessary for thy operation at the beginning,
but likewise commodiously extract your Minerals, and separate the
dissolvent again from the Minerals so extracted, so that you shall not
lose the least particle of your dissolvent.
But forasmuch as all the Gold, Silver, and Copper may much easier be
separated from its _Menstruum_, by this so unheard of and never seen
instrument, than by the way of precipitation, ’tis altogether better
and safer for a Man not to precipitate his extracted Metals, but rather
draw off the _Menstruum_ from them, that so he may have them dry. And
though that all the spirits go not wholly off, so as that nothing of
them abide with the Metals, yet they do no hurt, but rather exalt the
Litharge that is put unto them into an higher degree, as it also does
to the Ashes themselves of the Lead, when they are cemented together
in the afore described cementing Furnace; in which Cementation the
Volatile Gold is, together with the corporal Gold conserved, and which
otherwise would vanish away in the common melting Fire.
But if so be that any one has a mind to precipitate the Metals
extracted out of poor Mines, after the manner prescribed in the
Appendix, to the intent he may after the precipitation make Salt Peter
of the remaining Waters, he may reduce the _Calx_’s of the Metals,
and principally of the Gold very easily and without any loss, by this
following way.
IX. _The manner of reducing the precipitated and washed =Calx= of
=Sol= without any loss._
The precipitation of Gold by _Lixiviums_, Liquor of Flints, Spirit of
Urine, Solution of Mercury, hath been clearly enough described in the
Appendix to the fifth part of the prosperity of _Germany_; but yet the
reduction of the same was past over in silence, because of the too much
hast of the said Book. Therefore it seemed unto me necessary to insert
the same here, for their sakes, who have but little knowledge, or in a
manner none at all in these affairs; for should I go to propound such
a thing for the skilfull Chymists, I should but do what is already
done, especially because he deserves not the name of a Chymist who is
ignorant of the reduction of the solar _Calx_.
But forasmuch as it may so happen, that even the unskilfull may
set about this extracting of the Minerals, and yet be ignorant of
the way of reducing the Gold though they should have extracted it;
therefore have I judged it not amiss to illustrate that reduction
by my describing thereof here, the which being divers, according as
the precipitation is made by such or such a means, doth also require
different operations.
X. _The reduction of the solar =Calx= precipitated by the Liquour
of Flints._
Albeit that Borax reduceth every _Calx_ of _Sol_ to its former body, if
it be therewith mixed and melted in a Crucible, yet that would prove
too dear, if somewhat a greater quantity thereof be required for the
reduction; for there must be of it at least twice or thrice as much
in weight as is of the Gold, if you would have a due reduction of the
Gold made. The reason is this, because the Flints precipitated to the
bottom together with the Gold, and so sticking on to the Gold impead
its fusion so that it cannot rightly come together into its due body.
Hereupon is it necessary that there should be the double or treble
weight of Borax added to the Gold if you would have all your Gold
return unto its former body without detriment.
But whereas there are also other matters to be found which make the
Gold fusible and are not so dear as Borax is, the use of such things is
to be admitted, but especially when a great quantity of Gold is to be
reduced. Otherwise if it be but little Gold that is to be reduced, and
you have not the aforesaid matters at hand, one may for such a small
trial use Borax. But where there is a greater quantity to be reduced
the following matter will be found to be far more profitable and
beneficial.
XI. _How the Gold which is precipitated by the Liquor of Flints, is
to be melted without Borax, by the Glass of Lead only, which is
of a far meaner price._
Take of your Gold precipitated by the Liquor of Flints and dryed,
one part, of Glass made of Lead and beaten into powder, three parts;
the which mix well with the Gold and put into a Crucible, which said
Crucible let be put into another bigger one (for which operation the
Hassion pots are most fit) that so if the Gold chance to flow out of
the inner pot, it may stay in the outer and be conserved. For the Glass
of Lead is of such a nature that it usually perforates or runs through
the pot. Having thus done put your twofold Crucible containing your
commixed matters into a wind Furnace, such an one as I have described,
and when you have covered it, put Coals under it [or about it] and urge
your fire for one quarter of an hour, that all may well flow, then pour
it out, and separate the _Regulus_ of Gold with a stroke or two from
the glass of the Lead; which said Glass hath attracted to it self all
the flinty matter, and suffers the pure and malleable Gold to settle to
the bottome into a _Regulus_.
_N. B._ If your glass of Lead be still yellow as it was before the
operation, ’tis a sign that all the Gold is separated therefrom; but if
it be of a green colour ’tis a sure sign that it has as yet some Gold
mixed with it. For Gold being mixed with Glass shews its being there by
yielding a skie-colour, the which skie-colour is necessarily changed in
the yellow glass of Lead into a green; because every yellow and skie
colour do in their commixtion beget a green.
Now then that you may get out the reliques of the Gold out of the
leaden Glass you must proceed the following way.
XII. _By what means the Glass of Lead which as yet contains in it
some reliques of Gold is to be dealt withall, that it may let
them goe out of its body._
Melt that Glass of Lead in a well covered pot, that I mean in which you
suppose some Gold to be, and being well molten cast in a little iron
filings, and mix it well by stirring it with an iron rod, and leave it
in the fire thus molten, for one quarter of an hour, that the sulphur
of the Glass may be killed by its corroding of the iron, and may let
fall a leady _Regulus_ wherein the Gold will be, and which (in the
first melting) the Glass held up, will separate it by the Cupel from
the Lead.
_N. B._ But here you are to observe that the filings of the iron are to
be used very sparingly to this precipitation; for by how much the more
iron is added, so much the greater will the _Regulus_ of the lead be,
and consequently require a greater Cupel, which is not so necessary.
For put case the Glass of Lead in which the Gold is suspected to be is
about one pound weight, and there is but about a _Quinta_, or certain
small weight of Gold; now it is not necessary to have any more than one
Lot of Lead or thereabouts, precipitated thereout of into a _Regulus_,
to which precipitation is required no more than one Lot of the filings
of Iron. For the _Regulus_ of Lead precipitated out of the Glass, doth
for the most part answer in weight, to the weight of the Iron filings
used about the precipitation, or to speak more clearly, you will get so
much leaden _Regulus_, as the Iron is you added.
The remaining Glass becomes black and is unprofitable for any farther
melting with Gold, but yet needs not be cast away, because those
_Scoria_’s do yet contain much Lead, and therefore serve to be mixt
with such Pots as you have used and broken about Metals, or with other
wild and hardly fusile metallick Veins, to render them fusible, being
I say commixt with these, and put in the Furnace which the _Germans_
call _Stichofen_, do not onely yield forth all their Lead, but withall
draw out the Metals out of those matters which were mixed with them in
the melting. But they are principally profitable for the melting and
reducing of those Metals, which do not onely very difficultly admit of
fusion by themselves, but withall do, being mixed with the Ashes of
Tin, so much the more difficultly suffer themselves to be reduced by
melting, unto their former bodies. But in defect of such Metals and
Minerals, as are not but with much adoe tamed by Liquefaction, you may
put to that black Glass of Lead, one fourth part onely of filings, or
_Scoria_’s of Iron made into powder, that so both the matters thus
commixt may be molten in the Furnace _Stichofen_. So by the addition
and help of the Iron, all the Lead will be reduced to its former body,
and will withall extract out of the Iron whatsoever of Gold and Silver
lay therein hidden; so that by this means there may be reaped a great
benefit from this reduction of the Glass of Lead. But yet that Lead is
to be tryed by a foregoing tryal, whether or no it be rich enough in
Gold and Silver to quit the costs of separation? For if it be not, it
must be used to the afore described incineration, that so there may be
no loss either of the Gold or the Lead.
XIII. _The preparation of the Glass of Lead, for the reducing
such Gold as being precipitated by the Liqour of Flints, is of
difficult fusion._
Take of white and fusile Flints [or Pebles] one part, and of _Minium_,
or any other Ashes of Lead, or else even of Litharge it self four
parts, each of which being powdered apart, you are to commix and melt
them well in a strong double Pot, then pour them out, and you will have
a Hyacinth-coloured Glass, the which Glass is to be powdered and mixt
with the Gold, and it makes the Gold Powder which resisteth melting
fusible.
XIV. _Another way of reducing Gold precipitated by the Liqour of
Flints._
To one part of this hardly-melting Gold which is precipitated by the
Liqour of Flints, admix two or three parts of Litharge, which matters
put in a strong double Pot, and cover it well, and melt them well down
in a Wind Furnace, that the Litharge may draw unto it self all the
Flints, and all the Gold may separate. Having separated the _Regulus_
from the _Scoria_’s of the Lead, you must precipitate these _Scoria_’s,
which do as yet hold in them some small portion of Gold into a small
leaden _Regulus_, with the filings of Iron, as we shewed you but now,
that so you may also have even that residue of Gold. The _Scoria_ are
conserved by being reduced in the Furnace _Stichofen_, according to the
operation already spoken of.
XV. _Another way of rendring the Gold precipitated by the Liqour of
Flints fusible._
Take of the said Gold one part, and the fixt Salt made of Salt Peter
and Tartar, by combustion or calcination, three parts; commix them
and melt them down in a crucible well covered. In this co-melting the
Salt swallows up the Flints, and the Gold being at liberty settles to
the bottom. Pour out the molten mass, and separate the _Regulus_ of
the Gold from the Salt, the which being dissolved with common water
gives you your Liqour of Flints, to be again used to precipitate more
extracted Gold.
This Salt doth not so easily perforate the Crucibles as those Glasses
of Lead do, and therefore is it to be accounted of as the best and
easiest of all these three prescribed ways.
XVI. _The way of reducing Gold, precipitated by the spirit of
Urine._
The spirit of Urine or of _Sal. Armoniack_ doth perfectly precipitate
all the Gold out of the _Aq. Regis_; the which being washed and dried,
doth not admit of reduction after the manner of the other Gold, for if
it be but onely heated a little before it becomes red hot, it presently
takes fire, and fulminates with a far more dreadfull noise than any
Gunpowder. For if you put a small portion of the same, and no bigger
than a Pea in a Silver, Iron, or Copper Spoon, and put it on the Coals
that it may wax hot, it will give such an horrible crack, that ’twill
even dull the hearing, and make a dent in the Spoon as if it had been
beaten in with a Hammer. From whence it may easily be conjectured, that
if somewhat a bigger quantity be put in a Pot on the Fire, it would
make Pot and Furnace flie, by its so dreadfull thundring a stroak into
most small shivers.
So then there is need of great wariness, to prevent the happening of
so great danger, which is easily prevented by the following manner of
operating.
XVII. _By what means the fulminating force of Gold precipitated by
a =Lixivium=, or spirit of Urine is to be taken away._
Mix with this Gold precipitated by a _Lixivium_, or by the spirit of
Urine, half a part of Sulphur reduced into Powder, and let the said
Sulphur be removed therefrom by burning amidst live Coals; for so being
despoiled of that fulminating force, it may without danger be reduced
by any kind of such matters as promote fusibility.
XVIII. _By what means Gold that is despoiled of its fulminating
force, by means of Sulphur may be reduced._
Forasmuch as this Gold is void of all impurity, there needs [not] the
addition of such matters as promote fusion, seeing it is of it self
prone enough to melt. But yet least some grains of the Gold should
stick on to the Pot, ’tis expedient to add some portion at least of
such a kind of matter as accelerates or hasteneth fusion. And for this
work, Borax, and the dry Liqour of Flints are excellent, of which if
you add but one half part onely to such Gold, (or, if you take of the
Flints prepared with Salt of Tartar) it will by that means presently
melt, and the Borax, or Liqour of Flints will not retain the least doit
of the Gold.
XIX. _The manner of reducing the Metals that are not gotten out
of the Waters by precipitation, but are freed from them by
abstracting them._
The Metals which are extracted out of the Mines, and freed from the
waters by the abstracting of the dissolvent, cannot be so pure as those
are which settle to the bottom by precipitation. For it is very rare
for Gold and Silver to be found in metalline Veins, Stones, or Clay,
without being commixed with other Metals; because for the most part,
Copper is mixt with Silver, and Copper or Iron with Gold, the which
being unseparated in the reduction makes the Gold and Silver impure.
But now in the precipitation one Metal is freed after another from the
_Menstruum_, and are not mixed with each other. But on the contrary, in
the way of abstracting it, all the metals remain mixt together without
any separation, and require a new separation and consequently a double
labour, and more expences.
This inconveniency may be easily remedied by him who is versed in the
knowledge of my dry separation of Metals. I have mentioned it in divers
places of my writings, So that it would be needless to trouble the
Reader with a superfluous rehearsal of the same in this place.
But forasmuch as every one hath not by him all my writings, I believed
that it would be worth while, if I should here set down that Laver or
Bath which washeth off the Metals with the help of Salt peter by the
dry way. For, without the knowledge of this Artifice of separating the
extracted Metals from each other, there would be yet requisite much
labour, and much costs for the obtaining of the said Metals. But they
are very easily, and with little labour, and with small costs separated
the one from the other by the way here by us described, and indeed with
more gain than is wont to be had by the way of precipitation.
And even as in the precipitation of Metals there is always some
[portion] of the Waters, that puts on the nature of Salt Peter, _viz._
when the Waters that have been used, which are as it were the Seeds of
Salt Peter, are implanted in an Alkalisate Salt, and so do multiply
themselves in a wonderfull manner.
So likewise in the dry separation of Metals, there is in a manner,
yet more Salt Peter gotten, _viz._ thus when they are separated in
the melting Pots, from each other by Salt Peter, and by an artificial
precipitation of one Metal after another, the Salt Peter you used
is rendred fixt and Alkalizated, which Alcalizated niter is to be
accounted of, as the root of Salt Peter. This root being implanted
in acid Salts, is in like manner enriched with a plenteous encrease,
and reduced into natural and inflamable Salt Peter; for, by it do the
sharp Waters get to themselves the nature of Salt Peter, from those
Alkalizate Salts. And if so be you seek not after the common Salt
Peter, it is better to sow the Seed of Salt Peter (that is, some spirit
of niter which you have used) into the appropriate root of Salt Peter,
that is, into fixt niter. For by that means you will have (at the
encrease) a wonderfull Salt Peter, which, in all operations, doth far
more powerfully act than the common Salt Peter, what way soever it be
mundified by; which is evidenced in my foregoing first Century.
Therefore forasmuch as in the separation of Metals by the dry way,
there remains (after the operation is over) so much fixt Salt Peter
as there was of nitrous Water in the moist extraction, it always
abundantly supplies both Seed and Root of Salt Peter, so that they
may be exceeding plentifully multiplied by other Salts, nor will you
have any need of buying any more new Salt Peter for the now spoken of
Labour. Verily this is a most compendious way, not onely of separating
all Metals even in fusion, but also of somewhat bettering them, as
shall be afterwards demonstrated.
XX. _By what means such Gold as is commixt with Iron, or Copper,
and from which (being extracted out of the Minerals) the
dissolvent has been drawn off, is to be reduced._
Let such unclean Gold be commixed with two or three parts of its
weight of the Glass of Lead, and melt them in a strong Crucible. If
there happen to be much Iron, it will of its own accord yield a leaden
_Regulus_, which being forced by the heat of the Fire in a Cupel will
leave your Gold pure, because the Glass of Lead is wont to attract unto
it self Iron and Copper. But if so be there is but little Iron mixt
with your Gold the _Regulus_ of Lead will not separate or precipitate
in the melting, and therefore as it melts some filings of Iron are to
be added, and to be accurately stirred with a red hot Iron, that so a
_Regulus_ of Lead may fall to the bottom, bigger or lesser according to
the muchness or littleness of the Iron you added.
XXI. _Another proper and fitting matter to reduce such Gold as hath
Iron in it._
Take of Salt Peter one part, and of Antimony four parts, reduce them
into a black Glass, by melting them. This Glass being powdered
and commixt with a wild or raw and not fusile Gold and so molten,
precipitates the _Regulus_ of the Gold to the bottom, and brings the
Iron into _Scoria_’s.
XXII. _The separation of the Antimony from the Gold._
Such golden _Regulus_’s do not admit of separation in the Cupel, like
as those do which the Glass of Lead is used to. Therefore Salt Peter is
to be used in the melting Pots or Crucibles, to make the separation of
them.
Put this Antimonial _Regulus_ in a melting Pot, melt it down in a Wind
Furnace, and being molten cast in by little and little some dry Salt
Peter, that so it may seize upon the _Regulus_ and transmute it into
_Scoria_’s. The _Scoria_ flowing in the Pot like water, are a sign that
the Gold is well cleaned, and that all the Antimony is reduced into
_Scoria_’s. Then pour it forth into a Cone that it may cool, and the
pure and malleable Gold will settle into a _Regulus_ at the bottom.
Now all the Salt Peter is rendred fixt in this operation, then if you
put your _Scoria_’s again in the Crucible, and put into it some Coals
and melt your _Scoria_ down, almost all the Antimony being freed from
the Salt Peter will gather into a _Regulus_, and will again serve for
reducing of more Gold; for it will as readily reduce your extracted
Gold unto its former body, as the [aforesaid] Glass it self will. But
this labour requires a diligent Operator who knows how to handle it
with singular skill, though it be easie, and requireth not any great
Artifice, but onely an accurate diligence, which use onely makes a Man
skilled in.
The Salt Peter used about this labour, gets the nature of an Alkali
Salt, and being put on the live Coals doth no more burn, but being
dissolved in Water yields a sharp _Lixivium_, very proper for many
operations, and serving instead of a Lye made with Wood-ashes. But the
chiefest use thereof is this, _viz._ seeing it is the true root of Salt
Peter, it may be added to other Salts, out of which in process of time,
it will be notably augmented and produce new burning Salt Peter. He
that has a desire gainfully to augment this fixt Salt Peter with common
Kitchin Salt, and again to transmute it into inflamable Salt peter, may
accomplish his desire if he makes use of the following operation.
XXIII. _The way of making most excellent and inflamable Salt Peter
in plenty, and with profit out of common Kitchin Salt and the
=Lixivium= of Salt Peter that has been used._
There is so small a difference betwixt common Kitchin Salt, and Salt
Peter, that the Salt may easily be turned into Salt Peter, and that
by several operations, as well by the Seed of Salt Peter as by sharp
spirits, as we have taught above, or even by fixt niter which operation
we will here shew.
We will use for an example, the baking of Bread, and the brewing of
Ale. If when the Meal is with Water brought into Dough, there be added
unto it but a few grounds of Ale or Leven, the whole mass begins to
heave it self up, and becoming thin [or light] is rendred fit to be
baked into Bread, the which hath altogether the same property as those
few Ale Grounds, or that little Leven had. And so that very self same
Dough is likewise fit to make other Meal ferment, even to infinity.
The same is likewise observable in the brewing of Ale, so that he who
hath but once onely so much Ale Grounds [or Yest,] or levened Dough as
served his turn once, may brew Ale and bake Bread even to infinity. So
likewise is the same evidently manifest by the encrease of Vegetables,
which may be infinitely multiplied by the Alkalizated Salt of the
Earth, if you have but once their Seeds and Roots. In like manner may
the same propagation be performed by another way, _viz._ by ingrafting
of that which you would propagate into another of the same kind. For
example, I have in my Garden excellent Apples, Pears, Cherries, or
such like Tree-fruits, and I have a mind to see more of them in my
Garden; therefore do I cut off some branch, or perhaps even the Tree
it self to the trunk or body; of some wild, or at least not so noble
a Fruit-bearing Pear Tree or Apple Tree, and therein, _viz._ in that
branch or stock, do I ingraft according to Art some little boughs or
cions of some other Tree that bears excellent Fruit, and which I desire
to encrease, the which Tree now doth no more produce the wild and
degenerate or bad Fruits, it did according to its kind, but such Fruits
as the Tree whence the cion was taken, bears.
By these kind of similitudes may any one that hath understanding
easily see, that it is possible by Art, to transmute one nature into
another, if, _viz._ the Seeds and Roots of things are applied to this
transmutation. But now if any one should plant a stalk or leaf in the
digged earth, and would thereby encrease or propagate it, he will never
see any success of his labour; for the stalks and leaves would rot and
so no new Herb would again bud out from them as is wont to be out of
the Seed and Roots.
Even on this wise is it with Salt Peter, which if it be mixed with
common Salt it would not verily produce any encrease, as ’tis wont to
do out of its Seed and Root, as we have already laid open.
Such likewise is the nature of Metals, touching the propagation and
encrease of which their proper seeds and roots are requisite. What
I pray are those Tinctures, (one onely particle of which and that
no bigger than a Pea, being cast on an whole pound of Tin or Lead,
transmuteth that same Metal into pure good Gold, and changeth and
augmenteth it self (as being the true seed of Metals) a thousand fold,
out of so gross and earthly a body into so noble and so golden a nature
in so short a space of time,) what (I say) are those Tinctures, but the
very seeds of Metals, and the very metallick roots. But by what means
they are to be obtained, and to be brought under a Man’s power, for my
part I do not know. But yet I could not but deliver my simple opinion
and conceptions concerning this thing, to the studious of Art.
’Tis certain that all Metals have their rise out of one and the same
Seed, but that they differ so very much amongst themselves, and that
one becomes more ripe than another, is to be imputed to the diversity
of accidents. In one and the same Tree are produced Blossoms, and small
Fruits of an unpleasant tast; then afterwards bitter and immature ones,
and at length ripe and sweet ones, and are not alike either in form,
odour, or savour, nor are they of like effects, and yet do they all
arise out of one beginning, _viz._ out of their Seed and Root. So is it
even with Metals.
For as touching their Seed I do verily believe, that if from the
most soft and as yet most immature Metals, such as _Zink_, Lead,
Tin, Antimony, Bismute, Cobolt, _&c._ their stinking combustible and
superfluous Sulphur, could by some Bath or other be so taken away, as
that nothing may remain save onely a most pure Mercury, that then I say
such a Mercury, or such a Seed of Metals may be easily transmuted by
pure Gold, as being the most pure Root of Metals into a true Tincture.
But to turn common Salt into Salt Peter, the operation is thus.
Take one part of black or of any other common Salt, and mix it with two
or three parts of _Calx-vive_ being reduced into Powder by lying in the
Air, and lay it in such a place as lies open to the Air and Sun-beams,
but yet keeps off the Rain, as we have taught in the Appendix.
Moisten this heap with the above said _Lixivium_ of Salt Peter, and
being dried, repeat the moistening and drying so long, untill the
ferment shall have converted all the common Salt and turned it into
inflamable Salt Peter, the which doth either sooner or later happen,
according as the operation hath been the more diligently or negligently
handled. All being turned into Salt Peter, let an extraction be made
with common Water, as the usual custom is, and lay the Reliques in
the aforesaid place, and again moisten them with the said _Lixivium_
as afore, or in defect thereof sprinkle them with common Water, still
moistening them after each drying, untill there be a new encrease of
Salt Peter begotten, the which you are to wash off with common Water.
And so this operation proceeds, or holds on even to infinity.
XXIV. _Another far more compendious way of converting common Salt,
by the help of fixt Salt Peter into excellent Salt Peter._
Mix some certain weight of common Salt dissolved _per se_ in common
Water, and as much of fixt Salt Peter likewise dissolved in common
Water, mix them in a wooden Vessel; in which Vessel the fixt Salt Peter
being as it were a ferment will seize upon the common Salt, and turn it
by fermentation into excellent Salt Peter.
He that desires a more mature Salt Peter may instead of the solution
of common Salt, pour upon the fixt Salt Peter _Lixivium_, those
sharp waters of Salt Peter, which have already been used about
other labours, and they will seize upon that _Lixivium_ with a more
vehement operation, so that of both the solutions as well the acid and
spiritual, as the fixt and corporeal Peter, there will be gotten in a
few hours space, the most excellent Salt Peter and such as cannot be by
any other way whatsoever purchased.
_N. B._ If any one has a mind of getting a greater quantity of Salt
Peter, he may first dissolve his common Salt in the sharp Water of Salt
Peter, and [mix it] in that self same _Lixivium_, [_viz._ of Peter,]
and after the mixing of these two contrary solutions evaporate the
common Water, that the Salt Peter may shoot into Crystals, of which
there will indeed be a greater quantity, but then it will not be so
good as that which was made by the first operation.
XXV. _Another gainfull way of making good and burning Salt Peter
out of common Salt, by the help of fixt Salt Peter._
Commix equal parts of the _Scoria_’s of fixt Salt Peter that you have
used, and of the common Kitchin Salt together, and add thereunto twice
as much _Calx-vive_ first reduced into Powder by lying in the Air, [as
they both weigh.] Of this mixture make up round Balls, and so pile or
stow them with Wood, that it may be a _Stratum Superstratum_, [or a Bed
of each orderly,] as the Chymists call it. Kindle your pile of Wood and
let all your Balls be red hot for an hour: And the fixt Salt Peter will
by a wonderfull inversion transmute the nature of the common Salt, and
turn it into Salt Peter, but yet not inflamable till the Salts have
been moistned some due time, and so attracted a life out of the Air,
and made fit to conceive a flame, or to burn.
_N. B._ If instead of Rain water you use such Waters as you have
already used and extracted your Minerals withall, to moisten your mass
with, then will you thence get in some few Weeks space, an inflamable
Salt Peter.
But forasmuch as in the extraction of Minerals and separation of
Metals, there will be such a great quantity of sharp nitrous Waters,
and likewise of fixt Salt Peter offer themselves for the accomplishment
of this operation, and so great a benefit and gain is gotten by that
so plentifull an augmentation of your Salt Peter (which hath already
Sufficiently profitably paid your costs) out of vile and common Salt;
hence clearly follows, that all those hitherto described labours and
operations are effected, in a manner without any costs or expences,
which is indeed an unheard of thing, but yet most true, and exceeds the
belief of ignorant Men.
XXVI. _The reduction of Silver extracted out of the Minerals, and
freed from the =Aq. Fortis= by abstraction, [or drawing off the
said =Aq. Fortis=.]_
The Silver from which _Aq. Fortis_ has been drawn by Distillation,
needs not any matter to help on fusibility, for as much as it doth
of its own nature admit of a very easie Flux; but that the Fugitive
Spirits that adhere unto it would carry away somewhat of the same.
So now, to prevent this discommodity, you may add unto such a Silver
a little of the fixt Salt separated out of the _Lixivium_ [of fixt
Peter,] the which Salt Alkaly will mortifie the acid spirits so, that
they shall not be able to carry off any thing at all in the melting.
XXVII. _The reduction of extracted Copper._
If the Copper be not mixt with any other Metals, and be but little in
quantity, it may be reduced so in Crucibles by it self, but if it be in
a plentifull quantity it may be done by blast.
But where it contains Iron or _Lapis Calaminaris_, (which two the
Minerals [of Copper] do frequently abound withall) there it admits not
of reduction per se without the help of other matters, because of the
Iron, _Zink_, or _Calaminaris_; which Minerals associating themselves
with the Copper, in the melting are wont to make it brittle. But this
inconveniency may be prevented the following way.
XXVIII. _The way of making Copper, which hath Iron in it malleable
by reduction._
Mix such Copper as hath in it _Lapis Calaminaris_ or Iron, with common
Salt, and put it in a Crucible and melt it, that so the Salt may
associate or draw unto it self the Iron or _Lapis Calaminaris_ out of
the Copper, and turn them into _Scoria_’s, leaving the Copper, which
will settle to the bottom and go into a _Regulus_.
XXIX. _By what means Copper is to be separated from the Silver, if
they are both together extracted out of the Mines, and the Silver
has not been precipitated out of the solution by the Water of
Salt, but the dissolving =Menstruum= hath been abstracted from
them so conjoyned both together._
If the Silver be more in quantity than the Copper, then the Copper is
easily extracted out of the other by the Water of Salt wherein a little
Tartar hath been dissolved. For Salt and Tartar do readily dissolve
Copper, and leave the Silver.
But if the Copper bear the Bell, and there be more of that than
the Silver, then will it be better to precipitate the Silver first
by the Water of Salt, out of the first extraction of the Minerals;
and afterwards the Copper will be likewise freed by abstracting the
dissolving _Menstruum_, insomuch that each of these two Metals are
gotten apart.
XXX. _If the extracted Copper comprehends in it any Gold, by what
means the Gold may be therefrom separated._
Albeit if a solution of _Saturn_ or _Lune_ being poured on the
dissolved Copper, and well shook with the same solution will fish
out some Gold, yet it gets not all unless it be debilitated by some
_Lixivium_. But now the _Lixivium_ being poured thereunto that so the
solvent being debilitated may the easier let go its Gold thereby, hath
with it this inconveniency, _viz._ that the solvent is made wholly
unprofitable to be used about any more extractions. Nay more, there’s
also this discommodity, that if an error be committed by pouring on a
little more _Lixivium_ than is expedient, there will also precipitate
some of the Copper together with the Gold.
To prevent therefore these inconveniencies, the solution of the Copper
which contains in it Gold, is to be drawn off even unto driness, in my
secret and by me invented distilling Vessel, in which Vessel it may
easily and in great plenty be done; and the following _Menstruum_ which
dissolveth onely Copper and not Gold is to be poured upon the dried
matter, that the Copper may be dissolved, and the Gold (be it either
much or little) may remain in the bottom undissolved. The dissolved
Copper may be precipitated out of the Water with a _Lixivium_, whereto
is added some of the Liqour of Flints, and be washt and dried, and with
strong Vinegar be turned into a most delicate Verdigreace. The Water
that is thus made use of, if it be poured on Alkalizated Salts yields
good Salt Peter.
He that does not much regard that green colour may separate the
dissolvent from the Copper by Distillation, and again use the same for
the like dissolving of new Copper.
But now there must be in the Copper So much Gold as to quit the costs
of this labour, and to prove gainfull; otherwise it is better to leave
the Gold with the Copper than to buy it at so dear a rate.
XXXI. _The making of such a =Menstruum= as dissolveth the Copper
and drives from it self, or precipitates the Gold._
This dissolvent is no other than _Aq. Fortis_, wherein a little Tartar
is dissolved. For the Tartar being an enemy to the Gold, is wont to
precipitate the Gold out of the solutions like as common Salt doth
Silver out of _Aq. Fortis_. By this way may all the Copper be easily
separated from the Gold, concerning which, more shall be spoken in its
due place.
XXXII. _Another reduction of Copper that hath Gold in it, and the
perfect separation of the Copper from the Gold._
Add to such Copper that hath Gold in it, some Silver, and melt it
with so much _Regulus_ of Antimony as is twice the weight of the said
Metals thus together taken. Separate the said _Regulus_ together with
the Copper from the Silver by the addition of Salt Peter, that so the
Silver may retain with the Gold that was in the Copper, the which is
to be afterwards separated if it be worth the while. Now it is not
necessary presently to separate it, forasmuch as it is far better
many times to abstract such a Copper that has Gold therein from such
a Silver, that so the Silver may be enriched with a great quantity of
Gold by so many abstractions; the which abstractions require but very
little costs besides the charges of the Fire and Crucibles.
For all the Salt Peter used hereabouts, together with all the Copper
and all the _Regulus_ of Antimony may be thencefrom again recovered, by
him who rightly knows the precipitation. Besides, there lies hid under
this operation, some great matter as concerning the amending of the
Metals. For it is a way of arriving to the knowledge of impregnating
all Silver by Copper, with Gold, and Copper it self with Silver;
concerning which thing there are more instructions to be found in other
places of my Writings.
These things may at present suffice, touching the reduction of the
Metals extracted out of the poor Mines, and [concerning those things
which by reason of the hasty Edition of the Appendix to the fifth part
of the prosperity of _Germany_ were omitted therein;] the which defects
the well minded Reader may from hence supply.
XXXIII. _A brief description of the above mentioned artificial
Instrument, by the help whereof the spirits necessary for the
extraction of the Metals out of the poor Mines that contain in
them Gold, Silver and Copper, are plentifully prepared, the
Minerals themselves extracted, and the dissolving =Menstruums=,
again easily separated from the Metals._
This incomparable and by me newly found out Instrument, being most
profitable and commodious for the easie extractions of Metals, and
preparations of the dissolving _Menstruums_, is made of a peculiar
earth, and is almost of the figure or likeness of a Bakers Oven, and is
either of a bigger or lesser size, according to the quantity any one
has a mind to labour in; In the forepart it hath a Door, and in the
end [or top] or very near it, it hath an Outlet. To the Cover serving
instead of an Alembick, a great receiving Vessel is to be fitted,
fit for the reception of the outgoing spirits. After that the Furnace
is heated, the prepared Salts being put in peculiar Pots or Crucibles
made of the best earth are to be put with a pair of Tongs prepared for
this peculiar use into the Instrument, and all the spirits will be
drawn off with a speedy Distillation. Now there is no danger here of
breaking the Instruments, and the Distillation may be done in the space
of one or two hours, how great a quantity soever of Salt was used to
the Distillation. When the Distillation is over, the Pots that were put
into that Instrument or Furnace are to be again taken out with your
Tongs, and presently other Pots filled with Salts are to be put in the
room of them you took out, and the spirits again driven out by a new
Distillation. This labour may be kept on as long as one pleaseth, or as
long as he hath any matter to distill withall; because the Vessel never
cools as long as the Distillation is continued. This Furnace therefore
is most notably fit for the Distillation of a great quantity of Salts,
and that by a labour which is so exceeding speedily finished.
The same way of Distillation is to be observed in the extraction of
Minerals or Metalline Earths, the which can be far sooner extracted and
far speedier this way, than by that described in the Appendix which is
to be done by heating the Glasses.
After the same manner is the dissolving _Menstruum_ it self speedily
again abstracted from the extracted Metals, and being thereby preserved
without any loss is to be applied to farther use. This Instrument
therefore doth so compendiously and easily dispatch all those said
labours, that (set aside your Fire and Salt) the plentifull making your
spirits, the abundant extraction of the Minerals, and the separation of
your _Menstruum_’s from the extracted Metals and its preservation, are
in a manner done without any costs.
XXXIV. _Now follows an explication of some secrets effected by the
help of my =Sal. Mirabilis=, concerning which there is mention
made in the second part of =Miraculum Mundi=._
It is clearly evident from many places of my Writings, and principally
in the second part of _Miraculum Mundi_ that my _Sal. Mirabilis_ is
diversly prepared; hence it follows of course, that the use thereof is
different. For it hath one use when (after the spirit is thencefrom
distilled) it is taken out of the Cucurbit, and hath as yet a corrosive
nature. Contrarily, it hath another kind of use when this corrosive
Salt is dissolved in common Water, and filtred, and set in the cold,
that so the best part thereof may shoot into long Crystals, which
having no corrosive power, serve for a peculiar use. It hath likewise
another use when it is deprived of all corrosivity and turned into a
sweetness, as I have shown in many places of my Writings. This is to be
known by such as would use it, for this or that labour, that so they
may commit no error, but be thereby rendred Masters of their desires
the more easily.
We will therefore make inspection into some of those principal secrets
which are declared in the second part of _Miraculum Mundi_, and examine
whether or no they can be effected after the same manner I prescribed?
XXXV. _By what means any Water, Wine, Ale, Vinegar and other
liqours may be coagulated in a few hours space into hard pieces
like Ice, by the =Sal. Mirabilis=._
For such a coagulation of all watery and moist things, well edulcorated
(as the Chymists phrase is) _Sal. Mirabilis_ is to be taken and such
as is shot into long Crystals, prepared of an equal weight of Salt and
good Oil of Vitriol, because a most great driness ariseth from the Oil
of Vitriol.
Such an excellently well prepared _Sal. Mirabilis_, and which is shot
into long Crystals, is to be reduced (by calcination in the Sun) into
a fine powder, that so it may lose all its moistness and yet not melt.
For if it melts, then it would need grinding again; one part of this
calcined _Sal. Mirabilis_ is able to coagulate three parts of Water,
Wine, Ale, or any other liqour which it is mixed withall, into a dry
matter like to Ice, insomuch that it may be carried in a Sack or a
Sieve full of holes.
But what use such a coagulation may serve for, would be too tedious
to declare in this place. Any one will find what use is to be thereof
made, if he well meditates upon the thing.
XXXVI. _The separation of the Water, Wine, or Ale, from the =Sal.
Mirabilis=._
The coagulated liquors may be commodiously separated from the _Sal.
Mirabilis_ by Distillation; but the aquosity of the coagulated Wine and
Ale are to be separated onely by Distillation, and the grosser part
remains behind in the Cucurbit with the Salt. But the _Sal. Mirabilis_
is by calcination, again freed from all impurity, and again made white
and fit for any other such like new effect.
_N. B._ I doubt not but that there are other ways of coagulating watery
liqours into Ice, concerning which we shall say somewhat in their due
place.
XXXVII. _How the sharp spirits of Salts, as =Aq. Fortis=, =Aq.
Regis=, Spirit of Salt, Spirit of Vitriol, of Allum, and the like
may be coagulated into hard Salts, not unlike to frozen Water._
This coagulation of sharp Spirits out of Salts, is done the same way as
the coagulation of common Water, and other sweet liqours is performed
by; but the separation ought to be done in Vessels of the best Earth,
or in Glass, because of their sharpness. And certain it is, that with
these coagulated Spirits of Salts many things of great moment may be
done, the mentioning whereof we for brevity sake do here pass over.
For I have purposed to demonstrate at this time, some secrets onely
which are mentioned in the second part of _Miraculum Mundi_, and to
assert the truth of them.
By these two described coagulations any one may easily learn that the
coagulation of other moist things are possible to be done.
XXXVIII. _How the head of a fountain may be stopped up by this
=Sal. Mirabilis=._
It sometimes happens that there breaks out a Spring of Waters in some
places where it proves offensive and hurtfull. And forasmuch as they
are sometimes very difficult to be stopt up, I will set down a way in
this place of stopping it by _Sal Mirabilis_, but chiefly to this end,
that the nature and property of things may be throughly learned, and
besides, that even Arts and Sciences themselves do sometime bring no
small help, especially when no counsel avails. Take therefore of your
_Sal Mirabilis_, heated red hot as much as is sufficient, wrap it up in
a linnen cloth and thrust it into the hole of the Fountain, and it will
be turned with the Water into an hard Stone, and thereby enforceth the
Fountain to seek it self some other passage.
XXXIX. _The way of separating the Phlegm from subtile Spirits._
Because the Volatile and sulphureous Spirits of Salts are of great
efficacy in Medicine, and principally when their Phlegm or aqueous
humidities are removed from them, the which thing every one can’t bring
to pass, I have therefore judged it worth while, even for the sake of
the Sick, to discover an easie way of so doing, by my _Sal. Mirabilis_
as follows.
Fill a Glass Cucurbit half full with _Sal. Mirabilis_, pour thereupon
the Volatile Spirit of Vitriol, Niter, or common Salt, and distill
thence by B. the most subtile Spirit, the which will come off, and
leave the unprofitable Phlegm behind with the _Sal. Mirabilis_, the
which (by heating red hot) you may again render fit for new operations.
XL. _Another and easier way, yea even almost an incredible and
miraculous one of freeing Wine, Ale, Vinegar, Brandy, and all
other moist liquors from their unprofitable Phlegm in a moment of
time, by my =Sal. Mirabilis=._
The precedent coagulation of moist liquors ariseth from that most great
driness which lies hid in the _Sal. Mirabilis_. But this way we now
deliver, proceedeth from the concentrated cold of moist Fires, which
Fires we have treated of in the first Century, and ’tis thus.
Take one pound of the abovesaid _Sal. Mirabilis_, put it in a strong
Glass, and pour thereupon two parts or pounds of the con-centrated and
cold Fire of some Salts, whether it be of Vitrol, or common Salt, or
Salt Peter, whose Fire excells the Fires of other Salts; and let them
lie quiet for some hours, and there will be made an Icy mass of them
both, the which you shall in the Winter time set out in the Snow or
in some cold place which by how much the colder so much the better;
where the longer it abides in the cold, the more will the cold Fire be
con-centrated, and consequently so much the greater matters may by such
a con-centrated body be effected.
XLI. _The receiving or catching the breath of Men, as they sit in
some warm Stove, and the changing it into the form of Ice._
If thou hast a mind to create a kind of admiration amongst thy Guests
or Friends when they are with thee, and to give them some profitable
recreation, you may accomplish your desire the following way.
Carry with thee a Glass full of the moist Fire of Salt, and which
is coagulated by the _Sal. Mirabilis_, and hath stood some hours in
the cold, into the warm Stove, and hang it up over the Table by a
thread or small line, when your Guests are set at the Table, and when
they ask you what this signifies, you may tell them that you will for
their Recreations sake, shew them some pleasant diversion; after they
have made an end of eating and drinking. Upon this they will all of
them have a desire to see those tricks and ever now and then cast up
their eyes upon the Glass. But after that the Glass has there hang’d
a minute or half minutes space, the breath of the Men that sit about
it will presently apply it self to the Glass, and stick on to the
outside thereof like Snow, and cover it all over; and thicken more and
more, insomuch that in a short time it will have a thick and hoary
beard, all about consisting of natural Ice; and will so long keep on
its encreasing as the con-centrated cold lasts in the Glass. Then at
length the Glass growing a little hot, after the internal cold of the
con-centrated Fire is consumed, that Icy beard begins again to melt and
being resolved, to distill into a Water, for the receiving of which
distilling drops some Vessel is to be set under. This is a wonderfull
Distillation of Men’s breath, which coming out of their mouths in their
discoursing, is reduced by the concentrated Fire of Salt into Ice, and
at length, again into Water by the heat of the Stove.
This so speedy an operation or transmutation of a moist and watery
vapour into natural Ice, seems indeed at the outside view to be but a
vile and unprofitable thing; but if it be but well minded by the sight
of the internal mind, it not onely begets a most great admiration, but
withall opens the most excellent knowledge of natural things.
Such as greedily hunger after Gold will say, what benefit comes from
these tricks? had Gold but distilled from the Glass we would have saved
it, what need we any Water? or if it had been noble or generous Wine,
we could have prized such an ingenious knack, and drunk it off. Take
away that filthy Water and bring us the gallant Wine. Such discourse
as this, let one of thy Friends purposely utter, being thereto first
suborned by thee, that so thou maist the more delight the rest of thy
Friends that are ignorant of these things, by thy presently satisfying
him that is so desirous of Wine, saying, that if thy Friends and Guests
do desire better Wine, thou art ready to draw it them. Upon this, thy
Guests will diligently listen and desire to see what better Wine thou
wilt draw them out of thy Celler. The chiefest of these will well know
that thou hast not in thy Cellar such variety of Wines.
In the mean while, have ready some small Glasses which contain some
Ounces, filled with the concentrated Fires of Salts, and well shut and
strings tied ready unto them; now when thou hast a mind to give them a
relish of thy Art of bettering Wines, and rendring them more generous,
command a Cann of common Wine to be brought thee, and give it to thy
Guests to drink. But now when they shall perceive that it is the same
sort of Wine they had formerly, and that thou hast not given them any
better, thou shalt satisfie them by the following way.
XLII. _A momentary operation of rendring any common Wine more
generous, and exceedingly bettered by the cold Fires of Salts;
and that in the presence of many Men._
Command one of those Glasses prepared for this purpose to be brought
unto thee, and let it down by the thread into the Glass full of Wine,
which being done, the con-centrated cold that lies in thy little Glass,
which thou hang’st in the greater one of Wine will draw to it self
the watery and unprofitable parts of the Wine, and change it into an
incipid Ice. And by how much the longer you leave that little Glass in
your Wine, so much the more Water will be drawn there out of, and the
Wine will be made the more generous thereby. But the sooner you take
it out, the less Water will be separated; so that out of one Cann of
Wine you may by this means give your Guests several sorts of Wine to
drink, or rather may let them better the Wine themselves even according
to their pleasure. For by this operation the unprofitable Water being
drawn out of the Wine and turned into Ice, is separated and taken
away; part therefore of the Water being taken away, the remainder must
necessarily be much more efficacious and more sweet than it was afore,
when it had Water conjoyned as yet with it.
A Master of a Family using this Artifice may make for himself and his
Guests, divers Wines though drawn out of one Barrel.
Now such a secret is not onely full of Curiosity, but also of profit,
and may prove helpfull and do much good several ways. I could if need
required declare a thousand conveniencies, and Commodities proceeding
therefrom. But because I judge it needless to spend time in declaring
them, I will at present mention onely some few, remitting the rest
to the following Centuries, in which shall be made mention of them
according as the [matter and] time requires or permits.
XLIII. _The amending of any midling or smallish Ale in the Winter
Season, as well at Home as Abroad._
It sometimes happens that a Master of a Family hath but onely one sort
of Wine or of Ale in his Cellar, the which he is accustomed to drink,
and puts not in his Cellar any better Wine or Ale either by reason
of poverty, or else because the Cellar lies open to every body, both
Men-servants and Maid-servants, and they will to the best Tap, and so
he fears it will be too chargeable.
But forasmuch as old Men’s Stomachs, when they sometimes feed on
Stock-fish dried, or on Martelmas Beef, or Fish, by reason of its
debility through old Age, cannot perform its office of Concoction:
The Ale or Wine may by the help of this secret be presently rendred
stronger, especially in the Winter Season, in which Season a warmer
and stronger draught of Ale and Wine is more beneficial than in the
former months, and then they can better brook the want of the same. But
some may object and say, where shall I get such a concentrated cold as
may enable me to extract the Water out of the Wine? hereunto I answer
that there will be many that will prepare it for time to come and will
spare it to others; and yet no body needs so great a quantity thereof
neither. If a Master of a Family hath but one onely half pound of the
same, he may use it his whole life time, if he but keep it so as that
the Glass break not and spill it. For when he hath taken away the Water
of one or two Pots of Ale or Wine, let him remove the Ice from the
Glass, and set it again in the cold till he needs it. For such a cold
concentrating Magnet always keeps its virtues, and is never corrupted,
but always fit for the effecting of many wonderfull things.
_N. B._ If you have not those fires of Salts the heavy Oil of Vitriol,
Oil of Salt, or _Aq. Fortis_ may be used hereabout; but yet these Oils
do not in any comparison perform what those concentrated Fires of Salts
are able to effect. But however they demonstrate the thing it self
though they bring no great store of profit, and this any one may easily
understand.
For there is a great difference betwixt the watery and not watery
Fires of Salts, any common and simply bare Water cannot become so cold
as the Water of any Salt, and this Salt-water cannot be so cold as a
common Spirit of Salt, nor can this Spirit by any means arrive to that
degree of cold as a concentrated Spirit usually attains to. So a skin
of Leather is never so cold as Wood, nor Wood as a Stone, nor a Stone
as an heavy Metal; the difference proceeding from the thickness of the
compaction, for verily any thing will concentrate the more cold or heat
and fix it with it self, by how much the compacter and thicker body
it shall be of. For it is the property of a concentrated cold to kill
a thing and to make it hard and stiff. Contrarywise a concentrated
heat gives a speedy life, and correction, and emendation, and this
experience it self teacheth.
O happy Man is he that can make a Metalline Salt as compact and thick,
and heavy as a Metal, and can by conserving it a due time in the heat
of the Fire, that the heat may by little and little and gradually be
concentrated and fixed therein, make it fusile. Without doubt such an
one would get a Tincture that would cure the most grievous Diseases,
and change the imperfect Metals into perfect. For it is the Fire onely
that begets a maturity to any thing, and by how much the stronger and
greater the Fire is so much the speedier and better amending of any
thing may be expected.
These things which I have here briefly declared are of greater moment,
dignity, and weight than any one can believe; and besides there’s no
doubt but that there will shortly some step forth, who will without
any fear testifie the verity of Art, by changing imperfect Metals and
turning them into pure Gold; so common will Alchymy become in this Age,
which was neither heard of nor seen before in this World. Nay more, Men
will make this Art so familiar unto them that they will not much esteem
even of particular Tinctures.
But why God permits such things to be done, is to us wholly unknown,
thus much we see onely, that doubtless there will follow some great
change in the World; happy shall they be who having the fear of God
before their eyes, and are of a pure mind, cannot be hurt by the Devil
nor Sin his Mother.
XLIV. _Wherein this secret is beneficial to those that travel in
the Winter Season._
Necessity doth sometimes enforce old Men to undertake a Journey in the
Winter, which, if no urgent hast forceth, may be so ordered that at
Noon and Night quiet rest may be always taken in such a place in which
is plenty of Meat and Drink.
But if so be that an urgency of occasion requires a going on forward,
whether one ride on Horseback, or in a Coach or Waggon, and that either
the Snow render the way difficult, or some Wheel of the Waggon be by
chance broken, and so the journying Person hindred from coming to the
place aimed at in the appointed time, he is sometimes by this means
constrained to turn aside to a poor Peasants lodging, or if his fortune
be a little more favourable, he is necessitated to Inn in some poor
Village, where he can neither meet with Wine or good Ale; he now that
thus journieth may out of the poor Wine or Ale make himself better Wine
or Ale, and the better provide for his health if he hath about him,
such a magnet in some small Glass that attracteth Ice to it.
XLV. _What profit those that sail in the Sea may have by this
secret._
It may so happen that a Man taking Ship with hopes of arriving in a
short space of time to the end of his Voyage, though he has some little
of good Wine or Ale, may be enforced if the Wind prove contrary to stay
longer upon the Sea; his good Wine therefore and his Ale being spent,
he may make that small Beer in the Ship which the common Marriners
drink of, better, and preserve his own health.
XLVI. _How by the help of this secret the unprofitable Phlegm of
Brandy made of Corn may be taken away, that so it may become
equal to the spirit that is made of the lees of Wine._
To the effecting of this business there is required a greater Magnet,
which may remove that Phlegm then needed to the Wine or Ale, because
Brandy is of an hotter nature than Wine or Ale, which do more willingly
let go their wateriness than adust Wine is wont to do.
XLVII. _By what means the superfluous waterishness is to be taken
away from the weaker or waterisher Vinegar, that so it may be
made stronger._
The waterishness of the weaker or more aqueous sort of Vinegar doth
suffer it self to be more easily extracted by the help of that
Ice-attracting Magnet, and the rather because it, _viz._ the Vinegar
puts on an Icy form much sooner than any other Drinks.
XLVIII. _It may be quæried whether or no this bettering of Wine, Ale,
Vinegar, Brandy, and other Drinks, and rendring them stronger and
sweeter, may be done in great plenty, or whether it is to be accounted
of as a curiosity onely?_
For answer, verily it is a most excellent secret most aptly satisfying
the curious inquiry of mortal Men, which the World as yet never knew,
and yet it can effect such unheard of things, which it is not necessary
that they should be divulged.
As touching the plentifull separation of Water from Wine, Ale, or other
Drinks [in great quantity] the same may be done and that with profit,
and in some places bring no small gain to him who knows how rightly
and artificially to accomplish the same. I have done enough as to my
affairs in laying it open; we must not boil meat for the slothfull and
thrust it into their mouths. Let them get it themselves if they will,
and rightly take care of their own matters.
XLIX. _Whether or no likewise a great quantity of cold Fires out of
Salts may be easily prepared._
For answer, yes, so great a quantity of them may be prepared as a Man
would wish for, or as his necessity shall enforce him to desire. But
because such cold Fires of Salts are the effecters of admirable and
incredible things which the World never knew of, therefore the copious
preparing and getting of them deserves to be concealed. Let therefore
every one be content with those things which I have published in the
first Century: haply in process of time more may follow.
L. _How my =Sal Mirabilis= can free watery Oils of their
superfluous humidity._
Mix one pound of this my _Sal Mirabilis_ reduced by warmth into a fine
Powder, with ten or twenty pounds of good Oil Olive, or new Linseed
Oil; the _Sal Mirabilis_ is to be commixt warm with the Oil, and
being well stirred about with it, draws to it self all the Water, and
settles to the bottom of the Vessel, from which the clear Oil is to be
separated by pouring it off; and all the Water and impurity of the Oil
is to be severed from the _Sal Mirabilis_, that so it may be recovered
and be again profitable for such like operations.
LI. _The way of taking off the mustiness or stink from a Vessel
corrupted or grown musty by lying, that it may be again fit to
put more Wine into._
Smear over the inside hollowness of such a Vessel with the concentrated
moist Fire of Salt, that it may be every where wetted, and sprinkle
thereupon so much of the _Sal Mirabilis_ as will stick thereunto.
For so that cold Fire of concentrated Salt, with the attracted
_Sal Mirabilis_ will become hard and not run, and stick on to the
Vessel; and that said Fire will in a few days space burn up all the
mouldiness and stinch, just as if the common Fire of Wood had been
used thereabouts. The Vessel being washed with boiling Water is again
rendred fit and convenient to put Wine into.
This operation is not here taught for some stinking Vessels sake that
is not worth the while, but to this end, that other secrets of greater
moment, and which are profitable, may be learned thereby and known.
For under these operations lie hidden many wonderfull things, and such
as the greatest part of the Readers will not consider. But to what end
is it to light up a Torch before such Men, that are left by God in
blindness and darkness, and hath not vouchsafed to bestow on them any
Eyes.
LII. _The manner of preferring all kinds of Fruits, Eggs, Onions,
and other moist Fruits of the ground a long time from corrupting._
The sweet or dulcified _Sal Mirabilis_ is to be well dried by the help
of the Fire, and being put in some Vessel with Fruits, Eggs or such
like, with a thick and close laying [or bed of one upon the other] doth
by its driness so preserve all things, and by its attracting virtue of
all corrupting humidity, that for a long time they feel not the least
corruption.
LIII. _Question. Why doth the =Sal Mirabilis=, which Corn has been
macerated withall afore its sowing, and some whereof is mixed
with the Earth, [or sown] attract the Rain, coagulate it, and
hold it with it self longer than other Salts?_
For answer, this is to be imputed to its most great driness which it
abounds withall.
LIV. _The preparation of the =Sal Mirabilis=, so as that it may
become an universal Medicine for all Vegetables._
The _Sal Mirabilis_ as it is of it self, is by reason of its corroding
virtues which it as yet retains plainly unfit for the multiplication
of the Vegetables, for that being so used would prove more hurtfull
than profitable. Upon this account it is necessary that to one part of
it be added two parts by weight, of the best _Calx-vive_, which being
moistened with Water and made up into Balls, are to be well heated red
hot for an hour, that so all the corrosivity being introverted the
_Sal Mirabilis_ may be Alkalizated, and used to the Vegetables for an
universal Medicine; for it conserves its attracting force, and loseth
it not in the heating red hot.
LV. _What’s the reason that Wood lying long in the Water wherein
=Sal Mirabilis= is dissolved, is turned into an hard Stone?_
For answer, this operation is to be ascribed to the incredible
astringent property and nature, that the _Sal Mirabilis_ is endued
withall.
LVI. _To reduce an half dead Tree to life again by the help of =Sal
Mirabilis=, that it may revive and begin again to sprout out._
Mix with the digged up Earth, with which the Roots of the Trees are
covered, one, two, three or more pounds of the _Sal Mirabilis_,
according to the bigness or littleness of the Tree, and again, cover
over the Roots with the same, and pour upon the Earth it self, some
Rain water, that being thereby moistned, the Roots may the better
partake of the Salt that is mixed with it.
By this means, the Tree will attract to it self the Medicine or good
nutriment out of the Salt, and will be cherished and refreshed just as
a piece of bread or other food being given to an hunger-starv’d Man
restores him his strength again.
LVIII. _How by the help of =Sal Mirabilis= most hard and insoluble
subjects may be very easily dissolved._
Let the nature and property of a Char-coal of Wood be considered, the
which is such, as that if it be kept in the greatest Fire for many
years, and all external air kept out from it; it will neither ever
melt, nor ever lose ought of its body, but will come out again in the
very same form as it had at your putting it into the Fire.
So likewise a Wood coal is able to endure an hundred, yea a thousand
years in the Earth, Water, or even the most sharp corrosive Waters
unhurt. This so most sharp a tryal, neither Gold nor Silver though
they be the purest and most constant are able to undergo. And although
a Coal be thus durable, yet nevertheless will I dissolve it in half
an hours space, and convert it into a red fusile Salt, which is
dissolvable with Water, and yields a wonderfull liquor which is the
effecter of incredible operations both in Medicine and in Alchymy.
LIX. _What =Sal Mirabilis= is to be used to dissolve the Coles._
The _Sal Mirabilis_ is diversly prepared, as appears in the second part
of _Miraculum Mundi_; but what way soever it be prepared by, it may
be commodiously applied to the solution of Char-coals, nor needeth it
any farther preparation, but even just so as it is taken out of the
Cucurbit and is as yet corrosive is to be used to dissolve all things.
LX. _The manner of reducing any Char-coal in half an hours space to
its first matter, that is, into a sulphureous Salt, by the =Sal
Mirabilis=._
Melt two or three ounces of _Sal Mirabilis_ in some Pot or Crucible,
and throw in a peice of Wood-coal or Char-coal, and cover the Pot with
its Cover, and let it flow for one half hour, that so the Salt may
dissolve as much of that Coal as it can, and may leave the rest of it
which it cannot dissolve, undissolved. Then pour out your matter and
you shall find a red Stone of Salt, which being tasted upon the Tongue
burns it like Fire, as all Alkaly Salts do. For the corrosive force is
inverted by the Vegetable Sulphur, and changed into an Alkaly.
This red Carbuncle being dissolved in Water yields a green Solution,
which being filtred, and let stand still for some hours, appears of
a white colour, and being let alone quiet longer, acquireth a yellow
colour. One drop thereof gilds over an imperial as Sulphur does, if it
be therein put. For the Char-coal is no other thing but a Sulphur of
the same nature as the Mineral Sulphur is of, and penetrating all the
Metals, suffers it self to be fixed with them, and doth after another
manner perform all those things that the Mineral Sulphur is wont to do.
The very well skilled _Sendivow_ in his Dialogue concerning the Sulphur
of the Wise Men, saith he is strongly guarded, and sits Captive in a
dark Prison, and is not easily freed; but Salt gives him a deadly wound.
A Sulphur therefore sits in this black Coal in a dark and obscure
Prison, shut up with strong Bands, and is a Captive, nor can any one
free him from those Bands but onely Salt. But being once released out
of Prison, he is wont to come in view, and not before.
Thus now have we brought forth Sulphur out of his obscure Body. And now
will we also bring him forth to publick view.
LXI. _How the Vegetable Sulphur is to be made visible._
If you pour into the white Solution of the Coals some Acidity, as
Vinegar, Spirit of Salt, of Vitriol, or some _Aq. Fortis_, and that
leisurely and by little and little as much as is requisite for the
killing of the _Sal Alkaly_; the Sulphur will settle to the bottom like
a white Powder, which being separated from the Salts, and washt with
fair Water, and dried, will burn and exactly answer to the virtues of
the Mineral Sulphur.
LXII. _Another way demonstrating that a Mineral Sulphur lies hidden
in all Vegetables._
Put this green or white juice of the Wood or Coals expressed or
squeezed out by the Salt, in a Glass Cucurbit upon some _Sal.
Armoniack_ powdered, put on an Alembick and draw off all the moisture
by Distillation, in which Distillation the spirit of the _Sal.
Armoniack_ will bring over the Helm, the Vegetable Sulphur of a golden
colour. It is a most penetrative Spirit and of wonderfull efficacy in
Alchymy and Medicine, and this will easily be credited by him, who
knows its penetrating and graduating virtue and property, in which it
excels all other penetrative Spirits, you must keep it very warily
because it easily vanisheth.
LXIII. _There is yet another way of making the same Sulphur of
Coals visible._
When you have poured out our Carbuncle out of your melting Pot, beat
it into Powder and mix therewith half its weight of _Sal. Armoniack_
powdered, draw off by a Glass Retort, both matters exactly commixt by
Distillation, that the _Sal Armoniack_ may bring over with it that
Sulphur. Wash off this red matter drawn out by Sublimation, with common
Water, the which being freed from the _Sal. Armoniack_, is a Sulphur
inclining from its reddishness to a yellow colour, and is altogether
like to the Mineral Sulphur.
LXIV. _There is likewise another way of extracting the same Sulphur
out of Coals._
First of all, exactly melt the Coals by the _Sal Mirabilis_ in a
melting Pot, that the Salt may be accurately Alkalizated by the Coals,
and burn the Tongue like Fire. Then pour it forth and beat the Coals
into Powder and put them in a Glass, and pour upon them Spirit of Wine
freed from all its Phlegm. Then set the Glass in warm Sand and ever
and anon take it out and shake it well that the Spirit of Wine may
extract the Sulphur, and leave the Salt untoucht. Your Spirit being as
red as bloud, pour it out into another Glass, and again, pour on more
Spirit of Wine upon the matter, and repeat the former operation; these
pourings on, and cantings off are to be so often repeated, till the
Spirit of Wine when poured on will extract no more. Put all these red
extractions into a Glass Cucurbit, and separate the Spirit of Wine by a
B. and it will leave behind in the Cucurbit a sweet Oil of the colour
of bloud; a Medicine of so great moment in all Chronical Diseases, as
that none is to be preferred afore it. For this Sulphur is far better
than the Mineral Sulphur, which for the most part is mixt with some
Arsenical property, whereas this is extracted out of the Coals of Wood,
and is therefore far purer and necessarily more conducive to Man’s
health.
And as touching the whole operation of this precious balsamical
Sulphur, which is but little inferiour to potable Gold, the chief knack
of duely making it consisteth in this, _viz._ that the _Sal Mirabilis_
be well and accurately Alkalizated by the Coals. For if not, the Spirit
of Wine would dissolve the _Sal Mirabilis_, and would not extract the
Sulphur, nor would it answer thy wishes, if it be not deprived or
despoiled of all its humidity.
He that shall be well skilled in the due handling of this Operation,
will obtain a most excellent Medicine not much inferiour to potable
Gold, of a sweet and pleasant Tast, and of an admirably gratefull Odour
and Colour. By such a means as this, is extracted out of a dead Herb,
or dead Wood, its greenness in the first Solution made by Water; and
after the Extraction with Spirit of Wine, the most delicate red Colour
thereof, with a most sweet vegetable Odour; all which lay hidden in the
black Coal, and are again brought forth to light.
The use of this most delicate Oil of Sulphur is not small both as
to the metalline Operations and other Arts; and this so speedy a
putrefaction and revivification of the dead Vegetables into a living
medicine carries in its Intrails a great mystery.
LXV. _It may be demanded, whether or no the Coles themselves are
to be onely made use of for this revivification of the dead
Vegetables, and not the green or dry Wood they are made of, and
the Herbs too, may also be thus dealt with._
For answer, even the Herb it self, or the unburnt Wood it self may be
changed in a Crucible into a red Stone by the _Sal Mirabilis_. For the
operation tends to the same end be it Herb or Wood, green or dry, or
made into a Cole.
LXVI. _It may be queried, what Wood or what Herb being changed
after that same manner by the =Sal Mirabilis=, yields the most
excellent Medicine._
For answer, the Woods that are weightiest do excel all others; for they
are riper and have in them a better Sulphur, than those Woods or those
Herbs have which are lighter, and grow up in half a years time, the
older the Trees are, the more fit for medicine they are; such as are
the Roots of Vines, Juniper, Box, Beech, Oak, Cedar, and such like.
LXVII. _A Demonstration, that out of dead Herbs and such as are
again restored to life, may new Herbs be produced without the
addition of the Seed of other Herbs._
Fill some Pots with some Fertile Earth or Clay, void of all Herbs or
Seeds, and moisten it with the green or white Juice of the Coals.
If now you expose these to the Sun and Rain, there will spring up
thencefrom divers new and unknown Herbs.
LXVIII. _How by the help of =Sal Mirabilis=, Metals are to be
dissolved by the dry way, and to be converted into most excellent
Medicaments, and first of Gold._
When you would make your trial of Gold take a piece of golden Money,
and bow it, and add thereunto so much _Sal Mirabilis_ as may be 5, 6,
or 8 times the weight of the Gold. Melt it in a Wind Furnace, and pour
it out into a Vessel fit for to receive molten Metals; and you shall
find your Salt to be of a purple Colour. If all the Gold should not be
dissolved but some part thereof should settle to the bottom, separate
that _Regulus_ from the purple Salt, and dissolve your remaining Gold
in a Crucible with new _Sal Mirabilis_, that so all the Gold being
dissolved may colour the Salt with a purple Colour. With this purple
Salt may be performed many very profitable things, which appertain not
to this place. ’Mongst which those are chiefest which respect the
emendation or bettering of Metals, concerning which, I will here add
onely one Operation.
LXIX. _The graduating of any Iron into Gold by this purple Salt._
For the due performing of this, you are to have stone-like melting
Pots, and the best that can be, such as by no means may drink in the
Salt, or let it run through, for that the Solution of the Gold with the
Salt is otherwise wont to hide it self in such Pots as are not strong
enough.
If thou canst not get such, ’tis better for thee to abstain from this
labour, than to lose thy Gold, unless haply thou hast a mind to try the
possibility of the same.
If therefore thou desirest to encrease the _Quinta_, [or small
weight] of thy Gold which thou hast added to thy Salt, with some
Augmentation; put two or three _Quinta_’s of Iron bits or pieces into
a good Crucible, and having put thereto your purple Salt, melt it very
accurately for one half hour, in which time, the Gold will precipitate
it self out of the Salt into the Iron, and graduate some of it by
turning it into Gold. For whilst the purple Salt doth eat upon the
Iron and consume it, it doth together therewithall make some of it
participant of a golden Nature by graduation.
I do not insert this Operation here, to the end that by the help
thereof a Man should think of getting Masses of Gold, no; for the sole
end of my proposing it was this, that I might confirm the possibility
of the thing by ocular Demonstration.
Now as here the Iron is graduated by the help of the Gold or golden
Ferment, into Gold; so likewise may Copper be graduated and exalted
into pure Silver; by the application of a silvery Ferment, as followeth.
LXX. _The manner of exalting Copper into Silver._
Dissolve Silver in a Crucible by the _Sal Mirabilis_, made of
Salt-peter and Oil of Vitriol; in which Solution you shall get a green
Salt, fit for the graduating of Copper into Silver, after the same
manner as we taught but now of the Gold.
And albeit the Silver augmentation be not so great, yet the possibility
of the Art is thence apparent and demonstrateth, that one Metal admits
of being converted into another. But yet he that has good skill
in handling this labour, will, if he be fraught with good and apt
Crucibles, which can hold the _Sal Mirabilis_ and not swallow it up,
receive no small benefit by this same Operation. The _Scoria_ which
are remaining in this, and the precedent Operation are not to be
thrown away, but to be mixed with Litharge, that so being reduced by
blast, they may graduate the Lead, and enrich it with no contemptible
Portion of Gold and Silver. For great are the Vertues of this Salt
in graduations, which the Ancient Philosophers have openly enough
hinted at, saying that their Salt augments the redness of the Gold and
whiteness of the Silver, and that this is a thing most true, he who
shall in a due manner perform the Operation will learn that so it is,
by his own Experience.
But least an Errour should be committed and some of your Gold and
Silver lost, it is better that a Man exercise himself in making his
Experiments in the lesser Metals; and omit the dealing with Gold and
Silver so long till these lesser Metals make him a sufficiently
experienced Master for the dealing with the greater.
LXXI. _How Iron may be exalted into Copper in the melting by the
help of =Sal Mirabilis=._
Dissolve one or two whole Lots of Copper in melting it by _Sal
Mirabilis_, which Solution will yield thee a Salt enclining from a
green, to a black colour.
Into the same Pot which contains your Copper dissolved by the _Sal
Mirabilis_, put three or four Lots of bits of Iron, and adjoyn them
to the Copper dissolved in the _Sal Mirabilis_, and force it with the
Fire, so that they may be kept in flux together for one half hours
space. By this means the dissolved Copper will adhear to the Iron by
precipitation and exalt some particles of the Iron into Copper. All
being well molten, pour it out into your Cone that the Copper may
settle in a _Regulus_. The _Sal Mirabilis_ and Iron being turned into
a _Scoria_, are usefull for the inriching of Litharge, in the strong
melting by blast, with Gold and Silver.
_N. B._ If the Mercury of Saturn be mixed with these, or else with
those other _Scoria_’s which were left by the Gold and Silver and are
far better, and so be melted together with a strong Fire, the Lead
will be bettered and that by an encrease not to be contemned, and will
abundantly pay for the labour and costs. But yet I would not put any
one upon the undertaking of this work; except he be well versed with
meltings in Crucibles and without them, by the Bellows upon Hearths.
For I write not these things for young Beginners, but onely for such
who well know what belongs to the Art of melting.
But yet that he may have some manuduction into these labours, I will
declare the general use of the _Sal Mirabilis_ in the emendation of
Metals.
LXXII. _The universal use of =Sal Mirabilis= in the emendation of
Metals._
Though the wonderfull Salt of Art dissolveth all Metals, and conjoyneth
them in a spiritual manner as it were, and renders them efficacious
to better each the other in the Fire, yet is there a difference to be
observed in that thing, by him who desires to follow the nearest way,
and to decline all diversions, or goings about. For example.
He that has a mind to dissolve and conjoyn the Metals, Gold, Silver,
Lead, Copper, Tin, and Iron, by the _Sal Mirabilis_, that they may
display their virtues in operating to the perfection of each other,
must take for the Gold, Iron, Copper, and Tin, such a _Sal Mirabilis_
as being prepared of common Salt doth easily dissolve those Metals.
But now the same Salt used about Silver and Lead, would effect nothing
as to their Solution, because there is no familiarity or friendship
between common Salt, and Lune, and Lead, for it is an enemy to those
Metals, kills them, and reduceth them to nothing.
_N. B._ But when those Metals are by the help of Salt reduced into
their Mercuries, then may it come so to pass, as that they may be
conjoyned with Gold, Iron, Copper, and Tin; for without a foregoing
preparation, they enter not into the Salt, unless the _Lune_ and
_Saturn_ be dissolved in that _Sal Mirabilis_ which is prepared of
Niter, and be adjoyned to the Solution of _Mars_ and _Venus_; of which
Solutions the one doth very willingly embrace the other, insomuch
that one Metal doth easily operate upon the other, and consequently a
profitable graduation, fixation, and emendation succeeds.
But now if you would have your Metals, not constant in the Fire, but
volatile and made flying, then, that _Sal Mirabilis_ is to be used,
which is made of Salt Peter or Kitchin Salt, by the help of Sulphur.
This is the universal use of _Sal Mirabilis_, serving for the
Solution, Graduation, Fixation, and contrariwise Volatilisation, or
the conversion of all Metals into a volatile nature. But the special
Solutions, Fixations, or Graduations of them by the Salt of Art,
require an addition of some Vegetable Sulphur, which being adjoyned
to the Metal, yields some help to the _Sal Artis_ in the Graduation
of a baser Metal, which help the conjunctions of Metals that be of a
sulphureous nature, do not at all need; though indeed ’tis better if
you help them with some Vegetable Sulphur. For Sulphur and _Sal Artis_
are like Male and Female, they bear a mutual love to each other, and
beget a rich Off-spring; when they lovingly court each other in the
Fire, even alone and without the addition of any Metal, and are brought
unto perfection. So then, thus by these operations may gain and profit
be divers ways, and in divers manners gotten, as well particularly, as
haply also universally, (but this last way I am not as yet acquainted
with.)
All these things do sufficiently, yea abundantly shew one the way of
arriving by the help of the Salt of Art, to the attainment of such
things as are of some moment. Enough to the wise.
Although that the Metals do admit of a most easie Solution by the _Sal
Mirabilis_ in the dry way, yet notwithstanding, that Solution may yet
more commodiously be perfected the following way, _viz._ thus, when the
Metals are put into the Cucurbit or Retort, in the distilling off the
Spirit. For whilst the Spirit is driven off, out of those distilling
Vessels, the Metal is dissolved during the Distillation, and remains in
the bottom with the _Sal Mirabilis_. But whatever of the Metal remains
undissolved, is to be removed; but the golden Lunar, Venerial Salt,
_&c._ is to be kept for such uses as it is necessary for.
_N. B._ If so be any be minded to pour on again that distilled Spirit,
upon the Metalline Salt abiding in the bottom he may so do, and ’tis
profitable; because that Metalline Salt is by this means rendred far
more commodious and apter for Transmutation.
But that none may err from the right way, it is necessary that we first
shew how the Metals (out of which being bettered, Gold and Silver are
to be extracted) are to be afore prepared, that so they may admit of
being the more easily exalted and amended. For all things are to be
done by the prescribed method, and to be managed by [promoting them to]
their appointed limit and scope, if any profit is thence sought.
_Lune_ and _Saturn_ do not by any commixion associate themselves to the
Metalline Salt, unless these same metals be first reduced into their
Mercuries, concerning which thing we have treated at large in the third
and fourth part of the prosperity of _Germany_.
LXXIII. _By what means the imperfect Metals may (by the =Sal
Mirabilis=) be turned into perfect ones._
Take of _Sal Mirabilis_ four ounces, the filings of _Venus_ half an
ounce. Put this matter in a strong, double, and well covered Hassiack
Pot, set it in a wind Furnace, melt it strongly for half an hour,
that the _Sal Mirabilis_ may rightly dissolve the Copper and make
it spiritual. To this Copper thus made spiritual, add half a part
in weight of the Mercury of Saturn, and melt together both metals
by a repeated melting, for an half or even an whole hour. In this
conjunction and operation, the spiritual Copper will get to the Saturn
by graduation, no small bettering and fixation. For by how much the
longer they are kept in flux, so much the greater amendment doth Saturn
purchase. But yet no _Regulus_ can thus _per se_ settle to the bottom,
unless some Iron be added in the melting, concerning which, no certain
weight can be prescribed. For when some small bits onely thereof, or
some little particles are put in the Crucible, the Salt is mortified
by corroding of the Iron, and lets fall the amended Lead which in the
Cupel leaves the Gold and Silver.
This way shews you the manner of using the _Sal Mirabilis_ for the
amending of metals
_N. B._ Other metals may also be rendred spiritual by the _Sal
Mirabilis_, by which not onely _Saturn_ but likewise _Luna_ may be
graduated, or exalted to a golden degree. But yet _Saturn_ is more
commodious and fitter for this operation than _Luna_ is. For when the
_Mercury_ of _Saturn_ is graduated and reduced, there needs no other
labour than the separating of that _Regulus_ on the Test, where the
Gold and Silver is left behind in the Cupel. But if the _Lunar Mercury_
be amended by graduation, and precipitated into a _Regulus_, it is
first to be separated by Lead in the Cupel, and afterwards the Gold and
Silver are to be separated by _Aq. Fortis_; so that there is requisite
a twofold labour, which in the operation by _Saturn_ is but one; and
therefore it is to be preferred as to these operations before _Lune_.
_N. B._ All such subjects as have a graduating virtue, as _Lapis
Calaminaris_, _Hematitis_, _Smiris_, _Granate_, _Talk_, &c. may be used
to these labours. But however Gold is the best of all, which if so be
that any one is minded to use, it behoves him to be furnished with such
Pots and Crucibles, which do not drink up the Gold, and so rob you of
more than the produced gain amounts to.
Thus have we demonstrated the use of the simple _Sal Mirabilis_, in the
bettering of metals.
If some Sulphur be added to the _Sal Mirabilis_, it exalts the metals
with a far more profitable graduation, and brings more gain than that
single operation, which is instituted by the _Sal Mirabilis_ simply and
alone _per se_.
LXXIV. _The manner of conjoyning Gold contrary to its nature, with
any burning and Volatile Vegetable Sulphur, and of amending the
other Metals, all done by the help of my =Sal Mirabilis=._
Every body full well knows that there is no affinity or familiarity
betwixt burning Sulphur and Gold, which is a fixt Sulphur; forasmuch as
they are exceedingly inimicitious to each other, and yet this enmity
may be at length changed into the greatest amity.
For ’tis usual with all such as are wont to separate molten Gold
from Silver by precipitation, to use common Sulphur about that
precipitation, which by its innate Antipathy thrusts out the Gold from
the Silver; the same thing is likewise done in the moist way, when the
same Gold is precipitated out of _Aq. Regis_ or Spirit of Salt, by
sulphureous Salts, such as are Crude Tartar, Salt of Tartar, Spirit of
Urine, and other Alkali Salts.
These are to shew that Gold hateth and shuns Sulphur worse than any
thing, as being its Capital Enemy; and yet these most bitter enemies
doth the _Sal Mirabilis_ easily reconcile and convert this so great an
enmity into sweet friendship. This operation hiding in its Bowels great
Mysteries deservedly, and by all right lies hidden to this ungratefull
World, if these Mysteries could be excepted which fell into the hands
of mine enemies, in my Laboratory, unwittingly to me, who without any
regard had to the Writings given me by way of an Oath under their
Hands, do now make merchandise of such secrets, and so basely abuse
my good Will. Although the manifold use of this great Treasure hath
escaped them, upon this account it hath seemed good unto me to reveal
unto the whole World, those things that fell within their reach, that
so it may be known to all, that such great secrets proceeded from me
onely, and not from others, nor from those mine enemies themselves.
Take one _Quinta_ or small weight of Gold, more or less, reduce it
into thin leaves or plates, and bow them in the fashion of a Cilinder,
and add thereunto six, eight or ten parts of _Sal Mirabilis_, which
matters you must melt in a Crucible with an accurate and strong fusion:
When they flow, throw in some pieces of Coals into the Salt and Gold
as they are melting in the Pot, that the _Sal Mirabilis_ may dissolve
the Gold and Coals in the melting, which usually is done in half an
hour or thereabouts. The matter being poured out will shew you whether
or no you have well operated for all the Gold, as likewise the _Sal
Mirabilis_ and Coals will be dissolved and changed into a red Stone,
that bites the Tongue as if it were Fire.
This Fire and red Stone, is the golden Carbuncle of the Ancients,
for it shines in the dark like a burning Coal, and produceth such
wonderfull effects in Medicine and in Alchymy, which we have no mind
at present to reveal. For this Gold being thus conjoyned contrary to
its nature with Sulphur and Salt, is by that means unlockt, opened
and prepared; as that it may by an easie business [or labour] be made
spiritual, and that divers ways by divers _Menstruums_, either Acid or
Urinous, and be distilled over the Helms, and the pure separated from
the impure.
And albeit that I here make use of no Circumlocution and speak no
plainer, yet have I spoken enough to the Wise, and have shewed them
such a way to go in, as that whereby they may without labour, as ’twere
arrive to the most happy and wished end, unless God for some singular
causes prohibit it.
But that I may not altogether shut the door of Art upon the Son’s of
Art, I will teach them the making of a most excellent Medicine out of
this Carbuncle.
LXXV. _The way of making a most excellent Medicine out of the
Carbuncle of Gold._
This Carbuncle is to be beaten into Powder, and the best Spirit of Wine
is to be poured thereupon, which may extract the Tincture. This tinged
Liquour is to be poured off into another Glass, and more fresh Spirit
is to be again poured upon the matter, that it may again extract in the
heat more Tincture; these Labours you must repeat so often till all
the Tincture is extracted, and the Spirit will be no more coloured.
The Spirit being drawn off by distillations in a Bath leaves behind a
most red Tincture in the bottom, in the form of a Liquour named _C O
S_, for here are present, _Colour_, _Odour_, _Savour_ or _Tast_; the
Colour and Odour from the Gold, and Sulphur; the Savour from the Salt.
The remainder which is left after the Extraction of the Tincture is not
to be thrown away as unprofitable, but to be converted with new _Sal
Mirabilis_, and Coals made of Vine wood into a red Stone, by fusion,
and to be so long extracted till all the Gold be converted with the
vegetable Sulphur into a Medicine. For one onely labour serves not to
extract the whole Gold by the Spirit of Wine; but the oft repeated
labours attain to the end proposed.
Thus hast thou friendly Reader a Medicine of great moment and of great
efficacy, in which the most pure parts of the Gold and of the Vine are
conjoyned, nor can they be other than a most profitable Medicament for
men and metals.
LXXVI. _How by the help of this Medicament, there may be conferred
on the Seeds of Vegetables, such an excellent faculty of growth,
that they may be as it were seen grow, and may obtain a much
nobler Nature, Colours, Savours, and Vertues, than they are wont
to get out of the most stinking Dung._
Mix with one part of fat Lome, Clay, or Earth done into Powder, four
parts of Sand, that so the fatness of the Earth may be somewhat
allayed. With this mixture fill a Pot, such a one as the Gardeners
are wont to keep their Flowers in; pour thereupon some Rain-water
wherein is mixt [or dissolved] a little of that Medicament made of the
Carbuncle, and plant or sow in that Earth some of those Herbs which
abide unhurt by the Winters cold. Set the Pot with the implanted Herbs
to the warm Air, but so, as that no Rain come at it, for the Rain may
wash away that medicinal nutriment. When the Earth becomes dry, you
must pour on more of the Medicine prepared of the Carbuncle, and that
so often as need requires. So will the Herbs begin to grow, which if
they meet with no other nutriment besides the Rain-water, they cannot
attract any other whereby their faculty of growing may be promoted and
encreased. And for as much as the Golden medicament was adjoyned to the
Rainwater, the Herbs must necessarily draw it to themselves together
with the Water, and obtain other properties than if they grew from the
stinking Beasts Dung.
_N. B._ Under your Pot that contains your Herbs is to be put a Dish
made of good and firm Earth, or else of some Metal, which may serve to
catch the medicinal Water, that flows through the bottom of the upper
Pot, or distills thence, and having received it may not drink it up but
conserve it. Besides, it would not be amiss if some of that medicinal
Water were put in the under Platter, which might always keep the bottom
of the upper Pot moist, and so may supply the Herbs with an uncessant
nutriment. It would be better also, if the Pot it self were made of
some Metal and not of Earth, that so it may not drink in that precious
Water, but rather conserve it.
LXXVII. _What is to be observed in this Operation, that a good
effect may proceed from thence._
In the first place, diligent heed is to be taken, that the Lome or
Earth you take, partake not of any salt faculty, nor hath any other
corrosive Property, for many such Earths there be which would hinder
and spoil the faculty of growing.
Secondly, there must regard be had to the moistening of the Earth, lest
the Seed be choked with too much humidity, or in defect of sufficient
moisture, dry up and wither.
Thirdly, there must be observed a measure of the Medicament it self,
that neither too much, nor too little of the same be commixt with the
Rain-water. For an overmuch quantity thereof burns up the Seed, and a
more sparing Portion cannot yield nutriment enough to the Herbs.
Farther, some Musk or other things that emit a fragrant Odour may be
therewith mixed, which addition is wont to get to the Herbs a most
fragrant Odour. If so be a man fears to apply the aforesaid precious
Medicament to this Operation, because of the Costs of the same, he may
use that Tincture which we taught a little afore, to prepare of Coles
onely without Gold; and which indeed will perform all those things,
(as in reference to the growing faculty) which that Golden medicament
is wont to perform; this onely excepted, _viz._ that the Herbs will
nor partake of that golden Property which they obtain by that Golden
medicament.
The things we have here written and published concerning the promoting
the faculty of growth in golden Herbs, though they seem not of any
great moment, yet hide they under them mysteries of great moment, the
which many Artists will apprehend, and convert unto their Use.
LXXVIII. _How any Wood or any Wood-coal may be so prepared by the
=Sal Mirabilis=, as to be capable of a long while resisting the
Fire._
Dissolve some _Sal Mirabilis_ in common Water, put some Wood or Wood
coal therein, let it lye in it for some days, or so long till it be
well glutted with the Liquor and become ponderous. Then take it out
and dry it very well at the fire, that all the moisture vanishing away
may leave the _Sal Mirabilis_ in the Wood: Then put it in the said
Solution yet again, and take it out and again dry it, which labour
will render the Wood so much the solider by how much the oftener it
shall be repeated. By this means, all the Pores will be filled with the
Salt and the Air will be shut out, that it can penetrate it no more;
without which Air no Wood can ever take fire or burn. If now you put
such Wood or such Coals with other Wood and Coals in the fire, these
[un-imbibed Coals, _&c._] will be consumed by the Fire in a short time
and be reduced into Ashes, but those others will remain untoucht, and
may be taken out unhurt, though indeed even they too will be burnt
if they lye over long in the Fire. This is certain concerning Coals,
that those that are made of more weighty Wood, and which abound with a
greater Quantity of Salt, such as are the Oak, Beech, Juniper, Vines,
and other Trees whose Wood is ponderous dure far longer in the fire
than those Coals do which are made of Firr, Pine, Alder, Willows, and
such like lighter Trees, and which have a lesser Quantity of Salt, and
this now I do not mention barely for fashions sake, but to this intent,
that occasion may be given from this kind of knowledge of drawing some
profitable matter therefrom; as for Example.
LXXIX. _How such kind of Woods which are always so near the Fire,
as that they are still in danger of being burnt, and thereby
threaten damage may be conserved from firing._
Dissolve some _Sal Mirabilis_ in Water, and with a Pencil smear over
such Wood which by reason of its nearness to the Fire is always in
danger of being burnt. When the Water is dryed up, moisten it again
with the same Water, and repeat this moistening so often, till it hath
drunk in a sufficient Quantity of the _Sal Mirabilis_, and become able
to resist the heat. By this means might men be often freed of many
fears and cares, in ships dawb’d with pitch and in other places, where
by reason of the too nearness of dry Timber there is danger of firing.
LXXX. _How by the help of =Sal Mirabilis= any Wood may be conserved
so, as for a long time to remain unhurt in the Water._
He that desires to preserve Wood, that it may not be detrimented by
the Water nor rot in a long time, may be master of his wishes, the
following way. Dry your wood very well, and being dry moisten it with
strong Oil of Vitriol very exactly, and being moistened sprinkle it
with the _Sal Mirabilis_ beaten into Powder, that it may stick well
on to the Oil of the Vitriol. For the Oil of Vitriol doth in its
penetrating of the wood carry in the Salt thereinto, and makes in the
outside thereof every where about a black Crust, just as if that wood
had been burnt by the Fire. Now because Coals resist putrefaction, it
must necessarily follow that the wood being in that wise ordered must
remain a long time unhurt in the water.
LXXXI. _The Preparation of the =Sal Mirabilis= for this Work._
There ariseth no small difference amongst the Salts themselves from the
different way used in making the _Sal Mirabilis_.
If the Oil of Vitriol wherewithal this _Sal Mirabilis_ is prepared, be
not by reason of the superfluous humidity strong enough, any one may
easily conjecture that a good _Sal Mirabilis_ cannot be made thereof,
because the Kitchin Salt would receive therefrom but little alteration.
To prevent this inconvenience therefore, you are to take equal weights
of Salt and Oil, that so one may be assured that the common Salt is
well inverted, and made a good _Sal Mirabilis_.
LXXXII. _By what means trial may be made, if the =Sal Mirabilis= be
duely prepared, and how it may be fitted for this and other Uses._
Its Colour ought to be white and transparent; its figure is in long
_Stria_’s or Chrystals; its tast is like Ice melting upon the Tongue
and yields some bitterishness. Being dryed in the Fire and all the
moisture gone off, it will loose three parts of its own Body, and
retain a fourth Part onely; being dissolved in Water it will recover
those three Parts again.
But on the contrary, if it shoot into a square Figure, and hath as yet
a saltish tast, and being dryed loseth but little of its weight; it is
not worth a rush. and shews that either the Oil of Vitriol it self was
not good, or that there was not enough used to the Operation. These
things we would not bury in silence, that so we might well advise young
beginners, and withdraw them from their Errours.
LXXXIII. _It may be queried, whether the =Sal Mirabilis= serves for
the use of Artificers and Craftsmen._
For answer, yes. For this _Sal Mirabilis_ is not onely able to perform
things of great moment, and those too, such as are not common; both in
Alchimy and in Medicine; (a rehearsal of which, we shall for brevities
sake omit) but withall it may be used in other Arts and Handycrafts
with great admiration and profit; and this we cannot neither at this
time demonstrate because of the but now mentioned brevities sake. We
will onely shew here, that even the poorest Husbandman, might (if they
knew its preparation use it to notable advantage and profit.
LXXXIV. _How every Countreyman may encrease any kind of Corn or
Seed with a thousand fold encrease, by the =Sal Mirabilis= if he
can get it._
We have aforetold you, that the _Sal Mirabilis_ being so, as it is
_per se_, is plainly unapt for the multiplication of the Vegetables,
unless that corrosive Faculty be taken therefrom by lime or other
_Alkali_ Salts, [the which must be done] if you would expect therefrom
any good concerning this multiplication. Here now will I disclose a
business of no small moment; yet not to this end as if I would perswade
the Countreymen, to get for the future, or afford to their Corn so
plentifull a faculty of encreasing. No, no, I well know that they
know not how to make the _Sal Mirabilis_, and if they did, yet would
they not depart a Nails breadth from their Ancient Custom. For ’tis
a common Proverb, Old Dogs are very difficultly tamed; and this, the
common Course of mens Lives doth clearly teach; wherein you’l find,
that a man hardly unlearns that in his old Age which he learned in his
Youth; so that an Old man doth very difficultly suffer himself to be
withdrawn from those things whereto he hath been accustomed when young.
Neither is it my purpose so to do, for as much as I insert the things
here mentioned by me, for this end onely, _viz._ that the possibility
and wonderous Properties of the _Sal Mirabilis_ may be brought out of
Darkness unto Light, and may be made evident to the whole World.
I would likewise be thus understood as touching other Workmen, for whom
these things are not delivered or treated of, that they should desist
from their old Custom, and obey my admonitions and instructions; but
for this end it is onely that I publish these things, _viz._ that they
every one may know that my _Sal Mirabilis_ can be an helper to men of
all ranks, and also may bring even to the Craftsmen themselves and to
the poorest Husbandmen, great fruit and benefit.
Now when you hear it mentioned that some Grain of Corn is augmentable
beyond the usual Custom, by an unheard of multiplication, it must of
necessity be, that it emit more than one, two, or three Stalks, for as
much as so few Stalks, cannot yield so great an Encrease. But now if
one Grain is to put forth so many Stalks, it is wholly necessary that
it be done by some certain singular and strong efficacy of expulsion;
and that too, even presently and at the beginning when the grain is at
first sown in the earth. For whatsoever is not here done even at the
beginning, will never be done afterwards.
For all the stalks that spring forth after are small, and quite unfit
to bring forth Corn. So then, seeing that many stalks are to break out
at one and the same time out of one grain, if an eminent multiplication
is expected to follow, then verily ’tis even necessary that some help
be administred to that same grain afore it be put in the earth, that so
it may plentifully grow and be speedy, in presently sending forth even
at the very beginning, good store of stalks.
The Countreymen know not any thing serving to such an operation but
onely Dung; but I do even now again say as I have often done afore,
that this effect of the usual and common multiplication ariseth not
from the Dung it self, (as being but the outside Husk) but from that
sulphureous Salt that lies hidden in the Dung. Hence it is, that by
how much the purer and better the Salt is so much the speedier and
more efficacious an operation ariseth therefrom. If then, that such a
Salt can be made by Art, which performs the same that Dung does, it
altogether follows that we are able to do the same without Dung, and
that far better than by Dung, in which the salt is so much dilated, and
which (by the benefit of Art,) we contract into a narrow compass.
I hope the well minded Reader will not be displeased that I use so many
words here, about the stinking Dung of Animals, because I can’t indeed
use in this place any other manner of speaking, seeing I intended the
laying open of this thing, and therefore am I even compelled to speak
of the same: For he that minds the publication of any thing, cannot do
it, unless he speaks of the same. And although that Dung may seem to
some finical Men a very contemptible thing, yet notwithstanding it is
the onely and principal _Medium_, by the help whereby our daily Bread
and the necessary sustaining of our Bodies is had. But as for the
stinking Dung of Animals, I even remit it to the Dunghill, and return
to my _Sal Mirabilis_.
LXXXV. _Whether or no a thousandfold encrease may be had of Corn by
the =Sal Mirabilis=._
Melt one or two pounds of _Sal Mirabilis_ in a Crucible, then throw in
some Coals and dissolve them, and reduce them by Solution into a red
and fiery Stone; which matter being compounded by melting of them both,
beat into Powder and pour thereupon common Spirit of Wine, that it may
wax red by extracting out the Tincture. Pour this out into another
Vessel, and pour on other Spirit upon the aforesaid matter. And this
pouring on and canting off, is to be repeated so often till all the
redness is extracted. By this extraction you shall get a sulphureous
Salt, fit to steep or macerate Corn withall; because it agrees very
well to the properties of that Salt which sticks hidden in the Dung of
Beasts: Now I use Spirit of Wine to the extraction for this cause, for
that it hastens the germination or budding of the Seeds even as well
as the Salt doth, and enricheth it with an emission of many Stalks.
But yet your Spirit of Wine must not be over strong, for then it would
hinder the faculty of growing, the which thing even the Salt will also
do if too great a quantity thereof be added to the weaker Spirit of
Wine, because it would by burning up the Seed, be an impediment to the
faculty of the Seeds growth. It is therefore necessary that a good
regard be had (in those operations) to a due measure. For an overmuch
access of any thing is wont to be no less hurtfull than a defect or
clearly wanting of the same.
This is the preparation of the _Sal Mirabilis_, necessary for the
macerating of Corn, that so it may produce many Stalks; now follows the
true and genuine use thereof in macerating of the same.
LXXXVI. _The true and right way of macerating Corn in the =Sal
Mirabilis=._
There are several kinds of Corn, and of these various and different
sorts. Hence is it, that one Seed is longer a macerating than another
is; and that because one becomes soft sooner than doth another, or
attracts humidities to it self quicker than another, so that regard is
to be well had to the difference thereof. Rye and Wheat are encompassed
with thin Skins, and therefore are the sooner macerated, Oats require
a longer time, and so doth Barley which has a yet harder Husk than the
Oats hath, and therefore requires a longer time for its maceration.
But as touching these things, every one may find them out by his own
understanding and often experience, because it is impossible to mention
all things so clearly and perspicuously. But this is a general rule,
your Corn is to be so long left in steep, untill you may easily bite
it a pieces, for you must beware of softning it too much, for then it
would presently putrifie, and by that its putrefaction corrupt and
spoil all the growing faculty. But experience will instruct you far
more commodiously and more perfectly herein, than a larger description
can.
LXXXVII. _The true and right way of sowing your macerated Corn in
the Earth._
Any one may easily conjecture that if the Corn macerated by the
aforegoing way, be sown in the Fields the usual way and so thick as the
Husbandmen are wont to do, it will not succeed because of the overmuch
thronging and thickness by which the Corn would hinder each other and
so choak themselves. This incommodity therefore is to be prevented, and
such macerated Grain to be thinly sown in the Fields that they may have
room for the freeness of Air, and so may grow up and not spoil each
other by a mutual suffocation.
Nay rather that the more accurate diligence may be had or used about
this sowing, a Man may make him some wooden Instrument, whereby
together and at once many grains of Corn may be sown in the earth in
good order and at a certain distance; concerning which labour I have
purposed to speak more at large in another place. For so no grain will
unprofitably perish, and with one Sack of Corn may be sown more Ground
than six, eight or ten Sacks are wont to do otherwise; my too short
time constrains me to break off my discourse concerning these things.
LXXXVIII. _By what means the =Sal Mirabilis= may bring profit to
the Dressers of Vines._
If there could be a good quantity had of _Sal Mirabilis_, and that
without great costs, ’tis without doubt but the Vines might be made
very fruitfull therewithall.
But because they are ignorant of the preparation thereof, who dress
Vines; ’tis expedient for them to acquiesce in their Beasts Dung, or
make use of that onely for the fattening and dunging of their Vines,
which is made of common or Kitchin Salt by inverting and Alkalizating
it by _Calx-vive_. Unless a man has Vines about his House or in his
Garden, and would make them fruitfuller than ordinary. For to make
tryal thereof in great Vineyards would be too costly.
But yet I will propound another way to the Vine dressers, by the help
whereof they may get plenty of Wine every year. I have at large taught
in my foregoing Writings, and that by various descriptions, by what
means one may be Master of noble and ripe Wines every year, yea even in
those times, in which by reason of the coldness and unseasonableness
of the Air, and the want of the Solar-beams, the Grapes cannot attain
their due maturity: and withall, how in those places where they
seldom or never grow ripe, [they may be ripened] by concentration by
the help of the Fire, or else by fermentation with their own vinous
spirit distilled out of the Lees, and added to the said Wine; [having
I say already taught this] there’s no need of repeating it again. Yet
nevertheless if God lengthen my life out so long, I have purposed to
write a peculiar Book of the propagating and bettering of Wines.
But that I may ingratiate my self with those who not much caring for
poor thin Wines, desire to have some noble Wine in their Cellars, I
will here reveal a certain secret which may not onely refresh the body
and spirit of many thousands of Men, high and low, rich and poor,
throughout all _Germany_, yea and all _Europe_ too; but also administer
them no small profit.
I have taught a little afore, how by the help of the _Sal Mirabilis_,
and of the concentrated and cold Fire of Salts, a Man may make his
Guests different Wines out of one Cup, and therewithall refresh them;
and I have likewise shewed, that such a bettering of Wine may be
exercised in most places, with notable profit.
The truth of which thing, it hath seemed good unto me to demonstrate
divers ways, for the sake of my Neighbour.
I have frequently laid open in my Writings some excellent secrets, and
have withall made a discovery of the most great benefit which one may
thereby receive.
But because I have not pointed out with my Fingers where and whence
such notable profit is to be gotten, the most part could not apprehend
or find the same, and have therefore rejected the thing it self being
it was not so perspicuously and clearly laid open, as unprofitable and
worth nothing. And now least it thus happen to this secret, if I should
not shew and point as it were with my Fingers, the benefit thereof, and
if therefore such secrets lying in the dark should not come forth to
the profit and use of mankind, (which would be a grievous thing and to
be lamented, if it should not,) it hath seemed good unto me to manifest
the utilities of the same.
LXXXIX. _By what means notable profit may be gotten by my
Water-attracting Magnet._
First of all, it is no small benefit when the overmuch Water is
taken away from the poorer sort of Wines, with which _Germany_ doth
every where almost abound, and the Wines made nobler, stronger, more
efficacious, and more durable, and do get a far more acceptable savour.
For the unripe and watery Wines are not of any long lasting, but do
in a while lose all their savour and all their strength, and become
mouldy, and corrupt with lying, and ’tis not seldom that they grow
tenacious, or ropy, thick and muddy, reddish and filthy: all which
incommodities doth my Magnet cure in the space of one onely hour, by
the drawing away the overmuch waterishness.
XC. _The second benefit._
If the plentifull Vintage or large encrease of the Wine should be more
than you have Barrels to fill, nothing can be more acceptable than that
the Wine may be concentrated by the Magnet, (which draws to it self
the Water and turns it into Ice) by extracting the overmuchness of the
Water, that so by this means the more contracted Wines may be laid up
the more commodiously, and may if not very good, be rendred better.
XCI. _The third benefit, and which is most acceptable to all
Masters of Families._
If so be that the Master of the House had a whole Cellar full of
Wine, and every Vessel filled with the like or self same noble Wine,
without any difference; then verily the Master and Servant would be
of equal degree, nor should the Master have any prerogative above the
Servant. But now using the help of the said Magnet, he may have his
Wines bettered as he pleaseth, and have divers Wines in his Cellar,
as we taught a little above; if, _viz._ he shall draw from it the
unprofitable watery part.
XCII. _Another way of getting profit by the Magnet’s drawing the
Water out of Wines._
The Anatomizing and examen of Wine discovers, that in twelve measures
thereof, there is about one of more noble spirit, and almost one
measure of Tartar. The residue are nought else but an insipid water
altogether like to common water. Now when the Wines are to be
transported out of the Countries wherein they grow, into more remote
places, what need is there of carrying the water with it so long a
Journey? would it not be better to separate some part thereof from
the Wine, and so transport the Wine, and let the water alone, and
thereby shun a great deal of charges disburst for the carriage of
water into such places as have enough already? would there not redound
a great benefit hereby, both to the Buyers and Sellers of Wines? yea
verily, I believe that there will not onely redound unto them a great
conveniency, but withall a great deal of Treasure.
XCIII. _There’s yet another way of getting notable profit by the
said Magnet, =viz.= if the ill tast and fetidness be taken away
from the Brandy; usually made of Corn._
There is some mention made in what went afore concerning this amending;
but ’tis not done so clearly and manifestly. I will therefore open it
more clearly and more perspicuously in this place.
Mix one part of your Brandy made of Corn, with two parts of common
water poured thereunto, that the stench and ungratefull savour may
diffuse it self into the added water. Having so done, you must again
free this Brandy thus tempered with water by putting your Magnet
thereinto, and so will you draw therefrom all the stinkingness, and
’tis just as if you had washed that Wine, and rinsed off all its filth.
XCIV. _The benefit purchased by separating the Water from Vinegar._
If you would have benefit by this liquor, the same may be done by the
same reason; in those places out of which it is transported into other
Countries; if, _viz._ the unprofitable water be removed after the same
manner as we taught to be separated from the Wine.
XCV. _By what means good Wine and Vinegar may be every year
prepared by the help of this same Magnet, in those Countries in
which the Grapes do not ripen._
Although that in all the Coasts scituated upon the Rhine, as in
_Rhingovia_, _Moguntia_, _Wormatia_, _Algentorati_; in _Alsatia_, the
_Palatinate_, _Franconia_, _Austria_, and the Dukedom of _Wurtenberg_,
(in which places, the Wines do for the most part arrive to their
perfection every year) this Art be not so very necessary; yet
nevertheless _Saxonia_, _Misnia_, _Thuringia_, _Suevia_, and _Bavaria_
do stand in need thereof; in which Countries the Wine doth for the most
part remain acid, unless the Summer hath by a singular chance hapned to
be very hot. For in these places it is no less profitable than pleasant
to drink a sweeter and nobler Wine instead of the more acid Wine, if so
be one could get it by the help of the said Art. Besides, this same Art
yields no small profit and benefit in those Countries, in which though
the Wine is (as we said but now) wont to be noble. For it may happen
that some unseasonable Weather may hinder the ripening of the Grapes,
and that the Vineyards wanting the due heat of the Sun cannot arrive
unto maturity. For oftentimes in one and the same Countrey, there are
divers Wines produced, so that one sort exceeds another in nobility and
goodness. Those therefore that are good and generous need not the help
of this Art, but contrarily the smaller and less noble Wines want it.
Hence I conclude that in all the Countries of the World, wheresoever
Wines are made, this Art may be serviceable and profitable to any one.
XCVI. _How in those cold Countries; as in =Poland=, =Denmark=,
=Suedeland=, =Norway=, &c. Which by reason of the Coldness of the
Air admit not of making Wine, there may nevertheless good Wine
and Vinegar conducive to the health of Man be made._
Though the Cold may so hinder as that Vines will not grow, nor
Vineyards be, yet notwithstanding those places so obnoxious to the
Cold, have plenty of Apples, Pears, and such like Tree-fruits; whose
Juice being pressed out, and fermented, and after the Fermentation,
freed of the greatest part of the unprofitable water, will give a
better and more durable Drink, than that which is made the usual way
of Apples and Pears. For this drink cannot last long because of the
muchness of the humidity, but becomes ropy, acid and muddy, and so
corrupts.
So likewise may those Countries that abound with Corn be rendered
partakers of most excellent and wine-like Drink, which may be used and
drunk instead of Wine, to the great benefit and advancement of the
health of the Body; and it is to be thus done.
First of all, let very good Wheat be made to germinate [or sprout] by
stewing in some gentle heat; [as in making of Mault] then after the
sprouting let it be put in some warm Furnace, or in great Coppers,
and stirred about with some wooden thing without ceasing till it be
dryed. In this Operation you must have an especial care, that the Corn
smatch not of the Fire, which is then brought by drying to a sufficient
hardness, when it is not soft in biting it with your Teeth, but leaps
as ’twere in pieces; this is a sign that you have done your work well.
Having prepared it thus, let it be broken [or ground] and boiled after
the manner of other Ale, without Hops; and then after it has fermented
let it be freed from its superfluous moisture by our Magnet. So will
you have remaining a sweet Drink not much unlike to Wine; which Liquor
if you would yet have more near in its likeness to Wine, you must
put in for every Tun or every Butt about a pound of Tartar in the
Fermentation, that so it may ferment together with the Corn, and may
give unto this Drink a winy Tast.
After the same manner may excellent Metheglin be made of Honey and
Sugar, or such a kind of Drink as but little differs from the Savour
of Wine. An Art, verily, most profitable in those places which have no
Wine, but have that defect supplied by the great Quantity of Honey and
Sugar. The manner of making such a kind of Drink is this.
Let there be added to the Honey so much water as is sufficient, for
their boiling together in a Copper, and let them being boiled be
diligently scummed so long till the Honey becomes thick again, and gets
a duskish or a reddish Colour, which is a sign, that the less sweet,
and less honied Savour is removed away, by the boiling.
To this Honey reduced to the said thickness, let be again added as much
water as is sufficient, that they may be boiled together, and being
boiled put up in Barrels. Whilst it is yet warm some Ale yest must be
added, which being fermented, renders this Liquor so sweet that it is
but little inferiour to Wine; moreover it will come nearer to the Tast
of Wine, if a due part of dissolved Tartar shall be added thereunto in
the Fermentation, that so being fermented together herewith, it may
acquire to it self a winy Tast.
_N. B._ But here good heed must be had, that in the last Solution there
be not taken too little water, but rather more than is wont to be taken
in the making of common Mede. The reason is this; because the Honey
gets not its due fermentation, but retains its usual and a kind of
nauceous Sweetness, and cannot be made partaker of a winy Savour.
But now, water enough being added, promotes the Fermentation, and
causeth that it gets its Purity and Clarity much sooner, and is of
an excellent sweet Savour. After that this Metheglin hath gotten the
requisite Clarity, the superfluous water is to be abstracted thencefrom
by your Magnet, which water being removed, the remaining ungratefull
Savour of the Honey going away together with the water, vanisheth, and
this Wine of the Honey, gets its strong Spirits from the Honey, and has
a winy Savour from the Tartar. If any one be so minded, he may add to
the Honey in the first boiling, some Spices, or which is better, may
hang them in a little Bag in at the Bung, that so they may be fermented
with the Metheglin, and give it a sweet Savour. The Spices are these
that follow: Cardamoms one, Coriander two, Orris Roots three parts; the
which will give the Metheglin a fine Tast. The Flowers of Elder make
it tast just like Wine made of the Apian or Muscadel Grapes. Cinamon
and Cloves also do give it a delicate Sweetness. But every one may use
such Spices as he thinks best, according as he fancieth this or that
Tast. Of such Metheglin is made most excellent Vinegar, which scarce is
inferiour to wine Vinegar though of the very best Sort.
XCVII. _Whither or no, there be any other benefit, which our Magnet
can bestow._
He that shall onely diligently enquire by trials made, will without
doubt, find, that such a Magnet as attracteth water, can be profitable
many ways; which to treat largely of here, the time will not permit.
For because that this Magnet draws out of all Liquors, their
superfluous water, it doth certainly bring much Benefit, and manifold
Fruits, very many of which, we would here declare if need required.
But the time admits not of any longer dwelling about these things.
But yet, however, I will reveal an Art for the Poor’s sake who have
no Wine growing, nor any money to buy it, and are therefore enforced
(but especially in the winter Season) to drink cold water after their
hard Labours;) by the help of which said Art they may have good Wine
to drink all the year both in the Summer and Winter months; I mean in
those places in which theres plenty of Wine made, and is in the Autumn
Season squeezed out with wine Presses.
In all those places in which store of Grapes are prest out with
Presses, there is great store of the husks, the which is partly kept
for the Beasts to nourish them in the Winter, and partly thrown away as
unprofitable, especially in those Seasons which afford a great Quantity
of Wine. But if so be that the Wine Harvest be somewhat poor and not so
plentifull, then they pour water upon all the husks or on some part of
them, and leave it so for some days, and again press them; and thereby
is made a Drink that has some kind of wine-like Savour which is given
to the Servants, and other Labourers to drink instead of bare water.
But now in such Years wherein they are thoroughly busied in curing or
making much Wine, they have not the time to bestow about making that
Drink then. Nay sometimes they have such a deal of Wine that they have
not Cask to put it in, but are compelled to give away their smaller
Wines to others, and stuff their Cellars with the more noble.
If therefore the poorer sort would have now and then a good Draught of
Wine, they must get them some large Vessels which they must fill with
the Offal of the Grapes, and with water poured thereupon, and leave
them thus, so long untill the rich People have done with their wine
Presses and stowed their Wines in their Cellars. Then may they also
press out their second Wines in the rich mens wine Presses, and by the
oft-spoken of Magnet separate the unprofitable water therefrom, and so
lay up their Wine, the which will last and abide good and durable all
the Year about, which it will not otherwise do. For such kind of second
Wines dure only (for the most part) but the Winter and Spring, and part
of the Summer, and the utmost time they remain any thing good is but
till the Month of _July_, afterwards they grow ropy or musty. But now
the unprofitable part of the water being separated, they get a shorter
or longer durability according to the moreness or lesness of their
Concentration. This advice and secret was I willing to bestow upon the
poor that they may also drink good Wine.
But they may demand where should we get us such a Magnet, by the using
of which we might make our second Wines good? I answer, they may borrow
it of the Rich men who have Vineyards, for so long; and when they have
done with it may restore it them again; for it is so lasting that
it never loseth any thing of its Body nor of its Virtue, but always
remains good. The rich men therefore will buy it of the Chymists,
the preparation whereof is clearly and perspicuously delivered in
my first Century. If now this be done (which I doubt not of) the
Chymist by preparing, and the Merchant by using of the same will reap
no small Benefit and profit. And questionless, there will be found
some men that are studious of new things, who will make trial of this
Concentration of Wines in small experiments; that so they may fish out
the possibility of the thing. But I know not whether they will exercise
this Operation in a greater Quantity or no. For its neither here nor
there to me whether they will exercise this Art or let it alone. For
this is the natural disposition of most men, they would very willingly
get store of gain, provided it could be done without great labour and
much trouble. From hence it is certain, that this Art of Concentrating
Wines by cold Fires will not be so soon common, especially because
I have not here delivered how such a Magnet may be made in great
Quantity, and applied to use.
But yet I think I have sufficiently done [or hinted at] those things
I have revealed. Let others draw out of their own store too, if they
have any thing. More things I could not reveal, for many weighty causes
which I count it needless to mention here. Very many men will commit
many Errours, e’re they attain the right Scope. Verily it would be
much better if there were a greater Number of such Persons as readily
understood this Art; especially in those places of _Germany_ in which
the Wines are so acid, that it will make ones Eyes run with water if a
bigger Draught than ordinary be drunk to quench Thirst. And therefore
in those places Ale is in the most esteem, and indeed it is no
contemptible drink, if good, but yet it is not at all comparable to the
noble Wine, concerning which noble Liquor these Verses may rightly be
pronounced.
_With what a lovely gift are all things blest
By th’ noble Wine from tender Vines exprest,
To sick mens pains it doth an easement bring,
It joys the Countrey Peasant, makes him sing.
And you shall see that that man whom to day }
By means of Wine lies tumbling in the way, }
Will on the Morrow have his t’other lay._ }
There are many Songs in the praise of Wine, but Ale is not celebrated
with any ditty, though it be never so good. Upon this account therefore
the noble Juice of Wine is not undeservedly preferred before all the
rest, provided it has its due generousness and excelling goodness. But
if it be not good, ’tis wholly expedient to help it, lest by keeping
its Sourishness and waterishness it perish. But filthy covetousness
bears too great a sway upon mortals, insomuch that there are too many
to be found that would rather pour water to their Wine and spoil it,
than better it by abstracting of the water.
I have often heard the complaints of Vineyard Masters in those Seasons,
in which they have had whole Cellars full of small and poor Wines,
which have not arrived to so much ripeness as to be able to be sold
and transported into other Countries. Hence comes it to pass, that if
they lie a long while and be not drunk up, they degenerate more and
more, and become exceeding poor, and at length corrupt by lying and so
perish for altogether; unless it happens by chance that some years of
a more happy Vintage do succeed, with which more noble Wines they may
mix their small ones, and so sell them off, but yet with a poor profit,
because the Merchants are not wont to buy midling Wines, but the very
best of all. But they may have noble Wine every year by that means that
I have shewn. For if one eighth part of water were extracted from the
Wine, it might have the name of good Wine. But now if a fourth part of
that water should be taken away thencefrom it would become far more
excellent, for a little water is able to make a most noble Wine smaller
and more base, a tryal whereof you may make as follows.
A Hogshead of rich Wine, containing some six Renish _Oma_’s or _Aulms_,
costs an hundred imperials; yea [sometimes] more, an hundred Duckets;
Now if you take thencefrom one eighth part of the measure, and put
in the room thereof one eighth part of water, you will find by the
tast, that its goodness is so much diminished, that that Vessel will
be scarcely valued at fifty imperials. But if a quarter part be taken
away, and so much water put in its room, any one may easily conjecture
that such a Vessel filled with such Wine will be hardly judged worth
twenty imperials.
So then by this way that I have told, any Wine might be brought to such
a nobleness by taking away one fourth part onely of its water, that
a Vessel which afore would have yielded but twelve imperials, will
afterwards yield three times the price.
By all this that hath been spoken may any one easily conclude the
truth of the true Alchymy, and what incredible benefits may be reaped
thencefrom. From this ground I say, that that delicate sup of Wine
which I have here taught the preparation of will so inflame many, even
of the enemies of Alchymy, that they will for the future put their
hands to the Coals, and try to get thereby such a delicate Magnet, and
to have it by them.
This Magnet will also help not a few Alchymists themselves that are
in straights and want, and afford them a good Cup of Wine; whose
Vineyards, House, and all their substance, the smoak and hot fire
hath already driven up the Chimny, and [in lieu thereof] this cold
fire will recover them again with no contemptible increase. For this
Leap-year 1660 is the first year since the World’s Creation, in which
the miserable Coal-blowers may arrive to a way of getting their Bread,
if they will but stretch out their hands. And that I may be here well
understood, I don’t onely mind the concentration of Wine, for there are
other most profitable uses to be found out of these cold fires; which
time will manifest.
It seems good unto me to add by way of an overplus (because I have
taught the making of a Cup of good Wine, and there is a great
familiarity ’twixt Wine and Corn,) the showing away how one may get a
most delicate sort of Bread and of an excellent savour, that so he may
be furnished with the choicest of Food and Drink.
Let some part of the water be extracted by the cold Magnet out of new
Milk, that it may be made better than the common Milk. This would
be a most excellent nutriment for the sustaining of Infants, whose
Mothers die too soon. For every Infant cannot bear raw Cows Milk; and
if the superfluity of the Water be removed by boiling, the Milk (not
brooking much boiling) doth easily tast of the fire, which would not
be if it were freed of its water by the oft mentioned Magnet, for it
would remain sweet, and be of an excellent Tast. With this fat Milk,
moisten your Wheat Meal, (which must be of the best) in the stead of
water; and let the Bread be baked, and without doubt the Bread will
be of an excellent Tast, which could not be by the common baking,
although that Butter were added thereunto. One may feed upon this Bread
alone, without Cheese and Butter, because the Cheese and the Butter
are with the Milk in which they lie hidden, added unto the Bread. Such
Bread is strong nourishment and far better for filling and nourishing
than the common; and in eating thereof one may easily commit excess,
because it notably pleaseth the Pallat by the sweetness of its tast.
For so it happened on a time to me, for eating such Bread as was made
up with fat Sheeps Milk I exceeded a mediocrity in my eating. But
verily this is wont to happen to such as in their eating and drinking,
abuse the delicate Meats and Drinks, and so fall into the hands of the
Physicians, because indeed the most Diseases do arise from too much
fulness and surfeiting. And therefore good reason is it that a most
special regard be had to a mediocrity and temperance in all things.
XCVIII. _How the Water attracting Magnet may be serviceable to
Physicians._
In my opinion a Physician may very well examine the Urine of the Sick,
and Anotamize the same, and that more easily than by an external bare
aspect or looking-on onely, if, _viz._ he separate and take away
therefrom a part of the water by the Magnet. For by this means he will
discern a great difference betwixt the one and the other part, and know
the causes and properties of Diseases; and that far better and more
certainly than by a bare outside view, after the Gallenical fashion,
or by the weight, and by Distillation according to the custom of
_Paracelsus_ and _Turnheiser_; But I leave it to every ones pleasure to
enquire which of these three ways is to be preferred.
And now follows by way of Corrolary or Surplusage, a description of
certain most excellent Medicines to be administred, for the curing of
most greivous Diseases both in Men and Beasts.
XCIX. _The Cure of the Stone in the Reins and Bladder, and likewise
of the Gout._
The Stone of the Reins and Bladder, and the Gout, are judged to be
the most greivous Diseases, and in very deed they are most grievous
Sicknesses, but especially the Gout, which being various and manifold
afflicts the Body of Man with most grievous Pains. Now for the cure
and removal of these Diseases, I will prescribe a certain and safe
Medicament, easily preparable, and of small charge.
Take one or two pounds of white Tartar, and pour upon every pound
beaten into Powder about some eight or ten pound of common water, which
set over the Coals in a well glazed earthen Pot, and boil it so long,
till all the Tartar shall be dissolved by the water, which you may try
if done or no with a clean wooden Spoon, putting it to the bottom and
seeing if there be any left undissolved. In the boiling you must very
diligently take off the Scum with a wooden Scummer, that so there may
remain no impurity. After that all the Tartar is dissolved and that
there appears no more Scum, evaporate the water so long till a thin
skin appears at the top. Then take off the Pot from the Coals, and set
it in some cold place, and leave it there unstirred for a day, and
there will stick on to the sides of the Pot, delicate Crystals like a
Dye, having a Cubical form _Paracelsus_ calls this mundified Tartar
_Ludus_, and that very properly, and without doubt he did so, because
it gets (after its purification the shape of the square Dice. Out
of this pure and Cube-like Tartar is prepared an universal Medicine
against all tartarous Diseases, as follows.
If you have one pound of this pure and Cubical Tartar, reduce one pound
of Crude Tartar into a white Salt by Calcination; the which you are to
dissolve with so much common water as is necessary to its dissolution;
filter the dissolved Salt through Cap-Paper, that you may have your
sharp _Lixivium_ freed of all its Fæces. Pour this _Lixivium_ into the
glazed Pot wherein your pound of the said purified Tartar is, and boil
it accurately therewithall; in which boiling the Tartar will be easily
dissolved by the _Lixivium_, and be turned with the same into a ruddish
coloured juice; though that your _Lixivium_ and Tartar had each of them
a white and clear colour. The reason is this, because the Tartar is as
yet defiled with many hidden and black Fæces, and doth at length after
its solution with the _Lixivium_ render them visible and manifest.
Pass this muddish solution through a filter, and it will be a yellow
liquor, and leave many Fæces in the Philter, good for nothing but to be
thrown away, for they are of no virtue more. Verily ’tis a thing worth
the admiring, that there should yet be so many Fæces left in so well
purified a Tartar. This liquor being thus prepared is very profitable
for the taking away and curing of all kinds of Tartarous Diseases, by
being daily used, or however, it doth at least strongly tame their
violence, but you must first purge the Body by Antimonial Medicaments,
one of which we will presently shew you.
_N. B._ This Medicament will be yet far more noble, if all the humidity
be vapoured away and the reddish Salt that is left be dissolved in
good spirit of Wine and filtered, and the said Spirit of Wine be again
separated therefrom by a gentle Distillation. For so by this second
solution, there will be severed yet more Fæces and the Salt it self
will get a yet greater purity.
This Salt may be safely used as a most precious Treasure against all
the abovesaid tartareous Diseases; For it expells Urine, and drives
out all the impurities out of the Reins and Bladder, and hinders the
gathering together, and generation of Sand or Stones in those Members.
But if there be already Stones generated, and that they be not too
hard, it consumes them by little and little, and carrys them off;
provided that Antimonial purges be (as we said but now) afore used to
purge the Body with.
I have in these few words taught thee how the _Ludus_, that is, the
Dye-like figured Tartar is changed by its own proper liquor Alkahest,
or its own Alkalizate Salt into a Medicine resisting all Tartareous
Diseases. The Dose thereof is a Scruple in Wine, Ale, or other
Vehicles, oftentimes every day, or twice at the least, _viz._ Morning
and Evening, for such as are fifteen or twenty years old and upwards,
and they must fast after the taking of the medicament, for some due
time.
Such as are younger, from three, four, to ten, or twelve may take at
one time, three, four, six, eight, or ten grains, according as they are
older or younger.
This so excellent a medicament have I described for the benefit of
mankind, nor is there as far as I know, a better, though it seems to
arise of so vile a Parentage, and be so mean. Suffer not thy self to be
affrighted by any one, but use the same boldly, whensoever necessity
requires; and firmly believe me that thou wilt not find a better, I do
not deceive thee; and the truth hereof will be demonstrated by its use.
This is a quick and wonderfull purification of Tartar, and a changing
it into a sweet Salt, which is neither sweet nor sour, but a midling
tast ’twixt both, and it gets a middle nature, from the Acid and the
Alkalizate Tartar. Now follows the Antimonial Purge.
C. _An universal Antimonial Purge to be used in all grievous
Diseases, with, a very happy success._
Take of Crude Antimony, Tartar, and Niter, of each alike, Powder them
each apart, commix the Powders, being mixt, put them in a melting Pot
or Crucible, and kindle them with a live Coal, that by this kindling
they may flame up, and go into a ruddish kind of coloured mass. Your
Pot being yet hot set it into your Wind Furnace, and melt it, that
all your matter may flow in the Crucible like water, then pour it out
into your Cone, and being cold take it out, and separate the _Regulus_
therefrom, and lay it by for other uses, because ’tis not serviceable
for the operation here minded. Now out of one pound of Antimony, you’l
have eight Lots, or four ounces of _Regulus_, so that of your one pound
you will get a _Regulus_ of four ounces or the fourth part of the
pound. The _Scoria_’s which will be of a reddish colour and of a fiery
tast upon the Tongue must be again melted in the same Pot they were
melted in, if it be whole, or in some new Pot, and when they flow, put
a live Coal into the Pot. The Salt peter will seize upon the Coal, and
being occupied about corroding the same, will let fall the remainder
of the _Regulus_ it as yet held up. Then the matters being poured out
into your Cone, and cool, strike off the _Regulus_ at the bottom with
the stroke of an hammer, and beat the _Scoria_’s which will be of a red
colour and fiery tast, into Powder, and being thus poudered let the
Salts be extracted [or dissolved] in the heat with common fair water;
the which holding in them the most pure Sulphur of Antimony do turn
the water into a red _Lixivium_, in which is hidden the Medicine that
we seek after; and is to be gotten thence by the following way. For
after that the Sulphur is dissolved, by dissolving all that will be
separated by the Salts or Lye, the Reliques or Remainder are good for
nothing.
Having so done, dissolve white and purified Tartar in fair water, in
some glazed Pot, and thou shalt have an acid Solution; being thus
hot as it is (for when ’tis cold the Tartar will again shoot in it)
pour it by little and little into the Antimonial _Lixivium_, and it
will debilitate the same, so that the Sulphur of the Antimony will
fall down to the bottom in the form of a yellowish or reddish Powder.
When all the Sulphur is setled, separate the clear Water of the Salt,
from the Sulphur, by canting it off; then pour on some warm Water and
wash it so often till all the Salt be gone off. Then philter it, that
all the Water may be separated and the Powder stay in the Philter,
which you shall put upon new and dry Cap-paper thereby to remove
all the wateriness, and then dry it in the heat of the Sun. This is
that Universal purging Medicament which drives out all malignant
humours by all the Emunctories, _viz._ by Vomit, Stool, Sweat, Urine,
and Spittle, out of the whole Body; and that very safely if warily
administred, and the Dose thereof not too much encreased; in which
case even the Galenical medicines themselves do hurt, if their due
Dose be exceeded. Hereupon it is better that there be used at the
beginning rather a lesser Dose than too much, that so no errour may
be committed, and a safe trial may be made, how much the strength of
the Patient will bear or not bear. And albeit that the Dose of this
medicament should be given in so small a Quantity as not to work, or
have any visible Operation at all, yet nevertheless it well performs
its Office, and drives out the Distempers, but yet more slowly than
when ’tis administred in a due Dose, such as may give about one, two,
or three Stools. And to such as are strong and youthfull Persons, the
Dose may be given in such a Quantity as to cause Vomit, in such I say
as can brook vomiting. The usual Dose for those that are above fifteen
Years of Age is, one, two, three, four, or five Grains, according as
they are older or younger. To Infants and such as are a little elder
an eighth part, a quarter, or half a Grain even to an whole Grain,
may be administred, with regard had to the Age and the Disease. This
medicine is of good use in all kinds of Diseases, and in all kinds of
Men, [and Women] save onely Women with Child; and to them you must
administer either none at all, or at least wise so little as to be sure
it provokes not to any inclination of vomiting. And the like is to be
observed by such Persons who are so weak, as that they clearly want
strength requisite for this Operation [of vomiting.] But yet it may be
used even to new born Infants, _viz._ for Convulsion Fits with which
a great many of them are wont to be snatch’d away without any remedy.
The Dose must not exceed the bigness of a Rapeseed, and it must be
administred in the Mothers milk. But if the Infants are grown already
up to be somewhat stronger and are above half a Year old, the Dose of
the said medicament is to be a little encreased, that it may operate
visibly, and so cast forth all the malignant humours out of their
Bodies; and they themselves may not be afterwards afflicted with the
Small-pox, and other such like Diseases as Infants are subject unto.
Verily, all the Children whom I have given this medicine unto, have not
hitherto tasted of those Diseases; the which truth the Parents of such
Infants and others can confirm by their Testimonies. But especially
this medicament is a most present remedy against the Epilepsie both
in young and old, and a most certain Secret in the Plague and all
Feavers; and a most excellent purge in the Gout, Leoprosie, French-pox
and other most grievous Diseases; and likewise in external new Wounds,
in Fistula’s and old Ulcers, what Name soever they are called by, if
it be but used inwardly to purge them. Briefly, this medicament hath
scarce its fellow, so that we have no reason at all to regard such men
as out of meer ignorance, oppose and slander Antimony in their learned
bawlings, and say that it is nothing else but Poison, and therefore no
ways profitable. But let no body believe their barking, but first try
the same, and he will clearly find the contrary.
This indeed I readily confess that Antimony is of no use in the body of
man, nor can it be, afore it is prepared; but after preparation I do
boldly affirm it to be a most admirable medicine.
Concerning which, reade but the chiefest of the Ancient Philosophers,
especially _Basil Valentine_, who in the honour of Antimony wrote the
Triumphant Chariot [thereof.] Do but see what _Paracelsus_, _Alexander
Suchten_, and several others have recorded in writing, concerning the
incomparable Vertues and Power of Antimony; by all whose Writings is
clearly evinced, what things lie hidden in Antimony, I forbear to
speak of other Physicians as well modern as ancient. For it possesseth
the Vertues and Powers of all Vertues and Powers concentrated. What
need many words? Let it be brought but to the Test, and it will most
apparantly testifie by its trial, what Treasures it carries in its
bosom. The things that I speak of here proceed out of meer pity and
love to my Neighbour, that I might help his sickness and miseries. A
very small Portion of the said medicament may be able not onely to
preserve a whole Family for a whole Year free from all the Diseases
that might befall them, but also to rid them of them. So likewise it
sends packing all the sicknesses of beasts by its effectual Virtue. I
was willing from a faithfull and good mind to bestow this comfort and
help upon mankind, against all incident Diseases, whether external or
internal; In the third following Century shall be described more very
excellent medicines against all kinds of Diseases, which may be made
use of by such as without cause are afraid of Antimony.
And as touching that Salt which is made by the mixtion of the acid
Water of the Tartar, and the _Lixivium_ made of the Tartar calcined;
it is not inferiour as to its excellency and eminency to the but
now spoken of Sulphur of the Antimony it self; herein onely is the
difference, that there is to be administred a bigger Dose thereof. And
therefore it must not be thrown away, but after that the Sulphur is
separated, the insipid Water is to be evaporated, and there will then
remain a yellow Salt behind, which has even yet in it no small Portion
of the Antimonial Sulphur; and therefore ’tis in a manner better
than the Sulphur it self, because of its own peculiar Nature, which
by the discharging its own office [or proper work,] may be even _per
se_ reckoned up amongst those most excellent medicines which strongly
resist all Tartareous diseases.
For that reason therefore do I commend this Salt most highly to all
such as are burdened with grievous Diseases. The preparation thereof
is altogether easie, for it is not made of any chargeable matters, but
mean ones, and therefore not without cause to be highly esteemed of.
The dose of this so excellent a Salt is to be encreased or diminished
according to the Quality of the Persons and the Diseases. To such
as are of ripe Age, one Scruple or somewhat more is sufficient. To
Infants, and to such as are a little older, from one to twelve Grains
may be given, regard being had to the difference of their Years. It
gently purgeth the belly, without any kind of Danger, it draws out all
evil humours, and especially it helps the gouty and stony Persons with
a most wisht for Easement.
The weight of those two contrary Salts, _viz._ of the fixt Salt of
Tartar by which the Sulphur is extracted out of the Antimony, and of
the common and acid Tartar dissolved in Water, and which precipitateth
the Sulphur of the Antimony out of the _Lixivium_, cannot be certainly
defined and limited. For according to the greater or lesser Quantity
of the _Lixivium_, is required more or less of the Tartar water to be
poured upon the _Lixivium_, that so being mortified it may let go that
Sulphur of Antimony it holds up in it self. The _Lixivium_ it self will
shew you if you have not poured on Water enough of the Tartar by its
being not yet freed of all the Sulphur, and that there is more Water of
Tartar required to allay all its Acrimony that all the whole Sulphur
may be turned out. A bigger Quantity of the Water of Tartar poured on
the _Lixivium_ [than just enough] doth not spoil it; it takes in as
much of the dissolved Tartar as it can, and what is overplus remains
an acid Tartar, and is not changed in its Nature. But whatever of it
is dissolved in the _Lixivium_ is no more Tartar, because it becomes a
midling Salt of the two, neither acid nor sweet, but partaking of both
Natures, and dissolves in cold Water, which the acid Tartar will not do.
This Salt therefore is able to perform great matters in medicine, and
not onely in medicine but in Alchimy too, and in other Arts can it
exhibit abundance of riches; concerning which thing, more shall be
spoken in another place.
Thus finish I now this my second Century, wherein I have not onely
abundantly supplied those things which by reason of the overmuch
hast, I could not insert in the _Appendix_ to the fifth Part of the
Prosperity of _Germany_, but have withall laid open some part of the
Use of my _Sal Mirabilis_, as much as the shortness of my time would
give me leave to do.
If by the Grace of God I have a yet longer Life vouchsafed me, I will
about half a Year hence, bring so great a benefit not onely unto my
own Countrey, but perhaps even to the whole Christian World, as ever
they received from any man, in so much that the World shall seem as if
’twere new, and so for the present I rest and make an End.
The Third Century
OF
GLAUBER’S
Wealthy Store-house of Treasures.
Wherein many Profitable Chymical Secrets are discovered.
_Faithfully translated out of the High-Dutch of the Authour._
Courteous Reader,
_Having some Years since begun to communicate to the World my manifold
profitable Inventions in Centuries, but of late been hindred by
sickness and other impediments from continuing the same: yet now being
sollicited thereto by many Lovers of Art, I could do no less than to
endeavour to give them some satisfaction by the publishing of these;
and withall assuring them, that, in case God be pleased to continue
my Life (notwithstanding that because of great Age and Sickness I am
fain to keep my bed) I intend to compleat the rest of my promised
Centuries, desiring the kind Reader in the mean time to accept of
these three, and to pardon the confused manner of writing them, having
for want of leisure, set them down as I found them in my Notes, being
chiefly the occasional discoveries and inventions during my Chymical
Labours. Neither would I have the Reader offended that in some places
I break off so abruptly, especially where I am speaking of the matter
which =Adam= brought with him out of Paradise, for whatever may be
wanting in this fifth Century shall God willing be supplied in the
sixth: I also desire the Reader not to be moved by the Calumnies of
any Envious ignorant Persons, to think that the things here set down
(being most of them new and unheard of inventions) are mere Fables and
invented matters, and no real experimented Truths, but rather remit the
verification of them to time and his own Experience, which will not
fail to satisfie him of the Truth of the Particulars herein contained.
Farewel._
THE THIRD CENTURY.
1. To wash common Tartar Snow white in a few hours time, and reduce
it to a pleasant Salt which dissolves in cold Water, and wherewith of
Sugar, Honey, or any sweet Fruits at all times, yea all hours of the
day, and in all places Liquors may be prepared like to Wine in Tast,
smell, colour, strength and virtue, and of which afterwards good Brandy
and Vinegar may be made with great profit.
2. To purifie common Salt in great quantity, in one days time, so as
to become very white, pure and transparent and of a pleasant Tast,
shooting into cubical Crystals fit for the Tables of great Persons,
its tast being very agreeable, and the meat season’d with it much
more wholsome than that which is drest with the common Salt. _See the
Treatise of the nature of Salts._
3. A secret to preserve all sorts of Wine, and make them durable,
whether of Grapes, Sugar, Honey, Apples, Pears, Quinces, Figs, Plums,
Cheries, Malt, Wheat, _&c._ and is of great use to a House-keeper.
4. Any of the forementioned Wines may with ease be turned into very
good Vinegar, not inferiour to that which is made of French or Rhenish
Wine. _See my Vegetable Work._
5. To make good _Sal Armoniack_ of several contemptible matters which
are trod under foot and cast out on the Dunghill very easily and in
great quantities, so as one Man every day may prepare one hundred
pound weight of it with ten shillings charges. _See my Treatise of the
Mineral Squill in order to long life._
6. A secret water wherewith in an hours time the yellow colour in
Diamonds may be drawn from them, which makes them ten times more worth
than they were before. _See my Treatise of the Divine Character._
7. In like manner may the dark red colour of Granates be extracted,
leaving them onely so much colour as makes them like Rubies. For
Granates and Rubies resemble each other in their bodies and colour, the
onely difference between them being, that the Granates abound with too
much colour, which makes them less valued, when therefore some part of
their colour is extracted from them, they do in virtue, hardness and
beauty, equal Rubies, one Karat of which is more worth than ten pound
of Granates, so as this extraction must be very gainfull to him that
is Master of it. _See my third Appendix to the seventh part of my_
Pharmacopœa Spagyrica.
8. In like manner also may be extracted the colours of blue Saphyrs,
yellow Jacinths, Topaces, and Purple Amethysts, by which means they
become white as Diamonds, and when brought to the same degree of
hardness are every whit as valuable as they. _See my third Appendix as
before._
9. In a moments time to rob _Sol_ of its colour and make it white as
Silver. _See my Treatise of the Seal of God._
10. To separate from _Mars_ and _Venus_ when dissolved in Water as well
as from any other Vitriol, by means of an artificial Precipitation,
their hidden spiritual _Sol_ or Tincture, and that in a moment; a thing
of great use in Physick, as well as in the transmutation of Metals.
_See the second Appendix._
11. To extract _Sol_ out of Sand and Stones with great ease and little
charges, which by precipitation is afterwards separated from the
dissolvent, retaining its former strength, and may be made use of again
for the like extraction. _See the prosperity of =Germany= the seventh
part, or =Novum Lumen Chymicum=._
12. To extract _Sol_ from _Luna_ with a small quantity of dissolvent,
which, after precipitation of the _Sol_, remains in its full strength,
and may be used as before to the great gain of the Artist. _See
=Glauber’s= Laboratory, and prosperity of =Germany=, 7th. part._
13. In one days time to prepare a particular, whereof one part will
tinge three parts of _Venus_ into _Lune_. _N. B._ This Tincture is
a white Stone which being placed in a fit Furnace, and a due fire
administred, within few days the whiteness will be changed to a yellow
colour, and that into a fix’d red, whereof one part being cast upon
four parts of _Lune_ in Flux, exalts it so far that in the separation
it gives a fourth part of _Sol_. Which sudden fixation is performed
by the proper Agent of the matter which is white of it self, and yet
affords a red Tincture, when handled, as is here set down. _See my
Treatise of the secret fire of_ Artephius.
14. In a short time to prepare a particular Tincture of a red subject,
which exalts Silver to that degree, as to yield much _Sol_ in the
separation. _See my explication upon =Pontanus= his Letter._
15. A good graduating water which being digested with _Lune_, makes it
yield much _Sol_ in separation. _See the Treatise concerning the most
secret natural Sal Armoniack every where to be found._
16. Another graduating water in which Mercury being digested, becomes
coagulated into _Sol_ and _Luna_. _See the fiery Alkahest._
17. Another fixing water, which being once or twice abstracted from
Mercury makes it lose its property of making _Sol_ and _Venus_ white,
and on the contrary gilds _Luna_ when rub’d upon it. I have as yet
carried this experiment no further, but am of opinion that if Mercury
were long enough digested in the same, it would turn the Mercury into
Tincture, coagulating and fixing each common _Mercury_ into _Sol_. _See
Hastecal._
18. A volatilizing Water which being abstracted from _Sol_ highly
exalts its natural colour, and carries it over the Helm, which done
it is no more common _Sol_, but may in a short time be fixed into a
transparent red Carbuncle. _See my third Appendix, &c._ concerning the
Griffins Claws, and Eagles Wings.
19. A water of like nature that volatilizeth all fixt matters,
wherewith in one single Distillation, the Tincture or Soul may be
extracted from _Mars_, _Venus_, and all coloured Stones, and carried
over the Helm; which Tinctures afterwards with one rectification are
highly purified, and have their Medicinal and tinging virtue doubled,
which exalted and multiplied Tinctures, notwithstanding their great
volatility may within twenty four hours time be concentrated, by means
of a secret Magnet, and fixed into a Stone, penetrating all compact
Bodies, with which incredible things may be done in Alchymy and
Physick. _See my third Appendix, &c._
20. To prepare a Salt in an hours time, and without extraordinary
charges, which makes all fixt matters volatile, and is of such virtue
that when a little of it is joyned with Spirit of Wine it makes it
so strong and fiery, that it dissolves all Metals, Minerals, Animals
and Vegetables, carrying their Q. Essence over the Helm, and is the
effecter of wonders in Physick and Alchymy: so that he who knows how to
prepare and make use of this wonderfull Salt, needs never want either
bodily health, or a competent supply of maintenance. _See my Treatise
of =Elias Artista= in Quarto._
21. A wonderfull, to all Men known, but withall contemptible matter,
which every where may be had for nothing, which whosoever knows,
together with the use of it, needs never want, because thereby he may
effect whatsoever is necessary for Soul or Body. _See my first, second
and third Appendix of_ Pharmacopœa Spagyrica.
22. The manner of preparing a running Mercury out of all Minerals and
Metals, and that in one days time, which joyn’d with _Sol_ becomes
fixed into _Sol_. _See my third Appendix._
23. How such a Mercury may be prepared in an hours time of the martial
_Regulus_ of Antimony, without any charges to speak of, which is a true
Tincture, fixing the imperfect Metals into _Sol_. _See my Treatise
concerning the secret Fire of the_ Magi.
24. A water made of a particular sort of Chalk which changeth a yellow
or brown skin into white, and which cannot be wash’d off with water, of
valuable use for Ladies and Gentlewomen. _See my 4th Century in_ Folio.
25. A water prepar’d of _Sol_, which turns white hairs into a yellow
gold colour. _See my Laboratory._
26. Another water made of Silver, which tinges hair cole-black, good
for such as are gray hair’d, and endeavour to conceal their Age. _See
=Glaub.= Concentrate._
27. A water made of _Sol_, which colours the hair and skin of Man, as
also the bones and horns of Beast, and feathers of Birds, of a fair
lasting Purple. _See =Glauber’s= Laboratory in =Quarto=._
28. A water into which when any Metal is put, it begins to grow
within twenty four hours time in the form of Plants and Trees, each
Metal according to its inmost colour and property, which Metalline
Vegetations are called Philosophical Trees, both pleasant to the Eye
and of good use. Vide _my fourth Century_.
29. A water made of Sand and Flints, having the property of changing
Wood that is laid in it, in a short time into hard Stone of several
colours according to the pleasure of the Artist.
30. A dry water, or rather Stone, upon which if any volatile saline
Spirit be poured and set in the Sun, it presently sucks in the volatile
mineral Spirit and in one days time makes it so fixt that it may be
made red hot in the Fire, without any evaporation. _See my universal
Coagulator._
31. By this means also may the combustible stinking Sulphur, the
greatest enemy of Metals be fixed, which afterwards being cast upon the
imperfect Metals in Flux, doth meliorate them, and make them afford
_Sol_ and _Luna_ on the Cupel with profit. _See my second Appendix._
32. In like manner may Antimony without any loss of weight be fixed,
so as no more to cause vomiting, but casts all evil out of the Body
insensibly by sweat, restoring health, and renewing youth. _See my
proper Agent._
33. In the same manner may Orpiment be fixed, so as no longer to be a
Poison, but a Meliorator of imperfect Metals.
34. Likewise also may Arsenick be fixed within two or three days time,
so as it may safely be taken inwardly, being an excellent Diaphoretick
for the cure of Diseases, and good to exalt Metals, so that in
separation they afford Gold and _Lune_. _See my proper Agent._
35. Much after the same manner may Mercury, without any considerable
loss of weight (though with longer time and more patience) be fixed, so
as to suffer himself to be melted and hammer’d like any other Metal,
and on the Cupel leaves _Sol_ and _Luna_. _See my Treatise of the
universal Coagulator._
36. In like manner may the martial _Regulus_ of Antimony be fixed into
a tinging Stone, that meliorates all imperfect metals.
37. A wonderfull Magnet which being put into any watry Liquors or Oils,
draws the water to it self leaving the Oils more pure, subtile and
penetrating. _See_ Elias Artista.
38. By means of this Magnet, we can separate from the highest rectified
Spirit of Wine, one half of insipid water, which Spirit of Wine after
this separation is an effecter of wonders.
39. This Spirit of Wine when poured on pulverised Coral and thence
abstracted, brings their red Tincture over the Helm, being a wonderfull
Cordial and purifier of the Blood.
40. By means of this Spirit of Wine, may the Cordial Virtue of Pearls
be brought over the Helm, being of great efficacy for the recovery of
sick and weak Persons.
41. This Q. Essence of Wine being poured upon clean washed Egg-shells,
dissolves them, and distilled from them, brings over with it their
Stone-breaking and dissolving virtue, and is a singular remedy in the
Gout, and the Stone of Kidney or Bladder.
42. The same also dissolves the _Lapis Lyncis_ and _Judaicus_, as also
Crabs Eyes so called, and other Stones found in Fishes, carrying their
virtues with it over the Helm. _See my fifth Century._
43. The same Spirit of Wine dissolves, extracts and brings over the
Helm, the inmost virtues of all Animals and Vegetables carrying them
over the Helm, whence incomparable medicaments may be prepared.
44. Black Snails such as are found in _May_ on the Grass dissolved in
the same, and brought over the Helm, and duely exhibited to those that
have the Gout or Stone, carries off all tartareous slimy matter from
the Kidneys, Bladder, and other parts of the Body by Seige and Urine.
45. Aloes, Saffron and Myrrh dissolved in the same, and their Tinctures
carried over the Helm, affords an excellent _Elixir Proprietatis_, very
conducive to long Life. _See =Paracelsus= concerning =Elixirs=._
46. Cantharides dissolved therewith, and brought over, are a powerfull
Diaphoretick, above all others, cleansing the Kidneys and Bladder, but
ought to be heedfully used, because it is a vehement Medicine, which
being overdos’d will hurt the Kidneys, Bladder and Ureters.
47. The Leaves of Helleboraster, extracted and brought over with the
same, affords an Excellent _Aqua Vitæ_, conducing to long Life. _See
Paracelsus._
48. Sea Squills being dissolved in this Spirit of Wine, and
spiritualized by being brought over the helm, is of great use for
removing of Diseases, and maintaining of health.
49. _Nux Vomica_, being first grated and then dissolved therein, and
their restorating Vertue being brought over the Helm, doth wonders in
restoring the decayed strength and health of man, but must be used with
understanding.
50. Common Mercury dissolved and brought over with the same, is the
highest Medicine against the French Pox and all venereal Diseases.
51. Mercury of Antimony prepared after the same manner, affords a
Medicine against all Diseases of mankind.
52. Fixed Antimony thus extracted and brought over is a Diaphoretick
curing all Diseases, and restoring the highest degree of health.
53. In like manner may many excellent Remedies be prepared, out of all
Vegetables and Minerals, for restoring and preserving of health.
54. A further use of our Water attracting Magnet is this. Abstract
the Oil of Tartar, Hartshorn, Amber, Soot, or that which is distill’d
from Smiths Coals, and the Magnet will attract all the Water and bad
Smell to it self, which remains with the Magnet, and the pure clear and
subtil Oil, onely comes over, which Magnet being made red hot, loseth
its water and stink and may be made use of as before.
55. In like manner may the Oil of Wax and Bricks, commonly called
the Oil of Philosophers, be deprived of their bad Scents, and made
exceeding penetrative and pleasant.
56. So also may all Vegetable and Animal Oils distill’d by retort, be
purified and made pleasant.
57. Likewise all the Oils of Herbs, Seeds, Woods and Spices, which
with the addition of Water are distill’d by a common Still, may by
distilling them from our Magnet be made much more subtil, and their
sweet Smells much more strong and piercing; so that a little of these
Oils set in an open Vessel, perfumes not onely the Room in which it is
but also the whole house, they being so volatile that without any Fire
they vanish in the Air.
58. And as by means of this volatalizing fiery Spirit, the pleasant
and well scented Oils of Spices may be greatly meliorated and exalted;
so likewise may all stinking and poisonous Vegetables, Animals or
Minerals, thereby be made much more stinking and venemous, so as their
Smell alone will be sufficient to kill men, doing it with far greater
expedition than any Corporal poisons whatsoever. See _Elias Artista_.
59. All well scented Oils, may by means of our volatile saline Spirit,
be purified to the highest Degree, and afterwards be reduced to a hard
Body: which Body then is no common gross Body (as being a coagulated
Spirit) but a clear, transparent spiritual pure Body.
60. This Labour may with profit be practis’d on Amber, whose Oil being
by rectification made clear and transparent, and then digested with our
fiery salt Spirit, becomes hard again as it was before distillation;
by which means we may make pieces of Amber as big as we please, and
may mix with it some small Threds of _Sol_, and so shall have the old
highly esteemed Stone called Chrysophoros; or else we may put into
it, whilst yet it is soft, little Worms, Flies, Spiders, Pismires, or
whatever else we please, which is a notable Curiosity and shews as if
they were grown there, to those that are ignorant of this Art.
61. In the same manner may the Oil of Turpentine be reduced to a hard
Gum, to very good use and purpose.
62. All distilled Oils of Seeds, Woods and Spices, when by long
standing, they turn yellow, red or thick, may by means of this fiery
salt Spirit be again made clear, thin and transparent, when some of the
said Spirit is poured on the said Oils and so distilled, some part of
the Oil comes over clear and transparent, the other part remaining in
the Glass, in the form of an hard Gum, in which small Insects may be
inclosed as before said of the Amber.
63. Amongst all Oils these following are apt to grow thick and ropy,
_viz._ the Oils of _Lignum Rhodii_, Oranges, Limmons, Juniper-berries;
those of Cloves and Cinamon are apt to grow red. The Oils of
Fennel-seed, Anniss, Coriander, Caroway and Cumin-seed, and all other
Oils distill’d from Herbs and Seeds, that have hollow Stalks, and are
umbelliferous, forasmuch as they abound with much volatile Salt, are
apt to turn thick: If any of these be rectified with an acid saline
Spirit, it immediately destroys the volatile Salt, and the Oil becomes
clear and transparent, and the remaining part of the Oil becomes hard
as a Gum, and is a special inward and outward Medicine.
64. And forasmuch as a fiery saline Spirit can make old and red Oils
clear, thin and transparent, we may conclude, that such a Spirit is
able also to volatilize and bring over by distillation those Oils which
by length of time are become hard and dry in Seeds, Herbs and Woods,
and cannot by maceration in water be brought over, but must by this
more powerfull means be made thin and volatile, that they may afford
their Oils as easily in distillation, as green Seeds and Woods are used
to do.
65. Now as thick and ropy distill’d Oils may be made thin, by means
of saline Spirits; so there are some salt Spirits wherewith we can
coagulate all thin and subtil Oils, in the form of a volatile pleasant
strong scented Salt, of great use in Physick.
66. In this manner, _viz._ by pouring a strong saline Spirit upon them,
we can distill subtil and powerfull Oils from all rosins, gums and
thick juices, and afterwards reduce them again to the hardness of Amber.
Thus Mastick, Frankincense, Benzoin, Storax, Camphir, _&c._ afford very
pure clear and transparent Oils, which when hardned to the consistence
of Amber, draw straws and other light matters to them like it.
67. In like manner also can all sulphureous Minerals be purified to
the highest degree, when distill’d with such a Spirit, and then may be
reduced again to hard transparent clarified Bodies: and amongst the
rest Antimony and Orpiment do afford in this way most powerfull and
superlatively penetrating medicinal Stones.
68. And as these fiery saline Spirits do bring over by distillation all
unfixt sulphureous Subjects, and purifie them; so they do the same in
fixt Sulphureous Metals, e.g. _Mars_ and _Venus_, which Metals being
thus purified may be fixed into tinging medicinal Stones.
69. They who know the art of the metallick purification and fixation,
are possessours of an incomparable Treasure, forasmuch as by this means
in three days time with the charge of one Crown, a true universal
Medicine may be prepared, for the Bodies of men and metals, not in
great quantity indeed but sufficient to assure the Possibility of it,
and may afterwards be tryed in greater quantity.
70. By means of such a fiery salt Spirit fixt Chrystals, Flints, and
other hard Stones may be made volatile and spiritual, and then may
tinge them with what colours we please, and coagulate them again into
hard transparent colour’d Stones, and that of what form and fashion we
please. This is a very gainfull Art, because fair transparent colour’d
Stones are always preferrable to _Sol_.
71. And as we have understood that by means of volatilizing waters, nor
onely Vegetables and Animals, but also minerals and fixt metals may be
made volatile, and their purest parts brought over the Helm, and by
this means do wonders as well in Physick as Alchymy. Now though this
separation of the pure part from the impure, by means of Distillation
be high’y to be valued, yet there is a better, easier and less
chargeable way to separate the purer parts from all Metals, Minerals,
Stones, Sand, and coloured Earths containing _Sol_ and Tincture, by
means of a Magnet, which being laid in the Solutions of Metals, and
extractions of Stones, within a few hours time draws to it all the
spiritual as well as fixt _Sol_ and Tincture contain’d in the said
Solutions; so that after abstraction of the dissolvent by Distillation,
we find the dis-animated dead Body, which being put aside, we separate
the attracted _Sol_ or Tincture from the Magnet, and thus obtain
whatsoever good was hid in the foresaid gross Bodies. _N. B._ Though
indeed this extraction of _Sol_ and Tinctures be very easie, as hath
been said, yet I shall here, for further information of the Reader, set
down what ought to be observed in the extracting of _Sol_ from each
Metal, Mineral, Stone, or Earth. And first of fixt _Sol_.
72. When there is fixt _Sol_ in Sand or Stones, we need onely to
pulverize them, and pour upon them _Aq. Regis_ wherein common Salt hath
been dissolved, and let them boil together a quarter of an hour, by
which means the _Aq. Regis_ draws the _Sol_ out of the Sand and Stones,
in which extraction if we then put the _Sol_ attracting Magnet, it will
draw the _Sol_ to it self, which being separated from the Magnet, is
melted down with fluxing Powder, the _Aq. Regis_ continuing good to be
employed on the like occasion.
73. But when in the Sand or Stones there is no fixt but onely a
volatile unripe _Sol_, then we must put the Sand or pulverized Stones
into a Glass Retort, and pour upon them of our volatilizing fiery
Alkaliest, and abstract the same from the Sand or Stone, by which means
it carries the _Sol_ over with it, which hath been attracted by the
golden Magnet, which being reduced will be found good and fix’d _Sol_.
The dissolvent may again be used to the same purpose.
74. But if the Stones besides the _Sol_, do also contain _Lune_, then
an _Aq. Fortis_ must first be poured upon them to extract the _Lune_,
and afterwards precipitate it by casting some common Salt into the
Solution, by which addition of Salt the _Aq. Fortis_ is turned into an
_Aq. Regis_, and being poured upon the Stones, it extracts the _Sol_
also.
75. For if at first we should pour an _Aq. Regis_ upon these Stones, it
would indeed extract the _Sol_, but withall so alter the _Lune_, that
it would be impossible afterwards to extract it with _Aq. Fortis_, and
therefore we are to proceed in the manner abovesaid.
76. In like manner also we are to proceed with white, yellow and red
Earths, for to extract the _Lune_ and _Sol_ that is in them. And if it
be a fat Earth and contains fix’d _Sol_, it must first be made red hot
to rob it of its fatness, because else it would devour too much _Aq.
Fortis_.
77. But when the Earth contains onely volatile _Sol_, as the yellow
Earth of _Silesia_ and the red _Terra Lemnia Sigillata_, it must not be
made red hot, but pour some Alkahest upon it, and so bring the _Sol_
over the Helm.
78. Yellow and red Earths do commonly contain _Sol_ or _Lune_ or both,
and therefore we may boldly make trial of them; for oftentimes a great
treasure is shut up in very contemptible Earth, such as might serve to
maintain many thousands.
79. In the same manner we may extract the fixt as well as immature
_Sol_ out of Ruddie, red Jasper, and red Blood-stones, which in some
parts are found in great quantities.
80. With our _Sol_ attracting Magnet, we can extract much _Sol_ out
of any common Vitriol, and after the _Sol_ is extracted, reduce the
Solution to Vitriol again, which is as good for the Dyers use as it was
before.
81. With the same Magnet, good _Sol_ may be extracted out of those
yellowish, reddish, and greenish waters which flow from some Mountains,
which waters being to be had for nothing, must make this work very
gainfull.
82. And in case we should not be able to meet with this sort of running
waters, then we may take the Copperas Stones which are often found in
Sand, but for the most part grow in fat Earth, which when they are
expos’d to the Air, fall in pieces, and having water poured upon them
afford a good Vitriol, which easily yields the spiritual _Sol_ it
contains to our Magnet. So that an Artist can scarcely be to seek for
subjects, from whence unripe volatile or fixt _Sol_ may be had with
profit.
83. _N. B._ But when we have a mind to bring the volatile _Sol_
which is in red Sand, Stones and Clay, with volatilizing waters by
Distillation over the Helm, it is good to add to our Eagles Wings,
or volatilizing water, some of our most secret _Sal Armoniack_, by
which the same is extreamly strengthned and animated, so that like a
_Griffin_ for strength, it carries the Man on Horseback away in the Air
to his Nest.
84. _N. B._ This _Griffin_ is the Artist, that prepares this fiery
water, wherewith he seizeth as with his Talons the Man armed Cap a Pe;
that is, red Stones, Sand and Earth, abounding with a martial Tincture,
extracts and carries them to the young ones in his Nest, that is,
provides a good maintenance for his Family thereby.
85. But because to these operations of extracting _Sol_ volatile
and fixt, and Tinctures from the subjects just now mentioned, when
we work them in quantities, much _Aq. Regis_, or other like waters
are required, which every one hath not an oportunity to prepare for
himself, and therefore must buy them, which encreaseth the charges of
the operation; wherefore I am willing to teach a near way to prepare
these corrosive waters.
86. Forasmuch then as we know that Vitriol is an universal acid, and
the chief of all Salts, and the Spirit it yields by Distillation, much
more fiery than that which is forc’d from other Salts, therefore we may
make use of the Oil of Vitriol, for a _Basis_ with the help of others
Salts, to prepare several sorts of saline Spirits, with small labour
and charges, in manner as follows.
87. _Recipe_ two parts of Niter dissolved in water and one part of
Oil of Vitriol, distill them in an Allembick, and you will obtain a
good _Aq. Fortis_ to dissolve _Lune_, _Saturn_, and _Mercury_. This
operation spends little Fire and comes over easily.
88. And if we dissolve one pound of Salt, and as much Niter in three
pound of Water, adding thereto one pound of Oil of Vitriol, and distill
it in Sand, by Alembick or Retort we shall get six pound of good and
strong _Aq. Regis_ to dissolve _Sol_, _Venus_, _Mars_ and _Jupiter_.
89. But when we take two pound of Salt, and dissolve it in three pound
of Water adding one pound of Oil of Vitriol, we get five pound of good
Spirit of Salt. The Salt that stays behind is called _Sal Mirabilis_
or wonderfull Salt, because wonders may be done with it, as appears
from several parts of my Writings, these Salts being of divers vertues
according to the nature of those Salts that are added to the Oil of
Vitriol in Distillation.
90. These Salts are commonly added to metals, and melted down with them
in Crucibles, by which means they become dissolved in the dry way,
which is much easier and readier than the wet way of dissolving.
91. In particular by this way we can dissolve Sulphur, which resists
all corrosive saline Spirits, and remains undissolved by them.
92. Now to obtain Oil of Vitriol with ease and in great quantity, we
may proceed several ways, and especially thus, by dissolving Vitriol in
water, adding a contrary to it, which separates all its impurities, by
which means the purified Vitriol may with a small Fire be reduced to
Oil, so as one pound of Oil of Vitriol will not require above ten pound
of Coals.
93. And because Oil of Sulphur is of the same nature with Oil of
Vitriol, yea is more proper for some operations than it, therefore
we may make use of the same Oil of Sulphur, to prepare strong saline
Spirits, especially because the same may be prepared in quantity and
very compendiously, according to a particular way described by the
Ancient Philosophers.
94. They have taught us the preparation of Oil of Sulphur in their
wittily devised Fables, giving to this Oil the name of _Venus_,
whom _Vulcan_ when come to Man’s estate took to Wife: by the word
_Vulcan_, we are to understand every combustible Sulphur, and by
the word _Venus_, its incombustible corrosive Oil, which for this
reason probably they called _Venus_, because when a drop of it falls
on burning Coals, it gives forth a red smoak like to _Venus_, or
because this acid Oil like a wicked Woman, has sharp Teeth, and a keen
deceitfull Tongue, wherewith they lay hold of Men, and lead them astray
in the same manner as this Oil cleaves to, and enters a League with
every metal to which it is joyned, forasmuch as all metals proceed from
Sulphur, and have great affinity with it, as the Woman hath with Man.
_Here follows an Explication of the Poetical Table, teaching us to
make the Oil of Sulphur in quantity._
95. We reade that _Vulcan_, that is, a combustible Sulphur, took
_Venus_ to Wife, by which is meant the incombustible Oil of Sulphur;
now whilst _Vulcan_ was busie at his work in the Caves of the Earth,
for he was a Miner and a Black-smith, _Venus_ betakes her self to Mars,
who lies with her; now when _Vulcan_ found his Wife in the embraces of
another Man, he calls all the Gods to his help, who appearing, cast an
Iron Net over _Mars_ and _Venus_ that they might not escape, but with
great shame be exposed to the derision of the Gods.
96. When _Vulcan_ is kindled in a Furnace made for that purpose, that
is, labours in metals, the flame carries _Venus_, _i. e._ the Oil of
Sulphur into _Mars_ his lodging, that is, into the Recipient, which
must be fill’d with Steel Wire, where she commits Adultery with _Mars_,
that is, begins to dissolve the same, and produceth a Vitriol, which
when exposed to the moist Air, becomes resolved into a clear sweet
water, which from the Steel Wire runs into the Vessel appointed to
recieve it, which sweet water is nothing else but _Arostrus_ the Son
of _Mars_ and _Venus_, or the martial Oil of Sulphur, or to speak more
plainly, the Vitriol of _Mars_.
97. This Vitriol of _Mars_ is called by the Philosophers the juice or
water of the Birch Tree, and of which they say the Philosophers Stone
may be prepared, for many of them have writ concerning it, and pointed
to this sweet Iron Juice, which they have termed Birch Tree Waters,
because of the likeness it has therewith, for when in the Spring-time
we make a hole with a Piercer, reaching to the Pith of the Tree, and
thrust into it a Quill or Faucet, much sweet water proceeds from it,
which some make use of to brew Beer, because the same is accounted very
good against the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder.
98. This Vitriol also is _Virgil’s Arbor Opaca_, or dark Tree, whose
Branches he declares to be easily flexible; now what is more flexible
than Iron, or Copper Wire, which are therefore compared to the Birch,
which is a very juicy Tree, and hath very flexible branches.
99. That this shady Tree is the fittest, according to _Virgil_’s
Doctrine, to break off one golden Twig after another is also certain,
for I have tried it divers ways and found it to be true, that it
affords its golden Twigs very freely to him that knows how to handle
_Proserpina_.
100. But if the Artist be acquainted with the use of our _Sol_
attracting Magnet, he may then with ease and more profit, without
Distillation or Fire, break off the said Twigs, than he could do with
the help of _Proserpina_.
And thus I conclude this third Century, the fourth and fifth follows,
which will be found of better use than this.
THE FOURTH CENTURY.
_To extract the =Sol= that is in Granates._
1. If Granates be melted with Glass, that contains _Lune_, the _Lune_
containing Glass will unite it self with the _Sol_ that is in the
Granates, which with an _Aq. Regia_ may be afterwards separated.
_To make a good =Mercury= of Wine._
2. _Recipe_ Crude Tartar and pour upon it a Lye of Salt of Tartar,
distill in an Alembick, and you’ll have a strong Mercury of Wine,
which is a much stronger and more fiery Spirit, than Spirit of Urine,
especially if some _Sal Armoniack_ be added to it.
_To make a Mercury of Metals._
3. And if before we dissolve a Metal or Mineral in the foresaid lye
of Salt of Tartar, or in the Crude Tartar, before that both these
contraries be put together, then the volatile Spirit of Tartar will
bring over the Tincture or Mercury of the said metal or mineral in the
form of a subtile Spirit. In this manner we may drive the Mercury of
all minerals and metals over the Helm.
_What the Soul of the greater and lesser World is._
4. _Plato_ call’d common Salt the Soul of the great World, and if so,
then Salt of Tartar may very well be accounted the Soul of the lesser
World: for whatsoever is in the Macrocosm, the same is also in the
Microcosm.
_All superfluities of Nature afford a volatile Salt._
5. For the Salt of Hartshorn of Hair, Soot, Blood, and of the Seeds of
Mustard, Cresses and Scurvygrass, _&c._ are much of the same Nature as
_Salt_ of Tartar.
_A Good Bath._
6. Common water sprinkled upon red hot Flints or Pebbles that are
found in running Streams, affords an hot Vapour, which by reason
of the subtil Sulphur of the Stones it carries up with it, is very
penetrating, so that in this manner without any other Fire we may
prepare an hot dry Bath, very available to cure many Diseases
by sweating, the great vertue of it chiefly proceeding from the
sulphureous Spirit of the Stones.
_To separate =Sol= from =Luna= by fluxing in a Crucible._
7. When we have a mind to separate _Sol_ from _Luna_ by means of
Sulphur we need not make use of granulated or filed _Saturn_ for
precipitation, but instead thereof we may make use of Antimony, because
the granulated or filed _Saturn_ is made hard and influxible by the
Sulphur: neither shall we make use of common _Venus_ for precipitation,
as _Erker_ teaches, but such a _Venus_ as hath been made friable with
Arsenick or Orpiment, by which means we shall get more _Sol_ than
without Arsenick, because Arsenick and Orpiment contain much volatile
_Sol_, which in this Operation becomes fixed with the _Luna_.
_To recover the =Sol= and =Luna= which is got into the Pores of the
Crucible._
8. The Crucible must be beaten into fine Powder, and put into a
reverberatory fire, stirring it continually by which means the Antimony
and Sulphur vapour away, and the _Sol_ and _Luna_ remains with the
Earth, which, with strong Waters may be separated.
_Another way to perform the same._
9. Or we may add filings of _Saturn_ to the powder of the Crucibles,
and give them a strong heat, by which means the _Saturn_ will take in
the _Sol_ and _Luna_. _N. B._ But the Separation with strong Waters is
the more easie way of the two.
_To extract the Colour from =Sol=._
10. _Venus_, _Jupiter_ and _Regulus Martis_ melted into a mass with
_Sol_, and _Venus_, the _Jupiter_ and _Regulus Martis_ afterwards
separated from the _Sol_ by _Niter_, then melt other metals as before
with the _Sol_, and separate them as before with Niter, which must be
continued till the _Sol_ have lost his Colour.
11. The dross being afterwards melted in a Crucible, and a small
quantity of Coles made of Blood cast upon it, the extracted Tincture
of _Sol_ will separate it self from the dross, falling to the bottom
like a _Regulus_. _N. B._ The metals _Venus_, _Jupiter_ and the martial
_Regulus_ may be separated from the dross onely with common wood Coal.
12. Niter fixed by the _Regulus_ of Antimony, and distill’d with _Sal
Armoniack_, gives an excellent _Mercury_ of metals, which hath a scent
like musk.
_To extract =Sol= out of Stones._
13. If we take Sand or Stones that contain _Sol_, and melt them with
Lead ashes into Glass, and reduce them again with fixed Salt, then by
cupelling this Lead ashes, and the reduced Sand or Stones severaltimes,
we shall have the _Sol_ that was in the Stones.
_To extract =Sol= from Stones._
14. The black or brown Pebbles found in Brooks, and which break smooth
like Glass, being mixed with the best Eagles wings and distilled by
retort, yield much _Sol_.
_A Tincture from Metals._
15. _Jupiter_ is the highest Regent over the upper Constellations.
_Sol_ gives to all Stars their Light, _Mars_ rules upon Earth, and
_Saturn_ in the Earth, and of these four an universal Tincture may be
prepared.
16. _Mars_ and _Saturn_ in particular yields great riches, when being
reduced to Glass they are several times driven through a Reverberatory,
according to that of the Ancient Philosophers; by _Saturn_ and _Mars_,
fire and art, great wealth may be found.
_That there is a renovating vertue hid in Spiders._
17. Spiders renew themselves every month by casting their skins,
wherefore a medicine prepared of them by the Flame of Spirit of Wine
renews man.
18. It is also to be observed that all Birds, especially those that
feed upon Flies and Worms, when they are sick, cure themselves by
eating Spiders.
_Secrets of Serpents._
19. All sorts of Serpents renovate themselves once a year by casting
their skins, wherefore if we extract them with Spirit of Wine, and
correct them by burning away the Spirit of Wine, they yield an assured
medicine against all Poyson, and renews man.
20. _Regulus_ of Antimony being duely fixed with _Sol_, tingeth as well
in the wet as dry way.
_=Sol= and Sulphur yield a Tincture._
21. Common combustible Sulphur cannot join with the incombustible
Sulphur of _Sol_, without such a medium as partakes of both their
Natures, _viz._ Antimony: when by this means the combustible Sulphur is
fixed by the incombustible Sulphur of _Sol_, the _Sol_ gives it ingress
into imperfect metals to tinge them.
_To make =Sol= red._
22. If the Blood of the Lion be digested with Tartar and _Aqua Fortis_,
this purple Colour will be changed into a red, and separate it self
from the Salt, falling in form of red powder to the bottom, and is a
most excellent Colour for Painters.
_To make =Purpurissa=, or a Paint to make the Face look ruddy._
23. Dissolve _Sol_ and _Jupiter_ in _Aqua Regis_, digest and edulcorate
with Water, yields an excellent paint for Women. _N. B._ But a little
Oil of Talk ought to be added to it.
_An Experiment upon =Purpurissa= or the Blood of the Lyon._
24. When we digest or boil the Blood of the Lion so long till the red
Colour becomes as white as milk, and then pour upon it as much Water,
as has been evaporated during the boiling, this milk will be chang’d
again to Blood.
25. Of the blue Paint called Smalt, by means of Salt of Tartar may a
most excellent Paint be made for Limners, not inferiour to Ultramarine.
26. Of _Mercury_, _Jupiter_, Sulphur and _Sal. Armoniack_ is made the
Paint called _Aurum Musicum_.
_A Cementation that graduates =Venus= into =Sol=._
27. _Recipe_ Vitriol calcined to Redness, mix it with Salt and Coal
dust, lay this with thin Copper Plates _stratum super stratum_, put
them into a Fire that may keep the Plates of _Venus_ red hot for six
hours without melting them, by which means the _Sol_ in the _Venus_
will be encreased; if we repeat this Cementation several times till the
_Venus_ be of a golden colour, the gain will be much greater. _N. B._
The cause of this melioration is, because the Coal Dust hinders the
corrosive Spirits of the Vitriol and Salt from corroding the _Venus_,
and therefore onely penetrates and graduates the same.
_To make all Corrosives sweet._
28. Vitriol distilled with Salt yields a Corrosive Spirit, but if Coal
Dust be mixed with them, they give a sweet Spirit, which graduates
_Lune_ into _Sol_ when digested therein.
29. _Recipe_, _Calx_ of _Jupiter_ mixed with _Mercury_ of _Lune_, and
therewith Cement plates of _Venus_, by which means the saline Spirits
introduce the white Sulphur of _Jupiter_ into the _Venus_, and change
it into Lune containing much _Sol_.
_A sweet graduating Spirit, usefull to the Melioration of Metals._
30. _Recipe_, Coal Dust, mix them with _Sal Mirabilis_, and distill
by retort, and you will get a sweet graduating Spirit, exalting some
Metals to _Sol_.
_The Philosophical Work._
31. The Father of all things is the warm Son, their Mother is the moist
Moon, the Earth is the Womb, the Wind carries the Seed through the Suns
driving into the Womb the Earth, which foments, and at last brings
forth the Child.
_Sulphur is the Father of all Metals._
32. The Central Fire in the Earth mounts upward continually into the
hollow places of the Earth, and meeting with water or moisture, cleaves
to it and makes Stones, as also all Metals and Minerals of different
natures and properties, according as the water is pure or impure.
_Sulphur is the universal Coagulator._
33. A sulphureous vapour is that which coagulates Mercury, as well in
Vegetables and Animals as Minerals.
_Demogorgon the Grand-father of all things._
34. The Central Fire in the great World keeps it in continual motion,
and causeth the growth of all things as well upon, as under the Earth,
being the Governour of the great World.
_The Vital Spirit, or radical moisture, is the Life and Growth of
all Men._
35. As the great World is governed and maintained by the Demogorgon or
Central Fire, so Man the little World is governed, and maintained in
continual motion and growth, by the Vital Spirit seated in his heart.
36. Fire is the Father of all things, Water the Mother, the Earth is
the Womb, the Wind or Air drives the Fire, being the universal Agent,
into the Water, being the universal Patient, in order to bring forth
Fruit. _See my Treatise of the divine Character._
37. Man, Beasts, Fish and Fowl, and all that lives and grows, draw
their life from the Air, onely the _Salamander_ draws his life, and has
his Body from the Fire, wherefore also in power and strength he excells
all living Creatures.
38. The secret Fire of the _Chaldeans_, which at all times draws Fire
out of the Air, wherewith the Jewish Priests kindled their Sacrifice,
as may be seen in the _Maccabees_, is made of Steel, Niter and Sulphur.
39. When we abstract an _Aqua Regia_ wherein Sol is dissolved from the
Butter of Antimony, the Soul of _Sol_ and Antimony comes Bloud-red over
the helm, which poured upon a Solution of _Lune_, the _Lune_ falls to
the bottom, and draws the Tincture of _Sol_ and Antimony to its self
out of the Water, and the _Lune_ by this means becomes red, and is
a Tincture and Universal medicine for humane and metallick Bodies.
_N. B._ The remainder of the _Sol_ and Antimony that did not come over
is wholly fixt, and a good Diaphoretick, thus the Souls of the dead,
_i. e._ of _Sol_ and _Lune_ are brought up from Hell. _See Nuisement de
spiritu & sale Mundi._
40. When in the manner now said with the Butter of Antimony, we bring
over the Soul of _Mars_ we get a much higher Tincture than from that of
_Sol_, and in coming over becomes wholly fixt. _See my Treatise de 3
principiis Metallorum._
41. In like manner may from the Butter of Arsenick and _Lune_ a white
Tincture be brought over the helm, tinging _Venus_, _Mars_, _Jupiter_
and _Saturn_ into _Lune_. _N. B._ These Tinctures in coming over are
fixed by _Plato_’s Stygian Water, so as to need no further fixation.
42. But if we precipitate these Tinctures of _Mars_ and Antimony with
the Solution of _Sol_, and then edulcorate and dry the same, we by this
means do obtain a dry graduating Water, which being molten with any
white or red metals makes them yield good Gold, and _Lune_ on the Cupel
to the great profit of the Artist.
43. Oil of Vitriol mixed with _Sal Armoniack_, is also of good use to
bring over Tinctures, but not in that quantity as Butter of Antimony.
44. Our dry, sweet universal tinging water dissolves white Pebbles
and Crystals, and changeth the same into precious Stones of several
colours, excepting onely their hardness, which it cannot communicate.
45. The easiest way to get the _Sol_ or _Lune_ that is in _Jupiter_, is
by casting it upon molten _Venus_, which draws the _Sol_ and _Lune_ to
it self out of the _Jupiter_.
46. In like manner doth the _Regulus_ of Antimony when in flux readily
draw to it the _Sol_ and _Luna_ in _Jupiter_, and then washing the
_Regulus_ with Niter we get the _Sol_ and _Luna_ contained in _Jupiter_.
47. But this operation ought not to be done in Crucibles made of common
Earth, which easily break and spill the metal, but in those that are
made of a fat crucible Clay, mix’d with coal dust, as is taught in the
fifth part of my Furnaces.
48. As the Sulphur in Tartar coagulates a thin water into a hard Hepar,
or Liver so called, so likewise doth a fixt Sulphur coagulate _Mercury_
into _Sol_ and _Luna_.
49. The often calcining of Salts and dissolving them in Water, doth
purifie them, and makes them easily fluxible, and in particular Vitriol
may by this means be so purified, as to yield its Oil with a very small
heat.
50. The Solution of _Saturn_ and _Lune_ poured into a volatile Spirit
of _Mars_ or _Venus_, draws the tinging volatile Sulphur out of the
Water to it self, and makes the same Corporal and fixed.
51. Tartar contains a coagulating and tinging Sulphur, for it
coagulates Water into a Hepar, and tinges red metals to a white Stone,
which may be pulverized; this Sulphur is the cause why Tartar will not
dissolve in cold Water as other Salts.
52. When therefore the Tartar is freed of this Sulphur that coagulates
all Water, then much good may be done therewith as well in Physick as
Alchimy, and many other Arts besides.
53. Tartar by being boiled in a strong Lye, lets go its coagulating
Sulphur, and a neutral Salt proceeds from them both; but if we have a
mind to separate the Lye from the purified Tartar we must do it with
an acid, that may mortifie the Lye, by which means the purified Tartar
will be left snow white.
54. If the Lye be kill’d with a Spirit of Niter or _Aqua Fortis_, then
from both these contraries proceeds a good Niter.
55. But if we make use of a Spirit of Salt, then there is made up of
both a tartarized Spirit of Salt.
56. If we take distill’d Vinegar to mortifie the Lye, then from the
joyning of those both proceeds a neutral volatile Salt which is a good
Diuretick in the Gout and Stone.
57. This is the best way of purifying Tartar, which after this
Operation is of far greater use in Physick and Alchimy than the common
Tartar.
58. Tartar as hath been said, contains a coagulating and tinging
Sulphur, coagulating all Water into a thick Hepar, and exalting the
Colours of metals. Thus we see that by boiling Golden or Silver Vessels
with Tartar, their several Colours are exalted.
59. And whosoever has the Art of separating this Sulphur from Tartar,
may by means thereof effect great and wonderfull things.
60. A like wonder working Sulphur is likewise found in Animals, and
more especially in man, who brings it with him into the World.
61. Whence some Philosophers tell us, that _Adam_ brought the
Philosophers Stone with him out of Paradise, and after his death
carried it with him into his grave.
62. Minerals also afford the same coagulating fixing and tinging
Sulphur, for which reason the Philosophers Stone is said to be Animal,
Vegetable and Mineral, because of each of these three Kingdoms an
Universal medicine may be made for men and metals.
63. But the easiest way is, when we extract the best part of all these
three Kingdoms, and conjoyn them according to Art for an Universal
medicine.
64. Wine is the chief of Vegetables, Man of Animals, and Gold of Metals.
65. Spirit of Wine purges and purifies all things, with its purifying
Flame; as may be seen in my Purgatory of the Philosophers.
66. The volatile Salt of Animals, and especially of Man purifies all
things by its volatilizing Virtue, as appears in our most secret _Sal
Armoniack_.
67. The incombustible Sulphur of metals tingeth the Bodies of men and
metals, to the highest pitch of Health, as may be seen in the third
_Appendix_ to the seventh part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_.
68. _Demogorgon_ with his Russet mantle and green Coat, is the
Grandfather of all the Heathen Gods _i. e._ of all metals.
69. And like as in the Earth he doth generate and bring to perfection
all metals, so also out of the same, if the Artist knows how to manage
him, he perfects all unripe and imperfect metals, in a short time, with
the help of Fire, to that degree that they shall endure the Test as
well as _Sol_ or _Luna_.
70. This wonderfull virtue of fixing all volatile minerals, the
Philosophers call their secret Fire or proper Agent, wherewith not
onely the imperfect metals, as _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Venus_, and
_Mars_, but also volatile _Mercury_, combustible common Sulphur,
Antimony, Orpiment, and Arsenick may be fixed, so as on the Cupel to
leave _Sol_ and _Lune_.
71. And as this Demogorgon, or invisible secret Fire of the wise Men,
doth fix the unripe minerals and metals into _Lune_ and _Sol_; so
likewise can it fix the said minerals and metals, and exalt them to an
higher degree than that of _Sol_, even to the _plusquam_ perfection of
true Tinctures, whereby all imperfect metals may be changed into _Sol_.
72. This our Demogorgon hath the virtue even as it comes raw and
unprepared out of the Earth to change and meliorate all metals as
follows.
73. It makes _Saturn_ as hard and white as _Lune_, when tinged with it,
of which all manner of Vessels and Dishes may be made, it onely wants
the sound of _Lune_ and enduring of the Test.
74. If a little of this Tincture be cast upon fluxed _Venus_ it
presently becomes white and hard as Steel, continues as fusible as
before, and yet is so hard that it cannot be filed, so that several
Vessels may be made of it, not subject to bending or breaking.
75. When cast upon melted _Jupiter_, it makes it hard as _Lune_, and
sounding like it, is of great use to make all sorts of Vessels of.
76. And amongst other things that may be made of it with great profit,
this is one, _viz._ that Looking-Glasses may be made thereof, which
being polished continue a long time clear and fair, without being
obscured in moist Weather, as other metalline Glasses are, and all this
by reason of the extraordinary hardness of the metal. _See my Treatise
of Looking-glasses._
77. This Tincture cast upon _Lune_, makes the same Coal-black
throughout, so that it is no more like _Lune_, of which Bells and
Clocks may be made of a far better and clearer sound than those that
are made of _Venus_ and _Jupiter_.
78. By this means also in times of War, or other danger _Lune_ may so
be disguised as not to be known for such, and so may be a good way to
preserve it from being taken by the Enemy.
79. In like manner it makes _Sol_ so hard that it can no way be bent or
destroyed, and therefore might be of good use in many of the following
cases.
80. It would be very proper for some great Emperour or King to make his
Statue of, it being indestructible, and not to be diminished or injur’d
by any way whatsoever.
81. Money coin’d of this _Sol_ would be of good use if a King or Prince
had a mind that his Coin should not be transported elsewhere, because
differing so much from common _Sol_ it would not be passible in other
Countries.
82. This golden Coin also would not be subject to be clipt or fil’d.
83. Medals also might be made of this _Sol_, and would be a great
curiosity besides the indefectibleness of them.
84. It would be excellent also to make Rings of, especially such as are
designed for the remembrance of Friends, as lasting for ever.
85. It would be very proper to cast Seals of, or the divine Character
or other secret _Sigils_. _See my Treatise of the Divine Character and
Seal of God._
86. Or the said Divine Character being exprest upon my _Lapis Ignis_
(which being but for a little while carried in ones mouth, cures many
grievous Diseases without any other Medicine) might be set in this hard
_Sol_, and so without wasting be carried constantly about one. _See my
Treatise of the Mineral =Squilla= in order to a long life._
87. Great Princes also might have Armour and Arms made of this hardned
_Sol_, which would be much better than any of Iron or Steel, which
easily take rust, to which _Sol_ is not Subject.
88. Of this _Sol_ might also very conveniently be made Candlesticks and
Lamps, with other Vessels for the use of the Church and Altar.
89. To many more uses this _Sol_ might be put, especially for that
by reason of its hardness, it suffers it self to be polished to that
degree, as to cast a great lustre from it, like the Sun.
90. As to the further use hereof, _See my Treatise_ de tribus Lapidibus
ignium secretorum.
91. With the hardned _Lune_, _Venus_, _Jupiter_, _Mars_ and _Saturn_,
many profitable and curious things may be done, which for brevitiy sake
are here omitted.
92. The Sulphur of the Philosophers when set free from his dark Prison,
wherein he is detain’d by his Brethren, by our Key that opens all
Locks, gives his Deliverer for reward, the possession of the three
Kingdoms in the World, _viz._ enabling him to make all Vegetables grow
swiftly, and very fruitfull, to cure the Diseases of all Animals, and
to meliorate and exalt all Metals.
93. And when the Philosophers, saith _Sendivogius_, see this Sulphur
restor’d to liberty, swimming in their Sea, they worship it, and
draw it out with a Silver Line, though others do it with their _Sol_
attracting Magnet, and fix it into an universal Medicine, wherewith
they afterwards effect wonders: _As may be seen in my =Elias Artista=,
and Purgatory of Philosophers_.
94. The Philosophers say, except first you make our _Sol_ (that is, the
redeemed Sulphur) and Mercury white, you’l never be able to make them
red.
95. They say also, our _Sol_ tingeth not except it be first tinged it
self, that is exalted in its colour.
96. All things in the World have their rise from Fire and Water, and
derive their Purity or Impurity, from the Purity or Impurity of their
Parents.
97. The common Fire brings forth its Fruits very slowly, whether they
be Stones, Minerals, Animals, or Vegetables.
98. And so do likewise the warm and dry Sun, and moist Earth: but when
we assist Nature with Art, then she works much more swiftly, and brings
her Fruits to maturity in much shorter time.
99. The Meteors in the Firmament which are made of Fire and Water,
especially Thunder and Lightning, produce sometimes Stones, and cast
them to the Earth.
100. A common fulminating Powder made of Sulphur, Niter and Tartar
gives a stinking offensive smoak, corrupting some things, and
meliorating others: whereas a Fulmen prepared of Niter, _Jupiter_ and
_Mercury_, yields a particular tinging mercurial Water. The Fulmen of
_Venus_ tinges _Mars_ into Copper, that of _Lune_ graduates _Venus_
into _Lune_; and the Fulmen of _Sol_ graduates and tinges _Mars_ into
_Sol_.
The universal Fulmen of the great Tincture graduates all Metals into
_Sol_, which God of his mercy grant unto us, Amen.
THE FIFTH CENTURY.
_The best particular and cheapest Universal._
1. When with the help of _Sendivogius_ his _Chalybs_, or _Glauber_’s
Magnet, we have extracted the colour from _Sol_, and again restored
it through _Venus_ and Antimony, we may by oft repeating the said
extraction and restoration get great profit, this being one of the best
particulars that can be. This multiplication of _Sol_ may very well
be compared with the generation of Man, for as a Man in generating,
doth with meat and drink restore the loss of his Seed, by which means
he continues the said multiplication for a long time, by turning the
meat he eats into Prolifick Seed; so likewise the Chymist changeth
_Venus_, _Mars_, _Jupiter_, _Saturn_, _Mercury_ and _Lune_ into _Sol_,
by feeding the dis-spirited _Sol_ that has lost its colour with them,
restoring it to its former strength and vigour.
2. The Sperm of Man is not the Seed of Man, but onely the Shell and
receptacle thereof, as may be seen in Old Men, whose Sperm is unfit for
generation by reason of the weakness of their vital Spirit.
3. So likewise the Seeds of Vegetables, are not all pure Seed, but the
House and Vehicle thereof, that is, of the growing and multiplying
virtue, which appears in that when the Seeds have been kept so long
till this vital virtue is exhaled from them, they never bring forth any
thing.
4. No more can _Sol_ be said to be the Seed of metals, but onely the
receptacle thereof, for the Seed is not the whole Body, but onely the
lively colour of the Body, and the vegetative and multiplicative virtue
that is hid in it.
5. Now as the Seed of Vegetables is more perfect and noble than the
Vegetables, so likewise is mature fixt _Sol_, more perfect than
_Mercury_, _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Venus_, _Mars_, though in the
imperfect metals also a Seed be hid, but not so fixt and good as that
in Gold.
6. The imperfect metals may be compared to an Herb, whose Seed is not
yet ripe, which being put into the ground cannot grow or multiply, but
rots in the Earth.
7. The virtue of Corals lies not in their whole Bodies, but in their
colour; and therefore _Paracelsus_ bids us not to make use of Corals
in substance, but extract their Tincture, and use that for Physick,
wherefore also he rejects white Corals, as being an unripe Fruit, from
any use in Physick.
8. For this reason also the immature gray Pearls, which are frequently
found in Cockle Shells in fresh running waters, are looked upon as
useless in Physick.
9. And this not without reason, for as unripe Grapes are the cause of
griping of the Guts, and hurt the Body; so ripe Grapes nourish and
strengthen the same, especially when by fermentation they have quitted
their Fæces.
10. All imperfect metals subvert and trouble the Stomach, and cause
vomiting and purging, and that by reason of their unripeness.
11. Whereas on the contrary _Sol_ taken into the Body causeth not the
least alteration, but powerfully strengthens the same when reduc’d to
Potability.
12. Thus _Sol_ may be compared to ripe Grapes, which when eaten raw,
do indeed no hurt to the Body, but rather affords some nourishment,
yet cannot strengthen the Heart, Brain, and whole Body, and make a
chearfull mind; but when by fermentation they are delivered from their
skins and other impurities, they readily and as it were in a moment
perform all this.
13. In like manner when _Sol_ by fermentation hath laid aside his gross
Body and become Spiritual, if then made use of, it not onely nourisheth
as ripe Grapes, but exerts its virtue like a Spirit or Q. Essence of
Wine, penetrating the whole, and making it lively, strong and vigorous
throughout.
14. Neither do the other metals display their hidden virtue, untill
by fermentation and distillation, they be subtilized and their gross
Bodies laid aside.
15. Thus when _Lune_ by fermentation and distillation is subtilized,
then it draws away all Diseases of the Brain, and corroborates the same
exceedingly even as _Sol_ doth the Heart.
16. _Venus_ so purified strengthens the Reins and procreative faculty.
17. The volatile sweet Spirit of _Mars_, removes all obstructions
whatsoever, provokes the terms in Women, and opens the Hæmorroides in
Men.
18. The sweet Spirit of _Saturn_ cures all inward and outward hot
Distempers.
19. The sweet Spirit of _Jupiter_ cures all Distempers of the Lungs.
20. The volatile Spirit of _Mercury_ cures the venereal Distemper.
21. _N. B._ These volatile spirits of metals must be cautiously used,
as being of very great force.
22. The manner of preparing them, may be seen in my Book of Fires,
but most plainly set down in my description of the most secret _Sal
Armoniack_.
23. All Spirits act according to their nature and property either good
or ill, as the Bodies are good or evil from whence they are taken.
24. _The Spirit quickens, the Body or Flesh profits nothing, saith
Christ_, John 6.
25. These words are ill interpreted, when understood by some, as if
Spirits onely were of use, and Bodies not at all, which is a great
mistake, as it is applied by some.
26. Indeed in Metals, Vegetables and all Animals without the use of
reason, who grow, move, and live, by the driving of their in-born
Spirit, it does hold true, for when their Spirits are by Art separated
from their Bodies, the said Bodies are thenceforward of no use, as
being upon the separation of their Spirit, dead and without all virtue.
27. But the case is different with Man, who being created in the Image
of God, and endowed besides his Animal Spirit, with an immortal Soul,
which latter onely and immediately derives from God, and not from
nature, as the mortal Spirits of Animals do.
28. Wherefore _Pythagoras_ was much mistaken, in believing that the
immortal Souls of Men, when departed from their Bodies did immediately
enter into those of Beasts.
29. Which mistake of his seems to have been occasioned hence, because
he knew how by Art to take away the Soul, _i. e._ Tincture from _Sol_,
and transfer the same to an imperfect metal, thereby making the same in
all things like to true natural _Sol_.
30. Certain it is that this may be done by art, for the fixt Body of
_Sol_ may be destroyed, its Soul extracted, and by being joyn’d to
another metal make it good _Sol_.
31. When this disanimation of _Sol_ is duely performed, the Body is
left wholly dead, and is in all things like a volatile unmalleable
mineral, and cannot endure the test, but fumes away like Arsenick with
a little Fire.
32. But in case this disanimating of _Sol_ be not rightly done, so that
the Body continues as white as _Lune_, and malleable (which is a sign
that some life is still left in it) then his Colour may be restored
again by means of imperfect minerals, as well as his former fixedness
in the Fire.
33. But when the Body of _Sol_ will no longer endure the fire, but goes
away in smoak, then we can say it is truly dead and no more _Sol_.
34. He that finds difficulty to believe this, let him reade
_Paracelsus_, _Sendivogius_ and other Philosophers.
35. _Sendivogius =saith=, Our Steel, =that is, our Magnet=, can draw
from the Rayes of the Sun, what many have sought for and not found; if
this our Magnet copulate eleven times with =Sol=, the =Sol= becomes
weakned almost to death, and the Steel or Magnet shall conceive and
bring forth a Son more illustrious than his Father._
36. From which words it appears that _Sendivogius_ had the Art to
disanimate _Sol_, else could never have writ so plainly concerning it.
37. It is certain also that there are some, that at this time can do
as much within a few hours, I having lately been an Eye-witness of the
same, with three other persons in company.
38. It is not necessary to say any more how this cheap and speedy
way of disanimating _Sol_ is to be performed; forasmuch as all the
Philosophers writings are full of it.
39. However to pleasure the unskilfull I will add thus much, that this
may be done four several ways.
40. But the easiest and cheapest way is by means of Spirit of Wine, and
a microcosmical saline Spirit; yea this extraction may be performed
by a Spirit of Wine alone, without any animal Spirit, or by an animal
saline Spirit without the Spirit of Wine.
41. If this were not so, we might have reason to accuse both ancient
and modern Philosophers of falshood, who tells us that _Adam_ brought
the Philosophers Stone with him out of Paradise, and after his death
took it with him into his Grave.
42. Which words may seem strange to some, forasmuch as he was driven
bare and naked out of Paradise.
43. Yet the Authority of those who assert this being so great and
incontestable, it cannot well be called in question.
44. What therefore the Philosophers meant by this Stone which _Adam_
brought with him out of Paradise, is well worthy our Enquiry.
45. The Philosophers commonly say our stone is a stone and nostone,
_&c._ which implies thus much, that to outward view it is a stone, but
in deed and in vertue, a Concentrate form of _Sol_.
46. Wherefore _Petrus Bonus_ saith, _We do not seek =Sol=, but the form
of =Sol=_.
47. What is then properly this form of _Sol_?
48. _Answ._ It is a substance which to outward view looks like a
contemptible stone, and yet is of such superlative Vertue, that when
joyned with imperfect metals on the Fire, it transmutes them into the
highest perfection of _Sol_.
49. It may further be demanded, whether _Adam_ brought such a matter
with him out of Paradise, whereby this transmutation of metals into
_Sol_ may be performed?
50. _Ans._ Yes he did bring such a matter with him out of Paradise, and
after death took it with him to his Grave, wherewith all Diseases of
mankind may be cured, and all metals changed into the finest _Sol_.
51. If this be so, might some say, _Adam_ must either have been very
blind, in not discerning the Treasure he was possessed of; or very
envious in not communicating the same to his Posterity.
52. I cannot believe that _Adam_, out of envy withheld this secret from
his Children, but rather suppose that the blindness into which his fall
had cast him, was the cause of his not percieving the great Jewel he
had about him.
53. But how could he be blind, who was made by God himself, and after
his own Image?
54. _Adam_ was certainly blind, and his blindness proceeded from his
Pride, because he aspired to be like to God; he was not blind as to
his outward Eyes, but his heart was blinded, which is by far the worst
blindness of the two: For all sin and wickedness blinds the hearts of
men, that they cannot percieve the folly of their doings.
55. Thus _Adam_ also by means of his disobedience to God, became so
blind, as not to percieve, or be sensible of the Love that God had for
him before his Fall, and how richly he had endowed him.
56. Whence also his Children were so wicked and blind, that the one
Brother slew the other; which wickedness hath still encreased in their
Posterity, as appears by the deluge, and the destruction of _Sodom_ and
_Gomorrah_.
57. And thus the World from day to day still grows worse and worse,
notwithstanding the Examples of God’s Vengeance against Sinners.
58. And all this proceeds because men are so generally blinded by the
Devil in sin and wickedness.
59. But to leave this, it may be further question’d; that seeing all
mankind is become so blinded through _Adam_’s fall, as not to discern
the Jewel they carry about them; who then was the Person that first
discovered, that man was the Possessour of so great a Treasure?
60. _Ans._ Who was the first discoverer of this Treasure I cannot tell,
but thus much is certain, that it was an honest man and fearing God;
because God doth not reveal his secrets to the wicked; wherefore _Tho.
Aquinas_ saith, _Our Holy Art, either finds a man holy, or makes him
so_.
61. But some will say, don’t we reade of Heathens that have been
Possessours of the Philosophers stone; and how can we imagine that
those who have no knowledge of God, and are blinded with sin, should
ever be able to find out So great a Mystery?
62. _Ans._ Those Heathens that have been Possessours of this great
secret, were not without the knowledge of God; for they lived according
to the Law of Nature, honouring God and loving their Neighbour;
wherefore also God accepted of them. They learnt to know God from his
Works of Wonder, and according to their knowledge, loved, honoured and
feared him; and so were made Partakers of his grace, light, and the
knowledge of his secrets.
63. We are also to know that the Ancient Philosophers know more than
one way to attain the Philosophers Stone; though indeed the most of
them sought it in minerals and metals, which is the longest way.
64. And that because it is impossible to change the metallick species,
without bringing metals back into their first matter. _See my Treatise
of the principles of metals, and the seventh part of my =Pharmacopœa
Spagyrica=._
65. But others have taken a nearer way to attain this secret; and to
some Christians God hath been pleased to discover the shortest way of
all, by revealing unto them that he made _Adam_ every way perfect,
giving him all that was necessary, either for his Soul or Body.
66. Now that _Adam_ could not discern how richly God had endowed him,
was his own fault, because he was disobedient to God, following the
deceitfull Serpents advice.
67. And after this manner doth the Devil yet daily deceive Men, by
perswading them to do against the commands of God, and that their
disobedience shall not bring any such mischief upon them as God’s
threatnings seem to import.
68. This then is the reason why Men do not understand the secrets
of God, because they give too much way to Sin, whereby they become
blinded, that they can neither see nor hear the good that comes from
above.
69. Now the reason why most of the Alchymists have sought for this
great gift of God in minerals and metals, and especially in _Sol_,
is this, because their intention was to multiply _Sol_, which they
supposed could no way better be done than by sowing it like other Seeds
in the Earth, but could not imagine that besides common _Sol_, there
were other subjects, wherein the _Sol_-making virtue did reside.
70. Which opinion of theirs was probably grounded upon that saying of
the Philosophers. _What you sow, that you will reap._
71. This seems at first sight very rational, that from filth or
excrements no good, and so no _Sol_ can come; but let us hear the other
side also, and we shall be otherwise informed.
72. For the Philosophers say that their Medicine is Vegetable, Animal
and Mineral; so that Vegetables and Animals are not excepted.
73. _Albertus Magnus_, writes that the greatest mineral aurifying
virtue is in Man, and especially in his Head between the Teeth, and
proves it; because in dead Men’s Skuls he had found grains of _Sol_
sticking between the Teeth.
74. The same is also confirmed by _Thomas Aquinas_, _Rhasis_, _Janus
Lacinius_, and others.
75. There is also an old Book, whose Authour is unknown, which
treats at large of that subject which _Adam_ brought with him out of
_Paradise_, wherein the Operator is warned to have a great care of the
fumes of the matter as he would avoid the Plague, or the most deadly
Poyson. From this Authour I have alledged some passages in my other
Writings, and shewed that the Philosophers Stone may be prepared of any
subject whose Elements may be separated.
76. Now certain it is that from all Animals and Vegetables, the
Elements may be separated, and consequently follows, that from all
Vegetable and Animal Subjects, the Philosophers Stone, or universal
Medicine for the Bodies of Men, and Metals may be prepared.
77. _Morienus Romanus_, who prepared this Medicine for King _Calid_,
declares that he took the subject matter of it from Man.
78. For when the King asked _Morienus_, in what kind of subject the
Philosophers Stone was to be lookt for; he answered, the Medicine is in
thy self O King; wherefore also after that he had finished the Work, he
wrote round about the Glass, in which the Medicine was, these words:
_He who carries all about him, needs not the help of another_.
79. Thereby intimating, that he always carried about with him,
whatsoever was necessary for the preparing of the Medicine, and
therefore did not stand in need of the King’s assistance.
80. This same honest _Morienus_, writes plainly concerning the
preparation of this Medicine, and doth as it were with his finger point
us to the matter, in these words of his, quoted by _Arnoldus de villa
nova_; _Grind the Phlegmatick and Cholerick with the Sanguin, untill it
become a tinging Heaven_, &c.
81. _Arnoldus_ explains these words of _Morienus_ thus: _The
Phlegmatick is cold, as =Mercury=, the Sanguin is warm and moist, as
the =Sol= or =Gold=, the Cholerick is hot and dry, as =Sal Armoniack=_:
intimating that of these three, _Mercury_, _Sol_, and _Sal Armoniac_,
the Philosophers Stone is to be prepared.
82. But that he meant not this concerning common _Mercury_, _Sol_, and
_Sal Armoniack_ is apparent from this, that _Morienus_, as soon as he
had prepared the Medicine for the King, went away privately, without
expecting any reward from the King; it also appears from the answer
before mentioned, which he made to the King, that he spoke of such a
_Mercury_, _Sol_, and _Sal Armoniack_ which every Man carries about
with him.
83. This is abundantly confirmed by all the Philosophers that went his
way, forasmuch as they declare that no charges are required to the
preparation of it, that their subject is a contemptible matter cast out
upon Dunghills, and trod under feet, and that the Poor have it as well
as the Rich.
84. _Morienus_ yet more clearly intimates this, in telling us that the
matter whilst it is preparing, exhales a smell like to that which comes
from the Graves of the Dead, which is a very offensive smell.
85. Now like as Vegetables whilst they are putrifying give forth an ill
scent, and Animals a worse, as appears in the stink of rotten Eggs, and
the putrefaction of Man’s Blood, especially when the same are putrified
in a close Glass in warm Horse Dung.
86. For without putrefaction, there can be no separation of the
Elements by Distilation, and if no separation be made, neither can any
melioration or exaltation be expected.
87. We know that every _Chaos_, as it is a product of the four
Elements, contains many impurities, and in particular much dead Earth,
and Water void of all virtue; and that the Element of Fire alone is
proper to heal and meliorate Men and Metals.
88. Wherefore seeing that no separation of the Elements can be without
a foregoing putrefaction we must conclude putrefaction to be the
beginning of our Work, without which no good end can be expected.
89. Now he that knows our Horse Dung, and how to putrifie the well
known and every where to be found most universal natural subject by
means of the same, he will easily afterwards by Distillation separate
the most pure and all things penetrating and meliorating Element of
Fire, from the gross Chaos to his great satisfaction, and make use of
the same to the astonishment and wonder of the ignorant.
90. But in this state it is onely good for the health of Man; and
therefore in order to its meliorating of Metals, the pure Element of
Fire must be first fix’d with _Sol_, by which means it obtains ingress
into imperfect Metals, reducing them to the perfection of _Sol_.
91. Now when the pure Element of Fire is separated from the Chaos,
and reduced to the highest degree of purity, then it stinks no more,
neither is poisonous as it was before purification, but is an Antidote
against all poisons whatsoever, wherefore also the Philosophers have
called their Medicine _Theriaca_.
92. But all this is to be understood onely of that subject which every
man carries about with him, and brings with him out of his Mothers Womb.
93. If any one following the Letter of _Morienus_, should take for his
subject common _Mercury_, _Sol_ and _Sal Armoniack_, neither will he
be mistaken, but if he rightly proceeds will have a good Work, though
it be not at all necessary to make use of common _Sol_ and _Mercury_,
because our natural subject contains both a living _Sol_ and _Mercury_.
94. It is no prejudice to our Animal Subject, if we join Minerals with
it, because our _Sol_ joins it self with all subjects, and unites it
self readily with them. But if we be ignorant of the due proportion
and composition of _Sol_, _Mercury_, Sulphur, or any other metal or
mineral, then it is better to prepare our Medicine out of this one
subject onely, because so there is less danger of erring, as I can
witness by experience.
95. I have also found by experience that this Microcosmical Subject is
alone sufficient, without the addition of any minerals or metals, to
meliorate all imperfect metals.
96. As to a particular this of all others hath pleas’d me best, _viz._
_Recipe_ common _Sol_, and with the help of our Magnet disanimate it
so, that it may be no longer _Sol_, as not enduring the Test, and
smoaking away with a small Fire like Arsenick.
97. Then take this _Sol_ and conjoyn it with our Microcosmical Subject,
with which digest a solution of Lune, by which means the _Lune_ will be
meliorated, and on the Cupel leave _Sol_ to good profit.
98. But if we joyn common _Mercury_ and common _Sol_ with it, and cast
this mixture into a solution of _Mars_, and digest it for some days
then the pure _Sol_ and easily flowing _Mercury_ graduates a good part
of the gross and difficultly flowing _Mars_ into good _Sol_, to the
great satisfaction of the Artist.
99. And if we unite _Lune_ and _Jupiter_ therewith, and cast this
mixture into a solution of _Venus_, and digest it the moist way, then
by means of our secret Salt these two white united metals change the
red _Venus_ with little loss of weight into good _Lune_ that will abide
the Test. And it is indeed matter of wonder, that our universal Salt,
should be of so great virtue, when fermented with white or red metals,
to change other imperfect metals into good _Sol_ and _Lune_ on the Test.
100. Wherefore this shall be my conclusion, that in Man is hid the
greatest virtue of changing all metals, as well as the Bodies of
Men, both universally, and particularly; which if intended for the
melioration of metals, the adding of fixt _Sol_ and _Lune_ for a
ferment will facilitate the ingress into other metals, and further
diffuse its tinging virtue.
_N. B._ I shall not be satisfied till I have given a fuller and plainer
description of this Royal Labour, which I intend to do in the sixth
Century, if God permit.
Novum Lumen Chymicum:
OR A
NEW CHYMICAL LIGHT.
Being a Revelation of a certain new invented secret, never before
manifested to the World.
Whereby a clear and unextinguishable light is set before the Eyes
of the blind World, and, as it were, palpably demonstrated, that
good Gold may be found and attained with profit, every where
throughout the whole World, as well in cold as in hot Regions,
so that in all those places, where Sand and Stones are found, a
Man cannot set his Foot, where, not onely Gold, but also the true
matter of the Stone of Philosophers is afforded.
READER,
_I will now address my self to the discovering of the wonders of God,
not hitherto heard of; to wit, that throughout the whole Earth, no
less in cold than in hot Countries, where there are Sand and Stones to
be had, good Gold may be extracted from thence with profit. Because
a Man cannot set his foot in any place where Gold doth not exist.
Nevertheless Chalk, or Lime-Stones, are to be thence excepted; because
they onely seldom or never contain any thing of Gold, otherwise all
sandy and rocky Stones, all Flints of what colour soever, as also all
Sand, fine and course, all sandy Stones upon high Mountains, in deep
Valleys, in the bowels of the Earth, in Ponds and Rivers, and lastly,
all the Sand on the Sea-shore, none excepted, although it hath as yet
obtained no colour, but be white and clear. The which indeed will seem
incredible to very many, but is asserted by me as a sincere truth,
which I never found, by reading or hearsay, but have proved by many
and various experiments. Some of which I will here set down for the
confirming and demonstrating the truth of my Writings, that by those,
all Men of a sound mind may be able to discern, that my Assertion is no
Dream, nor fabulous trifle, but sufficiently founded upon experience in
the light of nature._
_Therefore I would not have thee judge of those things which thou
understandest not, nor canst not at present apprehend, but remember
that the wonders of God triumph with magnificence and power. But search
out those things in every part before thou presumest to interpose thy
immature judgment. And although in the proof thou shouldst be mistaken
as may easily happen to one making tryal, yet do not impute the errour
to my Writings, but rather to thy own unready Wit. For I will here
write nothing but what I have oftentimes performed, and can yet perform
at any time. Consult other searchers after this matter, among which
I think all cannot err, in a matter so easie, that even a Boy of ten
years of Age may apprehend it, for what belongs to the possibility of
it, but it will be evident to many of them with me, =That there is Gold
in all Sand and Stones=, through all places of the =World=. But there
is no need that I should here shew the way of extracting it from them,
in a great quantity or large use, but rather I shall beware, that I put
not so sharp a Dart into the hands of my Adversaries, to wound my self,
for I have published this to gratifie candid Friends, not Counterfeits,
but least of all the Compilers of notorious Libels, in which opinion, I
will remain and acquiesce._
We will now proceed to the Trial whether those things which I have here
written be true, and are able to abide the Examen of the Cupel, to wit,
that in all Sand, there is good Gold.
_The first Specimen of Probation._
_Recipe_ one Ounce of white Sand or Flint, which you esteem to be
altogether void of Gold, with which mix three parts of _Minium_, or
of any other Ashes of _Saturn_. Put this mixture into a Wind Furnace,
or to the Bellows, let it flow well together for an hour, and it will
turn to a yellow glass; suffer it not to stand too long lest the glass
of _Saturn_ perforate the Crucible, and run out into the Ashes. Pour
out the glass and powder it, and mix it with half its weight of _Sal
Alcali_ or Pot ashes, put this mixture into an Iron Crucible, into
which you have first put some bits of Iron, or old Nails; give fire and
cause the matter to flow, and the glass of _Saturn_ will be continually
reduced by the _Mars_, and at length return into Lead: Pour it out
into a Cone, and the _Regulus_ of _Saturn_ will sink to the bottom,
and the Sand or Flint will be uppermost as a dross. After all is cold,
take out the _Regulus_ of _Saturn_, which hath drawn to it self so
great a roughness and blackness from the Iron, that it cannot easily
be cupellated: which you may remedy thus: put this black _Regulus_ of
_Saturn_ into a Crucible in a Wind Furnace, cause it to flow well; and
if there be of that one Ounce, cast upon it a Drachm or somewhat more
of Salt-peter, and make them flow together, then the Salt-peter will
attract the roughness from the _Saturn_ and turn it into _Scoria_.
Which being poured out and the _Regulus_ of _Saturn_ separated from
the _Scoria_, it will be white and tractable, and easily runneth upon
the Cupel. This I call washing. But if thou knowest not how to perform
this Lotion, which yet in it self consisteth in an easie labour, put
thy black and rough _Regulus_ of _Saturn_ into such an Instrument (as
they call =Treib Scherbe=) or, a close Cupel, under a covering [or
Muffle,] and suffer it so to be defecated for the space of half or at
least a quarter of an hour, pour it out and separate the _Scoria_ from
the _Regulus_; which will be white and tractable. But the Lotion by
Salt-peter is much the better.
Of this _Regulus_ of _Saturn_, and of that same Lead of which the Ashes
of _Saturn_ were made, take equally the same weight, exactly weighed
with the lesser weights, put each of them apart upon a dephlegmed
Cupel, suffer them to run; compare one with the other, and you shall
find, that _Saturn_ which was blown off with the Sand or Flint to leave
behind it a grain of Gold, but on the contrary, the common _Saturn_
will onely leave a grain of Silver. Who now can deny, but that the
grain of Gold proceedeth from the white Sand or Flint? For no Gold
could come from the Salts. This Specimen of Probation is a palpable
Argument, that Gold is contained in all Sand and Flints of what Colour
soever. But that there is no difference between one Sand or Flint, and
another, so that there is no more Gold in one than another, I do not
assert, for (in that respect) they greatly differ. Also that the Sand
of hot Regions containeth more Gold than that of cold Countreys, is in
no wise to be doubted, as every prudent Man will easily think. For we
have let down this Specimen of Probation, onely to the end that you may
find Gold to be in all the Sand and Flints of the whole World.
_The second Specimen of Probation._
_Recipe_ one part of white Flint or Sand, with which mix three or four
times as much Salt of Tartar, or of any other Alcaly, which mixture put
into a Crucible, so that it be not above a third part full, because
this mixture in the melting might rise up and run over the Crucible;
let it stand half an hour, that it may be well melted, and it will be
turned into a white transparent glass. Pour it out and dissolve it
in water, or rather in a _Lixivium_, and the Sand or Flint will be
dissolved, and converted into a thick Liquor. In this Liquor digest for
the space of an hour or two, half an Ounce of Filings or Raspings or
rather thin shavings of Lead, and the Lead will extract the spiritual
Gold from the Water of Flints, and will thence grow yellow: Which being
taken out of the Water dry, cupel it, and you shall find a grain of
Gold. Also cupel another half Ounce of the same Lead, and you shall
find a grain of Silver, as is commonly wont to be had from all Lead,
from which you may be certain that white Flints and Sand, contain
spiritual Gold, which becometh corporeal with Metals.
_A Third Specimen of Probation._
Dissolve _Saturn_ in _Áqua Fortis_, and pour into the solution Salt
water, and all the Lead will fall from the Water like a white Powder:
mix three parts of this edulcorated and dryed _Calx_ of _Saturn_ with
one part of Sand, to which add half so much of the Salt of a _Lixivium_
or other Alcaly; which mixture put into an Iron Crucible, into which
you have first put some bits of Iron, which being covered, suffer it
to melt for the space of full half an hour, untill the sharp Spirits
of Salt which were in the Lead be mortified by the Iron, for then the
_Saturn_ is reduced and rendered corporeal, which being poured out into
a Cone, the _Regulus_ of _Saturn_ falleth to the bottom, which you may
wash with Salt-peter as we have taught above, or purge it from the
Fæces on the =Treib Scherbe= [or Muffle] weigh it exactly by the lesser
Probatory Weights, weigh also as much of any other common Lead, which
is not melted with Sand, cupel each by it self, and that Lead which was
melted with the Sand, will leave a grain of Gold in the Cupel, but the
other common Lead leaveth onely a grain of Silver. Which sufficiently
proveth that there is Gold in all Sand, none excepted. But I do not
assert that all Sand containeth so much Gold as that it may be thence
extracted with profit. Because some Sand is poor, other rich, another
richer. Therefore whosoever intendeth any profit by this ought before
hand to know the difference of Sand and Stones, that he may not lose
his labour. The which may easily be found out by experience, to wit,
if you do nothing in great Quantities, before you have made trial in
lesser, that is, such as may be performed by the lesser Specimens of
Probation.
_A Legitimate and Infallible way and manner of finding out and
proving every Flint, Stone, and Sand, whether it containeth much
or little Gold._
_Recipe_ four ounces of Sand, Flint, or other Stones or Rocks, which
you have a mind to prove; heat them red hot in a Crucible, and cast
them so into cold Water, where they will become tractable, and may
easily be brought to fine Powder, to those four ounces of powdered
Flints, Sand or Stones, put into a small Glass Cucurbit, pour two
ounces of _Aq. Regis_, that the Sand may be well moistned; set the
Cucurbit upon warm Sand for half an hour, and the Aqua Regis will
attract to it self the Gold which is contained in the Sand or Flint.
To which if two ounces of hot Water be poured into the Cucurbit, and
mixed by a strong shaking it together, and filtred through a brown
Paper, the Water with the Gold goeth through the filter, and the Sand
will remain in the Paper, to which if you pour a little common Water,
and let it run through it will take out the residue of the Gold, which
yet adhereth to the Sand, which is to be added to the first. Upon
this Solution if you pour a _Lixivium_, but rather Spirit of Urine;
that _Lixivium_ or Spirit of Urine, mortifieth the _Aqua Regis_ and
precipitateth the Gold which is in it in form of a yellow Powder, from
which the Water is to be poured off, and the Sol to be edulcorated
with fresh Water, and dryed, and that very warily, because Gold of
this sort, when it groweth hot, fulminateth, so that it is shattered
into minute parts. To this fulminating Gold if you add a little common
Sulphur, and make it red hot in a Crucible, it doth not fulminate.
If you reduce such a _Calx_ of Gold mixed with Borax in a clean
Crucible, you will find how much Gold that four Ounces of Sand or Flint
contained. _N. B._ Except the Sand or Flint should happen also to be
impregnated with Iron, which would render the _Sol_ brittle and pale.
For in that case, the _Sol_ precipitated from the _Aqua Regia_, and
burned with Sulphur would not flow with Borax, because the Iron being
mixed with it, would adulterate the Probation: But if you cupel such
Gold partaking of Iron, with _Saturn_, the Iron may be separated from
the _Sol_, and the proof will be void of errour. _N. B._ That Sand and
Flints, may indeed be proved another way, but seeing this which we have
here prescribed, is easie to be practised, we will rest in that.
But this one thing is also necessary to be known, _viz._ It is indeed
true, that in all Sand and Flints there is Gold, as the above mentioned
proofs do witness; nevertheless know that there is a difference between
native, corporeal, and solid Gold, and the volatile spiritual first
Ens of Gold. For the corporeal Gold is easily extracted by the help
of corrosive Waters or Salts; but the spiritual not so. And because
corporeal Gold is always elicited by the benefit of the above mentioned
Probation it may thence happen, that although in white Sand there
should plainly be no corporeal Gold, nevertheless by the help of the
aforesaid Probations it would be thence elicited, indeed not much, nor
no more than what the Lead which was used for the proof, did contain of
Silver: because the _Lune_ in the melting or dissolving hath attracted
to it self the spiritual Gold, from the Flint or Sand, so that it is
thence tincted and transmuted into Gold. Which is manifest in that the
grain of _Sol_ doth not exceed the magnitude of the grain of Silver,
which is gotten from other common Lead. But if besides the spiritual,
there be also corporeal Gold in the Sand, the grain of _Sol_ will
necessarily exceed that of _Luna_, for the Silver which was contained
in the _Saturn_ doth not vanish into Air but remaineth and because it
doth not remain the same Silver but passeth into Gold, that change is
ascribed to the notable Operation of the first Ens of Gold or spiritual
Gold in the Sand. Wherefore who soever intendeth to extract Gold from
Sand, Flint or Stones with profit, ought to know certainly before by
smaller experiments, that besides spiritual, they also contain corporal
Gold. For I have written this Book onely upon the account of extracting
from them corporal Gold, leaving the spiritual Gold to Philosophers
that of it they may make their Stone. But necessity required that
I should lightly touch at those few things. For if according to my
prescribed Probations, any one in working should have found a grain
of Gold of equal quantity with the grain of Silver, he might wonder
in his mind, which way the Silver had made its escape, seeing that he
had found Gold instead of Silver. Wherefore I thought it necessary to
shew the reason of that, for the taking away all scruple from every
ignorant mind. Wherefore whosoever seeketh Gold from Sand or Stones,
let him chuse such, from which corporal Gold may be extracted with
profit. For they will afford him such profitable fruit, as the white
Sand denieth. But that for the performing my Specimens of Probation, I
have taught to take white Sand, I have done it for this reason, that I
might make it evident to every one that there is Gold in all Sand, but
that it cannot be extracted from all with gain. For white Sand or Flint
is very often void of corporal Gold, but never of spiritual, by which
Silver may be converted into good Gold. I might have passed by this
admonition with silence, seeing that those things are not necessary
to be known by the vulgar, in asmuch as corporal Gold will abundantly
satisfy their desire; but a Philosopher neither wanteth, nor seeketh
corporal Gold, but onely spiritual, to prepare of it a Tincture. Add,
that to him it is sufficiently known, in what subjects the first Ens of
Gold is plentifully contained. Hence, although the first Ens of Gold be
also in white Sand, as is manifest by the foregoing proofs, he useth
not that, but rather seeketh such Stones for his work, as contain much
Tincture. Neither also doth any true Philosopher so tie himself to this
or that subject onely, that he will not elicit his Tincture from any
other, inasmuch as it is evident to him that the first Ens of Gold may
be found in all things in the whole World. For wheresoever there is
Sulphur, there may also be had the first Ens of Gold, whence a Tincture
may be prepared. But it is evident that in all Vegetables, Animals and
Minerals there is Sulphur. For the matter of the Stone of Philosophers,
every where offereth it self, so that the poor as well as the rich may
attain it without cost, according to that saying of the Philosopher;
_That their matter is every where obvious, and prepared without money,
trod under foot and thrown to Dunghils_. So the true Philosophers speak
and write. But Sophisters, who falsly assume the name of Philosophers,
wandring up and down from Court to Court, where they offer their
service for the acquiring the Philosophers Stone, by their lying
Fables, perswade credulous Noble men, that the matter of the Stone
is to be sought in this or that place or mountain, as in _Hungary_,
_Transylvania_, the Forrest of _Hercynia_, _Thuringia_ or _Bohemia_,
or in the Rocks of _Sueden_ or _Norway_, and elsewhere. Others again
perswade credulous Persons, that the Stone of Philosophers, can be
made of nothing but common Gold, and therefore require of their
Patrons not onely some ounces, but some pounds of Gold, for their own
greater profit. One of those Pseudo-philosophers was lately here at
_Amsterdam_, who by perswading certain Merchants, trickt them out of
two and twenty Marks of Gold, thence to make the Philosophers Stone.
He indeed put the Gold into the Vessel according to his own manner,
before those Merchants, giving to it a continuall Fire. But after much
time being elapsed, when they expected to reap the Fruit, he, who had
plaid the Philosopher, privately withdrew himself into I know not what
Countrey, and would not return to take out the two and twenty marks of
gold. Therefore the Merchants themselves being about to take them out,
found those solar Birds were flown, and had left onely the empty nest.
Which empty nest as yet lies in a place in this City, nor doth any one
know how to convert it to his own use. But if the Merchant had given to
that impostor in hand, onely two, or at the most three ounces of gold,
they had not received so great a loss. But as they unadvisedly credited
his fine Clothes, and his finer words, so they were intollerably
deceived.
A true Philosopher wanteth not so much gold for his Medicine, inasmuch
as if he bringeth but one half ounce to perfection, it may suffice for
his whole life, and may be in his own power to do the same again as
often as necessity shall require, so that he will have no need to run
up and down from one to another who are greedy of gold, to blemish the
noble art of Chymistry, and bring it into hatred with the whole World.
Some years since, when I had written of the Prosperity of _Germany_,
and from a good intention had taught _how Wine and Corn might be
concentrated, and in case of necessity, might be commodiously carried
from one Countrey to another, and there safely kept in Garrisons or
Fortresses for future use_; fearing that at sometime while the Shepherd
slept, that most ravenous Wolf the _Turk_ might break into the _German_
Fold, and cut the throats of what Sheep he could not carry away.
Against which, _Farner_ with his accomplices, hath set forth notorious
Libels, and hath every where traduced me for a false Prophet: Whose
Calumnies I have not opposed, because he hath sheltred himself under
the protection of Princes. Moreover, this _Farner_, with a consort of
ruiners of fame, or good name, have reproachfully wounded my Honour, by
falsely accusing my Writings, and traducing them for Lyes: And seeing
that almost all of them abide in great Men’s Courts, and have not put
their names to their invective Papers, I have not indeed been able to
reach them. But yet at length those Men of darkness, who have concealed
their names, that they might give the greater reputation to their
slanderous Papers, do come to be more and more known to me. Besides
at last the event hath shewed those things to be true, which I had
predicted should happen; to wit, that the depraved Christians should
be chastised by the _Turks_ and _Tartars_. But it is to be pitied that
also Men of better note, should be ensnared and captivated by the
common judgment, by reason of that Company of the Devils attendants.
For the unerring truth declareth, that the righteous scourge of God,
will not be taken away from us, before such spoils of a Man’s good name
be restrained by the Magistrate.
Now, to return to our purpose, to demonstrate, that not onely Gold,
but also somewhat more rare; to wit, a true Tincture is hidden in
Stones, and by the help of Art may be extracted from them, which the
Ancients have hinted at in these words: _Auro quid Melius? Jaspis_, &c.
And that there is much Tincture contained in the Jasper, I have long
since inculcated in other places of my Writings. _Paracelsus_ highly
commendeth _Red Talck_, _Granates_, _Antimony_, and _Lapis Lazuli_,
adding that Tinctures or the first Ens of Gold, may be gotten from them
by the help of sublimation. Moreover the first Ens of Gold, may also
be found in other Stones, especially in the _Hematitis_, _Scythis_,
_Magnesia_ of _Piedmont_, _Smiris_, and others of that kind, in which
it is so fixed, that there is nothing wanting to obtain it but onely
the way of extracting, and giving it ingress by _Sol_. On the contrary,
the first Ens of Gold is indeed in Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral
Sulphur, Marcasites, and Antimony, and that abundantly, but so volatile
that Stones are to be preferred to them.
And although my intention in this Book extendeth no farther than the
extracting of Gold out of Stones, Sand, and Flints, yet nothing hinders
but that in a few words, I may also shew, that in Stones, there is
not onely fixed Gold, but also volatile, whence a true Tincture may
be perfected. Which Tincture I have not as yet made, but nevertheless
I am certainly perswaded that it is in no wise impossible to be done.
For whosoever can render the first Ens of Gold, in Stones, volatile,
and draw it out by Distillation, he will continually obtain a gradatory
water, whereby he may coagulate every running Mercury into good Gold.
But he that knoweth how to joyn this volatile Gold with corporal _Sol_,
to unite them and procure ingress, may thence expect a far greater
good. For the first Ens of Gold is more conducible for the preparing
Tinctures, than corporal Gold, as one of the Philosophers hath
signified in the following words: _Thou canst not make Gold or Silver,
except thou shalt obtain their first Ens_. The first Ens of Gold, which
is hidden in all Vegetables and Animals, coagulateth Mercury also into
a yellowness, but not constant; but if it shall be fixed, it also
coagulateth and fixeth with constancy, but not before. Therefore it is
most certainly true, that where Sulphur is, there is also the first
Ens of Gold; and where there is the first Ens of Gold, there is also
Tincture. Therefore seeing that Sulphur may be found, in all things
in the World, even in the smallest Herb, it followeth that also from
every Herb, Wood, Stone, or Bone, a true Tincture may be prepared.
Whosoever will believe, let him, it matters little to me whether it be
believed or not, I think my self satisfied in that I have not put that
light which I have received under a Bushel, but have exhibited it to
the World for information. For the light conduceth nothing to him who
is blind, and resolveth to remain so. You shall find more in my third
Century, as also in the sixth part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_.
_How it may be known whether Sand, Flints, and the like Stones,
being pregnant with Gold, contain much Gold, or but little._
White Sand and Flint, contain the least Gold of all; which Sand indeed
is never without Gold, although it cannot be extracted from it with
profit. In the white and red, there is more Gold than in the white,
nevertheless not always so much as will pay the cost. In the yellow,
brown, or black, there is commonly much Gold contained, whensoever
veins of white or yellow Sand run through them, and especially when
such Sand shineth with abundance of small golden sparks, closely
adhering to each other. In like manner that Sand is rich in _Sol_,
which is like to Talck, or when Stones are found in it, in which there
is red or brown Talck, even as _Sol_ is contained almost in every
Talck, nevertheless in some more, in other less.
All River Pebbles (which although outwardly they appear white, yet when
heated red hot and broken, are stained with yellowness, and contain
_Sol_) are in extracting sufficiently rich in Gold.
Green, yellow, or blue Stones, being transparent like horn [called in
the _German_ Tongue _Hornstein_] are also for the most part fruitfull
in Gold. Also all red, dark-coloured and black Flints contain Gold,
with which Iron is frequently admixed, which in the extraction is drawn
out with the _Sol_, and weakneth the _Menstruum_, and rendereth it
unprofitable.
All Quarries or rocky Stones, whether they be found in the Earth after
the manner of Ducts, or whether they lie in the open Air, when they are
coloured, contain Gold. Every _Hæmatites_, and that which is a kin to
it, the _Smiris_, the Granate, and _Lapis Lazuli_, all contain Gold,
nevertheless always one more than another, so that some of them are
rich in Gold.
All Granates contain Gold, and besides Gold, also the first Ens of
gold; but they are endowed with so hard a body, that _Aqua Fortis_
cannot exercise its power upon them. But there may be a remedy found,
by whose help their extraction may be instituted.
In every golden Stone called _Chrysocolla_, _Saphyr_, _Ruby_,
_Amethyst_, and _Hiacynth_, there is gold, but difficult to be
extracted. All Fluors or things fluxing, which are applied to the Mines
of _Sol_ and _Lune_, for the bringing their Oars to a flux or melting,
whether they be of a violet colour, or purple, yellow, red, or green)
are all endowed with unripe and volatile gold. Which if you shall make
red hot, the colour evaporateth like a green, yellow, or red smoke,
leaving the Stones white. But if any Man shall know how to intercept,
and detain such fugacious _Sol_, he may therewith coagulate _Mercury_
into gold. In like manner from all Stones, in which is the first Ens of
gold, a green-water may be extracted by the help of Distillation, in
which _Mercury_ coagulateth it self into gold. The Ancient Philosophers
have called such a green-water, their _Green Lyon_, which devoureth
gold, and of it prepareth a Tincture for _Lune_ and _Mercury_.
Concerning this matter, I could indeed say somewhat more, did not the
avarice and improbity of Men, who seek nothing but the damage of their
Neighbour, restrain me. Hence all those in which any light of God shall
arise, ought diligently to beware that they communicate nothing of it
to wicked Men, although they put on the shape of an Angel. For Faith
is now no where kept among Men, as these following words of a golden
Alphabet do witness.
_Soli Deo tu Confidas,
Promissis hominum diffidas,
Deus solus fidem servat
A mundo fides exulat._
In God alone repose thy trust,
With Mens pretence be not beguil’d;
God onely keepeth Faith, is Just,
Which from the World is quite exil’d.
If many years ago, I had known those things which I now do, it would
have profited me much in being aware of the dissembled sanctity of
impostours. But what is past cannot be recalled: Let these things at
this time suffice to be spoken of the knowledge of Sand and Stones,
every Man may look further for himself, and search out and learn more.
If any Man findeth any good from what I have written in this Book,
let him give God thanks, and be mindfull of the Poor; if not, let him
look upon himself as unworthy to be partaker of it. For I have here
written more perspicuously, than any Philosopher hath done before me,
in which I rest. It now remains that we should say something concerning
the easie way, and incomparable invention, by whose benefit _Sol_
may be extracted from Sand and Stones, in great quantity and with a
considerable gain. Which invention hath been hitherto unknown to the
World, and it is almost impossible that a better should be found. But
that the searcher into Art may see that this new invention of mine,
is of all the most easie for the extracting of Gold from Sand or
Flints, and that the World hath never known the like, I have thought
fit to shew in what this _Compendium_ consists, and it is thus. It is
sufficiently known with what labour and costs the ancient Workers in
Metals, and even those at this day, have extracted, and do extract Gold
from Sand and Stones, _viz._ when first they burn the Oars or Stones,
then grind it in peculiar Mills accommodated to that purpose, with
_Argent-vive_ and water, where the _Argent-vive_ draweth to it self the
_Sol_, and the Stone goeth away in the washing, and the greatest part
of the _Argent-vive_ is strain’d from the gold through Leather, which
may again serve for the same use. Then in Iron Retorts they drive out
the residue of the _Argent-vive_, which yet adhered to the _Sol_, which
is saved; then they melt the _Sol_. In which operation they lose much
of the _Argent-vive_, which in the grinding and washing goeth away: so
that often times the charge of the _Mercury_ is no less than the gain
of the gold. Therefore by this way nothing can be gotten from a poor
Mine. But this is the easiest way they have to separate _Sol_ from its
Oar or Stones.
Another way is, when they mix the washed Oar (which the _Germans_ call
_Schlicht_) with its weight of Litharge, and melt it with Bellows, then
cupel the _Regulus_ of _Saturn_, and so they obtain the _Sol_ which was
in the Oar. Which way of melting, is also dear, because much of the
Lead is lost: But yet they are obliged to follow this way, who know no
better. Now I will compare my way with this, that it may be evident
which of them is the most easie and profitable. As for my method of
extracting, it chiefly depends upon four singular _Compendiums_, by
which the operation is rendred easie. The first of which is a water of
small cost, which may be copiously prepared, without Distillation.
The second is a singular Metal, of which the Kettles or Pans are made,
in which the Stones or Sand is boiled with the water of small cost,
and yet are not corroded nor consumed. And when the water shall have
dissolved and imbibed the _Sol_ in the Sand, the Oar, Sand, or Stones,
with the water are to be taken out of the boiling Vessel, and put into
another Vessel adapted to this use, with a bottom all over perforated
with small holes [like a Colender] and first covered with inside, with
a thin Matt, then the water will drop down through the Sand and Matt
into another Vessel placed under it; moreover more hot water is to be
poured upon the same Sand, and let to run through it, which water will
also extract the gold which as yet remained in the Sand. And after this
Elixiviation, the Sand, (which is now of no use) is to be taken out of
the filtering Vessel, and this labour to be continued so long, untill
no more Sand is to be extracted.
The third _Compendium_ is this, when the _Lixivium_ of Gold, is
collected to a just quantity, a singular Water of small cost, is
poured into the Solution of Gold, whence all the _Sol_ is precipitated
from the Solvent, the Solvent by inclination is decanted from the
_Calx_ of _Sol_, and may again be used for the like extraction,
seeing that it still retaineth its strength, being nothing weakened
by the precipitation. Therefore we may use this Solvent a long time.
And that which is lost by pouring too and again, is of small charge,
because it may be recruited again by the like cheap Water. But if
one should mortifie that dissolvent with other contrary _Lixiviums_,
to precipitate the _Sol_, as otherwise is wont to be done, and I
have taught above, about the proving of Sand, what a loss should we
undergo, if at every time we should destroy our Solvent? Besides such
an extraction is costly and laborious, when made in glass or earthen
Cucurbits.
But this extraction is almost of no charge, seeing that it may be
perfected in great Kettles, and the Gold thence precipitated without
loss of the Water. This extraction of Gold is like the extraction of
Salt-peter from Earth, where the Workmen also elixiviate one part of
the Earth, by the help of Water, which Earth they then throw away,
and in room of that put other Earth into the Vessel, which they also
elixiviate or wash, and that so often till they have elixiviated all
their Earth impregnated with Salt peter. And by the same reason we
elicit our Gold from Sand, as they make their Salt-peter.
The fourth _Compendium_ is this, that the precipitated _Calx_ of _Sol_,
after the Water is filtred from it, is taken out of the filter and
dried, and by the benefit of a certain singular good flux, not at all
costly, is reduced, so that in the melting nothing of the Gold is lost.
In those four _Compendiums_ the whole work of our extraction
consisteth, as a building standing upon four Pillars, one of which
failing, the whole structure is ruined. He that knoweth those four
_Compendiums_ may boldly enter upon the work, to extract _Sol_ from
Sand and Stones: for then it will be a work of profit to him, otherwise
not, which I have declared for the information of every man.
But that I have made none of those four _Compendiums_ manifest, let no
man wonder, because I have been sufficiently hurt by the slanderous
Forgeries of cavelling Detractours. For when by reason of their dull
apprehension, they could not understand nor perform those things
which I had written openly and plain enough, they falsly traduced my
Writings, as abounding with lies.
Let these things suffice to be written at this time, concerning the
extraction of Gold out of Stones, Sand or Flints: which I doubt not
but will be of use hereafter to many indigent Persons. For although
all men should apply themselves to that extraction, yet they would
in no wise incommode one another, seeing there are Sand and Stones
every where obvious to all. And also the Salts for extracting are so
plentifully afforded, that nothing is wanting but a man to put his hand
to the work. But some one may here object and say: I do indeed believe
_Glauber_, that in the Sand and Stones of the East and West _Indies_,
_Africa_, _Spain_, _Italy_, _France_, and other hot Countries, much
Gold may be found, but who will remove his dwelling thither to
extract it? There is no need that any should go dwell in _Africa_, or
either _Indies_, thence to fetch us Gold, seeing that it may be had
sufficiently in _Europe_, and may be found in all cold places. It is
well known, that in many parts of _Germany_, Gold is elicited from the
Sand as well of small, as great Rivers and Lakes. But that more Gold
may not be had in _Germany_, which is temperate, than in cold _Norway_,
or _Sweden_, and less in _Germany_ than in _France_ or _Spain_, I will
not deny. Therefore we need no Commerce with thirsty _Africa_, or
_America_, as that with great peril of body and mind, we should seek
Gold thence, seeing that we have it in every Countrey of _Europe_, and
that not onely under ground in the Veins of the Earth, whence it is
to be digged out with great trouble, cost and labour; but it is also
every where manifest upon the Earth, where it is much more largely and
easily acquired. The most famous Monarch of Philosophers, _Paracelsus_,
in his Book of the Vexations of Alchymists saith: _That more Gold
and Silver may be found above the Earth, than in its profundity, and
that oftentimes a Countreyman throweth a Stone at a Cow, which is
of greater value than the Price of the Cow_. Which thing indeed is
certainly true, nevertheless whosoever will not with _Glauber_ believe
it, let him remain in his unbelief. In _Esdras_, we reade these words:
_There is much Earth of which Potters make their Vessels, but a small
quantity of Powder or Dust of which Gold is made_. Which words are
commonly thus interpreted, that, by the words powder or dust of which
Gold is made, the Writer hath understood the Stone of Philosophers.
The which is very agreeable to truth, but yet no Earth is found void
of metals, nevertheless all are not so rich, as to afford any profit
in the extracting. On the contrary all Stones and Sand (although every
of them doth not contain corporal _Sol_ so largely, as to be thence
extracted with gain) rejoyce in the first Ens of Gold, or such a _Calx_
by whose benefit Gold may be made. Which powder, if we know how to
extract from them, we may make it better than Gold it self. But seeing
such an Aurifick _Calx_ is very largely diffused in Sand or Stones, and
cannot be thence hammered out, but is extracted by Art alone, therefore
the blind Covetours of Gold, with the Ignorant, will not believe it,
because they know not how to perfect it. Hence an Art of this kind was
by the Philosophers kept most secret, where _Paracelsus_ speaking of
the first Ens of Gold, saith that it may be elicited by sublimation.
_Basilius_ writeth that the preparation of the universal Tincture, may
be compared to the distillation of a burning Spirit from the Lees of
Wine. A comparison sufficiently perspicuous! For even as in a great
quantity of Wine or Beer, there is hidden but a small quantity of
good Spirit, and the residue is nothing but an unprofitable mud, but
nevertheless that little Spirit, by the help of distillation is always
extracted from the great quantity of unprofitable mud, with gain, and
is concentrated into a very subtile penetrating Spirit, of which one
spoonfull is more to be esteemed than a whole pail full of Lees. By
such means the Philosophers would have us extract by Art, that first
Ens or form of Gold being very far dispersed in Sand and Stones, and
concentrate or bring it into a small compass, of which, but asmuch as
the magnitude of a Pease, is of greater worth than a huge Mountain of
unprofitable Earth. Moreover, this I will not conceal, that throughout
all _Germany_, in and about the Rivers may be found Stones, which are
sufficiently rich in Gold and Silver, and moreover if you break them
into pieces, you shall find within them little Holes and Caverns, which
abound with a yellow or brown Powder, which if any one shall take out,
and melt it together with Borax, he will acquire _Sol_ mixed with
Silver. But as yet, I never saw any man, who knew this sort of stones,
and much less that golden _Calx_ which is hidden in them. Which thing
without doubt they have passed by, by reason of their negligence,
not loving or seeking to know the physical _Magnalia_ of God. I have
found many the like stones in the sandy Hills about _Utrecht_, and
in other Sand-pits of this Belgick Nation, but more about the Banks
of the _Rhine_, and the Isle, as also the Coast of the Southern Sea,
some of which stones I have yet by me. Also in the rough places of
_Walavia_ you may find much Sand and Stones, which contain corporal
Gold. But there is no man knoweth any thing of them. And this might be
of great use to Children, if they were placed for a time in the Shop or
Workhouse of some Artist, of whom they might learn, whence in any case
of necessity they might be able to sustain themselves. But the rich,
relying upon their own fortunes, think that they have Wealth enough
for their Children, but if any adverse fortune shall chance to befall
them, as their Houses to be burnt, or their Ships robbed by Pyrates of
their rich Merchandizes, or be cast away by Tempests, or their Debtours
break and run away in their Debts, then they know not which way to turn
themselves; and because they have learned no Art, whereby to get their
living, they commonly degenerate into men of a desperate life. For one
leaveth his Wife and Children, and goeth into the _Indies_, where not
a few have become a Prey to wild Beasts or Cannibals. Another, for a
small stipend or pay, selleth his Freedom to fight by Sea and Land,
untill like a mad Dog he is miserably slain. [_I have heard that it
is a Custom in =Germany=, that a man may play away, pawn, or sell his
Liberty or Freedom, which being once gone, he becomes a Vassal or Slave
to the publick Service of the Prince or State, during his Life._]
Others, (after they have consumed and wasted all their substance, and
have learned nothing that is gainfull in their youth, whence they
might honestly maintain themselves and Families) betake themselves to
a vitious kind of life, till they perish in it. To have truely learned
Mechanick Arts, indeed helpeth much in fortunate times; but when the
times happen to be troublesome and difficult, and many men in the same
City exercise one and the same Art, one often hurts another, by eating
the Bread out of his mouth, and reduceth him to straits. But if a
Physician knoweth somewhat besides the Profession of Physick, by which
he may obtain a Living, he will have no need to make so many Visits to
the Sick out of a pressing desire and expectation of getting mony for
his diligent attendance. Therefore Hermetick Philosophy and Medicine,
with their Cousen _German_ natural Alchymy, are the most excellent of
all Arts, and will so remain to the End of the World.
Seeing therefore that such great Treasures (as we have heard) are
hidden in the despised Earth, and in such subjects as are every where
trampled under foot, wherefore should we not extract them, for an
honest maintenance, and defence against the injury of the times? Why
should we not leave _India_ to the _Indians_, and have regard to our
own _Europe_, which abundantly affordeth whatsoever we need for the
sustentation of Life? I cannot but say again and again, that were I but
ten years younger than I am, I would not cease, but for the good of
the publick, would publickly teach, and demonstrate to the Eye, true
Philosophy, Medicine, and Alchymy. But my glass being almost run, I
must commit the care of this labour to others who are younger and have
greater strength of Body. Therefore in the mean time, whatsoever good
I can do my Neighbour by wholsome Writings, I will not omit. I intend
shortly (God favouring my design) to publish many secrets, hitherto
unheard of. Nothing now remains but to close this little Treatise with,
The End.
_Glory be to God alone._
An Admonition to the READER.
_Whatsoever I have written in this little Book of the compendious
extracting of Gold, out of Sand and Stones, is so true, that nothing at
all is to be doubted concerning it: Nevertheless after this Treatise
was gone to the Press, another way, and that much better came into
my mind, by the benefit of which, Gold may be extracted with a much
greater expedition, than by the help of the former. Because for the
operation of this last way, there is no need of any Kettles or Pans
made of a certain singular Metal, but the extraction may be made in
quantity without any boyling, in such Vessels as are every where in
hand, and may be had, so that one man in one day, may by an easie
business perform the extraction of a thousand Pounds weight of Sand.
Which method is indeed much to be preferred to the former. Wherefore I
could not but also notifie this way of extraction. What seekest thou?
If I shall find that those my profitable inventions are gratefully
received, I will not neglect officiously to serve the publick, in this
present evil Age, and in the worser to come, by publishing the same.
With which, benevolent Reader, I commit thee to the Divine Care and
Protection. Dated at =Amsterdam= the 26th. Day of =July 1664=._
A
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa:
OR
DISPENSATORY.
Being an exact description by what means, profitable, efficacious,
and penetrating Medicines may be made, and prepared out of
Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals; after an unwonted and easie
method.
PART I.
To the well minded Reader.
_Some or other will perhaps wonder at, and fain know what the reason
should be of my describing this =Pharmacopœa Spagyrica=, or Chymical
Dispensatory, especially when they consider that there are not onely
found various preparations of divers Chymical Remedies in my Books
that I have published, but also many such innumerable Writings of such
kind of businesses, are publick even from the days of old down to this
very day, both profitable ones (of which the number is very small)
and also unprofitable ones (of which there are a great multitude,)
insomuch that it might seem altogether needless to commit to the
Press any more matters of that kind. To satisfie such a one that thus
enquires, I judge it well worth my while to demonstrate in this place,
that it is not onely very profitable, but also highly necessary, well
to distinguish between good and tried Medicines, and such as are not
proved ones, not because you should neglect, correct, reject, and
suppress other Mens Writings, and to esteem highly of mine. No such
matter, for I well know that none can give more than he possesseth, and
if any one doth (out of a candid mind) bring to light any thing for
the profit and benefit of his Neighbour, how vile soever, and mean the
thing be, yet is it to be most thankfully accepted of; and therefore
let no body be so proud, as to presume upon the rejecting of the
industry and labour of another Man, but rather extoll it with praises,
though he himself could have done better. And so by what is here
spoken, I would hint unto you that the very reason why I have published
this small Treatise, is this, =viz.= that my inventions may reach out
an helping hand to poor afflicted mankind, and that I may assist them
in a Christian manner, according to the will and command of the most
high. And although I have already described the preparation of many
profitable Medicines, as well out of Vegetables and Animals, as out of
Minerals, in my Philosophical Furnaces, by the use of which in case of
necessity, every curable Disease may be sufficiently enough driven out
and carried off; yet nevertheless it hath seemed expedient unto me,
to set forth this little Work under three Parts, each of which parts
shall contain singular Medicaments as for example. The first Part shall
comprehend such Medicines, as proceed from Vegetables, the second Part,
such as proceed from Animals, and the third Part, such as may be had
out of Minerals. And this also is a primary reason why I have comprised
each kind of Medicaments in a singular Work or Treatise, because of the
envious know-littles, and foolish deriders, and despisers of Art, who
reject all Mineral Medicaments, (but they know not their properties)
as unsafe at all times, because not taken forsooth out of the wholsome
Vegetables, (whose use and virtue [say they] hath been approved for
many Ages) but out of the poisonous Minerals and Metals, whereto no
trust is to be given, and the use of them too is to this day very rare,
and their operation too vehement. Now that I may stop the mouths of
these kind of Men, and that they may see and know, that I likewise am
well versed in the virtues of Vegetables, and their true preparations,
together with their purification and fundamental Anatomy, and with
their reduction into most wholsome and most safe Medicaments, I have
purposed with my self in my first part of my Spagyrical Dispensatory,
to treat of no other things save onely such Medicaments as are made
out of known Vegetable Simples, without the addition of any other
things, (either Animal or Mineral) as for instance, out of Herbs,
Flowers, Roots, Fruits, and Seeds, their separation by Art, and their
reduction into a better form. In the second part, we will treat of such
things onely as proceed from, and are prepared out of Man, and other
Creatures, and such as live in the Air, and also such as live in the
Waters. But in the third Part I shall not desist from defending those
Medicaments of mine, which I published some years since, and were
prepared of Minerals, and shall demonstrate unto you, that they are
not at any rate to be shunned or neglected, if rightly prepared and
applied, but are to be preferred far before those Medicaments that are
prepared out of Vegetables and Animals. To them I will also adjoyn the
use and preparations of several other things, which I never as yet made
mention of. Nor do I doubt but that the eyes of the blind will sometime
or other be opened, so as to see the truth, and confess it and love it,
to the doing whereof, I pray God, that Eternal, Immutable, and durable
Light, the Father and defender of the truth to help us._ Amen.
THE
SPAGYRICAL PHARMACOPOEA:
OR
DISPENSATORY.
_What Vegetables are, or what is meant by the name of Vegetables?_
You are in the first place to note, that under the name Vegetable,
comes all that which hath its Food out of the Earth, which grows or is
encreased, be they Herbs, Shrubs, or tall Trees with what appertains
unto them, as the Root, Stalk, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, and Fruits
of them, as well cultivated as wild, both of our own Countrey, and
Forreign, as well the known wholsomes one, as the unknown and hurtfull,
whatsoever name they are called by, the kinds, shape, form, property,
virtue, and power; of which, may be found described by many ancient and
later Philosophers and Physicians, so that ’tis needless to make any
farther rehearsal of them.
My purpose is onely to tell by what means, and by what most excelling
way that innate virtue, operation, and efficacy, which God hath
implanted into them, may, and indeed ought, by the dexterity and
industry of Man, to be separated from their dead Fæces and Husks, and
be concentrated and applied in a convenient form to Diseases, and be
reduced into a most pleasant and acceptable Essence. But some may
object and say, what good is here in bestowing such a deal of labour
and care to extract the virtues out of Herbs, and concentrate them,
and so at last administer them to the Sick? Will it not be all one,
if any one know their natures, virtues and properties, (the which may
abundantly enough be known by the large description given of them,
in the Books both of the Ancient and Modern Physicians) and so make
use of them, green and dryed, according as they are at hand, or else
first steep them in Wine, Ale, Water, or any other drink used at
Meals, or else boil them therein, or omit the decoction, and drink the
infusion, and so administer help. Will not that perform the very same
effect, that the well prepared, pure, subtile, sweet, and efficacious
essence will? I answer that without question, there is extracted some
kind of virtue out of the Herbs, by such a kind of infusion in Wine,
Ale, or such other like drinks, and is together with the Wine carried
into the Body, and effects no small things, if it meets not with too
much matter that is to be turned out. But yet no body will deny but
that their virtues being extracted and concentrated, and taken in a
spoonfull of Wine or Ale, will operate more speedily, and be taken in
more pleasantly, and display its virtues more effectually than the
boiled Herbs, or its infusion; wherein by reason of the virtue of some
few drops as it were lying hid in a whole handfull of Herbs, we are
constrained to drink down together herewith such a deal of Wine or Ale,
which too is rendred very unpleasant and ungratefull by the Herbs:
This the Ancient Physicians well observed, and made an accurate search
many Ages ago, by what means they might best of all prepare Herbs
sundry ways, so as to be taken inwardly with delight, and be encreased
in their virtues. Thence it came to pass that so many preparations
are brought into the Dispensatories, which abide in use even to this
very day: amongst which there are distilled Waters, Oils, Balsoms,
Ointments, Juices, Electuaries, Conserves, and such like; the which I
do not by any means reject, but onely mention how the virtues of Herbs
may be administred to the Sick, in a far more pleasant form. It is all
one to me, if the aforesaid and usual preparation of Herbs be still
in best repute and so continue, for I neither sow there, nor expect
to reap thence. And should I need their help (which God forbid) and
that I had no better to supply my necessity, I would give God thanks,
for his vouchsafing me a part of those prepared Herbs, lest I be
constrained to make use of raw Herbs, in that manner that the Cows eat
grass, but yet that I have better, no Body can blame me, if I rather
use them, and am willing to communicate them out of love and duty to my
Neighbour. Verily no Body is compelled to do otherwise than as pleaseth
him, one useth Herbs in an infusion of Wine, another eats them with
Vinegar, Salt, and Oil, another takes them green as they are, and cuts
them small, mixeth them with Sugar, and assoon as they are come to a
dryness, brings them into Powder, and takes them in some Broth; Another
may thicken them with Honey, and Sugar, squeeze them in a Press, and
so use them. And plainly ’tis no matter what way a Man takes in using
them. Some there are that can’t abide any Powders, because they stick
to their Gullet and will not pass down into the Stomach, others can’t
endure Pills, and some you will meet with to whom all sweet things as
Honey and Sugar are distastfull. And you will find many too that can’t
endure Wine or Ale, wherein Herbs have been steeped but all night. Upon
this account venerable Antiquity considered of so many preparations of
Herbs, that if haply one way did not like them in administring them,
the Physician might make use of another way, and so Men did year after
year attempt more and more the preparation of sweet Medicaments, and so
trimmed and adorned their _Pharmacopœa_’s daily by little and little,
and brought it to a better state: And that is thus evident (I will now
speak onely of the Vegetables,) _viz._ there are to be found almost
in all well constituted _Pharmacopœa’s_, burning Spirits, which are
produced (by distillation) out of fermented Herbs, as likewise Salts,
which are extracted out of calcined Herbs and again coagulated; also
extracts, and (by the mediation of the Spirit of Wine) thickned Juices
are extracted; also distilled Oils, and some coagulated into Balsoms.
And many more preparations of this kind, and better sorts there are,
which have not been of any very long standing, but have been by little
and little added by good and faithfull Physicians, all which things
do perform as much as they ought (or may be expected in the rank in
which they are) nor ought any one to throw them clear off. But now if
any one knows how ingeniously to extract the virtue of an Herb, and
to concentrate it in such a manner, as that one onely drop shall be
of as much efficacy as a whole cupfull of distilled Water, or as a
spoonfull of Powder, Juice, Syrrup, or Conserve. Why I pray, should not
one drop be in all likelyhood more willingly taken than a full Cup, or
a spoonfull? That which may be done by a few, needs not be done by a
great many. But haply some other will say, how can I be certain that
there is a greater virtue in some drops of some good Essence, than in a
whole spoonfull of dryed and finely powdered Herbs, or of green Herbs
condited and beaten with Sugar, or than a Potfull of distilled waters;
now this may be known by the virtue, odour, and tast, and that on this
wise. If a few drops be put into a potfull of pure fountain water, and
be stirred with a _Spatula_, the said water doth then exactly resemble
the odour of the Herb when whole, and doth as to its tast agree with
that water which is drawn out of the green Herb by distillation. If
therefore the odour and tast be there, the virtue cannot be far off,
besides the use will easily shew it, if both of them are in the proof
compared together. And this now cannot be contradicted by any probable
argument, for it is clearly evident to every one, that such a kind
of Essence is an hundred thousand times more efficacious (respect
being had to the quality and quantity of the same) than the Herb
either green or dryed: Besides there also ariseth this benefit, that
such a kind of Essence doth not at all lose any thing of its virtues
though kept a great many years, whereas the other preparations and
especially the distilled waters will grow musty and putrifie. But an
Essence will (if warily preserved) endure as efficacious above ten,
yea an hundred years, as it was the very first day that it was made.
Forasmuch therefore as these things are without controversie thus, we
should rather mind the chusing of such things which being but small
in quantity, are pleasanter and more efficacious than those that are
of so great a bulk, which indeed are of little or no efficacy at all.
There is no body will deny, but that the virtues of Herbs are widely
dispersed and hidden in themselves, and for which virtues sake we are
forced to take the whole Herb, that is, the dead body for that little
virtue that lies hidden therein, just as if a Man instead of Bread
should eat the crude wheat together with the stalk whereon it grows,
which certainly would prove very hurtfull to the Stomach, and would
together with its allaying our hunger corrupt the Stomach, and make it
unfit for digestion. If therefore the Countrey-men who are the most
sluggish and unaptest Men of all others, have by a long course of
time arrived unto and experimented this Wisedom and Dexterity, _viz._
that the Corn is not just as it comes out of the ground in its husk
and stalk, at all fit for the use of Man, and do likewise well know
that it is far more profitable (if the grain be first threshed out of
the Eare, then ground small in a Mill, the husky Bran be separated,
and then the pure Meal mixed with a little water and Salt, or ferment
Leaven, and so the Past suffered to ferment, and afterwards be baked)
than to use the crude Corn just as it grows, why should we not use
also the utmost of our endeavours to extract the most pure Essence
out of medical Herbs, and so to administer them to the Sick; than to
use the crude Herb as it comes out of the Earth? And this I instance
onely for example sake, that it may appear that a legitimal preparation
exalteth a thing into a far better state than it was before. And this
may be demonstrated by sundry examples, if need required, but sure
here is no body that is such an unwise Tatler as to dare to oppose it.
Forasmuch then as the case stands thus, that an extracted, pure, and
subtile Medicine, operates far more speedily and safely, than when
prepared after the common manner, I judge it much amiss to conceal the
way that leadeth thereunto, and not to give directions for the use and
profit of ones Neighbour. Nor indeed can I say that this invention of
preparing Essences of Herbs did proceed first of all from my self;
for ’tis unknown to me what another may either have done, or is able
to do. But this I know, that no body hath hitherto mentioned the same
either in Writings or otherwise, and that this preparation is no where
known or in use. Well be it as it will, whether or no others know it
as well as I, or have known it before me, yet it ought to be accompted
a good thing, that I bring it forth to light for the sake of so many
sick People. And it would have been much more acceptable unto me, if
any body else had published it before me, and had eased me of this
labour. But that I may return to my purpose; I will begin a brief but
very clear description of the way whereby the virtue of Herbs is to
be extracted and concentrated, that so by this means they may be more
effectually operative in Diseases, and be more commodiously administred
than the crude and unprepared Herb, and it is to be done as followeth.
_The Preparation of the Essences of Vegetables._
Take of an Herb cleansed from the Earth, and its withered and putrified
Leaves, both Root, Stalk, Leaves, Seed if they may be had, as much as
you list, but however let it be at the least some fifty pounds weight,
for the Fermentation will not succeed so well in a lesser quantity, as
if taken in a due measure and plenty. Cut the Herb, _&c._ small, pour
Water hereupon as much as is sufficient to fill your Copper Still,
within an hands breadth of the top, urge your fire somewhat strong,
and there will distill forth a clear and well smelling Water, together
with a little Oil, which you must separate from the Water by a tritory
or separating glass, and reserve it apart: then take out the Herbs
remaining in the Still, put more of your Herbs in, and distil the
Water and Oil as before, this repeat so long, until you have distilled
all the Herbs, always separating the Oil from the Water, and keeping
it apart. Now then all the Herbs being thus distilled, pour water on
them again, and put thereto a spoonfull of good new Ale yeast, and
let them ferment together in a woodden Vessel covered over for some
three or four Days: Then when the Herb begins to leave off working,
’tis enough, and is fitted to send forth in a volatile manner by
distillation its most pure parts, _viz._ Salt and Sulphur. Stir the
matter well with a stick, that so both thick and thin may be well mixed
together; fill your Still herewithal, give a fire by degrees, that
the Herbs burn not too, and the Spirit tast of an Empyreume. Distill
it with a Refrigatory so long as the water hath any savour, the which
you may easily find by tasting it often, when the water comes forth
insipid cease from the Distillation, keep what is distilled forth in
glasses: Then empty your Still and fill it again with more fermented
Herbs, even within an hands breadth of the top, distil thence the
Spirit, the which so long repeat until there remains nothing of the
Herb undistilled. Then having cleaned the Still and Refrigatory, pour
hereinto all your distilled Spirits, and rectifie them, take onely
the strong Spirits, pour out the insipid water left in the Still;
rectifie the Spirit again in an Alembick in _B. M._ and it will again
put off an insipid water; and if need be repeat this rectification yet
once more in a glass Alembick, that so the Spirit being exalted by a
farther operation may become very strong and subtil, and its internal
Vertue may be concentrated. So then, now take the Herb from which the
Oil and Spirits proceeded, make thereof small Balls which dry in the
_Sun_ or at the Fire, burn them unto Ashes, from which Ashes extract
the Salt with the insipid water left in rectifying your Spirit, and
coagulate it: This Salt you must again dissolve with more new water
and filter, and coagulate it and then it is enough. To one part of
this Salt, pour two parts of the rectified Spirit, and gently abstract
it in a _B. M._ and so the Spirit will receive into it self asmuch
as it needeth of the fixed Salt, and bring it over with it self by
the Alembick: But the fixed Salt holds back the Phlegm, which as yet
lurked in the Spirit. But now the Salt thus moist, if it be again
fired (or calcined) is as good as it was before. To this Spirit thus
concentrated even to the utmost, pour an half or a third part of the
Oil you distilled before out of the said Herb, mix them together by
shaking them well, and the concentrated and Alkalizated Spirit will in
a moment devour his said proper Oil, and will all of it be converted
into a clear efficacious and pleasant Essence. In which Essence the
volatile Salt and Sulphur of that Herb are united with the fixed Salt,
and are to be accompted of, as a pleasant, penetrative, efficacious
Essence, and friendly to nature; the which may be mixed and profitably
taken with any Liquor: A few drops of which have more Vertue than a
whole handfull of the crude Herb. And this Essence being taken into
the Body, doth not onely operate more efficaciously in those kinds of
Diseases which the Herb served for before its being thus prepared, but
doth also (by reason of its subtil purity) more speedily display its
Vertues, and being externally applied, doth (by its Odour) corroborate
the Heart and Brain beyond all other, how sweet and odoriferous soever
thickened Oils, prepared with Civet, Musk and Ambergrese; all which it
compared with this Essence, are to be esteemed of as a dead Body: For
in this Essence, the volatile Salt which is conjoyned with the Oil,
doth presently introduce (or lead it inwards) and make it subtil, even
to Admiration. And so this Medicine serves as well for inward, as for
outward Uses. And certain it is, that the sweet Odour of any Herb,
such an one as by which the Heart might be comforted, as it were in a
moment, doth sometimes effect more than another comforting Medicine
taken into the Body. For the Heart of a Man lives of the Air, as a
Fish doth in the Water, the which being pure, the Heart becomes also
well thereby, and so on the contrary ill. Why should a Man love to
smell a Flower, did not the sweet Odour comfort his Heart and Brain,
and were not his Spirits refreshed thereby. If then the Flower and
Herb effecteth thus much, where the sweet and comforting Spirits are
as yet encompassed, involved, wildly diffused, and tied to their dead
Body; what will the Spirit do, being separated from the Body, highly
depurated and again concentrated. Besides the daily, and (to all)
well known experience, that a pleasant Air refresheth the Heart, but
a corrupt and infected Air (as is evident in the time of the Plague)
doth (on the other hand) debilitate it, and plainly suffocate it; It
might be an easie matter to produce Histories to prove and verifie the
same, but that it would be too tedious. But yet I must needs set down
here one or two memorable ones, for the better confirmations sake of my
Opinion. _Josephus de Acosta_ an acute and very expert Philosopher, of
the Order of the Jesuits, wrote a Book of the Condition and Property
of the Isles of the West _Indies_ newly found out, and amongst other
things in the third Book, and ninth Chapter, speaks of things no less
incredible than true, concerning the nature of some Winds which (in
some Provinces scituate beyond _Chili_) leap down as it were from the
Tops of Mountains and Desarts, and saith of them, that these Winds,
do (by reason of the notable piercing cold) not onely cast or throw
down for dead, the Passengers passing that way, who not dreaming of
any such thing are not well provided against it, but doth also wholly
kill some meerly from that most subtile Cold, so contrary and extremely
inimicitious to the Spirits and Life of Man. For even as a pleasant
and temperate Air doth preserve and cherish our vital Spirit, and
nourisheth it; so on the contrary an intemperate and cold Air, doth
suffocate and kill it: The which thing is wont to happen to such as
sail at Sea, for there the Air is infected by the motion of the salt
Sea, and doth so affect and debilitate those that are unaccustomed
thereunto, and especially their Brain, Heart, and Ventricle (as we
said above concerning the cold Wind, in the Desarts about _Chili_)
that it causeth men to vomit, their Head and Heart pains them, they
loath both Meat and Drink, until they are accustomed to the Air, and
can well brook it. Besides this story I will yet add another, to shew
that an infected Air can bring more detriment to the life of a man,
than any corporal Poyson. For a corporal Poyson invades the stomach
onely, which by the help of Nature doth easily expel the same again,
which is sufficiently witnessed by all well known Histories, _viz._
that a man casts out by vomit a Poyson that is drunk down inwardly, but
that spiritual Poysons do hasten to the Heart, to suffocate the vital
Spirit, unless a man be well armed, and this shall be instanced unto
you by the following History.
About some 30 years ago, there were two Mountebanks at _Paris_, that
had their stations not much distant from one another, and they did each
of them to their utmost commend their own Treacle which they sold to
the Inhabitants, thereby to disparage each other, and each to allure
the men to himself onely. But at last they came to a bargain betwixt
themselves, which was this, each of them should defend himself with his
own Treacle, against the Poyson the one should give unto the other,
and thereby defend the excellency of his Medicine. Well, one of them
takes a huge Toad, swallows down one half, gives the other half to his
Companion to devour, the which he also swallowed and neither of them
hurt. The next day following, the other invites his Adversary and used
this Stratagem. He took a Viper, together with a Toad and put them into
a Drum, adding hereto an handfull of Salt, and ordered the Drum to be
beaten a while with Drum-sticks, with which unwonted noise both the
Serpent and Toad being enraged, breathed forth their spiritual Venome,
and filled all the Drum herewith: This done, he bid his guest put his
nose to the hole of the Drum, which is usually about the middle of it,
for the letting forth of the sound, who as soon as ever he had drawn in
the spiritual Venome, fell backwards and died presently, not dreaming
any such matter, nor understanding that the spirits either good or bad
have as effectual operation upon the body, as a corporal Poyson hath.
I have not inserted these two stories, to fill the Paper up with words,
but to shew, that Spirits being separated and freed from their bodies,
are in there virtue and operation an hundred times stronger than the
bodies themselves are, though conjoined with their Spirits. The which
thing doth as well take place in such subjects that are wholsome and
friendly to Man’s nature, as in these here rehearsed. It is abundantly
known how many good and subtile Spirits I have described for the sake
of the Sick, in my second part of Philosophical Furnaces; yet few are
here to be found that set about the preparation of them. Amongst which
Spirits, that of _Sal Armoniack_ is not the meanest, which because
of its penetrating and temperate heat, doth exhibit a most present
operation, and is a Spirit worth all Men’s knowledge, and worthy every
where to be had at the Apothecaries Shops. Yet I have not as yet
seen it any where to be had, though I described a short easie way of
preparing of it: But of this (if God will) more shall be spoken in the
next part, where we treat of such Medicaments as are prepared out of
Animals. Such as are their volatile Salts, and fixed ones, wherein a
great virtue lieth hidden, and are (in some cases) to be far preferred
before those Medicaments that are made out of Vegetables. But yet
though it be thus, I cannot but admonish here that good and subtile
Medicines are to be circumspectly used, and not to be administred to
the Sick in a greater quantity than their nature will bear. Good and
sound Wine is able to comfort, and conserve in health, the Heart,
Brain, and whole Body of him that useth it aright. Whereas another that
useth it immoderately, even the same Wine is able to inflame and infect
his Lungs and Liver, to possess his Head, to bring a trembling into his
Hands, and a Gout into his Feet, to weaken his Sight, and to fill his
Reins and Bladder with the Stone; and for this end it was never given
by God, nor gotten with so much labour, but was created onely to serve
for the health of Man. O what curious secrets do lie hidden in the
Wine onely (not to speak of Corn and other Fruits) all which the World
neither knows nor cares to know, and I have determined with my self to
publish, in my Vegetable Work, but yet it is at the pleasure of God,
whether he will permit so to do or not. It is sufficiently manifest by
Wine alone, that the abuse of a thing hurts not the abused subject, and
the same may be said of other penetrating Medicines, whose operation
is according as you use them. We do not suffer a Child or a Fool,
neither of which are _compos mentis_, to meddle with a sharp Knife, for
fear lest they should hurt both themselves and others too; but now a
Wise Man useth it aright, and knows how to employ it both to his own
and the use of other Men. If then one hurts another with a Knife, the
fault lies not in the Smith that made it, because he gave it such a
keen edge, but in him rather that used it amiss.
Thus much I judged it worth the while to advise you of, lest haply
some of the Essences which I have described, should undergo a wrong
censure, as if they were too hot, but if they should, it may be known
what answer to give. For I confess that too much heat doth as well
extinguish the Vital Spirit (seeing it is a temperate warmth that is
its life and nutriment) as the cold, which is an enemy to nature:
and therefore you are here taught not to drink down these fiery
Essences as if they were your ordinary drink, but they must be wisely
administred, _viz._ 1, 2, 3, or 4 drops at a time according as the
Patient is, in a spoonfull of Ale, Wine, or other liquors. And so the
Medicine penetrateth through the whole body, and performeth that effect
which God hath given it. But this is to be known, that the force and
essence of all good and wholsome Herbs consisteth of heat, the which
by how much the more it is dilated and diffused throughout the body of
that Herb, so much the less observable is it; and by how much it is
contracted, by so much the more visibly and sensibly is it apprehended.
Whatsoever yields a temperate heat, is acceptable and wholsome to
nature; and contrarily, whatsoever refrigerateth too much, all that is
inimicitious and deadly, and this even every one, to whom nature is in
any small measure known, is enforced to acknowledge.
The death and destruction of the life of Man, is no other thing saving
a dissimilitude and contrariety, whereby that which is alike and
temperate is destroyed and dissipated, whether it be done by too much
heat or too much cold, ’tis both on the same manner. Too much heat doth
exhaust the strength out of a Man’s body, just as a great fire draws to
its self a lesser. But a mighty cold drives the spirit and life of a
Man to the heart, and is worse than the heat, but yet more insensible,
and this is clearly evident in Wine, which being set in a Vessel at
the fire, the Sun, or some warm place, the heat draws to it self the
spirit and life of the Wine, and leaves behind an insipid or unsavory
matter, because like covets its like, but if a Vessel filled with Wine,
be set in an intense cold, that cold doth not attract the Spirit as
the Fire did; but hates it as being unlike it, drives it into a little
room into the center of the Vessel, so that having broken the Vessel
and separated the Ice, the spirit will be found whole by it self, which
otherwise, and in the heat did ascend and might be caught in a Receiver
set hereto So then, the Spirit is constrained as well by too much cold,
as by too much heat to forsake its Soul and Habitation and leave it to
the power of Death.
And many things might be spoken both of the nature of heat and cold
which are understood but by few. There lies hidden therein great
_Arcanums_ which is not at all fit for the contemners to be acquainted
withall. An hot and temperate Air, and the light of the day being
dispersed widely or a far of, are the graces and virtue of God. But
the concentrated hot Air and Light of the Day, what can they be else
but God himself, the Habitation of pure Spirits. The darksome and cold
night is nothing else, but the emitted and widely dispersed or dilated
curse and wrath of God. But the concentrated and dark night is nothing
else but the eternally mortifying power and center of all evil, and
Habitation of evil Spirits, where is howling and gnashing of Teeth. Do
but a little consider, what is it that a little concentrated handfull
as it were of the Sun will not do? will not the heat kindle Wood, as it
were in a moment, and melt Lead and Tin? what would not the Sun do if
intercepted the breadth of three or four paces? without doubt it would
suffice to melt Iron and Copper. But it exceeds all understanding to
guess if the shining Sun were concentrated a miles breadth what would
it then do. But yet it is likely that it would burn up the whole World
in a moment, and make it vanish away in smoak, should the Sun shine on
it in this wise. This may be demonstrated by the contact and union of
the Sun’s beams in Concave one a burning Glass. And if we are unable to
behold the light of the Sun, when a little collected by some instrument
because the brightness thereof is such, as to hurt the Sight; who is
able to stand before the Sun it self, (and yet he is but as an egress
or out-gone virtue of God) much less before God himself who is the
Center of light. And could the darkness be so concentrated as the light
is, what an incomprehensible and dreadfull monster (such as Death, the
Devil, and the infernal Pit are) should we see, which God in mercy
prevent. For by how much the fairer, excellenter, and more unutterable
the concentrated light is, as being the divine presence and clarity, by
so much must the concentrated darkness be the more horrible and more
dreadfull, for these two are contraries. I may haply have made too wide
a digression, but yet these things are well worth your consideration,
that so it may even from hence appear how little the nature of man
is able to abide the extreams and centers of either heat or cold,
for either of these is a death and poison, but their temperature is
the life of a man. Forasmuch therefore as a Physician ought to be a
Philosopher and Spagyrist, and such an one who hath nature in his hand
and power, it is not difficult for him to find out a true temperature,
which may give to nature that which she desires and stands in need of.
Thus now it is hereby proved, that my Vegetable Essences are not to
be therefore shunned, because they are in themselves hot, for then we
might upon the same account shun God too, who in himself is a consuming
Fire; but it lies in the Physicians hands to temperate and moderate
these kinds of Essences with proper and suitable vehicles, according as
best conduceth to the help of the Sick.
Moreover the external use of those Essences is very notable in the
cold affects of the members, in which case they are a present help:
for the volatile Spirit is as it were a leading vehicle to the Oil and
volatile Salt, and the use of them is pleasant, if a little Cotton be
herewith impregnated, and so put to the Nostrils and smelt to. It doth
most notably vivifie (in time of infected Air) and comfort the Spirits,
preserves the heart from the corrupt Air and contageous Vapours. It
doth also correct and refresh the pent up Air in Parlors and Chambers,
_&c._ if the Glass wherein they be, be opened and exposed to the Air,
from whence the subtile Essence may be without ceasing diffused into
the Air, and make the room smell sweet. So that whosoever is already
in the room, or goeth hereinto will be refreshed with the friendliness
of the Odour. Nor are they very dear neither to him that knows how
rightly to prepare them, and is not to seek in manual operations.
But now this method (which I have spoken of) serves for such Herbs
onely as may be had fresh and plenty, and not so well for forreign
Herbs, dried Spices, Woods, Seeds, and Roots, for they require another
way which is as followeth.
_Process for Spices_, &c.
Forasmuch as that extraneous well smelling Vegetables are not every
where to be had, as our home-grown Herbs are, we must deal more
sparingly with them, and that on this wise. They must be powdered, and
to every pound must be put five or six pounds of common water, and
be macerated some three or four days in a warm place (whether it be
Root, Wood, Herb, Seed, or the like) then put them into a Still and by
Distillation draw according to Art some part of the water, and there
will come forth together herewithall an Oil of that Herb or Fruit,
which you must separate from the waters and keep by it self, untill
you get the Spirit and volatile Salt also, the which are to be joyned
with the Oil and be converted into a sweet Essence. Then take out the
water that remains together with the Vegetable out of the Still, put
it in a wooden Vessel, and add hereto the water you distilled and put
thereto so many pounds of Sugar as the Vegetable weighed. When your
Sugar is dissolved in the Water, mix therewith new Ale-yest, and let
it stand in a warmish place, and the Spice will ferment as if it were
a new Herb; when it hath done working, put it into your Still, and it
will yield a Spirit, like as the new fresh Herbs did, and such an one
as will both tast and smell strong of that Seed or Wood you distilled,
the which you ought to rectifie as is said before: the residue is to
be burnt into ashes, the Salt is to be extracted, and the Spirit to be
thence distilled, with which the Oil is to be conjoyned according to
the before prescribed weight.
_N. B._ Now forasmuch as the outlandish Spices can scarce be distilled
in quantity enough at one time onely, so as to yield Salt enough out
of the remainder thereof, it will be well enough, to use the Salt of
another Herb, instead of its own, or in defect of that too, you may use
highly depurated Salt of Tartar as a substitute, but yet it is better
to use its own proper Salt, provided it may be had.
This is the true and genuine description, how the Essences both of
our own home-grown Vegetables, and likewise of forreign and dry
Vegetables are to be prepared. Now remains that we describe the virtue
and efficacy of the prepared Essences; and this I could do, would it
not be too tedious, _viz._ to describe the virtues and efficacy of
the several Herbs. But seeing there are already Books that are full
thereof, I look upon it as superfluous to repeat the same, but refer
the well minded Reader, to those kind of Herbals which treat of the
virtues of the said Herbs. For whatsoever virtues the Herb either green
or dry abounds withall, its Essence possesseth the same much more
excellently, as being what is brought into a small compass, and so
multiplied: whereas otherwise a good part of the Herb goes to the said
contained vertues; especially of our Herbs here in _Germany_, in which
the vertue is widely dispersed, and it is therefore far more advisedly
done to collect them into a narrower room, that they may be the more
commodiously administred. This moreover is well worth the noting;
_viz._ that we can search out the Vertues of all Vegetables by their
Signature, far better than by reading those Books that are composed of
scraps from one, and scraps from another _&c._ Neither is it so well
always to acquiesce in the Writings of the Ancients, who also remained
ignorant of such things as God taught them not, by nature. Pray what
Master is there of knowledge that never erred from the truth? and who
is it that you can in all things safely trust?
O! I could wish, that we could but reade, and understand the Writings
and Signs of the said Herbs, by which it speaketh with us, we should
not need so many seducing Books. Who I pray exalted _Moses_, _Daniel_,
_Joseph_, _Solomon_, and many other Philosophers, to such an height of
Wisedom and Art? It was onely God, who yet lives and can at any time
easily doe whatever he formerly could: who can doubt as touching him,
when God minds the enlightning or blessing of any one with his Gifts,
he makes no use of any Books, for this purpose, and so instruct out of
them, nor doth he dispute or controvert with him. We should seek unto
this Master and learn from him, and not out of the elegantly written
_Arabian_, _Græcian_ and _Latine_ Books. But now the world is come to
such an height of pride and errour, that it can neither believe nor
comprehend that any one can learn ought but in the Schools, and yet the
most expert and most famous men that ever lived in the world, arrived
to that famous light of nature without making use of the Schools, and
the things that they wrote, they did not publish them in a strange
Language, but in their own Mother Tongue, as is sufficiently evident.
And this is the saying to this very day, _viz._ Whence hath this man
his understanding, and was never bred up in the Schools? I knew him
from his youth, and that he had nothing in him. Alas good Sir, you
are very wise. Brought you with you into the World more than I did?
Were not you born a naked Infant as well as I, and that skill which
any one hath, received it he from his Parents, hereditary? Is it not
the gift of God, whether it be much or little? Art doth not consist in
the variety of strange Languages, but in experience. It is one Art to
understand and speak several Tongues, it is another Art to calculate
the Course of the Sun, Moon and Stars, and to predict from them the
Changes of Times and Seasons. Again, it is another Art to prepare
and purifie the Nature, Properties, Vertue and Efficacy of all the
Vegetables, partly for the conservation of the Life of Man, and partly
for diverting accidental Diseases, and to know how to use them as need
requires. Besides it is another Art, to get out of the Earth those many
rare kinds of the wonderfull Creatures of God, and those Fruits of the
Earth as the Minerals and Metals, for Man’s use, (which is the End they
were created for, and which we cannot want) and to depurate them by the
Fire, to transmute them out of one form into another better form, and
to have the knowledge, understanding and experience of them all.
As concerning the signature of Herbs, by which God teacheth us their
hidden Vertues, many things might be said, and it were to be wish’d,
that such a knowledge were earnestly desired, and sought after by all
those that deal in Physick, and do thencefrom get their food, there
would not then be so much need of troubling ones Brains with so many
forreign and domestick Writings, where you shall find one gainsaying
another, and so leave they as doubtfull what party we were best
addict our selves unto and believe; but now we may easily find out
the certainty and truth by their signature, and distinguish what is
erroneous, and proceed on with more safety in all the practise, yea
and in time too (by God’s permission) come into a far better State.
And here you are to remember, that the signature of Herbs, do shew a
Physician their Vertues as well as Books do, for indeed they rather
trace by-paths, than walk in the way of truth. And here would be a
very convenient place to treat of the signatures of Vegetables, but
forasmuch as I have written a peculiar Book concerning them (which God
willing) shall suddenly come abroad, let the friendly Reader have a
little patience and expect it, wherein he shall find things wonderfull
and unheard of.
But that there may appear some footsteps thereof in this first part,
_viz._ by what means you are to meet with Diseases by the Essences
which I have described above, I could not omit the reckoning up of
some specifical ones, which I have proved by most certain experience
to be good against some principal and well known Diseases: That is
to say, in the Gout, there is Hellebore but especially Helleboraster
(which is a kind of Ellebore) the _German_’s Tobacco, and the Tobacco
of the West _Indies_ are a singular specifick and most notable asswager
and helper in all Podagrical griefs. Now the Physician should know
and understand, what the reason is that Ellebore and Tobacco ought
to be used in such kinds of Diseases. Then for the stone, I commend
the Essence of the seed of the Ash [or Ash-keys] before all other
stone-breaking Diuretick Medicines. For verily very many men have (by
that same Medicine) been freed and restored to health, who have lain
sick of it many years, insomuch that after their death there hath not
been found (in anatomizing them) not so much as the least footstep
thereof either in their Reins or Bladder: And yet before they used
this Medicine, they were almost every day pained with the same. This
specifick is made of the seed of Ash, which is usually ripe in Autumn,
the seed you are first of all to bruise well, and then mixing water
therewith distil it into your Still, and separate the Oil from the
Water, and reduce it into small Morsels or Troches with Sugar, for your
daily use. But a whole sack full, and as much as a man can carry, will
scarce yield you an Ounce or two of Oil: and one Ounce of this Oil will
suffice for two pounds of Sugar, for a greater quantity makes the Sugar
too unpleasant; for the Oil of the Ash-keys is very unpleasant and
nauseous, insomuch that it will provoke to vomit, if too much of it be
taken, otherwise it performs wonderfull effects in this case. But now
if out of what remains behind, you do (by the means of fermentation)
distil its Spirit, and after its concentration extract the fixed Salt
out of the Ashes, and unite it with the Oil, then will you have a
perfect Medicine, and most high specifick in the stone. And seeing that
we treat onely of Vegetables in this part, it will not be expedient
to mix herewith the Animal and Mineral medicaments, but in the second
part somewhat shall be mentioned of Animals, which doth efficaciously
bring forth stony and gouty Humours. Insomuch that the Urine of such a
sick Person, doth (after the use of this Medicine) being heated at the
fire, coagulate (like Cheese or Cows Milk) in the manner of natural
_Calx vive_ that is made out of stones. There is likewise amongst the
Minerals, one of them that efficaciously drives out the stone and gouty
Humours, which also we shall speak of, in its due place, _viz._ in the
third part. In some internal affects of the Liver and Spleen, and in
all concreted Blood be it from a blow, fall, or any other accident,
the Essence of St. _John_’s wort bears the chiefest note: For it
banisheth away all pains, resolveth congeal’d Blood, and healeth an
hurt (or wounded) affect provided the evil be not too inveterate. As
for the Uterine affects of Women, when the Womb hath taken Cold and
is moved out of its place, or otherwise hurt, the which produceth to
Women many difficult and chronical Diseases; the Essences of Tobacco,
Henbane, (of all sorts) being applied by means of a Spunge in a Uterine
Instrument, are a most certain lenative and sure Medicine: they restore
the _Matrix_ to its place and quietude, and heal all other infirmities.
In weak decrepid and decayed men, what will not the true Essence of
Roses and Cinamon do? if often taken, it comforts the Heart and Brain
above all other Medicaments: But this Essence must be prepared, and
concentrated into a narrow room, that so one or two drops, whether
put on the Tongue, or put to the Nose, may corroborate the whole Body
by its vertue, and the stander by may have enough to do to admire its
sweet Odour.
_N. B._ If any one hath a mind to make such an Essence, it behoves
him that he first gets the true Oil of Roses, which is distilled out
of the yellow Thrums on which the Roses grow, and not out of _Lignum
Rhodium_, and is gotten out by the mediation of water (but you must not
ferment them before you have gotten their Oil) then afterwards ferment
them with new Yeast, whereby you may get their Spirit, for if you
observe not this method, you will effect nothing, the reason is this:
because if you set them a fermenting first, the Oil (as being the best
and most efficacious part) is mixed and united with the Spirit, and
so widely dilated, that it will be a hard matter again to concentrate
it. Well, what shall I need say more of the vertue and efficacy of
the vegetable Essences, seeing that the Nature and Vertue of them is
enough known already: But yet thus much I must needs confess, that I
have not in all my life time seen any thing done, which was more sweet,
friendly and efficacious, than these Essenses of Vegetables. For if the
Essences are but prepared according to this description of mine, we can
hardly be satisfied with their Odour, especially if made out of well
smelling Herbs, as Roses, Violets, Clove-gilli-flowers, Bawm, Camomile,
Pennyroyal, and other such like. Besides such kind of Essences may be
made out of Gums, when their Oil is driven forth by the Spirit of Salt,
(lest else they savour of an Empyreum, and become unpleasant) but with
this Proviso that you use the Alcalizated well swelling Spirit of some
other Herb, whose Odour is not much unlike, for the Gums do not afford
a Spirit. Now there’s _Assa Fœtida_, or Benzoin, Storax, Mastick,
Camphire, Amber, and the like, nay even Civet, Musk, and Ambergrese
may be reduced into very fair and pellucid Essences, by an Alcolizated
Spirit, and be rendered far more pleasant than the common Musk,
Ambergrese, and Civet: For the volatile Salt contained in the Spirit,
makes the Body volatile and spiritual, so that at the opening of the
Glass, wherein such an Essence is, the whole room will be filled with
the sweetness of the Odour: But more of this in the second and next
following part, wherein shall be taught, by what means a sweet Odour
may be extracted out of our small Animals in _Germany_, not unlike to
Civet. What shall I say more, methinks I have done enough, he that
understands not this, would much less understand the things that are
more subtil, should they be described. And though I could shew a far
more compendious way of preparing Essences, yet haply the ingratitude
of the World being considered, this that I have already done is too
much, and if any is minded to carp at these here, let him first give
us better than these, but they will have a care how they attempt that.
For he that is endowed with understanding, even he also understands
that the labour and diligence of another man is not in the least to
be disesteemed, for the truth will remain truth though never so much
exposed to injuries. And as we have said, that good and efficacious
Essences, may be prepared out of pleasant and well smelling Herbs: Even
so by the same rule may ill smelling ones be made out of bad smelling
Vegetables and Animals, which also have their use and are profitable,
as in the suffocation of the _Matrix_, where, (for the most part) such
things that egregiously stink are applied to Womens Nostrils, that (by
their grievous smell) they may impead and repress the rising up of the
Womb: And this doth sometimes succeed very prosperously; these are
_Assa Fœtida_, _Castoreum_, burnt Rags, burnt Feathers and such like,
which yield a most filthy Odour: And if now the unprepared Body, in
which the Odour lies largely dilated doth nevertheless perform notable
Operations, what would it be think you if the Oil of such bad smelling
things were conjoyned with the volatile Alcolizated Spirit? I say it
would do more than the crude Body, not onely ten, but twenty or thirty
times more. But amongst all the fetid and ill smelling things, which
are not inimicitious to Nature, these I find the strongest, _viz._ the
black Oil of Tartar, which is drawn forth by distillation, and that too
which is distilled out of Goats horns, Hogs hoofs, Birds feathers, and
the Hairs of all Animals, all which do stink extreamly, and yet are not
hurtfull unto man, as those Stinks are which proceed from rottenness,
as from dead Beasts, Fishes, rotten Eggs, and such like, whose stink is
wholly inimicitious to the Spirit of Life, do threaten its destruction,
and are (as much as possible can be) to be shunned. For the Heart,
Brain, and whole Body is therewith infected, and debilitated. But
why such strong smelling Oils as those are, that come from Beasts
horns, Hairs, and Hoofs, do not perform the same, shall be told in the
following second part, where we will treat of Animals and of such parts
of them, as may be made use of for Medicine.
And thus will I put an end to the first part of my _Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa_, and would have the Reader admonished that (if he would
use this my Description of Essences) he would have a watchfull Eye
by whom they are prepared, and not trust every Body that hath scarce
saluted even the very first entrance of Art, and yet dares to make
Medicaments, and administer them to others. For under this covering
will be exercised great deceit, for some will not for their gain sake,
bestow so much Labour and Costs, as to make Essences out of good and
new Herbs, but scrape up any thing, that thereby they might onely
bring forth somewhat or other that may resemble the Odour and Savour
of the Herb. And although such Essences should be prepared of some
of the best Vegetables, yet the covetousness of profit may cause that
the Spirit be in too great a quantity mixed with the Oils, which may
easily be done, if to one part of Oil, five, eight, ten, or twelve
parts of Spirit be taken, because the Spirit is easier to be had than
the Oil, (whereas according to my prescription two or three parts are
to be taken onely) and therefore may you easily conjecture, that such
Essences are far less efficacious; for the greatest virtue consists
in the Oil, the which being by the Alcalizated Spirit, made volatile
and penetrable, is introduced (or carried more inwards.) And besides
this is not all, but there may be another abuse too, as when a Man
willing to spare his own labour, doth not himself make the Oils, but
buys them cheap from some sweet Powder makers, which Oils may (and
sometimes ’tis so) have in length of time lost their most subtile part,
and are become rank and clammy, and so makes use of such, from whence
no laudable matter can be effected, as is manifest to every Body. But
admit it be so, that new Oils can neither be had nor prepared with your
own hand, because of the defect of the Commodity, yet may such Oils
as are never so old and never so much clammy be rendred usefull, if
they are first distilled and then rectified in a Retort, by Spirit of
Salt: For then they come over clear, and become fit for an Alkalizated
Spirit to dissolve them, which such Oils as are old will not do. This
I thought good to advise, lest haply he that thinks he enjoys a good
Medicine, should impute the blame to me, or lay the fault to the
Essence, when the effect answers not his expectation: For thus it hath
hitherto hapned to my Medicaments, and doth even to this day fall out
so, _viz._ that very many (in sundry places) do falsely pretend as if
they knew my secrets, but ’tis untrue, and a meer diabolical couzenage,
for they administer their own unprofitable Medicaments, selling them
for mine, and especially my _Panacea_ and Tincture of Antimony, which
notwithstanding hath no affinity with mine, and what is more too they
fear not to affirm that such Medicaments are made by my universal
_Menstruum_ (which they neither understand nor know how to use.)
And because here falls in some mention of this _Menstruum_, ’twill
be expedient to say somewhat of it, _viz._ what is to be understood
concerning it, seeing there are so many various opinions of the same.
Most People think that the Alkahest is a subtile water, whether
drawn out of the Air by certain instruments, or prepared by subtile
Distillations, but in this opinion, they err. But yet I will not deny
but an efficacious water may be drawn, not onely out of the Air, but
also out of the most intense light of the Sun, and thus I my self have
sometime done. But this moist dry _Menstruum_ which I call by the name
Alkahest, is nothing else but the Salt of the Earth, and may be used
both in a moist and a dry form, and thus much the very Etimology of
the word signifies, if rightly lookt into and read, _viz._ _Alkali
est_, for the word Alkahest is compounded of two words, of _Alkali_ and
_est_, where the _l_ and _i_, by a transverse line are made one letter,
_viz._ _h_, and is then read Alkahest, but take away the transverse
line, and then ’tis read _Alkali est_. Hence ’tis manifest to every
body, that I have not rashly imposed that name upon this _Menstruum_,
but have thereby openly named the subject. For this very reason it will
be very expedient to suspend your judgment, and not to be so hasty in
uttering your opinion and censure of such a thing as you do not at
all know, but rather think thus, who knows if I understand what I say
or not: I may happen to say somewhat unadvisedly which may easily be
refuted, the which we see here to be done. For there have been various
discourses of this _Menstruum_, as if I had given it a name so famous
without any ground, seeing it ariseth from Salt onely, when as the
Alkahest is a subtile water. But by what I have abovesaid it appears
that I have not given it an improper name, but have called it by its
peculiar Title; the which I did for the sakes of such as contend, to
prevent any future controversie about the name thereof, but how it
is to be used as to those secrets contained in _Miraculum Mundi_, is
not to be spoken of here. Let it suffice the well minded Reader that
I do again, and again assure him, that all and every of the things I
have there spoken, may without controversie be done by this one onely
subject, _viz._ the Salt of the Earth. And so that Treatise doth
rightly deserve the Title of _Miraculum Mundi_. But yet I do again
by way of Summary as ’twere, Admonish, if any one should use this my
Essence, and have it not rightly prepared, he throw not the blame on
me, as that I had written unprofitable things, but rather let him that
has not rightly prepared it, bear the blame.
But yet ’tis not to be doubted but that men of all states or conditions
will in process of time endeavour the preparing of those Essences,
not onely because they are a pleasant and efficacious Medicament, but
withall because of their comforting, penetrating, and highly gratefull
Odour. For the crude and cold Air in pent in rooms may not onely be
tempered and rendred acceptable and friendly to nature, but it may also
be happily and safely made use of in external cases and Diseases, as
need requires.
It will therefore behoove everyone what way he may most profitably
attain them by. The preparation is easie, so he use but diligence,
and then may a good quantity of those kinds of Essences of all the
Vegetables and Spices which are in use in the Shops, be easily gotten.
Now such an one that hath conveniences to prepare them himself, he
verily best knows what he has, and may safely trust thereto. There is
also great difference in the Essences according as they are prepared;
one will happily prepare them very neatly, another but rudely, but
the difference will easily appear as well by its efficacy as by its
sweet smell; as for instance. That Essence which is rightly prepared
according to the aforesaid weight and proportion, must necessarily be
very subtile, sweet, efficacious, and of a strong Odour and Savour. But
if it be otherwise ’tis a sign that the Oil was too sparingly added,
and it can’t be accounted of as a rightly prepared Essence.
_N. B._ The things which I have here spoken, of Odour and Savour which
the Essences ought to have, are to be understood onely of well-swelling
Vegetables, such as are Roses, Marjoram, Rosemary, Violets, Camomil,
for the Essences that are prepared out of these, must needs be
well-smelling and efficacious. But as for those Essences which are
prepared out of those kind of Vegetables that have no such notable
Odour, it can’t be expected that the Essences prepared from them can
afford more Odour than the Vegetable had, but yet do they excite a more
present efficacy, as for example. The Essence of Wine which doth easily
exceed all other comfortatives is notwithstanding void of any eminent
Odour, nor haply doth it resemble any other than the flower of the Vine
in Spring-time: and therefore being taken into the body, it displays
its Virtues, but not by its Odour; even so, neither doth the Wine it
self being taken into the body operate by its Odour.
And hitherto belongs the teaching how to come to get such an Essence,
seeing that it is not prepared after such a manner as I have delivered
for the general dealing with Vegetables, and that, because the pleasant
Oil of Wine (without which [oiliness] no Essence can be prepared) is
hard to come by. I will therefore teach the way of preparing it, but
what I now write is onely for the sake of weak and decrepid old Men,
and also the poor, but not for the wiselings and unworthy Deriders.
For I very well know that some or other after he hath read this Book,
will out of the good conceit he has of himself say, this is no news
to me, I knew this many years ago, _Glauber_ doth not publish this of
himself, but hath gotten it elsewhere out of some old Book or other:
He that thus judgeth of me doth for no other cause say so, but out of
envy and hatred to detract from my Writings: And the answer I make to
such envious men is this. That I do not know whether any one heretofore
either had, or at present hath either such or such a secret which I
have made mention of in my Writings, or no. It may be for ought I
know that such secrets were extant above an hundred years ago, and
may be even at present in use with some, that I know not: however
that’s nothing to me: For it is assuredly false, if any say that I
have borrowed from any one, or else out of any old Books, so much as
one, much less most of, or all the secrets (according as the envious
say) which I have published in my _Miraculum Mundi_, or in any of my
other Writings: But I obtained them through the Grace of God by the
many Trials I made, searching after them with my Costs and Labour. And
forasmuch as such envy me, therefore do they privily scatter abroad
their lies concerning me, which will in short time (God permitting) be
demonstrated. But put case that I did take whatsoever I have written
out of others, and out of ancient Books, will they I pray be either
more or less profitable because of that, than if they were my own: Is
it not one and the same for any notable thing to be emitted, who writes
it, or whom it proceeds from, so that it be, and may be exceeding
profitable to very many. But because of this envy and calumny which
I undergo from wicked men, I do keep within my breast many things,
which otherwise I would have communicated for the common good. And
if so be that they cannot believe nor comprehend what is mentioned
in my _Miraculum Mundi_, (and yet is not of such deep search as the
unskilfull imagine) how will they believe, that I should set before
them far higher things? Well therefore may the old Proverb take place,
_Secret things are for secret Men, and foolish things for foolish Men_.
Now followeth the process of preparing a comfortable and pleasant
Essence out of the Oil of Wine, and its fixt and volatile Salt. I
think there’s no body will deny, but that hitherto there hath not
been made any mention by those that are wont to distil Wine of any
such thing as an Oil; save that by those that have written, that the
Oil of Wine is to be sought for in Tartar and in the Fæces, and that
a black Oil may be distilled both out of the dried Fæces of Wine and
also out of Tartar, I think is sufficiently known to all Chymists: But
such an Oil doth purchase to it self (by this way of proceeding) such
an ungratefull Odour, that it is merely on that score, used neither
inwardly nor outwardly, though it be endued with good Vertues. For
verily I do not yet know whether there can be found (amongst all other
things) any thing that stinks worse than that Oil that is prepared out
of Tartar, and therewithall may’st thou drive away both Men and Beasts,
because the Odour that it emits, is in a manner intollerable. Whereas
this which I here mention, is a pleasant, friendly, clear and bright
Oil, and is made thus. In the Vintage time, when the Grapes are pressed
forth, take some pure Must, let it ferment in a Barrel, until it
becomes white, and the greatest part of the Fæces settle to the bottom,
which done begin your distillation, and draw out the Spirit, either
out of a Copper Still tinned in the inside, or some other distillatory
Vessel; of the Spirit will be no great quantity. After it hath ceased,
take off the head, and pour that which remains into clean Glasses, let
it stand for some days, and there will swim at the Top a white Oil, and
sometimes it will settle to the bottom, the which is to be separated
from the Must, and will serve for the making the abovesaid Essence. But
the Must, from which the Spirit and Oil are taken, may be mixed with
your other Must, and it will again ferment and become Wine, but if you
can’t do thus for want of skill, make thereof a Vinegar. This is a most
compendious and the most easie way of preparing the Oil of Wine, and
although I know another way besides this, and how such an Oil may be
had even out of the Autumn Season, yet doth it seem to me not so well
to publish all things together, and at once: This way of preparation
that I have now taught will to many be hard enough to effect, though
it be clear enough described. And you are to observe, that in this
work the due time of distillation is to be regarded, _viz._ When the
Must is so far fermented, as that its tast is neither plainly sweet,
nor plainly vinous, but a midling between both; which if neglected
the fault is none of mine, for I have advised you of all things to a
tittle. If you begin your distillation too soon before the Must is
sufficiently dissolved, it affords no Oil; if you tarry too long, the
Oil precipitates with the Fæces, nor wilt thou get ought, and therefore
all things are to be done in their due time. But how this Oil is to be
reduced, with his own Spirit, and his fixt and volatile Salt, into an
Essence, is mentioned before, what use this Essence serves for needs no
description. For every body well knows what a vivifying and comforting
vertue there is in Wine, and yet the Wine is endued but with little Oil
(though the Oil as we said before is the best part of the Vegetable)
and besides, it is united with a great quantity of insipid Water, and
crude Tartar, but the Essence is freed from those Crudities of Water
and Tartar, and is compounded of a due proportion of the most pure
parts, or of the three Principles, Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury, and may
deservedly be called the Quintessence or Soul of the Wine.
Whosoever he be that hath it, will see what good it is endued with, and
how to be used. To me it seems to be an Antidote against Poisons; for
seeing it is written of old, that a Serpent or other venemous Animal,
cannot abide in the Vineyards at such time as the Vine flowreth,
therefore the Oil and Essence of the Wine resembling this very Odour,
the Essence may not unfitly be thought so be good in healing contagious
Diseases.
But this is to be noted concerning Essences, that they must not be
stopt with such things that will be melted by the Essence, but be
rather stopt in with a double Bladder, lest the volatile Spirit should
fly away. For should this so be, the Oil would again be debilitated and
let go its Spirit, and the Essence would be corrupted.
And because my purpose was to speak of the preparation of Vegetable
Essences, but not make a description of their most ample use, I will
now put a period to this business, leaving every one to be wiser as
his own capacity is. But yet, would the present time have permitted,
I would have mentioned some specificks, which may haply be elsewhere
done. But thus much I say, that in Wine, lies hidden very much
which but few know, and which if one would reckon up, would stir up
admiration. But it appertains not to this place, but to the Vegetable
Work, which (if God permit) shall soon follow. But seeing I have made
mention of Wine, I cannot omit to add in this place one thing, _viz._
what yet farther use the Essences of Herbs might be of, if always to
be had ready prepared in the Apothecaries Shops: For one, two, three,
or more drops of Essences, being put in a Cup of Wine at pleasure
and stirred about, that the Wine may be united with the Essence, do
presently make the Wine clear and pleasant, resembling the kind and
nature of the Essence you put in; and by this means divers kinds
of Wines may presently be made out of one and the same Vessel, to
refresh and please your guests: And this way far exceeds the using of
extracts, which make the Wine troubled, but this leaves it clear. It
will be needless therefore to put different sorts of Wines in several
Vessels in Cellars, where they will all of them by degrees wax weaker
and weaker, unless they are kept always full; but one onely Vessel,
is sufficient for to make various kinds of Wines at your pleasure;
and this is a very profitable secret for great Men and others, who
sometimes must have various Wines. It is a usual thing with many to
drink a draught of Physical Wine in a morning on a fasting Stomach, to
strengthen the weak Stomach, and to preserve it from hurtfull Air, if
they can but get it, and if they use that which is usually made of the
Reliques of the Wine, and such decayed stuff, such is void of virtue,
and brings more hurt than benefit. But now, having these Essences of
Herbs, you may easily impregnate generous Wine therewith and make it
Medicinal, and by this way maist thou be certain that thou hast good
Wine, and not such as is made out of the droppings and refuse, which is
usually employed to make Medicinal Wines of, and from whence gripings
and other incommodities do frequently exist: But that which is composed
of generous Wine, and a well prepared Essence deserves the name of
wholsome Physical Wine. These things I was willing to add to this first
part of my _Spagyrick Pharmacopœa_ by way of Ornament, and do request
the well minded Reader, that he think well of my Labour, Diligence, and
Intention. There shall follow (God permitting) in the two next parts,
more good Medicines.
_The End of the First Part._
THE
SECOND PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Dispensatory.
Concerning the preparation of Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, by
an Universal Dissolvent.
Wherein is clearly demonstrated and exactly described, that Niter
is the true Universal Dissolvent, and how all Vegetables,
Animals, and Minerals, are therewithall dissolved, corrected,
and their venemous and obnoxious property changed into wholsome
Medicaments, contrary to the opinion of many ignorant Men.
_What Animals are, and what is understood or meant by them._
I do here understand by the name of Animals all such things as have
life, and a vital motion, as Men, all kinds of Beasts, Worms, and
Insects, either in the Earth or above the Earth, the Fishes in the
Water, the Birds in the Air, and all the Creatures that can move
themselves, and that do partake of a visible life. Amongst these living
Creatures, there is this difference to be observed, _viz._ that some
of them serve for the use of Medicine; other some of them are not fit
for Medicine; for all those Animals which nourish mankind and sustain
his body, have not a medical but nutritive power, so that out of them
can’t be prepared Medicaments resisting Diseases. For although that out
of some Animals (as Oxen, Sheep, Goats, Hens, Birds, and such like)
a good Essence may (by the benefit of Art) be extracted, so as to
restore and strengthen a body that is debilitated by sickness (as you
may see in my Book of the Kitchin Art) yet that labour doth appertain
to the Kitchin, and Cooks, rather than to the Apothecaries. Therefore
in this Treatise nothing else shall be mentioned, but concerning such
Animals onely as do not nourish the body of Man, but (being eaten or
any ways entring into Man’s Belly, or other parts of his body) do by
their venome most greatly hurt: But being inverted or turned in and
out by the Spagyrical Art do become excellent Medicines, and (without
that bettering them) would remain venemous and hurtfull: such as these
are Vipers, Serpents, Toads, Scorpions, Spiders, and other venemous
Insects; the which being spoiled of their venome or changed by Art,
do become Medicines of a penetrative efficacy. Indeed a Serpent, a
Toad, and other like venemous Creatures being onely boiled in common
water, are barred of their Poison, and may be eaten without any
hurt, seeing that their Poison consists not in the Flesh, but in the
Spirit, and vanisheth by a bare decoction. Many examples do confirm
this thing, and ’tis evidently known that Serpents have been oftentimes
boiled and eaten instead of Eels. It is no new thing in _India_, that
that People do feed on great Serpents boiled, instead of Food, and
contrariwise other Animals there are which do not deposite or lay
aside their venome by a bare boiling, but do retain it, such as are
Scorpions, Tarantula’s and such like. But now, if to such kind of
Vermine that are endued with so hurtfull a Poison, a water or liquor
of a stronger efficacy be added, wherein they may be digested, their
venome is turned into a wholsome Antidote, and is a resister of Poison,
as shall be proved anon. This is certain, that the omnipotent God hath
not created so much as the least Worm in vain, which cannot bring some
profit, though by the under sort of Men, it be contemned and plainly
neglected. But forasmuch as almost all such Vermine and Insects, are
(by reason of their Poison) rarely used in Medicine, and scarce any one
knows their occult virtues, from that signature God hath given them,
or cares to know, the use of them remains unknown and in the dark.
Nay it is well done, that (seeing the way of correcting such Poisons,
or turning them into Medicine, hath lain hid from the greatest part
of the Learned ones) their use was thrown out of the Apothecaries
Shops. But yet in process of time, some of those kind of Vermine were
admitted by the Physicians, as the Scorpions, Cantharides, and such
like. The Scorpions being suffocated in Oil Olive do tame their own
proper Poison; Cantharides, great Worms, and Milli-pedes, or Pigs lice,
are used to provoke Urine. But yet not without danger, because of the
venome they abound with. Nevertheless Men have dared to use them, and
many times they have proved very profitable. But had their bettering
been known; and had they (being thus corrected) been made use of, they
would (without all fear of danger) have procured a greater honour to
those that used them. Now the usual way of all such as know not the
manner of correcting them, such little Animals are dried, and (crude
as they are) beaten into a powder, and so administred to the sick, and
do some times (though with mighty hazard) perform great cures. Were
the signature of such Vermine well examined, and their use in Medicine
well known, and they were afterwards transmuted and changed (by the
help of an universal Dissolvent) into a safe Medicament, they do then
become such safe and effectual remedies, as to take away most grievous,
(and in the accompt of some plainly incurable) Diseases, and do in
many Degrees exceed the weak operations of Vegetables. For the Animals
which God hath gifted with life, are of a far greater efficacy than
the Vegetables, and this any one will not be over hard in believing
of. You will find many wonderfull things in my Book of the signature
of Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals (which shall shortly come forth
to light) nay and besides their signatures, as well their unknown
and occult Vertues as their known Vertues shall be herein declared.
But in this Treatise, shall onely be mentioned some of the principal
small Animals of use in Medicine, _viz._ by what means they may be
reduced into most excellent and most safe Medicines, by the help of
the universal Dissolvent. As for their Vertues, and Efficacy, the well
minded Reader may search for them in my other Writings. And although
I have met with admirable Vertues in some hitherto neglected Vermine,
and would have also described them for the profit of my Neighbour, and
so purposed to have made a large discourse concerning them; yet the
love to my Neighbour (whom I would not willingly lead about in many
erroneous Turnings) hindred me from performing it. For all the Vertues
that are apart dispersed amongst all the Vegetables and Animals, are
all of them concentrated in one Mineral, and found perfectly united, so
that there’s no need of using so many distinct Medicines of Vegetables,
Animals, and Minerals, and therefore I refer the Reader thereunto. But
yet for satisfactions sake of such who abhor such Medicines as are made
of Minerals, and dread them as if they were a Poison, I will detect the
Vertue and Power of some of the most principal ones in Medicine.
_Of the Signature, Property, and Medicinal Vertues of the Bull-like
and Horned =Scarabæus= or Beetle._
I have known some of the biggest and flying _Scarabæus’s_ that have
weighed half an Ounce, or a whole Ounce, and of a Chestnut Colour, and
they will firmly stick to any thing by reason of their sharp Feet,
and are furnished with double Wings, the upper ones are hard and
smooth like an horn, the under ones are very thin and transparent,
and shew like the dried leaves of Poppy. The Male is for the most
part bigger than the Female, and is armed with two horns, which in
their branchings resemble the Figure of Stags horns, hard and smooth
like horn, and hollow on the inside, without any marrow, with these
he defends himself. If you put one of them on a Table, and smite him
often with some small twigs, and enrage and provoke him to anger, he
doth not run away like as other Animals do, but sets upon his Enemy,
with his upright and variously branched horns, as if he would revenge
himself for the injury done him; and whatsoever you reach out to him,
he presently snatcheth with his horns, and holds it so fast, that ’tis
a hard matter to get it from him: If the thing be too heavy, he then
leaves it, and goes his way without it: But if it be light, he carries
it away with him, and afterwards unlooseth his horns from it and lets
it fall. The Females two horns are lesser and crooked, which open and
shut like Pincers; whatsoever they seize on, they hold it most firmly,
and if you expose to its horns any thing that is not hard she doth
gripe it so long, till the tops of her horns touch each other. Being
hanged at a Cats or a Dogs Ear she presently pierceth it through,
and so holds that the Dog can’t cast her off with her Feet, but (not
knowing what is happened to him) runs to and fro, howling and crying
out, as if he implored help from some body else, such is the innate
anger and malice of this small Creature. They feed not upon Grass and
the Leaves of Trees as other _Scarabæus’s_ do, but are nourished with
the Juice of the thin soft reasinousness which is in Summer Flowers
out of those Trees that bears fruit with stones in them, such as Nuts,
Cherries, Plums, Pruens, Peaches, and such like. These Trees they
sticking fast on, do by sucking out the Rosin thence flowing, support
their lives withal. These small Creatures are truely Martial, and as if
they were endued purposely by nature with Weapons, and armed. Some men
do break off their horns, and carry them about them, as if they were a
safeguard against the invasions and being set upon by wild Beasts, but
I count this as superstitious. Some (I know) do reduce them with their
Wings into pouder, and make use thereof, and have healed the inward
pains and prickings of the Body: And have cured Quartanes, yea have in
all Feavers hanged it about the Neck; but yet I believe it would bring
more profit, if it be duely prepared and so taken into the Body. But
what effects they will perform in the other parts of the Body I know
not, nor have I hitherto tried or known them to have been used to any
other intent than before mentioned. But I am certainly assured, that
there is a most wholsome Vertue in this insect, because of his thus
living on, and being nourished by those resinous Juices which flow out
of such Trees as bear those kinds of Fruits that have Stones in their
inside: Wherefore I think that their whole Body is of a balsamick
Nature, and I do judge by their signature, that they may be profitably
used in curing all inward and outward hurts arising from beating,
wounding, stabbing, and shooting, if they are first reduced into an
Essence according to my method. The horns and those hard wings, may be
reduced into a Magistery, apart by the universal Dissolvent, and serve
for inward Use. And the body being on like manner prepared, may be
applied and made use of for the allaying of all griefs, or pains both
externally and internally. Without doubt it aboundeth with many other
hidden Vertues which are unknown both to my self and other men.
_Of the Pilular or Globular =Scarabæus=._
There are other _Scarabæus’s_ used in Medicine, _viz._ the black and
globular ones, usually abiding in Horse dung, and also those that live
in Oaks, and be of an ashy Colour, and are pleasant food to Poultry,
who by feeding on them do lay abundance of Eggs, but the black ones
they abstain from, and do not eat them. I know not whether or no these
last mentioned (_viz._ the Oak ones) are any thing at all helpfull in
Medicine. But yet thus much they do, if they are bruised and applied to
the bare skin they cause Pustles, and so do those too that are called
golden _Scarabæus’s_ that are usually on Roses, and Elder-flowers.
Both these sorts have this property internally and externally, and so
have the _Cantharides_ or those green Flies called Spanish Flies, and
do most vehemently provoke Urine. If now these are by Art changed,
and their venemous quality taken away, they are profitably used, and
safely, in curing the Gout, Stone, and other grievous Diseases and
bring a great deal of benefit. The black and globular ones are martial,
and are not much unlike to the horned _Scarabæus’s_; the ashy ones are
of a Saturnine nature, the green ones of a venereal Quality, and the
red and little ones are of a solar property. These last mentioned, are
by the _Germans_ called Golden and God Almightie’s Birds, and some do
boast that they have gotten out from them good Gold, and put it to
the Test, which to me doth seem unlikely. I will not deny but that
there lieth hidden in them a strengthening Cordial (as they call it)
properly for corroborating a man’s heart if a preparation or correction
preceed, I should be unwilling to make use of them crude and unmended.
Besides the aforesaid reckoned up _Scarabæus’s_, there is yet another
kind of black ones which creep along the Grass in the Months of _May_
and _June_, and cannot flie as the above mentioned ones can, and yet
have little Wings. These are exceeding slow creepers, and being put
upon ones hand, do turn out a strong smelling Liquor, and are called
_May_ Birds, and the Worms of Fat by the _Germans_; the _Latines_ call
them the uncteous _Scarabæuses_. They operate most efficaciously, and
are used by many for curing those most grievous Diseases of the Gout,
Stone, Leprosie, French-pox, and Dropsie, one two or three Grains of
them being reduced into powder, are usually administred, in some proper
Vehicle. They do most vehemently expel Defilements, by vomit, stool,
and Urine, insomuch that the Urine of the Gouty, Leoprous, or those
that are afflicted with the Stone will be coagulated like Milk, or will
become tenacious, and wax hard like a stone, the which event may well
astonish any one to consider of. I know very many that have had the
Gout, and been cured of it thereby, though I confess it is a Medicine
somewhat hazardous because of the force of its operation. But if it be
first corrected by the Universal Salt, it may be most safely afterwards
used in the curing of the said Diseases. _Wierus_, a very learned
Physician, did heretofore publish a Treatise of the wandring Gout, and
highly commended this _May_ Worm, so called by some: And likewise the
great common Earth-worms, for curing it. Neither is it without ground
that this Worm [or _Scarabæus_] we mention, far exceed all the rest of
them that are endued with Virtues, healing Diseases. The _Cantharides_
come far short of it, and the sky coloured Flies, which are formed
onely in Carkasses, are far short of the _Cantharides_. In the next
place follow those greater Flies, that usually stay in men’s houses,
and keep buzzing about till they can find some raw Flesh, whereon
they cast their filth in the likeness of small Eggs or Knits, which
become Worms in a days time. And I do believe that there is scarce any
Creature endued with a smelling so acute and subtile as this Flie,
and upon that account I do not question, but that it would shew its
Virtues in hidden Diseases. Yet I would not be any man’s Authour or
encourager to make use of him, because nature her self cannot by any
means endure (when a man by chance eats the flesh that is defiled
with their Excrements) their filth in the Stomach, but doth presently
cast it forth by vomit as that it were a Poison. I ascribe to these
Flies a mercurial Nature, and I likewise affirm that there are in the
common Worms medicinal Virtues. For they do strongly expel by Urine
and Sweat, and being made use of, crude as they are, they provoke to
stool, and cause vomiting. But I verily believe, that being corrected
by the universal dissolvent and transmuted into a sweet Essence, they
will become an excellent Specifick against Impotency, and a notable
corroborative to such that are tired with the venereal Sport. Their
signature is testimony enough, and the Figure of their Bodies, for they
will sometimes stretch out themselves at length, otherwhile contract
themselves into a shortness, one while become thicker, then presently,
and as often as they please can they extenuate themselves or become
smaller, nor can any Animal do thus besides themselves. Nor know I any
Animal that doth (in Coition) more firmly adhere to the Female, than
this Worm, whom I have many a time seen, in the Spring Season when
the Cold is asswaged and the Earth again open, to join himself to the
Female (not under the Earth) but to creep out of the Earth with half
his Body, and so apply himself to the half part of the Female, who
likewise creeps out of the Earth, and he so long labours with her, till
there is made a thorough conjoining of both their Bodies. And these
two Worms are so pertinacious or earnestly bent on this action, that
they will rather suffer themselves to be slain than be separated. This
venereal Labour being finished, they do each of them betake themselves
into their Caverns or Holes. Such Hens as feed on them do plentifully
lay Eggs daily, and sometimes two on a day, the which thing no sort
of Corn will make them do. That Earthworm is endued therefore with a
venereal Nature and Property. There are besides these, other small
Vermine that are far more prone (and approach nigher) to a venereal
Nature, and they are a sort that have six Feet and run most nimbly,
and have wings but do not make use of them. They are small and broad,
and are in great companies in old Walls, and old rotten Boards of
Stables, and lay their Eggs in the Walls and Wood. They come abroad
onely in curious Weather, and in a rainy and cold Season do betake
themselves to their Holes, and in fair weather out come they again,
and observe no order in their coupling. The Female going, carries the
Male along with her sitting on her back, another Male being stronger
throws him off, and himself gets up upon the Female, and he again
being thrown off in his room comes a new trader, and thus spend they
the day in this riding kind of Sport, and the Female is exercised with
an uncessant Change of Males. They are not seen to eat any Food. Some
of them I shut up in a Glass so that they could not get away, yet (in
this captivity) they betook themselves to this venereal Act, and at
length setting upon each other, would rather perish with Famine than be
separated. They are so small that an hundred of them will but weigh an
Ounce: Their wings are red and spotted with black. They run exceeding
swiftly, I never could find any thing written of them. I gave them to
Cats and Dogs to eat with their meat, and I found wonderfull things.
Hens and other Birds will not eat them, haply because they cannot
brook the too vehement operation of them. They must needs be endued
with singular gifts, he that will make trial, may so do, but yet so as
not to use them but corrected, because (amongst all the Vermine that
I know of) they do most excell, and abound with the greatest venereal
Venome. There are yet besides these, other Worms (or Vermine) that are
profitable to make Medicine of. The food and nutriment of the _Aselli_
or Pig-lice is rotten Wood; if you touch them they rowl up themselves
into a round Ball. They are for the most part used for repressing of
the Stone. The Cimexes, or Knats, or Flies, are of a red colour, and
do vex and disquiet a Man at night, they suck his bloud, and usually
quarter in old Pine-wood, and in ancient Chambers, and are detestable
things because of the stinch they emit. And besides them, there is
another kind of such Vermine that are of a green colour, and more
venemous, and yield a more filthy stinch than the red Worms do. This
Insect has wings, and is four times bigger than the Cimex, and live
in the Grass; but when the cold Winter approacheth, they then live in
hollow Trees, or hide in the Chinks that be in Walls. If an Ox or Cow
do by chance in eating Grass swallow down such a kind of Vermine, they
swell up, and sometimes die of it; but yet they do so well know how to
shun them, that the Beasts seldom swallow them. I do from hence guess,
that there lies hidden in this kind of Animal, some singular matter,
because of its wonderfull disposition it hath: For I have tried by
certain experiments that it can either retain, or emit its stinch as
it pleaseth. It is a notable subtile and fallacious Creature, and this
I could confirm by wonderfull stories. It doth exactly imitate the
perverse disposition of all Turn-Coats, Lustfull, Venereal, and Bestial
Men. It doth presently deposite or lose its stinch in the universal
_Menstruum_, but what it will (being thus prepared) perform, I having
as yet omitted farther inquisition, cannot tell. Infinite is the number
of these and such like Insects, and without doubt they were not created
in vain, they prosecute each other with a mutual and deadly hatred, and
do by laying snares endeavour to destroy each the other. I have known
one little small Worm or Insect, that by sucking out the juice and
strength of the great Earth-Worms do wax fat, and is in all places his
Superiour or Master. In the Spring-time he is a small lean Worm, and is
not so big as the Blatta, that live upon Meal, but in Summer time he
doth so fatten himself with the Earth-worms, and becomes so unwieldy
that he can hardly creep: He is black as a Coal, and moves himself by
the many short feet he has, is about the thickness of a Quill, and
about a fingers length, and under the earth shrewdly bites the poor
Earth-worm, and sucks from him his best juice, which said Earth-worm
being no ways able to defend himself, doth out of meer pain creep out
of the Earth, and brings out his fast adhering Enemy: he sticks on to
him so close, that he can’t be driven off, and so long sucks, untill
being well satiated and full, he at length falls off of his own accord.
I have often seen these Earth-worms so long vexed with them and twined
themselves to and fro till this little Vermine hath pierced the Worm
through, and divided him in twain, but yet closable together again, if
he can but onely get into the Earth. You may see evident signs of the
malice of this small Vermine, upon some of the older Worms, that have
had several such bitings, and yet closed together again. For I know
no enemies the great Earth worms have, save onely the Mole, and this
same Worm. This black and martial Worm having done with one, presently
sets upon another Worm, and so sucks out the best juice, and leaves
the body of the said great Worm destitute of any strength. He is of
great virtue and as to his excellency is to be preferred far before all
other Worms if but well prepared: As for Spiders, there are many talks
of them as if they were poisonous, but I could never as yet find any
such thing in those that grow in the space of one year, and then vanish
away again; they are such that make their Webs on Trees, Bushes, and
the like to catch Flies in, and are cross-bearing Spiders, because they
have on their backs the figure of a Cross. Every month they put off
their old skin, and so do those too that make their Webs in the corners
and holes in Houses, and will live three months without either meat
or drink befor they die. These are somewhat worser than the former,
and yet not so poisonous as the report goes, and as is believed. All
the green sort of Spiders, that live in the Grass and among Leaves
are void of all Poison, (and all others) save those which abide in
cold places, as Cellars, and moist Vaults, and nourish themselves with
Insects, and are covered over with a black and roughish skin like
black Silk or Velvet, are slow paced, and as being the Kings of all
Spiders, do kill the others by their biting, and devour them if they
can but get them within their power. If one Spider be thrown into the
Nest of another, the stronger drives out the weaker, but they cannot
any of them abide these black Spiders, abhorring their presence, and
running away as fast as they can. Nay more, neither the Black-bird,
nor other Birds (whose food’s the other Spiders are wont to be) will
eat them. They grow old very slowly, and live in a Cellar many a year,
as being patient endurers of the cold, and do not renew their skin as
the rest do. Those likewise that devour the Flies in stores in the
Winter, or at least-wise are nourished with the sweet fume or vapour of
Hony, Sugar, and such like things, and arrive to an old Age, are also
venemous. All these are rarely used in Medicine, there being indeed
no need of them amongst such plenty as there is of good Medicaments.
This one benefit I have observed in them that they so purge sick Hens,
as that they recover their former health, and do presently after get
strength and wax fat. Emmets that live by the juices and Rosins of
Trees, are also used in Medicine, but yet do no great matters. Locusts,
Grylli (a kind of Grass-hopper) and such like Insects, (though they are
endued with hidden virtues) are notwithstanding neglected, forasmuch
as there is one onely Mineral that can effect more then all the bigger
or lesser Animals, Worms, and Insects, and therefore well may they be
despised. There are also some things that are taken from the bodies of
the bigger sort of Animals that are used in Medicine, as the Stomach,
Intestines, and Teeth of the Woolf; the Lungs of the Fox: The Gall,
the Hair, the Skin, the Excrement, the Horns, _&c._ of other Animals;
but yet no great matters have been hitherto done by all this ado,
because they are parts or Members of such Animals, as being altogether
void of Poison, are usually Man’s Food, or may so be. Whereas were
they the parts of Animals that would alter our nature, or were they
the Teeth, Bones, Horns, or other parts of venemous Creatures, and
then changed and reduced into good Medicaments, somewhat might be done
by them. By such as alter nature I mean, the Teeth of Dogs, Wolves,
Bears, Lions, and such ravenous Creatures; the Bones and Horns of the
Elfe, Goats, Kids, Does, Stags, Elephants, and the Hairs of Men and
other Animals. Amongst the venemous Animals, the Teeth and Skins of
Vipers, Serpents, Toads, Salamanders, _&c._ In the third degree are the
Teeth of the Sea-dog, and Whale, and of the horned Fishes, and those
which the _Dutch_ Marriners call Walrussen, and others the Unicorn:
the Horns of them, and of other such like Sea Monsters, whose Flesh
is venemous, and therefore their Teeth must necessarily be endued
with medicinal Vertues, provided they be changed and converted into a
convenient Essence. Besides in the Excrements of all Animals, lies hid
a singular medicinal Vertue, nor is the volatile Salt (but especially
of those that are poisonous) to be contemned. The fixed Salt being
the subduer of many Diseases, doth not a little help to the making of
Medicine. But I am not minded to treat of these at present, but will
onely demonstrate by what means all Animals are to be dissolved by the
universal _Menstruum_, and Poison to be converted into most wholsome
Medicine. The Vertues of them are already known, nor is ought more
required save a due preparation, the knowledge of which I am minded to
manifest in this Treatise. It is apparently evident that the Teeth,
Horns, Skin, Hairs, and Claws or Hoofs, are by so much the better and
more efficacious Antidote, by how much the greater and more present
Poison their Flesh is endued withal, and this we see by experience.
Such as desire to know more, of such like venemous Animals, may read
my Book, of the signature of things, wherein they will find many
profitable things and worthy of consideration.
_The preparation and changing of all venemous Animals and Worms,
=&c.= into safe and efficacious Medicaments._
As touching what belongs to their preparation, it doth not consist in
the way that hath been hitherto used as to the preparing of Animals
for medicinal Use, the which have hitherto been either reduced into
Powder, or else have been converted into Spirits, Waters, and Oils,
by decoction in a B, or else turned (by Calcination) into Ashes,
that so their fixt Salt, may be extracted, or (by sublimation) pass
into a volatile Salt. I do no wise contemn these, and other hitherto
used ways and methods of preparing Animals for the use of medicine,
for in very deed they are good and profitable. But forasmuch as I
have the knowledge of a better and more compendious way of doing all
these things, I neither would nor could any longer hide the same, but
communicate it for the good of mankind, and for the help and comfort
of the sick. And now that the well minded Reader, may percieve a
difference between the old way of preparing these Medicaments and
my way, I will briefly declare and demonstrate the same. I have not
hitherto heard or read of any other way than this which followeth,
_viz._ The Animals are either wholly or else some part of them, dried
in the Air, then powdered and administred in Powder in some appropriate
Vehicle, or else some Honey or Sugar is added to the Powder, thereby to
make it into an Electuary; or else the Animals are digested (whilst new
or fresh) in Oil, then pressed out, and changed into a Balsam, that so
they may serve either for inward or outward Uses as necessity requires.
Or else they are made up into other Medicines, and so confected and
kept for use. Or, being new, are distilled by a B. in water, the
residue is by Calcination burnt into Ashes, and the fixed Salt, is
(by the benefit of distilled water) extracted out of the Ashes. Some
do distil the bodies of Animals, dry, or moist, in a Retort, and
do get a stinking Spirit, Oil, and volatile Salt, which parts they
Sever from each other, rectifie them, and keep them to use in time of
need. Others do put the venemous Animals alive into Oil, or into some
other Oil drawn out of an Aromatical Vegetable by distillation, and
so suffocate them herein; and do afterwards use that Oil for outward
and inward Uses, as is evident in the Oil of Scorpions. These are the
ways hitherto made use of for the preparation of medicaments out of
Animals, nor have they been fruitlesly used. But whereas I saw, that
the Animals being prepared the aforementioned ways are venemous and
crude, but especially when they are but onely dried and powdered, and
so used, and that the administring them to the sick is not without
danger, because they set upon nature with too much vehemency, if any
(nay the smallest) errour be committed in the Dose: and besides, they
do (by their ungratefull and loathsome savour) beget a nauseate, and
withal considering, that the Spirits, Oils, and Waters drawn out of
Animals by distillation, do for the most part smell of an _Empyreum_,
and are extremely distastefull to nature; and that though the volatile
Salt, and the fixt, which contain the greatest Vertues of the Animals,
and may more commodiously be taken into the body than the Oil, which
is plainly intolerable to sick Persons because of its stinch; yet
forasmuch as in such an Operation the chiefest Virtue is burnt up,
and corrupted, and that therefore the Medicament so distilled is less
profitable than the crude Body of the Animal; this way and method
cannot at all be accompted of as worthy the being ranked amongst the
best sort of Medicines. Seeing then and well percieving all these
Circumstances, I counted it wholly necessary to bethink my self of a
more profitable and better way, and such a way too, as by the help
whereof, every Animal, or at least such a part of it according as
is requisite, may (without any separating of the whole body into
divers parts) be dissolved, and changed in its whole substance by a
certain dissolving and correcting Water poured upon it, and so its
venome be converted into Medicine. Now the dissolving Water, and the
dissolved Medicine stand in such a posture, as that it may be again
abstracted and separated from the dissolved and corrected body after
its dissolution and correction, and this so corrected or purged body
may be administred in some convenient Vehicle to the sick, or else
alone by its self, as shall be more clearly manifested in the following
discourse.
_A universal =Menstruum= by the help of which all Vegetables,
Animals, and Minerals are dissolved, corrected, and reduced into
a most pure and most safe Medicament._
I have in my _Miraculum Mundi_, taught and told you that Niter is the
true universal dissolvent, and is operated withall three manner of ways.
1. As it is in its own proper nature and form.
2. When it is changed into a fixt and fiery Liquor.
3. When (by the benefit of the fire) it is distilled into an Acid
Spirit. With these three instruments are dissolved all whatsoever is
in the nature of things, are amended, and transmuted into a better
and purer substance. But the manner how this is done shall clearly be
taught in this Treatise, and explained, insomuch that all such as have
either out of gross Ignorance, or conceited Pride, or meer diabolical
hatred and envy, hitherto contemned, despised, and traduced it as a
thing impossible to be done (as _Farnerus_ for one) may be confounded
with shame, and be driven to confess, that their meer ignorance,
pride, and envy, caused them to oppose the Noonday light, and attempt
the extinguishing, blotting out, and obscuring the same. And although
that I have described the preparation and use of the universal
_Menstruum_, both in my _Miraculum Mundi_, and in its explication, as
likewise in my Apology against _Farnerus_; yet notwithstanding many
perswade themselves, that that description is too much clad over with
darkness, and that without a more accurate and plainer declaration
or explication, it cannot be understood, and consequently not made
use of. Therefore that such Men may have their food ready chewed, and
thrust into their mouths, and may have no farther cause of labour and
consideration, I will give a plainer declaration and make (in God’s
name, for whose honour, and for the benefit of all mankind, I have
thus purposed to do) an initiation, and perfectly demonstrate, that
Niter is (by the three aforementioned ways) able to dissolve, and alter
all whatsoever is in the nature of things, and to reduce them into a
better substance. These are the weapons wherewith I enter the list with
all deriders and haters of the truth, and do demand, if they have any
better and more powerfull thing, than this universal dissolvent out of
Niter, if so, to produce it; if not, then to let this alone. Every man
has his liberty, (if he hath better) to publish it for the common good;
but if he can’t produce a better, he may well submit himself to the
truth. Verily would any man discover a better universal dissolvent, he
would do me an acceptable thing, and I wou’d most readily acknowledge
any errors I have committed in this matter, and would refuse my own
proper writings. But that some such will arise and do this thing, I do
not in the least fear. If such an one should come, we will hear and see
him, and recieve him with a decent reply. In the mean while we will
address our selves, to the preparation of good Medicines, to the honour
of God, and benefit of our Neighbour. The bettering and correcting
metals, which is to be accomplished by the said Niter, is exactly
described and demonstrated in the second, third, and fourth part of
the Treatise of the prosperity of my Countrey; in this place we have
purposed to treat onely of medicines. But as for the way of reducing
Niter into a fixt and fiery Liquor, and also into a Volatile, Acid and
fiery Spirit; we have already taught in other places of our writings,
so that it is a meer needless thing, here again, to repeat the same.
But because it is profitable to the lover of Arts, that he find both
the preparations here conjoined, I have deemed it necessary to set them
down both to your view.
_The Process of turning Salt-peter into a fiery Liquor._
Take of pure Salt-peter, and such as is free from all common Salt one
pound, put it into a strong and well burned Pot or Crucible, with a
Cover to it, put it into a Wind Furnace, urge it so long with Coals
till it be a bright red hot, and all the Niter flow; which being
molten and in flux, cast in a little Powder of good Char-coals, that
so it swimming at top of the Salt-peter may burn up. This Coal Powder
being consumed, throw in some more of the same, and proceed on thus
with casting on Coal Powder so long till the Coal Powder you cast in
will not take Fire any more, and the Salt-peter appear of a greenish
and sky-colour. Then pour it out thus molten into a warmed Mortar or
Bason, (for if you throw it into a cold Vessel, it will leap up into
your Face) and there let it lie till it be cold. If you touch your
tongue with some of this Salt, you shall find it fiery like the Salt of
Tartar. Beat this Salt into a Powder and put it into a Glass, or else
set it in some moist or cold Cellar, and in few days, nay, or hours, it
will be dissolved into a clear and fiery liquor, which strain through
Cap Paper or a Filter (as they call it) and set it up for use.
_The use thereof in the preparation of such Medicaments as are made
out of Animals, and also Vegetables._
Forasmuch as the use of this _Menstruum_ is already demonstrated in
my first Apology against _Farnerus_, and in the first part of this
_Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_, wherein the Essences of Herbs are taught.
But in this Treatise shall mention be made onely of such Medicaments
as are preparable out of Animals. I will here set down the way and
manner of operation, whereby not onely Animals, but also Vegetables
my be corrected and transmuted into safe Medicaments. And here it is
to be noted, that the use of this _Menstruum_, takes place onely in
correcting such Herbs and Animals as are strongly operative and as it
were venemous, whose malice is to be necessarily removed. For those
Herbs that are good, and used in the Kitchin, and without any hurt in
them, need not any correction, except one will make out of them, an
extract by Spirit of Wine, or make of them a burning Spirit, and Oil,
as also a fixed Salt, and conjoin them by the benefit of Art, and make
them into sweet Essences, which labour is accurately described in the
first part of my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_. In this place we treat onely
of turning Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals into sweet Medicaments,
by the benefit of Salt-peter: And in other places of my Writings is
sufficiently enough taught by what other ways, and those various ones
too, several Medicaments may be prepared, and that without the help
of this universal dissolvent, whereto I refer the well minded Reader,
and proceed on here to teach the preparation of the said Medicaments
by that hitherto often named fiery dissolvent, which (without any
additions) is of notable effect.
_The Preparation of Animals and Vegetables by the fiery Liquor of
Niter, their Dissolution, Correction, and Transmutation into
wholsome Medicines._
Take any Animal or Herb, what you please, if it be new, cut it small;
if the Animal or Herb be dry, beat it into Powder, and pour thereto
the liquor of fixt Niter, that it may well moisten the Animal or the
Herb, and may cover it all over; set the Glass in a B. and digest
the venemous Animal or Herb for one day and night, in which time the
liquor of Niter will ripen the venemous Animal or Herb, and transmute
it, and make a Medicine of the Poison. After the Cucurbit is cooled
in the Balneo, take it out and pour forth the liquor, together with
the corrected Animal or Herb into another Glass having a long Neck,
and pour thereon the best Spirit of Wine, or burning Spirit of Corn,
and such as is well purged from all Phlegm, that it may swim on the
solution the height of two fingers. Note well, that the liquor of
Niter, and likewise the burning Spirit, must be well freed from all
Phlegm, so that the Spirit may not conjoin it self with the Niter,
but swim on the top of it. For if both of them be watery or phlegmy,
there would be a conjunction or commixion of them both, and your labour
would miss the event hoped for, and this is well to be observed.
Therefore seeing that such a commixtion, is prevented by removing of
the aquosity, the burning Spirit will attract to it self, the true and
corrected Essence of the Herb or Animal, and leave the fixt liquor
together with the unprofitable Fæces of the Herb or Animal. Separate
the burning Spirit thus impregnated with the Essence, and so much that
it can attract no more, by pouring it off from the liquor, and pour
more Spirit thereupon, repeating this labour so long and so often,
untill all the Essence shall be extracted out of the liquor of the
Niter. Then take all these extractions which contain the transmuted
or corrected venome of the Herb or Animal, and put them together in
a Cucurbit, in a B. M. and draw off the burning Spirit with a gentle
heat, that so at length the remaining liquor, may be of a thick and
dark coloured reddishness. Note well that the best part of the burning
Spirit may be also separated in a B. and reserved for farther use, but
its remaining and weaker part may be taken out with the extract, out of
the B. M. and be evaporated in a Glass Vessel, over a vaporous B. to
the thickness of Honey. For in so doing, there’s no fear of burning the
extract in the Cucurbit, if the B. should be over hot; and this you are
to have an especial regard unto. But if the evaporation cannot be done
in Glass Vessels, by a vaporous B. then when the Essence is brought to
such a pass in a little Cucurbit, pour thereto some of that burning
Spirit, that came first over, and presently shake it well about, and
mix it well, and this will again forthwith extract the purest part
of the Essence, and leave behind a few Fæces, with a little of the
fixt Niter Liquor, from the which, the burning Spirit together with
the Essence, is to be forthwith separated, by pouring it off, lest it
should (by any longer stay on the Fæces) draw also to it self the Salt,
and so not get the sweet Savour and Odour of the Essence. But if any
one doth yet desire to make the Essence more pure and more sweet, he
may extract it yet a third time after the aforesaid manner, and after
this third labour there will remain again some more Salt, and the
Essence will become sweeter. If a diligent regard be not had hereunto,
there will (for the most part) some of the fixed Salt abide with
the Essence, and render it of an unpleasant savour: this admonition
therefore is not to be neglected, but such a one that covets the
obtaining of any good must bestow his labour with all kind of diligence.
This is an exact description of the manner of preparing most
efficacious Medicines, out of the most venemous Herbs and Animals.
Furthermore this is to be noted, that when the Essence is extracted
by the burning Spirit, out of the Alkalizated Herb or Animal, the
remainder is to be boiled in an earthen or glazed Pot even to driness,
and afterwards to be made red hot, that all the impurity may be
consumed by calcination, and the pure fixt Niter may remain alone,
which if you set in a Cellar, and do again let it dissolve into a
liquor, it will be of the same virtues as before, and thus will it be
many a time, and so may the Spirit of the Wine be used for the like
operation.
Now although this fixed Niter doth change as well venemous Minerals,
as Animals and Vegetables, and reduce their venenosity into wholsome
Medicine: yet is it more fit for the sulphureous Vegetables, Animals,
and Minerals, than for mercurial ones; and for such the Acid Spirit of
Niter is more fit, though it doth also dissolve, correct, and transmute
Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals; the which is chiefly observable in
the Minerals, for therein may be learned the wonderfull property, and
the all-things-changing efficacy of this Fire. For Niter crude as it
is in its body, being mixed with combustible Animals and Vegetables,
and enkindled, burns up all things, and drives them with the flame up
into the Air, insomuch that nothing save the fixt Salt onely is left
remaining: And therefore this crude Niter is altogether unfit for
Vegetables and Animals, if you would have any good from them. But in
the venemous Minerals it performeth its office better than the fixt
Niter, or than the volatile corrosive or Acid Spirit, as shall be
afterwards shown where we treat of Minerals. This I thought expedient
to advise you of, and have thus done to this end, that those that are
desirous of the Art may learn the divers operations of Niter. The
crude Niter doth (by its flame) display its virtues upon the venemous
Animals, and changeth them in few hours space into safe Medicaments).
Being reduced into a fixt liquor, it dissolveth all sulphureous
Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, the which thing the common or
crude Niter, as also the acid and corrosive Spirit will never do:
As this fixt liquor of Niter also dissolveth wholly the sulphureous
Minerals, and leaves nothing behind save the onely Fæces. So the
acid Spirit of Niter dissolveth all mercurial Minerals, that nothing
remains undissolved. From whence ’tis evident, that every nature doth
lovingly embrace its like, and is willingly conjoyned therewithall,
and especially if such natures are pure and clean, and not mixed with
any other things. But that you may yet better understand these things,
hearken a little farther. There is no Herb, no Animal, no Mineral, that
consisteth not of its three first principles, _viz._ Salt, Sulphur, and
Mercury, but yet are these very unequal: for in one subject, the Salt
is most powerfull, in another, the Sulphur, in a third, the Mercury:
But when in such subjects consisting of the three principles, there is
not too much inequality, and that no principle bears sway over another,
then either the acid Spirit, or the fixed Salt of the Niter will
alike dissolve them, as is evident in many Vegetables, Minerals, and
Animals, which being compounded of well tempered Principles, do admit
of Solution and Correction, both by the fixt Liquor, as also by the
volatile acid Spirit: For example. I take some Herb, be it _Napellus_,
or _Mandragora_, or _Opium_, or some Animal, as a Spider, Scorpion,
or Golden _Scarabæus_, I deal on this Subject now with fixt Niter (as
I afore taught) and the whole will be dissolved, changed, and become
a safe Medicament, (for they consist of well tempered Principles.)
If now I pour upon either Subject the acid Spirit of Niter, it will
be dissolved therein, changed, and corrected, and put on the nature
of an wholsome Medicine, as well as when dissolved in the aforesaid
Liquor. Now though both Liquors, _viz._ the fixt Liquor and the acid
Spirit do arise out of one Root, yet do they exceedingly differ in
their nature, and do prosecute as it were each the other with a deadly
hatred: And that because the fixt Liquor, as well as the acid Spirit,
are in some sort as yet adversaries, and do not absolutely bear such
sway as if they were in one Nature. For they are from one subject,
and are by the fire drawn out of common Salt-peter, and reduced into
two contrary parts and into Enemies opposing each other. But they are
again conjoined, that they may mutually set upon each other, with
that enmity they have received from the fire, and may overcome and
kill each other, then neither the fiery Liquor, nor the acid Spirit
is any more discerned, but they return unto that which they were
before, and from which they were born, _viz._ unto Niter or common
Salt-peter. Excellently well therefore say the Philosophers, make the
fixt Volatile, and the Volatile fixt. _Hermes_ also saith, that our
Dragon dieth not without his Brother and Sister, many things might
be spoken of this matter, but they belong not to this place, but to
the fourth part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, in which is treated
of the Concentration of Gold and Silver into Tinctures, but if so
be that one of the aforenamed Principles, whether it be Sulphur or
Mercury (for the Salt is not to be here considered) do bear overmuch
sway in any subject, then both the dissolvents cannot alike dissolve
that body, but that dissolvent onely which is appropriated to the
nature of that Subject: As for example. The seed of any Herb (though
it hath a mercurial Salt) yet the Sulphur hath the predominancy, and
therefore admits of dissolution by the fixt Liquor rather than by the
acid Spirit. But if the Oil be separated from the mercurial Salt,
either by expressing it or distilling it out of the Seed, then the
fixt Liquor hath a greater efficacy of operation upon its like, and
dissolves all the Oil, without leaving any part thereof behind. But
contrariwise, the Oil being severed from its mercurial Salt, which
admitteth of the acid Spirit onely, the acid Spirit hath no power at
all to dissolve it, though he be arisen from the very same Subject,
as his brother the fixt Liquor is. So then the Sister answers not the
brother in the like operation, and ’tis impossible for the Sister to
accomplish those things that the Brother doth. But when both brother
and sister are mixed together, they do again beget Children like to
their Parents, _viz._ _Hermaphrodites_, from whence themselves had
their Original, returning to simple and crude Niter, out of which
there do again proceed the like Procreations and Generations of the
masculine and feminine Sex. And so one birth transmutes it self
into another, augmenteth and bettereth each other and that even to
infinity, if it do but get its own conjugal bed, and be dealt withal
in a Philosophical manner. And what we have said of the vegetable
Sulphur, the same may likewise be understood of the Animal and Mineral.
For such a Sulphur as is severed from its Salt and Mercury, the acid
Spirit of Niter will not dissolve, but its sulphureous Liquor doth
readily perform it, and this doth wholly dissolve the common mineral
Sulphur, whereas the acid Spirit leaves it untouched. But such a
Subject as participates of both Natures, _viz._ of the sulphureous and
mercurial one, doth admit of dissolution both by the fixt Liquor, and
by the acid Spirit, whether it be a Vegetable, Animal, or Mineral.
Therefore the extreams, _viz._ the beginning and the end, the first Ens
and last Essentiality, the volatile and combustible, and the fixt and
incombustible, are to be compared with each other, (as thus.) Let the
common combustible Sulphur and which adheres to Minerals and Veins of
Metals be accompted of as the beginning, and let Gold be accompted the
end. The fixt Liquor now dissolves the Sulphur wholly, but cannot do
so with the ripe Gold; but the acid Spirit dissolves that, and cannot
at all dissolve the Sulphur. But now such as are middle Subjects and
do partake of both natures, _viz._ of a sulphureous and a mercurial,
such as are _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Mars_, _Venus_, _Mercury_, _Lune_;
for they are dissolveable by both, _viz._ by the fixt Liquor, and also
by the acid Spirit. But by how much the more either of them partake of
combustible Sulphur, by so much the easier doth it admit Solution by
the fixt Liquor. So this Liquor doth easily dissolve these Minerals,
_viz._ Antimony, Auripigment, common Sulphur, red Arsenick, _&c._ and
of metals these, _Mars_, _Venus_, _Jupiter_, _Saturn_, difficultly;
_Lune_ more difficultly; _Mercury_ most difficultly; but for _Sol_,
which is the last and best of all, it doth in no wise dissolve, because
it is plainly freed by nature from its superfluous, extraneous, and
burning Sulphur, and is washed, purified, and maturated into a most
pure mercurial Substance. Contrariwise the acid Spirit (if it be
strong enough) doth dissolve all, even from the supreamest metal, to
the lowest Mineral, Sulphur onely excepted, which it can’t dissolve.
Yet doth it more easily dissolve one Subject than another according
as it is of more affinity with, or remote, from its own Nature. And
therefore every Chymist may easily know the Nature and Properties of
every metal and mineral by the dissolving them, with these two, _viz._
Liquor and acid Spirit. Note well, I have (by this means) found out
what Metals and Minerals are of nearest Affinity with Gold, and this
kind of enquiry is far more certain and safer than the reading of
many Books; nor will it be hurtfull to him if he did understand the
signature of metals and minerals, and thereby know how to learn their
Nature and Property; but my intent is not to treat of that, in this
place, but will refer my labour to the second part of my Treatise of
the Prosperity of _Germany_, where we will speak of the Concentration
of Metals and Minerals. But that I may trifle out no more time in the
discoursing of the difference of metals and minerals, I will go on and
describe how the venemous Subjects of Animals and Vegetables are to be
dissolved by the acid Spirit of Niter, to be transmuted and ripened
thereby, and converted into safe Medicaments.
_The Process and Preparation is as follows._
Take either _Nux Vomica_, or venomous party-coloured Toads, Scorpions,
Cantharides, or such like venomous Vegetables or Animals. Cut your
Vegetables, but take your Animals whole as they are, that so dying
(in the _Menstruum_) they become greater and safer Medicaments, put
them in some glass: As for example. Take one Ounce or two Ounces of
the Spirit of Niter; put it in a glass with a narrow neck, that so it
may be stopped, and put into that Spirit such Vegetables as you would
dissolve; which being dissolved into a Liquor, then put yet more Herbs,
thus doing so long till the Spirit grows thickish, and can dissolve no
more. After the same manner may you proceed with the Animals if dead;
but if alive, then to the Spirit add some water before you put the
Vermine thereinto; for the too vehement force of the Spirit, is to be
so allayed, that the Vermine being put in alive may not presently die,
but may kill himself with his own proper Poison. For if the Spirit
be too strong, such kind of Animals will die in less than a moment,
and not know what hath happened unto them. But now they live longer
in the milder Spirit, and when they see that they must needs die,
they are extreamly enraged, do prick, and bite, and kill themselves
with their own Poison, insomuch that the venome is increased, and the
Medicine acquires the greater Virtues. So then those which thou hast
put in being dissolved, add more untill the Spirit becoming thick, can
dissolve no more; strain this Solution through a thin Linnen Cloath
into another glass, and pour thereon by little and little, or drop by
drop, the fixt Liquor of Niter, that it may kill the acid Spirit, and
they both having lost their strengths return into Salt-peter as they
were before, and the corrected Vegetable or Animal may be precipitated
to the bottom in the form of a Powder. When you have so done pour
on some more fresh Water, or Rain-water, that the Salt-peter may be
the better dissolved. Then pour out all the Solution, through a thin
Linnen Cloth placed in a glass Funnel, into another glass, that so the
Salt-peter, which before was partly an acid Spirit, and partly a fixt
Liquor, and is again become Niter, may (being dissolved with the water
poured thereon) run through the Cloth, and that corrected Vegetable
or Animal may stay behind in the same, the which by pouring on store
of fair water, is to be freed of all Saltishness, and afterwards to
be put together with the Cloth upon Cap-paper several times doubled.
This Paper will drink up all the moisture, and the remaining Animal
or Vegetable Powder will stay behind: which being thus dried is to
be lay’d up for use, and may afterwards be used either _per se_ in
the form of a Powder or be reduced into Pills, which before this
preparation could not be safely used, nor without much danger. There
is besides, another way of turning Animals and Vegetables by the acid
Spirit of Niter, or by the fixt Liquor into wholsome Medicaments: and
the manner thereof is thus.
Those Subjects which refuse to be dissolved by the fixt Liquor, are
dissolved by the acid Spirit, and precipitated with the fixt Liquor,
or contrariwise those which are not dissolveable by the acid Spirit,
are dissolved by the fixt Liquor, and precipitated by the acid Spirit.
All being precipitated, and the Dissolvent sufficiently slain, let
some more of the fixt Liquor be poured thereupon, so that it may much
exceed in quantity the acid Spirit. This done, let the Phlegm be drawn
off in a vaporous B, and to the remaining Liquor, let be poured as much
burning Spirit as is sufficient, that so it may by extraction extract
all that is to be extracted. This burning Spirit operates upon, and
attracteth to it self, no other thing save the onely Essence of the
Herb or Animal alone, and leaves the Dissolvents untoucht. But this
Essence is no ways inferiour neither in virtue or efficacy, to that
which was prepared after the before described manner. And thus much let
suffice to have been said of the preparation of Vegetable and Animal
Medicaments. And now we will betake our selves (in God’s Name) to speak
likewise of Mineral and Metalline Medicaments, and see what good thing
the Omnipotent God bestoweth on us by the benefit of these things.
The preparation of Metalline Medicaments is almost a-kin, and like to
the precedent preparation of Vegetable and Animal ones, and doth herein
onely differ, that the most part of Minerals and Metals, are dissolved,
corrected, and converted into safe Medicaments by crude and purified
Niter, as the following manner demonstrates.
Take of powdered Antimony and purged Niter each alike, mix these equal
parts in a covered Pot least the Mass leap out, calcine it, after
Calcination pour it forth, and reduce the Mass into a Powder, and
wash off the Salt-peter with Water and dry the Antimony, which hath
now lost its black Colour, and is become white. Mix it again with an
equal part of Salt-peter, calcine it, and wash it, and repeat this
Labour a third time. This done, the Antimony hath laid aside all its
venomosity and blackness, and become white, and such a medicament, as
may be most safely administred in expelling all Diseases by Sweat, the
Dose from two, three, four, even to six Grains. Note well, if you use
the _Regulus_ instead of the Crude Antimony, it will presently, in the
first operation become a white Diaphoretick, and to be adhibited in
the same Dose. Even after the same manner may you deprive poisonous
Arsenick, Auripigment, and such like Poisons of all their venomousness,
and transmute them into most safe Diaphoretick Powders. But forasmuch
as the preparations of them do not correspond with every ones mind,
yea and may easily injure the ignorant and unskilfull, my advice to
such men is this, that they abstain from medling with them and betake
themselves to Antimony onely, and to fix him well, for that they may
use him with far more safety. But that I speak here of those most
highly venomous Objects, I did it for this end, that every one might
know, that even the chiefest Poisons may be corrected and transmuted
into Medicines, merely by the help of Niter alone. But he that desires
yet farther to render Antimony safer and better, let him use the
following preparation: Take the aforesaid Diaphoretick Antimony, fixed
by the help of Niter, dissolve it up in strong _Aqua Fortis_: and
being dissolved, precipitate it with the fixt Liquor of Niter, that it
may settle to the bottom like a snowy Powder: Pour off the moisture,
vapour away some part of the humidity, and set by the remainder that
the Salt may shoot, and so will you have your Niter again. As for the
Powder, dry it and wash it well with water, and it may well be styled
a _Bezoardicum_ Mineral, being a most excellent Medicine to expel
all Diseases by Sweat, the Dose of which is one, two, three, four,
six, even to twelve Grains, according as the Disease and Patient is.
But I have sufficiently enough treated of this Medicine at large in
my other Writings, and therefore needs not to be repeated in this
place. So then all, Metals, Minerals, Stones, and whatsoever is in the
World, may by these three ways be dissolved and corrected by Niter,
either crude, fixed, or acid, and be transmuted into Medicines void
of all kind of danger. Thou maist dissolve all the Metals (Gold onely
excepted) with the acid Spirit of Niter, and if thou put thereto a
little _Sal Armoniack_, or rectifie it with common Salt, then it will
likewise dissolve common Gold. But the Minerals are dissolved with the
fixt Liquor of Niter, and precipitated, and then washed with common
water, and being washed are used to make Medicine with. They yield
subtile Powders, according to the nature and property of their Metals
and Minerals. The Powder of Gold is yellow, and is called _Aurum
Fulminans_, of Silver, Ashy, of Copper, Green, of Iron, Red, of Tin,
and Lead, White, of Antimony, white; of _Lapis Calaminaris_, _Tutia_,
and _Cadmia_, Ashy: But the common Sulphur, and all the precious
and common Stones, it (_viz._ the acid Spirit) cannot dissolve, but
leaves them for her Brother, the fixed Liquor to dissolve. So then
what the Sister cannot do, that the Brother can perform with ease,
and that which the Brother can’t effect, that the Sister undertakes
the accomplishment of; and what neither of them can possibly perform,
we see it possible to be done, by their Father and Mother, _viz._ the
crude Niter, insomuch that to this subject is a power given of doing
what you please. But that I may perfectly demonstrate, that Niter is
able to dissolve all the things that are in the World, and may withall
shew, how those subjects, which yields not to a Solution by the acid
Spirit may come under the power of the fixt Niter, I will proceed on,
and begin with the common Sulphur.
Take Sulphur reduced into Powder, one part, of fixt Niter two parts,
put them in a Cucurbit, pour thereon twice as much water as they both
of them weigh, _viz._ six parts. Boil them about one hour in Sand, in
which boiling the Liquor of the fixt Niter, will dissolve the Sulphur
into a red Solution. Strain it through Cap Paper, and precipitate
it by the acid Spirit, then wash it, and you shall have a white and
subtile Powder, profitable in the Diseases of the Lungs. And now it
remains that I shew you Flints, Sand, Crystal, all kinds of Stones
both precious ones and common, (which the acid Spirit is not capable
of dissolving) may be dissolved by the fixt Niter, and display their
Virtues, the which is thus done. Make the Flint, Crystal, Marble, or
any other Stone that is meltable in the Fire into a Glass, very red
hot, and presently squench it in cold Water, and dry it, that it may
be powdered with ease. Take one part of this Powder, and three or four
parts of fixt Niter, mix them well, put them into a Crucible, and cover
the Pot, and melt them with a strong Fire in a Wind Furnace, that it
may become a transparent Glass. Then turn it out, Powder it, and set
it in a Glass Vessel in a moist Cellar, that the Stone may be turned
into a Liquor; or else having powdered the said molten Glass, pour
common Water thereupon, which will dissolve the Powder. If now you pour
the said acid Spirit of Niter on the clear Solution, then the fixt
Niter being deprived of its fiery virtue and force, will let fall the
dissolved Stone in the form of a Powder, which is to be washed with
store of Water, and be dried, and it will be the Magistery of that
Stone, which this operation is bestowed on. These Stones may likewise
be digested and dissolved in a strong Glass set on Sand, with the
fixt Niter Liquor, but this moist way is more slow and tedious than
the former dry way which is done by melting. And besides, the Glasses
themselves cannot long endure this liquor, but are therewith also
dissolved. Now these Magisteries or Stones thus prepared are profitable
in the Stone, the which they do not onely expel out of the Reins, but
likewise out of the Bladder, if it be not too much hardned. If you
desire to make this Medicine yet better, then do thus. Take the Liquor
of the Flints or Crystals, that are dissolved in a Cellar after their
having been melted, put it in a Vial having a long Neck, whereon pour
twice as much Spirit of Wine, but see that the Belly of your Glass be
but half full; then let some body or other shake the Glass in their
hands strongly up and down, and commix the Liquor and Spirit of Wine
well, then will the Spirit penetrate, dissolve and render it sweet.
Note well, this agitation is necessary, because if it be not thus
tossed to and fro, the Spirit of Wine will stand at the top of the
Liquor, and not attract the fixt Niter to it self. Now when the Spirit
of Wine that you poured first on, is sharp enough, pour that out and
pour on more, and when that is sharp enough, decant that also, and
pour on more, repeat this operation so often, untill the Liquor of the
Stones be rendred sweet. Note well, the Spirit of Wine must be void of
all Phlegm, for if there be in it any water, the Liquor of the Stones
would be precipitated into a Powder. But he that proceeds well and
rightly will obtain a noble Medicine against the Stone of the Microcosm.
_N. B._ After that the Liquor of the Stones is brought to a sweetness,
it is to be covered over with the Spirit of Wine, in the Glass you
keep it in, that so the Liquor may abide in its Liquidity, otherwise
it will in a few days space be turned into a Stone in the Glass. When
you would use the Liquor, stop the mouth of the Glass with your Thumb,
and turn down the Glass that the Spirit of Wine may (as being lighter)
give place for the Liquor to flow out by your Thumb, and thus may you
take out as much Liquor as you please. I have been the more curious
in describing this preparation in this place, that so no error may be
committed, seeing this labour requires an expert Man, and not such a
rude and insipid Sot as _Farnerus_ is. Experience testifies that the
Liquor, and the Magistery of Sand, Flints, Crystals, and such like
Stones, are endued with one and the same virtues. Any one may chuse
which in his opinion is best. I commend the common white Flints,
that are in the Sands of Rivers. The Magistery of these are notably
conducive to weak Stomachs, nor is any thing corrupted by the same,
whatsoever Diseases they be used unto. The Dose of the Powder is 4, 8,
12, 20, 30 Grains, of the Liquor, 1, 2, 3, 4, even to 10 Grains. This
Liquor, wheresoever it comes, adheres to every matter it meets with, if
it be kept in a dry place, it becomes a natural and transparent Stone.
In Man’s Body, it attracts to it self its like, and carries it off with
it self. There lie hid in it many other secrets, which forasmuch as
they pertain not to this place, are to be found in my other Writings.
Moreover there are Stones found which do not admit of Solution either
by the fixt Liquor or acid Spirit, and they are to be thus tamed. Take
that Stone which yields not to a Solution by the fixt Niter Liquor, nor
by the acid Spirit, beat it into Powder, then mix it with three times
as much of the Powder of pure and well dried Niter. Then with this
mixture fill a Crucible half full, take up a Coal with your Tongs, and
put it into the matter, and hold it hard on, least the flame throw it
clear out again. So the Niter being kindled by the Coal doth (together
with the Stone) flame and burn up, and cause such a speedy and vehement
Fire, that the Stone is thereby penetrated and opened, and may (after
this operation) be dissolved with common Water. This done, the Solution
which hath imbibed (or which contains) the dissolved Stone, is to be
purified by passing it through Cap Paper, and to be precipitated by
pouring in of the acid Spirit, that so the Stone may settle down in the
form of a Powder, the which is to be washed with Water, to be dried and
kept for use. Thus now have we dissolved all the Metals, all Stones,
all Vegetables, and Animals, and transmuted them into Medicaments. And
were there yet any other thing in nature besides these subjects, or
could there be found any thing else, I would have taught its Solution
by this my universal _Menstruum_. But forasmuch as I find nothing else
besides Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, as likewise all kinds of
Stones, yea and Glass it self, nor can find ought besides, it will
deservedly remain an universal _Menstruum_, and Dissolvent (though the
moamish deriders, and brethren of ignorance, and haters of the truth,
split for anger) constant, unconquered, and incomparable, as long
as the World stands. As to its efficacy in bettering and correcting
Metals, the second, third, and fourth Parts of my Treatise of the
Prosperity of _Germany_ will testifie, for therein we treat of the
concentration of Metals. But as for such other mysteries as concern
true Hermetick Philosophy, and that lie hid in this wonderfull subject,
they are accurately and succinctly described in my Treatise of the
Nature of Gold, and of the concentration of the Elements, in which
Book the studious Reader may delight himself with divine and humane
Miracles. So now we have proved and demonstrated, that Niter is an
universal _Menstruum_ and Dissolvent, seeing there is nothing in the
nature of things that is able to resist its dissolving virtues; nor can
its like be found out. Well therefore may it most deservedly remain,
as in very deed it is, and as ’tis accounted of both by my self and
all skillfull Chymists. But now if any one shall object and say, that
the before produced proofs are no ways satisfactory to him, neither
do demonstrate that this dissolvent is also profitable as to the
Philosophick Work, I do not intend to answer him, nor will I so open
my Bosom to such Adventerers as _Arnoldus_ did to _Lully_, but leave
secret things in a secret place. I have spoken enough, and do also
speak much in my Treatise of the concentration of Heaven and Earth. He
that understands not my sayings, and doth as yet despise them, has no
reason to reckon himself amongst the Adeptists and Sons of _Hermes_,
but rather is of the rank of the _Farnerians_ sodality, and must remain
at the Hogs Trough.
_The Use, Power, and Virtues, of the Medicaments out of Vegetables,
Animals, and Minerals: The Composition whereof we taught above._
As concerning Vegetables, some few of them there are that need
correcting by the universal dissolvent. For such things as are
in their own nature whole and sound, need not any Medicament. For
Rosemary, Fether-few, sweet Marjoram, Sage, Thyme, and such like Herbs
needs no correction, but may be reduced into their sweet Essences,
according to the ways that I have prescribed in the first part; but
those Herbs that are more strongly operative, and used in medicinal
affairs, are not without danger, such as are _Henbane_, _Hemlock_,
_Mandrake_, _Opium_, _Tobacco_, _Napellus_, _Levant-Berries_, _Nux
Vomica_, &c. these must be amended by a good correction, or else can
they not be safely taken into the body. If they be dissolved by the
fiery operative _Menstruum_ and corrected thereby, (as we shewed in the
foregoing discourse) then may they be taken into the Body most safely,
and without any danger, and will perform things wonderfull in Medicine.
And whatsoever was a Poison before is afterwards rendred a Poison
subduing Antidote. For Example, _Henbane_, _Mandrake_, _Opium_, have by
their nature a stupefactive power, and do suppress the vital Spirit, do
infect, or destroy, the _Humidum Radicale_, do procure overmuch Sleep,
yea, do close up the Life in perpetual Sleep. But now those Herbs being
corrected by the force of the fiery Water, and being dissolved of their
Poison, do no more hurt, but allay all inward and outward pains, do
pacifie the vital Spirits being provoked and enraged, do compose all
disquietudes with a sweet pleasant rest, do expell venemous humours
out of the Body by Sweat, and do by reducing all things into a quiet
State, heal many Diseases. The _Cicuta_ or _Hemlock_, _Napellus_,
_Levant-berries_, _Nux Vomica_, &c. do not onely cause a most deadly
Sleep, but do also provoke most vehement vomitings, and make most
accute prickings in the body, and deprive Men of their Scences and
understandings, and do at last bring on Death, if they be admitted into
the Body in too great a quantity, and are not drawn out from thence
again by strong vomitings. But such Herbs being corrected, and changing
the Poison into wholsome Medicaments, do no more cause such horrible
and dreadfully painfull Symptoms, but by penetrating the whole Body
in a harmless and insensible manner, do take away all obstructions,
and cast forth all hurtfull things out of the Body, by sweat, urine,
and stool, and frees the inward bowels by purging them from all impure
humours, and do happily take away occult Diseases. And now if they
did before load the head with a very great heaviness and render it
mad and unsound, it doth now mundifie it, and purge it, and free it
from grievous and obnoxious Vapours, and do comfort the Brain and make
Ingenuity or Memory better. So that what they did corrupt (before their
correction) they do now (after their being bettered) amend and refresh
it. But however you are to have good regard, that you be carefully
provident in the use of these Medicaments, that you exceed not a due
measure, and so commit an errour, for it is not lawfull to play with
such kind of penetrative Medicaments.
The strongest purgative Medicaments, as _Esula_, _Cataputia_,
_Stavesacre_, _Gummi Gutta_, and such like, being dissolved in this
_Menstruum_, and precipitated, do lose their vehement, and as it were
venemous quality, and become safe and gentle purges. _N. B._ You
are here to observe (as concerning this Solution) that forasmuch as
the Seed of _Esula_, _Cataputia_, _Stavesacre_, as likewise _Guttæ
Gambogia_, and _Scammony_, are of a fat and resinous nature, are not to
be dissolved with the acid Spirit of Niter, but with its fixt Liquor,
or better with the Spirit of Wine corroborated and alkalizated by fixt
Niter, and to be precipitated with the acid Spirit. And so with the
same Spirit of Wine, being made more strong by the addition of the fixt
Niter, all Gums that have a fat quality (may be thus dealt with) and
contrariwise such as are not fat may be dissolved with the acid Spirit,
and precipitated with its contrary Liquor. So likewise all bitter
Juices, as Aloes, Myrrh, and the like, being therewith dissolved and
corrected do acquire a more sweeter and more gratefull Savour. It is
also very fitting, for the grievously smelling Gums, as _Assa Fœtida_
is, and for correcting other such like stinking things arising from
Animals or Vegetables, and so spoil them of their grievous Odour, and
for correcting them into a gratefull smell. Insomuch that some things
that emit even almost an ungratefull stinch may be so transmuted as
that they may afterwards yield a pleasant smell. And although that
I made some mention of this Work or Operation some years ago in the
first Book of my Philosophical Furnaces, where mention is made of the
Spirit of Salt, yet will I not leave it off so, but describe more,
yea and compendiouser ways too in my third part of the _Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa_, for effecting such matters, and thereto refer the
studious for the preparing of pleasant and efficacious Medicines.
As for such Animals as serve for the Kitchin, as Beef, Mutton, Pork,
Hens, Geese, and such like, also Fishes and Birds, they need not much
correction. Those of them that are a year old or more may be boiled
with Water, Salt, Spice, Wine, and Vinegar, _&c._ the younger may be
roasted on a Spit. These are not hurtfull to such men as are in health,
if they feed on them and drink after it a good draught of good Wine
or Ale, that so they may thereby wash down into the Stomach any such
matters as might stay by the way in the Throat, _&c._
If now any one would make use of venomous Worms, and Insects in
Medicines (for sometimes they perform far more in Medicine than
Vegetables can, as experience witnesseth) they are not to be adhibited
without correction. But I do not here understand the Kitchin
correction, which is done by Wine, Sugar, and Spices; but such an
one as in which all the parts remain together, and are corrected and
amended by the fiery _Menstruum_, and that without the addition of any
other thing as we taught before. And being on this wise corrected, they
do not onely safely conduce to a Medicinal help in desperate Diseases,
but do also become of greater assistance and comfort to many a sick
Person, and purchase to their Authours a greater honour. It is well
known even to blind Bayards and Barbars what effects sometimes the
great Earth-worms, _Scarabæus’s_, _Cantharides_, _Aselli_ or Pigs-lice,
and suck like Urine provoking Insects do effect, being administred
to the sick, crude, dried onely and so powdered; he that desires to
procure a good quantity of Earth-worms, let him but thrust a stick into
the Earth, and stir it to and fro thereby to disquiet the Worms, for
they will presently guess that the devouring Mole is at hand, and will
for fear creep by heaps out of the Earth, so as you may then easily
take them. If any one loaths the Worms themselves, let him take that
Earth which the Worms do cast out to the top of the ground, after a
warm Rain in the Spring time, and is like small bunches; as if they
should say, give us our lives for this Earth’s sake; and from thence
you may extract an Essence, which will be as profitable to you as if
you took us: _N. B._ The _Merulæ_ or Blackbirds seeks after this Earth
and carries it to her young ones lying in the Nest, which thing they
would not do, did it contain no good in it, but would rather take the
Worms themselves and carry them. A Dog which hath devoured many bones
seeks out for some clean place to dung in, either on a smooth stone,
or on the grass, as that he should say, This do I give you by way of
thankfulness for the food which you have bestowed on me, keep it and
use it according to your knowledge. _N. B._ The greatest Vertues of
Animals are placed in their Excrements, and not in their flesh. Next
the Excrements are the superfluities of the bodies, which (in men) are,
the Hair, Teeth, and Nails: In Beasts, the Hairs, Teeth, Hoofs, and
Horns: In Birds, the Claws, and Feathers, _&c._ And that the _May_ Worm
frees from the Gout and Stone, See Doctour _Wierus_, he hath written a
peculiar Treatise of the Gout, and of the wandering or moveable pains
of the Joints, and of the intrinsecal and hidden Scurvy, and other such
like Diseases, and which are commonly accompted of as uncurable; all
which he teacheth the removal of, by the means of the _May_ worms, or
unctious _Scarabæus’s_. Nor indeed is it without ground, that there is
sometimes more effected by such abject and contemptible Vermine, than
by the most precious and highly esteemed Compositions and Vegetables:
This now they do crude as they are, and uncorrected. But if the great
Earth-worms, and principally their Enemies, _viz._ those black, smooth,
and many footed Vermine, that suck from the Worms their Juice and
Strength; and likewise those broad, and party-coloured, venereous
small Vermine, which we have before mentioned (if all these I say) be
corrected by the fiery _Menstruum_, they would not onely drive forth
Urine, and the Stone, safely and without hurt, but would withal most
notably strengthen the nature of Man, and be a great comfort to many
debilitated Gallants. The green _Scarabæus’s_, the _Cantharides_, and
green Flies, being all of a venereal Nature, do (being corrected) not
onely drive forth the Stone and Urine, but do also wonderfully shew
their efficacy in the Feet Gout, wandring Gout, and other grievous
Diseases which have already gotten deep rooting: But that black and
slow creeping _May_ worm, or unctious _Scarabæus_ doth operate the
most efficacious of them all, and may be plentifully enough had in
the Months of _May_ and _June_. The whole knack of the business doth
consist in this, that such Vermine be well corrected with the Liquor
Alkahest, and so prepared before they be made use of. As for those
great and horned _Scarabæus’s_, that live upon the Juice and Rosins of
Nuts, Cherries, and Plums, and are wholly of a Balsamick Nature, if
they be corrected, I do highly encourage the use of them both inwardly
and outwardly, _viz._ when the internal and external Members are
tormented with most vehement pricking Pains and Torments. As for Emmets
or Ants they have a wholsome and efficacious Balsam, and are healers
both of inward and outward Dolours. But the chiefest of them are those
that live in Woods wherein are store of Pines, and Fir-trees, and do
there feed upon the Rosins of the Trees, and do not as the others do,
live upon leaves and grass, but do in the Summer Months store their
little Holes with the small Grains of those Rosins for their Winter
food. And this the Inhabitants of those Woods know full well, and do
seek after it and sell it the Druggists instead of Mastick. For it
answers to the Mastick that comes out of _India_ in efficacy, vertues,
form, and odour, and haply we might not need that Gum, knew we but
how to get and use this. There is great variety and plenty of such
like Insects as these, which without all question may be of great use
in medicine; but seeing they can’t be gotten in such plenty as the
Vegetables and Minerals may be, the use of them is forborn, and rarely
are they sought after. Nor indeed is it necessary to seek after and
fetch from far, such things as we have present before our Eyes. The
drift of my writing is this primarily, that I may demonstrate, that
there are in the universal _Menstruum_, such vertues as are able to
correct all venemous Animals, and deprive them of their Poisons, and
to convert them into wholsome medicaments, for the honour and renown
of it, was I even constrained to write these things. And as to its
energetical Operation on venemous Minerals, it is sufficiently enough
known, and doth most clearly appear even in its effect upon Antimony
alone, the which being burnt twice or thrice with common Niter, is
wholly deprived of its blackness, and cloaths it self with a most white
colour, and becomes a Diaphoretick and an all-evil-resisting Powder. So
is it too with Arsenick and Auripigment, those most vehement Poisons,
which may be so changed in a few hours space, as that they may be taken
afterwards into the Body without any hurt or danger, and will subdue
and expel the greatest Poisons, though indeed there’s no necessity of
making use of those venemous Subjects, seeing there is plenty enough
of other means. ’Tis sufficient that we have shown, that Niter hath
such notable vertues, as to be able to invert the venemous Nature of
every Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, and of transmuting the Poison
into a wholsome Medicament. Now because the Animal vertues are more
efficacious than the Vegetables, and that the Minerals exceed them
both, therefore by good right are those Minerals of greatest use in
medicine, which be most efficacious, most sweet, and most safe. But yet
we would willingly have the Animals and Vegetables to retain their own
dignity and station: And for the better discovery of the difference
betwixt these, and that my Neighbour may be the better and more
sincerely served, necessity doth even require a larger explanation.
This therefore is generally to be observed, that by how much the riper
the Minerals be (and so ’tis with the Animals and Vegetables) by so
much the nearer they are to the Sun, and abide therein, so much the
safer and securer may they be taken into the Body. All Herbs, Vermine,
and Animals, that delight in a warm Air, and love to abide therein, are
never infected or impregnated with so great a Poison as those are that
delight rather in obscure, shady, and darksome places. For _Napellus_,
_Mandragora_, _Cicuta_, and such like Herbs are never, or at least most
rarely, to be found in other than dark places that are shaded over. And
so the most venemous Animals and Vermine, do most willingly take up
their abode in holes of the Earth, in cold and darksome Dens; and by
reason of the want of the warm Air remain venemous, and do necessarily
hurt mankind. But being digested by the Liquor of fixt Niter, they
deposit their venemous quality and become wholsome Medicaments. So then
all the maturation of things consisteth in heat, but Poison consisteth
in cold, witness Wine and the Fruits of Trees, the which being ripened
by the solar heat, men may feed on them without hurt, but if they be
eaten raw and unripe they corrupt their Stomachs. Now as we have said
of Animals and Vegetables, the same is also to be understood of the
unripe minerals and metals. By how much the unriper and cruder they
be, so much the more do they hurt, and are unfit for the making of
medicine. And as for metals, they do by little and little, and step
by step go on towards their perfection, and end: Like as an Infant
doth by little and little arrive to its highest degree of age. And as
there is more to be found in a man that is arrived to man’s Estate than
there is in an Infant, so is there in minerals and metals that have
in long success of time attained to their maturity. And forasmuch as
in them may be found, most safe, sweet, and efficacious Medicines, I
have deemed it necessary briefly to detect their dignity and degrees,
and shew the Ladder as it were, or Scale, wherein the metals stand
in order, and how by their signature that perfection which they have
gradually arrived unto, may be known. I do resemble the mines of metals
to a Tree, thus, _Saturn_ is the Root, _Mars_ the trunk or body,
_Jupiter_ the bark that covers the Tree over, _Mercury_ the Juice that
sticks between the bark and the trunk, _Venus_ the green leaves, _Lune_
the flower, and _Sol_ the fruit. The ancient Physicians or Naturalists,
compared the seven principal metals with the seven Planets, the which
comparison squares notably well with them. For the Planets and Metals
have a mutual correspondency with each other. The Chymists ascribe
Lead to _Saturn_: Tin to _Jupiter_: Iron to _Mars_: Copper to _Venus_:
Quick-silver to _Mercury_: Silver to _Lune_: and Gold to _Sol_: And
even as the Planets do excel one the other in brightness, vertues, and
other things; even so do the metals, and this their nature informs
us of, and their different signature demonstrates. Verily when the
ancients would mark out to us a perfect thing, they described it under
the form of a round Circle: And by how much imperfecter the thing was,
by so much the less rotundity did they give unto it. The Character of
the Sun is _Sol_, _viz._ a Circle with a point in the midst: The Circle
denotes the Golds perfection, the point in the middle of the Circle
signifies the Original of perfection. The sign of Silver or the Moon
was this _Luna_: which consisteth of two half Circles, and tells us of
its half perfection: So is it with the other signs, and signatures of
the other metals. How much the nearer they approach to a roundness, so
much the nearer are they to perfection, and so on the contrary. The
Sun being the noblest amongst all the Stars, doth also yield and make
the noblest metal, _viz._ Gold, the which is likewise to be observed
of the other metals. But by how much perfecter the metals be, so much
excellenter are the medicaments that proceed therefrom. _Saturn_ or
Lead, is not much profitable for the inward use of the body, except
it be in the Plague, and in other most hot Diseases. Being outwardly
applied it dries up the moist affects of the body, and moist Ulcers,
and healeth heat and all the external affects arising thencefrom.
_Jupiter_ or Tin is somewhat hotter than _Saturn_, but yet is withal
very dry. _Mars_ or Iron is hot and dry. _Venus_ or Copper is hot and
moist. _Mercury_ or _Argent vive_ is hotter and moister. _Lune_ or
Silver is of a midling heat and moisture. _Sol_ or Gold is at length of
temperate heat and moisture. If now any good thing be made our of Gold,
it corroborates the heart as being the most noble member of the body
of man. And so in like manner, Silver doth the brain: _Argent vive_
the Liver: Tin the Lungs: Iron the Gall: Lead the Milt or Spleen: and
Copper the Reins. Thus have the ancient Philosophers and Physicians
distributed the metals and distinguished them, the which I leave
as I find it, though perhaps some of them may yet admit of another
distinction. But so long may they remain (as they are) until _Elias_
the Artist, shall by his coming release us of our Errours. Amongst
the Minerals Antimony is the chiefest, in whom the Vertues of all the
Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, are collected and concentrated into
one, as its signature declareth. For the Philosophers have signed it
with a round Sphere (by which the Earth is deciphered) and on it a
cross put, and is without doubt for this reason, because the Earth
never produced any fitter Subject for medicine, and this is attested by
all true Chymists, as may be read in their Writings; but especially in
_Basil Valentine_’s triumphant Chariot of Antimony, being a Treatise he
wrote in honour of this Mineral. The same thing doth that Philosopher
testifie, saying, common Gold and Silver doe not effect it, but their
first Ens does it. Now that Antimony is the first and true genuine
Ens of Gold, is not onely testified by all the Philosophers, but also
daily experience it self witnesseth the same, from whence it is as
clear as Noon day, that Antimony is rarely to be found in any other
places but in Gold Mines, nor is there (besides) any Antimony but what
is pregnant with Gold, but yet some Antimony contains more Gold and
other some less. Nay farther, amongst the very Veins of Gold it self
is Antimony often met with, and may therefore undeservedly be stiled
an unripe Gold. I my self have seen a piece of golden Vein, which was
digged out of the Gold Mines, and contained some pounds weight, in one
side there was pure Gold, mixt with the hard Flint, on the other side
was a black Vein of Antimony. There is a place in _Germany_ called Gold
Granack, nigh which in the _Sudetis_ Mountains called _Fichtelberg_
by the _Germans_, was found heretofore much Gold, but now at this day
is there digged out onely Antimony, cleaving on to the hard Flints
and Rocks. And herewithal is immixed a golden Marquesite, which being
separated therefrom, and prepared after a due manner, becomes a most
excellent Medicament, of which we shall hereafter make mention.
Further, had we not this testimony of a daily experience, yet have we
the witness of the true Alchymy, which doth most assuredly affirm,
that true Gold may by the help of Art be extracted out of Antimony.
Nay more, this incomparable Art, doth not onely perform this, _viz._
of bringing Antimony to the true ripeness of Gold, but doth also so
change the Gold (by extracting its Soul) that it is no more Gold, but
is plainly indistinguishable from any _Regulus_ of Antimony both as to
the form, volatility, nature, and properties of the same. And although
an infinite number of men will contradict these sayings of mine, yet
shall they never draw me from this my opinion, for I believe but what
my Eyes have seen. One Eye-witness is of more value than ten hear-say
ones. Such as do gainsay these things, do build on no other foundations
save such as they have gotten by reading or hearsay, and what will
not at all correspond with experience. Well, I will remain stable in
my opinion and in very truth demonstrate, that there is no subject to
be found in the nature of things, that may be preferred in Medicine,
before Antimony, so that it be but duely brought into its true Essence.
I confess that whilst it is crude and as yet unprepared, it is a mere
Poison, and the use thereof is accompanied with a great deal of danger.
And such as do use the common glass of Antimony, and other Medicaments
made thereof after a rude manner, and so hurt the sick, must impute the
blame to themselves and not the Antimony.
I have mentioned in my _Miraculum Mundi_, and in my first part of
my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_, the preparation of a Medicine out of
Antimony, and have called it a _Panacæa_. This now out strips the
capacity of very many rude and ignorant men, to whom it seems unlikely
and impossible, that a Medicine of such wonderfull efficacy should lie
hidden in so contemptible and base a thing as to deserve such a Title
as a _Panacæa_: but especially seeing some unskilfull men, have instead
of it, administred to the sick crude Antimony, and by saying it is my
_Panacæa_ have with a wicked boldness deceived men, and have hereby
brought an _Odium_ and contempt amongst very many men, upon this true
Medicine of mine. Amongst these is that faithless _Farnerus_ none of
the least, yea rather is more eminent or standard-bearer to the rest,
and such a one as may rightly be termed the blot and scandal too of
other men. For my part, he that lists may persecute Antimony with as
much hatred as he pleaseth. But whereas I have already praised it,
and the thing doth withal concern my Neighbour’s profit, I could not
omit yet farther to magnifie and exalt it with greater praises, and in
very deed confirm this truth, _viz._ that such a Medicine may be made
thereout of as I have described, and therefore every one that judgeth
of the truth without prejudice must confess, that there is not a
better, an effectualler, or a more harmless medicament, and purchasable
by a meaner price, insomuch that both rich and poor may enjoy the same,
if so be it be but prepared and used as it ought. But that he who is
studious after good medicaments may withal see, that I have not spent
my labour altogether on Antimony, but on other Subjects too, I will
adjoin the description of the preparation, use and efficacy of other
Subjects, and will take care for the preparation of those medicaments
for the benefit of mankind, and of the sick, and for the distribution
of them amongst the needy. For by this means shall I satisfie my
conscience and shall not be accused thereby of burying the Talent given
me, out of envy and hatred to my Neighbour. And whoever he be that
hath any good thing, let him make it common, and being moved with pity
and commiseration become serviceable unto his Neighbour. But if he
neither hath, nor knoweth ought better, let him desist from contemning
this, and omit despising the things he is ignorant of. And let him not
deprive the miserable poor sick people of such things as himself cannot
give, that so he may remain an honest and pious man. But as touching
the Medicaments, which are here treated of, they are indeed but few,
however they are such as may next God be safely confided in.
I have formerly written of preparing a _Panacæa_ of common Antimony,
and taught its way of making. But whereas the description is dispersed
in divers tracts, and is obscurer thereby, and haply one man may not
have all those Treatises, I have judged it expedient to repeat that
description in this place, and to mention it in this Treatise.
The preparation doth for the most part consist in the Calcination by
Niter, which corrects and changeth the venome and immature Quality of
the Antimony. Then afterwards the pure part is extracted by Spirit of
Wine, and becomes a tender and spadicious (or light-red) Powder, and
can effect those things, which I do here ascribe unto it. It may be
taken in a morning before you eat, either in Wine, Ale, or some hot
Broth, or in a soft poached Egg, or roasted Apple, and fasting some
hours after it untill its operation be finished. The Dose is ¼ or ½
of a Grain, or 1, 2, 3, or 4, Grains at most for one time, regard
being had to the Age and Disease, concerning which, the well minded
Reader will find more written, in the first part of this _Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa_, and in my _Miraculum Mundi_, but yet I will here likewise
annex it for the benefit of the sick.
_Of the common use of this Medicine._
This Universal Medicine may safely and without any kind of danger
be used in all the natural Diseases of new born Infants, as well as
in those of years, and strong people, and may be used I say without
any danger, and in so small a dose as may not move in any one either
a loathing or a nauseate, as these large Cup-fulls of the common
Potions are wont to do when they are drank down. For that dose exceeds
not 1, 2, 3, or 4 Grains at the most, and may most easily be taken
down in a spoonfull of warm Broath, Wine, Ale, Water, or Milk, as
the necessity of the sick requires. For if this prescribed dose be
observed, it operates after an invisible manner, and strengthens the
radical Moisture, and purgeth and expelleth out after a wonderfull
manner, every hurtfull thing (by little and little) out of the whole
body, if it be daily used, (or every second or third day) once each
day according as the condition, or necessity of any one requireth.
It defendeth every body from all hurtfull Causes and Diseases, and
admits not the least venomous Air, but if the Dose be augmented, it
doth also display its vertues, by a visible operation, and drives
out by Sweat and Urine, or Spittle, sometimes upwards and downwards,
every noxious thing, and operateth even as you will have it, according
as your dose is either more or less, and as your Disease needeth. A
dose that is very small and void of any visible operation, is wont
to heal many Diseases, yea and the greatest part of them. But some
Diseases there be which have deep rooting, and do therefore require a
visible operation, forasmuch as they cannot be expelled with a small
and invisible operating Dose. Every one therefore that prepareth and
administreth this Medicine, must accurately observe this direction,
that so (having regard to the Disease) he neither exceed nor come short
in the administration of this Medicament, but by a right using of the
same, he may obtain praise and glory.
But that the whole matter may be the better and more clearly
apprehended, I will set down the use of the said Medicine, according as
my self have experienced it, in the most grievous Diseases, that so the
sick may be instructed and helped, and the less Errours committed.
In the Plague and other raging burning Diseases, and contagious
Feavours, this Medicament doth (next God’s help) preserve every
one that takes it daily, in this proportion, _viz._ to Infants ½ a
Grain, to those of a midling Age, 1, 2, or 3, at most. But if any
one be infected by either of those Diseases, then the dose is to be
doubled according to the parties age, or trebled, that the sick being
well covered may sweat. If one time sufficeth not to free him of
this Disease, the dose of the said Medicine may be repeated the day
following, or the third day, and so is it to be proceeded on with, till
the Disease being weakened is cast forth.
This way of preservation and curing is not onely to be observed in the
Plague, but in all contagious Diseases that assaults with heat or cold,
and in all kind of Feavers whatsoever. The sick need not any other
Medicaments, for this is powerfull and effectual enough; provided you
pray seriously therewithal, that it may (by the help of God) drive away
that abominable and detestable Disease the Plague, and the pricking
paining Pleurisie, with the other Feavers. Nay farther, there is no
Medicament, no not of the best that performs what this can.
In the Epilepsie, or Convulsions of Children, of whom a great Number
destitute of such help die, this _Panacæa_ is a most experienced and
certain remedy for them, and is to be administred to a little Infant
presently after its Birth, the quantity of the ⅛ part or ¼ part of a
grain, in a little Milk, or else in some warmed fresh Butter, and is to
be repeated again the third and eighth day following. But if it should
be so, that after some days, weeks, or months, the fits do again come,
then let your Dose be somewhat stronger if the Child needs it, and be
so often reiterated untill the Disease be wholly subdued and carried
off. I do most highly commend this Medicine to all Mothers, for that
abundance of Infants (otherwise healthfull and sound enough are without
any help, snatched away by the violence of Death. And here the error of
some Physicians deserves to be taxed, who administer to the poor little
Babes, whole Glassfulls of the Water of Pearls void of all kind of
Virtue. Also the Powder of _Bezoar_ Stone either with, or without the
Water, together with the infusion of such like unprofitable things.
Such Men as are of riper years, may daily use the Dose of one, two,
or three grains, and it will profit them. If not daily then may they
repeat it every third or fourth day at least, and so continue untill
the Disease being subdued pass away: ’Tis needless for them to use
any other kind of thing, onely to observe this direction, _viz._ that
day that they do use this Medicament, let them shun the cold Air, and
abstain from Food three or four hours at least.
In the Leprosie, and other like detestable Diseases of whatsoever name
they are called by, and in every kind of Scabbiness, there is not to be
found any Remedy, whereby those affects are more easily and without any
trouble or labour, taken away better than this, which never fails your
hoped event, provided the sick be so strong as to brook the Cure.
In that detestable and venemous Disease of Whoredom usually called the
French Pox, there is nothing can be administred safer and securer than
this Medicament, if the Dose be but so much augmented, as not onely to
cause Sweat strongly, but also to provoke Vomits and Stools; and you
are so long to go on with using this Medicine every other day, untill
the Sick be well, which may be in some eight or fourteen days.
He that is overwhelmed with the Dropsie, may take one Dose every Day,
and forbear eating (for some hours after the use of this Medicine, (the
which is necessary to be done in other Diseases also) but let him that
takes it so as to work strongly, proceed gradually from one grain to
two, _&c._ untill it causeth a kind of nauseate (but without vomiting)
in as big a Dose as is needfull, and as the Patient can well bear.
Which being thus done, the Dose is afterwards to be lessened one or
two grains, and the lessening to be continued untill all the Water be
cast forth by Sweat, Urine, and Stool, and the Sick become as healthy
as he was before. Nor is there any reason why any one should doubt of
radically taking away this Disease, (except it be plainly deplorable
or desperate) by this my _Panacæa_ onely, forasmuch as experience
demonstrateth it more clear than the Noon-day Light.
In the Gout (a Disease accounted by the common Physicians for
incurable, as well as the Leprosie and Dropsie) doth this Medicament
perform wonderfull things, and doth effect more in a short space
of time than any one would either imagine or believe, provided it
be rightly administred. For it doth in a short time draw back the
affluence of noxious humours, and brings them forth out of the Body
after an invisible manner; so that, Day after Day, the pains do by
little and little remit and abate, the tumours lessen, and the Fit
becomes more tolerable, comes the slower, and at length vanisheth for
altogether. As for the Dose, you are to observe the same instructions
that we gave you but now for the Dropsie, _viz._ that you daily make
the same addition unto one grain so long till you cause a nauseate (but
no vomit) and then must you again lessen it one or two grains. The
Patient must do thus daily on a fasting Stomach, (and keep himself warm
and abstain from Food four hours, after the use of this Medicament)
as long as need shall require. Haply the things which I here mention,
will meet with many incredulous Men, and such as will not believe it
possible, for such a Disease as hath been hitherto esteemed incurable
by almost all Men, to be rooted out by the aforesaid Medicament; the
Opinion of such Men I confess that I cannot take in bad part, forasmuch
as even I my self was but a few years since (before I had experienced
the wonderfull efficacy of this Medicament) of the very same Opinion.
But after my experience had taught me to judge otherwise I do truly
and faithfully affirm, that this Disease is in no wise incurable, but
may (provided it be not too inveterate, and that the strength of the
Sick, either through old Age, or Debilities, hinder not the Medicines
operation, or that God himself withdraws not his own blessing) by a
good and sutable Medicament, be, if not radically rooted out, yet
for the greatest of it expelled. Now it is not to be thought, that
he who useth this _Panacæa_ may be at his choise to live as he list,
_viz._ either soberly, or to stuff his Stomach daily with hurtfull and
forbidden Food, and to swallow in Wine as he pleaseth. No such matter,
such Men err most hugely, for even the Philosophers Stone it self, that
is, the so much famed rooter out of Diseases would not help there. For
whatsoever those most excellent Medicines do mend in the Fore-noon,
and correct, the After-noons Surfeiting and Gluttony, and the so large
excess of Meat and Drink, will again destroy and corrupt. Nor is there
any room for the Opinion of those Men that think to be freed of this
Disease, by a bare Abstinence from Wine: No, this Disease comes not
always from drinking of Wine, for it is most evidently known, that
sometimes even the poorest of Men that never drank Wine are afflicted
with this Disease. And therefore the fault is not wholly to be imputed
to the Wine. Every kind of repletion or overfilling whether with too
much Wine or Ale, may procreate and encrease a Disease, but that is
not the onely or sole cause. For there are many other causes, from
whence this Disease is wont to arise. Verily, often being wrathfull
doth most vehemently disturb the Family, as it were, of the internal
Bowels. Lust, and an often use of Venery (which is the usual attender
and follower of Drunkenness) doth vehemently enervate and debilitate
the strength of the body. From hence nature being enervated and
debilitated, is not able to expell out of the body the copious relicts
and excrements, remaining of the too much abundance of meat and drink,
and therefore those excrements abiding in the body and exercising their
powers without controll, do produce most grievous Diseases. For that
part which nature is weakest in, there doth the Enemy make his first
attempt, according to the usual _German_ Proverb, every one climbs over
the Hedge in that place where it is lowest. The same doth for the most
part fall out in the procreation of this Disease, _viz._ when the body
is loaden and filled with overmuch Food and Drink, for the body being
overwhelmed with overmuch Wine, and then an immoderate coition or act
of venery presently following thereon, doth most exceedingly weaken the
body. For nature being by this means weakned, hath not strength enough
to expel those remaining excrements, which soon get Head, to the great
hurt and detriment of the whole body, and do make themselves a fixed
seat, the which is to be well headed in this Disease.
Besides this Medicament doth resist all the obstructions of the
Milt and Liver, (which corrupt the Blood, and stir up most grievous
Diseases, as the Scurvy, Joynt-Aches, Erisipelas, continued Headachs,
weakness of the Limbs, a Stinking Breath; and in Women a suffocation
of the Matrix, a suppression of the Months, panting of the Heart,
Swounings, the Lipothimy, and many such known, and unknown Diseases)
far more efficaciously than all other Medicaments do. All these
aforementioned Diseases are healed by the said Medicine, being taken
oftner or seldomer every Week according as the Disease is, and you will
see wonderfull effects produced.
I commend also this Medicament to all those that employ themselves in
Surgery, that they respect it as the chiefest Remedy that they can get.
For being daily given in a small Dose to those that are wounded, it
heals all new wounds in the Flesh, without the assisting help of any
vulnerary potions, and external applications of Emplaisters that are
compounded of so very many simples. For it withholds all Symptoms, and
advanceth healing even from the very bottom, and so to the external
parts, and doth also consolidate; but this is to be understood of those
wounds in which are no hurt or broken bones, for as for these the
manual Art is requisite, which may again set the Bones in their due
order and place. Likewise deep Stabs are to have Tents used to them
according as the Chirurgeons order is to apply them. But no external
thing need to be used besides, save onely the Patients own Urine
and Salt-Water, wherewithall the wounds are to be washed, and after
washing, to be covered with pure or clean Linnen, that the coldness of
the Air hurt them not.
But if wounds be dangerous and over great, then may also be applyed
some vulnerary Balsam, and Plaisters made of the Flores of Minerals and
Metals, and done up with Wax, Turpentine, and Oil: (Such Emplaisters I
have taught the composition of in my other Writings.) So that there’s
no need of so many Oils, Unguents, Emplaisters, and such like, to be
applyed to new wounds, if this medicament of mine be daily administred
to the wounded Patient.
This medicine doth operate even to admiration in open Fistulaes,
rotten and stinking Ulcers, nor is there any need of outward remedies,
save haply some Mineral Balsam to keep the Ulcer clean, and some
Plaister made of common Wax and Turpentine to keep off the cold Air.
For this Medicament doth begin its healing even from the very bottom,
and carries it on very successfully even to the outer Skin, and doth
throughly consolidate and perfectly cure all Ulcers, without any other
external remedies than aforesaid.
Having then well considered these things, and that every one cannot
prepare the prescribed Medicine, and yet very many may be found
that would willingly partake of the same; It seemed good unto me to
adjoin this admonition, that they that know how to prepare it, be
entreated not to count it burthensome, but rather being moved by a
Christian compassion, readily make such as are ignorant of the manner
of preparing it, partakers of the same; And not to mind wholly their
own profit, according to the custome of this perverse world, and the
scraping up of store of wealth, but to be well content with an honest
and just reward for their charges and labour which they have bestowed.
And forasmuch as the often spoken of Medicament, if sent abroad either
in a Liquid form, or in the form of Powder, into other parts, cannot
be in due manner used by every body, because an Error may easily be
committed in the measuring of Drops, and in weighing of Grains, and
so more or less be given. I have therefore deemed it very necessary
to reduce it into Pills, that so the less Errors may be committed in
its administration; and one Pill weighs one Grain, and two Pills two
Grains, and so on; so that the Patient needs neither to measure or
weigh, but onely to use them as the disease requires, and as I have
before prescribed, 1, 2, 3, 4, or more Pills at one time.
These now are the principal Vertues of my _Panacæa_ made of Antimony.
As for the rest that are besides these, and are (for brevity sake)
omitted, they may be easily understood and known by every Judicious
man, from the before described circumstances. I do therefore yet again
testifie, that all the things that I have ascribed to this Medicament,
yea far more than they, can be done and effected thereby, if it be
rightly prepared and administred; And principally, if the Name of God
be seriously invoked. For prayers and a trust in God do strengthen
every Medicine, and make it happy by his benediction, though the
wicked will neither believe it, nor hearken thereunto. Indeed some
Medicament may, by God’s permission, restore one (without prayers)
to his former health; And so may Bread allay hunger without giving
thanks, and this we see daily done amongst the unreasonable Creatures:
But this enjoying of the gifts of God is bestial, and not humane. But
this now is truely Christian-like when (in our diseases) the help of
God is invoked, and then after that, the Medicine used. And this
way of using of Medicaments is necessarily accompanied with an happy
event. But if thou wouldest perswade thy self, that every Disease, how
inveterate soever, may, by the help of this Medicine, be certainly
removed without any difference, thou extreamly errest. For we speak
here of those Diseases, natural Remedies are able (by God’s help) to
heal. For sometimes Man’s inward bowels or parts, are so stuffed and
obstructed with gross humours, that they cannot be freed by even the
most efficacious Medicaments. Sometimes the Lungs and Liver are almost
wholly corrupted, e’er the true place of healing is sought after. And
who, I pray, is able to restore the things that are lost? For Man’s
inward bowels and principal members do not again grow, being once lost,
as the Crab’s shells and Spider’s feet that are broken off and lost,
doe. Farther, sometimes God inflicts a disease upon a Man, whom he will
not suffer to be cured. Such like Diseases as these cannot be taken
away with natural remedies. With God all things are possible; who alone
is able to bring help and remedy in such kind of diseases, whensoever
pleaseth him? but besides him alone none can help. There are therefore
some incurable diseases, which cannot be cured by any _Panacæa_, yet
not the Quartane, Leprosie, Gout, Epilepsie, and Dropsie, as most men
think, though Experience (or the being put on trial) should witness the
contrary. And although that all humane diseases be, in process of Years
and Ages become worse, and more troublesome, and doe, together with
the augmentation of sins, encrease; Yet the most bounteous God hath
also bestowed thus much, that there are more and more efficacious and
natural Remedies to be found out (by the Divine instinct) by diligent
men.
It happened some few years ago, that an honest man’s child, of about
some ten years old, had its Tongue perforated with many Exulcerations,
which pained it very much day and night. To cure which, the Parents
spared for no costs nor pains, and consulted with divers of their
neighbouring Physicians, but they used all their Labour and Skill to
no purpose, for the Exulcerations daily encreased with much pain, and
grew worse and worse; and the poor child, being destitute of all help,
wasted away. Then, at last, they called me to advise with them, and
having told me how many, and otherwise famous Physicians, could not
by all the labour and pains they bestowed for full two years do any
thing to the purpose, but had at last left the poor child destitute
of help and succour. I seeing the effect, considered that this was
nothing else but a Corrosive Catarrh arising from infected bloud,
which did so possess the Tongue, and perforate it, and was the cause
of this burning, eating, and cancrous effect, and so hitherto refused
any kind of healing, and gave the Parents such an answer, that in my
opinion there was no better way to meet with this evil, than by some
purging Minerals, which were capable of working, upon even the fix’d
humours, and of bringing them away, and that to be done principally by
an Antimonial Vomit. The Parents assented to my opinion, and requested
me to begin the cure, the which I did, and first I gave a small Dose
of my Antimonial _Panacæa_, not doubting but that it would stir up one
Vomit at the least; but yet it fell out otherwise, for there succeeded
no sensible operation at all: The following day I gave again the same
Dose, but without any sensible operation too, but yet nevertheless all
the pain vanished, and the Child could again move its Tongue, and use
it, and also ask’t for Meat, which it had not done in a year before,
but was forced to be content with Broths, because its Tongue could not
brook any solid food. The third day I administred the same Dose again,
and so the Exulcerations began to be consolidated, and all the whole
Tongue was throughly healed in eight days space, insomuch that there
scarce appeared any place where it had been ulcerated; and the Child
daily grew better and better, its natural Colour returned, the which
drew all that knew it into admiration as well as my self. By this Cure
that I have told you of, the vertue and efficacy of my _Panacæa_ did
farther manifest unto me what I knew not before to be in it, nor should
ever have believed it, (had I not perceived a manifest operation)
_viz._ that the Bloud should, by the help of so little Medicine, which
was not in all above six grains, be able in such a short space of time
to effect so much; And afterwards I perceived the same effects in other
Diseases likewise, and found that the daily use of this Medicine did
not onely shew its operation upon the Tartar in the Reins and Bladder
not as yet coagulated, but did by little and little lessen the already
hardned Sand and Stone, and in length of time expell it: And did also
in success of time resolve and root out even Podagrical inveterate
humours.
But thus much may suffice to have been spoken of the common Antimonial
_Panacæa_. This name _Panacæa_ hath made some envious men stare, and
such as judge this Medicament unworthy such a name, seeing it is
prepared out of so vile a subject, and doth withall sometimes (when
too unskilfully handled) stir up vehement Vomitings, which is not the
property of a _Panacæa_ to do. That I may answer such, I say, that
the name _Panacæa_ denoteth such a Medicament as may profitably be
administred in all Diseases, the which thing the _Panacæa_ of Antimony
is also wont to doe as daily experience testifies. But as for its being
taken out of such a vile and (by many brethren in ignorance) despised
subject, that doth not at all derogate from its Name, provided that
the Medicine thence drawn performs those things that are spoken of it.
Pray what brought _David_, that contemptible Shepherd, unto a Kingdom?
was not he of a low name, and low birth: the same is to be understood
of this Medicament. It is its most noble efficacy and operation hath
given it this name, and not its vile birth, nor contemptible nativity
and abject form. Neither is this any lett thereunto, _viz._ that it is
prepared out of a mean subject, and such a one as the ignorant contemn
and despise, and which (before its preparation) was a Poison; for the
Poison is now transmuted by the help of Art, and of the fire, into
a wholsome Medicament, and the more strong operation thereof, such
as to cause vehement Vomits, is not to be imputed to the Medicine it
self, but unto the abuse of it. For so the best Wine and most fragrant
Spices, are a poison to such as do abuse them. Abuse may turn the best
Medicine into Poison; and Art and Fire, both can and usually are wont
to turn Poison into a Medicament. That which I have often spoken, I do
here again repeat, and call God and the Truth to witness, that I never
met with any subject, that might with more profit be transmuted into a
wholesome Medicine, than the vile and contemptible Antimony; The which
I will take care to see it prepared ready for the Poors use: And as for
the Rich, to them I commend the Golden Purple-coloured _Panacæa_, which
hath the same efficacy as the former has, but herein differs from it,
_viz._ it operates more gently, and is less sensible in the operation,
and may be far more safely administred unto Infants and old Men, and
may be doubled in the Dose. Some few years since, many men of high and
low degree have by the help of this Medicine been freed, not onely
from the Gout, but from other grievous and inveterate Diseases: Nor
have I ever heard since the time I have prepared it, for my Neighbours
benefit, that the use of it wanted some good effect: Nor is there any
cause to fear offending by the abuse or excess thereof, as is in the
vulgar Antimonial Medicament. But this Golden Medicine will rarely
stir up Vomiting in the sick, unless a due measure be by a wanton
abuse exceeded, or the Dose too much enlarged. For this reason I will
hereafter have by me, for such as need the same, this Golden Medicine,
in the form of a Purple Powder, and the common Antimonial (because
that it being like a red Powder may be easily counterfeited, and so
ill-prepared Antimony may chance to be sold to the sick instead of a
_Panacæa_) shall be ready made up in Pills, and in that form onely,
each of which shall contain one Grain, that so being ready weighed the
sick that use them may receive no detriment by weighing and so taking
them. These now may be used by such men as are of a midling age, or
elder; but to those that are Infants, and aged, and weak persons I
commend the Golden, as operating more gently and safely. The Antimonial
_Panacæa_ made up in a Pillular form, may be most exceedingly
profitable in those long _East_ and _West-India_ Navigations, in which
the Souldiers and Mariners are so extreamly troubled with the Scurvy,
and debilitated thereby, and yet have so little benefit or help from
the Medicaments which they carry with them. Now this Medicine is able
so far to help them, as that they may make their Navigations with a
more courageous and more cheerfull mind. For I have not hitherto met
with any subject in the whole nature of things, that can oppose it self
with greater efficacy against all the corruption of the bloud, and
oppilations of the inward members, than this Medicine; the which both
Souldiers and Marriners may have with them, it being not very dear,
nor easily corruptible, and so make use thereof in necessitous Cases.
There is not to be found in the whole World a more commodious and more
wholsome Medicine, as well for the Marriners that sail for many Months
in the vast Ocean, as for the Souldiers lying in Camps, that undergo
troubles and discommodities of all sorts, and lead a disorderly life.
And therefore if Chyrurgions that be in Ships and Camps were furnished
with this Medicament, they would verily preserve the lives of many
Marriners and Souldiers, and would with one onely Ounce, which is of no
great price, out of which may some Hundreds of Doses be made, easily
effect far more than with a whole Chest full of such Medicaments as
are but of small virtue. If a Physician or Chyrurgion, that follows
the Camp, had by him some Ounces, he would preserve the Lives of
many Thousands of men, which would otherwise miserably perish. It is
a Medicine of easie carriage, and as easily kept, which is a thing
deservedly to be accounted of, seeing it much concerneth him who is a
Commander, to have at hand some present remedy for his Souldiers that
are usually oppressed with the Plague, Scurvy, Dysentery, malignant
Feavers, and other such like diseases, with which whole heaps of them
perish, as Flies do in a cold season. This incomparable Medicine doth
easily resist all those diseases. Upon this account I will have ready
by me for time to come, good store of this Medicament, and such as need
the same may seek it from me, and be made partakers thereof. I will
perform the office of a good Christian, who being not born onely for
himself, but for his Neighbours too, ought to be helpfull unto them,
even as the hand helps the hand, and one member helps another, the
which thing verily every one should necessarily (and well worthy is it
to be) observe more carefully.
Next this Antimonial Medicine, in the form of Pills, and the Golden
_Panacæa_ (of a Purple Colour) follows, my _Nepenthes_, or Anodine
medicament, allaying all Pains, and is made of corrected _Opium_,
extract of Saffron, and the Volatile Sulphur of Vitriol. Every one
knows that _Opium_ is stupefactive and soporiferous, because so much
mention is made of the correcting and preparing it, and the way,
described by many, of so doing; For they well perceived, that it being
sometimes imprudently administred, did not onely cause sleep, but
brought also the brother of Sleep too, _viz._ Death, insomuch that
the sick being cast into an everlasting sleep, could not be awakened
any more, (for it is a praise-worthy Medicament, and such an one as
will beget credit enough;) and therefore they not knowing how to take
away this Poison, did bend their studies thereabouts more and more, to
correct the _Opium_, and to tame the venomous force it had. Therefore
they dried it throughly, and reduced it into Powder, and dissolved it
with Spirit of Wine or Vinegar, and extracted it, and by distillation
abstracted these _Menstruums_, and brought the extracted _Opium_ to the
consistency of Honey, and thereto admixed a certain portion of the best
Saffron, wherewith they endeavoured to tame and correct the venomous
quality of the _Opium_. Others mixed that Powder with Oil of Anniseeds,
Liquid Storax, or extract of Saffron, (which are Simples that will
procure Sleep without _Opium_) and made it up in a Mass, and accounted
it a most excellent confection, as being every-where hitherto in the
Apothecaries Shops, and used by the Physicians with good success,
sometimes in many deplorable diseases: And is even to this day (and
deservedly too) in use, for there could not be found a better and more
safe one. But now forasmuch as a better and safer way is found out,
’tis but just to admit of this, and omit the other which is not so
good. Since the time that I knew the use of the Universal Dissolvent,
or moist and cold Fire, I found out and corrected many Subjects by
the help of the same. And amongst others, I dissolved _Opium_ in the
Liquor of Niter after my way, and prepared it, and perceived wonderfull
effects therein, but especially when I adjoined to it the Volatile
Sulphur of Vitriol, which is of it self an excellent and incomparable
Somniferous Anodine, allaying all Pains with a wonderfull success. I
also hereunto added the Essence of Saffron, a wonderfull strengthener
of the Heart. _Opium_ being uncorrected, is a vehement Saturnine
stupefier, which doth by its immoderate stupefying property constringe
as it were and choak the Vita faculties, insomuch that the often using
the same make men pale, and to sleep (for the most part) with their
mouths and eyes open, and they can hardly be awakened before the
operation thereof be over: And therefore many do deservedly abhor the
use of the same. The adding of the Oil of Anniseed and Saffron, may in
some sort restrain the cruel rage of it, but cannot throughly subdue
it; But yet even this may be done with ease, when being reduced unto
Powder, it be dissolved with the Volatile Spirit of Vitriol, instead
of the Spirit of Wine or Vinegar, and so strained through a Paper,
and precipitated with the contrary (or different nature) Liquor of
Niter, and be washed with common Water, be dried and prepared into a
Mass with the Essence of Saffron, in which operation the Narcotick
Sulphur of the Vitriol adjoins it self to the _Opium_, and this is far
better, and corrects it by its sulphureous and acid Spirit. But that
the Spirit of Vitriol is most fit for this effect, I will shew the
well-minded Reader. The common Vitriol doth, for the most part, consist
of a Sulphureous Salt, and of an Earth containing Iron or Copper. But
when it is distilled by the Fire, the Spirit of the Salt carrieth
up with it a Volatile and Sulphureous Spirit out of the _Mars_; the
which being precipitated with somewhat that is of a contrary nature,
affords you a subtile Narcotick Sulphur, very little in quantity,
but of a most wonderfull efficacy, the which I have made mention of
in the Second Part of my Furnaces. But if now there be added to the
Calcined Vitriol an equal weight of Iron filings or Iron cinders, such
as are smitten off from the red-hot Iron on an Anvil, and half a pound
of Salt-peter, and a water be distilled out of these matters thus
conjoined, the Spirit of Niter will bring over a great portion of the
Spirit of _Mars_. This Volatile Sulphureous Spirit is to be separated
from the Corrosive Spirit by rectification, and to be distilled
into a Receiver that has in it a little fair water. This Volatile
rectified Spirit, and not that corrosive one that was left behind in
the rectification, is to be used for the dissolving and correcting of
the _Opium_. And although that many diligent Chymists have before now
understood somewhat of this Narcotick Vitriol, as I my self did, yet
we have done but little as to the preparation thereof. But at length
when on a certain time I had added Filings of Iron to Calcined Vitriol,
to distill thence from an _Aq. Fortis_, my Retort being very red hot,
did by chance break, so that the matter fell out into the fire, out
of which proceeded so sulphureous a fume, and so much, and so filled
all the Laboratory that I could not stay in the Room; therefore I took
the live Coals out of the Furnace, as speedily as possible I could,
because of the suppressions and difficulties (of breathing) which that
Spirit overwhelmed me as it were withall, and hardly got my self out
of the Laboratory-door, but having got a little fresh Air, I presently
came to my self again, and perceived that the whole House was filled
with the fume, and therefore to let it out, I opened all the windows
and doors of the House. When I had thus done, presently hapned another
danger, for the burning Coals that I had pulled out of the Furnace,
had kindled the other Coals that were next them; There being danger of
fire, and that I might prevent it (being destitute of water, and in
the night-time hapning) I ran to the rest that were sleeping in the
Chamber, to get them to arise and fetch water, and to help me quench
the fire. But they slept so exceeding soundly, that though I called
and did my best to awaken them about quenching the fire, yet was I
forced to go about it my self, and do it as well as I could. Having
quenched it, away go I into the Chamber to see what they were doing
of, and I found them all oppressed with a most heavy sleep, yea and
the sweat dropped from all their faces, though it was Winter-season.
When it was light they awoke and arose, to whom I told the danger I
was in, and that I could not awaken them. They all of them confessed
that they dreamed that they were oppressed with some heavy thing, so
that they could not stir themselves. From this mischance, learned I
two things, the first is this, _viz._ that in Vitriol and Iron lay
hid an highly Narcotick Sulphur: The other was this, what the cause
is that some Men but especially melancholy Men do in the Night Dream,
that they are so oppressed with some thing, and yet cannot be awakned.
For the Sulphureous martial and saturnine Vapours which cast the
Brain and Heart into such straits, and do bind as ’twere the vital
Spirits with a Cord, do cause such Dreams. This breaking therefore of
my Retort, discovered to me an excellent Medicine, and the Disease
subject to the same, so that there is nothing so evil out of which
some good doth not sometimes spring up. I judged it worth my labour,
to gratifie those that are studious in Medicine by adding to the
aforegoing things, this story, hoping it will not be a thing tedious
to any. Besides this is worthy of consideration, that hapned to one of
the Children sleeping in the same case, whose head was much troubled
with phlegminess, but the Catarrs were so dissolved and loosened by
the efficacy of this fume, that it was ever after of a sound head.
From hence did I conjecture that there was more to be found in the
Sulphur of Vitriol than can be believed, and this did I conjoyn with
the corrected _Opium_, by the often use of which Medicine, I have freed
many Children from the Epilepsie or Convulsions, and found besides
that it was most exceedingly profitable for old Men, and such as were
of riper years; But with this proviso, that my Antimonial _Panacæa_ be
first administred, to those of a midling Age, and my golden _Panacæa_
to Infants and old Men, which being premised or first used, this most
excellent _Nepenthes_, can by so much the better and more commodiously
display its virtues. By this Medicine all internal pains, a disquiet
mind, and light-headedness in Fevers, are allayed, a quiet and gentle
sleep procured, the Winds and Gripes of Infants and elder Men, that
afflict their Bellies and Intestines are driven away, a good ingeny
and chearfull mind is procured, all wild and unquiet Spirits that
molest the Heart and Brain are restrained and laid a sleep: The vital
Spirit being overcome and suppressed with corrupt humours is reduced
to its former liberty, and the lost strength and vigour of the Body
so happily restored, that a most evident help is presently perceived,
and principally if the _Opium_ be well corrected by the help of the
volatile Spirit of Vitriol. It may likewise be profitably corrected
by the fix’d Liquor of Niter, extracted with Spirit of Wine, and be
reduced into an Essence. But if this correction be made by the acid
Spirit, it is better and more profitable, than that made by fixt Niter.
For in correcting it by the fixt Niter, the corrected Essence is to
be extracted by Spirit of Wine, which makes the powers of the _Opium_
too volatile and penetrative, the which thing we seek not after in
this place, being it is far better, that the _Opium_ lets upon his
enemy leasurely and not too strongly; and this experience sufficiently
testifies the necessity of. This most excellent medicine is one of the
four Cardinal Pillars, whereon the whole fabrick of medicine is built.
The Antimonial _Panacæa_ is a most excellent and safe purge, most fit
to drive out all the evil humours out of the whole Body. The golden
_Panacæa_ is the best and most excellent Diaphoretick and Sudorifick.
But the corrected _Opium_ and vitriolate Sulphur is the most eminent
Anodine and Somniferous Medicament.
_A Diuretick and Nephritick, extracted by the help of a certain
proper Vegetable Spirit, and endued with excellent Virtues._
Take of Cantharides one ounce, _Aselli_ or Hog-Lice two ounces, put
into a Glass, and pour upon them three ounces of the Spirit of Niter,
and dissolve the Vermine in a gentle heat, that they may be reduced
into Water, which will be in few hours, or else leave them in a Cellar
for some days and nights, and they will be dissolved as well as in the
heat. Afterwards add to this Solution three ounces of Earth-worms and
leave them yet for some days more in the Cellar. When they are all
dissolved strain them through a fine Linnen Cloth, put in a Funnel
of Glass, that the Solution may be separated from the Fæces, which
if many, squeese well the Cloth with your Fingers, that the whole
Solution may be separated from the Fæces, then throw away the said
remaining Fæces. And to the Solution that you strained through the
Funnel into the Glass, pour the Liquor of fixt Niter by little and
little, and so long untill all the ebullition shall have ceased, and
a thorough precipitation be made. All things thus done, separate the
Liquor by pouring them off from the Vermine, and coagulate it, that
it nay be again made Salt Peter, and be usefull for more occasions.
Wash your precipitated Vermine well with common Water, thereby freeing
them from all saltishness, and dry them in a gentle heat, that they
may be reduced into a pillular form, or into an Electuary: The which
medicament may be most safely and without all danger used in the Stone,
of the Bladder and Reins, being given from one, two, four, six, eight,
and twelve grains at most, according to the condition of the Sick: For
it brings forth the Urine and the Sandiness and Tartar; that is, as
yet uncongealed, and not lumped together in the Reins and Bladder. If
any one desire to have them shew their Virtues more strongly, he may
then extract the dissolved, precipitated, washed, dryed, and corrected
Vermine with some burning Spirit of Saxifrage, Parsly, Juniper berries,
Ash, or such like Stone expelling Herbs, that so there may be yet
again a separation of Fæces, and the Spirit may draw unto it self
the purest Essence. This Spirit being separated by a gentle heat in
a B. leaves in the bottom an Essence like a red Balsam, which is far
sweeter, profitabler, and pleasanter in the forenamed Diseases, than
it was before the extraction, when in the form of Powder, Pills, or
Electuary. _N. B._ If a venereal Medicine be to be prepared out of the
Earth-worms, then the Cantharides and _Aselli_ are to be omitted, and
an half part of those venereal Vermine, which are in the Summer Months
in Gardens, and adhere to old Seats, and old Walls in abundance, to
be added to the Worms, and to these is to be added one fourth part
of a Stags Pizzle and all to be prepared after that manner we have
taught and prescribed. The Worms are to be gathered at such a time as
the Earth first opens it self after the cold Season, and may be dig’d
out, that so you may have the Worms before they creep forth out of the
Earth, and have enervated each other by their coition, for when they
are thus gotten they are endued with wonderfull virtues, and are far
more efficacious than they be afterwards. These Worms being dissolved,
precipitated, and well washed with common Water; if they are yet once
extracted by the burning Spirit of Satyrion, Hop, or Sparagus-roots,
and reduced into a sweet Essence, do become a present and effectual
Medicament against impotency.
All Diuretick and principally Earth-worms being maturated and
corrected, have a power to strengthen the venereal faculty. But the
correcting of them must not be after the usual Kitchen way of Women,
where Wine, Sugar, Spices, and such like things are added to correct
any subject by. No, but it is to be done by the benefit of Fire, after
a Philosophical manner, without the addition of any other things, not
with the Kitchen Fire, but with that Philosophical, moist, vaporous,
digesting, altering, penetrating, ripening, amending, conserving, and
in one degree always abiding Fire, the which is to be sought after
in Niter. Great is the errour that is committed in the decoctions of
Vegetables, when Herbs, Flowers, Seeds and the like are boiled in
some Liquors, as Water, Wine, Ale, and the like, and being boiled the
decoction is given the Sick to drink, as if it had extracted all the
virtues of the Herbs; nor is it in the mean time considered that in
such decoctions, the penetrating and effectual Spirit, and sweet Oil
vapoured away with the water into the Air, and yet may this be easily
smelt, for the Vapour that goes out in such boilings is always endued
with a sweeter Odour than the remainder left behind is, and which they
use in Medicine, and this can be denied by none. Why I pray are the
Waters in the Shops, where abundance of them are used, and sold, wont
to be distilled now, not any more in a B. _per se_, but for the most
part, in a Copper Still with common water added, to prevent burning
too; of which waters it is likewise said, that they are as good as
those that be distilled in a B. _per se_, without Water, and this is
agreeable to truth: For in the distillation, the most subtil moisture
of the herb onely rising up, and the common Water (as being the
heavier) stays behind in the bottom of the Still, and therefore they
have a certain sign in the distillation of the said waters, _viz._ when
the ascending water, tasts no more of the distilled herb: Then do they
desist from farther operating, and cast away the remaining herb with
the water in the bottom. But such whose study it is to make sweeter
and more efficacious Waters, do take the water which came off in the
distillation, and pour it upon more of the fresh herb, and do again
distil it, and draw off the most pure part of the herb, and make their
Water more efficacious, which way of preparing the Waters of Herbs, is
good and profitable. Besides every one knows, that the Spirit and Oils
of Vegetables, are to be distilled by a Copper Still by the apposition
of a great deal of Water, as we have taught in the first part of this
_Pharmacopœa_: It is therefore manifest, that the common decocting of
herbs in water is of no value, and that the best part vanisheth away
into the Air in boiling, and that the less sweet, and most efficacious
part alone remains behind. Some skilfull Cooks know this full well,
and never put in the Spices into the Pot to boil, but let the flesh
be first boiled, and already set at the Table, by which they take
care of losing the best Odour of the Spices by boiling them. If you
go by the Ale-Brewers when they are boiling the Hop, and the Houses
of the Apothecaries, you shall meet with a far sweeter fragrancy, and
what doth more comfort the heart, than what remains behind, and is
given men to drink? And this cannot be otherwise, by the fore alledged
reasons, for the chiefest and best part go away in boiling. Therefore
I do here again repeat what I said before, and do affirm, that that
Decoction which is done in the cold by the universal fiery Water, is to
be preferred far before that otherway. Now it is sufficiently enough
known that the greatest part of the food we eat, whether Flesh, Fish,
or Pulse, are wont to be boiled in the Kitchen by the help of Water
to preserve them from burning, that thereby they may be the better
digested and concocted by the Stomach. And why are not medicaments
prepared after the same manner? Now though in the decoction of Flesh,
Fish, and Pulse, there goes off some of the vertues of the same, yet
that is a matter of no great moment, for the remainder is what stuffs
the Stomach from whence the body may get its nourishment. But in
medicinal decoctions, no such great quantity is to be administred, but
a little of them given to the Sick to drink of; and therefore they
must necessarily have their vertues left in them, and not be deprived
of them by decoction, and yet this Curtation of theirs cannot be
shunned when the decoctions are done over the fire with common water
in open Vessels. This way therefore of mine, by the fiery Water is far
to be preferred before that other way. For in this decoction there
can’t be lost so much as the least vertues of the herb or Animal,
seeing it is done in the Cold. But all abide together, in the watery
or fiery Water, are ripened, bettered, and changed into medicine,
and must necessarily be transmuted, whether they will or not. There
is no way for the vertues to go off as is in that other decoction,
where the most noble vertues vanish away in the Air. Therefore this
digesting, conserving, ripening, and amending Fire and Water ought to
be highly esteemed by the Physicians, wherewith they may prepare their
medicaments, or at least for the preparing of some few good ones which
cannot else be gotten, as is apparent in Diureticks, which being so
inverted by this Philosophical water, do not onely afterwards expel
Urine, and the Stone, and all things pertaining thereunto; but do also
corroborate, even as all things that have a hot subtil and penetrating
Nature whether simples or compounds are wont to do: Insomuch that they
do not any more cause torments and pains by a forceable expulsion of
Urine and the Stone, but do gently and sweetly stir up to a casting
them out, and do withal strengthen and conserve the virile Nature:
But contrarily those immature and crude Simples, do by their Crudity
and Wildness hurt, and not onely expel Urine, but even stir up pains.
This discourse and proposed matter, concerning the watery Fire and
fiery Water (by the benefit of which venomous Vegetables, Animals and
Minerals may be (as I have taught) turned into wholsome medicaments)
will haply create in many some disagreeable Cogitations, and may seem
to them as if it were a strange thing, that I should call the Liquor
of fixt Niter, and the Spirit of corrosive Niter, fiery Waters, and
watery Fires, whereas there is in them no apparent visible Fire. Well,
to remove this Scuple from their minds, I do in the first place judge
it expedient to demonstrate that Niter is no other than a mere Fire;
For put but Niter on a live Coal, and ’twill all flie up and burn away
in the Air; this now is evidently seen in Gun-powder, in which the
Salt-peter is together with those other added matters discharged all
of it into the Air. Niter being brought by Calcination to a fixity or
constancy in the Fire, or else by distillation to a corrosive Water,
hath not for all this lost its fire, but hath it as yet perfectly
with it self. And that this is true is hereby cleared, _viz._ that
both those Liquors the fixt and the corrosive volatile one being mixt
together, do deposit that nature they got from the Fire, and do return
to their form, or Saltpeter nature. Hence may it be manifestly proved
that both these Liquors as well the fixt one as the acid Spirit may
and ought to be called fiery Waters, seeing that they do in very deed
demonstrate their fiery vertues. For they do yet retain their Fire, and
do melt all things and reduce them into Water, whatsoever you put into
them. This demonstration I hope is a sufficient satisfactory testimony
to such as have any understanding though not so well skilled in the
light of nature. But that I may yet meet with the most unskilfull of
men, who are for the most part wont to measure by their most unskilfull
fancy, such things as are to them wholly unknown, and that I may set
it most clearly before their Eyes, that the said Waters are mere true
Fires; I would perswade them that for trial of the truth they would put
one little drop onely or one small piece of a Grain upon their Tongues,
and see whether or no they will not in less than a moment of time
find, and say that that Fire is hidden in the Water, and is just as if
their Tongue had been touched with a Coal of Fire. But if they would
see the very flame it self, they may coagulate or concenter either
both or either Liquor, either by Antimony or _Lapis Calaminaris_, by
which all Corrosives do chiefly love to be concentred, and to put off
their adjoined Waters. Therefore when you have a mind to see a flame
pour upon your concentrated acid Spirit, or on your fixt Liquor of
Niter, the pure Spirit of Wine, and what is separated from all Phlegm:
By which pouring on, the hidden Fire of the concentrated Niter, will
forthwith manifest it self, and will kindle and burn up the Spirit of
Wine. If he would yet farther try the truth of this thing, let him fix
Niter by _Regulus Martis_, and coagulate it into a fiery Mass, and keep
it in a strong earthen Vessel well shut, that so the Air enter not
therein, and that the Fire may remain so long hidden as he pleaseth.
Now if he would have it grow hot, let him pour in a little water into
the Vessel, which done the hidden Fire will become presently manifest,
and make the Vessel so hot, that it cannot be held in ones hand: By
how much the more the Water is that is poured thereupon, so much the
hotter the Vessel becomes, so that by the too much effusion of water,
there is danger of the Vessels breaking into Pieces. A mean therefore
is to be observed in the pouring water on, if you would have your
Vessel endure the longer, and give a lasting heat. This secret doth
not onely teach the Miracles of Nature, but is likewise profitable for
such as journey in the Winter Season, whether in a Wagon, or a Ship,
day and night, in exceeding cold Weather, for by the help of such a
Vessel may they heat themselves. For if they have a Vessel containing
about one or two Pounds of this concentrated Fire, it will keep heat
for 24 hours: And so in case of necessity such as Journey may have with
them greater and more Vessels, and not be scantied of this Fire. And
if in the extremity of cold they want water, they may heat the Vessel
by stirring up the same Fire with their own Urine. How vile soever
this secret appears, yet lies there in it a great mystery, and what
is serving to true Philosophy, and in which such a fire lies hid as
was buried by the Priests, mentioned in the _Maccabees_, and after
some hundreds of years again digged out and found. For such a kind of
Fire being fenced against the access of the Air, remains uncorrupt
for 100, yea a thousand years, and this verily is a thing most worthy
of diligent consideration. We have by what has been said sufficiently
demonstrated that fixt Niter is a mere Fire, and that it manifests
it self so to be whensoever any one is so minded as to try. The acid
Liquor doth the same, and hath a far different nature and property from
the fixt Niter, the which nevertheless doth also produce to light its
occult Fire according as the Artist pleaseth, and is on this wise done.
Dissolve in it Iron or _Lapis Calaminaris_, and draw off the moisture
by Fire, _N. B._ You shall have nothing else come over or evaporate
save onely a sweet water void of all tast, and the fiery part will
concenter it self in the Iron or in the _Lapis Calaminaris_, and become
a fiery and dry Earth, the which being preserved against the ingress of
the Air, will remain dry, nor will it ever change it self into water.
This fiery Spirit thus concentrated in this Earth is so burning hot,
that if it be put to the Tongue in no bigger a piece than a Hempseed,
it will burn it just as if you had touched it with an hot Iron. And
if you would have fire thereout of, pour in some Spirit of Wine, and
you shall see the flame break out: But if you would warm your self
with that heat, as we before spake of in the fixt Niter, then put in a
few drops of water, which done, the hidden and concentrated Fire will
become manifested (as in the fixt Niter) and continue a long while,
if there be not too much water poured thereupon. If you would quench
your Fire and have the Vessel cool, then shut it, and if you would have
it again hot, then open it and pour on a little water. Thus therefore
shalt thou have this Fire most ready for thy use whensoever thou hast a
mind to employ it. So then all these things do most abundantly confirm
that the acid Spirit of Niter is a cold and hidden fire, for if you
put into it a little piece of Iron or _Lapis Calaminaris_, it will
make the glass so hot, that you cannot hold it in your hand. We hereby
learn that from this Original do the Baths arise, and is thus. When an
acid mineral Spirit joins it self in the Mountains to some Fountain of
sweet Water, and doth together therewithal pass through some Mines of
_Lapis Calaminaris_, or Iron, it becometh so hot that it breaks out
like water heated in a Copper. Nor are Baths any where to be found
save in Mountains, and in places that abound with _Lapis Calaminaris_
or Veins of Iron, as may be seen in many places, but especially in
that of _Aquis Granum_, where the most curious or bravest Baths of all
_Europe_ are found to be, and the Mountains that lie round it do abound
with Iron, and _Lapis Calaminaris_. But as concerning those other
profitable and gallant Secrets, that lie hidden in this concentrated
Fire, ’tis not expedient to speak of them here. We have revealed to
you enough already, and he that learns nothing hencefrom, shall have
nothing, nor is it given him of God to know the unsearchable properties
of this Fire, and to open the Gate of true Philosophy and Hermetical
Medicine. Here then the Son of Art sees what a concentrated Fire is
able to effect, and how its many vertues are as yet impeded by reason
of the Earth, (consisting of the Iron _Calaminaris_, and Antimony)
wherein it is included and hindered from answering the event that may
be hoped for from it. For an impure body is able even to make a pure
Soul inhabiting in it, ignoble and impure, yea and plainly to kill
it; and this may be understood as well of Men as Minerals. Now it may
be easily conjectured what such a pure Soul, and which is separated
from all Fæces is able to do. Things incredible and almost Divine may
be effected by such a Fire. The Fire of common Wood and Coals, if
concentred will perform things wonderfull. But I pray what then will
the concentred Fire of the Sun do, which is a thousand times purer
than that. Next after God, is the Sun, next the Sun the Fire of Coals
and Wood, is of all things in the whole World, the most noble. Were it
lawfull openly for me to declare my opinion of the Fire for the rude
and unskilfull to understand, I should enlighten many a dark Corner.
For the Elementary Sun, which bestows upon the whole World all Light,
and all Life, is nothing else but the Garment and Covering as it were
of the omnipotent God. If then the Garment and Covering be so noble,
so efficacious, and so potent, in its Essence, how great then is and
ever will be the Majesty of God, that Eternal Light and Center of all
Lights? We cannot so much as look upon that Garment, _viz._ the Sun
without hurting our sight, nor search out its wonderfull virtues and
properties by all our speculations, and as I may say, Philosophations.
Why then are Men so foolish to speak, and think so lightly of God, and
yet know nothing of him? Hence is it that almost every one feigns to
himself a peculiar God, and worshippeth and adoreth him, which horrid
impiety, the true and onely God abominates. The Ancient Physicians
attributed the round fiery Sphere that hath its rise from God, unto the
Sun, and figured it out by the sign of perfection, _viz._ a Circle with
a prick in the middle, whereby the Center is deciphered. But seeing
that in all things, the Center is far more noble and excellent than the
circumference it self, which hath its birth from the Center, but the
circumference it self doth by so much the more differ from the Center,
and is more unequal to it, by how much the farther off it is from it:
And contrariwise, is to be judged so much the equaller to it, by how
much the nearer it approacheth thereunto: What then shall the prick in
the Sun be, seeing that the Sun it self being but as the circumference
to that point, be such a most noble and excellent Essence? What name
shall we call that point by? To whom is it lawfull thus to do, (_viz._
to describe that name) in this perverse World? I even constrained,
though against my will, to forbear farther discoursing thereabouts, and
to refer it to my Treatise of the concentrating of the Heaven and the
Earth. But thus much I say, that our Terrestrial Fire which we daily
make use of, is the first degree of that Ladder whereby we ascend to
God, so as to comprehend (or lay hold on) this omnipotency, to perceive
and search into it, to Love, Fear, Worship, and at last to see and be
rendred (through Divine Grace) partaker of the Divine Majesty: Seeing
then that the common Fire and which every body knows is as I will yet
again say, the first degree in that Scale or Ladder, whereby we may
ascend to God and his Mysteries, and yet the property thereof is so
much unknown unto us: What I pray shall we think then of the second and
third degree, the which we know nothing of, though we think our selves
to know so much. I do therefore affirm here, and that boldly, that our
knowledge is as nothing, and there is not one amongst many thousands
that knows the second, (much less the third) degree. But haply
hereafter I shall speak and demonstrate more things of this nature.
_A Cordial and Comfortative to be used in great and continual
Diseases._
Take the Flowers of Marjoram, Sage, Rosemary, Mace, two ounces,
Nutmegs, Cardamoms, Zedoary, Galangall, one ounce, chosen Cinamon
eight ounces, extract the Tinctture with Spirit of Wine, then dissolve
in rectified Spirit of Salt, and which is acuated by an addition of
Niter, one ounce of Gold: Pour this Solution to the Spirit of Wine,
which is impregnated with the Tincture of the said simples, and put
them to distill in a Glass Retort in a dry B. There will first come
over the Aromatical Spirit of Wine, not onely sweet but withall
clear, which when it begins to come white and troubled, take off the
Glass that you received your Spirit in, and put on another, and draw
off all the moisture in a gentle heat, till there comes out no more
Spirit of Wine, and an acid Water of an unpleasant Tast follows. Then
take out all the Fire from under your Retort, that it may cool. In
which (when all is cool) and the Solution taken forth, you shall find
the Oil of the Spices swimming on the top, which is as red as blood
and is impregnated with the Tincture of the Gold: The which being
separated by a separating Glass from the Spirit of the Salt, you must
add to the Aromatised Wine that came first over, which will presently
imbibe the said Oil, and be tinged with a most curious red. As for
the remaining Gold, which the Oil of the Spices hath not attracted to
it self, you may precipitate into a tender and bright Calx, and wash
it well with water and add it to the Aromatised Spirit, and Oil with
a sufficient quantity of Sugar Candy, that the Spirit may be rendred
sweet and pleasant. So shall you have a most efficacious _Aqua Vitæ_,
the which doth wonderfully corroborate and refresh the Sick, in all
kinds of weaknesses. But this precipitation is not to be made like
as the common is, in which the Powders that are precipitated do lose
their Metalline form as Gold, which being changed into a yellow Powder
is called fulminating Gold, and being put upon a Plate, and heated,
gives a noise like a Gun, the sound it gives is very loud, and the blow
strikes downwards, so that the bigness of a small Pea being kindled
in a silver Spoon will make a little hole. But you are to precipitate
the Gold on such wise as that it may retain a Metalline form, but so
tender and fine that it may be well brooked even in the Eyes. Neither
must all the Gold be precipitated, but onely the most noble part, and
as it were its Soul, which as to its colour is much fairer and sublimer
than common Gold is. But the more vile part is to be separated by a
peculiar precipitation, and to be reduced by fusion. To this pale part
is its former colour to be restored by Antimony, so that no loss may
be made. If then the former part being precipitated, is better than
pure common Gold, the latter part must necessarily be (being reduced
by fusion) more vile, or thus, if the latter be baser than common
pure Gold, the former shall be better than it is, and will therefore
be more profitable in Medicine, forasmuch as it will (being digested
and consumed in the Stomach) display its virtues, which the common
filed Gold, or yet the Leafe Gold will not do. I purposely tried this
matter, and found the things I tell you of, to be true. But if so be
as any doubt as yet of this thing, concerning the first precipitated
Gold as being the best part thereof, and which we bid you to add to
the Aromatized Spirit, he may melt it down with some _Borax_, and
compare it with the latter precipitated Gold, and then he will easily
perceive the wide difference that is betwixt them. The first will as
to its Colour, far exceed the Gold of the best Duckats or Rose Noble,
but the latter will be far worse. That first being again dissolved
and precipitated after a Philosophical manner, that half of it may
again settle down, it will become more noble, and again leave behind
it a particle of pale Gold. Which operation is verily most worthy
admiration, by the help whereof, Gold certainly may be at length haply
so concentrated, as to be able (when reduced to the highest nobility,
colour, efficacy and vertue) to give colour to the other metals, and
amend them. But this is not what I have hitherto, for want of time,
tried: But I hope (God permitting me) shortly to shew such a Gold to
the studious of Art, seeking after it merely for this cause, that I
might thereof make an excellent medicine. I will treat more plainly and
more fully in my fourth part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, concerning
the Artificial and Philosophical Concentration of Gold and Silver into
good Medicaments; but that I may here give the Lovers of Art some
small Testimony how such a precipitation may be effected, take with
you these few things. The precipitation may be done as well in the dry
as moist way, but there the moist way is used, which is requisite in
the making of this Medicine, but yet it is troublesome and hazardous,
because that sometimes the glasses break, and the Gold falls amongst
the Ashes. But the dry way and which is void of any danger, belongs not
to this place but to the fourth part of the Prosperity of my Countrey.
I mention it for this end onely, that it may be seen and considered,
that it is possible to make some Separation in Gold as well as in the
meaner metals. For he that knows how by the benefit of Art to make
a Separation in some metals of the best part from the worst, hath a
profitable amendment of the metal. We teach in the second part of the
Prosperity of _Germany_, how the volatile and unripe Minerals, may by
Niter be reduced into malleable Metals. In the third part we shew the
way of turning the common and imperfect Metals into perfect Gold and
Silver. Then at last in the fourth part we shew by what means Gold and
Silver may be advanced into more than perfect Bodies and appertaining
to medicine; concerning which Separation more shall be spoken in what
next follows. Nor hath any one reason to make any Scruple and imagine
that I contradict my self, seeing that in the aforesaid medicament
I make use of precipitation and tender Gold, and yet have openly in
many places spoken the contrary, _viz._ that corporeal Gold cannot
be concocted and digested in the Stomach, and this I have most often
tried. For the Gold which we teach the precipitation of here is much
better and more noble than the common Gold, and upon that accompt is
not to be accompted of as corporeal, but for the very Kernel, and Soul
thereof as it were, which being digested in the Stomach of a man, doth
produce its vertues into open light. _N. B._ That the said golden _Aq.
Vitæ_ being to be used, you must first shake the glass a little wherein
it is kept, that so the most subtil Attomes of the Gold may commix
themselves with the _Aq. Vitæ_; then afterwards some few drops of the
same according as the Person and Disease is, are to be administred in
some convenient Vehicle. If you make trial with one or two small drops,
you shall experience its wonderfull heart strengthening Vertues, and
its most profitable use in all weaknesses.
_Another Metallick Medicament prepared by the help of Nitre, out of
a Vein of Lead containing Silver, and most profitable in all the
Sicknesses or Distempers of the Brain._
Take a Vein of Lead that is rich in Silver, nor hath either Copper or
Iron mixed with it, but by how much the richer it is with Silver, so
much the better and more beneficial is it for this work. Separate from
this Vein all the Sulphureity or Brimstony stinch by Niter, according
to the Spagyrical Art, that so the most pure, most subtile, and most
highly Volatile and fluid Mercurial part may remain. Wash off the Niter
as carefully as you can, and separate it, that a bright snow coloured
heavy Powder may remain. This most exceeding fluid and Volatile Powder
is the _Mercury_ of _Saturn_, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, even to 12 grains thereof,
being administred in convenient Vehicles, doth exceeding quickly yield
help in all grievous affects of the Brain, in the Plague, Pains of
Children that are troubled with Worms; it quencheth all internal heat,
and withholds the gross Vapours from ascending up into the Brain, it
opens all the obstructions of the Liver, exhilerates the melancholy,
restores the Lunatick, foolish and phantastick Ingeny, especially if
their Bodies be first prepared by my Antimonial _Panacæa_. Nay more,
this Cephalick medicament will operate yet better, if after the first
preparation by Niter it be again washed, and made more subtil, yea and
plainly fixed, that so it may exercise its vertues and power with the
greater efficacy. Last of all, it is yet rendered most efficacious,
if this _Mercury_ of _Saturn_ be in the last Operation driven over in
a Retort and so converted into a sweet Milk, demonstrating the truth
of that Philosophical saying, _The Fire and Azoth do wash the Laton_.
Niter is the true Azoth of the Philosophers, and besides it, is no
other to be found: It is the Scope of the wise men, the universal Bath
of Metals; The said sweet Milk may be coagulated, and fixed into a
transparent and fluid Stone, which again coagulateth and fixeth common
purged Mercury. But I have not as yet so brought it to such pass as
to undergo _Saturn_’s trial in the Cupel as they call it; yet am I
doing it, and hope to bring it to pass. But although the Stone is yet
volatile, yet doth it penetrate the imperfect Metals as _Mars_ and
_Venus_, and makes them easily fluxible and volatile; but seeing it
does so now, what would it do were it reduced to a fixity, this any
one may easily conjecture what effects it would have. Haply this work
is not much different from the work of the little Countreyman. But
seeing that purification is not different from this matter, we think it
worth while briefly to teach, what it is, and in what it consisteth:
But principally because all my writings tend to this end, _viz._ the
separating of the pure from the impure, from which ground have we
given this Book its name. Few are they that know the way and manner
of Separations, and therefore we deem’d it highly necessary to speak
somewhat thereof in this place. For all the Philosophers do cry out
with one voice, make the fixt volatile, and the volatile fixt. An hard
and fixt thing doth by laying down its Earth become fluid and volatile,
and this is a Philosophical separation and operation; after it comes
sublimation and distillation, by which a thing is yet again made more
pure, being separated from its gross Fæces. For by how much the oftner
any thing is distilled or sublimed, so much the purer doth it become,
and by how much the purer it is, so much the more efficacious and
penetrative it is found to be. Now again if the most pure part of that
thing be brought to such a pass as that it will resist the most violent
and all things consuming forces of the Fire, every one will easily
conjecture what may be obtained by such like operations as these. These
things we have spoken do shew the metallick purification, effected
by the benefit of the Spagyrical Art. The ablution of Vegetables,
Animals, and Minerals is threefold; The first washing carries off by
the help of Water the adhering impurities, as Sand, Powder, and Earth.
The second separates the thin and watery parts from the earthy ones,
by distillation, and doth the same thing as sublimation is known to
do in the separation of Metals. The third separation is performed by
the Fire, _viz._ when the subject that is to be purified is made red
hot in the Fire, that so the combustible Sulphur being inflamed may be
consumed, the Mercury may go away in fume, and the fixt Earth onely
with the Salt stay behind, the which is to be understood of Vegetables
and Animals. The case stands otherwise with the Metals, whose three
principles are so knit by nature with so straight and radical a tie,
into such an homogenial matter and so hard, that they very hardly admit
of separation, but do either very slowly and by little and little
ascend together by Cohobation, or else abide constantly together in
the bottom. And albeit that some black Metal, be either by sublimation
elevated into Flores, or by calcination reduced into white Ashes, yet
after reduction the Metal is found to be as before of the same form,
and endued with the same properties, which it had before calcination,
so that these operations do no ways deserve the name of Philosophical
Purgations. How many have deceived themselves, by thinking if they
turned _Mars_ into a red _Crocus_ they should therewithal make _Lune_
fixt, not considering that that _Crocus_ returns by reduction to its
own former nature and Iron shape. Common _Mercury_ is precipitated into
a most fair and most red Powder, and returneth by reduction to its
first running nature. _Saturn_ being calcined by common Salt becomes
red Powder, or a _Minium_, which being reduced is the same Black-lead
as it was before. Hereupon may such an one be deservedly said to wash
the Black-moor that bestows his labour on this work. The same _Saturn_
being washed with Vinegar or any other corrosive liquor, gives indeed a
white Ceruse, but it is but a borrowed colour, and he covers his black
body over with a white Robe, but yet for all that is presently disrobed
of the same by _Vulcan_: The true Philosophers do nothing esteem of
this sophistical Purification. _Saturn_ is by all the Philosophers
accounted for a black and leprous Gold, for they openly say, that there
is in _Saturn_ what the Philosophers seek: Read but _Paracelsus_ his
Book of the vexation of the Alchymists, and there he mentions more. Nor
is it without cause that that old Symbol or Proverb is used amongst the
Chymists. _The Fire and =Azoth= do wash_ Laton. _Azoth_ is Niter, and
_Laton_ signifies the matter of the Stone. Some do ascribe _Laton_ to
_Saturn_, I will forbear, onely thus much is to be observed, that the
word _Laton_ signifies the matter of the Stone, which is to be washed
by _Azoth_ or the _Acetum_ of the Philosophers that is Niter. Verily
I well know that besides the common _Saturn_ and Antimony, there is
another, more easily washed by Niter; but because we here treat of the
Vulgar, or the first Ens of _Lune_, and the reducing it into a good
Medicament by Niter, we will acquisce in what is already spoken, & put
off the explication of the said matter to another place.
_A Uterine approved Medicament._
Forasmuch as I have hitherto taught the preparation of some notably
efficacious Medicines by the help of Niter, and yet have not in the
mean while made any mention of the Sicknesses familiar to the Feminine
Sex. I judged it wholly necessary to help this weak and infirm Sex
(which is appointed for the propagation of mankind) with some singular
Medicament: For (besides those Diseases whereto the Women are subject
as well as the Male Sex) they are yet afflicted with many Sicknesses
that do arise out of the Matrix, wherewith all as well Maids as
married Women, and these last also are troubled not onely before
Child-bearing, but afterwards, _viz._ when the Matrix is not well
purged after Child-birth, and so begets various Sicknesses, Pains,
Winds, Inflammations, Suffocations, the ascending of evil Vapours unto
the Heart, or else by obstruction of the Menstrues, do cause a swelling
Belly, Weakness, Debilitation of the Strength, a straightning of the
Heart and Brain, most vehement Griefs, and lastly Death it self: Or
else the Matrix may be moved out of its place, in Child-birth, its
Bonds broken, and the Matrix it self so much repleated and debilitated
with overmuch moisture, that it has not so much power as to be put
and retained firm in its due place, but some are constrained to leave
it hanging out, to their great detriment, and are extreamly tormented
with this so great a detriment, the Matrix presently slips down out of
the Body by either vehemently walking, or any other violent motions,
and are necessitated always to carry about them a pessary framed to
the intent of keeping the said Matrix up in their bodies, and that
to their exceeding great trouble. Now then for the meeting with, and
resisting these aforenamed and other such like discommodites, but
especially such as are overwhelmed (as it were) with them, I will set
down the way and manner of so doing. As concerning the Matrix and its
Diseases which do arise after Childbirth, if so be that the Matrix
be not rightly cleansed, even the Women themselves know their own
Remedies, and do for that reason plant those Herbs that are usefull
thereunto in their own Gardens, or gather them in a fit season and so
keep them by them, till they have need to use them in expelling the
remains and trash left after Childbirth: Such as these are _Pulegium_,
or Penny-royal, Mother-wort, Mug-wort, Savin, and the like Herbs,
which have a powerfull expulsive virtue, and there are waters too in
the Apothecaries Shops distilled to this intent, concerning which it
is needless to write any more in this place: Thus much onely we would
advise, that such Herbs and Species as are used for such effects,
are to be rendred first more subtile by separating the pure from the
impure, that they may afterwards operate more speedily and better. The
which thing may be most commodiously done on such wise and manner as
I have taught and prescribed in the first Part of this _Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa_ concerning the Essences of Herbs. But the obstructions of
the Matrix, and stoppage of the _Menstrues_ are not so easily unlocked
by bare Medicaments thus barely taken in, for they penetrate not so far
with their Vertues, but rather, as experience teacheth, is effected
by such Medicaments as are applied beneath, and that more easily, and
which we have already mentioned in the Second Part of the Furnaces
in the Ch of Spirit of Urine, where I have manifested a peculiar
instrument by which such necessary Medicaments may be intromitted
into the Matrix. I have therewithall hitherto performed many happy
Cures. Bur forasmuch as I have since that time found out a far fitter
instrument for such diseases, I will clearly describe it for the sake,
comfort, and help, of such Women as are obedient to their Husbands, and
chastly observe the bands of Wedlock, _viz._ both how to prepare and
how to apply the same. You are to get an Instrument made of good Silver
(not of Copper) its figure to be round, and like a small Cane, and shut
in the fore part, and to be a little longer than a man’s finger, and
about that bigness; You are likewise to get another a little smaller
so as to go into the other, which other or bigger one must have three
little edges on its inside all the length of it, thereby to keep the
smaller instrument about the back of a knifes breadth from each side
of the bigger one, that so it may not touch it. In the hinder part let
be a Cover made which may shut the Instrument tight when the Medicine
is put in, lest the spiritual vertue of the same fly back out of the
body, and so order it that it may perform its operation on the Matrix
through the Instrument, which is to be perforated (towards the top)
with holes. To the hinder part of this Instrument let a Thread be tied
whereby it may be plucked out when its operation is over: Therefore
like as the disease is, so shall a suitable Medicament (and what is
made exceeding Spiritual) be applied: On this wise let a small piece of
fine Sponge be embibed therewithall, and let the inner small Pipe be
filled therewith, and be so put up to the Matrix. If the _Menstrues_ be
obstructed, then the most approved remedy is the concentrated Spirit
of Urine, which by its subtile, penetrating, warming, mollifying, and
opening vertue opens the little Veins of the Matrix, and gives an Exit
to the obstructed _Menstrue_. But if the Matrix labour not with this
disease, but is onely besieged as it were with cold and tenacious
humours, then the hot and penetrating Oil of Tiles or Wax, rectified
most subtilly, is to be applied, which being smeared on some Sponge, is
to be conveyed in by the Instrument into the cold and watry Matrix, the
which will thereby be warmed, dried, and freed from the greatness of
its moisture. But if so be the Matrix shall be moved out of its place,
or its cords broken, or too much relaxed, or any other way affected,
and so not be capable of retaining the Matrix, and keeping it from
sliding forth out of the body; Then must astringent things be used,
which may constringe the too much loosened bands, and may heal and tie
the Matrix again in its due place, and strengthen it. Such as these
are the distilled Oils out of mens hair, out of the Wool of Sheep, and
such-like Animals, out of the Horns of Goats, Claws of wild Beasts,
and Feathers of wild and ravenous Birds, and such-like things, which
being laid upon the Coals, do draw themselves up together, and do by
that contraction shew to us as it were their use. But the manner of
distilling and rectifying these Oils we have already taught in the
Second Part of our Furnaces, so that it is plainly needless to repeat
the same in this place. I say, and that truely, that if so be that
these three kinds of Medicaments be rightly applied in those three
affects of the Matrix, that they will perform things even wonderfull,
and many pious Mothers might be preserved sound, a longer time amongst
their poor Children, were they but help’d by such remedies. For it
cannot be that much help should be brought to the sick and hurt Matrix
by the Potions that are drunk of, or the hysterical watry Medicines
that are injected by a Syringe. For such Medicaments as are taken in at
the mouth cannot penetrate with their Vertues home to the Matrix, so as
to help it, to open, to purge, and to heal it, or to heal the dissolved
and relaxed bands. And as for Waters and Decoctions that are applied
beneath, and there injected, they presently slide out again, and do
help the Matrix but little, or nothing at all. But now these Oils of
mine and Spirits are commodiously applied by means of the Instrument,
and discharge their office most efficaciously. But there is yet one
thing necessary here to advise you of, _viz._ that such as desire to
use the Spirit of Urine, Oil of Tiles, or Wax, or Oils out of Horns,
Hairs, or Feathers, for curing of the said defects of the Matrix, do
prepare them themselves, or commit them to such to prepare them, as
are skilled in the Art of distillation, and versed in rectifying such
Spirits and Oils, thereby exalting them to the highest subtilty. For if
so be that any would buy in some Apothecaries shop, those things that
he knows not how they are prepared, and haply such as are corrupted
already, and not fit for use, will be grosly mistaken. For it is not
sufficient (if a thing is to be made use of) that it hath a bare name
onely, and be destitute of the Vertues themselves, and which are no
ways effectual) for the said Sicknesses of the Matrix are here taught
to be cured not with corporeal, but with spiritual and efficacious
Medicaments. It is therefore necessarily requisite, that the Medicines
we have spoken of, _viz._ those Oils and Spirits, be excellently well
prepared, and so as to exercise their Vertues by emitting or ejecting
their invisible odour and vigour onely. The Spirit of Urine is to be so
volatile and very subtile, as that it will vanish away out of an opened
glass, and therefore there needs a greater diligence in preserving
and keeping it; It is to be well preserved in glasses close stopt,
for if the Spirit vanisheth away, there remains onely an unprofitable
Water void of all kind of Vertues. I have therefore taught the making
of peculiar Glasses, which will not let go the Spirits, the shape of
them are described in the Second Part of my Chymical Furnaces, in that
place where I treat of the Spirit of Urine. In like manner the said
Oils are to be well rectified, and to be made exceedingly volatile, so
that being exposed some few hours to the warm Air, they will vanish
away; which if they will not doe, neither will they effect ought. I
must needs confess that all the time in which I have lived, I never
found a good Spirit of Urine, nor well rectified Oil of Wax or Tiles.
I will say nothing of the Spirits of Hairs, Horns, Feathers or Quills
(for there’s no use of them.) I have indeed found amongst many, a bare
worthless, saltish Phlegm, but the very true Spirit of Urine it self I
have not met withall. The Oils of Tiles and Wax are indeed found in all
Apothecaries shops, but are for the most part corrupted by their long
lying, and are old, thickish, red, tenacious, and deprived of their
due odour, are stinking, and spoiled of all their vertues. For ’tis
very rare that such Oils are rectified, but are sold, such as they be,
when they come first out of the Retort, with a saltish kind of Acrimony
adjoined unto them, which in the rectification abides in the bottom,
and is at last separated from the Oil. Such Oils are of no value, and
appertain not to this curing, for they will do just nothing; and thus
much I could not omit advising you of. For haply when some sick person
or other readeth here in this my book, that such Oils do most highly
conduce to expell the said defaults of the Matrix, and yet perceive no
comfort or help by the use of them, without doubt the fault will be
laid on me, as that I had written a lie, and not upon the ill prepared
Oils. This therefore do I affirm, that except your Oils be good, you
will never have from them the hoped for event. And how (indeed) shall
the sick man know if the Oils be good or not. The Merchant or Seller
of them won’t confess them to be old, ill prepared, and deprived of
their odour. So oft times the fault is laid upon the Authour, and he’s
condemned for writing unprofitable things, and which are not agreeable
to the truth. But the fault verily can light on none save upon the
Magistrates, who (by winking at such things) do permit it. And when
any one goes to be furnished with these things which are requisite, in
some Apothecaries shop, and the Apothecary haply sells but few Wares,
and all the rest wax old as they lie, and are corrupted; and if haply
sometimes one or two such and such Simples or Medicaments be sought
for but once or twice, it may be, in a whole year, he delivers the
things he has by him, which if helpless as to the sick buyer, yet are
helpfull to the Apothecaries purse. But yet this is an unjust thing,
and a thing contrary to the love that is due unto our Neighbour, and
what will burthen the Conscience. The sick man thirsting for help,
puts the hope of his help and comfort in the Medicine exhibited him,
which if not good the disease prevailing, the sick man dyes, but had
good and profitable Medicaments been used, instead of the unprofitable
and evil ones, he might have recovered. He therefore that is guilty of
such evils, let him look to it, what account he will at last give unto
God for his transgression; That which I have aforesaid, doe I again
repeat, and do yet firmly alledge, that the beforementioned Spirit of
Urine, as likewise the Oils of Tiles and Wax, and these other Oils of
Horns, Hairs, and Feathers, and their most efficacious Spirits may be
made use of in the expulsion of the affects of the Matrix of what kind
soever, both in the younger Maids or Women, and in those that are of
riper years, and that with most high admiration. It is therefore a
just and right thing that they should be found in all the Apothecaries
shops, and that they should all of them be prepared after a due manner.
For they are not onely good in those diseases that afflict the Womb,
but do likewise operate miraculously and doe things incredible in many
other diseases and affects of the Body if well and rightly prepared
and duely administred inwardly and outwardly; Concerning which we
have written more at large in the Second Part of the Furnaces, _viz._
how they are to be prepared and made use of. Any one that is endued
with understanding will perceive easily that a living Spirit is far
more efficacious than a dead Body and exanimated Carkass. Forasmuch
therefore as you have here heard that such grievous and incurable
(so accounted at least by almost all Men) diseases of the Matrix, by
which so many Women are swept away without any help, are to be cured
by the alone application of subtile Spirits, and so few know the
preparation of them, I will teach for the sake of that weaker Sex a
better and more effectual Medicine, and withall will prove it by an
example, that all subtile Spagyrical Spirits may be concentrated and
augmented in their Vertues by the help of Art, and that one Spirit hath
the power of concentrating another. And because this Treatise, and all
the Medicaments therein proposed, aim onely at this end, to shew the
wonderfull Vertues of Niter; And it hath been besides shown, how all
the said Medicaments ought, by the help thereof, to be prepared; the
same shall likewise be done in the demonstration of this Medicine.
I taught in the Second Part of my Furnaces to prepare a Spirit of Urine
and _Sal Armoniack_ by the addition of Calcined Tartar; But yet the
already concentrated Urine or _Sal Armoniack_ may be mixed with double
the quantity as its own weight is, of fixed Niter, and so be distilled,
for so those Spirits will be more strong and more efficacious than if
Tartar were added unto them. And if the Oil of Tiles or of Wax, which
is made by the addition of Earth, so heated as to imbibe the Oil or
Wax, be yet once more distilled by the concentrated Spirit of Niter, it
will be brought to the highest subtilty, and ’tis to be done after this
following manner.
Dissolve in one pound of the Spirit of Niter, four ounces of _Lapis
Calaminaris_: Put the Solution in a Glass-Viol upon a vaporous or dry
B, that the Phlegm may evaporate by little and little (for the _Lapis
Calaminaris_ holds all the Spirits, and permits the Phlegm to go off)
and the Spirit of Niter will remain behind in the Viol like Oil. Take
one part of this concentrated Spirit of Niter, and half a part of Oil
of Tiles or Wax, put them both in a glass Retort well luted, and force
them out (by a distillation in Sand) from the concentrated Spirit into
a great Receiver; and by this operation it will be far more penetrative
than it was before. For the Spirit of Niter being by concentration by
the _Calaminaris_ freed from all its Phlegm, and seeing it is thereby
become the more attractive, and can find nothing else that it might
attract, it associates to its self all the humidity that lies hidden in
the Oil, and which could not be separated by the former distillation,
and hereby brings to pass that the Oil doth necessarily become more
subtile and efficacious, yea so penetrative, as that it performeth
wonderfull things, especially in the effects of the Matrix, the which
nought but very subtile Spirits can heal, and which those concentrated
Spirits are wont to do far more certainly and securely than all the
other Medicaments in the whole world: After the same manner is the
concentration and purification of the other Oils to be performed.
And now that none might scruple as to Waters being mixed with the
said Oil or Wax, which have no affinity with Water, the separation of
which from the Oils, I have here taught; I would have such an one to
know, that much fatness, as the expressed Oils of Vegetables are never
without an aqueous moisture, though it be invisible, and cannot be
perceived, for the fire can make it manifest by distillation: As for
instance; There’s Oil olive, one pound of which is wont to yield six or
seven Lots of Acid Water by distillation; and thus do all Oils, Wax,
Turpentine, Rosin, Gums, Pitch, Amber, and all combustible fatnesses.
Yea even the very burning Spirit of Wine it self, and such others
as are prepared of Vegetables, can never be thoroughly rid of their
Phlegm, unless they be poured on some Calcined Salt, and so rectified,
they leave their humidity therein, and become more subtile. But this is
to be noted, that by how much the drier and more attractive that Salt
shall be, so much the readier will it attract the moisture out of the
winy Spirit and hold it. Therefore the Salts of Vegetables, Calcined
Tartar, and principally fixed Niter, serve for such a rectification.
The other Corrosive Salts, as fixt _Sal Armoniack_, Calcined Vitriol,
and such like, do rather love to hold and retain the Phlegm of their
own peculiar Volatile Spirit than of the Spirit of Wine. And thus much
let suffice as to making subtile Oils more subtile, that they may
perform wonderfull things in Medicine. And now having described in
this my Second Part of the _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_, some of the most
necessary Medicaments, that are preparable by Niter, and have shewed
the way of using them, and which may safely be given in chief diseases
as well for preservation as cure: I could to these add many more, and
so encrease the number of them. But because there are not a few of such
good kind of Medicaments in the writing I have hitherto published,
_viz._ in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth Part of the
Furnaces, in the _Miraculum Mundi_, and in the Mineral-Book, and there
shall yet follow more in the following third Part in this _Pharmacopœa
Spagyrica_, in the Vegetable work, as also in the second, third, and
fourth Parts of the Prosperity of my Country, I judged it needless any
longer to dwell on these here, but will onely by way of conclusion,
and for (as it were) ornaments sake, yet add one onely Medicament of
Niter, which will be none of the meanest. But forasmuch as this is not
a common preparation, but comprehends in it great Mysteries, it seems
not good unto me to set down its preparation before the eyes of the
perverse world. Let it therefore suffice to give onely some hint, that
the Common Niter, which to our Eyes appears most white, doth contain in
it a Soul of a deep red Colour, which by the benefit of the Vulcanick
Art may be thence educed. For when _Vulcan_ hath reduced that old
Dragon, bound in Chains, unto a most high streight by his Iron and
fiery Mallet, and yet cannot plainly kill him; _Neptune_ coming in to
help, meets the Basilisk with a clear Looking-glass, and turns on him
his own peculiar poison, and so slays him. As soon as he begins to
die, and ceaseth to vomit forth fire, _Neptune_ laying aside all fear,
approacheth boldly near him, and puts a Sheeps-skin over his Jaws, and
receives his Bloud and Soul, and precipitates it into the Salt-sea,
wherein being drowned and choaked, he lays off all his venome and all
his filth, and is converted into a most fair and most red Medicine.
One onely drop of this Soul of Niter can tinge an ordinary glass full
of Common water with a golden Colour. But he that can turn this Bloud
of the Dragon by the help of fire into a fire-resisting Salamander,
he may deservedly be compared with the happy _Jason_, and obtain most
great Honours, Treasures, and Riches. From all these things may a
studious Artist easily see what Mysteries lie hid in Niter. The things
which I have hitherto described are onely as it were small sparklings
of those kinds of Mysteries that lie hidden in Niter. There shall be
described in the fourth Part of the Prosperity of my Country, and in
the following third Treatise of this _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_ more and
eminenter Metallick Medicines, and which are preparable by Niter: and
this is done to the intent, that every one may know, how wonderfull
and excellent a subject Niter is, the which is notably hidden by
the Antients, and never wont to be called by its true name, but by
Enigmatical Riddles. From hence has sprung up even infinite names,
as, a dry water, a water not wetting the hands, an Hermaphroditical
_Mercury_, a _Balneum Regium_, the Soap of the Wise men, the flying
Dragon, the Urine of Boys, a Dunghill, Azoth, the washer of Laton, a
most sharp Vinegar, the Stygian-water, the Death of the Living, the
Life of the Dead, the Purgatory of the imperfect Bodies, the Basilisk,
the forked Serpent, the most great Venome, the Venome of Herbs, the
_Menstrue_ of Women, and such like infinite names, whereby they have
wrapped over its true hidden name in Cimmerian darknesses, but is now
by me revealed, and is set before the eyes of the whole world, and it
shall farther be revealed and detected in the three remaining Treatises
of the Prosperity of _Germany_, which shall very shortly follow, and so
its wonderfull power and most efficacious vertues, which it performeth
in the bettering of Metals, and in preparing Metalline Medicaments may
be manifested and laid open before the whole world. I will not onely
declare this in writing, but also will (God permitting) very shortly
shew, even manually and in very deed in a convenient Laboratory, the
making and use of all my Furnaces, hitherto published in my writings,
and the preparation of many excellent Medicines, as also the truth of
the metalick Transmutation. Nor will I do thus to the end that I may
advance my own profit, but will rather do it for this intent, _viz._
that the health and safety of many thousands may be provided for that
are afflicted with various sicknesses, and that the whole World may
see, believe and confess, that the Transmutation of Metals by the
abject Niter may be effected. But because in such a like demonstration,
if the Laboratory be frequented but for one years space onely, and
daily laboured in, and the confecting of so many Medicaments be shown,
such a great quantity of various Medicaments as I shall have by me,
cannot be all used by my self, nor can they be of any use if laid up,
and therefore they shall be sold to any one for a small and vile price,
that so they may each that needs them use them in their necessity. It
is not Covetousness that driveth us thus to doe, thinking thereby to
get great riches, but onely to get just as much as may serve to pay
for all the necessary matters, as Coals, Glasses, and other things. So
then by this so good and laudable a work, there will not onely be laid
open to the whole world, the occult Mysteries of Nature, to the honour
of God: But withall, the most miserable poor Sick will easily obtain
good Medicaments, and recover their former health. Nay farther, not a
few of such as have been in want will be able by the most profitable
use of Niter in transmuting the inferiour Metals into better, be able
to sustain themselves better and more quietly. But that the whole
world may see and consider that my own peculiar profit and gain is not
sought, but that my Neighbours profit is out of a Christian affection
onely aimed at, there shall be adjoined at the end of the following
third Part, the price of every Medicament; from whence every one may
easily conjecture, that there is not expected any gain or large profit,
but onely the recovering of my disbursements; seeing no one is to be
found who, bestowing great costs in teaching others, would willingly
lose both his Expences and Labour too. I will with a willing mind reach
others, but I will not lay out my Money and run the hazard. The World
is wise enough, and great is the number of those sick people that need
help: And therefore this publick Laboratory will (by God’s help) be
able to bring abundance of profit to all mankind; In this Laboratory
there shall be all the Furnaces and all the Instruments whereof I have
made mention in the Writings by me published, but the resemblances of
them not pictured, because there’s no occasion for that to be added;
And withall, those Furnaces, Presses, and Instruments which we have
mentioned or shall mention in the first, second, third, and fourth Part
of the Prosperity of my Country, and in the Vegetable work, and my
other Writings shall be there to be seen, the which certainly will be
exceedingly helpfull to most men that abhor not to labour, to procure
them food and sustenance in their necessity.
Furthermore, forasmuch as all my Writings hitherto published, are very
negligently and faultily printed here and there by other men, against
my knowledge. I will again send them forth corrected, amended, adorned,
and encreased with the figures hitherto omitted. And this I was
unwilling to conceal from the Lovers and Students of Arts. Herewithall
will I conclude this Second Part of my _Spagyrical Dispensatory_, and
shortly add the Third Part, onely wishing that this Work of mine may
serve for the comfort and assistance of very many sick persons. _Amen._
_The End of the Second Part._
THE
THIRD PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.
Wherein is taught, how by Salt and Fire, the Vegetables, Animals
and Minerals may by a _Spagyrical_ way and method be Mundified,
and how from them, Medicaments wonderfully penetrating and most
speedily operating may be prepared.
As for the manner of reducing Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals,
by Distillation into good and pure Medicaments, by the help of the
Spirits of Salt, thus stands the case: The manner and way of distilling
Vegetables, Animals, or Minerals _per se_, after the common manner or
way into Oil, Spirit, and Volatile Salt either in a B. Sand, or naked
Fire, which hath been long ago, and also is at this day in much use, I
cannot in all respects commend, because that such Spirits, Oils, and
Volatile Salts, (whether from Animals, or Vegetables) do all of them
stink, and though they be often rectified, yet do they not totally
lose that innate stink gotten in their Distillation, but do always
retain a kind of an ungratefull _Empireum_, and are thereby loathsome
to the Sick (and that not without cause too) whereas otherwise they
have abundance of virtues; but being rectified with Spirit of Salt
(as I have taught in the second Part of my Furnaces) they become
pure, and losing their stinch are gratefull and acceptable, but not
at all so without that rectification. Now all Men know, especially
the Spagyrists, that the chief virtues of Vegetables and Animals are
placed in their Oils and Volatile Salts, (for you must note that in
Minerals the contrary is found, for their mercurial parts are most
virtuous) but both Oil and Salt do in distilling by a Retort pass over
adust or burnt, and therefore are not made use of, and (the more’s the
pity) are serviceable to none. For all such as distill the Oils of
Vegetables, by the apposition of common water, in Copper Stills, do
know how very little a Portion is obtained by such a process, and that
the greatest part of them (Oils) do abide in the Still, and are of no
profit, because common water can’t be made hot enough, to drive out
the fatness, but it gives onely some little portion, the residue is
made thick and tenacious by the boiling, and remaineth in the Herbs:
Hereupon some Men knowing this thing, do add to the Herbs common Salt,
and Tartar of Wine, whereby the water being rendred one degree hotter,
gives more Oil: This is a way that I do indeed approve of, but yet the
one half part of the Oil will not ascend, and therefore distilled Oils
are commonly very dear, especially if made out of dear things. Whereas
if the Oils were distilled by this method of mine, they would have much
more Oil, whereby the poor might also buy them. I will instance in one
similitude whereby it shall appear, what great profit may be made by
distilling of Oils according to my method, and what a vast difference
there is betwixt my method here described, and the common usual way.
Suppose therefore that I seek after an excellent Medicine for the
Stone, and that I do certainly know that it lies in the Ash, (as I
have clearly enough discovered in the first and second part of this
_Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_, certainly knowing, that the Oil distilled
out of its Seed doth (by manifold experience) far exceed all other
Medicaments against the Stone.) This Ash indeed yields a prety quantity
of Seed, but much of that Seed yields but very little Oil, because
’tis resinous, and doth not distill over with the water, and upon that
account is prepared but by a few, and such poor Men as are sick, can’t
partake of it because of its dearness, and this is much to be bewailed,
that the Omnipotent God should set before our Eyes this Medicine in
such plenty and yet no body enjoy it. Besides this is to be observed,
that if some diligent Physician should distill such an Oil, and yet not
know how to correct it according to my method, he may sometimes do more
hurt than good, because that Oil brings over with it a certain volatile
Salt, which (infects or works on) the Copper Vessel it is distilled in,
and the Copper refrigeratory which it passeth through, and is usually
thereby rendred yellowish, or green, and hath been by many discreet
Men made use of without any regard thereunto, and (by reason of the
Copper) hath put a nauseate and debility of Stomach upon the Sick, and
hath been more hurtfull than beneficial. But now if they had rectified
it with Spirit of Salt once, or at least well shook it in a Glass with
the said Salt Spirit, that so the Copper might have been extracted by
the Spirit of Salt, and so have administred it, they had done well, and
would have gotten a most excellent Medicine, though I confess somewhat
dear, (proceeding this way) because that a Sackfull of the Seed, and as
much as a Porter can carry at once, will scarce give two ounces of Oil,
and this is too dear for the Poor Man’s Purse.
For the sake therefore of all sick People as well Poor as Rich, I will
discover my way that I use in getting the Oils, Spirits, and Volatile
Salts out of all the Vegetables, and that in good quantity, and with
very small Costs, that so all Men may partake of the gifts of God,
and may all have occasion of giving thanks to the Creator of all good
things.
Take therefore in Gods name whatsoever Vegetable you list, and fill
a great Glass Retort therewithall, and by degrees distill over all
that will come. Separate the Oil from the Spirit, and the Spirit by
rectification from the Volatile Salt; rectifie also this Volatile Salt,
and the Spirit upon its own _Caput Mort._ or upon some other Salt of
Ashes being first fired and calcined, and so they will become pure
and lose that fetid stinch that they got in the Distillation: If one
rectification is not enough, add a second or a third, always provided
that it be done on the fixed Salt of that Herb out of which you drew
the Spirit. Now though the Oil be also depurated by a rectification
upon the _Caput Mort._ yet that depuration and rectification is not
comparable to this of mine which I mention here, and therefore well do
we prefer this way, and ’tis thus.
Take your black distilled Oil, put it in a Glass Retort with six or
seven times as much rectified Spirit of Salt, and give first a gentle
Fire, then a greater as the thing requires, so the Oil will pass
over pure with the Spirit of Salt, and the stinch together with the
blackness, will stay behind with a part of the Spirit of Salt. If now
you will have that Oil yet purer, then rectifie it again with new
Spirit of Salt untill both the Odour and Colour thereof please you. As
for the Oil that stayed behind and did not ascend, separate it from the
Spirit of Salt, and ’twill be somewhat thickish like to a black Balsam,
and hath great virtue both inwardly and outwardly, but its inward use
we need not, for we have enough of the pure Oil for that purpose. But
that I may be yet farther serviceable to my Neighbour, and that he
may understand me more thereby, I will make use of this similitude or
example. Put case, that I have some four, five, or six pounds of the
Seed of the Ash, which falls from the Trees in the Month of _September_
or _October_, I do fill a Retort with the Same and by it distill the
said Seeds, and I usually have about one or two, sometimes three, four,
five, or six drams of black Oil, some ounces of Volatile Salt, and
some pounds of Acid Spirit: Now forasmuch as I seek for the Oil onely,
I separate this from the Spirit, and rectifie it with Spirit of Salt
untill it becomes pure, and this I keep for my use; and I make of the
Spirit either a certain Essence, as I have taught in the first part of
my _Pharmacopœa_, or sugered Tablets, (or Lozenges) or what I please:
And by this way do I get more Oil out of five or six pound of the Seed
of the Trees, than otherwise by the _Vesica_ or common hot Still, out
of 100 pound, and that which remaineth after rectifying is profitable
for external uses, if it be prepared as follows, _viz._ Separate this
thick Oil from the Spirit of Salt and mix it with Wax, that so it may
be made somewhat thicker, so as to be spread like an Emplaister, the
which put upon the Reins, and use the distilled Oil inwardly, and thus
this Emplaister will perform as much outwardly as the distilled Oil
operates inwardly, and so the Patient is thereby doubly repaired and
helped. And if you desire yet a third way of healing, then rectifie the
acid Spirit well, and dissolve the Volatile Salt by subliming it with
the Spirit, and use this Spirit every day (besides the inward use of
the distilled Oil) on this wise: Heat it a little, and dip in it some
Linnen Cloaths and therewith wash or bath the Back and Reins putting
on the Emplaister afterwards, and hereby the Sick Person will in a
short time (unless God doth in a singular manner put a stop thereto)
certainly recover.
Note well, after this manner may you distill all other Vegetables into
Oils, Spirits, and Emplaisters, and make use of them in this Disease,
such as are Saxifrage, Parsly, Cumin, Carraways, and such like other
Herbs and Roots: Neither is it always necessary to have the Ash Seed,
unless you please: For that this Tree is not to be had in all places,
and it yields also at some Seasons but little Seed? _N. B._ Here some
may demand and say, you have taught us the manner of preparing Oils,
Spirits, and Balsams out of the Seeds, but now if such a Medicine
could be made out of the Herbs it would be something, for whence shall
so much Seed be had? I Answer. If thou hast not so much Seed, thou
may’st make the Medicine out of the whole Plant, as the Root, Stalk,
Flowers, and Leaves: And the reason why I mentioned onely Seed, was
this, because the chief virtue of all the Vegetables, is occultly
placed and concentrated in the Seed, else the whole Plant may (as
aforesaid) be made use of, which although it yield not so much Oil as
the Seed does, yet may we even this way receive a good quantity: And
if we should neither take Seed, Herb, Leaves, or Stalks, yet would
the Root alone afford much Oil; but in Trees, as in Ash, Linden, Nut,
Cherry, Peach, and the like, the very bare Wood it self will abundantly
supply, if distilled _per descensum_, or by a Fire of suppression (of
which afore,) so that a little Ash if rightly handled may afford you
some pounds.
Nor are you to suppose that this way of plentifully preparing the Oils
of Vegetables and clarifying them by Spirit of Salt, serves onely for
such Vegetables as are good against the Stone, because I have onely
instanced them as examples; No, but even all Vegetables, serving
for every Disease, may be by this aforeshown way reduced into most
sweet Medicaments. Nay not onely Vegetables may, but also Animals and
Minerals too, but with some difference and distinction, which we shall
mention in what follows.
There remains yet one thing more to be mentioned about the Oils of
Vegetables, and the Distillation of them, and ’tis this. Some or
other may reply and say, that haply such Oils as are prepared first
by a Retort and _per descensum_, and then rectified and clarified by
Spirit of Salt, are not equivalent in their virtues to those which are
distilled in a Copper by the help of Water. For prevention of this
Quæry, and the removal of such needless cares, we do in the first place
demand, in what the virtues of the Animals and Vegetables do consist,
whether or no in their connate and occult property, or in the Odour,
Savour, and Tast. For answer, the greatest virtue of most Herbs, and
living Creatures doth for the most and greatest part consist in their
Co-nate or Co-born nature and property, and not in the Odour or Savour,
as is sufficiently evident in some Plants, which have scarce any Odour
or Savour, and yet are found notably efficacious in Medicine, and some
there are both of a Sweet Odour and Savour, which have no Medicinal
use, and some that have an ungratefull Odour and Savour, and yet have
no mean Medicinal Virtues. And many there be of things which both smell
and tast sweet, and are also profitable in medicine, because God hath
created them so or to that intent. I must needs confess that sometimes
an Odour or Savour of such an Herb as hath but little virtue is notably
refreshing and comfortable to the Vital Spirit, nay more, the very
seeing of a fair and comely thing is capable of comforting the Heart,
and an ugly thing of debilitating it; a notable example hereof we have
in a friendly man, and in Gold, as being things which by the very
beholding of them do refresh the Heart, whereas contrariwise, an angry
man, and a venemous Creature do terrifie it, (_viz._ the Heart) and
as ’twere make it Sick, yea and sometimes kill outright. Besides, not
onely the seeing of such and such objects do profit or hurt, but even
the very voice of a man, or of a living Creature do hurt, weaken, and
kill, if proceeding from a malignity. Farther, the bare imagination
can effect good or evil, heal or hurt; but this belongs not to this
place, but such things are treated of in my short Treatise of things
natural and supernatural. That which I have here spoken is to this
end, that the unskilfull might know, that the virtues of Vegetables
do consist more in their Co-born Nature than in the Savour or Odour,
and that this Distillation by a Retort, and rectification by Spirit of
Salt, can neither add to or diminish from their virtues, because their
virtue remains always unhurt, in what manner soever the Distillation be
made, provided that that which is distilled be diligently depurated,
and all the ungratefulness removed therefrom which it got in the
operation, that is to say, when Oils are adust (or Savour of burning)
by their being distilled in a Retort, then that accident may be taken
away from them by rectification with Spirit of Salt, and this now I add
for the sake of the Ignorant.
Moreover as it is with Vegetables, so likewise must you order your
distillation of the Oil, Salt, and Spirit of Animals: Neither need you
to proceed farther or otherwise. As for the Vertues of both Animals
and Vegetables, the Physician ought to know them by their Signature,
and not by the books of Writers, because the Signature doth shew us
the Vertues of all things much clearer and righter than many Writers,
who write many things meerly from hear say, whenas themselves do in
truth know very little or nothing at all. And thus for this time I
omit to say any more, for that the present occasion will not admit
of a more prolix discourse hereabouts. What I have done is for the
Sick that are poor, that they might know my method of purifying the
Spirits of the Acid Salts from Vegetables or Animals, by Spirit of
Salt, and of bringing them into wholsome Medicaments: And this cannot
be accomplished so plentifully without this Medium; and now this way
being shown, the Poor may also enjoy the benefit of them, and be able
to pay the Apothecary, whenas before even the Rich could hardly have
any of the good (in them). Note well, you are yet farther to observe,
that indeed the Animals are first to be distilled by a Retort (as we
spake before concerning the Vegetables) that so their Oil, Spirit, and
Volatile Salt, may pass over together; and their Spirit and Volatile
Salt may be rectified and purified the aforesaid way. But the Oil
will not come over by a bare Spirit of Common Salt, or of Niter, but
that Spirit must be first concentrated with _Calaminaris_, and then
it brings over the Oils of Animals, else not. But as touching the
Concentration of the Acid Spirit for this rectification, we shall speak
of it anon, and will therefore first set down (for better instructions
sake) one certain process of distillation and rectification, lest any
might err, and that all might rightly apprehend my meaning; and ’tis
this: Take some pounds of Turpentine, distill thence an Oil, and the
Fæces of the Turpentine will stay behind. This Oil though it be rendred
by Distillation purer than ’twas before, yet it hath put on another
nature by means of the Fire, _viz._ an hotter nature, and therefore
serveth not for every effect which the Turpentine before served for,
because the Turpentine is not very thick nor very thin, nor too hot or
too cold, nor too subtile or too thick or gross, but is of a temperate
essence and property, which now by Distillation it possesseth no
longer, but, because of its heat and subtilty, it is unusefull. Well,
what of all this? Why some or other might have objected to me that
indeed things are by distillation rendred more pure and subtile, but
doe thereby get an hotter nature and vertue, and therefore that way
of purifying doth not doe well in all subjects. Well, to prevent this
objection, and that the distilled Oils may after their purification be
restored to the same degree of thickness, rarity or thinness, colour
or frigidity, that they had before, and yet retain the purity they
got by distilling: the method is easie, and is thus done. Suppose
that Turpentine be (as it is Turpentine) hot and subtile in the first
degree, but being distilled it arrives to the third degree, and being
rectified to the fourth. I must now needs confess that that subtile
Oil is to be used onely in cold affects, and in no others, whereas
it might before have been employed about other accidents. To this I
say, and yield, that if it be proceeded with after the common and
known way, ’tis so: But my way is far otherwise to be reckoned of: For
though hereby the things distilled doe, together with a purity, get a
subtile heat, and doe in some operations become too thin and hot, yet
in rectifying by the Acid Spirit, such qualities are broken, divided
and dissipated, so that it is in part rendered of a like thickness and
tenacity as it was at first, and a part of it remains subtile. So that
you may have out of one subject, both thin, hot, thick and temperate
parts together, but both of those parts pure, as shall be evinced by
this Example.
The Spirit of Salt, or of Niter is indeed inwardly a mere Fire, but
externally a mere Cold, by which all thin things do stiffen and wax
hard. Therefore as the distillation doth induce heat, expels and
extenuates, so the rectification doth by the acid Spirit compel or
drive the same inward, thickneth it, and reduceth it into an equal
temperature: For the Oil in the first distillation is plainly hotter
and subtiller both within and without, than ’twas before, but by
rectifying it with the acid Spirit, the most subtil part comes over
first, then the middle part, and the thickest resides in the bottom,
which is of an equal degree of heat and thickness as the Turpentine
is, and is as usefull both inwardly and outwardly as the Turpentine
it self is. And I have over and above that middle Oil, and that most
subtil Spirit burning and penetrative, the which I can make use of for
those effects, which require such subtilty, or if I lift, thicken it
with what I left remaining of it self behind, which is thick, but yet
purified, or else thicken it with some other convenient thing. And thus
may I reduce one Subject into as many Degrees as I please, whereas the
Turpentine had before but onely one Degree: From hence may the friendly
Reader see what _Basis_ this my distillation and rectification by an
acid Spirit hath: Whereby not onely a great deal, yea 3, 4, or 5 times
more Oil comes over than by the common hot Still; but also the Volatile
Salts and the Spirits, and sharp Vinegars may be hereby gotten out of
Vegetables and Animals, and besides a pretty quantity of thick Oil
to be externally used, and which otherwise in distillation by water
in a _Vesica_ or hot Still, would remain wholly behind. The benefit
therefore of this distillation and rectification, doth not onely
consist in the getting a far greater quantity of the pure Oil, but
also in getting the Volatile Salt, (which as to its use is equivalent
in vertue to the Oil) and withal, an acid Spirit which abundantly
sufficeth both inwardly and outwardly according to its Office. I do
therefore earnestly demand of all skilfull Spagyrists (for ’tis in vain
to appeal to such as are yet ignorant what the Art of Fire is) whether
or no this distillation is not to be preferred before the others, and
to be made use of for the benefit of mankind. I hope that the well
minded Reader will follow this rule, and will apprehend from this one
process onely, so much as to be afterwards easily able to reduce every
distilled Oil into its former hardness, by the help of an acid Spirit.
Let us consider Amber onely, ’tis indeed a fine transparent kind of
stone, which was before (or at first) soft and fluid as Turpentine
was, an Oil or a kind of thin Bitumen, but now so hardened by the salt
Water that it may be beaten to a Powder, yet may it be distilled and so
separated and cleansed from its earthly Nature: And the pure Oil may be
reduced into its former hardness, by the help of Spirit of Salt onely:
For it became at first hardened by Salt, when it flowed thin out of the
Rock: But of this enough, we shall say more of it in another place.
Now follows the Process of purifying Minerals by distillation or
sublimation, and of depurating them even to the utmost, by rectifying
them by an Acid Spirit. To exemplifie which, I will instance in Common
Sulphur, according to which rule the other purification of Minerals may
be instituted.
Take common Brimstone, sublime it the usual way into Flowers, or by
it self in a Coated glass retort, or let it be mixt with decrepitated
Salt, for so will it be freed from its most crude terrestreity, and
be rendered fit for a farther Mundification by an Acid Spirit. Take
one pound of these Flowers of Sulphur, and put it into a strong Glass
Body coated, then pour in one or two pounds of the Spirit of Niter, or
of common Salt, and place it in an Earthen-vessel in Sand: Put there
under a Fire, encreasing it gradually untill the Spirit of Salt boils
in the Retort, and the Sulphur melts, and there will swim somewhat
like Oil on the top of the Water: _N. B._ An Alembick is to be put on
the Body, lest the Spirit of Salt ascending up, goes away in fume;
but in the Alembick it will be refrigerated, condensed, and may be
saved. This boiling is finished in some five or six hours, and so the
Sulphur is mundified, and becomes as clear and transparent as Glass.
For the Spirit of Salt attracteth the Metalline Parts, which are in
the Sulphur, whether it be Copper, Arsenick, Auripigment, Vitriol, or
such-like impurities which are commonly adherent, and stickers on to
the Sulphur, and would otherwise have remained in it, and done more
hurt in Medicine: And this _Paracelsus_ knew, and adviseth to beware
of; For certain it is there lye hidden in Sulphur incredible Vertues,
and such as its common Flowers do not shew or discover, as being yet
infected with Mineral venenate Spirits, which may be taken thencefrom
by the Spirit of Salt. And if then either the Flowers be sublimed out
of it, or that it be dissolved in a Balneum with Spirit of Juniper, or
of Turpentine, or be by any other way reduced into a Liquid form, it
doth much good in Medicine, nor is there any more fear of its venomous
nature, for the Spirit of Salt hath took that away. I could indeed
here mention some preparations of Common Sulphur, into efficacious
Medicaments, but that I have intended to proceed no farther with it
here, than onely as touching its purification by the Spirit of Salt:
the rest we will leave to another time.
As Sulphur may be proceeded with, so likewise may you deal with the
other Minerals, and first mundifie them by a Retort, and distill them
into black Oils, then may the Oils be clarified with Spirit of Salt,
and be reduced into sweet Oils and Balsams. Nor will any man easily
believe what notable Vertues there are hidden in the mountainous and
terrestrial Minerals, and yet not usefull at all inwardly, because of
their Arsenical nature, which may with ease be taken away from them
by Spirit of Salt, and be thereby more securely used as to Medicine.
And had I not purposely tried it, I would not at all have written of
it. For information therefore of the unexperienced, I will tell you a
story, whereby it will appear, that those Minerals do usually lodge in
them evil and venomous Arsenical Spirits.
In the County or Province of _Erbach_, scituate between the _Mœne_
and _Neker_ in _Franconia_, is found plenty of a Sand knit as it were
together by a fluid Mineral, and grown together into huge heaps like
little Mountains of a duskish colour; which if you lay on burning
Coals, emits a sweet odour altogether like Amber. When I saw it, I
put some into a Retort, and distilled an Oil thencefrom, wholly like
the Oil of Amber both in colour and smell, and had used it in its
stead, had I not shortly after tried another knack: For ordering the
Chambers to be fumed with the Sand, because it yielded such a fragrant
odour, I very seasonably observed that that fume was unwholsome and
venomous, for it caused pains of the Head, and a kind of nauseate,
’twas also offensive to the Stomach, and this made me leave off my
Fumigations, and set about rectifying the Oil thence distilled, by the
Spirit of Salt, and by this means I got a clear and pure Oil, and the
Spirit of Salt attracted to it self the Arsenical Essence, which being
purged and rectified, yielded me at the bottom real Arsenick, whence I
perceived that all those Minerals are very Arsenical, and no ways fit
for internal use, unless they be first mundified by the Spirit of Salt.
Many such kinds of Minerals are to be found, which we neither care
for, nor know: some of which are as hard as a Stone, some thin, some
fluid like Oil; such an one is that Fountain about _Baccharach_ that
boils up in the middle of the _Rhine_, and fills the whole _Rhine_ for
about three miles space and an half with its fatness, and yields a most
fragrant odour, is of a duskish colour. For as I was ferrying by it,
I took up some of the water in my hand, and questionless the Fountain
of it must needs flow very plentifully, forasmuch as the whole River
_Rhine_ is filled therewith as far as you can see, and yet scarce one
Man amongst a hundred or a thousand doe in their sailing by it take
notice thereof. Doubtless this Fountain hath its efflux and rise out of
the Mountains which border on each side the River. Did it break out at
the top of the Earth, it would be worth Gold and Cedar, but lying so
deep, ’tis of no use. Were curious Men inhabitants there, they would
doubtless find out this Fountain; For on this part of the _Rhine_,
where the City _Baccharach_ lies, is a high Mountain, where grows
pretious Wine, and is in Foreign parts sold at a dear rate, because
of its most sweet savour and odour, and by the Inhabitants is called
Muscadel, and ’tis a sort of Wine produced onely in this Mountain; nor
can the neighbouring adjacent places make the like. Hence I presume
that this Fountain at _Baccharach_ ariseth from a Mineral Oil, flowing
out from this Mountain into the _Rhine_, and that hence also ariseth
the goodness of the Wine. And whereas this Mountain affords not such a
quantity of Wine as the Inhabitants wish, they bethought themselves of
a remedy for this scarcity, casting in Herb-scarlet into the common
Wine, from which it got the same kind of taste, and became almost
Muscadel. Nor let it seem strange to any one for the Wine to attract
a savour from the Earth lying about it, for ’tis very certain, and I
my self have tried it; And since it is so that this matter affords me
opportunity of speaking of these things, I will give you my opinion
more clearly in what follows.
Below _Frankford_, some four miles from the River _Mœne_, there lies a
Village called _Hohenheime_ under the _Moguntia_ Elector, and there’s
a Mountain which yields very good Wine, though not of so delicate a
savour as that of _Baccharach_, yet ’tis of a sweet smell, whereby it
exceeds all the Rhenish Wine, and is therefore dear; The cause of this,
I attribute to the Soil, in which the Vines grow, which Soil brings
forth Stone Coals, and were heretofore digged hence, and are now again
sought after, which Coals have in them a sweet Mineral Oil, as I shall
shew you. Farther, there lies a high Mountain at the River _Mœne_ about
the Castle _Klingenberg_, scituate between _Odenwall_ and _Spessart_,
where that Earth is found too, such as I above mentioned, which yields
a sweet Oil in distillation. And this Mountain doth likewise produce
sweet and good Wine, so that it yields not a whit (in its kind) to that
of _Baccharach_ or _Hohenheime_. But now whether or no the Mineral Oil
that is not far off to be here found, be wholly the cause, I doe not
affirm, but I believe it, for my part, so to be, let another follow
his own opinion. There is also a great Mountain at _Herbipolis_, at
the _Steine_ so called, that yields pretious Wine, but not of a savour
like these three. Hence arose that Proverb: At _Baccharach_ on the
_Rheine_, _Herbipolis_ on the _Steine_, _Klingenberg_ on the _Mœne_,
and _Hochheime_ on the _Rehn_, are the four best Wines.
I confess there grows good Wine every-where on the River _Mœne_, but
yet these four do far exceed all the others, and that haply because
of that sweet savour which they attract out of the Earth where they
grow. For it is certain that the Vine doth draw an odour and savour
(more than all other Plants do) out of the Earth, whence it hath its
nutriment: So that it is not very difficult for a good Physician to
communicate to the Vine any savour that he listeth (which will be)
according to the nutriment which is put to the Root. I make no doubt
but that there will be some Zoilists that will make a mock of these
Reasons of mine, as concerning the ground and rise of the taste of the
Wine at _Baccharach_, _Herbipolis_, _Klingenberg_ and _Hochheime_, and
will not attribute the cause to the Soil, but say that my Reasons are
invalid shallow ones, the which derision I shall patiently undergo:
such kind of Men will rather drink the good Wine even to excess,
than produce any reasons whence the savour proceeds. But I speak
experimentally, and say that the Vines do attract a savour from the
Soil whence they are planted, the which I have many a time tried and
found so to be. Verily the Gardiners know, that Man’s dung will give a
nutriment or encrease to Flowers, but yet will put an odd smell upon
them; And therefore do they carefully shun the putting it to the Roots
of sweet-smelling Flowers, but use it rather to such as are void of
odour, as Tulips and such-like, that so they may grow the sooner. ’Tis
also evidently observed, that if the Root of the Vine be planted in
such a place where Man’s dung lieth, it acquires an unpleasant odour,
and the Grapes are thereby rendered unfit to be eaten. Besides, the
most curious Vine-dressers have long ago attained to this experience,
that if the Scarlea or any other odoriferous Herb be applied to the
Root of the Vine, it will bestow its Odour on the Grapes, (but it
serves for no more years than that onely) whereas if they pour upon
the Root an Oil of a sweet and strong Odour, that Vine will produce
Muscadel for ten years and more, the which I have handled at large in
the Vegetable work, and do mention it herein briefly upon this account;
Because that a Mineral Oil lies hid in the Earth in abundance, the
which being incorporated in Plants, but in Vines especially, produceth
excellent Fruits, whereof but a few Men have the knowledge.
But now that I may yet demonstrate this more clearly to the unskilfull,
and consequently incredulous, _viz._ that there is a most great
sweetness in the Minerals, which may here be extracted by distillation
and rectification with Spirit of Salt, I will instance this example:
’Tis well known to all Men that the Stone Coals which are in many
places digged out of the Earth, doe (being burnt) emit an ungratefull
Odour, and are hence usually esteemed of as venomous; but in those
places where they are plentifully digged, they are daily used in
coction, nor doth any hurt arise therefrom: So that it must needs be
acknowledged, that they do not stink of themselves, but that the Fire
onely is the cause of the stink, and that their innate fatness is of
a savoury and sweet-smelling nature, yea so sweet as any Vegetable,
as I can easily evidence. You have an Example in Roses, or any other
Vegetable, which if distilled by a Retort, loseth its sweet odour, and
puts on a smell of burning too: What hinders from being so in Minerals,
as in Pit-Coals, and the like? I grant indeed, that if enough Oil would
come over out of the Vegetables by an hot Still, there would be no
need of this distilling by a Retort, and rectifying by Spirit of Salt,
because it requires a great deal of labour; but forasmuch as there doth
not distill enough over, ’twill behove us to acquiesce in this method.
Nor fear I to affirm, that if it were possible to distill an Oil out
of such Coals by a hot Still, it would give place to no Aromatical Oil
whatsoever in the sweetness of the smell. From whence, I pray, should
so many kinds of Herbs draw such various Odours and Savours, were there
not lying hid in the Earth an Universal Sulphur or Balsam?
But to put an end to this discourse, and that I may shew that the
Pit-Coals do contain in them an Oil or pretious and wholsome Balsam, no
whit inferiour as to its Vertues to any of the most pretious Oils or
Balsams brought us out of the _Indies_ observe but this process.
Fill a Retort with Coals, and distill a black Oil, the which separate
from the Acid-water that came over the Helm with it, and rectifie it by
Spirit of Salt, and so there will first of all come the clear and pure
Oil, then a yellow Oil, not so sweet as the former, and the thick and
black Oil remains behind, and serves for to be mixt with Emplaisters;
for ’tis a wonderfull healer, by reason of its innate siccity; now the
yellow Oil may be yet farther rectified once more by Spirit of Salt,
that it may become pure, white, and fair: But if you are yet farther
minded to make a difference betwixt these pure Oils, and will again
rectifie them with new Spirit, then shall you take the most pure part
by it self, which as to heat, subtilty, and sweetness, is fully equal
to the true Oil of Peter; and which being kept apart, and used for
cold accidents, both inwardly and outwardly, will do the same, yea and
much more than is attributed to the Oil of Peter. Nor is there any fear
at all of these Oils being Arsenical, for the Spirit of Salt hath took
off all the Arsenick in the rectification, and if you please you may
use the Oil which comes next after the most subtile Oil in mixing it
with Balsams, or it may be safely used by it self, either inwardly or
outwardly, and ’twill perform wonderfull things, and such as exceed
belief, forasmuch as in Pit-Coals lieth a most great Balsamick vertue;
If the depurated Sulphur which we spake of afore be dissolved with this
Oil, and reduced into a Balsam, thou shalt have a Medicament, which
may deservedly be styled an Universal terrestrial Mineral Balsam, and
doth both as to inward and outward uses far exceed all other Balsams:
And therefore ’tis in my mind to prepare this Balsam in great quantity,
for the benefit of Mankind: The most notable Vertues thereof should I
describe, the very description would amount to a particular Treatise,
but that belongs not to this place, but it sufficeth me to have at
this time explained the manner of the preparation. I may haply (if God
please) more largely teach concerning its Vertues, another time, as
likewise the Vertues of the rest of my Medicines.
* * * * *
And thus will I put an end to the Third Part of my _Pharmacopœa
Spagyrica_, in which I have (in my opinion) mentioned sufficient
enough; and although it be but a small Book to sight, yet do great
things lie hidden under it, which one amongst a thousand will scarce
comprehend. But that the well-minded Reader may understand, what
reality there is lies hidden in this Treatise, I will here teach by way
of an Appendix one Process onely, whereby it shall evidently appear
how noble the Art of Purging things by distillation is. This operation
is well enough known in the Vegetables and Animals, _viz._ that always
from the thing you distill, the purer part comes over first, then the
more vile part, but the unprofitable earthiness abides in the bottom
with the fixed Salt. Now in Metals this Process is not so well known,
nor will it be so soon made publick and common, nor indeed is it
expedient, for this world is not worthy the knowledge thereof. But that
I may satisfie my promise, and shew, that Metals may by distillation be
made Spirits, and purged in the highest degree. I will make use of this
following Example: ’Tis known to every one, that if any dry thing is to
be distilled by the fire, some moisture must be mingled therewithall,
which may attract to it self the gross and heavy part, as you may see
in the common distillation of Herbs, to which Herbs (when dry) Water
is added, with which their savour and vertue distilleth over: And to
every dry thing there is requisite its proper humidity, which must of
necessity have a Communion or Affinity with the dry, if it be to bring
over the dry with it self. Now common Water is able to carry over (in
distilling) the odour and savour of Herbs, yea and of Salts, but not
of hard Sulphureous or Mercurial Minerals, much less of the fixed
Metals. But forasmuch as Metals are Homogeneal, and cannot be purged
by any force of Fire, nor separated from the impure part, unless they
be dissolved by agreeable and convenient _Menstruums_, and be rendered
apt by distillation, for always that which is brought into Flores doth
(if reduced) yield such a Metallick body as it at first came from.
Thence arose an opinion of an impossibility of separating the pure part
from the impure. Indeed to the blockish and unskilfull all things seem
impossible, and therefore from them is not to be lookt for any judging
of good secrets.
But to return to my purpose, and shew that a Golden Essence may be
distilled and separated out of the crude Metals by Distillations, I
will make use of a common Example. Dissolve in a Common _Aq. Fortis_,
made the usual way of Niter and Vitriol, one Ounce of pure Silver;
which being wholly dissolved and reduced into pure Water, pour out the
Solution gently into another Glass, that so if haply any Gold were mixt
with your Silver it might stay behind, and not be dissolved, or mixed
together, lest the Experiment prove fallacious. Then some common Salt
is to be dissolved in common Water, the Salt to be in weight equal to
your Silver; and this Water is to be added to the dissolved Silver, and
to be so long poured out of one Glass into another untill it be well
mixt, then let it settle, and let the pure Water be poured off, and a
white Powder of the Silver will remain, which is again to be macerated
with pure Water several times, untill the Calx of the Silver be freed
from all Saltness and Corrosivity; Then dry it, and you shall have a
white and tender Powder, and very fusile, so that it will melt even
with the flame of a Candle, and is not unlike to a _Mercury_, but may
well be called the _Mercury_ of _Lune_, but the Chymists usually call
it the horned _Moon_, for being molten it resembles the shape of an
Horn, and with this may be wonderfull things effected both in Medicine
and Alchymy; but belongs not to this place to speak of, and therefore
are to be but just hinted. And like as we have spoken of _Lune_, so
likewise must we proceed with _Saturn_; and he will also yield you
a white Volatile and fusile Powder, as easily melting, yea easier
than the _Mercury_ of Silver, and is deservedly called the _Mercury_
of _Saturn_. These two are willingly associated to a third, _viz._
to Common _Mercury_, and do fix him, and so is that Axiome of the
Philosophers fulfilled, _Nature rejoyceth with Nature, Nature overcomes
Nature, Nature retains Nature_. Farther, these _Mercuries_ do admit
of distillation and a separation of the pure part from the impure, no
otherwise than as doth a Vegetable. But the way of doing this is not to
be so hastily written, I spent a whole year in searching after it, till
I found it, and so let another seek; and if God grants it him, he may
enjoy it; And if God vouchsafeth him so much, he will also give him the
knowledge how to use it: If the _Mercury_, which in it self is white,
volatile and fusile, is rendered more white by distillation; ’tis also
a necessary consequence that it will become likewise more volatile,
more fusile, and more pure: but of this enough.
But to come yet nearer to the matter, and to shew that Metals may be
so separated by distillation as to become golden, take this Example:
Take two Ounces of the aforesaid horny _Lune_, and reduce it into
Corporeal or pliable Silver, and separate it by a Cupel, for then thou
art assured that no other thing is in it but Silver: Dissolve this
Cupellated Silver again in common _Aq. Fortis_, and it will leave a
good part of Golden Calx. Now it may be demanded, whence comes this
Golden Calx? Comes it from the Silver, or the _Aq. Fortis_, or from
the Salt-water, all which three were in use in the precipitation? I
answer, that the Spirit of Niter brought over with it self, in the
distillation, a certain Goldenishness from the Iron and Copper which
were in the Vitriol, and that in the form of a Spirit, and assumed
its Body from the _Lune_. Now if any other Body concludes it to be
otherwise, _viz._ that the aforesaid Gold comes from the _Lune_ onely,
and not from the _Aq. Fortis_, I do but ask him this Query, Why the
very same sort of Silver, being dissolved and precipitated out of
the _Aq. Fortis_ with Salt of Tartar, or by Copper Plates, be not
equally as golden as this is which is precipitated with Salt-water?
But some may yet urge farther, that this Gold proceeds onely from the
Salt with which the Silver is precipitated, and not from the _Aq.
Fortis_ or Silver, because the Silver being dissolved in _Aq. Fortis_,
and precipated with Brass Plates, or the Liquor of Salt of Tartar,
yields no Gold; but that onely gives Gold which is precipitated with
Salt-water. To answer this Objection, and clearly to demonstrate that
this Gold owes its Original to them both, _viz._ the Tincture to the
_Aq. Fortis_, but the Body to the Silver, and not to the common Salt,
(for though there lies hidden in all common Salt a certain Golden
power, which may be thence drawn by Art, yet that is not to be done
this kind of way, but by another, which we mention in our Book called
_the Consolation of Sailours_) I do certainly know, that this Gold
proceeding from the precipitated Silver, doth arise from the Vitriol
and Silver onely, and not from the Salt: And this may be clearly
observed thus; If you add to the Vitriol and Niter a Verdigrease
prepared with Sulphur and Salt, the _Aq. Fortis_ will be twice more
Golden than if ’twere made of onely Vitriol; the reason is this,
because the Iron and the Copper are fixed in the Vitriol, and do not
easily yield Gold; but if the Copper be first reduced with Salt and
Sulphur into a Volatile Calx, and be added to the Vitriol and Niter,
then is this kind of Labour done to profit, else not: This which I
write is onely to demonstrate the possibility. And should you add to
the Vitriol and Niter, or to Allum and Niter, other Species containing
Volatile Gold, as _Calaminaris_, _Zinck_, and such like, the Water will
be rendered so much the more Golden: But if you add to the Niter and
Vitriol such Species as contain in them Volatile Silver, such as are
_Cobolt_, _Bismuth_, _Arsenick_ then the _Aq. Fortis_ is rendered more
Silvery, and makes part of the Copper in the Solution purely Silvery,
like as the Goldenish water when ’tis in the Solution makes part of
the Silver Golden. By which it is demonstrated, that crude Metals are
depurated by distillation, and may be made Volatile, and that by that
means of Solution, Corporal Gold and Silver may be precipitated out of
the Metals, according as the Dissolvent is prepared out of Golden or
Silvery Subjects.
This Example I account sufficient to evidence, that the crude Metals
may be purged by Distillation so as to become golden. If then it be
so with the crude and impure Metals, what then may be done with the
pure ones if they be made by Distillation, yet more pure; without all
question a most excellent medicine might be from thence prepared, and
far to be preferred to Gold or Silver. This discourse do I here make
use of to the intent that it may be seen, that even fixt metals being
after a due manner opened and made volatile, are capable of sending
out their best part, and of being separated by Distillation from the
more crude part. But this Treatise appertains not to Alchymy but to
Medicine, and yet I thought good to induce this argument, _viz._ (that
out of crude Vitriol, may a volatile Gold be drawn by Distillation
and be incorporated with Gold and Silver) to this end that all men
might know of a certainty, how much good may be done in metals by
Distillation, and what a pure substance may be thence drawn. Nor doth
_Basil Valentine_ that _German_ Philosopher, doubt expresly to write
that the Philosophers Stone is full as easie, yea easier to be prepared
out of Vitriol than Gold. If therefore the highest universal medicine
both for man and metals may be prepared out of common Vitriol, why may
not the same be possible to be done out of the purer metals if they
were reduced into Vitriol, and so as to admit of Distillation, whereby
the pure may be separated from the impure.
If now the common Vitriol of Copper and Iron, do in Distillation yield
volatile Gold, why should not the Vitriol of _Lune_ do it much more and
yield it nobler, as being indeed the true and onely metallick Vitriol
of the Philosophers, which _Basilius_ appoints to be taken for his
Work, and doth truely deserve the name of Vitriol. For if you would
have your common Vitriol tinge, you must add Galls thereto, but this
Vitriol doth truely blacken all things without Galls. But you must
not imagine that I do here intend such a Vitriol of _Lune_, as is by
solution (in _Aq. Fortis_ reduced into a white Crystal, or such as is
precipitated by the water of Salt out of the Solution (in _Aq. Fortis_)
no such matter? For this resembles not Vitriol, because it may be again
reduced (into Silver.) But the true Vitriol of the Philosophers is
prepared out of _Lune_ without _Aq. Fortis_ or such like Corrosives,
and is not reduceable in the strongest Fire, but remains a Vitriol,
tingeth the Tonge, is astringent, and yields a golden Water, which
dissolveth Gold and fixeth it therewith. Such a Vitriol will we make
use of in medicine and Alchymy, and leave the common Vitriol for the
Dyers. The Ancients called their Salt Vitriol, on this account, because
that it did as to its external Figure resemble Vitriol, but though
they so called it, yet they took not the common Vitriol, which every
wise man may be easily perswaded to believe. So then let the _Lune_
be the Earth, Gold the Seed, and _Mercury_ the (Water, but not the
common _Mercury_) with which it is to be watered, and let the rest be
committed to God and Art. Thus far have I declared to you my opinion,
let every man follow his own. But thus is confirmed the assertion of
that excellent Philosopher _Basil Valentine_, who affirms, that even
out of common Vitriol may be extracted a certain goldenishness; how
much more credible then is it, that a Vitriol prepared out of the more
pure metals may yield a better goldenness. Every one may believe what I
here write for I have oft times tried it, but yet I have received more
Gold sometimes than at other some according as I ordered my process,
and reduced my precipitated Silver; for you are to know, that such a
kind of Silver as is precipitated out of _Aq. Fortis_, by the Water of
Salt is wholly volatile, nor melteth it like to a Calx of _Lune_, but
goes away partly in fume, and part is reduced into an horny Stone, and
yet by a peculiar Distillation doth all come over, but enough of this.
Hereupon is Salt of Tartar to be added to this volatile Calx, lest
being molten it vanisheth away in fume, for Borax doth not prevent it.
But it melteth better if it be help by that notable fluxing Powder,
made of Niter, Tarter, and Sulphur, and it be kindled by a little Coal
and burnt up, but then all the Silver doth not melt, but part of it
goes away in fume. _N. B._ If you catch this fume which is a thing
easily done, it resembles the form of a red Powder, and will abundantly
recompence your pains, nor may that saying of _Paracelsus_ be unfitly
applied hereunto, _viz._ to corrupt is totally to perfect, because
these Flores of Silver are not lost, but are of a greater price than
the Silver was. He that well knows this labour (for indeed experience
is the best master) will not labour in vain. And if he learns nothing
from this little here-taught, neither will he find out ought from a
greater. For I have in these few words revealed much, yea haply more
than I ought to have done. All which we do in the first and chiefest
place attribute to God, next him to Niter, which renders Metals so
fluxible. From hence may the well minded Reader percieve that there is
in Niter, not onely a power to fix all volatile Minerals and Metals (of
which I have treated in my second part of the Prosperity of _Germany_)
but also of making them wholly volatile, so that they may be distilled
and purged, as is sufficiently evident in the aforegoing example:
Besides, there is another way of making Metals volatile, as well as by
Niter, but so as that they be not wholly dissolved, but are by a moist
nitrous Fire reduced so far as to retain the form which they put upon
themselves in the said moist Fire, and yet they become so volatile, as
to suffer themselves to be wholly distilled and sublimed, and will in
the _Proba_ give Gold, the which the gradatory Water hath made in them.
But of these things more at large in the fourth part of the Prosperity
of _Germany_: Thus with what hath been said, will I finish the third
part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_.
_The End of the Third Part._
THE
FOURTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.
Treating of the four principal Pillars of Medicine, _viz._ Sulphur,
Vitriol, Antimony, and Mercury, but chiefly of the great harmony
between the Superiour Elementary Sun and Moon, and the Inferiour
and Terrestrial Gold and Silver, and the magnetick way of
attracting the Virtues of _Sol_ and _Lune_ by the Air, and of
rendring them palpable and visible.
READER,
_After that I had intended to publish in the Fourth Part of this my
=Spagyrical Pharmacopœa=, some singular and excellent Medicines, and
such as might much exceed all others, and so must consequently be
prepared of choice and excellent subjects and matters; I accounted
it my task in the first place to shew you out of what subjects such
efficacious Medicines may be drawn and extracted, =viz.= out of Gold,
Wine, and Antimony, as likewise out of Vitriol and Mercury, but not the
vulgar Mercury._
_Now although most Men are blinded with a thick darkness, but
principally those that prosecute the truth with a deadly hatred, and do
prate much, and by reason of their blindness and ignorance do affirm,
that Gold being a thick and compact body is not at all fit to admit of
such a preparation as thereby to display its most efficacious virtues
in Man’s Body: And as for Antimony and Mercury, that they are most
present Poisons, and can’t serve as Medicines without great danger; but
as for Wine, that it is indeed fit to be drunk, but is of no validity
in Medicine, not knowing how to imploy it about any Medicinal use,
but are rather ready and skilfull Artists at swallowing it down in
full draughts; however though they thus chat yet these objections are
frivolous, and do proceed from their ignorance which is wrapped about
with most thick Clouds, and which I refute by this brief and strong
Reply. But I do not at all deny, that Gold reduced even to the smallest
Powder, and so made use of (as ’twas wont of old to be by the Ancient,
yea and latter Galenists, and is even too at this day) by mixing it
with such Medicines as are for the comforting and strengthning the
Heart and Vitals of Men, cannot contribute so much as the least Iota
to the health and preservation of the body of Man: And so I say of
Antimony and Mercury, that they are not at all salutiferous to Man’s
Body, but contrariwise are deadly and destructive Medicaments, untill
(by a due preparation) they are deprived of all their Venenosity, and
thereby rendred fit to be safely made use of. So Wine it self being
taken per se as it is, is a restoring and refreshing Drink for Man,
provided it be moderately used: But contrarily is a causer of many
Diseases if it be frequently and in large quantities swallowed in, and
doth operate in Man’s Body more hurt than good, this daily experience
doth sufficiently testifie, and renders it evident, that being so
immoderately taken, it fills all the Members of the whole Body with
Tartar, and makes obstructions and stirs up intolerable Pains, and
principally in the Bladder, Reins, and other parts of the Body, =viz.=
if coagulated in the Hands, Knees, and Feet, whereupon it doth not
easily suffer it self to be exterminated, unless by such Artists as
well know the properties and nature of Tartar, but of such Men there is
at this day a great scarcity, and therefore that proverbial Verse still
takes place._
Solvere Nodosam Nescit Medicina Podagram.
The Art of Physick can’t root out
(Thy dire Disease) the Knotty Gout.
_But he who is so well skilled as to separate the fiery, penetrative,
wholsome, and true Medicinal Spirit of Wine; Yea its true Balsam from
its Fæces, he will easily expel out of the Body of Man all tartarous
impurities and defilements, and will perform things wonderfull in
the Stone and Gout. But now forasmuch as the educing so wholsome
a Medicine out of gross crude Tartar is known but to a very few,
no wonder that there hath been so little or rather nothing at all
performed by Physicians in such like most grievous tartarous Diseases
that have gotten deep rooting in the Body of Man. But the way how you
may be rendred Possessors of such a Spirit of Wine shall be spoken of
afterwards. Yet I would not that anyone should perswade himself that my
meaning and intention in this place is about the common Spirit of Wine,
or either that which is gotten out of Tartar by the usual known way of
Distillation. No, there’s a vast difference betwixt that Spirit which
I here make mention of and the other. For in this Spirit the crude
Tartar is first to be washed by common Water from all its Defilements,
and that without the addition of any other things, so as to shine like
Snow, then to be afterwards made black by putrefaction, and out of
that blackness the said Balsam is to be drawn off, of which we shall
hereafter make a more ample Declaration. This now is that Spirit which
doth Anatomically resolve the compacted Body of Gold, and converteth
the venemousness of Antimony into a wholsome Medicine, and doth perform
things wonderfull in all tartarous Diseases. ’Tis the true Wine of
Health, and the very =Aq. Vitæ= of the Philosophers, and hath a great
familiarity with Gold and Man, and may be excellently compared with the
coagulated solar beams._
_Therefore as it is evidently known to every body, that Gold and Wine
are advanced on to maturity, by the heat of the Sun, and that Men
do notably love and desire both of them. So may any one conjecture
what Gold and Wine would do if a Man could but have them reduced to a
spiritual essence. Hence now it seems necessary unto me, that before I
pass on to the preparation of the said Medicine, I do in a few words
describe the harmonial love that is between the superiour and inferiour
Sun and Man, that so it may appear, what a bond or tie of love and
necessity there is betwixt these three most noble Creatures of God, to
one another._
CHAP. I.
_Of the Harmony and Agreeableness between the Superior Elementary,
and Inferiour Earthly Sun, with Wine and Man._
’Tis well known even to the blind Bayards and Barbars, that the Sun in
the heavenly Firmament, is the most noble and most eminent Creature God
made. For it is that onely light which makes all the Stars partakers of
its Splendour, Light and Brightness. ’Tis also the onely Fountain and
as it were Father of all the Creatures, because if they are deprived
of it, they are in the dark and die: Nay even man himself cannot live
without the help of the Sun, and all things would perish, should the
Sun be but one moment withdrawn from them. For all things that are do
receive their Life and Augmentation from the Sun; and he was (according
to _Moses_ his Doctrine) the first and chiefest that did proceed forth
by God’s creating, and will doubtless be the last when all things shall
be dissolved, and pass into a better State at the final Destruction
of this worldly Fabrick. The Sun supplies the place of a heart in the
wonderfull Structure of the Macrocosm: And in like manner the heart it
self in man’s Body is aptly compared to the Sun, as being the first
liver, and last dier in the humane Fabrick; and this is known to every
body. And therefore amongst all the Creatures indued with life and
motion, man doth in nobility and magnificence excel them all, as having
gotten his body from the earth, his Spirit and Life from the Sun, and
his Soul from God.
But as to the insensible Creatures the highest Degree of Nobleness
is attributed unto Gold, the which is likewise generated by the
Sun. These three admirable Creatures, _viz._ the Sun, Man, and Gold
are coupled with a bond of wonderfull Necessity and Friendship, and
are conjoined by the instinct of Nature her self. Men do desire the
Light of the Sun, as also its heat in a dark and cold Season, for
thencefrom proceeds all life, and all the encrease of life, because
the Suns beams do perform the office of the universal Spirit, and
Life in the Conservation of the Life of Man. But now as touching
Gold, men do partake of that in a particular way onely, and one man
is usually stored with a bigger Portion, another with a lesser, not
by the instinct of nature, for she bestoweth it on us onely for our
use, but by reason of the abusive malice, avarice and the unsatiable
Covetousness of men; but yet this way is not the right manner of loving
Gold, nor genuine, but false and oft times very hazardous. We should
rather love it because of its wonderfull Vertues which it possesseth,
hidden in its body, and may afford a most notable Comfort to man’s
sickness and infirmities. Verily the Ancient Philosophers were not
ignorant of the incredible Vertues, which the Gold hides in it self, it
being truely no other thing than a body consisting and compacted of the
coagulated and fixed Beams of the Sun, and this was well known to those
men who were most skilfull in the nature of all things. Seeing then
that the Sun’s beams being as yet unfixed can bestow on all things life
and encrease, why may not the same be accomplished by them when fixed,
and made constant, if so be they be rendred spiritual, and thereby
be capable of displaying their Vertues in a visible and palpable
efficacy, which thing they could not do if they retain their corporal
Coagulation, nor can display their occult Vertues.
Many men have industriously attempted with great Labour, artificially
to open Gold, and to reduce it to a spiritual Nature, and to render
it living and efficacious, but few there have been that have been
Masters of their desires, but such as at length had thereto attained,
did perform things wonderfull in the sicknesses of mankind, and this
is witnessed by many most true Histories, as for instance, by the
_Turba_ of the Philosophers, and by the _Theatrum Chymicum_. The which
Books do indeed describe such a notable secret, but so obscurely and
intricately, as that no body can therefrom learn its preparation,
unless God reveals it to them, or it be manifested by some good friend
or other that knows the Art. ’Tis no wonder that amongst many thousands
of Searchers, so very few do arrive to the knowledge of the same. For
God hath barred up this so great a secret with such firm bolts, that
all wicked and malicious men are easily excluded from the knowledge of
finding it out. Verily I must needs say (but I boast not of it) that I
see by what means those bonds are to be loosed, and that precious Pearl
may by removal of those bolts be taken forth. But yet I profess not my
self to be a perfect and absolute Master, and such an one as perfectly
knows its preparation, and would make it publick by describing it. No!
the Crumbs serves my turn, and the Fragments of the Bread, with which
hunger may be allayed as well as with the Bread it self.
I have I confess tasted somewhat of the Crumbs of what pertains to
so worthy a Medicament, and with what great Vertues they abound. And
such things as my experience have administred unto me I have here
purposed to reveal them, for the comfort and sake of my Neighbour, as
far as the time and occasion will permit; but yet with this _Salvo_,
that I cast not Pearl before Swine, and so incur the Philosophers
Curse. To whomsoever the things that I speak shall be more obscure,
let him wrestle earnestly by his Prayers to God for light, and refrain
from troubling me with multiplicity of entreaties, for I have firmly
resolved with my self not to reveal for the time to come more than what
I have opened in the present description.
CHAP. II.
_Of Gold, and the Comparison betwixt it when living, and when dead._
It is so well known as that nothing can be more known, that Gold being
so compact and corporeal and without any opening, doth not when used
inwardly to man’s Body emit any Vertues at all. I will instance in one
Example of Mercury; This being living and unbroken and undissolved,
doth not, though used inwardly in a great weight, bring any hurt, but
passeth out again as ’twas before taken in without any alteration
of the Body. But if it be sublimed with Salt, or shall be dissolved
by some other corrosive Water, and be administred to a man to drink
the quantity of 1, 2, or 3 Grains it will shrewdly hazard his Life,
because the Salts have made its hidden lurking Poyson manifest. Thus
stands the case with Gold, which cannot shew forth its hidden force and
vertues as long as it remains bound and tied with the fetters of its
own compaction, but (on the other hand) displays them, assoon as ever
it shall be released from its bonds, be vivified by Salts, and rendred
efficacious. You see in a black Coal, whiles it is not fired, there is
not any heat at all perceived, but being kindled, and being by the Air
rendred living, it discovers the fire and heat being therein hidden,
the which you may likewise consider of concerning Gold.
CHAP. III.
_Of the Preparation of Gold, and its Dissolution into most tender
Atoms apt for vivification and profitable application to
Medicinal use._
Gold doth not by any way more easily admit of being turned into most
tender and most subtil Attomes than by this following.
Dissolve pure Gold in _Aq. Regia_, and being dissolved pour thereto
as much of the Water of Tartar as is sufficient: So the clear Gold,
and clothed too with a golden Colour, will precipitate it self to the
bottom of the Vessel, nor will it be a darkish Powder, as ’tis wont to
be if precipitated by _Lixiviums_ or by the Spirit of Urine: But it is
light and tender, and shews in brightness like little golden Stars,
yea becomes so very tender and subtil, that it swims as ’twere in the
Water and settles to the bottom exceeding leasurely, and is thereby so
much worthier than all other _Calxes_ of Gold how subtil soever they
be, that they may be accompted of (if compared with this) but onely as
a gross Earth; whereas these shining golden little Stars are made so
tender and so subtil, as that they may easily discover and demonstrate
their Vertues in medicinal use very notably, by the help of other
things, and by being dissolved sundry ways.
CHAP. IV.
_By what means this most pure Calx of Gold is to be farther opened,
whereby it may be inverted, made volatile, and rendred like to a
Vegetable._
This tender _Sol_ or _Calx_ may be brought to such a pass, without
any corrosive in 24 hours space, as that it shall not remain a fixed
metalline Body, but become wholly volatile as it was at its beginning.
Now this is effected by the help of the Salt of Nature onely, which
is to be found every where, and may be gotten by the poor as well as
by the rich. Yea so easie as that it is scarce credible, should it be
manifested openly and clearly, and which those Brethren of ignorance
and proud Court-like Flatterers would entertain with scorn and
derision, and accompt the truth it self to be a lie, as hath been oft
times done hitherto. ’Tis better therefore to pass over such things
in silence, than by benefitting others to injure ones self. For such
Arcana’s are to be wrapt up in silence, and not to be cast before such
Hogs. But yet to the Adept shall be revealed such things in the end of
this writing or treatise, as they have been hitherto ignorant of.
CHAP. V.
_=Quæry=, Whether or no these most subtil Atoms of Gold are capable
of performing any thing in Medicine, and of displaying their
hidden Vertues like Vegetables, without any other unlocking of
them._
For answer, I say no. For the Stomach is too weak to dissolve and get
thence that efficacy as it doth from Vegetables, though it be thus
reduced in a most tender and subtile substance. In vain therefore is
it administred to the sick, because it passeth out again with the
Excrements so as ’twas taken in, and that without any remarkable
efficacy.
CHAP. VI.
_=Quæry=, Whether or no the Stomach may not be so help’d as that
it may be able to dissolve and consume Gold as well as Iron and
Copper._
For answer I say, yes. And forasmuch as the most thin filings of Iron
and Copper, being given any one to drink, are digested and consumed by
the natural acidity of the Stomach, or are by dissolution there turned
into Vitriol, which (said Vitriol) doth vehemently stir up the Body
by Vomit, and by Stool (according to the quantity of the exhibited
Metals) and killeth the Worms both in old and young folks, and casteth
them forth, and coloureth the very Excrements as black as a Coal;
hereby evidently demonstrating, that being dissolved and consumed by
the Stomach, it hath brought out, together with it self; the slain
Worms; Any body may easily conjecture that the Acidity of the Stomach
was sufficiently strong to set upon the two aforesaid Metals, being
of a Salt nature, and of an easie Solution, and to reduce them so far
as to cause them to display their hidden Vertues. But now the Stomach
is not endued with so strong an Acidity, as to be able to set upon
and dissolve Gold and Silver, being Metals as ’twere void of Salt,
and admitting no Solution there. Hereupon it usually happens, that
they being used inwardly in Medicine, do come away with the Excrements
in such form as they were administred in. Thence do the unskilfull
conclude (but falsly) that there are no Vertues in Gold and Silver,
because that being brought into a most subtile Powder, and administred
to the sick, they are notwithstanding destitute of any kind of Vertues.
The reason why they do not operate at all is, because the Acidity of
the Stomach is not sufficient enough to work upon them, and to stir
them up to operation. But being dissolved by Acid Spirits, _viz._ the
Gold by Spirit of Salt, and the Silver by Spirit of Niter, they doe
evidently shew their Vertues in Medicine, being inwardly taken, and do
purge the Body no less than Copper and Iron doe, and do withall colour
the Excrements black, and kill the Worms both in old and young: Neither
indeed will any find a more present remedy for killing the Worms, which
do ofttimes destroy many Infants and Children destitute of any kind of
help, than the Vitriol of Gold and Silver, about which shall be written
a peculiar Chapter anon.
But forasmuch as the dissolved Metals, but especially Gold and Silver,
do by their ungratefull savour offend the Palate, and dye the Tongue
and Lips of a black Colour; Men do abhor to use them, although they
might be very helpfull in Medicine: But however these discommodities
may be prevented, by rendring the said Metals acceptable to the Palate,
and so ordering them as that they shall no more Colour the Lips, but
evidently shew forth their Vertues, and perform great matters in
Medicine. This now may be done divers ways, some whereof shall be here
described and declared.
CHAP. VII.
_By what means Gold may be brought to such a pass as that (being
inwardly made use of in Medicine) it may display its virtues
and be stirred up to operation by a guider (or leading Card as
’twere) added thereunto._
Gold being reduced by the way now spoken of into most tender (Atoms,
may be stirred up divers ways, so as that being inwardly administred,
it may manifest its virtues and that notably and efficaciously.
As first when such Salts are thereunto added as do corroborate the
Stomach, and augment its acidity, so as to make it strong enough to
work upon the tender Gold and dissolve it, and to turn it into Vitriol
in the Stomach, in which case my _Sal Mirabilis_ is very excellent, but
yet other Salts are not to be despised, to each of which I give the
honour due unto them.
Then farther, the same may be done when such Mineral Species are added
to the said Golden Calx as do by their natural propriety expell by
Sweat and Urine: For a Mineral Medicine, as soon as ever it begins its
operation in the Body, whether by Sweat or by expulsion by Urine, doth
also stir up the Gold to operate, so that it works too after the same
manner as the Medicament adjoyned to it is wont to operate, just as
’tis usually wont to be in some kind of Fraternity or Consortship; If
one begins to sing, to dance, to be enamoured with a Virgin, to brawl,
or to play, he presently stirs up others to do the same, who would
otherwise have abode still. Now as to the Minerals, amongst the many
inciters there, Antimony obtaineth the first place, and doth stir up to
operate with himself any such things as are thereunto adjoined, whether
they be Gold or Silver, yea though they be dead. And so a Mineral
being purgative, or Diuretick, being mixt with Gold, doth perform its
operation much more safely and efficaciously than if it were alone
and used _per se_, inwardly, without any addition of Gold thereunto.
For the tender Gold is stirred up and driven as ’twere to Cooperate
together with the operation of the Mineral Medicament, which otherwise,
and without such an impulsion and incitement would have remained as
dead, and void of any kind of operation, and so passed forth together
with the Excrements.
CHAP. VIII.
_A better way of making Gold and Silver living and efficacious._
Gold and Silver may be made living and efficacious after another and
better way and manner, thus. If they be dissolved in suitable Waters,
and made Spiritual, and so used in Medicine, for they are by this means
fitted to operate and display their Vertues after their manner, and
according to their preparation.
The manner of making such well opened and unlocked Golden Water, I
taught some years since, and published it under the title of _Aurum
Potabile_. For I then knew a way of reducing Gold into a white
Water by some certain Medicinal Salts, and have it now by me at
all times, as being better and far more excellent than that former
_Aurum Potabile_, and may supply the place of an Universal Medicine;
and that on this account, because it doth operate universally in all
curable diseases, and doth withall excell all the other Medicaments
that I know of in its wholsome operation, for it doth by little and
little expell every obnoxious thing out of the whole body. I confess
that the same things are performed by my Golden _Panacæa_, or my
Purging Gold, and Diaphoretick Gold, but in some cases I prefer this
white _Aurum Potabile_ of mine, as I now prepare it, before them,
for it hath an invisible and contrary or different operation from my
Purging Gold, or Golden _Panacæa_, which do, for the most part, work
visibly. And whereas I have formerly divulged those Medicaments in my
Treatises, I will omit their superfluous description here, and onely
add thus much, That these three Medicaments of mine, _viz._ the Golden
_Panacæa_, my Diaphoretick Gold, and my white _Aurum Potabile_ are so
abundantly sufficient both for the preserving from, and curing of all
diseases, that whosoever will onely use them, need not at all any other
Medicaments.
But forasmuch as Men are delighted with variety, and that sometimes
such or such a coloured Medicine, or such an Odour or Savour is far
more acceptable, I have judged it worth while to add for the sake of
the sick yet two or three excellent Medicines more, and such, as to the
best of my knowledge, were as yet never divulged. ’Tis at every ones
liberty to make use of such an one as best likes him, or now and then
to try this Medicine or that, and so to make use of that which best
pleaseth him.
The incomparable _Paracelsus_, the Monarch of Philosophers and
Physicians, supposed, that these four Minerals, _viz._ _Sulphur_,
_Mercury_, _Antimony_, and _Vitriol_, did prop up the whole Medicinal
Art, like so many Capital Pillars, and that by them mought all things
be prepared, as were necessarily requisite for any kind of cure. And
indeed the thing it self (or the effect) sufficiently proves the truth
of this opinion, and so doe those four Minerals themselves too, if they
be but dissected, purged, and prepared according to Art, else they are
of no worth, but doe more hurt than good, because if they be not duely
prepared, they are not deprived of their Venenosity, and are not turned
into wholsome Medicines. But as for such as are set to sale in our days
in the Apothecaries shops, they are verily but of small moment. For the
Antimony which (being turned into Glass) they sell, hath never as yet
admitted of any separation of the good from the evil.
And as for _Mercury_, they turn him into a Sublimate, abounding
with Venom, and likewise into a red Precipitate, both of which are
sufficiently hazardous both in external and internal Medicinal uses;
For the vulgar _Mercury_ never desisteth from his malice, unless it be
exalted by a safer and better preparation. It is sufficient (to say)
that being prepared after the aforesaid usual ways, it ought to be
wholly shunned, and so it will not create any danger.
As for Common _Sulphur_, although it be exalted into Flores, and those
exceeding subtile too, such as are at this day in use, yet shews it
no wonderfull matters; for there is not as yet made any separation
of the pure part from the impure, neither is it thoroughly opened by
Sublimation, or rendered subtile or fit, to operate upon the Body of
Man; for as it was taken in, so it passeth out with the Excrements:
For the Acidity of the Stomach cannot dissolve it; so far is it from
yielding to the Stomach any efficacy, for a strong _Aq. Fortis_ cannot
dissolve it.
As for _Vitriol_, it yields the Workmen an austere or sowr Oil, and a
sharp Spirit, little availing to Medicinal uses, this onely excepted,
_viz._ the mixing it with cooling Syrups and Conserves, gives them a
gratefull sowrishness; the which Spirit of Salt well rectified, would
perform much better. Hence it comes to pass, that these four Minerals,
according as they are at this day used, and sold by the Apothecaries,
cannot be accounted for the four Pillars of the whole Body of Medicine,
and possess that title, which _Paracelsus_ exalteth them by, unless
they are prepared after another manner than they have hitherto been.
As for _Sulphur_, I bring it to the highest purity by a due washing,
and do by suitable and proper Salts turn the same, together with Gold,
into a clear water, that so our Nature may assume it to it self, as is
to be seen in my _Aurum Potabile_.
I draw from Antimony its purer part, and I implant it in exceedingly
well prepared Gold, that it may make the Gold efficacious, witness my
Purging Gold.
Instead of the common _Vitriol_, I use the _Vitriol_ made of Gold,
the which is wont to perform such effects in Medicine as the common
_Vitriol_ never will, as shall be taught by and by.
Instead of the common and poysonous _Mercury_, I make use of a
_Mercury_ prepared out of a good Metal, or artificially extracted by a
certain Magnet from the beams of _Sol_ and _Lune_, as shall be taught
anon. And this _Mercury_ is rightly called the Universal _Mercury_ of
the Philosophers, because being as yet an invisible thing, is extracted
out of the Air, and made visible and palpable, and is the effector of
wonderfull things in Medicine and Alchymy, as we shall hear anon.
But before I proceed to _Vitriol_ and _Mercury_, I count it fit,
first to set down a good Medicine prepared out of Silver by the help
of Antimony, that so every body may know, that even Gold and Silver
(how thick and compact soever they be) may, by the addition of other
Medicinal Subjects, be quickned and stirred up, and be brought to such
a pass as to emit their Vertues, as we have afore mentioned more at
large. The preparation of this Medicine out of Silver and Antimony is
as followeth.
CHAP. IX.
_The manner of preparing a good Medicament out of Silver and
Antimony._
In the first place prepare out of the Mineral or Oar of Antimony an
_Acetum_ by distillation, according to Art: Then take one part of the
best Antimony, and two parts of the Calx of Silver; which being well
washed, mix it with the Antimony, by grinding them very well together,
that they may be changed into a grayish or somewhat a blackish Powder.
Put this Powder into a small Glass, Cucurbit or little Retort, and
pour thereupon so much of the Antimonial Vinegar as may serve to bring
the said Powder into a thin Pultis or Pap. Put the Glass in Sand, and
distill off the said Vinegar, this pouring on, and drawing off let be
so often repeated untill the Antimony shall have lost its blackness,
and the Silver its whiteness, and be both of them turned into a red
Stone, like to _Cinaber_, which is usually done in the third or fourth
Cohobation.
Note well, if such an errour should be committed as that your fire
being too strong should when you draw off the _Acetum_ melt the mass
in the Glass, it would be rendred wholly uncapable of admitting or
drinking up the _Acetum_, and then you must of necessity break the
Glass and take out the mass and reduce it again into small Powder by
grinding, and repeat the operations according to the aforesaid way.
This Medicament being turned into a red Stone, and ground upon a Marble
into a most subtile Powder, is called by me purging _Lune_, and may be
made use of in all Diseases as a kind of _Panacæa_, (like as my purging
Gold may be) with great fruit and good success. For this Medicine of
Silver doth operate very gently, expelling all evil humours out of
all the Members of the whole Body of Man, and this scarce any other
Medicine will do save my golden _Panacæa_. For it leaveth no impurity
in the Body, (but expels it) not onely by purgation, but also by Sweat
and Urine. If you should chance to err and take too big a Dose, it will
also cause vomiting, but especially with such as abounding with Choler
are prone to Vomit. To Infants under four Weeks old may a Dose be given
of about the bigness of a Rape Seed, and be mixt in a spoon with a
little of its Mothers Milk, and so given them. It conserves them free
from the invasion of the Epilepsie, and frees them. If you find that
they are infected with the Small-pox or the like, within a years space,
the Dose is to be augmented, and a fourth or eighth part of a grain may
be administred to them, the which will bring out of the Infants all
the impurities by Stool, and preserve the Face untouched. Those that
are from one to two, or twelve years of age, and being troubled with
the Worms, do fall into acute Feavers, (and hereby a great many perish
destitute of all help) may have the Dose augmented if need be, and that
as their age is, from ½ a grain to two grains, for so the Worms will
be killed, and the Feaver sent packing. Nay farther, if the Feavers in
Children, be they Boys or Girls, do not proceed from the Worms but from
other causes, yet may so much of this Medicine be administred to them
as may be requisite to purge and sweat them, and by this means will
they be (without any hazard of their lives) restored to their former
health. There can scarce be found a more profitable and more present
remedy against the Plague and other Feavers in young men, middle aged
men, and old men than my golden _Panacæa_ or purging Gold, and this
same purging _Lune_ here described, the Dose is from one grain to five
or six grains with reference to the age and Disease. Such a Dyet is to
be observed as I have prescribed in the use of my _Panacæa_, _viz._
that the Sick (after the taking of this purging Silver) do abstain from
Sleep and all kind of Food for three or four hours at least, and beware
of the cold Air, and have an especial regard to keep a good Dyet.
This Medicine of mine, together with my _Panacæa Aurea_ (or golden
universal Medicine) may be safely, and without any fear of danger made
use of in the French Pox, Dropsie, Leprosie, Stone, Gout, and other
such Diseases, whatever name they are called by; insomuch that men may
(next their trust in God) safely confide therein. And besides by this
Medicament may very many things be performed in metalline affairs, the
discovering of which we shall at this time omit, contenting our selves
with having shewn the things that appertains to the use of Medicine.
Furthermore it is likewise notably efficacious in curing of external
Wounds and Ulcers, provided it be discreetly administred inwardly, and
the external defects of the body be kept sweet and clean. There will in
a short time be much more benefit received therefrom, than from such a
deal of Ointments and Emplaisters as are frequently used. Praise God
and give him thanks for such great benefits.
CHAP. X.
_The preparation of the Vitriol of Gold and its use in Medicine._
Dissolve Gold in some acid sulphureous _Sal Mirabilis_, and not
alkalizated, _viz._ by the moist way, pass the solution through a
Philter, and abstract the unprofitable Phlegm so far untill there
appear a thin skin at the top, which appearing, set the remainder in
the cold, and you shall get a green Stone like to an Emrald. That
part of the Liquor which is not shot, evaporate again even so long
till a skin appears, that so you may get the rest of your Vitriol:
So all the Gold will together with the _Sal Mirabilis_ shoot into a
Vitriol, resembling the greenness of Grass, (and so green) as nature
never produced the like. In this Smaragdine Table are found written
(or engraven) many wonderfull things, which will neither be read nor
understood by every body. I will hint some few things concerning it,
and such as appertain to Medicine: And in the first place, what kind
of Vitriol this ought to be, and what notes and marks it is to be
distinguished by, (as thus) a little of it being rubbed with your
thumb, on pure or cleansed Iron, doth guild it of a golden colour,
whereas the common Vitriol makes the Iron look of a coppery colour.
This is a sign of this golden Vitriol’s being prepared after a due
manner, which said Vitriol will effect those things in Medicine which I
am about to ascribe to it. Besides, it makes Copper and Brass shew of a
golden colour and performs wonderfull things with Mercury, if digested
with it, in the moist way, but for brevity sake I omit these things.
For it grows like a little Tree, and sends forth golden Sprouts.
As touching its Medicinal Virtues such of them as I have found out, are
here briefly described; without question there lie hid in it yet more
and more excellent Virtues, which as yet are unknown unto me, but will
come to light in process of time.
But the chief efficacy and virtue of this golden Vitriol as far as I
know, doth consist in purging and bringing out all evil and noxious
humours out of the whole body of Man, and withall in corroborating
and strengthening him. And as to this office it outstrips all other
Medicines whatsoever. Nay more, it performs its operation speedily,
yea more speedily than any other purge doth. For as soon as ever it
shall be taken into the body it doth presently begin to work, because
the Salt is soluble, and therefore such bodies as are not opened,
can’t at all compare with it, for they must necessarily lie in the
Stomach at least half an hour, or a whole hour before they begin their
operation. And because every common Vitriol is a capital enemy to all
the Worms of the Belly, and the Feavers arising therefrom, wherewith
a very many Infants both Boys and Girls do die, void of all kind of
help, I do most highly commend this Vitriol of Gold to all such Fathers
and Mothers of Families, whose Children are dear unto them, that they
at all times have it in a readiness, to be made use of in cases of
necessity. For verily I never found any better or certainer Remedy
against the Worms than this very same, because it not onely kills them,
but also casts them out, and doth by strengthening the Sick, take away
all the Feavers both of old and young. It is also a most great secret
in the Plague, in which Disease verily, a longer delay or abiding of a
Medicine in the Body (without working) is hurtfull. Besides, it is not
onely a certain and safe curative Medicine, but likewise a preservative
too in the Plague, and in all acute and contageous Feavers, as well of
young as old, the like to which is scarce, yea very rare to be found.
For this Vitriol doth speedily and swiftly draw back from the heart
every Poison, and every burning heat, and being drawn back from all the
Members of the whole Body, doth drive it forth by all the Emunctories
of the whole Body, but principally by Stool and Sweat. Furthermore, if
the Disease require it, and the Patients strength permit it, it may
be administred in a bigger Dose, and then ’twill provoke to Vomit,
and powerfully expel Choler. It doth in the _Lues Venerea_ shew it
self most efficaciously virtuous, and powerfully casts out Tartarous
Fluxes and acute humours out of all the whole Body: By which operation
it likewise brings much help and comfort to such as are troubled with
the Stone and Gout, it removes the Epilepsie both from young and old,
and frees the Hydropical of the Water betwixt the Skin. And that I may
comprise all as ’twere in one word, ’tis such an universal purge as
that it roots out of the whole Body whatsoever is found to be hurtfull
and offensive therein. It hath not its fellow as to Remedy the Feavers
of Children whether proceeding from Worms or from a corrupted Stomach,
the which kill such abundance of Infants of both Sexes, without any
help left. Nor do I think that there can be found a better Remedy in
the Plague, and in all other acute Feavers which usually kill Men
suddenly, than this Vitriol of Gold, if it be but rightly made use of.
The Dose is small, and is easily made pleasant to Childrens Palats,
by putting a little Sugar thereunto, or some such like sweet things.
To Infants newly born, you may give scarce an eighth part of a grain,
against (or to prevent) the Epilepsie, or Convulsions. To such as are
from one year old, to 10 or 12 years of age, the Dose may be one,
two, or three grains, according as their age is, the which Dose may
be augmented in such as are older, according as the age and condition
of the Sick requires. Where the Disease is Worms, there the Dose must
be so strong as not onely by well purging to kill them, but also to
cast them forth when killed. For from those slain Worms, if they abide
in the Bowels, other new Worms usually breed. I hope that by my thus
revealing this Medicament, I shall so bring it to pass, as that for the
time to come, so many Infants both Boys and Girls will not be destroyed
by Feavers arising from Worms, but very many will be safely preserved
from so immature a death.
But here, some or other may say or at least think within himself,
what is the reason that I have such an especial regard to Infants and
Children, and am so very solicitous of preserving them from an untimely
end. I answer hereunto, that nothing is more necessary than to afford
some comfortable due help to Infants, and poor innocent Babes, who
do evil to none, and whose loss their Parents do sadly brook. For it
is certain and without all kind of doubt, that (amongst Diseases) the
Epilepsie or Convulsion is the first that sets upon new born Infants
and sweeps them away. Then presently follows Measels, Small Pox, and
such like, and these kill not a few. Then comes the Worms, and they
cause Feavers which afflict them with a continual burning, whereby
they lose all their Appetite to eating, and covet nothing but drink,
and the Parents use no remedy to suppress them, being ignorant that
such guests are lodged there, and do not perceive them when the poor
sick Babes Bellies do not swell. But further, when by the swelling of
their Bellies, they do know that they have the Worms, and though they
desire to use some Remedies, yet can they hardly make their little ones
to take them as being so averse to them. Nay more, though sometimes
they do administer common Worm-feed, or some other Vegetable Powders
good against the Worms, yet there’s scarce one in ten that is help’d,
and the poor sick Children grow worse and worse: And at last when the
Disease hath gotten such head as that the Parents see that death is at
hand, then is the Physician sent for, who (if he knows the Disease to
arise from Worms, and be furnished with a good Medicine) doth presently
help the Sick, and free him of the Disease. But if he be destitute of
a good Medicine, and attempts to refresh or cherish the Sick with his
sweet Syrups, _&c._ he widely erreth, for by such kind of sweet Juices
he gives Nutriment to the Worms. Neither doth it at all avail to put
Linnen Cloaths, dipped in Rose water, to the Head, thereby to allay
its burning heat, and to little purpose are the gentle purging drinks
prescribed. For as soon as ever the Worms do perceive any thing given
to the Sick, which is contrary to them, they presently hide themselves
(or run to holes) and do wreath themselves into a kind of Ring, and
pass out with the Excrements. But if they perceive any sweet thing
which is pleasant to them to be given to the Sick, they do receive
their nourishment thencefrom and remain alive. And if by some hap or
other it doth so chance that one or more is hurried away with the
Excrements, yet the rest of them remain unhurt, and the Disease is not
taken away, but prevaileth more and more, and at last deprives the Sick
of Life. He therefore that endeavoureth after the happy curing of such
Feavers as arise by reason of Worms, must of necessity (in defect of
this golden Vitriol) give his Patient such things to drink for three or
four days as do cause a bitterness in the Stomach. And although bitter
things are unpleasant to the Palate of poor Sick Infants, yet are they
enemies to the Worms, and do kill them. Such bitter things therefore
being drunk for three or four days, the Worms do sometimes in some Sick
Children die the first or second day, but in other some ’tis the fourth
day e’re they die.
Now then as concerning such bitter Medicaments, which I here write
of, that they may not be bitter in the Mouth, but be made so in the
Stomach, I say, that the Metals are such, and especially Iron, Copper,
Gold and Silver, the which being dissolved do obtain a very bitter and
ungratefull Savour. But the reason why Gold and Silver being taken
into the body, when they are filed and ground most exceeding small, do
not operate any thing at all, comes from thence, _viz._ because the
Acidity of the Stomach is too weak to set upon them: And therefore
’tis necessary that they be first converted into Vitriols, if you would
have them operative in the Stomach, as I have taught you concerning
Gold. But forasmuch as every Body cannot be Masters of such a golden
or silver Vitriol, it seemed expedient to me to reveal to the poor, a
certain and never failing Secret, by the help whereof the Worms both in
old People and young are killed.
It is not unknown to Physicians that every common Vitriol wherewith
Dyers use to dye their black Colour, doth (being administred to young
People) kill the Worms and cast them out too. But because of its
unpleasant and odd tast ’tis a hard matter to make Children take it.
But now if you do a little more accurately examine the properties of
common Vitriol, you will find it to be nothing else but a mere acid
Salt, by which Iron or Copper, or both together are dissolved in the
Earth, by nature. If now we are so minded, we can also make a Vitriol
in the Stomach, which will be equally as operative as that which is
made by nature and taken in at the mouth, and ’tis done thus. If we
give most small filings of Iron or Copper to little Infants in a due
weight, these now may be easily administred unto them, as containing no
ungratefull tast. For, being reduced into thin or curious filings, and
being a metal easily admitting of Solution, as soon as ever it comes
into the Stomach, the Acidity of the Stomach doth meet with it, by
which ’tis easily dissolved, and turned into a Vitriol, and so endued
with the very same operation as that is, which is prepared in the Earth
by Nature.
But you are here to observe the difference that is betwixt the filings
of Copper and Iron, and that is this, the Copper works strongly, and
the Iron much milder. Besides the Copper makes the Stomach vomit, but
the Iron causeth no Vomits, and doth very rarely disturb the Stomach,
and when it doth, ’tis onely in this case, _viz._ when ’tis administred
in too great a Dose. Therefore amongst all such Medicaments, Iron is
the best, the safest, and the least cost, though to proud men it may
appear sufficiently vile and base. Nor is it to be questioned but that
the brethren of ignorance will entertain it with derision, and say;
if _Glauber_ knows no better remedy for the Worms than this, which
consists of the gross filings of Iron, he had done a great deal better
to have kept it onely to himself: And if Iron abounds with such Vertues
there’s no reason for him so to praise his pretious Vitriol of Gold
with such a deal of commendations. To this I answer, that my aim in
teaching the preparation of the Vitriol of Gold is not directed for
the Worms in Children so much. But I have added this remedy of Iron
to the description I have made of the vertues of the golden Vitriol,
to this end, that I may demonstrate it self also is so excellent a
remedy against Worms, and for the removal of those Feavers as are
caused by them. But because their cure can be more easily perfected
(as we just now spake about the filings of Iron) ’tis worth the while
to have regard to the way that is most compendious. He that pleaseth
may administer of the Vitriol of Gold, but I commend Iron to such as
are poor, for they may have that even every where. There is no Village
so small but hath a Smith living in it, who can when your necessity
requires supply you with some filings of Iron.
But that my mind may be fully understood, I judg it necessary yet more
clearly to give you a Declaration of this thing, _viz._ in what manner
and with what conveniency the filings of Iron may be administred to
the sick Infants. And ’tis thus done. Whilst the Infants are unweaned,
some Grains of the said filings from 2, to 6 or 8 Grains, may be mixt
with a little Sugar and put into their mouths, and then presently give
them suck, that so those filings may be suckt down together with the
Milk into the Stomach. Do this three days together and the Worms will
be destroyed, and the Feaver vanish. But if any body will make use of
any other Vehicle than what is the Child’s ordinary food, he may do so
if he please. But as for such as do not suck, but do drink out of a
sucking Bottle according as the usual custom is, you may easily give
it them, on this wise; Put a little into the Bottle and stop the hole
of the Bottle with your finger, and so turn it upside down that the
filings may slide down to the hole, and so let the Infant suck it down,
and ’twill pass with the drink into the Stomach. To such Boys and Girls
as are bigger, and have more understanding, it may be given easily and
any way you please, onely telling them that they will be restored to
their former health. To such as are 10 or 12 years old a quarter part,
or an half of the weight which we usually call Quintlein [from 10 to
20 grains] may be given safely, for 3 or 4 days. But in the mean while
let not the meats they use be of hard Concoction, but made of Pottage,
Prunes, and such like mollifying and loosening things, which may help
forward the operation of the Iron, and so the sick will become the
sooner well. I could not refrain from highly commending to all tender
Mothers that love their Children, this most safe and not at all costly
Medicine against all the Feavers proceeding from Worms, which do kill
so many poor little ones destitute of all kind of help. Let no body
matter its vileness, but rather think with himself, that God hath
also endowed vile and contemptible things with great vertues. Verily
this Cure, and thus taking away the Worms, and the Diseases arising
therefrom, is strongly founded on natural reasons, or arguments. For
seeing that the common Vitriol is a Poyson to Worms, but because of its
bitter and nauseous tast ’tis exceeding unpleasant to the Palate, they
do very well, that substitute Iron as being void of all Savour, in the
room of the common Vitriol, that so being given to their Children it
may be converted to Vitriol in their Stomachs, and so kill and drive
out the Worms. I my self have tryed many experiments about the Cure of
the Worms in my Children, but never found any thing safer and better
than contemptible Iron.
_A Story of a Child that had Worms._
I will tell you an instructing Story, concerning a great and eminent
man’s Child in such a Disease proceeding from the Worms, in which my
self was concerned. A certain rich man did on a time consult with me,
(or ask my advise) about this Child’s Disease. I gave him as much
filing of Iron as was sufficient for one Dose, for his Child to drink.
It seemed an absurd thing to the good man, to give an Infant filings
of Iron, upon this conceit he omitted to use it, and having called two
Physicians he shews them the filings, and askt them whether they would
advise him to administer it to his Infant. They earnestly disswaded him
from using it, saying that if he used it his Child would be killed,
and that it was a Medicine onely fit for curing of Horses, and that
they would prescribe a far safer and better one. They said there was
no danger in the Child of Worms, and therefore they prescribed it a
cooling and purging Syrup, thereby to take away the Feaver, and they
also added confections of Pearls, with other cooling Waters. Death
despised these kind of Potions, and snatcht away the Infant: The Child
being dead, there crept out of his mouth great Worms, and clearly
testified to the Parents their unseasonable rejecting my advise, haply
because the Medicine I prescribed was not costly, but prepared out of a
vile Subject. But it repented the Parents too late: The Mother coming
afterwards into the House of a certain Neighbour, gave that filings
which I had delivered them, unto an Infant troubled with a Feaver and
the Worms, who upon the taking of that one dose onely became better,
and by little and little returned to its former state of health, I was
willing to set down this history to the end that I might demonstrate,
that vile and abject things are many times capable of performing more
than Pearls and precious Stones can.
And so I conclude this so very necessary a discourse concerning Worms,
and the Feavers arising from them, whereby great multitudes of poor
Infants are destroyed. I hope that no body will take it amiss that
I have made so long a discourse concerning Worms. For I judged it
necessary to shew the cause from whence so many little ones do dye in
the flower of their Age. He that refuseth to believe what I say, let
him try the thing by his own loss.
CHAP. XI.
_Of Mercury and its excellent Vertues, both Medicinal and Chymical,
I mean not the common and well known Mercury, but the Mercury
of the Philosophers, the which is extracted by the Vulgar and
well known Gold and Silver, (but they are to be first rendered
Magnetical) out of the Beams of the superiour Sun and Moon, by
the help and assistance of the Air._
It is well known to those that have looked over the manifold Writings
which are extant at this day, how many and how great searches have been
made, and how various and many opinions there have been abroad for many
Ages, concerning the Philosophers Mercury; as many men so many minds,
one man concludes with himself to prepare it out of such a matter,
another out of such a thing, and ’tis hereby come to such a pass as
that, there’s no more faith left for any such Mercury, and ’tis lookt
on as if there were no such thing in nature, nor is at present any
where extant: Because so many thousands of men have been occupied in
the search thereof, and so most exceedingly small a number have been
masters thereof.
Others have opinionated, that the most pure substance is to be
extracted out of Gold and Silver, but not in the form of a running
Mercury, but in a watery form, and to be coagulated and fixed by the
help of the Fire into a medicinal Stone.
Othersome have perswaded themselves that Gold and Silver being ripe
and fixt, are no ways fit for so great a work, but ’tis rather to be
sought for in such Subjects as never assumed to themselves any shape,
but do as yet lie hidden in that great and universal _Chaos_ the Air,
because they saw that the life of all things lay hidden in the Air,
and that out of it every Creature of God doth daily and without inter
mission attract it unto it self after a magnetical manner, both for
its own life and augmentation, and that it is so too with the seeds,
abundance of them (and they most different sorts too) being sown in the
same Earth, do each of them (according as its nature and property is)
acquire to it self both life and augmentation hencefrom, _viz._ the Air.
So likewise may it be brought to pass, that even the Metals may
according to their nature and propriety extract their encrease out of
the Earth or Air, knew we but how to get the true Seed, or true Magnet
which might get out that augmentation. For why should not God have
as well given a Seed to these his Creatures for their encreasing, as
well as to the other Creatures? So then there are very many sundry
Opinions sprung up, concerning the _Mercury_ of the Philosophers, and
very many men have to their uttermost searched after it, yet but a
very few have obtained the same. Though it be thus, yet the fault is
not to be imputed either to Nature or Art, but to the searcher after
it, because he errs and seeks not in the due place. Verily I did very
many years ago exceeding studiously apply my self to the search of
such a spiritual and Gold and Silver attracting Magnet, but I could
not hitherto attain to the true Scope, until I at length by chance
found that a true living and running _Mercury_ might, by the benefit
of Art, without any Addition of Mercurial things, be extracted out of
the fugacious and imperfect Metals, such as are Lead, Tin, Bizmuth,
Zink, and Antimony. And although I had read many Philosophers affirming
this thing, yet did I always doubt of the same, and indeed not without
cause; for in my youthfull days, serving a man of great note in
Chymical Labours, I tried in two years space two hundred ways of making
the _Mercury_ of _Saturn_, and not so much as one of them succeeded.
Now my said Master was stirred up to the search of this Saturnine
Mercury upon this occasion as follows. He had some familiarity with
many noble Personages that were also addicted to the study of Alchimy:
One of them knew how to make running Mercury out of Lead, and to turn
it into the best Gold, and he sent unto my Master one lot or somewhat
better of that said _Mercury_, together with the way of turning it and
fixing it into Gold. We set about the work and it succeeded to our
desires, and yielded us as much Gold as there was _Mercury_ sent us.
This hoped for success did so edge on my Master, that he could not rest
till he had obtained from him that knew it, the manner of making this
Saturnine Spirit. But as often as ever we tried the operation according
to the way prescribed us, both our hopes and labour were in vain. And
then my said Master readily granted, that we could not effect it.
Hereupon it was that he sought all abroad with the greatest diligence,
and had got such abundance of processes and operations, that two years
did scarce suffice me to try them all; though there was not so much
as one amongst them all that answered our wishes, but all our Labours
were in vain. Upon this score, I could believe neither _Basilius_
or _Paracelsus_ when I read in them, that Gold and Silver might be
resolved into true and running _Mercury_; seeing that the bare turning
of unripe Lead into _Mercury_, did cost me and others so great Labour
and Pains, and yet we could not obtain it neither. Whereupon I fell
into this opinion, that the Philosophers pointed at some other thing,
by their running _Mercury_: And I did so long adhere to this opinion of
mine, untill I chanced to light on the making of a running _Mercury_
out of Lead, and I have several times repeated the operation with the
same success.
I have likewise revealed it to others, who have also done the same,
but onely in small quantities hitherto. But some of them have bestowed
much pains about it, and to prepare it in a greater quantity; and that
principally, because ’tis certainly manifest that no small benefit
lies herein hidden. Nay if it were no otherwise profitable than barely
thus, that it may be turned into Gold, and of this I am certain,
(’twere worth while.) For if the said _Mercury_ be but rubbed upon a
piece of Gold, it makes it white, and being then put upon the Coals,
it separates indeed from it, but yet leaves it tinged of a higher
and deeper Colour. If this Labour be ought repeated, the Gold will
become weightier. And hence may easily be conjectured, that if it were
adjoyned to a pure Golden Calx, it would in a short space of time
easily pass into good Gold. Neither is there any doubt, but that if any
one did but know the manner of rightly handling such a _Mercury_, he
would obtain some notable thing out of it, because all the Philosophers
do in their Writings promise so much good of _Saturn_. They generally
affirm that Lead is (inwardly) far beyond Gold. How many Philosophers
are there that reach the preparation of the universal Work from thence?
See the Universal Work of _Isaac Holland_, _Paracelsus_ his Heaven of
Philosophers, The great and small Countryman, _&c._ Many do expresly
write, that all things which the Philosophers do seek for, are to
be found in Lead; Hereupon they called it Leaprous Gold. And some
Philosophers do write, that in _Mercury_ are all things that are sought
for, haply they mean not the Common, but such an one as is drawn out
of Metals. But we’ll even let pass this _Mercury_ of _Saturn_, and see
whether or no we cannot find a better _Mercury_, and such a one as is
of greater moment. In the mean time the said _Mercury_ of _Saturn_ will
fly about, and bring good news to the Lovers of Truth, _viz._ that
_GLAUBER_ is now in the way, to triumph, by the help of God, over all
his Enemies.
We will therefore go on to search out, whether or no there is not
another and better running _Mercury_ than that to be found, which
comes out of Lead. When I did somewhat more accurately search into
Nature’s secrets, I clearly saw, that all things which live and doe
in growing take an encrease, do proceed or come forth by the Sun’s
operation, insomuch that such fruits as are nearer hereunto are the
more excellent, and by how much the farther off any are from it, by so
much the vilder be they. As for example in Wine; by how much the nearer
it is to the Sun, so much the nobler is it; and by how much the farther
it is from it, so much the vilder is it.
The same may be observed in the generation of Metals, _viz._ that in
the hotter regions there is a greater quantity of Gold, and of Silver,
than in the colder Countries. This is well known, and out of all
dispute: So then when I saw that the hot beams of the Sun, together
with the cold and refreshing light of the Moon, did not onely ripen
Gold, but also those excellent Wines, and the best tasted Fruits, yea
and the most contemptible Herbs, and that it gave to all things their
most acceptable Savour; well did I conclude, that if a convenient
Matrix, or suitable Magnet were exposed to the hot Sun-beams, and to
the cold light of the Moon, that might day and night receive their
Operations; It could not possibly be, but that the Seeds of those
(_viz._ of _Sol_ and _Lune_) insinuating themselves into such a Magnet,
will pass into most excellent Fruit, and obtain a perfect maturation.
I did once make trial to see whether it would be so or no, and having
artificially prepared Gold and Silver, opened them, and brought them to
a Magnetical attractive vertue; and being well mixed, I exposed them
to the _Sun_ and _Moon_, to see and try what would proceed thencefrom.
Then afterwards, supposing them to have stood long enough at the _Sun_
and _Moon_, I put them into a small Glass Retort, and placed it in
Sand, and separated (by distillation) all the moisture from the Golden
and Silver Magnet, that it had attracted from the Air. I got indeed
a sweet Water, but yet not without Vertues. But having administred a
stronger fire to this Magnet, I drew therefrom an astringent Liquor,
resembling a golden yellow Colour, and like to Gold. I again exposed
the said dried Magnet to the beams of the _Sun_ and _Moon_, that it
might by them be impregnated, and that I might see whether or no a
Second, and more Births would be produced, answering in all respects
to the former. I doe not doubt of them, I confess but that they will
be of a like property and nature as their Father and Mother are, or
indeed be more fair and excellent than they be: For that first-begotten
off spring brought with it self into the World a far more excellent
fairness than its Father had.
Farther, bringing this Birth of _Sol_ and _Lune_ to a more accurate
trial, that so I might find out its vertues and efficacy, I first
of all perceived, that there lay hidden therein (though as yet so
Volatile) a Medicine of great moment. And dealing with it upon a
certain time, and putting a little of it by chance upon Gold, I found
that it made the Gold white; and rubbing the said Liquor many times
upon the Gold, it did at length produce (or show forth) the live
_Mercury_ that lay hidden therein, which said _Mercury_ thus living
and visible, I extracted out of this same Liquor; but it is better not
to vivifie it, but to take it as ’tis born, and so fix it and make it
constant. And now, I suppose, that such a _Mercury_ as is extracted
out of the Air, by Gold and Silver, being not so much corporeal
as spiritual, is to be accounted of as the true _Mercury_ of the
Philosophers.
But if now any will object and say, that this _Mercury_ doth not
proceed forth from the Air, or that it is not extracted out of the
beams of _Sol_ or _Lune_ by the Magnetick Gold and Silver; such a one
may even say what he pleaseth, but in the mean time he will not get
the things he fisheth for. Besides, I do not matter it so much, _viz._
whence it ariseth, provided I can obtain the same; If it did proceed
out of the Gold and Silver, it were not therefore to be rejected, but
it would be altogether better than that which is made out of gross
Lead, nay haply it might become a Tincture, did but any one know how
rightly to handle it.
It is a usual Proverb, that _the Apple falls not far from the Tree_,
and each thing follows the Seeds of its proper and peculiar nature. _By
how much the nobler the Tree is, by so much the more worthy is the Wood
thereof. The younger sort sing over the same Song as the old ones doe._
Now these Proverbs do declare, that the Fruits are so much the more
excellent, by how much a better nature the Tree is of, and this is a
sure rule: And therefore it necessarily follows, that such a _Mercury_
as is drawn by Gold and Silver out of the Air, or doth proceed barely
from Gold and Silver must needs be far better than that which hath its
rise from Lead: And herein I acquiesce. Let every one take from thence
what best likes him, I was willing to leave to such as come after me,
those things which I met withall of so great moment.
And as concerning the Medicinal Vertues of this Golden _Mercury_, I doe
give this caution about it, that if it be used as it came over at first
in the distillation in Medicine, because ’tis as yet immature, and
but newly born, it may work too strongly upon the Body of Man. It is
therefore better that it be fixed with some corporal well-opened Gold,
and so ’twill effect those things which a Universal Medicine is onely
able to perform. I confess that hitherto I have not brought it to any
constancy or fixity, because I have not had time of rightly handling
it: In the mean while there are others that will set about this labour,
and will in due time manifest more things concerning it. Let every one
be content therefore with this present discovery, _viz._ that a truely
live and running _Mercury_ may be extracted, not onely out of the soft
and volatile Metals, and consequently unripe ones, but also out of the
ripe Metals. And seeing that most Men doubt much of the truth of such
a thing, I could not omit the affirmation of the same, as being a most
true thing: He that listeth may make trial of the same. ’Tis enough for
me to have shown you the way. Let others likewise publish something,
that so the truth which hath been so long supprest hitherto, may at
length spring forth out of the darkness into light.
And now, at last, let’s come to treat of Wine, and examine what an
harmony and familiarity there is in it with Gold and Man.
CHAP. XII.
_Sheweth how great harmony, familiarity, and love, there is in
Wine, with Mankind and Gold._
It is evident, even from the Writings of all the Philosophers, that
Wine and Gold is a wholsome remedy for Mankind, but yet not in such a
gross state, and without any preparation, as they come forth out of
the Earth, but they are to be destroyed, and their most pure parts to
be extracted, and again conjoyned. To obtain this knack, there have
been used many _Menstruums_, and one more excellent than another. The
common Spirit of Wine hath no familiarity at all with Gold, because of
its unripe and combustible Sulphur, from which Gold is wholly averse,
as being its enemy. This thing I have in several places of my Writings
made mention of, and have also taught it in this very Treatise, that
Gold being dissolved in _Aq. Regia_, and precipitated with the Water of
Tartar, yields most curious fine Atoms, which cannot be done any other
kind of way. For the common gross Wine, and the common sulphureous and
unripe Tartar are enemies to the Gold, the which is evidently manifest
by this preparation of the most subtile Calx of Gold, caused by the
pouring of the Water of Tartar thereunto, whereby ’tis precipitated
unto the bottom.
The certainty of the truth of this thing may be thus tried, if a
little Gold being dissolved in _Aq. Regis_ be put into a glass full
of Rhenish, or any other sharpish Wine: The Gold will be presently
precipitated, by the Tartar which is in the Wine, into a tender and
shining Powder, but it will not in a moment of time settle to the
bottom, but by little and little. And yet if you put the Wine in a
Vessel over a fire of Coals, and boil it, then will it be speedily
precipitated. From whence ’tis evidently apparent, that Wine being as
yet not at all separated from its impurities, doth as it were differ
from Gold, with a deadly hatred, and yet carries hidden in its bowels
a substance most friendly to the Gold, the which will, in the end,
manifest it self so to be, when the more gross parts are separated from
the more subtile.
_Basilius_ teacheth its preparation by a peculiar proper instrument,
wherein (as I judge) the Spirit of Wine is to be kindled and burnt,
that so by the burning up of the Sulphureity, the Mercurial Salt may be
separated and caught in a cold Receiver. And with this very Salt (saith
he) may a Tincture be extracted out of Gold, which seems very probable
to be so, if one could but get or catch that said Mercurial Salt. Many
indeed have attempted this labour, but perhaps not a man hath found an
answer to his expectation, where the defect lies, God knows.
Others have mixed Gold with _Alkalies_, and have taught the extracting
of a Tincture by an Alkalizated Spirit of Wine, which way, though they
may doe somewhat, yet it is not the genuine way.
Also some have by distillation gotten a certain fiery Spirit out of
Tartar, and therewith endeavoured to conquer Gold. Here indeed is an
appearance of some kind of possibility, but yet this Spirit is not to
be attempted for that, which unlocketh all the bowels of the Gold; and
that for this reason, because it doth as yet abound with combustible
Sulphur, to which Gold is a bitter enemy. But now if you would duely
joyn Gold with Wine, then must all the combustible Sulphur (of the
Wine) be first separated from its Mercurial part, and the Mercury of
the Wine is to be brought by distillation into a notable fiery Spirit;
if this be not done, there will be no great matters effected with it.
CHAP. XIII.
_By what means such a Spirit of Wine as doth associate it self to
the Gold may be prepared._
Without doubt many such as perceive that there is a possibility of
preparing such a Spirit will be most vehemently desirous to know the
operation, how ’tis to be done. But it is even a wickedness to cast
such a great Secret before the unworthy and impure Swine. It therefore
will be sufficient to shew both that it may be done, and after what
manner; the rest to be left to God.
But that the studious Artist may not be wholly affrighted or kept back,
I will here declare, so much as may be sufficient to any one that is
versed in the Labours of the Fire, for the acquisition of so great a
Spirit: But yet with this proviso, that he make use of Patience in his
operation, for this work is not to be dispatched in a day, like as that
labour which in one days distillation affords a Spirit out of the Lees
of Wine, or out of Tartar. No! But the manner of the work is thus:
Take white or red Tartar (for both of them being well mundified, are as
good one as the other) dissolve it in Water, and separate all its gross
Sulphur by a certain precipitating matter. This impurity abiding in
the Water, is to be separated from the precipitated Tartar, by pouring
out the Water, the which (Tartar) remains in the bottom like a snowy
Sand, and is to be well purged by reiterated washings with Water, so
long untill (all the impurities being well separated) the Powder it
self becomes like to the white Snow. Now although that this Tartar
be most exceeding white, yet doth it contain as yet many Sulphureous
Fæces; which being black, do never suffer themselves to be separated
by any Solutions and Coagulations, but it is necessary that they be
precipitated by a certain precipitating matter. Therefore let that
Tartar be again dissolved in pure Water, and be precipitated, the which
Solutions and Precipitations let be so often and so long repeated,
untill there appear no more black Fæces. This most pure and most
acceptable Tartar melteth in the mouth, and doth almost in the manner
of other Salts easily admit of Solution in cold water. Being brought
to this pass, it is rendred fit to be dealt withall in the following
manner.
Dissolve some pounds of this pure Tartar in cold water, so as to
make it sufficiently acid. Put this Solution in some warm place, or
rather in Horse-dung, or in a warm Balneo, that the Tartar may begin
to putrefie and lost its acidity, and get a kind of sweetishness,
which before it will come to be, there is required the time of some
months. After it hath thus putrefied, and lost its acidity, all the
unprofitable Water is to be evaporated by a Balneum, untill it become a
thick and black Juice like Honey; the which being set in the Glass in
Sand, and being urged with a stronger fire than was made in the Balneo,
will yield a fiery Spirit, and such an one as will mix it self with
Gold dissolved in Spirit of Salt, and will separate the purer parts by
digestion, and draw them to it self, from the more gross parts, and so
will perform its office in Medicine even to most high admiration. For
any one may easily conjecture that the most pure parts of Wine, Salt,
and Gold will operate no evil effect.
What it will perform in Metalline affairs, I doe not as yet know; But,
without question, if it be rightly administred, and duely made use of,
it will play its part very notably.
This operation before set down, seems easie to be done, if barely
looked on outwardly, but there’s more labour and trouble in it than
one would imagine. Such as have not the gift of patience, and knows
not what belongs to patient working, may forbear this labour. For
the putrefaction proceeds on very slowly, and there is required the
knowledge of a matter precipitating Tartar, without which it will
never suffer it self to be precipitated and purged, ’tis an hard thing
to find, but he that knows it, it renders him all his labour facile
and easie. Any impure Tartar, whether it be white or red, may be so
washed in one or two hours space, and so purged, that (losing nothing
save its Fæces) it will become most white, and much more apt for many
operations. But my time will not admit of treating farther of these
affairs, it may (God willing) be done afterwards in another place.
However, thus much I will yet add more; That if Spirit of Wine brought
to the highest purity, so as to retain no filthy savour or odour, be
in a due quantity conjoyned by the help of common Water with this
excellently well depurated Tartar, there will result from them two a
drink of a most excellent savour, like to natural Wine, and may be
used instead of wholsome Wine. This would be a most profitable thing
for those that travel, had they but that Spirit of Wine, and that so
excellently well prepared Tartar. For there is Water to be had in all
places, and so they may at all times and every where make themselves
good Wine, yea so good and so strong as they please, according as they
add more or less of that Spirit and Tartar.
_N. B._ This Art would be very profitable for the cold Countries, in
which Countries, in the want of Spirit of Wine, because no Wine grows
there, the Spirit of Corn will perform the same. The chiefest knack is,
to be furnished with that Tartar, which by an easie Solution enters
into (or is dissolved in) the Water. But this is a business of a
greater moment than to be divulged. I have already opened to some the
manner of preparing such a Tartar, who make it in plenty, and so any
one may easily get from them as much as they shall need.
Besides the use of that kind of Tartar, conduceth to the accomplishing
of many other things, but not to be spoken of, lest it should prove
a detriment to such as know it. But I doe here truely and sincerely
affirm, that whosoever he be that can without wast and cost so prepare
the common vulgar Tartar, he will be hereby able to get his food and
rayment, and other necessaries for life, wheresoever and in what
Country soever he shall abide. This thing will in process of time have
a farther progress, and many will by the benefit thereof live more
happily, and perform things incredible. I have made a beginning, and
the Mice shall never gnaw off what I have here written, but contrarily
my Successors shall enjoy the same to God’s glory, even to the Worlds
end, and will in the first place thank God, and next him, me, as
being the Authour and Revealer of the same. I could reveal many most
profitable things that might be done by such a Tartar, were it not for
injuring such as get their living by it, and which for certain causes
are not at present to be mentioned. I have said enough to Wise men, and
as for deriders and mockers, I have said too much, for they will say
all are Lies, because they know not how to doe thus.
As to what appertains to the use of this here described Liquor,
conjoyned of Gold, Tartar, and Salt, it may serve instead of _Aurum
Potabile_, in all Sicknesses, and may be profitably administred, in
corroborating the vital Spirits; for it doth not discover its Vertues
by a remarkable and visible operation, but it strengthens the Body,
and doth very gently drive out Urine and Sweat, and seldom is it that
it provokes to stool, unless it be given in a strong Dose. The Dose is
from one, two, three, six, nine Drops, even to a Scruple, according as
the Sick is, in Water, Wine, or Ale, or other Liquors, in a Morning
upon a fasting Stomach, and at Evening after Supper, for some days
together. It keeps the Body open, and strengthens the Brain, and all
the Members. But principally (before the use of this Liquor) the Body
be well purged with good purging Remedies, such as are my purging Gold,
and purging _Lune_, because then this Medicine of the said Golden
Liquor operates far better, and more profitably. In using it, you are
to observe whether or no the Excrements become black, if not, the Dose
is so long to be augmented or continued untill the Excrements that come
away be of a black Colour. Moreover, the Disease decreasing, the Dose
is to be lessened by little and little, according as necessity or the
disease requires.
These things I thought good, at this time, to publish in the Fourth
Part of my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_. I entreat that every one would
take in good part these few Medicinal Secrets, but of very wide
and large extent. And, God willing, my Third Century will shortly
come abroad and present you with a Manifestation of more excellent
Medicines, and other profitable Secrets.
_The End of the Fourth Part._
THE
FIFTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Dispensatory.
Discoursing of the true Universal Medicine, and of those most
Eminent _Arcana’s_, as well Universal as Particular, which are
hitherto unknown unto the World; by the help of which unheard-of
and almost incredible Operations may be effected, not onely in
Medicine, but also in Alchymy. Proposed by way of _Question_ and
_Answer_.
Question 1.
_Whether or no it is a thing possible in nature for such a Tincture, or
so Universal a Medicament to be prepared, as by the help of which, both
the Bodies of Men and Metals may be promoted unto an higher, better,
and more noble Degree or Essence?_
_Answer._
It is not at all to be doubted of, for, as well the Authority of
so many and so great Men (who confess by their Writings which they
have published that they have made the same) as daily experience
demonstrates the same to be a truth, void of any doubt.
Question 2.
_If those things which so many illuminated Philosophers have written
of this Universal Medicine be true; how comes it to pass, that though
almost the whole World search after the same, yet scarce one of so many
thousands is master of the same, and that the greatest part of the
inquisitors after it, wast their Estates in the search to no purpose?_
_Answer._
The Art is not to be blamed, because of the fruitless endeavours of so
very many men that so greedily gape after so great a treasure; but the
fault is to be imputed to their own selves, for they are hereto driven
and stirred up by their insatiable covetousness and unjust intentions,
to make their search after so divine a gift, and their design is to
scrape up to themselves, by the help thereof, great Riches and Honours,
little thinking that God always hath and still doth bestow his gifts
upon such as are upright and sincere, and who doe not onely daily pray
unto him for the same, but do also search after them with uncessant
Labours. This the Apostle himself doth witness in express words,
saying, _It is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God
that shews mercy_. And yet the extreamly blinded World believes it not,
nor proposeth unto it self any other Scope than the scraping together
of Gold and Silver right or wrong, and fain would as it were wrest this
so great a treasure out of the hands of God; and having gotten it,
add fewel to their malice, pride, and impiety; And so by this means,
more nearly approach (even in this life) to the Devil the Father of
all wickedness, and be at last plainly like him. And this now is the
primary and principal cause, why so very many as are busied about the
search of so great a treasure, do lose both their labour and expence.
Question 3.
_But are there no other impediments that present themselves, and which
may be an hindrance and bar even against pious men too, and such as
lead a blameless life before God and Man, whereby they cannot have
admission to the knowledge of so great a Medicament?_
_Answer._
Yes verily, there are exceeding many, or almost innumerable impediments
that lie in the way, and shut up the passage even against the
approaches of pious men to so great a work, though they attempt the
same too with a good intention, and do sue unto God by their daily
prayers, and make their search with a most diligent meditation, and
continual Labours thereabout.
Question 4.
_What are those impediments, I pray?_
_Answer._
To reckon up all those impediments apart, and to set down each of them
so clearly as for every one to understand and apprehend the same,
cannot at present be done; neither is it necessary to mention all,
for it would not onely amount to a great Volume, but would also be a
burthen to the Reader, and be rather an hindrance than an imitation and
encouragement unto him concerning the attainment of the knowledge of so
great a work.
But yet that I may satisfie in some sort, the desires of some or other,
I will recount some of the chiefest of those impediments, by the
knowledge of which, every one may know the reasons that are wont to
stave off even pious men from so great a Secret.
_N. B._ First of all therefore, there are a many that have not means
necessary or requisite to begin and perfect the Work withall, though
they have a good Judgment, and are inflamed with an ardent desire of
searching after nature and its miraculous effects, and doe not at all
fear, nor are discouraged at the hard labours that are necessarily
requisite to Chymical Operations. Such men therefore as these are
(being stirr’d up by a singular candour and sincerity of mind to a
love of honesty) doe not thrust themselves forward after the manner of
impious and deceitfull Impostors and slanderous Vagrants that thirst
after nothing but Gold, and pretend to some greedy Miser, that they
will teach him the making of the Philosopher’s Stone (the knowledge of
which themselves are clearly destitute of.) No! but they even loath
such vain acquaintance, and disdain that despicable name of Gold
makers, and content themselves rather to set at home, and enjoy those
few things which God hath vouchsafed to bestow upon them, than to turn
Parasytes, and live in the Courts of Princes and great Men, where
they must strive by a Fox-like subtilty to please every one, and to
bow the head to each shoulder, and to scrape with his feet. This now
is the first impediment, which keeps off not a few good Men from the
possession of so great a Secret.
Besides, there are not a few of this sort, that briefly and cursorily
running over the Writings of the Philosophers without any serious
meditation upon the thing they read, or without understanding of the
same, do think themselves masters of a great deal of Wisedom, and
firmly perswade themselves, that if they have a little smatch of
Learning, and have but the knowledge of a Tongue or two, and have but
by some Anagrams pleasantly tingling in the Ears of some great Men,
sooth’d their minds a little, and wip’d them of some of their Silver,
the finding out of so great a mystery cannot possibly escape their
profound Scholarship, but they must needs catch it. But yet (by their
leave) they are quite out, and full well are they known unto God, who
with-holds from those proud deriders, and envious contemners of the
truth, his benediction, and leaves them wallowing in their courtly
pastimes so long, untill at length (after their turning and applying
themselves from one foolish deceived man to another, and so on) they
doe themselves lay open their own gross ignorance and most filthy
shifts, which they have wrapt over with such a detestable babling, and
by the fruitlesness of the event shew that their large promises of
golden Mountains are most vain and idle. And hereupon their hopes of
having the Philosopher’s Stone (which they seek for meerly to advance
their pride, and the more easily to suppress the truth) vanishing away
with the smoak, they lose all their credit and their good report, and
can find no more such credulous persons that will suffer themselves
to be soothed by their most vain promises. And this is another kind
of those that bestow their labour in vain about this so great a work,
who doe thereby add a great load to their wickedness, by wasting other
mens goods, and deceiving the too credulous, and ruining others as
well as themselves. There are yet a third kind of erroneous searchers,
and who deceive themselves with their vain labour, and they are such
as being a little too credulous and simple when they have lighted
upon some of the Philosophers Writings, and read what vast treasures
are to be gotten by Chymical Labours, doe presently feel an itching
desire after Gold, and being inflamed with the covetous desire of
such hungry treasures, doe apply themselves with unwashen hands (as
we may so say) to the reading of the same, and then follow the bare
letter in their operations. From whence it comes to pass, that (all
things being obscure and dark to them, being ignorant and unskilfull,
and the light of nature not shining upon them) they wander from the
right path, and immerse themselves in the fruitless attempts of vain
Labours. Some there are that have indeed some kind of knowledge of
managing the Fire, and who doe very diligently read over the Writings
of the Philosophers, but yet are quite confounded by their reading
them, seeing that they cannot find out the true Fire, and true matter
of the Stone, which the Philosophers have so obscurely and so variously
written of. For some of them teach the making of the Stone out of
fixt Gold and Silver, and not out of the other immature and volatile
Minerals, because what a Man sowes, that he reaps; others tell us the
quite contrary, and say that there cannot be any better thing made of
fixt Gold and Silver, seeing they are already brought by nature unto
that perfection as not to be reduceable into their first matter, out of
which (said first matter) they affirm that their Universal Medicine is
to be made, and not of fixt Gold and Silver: And therefore rejecting
fixt Gold and Silver, they say that the first Entities (of the said
_Sol_ and _Lune_) being yet Volatile, are the true first matter of
the Philosophers Stone, because they are as yet immature (as they
phrase it) and tender, and fit for the making of those things which we
are desirous to accomplish, which (they tell us) cannot be possibly
made out of those two fixed bodies. And to help forward yet more
confusion, the multiplicity and variety of names, which the matter of
the Philosophers is stiled, is no mean impediment to the understanding.
One bids us seek it in Vitriol, another in _Mercury_, some in _Saturn_,
others in _Magnesia_: And thus is that matter deciphered by various and
innumerable names, insomuch that it is impossible but that he who is
ignorant, and not well versed in these affairs should be hurried into
various doubts and perplexities, being clearly ignorant whether or no
the Philosophers mean the common Vitriol, or a Vitriol extracted out
of the fixed Metals, especially seeing they too and agen affirm, that
their Vitriol _Mercury_ and _Saturn_ are not those vulgar Metals of
Gold, Quicksilver, and Lead. Who therefore I pray could be so wise and
prudent as to rid himself out of the so many confused and intricate
windings of this Labyrinth? Even hence it is that the most learned and
diligent searchers have been wound into so many erroneous Labours, nor
could by any means get clear of those hedg’d up turnings.
Nay yet more, the inconstancy of such as labour is no small impediment,
who (should they have the matter) would not perfect the same by reason
of their fickle inconstantness. For if the Stone does not presently
come forth, and make them masters of what they desire, away they throw
their Books and tread upon them, and load the Authours with curses and
imprecations, accusing them of wicked deceit, in that they have not
written clear enough for every one to understand so great an Art at
the very first dash, and to become a master of such a notable treasure
without any labour at all.
You shall likewise meet with some that are so very wise as that it
seems no ways likely unto them, that so divine a gift can be prepared
out of so vile abject, and contemptible things, whenas though (by their
leave) every good thing (for the most part) is wont to be abject and
mean, and not precious, witness _Sandivow_, who tells us that he had
declared the whole Work to not a few, even from the beginning to the
end, but (by reason of the meanness of the same) they judged it to be
but of small moment, believing that no good could possibly proceed
thencefrom.
Besides too, it oft times happens that even many of those who by their
reading and diligent scrutiny have attained the knowledge of the true
matter, are notwithstanding that ignorant of the true Fire that gives
Tincture unto that true matter, and therefore cannot be masters of
their wishes and desires. Infinite is the number of these and such like
obstacles which impead, and retard the desirous searchers after so
great a Work. For many there be that seek, but few are they that find.
Question 5.
_Whether or no the Philosophers do so much differ amongst each other,
as that one hath prepared that Universal Medicament of this matter, and
another of that?_
_Answer._
Yea, verily they seem much to differ amongst themselves, nor onely
as to the external Letter, but their Opinions also that concern the
very matter it self are very various and discrepant, but yet as to the
Basis and Fundamentals of the truth, there they are of one mind, though
one hath prepared his universal Medicament of one matter, and another
of another matter, and have each (after the finishing of their Work)
described the operation agreeable to their own way of proceeding.
Question 6.
_Whether or no there are more universal matters than one, out of which
the universal Tincture is prepared?_
_Answer._
As far forth as we can gather from the Writings, both of the Ancient
and Modern Philosophers, they have not onely used divers matters, but
also different ways of operation, in the preparing of their Tinctures:
But the Tincture being acquired, each had an universal Medicine, and
was therewithall content, though (I confess) one Medicine was more
virtuous and efficacious than another.
Question 7.
_Which of the Metals and Minerals are to be accounted of as the true
matter of the Stone?_
_Answer._
If you should onely mind the literal sence, the Philosophers then
seem to know a way of preparing their Tincture, not onely out of all
the Metals, but even out of the Minerals too: For they have imposed
so many names upon their matter, calling it one while Gold, another
while Silver, or _Mars_, or _Saturn_, yea and _Magnesia_, Arsenick,
Sulphur, Soot, Urine, Blood, Sperm, _Menstruum_, and I know not how
many absurd names, which have seduced the unskilfull Searchers into
various errours, whereby they have bestowed their Labours, and spent
their Estates upon unprofitable matters, and so lost both their Pains
and Charges.
Question 8.
_Whether or not the Tincture may not be extracted as well out of fixt
Gold and Silver as out of the other imperfect Metals, and immature
and volatile Minerals, seeing that the Philosophers say, that all the
Minerals and Metals have their original out of one and the same root,
and do agree as to their inward Essence, the difference that is between
them consisting onely in the purity or impurity, and in the fixity
or volatility of them. If therefore the pure be but separated from
the impure, and Shell from the Kernel, that separated purity of the
imperfect Metals will give the same that the most pure Gold and Silver
will. Nay more, if it were necessary it mought easily be demonstrated,
that a true Tincture, and wholsome for both the bodies of Men and
Metals, may not onely be prepared out of any Metal and Mineral, but
even out of the Vegetables and Animals themselves too, and that by
reason of their included Sulphur, which is the Father and Original of
all the Metals?_
_Answer._
But what need is there of seeking that in far remote places, which
offers it self nearer at hand? wisely therefore did the Philosophers
reject all the Vegetables and Animals, and other the like unprofitable
things, as to the making the universal Tincture, they expresly advised
us, that such things as you desire to reap, you must sow; and that he
that thinks with himself of bestowing his labours about such operation,
must begin with those things that nature hath left off at and could not
advance to a farther perfection. And what else I pray do Artists seek
for but Gold and Silver? if so, then (as the Philosophers do seriously
admonish us) we must take their Seeds and Sow them, if we would Reap a
much augmented and exalted Crop of Gold and Silver.
Question 9.
_If the case stands thus with these labours, as that those things which
are sown, are again reaped in a multiplied encrease, why is not the
most noble Seed of Gold onely sown? What need is there of adding Silver
thereunto which there’s no appearance (as to the outside view) of any
colour._
_Answer._
Although there be not any apparent colour in the Silver, yet is it
certain that there lies abundance of colour therein hidden, which
notwithstanding does not dissolve it self before it is unlockt and
inverted by the labour and help of the true Chymick Art, and that its
external whiteness be hidden, and its internal redness be brought forth
to light. For verily a true Tincture necessary for the transmutation
of the Metals can never be prepared out of bare simple Gold, without
an addition of Silver thereunto: For Silver is the Matrix of Gold,
in which, this (as being the masculine Seed) germinates, grows and
multiplies its colour.
Question 10.
_This seems to every body a wonder that a red colour should also lie
hidden in white Silver, seeing that there are not a few who think that
even Gold it self does not contain more of colour than it needs for its
own self. How therefore must this be understood?_
_Answer._
As to this, you must not at all mind the external shape, but that which
lies occultly hidden. The internal parts of any Seed are not visible to
the sight, as for example. A Vegetable Seed presents you not with the
sight of any various colours, but when it is committed to the Earth as
to its Matrix, it then sends forth first green Sprouts, then Stalks,
then Leaves, after which succeed most curiously painted colours, that
at last the Seed comes forth with an incredible augmentation, all which
were not visible in the bare Seed.
Consider also the Egg of any Bird, in which no body can discern any
Bird, consisting of such divers and various Members, and adorned with
such delicate Feathers afore the said Bird is hatcht, the Egg being
ripened by an external cherishing heat.
Question 11.
_This similitude of the Seed of a Vegetable, and of a Bird, doth not
a little enlighten my mind and give me encouragement to believe: I
do therefore firmly believe that there is hidden an abundance of
colour not onely in yellow Gold, but also in white Silver it self too,
insomuch that I do assuredly perswade my self, that a constant and most
high Tincture may easily be prepared out of Gold and Silver, and that
it is a very difficult matter to prepare a permanent Fire-brooking
Tincture out of the imperfect Metals and immature Minerals (though they
also hide within their inside bowels most exquisite colours) by reason
of that imperfection and unripeness which they lie under._
_Answer._
Your judgment and opinion is true. For although, the lesser Metals,
as also the Minerals themselves too do hide within their bowels,
the most high colours, and though those very colours may easily be
separated from their unprofitable bodies, yet notwithstanding there is
requisite to such operations a long space of time, great expence, and
hard labour, _viz._ to make such Tinctures constant, permanent, and
fixt by the common Fire of Wood and Coals. But yet he that knows the
secret Fire of the Philosophers, will easily give unto such Tinctures
that constancy in the Fire that is requisite, which otherwise, and by
the common Fire, will very difficultly and hardly ever be effected.
For example, common water will always remain water, and therefore will
never be brought into a stony or metallick nature by the Fire of Wood
or Coals. But a thing may be easily reduced unto that which it was
before: If an hard Stone be turned into pure water, it may be reduced
(even by the help of the common Fire) out of that same Water into a
more pure Stone, and so is it likewise with a Metal, if treated with
the same operation.
But yet I do not deny but that even any common water, or any Stone may
be changed into a Metal, but then I say, it must be done by the help,
not of the common Fire, but of the Fire of the Wise Men, by which Fire,
even the Waters are wont to be changed into Metals in the Earth: For
all Metals and all Stones have their rise out of the Water, and were
at first Water. Whosoever therefore doth well and throughly know this
secret Fire, which the Philosophers have always with their utmost
diligence and care concealed, he may work upon all the first beings
of Gold and Silver, as common Sulphur, Mercury, Antimony, Arsenick,
Auripigment, Cobolt, and others of that kind, and transmute them into
red and white Tinctures. But if he has no knowledge at all of the same,
let him in God’s name apply himself onely to fixt Gold and Silver, and
having volatilized them, turn them into Water, and again turn this same
Water into a fixed Stone, which if he brings but to pass, he enters
upon the nearest way, and will be a master of that which he bestows his
labour in the search of.
Question 12.
_If this be the most compendious way of getting the Philosophers
Tincture, =viz.= out of those known Metals, as fixt Gold and Silver;
Why do some of the Philosophers write that their =Sol= and =Lune= is
not that common and well known Gold and Silver, and that as well the
Poor as the Rich have that =Sol= and =Lune= as is theirs, and may
easily prepare the Tincture it self there out of; so that (it seems)
all such as busie themselves in the searching after that most eminent
Medicine in the common Gold and Silver, do extreamly err?_
_Answer._
These Philosophers that reject the common and well known Gold and
Silver, were clearly ignorant of the knowledge of making of the
Tincture out of them, which had they but known and well understood,
they would not so confidently have affirmed such a thing in their
Writings. But forasmuch as they knew but that one way of making the
Tincture our of the volatile Minerals, and that that way of making it
with fixt Gold and Silver was unknown unto them, they could not mention
unto us any other way than their own; whereas though there are not a
few of the Philosophers, that on the other hand commend unto us the
common Gold and Silver, and reject all the other Metals. Nor is the
number too very small, of such as do confess, that the Tincture may be
made of the more imperfect Metals, and volatile Minerals, but yet with
this caution, that one subject is much easier, speedier, and better to
operate upon than another is.
No Man can all at once clearly know and apprehend every thing, and
therefore it would be much; better for a man to judge onely of the
things he knows, and not censure the things he is ignorant of, that so
the World may not by this means be stuft with so many Writings which
thwart one another. Some there are who perswade themselves, that (when
they do at long run arrive by many turnings and windings unto the wisht
for place) there is no certainer, nor more compendious way than that
which they took in making their Journey. Hence it is, that the Writings
of the Philosophers are so involved with intricate opinions, out of
which no body can well free himself, unless the whole knowledge of
nature be opened unto him: But seeing the number of such is very small,
therefore it must of necessity follow, that they who err are very many,
and that they who become masters of the truth, are but a very few.
Question 13.
_What therefore is it that is necessary for us to know, or what things
must we be furnished withall, when we apply our minds to the search of
so great a secret?_
_Answer._
Forasmuch as the universal Medicine is the gift of God, and not of Man,
it is but just, that the same be sought for at the hands of God, and
not of Men, who (in one night and by a Dream) can reveal those things,
which a Man will not get all his life long by his reading of the many
intricate Books extant; And thus much doth _David_ teach us, saying,
_In vain do you rise up early, and go to Bed loaden with cares, for God
bestows his gifts upon those that love him, even whilst they Sleep_.
Question 14.
_By what means may a gift so divine be obtained from God?_
_Answer._
By daily praying unto him, and by accompanying your Prayers with
daily and diligent Labour. For Prayers alone wont serve turn, unless
the reading of good Authours, and continued Labour be also adjoyned
thereunto. God reveals his good things to mortal Men, by their serious
Prayers, and continual Labours.
Question 15.
_Are all Men fit to beg so great a gift at God’s hands, without any
difference at all, or doth so great a secret require onely some
particular Men’s Supplications, and not admit every one, as if all were
fitted thereunto?_
_Answer._
Verily every body is not fit or worthy to be a master of the same. For
should it be granted every one, this so exquisite an Art, and of so
great a concernment, would become as common as the baking of Bread, and
brewing of Ale, but this is contrary to the command of God, who wills
not, that the Goat should have so long a Tail as the Cow, for so in
Pride she may smite out her own Eyes. God well knows when, and where to
give, and who it is that merits such great favours. But however this is
an undoubted truth that the proud shall never obtain any good thing at
the hands of God.
Whosoever therefore has a desire after great things, let him throughly
search his heart, and see if it be upright and sincere towards God, or
no, and it is necessarily expedient for him well to examine himself,
(before he sets about the Labours of so great an _Arcanum_) for this
reason, lest it should happen to him, as it did to that ambitious and
proud Guest, who (as Christ teacheth) sate himself down in the chiefest
place of the Feast, which he was not worthy of, and was afterwards
constrained (to his great shame and reproach) to yield the same to a
worthier and honester Man than himself.
Question 16.
_How must such a Man be qualified, that desires to obtain from God by
his Prayers, so great a secret, and by his Labours to bring it to a
final end?_
_Answer._
First of all an _Arcanum_ of so great an importance requires a free
Man, and such an one as is not bound to any other, nor intangled
with any other humane affairs, that so being in a quiet and silent
possiture, he may by his daily Prayers sue unto God for his Blessing,
and may be at leisure continually to read good Authours, and to let
no time slip wherein his Labours are required. Then farther, such a
Man must likewise be pious and liberal, and forward in helping of
the Poor: he must also be no Tatler, he must have a good and sound
mind, and be given to temperance and sobriety. He must not do as the
_roving Mountebank_ doth, insinuating himself one while into this
Man’s Acquaintance, another while into that Mans: He must not be over
credulous, presently to believe every ones pretension: He must not mind
his sole benefit nor be prone to covetousness, and aim at grasping all
unto himself. He must not be of an unconstant mind, but expect and wait
for (with a patient and constant Resolution) the end of that which
his desire inclines him to, and therefore he must not be presently
enraged, or be affected with a wearisomness if it should so happen unto
him as not to have every thing presently answering his expectation.
He does not propose unto himself the getting of great honours in the
World, and of having in his hands power and authority, but rather aims
at the honour of God, and the helping and succouring the poor sick
and distressed ones. Farther yet, he must be furnished with necessary
means, lest he be constrained through the want of Coals, Materials,
and other necessaries, to leave off the Work he has begun. But he
must especially have God always before his Eyes, and expect the happy
event from him alone, and attribute nothing at all to his own peculiar
Wisedom, and be daily at his Prayers, and labour without ceasing, and
with a patient mind wait on the Lord for a successfull end.
Briefly he that is studious after such a secret, must so lead his life,
as to walk unblamably both before God and Man.
Question 17.
_Which of these two ways is most safe and most easie for the attainment
of this divine gift, that which makes use of the common Gold and
Silver, or that which useth the unknown, and as yet volatile Gold of
the Philosophers?_
_Answer._
You must know that both ways are good, and lead you on to your wished
end, if they be but rightly and orderly according to Art proceeded
withall.
Question 18.
_By what means shall an unskilfull beginner, and one who is ignorant of
so great an Art, enter upon the right way, and not err, whenas he hath
not any one to guide him as it were along by the hand?_
_Answer._
Who shewed the way unto the other Philosophers that were before us?
were not all of them (some few excepted who confess that they learned
the Art from good Friends) constrained to learn the same out of the
Books of the Ancients, and by the divine Revelation?
Question 19.
_Where may a Man find such good and well disposed Friends who will shew
the way to him that is unskilfull?_
_Answer._
Such men are wondrous rare, and indeed good reason have they so to be,
and to deal warily and wisely in revealing such notable secrets. It is
not engraven on each Man’s Forehead, whether he be good or evil; we
rarely meet with any example, whereby it hath appeared, that even a
Father hath disclosed to his Son so great a secret before his death.
Nay more, if Parents have left ought written for their Children at
their death; yet hath it been so intricate as that they could not do
any good on it without divine Revelation. And upon this very account
have divers such desisted from the work, finding that the Writings
which their Parents left them were fully as hard to be understood
as those written by other Authours, and which were not penned and
published for the sake of their Children, but for the sake of all
others in general.
Question 20.
_What use are such intricate and obscure Writings of? would it not
have been better that they had not Written at all? If they had but
onely disclosed the true matter, it would have afforded the searching
inquirers more light, and they would have been able more easily to have
apprehended the truth?_
_Answer._
No surely, it would not have been better, if they had passed over so
weighty a thing in silence. Whence I pray should we their Successours
have known, that there is such an excellent Medicament in nature? The
Books they have written do remove from us even every Scruple of doubt,
and cause us to believe, that there hath been, is, and may be made such
an universal Medicament, if God permits. The reason why they have not
jumpt together in disclosing the matter of the Stone with one unanimous
consent, is this, because one used this matter, another that, for the
making of their universal Tincture, and so each of them have described
the way of making the same after his own way. Hence it is, that one
hath delivered this manner, but another that hath proceeded another way
could not give us the self same accompt of making it just as the other
did, but hath hinted unto us onely, the way which he himself used.
The greatest difference is about the matter onely of the Stone; one
part of them saith that the common and fixt _Sol_ and _Luna_ is the
matter of the Stone, and lays by or rejects all other Subjects.
Another part affirms that a volatile and an unripe Gold is the Master
of the same, and that the common _Sol_ and _Luna_ are to be wholly
waved as being unprofitable for the matter of the Stone. Moreover the
Philosophers in their description of making the Stone mention a dry
way and a moist way, a long way and a short way, a common Fire and a
secret Fire, which they used in the ripening of their Tinctures. And
now (on this accompt) it could not otherwise be; but that they should
publish such unlike, dubious, and thwarting Writings, which have
rendred the way of finding out the truth so difficult and intricate,
and have led the Lovers of the Art into such abundance of Errours, and
fruitless Labours. The common Fire I wish, is destitute of the power
of ripening volatile Gold, and reducing it into a Tincture, which that
secret Fire, continually burning with its flame in the glass upon the
matter of the Stone, is able to effect. Now besides the common Fire,
there must necessarily be the assistance of the moist Fire, which being
kindled by the Fire of Coals and made efficacious, doth radically
conjoin the fixt Gold and Silver, brings them unto a volatility, and
makes them again constant in the Fire. This way (in my judgment) is
the shortest, easiest and safest of all; for it makes the fixt _Sol_
and _Luna_ spiritual and volatile in three days time, and turns them
into the _Mercury_ of the Philosophers, which white _Mercury_ of the
Philosophers doth afterwards pass in one days space, into the black
Lead of the wise men, if a small Fire be administred thereunto. This
Lead being put into its requisite glass, may (by the help of common
Fire) be reduced (after its changing of Colours) into a constant
Tincture.
And now though the ripe and fixt Gold cost and be far dearer than the
immature _Sol_ is, yet that’s no matter, for there needs not a pound
of Gold to be used about the compleating of this work, but half a
pound onely, or else but two or three ounces, that so the operation
may be the sooner ended. Nor will he that shall once have brought one
half Ounce unto a due perfection, need such a deal of Gold, for he
wants not Gold any more, wherewith to begin the operation a new. And
although on the other hand the maturation of the immature Gold by the
secret Fire doth not require so much expence as the common Gold doth,
yet it requires more time for its perfection. Besides too, the moist
way is always subject to more Casualty and Hazard, and requires a much
longer time to bring it to the desired perfection. It is therefore at
every man’s pleasure, to choose which of these two ways pleaseth him,
onely he must proceed warily and prudently. And if he should chance to
commit some Errour once or twice, yet will not such Errours be of any
great detriment unto him, if he can but at last arrive unto the wisht
for end, and reap the multiplied and manifold Fruits of his Crop. Thus
much was I willing (and indeed ought) to communicate of my opinion
(concerning the universal Medicine) unto the Disciples of _Hermes_, but
yet without prescribing (or obtruding my thoughts) upon any one, but
leaving every one to his own Conceptions.
Mean while I would advise every one not to attempt a thing of so great
a moment, rashly and inconsiderately, but in the first place accurately
to weigh all things in his mind, as to what may be done, and what may
not, lest he repent him at last and be quite tired with his fruitless
Labours. For it is no mean slight business to prepare the true Tincture
of the Philosophers, neither is it given unto every man to have the
knowledge and possession of so great a Work.
Question 21.
_Would it not be a very convenient thing for two or three Friends to
joyn their hands together, and help each other by their mutual Labour
and Expences, and so ease that trouble which otherwise one alone must
undergo? Or if any one be so minded as to attempt the work alone,
would it not be better for him to get him some faithfull and diligent
Operatour, whose help he might make use of, in the promoting and
forwarding of his Operations._
_Answer._
For my part, I would not advise any one to do thus. For when a work
of so great a moment is to be undertaken, and to be accomplished by
the common mutual Expence and Labour of others, the Affairs are then
obnoxious to no small hazard, and for the most part come short of the
hop’d for event, by reason of the most different Opinions amongst men,
concerning which the Comœdian said very right, so many heads so many
opinions, every one hath a peculiar fancy.
Now then, from one desiring this thing another that, there can’t
arise ought else but confused actions and operations, which are so
far from forwarding the work, as that they retard and obstruct the
same. Many Work-men disagreeing amongst themselves, can never build an
House agreeable to the right dimensions of building. And therefore it
is far better for every one to apply himself single and alone to the
performing of so great a work, and quietly to attend upon the same,
and invoke God’s help alone, and leave off his expectations from man,
amongst whom fidelity and love, are like the rare Bird in the Earth,
and as scarce as a black Swan! Nay even the friendship of brethren
is wondrous rare, and (which is worst of all) the bond of friendship
is too often broken asunder betwixt Parents and Children. The golden
Alphabet doth likewise in its beginning teach us the very same, saying,
trust in God onely, and in him place thy hope, give not any credit to
the promises of man, God onely is faithfull, fidelity is banished out
of the World.
’Tis sufficiently evident, what kind of doings there is in the Courts
of great men, you’l there find 2, 3, 4, or more Chymical Operatours
busily imployed about making the Philosophers Stone, for they seek
after nothing less, but yet by reason of their ignorance, they effect
but very little or nothing at all, for the main thing that they mind
is to strut it bravely out in their Silks and gay Apparel, and to have
their Tables furnished with plenty of various Dishes, and generous
Wines and Drinks, whereby they may stuff their Bellies; and this is
clearly testified by daily experience: and as for taking to ones self
an Operatour, that is more hazardous than the other, where the work
is attempted by a confederacy, at their common mutual Expences and
Labour. For seeing you cannot make an inspection into any man’s heart,
whereby to know what Monster he there cherisheth, and what good or evil
he has hidden in the inside of his heart, you cannot possibly promise
your self any certainty of his taciturnity or fidelity, and therefore
plainly ignorant must you needs be whether the man you would take to
assist you be faithfull and no tatler. Verily even the common Labour
cannot be committed to such men without hurt and damage, but great
Arcana’s cannot be left to their care without assured loss of all.
’Tis wondrous rare to find a Servant so faithfull, who (after he hath
slily gotten the knowledge of one or two Secrets though but trifling
ones too) does not presently perswade himself, that now he’s a skilfull
Artist enough, and no longer needs the instructions and manuductions
of any other. These kind of perverse men being by thus (evilly
perswading themselves) seduced, are presently wont secretly to withdraw
themselves, or if haply they do stay yet longer with their Master, they
behave themselves so malepertly and unmannerly, as that they spoil the
things committed to their Charge merely to accomplish this end that
their Master may dismiss them. If therefore you will not wink at and
suffer them to spoil and destroy, by their saucy regardless Labours
the things they have under their hands, but are constrained to put
away these most ungratefull and plainly unmindfull men of the benefits
they have received, yet will they not acquiesce here with an honest
dismission and parting, but will every where gnaw and wound thy good
name by abundance of reproachfull Stories, as being now thus opiniated
that they far excel you, their Master in Wisdom, Skill and Knowledge.
But yet I except in this place those Servants that are honest, pious
and diligent, and that love vertue, and make a conscience of their
ways. For the Devil has not got the possession of all men’s hearts,
for there are some Chymical Operatours to be found who are so faithfull
unto their Masters, as that could they of a farthing make a Florin for
their Masters, they would most cheerfully do it. But yet these men are
so very rare, that scarce one in ten can be found that you may give
credit to, and trust. And my own thirty years experience hath taught
me, and therefore I tell you no more than what my self have to my own
detriment experienced. Read but what _Paracelsus_ hath written of these
perfidious Knaves, amongst other things he confesseth, that thirteen
of his Servants came under the Hangman’s lash, and that of them all he
found but one faithfull, (and that was _Operinus_) and yet he (after
_Paracelsus_ his death) did manifestly enough bewray his dissimulation
and unfaithfulness; for he did not onely load him with reproaches, but
also published slanderous Writings of him. This is the thankfulness the
World is wont to repay for the good that is done it, shun therefore
such as these the most you can, for they neither fearing God nor
reverencing men, make no matter at all of either opposing the most
apparent truths, or of defending it by most manifest and evident Lies.
And although the malicious wickedness of a man, be not presently known,
yet notwithstanding it bewrays it self by the slanderous reproachfull
lies, with which it requites the good turns done him by his Neighbour.
Thus much I judg’d worth while to communicate to all the Disciples of
the Hermetick Art, that so they may learn to beware of these kind of
Harpies.
Question 22.
_Seeing it is not good to enter into friendship or consortship with
others, in order to the attempting so great a work: And seeing a man
runs a greater hazard in taking to himself an unknown Operatour, haply
it would be the best way to seek after some particular Medicament which
may be serviceable for the benefit of both high and low, and which may
not onely prove helpfull unto the poor, but also by which a necessary
Sustenance may be found even amongst the rich, and so by this means may
a man lead a quiet life._
_Answer._
This advice or determination I confess seems far better and more safe
than the two former, but even this too needs a provident wariness,
_viz._ if a man should haply (by his sedulous search) acquire the
knowledge of some eminent and excellent Medicaments, he must take heed
lest by presently making every one partaker of the same, he pulls
damage on his own head. For ’tis an usual custom amongst wicked men
to endeavour (assoon as they find any one gifted by God with such a
blessing) to get it our of the breast of the Possessour of the same, by
most cunning Subtilties, and promise even golden Mountains, and such as
they are never able to perform. And if once thou let’st the Art pass
but out of thy hands and come within the Clutches of other men, thou
may’st well fear in the first place lest it should be made publick,
and so thy self be deprived of the benefit of the same, though they
whom thou hast trusted with the same have bound their credit with the
firmest obligations imaginable, and this now is to be understood of
such men from whom such bonds as they call them may be demanded. But
as for the great ones that are wont to give onely their words (and
stand upon that) when they have got any _Arcanum_, they are wont to
deliver it to their Chymical Operatours to make, for themselves are
partly ignorant of Chymical Operations, and partly let not their own
hands to work; if their Operatours be skilfull in Chymical Operations
and bring the same to the expected end, you shall be presented with
some small reward, and even of this too will he (whose charge the
presenting of it is committed unto) keep to himself the better half.
This now is done unwittingly to their Masters, and who dares inform
them of such deceitfull Servants, and purchase to himself the envy and
hatred of the Courtiers? And so those who are commanded to bring thee
good sweet Milk, do themselves first take away the sweet fat Cream, and
then bring thee the sour Whey. But if for the more surety, thou sendest
any Servant that may be there at the perfecting of the Operations, he
will (if faithfull satisfie thee; if not, he will present thee with as
much of the reward as himself pleaseth. Thus hath it hapned unto me,
for ’mongst other Servants I have had such, that in their Cups have
impudently boasted of such kind of theft, and have prevented me of a
present or two that belonged unto me, and have made themselves merry
therewithall.
These and other such like inconvencies are wont to happen upon
the revealing of _Arcanums_, though they should fully answer the
expectation of those whom they are revealed unto. But if it should
happen that those Chymical Operatours should by reason of their
ignorance commit some Errour in their Labour, or should have no mind
to the work as being a little more troublesome than ordinary, fearing
lest the Sparks of the Coals should light upon their Silken Garments,
and that their hands should be defiled with the blackness of the Coals,
they presently perswade their Lords, that the _Arcanum_ which was
thus revealed is false, and that you are a cheat and a mere vapour,
and so they do not onely rob thee of thy good name, but do likewise
by their fraudulent and lying tricks deceive their Masters affirming
those things to be false, which notwithstanding are most certainly
true. Several Letters I have by me, written unto me from such Court
Operatours, in which they confess that they have wrought up (or made)
those _Arcanums_ (which were sent them) not without good Success, and
that therefore they would desire yet greater ones than those: but yet
they have afterwards spread obroad a false report, and said that they
never could receive any benefit by them at all. And that fruit or
reward which was due unto me for my discovery, themselves intercepted,
some got them fat Offices, others were gifted with Nobility and Money.
And so indeed is it an usual thing for those that dress the Vines, and
press the Grapes and make the Wine, to be (by a forc’t put) content
with the Husks, whilst the idle and such as work not, drink up the
Wine. Far better is it therefore, for every one to press out his own
Grapes. By this means will a man know what is his, what he has, and
what he does, whereby he may use his own things as best likes him. Now
then well may the man that knows many Secrets be deterred by the so
many and such adverse Chances, from making others partakers also of the
same, and well may he esteem it much better to enjoy the few things God
hath bestowed on him, with a quiet mind, than to expect many things
(but with a great deal of danger) from others.
And thus much shall suffice to have been premised by way of _Questions_
and _Answers_. Now follows the use of some eminent _Arcanums_ and
incomparable Medicaments, which have been mentioned in the Books I last
published, one of which treats of occult Fires, and the other contains
three Dialogues.
_Of the Lyon, or of the Bloud of the Lyon, or Gold, how it is to be
prepared, and to be most profitably used as well in Medicine as
in other Arts._
As concerning the way of preparing this Bloud of Gold, it is already
described in the first Dialogue, and its adjoyned Corollary, insomuch
that there needs no fuller declaration in this place. But yet you are
to know that I have met with (since the writing the first Dialogue)
a far easier and more compendious way of converting or turning any
Gold, even in a moment, into Bloud, by the help of our occult _Sal
Armoniack_. But this Bloud is not to be used in Medicine, as it is
_per se_, because of the _Sal Armoniack_, which transmutes the Gold
and changeth it into Bloud. For these sharp Saline and Corrosive
Spirits are unprofitable, and hurtfull in Medicine, and are therefore
to be separated from the Gold, which is done by the pouring on of
common Water or Rain water, which imbibes the Spirits of the Salts,
and precipitates the most red Powder of the Gold to the bottom of the
Vessel. This Powder must be well wash’t by several waters, and be
well freed from all its saltishness; which being so freed, may (by
the addition of some Cordial Water) be reduced to the consistence of
a Syrup, and so kept; the Dose whereof may be augmented or diminished
according to the condition of the sick, and the disease. But commonly
so much of this Golden Bloud is sufficient as serves to tinge a
spoonfull of Wine, Ale, or other Vehicle, with a red Colour. It is
usefull in all diseases in which the Heart needs strengthening. But
especially it allays the immoderate Flux of Bloud both in Men and
Women, and cures the Gonorrhea, Leprosie, and French Pox, if the
Body shall be purged with due Purging and Sudorifick Medicaments. It
heals those Pustules in the Skin, the Nose, and other places of the
Face if outwardly anointed with a Feather several times a day. For
it drys vehemently, and makes the Skin it self fair and smooth. And
therefore upon this account it is exceeding profitable for Women that
have naturally pale Faces and Lips, for being laid on, it changeth the
paleness into a comely and natural Colour, especially if a little white
Oil made of Talk be thereto admixed, to temper and allay that most red
Colour of the Gold, and it likewise is a most delicate Fucus for such
Women whose Faces are not onely pale, but also dyed with a duskyish or
yellow Colour, and by means of this Cosmetick or Fucus may they paint
their Faces of a natural Colour. For no Fucus may compare with this,
for it is so commodious and durable that it cannot be distinguished
or known, nor be corrupted as others are, which being done with
Vinegar, sowre Wine, Lemon-juyce and such like things do presently, by
a breathing on them, turn into a filthy Colour, and bewray a painted
Face. For this Golden Bloud is so very constant, and doth so keep its
most curious Colour, as that it remains safe from all injury of the
Elements.
Furthermore, this Bloud (before it is freed from its Saline Spirits)
tingeth the Hair, Skin, Wool, Bones of Beasts, and Feathers of Birds,
with a most delicate purple Colour; which passing into a redness, is
so constant, as that no sharp Waters can corrupt it, and therefore it
is far beyond all other purple Colours, what name soever called by, and
worthily may it be accounted for a kingly Colour.
It would be too long to reckon up in this place its various other
uses: It serves in Medicine for the tinging of divers Confections and
Cordial Waters, which Colour is much nobler, and more profitable than
those wherewith Confectio Alkermes and Cordial Waters are wont to be
tinged. ’Tis evident that the Colour of Gold doth rather benefit than
hurt the Sick, which if the said Confections or Cordial Waters are
coloured withall, they become the fairer, and they are rendred yet more
delicate, if the Atoms of Gold, being thereunto adjoyned, fly about
in the Wine or Water like so many very small Stars. For if to an _Aq.
Vitæ_, which is already tinged with the Bloud of Gold, a little of
the said Atoms be admixt, they will shine out of that delicate purple
Colour, like the most bright _Aurora_ (or day-break) in the Heavens.
This is a most excellent way of making _Aq. Vitæ’s_, for the Atoms of
the Gold are so very subtile, as that they easily admit of concoction
and digestion by the heat of the Stomach, and emit their Virtues, which
those common Gold leaves which are mixt with _Confectio Alkermes_, _Aq.
Vitæ_, and such like compositions onely for ornaments sake, doe not
doe: And therefore they are no ways comparable to those Atoms of ours.
’Tis no small trivial matter that I disclose unto you, and verily it
would be well worth the while for the Apothecaries shops of noble men
to esteem highly of the same: And as for what and how great things may
farther be done with this same Tincture of Gold, as to the Metallick
matter, may be found in the first Dialogue.
_An easie way of making and preparing the Atoms of Gold._
Dissolve an Ounce and an half of Gold in strong Spirit of Salt, or
if you are not furnished with this Spirit, then dissolve the same in
common _Aq. Reg._ and pour upon the Solution one pound or two of Rain
water, whereto is admixt about one pound of Rhenish Wine, mix them
altogether in a glass, and shake them well, and shut the glass close
that no dust fall therein, set it by for some days in a warm place that
so the Gold may precipitate out of the Water, and settle to the bottom
of the Vessel in the likeness of most curious small Stars. But if all
the Gold shall not be precipitated in this time, set then the Glass in
a B, and let the Solution boil a while; then when it is again cool,
set by the Vessel some-where that the Gold may settle, which being
dissolved into Atoms, (and the Water and Wine poured neatly off) is to
be taken out of the Glass, and to be often wash’t with pure water: So
shall you have the Atoms of Gold, which you may safely make use of in
Medicine.
_N. B._ But you are to note, that it is impossible for the Gold to be
by thus proceeding so dissolved as for nothing at all thereof to remain
in the dissolving water. And therefore ’tis necessary that you separate
the residue of the Gold out of the water by precipitation. And in my
other Writings will you meet with several ways of separating the same.
These most fine and subtile Atoms of Gold may you also make use of with
most notable profit even in other Chymical operations, concerning
which you will find clear instructions in other places of my Writings.
And forasmuch as I here make mention of a most excellent _Aq. Vitæ_,
it seems in my Judgment necessary and profitable to add here a full
description of the same, together with the use thereof.
_The way of making a Golden =Aq. Vitæ=, and such as never as yet
hath been described and published unto us by any Physician._
Take of the best and purest Salt-petre, and of white and pure Tartar,
each one pound, of yellow Sulphur half a pound, make these matters
into Powder, and having well mixt them, put them into a Crusible, and
by putting thereunto a live Wood coal, kindle them, that they may take
fire and burn up; and leave a yellow mass behind in the Crusible;
which being molten in the fire, and turned forth into a Mortar, will
give you a fiery sulphureous Stone, biting the tongue by reason of
its sharpness. Now whilst it is yet warm, powder it, for it presently
attracts (when cool) humidity out of the Air, and admits not of
pulverization. Being powdered, pour thereupon two or three pounds of
the best Spirit of Wine, and set it by in a cold place for some days,
but with this proviso, that you daily shake or stir your matter in the
Vessel with the Spirit of Wine: By this means will the Spirit of Wine
attract a red Tincture out of the Sulphur, and will withall acuate it
self with the Salt, by the Calcined Tartar, then filter this Spirit
of Wine by Cap-paper or a Filter, as they call it, and draw off two
third parts by distillation in a B, that so you may have your Spirit
again, but of a very pleasing tast and smell, which it gets out of the
Sulphur, as out of the Center of all odour.
This Spirit of Wine, having the following Spices and Flowers steeped
therein, and being again distilled off in a B, will give thee an
efficacious Cordial Spirit of Wine, which said Spirit you may colour
red, with the Tincture of the Gold, and by the apposition of as much of
the Atoms of the Gold as is sufficient, make it Aureous. Now as much
as there shall be in quantity of this same Spirit, you may thereto
afterwards add so much sweet volatile Spirit of Gold, as will allay the
overmuch heat of the said Vinous Spirit. But that this yet overmuch
heat may be yet more allayed, and that the strong odour it self of
the Aureous Spirit may be corrected, you may therein dissolve about
some four ounces of Sugar-candy beaten into fine Powder, and this will
make this truely Aureous _Aq. Vitæ_ most sweet. This most incomparable
_Aq. Vitæ_ may be used in all the Sicknesses of the Body most safely
and most profitably where the Vital Spirits the Heart and Brain need
strengthening. For the Aromatical Spirit of Wine doth even _per se_
corroborate the Vital Spirits, and now the Spirit of Gold makes it more
potent and effectual, and the Atoms of the Gold too, doth render it
yet more vertuous, insomuch that this _Aq. Vitæ_ bears away the Bell
from all others, nor can a better and more powerfull be prepared. For
not onely the red Tincture of the Gold, but likewise even the Gold
it self being thus turned into Atoms, is constrained to undergo the
concoction and digestion of the Stomach of Mankind: And therefore
where ’tis used, the Excrements are generally black, which could not
be if the Gold past forth again undigested. Seeing therefore it is an
undoubted truth, that it is thus overcome and subdued by the Stomach’s
digestion, it cannot be but that by its most wholsome operation it
must needs prove helpfull to the sick body. Besides too, I think it
not amiss to tell you, that the very Excrements (save your presence)
of those sick Patients that daily make use of this _Aq. Vitæ_, are not
to be thrown away, for they will even yet afford some small benefit,
if they are laid to the roots of Vines to dung them with, for it will
make the Vines produce such Grapes as have their Stones speckled with
little Golden Stars, as my self have tried. And perhaps something of
greater moment may be effected in the Metallick trade by such kind of
Excrements, though I confess ’tis needless, seeing good may be done
upon them by other ways.
_The Spices and Flowers which are to be extracted by the aforesaid
Alcolizated Spirit of Wine, and to be used in the Aqua Vitæ_.
Take the Flowers of the Lilly of the Valley three ounces, Of Red Roses,
Cinamon, Mace, Cardamoms, Borage, Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, two ounces,
of Ambergrease, Musk, a scruple. All these Flowers fresh gathered
are to be put, with the dry Spices, into the Spirit of Wine, and are
to be therein macerated, and then distilled. If you can’t get fresh
Flowers, you must even content your self with dried ones, but yet the
fresh-gathered are better if they can be had.
_The Use of the Universal Medicament described in my second
Dialogue._
The vertue and efficacy of this Medicament is of such a large extent,
as cannot be comprehended nor apprehended by humane understanding. It
is prepared of the immature, and as yet volatile, and not fire-brooking
Mineral, called by the Philosophers the _Magnesia_ of _Saturn_.
When this black Mineral is purged from all gross impurity, and reduced
into a most white and delicate Colour, and is in the form of a most
delicate, fine, bright, and very ponderous Powder, it may be used
with notable benefit about the curing of the most grievous diseases.
It casts forth out of the Body of Man all hurtfull things, and that
both by a visible and invisible operation, freeing and purging it
of all hurtfull and ill humours, beyond all other Medicaments, what
name soever distinguish’t by. It shews incredible Vertues in a very
little Dose, insomuch that there hath not been found hitherto any
Medicament, which being exhibited in so small a quantity, hath shown
such incredible efficacy. And although Antimonial Medicines are notably
vertuous, and cause every one to wonder at them, as appears by my
Golden _Panacæa_, and my _Panacæa_ of Antimony, which for this twenty
years space have been famous all over Europe, yet can they not be in
any case compared to this Universal Medicament.
1. For first of all, they are far inferiour in virtues to this, for one
grain of this will do more than two, three, or four grains of the other
can effect.
2. Secondly, this is heavier and more ponderous than the others, for
one ounce of this will lie in less room than three, four, or five times
as much of my Antimonial, or of my golden _Panacæa_, and therefore is
it much easier and more commodious to be taken by the Sick.
3. Thirdly, this is also to be preferred before the others if you
consider them as to tast and smell, for this hath neither odour nor
tast, whereas that Antimonial and the golden _Panacæa_ have always some
odour and tast of the Salts, and for that reason do breed a nauseate
and loathing in the Sick if often used.
Therefore I have determined with my self to substitute this universal
Medicament, in the room of my _Panacæa_ made of Antimony, and the
rather for this reason, because Deceivers and Cheaters have made a red
Powder of Antimony, and perfidiously sold the same for my _Panacæa_;
but now this deceit of theirs must end, for they will never be able
by all their deceitfull imitations to counterfeit this ponderous
Medicament void both of smell and tast.
As for the Dose of this Medicament, there must care be had that scarce
one quarter part so much of it, be administred as is wont to be of my
_Panacæa_ of Antimony. There must scarce be given the tenth or twelfth
part of one grain at one time, to such Infants as are under six Months
old, and which are afflicted with the Epilepsie or Convulsions, the
Small Pox or Measels, the Feavers or such like Diseases. To such as
are upwards of six Months, even to 12, 13, or 14 Months old, an 8th.
6th. or 4th. part of a grain may be administred, to such as are 2, 3,
6, 8, or 10 Years old, ¼ or ⅓ part of a grain may be given. To such as
are upwards of 10, even to 20 years old, ½ a grain, or ¾ or at utmost
but 1 whole grain may be administred. Those that are between the 20th.
or 50th. Years of their age, may use 1 grain or 1 gr. and ½, nor must
they exceed 2 grains at most. From the 50th year, all the rest of their
age even to their lives end, the Dose of this universal Medicament
is to be again lessened, for old age is not able to brook so much as
youth, and as a Man in the prime of his years can. But however you
may administer this so notable an universal Medicament to every age,
pleasantly, safely, and without any danger at all, if a due Dose be but
observed: Insomuch that you need not fear to administer the same even
to Women with Child. But yet the lesser half part of the Dose which
other Men use is enough for them. In Feavers it must be given afore
the Fit, in the Plague as soon as it’s felt and afterwards too, in the
Dropsie once (or if that one Dose be not sufficient) twice every month;
in the Gout and Stone twice a Week; in the Leprosie, French Pox, and
such like Diseases as arise from the impurity of the Bloud, thrice a
Week, in obstructions of the Milt, Liver, Mesentery, once a Week; in
the Epilepsie, Madness, and other preternatural affects of the Head,
let it be given twice a Week, and this so long till the evil be quite
removed. The affects of the Chollick will need a Dose every day before
they cease. This is the manner of curing the aforesaid Diseases of the
Body and all others, by the help of this universal Medicament. Which
being used inwardly performs things incredible, and doth likewise work
admirably in all dangerous wounds, open or running Sores, as well old
as new, the Cancer, Fistula, and the like.
Being inwardly taken once in eight days it consumes all untoward Salt
Humours, and hinders them from running to the Wounds or Sores, and
making them by that means worse and more dangerous. But yet you must
likewise apply externally excellent Balsams and Emplaisters, such as
are mentioned in my third Century, that so the Wounds and Ulcers being
duely purged, may admit of help by the applied Remedies and be the more
easily cured.
This also is to be considered in the using of this Medicament, the
Sick is to lie in his Bed four or five hours at least after he hath
taken it, nor must he either eat or drink all that time, and he must
abide all that day in Bed, or at least in his Chamber, for the avoiding
of the Air, nor must he sleep afore the Medicament hath finisht its
operation.
The Vehicles which it is to be mixt with, and to be taken in, are
Wine, Ale, the warm Broath of Flesh, Syrups, Conserves of Roses,
fresh Butter, roasted Apples, and such like. Neither is it amiss to
make a light Supper, and feed upon easily digestable Food, and which
may make the Stomach more apt and fit for purging, the night afore
you are to take the Medicine the next morning: And those are Prunes,
Raysons, and other such like Food, as by their laxative property make
the tough and viscous humours slippery and softer; when the operation
is over, the sick Patient is to avoid hard meats and strong drinks,
nor must he presently stuff his Stomach therewithall, but rather use
much temperance the next day after his purgation, and feed onely upon
the Broaths of Herbs, as Chervil, Fennel, Spinach, and the like,
whereby the Medicament may operate the more easily, but it will yet
more readily perform its operation, if just at your administring it
you add a Drachm of pure white powdered Tartar, and boil it with a
Drachm of Sugar, or (which is better) some Manna, in some pure clean
Water, and so drink it warm, which said potion following after your
Medicament first taken, is wont well to purge and cleanse the Stomach
and Intestines.
And this is the use of our Mineral Medicament, which if you do but
accurately regard, there will no errour be committed, and the said
Medicament will (by its laudable operation) abundantly satisfie
every ones desires. But we have now said enough of this incomparable
Medicament in the form of a Powder. But if this Powder be reduced, by
melting it into small Stones of the colour of Milk, it then requires
another way of using it. If therefore you would use one of the said
Stones, instead of the aforesaid Powder, and purge and free the Body
hereby from all hurtfull humours, you must then put it for some hours
in a spoonfull of Wine, and so drink off the Wine, and it will effect
the same operation, that the Powder is wont to do. But yet you must
be wary in the use of these Stones, that you do not wast and spend
the strength of the Sick so much, but that there may be but just as
much as is requisite for them, and as they can bear. But when their
strength is spent, you must put in a greater or lesser Stone into
the Wine to be imbibed; but an Infant is not so strong, nor can bear
so much as a strong Man can, whose strength is far greater. It is
therefore necessary that those, who desire happily to cure the Diseases
of mankind by the help of these Stones do (for the first time) leave
one of these Stones one, two, or three hours in the Wine, and then
heedfully mind the operation of the said Wine when drunk off. If the
operation be to his mind, he may always observe that length of time, as
it lay in the said Wine. If the operation be less than what you would
have it be, it may lie longer; if stronger and greater than what you
would have it, it must lie less while in the Wine, and thus by this
provident forecast may you so order it, as to have it just to your mind.
Now, although the use of this Medicament in the form of a Stone be far
better than using it in the form of a Powder as being more pleasant,
and more gratefull, yet notwithstanding it is better for him that
cannot so accurately observe the use of the same, to make use of the
Powder it self, that so they may be the surer of what they do. But
they that do know the way of using the said Stones, they need not use
the body of the Powder, forasmuch as they who drink that Wine wherein
the Stones are macerated, may have the fruition of the virtues alone,
without the corporeity. Those very Stones too, though they are several
times steeped in the Wine, do not (I confess) lose their virtues, but
yet they grow less especially if (for the stronger purgations sake)
they are boiled in the Wine which is poured upon them, for the boiling
diminisheth its little body, and lessens the Stone. And these are the
directions which concerns the use both of the Stones, and of the Powder
it self, in the taking away and purging out all the hurtfull and evil
humours in Man’s Body, both in young and old.
The body therefore being sufficiently purged by our said universal
Medicament, it will be expedient (for the prevention of a relapse) to
observe a due Dyer, and to hold such a Stone in their mouths a quarter
or half an hour every day, which will attract unto it self not a little
vicious tough moisture, out of the Brain and Stomach, which you are to
spit out so often, and so long, untill there flows no more plenty of
waterishness into the mouth. This attraction will much ease the Brain
and Stomach, and free it from noxious obstructions, and will take
away the preternatural Appetite and Thirst, and so may a Man expect
his Dinner without any preternatural Appetite. For when the internal
Vessels of the Body of Man, as the Spleen, the Liver, the Mesentery,
are obstructed with tough humours, and the Stomach it self is stuft
with these obstructions, insomuch that for some hours after his rising
out of his Bed, he is usually troubled with a preternatural Hunger
and Thirst, and with a debility and faintness of his Members; many
think that these inconveniencies can be averted by Food and Drink, but
they are out. For experience teacheth that the weakness of such Men
is increased by eating and drinking a little, so far is it from being
capable of being removed and taken away by such means.
From whence it is clearly manifest that that weakness is not to be
imputed to the want of meat and drink, but rather to the obstructions
of those inward Vessels, which hindring the passage of the Vital Spirit
to the Nerves, which it ought to strengthen, doth of necessity cause
such a debility and weakning of the Members, and begets in the Stomach
a preternatural Appetite. If therefore such obstructions be by little
and little taken away by the daily use of these Stones, so that those
tough humours cannot encrease, it must necessarily follow, that the
Disease must give place by little and little too, and be diminished
and consequently the former good health must follow with a prolongation
of the Life.
The Stomach therefore being beset with such tough and Melancholy
humours, it cannot possibly be that they should so very easily be
expelled, but ’tis behoovefull, that the Wine wherein the Stone hath
been boiled be drunk, and so cast them forth: And that Stone may be
afterwards held in the mouth (according to the aforementioned way) for
conservation sake of health. But if it should happen that those tough
humours of the nauseate and weak Stomach, and those clammy obstructions
of the Vessels, and that preternatural Hunger and Thirst should not
be taken away by this way of healing; ’tis a sign that all these
inconveniencies have a deeper rooting and cannot be thoroughly removed
by the said Medicaments. And therefore such Remedies as are stronger
and more powerfull are to be made use of, which may soften those
tenacious humours of the Stomach, may incide them, and cast them out,
and may unlock all the obstructions of the body, and open the passages
of the Vital Spirit, to enter unto all the Members, and may strengthen
the weakned Stomach, whereby it may be capable of concocting the meats
it takes, with a laudable digestion, and generate good and laudable
bloud.
Forasmuch therefore as such an efficacious Medicament as is fit to take
away all the obstructions of the inward Bowels, and Vessels, and to
corroborate a weak Stomach, is to be found but with a very few, it hath
seemed good unto me, to reveal at present such a Medicament (for the
sake of mankind) and which is so efficacious a Remedy, as I dare boldly
affirm the like thereof hath not for above these hundred years last
past been in the hands of any Physician, but was found out by my self
by divine instinct, and which I here publish with a willing mind.
_The Preparation thereof is as follows._
Take of new and strong smelling _Myrrh_, and of the purest and clearest
_Aloes_, and of the best English _Saffron_, of each one, two, or three
ounces. Beat them all into Powder, and pour thereupon the strong,
operative, and _volatile Spirit of_ Mars, (of which I have made mention
in my Book of Fires) and dissolve as much thereof as will dissolve, to
the Solution add a little of my _secret Ferment_, which will presently
cause it to ferment. Now before the putting your ferment thereunto,
you must have an Alembeck or Head ready at hand, and Paper and Past
wherewith the Alembeck being put upon the Body, may be well luted, and
suffer nothing to pass out.
For as soon as ever the Ferment, shall be added to the Solution, it
presently begins to ferment, and the glass being placed in Bal. and
feeling the heat, that volatile Spirit of the Iron will ascend readily
and nimbly like the Spirit of Wine, much inferiour thereunto as to its
heat I confess, but yet of a far more penetrating efficacy. The Spirit
being all ascended the remaining humidity is to be drawn off even to
the consistence of honey, but yet so gently, that the remaining Juice
may not at all smell of burning. This done, take out the glass and
let it cool, and pour on upon the Juice after its refrigeration the
same volatile Spirit of _Mars_ which you separated from the matter
by distillation; which Spirit will dissolve that thick Juice, which
being dissolved will become a Balsam of a strong Odour, a penetrating
Efficacy, and a red Colour like bloud; which (by reason of its
penetrative Efficacy) is to be kept well shut, and may be accompted of
as a Balsam of Life; for it takes away the obstructions of the whole
body, and doth mightily corroborate and strengthen all the internal
Vessels and Members, and preserves them safe from all corruptions. Nor
is there any Balsam whatever, being brought whencesoever it will, that
is comparable unto this. For it does not onely defend the living bodies
of men from all Diseases, but likewise performs the same effects in the
preservation of the dead bodies from putrefaction, as other Balsams do,
but far more efficaciously: For it penetrates all things, and by its so
admirable vertue keeps them from putrifying, insomuch that no body can
enough admire these so great and wonderfull works of God. Now to try
the truth of this, any man may make proof thereof with a Frog, Mouse,
or such like small Creature.
The use of this same Balsam as to the taking away of all the
obstructions of the internal Vessels, and corroborating the weak
Stomach, is this, _viz._ The body is first of all to be well purged,
and then 1, 2, 3, 4, even to 10 or 12 drops thereof (according to the
Age of the Patient) is to be administred to a fasting Stomach, in that
Water, which was drawn over after the volatile Spirit was all come, as
aforesaid.
After the taking of the Medicament, you must fast an hour or two, this
Balsam penetrates all the Members of the whole Body, and strengthens
the Stomach, Brain, Heart, and all the internal Vessels, takes away all
obstructions, makes good blood, excites a good appetite to meat and
drink, and augments the radical humidity, and so conserves the body of
man (by God’s Grace and Blessing) even unto old Age.
But let it not seem to any one a strange thing, nor let them suffer any
such thoughts to come into their minds, as if others have already had
this Balsam, because _Paracelsus_ made his _Elixir Proprietatis_ of
Myrrh, Aloes, and Saffron, and so others too insisting on or tracing
his footsteps have made the same, and which hitherto hath been in
great esteem amongst all skilfull Physicians; no, no. That _Elixir_ of
_Paracelsus_, being as yet in its corporeal form, and being nothing
else but the meer body, is far short of the Vertues of my Balsam; for
my Balsam of Life excels, by reason of its most efficacious Spirits,
which penetrate the whole body of man, and fills all his Spirits, and
even the whole body it self with its most pure vertues, corroborating
the same, and driving away all corruption and rottenness.
Farther, if any one be minded to make this Balsam of Life yet far more
efficacious and powerfull, he may instead of the aperitive Spirit of
_Mars_, use the Spirit of Gold, which questionless will enrich the said
Balsam with far greater vertues, but then the cost will be the more,
so that this Medicament will be fit for the rich onely. A man may also
in the preparation of this Medicament, preserve the volatile Spirit
apart, and use the same as a spiritual Balsam, or _Elixir_ of Subtilty,
for the conserving of the inward parts of the body, and so thou wilt
most potently dissolve (by its more penetrative, more potent, and more
efficacious vertues, all hurtfull obstructions, and all the most clammy
and tenacious humours. And after the same manner may you reserve the
simple Balsam apart for its proper use.
Now by this way which I have here delivered, may be made likewise
other efficacious and penetrating Spirits and Balsams of great worth,
out of other Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, wherewith a man may
perform wonderfull effects in Medicine. I have here laid a foundation,
whereupon every one may as he thinks good build a strong Edifice.
Nothing verily would be more desirable, and more to be wisht for, than
to substitute, and introduce such subtil and penetrating Medicaments,
in the room of so many unprofitable compositions made by their boilings
and stewings, _&c._ It would be far better for the health of mankind,
nor would so many men die, remediless, of such small and contemptible
Diseases as arise meerly from the tenacious and pituitous humours of
the Stomach: What vertues I pray can there be in the common distilled
waters of herbs? Verily scarce any at all. But if they be prepared
according to the way by me prescribed, they would be (both in odour,
tast, and vertues) much better and more profitable.
If to some common Wine, which hath already undergone its natural and
accustomed fermentation, there be another fermentation given it by the
help of my secret ferment, and then the Spirit thence extracted, it
will be of so strong and efficacious a savour and odour (especially
if some Spices, and other sweet smelling fragrant Herbs, be fermented
together therewith) as that other Wines may be thereby rendered savoury
and well tasted, and odoriferous too. Upon this account I dare boldly
and constantly aver, that the Spirits of Metals deserve the chiefest
place in Medicine above all other things whatsoever: But I do not
as yet know what may be done with them in metallick matters, onely
thus much, _viz._ they are wont to coagulate the common and running
Quicksilver. Did we but know the Art of fixing them (Spirits) and
making them constant, without question we should not onely obtain an
excellent universal Medicament in medicine for the conservation of the
health of mankind, but also a most absolute Tincture for the tinging
of the bodies of the metals. That this is possible, the Writings of
the Ancient Philosophers do too and again hint so much, but yet I have
not as hitherto effected the same. However I am content, and most
heartily thank my God, in that he hath honoured me with so excellent a
Medicament, which haply no body for this hundred years last past hath
been rendered a partaker of: For had it so been, it would long since
have been revealed and disclosed. ’Tis not a Boys play nor so very
mean a thing, to bring not onely Vegetables and Minerals, but even the
most fixed metals themselves, in (as it were) a moments time, to such
a pass, as to undergo a fermentation, and to yield (by distillation
and rectification) so strong and penetrative a Spirit; believe it or
not believe it, all’s a case. ’Tis enough for me that I can perform
the same whensoever I please; which thing the incredulous shall very
shortly, (God willing) find to be most true, and see it with their
Eyes, and feel it with their hands. But however, by the same way, as
the aforesaid Balsam is ordered to be prepared, may various and unknown
effectual Medicaments be made out of other matters.
A Preparation of _Opium_ would yield such a Spirit, as (by its odour)
would procure rest, and lay the exteriour Senses asleep.
The like would Tobacco, or Henbane, and other such like Herbs effect,
and so would the other inebriating Herbs, whose Spirit being mixt
(even in the least Dose) with Wine, or Ale, and so drunk off, would
presently make a Man drunk. By the help of such kind of Spirits might
many waggish tricks be done, as for example, If Barley, Pease, Beans,
or other Seed and dry Fruits were moistened or steeped in the same, and
thrown to Fishs, Birds, and other wild Animals, and they eat of the
same, they would be made so drunk, as that you may take them with your
hands. In like manner, by such kind of Spirits emitting such a strong
odour, may all mischievous wild Beasts, as Bears, Wolves, Foxes, and
other such ravenous Creatures be driven away; and on the contrary, may
Fishes disperst in the Waters be gathered together into one place. For
they (_viz._ the Beasts) shun all strong odours and stinks, but these
(_viz._ the Fishes) are wont to follow after them in the Water.
Briefly, and in a word, those aforesaid Spirits would be fit for the
effecting of such wonderfull conclusions, as is no ways fit so much
as once to mention, much less to reveal and make known the same. And
for this reason I have determined with my self to bury this so great
a Secret of Fermentation with me in my Grave, and not to disclose it
to any one. In the mean while I will take care to provide a sufficient
plenty of the best Medicaments, whereby I may be serviceable unto my
Neighbour. And I will omit taking care about other needless affairs,
unless it should chance to happen, that that Turkish Tyrant thirsting
after nothing but Bloud, should approach too near unto us (which God
forbid) against whom my wonderfull and hitherto unknown Artificial
Fires, and other new inventions of mine, arising from my unwearied
Labours, will be of such resistance, as that I am confident his
numerous host will be rid of the care of again returning back. For it
is beyond all kind of doubt, that such fiery Globes [or Granadoes] may
be made, as for one pound thereof to exceed the violence even of twenty
pounds of Gunpowder. And who knows for what cause God hath vouchsafed
the revealment of such great Secrets, at this nick of time? Perhaps to
shew his Omnipotency, he will effect some singular and admirable work
for the freeing of the Christian World by this ultimate and extream
defensive way, out of the most present and imminent dangers: And though
it (_viz._ the Christian World) be immerst and even drowned in the
Labyrinths of various Errors, and is gone greatly astray from a true
Christian-like life, yet notwithstanding it doth yet contain many a
pious Soul. Never did God make, or vouchsafe ought without a cause;
And therefore it is altogether credible, that these new inventions did
not light into the hands of men in vain, the which time will manifest.
_The Explication of the two Circular Figures of the Quintessence at
the beginning of this Fifth Part of the =Pharm. Spagyr=._
About the Circle of the first Figure. _The Quintessence of the
Minerals, is a Universal Medicine._
Without side the Square in the Circle. _Separate the pure from the
impure._
Within side the same Square. _The four Elements._
In the four Angles of the Square. _Fire_, _Air_, _Water_, _Earth_.
Without side the Triangle. _The three Principles._
Within the three Angles. _Salt_, _Sulphur_, _Mercury_. _Make the
fixt Volatile._
Within the Circle, in the Triangle. _Two Contraries._
Within the Central Circle. _The first Ens._
Which if you begin to read in the Center, the sense will be thus.
_From the first Ens, proceed two Contraries; from thence the
three Principles; from them the four Elements; from which, if you
separate the pure from the impure, you obtain the Quintessence,
which is an Universal Medicine._
About the Circle of the second Figure. _The Salt of Metals, is the
Stone of the Philosophers._
Without side the Square in the Circle. _And bring it unto Maturity._
Within side the same Square. _The four Elements._
In the four Angles of the Square. _Fire_, _Air_, _Water_, _Earth_.
Without side the Triangle. _The three Principles._
Within the three Angles. _Salt_, _Sulphur_, _Mercury_. _And the
Volatile, make fixt._
Within the Circle of the Triangle. _Dissolve_, _Coagulate_.
Within the Central Circle. _The primum Mobile._
To understand the Scope of those two Figures, you are to begin with the
first, in the Center, and next read the Center of the second, for they
answer one another in all their Parts. As in the Center of the first
Figure are these words: _The first Ens_. Which in the Center of the
second is, _The primum Mobile_. And so on to all the other parts.
_The End of the Fifth Part._
[Illustration: Quinta Essentia in die Pharmacopoea Spagirica.]
THE
SIXTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.
Or a Light lately risen, and a strong Key for opening Philosophick
Verity, treating of the most secret Fire of Philosophers,
_viz._ How it is to be used profitably and commodiously for the
preparation of many Royal Medicaments; and how, by the benefit
of it, _Vegetables_, _Animals_, and _Minerals_; venemous, fœtid,
noxious, and wholly adverse to Humane Nature, may be converted
into a gratefull and most salubrious Medicine, Mineral-Salts, and
the Corrosive Spirits of them dulcified; and fixed Metallick;
Bodies transmuted into Volatile Spirits. As also how these
Volatile Spirits may again be changed into Bodies fixed, tinging,
and penetrating through every Metal and Glass, and other rare
things of that kind may be performed.
READER,
_I did some time since, sincerely discover to certain of my Friends,
some of the best of the =Arcanums= (described now publickly) in this
Treatise, with such condition as they themselves should prepare the
same: but they have not as yet set about the Work, and perhaps for
no other reason, than because they thought it a matter not of great
but of small moment. Hence it was, that they could not believe so
great a Medicine could be prepared in so few days. It is manifest by
the Writings of Philosophers, that =Maria= the Prophetess, Sister of
=Moses=, could ripen the Stone of Philosophers in three Days. Likewise,
some Philosophers have absolved their Work in a Week. Others have
consumed some Months labour upon the same. But now, those erroneous
Fellows (who run from one to another, and although themselves be rude
and ignorant of all things, proffer their labour for reward to make
the Stone of Philosophers) require to themselves for digestion the
space of one, two or three whole years. But what a vast difference is
there between three days and three years. As for my self, I indeed as
yet have never elaborated so great a Work, but have seen with my Eyes
so great a possibility thereof, and with my hands handled things so,
as (if time and place be given, and God grant success) I am confident
I shall prepare this supream Medicine in a very short space of time.
But I can truly affirm, that in all my life I never aspired to things
so high; yet what hath been conferred on me by God, I now make common.
Wherefore, he (whom God shall favour) may there begin, where I have
ended, and happily consummate the Work: but if he (whom God favours
not) shall attempt any thing therein, let him not disquiet me with
troublesome Interrogatories; for I know not how to answer more, than
are here discovered by me. Yet (if God please) after some short space
of time, I will clearly expose to publick view, whatsoever I have found
and seen in the particular Melioration of Metals. Which indeed will
contribute great Light to this later Age of the darkened World._
CHAP. I.
_Describing that artificial Philosophick Distillatory Furnace (of
which the little Book of Fires treats) by the help of which in
the space of one hour, all Chymical Operations at one time, the
secret Fire mediating, may be demonstrated so, as was never yet
described by any Man._
Get a Furnace made of good Earth (which in burning will be rendred as
compact and solid as Glass; such you may find about _Colen_, _Sibburg_,
_Freichiem_, or _Waltenburg_) in its Diameter, at least two Foot broad,
but rather (if that well may be) three. Prepare a Vessel like the
Hemisphere or half-Globe, having three or four handles, to be hanged up
by, fill that with cold Water, and your Recipient or Blind-head will
be perfect. Then fit to it a plain Pan of good Earth, the breadth of
three or four Thumbs, and a Thumbs breadth high. This Pan fill with
common Sulphur, mixt with some other Mineral Subject, as _Mercury_,
_Auripigment_, _Arsenick_, or _Antimony_; which you desire to fix,
either particularly into _Sol_, or universally into Medicine. Kindle
the Sulphur that it may burn, then this Sulphur will calcine and fix
that subject (in the Fire continually burning,) which was put in to
be fixed. If in burning the Sulphur be deficient, it must be supplied
with other Sulphur. If the Sulphur should happen to be extinguished,
you must kindle it again, that it may constantly burn and never go out.
It will not easily go out, if you prevent the extinction, by putting a
little Cotton in the midst of the Pan. When the burning Sulphur, with
its penetrating and ripening Fire, penetrates the subject added, then
the volatile Mineral at first cannot bear patiently the vehemency of
the Fire, but a part of the same is elevated upwards with the fiery
Oil (fixing all Mineral subjects) which concretes round about to the
Vessel, and again distills down upon the burning Sulphur into the Pan,
so as it excites no small admiration in the Beholders. The motion of
this Oil, which is so often and long driven upwards and downwards;
Philosophers have named their Distillation, Ascent, and Descent, also
Cohobation and Circulation: but the Sulphur continually burning, they
called Calcination and Solution. For, in this operation, two very
potent Fires act. The flame of Sulphur is a strong fixing Fire, but
stronger yet is that fiery Oil continually distilling. By the help
of both which _Stygian Fires_, the volatile subject in the Pan, is
in a short space of time (unless it was very impure before) without
any diminution of its weight fixed into a fixed Medicine. It is to be
admired, with how great virtue, either Fire is endewed, for fixing
volatile Metals; also it is pleasant to behold, how (when any drop
of that Oil of Sulphur driven upwards distills down again upon the
burning Sulphur) the flame that ascends then, will be red as bloud,
which otherwise from Sulphur onely ascends yellowish. The repeated
Distillation of that into the under set Vessel was by Philosophers
called Inceration: But when the whole resided in the bottom without any
ascending fume, that was by them called Fixation.
These operations I have performed with my own Hands, and seen with my
own Eyes. More at this time I dare not publish; for more than enough is
already spoken to impious Men. Which indeed I should not have done, if
this excellent Philosophick Work had not been made too common already,
or (to express my meaning more plainly) if it had not fallen into
the hands of unworthy Persons, to me most ungratefull. For indeed I
permitted onely some few of my Friends to see this Philosophick fixing
Furnace; yet the knowledge of it was by them so far divulged, as I
repented I had ever communicated it. Nevertheless, instead of that, not
long after by God was given to me a certain other, far better and more
elegant gift, for he shewed me such an Instrument, as would far more
commodiously than the former, receive the ascending sulphureous fume,
so as none of it should be lost. Therefore this divine gift shall by me
be more warily kept than the former.
[Illustration: The Explanation of the CUT.
A. _Is the standing part of the Furnace._
B. _The lower Hemisphere or half Globe, which is to contain the
Sulphur, or what you intend to make into Oils or Spirits._
C. _The upper Hemisphere with its Pipe to draw the Oils or Spirits
by._
D. _The body that holds the Water._
E. _The Cavity or top of the body to put in the Water._
FFF. _The handles by which it is hanged up, which are made of the
same Earth that the Body is made of._
G. _The Cock to let out the Water, that you may put in more cold._
H. _The Hemisphere to work the Minerals and hath no Pipe._
I. _The body to hold the Water to keep it Cool._
K. _The Cavity of the Body to put in the Water._
LLL. _The handles to hang it by._
M. _The Cock to let out the Water that you may put in more cold._]
CHAP. II.
_The way of preparing another Medicine of Sulphur onely._
Fill an earthen Pan full of Sulphur, and set it under the Blind-head.
Kindle the Sulphur and keep it continually burning for eight or
fourteen days. And when the burning Sulphur causeth its Oil to ascend,
and the same again descends upon it, and this ascent and descent hath
so long been made, as untill the Oil is fixed, and no more ascent is
perceived, then let the Fire go out, and that which you find in the
bottom, looking black as a Coal, take out, pour clear Water upon it,
and make them boil together. In this boiling the Water extracts the
fixed Oil of Sulphur, which passed into Salt, from the black Fæces.
This extracted Salt distill through a Filter, and permit the Water to
exhale in _Balneo_; so the Residue will remain in the bottom sweet, in
the form of a sowerish gratefull yellow Salt. Which take out, and put
into a clean Crucible, where keep it hot, but not red hot; then the
Salt will wax red. This dissolve again and Filter, and it will leave
some Fæces. You may reiterate this operation if you will, and the Salt
will be so much the more pure. This Salt is of a middle tast between
sower and sweet: Of which five or six grains being taken inwardly will
penetrate the body and strongly provoke sweat. But a larger Dose will
provoke gentle Seidges, especially if the operation be made in some
Iron Pan, yet it contracts from the Iron a sweetish tast, but that is
not at all to be feared, because the Salt plainly deposits this tast,
especially if you heat it hot and dissolve it, coagulate and heat it
hot again, unto the third time. For then it loseth that tast, and
becomes a sweet red Salt, which is a safe remedy against all Diseases,
where there is need of sweating and purging.
Note, here is need of caution, that in making it hot, your Fire be
not too strong, and so the virtues of your Salt diminished, which is
a thing accurately to be minded. Ancient Philosophers likened this
operation to such a Fire vomiting Dragon, as devours his own Tail, and
converts it into a salutary Medicine. The Dragon is burning Sulphur,
his Tail is its fiery Oil, which slides down upon the burning Sulphur,
and in it converts it self into an efficacious Medicine.
Note, I would have you give credit to me, in these Works, which I here
have opened in few words, are many things of great worth contained.
Therefore, if you be wise, you will more diligently search into the
matter, and find out much more than is here disclosed by me.
CHAP. III.
_Anther secret Fire of Philosophers, by which all venemous and
fœtid Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral Subjects, may be changed and
prepared into a most efficacious Medicine._
Rectifie Spirit of Wine so perfectly well from all Phlegm, as it will
all burn away. For this way you will have a secret Fire, by help of
which you will be able to effect wonders in Medicine.
CHAP. IV.
_Where first is exhibited an efficacious Medicine from this
Vegetable Fire it self._
Prepare you of stony Earth polishable in Fire, or of Metal, a Furnace
in such wise, as under it a flaming Fire may burn, and yet none of the
fume fly away, but in it condense either into Water or Oil, and thence
descend into some fit Receiver. Under such a Furnace, in some earthen
Pan kindle an ounce or two of this subtile Fire, and let it burn. The
Spirit of Wine being burnt, the volatile Salt as incombustible (yet the
volatile Mercury of the Wine) comes forth, is cooled in the Receiver,
and so preserved.
Note, when the first Spirit of Wine is burned, more must be put in.
Of how great profit it will be in Medicine, you may easily judge,
because it is the immortal and incombustible Soul of Wine. How much
it is able to effect in Alchymy, is not very well known to me, I not
having laboured much in it as yet. _Basilius_ touching this Mercury,
thus Writes: Whosoever can obtain it, will be a principal Master in
Chymistry. He, as I judge, well knew how from Gold its Tincture was to
be extracted by the help of this. But of these enough at this time.
CHAP. V.
_How by the benefit of this secret Vegetable Fire, the Microcosmick
Mercury may be corrected, freed from its nauseous stink, and
converted into a sweet Medicine._
Rectifie Spirit of Urine as highly as you can, according to my
Prescripts, largely described in the Book of Furnaces. To this Animal
Mercury add five fold or six fold its weight of our Vegetable Fire,
with which fill a Pan, and kindle this Fire under our Philosophick
Alembick; then will our Fire burn up all the nauseous stink of the
Animal Mercury, so as it will ascend with a gratefull odour and tast.
If it be not to your mind the first time, commit the same to this
purgation a second time, and make it pass over; then you will find
your Animal Mercury sweet, by virtue of which you will be able to do
great things in Medicine, because it forcibly penetrates. Therefore
a diligent Physician should not be ignorant of the use of this. It
is known that Spirit of Urine doth much good in Medicine yet it is
commonly abhorred by reason of its unpleasant tast. But when it hath
sustained the trial of our Philosophick purgation, then it ascends
into its Heaven, that is, into the Alembick without stink. Also by help
of this purgation, all other fœtid, bitter and unsavoury Vegetable,
Mineral, and Animal Subjects, may be purged, rendred sweet, pleasant,
and gratefull, as the following examples will prove.
CHAP. VI.
_Recipe_ of common Sulphur, Tartar, and Niter, of each one pound,
pulverise, mix and decrepitate them in a Crucible, kindling them on
the top, otherwise they will fulminate. When decrepitated, melt and
pour out the mixture, reduce it to Powder, and extract thence the
Tincture with Spirit of Wine. Burn away the Spirit of Wine under
the Philosophick Alembick, and what ascends reserve for your use in
Medicine. What remains in the bottom will be sweet and void of all evil
savour, because the Spirit of Wine hath burnt up all the stink. This
Medicine is a most excellent Diaphoretick.
CHAP. VII.
_How the Tincture or Soul of Antimony may be purified by the
benefit of this Vegetable Fire._
_Recipe_ of Antimony, Tartar, and Niter, of each alike; decrepitate,
melt, pulverise, and extract the Tincture, which cause to pass through
this Purgatory Fire, and you will have a safe Medicine against all
Diseases. But if you would render it yet more excellent, to this
Antimony (which hath already once sustained that Purgation) again
add its own weight of Tartar and Niter; decrepitate, melt, extract,
and cause it to burn as before, and you will have your Medicine more
excellent. And if you shall repeat this labour the third time, you
will have it far more excellent, for every time there are some Fæces
deposited, whence the Medicine becomes more efficacious.
As is said of Sulphur and Antimony, so also all other stinking and
bitter Subjects; yea the stinking Dungs of Animals may be so purified
as to become sweet. But there is no necessity to speak hereabout
in this place. For whosoever studiously searcheth for some famous
Medicine, will easily find some excellent thing, so as he may attain
both Riches and Honour according to his wish.
CHAP. VIII.
_How by help of the Vegetable Fire, Mineral Fires may be
extinguished, and the corrosive fiery disposition of them
converted into sweetness._
It is very well known, that the greater common Fire doth always (as
often as one is set near the other) either extinguish the lesser, or
cause it to languish, the same also happens to Philosophick Fires. As
for example, Put into a Stone dish or Pan, Spirit of Salt, Vitriol,
Niter, or Sulphur, or some other acid Spirit, and three, four, or six
parts of the best Spirit of Wine which kindle, and the Spirit of Wine
will burn away, but the acid Spirit through the subtilty of the flame
becomes sweet. Which sweet Spirits, especially that of Sulphur and
Salt, manifest great Vertues in Medicine. _Basil Valentine_ speaks of
the dulcified Spirit of Salt, that it extracts from Gold its Tincture;
and that he, who knows how to dulcifie it, will be honoured by
Philosophers. He in like manner teacheth, that Spirit of Wine is seven
times to be abstracted thence: Yet undoubtedly he intended not the
vulgar Abstraction, but this secret Abstraction rather, of which we now
speak. Because such Spirits are not dulcified at one time, but Spirit
of Wine is often to be abstracted thence by the help of Fire, before
they will be sufficiently dulcified.
CHAP. IX.
_Another way, by help of other Fires, to cleanse and sweeten
Vegetable, Animal and Mineral Subjects._
Every man knows, that the Nature and Property of common Fire is,
to absume every stinking Sulphur, to drive away _Mercury_, and
leave nothing but dead Ashes, with a little fixed Salt; which is no
Correction, but a violent Destruction and Corruption of good things.
Therefore, in preparing famous medicines, we should use a better Fire,
_viz._ such, as neither consumes Sulphur, nor drives away _Mercury_,
but onely ripens, cleanseth and swetens them; as will be proved by
these following Examples.
First let us make trial with the (to us abominable) Dung of men,
and see, whether its Stink can be totally taken away, and of it an
Universal medicine be prepared.
It is very manifest, that the Dungs of Animals crude and not prepared,
are of some use in medicine, and we know they have been long in use
with Galenists and Apothecaries: For they presume to cure the Jaundies
with Goose-dung; Feavers with Horse-dung; Inflammations of the Bowels
with the distilled Water of Cow-dung, which they call the Water of all
Flowers; and the Quinsey, with the white Dung of a Dog, which they call
_Album Græcum_. Pertinent to the purpose, History makes mention of a
certain Countryman labouring with a Quinsey. To this man a Physician
gives a Bill, by which he was to go to an Apothecaries Shop, and buy
_Album Græcum_. The Bill he gave to a Boy in the Shop, who having read
it, looked into the Box in which _Album Græcum_ was wont to be kept;
and finding the Box empty, bid the Countryman stay a little, and he
would serve him presently. But the Boy not wise enough to conceal the
Secret, runs presently into the Church Yard, where he gathered some of
the white Dung of Dogs, which he brought home, and put into his Mortar
to pulverise. The Countryman seeing this, spake to the Boy thus: I pray
thee lay aside those things, and give me what I have need of; for I can
stay no longer. To which the Boy answered: This is that the Physician
prescribed you; therefore stay but a little while, for it will be beat
enough presently. Then the Countryman angerly said: What do you say,
you Whelp! Must I buy Dogs-turd of you for Silver? I have enough of
that at home: Therefore you and your Doctour shall eat it your selves
for me. And having spoken thus, he went out of the Apothecaries Shop
in a great rage. Many such Histories are variously commemorated: by
which you may clearly see, that the Dungs of Animals, although crude
and not at all prepared, have been used by Apothecaries. All which
had they not been usefull in Medicine, would long since have been
abrogated. But humane Dung, which deservedly is to be preferred before
all other, is not used medicinally; and that onely because of its evil
smell. Yet I have known some old Women give that to be taken inwardly
by such as laboured with Feavers (but without their knowledge) and so
have expelled those Feavers. There are some Chirurgeons so skilfull as
to know, that the Salt of humane Dung onely generates Putrefaction, but
on the contrary all other Salts preserve from it. Wherefore they use
that for putrifying such excrescent Caruncles, as they fear to cut off,
by reason of the intermixed Veins. Yet, that humane Dung (if inwardly
taken) wants not its effects, no man doubts: but because of its great
Stink, its use is to be abstained from, and not to be admitted in
medicine. Nevertheless, if it can be freed from its abominable Odour,
it may be used in medicine, otherwise not. Wherefore, _Paracelsus_ so
highly esteemed it, as he said: From him Heaven and Earth is hid, to
whom humane Dung is not known. An History, which shews what happened
in _Cæsar_’s Court, between him and the Court Physicians, plainly
sheweth this. For when those Physicians asked him to leave behind him
some medicinal Experiment unto them, _Paracelsus_ ordered humane Dung
to be brought and laid before them. They seeing that, went away in a
rage and reviled him. But _Paracelsus_ answered. You indeed run away,
thereby proving your selves unworthy of the Secret I purposed to have
discovered to you. Whence it is very manifest, that _Paracelsus_ knew
how to render stinking Excrements fit for use. For undoubtedly, he
never administred them to any man, before they were prepared; because
he had other Medicaments always in readiness. Now, that it may be known
to be possible to take away the Stink of Dungs, I will prove the same
by the following.
To a sound and healthfull Man for two days together give nothing to
eat, but a little well baked Wheat-bread; or to drink, but good Wine.
His Excrements for these two days cast away. On the third day let him
eat a peculiar Bread, with which is mixed before it is baked about an
Ounce and half, or one Ounce of my Blood of _Sol_; also let him have
an Ounce and half, or one Ounce of the same Blood of _Sol_ mixed with
his Drink, that it may thereby be tinged with a red Colour. And all the
third day let him eat nothing but this Bread, in which the Blood of
_Sol_, or Gold rendered irreducible hath been baked, and use that Wine
onely, which the Tincture of Gold hath coloured. Then on the fourth
day, let his Excrements (which will be tinged with blackness like a
Coal) be put into a glazed Pan or Dish, yet with this Caution, that no
Urine be mixed therewith; because that will be injurious. Indeed these
Excrements will have a very evil Odour, but that you may take away
their stink, and convert them into an Universal Medicine, proceed thus.
If these Excrements be in weight one pound, or somewhat above, pour on
them two Ounces of well dephlegmated Oil of Sulphur, or in defect of
that, as much strong and well rectified Oil of Vitriol; mix the whole
well stirring it with a wooden _Spatula_, that the Oil may act upon the
Excrements: Expose the whole to the Air for one Night; and that mineral
Fire will calcine the Dung Philosophically, and deprive it of all its
stink, without any diminution of its Weight; which is very strange.
And if any part of the evil Odour should be left remaining, add to it
again one Ounce and half of the Mineral Fire, and suffer them to stand
together for one Day and Night. Then must you also have in readiness
the Animal Fire, _viz._ Spirit of Urine exactly rectified, of which
pour leisurely and by degrees upon the Dung, so much, as until both
those contrary Spirits cease to act each upon other, and are still:
For then those two contending Fires have mortified each other, whence
a middle Salt is generated. Upon this mixture put into a Glass do you
also pour so much of the Vegetable Fire, (that is, of the best Spirit
of Wine) as may rise in height above it two fingers breadth. Set this
glass in _Balneo_, and digest the whole for twenty four hours: For in
that time the Spirit of Wine dissolveth that Salt, which proceeded from
both the contrary Fires, together with the Microcosmick Salt, Sulphur
and Mercury; and from that Gold, now the second time inverted, extracts
the Tincture, which it hath, and is thereby tinged red as Blood. This
Tincture pour off, and re-pour on other Spirit of Wine, and let that
also stand twenty four hours in _Balneo_ for extracting what remains:
but this will have but little Tincture, because the first extraction
drew forth almost all. Add both extractions together, and in _Balneo_,
with very gentle heat, by Alembick abstract the Spirit of Wine from
the Tincture; then will remain in the bottom of the Vessel a very red
and pleasant Salt; upon which must be poured so much Aromatick Spirit
of Wine, as will suffice to dissolve all the Salt. Which Solution pour
out from the Glass it was dissolved in, into a strong and very clean
Glass-bottle, and keep it by you as a most pretious Treasure.
The Dose of it is very small: for if you give, at one time, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, or 6 drops, it will provoke Urine, expel Sweat, and the Stone also
powerfully. But if the dose be augmented, it purgeth the Belly, and
that without any molestation. In a word, this Universal Medicine may
safely be used in all Diseases. Yet because I intend brevity, I forbear
to write more touching this Medicine.
The Excrements or Fæces, from which this Tincture is extracted, are
not to be cast away, but must be calcined with Fire till they are red
hot, and (after a strong _Aqua Regia_ hath been poured upon them) the
remaining Gold, which was not before extracted, must be dissolved.
Yet you shall have very little of that; because the Man’s Stomach did
a second time invert that Gold, (which was once before inverted) and
made it reducible, so as it could be extracted with Spirit of Wine by
help of the Mineral and Animal Mercury. It is hard for me to believe,
that a more excellent Diuretick and Diaphoretick Medicine can be found,
than this Microcosmick Salt, which is tinged with _Sol_. For you will
know of how great vertue this Diuretick and Diaphoretick Salt is, when
you shall precipitate the acid Oil of Sulphur (or in defect of that,
rectified Oil of Vitriol) with good Spirit of Urine, and reduce it into
Salt. And will not such a Salt as this be far more excellent, when
Sulphur the (Philosophically calcined) Salt and Mercury of the humane
Body, together with the Tincture of Gold have Access?
I have not writ any thing here of this Universal Medicine, to the end
it should be preferred before others, because I very well know, we
can of other Subjects prepare famous Medicines, and easily be without
humane Dung; but whatsoever I delivered here, I did it for the good of
all. For my part, I say, if any one hath no mind to proceed in this
Operation, let him forbear. It sufficeth me, that I have signified to
the World, how by the help of Art, all venomous and stinking Subjects
may be amended and cleansed.
Thus may the industrious Physician, by the benefit of the three
Principal Fires prepare many excellent Medicines, and before all
sluggish and careless Physicians be had in great honour by the Sick,
and obtain the favour of GOD and Men. For he may invert the Venom of
Vipers, Serpents and Scorpions, and convert the same into an Antidote
powerfull against the Pestilence, and other Venoms. He also understands
how to prepare a Medicament of Toads safe to be given to dropsical
Persons: of Spiders a Medicine healing the Leprous; of Cantharides
and May-Woms, a certain Salt good against the Stone of the Reins and
Bladder; of Earth-Worms, or Rain-Worms, a venereal Experiment; of
Opium, Tobacco and Henbane, a famous Somniferous Medicine; of Wormwood
a Stomachal and Antifebrile; of Hellebore, Agarick, Spurge, Asarabacca,
Squill, and the like, an Universal Purging Salt; of Pearch-Stones,
and Crabs-Eyes, a Nephritick Medicine against the Stone of the Reins
and Bladder; and of Napellus, Stavesacre, and Wake Robbin, a famous
Antipodagrick. These, and other such most excellent and presently
medicinal Salts may after the same manner be prepared: These, for the
health of infirm Mankind I could not content my self to conceal. Indeed
I could have writ more at large touching this matter; but brevity,
which I now study, forbids a more ample Declaration.
CHAP. X.
_Of the Nature and Property of that Fire, which lies hid in Tartar,
or the Stony Fæces of Wine._
Tartar is a Salt, which in Fermentation separating it self from the
Wine, adheres partly to the sides of Wine Cask, and partly resides
with the Dregs in the Bottom. This Salt or Tartar, although it is
numbred among Salts, yet it is of another disposition than all other
Salts; because they may be dissolved in cold Water, but this Tartar
cannot be dissolved, except in boiling Water onely. No Man hitherto
was willing to open the Cause of this hard Tye. But I, seeing Death
daily approaching nearer and nearer, was not willing to carry it with
me to my long Home, therefore I chose rather to leave it behind me
for Mankinds sake. And thus it is with Tartar. Tartar contains in it
self a peculiar Sulphur by which the Salt is so bound or fixed, as it
cannot like other Salt be dissolved in cold Water. For if the Sulphur
be separated from it, it is easily dissolved in cold Water, like other
Salts. Yet so soon as such Sulphur is taken from it, the secret Fire
which lay hid in it, is also taken away: and thenceforth it can no
more serve instead of a secret Fire, by which Metals are ripened into
Tinctures; but is rendred onely fit to perform its Office in medicine.
Touching which, for brevity sake we shall here make no mention.
The method of depriving Tartar of its tinging Sulphur, that it may be
dissolved in cold, is thus: By burning two Pound of Tartar, reduce
it into a white Salt, upon which, if you pour Water to dissolve it,
it will become a _Lixivium_. Which _Lixivium_ pour upon one Pound of
Tartar, and boil them together in an Earthen glazed Pot: Then the
_Lixivium_ dissolves the Tartar, and separates the binding or fixing
Sulphur from the Salt. Then pour on one part of common Tartar, boil
them together yet once, filter the boiled Liquour through Paper; then
in the bottom will remain the Sulphureous Fæces, and the Water of
Tartar pass through yellowish; upon which Water pour distilled Vinegar
to mortifie the _Lixivium_. This being done, the Vinegar will also be
coagulated with both Salts, and be changed into one Salt; which Salt in
Medicine and Alchymy is of great use and benefit; touching which if I
should here write more I should be too tedious: but (GOD willing) the
manifold use of it shall be shewed in my Third Century. For here my
purpose is not more at large to speak of the matter. [_vide Helm._ Fol.
183. and _Basilius_ p. 240.]
That feculent Slime, which adheres to the sides of the Filter you
should not cast away, but endeavour to fix. For then you will find
some admirable thing, and more than here I dare discover. Because
that is the genuine Coagulator of running Waters, which it hardens,
and is joined in a singular familiarity with metals, and especially
with _Sol_; as I with admiration have experienced. For in a few hours
it tinged _Sol_ with whiteness, and turned it into brittle Glass;
whereas otherwise _Sol_ is an Enemy to every volatile Sulphur. I do not
believe there is any other thing in Nature second to this wonderfull
Sulphur; which is endewed with a potency coagulating and hardning
running Subjects. For nothing, except Sulphur onely, can be found,
which coagulates and tingeth. _Mercury_ and Salt tinge not: but Sulphur
doth that. Consider I pray, how great power common Sulphur hath over
_Mercury_, since four Ounces of it can coagulate a Pound of running
_Mercury_ into hard and red Cinnabar. Also four Ounces of common
Sulphur can coagulate two or three Pounds of Oil into a Liver-like
Mass: and one Pound of Oil reduce ten Pounds of _Lixivium_ into hard
Soap. Likewise one or two half Ounces of the volatile Vapour of Sulphur
in subterranean Veins, can coagulate serene Water into hard Rocks and
Stones, as also all sorts of minerals and metals. So, that little
Sulphur which is found in Tartar, can render much sower Wine or Water
hard as a Liver; as is known to those that labour in Wine and Vinegar.
I once purposed and endeavoured to extract from Gold its Tincture by
the benefit of Salts, among which Salts Tartar also was; whence my Gold
came out white and altogether brittle as Glass. But I, being willing
to prove whether my Gold was constantly white or no, cupellated that
with _Saturn_; and then I found my Gold not to remain white, but to
have received its pristine yellow Colour. That whiteness proceeded
from nothing else, than the tinging Sulphur of Tartar, and because the
Colour was not fixed, therefore in cupellating it vanished away:
_Note_: Hence, when I had broken small a little of this tinged white
and brittle _Sol_, and cast it upon a little vulgar _Mercury_ made hot
in a Crucible, it presently had ingress, and coagulated the _Mercury_
into an heavy white Body, which when I exposed to a cineritious
_Examen_, all the _Mercury_ vanished, and the _Sol_ onely remained in
its Colour. The Reason hereof was because the aforesaid Sulphur of
Tartar was not fixed. Yet thence I observed, that it might be fixed
with _Sol_ into a constant Redness. If any one hath convenient time
and place, he may more profoundly search into this Work, because in it
lies a great _Arcanum_. But how otherwise from Gold its Tincture is to
be extracted, shall afterward be taught. Enough of that at this time.
But there remains this one thing to be spoken, _viz._ that whosoever
knows how to conjoin the Sulphur of Tartar with the Sulphur of Metals,
send to fix it with them, may certainly obtain the Tincture: As
_Ripley_ clearly intimated, when he said, He saw a red Toad so long and
so often drinking of the Juice of Grapes, as until his Bowels burst. If
you do more seriously think of this (and GOD judge you worthy of his
Grace) you will experience wonderous things; if not, then conclude thou
wast not worthy of those Secrets. So much may suffice for this time to
be spoken touching the admirable Sulphur of Tartar. More elsewhere of
it, if GOD will.
CHAP. XI.
_Proceeding now to Metallick fixed Salts, Mercurial volatile and
most subtil Spirits, let us see what they are able to effect in
Medicine. And first let us speak of Antimony, as the Radical
Juice of all Metals._
_Recipe_ of the _Minera_ of Antimony finely pulverised one Pound, of
our secret _Sal Armomiack_ six or eight half Ounces; which diligently
mixed put into a coated Glass Retort, which set into a Distillatory
Furnace, and apply a Receiver thereto, ministring Fire leisurely
according to Art, that the Glass be not broken. In distilling first of
all ascends a little sowrish Water, then (the Retort being hot) a thick
Oil fat and yellow, in which is contained the most excellent _Mercury_
of Antimony, which you may thence thus separate.
Upon the yellow Oil distilled, pour common Water, which Water will draw
to it self the Salts, and precipitate the _Mercury_, like a yellow
ponderous and shining _Calx_, which being edulcorated and dried, will
be an Universal Purger. Its dose is very small. I use no more than a
quarter of a Grain, which (saving your Reverence) gives me 3, 4, or 5
Stools: but to a robust man I give half a Grain, a whole Grain, and
sometimes two Grains. _Note_: If a larger dose be given, this _Mercury_
excites vomiting also, though very gently. If you would render it
Diaphoretick, you must thence abstract rectified Oil of Vitriol. Then
this _Mercury_ of Antimony, which before was liquable as Wax, becomes
altogether fixed and unmeltable; and then you may give of it from 1,
2, 3, to 8, or 10 Grains, which indeed move not Seidges, but provoke
Sweat without weariness to the Patient, and performs the Office of a
blessed Medicine against all Diseases, where Sweat is needfull. Reduce
the _Caput Mortuum_ taken out of the Retort to Powder (the finer the
Powder is the better your Work will succeed) and having put it into a
Phial pour Spirit of Wine upon it, mix them by a continued stirring
and shaking of the Glass (for otherwise it turns it self into an hard
stony Mass) and in _Balneo_ digest it for a natural Day. Thence the
Spirit of Wine will acquire a red Colour, which pour off, and repour
on fresh Spirit, which also permit to extract as much as it can. Then
with gentle heat of _Balneo_, abstract the Spirit of Wine from the
Tincture, which will reside in the bottom like a red Salt. Which Salt
is so great a Treasure in Medicine, as exceeds all estimation. For it
passeth through the whole Body like Fire, and consumes Diseases, as
Fire burns up Wood. For according as it finds any defect in the Body so
it operates, expelling Sweat and Urine, purging out all malignant and
noxious Humours of the whole Body, and highly purifying the Blood, so
as I believe no more noble Tincture and Salt than this can be extracted
out of Antimony. Its dose indeed is very small, but of great efficacy,
insomuch as using but half a Grain of it you will find a most evident
Operation. Therefore, if a Master of a Family provide for himself but
one Drachm of this Medicine, he may by the help of that for the space
of one whole year not onely preserve himself and family from many
Diseases, but also defend himself and them from all other Affects every
where prevailing. Therefore let GOD have the Praise of it.
CHAP. XII.
_That this way also may be prepared from Auripigment and Arsenick a
Mercurial Oil, and a fixed Tincture._
_Recipe_ of Auripigment one Pound of our secret _Sal Armoniack_ four
Ounces, which reduced to Powder mix, and distil in a Retort by degrees
a volatile yellow corrosive Oil. At last, in the neck of the Retort
will ascend a sublimate Red as Blood, transparent and as beautifull
as an Oriental Ruby; the external use of which is famously medicinal
against Ulcers and gangrenous Affects. And the yellow Oil is a most
present Remedy for mortifying all gangrenous Ulcers, and laying a solid
Foundation for their Cure, if the part affected be onely anointed with
a Feather dipt therein. If any one pour Water upon the aforesaid Oil,
that corrosive, which ascended with the Auripigment, will be separated
and precipitated into a yellow _Calx_, which edulcorated and dried,
becomes so strong and vomitive, as it cannot safely be given inwardly:
but outwardly sprinkled upon Wounds, it lays a good foundation for
healing. But if from the aforesaid yellow Powder, Oil of Vitriol be
abstracted, it then becomes so fixed, as it will bear the force of a
most violent Fire, without any exhalation of fume; and then loseth
all its venome, and may be most safely used from 1, 2, 3, 4, to 6,
or 8 Grains, against the Pestilence, all Feavers, and such Diseases
where Sweat is needfull. It is to be admired, that this Subject so
very volatile and venomous, should by one onely abstraction of Oil
of Vitriol, become so fixed and constant in Fire. Also it is no less
admirable, that this Oil like any other Oil of Minerals, doth not
ascend in the form of a Liquor, but like and in the form of some fat
Vegetable Oil, whereas in it is not any fatness at all, because all
proceeds from the Auripigment.
Moreover, it will be profitable also to teach, that the aforesaid fixed
Auripigment (whensoever unto it, by the help of _Mercury_ of _Luna_,
ingress is procured) projected upon a Red-hot Plate of Copper, renders
the same totally white and as tractable as Silver. Which things being
known, although of little use, do notwithstanding savour of a pleasing
Curiosity, by which you will find, that of red Copper, white Silver
may be made. Also, after the same manner of white and red Arsenick,
such a medicinal Oil and Tincture may be prepared for _Venus_. _Note_:
Whosoever is desirous to labour herein, must studiously avoid the
venomous fume: For Arsenick cannot well be handled without peril.
I might here also say something of the running _Mercuries_ of Metals;
but since they rather appertain to the Transmutation of Metals, than
unto Medicine, I thought it best to pass over the mentioning of these
in this small Treatise, and to publish them in the following Centuries.
CHAP. XIII.
_Of the subtil and most penetrating Medicinal Spirits of Metals._
In my little Book of Fires, and also in my fifth Part of the _Spagyrick
Pharmacopœa_, I have indeed made some mention of volatile Spirits, but
for brevity sake concealed the method of preparing. When I considered,
that such Works were judged by many impossible, I thought it would be
worth while here to insert the Preparation of them; and that onely
from one Metal, that every Man may see the Verity of all the other.
For whosoever is desirous to operate in Metals, he may be able by this
one Process sufficiently to learn so much Skill, as it will not be
difficult for him to extract such volatile Spirits from other Metals
also.
_The way of preparing the volatile Spirits of Metals._
_Recipe_ of the Steel Wyars, which the Needlemakers cannot use, one
Pound, which so heat in the Fire, as all squallidness and filth may be
burned away. Afterward put them into a glass Body, and pour on them
of the hereafter described dissolving Water 4, or 5, Pound. Place the
Vessel in _Balneo_ or in Sand, and administer Fire so to it, as the
Water in the Glass surrounding the Steel may wax hot and not boil; then
the Water preys upon the Iron to be dissolved. For in this Operation
the Steel is dissolved, and fermented like new Beer or Wine. In this
Fermentation a certain most subtil Spirit of _Mars_ ascends, without
any corrosive, breathing a very strong Odour, and endued with a Taste
vehemently penetrating. For such a Spirit so penetrates the Tongue, as
the taste long remains, although a Man wash his mouth, yet this taste
is not unpleasant. By penetrating the Body of him that takes it down,
it provokes Sweat copiously, opens obstructions of the Liver, Spleen
and Lungs, and comforts the vital Spirits and Stomach. Also it is
admirably conducent to the Health of those, who are accustomed to drink
Wine mixt with Water; because it gives the Wine a gratefull Taste,
and that far better, than the best of sowrish Springs are able to
perform. If any one knows how to fortifie, or concentrate this Spirit
by Rectification, he will be able to effect wonders by the benefit of
it; which indeed yields not to be so readily concentrated, as Spirit of
Wine: as you shall hear anon, yet it is possible.
_The Water is prepared in this manner._
_Recipe_ of common Salt one Pound, which dissolve in 4, or 5 Pound
of common Water, and pour upon it half a Pound of Oil of Vitriol, to
which superadd some Steel-wyar, and thence by distilling separate the
Water; then no sharp Spirits will ascend with the Water, but all the
corrosive will remain with the _Mars_, and nothing ascend but a subtil
Spirit void of Corrosion. This moveth admiration, that of such an hard
and fixed Metal, with the help of so gentle heat, should ascend such
a flying and penetrating Spirit. But it is more to be admired, that
this white, volatile and penetrating Spirit, in a few hours space, is
able to turn it self into a fixed red Tincture: yet you will find this
incredible Miracle verified, thus.
Fill a glass Body above half full with our Spirit of _Mars_, yet take
no more of it than 5 or 6 Pound, because that would be more than is
needfull for Probation. Place the Body, with its Head luted well in
Sand, and distil off almost the Water by Ascent, so as onely half a
Pound may be left remaining in the bottom. Take what ascends out of
the Receiver, and you will find it endewed with little more taste than
Rain-water; and that because the volatile Spirit in this Abstraction
or Decoction is separated from the Water, and again converted into
a fixed Body, _viz._ A most red Powder. Which red Powder is indeed
a true Tincture, yet it hath no ingress into Metals, unless that be
procured to it by the help of Gold. Hence is fulfilled the Precept
of Philosophers thus teaching: Make the fixed volatile, and render
the volatile fixed. What, I pray, is more fixed than Iron? What more
volatile than its Spirit? And lastly, what more constant in Fire, than
the Spirit again fixed into a red Tincture?
_Note_: Whensoever the Glass with the remaining Water, in which the
red Powder is, shall by motion be disturbed, the Water will seem to be
blew, which blew colour ariseth onely from the Tincture, which by that
agitation is dissipated into most small Atoms. For when the Tincture
red as Blood is again setled in the bottom, the Water stands above
it white as before. Touching this flaming Sulphur _Cosmopolita_ thus
speaks: _When Philosophers have freed their Sulphur from his tenebrous
Prison, and see him swimming in his own Sea, they adore him, that is,
are delighted with his Beauty_. But whosoever would operate any thing
to purpose, it will be expedient for him to provide in readiness a
good quantity of this Water, because from ten pound of this Water,
there is no more than one Scruple of our Sulphur to be expected. Which
_Avicen_, in his advice to his Son observed, saying, he had need to
procure to himself sixty pounds of that Water before he began his
Work. Touching which also _Bracescus_ hath excellently discoursed,
although he was [seemingly] refuted by _Tauladanus_, who (by reason
of the great subtilty of his Wit) could not conceive, that any good
could lie hid in despicable gross Iron. But that good Man _Tauladanus_
no more understood the meaning of _Bracescus_ than he knew the nature
of Iron. If any one be seised with the desire of operating in this
Subject, let him reade _Bracescus_, by whom he will be sufficiently
informed. But many by his Writings have erred, through their mistake
of what he mentions in the latter end of his Book, _viz._ that he
spake not of vulgar Iron, which by strong Fire might be again reduced
into Iron; but that such Iron was to be chosen, as by the force of
strong Fire, could turn it self into a green or blewish Glass. Where
the simple Readers following the bare letter, sought their Tincture in
common Scales of Iron, but to no purpose. Here I speak of a blew or
green _Scoria_, which can no more be reduced into Iron. For whensoever
any one shall melt our fixed Sulphur mixt with _Borax_, although with
most vehement Fire, yet he shall never reduce it into Iron, but
into a greenish Glass. This _Crocus Martis_ cannot do, nor any other
destroyed Iron; but in Reduction it will always yield some small Grains
of Iron, wherefore thence no Tincture can be made. For whatsoever is
endewed with a tinging Vertue must not be Metal, according to the
Universal Consent of all Philosophers. If any one would find out some
excellent thing, let him learn the Art of concentrating that, by which
Concentration it will be multiplied in vertue.
These few things I was willing at this time to communicate touching
the volatile Spirit, and fixed Sulphur of _Mars_, for publick good.
The whole work is neither difficult nor chargeable, because we may use
one and the same _Menstruum_ always again and again, nor is there need
of new Expences, which are now easily acquirable. These are things
accurately to be noted, according as that most ingenious Poet _Virgil_
hath perspicuously hinted in these Verses.
_Consider first, what here is to be done:
A =Golden Branch=, with Leaves of Gold thereon,
Upon a Tree concealed groweth: =This=
To the Infernal =Juno= sacred is.
But the whole Grove, with dismal shades of Night,
Obscure and keep this =Tree= from humane Sight;
And till some one shall take down from the Tree
This =Golden Branch=, there can no Entrance be
Into Earths Caverns. Beauteous =Proserpine=
Ordained hath that this rare Gift divine
Shall brought be unto her. No sooner is
The first =Branch= cropt, but in the place of this
A second sprouts; and that most pure and fine,
As did the first, with golden Leaves will shine.
Therefore distinguish Right; when rightly known
This =Branch= is unto thee, then with thy own
Hands crop the same: for it will follow Thee,
If thou, by =Fates=, for this Work chosen be;
If otherwise, no humane Violence,
Nor strength of Iron force it can from thence._
By these it evidently appears, that when one golden Bough is cropped
off that Tree, another follows; and not onely one and another, but
as often as you will crop one, another follows: Provided the Heavens
favour our Enterprize; otherwise all endeavour will be vain. Yea,
it will be impossible with hard Iron, or from hard Iron (as the
Gold-bearing Tree) to acquire or crop one Branch. Consider these things
in your Mind. For here are words plain and clear enough to every man,
whose Ears and Eyes GOD shall open.
CHAP. XIV.
_Of the Preparation of the volatile and subtil Spirits of other
Metals, and of their Use._
_Note_: This labour of preparing subtil Spirits of fixed Metals, and
of reducing volatile Spirits, into fixed Bodies, so fully explains the
Table of _Hermes_, as even Children may understand it. Also it proves
the verity of that Aphorism unanimously used by all Philosophers: The
fixed make volatile, and the volatile fixed. He, whom GOD favours, will
easily understand this; but to all others it will remain most firmly
locked, although it be described to them with great clearness. I doubt
not, but that this Work (when these my Writings in time to come shall
fall into the hands of most diligent Searchers) will be more throughly
sought into, and a nearer way found, than this here described by me,
by the benefit of which, the Sulphur of Philosophers may be released
out of that dark Prison, in which he is kept bound with most strong
Iron Chains. It would amaze a man to think, that from such a tenebrous
and shadowed black Tree, such fair golden Branches should be cropped.
Although they (who are not Philosophers, but would be accounted such,
whilst they walk magnificently adorned with splendid cloathing) by
reason of their blind Pride cannot see what I have here clearly
written; yet those Artificers, who wearing Linnen Frocks, labour in
their simplicity, will see; because to their Endeavours GOD gives his
Benediction.
As I have here taught the way of extracting penetrating volatile
Spirits from contemptible old Iron, and of reducing those Spirits
into fixed tinging Bodies; so also from other Metals the same may be
prepared. Indeed one Metal is more apt for such an Operation than
another, and one gives forth its spirits more readily than another: yet
such Spirits may be extracted from all Metals, but with the help of
divers Solutions. For that Water which dissolves Gold, leaves Silver
undissolved, and what will dissolve Silver, dissolves not Gold. Common
Salt, and Salt Niter, with the Water and Oil of Vitriol, (but rather
of Sulphur) dissolve _Sol_, _Mars_, _Venus_ and _Jupiter_. Niter the
Water and Oil of Sulphur dissolve _Lune_ and _Venus_. Most sharp Wine
Vinegar dissolveth _Saturn_. The Spirit of Gold coagulates _Mercury_
into _Sol_, the Spirit of Silver coagulates it into _Lune_. Both these
Spirits are Medicinal. The Spirits of _Venus_ and _Jupiter_ are of a
loathsome Taste and Odour, and therefore unfit for Medicine. Spirit of
_Saturn_ is a mere penetrating Venome, or a Water, which by its Odour
suffocates the vital Spirit, wherefore every man should studiously
avoid it, since its use cannot be without Peril; otherwise that Spirit
in metallick Works excels all. Nor do I believe we can easily prepare a
Tincture, whereby to coagulate _Mercury_, unless by the help of Saturn
cold and killing all living things, yet it must be warily handled.
With these I close up my discourse of these Spirits; because, although
of them much more might be spoken, yet it will not be the part of a
considerate man to cast Pearls before Swine. Besides, I judge I have
already divulged more than is fit. But it is worthy of all observation,
that GOD is a faithfull Defender and Governour of all most subtil Arts
and Things.
CHAP. XV.
_How by the Benefit of a Magnet from the Air may be extracted an
Universal Medicine._
It is sufficiently known, that the Life of all things is reconded in
the Air, without which Spirit, or Soul of the World, nothing in this
Universality of things can live or grow. But the Ancient Philosophers
sought out various ways, by which that Spirit might be brought from a
far off nigh unto us, be received and exhibited palpable, and at length
they found the way, and by the benefit of it performed great things
both in Medicine and in Alchymy, and that more or less, according as
one knew better than another how to intercept and concentrate it.
For the whole Art consists in this Concentration. Therefore, since
by the Grace of GOD, unto me also is something known touching a like
Concentration of the Universal Macrocosmick Spirit of Life, I was not
willing (like some envious or covetous man) to keep so great a Gift
of GOD to my self onely, and suffer the same to be buried with me;
but chose rather (for the health of mankind, for the profit of my
Neighbour, and for the Honour and Glory of GOD) to impart something
thereabout; yet no more than is fit or convenient.
If any one desireth to extract some good thing from the Air, he must
first well understand what will be a good Magnet, and how to make
choice of an oportune place and time. For in a moist Season, you shall
extract nothing but an unprofitable Water from the Air. Wherefore no
man should undertake this labour of extracting, unless in the height
or midst of Summer, when the Air is very serene, void of Clouds, and
hot with the Solar Rays. Because, at such a time, the Magnet, which
you shall hang up in the Sun, immediately (from the hot Rays of the
Sun) extracts a medicinal Water, which every one may use according to
his Capacity. Also, I would have you to know, that various Magnets are
found, by help of which Water may be extracted from the hot Air, but
all such Waters make not for our Universal Medicine. Yet I am willing
here to subjoin some of those vulgar Magnets.
_The First Magnet._
With 3, 4, or 6 Pound of _Mercury_, or more or less fill small Stone
Jugs, or strong Glasses, which Glasses firmly closed let down into a
deep cold Well, where the _Mercury_ in it self will concentrate the
Cold. Now, if you would extract Water from the Air, hang up such a cold
Glass or Jug full of _Mercury_ in the Air, where it will presently draw
Water to it self. Therefore under the Glass or Jug must be set a Glass
Tunnel with a long Pipe; by which the distilling Water may be received,
and conveighed through the Pipe, from the hot Sun into a cold Cellar.
If this be not done, the Sun will again draw to it self the distilled
Spirit. You may leave the Magnet hanging as long as it remains cold and
Water distils from it: But assoon as no more water will distil, you
must immerge it again in a Cold Well, that it may recover its Coldness.
In the mean while, instead of it hang up another; and repeat the labour
so often as until you have gathered water enough.
_Another Magnet._
Hang up in the hot Sun Jugs or Glasses full of such water; which of
their own accord will their contract so great Coldness, as you can
scarcely endure to touch them with your hand. To them, as is abovesaid,
water will adhere, and distil into the Tunnels set under them.
A Cold water is thus prepared. In common water, or Spirit of Vitriol,
dissolve of _Sal. Armoniack_ and Salt-peter equal parts, as much as
can be dissolved. With this water fill your Glasses, and with them, as
is above shewed, extract water from the Air; and that will be equal
in vertue to the former. If you be desirous to extract something more
excellent from the Air, you must also expose to it more excellent
Magnets. For as is the Magnet so it extracts.
CHAP. XVI.
_Proceed in your Work thus._
Prepare 3 or 4 Pound of Oil of Sulphur _per_ Campane, which rectifie,
that it may become very fiery: Then provide a large Trough like a Chest
or Box, which you may cover with linnen Cloath so, as through it no
Dust, but the Air onely may penetrate. In this Chest set your rectified
Oil of Sulphur, poured into divers small Pans or Dishes so as they be
not above half full. Leave these there three or four Days, or so long
Day and Night expose them to the Air, as until the Oil of Sulphur hath
drawn to it self so much Water as it self was, and filled the Dishes.
This being done, empty out all the Dishes into one Glass Body, and in
_Balneo_ with gentle heat abstract thence all the humidity. The Oil
remaining in the Bottome again expose to the Air in those Dishes, as
before, so long as until they be filled. That water again abstract
thence, and proceed in extracting so long, as until you have got water
enough. This water passeth through all Tinctures; but I have not as yet
compleated this Work.
_Note_: All the best of that, which this Magnet draws from the Air,
remains with the Magnet it self or Oil of Sulphur, as its true
_Matrix_, in which it is nourished and ripened; as the most Ancient
_Hermes_, or the Father of all Philosophers, in his Smaragdine Table,
hath described in these words. Here the Soul of the World speaks. My
Father is _Sol_; my Mother is _Luna_; the Wind or Air secretly bears
me in its Belly: the Earth conceived and brought me forth, and is my
Nurse, _&c._ The Spirit of the World can bring forth no Fruits, unless
it be first seminated in a fit _Matrix_; because nothing in the World
can be progenited without a Womb. This our Magnet is of all Magnets
most gratefull to the Soul of the World, and a most natural Friend to
the Spirit of the World.
Much might be spoken touching this, but it is not necessary to thrust
pulse ready chewed into a sluggish Crows mouth, let him fly out and
seek for himself. Here, in this Work are verified those sayings of
Philosophers: Nature rejoyceth in Nature, Nature overcomes Nature,
Nature retains Nature. Here it is proper also to observe, what
_Hermes_, at the end of his Table saith; _viz._ My power is not intire,
or perfect, before I am turned into Earth. But how this is to be done,
I leave to the consideration of every Man. For the unworthiness of the
present wicked World forbids me to discourse more amply thereof. To all
men, whom GOD shall favour, these will be clear enough. Yet elsewhere
touching this matter (if GOD will) ere long shall be taught.
CHAP. XVII.
_How from Gold its Tincture may be extracted by help of a Magnet._
_Recipe_ of most pure Gold an ounce and a half, and of the _Stellate
Regulus_ of Antimony made with Steel, one ounce, both which melt
together in a covered Crucible; and whilst in flux cast at times
a little Salt-peter, until the Niter shall have extracted all the
_Regulus_ of Antimony from the Gold, and turned it into _Scoria’s_.
Permit the whole to flow well for some time, that the Gold may well
settle to the bottom from the _Scoria_, which will flow like water.
Then pour all out into a Cone, where the Gold becomes a _Regulus_,
which must be separated from the _Scorias_. This _Regulus_ of _Sol_
comes forth much paler than it was before. If this pallid _Sol_ be
again melted with the aforesaid Martial _Regulus_, and the _Regulus_
thence abstracted by the help of salt Niter, the Gold will come forth a
little paler than it did the first time. If you repeat this Operation
8, 10, or 12 times, you will find your Gold at length almost totally
white, and that its Tincture is extracted from it by the help of that
_Regulus_. The Tincture of _Sol_ is absconded in the _Scorias_; this,
by the benefit of a certain Antipathetick Salt, will be precipitated
from the Fæces liquified, like a _Regulus_ highly tinged.
_Note_: Yet in these Cases, the Precipitation must be warily handled,
lest you also precipitate the _Regulus_ [of Antimony] together with it,
and so vitiate the Tincture. For this Extraction no vulgar _Regulus_ is
conducent, but such onely, as is made of good Steel, and hath such a
property, as when a Flint is strook upon it, it yields fiery Sparks, no
otherwise, than as from hardned Steel. Which vertue, if it hath not, it
cannot rightly draw to it self the Tincture of Gold, but all endeavour
will be in vain. This Extraction, _Cosmopolita_, in his new Chymical
Light, hath very well described and discovered in these words. Such
_Chalibs_ must be taken, as is endewed with power of extracting that
from the Rays of the Sun, which many have sought, but few found. But
further he saith: There is found yet another _Chalibs_, which from Gold
extracts its Seed (if it be united or copulate with it 12 times) and
thence is impregnated; but the Gold is infirmed even to death. But the
_Chalybs_ or Magnet brings forth a Son, which will be more excellent
than his Father, _viz._ Gold, whence he proceeded, whosoever knows
this Magnet (of which _Cosmopolita_ makes mention, and an hint of the
preparation whereof I have here shewed) and understands how to use the
same, in two or three Days he will behold and find so great things,
as with the joy thereof his heart will be satisfied. For, if any one
hath Philosophick Eyes, he will see what is most pleasing, if not, he
will be no more delighted than a Swine, who among the Sweepings of
Vineyards hath swallowed an inestimable Pearl or Jewel, but knows not
the difference between a Pearl and that Dung.
CHAP. XVIII.
_How from Gold its Tincture may be extracted by another Method, or
by the benefit of a certain other =Chalybs=._
First, prepare the Green Lyon of Ancient Philosophers (by help of my
mineral Salt) of sulphureous Subjects. To this Green Lyon cast _Sol_,
that is, pure Gold; which he, through his greedy desire of devouring
always, will swallow, and thereby acquire to himself notable Strength,
Power and Beauty. For his whole Body will be thence renewed. His head,
with the fore part of his Body will shine with a Grayish Hair, very
like a Crows Head; but his Tail with the hinder part of his Body will
acquire many various and beautifull Colours, resembling the genuine
form of the Rain-Bow, or the Tail of a Peacock. And as soon as the
Green Lion hath sufficiently concocted and digested the yellow Lion or
_Sol_ in his Stomach, he by Seidge expells the Residue, which will be
void of Colour or Bloud. Then the Lion, proud and adorned with various
and beautifull Colours, walks to the Waters, in which he immergeth
himself, and washeth away all his Colours, and becomes totally white
like a Swan, which white Swan the Cook roasteth at the Fire: where that
white Swan first waxeth yellow, then more and more Red, untill he is
able at length to bear the Fire, and, like a Salamander, live in it
without any peril or hurt. This Red Salamander is one of the most noble
Medicaments that can be prepared by Art. This Operation I performed but
once; and then unto me appeared all those Colours one after another,
untill I obtained a Red Salamander, which is a most present Remedy
against all Diseases. But what it is able to effect in Chymistry, as
yet I have not known, being onely content with a Medicine for Health.
CHAP. XIX.
_Yet another way of extracting the Tincture from Gold._
_Recipe_ of our dried Red Bloud of _Sol_, in the form of Powder
irreducible one ounce, or an ounce an half of our Sulphureous fixed
_Sal-mirabile_ five, six or seven ounces. Both which mixt together
put into a strong Crucible; which covered, set into a Wind-Furnace,
giving Fire so, as they may flow together like Water for the space
of half an hour afterward pour them out into some Iron Vessel, or
Cone, when the _Sal-mirabile_ hath drawn from the Tincture of Gold a
Bloudy Colour. The Mixture cooled, separate the Red _Scorias_ from the
_Regulus_, which will be white as _Lune_. Pulverise the Red _Scoria_,
or tinged _Sal-mirabile_, upon which pour common Water; this Water
dissolves the _Sal-mirabile_, not indeed tinged with a Red, but
greenish Colour. Filter the Solution, and evaporate the unprofitable
Water in a Glass-dish. Then in the bottom will remain a Red Salt, which
fortified with the Seal of _Hermes_ or Luting of _Sapience_, keep for
a sufficient time in a continual Fire of Coals: for then the Sulphur,
as yet immature, will fix it self with the _Sol_, and become constant
in Fire. From that Lute of _Sapience_, you may afterward (by the help
of a proper Magnet) abstract a fixed Tincture, and convert the same to
Medicinal use.
_Note_: That green Saline Water, in which the Redness is latent,
coagulates _Mercury_ into _Sol_, not indeed for wealthy profit, but
onely by the benefit of that to know the possibility of such a Work.
The Red slime, whence the Salt is extracted by the benefit of common
Water, must be taken out of the Filter, mixed with new _Sal-mirabile_,
and in a strong Crucible be made to flow well for half an hour. Then
also more Tincture will be extracted, and a white _Regulus_ of _Sol_
again settle to the bottom. If this labour be a third time repeated,
the Tincture will be good, and a white _Regulus_ will again settle, yet
not so much, as was the first and second time.
CHAP. XX.
_How by the benefit of a certain Metallick Salt, from =Venus= her
Son =Cupid=, or rather the true =Mercury=_ _of Philosophers, may
be prepared in the space of One Day, so, as to sustain the Trial
of a Cupel: and indeed, it is neither =Sol= nor =Lune=, but a
Tincture most ample for certain white Subjects._
As for the Method of Proceeding, I have willingly offered to the Sons
of Art occasion of understanding That: but the thing it self is of so
easie Operation, as even the Forgers of infamous Libels, and all the
Brethren of Ignorance, would understand and perform the same, if any
One in describing it should give them but a very little Light. It would
be an unadvised thing to cast so noble a Pearl before Swine. Wherefore
I must forbear to write fundamentally of it. Nevertheless, that the
World may know such a Tincture is in the Nature of things, and may be
prepared of Things of small value; I confess I thought it worth while
to discover something thereof.
_Recipe_ of irreducible fixed _Arsenick_, and of _Mercury_ of _Luna_,
of each eight ounces. Both which Species being diligently mixed, you
will have a famous Cementing Powder, by help of which you may perfect
this _Arcanum_, thus:
_Recipe_ of Plates of _Venus_ beat thin and cut small four ounces,
which, with the Cementing Powder above mentioned, (making Lay upon
Lay, as the manner is) into a Cementing Box glazed within, the Cover
of which you must lute very well, and place that in a Cementatory
Furnace; or (if you have not such a Furnace) upon a Chimney Hearth,
putting so many Coals round about, as the Box may be covered well.
Kindle the Fire above, and heat the Box leisurely, and keep it there
red-hot among the Coals ten or twelve hours. Then let your Fire go
out, and the Box cool: out of which, if you take your Cement, you will
find, that the Volatile Spirits of _Luna_, taking the fixed _Arsenick_
to themselves, have introduced the same into the Copper Plates, and
procured to it the whiteness of Silver. This Cement, together with the
Copper Plates mixed with salt Alcali or burnt Tartar, melt in a strong
Crucible in a Wind-Furnace, and pour out the Mixture into a Cone. When
cold, separate the _Scorias_ from the _Regulus_, which will be white as
_Lune_. Cupellate this white _Venus_ with _Saturn_; then that, which
is not _Lune_, will enter with _Saturn_ into the Cupel, but the fixed
_Mercury_ remain above upon the Cupel. Granulate that, and dissolve it
by the help of _Aqua-fortis_; then indeed the _Luna_ will dissolve,
but the Philosophick _Sol_, or rather _Mercury_ of Philosophers, will
remain in the bottom undissolved, like an Ash-coloured Calx. This
edulcorated and reduced, passeth into an heavy Metallick Body; in
Face, Colour, and Hardness very like common and known Lead, which by
_Spagyrists_ is called the _Black Lead of Philosophers_. This Black
Lead hath sustained the Examen of the Cupel, yet it is neither _Sol_
nor _Lune_. For if it had been _Lune_, the _Aquafortis_ would have
dissolved it; and if it had been vulgar _Sol_, it would have been
infected with no Lead colour. Nor can it be Copper or Arsenick; because
if it had been so, it could not have sustained the Trial of the Cupel.
Therefore, according to the Fables of Poets, it must be _Cupid_, or the
Son of _Venm_. When the Gods saw that _Vulcan_, or the Son of _Jupiter_
and _Juno_, was born so very black and deformed, they took care to
have him carried into the Isle of _Lemnos_, that there being washed
by Apes (that is, by Men or Philosophers imitating Nature) he might
obtain a better Form, be nourished and brought up to Man’s estate. Who
afterward married _Venus_, of whom he begat _Apollo_. Whosoever desires
farther Information touching this matter, let him read that Ingenious
Treatise of _John Bracescus_, of the Tree of Life; where many great
_Arcanums_ are revealed, and the obscure Writings of Poets and Ancient
Philosophers explained.
Here I have in few words divulged one of the greatest of _Arcanums_.
I have not my self, as yet, by trial adhibited this _Mercury_ of
Philosophers, for the Transmutation of Metals. Nevertheless, as I have
written, it is a very far extended Tincture for white Bodies, and this
I have several times experienced; yet onely in white Glass: where one
part of the Tincture tingeth one thousand parts with the redness of a
Ruby, but the Glass keeps its own hardness. Now, if it could obtain the
hardness of a Ruby, as well as its fair Colour, such a Tincture would
be full as good, as if it could tinge _Lune_ it self, or _Mercury_
into _Sol_. For a good Ruby weighing but one ounce, is more esteemed
than sixteen ounces or a pound of Gold. But this Glass, with how great
Beauty soever it is tinged, still remains Glass, and cannot otherwise
be used than to adorn certain Pictures and Images.
_Note_: If any one knows how to extract the Tincture from this coloured
Glass, they will obtain a most excellent Universal Medicine. For,
although this _Mercury_ of Philosophers hath once passed the Trial
of the Cupel, yet this happened onely by help of the Silver, which
defended it from devouring _Saturn_; otherwise it had been consumed by
it. But now it is separated by help of _Aquafortis_ from the _Luna_,
it is destitute of a Defender, and is constrained to enter again into
its Mothers Womb, that it may there be ripened, and afterward new born.
For all Sand or Flint, of which Glass is made, is the Matrix or Mother
of all Metals. Glass is the Philosophers Lute of _Sapience_, or Seal
of _Hermes_, with which all Volatile Mineral Subjects are so bound and
fixed, as they can abide fixed, sustaining the force of Fire.
CHAP. XXI.
_How, by the benefit of the Common Lute of =Sapience=, =Sulphur=,
=Antimony=, =Arsenick=, =Auripigment=, and the =Sulphur= of
Vegetables, may in a short time be fixed into fixed Medicaments._
_Recipe_ any one of those Subjects, which you will; which if you
dissolve either by the dry or humid way, in a sharp _Lixivium_, the
_Lixivium_ so far constringeth the Volatile Subject, as it will not,
when heat red-hot continually evaporate. Such a _Lixivium_ coagulate
into Salt: If of this Salt you mix four or five parts, with one part of
a liquable Flint or Sand, and put the Mixture into a Cementing Box well
luted; set that into a Furnace of Cementation or Fixation to be fixed,
the _Sal-Alcali_ preys upon the Flint, and with it is converted into
Glass. But the Volatile Mineral hides it self in this Glass, and is not
driven thence by the violence of Fire, but suffers it self to be fixed
into a fixed Tincture. After that, which was put in, shall be fixed,
take your Box out of the Furnace or Fixation, and make the Glass flow
well in a Wind-Furnace. This Glass, when poured out, will be Red in
Colour. If you reduce this Glass to Powder, and by the help of Spirit
of Wine extract the fixed Tincture, from this fixed Subject, you
will have a most efficacious Medicine against all grievous Diseases,
especially, if the Tincture hath been extracted from Antimony, or
Common Mineral (not Vegetable) Sulphur. The Tinctures of Arsenick and
Auripigment, are not so safe to be used in Medicine, but in Chymistry
they are more profitable. For such Subjects cannot be fixed by any
more easie Method, than is here discovered by me. And _Paracelsus_,
_Basilius_ and other Philosophers judge, that a Tincture drawn from
fixed Sulphur or Antimony, will be admirably efficacious in Medicine
and Chymistry.
But that I so abruptly break off this discourse, it is not without
Reason, for I am confident I have writ plain enough to him whom GOD
favours.
_Note_: If to your _Hermes Seal_, you add such Sand or Flints, as _per
se_ abound with the first Ens of Gold, you will acquire the more noble
Tinctures.
CHAP. XXII.
_How to prepare a famous Universal Medicine of Gold._
_Recipe_ three or four Ounces of the coagulated and irreducible Bloud
of the Lion; of which the little Book of Dialogues treats. Dissolve
them, in the dry way, by the help of _Sal-mirabile_, into a Red Stone;
from which reduced to Powder, extract its Tincture, by the help of
Alcolizate Spirit of Wine. This Tincture is a famous _Aurum Potabile_
against many Diseases. Also it coagulates living _Mercury_ into
_Sol_. I purposed to have prepared no small quantity of this _Aurum
Potabile_, that I might therewith help and succour the Distress of the
Diseased. But I was hindred for two years, so as I could not attend
this Operation. Now I have found an easier Method of preparing it, and
by help of that, do hope hereafter I shall do more than I could doe
before. Touching its salutary use in Medicine, and its Coagulation of
_Mercury_, shall (if GOD will) be treated of hereafter, before it be
long. Here the Description of that would be too tedious.
CHAP. XXIII.
_How a Medicinal Water may be Distilled from =Jupiter= and
=Mercury=, by the benefit of Fulmination, or a sudden Flaming
Fire._
Make an _Amalgama_ of Tin and Mercury in equal weights: Mix this
_Amalgama_ with Sulphur, Tartar and Nitre mixt in equal parts, and
Grind them exactly upon a Stone, and then your Matter, with its Fulmen,
is fit for Distillation. Therefore, when you purpose to distill a
Medicinal Water from _Jupiter_ and _Mercury_, begin your Operation thus.
Against some Wall, set up five or six Glass Cucurbits, [or
Subliming-Pots of Earth glazed within] one above another, so as they
may exactly shut in one into another, and let the Junctures be firmly
closed with Paper and Starch, as I taught to be done in preparing
Spirit of Salt. The lowest Glass must have an Orifice in the side, into
which the neck of the Distillatory Vessel may be inserted. Which Vessel
must be made in form of a Box or Cabinet round, a span broad and high;
in the upper part thereof, which is to be filled with Sand, the Cover
may be included in such wise, as I taught in the Second Part of my
Philosophical Furnaces; yet below it must not be round, but plain; so
as standing out from some Bench it may be fitted to the Receivers. When
all Junctures of the Receivers shall be closed exactly, your Furnace
is compleat. Then, at one time put in no more of the Mixture into a
Crucible set in that Furnace, than one Ounce. From this (when you have
kindled it with a live Coal, and nimbly put on the Cover again) will be
excited a Fulmination, and flame suddenly penetrating, and with great
noise separating the Mercury from the Tin; in which separation, part of
the _Jupiter_ and _Mercury_ ascends in the form of a sowerish Water,
but another part in the Species of a subtile yellow Powder. When this
Fulmination ceaseth to fume, take out that Crucible, and put another in
his place: set fire of the Mixture in that, and let it burn as before;
and continue the same labour, taking out and putting in, as long as
any of the Mixture is left. Then take the Water distilled, together
with the Flores, out of the Recipients. That Water (when digested with
gentle heat for a sufficient time) is coagulated into a Medicinal Red
Salt. The Flores must be dried and fixed with fresh fulminating Matter,
and as before sublimed. Then again will ascend Water and Flores. All
the other Flores remain fixed in the Crucibles, which (reduced by
force of Fire and diligent Fusion) produce an hard Tin, which may be
cupellated by the help of _Saturn_, but vulgar Tin cannot bear this
Examen. This leaves somewhat behind it in the Crucible; yet not so much
Gold as covetous Men desire; but so much as renders the Medicinal Red
Salt acquirable without charge.
Ancient Poets, fabulizing touching this Work, have writ, that _Jupiter_
and _Mercury_ sought entertainment of _Philemon_ and his Wife _Baucis_,
as Persons contented with little, that from them they might receive
Meat and Drink liberally. Let him, who desires a more ample Information
of these things, peruse such Philosophers, that he may see how highly
this Work was esteemed by them. For, as we now said, _Jupiter_ and
_Mercury_ turn not into rich and proud Men, (who regard not Art, but
thirst after heaps of Gold, by which they may long continue their Pride
of life) but to the Lovers of Frugality onely, and into their House
bring their own Blessing with them.
CHAP. XXIV.
_The way of extracting an Universal Medicine from common and
well-known Lead._
By Calcining reduce four pound of Common Lead to Ashes. With which
four pound of Calx of Lead, mix four pound of those Stones or Sand,
in which is contained the first Ens of Gold. Melt this Mixture in a
strong Crucible into Glass: which reduced to Powder, mix with a fourth
part of Salt of Tartar, and in an Iron Crucible reduce it, so you
will recover almost all your Lead. This Lead again reduce to Ashes,
and mix with it a fourth part of choice Sand and Flints, and melt the
Mixture into Glass. Which again reduce by help of Salt of Tartar and
Iron: again Calcine it, with Flints turn it into Glass, and reduce
it as before; the oftner the better. For in every Operation the Lead
extracts something of the first Ens of Gold from the Sand or Flints,
and at length becomes very rich with it. That afterward must, by the
help of a certain Magnet, be extracted from the Lead, and converted
to Medicinal use; as every Man, according to his capacity, is best
able to use the same. I judge it not convenient to make a farther
discovery touching this matter. Indeed the external face of this
Process is simple; because in so short a time, with so little charge,
and from so vile subjects, an Universal Medicine may be extracted.
Although _Saturn_ is covered with a deformed Ash-coloured Coat; yet
within in his interior penetrals is reconded a golden Crown, which
is not perceived before that grey Habit is taken off from him. As
oft as any one hopes for, or thinks to obtain such a thing, let him
read what _Basilius_, _Paracelsus_, and other Philosophers have writ
touching Lead. Blessed is that Man, who knows how to adhibit to this
Operation the Secret Lead of Philosophers instead of Common Lead: for
then undoubtedly he will find a most excellent Medicine; according as
Ancient Philosophers, by the following Words have expressed:
_Arctus est Hominis, qui constat VI. Elementis,
Cui =P.= si addideris, =S.= in =M.= mutare benè scis,
Hoc erit Æs nostrum, constans Lapis Philosophorum._
That _Arctus_ is _LUMBUS_, before which word, if you set the Letter P,
and change the last Letter S, into M, it will be _PLUMBUM_. Therefore
if by the help of Common Lead, (which notwithstanding is very impure,
and as it were Leprous) the possibility of Transmutation may be
demonstrated and verified, as is manifest by my New Chymical Light,
what may not the Secret Lead of Philosophers effect, which is _per se_
pure, and more excellent than Gold? _Cosmopolita_ speaks thus: Although
unto him, to whom GOD hath shewed the possibility of that, the Gain be
not so great as the Loss, yet unto him is opened an Entrance to the
knowledge and finding of all other high things. More of these at this
time I forbear to speak. Whosoever is so gross and stupid, as he knows
not how to enter through this Gate set wide open, how shall he be able
to enter through a narrower passage? Him, to whom this clear Light
cannot shew the way, neither the Light of _Sun_ or _Moon_ will profit
any thing. Yet I doubt not, but that even Mechanick Artificers, so soon
as that my Light begins to shine, will search out the Truth, unto every
of whom I wish the help of GOD.
CHAP. XXV.
_How Gold may be rendred Volatile, so as to be sublimed into a
salutary Medicine._
Dissolve as much Common Salt in _Aq. Fortis_ as you can, in this _Aq.
Regia_ dissolve Sol, which precipitate with Spirit of Urine. In Sand
abstract all the Phlegm to a dry Salt; if afterward you augment the
Fire, the Coagulated Spirit of Urine will carry up with it self part
of the purest _Sol_ in the form of a Red Salt. This Salt will yield
very profitable Fruit in Medicine. The Dose is from three, six, eight,
to twelve Grains; endued with power of expelling Sweat and Urine, and
famously conducent against the Stone and Gout. Also since this Salt
is void of any loathsome Taste, it may securely and commodiously be
administred as a Cathartick to Infants, and Women with Child.
CHAP. XXVI.
_The Way of preparing yet another famous Medicine Universal of
Gold._
Dissolve one part of Nitre, in four parts of Spirit of Salt, diligently
rectified. In this Water dissolve as much Gold as you will. Upon this
Solution leisurely at times, and drop after drop, pour on of Oil of
Tartar so long, as untill both those contrary Natures of the _Aq.
Regia_, and Oil of Tartar, shall be united and quiet. Then, if you
abstract all the Phlegm, with the _Sol_ will remain a Salt. This Salt,
with the Gold, put into a little coated glass Body; yet first mix with
them of burnt Bone as much in weight, as the Salt and _Sol_ did weigh.
The Bones are onely added, that the Gold may not be separated from the
Salt, or be precipitated into a Mass and flow. Place the Glass, with
this mixture, in Sand, augmenting the Fire gradually, untill the Glass
in the Sand be obscurely Red; in which degree of Fire, if you detain it
the space of six hours, the fusible Salt will penetrate the hard Gold,
and from it extract its best strength, and thence wax Red. Which, when
all is cold, take out of the Glass, and by the help of Spirit of Wine
extract from that Red Salt all its Tincture; which you may administer
in grievous Diseases, according as your Judgment shall inform. If you
reduce the extracted Gold by the help of Borax, you will find your Gold
pale.
_The Way of Extracting a yellow Tincture from white Nitre._
By Retort distill a strong Spirit from pure salt Nitre, mixt with
burned Earth. Which Spirit, lest it should not be strong enough,
dephlegmate. This Spirit in Distillation ascends Red, but when cold
appeareth White; yet in it is absconded a Redness, which will be
revealed the following way. We see that if any thing fall from those,
who labour about _Aqua Fortis_, into it (whether that fallen in be a
piece of Skin, Hair, or any part of the Nails of the Fingers) the same
is tinged thereby with a golden Colour. The reason of this Colouring
is this: All superfluities of Nature (as the Skin, Nails of the Hands
and Feet, all Hairs and Hoofs of Animals, and Feathers of Birds; which
being old, fall off, and new succeed in their place) are endued with
power of cleansing the Humane Body, whensoever they are prepared for
Medicinal use; and that by reason of the abundance of Volatile Salt
contained in them, and other such like Entities. For Volatile Salt is
of such a Nature, as Salt of Urine, by which all corrosive Spirits are
mortified and edulcorated. Hence it is, that when one drop of a Nitrous
Spirit falls upon the Skin, or a Nail of the Finger, it is mortified
and discovered by such a Volatile Salt as lay hid in it; which
otherwise happens not in all other Subjects, which are void of such a
Volatile Salt.
_Now follows the Process._
_Recipe_ of the Hairs either of a sound Man, or of any Animal, very
well washed and cleansed from all filth, four ounces. Upon these pour
of most strong and well rectified Spirit of Nitre, one pound, and
the Spirit will totally dissolve the Hairs. Upon that Solution pour
by degrees so much Oil of Tartar, as untill all the Spirits of Nitre
be mortified and totally deprived of their Corrosive power. But you
should not cease to pour on Oil of Tartar, untill the Spirit hath well
acquired a Golden Colour. This being seen, filter the Solution through
brown Paper, in which the Fæces will remain, which notwithstanding will
scarcely weigh half a dram; because the Spirit of Nitre hath almost
dissolved all. If from this Liquor in a Glass-body set in _Balneo_,
you abstract all the unprofitable Phlegm, in the bottom will remain a
Red Salt; on which, if you pour good Spirit of Wine, some Fæces will
again be left in the bottom, which you may cast away as unprofitable.
Moreover, if one half of that Spirit of Wine be abstracted from
the Tincture, a yellow Oil is acquired; which if you rub upon good
Silver, that will look as yellow as if it were good Gold. If you shall
take of this Tincture, although it is so Volatile, from three, six,
nine, to twelve drops, it strongly expells Sweat and Urine, cures
the Jaundies, yields relief in the Dropsie; in Feavers it provokes
Sweat, and in the Pestilence or other Diseases, where Sweating is
needfull. I attempted to fix this Tincture; but it was an Operation
of no small time; therefore I was weary of proceeding, and absolving
the Work begun. If any one be so patient as to fix this Tincture, he,
after his Work is ended, will have whereof to rejoyce. Touching this
Operation, Philosophers feigned the venomous Dragon to be a watchfull
Keeper of the Golden Fleece; and that the same could not be taken away
before the Dragon was brought to sleep by a Soporiferous Medicine,
by which he should be rendred insensible and fixed. But undoubtedly
some opinionative Men will say, that this yellow Tincture is acquired
from the Hairs, Wool, or Feathers, rather than from the Nitre. The
Opinion of such Men I thus refell. If any one dissolve Hairs, Wool, or
Feathers, by the help of Spirits of Salt, Sulphur or Vitriol, he will
acquire a white Solution: and if he mortifies the Spirit of Salt or
Vitriol with Oil of Tartar, yet shall no yellowness appear, but all
remain white. And such white Salt, which comes from the Spirits of
Salt and Vitriol, hath also its use in Medicine. The reason of that is
especially, because Hairs in themselves contain a very Medicinal Salt,
which cannot possibly any other way be obtained, than by dissolving
with the help of _Aqua Fortis_, or of their re-mortification and
reduction into Salt by the benefit of _Alcali’s_.
After this manner from many Animals, by the help of Spirit of Nitre,
may be extracted yellow Tinctures or Salts, which are very efficacious
in Medicine.
Such Cast-skins of Serpents, as are commonly found in Fields, and
among heaps of Stones, are famously Medicinal against Poysons, the
Pestilence, and all other venomous Diseases.
The Teeth of Serpents, and Teeth of Mad Dogs and Wolves, have a
Medicinal Efficacy against all venomous Bitings of Animals. Also they
help the Stomach against all Feavers.
_Scorpions_, _May-Worms_, _Cantharides_, and such like venomous
Insects, do all minister yellow Tinctures, or such Salts as may most
profitably be administred in all grievous and venomous Diseases.
CHAP. XXVII.
_What is to be judged of the Tincture of Corals._
When _Paracelsus_ writ of the admirable Virtues of _Tincture of
Corals_, which it manifests in the Expulsion of all grievous Diseases,
he said, that very many famous Men endeavoured to perfect that
Tincture; but an happy event or prosperous success of the same happened
to few. Even so hath it hapned unto me, who have been a searcher of
that Tincture above forty years. As to the external face, I could
indeed variously extract a Tincture of Corals, but in Medicine it
proved not as it seemed. Hence I conjectured that was not the true
Tincture of Corals, but that Tincture came from the _Menstruum_. Yet at
length GOD shewed me some particular Feathers of Birds, which might be
adapted to fixed Tinctures latent in Stones and stony Subjects, and by
help of them the same be extracted from their gross Bodies, and exposed
to publick view; yet among them all, three sorts of Feathers onely hold
the Principal place.
I.
_The black Feathers of Crows_,
which are endued with power to elevate such Tinctures as love to ascend.
II.
_The white Feathers of Pidgeons_,
which, in a sort, contain in themselves the purest, and before (by
their natural virtue) lightly volatile Tinctures, invade and carry them
upwards with them.
III.
_Eagles Feathers_,
which rowse even the most fixed and heaviest Bodies, and thence
extract the inmost or noblest part of them, and carry it upwards with
themselves.
Yet these Eagle-Feathers are most commodiously used for extracting of
fixed Tinctures from fixed Metals and Stones. For if they be applied to
other very Volatile Subjects, they will carry up with themselves the
whole mortified Body together with the Tincture. Therefore, whosoever
would by the benefit of the Salt of these Feathers, or of the Salts of
other Volatiles, perform some excellent Work, let him exactly learn the
difference between one and the other. But since here I onely intend
the Extraction of the Tincture from Red Corals, there is no need of
any other Feathers for that purpose, but of Pidgeons Feathers onely,
because they will be sufficient for this Operation.
_The Feathers or Wings are thus found and acquired._
Dissolve one pound of pure Silver in _Aqua Fortis_. If to this Solution
you pour good Spirit of Salt, in which Common Salt is dissolved,
all the _Luna_ will be precipitated from the _Aq. Fortis_ in the
form of a white Calx. In which Precipitation the Silver acquires the
aforesaid white Pidgeons Feathers from the Salt-water, and submergeth
them, together with it self, in the bottom of the Vessel. In this
Precipitation also the _Aqua Fortis_ perisheth not, but passeth into
good _Aqua Regia_. This white Calx of _Lune_, which I have otherwise
called _Mercury_ of _Lune_, if it be diligently edulcorated and dried;
then are the Feathers prepared, by help of which I here teach how the
Tincture of Corals is to be extracted.
_Recipe_ one pound of Red Corals, grind them upon a Stone to a most
subtile Powder; to which add as much of this white Silver Calx also
pulverized. Put these together into a Glass-Retort, administring Fire
by degrees, untill the Retort be red, whence (before it is red-hot)
will ascend a reddish Water pleasantly sweet; out of one pound of
Corals, about four or five ounces. Let this Water be dephlegmated in
a small Glass-body, by gentle heat of _Balneo_, and the unprofitable
Water separated from the Tincture; which every Man may safely use in
Medicine according to his capacity and skill; because by virtue of it
the Bloud is egregiously purged. Almost after the same manner, by help
of these Feathers, a most efficacious Water of Pearls may be distilled
from fragments of Pearls, or in defect of them from Mother of Pearls.
Likewise, by their help, from a certain peculiar kind of white Talk,
may be extracted a famous Cosmetick for whitening the black Skin.
Also otherwise by the help of these, from Vegetable and Animal, as well
as from Mineral Subjects, many famous Medicaments may be extracted; all
the Preparations of which, if any Man should take upon him to describe,
he would above measure encrease the Volume of his Book: which is not
my purpose now to do. Therefore with these already commemorated every
well-meaning Man will hold himself content. Hereafter (if GOD please)
we may discover more.
That which remains in the Retort take out, mix it with an equal weight
of burned Tartar, and then by strong fire melt the Mixture. Then the
_Lune_ will precipitate it self into a _Regulus_, and the Corals,
Pearls, or whatsoever you distilled by the help of that, will pass
into _Scorias_. If you rightly know how to operate this, you will lose
none of the Silver. But if you granulate the same, dissolve it in
_Aquafortis_, and again precipitate it with Spirit of Salt, edulcorate
and dry the Calx, you will have new Feathers, by the benefit of which
you may sublime subtile Tinctures from Bodies. The reason why these
Tinctures ascend so sweet, is, because the sharp Spirits of Salt, which
the _Lune_ detains with it self, adhere to the Corals and Pearls, and
mortifie themselves with them, and upwards onely drive a sweet Essence.
Since I have said something of White Pidgeons Feathers, and also made
mention, that many other such Feathers may be had, by which heavy
Subjects may in like manner be elevated, and carried upward with them;
among which the Dark-coloured Feathers of the Eagle do easily obtain
the priority; I thought it would be worth while to shew the way of
Acquiring them here also; which thus take.
CHAP. XXVIII.
_How a Medicine may be prepared of =Sol= and =Luna= together._
_Recipe_ of Gold one ounce, and of Silver two ounces. Dissolve the
_Sol_ in _Aqua Regia_, and the _Lune_ in _Aqua Fortis_. If you mix
both Solutions together, one Metal will precipitate the other, and
both settle to the bottom in the form of a Dark or Ash-coloured Calx.
This Precipitate edulcorate and dry, and mix with the same half its
own weight of our Eagles Feathers. Distil these in a Glass Retort with
strong Fire: then will the Eagles Feathers take up with it self a white
Water; in which, notwithstanding, is latent a red Tincture; but of an
unpleasing Taste, and therefore not to be administred in medicinal
Practice. Yet, if this fierce and horrible Water be mortified by the
help of a _Lixivium_ of Tartar, and afterward some white Glass broke
small be melted in a Crucible with some such Salt, the Glass will be
tinged by the Salt, with an eminent yellowness answerable to the Colour
of Gold. That yellow Tincture may be extracted from the Glass, and
used in Medicine; because it ariseth both from _Sol_ and _Luna_, and
therefore necessarily must be medicinal.
_Note_: That during the Distillation, the Glass vessel contracts divers
Colours, partly red, and partly yellow; _viz._ as long as it stands in
the Fire and is hot; but the Neck remaining out in the Air, continues
white. Here is cause indeed of admiration, that by that mixture of
divers Colours many and various Figures are represented, as Mountains
and Valleys, adorned with Rocks and Trees, so artificially, as they
seem to be the Work of a Painter. Some such Glasses painted, both by
Art and Nature, I gave to some of my curious and ingenious Friends;
who I believe have them yet to show. These Glasses are tinged well and
throughly; sometimes through their whole Body, and that so firmly, as
even the strongest _Aqua Fortis_ or _Aqua Regia_, or any Corrosives
cannot take off those Colours. Which indeed is a most strange and
admirable thing, that even vulgar and corporeal fixed _Sol_ and _Luna_
should be rendred so volatile, as to be able to enter into the compact
Glass, and tinge the same. Spirits have great power, are void of
ponderosity, and when they tinge, the vertue of them is discerned far:
even as the Spirits of men and other Animals are void of all heaviness
or weight; which we clearly discern by this, _viz._ that a man living,
is much lighter than when he is dead.
Moreover, Spirits cannot onely render fixed _Luna_ volatile, and
reduce it into red Bodies as _Sol_ and _Venus_, which without any hurt
of their form, and without increase or diminution of their weight,
they can totally tinge with whiteness; but also Spirits can render
the most fixt and most compact Gold volatile, and induce it into
compact _Lune_, whereby that shall be tinged with yellowness, which
is a thing very wonderfull. But that Spirits can induce Tincture into
Glass, without hurt or augmentation of its weight, deserves greater
admiration; especially because it is the common Opinion of putatitious
Philosophers, that in Glass are no pores, yet the contrary of their
supposition is true. For if it were so, as they perswade themselves,
which way I pray could Tinctures be introduced into them?
_Note_: That Spirits do not onely induce Metallick subtile Tinctures
into compact Metals and Glasses; insomuch, as by the help of white
Spirits, yellow _Sol_, without destruction of its form or species may
totally be tinged with whiteness; and white _Lune_ by the mediation of
red Spirits, be totally tinged with yellowness, and white Glass with
various Colours resembling the Beauty of Jems: but they also extract
fixed Bodies from other fixed Metallick Bodies. As we see, as often as
we cast any mixture of _Sol_, _Luna_ and _Venus_, (melted into a Mass)
into those Spirits; the same Spirits extract the _Luna_ and _Venus_
from the _Sol_, without corruption or destruction of its form, so as
the _Sol_, although this separation is made, doth notwithstanding
remain compact and massy. We have such Spirits as these in our
Possession, and can render the same fit for our purpose.
As for all other Spirits, which are various; _viz._ 1. Are Cœlestial
and Divine. 2. Terrestrial and Diabolick. 3. The Spirits of the four
Elements; these excel the former in power: for they cannot onely pass
through Doors that are shut, but also through the hardest Stones and
Rocks, and there at pleasure sport and perpetrate wonderous things.
As you may learn from those that labour in Mines of Metals, where
such Spirits inhabit, and stoutly defend their Treasures of Gold and
Silver, from such as come to spoil them of the same; wherefore they
invade the Miners, strike them, pault them with Stones or Dirt, blast
them with venomous Vapours, and oftentimes kill many of them at once.
What wonderfull things they in these subterranean Mansions are able to
effect, is more than sufficiently known. In the Mansfieldick Mountains
of _Venus_ or Copper, the Spirits paint all kind of Figures, especially
of Fishes; some of which I my self have seen. About 100 years since
there was dug up a certain Image of _Venus_ upon a black Fissile
Stone, wherein _Luther_ and the Electour of _Saxony_ were so evidently
expressed, as either of them might be seen kneeling before the Image
of Christ crucified. Also another such Fissile Stone was thence dug
up, in which was exactly figured _John Baptist_ baptizing Christ in
_Jordan_. But if our Spirits of Salt can induce Tinctures into the
compact Bodies of Metals; and Elementary Spirits in their subterranean
Habitations, can impress many and various Figures on Stones; what is
that good Cœlestial Spirits shall not be able to effect? Did not these
preserve the three Children in the _Babylonian_ Fiery Furnace? Did
not they bring _Peter_ out of Prison; and the Prophet _Habacuck_ to
_Daniel_ into the Lyon’s Den? Are not they able to bring in, and lead
out? Cannot they render fixed palpable Bodies volatile, spiritual and
invisible, and on the contrary render invisible Bodies visible and
tangible?
Many things might here be spoken touching the Nature, Property and
Difference of Spirits, but that they are not pertinent to our present
purpose. If GOD permit, according as I have purposed, I shall ere
long set forth a peculiar Treatise of Spirits. Here we have heard how
Spirits can bring through shut Doors hard Bodies, and there render
them corporeal and visible. Which may serve for Information to every
Searcher into the Light of Nature.
CHAP. XXIX.
_Yet one other =Specimen= of Probation by the help of Eagles
Feathers._
That Artificer _Lazarus Ercker_, most famous for finding out the Veins
of Metals, in his Book of Probations (or of finding out Veins) relates,
that the _Venetians_ hired certain men for wages, and sent them into
_Germany_ to gather of the glassy dark coloured Grains of Sand of the
Rivers running by the Mountains, and to transport it to _Venice_.
The same is done at this very day. And although this Exportation is
prohibited by Law, yet they desist not, but clandestinely proceed.
The common People of those parts perswade themselves, that Grains of
Gold are contained in those Sands, and therefore by Edict every man is
forbid, either to remove it thence, or to convert the same to his own
use.
Indeed _Lazarus Ercker_ added, that he had subjected such Grains of
Sand to various Trials, but never found Gold in them; yet that he also
understood, that the _Venetian_ Artificers prepared of that Sand such
beautifull Colours, as with them were in more esteem, than Gold it
self. But I affirm, that _Erckerus_ did not rightly know those Grains
of Sand. For indeed there is little corporal Gold in them, but much
spiritual Gold. If to those Sands the Eagles Feathers be added, they
will carry upwards with themselves much spiritual Gold, which will be
very conducent in Medicine. Such Grains are found in all the Sands of
Rivers in all Regions of the World, and in the Gravel on the Shores
of common Navigable Rivers: whence much good may be gained. Now these
may suffice to be spoken touching the Eagles Feathers, for it is not
convenient to divulge more.
CHAP. XXX.
_Yet one Royal Medicine of Vulgar Gold._
Make one Ounce of Gold more or less, irreducible by the benefit of
Salts. Then to such irreducible or unmeltable Gold, add as much by
weight of the fixed Salt of the Eagles Feathers burnt. Put these into
a firmly coated Glass, and place the Glass in an Earthen Pan full of
Sand; which Pan set in the Fire that it may be red hot. But after it
hath stood in such a Degree of heat, for four or five hours, let it
cool. Then take your fixed _Sol_ out of the Glass, and it will be like
white Chalk. This white _Sol_ taken out of the Glass put into a good
Crucible, upon which lute another, and then set it in a Wind Furnace,
where having stood four or five hours, without any extream heat, let
it cool. Then your Gold will be transmuted into a Tincture intensly
red. Grind this red Salt to a most subtil Powder, and pour on Spirit
of Wine to extract his Tincture. The tinged Spirit pour off, and pour
on other, that it may also extract. Abstract the Spirit of Wine from
the Tincture, and in the bottom a red Saline Liquor will remain, which
is to be accounted a true _Aurum Potabile_: because it is not possible
by any way whatsoever to extract any Gold from thence. This Operation
begun, I once absolved without Errour; but many times afterward trying
my Work, did not succeed so prosperously as at the first time. Yet I
rather ascribe the Errour to my self, than to Art, plainly judging,
that no other way more swift, more easie or more preparable, can be
obtained a most readily profitable Tincture for diseased, humane and
metallick Bodies. Yet I add this. If thou sufferest the common and now
ductile _Sol_ to be and remain Gold; and sparing labour and charge
for making it irreducible, do onely make choice of such Stones for
your Operation, such as without Charges you may get, and by nature
partake of irreducible Gold. Then indeed you may much more easily find
what you intend. For whatsoever Tinctures of a golden Disposition are
incited in those Stones, they notwithstanding in this operation lose
it, altogether wax white, and at length totally red again. Which being
beheld by me, I never saw in all my Life a more wonderfull Sight.
Hence Philosophers have always said: Whosoever can so destroy vulgar
_Sol_, as it can never be again reduced into _Sol_, he hath attained
to a very great Mystery. Also they further say: Whosoever knows not
how to make our _Sol_ (which is vulgar _Sol_ rendred irreducible, or
such as hath not yet felt the force of Fire, and in Stones is by Nature
irreducible) white, he also cannot make it red. But now that is done
this way. Therefore you need not doubt that besides medicinal Remedies,
some other Eminent Works may thence be made. Which I leave more deeply
to be searched into by those, who are yet strong and able to endure
labour. As for my own part, I esteem the Pleasures and Riches of this
World to be worse than nothing; and seek onely Incorruptibles, which
can neither be stolen by Thieves, nor gnawn by Moths and other Vermine,
nor be destroyed by any force of the Elements.
_An Admonition._
In this little Book, candid Reader, I have treated of many rare
_Arcanums_, or Secrets not vulgar; and that very briefly. All I here
write, I write from certain Experience, as to Medicine: far be it,
that I should profess my self a Master in the Melioration of Metals,
I had rather say with _Socrates_, _This one thing I know_, viz. _that
I know nothing_. Indeed had I been a younger Man, I should scarcely
have forborn to exercise my self in such an Operation; but my great Age
having rendred me unfit for all Labours, and unable to do any thing, I
may easily be excused, for I am as it were compelled to abstain from so
great a Work.
Here in this Book I have treated of divers secret Fires, yet not of all
to me known, but of many of them: touching the best of them all (if GOD
permit) the seventh Part of my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_ shall treat.
The wonderfull Vertues of which secret Fires is so far beyond belief,
as they exceed all the Fires in this Enchyridion commemorated.
_Quantum Lenta solent inter Viburna Cupressi._
I am amazed, as often as I call to mind, how immensly vertuous such
fiery truly Stygian Spirits are, which are endued with a faculty of
mortifying all Metals (although they be Bodies of greatest strength)
and of carrying with them their immortal Souls, wheresoever they can.
For they are endued with so great power, as nothing is able to defend
it self from them. Yet besides these there are also other horrid
Spirits made by Art, which do not onely after Mortification take from
metallick Bodies their Soul; but also are endued with so great power,
as they take away the Body with the Soul. Spirits of this kind are not
usefull for our necessities, but those Spirits which do onely mortifie
the Body, and draw forth from it its Soul, leaving the gross Body. If
these Bodies were as conducive to us as Spirits, there would be no need
to extract from them their most pure Spirits or Souls, to prepare our
Medicine of them. Wherefore we, not without good reason, by the help of
Artificial Distillation) extract the most clean Souls of Metals from
their rude Bodies. For, by the benefit of Distillation, all Bodies of
Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, are purified and subtilized. Which
clean and subtil Spirits (when they are again reduced into fixed
Bodies) must needs be better Bodies than all other vulgar Bodies,
which never yet were Spirits. Therefore, the more fixed those Bodies
are rendred, and the more those Spirits are subtilized, the more pure
and further powerfull Tinctures will be obtained from them. The like
we understand by Elementary Spirits. These Spirits, by their proper
Virtue, can so far extend themselves, as to become wholly invisible,
and (if I may so speak) altogether pervisible: on the contrary, they
can again concentrate themselves, and constringe themselves into a
very narrow compass, and in such-wise assume visible Bodies, palpable
and hard, as they please themselves. Although such Objects, in the
Judgment of the Eyes, are accounted Bodies, yet in very deed they are
not true Bodies, but are onely concentrated Spirits, which enjoy a
perpetual power of extending themselves again into latitude, and of
leaving their corporeal Form and Shape, and re-assuming their Spiritual
Figure. But it is impossible that these extended Spirits should possess
so great power, as they had before Extension. For Spirits extended
are no other than Air and Wind. On the contrary, concentrated Spirits
have incredible Fortitude, penetrate more swiftly, and are Bodies
of very great potency. A common Body cannot penetrate into another,
without hurt to it self; nor in that extend it self, because of its
gross and hard Mass. Yet such a Body, as is made of a certain Spirit,
can penetrate other Bodies, and amend the same, without destruction
of their Form and Species. As for Example: If any one turns a fixed
Metal into a subtile Spirit, and this Spirit again reduceth into a
fixed Body; this Body will not be a common, compact, gross or mortified
Body, like all other Metallick Bodies; but is a Body spiritual,
living, penetrating and vivifying mortified Bodies; or is (as I may
call it) a Corporeal Spirit, which can extend it self in Amplitude,
and shew its potency an hundred or a thousand ways; according as all
true Philosophers ascribe to their Universal Medicine or Tincture,
that it, in a very small quantity, is able to tinge or meliorate a
great quantity of the more vile Bodies into Bodies most noble. Which
admirable Correction is not as yet known to me; yet I certainly believe
and judge, that such a Transmutation, or famous Emendation of Metals
may be made, by the benefit of concentrated and fixed noble Metallick
Spirits. Whosoever hath Time and Place convenient to set about this
Work, may try what is possible to be performed by the help of Art.
Convert fixed Bodies into subtile Spirits, and reduce volatile Spirits
into fixed Bodies, then shall you obtain whatsoever you can desire or
wish for.
Indeed I have Reasons enough to restrain my Quill from a farther
promulgation of such high Matters; yet since I have proceeded farther
in this discovery, than any Man before me ever did; what hinders but
that I may to the Horse-man, to whom I have given a _Nisæan_ [or
excellent] Horse, give the Bridle also? Therefore it pleaseth me to
reveal yet one kind of Spirits, which very lovingly receive the Souls
of Metals (after their Bodies are mortified) and carry them up into the
Philosophick Heaven, that is, into the _Alembick_. Which good Spirits
are not horrible and cruel as the former, but sweet and amicable.
Indeed, such good Spirits do all willingly associate themselves with
the Souls of all Metals promiscuously, but onely with such most pure
Souls, as are in _Sol_ and _Luna_. But if they be compelled to be
concerned in the Mortification of fœtid gross Metals, as _Mars_ and
_Venus_, or of venomous, and as yet immature and volatile Metals, as
_Jupiter_, _Saturn_ and _Mercury_, and to receive the out-passing Souls
of them; they refuse not this office, yet from such fœtid Souls they
contract a stink to themselves, and therefore can scarcely afterward
be Medicinal. Wherefore, it is better not to use these good and pure
Spirits, unless for receiving the Souls of clean Metals; for then they
remain good, and cannot be administred in Medicine without admiration:
and, on the contrary, the Souls of venomous Metals may be so much the
more happily used for the Emendation of Metals.
Now, as touching these good Spirits, know, they are nothing else but a
pure Spirit of Wine, when it is associated with _Sol_ and _Luna_, at
that very time, wherein their fixed Bodies are invaded and mortified
by their Enemies, and their pure Souls set at liberty; then they
are received and carried upwards by these pure Spirits; and a Royal
Medicine is obtained, which every Man may administer according to his
understanding. There are also many other Spirits which attend Metals
destroyed and mortified, that they may take to themselves their pure
Souls and carry them away. But of these enough at this time. Ere long
(GOD willing) I shall speak more at large of these in the Seventh Part
of my _Spagyrick Pharmacopœa_.
* * * * *
_O most High GOD, the One onely Beginning and End of all things, I
making supplication from the bottom of my heart desire, that (when that
general Destroyer of Humane Bodies shall come and destroy my lean and
dried Earthen Mass, according to thy divine Will, and set my Soul at
liberty from the Bonds of the Body) thou wilt be pleased in that very
hour to take compassion on me, and send thy Ministring Spirits the
=Holy Angels= (by reason of thy Grace and Fatherly Mercy) to me at the
hour of Death, that receiving my departing Soul, may humbly prostrate
it at the feet of thy most Holy Majesty._ Amen.
_The End of the Sixth Part._
THE
SEVENTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.
In which is farther treated, how of Man’s Urine may be prepared
the Secret _Sal-Armoniack_ of Philosophers, and what incredible
Works may be performed by the benefit of it, both in Medicine
and in Alchymy: With an Instruction annexed how an Universal
Medicine and true Tincture for Humane and Metallick Bodies may be
acquired; and that no way more easie, more expeditious and less
chargeable, than by the help of good Spirit of Wine, or instead
of that a burning Spirit extracted from Corn, or other Vegetables.
The PREFACE to the READER.
Well-meaning Reader,
_The principal Reason which moveth me here in this small Treatise
(without any respect or regard of Persons worthy or unworthy) so
evidently to reveal and publish to the ungratefull World the Secret
=Sal-Armoniack= of Philosophers, is this: namely, because, by reason of
my old Age, I have now one foot in the Grave, and am ready to depart
this World, and do patiently expect a far more excellent Mansion
prepared by God. I, who now discover this Secret =Sal-Armoniack=, do
also here intimate those vast benefits, which (by the help of that) may
accrew to Mankind, accounting great Works of Mercy may be done by it;
because it is that, by the benefit of which, all things necessary for
Life may be acquired by all Men, whether young or old, poor or rich, as
in the following Praxis shall largely be demonstrated._
_That Men (if they themselves will) may gain much, yea as much as
they please, by the benefit of this my free and ample Revelation of
such an inestimable =Salt=, I am easily able to prove: especially,
so soon as I, in the following Praxis, shall exhibit a =Specimen= of
those Subjects, the abundance of which is in all parts of the World,
every-where offered, no less to the Poor, than to the Rich, without
any expence of Money, or other Charges; but it is known by very few,
privily hated by that proud Step-Dame the World, trod under foot, and
for its exterior vileness cast out upon the Dunghill, and thrown away
in the corners of Streets._
_But, some One may ask, how those needy People can from Urine onely,
acquire things necessary for Life, although they should know, that in
it is contained a Treasure? To such an One I thus answer: It may very
well be effected, because in this little Book I have explained, not
onely that in it is an abstruse Treasure, but also how it may easily
be extracted. Insomuch as I doubt not, but that some of the Lovers of
the Poor will do their endeavour to extract that Treasure from the
same. Which being done, if the World (which will believe nothing but
what it sees) take notice of it, and finds the verity of our Assertion
proved in Fact, then many more will use a like endeavour to get their
living from such a Subject, every-where to be had, and preparable for
little or no charge. If such Operators shall need more Urine, than
they themselves make, they must necessarily buy it of poor Families,
abundance of which you will every-where find, readily desiring to
gather the same for their daily Bread, and to bring it to the Artist:
that way one hand cherisheth and helpeth another. For by this means
every Re-publick might be brought to a flourishing state, so as no Man
(unless he will himself) needs to want Bread in what part of the World
soever he lives. I indeed have not buried in the Earth my five Talents
gratiously granted to me by God, but have put them into the publick
Bank. What if the mad and blind World will neither see nor hear, it
may for all me follow its own desperate humour. It is sufficient for
me that I have divulged such Mysteries for the safety and well-being
of Mankind, as no other Philosopher before me hath ever discovered the
like. For since the Subject is so very vile, vulgar and obnoxious to
vast contempt and hatred among proud Fools, many of them did involve
its genuine Name in the secret Cabinet of Silence. But, that I may
speak my mind freely, I openly confess and aver, that in Urine is
contained a =Mercury=, by the help of which very much may be effected
in Chymistry and in Medicine; and which is especially very conducent to
deduce Metals to their first Matter; and thence may be reaped a notable
Fruit of Utility, as well universally as particularly. For whatsoever I
have now writ, I composed the same in the extremity of my discomposure
and sickness, that this admirable Secret might not be buried with me
in the Earth, where even all the highest Arts of the most excellent
Artists seem to putrefie together with them, not being by them (before
their Death) communicated to Mankind remaining; that so I may say with
the Vulgar (not rightly understanding) =All Habits of Understanding are
not so much hospited in the mortal Body, as retained in the immortal
Mind=._
_If all things here answer not the desire of the diligent Searcher of
Art, or be not clearly and plainly enough discovered, let him look
into the following Treatise, which is intituled, =A Treatise of the
Mercury of Philosophers=, where perhaps he will find so many desirable
things, as will compleatly satisfie the hunger of his Mind covetous of
learning. But for the sake of the benevolent Reader, I cannot chuse but
communicate to him this Information, =viz=. that the very Inscription
of this Treatise discovers a Secret =Sal-Armoniack=, and in divers
places of the Sixth Part of my =Spagyrick Pharmacopcœa=, mention is
also made of a Secret =Sal-Armoniack=; wherefore I would have you to
understand, that the =Sal-Armoniack= mentioned in my former Book,
is of a property variously different from this, of which I purpose
here to write. For this is prepared of Urine, but in the preparation
of that, no Urine is to be used; because that is no other than pure
Silver dissolved in =Aquafortis=, and precipitated by the help of a
sharp Salt-water. Where it is to be observed, that the Silver, in such
a Precipitation, attracts to it self so many Spirits of the Salt, as
by reason of them it is no more fusible, like other =Luna= into a
Metallick Form, but becomes penetrable as Oil into a Skin. That, in my
Writings, is called the =Mercury of Luna=._
Note. _Of =Saturn= also, after this manner such a =Mercury= may be
prepared, which is almost of the same efficacy as the =Mercury= of
=Luna=; but in some Chymical Labours it may not so safely be used as
the =Mercury= of =Luna=. This must be necessarily minded by those who
are unwilling to err in their Labours. Moreover, touching this Secret
=Sal-Armoniack=, I think it needfull farther to advise, that either
=Sal-Armoniack= (although both are diversly prepared) being added to
Metals or Minerals, takes to it self and carries upward the purest
part of that Metal or Mineral. Yet it is to be understood, that this
is effected thus, =viz.= that the Metal is corroded by the sharp
Spirits existant in the =Sal-Armoniack=, and so is carried upward by
distillation; or volatilized, no otherwise than as if you should add
Sublimate =Mercury= to any Metal or Mineral for extracting Butter
thence. Also it is to be minded, that whatsoever shall be prepared
by the help of either =Sal-Armoniack= (made with =Luna=, or with
Urine) all that riseth much more pure than any sublimate =Mercury= or
common =Sal-Armoniack= can cause to ascend. These few things I thought
necessary to be premised, touching the difference of either Secret
=Sal-Armoniack=, that no Man may err through mistake._
_Although much more should be spoken here, touching our
=Sal-Armoniack=, which is made of Urine; yet Time, and my present
Condition, prohibit my insisting more at large thereabout._
_But that every unskilfull Man may be rendred more skilfull in the
Knowledge of this Definition, it is good for him to learn, that Urine
is no other than the volatile Salt of those Meats and Drinks, which
we receive for the nourishment and sustentation of the Body; and
which are so digested and separated by the Stomach, =viz.= that the
Sulphur, as a superfluity, is by Nature discharged by the Bowels;
but the Urine, as a volatile Mercurial Salt, seeks and finds for it
self an Exit through the Bladder. Now, it is more than sufficiently
manifest, that the greatest part of Men live of Vegetables, as of
Bread, Beer and Wine; also for Nutriments they use Flesh, Fish, Butter
and Cheese: which kinds of Meat and Drink, so soon as put down into the
Stomach by a certain natural Coction and Fermentation are so inverted,
as some natural Mercury is thence progenited. Whence, it is clearly
enough apparent, that the before mentioned Mercury (which we with the
assistance of Art know how to extract out of Urine) must necessarily
have been an invisible Mercury in Vegetables, before it passed into
Urine, and when it was not inverted in our Body. Which is a thing most
surely true, and is confirmed to us by experience, =viz.= that in all
Vegetables (no one of them excluded, whether Wine or Grain, Honey or
Sugar, or other fat Fruits, in which our vegetable =Mercury= is most
copiously abundant; also by what name soever those Fruits or Vegetables
are called) the same =Mercury= is hospited; yea, it may be extracted
from all Fruits, Trees, Herbs, or any common Grass of the Fields or
Meadows, and from all Boughs and Leaves of wild and manured Trees, if
after you have cut them small, you pour on them hot water, and then
ferment the same._
_Indeed lean Herbs, according to quantity, give not forth so much
burning Spirit, as Corn, Wine, or Sugar: But note; Grass is prepared
with much less cost than Corn, Wine, or the Fæces of Wine or Beer. Also
a good burning Spirit may be made of Grape-Stones, or the pressings
of Grapes; yet as for the sweetness of that, you need not to take any
care; because in operating it is so amended, as it is rendred full as
good as the best Spirit of Wine that is most rich._
_This =Arcanum= of preparing a true Universal Medicine of all
Vegetables, for those three known Kingdoms of ours, I take to be as
great a Secret as was ever known to Philosophers, or for the future
can be known. For it is that, of which many have notably writ, yet in
such a Style, as they have obscured, involved and hid the whole Work
in so many Parabolical, Allegorical and Enigmatical phrases, as it is
almost plainly impossible for any one profitably to learn any thing
out of their Writings, unless his Eyes be singularly illustrated by
God. But among others, =Albertus Magnus=, =Thomas Aquinas=, =Arnold=,
=Lully=, =Bracescus=, and especially =Basilius=, have writ of it
evidently enough to such as can see; but all they writ in obscure
words: And as =Paracelsus= knew the same, so it seems that was also
known to =Helmont=: yet they were afraid to write of it for their
own sakes. But I now freely and openly divulging all things, do that
chiefly for this Reason, =viz.= because the most wise God (to whom I
give Immortal Thanks) revealed this Secret to me not many weeks since;
and I, according to the weakness of my Age, could labour but little
therein, and that very difficultly; therefore keeping my Bed, by reason
of my Illness, I caused some Proofs to be made of the same: whence I so
found the verity of the matter, as I am now able safely to confirm the
same to others, and can aver, that the true =Mercury= of =Philosophers=
is reconded in them. Although that hath hitherto been unknown to
most Men, yet by me (because in Philosophy, Medicine and Chymistry,
never any thing more magnificent than it, easier to be elaborated, or
preparable with less cost, at any time before came into my hands) it
is so published, as I doubt not, but that many well-disposed Persons
will confidently, readily and happily set their hands to the Work.
For it is easie to acquire burning or distilled Wine in abundance,
without any great charge: also an Instrument made of Copper, fit for
separating the =Mercury= from the =Sulphur=, will not cost much: And
lastly, the Fixation of the =Mercury= will cost little or nothing,
because it may easily be absolved, in a very short time, by One well
skilled in the method of fixing. The Burning Spirit may be prepared,
and the separation of its =Mercury= from the =Sulphur= be compleated
in the space of one day: but yet it is to be understood, that this is
spoken onely to those who desire but a small quantity to experience
the possibility of Art. If any one would have a larger quantity of
Tincture, he indeed will have need of a longer time to prepare it in,
as every one may easily conjecture._
_Whilst I lay diseased in my Bed, and afflicted with a grievous
Disease (after I had by a long and serious speculation day and night
fundamentally searched the power of Art) in the space of one Week, by
the hands onely of my little Sons (for I could not trust such a Work
with the unworthy Sons of this World) I made three small trials or
proofs onely in a very small quantity, because, by my Bed side, there
was no place for doing any great Work. Nevertheless, I am satisfied
that I could do much more in eight or ten Days, and a far greater
quantity, if God will be pleased to grant me strength for so many Days._
_Indeed to an ignorant Hearer, what Wise men have asserted will seem
incredible to be believed; namely, that in every Herb and Grass,
the true Stone of Philosophers lyes hid. For the ignorant of Nature
wonder at this. But =Spagyrick Philosophers= have, now for many years
past, published their Books touching the same, and affirmed, that of
all things, from which the Elements may be separated, the =Stone= of
=Philosophers= may be extracted and made; of the same I also, if need
were, could alledge many Testimonies. May we not by Distillation and
Rectification much more easily separate the Elements from Vegetables,
than from rude and hard Metals? And may we not most purely and most
subtilly cleanse their Element of Fire from them? That indeed is
impossible to be extracted from Metals. But if we can, by the help of
Art, turn the most pure Fire again into Earth, may not of this new
Earth (when it is by the benefit of Art fixed, and rendred constant
in Fire) be made a Matter purer, than all things in Nature? Every Man
knows, that in Spirit of Wine is contained a great virtue comforting
the Heart, but by reason of the burning heat, which it manifests
in those that immoderately use it, the same is avoided not without
Reason._
_Now, if you shall separate the Burning =Sulphur= from the =Mercury=,
in the bottom will remain onely a temperate, and to all Constitutions
(which are vulgarly called Complexions) gratefull pure =Mercury=, in
the form of a clear sweet Water, which =Philosophers= call their =Water
of Life=, and that not imprudently. For the =Alimonies of Life= are
included in it, and this =Mercurial Water=, or true =Aqua-vitæ=, may
be safely adhibited in all Diseases; always, provided that this Spirit
be prepared of Wine, Corn, or of Herbs not stinking and venomous.
But for Metallick Transmutation, every distilled Wine is conducent,
of whatsoever matter it shall be prepared. Yet that, in the form of
Water, is able to exercise no power over Metals, but must first be
reduced into a Red fixed Powder, called by Philosophers =Gold of
Philosophers=, =Horizontal Gold=, =Tinging Gold=, and =Living Gold=.
And, in a word, I say you cannot find any thing pertinent to Medicine
and Chymistry, more excellent than our Red fixed =Mercury= of =Wine=:
for it is the true =Phœnix= or =Bird= of =Titan=, feeding its Young
with its own Blood; also a true =Salamander=, which dyes not, but is
nourished and augmented in Fire: and more briefly, =It is all in all
things=. Moreover, Philosophers confess that all things lye absconded
in all, and in good =Aqua-vitæ= all Metals are spiritually found; which
I my self have in very deed experienced, being otherwise unable to
verifie the same. O noble Hermetick Art, and Queen of all Sciences!
how basely and unworthily art thou cast down, trod under foot by
stinking Swine, and contemned by ignorant proud Fools! Nevertheless,
I doubt not but that this little Book of mine will open the Eyes of
many blinded with Ignorance, and direct many Readers unto the path of
=Verity=; as my Treatise lately published, intituled, =Of the Salt of
Philosophers=, hath already been the Authour of much good to many. For
more than one of many, who have slighted Chymistry, having perused that
=Enchiridion=, according to my Information, have again fallen in love
with Chymistry, set about the Work (renewing their omitted labour)
and prepared the =Salt= of =Philosophers=, gave good proofs thereof,
and having wrought in it for certain Days, at length gloried of their
successes in Transmutation of Metals. Which Stone notwithstanding
is not to be compared with that which is made of Wine or Corn; but
in comparison of that is to be reputed as a Clod of Earth to a most
beautifull Pearl._
_Wherefore as I before said, and always shall say, I believe that a
Medicine and Tincture more sublime than the fixed and red Mercury of
Wine, hath never been known by Philosophers. In the mean while, let
every other Man believe as he listeth, it sufficeth me that I have
written the Truth, and refused to carry hence with me into the Kingdom
of Darkness the greatest Secret of the whole World. But the Reasons
why I here over-hastily break off the Thread of my discourse begun,
and in no-wise discover the Method by which the Burning Spirit may be
prepared, and the =Mercury= latent therein be separated from the same,
and reduced into a fixed Tincture, are weighty and considerable. For
the whole Work, from the beginning to the end, is so very vile and
easie to be performed, as every Corydon or rude Shepherd (ignorant
of all Chymical Arts) would understand and imitate that Method of
preparing the same. Wherefore it is best to desist from any further
explanation. Because, to whomsoever God will give it, he will so easily
find it out, as there will be no necessity of speaking one word more
than I have already spoke. Besides, for such inconsiderateness, I
should be able to give no just Account before God, the Judge of the
Living and of the Dead, if this most secret Secret of Secrets should as
a Grain of Salt be sowed among the ungratefull and unworthy People. But
the World is too well known to me already: yet I will openly say this,
=viz.= that the poorest Man, as well as him that is wealthy, may attain
to this supreme Work; because, for preparation of that incomparable
Medicine, no chargeable Materials, nor any long time are required._
_Truly, unto me are known divers famous particulars, by the help of
which, not onely Silver, but also all other Metals are converted
into Gold and Silver with great profit, yet are more difficult to be
elaborated than that great Universal Work. Wherefore this also, among
all other fruitfull Chymical Secrets deservedly doth, and undoubted
always will obtain the Priority._
* * * * *
_Now, Son of Art, candidly accept this my Fatherly Instruction,
and Friendly Admonition, and do not at all commit any thing to
Faithless Men, of which thou maist have occasion to repent afterward.
Accordingly, to all the Disciples of Hermetick Philosophy and Medicine,
I wish the ample Blessing of God, here Temporal, and in the life to
come Eternal; heartily praying, that the most clear unextinguishable
Light of God, may perfectly enlighten them, as it did me at the first._
Amen.
_Of the Secret =Sal-Armoniack=._
Touching this our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_, I have made mention in
divers of my written Books; but the way of Preparing it I have left
to be divulged in this place. For after I was assured, that many had
laboured much to find out its Preparation and Fruitfull use in Medicine
and Chymistry; I resolved no longer to conceal the Preparation and
profitable use in Chymistry, of our _Salmiack_, from the Lovers of
our Profession; but chiefly for the sake of the Sick (to whom it may
be very great comfort and solace) I chose rather openly to divulge
it, without any privy concealment, in these my Writings; hoping that
by the publication of this, I shall do good to many thousands of Men,
and for a sign of triumphal Joy crown the Head (as with Laurel) of the
victorious Queen of the Spagyrick Art.
First of all, it is to be observed, that this Name is imposed upon this
Subject, because it in many things agrees with common _Sal-Armoniack_.
It pleased us to add the Epithet of _Secret_, because this Salt is
known to very few in the whole World; and they who acquired it to
themselves, neither published it, nor exposed the same to common use,
but kept it to themselves as a great Secret; and as often as they made
mention of that Salt in their Writings, they named it their _Salmiack_;
for proof of which, if need were, I could produce many Examples.
_Cosmopolita_, being about to speak of this our _Salmiack_, cryes out
thus: _O our Sea! O our Sal-Armoniack!_ His _Sea_ was Oil of Vitriol,
and his _Salmiack_ the Volatile Spirit of Urine. When these two are
joyned together, they give forth from themselves our Secret _Salmiack_;
by the help of which, so many wonderfull Works are performed in
Medicine and Chymistry, as you shall here following hear.
_Paracelsus_ and _Helmont_ called this Salt, _Alcahest_; being that,
of which the former writ little, but the latter very many things;
and yet both kept the same secret to themselves onely, insomuch as
_Helmont_ discovered it not, even to his own Son; and other Men, his
intimates, requiring it of him, he put off, saying, _It is an Ens
very difficult to be acquired_: and thus he freed himself from the
importunate Intreaties of many. And how little others could get out of
him, is manifest by the following Saying, which is thought to be his.
_The Liquor_ Alcahest _is made of Blood and Urine_. It is credible that
he might make such an _Alcahest_ of those Subjects. But the reason why
that kind of _Alcahest_ may be prepared of Blood and Urine, as well
as of Oil of Vitriol and Spirit of Urine, is this: There is a great
affinity and similitude between the Macrocosm and Microcosm, _viz._
Man; insomuch as whatsoever may be had in the Macrocosm, may also be
found in the lesser World Man. For as in the great World an Universal
Acidity, _viz._ Vitriol, commonly is generated in Subterranean Fibres,
Beds or Veins, and is there kept in perpetual Digestion by the Central
Fire of the Earth, and at length ripened into Mineral and Metallick
Bodies; so also, in the Body of every Man, the Blood of the Veins (as
an Universal Microcosmick Acidity) is generated, and by long Digestion
of the central Fire of the Heart augmented, meliorated, and at length
transmuted into Flesh, Skin, and Bones. Therefore, in the Blood of
Men or Animals you may find an Acidity, like to that which is found
in the great World: Hence it may be said, that our Secret _Salmiack_
may as well be prepared of the Blood and Urine of Animals, as of Oil
of Vitriol and Spirit of Urine. Nevertheless, I say there is a vast
difference between these two; for Oil of Vitriol may be amended and
rendred more subtile by Rectification, which Subtiliation cannot be
effected with the Vitriolate Acidity of the Blood of Animals. Therefore
we deservedly give the Priority to this rectified Oil of Vitriol,
as being that, which in every Chymical Labour is found far more
efficacious than that of Blood. For this cause leaving that Blood, let
us set about the Preparation of our Secret _Salmiack_, with cleansed
Oil of Vitriol and Spirit of Urine subtily rectified.
_The way of making our Secret =Sal-Armoniack=._
_Recipe_ of Oil of Vitriol excellently well deflegmated and rectified,
one pound; upon which Oil of Vitriol, leisurely pour on so much highly
rectified Spirit of Urine, as untill there is no more action each
upon other, but they be mortified and still. In that Conjunction,
from two Contraries, ariseth a middle Salt. This Operation being
rightly performed, you will find a sharp penetrating Liquor, in which
is a power of carrying upwards with it self the purest Essences from
Animals, Vegetables, and Metals: which is what no other Entity in
Nature is able to perform the like, as we purpose to shew. Therefore
if any one, desirous to make of this Salt Liquor a dry _Salmiack_,
do in gentle heat of _Balneo_ abstract the unsavoury Water thence,
in the bottom will remain a fair white Salt, which is our Secret
_Sal-Armoniack_; by the benefit of which wonderous Works, may be
performed in Medicine and Chymistry, as hereafter you shall hear. Now
follows
_The Use of our =Salmiack=, by the help of which, from =Vegetables=
may be extracted very efficacious, and indeed incomparable
Essences._
How or which way the Ancient and Modern _Spagyrists_ prepared their
Essences of Vegetables, is now long since well known throughout the
World, _viz._ by Spirit of Wine. Which way of Extracting is indeed of
it self a Work very chargeable; yet Spirit of Wine readily extracts
the Essences of Vegetables and Animals, leaving the unprofitable
Fæces behind. Also, it is not unknown to us, that Spirit of Wine in
extraction so notably changeth the Virtues of things extracted by it,
as the Extract is of less force than the Simple whence it was made, and
that most manifestly in _Catharticks_ or Purging Simples, insomuch as
commonly the Dose of the _Extract_ must be greater than of the _Simple_
it self. The reason is, because all Purgers acquire the greatest part
of their Cathartick faculty from that crude and immature Substance,
with which they oppose the Stomach, and therefore are not entertained
by it, but presently expelled, during which Expulsion the Excrements
also are cast out. Therefore the stronger Crudity is predominant in
Purging things, the more impetuously do they move the Stomach; and
the more strongly the Stomach casts out and expells that, so much the
more vehemently also are the noxious Humours of the Body cast up. If a
Cathartick be too crude, rough and immature, the Stomach rejects it
much more strongly, because the whole of Nature is thereby disturbed,
and with all its might endeavours wholly to expell such a rude guest.
In which violent expulsion, the Radical Humours are expelled out of the
Body, together with the Excrements, that the Body may be totally freed
and disburthened of the pernicious filth of them.
The Stomach so abhors some Vegetables, and is so impatient of giving
them any time to abide there, that they may by little and little be
expelled downward by Seidge, as it (enraged with so great nauseating
and loathing) violently casts them up. In which Excretion a tenacious
viscous Choler, always hurtfull to the Stomach, is expelled, which
would difficultly otherwise be cast out by gentle Purgations, as is
seen in _Asarabacca_ and _Hellebore_. For as often as they are taken by
a sick Man, without any previous Preparation, they continually excite
Vomiting; but if extracted with Spirit of Wine, they vomit not, but
onely work downward.
By all which it appears, that Spirit of Wine, in extracting the
Essences of Vegetables (by its natural power) so notably changeth
the Virtues of Herbs, as it is not fit to be used for all kinds of
Extractions; and that by reason of its Nature varying or altering
the property of things. Nor can you, in some Diseases, safely use
those Extracts which are made by Spirit of Wine, because Extracts are
heightned in their Heat by the Spirit of Wine, and therefore should be
avoided in acute or burning Diseases. On the contrary, our _Menstruum_,
viz. our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_, in Extraction, alters not the Virtues
of Species for which it is used, but extracts from them onely what is
most pure, and carries over with it by Alembeck, a certain most sweet
Essence, which Spirit of Wine can in no wise perform. Therefore we
deservedly give Priority to our Liquor _Alcahest_ in extracting the
Essences of Vegetables and Animals. Yet we would by no means labour
to bring Spirit of Wine into contempt, since it, in some subjects, so
excellently exerciseth its power, as it gives place to no other thing.
But the Water of our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_ perfects its Extraction
in a far differing manner; because, by the help of Art, that conjunct
of two sharp penetrating Entities (viz. _Acid Oil of Vitriol_,
and _Alcalisate Spirit of Urine_) is reduced into one temperate
middle Salt, which Salt is almost of the same disposition as common
_Salmiack_, except that in all its Operations it is found to be more
sharp, more penetrating and more efficacious than it.
* * * * *
Now let us come to the matter it self, that we may see of how great
use our _Alcalisate Vitriol_, or _Vitriolate Alcali_, is for preparing
some famous Medicine. I suppose it will be worth my while, if I first
of all begin with that Medicine which _Paracelsus_ taught to be made
of _Aloes_, _Myrrh_, and _Saffron_, and is by venerable Antiquity,
and by all Authours of long life highly commended, and named _Elixir
Proprietatis_. And since _Paracelsus_ in describing so noble a
Medicine, used few words, but enlarged them much in extolling his
_Elixir Proprietatis_, it will not be amiss for us, in this place, to
transcribe his own Words following, thus:
“So also Nature sheweth us an _Elixir_, is that which of Natural things
may be made compleatly perfect in its proper Essence. Such is the
_Elixir of Myrrh_, _Saffron_, and yellow _Epatick-Aloes_. But whence
they have this power, we have shewed in the generation of them. But we
come now to the Process, (omitting their beginning, of which we spake
before) which runs thus.
“_Recipe_ of Myrrh, Epatick, Alloes, and Saffron, of each one Part,
which digest together in a Pellican placed in Sand, for two Months
with gentle heat. Then by Alembeck separate the Oil from the Fæces
without Adustion. This Oil digest together with an equal Weight of the
Circulate for one Month, afterward keep it.
“In this are all the natural Vertues of a Balsam, and a greater
conservative Vertue for those that are aged, than is lawfull for a man
to utter: because from it proceeds not one Age onely, but 4, 7 or 10,
_&c._ It is scarcely possible to express the Vertues and Natures of it:
But as we judge, enough is discovered by us already, which we think
needs no further Interpretation.”
Here _Paracelsus_ describes his _Elixir_ in words so obscure, and
likely to cause Errour, as no man untill this day could ever prepare
any thing that was excellent, according to the tenour of his Words:
_Helmont_ among others complaining, that he concealed the use of the
Alcahest in describing the manner of that Preparation. For whosoever
useth that, in such a Preparation, he obtains a Medicine of so great
vertue, as it is able to do whatsoever _Paracelsus_ ascribes to his
_Elixir Proprietatis_.
But if any man be not satisfied in what is here published by me, let
him consult _Helmont_ discoursing thereof more at large.
Now behold here presented to thee my Process for preparing a Medicine
of these three _Species_ reduced to Powder, _viz._ of Myrrh, Alloes
and Saffron. I took of that mixture 8 Lotones, 4 Ounces, which I put
into a Phial, and upon the same poured one Pound and half of our good
Alcahestick Liquor, these I set into a warm Bath to be digested for two
or three Days. During this digestion our sharp Liquor dissolved these
_Species_, and very well united it self to them. This being done, I
poured the whole mixture out of the Phial into a low Cucurbit of Glass,
and well luted the Head to the Receiver, and by gentle heat of _Balneo_
caused whatsoever would ascend, to be gathered apart in several
Recipients.
1. A white penetrating Aromatick Spirit, of a most fragrant Odour
according to _Helmont_’s words.
2. A yellow and red Spirit, and both indeed very efficacious. Yet each
of these should be received apart.
3. Lastly toward the end (after all the moisture is ascended, and the
Fire is a little somewhat encreased) a strong scented red cleaginous
alkalisate Liquor; which is such as serves instead of a Balsam, most
excellent, presently helping or very salutary in all green Wounds and
fistulous Ulcers. The subtile Spirit should be administred inwardly,
for comforting or suppling the Body with all its internal Members, and
for preserving the same magistrally from all vitious affects. Such a
most present Remedy is earnestly desired, by the aged and weak. The
Ingredients are of a Balsamick Disposition, and the preparation of them
is artificial and subtil, so as a famous Medicine cannot choose but
be made of them. For our _Salmiack_ is of such a Nature, as by it all
Vertues of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals are exalted, amplified and
meliorated, and that by reason of the Exaltation by it inferred on the
Subjects in elaborating; as may more exactly be learned, when any one
goes about to prepare the same, and shall as it were with his hand,
palpably touch the vertue, and discern the verity thereof. Therefore
here is instituted a Process of preparing Saffron, Aloes and Myrrh,
by which you may know how to work with other Vegetable and Animal
Subjects, so as we have no necessity of prescribing a peculiar Process
for every Medicine. Here onely it is to be noted, that an accurate
Regard is to be had of weight and measure in mixing the Subjects with
the Liquor Alcahest. For if less of the Armoniack Liquor than is fit be
added to a dry matter, all the Liquor so includes it self in the dry
matter, as little of the Spirit can ascend in distilling. But if more
of the Liquor be poured on than is fit, the ascending spirit will not
be efficacious enough, because the vertue of that Subject diffuseth
it self too largely into that aboundance of Spirit. Wherefore in all
things measure and weight are to be observed. Dry _Species_, such are
Herbs, Roots, Seeds and Flowers, drink up much Water; but Woods not so
much, Stones and their like, much less than they. Therefore, if any
one, in labours of this kind would do something to purpose, he had
need to be wary, that he do neither too much, nor too little, but in
all things observe a mean: so doing, he shall suffer no loss, nor ever
labour in vain. For it is almost impossible to describe all _Arcanums_
so evidently, as every Clown may comprehend the same without any search.
I have here laid Foundations with reason sufficient, every one may
build, or not build upon them as he pleaseth. Also he may read
_Helmont_, who did indeed of this matter write largely enough, yet he
is not always to be understood according to the Letter; for in most
places of his Books, he concealed his manual Operations, especially in
his Book of the Tree of Life, where he treats of the Cedar Wood. The
preparation of the same requires no tedious long space of time, but it
may be performed in a few hours. Indeed it would be the part of good
Physicians to introduce this Preparation of more noble Medicines into
their Apothecaries shops, and thence to exclude some part of their
corrupted Remedies. For this being done, so many men would not be
basely neglected, nor untimely hurried out of this Life, by the use of
unprofitable Medicaments, as too often now are.
It is not enough for you to have a Name from _Galen_, and in the mean
while not at all tread the Footsteps of _Galen_’s vertues. _Galen_ was
an honest Heathen, and whatsoever he had gathered with much and long
study, he left to us accurately written before his Death.
How experienced a man in Medicine _Hippocrates_ was, his Writings do
clearly shew.
Also that _Avicen_ was an industrious Physician, by his remaining
Litterary Monuments, is very manifest, and especially by that Epistle,
which he writ to his Son _Aboali_; for in that he commands him first to
furnish himself with sixty Pound of most pure Mercurial Water (whence
he should make the universal Medicine) before he presumed to proceed to
Coagulation of the Stone.
These indeed were men adorned with high Experience and a good
Conscience, who gloried not in the bare Name of Chief Physicians, but
proved themselves such indeed, shewing, that they were not idle Adorers
of the Goddess _Vacua_, but men most laborious, as becomes every
conscientious Physician to be.
Touching that Mercurial Water, which _Avicen_ commended so much to his
Son, for making (of it) the Universal Medicine, we shall here following
(_Jehovah_ assisting) somewhat more largely speak, _viz._ how it, by
our _Salmiack_ may be extracted from Metals, and then be coagulated
into an Universal Medicine.
Indeed, particular Medicaments are not to be contemned but to be
esteemed as good things, to them that make a good use of them. But
Universals are sought by Physicians, being such, as by which they can
get more Honour and Riches, than by Particulars, because they are
known even to every old Woman. Universals are not to be used after the
manner of Particulars, particularly to serve for this or that Member
of the Body, or to resist and heal this or that Disease onely: but
they seek out every _Chachexy_ (which lies privily dispersed through
all parts of the Body, impairing Health) and having sought it out,
cast it forth of the Body, as well visibly as invisibly through all
Emunctories, as shall seem good to Nature, and will be most conducent
to health. Universals consume occult Diseases hidden in the Body
of man, as Fire consumes Wood. Also Universals tinge every vitious
Habit of the Body (which otherwise can be expelled by no particular
Medicine) and transmute it into a better State, so as the Evil of the
Distemper is inverted and converted into good, in the place where it is
hospited, no further expulsion being required. Of like Universals, we
will afterwards (God giving leave) speak more at large. Now the time
admonisheth us to return to our _Sal Armoniack_, to contemplate what
farther fruit of Utility it is able to effect in Medicine.
_Helmont_, in his Treatise of the Stone makes mention of a certain
Medicine, which by his Alcahest he prepared of _Paracelsus_ his
_Ludus_, which would resolve the Stone in the Bladder, and expel it in
fourteen Days. _Paracelsus_ ascribes to his _Ludus_ wonderfull Vertues,
which it exerciseth in breaking and expelling the Stone of the Reins
and Bladder. In which _Helmont_ posits his Foundation, shewing where
such a _Ludus_ may be found, and how by his Alcahest it may be prepared
into a Medicine so admirable, as it becomes the supream Remedy against
the Stone.
As touching the _Ludus_ it self, _Helmont_ saith of it, that it may be
copiously found in the Scald shores at _Antwerp_, and that it for the
most part consists of a certain volatile Macrocosmick Urinous Salt:
and I making search into the same, have found it just as he described.
Likewise, I also, according to his prescribed Rule, endeavoured to make
such an excellent Medicine, and then found the Liquor of the _Ludus_ to
be such as he affirms he himself made by his Acahest, _viz._ this way.
I took one Pound of that _Ludus_ beaten to Powder, and mixed it with
one Pound of our Secret _Salmiack_, and thence drew off the volatile
Humidity with gentle Fire in a coated Retort; and then augmenting the
Fire until the Retort was very hot all over. When all was cold, I found
the _Ludus_ with the more fixed part of our _Salmiack_ melted together
into a yellowish dark coloured Stone, which (according to his Doctrine)
I laid in a moist Cellar to be dissolved, and that Stone in 24 hours
was resolved into a greenish Liquor, and it had a burning Taste upon
the Tongue, yet it is not loathsome to be taken into the Body, with
Wine, Beer, or other suitable Vehicles of Water. I my self also have
given this Liquor to some troubled with the Stone, who by taking it
were greatly eased. But that the whole Stone should by help of that
be resolved and cast out, in so short a space of time, I have not yet
found. Hence here it seems to me, that _Helmont_ (as did _Paracelsus_
in the Preparation of his _Elixir Proprietatis_, and the incredible
Vertue thereof) hath extolled his Remedies with a too much elated
Style. They are assuredly admirable Medicaments, but that they are able
to effect so much (in all men without distinction) as are ascribed to
them, I cannot assentingly witness, although I was at great expences,
and nor a little turmoiled about them, yet in the mean while I found
out many excellent things, the Declaration of all which would be too
tedious to be here inserted. But I must needs, in this place, insert
some few of those many things I then found out.
If any one apply to the Seeds or Roots of those Herbs, which are
commonly wont to be administred, for expelling Urine and the Stone,
(the Seeds or Roots being first reduced to Powder) a little of our
_Salmiacal_ Water, and digest it in gentle heat of _Balneo_ for 24
hours, and afterward distil it, a most efficacious Spirit will ascend;
which Spirit I have found to be more excellent in expelling the Stone,
than the _Ludus_. In like manner those insects, which strongly provoke
Urine and the Stone, I have also digested and distilled with our Liquor
of _Sal Armoniack_, and got a Spirit more strongly expelling Urine,
than any Spirit prepared of Herbs. Wherefore this is to be warily used,
and such forcibly expelling things well observed, among which more
forcible than all other are the fat evilly smelling black Worms of
_May_, and Cantharides.
After the same manner, as we have taught to be here done, may also
be instituted an Operation for extracting (by distillation) from all
Vegetable and Animal Subjects their most potent Vertues and purest
Essences, by our Vitriolate Alcalick Water; _viz._ from Aromaticks,
egregious Cordials; from Woods and Roots of Sudorifick Herbs, famous
Diaphoreticks; from soporiferous Simples, admirable Anodines; from
purging things most excellent Catharticks, _&c._ But there is no reason
I should longer insist on these things of less value, since every
skilfull man can prepare himself such medicinal Spirits as he hath need
of. Here he cannot easily commit error, since for all Herbs, Seeds,
Roots, Flowers, and Woods, there is but one onely way of preparing them
into most efficacious Essences, by our vitriolate Alcaly. But a better
way than any other, yet to be discovered, how by our Urinous Liquor,
yet more efficacious Essences may be extracted from Vegetables and
Animals, is this:
We are not ignorant, that Spirit of Wine, which is for the most part
generally used for Extraction of Vegetables, doth not sufficiently
extract them, nor carry upwards with it self what is extracted; but
_per se_ onely ascends, and leaves the Extract in the Bottom of the
Vessel. On the contrary, our vitriolate Spirit of Urine (much more
sharp than Spirit of Wine) doth not onely powerfully invade Vegetables,
and attract to it self their Essences, but also in distillation carries
them up with it self, which is impossible for Spirit of Wine to do.
For although the Spirit of Urine (according to the external Face) doth
as it were mortifie the corrosive Oil of Vitriol, and change it into
a volatile Salt, and the Oil of Vitriol coagulates the subtile Spirit
of Urine into a volatile Salt, insomuch as of two unlike Entities is
made a middle Salt; yet both those unlike parts are not wholly changed
in their former Nature. For the Acidity of Vitriol remains yet acid,
and the Urinousness of the Urine urinous; and both also by the help of
Art may again be separated each from other, so as either of them may
perfectly recover its own pristine qualities, and nothing of them be
found to be lost. As for example, suppose
It be required, that I should recover my Spirit of Urine, as pure
and subtile as it when poured on the Oil of Vitriol: Then I add to
our _Salmiack_ (according to just measure and weight) onely so much
_Lixivium_ as of the Acidity is mortified, and the Spirit of Urine
ascends subtilly pure again, and full as good as it was before its
conjunction with the Oil of Vitriol. But the Oil of Vitriol is altered,
and by the Salt of Tartar reduced into a middle Salt, which also wants
not its Fruit of Utility in Medicine and Chymistry. If you would from
this mixture recover our Acidity with the Spirit of Urine, add to our
_Salmiack_ a Subject easily dissolvable; mix and give a gentle Fire,
for then the Acidity sets upon that Subject easie to be dissolved, and
dissolves the same, and makes abundance of its concomitant Spirit of
Urine to ascend, which in its ascent takes up with it self the purest
Essence of the Subject added, loosed by the Acidity in Solution, and
thenceforth may be used for Medicine and Chymistry, according as the
Subject was. For Example, If I add red Corals beaten to Powder to my
Alcahestick Liquor, the Acidity corrodes those Corals without any
delay, and lets go the Spirit of Urine, which brings over the helm with
it self the Essence of Corals. But the Acidity, when you please may by
distillation be separated from the Corals. If to our Liquor be added
Pearls, the Spirit carries the vertue of them upward with it self.
And if you add Stones, Minerals and Metals, the Spirit of Urine doth
likewise carry up with it self the Essences of them. But the Acidity
remains in the bottom with the Stone or Metal, and may afterward
diversly be again separated from the Stone or Metal, and applied to
this or another use.
Having already heard how the most pure Essences of Vegetables and
Animals, by our secret _Sal Armoniack_ are to be distilled by ascent,
let us now also see, how Metals and Minerals may be highly purged by
the same, and reduced to their first matter: which first matter is no
other than a most subtil Mercurial Water, in which the purest part of
the Metal is latent in the form of running _Mercury_, which _Mercury_
is fit for preparing whatsoever Work you will of it, either _Sol_ or
_Luna_ particularly, or a true Universal Tincture, vastly tinging.
Nature, in the Bowels of the Earth did primordially generate all Metals
of such a volatile _Mercury_. For when the _Astrums_, through the Air,
seminate their metallick Seed, that Seed is from the Air introduced
into the Earth, where that, as matter clean or unclean offers it self,
produceth Metals either pure or impure. Wherefore Philosophers rightly
determine the Root of Metals to be sited in the Air, but their stem
and branches in the Earth. Daily experience teacheth us to give credit
to this, as often as in digging we come to the deepest scituation of
Metals, great Experiments of this matter discover themselves to us,
but because touching this enough hath been said already, we forbear
to proceed further in such a Discourse. Here enough is said, namely,
that we know the Original and beginning of all Metals to be no other,
than an Airy subtile Spirit, in which are reconded the Sulphur and
_Mercury_ of Metals. Therefore, since here purpose is to give so great
Information to every most unskilfull man, and as it were to put that
in his hands, which may be done by the help of our secret _Salmiack_,
I think not amiss openly to discover certain Examples of Processes,
evincing the power of the same. Wherefore I here offer a Possible
_Way of preparing a subtile Mercurial Water (from which a
running Mercury, called by Ancient Philosophers, the Mercury
of Philosophers, may by the help of Art be ripened into a most
potent Tincture) out of all Metals by the benefit of our secret
=Sal Armoniack=._
Let the Searcher of Art know, that the Preparation of the _Mercury_ of
Metals and Minerals, is of a diverse kind.
But generally, a Mercurial Water may be prepared of all Metals, yet of
one more easily, than of another.
Recipe the filings or raspings of a Metal, as _Mars_, _Jupiter_ or
_Venus_, one Pound, with which mix half a pound of our dry _Salmiack_.
If these be well mixed and by Retort distilled, the metal will be
corroded by the Acidity, and the _Mercury_ thereof be freed from its
bonds, or separated by Distillation, because the Spirit of Urine
carries that up with it self invisibly; but when the Spirit is
extracted from it, it becomes visible, as afterward shall be taught.
If you pulverise the Remanency or Residue of the Metal, and boil it
with Water, you will have the Vitriol of that Metal you used, _viz._
of _Mars_ green, of _Venus_ blew, of _Jupiter_, _Saturn_ and _Luna_,
white, of _Sol_ yellow. The cause of such Vitriol is this: since
the Acidity of our _Salmiack_ adheres to the Metal, it in some sort
dissolves that, and in such wise prepares it, as by the help of common
Water, the same may easily be dissolved.
_Note_: If the Metal (which shall remain in the bottom of the Vessel,
after the Vitriol is extracted from the same by the help of Water) be
mixed with fresh _Salmiack_, that will again be conducible, but not
yield you so much _Mercury_ as you got the first time. And if you make
the same trial a third time, a little _Mercury_ will ascend, but not so
much as did the second time.
Which cropping of golden Branches from the shaded Tree _Virgil_
excellently discovered when he said: One being pulled off, another
succeeds, if the Fates call thee, otherwise by no strength, nor any
Iron, canst thou pull off that Branch. Of which cropped or pulled off
Branches, the first is greatest, and most rich with Gold; the second
is less and more poor; the third much less and most poor. Therefore it
will be no profit to you to pluck off more than one Branch, but it is
better in proceeding further, always to take new matter.
Out of that Vitriol in another certain manner, _Mercury_ may again be
extracted, which _Mercury_ will be far more noble than the first, as
shall be shewed more at large here following.
In the mean while, to the Lovers of this most noble Art, I cannot
choose but demonstrate a wonderfull thing, which is this: Whensoever
you shall pour Spirit of _Jupiter_ (prepared in the above commemorated
manner, and most subtily rectified) upon the Spirit of _Mars_, the
_Mercurys_ both of the _Mars_ and _Jupiter_ will suddenly embrace each
other, and be connexed in such a bond of Love, as leaving the Water,
they will conjunctively settle to the bottom in the form of very small
golden Atoms; which Atoms of Gold, in that moment in which they are
formed of both the _Mercurys_, you shall see converted into constant
and fixed Gold. Which I take to be one of the greatest Wonders,
whichever came to my hand in all my Chymical Labours. If I had tried
this Experiment but once, I might my self have doubted the truth of
the same. Indeed I have found out the cause of this swift fixation of
_Mercury_; but I should do very inconsiderately to divulge the same.
_Paracelsus_ writes in his Heaven of Philosophers, that no melioration
of Metals is to be expected, unless they be first spiritually mixed.
Other Philosophers likewise say, Metals are first to be reduced to
their first matter, that is, into a subtile Spirit, before they can be
nobilitated and bettered: which I know to be consentaneous to verity,
according to the Testimony of the following Example; which is another
wonderfull Experiment, to be performed (by the Spirit of _Jupiter_)
thus.
Dissolve a little Gold in common _Aqua Regia_, into which Solution
pour a little of our mercurial Water, mix it by stirring or shaking
the Vessel well: then the _Mercury_ of _Jupiter_ in a magnetick way,
continually attracts the Gold to it self from the _Aqua Regis_, and
tingeth the Water with a Blood Red Colour, at length the Gold, with the
_Mercury_ of _Jupiter_ conjunctively will be precipitated to the bottom
of the Vessel, in the form of a purple Powder: which being edulcorated
and reduced with _Borax_, the greatest part of the _Mercury_ vanisheth,
but a little of it will remain with the fixed Gold, and render that
snow like and friable. By which we may see in how great Love Gold
answers to Tin.
Yet this is not the true way of preparing any thing eminent, and to
purpose of both. Therefore, if any one expects a noble product from
both, he must with gentle Fire fix this purple Gold, that the _Mercury_
of _Jupiter_ may not fume away, but remain with the Gold.
In both these recited Experiments to our sight is exposed so swift a
Fixation of _Mercury_, as every man, although but of weak Apprehension,
may easily see, that the Transmutation of Metals is truly true, and
that the same (by the help of the fixed _Mercury_ of Metals) may be
done by projection in a moment. For _Mercury_ fixeth _Mercury_, being
joyned in a just proportion. Therefore if volatile _Mercury_ can do
that, how much more will the same, when fixed perform, being that,
which bears about it self its own Sulphur.
Although I could as well discover other ways of preparing a good
Mercurial Water of a Metal, by our secret _Sal Armoniack_, yet I
consider, such a Liberty of publickly imparting things, would rather
be injurious, than profitable; because Pearls would be without
distinction, cast before every sordid Swine. But more than enough being
already published, Time admonisheth us to desist, especially because
there is an intire Treatise of the _Mercurys_ of Metals written and
published. Yet I must confess, that this _Mercury_, prepared by the
help of our _Salmiack_, is of another nature and property than the
other prepared in another manner. There is little else now remaining,
unless, to shew the way of extracting _Mercury_ from Minerals, by help
of our secret _Sal Armoniack_; which _Mercury_ is able to effect as
much in Medicine and Alchymy, as the other extracted out of Metals.
Here follows
_The Process._
_Recipe_ of Antimony pulverised one Pound, of our _Salmiack_, ½ a
Pound, these well mixed, distil by Retort, and our _Salmiack_ will
all come off, and by the Alembick carries with it self the most pure
_Mercury_ and Sulphur of the Antimony, of a Black Ash Colour, which
Sublimate is named the Head of the Crow. For if you cast a little of
it into pure Water, the _Salmiack_ will melt, and the _Mercury_ and
Sulphur will remain in the Vessel like a gray Powder, which if you dry,
and then touch it, you will find it like to thin light Feathers, whence
it acquires to it self the Name of the Crows Head. Therefore, when
you shall make it hot in a Crucible, it melts into a red Stone, which
indeed is nothing conducent to our purpose. Yet if you would thence
make somewhat that is excellent, you must observe such a Process as
this, here following. Put your gray sublimate or Crows Head, which did
ascend (being first reduced to Powder) into a Glass Body, and upon it
pour so much of my Tartar, as shall be needfull for mortifying the Oil
of Vitriol, then lute an Head thereon, fitting a Receiver thereto, and
subminister Fire in Sand, untill all the Humidity shall ascend. This
being done the Acidity remains with the Salt of Tartar, and the Spirit
of Urine ascends alone, carrying upwards with it self the most pure
invisible _Mercury_ of Antimony, which afterward by the help of _Sol_
or _Luna_ (as above we taught of _Mercury_) becomes fixed and visible.
But a very small quantity of _Mercury_ ascends, which doth much
displease the unsatiable Slaves of _Avarice_; because they rather take
delight in immense Masses of Gold, equal in magnitude to the Head of
an Ox. Yet no good man desires that, but is content with that little,
which God is pleased to give him. Nevertheless, if any one would have
a great quantity of that, he may obtain the same. For the Subjects,
whence it is extracted are preparable for no great charge, being such,
as enough of them may always be had. From one Pound of this mercurial
Water, scarcely three or four Grains of corporal _Mercury_ will ascend.
For the greatest part of it remains in the bottom with the Sulphur and
Salt, which are fixed apart, as hereafter shall be taught. But in that
so little _Mercury_ lies hid in the mercurial Water, other Philosophers
also knew, unanimously teaching, that _Avicen_ is to be followed,
admonishing (in a certain Epistle to his Son _Aboali_) all that he had
need of 60 Pound of most pure mercurial Water. For if the whole Water
were _Mercury_, there would not need have been so much. Philosophers
call this not _Aqua Vitis_, but _Aqua Vitæ_; because the _Mercury_ in
it is most spaciously dissipated, as afterward (God willing) shall be
discoursed more at large.
* * * * *
Now returning to our _Crows-head_, let us see whether it may be made
white, by a lotion of a sharp _Lixivium_. If you take the Glass out of
the Sand, after you have once abstracted thence the Mercurial Water,
you will find your black Crow turned into a white Swan: for in the
Glass you will find a Snow-like Salt, which if you take out, and put
into another round Glass, or Philosophick Egg, and set that into a
Fixatory Furnace to be fixed, the white Colour in twenty fours hours
waxeth yellow, and a little after puts on a Blood-like Colour. Yet it
is not then so well fixed, as that it may be taken out, but must be
suffered to stand for some time in burning Coals; yet with this Caution
always, that the Fire be no stronger, than by which the Red Stone may
be liquified, and remain liquid in, like Oil. For it will melt as
easily as Wax, and neither the _Mercury_, nor the _Sulphur_, nor the
_Salt_ evaporate; which is that which affects the mind with admiration.
I have made trial of this in a Glass with a long neck standing out
of the heat, where I could see not so much as one Grain to ascend;
whence I conclude the same Operation may be done, and such Fixation
made in an open Fire in a covered Crucible made of good and fit Earth
well burnt. For the Salt of Tartar united with the Acidity of Vitriol,
doth so embrace the whole _Mercury_ and _Sulphur_, and as it were hold
it concluded in it self, that the same is compelled to abide in the
Fire, and permit it self to be ripened. Thus this volatile Salt to our
_Mercury_ is the _Luting_ of _Sapience_, and _Seal_ of _Hermes_, with
which it is so bound, as it is constrained to abide in Fire untill ’tis
fixed. After it shall be fixed, it may be used with admirable profit
in Medicine and Chymistry. But you must rightly make trial, whether it
be well fixed or no, thus: Put an Iron Wyar into the liquified Mass,
and with that take up a small quantity for proof. Wash away the Salt
from it, and cast the Red Powder upon a Silver Plate heat red hot:
if it fume not, but enters and tingeth the Silver, not with a black,
but with a yellow Colour, then the _Mercury_, with its _Sulphur_, is
fixed. Whosoever hath but once fixed this Stone, hath done a very great
and profitable Work, although he hath spent many Weeks in preparing
the same. For so soon as the _Mercurial Sulphur_ of _Antimony_ shall
be fixed, some of it may presently be applied to necessary use, and
instead of that as much volatile and immature _Mercury_ added; then the
fixed _Mercury_ willingly admits into it self its Brother not fixed,
that together with it self it may also become fixed. Therefore as
many Months as the first Fixation required for its perfection, in so
many Weeks may the second be absolved. Also the second Fixation being
compleated, another part of the Medicine may again be taken out, and
other not fixed _Mercury_ again be put in, and so forwards to infinity,
or as long as the Artist shall think fit.
Although this fixed Tincture of _Antimony_ be an Universal Medicine,
healing all curable Diseases; yet for Metals it is onely a particular
Tincture, by help of which you may indeed convert Silver, by
graduating, and at times, into Gold; but yet at one time you cannot
tinge the whole Body. For God hath not endowed it with so great power,
yet he hath liberally bestowed that on it which is worth while;
insomuch as we owe as great praises to God most high for the same, as
they are obliged to render to him, who are partakers of the great Stone
of Philosophers.
As we have hitherto taught the way of Preparing a particular Tincture
for Metals, and an Universal Medicine for humane Bodies of despicable
Antimony; so also may a Tincture be made of _Auripigment_, immature
_Mineral Electrum_, _Cinnabarine Sulphur_, and all other such like, by
the help of our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_. Wherefore, by this one onely
Process is sufficiently explained, how from other like Subjects (where
_Sulphur_ and _Mercury_ are conjoyned) such a Medicine may also be
prepared.
Whosoever well understands this way of fixing _Mercuries_ prescribed
by me, will find more Secrets than he can ever think of, imagine or
feign to himself. For since such a Fixation may be performed in open
Earthen Vessels, you have not onely this conveniency, that as often
as you please you may take out some of it, and make trial untill you
come to a perfect Fixation; but also you have this prerogative, that
your _Mercury_, with its _Sulphur_, is fixed with a flaming Fire, which
always immediately toucheth our _Sulphur_ and _Mercury_, and exalts the
same in its own congenited Tincture, which is what a close Fire cannot
do. Every Fire, by its own nature and property, infers a Tincture in
Mineral Subjects, especially when the Flame can immediately touch the
Subject neither closed nor open, as above you heard, where we treat of
Rubefying the fixed white _Sulphur_. We discern the same in Crucibles
made of white Earth, and set one within another, that the outmost,
which is exposed to the touch of the Flame becomes Red; but those which
stood with in it (being free from the contact of the same) remain white.
Also we are not ignorant, that those who make Tobacco-Pipes, (that they
may have them purely white) do burn them in a large Pot, that they may
not be touched by the Flame, and so be tinged with Redness. Whence it
is sufficiently understood, that even in Fire is a Tincture, by which
white Bodies are tinged with Redness. Hence I, not without reason, say:
He is not ill advised who ripens his Tinctures under a certain Covering
in open Vessels, because they that way are not onely sooner fixed,
but also exalted in their Colour; yet with this Rule always observed,
_viz._ That the Tinctures be always sealed with _Hermes Seal_, or
Philosophically surrounded or luted with the _Luting_ of _Sapience_.
Where note, that the _Luting_ of _Sapience_, of which I here treat,
is not to be used for fixing all Subjects, and preserving them from
flight, but it is an emolument and help to those Subjects onely, which
are as well Sulphureous as Mercurial, and delight in the Communion
of constringing themselves by these Salts, and without departure
constantly remain with them in Fire, and preserve them also from flying
away. That by such a way, _viz._ by the benefit of _Hermes Seal_,
Mineral Sulphurs may be fixed into Tinctures, ancient Philosophers
closely concealed as a principal _Arcanum_, and scarcely any of them
hath ever made mention of an Artificial Fire, except that very ancient
Philosopher _Artephius_, who most excellently speaks much after this
manner: _Our Fire dissolves all things, penetrates all things, destroys
all things, participates of Sulphur, is equal, continual; yields no
smoak, unless it be excited, for Matter it is taken from elsewhere_,
&c. Now accurately mind, whether here is not notified such a Fire [as
I speak of]. _Pontanus_ in his Epistle saith, he travelled almost all
the World over, that he might find some true Philosopher, of whom by
Converse he might be taught somewhat of the _Secret of Secrets_: and
that he met with some Philosophers, but they were onely erroneous
Vagabonds and great Impostors; also that at length (after he had erred
an hundred times, although he wrought in and with a true Matter) he
perused _Artephius_, and out of that Book learned the _Secret Fire_;
which if he had not done, he had remained perpetually ignorant.
From all which it is sufficiently clear, how much it concerns an Artist
to have knowledge of the _Secret Fire_, _Luting_ of _Sapience_, or
_Hermes Seal_. Our Fire is indeed insignized with three Names, yet
it is no other than one Being, _viz._ _Oil of Vitriol, by the fixed
Sulphur of Tartar, coagulated into the form of a Stone_.
* * * * *
But why I here so clearly describe an _Arcanum_ of so great
Magnificence, and also publish the same, I have several weighty
Reasons. Yet, in the mean while, I am not at all solicitous or carefull
thereabout, for fear it should become too common, because of an hundred
Readers that read and peruse the same, scarce one of them hating labour
will give credit to the Prescripts thereof; and some others (who
loving labour would credit what is here written) yet perhaps will want
the acuteness of a Philosophick Ingeny, by the dexterity of which to
institute and absolve such a fixation. Wherefore I rejoycing in that,
do confidently and securely acquiesce, that the Art will not so easily
be rendred familiar to every Son of the Earth promiscuously without
distinction; but Art will still be and remain Art. Some years ago I
did demonstrate to the sight of some of my intimate Friends the way
pf Preparing the _Mercury_ of _Antimony_, and commended to them the
Fixation of the same by our _Secret Fire_; but they unto this very day
have never set their hand to the Work to elaborate it; and that perhaps
because it seemed to them to be too vile a thing, and not such as was
likely of that it could be prepared, a Medicine of so great Excellency.
Here in this Treatise I have taught the way of Preparing, by the help
of Oil of Vitriol, a particular and famous _Salmiack_, by the benefit
of which, from Metals and Minerals may be prepared, not onely an
Universal Medicine healing all the Diseases of Mortals, but also a
particular Tincture for meliorating imperfect Metals. I have indeed
spoken many things, but not all as yet; because I there had no other
intention, but onely to discover our _Secret Salmiack_. If I would
proceed farther, I could certainly say, that in the most despicable
Urine of Men a most pretious Treasure lyes hid, although the greatest
part of the Possessors of it know nothing of the same; because God, by
reason of their Sins, will not impart this Secret to them. In the Urine
of every Man is latent a certain living Metallick _Mercury_, which may
thence most easily be extracted by the help of a certain pure Metallick
Body, or by the Assistance of Art be prepared into a Tincture, or
Universal Medicine; according as we above taught, where we treated of
_Mercury_.
Wherefore writing, I write and will write, that no Man in very deed
can call himself poor, because God hath conferred on every Man from
his first Nativity so great a Gift, as being brought forth into the
Light of this World, he may have sufficient wherewith to live, provided
he understands, and is able to perform what are to be performed.
Philosophers affirm, that _Adam_ and _Eve_ brought their _Stone_ with
them out of _Paradise_. But to us it is sufficiently manifest, that
they were cast out naked, without all help and comfort. Therefore you
infer they bore such a Treasure in their Bodies, as is seen by that
of _Morienus_, who being asked by King _Calid_, In what Subject that
famous Stone of Philosophers lay hid? Answered; _In thee, O King, it
is hidden_. And farther, so soon as he had prepared the Medicine, he
writ about the Vessel in which it was; _He that carries all things
with him, needs not the help of another_: Signifying, that he needed
not the help of any King, because he had all things in himself. Having
done this, he returned to his Hermitage, and there blessedly passed
the residue of his Life in the study of Temperance, Prayer and Fasting,
always glorifying the Name of God. For if _Morienus_ had not known that
he had about him an inestimable Treasure, without doubt he would not
have left the King so secretly, but perhaps have waited in hope of some
Magnificent Entertainment: yet he thirsted not after this, but going
away acquiesced in that onely, which contained in himself, God had long
before conferred on him when he entred this World. It is sufficient
for me that I have not buried my five Talents (lent me by God) in the
Earth, but have restored them to my Lord, and have also so improved the
same, as I have gained other five Talents.
* * * * *
Before I conclude, I am willing to say this: I have indeed received
of God other five Talents also, but as yet have not gained five other
Talents by the Usury of them; and that not because I fear the severity
of my Masters Law against his idle Servants; but I fearing Evil from
Men, durst not make any Improvement thereof, because I suspect that
thence a great and incurable abuse would be spread far and nigh among
the great number of wicked Men. Nevertheless, I now purpose to proceed
in them, and that for certain Causes; and (with the assistance of God)
as soon as I can to publish the _Magnalia_ of the Almighty. Accordingly
I hope this will prove a great comfort and present help to the whole
Christian Common-wealth against the _Turk_, the hereditary Enemy of
the Christian Name, [_vid. Prosper. Germ. p. 5._] But the summe of
things to be communicated, chiefly consists in that, which certain
artificial Inventions discover to me, by help of which many wonderfull
things may be performed; and (if God so please) all the Nests of those
Tyrannical _Hagarens_ be laid waste, and so the Christian People be
fully and plainly freed from their intollerable servitude. For if it
shall be pleasing and gratefull to the most wise God, that such noble
Inventions, hitherto unknown, may be divulged and put in practice;
he alone hath power of procuring occasions and means for making them
publick: but if it displease his glorious Wisedom, in his Name the
Art shall be buried with me, or rather be returned to Him, as to the
Fountain of Fountains, from whence it flowed to me.
In the mean while, I could not chuse but leave to Posterity, for a
Remembrance of my Benevolence, something worth the minding, touching
such unheard-of, heroick, efficacious Inventions. But these are written
as in a Parenthesis, and by the way. Proceeding, let us discourse a
little farther of despicable Urine.
All Men and Beasts live of the Dungs of Animals; also no Corn, Wine,
Apples, _&c._ would be produced, if not dunged with the Dungs of
Animals. But some one may object and say, Wild Herbs, Trees, Shrubs
and Reeds are not dunged with the Dungs of Animals, as Vineyards and
Corn-fields. I answer. Those Plants enjoy and have another Dunging,
_viz._ Celestial or Rain water, by the benefit of which in Autumn and
Winter, Branches and Leaves falling off from the Trees, do putrefie,
and become Dung; which kind of Dunging, in the Spring time betakes it
self to the Roots of Trees, that a penetrative Dunging and procuration
of increase may there be made, since the Leaves are to be esteemed the
Excrements of Trees, with which they are refreshed and renewed. Why
then may not the Excrements of Man serve for the Renovation of Man also?
No Man can deny, but that the Dungs of many Animals have been used in
the Galenical Shops of Apothecaries, for the Composition of various
Remedies, and are used at this very day. That in Urine is incited
a singular comforting Virtue, they best of all can witness, who
Shipwrackt in the Sea, have lived for certain days without Meat or
Drink, and in the mean while have sustained their life with the use of
Urine onely.
Also, that Urine is an egregious Preservative against the Pestilence,
the Masters of Hospitals can witness this by all Men labouring with the
Pest.
Now if gross Urine, with which so much impurity is mixt, be of so
great efficacy, what may not its Spirit purified, and its volatile
Salt effect, especially, if before Distillation, the famous Essences
of Vegetables be artificially added, because such Virtues of Herbs,
Flowers and Seeds, Woods, _&c._ by the help of the volatile Salt of
Urine, are excited through their whole Body, to exercise there their
Virtues efficaciously.
Whosoever knows how rightly to prepare, and duely to use Spirit of
Urine, may easily thence get ample Riches, and reap no less profit in
Medicine than in the Transmutation of Metals. Wherefore I here openly
confess, that in this little Treatise I have posited certain Processes,
which (as to their external face) seem to be of small moment, yet to
Men skilled in the Theory and Practice of them, they will find so
gainfull a Work, as no Handicrafts man whatsoever can gain so much by
his Craft. So much gain may be hoped for from Urine onely, if rightly
and knowingly handled according to the Spagyrick Art. Because every one
Man may gain not one, but several Imperials by that Art: the Processes
of which are diverse, and that by the onely help of despicable Urine.
Hence are those frequent complaints of Ancient Philosophers, that their
Matter of the Stone is cast away by Fools among Dung trod under foot
and contemned, which notwithstanding ought to be honoured by every Man.
I say, by _Every Man_, because from it the Philosopher extracts his
Universal Medicine, and the Physician his particular Remedies. For the
Chymist transmutes vile Metals into better, and so consequently every
Mechanick Operator may expect some Fruit from the same. Wherefore Urine
is not to be despised, but to be taken into use; insomuch, as every
drop of it that is spilt should be bewailed. Yet I protest I would
not discover this, but for the sake of those that have Ears to hear;
because other Men naturally deaf to such things, can reap no profit by
this my Doctrine, because _Hippocrates_ forbids to give Medicine to
those that are past hope.
Whatsoever are here related touching Urine, may be said of the black
shining Soot of Chimnies, of the Hairs and Horns of Animals, of
Egg-shells, and the like, and especially of the Fæces of Wine, which
are cast away after the Spirit is extracted.
But perhaps some Man may here say, Our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_ is too
costly to be used for the prescribed Operation. To him I answer. No Man
can gain something for nothing. But whosoever is desirous to reap some
Eminent Benefit, he must first sow some pretious thing.
Indeed I confess, one pound of our _Salmiack_ (if a Man onely follow
the literal Sense, or bare letter of the Description) will cost
several Imperials, because for one pound of Oil of Vitriol prepared,
four or six pound of Spirit of Urine are required for coagulating the
Oil with the same, which notwithstanding, in respect of those famous
things which are acquired by the benefit of it, it is not to be judged
costly. If a Man cannot prepare his Spirit of Urine, and Oil of Vitriol
himself, but must buy them of another, he then indeed may complain of
Dearness. But to one perfectly well skilled, the _Sal-Armoniack_ will
cost him little more than his manual Labour, insomuch as no Man hath
any just cause to complain of charges.
If the divine Grace shall be pleased to prorogue my Life a little
longer, I purpose to publish greater _Arcanums_. Therefore let God do
as he pleaseth, his Will is always best, and better than the best Wills
of all Men. _Amen._
A Corollary.
Well-meaning Reader,
_In this small Treatise I have in few words revealed great Secrets,
such as were known to no Man before me, except =Paracelsus=, who very
briefly speaks of the chief of them. And =Helmont=, touching the great
Virtues of that, hath writ many things. And since my =Sal-Armoniack=
performs the same in all Operations, which =Helmont= ascribes to his
=Alcahest=, I am able to ascribe somewhat more to my =Sal-Armoniack=,
than he ascribed to his =Alcahest=, yea, many things, which may
profitably be performed by the benefit thereof, among which the chief
is this, =viz.= that by help of it all Metals and Minerals may be
reduced to their first Matter, that is, into a =Spiritual Mercury=,
which is the highest Magistery in Chymistry._
_I, in this little Book, have onely prescribed a few ways of preparing
Medicaments, and that in a Laconick-Style, became I writ these things
in my Sick-bed. Indeed I could willingly and gladly forbear Writing,
both now and heretofore; for by all that ever I writ, I never gained
one half-peny. But Christian Charity inflamed me to consecrate this
great =Arcanum=, and the fruitfull use thereof, (before I dye, knowing
in the Grave nothing can be done) and to publish the same for the good
of Mankind remaining in the Earth; being full of great Hope, there
will not want some Religious Spagyrists conscious of Piety, that will
prove themselves faithfull disposers of this bequeathed Gift, and heal
the Diseases of the Poor =gratis=. But if the great troop of Malignant
Spirits presume to abuse the Practicers of this most noble Art, they
may find =Nemesis= ready swiftly to punish them._
_Every one, as he pleaseth, may prepare most present Medicaments. For
all Herbs, the way is almost one. Also in respect of Animals, Minerals,
Metals and Stones, you will find but little difference. Every Man may
himself more profoundly search into the Art. For my own part, I am at
present so weak, as Strength faileth me to proceed farther in this
discourse. Therefore, by every good Man, I shall be readily excused,
because I have given sufficient occasion of searching into other high
Secrets. If this my benevolent Communication suffice not any Man, he
may himself search farther elsewhere. For it is easier to add to things
already found out, than to become the first Authour of new Inventions._
_I had purposed in this little Book to signifie the most fruitfull use
of my Secret =Alcalisate= Spirit of Wine; which is so great a Secret,
as no Man before me did ever discover to the World; but my Sickness
hath prevented and hindred the doing of that. If God prolong my Life,
that may be done in another small peculiar Book._
_Truly, I highly prize my secret =Sal-Armoniack=, yet I more esteem the
use of my Spirit of Wine Alkalizate; that being a Spirit of so great
potency, as from all Minerals, Metals and Stones, it extracts a most
pure Tincture, and by Alembeck brings the same over the Helm with it
self. What shall I say? Even fixed Gold it self cannot resist it, but
suffers it self without a Corrosive (like sweet Water coloured yellow
with Saffron) to be drawn upwards. In a word, this Alkalizate Spirit
of Wine is an admirable Instrument for a Physician, of it to prepare
efficacious (yea incomparable) Medicaments; and he may easily acquire
abundance of it, and that for no more charges, than after the common
manner any other common Spirit is prepared. He that seeks shall find.
Wherefore rise from your soft Pillows, and with smutted Hands touch
black Coals, and accurately give heed to the institutions of Art. For
with Idleness, Eating, Drinking, and playing on Musick, you shall never
approach to great Mysteries. I would have you always think of this that
is now once spoken. It is indeed impossible for a most unskilfull Man
to believe or comprehend, how great things may be prepared by help of
this burning Spirit._
_About the end of the Preface of this Treatise, I mentioned some few
things touching the same; =viz.= that of good burning Spirit, with
little labour and no great cost, in a very easie way a true universal
Medicine for humane and metallick Bodies might be made. This I would
have no Man to doubt of, but to account of as most true. For I now
ready to be laid in my Grave, have great need to be very carefull how
I divulge any thing, unless such pure verity as experience hath taught
me. If the most wise God will prolong my Life untill the next Summer,
and enable me to write out of Bed, my purpose is to publish some other
new wonderfull Works; but if in the mean while I be taken away from the
number of the living, then (candid Reader) kindly accept of these few
things here written._
_This being thus imparted to all diligent Chymical Operators (whom I
here salute and bid farewell) I wish a Divine Benediction in this Life,
and Eternal Glorification hereafter._ Amen.
Glory to GOD onely.
_The End of the Seventh Part._
THE
FIRST APPENDIX
TO THE
SEVENTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.
In which is contained, how many, yet greater, Secrets may be
prepared by the _Alcahest_, or Secret _Sal-Armoniack_, than
those which are mentioned in the Seventh Part of the _Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa_, _viz._ how Vulgar Mercury may be firmly fixed, and
rendred totally constant in Fire, within the space of three
Days. Also an Explanation, how by the benefit of it may easily
be acquired the Mercury of Wine, as the highest Medicine of the
World. Likewise, that the Secret Fire of the Wise, otherwise
called the Fire of _Artephius_ is the supreme Secret of Secrets:
Together with a Revelation of other admirable Secrets, of which
the Authour hitherto hath made no mention to any Man.
To the Well-meaning READER.
_I could not forbear to signifie to the Lover of divine and admirable
Works, the Reason of my former omission or silence; namely, why in
a little Treatise of mine lately published (which is intituled =The
Seventh Part of my Spagyrical Pharmacopœa=) in which I treat of my
Secret =Sal-Armoniack= or Liquor =Alcahest=, I so suddenly broke
off the Thread of my Writing begun, before I had any thing largely
discoursed of the eminently excellent Vertues thereof, which it
manifests not onely in Medicine, but also in Transmutation of Metals.
Therefore, the Reason of my abrupt Cessation was as follows._
_Before I had compleatly finished the afore-mentioned small Treatise,
I was assaulted with a grievous Disease, which incredibly prevailed
more and more daily, insomuch as I totally despaired of recovering
my Health, and therefore thought it necessary, that whatsoever was
then written (how imperfectly soever) should for the sake of the Poor
and Diseased be committed to the Press. But so soon as by the mercy
of God, I was in some small measure recovered, I perused that little
Book, and presently discerned, that the most powerfull faculties and
virtues which that laudable Liquor is able to exercise and manifest
both in Medicine and Chymistry, were scarcely in any-wise treated of,
but almost wholly omitted in the same Book. Hence many conceited Men
perswade themselves, that my =Secret Sal-Armoniack= cannot be of so
great Energy or Virtue, as =Helmont= ascribes to his Liquor =Alcahest=;
especially because He, in the Coagulation of =Mercury=, saith, that
the same (when his Liquor =Alcahest= hath been but once abstracted
from it) is so fixed, as a pound of it being tried by Cupell, leaves
behind, after Trial, fourteen Lotones of good Silver; which indeed is
not to be esteemed a vile Experiment, =viz.= that by so very little
Labour (as is one onely abstraction of the =Alcahest=, which may be
done in a few hours) such a volatile, and that the sole Deluder of all
=Alchymists= should be transmuted and nobilitated into a fixed Metal,
tractable and perseveringly sustaining every Examen of Fire; and that
by mediation of such a substance, as the Liquor =Alcahest=, which per
se is no other than a volatile Salt. Nevertheless, it is found, that
the same may be done, and that not onely common Mercury, by our Secret
=Sal-Armoniack= (which otherwise rendreth all fixed Metals volatile,
and separates the most pure Souls or Tinctures of them from their gross
Bodies, and carries the same over the Helm with it self) is transmuted
into Silver; but also the same is endued with a Faculty of transmuting
other imperfect Metals into good and constant Gold. The Truth of which
Assertion I have not gathered out of the Writings of other Authours,
but have learned the same by the continual Industry and Experience
of my proper Inquisition; and therefore am able so much the more
confidently to assert somewhat my self, touching the same, to every
ingenious Man._
_But that you may know the Reason why Volatile Mercury, by my Secret
=Sal-Armoniack= also volatile, is rendred fixed and constant in Fire;
you are to understand, that this onely is effected by the cleansing
power and virtue of our =Salmiack=: for in Vulgar Mercury is somewhat
ingenited by Nature, which makes the whole Body of it volatile. Now
if any one doth well understand how to separate that therefrom by an
Artificial cleansing, the flying Mercury no longer remains volatile,
but assumes to it self an hard fixed, tractable and Metallick Body;
in which kind of Purification to be made, our =Salmiack= performs the
office of a Master. Whence happens such a speedy fixation of Mercury;
touching which we, in the following Praxis, shall more amply treat and
demonstrate the same, =viz.= that so swift a Coagulation of volatile
Mercury into Gold and Silver constant and abiding in Fire, is not to
be accounted a vile work of small value, but to be esteemed as one
of the principal =Arcanums= of Nature. This needs no proof, because
by the sentence of all experienced Men it is long since notoriously
known, that this noxious Deluder =Mercury=, by its volatility, hath
deprived some thousands of unwary =Alchymists=, not onely of their
Gold and Silver, but also of their Houses, Lands, Towns, Vineyards,
Fields, Meadows, Gardens, and all their other Goods, carrying the same
with it self up the Chimney, and leaving them nothing but an heap of
broken Pots, Cucurbits, Glasses, Soot, Dust and Ashes, instead of the
wealthy Spoils and rich Reward they thirsted after with vain hope.
But as he hath evilly intreated the unskilfull and unwary Slaves and
Drudges of Chymistry, so he hath dealt well with experienced and wary
Philosophers, who (after they had observed his Inconstancy, and learned
to amend the same) were such as he was constrained to obey, insomuch
as they could subdue, bind and fix him. This is no Fiction or fabulous
Tale, but a Truth which may be proved by many hundred true Histories,
declaring, that in various parts of the World have lived those who were
able to fix Mercury into a constant permanency._
_Of the more ample Use of our_ Salmiack.
Having in the precedent Treatise omitted the best and most worthy
use of our _Salmiack_, (_viz._ that by the benefit of it _Mercury_
might be so purified, as to be very easily fixed into a Red Body fixt
and constant in Fire) I was incited and moved thereby to commit this
_Appendix_ to the Press; especially because in doing the same, I could
also upon every opportune occasion notifie several other profitable
Secrets, which may be perfected by help of that; as here following you
shall perceive, they being inserted one after another.
Therefore incline your Ear to hear what admirable Effects our
_Salmiack_ is able to manifest both in Medicine and Alchymy.
First, Our Secret _Salmiack_ not onely purifies Metals, and separates
the pure part from the unprofitable gross Bodies of them, but the
Volatile parts it carries upward with it self; and afterward suffers
it self to be again fixed [with them] into fixed Tinctures, as already
in the precedent Seventh Part of our _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_, we have
very sufficiently proved, as well as in our Treatise of the _Three
Principles of Metals_; but also it is endued with a power of carrying
over the Helm the most fixed Gold, without any Corrosive, like to a
yellow sweet Spirit, and of converting the same into true _Aurum
Potabile_: for such _Aurum Potabile_, without a Corrosive adhering
is found to be, not onely an efficacious, sweet and famous Medicine
for humane Bodies, but also a true Tincture for transmuting imperfect
Metals into better.
It is indeed a very great Question how such Gold can be a Tincture for
other more vile Metals, since common Gold (according to the Opinion
of many Philosophers, and the experienced truth of the matter) _per
se_ contains in it self no more Tincture than is sufficient for it
self, and without prejudice to its own virtue or nobility is able
to communicate no good to other Metals. Nevertheless, Philosophers
more acute, narrowly sifting the matter, have found that vulgar Gold,
by the assistance of Art, may be destroyed, and its inside turned
outward, but its outside inward: for such destruction Philosophers have
called _Exaltation_, intimating, that the Exaltation or Melioration
of Gold must be made in the Sign _Aries_; to which assertion I could
never assent, but always believed and urged the contrary, inveighing
earnestly against _Toletanus_, who writ _Animadversions_ upon that
good Philosopher of ancient Repute _Bracescus_, as if he had been
a dull and obstinate Man, teaching in his Treatise of the _Tree of
Life_, that the Universal Medicine might be prepared of vulgar _Mars_;
for it not a little troubled me (after by a previous and continued
study of reading and perusing the best Authours, I at length by the
Grace of God, in my search found and learned the way of making such a
Tincture and Medicine) that the said _Toletanus_ did so unhandsomely
heighten his Style against the laudable _Bracescus_, and contemned
the famous Industry of that man, insomuch as I have, in some of my
Writings (although with a certain Zeal, which I ingeniously confess was
unseasonable) chastized this _Zoilus_, because he with an impertinent
Presumption did so rashly and arrogantly attempt to oppose and
contradict that, which he himself had not sufficient Experience of.
But it happened, that afterward such an Exaltation of Gold fell into
my hand unexpectedly. Whence, seeing such an Exaltation of Gold to be
true, I repented my own folly. Wherefore now I openly confess, that
by the help of our secret _Salmiack_ I have very often elaborated
such an Exaltation of Gold in the mineral Aries; although in a very
small Quantity, finding that to be sufficiently imbibed with the
Colour of Gold, whensoever onely two or three Grains of such exalted
Gold were mixed with a whole Pound of common Water. But in metallick
Transmutation, during these days of my indisposedness, I could never
yet try any thing further. If the most wise God, shall be pleased to
restore and raise me out of my sick Bed (as I hope this next Summer
he will) I will not omit to try what the aforesaid exalted Gold is
able to effect in the Transmutation of Metals. In the mean while I am
perswaded, that it will prove an amply potent Tincture for _Mercury_
and _Luna_, and thence I divine because two or three Grains of such
exalted Gold do tinge a whole Pound of Water with a golden Colour that
the same must be done with _Mercury_ and _Luna_. Therefore no man hath
cause further to doubt, that common Gold, by the help of our _Salmiack_
in Aries, may be reduced into some one true and fixed Tincture; as here
following (God willing) shall be shewed more at large.
_Of the more largely fruitfull use of our =Sal Armoniack= in
Medicine and Alchymy._
My Preface to the seventh Book of my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_,
mentioneth how the _Mercury_ of Wine may be separated from any pure
burning Spirit, and perform the Office of an universal Medicine healing
men and metals. But since in such a manner of preparing the Medicine
as I there prescribed, very little _Mercury_ of Wine will be gotten,
not enough to satisfie those, that desire more abundance, because from
one Pound of Spirit of Wine, scarcely three, four or five Grains of
most pure Cœlestial Salt are extracted; which nevertheless is not to
be esteemed so exceeding small a quantity, if any one shall with a
more accurate search of his mind well weigh the incredible medicinal
Vertues thereof, which it manifests and exerciseth against humane and
metallick Diseases; insomuch as (in either Faculty) in the whole nature
of things you shall find no Medicament like unto it. Certainly it is
a true Cœlestial Medicine, in the form of a certain white sweet Salt,
for if one onely Grain of it be taken into the Body of a Man diseased,
he will thereby be notably comforted in all his Members, and amend and
find himself better in a moment. I must needs confess, that I have
not long since found out the Preparation of the same (during the long
continuance of my Disease) by various Speculations; and when by reason
of my Sickness I could not rise out of my Bed to prepare this noble
Medicine my self, I committed the same to the hands of my faithfull and
trusty Friends to be by them prepared, but in a very small quantity:
For I caused not above two or three Pound of Spirit of Wine to be
burned, and thence could not acquire much _Mercury_; nevertheless I
found so much therein, as sufficiently to content and satisfie my
mind as well in Medicine as in Alchymy; believing, as I have above
mentioned, that no Medicine more excellent than this can be found in
the whole nature of things. Moreover, every one may consider with
himself, how great Salubrity such a Cœlestial Medicine may bestow and
confer on the sick Bodies of Men, as often as he accurately weighs with
himself the Subject (_viz._ Wine) of which this Medicine is prepared.
For it is known through all parts of the World far and nigh, that under
the Sun is not given a more excellent Cordial Subject, than good and
pure Wine; although that abound with many inefficacious Humidities,
and other Tartarous Feculencies, whereas on the contrary the _Mercury_
thereof is most pure, or a sweet Cœlestial Salt is extracted from good
Spirit of Wine deduced to the highest purity. But some one may say,
what Spirit of Wine? If in that such a noble _Mercury_ be latent, and
the same as it is in it self be given for comforting the Sick, what
need is there, that it being kindled should be burnt; and why may not
(without that labour and charge) its volatile Salt be received in a
Refrigeratory? In answer hereunto let him know, that Spirit of Wine
is almost all a mere Sulphur, and therefore is easily inflamed and
devoured with the Flame, as is common to every Sulphur, _viz._ that
so soon as it is set on Fire, it consumes it self, and leaves behind
it no other than Ashes and a fixed Salt; but the _Mercury_ which
adhered to the Sulphur, is dissipated in the Air with the Flame, unless
it be taken in a Cold Receptory, in which it may cool and condense
it self. Indeed we for certain know, that no one of all the three
Principles of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals is totally pure, but it
always invisibly bears about it self some small part of the other two
Principles, as may best of all be seen in combustible Entities, such
are Wood and other Vegetables; for they being kindled and set on fire,
the Sulphur is onely burnt, but the other two parts, _viz._ the fixed
Salt, and the volatile _Mercury_ remain free from Combustion. As for
Example, if you burn Wood, an Herb, or any other kind of Vegetable,
the Sulphur onely perisheth, but the _Mercury_ adheres to the sides
and walls of the Chimny. If you thence separate the Ashes and other
Filths, which fly together upwards, you will obtain a white volatile
Salt, altogether like the Animal volatile Salt of Urine, except in this
onely, that this volatile Salt savours of Adustion. The fixed Salt is
extracted out of the Ashes by Elixiviation of common Water. Moreover
Animal Entities being burnt, _viz._ the Bones of any Animals; the
Sulphur is onely burnt, but the volatile Salt flies away, and almost
no fixed Salt remains in the Ashes. Lastly, common mineral Sulphur
being burnt, almost all the Sulphur vanisheth into Air like a Flame,
and together with the Flame an unburnable _Mercury_ ascends, in form
of an heavy Corrosive Oil, which by Chymists is vulgarly called Oil of
Sulphur, and is received in Glass Campanes; nevertheless that Oil is
by Philosophers named the _Mercury_ of Philosophers, because such Oil
is easily transmuted into a sweet Fusile Stone, of which my lately
published Treatise of the Salt of Philosophers makes some mention.
From all which you may clearly gather, that there is no Sulphur found
so pure, but that it is impregnated with some small part of Salt and
_Mercury_; also you can find no _Mercury_, in which is not incited some
part of Salt and Sulphur; and in like manner no Salt, to which a little
Sulphur and _Mercury_ adheres not. Which being thus, why may there not
latently be in Spirit of Wine an incombustible Salt and _Mercury_?
And as Spirit of Wine duely rectified according to the Precepts of
Art, is found to be the purest of all other Sulphurs, and endued with
no Feculencies; so also necessarily, when that Sulphur is kindled
and burnt, with the Flame must needs ascend as it were an unburnable
Substance, which may be received in a Refrigeratory for amending humane
and metallick Bodies. Whosoever cannot comprehend and believe these,
he truely and condignly may be called a Blockhead, although by his
Flatterers (men very indiscrete) he be accounted even the Eighth of the
Wise men, or a second _Paracelsus_.
I purposed in my mind to communicate this supream Medicine to some
candid Friends, that some present Medicine may thence be made, by the
salutary help of which, I also in this my declining Age, and in the
Diuturnity of my Disease, may be made partaker of some Relief, since I
my self now sick in Bed, am able to prepare nothing.
Indeed I did formerly reveal this so very great Mystery to some of my
old Friends, and that to the end that they being sound and in health
might labour therein, and after their Work was ended (which might be
compleated in Eight days) communicate to me, as an Offering of thanks,
some small part of that Medicine, that my old infirm Body might be
comforted; but their intent was far otherwise: For these rude men would
not suffer me to participate of one Grain of the Medicine revealed,
nor ever came within my Doors so much as once, after they were fully
and plainly instructed in the Art by me taught; but passed by as if
I had been a man wholly unknown and never seen by them. But this was
to me a very just and truely deserved Recompence, because I being too
credulous, did so vilely cast into the Mire the most noble Pearl of
all Medicine, not considering the faithfull admonition of the supream
Master: Beware of Men.
I must needs confess that it is not a Work for covetous men; because
such thirst after nothing else, but a great Mass of Gold, and think
this most noble Art to be no other than a rotten Thread. In like manner
I do also confess, that common Spirit of Wine gives forth from it self
but a very small quantity of such Cœlestial Salt; yet a great quantity
of the same no man hath need of, because the power and efficacy
thereof shews it self far and nigh. If any one be desirous to acquire
to himself a greater quantity of this our Cœlestial _Mercury_, he may
obtain his desire, if he make use of a good medicinal Restorative
Subject, as Sulphur or Antimony fixed to a Redness, also Gold, Pearls,
red Corals, cast Skins of Serpents, _Boletus_ or _Fungus Cervinus_. If
these and the like restoring or renovating things be extracted with
Spirit of Wine and the same Wine burnt: because in doing that, with the
Flame will ascend a most pure mercurial Salt, which must be received in
a cold Recipient.
In like manner all Metals, when they are duely extracted with Spirit
of Wine, do in burning give forth from themselves a volatile mercurial
Salt, which may profitably be administred, as well in Medicine as in
Chymistry. For the Salt of _Saturn_ is a most present Pestilential
Remedy; the Salt of _Venus_ an efficacious Venereal Medicament, the
Salt of _Luna_, a most excellent Cephalick, the Salt of Gold a famous
Cordial, and the Salt of _Mars_ an admirable Stomach Remedy, and a
true Tincture, by the help of which vulgar _Mercury_ and _Luna_ may be
tinged into Gold. But it cannot profitably be adhibited in metallick
Labours, unless it be first reduced to a red Fixedness by the benefit
of common Gold, being such, as after the first Preparation may be very
easily fixed and rubified; although it all ascends in a white Flame,
and the Preparation be from a red Subject. For it is fixed and waxeth
red, if any one do from it but once abstract the Water of _Saltaberis_,
as _Paracelsus_ calls it. But if you ask what _Paracelsus_ his Water
of _Saltaberis_ is, it is not my purpose at this time to publish and
divulge that kind of Water. _Helmont_ vastly erred, when he thought it
to be the Water of Whites of Eggs, which it is not, but it is a Water
preparable for a very small Price, as much as is sufficient.
In the mean while, no unskilfull Man is able to believe, with how
great a property of purging, elevating and fixing the Flame of good
Spirit of Wine is endued. Therefore, whosoever is desirous of knowing
this, by putting his hand to the Work let him make Trial. The Flame
of this burning Spirit renders all corrosive and bitter metallick
Subjects sweet and pleasant; therefore _Lully_ rightly said: _The
immature Bitterness is to be dulcified, that the whole Magistery may be
obtained_. Briefly I say, by the benefit thereof, so great good may be
performed as is difficult to be believed, unless any one before he sets
about the Work hath beheld the Event. In which at present we acquiesce,
yet out of an abundance shewing this, _viz._ that, whensoever any
man hath a mind to subtilize metallick Subjects by a burning Spirit
(distilling or subliming them into sweet Salts or Tinctures) he is
obliged by no necessity at all, to use no other than Spirit of Wine
onely; because a burning Spirit of Corn, or extracted out of other
Vegetables, will do the same. But whosoever would without Metals
acquire a Sweet medicinal _Mercury_ _per se_, he must prepare that of
the Spirit of sweet Wine; because other Vegetables afford not so much
mercurial Salt as may be had from Wine; which is to be kept in mind as
a thing worthy of Observation.
Thus have I here clearly revealed as high a Medicine as ever was or
can be found in the Nature of things; which no one of the Philosophers
before me did ever presume to do. Indeed _Albertus Magnus_, and his
Disciple _Thomas Aquinas_ have written of it somewhat more clearly than
others, yet so, as few Readers can follow the mind of them. For they
do indeed make mention of Spirit of Wine, yet the Instrument under
which it is to be burned, they did not in any wise express, or hint at.
_Basilius_ taught that the Instrument was to be made of Copper; yet
this kind of Instrument is not every way conducible, but there is some
defect in it. As for my self, I long sought with earnestness, before I
could find a fit Instrument, in which I might receive this Cœlestial
Salt and _Mercury_. Let others after me also make the like search, till
they find. It is not my business at all times, to cast all things at
the Feet of the unworthy. For I am forbid by the Fates, having already
divulged more than enough. But whosoever is desirous of learning
more touching this kind of labour, let him peruse _Bracescus_ in his
Treatise of the Tree of Life, touching our mercurial Water, where he
may find things enough worthy of note to yield him content. _Avicen_
indeed writes also excellently, but very briefly. _Cosmopolita_ and
_Neusementius_ have writ somewhat more clearly in their Books, yet with
so Philosophick a Character, as scarcely one among a thousand Readers
shall there find what he seeks. More at this time touching this it is
not lawfull for me to discourse; but of other things here to be treated
of, let every one comment and meditate what he thinks good.
_Of the further use of our_ Salmiack.
In my lately published Treatise of the three Principles of Metals, I
shewed how by the help of _Proserpina_ the Wife of _Pluto_, a tinging
Oil of a sanguineous Colour might be distilled from the Vitriol of
_Mars_, and thence be coagulated into a sweet Fusile Stone, by the
benefit of which great things may be effected in the Transmutation of
Metals and Gems. But what is understood by _Proserpina_ I considerately
concealed from the Reader, as well as the Coagulation of the red and
white corrosive Oil of Vitriol into a sweet Stone, because at that
time I purposed not to publish any thing more thereabout. After that
Publication, certain Rivals of our Art came to me very earnestly
intreating, that I would also reveal to them _Proserpina_ and my
Coagulation of Vitriol: These men by their perswasive Intreaties so
softned my mind, as I was freely willing to gratifie them, but with
this Condition, _viz._ that so soon as they had elaborated the whole
Work, they should impart to me some small Portion of that Medicine,
yet this promise of a thankfull acknowledgment hath not untill this
day been fulfilled, wherefore I on the other hand fearing that so
great a Secret (_viz._ how by the help of _Proserpina_ the tinging Oil
of Vitriol of a sanguineous Colour, tinging _Luna_ into Gold, might
afterward be coagulated into a Fusile Stone) should be exposed to
publick view by those, that were so ungratefull to me, was resolved
I would my self be the Publisher of so great an _Arcanum_, knowing
always, that the Master is better able to discourse of his own Work,
than the Disciple; not in the least doubting, but that by this
Revelation or way of discovery, many Alchymists, reduced almost to
the extream necessity of _Irus_, and ready to perish, will be able
to recover themselves, and obtain their pristine repute among men.
Therefore touching the Discovery of this _Arcanum_ thus take it.
By _Proserpina_ in the afore mentioned Treatise is understood the
corrosive Oil of Antimony, or in defect of that Butter of Antimony,
which (when added to Vitriol of _Mars_ in like Proportion, and
distilled by Retort) carries over with it self the Gold of Philosophers
or Tincture of _Mars_, in form of a thick Oil of a sanguine Redness;
which red Oil, when coagulated into a sweet Fusile Stone, will be very
available in the Emendation of Metals, especially in tinging _Luna_
into good Gold, as a little after you shall hear. These are briefly
spoken touching the Antimonial _Proserpina_: Here following it shall
be shewed by us, how our Secret Sal Armoniack may profitably be used
instead of the Antimonial _Proserpina_, after we have premised the way
of coagulating the red Oil of Vitriol into a Stone not corrosive, by
help of which Metals may be amended variously. As to the Coagulation of
the red and white Oil of Vitriol, and also of other corrosive Liquors,
that indeed is very easie to accomplish, but hard to find out. For all
Philosophers have very obscurely writ of this kind of operating, in
such a Laconick manner: Dissolve and Coagulate. The Solution of _Mars_
into Vitriol is made by the help of common Oil of Vitriol, or else by
Spirit of Salt. But the Coagulation into a tinging Stone not corrosive
is made by the help of old, cold and dry _Saturn_, because he it is,
that understands how with his own most intent Coldness and Dryness to
extinguish all humid coldish Fires, and to change them into hard Stones.
No one of the Philosophers hath writ more clearly touching the
Coagulation of mineral Spirits, than _Paracelsus_, in that Treatise
which is intituled the Heaven of Philosophers, being that in which he
treats of the Nature and Properties of the seven Metals, and in the
Fifth Chapter of _Saturn_, he thus speaks.
_Canon the Fifth, touching the Nature and Properties of_ Saturn.
_Saturn_ of his own proper Nature thus speaketh.
_The six other Metals have cast me out for their Examinator, and have
thrust me from themselves out of the Spiritual Place: They have given
into my Mansion a corruptible Body, that I might be what they neither
are nor desire to have. My six Brethren are spiritual, thence it is,
that they penetrate my Body as often as I am burned in the Fire; and
together with me they perish in Fire. =Sol= and =Luna= onely excepted,
which are cleansed with my Water and wax proud. My Spirit is a Water
softning the rigid and congealed Bodies of my Brethren. Yet my Body
tends to the Earth; whatsoever is received into me, becomes also
conformable to us, and by us is converted into one Body. It would
not be profitable for the World, if it should know or could believe
what are latent in me, and what I am able to effect. It would be more
profitable for the World if it understood that, with me, which I am
able to do: Then leaving all Arts of Alchymists, it would use this
onely, which in me is, and by me can be done. The Coldness of a Stone
is in me; this is the Water, by which I cause the Spirits of the six
Metals to be congealed into one corporeal Being of the seventh, that
is, to augment =Sol= with =Luna=._
These I have transcribed word for word out of _Paracelsus_, that by
them it might be sufficiently manifest, that he knew how to perform the
Coagulation of sharp mineral Spirits by cold and dry _Saturn_, because
touching that he so evidently writes, as he that writes most plainly
cannot describe the same more clearly, although there have been very
few men, who did rightly understand this Prince of Philosophers, and
could by his words learn the Coagulation of sharp mineral Spirits there
touched, although in a particular Transmutation of Metals no method
more easie can be given than by our Salt of Philosophers, which from
red Oil of Vitriol is coagulated by cold _Saturn_. I will not pass
over in silence, what Fruit may otherwise be reaped by the Benefit of
this in the Emendation of ignoble and very pretious Stones; because
by that kind of labour more profit may be gained by ten Fold, than
in the Graduation of Metals into _Sol_ and _Luna_; for our red Stone
exalts all Gems in their Colours, and tingeth white Crystals into all
kind of Colours; in which Work, there is not any of the Off springs
of the Earth able to do the like. Wherefore the Ancient Philosophers
more esteemed this Coloration of Stones, than the Art of tinging Silver
into Gold; For such a Stone not onely amends Metals, but also graduates
small Stones noble and ignoble, and tingeth them into better shapes
and colours. For more excellency and good lies hid in despicable Lead,
than any unskilfull man is able to imagine or can perswade himself to
believe; because the Inside of it is no other than mere Gold, insomuch
as Philosophers have called it Leprous Gold.
So soon as this impure Gold shall be impregnated with the Antimonial
Oil of Vitriol, and both conjunctively coagulated together into a red
Stone, thence must necessarily be made a Tincture for Metals, as well
as for Stones. Much more should here be spoken touching our coagulated
red Oil of Vitriol: But to what purpose is it to bring a sample of
beautifull Colours before the Eyes of a blind man, being such as he
cannot see, nor is able to judge any thing of. [See this Process plain
in _Proserpina_.]
In the seventh Part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, mention is made
of a like Coagulation of sharp Spirits, wherefore I would refer every
studious Lover of curious Arts to the perusal of that part. For what
are here briefly treated of, are there more copiously handled, as every
Reader may find, and apply to his proper Benefit. Time now admits not a
more ample Discourse in this place, touching such sharp Spirits of Salt.
_A Furthur Use of our_ Salmiack.
First, vulgar _Mercury_, by the help of our Secret _Salmiack_, may be
so purified in the space of one Day, as the day following by one onely
abstraction of the Water of _Saltaberis_, it may be coagulated into a
red fixed Medicine. Which swift Mortification, Coagulation or Fixation,
was highly esteemed by _Paracelsus_ and _Helmont_. This _Mercury_,
_Paracelsus_ insignized with the Title of _Coralline Mercury_, and
celebrated the fame with this illustrious Praise, _viz._ that in
the whole Nature of things, there was not any Remedy more excellent
for yielding relief in the Gout and French Disease; adding, that it
recreates the mind of the Artist, because it hath entrance into Gold,
and with the same is converted into Gold, and so not a few impoverished
Alchymists may again be stored with Riches. But since the Death of this
Philosopher, you shall not find that there hath been one or other of
the Professours of Chymistry unto this day, who could prepare such a
red fixed _Mercury_; the Reason hereof is, because none of the Sons of
Art could comprehend the Water of _Saltaberis_, by which _Mercury_ is
to be brought to a fixed Redness, none I say, untill _Helmont_, that
most learned Philosopher of our Age discovered himself, witnessing that
he also could prepare such _Mercury_, which he insignized with the Name
of Horizontal Gold, affirming it would sufficiently supply whatsoever
the Physician and Chyrurgeon should need.
In like manner, that most expert Philosopher _Nuysementius_ did write
of such a _Mercury_, testifying, that two or three Grains of it onely
being taken in some Consortative, would purge out all Impurities from
the humane Body. Indeed _Helmont_ expresseth this in other words, yet
by them intimates, that it purgeth out all Filths from the Veins.
Behold three famous men, serving instead of the _Marpesian_ Columns
of all Hermetick Philosophy and Medicine; for they have excellently
writ of this _Mercury_; yet to the Inventions of these, none of their
Successours have added any thing, but have been still and quiet,
shunning the labour of preparing an Universal Medicine. During the
eight Months I was detained in my sick Bed, by reason of my Infirmity,
occasion was offered me of a more serious Meditation of such abstruse
things, insomuch as I at length found the Water of _Saltaberis_, by the
help of which I totally fixed _Mercury_, not indeed as _Helmont_ saith
into constant good Silver, but into very good Gold. Whosoever is seized
with a desire of succouring the misery of the sick, he will do better
for publick good, in using such a fixed _Mercury_ rather for expelling
the Cruelty of a Tyrannical Gout, and the French Disease, than for Gold
making, unless so far as he hath need to use the same for necessary
Aliments.
Whosoever desires to know more of this Coralline _Mercury_, or
(according to _Helmont_) Horizontal Gold; let him peruse our little
Treatise intituled the Seventh Part of the Spagyrical Pharmacopœa,
where he may find not onely many _Mercurys_, which are not inferiour
to this, but in many things excel it. Also there you are taught how a
burning Spirit may be distilled from all Vegetables, and with such a
Spirit, by kindling and burning it, the _Mercury_ of Wine be separated
from the Sulphur in flame, and that as a pure Cœlestial Salt be
gathered in a fit Recipient, and administred against all Diseases, as a
supream Universal Medicine. Also there is taught the way of purifying
_Mercury_, and depriving the same of every loathsome Taste and Odour,
in such wise, as it is rendred sweet and pleasant, like to Fire
consuming Diseases, and for correcting every Cachexy of the whole Body.
In like manner the same teacheth the way of preparing _Mercury_ so, as
it offers it self to be ripened by the Secret Fire of _Atrephius_ into
the highest Medicine, and that in a short time with little labour and
charge.
Hitherto I have variously treated of the manifold Use of our Alcahest;
but since this kind of Doctrine may profit Junior Physicians,
Apothecaries, Chymists, and other learned men more than Mechanick
Artificers; I purpose here to subjoin some other Secrets also, which
may be of use to the People, that so our _Alcahest_ may become
_Onesimus_ the common Servant of many, and in this manner be verified
what in the superior or precedent Treatise is mentioned, _viz._ that of
despicable Urine all men of all Orders, when they will may reap profit,
and sufficient Aliments. But, although Spirit of Urine alone, without
the help of Oil of Vitriol, or some other Acid Spirit, cannot effect
all that is to be performed, yet the labour of making Oil of Vitriol is
not to be eschewed, since it is that which may be prepared in abundance
with little charge, and almost no trouble. If any one be but a little
more skilfull, than a common Chymist, then indeed he may prepare at
least four pound for the charge of one Imperial. If you cannot perform
this work, Oil of Sulphur offers it self, which is more conducive for
preparation of the Liquor _Alcahest_, than Oil of Vitriol, and in a
peculiar Furnace, of an hundred pounds of Sulphur, without any great
trouble, you may easily prepare ten or twelve pounds of Oil, and that
for a small charge.
Wherefore, whosoever would by the benefit of the _Alcahest_ elaborate
any thing to profit, he must first be provided of, and furnished with
Spirit of Urine, and that some quantity, and also not a little Oil
of Vitriol or Sulphur, ready for future use, that without any delay
or hindrance he may happily proceed in his work begun, which without
these he cannot absolve. If Spirit of Urine and Oil of Vitriol be to be
bought by any one, his _Alcahest_ will be too dear, of it to prepare
much to profit, as by the following shall appear.
What is that which _Pontanus_ saith to this? The whole body of Mercury,
without any previous Separation of the pure from the impure, may by
the help of the Secret Fire of _Artephius_ be totally ripened into
a fixed Medicine or Tincture, without any diminution of its weight.
Touching which wonderfull fixation, I in my Sick-bed made a small
trial, insomuch as now I am obliged to believe what _Pontanus_ affirmed
touching such a Secret Fire; openly confessing, that the same Secret
Fire is more to be esteemed in Medicine and Alchymy, than all other
great Secrets, which have ever been observed by Philosophers. Wherefore
now, nothing grieves me so much, as that by reason of my great
indisposedness, being always constrained to keep my Bed, I am able to
make no further trial of the same.
This Fire converts all venomous Subjects into salutiferous Medicaments;
fixeth all things that are volatile; renders all sharp and bitter
things sweet and pleasant. In a word, this Secret Fire cannot more
properly be compared to any thing, than to _Titan_ or the _Sun_, whence
all things draw their Life and Increase. For that Fire, first of Earth,
Water and Air, produceth gross, bitter and harsh Fruits, then ripens
them being unripe, and changeth them into sweet and pleasant Fruits,
imitating the _Sun_ producing sower Grapes, which it sweetens after its
various Operations upon them. The same may be spoken of the maturation
of vulgar _Mercury_, being such as _per se_ (whilst it is as yet
volatile) is to be esteemed an immature and bitter Fruit: but as soon
as by our Secret Fire its Bitterness and noxious Venome shall be taken
away, and it becomes fixed and able to abide the Examen of Fire, it is
no longer a bitter Venome, but passeth into a salutiferous Medicament.
Hence the worthy _Lully_ cried out; _If you dulcifie the bitter,
you will have the whole Magistery_. Which Dulcification our Secret
Fire is able to compleat as perfectly as the _Sun_ of all acid and
harsh products of Trees, makes sweet, pleasant and salubrious Fruits.
_Pontanus_ witnesseth, that he had laboured in the true matter of the
Stone, yet that he erred more than an hundred times, and that he should
never have returned into the Royal way of Infallible Operation, if he
had not read _Artephius_, and of him learned the Fire of the Wise. This
indeed is a thing to be admired, that almost no Chymist imploys his
Care, Study, Meditation and Counsel to seek out and find our Secret
Fire, although to it there is scarcely given another like and second
in all the things of Nature. _Artephius_ did so clearly describe that
Fire, as you would wonder that so few Searchers have ever comprehended
his Mind. All other Philosophers, who were partakers of such a Fire,
do with _Artephius_ expresly write, that it burns continually in
their Glass, and not so extrinsecally, in one degree. Whence indeed
it is sufficiently manifest, that the same is not common Fire made of
Wood and Coals. Therefore I do positively say, that our Secret Fire,
in a short time, is able to transmute the whole of _Mercury_ into a
red, sweet and pleasant Tincture, and also to change both humane and
metallick Bodies.
_Yet further, Touching the most fruitfull Use of our =Alcahest=,
bringing great Gain in Metallick Labours._
As we have heard that volatile common _Mercury_ is fixed and rendred
constant in Fire, by the help of our _Alcahest_; so it also in such
wise fixeth other Minerals, and volatile Metals, as the same in
Cupellating, leave behind both _Sol_ and _Lune_, not without notable
utility. But thence especially may you reap vast profit, if volatile
_Sol_ and _Luna_, extracted by _Aqua Fortis_ out of Sand and Earth,
be again totally fixed by help of that, in such a manner, as they in
Fire fly not; but yielding, permit themselves to be melted as any
other _Sol_ and _Lune_. Metals, whensoever wrought upon by the help
of _Aqua Fortis_, although they were fixt before, degenerate into
another Nature, and are volatilized, so as with a strong Fire of
Fusion they fly away to the Owners great loss. As for Example: If you
dissolve _Lune_ in _Aqua Regia_, and upon the same Solution pour common
Salt-water, the _Lune_ will be precipitated from the Water in the form
of a white Powder, which if with other Water you well edulcorate and
dry, you will have a Calx of _Lune_ much more ponderous than the _Lune_
was before. Which kind of increase ariseth onely from the sharp Spirits
of the Salt, which the Silver hath drawn into it self so firmly, as by
the benefit of Water they could not be totally separated, but remain in
it, not onely whilst it is heated red-hot, but also in a strong Fire
of Fusion, insomuch as the _Lune_ shews it self not tractable in Fire,
as any other Silver, but remains like a Stone in that vehement Fire,
so as whilst it is flowing, those Spirits of the Salt carry away much
of the Silver with them in fume; and part of it also penetrates into
the Crucible. Wherefore such _Lune_ precipitated with Salt, cannot be
melted again and made ductile Silver without great loss and detriment,
but appears intractable like a transparent Horn, whence also it is by
Chymists called the _Horn of the Moon_; but I in my Writings name this
Silver (as being that which is altogether volatile and fusible) the
_Mercury_ of _Luna_.
In the same manner also _Saturn_ may be converted into a Liquable and
volatile _Mercury_, touching the admirable and profitable use of which,
I have writ, but not published, a whole Treatise, which is intituled,
_The Work of Saturn_: but of this no more here. The Evening of the Day
now approaching, admonisheth us to return to speak of our volatile
_Lune_, and to shew the way of reducing that into fixed and soft or
tractable Silver; which indeed by unskilfull Men is supposed to be a
difficult Art, but by skilfull Men it is known to be easily effected
with the great Utility of the Operator.
But some one may say, what need we about that imploy our principal
Cares and Meditations, to render such precipitated volatile _Lune_ into
fixed and good Silver, since there are other ways of precipitating
Silver from _Aqua Fortis_, viz. by the help of thin plates of
_Venus_? To such a Man, I thus answer: They who commonly separate
_Sol_ from _Luna_, are in a great measure abused by that way of
precipitation with _Venus_ Plates; but they would never use that
chargeable Precipitation, if they enjoyed the knowledge of any other
more profitable. Chargeable, I say, is such a Precipitation to those
that use it, because much Water must be poured into the Solution,
for washing away or weakening the force of the _Aqua Fortis_, that
the _Lune_ may the more readily be precipitated by the _Venus_, and
the _Aqua Fortis_ also not dissolve too much of the _Venus_. By this
separation the _Aqua Fortis_ is lost, because it becomes Coppery, and
unfit for a new use of separating. For one Mark of Silver costs in
_Aqua Fortis_ onely (not reckoning Labour and Workmanship) almost half
an Imperial: wherefore our _Belgian_ Refiners think it worth their
while, if for separation of every Mark of Guilt Silver, they spend
but two _Holland_ Florens, or ⅘ of one Imperial, for otherwise they
cannot gain much: Yet some of them will not precipitate their _Lune_
with the help of _Venus_ Plates, and so lost their _Aqua Fortis_,
but by distillation abstract the _Aqua Fortis_, and afterward use it
again. But this abstraction is difficultly performed, and is not void
of danger. For the Glass breaking, the Silver is spilt amongst the
Sand, so as the whole cannot be recovered again without some damage,
and sometimes there is great loss. Wherefore such a way of separating,
although you can save part of the _Aqua Fortis_, yet it is chargeable
and also dangerous (when _Aqua Fortis_ is to be prepared in a great
quantity, as is wont to be done in metallick Mines of Gold and Silver,
and also in Goldsmiths Shops) because it requires a filthy toil,
sordid labour, great expence, and a continual tiresome and perillous
trouble. I add perillous, and that deservedly; because those Operators,
who frequently separate with _Aqua Fortis_, do very often become
_Peripneumonick_, and diseased in their Lungs, by attracting with their
breath the Acrimony of those Spirits into their Lungs, with which sharp
Spirits the Lungs being touched, are hurt, and rendred obnoxious to
Putrefaction, insomuch as among those Separators you shall very rarely
ever find an old Gray-hair’d Master. For such Companions, even in their
flourishing Age, are untimely hurried out of this life. But what are
these feeble wretches able to doe, in withstanding the great Power of
Destiny? Of Golden-Silver, Moniers know not how to make Money before
they have separated the Gold from it, how great cost soever they be
at for separating the same. About two years since I writ touching a
certain Artificial method of separating Gold from Silver in abundance;
but because I was taken sick a little after, and have continued
discomposed almost ever since, I could not bring that laudable and most
profitable Work of Separation to effect.
But afterward this my Infirmity continuing long, and I necessitated
to keep my Bed, although troubled with no considerable sense of pain,
could do nothing, but onely bend and incline my serious thoughts and
meditations upon Nature and Art; then God and Fortune shewed me the
way, by which every common _Mercury_ may be fixed and rendred constant
in Fire. Which sudden fixation of volatile _Mercury_, the Deluder of
all Alchymists, gave me farther occasion of fixing other volatile
Subjects also. But among others, I ordered trial and proof to be made
of a volatile _Calx_ of _Lune_ precipitated with salt Water, that I
might experimentally see, whether such volatile Silver might not be
so bound up, as to suffer it self, like any other _Lune_ to be melted
without detriment or loss; the effect of which Trial or Proof succeeded
according to my expectation. That indeed is a great Reward of a great
Invention, insomuch as it supplies me with sufficient matter of
asserting with _Archimedes_, It is an Invention worth the Milk of an
hundred Kine. For this Fixation of volatile Silver will afford a famous
Fruit of Utility in Alchymy, and especially in the Separation of Gold
from Silver; because such a way the Separation of Gold from Silver may
easily be made; _viz._ there being no need of the Solution of Silver by
_Aqua Fortis_, but it is sufficient if the Silver be onely granulated,
and the _Sol_ which is in it extracted by _Aqua Regia_; because that
being done, you will see all the Silver residing in the bottom. And
although there should be half an Ounce of Gold in every Mark of Silver,
yet you will need no more _Aqua Regia_, than onely so much as is
required for the Solution of such a quantity of Gold; so as a diligent
Man, in the space of one day, may very well separate an hundred Marks
of Golden-Silver, for the charge of three Duckets. And this artificial
method of Separating may not onely be used by the Separators of Gold
from _Lune_, but you may thence also reap greater profit, whensoever
you are desirous by the help of _Aqua Fortis_ to extract Silver from
Stones, Sand and Clay, and to precipitate the same with Salt: for
this way all the _Aqua Regis_ will be saved, that _Aqua Fortis_ by
the addition of Salt being turned into _Aqua Regis_, which will be
most powerfully conducent for extracting Gold out of Sand and Stones,
and for precipitating by a Mercurial Precipitation of the Gold from
the _Aqua Regia_, and afterward that _Aqua Regia_ may again be used
with notable profit for extracting like Gold. Touching which gainfull
Extraction, the Seventh Part of the _Prosperity of our Country_ largely
treateth. Here my intent was onely to publish an Artificial, and not
chargeable way of separating Gold from Silver; which is such a method,
as I believe the World never knew before.
* * * * *
Thus this new-invented Work of Separation is a most profitable
Compendium, by the benefit of which every skilfull Man hereafter
may with a good courage labour, and increase his Goods and Fortunes
honestly: for I believe there cannot be invented any new Work more
compendious than this we have here alledged, for the separation of Gold
from Silver: wherefore we acquiesce in that. But if any one would be
more prolixly instructed in this Artificial Separation, let him peruse
the above-recited Seventh Part of the _Prosperity of Germany_, where
he may satisfie the hunger of his desires. Here you have the _First
Appendix on the Seventh Part of my Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_: but in the
following _Second Appendix_ (God willing) I will discover yet greater
Secrets, which may be perfected by our _Alcahest_, but were never yet
manifested to the World. But at this time, courteous Reader, take in
good part these few things here premised, and whatsoever excellent
thing shall hereafter offer it self, the same shall be presented to thy
Consideration.
Therefore, since (as is above declared and shewed) our Secret
_Alcahest_ is able to enrich Mortals with many kinds of gainfull
Emolument, he is in no wise to be reprehended, that aspires to the
knowledge of elaborating so excellent a Work, _viz._ how he should
prepare for himself Oil of Vitriol or Sulphur, and that in abundance
for a very small charge: for nothing hinders, but that four or five
pounds thereof may be prepared for the charge of one Imperial. I need
not mention how Spirit of Urine may easily be had and prepared in
abundance, _viz._ so soon as one shall cause Urine mixt with Quicklime
to ascend in a large distillatory _Vesica_. For if any one shall so
prepare his _Alcahest_, eight or ten pounds thereof, after his work
is done, will scarcely cost him one Imperial: wherefore he must needs
gain much more, than if he should buy the same of others that sell
it, for a great Price. In the mean while I doubt not, but that such a
most easie Coagulation or Fixation of _Mercury_, as is made by help of
this _Alcahest_, will excite not a few of the more unskilfull Readers,
to the love of Learning from expert Artists, the Art of preparing the
_Alcahest_ in abundance.
A Recapitulation,
OR
More ample Declaration of the precedent Secrets revealed.
Well meaning Reader,
_Here in this Appendix I do indeed treat of very few Secrets, but
those are very great, (which may be acquired by our =Alcahest=,)
the like of which no other Man before me did ever impart to the
World. Now contemplate, and well consider with thy self this swift
and not chargeable Fixation of =Mercury=, which so many famous and
industrious Searchers have laboriously sought for many hundreds of
Years now passed, as is known to the whole World. But the greatest
part of them have sought in vain, and with a fruitless and unlucky
endeavour miserably lost all their Patrimony and Fortunes, and become
the Laughing-stock of other more happy Persons, being themselves
Vagabonds, which cast an aspersion of Ignominy on the noble Art of
Chymistry, and have rendred the same so odious every-where among the
common sort, as no good Man (although he hath by most diligent search
obtained some famous Medicine) dares to profess himself the Possessor
of any Eminent =Arcanum= in Chymistry, lest he should give any occasion
to =Aristarchical= Censurers of defaming him, and calling him a =Gold
making Animal=. Assuredly it is very manifest, that in all Regions of
=Europe=, and in every Age, have lived such Men most experienced, as
have not onely transmuted =Mercury=, but other vile Metals also into
good Gold, sustaining every Examen of Fire. But this was done very
secretly, lest the Artists themselves should fall into the hands of
Tyrants. =Paracelsus=, that most famous Monarch of all Philosophers,
Physicians and Chymists, did indeed openly write of the Fixation of
=Mercury=, but in a Character so abstruse, as in all my life I never
saw one Man who could fix his =Coralline Mercury=, or present it to the
sight of sufficient and certain Witnesses, except =Helmont= writing,
that he could prepare such =Mercury=, as in Medicine would perform
all whatsoever the Physician should have need of. But that the same
=Mercury= (as =Paracelsus= testifies of it from his own Experience)
enters into Gold and augments that, and exhilerates many impoverished
=Alchymists=, restoring them to a more fortunate state; touching these
Effects of the same, the worthy =Helmont= made no mention; yet he
writ, that he did himself fix =Mercury=, by one onely abstraction
of his =Alcahest=, in such wise, as of one pound he had left in the
=Cupella= seven ounces of good Silver, which indeed is a famous Work
in Chymistry and worth while; but Gold is better. Truly I must needs
confess, that I have often tediously laboured to no purpose in this
Work, and never could with any profit extract good =Lune= thence, onely
I always had a little good Silver. Nevertheless afterward, when I lay
Bed-rid, and by reason of my four years sickness, had consumed all my
Goods gotten by Medicine, it pleased the most wise God to confer on
me so great a Light, at by the Splendor of that I found the Royal way
of operating rightly; and now I am able in a very few days to fix any
common =Mercury= into a fixed red Powder, which fixed =Mercury= will
undoubtedly perform Wonders in Medicine. For =Paracelsus= writes, that
the dolorous Gout may be radically expelled by the benefit of the same.
=Helmont= subscribes, that the same will perform all a Physician can
desire and wish for. Wherefore, if the same be of so great efficacy
(for I doubt not the truth of his Assertion) no Physician hath need of
any other thing than this; because in what part soever of the World he
resides, it will supply him with Aliments sufficient, and he will have
no need to expose himself to the ignoble servitude and arbitrement of
another, as the greatest part of other Mercenary Physicians are wont
to prostitute themselves for hire. For by this =Mercury= onely he may
acquire to himself Honour and Wealth enough, although he otherwise
perform no great matter in Chymistry. In all Nations are found Men
afflicted with grievous Diseases: of which no doubt is to be made,
as a little after we shall hear. Wherefore it should be the onely
care, study and endeavour of an honest and candid Physician to obtain
such a fixed =Mercury=, in the mean while omitting all needless and
vain Operations, together with all fruitless Disputes, without any
Foundation, touching other unprofitable Remedies. Whensoever this is,
there will be no need of =Galenical Medicines=, nor of the vain Pomp
of so many withered, unprofitable and inefficacious Herbs, or so many
painted Boxes, Pots and Glasses, with other frivolous Expences orderly
placed in Apothecaries Shops._
_Now let us hear what admirable Effects our fixed =Mercury= is able to
manifest in Metallicks. =Paracelsus= writes, that it exhilerates every
=Alchymist= reduced to a poor Estate, and hath ingress into Gold, and
augments the same. My own Experience of this I am willing to impart
to the Candid Reader, as far as I have proceeded hitherto. Therefore
let the well meaning Reader know, that I found out this Art of Fixing
=Mercury= no longer since than in =March= last of this Year 1667, and
began to make proof thereof in the following Month of =April=; and so
soon as I had found the Truth of it, I thought good to publish so great
an Invention to the whole World. Yet in so short a space of Time, I
could not search out all that was to be found, because by reason of
my diuturnal Illness I was constrained to keep in my Bed; therefore I
hastned the publication of so excellent an Invention, because I feared
it would happen that the insalubrious Air of =March= or =April= should
be my Death, and so all hope of divulging such a Secret be totally
frustrated. Whatsoever I found in the same within that small space of
time, I have here communicated._
_I three several times perfected the Fixation of =Mercury= in a small
quantity, and always found it every time higher and higher, and more
and more beautifull. This fixed =Mercury= I cupellated with =Saturn=,
but my =Mercury= remained fixed, without any Ingress made into the
Lead, insomuch as from it self could give no Gold. Afterward I made
another Trial, and then to my fixed =Mercury= I added a little common
Gold, melting them into one Mass, I found that this Gold from the
=Mercury= had increased it self more than half; the remainder of my
=Mercury= had made no Ingress, but remained lying like a Red fixed
Calx. Which kind of proof fully satisfied my mind, because the residue
of my =Mercury=, which had not entred into the Gold, was not lost, but
converted into an excellent Medicine. If it please the most wise God
to restore me to my pristine health, as I hope he will in the next
Summers heat, I shall not acquiesce in this proof onely, but further
try whether I can of this =Mercury= yet make some further improvement.
In the mean while I sing Praises to the Immortal God for so noble a
Medicine against the dolorous =Gout=._
_Thus, Reader, you have my Experience touching the =Fixed Coralline
Mercury=. If I find any other more excellent Experiment of this (as
I doubt not but I shall) I will ere it be long make thee partaker
thereof in a following =Second Appendix=._
_Whatsoever I have above prescribed touching the =Mercury= of Wine,
as being an excellent Salt, and Supreme Medicine, I did sufficiently
explain, except the Instrument to be made for burning the Spirit of
Wine, which is not yet sufficiently expressed._
_But here it is to be observed, that a burning Spirit extracted from
Corn or other Vegetables, in no-wise yields so much =Mercury=, as
Spirit of Wine doth, and especially if distilled from rich Rhenish
Wine. In like manner also so much =Mercury= cannot be had from any
sweet =French= or =Spanish= Wine, as from Rhenish Wine. So soon as by
search I found the reason of this difference, I could from any burning
Spirit made of Corn, extract as much =Mercury=, as from Rhenish Wine,
insomuch as I now (praise and thanks be given to God) can easily
be without Rhenish Wine and any other. The supreme Giver of all
good Gifts, from his inexhausted Fountain of Grace, hath abundantly
refreshed me with good things; let him yet instill more into me, that
I may again distill the same into other of his needy and officious
Servants, who with me endeavour to publish the Magnalia of God. =Amen=._
_But proceeding yet further, we will briefly speak of the =Secret
Fire= of ancient Philosophers, being that by which they ripened their
Tinctures. Therefore, for a Conclusion, let the Lover of divine and
natural Wisedom know, that such a Fire is not made of Wood or Coals,
but is a Firey-water, such as gives forth from it self neither smoak
nor flame. The same is not hindred or excited by external Fire, but in
the Glass, (about the Subject you intend to fix and dulcifie) it always
burns in an equal degree, and converts the immature and harsh into
sweet and pleasant, fixed and mature; and also converts bitter Venome
into salutary Medicine and Treacle._
_Therefore, whomsoever God illuminates with so great Light, as to
know such a =Secret Fire=, he will no more need to seek or desire
any thing in Philosophy and Hermetick Medicine, but will offer up
incessant Praises to God, as to the Fountain of all Good, because he
will continually be mindfull of helping the Distresses of the Poor, and
largely bestow on those Indigent Persons, out of the abundance to him
accruing by the benefit of that most noble Gift granted to himself._
* * * * *
To the Supreme GOD alone be Praise and Glory for ever.
_The End of the First Appendix._
THE
SECOND APPENDIX
TO THE
SEVENTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.
Wherein is treated of the further use of our secret
_Sal-Armoniack_, for the meliorating of the meaner Metals, and
more particularly of the profitable extracting or separating
_Sol_ and _Lune_ from _Jupiter_. With a subjoyned information how
by means of the Mercurial Water of _Jupiter_, Tinctures may be
extracted in quantity not onely from _Sol_, but also from _Mars_
and _Venus_, and all precious, as well as common Stones; and that
(as it were) in a moment, without Fire or any considerable charge.
_Faithfully Translated out of the High-Dutch._
Kind READER,
_In my foregoing first Appendix of my =Pharmacopœa Spagyrica=,
I promised a second concerning the further use of our secret
=Sal-Armoniack=, that the ignorant as well as doubtfull might be
fully satisfied of the truth. The reason why I rather choose to add
two Appendixes to the said seventh Part, than to publish the secrets
therein contained, under the title of the eighth Part, is because
I have resolved not to go beyond the number 7 (in which something
extraordinary lies hid) in any of my Writings. And forasmuch as I
have already published six Parts =of the welfare of my own Countrey=;
I intend shortly to add the seventh Part, which shall contain clear
and full instructions, without concealing the least circumstance or
manual operation how every one who is but a little skill’d in Fire,
may with great profit extract from Sand and Stones, =Sol= and =Lune=,
and thereby get a plentifull livelyhood in any part of the World. I
have also at present in hand, the two last Parts of my Treatise of
=Furnaces=, five of them being already in Print, that I may in that
Piece also compleat the number seven: which two last Furnaces are
extraordinary usefull; for in treating of the sixth Furnace I describe
that Artificial Refrigeratory Instrument or Alembick, whereby the
=Mercury= or Cælestial =Niter= of all Vegetables, Animals and Minerals
is caught by kindling Spirit of Wine upon them, by which means the said
=Mercury= is separated from its gross Body, and unprofitable part, and
becomes highly exalted and purified. Which instrument the Philosophers
have always carefully concealed. The seventh part of my Furnaces shall
contain the description of a little Furnace in which with a very
inconsiderable quantity of Coals and in a few hours, distillation may
be performed by Retort, being such a =Compendium= as has never yet been
published to the World. In which Furnace also the Tinctures of Metals
may with the secret Fire of =Artephius=, or by the proper Agent of
the matter of the Stone, in a short time be fixed and maturated. And
if it shall please God to continue my Life a while longer, I intend
to carry on these my following Works, =viz.= =The Mineral Work=, =the
wonder of the World=, my =Centuries=, with other of my Writings, to
the seventh number; but before I publish these I intend to Print some
other Treatises, =viz.= =Of the second Terrestrial, and third Cælestial
Purgatory=, and another =concerning God and good and evil Spirits=._
_Now as to the second Appendix, I intend therein briefly, but
fundamentally to declare the true gainfull particular as well as
universal transmutation of Metals; yet not so, as that every lazy proud
Lubber may become Master of these secrets, and thereby strengthen
himself in his Pride and Debauchery, by no means: but they shall be
so laid down, that those who have attained to some skill of managing
Fire, may easily comprehend the same; yea the whole World will, I hope,
have cause to rejoyce for this my faithfull Communication. And in case
there be any that might not find clear and full satisfaction in this my
Appendix they may read my other Writings, particularly those yet to be
published, wherein they will meet with a further Elucidation of these
secrets._
_And as for those my good old Friends who never basely complied with
the Enemies of Art and Truth, to them I am (as I always was) ready to
communicate a shorter and nearer way than it is fitting here to expose
to every Man._
_Of the further profitable use of our secret =Sal-Armoniack= for
the Melioration of Metals._
In the seventh part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_, I have at large
declared how our secret _Sal-Armoniack_ is to be made together with
the use of it in the preparation of many excellent Medicines, hitherto
unknown. And because therein I did not discover all, I added to it an
Appendix, treating concerning the use of the said _Sal-Armoniack_ and
other profitable secrets. But forasmuch as the virtues of the said
_Sal-Armoniack_ are great and unfathomable, I have thought good to
add the second Appendix, which speaks of its use in meliorating the
meaner metals. I intend therefore in this writing to discover great
things, neither shall the Worlds ingratitude deter me from so doing. I
shall begin with _Saturn_ and _Jupiter_, and afterwards treat of the
melioration of other meaner metals, _viz._ _Mars_ and _Venus_, how by
Art their corruptible and combustible _Sulphur_ may be separated from
them, and their purer part, (_viz._ _Sol_ and _Lune_ which are hid in
them) extracted and made visible.
Lead and Tin, to outward aspect do much resemble one another, save
onely that _Jupiter_ is whiter, for which reason the Philosophers have
called it white Lead, _Antimony_ black Lead, and _Bismuth_ gray Lead;
because all of them like Lead, easily melt in the Fire.
Concerning _Saturn_ and _Jupiter_ (being the highest Planets in the
Firmament) the Heathen Philosophers have writ much in their Fables: as
amongst other things, that _Jupiter_ drove his Father _Saturn_ from
his Kingdom, and made himself Master of it and other like Stories; in
all which they obscurely hinted to us the transmutation of Metals.
For these Poetical Fables though they seem trifling and foolish to
those who have not attained to any considerable experience in Fire,
so that of one thousand Readers scarce one reaches the true ground of
them, (though ’tis known they were writ by men of great learning and
experience) yet they whose understanding God enlightens find in them an
hidden Treasure.
Now to the end I may not bury the Talent God has been pleased to
bestow upon me, but improve it for the good of the World, I shall here
discover the melioration of _Jupiter_ and _Saturn_ to the glory of
God the Author of all good, and for the use of all mankind, without
respect of Persons, whether they be Friends or Enemies: the good and
virtuous will without doubt thankfully accept this my communication,
and to the ungratefull and unworthy, this my well-meaning discovery of
such profitable secrets will but heap Coals on their Heads. Wherefore
it shall not repent me though it should come to the hands of my worst
Enemies, as being sufficiently contented in this that I am any way
instrumental in making known the wonders of God and nature to the World.
Thus in the name of God without envy or repining I proceed according
to his command, to do good to Friends and Enemies, good and bad: if
the wicked abuse any of these secrets, God in his due time will meet
with them, and pay them in their own Coin. Follows now the nature
and property of _Jupiter_ and _Saturn_, according as they have been
discovered to me by Fire.
_Of the nature and property of Lead._
_Saturn_ is an immature Metal, made up of much gross _Mercury_ and
little _Sulphur_ which is impure. Its Salt much resembles Salt-peter,
which is the cause of its coldness and easie fusibility. When its
_Mercury_ is purged from the impure _Sulphur_, it becomes like Gold
in weight, and may by Art be reduced to the colour and fixedness of
Gold. When its superfluous combustible _Sulphur_ and nitrous Salt
from whence proceed its ready fluxibility, and piercing and devouring
nature are separated from it, all true Philosophers witness that there
the _Mercury_ of Lead may be turned to Gold, for they call Lead their
leprous Gold. Now as the Leprosie in Man proceeds from a cold moist and
over Salt Constitution of Blood, which corroding the Skin and Flesh
produces such an abominable Scab upon the Body, especially in those
parts where moisture most abounds, _viz._ about the Nose, Ears, Eyes,
_&c._ but where the whole mass of the Blood is become corrosive, there
it spreads over all the Body sparing no part, but filling it with
Sores and Ulcers; so as at length where no potent Remedies are used to
mortifie this malign corrosive humour, it destroys the Body and Death
follows. To cure which formidable Malady, the Ancients made choise
of fixed Gold, as not being subject to any corruption, which wise
intention of theirs is very preposterously imitated by our _Galenists_,
who when they find that their helpless and unprofitable Medicaments
want the desired success about their Patients, and that small hope of
saving them is left, betake themselves to Gold, Silver and Precious
Stones, for to help at this dead lift. But let such as these remember
that they will find it hard to answer these their proceedings one day,
by which they onely post their patients out of the World: for what can
the stomach of any man, but especially of the weak and sick do with
the filings or leaves of Gold and Silver, or the Powder of Precious
Stones? can we suppose that the Stomach can draw any virtue from those
things, that the most corrosive Waters will scarce touch? But this
hath been so often inculcated by others, that it is matter of wonder,
that such foolish and fruitless ingredients have not been long since
exploded and laid side, being indeed nothing else but the shame and
reproach of Physicians; and all that can be said for them is, that
they must be well paid for, and so help to make the Pot boil; without
doubt when the promised _Elias Artista_ shall come, he will put an end
to all this unprofitable stuff, and instead therefore restore true
powerfull Medicaments; to which good end I hope my _Purgatory of the
Philosophers_, with _the Sixth and Seventh Part of my Furnaces_ will
not a little contribute. Thus it seems Truth must yet for a while be
despis’d and oppress’d, till God, the truth it self, be pleased to
raise up a mighty Hero to deliver it from Contempt, and Crown it with
glory and honour.
It cannot be denied, but some experienc’d Philosophers, as _Paracelsus_
and others have declar’d, that with Gold and precious Stones wonders
may be done in Physick, when first they be reduced to potability; but
have always condemn’d the use of their compact and fixt Bodies, which
are insuperable by Fire it self, and therefore much more by the gentle
heat of the Stomach. And indeed if those Physicians, who ignorantly
make use of such gross and compact Bodies, did know the living Gold,
Silver and precious Stones of the Philosophers, and the due application
of them to the sick, they would by this means get more honour, and not
be so injurious to their Neighbour, as they are, by exhibiting such
unprofitable and hurtfull things for Remedies.
* * * * *
I cannot but on this occasion speak a word of the Leprosie and its
cure; which being confessedly a Saturnine disease, may easily be cured
by Saturnine Medicaments, such as are Black Lead, the _Antimony_ of
Wise men, or _Magnesia_ of _Saturn_, being duely prepared. But to
return to our Lead or Leprous Gold, and enquire how we may best rid
him of his Melancholy Leprosie, and instead thereof restore to him a
healthy sanguine complexion, which can no way better be done than by
evacuating his sharp corrosive blood, or dulcifying of it. For, as has
been said, Lead contains a sharp sal-nitrous Spirit, which corrodes
and devours all hard things, which the Ancients have intimated by
their portraying him with a sharp Sythe in one hand, and in the other
holding a young Child, which he devours; wherefore also he is called a
devourer of Infants, and a ravenous Wolf. Which ravenous property he
expresses to the life, when on the Cupel he devours whatsoever is added
to him, and therefore is called an unmercifull Father to his Children,
because he devours and destroys them. According to all Philosophers
and Astronomers he is the highest and first of all the Planets in the
Firmament, upon which account the other Planets and Metals, _viz._
_Sol_, _Luna_, _Jupiter_, _Mars_, _Venus_ and _Mercury_ are call’d
his Children, though improperly, for they are his Brethren, which he
devours, swallows and destroys on the fiery Cupel, except _Sol_ and
_Luna_, which though he swallows as well as his other Brethren, yet can
he not concoct or digest them, but is fain to vomit them up again, and
they are so far from receiving any hurt in the Stomach of that ravenous
Wolf, that they come forth much purer than before, leaving all their
filth behind them. So that this devouring Glutton, notwithstanding the
corrosive acidity of his Stomach cannot consume Gold or Silver, but
robs them onely of their superfluous Sulphur, which is the corrupter
of the _Mercury_ in Metals, of which _Paracelsus_ excellently writes
in his _Cælum Philosophorum_, which I have quoted in my first Appendix
concerning the use of the _Alcahest_.
Now that there is a great acidity in Lead, appears from this instance;
because when it is melted, it pierces the Crucible, and runs through;
and therefore Cupels have been invented, made of Bone-ashes, which he
cannot eat through, but sinks like water into them. Yet there are also
Crucibles made of Coal-dust and good Earth proportionably temper’d
together, which can hold _Saturn_ in Flux for a year together, without
ever piercing them: of which more may be seen in my other Writings.
This then is the Nature and Property of _Saturn_, he contains much,
but impure _Mercury_, and a sharp corrosive Salt-peter Spirit; when he
is rid of these, he affords good Gold and Silver, yet not alone and
of himself, but with help of his Brother _Jupiter_, whose superfluous
Sulphur kindles the Nitrous Spirit in Lead, and consumes it; so that by
this enkindling, not onely the hurtfull Salt-peter in Lead, but also
the superfluous Sulphur in Tin are both consumed and destroyed. This
being done, if the Tin thus mixed with Lead be driven off on the Cupel,
they will yield Gold and Silver enough for a competent livelihood.
If thou would’st be further assured that Lead contains a sharp
Salt-peter Spirit, which by no other way can be taken from him, than
by his enemy Sulphur, by whose means it is kindled and consumed, the
following Experiment will give thee full satisfaction. Onely by the
way note, that this consuming of the Nitre in Lead, does very much
alter its Nature, making it hard, and of difficult fusion like Iron,
so that great Guns may be made of it. Now the Experiment is this: Take
of the filings of Lead three parts, of Brimstone in Powder one part,
put them into a Crucible, surrounded with Charcoal, so as it may heat
leisurely and by degrees; by this means the Brimstone will penetrate
the Lead, and mortifie its Nitrous Spirit, which is the cause of its
easie fluxibility, and at the same time the Sulphur becomes mortified
also, which before was more fluxible than the Lead, but now by its
union with the Lead, is very hard to be fluxed. This mortification or
induration of Lead, with common Brimstone, affords no Melioration,
and is onely here instanced, to demonstrate there is a Salt-peter in
Lead, and that Salt-peter and Lead, which both are so very fluxible,
do harden and mortifie one another. But now when the Salt-peter that
is in Lead is kindled and consumed by the Sulphur that is in Tin, then
one Metal meliorates the other, and the hurtfull superfluity of both
is destroyed, _viz._ the Nitre that is in Lead, and the Combustible
Sulphur in Tin, from whence necessarily a melioration must ensue.
That Sulphur kills the Nitre in Lead, and makes it hard, thou mayst yet
be satisfied another way, _viz._ Take some ounces of Lead, melt them in
a Crucible, and ever and anon cast in a little piece of Brimstone into
it; continue this till thy Lead be become hard and influxible, by which
means thou wilt be assured that there is Nitre in Lead. And that there
is Sulphur in Tin, appears in that when it is joined with Lead, they
kindle and consume one another.
If thou desirest yet further to be confirmed, that there is Nitre in
Lead, which makes it melt so readily, and fret through every thing;
then do thus: Take Lead and melt him red-hot in a Crucible, and
immediately he will pierce the Crucible and run out; take another
Crucible and put Lead into it also, casting, as soon as it is melted,
small bits of Brimstone upon it, which will so mortifie the fretting
Nitrous Spirit in Lead, that he will be no more able to pierce the
Crucible, but will for a long time continue red-hot in the same.
If this demonstration neither will satisfie thee, that the fretting
nature of Lead proceeds from a sharp Mineral Salt-peter Spirit, thou
mayst further prove it thus: Abstract from two ounces of filings of
Lead an ounce and an half of Oil of Vitriol or Spirit of Salt in a
small Retort, in which operation the dry Lead will draw to it the
sharp Saline Spirit, and that which comes over will be meer insipid
Phlegm, retaining nothing of its former corrosiveness. The distillation
performed, take thy Lead out of the Retort, and try whether it be
become more sharp by the addition of the said Corrosive Spirit, but
thou wilt find that the Lead has taken in the sharp Saline Spirit,
coagulated it, and changed it into a sweet Stone, in which no manner
of corrosiveness can be tasted or perceived. Now if this be true, that
Lead can turn such a strong corrosive Oil into a sweet Stone, we need
not wonder that he has a power to coagulate, hide, and make invisible
his own in-born Saline Spirit. Concerning which matter thou mayst read
more in a small Treatise of mine of the Principles of Metals, wherein
speaking of the Coagulation of Saline Spirits, I observe that Lead has
the nature and property of Coagulating all sharp and corrosive Saline
Spirits. If this instance have not sufficiently instructed thee, thou
mayst make another proof thus: Take the fore-mentioned Lead, acuated
with Saline Spirits, and melt it in a tripple Crucible with a fire of
Fusion, let it be red-hot in Flux, and thou wilt find that in a moment
it will run through thy three Crucibles, which common Lead would never
do, from whence it is clear as the Sun that the piercing, fretting
quality which is in Lead, proceeds from the Saline Spirits coagulated
in or with it. Consider well of how great use such a Lead, whose
natural devouring Faculty or Sythe is so highly acuated by Art, might
be in the work of Transmutation, if we knew to make good use of it. The
Philosophers writing of _Saturn_’s sharp Sythe, express themselves in
these words, _Falx ejus mordax est_, _His Sythe is sharp or biting_:
which how it may be made much sharper by Saline Spirits, has now been
said. A further enlargement might here be made concerning _Saturn_’s
Sythe; but it shall suffice at present to have demonstrated, that his
easie fluxibility, and fretting devouring nature, proceeds onely from a
sharp Nitrous Spirit; which when Sulphur has consumed and burnt away,
much Gold and Silver may be separated from him.
_Of the Nature and Property of =Jupiter=, what he wants, and what
he hath too much of, and how his noxious superfluities may be
removed, so as on the Cupel he may yield his hidden Gold and
Silver._
Tin by the Heathen Philosophers has been appropriated to the Heathen
God (or rather Planet) _Jupiter_, who has the next place in the
Firmament to _Saturn_; is by the Miners called White Lead, and like it
melts with a small heat, and easily unites with his Brother _Saturn_,
continuing together in a moderate heat; but they no sooner become
redhot, but their Brotherly love is changed to enmity, not being able
to endure one another in a strong fire, but each striving to get loose
from the other, which yet cannot be without the loss of one or both
of their lives; so that this their combat may well be compared to the
fighting of the Peasants in _Lapland_, whose custome is when two of
them are highly incensed against each other, to suffer themselves to be
tied fast together, so as they cannot fly back or run away, and then
fall to cutting and slashing one another so long with their knives,
till the Death of one or both of them follows.
But to return from whence we have digressed. That _Saturn_ and
_Jupiter_ are Brothers, the Heathen History informs us, relating that
the four Brothers, _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Neptune_ and _Pluto_, their
chief Gods, fell into discord amongst themselves which of them should
be the greatest; which contest of theirs was at last by the mediation
of the other Gods composed, they agreeing to divide the Empire of the
World between them. And though _Saturn_ were older than his Brother
_Jupiter_, yet was he fain to content himself with the command of the
Earth, whilst _Jupiter_ took upon him that of Heaven, _Neptune_ that
of the Sea, and _Pluto_ the Dominion of Hell. Which Division will not
at all seem strange to those that understand Nature, who find that
each Brothers lot was very correspondent and comporting with their
nature. The Nature of _Saturn_ much resembles the Earth, and he makes
all things that he takes to him like the Earth; as appears from the
fore-mentioned contest with his Brother _Jupiter_. But _Jupiter_,
because inwardly he is very sulphureous and fiery, therefore is the
Government of the fiery Heaven properly deputed to him, leaving
_Saturn_ to dig and moil in the Earth: Wherefore also the Ancients
have represented him with a Spade in his hand, thereby intimating
his Property of digging through or piercing all things: whereas they
figured _Jupiter_ with Thunder bolts, and fiery Lightning-flashes in
his hand, whence came that Proverb, _Procul à Jove, procul à Fulmine_;
_Far from =Jupiter=, far from his Thunder-bolts_.
Now that Tin contains much Sulphur, may be thus experimented: Take the
filings of Tin and powder’d Nitre, mix and put them into a Crucible
over the fire, and they will kindle and consume one another, so as
nothing will be left in the Crucible. Or it may be tried thus: Melt
some Tin in a Cruce, and when ’tis red-hot, cast in some Nitre upon it,
which kindles the Tin, the flame carrying part of it away, and the rest
is burnt to dross or fæces. But not to insist on this, it being very
notorious that the greatest part of Tin is nothing else but combustible
Sulphur, the remaining part being a solar pure Mercury: so that when
this Sulphur is by art wholly separated from its pure Mercury, the same
is easily ripened to Gold, by being joined with cold _Saturn_, which
the following Praxis will abundantly make out.
’Tis worth our noting here, that this Sulphur of Tin doth not burn
away, when the Tin without any addition is put to the fire, but doth
then in the heat seize and lay hold of its own Mercury, burning and
reducing the same to Ashes, which are very hardly to be reduced to a
Metal without some addition: neither will Lead join with these Ashes,
but thrusts them out from him, turning them to a white Glass; which is
the reason why so few are found, who with profit can separate the Gold
and Silver which is in it. _Paracelsus_ in his _Cœlum Philosophorum_
saith expresly that much Gold and Silver lies hid in Tin. We read
also of others that have had the Art of it, and have thence extracted
great treasures of Gold and Silver; amongst others _Bruschius_ in
his Description of _Fichtelberg_, gives us the History of a Citizen
of _Eger_, on the Borders of _Bohemia_, some few miles distant from
the City _Nurnberg_, who had the skill of separating the _Sol_ and
_Lune_ which is in Tin to great advantage, having been enabled
thereby not onely to build an Hospital and Church in the said place,
but also richly to endow the same for the maintenance of twelve old
Men and three Priests in the said Hospital. This Person, whose name
was _Sigismund Wan_, suffer’d this Art to die with him, but withall
left a Prophesie behind him that the said Art 200 years after should
rise again, and be made known to the World. Which Prophesie though
_Bruschius_ in his foresaid description make no mention of, yet is
undoubtedly true: and there is a Book in Manuscript, which is very
common amongst the Miners and other Artificers belonging to the said
_Fichtelberg_, which I have seen, and read in it the said Prophesie,
though at that time being young and unexperienc’d in the nature of
Tin, I little minded it. But since God has been pleased in this my
far advanced old Age, without any thing of my seeking, out of his
meer grace and mercy to reveal the said Art unto me, it hath given me
occasion to call to mind what formerly I had read, and put me upon
reading the said Book over again, where I found that his Prophesie was
exactly fulfilled, for this _Sigismund Wan_ died in the year 1467, from
whence to this present year 1667, are just 200 years. This Prophesie
being thus precisely accomplished, I thought fit to set down some part,
of the said _Bruschius_ his Relation, from whence it appears that God
doth often impart such skill and knowledge to good and honest People,
whereby they are enabled not onely to supply themselves, but also to
make liberal Provision for the Poor. The words of _Bruschius_ are
these, _Wohnsiedel_ has no extraordinary Buildings, besides a stately
and richly endowed Hospital, which was built in the year 1467, by a
Citizen of the place named _Sigismund Wan_, though at the time of his
building the said Hospital, he was a Citizen of _Eger_. He had to Wife
a _Venetian_ Woman called _Barbara_, who had great skill in Alchymy,
and in particular the Art of separating Gold and Silver from Tin, by
which means he became very rich, and having no Children, built the
said Hospital, constituting the Magistrates of _Eger_ Guardians of the
same, left them a great Summ of Money, with the Interest of which they
maintain twelve old Men, and three Priests. Near the said Hospital, is
a very fair Church built by the said _Sigismund_, where to this day a
Picture is to be seen, containing the Pourctratures of the Founder and
Foundress of the Church and Hospital, with the time and hour of their
Deaths. This _Sigismund_ lived at _Eger_ the latter part of his life;
and wrought his gainfull Work in the same House, wherein at present
dwells _Andrew Griffen_.
Thus far _Bruschius_, from whose Relation it appears that there have
been those who from the meaner Metals, and particularly Tin, have been
able to separate Gold and Silver with great gain, so as to procure
great riches thereby. We find also that in those times charity was more
exercised than at present, when men instead of building Hospitals, are
rather ready to convert them, with their Revenues to their own use.
For which wickedness of this Age, God seems to withdraw his blessing
from the Earth, so that Mines do not so much abound, nor are so rich by
far as formerly. How many places in _Germany_ have we known blest with
Gold and Silver Mines, as also with Lead and Tin Mines, containing much
Gold and Silver, of which nothing is to be found now? And this same Tin
Mine from whence _Sigismund Evan_ extracted so much Gold and Silver,
has now for near 200 years yielded no Oar at all. About the same time
also there was a very rich Gold Mine, in an adjacent little City called
Gold _Granach_; which is in like manner wholly exhausted and lost.
In the same Gold Mine, Antimony, also which is the Root of Gold, was
found in that quantity, as from thence it was transported to all parts
of _Europe_, but now very little of it is to be found there, and that
which is found, contains no Gold at all, whereas that which was digged
there before did abound with it. In like manner the _Hungarian_ and
_Transylvanian_ Mines of Antimony so rich in Gold, which flourished
about 200 years since, are now quite spent so as no more Antimony is
to be found there. Since which time the rich Silver Mines in _Jochems_
that have been discoverd, which yielded an incredible quantity of
Silver, but did not continue long so, God, for the ingratitude and
wickedness of men suffering it to sink away; of which many more
instances might be given but these shall suffice.
But to return to our interrupted discourse. ’Tis well known that
all unripe Metals, when by the violence of Fire they are melted
and separated from their Oar, do send forth a poisonous Arsenical
Exhalation; yea even after they are wholly separated from their Oar,
they cease not to exhale poisonous fumes, though not comparable with
those they send forth when they are first melted from their Oar: as
appears particularly in Tin, for if Wine be over night put into a new
Tin Pot, it will give a Vomit the next morning. Copper also does the
like; but Lead not so much, or rather nothing at all: whereas Iron
gently purges downward, is wholsome and opens obstructions; for Iron
is onely endowed with a fix Sulphur, and contains no Arsenick, as
Tin doth. Gold and Silver contain neither Sulphur nor Arsenick, and
therefore the Wine that is put into them is not at all changed.
Seeing then that Tin has some Arsenick joyn’d with it, which causeth
the foresaid alteration in the Wine, whereas in Gold and Silver it is
not changed at all, because they are free from all fœtid cumbustible
Sulphur and Arsenick; if we desire to rid Tin of its poisonous quality,
and make it like Gold and Silver by removing its superfluities, we
must do it by Art. We see that _Mercury_ of it self is no Poyson, but
becomes so when sublimb’d with Salts or otherwise joyn’d with them, by
which means it becomes poisonous and volatile. This is notorious, and
all Chymists believe and acknowledge it, and we have as much reason to
believe, that the same is the case of Arsenick and Cobalt, _viz._ that
Arsenick would be no Poyson of it self, but by reason of some saline
Spirit joyn’d with it in the Earth. We find also that Arsenick when
it comes first out of the Earth of a grayish colour is nothing near
so poisonous, as it becomes afterwards by being sublimed with Salts,
for to make it white and transparent. For though Salts in themselves
be not poisonous, yet when Minerals are in certain ways prepared with
them they turn them to Poisons, for every volatile Mineral that is
joyn’d with saline Spirits is poisonous, but when the same Minerals are
fixed, they lose their poisonous quality and become good Medicines, as
may be seen in Arsenick, Cobalt, Orpiment and other poisonous volatile
Minerals, which being fixed, by running them down with Salt-peter, may
safely be exhibited against several Diseases. Which being so it will be
easie to infer, that if we can fix the volatile Sulphur and Arsenick
which is in Tin, we shall not onely take away its Poyson and make it
medicinal, but also make it like Gold and Silver.
Let this then be laid as a sure foundation, that corrosive saline
Spirits are the causes of all Poyson, making fix matters to become
volatile and poisonous, and consequently that volatile immature metals,
as Lead and Tin, when their corrosive Spirits are mortified or driven
away, become fixed. It is well known that the combustible noxious
Sulphur of Metals, is the sole cause of their imperfection, and that
this combustible Sulphur has no greater enemy than Salt-peter, by
which it is kill’d and destroyed, and yet no better Friend neither,
which though at first sight it may seem contradictorioy, yet is very
true; for when the Niter does consume the cumbustible Sulphur, it
is indeed its enemy, but when by this Consumption of the naughty
Sulphur, the incombustible solar Sulphur of Tin becomes purged from its
heterogeneous mixtures, we shall find that indeed Niter is the friend
of Tin, as setting the solar Sulphur of Tin free from the captivity
of its noxious Sulphur, so as now it can unite with Gold and Silver,
and become such it self, which before was impossible. Thus we see that
the consuming and mortifying of the superfluous Sulphur, is the life
and deliverance of the incombustible Sulphur, and the corruption of
the one, the regeneration of the other. To which purpose _Paracelsus_
speaks excellently, saying that _Corruption makes things perfectly
good, for by means of it the evil that hides and absconds the good,
being taken away, the good manifests it self_; Which is very true of
Tin whose solar Sulphur being hid and held by its noxious Sulphur,
the same must be taken away, before Gold and Silver can be extracted
from it. Which separation of the combustible from the incombustible
Sulphur, must not be done with common Niter, which is too vehement for
the nature of Tin, and would destroy the good with the bad, but a more
mild and proper Salt-peter must be taken, _viz._ that which is hid in
Lead, which is powerfull enough to kindle and consume the superfluous
Sulphur of Tin, and set its solar Sulphur free, as will appear from the
following Process.
When therefore thou art minded to set upon this gainfull particular,
and together universal Work, I would not have thee to be too covetous
nor to begin with too great a quantity of Tin in hopes thereby to
become rich of a sudden; but advise thee to begin with onely two or
three pound of Tin, and try whether the Art be true or no, and if true
what gain may thence be expected. And if thou find’st it to answer
thy expectations, thou mayst then work in as great quantities as thou
pleasest, but if thou find’st that thou canst not bring it to the
desired end, thou must be content to go to School a little longer, and
learn to be more a master of Fire; or else leave it off altogether
concluding thou art not predestinated to this Work. It is not enough
to think thou canst do it, thou must have the Art of it, else thy
thinking will little avail thee. What I write here, is no other than
the truth, of which the Reader may assure himself.
_A Process for to separate Gold and Silver with great profit from
Tin._
Set on a Cupel under a Muffel one, two, three pound more or less of
Lead, let it be red hot, then cast into it half an ounce, one ounce or
an ounce and half of Tin, and you’l see the Tin mount above the Lead,
and the Sulphur of the _Jupiter_ will kindle the Salt-peter of the
Lead, and turn to yellow Ashes, which still must be taken away with an
Iron Instrument for that purpose, as long as any of the said Ashes,
mount or appear on the surface of the Lead. When no more Ashes appear,
then cast in a fresh quantity of Tin as before, turning the same to
Ashes till no more rise. Continue so long with the incineration of
fresh Tin, untill all the Lead and Tin be turned to Ashes. Then mix
these Ashes with half as much of our secret _Sal-Armoniack_, and by
Retort distill the _Sal-Armoniack_ from it, which may serve again for
the same Work. In this Distillation the _Sal-Armoniack_, draws to it
the Sulphur of the Tin, and turns it to Fæces, and the pure part of
the Lead and Tin are left in a _Regulus_ at the bottom, which after
Distillation may be beat from the _Scoriæ_: and because the _Regulus_
of Lead in this operation proves somewhat flat and platy, we may lay
it cross on an Anvil, and strike it crooked with an Hammer, and so the
_Scoria_ will fall from it, which are carefully to be kept, as being of
good use, which will appear hereafter. If we desire to make a better
separation of the _Scoriæ_ from the said _Regulus_ of Lead, we may put
the said _Regulus_ with its Fæces into a Crucible, and having given it
a Fire of Fusion, pour out the _Regulus_ into a Cone, and the _Scoriæ_
will abide in the Cruce, as being of more difficult fusion than the
_Regulus_. This _Regulus_ of Lead, must again be set upon the Cupel,
and when red hot, we must put Tin to it as before, incinerate the same
and gather the Ashes, then mix them with _Sal-Armoniack_, distill and
separate the _Scoriæ_ from the _Regulus_ as before. This labour must
be so oft repeated till all the Lead and Tin be turn’d to Ashes, which
will be in three or four times, after which onely a small _Regulus_
will be left, which we must refine on the Cupel like other Lead, and
thus the Gold and Silver which was in the Tin, will be left on the
Cupel, which must be granulated, and the Gold and Silver separated from
each other with _Aqua Fortis_.
The _Scoriæ_ proceeding from this Work must not be despised, being more
worth than the Gold and Silver which are left on the Cupel. This work
being well performed, every pound of Tin will yield some Crowns in Gold
and Silver, which richly pays both cost and pains. And he that has the
skill to prepare the said _Sal-Armoniack_ by a compendious way, may
expect the greater profit from this Work. The _Sal-Armoniack_ which
comes over by Distillation, will serve for the same purpose again,
nothing of it being diminished, but what abides with the Scoriæ, which
by making a Lye of the _Scoriæ_ may also be saved, by which means a
wonderfull Salt is obtained, which abounds with many and great virtues;
concerning which we intend (God willing) to treat at large in our
third Appendix. I had intended indeed to speak of it here, but I find
this Appendix is grown too big under my hands; and therefore shall
refer the superlative great virtues of the said wonderfull Salt to my
Third Book. Yet to the end, that the Lover of Art in the mean time,
till my Third Appendix be published, may not altogether be ignorant
of what great things may be performed by it, I have thought good to
inform him, that I have often in my other Writings made mention of
this Secret _Sal-Armoniack_, yet concealing its preparation, _viz._
in my Book of _Dialogues_, speaking of the Preparation of the Lion’s
Blood. In my Treatise of _Elias Artista_ I have called this Salt, Salt
of Art, as also the Bishop and High Priest of Metals, and there at
large informed the Curious, how by means thereof they may inseparably
conjoin Gold and Silver. In other of my Writings I have given it
other names. This wonderfull Salt of which I have treated in my Book
of the Three Principles, shewing it to be that wherewith _Jupiter_
changed him self into a golden shower, and got entrance through the
Tiles into the strong Tower where _Danae_ was shut up, thus beguiling
her, and begetting on her _Perseus_ the Destroyer of the Sea-Monster,
and Deliverer of the Beautifull _Andromeda_, whom he took to Wife;
and afterward vanquished the _Gorgones_, keepers of the Golden Apple
bearing Orchard, _&c._
This our Salt of Art is the Secret Chalybs of _Sendviogius_, wherewith
he extracts the Tincture of Gold, and of it prepares the tinging Stone
of the Philosophers. This our Salt of Art is also that _Juno_, to whom
(as _Virgil_ relates) the Golden Bough broke off by _Proserpina_ from
the Dark tree is consecrated: of which I have elsewhere treated more
at large. This Salt also is our _Proserpina_ the Goddess of Hell and
Wife of _Pluto_, and is much more ready and handy in breaking off the
said Golden Bough, than that _Proserpina_ which by Distillation (with
great toil and labour) breaks off her Golden Branches: for this our
_Proserpina_ performs it without fire, or any trouble to speak of, and
offers it up to the Goddess _Juno_. Which ingenious and profitable Work
I intend (God willing) to set down in my Third Appendix; wherein I
shall communicate to the World a perpetual Minera of Gold and Silver,
which every one without any great pains may in stillness work in his
own house: For there is no easier way to extract the hidden Gold from
all Metals in quantity and without fire, than by means of this our
Goddess _Juno_, or Jovial _Proserpina_.
Let the Reader who desires to know further of these Poetical Fables,
read the ingenious _Ovid_, and others who make it their business to
treat of them: and in reading he will observe, that _Jupiter_ is by
them represented to be the God of Fire and Lightning, and _Juno_ his
Wife and Sister the Goddess of the Air; whence we may gather, that
by the word _Juno_ is to be understood a spiritual volatile moisture
and watry _Jupiter_. Now the Artist who has _Juno_ for his Friend and
Advocate, may easily obtain from _Phœbus_ great Treasures, as well for
the health of the Body, as of outward Riches; and this is so easie to
be done, and with so little charges, that I dare not be so bold to
write more of it, lest the wicked and unworthy should smell out the
rest.
Now forasmuch as this Appendix is swoln to a bigger bulk than I had
intended, I shall refer the melioration of Iron and Copper, by means
of our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_ to our Third Appendix. And shall onely
say thus much at present, that these two despised Metals, do afford
more profit, and with less charge and trouble than Lead and Tin; which
Process I intend to communicate in my next Appendix.
If any find the trouble and charges of Preparing our _Sal-Armoniack_
too great, he may attempt the Work with common _Sal-Armoniack_
sublimed; and if that do not fully answer his desire, he may afterward
prepare ours, or get it of those that make it in quantity. If it
please God that I live over next Summer, I intend my self to work this
profitable Process of extracting _Sol_ from Tin; as also to extract the
Tinctures of Copper and Iron with our _Alcahest_, in great quantity,
and to give the over-plus of Profit to the Poor for a Memorial to
the World. In the mean time I have here at large declared how the
superfluities of Lead and Tin are to be removed, in order to the
separating of the Gold and Silver contained in them; and this without
concealing any of the Manual Operations thereto belonging: though I
question not but many who may attempt the same, will by mistaking some
Point or other fail of their end. Above all, great care must be had
that the Tin be not mixed with Copper or _Regulus_ of Antimony, which
will make the Ashes hard and irreducible; the _Sal-Armoniack_ also must
be well prepared, sharp and penetrative, that it may work upon the
Tin-ashes, and make them fluxible and reducible to Metal. Neither must
the Tin-ashes be suffer’d to lye too long on the Lead, but continually
be taken away, for otherwise they will become hard and influxible. In
a word, ’tis practise onely and experience can make a man Master of
this Work, it being impossible to set down all particulars so clear and
distinct, as that the unexperienced may not easily mistake. In case
therefore this my Appendix should seem too dark to any one, let him
have patience till my Third Appendix be published, in which I intend to
communicate a much more easie Process for extracting Gold and Silver
out of Lead, Tin, Iron and Copper.
There is also a way of turning fine Tin alone by it self into Ashes,
by stirring it continually in an Iron Pot over the fire, which Ashes
must be reduced with our _Sal-Armoniack_, and then turn’d to Ashes
again and reduced, which must be repeated till the greater part of
the Tin be turned to _Scoriæ_, and the Gold and Silver melt down to a
_Regulus_, which being tested, leaves behind the Gold and Silver which
was in the Tin, and the remaining _Scoriæ_, or Dross, are of greater
value than the Gold and Silver it self. For he who knows to make use of
these Fæces as a Magnet to attract the Gold from metalline Solutions,
will get great profit thereby; the said Fæces being a main cause of my
publishing this Treatise, because of their great and profitable use
both in Physick and Alchymy; forasmuch as with their help not onely
Gold and Silver, but also true Universal Tinctures may be extracted
from Stones and Metals: So that he who knows the use of these Jovial
Fæces may not onely richly maintain themselves, but also liberally
communicate to the Poor. If God continue my life, I intend to undertake
this profitable Work my self, and thence make some provision for the
Poor; for I have already taken my leave of this wicked World, expecting
with patience an heavenly Guide to conduct me to life eternal, which I
earnestly pant after.
_A =Corollary=, or Supplement to the foregoing =Appendix=._
We have seen in the foregoing Treatise, how with the help of Lead,
the Gold and Silver which is hid in Tin may be extracted with our
Secret _Sal-Armoniack_; which after it has separated the said Gold and
Silver, doth still retain great virtues, as being become a true natural
Magnet, able without much trouble or fire, to extract not onely from
Gold, but also from the gross bodies of Iron and Copper their purest
Tinctures, which in them are better, and in greater quantity than in
Gold it self. Which Solar Magnet few Philosophers have known, or the
use of it. Our _Cosmopolita_ writes most clearly of the same in the
following words: _There is a Steel which can extract from the Rays of
the Sun, that which many have sought and not found_. And again, _If our
Steel copulate eleven times with Gold, the Gold thereby becomes weakned
almost to death, and the Steel will conceive and bring forth a Son more
famous than his Father_. _Nuysement_ also speaks of this Magnet, but
sparingly and darkly, and _Paracelsus_ yet more obscurely. Others who
had the knowledge of it, make no mention thereof at all; fearing, ’tis
like, lest the Art might grow too common, and be prostituted thereby:
but without cause; for though a Man be able to extract the Tinctures of
Metals, yet hath he not therefore the whole Art: for though the said
Tinctures be of great use for the cure of all diseases, yet can they
not display their virtues upon Metals, till they be fixed with Gold,
and have obtained metallick ingress: but in Physick, as was now said,
they are very usefull, before their fixation, and especially those
which by our Magnet are extracted from _Mars_ and _Venus_, for they
purge all that is hurtfull out of the Body, not weakning as common
Purges do, but strengthening it. They also purge by Sweat and Urine,
and still all inward and outward Pains procure sweet rest, by reason
of the Anodynous quality hid in _Mars_ and _Venus_. So that these
Tinctures of _Mars_ and _Venus_ before fixation may be used against
all diseases with assurance of good success; and when fixed, they turn
Silver into Gold. For our Magnet robs the Dragon (_viz._ _Aqua Fortis_,
wherein _Mars_ and _Venus_ are dissolved) of the Golden Fleece he is
keeper of, and, like another _Jason_, brings home the same, and with
it restores his aged Father to youth again, and procures to himself
vast and unmeasurable Riches. For these Tinctures do great wonders in
both faculties. It is not long ago since I took some grains (which I
had left of a former preparation) of one of these Tinctures, to see if
thereby I might be somewhat refreshed, which indeed did perform all
that could be expected from it, but having no more of it could not
perfect my cure. Since which time I have had a great longing with the
first occasion to prepare some more of it, because I found that upon
taking that small quantity, my bald head began to be cover’d with black
curl’d hairs, from whence I am verily perswaded, that had I had more
of the like Tincture, it would have wholly renewed me; and therefore
shall not be wanting to make use of the first opportunity to prepare
more of it, both for my own health and that of others, and publish the
wonderfull works of God throughout the whole World. And forasmuch as
God of his free Grace has been pleas’d to bless me with the knowledge
of this best and most powerfull of Medicines, though by reason of my
weakness I am forc’d to keep my bed, and must patiently wait, till it
shall please God to put me into a condition of preparing the same;
yea though Death should prevent me from ever doing it, yet shall this
be my satisfaction, that I have here informed the Lovers of Art, what
wonder-working Tinctures lye hid in these despised Metals of Copper and
Iron, and which may so easily with our Jovial Magnet be extracted.
But let him that undertakes to work with our secret Magnet, take heed
that he do not make it too strong, lest instead of a Tincture, he
draw the gross Bodies; for it often happens when the Magnet is too
strong, that, together with the Tincture, it draws the gross Body,
and especially of the Homogeneal Metals, in which the Tincture is so
closely united with the Body, that it is very hard to separate them.
A common Magnet draws Iron, together with its Tincture, but without
separating the one from the other; but our secret Magnet draws from
Iron (its Body being first opened) the Tincture onely, leaving the
gross Body behind, because Iron and Copper are Heterogeneous Metals,
in which the Tincture is easily separable from its Body, whereas Gold,
which is Homogeneal, doth not readily part with his Tincture, the
Body following its Soul or Tincture. Yea a common Magnet draws the
whole Body of Iron, without separating the Tincture, even then when
by Nature it is made Homogeneal and fixed like Gold: as we see in
Granat-stones, which are rich in Iron (as those are which are brought
to us from _America_, and especially from _New-France_, some in great
pieces and others small like Sand) that they are greedily attracted by
the common Magnet: and yet no Iron can be melted from them, forasmuch
as neither Fire will flux, nor corrosive Spirits dissolve them; but
their Tincture may easily be drawn from them according to the way I
have set down in my Book _of the Three Principles_. In _America_ are
found great Mountains of such small Granats, which being Homogeneal,
will not yield to Fire or Stygian-waters. And now lately I have seen
some Mineral Earths and Stones brought from _New-found-land_, of which
there are whole Mountains there, which never any Man that I know could
make any profit of, though it be certain that every pound weight of
them contains half a Crowns worth of Gold and Silver. But we need
not trouble our selves to seek for Treasures in other Countries. God
having furnished all parts of the World (none excepted) with Subjects
that afford good and abundant Tincture, onely the Art of drawing them
forth is wanting. We do not stand in need of Gold for to extract its
Tincture, because we may have one as good from _Mars_ or _Venus_, and
with much more ease.
* * * * *
But if any Man has a mind to draw the Gold from such Waters, wherein
it is imperceptibly scatter’d and dispers’d, let him put a small
quantity of our secret Magnet into the said Water, and he will see all
the said Gold presently gathered to it, and reduc’d to Visibility and
Corporality, with great profit to the Artist. And because many such
Waters abounding with Gold and Tincture, are found prepared by Nature
to our hands, without charges or trouble, this short information here
may to the skilfull open a door to great Treasures.
* * * * *
But to proceed and shew that there are such Magnets wherewith Tinctures
may be extracted; and here first of all I will instance in my Jovial
_Sal-Armoniack_ here described, whereby the Tin turn’d to Ashes is
reduced; for when the same _Sal-Armoniack_, impregnated with Tin, is
dissolved in Spirit of Salt, it becomes such a Solar Magnet, which can
and does extract the Tinctures from the Solution of Metals. For when
a little of this _Sal-Armoniack_ Water is poured upon the Solution
of any Metal, shaken together, and set aside, the Magnet, as in a
moment, attracts all that’s good in the said Solution, whether it be
Gold or Tincture, to the bottom of the Glass of a purple or blood-red
Colour, and the Solution becomes white. And yet there are many Magnets
which are better than this of _Sal-Armoniack_ impregnated with Tin,
extracting the Tinctures from Metals with more ease, and better than
that. The reason why I onely make mention of this, is, because it is
the product of the Work here described, _viz._ the extracting Gold
and Silver from Tin. And to the end I may evidence to all, that the
said Magnet is of greater value than the Gold and Silver, which is got
from the Tin; I shall say thus much, that it is impossible for the
ignorant to believe of what great advantage this Magnet is to those
that understand the use of it: for not onely may Universal Tinctures
be extracted therewith for curing the Bodies of Men and Metals, out
of Metals and Stones, and that easily and without charge; but it can
also extract much Gold from those Metals and Stones, in which much
volatile and spiritual Gold is hid, _viz._ Iron, Copper, _East-Indian_
Zink, _&c._ and amongst Stones the red and yellow Pebbles, which are
almost every-where to be found. Concerning which extraction of _Sol_
from Sand and Stones, I have treated at large in my Seventh Part of the
_Prosperity of Germany_. Now that our Magnet draws to it all Colours
and Tinctures, not onely from Stones and Metals, but from Vegetables
and Animals, and doth highly exalt the same, may thus be proved:
Dissolve one ounce of Gold in _Aqua Regis_, pour the yellow Solution
into a pound of common Water, and this yellow Colour will no more be
perceived, then pour also some of our Magnet into the said Water, and
all the Water will become blood-red, and being set aside, the Gold,
which the Magnet hath attracted, falls to the bottom, highly exalted in
Colour, and the Water remains white, having lost all its Gold, and may
be used again for the like extraction of Gold or Tincture out of Stones
and Metals _in infinitum_, without any impairing of its strength; so
that I may well say, that never hath a more profitable invention been
communicated to mankind.
Dost thou desire to experience what our Magnet can doe in extracting
the Colours of Vegetables and Animals? then proceed thus: Boil Brasile
wood, Turmerick, or any like Vegetables in Water till it be coloured,
filter it, and pour a little of our Magnet into the colour’d Water;
shake it together, and the Magnet will draw all the colour from the
Water to it self, which falls to the bottom in form of a very subtil
Powder; the Water being decanted, and the Powder dried, affords an
excellent colour for Painters; Brasile wood a brown red, Farnabock a
light red, Dragons-blood a bright ruby colour, Turmerick a yellow,
and Indigo a curious Sky-blew. Animals, as Cochenille, _&c._ may be
proceeded with in like manner, and will afford far better Colours than
they can of themselves, because our Magnet (as hath been said) exalts
all Colours whatsoever. To try this thy self, thou may’st according
to my foregoing instruction prepare it, and so find by experience the
wonders it will perform in extracting the Tinctures of Metals, Stones,
Vegetables and Animals; which if thou dost, thou wilt find more than I
have here set down. And if thou hast no time to prepare the Magnet thy
self, thou mayst have it of those who prepare it in great quantities:
For because this wonder-working Magnet can do such great things, I have
communicated the preparation of it to a very honest friend, to the end
he might make it in quantity, and vend it for the good of the World, at
a Rix-dollar _per_ Pound. With this Magnet Wool, Linnen, Silk, Bones,
Feathers, _&c._ may be dyed or painted far more fair and lasting than
any other way now known: Chymical Physicians, with the help of it, may
prepare the true Quintessence of Metals and Stones for the cure of all
diseases: and it will assist the Philosophers to extract Universal
Tinctures from all coloured Stones and Metals, with which they may
throughly and lastingly tinge white metals to Gold, and Crystal to
Rubies, Saphires, Jacinths, Emeralds, _&c._ according to their pleasure.
In a word, he who has this Magnet and knows the use of it, needs not to
read any Chymical Books for all in all is comprehended in it, as in a
short time will be manifested. This Magnet is so great a Treasure that
the vastest Volumes cannot contain all its virtues, it is serviceable
to all men; yea no subject can be found in nature, that can produce
such wonderfull and usefull effects as this our secret _Sal-Armoniack_.
Great Books have been written concerning the common Magnet which onely
draws Iron, though indeed its nature and properties be also very
wonderfull; for without it there could be no sailing by Sea in the
Night time, whereas now it is all one to Marriners whether they Sail by
Day or by Night: but how much more highly is our magnet to be esteemed,
which not onely points out to Philosophers, Physicians and Chymists,
the right way through the vast and wild Sea of Chymical Operations, to
their desired Port, richly laden with the best of Commodities Gold and
Tinctures, but also directs Mechanicks to new ways and inventions of
obtaining wealth, never before known.
Indeed as there is a great difference between _Mars_ and _Jupiter_, so
also between these Magnets which partake of their natures. The common
martial Magnet guided _Christophorus Columbus_ to _America_, that new
World abounding with Gold and Silver, besides many other profitable
Commodites, but all this in a way hazardous and full of danger,
many thousands having lost their lives as well by Sea as by Land in
endeavouring to obtain these riches. For _Mars_ with his Magnet onely
loads and perswades to War and Blood-shed, whereas the friendly and
peace-loving _Jupiter_, with his benign Magnet stirs up none to evil
but onely to good, and directs us to a Land much more abounding with
Gold than _America_, whence we may fetch the same in peace and quiet
without fear of War or Blood-shed, and to the glory of God make known
his Works of wonder to the ignorant.
And thus much shall suffice to have spoken concerning the extracting
or separating of Gold and Silver from Tin, and the easie extraction
of Tinctures from Stones and Metals, by means of our secret
_Sal-Armoniack_. Now for a Surplus, and to pleasure the Sons of Art,
I’ll take one turn more in the Philosophick Garden and gather some fair
Flowers, to make a Garland in honour of the Adepts, that they may wear
it in remembrance of me. The first of these Flowers is the white Lilly,
the second the blew Violet, and the third the deep Purple _Amaranthus_,
being the chief that grow in our Garden, of which I intend to twist my
Garland.
The first, _viz._ the white Lilly appears in the beginning of our
Work; the blew Violet in the midst, and the deep red _Amaranthus_ in
the end of it. That I compare the beginning of our Work to a Lilly, is
not without reason, forasmuch as our mercurial Water is whiter than
white, being called of Philosophers a white, whiter than white, because
though it be a white colour, yet it excells all other whites, with its
glistring brightness so far, that other white colours compared with it
look very dim and dark. And because God hath bestowed upon the Lilly
such afair glistring white, as no Flower can compare with it, therefore
we compare our mercurial Water (the beginning of our Work) for its
unparallel’d whiteness to the Lilly of the Field: of which our Saviour
himself saith, _That =Salomon= in all his glory, was not arrayed like
one of them_. For this cause also the Philosophers always termed
the beginning of their Work a white Flower, as appears (among other
instances) from an inscription engraven on two Candlesticks, belonging
to a Cloister in _Westphalia_, made by a _Monk_ and dedicated to the
use of the Altar there in these words, _Non ex Auro, nec Argento sed ex
primo Artis flore sum factum_. _I am not made of Gold nor Silver, but
of the first Flower of Art._ These Candlesticks are white as Silver,
but heavy as Gold; which may pass for a profit that the white in our
work is termed a Lilly or Flower.
And that this our bright white Lilly doth far surpass all other white
Flowers whatsoever, the Philosophers in _Turba_ witness when they
say, our Salt exalts the whiteness in Silver and the red in Gold;
which indeed is the very truth, though it be not believed by the
unexperienced, because at first sight it seems against nature, that one
colour should die both red and white: yet that it is so, I here witness
unto with my Pen, and hope shortly to make an ocular demonstration
of it to all that are lovers of the wonderfull Works of God. In the
mean time we may prove it thus, dissolve in _Aqua Fortis_ some fine
cupell’d Silver, and in another Vessel in _Aqua Regis_ some fine Gold,
pour a little of our mercurial Water into each of the Solutions, and
the Silver will fall to the bottom white as Snow; yea rather will be
whiter than that or any other thing in the World: and the Gold will be
precipitated red like blood, and the Stygian Waters are rob’d of all
the Gold and Silver that was in them, by the addition of our secret
_Sal-Armoniack_ Water, so as not the least grain remains with them.
Thus _Perseus_, _viz._ the exalted Gold, has deliver’d _Andromeda_,
viz. the white exalted Silver, from the Sea-Monster, _viz._ the _Aqua
Fortis_, and taken the same to his Wife, that is, radically united with
it. And that our jovial _Sal-Armoniack_ will do this, I hope e’re long
to demonstrate to the lovers of Art.
The Blind World may learn from hence, it was not without reason the
Philosophers affirm that their secret Salt, exalts the red in Gold and
the white in Silver. And that their Salt is a _Sal-Armoniack_, appears
from their crying, _O our =Sal-Armoniack=! O our Sea!_ for had it been
the common, how could they have call’d it theirs? _Turba_ saith, _If
the Almighty had not created this Salt, it were impossible to compleat
our =Elixir=_: Which words are alledged by _Arnoldus de Villa Nova_,
who saith that _Almizadir_ (a name the Philosophers give their secret
Salt) is a _Sal-Armoniack_, as appears from his own words taken out of
his Breviary of Alchymical Books, being a Letter of his to a Pope of
_Rome_.
“To the most holy Father, e’re I acquaint thee that first of all
the bodies must be reduced to their first matter. To understand
which, thou must know, that the matter of all Metals, and their
Sperm is a white fume decocted and thickned in the Bowels of the
Earth, by a sulphurous heat; and according to the varieties of
this Sulphur, and its quantity in the earth, divers Metals are
produced; the matter of them all being the same essentially,
and differs onely accidently. Above all things it is certain,
that the Workman can do nothing here without Salt, no more than
an Archer can shoot without a string to his Bow. _Morienus_
expresses this more clearly, when he saith, _Take the Phlegmatick
and Cholerick, and grind the Sanguine with it, untill it become
a tinging Heaven_, &c. The Phlegmatick is cold and moist, _viz._
_Mercury_, the Cholerick is hot and dry, _viz._ _Sal-Armoniack_,
and the sanguine is hot and moist, _viz._ Gold. Observe that
_Sal-Armoniack_ doth not give Colour, but Ingress, and prepares
the matter and purgeth it, and then the Spirit being united
with the Body, it hath ingress, and having conjoin’d these, it
goes off. For this Salt is an unctuous fatness coagulated by
the dryness of the fire, of a hot and subtil dry nature, which
penetrating through all parts, dissolves Bodies, and is the
conjoiner of opposites, and of all Spirits with their Bodies.
For this Salt is a volatile Spirit, a generating Stone, and a
helper towards the production of the Elixir; because if this Salt
were not, the Elixir could never be dissolved, nor have ingress,
neither would one thing be join’d to another, or have ingress
into another. It is volatile, and yet join’d with Bodies, it is
a Body which is hid in it. And therefore _Avicenna_ saith, _If
you put =it=, viz. =this Salt=, instead of Fire, Air, or Sulphur,
you will not err in your work, because it inclines it self to
every nature and Almizadir_; that is, Sal-Armoniack _will alone
do thy business_. And in the Book of Aloms and Salts ’tis said,
that _if God had not created this Salt, the Elixir could never
be perfected, and the study of Alchymy would be in vain. He
=therefore= that works without Salt =(as the Allegory of the Wise
Men hath it)= does not attenuate the dead Bodies in their Graves,
and therefore can never expect a resurrection, =&c.=_”
From this Letter of _Arnoldus_ it appears fully, that their secret Salt
is a _Sal-Armoniack_, though not the common. Concerning which Salt the
Philosophers express themselves very differently. Our _Cosmopolita_
cries out, _O our Sal-Armoniack! O our Sea!_ and teaches also the
preparation of it, though very darkly, where he speaks of the little
fish _Remora_, of which we are told, that it is able to stop a great
Ship under Sail in her course; and we know our secret _Sal-Armoniack_
has the force to stop the Ships richly laden with Gold and Silver,
sailing in the Sea of _Stygian_ Waters, and to lead them whither it
lists; from whence it appears that our Jovial _Sal-Armoniack_ is the
true _Remora_ of the Philosophers.
I proceed now to the second Flower, _viz._ the blew Violet, which is
likewise found in our Garden. We have heard how by means of our Jovial
_Sal-Armoniack_, the colour of Gold and Silver is exalted, after it
hath attracted them out of the salt Sea, wherein they were dissolved.
But if the Solutions of both Gold and Silver be pour’d together in one
Glass, and some of our Magnet be put to them for to attract the same,
then the Gold which before was Blood-red, and the Silver which was so
white, do together constitute a Violet colour, which is the second
Flower growing in our Garden.
The third and most beautifull Flower of all that grow in our Garden,
is the fair Flower _Amaranthus_, which of all other doth longest keep
its colour; the white Lillies shed their Leaves as soon as they are
ripe, and Violets in a short time wither and lose their colour; but
the _Amaranthus_ keeps her colour Winter and Summer. And the same
may be said of our metalline Flowers, the Silver attracted by our
Magnet is the white Lilly, which when joyn’d with our blood-red Gold,
produces our blew Violet, and out of this Violet, by means of the Fire,
is afterwards produced the fix and permanent _Amaranthus_. When a
Philosopher knows where to find, and how to pluck these three Flowers,
he may well wear them as a Garland of Honour. Thus much I have added to
point out these Flowers to the Sons of Art, and to stir up a desire in
them to pluck them for themselves. At the present, time doth not permit
to add any more, wherefore I hope the Courteous Reader will accept of
what he finds here, intending in my third Appendix, God willing, to
speak more fully of other like Flowers, which with the help of our
secret _Sal-Armoniack_, may with more ease and in greater abundance be
gathered than those now mentioned. I intend also therein to treat of
a far more profitable use of our secret _Sal-Armoniack_. For although
our secret _Sal-Armoniack_, which by manual labour is prepared of two
Contraries, _viz._ Oil of Vitriol, Spirit of Salt or other corrosive
acid Spirits, and urinous Spirits, be of great use for the meliorating
of Metals, and the preparing of many good Medicines, yet is all this
but Children’s play, if compared with what may be done with our most
secret _Sal-Armoniack_, which is not prepared by Art, but created of
God, and may be had every where in abundance without money. Yea, the
Philosophers say that all men have it, that _Adam_ brought it with him
out of _Paradise_, and after death took it with him to his Grave; which
is the constant assertion not onely of Heathen, but also of Christian
Philosophers, who have asserted the same with many arguments, amongst
whom are _Albertus Magnus_ and his Disciple _Thomas Aquinas_, who were
holy and religious men, and therefore very far from obtruding lies
upon the World. There are also many Writings of unknown Philosophers,
who assert, that all both rich and poor, always carry the matter of
the Stone about with them, yea, that they bring it with them, from
their Mothers Womb: which though it may sound strange to the ignorant,
because Man doth not appear in a mineral form, but in Flesh and Blood,
yet sure it is that the mineral virtue is hid in him, for if it were
not so _Albertus_ could never have found Gold between the Teeth of dead
Mens Skulls.
And for a conclusion, I _Glauber_ do here protest, that this most
universal _Sal-Armoniack_ is able to change common Mercury in two or
three days time, that it shall be no longer Quicksilver, nor whiten
_Sol Lune_ or Copper, but rather exalt them in their colours, and
change them into true Tinctures. This _Sal-Armoniack_ also has the
power to fix (though it be unfixt it self) all volatile Minerals,
_viz._ common Sulphur, Mercury, Antimony, Auripigment, Zink, Bismuth,
Arsenick, Cobalt, Galmey, and other such like in twenty four hours,
so as afterwards they will suffer themselves to be melted, without
sending forth any smoak, and may be taken inwardly for the cure of
many Diseases, concerning which I intend suddenly to give a fuller and
further account. And therewith conclude this small Treatise of the
wonderfull Powers and Virtues of our secret Artificial, and most secret
natural _Sal-Armoniack_. The godly and upright will easily apprehend
what is here written, but the ungodly never. In our third Appendix we
intend to enlarge on these and the like high Secrets, and declare the
further profitable use of our Mercury of Tin, as being the onely means,
without troublesome or chargeable labour to obtain to an universal
Medicine.
_The End of the Second Appendix._
THE
THIRD APPENDIX
TO THE
SEVENTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.
Wherein is Treated of the Further Use of our Wonder-working
_Alcahest_ or most secret _Sal-Armoniack_. And more particularly,
of the way to Extract the Tinctures of Gold, Iron and Copper; as
well as of all precious and common Stones; and to introduce the
said Tinctures again into other white Metals and Stones, so as
permanently to colour and meliorate the same.
_Faithfully Translated out of the =High-Dutch= Original._
Courteous READER,
_In the fore-going Second =Appendix= to my =Pharmacopœa Spagyrica=, I
promis’d the publishing of a Third =Appendix=, wherein I intended to
communicate to the Lovers of Art, the remaining Vertues of our =Secret
Sal-Armoniack=; but finding that my Candid publication of so many
great and useful Secrets are so coldly and carelesly received by an
ungratefull World, I have thought good to cover the same in silence.
However that I may not be wanting to contribute what I can in this
my Third =Appendix=, for the satisfaction of the ingenious Seekers
and Lovers of Art, I design to conclude my =Spagyrical Pharmacopœa=
with the Discovery of a =Wonder-working new-found-Alcahest=, which by
its surpassing Virtues does far excell all those before-mentioned.
Which new Discovery will without doubt be more acceptable to the
Lovers of these Secrets, than to Treat further concerning the already
Communicated =Sal-Armoniack=; which whosoever shall take the pains to
prepare, will find much more than I have set down concerning it; and
therefore think it not needfull to enlarge any further on that Subject,
in the mean time neglecting things of greater and better concern. I say
better things, because the discovering of this =New-found Alcahest=
will afford more light by far to Seekers, than the former could: For
which reason I have thought good to set all other things aside, for
to Treat of the =Alcahest= which has not its like in the Universe,
as I hope by God’s assistance in this Discourse to make out and
demonstrate._
* * * * *
Now because I here write of an _Alcahest_ or _Wonder-working
Sal-Armoniack_, I think it not improper to explain the word _Alcahest_,
and to make known the meaning and importance thereof, which may help us
to discover the true Use and Vertues of the same. Some tell us that the
word _Alcahest_, is a Corruption of the _German_ word _Algeist_, that
is to say, _All-Spirit_, from its very spiritual nature, and because it
reduces gross Bodies to Spirit. Others by transposing of its Letters,
make a _Dutch_ word of it, importing _hasty or swift running, flying_,
&c.
Now we know that among all Salts that are in the World, there is
none to be found, which in Distillation or Sublimation doth sooner
volatilize the most subtil part of Minerals, Vegetables, and Animals,
and carry them over the helm, than a good _Sal-Armoniack_: Wherefore
the said Name may well be given to it, by reason of its volatilizing
all things, and carrying them swiftly over the helm.
And forasmuch as I have already spoken concerning several of these
volatilizing Salts, calling the first _Common Sal-Armoniack_,
the second _secret Sal-Armoniack_, and the third _most secret
Sal-Armoniack_, I find my self destitute of a Name by which I might
call this my New found _Sal-Armoniack_, except I should give it the
name of _Eagles Wings_, which I am the rather inclined to do, because
in some of my former Writings, I have by way of Allusion expressed the
said Volatilizing Salts by the Name of _Wings_, comparing the first
and weakest of them to the wings of a _Dove_, the second to those of
a _Raven_, and the strongest of all to _Eagles wings_. And seeing the
_Sal-Armoniack_ of which I am now to Treat, is far more powerful than
any of them all, I may well give it that name, and the rather, because
Antient as well as Modern Philosophers have given the name of _Eagles
wings_ to common _Sal-Armoniack_; some of them, ’tis like, not knowing
of any better. Thus _Paracelsus_ sets down the way of volatilizing his
_unripe Mineral Electrum_ by means of the Spread _Eagles wings_; and in
many other places of his Writings, he calls _Sal-Armoniack_ an _Eagle_,
because this Salt, of all Salts, as the _Eagle_ of all Birds, takes the
highest flight, and therefore also is called the King of Salts.
The _Heathens_ attributed a Flying _Eagle_ to their cheifest God
_Jupiter_; and the Holy Apostle and Evengelist St. _John_, because in
his Gospel he takes a higher flight than any of the other Evangelists,
is represented with an Eagle standing by him, as being his proper
Embleme. We also find in the Writings of Philosophers, the word
_Eagle_ is made use of by them to signifie any thing which by Art is
exalted to the highest degree it is capable of; and therefore this
_Sal-Armoniack_ which in its flight excells all those before spoke of,
exalting things to the highest top of Perfection, may well be styled
the _Eagles Wing_. _Pliny_ makes mention of a great and monstrous Bird
called a _Griffon_, found in the Eastern parts of the World, and of
that strength, as to be able to carry away an Armed Man on Horseback,
Horse and all, to his Nest: which strong Bird is a good Embleme of the
surpassing force of this our _Eagles wing_, which like the _Griffon_
is also provided with strong Talons, with which it lays hold on heavy
things, and carries them away with it, as we shall hear by and by. For
every good _Sal-Armoniack_ hath these two Vertues, of being sharp and
piercing as well as volatile: the sharpness are its Talons, whereby
it seizeth and lays hold of things; and its volatility, are the Wings
with which it carries them away. Now the stronger these talons, and the
larger these wings of _Sal-Armoniack_ are, the more will thereby be
effected: The Common _Sal-Armoniack_ is the weakest of all, our Secret
_Sal-Armoniack_ is as strong again, and our most Secret _Sal-Armoniack_
far excells them both; but this we treat of here, is by much the
strongest and most active of them all, and therefore may well be
compared to the King of Birds.
This same _Sal-Armoniack_ may also with great reason be called
_Lucifer_, as afording a bright-shining Light to Chymists, whereby
they may discover great Secrets: For as the bright Morning Star in the
Firmament, does go before the _Sun_, and gives notice of his rising,
and therefore is called _Lucifer_, that is the Harbinger or Bringer
of Light. And as the said Star doth not only Usher in the Day, but
also shut the same, and bring on the Night, being therefore also
called _Vesperus_; we shall find a fit resemblance of all this in our
Philosophick _Lucifer_, forasmuch as the same makes known and discovers
to us, the rising as well as setting of our Spiritual _Sun_, and is a
double Key which shuts as well as opens.
But to shew more particularly that my New found _Alcahest_ or Spiritual
_Sal-Armoniack_, hath this resemblance with the Morning-Star,
_Lucifer_; I say, that, as the said Star ushers in the _Suns_ rising;
so likewise our Sophick _Lucifer_ goes before our Spiritual _Sun_, and
ushers the same over the Helm. And as the Firmamental Sun, when it
riseth above the Horizon, doth by its Light, and Vital heat quicken,
vigorate and refresh every thing; in like manner our Philosophical Sun,
or Spiritual Gold, when by means of our _Lucifer_, it is brought from
under its earth or dark _Chaos_, quickens and rejoices whatsoever is
contain’d within the compass of our Sophick Heaven.
And as in the Heavens the _Sun’s_ rising follows soon after the
appearing of the Morning-Star, following the same, as it were, at the
heels; so likewise our _Lucifer_, when by the Artists, She is joyned
with the dark _Chaos_, in which the Sophick Gold lies hid, and begins
to feel the Fire, swiftly comes over (for such is the nature of an
_Alcahest_) and brings tidings of the Philosophick Suns rising, which
indeed follows it at the heels. Again, As the _Sun_ of the Firmament,
leisurely follows the Morning Star, not leaping forth all at once; so
our Sophick _Lucifer_ brings over Gold, not all at once, but gently and
by degrees, at first appearing very little, and afterwards discovering
it self more and more, till at last it shine forth in its full Meridian
Glory.
Neither ought it to be thought strange, that I compare our _Alcahest_
to _Lucifer_, our Gold to the Sun, and our _Alembeck_ or Vessel
to _Heaven_; seeing that others have done the same before me, and
particularly _Hermes Trismegistus_ the Father of all Philosophers,
has made use of this Allegorical way of expressing himself in the
description of his _Universal Tincture_, as may be seen in his
_Smaragdine_ Table at the latter end of _Mirac. Mundi_.
Thus the _Reader_ may see how the Philosophers of old took pleasure
to represent their high Secrets in Parabolical expressions; which may
further be traced in _Morienus_ his Description of the _Universal
Tincture_, in _Paracelsus_ his Book entitled _Cœlum Philosophorum_,
which contains great Secrets concerning the Transmutation of Metals,
but much in Symbolical, and Allegorical expressions.
But to return to our _Alcahest_, whose name imports a strong Spirit
which lays hold of Heavy and fix things carrying them upwards with
it self, that is Volatilizing them. The _Eagle_, as a King of Birds,
seizeth Hens, Gees, Hares, _&c._ with his Talons, and carries them up
to his Nest; but as for what _Pliny_ writes of the _Griffon_, seems
rather an Allegory than a true History, because _Pliny_ among other
things relates of this Bird, that with her strong Talons she digs up
Gold from out of the high Mountains and Rocks, and makes her Nest with
it: Now how improper this is for a Bird to make her Nest with Gold, and
not rather with Feathers and other soft materials, is apparent enough
at first sight. Wherefore we may safely conclude, that the Ancients
by this great and strong Bird, have denoted to us a violent and high
volatil _Alcahest_, such as ours is, which lays hold not only of the
Spiritual, but also of the Corporal Gold which is in Metals, Stones
and Rocks, and plucks up the same with its sharp Talons, and with its
strong Wings carries up the same to the tops of Mountains, there to
make her Nest. Thus we see how this Story may be verified: For indeed
the Talons of our _Alcahest_ are much sharper, and her Wings much
stronger, than those of the _Eagle_ or _Griffon_; for when we pour the
same upon any colour’d Metals or Stones in a Glass placed in a heat
of Sand, it presently lays hold of them, and digs up not only the fix
Gold that is in them, but also all their fix and volatile Tincture,
and carries it to the top of an high Mountain, that is the head of the
_Alembeck_. Nor doth it only exert its power upon imperfect Metals,
or upon Sand and Flints, which are of a Dissimilar and Heterogeneous
nature, and therefore more easily separable, but shews forth also its
surpassing strength, upon six Gold and hard precious Stones, which
are Homogeneous and of very difficult Separation, penetrating their
compact and shut-up Bodies, drawing from them their fixed Tinctures
or Souls, and carrying them up to the tops of _Olympus_. Neither doth
it only extract Tinctures from dissolved Metals and powdred Stones,
but also from those that are whole and entire, robbing them of their
Tinctures without destroying the frame and figure of their Bodies,
which indeed is wonderful. And as it thus extracts these Tinctures, so
it can wonderfully introduce the same again into other hard and compact
Bodies: All which it performs by reason of its surpassing subtile and
piercing nature; as being neither Earth, Water, nor Air, but a meer
Fire, penetrating all things, and which nothing can withstand or resist.
Take this instance of it; Fill a Glass-body with Earth, Water, or Air,
and you’ll find that none of them will be able to penetrate the Glass,
but put Fire into it, and it will pierce the same without the least
resistance. Wherefore the Philosophers speaking of our Secret Fire,
say: _Our Fire is stronger than the Common, because it turns Gold that
is most fix into a meer Spirit, which common Fire can no way perform_.
All men know that Gold cannot be destroyed by any common Fire, whereas
our secret Fire carries over Gold in form of a Spirit, as if it were
a volatile Mercury: Judge then whether this be not a wonderful Fire,
which as it were in a moment, makes fix Gold spiritual and potable.
We read in the Scriptures, that the _Israelites_ forced _Aaron_, in
_Moses_’s absence, to make them a Golden Calf for to Worship; and that
when _Moses_ was come down from the Mount, and saw the Children of
_Israel_ dancing about the Golden Calf, _his anger was kindled against
them, and burning the Calf with fire, he ground it to powder and
strewed it upon the water, and made the Children of Israel to drink of
it_, Exod. 32. 19, 20. Now whether it was by Art, or by the immediate
power of _God_ that _Moses_ so burnt the Golden Calf, that the
_Israelites_ could drink it down, we will not now dispute; thus much
we know, that it could never be done with common wood or Coal fire.
Besides, we know that _Moses_ was not defective in any thing of Art or
Knowledge, as having been educated and instructed in the Royal School
of _Pharaoh_, in which true Philosophy, Astronomy, Magick, Alchimy, and
Physick at that time greatly flourished. We read of the Holy Apostle
and Evangelist St. _John_, a thing no less surprizng and wonderful,
_viz._ that he turn’d Rods to Gold, and common Stones into Gems, which
he distributed to the Poor; as is exprest in the _Latin_ Hymn the
_Roman_ Church sings in honour of that Evangelist, on the Festival-day
appropriate to him, I am not ignorant that some are of opinion that
St. _John_ could never do this by art, because he did not make use of
the proper matter for Transmutation, but by the immediate power of
_God_, which I will not now determine; only this I can say, and if
need were, make an Ocular demonstration of it, that out of Wood, and
other Vegetable and Animal subjects, none excepted, good Gold, abiding
all proofs may be made, though with more ease out of one Subject than
another. For indeed the Principles of Metals are as well to be found
in Vegetables and Animals as in Minerals, though somewhat more remote
and invisible, than in these. That Wood contains a Sulphur like to
that which is found in Metals, none can deny, and I have demonstrated
in many places of my Books; neither is it destitute of _Mercury_ and
_Salt_. Wherefore I here openly profess, by an impulse from _God_
and Truth, that it is no hard thing for me, out of all Vegetable and
Mineral Subjects to make good Gold, by means of our fiery maturating
Spirit, to which in this Treatise I have given the names of _Alcahest_,
_Eagles wings_, _Griffons talons_, and _Lucifer_.
The Ancient Philosopher _Artephius_, has not specified the time, in
which his Secret fire can maturate the true subject of the Stone, and
bring it to perfection. _Pontanus_ saith it may be done in a short
time, and with small charges. ’Tis probable that _Moses_ scarce spent
one day in burning the Golden Calf with the Sophick fire; neither is it
likely that St. _John_ made any long work, of changing Wood into Gold,
and common into precious Stones. If _Miriam_, _Aaron’s_ Sister, could
in three days time compleat the Philosophers Stone from beginning to
end, (according to the Testimony of Philosophers) why may not there
such enlightned Persons be found at this day among good Christians that
can do the same? The same _God_ who gave this knowledge to _Moses_ and
_Miriam_, as also to the Evangelist St. _John_, he lives still, and
ceaseth not by his Holy Spirit, to enlighten his Elect, without any
Verbal Disputes, reading of Books, Labour, Weariness, or Charges, in
all Divine and Eternal, as well as Temporal and Natural things, and
to lead and conduct them to their desired end. Wherefore all ought in
the first place to beg of _God_ his Light, Understanding, and Wisdom,
as _Salomon_ did, and not to seek after vain and perishable Riches, by
which means they would obtain much more than they ever can by their
own willing and running. I _John Glauber_ affirm it boldly, that with
our secret fire, I can in the space of three hours, make pure natural
fix Gold to be as volatile as any Spirit of Wine can be; and again in
twenty four hours-time, turn the said spiritualized and exalted Gold,
into a fix transparent, spiritual, sweet, tinging Carbuncle: and this
in the way of Nature, to the wonder and astonishment of the ignorant
Covetous Children of this world, that walk in darkness; and yet (as
_Christ_ saith) are wiser in their Generation than the Children of
Light.
Let this suffice what we have here spoken concerning the power and
great vertue of our _Alcahest_, in preparing of Medicines and Universal
Tinctures, _viz._ that whatever Metals, common or precious Stones, are
put into it, it immediately does volatilize the same, and brings them
over the helm, carrying them upwards, to what height we please; for
sure it is that the higher Metals mount in distillation or sublimation
the purer they are. When now such pure and ætherial Spirits, are again
fixed, then they are no more gross Metallick Bodies as before, but
Spiritual Bodies, and Bodily Spirits; to the Eye Clarified Bodies, but
indeed and in truth Concentred Spirits, which penetrate all hard things
whatsoever, pass through lock’d Gates, and take away what pleaseth
them; and as they can without opening the door take out any thing,
so can they in like manner bring in the same again. As for instance,
I draw the Colour from Gold, and introduce the said Tincture into
Silver, being a fix pure and white Body, in which this Metalline Spirit
takes up its abode; and the pure body of Silver greedily attracts the
Tincture, because she stands in need of it; neither indeed can the
porous body of Silver, resist or keep out this piercing Spirit, but
passeth through warming and tincturing her throughout, and filling her
pores with Solar Tincture, communicates to her not only the colour and
weight, but also the nature and property of Gold.
Take another Example: Extract with our _Alcahest_ by Distillation the
fix Tincture out of Granates (not pulverized, but whole as they come
to hand, and that for reasons hereafter mentioned) which extraction
may be performed in half an hours-time, because our _Lucifer_ can
pass through shut gates. When now thou hast caught this Tincture in
our Hellish Spirit, then thou hast it at command, and it must obey
thee. If then our fiery Magnet be able to extract the Tincture from
hard Stones, without breaking, or destroying their bodies, it can as
easily introduce the same again into any hard, white stony body, and
colour the same, light or deep, as pleaseth thee best. For instance
thou drawest the colour from Granates, which indeed do superabound with
tincture, which renders them opacous, and therefore less esteemed; for
we find that a Ruby being of a lighter colour, that is less abounding
with Tincture than a Granate, is much more valued, whose Bodies
nevertheless do in all things exactly resemble one another, differing
only by reason of more or less Tincture. Indeed where the bodies
differ in hardness and clearness, there the case is alter’d; but when
the body is fixe, and can endure the fire, onely ’tis darkened by too
much Tincture, this may easily be mended by art, onely by extracting
or taking away some part of its Tincture, which will render it of a
brighter colour. Which extraction of Tinctures, and the introducing
of them again into pale or white bodies, may be practis’d upon all
precious Stones, and to very great profit. For example, I draw, by
means of our secret fire, the Tincture out of Gold or Granates, and
Introduce the same into another white Stone, which must be fix, that
is, such an one, which when made red hot, doth not become soft or
fall to shivers, but retains its former hardness, as all those do
which are called precious, because the fire can neither consume nor
separate their parts, such as Diamonds, Rubies, Granates, Saphires,
Hyacinths, Emralds, Topases, Chrysolites, Amethists, _&c._ All which
are coagulated of one and the same water, and tinctured with the same
colour; for though their colours differ, that proceeds only from the
greater or lesser quantity or purity of their Tinctures, their colours,
as well as their bodies proceeding from one principle. And the same
must be understood of all Metals; for Gold has no better original than
Iron or Copper, save only that by long distillation in the Earth, it is
better purified and ripened. Observe only that in this operation you
do not take Cristals, Beryls, or any other Stones which grow soft and
crumble to pieces when they are made red hot.
Some Jewellers know with the help of Fire, to mend some precious Stones
whose colours are not bright and clear enough: thus they burn away
the colour that is in Saphires and Amethists, making them white like
Diamonds, their colours being volatile, and therefore may be taken
away by Fire, but they can not introduce other colours instead of
those they have rob’d them of. Neither are they able to burn yellow
Diamonds to a whiteness, notwithstanding that Art has been much sought
after: But our _Alcahest_ can easily perform this Master-piece, for as
much as it, like a subtil piercing fire, can pass and repass through
shut doors without impediment, whereas all gross, corporal things are
fain to stand without. For which reason I have given our secret Fiery
Spirit, the name of _Lucifer_, of which _Artephius_ speaks thus: _Our
Fire is moist and dry, it pierces all things, dissolves, volatiliseth,
and also fixeth them; it is natural, unnatural, and supernatural_: For
though Nature make Gold and Precious Stones in the Earth, yet doth it
not afford us such a supernatural Fiery Spirit or Stone with which we
at our pleasure can make Gold and Precious stones of Earth. Therefore
it is Art that brings things higher and further than Nature can, and
yet the Artist cannot go beyond Nature, except he have first learnt
to know Nature and taken his Principles from her. Now we know that
Spirits, whether they be hot or cold, light or dark, good or evil, are
of more power and efficacy than gross Bodies, for which reason God, who
is Light and Life, and his Adversary Satan, who is Death and Darkness,
have so great power: Though indeed the Darkness hath no more power than
the Light allows or permits it to have: For the Light rules over the
Darkness, so as the Darkness can do nothing against the Light, of which
matter I intend, _God_ willing, to Treat further in my second and third
Purgatory.
In the mean time we have here shewed, how by Art such powerful Spirits
may be prepared, as can effect things supernatural; for which reason,
amongst others, I have given our _Alcahest_ the name of _Lucifer_: for
_Lucifer_ was in the beginning with _God_, an Angel of Light, whereas
now he is cast into utter Darkness; so likewise our Incomparable
Wonder-working _Alcahest_ in its first preparation, is a bright Fiery
Spirit of Light, but after its coagulation, it becomes a spirit of Cold
and Darkness, binding all volatile Spirits, whereas before it made all
fix things volatile and spiritual. Which that I may more fully evidence
to the Ignorant and Incredulous, I shall give an Instance thereof first
in Gold, and then in Precious Stones.
A PROCESS,
_To draw the fix Tincture from Gold, and to make it Spiritual
and Potable, fit for the =Physicians= use, and that easily, in
a short time, without any considerable Charges; and how the
same exalted Spiritual Gold may be changed into a clarified,
transparent, tinging, fix Carbuncle_.
Take of the filings of Gold, or beaten Gold an ounce and half, or an
ounce and quarter, put it into a little, but strong Glass body, pour
upon it two or three ounces of our best _Alcahest_, fit a head to it,
closing it well with a paper dipt in Oyl, apply a great Recipient, and
lute it very carefully, for when the Spirit comes over, it passeth
with great violence, and searches every where for vent, being the
most subtil of Spirits, and very fiery withall: Wherefore take great
care that your Lute be good, or else you will never be able to retain
this Corrosive fiery spirit. The Vessel must stand in Sand, and a
very gentle Fire administred at first, that our secret spirit may by
degrees grow warm in the Glass, and not be too suddenly heated, for
in that case it would be apt to fly away without its prey: But if you
proceed, as is directed, then our moist fire will lay hold of the Gold,
and carry it over in form of a Spirit, but leisurely and by degrees,
at first only of a yellow colour, which afterwards comes higher and
higher. Towards the latter end the fire must be encreased, till the
bottom of the Glass be red hot, at which time the heavy spirits will
come over, bringing the heavy Corporal Gold over with them, a red fix
salt staying behind, which is of great use in Physick and Alchimy, as
we shall see hereafter. The yellow spirit, as well as the red salt,
may, without any further preparation be used outwardly and inwardly
(the strength of them being qualified with Water, or other Liquors) and
by reason of their astringent property, corroborate the Stomach of such
as are old and cold, procure Appetite, consume tough Phlegm and slimy
Matter in the stomach, help Concoction and strengthen the Heart, Brain,
and all outward and inward parts of the Body; open all Obstructions, by
reason of the fiery subtil saline spirit joyn’d with them, penetrating
and cleansing the whole Body, and perform all that can be expected from
a true Potable Gold.
But in order to our Metallick Transmutation, this Solar spirit must be
reduced to a fix, sweet, transparent, and all penetrating Stone; the
way and manner of doing which, we shall declare hereafter. Now in case
we would have this our Golden spirit, to produce more wonderful effects
in Physick, as well as in the Transmutation of Metals, then proceed
thus: Take of Gold one part, of the Martial _Regulus_ of Antimony
two parts, melt them together, pour them forth, and the Gold will be
white and brittle; pulverize the Mass, and put it into a small Glass
body, and pour upon it three times as much of our fiery _Alcahest_,
and by degrees abstract the same, and you’ll have a higher and better
Tincture than from the Gold alone. For _Antimony_ is the _Aries_ of the
Chymists, wherein _Sol_ hath its exaltation. This red Oyl of Gold and
Antimony, may easily be changed into an Universal Medicine or Tincture,
by means of our Catholick Coagulator.
And as we have here taught, how Gold, either alone, or with Antimony,
may be brought over, the same may be said of the Tinctures of Iron and
Copper, which have surpassing Vertues in Physick as well as Alchimy.
We proceed now to shew how with our _Alcahest_, the Tinctures of Common
and Precious Stones may be extracted to great advantage. It may be of
good profit also from hard fix Stones, such as Granates, which have too
much Tincture, to extract part of the same, by which means of Granates,
Rubies may be made, one ounce of which is more worth than 100 _l._ of
dark Granates: which extracted Tincture of Granates may afterwards be
made use of to exalt the colour of Pale Hyacinths, and other white
Precious stones.
In a word, this art of extracting the colour from Granats, and
introducing the same into other stones, is an excellent, profitable
(I had almost said Royal) art, which notwithstanding is so little
practis’d, by reason of the General negligence and slothfulness of
men, undervaluing this excellent art of Fire, tho’ more may be gain’d
by it than by Merchandize or any handicraft whatsoever. Let him who is
a lover of art, set upon the work, and try what God will send him. It
is impossible to set down all particular circumstances of the work so
exactly, but that the unexperienced may after all mistake. It sufficeth
me that I have faithfully pointed out the right way towards the Land of
Promise, leaving the rest to the desirous and active Traveller.
Thus I have in short words acquainted the Reader, with the way of
extracting Tinctures out of Metals and Stones, by means of my New-found
Infernal Fire, and that to very great and good purposes, both in
Physick and Alchimy; and will now in favour of Chymical Physitians
communicate an easy way of bringing the purest Souls and Tinctures of
imperfect Metals, over the helm, with our fiery saline Spirit, for
the effecting of wonders in both faculties. But before I proceed to
the Practise of those secrets, I suppose it will not be amiss if I
endeavour to place our _Sal-Armoniack_ in a greater Light; for seeing
by it, all must be performed, which is here spoken of; it will be
needful to know what properly this word imports.
_Of the Nature and Property of our New-found =Griffons-Claws=, and
Eagles-Wings, and what incredible things may thereby be performed
in =Physick=, =Alchimy=, and other Arts._
A good _Sal-Armoniack_ must have these following properties, _viz._
to dissolve, extract, and to carry that which it hath extracted
in distillation or sublimation over with it; and the better it
performs these, the better is it to be esteemed. Now whereas common
_Sal-Armoniack_, does only lay hold of, and carry over with it, the
most volatile Sulphur of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals; our secret
_Sal-Armoniack_ does not only seize the light Sulphur, but also the
ponderous _Mercury_, and therefore is far more to be esteemed than
the common. But my most secret natural _Sal-Armoniack_, extracts and
carries over from all Metals and Stones their pure parts to admiration:
and yet our _Griffons Talons_ and _Eagles wings_ are much more
powerful, as not only seizing their prey with greater strength, but
also carrying it away with them more swiftly, and even such pondrous
things, which the foresaid cannot elevate, or take away with them.
Moreover this New-found _Sal-Armoniack_ carries over the said Tinctures
not coagulated in the form of _Sal-Armoniack_, but all Spirit, as
being it self no coagulate, but a spiritual _Sal-Armoniack_, and meer
fiery Spirit, wherefore also it is able to perform such great things.
We will now proceed to the Practick part, and see whether there be
such a wonderful _Sal-Armoniack_ in Nature which can perform all these
stupendous effects.
A PROCESS,
_To prepare the highest Medicine, or Universal Tincture for Humane
and Metallick Bodies, by means of our fiery_ Alcahest.
_Recipe_, one or two pound more or less of clean Filings of Steel, such
as may be had of the Needlemakers, put them into a glass body, so as
they may but take up a twelfth part of it; then pour upon them a well
rectified Spirit of Wine, _viz._ to every pound of Filings four or six
pound of Spirit of Wine. Care must be taken that the glass body be
capacious enough, else, when the Spirit of Wine begins to work on the
Steel Filings, it will run over. The Body then being placed in Sand,
and the Recipient ready at hand, add for each pound of Spirit of Wine
in the Glass, one ounce of our _Alcahest_, which will acuate the spirit
of Wine so, as to dissolve the Steel, in which solution, the Sulphur
of the Philosophers, or purest Tincture of _Mars_ is set loose, and
immediately received by the spirit of Wine, and with it carried up
to the Philosophick Heaven. But because this Soul of _Mars_ has not
yet obtained to that height of purity which the Philosopher desires,
therefore it must enter his Purgatory, there to put off all Impurities
it has brought over with it: that is, the spirit of Wine must under a
large refrigeratory head be burnt away, in which flame the _Anima_,
_Mars_, or soul of Iron, becomes purified to the highest degree, the
flame carrying the Tinging Medicine over in form of a pellucid clear
Water, which is the true Water of life of the Philosophers, healing
all Curable Diseases, if daily taken in a small quantity. For this
Medicine renews the Body of Man, and makes old Age young and blooming
again; neither do I believe that a better Medicine can be found in
the World than this is: and that because the fix _Mars_ with the help
of our _Alcahest_, is brought to the highest degree of subtilty, and
is afterwards by the purest of Fires, yet further purged and exalted.
Wherefore also like Lightning it pierceth all parts of the Body, opens
all Obstructions, which are the cause of Death: And besides all this,
tinges _Lune_, and coagulates Common _Mercury_ into fix _Sol_, as I
have often tried and experimented my self; for I should be very loath
now I am on my Death-Bed, and as it were dying, to expose any thing to
the World, besides what Experience has verified to me.
_N.B._ When first I made this Experiment, and was doubtfull as yet
whether it would succeed or no, I prepared some pounds of Martial
Spirit of Wine; and though I knew that from such a spirit of Wine
impregnated with _Mars_, little good could be expected, before the
spirit of Wine were separated from the Tincture; and that this
separation could not be made by any distillation or rectification, for
that the spirit of Wine always carried the Tincture over with it, as
Experience the Mistress of Fools taught me: Therefore I cast in my mind
to burn away the spirit of Wine, which when I had done, I found all
my spirit of Wine burnt away, and nothing remaining in the Porringer,
only I perceived, that as far as the spirit of Wine had reached, it
was tinged of a golden colour, higher than that of Ducat Gold. With
which Experiment not being fully satisfied (though I saw that this way
it was possible to make a true Tincture for Metals) I went further in
my search, that I might at last be Master of so great and profitable a
Work. I disposed therefore a great glass head so, as that conveniently
I could under the same burn away a little dish or cupfull of spirit of
Wine, but the Glass head soon broke with the flame of the spirit of
Wine, which still put me upon a further trial, I took a large, broad
and deep Pewter dish, placed it with the brim on three stones of an
equall height, so that I could conveniently set under it a little cup
with spirit of Wine: I filled my Pewter dish with Water, and then
kindled my spirit of Wine, to see whether any thing incumbustible would
come over with the flame, and by that time I had burnt away about two
or three ounces of Martial spirit of Wine, I found that the bottom
of my dish began to drop down a clear liquor, the Tincture of _Mars_
and the incumbustible _Mercury_ and Salt, together with the Phlegm
remaining in the spirit of Wine, being all condensed in the form of
Common Water. After I had removed the Dish, and poured out the Water,
I found the bottom of the Dish, the Cup in which the spirit of Wine
was, and the Silver spoon I had set under the Dish, to catch the Water
dropping down from it, were all thick gilt.
Having perceiv’d all this, it was easie for me to infer, that for as
much as Silver and Tin had been gilded thereby, that I was in the
ready way of obtaining a true Universal Tincture for Men and Metals;
wherefore I ceased not to contrive night and day, some convenient
Instrument, for catching of the Tincture, ascending in the flame
of the spirit of Wine. And so at last after long search, I had my
desire, being now confirm’d by Experience, that many pounds of spirit
of Wine impregnate with Tincture, may in one days time be easily
burnt away, under a Coppertin’d Head, by which means the Souls, or
incombustible Tinctures of Metals and Stones are obtained; which Head,
or Refrigeratory Instrument, I intend (God willing) to communicate in
the Sixth part of my Furnaces.
I can allure the Lovers of Art, that no easier or less chargable way
can be found than this is, for to attain an Universal Medicine or
Tincture, for that according to this Process, an Universal Medicament
may be had in three days time, and with very inconsiderable charges.
I shall add one or two Processes more, to shew how by means of our
fiery _Sal-Armoniack_, high and noble Tinctures may be extracted, out
of other Metals and Stones, and shall begin with _Venus_.
Copper inwardly is very like Iron, and like it, is dignified with
a very glorious Tincture, and by the help of our fiery _Alcahest_
(proceeding as was said before of _Mars_) in three days time a true
Tincture may be prepared from it for Men and Metals, thus: _Recipe_
of the finest filings of _Venus_, one, two or three pounds, put them
into a Glass-body, and for every pound of Filings pour on three or
four pound of Alcolized Spirit of Wine, lute the Helm and Recipient,
distill in Sand, and the Alcolised Spirit of Wine will dissolve the
_Venus_, vivifie her tinging Spirit, and carry it over the helm, yet
not visibly; but as soon as the Spirit of Wine is kindled and burnt
away under the refrigeratory, then the Tincture of _Venus_ appears in
the form of a deep red Salt: which Tincture performs whatsoever I have
before attributed to the Tincture of _Mars_. And in the same way a fix
Tincture may be had from common Combustible Sulphur in three days time,
as here follows.
_To fix the Common, Combustible, Yellow Sulphur in three days time
into a red and fix tinging Stone._
The whole Art of this Royal Work consists only in uniting the said
Sulphur with Spirit of Wine, and then burning it away under a helm,
to catch the incombustible Heavenly Salt, or Water of Life permanent,
which with Gold becomes coagulated and fixed to a Tinging Stone. Which
heavenly Salt as soon as by the flame it is separated from the Sulphur,
is a true Universal Medicine against all the Diseases of Mankind: but
when joined with Gold, it obtains ingress and tingeth _Lune_, and
coagulates _Mercury_ into _Sol_. Now to unite Sulphur with Spirit of
Wine (wherein the whole Art and Mastery consists) without any Corrosive
or _Alcali_, is an easie thing, and which I have declared in my late
publish’d Writings, and therefore do not think it needful to repeat
the same here. I do not deny, but since that time I have found nearer
ways to the Bush, but do not think my self obliged to prostitute those
Discoveries to all promiscuously, it being well if I have not said too
much already, and told Tales out of the School.
As to the foregoing Operation, it is obvious to conceive that Common
Sulphur joined with a dephlegmate spirit of Wine, burns much stronger,
and consequently with its flame will have a greater force to fix than
a Common spirit of Wine can. We know that God in the beginning made
the whole World of Fire and Water, from whence also all other things
have their Original: For when Fire and Water, as contraries, work on
one another, they always generate a third thing. The Fire, as the
Agent, works upon its Patient Water, which action cannot be performed
without the Air, nor can the Water without Earth have any Consistence
or stability to abide the Fires action. For which reason it is that
we find no Metalline Oare, but only in the Earth, and especially in
such Clefts and passages of the Rocks and Earth, where a constant
moisture trickles down, and whither the Central Fire can have free
access, to work upon its proper Patient: From which union of Male and
Female Seeds, a third thing must necessarily be produced. Now if the
Sulphur which is the Male, and the Water which is the Female-Seed, be
pure, a pure birth proceeds from them, and by the rule of contraries
if impure, the production must be so likewise. Thus it appears that
the moist Caverns, Holes, and Clefts of the Earth, are the fittest
Wombs for Minerals and Metals. I am not ignorant that Metals may also
be generated in Sand or fat Earth, especially where the same lye
moist; for when the Demogorgon, or Central Fire, Spirit ascends from
the Center, and meets with a moist Sand or Clay, he joins with it,
whence it is that oftentimes in Sand and Clay Metals are found, but not
in great pieces as in the Clefts of the Earth, but only in less and
greater Grains, according as the disposition of the place permits, it
being notorious that Grains of Metal are oft found in Sand, and wash’d
from it.
That the Subliming Sulphurous Vapor, when it meets with a slimy
Matter in the Earth, doth unite with, and turns to a Metal, no Man
needs doubt of: For I have seen many things in the Earth changed into
Metalline Sulphurous Flint-stones. Thus we see that this Sulphurous
Vapour readily cleaves to Snails in the Earth, turning them to Flint,
of which I have seen many, and have some with me at present. Amongst
other things I have seen a Leather Purse turn’d to Flint, as also the
Privy Member of a Man, the reason of which will be obvious to him that
considers of it. We know also that sometimes though rarely Metals are
produc’d in the Air, and from thence fall down to the Earth, especially
Iron in form of small drops, because the Air is not the proper place
for the generation of Metals, for as much as they find no resting
place there. Stones also are at times generated in the Air, and from
thence are cast down upon the Earth. Thus in the Summer time, when the
attracted Sulphur is kindled by the scorching beams of the _Sun_, and
works on the moist Cloud, in a moment Stones are generated, which with
Lightning are cast down thence: These are sometimes of strange Figures,
but commonly are shaped like Wedges. I have seen one of them that was
three-corner’d, and which way soever it was turn’d represented the
figure of a Mans Heart, and had, amongst other, this Virtue, that it
preserves all those that are in the House where it is, from being any
whit terrified with Thunder or Lightning. But of these matters I have
treated elsewhere, being only mention’d here to demonstrate that Fire
and Water are the Principles of all things; which being granted me, it
will not be found strange, that by burning away Spirit of Wine, a Stone
of the greatest Virtue and Power, _viz._ that of the Philosophers,
should be generated: which I have not only experimented my self, but
recommended it to others, who have likewise performed the same. Now if
so weak a Fire, as that of Common spirit of Wine is, has the Power,
by working upon its Patient, as it were, in a moment to generate an
Heavenly Salt or Stone; why may not we then suppose, that when spirit
of Wine by the union of a pure Sulphur, is made to burn much stronger;
that this duplicate spirit of Wine, will produce a Duplicate _Mercury_
or Cœlestial _Salt_? Yea, surely it cannot be doubted but that such a
spirit of Wine acuated with the pure spirit of Sulphur, will not only
in burning away afford a better _Mercury_, but also in greater quantity
than any spirit of Wine alone can, because the incombustible _Mercury_
and _Salt_ in _Sulphur_, becomes meliorated by the flame of the spirit
of Wine, and highly exalted in Vertue.
When Sulphur is kindled under a Bell, or other convenient Instrument,
the incombustible salt of the Sulphur, mounts with the flame, in the
form of a Corrosive Oyl, and is caught and used to several purposes.
But this sowr Oyl, may well be compared to unripe Grapes, which being
eaten, are hurtfull to the Stomach but if these sowr unripe Grapes be
suffered to hang on the Vine till the heat of the _Sun_ hath ripened
them to a perfect Sweetness, then they will cause no gripings or
flatuosities, as unripe Grapes do, but afford good nourishment to the
Body: and when the juice of them is by fermentation turn’d to pleasant
Wine, it not only strengthens a weak Stomach, but revives the Spirits,
comforts the Heart, strengthens the Brain and all other parts of the
Body, makes Men chearfull and courageous, and drives away Sorrow and
Melancholly, and in a word, is a cause of much good to the sick as well
as sound.
Now if Common Wine can do all this, what wonders, think we, may then be
expected from the fix soul of its purest Spirit, when by its own proper
Agents flames, it is in the highest degree purified, and besides this,
united with the sweet soul of Sulphur, and thereby strengthened in all
its powers.
That Sulphur in its innermost is as good as Gold, none that are knowing
in Nature will deny, but this doth not appear till by the flames of
spirit of Wine it be reduc’d to a sweet, pleasant, fix, red tinging
Salt, and then you are Master of as powerfull a Medicine, as any is
in the World. _Lully_, tells us plainly, _Make that which is bitter,
sweet, and you will have the whole Art_. _Basil Valentine_ saith, That
he who in the Chymical Art, can with spirit of Wine dulcifie a sowre
spirit of Salt, deserves to be Knighted for it, as having done a most
Heroical action; and adds, That with this dulcified spirit of Salt, the
Tincture of _Sol_ may be extracted, which is the very Truth. _Hermes_
concludes his Smaragdine Table with these words: _Here ends what I had
to say concerning the Solar Work_; and so say I too. I have spoke plain
enough, and now catch who catch can: For I don’t think my self obliged
not only to catch the Bird for others, but also to pluck, roast, chew
and thrust it into their mouths.
In like manner, as has been here said of Sulphur, we may proceed with
Antimony and Orpiment, for to obtain their Quintessences, as also with
all Vegetables and Animals; with which pure Essences great wonders
may be performed in Physick. Time will not suffer me to enlarge on
the subject, but I intend (_God_ willing) shortly to publish a small
Treatise of the _Divine Character_, or _Seal of the Deity_, by which
the World and all that is in it was at first created, and yet daily the
Stone of the Philosophers and many other wonderful things are made,
and brought forth a-new from the conjunction of Fire and Water, that
is, _Sulphur_ and _Mercury_; in which Writing, the true ground of many
New Generations, which far surpass Nature, and are produced by a due
combination of these two contraries, will be declar’d and laid open.
After the same Method, as before mention’d, the Tinctures of other
red Metals, Minerals and Stones may be extracted. Only we are to
take notice, that when we work upon Stones, ’tis best only to make
use of our _Alcahest_, without the addition of spirit of Wine, for
the obtaining of their Tinctures, because stones are not of so easie
solution as _Mars_ and _Venus_. We may also with our fiery _Alcahest_
extract red Tinctures from White Sand-stones and Flints, though not
in such quantity as from those that are colour’d, which may easily be
guess’d. Many, ’tis like, will wonder to hear that a red colour may be
extracted from white stones; but this difficulty will be removed if
they consider, that all Sand-stones and Flints are nothing else, but an
Earthly gross Sulphur without any _Mercury_. Now we know that Sulphur
is a Father of all Metals, and that when _Mercury_ and _Salt_ in a due
proportion is join’d with him, then he makes a Metal. We also know that
all Sulphur inwardly is red, though it do not appear so outwardly till
it be joined with Salts. We have an instance of this in Lead, in which
no redness appears at all, but when the same is calcined with Salt,
its blackness is turn’d to a lively red, as may be seen in Red Lead.
For Fire and Salt have the power to exalt all Sulphurs. Forasmuch then
as the White Flint or Crystal has Sulphur in it, as appears from their
giving forth sparks of Fire, when they are struck hard together, in
like manner as when they are struck with Steel, which is nothing else
but a fix Sulphur, that by its proper Agent, which is naturally in
it, _viz._ a Vitriolate Salt, with the aid only of outward Fire, may
be ripened into a True Tincture. And here I refer my _Reader_ to what
_Artephius_ and _Pontanus_ writes concerning their secret Fire, for
further satisfaction.
I have prepared a particular Tincture from a white Sulphur, whereof one
part tinged three or four parts of red _Venus_ into _Lune_; but when
I commit this white Sulphur for some time to the Fire, its whiteness
becomes by degrees changed to redness, which then being projected on
Copper, gives it the colour of Gold. And if the Tincture be wholly fix,
it turns the _Venus_ throughout to fix _Sol_, but if it be not yet fix,
it can never make fix _Sol_, though it have attained a red colour in
the Fire. Forasmuch then as white Flints are nothing else but Sulphur,
why may not our Hellish Fire Spirit be supposed able to make the same
Red, as well as the White Metalline Sulphur. I declare it therefore as
a certain truth, that all white Sulphurs by means of Salt may be made
fix and red; and he who is so far advanced in the knowledge of Nature
and Art, as to know how to apply to every Agent its proper Patient,
will easily obtain his desires without any extraordinary charge or
trouble, and in a short time, for without the joining Actives with
Passives understandingly in weight and measure, no good can be done.
A PROCESS.
_To Extract a Red Tincture out of all White Flints, and bring it
over the Helm by means of our Fire Spirit, and afterwards to fix
the same._
_Recipe_ one, two, or three pounds of finely powdred White Flints, and
pour upon them half as much of our Hellish-fire-spirit, abstract the
same in Sand by retort, and it will carry the purest Sulphur of the
Flints over with it, which may afterwards be fixed with our Catholick
Coagulator. And if instead of Flints you take a Gold Spar, which
besides some fix Gold, contains much that is Volatile, your pains
will be better bestowed. And in case you cannot get any of these,
then take the _Terra Sigillata_, or sealed Earth of _Silesia_, in
which much volatile Gold is hid; but if you can get the Red Turkish
_Terra Sigillata_ of _Lemnos_, you will have a much richer Tincture,
as abounding with a greater quantity of Spiritual Gold, than any of
the forementioned. But take heed you be not deceived, for much of that
which is sold for _Terra Sigillata_ of _Lemnos_, is nothing else but
_Bolus Armenus_.
_Ovid_ and others have in their Fables made mention of this Earth,
which is so rich in Gold under the name of _Vulcan_, whom his
Mother after she had brought him forth in Heaven, finding him to be
deformed, flung down to the Island _Lemnos_, where some Apes, that is
Philosophers, who imitate Nature, took and washed him, that is, by
their fiery Water, took away his ugly and deformed outside, separating
the pure Tincture from the gross Body, as I have here taught. The
Curious who desire to know more of these matters, let them read
the experienced and ingenious _Bracescus_ his Book of the Tree of
Life, who will give them full satisfaction. But if none of all these
forementioned can be had, we may make use of Blood-stone, Ruddle, or
any other Red Earth that abounds with volatile Gold, of which there
is great plenty in most parts of _Germany_. The Red Jasper-stone,
Granates, and Yellow Jacinths do also much abound with Tincture. But
these and other such-like, I leave to others to find out, for it is
impossible for me to mention all. I conclude this little Treatise with
this Solemn Affirmation, that it is a very easie thing in a short time,
and without any charges, to speak of, to prepare fix Tinctures, from
common Metals and Stones. Believe and set upon the Work, and thou wilt
find it so indeed.
_The End of the Seventh Part._
LIBELLUS IGNIUM,
OR,
Book of FIRES.
In which is Treated of strange and hitherto unknown _FIRES_, to
what end they serve, and what great Profit may by them accrue to
Mankind.
Translated out of the _High-Dutch_.
Beloved READER,
_That which hath moved me to write this small Treatise of =Secret
Fires=, with their great Operations, hath been only this, =viz.=
Because =God Almighty= hath commanded us not to hide our Talent in the
Earth, (like the Unprofitable Servant) but to improve it to the glory
of =God=, and the good of our Neighbour. To improve and augment it, as
we may see in the 16. Chap. of St. =Luke=. Seeing therefore that the
most merciful =God=, hath revealed those high Secrets to me, in this my
great Age, makes me judge that such great gifts of =God=, have not been
discovered for my sake only, who by reason of my great Age have, as it
were one foot already in the Grave; but that I might make known such
wonderfull Works to the World._
_Of the first Fire, and its Profitable use._
How to make a Lamp, which being closed up in a Glass, may be made to
burn continually by its own vertue, and give light without any other
help.
_Of the benefit of this Lamp._
Such a Lamp may serve all those who love to see light, as the Image
of _God_; and may also be very available to those who by reason of
continual Weakness are forced to lie much upon their Beds; which they
may keep continually burning in their Bed-Chamber, not only because of
its clear shining light, which doth neither smoak nor scent, like all
other Combustible Lights, which scent is very prejudicial not only to
the Sick, but also to the Healthy, because such smoaks offend the Heart
and Brain. On the contrary, this Royal Fire is pleasant, strengthening,
and refreshing to the Heart and Brain, and its Cotton or Wick is made
of incombustible matter, and casts a sweet flavour all over the Room.
This secret Fire might also serve the Hermetick Physicians to prepare
a Universal Medicine; especially if the sweet refreshing Odour, which
proceeds from it in Burning, be received in a Philosophick Receiver,
and administred to their Patients, as a great Cordial, renovating, and
restorative Medicine.
Although this secret Fire, be of far greater advantage than what
hath been mentioned, yet for certain reasons its further use must be
concealed. This Fire is appropriated to the Elemental Air, seeing
it hath its own Air in it self, by reason of which it burneth in a
Glass well closed, and if touched by the least Air, it extinguisheth
and goeth out, of which you may see more in the Fifth Part of my
_Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_.
There is another unknown Fire, which is appropriated to the Earth,
because it resembleth a black Earth, and being shut up in a close
Vessel of Glass, will keep its Fire perhaps to the end of the World,
provided there cometh no Air into the Vessel; but if one would have
it a visible Fire, the Glass must be broken that the Air may come to
it, so the matter will presently enkindle it self by the Air, and in a
short time burneth to a coal, yet without flame or smoak, and at length
is consumed, and leaves heavy Ashes behind.
_Of the Use of this Earthy Fire._
Although it may seem to many, that this Fire is not fit for any thing,
yet I affirm it to be fit for great and weighty matters, which are
not fit to mention, much less to make known, by reason of the abuse
which may be made of it; this Fire being ten times more forcible than
Gun-powder. Moreover, it also plays its part in the Melioration of
Metals, for when this black Earth-fire is fluxed in a Crucible, then
poured out, and exposed to the Air, it begins to move, and grow as it
were living, so that one may see how forcibly it attracteth the Air,
fills it self with puffing Bladders like an incensed Toad, continuing
such a motion for the space of three or four days, then the matter
falleth asunder, and there floweth out of it a red firey juice, the
remainder is dead and unprofitable.
With this red juice, wonderfull things are to be done in Alchymy, not
necessary to be mentioned in this place, because it is my desire onely
to make known the Wonders of God. But he that will know more of it, let
him read the Fifth Part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_, treating of the
Stone of the Wise, where he will find how the blood of this Toad doth
in few hours draw the Colour of Gold, so that the Body remains white,
therefore it may be supposed to be the Chalybs of _Sendivogius_.
This Fire is also made of Steel, for when it is touched with a wet
finger, sparks fly from it, as from a red-hot Iron which a Smith is
forging upon an Anvil. But enough at this time of this wonderfull
Earth-fire till another opportunity. _Ripley_ seems to have known this
Fire, and of it to have prepared his Universal Tincture: his Dream
sounds thus, I have seen a red Toad drink so much and so long of the
juice of the Grape, till his inwards did burst asunder, _&c._
The third Secret Fire is appropriated to the Elementary water, because
it softeneth and dissolveth all hard Subjects; it also radically
joyneth the different nature of Metals, into wonderfull tinging Stones.
Seeing that this Water-fire is of great vertue to the Metals, both
particularly and universally, I am resolved (for brevity sake) to
make known its vertue in a few cases, the rest will be known by the
diligent. First, this wet Fire hath such great vertue, that it can
dissolve radically the most fixed Gold, within the space of twelve
hours, as also to unite it with _Lune_, to volatilise and render it
irreducible. Which volatile _Sol_ and _Lune_ is no more like unto
_Sol_ and _Lune_, but in colour, easie flux, form and weight, appeareth
like unto black _Saturn_; therefore the ancient Philosophers, because
of its form and similitude, have called it the black Lead of the Wise,
and because of its volatility the _Mercury_ of Philosophers; which
_Mercury_ or black Lead of the Wise may be also _per se_, brought into
a true Tincture.
Therefore they have all erred, who have taken _Antimony_ for the true
black Lead of the Wise. He that will know my failings in this matter,
let him read the Third Part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_, where he
will find Wonders, especially how I have cleansed it to the highest
degree, and concentrated it into a white Mercurial fusible Stone,
which doth shew such vertues in Medicine as are to be admired. This
white Stone hath such vertue, that it cureth all diseases, if it be
held every morning onely a while in the mouth; of which I have treated
more clearly in the Fifth Part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_. This
true black Lead, which by this humid Fire, is made of Common _Sol_ and
_Lune_, hath no equality with _Antimony_ nor other common Lead.
* * * * *
What else is to be done in the particular Melioration of Metals, doth
not belong to this place, but shall, by the help of God, be declared
elsewhere.
* * * * *
This moist Fire hath power to extract all _Sol_ and _Venus_ out of
_Lune_, in few hours, if the _Lune_ be first granulated, and then put
into it, without dissolving the _Lune_, so that the _Lune_ remaineth
almost as fine as from the Test. The extracted _Sol_ and _Venus_ may
easily be separated from the Water, each by it self, by precipitation,
insomuch that the Water retains its vertue, and there is no loss either
of the _Sol_, _Lune_, or _Venus_. In like manner the allay of _Sol_ and
_Lune_, by _Venus_, may be extracted with ease, in great plenty, and
for little charge. Which Secret would be of great use to Refiners, or
such as have much Gold and Silver to be parted, as in Mines, _&c._
It is sufficiently known what great labour and charge is required by
the common way of parting Gold, and Silver, and Copper, _&c._ therefore
needeth not to be repeated.
_Here followeth a shorter and easier way._
First, if my impure Gold be in great lumps, I grannulate it; but if
it be Jewels, Rings, or Chains, I onely neal them, and therewith fill
a parting glass to the third part, then I pour thereon of my cheap
and new-invented _Menstruum_, so much as may swim above it a fingers
breadth, put a Limbick upon it and set it in a Sand furnace, give fire
by degrees till the Liquor boil, and be all gone over the Helm, to a
dry Salt. So hath the _Aqua Fortis_ in the time of digesting drawn to
it self all the allay of _Lune_, _Venus_, or other impurity, out of
the Gold, in form of a green Powder, which remains with the Gold in
the Glass. When it is cold, I take it out of the Sand, and put in warm
Salt water, to dissolve the extracted _Lune_ and _Venus_, that it may
be poured out of the Glass: which done, I boil it in a Copper Kettle,
so the Salt-water extracts the _Lune_ and _Venus_ from the _Sol_, and
maketh it fine. I decant the green and thick water from the _Sol_, and
put to it in the Kettle fresh Salt-water, and boil it to extract the
rest of the _Lune_ and _Venus_ from the _Sol_. But if this second Water
should yet be green and thick, that is a sign that there yet remains
more _Lune_ and _Venus_ with the _Sol_; therefore more fresh Salt-water
is to be added to the _Sol_, as before. After boiling, put all the
green Waters together, and at last pour upon the Gold onely common
sweet water, with which boil the Gold to extract the remaining saltness
from it, which will leave it fine and shining in the Kettle, as fine
Gold useth to be, which is to be set upon a small fire to dry, then to
be kept as fine Gold. The green Water is to be filtred, so the _Lune_
will remain behind in the filter, which is to be dried, and mixed with
the common fluxing Powder of _Sulphur_ and _Nitre_, and being melted
will be reduced to the finest _Lune_. Boil the green filtred Water in
an Iron Pot, so all the _Venus_ will settle to the Pot bottom, which
is to be edulcorated with Water, and being mixed with the above-named
fluxing Powder, and reduced becometh the finest _Venus_ that can be
seen with eyes. By this means I doe not onely find all my _Sol_,
_Lune_, and _Venus_, but also an increase of the _Sol_, the reason of
which increase proceeds from my _Aqua Fortis_, which is a graduating
Water, and of a meliorating nature and property: which encrease indeed
is not over-great, yet it pays for all the charge of Coals and Labour.
This work may be performed in the space of twelve hours without any
loss of _Sol_ or _Lune_; which differs greatly from the tedious vulgar
way of separation, which is very laborious and costly, besides the
great loss of the _Sol_ and _Lune_. So that ten Marks may be easier
separated by my way, than one Mark by the common way.
One great Secret more, above others, which for brevity sake cannot be
all inserted here, is this. It is well known to all Chymists, that
all Vegetables, as also Animals, by addition of common Water, may be
brought to fermentation, and according to every subject, a _Spiritus
Ardens_, of great use in Physick, may be distilled. But how to make
such a subtile Spirit out of Metals, I never read in any Authour, nor
heard of. But I have found out a way by which great matters may be
done, which cannot be mentioned here, let others search after it as I
have done, it is not good to cast Pearls before Swine. Yet that the
desirous may know somewhat of an Artificial Metallick Fermentation; I
say that out of certain Salts a Water may be prepared, which when it
is put upon a compact Metal, that the same by a certain property in
the Water, begins to swell up and ferment, like to the fermentation
of Wine, Beer, or other vegetable Drinks; and after fermentation, by
distilling in Balneo yields an exceeding subtile penetrating Spirit,
strong, sweet, and volatile, according to the nature and property
of the Metal; which may also by rectification be concentrated and
subtilized, like that which is drawn from Wine or other Vegetables,
without any Corrosion; so that such a Spirit may be put into the eye
without the least hurt, or sence of sharpness. [See the Sixth Part of
the _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_.] Therefore it may easily be concluded,
that such a Metallick Spirit may effectually be used in the most
difficult diseases. But those Spirits are not onely highly profitable
in Medicine, but cannot also fail to shew their effects upon Metals;
for I have already experienced thus much, that the Spirit of _Sol_
doth in few days graduate Common _Mercury_ into _Sol_, in like manner
doth the Spirit of _Lune_ and _Jupiter_ graduate _Mercury_ into
_Lune_; other Spirits of Metals I have not yet tried. And although
many may think to force such a Spirit out of Metals as is drawn out
of Vitriol, yet they err, because every Vitriol distilled _per se_
besides the Phlegm, acid Spirit, and heavy Oil, yields also a volatile
Spirit, which may be very much subtilized by rectification, but it
hath no comparison at all, nor likeness with my new-invented volatile
humid Spirit of Metals; because the above mentioned volatile Spirit
of Vitriol, consisteth onely of a subtile salt Spirit and spiritual
Sulphur, which may sufficiently be demonstrated. For when such a
subtile salt Spirit of Vitriol stands a while in a Glass close stopped,
the volatile Sulphur of the Vitriol sublimeth it self to the top of the
Glass, and congeals it self in the form of common yellow Sulphur, and
the humidity remains in the Glass like an insipid Water, without smell
or tast. Therefore the volatile Spirit of Vitriol now-a-days prepared,
is to be esteemed for nothing else but a volatile Spirit of Sulphur. In
opposition to which my Metallick Spirits, especially those of _Sol_ or
_Lune_ have no combustible matter in them. Also the Spirit of Vitriol
is yet corrosive, which the Metallick Spirits are not. Therefore let
no man think that my invented Spirits of Metals are of the same nature
with the sulphureous Spirit of Vitriol, Allom, or common Salt, or
the like, but let it be esteemed as a new-invented high Secret, the
like of which was never yet known to the World. He to whom God shall
please to reveal how these Spirits of Metals may again be brought into
fixed bodies, such a one may well esteem himself happy. Seeing that
such a Spirit being yet fugitive, can mortifie running _Mercury_, and
transmute it into _Sol_. Also know, that our secret Salt-water hath
power to bring other Subjects into fermentation: As for example; if I
was willing to bring Tartar again into fermentation, to try what Spirit
it would yield, I dissolve it onely in fair water, and put to it a
little of our Universal ferment, so will the Tartar presently begin to
ferment and work, and yields a wonderfull volatile Spirit, which is
not to be had by any other way. Here I will add onely one thing by way
of history; namely, what happened unto me once, when I joined a little
of this ferment with some Urine: that the same did presently begin to
ferment, and yielded a most dreadfull scent, so that I was necessitated
to carry the Urine out of the room, the smell was so offensive, that it
enfeebled my Heart and Brain; and in the distilling, yielded a scent
far worse than the putrefying of any dead carcasses of beasts, at
last I forced over all the unpleasant Phlegm, took the _Caput mort._
out of the Glass, and distilled out of it a strong Corrosive Spirit,
with which I did dissolve _Sol_ and _Lune_. But what is further to be
expected from it, time will shew me. There came also with the strong
salt Spirit, a red Oil of Urine, not strong.
* * * * *
To enlighten the former discourse, there remains yet something to be
said, namely this: That the before mentioned Spirit of Metals may
be handled in all respects like the burning Spirit of Vegetables,
which is distilled from Vegetables fermented; in rectifying, the most
subtile Spirit cometh over first, and the unprofitable Phlegm remains
behind; and the oftener this rectification is performed, it is the more
pure, subtile, strong and pleasant, so that the vertues of all other
Vegetables, some of this Spirit being poured upon them and digested,
may be extracted, and separated from their gross feces, by separating
the Spirit of Wine in Balneo, so the vertue of the Herb, Root, or
Flower, will remain in the Glass; of which one onely drop hath more
vertue in Medicine, than a whole handfull of the herb from which it was
extracted; yet the Spirit remains good, and is always proper for the
like occasions. But if one desireth no Extract, but onely a Spirit of
Vegetables, strong and forcible in its operation, then must the Spirit
be put upon fresh well-scented cordial Herbs, Roots, Flowers or Fruits,
digesting them together, then abstracting the Spirit again, so will
it be much stronger, subtiller, and of a more refreshing smell than
before. Thus in like manner can we doe with our Spirit of Metals, and
make it as strong as we will, by putting the same upon fresh Metals,
and letting them ferment together, then abstracting, and so fermenting
and abstracting, whereby it always grows stronger and stronger, so that
afterwards greater things may be done with it both in Medicine and
Alchymy. If then the simple Spirit of Metals doth wonders in Medicine
and Alchymy, what will not this doe, that hath three or four times its
strength? Consider of it, enough to the wise. The Spirit of Metals
thus made we esteem for the true _Aqua vitæ_ or _Vinum salutis_ of the
Ancients, and no other made of Vegetables. Take notice also by the way,
that our Ferment doth not lose its vertue in distilling, but serveth
always for the like Works, to wit, the Fermentation of Metals.
Seeing that our Ferment is a volatile Salt, after Fermentation the
subtile Spirit is abstracted, and the Phlegm received by it self, so at
last riseth our Ferment with a stronger Fire, and leaves the mortified
Metal as unprofitable feces. So that the Ferment being once had, it may
be often used, yet it is somewhat diminished every time by sticking to
the glasses, yet not being costly, the loss may be easily born, so that
there needs never be no want of it. This is indeed a wonderfull subtile
metallick Wine, of which I had once a Vision about thirty years ago
(with these words: _Ex fece, de fece, debes carpere vinum tuum_,) yet I
knew not the signification to this time. I have had much thoughtfulness
about it, yet all in vain, untill God was lately pleased to shew me the
way of preparing such Wine.
* * * * *
If I should write all things which may be done with my new-invented
Fermentation out of Vegetables, Animals and Metals, I should have work
enough for a great Volume, and as it were bring forth a new World: but
let this suffice at this time.
_Next followeth the fourth Secret Fire of the Wise, to perfect an
Universal Medicine both for Men and Metals._
That the ancient Philosophers did make their Universal Medicine, not
out of one Subject onely, is clearly to be seen out of their Writings.
And as their Subject was divers, so have they also used several Fires
to decoct their Subject; for some Subjects, as fixed _Sol_ and _Lune_,
they have made volatile by their humid Fire, and again made the
volatile fixed by means of the known fire of Wood and Coals. Therefore
have they so positively affirmed, that without common Gold and Silver,
no true Medicine for the Metals can be made. And this, by reason that
other Subjects were yet unknown to them; and they knowing no better,
thought theirs to be the onely way by which the Universal Medicine
could be made. But others have wholly rejected _Sol_ and _Lune_,
saying they are dead, and that one should beware of them; but that
their _Sol_ and _Lune_ were living, and that no commonly known fire
could ripen them, that a far other fire is required for that purpose;
these and the like contrary Writings (although they are both true)
have confounded the Searchers, so that one esteemeth one Writer, and
another, another, and yet are always doubtfull after which Authour
they should work. _Pontanus_ confesseth that he erred two hundred
times, although he wrought in the true matter, and should never have
understood if he had not read the old Philosopher _Artephius_, and of
him learnt the Secret Fire. He describes also the Secret Fire in the
same manner, which _Artephius_ doth, to wit, thus: _Our Fire is no
Common Fire, it is Artificial to find out, it dissolves, destroys and
penetrates all things; it is equal, continual, and constant, burning
with our Glass, and not without_, &c. Our Subject is also no common
_Sol_ or _Lune_, but as yet an unripe Mineral, on which Nature hath
but begun to operate. All they who have wrought in such unripe _Sol_
and _Lune_ have also of necessity known this Secret Fire, or else they
have failed, and could accomplish nothing. Some have known the volatile
Gold, as also the Fire belonging to it, and yet could not come to work
with it; the reason was, because they as yet wanted the instrument
belonging to it, because if a volatile matter be to be ripened in an
open Glass with a flaming fire, it is impossible but that the volatile
_Mercury_ should fly away; and if a Receiver were applied to receive
the volatile Spirit, then by that means the Fire would be stifled and
go out. Here is good counsel at a dear rate, but the discovery of the
secret Vessel maketh all cheap again; for without the knowledge of this
Vessel, little is to be done. Is it to be an Universal Work, so must it
also agree with the Universal Work of this world? We see daily how that
the warm Sun causing its beams to descend downwards upon the Globe of
the Earth, causeth all Vegitables, to grow and multiply, and not onely
Vegetables, but also Animals and Minerals, as _Plato_ witnesseth in
these words: _The Sun and Man generate Man_. So that the oftener the
beams of the Sun doth draw up the moisture of the Earth, and let it
fall down again in Rain, by so much the more it maketh the dry Earth
fruitfull, by which means the Fruits of the Earth sprout forth faster,
ripen, and multiply; because the moisture when drawn up in the daytime
by the Sun-beams, always leaveth behind it its fruitfull Salt, which it
had attracted from the Air, in the bowels of the Earth, and is still
again impregnated with the influences of the Heavens; for without
the Air, nothing can live, encrease, or multiply, the which _Hermes
Trismegistus_ hath very well given to understand, when he saith all
which is above, is also below, by which wonderfull things are brought
forth; the Sun is its Father, the Moon its Mother, the Wind carrieth it
in its belly, the Earth hath conceived it and brought it forth, and is
its nurse, by continual ascending and descending it hath obtained its
force, and its vertue is compleat, when it is transchanged into Earth,
_&c._ Here _Hermes_ gives sufficiently to understand, that the volatile
matter of the Stone is elevated from the bottom of the Vessel to the
middle region of the Air, and must again descend to the Earth, that
by its continual ascending and descending it may be made to live and
encrease, as it is in the great World. But how to make this ascention
and descention as it is and ought to be done in the Philosophick
work, is not permitted to be divulged: but it is more than enough to
discover and assure that in such a secret Furnace and hidden Fire, the
volatile Gold of the Wise may be ripened into a living Medicine. _Amen._
[Here should come in a small Treatise, entitled, _The Explication
of =Solomon=’s Words_: Viz.
In Words, Herbs and Stones, there is great vertue. _But who this
=Solomon= was, is altogether uncertain; and the Treatise it self
consisting of nothing but fabulous Stories of divers Events, which
followed upon the speaking of certain words at divers times, and upon
divers occasions, and containing nothing (as I conceive) that will
be useful either for a Christian, or an Artist, I think fit to leave
it out; and more especially, because this Treatise is wholly foreign
to the Authour’s knowledge and experience, but taken upon trust (as
to matter of fact) at random, and from others, which is disagreeable
from all the other Writings of the Authour. All that I think worth the
Translating is somewhat relating to the Colouring of Glass; which take
as follows._
* * * * *
With one pound of pure Glass, mix about a dram of the Ashes of Copper,
[or _Crocus Veneris_] and melt them together in a strong Fire, and
you’ll find a green Glass, resembling the _Onyx-stone_. In like manner
also a whole pound of Glass is made like to the fairest _Saphire_, if
a dram of _Cobolt_ or _Bismuth_, melted, be added to the _Scoriæ_ or
Dross. Likewise one dram of the Rust of Iron changeth a whole pound of
Glass into a yellow Stone, emulating an _Hyacinth_. If one shall melt a
dram of the Tincture of Gold, or of the Philosophers Mercury, extracted
from Gold and Silver, with a pound of Glass, that Glass becometh very
red, like a _Ruby_ in colour, as I my self have found. But if any shall
be so fortunate as to make this Glass hard, as well as of a beautifull
colour, he will need to take but little pains for his living.
* * * * *
_There is a short Discourse adjoyned to this, called, =The Quintessence
of Metals=; but whatsoever is mentioned in that, is contained in the
Fifth Part of the =Pharmacopœa Spagyrica=, =Book of Fires=, =Book of
Dialogues=, &c._]
_The End of the Second Part._
THE THIRD PART
OF
Glauber’s WORKS.
A
TREATISE
OF THE
Three Principles of Metals,
_VIZ._
The Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt of Philosophers,
HOW
They may profitably be used in _Medicine_, _Alchymy_, and other Arts.
Of SULPHUR.
_That =Sulphur= is one of the Principal Columns of Medicine, and
also a Primary Part of the Three Principles of Metals, is more
than sufficiently manifest; also, that in it is reconded much
good, several Books left unto us (published by Ancient and Modern
Authors) do clearly witness. But those Books, for the most part,
all of them are obscurely written, and every notable and most
remarkable thing is by them both concealed and manifested. Hence
it was most usual, of it to prepare certain Vulgar Medicaments;
as, =Yellow Flowers=, a =White Magistery=, a =Red Balsom=, and an
=Acid Oyl per Campan.= =&c.= But among all other, =Paracelsus= in
Writing hath most clearly unveiled the same; yet so warily, as
few could perform the like, although many diligently searched._
_Therefore, since the Writings of this most highly illuminated Man
are able to give a good Testimony of Truth to this my Work, I
thought it very convenient, to insert a part of the best of his
Writings in this small Treatise of mine; whence it will appear,
how our Art is carried on and Augmented Yearly. The Words of
=Paracelsus= are these which follow._
_Of SULPHUR._
GOD hath created _Bitumen_, endued with many rare and admirable
Virtues, not only conducent for the necessary use of a _Physician_,
willing and ready to heal the _Sick_, but also for the vast Phantasy
and Operation of Chymistry. Besides, in it are many other Virtues,
which wonderfully discover themselves by _Sulphur_, because it is the
true _Bitumen_. Wherefore I thought it worth my while, not only to
describe the Medicinal Virtues of _Sulphur_, but also the Chymical, and
many other associated Virtues of the same, in every other Profession
and Business.
It is to be owned, that many things have been writ of _Sulphur_; but
the true Foundation of the true Virtues thereof, hath scarcely yet by
any Man been exactly enough touched or proposed. But those Writers
are to be blamed, who would describe all things, of which they have
no understanding, because, in so doing, they did indeed compose and
prescribe somewhat; but nothing fundamentally, or according to its
genuine Disposition and Property, as in Writing and Describing is
requisite. For in truth, they themselves understood not, yet (through
their ambitious Haughtiness) they would compose Books, consisting
of Letters only, without Soul or Spirit. But I, as One experienced,
present you my Experience of _Sulphur_ in all things, _viz._ What
_Sulphur_ is with respect to _Medicine_, _Alchymy_, and all other
associated Artifices. Therefore know ye, that in _Sulphur_ (but it is
in GOD only to hinder) are wonderful, and those so admirably famous,
Things, as thence the natural Light of Man may derive Cause enough for
Wonder: Or else, (if GOD prohibit not) the Fault is in the Artist’s
handling it; which is a thing very probable. For, when every babling
Sophister thinks himself a Physician, and every Finical Fellow will
be accounted a Chymist; then it comes to pass, that Arts can never
be rightly exposed to publick view. But howsoever the Matter is, the
Foundation lyes here: In _Sulphur_ (for either Faculty) are insited so
great _Arcanums_ and Powers, as almost no Man can throughly exhaust
them; and also so great Virtues, as will cause admiration so every Man.
For in very deed, according to the Experience of all Men, (in either
Faculty) there are so many things worthy of Note; because in _Sulphur_
is such an Efficacy, as few like unto it are given, nor in _Chymistry_
and _Medicine_ can its second be found. Yet _Aristotle_ defames that,
saying, _Transmutation of Species cannot be_. But _Sulphur_ suffers
Transmutation: Which is sufficient to prove, that _Aristotle_ (if he
were now living) might be convinced of his Folly, even by Women.
No Physician or Chymist should convert Sulphur to his Uses, according
as it is found in it self; but separated into its _Arcanum_, and purely
freed and cleansed from all Impurities, until it is so purely clean,
as its Virtue exceeds the whiteness of Snow. _Hyssopus_, that is, the
_Art of Separating_, doth this; it was anciently called _Hyssopaica_,
in Alchymy and every Separation. Yet Sulphur is of admirable use for
its vulgar Businesses, or common Artifices. Now, that I may more
accurately explain 🜍 to your Comprehension, I will first distinguish
it according to its Nature. For it is not produced from one _Matrix_,
but from many. Wherefore also, it acquires divers Operations, that
is, hath in it self various affections, not one disposition only, but
peculiar peculiarly. And that the Physician may not err, I will here
present to him the Nature of that Sulphur, which is best for his use in
Medicine; also to the Chymist, I will exhibit the disposition of that,
which is profitable in Alchymy; and lastly, I will shew, how far it is
conducent for every common Business. Therefore the Instruction being
first premised, its use shall be superadded, not only in Medicine and
Alchymy, but also in other common Vocations; that every Man in his own
Operation may know, how to use and apply the same, without mistake or
Error.
Touching the _Embryonate Sulphur_ of Metals, _viz._ what is invisibly
contained in it, thus take it: That 🜍 in Diseases doth so admirably
conserve and restore its own Member, as it manifests the Members to
stand in need of a Mineral Medicament only, and no other. Hence the
🜍 of ☉ is conducent for the _Heart_, of ☽ for the _Brain_, of ♀ for
the _Reins_, of ♄ for the _Spleen_, of ♂ for the _Gall_, of ♃ for the
_Liver_, and ☿ for the _Lungs_.
Also there is found a kind of _Embryonate Sulphur_ in Wood: But that
🜍 is Fire only, which no Man can preserve in its Life and Essence
otherwise than in the Wood, with which it passeth away, and dyes. Such
is the 🜍 of all things which are Woody, or whatsoever it be, that is
plainly reduced by Fire into Ashes. This 🜍 is Vegetable, but not fixed;
nor is it conducible for any thing at all, except those things, which
are to be prepared by Fire. Now be it known to you all, that that 🜍
indicates the Virtues of other Sulphurs, this way: As Fire devoureth
all things, so every 🜍 is an invisible Fire, which doth invisibly
absume Diseases so, as Fire visibly consumes Wood. Wherefore the
_Element_ of _Fire_ is a singular _Arcanum_ in all Diseases. He that
wants this Element of Fire among his Secret Medicines, ought not in
any wise ascribe to himself the Name of a _Physician_; nor can he shew
himself an Expert Physician, but is rather an Erroneous Operator, and
a Robber of the Sick. Further I say, 🜍 is the _Element_ of _Fire_, and
if any one would have it exercise the facilities of a Medicine, let him
take care to volatilize it so, as it may vanish like a Flame; that is,
let it be so subtilized, as it may recede from its own Body, and the
Body be separated from it: For the Body is not the _Element_ of _Fire_.
_Sulphur_, rendred thus Subtile and Volatile, is the Consumer of what
is to be consumed, that is, what is not fixed in Nature, so Diseases
are not fixed, but the Body is fixed against the Element. And the
Element of Fire is only adverse to that, which is not fixed against it,
that is, adverse to _Diseases_. Now would _Pseudophysicians_ so order
the matter, as our Philosophy might find place, and receive Encrease
in the _Schools_ of _Physicians_, the Trifles and Impertinencies of
Humorists (who grope in Medicine as a Blind Man, that knows not which
way he goes) being totally rejected, many Homicides, daily perpetrated
by their Rashness, would be prevented. In the mean while, since they
are Men of no Conscience, what can you do, but leave them to their own
perverseness? He that is desirous to act as a true Physician, let him
seek the Virtues of Elements in Natural things; there he will both find
the Truth, and a Remedy against the Diseases of the Sick.
There is a twofold kind of Embryonate 🜍; one fixed, but notwithstanding
made Volatile; the other, pure Fire; that is, one is Living Fire,
the other Insensible Fire; yet both the Sensible and Insensible are
exercised in like Consummation; _viz._ one in Wood, the other in
Diseases. Every Man, affecting the Health of others, might by these few
words be sufficiently instructed, if GOD withstand not his Endeavours;
but I judge every Man shall not be made Wealthy, because GOD well
knows, why he hath given the Goat so short a Tayl. For since Riches do
very often seduce Poor Men, cause them to put off the Habit of Humility
and Modesty, and transform them into proud and insolent Animals,
therefore it is more safe to keep silence, and leave every one to his
own poor estate.
Now know ye, touching _Sulphur_ and its Species; what the Nature,
Property and Essence, of the same is. Whosoever shall attempt to
describe _Sulphur_ in a most accurate manner, (as is fit, though not
expedient) will have need of abundance of Paper. But for handling 🜍, a
judicious Chymical Operator and Experienced Artist is required; such
a one should be very expert and solidly grounded in his Art, no Airy
Talkative Person, whose Art consists in Lip-labour only; but one, that
proves himself an Artist by the Labour of his hands: For such a Man
will be able to extract from 🜍 more wonderful _Arcanums_, than any Man
can describe with his Pen. But, he that knows nothing of _Sulphur_,
knows nothing at all, nor is it convenient, he should say any thing,
either in Medicine, or in Philosophy, touching any of the Secrets of
Nature.
_Of the Use of this =Element= of =Fire=, which =Paracelsus= hath so
earnestly commended to all Physicians._
First, this Tincture of 🜍 may be exhibited in all Diseases, for
comforting the Brain, Heart, and all the Internal Members of the
Body, because it is famously subtil, savoury, and sweet; and is a
Medicine most excellent, especially in Affects of the Lungs. Also,
it is the most penetrating of salutiferous Balsoms, for curing every
Body internally hurt, and for restoring all vitiated Members to their
pristine Sanity; in so much, as, in this respect, you can scarcely find
any other _Remedy_, second to this in Virtue. Therefore it may very
well serve instead of _Aurum potabile_; but in firey Diseases, it must
be warily administred. This Essence of 🜍 strengthens weak Stomachs, and
gets a good Digestion. In a word, in all Distempers whatsoever, except
Burning Feavers, it may be safely used.
_Note_: If any one shall extract a red Tincture from fixed 🜍 rubifyed,
he will enjoy a most present Remedy, not only for Men, but also for
some Metals; namely, for tinging ☽ and ☿ into ☉. This is that, which
_Paracelsus_ commended to all the Rivals or Sons of Art so highly, that
I thought I should do very well here to subjoyn his own Words, as they
are written.
_Mortification_ of _Sulphur_ is made, when its combustible and fetid
Humidity is taken away from it, and the 🜍 reduced to a fixed Substance,
which is done thus.
℞. Common yellow 🜍, which reduce to a fine Powder, and from it three
times abstract a most strong _Aqua Fortis_; then the 🜍 remaining in
the bottom, will be of a black Colour. This edulcorate with sweet
Water, and so oft distil the Water thence, as until the Water come
off wholly sweet, and smells not at all of Sulphur. Then take that
Sulphur, and reverberate it in a close Reverberatory, like _Antimony_.
In Reverberating, it will shew it self, First, White; Secondly, Yellow;
and Thirdly, Red; as _Cinnabar_. Having brought it to this pass, thou
mayst rejoyce; for that is the beginning of thy Riches. For this
Reverberated Sulphur in Tinging, renders every Silver into the best
Gold, and the Humane Body into perfect Health, more excellently than
can be described. Of so great Virtue is this reverberated and fixed
Sulphur, _&c._
Elsewhere, _Paracelsus_ writes of the Transmutation of Metals and
Gems, thus: As you now have seen a very brief way of some peculiar
Transmutations of Metals; so here further know ye, touching
the Transmutations of Gems, that is, of small Stones, that of
such Transmutations also there are various ways, some of which
notwithstanding seem in no wise adverse to others. For you see how
potent a Transmutation of Gems lyes in the Oyl of Sulphur. Every
Crystal, that is left in that Oyl for some time, is tinged and
transmuted, and may by graduation with distinct Colours be so exalted,
as to exceed a Natural _Jacynth_, _Granate_, or _Ruby_, _&c._
_Paracelsus_ here teacheth the fixation of 🜍, if a most sharp _Aqua
Fortis_ be several times abstracted from the same, reduced to a fine
Powder. But that way of proceeding will profit nothing, because the
_Aqua Fortis_ is not capable of any Ingress into the 🜍, because that
is first to be procured by Salts, as we above taught. For then the
Artist’s Endeavour will succeed well, and the 🜍 in Abstraction of the
_Aqua Fortis_ be fixed, and also wax white: But Redness is afterward
given to it in an open Fire, or Fire of Reverberation. And it will
never wax red in a close Vessel, how long soever it stands in the Fire.
And when it is thus Red, every common Spirit of Wine extracts not
its Tincture, because it hath not ingress into it. But the fixed red
🜍 must first be melted with fixed Salt of _Tartar_ in a very strong
Fire. That way is given to it such an Ingress, as any Spirit of Wine
can extract from it its Tincture. For otherwise you shall labour in
vain. _Paracelsus_ intended rather to keep this Experiment to himself
only, than to expose it to the use of the ungrateful Vulgar Sort. But
no Man hath cause to wonder, why I now am desirous to discover the same
openly, since I have peculiar Reasons of this Publication, an account
of which I am not bound to render to any Man. It is sufficient to any
grateful-minded Man, that I am willing publickly to discover that
Secret.
This fixed Tincture of 🜍 is in Medicine much more efficacious, than the
Element of Fire, described by _Paracelsus_. For That is only extracted
from a Volatile Sulphur; but This is fixed; and is also of power
sufficient to cure the fixed Diseases of Men, as well as Metals. The
Volatile Tincture, or Element of Fire, as it is called by _Paracelsus_,
is otherwise also famously conducent for External Uses. All affects
of the Skin, as Scabs, and the like, are cured by the help of that.
Also to every Wine it is a present Medicine. For if any one put a
little of it into a Cask of Wine, the Wine acquires a grateful Tast and
Odour, and will be so comforted, as not easily to admit of changing or
perishing, as otherwise is wont to happen to common Rhenish Wine. I
did indeed, for tryal sake, pour same of this into divers Wines, and
found it so in very deed. For I put one or two drops of our Element
of Fire into several open Cups filled with Wine; and I daily observed
them, until I found, that that Wine, in which none of the Element of
Fire was put, did in two or three days contract a slimyness; but those,
in which a little of the Element of Fire had been mixed, stood almost
three Weeks, before they began to contract the like. Which business
of Wine, if any Man well consider, he may find out the way, how, by
the benefit of this Art only, far more easily to acquire sufficient
Gain for daily Sustenance, than otherwise by the perillous ways of
Merchandise. Wherefore, whosoever is desirous of enjoying Profit in
Wines, let him always take care continually to have ready prepared
by him a good _Sal mirabile_, and reduce Sulphur into a red firey
Stone; otherwise he will lose his Labour and Cost, which, by way of
Admonition, I was not willing to pass over in silence. Therefore I must
say, with _Paracelsus_, that all those Physicians and Chymists are not
of the best Fame, who have the Gift of Glorious Eloquence; but those
only, who have learned their Understanding by long use of Fire; and
whilst elaborating Subjects, to be prepared, do well know, what should
be added and substracted, according as the Operation of every thing
requires.
Since we now know, what _Paracelsus_ taught touching the fixation of 🜍,
and also the profitable use thereof in Medicine and Alchymy; it will in
no wise be impertinent in this place to insert, what _Basilius_ hath
written touching the same; that by his Words every Man may the better
discern, that my fixation of 🜍, which I have described to be made by
the help of _Salt Nitre_, differs not from the Writings of other
Philosophers, speaking of _Salt Nitre_. The aforesaid _Basilius_, (who,
in many places of his Writings, mentioned the fixation of 🜍 by help of
_Salt Nitre_, but obscurely enough) among other things, thus writes.
[_Here =Salt Nitre= is introduced, speaking of himself and to
himself only._]
_Sulphur_ indeed is my most mortal Enemy, and he is also my best
Friend: For when we both are joyned together in Wedlock, and our
Marriage celebrated in Hell, so, as we both sweat well together;
then we shall so put off all Impurities from us, as in our dead
Bodies may be found the greatest Treasures, and of us be progenited
wealthy Children, _&c._ By which words, _Basilius_ intimates, that
_Salt Nitre_, by the Contact of 🜍, is inflamed, and, as by an Enemy,
wholly burnt up and reduced to nothing; and therefore is accounted its
greatest Enemy. But if _Salt Nitre_, in form of an _Aqua Fortis_, be
associated to 🜍, and render it fixed and constant in Fire; they then
become the greatest Friends, and from them both are procreated Rich
Children. Therefore whosoever is desirous to obtain such Children, let
him bend all his thoughts to the matter it self, and diligently search;
for he may find, if GOD be pleased to indulge him and permit the same.
Whatsoever _Paracelsus_ hath here writ of 🜍, he hath undoubtedly writ
plain enough, so as Credit may safely be given to his Writings. For
that what he saith is not from the purpose, _Every Man may be informed
by these few words_, _&c._ Certainly he, had he not dreaded the
impiety of the World, would much more evidently have explained this,
and by that means he would have helped the Necessity of many; but the
notorious Ingratitude of the World deterred the Man.
Also _Paracelsus_ admirably discourseth of the _Element_ of _Fire_, how
excellent a Medicine it is, as I my self have experienced, and shall
further in time to come (if GOD permit). In like manner, the same Man
makes mention of the noble _Hyssopaick Art_, by the help of which,
ancient Philosophers did, with their own hands, make black 🜍 white as
Snow, fix it, and by the benefit thereof, do great Miracles in Medicine
and Alchymy. This Art, (with Grief be it spoken) by the negligence and
injury of former times, was gradually lost; which notwithstanding, from
the Caves of Silence, and, as it were, lying in Darkness, this my Small
Treatise will again bring to Light.
The prophet _David_ seems to have some knowledge of this Royal Art;
for when he saw his Sins before GOD, had (as it were) contracted the
blackness of a Coal, he thus implores the Divine Mercy: _Sprinkle me, O
LORD, with Hyssop, that I may be white: for, by thy well-washing of me,
I shall become whiter than Snow_. Whence it is sufficiently manifest,
that _David_ craved not the well known Kitchin-Herb, _Hyssop_,
to be washed with, because that could not help him; but he spake
Metaphorically, and requested that his Sins (by the great blackness
of which, he believed his Soul to be infected before GOD) might be
pardoned, and he received into Divine Favour, and never be driven from
the face of GOD to Eternity.
Likewise, there is no Community between the black, gross, and
combustible 🜍 of Wood, and the pure, fixed and incombustible 🜍 of Gold:
For as long as black 🜍 keeps its combustible disposition, it is refused
by the other, as abhorring the familiar Society of so stinking and
sordid a Guest. But as soon as that _Ethiopian_, by assistance of the
most noble _Hyssopaick Art_, shall be washed white as Snow, and rendred
constant in Fire, then it is readily received into Communion by the ☉,
and of both is made one Tincture, by help of which, other Metals are
reduced to the Perfection of Gold; as a little after shall be shewed
more at large. Yet I will first briefly note the difference of 🜍,
according to my Experience; which is indeed not very necessary, because
_Paracelsus_ hath done it. Nevertheless, I am very willing to subjoyn
these few things.
Ancient Philosophers, as often as they in their Writings treated of
the Original and Beginning of Metals, placed the Foundation of their
Assertion in _Demogorgon_; _viz._ That he was the Grand-father of all
Metals and Minerals, who, dwelling in the Center of the Earth, was
cloathed with a bright-red Cloak. But properly, _Demogorgon_ is the
Central Fire continually burning, and a Subtile Spirit of 🜍, distilling
it self through the passages of the Earth. If this firey Spirit in
its ascent finds a Commodious Cavern, or Humid Place, in which it may
abide; it is immediately there coagulated into a Mercurial Water, and
by the Central Fire’s continual Coction, in length of time, ripened
into Metals and Minerals. But the ascending Spirit of 🜍, which finds
no Seat for its Abode, ascends higher and higher, until it comes to
the Superficies of the Earth; into which, when moystened with Rain,
it thrusts it self; and from the Ground grows upward into the Air, in
the form of vast Bushes and Trees; in which Plants and green Trees,
is found such a 🜍 as is in Minerals, (yet this is not found so fixed,
as that in Metals,) because all things in the Bowels of the Earth are
generated according to the Influence of the Stars, and there coagulated
according to the nature of the place into these or those Metals. Let
him, who is desirous to be taught more at large touching these, consult
those Philosophers, by whom the same are plainly enough described. If
the pleasure of Operating induce any one to set about this Work, he may
make choice of the 🜍 he judgeth most sutable to his Intention.
Now behold the Method, in which, by the benefit of the most ancient
_Hyssopaick Art_, black 🜍 is by a dexterous washing turned into white,
rendred fixed and constant in Fire, and by Reverberation transmuted
into Redness, and thenceforth used as a Medicine of Humane and
Metallick Bodies wanting melioration, and that with notable profit.
_Here is presented, first, the Method of Washing Black =Sulphur=
so, as it becomes very White._
The worthy _Paracelsus_ doth briefly indeed describe the method of
whitening and rubifying 🜍, but what was most conducent thereunto, he
concealed; _viz._ that way of Preparation, without which no _Aqua
Fortis_ can have ingress for Washing and Fixing. My purpose is in this
place, for the sake of the Searchers of Art, to publish this Secret
in plain Words. This may be done many ways, as will appear by the
following,
℞. One part of the Terrestrial Sulphur of Pit-coals, or of the
Vegetable Sulphur of Wood-coals; with which, reduced to Powder, mix two
or three parts of our _Sal Mirabile_, prepared of Oyl of Vitriol and
Common Salt. Which mixture put into a Crucible, and set the Crucible
covered in a Wind-Furnace for melting. There the _Sal Mirabile_, by its
Acrimony, preys upon the 🜍, and dissolves it; and thence makes a _Red
Stone_, which, by pouring Water on, you may dissolve, Filtre, and again
Coagulate, into a Red Salt or Stone. And thus the 🜍, by help of the
_Sal Mirabile_, through one only abstraction of a sharp _Aqua Fortis_,
will be so habile, as it may easily be made white with washing, and
also be fixed so, as to sustain the force of Fire, according to this
following.
_Process._
℞. Of this Red Sulphureous Salt, ℔ j. and upon it, in a strong Body of
Glass, pour ℔ iij. of most sharp _Aqua Fortis_: Yet not all at once,
but leisurely, and at times; because the _Sal Mirabile_ with the 🜍
loseth its Acidity, and becomes Alcalisate, and therefore so inimical
to the _Aqua Fortis_, as it impetuously resists the same. Therefore let
him, that is ignorant of this, be very wary, lest all that is contained
in the Vessel fly away, or the Glass, through too much heat, burst
in sunder. For this cause, proceed leisurely, and operate according
to the Rules of Art, that your Endeavour may be fortunate. For, in a
way contrary to this, you can find nothing, but Damage and Trouble.
As often as you put in any _Aqua Fortis_, presently put on the Head,
because it will suddenly and hastily fume, and so cause damage; to
prevent which, after I had sustained several Losses, I at length,
against such Exhalations, found this Remedy.
[Sidenote: * _Half Ounces._]
In the Top of the Alembick I caused a small hole to be made, through
which I put a little Tunnel of Glass, and luted it on. So soon as I had
put the prepared 🜍 into the Body, and luted the Head and Receiver to it
aptly, I through that little Tunnel poured at one time two or three Lo
tones of _Aqua Fortis_, and presently stopped the Pipe with Paper; then
immediately after great Ebullition, (by its own Virtue, without any
external Fire) the subtil Soul of 🜍 ascended in a red form. Soon after,
I poured on more _Aqua Fortis_, and left it to its own operation. This
I did so long, and so often, as until I had put in ℔ iij. of _Aqua
Fortis_, upon ℔ j. of the prepared 🜍. When you have thus done, you may
administer Fire externally to your Matter in the Glass Body placed in
Sand, for so the _Aqua Fortis_ will the more virtually act upon the
🜍, and will all ascend red in Colour; but the 🜍 will remain with the
_Sal Mirabile_ in the bottom of the Vessel fixed, white, and able to
sustain the force of Fire so, as it seems almost incredible, that such
a Substance, easie to be enflamed and burnt, should in a few hours
space be exalted to so great Fixation and Constancy. The Distillation
ended, and Glasses cooled, take up the Body out of the Sand, and thence
take out the Salt with the fixed 🜍; and to dissolve the _Sal Mirabile_
from it, pour on as much Common Water as shall be sufficient. After
extraction of the Salt, the fixed white 🜍 must be dryed, and kept
sufficiently hot in a Crucible in an open Fire, until the 🜍 remains
fixed, totally white, and able to abide the Examen of Fire. Then is it
fit to be reserved for such Uses, as you shall learn by the following.
_Note_: If the _Sal Mirabile_, together with the _Aqua Fortis_, shall
be purified, then the fixed 🜍, after Edulcoration, will be white as
Snow. But on the contrary, if you do not well filtre the 🜍 with the
_Sal Mirabile_, and also cleanse not the _Aqua Fortis_, the 🜍 will
not come forth of a Snow-like Colour, as you may easily conjecture.
Wherefore, whosoever would have a Snow-white 🜍, he must warily proceed,
and purely operate, in all parts of his Work. In Medicine, and the
Transmutation of Metals, 🜍 destitute of whiteness, will serve well
enough; but if you would apply it to such Uses, as necessarily require
a Snow-white Colour, you had need to proceed warily, according to the
Prescripts of Art. For it is of great Concern in every Work, to know,
whether the fixed 🜍 should have a White or an Ash Colour; as in the
following shall be shewed more at large.
Moreover, it is highly necessary to be known, that that _Aqua
Fortis_, which was poured upon the prepared 🜍, and separated from it
by Distillation, is no more to be reputed Common _Aqua Fortis_. For
although it ascends Red, yet that Redness disappears in a day or two,
and the _Aqua Fortis_ shews it self limpid and clear again; in so much,
as it can scarcely be thought by any Man, that any eminent Virtue is
latent in that red _Aqua Fortis_ changing again into whiteness. Which
kind of Ignorance did notably hurt me, whilst I persuaded my self,
that such an _Aqua Fortis_ could not be effectual for any other use,
or for the same, again. But afterward, when I was seized with a desire
of searching, whence that Redness should proceed, and why it again
disappeared; I rectified a pound of such _Aqua Fortis_, in a clean
Glass Body, to know, whether that Redness would remain behind, and no
other than the _Aqua Fortis_ simple ascend; and, by tryal, I found,
that no Redness would ascend, but in that Rectification it separated
it self from the _Aqua Fortis_, and resided in the bottom in the form
of Powder, white as Snow. Having done this, I tryed, whether the same
White Powder were fixed, and I found it to be as fixed, as Gold it
self: yet had no ingress into Metals, but remained like a white Earth
constant in Fire. Hence I was seized with the delight of thinking, what
eminent Virtue might be latent in this Snow-like Powder. Wherefore I
again and again made like Tryals, and still found the same. Whence a
great Light discovered it self to me, by which I perceived, that in the
vehement Action of the _Aqua Fortis_, in dissolving the prepared 🜍,
the most clean Soul of the 🜍 ascended with the _Aqua Fortis_, yet in a
very small quantity: For out of ℔ j. of such 🜍, I had not above eight
or ten Grains of this Soul of 🜍 left behind. Which thing, at first,
did not please me very well, because the smalness of its weight seemed
of no value with me. But having made a more exact Tryal, I found this
Snow-like Powder to be a most excellent Medicine in several Curable
Diseases of the Humane Body, and a true Tincture for Correcting Metals;
and therefore afterward I esteemed it far more than before; and this so
noble white Tincture, I, by the help of Art, united with Gold, (which
is a thing not difficult to be done by a skilful man) and so found,
that this laudable Tincture, although so very white, might, with ☉, in
a small Fire, be exalted unto Redness, and be of more value than all
the 🜍 remaining; although that is an hundred-fold more ponderous, than
this that ascended. Yet the Use and Fruit of Both, we will a little
after shew more at large.
These may suffice to be offered here, touching the way of Whitening,
Exalting and Fixing, common, black, filthy, fugitive, and combustible
Sulphur, till it is able to sustain the torture of Fire. But before
we proceed to the Use of this whitened and fixed 🜍, we will here shew
certain other ways of whitening and fixing every combustible Sulphur.
_Another way of Fixing =Sulphur=._
℞. One, two, or three ℔. of common yellow 🜍 reduced to Powder; upon
this, in a glazed Earthen Pot, pour four, six, or nine ℔. of a strong
_Lixivium_, made of Lime or Wood-Ashes, in which, you must so long
boyl the 🜍 with continual stirring of it, as until the _Lixivium_ hath
dissolved as much of the 🜍, as is possible. Then decant it off, and
pour on fresh _Lixivium_, that the same may also dissolve as much as it
can; repeating the same Labour till all the 🜍 shall be dissolved. Which
Solutions, if you filtre and coagulate into a Red Stone or Salt, the
Sulphur will be so habile, as it may, by the help of _Aqua Fortis_, be
washed and fixed.
_Another way of Fixing =Sulphur=._
Dissolve 🜍 in a _Lixivium_, and put that Solution in a Glass Body, upon
which set an Alembick, with an hole on the Top to put a Tunnel through,
as before said, and adjoyn and lute a Receiver thereto. Then through
the Funnel pour in leisurely and by degrees so much Oyl of Vitriol,
as until the mortification of both is perceived, no more ebullition
is caused, but all action each upon other ceaseth. This being done,
administer Fire by degrees, and a subtile Spirit of Vitriol will
ascend, which performs wonders in _Medicine_ and _Alchymy_; because it
contains Spiritual ☉ in it self, and may be very much subtilized by
Rectification. In Taste, it differs little from the Taste of Spirit of
Urine; only that it is more grateful to the Palate, and for every Use
more efficacious than Spirit of _Sal Armoniack_ or _Urine_: Also from
it the Tincture may be separated, as we will shew here following.
The Salt, remaining in the bottom of the Glass, must be taken out,
and by fusion in a Crucible turned into a Red Stone, which suffers it
self, _per se_, to be fixed in the Crucible in a short time. By the
benefit of this Sulphur, all Metals may particularly be amended with
great profit. If any one purposeth to use the same Universally, let him
pulverize this fixed Red 🜍, and from it extract a blood-red Tincture
with Spirit of Wine: For this Tincture is easily extracted, and by
_Paracelsus_ is called, _The Element of Fire_, and was by him highly
esteemed. Undoubtedly the chief Reason why this Philosopher called
it _The Element of Fire_, was, because in the Operation he visibly
discerned four Elements. For, the Extraction ended, (which may be
absolved in 24 Hours) on the top is a beautiful Red Ruby-like Tincture,
under which is a white Liquor, and in the bottom an Ash-like Earth.
The little Skin separating the Tincture from the white Water, is taken
for the Air. Therefore this way alternately, the four Elements present
themselves to sight in the Glass without confusion; so as although you
shake them together an hundred times in an hour, yet they will never be
mixed, but after that agitation, every of them recovers its pristine
Station. The fruitful Use of this _Element of Fire_, shall be further
spoken of afterward.
_Note_: As we have here now taught the way of washing and fixing common
Yellow 🜍, and the black 🜍 of Pit-coals and Wood; even so may the 🜍 of
_Antimony_, _Vitriol_, _Auripigment_, and other Minerals, be whitened
and fixed.
But the method, by which 🜍 is extracted from Metals and Stones, shall
(GOD willing) be shewed in a peculiar Chapter. In the mean while, here
is declared,
_The Use of our Fixed =Sulphur=, and, first, in Medicine._
First, this 🜍 whitened by Lotions and fixed, is a most excellent
_Bezoardick_, and much more safe in its Use, than the Oriental
_Bezoar_, which is sold indeed for a greater price, yet never discovers
any visible and sensible Effect. On the contrary, our _Bezoar_
deservedly is preferred before it, especially in the Pestilence, and
all other Diseases, where Sweating is needful.
Also, in all Affects of the Lungs, it yields more Comfort and Relief,
than all other Medicaments, which are prepared of 🜍 not cocted nor
fixed, but only crude. Likewise, to Men or every Age, whose weak
Stomachs are prostrated by an heap of aqueous and viscous Humors,
it is a present Remedy; because by its dryness it totally absumes
all Phlegmatick superfluous Humidities, and perfectly restores the
Stomach. What shall I say? It may in a special manner be commended, as
a Cordial and excellent Confortative against the imbecillity of Age.
And outwardly, it may serve for a most excellent Cosmetick; and, in
like manner, by the Spagyrick Art, be reduced into an admirable sweet
Oyl, by the benefit of which, the yellow and blackish Skin of Women
may be tinged with a beautiful white Colour: Not like any other vulgar
Cosmetick, which doth indeed whiten the Skin, but that may again be
washed off with Water; not so, I say, but in such a manner, as the
Skin, thus elegantly tinged, can in no wise be washed off again. Yet
in length of time, that whiteness of the Tincture will wear away, and
the Skin recover its native blackish Yellowness: Wherefore it must be
tinged again, as often as shall be needful. Whence it is manifest, that
such a Tincture is admirably useful in beautifying rich Virgins, and
curious Matrons.
Moreover, this Oyl of Talk is efficaciously prevalent in curing such
Affects of the Skin, as are called, _Impetigo’s_, _Serpigo’s_, and
_Lichene’s_; also Scrophulous Tumors rising about the Nose, or in any
part of the Face, and proceeding from an Inflammation of the Liver.
This Oyl takes away all such cutaneous Vices, and beautifies and heals
the deformed Skin, restoring it to its native Colour.
_The Use of the same in Chymistry._
Fixed 🜍, as well in the humid, as in the dry way, transmutes imperfect
Metals into ☉ and ☽. Most readily ♄ and ♀, in the humid way; and
most easily ♂ and ♃, in the dry way. From every ☽ it separates ☉ by
fermentation. If it be added to prepared Metals, the same Metals
distilled by Retort give forth from themselves living Mercury, which
permits it self to be fixed with ☉ into a tinging Stone. Whensoever
old _Demogorgon_, or the Grandfather of Metals, through his extream
Age, decays in strength, and waxeth bald, he devours his youngest Son,
whereby he is so greatly comforted, as he is able to give to all his
Sons and Servants golden Crowns.
* * * * *
_Note_: You are to understand the devouring of the Son to be, when
old fixed 🜍 swallows and devours crude and not fixed 🜍, and thereby
acquires to it self Flux and Ingress, by the help of a certain
Minister, who most diligently watcheth his Sepulchre so long, as until
Father and Son (or the fixed and fusible) be mortified, and rise
together renovated.
[Sidenote: * Amill.]
Also from our Hoary headed _Demogorgon_, of exact Age, by the addition
of other Matters, is made a most white *_Amausum_, in the acquisition
of which, _Goldsmiths_ do greatly delight; because they can adorn their
Artifices therewith.
_Behold I present you the way of Opening and Constituting a
perpetual Metallurgy of ☉ and ☽._
We above taught, that 🜍 (after it is washed into a Snowy whiteness, and
also so fixed, as it is able to sustain the Examen of Fire) was endued
with power of amending all Metals. For the whitened 🜍, by Gradation,
turns them into ☽, and the Rubifyed into ☉. But here a great Obstacle
is wont to intervene, so as this Work of so great profit, cannot easily
obtain its Effect, answerable to the Wish of every operating Chymist;
_viz._ because by Fixation the 🜍 is so totally deprived of its Fatness,
penetrating Power, and easy Flux, as it degenerates (as it were) into a
dead Earth, which, _per se_, alone loves not to enter into any Metal,
but chooseth first to have Ingress duly prepared for it by the help of
other Fusibles, such are vulgar, immature, and combustible Sulphur,
or Antimony; which do indeed penetrate the dead 🜍, and render it so
fusible, as it is capable of Ingress into Metals.
But since such combustible 🜍 or ♁, is so very noxious to Metals, as
it makes them black, volatile, and brittle, and so commonly doth as
much hurt as good; therefore we, not approving of such an Ingress,
endeavoured to find out a better. Indeed, although every 🜍 may another
way be so fixed, and rubifyed, without the help of _Aqua Fortis_, as to
retain its own Ingress; yet such a fixation (though easily done, and
requires little Charge) cannot be compleated without a very long time.
I intend to describe this way of Fixing; but first shall be shewed the
method of procuring a safe Ingress to this fixed 🜍 by a whitening _Aqua
Fortis_.
First, we taught, the 🜍 was to be reduced by our _Sal Mirabile_, then
that a most sharp _Aqua Fortis_ was to be abstracted from it, and after
Abstraction the _Sal Mirabile_ to be separated from the white fixed
🜍 by common Water, that the 🜍 might be dulcifyed and rendred fit for
Medicinal Uses. Now I teach, that the 🜍 fixed by _Aqua Fortis_ is not
to be edulcorated, but the _Sal Mirabile_ to be left with it; being
that, which prepares Flux and Ingress for its penetration into Metals,
insomuch as Necessity now urgeth us to seek a better Ingress, _viz._
this way;
_The way of adding to Fixed 🜍 a Ferment, by the benefit of which,
is acquired Ingress into Metals, penetrative, and amending the
same._
Above, where we treated of the way of fixing Sulphur, we taught, that
after it was reduced by _Sal Mirabile_, a most sharp _Aqua Fortis_ was
to be poured upon it, and thence to be abstracted, and that in the
time of Abstraction, a little Volatile 🜍 would also ascend with the
_Aqua Fortis_, whence the _Aqua Fortis_ waxed Red, and that such a
Redness might be separated from the _Aqua Fortis_, in form of a fixed
Powder white as Snow, which might be used in _Medicine_ and _Alchymy_
with great profit. Yea, such a fixed 🜍 white as Snow, doth not only
serve for an admirable Cosmetick; but also this small Quantity of 🜍
deserves to be highly commended by Physicians, as a most excellent
_Diaphoretick_, the like of which you can no where find. For indeed,
Oriental _Bezoar_ is not comparable to this of ours. Our _Bezoar_
is the true Unicorn’s Horn of the ancient Philosophers. This our
Philosophick Unicorn, is that most potent, hoary, and aged, King of
the World, who, as soon as he hath devoured his young Son, encreaseth
in strength so admirably, as he transforms his Gray Hairs into Red,
and triumphs in his being able to give to all his Servants golden
Crowns, and also to make them Kings. For he is no more such as he was,
_viz._ _Venom_, or _Black_ blacker than _Black_, or a wild and horrible
_Beast_ in the _Wood_, but is changed into our Oriental _Bezoar_,
_White_ whiter than _White_, Universal _Treacle_, _&c._ So great a
power doth he possess, after he hath been prepared according to the
Method above prescribed.
If any one be desirous to exalt the Faculties of this 🜍, he will not
lose his Labour, if before fixation he dissolve ☉ in _Aqua Regis_, and
pour this Solution of ☉ upon the 🜍, instead of another _Aqua Fortis_;
and abstract it from thence again. For so doing, not only the ☉ remains
fixed with the 🜍, and gives Ingress unto it; but also the _Aqua Regis_,
or Spirit and Salt of the World, with the Snow-like Soul of 🜍, will
carry with themselves over the Helm the clean Soul of ☉, and so produce
a far more excellent Medicine, than if only the Soul of 🜍 did ascend
alone; as every Man may easily conjecture. But if any one is desirous
to operate better, he may, if he will, dissolve the Gold also in a
Crucible, together with the Sulphureous _Sal Mirabile_; and presently
after abstract from it a most sharp _Aqua Fortis_; which way the ☉
is so much the better united with the 🜍. Although I could discover
much more touching this way of Operating, yet since (because I have
published already as much as is fit) no Necessity obligeth me to such a
publication, I will forbear to speak further hereabout.
The way of bringing this fixed Snow-like 🜍 to Redness, the Laudable
_Paracelsus_ here teacheth; _viz._ that it must be made Red by a
flaming Fire. Yet it must not be covered (as he mentions) but open: For
this way it will wax Red, otherwise it would remain White. Now that
🜍 to which you add ☉, needs no Reverberation; because by the ☉ it is
turned into a purple Colour, and the ☉ it self, by help of the fixed 🜍,
becomes irreducible, and passeth into Tincture, and so needs no further
Exaltation. Therefore to whomsoever GOD shall be so propitious, as to
give him this Salt of Metals, together with the knowledge of conjoyning
it with the Red Soul of 🜍 and ☉ which ascends, he will shew himself
both in _Medicine_ and _Chymistry_ a principal Master: But whosoever is
so blind, ignorant, and witless, as he cannot discern what I have here
so largely treated of, such a Man assuredly labours with an uncurable
Blindness, so as you cannot recover his Health, although you should put
double Spectacles on his Nose. Now to describe the method of fixing 🜍
so, as it may retain its Ingress, wherewith to penetrate into Metals,
I purpose not in this place; but it shall (GOD willing) be described,
where we treat of our Secret _Sal Armoniack_. Here follows,
_The way of Preparing a perpetual Metallurgy of ☉ and ☽, by the
help of Fixed Sulphur._
Let the Benevolent Reader know, I do not affirm, that all whatsoever
I shall here write touching the perpetual Metallurgy, I my self have
tryed, or took care to see elaborated. For the fixation of 🜍 hath not
been known to me above two or three Years, during which time, I have
been for the most part distempered in my Body so far, as I had scarcely
strength enough to prosecute my more secret _Arcanum’s_, which are far
more dear to me, than any fixed 🜍 can be. Yet, in the mean while, I
could not choose but employ my Thoughts upon such a Method, which being
found, any one might, by the help of fixed 🜍, reap a gainful Crop of
Fruit from the transmutation of Metals.
To accomplish this, I could find no way more easy, than for a Man,
of Elixiviat Ashes (not of Bones, but) of Wood, well sifted, to make
large _Cineritiums_ or Tests, in Iron Molds fit for the purpose, and
with that Wood-Ash, mix a small part of the fixed 🜍; and then take care
to cupellate Silver mixt with Copper, (with the due addition of Lead)
according to the common method of Art, upon such Tests. For thus, the ☽
will be purifyed, and the ♀ and ♄ pass into the Test, as is otherwise
wont to happen in all other purifyings of Silver. These Tests, (which
you may keep by you, until you have a sufficient Quantity) in the
usual manner put into a melting Fornace, that in a strong Fire the ♀
and ♄, which passed into the Test, may co-unite with the fixed 🜍, and
so attract it to themselves, as they may come forth impregnated with
☽ and ☉. Now if this Coppery ♄ be cupellated on such a Test prepared
with 🜍, the ☉ and ☽ will remain upon the Test, and the ♄ and ♀, as
happened before, will pass into the Test. And if you again proceed with
them as before, infallibly (by such a way of Cupellating) you will,
with the help of fixed 🜍, from ♄ and ♀ acquire gradually a Quantity of
☉ and ☽ not to be contemned. By this way of Operating, in all those
Regions, where Coals are cheap, a Man may get a competent Livelyhood.
For although in Cupellating there is some loss of the ♄ and ♀, they
turning into _Scoria’s_; yet this small loss, in these poor Metals, is
nothing, in comparison of the great Gain, which may be expected from
the more Rich. I reckon, this Operation of Cupellating costs no more
than the price of the Coals; for the damage made in ♄ and ♀ is richly
recompensed by the ☉ and ☽ acquired. I was willing to communicate this
to the _Lovers of Art_. Therefore, if there be any Curious Refiners, to
whom this Process is pleasing, let them put it to the Tryal; if they
will not, ’tis all one to me: For I will make no Tryal in such Works,
as require a Man strong and patient to labour in the Fire. In the mean
while, I doubt not, but there will be some, who will amply encrease
their Fortunes thereby; upon whose Endeavours, I pray for the Divine
Blessing, and offer to their Consideration this ancient Proverb, _By
Saturn and Mars, by Fire and Art, a Treasure is found_. _Mars_ is fixed
_Sulphur_: Much might be said for _Saturn_ also; but that is not so
conducent as fixed 🜍, which is much purer than rude Iron, as Experience
teacheth.
Touching the further use of fixed 🜍 in the Emendation of Metals, and
that in an humid way, by fixing and graduating _Aqua Fortis’s_, the
Acrimony or Corrosive Power of which, is first so broken by the help of
fixed 🜍, as they do not dissolve, but only penetrate them, and deduce
them to an higher degree, and, according to the nature of the 🜍, tinge
the same into whiteness or redness.
It is known to us, that nothing tingeth but 🜍 only; and that, according
to its Nature, into redness or whiteness, both in the humid and dry
way. In the dry way, the 🜍 must of necessity be so fixed and fusible,
as being cast upon the Metal in flux, it may penetrate into it, as
Oyl into a dry Skin. You have already heard, that in fixation by
_Aqua Fortis_, from the 🜍 is so taken away its Ingress, easy Fusion
and Metallick Fatness, as it rather seemeth like a dry Earth, than
a Metallick Substance; in so much, as unto it cannot be procured a
ready Ingress into Metals, unless by some singular Art and Industry.
Such an Ingress cannot be given to fixed 🜍 in a better way, than by
Mercurial mundifyed Metals, _viz._ by ☉ and ☽, and indeed ☉ unto
Redness, but ☽ unto Whiteness. It you would proceed more dexterously,
you must legitimately unite fixed 🜍 with the Salt of Metals; then will
be acquired Ingress into all Metals, as hereafter in the Description
of the _Salt of Philosophers_ shall be seen. But if Fortune shall so
favour any Man, as he can find out such a Water, as is endued with the
power of dissolving fixed 🜍, he will enjoy so potent a Gradatory Water,
as will convert black Leprous ♄ into most white pure ☽: And not only
♄, but also ♃, ♀, and ♂; yet ♄ most readily. Touching such a Gradatory
Water, (as far as I have learned by Experience) thus take it: Every 🜍
whitened and fixed by washing amends Metals; but how it should have and
acquire Ingress into them, is not known. Therefore, as it is the part
of Art and Industry to procure to fixed 🜍 a dry Ingress; so also it is
no less the Work of Art and Industry to convert fixed 🜍 into a Water,
by which, vile Metals may be exalted to a more excellent degree of Gold
and Silver. Therefore, let him, who intends to convert fixed 🜍 into
Water, observe, that this Water must not be so strong as to dissolve
Metals, but savour only of so much Acrimony as will be sufficient to
penetrate them, and deduce 🜍 into an humid form, _viz._ such as it is
tinged with, either white or red, according as the Gradatory Water
shall be made, either of red or white 🜍. Whosoever well understands how
to change fixed 🜍 into Water, unto him will be opened a Compendious way
of Graduating vile Metals into ☉ and ☽. Which Operation is, of all, the
most commodious for ♄, because _Aqua Fortis_ more readily preys upon,
and dissolves, other Metals than ♄. For it is prejudicial to dissolve
any, because in Graduation Metals are not to be dissolved, but only to
be penetrated, with conservation of their forms, as they were when put
in, and, without any diminution, to be transmuted into better Metals;
which in ♄ is most easy to be done. Yet any _Aqua Fortis_, although
you add to it thrice so much common Water, will prey upon and dissolve
♄, ♃, ♀, and ♂, which is a thing to be studiously avoided. Into the
aforesaid Gradatory Water, in which the fixed 🜍 is, cast a little
common Salt, then the _Aqua Fortis_ becomes Enemy to the Lead, and
assaults it, but indeed only to penetrate, (not to dissolve the same)
and to introduce the fixed 🜍. After the Lead hath lain in such Water
about 14 Days, it will swell and wax white, leaving one half of it self
upon the Cupel. But the longer it shall lye in the Gradatory Water, so
much the more amended will it be.
If fixed 🜍 could as easily be turned into Gradatory Waters, the same
may easily be fixed; assuredly in the whole World there would be no one
particular more desirable than this, by the help of which, great Riches
might be acquired. For this same humid Graduation requires almost no
trouble or labour, more than putting filed or rasped Lead for some
time into the Gradatory Water, and after Gradation, to take it out and
cupellate it; being such a kind of Work, as by Chymists is accounted a
Childish Labour.
But to know and be able to convert fixed 🜍 into a Gradatory Water, is
the principal Artifice; and to participate of that, all diligence must
be used by him, whosoever he be, that is desirous to reap pleasant
and profitable Fruits from Chymistry. What do you desire? All things
needful to be spoken, cannot clearly be explained with a Pen; yet
if any one shall acquire the Salt of Metals, he may easily so far
introduce fixed 🜍 into Metals by that, as they shall be amended
thereby. Hitherto I have plainly enough described the Fixation of 🜍,
and prolixly demonstrated, how ingress may be procured to it, as well
by the Humid, as by the Dry way. Wherefore, whosoever shall think
himself concerned herein, let him follow these Prescripts, until he
find so much Good, as the favour of GOD will grant to him. For the All
of our hope depends on the blessing of GOD.
In the mean while, I am not willing to conceal from the Searcher of
Art, this one only Artificial Manual Compendium, of converting 🜍 easily
into a Gradatory Water. We above said, _Aqua Fortis_ could find no
ingress for it self to the fixing of 🜍, before it was procured to it
by the help of _Sal Mirabile_. Therefore, since the way of preparing
_Sal Mirabile_ is various, and one Salt is always more constant than
another; great Caution must be used, that the Sulphur be so handled
and accommodated, as it may be suddenly dissolved by the sharp _Aqua
Fortis_, and so not be precipitated into a white Powder. For if this
be not done, it will indeed be fixed by the _Aqua Fortis_, but become
very difficult to be dissolved. If it be well dissolved the first time,
after Fixation it will be easily dissolved. Which is a thing worthy and
profitable to be observed: For the whole hinge of Art consists here.
Therefore, if any one be well Skilled in Spagyrick Labours of Fire,
he will easily bring this Prescript to a good Effect; but if he be
not such, he will Labour in vain, and lose his Charges; and that not
without the good Pleasure of GOD, who Wills not, that every Man should
be made Rich. Nevertheless, if any one, with an indefatigable study and
patience of Search, shall hit the Mark, he will give thanks to GOD and
to me: If not, let him impute the Error to his own unhappiness, since
I have writ so openly and clearly, as no Man before me ever did. My
purpose is in this place to discover one most excellent Secret; by the
benefit of which, fixed 🜍 may easily be changed into a Gradatory Water,
and that the following way.
Choose such 🜍, as unto which Nature hath given greater Efficacy, than
to the common 🜍; such, I say, as is in a sort Mercurial, and in which
such beginnings of the Operation of Nature discover themselves, as
thence may be made a Metal of a Golden Disposition. Such a Mercurial
🜍 you shall scarcely find in all the Metallurgy of Gold; and that
naturally Red, both internally and externally; and is otherwise called
by _Paracelsus_ _Embryonate Sulphur_, or _Cinnabarine Sulphur_,
or immature mineral _Electrum_; but by Miners vulgarly called the
_Flower of Gold_: Also you may perceive it to have a great Communion
and similitude with _Auripigment_ and _Antimony_. This _Sulphur_ is
Mercurial, and toucheth Metals with a more near Affinity, than vulgar
simple 🜍, because after Fixation it is easie to be dissolved, and
before Fixation better to be wrought upon than common 🜍, which partakes
of no Mercury. And this 🜍 in the abstraction of _Aqua Fortis_ gives
forth more of a beautiful Tincture than any other common 🜍. Also this
pure Soul may much better be used in _Medicine_ and in _Alchymy_,
because it is both Mercurial and of greater Efficacy, than the Soul of
any common 🜍.
_Note_: Common 🜍 is not so easily prepared for Solution, as this;
because it is Mercurial, and therefore, hath more Communion with _Aqua
Fortis_, to be dissolved by help of it. And after it is dissolved, in
the Distillation it gives forth more Soul, and the fixed 🜍, which
remains in the bottom, is of greater Virtue in _Medicine_, than the
other of common 🜍. For by how much the more pernicious Venome it
was before Fixation so much the more Efficacious _Medicine_ doth it
become, after the Venome is inverted by Fixation, and converted or
prepared into an Antidote or Treacle. Such 🜍 may also another way, more
commodious, than by _Sal Mirabile_, be prepared for easie Solution:
Which indeed is a thing of great moment, and worthy to be observed.
This short, but necessary, Admonition I thought good to subjoyn for
the sake of the Searchers of Art; to the end it might be known, that
one 🜍 is better than another for preparing the aforesaid Gradatory
Water. Nevertheless, the known common _Sulphur_, as well as that of
Wood, is sufficiently conducible to be washed and fixed. More at this
time I have not to advise. In the mean while, if any one be desirous to
Labour, he may ingeniously search out all things fit for his Invention,
and earnestly strive for Riches. For I, without Envy, or close
Concealment, have so openly spoke my mind, as the least blame cannot
justly be imputed to me. But to prevent the Infelicity of thy Error,
my Reader, I could not do better, than I have here done by Writing.
Let it not be tedious to Thee to tread in our Footsteps, and in the
Footsteps of others, so long, as until you can attain to a fortunate
and desirable End; which will Crown your Work: Which Work, by Idleness
and sloath, together with Supine Ignorance, can never be accomplished.
Having communicated these Gratis, every Man may hence satisfie his
Desires so, as not to trouble me further with his Inquiries.
_A COROLLARY._
We, in this small Treatise, have plainly shewed the Way or Method,
by which, every black Volatile and Combustible 🜍 may in the space of
one day be converted, by washing, into a Snow-like Candor, fixed and
rendred constant in Fire.
Also how, in Fixation, the _Aqua Fortis_, being abstracted from the
_Sulphur_, carries with it self the most pure Soul of the _Sulphur_,
renders it fixed and durably permanent in Fire; and besides, that it is
not only a present Remedy for expelling Diseases most grievous in the
humane Body; but also, that it is endued with the Power of transmuting
imperfect Metals into ☉ and ☽, yet particularly only, being destitute
of such ☿, as can sufficiently extend it self in Efficacy.
Likewise we have taught, how to the more gross part of the 🜍, which
remains in the bottom, ingress may be procured for the amending of
Metals with Profit, both in the humid and the dry way.
Lastly, we shewed, how much one 🜍 excels another, and such 🜍 was to
be accounted more excellent which contained in it self pure ☿; and
that especially to be the most excellent, which before Fixation was
judged most venemous; and that for this Reason, _viz._ because every
Supream Venome, after Preparation, will become the highest Medicament;
and that the Melioration of such _Sulphur_ is much more Efficacious,
than common _Sulphur_. Wherefore in this place, I am willing, again
and again, earnestly to commend to the Lovers of Art _Antimony_, Red
_Arsenick_, Yellow _Auripigment_, Ash-coloured _Cobaltum_, _Cakimia_
and _Zinck_, with _Bismuth_; because all these are more excellent than
common _Sulphur_. But he, that elaborates such Subjects, so venemous,
must studiously beware of the evil Fumes arising from them. For as such
a Subject before Preparation is mere Venome, so, in preparing, its
venomous Disposition is more and more increased; but after Preparation,
that which was deadly, now becomes a most Salubrious Antidote or
Treacle, and present Remedy against all kinds of Poisons.
_Note_: Whosoever is desirous to be securely freed from all Peril, him
I would advise, to learn the way of fixing some common 🜍, before he
rashly attempts to invade the Fort of such noxious Venoms.
Therefore, whatsoever we have hitherto taught are not vulgar Matters,
or Arts well known before, but merely great _Arcanum’s_, and those very
lately invented. For, who could believe, that common 🜍, a Substance
easily inflameable and burnable, should in one day be so fixed, as to
be able to remain unhurt against all the force of _Vulcan_? Who could
have persuaded himself, that the most venemous Venoms, as _Cobalt_,
_Arsenick_ and the like, may in one day be Artificially inverted, and
their mortal Venoms converted into Salubrious Antidotes? Lastly, who
could ever have thought, that of the most Volatile Mineral Subjects,
as 🜍, _Antimony_, _Arsenick_, _Auripigment_ and others of that kind,
in the space of one day may be prepared a Tincture (constant in
Fire) for humane and Metallick Bodies? No Man, if we had not in this
small Treatise so evidently demonstrated that, as it may be plainly
understood. Wherefore, as I have formerly said, so I am now ready to
affirm, that I, in this small Treatise, have revealed so great and
admirable _Arcanum’s_, as no Man (as far as the Memory of Man can tell)
hath publish’d any thing more clearly than I, touching such Secrets.
If any one is desirous to Learn, whence so swift a Fixation of
combustible _Sulphur_, or so sudden _Metamorphosis_ of most deadly
Venoms, ariseth; to him, I will now discover the Cause. It is
sufficiently manifest, that Spirit of _Nitre_, as well as _Aqua
Fortis_ distilled from _Vitriol_ and Salt _Nitre_, possess such a
fiery Disposition, by which all combustible and Volatile Minerals are
ripened. And being ripened, they are also fixed; as if fixed things
must of necessity be Mature, and consequently no more noxious or deadly
to Mortals. For whatsoever is rough, crude and immature, the Stomach
of Man cannot digest, but rejects and casts out that, (by which it
may be injured) as Venome: According as is easily discerned in all
_Catharticks_, either Vegetable, Animal or Mineral, which, by reason
of their Crudity, are so great an offence to the Stomach of Man, as
it frees it self from them, either by Vomit or Seidge. And the more
crude and immature Purgers be, the more strongly do they Operate.
Hence usually (by the Prescript of Physicians) Purgers that are too
violent, before they be taken into the Body, are amended by Fire. As
for Example. _Squills_ and _Diagridium_, which too vehemently Purge,
are covered over with Dough and baked in an Oven, for correcting the
excessive Purging property in them, that they may cause Evacuations
more moderate and more safe. _Antimony_ immoderately Purging, is
excocted, or melted in an open Fire with common _Nitre_ and _Tartar_,
by which it is so far corrected, as it Purgeth without vehemency.
The same also is so corrected by spirit of _Nitre_, as it loseth its
purging Property, and instead of its Cathartick Virtue, acquires to it
self a _Diaphoretick_ and _Diuretick_ Property.
Common _Tartar_, taken into the Body, performs the Office of a
_Cathartick_: But the same, when the ripening Heat of the Sun, in the
more hot Regions of the World, hath took from it, its Acidity, and
it, in the Fermentation of Wine, becomes a fiery Spirit, it no more
exerciseth a purging Property, but rather hinders Purgers, and so
amends them, as they cannot Purge with so great vehemence, as they were
wont to manifest, before Correction; as is already demonstrated by
Us, where we treat of the Extraction of purging Vegetables. Therefore
if the common Fire of Coals, and Spirit of Wine, correct Vegetables
and Animals immoderately purging; why should not the most strong Fire
of Salt, such as _Aqua Fortis_ is, correct the most venomous Mineral
Subjects, and be able to transmute the same (deposing their noxious
Qualities) into an Antidote or Treacle?
From all which, it is sufficiently manifest, that in correcting even
the most venomous Subjects, Mineral Spirits of Salt are sufficient;
being such, as can deprive them of all their pernicious Venome,
and change them into salutary Medicaments. Wherefore, I doubt not,
but that the ingenious Reader, by these few things demonstrated,
will sufficiently understand the cause of this sudden Correction or
Fixation of all Volatile and venomous Mineral Subjects. When Ancient
Philosophers, by Poetical Parables, described the laborious Navigation
of _Jason_ to the Island _Colchos_, where resided an huge _Dragon_
vomiting Fire, which, with Eyes never closed, diligently watched the
Golden _Fleece_; they added this, _viz_: that _Jason_ was taught by
his Wife _Medea_, to cast to this waking _Dragon_ an edible _Medicine_
to be swallowed, whereby he should be killed and burst; and that
_Jason_ should presently take the _Dragon_ (thus slain) and totally
submerge him in the _Stygian_ Lake. _Jason_, in this ingenious Fable,
Hieroglyphically represents the Philosophers; _Medea_, accurate
Meditations; the laborious and perillous Navigation, signifies manifold
Chymical Labours; the watching _Dragon_ vomiting Fire, denotes Salt
_Nitre_ and _Sulphur_; and the Golden _Fleece_ is the Tincture or Soul
of _Sulphur_, by the help of which, _Jason_ restored Health to his
Aged Father, and acquired to himself immense Riches. By the Pills of
_Medea_ is understood the Preparation of _Sulphur_ and _Sal Mirabile_.
By the total submersion of the _Dragon_ in the _Stygian_ Lake, is
intimated the Fixation of _Sulphur_ by _Stygian_ Water, that is, _Aqua
Fortis_. Whence, it is sufficiently clear, how obscurely the Ancient
Philosophers did describe their Fixation of 🜍 by _Nitre_, and how
secretly they hid it from the Eyes of the unworthy. But, since I, in
this Treatise, do as clearly as is possible discover all things, know,
that I do it not without Reason. It will be enough for any one, if he
rightly understand the Method of performing such a Fixation.
After any combustible 🜍 hath been fixed by _Aqua Fortis_, or _Aqua
Regis_, and ☉ and ☽ added to it in Fixation, then will that no more
be vulgar ☉ or ☽, being such as cannot again be dissolved in _Aqua
Fortis_, or _Aqua Regis_, nor upon a Cupel have Ingress into ♄, but
passeth as it were into a dry Earth, which can neither be reduced by
_Borax_, nor any other common fluxing Powders into a ductile Body. If
any one be desirous to know this by Experience, let him dissolve 🝳 of ☉
in _Aqua Regis_, and pour this Solution upon a Pound of _Aqua Regis_,
and also put this _Aqua Regis_ upon ℥iiij of Butter of _Antimony_,
and abstract the _Aqua Regis_ thence, Then he will find, that Gold,
which was in the _Aqua Regis_, to have mixed it self Radically with the
_Sulphur_ and _Mercury_ of _Antimony_; so as not only the Butter of
_Antimony_ becomes fixed and irreducible, but it also renders the Gold
so irreducible, as thenceforth it can no more be separated from the
_Antimony_, but remains adhering to it in every Examen: And can only be
subduced by our Secret Salt of Metals, volatilized, or rendred fusile,
and so be introduced into other Metals for their Amendment.
Therefore, if such a destruction of ☉ can be made by _Antimony_, less
than the half of which is 🜍, but the greatest part ☿; how should
the same not be better performed by common 🜍, which is void of all
_Mercury_? I, in all those places where I have taught the Fixation of
_Sulphur_, did always advise, that _Aqua Regis_ to be carefully kept,
which was abstracted from the _Sulphur_; but especially what contained
Gold; because together with the _Aqua Fortis_, the most pure Soul of
_Gold_ and _Sulphur_ ascends, and is as much fixed, (I might say, more)
as that which remains in the bottom. Wherefore, if what I have here
imparted be observed by any Reader, or by none, it shall not trouble
me, but I shall remain well contented, that I have done my Part,
and performed so much, as no Man before me ever did; because I have
openly taught the Method of extracting in a few hours (by the help of
Distillation) from ☉ and 🜍, or from ☉ and _Antimony_, a fixed Tincture.
And these I do willingly communicate to the Searchers of Art.
Some write, that _Miriam_ the Prophetess, and Sister of _Moses_,
knew the Art of elaborating the Tincture in three days, which seems
incredible to many Skilful Writers. But what will envious Persons
judge, when they shall hear, that _GLAUBER_, by a publick Writing,
without any manner of Concealment, hath taught the Method of extracting
a fixed Tincture out of ☉ and _Antimony_, fit to expel all desperate
Diseases out of the humane Body; and this work to be compleated in one
day? Undoubtedly they will exclaim and say: _All are Lyes, and such
things are impossible to be done_. The ignorance and wickedness of
these Men were much more tolerable, if, to their Calumnies, they should
also add, _Our ignorant Brains persuade amiss_. For did they rightly
know themselves they never would so basely condemn and reprove the
Experience of Others. But what shall I write against such? Nothing, but
the Old Proverb, _Effeminate Men, Effeminate Words_; according to the
Verse,
_Each Bird so sings, as formed is his Bill;
And such as is the Man, so speak he will._
Indeed I would willingly have published more Examples, of the Method of
swiftly fixing _Sulphur_, but I am kept back by very weighty Reasons.
Yet I cannot chuse, but Commemorate these few things thereabout; _viz._
that every 🜍, without the help of external Fire, by a Secret invisible
Fire only, which is added to the combustible 🜍, and left with it for
a small space of Time, in a cold place, becomes as white and fixed,
sustaining all force of Fire, as well as that Fixation, which is made
by _Aqua Fortis_, or his abstraction from the 🜍. Wherefore this cold
Fixation of _Sulphur_, by our Secret cold, and humid Fire (because it
needs no common Fire, no Body, and Head, no Retort with its _Receiver_,
and the like) is to be preferred before the other Fixation by _Aqua
Fortis_. Therefore for this, we give Immortal Praises and Thanks to the
most wise GOD.
If any Reader thinks, I have been too brief, or too obscure in this
Treatise, he may more amply satisfie his Desires from the two following
Tracts, where we treat of the _Mercury_ and _Salt_ of Philosophers;
whereunto we refer every one, that is a studious Inquisitor of Art.
OF THE
MERCURY of Philosophers.
_Mercury_ may easily be extracted not only from all Metals and
Minerals, but also from Animals, and Vegetable Subjects, and of the
same (by the help of Gold) be prepared a true Tincture for all the
three Kingdoms.
We, from the Consent of all true Philosophers, do certainly know,
that ☿ is the most pure part of the three Principles of Metals, and
therefore doth spontaneously adhere to most pure Metals, and always
embraceth them with greater affection, than the impure Metals. As for
Example, _Mercury_ most willingly adheres to its own like ☿; next to
☉; then to ☽; afterwards to ♃, and ♄; and lastly to ♀; but to ♂ most
unwillingly, only because it chooseth rather to mix it self with its
like, than with its unlike. For it is wholly Homogeneal, void of all
Heterogeneal parts; such also are ☉ and ☽. The greatest part of all
other Metals is Heterogeneal, although there is found no imperfect
Metal, which hath not in it self some part Homogeneal; yet so, as
the Metal participates more of the one, than of the other; according
to the Writings of Philosophers. Wherefore, a true Philosopher will
scarcely affirm, that, by the benefit of the Tincture, the whole Body
of imperfect Metals can be transmuted into ☉ or ☽, since so great
Virtue is not insited, even in the Philosophers Stone it self. For
the immature, foul, stinking, combustible and superfluous 🜍 of ♃, ♂
or ♀, cannot, in so short time, as Projection is wont to be made in,
be converted into ☉, although you cast in more than enough of the
Tincture: But as much as the Metal hath of Homogeneity, that is, of
_Mercury_, in it self, so much only is tinged and fixed into Gold, the
Residue not so. Because the Stone separates the Heterogeneal parts,
that is, the superfluous 🜍 burning it self (in the form of _Scoria_)
from the _Mercury_, which it only tingeth into Gold; because it hath no
Communion with those Heterogeneities; as I have daily found, and in the
following Part, where we treat of the _Salt_ of Philosophers, I purpose
to demonstrate more at large.
Now let us see the Method, by which Metallick ☿ may with little Labour
be extracted, not only from
[Sidenote: _VITRIOLUM._]
Metals and Minerals, but also from all Animals and Vegetables. I said,
_With little Labour_, in respect of experienced Men. For in respect of
the Unskilful, it is not a Work of small Labour; but in the Memory of
all Ages it hath been accounted (by all the most experienced _Lovers_
of our _Art_) the _Secret of Secrets_, and the nearest way to come
to the Attainment of the true _Universal Medicine_. Nor will it ever
be of less Esteem, since in the whole Nature of things, a more pure
matter cannot be found, (whereof to make the Stone of Philosophers)
than this only _Mercury_ of Metals. In the mean while, it is easie to
judge, that the _Mercuries_ of Metals differ in themselves notably,
and that one of them is better, and more conducible than another, for
preparing thence a Tincture for Humane and Metalline Bodies. For one
is always better in Colour and Tincture than another. Indeed, by the
external Face, almost no Man is able certainly to know, from what Metal
or Mineral the best _Mercury_ may be had: Yet according to the general
Opinion of Philosophers, the most excellent ☿ is wont to be prepared of
the _Vitriol_ of ♂ and ♀; because these two Metals do most abound with
Tinctures. I, being taught by Experience, am assured, that out of black
Ash-coloured ♄ may be acquired a ☿, as excellently tinged, as from
both those Red Metals, ♂ and ♀. Yet in the mean while I do not deny,
that the ☿ of ♂ and ♀, is impregnated with 🜍, tinging in the highest
degree; as Ancient Philosophers, in these few words, have compendiously
expressed. _Visitaris Interiora Terræ, Rectificando Invenies Occultum
Lapidem, Veram Medicinam._ By which Words, _VITRIOLUM_ [or _Vitriol_]
is expressed; which process is no other, than a Solution of _Mars_ and
_Venus_ prepared by the Labour of Nature. But _Vitriol_ prepared thus
by Nature, is never found so pure and clean, as that which is prepared
of good Steel, and pure ♀, by the help of Oyl of _Sulphur_, or instead
of that, Oyl of _Vitriol_: Because the Native contains more Earthiness,
than that which is made by Art. Now let us return to our _Mercury_.
I think good here, to advise all the Lovers of our Art, not to bend
their thoughts so much upon vulgar ☉ and ☽, as to endeavour out of
them to extract their ☿ and 🜍. Because common ☉ and ☽ are altogether
Homogeneal, and have nothing of Heterogeneity in them; and therefore
difficult to be wrought on. And although they were as easie to be
wrought on as ♂ and ♀; yet it would be no Profit to use them; because
of their greater Price, and also because there is much more Tincture
contained in vile and contemptible ♂, than in ☉ it self. It is true,
this Tincture is not yet fixed, but is volatile, and may easily be
fixed. Wherefore I advise every one to seek ☿ in ♄, and 🜍 in ♂. Upon
☉, in times past, through my Ignorance, I consumed much without any
Profit, and laboured Fruitlesly, until I had consumed some Pounds of
it, to find out for others a more safe Way; which if any one had shewed
me, I would never have laboured in vain. But I was hard to believe,
that they, who were unwilling to use common ☉ and ☽, could prepare an
apt Tincture, for tinging imperfect Metals into Gold. Yet since vulgar
☉ and ☽, do not only give easie Ingress to those Tinctures, which draw
their Original from the 🜍 and ☿ of Philosophers; but do also further
the Fixation of volatile _Mercury_; therefore we cannot well be without
them, in the Composition of the Stone of Philosophers. Let the Lovers
of Art take Cognizance of these few things for their Information.
Now it is necessary to be known, by what Method the ☿ of Philosophers
may most commodiously be extracted from Metals and Minerals, and by
the help of ☉, be duly fixed by Art, into a Tincture for humane and
metallick Bodies.
First, we are not ignorant, that the purest part of Metals, _viz._:
Homogeneal _Mercury_, is tyrannically held Captive in a certain obscure
Prison, by his most inveterate Enemy, superfluous burning _Sulphur_.
Therefore, if any one would unbolt his Chains, and set him free, he
hath necessity to mortifie and annihilate his Enemies, by which he is
so fast bound and imprisoned, before he breaks down the Prison Walls,
and delivers _Mercury_ from Captivity: Which ☿ will also bring forth
with him his natural Brother, _viz._ tinging 🜍. These being at Liberty,
nothing will be wanting to fix them into a Tincture, but the help of
vulgar ☉. But if any one be not satisfied with this short Paraphrase,
let him read either _Sandivogius_, who hath writ an intire Treatise of
such a freeing of Captives; or _Paracelsus_, who, no less eminently
than plainly, hath discovered his mind touching the same.
_Now follows my own Experience, Way and Method, By which I have
several times freed the forementioned Captive, and set him at
Liberty._
Although I have my self extracted the _Mercury_ of Philosophers from
Metals, by such divers Methods, as I mean here to discover; yet I
always found some better than other some. Therefore out of such
Processes, some of which we here subjoyn, every Man may, as best
pleaseth him, take which he thinks most conducible, and proceed in
Operating according to that, until he finds, what GOD shall be pleased
to bestow on him.
_Mercury_ is never to be extracted from hard Metals, before they be
dissolved and unlocked. Unlocked more commodiously they cannot be, than
by the Corrosive Spirits of Salt. Yet since all Corrosives are most
inimical to ☿, they have no Power of making either Living or Running
_Mercury_. Therefore, after Solution, the Corrosives must be mortified
by contrary Salts; such are, Salt of _Tartar_, Spirit of _Urine_,
_Sal Armoniack_, &c. This being done, the Corrosives changing their
Nature wax gentle, and in Distillation permit the ☿ to ascend: Which
otherwise, without Mortification of the Corrosive, would not happen, as
you will learn by the following Processes.
Therefore, since it is most certain, that Metals are to be dissolved,
before ☿ (by the help of Resusoitating Salts) can be distilled thence;
we will first exhibit the Method, by which ☿ may be extracted from such
Metals, as Nature presents to us already dissolved; _viz._ _Vitriol_,
which is no other than _Mars_ or _Venus_, or ♂ and ♀ together,
dissolved by the Universal Acidity. Hence, whosoever will use (in his
intended Work) such _Vitriol_, in which both those Metals are found
highly tinged and dissolved by Nature; he will not need by tedious
Labours to seek out a new Method of dissolving Metals, but may spare
both his Time and Charges. Therefore, now it will be expedient to
teach, how _Mercury_ may be prepared of any common _Vitriol_.
_The Process follows._
Distil from common _Vitriol_, in the usual manner, an Acid Spirit, and
fiery Oyl, with strong fire, according to Art. For in the Spirit is
latent the ☿ of ♂ and ☿, which by Mortifying the Corrosive, may be
brought to light, and made Visible, as follows.
℞. Of _Tartar_, calcined unto Whiteness ℔ i, or ij, which reduced to
Powder, put into a Glass Body, on which set an Head with its Hole and
Tunnel in it, well luted; then apply a Receiver, and lute the Junctures
exactly. When the Body and Head is placed in warm Sand, through the
Tunnel, at one time pour on about one or two _Lotones_ of the sharp
Spirit of _Vitriol_, upon the _Tartar_ calcined; whence will be caused
so great Ebullition, as by its own proper Power the Spirit will ascend
from it. This Duel or Fermentation being ended, again pour in some
Ounces of that Spirit; which also leave, till all the Ebullition
ceaseth. Afterward reiterate the like injection, until that Acidity
contends no more with the _Tartar_: Which will be an Argument, that
the Salt of _Tartar_ is sufficiently mortified. When you see this,
administer Fire, and by Degrees draw forth all Humidities, untill the
Vessel and Matter is Red hot. The Water that ascended (which in Taste
will be almost like Spirit of _Urine_) must be rectified; in which
Rectification the ☿ of the _Vitriol_ ascending, is rendred more subtile
and more pure. This pure _Mercurial_ Water bears in it self invisibly
contained, a living Metallick _Mercury_, which is made conspicuous thus,
_The Conjunction of Philosophick =Mercury= with Gold._
Dissolve common ☉ in a sharp _Aqua Regis_, and separate the dissolved
from the undissolved. Then leisurely, and at times, drop after drop,
pour of your subtile Mercurial Water upon the Solution of ☉, so long,
as until the Spirit of the _Mercury_ hath no more Action upon the
Solution of Gold, but ceaseth, and all the ☉ shall be precipitated
from the Water. In which Precipitation, the ☉ attracts to its self the
_Mercury_ of the _Vitriol_, from the Mercurial Water, in such a manner,
as it settles to the bottom of the Vessel, in the form of Slime, or
a yellow Powder. Let the Precipitate be filtred through brown Paper,
that the _Saline_ Water may pass through; and the precipitate ☿ remain
in the Filter mixt with the Gold; which must be very well washed with
sweet Water, and, being edulcorated, dryed. This being done, you will
have the ☿ of _Vitriol_ united with the ☉: Both which will suffer
themselves to be fixed into a true Tincture, for Humane and Metallick
Bodies, as follows.
_The Fixation of =Mercury= with Gold._
_Note_: Before the _Mercury_ is put in to be fixed with the Gold,
it must be proved, whether it be duly prepared, or not. For if the
Mercurial Water was rightly prepared, it will contribute _Mercury_
enough to the Gold; by which ☿ the precipitated Gold is so augmented,
as tis no more common ☉. But if the Mercurial Water was not
legitimately prepared, and consequently could not contribute much ☿ to
the ☉, the Gold will remain poor, and, as soon as it is sensible of
any heat, will fulminate, like any other fulminating Gold, and so be
altogether unfit for Fixation, being destitute of a tinging ☿, which
should have converted the whole Body of ☉ into Tincture. Wherefore,
after Precipitation of the ☉ and ☿, you must make a small part of the
Precipitate hot, in a very small Crucible, for Tryal, whether it be fit
to be fixed. For if it fulminates, like fulminating ☉, it is a sign
your Mercurial Water was not perfect, and could not give unto the Gold
☿ enough. But if after it shall be Red hot in the Fire, it comes forth
with a delicate purple Colour; it is to be supposed, the ☉ hath imbibed
☿ enough, and they both be fixed together into one Tincture.
_Note_: Beware of too strong a Fire. For this way the _Mercury_ will
leave the Gold untouched, and fly away; so as, thence you can have no
certain Tryal. Therefore, in all parts of the Work proceed Warily and
Prudently. The Fixation of ☿ with ☉ is thus made:
_The Fixation of the =Mercury= of ♂ and ♀, into one Tincture._
℞. So much as you have ready prepared of this our _Mercury_ impregnated
with Gold, although there be no more of it, than half a _Loton_: For
here no great quantity is desired. Put it into a small Glass Phial,
which place in hot Sand; yet take heed, you give no stronger Fire, than
your Volatile Bird can bear. This Fire you must continue in a moderate
degree for some Weeks: For by that means, your _Mercury_ will by
little and little, be able to brook the Fire, adhere to the Gold, and
convert the same into Tincture. But if any one, contrary to the serious
Interdiction of all Philosophers, make too much haste, and persuade
himself, he may in a shorter space of time acquire the Tincture; his
_Mercury_ will fly away, and leave the Gold pale behind it; because the
☿ in its flight substracts the Colour of the ☉, and carries it away
with it self. Therefore, in Fixing there is need of Patience. Hence all
Philosophers advise, not to be hasty. For Festination proceeds from the
Devil. Wherefore, let every one so far study his own Good, as to be
obedient to this Admonition.
_Note_: There are also other ways, or Methods, of fixing ☿ with ☉; but
he doth very foolishly, who, when no necessity urgeth, will prostrate
all things together and at once, at the feet of Swine. Whomsoever GOD
will be pleased to assist, he may triumph in the highest help; but whom
GOD doth not assist, even the most plainly prescribed Method cannot
help him. For all our help depends on the divine Blessing.
_How to prove, whether =Mercury= be Legitimately prepared, and
whether it can give forth the Tincture of Metals._
℞. Of the Mercurial Water above described, and mortifie it by a
contrary Acidity, as Oyl of _Vitriol_, or Spirit of _Salt_. Then the
_Mercury_ will precipitate it self, in the form of an Ash-coloured
Powder, which if you edulcorate, and grind with Oyl of _Tartar_, you
will vivifie. If any one be minded, he may also distil the same by
Retort, and so examine it.
_A Tryal, or Proof, whether the =Mercury= of Metals be so well
prepared, as of it with ☉ may be made a Tincture._
℞. A little of that, _viz._ the quantity of a Pea, and put it upon a
Silver Plate, then over the Fire permit the _Mercury_ to be evaporated.
If it tinge the Silver well with a purple Colour, it is fit for the
Work, otherwise it will be of no Value. Also, this ☿ may be digested
with the filings of ☉, in a due measure or proportion mixed, and so
fixed. But this Fixation, as well as the former, require along time,
and so much Patience, as all Festination must be laid aside. Whosoever
is so covetous, as he cannot wait till the Fruits are Ripe; he would
be better advised, if he abstained from so great a Work, than to set
about it to his own Damage. I have often prepared this _Mercury_, and
put it to be fixed; but because I could not look to it my self with
my own Eyes, I was constrained to commit the Governance of the Fire,
to the Industry of another, and then it succeeded unhappily. And when
by reason of my Age, and imbecillity of Body, I was wholly uncapable
to take in hand a Work of so great moment, I communicated the Method
to some of my intimate Friends, with this Condition, _viz._ that they
should elaborate it themselves. But because in that Operation, they
could not acquire so much ☿ as they desired, they desisted, and would
not proceed to the Compleatment of the Work. Hence I was moved rather,
by Printing, to divulge so Royal a Work, than to let it be buried with
me: Although I was difficultly brought to an hearty Assent, to yeild to
the Revelation of _Arcanum’s_, of so great moment, to this Malignant
and unfaithful World.
_The way of Preparing a tinging =Mercury= out of =Antimony=._
℞. Of _Antimony_, _Saltpeter_, and _Tartar_, of each ℔ j. Which, first
pulverized and mixed, put into a Crucible, and kindle the Mixture with
a Coal; when the Fulmination ceaseth, melt it, and pour it out into a
Cone. After it is cooled, separate the _Regulus_ from the _Scoria_’s;
which reduce to Powder, and dissolve by boyling in Water. So doing, you
will have a Red _Lixivium_; upon which if you add (about half its own
weight of) _Salarmoniack_ pulverized, and put the Mixture into a Glass
Body, (which must not be above half full, because it riseth easily)
with it’s Head and Receiver well luted, and then subminister Fire for
Distillation; a certain most subtile volatile Spirit will ascend, in
which the ☿ of _Antimony_ is latent: Which, in a Solution of ☉ may
be precipitated, edulcorated, dryed, and then proved and fixed, as
above we taught of the _Mercury_ of _Vitriol_. _Antimony_ yeilds much
more ☿, than _Vitriol_; and it is also made more easily than it; and
therefore to be preferred far before it; but especially, because the
Ancient Philosophers did for the most part use this ☿ of _Antimony_,
for preparing their Tincture.
_Note_: If any one desire a more excellent ☿ of _Vitriol_, than That
above described by Us; he, instead of the _Lixivium_ of _Antimony_, may
use a _Lixivium_ of _Salt_ of _Tartar_, and thence extract _Mercury_
by the help of Oyl of _Vitriol_; so he will have some thing more
excellent, than can be made of a Common _Lixivium_.
_The way of Preparing out of ♂ and ♀ a tinging =Mercury=, by the
help of Resuscitative Salts only, without any Corrosives._
Among all Resuscitative Salts, _Tartar_ obtains the principal place;
the next to which is Salt of _Urine_, which is no other, than such a
Volatile _Tartar_ as passeth into this kind of Salt, from Wine, Beer,
Bread and other Foods taken into the humane Body. Almost of the same
kind, is the Soot of Chimneys, being the Volatile Salt of Wood. Also a
like Volatile Salt you shall find in Blood, Hairs, Horns and Hoofs of
Animals. Even so, almost a like _Salarmoniack_ is prepared of Blood,
Urine and Soot. In like manner, in Eggshels is insited an efficacious
Resuscitative Salt. These and the like Salts are endued with a Virtue
converting Metals into _Mercury_, after they are dissolved. For
volatile Salts are not so efficacious, as to dissolve Metals: Yet
_Tartar_ is endued with so great Power, as it can dissolve some Metals
easie to be dissolved, as ♂, ♀ and ♄, and thence may the Mercury be
extracted by Distillation; especially if a little Kitchin Salt be
added, or (which is more conducent) _Salarmoniack_, to comfort it.
Also instead of ♂ and ♀, common _Vitriol_ only may be used; and thence
_Mercury_ distilled by the help of volatile Salts.
_Now follows the Process._
℞. ℔ vj. Of _Vitriol_, to which, dissolved in Urine, add of
_Salarmoniack_ ℔ j. Crude _Tartar_ ℔ ij. Salt of _Tartar_ ℔ iiij.
Distil from these, in a strong Glass Body, a subtile Mercurial Water;
which, according to the Method prescribed, may be made Corporeal, and
with Gold be fixed into a Tincture. This way of proceeding is very
easie, and of little Charge; so as it will fully satisfie the desire
of those, who are contented with so much only, as may be acquired by
the benefit of Glass Bodies. But those, whose greedy desire cannot be
satisfied with little, may distill this Mixture in a Brass or Copper
_Vesica_, untill they have quantity enough to suffice them: Yet with
this Caution, that they use no _Alembick_, or _Refrigeratory_ made of
Copper, but of Lead, or (which is better) of Tin; and that because our
Mercurial Water easily corrodes the Copper, and thence contracts to it
self a Greenness: But in ♄ or ♃ doth not so. But if any one refuseth
to be at the Charge of a Tin _Refrigeratory_, he may use his Copper
Vessels. For although the Spirit corrodes the Copper, and contracts a
blewish Colour, yet this Colour in Rectifying abides in the bottom,
and the ☿ is nothing the worse. Indeed, this way a greater quantity is
acquired, than needs; unless the Operator be more greedy than a Wolf.
But it is not the part of a good Philosopher, to covet more than is
needful. If any one be desirous to prepare an abundance of Mercurial
Water, either by some such way as this, or by another certain Mixture
of Salts, him we have now, as it were, led by the hand, through
Processes more difficult, to proceed in these. For _Tartar_ alone will
be sufficient for such an Use. What seek you? The Feces of Wine burnt
will do the same; so as the Lover of Art, with almost no other Trouble
and Charge, may extract the _Mercury_ of Metals by Resuscitative Salts.
_The way of Preparing =Mercury= out of Metals and Minerals, by the
benefit of =Tartar= only, without any other Salts._
℞. Filings of Steel ℔ j. _Tartar_ ℔ ij. Common Water ℔ xx. If by
strong boyling by _Alembick_ in Sand, you distil thence all the Water;
the _Tartar_ in that boyling dissolves the ♂, and so will Volatilize
the _Mercury_ set at Liberty, in such wise, as it will ascend with
the Water, like a subtile Spirit; which, (concentrated and made
fit by Rectification) either by a Solution of ☉, or by some other
contrary Acidity, is rendred Corporeal, according to the Method above
shewed. If any one, to as much _Tartar_ as he hath, take half so much
_Salarmoniack_, the _Tartar_ so much the more readily preys upon the ☿,
also much more _Mercury_ issueth thence, than by _Tartar_ only.
_Note_: But since this way, in one Distillation, but little _Mercury_
ascends, such an Operation may be performed in a large _Vesica_; yet
with this Caution, _viz._ that the _Alembeck_ and _Refrigeratory_
be not made of Copper, but of Tin or Lead. This way of Operating by
a _Vesica_ will be of great use, especially for such covetous Men,
as cannot be content with few things; but always labour with the
perpetual Poverty of an unsatiable Spirit; although, they more than
sufficiently abound with the fulness of all desireable things. For he
is only Rich, who is always content with his present Fortune.
_The way of Preparing =Mercury= of =Saturn=, by =Tartar= only._
℞. One or two ℔. of the Raspings or Filings of _Saturn_, upon which
pour fifteen, or twenty ℔. of strong Vinegar of Wine, and mix therewith
a little pulverized _Tartar_. But the Vinegar _per se_ should be
impregnated with no small quantity of _Tartar_. Which _Tartar_, if you
distil with the Mixture, the Phlegm in Distillation carries over with
it self a subtile Mercurial Spirit; which must be separated from the
Phlegm, in manner as we above taught. The Solution of ♄ will remain
in the bottom. Thence also, by the help of Salt of _Tartar_, ☿ may be
extracted by Retort; yet it is not so good as the other, which ascended
in the form of a subtile Spirit.
_The way of Preparing =Mercury= of =Antimony=, by the help of
=Tartar= only._
℞. Some Pounds of strong _Antimonial_ Red _Lixivium_, (made of
_Antimony_ duly, decrepitate and melted with _Tartar_ and _Nitre_)
which put into a Glass Body set in Sand, as we above taught, in
treating of the Fixation of 🜍: Afterward, through the Tunnel, leisurely
and at times, pour upon the _Lixivium_ most strong Wine Vinegar, until
both (_viz._ the _Lixivium_ and Vinegar) cease to Act upon each other.
This being done, if by Distillation you separate all the Humidity, the
Sulphureous Spirit of _Antimony_, will ascend in the form of a subtil
Spirit, smelling like _Sulphur_: Which after Rectification, either with
a Solution of ☽ or ☉, becomes Corporeal, and so habile, as it may be
converted into a fixed Tincture.
_The Method of Distilling a tinging Mercurial Spirit from Metals
another way._
We above shewed, that from Metals most firmly compact, a tinging 🜍 and
☿ could not be extracted, unless the Metals be first dissolved, or
mortified; and that in such Mortification, there is a Spirit so apt to
be associated, as, in the very hour of Mortification, it lays hold of,
and carries up with it self, the ascending Spirit, or Soul of Metals.
Yet among all, pure Spirit of Wine well dephlegmated, I judge best;
because in abstraction it carries over with it self the most pure 🜍
and ☿ of Metals, and leaves the Gross dead Body behind in the bottom;
so as, such _Mercury_, as you shall draw forth in distilling by Spirit
of Wine, will be much purer, and more Virtuous in Tinging, than the
other, which you distil off by common Water only; and that for this
especially, _viz._ because this Spirit, which is extracted by Spirit of
Wine, from more pure is rendred most pure by Rectification. Which is
a thing impossible to be effected, where the Sulphureous ☿ of Metals
shall ascend by the help of common Water; because then the Water only,
in Rectification, is distilled off, but the 🜍 remains in the bottom,
in form of a Red Powder: And the other, which is sublimed by Spirit of
Wine, and afterward by Rectification subtilized to an higher degree,
and meliorated in its tinging Virtue, is not only in _Medicine_, but
also in the Melioration of Metals, Gems, and the more ignoble pretious
Stones, an hundred fold more efficaciously conducent to tinge them to
a Constancy, than the former, which, in distilling, ascends by Water
only; and by Rectification cannot be exalted, or multiplyed in its
Virtue, so well as the other, made by Spirit of Wine. That Sulphureous
☿, which ascends by help of Spirit of Wine, is endued with so subtil
and penetrative Power, as to it in the Vessel is given such Ingress, by
which Metals and Gems are tinged with a more constant and durable Red,
or Yellow Colour, than can be annihilated or impaired by any Corrosive
Waters, or by the violence of Fire; especially if it be distilled from
apt tinging Subjects, as the _Vitriol_ of ♂ and ♀, or from _Antimony_.
Of which I suppose enough is now spoken.
Therefore, if any one be desirous of knowing more touching this Matter,
him (for his further and more clear Information of the same) I refer to
the Seventh Part of our _Spagyrick Pharmacopœa_; where he will find, we
have prolixly taught, touching the extraction of Tinctures, from Red
Corals, and other tinging Subjects.
_The way of making good Mercury of =Saturn= and =Luna=._
℞. Of ♄, or ☽, ℔ j. which, dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_, precipitate with
Salt-water, edulcorate the Calx with Sweet-water, and dry it. When
dryed, mix with it a fourth part of our 🜍 fixed unto Whiteness. Distil
from the Mixture in a coated Retort its ☿ with strong Fire; which
notwithstanding will not be living ☿, but, in the form of a Sublimate,
will adhere to the Neck of the Retort, in weight heavy, and to the
Taste of the Tongue very sharp. Indeed there will not be so great a
quantity of it, as some may desire, yet it is worthy of the highest
Estimation. For in a Cold Cellar it is easily dissolved, and becomes a
strong Mercurial Water, which dissolves all Metals. This Water prepared
of ♄ joyns it self (with an incredible Love) with the Soul of ♂; and
suffers it self to be fixed with it into Tincture; This Water prepared
of ☽ readily dissolves Gold, and with it passeth into Tincture. The
Reason, why, I in Distillation, mix fixed 🜍 with the ♄ or ☽, is this:
Since both these Subjects, precipitated, as we above mention, with
Salt-water, are very fusile and penetrating, easily melt together into
one, and in Distillation yeild no ☿. Nor can Sand or Earth prevent this
Fluxion. Wherefore, I could find nothing more conducible, than our
white fixed _Sulphur_.
_The way of Preparing =Mercury= of =Jupiter=._
_Jupiter_ gives forth from it self, a most excellent _Mercury_, in
form of a subtil Spirit; which, above all other _Mercuries_, is most
earnestly beloved and attracted by Gold. For if but a very small
quantity of it be put into any Solution of Gold, it in a moment draws
to it self all the Gold from the sharp _Aqua Regis_, and together
with it settles to the bottom, like a purple Powder. This is the best
Precipitation of ☉, when you shall extract it with _Aqua Regis_ from
Sand and Stones: Because, by this Precipitation, the _Aqua Regis_ may
be used again for extracting ☉ from Sand and Stones, as you may more
amply read in our Seventh Part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, where
we have plainly writ touching this kind of Extraction. But in another
manner, may be prepared as powerful a Mercurial Water from all Metals,
by the help of my Secret _Sal Armoniack_, which, by _Paracelsus_ and
_Helmont_, is called the Liquor _Alcahests_ touching which, I have
largely treated in the Seventh Part of my _Spagyrick Pharmacopæa_,
where he who loves so great Gifts of GOD, may satisfie his Appetite to
the full.
_Behold, I present thee another way, by which, without any Charge
or Expense of Money, you may easily prepare as much of the
Philosophick ☿, as you will._
I would not have you to suppose, I here insert this so stinking
a Process, to the end you should follow this, rather than the
before-mentioned; but I add this, that the common sort of Men, simple
and poor, may see, that they may, by such a Method as this, suppress
their Poverty, and attain to the Acquisition of so noble an universal
_Medicine_, as well as any other of the great and mighty Men of the
World, by their ample Fortunes.
Whosoever is but a little Skilled in _Chymistry_, well knows, that
every 🜍 and ☿ arise from one only Original; and that the _Sulphur_ in
Herbs, and also that in Animals, is of no less Virtue, than the other
in Metals, Fixation only excepted. For as this in Metals is found more
fixed than that in Minerals, so the Mineral 🜍 is more fixed than the
Animal, and Vegetable. The same is to be judged of _Mercury_. But that
we may wander no further, but return again to our Purpose, and clearly
prescribe the Method of _Preparing an universal Medicine, of Humane
Urine and Dung_, I will very briefly discover the Process in these
following Words.
℞. A good quantity of humane Dung and Urine, collected in some
capacious Vessel, and (after they have stood together about a Month,
and when the _Salt_ shall be exactly united with the _Sulphur_, and
_Mercury_ by Fermentation) from thence, by an _Alembick_ in _Balneo_,
distil the Mercurial Sulphureous Spirit; which indeed will be very
subtil, but smell strong. Yet after Rectification, as we have taught,
it may be conjoyned with a Solution of Gold, and, by moderate heat, be
gradually fixed into an universal _Medicine_, for Humane and Metallick
Bodies.
_Note_: The aforesaid Stink vanisheth so soon as the _Aqua Regis_ hath
Access. Wherefore, those Philosophers who have laboured in Matters
of evil and strong Smells, did always speak of suffocating their
venemous Dragon in _Stygian_ Waters. But among all Philosophers, that
ever I read, I find no Man more excellently to have writ, touching
this matter, than the _Philosopher Neusementius_, in a certain small
Treatise of his, intituled, _Of the Salt and Spirit of the World_;
where he so explains the Table of _Hermes_, as he renders it most
worthy to be Read; because he hath so very prolixly, and largely,
with exquisit study and diligence, explained all things whatsoever,
the laudable _Hermes_, in very few Words, left to Posterity in his
_Smaragdine_ Table.
_A COROLLARY._
Although I have, in this small Tract, so largely and clearly treated
of Preparing the _Mercury_ of Philosophers, as it seems altogether
needless to trouble the Reader, with a further Paraphrase; since
from him, I have not concealed any Methods of manual Operation, but
have so revealed all things necessary to be known, as he (who, only
seeking the bare Letter of the prescribed Method, knows not how to
elaborate his own intended Work) may rather be accounted a Man of a
dull Capacity, than a Chymical Operator: Yet since unto all insatiable
Sons of Avarice, according to this my Description, there seems to be
too small a part of _Mercury_ extracted, I (for the sake of those also)
will demonstrate yet another Method, by which they may obtain a larger
quantity of good tinging ☿, than from Metals can be gained. But first
it is required, that every one, who will exercise himself in this kind
of Labour, should shew himself a diligent Operator, shunning no Pains:
Know, that Vulgar _Mercury_ may easily be so prepared by Art, as to
be as much conducent for Tinging, as the _Mercury_ of Metals. Yet
they must first procure Tincture to it, by tinging Metals, as by ♂, ♀
and _Antimony_. For, of its own proper Nature, it hath no Tincture at
all in it self; but it must necessarily receive the same from other
Metals, (in which GOD and Nature cooperating have insited it) before
it can exercise the Power and Faculty of Tinging. But which way such a
Tincture may commodiously be taken, and acquired from certain Stones
tinged by Nature, or from certain Metallick, and Mineral Subjects,
hath been by me, in various places of my Writings, so frequently
mentioned, as I judge it not necessary to Discourse further thereabout
in this place. But here, I will freely expose to publick view the way
of Preparing vulgar ☿ so, as it may be able to extract Tinctures from
Metals, Minerals and Stones.
℞. Common _Mercury_ ℔ j. Which as soon as you have dissolved in _Aqua
Fortis_, mortifie the _Aqua Fortis_ by pouring on Spirit of _Urine_,
and when you shall by Retort, in hot Sand, have abstracted thence
all the unprofitable Water, and administred a stronger Fire, the
_Mercury_ will sublime it self in the Neck of the Retort, white in
Colour, but discovering no singular _Acrimony_ upon the Tongue. Such a
sublimate as this, is easily dissolved by help of common Water. This
_Mercurial Water_ is endued with a power of extracting Tinctures from
Metals, Gems, and other more ignoble Stones. In which very Work, even
_Proserpina_, the Wife of _Pluto_, will scarce elaborate any thing more
excellent: Therefore, when this ☿ hath drawn so much Blood from the
_Red Lyon_, as it no longer remains White, but becomes totally Red;
then indeed it hath acquired the Melioration of one higher degree; but
as yet, it is able to work no Miracles in Tinging. Now, that it may
be exalted to so great Perfection, as to be admirably efficacious in
Transmutation; this Red _Mercury_ must again be vivified, and again (as
we taught above) mortified; and if this Labour be repeated seven, nine,
or twelve times, it will be sufficiently impregnated with Tincture.
This being done, you have nothing else to do, but to fix this tinging
_Mercury_ into a fusile Red Stone, which will thenceforth perform
the same (yea perhaps more) in the Transmutation of Metals, than the
_Mercury_ of Metals it Self.
Although, I have here revealed the Melioration of common _Mercury_;
yet, I am fully persuaded, no Man will readily set himself about its
Preparation, nor adventure, by Tryal, to experience the truth of this.
For commonly, every good thing is disesteemed, if it want external
Splendor. Some years ago, I did earnestly, and highly commend to some
of my most loving Friends, the Exaltation of common _Mercury_; yet no
one of them took so much notice thereof, as ever to set his hand to
the Work. Wherefore no Man needs to fear, that Art will be made too
common, although I had published the same, described even with a _Solar
Ray_. Indeed, I intended to have divulged more, touching such sublimate
_Mercury_, as may be dissolved with common Water, _viz._ how many other
famous Works may be performed with it, besides the Transmutation of
Metals; but for brevity sake, I here desist at present: Yet after a
little while, (if GOD permit) I will elsewhere treat of the same. In
the mean time, let the loving Reader kindly accept of these: For hence
he may be assured of the possibility of exalting common ☿ so far, as
to be equal in Virtue to the _Mercury_ of Metals: In which Assertion
every studious Artist may safely confide, and persuade himself, that I
here give no other Testimony, than I have learned by my own Experience
oftentimes.
OF THE
Salt of PHILOSOPHERS.
_How, and whence, That is Prepared, and of what use It is in
=Medicine= and =Chymistry=._
Those our venerable Ancestors, the ancient Philosophers, have indeed
copiously written many things, touching this Third Part of the
Principle of Metals, _viz._ _Salt_: Yet so very obscurely, as it is
almost impossible for a Man to learn thence, Fundamentally, any thing
of moment: Yea, I might say, it hath happened to very few, to know how,
to prepare the _Salt of Philosophers_, but on the contrary, six hundred
have ruined themselves, and lost all their Fortunes in labouring
thereabout. After, I also had, for some years together, expended great
Labour and Cost, besides what I spent in acquiring both the other
Principles, _viz._ _Sulphur_ and _Mercury_, (which were understood by
me, about two years since) it pleased the most wise GOD at length, also
to reveal to me this most famous _Salt_. Wherefore, I could not refrain
from communicating some thing of it to Posterity, for the Glory of my
GOD, and for divulging his wonderous Works, not doubting, but that
this my Revelation may be of great Concern, to open the Eyes of this
blind World. Because, they may be helped by such a Salt, of which, so
incredible Works may be prepared, as I am now about to write, and are
already sufficiently known to me.
I can unto every Man safely, surely and truly affirm, that whatsoever I
here write, are not the idle Dreams of a vain Man, nor patched together
out of other Books, but true and solid Experiments, which I my self,
with the help of these my hands, have found out. Indeed, I do not here
say, that I could give no credit at all to him, who no long time before
discovered something to me, touching such _Arcanum’s_; but I thought
his Words intimated Paradoxes and Impossibilities; although I had read
Philosophers, who writ: _He that hath the Salt of Metals, hath the
Stone of Philosophers_. I also well know, that the _Salts_ of _Metals_,
according as they been hitherto every where fraudulently presented by
_Pseudo-Chymists_, having no solid Foundation, do not indeed deserve
the name of Salts; being no other, than such _Vitriols_, as by the
sharp Spirits of _Salts_, are prepared of Metals; and are not at all
efficacious to meliorate any of the more vile Metals. On the contrary,
we certainly know, that our more true Salts do so amend all imperfect
Metals, as great and gainful Fruit may be reaped thence, as by the
following shall be clearly made appear. But before we write any thing
of the Use, of this _Royal Salt_, it will be worth while to premise
something briefly, and truly, touching the Preparation of the same.
_Of the Preparation of the =Salt= of =Philosophers=._
Now, that I may, without any wandring Ambages, describe the Method of
Preparing this Salt, which is incomparable and Royal, know in very
deed, that this Salt is no other, than common (but rightly prepared)
Oyl of _Vitriol_, Coagulated by white fusible _Sulphur_ into a sweet
Salt, which impresseth not on the Tongue, the least Saline savour; but
rather seems to be a Stone than Salt, although fusible, like any other
liquid Salt. But how that Oyl of _Vitriol_, or Universal Acidity, may
be changed into such a wonderful Stone, not Corrosive, I purpose not to
divulge. It is enough for me positively to affirm, it may be done.
Whosoever desires to know more of it, let him implore the help of GOD,
and peruse the Writings of Philosophers, that if he be worthy of this
divine Gift, he may be helped; if he be not worthy, I cannot help him.
For as I acquired that, not without praying and seeking; so also, must
every other Man resolve to do: Because, no Man shall ever get more out
of me, than what I here have willingly discovered for publick Good. Now
follows
_The incredible Virtue and Efficacy, which this wonderful Salt
manifests in Preparation of Tinctures, for exalting all Metals
and Minerals to the perfection of Gold._
Although it is before said, that Salt, or the Stone of Philosophers, is
only prepared of Acid _Vitriol_; yet I thought it necessary also, here
to publish, that Oyl of _Vitriol_ may be prepared divers ways, so as
one or another may prepare it this way or that way, as he pleaseth. For
the common and vulgarly known Oyl of _Vitriol_, suffers it self (by the
help of _Sulphur_) to be easily transmuted into a Sweet Stone: Because
_Sulphur_ alone is endued with Power of edulcorating all Corrosives,
and of Coagulating them into such a Stone, or Salt, by the benefit
of which, Wonders may be done, both in _Medicine_ and _Alchymy_.
Philosophers do indeed persuade us, that, out of _Vitriol_, an Oyl of a
Blood-Red-Colour may be extracted by Art, with which, White Metals may
be tinged into Red: But the way of Preparing this, they described not.
This is that, which is most studiously sought by the Adorers of the
Chymical Art, but hath hitherto been found by very few; and therefore
is generally thought, by almost all Inquisitors, to be impossible,
whatsoever Philosophers have writ thereabout, and how clearly, and
plainly soever described it. _Basil Valentine_ doth, with _Paracelsus_,
call this our Oyl of _Vitriol_ tinged with a Red Colour, the Blood of
the _Green Lyon_; but _Bracesus_, the Wood, or Tree of Life; _Virgil_,
a Bough, or Branch, plucked by _Proserpina_’s help from the concealed
Tree: Also, _Ovid_ useth divers other Expressions, in the Description
of this Tincture.
This Red Oyl suffers it self to be Coagulated into a Stone, not
Corrosive, as well as the Common Oyl: But this Coagulate is totally
Red, and the other is White only. Therefore, there is a necessity,
that the difference of both be known. For of both these, what the
White is able to do, the Red cannot do; and what the Red can effect,
is impossible to be performed by the White. That Red Oyl tingeth white
Metallick Bodies into Gold, and so tingeth white Chrystals into Gems
of all kind of Colours, (according to the Operators Pleasure) as, in
Elegancy, they become altogether like to the Native. But the White
tingeth not, because it self wanteth Tincture, which notwithstanding
may be procured to it: Yet it extracts the Tinctures from all
precious, and more ignoble Stones, and by them is so tinged, as it is,
thenceforth able to tinge white Metals into Gold, and white Chrystal
into beautiful Stones of every Colour, and that with as excellent
Splendor, as their Brother, the Ruby, enjoys. In a Word, our Salt of
Metals, or Stone of Philosophers alone, and _per se_, is so great a
particular Ruler throughout the whole Kingdom of _Chymistry_, as by
amending, it transmutes all imperfect Metals into Gold, and common
Stones into precious: Yet unto it, is denied Ingress into Vulgar ☿.
But the fixed ☿ of Metals will abundantly perform that; as is before
abovementioned. Now, as touching this _Mercury_, which those imperfect
Metals, _viz._ ♄ ♃ ♂ and ♀, contain in themselves, our _Sulphur_ is
so very fit for tinging that, as, for that purpose, there is no need
of other help. Therefore it is most certain, that the Salt of Metals
obtains Priority in the Chymical _Laboratory_. One thing I am freely
willing to discover, _viz._ this: If any one would take away the
fixed Tincture, or tinging Soul from precious Stones, as _Granates_,
_Rubies_, _Saphires_, _Lazure_ Stones, and other common Stones, and
add to them also, a small part of pure Silver, our Magnetick Salt
will extract the Tincture from the Stone, and at the same moment, in
which it extracts the same, incorporate the added Silver, with the
Tincture, and tinge the same into Gold: So, as it will affect a Man
with admiration to see, that in one and the same Subject, should be
both an attractive, and expulsive Virtue. Perhaps hence, that most
ancient Philosopher _Pythagoras_ drew his Opinion, for he believed such
a Transmigration, and taught, that the Soul, as soon as it passed out
of the mortal Body of Man, it entred into some other near adjoyning
Subject, and there inhabit’d. Indeed they, that labour in Metals and
Stones, do find such a Process; but with the Soul breathing out of the
Body of Man, the matter is far otherwise. For here Bodies are not
required, but Spirits, which at the hour of Death receive the Souls of
dying Men, and convey them to Places by GOD appointed. According as
the Man hath lived, either Well or Ill, so those Spirits will act at
the end of Life, each according to their Office; so as, the Souls of
pious Men shall be received by Spirits of Light; but impious Souls,
by the Spirits of infernal darkness. In the Mortification of Metals
and Minerals, Philosophers also want not their peculiar Spirits, which
receive and transport the flying Souls of Metals and Minerals. Touching
which Transportation of Souls, we made some mention above, where we
treated of the Fixation of Metals. Also [2]this Transduction was highly
esteemed by ancient Philosophers, especially by _Neusementius_, who
said: By this Power, _viz._ _By the Spirit and Salt of the World, we
deliver the Souls of the Dead from the Prison of Hell_. Therefore,
whosoever shall be well Skilled in this kind of operating, he will be
able to do wonders in this Chymical Kingdom of Metals. For if you add
the Spirit and Salt of the World to any Metal dissolved, and by Retort
distil the Mixture, they will carry over with themselves, the most pure
part of the Metal, _viz._ its tinging Soul, and leave nothing behind
in Hell with _Pluto_, but the gross and unprofitable Body. Wherefore,
whosoever can rightly separate that transduced tinging Spirit of
Metals, from the Spirit of the World, he will absolutely be possessed
of a fixed Tincture: Because, that strong transporting Spirit doth also
fix the volatile Soul of Metals, and render it constant in Fire. And,
although that Subject was most volatile, from which the Tincture was
distilled by the Salt of the World, as by one only Distillation from
common _Sulphur_, _Auripigment_, _Cinnabarine Sulphur_, and the like;
yet you will acquire a Tincture, constant in all Fire, not only for
Humane and Metallick Bodies, but also for Gems. So very potent Virtue
is latent, in these abject Subjects, and in the Spirit and Salt of
the World, rejected by the great Troop of proud Men. But the Method
of using such Pearls legitimately, for the Transduction of Metals,
had need to be Sealed up with the Seal of the laudable Philosopher
_Harpocrates_, lest so great a Treasure be cast under the Feet of
sordid Swine. Touching a like _Compendium_ of fixing Volatile Metals,
and Minerals, we (GOD willing) purpose hereafter to teach more at large.
[2] _Transduction._
Now, we having generally understood, what our Salt of Philosophers is
able to perform in the Transmutation of Metals, I judge it not amiss,
to discover; how great, profitable and powerful Faculties, it is also
endued with, even besides the Transmutation of Metals. But here, by the
way it is to be understood, that our Salt of Philosophers is insignized
with many other Names, which ancient Philosophers imposed on it, not
without pregnant Reasons. For, according as they beheld the various
Wonders they were able to perform by the help of that; so they also
gave Names unto it; sometimes, they called it the _Soap of the Wise_;
another time, _Hercules_ or the _Herculean Key_; sometimes, the _Key of
the Philosophers_; &c. and all this by reason of its exceeding great
Potency and Virtue, whereby it always rendred it self worthy of one or
other of these Names. _Why did they call it, the Soap of the Wise?_
Because it renders those Metallick Bodies, which are washed with it,
most purely white. Indeed Washer women have their Soap made of Oyl
and _Lixivium_, with which they wash filthy Garments unto whiteness.
_Leather-Dressers_ use a kind of Soap to cleanse their Skins from all
Impurities. Also, _Fullers_ have their cleansing Earth, with which they
well know, how to purifie their sullied Cloaths. Nor do _Apothecaries_
use their Herbs for Medicaments, before they have washed them in
clean Water. So also, common Chymists so long wash impure Metals, by
dulcified Corrosives, till they pass into ☉ and ☽. But most experienced
Philosophers wash Gold, until it becomes Tincture. Hence is that kind
of Soap, which they use for washing, called the _Soap of the Wise_.
But some may object, saying: I contradict my self; because a little
before, I said, Gold and Silver were Homogeneal, and did not at all
participate of Heterogeniety. To whom I answer. I confess, I did say
so, yet I would be understood, to speak so with reference to those
common and known Waters, with which, otherwise Chymists do generally
work upon their Metals, dissolve them, separate them one from another,
and wash them. Because on Gold and Silver no change falls, but they
always remain in one and the same Essence, according as they are
progenited by Nature, therefore, I said so. And the Reason, why it is
thus, is, because _Aqua Regis_, _Aqua Fortis_, Spirit of _Vitriol_,
or other Corrosive Waters, are not true Keys, endued with the Virtue
of penetrating into the heart of Gold, or of opening the most firm
Closure of the King. For although they do very much corrode Metals,
and dissolve them, yet every Metal remains in its Essence, without
any Separation of parts. But on the contrary, our _Menstruum_ is a
sweet Key, far more conducible, and better than Corrosive Spirits, and
therefore, by Philosophers is not undeservedly called, _the Key of
Philosophers_. For there is nothing so closed, but this can open it.
_Our Royal or Capital Key is a Corporeal Spirit, or a Spiritual Body_,
which, without any injury to it self, passeth not only through Metals,
but also through the hardest Gems, and extracts the fixed Tincture of
them, leaving their Bodies white; which exceeded my comprehension, the
first time I beheld it with my Eyes.
Therefore, as this Spirit is endued with Power of extracting Tincture,
even from any of the hardest _Adamantine_ Stones; so, it is also able
to introduce Tinctures into the most hard Stones; and that by reason
of its penetrative Power. Our principal Key is that _Hercules_, which
cut off the seven Heads of the immense _Hydra_. By such an _Herculean_
fortitude, _Perseus_, the Son of beautiful _Danae_, suffocated the
strong unsatiable Whale or Sea Beast, and freed fair _Andromeda_,
whom he took to Wife. Whosoever desires to know more of these, let
him peruse _Ovid_, in whose _Metamorphosis_ he may find our Key of
Philosophers accurately described. Yet his Words can be understood
only by those, to whom the Art is already known: Otherwise, it will be
impossible, from Fables, to extract the sufficient knowledge thereof.
It is GOD only, that gives light to understand abstruse things; namely,
to those, who fear, love and adore him: More of which, you may find
among pious Heathens, than among the Slanderous Malignant, false,
Christians of this time.
[Sidenote A: _Gold-bearing._]
This Fable of _Ovid_, I explained before some of my intimate Friends;
and besides, before them shewed the Impregnation of _Danae_, _by
Jupiters Golden Shower_: Yet they gave no credit to this Demonstration,
because the thing seemed so vile. Would you hear it? I set a
narrow-mouthed Glass Body, with a flat bottom, upon a Table, and from
above through the small mouth; I poured _Danae_, King _Acrisius_ his
beautiful Daughter, into the Glass or Tower; then, by the Counsel and
help of _Jove_, I formed a Golden shower, which (through the Roof, that
is, through the small mouth of the Glass) I instilled down, into the
Bosom of the aforesaid _Danae_, which she spontaneously received, and
was thereby impregnated, and quickly brought forth her Son _Perseus_;
who afterward, carried upon the winged Horse _Pegasus_, suddenly helped
the fair _Andromeda_ and, freeing her from the Jaws of the Sea Monster,
took her to Wife. Afterward, he slew the strong and unconquered
_Gorgons_, and got the [A]Golden Gardens. If any one looks upon this
Fable, with the right Eye of his understanding, he will find, that
_Ovid_ hath so clearly and perspicuously described our _Hercules_, or
Philosophers _Key_ of _Keys_; that every one, having knowledge of our
Work, in reading this must necessarily be amazed, to see the whole Art
so evidently detected, and as it were exposed to sight. But its being
discerned and understood by so few, must be ascribed to the defect
of their internal Sight, and the darkness of their Sins, in which
they have involved themselves, and are still resolved to abide in.
Therefore GOD, according to his Justice, deservedly permits such Slaves
of Avarice and Pride to stick in perpetual Blindness, to grope for,
and in vain seek, the way of escaping those Evils. For here, the hard
is Softned, the soft is Hardned, the fixed Volatilized, the Volatile
fixed, the Bitter Corrosive dulcified, but the sweet Converted into a
Key, opening all compact Enclosures. More touching so great a Mystery,
I shall not at this time relate. But, to whomsoever GOD shall grant
this principal Universal Key, he may, according to his Hearts desire,
go whither he will, nothing can be able to resist him: For which so
great Benefit we owe thanks and Praise to the most wise GOD, for ever,
_Amen_.
Also _Virgil_, in a few _Heroick Words_, evidently enough describes the
way of preparing our Red Oyl of _Vitriol_. Therefore I thought it worth
while to insert his Words also, that he, to whom GOD shall give the
Blessing, may the better understand the occult meaning of the Poet.
_Consider first, what here is to be done.
A Golden Branch, with Leaves of Gold thereon,
Upon a Tree concealed groweth. This
To the infernal =Juno= sacred is:
But the whole Grove, with dismal shades of Night,
Obscure and keep the same from Humane sight.
And till some one shall take down from the Tree
This =Golden Branch=, there can no Entrance be
Into Earths Caverns. =Beauteous Proserpine=
Ordained hath, that this rare Gift divine
Shall brought be unto her. No sooner is
The first =Branch cropt=, but in the place of this
A second Sprouts, and that most pure and fine,
As did the first, with =Golden= leaves will shine.
Therefore first view it well; when rightly known
This =Branch= is unto Thee, then with thy own
Hand crop the same: For it will follow Thee,
If Thou by =Fates= for this Work chosen be.
If otherwise, no Humane violence,
Nor strength of Iron, force it can from thence._
_Virgil_ here calls _Vitriol_, a concealed, that is, a shadowed Tree;
adding, that by the help of _Proserpina_, _Pluto_’s Wife, but one
Branch can be cropped by him, whom Fortune shall favour; and that it
is willing to be plucked off by any Skilful Man desirous of the same.
Such a Branch is consecrated to _Juno_, &c. We know _Juno_, according
to Poetical Fictions was the Wife and Sister of _Jupiter_, but
_Proserpina_ the Daughter of _Jupiter_ and _Ceres_, or (as some say)
of _Isis_, whom _Pluto_ the God of Hell stole away from her Parents
and married her. From all which it clearly appeareth, that this Golden
Branch sprouting in the green Tree of _Vitriol_, could not be cropped,
or obtained without _Proserpina_’s help. Therefore if any one would
crop such Golden Boughs from like shadowed Trees, he must learn to
know _Proserpina_, and consult with her; because she only can profit
him, and prevail with her Husband, to wax the more hot in his infernal
Sweating stove, that thence into another place may ascend a Spirit or
Oyl of a Blood-Red-Colour.
But this is to be considered accurately, lest this Work, like many
other of our Undertakings, be frustrated. Therefore GOD is to be prayed
to for his Blessing: for if the Benediction of GOD be not present, all
endeavour will be vain; as I have more than once experienced. Although
I did demonstrate our helper _Proserpina_, to some of my loving
Friends, and taught them how to obtain and rightly use her; yet they
were all destitute of so good Fortune, as to elaborate it as it should
be elaborated: Yet at length more accurately hitting the Mark, their
work succeeded happily twice or thrice, but never afterward.
From which, being so evident, it is plain enough, that such _Arcanum’s_
are so preserved by the All-seeing Eye of the Divine Providence, as it
is never permitted to all Operators promiscuously, that every of them
should attain to the highest Science, and thenceforth the Good given
be perniciously abused. Wherefore, although one Man communicate any
famous Secret to another; yet, if GOD be not favourable, he can never
prepare the same, but shall lose his Labour and Charges, spend his time
unprofitably, and instead of a Golden Harvest, reap nothing but Trouble
and Grief.
Hence they drew their Original, who writ of the Secret ripening
Fire. _Our Fire, before Coagulation, always burns in our Glass, but
externally not._ It is sufficiently manifest, that Philosophers, by
their _Secret Fire_, understood Oyl of _Vitriol_; and that their Fire,
is only Fire before Coagulation; after that, no more so, but a sweet
Ripening Stone. Therefore they add, that before Coagulation it is Fire,
but after Coagulation not so. Aptly with this agrees that Writing of
ancient Philosophers. _Visitabis Interiora Terræ, Rectificando Invenies
Occultum Lapidem Veram Medicinam._ To which Monument of ancient
Philosophers, we may fitly subjoyn this sutable Poesie, making for our
present Purpose, and expressing the same in few Words.
_Dissolve the Fixt, and make the Fixed fly,
The Flying fix, and then live happily._
In these few Words are compendiously contained, all whatsoever I have
largely written in this Treatise.
Moreover, our Salt of Philosophers, besides its being a _Medicine_,
and fit for Transmutation of Metals, is also endued with other famous
Virtues, of which at this time I cannot forbear to write. Philosophers
have written, that their Key of Keys doth indifferently open all closed
Bodies, and that it is endued with a Virtue, breaking most hard and
Adamantine Stones, and taking from them their inclosed Treasure; for
acquiring which, there is nothing at all in the whole Nature of things
given, except this our Key, by help of which the most firmly locked
Inclosure may be unlocked. As for Example. A _Granate_ is a Stone of
so great hardness, as although it may easily be reduced to Powder,
yet it can never be corroded even by the sharpest _Aqua Fortis_,
nor dissolved, nor can it be Anatomized. Wherefore, although these
Corrosives, vulgarly known, prevail not against this excellent Stone,
(which visibly in it self contains a noble Tincture of Gold, and also
is not a little impregnated with invisible Corporeal Gold, as plainly
appears by its weight: For it is much more ponderous than all other
precious Stones, or the more vile small Stones) but are judged as
unprofitable for this kind of Labour; yet our _Sweet Salt_ possesseth
so potent a Faculty, as it can easily open the same and take from it
all its Treasure; in so much, as if there were but this only use of
it, (and no other like, better or more excellent were known) it would
abundantly satisfie every honest Man, to live amply therewith, and to
maintain his Family with great Tranquillity.
_Behold I present to you, yet another Royal Experiment, which I
have not long since effected, by the help of our Red Stone, in
the following manner._
One day I cast our Red Stone upon Gold, in Flux, only for a Tryal,
whether by the help of that, the Gold would be tinged with an higher
Colour; because I found, that Silver had took a yellow Colour from the
same. But after I had poured out the Mixture, I found what was contrary
to my Hope. For it was so far from exalting my Gold in Colour, as on
the contrary, it took from the same almost all its Colour, so as it
was white like Silver. At first, I was not a little troubled, that,
contrary to my Expectation, I should work so unhappily. But returning
to my self, I begun to think, whether this my Red Stone (being, perhaps
made of Steel) was not that _Chalybs_, [or Steel] which _Sandivogius_
so highly extolled in his Writings, and said, it could extract from
Gold its Tincture. But since, by reason of other Business intervening,
I had no leisure to proced further in the Work begun, I was constrained
to leave the whole for some higher Experience to another time. Yet I
cannot but wonder, that our Key of Keys should so readily unlock every
Closure of Gold, and be able to spoil it of its Royal Soul: Whereas
otherwise, Gold according to the Sayings of all Philosophers, (as in
very deed it is true) and according to the common Opinion of all other
Men, experienced in Chymical Labours, is accounted to consist of such
Homogeneal parts, as are difficultly separable. If the most wise GOD
prolong my Life; and also grant Time and Opportunity of making further
Tryal, I will spare no Labour or Cost to find out that _Arcanum_, until
by the gracious help of GOD’S assistance, I shall become the Master
of that Art of Arts. For now unto me the Gate of the Royal Closet is
opened (I would not be envied for what I now say) by our _Herculean_
Key in such a manner, as, I doubt not, but in a short time (unless the
supream Deity, which I have no cause to fear, notably resist me) to
obtain the Kings Crown made of a Carbuncle, and be able to distribute
the same among the needy, to relieve their necessity. To which my hope,
let the most wise GOD give a Blessing, so, as the Event may answer my
Desires, _Amen_.
Moreover, Philosophers say, that whosoever obtains their Stone, can
so qualifie Glass, as, if it fall, it shall not break, but be found
lying unbroke, like Metal. Which indeed I have often read, but could
never believe, it was so to be understood according to the Letter. Yet
after GOD, by his Grace, had conferred on Me our Wonderful Salt, for
Curiosity sake, I could not forbear to make an Experiment, to know,
whether what was written thereof was consentaneous to Truth. Therefore,
I took a little broken Glass, melted it in a Crucible, and then cast
upon it only a very little of our Salt, which it continually took in,
and thence received a white Colour. I poured out the Mixture, and
trying, whether it had passed into another than its first Nature, I
found my Glass had received a new Disposition, and became flexible like
hardned Steel Wyer, and after flexion came to its first form: But after
many bendings, to and again, it at length broke. Whence I learned, that
it was no Fable, but plainly possible by Art to prepare Glass so, as
it may be no less flexible, like Metal, than it is transparent. But
since I have not had Opportunity to make further Tryal, and cannot yet
absolutely profess my self an Artist in that kind of Work; yet, I can
say, that what others have affirmed thereof, is not estranged from
Verity. Therefore I must wait, till Time (with the favour of GOD) give
me further Experience thereof.
Also, touching the Stone it self, Philosophers write, that it qualifies
its Possessor so, with Lightness and Cheerfulness, that he can, like
a Bird, fly up on high from the ground; which is a thing so much
repugnant to Nature, as no Credit can be given to it, unless it be
interpreted Hieroglyphically, Allegorically, or Enigmatically. But that
it greatly exhilarates him, who by the benefit thereof can effect the
aforesaid Wonders, is very easie to be believed. For in my self I have
found the like Exhilaration, when I have, with these my Eyes, made
certain very great Proofs and Experiments by the help of that. When I
lay, for four years, continually sick, and during that time, exercised
my mind with various Speculations, making some Proofs, I at length
found the Truth, and understood that this wonderful Salt, being tryed
upon Metals and Stones, did most exactly agree with the Philosophers
Description of it: Then, I say, my whole Nature, because of that, was
astonished, and daily so notably reduced to a better Constitution, as I
can never sufficiently admire the Grace of GOD, and return due Praises
to him for so great Gifts. For I, who by reason of my Sickness, could
never rise out of Bed before Noon, could afterward rise betimes in the
Morning, and go into my Laboratory. Also for a long time before, I
could digest neither Flesh nor Fish, but was constrained to live with
Bread and Wine only; yet now, (thanks be to GOD) I am able to eat some
small Portion of Flesh and Fish, together with other Meats. Likewise
for above a whole Year, through weakness of Body, I could scarcely
write a Line or two, so as in two Years space I committed nothing to
the Press: But now, GOD, the Giver of all good Gift, hath made my hands
so ready for Motion, as I sing to him incessant Praises. Without that
new refreshing of Strength, this present Treatise could never have been
published. And this so great Good befel me from no other Cause, than
from GOD, and this precious Stone.
Therefore, whosoever is desirous to partake of this great Blessing
of GOD, let him not come to Me, unto whom is given no leave to
Communicate; but let him come to the Love of GOD, and draw that
laudable Good from him, as from the most limpid and living Fountain:
Because, it is to found with him only, not with Men. If a Man humble in
Heart, and void of Hypocrisie, hearing this, will follow my Counsel,
he may perhaps find a prosperous Event according to his wish: If
otherwise, adverse and contrary. For GOD is not wont graciously to
regard the words of the deceitful, but the Hearts of candid Men.
Many other such things might be produced, touching our Tinging tone:
But no necessity persuades to expend time thereabout. Enough is spoken.
For whose Eyes soever GOD shall open, he will on every side see so many
things sufficient for him, as not to need any further Information.
All things are clear to the clear-sighted, which appear dark to the
blind. GOD only is the Light, and all who are near to GOD, are by him
so illuminated, as they can see. But the more remote any Man is from
GOD, the nearer will he be to the contrary of Light, which is Darkness.
Therefore, whosoever desires to be illuminated with the brightness
of Divine Light, must fly from Darkness, which is to be shunned. For
Darkness and Light are inconsistent in one and the same Subject; which
is a thing accurately to be observed by every Reader.
_A COROLLARY._
We have, in this little Treatise taught, that the Salt of Metals is
prepared of _Vitriol_, and that there is a difference to be observed,
_Viz._ this.
Common Oyl of _Vitriol_ doth indeed suffer it self to be Coagulated
into a sweet Salt or Stone, wherewith (particularly) vulgar Metals are
amended, and Tinctures extracted from Gems, although it wants a tinging
Virtue: But Metals may also be tinged by the Coagulated Red Oyl.
We likewise shewed, that you cannot get this Red Oyl, without the help
of that Goddess _Proserpina_. Yet by the way, it is to be noted, that
the aforesaid _Proserpina_ is no other, than a white Sulphureous Salt,
which added to the _Vitriol_ causeth the Tincture of _Vitriol_ to
ascend in Distillation. That, after it shall be duly Coagulated into
a Stone not Corrosive, manifests such Effects, as we have ascribed to
it. I also thought good to advise, that our Oyl of _Vitriol_ in its
Preparation requires great Care and Industry, that the Tincture may
be made Rich enough: For otherwise, it discovers but little Virtue in
Transmutation. Also you shall never get so great a quantity of that Red
Oyl, as will satisfie the Common sort of covetous Men: Because that
comes not till at last, after all the White is ascended. But he, that
can get a large quantity of the White, will not trouble himself to get
the Red: Because the White also, by the help of _Proserpina_, may be
converted into Red. Which if it were not so, the Saying of _Virgil_
could scarcely be found true, _viz._ that with the hand is readily to
be cut off, not one Branch only, but many other, if Fortune shall so
far favour any Artist. Therefore, I forbear to write more at this time.
Let him, who cannot content himself with these here written, search the
Monuments of Philosophers, writing, that there is such an Art, by the
benefit of which, with one only Pound of Coals, a whole Pound of Oyl of
_Vitriol_ may be distilled. Yet such an Artifice must not so soon be
spread among the People. To whom soever GOD reveals the same, he may
prepare it, according to his own desire; if it be otherwise, let him
comfort himself with this Meditation of Patience, _viz._ that he was
not worthy of so great Gifts. With these, Reader, I bid you Farewel,
and commend to you the Protection of GOD.
_THE END._
A
Short BOOK
OF
DIALOGUES,
OR,
(Certain) Colloquies of some Studious Searchers after the
Hermetick Medicine and Universal Tincture.
_Written for the Sake of the Lovers of Hermetick Philosophy._
THE
PREFACE
TO THE
Well-minded READER.
_I was formerly minded never to have published these Three Dialogues,
but only to have made some of my good Friends, and such as had well
deserved at my hands, here and there, partakers of the same. And upon
this Account I permitted some [of them] to Copy them out, but they
abusing that Curtesie [of mine] whereby they received them, did make
others of their own Friends too, enjoyers of the same, contrary to
my Will and Intention; and so it happened, that they became Common,
and being on this wise often Coppied out, there crept in amongst them
(as indeed usually falls out in such Cases) abundance of Faults or
Errors, and the sense [and true meaning] of my Words were construed
in the worser Part. Which thing when I perceived, that it would more
disadvantage than profit me (especially seeing, that such a work [thus
Copied amiss] did nevertheless pass under my Name, and was adjudged
by others, as really mine) I deemed it, expedient, of two Evils to
chuse the least, and to have regard to mine own good repute, and to
publish it in mine own Name. But yet, not with an intent of getting my
self some eminent Fame, as if I were wiser than others, and to have
it thought, that I had more knowledge and experience than many others
have; but rather, that the incredible Works of the omnipotent God, and
his great Wonders, might be laid open and made known, to the infinite
Glory of his Name. In the setting down of which, I do produce only such
things, as my self have wrought with mine own hands, and can even yet
demonstrate by a certain and undoubted Operation, (by Gods help) at any
time._
_But yet, I would not have any one thus to understand me, as if I had
already wholly and compleatly finished the whole Operation, and had
advanced it to a due, and throughly perfect, end, No! I cannot arrogate
to my self by any means, any such matter. Thus much I only affirm, that
if any one shall (in his Operation) follow the bare literal Description
of these Labours, he will without any Error arrive, so far as I my self
am already come, but yet with this Proviso, that he knows the true Salt
of the Philosophers, and the use thereof; And as for what remains,
[unfinisht] I commit unto God to bestow a prosperous Success: And this
one thing I entreat, that every Body accept of the things I have here
written, with the same mind I wrote them, and that he take in good part
my sincere Endeavours of deserving well at his hands._
[Illustration: _in de Dialogus_. ]
The Explication of the annexed Figure belonging to this Treatise, noted
with these Words: _Inde Dialogus_.
_In the four principal Points of the Circle (supposing two
transverse lines were drawn, through the Center, to the outward
Circumference) are placed the Characters of =Sol=, =Sulphur=,
=Lune=, =Salt=._
_Round the outmost Circle, are placed these Words_: Conjoyn in one,
Sol, Salt, Sulphur, Lune.
_About the next Circle_: And thou hast as great a Treasure, as
Heaven can give thee.
_Within the Third Circle_: The Philosophers Function, is of
Contraries, the Conjunction.
_About the next Circle_: The Concentration of Homogeneals, is the
Separation of Heterogeneals.
_Within the inmost Circle_: Sol, Salt, Sulphur, Lune.
_The First Dialogue, or Conference, betwixt two Lovers of Hermetick
Medicine, deciphered by the Letters, A. and B. the last of which
hath had a prosperous Success on his Labours, the other not, and
therefore craves of this last (=viz.= B.) a Manuduction to the
Work, whereby he is rendred Master of his desire._
_B._ A Good health to you, my Friend! What’s the matter with you now,
that you are so sad, and even loaden with Cogitations, and mumble to
your self about I know not what?
A. _Oh, my Friend! I wish you the like very heartily; and am glad that
you come so very seasonably, and at such a time, as I was just thinking
on you, and most earnestly wishing your approach; Witness your own
Writings, which I do here turn over with my hands and my mind, but
yet they are so very obscure, that I cannot worm my self [as I may
say] out of them, [or understand them] though I apply the utmost of
my Endeavours to understand them. I have likewise read over and over
again, the Writings of other eminent and belief-deserving Philosophers;
still hoping, that I should yet at length attain to the knowledge of
the Truth: But alas, (the more’s my grief) all that I find is only
this, =viz.= that I hold in my hands the slippery Tail of a slippery
smooth Serpent, [or Ele] which ever now and then slips out of my
hands, and doth more and more defile me. I have therefore resolutely
determined with my self, that, unless God doth shortly send me some
good Friend, who may lead poor me out of such a notable Labyrinth, I
will throw all my Books, all my Instruments, and all such matters which
I have bestowed so much time about, in vain, and lost so much by, into
the Fire, and Sacrifice them unto =Vulcan=, that so I may be rid of
the tediousness of my fruitless Labours, and unprofitable Cookery. But
yet if you would be but so pleased, I no ways doubt, that you might by
a few words [and Directions] reduce me out of the snares of so many
Erroneous paths, hedged up ways, into the right path: For I well know,
that you have bestowed your whole Age, your whole Study, and all your
Labours and Endeavours, about such great Secrets, and have by the
Divine assistence obtained the very Truth it self. And therefore I do
most humbly beg at your hands, you would not leave me destitute of your
help, but that, according to your inbred Goodness and Courtesie, you
would succour me, your Friend, with some brotherly instruction, and
Manuduction. Which if you either will not or cannot do, I must even
conclude, not only upon throughly doubting of the Truth and possibility
of this Art, but withal, on a firm persuading my self, that those
Writings, which are so stuft with the Promises of golden Mountains,
are nothing else but mere Old Wives Tales, and frothy Speculations
of idle Men, and vain Dreams, though proceeding from Men of so great
Esteem._
_B._ Whats this, I hear thee utter? I could never have believed you, to
have been of such a broken and dejected mind. What? Would you contemn
the Writings of the Philosophers, and slight them, because they are
above your Capacity, and too hard for your understanding? Tis a wicked
thing, to entertain such a thought, much more to utter it. I would
have you, rather to persuade your self, that you are not as yet worthy
of the Secrets and Gifts of so great worth: For though a Man should
torment himself with abundance of hard Labours in this World, and
should aflict his Body with uncessant Sweating pains, yet would he not
effect ought without the Blessing of God. Do you not know that saying
of _Paul_; _Tis not of him that Wills, nor of him that Runs, but of God
alone that shews mercy_. You should therefore reckon your self amongst
the number of those, that have run in vain, nor hath God injured you
at all. What! does not Christ say, _Not all that say unto me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven, but they only who do the
Will of my Father_. Examine now your self, and see how the Case stands
’twixt God and you. The bestowing of such great things must proceed
from God, and not from the Philosophers. The Philosopher may indeed
write down the Truth, but yet it is not in his Power, to bestow upon
thee the Divine Blessing, which is the very hinge on which all good
things depend. Secrets of such great moment are not the Gifts of Men,
but of God, who bestows them on whomsoever he pleaseth.
A. _In good time! Is this the Comfort and Instruction, which I begged
at your hands? I did not request, you to be my Father Confessor, to
hear my Confession of my Deeds, but rather that you would help me,
being ignorant and unskilful, by some good and profitable Manuduction
and Instruction: For I well enough knew, that wicked Men are never
Masters of such great Secrets, nor will I rank my self amongst them. Be
pleased but to regard my suit, and only shew me an entrance, whereby I
may enter into the right and Kingly way: And as for praying to God, and
Labouring without ceasing, leave the Care of that to me: I hope, that
God will not deny his Blessing upon my Prayers and Labours._
_B._ Well! since I perceive you to be so throughly bent, with your
utmost study and unwearied pressing on, after such an eminent thing as
this is, I cannot but shew you that way, which I my self have walked
in, and that too, home to the very place which my self am come unto.
Verily, I see the promised Land afore my Eyes, and do daily view its
Coasts, nor do I doubt, but that I shall shortly enter thereinto, and
have the Fruition of its most pleasant Fruits, if no impediment debar
me of so great an happiness. And as concerning your self, seeing that
you are nimbler of your Feet than I am, there’s no doubt but that you
will arrive thereunto, even assoon as I my self. But yet, pray first
declare unto me, about what things it is, that you have spent your
Monies, your Labours, and your Precious time, and all to no purpose;
that so I may (as much as in me lies) the more conveniently reclaim you
from your Wandrings and Errors into the right way. Tis in vain for him
that is sick, to expect help and succour from the Physician, if he does
not shew the place of his Dolour and Grief. Confession is a Medicine to
him that goes astray. Confess therefore the Truth, that I may hear, by
what things thou hast been mis-led into so many Errors.
A. _[Alas, Sir,] I could not reckon up all, in Order, though I should
have time enough of so doing. But your own time, which is far more
precious, does not permit, that it should be spent in hearing my
foolish Labours. Besides too, the remembrance of so many Labours in
vain, and of the loss of not only so much Time but Expences too,
causeth a loathing in me, the very remembrance of which I abhor,
much more to make a long rehearsal of the same. You may therefore
easily guess, that by my insisting upon the bare Letter only of the
Philosophers writings, and not understanding the sense and meaning,
I have erred from the right way, and have headlong hurried my self
into so many Intricacies and Errors. I have searched into Vegetables,
Animals, and Minerals, because the Philosophers write, that their
Stone is Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral; but I see, that I have not
had under my hands the true Matter. For if there does appear in any
[of these Matters] the Crows head, yet the other Colours which the
Philosophers make a description of (as the Dragons Blood, the Peacocks
Tail, Virgins Milk, =Coagulum=, or Curdling, and principally that Red
and Fire-abiding =Salamander=) did never appear [to my view.] Or,
if these [Signs] of =Sanguis Draconis=, or =Lac virginis= appear to
sight, in some other Matter, yet notwithstanding the other Colours,
and other Signs, which the Philosophers make mention of, did never
discover themselves [to my view.] What Labours soever I have used, and
whatsoever matters I have dealt in, I have even Laboured in vain, and
lost both my pains and Expence, and never have received any good from
my laborious Operations. Hereupon I did at last even almost throughly
persuade my self, that it was an impossible thing, that, out of one
Matter, and by one and the same Labour, one Colour should orderly
succeed another, and become visible to the sight, by the bare help of
an external Fire, as for example, first if all, in the putrefaction,
the Crows head, then the Peacocks Tail, then the Dragons Blood, =Lac
virginis=, =Coagulum= or Cheeslike Curdling, and at last the fixt
=Salamander=. But forasmuch as it appears to me, by the reading of your
Writings, that you have orderly met with the sight of all those Colours
in your Labours, in such manner as the Philosophers have described
the same, I do firmly believe, and give Credit unto your Sayings, as
unto a Man that makes Conscience of his ways, supposing, that you
would not write such things unless you had wrought them with your own
hands, and could even yet perform them at any time. I only beg your
help in shewing me the true matter, and the Key thereof, that I may so
order the Business, as to cause the Visibly appearing of one Colour
after another, in one Glass, and by the bare help of one only Fire;
if you do but thus much for me, you may be confident that I shall be
the most contented Man [alive.] Nor do I doubt, but that as touching
the remainder, as Multiplication, Projection, and such like, I shall
find out those Operations well enough afterwards, by mine own studious
Search, if I can but once hit on the entrance of the right, true and
Kingly way._
_B._ [Hold a little, and] do not assume so much unto your self, and
think that the things which are so easily said, are with as much
Facility done. Have you not Read in _Bernhard Trevisan_, that a certain
[Friend of his] had that great Secret as well as himself, only he knew
not how to multiply it, nor would _Bernhard_ reveal the same unto him,
as having the self same Books, out of which the said _Bernhard_ got
the knowledge of Multiplication, himself. But be it as you desire, and
seeing you request no more from my hands at this time, but only the
matter and some Key, I will satisfie your request, as far forth, as the
time and occasion will at present permit.
Attend therefore with diligence to those things which I shall say unto
you and such things they shall be too, as unto which you may boldly
give Credence. I will not (according to the Custom of many) seduce you,
nor will I reveal unto you ought else, but what I have experienced by
the Labours of mine own hands: And if you follow the guidance of the
bare Letter it self, you will not err, unless God will not permit you
to proceed, [but] throw some peculiar impediment and lett in your way.
As touching the matter, which the Philosophers have made that Universal
Medicament of, I find that it is not merely _One_, but _Divers_,
and this is clearly evident from the Writings of the Philosophers,
who openly hint unto us, that one of them used this way and matter;
another, that, and yet at length became Masters of their desire
notwithstanding. From whence it necessarily follows, that the different
matters, of which is made one and the same thing, are not unlike in
their more inward parts, but alike, though they do not appear so to be,
as to their external hue. For it is a thing possible for two, three,
or more things to differ much, [from each other] as to the outward
form and shape, whereas notwithstanding in their inward parts, they
are so agreeable to each other, as that the self same thing may be
produced from the one as from the other. Take, for an example of this
thing, the _Seeds_ and _Roots_ of some Herb, the which, as to the
outside form, have no likeness to each other, and yet for all that,
do they produce one and the same Herb, if they are implanted apart in
the Earth. Just thus is it with the Metallick Buds and Stocks which
are wont to sprout forth, as well from the Metallick _Roots_, as from
the Metallick _Seeds_, in so much, that a Tree grows up of the same
Nature and Form from the Metallick _Root_, as Springs from the very
_Seed_ it self. Now ’tis evident, that in the Metallick Kingdom, ♄ or
Lead supplies the place of the _Root_; ♂ or Iron, of the Trunck or
Stock: _Jupiter_ or Tin, of the Bark, ☿ or _argent vive_, of the juice
betwixt the Trunck and the Bark; ♀ or Copper, of the green Leaves;
_Lune_ or Silver, of the white Flowers; and ☉ or Gold of the ripe
Fruit and Seeds. If therefore the Metallick plant is to be multiplyed,
that Multiplication cannot be more commodiously effected then by ☉ and
♄, that is, by the Seed, or by the Roof of the said Tree. Whosoever
therefore desires to perform ought in this kind, he will not find any
convenienter matters, then ☉ or ♄, that is, Gold or Lead. But yet I do
not mean those vulgar Metals, but such, in which the Gold lyes as yet
immature and invisible, and which is to be made visible, fixt, mature
and constant by the help of Art. So then, the self same thing which
may be discerned, above, in _Sol_, and appears visible to the sight,
is in like manner found beneath in _Saturn_, in an invisible manner.
And thus experience it self shews, that, out of two things unlike, as
to the outward shape, one and the same thing like them may be made,
because their internal parts are of one and the same Nature, and this
outside difference or unlikeness proceeds only from the impurity, and
defect of Maturation. Out of _Saturn_ therefore, as out of an unripe
and impure Gold, some good may be produced: But it must of necessity
be well washt, and out of it being well washed, may the first _Ens_ of
Gold be extracted, and be fixed. But now, if out of mature Gold, you
would yet educe something, it must then again first putrefie and be
reduced into nothing, afore any more noble thing can proceed there out
of. For it is like to the Seed of the Vegetables, which do’s not admit
of any Multiplication of it self, unless they are first put in the
Earth and consumed by Putrefaction: And this is proved, and asserted by
the Testimony of our Lord Christ himself, who says, that except a grain
of Wheat rot in the Earth, it cannot bring forth any Fruit. Certain it
is therefore, and firmly true, that Gold cannot be translated into a
better degree, unless it be again destroyed, and reduced into such a
Body, as out of which it cannot be reduced into its former Golden Body
[or Form.]
A. _What is it that you say, can it ever be possible, that a Metal
so constant in the fire should be on such wise destroyed, as not to
be reducible unto its former Body? Verily I have but small reason to
boast of any great matters done by me: For I have for some years past
tormented my self hitherto, about decocting and cooking of Gold: I
have dissolved it in sundry sharp [and Corrosive] Waters, and have
beheld its ascending with its yellow Colour, by a Retort and through an
Alembick, but yet I never got ought else in the Precipitation of the
same, but common Gold, and which was not in the least bettered thereby.
And therefore I did at last conclude with my self, as many others have
done, that the common Gold could not be the matter of the Philosophick
Stone, and it holds hidden within its Body, no more Tincture than it
stands in need of, it self; and that therefore it has not the Faculty
of tinging other white Metallick Bodies._
_B._ I do not at all wonder at your falling into this Opinion. There
are many others besides you, that are of the same mind; Nay, I my
self doubted much about this very thing, _viz._ whether or no, Gold
hides within its _inward_ parts any more of _Colour_, than it shews
unto us in its outside shape. But then on the other hand, it could not
seem at all likely, that such eminent Men should publish such great
Fallacies and so many Lyes, merely to seduce Men, by. And whilst I was
thus wavering in this kind of doubting, the Truth did at last (after
sundry and many inquisitions) by a mere chance present it self unto me;
in so much, that I am now clearly convinced of my Error, and am even
constrained to believe, that a true Tincture, tinging the imperfect
Metals, may be extracted out of Gold. For well may that be believed,
which the Eyes see, and the hands feel.
A. _I rejoyce exceedingly to hear you say, that you have seen the
Truth, and I hope that in time you will refresh me with a sight thereof
too._
_B._ Whatsoever lyes in my Power to serve you by, I will not in any
Case deny unto you: But thus much I would you should know, that the
Splendor or brightness of the Truth it self hath shone upon me, but I
have never as yet brought the work it self unto an end, by reason of
the want of time: But yet however, I am confident and firmly persuaded,
that if no impediment chance to happen, I shall bring it to its wished
end. And now seeing you are by some years younger than my self and
that you have store of time and all other Conveniencies, I dare be
confident, that you would finish that Operation much sooner, should I
but reveal unto you those things, which I am already arrived to the
knowledge of, by the Labours of mine own hands.
A. _Proceed on, I pray, in this your Liberality, and make me, as being
a Man following after Honesty, partaker of your Happiness, and I shall
be everlastingly obliged to you and yours. And whatsoever Labour or
Task is to be undergone for you; I will with a ready and willing mind
undertake it, and in all things respectfully regard your wholsome
Instructions._
_B._ Well! I trust you, and believe, that you will perform your
Promises, by which you bind your Credit; but however you shall give
me your hand, and Promise me, that you will conceal the Art in most
profound silence.
A. _I will, here’s my right hand, and Credit upon it._
_B._ Hearken then, with your utmost diligence, and with an accurate
intention, receive the things which I shall speak unto you.
A. _I do, and listen attentively._
_B._ In the first place then, you are to know, that, if you would make
any good thing out of the common Gold, you must perfectly cast out of
your mind that Opinion, which hath hurried not a few into no small
difficulties, imagining, that (by the help of some _Menstruum_ or
other) the _Colour_ of the Gold is to be extracted out of it, and that
Silver is to be tinged, with that same Golden Tincture thus extracted,
and that, to the remaining white Gold, its Colour may be again restored
by the other lesser Metals, as ♂ or _Antimony_, Copper, or Iron: Such
thoughts as these you must clearly remove out of your mind, as being
those which rob a many of their precious Time and Estates. There are
several ways, by which I know how to extract the Colour from Gold, but
tis needless to reckon them up here by a tedious repeating of them,
seeing they are not any ways profitable, but rather cause loss of Time
and Goods. The main thing you are to mind is this, _viz._ to meditate
[and enquire] by an accurate and uncessant studious Search, by what
means you may destroy Gold, kill it, and so compel it by Putrefaction
to produce to view its internal and invisible Colour, and (on the
contrary) to introvert (and hide) its external and visible Yellowness.
For Gold it self is no other thing save a mere Tincture, to the
acquiring of which, there needs not any other thing save the true Key,
which unlocks Gold, introverts it, and renders the invisible Colour,
visible. Besides, neither are those to be hearkned unto, who boast of
reducing Gold into its three Principles, _viz._ _Salt_, _Sulphur_, and
_Mercury_; and of freeing those three from all their impurities, and
then, of conjoyning them again, being thus Purged, and of Fixing them
into an Universal Tincture; and such like most impertinent trifling
Processes, as these. For they are mere idle Dreams, and can never be
accomplished, but come to just nothing, and clearly delude the Covetous
Thirsters after Gain, by their vain dependence thereupon. Nor are there
in Gold any of those Feces, which they prate of its being defiled with,
neither doth it admit of being severed and dissolved into those three
Principles. But put Case it were possible so to be, what profit, I
pray, could we hope should accrue to the said Gold by such a fruitless
Labour, whereas we see, that it is not in the least measure bettered
by such a Separation. It remains therefore for an undoubted Truth,
that Gold neither contains any Feces, nor admits it of a resolution
into Three Principles, but that it rather requires to be Radically
dissolved by a due Putrefaction, and to be so opened or unlockt. And
farther, the Labour of such Men is likewise vain, who Endeavour by
the help of Saline, Cementations to extract from Gold, its Soul: For
though such Cementations may sometimes succeed so well, as that the
Gold when taken out is plainly white, yet nevertheless such a white
Gold doth as yet contain in it its own peculiar Colour, the which, a
little _Saltpeter_ cast in upon it in Flux, doth easily restore unto
it: For then that whiteness vanisheth, and the Truth appears, and
shews you, that it neither lost its yellow Colour, nor its weight, but
retained them both, in the Cementation. Nay, we have been many times
deceived our selves by these kind of Operations, and have persuaded
our selves, that we had dispoiled the Gold of his Colour or Tincture by
the Salts, whereas it had but only attracted a certain _Sulphur_ out of
the Salts, by which it was made White. You may give Credit unto me, for
I speak experimentally, and do not tell you dreaming Stories. I will
instance it unto you, by an Example. Dissolve a little Gold in some
_Aqua Regis_, and pour the Solution upon powdered _Tartar_, that so
being poured upon the said _Tartar_-powder, it may be hid and covered
over: Put this _Tartar_ thus moistened with the Solution of the Gold,
in a strong Crucible, the which you must cover well with a Cover, and
lute it: Or rather, put it in a Cementary Pot or Vessel, which will be
better. The Vessel being placed in the Cementary Fire, the Gold will
extract a peculiar _Sulphur_, and become White and Brittle, after its
Separation from the _Salts_, by being melted. And now who is it, but
would believe, that the Salts had extracted the Colour of the Gold from
it, whereas it is no such matter. For a little _Saltpeter_, or else
the _Cineritium_, or _Cupel_ can drive away all this white Colour, and
restore it to its former Yellowness again; and this is, what my self
have several times done and experienced with mine own hands.
A. _Now again, here’s a new Story I never heard of afore, who would
ever have believed, but, that when they had taken their Gold (tinged
with a whiter Colour than Silver) out of the Cementary Vessel, it had
been clearly dispoiled of its Tincture? But now seeing it is not so,
there must of necessity lye hidden under such an Action as this, some
other Secret and Wonder. Verily it is no trifling Matter thus to make
Gold white, without the help of the white Metals; and it is the more
wonderful too, because it is not known, from whence that white Colour
receiveth its Rise: It could not get it from the =Aqua Regis=, nor
could it have it from the =Tartar=, and this makes me still wonder
the more. And therefore, pray, rid me of this doubt, and unriddle the
business unto me, for ’tis not without cause, that I suppose some great
Secret may lye thereunder hidden._
_B._ Attend diligently to what I say, therefore, for its impossible
for you to apprehend all things at one very dash [as I may say, and at
first.] We will first of all treat about the Gold only, and of other
Secrets afterwards in due time. But yet [by the by] I would have you
observe in this place, this one thing; that as touching that _Sulphur_,
which made the Gold white and brittle, there must needs be a notable
Friendliness betwixt them, because it was so easily extracted out of
the _Tartar_ by the Gold. And upon this Account there may be ground
to suppose, that if the Gold were left lying longer in that close
Cementation, that _Sulphur_ which rendered the Gold so white, might
haply be rendred Red, and fix in the Gold. For every _Sulphur_ is a
Tincture, when it is made fixed, and gets an Ingress, from the other
Metals. Do not undervalue this Secret, but fish out the Property of
this thing, by a more accurate Meditation, for you will draw from
thence much Good.
A. _Verily, I can methinks conjecture, that this very knack hath more
in it than it shews for; I will search thereinto more accurately;
perhaps this very way is a nearer one, than that which requires the
inversion of the Gold. I remember that I have read amongst the Sayings
of the Philosophers, this Expression; =That their Gold does not tinge,
unless it be first tinged, nor receiveth it a Red Colour, unless it be
made first White=. I perceive, that Nature is more abundantly stored
with infinite Riches, and that it cannot be so easily Searcht out to
the bottom, and the longer a Man seeks, the more he finds and meets
with; insomuch that at last, there is such plenty of good things
offering themselves to such Seekers, that it makes them puzzeld which
to choose, seeing they so commend each others Benefit and Profit.
Besides, your words are very hard to be understood, and hard to be
born. For it seems a thing exceeding all belief, that the most constant
Fire-during-Metal, Gold should be so changed, as to be no more Gold,
and very hardly, yea, not at all reducible by the help of Art into
its former Body. I do often meet with that Opinion and Decree of the
Philosophers in my frequent reading of their Books, =viz.= that Gold
must be putrefied, if any better and nobler thing is to be generated
thereout of: But whereas it seemed unto me a thing beyond the Power
of Nature, and altogether impossible, for such a constant Matter to
undergo any Putrefaction, I supposed that the Philosophers pointed
at some other thing by that Putrefaction of theirs. Mean while, I
earnestly expect from you a Demonstration of the possibility and Truth
of this thing._
_B._ Come then, on God’s Name, a little nearer me, and heed well the
things which shall be shewn unto you.
We will here take half an Ounce of common Gold, and put it into this
_Aqua Fortis_, made of _Vitriol_ and _Saltpeter_, whereto we will
add the same weight as the Gold is of, or a little more, of our
_Saltarmoniack_, without which, the _Aqua Fortis_ alone, and by it
self, is not able to dissolve the Gold.
A. _Pray, Sir, why do you say, Our =Salarmoniack=? Are there several
and different kinds of it? For my part, when I dissolve Gold, I put
into the =Aqua Fortis=, that [common] =Salarmoniack=, which is every
where to be had in the Merchants Warehouses, and is very fit to
dissolve Gold into a Yellow water._
_B._ You speak very well after your own way; And I confess, that every
_Salarmoniack_ mixt with _Aqua Fortis_ is very good to dissolve Gold;
nor is this any new way, for ’tis in very much use amongst all the
_Chymists_, who are wont on this wise to dissolve their Gold, but yet
that which is thus dissolved, still remains Gold, and doth easily admit
of being again precipitated out of the _Aqua Fortis_, and of being
reduced by Fusion into the former Body, it had afore its Solution.
But if so be, that the Solution shall be made by the help of our _Sal
Armoniack_, then is the Case vastly altered, and your attempting its
Reduction again will be in vain. For if Gold be but dissolved barely
once with our _Saltarmoniack_, it admits not any more of melting, nor
doth it of it self return again into a malleable Metallick Body, but
gets a Reddish Scarlet kind of Colour in the Tryal [or Crucible] and
remains an unfusil Powder. And if you add some _Borax_ thereunto, and
set it in the Fire then to melt, it will pass into a Red Glass, which
is a sign of its being plainly destroyed, and of its being transmuted
into another Body. And therefore I dare aver, that there is seated in
our _Salt Armoniack_ a power of inverting, and transmuting Gold, and
of making it fit for the Philosophical putrefaction, which thing is
impossible to be done by any other Salts whatever they be, and what
Name soeever called by.
A. _Certainly, this is a Divine miraculous thing, to subject Gold, so
mightily constant in the Fire, unto Putrefaction, and to reduce it by
Putrefaction, into a nothing: For I have read too and again, amongst
the Philosophers Writings, that it is an easier thing to make Gold by
Art, than to destroy Gold made by Nature. And therefore this Salt must
needs be a very wonderful one, which is able to effect these and other,
the like almost incredible things._
_B._ Well may you term it a wonderful Salt, for so it is, the like of
which, no Man will find in the whole World; though to such as know it,
it is so vile and mean a thing; insomuch that scarce any one would
think it likely, that such things could be done thereby, as are wont to
be, should it be but named by its own proper Title. Does not, I pray,
that Philosopher, _Cosmopolita_ [or _Sandivow_] confess, that he hath
oftentimes declared the Art, and Secret of the whole Philosophick work,
word for word, sometimes to one, sometimes to another, and yet they
would not at all believe him, by reason of the meanness, or vileness
of the Work? And does not he make frequent mention of his own, and
not the common _Sal Armoniack_? But that you may yet give more belief
and credit to our Salt, I would have you read the _Turba_ of the
Philosophers, wherein you will find all those things which they have
published concerning their Salt: And amongst others, hearken to those
few words, which the Rosary mentions: _Our Salt dissolves Gold into a
red Colour, and Silver into a white Colour, and transmutes them out
of their Corporeity into a Spirituality, and with our Salt, are their
Bodies calcined. =And for this reason=, Lumen Luminum, =also says=,
That if the Omnipotent God had not created this Salt, the Elixir could
not have been perfected, and the Study of Chymistry would have been
in vain. Avicen =saith=, If thou hast a desire of getting Riches,
prepare Salts, that they may be changed into a clear Water, for by
the Fire are Salts changed into Spirits: Salts are the Roots of thy
work. Hermes =saith=: All Salts are Enemies to our Work, and to our
Art, save the Salt of our =Lune=: Arnoldus =saith=, Every Salt that
is well and rightly prepared, is of the Nature of =Salt Armoniack=,
and the whole Mystery of our Art consists in the Preparation of common
Salt: He therefore that knows Salt, and its Solution, to him is the
Mystery of the ancient wise Men known. And therefore bend the utmost
Meditations of thy Wit upon the Nature of that Salt only, in which the
Wisdom of the ancient wise Men, and every Mystery, is found hidden and
concealed._ The Writings of the Philosophers are full of those and such
like Sayings, and they do every where mightily insist upon Salt. And
now, what think you of these Testimonies; what! do the things I have
spoken, yet find any belief in your Breast?
A. _Yes Verily, and now I am on your side; but yet I do as yet desire,
and heartily wish for this one thing, that you would for once let me
see your Labour, whereby I may convince other incredulous Persons, and
make them believe too._
_B._ Well, I am content; and come let us go to work, and let us put
the Gold in its requisite _Menstruum_, and place it in warm Sand,
thereby to hasten forward the Solution of the same; though there is
strength sufficient in our _Menstruum_, to dissolve the Gold in the
Cold without Fire. We shall in a short time see it of a yellow Colour:
And behold that very Colour, and the Gold it self is so changed, as
it is never more reducible into its former golden Body. Thus have you
now the entrance and beginning, which as yet is vastly distant from
the wisht for end: And when you now see the beginning, know, that is
the first day of our Philosophick Labour. Next, let us proceed to the
Putrefaction of the dissolved Gold, without which, no Colours present
themselves to our view. Behold in this very moment, _Sol_ begins to wax
black, and in a little while after it will conceive such a thorough
blackness, that it will be like to Ink, and may serve to write withal
on Paper. This blackness, the Philosophers call the Head of the Crow,
by that Name pointing out unto us their Putrefaction; by which, the
second day bf our Philosophical Labour is finished.
Our Ground [or Earth] therefore, being sufficiently enough moistned,
we must beseech God to bestow upon us the hot shine of the Sun; for
without the Suns heat which stirs up the Life in all things, there
cannot possibly be any increase and growth. Lend me therefore your best
attention. Assoon as the putrefied Body of our _Sol_ shall feel the
warming heat of the Sun, its blackness, which was the true Sign of its
Putrefaction, will vanish away by little and little, and give place to
the access and approach of many most delicate Colours, the which, the
Philosophers have named the Peacocks Tail, and this finisheth the third
day of our Philosophical Labour. And now, when the Fruit-producing Sun
shall have thus illustrated our Field, or Ground with its warmer Rays,
but for one day as yet, we may easily see, what is farther likely to
come to pass hereafter.
A. _Huy da! what a wonderful thing is this, that I see here? in how
short a time, and how speedily hath the Peacocks Tail charged it self
into a thick Blood? Who could ever believe it, unless he had seen and
beheld it with his own Eyes?_
_B._ I confess it is such a thing as may well cause in any one most
exceeding admiration, seeing that there proceed from Art and Nature,
Operations of such great moments: God hath made all things very well,
and should he not permit such an admirable changing of Colour, to
appear in the Operation, verily the Philosopher would be in doubt,
whether or no he might hope for an happy Success of all his Labour: And
now upon the occasion of this Blood-like Colour, is arisen the Name of
Dragons Blood amongst the Philosophers, who say, that when this Colour
appears in view, the fourth day of the Philosophical work or Labour is
finished.
A. _Good God! how great, and how wonderful are thy wonderous Works, who
can find them out by his own Search and Industry? There do daily happen
greater and greater encreasings of our Faith, seeing that I behold with
mine own Eyes, such things as heretofore exceeded all my belief. And
I entreat you to tell me this one thing, whether or no, there lies in
this Blood, as ’tis now prepared, a most excellent Power of healing
Diseases or no, and if it may safely be made use of, for the healing of
Sicknesses without any farther Preparation?_
_B._ Yes verily, there does lye therein hidden, an incredible healing
Faculty, and this, its very Signature doth openly witness. For God
doth not sign or mark all the Herbs, all Animals, all Stones in vain,
by the external Signature of all which, it is an easie matter to know,
what use they are of for Mankind. Forasmuch therefore, as our Gold is
turned into a thick Blood, it is a most certain Testimony, that it is
Serviceable for the curing and amending of Man’s Blood. For, if the
most ancient Physicians have made use of Gold, reduced either by filing
into a most subtile Powder, or by beating into most thin Leaves, in
the Cure of the most desperate Diseases, yea, and of the Leprosie it
self too, and this not without Fruit, and Success; how much greater
commerce then will this Gold of ours thus changed into a Red Blood,
have with the Blood of Mankind. Would it not [think you] abound with
a greater Power of freeing it from all false and superfluous Aqueity,
and other evil Humours and Impurities, and of reducing it into its
former State of Good health? For the occult Virtues of the Gold are
no more shut up now, like as when the Corporal filed, or leafe
Gold held them lock’d up, that they are unloosed, and released from
their Fetters, and so perform their work by most free and unclogg’d
Operations. And seeing that Gold is, by Ancient and Modern Physicians,
attributed to the Heart, and to the whole Blood of Man’s Body, and
seeing that experience it self hath demonstrated, that it takes away
the preter-natural affects of the Heart, and heals the corrupted Blood;
why should not this our Blood of Gold effect the same with greater
Efficacy, and a more happy Success. With this very Blood, have I
already performed wonderful things in the most grievous Diseases in the
Bodies of Men, after they have been first purged with some _Panacea_.
I have therewithal healed the Leaprous in a short space of time, and
such as have to no purpose made use of the assistence of the most
eminent Physicians for ten or twelve years continually, to their great
Costs and Charges, and this I can evidence by most clear Testimonies,
which I keep by me. Nay farther, even at this very day in very many
places, into which I have sent of this Blood, the detestable Leprosie,
the _French Pox_, and other most grievous Diseases of the Heart and
Blood (to the Cure whereof, Gold is in an especial manner ordained
by God) are taken away by an admirable way of healing: For seeing,
that (as we said afore) it strengthens the Heart, and mundifies the
defilement of corrupt and polluted Blood, and purgeth them away, it
must of necessity likewise expel, as well the open or visible, as the
occult and hidden Diseases of the Body of Man. For if Nature be but
corroborated, it doth easily subdue and expel Diseases, by the help of
other very small Medicaments; the which thing I have by my manifold
experiences found to be most true, when I have adjoyned this Aureous
Blood to other sutable Medicaments. For it cannot be exprest, what, and
how much I have done, both in young and old, with this very Blood so
exhibited, in the _Stone_, _Gout_, _Dropsie_, _Leprosie_, _Epilepsie_,
and other Chronical Diseases, which have taken deep Rooting in the
Body. Therefore if God shall please to lengthen out my days, I will
very suddenly publish the use thereof, that so it may be brought into
common Use in all Diseases. For this Golden Blood may [probably] be the
potable Gold of the Ancients, which never more suffers it self to be
reduced into its former malleable Body. I have sundry ways attempted
to reduce it, but never could effect the same. But yet this one Case I
except, _viz._ a little of this dry Blood, being put upon molten Gold,
hath ingress into the same, and the residue swims at the top thereof
like an Earth: but yet that little which adjoyned it self to the Gold,
is of so great a Power as to make all that whole Body of Gold which it
entred into, brittle, yea so brittle, as that it suffers it self to be
beaten in a Morter into most fine Powder.
A. _I Marry, Sir! these are Miracles indeed, which I see and hear; who
will make any farther doubt, but that the Universal Tincture which
heals the Sicknesses, or Distempers both of Men and Metals, may he
prepared, out of this Golden Blood? For all the Philosophers do with
one Consent confess, that their Tincture, when quite perfected and cast
in upon molten Gold, doth render the same brittle. And now seeing this
Golden Blood of ours, being as yet immature, and not prepared, doth
effect the same, would it not, I pray, perform the same much better, if
it had but Ingress given unto it, by inceration, whereby it might slow
the easier, and enter the more readily. I do not now at all doubt, but
that this aureous Blood both can and in time will become an universal
Tincture full if Medicinal Virtues._
_B._ Although I am not minded publickly to disclose an _Arcanum_
of such great moment, and so great a Mystery, and to throw such a
precious Pearl afore Swine; yet I am of the mind to prepare some
quantity thereof, and to part with so much unto the Sick that need
it, and that shall desire the same from me, as is requisite for their
Use. And not only to the Sick, but to others too, that are willing
to apply it to other Uses and Experiments; but especially unto those
who would fain try, whether or no, even this very Blood will turn it
self (according to my Description) into a white Milk, and then into
a Red Stone, and, by a new Reiteration of the work, pass through all
Colours. This desireousness, or inquiry after the Truth cannot at all
prove any ways disadvantageous to me, or mine. For the Art it self will
always remain an _Art_, unless it chance to happen, that some one or
other Searcher, which is of a more subtile Ingenuity, should, by his
diligent and serious inquiry, search out the very Foundation of the
Art it self. Which if it should so come to pass, he must then think,
that God hath vouchsafed this Gift unto him, and that he now considers,
and well knows, what esteem he ought to set upon it, and by what means
he ought to hide it. However, this is most certain, and indubitably
true, that this Doctrine, and instruction of mine own prescribed in
my Writings, will be a spurring encouragement to abundance of Men
(that have hitherto exceedingly doubted of the Truth of this so great
a Mystery, and shall now come to know it, laid open by me with such
evident Demonstrations,) and cause them to search with a greater and
more serious study, and to cast off all other unprofitable Coctions
whatsoever. For to what purpose is it to use many things, about that
which may be done by fewer and more easie. All things have their
time, and so has this _Arcanum_ too its own proper time. But we shall
speak more of these things in the following Description of the second
universal Medicine. All these things which thou hast hitherto seen,
are indeed very good; but we are as yet far off from the end. Have
you not likewise read in the Philosophers Writings, that the white
Swan doth also shew it self in the Work? Now, if by but as yet _One_
days shining, the Sun shall have illuminated by its brightness the
Dragons Blood, you shall see it turned into a white Milk, which Milk
the Philosophers have written off, and which at length goes into a
_Coagulum_, or Cheeslike Curdling. Look therefore now upon that Milk,
which you see to admit of Coagulation and Condensation, by little and
little: And thus with this golden Cheese do we finish the Philosophical
Labour of the _Fifth_ day.
A. _God be thanked, that this days Labour hath also succeeded, as we
could wish. But forasmuch as those things which you mentioned, but
now come in my mind, =viz.= that we are far off from the end of the
work as yet, and yet too morrow is the Sixth and last day of this
our Philosophical week; and farther, seeing you said presently after
the beginning of this our Conference, that the whole Work, would be
finished in six Days space, and that on the seventh Day we may cease
from all our Work and Labours, and sanctifie it, or keep it holy, and
give God due thanks for all these his Benefits bestowed on us: Seeing
=(I say)= that all these things come now in my mind, ’tis no wonder, if
they likewise create in me a great deal of Care and Puzzling, to think,
how this can be, that all these things that remain yet behind may be
perfected, and brought to a full end in one day._
_B._ Cease your Care [my Friend!] nor do you ought else this Sixth
Day, but hourly encrease the Fire by Decrees, and stir it up more and
more, that so you may see, by what means our white _Coagulated_ Milk
will by little and little pass into a yellow Colour, and will at length
be thoroughly Red, and abide most constant in the Fire. This fixed
Redness, the Philosophers call their _Salamander_: The Poets tells us a
Tale, of a certain Worm that lives in the Fire, which cannot be burnt
or consumed thereby. Therefore, after the Philosophers have brought
their work through all the Colours, and have at length attained so far,
as that there appears no other, but a mere fixed Redness, they named
it their _Salamander_, with which (if you except only Inceration and
Multiplication) they ended their work, and so do we also finish these
our present Labours.
A. _Praise and Glory be to God, by whose Divine help, we have (by so
happy and desired a Success) promoted our work to its most desired end._
_B._ _Amen._ And thus will we now put an end to our work, that so we
may sanctifie to morrow, which is the seventh Day, to the Honour and
Glory of the Divine Bounty.
A. _Ah, my dearest Friend; let me intreat you not to involve me by
your immature departure, in greater troubles and difficulties. There
are divers scruples and doubts, and these weighty ones too, that
perplex my mind, which unless you remove afore, your going away (but
I hope you’l stay) I shall of a certain Truth be tormented all this
ensuing Night with the most bitter Pill of Disquiet and Anxiety, and
then you may well guess with what mind I am likely to celebrate the to
morrow Sabbath. For I am yet as plainly ignorant, what use to put that
=Salamander= to. As concerning those things, which you have faithfully
disclosed unto me hitherto, I trust, I shall not err in their
Operation, but as touching Inceration and Multiplication, in which,
as in two Cardinal main Points, the very [Pillar or] hinge of the
whole Operation lyes, as you said, I must needs confess my self more
Blind, as to them, than =Tiresias= was: I must needs say, that I behold
the promised Land situate afore mine Eyes, but the way that leadeth
thereunto is hedged in with such Thickets, and so many Brambles, that I
do not see which way I shall extricate my self out of them. Unless the
mercy of God, and your help come in to my assistance, I see that all my
Labours will be in vain._
_B._ ’Tis no small trouble you bring me, by your importunity, don’t you
see the approaching Evening. You Act just according to the Custom of
importunate Men, who having once gotten ones out-held Finger, do snatch
in the whole hand. At first, you only entreated me to discover unto you
the Matter and Key of the Art, and said, that you would easily find out
the rest your self. Why then do you not seek thereafter, and let me go?
A. _Good Sir, be not displeased with this my importunity, proceeding
from the too earnest desire, I have, of knowing so great a Secret: And
Christ himself saith, if ye shall knock, the Gate shall be opened unto
you._
_B._ Well, since I see, that I must expect no quiet from you, till
you do likewise learn something from me, concerning Inceration and
Multiplication, I will in a few words set afore your Eyes, things of
great moment. Look to it, that you listen very Attentively.
A. _I do._
_B._ Have you not read in the Philosophers, when they speak of
Inceration, that the out-driven Soul is to be restored to the dead
King, that the dead Body may be recalled back to Life, and that it,
arising with a more glorious Body, and a more excellent Crown, may
prove an helper to its meaner Brethren. The Philosophers words are, as
follows. Here the Soul lets it self down, and refresheth the dead Body.
For it is not sufficient, that the King be deprived of Life and so left
dead: No, no, for necessity requires, that its Soul be restored unto
it, which may restore its Motion, and lost Life, to the dead Body. Now,
by how much the oftner, the Soul and Life is taken away from the King,
and that which is taken away be again restored thereunto, which so
much the stronger and more active Body, and so much the Magnificenter
a Crown will he arise withal. By these few words have I laid open
unto you, Inceration and Multiplication. But yet there are other ways
of increasing our fixt _Salamander_, and rendring it fusible, _viz._
by the addition of Mercurial things, which, by their speedy Flux and
penetrating Property, do pierce into this our destroyed Gold, dissolve
it, and so bring to pass, that there is made of them both (_viz._ of
the destroyed Gold, and which admits not of any reduction, and of the
Volatile _Mercury_) a certain fusile midling Body, which said Body,
thus conjoyned of the two, is to be maturated by the bare Regiment of
the Fire. And by this Maturation, is this universal Medicament rendred
so fusible, as to have Ingress into all the Metals, and to penetrate
them.
A. _[But pray Sir,] Is not this way of giving a more easie Ingress
and Flux to our destroyed, and irreducible, Gold, by the =Mercury= of
Metals, more facile, and a nearer one than that abovesaid way, which
requires a great many Operations, by the reiterating of Inceration and
Multiplication?_
_B._ Yes Verily, it is a shorter and easier way, as being void of many
tedious Labours, for it needs nothing else, but that the _Mercury_ of
some Metals be put into some good strong Glass with the inverted Gold,
and be so brought unto Fixation. But yet this Medicament, that is on
this wise wrought up with the ☿ to a constancy in the Fire, cannot
extend its Colour so largely, as that, which is rendred fusible by so
many reiterated Operations, because, in every reiteration, the Tincture
is exalted and multiplied. And now, have you any other demands? if so,
be brief, for the Evening approacheth.
A. _Yes, Sir, there are many things, that I would ask about, but seeing
that my importunity is troublesome, I will at present rest content with
those things, I have heard. Only, this one thing more would I gladly
know, =viz.= where I ought to seek for the Soul of the King._
_B._ You must look, whither you have driven it, and there must you
seek it, and, having found it, you must restore it to the dead King,
and so you will again begin your Work, and you shall again bring it
through all the Variety of Colours, like as you did at the first
time. For when the Soul is restored to the Body, there is made a new
Solution, which is to be again putrefied, that it may turn back; and
then proceeding farther on according to the same way, as was done in
the first Operation, there will appear all the Colours, and they too
far more delicate than in the foregoing Labour. The _Crows head_ will
be Blacker, the _Dragons Blood_ Redder: The _Lac virginis_ Whiter,
and the _Salamander_ more fusile, than it was in the first Operation.
For by how much the oftner you shall repeat this Mortification and
Vivification of the King, so much the more Magnificent, more precious,
and more efficacious a Tincture, will you obtain. Believe it, and give
God the thanks, and be mindful of the Poor, assoon as ever you are
Master of your Desires. Come to me again upon _Munday_, that I may
also teach you (according to my Promise) the way of making another
Philosophical work out of the Poisonous, Volatile, and black _Saturnine
Magnesia_: And so farewel.
A. _In going away spake thus with himself, Praise and Glory be unto
God, who hath thus, by the help of one Man, bestowed on me so great
a Grace. I now go home with a cheerful mind, and there will I most
desirously wait for =Mundays= approach, that so I may likewise get,
from my Friend sent me by God, that other work, [made] out of the
Volatile and Philosophical Gold. But this Operation, done with fixed
Gold, doth please me wondrously well, especially for this reason,
because, in every Reiteration, there do always appear the same Colours,
which presented themselves to view in the first Operation. Who would
ever have believed, that so many, and such excellent Colours lay hid
in common Gold? And now, if this can be demonstrated in the common
Gold, what may be expected from the secret Gold of the Philosophers,
in which (they say) many more Colours lye hid than do in common Gold.
’Tis a common Proverb, [I confess] that he who seeks from another comes
to know many things, but [usually] renders himself ungrateful: But yet
however, I cannot chuse but propose unto the Man one Question more,
perhaps some sweet refreshing Solar Ray will shine upon me. My Friend!
I am come again unto you._
_B._ Well, tell me, what more you have to say unto me?
A. _As touching those things which I have seen, I desire no farther
Information concerning them. But, it will most thoroughly serve my
turn, if you will be but pleased to answer but unto one Question,
which I shall propose unto you: And that is this, Forasmuch as almost
all the Philosophers, in the description of their Stone, do tell us,
That the King is to be conjoyned, and Radically mixed, with the Queen
in a peculiar Mercurial Bath, that so from them an Off-spring more
noble than the Father may arise: And seeing likewise, that the same
Philosophers do at large celebrate the Coition of =Mars= and =Venus=:
My desire is very great, to understand your Opinion concerning this
business. For if there could happen, or proceed, any good effect from
this Conjunction of Gold with Silver, or =Mars= with =Venus=, what need
would there be of so many repeated Coctions of the Gold?_
_B._ This way, which you make mention of, is not unprofitable; and,
to tell you the Truth, there are yet nearer ways, the which whosoever
enters into, will equally become a Master of great _Arcana_’s. I was
willing to shew unto you the work upon bare Gold only, for this reason,
_viz._ that you may see with your Eyes, and as it were feel with
your hands, that those most eminent Colours do lye hid even in bare
Gold too; which is a thing, that scarce one of a thousand would have
believed. And now being certainly assured, about the lying hid of so
great a Tincture in Gold, you may with the greater confidence set about
your Operations.
A. _Still more and more doth a brighter light shine upon me, Nor can
I enough admire, when I look upon the Rosey Colour of the Lyon, that
out of so small a Lyon, there should proceed so great a quantity of
Blood, coloured with so excellent and delicate a Colour, when as
notwithstanding, out of other much greater Animals, there is scarce
extractible so much Blood, as to answer to the hundreth part of this
Blood._
_B._ What? do not you understand, by what means, such an incredible
quantity of Blood can flow forth out of so small a Lyon? What, do you
not know, that the whole Body of the Lyon, which is the King of all
Beasts, is nothing else but the mere concentrated Blood of the heart,
one half Ounce of which, being boiled in many hundred Ounces of water,
doth turn all that water into Blood, as you your self have now seen
with your own Eyes.
A. _I confess, that there have now been shewn to the view of mine own
Eyes, such and so great things, the like of which I never heard so much
as one word of, from any others. No Body would believe me, and (which
is worse) mine Enemies, who are most vile Compilers of infamous Libels,
would set upon me with store of reproaches and lyes, and call me
Sophister and Cheater, and would say, that I boyl some =Brasile= wood,
or other Red colouring Stuff in water, and so sell it for the Rosey
Blood of the Lyon. And therefore, I have no reason to make shew of any
knowledge of this so great a Secret._
_B._ How? what will you be afraid to be a reporter of the Truth; and
to manifest these great wonders of God and Nature. That very way by
which I shewed unto you, that that most high Colour ariseth out of
Gold, by the self same way may you be able to shut the defiled mouths
of your Enemies. And if they will not believe, that there lyes hidden
such a Colour in Gold, they will be convinced by the said Lyons Blood,
which, being made bright hot in a strong Fire, and afterwards boiled
again in other water, will convert the same, as it did the former, into
Blood, and this you may even do, as often as you please. By this it is
manifestly evident, that the Blood of our Lyon is incombustible. And in
our being busied about those Labours of ours, there present themselves
to our view, three most delicate Flowers: The first is, a _Violet_,
dyed with a mixt red and Sky Colour: Then, the White _Lilly_; and at
last, the immortal _Amaranthus_ shining with a Scarlet dye. But why,
immortal? For this reason, because neither the strongest Fire, nor the
strongest Corrosive waters can at all hurt it, or change its Colours.
The _Amaranthus_ is tinged with the highest and most constant Colour,
beyond all other Herbs and Flowers, the which does not so soon vanish
after the manner of other Colours, which other Flowers have, but abides
constant for many years, insomuch, that such an Herb is kept both
Winter and Summer, to make Garland and Posies, or such like, withal.
A. _If now any one could be so happy at last, as to enjoy that
=Amaranthus=, he might present many pious Virgins, with Posies and
Garlands made thereof._
_B._ If you are desirous of using the Lyons Blood in your Operations,
then follow _Paracelsus_ his Doctrine, in his _Tincture of the
Philosophers_, where he teacheth, that the Rosey Blood is to be
conjoyned and fixt with the white Glew of the Eagle; which way seems
the nearest for the obtaining of the universal Tincture.
A. _I am delighted with hearing of this: The Rosey Blood of the Lyon I
have, but yet I want the white Glew of the Eagle; which if I could but
get into my power, I would conjoyn them both together without any more
delay, and bring them to Fixation. But I cannot sufficiently enough
admire at this, =viz.= that =Paracelsus= hath made no mention, of
conjoyning the Virgins Milk of =Diana= with the Kings Blood._
_B._ _Paracelsus_ has not therefore injured any, in his not manifesting
all things so clearly and openly, seeing it is the Custom with other
Philosophers to do the like: If you are desirous to use Gold and Silver
conjoyned together, in your working, then deal with the Silver, just
as I taught you to do with the Gold, and make thereof an incombustible
_Lac Virginis_, and such as admits not of any Reduction; the which is
to be conjoyned with the incombustible Blood of the Lyon, and to be
put into a Vessel, that so these two Bodies, being conjoyned, may be
most constantly [or firmly] united, and may never be separated from
each other by any kind of disjoyning. But, that you may yet better
understand the whole business, I will subjoyn a few words more. Our
white Eagle being put in common Water, makes the same, wherein it is
dissolved, so tenacious and glutinous, as that, it can glew Paper or
other things together; and, therefore it is not without cause, that
this our secret Salt is termed by Philosophers, the Glew of the Eagle.
For those things, which this Glew joyns together can never more be
separated from each other, and this is one mutual Bond, by which the
Husband and the Wife are so linked together, that they cannot separate
from one another. It doth not much differ from the tye of Marriage,
by which, the Husband and the Wife, or the young Man and Maid, are by
Gods Command so knit and bound to each other by the ordinary Minister
of God, that nothing but Death can separate them. If now a Man and
Woman joyn themselves together without the legitimate and publick Bond
of Matrimony, they beget illegitimate Children, and can (when they
please) break that Conjunction of theirs, and depart the one from the
other, because they are not coupled with that Marriage, that proceeds
from the Command and Will of God; which said coupling or Matrimony is
in repute, and is generally observed for a common Custom, and as being
the Will and Command of God, not only amongst us _Christians_, but
likewise amongst _Jews_, _Turks_, and _Heathens_, throughout the whole
World. And for this reason, the Philosophers were pleased to introduce
the like coupling or Marriage in their work, and that not only of _Sol_
with _Lune_, but likewise of _Mars_ with _Venus_: Which Copulation, if
wanting in these two last [_viz._ ♂ and ♀:] their conjoyning cannot
have any good and happy Success, as daily experience witnesseth. But
now if _Mars_ and _Venus_ be coupled by a Priest in the lawful Bond of
Matrimony, they likewise bring forth legitimate Children, and such as
may be promoted unto Kingly Dignities. I could yet kindle more light
unto you here, concerning this our Philosophical Copulation, _viz._ by
what means the most inconstant, and most highly Volatile, things may
(by the Operation of the same) be so conjoyned, as that they can never
afterwards be loosened from their inseparable knitting together. But at
the present you are not capable of bearing any more. Whatsoever hath
been now omitted, by reason of the shortness of time, shall be made up
at our next meeting and Conference. But, one thing more comes in mind,
which I would have you to know; and ’tis this. When you would make any
good thing of _Mars_ and _Venus_, you must in an especial manner beware
of their gross Bodies, which are Leprous and unfit for our work. ’Tis
their Blood you must seek after, the Blood, I say, of their inmost
Heart, and the true Soul that lyes hidden in that Blood, which is so
very near akin to the Royal Blood. And now, that you may enjoy such
a most noble Blood, you must not imitate the Country fellows, who,
thrusting a knife into the Hogs necks, do save that Blood that flows
out from thence, to make Puddings withal, and take both good and bad
Blood together. No! You must therefore in the first place, know for
a certain Truth, that you must separate out of that grosser Blood of
♂ and ♀, that most subtil Arterial Blood of the Heart, without which
Separation, you may not expect any good succeeding Event. Which said
Separation, seeing, I know, that you are ignorant of, I have thought
good to set it afore your Eyes, which more clear and more perspicuous
Expressions. [Know then] that that most pure Blood is never gotten by
any other means, but by the Corruption and Destruction of the Venereal
and Martial Body: By which helps, these, so gross and hard Bodies are
in such wise opened, that the inmost and most subtil Blood may be
drawn out of them. But yet, ther’s no need of destroying their Bodies
by _Aqua Fortis_, seeing that Nature her self exhibits unto us their
Bodies already opened, in _Vitriol_, and hath left no more for us to
do, but the Labour of extracting the most pure part thereout of. For
even in the common _Vitriol_, _Mars_ and _Venus_ are found conjoyned by
Nature. And now, when we would draw thereout of the most pure Blood,
such a _Vitriol_ is to be chosen, which never hath been as yet in the
Fire; this, _Vitriol_ is to be dissolved in water, and to be filtered
and separated from all its Feces. This green _Vitriol_ contains hidden
in its self, the Blood of that green Lyon, out of which, the said
Blood is to be extracted by the help of a certain Magnet, that so the
unprofitable and gross Body may remain behind. For ’tis the Spirit that
vivifies, the Body is unprofitable. But now, in your extracting this
Blood thus pure, you must not be too greedy, but have a Care, that you
extract no more than a little of the best Blood: Which if you do not
heedfully mind, you will also extract together with the pure Blood, the
more gross and more impure, and so your work will be spoil’d. For you
need only the best and most subtil white Blood of _Mars_ and _Venus_.
For, like as the subtilest and noblest Blood of all the Animals is
not Red, but White, [_viz._ the Sperm:] Even so, the Blood of _Mars_
and _Venus_, which comprehends the Virtues of the whole Body, and the
true propagating Seed, is tincted with a white Colour, in the search
of which, ’tis expedient we bestow our Labour. Therefore, after that
we have extracted, by the help of our Magnet, some two or three half
Ounces of white Blood, out of twenty Pounds of _Vitriol_ dissolved in
water, we then take it out, lest it should also extract the most gross
Blood too, when it can find no more of the white Blood unextracted. You
had therefore need be cautelous in the extraction of that Tincture,
and be circumspect in the Accomplishment of the same. For we are
taught by Nature and Experience, that, in the Coition of Male and
Female, there doth naturally concur a white Blood to the Propagation
of their Off-spring, and in defect of that, Nature is constrained to
send forth a vile and red Blood. Therefore, we must here endeavour,
with our utmost Care and Industry, to purchase by our extraction the
most pure Whiteness, and not the most gross Redness. For in that white
Virgins Milk lye hidden all Colours, and the highest Redness. This
white Virgins Milk, you may promote to a Fixity and Constancy, in a
pure clean Glass, without the Addition of any other thing, the which,
after its being dryed, will become black, and will be translated out of
the black Colour, into several others, and at length shines with the
highest Redness, which puts an end to the Operation.
But as concerning our Magnet, seeing you know it already, you will not
need any farther instruction about it. You have thus heard my Opinion
about _Mars_ and _Venus_, and have understood, by what means some good
thing may be thence had. Neither must you persuade your self, that
there is any other way of having any benefit out of them; how great is
the number of those, who by their vain Labours have mightily endamaged
themselves, following the Writings of _Basilius_, in which he teacheth
to make a Red Oyl out of _Vitriol_, which he calls Gold Philosophical.
The bare literal Sense is not always, and every where in his Writings
to be taken. There is no doubt, but that no small benefits are to be
had out of _Vitriol_. For the Philosophers themselves do hint forth
unto us, the benefit therein hidden, in these words: _Visitabis_,
_Interiora_, _Terra_, _Rectificando_, _Invenies_, _Occultum_,
_Lapidem_, _Veram_, _Medicinam_; _You shall Visit the inward parts of
the Earth, by Rectification you shall find an hidden Stone, a true
Medicine_. And now at last, to close up this our Conference with some
profitable Admonition, know, that I would have thee forbear from the
troublesome Coction of the imperfect Metals, by reason of the too many
impurities, which create many Molestations in the Separation of them,
and cause much loss of time. ’Tis better, that you take in hand _Sol_
and ☽ to perfect the Work withal, which Metals do most abundantly
contain in them, the Red and White Tincture, and are already freed by
Nature from most of their impurities. And although, I have not as yet
made the universal Tincture out of ☉ and ☽, yet there hath appeared
unto me so much, from so many, and such various Operations, that I do
not in the least doubt, but that the immortal _Amaranthus_ may be made
out of them; whereunto you may boldly give Credence, without doubting
at all.
_The COROLLARY,
Or, Present over and above._
[Sidenote: _Cons. 5. Part Sp. Ph. p.149._]
In this Dialogue, the Dragons Blood is so described, as if it needed
full six whole days Operations, to be perfected and brought to its
full end, nor did I then know any nearer way. But afterwards, there
became known unto me a nearer and more compendious Process, whereby
I can now (Praise and Glory be to God for the same) in a few hours
time introvert and transmute the dissolved Gold, and reduce it into a
Red Blood, and that by the help of one only certain White _Urinous_
sublimate, concerning which, I have treated more at large in the fifth
Part of my _Pharmacopea Spagyrica_. And upon the same Account have I
likewise written, that the said of Blood of Gold must [needs] at length
get an easie Fluxibility and Ingress by the frequent Iteration, or
Abstraction of the moist Spirits from the dry Gold. But forasmuch as
the Multiplicity of such Abstractions is not only full of laborious
Operations, but also chargeable and requires much time; and that the
studious Searcher after so great a Secret, may not by being affected
with the Tediousness of so many toylsome Operations, be quite weary,
and at last throw off all hopes: I do therefore commend unto every one,
that other and nearer way of getting it a Fusibility and Ingress, _viz._
the incerating it by _Mercury_, by the benefit whereof, he will far
sooner and easier arrive unto his purpose and final Scope. And although
I have hitherto been hindred through want of time, besides (many other
impediments) from having compleatly finished the Operation of the said
Tincture. Yet notwithstanding, I do with an assured and undoubted
confidence affirm unto every one, that there is given a most certain
occasion [or Capability] of the making and finishing it, and that by
the hitherto described way. I bequeath to such of our Posterity, as
are of a Good, Sincere, and faithful mind, those things which I have
wrought with mine own hands, and withal to what issue I have brought
all my Operations. It is free for every one (as time and occasion
serves) to make Tryal about attaining unto the wisht for end. For my
part, I do heartily thank God, that he hath vouchsafed unto me the
Ability of plentifully and abundantly preparing the Lyons Blood, and of
performing no small matters therewith in a Physical way: And therefore
I shall be well content, though I never arrive unto the desired end of
finishing the Operation of the universal Tincture.
_The Second Dialogue, or Conference, Or a Continuation of the
precedent Colloquy or Dialogue, treating of the Preparation of
an universal Medicament out of the black venemous and Volatile,
=Saturnine Magnesia=._
A. _Blessed be the name of the Lord, who hath caused another Day to
shine upon me. I will presently haste to my faithful Master, and will
beg from him the Doctrine of the second universal Medicament, that he
promised unto me._
_All hayl t’ yee, my dearest of Friends! God Grant that this Day may
prove happy and lucky to me and you: I am come hither to hear from you,
if it stand with your Conveniency, to make good your Courteous Promises
at this present, and to teach me the making and Preparation of your
second universal Medicament: For I have an exceeding ardent desire, to
know the manner of Preparing it, out of that Volatile and poysonous
Mineral._
_B._ I thank you for your good Wishes, and wish unto you the same
you wisht me. Look here, here’s a piece of our venemous _Saturnine
Magnesia_, which is the true Matter, that the Philosophers Stone is
prepared out of.
A. _I pray, is this black stone the true Matter, out of which is wont
to be made the universal Tincture, and Stone of the wise Men? Verily
I much wonder, that this should be the Gold of the Philosophers, I
am extraordinarily desirous of seeing, by what means so excellent
a Medicament, and so noble a Tincture can arise out of so base and
venemous a Body. I should rather adhere to that old and common Proverb,
and say, Who can wash the =Blackmoore= white, which Nature hath
generated Black? This now seems unto me more estranged from the Truth,
than that which you propounded last week of the common Gold. For how
could it seem at all likely to any ones bare reason, that such a Body
could be brought into a nothing, and again reduced unto a certain
Body: But time will instruct, whether this be possible or not. I will
therefore very patiently wait for the Event of those things, which you
shall shew unto me._
_B._ What? Still more incredulity, and do you anew produce [and
Practise] the Faith of unbelieving _Thomas_ [_viz._ to see and feel
afore you believe?] What do you think, I would go about to persuade
you, that you have a wooden Nose sticking on to your Face? Alas,
Sir! my time is a little more precious than so, to spend it in an
unprofitable Tattling. And that time which I now bestow upon this our
Conference, is spent to this end, to free you from your unbelief, and
to bring you unto a true and evident Credency; to the performance of
which, I am stirred up by the Authority of the Sacred Writ, which
Commands, that we reclaim such as err, into the right way, and that
we shall receive from God this reward for our Labour, _viz._ our
Star shall shine in Heaven brighter than others. Besides Christian
love requires the same at our hands, that we do good to others. And
forasmuch as I have well known your Christian like Conversation,
and Godly way of living these many years past, why should I deny you
the things you demand, or wind you into the Intricacies of a greater
Labyrinth, seeing you have but too long stuck in them already? The
things which you cannot at first understand or believe, the end will at
last constrain you thereunto. Your part is to listen very attentively
to all the words, I am about to speak. For I can easily take away
from you all incredulity, and remove out of your mind every Scruple
of doubting. How sourely you look upon this black Mineral, well, but
you shall presently find, that all the most delicate Colours of the
whole World are most abundantly found therein; and by the help of an
Art described by the Philosophers, they will appear one after the
other in Operation, even from the Black head of the _Crow_, to the Red
_Salamander_.
A. _Bless me, what an ardent desire have I to see these things?_
_B._ Have you not read in the Philosophers, that the pure is to be
separated from the impure, and the purer part is to be ripened?
Separate, say they, the pure from the impure, and bring it to Maturity.
And they call Separation, the washing away of the Blackness, which
being washt off, the Whiteness presents it self to view? The Fire (say
they) and _Azoth_ wash _Laton_; _Laton_ signifies our black Mineral:
_Azoth_ signifies their strong _Acetum_, which wetteth not the hands.
This _Acetum_, as well as our _Salarmoniack_ [afore mentioned] hath
its Rise from common Salt. Both of them, as to the external shape, and
taste too, and Efficacy and Virtue are in a manner just alike. With
such an _Acetum_ is our black Matter dissolved into a Snowy-white,
pellucid and very clear, water, as you may here see. This water have
the Philosophers called their _Mercury_; In it, are hidden all the
Colours that are in the whole World, but yet not visibly evident afore
that this water, or this Mercury be put upon the water, [I believe he
means, upon the Fire] and be cherished by little and little, like Hens
Eggs, which cherishing drys up the water by little and little, into
Earth, and renders the Colours visible one after another, as you shall
presently see.
A. _[Good lack,] who would ever have believed, the things which I
at present See? Our Mercurial water hath been scarce three Days in
digestion, yet begins to change it self into a White Milk. And now it
is [but] the eighth day, and this said Milk goes into a =Coagulum=
or Curd, and within in the Glass about the Edges [of the Matter]
there shines a delicate Redness, but yet I believe it is not fixt or
Constant._
_B._ Pray, how can it be constant, seeing it does but represent the
_Dragons Blood_ and will presently be gone. But, proceed you but on
with this first Degree of Fire only, and that little and little, until
the whole water be turned into an ashy Colour’d earth: When this is
done, we will encrease the Fire by little and little, one Degree more,
which will leisurely turn the ashy Colour into a Black one.
A. _I will use my utmost diligence and observancy._
_B._ Do you see now that sleeke and shining Blackness like the Head
of the _Crow_, covered over with abundance of black and very small
Feathers: And upon this Account, the Philosophers have called this
thus appearing Colour, the _Crows_ head. To this black _Crows_ head,
administer the third Degree of Fire, which will transmute this black
head into various, most delicate Colours, shining like ☉ and ☽:
Then continue on this degree of Fire, that all the said unstable
Colours may vanish, and may present to view the white Colour. After
Whiteness, follows Yellowness, which at last will be covered over
with the constant and permanent Redness: Which appearing, the fourth
Degree of Fire is to be administred, that that Redness may be more and
more exalted, and waxing Redder may attain unto its due Fixity and
Constancy; the which, by way of similitude, the Philosophers call, a
_Salamander_, and is the end of our whole Work.
A. _I should never have so much as dreamt, that so black a Body could
in so short a space of time have been transmuted into a most pure
Whiteness, and that this same Whiteness could, by an admirable passing
through all Colours, pass into a most delicate Redness, but I pray,
when this Matter hath obtained this Redness, is it to be accompted of,
as an Universal Medicine?_
_B._ Yes, Verily, because the curable Diseases of Men, may (by that
same Matter) be restored to former Health; and that safer, better
and perfectlier than can be done with any Herbs, or any other known
Medicaments. I except that Medicament, which is extracted out of this,
and concentrated into a much nobler Nature. But, as concerning the
Transmutation of Metals, it yields not any Profit, afore it be made
fixt and constant in the Fire; to the effecting of which there is
required a sufficiently great space of time.
A. _As far as I can understand, there may be a yet better and
profitabler Medicament prepared, than this is._
_B._ Yes, Verily, that there may, a much better and more useful,
because, that with this, there are as yet admixt many unprofitable
Feces, which ought to be separated therefrom: And the Case is far
otherwise in the perfecting of this Work out of this Mineral, then in
that which is done with Gold, for this is all over defiled with many
impurities: For every one must needs think, that there are abundance
of Feces [that are to be] separated from that Mineral, and by how much
the more impurities are separated, so much the more efficacious must
the Medicament it self of necessity be. Now in this present Degree and
State it is brought unto by us, it would be sufficient for all kind
of Diseases; which if we would yet have to be far more efficacious
and stronger, it would be expedient, that we separate yet the more
unprofitable and useless Feces, and concentrate the more pure Essence
into a more narrow Room and lesser Body. For ’tis the Soul only or
Quintessence of things, that heals Diseases. The shells or husks bring
no Profit at all, and this the Husbandmen well know; for they separate
the husks and chaff from the Corn, afore they bake Bread. The Medicinal
Virtues of Herbs and Minerals are but of a small weight, afore they
are freed from the Bonds and Fetters of their Bodies: But now, after
that they are separated from their Bodies, they can perform incredible
effects even in a most small quantity, and such as the great weight
of that Body, whence they are extracted, will never effect. Look but
on a living Man that is in good Health, with how ready and nimble a
Motion can he stir his Limbs, and what strength he can put forth: But
as soon as ever the Soul shall have separated it self from the Body,
how insensible and immoveable the Body lies, and not serviceable for
any Use? It is therefore a certain and undoubted Truth, that the Life
of all things wanteth weight, and this shall be more clearly, and
more evidently demonstrated by the Concentration of this universal
Medicament. For that which one Ounce, now, does, of this thus prepared
Medicament; half an Ounce, when concentrated, will perform the same:
And that which half an Ounce of this Medicament once concentred will
effect; one quarter part of an Ounce, or a Dram of the same twice
concentrated, will effect the same. And according to this compute,
may you proceed on farther. For by how much the oftner the prepared
Medicament is concentrated, so much the more Feces are separated
therefrom: And by how much narrowlier the Virtues are contracted, so
much the greater effects do they produce. And thus there needs not
in a manner any weight in Medicinal use. That which ten Grains of an
unconcentrated Medicament is wont to accomplish, you will effect the
same with one Grain of the Medicine, when concentred, to be put either
in Ale or Wine for some hours, if need be, or else held in the Mouth.
For soe it will no less display its occult Virtues and Powers, than if
the Powder of the not concentrated Medicament had been otherwise drunk
down. Besides too, such a Medicament may be a long time used without
losing of its Virtues, and that not only inwardly, but outwardly also
in all Wounds, Ulcers, and such like external affects. For all new
Wounds, as also old Ulcers whatsoever they be, are happily cured by
the laying on of those Medicaments, if the same Medicines be likewise
used inwardly. Nor needs there here many _Emplasters_, _Cataplasmes_,
and Ointments: Concerning which thing, see more in the Fifth Part of my
_Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_, where the use of this Medicament is treated of.
Read also those things, which that most excellent Philosopher _Van
Helmont_ declares of another certain Philosopher, Butler by Name,
_viz._ that he had a certain Stone, at _London_ in _England_, which
being sweld a very little in Oyl Olive, rendred the same exceedingly
Virtuous, that some few drops thereof taken into the Body, would
drive away the most grievous Diseases, and being outwardly applyed to
Wounds [or Sores] would speedily heal them. These things _Helmont_
testifies to be true, as being an Eye witness of the same. But I do
not attribute such incredible Virtues unto my Medicament, for as much
as I my self doubted of this Story of _Butler_, and could not believe,
that any Medicament could be promoted to this so high a Degree of
powerful Efficacy: But now, seeing I perceive that it is possible to
Art, for the Virtues of things to be contracted into a narrow Room,
and be concentrated; I do upon good ground cast this doubting off
from my mind, and adhere to those things which I see with mine Eyes,
and touch with my Hands. Certain, and firmly undoubted it therefore
is, that not only the Medicinal Virtues and Powers of this our Matter
may be contracted into such a narrow Compass, as to effect an hundred
fold more in Medicine, than that more gross Body could do: But also
this may be acquired or effected too, _viz._ that hidden Colour or
Tincture in our black _Magnesia_ may likewise be concentrated, together
with that Multiplication of Virtues; insomuch, that in the several
Concentrations, the Colour of the concentrated Body may be exalted,
the which, most high Colour, or exalted Tincture can never at any time
be gotten, without our secret Concentration: For otherwise, if there
were no need of that Concentration, it would necessarily follow, that
that _Magnesia_ of ours would be no other than a most pure Body, not
at all needing any ablution of its gross, and unprofitable, and black
impurity: But this is not so, as we said afore about the Gold, which
is pure in its own Nature, and of it self void of all Defilements, and
being a ripe Body and mere Tincture, needs no other thing, than this,
that its inward Parts be turned outwards, and its outward Parts inward,
by that Philosophical introversion, and that so its external Yellowness
may betake it self inwards, and the internal Redness may come forth
outwards, or (to speak the more clearly) that the manifest Yellowness
may be hidden, and the hidden Redness may be manifested. But now, the
Case is not thus with this our black Earth, and impure _Saturnine_
Mineral; in the which, both good and evil, pure and impure, Poison and
Medicine lye mixt together: Insomuch, that it is altogether necessary
to separate the black and gross impurity, from that noble and tender
Medicinal Pearl, and to reduce it unto Fixity.
A. _With gaping Mouth, and open Eyes, do I even swallow down your
Discourse, and yet I cannot pierce into the Foundation of the
whole business, nor understand it. You speak of such an artificial
Concentration, and which is beyond all my apprehensions, for I never
in all my whole Life time heard any thing of it, as far as I remember,
much less read ought concerning it._
_B._ I will set before you then a Similitude, that so you may the
readilier understand the knack. Examine well, and consider, Wine,
Ale, or the Lees of Wine; and by your searching you shall find, that
there is in them but very little of the Corroborating Spirit, or
Soul, the remainder is nothing else but mere impurities, destitute
of all Virtues. Now if some Physician or other should administer to
his Patient a large Cupful of Lees, to cheer and comfort his heart
withal, would you not accuse him of ignorance, and Folly? For though
there is somthing of comforting Virtues in the troubled Lees, yet it
is impeded, or clogged, by the great quantity of the dreggy Lees, from
rightly performing its proper Office. But put Case, that it could
display its own Virtues, yet nevertheless, even the admixt impurity
would also exercise its own accustomed Evil, and so the Good would
be confounded with the Evil, or rather be quite over powred by the
same. For this reason, there is nothing more necessary, than that
the good be separated from the evil, before any thing be used about
making _Medicine_. Therefore even as there are Workmen to be found,
who, by the vulgar Distillation and Rectification, do separate the
Heart-refreshing Spirit out of the sordid Lees of Wine and Ale, and
bring it unto use, give the remaining filthy dreggs and useless Feces
to the Hogs to eat: Even so do we (the Lovers of the _Spagyrick_ Art)
separate the pure Virtues and Powers of things from the gross, sordid,
and noxious impurities, afore we administer them to our Patients.
A. _As concerning these Sayings of yours, I am clearly of your Opinion,
and withal do stick close to that common Proverb, which saith, Speak
that which is Truth, eat that which is baked, and drink that which is
clear, if you be desirous of a long Life. For my part, I delight to
have the Kernels, and purged or cleansed Fruits, and willingly leave
the husks and shells to the Swine, that are delighted with Bran and
Chaff, and their own Dung._
_B._ I am extreamly satisfied, that I have already (thanks be to God)
seen the whole Work, and have a sufficient thorough understanding
of the whole Basis of the same, _viz._ that the purer and subtiler
part is to be separated from the more impure and grosser part, and,
by an often repeated Separation, and artificial Concentration, to be
advanced into a most subtile, most pure, and most noble Quintessence,
if any one has a mind to produce effects of some great moment, or to
do more than common things. And now, as you have learned, from the
words of our precedent Conference, the way of making an universal
Medicine out of common Gold: So have you likewise again received,
from this our present discoursing together, the Confection of the
universal Medicament, out of our _Saturnine Magnesia_, which is the
_Root_ of the vulgar Gold. But, although both of these Medicaments are,
as _per se_ and singly alone, very excellent and effectual enough,
yet notwithstanding it plainly, and clearly appears unto our ken,
that the power and Virtues of both the universal Medicines admit of
being promoted unto a far higher Degree; the which thing we see is
possible to be done by the means of Conjunction, and is to be thus
understood. When a Seed is implanted into its own growing Root, it
attracts out of such a Root, which is of its own kind, or Nature a far
better, and more nourishing Alimentary juice, than out of the gross
Earth. For example, The Seed of a _Rape Root_ being put in the Earth,
produceth _Rapes_ of the same bigness that the _Rapes_ were of, from
whence the Seed came: And as often as you shall commit that Seed (by
sowing) to the Earth, you shall, notwithstanding, never have greater
and better _Rapes_ than those, from whence the Seed was taken. But
now, if the Seed of some _Rape_ be sown into some other _Rape_ which
is in the Earth, and which hath grown unto the half of its bigness
already; that Seed will sprout forth, and grow up like as the other
Seeds planted in the Earth will do, but yet sooner, because it finds a
better Nutriment in its own Mother, than that does, which is planted
in the bare Earth: And hereupon, it must necessarily produce a greater
_Rape Root_, and from the greater Root will proceed a greater Seed.
And this is the reason, that there are such great grown _Rapes_, which
make every Body wonder at them: Some such I have seen, that weighed
ten, twelve, yea and twenty Pound weight. If you have a mind to try,
sow a few _Rape_ Seeds, throwing them into the Earth, which when
they shall have grown to the bigness of an Egg, take a wooden sharp
stick, and make therewith a small hole, even into the middle of the
said _Rape_, and then put thereinto your _Rape_ Seed, and stop up the
hole with soft [clammy] Potters clay, that so the Rain may not get in
and rot the Root. Thus now, that Seed will also (as being in its own
Root) grow up out of this _Rape_, existing and growing in the Earth,
and will dilate that its Root, and advance it to a greater bigness.
The Reason’s this, because it can attract unto it self a better and
more convenient Nourishment from a Root of its own kind, than out
of the bare Earth. And if you shall practise thus with other Seeds
likewise, you will effect the same, as with this. _N.B._ From the Seeds
of small _Radishes_, implanted into great _Rape Roots_, there grow
huge _Radishes_. This kind of Propagation may not unfitly be likened
to a Mothers suckling her Infant, which attracteth and draws its
Nourishment from the Mothers Breasts: But the Mother it self receives
her Nourishment from the Fruits of the Earth, and that, being changed
into a sweet Milk, supplies the Infant, whereby it is sustained and
nourish’d. But that I may lay the whole business afore your Eyes, by a
more full Declaration, I will yet farther add one Similitude more. Take
you some wild and not yet ripe Stock of a _Pear_, _Apple_, _Cherry_,
or some other Fruit-bearing Trees, such, I say, as is not yet full
grown, but is as yet constituted in its first tender Age, take off
from it all its Boughs, which bear [but] a wild and sower Fruit, and
Cut it all off even unto the bottom, and to the Stock standing out of
the Earth plant a _Cion_, pluckt off from another Tree that does not
bear wild fruit, into this Stock, betwixt the Bark and the Wood of the
same, where ’tis cut off with the Saw, and fence it well with Wax, or
tenacious Clay, _&c._ against the Rain: If now you shall thus do, and
do your work Gardner-like, that fruitful _Cion_ will draw unto it self
the wild Juice, out of that wild Tree or Stock, and make it better, so
that it will no more bear any wild Fruit, but such as that Tree did
bear, from which the _Cion_ was pluckt. If now, so small a _Cion_ of
some cultivated and fruitful Tree can so change the wild Juice of a
wild Stock, that it becomes far better, and more noble: Why, should
not Gold do the same in our Metallick Tree, when ingrafted in Lead as
in its proper Root? Verily in my Opinion, there is not a better Earth
(from which that golden Seed may attract unto it self an Alimentary
Nourishment, and so multiply it self even to infinity) to be had, than
its own proper Root. But yet, with this Proviso, that all the gross
and degenerate Boughs be first cut off from that same gross Root, for
so, it will the easilier and readilier change its wild and degenerate
Juice, (when joyned to the golden Seed or _Cion_,) and so will be
changed into a far nobler, and produce Fruits a thousand fold. You see,
my Friend! what good Will I bear to you, in that I have so faithfully
opened unto you all those things which I thought necessary to be known,
for the perfecting of so great a Work. Ponder well in your mind, upon
the Similitudes of the _Rape_ and _Cion_, and believe, that what I have
here spoken is not casually and at Random. For they have more hidden
under them, than they seem to shew for, and than you would imagine.
Length of time will open your Eyes, which are as yet blinded, as to
abundance of things, (if God permit.)
A. _Surely, Sir, I cannot chuse but wonder anew, when I accurately
consider the things you have declared unto me, of changing the wild
Nature, of the wild Vegetative Fruits into a tame, mild, Property:
And that such a Transmutation of the ignobler Nature, into a more
noble One, takes place also in Metallick Affairs. They are verily such
things, as are of weighty Concernment, and most worthy a most accurate
Consideration. But, indeed, who can sufficiently enough consider of all
the Divine Miracles? Blessed be his most holy Name for evermore._
_B._ Amen.
A. _I give unto you, for your courteous instruction, most hearty
thanks, and remain obliged unto you all my whole Life. And thus with
what hath been said, I commit both you and my self to Gods protection._
_B._ My dearest Friend, I have now performed the Promise I made unto
you, and am not meanly delighted, in that you have understood the
meaning of those things, which I have said unto you: But yet I cannot
but admire, that you are not Covetously desirous of knowing yet more,
and that you do not Crave an yet more prolix unfolding of more matters.
For you well know, that you cannot every day have the Enjoyment of my
Company.
A. _For those things, which I at present received from you, do I return
you most hearty thanks, another time God will vouchsafe more: The
greatest desire I have at present, is to set about so great a Work,
and to have the Fruition of the hoped for Fruit. If you are so minded,
and bent upon doing Friendly Favours, I do request you, that you would
oblige my Brother by your good turns, if he shall hap to come unto you,
and Petition for ought at your hands, for you may assist him in some
small, yet good, =Arcanum=: For he hath been stupid, or unapprehensive
enough hitherto, and much needs some accurate instruction. But what
shall I say? The sick looks after the Physician, he that is thorough
Well has no need of him. Such things as are hard to be understood,
exceed his Capacity: The more easie things are more commodious. And so
again, Farewel._
_The COROLLARY._
I have taught in this Dialogue, _That the White Lac virginis_ (after
its being extracted, by Distillation, out of the Black _Magnesia_, and
after its Exaltation, in Virtue and Efficacy, by Rectification and
Concentration,) _is to be freed from its superfluous Humidity, and yet
the dry Matter is to be made permanent in the Fire, by the gradual
Operation of the Fire_. Now for the more accurate Declaration sake;
these things which follow shall be yet farther subjoyned.
That Fixation, if it be to be perfected by the [bare] help of the
common Fire, requires a long and tedious time, so that there’s no
reason for a Man to persuade himself, that he can finish the same in
one years space. I speak by my own experience, for I my self have
tryed, and find that it cannot be, that one year should suffice for the
finishing of this Fixation, for indeed it requires a much longer time.
For after that, I had so far advanced the Matter, that it had passed
through all the Colours, as to flow when put upon a Red hot Plate, and
to insinuate it self thereinto, like Oyls penetrating into a dry Hide,
yet was it not fixt enough nor constant, nor served it for the tinging
of the Metals, but when a vehement Fire was applyed thereunto, away
it went in fume; but yet not without an evident Demonstration of the
possibility of the same. For as much therefore, as it does not yield
that satisfactory Fruit, [and Success] and seeing that such great
Labours are not undertaken, without the expectation of some Profit, and
that the hoped for Fruits cannot however be gathered, afore that the
said matter is promoted to a perfect Maturity, and consequently dreads
not any the most vehement Storms of the Fire any more; any one may
easily conjecture, that there needs (as I said afore) a more tedious
space of time for this Fixation, if it be to be done and perfected by
the common Fire of Coals. But now, he that has the knowledge of the
secret Fire, of the Ancient Philosophers, such an one will much easier,
and speedier arrive unto the wished end of the Operation. The Nature
of the vulgar and fugacious Minerals doth very difficultly and slowly
admit of that Fixation, which is made with the Fire of Coals: And this
I was unwilling to conceal from the diligent Searcher after the Secrets
of Nature; yet farther adjoyning this Admonition, [_viz._] that a very
profitable Medicament may nevertheless be prepared in a shorter space
of time, and an appearance made of the admirable, and highly delightful
Variation of abundance of most delicate Colours. For the first Colour
that appears is like the black head of a _Crow_, presenting it self to
view like the Colour of black Glass. This blackness going off by little
and little, gives place to the White, and pondrous Mass; which is
called by the Philosophers, the _White Swan_, and not without reason,
because that self same white Matter is not so compact and Stone-like,
as that black _Crows_ Head, but is porous, and not much unlike unto
a kind of heap made of abundance of small and white Feathers. When
this Whiteness is turned into a Yellow, those Feathers vanish, and
the Mass returns to its former Compactness, and resembles the form of
a yellow Stone: Of which if you put a little piece upon some Red hot
Silver, or Copper-plate, it will at first stand like a Red blood, and
afterwards penetrate the Copper-plate, and tinge it both within and
without with a white Colour; but yet, somewhat brittle as yet, and
yields in the _Cineritium_, or _Cupel_, some Silver, and operates in
Medicine somewhat effectually, like the white Stone, but yet weaker.
It likewise pierceth into a Silver-plate, like as Oyl into a Skin, and
tingeth it with a yellow Colour, which being separated by the _Cupel_,
and dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_, leaves excellent Gold in the bottom.
I have not as yet made any farther Progress on the Operation, being
quite tired, and weary of spending any longer, and more tedious time
thereabouts, which however was necessarily requisite to the perfecting
of this Tincture with the Fire of Coals. But yet I have by me all the
Colours as they follow on after each other, which I can shew unto any
one; whereby they may see with their Eyes the most evident possibility
of Nature: To which end also I am minded to preserve those Tinctures
by me, that they may be an everlasting Memorial of so great a thing?,
unto my Posterity: But for my part, I will commend [to every one] that
shorter way of bringing the work to the wished end, by the Mediation of
the secret Fire of the Philosophers: Concerning which, the following
Dialogue, and the _little Book of Fires_, treats. For the immature
First Ens of Gold, cannot be excocted [or digested] into the desired
Tincture by any thing more easily, than in its own proper secret Fire;
and not by a Coal Fire.
And that it may clearly appear, that I have written the Truth, I will
send unto some of my Friends (God willing) some of those white and
yellow Stones, to be used not only in Medicine, but in _Alchymy_ too;
that so they may make tryal and experimentally find, that Tinctures
have a Power of bettering, and amending Metals, afore they have arrived
unto the half part of their Fixation.
_The Third Dialogue, or Conference, betwixt B. and C. treating
of the true Universal and particular Medicine of the ancient
Philosophers, (extracted) out of such Gold as is yet fugacious,
or Volatile, and immature; (and is) to be ripened by their secret
Fire; which Operation is by them styled, the work of Women, and
play of Children._
C. _Good morrow heartily, my Friend! I wish you a good and prosperous
Day._
_B._ I wish you the same, whence come you to us so early?
C. _I have very earnestly for these several days waited for this hour,
that I might see you, and have the Fruition of the most sweet Fruits of
your Courteous instructions. My Brother =A.= sent me hither, and told
me, that you had given him leave to send me unto you this day. I do
therefore Friendly request you, that you would put a good Construction
upon this my Boldness._
_B._ [My Friend!] I do not in the least take it ill, your Brother told
me, that you were as yet ignorant and unskilled, in the more subtil
_Arcanaes_ and Secrets; and that you therefore needed not ought else,
but some pretty easie Secret, which might be easily understood, and
performed with small Expences, and yet be profitable and beneficial
unto you.
C. _Indeed, Sir, to tell you the plain Truth, such =Arcanums= as are
profound ones, and to be penetrated into by a subtil Meditation, and
which are of great moment, do far outreach my duller apprehension:
And therefore I do not at this time desire any thing, more than this,
=viz.= that I may obtain something that is not costly, and yet may
effect so much in Medicine and =Alchimy=, as may serve me to live a
little more commodiously and plentifully, as to Food and Raiment. And
that you would be pleased, to render me a Master of this my desire, is
my humble request unto you, again and again._
_B._ You do very prudently measure out your requests, according to your
own Capacity. And indeed, sometimes, those things which are not Costly,
nor are difficult in their Operation, are more profitable to a Man,
than those things are, which they would fain get by the expence of a
great deal of Charge, of a long time, and hard Labours: I will grant
you your Request, and therefore hearken.
C. _[Sir, I thank you,] and do listen._
_B._ Have you never read, or else heard from others, that those most
ancient Philosophers, tell us that their universal Work, is not only
most easie to be done, but withal no ways Chargeable. For they do
openly Confess, that to the perfecting of their Work, a Man needs be at
no more Expences, than two _Florins_, and that the Labour it self, even
from the beginning to the end, is nothing else but mere Womens work,
and Boys play.
C. _You are pleased to offer me delicate Dainties, easie to be
prepared, for I have not so much Money as is to be laid out upon those
kind of chargeable and costly Labours: Neither will my Family Affairs
admit thereof, =viz.= to spend my days in such sumptuous and chargeable
Cookeries, and which are so full of most great Labours, and whose
event too is oftentimes very uncertain. For I have heard some say, that
the smallest Errour may destroy the whole Work, and quite spoil it, and
so grievously affect such as operate about such great Secrets, with a
very great loss of long time, and great Expences. And therefore such a
Work, as I can attend upon without letting my taking Care of my Family,
and which will need the disbursment of but a few Expences, will please
me better than those other Costly ones would._
_B._ I readily believe, that this very thing you desire, will not only
be exceedingly pleasing unto your self, but also unto many others
besides. The Expences are but very small, and the Labours thereupon
but little, so that each days Fire, which the Matter is to be set
upon, may be taken Care for, in half an hours space. But now, though
the Philosophers have made mention of very small Expences, and have
comprised them in the compass of a couple of _Florins_, yet is that
saying to be otherwise understood. Those Ancients made use of the
greatest _Florins_, _viz._ the _Rhenish_ ones, and also the _Hungarian_
Crowns, each of which is of the value of five of our _Florins_. And if
you thus understand it after this compute, I can easily shew unto you
the Truth of their Assertion.
C. _I do even think as you say: Sure we must not expect any [such]
things for nothing; I am content, [and therefore, pray] let us proceed._
_B._ If our Work be called the labour of Women, and Boys play, it is
expedient, that it be like unto Womens work, and Boys play: For else
the Philosophers would have used an unfit similitude. You well know,
what Labours your Wife is chiefly busied about, and what her daily
Labour is she imploys her self in.
C. _Yes, verily I daily see, that she doth boyl Food necessary for the
Use of the whole Family, and being boyl’d sets it upon the Table to be
eaten. This Labour she performs, at least twice every day, when Dinner
and Supper is ended, she doth wash the Dishes, Pots, Goblets, and other
Vessels, and cleans them, and makes them fit to put other new Food in,
and to be served out to the Table. Besides too, this is her Office and
Care, if haply a Pot be broken, or crackt, whereby it is made unfit
to hold moisture any more, to substitute (in defect of Iron Pots) a
new Pot made of Potters Clay, in the stead thereof: Such and the like
Labours, as these, are in our Country called the Womens work._
_B._ Well, be it so: I will likewise shew unto thee, such a Labour in
_Chymical_ Operations, as resembles this. Therefore, like as the Female
Sex do first wash the _Flesh_, _Fish_, _Rapes_, _Pot-herbs_, _Roots_,
_Apples_, _Pears_, or other things with pure Water, which they mean to
boyl, and then put them into the Pot, and pour thereunto as much Water
as is requisite, and place it over the Fire, and boyl it so long, till
all the crudity, or rawness being vanisht, the Meats become grateful to
the Palat, and pleasant, and easily digestible by the Stomach. [So do
we] They do likewise sometimes pour Wine upon Flesh and Fish, instead
of Water, and add as much Salt as is convenient, together with some
Spices, or odoriferous Herbs, by which they give the Fish and Flesh a
most excellent Taste. But yet we must not forget Salt, above all the
other Spices, or Seasonings, and odoriferous Herbs, for it Corrects
and maturates the Flesh, Fish, and other hard Meats, more than other
Spices. For we can well enough want these if they are not at hand,
but as for Salt, there is always need of that, about the boyling of
Flesh, Fish, and other Food. If therefore Flesh, or Fish are to be
boyld well, then Salt water is requisite; and as for all the other
Additions of Herbs, and odoriferous Spices, they only serve to give
it a good pleasant Taste, and make it acceptable to the Palat, and
to the Smelling. For the Flesh and Fish when boyl’d or stewed, do by
their Magnetick Virtue attract so much Salt and grateful Savour, and
Virtue, as they need: And that which remains, stays in the Water. Now
the curious Dames do shut the tops of their Pots very well with their
Covers, lest the efficacious Vapours should be forced away in fume
by the Boyling, and not stay with the Flesh or other Meats. But the
careless Housewifes do not much regard the covering of their Pots, from
whence it comes to pass, that they lose these good and sweet Spirits,
and then they fil up their Pots with new Water, by which doings, the
Flesh, or Fish, do not get so sweet a Savour, as they would have, if
that efficacious Water had been kept in and conserved. Some Women that
are yet more curious, and diligent about their Cookery, do put upon
their Pots, wherein they boyl their Meats, such a Cover as hath a
fold in it, by which the Collected sweet and odoriferous Vapours may
distil down into an under-put Vessel, which being thus gotten, they
keep by them, to refresh and cherish with them, such as are weak and
sick, when need requires. Others, to free themselves from this kind of
Labour, do add as much Water as need is, together with Salt and Spices,
to their Flesh, and so boyl it by little and little, shutting in the
Vapours with a Cover, which else would go away, and the Meat taste
of burning; And by doing thus, they are not necessitated to pour on
any new Water, though this slow boyling takes up more time than that,
which is done by a strong and uncessant Ebullition: I would have you
well to observe these things, for ’tis not without cause that I utter
them. And now let us examine the other similitude, and see what those
Boys Plays are, that so we may afterwards accommodate even them too, to
our Philosophical work. What therefore do you see concerning the Boys
Plays, with what things, and after what manner do they Play?
C. _How can I tell? They play as their Parents please to let them,
or as they can get opportunity of Playing: As for my self, I do not
grant my Children so much Liberty, to play when, and how they list
themselves. I send them to the School and to the Church, and sometimes
I allow them one hours Play for Recreations sake, nor do I allow them
any other Play but at Bowls, [or Knickers] by which they moderately
stir their Bodies, and exercise themselves, and Concoct their Meat, and
this is far more profitable for them, than if they were constrained to
sit always at home, without any exercise at all: Other play than this,
I allow them not. Cards and Dice are unfit Plays for Boys, they are
many times very hurtful to those of riper years, especially when by the
too much abuse of them, they do so unprofitably waste their precious
time, and cannot tell how to use a mean. I have indeed otherwise seen
Boys, that meeting with some Sand get [thereout of] bright Stones, and
play with them, but yet this is not usual. However, there is no play
more frequent amongst Children, than that of Bowls, [or Knickers] which
play they daily use, whatsoever time they can steal, to that purpose.
Yea both at their going to School, and returning from School, you may
see them presently busied about their Rubbers, or Knickers-play. They
are very hardly restrained therefrom. If they want Money to buy the
Bowls, or Knickers, they get a little piece of Potters Clay and moisten
it with Water, and make up their little Bowls, or Pellets in their
hands, and harden them in the Fire; which I remember, when I was a
Boy, I often did. And besides this Boys play, no other is known unto
me._
_B._ Very good, you have hit the nail on the head: And now let us
see, whether or no the ancient Philosophers have (after the manner of
Boys) played with small Bowls, or Knickers? and whether, or no, they
have boyl’d their work in Pots, with as easie a Labour, as Women do.
For of necessity they must have hit on doing after this wise, else
could they not have compared their work to the Labour of Women, and
play of Children. So then, if we are to imitate Women and Boys in our
Operation, what Matters are we to make use of, for our boyling, in the
stead of Flesh, Fish, and other Meats; and what Water is it, that is
to be poured thereupon. For if we are minded to do any good effect,
’tis expedient, that we likewise know, what those Matters are, which
admit of being boyled unto a Maturity in our fiery Water, and these
verily must be such, (seeing they are to be _maturated by boyling_)
as have a great Affinity with the said Water: Forasmuch therefore, as
our Water is of a _Metallick_ Nature, and yet all the Metals do in a
manner arise, or proceed (in the Earth) therefrom, and are even at this
very day advanced, by the very same (by the help of the Terrestrial
and Central fire) by little and little unto perfection: All that we
have to do is, to imitate the simplicity of Nature, which will never
seduce us, for so without question, those most ancient Philosophers
did do, who having borrowed their wonderful Work from Nature her self,
do advise us to do no more, but to follow Nature, and to begin there,
where Nature left off, and to ascend higher and to make that perfect,
which is as yet imperfect: God hath prefixed unto Nature her bounds,
which she cannot transgress [or go beyond:] But Art, doth much excel
Nature, and performs those things which Nature cannot accomplish: Yea
more, that which she can hardly do in the Earth in a thousand years
time, Art effects in one year, and this is easily confirmed by many
Testimonies. Now as to the Generation and Maturation of the Metals,
Nature useth a most simple or plain way, a very slow one, but yet safe.
From thence ariseth the Errour of many a Man, who do not follow Nature,
but the guidance of their own phantastick Brains, never effecting
ought of good, but remain always Novellists in the same, what Labours
soever they undertake, and what Expences soever they are at: Although
the ancient Philosophers do by their many Admonitions set afore us,
that most simple Course of Nature for us to imitate; and they have
especially hinted to us, that their Work is so simple, that should they
but openly and clearly have treated of the same, even the Women would
deride it and say, that the Male kind had learned their Art from them.
Yea, it is so very vile a Work, that no Body would be able to believe
it, and upon this Account, the Philosophers have done their utmost,
to hide and obscure the Art the most they could, least they should be
contemned by the proud deriders, (who Soaring aloft seek after things
too high for them,) and be accounted for Cheats and false Writers. And
this is the main and chiefest Reason, why this Art being so wrapt up in
darkness of a most profound Silence, lyes hitherto hid from the whole
Troop of Sophisters, and such deriding Fellows. _Sendivow_ (as we have
already several times hinted) doth expresly say, that he had oftentimes
declared the whole Art, to not a few word for word, unto whom, that
Art did nevertheless seem so very vile and mean, that they could not
at all believe any likelihood of Truth in his most true words, and
so left the Work unattempted. The same _Sendivow_ doth also say, That
had the most skilful _Hermes_, the most quick witted _Geber_, and most
illuminated _Lully_ been again alive, and beheld our Laboratories
stored with so many, and such various Instruments of Glass, Earth,
Iron, and other Matters, and such several Fornaces, they would be
ravished into a most high Admiration, like so many Boys, and would be
but as it were our Scholars, as concerning those Vessels and Fornaces,
all which however, we have learned from their Writings, but yet we are
destitute of that most excellent Work which was wrought by them in so
simple a Way, and it hitherto flies our subtile and acute Wits. And, my
dear Friend, he also tells us, that we should fly aloft into the lofty
Air with our Wings, for the Work is simple, vile and abject, the which,
you may sooner comprehend [or feel] with your hands, than apprehend by
the subtilty of your Wit or Cogitations.
C. _All these things may very sufficiently serve to rid us out of so
great a Labyrinth, but I pray, Sir, how comes it about, that we do
sottishly persuade our selves, that those things are so very difficult,
which notwithstanding are so very simple, vile, and abject._
_B._ It is indeed, to him that has knowledge of the same, an easie,
vile, and simple thing: But very difficult and intricate to him, that
laying aside the way of Nature, thinks himself able to learn so great
an Art out of Books, which (by their leave) though, seems a thing
almost impossible to be done. For the Philosophers have so prolixly,
intricately, and obscurely described the whole Mystery, that their so
prolix and dark Writings would sooner lead a Man from the true and
right way, so far off are they from reducing him thereinto.
C. _I my self find, that this is most certainly true, for I never
heard as yet of any Man, or read of any, that learned the Art out
of Books: But that almost all of them who were skilled in the same,
do Confess, that they became Masters of the same, either by Divine
Inspiration or Revelation, or by the help of some Friend. There’s no
Body can contradict those things which you have here induced, for the
Confirmation of your Opinion. And now, Sir, let us set upon the Work it
self, and diligently pray unto God and wait for his Blessing._
_B._ Content, hearken therefore attentively.
C. _So I do._
_B._ Did you never find in the reading of the Philosophers, that all
the imperfect Metals may in a _Particular_ way be promoted to the
perfect Maturity of Gold or Silver, by their dry Water which wetteth
not the hands: But being not content with this effect, they have
promoted the first _Ens_ of Metals (by the help of their occult, fiery,
and ripening Water) to a more than perfect Constancy, and Fixity in the
Fire, and have concentrated it to the form of Gold.
C. _I remember, that I have read of such things as these, though by
reason of my unskilfulness and ignorance, I could not understand the
least Particle of their meaning: For I am altogether ignorant of that
kind of wonderful, and yet, to every Body well known Water: And so
shall still remain until it be shewn (and pointed at) with the Fingers._
_B._ Look here, here’s a piece of admirable Water which is every where
in all places easie to be found, yea, in the poorest Country-mens
Houses, nor doth it deny any Man, the Possession and having it.
C. _Who would ever have believed, or thought, that there was any good
hidden in so vile and abject a Body?_
_B._ [I wonder] wherefore [it is] that no Body can think of this
Matter, seeing it is evident, that in our Water the first Entities of
all the Metals are abundantly hidden, as in their own proper Seed, out
of which they are generated in the Earth, and ripened unto perfection.
Those first Entities are but extracted out of this our Water, by
[peculiar] Magnets. And now, like as every Metal hath its own Magnet,
even so every one [of them] hath its proper Magnet, by which it is
concentrated into a narrow Room. I will declare unto you the Truth of
this business, by an example taken from the Metals. If you have a Water
fully impregnated with Copper, and you desire to have Copper out of
the said Water, you will easily bring this to pass, if you shall but
put in to that Water, which holds in it the Copper, a piece of clean
Iron, the which Iron, (as being the true Magnet of the Copper,) will
attract unto it self, all the invisible Copper out of the Water, and
gather it into a visible and palpable Metal. If Silver be dissolv’d in
any Water and made invisible, and you would again have it, put into the
Solution a Plate of pure [or clean] Copper, which (after a Magnetick
manner) will gather together [or draw out] all the Silver in his own
[Silvery] Body, and make it visible and palpable. Now when Gold is
dissolved in some Water, and largely dispersed, [as I may say] and you
would again have it [in the form of Gold;] then put in some ☿ or _Ar.
vive_ in that Water, and boyl it a little therewithal, (as was done
above, with the Copper and Silver) and you shall presently see all the
Gold to be attracted, and gathered together by the _Mercury_, insomuch
that there will not remain ought of the Gold in the Water, because it
follows the Attraction of its own Magnet, _Mercury_. These _Metallick_
and _Magnetick_ Operations, are a sufficiently manifest Information
unto us, and do point out unto us (as with a Finger) the way, of the
extracting, not only good Metals in a _Particular_ manner, but also
far better things than Metals, (_viz._ the Tincture, or form of Gold)
out of our stinking Water, in an _Universal_ way, by such Magnets,
as are fit and apt in Nature for this Extraction. Another similitude
we have from the Earth, and Rain water, with which the Fruits of the
Earth are moistned: Put you in such an Earth moistned with that Water,
as many Seeds as you please; each of them, will (by its _Magnetick_
Virtue) attract unto its self, its own like, for its Multiplication,
and will leave to the other Seeds, to attract each of them its like
also. If now, by this similitude, the Scope or end I aim at, may be
made manifest unto you, there is yet hopes you may be holpen: If not, I
do not see, by what means you can be succoured, forasmuch as it would
be too tedious here to use many other Circumstances. For when we are
certainly assured, that the first _Ens_, or the very Form of Gold is
plentifully hidden in our Water, we do by very good right seek after
that best part, _viz._ the form of Gold, and leave the other first
Entities of the rest of the Metals, in the Water. And now Ile shew thee
another similitude: Dissolve in one and the same Water, ☉, ♀, ♂, ♃, ☿,
that so you may have all these Metals commixt together in the same: If
now you desire to extract the best of them, _viz._ the Gold there out of,
what hurt will the other bring you, if they remain in the Water. Such
therefore as the Magnet is, which you put into that same Water, such
is the Metal too, that you shall extract. If therefore we particularly
seek ☉ and ☽ in our Water, it will be expedient, that we put unto
this spiritual ☉ and ☽ their proper Magnet, unto which Magnets, they
(being precipitated) do stick on, and are by little and little fixed
[on thereunto.] And now if we seek after something better than ☉ and
☽, _viz._ the form and Tincture of Gold, it will be necessity, that
we also apply such a [suitable] Magnet, which may draw out nothing
else but the Tincture or Form of Gold, which being precipitated
[thereout of] may be fixed. And thus have I here told you all those
things that are necessary to be known. If you are minded to extract
in a _Particular_ way, _Sol_ and _Lune_ out of the Universal Mineral
water, you must then put unto them their Magnet, _viz._ an _Amalgama_
of Copper, and _Argent vive_: For the Copper draws to it self the
spiritual Silver, and the ☿ the spiritual Gold, out of the said Water,
and brings it unto a Fixation [or Corporeity] with it self, [or, as it
self is.] But if you are minded, or desirous, of getting some better
thing, than the Gold it self, or Silver, is, _viz._ a Tincture, you
must then needs adjoyn thereto its own peculiar Magnet, for, without
it, you cannot effect any thing at all: But that you may know, what the
true Magnet of the Tincture is, I say unto you, _That is the Compeere,
or Companion of our Water, and not of the Metals_: For like seeks its
like, as the Philosophers say, Nature rejoyceth with Nature, Nature
overcomes Nature, Nature retains Nature: More than these things I
have told you, it is not needful for you to know: Consider therefore
very accurately what I have said, and beg of God by your Prayers a
blessing, which if you do, you shall not err, but yet you will not
be all of a sudden Master of what you desire. All these things have
their determinate times, like as a Grain of Wheat Sown in the Earth,
the which requires a time to ripen in, nor doth it wax ripe afore the
time appointed for Maturation be come about. Follow you the Advice left
by _Geber_, and do not hasten on your Work, by any the least hasty
speed: For he tells us expresly, that all hastning in our Work is of
the Devil. And as concerning what is to be known, and what a one the
Student of so noble an Art ought to be, you will find described in the
Fifth Part of my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_. And what think you now? Can
you thoroughly understand me?
C. _Yes, Verily, I do well enough understand those things which I
have hitherto heard from you, But yet this Womens work, which you
began a Declaration of, is not sufficiently clear unto me, nor is
that Boys-play, which is done with small Bowls or Knickers, I do not
thoroughly understand that neither, =viz.= how it may be compared
with the work of the Philosophers. Were but these things made clear
and evident unto me, I would Ranck my self amongst the number of the
Masters of the Art._
_B._ Well then, come let us go on and see, by what means the
Philosophers are wont to make their little Bowls. [Note!] Like as the
Boys make use of Earth and Water, for the making of their Pellets or
Knickers: So likewise will we use our Earth, and our Water to the
making of our small Bowls or Pellets: Ours, I say, not the vulgar and
common Earth and Water, for they are unprofitable as to our Work. But
tis indifferent, and all one, whether we take Yellow, Red, or white
Earth, because all of them are of one and the same Nature. According
to the Colour of the Earth which we use, will the Colour of the small
Balls we make, be: We have here at hand a threefold Earth, a yellow
Earth of Gold, a white of Silver and a Red of Copper. This threefold
Earth will we moisten with our Water or _Mercury_, and so make up a
Paste or Mass of the two, which the _Chymists_ call an _Amalgama_.
This Paste will we wash with pure Water, grinding it so long ’twixt
our Fingers, till there be to appearance of any father impurity, and
that it admits of being easily washt, or broken with the Fingers.
Being thus well washt, we will put it in a Skin, or Cotton, and tye it
firmly in; out of which, we will squeez forth all the ☿ with our hands,
and separate it from the said Earth, just in such a manner as _Argent
vive_ is separated in _Amalgamations_, or _Metalick_ Masses. The
_Mercury_ being separated, we will take out our thick _Amalgama_, and
make small Bowls, or Knickers thereof, and of almost the same bigness,
that the Boys Knickers are of. These Bowls we will expose to the Air,
for about some twenty four hours, and by this time they will be grown
so hard, as to resemble Stones, in hardness. And now, being thus made
ready for boyling, we will put them into our Water to seeth: But yet
in the seething, there must be an accurate regard had to some skilful
handling the Matter, if you would have it perform its Operation without
Errour. This Art will I faithfully open unto thee, lest you err, and
so bring damage upon your self: These Pellets, or little Bowls thus
made of our Mass, are not to be thrown into the Pot filled with Water,
afore the said Water boyls: Which boyling, you must throw them in one
after another, and they will presently harden themselves, and cover
themselves over with an hard Crustiness or Skin by which they will be
prevented from sticking to one another, and from coming altogether into
one Mass. For if you first of all put your little Balls into the Pot,
and then afterwards pour cold Water upon them, and so set them on the
Fire, that they may be boyled unto their Maturity, you will spoil your
whole work. For before the Water in the Pot be hot, all the Pellets
being dissolved, would run together in one Mass, and so would not admit
the Humefying, or moistning of their inside Parts, and so you would
turn all your Pellets by your seething into a mere Pouse or Pottage,
whereas they should remain whole in all their Parts, as well internal,
as external, for fear of drawing the Water in. But that you may have
an accurate Account of all these things which I have said unto you, I
hope you will set about the Work, [or thus,] I hope you will do your
best, heedfully to regard all these things which I have said unto you
and I suppose, that you have sufficiently understood the things which I
have already spoken: But if so be, you do not yet apprehend the meaning
of these things, I will Counsel you, by what means you may learn this
Operation at home from your Wife. When you are come home, bid your Wife
to make you some little Balls, or Dumplins with Flower and Veal. And
heedfully observe, what Course she takes, about making such Balls, that
so you may by the same way learn to deal with your _Metallick_ Pellets.
First of all, you shall see, that she puts some pure Flower into a deep
Dish or Platter, and having put it in, she works it into a Paste, or
Mass with Cream, or the purest Milk. Then she admixeth some green Herbs
smally minced, and some Spice medled among, and sprinkling some Salt
thereupon, she mixeth them with the Paste made as aforesaid, to give
it the sweeter Smell, and Taste. Of this Paste, she will afterwards
make little Balls, of what bigness she pleaseth, which Balls she does
not put in the Water afore it boyls. When therefore the Water seeths,
she throws in, one Ball after another, each of which, as soon as ever
it feels the fervent heat of the boyling Water, will presently cover
it self over with a Skin, whereby they will be kept from sticking one
to another, and running into one Mass, and returning into such a Paste
as they were in, before their being made up into Pellets: Whereas, now
each of them may be kept in its own Form, and be encompassed all round
with the Water, and be advanced unto a Maturity, or readiness, by a
due seething: And now, when you have seen this Operation of your Wives
Cookery, I do not question, but that you will be well enough skilled in
this Cooking Art.
C. _My dearest Friend, I do friendly request you not to take it amiss,
in that I cannot abstain any longer from down right laughing, when I
hear that our work hath such a corresponding likeness, with the Art
of Cookery: Your so faithful Instructions have already abundantly
satisfied me: I have very often seen my Wife busied about the Cooking
of such Balls, and my self have also delightfully fed upon these kind
of Dumplins, made both of Veal, Eggs, and Spices, and also of Flower,
Milk, and green Herbs. But I fear me, that when my Wife shall see me
making these Balls or Pellets, and boyling them in a little Pot, she
will laugh at me, and say, that I learned my Skil from her._
_B._ ’Tis no Matter, you have no reason to regard either the tatling
of your Wife, or of all Men whatever: For they know not what they do,
it is enough for you, that your self know what end it is, you do any
thing for: Think you, that if other Wiselings and Know-littles should
see you working with such little Balls, they would not deride and mock
you. But don’t you at all mind their unprofitable Prating, leave the
shril-sounding Geese to their own loud Chatling, and follow you my
Doctrine, and wrap up this our Cookery Art in the darkness of Silence:
Which if you do, you need not fear of being mockt, or laught at by
either Women, or Womanish Men.
C. _I have now (praised be God) learned enough: But yet, there is one
thing I am ignorant of, and that is this, by what sign I may come
to know, when my Pellets are well enough boyled, and what Fire they
are to be boyled in. The Fire of Wood and Coals, I know is used by
the feminine Sex for to boyl withal, but whether or no, the same be
necessary and conducive to our Operation, I request you to inform me._
_B._ Have you never seen, what proof Women have to know, when their
Dumplings are well boyled? They are wont to take one out, and cut it
in twain, that they may see, whether or no the inside, as well as the
outside of the same be so well seethed, as that the Flower is not
any more tenacious or Clammy: Do you even the same, and sometimes
put a piece of one of your Pellets you take out, in the _Cineritium_
or _Cupel_, and that will shew unto you, how much increase of _Sol_
and _Lune_ hath particularly added its self to your Balls, in that
time of the boyling, and how long they are, as yet, to be boyled. Now
you know, that all these things are to be searcht into, by your own
Meditation and Tryal, because it can not possibly be, that all things
can be so very clearly set afore ones Eyes, as to need no farther
meditating thereupon, and inquisition thereinto. After this manner
may you boyl in one Pot, with one and the same Water, two, three, or
more little Bowls, of different kinds, as, some made of Flower, green
Herbs, Spices, Flesh, Eggs, Fish, and other things, and so, after the
seething of them, you make take forth one kind after another, and
_Particularly_ apply them to your Use. For these things are to be
understood concerning _Particulars_. But if you have a mind desirous
after the _Universal_ Medicine, then must you enter upon a certain way
of almost an whole entire year, which is necessarily requisite to the
finishing of its Operation. For our Magnet, whose Task it is to extract
the _Form_ of the Gold out of our Waters, doth as yet groan under
its immaturity, and therefore needs no small space of time, for the
extracting the _Tincture_ out of our fugacious and combustible Waters,
and fixing it with it self.
C. _These Words of yours, by which you mention so long a time, do not a
little affrighten me. Our Wives can boyl their Dumplins enough in one
hours space; what will such a continued boyling cost? I would be glad
to redeem it, [or, to be excused] for the price of two Golden pieces of
Money [or Duckets.]_
_B._ I should tell you, that you are of the Off-spring of unbelieving
_Thomas_, for you heap upon your self, by your needless incredulity,
such heaps and Loads of Cares. Don’t you remember, that I told you at
first, that the Charges of the whole work, from the beginning to the
very end, do not exceed two Golden pieces of Money, which they call
Duckets. And that I do not at all tell you an untruth, I will expound
it unto you by an evident Demonstration. When you shall heat your well
covered Pot, that so your Water may not vanish away in fume, with the
small fire of a Lamp, how much I pray will such a Labour cost you? Put
Case, that some Pounds of water cost you some _Asses_ or _Stivers_,
and the Magnet doth also cost you some _Stivers_, [ten _Asses_ are a
_Roman_ Peny, which is Seven pence half Peny of our Money] and now how
many Pounds of Oyl will there need to nourish that so little a Fire?
And though you should spend forty, fifty, or more Pounds of Oyl, may
not you well say, that you shall finish the whole work, for the Charge
of two Golden Duckets. Well! what say you? Are you yet Content?
C. _You do now again somewhat encourage my mind, which had almost
fainted, by telling me, that the Matters necessary for our Work are
sold at so mean a Price. But there’s one thing still that doth not a
little trouble me, and that is, that so much time is required to the
Fixation. All the other things are as well as I could wish: But, I
would fain have had that shorter work of three hours, or seven days._
_B._ O thou Dreamer, what have I to do with thee? What? doth that space
of time, wherein such excellent and most profitable Fruits are to be
hoped for by thee, seem too long? What dost thou think to get without
length of time? Good things are not wont to offer themselves without
Process of time, as the common Proverb tells us. Mean while you may
follow your Vocation, nor needs there any other Labour, than that you
look to your Lamp Morning and Evening, and see how the Fire is. And I
pray, are not the Country men constrained to wait their time, wherein
to reap, and again to receive the Fruits which they committed to the
Earth? And though they have sown their Seeds afore the approach of the
Winter, yet they cannot reap them again from the Earth, sooner than the
next following _August_, which then rewards and recompenseth all their
hard Labours. But now, the waiting so long a time does not tire them;
for they patiently expect the time of Harvest. Thus likewise are you
to do, but if you are greedily desirous of sooner making ready your
Pellets, or Balls, by the boyling, you may I Confess, have a sooner
ending of your expectation, and that on this wise, _viz._ by a stronger
Fire, which may make your Water boyl without any ceasing, but yet in
this same way of Operating there doth again happen this trouble, from
that strong and uncessant seething, _viz._ that your Water being
without any intermission resolved into Fume and Vapour, is always
lessened, and you must of necessity be always pouring in more new. Use
which of these two ways you please, for you are e’en importunate and
troublesome enough unto me. I will not, for the time to come, take on
me to instruct any more such Disciples as you are. What do you think,
that if that short work of three days, or of seven hours were known
unto me, I would presently reveal it unto you? No! But yet I am not
gotten to so high a Degree of knowledge, as to profess my self a Master
of so great an Art. I do believe though, that such things are possible
to be done, but I deny, that I my self am able to do such notable
things. And now, go home, in God’s Name, and diligently and seriously
meditate upon all these things: You have heard enough, and my time will
no longer permit me to confer with you. If perhaps, one or two Errours
should put a stop to your proceedings, you may again come unto me, and
ask me thereabouts. Mean while I commend you unto God, and pray him to
bestow his Blessing upon your self, and your Labours.
C. _Now am I contented, not know what farther I should ask: I am sorry,
that I have so much troubled you by my dull Brains, and beetle Head,
and been so importunate: Nor know I, how to requite your deserts, God
will reward you with Life eternal, I shall go home full of joy, and
bear a glad Message, and Tidings unto my Family. And I pray God to be
at all times present with us, to our Help and Succour._
_B._ Amen.
_The COROLLARY._
I have, in this Third Dialogue, made mention of a certain secret fiery
Water, which can ripen the Volatile and immature Minerals, and Metals:
And herein I have principally regarded a _Particular_ Transmutation.
But forasmuch as a _Particular_ Melioration of the Metals requires as
much time, and no fewer Expences, than the _Universal_ it self does, I
would here commend to the Sons of Art the _Universal_ work, which is to
be preferred before a _Particular_ one. Such things as we have perhaps
omitted in this Dialogue, the Description of my fourth Secret Fire will
sufficiently supply the defect; to which, I refer the friendly Reader.
He will there see and understand, that the greatest part of the whole
Work, and the very hinge of the said Operation, consists chiefly in
the true Vessel, in which our Matter is to be ripened; and without
the knowledge of which, there can never be any thing done to purpose.
Which Vessel, seeing that all the Philosophers have covered over, and
hidden with so great a Care and Diligence, and have involved it with
such obscure Clouds of darkness, I should do amiss, yea, most extreamly
amiss, should I lay it open, and bring it from out of those dark
inwrapments, into the Light. Thus much only I say, that it ought to be
such a Fornace, and the Vessel it self such a one too, as in which, all
the Chymical Operations, _viz._ Solution, Putrefaction, Distillation,
Sublimation, Cohobation, Ascension, Descension, Circulation,
Inceration, and Fixation may be perfectly shewn unto an _Hermetick_
Disciple, or Learner, in one hours time, in one little Fornace, in one
Glass, and in one Fire, all which must not cost more than the value
of one quarter part of a Doller, and is all done without any changing
of the Glasses, or putting to, of the hands of the Operator. These are
indeed such things as exceed all the belief of the whole World, but
yet they do not exceed Glauber’s faith, nor sufficeth it him only to
believe, but he can also effect the same, that so other incredulous
people may believe likewise.
* * * * *
_N. B._ On a certain time, as I was familiarly discoursing with a
learned Man, concerning such great and incredible things, he presented
me with these following Verses, aptly agreeing to this Matter in hand.
_Thy [3]Sirname =(Glauber!)= given was, as, unto =Faith=, relating
Yet by good right it should have squar’d unto thy Operating.
Faith’s Objects are invisible, but yet, such things, do you,
As would at first be scarce believ’d, produce by Art to view._
[3] John.
_A Short Exposition upon the Hellish Goddess =Proserpina=, the
Wife of =Pluto=, =viz.= what the Heathenish Philosophick Poets,
as =Ovid= and =Virgil= understood by it._
_And how, by the help of this =Proserpina=, the =Animæ=, or Souls,
of the Mortified =Metallick= Bodies are carried out of the
Chymical Hell into the Philosophick Heaven. Translated out of the
=High-Dutch=._
Reader, that we may see, if and how the inferiour Metals, by true Art,
may be transmuted into good and constant Gold and Silver: I find,
that it is first necessary to declare whence, and by what means the
Melioration of the imperfect Metals must proceed by Art, and by what
means only by Nature, without the hand of the Artist, the clean and
fixed Gold and Silver hath arrived to such a Purity, and Perfection.
It being then, that this knowledge is the only Foundation, upon which
_Alchymy_ is built, I find it necessary to discover it to those, who
are ignorant of it, and to shew a sure way, in which they may go
without hinderance, and happily arrive to the desired End.
The Reason, why Nature generates all Metals in the Mountains, and
brings some of them to Perfection, and leaves others imperfect,
several Philosophers of our Ancestors have very plainly described,
and therefore needs not here to be repeated. He that knows it not may
enquire after it, in the Writings of these Philosophers, where he may
learn their Grounds, or Reasons, only this little I think necessary
here to shew, _viz._ that all Metals and Minerals have but one
Original, or beginning, to wit, the four Elements, Fire, Air, Earth and
Water. But that one Metal in the Earth, in which is its Matrix, becomes
to be more noble than another, this is but accidental, according as one
Metal by the Central Fire is more, or less cocted, and chiefly from
thence, according as the Universal Spirit of the World, or first Matter
of Metals, lights of a Matrix in the Earth, more clean or unclean. But
passing this by, because the Books of Philosophers are filled with
them, although observed by a very small number of Men. For almost all
who read Chymical Books, read only to the end, that they may see those
Processes, which teach how to make Gold and Silver out of the inferiour
Metals, but do not at all mind the Original, and difference of Metals,
although that ought to be the first, for where the Philosophers write
of the Generation and difference of Metals, there they publish the
whole Ground of _Alchymy_: But where they write their _Receipts_, and
_Processes_, their they obscure the Art, and lead the easie Believers
into Errour. Among all the Philosophers, I have found none which hath
dealt more plainly and openly in this Matter, than _Paracelsus_ in his
_Heaven of Philosophers_, who writes, that every Metal is an hider or
concealer of the other Six, or that every visible Metal contains in
it self invisibly and spiritually the other six Metals, and that to
bring forth and make visible, the invisible, and more noble Metal, and
on the contrary, to transplant the visible and ignobler Metal in the
same place, where the more noble and invisible was, is very possible,
which is indeed the very Truth. For I my self have perform’d this
Transplantation, not only once, but some hundred times. If any hath a
mind to perform any notable thing in _Alchymy_, he can find no Book,
which will teach him more than the Book above cited. But yet I will
not despise the Books of other good Writers. And if this were not
true, that every visible Metal hides in it self the others, invisibly,
how could it be possible to transmute any inferiour Metal, either
universally or particularly, into good and constant Gold? But that it
is possible, daily ocular inspection proves to be true, in several
places of the World. Now if this be so, as no man needs to doubt it,
it will not be difficult to teach any understanding Man, if he will
but learn a little how to handle the Fire, how to bring forth fixed
and corporeal Gold, out of those gross and visible Metals, in which
lyes hidden a great deal of pure and spiritual Gold. But yet you must
know, that one clean Metal hath more invisible and spiritual Gold
in it, than another. _Jupiter_ hath in it much spiritual Gold, but
_Venus_ more, and _Mars_ the most: Yet _Antimony_ doth not give place
to _Mars_, for the quantity of spiritual Gold. Now whosoever is minded
to undertake this sort of Labour with Profit, let him take care what
Metal he handles, and how he handles it, that instead of Profit, he
may not reap discouragement and damage, but may have reason to thank
God, Nature and Art; in which, this following Process will sufficiently
help him, in which, the true and most certain way is openly shewn. Yet
with this Proviso, that he so lives, that God may be pleased with his
Conversation, and not have it in Abomination. For Gods blessing is all
in all. There must be together earnest Prayers, diligent Consideration,
and unwearied Labour, or else one may easily fail, although the Art be
plainly and clearly set before his Eyes, without any reserve, which
a good Christian ought certainly to believe. Yet I have often heard
the contrary, from impious Men, such are the adherents and Consorts
of _Farnner_, as if God had nothing to do with such Arts, and that
Art alone was Master in these Cases, which certainly is very impious,
seeing that such Blasphemies, take away from God his Omnipotency, his
Goodness and Mercy, and give them only to Nature, seeing that God hath
not his beginning from Nature, but Nature from God. Have not the wise
Heathens believed, that God could give his blessing to Mens endeavours,
and take it away again at his Pleasure? What saith _Virgil_, that
famous Philosopher? when he teacheth hew to pluck the Golden branch
from the _Opake_ Tree:
_Tene manu, facileque sequetur, & uno avulso,
Non deficit alter, si te fata vocant, aliter nullis viribus
Nec duro ferro avellere potes._
_One Branch being pluck’d and born away,
Another follows; unless the Fates say nay nay:
Without whose Smile, no force of hardest Steel
To crop the smallest Twig, can ought prevail._
It is said, _Ora & Labora_, Pray and Labour, according to which, let
every Man live. Now you shall hear how the imperfect Metals, in a
particular way, may be transmuted with great Profit, into perfect,
and that very plainly without any reserve, for I have obtain’d it at
length by much Consideration. And because my great Age, and several
long Sicknesses keep me continually in Bed, and both Feet are as in
the Grave, where I stand certainly expecting nothing else, but a happy
departure out of this transitory Life, into a better, which passeth
not away. So that I would by no means intermit to sing with the _Swan_
before my end, a pleasant Song; which may rejoyce all the Lovers of
_Alchymy_, if they will make themselves sharers of this Melody. For
those who read what I here write, and yet give no Credit to it, nor
put their hand to the Work, and finish it with diligence, they will
reap no Profit by this my instruction. But those who understand my
Writing, and work plainly after the Letter, provided they have but a
little understanding in the Fire, will reap great Profit; yea, even
great Riches by it. For I am plain without any reserve, so that if any
should fail, the fault will not be mine, but must be imputed to the
Workmans want of Skil; for I never in my Life sought to gain any thing
by my Writing, neither will I now do it, but it sufficeth me if I do
good to my Neighbour, out of Love, with that Talent which God hath
given me. Whosoever is on _Glauber_’s side, and will participate of my
good intention, he may, or let it alone, ’tis all one to me, for they
are not all good Cooks that wear long Knives; the Art consisteth in
Experience, and he that is but any thing skilled in Chymical Operations
will do well enough, for all is laid plainly down before his Eyes. But
on the contrary, the Covetous, Proud, and Lazy, who seek to be rich
without labour and pains, will find every thing dark, and never attain
to any thing profitable. For God will have it so, that not every Body
shall be Rich, as _Paracelsus_ very well expresseth it in his Book of
_Sulphur_, when he saith, _Many might be helped with a few Words, if it
was not against the Will of God, for God will not have the =Goats=-tail
equal the =Cows= in length, for else out of Pride he might with it
beat out his own Eyes, and therefore it is better to be silent, that
they may remain Poor_. Thus _Paracelsus_. But I _Glauber_ say, that it
is better to lay down the Art in truth, without difference before all
Men, for God keeps still his hand over it, and to whom he Wills it, he
will give it, and to whom he will not give it, he knoweth how to cast
a Mist before his Eyes, that he may not see the good, nor have power
to apprehend it, but may wander about in darkness, with his proud and
dull Head, till at length he fall into the Pit of the impious, and
there perish without help. But that I may no longer detain the Lover of
Art with my Discourses, but come at length to the Practice, I will in
the Name of God here set down the whole Process as it is in it self,
without any Reservation, and the whole business is thus.
Now followeth the true, and often practised Process, how to transmute
Silver (as being yet not a perfectly mature Metal) by degrees, without
any loss, totally into the highest perfection, that is to say, into
good Gold abiding all Tryals. After the revealing of this Process, we
shall also hear, how all the imperfect Metals, _viz._ ♄, ♃, ♂, and ☿
may after the same manner (but yet not totally, but only so far as they
contain an incombustible _Mercury_,) be transmuted into good Gold and
Silver. And after this Revelation, we will not omit to shew also, which
way ☿ the most immature of all the Metals, may be transmuted, not only
Particularly, but also Universally, into the highest Medicine, and the
best Gold. But the later must thus be understood, that we may not cast
Pearl before Swine, but that they may remain only among honest hearts,
and not come into the hands of double-minded Men.
But now, to come to the Melioration of Silver, the ingenious must know,
that Silver is naturally fixed in the Earth, and endures the fire, and
therefore needs no Art to fix it; for it bears the Tryal of the Test,
as well as Gold, wanting only Colour and Weight, which Nature hath not
bestowed upon it, but may be procured by Art. As for the Colour, the
secret Fire of the Wise can only make it perfect, for all Colours are
absconded in the common Fire of Wood, and the Sun, as we daily see,
that the Universally ripening Sun, brings all the Fruits of the Earth,
from a Green and White, by its constant Beams, to Redness and Maturity.
And we also see, that the common Fire, of Wood and Coals, makes Earths
and Minerals which are White, become Red, as we see _Crocus Martis_,
_Minium_, and other Colours which are produced out of Black, Gray, and
White Metals and Minerals; as the highly illuminated _Paracelsus_ hath
sufficiently taught us, _viz._ that the common fire of Coals, by its
own power and innate Nature, without any addition of other things, is
perfectly able to graduate the white Metals, into Red, or yellow Gold,
as you may see in his _Book of Cements_. If the common Wood-fire of
it self doth this, what cannot the Fire of the wise effect, which was
always kept in the greatest Secrecy? Especially, if one know how to add
a graduating _Metallick_ Species, as _Mars_, _Venus_, and _Antimony_,
and the like, after a spiritual manner, to the secret Fire; which is
the way to give to white Silver, a constant Redness.
As for the weight of Silver, it may, in like manner as the Colour be
given to Silver by Art, so that it shall be equal with Gold in weight:
Which introduction of Colour and weight into ☽, the Philosophers have
called closing of its Pores. For this is certain, that if any light
Metals are melted together, that one filleth up the Pores of the other,
and both come out of the Fire more compact and heavy, than they were
before. For example: Take half an Ounce of Red Copper, and as much of
good Tin, melt these together, and pour them out into a Bullet-mould,
and you will see, that they will not be much more in Magnitude than
one of them was before; for one Bullet of ♀ and one of ♃ may almost be
put into the same Mould: From whence it appears, that one Metal hath
an ingress into the other, and mends, and augments it in its weight
and Colour; but what those Metals are which give weight and colour to
Silver, you may easily guess. Nothing can tinge, but what is naturally
Coloured, and nothing can better give weight, than what is naturally
heavy: In which, ☿ and ♄ have the Preheminency, but in introducing
Colour, _Mars_, _Venus_, and _Antimony_ excel. But which way this
introduction of colour and weight, into light and white Silver, is to
be done, the following Process will teach.
But this the Ingenious ought to know, that it is no Art at all, that if
the Iron made Red, and ☿ and ♄ made White, be mixed with ☽, yet they
will not render it durable, red and heavy: But the Corroding ♄ will
quite take away the Redness and Whiteness upon the _Cupel_: For what is
not purged from all combustible _Sulphur_, cannot Sustain the _Cupel_,
but will vanish with _Saturn_, and turn into _Scoriæ_: And seeing that
we know, that ♂ and ☿ contain abundance of superfluous combustible
_Sulphur_, and also that their incombustible _Sulphur_ is not yet fixed
enough, to refill the Corroding ♄ upon the _Cupel_, and therefore with
him must vanish and come to nothing, for all that is able to abide
the _Cupel_ must be separated from all combustible _Sulphur_. Now we
know, that ♂ and ☿ are not so, and therefore cannot abide the _Cupel_.
For ♂ if he be made Red, and cast upon Silver, he doth not remain Red
with it, but so much as enters the Silver, again becomes black Iron,
and therefore can give no Colour to the Silver; and also ☿ flies
away, and so leaves no weight to the Silver: Which _Paracelsus_ hath
sufficiently described in his _Cœlum Philosophorum_. So that if one
melt unfixed Metals with Gold and Silver, and keep them together never
so long in the Fire, yet notwithstanding the unfixed Metals, cannot be
made fixed by the Gold and Silver, but every of them would again be
found in the _Examen_, as they were before. But if one Metal should
make the other better, they ought to be spiritually conjoyned, and so
the Spirit of one Metal will improve the other. For all Philosophers
testifie, that the Metals must first be reduced to their first Matter,
that is, they must be brought into a spiritual being, before they can
be transmuted into more Noble, by Art. But which way all Metals are
to be spiritualized, and brought to their first Matter, is taught in
my Treatise of the _Three Principles of Metals_, lately published,
as also in the Seventh part of my _Pharmacopæa Spagyrica_, and its
Appendix. Now if one would Meliorate, or improve, the imperfect Metals,
the imperfect combustible _Sulphur_ must first be Separated from them,
that only the purest and incombustible part, _viz._ the incombustible
_Sulphur_ may remain; which may be done by several ways; as by
Distillation, and Rectification, and also by Adustion, and Combustion,
in which nothing perisheth, but the combustible and unprofitable part:
But the incombustible Oyl still remains, and doth not perish by the
Fire; and also by Solutions, Distillations and Rectifications, all the
unprofitable Feces of the Metals are separated, and there remains only
the clean Quintessence of the Metals, which are separated and advanced
into a concentrated Medicine. This Separation of the unprofitable and
combustible _Sulphur_, from the incombustible, as Old Philosopher hath
notably expressed in these Verses.
_Est impossibile, Sulphur sine Flamma delere,
Calcis adustibile, quod præstat fossa Mineræ._
_=Sulphur= impure, we can’t blot out,
Till Circling Flames play round about
Our Oars and Calces; for then they
This subtil Fire forthwith obey._
Here the Philosopher tells us, that every combustible _Sulphur_,
may be burnt, and reduced into nothing, but no otherwise, than by a
kindled and combustible Fire, by whose Flame nothing that is good,
but only the superfluous and noxious _Sulphur_ by which all the
inferiour Metals are destroyed, is taken away. And therefore justly
reputed imperfect, as long, and as often, until this unprofitable
_Sulphur_ is taken away from them, either Particularly, by Dissolving
and Coagulating, Distilling and Rectifying, or else by an Universal
fixed _Mercury_ by projection, by which means the hurtful combustible
_Sulphur_ is fixed, and, without Combustion, transmuted into a nobler
Metal. For this is very possible, that any combustible _Sulphur_, by
an easie way and small Charge, and in a short time, _viz._ in one day,
Particularly, may be so fixed, and made constant in the Fire, that,
without being burnt, it may be able to endure the strongest Fire, the
which is handled more at large, in my _Three Principles of Metals_.
From hence it follows, that no imperfect Metal can be transmuted,
with Profit, into a Perfect, before it be free’d from its combustible
_Sulphur_, which may be done several ways. Now, he who hath a mind to
get any good out of the imperfect Metals, must learn how to separate
their unprofitable _Sulphur_, either by one means or other, as I have
sufficiently taught. For in this, _viz._ in the Separation of the
combustible _Sulphur_, from the incombustible, consists the whole Art;
which every one ought to attend without other thoughts. Now after we
have understood out of this Theory, in what the Melioration of the
Metals consists, or how it must be effected, it is necessary to know
the exact Practice, or Process, as the Operations succeed one another:
For to this work belongs, not only Distillation and Rectification, to
separate the pure from the impure, but also the most subtil and clean
parts, after they are separated from their Feces, must be made fixed,
subtiler, and constant, _viz._, so constant, that the Corroding ♄, may
not overcome them, but against his Will, leave them constant upon the
_Cupel_. This is one of the greatest Secrets in _Alchymy_, yet taken
notice of but by few, and therefore few there are who reap any Profit.
For the greatest part of Operators are persuaded, that if they had but
Red Metallick Tinctures, that they could immediately tinge with them,
but in the end they have understood, that more than unfixed Tinctures
are required. It is an easie Matter, to make Red Tinctures out of
Stones and Metals: But these are not permanent on the _Cupel_, without
true Fixation, which the Philosophers call Perpetuation in the Fire.
Nothing in the World can tinge, so that the tinged Metal can endure
the _Cupel_, as long as the Tincture is still Metallick. For whatsoever
is made out of Metals, and by a strong Fire may again be reduced into
a Metal, cannot be called a true Tincture, for whatsoever yet contains
a combustible _Sulphur_, perisheth upon the _Cupel_ with _Saturn_, and
nothing abides, but what is totally deprived of that. For even the
_Saturn_ contains much combustible _Sulphur_, therefore he so readily
acts upon Sulphureous Metals, and draws them with himself in to the
_Cupel_, which he cannot do to Gold and Silver. But because we also
know this, that when by the help of common fixed Gold, a combustible
and fugacious _Sulphur_ is well united and fixed, that the combustible
_Sulphur_ adheres so closely to the fixed Gold, that it also remains
fixed with it, and can never be separated from it. Now, if the weight
and proportion be well adjusted, then the fixed _Sulphur_ enters
with the Gold into Lune, and Tingeth it into constant Gold. But if
the conjunction of the _Sulphur_ and Gold, be not well made, or too
much of the _Sulphur_ be put to the Gold, it takes away the Ingress
of the Gold, so that it remains with the _Saturn_, and cannot enter
the Silver. It is also to be observed, that if the _Sulphur_ of ♂, ♀
or ♁ be legitimately united with ☉, and yet be not kept long enough
together, it will produce no good; and therefore the Transmutation of
Metals is not so easie a thing, as many imagine; it is not enough to
make a Tincture; to fix it, is more; and to give an Ingress, is hardest
of all. And these three things ought to be well known, if one would
effect any good in the Transmutation of Metals.
Now that we may farther hear, which way Tinctures may be drawn out of
the Red Metals, fixed, and made constant in the Fire, and how to give
them an Ingress, I have undertaken to Reveal to the Lovers of Art.
And none needs to doubt, but what I here Write are my own Inventions,
which I have not only once or twice, but many times experimented, and
always found good, although in small quantities, provided no accident
hath hindered me. If a Glass break in the labour, or a Crucible runs
out, by which one suffers loss, that is not to be accounted a loss,
because it comes by accident and not from the Art, and therefore not
to be imputed to the Art. If an Art be never so well described, and an
Unskilful Workman intermeddle with it, the Work may be easily spoiled,
and therefore the fault cannot justly be charged upon the Art, as it
is too often done. I shall here acquit my self of this unjust charge,
if out of a good Intention I here discover the Art, as I have often
done, without concealing any Manual Operation, and hereafter shall not
care what Ill Men say or judge of it, if any one, through his want of
Skill, should lose his labour. I here Write nothing, but what I have
often done my self, and found good; for what should move me to publish
any false thing, that might seduce others to labour in vain, even when
I am ready to dye? I never sought any Profit by any of my Writings, no,
not when I was young, and might have occasion for it. And now, when
both my Feet are in a manner in the Grave, and I am certain not to live
much longer, although I am heart-whole, nor find I any dolour about me,
yet my Limbs being weak, I am forced to keep in my Bed, where I Write
this. I say, Why should I, so near my end, write any thing hurtful to
my Soul? I write this for my farewel, to do good to the World, even as
the Swan, when she is near her death, sings a pleasant Song, and such I
would that every one should take these my last Writings to be. But if
it shall please God, I hope this will not be the last; which is only
a small Work, to shew the probability and verity of the Transmutation
of Metals, and to help Skilful Chymists to great Riches. But if God
shall yet spare my Life, I shall write of higher matters, and shew such
a light to the blind World, as hath not yet been revealed by any Man.
In the mean time, I desire the Ingenious very well to consider this
particular, and to try his Fortune, every thing is easie to be done,
and needs no beating of the Brain, for all the labour is clearly laid
down, without any reserve, therefore I would have none be so arrogant,
as to impute the fault to me, if he miss his Intention, but rather to
himself, through his own unskilfulness or negligence. Yet this is also
to be considered, That sometimes a true skilful and diligent Operator
cannot imitate an easie thing, being hindered by the Almighty, who for
certain Reasons keeps his Hand over it, and will not let every Man grow
Rich.
_Now follows the Fundamental Process, how to make good Gold out
if Silver, with profit, and how to separate, after a particular
manner, good Gold and Silver, out of Iron, Copper, Tin and Lead._
℞. A pound of Steel Wier, more or less, according as you will begin
your Work in a greater or lesser quantity, dissolve it in Spirit
of Salt, filter the Dissolution, and abstract the Phlegm from the
Solution, in Sand, for in the Abstraction there will come over no
acidity, (because the _Mars_ holds it after a Magnetick manner) but
yet this is not without virtue, for it carries over with it self a
very subtle Martial Spirit, of which a little put into ones Mouth,
penetrates the Tongue, so that the taste thereof remains long after.
And this penetrating taste and smell, is nothing else but the most
subtle Narcotick _Sulphur_ of _Mars_, which is set at liberty in the
Solution, and carried over with the sweet Water, in the deflegming.
It doth wonders in Internal Obstructions; and Externally it easeth
all Pains, because it is Narcotick and Stupefactive; It serveth for
Physicians and Chyrurgeons in many cases, but because I have already
written of this, I need not here repeat it. And this you ought to note,
that you draw not off the Phlegm to dryness, but the Solution of ♂
must remain in form of an Oyl. This sweet Oyl of ♂ is the _Opake Tree
of Virgil_, from which he hath taught us to pluck its Golden Branches,
and how this is to be done, he hath also obscurely hinted, but I
here publish it plainly. _Virgil_ saith, that those Golden Branches
are the gift of _Proserpina_, but what was to be understood by this
_Proserpina_, which the Heathens have said to be the Wife of _Pluto_,
is not here expressed, but only this, that this Golden Branch was
Consecrated to the Goddess _Juno_. He that will have the foundation of
those Heathenish Gods, cannot better accomplish his Desire, than by
Reading the last Edition of the Dictionary of Eight Languages, written
by _Ambrosius Callepine_, for there he will find many curious secrets
of the Ancient Poets illustrated. Now concerning _Proserpina_, many
Philosophers and Chymists understand the Corrosive Oyl or Butter of
_Antimony_, of which I have already made mention, although obscurely,
in my Treatise _De Sale Philosophorum_, but shall here give it you
more plainly. Now, it according to a due weight, you put some of this
_Proserpina_ to the Solution of _Mars_, and unite them well together,
and then distil this mixture by a Glass Retort well Coated, there
first comes over a certain unprofitable Humidity, then a white Oyl of
_Antimony_, which is to be kept by it self, and when you see yellow
drops begin to fall, you must then change your Receiver, then give
a stronger Fire, and the _Proserpina_ brings over with it self the
Tincture of _Mars_, as red as Blood. This Blood-red Oyl of _Mars_
and _Antimony_ is the Golden Branch, plucked from the obscure Tree,
which may easily be fixed into a particular Tincture, as we shall hear
anon. Now when you have pulled one Golden Branch, you may also pluck
a second and third, for they will easily follow. As for the manner of
plucking more such Golden Branches, it is thus: You must dissolve the
remaining ♂ with Spirit of Salt, and there will remain many Feces,
but the Solution will be clearer and better than the first, although
less in quantity: Now, after (as I told you before) you have put to
it the due quantity of Butter of _Antimony_, for which purpose that
which came over in the first Distillation will well serve, and when you
have driven this over by a Retort as before, the _Proserpina_ again
brings over more of the Tincture in a Blood-red Oyl, which may as the
first, be fixed into a Tincture. After this manner you may pluck many
Branches, one after another, but it is not convenient, because the
Solution of _Mars_ is diminished by every Distillation, and at length
your Branches would be very small, therefore it is better when you have
plucked the first Branch, so go to another Tree, and thereto pluck a
Golden Branch, for the Tree is not so precious, and you may collect the
Trees from which you have pulled the Branches, and dissolve them in
Spirit of Salt, and then pluck from them more Branches. _Proserpina_
hath learned this spoiling and bearing away, of her Husband _Pluto_,
for he stole _Proserpina_ from her Parents, and carried her with him
into Hell, and made her his Wife. _N. B._ _Pluto_ carried _Proserpina_
into Hell, but _Proserpina_ doth the contrary, carrying the dead Bodies
and Souls out of Hell. For she hath her Original only from the Spirit
and Salt of the World, which Spirit and Salt of the World have power to
carry the Souls of the dead Bodies out of Hell, as you may see in the
Books of Philosophers which say.
_Sal & Spiritus Mundi, ducunt Anima Mortuorum ex Orco._
The Salt and Spirit of the World, bring the Souls of the Dead out
of Hell.
Let this suffice concerning the bringing over the Metallick Souls or
Tinctures, which is done by _Proserpina_. But there is yet other ways
to draw out the Tinctures of Metals out of Red Bodies, and they are
chiefly to be had by means of our secret _Sal Armoniack_ in a far
greater quantity, than by the help of _Proserpina_, which is somewhat
troublesome, but yet these are more easily and perfectly acquired
by our Alcahest. Now, after we have heard how to draw Tinctures out
of Metals and Minerals by the help of _Proserpina_, it is further
necessary to know how to fix those Volatile Tinctures, so that they
may not only endure the strongest Fire, to which they may easily be
brought, but that is not enough, they must be made so fixed, that the
Corroding _Saturn_ may not have power to injure them upon the _Cupel_;
if that be not done, these Tinctures can profit nothing to Metals. I
have seen very many who very well know, how to Extract Tinctures out
of _Mars_, _Venus_, _Vitriol_ and _Antimony_, but they wanted the
Fixation, the perpetuation upon the _Cupel_, and also Ingress, and
therefore they could do nothing with them. These following ancient
Verses are read by many, but understood by few, _viz._
_Fixum si solves, faciesque volare solutum
& volucrem figes, faciet te vivere tutum._
If thou dissolve that which is fixed, and render it Volatile,
And again fix the Volatile, thou shalt not want.
We have proceeded according to this Verse, in making the fixed Iron
Volatile, although we have not yet again rendered the Volatile fixed
and constant upon the _Cupel_. The Fixation requires but little Art,
so that it may abide the Fire, but to make it abide the _Cupel_ is a
great Art, and cannot be done by idle talking, but by a fundamental
knowledge, without which all is in vain.
Now concerning the Fixation of those Volatile Tinctures, so as to
abide the _Cupel_, I have (thanks to God) often experimented, and
have already communicated to some who are Curious, out of kindness,
whose success I do not yet know. This Fixation cannot be effected
without Common Gold, for when Gold in a liquid form according to a due
proportion, is mixed and radically conjoyned with the Tincture, and
cast into Hell to _Pluto_, and _Pluto_ finds his dear Consort deeply in
love with the _Anima_ of _Mars_, or this Beautiful _Hermaphroditical_
Youth, he burns with Jealousie, so that he bends them so close
together, as they can never afterwards be parted by _Saturn_. But
wheresoever one of these three goeth, draweth the other two with it.
And because they are also constantly together, as if it were one Spirit
and Tincture united to the fixed Body of Gold, therefore they have an
easie admittance into the Chamber of the Queen _Diana_; for _Diana_
doth by no means shut out her dearest King _Apollo_, but willingly
admits him, and therefore she is recompensed with all the Treasures
which he hath received from his true and Warlike Servant, _Mars_: And
of this, by _Neptunes_ help, she hath made her self a glorious and
constant Red Garment, which neither Water nor Fire, nor the old and
envious _Saturn_ can spoil her of. Here I have Fundamentally described
the Fixation of the Martial and Antimonial Tincture, clearly without
any reservation, yet somewhat enigmatically, according to the manner of
the Poets. He that doth but a little consider, cannot fail, but must
comprehend it, if he hath but a moderate Capacity, except God shall
prohibite him.
Now let us further see, what may be further done with our Red Oyl
of ♂, and ♁, in Physick and Alchymy. When we powr upon this Oyl our
_Alcahest_, and again draw off the Liquor by a Retort with a gentle
heat, and at length give a stronger Fire, the most subtle and cleanest
part of the Tincture will come over, and the grossest part will remain
behind, which is an Universal Purge. The subtle part, may yet be made
purer and nobler by Rectification, and this you may afterwards dulcify
from its Salt, and dry the _Anima Martis_ and _Antimonij_, then put it
into a Glass, and with an easie Sand-Fire melt it into a Red Stone, for
this Stone melts as easily as Wax, and hath as easie Ingress into all
Metals, as Oyl hath into dry Leather. This Stone hath not its equal,
for it is better than the Fire-Stone of _Basilius_, it is better than
_Butlers_ Stone, to which _Helmont_ hath ascribed such Wonders. Of
this Stone and its incredible Virtues, which it shews in Physick, I
shall treat at large in the following Treatise. This Treatise shall
Discourse of three unknown Fires, and Stones: First of the secret Fire
of the ancient Philosophers, which is called the _Fire of Artephius_,
by Virtue of which secret fire, is generated the vegetable, Animal
and Mineral stone of Philosophers, and also particularly out of all
Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, their Quintessence, or highest
Power, without the help of any common Fire, without Furnace, Glasses,
or any other known Chymical Instruments, is to be obtained in a few
hours, without any Labour or Cost: And also things incredible and
unheard of are by it brought to pass; of which great Secret, no
Philosopher hath hitherto made the least mention; as the before cited
Treatise will sufficiently testifie. The second Fire is like to it,
_viz._ the same with which the _Israelites_ in old time did set fire
to their Sacrifices, which their Priests, when they were to go into
the _Babylonish_ Captivity, did hide in a dry hole in the Earth; and
many years after, when they were released from their Captivity, and
returned, they found not a Fire, but instead of it a _Viscous_ water,
which they poured upon their Sacrifice, and it kindled it, as well as
if it had been done by the secret heavenly fire, of which you may read
more in the _Maccabeus_. This secret fire of the Ancient _Caldeans_ is
also comparable to the _Æthereal_ fire, of which Meteors, Thunder and
Lightning are generated, and also the Thunderbolts themselves, which
are cast down upon the Earth, to the great astonishment of Mankind.
_Hermes_ hath very well said, that what is above is also below, which
is proved by the secret Fire of the _Caldeans_. For by a light, plain
and cheap Art, one may easily produce the same Lightning fire, together
with the Thunder, here upon Earth; of which the following Book shall
treat more fully. And therefore to that I refer the Reader. I could
not but here touch a little at these three Principal Fires, by which
are generated the three chief Jewels of the World, that the Enquirer
after the Wisdom of God may know, what great Mysteries of God are to be
imparted hereafter to the ungrateful World, before I publish this Book
of Fires and Stones. Now to return to our particular, and see by what
means our Red Oyl of _Mars_ and _Antimony_ may be Coagulated, after
a nearer way, into a tinging Stone, with which Silver particularly,
with all other inferiour Metals, may be Meliorated, that out of them
may be had good Gold and Silver with profit. And also, how by it the
Tinctures of Stones, both noble and ignoble, may be drawn out of them,
and after the Tincture is drawn out, to incorporate it with Silver,
and Colour it. And also, all precious Stones exalted in their natural
Colour, and if their Colour be too high, it may be diminished, and the
Stone rendred more precious, and how this is to be done, the following
Practice will reveal. The second and easier way, how to bring our
tinging Red Oyl of _Mars_ and _Antimony_ into an hard, sweet, and not
Corrosive Stone, is this.
In the foregoing Appendix, I have said somewhat of the Coagulation of
the sharp Spirits, of Metals and Minerals, and have proved, that such
Coagulation is to be made by the help of Old, cold and dry _Saturn_,
but because I did not there declare, how it is to be effected, I think
fit to do it here, and it is thus. All Liquors or moist things, if
they are to be dryed, then the moisture must be drawn off from the
thicker part by an easie heat, and then the thicker part remains by
it self, and is used according to its Appropriation, as we know, that
_Aloes_, _Myrrh_, _Opium_, and all other Gums and Juices were thin at
the first, and were inspissated into concrete Juices, by the Sun or
Fire. It is true, such an Inspissation of vegetable Juices is easily
done in this manner; but Mineral distilled Spirits, and Corrosive Oyls,
cannot be thus dryed, for they will endure heat, but if you give too
great a heat, they will fly away and not be thickned, as you may see
in Oyl of _Vitriol_, which by it self can never be dryed, although it
be never so long kept in heat. But if you will have it dry, you must
add something to it which is more than dry, and hath also power to
exsiccate moisture. We see in the baking of Bread, when we put water
to the Flour, and mix them together to make Dough, and of that bake
Bread, that the Flour, although it be dry, yet it cannot retain with
it self the Water, in a hot Oven, for that perfectly flies away from
the Meal by the heat, and if the Fire be encreased, all the moisture
would be gone, and only the Meal remain in form of a dry Earth, having
quite lost the form of Bread, because the Meal was not radically united
with the water, and therefore they could not endure the heat together.
If one take a dry Earth, Sand or Powder of a Stone, and put water to
it, the dry Earth will imbibe the water, and to the Eye reduce it into
Earth, but this is not constant. For if you distil this Earth by a
Retort, all the added water will again come over, and leave the Earth
alone, but this is to be understood of common water. But suppose, one
should add a heavy Mineral water as _ol. Vitrioli_ to a dry Earth,
and should commit this mixture to the Fire, in hopes, that the dry
Earth should retain with it self the Corrosive Oyl of _Vitriol_, and
also reduce it into a dry Earth, it would prove a mistake, for the Oyl
of _Vitriol_, in a sufficient heat, would wholly forsake the Earth,
because the Earth is dead, and hath no Sympathetick, or Magnetick
power, to conjoyn it self radically with the Oyl of _Vitriol_, so as
to remain together constant in the Fire; but such an Earth, which by
an innate Love draws the Oyl of _Vitriol_ to it self, and endures with
it in heat, or cold without Separation, must proceed from the same
Original with it, for every thing loves its like, and hateth what
is unlike to it. Now, because the Oyl of _Vitriol_ proceeds from a
Mineral kind, therefore it loves the Metals, but no common Earth or
Stones, for it hath no affinity with them. Now if the Oyl of _Vitriol_
be to be converted into an hard Mineral stone, it must be done by its
like, to wit, by Metals, and by such Metals as are most nearly related
to it, _viz._ the Metals that are yet imperfect, for all Metals and
Minerals proceed from the same Root, and therefore they all love one
another, yet one Metal loves Oyl of _Vitriol_ more than another, and
the immature Metals, better than the ripe ones. For although Gold
and Silver also love Oyl of _Vitriol_, yet they do it by Compulsion,
and not out of true Love, for they are very difficultly dissolv’d
by it, because they have put off their vitriolick Nature in their
Fixation: On the contrary, _Mars_ and _Venus_ have not yet so done, and
therefore they easily assume the Oyl of _Vitriol_, and are dissolved
by it, because it was driven out of their Body by the force of Fire,
therefore one might say, that _Mars_ and _Venus_ were the true Metals,
and easiest to Coagulate the Oyl of _Vitriol_ and _Antimony_, and to
fix them into a Stone, yet this is not so, for _Mars_ and _Venus_
are of a gross Nature, and have too much unprofitable Earth, which
may easily be seen by their difficult melting in the Fire. Then what
is to be done? Shall _Saturn_ or _Jupiter_ do it, both which are of
an easie Fusion? Or shall _Mercury_ do it, which is always Liquid? I
answer, that _Mercury_ cannot Coagulate, nor make fixed, because he
himself is not fixed, nor Coagulated. Neither can _Jupiter_ do it, for
although he is fluxible and dry, yet he is easily transmutable by a
small Fire, into an influxible Earth, which cannot again be reduced
into a fluxible _Metallick_ Body: What then, shall despised _Saturn_
do it, (may one ask) who is unfixed himself? and which way is it then
possible for him to fix a Body, which is more fluid than himself? To
this I answer, that the Fixity is not the only cause of the Coagulation
of the Oyl of _Vitriol_, for then this Coagulation might be easiest
performed, by Gold and Silver, which, yet is not done, and therefore
this Coagulation of Corrosive Spirits must be done by dry _Metallick_
Subjects. Now we know very well, that among all the Metals _Saturn_
is the driest, of which _Paracelsus_ writes very well in his Book
of Vexations, which I have already alledged, and confirmed in the
foregoing Appendix, [viz. _Pharmacopœa Spagyr. Pars 7._] It is also
true, that a better Coagulator, of all Corrosive Mineral Spirits cannot
be found, than old, cold, and dry _Saturn_; for by his great dryness he
Coagulateth the moist Mineral Spirits; by his great innate sweetness,
he dulcifies all Corrosives; and by his fluxible _Sulphur_, he renders
all influxible _Metallick_ Subjects, fluxible. Now we need nothing
more to our Red Oyl of _Vitriol_, _Mars_ and _Antimony_, but that it
be Coagulated into a hard, sweet and fusile Stone, which Coagulation
can only be done by _Saturn_, and by no other Metal or Mineral, which I
have sufficiently proved in the before mention’d Appendix, and also in
my Book of the _Three Principles of Metals_. Now we have sufficiently
understood, that the Coagulation and Dulcification of our Red Corrosive
Oyl of ♂] and ♁ into a fusile Red Stone, can only be done by the help
of the Old, Cold, and, of all Fools, despised _Saturn_. Concerning the
Nature and Property of _Saturn_, it would not be here amiss, to say
somewhat of it: But because _Paracelsus_ hath already sufficiently
done it, in his _Cœlum Philosophorum_, and I have already confirmed
it in the forementioned Appendix, I think it here unnecessary to add
any more. Yet I cannot forbear to say this, that _Saturn_ naturally
contains yet a good quantity of the Corrosive Oyl of _Vitriol_, which
doth not vanish in melting, nor cannot be easier perceived, than when
other Metals are added to him upon the _Cupel_, how soon he swallows
them, and draws them with himself into the _Cupel_, except Gold and
Silver, which he cannot touch, because they have no radical Communion
with him, but are cleansed by Nature from their superfluous _Sulphur_,
for this devouring Wolf _Saturn_, can consume nothing, but the
combustible _Sulphur_ of Metals, but the incombustible fixed _Sulphur_
and _Mercury_, he cannot touch, as appears in Gold and Silver. The
ancient Philosophers painted _Saturn_, as an Old Man, with one foot
on a Wooden stilt, having in one hand a Sythe or Sickle, and in his
other hand a Child, which he puts to his mouth to devour it. By this
they would intimate the devouring Nature of _Saturn_, which they have
also expressed in these Words, _Falx ejus Mordax est_, he hath a sharp
Sickle, beware of him, for he hath no mercy, which I have found to be
true, not only by the _Cupel_, that he Corrodes and eats through them,
for he Corrodes Sand and Stones, and reduceth them into a transparent
Glass; if he doth this by his own Nature, what will he not do, when his
Sythe is whetted by the Corrosive Oyl of _Vitriol_? Certainly he can do
ten times more: I have experimented it, he that will know it, may also
do the same: By him we wash and cleanse common Gold and Silver on the
_Cupel_, but that Gold and Silver, which is still hid in the imperfect
Metals, as _Mars_, _Venus_, and _Jupiter_, as also in the vile Minerals
and Stones, which is still closely tyed to the combustible _Sulphur_,
here the common _Saturn_ is too weak and can make no Separation. On the
contrary, ours can effect it very well, and therefore I commend him,
for after his Sythe is whetted by the Corrosive Oyl of _Vitriol_, if
then one handle any Metal, or Mineral with him in a Crucible, he will
in a moment eat a hole through it, and run out; Nay, if one should put
two or three Crucibles one into another, he would do the same, but if
one cast somewhat before him, to satiate his Wolf-like Appetite, then
he leaves the Crucibles whole, but doth what the Artist would have him,
and is used as a tame Wolf, devours the Sheep no more, but keeps them
from other devouring Wolves.
Before I could bring him to that pass, to prevent his biting, I tryed
many sorts of Vessels to hold him, nay I have put him upon a Test made
of bone Ashes. ’Tis true, he did not eat in, but remained fixt upon the
_Cupel_ like Silver, and would not Coppel, by which I perceived, that
any common Lead, by help of the Red Oyl of _Mars_ and _Antimony_, may
in a very short time, not only be reduced into Gold and Silver, but
also be fixed into a true Tincture, which I have sufficiently shewn in
the foregoing Appendix, that some of the ancient Philosophers have made
their tinging Stone out of _Saturn_. But setting this aside, because I
yet never went so far, but I should not think it at all difficult, to
make an universal Tincture, to transmute all the Metals into perfect
Gold and Silver out of _Saturn_, with the Red Oyl of ♂ and ♁, if my
weakness of Body would permit. But I concern not my self about that,
but leave it to those that are younger, for I can easier come to an
universal Tincture, by the help of the secret Fire of Philosophers,
than by _Saturn_; but in the particular Transmutation of Metals, I have
performed many things with the Stone of ♄, as the following Practice
sheweth.
_Now followeth the easie Coagulation of our Red Oyl of =Mars= and
=Antimony=, into a Red, Sweet, and fluxible Stone._
℞. Some Pounds of common Lead, melt it, and pour it out into a long
Ingot, and rasp as much thereof as need shall require; take of this a
Pound of more, and put it into a Glass Retort well coated, pour to it
half the quantity of the Red Oyl of ♂ and ♁, set it in a Sand _Cupel_,
and give Fire gently by degrees, and there will come over no Red Oyl,
but only a clear and insipid Water, and all the sharpness, with the Red
Tincture, will remain with the ♄. If you break the Retort, you will
find no _Saturn_, but this Red, Tinging, and easie melting Stone, of
such Virtues as I have told you before. Now if you will make use of
this Stone for the particular Meliorating of the inferiour Metals, as
also for noble and ignoble Stones, you must powder it, and mix it with
the _Metallick_ Ashes, and melt them, and you will find the good Metal
to be separated from the rest, the unprofitable part, and superfluous
_Sulphur_, will turn into dross, and the purer part will settle into
a _Regulus_, which you must blow off upon a Cupple, and you will find
the Silver and Gold, which our Stone hath separated out of that Metal;
for our Stone hath this Nature, to separate in the Fire the good from
the bad, to turn the Good into a Metalline _Regulus_, and the inferiour
into Dross. For Example, I have a mixture of Metals containing Gold,
Silver, _Venus_, _Mars_ and _Jupiter_ together, I granulate this
mixture, and mix them with our Stone, melt them together in a Crucible,
our Stone only spoils the inferiour Metals, as ♂, ♀ and ♃, which it
consumes into a Dross, but the purer as ☉ and ☽ it separates from this
Dross, and precipitates them into a _Regulus_. But if this _Regulus_
should not be fine enough at the first melting, you must _Cupel_ it
with Lead, neither doth all the ☉ and ☽ come out of this mixture at
one melting, but some remains with the Dross, therefore you must again
put this into a Crucible, and put to it some filings of Iron, and so
melt them together, then the wild _Sulphur_ will be destroy’d by the
♂, and so let the Gold and Silver fall by Cupellation. The Dross you
must reserve, till you have enough to melt in a small Wind Furnace,
and it will be again reduced into Lead, which you may again use for
the same Labour; for the Reduction of this, I have invented a peculiar
small Furnace, which may be carried from place to place, and also you
may pour out the Dross after it is melted, without breaking any thing
of the Furnace, so that you may use it very often, before the Hearth
will need mending. What is here said of the Separating of _Metallick_
mixtures, the same may also be understood of those Mixtures, which are
yet in the Oar, for the Oars are as easily separated by our Stone, as
the Metals. This is the use of our Stone, before its Tincture is yet
fixed, and therefore not able to transmute ☽ into ☉. Presently you
shall also hear, how it may be rendred capable to transmute any Silver,
by Degrees, into good Gold. I think it fit, first to say somewhat, how
by the help of our Stone one may attain great Profit from Gems. For
the Gems have in them fixed Tinctures, which our _Neptune_ can spoil
them off and so incorporate them with the naked _Diana_, to make her
a Golden Vest, which is done thus: ℞ The fragments of coloured Gems,
_viz._ of Granates, Rubies, Saphirs, Hyacinths, Jaspis, _&c._ put a
little of these into a good Crucible, and put to it three times as much
of our Stone, cover it well, and melt it upon those Stones, and our
Stone draws out the Colour of the Gems, and Colours it self yet deeper.
With this Red Stone, if any filed ☽ be mixed with it, and melted, it
draws the fixed Tincture to it and becomes Golden, so that in the
Separation it yeilds much Gold, _N. B._ The fittest Silver for this
work is, that which is precipitated by ♀ out of _Aqua Fortis_, yet you
may also use that, which is precipitated by Salt water. If the work be
well done, the Gems will be white, which you may use instead of small
Diamonds, for the Fire doth not take away their hardness, _N. B._ If
a Man hath Skill enough to take away the Colour from the great Gems,
as Granates, and Hyacinths, he may acquire Riches in a short time; for
afterwards you may tinge other white Stones into Rubies, by the help
of this Colour, but this Labour requires an experienced Artist, but
no Pratler: And this is sufficient for this time, he that delighteth
in these Arts may Practise them, and try how God will prosper him in
it. If he can but obtain the Extracting of the Gems, he needs no more,
for one Gem, of a Drain, is worth more than several Ounces of Gold.
After we have briefly understood, how to make good Profit with our
Red coagulated Oyl of _Antimony_ and _Mars_, before it is yet fixed,
with the imperfect Metals and Gems: You shall also hear what it will
do, when fixed. And this you must know, that if a Tincture very well
prepared, can endure melting in the Fire, yet for all that, it may
not be accounted fixed; for inasmuch as they are made out of unfixed
Metals, they cannot themselves be fixed; if one should object, and say,
that the Tincture was drawn out of fixed Iron, and therefore it must
also be fixed, although the _Antimony_ was not fixed: I answer, that
Iron cannot be called fixed, although it doth not fly in the fire, for
_Saturn_ can still devour it, but this only is to be reputed fixed,
which endures the _Cupel_, which neither ♂ nor ♁ doth. Therefore the
Tinctures which are extracted out of them, cannot endure the _Cupel_
before they are made fixed. For which reason the highly experienced
Philosopher _Paracelsus_ tells us, that we must not take common Iron
to draw our Tincture, but such as cannot be again reduced into Iron,
which we must seek in the green and blue _Scoriæ_, out of which Iron
hath been melted by the strength of Fire, and are cast away. Because
the Iron, and also every imperfect Metal, containeth two sorts of
_Sulphur_, _viz._ a combustible, and incombustible; the combustible
is melted by a strong Fire, into a dead Glass, but the incombustible
remains unhurt, hidden in the said Glass, and may be drawn out of it
by Art, and brought into a Tincture, that will endure the _Cupel_. I
could cite _Paracelsus_ for several other things, because he writes
very honestly, but it is not here convenient. It would be very well,
if some one would reprint this Treatise, for it is out of Print, that
the way to the Truth might be shewn to them that err. And if none
will do it, I shall do it my self, for it is commendable to preserve
a lighted Candle, and not suffer it to go out. This is enough of the
Fixation of _Paracelsus_, which is done by the great strength of common
fire. Now we will also hear, how this Fixation may be effected by an
artificial moist fire, much easier than by the former. In my Treatise
lately published of the _Three Principles of Metals_, I have taught how
any combustible _Sulphur_ may be fixed in a very few hours, so that no
Fire can any more hurt it. Now if such a quick Fixation of combustible
_Sulphur_, can be done with a moist Fire, as I have shewn it may in the
said Treatise, what may not be done, by the same Fire in the more fixed
Metals, such as Iron? I have also shewn in the same place, that ♁, as
well as common 🜍, may be made fixed in few hours, I have also said that
♁ and common 🜍, so fixed have no ingress into Metals. After that, I
have also taught, how to procure this ingress by common Gold, if the
Gold and the _Sulphur_ be united, and then a fixing _Aqua Fortis_ drawn
from them, that then it can never be separated from the Gold, but that
the Gold so preserves it upon the _Cupel_, that _Saturn_ cannot enter
it: Now if this may be done with common _Sulphur_ and _Antimony_, why
not also with _Mars_, which in its Nature approacheth Fixity? Therefore
it behoveth, that we should fix our Tincture of ♂ and ♁, after the
same manner being united with ☉, by the Humid fire, that both may be
permanent upon the _Cupel_. For without this Fixation nothing of moment
can be done. For if these Tinctures be added to Silver, and are not
constant in the Fire, they with the Silver, become Metals again, vanish
upon the _Cupel_ with ♄, and leave the ☽ nothing bettered. Therefore
nothing else is to be observed, but to bring into Perpetuation the
prepared Tinctures of ♂ and ♁, by the addition of Gold, and the due
Abstraction of the fixing Waters; and then the Tinctures remain with
the Silver unseparable, and the devouring _Saturn_ cannot hurt them
upon the _Cupel_. Let this suffice concerning the particular Fixation
of our Red Oyl of ♂ and _Antimony_. Now followeth, how to make an
universal Coagulation and Fixation of this Oyl.
_The PROCESS._
℞. Three or four Ounces of our Coagulated Oyl of _Mars_ and _Antimony_,
into a Red Stone by the help of ♄, grinde it into an impalpable Powder,
and draw from it ten or twelve Ounces of strong _Aqua Fortis_, which
hath been first abstracted from decrepitated Salt, and in which is
dissolved half an Ounce of Gold: Secondly, and Thirdly, abstract from
it again fresh _Aqua Regia_, but without Gold; then the Gold will
radically unite it self with the Tincture of _Mars_ and _Antimony_,
and they will be constantly fixed together, by means of _Aqua Regia_.
When this is done, pour upon it a good quantity of common Water, let
it boyl for some hours, and it will draw out the sharp Spirits, which
remained with the Tincture, this may be once or twice repeated, then
dry it, and it is fit to tinge Silver into Gold. This Tincture melts as
easily as Wax; the _Saturn_ which is mixed with it, doth not hinder it,
it is true, he goes into the Silver with the Tincture, but is easily
separated by the _Cupel_. I could set down many more Dexterities, in
the Preparation of this Tincture, but it would swell too much, it being
already greater than I expected, for I only thought to have annexed
this to the Appendix, as a Corollary, but it is grown bigger than the
Appendix it self. Here should have been added, how this Tincture of
_Antimony_ and _Mars_, by the help of our _Alcahest_, might be made
into a constant Tincture, easily and in great quantity, without Cost;
so compendiously, that in three or four days time, a good quantity of
Tincture may be made fit to graduate a great part of Silver into Gold:
But the time will not allow me here to insist any farther on it, but
must defer it the second Appendix, where the Reader will find greater
Contentment. For this work is so easily done with the _Alcahest_
without great Cost, that the most ordinary _Mechanick_ may imitate
it, and profit by it. There will come another World, when Art will
flourish, and Pratlers perish. Take notice of this, for the time is at
hand, _Elias_ the _Artist_ will soon appear, of this Read _Paracelsus_
in his Book of _Vitriol_. At such a time there will be great changes in
_Europe_, and chiefly in the _German Empire_, _France_ and _Swedland_.
For _Elias_ the _Artist_, it may be, when he comes, will bring with him
some Military inventions, and by his great Power establish the Fifth
Monarchy. That in these times great Changes will be in _Europe_, is
not to be doubted, for the Heavens do foretel it. God send us what is
good, there being now nothing of good left, how then is it possible, it
should remain longer in Peace?
OF
ELIAS the ARTIST:
OR,
What we are to understand by Elias the Artist, and what he is to
reform in the World at his coming.
_VIZ._
_The true Spagyrical Medicin of the Ancient =Egyptian=
Philosophers, which has been lost for above 1000 Years, and will
be restored by him, and illustrated with many new Inventions, by
rejecting much unprofitable Smut-work, and pointing out a nearer
and better way to obtain good Medicines, with little Trouble or
Charges; which true Medicine he will bring along with him, and
declare the same to the present deceived World. Translated out of
the =High-Dutch=._
_Courteous Reader_,
Towards the end of my last published Treatise concerning the Infernal
_Goddess Proserpina_, I took occasion to mention, that probably
soon after my Death, the long-since fore-told _Elias Artista_ would
appear, and bring along with him a great Light, to enlighten the
dark World, enabling them to reject the Evil, and embrace that which
is good: As likewise, that many great changes will happen in divers
Kingdoms, and especially in the Roman Empire, where one Potentate
will overcome the other, and make himself Master of his Dominions. I
there also shewed what, _Paracelsus_ hath declared concerning _Elias
Artista_, and fundamentally confuted the groundless Opinion of some
Persons concerning the same in my Fourth Part of the _Prosperity of
Germany_, shewing that that Prophecy is not to be understood according
to the Letter, and to be meant of some great Man in the World, but
Magically; for the word _Elias_ by transposition of Letters, makes out
_Salia_, and so likewise doth the word _Elisha_, as I have formerly
explained these words in my Treatise _of the Nature of Salts_. _Elias
Artista_ therefore according to the style of Philosophers, signifies
extraordinary and unknown Salts, by which great and incredible things
may be performed, and accordingly when manifested, will be the cause of
great changes in the World.
These Salts were known to the Philosophers of old, who yet did not
think fit any further to open themselves concerning them, than in
declaring, that the Philosophers Stone must be prepared by them. _Turba
Philosophorum_ speaking concerning this matter, saith, _This our Salt
encreases the Redness in ☉, and whiteness in ☽, =and further=, if God
had not created this =Salt= it were impossible to make the Elixir._ It
is probable, that the Philosophers who wrote concerning this wonderful
_Salt_, had no knowledge of any other, supposing that this _Salt_ only
was proper to extract and prepare Tinctures. I must acknowledge there
is no _Salt_ in the World, that hath such virtue to encrease and exalt
the Tincture in common as well as Philosophical ☉ and ☽, and that as
it were in a moment, as soon as the Monarch of _Salts_ is added to
them. Neither doth our _Salt_ only exalt, but it also joyns the King of
Metals so indissolubly with his Queen, that no Art can separate them.
A thing worth our wonder, that a Volatile white _Salt_ should have the
power to meliorate ☉ and ☽, and to exalt the same permanently. For to
give some further light to the matter, I declare, that this _Salt_ of
which the _Turba_ speaks, doth sublime white, and being dissolved in
Water, gives a white Solution: It is white, and continues white both
in and out of the Fire, and is altogether Volatile, for which reason
I have called it my _Secret Salt Armoniack_; but as soon as it is
join’d with ☉ or ☽ it becomes fix, and makes the ☉ and ☽ fixer than
they were before, affording them a kind of _plusquam_ perfection, and
inseparable Conjunction. Let none think that this _Salt_ of which I
here speak, is like, or the same with that, which is made of Oyl of
Vitriol and Spirit of Urine, of which I have treated in the Seventh
Part of my _Pharmacopæa Spagyrica_; for this our Sovereign _Salt_ has
no affinity with that, for as much as that _Salt_ makes all things
Volatile, and separates their purer part by Sublimation from the gross
_fæces_, but this our white _Salt_, though it be unfixt it self, yet
has the power to fix unfixt Metals, so as to endure the Test, provided
always that the virtue of this unfixt _Salt_, be first fixed by its
conjunction with ☉ and ☽. For the whole substance of this _Salt_ (which
the Philosophers have called a Bishop or High Priest) when ☉ and ☽
as King and Queen are inseparably join’d by it, doth not abide with
the ☉ and ☽, but only by its hidden Tincture and Virtue, whereby it
exalts all colours, the unprofitable body of the _Salt_ separating from
them, as soon as the Conjunction is made, even as a Priest, when he
has join’d two Persons in Wedlock goes his way, having performed his
Office. And indeed this inseparable Conjunction of ☉ and ☽, may well
be compared with the Conjunction in Marriage performed by a Priest;
for as when the Priest has join’d two Parties together in Wedlock,
they must inseparably continue so till death; so likewise when the
Metallic Copulation of ☉ and ☽ is performed by means of our Metallick
High Priest, consecrated by _Jupiter_, then are their Bodies thence
forward inseperable; the Water finds no ingress into them, the Air
cannot pierce them, and Earth much less, yea, the strongest of all
Elements, the Fire hath no power over them, but, like a Married Couple,
abide together in all contrariety and adversity, and according to their
Kind do multiply _in infinitum_, being supported with due Food and
Nourishment; for we know, that except we be refreshed and strengthened
with Meat and Drink, we can neither live nor multiply; the multiplying
virtue in many and all Creatures proceeding from the Nourishment
they take in. And the same we are to understand also concerning the
Metallick Multiplication, for when ☉ and ☽ are permanently conjoined,
by means of the Metallick High Priest, this alone is not sufficient
in order to their multiplication, but they moreover must be supported
with convenient Meat and Drink. And as Man at his first coming into
the World is nourish’d with his Mothers Milk, in like manner the
Philosophers do feed their ☉ and ☽ with their Mothers Milk, that is,
with their first Essence, from whence they deriv’d their Original.
Now we know that in contemptible _Antimony_, the first _Ens_ of ☉,
is copiously to be found, and may with ease be drawn thence, in the
appearance of Milk, with which ☉ and ☽ are to be nourished in order to
their Multiplication and Increase. The Nourishment then wherewith our
conjoined ☉ and ☽ are to be refreshed, and disposed to a Multiplication
_in infinitum_, is our _Lac Virginis_, Virgin Milk and Mercurial Water,
which strengthens and increaseth the Procreative Seed in ☉ and ☽ both
in quantity and quality. Wherefore also this feeding or inceration has
always been recommended by the Philosophers, as a most necessary thing,
whereby, as it were, a new life, and multiplying virtue is communicated
to the inseparably united ☉ and ☽.
Furthermore we are to know, that after common ☉ and ☽ by means of the
_Salt_ of Art, are inseparably conjoined and exalted in their colours;
yet nothing can be performed with them, because they want an ingress
into other Metals, which they have lost by their Conjunction, which
therefore must be restored to them by means of our mercurial Water,
which not only communicates Ingress, but also easie Fluxibility and
Multiplication to the destroyed Bodies of ☉ and ☽. For when our ☿ Water
is fixed in Conjunction with the fixt ☉ and ☽, then it is no longer a
Volatile ☿, but is changed by the exalted ☉ and ☽ to a fixt Tincture.
This done, if we would multiply this Tincture, we must add to it some
of our _Mercurial_ Water, and fix them together as before, which
Multiplication we may repeat as oft as we please. For when once ☉ and
☽ are made irreducible and more than perfect, by means of our _Salt_
of Art, we need never after to begin our Work a-new, but only mingle
the fixt with the volatile in order to their Fixation; seeing that our
_Mercurial_ Water is in its inside better than ☉, for which reason
also it turns the ☉ and ☽ when fixed with them into mere Tincture. Let
no Man wonder why in this Operation we join ☉ and ☽ together, and not
rather make use of ☉ alone, forasmuch as this ☽ hath no colour at all
outwardly, though in its inside it be higher of colour than ☉ it self,
both which Metals nevertheless, except their colours be exalted by
the _Salt_ of Art, and Inceration, without our _Mercurial_ Water can
never be changed into a true Tincture, because ☉ and ☽ have no mere
Tinctures than is sufficient for themselves, but being exalted by the
tinging _Salt_ of Art, they are capable of colouring white Metals, but
not before. Indeed ☉ alone without the addition of ☽ may be exalted by
our _Salt_ of Art, and _Mercurial_ Water into a Red Tincture. In like
manner also may ☽ alone be exalted in its whiteness by our _Salt_ of
Art, and ☿, one part of which exalted ☽ tingeth many parts of ♀ into
good and fixt ☽♀, for our ☿ wherewith we incerate and multiply, may be
fixed into a Red or White Tincture, according to the ferment we join
with it, with ☉ it makes a red, and with ☽ a white Tincture. However
the best way is to put ☉ and ☽♀ together in due weight and proportion,
exalting them with the _Salt_ of Art, by which means the whiteness in
☽♀ when join’d with ☉, becomes changed into Redness, of which mine
Eyes are Witness. Of this Exaltation of ☉ into a high purple colour,
and of ☽♀ into the highest whiteness, I gave an Ocular Demonstration
to some of my Friends, before my Sickness, but none of them have
since undertaken the Work, and my self by Sickness have been hindered
hitherto.
_Ovid_ excellently describes the preparation of this Tincture, where
he tells us, that _Jupiter_, having chang’d himself into a Golden
Rain, fell through the Tiles into the Lap of _Danaë_, (shut up by her
Father _Acrisius_ King of the _Argives_ in a strong Tower) and got
her with Child, of whom afterwards _Perseus_ was born, who in process
of time being mounted on the Winged Horse _Pegasus_, killed the
Sea-Monster, delivering the fair _Andromeda_, whom he took to Wife;
and afterwards vanquished the _Gorgons_, and made himself Master of
the Golden-fruit-bearing-Orchard. In which Fable the whole Work is
clearly and punctually described, but the reason why it is so little
understood, is, because so few makes it their business to consider
thereof, or put their hands to the Work. For attentively considering
the matter, we find that the King of the _Argives_, in the sense of
the Philosophers, is our Black Lead, whence we prepare our Snow-white
_Virgin Milk_ or Mercurial Water, which is the Beautiful _Danaë_, that
becomes inpregnate by _Jupiter_’s Golden Rain. _Archivum_ signifies
a Treasury of secret and important Records, and no Subjects contains
more secrets, than doth our Black _Magnesia_. What is more lovely to
behold than _Jupiter_’s Golden Rain, whereby the fair _Danaë_ becomes
impregnate? And from whence does this Rain proceed, but from our _Salt_
of Art, without which it were impossible for ♃ to change the ☉ into
such a desirable Rain? What is the Beautiful _Andromeda_ else, but
_Diana_ the Consort of _Apollo_, who is exposed to the Sea-Monster to
be devoured, and is delivered by _Perseus_. And, in a word, the whole
Work of preparing a Tincture from the foresaid Subjects is so clearly
set down by _Ovid_, as it could not well be set down more clearly; and
yet how little is it understood, by reason of the general Stupidity and
inadvertency of the Readers. I have here discovered all the ingredients
belonging to this Tincture, so as nothing remains, except putting hand
to the Work, and begging God’s Blessing upon it: For no good thing
was ever the effect of idleness: But Praying, Seeking, and unwearied
Labour, are the Well-Springs of all useful Arts.
And herewith I shall conclude the use of the _Salt_ of Art, in
preparing the universal Tincture upon all Metals, transmuting the same
into ☉ and ☽♀. I suppose it hath been sufficiently made out, that
the foretold _Elias Artista_ is nothing else, but this our _Salt_ of
Art, whereby the Redness in ☉, and Whiteness in ☽♀ are exalted into
Tincture. Wherefore also this Salt, by those who know its use, has
been called the Monarch of Salts: For every Species of things hath its
Monarch, excelling all the rest of the same kind; upon which account,
_Paracelsus_, who in his Life-time had not his Peer, obtain’d the
Title of Philosophers, Physicians and Monarch of Chymists. Forasmuch
therefore, as our Salt of Art hath not its like in the World, for
working Wonders in _Alchimy_, it may well be call’d the King of Salts:
Tho’ indeed there be one only Salt which excels him, as far as _Elias_
excell’d his Servant _Elisha_: For as _Elias_ went up to Heaven in a
fiery Chariot, leaving his Mantle to _Elisha_, so this Salt may more
properly be compared to _Elisha_ than _Elias_, because _Elisha_ staid
here beneath, and did not ascend to Heaven, as _Elias_ did. Now the
Chymists generally prefer that, which ascends by the force of the
Fire, before that which stays behind, tho’ this Rule be not without
Exceptions; for that which remains is not always to be rejected,
because sometimes much good lies hid in it: As we may perceive in
_Elias_ his Ascension to Heaven, who left his Mantle behind, which
was not without Virtue, as appeared when _Elisha_ with it divided the
River _Jordan_, going over dry-shod. The Chymists commonly call that
which remains after Distillation, or Sublimation, _Caput Mortuum_, but
without good ground, because in that which stays behind, often a great
vivifying Virtue lies hid. This we may gather from the Virtue (as has
been said) remaining in the Mantle of _Elias_, and in the dead bones of
_Elisha_, which as soon as it touch’d the dead Body, raised it again to
Life: If _Elias_ his Mantle had been a dead thing, _Elisha_ could never
have divided _Jordan_ therewith, nor could _Elisha_’s bones have raised
the dead to Life, if they had been dead and without Power. Consider
well what I have said, and you will find more in it, than I dare more
plainly declare; remembring always, that _Jordan_ is nothing else, but
our ☿ Water.
_Concerning the =Salt= of Art._
Having already heard, how by means of the fixative _Salt_ of Art,
common ☉ and ☽♀ may be prepared into a Tincture, for the cure of
Men and Metals; it now remains to be declared, how, by means of the
Volatilizing _Salt_ of Art, most excellent Medicines may with ease, and
small Charges, in a very short time be prepared, out of all Vegetables,
Animals and Minerals. We are here to take Notice, as has been already
hinted, that the Property of our _Salt_ of Art, is, to make the
volatile _Metallick_ Subjects fixt; of which fixative Property,
notwithstanding it may in a few hours, easily and without Charges be
devested, and a Power of Volatilizing all things introduced into it,
instead thereof, by which, incredible things may then be performed,
both in Physick and Alchimy. Of which Wonder-working _Salt_, the
present World knows nothing at all, and probably nothing will be known
of it, till God shall permit it to be revealed by _Elias_ the _Artist_.
What I know of it, I am willing to communicate for common Good, not
doubting, but that God in his due time by means of Good men will reveal
the rest. To volatize this fixative _Salt_ of Art, is an easie thing
to the Wise, but to the Ignorant altogether incredible; though it be
no difficult thing to me, to make it credible and apparent, which if
thou wouldest do likewise, proceed thus: Pour upon our _Salt_ of Art,
in due proportion good Spirit of Wine, which draw off by Distillation,
and you will have a wonderful Spirit, of great Virtue; but you will
find your _Salt_ of Art so weakened, as it cannot be used again: But
the Spirit of Wine, impregnated with the Virtue of the _Salt_, performs
Wonders, that were never yet made known to the World, of which we
shall hear more hereafter. For the Spirit of Wine in this abstraction
hath its Virtue multiplied ten fold, so as it not only extracts the
Essence of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, both easily and suddenly,
carrying them over the Helm; but also extracts the Tinctures from ☉ and
☽, and all precious and common Stones, and brings them over. Of which
Extraction and Separation of the tinging Soul from fixt and unfixt
Bodies, no Philosopher hitherto hath divulged any thing. Let us now
take a view of the great Secrets, which may be obtained by means of our
Alcolized Spirit of Wine. _Paracelsus_ had an Alcolized Spirit of Wine,
which he called _Alcohol vini_, with which he did great things; but it
is not likely, that his _Alcohol vini_ was of the same Virtue, as mine
here described; for if so, it could not have been so long concealed.
However it be, we cannot deny _Paracelsus_ the Title of Monarch of
Physicians and Alchymists, though he may have been ignorant of our
_Salt_ of Art, with which our _Alcohol vini_ is prepared; for no Body
knows all things; and God bestows his Gifts, as best pleaseth him.
But to our return to our _Alcohol vini_, and the manner of using it.
First we are to take Notice, that as for Vegetables and Animals,
they are to be reduced to Powder, if they be dry, but if fresh, they
need only to be a little bruised or chopt, and then pour upon them
our _Alcohol vini_; if the Subjects be dry, we may digest a while
before abstraction, but in Case they be moist, we may distil the
Spirit immediately, which carries over with it all the Virtue of
the said Vegetables and Animals, together with the Taste and Smell,
and poured upon Flowers, and distill’d, sometimes brings over their
Colours also, which hitherto hath been looked upon as very difficult,
if not impossible. But before we make use of it upon Minerals, we
must prepare them, for our _Alcohol vini_ is not strong enough to lay
hold on hard Minerals, and compact Metals, so as to extract their
Essences, and therefore they must be first opened with Waters, that
are not Corrosive, and afterwards be digested with our _Alcohol vini_
and then distilled; which being performed in this Order, the _Alcohol_
will carry their Essences with it over the Helm. This is the true
Preparation of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, in order to the
extracting of your Essences, by means of our _Alcohol vini_. But here
we must observe, that this Preparation of fixt Metals, by opening of
their Bodies, must be done with fixt Liquors, and not Volatile; for if
the dissolvent were Volatile, it would come over in Distillation with
the Spirit of Wine, and spoil all; because after Distillation, the
Spirit of Wine must be separated from the Essence it hath brought over
with it; now if the dissolvent, by being Volatile, should come over
the Helm, it would remain with the Medicine, and consequently spoil
it. We are therefore to remember, that this dissolvent must be Firey,
not Corrosive, without any Smell or bad Taste: The dissolvent being
as necessary to our Work, as is the Spirit of Wine it self: Wherefore
he who intends to plant good Fruit, in this Gold-bearing Orchard,
must be provided with both these Keys, _viz._ with a _Menstruum_, not
Corrosive, to dissolve Metals and Minerals, and with a well prepared
Alcolized Spirit of Wine, without which, he cannot obtain the Tincture
of Metals.
Having thus spoken of the foregoing Preparation of Vegetable, Animals
and Minerals, in general: I shall now proceed to shew in particular,
how out of them most surpassing, and excellent Medicines may be
prepared.
And first to begin with Vegetables; their Essences are to be distilled
in _Balneo_, with a moderate heat, changing the Recipient when it is
needful: For that which comes over, first is of another Nature, than
that which distils next, and that again differs from that which comes
last. There are some Vegetables, that first give their best part, and
the worst last, whereas in others, the worst comes first, and the best
stays till the last. For the rest, it is easily apprehended, that
the Virtue of Flowers and Herbs; especially when green and tender,
doth more easily yield to Distillation, and come over sooner than the
Essence of hard Wood, which is more closely shut up in its Body. He
that proceeds aright in this Work, will meet with great delight and
Satisfaction, and bless God for the Communication of this Light. For
our Alcolized Spirit of Wine brings over Vegetable Essences, of a most
fragrant Odour, which common Spirit of Wine can never do: We may indeed
extract Vegetables, and Minerals with common Spirit of Wine, but cannot
carry the said extracted Essences over the Helm: Which extracts made
with common Spirit of Wine, are not to be compared with those, which
our _Alcohol vini_ brings over with it, differing as much as the shell
from the kernel. For our Essences, as soon as they are taken into the
Body, penetrate it throughout, passing every where to find out their
Enemies, and when found Attack, and put them to flight, which gross
Medicines cannot perform. The like Virtue is also in those ☿ _Salts_,
Tinctures or Souls of Metals, that come over in the flame of the
distilled Spirit of Wine, which also penetrate the Body throughout,
chasing their Enemies before them; and the Tinctures of Stones in the
same manner prepared do the like. Which we must not so understand,
as if the Alcolized Spirit of Wine were to be taken into the Body,
together with the Tincture, for indeed it must be separated from it. As
for instance, when I have brought over the Quintessence of Flints or
Crystals, with our _Alcohol vini_, and have a mind to make use of it
against the Stone in the Bladder or Kidneys, or Stones that are grown
in the joynts, I must not exhibit this Essence, as it is mixed with the
Spirit of Wine, for if so, the good effect, that might be looked for
from the Essence, would be spoiled by the great heat of the Spirit of
Wine, which is the reason the same must be separated from the Essence,
before it can be given inwardly. Now this Separation cannot be done
by Distillation, because both would come over together. Neither can
the Tincture, or Essence of the Stone, be separated from the Spirit
of Wine, by Precipitation. What is to be done therefore in this Case?
The only way to attain our desire is, to kindle the burning Spirit,
and let it flame away under a large and capacious Helm or Head, made
for that purpose; by which means the Spirit of Wine is consumed in the
flame, and the incombustible Essence of Crystal remains in form of a
sweet and pleasant Oyl. We are also to note, that in this burning away
of the Spirit of Wine, the _Sulphur_ of Wine only is consumed, and
the incombustible ☿ of Wine, being condensed in the Head, falls into
the Receiver, in the appearance of a sweet Water. [_see more of this
instrument in the Sixth Part of Phar. Spagyr._]
_N. B._ We are to observe, that the most highly rectified Spirit of
Wine, is much about half water, which water ascends with the flame, and
is caught in the Recipient. Yet is not this ⛛ any common ⛛, but indeed
a powerful ⛛ of Life, especially when the Spirit of Wine hath been
rectified from Aromatical, or Medicinal Subjects, but even without
this, it is of very good use, because the incombustible ☿ of Wine lies
hid in it, and may be separated from it, by abstracting the said ⛛ in a
very gentle vaporous Bath, which done, the ☿ of Wine stays behind, in
the form of a white lovely _Salt_, full of heavenly Powers and Virtues:
For which cause this _Salt_ or ☿ of Wine, hath been always termed by
the Philosophers, Heavenly _Salt_.
It is likewise to be noted, that after the ⛛ is abstracted from the
Spirit of Wine, the said ⛛ is not devoid of all Virtue, as invisibly
containing some part of the foresaid Heavenly _Salt_, especially if the
Spirit of Wine in its Rectification, hath been impregnated with Spices,
or other good Subjects: For according to the different impregnation of
the Spirit of Wine, the Heavenly _Salt_, or ☿ of Wine, will be more or
less powerful. Thus we have seen in what manner the Essences of Flints
and Chrystals are to be prepared, with the help of our _Alcohol vini_.
When this Spirit of Wine Crystallized is kindled and burnt away under
a large Head, the greatest part of the Essence of Crystals remains
behind, in the form of a pleasant clear Liquor, which is the most
Sovereign Medicine against all Diseases proceeding from _Tartar_,
_viz._ Stone in the Bladder, Kidneys and other parts of the Body, which
it dissolves, and carries off. But the most pure part of the Crystals
mounts with the flame into the Helm, in form of a clear Water, which
when abstracted in a vaporous Bath the ☿ of Crystals stays behind, in
form of a lovely white _Salt_, which is of far greater power in the
Stone, Gout, and like Diseases, than the fixt Oyl or Liquor, which
remains in the Vessel after the Spirit of Wine is burnt away. In like
manner, we may proceed with other Stones. Yet we are to understand,
that all Stones have not the same Nature or Property: Thus we find
Several sorts of Crystal, _viz._ some White, Transparent and clear,
others White, but _Opake_ and dark, also Green, Blew, Yellow, Red, and
Black Crystals, all which by the help of _Salts_, are melted into Glass
of several Colours. Amongst these Crystals are also reckoned. Flints,
Pebbles, Gravel and Sand, which likewise suffer themselves with _Salts_
to be melted into Glass. All these forementioned Stones, may with
_Alkalick Salts_ be melted, and afterwards by _Deliquium_ be resolved
into a Liquor, concerning which Liquors, I have treated at large in the
Second Part of my Furnaces.
These Stones that suffer themselves to be melted, with the Addition of
_Alkalies_, may also, with Lead-ashes, be reduced to transparent Glass.
Whereas precious Stones, _viz._ Diamonds, Rubies, Saphirs, Jacinths,
Granates, _&c._ are of a quite different Nature, which neither by
_Alkalies_, nor Lead, can be run down into Glass: Wherefore also none
have been found hitherto, that have been able from them to prepare any
good Medicine, as not yielding to the most Corrosive Waters whatsoever.
_N. B._ And though indeed, I know a way to dissolve them without any
Corrosive, yet do not I think it proper, to Communicate the same in
this publick manner.
There is another sort of Stones, which are commonly found in Rich and
fat Earth, and sometimes also in Rivers or Brooks, such as _Lapis
Judaicus_, _Lyncis_ and others, which being not very hard, may be
dissolved in good Spirit of Salt, which Solutions are by some of our
common _Chymists_ used against the Stone, but without any good Success,
forasmuch as the Body of the Stone is not at all meliorated by being
dissolved in Spirit of Salt, but rather made worse; because by this
means, there is no Separation of the pure from the impure. But if any
Man will take the pains to reduce these Stones into Essences, in the
way before specified, he will find them much more available in all
sorts of _Tartarous_ Distempers.
There are also several kinds of Lime-stone, which cannot be melted with
Addition of _Alkalies_, or the Ashes of Lead, but by a strong Fire are
burnt into Lime. Amongst which Lime-Stones, we may reckon the _Ludus_
of _Van Helmont_, which like other Limestones, may be sublimed with our
strong ♓, and afterwards reduced into a Liquor, of which I have treated
elsewhere, and particularly in the Seventh Part of my _Pharmacopœa
Spagyrica_. Out of these Stones, after they have been first burnt into
Lime, a most excellent Medicine may be prepared against all kinds of
the Gout: _Basil Valentine_ assuring us, that he with Essence of quick
Lime, cured the Chancellor of the Emperour of _Germany_ of the Gout:
Which we may the rather believe, because _Basil Valentine_ knew the
way of separating the ☿ from the Spirit of Wine, by enkindling it;
and hath also described an instrument of Copper, for performing that
Operation: And knowing all this, he could not be unacquainted, that the
Essence of Quick-lime, being united with Spirit of Wine, and afterwards
meliorated, and putrified by burning it away, was separable from it,
which he having reduced to Practice, obtained this excellent Medicine
for curing of the Gout.
We are further to know, that there be other, and better Stones, to
prepare an universal Medicine against the Gout and Stone, by means of
our _Alcohol vini_, after they have been first burnt into Lime, _viz._
Oyster shells, which, being burnt afford a Lime that is very Caustick;
and of a like Nature are all Sea-productions, _viz._ the Stones that
are found in Spunges, all sorts of Coral, Pearl, and Mother of Pearl,
all which may be reduced by Fire, into a Lime of great and excellent
use.
But above all other Stones, I esteem those that are found in Beasts,
Birds, Fishes or Man, which being reduced into a Calx, and their
Essences extracted with our _Alcohol Vini_, may then be brought into a
pleasant Liquor of great Use.
Amongst Fishes, the best Stones are found in Haddocks and Whitings,
Crabs Eyes also are very good, but must be calcined before they can be
of any good use in Physick; for without that, they are more proper to
generate the Stone, than to expel it.
Having thus declared, how, from some Stones, good Medicaments may be
prepared against the Gout and Stone both of the Bladder and Kidney;
we will next shew, what kind of Stones are proper to be extracted
with our _Alcohol Vini_, in order to the obtaining of true Tinctures
for Men and Metals. For all Stones that have good fixt colours, are
not therefore fit to have their Tinctures extracted; because some of
the Precious Stones are too costly, though we should only make use
of their Fragments. Some will not submit to any Operation, _viz._
Granates, Saphires, Rubies, Jacinths, Emralds, Turkoises, _&c._ though
they abound with much fixt Tincture; whereas all those Stones which
are high of colour, and suffer themselves to be dissolved, are proper
for this work, because without preceding Solution, it is impossible
to extract the Tincture from hard and compact Bodies: Wherefore we
must make choice of Stones that are soluble, and abound with fixt
Tincture, _viz._ Green and Red Jasper Stones, _Lapis Lazuli_, and the
Black _Magnesia_ which contain abundance of Solar Tincture. All Stones
likewise that are high coloured, and break smooth like Glass, whether
found on Mountains or in Brooks, are good for this purpose.
It was because of this Solar Tincture abounding in the Jasper Stone,
that the Ancients preferr’d it before ☉, as containing a most high and
excellent Tincture. A very rich Tincture may also be extracted from the
_Lapis Lazuli_; and from the Black _Magnesia_, (which is not costly) a
richer. Let us therefore take this despised Stone in hand, and see how
easily its Tincture, by means of our _Alcohol Vini_ may be extracted,
and what uses it serves for, as well in Physick as Alchimy.
_The PROCESS._
℞. One pound or two of black and ponderous _Magnesia_, pulverize the
same, and dissolve it in our Universal Stone-Water, wherewith all
hard Stones may be dissolved, and thou wilt have a Solution of a
Grass-green-colour, filter it, and in case thou hast proceeded aright,
the undissolved _fæces_ will be of small quantity.
Now is thy Solution ready to have our _Alcohol Vini_ pour’d upon it, in
order to the extracting of its Tincture, and carrying it over the Helm.
_N. B._ That notwithstanding the Solution be at first of a green
colour, yet the Spirit of Wine in Distillation comes over yellow as
_Sol_. And when the Spirit of Wine is kindled under a large head, the
pure _Mercury_ of the _Magnesia_ ascends with the flame, which is of
great use in Physick; and a Blood-red Liquor stays behind, being not
only a Tincture for the Bodies of Men and Metals, but also by means of
the same may Crystals be tinged with several fair colours, so as to
resemble Precious Stones in all things, except hardness. I dare not set
down here the manner of applying this Tincture to white Metals, he to
whom God vouchsafes this Tincture, will easily find out the use of it.
As to the Physical use, this Tincture opens Obstructions of the Liver,
Spleen and Lungs: The white _Mercury_ come over with the Flame is an
excellent Medicine, strengthening the Heart, Stomach, Head and Reins,
and a great Remedy against the Gout. In a word, he that is Master of
this Tincture will find much more in it than I have here hinted.
In like manner, as hath been said of the _Magnesia_, we may proceed
with other Stones, to extract their Tinctures, all which have different
properties, according to the nature of the Stones from whence they are
prepared.
We proceed now to shew, how by means of our _Alcohol Vini_ the
Tinctures or Essences of Minerals and Metals, without any preceding
Solution, or other preparation, may be easily brought over. The way is
thus:
℞. What quantity you please of any Sulphurous Marcasite, whether of ♂,
♀, ♃, ♄, ☽ or ☉, make them red-hot in a Crucible in a Wind Furnace, and
then put them red-hot as they are, into my second Distilling Furnace,
fitting a large Recipient thereto, and pour upon them to the quantity
of about an Ounce of our _Alcohol Vini_, closing the Furnace again
immediately; by this means the Spirit of Wine will enter into the
Stones, yet because of the great heat will not long continue there,
but ascend and carry over the Metalline Spirit with it; which done,
pour upon them another spoonful of Spirit, which when come over, pour
on another, repeating this as oft as shall be needful. After that
the Marcasites or Metalline Stones are grown cold, they must be made
red-hot again, and proceeded with as before, till a sufficient quantity
of the Metallick Spirit be obtained. Then burn away the Spirit of Wine,
and there will remain a glorious Essence of Metals, which thou mayest
make use of, according to thy best knowledge. One thing I can assure
thee, that this is the easiest way to obtain Metallick Spirits in
quantity. And though the Process appears plain and simple, yet more may
be discovered and attained thereby than many would imagine. I know what
I write, though it may be every Man will scarcely understand me; which
is very fitting, to the end these great _Arcana_ may not be prostituted
to the Unworthy. He, who cannot make Metallick Spirits according to
this way, may dissolve the Metals themselves in proper Dissolvents,
pour Spirit of Wine upon them, and distil their Essences, which he may
then make use of, as his understanding shall guide him.
I have already declared, that Metallick Spirits, when pour’d together,
do Meliorate one another. I shall add no more at present, having
already declared too much to the Unworthy, and for those that fear God,
they will be further assisted from above, and led to the desired end.
In like manner may the Essences of all common Stones, Pebbles,
Metalline Stones, colour’d Earths, _&c._ be extracted without any
foregoing preparation; for which God be praised for evermore. _Amen._
In the same way we can obtain the Essences of many other Mineral
Subjects, without any preceding preparation, especially of such as are
Volatile, _viz._ Kobolt, Arsenick, Orpiment, Bismuth, Zink, _Lapis
Calaminaris_, and the like Realgars, from which we may distil very
poisonous, but withal admirable, Spirits, in order to the Melioration
of Metals. We may also take the same course with compact Metals
themselves, and distil their Spirits without any foregoing Solution,
_viz._ we must file them small, make them red-hot, and put them into
the Distillatory, and then proceed as before hath been said with the
Marcasites, and the Metalline Spirit will come over with its natural
smell, taste and colour, in which Spirits great wonders lie hid, but
are of greatest use in Meliorating of Metals. Read what _Paracelsus_
writes to this purpose in his Book called _Vexatio Alchymistarum_,
where you’l meet with what will satisfie you in this matter. Consider
well of what I have said, and thou wilt find more than I dare set down;
for it is no small or common thing to obtain the pure Souls of Compact
Metals, without any foregoing Solution of their Bodies.
_N. B._ Those Metals which are molten with Minerals, being filed,
and proceeding with them as aforesaid, afford a Spirit higher in
colour, and of a stronger smell than simple Metals. Take an instance
from Brass, of which if you lay a piece upon a red-hot Coal, it will
send forth a bad stench, or put Coals into a Brass Chafing-Dish,
and you’l perceive the same; which bad smell proceeds from the
_Lapis Calaminaris_ which is joyned with the Copper, the said _Lapis
Calaminaris_ being a volatile and stinking Mineral. So likewise when
♀ is made white by the addition of Arsenick, it stinks much worse
than when it is join’d with _Lapis Calaminaris_, as being much more
poisonful. This stinking fume which proceeds from Brass, though it
be a Spirit, yet is not without a Body, and may be called a spiritual
Body, or Bodily Spirit. These fumes are hurtful to the Brain and
Heart; and therefore a wise Man endeavours to catch this Volatile
Spirit, and to turn it to a true fixt Tincture, fixing white Metals
into a permanent Yellow; as the stinking fume of White ♀, made so by
_Arsenick_, may be reduced to a Tincture, which will tinge Red ♀ into
White.
I have said enough here, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear. He,
who desires to know more concerning those _Metallick_ Odours, may read
_Braceseus_; where he will find, that from them the Philosophers Stone,
or highest Medicine against all Diseases of Men, and Metals may be
prepared: Of which, elsewhere I may have occasion to treat further.
It remains now to discover, in what manner the Medicinal tinging
Spirits, or Souls of Stones, are to be extracted, wherewith great
Honour and Riches may be obtained in the Practice of Physick. The
Process is the very same, as with the _Marcasites_; for when white
Pebbles and Chrystals, or colour’d Stones, as _Jasper_ Stones, _Lapis
Lazuli_ and the like, being first made red hot, have our _Alcohol Vini_
poured upon them in a convenient Distillatory, the Spirit of Wine
carries over their several Colours, which Tinctures are of great use in
Physick. In this way, we may get a Spirit from Lime stones, which is
most subtil, and strong of any other whatsoever.
As for Corals and Pearls, they are not to be made red hot (because
their Virtue is destroyed by strong Fire) but only heated, and pour
Spirit of Wine upon them, by which means the Spirit of Wine will bring
over the Essence of Corals of a curious red Colour, and that of Pearls
white as Milk.
The Stones that are found in Fishes, Crabs eyes, so called, need only
to be pulverized, without heating them, and in abstracting the Spirit
of Wine from them, we obtain all their Virtues, which Spirit of Wine
being afterwards separated there from, as I have taught, or according
to my new invention burnt away, we shall get the true Magistery of
these Stones, being a pleasant _Salt_, full of Virtues, and without
any thing of Corrosiveness. This _Salt_ is the true Magistery of these
Fish-stones. The like true Magisteries may, without the assistance
of any Corrosive, be prepared of Coral, Pearls, Mother of Pearl,
Cockleshells, and the Egg-shells of some particular Birds, as also of
soft Stones, such as _Lapis Lyncis_, _Judaicus_, _&c._ Let no Body
think strange, that I make mention here of Egg-shells, amongst the
rest; seeing it is certain, that they have their Original from Stones,
as Experience teacheth us, for when Hens are coop’d up in the Winter
time, in places where they cannot meet with Sand, or small Stones, they
lay Eggs without shells. Wherefore Egg-shells are not to be contemned,
for when according to my Instructions they are reduc’d to Magisteries,
they are of great use in curing the Stone and Gout: And are used with
extraordinary Success, to hasten the Birth in Women, strengthning both
Mother and Child, and helping to expel the After-Birth.
Swallows Egg-shells may easily be had, forasmuch as after they have
hatch’d their young, they cast them out of their Nests, and afford an
excellent Medicine against the Falling Sickness. The Egg-shells of the
Wag-tail would be yet more effectual to this purpose, if they could
be got, for no Bird is subject to the Falling Sickness, but it: For
being caught, and running about with other Birds in the Winter, it’s
oft seiz’d with the Falling Sickness, his Feet stagger, his Head and
Tail tremble, and at last falls on his Back, but continues not so long,
for rising again, he plucks out some of his Feathers, and thereupon
immediately recovers, and runs about, eats and drinks as before: Of
whose Feathers, since their Egg-shells are not to be got, a Magistery
may be prepared against that Distemper.
They who know, that great Virtues are contained even in natural
superfluities, will not wonder at my treating here of Egg-shells and
Feathers. Some great Philosophers have set down the way of making the
Philosophers Stone of them; amongst the rest, a certain Author, writing
concerning Mans hair and Egg-shells, concludes thus: _Though these
matters may seem to be very strange and absurd, yet who is there that
knows all things_, &c?
Many other Subjects might be hinted, from whence Magisteries may be
prepared, but I think it needless, he who sets upon the work will
easily find many more, than I have mentioned. I shall only, by the way,
take notice, that the common Magisteries of the _Apothecaries_ Shops,
are no Magisteries, but mere dead, unprofitable Powders.
We now proceed to the Preparation of Vegetables and Animals, which
being of different Natures, must also differently be prepared. As for
Instance, _Opium_ (which is a tough Juice, and cannot be pulverized)
must be cut in thin slices, and laid on a Tin Plate before the Fire, or
any other convenient way, to be dried, and then powdred; which done,
we must pour upon it some of our _Alcohol_ of Wine, and after a short
digestion distil it, by which means we shall get it’s most subtil
Essence; and, if afterwards we burn away the Spirit of Wine, part of
this Essence will ascend with the _Mercurial_ Water, and other part
stay behind. The former of these, _viz._ the Volatile _Mercury_ of
_Opium_ is so powerful, that when only smelt to, it is of better effect
than the common _Laudanum Opiatum_ taken in substance. The Red Liquor,
which remains behind in the Cup or Dish after the Spirit of Wine is
burnt away, may be taken inwardly. That which remains in the Glass Body
after Distillation is of no great use, and may be cast away; yet if any
one will take the pains to dissolve it in common ⛛, filter, and after
reduce it to the consistence of Pills, perhaps he will not find it much
inferior to the common _Laudanum Opiatum_. The Oyl which remains in
the Cup is of very excellent Virtue, as having past the Purgatory Fire
of the Spirit of Wine, whereby it is much corrected: Wherefore also we
find, that this Oyl is wholly devested of that loathsome Smell that
is in _Opium_. But yet the _Mercurial_ Virtue, which ascends together
with the Flame, is far better than that which stays behind, not only
in Virtue, but because being in the form of a clear ⛛ without Taste or
Smell, it may with the more ease be taken by the Sick. The said Oyl
may also with Saffron, and the Narcotick 🜍 of the _Vitriol_ of ♀ be
thickned and reduced to the Consistence of Pills.
This Medicine is of great use, for such as are in pain, and want their
due Rest, removing the one, and procuring the other: And no Body can be
ignorant, how necessary Sleep and Abstinence are, to preserve Health,
as well as to remove Diseases.
According to this way, we may extract the Virtues of all vegetable
Subjects, and greatly exalt, as well as correct them, where need is.
_N. B._ _Henbane_ and _Tobacco_, this way prepared, afford _Narcoticks_
not inferior to _Opium_. _Aloes_, _Myrrh_, and _Saffron_ handled in
this manner, make an Elixir _Proprietatis_, ten times better than that
described by _Paracelsus_, or _Helmont_: For our _Alcohol Vini_ brings
over only their purest Essence, which is afterwards yet further exalted
through the Flames of the Spirit of Wine. According to this method,
a Man may prepare from Vegetables excellent Cordials, _Cephalicks_,
strengtheners of the Stomach, _Nephriticks_ _&c._ which in their
effects will far exceed the Common. Only we are to observe; that when
we have a mind to prepare an universal Medicine, we need not to meddle
with Vegetables or Animals, which are Grandfather _Demogorgons_ green
Cloak, forasmuch as a little piece of his Heart, is far more valuable
than his whole Cloak; wherefore he that would prepare an universal
Medicine, of greater Virtues than all Vegetables and Animals contain,
let him take to Task a part of this _Demogorgons_ Heart. Concerning
which, if the Reader desire further to be satisfied, let him peruse a
Treatise of the incomparable Philosopher _Joannes Bracescus_, _of the
Tree of Life_; where he may be informed, who this _Demogorgon_ is, what
his clothes, and what the inmost Blood of his Heart are.
Now by the way, to speak a little of this _Demogorgon_, we are to
understand, that the Ancients always described their universal Work,
not plainly so, as to be apprehended by every one, but wrapt up in
Riddles and Allegories; all of them pointing to this _Demogorgon_, who
has his Seat in the Center of the Earth, having a rusty Colour’d, and
green Cloak cast about him; which in plain terms, is nothing else but
the Central Fire, which God, when he created the World, placed there as
an everlasting vivifying Fire; by means of which quickening Fire, not
only Metals and Minerals are produced, but also all Herbs, Plants and
Trees: Upon which Account, the ancient Philosophers have described this
_Demogorgon_, to be the Grandfather of all the Heathen Gods, that is
_Metallick_ Subjects, and an Upholder of, and Provider for all things
that are within, as well as without the Earth; for all things proceed
from one Original, _viz._, this _Demogorgon_. Concerning which, _See
the Twelfth Treatise of_ Sendivogius.
Metals and Minerals, are as it were the Shirt, or inmost covering
of _Demogorgon_, whereas Vegetables and Animals, are but his Cloak,
or upper Garment. The Ancients have writ much concerning this
_Demogorgon_, attributing to him, not only the Generation and growth of
Stones and Metals, but declaring him to be the Father of those living
Spirits, which are often found in the Mountains, where Mines are,
especially of ☉ or ☽, about which, if the Reader desire to be further
satisfied, let him read George Agricola _his Treatise concerning
Subterraneous living Creatures_.
To return then to our _Demogorgon_, I say, there are found some
contemptible Minerals, in which all the Virtues of Vegetables and
Animals lye concentred, which Minerals take their Original from the
purest Heart-blood of _Demogorgon_: Such Minerals as these we are
to take in hand, if we would prepare an universal Medicine against
all Diseases, as well as a Tincture, to meliorate all white Metals
with great Gain and Profit. We are also to observe, that such an
universal Medicine, may easily, with little Charges, and in few days,
be prepared: For the Minerals themselves cost little or nothing, the
Dissolvent is very cheap, and the burning Spirit is not Chargeable,
so that an Universal Medicine, to meliorate Vegetables, Animals and
Minerals, may be made with the Charge of an Angel, which, certainly,
is a strange and wonderful _Compendium_. All this may be done with the
help of our Spirit of Wine _Alcolisatus_, without which, the Essence
of these Minerals cannot be brought over, nor be made perfectly sweet
and fine, without enduring the Purgatory of its refining Flames:
Wherefore, also our _Elias Artista_, or _Salt_ of Art, wherewith we
acuate our burning Spirit, and make such a wonderful _Menstruum_ of
it, may well be called the Monarch of _Salts_. And to demonstrate,
that such a Medicine prepared of Metals or Animals, with the help of
our _Salt_ of Art joyned with Spirit of Wine, is not only able to cure
all the Diseases of Men and Metals, but also of Vegetables, appears
first from hence, that an universal Medicine can scarcely, or at all be
prepared without the Concurrence of Vegetables and Animals: For which
reason the Philosophers say, that their Stone is Vegetable, Animal and
Mineral; if then the universal Medicine be made up of these three, we
must conclude also, that it is Master and Commander over them. The use
of this Medicine in the several three Kingdoms, is as follows. When
by means of our _Tartarized_ Spirit of Wine, thou hast brought over
the pure Essence of a Metal or Mineral, and separated the Spirit of
Wine from the _Metallick_ Essence, by burning it away, then the said
Essence stays behind in the Cup or Dish, wherein the Spirit of Wine was
burnt away, and may without any other Preparation be made use of, for
the Cure of all curable Diseases. But when we have a mind to make use
of this Essence, for the meliorating of Metals, we must first ferment
it with common ☉ or ☽, for without this, the Soul or Quintessence of
Metals can have no ingress into Metals, so as to unite with them in a
Fire of Fusion. We are also to note, that when this _Metallick_ Essence
is fermented with _Sol_, it becomes a _Solar_ Tincture, but when with
☽, it only affords a white Tincture. It is also to be observed, that
when we take two parts of ☉, and one of ☽ for our ferment, we shall
have a Red Tincture, and so on the contrary, if we make use of two
or three parts of ☽, to one of ☉, it will only be a white Tincture,
because the predominant Metal determines the Tincture. But he who hath
once obtained a well prepared Quintessence of Metals, will easily
know the ferment and way of applying it, for a due application is of
great moment in this matter. I have known some, who had extracted good
Tinctures from ♂ and ♁, but understood not the way of fermenting them,
that is of joyning their ferment without their Tinctures; neither
did they understand the Inceration, that is, the way to give to your
Tinctures easie Fluxibility and Ingress, so could not arrive at their
desired End. Were the World worthy of it, I could set down an easie,
cheap and short way, to extract much ☉ out of ♀, by which means every
one that is somewhat skilled in Distilling, Melting and Cupelling,
might have a Rich and inexhausted Mine in his own House, but it is
much better to be silent, than to strengthen Men in their Pride and
wickedness.
But to return to the Medicinal use of our Tinctures, we are to take
Notice, that the Red Oyl, which remains after the burning away of the
Spirit of Wine in the Cup, is fittest to make a _Metallick_ Tincture
of: But the ☿ or Celestial _Vitriol_, which mounts with the Flame of
the Spirit of Wine, is the most proper Medicine for human Bodies: For
this pure _Mercurial_ ⛛ is the true and best ⛛ of Life, wherewith,
not alone Men, but also other Animals, yea and Vegetables too, may be
cured of all Diseases, and Evils incident to them. And forasmuch, as
the highest Medicine of Vegetables is the Nourishment they draw from
the Earth, the warmth of the Sun, and fruitful Rain, and that on the
contrary a dry and barren Soil, and want of the cherishing heat of the
Sun and Rain, are the Death of all Vegetables, it is apparent that
there can be no better Remedy to keep off the Death of Vegetables,
than this our sweet cherishing, and vivifying ⛛ of Life, or Celestial
_Salt_: For when any Seeds of Vegetables are steeped therein, and
set only in Sand, they immediately shoot up and grow: And having
this effect upon Vegetables, we have the less reason to doubt of its
cherishing, and vivifying Virtue on human Bodies, as indeed there
cannot be a better Medicine to rid the Body of Man, of all manner
of Diseases than this Universal Blessed ⛛ of Life, or heavenly Rain
⛛. When we attentively consider Nature, we find, that the Life and
growth of all Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, is Originally from the
Air, or an Airy volatile Spirit. Thus we can make all hard Stones and
Metals grow as it were in a moment, by means of such a volatile Spirit,
concerning which, I have spoken in the Second Part of my Furnaces.
This sudden growth of Stones and Metals, I have many years since
shewed to some of my Friends, who greatly admired the same, but could
not comprehend that reason thereof. Now therefore, to satisfie the
Searchers after truth, I declare, that all growth, whether in the
_Microcosme_, or _Macrocosme_ proceeds from a Spirit, or Volatile
_Salt_, arising from two contraries, _viz._ an _Acid_ and an _Alkali_;
for when an _Alkali_, and an _Acid_ Spirit meet, they cause an
Effervescence, during which, there proceeds from them both a very
subtil Spirit, which has the Nature and Property to make all things
grow. If a Man takes this Spirit inwardly; it procures and preserves
health; if it be joyn’d to an Herb, it makes it to grow and shoot up
suddenly. With this Spirit we can make an Herb grow from its Seed in
the midst of Winter, (but it must be in a warm Room,) so as it may be
seen to grow; which my self have performed more than once. And to make
it appear, that this swift growth only proceeds from a volatile Spirit,
produc’d by the strife of two contraries, I’le give this instance;
pour one Pound of Oyl of _Vitriol_, upon one or two Pound of calcined
_Tartar_, not at once, but by degrees, and at several times, and it
will cause a great strife and Effervescence, cover the _Cucurbit_
with its Head, and give Fire in a Sand Furnace, by which means a very
subtil volatile Spirit comes into the Receiver. If before this Work be
undertaken, a Stone hath been dissolved by the calcined _Tartar_, and
a Metal in the Oyl of _Vitriol_, then the Spirit, which proceeds from
them, will be much more powerful; because the Virtue both of the Stone
and Metal comes over with the Spirit. In this manner may a volatile
Spirit be had from all _Acids_ and _Alkalis_.
To demonstrate this further, that the growth of all things proceeds
from the strife of two contraries, take this instance: Dissolve some
Iron or Copper in Spirit of _Salt_, or Oyl of _Vitriol_, draw off
the Flegm, in which Distillation none of the _Acid_ Spirit will come
over; because it is joyn’d and concentred with the Metal, animating
and disposing it to shoot up and to grow swiftly, so as the eye may
perceive it grow, like a Tree with a Body, Boughs, Branches, and Twigs.
Take this Spirit of _Salt_ or _Vitriol_, concentred by the ♂, as soon
as you have taken it out of the Furnace, whilst it is yet warm, and
break it into little Bitts, about the bigness of large Pease (if you
should suffer it to grow cold, it would by attracting the Air, suddenly
run into an Oyl _per deliquium_.) These pieces of animated ♂ must be
joyned with its contrary, for which you can choose nothing better than
a Liquor of Flints prepared in the same manner, which I have taught in
the second part of my Furnaces. The Glass, wherein you put this Liquor
of Flints, must be of the same wideness at the top, as at the bottom,
and about an handbreadth high, and fill’d with the said _Alkalious_
Liquor, to which, put your _Acid_ concentred by the ♂, laying the
pieces orderly a thumbs breadth from one another, and place the Glass,
where it may not be shaken or jogg’d. As soon as these contraries are
thus joyned, they begin to act upon one another; but forasmuch, as the
one of these contraries is concentred by the ♂, and become hard, it
cannot mingle it self with its adversary, or destroy it, so they only
vex and anguish one another, in doing which, a warmth ariseth between
them, and the one contrary pusheth the other to shoot and grow; the
hard and dry part, _viz._ the animated ♂ drawing so much moisture from
its contrary, the Liquor of Flints, as makes it heave and begin to
grow in form of a Plant, with Root, Stock, Branches, and Twigs, very
pleasant to behold, the growth being very swift, so as within an hour
and an half, or two hours at the most, the whole Glass is fill’d with
little iron Trees, which grow harder and harder, and when they are
hard enough, (which will be in the space of twenty four hours) then
the Liquor of Flints must be let out from it through a hole, left on
purpose in the bottom of the Glass, and the Plant, or little Tree,
remains. If we desire to make a more pleasant sight of it, we may take
several Metals, and make them grow up like a Tree; ♂ affords a dark
brown, _Venus_ a green, ♄ ♃ and ☿ a White and Grey, ☽ a Blew, and ☉
a Yellow Colour. Minerals also give different Colours from Metals;
_Lapis Calaminaris_ grows not into Trees, but into the resemblance of
Mountains and Rocks of a White and Greyish Colour.
If we have a mind to make Stones to grow, we proceed thus, first we
melt the Stone, whether White or Coloured, into a transparent Glass,
and pour it forth into a Copper Bason, where it will flow broad and
thin, and will be the fitter to be broke into as small pieces as we
desire. Which peices we place as before in a flat bottom’d Glass before
described, which must be full of an _Acid_ Spirit mixed with water, so
as it may neither be too sharp, nor too weak; for if it be weakned with
too much water, it will not retain strength enough to make it grow; and
if the _Acid_ be too sharp, it will dissolve the _Alkalized_ Stone,
wherefore great care must be taken, as to this particular.
_N. B._ The _Magnesia_ gives a Blood-red Tree, and much more beautiful
than any of the Metals: Only observe, that Metals may be made to grow
with less trouble than Stones.
From what hath been said, it appears beyond dispute, that the growth of
Vegetables, Animals and Minerals (Stones not excepted) proceeds from
two contraries. I could easily make this out more amply and fully, but
having treated of the same in other parts of my Writings, I shall let
it rest here.
_An Appendix or COROLLARY._
I have in the foregoing Treatise declared the use of the _Salt_ of
Art, both in Physick and Alchimy, and have set down nothing, but what
my self have experienced. What I have writ concerning our _Alcolized_
Spirit of Wine, is also the very truth: And tho’ what I have here set
down might seem to suffice; yet I cannot, before I conclude this small
Book, but mention a much greater Gift of God, than that of which I have
spoken here, _viz._ that God hath vouchsafed Mankind, for preserving
their Health, a Subject, wherein the Powers and Virtues of all
Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, are summ’d up and united together;
which Subject may be had in all places for nothing, and however
contemptible it may seem to the ignorant, yet it is the matter of the
highest Medicine in the World. Every Man can have enough of it from
himself, needs therefore not to go to another for it. _Adam_ and _Eve_
our first Parents brought this matter with them out of Paradise; yea,
every one brings it along with him from his Mothers womb.
Let no Man imagin, that I speak here of Urine, or Mans Dung, it is
something else, and more despised than either of them, so that a proud
Man will scarcely light upon it. I say, if a Man know this Subject, and
how to make use of it in Physick, he may well account himself happy, as
needing nothing of all that is in the World besides, in Case he hath
only strength, place, and convenience to prepare the same. The Subject
costs nothing, and the Preparation requires neither Glasses, Coals nor
Furnace. I commend this Subject to Physicians above any other in the
World, the Preparation being easie, and without Charges, and may be
finished in few days: So that the knowledge of this Subject, and its
easie Preparation, ought not to be look’d upon, as an invention of
Man, but as a wonderful, and undeserved Gift of God, reserved only for
those, who despise the World with all its Vanities, renounce the Devil
and all his Works, and avoid the Company of wicked Men, his adherents.
Of the Three most noble STONES generated
by Three Secret FIRES.
AND
_First, Of the Stone of Philosophers, which is prepared by the
Secret Fire of the Wise._
_Secondly, of the upper and lower Thunder-stone, how they are
generated above, by the Meteorological Fire; and below, by the
secret Artificial Fire. And_,
_Thirdly, How the =Lapis Ignis=, or Fire-stone of =Basilius=, is to
be prepared out of =Antimony= by Art._
_And how these Three most noble Stones of the World, are to be used
in Physick and Alchymy. Translated out of the =High-Dutch=._
_Reader_,
In the end of the Appendix to the Seventh Part of my _Pharmacopœa
Spagyrica_, I have made mention of Three Fires, which are not Common,
but unknown to the World. By which are generated three wonderful
Stones, which I did intend to publish. First, of the secret Fire
of Philosophers, commonly called the Fire of _Artephius_, because
_Artephius_ a very ancient Philosopher did first write of it, who was
also envious like others, and would write nothing of it, till he came
to be nine hundred Years old which way the Philosophers Stone was to
be made by this Fire. These Writings have been long tossed up and down
the World, before any could be certain, whether or no this miraculous
Fire could be found in Nature. At length some Philosophers attain’d its
knowledge, and published it for the good of the World. But because,
those Philosophers were very obscure in their Writings, the Art could
not be made common, but remaineth secret to this hour: So that one
of a Thousand among the now reputed Philosophers, (who have fill’d
the whole World with their unexperienced Writings) scarcely one is to
be found, who know any thing of it. And because this secret Fire was
called by the true Philosophers, _Ignis Philosophorum_, it would have
becomed them, to know somewhat of it. _Helmont_ the most experienced
and learned Philosopher of his time, although he had studied long in
the Universities, yet he doth not Glory in any Arts he there learned:
But on the contrary, he saith, that Physick, as it is taught in the
Schools, is of no value. And, that not the Universities, but the Fire,
made him a Philosopher. And therefore, he calls himself a Philosopher
by the Fire. And without doubt, our secret Fire was known to him, as
appears by his excellent Writings. For his _Elementum Ignis Veneris_,
to which he attributes so many Virtues, could not well be made, without
this secret Fire. A Quintessence may be drawn out of _Venus_, but that
will not effect, what the Red Element of the incombustible _Sulphur_
can. _Paracelsus_, in his Book of _Sulphur_, writes, that an excellent
_Elementum Ignis_ may be made out of common _Sulphur_, which he so
highly commends, that he dares to say, that except a Physician hath
this Element of Fire, (that is the fixed Quintessence of _Sulphur_,
among his _Arcanums_, he cannot rightly be reputed a Physician, but a
Money Catcher, and Robber of the Sick. In my lately published Treatise
of _Sulphur_, I have also described an _Elementum Ignis_, which is
certainly a very excellent Medicine against all Cold Distempers, but
this is not yet fixed, but combustible, but the Element of Fire ought
to be incombustible. For as long as a Medicine made out of _Sulphur_ is
still combustible, and subject to blacken Silver when touched with it,
it cannot be reputed the true _Elementum Ignis Sulphuris_. For the true
Element of Fire of _Sulphur_ doth not make Silver black, but tingeth it
with a constant Golden Colour, which cannot be washed off. As also, the
Element of Fire ought to be of this Nature, to enter a Red hot Plate
of Silver without fume, as Oyl sinks into dry Leather; and to tinge it
Yellow. Also, it ought to tinge common ☿ into Gold, when added to it
in a due heat. This Quintessence of _Sulphur_, also must not be burnt
by the Fire as other Oyl, but remain incombustible. Therefore, the
Philosophers have called it an incombustible Oyl, a permanent Water,
_Aurum potabile_, _&c._ When it hath those Virtues, then it can perform
what _Paracelsus_ attributes to it, _viz._ Wonders both in Physick and
Alchymy; and by this, _Aristotle_ and his followers (who assert, that
the Species of Metals cannot be transmuted) are quite out of Doors.
It is true, _Aristotle_ also saith, that the Metals cannot be
transmuted, if they be not first reduced to their first matter, of
which I have sufficiently treated. This our fixed Oyl of _Sulphur_
transmutes the Metals without any precedent reduction of them to their
first matter. For our secret Fire hath taken away whatsoever was
pernicious or combustible; so that only the purest and incombustible
part remains, by which such great things in Medicine and Alchymy are
performed, that it refuteth all those who speak against it; although
many Impostors by their cheats, from place to place, have given
occasion to speak evil of the Noblest of Arts; which hath had an ill
effect heretofore upon my self.
An History of the Poisonous Tayl of Common Alchymy.
_Here follows a large Historical Digression of some great Abuses
which the Author some time underwent, but pertaining nothing to
the scope of this Treatise, I will not trouble the Reader with
it._
Now concerning our secret Fire, it is not made of Coals or Wood, or
other combustible Matter, but compounded of certain Fiery Waters, which
burn, but not like other Fires without the Glass, but always within the
Glass; wherefore _Artephius_, as the first Author of the secret Fire,
useth these words. _Our Fire is Mineral, Equal, Continual, it Vapours
not unless it be too much stirred up, it partakes of =Sulphur=, and
is taken elsewhere than from the matter; it pulleth down all things,
dissolveth, congealeth, and calcineth, it is artificial to find; it is
a short way without cost, at the least with small cost; it is moist,
vaprous, digestive, altering, piercing, subtile, Airy, not violent, not
burning, compassing or environning, containing but one, and it is the
fountain of living Water which goeth about and containeth the place,
when the King and Queen hath themselves._
This is _Artephius_’s Description of the Fire of Philosophers.
_Pontanus_ hath also wrote of this Fire, to whose Epistle I refer the
Reader for the more easie introduction to it.
_Artephius_ hath here plainly enough described the Matter, and the
_Mercurial_ Water, and _Pontanus_ hath confirmed it. He to whom God
will give it, will easily comprehend it; but _Artephius_ and _Pontanus_
teach nothing, but how to ripen the Stone of Philosophers compounded of
Gold, Silver, and _Antimony_, by this secret Fire. But because several
others as well universal as particular are to be easily prepared by
this our Fire, I think fit to say somewhat of it. Our Fire, maturates
whatsoever is put to it, whether Vegetables, Animals, or Minerals,
and therefore our Fire, as also the Matter of the Philosophers Stone
it self, is called Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral; as also a natural,
non-natural, and supernatural Fire. He who is not satisfied with this
may read _Artephius_ himself, where he will find more of this our
secret Fire.
Now having understood what _Artephius_ and _Pontanus_ have written of
our secret Fire, I could not but describe it somewhat more openly,
to shew the Artist a nearer and easier way to obtain it. I _Glauber_
can truly affirm this, That in my young days I have travelled many
Countries, and diligently searched for an Experienced Philosopher,
that might teach me some good. But I no where found my desire, but
I often found some diligent Physician, who following _Crollius_,
_Hartman_, _Beguinus_, and other Experienced Physicians, prepared
their own Medicines, by which they gained Honour and Wealth, and
were therewith content. Some of them had indeed read _Artephius_
and _Pontanus_, but had not light enough to understand them. I have
also endeavoured to frequent the elaboraories of Princes, to learn
something there. Indeed I found Processes enough there, which were
sent from great Men. By following of which, and working in _Arsenick_,
_Orpiment_, _Cobalt_, _Cinabar_, _Mercury_ and the like Minerals,
I drew a great deal of Poison into my Body, till at length I grew
weary of it, and therefore set my mind upon _Spagyrick_ Medicines,
by which I have found many curious Secrets, and gain’d a sufficient
Livelyhood. But yet at the same time, I attentively read the Writings
of the Philosophers, and out of them learned many good things, chiefly
_Basilius_, _Braceseus_, _Neusementius_ and the like good Authors;
but the secret Fire of _Artephius_, or the proper Agent, I could not
Learn, I have often Discoursed of it with Learned men, but always
found, that they understood less of it than my self. For they had not
read the Ancient Philosophers, but had spent their time in getting of
Money, and sending their Receipts to the Apothecareis Shops. But after
a light was enkindled in me from above, and I began to know this secret
Fire, I began to have an aversion to the tedious, and troublesome work
with Glasses, therefore I set it all aside, and now find my self more
at ease, by this Capital work, for I make no further use of Furnaces,
Glasses, or Coals, but can now do more and greater things in half
a Nutshell or Eggshell, than I could before, with all my Furnaces,
Glasses and Coals, for which I give incessant thanks to God, who is
the giver of all Good. This I was willing to add, _viz._ that our Fire
is hard to be found, but easie to be made, when known. Concerning the
Matter, it is not always the same, but may be taken after several ways,
yet according to the true proportion of the Fire, for this is all in
all, the proper Agent must be only excited by our Fire, and carried on
to the promoting of the Maturation of our Matter; for the proper Agent
is here as much concerned, as the fire it self, for that alone could
not work sufficiently to prepare an unripe Mineral by it self, without
the help of the proper Agent, in so short a time, into a Tincture
constant in the Fire, or universal Medicine. Now whoever hath a mind to
do any thing with our secret Fire, must have constancy of mind, tarry
at home, and beg assistance of God, whose Blessing he must wait for
with Patience.
Now concerning the farther use of our secret Fire, it is thus, that
all Vegetables, as Herbs, Roots, Seeds, Woods, _&c._ and all Animals,
none excepted, together with all Minerals and Metals, may without Cost,
be easily brought into excellent Medicaments, particularly. For our
Fire _Maturates_ the purest _Anima_, or Quintessence of all things.
Poysonous Subjects are converted into Medicine, sowr and bitter into
pleasant and sweet. The immature is ripened; and our Fire can be better
compared with nothing, than with the Sun, which gives Life to all
Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, and makes the imperfect, perfect,
nothing excepted. In fine, Our Fire is the greatest and most noble in
the World, the Sun excepted: But God is above all, the Lord of the
Creation. But what need I say much of the Melioration of Vegetables,
Animals and Minerals, by our secret Fire, I have said enough, if I
should say more, it would render it too Common.
But thus much it will be necessary to add, _viz._ what the Subjects
are, which are the most easily wrought upon by our Fire. Among
Vegetables, Wine, and what pertains to it is the best; Among Minerals,
_Antimony_ and _Mercury_, which is our living Gold; Among Animals, Man,
and what appertains to him. You have your own choice to chuse, which
you will, you have sufficient Advice, and want nothing more, but the
Blessing of God, without which all is in vain.
_Here followeth the Composition, or Preparation of our secret Fire._
Three Heathenish Deities command this our secret Fire, _viz._ _Apollo_,
_Diana_ and _Pluto_. _Apollo_ affords the warm Sun-shine. _Diana_ gives
the cooling and refreshing Night. And _Pluto_ gives his Fiery Hellish
Rain. That you may better understand it, _Apollo_ gives Wine three
times, _Diana_ Milk twice, and _Pluto_ his Hellish Fire once. Out of
these three Gifts, our Fire is prepared. This is the true Preparation
of our wonderful Fire. To speak of this more amply, is not convenient;
we must not cast Pearls before Swine, which way this Fire is to be
used to any Subject, is sufficiently discovered to a Man thereunto
elected by God. But there are many, who having no dependency upon God’s
Blessing proceed after an evil and cheating manner, so that those
_Alchymists_, or Gold-makers, are become a scorn to the Country, and
no Man cares to dwell by them, lest their great and continual Fires
should bring damage to his Neighbours, and this not without reason.
For in making Oyl of _Vitriol_ after the common way, a Fire is kept
ordinarily for forty or fifty hours, which is a very tedious Work; but
the Adepts can force over a Pound of Oyl of _Vitriol_ in an hours time,
with very few Coals, which thing I have already touched in my Writings,
and shall say more of it in my Second Appendix. I have recommended
this compendious way of making Oyl of _Vitriol_ and _Sulphur_, to
some Men; but they adhered so close to their old lingring way, that
they were regardless of a better, notwithstanding that the Oyl of
_Vitriol_, and the _Acidum_ of _Sulphur_, are the Basis or Foundation
of all the common _Hermetick_ Medicine, for all other Mineral Spirits
are by them acquired easily and plentifully. That Mineral _Acid_ which
is plentifully found in _Vitriol_ and _Sulphur_, is the only Agent
whereby Nature _Maturates_ the yet volatile and unripe Minerals in the
Earth. And also all Tinctures, which are fixed and constant in the
Fire, are by the hand of the _Artist_ prepared by this, yet with the
Addition of its Compeer, the external Fire. This universal _Acidum_ is
our Horse-dung, and the _Stygian_ water, in which _Jason_ drowned his
Dragon and made him fixed: But when I here mention _Jason_’s Dragon, it
comes into my mind what happened to me, when I once attempted to make
such a Dragon, which vomited out Fire, and a black poysonous Smoke, out
of _Sulphur_ and _Saltpeter_: And because this History, may serve as
a warning to many, who may incur much danger oftentimes by the common
_Alchymy_, I will here insert it. A little before I became Bed-ridden,
I had undertaken to steal from the ever watchful Dragon, that Golden
_Fleece_ which he hath in his keeping, and because this fierce Dragon
will part with nothing before he be half slain, or at least, laid to
sleep, therefore I was busied in this work, and had made a mixture of
_Sulphur_, _Niter_ and _Tartar_, and also another of _Salter-peter_,
_Antimony_ and _Tartar_, each apart in an Earthen Pot, in order to Fire
them for Detonation. And although I had ordered, that one Pot should
first be detonated, and then the other, that the Smoke might not be
too great, yet this was not done, but they were fired both together,
which caused such a great, black and stinking Smoke to ascend the
Chimney, that when the Neighbours saw it, they thought the House had
been on fire, and cryed out, Fire, knocked at my Door, to come in to
quench it, when there was none, notwithstanding this was not done in my
dwelling House, but in a House remote from all others, so that it could
have done no hurt to any else, if it had been burnt down, but they not
being satisfied got Ladders and looked down the Chimney, and seeing no
Fire there, they then said, it was Witchcraft. Out of this History,
one may see what a dangerous Toyl the common _Alchymy_ hath. This work
to kill the Dragon, and to spoyl him of his Golden _Fleece_, is one
of the pleasantest that ever I did in _Alchymy_, except the secret
Fire. For when the _Sulphur_, _Salt-peter_, _Antimony_ and _Tartar_,
are denotated together, and sublimed with _Sal Armoniack_, the Golden
_Fleece_ riseth in a curious Golden Colour, and tingeth the Head,
and Receiver with all sorts of Colours, like unto the Rain-bow, or a
Peacocks Tail, and also one sees the Foot-steps of the scaly Dragon
most gloriously in the Head; which _Neusementius_ hath excellently
described, in a few _French_ Verses, and hath omitted almost nothing
which belongs to this Work: And because I here write of this sort of
Work, it will not be amiss, to add those Verses. Concerning this,
_Medea_ thus exhorts _Jason_ in _Ovid_.
_Pervigil ecce Draco, squamis crepitantibus horrens,
Sibilat & torto pectore verrit humum._
Which _Neusementius_ hath thus rendred into _French_.
Voy le Dragon veillant de fureur forcenè
Qui d’escaille bruyante a le corps entournè
Dont le gosier sifflant fumeè & feu deserre
Et qui par replis tors va baliant la terre
De sa large poitrine en la poudre imprimant
Les sinueux sillons, qu’il trace incessament.
And may thus again be put into _Latine_.
_Adspice squamosum tumidumq; furore Draconem
Semper in excubias aures frontemque minacem
Vibrantem, & nullo claudentem lumina somno
Qui crista linguisq, tribus præsignis, & uncis
Dentibus horrendis, patulo de gutture Flammas
Sibilat, & fumis atratis inficit auras,
Adspice multiplices Gyros quos ponderè Caudæ
Insinuat Terræ, cum longa volumina ducit
Perque superficiem reptat, cum pectore lato
Verrit humum, relegens eadem vestigia semper._
And in _English_ may sound thus,
_Behold this scaly Dragon swel’d with Ire,
His Crest doth brandish, with a dreadful Brow;
Nere closeth Eyes, nor Ears, nor yet retires
From dismal noise, and horid Teeth to shew:
From his broad Throat flames issue out
Black fumes infect the Air about.
Behold the Rings, which his encircled Tail
Casts on the Earth, whilst he doth form his Coil;
With his broad Breast he creeps upon its Face
Sweeping the ground, always in the same Trace._
Here in few words the Philosopher describes the whole Work, how to
spoyl the Dragon of his Golden _Fleece_. But only to those, who easily
understand these Verses, whose eyes God hath opened, and are already
pretty well skilled in this Art. But to the unexpert all remains dark.
Reading only will not do it, but you must put your hand to the Work, if
you will attain to any thing. I have, for several years together, read,
sought, and laboured in vain, before I found the right way of obtaining
this Golden _Fleece_. And when at length I became Master of this Art, I
could not but admire that it was so easie a thing, and yet so difficult
to be learned out of Books. _Paracelsus_ and _Neusementius_ write
the plainest of this, of which two expert Men, I first learned this
Art, but afterwards I found a more Compendious way, so that I can now
perform the whole Work, with the Charge of one Ducat [or ten Shillings]
in a very short time. But I must leave it to others to do, being yet
detained in my Bed by my sickness: So that I can do no more, than to
shew to others by my Writings and Instructions, the ready way to the
Land of Promise.
_Of the Second Fire, and its marvelous Fire-stone, which is
generated by it._
We know, that Fire generates Stones, every one according to its Nature.
The secret Fire of the Philosophers, engenders the Philosophers Stone,
which is a universal Medicine for Men and Metals, as we have already
heard. That the Meteorical fire, from whence proceeds Lightening and
Thunder, generates also Stones, is known to all, for the Air procreates
the same things, which are found upon the Earth. Therefore _Hermes_ in
his _Smaragdine_ Table hath very well said, That whatsoever is beneath
is also above, and what is above, is also beneath, by which, marvellous
things are done. We know, that Frogs and Grashoppers and the like,
which are procreated in the Air, have fallen down with the Rain. I have
read in a certain Historian, that once a Calf fell down with the Rain.
_Anaxagoras_, a famous Philosopher, prognosticated in his Life-time,
that after he was dead, a great Stone should fall down from the Air,
to the Earth, which also came to pass. We also know, that sometimes
great pieces of Iron have fallen down, not compact, but sticking one
part to another like drops. And also, every Body knows, that Stones
are cast down by Thunder and Lightening, which Stones are formed and
concentrated by the Lightening, and so have assumed the Nature of a
Stone; for in the Lightening is hid a very miraculous Property seeing
that Lightening is a Fire of quite another Nature, than our common
Fire, which breaks in pieces all hard things which resist, but toucheth
not what maketh no resistance. It hath very often happened, that the
Lightening hath broken a Mans Bones, without hurting his flesh. We have
also known, that it hath melted the Sword in the Scabbard, and left the
Scabbard whole. This Stone generated by Lightening, hath quite another
Nature than common Stones, for it is not transparent like a Pebble
or Sand-stone, which melt in the fire. Neither hath it the Nature of
transparent and hard Gems, which do not melt in the fire, and yet keep
their Lustre, neither can the fire reduce it into Lime, as it doth a
Chalk-stone. In a word, it can be compared with no Stone in the World.
Its shape is also wonderful, for it is generally sharp at both ends,
but yet they are not all of one Figure or shape, they are generally
smooth on the outside, and of a milky Colour, and reddish within. I
have one which is Triangular like a Star, and if you turn it, ’tis
like a Heart, of which I never saw the like. I have also one which is
Cole-black, which is rough both within and without, it is a wonder to
me, that this Stone will not strike fire with Steel, notwithstanding it
is generated by fire. We may also by Art make Lightening out of Iron
or Steel, in which also is generated a strange Stone. The Thunderbolts
love all things which are combustible, especially Gun-powder, for the
Lightening it self proceeds from _Saltpeter_ and _Sulphur_, and that
is the reason, why it so often strikes into Towers, where Gun-powder
is kept, and also it useth to strike Old Oak Trees, which contain
_Sulphur_ and _Saltpeter_, also upon Church Steeples, but seldomer
in the open Fields. I once saw in _Germany_, where the Thunder had
stroke a Tower of Gun-powder, and although it was four square, yet
it run so about it, and took out a piece of Stone-work all round, as
if it had been cut out with Tools, because it could no where find
entrance. Strange things are done by Lightning, it sometimes killing
the Horse, and not hurting his Rider, and again killing the Rider, and
not hurting the Horse, because it is no common Fire, but a concentrated
Meteorical fire: It hath no resemblance of the fire of the Sun, much
less of our common Fire, but our secret Fire of the _Chaldeans_ hath
some Agreement with it, because it is made of Iron or Steel, and
_Saltpeter_: Therefore it cannot be much unlike the fire of Lightening,
for that is also generated out of _Saltpeter_ concentrated, and
_Sulphur_. Steel is concentrated _Sulphur_, that hath also Power to
concentrate _Saltpeter_, and so to generate this marvellous Fire. The
Meteorical Thunder-fire is a terrible one, but our Steel-fire _is_
more wonderful in its Essence and Operation, as we shall heer by and
by, for incredible things are wrought by it, so that even the Stone of
Philosophers, never so well prepared, is not to be compared with it.
_Query_, whether this Thunderbolt which is cast down by the Lightening
be of any Virtue, or whether it be a dead and unprofitable Stone? I
answer: It hath been always reputed, that if a Thunderbolt be kept in
any house or place, the Thunder and Lightening will never strike into
it. Whether this be true, I cannot tell, yet this I know, that those
who keep them esteem them highly, I my self have one, which I much
esteem for its marvellous Figure, for turn it which way you will, it
always represents a Star or a Heart. Many strange things are performed
by this Thunderbolt. I have seen several Foresters break it into pieces
of the bigness of a Pea, which they put into a Bullet-mold, fill’d
up the Mold with melted Lead, and did believe, that they could not
miss any wild Beast at which they should shoot it. I have also seen
some Souldiers make such Bullets, and formerly believed, that they
could pierce any thing with them, that otherwise they could not shoot
through. I have also seen others, who have put pieces of this Stone
into the pummels of their Swords, and believed, that this took away
their Adversaries Courage when they should encounter them, and so they
might easily Conquer them. These and the like things, I have seen done
with it. But whether this be so or no, it is probable that there should
be some ocult Virtues in those Stones. For seeing that all Stones are
good for somewhat, why should this marvellous Thunderbolt only be good
for nothing? Some cause Women in Labour to hold these Stones in their
hands, to facilitate their Labour; they also say, that it encreaseth
Womens milk, if it be put into their drink. Others put them into the
hand to stop Blood. If one could do any good with it, one might easily,
by the help of a certain Magnet, attract a great many of them from
the Air, as you shall hear anon. Now again, to return so our Fire and
Fire-stone, I affirm for truth, that our secret Fire and Fire-stone,
in its Essence and Efficacy, is more wonderful than the Meteorick
Lightning and Thunderbolt. For our Fire doth not burn or flame, but
when we will have it, otherwise it is like a dead Black-stone, if
you only keep the Air from it, it will remain a Stone as long as you
please. If you put it into a Glass and stop it very close, and keep it
under water never so many years, it will still remain Fire, and not
be hurt. For our _Chaldaick_ Fire, when once prepared, will not burn,
but remain good for ever, if you keep it from Air and Water. It is
sufficiently known, that the ancient Heathens put burning Lamps into
their Vaults, of which Lamps I have seen many, that were digged out of
Mines in _Colen_. Some of these Lamps were found in some burying Vaults
burning, when they were first opened, but as soon as the Air touched
them went out. But our _Chaldaick_ Fire remains dead, when kept close,
and is kindled by the Air. I call it dead, but it is rather a dormant
Fire. This our secret Fire hath so strange a Property, that it is
able at all times to attract Fire out of the Air, not only in the hot
Summer, but also in the cold Winter Nights, when the Sun is farthest
off. By the help of this Fire, I believe, I could at certain times
light a Candle, either under or above the Earth. The _Maccabees_ set
their Sacrifice on Fire by this, and not with common Wood, or Coal,
fire, as the Vestal Virgins in _Rome_ were forced to feed it with Wood
continually that it might not go out; if by chance or neglect it went
out, those Virgins were buried alive; in so great esteem, had the
_Jews_ and the Heathens, their Fires.
Now as for the use of our secret Fire, no Man may be so bold as to
discover the Power thereof to the World, for things incredible are to
be done by it, which are better to be concealed, than made publick: Yet
I will a little touch at it. The secret Fire of it self is of no use
in Physick, but great Secrets may be prepared by it, both in Medicine
and _Alchimy_. First, out of our fiery Mass may be driven a living
_Mercury_ of _Mars_, which is the most noble Subject to prepare an
extensive Tincture, both for Men and Metals, for of all _Mercuries_ of
Metals, this is the best. When our Fire is melted into a thick water,
and this fiery water poured upon a subtil Calx of Gold, and digested
with it, it will attract the yellow Colour from the Gold, and leave
it white, yet the Tincture is not yellow, but as green as Grass, out
of which an excellent Medicine may be made; it is also profitable in
_Alchimy_. For it is also of this Nature, that if you put a Solution
of Gold and Silver into it, they will be joyned together without
Precipitation, which is not usual to be done. One may also squirt this
fiery water, by peculiar Springs, to a great distance, and thereby fire
any Combustible matter. If you will, you may also shoot this our Fire
in a dry form, out of great and small Guns, to fire any thing with it.
I believe, that by the help of this, one might fire a great Canon under
water, by which you may fright Fish up to the Surface of the water in
deep Ponds, so that you may catch them with small Nets. One may also
drive away all hurtful wild Beasts, as Bears, Wolves, Foxes, nay even
Lyons, Tygers and Dragons, out of the Wilderness. One may also drive
away High-way-Men, Murtherers out of their Ambuscades, and catch them.
In a word, many strange things may be done with it, which for certain
Reasons I dare not mention. The greatest and the best thing that may be
done by this secret Fire, is the preparing of the _Mercury_ of _Mars_,
as also after a Magnetical manner to draw the Lightning which way one
please. I have had this Fire now for above twenty years, and durst not
own that I had Such a thing, now I am near my end, I was willing to let
it be known, that there is such a Fire in Nature. If I did not fear,
that malicious Men would abuse this secret Wonder-fire, I would have
been plainer, but the time is not yet come for the doing those great
things, but when _Elias_ the _Artist_ shall come, he will not fear to
make great Alterations in the World, by the help of this Fire. He will
establish much good, and abolish all that is evil, but I have said
enough of this at this time. I have indeed told you here that it will
be done, I do not desire, neither shall I live till it shall come to
pass, for such great Changes will not be made with ease, but with great
Zeal. God preserve the Pious, and shew them a way over the Mountains,
where they may live secure from this _Sodomitish_ Fire, _Amen_.
_Of the Third secret Fire, and the wonderful Stone that is
engendered by it._
That pious Philosopher _Basil Valentine_, in his Triumphant Chariot
of _Antimony_, teacheth, how to prepare a stone by Distillation and
Rectification out of the purest part of _Antimony_, and calls it the
_Stone of Fire_ because this Stone is prepared by Fire out of fiery
Subjects: And also because it expelleth all Diseases from the Body
of Man, and consumeth them as common Fire doth Wood. He also saith,
that this Fire-stone can transmute Silver into Gold, although in a
small quantity. The highly experienced Philosopher _Helmont_, makes
mention of almost such a Stone, which he saith, he saw in _England_
with one _Butler_, and tells of wonderful things that the said _Butler_
did with it. Now by reason of my diligent search into Nature and the
Blessing of God, such a Stone hath fallen into my hands, with which I
can do the same things in Physick and Alchimy, which _Basil Valentine_
ascribes to his Fire-stone, and _Helmont_ to _Butlers_ Stone: I could
not but leave to posterity, that it is possible to prepare this Stone
out of _Antimony_. The Art consists in this, that you first bring
the _Antimony_ by Sublimation, Distillation and Rectification to the
greatest Subtilty, and afterwards again concentrate this subtil Spirit
into a hard Stone, which Stone when it is not fixed (being then useful
in Medicine) is of a reddish Colour, and easily melted, and penetrates
all Bodies. But if by it you would graduate Silver into Gold, you must
first fix it, to abide the _Cupel_, but being once fixed, it will
not then perform in Medicine what it would before. It is worth much
more, when unfixed to be used in Physick, than when it is fixed for
the tinging of Silver. For the health of Men is more precious than
Gold or Silver. And with an universal Medicine, that will Cure all
internal and external Diseases, you may get Gold and Silver enough. I
have at this present time, but a very little of this Stone left, but
am resolved in a little time to make a good quantity of it, that I may
therewith serve my sick Neighbours. For it works strange things as you
shall hereafter hear. This our Stone is so powerful in its working,
that we dare not give it in substance, for one Grain of it serves for
twenty Doses or more, and each of them hath power to expel from the
Body whatsoever is hurtful. This Medicine opens all Obstructions, and
you shall hardly find any other comparable to it. The best way to
use it is to keep it whole, and not to powder it, and then it is fit
to be used both inwardly and outwardly. If you will use it inwardly,
then put a few bits of it into a Glass, and pour Spirit of Wine upon
it, in which a little Sugar is dissolved, and so let it stand till
you have occasion for it. If you will purge any Body with it, you
must put a few drops of it into a spoonful of Wine or Beer, or any
other Liquor, and give it to the Patient, and order him to be kept
warm, then the Medicine will work in his Body, like fire upon Wood,
and consume whatever impeded his health, and drive it out by all the
Emunctories, _viz._ by Vomit, Stool, Sweat, Urine and Spitting, and
leaves no impurity in the Body, and so it expels all Fevers and Agues,
however distinguished. It also cures the Plague, _Leprosie_, Gout, the
falling Sickness in young and old. It takes away all obstructions of
the Body, _viz._ of the Liver, Spleen, and Lungs, it expels all ill
Humours, contained in the Cavity of the _Thorax_ and all other parts of
the Body. This our Stone also opens the Obstructions of the Mesentery,
carries off all Slime, and Salt watry Humidities. It cleanseth the
Stomach and Guts from all pituitous and bilious Slime. It also draws
all hurtful Humours out of the Brain, takes away noise in the Ears,
Comforts the hearing and sight, takes away every Toothach in a moment,
fastens loose Teeth, and hinders their fouling. It takes away all the
Vices of the Throat, Mouth and Tongue, and suffers no uncleanness or
foulness to abide thee. It is a pitty to see that no Physician hath a
Remedy for the Toothach, but either pulling them out, or stopping them
when hollow with _Narcoticks_ or hot Oyls, which are indeed no cure:
Now forasmuch as this Disease troubled People of all Ages, and few know
any Remedy for it, I think it necessary to set down a never failing
Cure. ’Tis true, most Toothachs may be put off by Purging, and need not
so painful a Cure, as drawing. Out of Pity to those, who are troubled
with the Toothach from their infancy, I here declare the Remedy. ℞.
Of our Fire-stone, as much as a Pea, and put it into your Mouth, with
half a Spoonful of Wine, keep it in your Mouth as long as you can, or
so long till the Stone hath drawn your Mouth full of Rheume, then spit
it out, and again put the Stone into your Mouth, with as much Wine as
before, and keep it there till your Mouth is again fill’d with Rhume,
then again spit it out, and continue doing this so long, till you
have spit out half a Pint of Rhuemy Spittle, not reckoning the Wine.
The next day again draw out the same quantity; do this every Morning
fasting so long, till no slimy matter, but only a clear insipid water
comes out, which is a certain sign that your Head and Brain is freed
from all superfluous Moisture. When this is done, for a great while you
will be free from all noxious Rhumes, or Salt defluxions, which fall
from the Head to the Teeth, and there cause pain. This our Fire-stone
doth not only draw all noxious Humours from the Head, but also out of
the Stomack, Lungs, Liver and Spleen, and carries them out of the Body,
by the Mouth, as well or better than any common Purge. But if the Body
should be too full of ill Humours, so that our Fire-stone, should not
be able to draw them all out that way, then you must take some of it
inwardly extracted as before mentioned. But because this our Stone
is yet unfixed, and therefore sometime causeth Vomits, and some are
not able to bear Vomiting, therefore you may prevent it, by putting
distilled Vinegar with Sugar upon the Stone, instead of Brandy, and so
extract it, and this Extract will cause no Vomits, but only work by
Stool: This is enough to be said for the Cure of the Toothach. But if
Parents were sufficiently knowing, and careful of their Children, they
might in their Childhood prevent the greatest part of this Mischief,
by causing them daily to wash their Mouths, and behind their Ears,
with cold water. But in those who are come to Maturity, our Fire-stone
is the best of Remedies and never fails. It also cures the Scurvy in
the Mouth, when little hot Pimples appear, and the decay or washing of
the Gums. This Stone being held in the Mouth with Wine, also preserves
Old Men from Apoplexies, Catarrhs, and the like. Let this suffice to
be spoken concerning the Virtues of our Fire-stone, in the curing of
internal Diseases. But because the Variety of Distempers is great, I
will there set down the true way of using it, that none may err in its
Application.
_Of the true use of this Medicine in Diseases._
In all Fevers or Agues, let them be Quotidians, Tertans or Quartians,
you must always give our Medicine two hours before the fit, and keep
the Patient from the cold Air. In the Plague, Pleurisie and other hot
Fevers, you must not delay the using of this Medicine, but as soon the
Patient is taken, give him a Dose of our Medicine, let it work with him
in a warm Room. And if the Disease abate not, give him the next day
another Dose more or less, according to the condition of the Disease
and the Patient. And you must beware of Bleeding, if the Patient be
strong enough to endure a Purge, but if the Patient should not have
sufficient strength, and yet the heat encrease, then you may abate the
heat by taking away a little Blood, but not too much, that the strength
may not be exhausted with the Blood, and the evil yet remain in his
Body, for by Purging, only that which is hurtful is expelled, and the
good remains.
In the Epilepsie, you must use this Medicine only every other, or every
Third day, as long as there shall be occasion.
In the Stone of the Kidneys and Bladder, once in a Fortnight.
In the Dropsie, once a Week.
In the Cholick, once after you have used a Clyster.
In the Leprosie, once a Week.
In the Gout of all sorts, once in three or four Days, until the pain is
gone.
In Obstructions of the Lungs, Liver, Spleen and Mesentery, once or
twice one after another.
In the Venereal Disease, you must use it every Third day, and Sweat
between whiles, till the Disease is gone.
In the _Hypocondriack_ Melancholy, Scurvy and the like Distempers,
which proceed from Salt and Cholerick Blood, you must take a Dose every
Third day, till the Disease is gone.
In all sorts of Scabs and impurity of the Skin, which proceed from
watery Blood, you must take it once or twice, and apply outwardly a
fixed white _Sulphur_.
In the Dysentery or Bloody Flux, use it but once and it stays the Flux.
_Of the outward Use of our Fire-Stone._
If our Antimonial Fire-stone be boyled for some hours in Sallad-oyl, it
draws out of it many Virtues, so that being only outwardly applyed, it
doth much good in Physick. The Oyl becomes red in the boyling, and if
it doth not so, it is a sign, that it hath not been well boyled, but
if it be well done, it will do what I here say. First, this Oyl is
good to heal all fresh Wounds, and old Sores, if you dip Pledgets in
it, and lay them thereon, and so keep it from the Air with a Plaister
of Wax. It also cures all Bruises, being anointed with it, or a Cloth
dipt in it, and laid over the Bruise. A little Cotton being dipt in
it, and applyed to the Navel with a Nutshel, purgeth those, who are
easily moved, as well, as if they had taken it inwardly: And if being
so applyed, it should not work with Men, that are not easily moved, you
may inject a Dram of it Clysterwise by a Syringe, and then it will open
the Body, and carry all slime and filth from the Guts, and is certainly
the best Remedy in the World against the Cholick. For it doth not only
draw what is bad out of the thick Guts, as Clysters do, but also out of
the small Guts, yea even out of the Stomach, to the ease and admiration
of the Patient. This Oyl also applied to the Navel and Clysterwise,
immediately helps Women, who are troubled with the _Suffocation_ of the
Matrix, for which Disease the World cannot afford a better Remedy. And
without doubt this Oyl hath many more Virtues than I yet know, but time
will discover them; for I have not had it long, but am resolved to have
a good quantity of it made to serve the Sick: And no doubt, but in a
short time this high Medicine of the Stone and Oyl, will be known to
all _Europe_. For it will far outdoe the whole _Galenick Apparatus_ of
Medicine. Certainly those Physicians, who serve in Armies, should not
be without this incomparable Medicine, which is of so small Carriage,
and doth so great things. For one Ounce of this will make at the least
a Thousand Doses, and so by consequence many may be cured by it. If
every _Chyrurgian_ in an Army, should have but half an Ounce of this
Stone, for inward use, and some Ounces of the Red Balsome, for outward
use, the Lives of many Souldiers would be saved, which for want of it
must dye. The threatning of Armies is already over our Heads. God send
us what is good for our Souls, and preserve the Pious from evil. And
so we end this Book of the _Firestones_. If it please God, the Seventh
part of the Prosperity of _Germany_ shall shortly follow.
De Purgatorio Philosophorum:
OR,
A TREATISE concerning the Purifying Fire of the Wise Men.
_With which, the Philosophers cleanse their =Mineral=, =Animal=,
and =Vegetable= Subjects, and exalt them to the highest degree of
Purity, in order to prepare =Universal Medicaments= from them,
for the Bodies of Men and Metals._
_Which Purgatory Fire is Called =Ysopaica=, by the ancient
Philosophers, that is, to say, the Art of washing with Fire._
_Together, with a subjoyned instruction, how, by means of the Salt
of the World, out of all Metals and Minerals, a living =Mercury=
may in quantity be prepared._
_From the =High-Dutch= faithfully Translated into =English=._
_Reader_,
If any wonder at the Title of this little Book, let them know, it
agrees very well with the Matter it treats of, forasmuch as all things
that are cleansed with Fire, may truly be said to be purified by means
of a Purgatory. There are indeed besides this, many other ways of
cleansing as by Water, Lye, Soap, and other moist things; but that way
cannot properly be called a Purgatory, nor any other, but what is done
by Fire. I intend in this Book to treat of three sorts of Purgatories,
_viz._ First, of the secret flaming Purgatory, or cleansing Fire of
the Philosophers, made of _Alcolized_ Spirit of Wine, wherewith they
purifie the Souls of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, dignifying them
thereby to enter their Heaven.
The other Purgatory God makes use of, to purifie his dear Children
here in this Vale of Misery, to make them abhor sin, and fit them,
after many afflictions, and torments endured, for a Translation with
all Saints, into his heavenly Kingdom, there to behold his Face to all
Eternity.
The Third Purgatory is, that of which the _Christians_ of old have
Writ, and is to this day still believed by the Church of _Rome_, _viz._
that the Souls of the deceased, when by the guilt of deadly sins, they
are not immediately sunk down into the eternal Hellish Pains, are in
this Purgatory cleansed of the pardonable sins they have committed in
this Life, and are made worthy to enter into eternal Joy and Salvation.
Now what this Purgatory is, which no Person living is able to give an
experimental and true grounded Account of, we will, if it please God,
a little enquire into, after that we have first exposed to view, and
unanswerably asserted the truth of the two foregoing Purgatories, which
our eyes have seen, and our hands have handled.
_Concerning the First Purgatory._
The First Purgatory, or cleansing Fire of the Philosophers, with which
they prepare their Universal and particular Medicines for Cure of all
Subjects of the three Kingdoms of the World, hath been most carefully
concealed by them. I have indeed formerly, of Friendship and Goodwill,
revealed this Fire, with its most profitable Use, to some Persons, by
which means others unworthy have began to perceive something of it, and
used their utmost endeavours to attain the full knowledge of this high
Secret, and have so far succeeded, as to understand it in part, _viz._
the Use of common Spirit of Wine, which is a considerable ingredient of
the said Philosophick Purgatory Fire.
But after all their serching, they never attained the knowledge of the
_Salt_ of Art, by which the Spirit of Wine is _Alcolized_, which is the
best and chief ingredient of this Fire. Forasmuch then, as the Spirit
of Wine is thus known, and will probably yet further be divulged; I
have thought good to publish it my self, and to communicate the Secret
to all. But as for the secret _Salt_ of Art, whereby the Spirit of Wine
is actuated and fortified, and is the proper Agent for Meliorating of
Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, and whereby they are brought to the
highest degree of Purity, none hitherto have been able to entice it
from me, and I trust that for time to come I shall be more cautious of
communicating ought to false and wicked Men.
Let no Man therefore imagine Spirit of Wine to be the secret Fire of
_Artephius_, whereby some Minerals and Metals, without any foregoing
separation of the pure from the impure, may without any diminution of
their weight be changed into a mere pure Tincture. No in no wise, for
no Spirit of Wine hath any such power. But as for what simple Spirit
of Wine is able to perform, that we will here declare, and no more
at this time. I doubt not but many will persuade themselves, that in
having the Spirit of Wine, they are Masters of the whole Secret; but
that’s a great mistake, he that questions it, let him read _Artephius_,
_Pontanus_, and some few others who write of it, and he will find
that a simple Spirit of Wine hath no resemblance with the Fire of
_Artephius_.
For the Philosophers who write of it tell us, that their Fire _acts as
a proper Agent on its Patient, with an invisible Flame, continually,
equally in one and the same degree, and at last changes it into pure
Tincture_. Which things cannot be said of Spirit of Wine, which
doth not burn continually, equally, or invisibly, from whence it is
apparent, that Spirit of Wine is not the Fire of _Artephius_, nor can
be compared with it.
Now what this Fire of _Artephius_ is, has been sufficiently declared by
me, in my Treatise _of the Threefold Fire_, and therefore unnecessary
to write more of it here. It remains only for me to declare, how
Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals with the help of any burning Spirit,
not only that of Wine, but of Corn, Honey, Fruits, Leaves or Grass may
be most highly purified, and reduc’d to the Highest Medicines.
In my little Treatise of _Elias the Artist_, I have taught at large
how to bring the Essences of Metals, Stones, Vegetables and Animals
over the Helm, by means of an Alcolised Spirit of Wine, and to prepare
universal Medicaments from them, to which therefore I refer the Lover
of Art.
And will now proceed to declare, to how good purpose Spirit of Wine may
be made use of in Physick. We all know that in general there are but
two ways of cleansing impure things, _viz._ _Water and Fire_. Now Water
can only take away those defilements that are outward and superficial,
not being able to pierce to the Center; whereas Fire does not only
purge the outside, but even that which is in-most, separating the
impure for the pure, as hath already been mention’d.
We know also, that the Flame of Fire can consume nothing but its like,
_viz._ the Combustible _Sulphur_, but cannot consume the incombustible
_Mercury_, nor destroy, burn, or annihilate it, the Flames serving only
to meliorate and exalt it. For the _Mercury_ of all things can no way
better be purged than by Fire, by which though it be driven away, yet
may always be found again, as being incombustible.
For _Mercury_ is the best and purest of the three Principles, forasmuch
as it cannot be hurt by any Elements, not by the most violent Fire,
much less destroyed, because it is throughout Homogeneal.
There are three things in the World which be incorruptible, the first
of which is the _Mercury_ of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, which,
when by its Enemy the Fire, it is tormented, and driven from its
Body, loseth none of its Virtues, but is only purified thereby. This
incombustible Soul of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, is one of those
three things in the World, which are fixed, constant, and unperishable
in all trials and conflicts whatsoever.
The second thing which is constant, permanent, incorruptible
and invincible is Truth, which cannot be suppress’d by any Lies
or opposition whatsoever; Oppressed she may be, but not totally
suppressed; for God himself is the Truth, and as God cannot be
overcome, so neither can Truth.
The third and last incorruptible subject in the World, is the Immortal
Soul of Man; for whatsoever Afflictions or Persecutions a good Man
suffers from wicked Men, can not in the least hurt his Soul, but serve
only to purifie, exalt, and enoble it. The more Gold suffers in the
Fire, the better and purer it becomes, and as true it is, that the Soul
by the adversities of time, becomes refined and graduated to the height
of Purity, being by this Earthly Purgatory dignified and prepared for
Eternal Glory.
But to return to our purpose, which is to shew that the cleansing
of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals, must be performed by their own
Purgatory, _viz._ a common burning Spirit. We will begin with Wine, as
being a very noble Creature, and see what good thing may be had from
it, by means of its own Purgatory or Cleansing Fire, which without it
could never have been brought to Light.
Now to speak fundamentally of this matter, we must first of all
know, that several different Spirits lie hid in Wine, which also may
separately be distill’d from it. As in the first place the known
burning Spirit; next that Spirit which is distill’d from Crude
_Tartar_, which is of a quite different nature from that which is
distill’d from Wine, or its Lees, which being kindled burns away
in Flame, consuming all the _Sulphur_, leaving nothing but the
incombustible _Mercury_ or Essential _Salt_ behind, and that in a very
small quantity, but of great Virtue; whereas the Spirit of _Tartar_
which is distill’d by _Retort_, though it be much more subtil and
penetrative than the burning Spirit, yet will not suffer it self to be
kindled or burnt away, being otherwise of great use in all Tartareous
Diseases, and obstructions of the Body.
There is also an Antinephritical Spirit distill’d from the fixed _Salt_
of _Tartar_ with distill’d Vinegar, which afterwards suffers it self to
be sublimed, and being distilled yield a very strong Spirit, of which
time doth not permit to treat at present. We will only, point out to
you, by what means the most glorious _Mercury_ and Essential _Salt_
of Wine, may most easily be obtained, and what great things may be
perform’d by it in Physick.
* * * * *
℞. Of white _Tartar_ well pulverised 1 _l._ _Spirit_ of _Salt_ 1 _l._
and half, mix these well together, and fill therewith the fourth part
of a Glass Body, and pour on 3 _l._ of Spirit of Wine, lute the head on
immediately, for when these two Antagonists, the Acid Crude _Tartar_,
and Urinous _Salt_ of _Tartar_ meet, they furiously attack each other,
and in their Conflict send forth a very subtil Spirit, and a glorious
Essential _Salt_, which _Mercury_ the Spirit of Wine when distilled
carries over with it. When now this Spirit of Wine being kindled burns
away, the _Mercury_ or most pure Essential _Salt_ is thereby loosened,
and with the Flame goes over into the Receiver, where it is caught of
the Phlegm, from which being separated by distillation in a Vaporous
Bath ’tis fit for use. This Cælestial _Salt_ of Wine is of wonderful
Virtue, concerning which I have given a full account in some of my last
published Writings.
Its Virtues are chiefly these; It has the Præeminence of all
Medicaments whatsoever, in curing the Stone, Gout, and the like
Tartarous Diseases. Moreover this Heavenly _Salt_ penetrates the whole
Body, opens all Obstructions, strengthens the Heart, Brain, and all
Vital Parts; is a powerful Diaphoretick and Diuretick. Indeed any one
may easily imagine, that a Quintessence of Wine, when purified by its
own Purgatory, must needs exert wonderful effects, and be of great
uses, in the hands of a skilful Physician; of which more hereafter.
Furthermore from Wine, by means of its own burning Spirit, may be
separated an excellent Volatile _Salt_, after this manner. Dissolve the
Oyl of Wine, which by distillation is got out of the Lees in a strong
Spirit of Wine, so as the Oyl may be well united with the Spirit. This
done, kindle the Spirit of Wine, and let it burn away under our great
cooling Helm or Head, by which means the _Mercury_ or _Salt_ of Wine
goes over with the Phlegm, and is caught by it.
In like manner out of that stinking Oil which is driven from _Tartar_
by a _Retort_, and is of great virtue, (though for its loathsom scent
it cannot be used) a very powerful Volatile _Salt_ may be obtained, by
burning away the said Oyl with a burning Spirit, which Volatile _Salt_
by those Purging Flames loseth its loathsom smell, and may be made use
of in Physick, as that before mentioned prepared from Wine.
According to this method of obtaining the _Mercury_ of Wine, we
may proceed with all other Vegetables, and separate their pure
incombustible _Mercury_, by burning away their Oyls, with their own
or any ether burning Spirit, by which means the Volatile _Mercury_ is
caught.
It is to be observ’d, that all Oyls distill’d from Herbs, whose flowers
resemble Stars, do yield more Volatile _Salt_, than the distill’d Oyl
of other Herbs. When these Herbs cannot be had fresh and green, we may
take their Seeds, which yield more Oyl and Volatile _Salt_ than the
Herbs themselves. In like manner all Oyls, distill’d from Seeds, afford
more Volatile _Salt_ than those which are forc’d from Roots, Stalks,
Leaves or Wood; the Seed always abounding with more Volatile _Salt_
than any other part of the Vegetable; and that because God hath placed
the growing and multiplying virtue of all things in their Seeds, from
whence also the same is most easily separable for the use and service
of Man. In particular, the Seeds of Annis, Fennel, Dill, Carway, Cumin,
Cresses, Scurvy grass and Mustard afford much Volatile _Salt_.
So likewise all Excremental and Superfluous Egestions of Nature, such
as are the Hair of Men and Beasts, the Horns and Claws of Beasts, the
Excrements of Beasts and Birds, as also their Feathers, do abound with
Volatile _Salt_. Amongst these we may also reckon Amber, Soot, and
Smith’s Coals; when the stinking Oyl of any of these is burnt away,
the remaining Essential _Salt_ will procure the Physicians praise and
honour, and the Patient’s help and ease.
The Seeds of Henbane and Tobacco do yield a very powerful _Salt_;
so likewise do the distill’d Oyls of Spices, as well as those made
by Expression afford a most excellent Volatile _Salt_ being burnt
away, by means of a burning Spirit, united with them. Yet would not I
counsel any to burn away such precious Oyls, forasmuch as we have other
Subjects, which cost us nothing, and yet yield a better _Salt_ than any
Spices whatsoever; for Minerals and Metals, when without a Corrosive
they are brought into a strong Spirit of Wine, yield a much better
_Mercury_, wherein all the virtues of Vegetables are concentred; and
consequently are far more efficacious than any Vegetable _Salt_ against
all Diseases whether of Men or Metals.
In this way we may easily, and in a manner without labour or any
considerable charges, procure a running _Mercury_ from all Minerals
and Metals; which _Mercury_ of Metals suffers it self afterwards to be
fixed into a true Tincture for Men and Metals, by means of its proper
Agent and Secret ever-burning Fire, and this easily without any loss of
weight, which cannot be expected from a common _Mercury_, and therefore
we must be provided of a Metallick _Mercury_ if we would do this feat.
_Mars_, _Venus_, and _Mercury_ are the best amongst the meaner Metals
for this purpose, as yielding the best _Mercury_, but the _Mercuries_
of _Sol_ and _Luna_ are the best of all. And it is a thing that
deserves our wonder, that from such Compact Bodies, as those Homogeneal
Metals are, which are accounted indivisible, a Volatile _Mercury_
should be separated. Indeed had I not done it my self, I should hardly
have been persuaded of its possibility. Resuscitative _Salts_ are the
only means to effect this Wonder, and whosoever knows in due manner
to apply them to Metals, to him it is an easie thing, yea, Childrens
play, in one days time, without toil or labour, to separate a running
_Mercury_ from all Metals and Minerals. There is one only _Salt_ in
the World, which has a power above others to revivifie Metals, costs
nothing, and is every where to be had in abundance: This contemptible
_Salt_ the Philosophers have always concealed, saying, that _it is cast
out upon Dunghils, and as much beloved of the Wise, as it is hated and
despised by Fools_.
In this _Salt_ greater secrets lie hid, than in the _Salt_ of Art
before mentioned, which cannot be had without toil and labour; but
this our more secret Resuscitative _Salt_ of Art doth far excell that,
for it not only exalts and multiplies the colours of _Sol_ and _Luna_
as well as that, but also radically opens all Metalline Subjects
whatsoever, separating their purest _Mercury_ from the gross _fæces_,
and brings it over with it self, which no other _Salt_ in the World
can do. There are indeed some other _Salts_ to be found, which in
some degree do resuscitate Metals, and separate a running _Mercury_,
as _Salt_ of _Tartar_, _Urine_, and the like, but are not comparable
with our resuscitative _Salt_ of Art, which, for all them, continues
the undoubted Monarch over all _Salts_. There are very few to be
found, who are able with so much ease and little charge to separate a
running _Mercury_ in quantity from Metals, and fix the same into a true
Tincture. Wherefore we should make it our business to enquire into the
nature of _Salts_, and learn to know their several uses; because in
_Salts_ great good lies hid, which few believe or apprehend. _Plato_
indeed was of opinion, that something Divine was contain’d in our
common _Salt_; and other Philosophers have not stuck to say, that _in
the Sun and Salt is All_. He that doth not know what Fire and _Salt_
are, knows nothing, and deserves not the name of a Philosopher.
And thus much shall suffice concerning Fire and _Salt_, and the great
things that may be performed by them. He therefore who desires to
approve himself a good Physician or Chymist, let him study the nature
of Fire and _Salt_, and learn to distinguish them, for without this
he’l never do any thing to purpose in either faculty.
To return now to our Spagirical Purgatory, and shew that the
Philosophers by means thereof performed their greatest Arcana.
_Paracelsus_ alone, the Monarch of Physicians, gives us a sufficient
Testimony hereof, when, treating of the Element of Fire, in his Book
of _Sulphur_, he saith, That if a Physician have not amongst his
Secrets the Element of Fire from _Sulphur_, he is not a Physician, but
a-------- O my dear _Paracelsus_, thou art not to be blamed for thy
zealous inveighing against those Lazy Lubbards, and if thy words be
Authentick, ’tis to be feared that scarce one good Physician will be
found in all _Germany_, forasmuch as the Element of Fire of _Sulphur_
is utterly unknown. But this cannot be said, for that besides this
Element of Fire, there be several other good Medicaments a Physician
may prepare. Yet forasmuch as I have writ somewhat of it here, I hope
it may stir up some to search after it, and so learn to prepare their
Medicines by Fire; because whatsoever can without hurt or loss abide
the Fire, the same must needs be very pure and good.
_David_ to this purpose gives us a similitude of _Luna_, which must
sometimes pass the Fire, before it attain its utmost purity. This art
of cleansing things with Fire, was by the Philosophers of old termed
_Ysopaica_, of which see _Paracelsus_.
It is to admired, that how black or smutty soever any thing be, after
it is wash’d by Fire, it becomes snow white; which the _Mercury_ driven
by Fire from black _Sulphur_ and _Mars_, is alone a sufficient proof
of, in which whiteness the fairest Red lies hid. That _Ysopaica_, or
the Art of Washing with Fire, and thereby changing Black to White, was
in use amongst the Ancients, seems probable from _David_’s words, when
he cries to God; _Purge me with Hysop, and I shall be clean, wash me,
and I shall be whiter then snow_: _David_ here desires nothing else,
than to have his Soul, which was cole black by Sin, washed and purged
by the Fire of the Holy Ghost, and therefore by way of Comparison he
mentions _Ysopaica_, or the Art of Washing black things white by Fire.
In a word, this Art of Washing things snow-white by a Philosophical
Purgatory Flame, appears to be the head skill of Philosophy, Physick
and Alchimy.
And forasmuch as I have here made mention of _Ysopaica_, I hope I
shall not be thought tedious, if I set down some more instances of
cleansing black and impure things by Fire. For seeing this excellent
and incomparable Art has for some hundred years been in a manner wholly
lost, _Paracelsus_ being the first that hath renewed the knowledge of
it, I have thought good at present to restore this Royal Art to its
former lustre and glory, wherewith it shone forth in the Schools of
the Kings of _Egypt_, where those of the Blood Royal were taught and
instructed in the same. In which Schools _Moses_ also (as being the
Adopted Son of _Pharaoh_’s Daughter) had his Education, being there
instructed in all the Wisdom and Skill of the _Egyptians_.
In those times this _Ysopaica_, or Art of Washing with Fire was in
great esteem and flourished, which was the cause of the great Riches
and Puissance of the _Egyptians_, which continued till the Monarchy was
made subject to the _Romans_; and yet even then, being Possessors of
_Ysopaica_ and _Chrysopeia_, they soon put themselves into a condition
again of disputing their Liberty with the _Romans_, and rebelled
against them; and though by the prevailing Power of the _Romans_ they
were still overcome, yet did they often reiterate their Revolt; until
at last the Emperor _Diocletian_ being informed that their Art of
Chymistry was their inexhaustible Treasure, which still encouraged them
to rebell, sent a great Army amongst them, with Orders to Ransack all
Places for Books treating of that Art, and commit them to the Flames;
which done, they quietly afterwards endured the _Roman_ Yoak, which
before, on every occasion, they were ready to shake off. By the same
means also the said Art has been as it were totally lost, which I am
not without hopes to restore again, and if Death should chance to
prevent me, yet will it assuredly be done after my Death by _Elias_ the
_Artist_. I have indeed already in some of my last Treatises so plainly
writ of this Art, that any one, who is any thing skilful in the Fire,
may become Master of the Art.
To return then to _Ysopaica_, I say, I have already communicated
the use of a Burning Spirit, by means whereof all stinking, impure,
Vegetable, Animal, and easily inflamable Mineral Subjects, may be
washed to the highest degree of Purity, with which great things may be
performed, especially in Physick, and such as are impossible to be done
by any known way. Indeed by this alone most profitable discovery, I
have discovered a new World of Art, which for so many hundred years has
been unknown; and I doubt not, but this way of washing with Fire will
serve for a shining Light to lead Physicians to the true Spagyrical
Physick.
Thus much shall suffice to have spoken concerning the moist fiery
washing by means of a Burning Spirit; it remains now to declare in
what manner the Compactest Metals, and Precious as well as Common
Stones, may by a dry cleansing Fire be meliorated. For a Spirit of
Wine is much too weak to pierce the Bodies of Compact Metals, and to
wash them to a perfect cleanness; wherefore we are to look out for a
stronger Wash-Fire, which may be able to Master the fixt as well as
unfixt Metals. Now Art hands to us a certain dry Wash-Fire, wherewith
the Ancients meliorated all Metals and Stones; but this dry Fire has
never been published, neither know I any Author that hath writ plainly
of it, save only _Paracelsus_ in his _Cœlum Philosophorum_, where
speaking of _Mercury_, he describes this flaming Wash-Fire, _viz._ ℞.
Of _Tartar_ part j. _Sulphur_ p. ij. _Nitre_ p. iij. being well mixed
together, use them. _Paracelsus_ calls this Composition a good fluxing
Powder; but hints at other things, as appears by those words he places
before the Description of the said Fulminating Powder, _viz._ _Pulvis
adole Verbenas_, which words conceal a great Mystery, as will presently
appear.
The Composition of _Paracelsus_ may be meliorated by taking only one
part of _Sulphur_, _Tartar_ ij. and _Nitre_ iij. and is a very good
Wash-Fire. There be also many more and better Wash-Fires for to Purifie
and exalt Metals, of which we shall hear anon. Follows now the use of
the foresaid Wash-Fire.
And first it is to be observed, that to the end this Fire may have
the better effect, the Ingredients must be pure, dry, and very well
poudred, for by how much purer the Ingredients be, the stronger is
the Fire. When therefore we have a mind to wash any Metal therewith,
suppose impure _Sol_ or _Luna_, we must file the same very small,
and then mixing three or four parts of the said Powder with it in a
Crucible, kindle the mixture with a red-hot Coal, and the Flame thence
arising will consume all the impurities of the Metal, or separate them
as dross, the pure Metals sinking as a _Regulus_ to the bottom. And if
the Operation be duly performed, the _Regulus_ will be as fine as if it
had pass’d the _Cupel_.
If we desire yet further to increase the strength of this Fulmen or
Wash-Fire, we may take instead of _Tartar_ half the quantity of the
Saw-dust of dry Lime-tree, which affords a much stronger Flame than
_Tartar_, and consequently better purges impure Metals. With this
strong Fire we may in a moment purifie a small quantity of _Sol_ or
_Luna_ if we please, in a Nutshel; which I don’t mention here as a
thing of Profit, but only of Curiosity, and to shew the force of this
Fire.
_N. B._ If we desire to make use of this Wash-Fire to Profit, we must
not take a Common _Nitre_ of _Sulphur_, but such a _Sulphur_ as burns
faster than the Common, and the _Nitre_ must be purified, whereof more
hereafter.
_A Good Fulmen or powerful cleansing Fire for to purifie the Common
=Mercury=, so as afterwards it may be easily fixed._
We are to know, that the Common _Mercury_ contains in it self an
extraordinary fiery Spirit, which hinders it from being a Compact
Metal, and keeps it in continual Flux like a Molten Metal, and makes it
so difficult a work to fix it: Now if we can but extinguish this Fire
in him, he’l be easily reducible to a Compact Metallick Body.
* * * * *
It is notorious, that always a greater Flame overcomes and swallows up
the lesser; to extinguish therefore this Fire in _Mercury_, we cannot
do better, than make use of a strong Fulmen, which _Paracelsus_ hints
with those words, _Pulvis Adole Verbenas_, as if he had said, Go Fulmen
and burn the Wings of that Volatil Bird, that he may flie no more. But
the Fulmen he there describes will not do it, a stronger must be made
use of in that case. To this purpose I have made many trials in my
Youth, but have found none better than the Fulmen of _Jupiter_, which
takes as follows.
* * * * *
℞. Of Crude _Mercury_ and fine _Jupiter_ each j l. melt the _Jupiter_
in a Crucible, and when it begins to cool, pour the _Mercury_ upon
it, and the heated _Jupiter_ will take to it self the _Mercury_, and
become an Amalgama, which Amalgama must with dry and purified _Nitre_
be ground upon a Stone. This done ℞. of the strong Fluxing Powder
abovesaid, the same quantity as the _Amalgama_ and _Nitre_, and grind
them well together, and then the Mixture is ready for kindling. But
the Operation must be performed in the open Air, where the Wind may
carry away the poisonous Fumes. The Mixture may be put into a strong
Earthen Pot, and after Detonation, there will remain a Mass difficult
to Flux, which being Cupell’d, and separated by _Aq. Fort._ affords a
considerable quantity of _Sol_ and _Luna_, abundantly recompensing the
cost and labour of the Operation. After that the Mixture is kindled,
the Matter must be often stirred with a red-hot Iron, to the end that
no part may remain unkindled, but that the whole Mass may be red-hot
throughout.
_Another Fulmen to graduate =Venus= into =Luna=._
℞. Of the foresaid Fluxing Powder of _Sulphur_, _Tartar_ and _Nitre_,
and grind with it iv Ounces of _Mercury_ of _Luna_, and lay the same
weight of thin Plates of _Venus_ SSS. with your foresaid Composition,
kindle the Mass, and the proceeding Flames will graduate some part of
the _Venus_ into good and fix _Luna_ with considerable profit, the
Operation being rightly performed. With the same Fulmen, ♂ may be
graduated into ☉, and forasmuch as it doth not melt, it’s better than
_Venus_ for this way of working; Needles are best for this purpose.
_Another Rapid Fulmen changing Iron and Steel into Good Gold._
℞. Of the abovesaid Fluxing Powder, iv or v ʒ, mix with it j ʒ or half
an Ounce of _Aurum Fulminans_ precipitated from the _Aqua Regia_, not
with _Salt_ of _Tartar_, but with _Salt_ of _Urine_; with this Fulmen
and Steel Needles make SSS. in a Crucible. Let not the Needles be above
j ℥ weight, else the Fulmen will not be able to graduate them wholly
into _Sol_. This Process well managed affords a good increase of _Sol_.
It is also no contemptible Curiosity to see Needles chang’d to _Sol_,
their pristine form remaining. I took once 20 or 30 Needles, which I
put with their points up to the midst in the said Fulmen, their upper
halves remaining untouch’d by it, and after Fulmination took out the
Needles, the lower part of which was pure _Sol_, the upper continuing
Iron, which I distributed amongst my Friends and Lovers of Art for a
remembrance. The same may be performed with Nails.
Now though in this Gradation of ♂ there be no very great Profit, yet
neither is there any loss; and besides the Curiosity of it, is a
convincing demonstration that ♂ without deposing any Terrestreity, may
have it’s whole Body changed into _Sol_.
_N. B._ The remaining Fulmen may with a little _Nitre_ be melted down
to a _Regulus_, by which means the _Sol_ is recover’d, and so we have
our graduated Needles for nothing.
_N. B._ When we have a mind to make use of the _Fulmen_ of ☉, we had
best place the Crucible, in which the _Fulmen_ and _Mars_ is, in a
large glased Earthen Vessel, and as soon as it is kindled cover the
Crucible, that the _Fulmen_ may not fly abroad, or if any does, it may
stick to the sides of the Pot, which being wiped off with a Feather,
may be reduced with the remaining _Fulmen_ in the Crucible, that there
may be no loss.
_N. B._ It happens sometimes, when too great a quantity of ♂ is taken
to be graduated to ☉, and the Flame too strong, that the Needles melt
into one, especially if they be laid too close together.
_N. B._ In Case, the Needles should not in the first Fulmination be
wholly changed to ☉, the Work may be repeated with fresh fluxing
Powder. And if any one desires more Profit from this Operation, let him
mix some of the _Amalgama_ of ♃ and ☿ with the Golden _Fulmen_, and
Fulminate with the same Needles, or thin Iron Wier, by which means the
☿ will better diffuse the graduating ☉, or Spirit throughout the ♂, and
so more of it becomes changed into ☉.
_N. B._ He that would draw considerable Profit from this Operation,
had best perform it in a close earthen Vessel, with a large Recipient
fitted to it, for to catch the ☿, which may be used again, by which
means that gain will be more.
_N. B._ For to make this Work yet more gainful, we may instead of the
☉ mix with the _Fulmen_ of ♃ and ☿, some fine powdred Red, Brown, or
black Pebbles, which are found in running Water, and break as smooth as
Glass, and contain much Volatile ☉, grinding them well together. This
_Fulmen_ when kindled, drives the Volatile ☉ out of the Pebbles, and
being received by ♃ and ☿ is fixed by them, by which means much ☉ and
☽ may be had out of ♃, ♀ and ♂. Out of these Pebbles with _Aqua Regis_
much ☉ may be extracted, and tho’ the ☉ in them be Volatile, yet partly
by means of the _Aqua Regis_, and partly by being precipitated with
the _Mercurial_ ⛛ out of ♃, and by Reduction it is fixed: Concerning
which I have largely treated in the Seventh Part of the Prosperity of
_Germany_.
_N. B._ To work on these Pebbles with more Profit, we may when reduced
to fine Powder, extract them with ⛛ in which common _Salt_ has been
dissolved, to which Extraction (which will be of a very high Colour)
we must add some of the Resuscitative _Salt_ of the World, every
where to be found, and then abstract the Solvent from the Extract, by
which means the Resuscitative _Salt_ will make ☉ more Volatile, and
separating it from the fixer Part, bring it over the Helm, in form of a
yellow Liquor, which when mortified by a _Lixivium_, and reduced to a
dry ☉, if then it be driven through a Retort, you will find a running ☿
_Sol_ in the Recipient, in small quantity indeed, but of great Virtue;
which by the Fire of _Artephius_ may easily be fixed into an Universal
Tincture for Men and Metals. A _Lixivium_ may afterwards be poured on
the remaining Extract, for to mortifie the Corrosive Spirits, and then
distilled by Retort, it will yield some more _Mercurial_ ☉. As for the
fixt ☉ which was in the Pebbles, the same may be easily reduced, and
will be good ☉, tho’ somewhat pale Coloured, the _Salt_ of the World
having carried some part of the Colour over with the ☿.
_N. B._ Our Resuscitative _Salt_ of the World is a very wonderful
_Salt_, for when joyned with the dissolved ☉, it not only brings over
a running ☿, but part of the Colour of ☉ with it, wherefore also the
said _Mercurial_ ☉ affords a most glorious Medicine, when duely fixed.
In the same manner you may get a tinging ☿ from ☽, but much better, and
easier from a ☽, which lies Volatile in its own Matrix, and has never
touched the Fire.
_N. B._ But this _Mercurial_ ☽ doth not tinge into ☉, but only into ☽.
In the same way a ☿ may be driven from all Metals, and in considerable
quantity. The ☿ of ♂ and ♁ are the best; those of ♀, ♃ and ♄ are good
also, but not so high colour’d, as that of ♂ which is the best. Now to
make ☿ of ♂, we need not dissolve common ♂, and thence with _Salt_ of
the World drive a ☿; but it is better to take Iron-stones, which have
never touch’d the Fire, and having extracted them, add to them some of
the Resuscitative _Salt_ of the World, which then distill’d will yield
more ☿ than common ♂. In like manner much more ☿ may be had from ♄, ♃
and ♀ Oar than from the Metals themselves.
I remember, that, in my youthful years, I laboured two years
continually with a Person of high quality, to obtain a ☿ of ♄, we
tryed all manner of ways but got nothing. Whether it was for want of
Experience, or that the Process given us was not true, or because God
did not see it fit for us, I know not: But this I know, that we had no
knowledge of the universal Resuscitative _Salt_ of the World, making
use only of common S. _Armon_, and its Volatile Spirit.
I have, in the Seventh Part of my _Pharmacopœia Spagyrica_, taught a
way to draw a running ☿ from Metals, but in small quantity, whereas
by means of this _Salt_ of the World, much more is obtained. I say
therefore, that if from my last published Writings, Men cannot discover
the way of making the _Mercuries_ of Metals in good quantity, it will
be a sign to me, that God will not permit it, having plainly set down
every thing, except the Resuscitative _Salt_ of the World.
And I now say again, that the said _Salt_ is no where to be sold,
since enough may be had for nothing. God must reveal it, for Men will
hardly do it. It is a mere Gift of God to know this _Salt_ and its
Use. _Turba_ saith concerning it: _If God had not created this =Salt=,
it were impossible to perfect our Elixir_. From whence we may see, it
is no _Salt_ prepared by Art, nor made with hands, but created of God
of nothing. Consider well what is here said, and you’ll find Wonders.
_Cosmopolita_ speaks after this manner of this _Salt_, _viz._ _Nature
affords us a =Chalybs=, which can from the Rays of the Sun extract
that, which many have sought and not found_.
Other Philosophers speak of this _Salt_ in these Words: _The Spirit and
Salt of the World, bring the Souls of the dead out of Hell_. What is
this Hell, but a _Stygian_ Water, wherein we dissolve Metals, and after
draw forth their Souls with the _Salt_ of the World. Of which Spirit
and _Salt_ of the World, _Nuisement_ hath writ a curious Treatise. I
say therefore, that he who understands the due way of applying this
_Salt_, for drawing the ☿ of Metals, has obtained the greatest Secret
in the World, the said ☿ being easily fixable into a true Tincture.
I have known several, who could fix the ☿ of ♄ and ♁ prepared by others
into Tinctures, but could not prepare the _Mercuries_ themselves: And
to this day, I do not know one Man that can bring a running ☿ from
Metals, tho’ I have communicated the way of making the said ☿ to many,
as it is set down in the Seventh Part of my _Pharmacopœia Spagirica_:
But seeing so small a quantity prepared that way, they let it drop.
It had been well, they could have been satisfied with that: But Men
generally are of such a Humour; that if they cannot have all without
Toyl or Labour, they presently despond and give over; but they that
persevere to the end shall obtain the Crown of Honour.
Thus much shall suffice, by way of Parenthesis, concerning preparing
the _Mercuries_ of Metals in great quantity, by means of our
Resuscitative _Salt_ of the World.
Let us now return to our dry wash-Fire, and see, what further may
be done with it. We know, that with a Rapid and violent Flame, the
Volatile part of Metals is driven away, the fixt and grosser staying
behind: As for Example. If I dissolve a Metal, or Mineral in _Aqua
Fortis_, and afterwards add to the Solution some good _Niter_, by
this means the Metal abides with the _Nitre_ and shoots with it into
Crystals, which from ♂ are Red, from ♀ Green, from ☿ and ♃ White, from
☉ Yellow. When now this _Nitre_ is kindled, the Volatile part of the
Metal sublimes from the grosser, and is better for Medicinal use, than
the gross Body of the Metal.
_N. B._ But if to this _Niter_ impregnated with a Metal, we joyn some
_Salt_ of the World; and then detonate it, the said _Salt_ through the
Flames carries the immortal Soul of Metals out from Hell, that is the ☿
of them, which afterwards may be fixed into Tincture. The said _Nitre_
impregnate with Metal, and the _Salt_ of the World, doth also, by means
of a swift Flame draw the Colours from precious and common Stones, and
introduceth others, and better into them again; which is a thing of
great Profit to him that hath Skill of it. This is the speediest way
of meliorating Metals, when by means of a Rapid _Fulmen_, as it were
in a moment, we Separate the pure Soul, or incombustible 🜍 from the
gross Metal: For in this quick Flame the superfluous 🜍 of the Metals
is consumed, which ties the pure ☿ to the Metal, and makes the same
difficultly separable from its gross Body.
In this manner a pure ☿ may in quantity be drawn from all Metals, and
as much ☿ as is got this way, so much Tincture, for every ☿ of Metals
is fixable into Tincture, which cannot be said of the common. And yet
amongst these _Metallick Mercuries_, one yields a better Tincture than
another, the ☿ of ♂ as hath been said being the best, tho’ that of ♄
be good also. He who is come so far as to be able to make the ☿ of any
one Metal, with the help of the _Salt_ of the World, may easily do
the same with all the rest, and then try which ☿ is the best. I have
tryed several, but found none better than that of ♂. For which Reason
also sometime before my falling Sick, I bought up a great quantity of
Steel Needles unfit for common use, with intention to make a great
quantity of ☿ of ♂, but being seized with Sickness not long after, and
continuing Bed-rid till now; my design was hindred. Now whether God
will be pleased to raise me, that I may prepare a good quantity of
the said ☿, for those that come after, I know not; for at present by
reason of my Weakness, I have no hope to do any thing. And therefore
have determined with my self, to manifest these and the like great
Secrets to the World, as far as my Weakness will permit; that they who
are Lovers of Art may know, and work them, or let them alone as they
please: For it shall suffice me, to have discovered the wonderful Works
of God to mankind, not at all concerning my self with the rest.
’Tis here to be noted, that the ☿ which by means of the Salt of the
World, in the moist way is drawn forth from _Aqua Fortis_, or other
like corrosive Liquors, is purer than that which, in the dry way is
forced over with a strong Fire, yet both are good, and fixable into
Tincture. It is also less trouble to bring over the ☿ of Metals in the
moist way, than by a strong Flame. For when a Metal is dissolved in
_Aqua Fortis_, and _Salt_ of the World added to the Solution, then if
by _Alembick_, you separate the _Menstruum_, part of the ☿ will come
over with it, which, as before-mentioned, is to be separated from it:
Afterwards drive what remains in the _Alembick_ through a Retort, and
the _Salt_ of the World will carry more of the ☿ over, by which means a
good quantity of ☿ will be obtained. For which God be praised, who hath
shewed us his poor necessitous Children so near and strait a way to the
Land of _Promise_. For I still say (as I always did) that nothing more
excellent can be found, either in Physick or Alchimy, than the ☿ of
Metals, all other Works being mere trifles in Comparison of it: Because
such a ☿ well fixed, is not only the highest Medicine, but besides
Tinges ☽ and ☿ into ☉. I have clearly and fully described the manner
of it, Preparation, save only, that I have not named the _Salt_ of the
World, because it is such a vile and contemptible thing, and cast out
upon Dunghils: And yet nothing in the World lives without it. No living
Creature in or upon the Earth, Bird in the Air, nor Fish in the Water
is sustained without this Universal _Salt_ of the World. Concerning
this _Salt_ of the World, or true matter of the Universal great Stone
of the Philosophers, an unknown Author in the Thirty fifth Chapter of
his Book writes thus,
_That the first Work of the Elixir, is every where to be found._
Concerning the true making of the Elixir, as to its first Work, the
Philosophers say, that the true Matter is every where to be found;
because it is in every Man, and found with every Man. _Adam_ brought
it with him out of Paradise, and when he died took it along with him
to his Grave. And therefore an Allegory of the Wise men saith, that
the said _Matter is subtilized ☉_, that is ☉ advanced to the highest
pitch of mineral Virtue. Concerning this ☉ it is said: _With our
Gum and little ☉, we can buy much_. And, _Albertus_ in his Book of
Minerals saith, and proves it, that _☉ is every where to be found_:
Because there is nothing made of the four Elements, in which, after
its highest refining, ☉ is not to be found, and therefore they say it
is every where to be found. The same _Albertus_ also asserts, that _a
great Mineral Virtue is in every Man_, especially in his Head between
his Teeth: For that in his time, in old Graves ☉ was found in little
longish Grains, between the Teeth of dead Men Skuls, which could not
be, except the said mineral Virtue were in Man, which mineral Virtue is
in the Matter of our Elixir. And therefore it is said, that the Stone
is in every Man, and that _Adam_ brought it with him out of Paradise,
_&c._
The Philosopher tells us here, proving it by several Authors, that
the true Matter of the Elixir, as to the firstl Work, is to be found
with every one: Concerning which Matter, much might be said, but it
is better be silent for fear of the abuse of wicked Men. Yet I cannot
but hint here, how it may be made out, that ☉ can grow in the Skuls
of dead Men, as before-mentioned. It seems probable then, that these
were the Skuls of such Men, who in their Life-time much used ☿, either
taking it inwardly, or much handling it in their Trades. Now it being
the Property of ☿, to mount upwards to the Head, and settle between the
Teeth, we may suppose, that by length of time the _Microcosmical_ 🜍︎
did Coagulate it into ☉. Let no Man think this impossible, for the 🜍︎
of Mans Dung hath a very great affinity with the Mineral 🜍︎, which no
Body can better witness, than he to whom God hath revealed it, and who
hath found it true by Experience.
The Reader by this time hath sufficiently perceived, how the
_Mercuries_ of all Metals may with ease be brought over, by means of
the _Salt_ of the World; as also, how the same may be had with the help
of a _Fulmen_, or strong Flame of Fire.
Now he that is Master of these _Mercuries_, will not be far to seek,
for the way of fixing them; for which there is no nearer way, than to
maturate them to a Tincture, by means of _Artephius_ his Fire, for all
other ways are very tedious, concerning which fixation by the said
secret Fire, the Reader will find more in other Parts of my Writings.
Herewith, then I conclude this First Part of my Purgatory, or cleansing
Fire, with which all unclean black Subjects may be washed to the
highest degree of Purity and Whiteness. If by chance, I should here
have omitted one or other Circumstantial of the Work, (as I hope not)
I shall, as it comes to mind, set it down in my following Writings. In
the mean time Farewel, and remember the _Salt_ of the World, learn to
know it, and its Use, for so thou wilt be able to make the _Mercuries_
of all Metals, which in value exceed all ☉ and precious Stones.
_An Advertisement to the Courteous READER._
Forasmuch as in this little Treatise, I have revealed many Secrets,
and particularly, the easie Preparation of a running ☿ from all
Metals, and that a true Tincture cannot more readily be obtained,
than from such a ☿, which with ☉ becomes fixed to a Red, and with ☽
to a white Tincture, and that this Fixation is most easily performed
by the secret Fire of _Artephius_. And have also taught, how from
all Vegetables and Animals, a most excellent ☿ of great Virtue may
be prepared, by means of a burning Spirit; in all which I have writ
nothing, but what I have wrought with my own hands. I know there will
not be wanting some envious and ignorant Men, who will pretend it
impossible to get a running ☿ from Metals: But it is no wonder, that
this is counted impossible by those, that have not attained to great
Skill and Experience in the Fire, who may well be compared to little
Children, who when they hear any Body talk of the Great World, can form
no other Notion of it, than of the place, or House where they have
been educated; neither can such ignorant conceited Persons believe any
thing, but what they have seen themselves. It is enough for me, that I
know it to be true.
Now forasmuch as I have before declared, that this ☿ of Metals is the
nearest way to attain an universal Tincture, for Men and Metals, and
that out of Vegetables, Animals, and all other things, that admit
a Separation of Elements, a ☿ may be had, as well as from Minerals
and Metals, and from that ☿ a Tincture: I intend here for further
Confirmation, to add the Testimony of an old Book, which with many
words confirms what I have writ, concerning the ☿ of Minerals,
Animals and Vegetables, and therefore have thought fit, to subjoyn
the Conclusion of the said Book, as an Appendix to this Treatise,
by which, those, who understand, will perceive that I have writ the
Truth, concerning the ☿ of Vegetables and Animals. The Author is
unknown to me, but that he was an experienced Philosopher appears from
his Writings, which contain great Truths: These as they were gladly
received by us, so we highly recommend them to all Learners, and Lovers
of Art: Here follow the two last Chapters of the said Philosopher.
_A Recapitulation: Or, Summary Repetition._
We have sufficiently explained to thee the thing, if thou hast rightly
understood our words. And observe, Son, that the Operations we deliver
in this Book, concerning the Composition of the Great stone, are more
subtil than those, that _Geber_ has delivered in his Summ: For he
saith, that in different intervals of time, it is first sublimed, next
fixed, afterwards calcined and then dissolved, and so of the rest. But
as to this our Book, know, that the Distillation by _Alembick_ we call
Sublimation, and the Solution of Bodies, we likewise call Sublimation,
because by this means the Earthly Body is lifted up into the Air,
which is Heaven. Wherefore know, that when we dissolve, we at the
same time do Sublime, Calcine, Purifie, Wash, conjoyn and separate.
To this purpose, _Haly_ in his _Secret_ of _Secrets_ tells us, that
between the Solution and Conjunction, or the Matrimony and Union of
Body and Spirit; there is no distance of time; because when the Body is
dissolved, it is by that Solution joyn’d with the Spirit, and therefore
he saith, that Solution and Conjunction are at the same time. This
therefore is the Order of our Operation, which is done at once in one
hour: When our Body is put to dissolve in Water, then presently it is
solved and sublimed, and by being dissolv’d and sublim’d, the Body
becomes united to the Spirit; and if any thing of an extraneous Nature
be mix’d with the Body, the same will not be dissolved, but will remain
in the bottom of the Vessel for to dissolve, and thus the Body becomes
cleansed of the extraneous Matter, if any be in it; yet is it in some
sort sullied, nor is it so clean and clear as it ought. Wherefore
our Operations in making the Great stone, are more subtil than those
contained in _Geber_’s Summ, because what he says is done at several
times, is here done at once, and of a subtiler Matter; and after a
subtiler manner. And when thou shalt see our work, dearest Son, then
wilt thou know, that we have spoken the Truth, tho’ not before: And
indeed, except thou shalt give good heed to it, and sharply consider
of it, thou wilt scarcely perceive it to be so, because of the quick,
subtil and short Operation. But be sure to avoid the fumes in this, as
well as other ways of making the Stone, as far as is possible, which
if thou shouldst take in, would greatly hurt thee, either at the very
instant, or not long after, except thou hast Remedies at hand to oppose
their Malignity, which thou oughtest always to be provided with, that
as soon as any such thing is perceived, a proper Antidote may be taken.
CHAP. LVI.
From all that hath been said from the beginning hitherto, may be
gathered by a piercing eye, that in our Operation our Bodies do not
abide in the top of the _Alembick_, as the Bodies of Fools do: Of which
_Aros_ saith: _The Bodies of the unwise, do only stick to the Cover or
Head of the Vessel, and therefore they cannot effect any thing that is
true_. Hence also may be gathered, that _Sulphurs_ are retain’d by 🜍,
Bodies by Bodies, and Spirits by Spirits; and every imperfect thing is
perfected by one thing, that is by ☿ alone, that is, by a substance,
which is produced by our foresaid famous, excellent and glorious
Magistery. Wherefore for a final Conclusion we say, that the Blessed
stone is one, the Medicine one, to which nothing extraneous is added,
nor taken from it, only its superfluities removed. Understand this, as
_Hortulanus_ saith: That, _That is not extraneous, into which it must
be changed_, that is fixed, _viz._ ☉ and ☽. Therefore this stone is
Mineral, because it is produced from all Mineral things. But because
_Hortulanus_ saith, that _Hermes_ the Father of all _Alchimists_,
was Possessor of the three parts of Philosophy, of the whole World,
_viz._ Mineral, Vegetable and Animal: The true knowledge of which three
Kingdoms, the said _Hermes_ had joyntly, or severally in the work of
the Sun; which parts are contained in one only Stone, _viz._ in ☿,
that is under the name of ☿, because every thing of which the Stone
is made, whether it be Animal, Vegetable or Mineral, is called by the
name of ☿. We have also before shewed, how this Philosophy, or Science
is compleated in the work of the Sun, by means of a Mineral ☿. Now to
the end that this Science, or most excellent Point of Philosophy, may
be perfect in every Point, we must see how this Stone may be had, by
means of a Vegetable ☿, from Vegetables, and by an Animal ☿, prepared
from Animals. And first, we will shew how the Stone may be made, with a
Vegetable ☿: For except the Great stone might be made from many other
things, besides those mentioned in the former part of my Discourse,
that saying of _Alphidius_ would not be true: That _there be many
other Subjects, which solve and congeal_. And _Hortulanus_ saith, _the
Philosophers have called every thing, the Stone, from whence the Four
Elements may be separated, by our Chymical Artifice_: Now this may be
done, from every Vegetable and Animal; wherefore from every Vegetable
or Animal, may the Great stone of the Philosophers be prepared.
The two last Chapters of this Anonymous Philosopher, contain a short
Repetition of the Matters handled in his whole Book, wherein he
asserts, that the Preparation of the great Elixir, he sets down, is
far more subtil, excellent and Skilful, than that of _Geber_: Because
the Operations which _Geber_ doth successively, one after another, he
shews, how they may be done all at once; for that when he dissolves,
he at the same time, in the same Vessel, with the same degree of Fire,
and in the same Furnace, doth also Sublime, Calcine, Cleanse, Wash,
separate and conjoyn: Because, when the hard Body is put into the
dissolvent, to be dissolved, it presently turns Black, and is throughly
dissolved, calcined, sublimed and joyned with the Spirit. And I leave
it to every judicious Person to judge, whether this way must not be
very ingenious and Artificial, which at once, so easily and suddenly
finisheth all these Operations, belonging to the work of the Stone.
Neither was it without Reason, that the Author affirms, that the
possibility of this Accurtation cannot well be believed, or apprehended
by any, but those who have seen it.
_N. B._ Now that all these Operations may be done at once, my self can
witness, as having before my Sickness performed the same with mine
own hands. And however this may sound very strange to those, whose
Experience never reached so far, yet is it an undoubted Truth with
all those, whom God hath been pleased to illuminate, giving them the
understanding and performance of this great (I had almost said, Holy)
work.
Our Author in his last Chapter concludes, that of all things from
whence the Elements can be separated, the Stone of the Philosophers may
be made; to the Truth of which, also I can set my Seal. For when about
half a year since, I had recommended to an old Friend of mine, the
manner of preparing the ☿ of Wine, and that the said Friend by reason
of his business could not come to me, to overlook the Work himself,
because he lived in another City, and I by reason of my Sickness kept
my Bed: It was concluded by us, that a third Friend should come to my
House, and carry on the Work, from the beginning to the end, which
accordingly was done in three or four Days. But forasmuch, as in so
short a time, we could not prepare any great quantity of the Spirit of
Wine, we had but little to burn away, and consequently could not get
much ☿, or Cælestial ☉. Now it happened, when we were separating the
☿, we had caught, from the Phlegme, that the Fire, by mistake was too
strong, so that after the Phlegme was come over, we found the remaining
Heavenly _Salt_, or ☿ of Wine in the bottom of the Glass molten to a
Red stone, which could not be dissolved with common Water. Whereupon I
ordered some _Aqua Regis_ to be poured into the Glass, to dissolve the
☿, which presently succeeded, the Solution being Blood-red. But the ☿
being by this means spoyled, as to any Medicinal use, I resolved to
try what it would do on Metals, and accordingly put a little piece of
fine ☽ into the Red Solution, left it there two days, and then taking
it out, found it changed into ☉ as far as could be judged by the Eye,
or Touchstone. But because I could hardly believe, that ☽ could be so
easily turned to ☉, I put it into a strong _Aqua Regis_, to see whether
it would be dissolved in the same, as other common ☉, and put a piece
of common ☉ with it, to try which of both would be first dissolved:
Whereupon I found, that the _Aqua Regis_ rather laid hold on the common
☉, than my transmuted ☽, the half of which was only dissolved, and I
have the other Part still to shew. Which tryal made me so desirous of
proceeding to another, that I got a new instrument prepared, for to
make the ☿ of Vegetables and Animals, but have as yet been unable to
undertake the Work, by reason of Bodily weakness, and for want of some
faithful assistant. Yet am not without hopes, but that with the first I
may make some further Tryals, all things being in a readiness for the
Work, to which God be pleased to afford his Blessing, _Amen_.
From this Relation it is evident, that a Vegetable ☿ is able to
meliorate Metals: That it excels for Physick cannot be doubted, and
therefore the said ☿ may be called a Master in both Faculties. Now if
a Vegetable ☿ will do this, what may be expected from a _Metallick_
drawn from pure Metals, and brought over by the Spirit of Wine? Without
doubt, much more than the ☿ of Wine alone, without any Metalline
addition. If it please God, I intend to second this Treatise with
another larger, concerning the ☿ of Metals. In the mean time, I here
make an End.
OF THE
Secret Fire of Philosophers.
_By which, They not only brought to Maturity their Universal
Medicine, but also fixed particularly all the inferior Metals,
into good Gold and Silver, with great Profit._
_Written for the Sakes of all the Lovers of Divine and Natural
Wisdom._
_Faithfully Translated out of the_ High-Dutch.
_Reader_,
Seeing that in several of my Writings, I have made mention of the
secret Fire of _Artephius_, which _Pontanus_ very well called _Proprium
Agens_, for no better name can be given it. I thought it convenient to
publish this small Explication of it, that it may be known to those,
who have not yet heard of it, not doubting, but by this discovery
a great Light will be opened to all the Lovers of _Metallick_
improvements: For almost all Philosophers, in their Writings, are
dark concerning this; and yet without this, no great Matter is to be
effected in _Chymistry_: Which daily Experience sufficiently testifies.
Therefore I am resolved briefly to explain, yet fundamentally and
plainly, by Gods help, this thing which hath been so long hid from the
World.
_Of the Secret Fire of Philosophers, by which they have maturated
their Tinctures._
First you must know, that no Philosopher hath made any mention of it,
but hath passed it over in silence, only that ancient Philosopher
_Artephius_ hath taken some notice of it, but so obscurely, that very
few of his Readers, have been able to learn any thing from him. He
saith, that himself, like others, had been covetous and envious, so as
to write nothing of it; but after he was nine hundred years old, he
first began to write of it. _N. B._ It is not credible, that he should
have lived to that Age, but perhaps some Body hath added a Cipher to
it. ’Tis like he was ninety years of Age, for the Ancients have often
mistaken an hundred for ten. But be it as it will, he was the first,
that said any thing of this Fire. _Pontanus_ writes in his Epistle,
that although he knew the true Matter, yet he erred two hundred times,
and should never have obtained it, if he had not learned the secret
from his Writings. The reason of hiding this Secret so long, hath been
only the wickedness of Men, who seek not after these great things, that
they might honour God, and succour the Poor, but rather, that by great
Riches they might be able to enslave their Neighbours. But when such
Men, who have forsaken the Vanities of the World, seek after them, God
puts it into their hands, so that striving nor running in this helps
nothing, but only Gods blessing. Observe this well, and thou wilt not
err. If our eyes and hearts were not blinded by the Pride of the Devil,
we should easily see and know, what Fire nature useth in the Earth, to
bring Metals to Maturity: By which we might easily learn, what Agent
the Artist wants to maturate and bring to perfection all imperfect
Metals into Gold and Silver, as good as if Nature had done it in the
Earth. Now when we open our eyes and look about us, we find nothing
else, but an _Acidum_ or Universal Agent, that is, the Sulphurous Salt
of _Vitriol_, by which all Metals in the Earth are generated, so that
some, by a long time are fixed, and some by a less time, partly remain
unfixed, according as the Oars contain more or less of this Agent. And
if by a strong Fire, one should melt this Metal out of the Oar, the
greatest part of the _Acidum_, together with the Rocky part would come
into a Cinder or Slate, but in the Metal, although it be melted and
hammered, there yet remains some of the Agent, which the Fire, in the
first melting, could not separate from it, especially when the Metals
are yet crude; as if the Agent should say, I will not be separated from
my Patient, for he cannot yet subsist without me, and also saith the
Patient, I cannot yet suffer my Husband, or Agent to be separated from
me, for we have not been long enough together. But when the melting
Fire comes to it again, then no excuse will serve, but the stronger
overcomes the weaker, and the Agent and Patient must part by force. Now
what in this violent Separation, the one can carry away with it of the
other, it leaves not behind, as we see when the Oar of Iron is melted,
that the violent Fire, forceth away the Agent from the Patient, and
converts it into Cinders, but yet these are not purely Cinders, for
they have attracted a great quantity of the _Mercurial_ Patient, _viz._
Iron, which is not turned into Cinders, for if they be melted again,
you will have a good quantity of Iron out of the Cinders, and this may
be done for several times. If the Agent and Patient had not a great
Agreement, they would certainly have been more nearly parted in the
first melting, and there would be no need of a Second or Third Fire,
and if the Agent should be separated from its Patient, by the force of
Fire against its Will, yet it cannot be exactly and wholly separated,
but the Patient as the Female _Mercury_, doth its endeavour to retain
as much as it can of its Agent, or dear Sulphurous Husband with it
self, as we have sufficiently seen, that no melted Iron is found
without its Agent or _Acidum_. Which appears, if upon a Plate of Iron,
you pour a little Water, it presently Rusts, which could not be, if
there were no _Acidum_ in the Iron; for the _Acid_ adhering so close to
the Patient, the melting could not force it away. Now when Rain water
falls upon it, the _Acidum_ out of Love attracts it to it self, and
works to its utmost Power, upon the Patient, so that it becomes Rusty.
Which doth not so happen to such Metals, as are already brought to
sufficient Maturity, and therefore have no more need of the Agent, as
Gold and Silver, for after they are melted, they do not Rust by Wet,
for their _Proprium Agens_, or _Vitriolick Salt_, has done its Office,
bringing its Patient to Maturity, and therefore is easily separated
from its Patient in melting. Copper also, in melting, still retains
somewhat of its Agent, and therefore easily Rusts, yet not so easily as
the Iron, because it retains not so much of the _Acid_ in melting, as
Iron doth. Lead and Tin retain less of it, than Copper and Iron, and
therefore do not so easily attract the moist Air and Rain, but only
lose their Splendour by it. Gold and Silver retain but a very little
of it, and therefore they cannot easily Rust, but being moistened with
strong Corrosives, lose their glorious Luster: _Mercury_ retaineth
all its _Proprium Agens_, having lost nothing of it. It is also to be
observed, that although _Sulphur_ (which contains in it self a pure
vitriolated _Acid Salt_) be an Universal Agent, by which Nature in
the Earth generates and maturates all the Metals, yet notwithstanding
every Metal hath besides _Sulphur_, a particular _Proprium Agens_,
which assists the Universal Agent in its Action. Gold hath, besides the
Universal Agent, somewhat of common _Salt_. Silver and _Saturn_ have
besides the _Sulphur_, and _Vitriolick Salt_, somewhat of _Saltpetre_.
_Mercury_ hath properly for its Agent, a subtil, fiery and concentrated
Spirit of _Saltpetre_, which keeps him always fluid and current. And
this is the reason, that Salts or Spirit of _Salts_, (as Spirit of
_Vitriol_, common _Salt_, _Saltpetre_, _&c._) do more easily dissolve
such Metals as participate of their own Salts; for example, Silver,
_Saturn_ and _Mercury_ participate (besides _Vitriol_) of a nitrous
Salt, and therefore Spirit of _Nitre_ doth easily work upon those
three Metals, and dissolve them: For because these three Metals have
a nitrous Salt in them, therefore the Spirit of _Nitre_ hath a good
Friend in them, which opens the Gates to it, and lets it in, for the
Friend within corresponds with him which is without, as for Example:
If an Enemy set down before a Town to take it, and hath good Friends
within, that open him the Gates, he may easily enter, but if his
Enemies that are within defend themselves, and resist him, he can do
nothing, but must march off without it. Seeing that an _Aqua Fortis_
made of _Vitriol_ and _Saltpetre_, doth readily touch and dissolve
only Silver, _Saturn_ and _Mercury_, it comes to pass from their near
Relation; but the reason why they touch not Gold, is, because it hath
no affinity with them, for Gold hath no Spirit of _Nitre_, but of
common Salt in it, but if you put a little common Salt to the Spirit
of _Nitre_, it then easily dissolves Gold, becomes to be of another
Nature, and then will not dissolve Silver, but Copper, Iron and Tin,
because these Metals contain much spiritual Gold, and therefore
are easily dissolved by this Spirit of _Salt_. Now because I have
here shewn the reason, why an _Aqua Fortis_ made of _Vitriol_ and
_Saltpetre_ dissolves only Silver, Lead, and _Mercury_, and not Gold,
and when common Salt is added to it, that it dissolves Gold and not
Silver, it is for the same reason, that Salts dissolved in Water, and
impregnated with the Universal _Acid_ or Oyl of _Vitriol_, will as well
dissolve the Metals, which are boyld in them, as their Spirits will.
For Example: Suppose I had no _Aqua Fortis_, and yet would dissolve
Silver; I could do it as well by dissolving _Saltpetre_ in common
Water, acuated with the true Oyl of _Vitriol_, but yet not so easily
as _Aqua Fortis_, and if you should add a little common Salt to it, it
would not touch Silver, but dissolve Gold. And suppose, I had no Oyl
of _Vitriol_, and yet would dissolve Gold, I might do it by dissolving
_Saltpetre_ and common Salt with Allom in Water; yet not so well as by
_Aqua Regis_. This is not said to that end, that I would advise you
to dissolve Metals by Salts and Oyl of _Vitriol_, (for the distilled
Waters are better than the undistilled Corporeal Salts) but that you
may the better understand and comprehend with what Salt each Metal hath
an Agreement to unite easily, that you may the better learn to know the
_Proprium Agens_ of each Metal, for if you will do any excellent thing,
in the Metals by their _Proprium Agens_, you must first know them well,
by which you will know, what every Metal Loves, and how it will be
treated: Now we cannot learn this better, than when we consider, what
Spirit, or Natural Agent was driven from the Metal by the melting Fire,
which if it had remained longer in it, in the Earth, the Metal would
have been maturated by it. We find, that in all Oars of Silver, Lead
and _Mercury_, is found a nitrous _Salt_, which is driven from it by
the strong Fire, now if such a Metal being immature, and not only taken
too soon out of its Matrix, but also by the melting Fire deprived of
its Fecundative Spirit, is to be made grow again to be meliorated, you
must of necessity restore that to it, which the Fire hath taken away.
Now because from Lead there is taken away a nitrous Spirit, besides
common _Sulphur_, you must restore a nitrous _Salt_ for its Agent.
And because from _Mars_ and _Venus_, a _Vitriolick Sulphur_ was taken
away, that must be restored to them again. And because from _Jupiter_,
in melting, an Arsenical _Sulphur_ and Spirit was taken away, you must
restore it again to the dead Body, to revive it, and to make it grow.
If from Gold its Sulphureous Salt be taken away by melting, which
the Gold easily lets go for the reason already alledged, and yet you
would maturate this Gold farther, and make it yet better than Nature
hath done, you must put it into its Matrix again, uniting it with the
Sulphureous Spirit of _Salt_, and so let it generate or grow afresh,
and you will receive more than Nature hath given: For Nature can give
no more, but a perfect Body, which if you will have yet more perfect,
you must put it again into its Matrix, with its natural Agent, and by
the help of external Fire, awaken or excite the inward natural Fire,
that its Body may be maturated into a more than perfect Tincture. For
Nature can give no more than perfect Bodies, _viz._ Silver and Gold:
But if Art begins again where Nature left, it can make the perfect
Bodies more than perfect, with this more than perfect Tincture, you may
in a moment bring to perfection the imperfect Metals, if you put it to
them in melting: To which perfection, a great many years would have
been required, before their _Proprium Agens_ could have brought them.
For if you would maturate the imperfect Metals into Gold and Silver,
by their proper Agents, it would require a long time, but yet it might
be done with very great profit, for no other costs are required, but
outward Fire, to keep the inward Secret Fire in continual Action; and
this work of maturating the inferior Metals may be done in as great a
quantity as you please, which makes the profit so much the greater, and
this fixation requires no great Cost, for _Mars_, _Venus_, _Jupiter_
and _Saturn_ cost but little, and the Agent may also easily be had,
so that all the Expence is only the Fire, which yet will not be very
chargeable neither, so that this Fixation may every year bring in great
profit to him that well understands it. If I was younger I should not
forbear to go about this particular Melioration of Metals in the whole,
to do good with it to many thousand poor People, but my time is now
past. God hath been pleased not to shew me this light till within this
three years, in which I have lien in Bed, and so I can expect no great
benefit by it, as having no Children who are fit to carry it on. But
because I can do nothing more my self, I commit it to others, to whom
I have already given a good insight; but to discover it more clearly
and indiscriminately to the good and bad, being restrain’d by several
Reasons I dare not do it. Now it yet remains to give a hint, how the
perfect Metals, as Gold and Silver, must be ripened into a more than
perfect Tincture, to make the imperfect Metals perfect by Projection.
_Now here followeth a Fundamental Process, without any Legerdemain,
how to bring Gold and Silver into a Tincture._
℞. Of Gold j ℥, of Silver iij ℥, dissolve the Gold in _Aqua Regia_,
and the Silver in _Aqua Fortis_, pour these two Solutions together,
and the Silver will attract the Gold, and they will both precipitate
into a gray Powder, but if for want of Salt they should not easily
precipitate, pour into them some Salt Water, for the Silver will not
fall except there be Salt enough. When nothing more will precipitate,
it is a sign that these two Bodies, like Husband and Wife, have
embraced each other, and are united; then set the Glass in which they
are in Sand, that the Liquor may boil, and those two Bodies will be
the better united; stir it often, and let it stand so warm for 24
hours, then let it cool, and these two Bodies will grow up together
like Herbs or Flowers, filter the Liquor from the Calx, and sweeten
the Calx with Common Water, dry it and powder it well, then it is
ready to be fixed into a Tincture with the _Proprium Agens_ or Secret
Fire. Now concerning the proper Agent of Gold and Silver, I say that
it is a Mercurial Antimonial Water, which also _Artephius_ Confesseth;
To obtain which, proceed thus: first put the Conjunction of Gold and
Silver into a clean Crucible, which put into a Coal Fire, so that the
Gold and Silver may become warm in the Crucible, and yet not be red-hot
nor melt, and the sharp Spirits which remained after Edulcoration
will pass away in Smoak; when it Smoaks no longer, take it out of
the Fire and let it cool, and weigh the Gold and Silver, and so you
will perceive how much heavier they are than they were before, for so
much have they taken from the Spirits of the Salts, which dried Salt
Spirits must prepare the _Antimony_, our Secret Fire, or _Proprium
Agens_ to fix the Gold and Silver into a Tincture. For Example: We
have dissolved and precipitated j ℥ of Gold, and iij ℥ of Silver,
and after the exsiccation of the _Calx_, it weighs vi ℥, and so ij ℥
of the Spirits of the Salts are Coagulated with them, and make the
increase. For this you must know, that Silver hath this Nature and
property, if it be dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_, and precipitated with
Salt it attracts much Spirit from the _Aqua Fortis_ and Salt, which
Water cannot wash from it; but Gold attracts not so much as Silver,
for the Gold attracts _Nitre_, and the Silver Common Salt. I could
easily shew the reason of this, but that it would be too tedious.
_Saturn_ attracts more Common Salt than Silver, and these Spirits of
Salts are also a _Proprium Agens_ to _Mars_ and _Saturn_, as they are
to Silver and Gold, and work upon _Saturn_ and _Mars_, altogether in
the same manner as on Gold and Silver, the only difference is, that the
Tincture of _Saturn_ and _Mars_ is not of that extent as that of Gold
and Silver, although both of them in this work have one and the same
Agent: Now this Agent which is Spirits of Salts Coagulated, as well
in Gold and Silver, as in _Saturn_ and _Mars_, must first be brought
into a Mercurial Water, before they can rightly act upon Metallick
Bodies, by penetrating, maturating and meliorating them; to bring them
to which, you must proceed thus: If the four Ounces of Gold and Silver
have Coagulated two Ounces of Spirits of Salts, you must add to it two
Ounces of very clean and well pulverised _Regulus_ of _Antimony_, grind
them very well together, put this Mixture into a Coated _Retort_, and
distil the Mercurial, Antimonial Water, which will also carry over with
it the _Animæ_ of the Gold and Silver, in form of Butter of Antimony,
yet of a high colour, for the Anima of Gold is highly exalted by the
_Antimony_, or Mineral _Aries_. This red Solar Butter is the Secret
Fire of _Artephius_, or the _Proprium Agens_ of _Pontanus_, to bring
the Gold and Silver into a Fixed Tincture, which _Artephius_ hath used
for Gold and Silver, but _Pontanus_ (as appears by his Epistle) did
not make his Tincture out of Gold, but out of _Mars_; for he calls God
to Witness, that the matter of his Stone, out of which he prepared his
Tincture, contained many Terrestreities and Superfluities, which he
did not separate from it, and yet the _Proprium Agens_, together with
what was good in it, _viz._ Iron, came to be a Tincture. Out of this
sufficiently appears, that he did prepare an impure Metal, as _Mars_,
into a Tincture.
And this is very credible, for such a fiery Agent which I have taught
here to prepare, is as well a true Tincture it self, as the _Animæ_ of
_Sol_ and _Lune_, and that so high that it is sufficiently powerful to
penetrate, meliorate, and transmute hard, gross, and impure Metals and
Bodies, by its tender, clean, Golden, Mercurial Power, and to reduce
them into Tinctures. _N. B._ I would have none to doubt, but that such
a clean, fiery, and Golden Agent, when it is used for the exalting and
meliorating of clean Gold and Silver, will give a much higher Tincture
than with gross and unclean Metals; for if Gold is inwardly so exalted
and meliorated by this Antimonial Mercurial Water, it must needs give
a far more extensive Tincture. Now how this our Mercurial, Antimonial,
Saturnine Water, is to be applied to fine Gold and Silver, to exalt
their Colours, and transmute them into Tincture, I shall here shew to
the best of my knowledge, and it is thus. The two Ounces of Spirit of
_Salts_, which were coagulated by the four Ounces of Gold and Silver,
and by the addition of two Ounces of _Regulus_ of _Antimony_, did
again leave the Gold and Silver, by working upon and dissolving the
_Antimony_, and did in the distillation carry over the most pure and
tender _Mercury_ of _Antimony_, together with the Tincture of Gold, in
form of a Red Butter, for _Antimony_ is of this nature, that it draws
the colour out of Gold, and carries it up with it self in Distillation,
which the Ancients called carrying the Souls of the Dead out of Hell.
This Red Butter impregnated with the _Anima_ of Gold, _Artephius_
called his Secret Fire, and is the _Proprium Agens_ of _Pontanus_,
which doth not only maturate Gold and Silver into perfect Tinctures,
but also _Mars_ and _Saturn_, in their whole substance, without
separating the pure from the impure. From the remaining Gold and Silver
you must wash your _Regulus_ of _Antimony_ by the help of Salt Petre,
then separate your Gold and Silver by _Aqua Fortis_, and you will have
no loss but only of the Tincture of Gold, which the Oyl of _Antimony_
hath carried over with it. _Neusementius_ calls this his Solar Red Oyl
or Butter of _Antimony_, but I call it my Mercurial Antimonial Aurifick
Water, which name doth properly belong to it, which I thus prove. Take
of this distilled Golden Mercurial Water, of Leaves of Gold and Silver,
each equal parts, put them together in a fixing Glass, and set it in
a Sand Cuppel, which is heated equally by a dull _Harry_, and kept in
the same degree of Fire, and the Mercurial Water will dissolve the
Gold and Silver, and they will turn together into a Stone. The Spirits
of Salts after they have dissolved the Gold and Silver, together with
the Mercury of _Antimony_, will separate themselves by degrees from
the _Mercury_, because they are not of the same matter, therefore they
cannot become a Tincture with the Gold, Silver, and _Mercury_, which
_Pontanus_ very well hints. This separation of the Salt Spirit from
the Tincture requires its time, and will not be hastened. _N. B._ But
if you know how to separate the superfluity of the Spirit of Salt from
the Golden Butter, by a subtile Art, and then dissolve your Gold and
Silver in it, you will gain a great deal of time in your fixation,
for the superfluous moisture very much hinders, which the Ancients
have hinted under a Fable, as the Learned _Bracesous_ sufficiently
admonisheth in his Treatise _de Ligno Vitæ_. This Salt Water is called
by the Poets _Minerva_, concerning this you may read the Philosophers,
and chiefly _Bracesous_, what he saith _Minerva_ was, and you will
find which way it must be separated from the Tincture. _N. B._ Be not
in doubt, because _Bracesous_ teacheth how to prepare his Tincture,
not of Gold and Silver, but of _Mars_, for it may as well be made of
_Mars_, only that is not so extensive as the Tincture made of Gold,
otherwise the labour is the same, and differs not at all. I repeat this
once more, that if you will shorten your labour, you must send away
_Minerva_ in peace, because she hinders the fixation. Some perhaps may
wonder, what the Silver can contribute to this Tincture, because it is
white, and hath no colour: I answer, that the inward parts of Silver
are not white but red, and therefore may become a Tincture. After the
same manner _Saturn_ is not red outwardly, and yet with _Mars_ becomes
a red Tincture, as Silver doth with Gold. This I thought fit to say
here concerning the Secret Fire of _Artephius_: If you will know
more of it read _Artephius_, _Pontanus_, _Paracelsus_, _Bracescus_,
_Neusementius_, _Cosmopolita_, and others, who have made mention of it,
and you will there find larger Instructions.
Now as it is possible to transmute not only Gold and Silver, but also
the other inferior Metals into Tinctures, by the _Proprium Agens_ of
Metals, so you may also fix into Gold and Silver, the inferior Metals
particularly, with an incredible profit, for the inferior Metals may be
put in in great quantity, with a cheap Agent, and so be maturated into
Gold and Silver, which hitherto hath been known to very few in the
World, but I do not doubt but hereafter it will be better known, by
which many honest Men will be delivered from Slavery. For as you have
already heard, the _Proprium Agens_ of the inferior Metals is cheap, so
that the imperfect Metals may be with small costs, by the addition of
their Natural _Proprium Agens_, which was driven away in their melting,
by the help of External Fire, maturated into the perfection of Gold
and Silver. _N. B._ If you can have Metals yet in their Oar, that have
not been in the Fire, and add to each of them their _Proprium Agens_,
and put them in close Vessels into a fixing Furnace, and maturate them
with a requisite heat, then the fixation will the sooner be done, than
with those Metals which have been already melted; yet those Oars must
be well washed and separated from their Mine-Earth, before you put them
with their _Proprium Agens_ to be fixed. _N. B._ This fixation of the
unripe Metals into Silver and Gold, as also of Gold and Silver into
a Tincture, by their _Proprium Agens_, may also be done by the humid
way, if you dissolve your Metals in their proper Menstruums, and then
digest them for a sufficient time. _N. B._ For such a moist digestion
or fixation Vegetables are more fit than Minerals, and Animals fitter
than both, yet all of them be made use of to fix both the common,
and Metallick _Mercuries_, as well universally into Tinctures, as
particularly into Gold and Silver. But for the course Metals and their
Oars, the universal Agent, _viz._ _Sulphur_, _Arsnick_, with their
Compeers, as Cobolt and Orpiment are the fittest. Gold and Silver
have also their peculiar Agents, by which they are maturated into
Tinctures, of which the Animal Agent is found to be the best, for it
is of this nature, that it turns the inward hidden colours of Gold and
Silver outwards, and renders them visible, which no other universal
subject can do like it. For if you cannot bring outwards the inward
colour of Gold and Silver, it is impossible to make Tinctures of them.
For Gold and Silver, as nature hath produced them in the Earth, have
no abounding colour to tinge other Metals withall, but no more than
is required for their own perfection; but when they are exalted in
their Colours by Art, they are able plentifully to communicate their
Colours to other Metals, but else not. Now what kind of Animal Agent
this is, by which the Exaltation of Colours may be made, I dare not
make common; he that will know more of it, must enquire of _Adam_, who
brought such an Essence with him out of Paradise. You may also read my
_fifth Century together with the Explication_, where this Subject is
treated of. Now as the _Proprium Agens_ of the Metals, which is their
Spirits, _viz._ _Sulphur_, _Arsnick_, _Cobolt_, _Orpiment_, and the
like Metallick Spirits, are fixed with the Metalline Bodies, and with
them become fixed Metals, because they are half Metals already, so on
the contrary, Salts which also are good Agents to Maturate Metals, yet
become not Metals themselves, as _Sulphur_, _Arsnick_, _Antimony_,
_Orpiment_, _Cobolt_, _Zinck_, _Bismuth_, _Lapis Calaminaris_, and
other Realgars or Metallick Spirits; for Salts do not participate of a
Metallick Nature, therefore they cannot become Metals; but when they
touch, dissolve, volatilise, and again fix Metals, it is only done
by their Acidity, which is a kind of that Acidity which is naturally
in Metals, and this is to be understood of Common Mineral Salts, as
Common Salt, Salt Gem, Salnitre, Allome, Vitriol, and the like, which
naturally grow in the Earth, in Stones, in Rivers, and also out of
the Earth, which are dug out by Men and purified, and so imploy’d
for several uses. These Salts have a great affinity with the Metals,
but cannot become Metals. But the Vegetable and Animal Salts are of
another nature and property, they associate themselves with Metals,
because they somewhat participate, though but little, of the Metallick
nature. The Animal Salts are principally Volatile, and make a good
_Sal Armoniack_, which hath a great affinity with the Metals, as I
have in my Writings sufficiently shewn. The Salts of Vegetables are
altered in the Fire, and become fixt Alcalies, which are also of good
use to Metals, as you may see in my Writings. But the Volatile Salt
of Animals far exceeds all other Salts, in its virtue; for it makes
not only all Metals, how fixed soever they are, wholly volatile, and
separates the cleanest Tincture of Metals, Minerals, Precious and
ignoble Stones, that is, it separates their immortal Anima from their
gross and unprofitable Bodies, with which you may perform incredible
things, both in Physick and Alchymy; But this wonderful Salt also
makes the most subtile, as well good as bad Spirits, incredible quick,
surmounting Human Understanding, visible, tangible, Corporeal and fixt,
which concentrated and fixed Spirits, have ingress and egress through
Doors lockt up, by which strange and incredible things may be done.
So great a power hath the Almighty bestowed upon the Animal (chiefly
the Microcosmical Salt) above all other Salts, which is known to few.
For the Microcosmical Salt, and for want of that, the Volatile Salt of
other Animals, Birds, Fishes, as also of Herbs and Woods have power to
volatilise all fixed things, and again to fix the volatile. In which
volatilising, the purer parts are separated from the grosser, the which
being fixt again, you have a Tincture, and there is no nearer, easier,
or cheaper way in the World to attain to true Metallick Tinctures, than
by the means of Volatilising Salts. Take a similitude from the Spirit
of Corn or Wine, so long as it is yet in the _fæces_ of the Corn or
Wine, it is little esteemed, but when it is driven out by Distillation,
and cleansed by Rectification, and so exalted in its Virtue, then it is
Esteemed, because much good may be done with it. So and no otherwise
you must esteem of Metals, in which such rare Tinctures are hidden,
which then are not esteemed, because few know what great things may be
effected by them. The like great treasures are also hidden in great
quantities, which by the Ignorant are not esteemed or sought after,
notwithstanding that the Ancient Philosophers have highly recommended
to us the Extractions, Distillations and Separations of the noblest
Tinctures to be drawn out of gross despised Metals and Stones, yet
their profitable Doctrines and Admonitions have taken with very few.
_Basil Valentine_ confesseth in his Manuals, that the Work of the
Philosophers can be compared to nothing better than to the known labour
of making Spirit of Wine, which preparation is known even to Rusticks.
The distillation and separation of the Tincture of Philosophers is as
easie as to make Brandy, and yet it is done but by very few.
_Paracelsus_ in his _Cœlum Philosophorum_, speaking of the Spirits of
Metals, saith plainly, that it is so easie to make Gold and Silver,
that it is not worth while to write of it. _Virgil_ also sheweth, how
easie a thing it is to pluck the Golden branches from the Opake Tree
of _Vitriol_, and how easily they will follow one another, if you but
hold forth your Hand, and when you have cropt one, be bids you also
take a second. What could be said plainer? But yet I tell you, that
these Golden Branches are much more easily, and in greater quantity to
be obtained out of the Red Earth or Stones, than out of Metals; but
he that will not believe it, may remain in the dark. It is enough for
me, that I have plainly declar’d the truth to the ungrateful World,
without any reservation. But our _Sal Armoniack_ (I do not mean the
Common) is a good _Proserpina_, which easily carries over the Tincture
of Stones and Minerals. And he that will pluck these Golden Apple
bearing Branches with profit, must very well consider after what manner
to prepare his _Proserpina_, that she may touch and carry over only
the cleanest Tinctures, and leave the gross Bodies behind. The Artist
must also be sufficiently experienced, how to separate _Proserpina_ or
_Minerva_ from the Extracted Tincture, for _Minerva_ is a hinderance
to the fixation of the Tincture. And this is the principal secret
in this Mystery. For all Tinctures of Metals and Stones, after they
are separated from their gross Bodies, by our _Proserpina_, they are
volatile, and so remain till they are separated from our _Proserpina_.
Although _Proserpina_ is a two-fold Key, which both opens and shuts,
makes volatile and fixed, yet this is to be observed, that there are
but very few who know how to use this Volatilising and fixing Salt; and
therefore I advise to separate it from your Tincture, and then fix your
Tincture. But if God shall so favour you, as to shew you how to fix
this _Proserpina_, or, to speak plainer, our secret _Sal Armoniack_,
with this Tincture which it hath drawn out of Metals and Stones, both
together without any separation into a fusile, red, penetrating, and
tinging Stone, then you may for that bless God all your life, for
you may have always plenty, without any want, for there is no richer
particular, nor universal Tincture in the World.
For what can be a greater Art than by the help of our _Sal Armoniack_,
in a few hours, to draw a pure Tincture out of gross Metals and Stones,
to bring it over by Distillation, to purifie it to the highest by
Rectifications, and then again to render those Volatile Tinctures in
a few hours, fixt and constant in the Fire, so that by them you may
immediately tinge the inferior Metals, particularly into good Gold?
I _Glauber_ truly say this, that this highly profitable Labour, to
draw the Tinctures out of Metals and Stones, by the help of our _Sal
Armoniack_, to exalt them, and again to fix them, requires hardly
twenty four hours time from the beginning to the end. Which to the
unskilful will seem incredible, but whether it be believ’d or no,
is all one to me. It is the Will of God, that his great Gifts shall
not come among the impious, but only remain among those, whom he
esteems worthy of those high Secrets, and them who also will make
good use of them. _Virgil_ at first gave but a hint of it in few
Words. Afterwards _Cosmopolita_ did explain this great Work at length.
Then _Neusementius_ published it yet plainer, but the Work is most
clearly and largely described in all its Circumstances, by the pious
_Brasescus_, in his _Dialogue de Ligno Vitæ_, but it is received by
very few, because the proud _Toletanus_ despised this cheap Martial
Labour, as if _Mars_ contained no good at all, but that it was only
to be found in Gold and Silver. I ingeniously confess, that I am
acquainted with several good Secrets, by which one may reap Profit
out of Metals, yet none of them is cheaper and easier, than the Work
of _Virgil_ upon _Vitriol_, or the _Opake_ Tree, to break off the
Golden Branches one after another, by the help of his _Proserpina_, or
_Eagles_ Wings, or _Griffins_ Claws. But if one would reap good Profit
by this Labour, he must be furnished with a good quantity of _Griffins_
Claws and _Eagles_ Wings, which also is easie to be had in great
quantity, for I have sufficiently taught how to prepare them. Further,
it is needful to know, after we have drawn the Tinctures, out of Red
Metals and Stones, by our _Alcahest_, how to perfect them, because they
are yet Volatile, no Metal can be meliorated by them, therefore they
must be fixed before they can be used. This Fixation may be made in
the space of six hours, so that these Tinctures retain their ingress
and fusibility, so that if they are put upon a red hot Plate, they
melt in a moment, enter and tinge as readily, as Oyl doth dry Leather;
which all Tinctures do not, but must be brought to it by Art, but our
Tincture only which is made by Volatile Spirits, doth it: The reason
is this, all gross and fixed Bodies are naturally influxile, on the
contrary, all Volatile Spirits again Coagulated into fixed Bodies, must
of necessity be fluxible and penetrating. Observe this well, for it is
plainly enough spoken. Concerning this, see the _Epistle of Arnoldus_
to the Pope, and there you will find this Observation. Without this
Secret _Sal Armoniack_, no good can be done in _Alchymy_. Thus I end my
Explication of the Secret Fire, by which all Metals particularly and
Universally, are maturated, with incredible Profit, to the perfection
of Gold and Silver. Now it remains to give some hint, how these Secret
Fires or Agents, separately by each _Proprium Agens_, may be after a
peculiar manner, maturated into Tinctures. You have heard that common
_Sulphur_ is the _Proprium Agens_ of _Saturn_, which becomes fixed
with the Lead, and in this Fixation it also fixeth and tingeth its
Patient the Lead, into ☉ and ☽. You have also heard, that _Arsenick_ or
_Cobolt_ is the _Proprium Agens_ of Tin, and that _Arsenick_ the Agent
is easily fixed by its Patient, Tin, and with the Tin becomes ☉ and ☽.
And also, that the common ☿ is fixed into good Silver, with Lead. And
all Volatile _Realgars_, as _Orpiment_ and its Compeers, may be fixed
into good Gold with ♂ and ♀, which is the naked Truth, of which I would
have none to doubt, for I my self have several times performed these
cheap Fixations, and because I am sufficiently satisfied in it, I dare
satisfie others.
I have thought it unnecessary to describe, at large, all the Manuals
which belong to this cheap Fixation of the inferior Metals, and also
to the Coagulation of the Volatile mineral Spirits, into constant Gold
and Silver. I have therefore published it as short (yet comprehensive
enough) as I could, that you may speculate into it your selves, and
then you cannot fail, except God prohibit you, which often happens to
evil Men, which see easie things done before their Eyes, which yet they
cannot imitate. Now to put an end to this business, and to prove that
the Universal Agent, the common _Sulphur_, which is the Grandfather
or _Demogorgon_ of all Minerals and Metals, hath also its _Proprium
Agens_, by which it may be maturated into a Universal Medicine or
Tincture, I have thought fit to acquaint the World with this easie
and cheap Fixation of _Sulphur_; chiefly, because I have already,
some years since, treated of this easie Fixation of _Sulphur_, but I
have not there discovered every thing so plainly, that every one may
prepare it. But now I intend, God willing, to publish it so clear and
comprehensive, that even any _Mechanick_ may not only understand, but
easily imitate it. I pray God to assist me in it, _Amen_. Some years
ago I taught, how, by the help of my _Sal Mirabile_, to fix any common
_Sulphur_, but chiefly, such as is yet bound up in Wood or Sea-Coals,
and doth not so easily fly in the Fire, but is easier to be handled
with a red hot heat, than the open Fluxile common _Sulphur_. This
curious Work I have shewed to some Friends with my own hands, and
highly recommended it to them, to take it in hand, and bring it to a
good end, because I was certain, that it must become a rich, and far
extending Tincture. But seeing the _Sulphur_ would not presently be
fixed, they left the Work: Whereupon I farther divulged this Work by
writing, and made it common. Notwithstanding which, as yet very little
hath been attempted about it, because every one is in haste, and hath
not Patience to wait for a good end, not considering that every thing
must have its time, and that haste makes waste. Must not the Plowman,
when he sows his Corn into the Earth, to have an hundred fold encrease,
wait the due time before he can have this Multiplication? Why should
not then also a _Chymist_ wait his time, for this profitable Fixation,
that will recompense him a thousand fold? Now to return again to
our business, to shew that any common Combustible _Sulphur_, which
otherwise is an universal Agent for all Metals, to maturate them into
Gold and Silver, hath also its own _Proprium Agens_, by which it is not
only maturated into ☉ and ☽, but also into a true universal Tincture;
and this is done only by certain _Salts_, that have Power to fix the
_Sulphur_, and make it constant in the Fire. _Cosmopolita_ minds us
of this very well, when he saith, that Salt, in the conflict with
_Sulphur_, gave him a deadly Wound, which is very true, and besides
Salt or strong Spirit of _Salt_ hath Power to fix it, if they be
several times drawn off from it. How this is to be done, I have taught
in my _Three Principles of Metals_. But such a _Sulphur_ as is fixed
by _Aqua Fortis_, is also quite killed, and its ingress into Metals
is taken away, but may be restored to it again, so that it easily
enters Metals, and tingeth them throughly. _Paracelsus_ saith, you must
reverberate the fixed 🜍, till it comes to be Red, and then draw out
the Tincture, with Spirit of Wine, and then fix ☽ or ☿ with it into
Gold. _Neusementius_ teacheth to drown the Dragon in the _Stygian_
Waters, that is to fix him, and when he is come to the highest degree
of fixity, that then you must revive, or Volatize him again, and
then fix him the second time, and then he hath a better ingress into
Metals to tinge them. _Bracescus_ teacheth also, to extract his fixed
_Sulphur_, out of the fixed Scales of Iron, and to fix them into a
Fluxile and penetrating Tincture. _Cosmopolita_ teacheth it after this
manner, _viz._ how to deliver _Sulphur_ out of his Prison, and that he
will give to his Redeemer a Crown of Three Kingdoms for a Recompence.
Out of these, the true Fixation of _Sulphur_ is sufficiently to be
learned, and needs no farther instruction, but yet I cannot forbear
here to set down my way, how to fix it, that the Artist may so much the
easier attain his End. And this Fixation of _Sulphur_ may be done after
several manners.
And First in this: I have taught, how _Sulphur_ may be fixed into a
Red Carbuncle, persisting in the Fire, where I have treated of my
_Sal Mirabilis_: It is true, this way of fixing is done without any
cost, yet it requires a certain, tho no very long, time, which is
the reason, that hitherto few have tryed any thing in it, and yet
it is very difficult to come easier and cheaper to the Fixation of
_Sulphur_; and besides, there is this advantage in fixing the _Sulphur_
with the _Sal Mirabile_, that it retains its easie Flux and Ingress
into Metals, which that fixed by _Aqua Fortis_ doth not, but into
an unmeltable Earth, which hath no ingress into Metals except it be
procured by Art, which every one cannot do. Yet _Neusementius_ hath
clearly described it in these Words: When thou hast brought thy Subject
to its highest Fixation, to wit, by the Abstraction of _Aqua Fortis_,
(which Fixation he also clearly teacheth, when he saith, that you must
drown the Dragon in the _Stygian_ Waters, and so make him fixed) and
after the Fixation make him Volatile again, that then he acquires his
ingress, and is fit to tinge, which is so plainly exprest, that it is
impossible to express it plainer, yet these excellent Writings, are
written only supervacaneously, and understood and imitated but by few.
I still add even to superfluity, one way more how to fix any _Sulphur_
whatsoever, to do wonders in Physick. ℞. Sea-Coals, or in defect of
them, Wood Coals powdered, good _Saltpeter_, Common Salt, and Oyl of
_Vitriol_, of each a like quantity, put these four things into a Glass
Retort well coated, fix a Receiver to it, and in an open Fire distil
off all the Humidity, urge it at length with the strongest Fire, and
a Green Liquor of _Sulphur_ will come over, which the Ancients called
the Green Lyon, which dissolves ☉, and when they are digested a good
while, or the Green Liquor is often abstracted from the ☉, then they
are fixed together, and the Liquor of _Sulphur_, together with the ☉,
turns into a Red tinging Stone. _N. B._ If you will that the _Sulphur_
shall not come over, but remain fixed behind, you may instead of the
common Salt, which makes the _Sulphur_ Volatile, put _Saltpetre_, which
is of this Nature, as well as Oyl of _Vitriol_, to make any _Sulphur_
fixed, but common Salt makes it Volatile. _Jason_ killed or fixed the
always watching Dragon with a strong Water of _Saltpetre_. _Bracescus_,
_Basilius_, _Paracelsus_, _Neusementius_ and others have done the like,
he that will truly follow them; cannot err, but it is impossible to
explain to the ignorant any thing, so that he may presently imitate
it. You must yourself take the thing in hand, and proceed diligently,
else nothing can be done: Let this suffice to be said concerning common
_Sulphur_, which is an Universal Agent, to maturate all Metals, and it
self is fixed with Metals, into ☉ and ☽; and also by _Saltpetre_ and
_Vitriol_ is fixed into a true Tincture, as is here demonstrated. Here
I put an end to the Explanation of the Agent, and Patient of Metals,
how to fix them particularly into Gold and Silver, and Universally into
Tinctures. It yet remains to give a small Explication of the Fixation
of _Sulphur_.
A RECAPITULATION
_Reader_,
I have taught in this Book, what the _Proprium Agens_ of Metals is,
by which they are naturally maturated in the Earth, _viz._ That the
_Demogorgon_ or _Sulphur_, is not only the Father of all Metals, but
also their Universal Agent, or Maturating Fire, by which all the Metals
naturally in the Earth, and by Art out of the Earth are brought to
perfection, and that also besides _Sulphur_, as the Universal Agent,
the Metals have their particular, or proper Agents, which help to
bring the Metals to perfection, as well as the Universal Agent. I have
also taught, that the Volatile Spirits of Metals, or their proper
Agents, do not only maturate their Metals, but also become good Bodies
themselves with the Metals. I have also taught, how _Sulphur_, as a
Universal Agent chiefly by Salts, may be maturated into a Tincture,
which Fixation by Salts, must have its due time, before you can make
it constantly fixed in the Fire, which length of time hath made many
Artists forsake the Work, altho’ he knew, that of necessity it must
come to a good Tincture. Impatience causeth this, that they cannot wait
the true time of the Harvest. Wherefore impatient Men should not meddle
with _Alchymy_, but rather think a Bottle of Wine, which is sooner
done than a Combustible Fugitive _Sulphur_ can be fixed. The learned
Ancients have taught us, that Patience is the Root of all Sciences and
Arts, wherefore then are Fools so hasty in their Undertakings? When
all Philosophers Unanimously testifie, that all Festination proceeds
from the Devil. _Paracelsus_ hath taught how to fix _Sulphur_, by the
help of a strong _Aqua Fortis_, by abstracting it from it four or
five times. But I have taught, how to fix it by the abstracting of a
strong _Aqua Fortis_, but once, in my Book _of the Three Principles_:
’Tis true, by this way it loseth its Fluxibility and Ingress, but this
may be restored to it again, which for certain Reasons, I did not
think fit to make known. Now being we know, that nothing fixeth but
_Sulphur_, and that a Combustible _Sulphur_ spoils the Metals, and
makes them Black, and a fixed one hath no Ingress, but when that is
given to it, it is fit to tinge the Metals, for whatever tingeth the
Metals constantly, must it self be fixed, or else it would not endure
the Cupel. ’Tis true, out of _Mars_ and _Venus_, you may easily extract
a Tincture, which yet doth not tinge constantly, except they be first
truly fixed. Very many have thought, that if they could but incorporate
a _Crocus Martis_ with Silver, that of necessity it must become Gold,
but they found themselves to be mistaken, for if _Crocus Martis_ should
be put upon Silver, it doth not tinge it at all, but again becomes
Iron, and makes the Silver brittle. _N. B._ But if you know how to
prepare a Red _Sulphur_ of Iron, constant upon the _Cupel_, without
returning to Iron again, and then draw out of this Red fixed _Sulphur_,
its purest Anima or Tincture, you have a Colour to tinge all the Metals
in the World. This is the Reason, that the Old Philosophers have so
often inculcated, to destroy the Gold: So that it cannot be reduced
into Gold again, and that then you would have the greatest of Secrets.
But I could do nothing more with such a destroyed Gold, till I learned
to give it ingress, for when it is destroyed it enters no Metal, but
if you give it ingress, then it tingeth, so also neither _Mars_, nor
common _Sulphur_ can tinge, if they have no ingress which you may
easily believe.
Therefore the whole Art to make Tinctures consists, first in making of
the red Metals as Gold, Iron, and Copper, irreducible, then to extract
their Tincture, and to give an Ingress. This labour is a very easie
thing to the knowing, but incredible to the unskilful; for I have some
years since, shewn to some Friends out of kindness the destruction and
fixation of such Metals, together with the Extraction and Ingress, very
plainly, and highly recommended to them this universal work; they have
performed the fixation, but the Extraction and Inceration they have not
done, although it is so easie that a Child of Ten years old may easily
perform it. My hopes were, that when they had perfected it, they should
give me some of the Tincture, but in stead of a recompence, they told
me they could not do it, which was because God kept his hand over it.
After the way that is here shewn, Tinctures may be easiest prepared
out of red Sulphureous Metals and Stones, and I have a small quantity
of it by me, which will tinge red, I made it before my Sickness, and
keep it as a memorial to my Posterity. Some perhaps may ask, whether
there be not a nearer way to prepare Tinctures for Metals, than by
Extractions and Fixations, which require much time and Costs. I
answer, ’tis certain there are nearer ways to fix _Sulphurs_ in their
whole substance without loss of weight, without any addition of Salts
or Spirits of Salts, very easie and cheap, _viz._ by the Universal
Coagulator into a Tincture, and by their particular Coagulators into
Gold and Silver. Concerning the Coagulators I have already made them
known, _viz._ that Lead is the Coagulator of Common _Sulphur_, and
Vulgar _Mercury_, Tin is the Coagulator of _Arsnick_, and _Cobalt_,
Iron and Copper are the Coagulators of _Orpiment_, _Sandarach_, and all
other Realgars, and that Gold and Silver are the Coagulators of the
_Mercury_ of _Antimony_ into a Tincture. Now concerning the Universal
Coagulator, ’tis not a Malleable or fusible Metal, but only an immature
Volatile Mineral, not much unlike to Lead Oar, and therefore the
Philosophers have called it the _Saturnine Magnesia_, and this is not
all one and the same, for it is found in different colours and figures,
so that he who will use them must well understand their difference,
that he may not take the wrong for his work, and so lose his labour.
The Ancients have not revealed this Volatile Mineral, but kept it as
a Universal Coagulator in the greatest secrecy, and that not without
reason, because they maturated their Volatile Metallick Spirits and
Tinctures by it. Yet the Volatile Tinctures may also be fixed, without
this Universal Coagulator, but that requires much time; therefore they
have used this Coagulator for an help, and so they could maturate the
most Volatile Metallick Spirits into fixed Tinctures, in a short time,
and this Compendium is the chiefest thing in the Chymical Art, see
the Treatise of the _Three Principles of Metals_. Now to return again
to _Sulphur_, and to demonstrate; that it may be easily made fixed in
the Fire, which is thus: Take one part of Common _Sulphur_, mix it
with three or four parts of Lead Ashes, put this mixture into a strong
Earthen Cementing Box, lute it well with a good strong Lute that will
not crack, when the Lute is dry, put it into a Cementing Furnace, or
into such a Fire, that in the beginning will only melt the _Sulphur_,
so that it may penetrate the Lead Ashes, and hide it self in them, and
so be initiated to the Fire, then by degrees increase your Fire from
day to day, till at length the Crucible become to be of a dark brown,
then increase your Fire still more, and continue this so long till the
_Sulphur_ becomes quite fixed with the Lead Ashes, and constant in the
Fire; and this will require eight or ten months time, during which time
the _Sulphur_ becometh fixed, and hath tinged and fixed its Body, the
Lead as much as it could, for it is not possible for it to fix all the
Lead after this manner into Gold and Silver, but only part of it, yet
so that an hundred-fold profit is made of it, if you proceed rightly
in the matter. The reason of the melioration of the Lead is this: If
_Saturn_ hath power to make a Combustible _Sulphur_, incombustible
and fixed in the Fire, so that it neither fumes nor burns, then it is
certainly as good and fit for tinging as another _Sulphur_, which is
made fixed by much labour of abstracting _Aqua Fortis_ from it. In this
Fixation the _Sulphur_ retains its Ingress, and therefore needs not to
be given to it afterwards, for it had an Ingress when it was not fixed,
and when it is made fixed it still retains it. This makes good that
common saying of the Philosophers: If _Sulphur_ shall first penetrate
_Saturn_, and _Saturn_ attracts it willingly by reason of its great
dryness, and unites it self with it, then it is said that _Nature
rejoyceth in Nature_. When it can be made red-hot with the Lead, then
it is said, _Nature overcometh Nature_, but when the fixed _Sulphur_
remains constant with the Lead upon the _Cupel_, then it is said,
_Nature retains Nature_. This which I here declare so plainly, all
Philosophers before me have kept very secret, but that I here reveal
such great secrets, I have a reason for it, which is not necessary for
every one to know. Now as we have here taught the fixation of _Sulphur_
by Lead, after the same manner the fixation of _Arsnick_ is to be done
by Tin, which becomes fixed with it in the Fire, to the great profit of
the Artist, it recompenseth him with Gold and Silver upon the _Cupel_;
and this Work the Philosophers always kept very secret. _Cosmopolita_
writes, that there is a small Fish in the Sea named _Remora_, which
hath such power, that if it fits upon the Stern of the Ship, it causeth
it to stand still, so that although the Wind fills the Sails, yet it
cannot move. In another place, he calls this Fish _Echineis_, which if
you read backwards, sounds Tin Ashes. Other Philosophers also write
of this work of Fixing, that there are always two sorts of Birds in
the Nest, or two sorts of Dragons in the Den, that one of them would
willingly stay, which is the Body, but the other which hath Wings,
would always fly away, yet at length it is by degrees so overcome by
that which hath no Wings, that at last it endeavours no longer to fly.
The same happens here to our Volatile _Arsnick_, that is, with the
fixed Tin Ashes, the Volatile part _Arsnick_ is always striving to
fly away, but the Tin Ashes binds and keeps it, that it is forced to
stay against its will, and also become fixed with its Companion. Now
as we have here proceeded with _Arsnick_ and _Tin_, and with _Sulphur_
and _Lead_, after the same manner must be done with _Orpiment_, and
_Mars_ or _Venus_, but with _Sulphur_ and the _Mercury_ of _Antimony_,
together with Gold and Silver, the fixation is performed after a
peculiar manner, which fixation I have already declared, and therefore
need not repeat it. This I would have noted concerning the Agents and
Patients of Metals, but I am very well assured, although this fixation
is very mean and easie in it self, that yet it will not easily be
imitated, and that because I have made known so great a Secret in so
simple and mean a Style. The World is full of Pride, and cannot give
credit to such mean things, but rather looketh after high, tedious,
and sophisticate things, which are worth nothing, if they are but set
off with fine words; God will have it so, that these great Secrets may
not fall into the hands of the Impious. Here, in the fixation of the
Common _Sulphur_ with Lead, and _Arsnick_ with _Jupiter_, _Orpiment_
with _Mars_ and _Venus_, I have spoken openly, and hid nothing, yet I
am certain it will not be taken in hand, partly because of the length
of time required in the fixation, which will deter many from this
work, many who shall read it will not be able to believe, that so
easie a fixation hath been done, because none hath hitherto written
of the like cheap way of Meliorating Metals, nor spoke so plainly as
I have done. Many will take Exceptions at my Person, and say, if it
was true what _Glauber_ writes of the easie fixation of the inferior
Metals, to transmute them into Gold and Silver, he would do it himself,
and thereby make himself rich, and not publish things of so great a
concern. To this I answer, that my great Age, and many weaknesses
will not permit me to take such things in hand, by which nothing but
Worldly Riches are acquired, which sometimes do Men more harm than
good, which I never did nor ever will seek after. If others will do
it, they may. I trouble not my self about the Mammon, but prepare my
self for a happy passage into a more peaceable Life, where there is
no strife nor misery, but everlasting Peace, and everlasting Light
reigns perpetually. But in that I have discovered these great Secrets,
by which those who seek after them, may become very rich, I have done
it out of a good meaning, _viz._ that if many by this shall attain
good means, that some of them at least may assist the poor out of
their abundance. To this end only have I discovered these Lucriferous
Secrets, and not at all to please the Proud and Covetous. But yet
although I have described all plainly without any reserve of the
Manuals thereunto belonging, I am very well satisfied, that God will
keep his hand over it, and will not indifferently give his Blessing to
all in it, but will so dispose it, that his gifts may not be misused.
And therefore I am very well satisfied, that Art will remain Art,
although it be never so clearly laid down before the Eyes of all Men.
To whom God will give it, him I envy not, but wish him Gods Blessing
with it, and earnestly exhort him, that when God hath blessed him, that
he by no means forget the Poor. _Amen._
A
TREATISE
CONCERNING
The Animal-Stone:
OR,
_Of that Animal Matter or Subject which God ingrafted into =Adam=
and =Eve=, as a Divine Portion or Patrimony in Paradise, and
which he still retained after his Fall and Banishment out of
Paradise, brought it with him thence, and after Death took it
along with him to his Grave, or to the Earth from whence he was
taken and made; What kind of Matter properly it is, and in what
manner a true Universal Medicin may be made of it. Faithfully
Translated out of the =High-Dutch=._
The PREFACE.
Curteous READER,
_Having in some of my last Published Writings, and especially in my
Fifth Century, treated of a certain Matter, called by the Ancient
and Modern Philosophers, =The Philosophers Stone=, which Matter they
say, God implanted in the first Man =Adam=, and which after his Fall
and Banishment, he brought with him out of Paradise, and after his
Death, took it along with him to his Grave, without revealing this
Divine Patrimony and Portion to any of his Posterity; so that this
great Treasure continued for some time hidden from the wicked World,
until at length it pleased God to open the Eyes of some honest Men to
know and discern this great Gift of God, which they also made known
to others, though this communication of theirs was of little use to
proud Worldlings, whose Eyes are only fixed upon outward Visibles, not
minding the inward Invisibles. Wherefore none of them could believe,
that so great a Treasure was hid in Sinful Man, as accounting nothing
worthy their esteem, but Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones, and casting
out upon the Dunghill as loathsom and contemptible what is far better
than Gold or Silver._
_And because some of my Enemies have slandered some of my Writings, as
if they contained absurd and impossible things; to the end that none
by their Lies and Slanders may be led aside from the way of truth, I
am resolved to set the Truths I have written in a greater Light, and
palpably to evidence before the whole World, that what I have taught,
=viz.= that a Mineral Aurifying Virtue lies hid in Vegetables and
Animals as well as in Metals, is no absurdity, but a great truth, to
the shame and confusion of my envious Adversaries._
_O thou Eternal Light, without the least mixture of darkness, Creator
and Governor of Heaven and Earth, send down upon me thy holy Spirit,
beam into my Soul a Ray of thy Heavenly Light, that it may enlighten my
Heart, Brain, and Understanding, that I may write nothing but what may
serve to thy Glory, the salvation of my Soul, and the enlightning of
many thousands that wander in the darkness of Error._ Amen.
OF THE
ANIMAL-STONE.
In the Name of the most Holy Trinity, I undertake to communicate and
declare to the dark wicked World, the great Wonder-works of God, and
Mysteries of Nature, and that with so much clearness and evidence as
never hitherto hath been done by any; so as not only the good, and
such as are taught of God, but also the perverse Worldly Learned, or
the most ignorant Rustick may comprehend, understand, and even handle
with their Hands, that I have fundamentally declared and manifested the
Mysteries of God and Nature, to the glory of God, and good of Mankind.
In order to perform the great Work I have undertaken, it is needful
that we know first, what the thing is, we are to seek, and next, where
we are to seek for it. The thing we seek for, is the Philosophers
Stone, which affords the Possessor thereof health of Body, and an
honest plentiful Maintenance. Now forasmuch as most of the Ancient
and Modern Philosophers, a few only excepted, point us to Metals, and
especially to fixt _Sol_ and _Luna_, thence to procure for our selves
this great Treasure, though they handle this matter with so much
obscurity, that amongst an hundred thousand Seekers, scarcely one is
found that attains to his desired End, most of them besides spending
their Goods and Estates in the fruitless pursuit of this hid Treasure;
whereof those in a great measure are guilty who persuade Men that _Sol_
is the Subject of the Philosophers, and that all other matters are
improper and unfit for their Work; But others again inform us, that
this great Treasure may be obtained a nearer, easier, and cheaper way,
without _Sol_ or any other costly Subjects; Concerning which cheap, and
every where to be found, Subjects, I have made mention in some of my
late published Writings, and particularly in my Fifth Century, yet not
so plainly as wholly to expose these Pearls to swine, for them to tread
them under their Feet. And forasmuch as several ignorant and envious
Persons have taken occasion to appear and contradict these my Writings,
as if it were impossible to find Mineral Virtues in Vegetables or
Animals, I am moved to stop the Mouths of these envious and ignorant
Back biters, and to expose them to the Publick shame of the World. I
confess I do not think these Slanderers worthy that I should take any
pains to confute or convince them of their Error, because I am not to
mind what such as they, but what honest Men, and what truth it self,
speaks. But because this demonstration may be of use to undeceive and
inform many Seekers after this Treasure, I suppose I shall do a good
work, in giving this evident testimony to Truth, whereby not only the
Mouths of Slanderers may be stopp’d, but the Eyes of the Deceived may
be opened to discern the Truth.
We proceed then to hear the Verdict of Truth in this Matter, whether
indeed such a Mineral Virtue be hid in Vegetables and Animals, as that
the Philosophers Stone may be prepared of them. And first we will speak
of Man, as being the Noblest of all Gods Creatures, and then proceed to
the four-footed Beasts of the Earth, the Fowls of the Air, Fishes in
the Sea, and all Creeping Things, and last of all to Trees, Plants and
Herbs, to see what the Almighty Power of God hath laid up and hid in
these for the use and welfare of Mankind.
As to Man, the most Excellent part of Gods Creation, whom God made a
Ruler and Governor over all his Creatures in Paradise, we know that he
was made very good, without the want of any thing that might conduce
to his happiness or perfection, which goodness continued in him after
his Fall, though much clouded and veiled. Forasmuch then as God hath
been pleased to lay up in Man this great Treasure, to the end he might
make use of it for his good and perfection, we must conclude, that the
Divine Wisdom hath placed it so, that Man may always have recourse to
it, and take thereof, (without any hurt to his Body) to the glory of
God, and his own good. For had God placed this Treasure in the Flesh or
Blood of Man, he would have been obliged to hurt and weaken his Body by
cutting a piece of his own Flesh, or letting out his Blood, in order
to prepare this great Medicin, which by this means would prove too
dear, so that most Seekers would rather want the Medicin, than attain
it this way. But God, who is the Eternal Wisdom it self, hath not been
guilty of any such oversight in his Works, which are all perfect, and
no fault to be found with them; and if Nature in any of her productions
prove defective, that is not to be attributed to God, but to Satan,
who whilst Man slept sowed the Tares amongst the good Seed, which the
Master of the Houshold had sowed in his Field.
If it be so then, that God hath not laid up this great Treasure in the
Flesh or Blood of Man, we may further enquire, where then we are to
look for it? Certain it is, that God, our Heavenly and Wise Father,
hath laid up this great Treasure in Man, where at all times, without
any let, pains or trouble, he may come at it, and have it for nothing,
_viz._ in the Superfluities of Nature, as Urine, Dung, Hair, Sweat, and
Spittle. I say that in these despicable Excrements and Superfluities of
Nature, God hath laid up a great Portion for Man, which he by reason of
his Pride, blindness and hardness of Heart, cannot see or perceive.
Another Question that may be here demanded, is, In which of these
Excrements this Treasure is most copiously to be found? To which I
answer, that it may be had from any of them, but in the one more
plentifully than in the other, but which is the most fit and proper
for this Work, I dare not plainly set down at present, for fear of
exposing and prostituting this Pearl to the Wicked and Unworthy, which
all honest Philosophers have so highly forbidden. But this I will do,
_viz._ most clearly demonstrate, by many instances, that out of all the
Natural Excrements and Superfluities, whether of four-footed Beasts,
Fishes, Creeping Things and all Vegetables, a Mineral Aurifying Virtue,
that is the Matter of the Philosophers Stone, may be had, and that
without cost and charges in all parts of the World, so that no body,
how mean so ever he be, but may have enough of the matter for nothing,
and needs not by his Poverty be deterred from undertaking this great
Work, that affords Health and Riches to him that can bring it to an
happy end.
I proceed now to those Proofs and Experiments that evidently make
out, that in all things (besides Metals) a Mineral Virtue and Power
is found, whereby the Philosophers Stone may be prepared. I shall
begin first with four-footed Beasts, because I do think it fitting for
several weighty Reasons, at this time to pass by the Mysteries that lie
hid in Man, that they may not be exposed to the Wicked and Unworthy.
Now these Excrements and Superfluities of four-footed Beasts as well as
of Man are different, according to their diverse Passages and Places
of Production, as Urine which makes its passage through the Bladder,
Dung through the Guts, Sweat through the Pores of the Skin, Spittle
through the Mouth, and the Hair or Wooll of Beasts, also through their
Skin or Hide, and accordingly are of different Virtues and Powers. Upon
this account we must conclude, that in the Sweat of Men or Beasts,
there is not so great virtue as there is in Urine, the former being a
suddain and almost instantaneous Generation, whereas the later requires
some hours time before it can pass through its several Chanels, and be
made fit for Natures separation. So likewise is Mans Dung a long while
a passing through the Guts, which in Man and Beasts are much longer
than in Birds or Fishes, to the end that the Dung might be the better
putrified and digested; Thus we find by Experience, that the Dung of
a Stork which passeth only through one short Gut, when it falls upon
the Grass doth presently burn and scorch it, whereas the Dung of Men
and Beasts laid to the Roots of Vegetables, or any way conveyed to the
same, do strengthen and invigorate them, and are indeed the highest
Medicin of Vegetables; as Country Farmers well know, who with the help
of the Dung of Men and other Animals are used to cure their sick,
barren, and overwrought Fields, Vineyards and Orchards, restoring them
to their former strength and fertility. But though simple Rusticks be
very well acquainted with the great virtue and use of Dung, yet our
great Learned Men cannot believe, that in such a despicable Subject
should be lodged such an Excellent Universal Medicin, capable to cure
the Diseases of Men and Metals; and the reason is, because they love
Pride and Idleness too well, will not put their hands to the work,
contenting themselves with what they know already, without searching
into endless Secrets of Nature. For this cause it is, that true Medicin
and Alchimy are advanced to no higher degree of Perfection. _Helmont_
complains of this negligence in Physicians, who leave the preparation
of their Medicins to Apothecaries, declaring, that every Physician who
desires to have good and rightly prepared Medicine must be both Master
and Servant, that is, he must trust the Preparing of his Remedies to
none but himself.
The present Subject I am upon, _viz._ the Excrements of Men and Animals
puts me in mind of a Story relating to _Paracelsus_, which take as
follows.
_A Relation of what happened at =Vienna= between =Paracelsus= and
some of the Imperial-Court Physicians._
_Paracelsus_ being on a time sent for by the Emperor to _Vienna_, to
cure some Persons of high Quality, whom the Imperial Physicians could
not help, having successfully performed the Cures he was sent for,
went to take his Leave of the Physicians, who earnestly intreated him
to leave some of his noble Medicaments with them for a remembrance;
whereupon _Paracelsus_ answer’d, that he would fetch something for
them; The Physicians, supposing he intended to bestow some part of his
prepared Medicins upon them, with impatience expected his return, who
soon after came to them, and set down on the Table before them a Silver
Dish cover’d with another Dish. The Physicians were very desirous
to see what _Paracelsus_ had brought for them; at last one of them
taking off the Cover, found a great Turd in the Dish, at which being
exceedingly enraged, taking for granted that _Paracelsus_ had done this
to affront them, they all departed, and when some call’d them back,
_Paracelsus_ said, Let the Asses go, they do not deserve this great
Secret, which I intended to communicate to them; And then added, He who
doth not know what Mans Dung is, knows nothing, and Heaven and Earth
are equally hid from him. With which words he sufficiently intimated,
that a great virtue is hid in Mans Dung. Thus much shall suffice, by
way of Parenthesis, to have spoken concerning _Paracelsus_ his Opinion
concerning the Superfluities of Nature, and particularly the Excrements
of Man, we proceed now to speak of the Excrements of other Animals, and
in particular of Sheeps Wooll.
_An Experimental Demonstration, that a Mineral Virtue is hid in the
Hair of Beasts._
℞. Of clean Sheeps Wooll iv Ounces, and pour upon it a like quantity
of strong _Aqua Fortis_, abstract this _Aqua Fortis_ wholly in Balneo,
and the _Aqua Fortis_ will dissolve the Wooll, and when abstracted,
will leave behind a stinking Stone of a dark brown colour; afterwards
dissolve in another Glass Body of _Mercury_ j Ounce, and of the finest
_Sol_ iij Ounces, pour these Solutions of _Sol_ and _Mercury_ into the
Glass wherein the dissolved Wool is, then abstract the Menstruum from
the Metals, till nothing remain but a dry Stone in the bottom of the
Glass, take this Stone and put it into a Glass Retort, and distill the
_Mercury_ from the _Sol_ in a strong heat. _N. B._ The _Mercury_ will
not come over quick, but in the form of a Butter of _Mercury_, of great
use for the healing of incurable Venereal Ulcers. If you pour some
Water upon the said Butter, it will precipitate the _Mercury_ in form
of a white Powder, which being edulcorated and dried, is a good Purge
in Venereal Distempers. But if you rectifie this Butter, and then pour
it upon a pure Calx of _Sol_, the Butter will dissolve the _Sol_, and
being afterwards digested for some time, the _Mercury_ by means of the
Saline Spirits of the Wool will be fixed with the _Sol_ into a Stone,
with it make a trial upon Metals, to see what it can do, and thou wilt
find thy Labour richly rewarded; but if thou canst not hit it, then
think, that it is not the will of God thou shouldst have it, and do not
blame me, who have set down nothing but what I have performed my self.
Now let us see what course we must take to recover our _Sol_; break the
Retort, and take what was left at the bottom of it, which thou wilt
find black as a Coal, in which black matter thou must look for thy iij
Ounces of _Sol_, forasmuch as the Butter has carried but very little
of the _Sol_ over with it, which thou may’st separate from the black
matter, as follows.
Melt good _Nitre_ in a strong Crucible, and when it is in Flux, cast
into it one piece of your black Matter after another, and the _Nitre_
will burn away the _Sulphur_ contained in the said Coals or black
Matter, and the _Sol_ melts down into a Body, pour forth the _Nitre_
together with the Golden _Regulus_ out of the Crucible into a Cone,
and the _Sol_ will settle at the bottom in form of a _Regulus_, which,
when separated from the _fæces_, appears snow-white and brittle, much
resembling a _Regulus_ of _Antimony_; the _fæces_ are of a red colour,
and contain much good. This white _Sol_ being expos’d upon the _Cupel_
with _Saturn_ to a fiery trial, a third part only of the _Sol_ will be
found remaining of the colour of good _Sol_, two parts being vapour’d
away. The Question is now, What that white colour was, which evaporated
on the Test? If thou say’st, that the Coals of the Wool, with the
help of the _Nitre_, have rob’d the _Sol_ of its colour, thou art not
altogether out of the way, nor wholly in the right. If thou say’st,
that there is no Mineral Virtue in the Wool, but that the _Sol_ became
white by the addition of _Mercury_, thou art not wholly out of the
way neither; but this is not to be understood of the Common _Mercury_
added to the _Sol_, but of the _Mercury_ contained in the Wool, which
has joined it self with the _Sol_; for Common _Mercury_ cannot abide
with _Sol_ in a strong melting Fire, but flies away, leaving the _Sol_
alone, as is well known to Chymists. If thou say’st, that there is a
Mercurial Virtue in the Wool, which within a few hours so changeth
the Common _Mercury_, that it is able to abide a melting Fire with
_Sol_, then it will follow, that by means of the _Salt_ which is in
Wool any Common _Mercury_ may in a short time be made capable of
enduring not only a melting Fire, but the _Cupel_ also. This I suppose
is a plain and evident demonstration, that there is a Mineral Virtue
in Animals, and especially in the Superfluities of Nature, which we
will now proceed to demonstrate with another Experiment. Now if the
Superfluities of Animals are able to do this, have we not reason to
conclude, that the right Superfluity of the Microcosme will do the same
much better?
_Another Experiment to demonstrate, that a Mineral =Mercury= and
=Sulphur= is contained in the Superfluities of Animals._
℞. Of filed or rasped Horns of Sheep, Oxen, Goats and Deer, but Harts
and Goats Horns are the best, and the Horns of Wild Goats, and the
Tusks of Wild Swine yet better; and the Horns of Fishes, which are
commonly called Unicorns Horns, and the Elephants Teeth are the best of
all for this purpose; but where these cannot be had, the Experiment may
be performed with Goats or Harts-Horn. Dissolve ij Ounces or iij of
either of these in a good _Aqua Fortis_ which has been abstracted from
decrepitated _Salt_, into this Solution put j Ounce of _Sol_, abstract
in a Glass Body the _Aqua Fortis_ from the Horn, in which abstraction
the _Sol_ becomes dissolved, and a brown Stone is left behind, which
must be melted down in a cover’d and well luted Crucible with a
blast, by which means the Horn will be turned into black _fæces_,
and the _Sol_ will fall white to the bottom, brittle as a _Regulus_
of _Antimony_; from whence it follows, since this brittleness and
whiteness of the _Sol_ could not be caused by the _Aqua Fortis_, that
the same must be attributed to the white _Mercury_ and _Sulphur_ drawn
from the Horns. Whereby it clearly appears, that a Mineral force and
virtue is hid in the Horns of Animals. What I have said concerning the
covering of the Crucible with another, and well luting them together,
is not without reason, for if the Crucible should be set open in the
Fire, and continue there for some time, the _Sulphur_ of the Horns
would be kindled and consumed, and the _Mercury_ would be revivified
and fly away, and the _Sol_ would remain unalter’d. For it is to be
noted, that the Mineral _Mercury_ and the _Sulphur_ of the Horns are
very tender and volatile, and are soon lost when the operation is not
performed, as before hinted, in a close luted Crucible. This Experiment
may be done in like manner, with the Superfluities of Fishes, _viz._
their Skales, Teeth, and the Stones or Bones that are found in several
of them, and the effect will be found the same as before mentioned.
The same may also be performed, with the Feathers and Egg-shells of
tame and wild Fowl. _N. B._ Egg-shells are dissolved with more ease
than Feathers. ℞. The Egg-shells of Hens, Geese, or other Fowl, wash
them clean, taking out the inward skin or film, then dry them, and
abstract from them a Solution of ☉, and melt the remainder in a close
covered Crucible, and you will find the same effect, as before.
If you have a mind to make the same Tryal with Vegetables, then take
_Tartar_ which is fitter for this purpose, than either the Wine it
self, or the Wood of the Vine, instead of _Tartar_ of Wine, you may
take the _Tartar_ that cleaves to the Vessels, wherein the juice of
Crabs hath been keep, or the juices of any other sowr Fruit, or instead
of _Tartar_ we may take the Grounds of Wine, first dried. ℞. Any one
of these, and abstract from it a Solution of ☉, melt the remainder as
before in a close luted Crucible, and the ☉ will be found white and
brittle, like to a _Regulus_ of ♁ at the bottom.
From these Experiments it appears, as clear as the day, that a Mineral
Virtue is hid in all things: Yet for more abundant Confirmation of
this Truth I shall add some further Instances. The same proof may be
done with dry or moist Herbs, or Wood, proceeding in the same manner
as before hath been taught, with Wool, and we shall find the same
effect. In particular, all sort of Corn, Rye, Wheat _&c._ afford a very
good Tinture, they must be dissolved, and proceeded with as before
mentioned, concerning the superfluities of Animals. If therefore
Mineral Powers may be found in all Vegetables and Animals, on which Man
feeds, and hath his growth and Sustenance, how can it be denied, but
that the same Power must needs be in Man also? Wherefore it is beyond
all doubt, that every Man carries the matter of the Philosophers-Stone
(tho’ raw and unprepared) about with him.
To make this Truth to appear, with fuller and clearer Evidence, I am
minded to give the ignorant a sensible Demonstration, that (without
mentioning the right Subject of the Philosophers-stone) an universal
Medicine for Men and Metals, may be had alone from the despicable and
abominable Subject of Mans-dung.
℞. Six, eight or ten ℔ of some healthy Mans-dung, (it must be gathered
without any mixture of Urin) and put it into a Glass-body, and pour
upon it about the same quantity of rectified Spirit of Wine, stir
them with a stick together, set the Glass, with a head fitted to it
in _Balneo_, and abstract the Spirit of Wine, which has extracted
the Mineral 🜍 and ☿ that was in the Dung, and brings it over the
Helm: Which stincking Spirit of Wine must be burnt away under a large
Refrigeratory Helm, by which means the stincking 🜍 of the Dung is
consumed in the Flames of the Spirit of Wine, and the incombustible
Mercurial _Salt_ mounts up in the Flames to the top of the Helm, where
it is caught, and is a great Jewel in Physick and Alchimy. If we have
a mind rather to have our Celestial _Salt_ in a dry Form, then we must
abstract the Phlegm from it: Tho’ if we intend it for a Medicinal, it
is better not to abstract the Phlegm (which is not wholly without some
Virtue) but use them together. But if our intent be to make use of this
incombustible Mercurial _Salt_, in order to _Metallick_ Transmutation,
then we must separate its Moisture, and mix the said Microcosmical
_Salt_ with ☉, and maturate the same to a _Metalline_ Tincture. In a
Liquid Form, the said Celestial _Salt_ is an excellent Medicine for
sick and weak People, as having great Sympathy with the Vital Spirit of
Man, wonderfully strengthening the same, and in all Diseases performs
whatsoever can be expected from an Universal Medicine; and is not in
the least loathsome, being purged from all Stinck and ill Taste, by the
Flames of the Spirit of Wine.
This _Aqua Vitæ_ of the Philosophers performs also very wonderful
things in the Vegetable Kingdom, for if the Seeds of any Herb be
steeped for an hour in the same, and then laid upon a Trencher, or any
board at some distance from one another, and covered over a Fingers
breadth with Earth or Sand, being then exposed to the warm Sun, the
Seeds immediately will begin to shoot and grow, even visibly to the
Eye, which is very pleasant and curious. But those Seeds which are
soft, are more proper for their speedy growth, than those that are
hard: The Seeds of Parsley, Cresses, Fennel and Annis, which abound
with much Volatile _Salt_, are the best for this Purpose. So that we
see, that this Medicine prepared of Mans-dung is truly Universal, as
curing the Diseases of all the three Kingdoms, _viz._ of Animals,
Vegetables and Minerals. Wherefore if any one can find in his heart, to
work upon this loathsome Subject, he will need no other, for that all
lies hid in it, which gave one of the Ancients occasion to say,
_Laudat Præsentem quælibet Herba Deum._
_Each Herb from Earth its head doth raise,
Its present glorious God to praise._
I cannot, but repeat this great Truth once more, that the highest
Medicine in the World is most commonly to be found in the most
despicable Subjects, God having ordered it so, for to make known his
Almighty Power; and that he regards the Welfare of the Poor, as well
as of the Rich, willing that all should be helped and relieved, who
do not by their own Pride, Laziness and Wickedness withstand so great
Love and Mercy. Had Gods Will been to communicate this Treasure only
to the Proud, Rich and Covetous, he would have laid up the same in
☉ and precious Stones, which the Poor cannot go to the Price of, but
behold we find to the contrary, that God hath been pleased to hide this
Treasure in such despicable and loathsome Subjects, as the Rich do
scorn to meddle with, by which means a Door is opened to the Poor, to
obtain that which, they reject and despise.
But to return to our Subject, and yet further to Evidence, that a
_Metallick_ Virtue is hid in Mans-dung, (tho’ it be not the true
Subject, which the Philosophers point at in Man) and that much good
may be done with it, as containing a very glorious 🜍 and ☿, I will add
this Experiment, lay a Piece of Silver into a Chamber-Pot, wherein
is Dung and Urine, let it lye there for some time, and the ☽ will
attract the 🜍 or Animal Gold, that is in the Dung and Urine, and
become colour’d like ☉, which is a sufficient Demonstration, that
the matter of the Stone is hid in those Subjects. And forasmuch as
it is notorious, that 🜍 is the Agent and ☿ the Patient: And that the
🜍 alone tingeth, and that ☿ is only tinged: Wherefore it behoves us
to fix the 🜍, whereby it is fitted to tinge the ☿, bind and fix it:
Which to bring about, much searching has been in the World, and still
is, tho’ for the most part all in vain, very few Seekers going the
right way, and therefore mist of their End, tho’ in their Search they
have found many Arts, some good and others as bad. So we read, that
one _Bartholdus Schwartz_ a Benedictin Fryar having found in an old
Book, that 🜍, the Father of Tincture, may be fixed with _Saltpetre_,
was resolved to make a Tryal of it, but to no purpose, for the 🜍 and
_Nitre_ being kindled by the Fire, broke his Vessels, Furnace and all
to pieces, whence he took occasion to consider further of the Matter,
and invented that mischievous thing called Gun-powder, tho’ he fail’d
of his fixing of 🜍: The Ancient Philosophers, many Ages ago, were not
ignorant of that Composition, but would not Communicate the same for
Fear of the abuse thereof: And called it a _Basilisk_, because it kills
all things it looks upon. Others have set forth _Nitre_ and 🜍 under the
Notion of a watchful, never sleeping, and Fire-spitting Dragon, that
guarded the Golden _Fleece_, which _Jason_ by _Medeas_ direction and
Counsel cast into a deep Sleep, and so took away the Golden _Fleece_.
_Medea_ signifies diligent Study and Meditation, _Jason_ the Artist,
or Laborator, the Soporiferous Medicine given to the Dragon, the due
Fixation of the Matter. Another Benedictin Fryar, _Basil Valentine_,
had better Success in fixing 🜍 with the help of _Nitre_; which Fixation
he hath recorded in his Writings, where he makes _Saltpetre_ to speak
thus: 🜍 _is my best Friend, and withal my greatest Enemy, but when
we are duely conjoyned, and made our Marriage Bed in Hell, after we
have well sweat together, we cast off all our Impurities, for to beget
Children of Wealth and Riches; and in our dead Bodies is found the
greatest Treasure, which we bequeath by our last Will_. These are the
Words of _Basil Valentine_, wherein he exactly and plainly describes
the true Fixation of 🜍, save only that he hath not named the Medicine
wherewith the watchful Dragon is to be cast into a dead Sleep, and
that for good Reason, because the whole Art and Master piece of fixing
🜍 with _Nitre_ consists therein. And _Paracelsus_ writing concerning
🜍 saith: _Here with few words many may be helped, were it not against
God, for God wills not that all should be Rich, and therefore doth not
give the Goat as long a Tail, as to a Cow, for fear he should out of
Pride beat out his own Eyes therewith: For when a poor Man grows Rich,
it commonly makes him Proud, and as sharp as a Razor to others_. These
are the Words of _Paracelsus_, wherein he declares a great Truth, for
God will not have all Men to be Rich, because of the great abuse of
Riches, which is too common in the World. But to those, who are dead to
the World, and look upon Riches, Money and Goods, as Dust and Smoak,
and are Enemies to all sin and wickedness, to these God gives more than
themselves desire or wish for, because he knows they will not abuse
his Gifts. And so much shall suffice at this time, for my design is
not at present to treat of the Fixation of 🜍, which I have elsewhere
done at large, but only to prove and make out, that the Matter of the
Philosophers-stone is to be found in all things in the World, which I
think I have done already. Will any make a Tryal, and undertake the
Work, ’tis free for him so to do, I have in this Discourse pointed out
the right way, tho’ I have not revealed the right Matter: But if what I
have here set down be well considered of, by the ingenious Seeker, it
cannot be long hid from him: Farewel.
_A Corollary: Or, Appendix to the foregoing Discourse._
I have in this short Treatise abundantly shewed and verified, that
in all Vegetables and Animals, a mineral Virtue lies hid, which is
able to Coagulate ☿ in Conjunction with ☉, into a Metal: And that I
may be further helpful to the Lovers of Art, I intend here to deliver
the whole manner, and Process of fixing ☿, by Excrements and natural
Superfluities, to the end that every one, who reads and considers of
it, may with ease attain to a true Tincture. In order to which, I am
first to put the Reader in mind, what I have already hinted, that as
these Superfluities of Nature, are different and various, so some of
them are better for the fixing of ☿ than others: The best of all being,
that which _Adam_ brought out of Paradise, as a Childs Portion God had
bestowed upon him, which I dare not name openly, but shall only set
down here, how this Fixation of ☿ may be performed by means of the
Superfluities of Animals.
I have, in the foregoing Discourse, declared the manner of Coagulating
☿ with the Wool, or Hair of Animals, so as to suffer himself to be
fluxed with ☉ in a strong Fire, without evaporating, only to shew the
possibility of it. But now shall set down, how the said Fixation may
with Profit be performed, by means of an Animal _Salt Armoniack_.
For certain it is, that in Man and all Animals, such a Secret _Sal
Armoniack_ is to be found, especially in Urine, Hair, Claws, Horns,
Skins, _&c._ as also in the Blood, sweat and spittle of Man, which is
of force to coagulate and fix _Mercury_.
_N. B._ The fasting Spittle of Man Coagulates running ☿, being stirred
about with a Pestle in a Glass, or Stone Mortar, and so is made fit
with Hogs-grease to be made into a Salve. Now after that common ☿ is
thus Coagulated with fasting Spittle, if we mix it with Oyl or Butter,
to make a Salve of it, we shall find that the ☿ will not unite with the
same, but runs together and becomes quick as before, and only suffers
it self to be joyned with melted Hogs-grease, but with the fat of no
other Animal whatsoever; the Reason without doubt is, because Swine
have a great affinity with Man and Metals. Thus we find, that Mans and
Swines Blood have this Property, that if the _Calx_ of ♄ be for some
time boyled in either of them, the ♄ becomes white and hard like ☽; the
Reason of which the Reader may be pleased further to enquire into. Mans
Urine also has this Nature and Property, that at one only Sublimation
it so Coagulates ☿, that when ♀ is rubbed over with it, it looks as
well as if it were Silvered over. And the sweat of Man is partaker of
the same Property, of Coagulating and Metallizing ☿, so likewise the
Excrements of Man and Beasts, _&c._ But nothing does it more readily
than Mans fasting Spittle, wherefore also _Albertus Magnus_ saith,
that the highest Mineral Power hath its Seat in the Head of Man, and
especially between his Teeth, he himself having found, oblong Grains
of ☉, between the Teeth of a dead Mans Skull; ’tis very probable, that
the Person, to whom the same belonged, had taken ☿ inwardly, which
naturally tending to the Mouth and Teeth, had been fixed there by the
Mineral Virtue of the Microcosm into good ☉. Now if we see this happen
thus in the Body of Man, what reason have we to doubt, but that the
same Mineral Virtue may, without the Body of Man, not only fix ☿ into
good ☉, but also reduce it to a true and perfect Tincture. Forasmuch
then, as this is not only possible, but certain and unquestionable, I
having wrought it with mine own hands, and knowing many other easie
ways, by means of the natural Superfluities of Animals, to Coagulate
and fix ☿, I am the rather inclined to Communicate the same to the
World.
I will therefore in the name of God, for the good of Mankind,
Communicate the way and Process, I my self at first made use of to
Coagulate ☿, and that entirely from the Beginning to the End, and
very plainly, not concealing any the least manual Operations. If any
one from this Process here set down, chances, to find out a nearer
and better way, I shall be glad of it, we know it is much easier, to
correct and meliorate a thing already invented, than to invent it. What
I here set down my own hands have wrought, what I have never done or
tryed I cannot write, but leave it to those, who are further advanced
herein than my self.
_A PROCESS._
To fix ☿, by means of natural Superfluities into a true Tincture.
℞. Eight Ounces of Wool, Goats hair, filed Goats or Harts-horn,
_&c._ dissolve any of these in a strong _Aqua Fortis_, at the same
time dissolve, in an _Aqua Fortis_, that has been abstracted from
decrepitated _Salt_, an Ounce of fine ☉, and two Ounces of ☿ in
common _Aqua Fortis_, pour all these three Solutions together into a
Glass Body, and abstract all the _Aqua Fortis_ from the ☉ and ☿; this
abstracted stincking Water pour again upon that, which remains in the
Glass, and distil it off, repeat this Cohobation six or seven times,
and the ☿ by this means will become united, and joyned to the ☉. This
Conjunction put into a Glass Retort, and with a strong Fire drive the
☿ from the ☉, which will come over in the form of a thick red Butter,
for the ☿ being so far fixed with the ☉, will not without great force
be separated from it, especially when the Operator hath made use of
a strong fixing Water, or _Menstruum_: However, by the violence of
the Fire, he is at length forced to quit the ☉, in which Separation
he carries the Soul of ☉ over with him, which makes the _Mercurial_
Butter to be of a red Colour; which _Mercurial_ Butter, or Water
being rectified doth dissolve ☉, and with it may be fixed into a true
Tincture.
_N. B._ This _Solar_ Butter may be another way without ☉ be fixed into
a Tincture, not necessary to be set down here. He that hath a List
to the work may begin with the Fixation, that is performed with the
help of ☉. The ☉ and ☿ that remains in the Retort, may be recovered,
as follows hereafter; for certain it is, that much of the ☿ in this
Operation continues with the ☉, the Violence of the Fire having been
unable to separate it, tho’ it may indeed be done another way, whereby
we are experimentally assured, that Animals have power so to bind the
winged Youngster, as to fix him with ☉ into perfect Tincture, which
Fixation would be easie, if the Horns and Hair of Animals did not for
the most part turn to Coals which do much hinder Fixation: For when the
_Solar_ Butter is by the force of Fire driven from the ☉, the Coals
of the Hair stay behind with the Fire of ☉ and ☿: Which Coals may
either, like other Coals, by means of our wonderful _Salt_ be fixed
into Tincture, for the ☉ and half fixed ☿ do not hinder, but rather
further and help Fixation: Or else, we may joyn to these Coals, a due
Proportion of good _Nitre_, and so make of them the always watchful,
and Fire-spitting Dragon, and with the help of the _Narcotick_ 🜍 of
♂ and ♀ cast him in to a dead Sleep, kill and fix him into Tincture.
For we must know, that this Animal 🜍 is incomparably better, than any
Mineral or Vegetable 🜍 of Stone, or Wood-Coal. Or else with the help
of a fulminating Powder, we may separate the half fixt ☿, from the
half disanimated ☉, by which means the _Nitre_ kindles the Animal 🜍
and consumes it, and then the ☿ being freed from the Bands of 🜍 must
come over, carrying over with it the yet remaining Soul or Tincture of
☉, which the ☿ in the Preparation of the _Solar_ Butter did not bring
over: Thus the ☉ becomes more disanimated, and the ☿ (which comes over
of a fair Purple Colour) becomes the more richly animated, which Purple
coloured ☿ impregnate with the Soul of ☉, may either by it self, be
fixed into Tincture, or we may extract the Tincture with the Spirit of
Wine, and make use of it as an inestimable Treasure in Physick. But
the best way is, with our wonderful _Salt_, to fix these Animal Coals
impregnate with ☉ and ☿ like other Wood-Coals into a tinging Carbuncle.
_N. B._ This wonderful _Salt_ must be prepared of Oyl of _Vitriol_
and _Nitre_. This is the way I have followed to Coagulate ☿ with ☉,
by means of Animal Superfluities. I must own that it is a troublesome
Work, especially because of the Stincks, one is obliged to take in.
Some Philosophers indeed make mention of a nearer and easier way to
obtain an Universal Medicine from Animals: Wherefore he that doth not
like the Process, may seek for a better, which if he chanceth to light
on, he has reason to bless God therefore, whose Gift alone it is.
_A PROCESS, To Sublime the Coals of =Sol=, =Mercury= and Animal
=Sulphur= into Purple coloured Flowers, with the help of a
fulminating Powder._
Set a well luted Glass, or earthen Body, in a subliming Furnace
till it be red hot, then cast in so much _Nitre_ as you think will
be sufficient to kindle thy Coals with, and consume them, to which
purpose, thou mayst put three times as much _Nitre_, as the quantity
of thy Coals is. When thou seest that the _Nitre_ is red hot and in
Flux, then cast in upon the _Nitre_ a piece of thy Coals as big as a
Haslel Nut, and the _Nitre_ will immediately kindle the 🜍 and consume
it, and by this means set the ☿ free; for in the burning away of the 🜍,
the ☿ is forced to leave the ☉, as not being able to endure so strong
a Fulmination: And having by means of the Animal 🜍, so intimately
united with the ☉, as to be very hardly separable, but yet by the force
of the _Fulmen_ being fain to leave it, he in his flight takes the
Heart of ☉ along with him, and brings it over in the form of a purple
Sublimate, which with the Oyl of _Vitriol_ (but much better by means
of the universal Coagulator) may easily be fixed into a Tincture. This
throwing of the Animal Coals upon the _Nitre_, thou must continue till
all thy Coals be consumed, and so thou wilt obtain a ☿ impregnated and
tinged with the Soul of ☉, and the ☉ remains of a white Colour, being
disanimated by the _Nitre_.
_N. B._ As oft as you cast a piece of your Coals into the Vessel where
the _Nitre_ in Flux is, you must immediately clap on the Head again,
that the ☿ may not fly away, but be caught therein. For the said ☿ is a
great Treasure, and may easily be fixed into a fusible Tincture. Thus
you have the whole Process, how by means of Animal superfluities I have
handled ☿ with ☉, and what hath been the Success of it: He who shall
venture to set upon this Work and finish it, will find much more than I
durst set down here.
The nearest and easiest way to fix these _Solar_, _Mercurial_ Animal
Coals into a Tincture, according to my Judgment is, First to fix the
said Coals, by means of a Fixative _Sal Mirabile_: Or else, to mix them
with a Volatilizing _Sal Mirabile_, and by Retort distil from them a
good graduating Water; we may also add to these Animal Coals such a
Fixative water, as is employed to kill and fix the watchful Dragon or
_Basilisk_. Every one may choose of these several ways, what pleaseth
best: And if any thing by reason of the shortness of time hath been
omitted here, the same will be discovered to the Laborator in his
Work, if God does not hinder it, whose Blessing is all in all. _Thomas
Aquinas_ had the Art in twenty four hours time, to prepare an universal
Medicine from natural Superfluities alone, without any Addition of ☉
or ☿, without Charges, Labour or Trouble, without breaking of Glasses,
and without taking in any loathsome Smells. So likewise _Avicenna_,
_Albertus Magnus_, _Rhasis_, _Petrus Bonus_, _Joannes Lancinius
Rupescissa_, had a much nearer and shorter way, than here we have
described, as appears abundantly by their Writings. These Authors
took their Subject and putrified it in Horse-dung, and then with the
Element of Fire, they fixed the ☿ with the ☉ into a Tincture, in which
Labour they were much troubled with the loathsome smell of the Matter.
_Morienus_ tells us, that the Matter when in Putrefaction, sends
forth a stinck like to that which proceeds from Graves, for indeed
there is nothing in Man, which doth not stink extreamly, when brought
to Solution or Putrefaction. When we dissolve these Animal Matters
with Oyl of _Vitriol_, this stink is not so great, as when they are
dissolved with _Aqua Fortis_, the same also may be said of Spirit of
Salt, when ☉, ☿ and Wool are dissolved in the same, and besides doth
more Volatilize the ☉ in order to Sublimation, or Fulmination than
_Aqua Fortis_ doth. If instead of the Common ☿ we take a ☿ of ♁ for
this Work, it will in Fulmination carry more of the Tincture of ☉ over,
and the purple Flowers proceeding thence, are much more readily fixed
by the universal Coagulator, than those that are made with the Common ☿.
What this universal Coagulator is, I have elsewhere declared, the great
use of it is very evident, in that volatile Tinctures can hardly be
fixed without it: For this Coagulator makes all volatile Corrosive
_Metalline_ Spirits fix so as to be able to endure the Fire, which
without it require a long time. And therefore, he who doth not know
it, or the use of it, must needs find the fixing of volatile Spirits
very tedious and troublesome, whereas those that know the use of it,
may perform more as to the fixing of Tinctures in three days time,
than others without it can do in a whole Year. For there is nothing
in Nature so Volatile, which this Coagulator doth not fix, as _Turba_
testifies, saying that if God had not created our _Sal Armoniack_,
all Chymical Labour would be in vain. Which indeed is the very Truth:
For without a good _Sal Armoniack_ it is impossible to extract the
Tinctures from Metals and Stones, or to purifie and subtilize them
to the highest Degree; and without preceeding Subtilizing, there can
be no ingress into compact Bodies: For the more that any Tincture is
Subtiliz’d and Volatiliz’d, the more readily, after Fixation, doth it
enter all hard and compact Bodies. Wherefore if God had not created
this Coagulator, these volatile Tinctures, how high soever they might
be in Colour, would be of no use for the Transmutation of Metals. Thus
we find, that in _Alchimy_ these two principal Keys are extremely
necessary: The first opens, makes Volatile, and Purifies and gives
Ingress; the other binds and fixeth the Volatile, so as to make it
endure the Fire, without which Fixation all Volatilization is in vain.
O the Pains that I have formerly taken for to fix ☿, ☉, 🜍 and other
such like Volatile Metalline Spirits, whereas now it is most easie
for me to do all this, and much more, with the help of my universal
Coagulator, the knowledge and discovery of which must be fetched from
the Principal Agent, or secret Fire of the Wise Men.
I cannot upon this occasion pass by discovering another Property that
is found in our Animal Subject, _viz._ that it can in one distillation
resolve all Metals, none excepted, into a running _Mercury_, which is
a thing very wonderful, that fixt Gold and Silver should be so easily
reducible to Volatile _Mercury_, seeing their Bodies are by nature kept
in such strong bands. Of which Reduction of Metals to quick _Mercury_,
no Person hath writ more clearly than _Basil Valentine_. The Ancient
Philosophers have indeed writ much concerning the volatilizing of fixt
Metals, but did never declare, that, by this Volatilization, they
understood a reduction of them to running _Mercury_, for which reason
this Art also hath been so little known. The Ancient Philosophers have
recommended this volatilizing and fixing of Metals to us in these
following Verses.
_Fixum si solvas, faciasque volare solutum,
Et volucrem figas, faciet te vivere tutum._
Dissolve the fixt, and make it then to fly,
And fix the Fledge, and thou shalt dwell on high.
With these few words the Philosophers have declared their whole Work,
but without any further explaining of them; so that the manner of
compendiously volatilizing and fixing of Metals has been left in the
dark. But because the end of this wicked World draws nigh, God is
pleased to reveal these Secrets to some of his Chosen, which Talent
mercifully bestowed upon me, that I might not be guilty of concealing,
I have in the Seventh Part of my _Prosperity of Germany_ at large set
down the way to Meliorate the meaner Metals, with the help of Animal
Salt Spirits, and that so plainly, that every one may understand it,
and the Poor (if they will put their hands to the Work) may have
abundantly wherewith to maintain themselves.
Moreover these Superfluities of Nature are endued with this power
and property, that in one days time they can destroy fixt Gold, that
resists all the Elements, so as to be no more _Sol_, but will suffer
it self to be melted into a green fusible Stone, which is of wonderful
force and virtue in all Metallick Operations, of which it is not
needful to speak more at present. If God thinks fit to bestow this
Green Stone upon thee, he will not suffer thee to be ignorant what
use may be made of it. I cannot, upon this occasion, but communicate
something that is very wonderful. As I was on a time melting some
of this Green Stone in a Crucible, it happened to run through the
Crucible into the Furnace, where some Silver was run out a little
before, with which the Green Lion joyn’d himself; and when I came
by fusion to separate my _Luna_ from the Green _Sol_ Stone, or my
destroyed _Sol_, I found that my Green Stone had never been throughly
united with my _Luna_, the Stone continuing still green without any
the least alteration, but my _Luna_ was become black and brittle like
_Antimony_, and went away upon the _Cupel_. Now, what more wonderful
change can be imagin’d than to see white fixt _Luna_ changed into black
volatile Lead? Upon occasion of this wonderful Transmutation one of
the Philosophers cries out, as struck with admiration; _Nunquid Natura
Retrograda?_ What is Nature then turn’d Retrograde? Mind well this
point, consider of it, and you will discover wonders; for when _Sol_ is
so far destroyed as to be no longer _Sol_, then the greatest wonders
may be accomplish’d by it. Yet know, that it is no easie matter so to
destroy _Sol_, that it shall be _Sol_ no more; the Ancient Philosophers
unanimously declaring, than it is easier to make Gold, than to destroy
it.
_N. B._ This Green Gold-Stone being kept for some time in the Fire,
becomes changed to a red colour, which is also of great use, he who
desires to know more of it, may seek for it, as my self and others have
been fain to do.
_N. B._ The _Salt_ of the greater World (I mean Common _Salt_) changeth
the Metals that lie in it for a long time, into a hard Stone, as
appears from this instance; Some Fishermen here in _Holland_, lately
took up from the bottom of the Sea some Blocks of _English_ Tin, whose
outside was turn’d to perfect Stone, the inmost part of them still
remaining Tin; Who knows, how many hundred years this Tin had lain at
the bottom of the Sea, before this change was made; but if the Sea
_Salt_ of the greater World can perform this in a long time, the Sea
_Salt_ of the lesser World can destroy Metals in a very short time, for
our Animal _Salt_ can do more in a few hours time, than the Sea _Salt_
of the Macrocosme can do in an 100 years.
Wherefore I recommend to the Lovers of this Art to study the nature
of _Salts_ and their use, if they intend to perform any thing
Extraordinary either in Physick or Alchimy.
_N. B._ The _Salt_ of the Microcosme hath also this property, that when
it is put into _Aqua Fortis_ it not only dissolves _Sol_ but _Luna_
also, and is an excellent way to extract the Gold and Silver that is in
Sand and Stones, concerning which Extraction I treat at large in the
Seventh Part of the _Prosperity of Germany_.
_N. B._ Another virtue of this Microcosmical _Salt_ is, that it
extracts the Tincture of Gold, and leaves the Body thereof white. And
if we afterwards take this impregnate _Salt_, and extract the Tincture
of Gold from it with Spirit of Wine, and burn away the said Spirit
under a Refrigeratory Helm or Head, then the Celestial Salt, or the
Water of Life of the Philosophers, will be conveyed into the Glass
Receivers, and is very sweet and pleasant, but withal so subtil and
volatile, that the Air attracts and snatcheth it away, if it be not
immediately pour’d out of the recipients, and carefully kept in a close
stopt Glass.
_N. B._ At the bottom of the Cup or Dish wherein the Spirit of Wine,
impregnate with the Tincture of Gold, hath been kindled and burnt
away, you will find the Tincture of Gold in the form of a Blood-red,
pleasant, fragrant, Aromatical Oil, which is true living _Sol_, and
never stands still, but is in continual motion, perpetually changing
from one form to another. In a word, it is the true living _Sol_ of the
Philosophers, which by Art is made of Common Gold, that is dead, which
Living Philosophick Gold, fragrant Dragons Blood, Incombustible Oil,
and true Potable Gold is without doubt the highest Medicin that is in
the World.
_N. B._ In the foresaid manner we may also extract the Tinctures
from _Mars_ and _Venus_, as also from _Antimony_ and _Sulphur_, and
with the assistance of the flame of Spirit of Wine maturate them
into most lovely, fragrant, incombustible Tinctures. For by means of
our Microcosmical _Salt_ all Metals and Minerals may be reduc’d to
Potability, without the help of any Corrosive, in which state they
are the most powerful Medicaments imaginable, to which the very best
Remedies of the Galenists are not in the least to be compared. But no
Man ever attained these Secrets that was afraid to smut his Hands with
Coals, or that was not earnest in his Prayers to God for the discovery
of these wonders; their Silk Clothes, Velvet Coats, Artificial Cant,
and vain Aristotelical Philosophy, cannot produce any shell effects,
but the Fire alone which is the effecter and displayer of Wonders.
Wherefore no Man can come to be a true Philosopher save only by Fire,
which alone hath the power to remove that which is evil, and to
manifest and bring to light the inward concealed Good, which is true in
an Earthly as well as Heavenly sense. I repeat it once more, that he,
who doth not know Fire, and its hidden Divine Virtue and Operation, is
a pitiful Philosopher, and doth not at all deserve that Title, for the
Light is hid from him, and consequently all Nature appears vail’d and
dark to him; which matter I have treated of at large in my _Celestial
and Terrestrial Purgatory_.
Besides all that hath been said already, many other great, yea
incredible, things may be performed with the help of Animal Excrements
and Superfluities, and in particular the extraction of Silver and Gold
out of Sand, Stone and Poor Oar, that is not worth the melting, as
shall be at large declared in the Seventh Part of my _Prosperity of
Germany_.
It may be said with truth, that never yet did any Man find out all the
Virtues that are contained in thefts Superfluities of Nature, they
being indeed greater than can be believed, which is the reason, why the
Philosophers would never call these contemptible and loathsom Subjects
by their own names, but have covered and concealed them under Metaphors
and Allegories, that the great secrets contained in them might not be
prostituted to the Proud unworthy World.
I do intend, God willing, with the first occasion to treat more at
large concerning the nature and use of these Animal Superfluities in
the Seventh Part of the _Prosperity of Germany_, where I shall, amongst
other things, demonstrate, that these Superfluities of Nature are not
only able to exalt _Sol_ and _Luna_ in their colours, but also to
augment them to infinity in quantity and quality; I shall also plainly
discover the way, how from Sand and Stone and the meanest of Metals,
Gold and Silver may be extracted, so that every one, that is but little
acquainted with the managing of Fire, may, with little charges in his
own House, entertain and keep going a profitable and rich Mine of Gold
and Silver, for the comfortable support of himself and family, to which
God be pleased to grant his Grace and Blessing. _Amen._
THE
INDEX.
In which _P_, with the Addition of 1, 2, or 3, signifies the first,
second, or third Part; _a_ the first Column of the Page, _b_ the
Second Column; and where neither _a_ nor _b_ occurs to the number
of the page, the matter is obvious in that page by the Contents, or
otherwise by the matter being treated of in all, or the greatest part
of the page.
A
Acetum _of Philosophers, like to their_ Sal-Armoniak, _both having
their rise from Common Salt_, Part 3. page 33. b.
Adam _brought the first matter of the Philosopher’s Stone out
of Paradise, and again carried it to his Grave_, P. 2. 72. b.
_Divers particular Transmutations of Metals, by the help of this
Microcosmical subject_, 74. b.
Air _hindereth the fixation of any subject by the fire_, P. 1. 200. a.
Alchymy _what, its Agents are Fire and Salt_, P. 2. P. 1. 410.
Alcahest _corrects all poysonous Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals_,
P. 1. 108.
_Its Vertues in Metallicks_, 110.
_Its Preparation_, 153.
_Its Use_, 153. 163.
_It dissolves all Stones, and even the very Glasses in which
Solutions are made_, P. 2. 102. b.
Allom _its moist fire to prepare_, P. 2. b.
Amber _to purifie by distillation, and again to congeal it into a
transparent hard lump_, P. 2. 64. a. P. 1. 73. a.
Animæ _of Vegetables commended to Physicians_, P. 1. 191. a.
_being conjoyned with the_ Animæ _of Minerals, are an excellent
Medicine_, ibid.
_They are the Rays of the Sun coagulated_, ibid.
Anima _of Antimony and Gold, rubefie_ Lune, _and make it a Tincture_,
P. 2. 69. a.
Anima _of Gold to extract_, P. 1. 204. b.
Animals _poysonous to prepare into good Medicines by the Universal_
Menstruum, P. 2. 97. 101.
Antidote _against Poyson_, P. 2. 23.
Antimony _well prepared is never given in vain_, P. 1. 42. a.
_How to prepare it to_ purge _onely downward_, ibid.
_Its superfluous_ Sulphur _to separate_, 78.
_Antimony by long digestion, much of it becometh_ Gold, 43. b.
_Antimonial_ Wine _or_ Beer _to prepare of excellent Vertues_, P. 1.
42. b. 43. a.
_Antimonial_ Cup, _its Preparation and Use_, 92, 93.
_Antimonial_ Flowers, _Emetick and Diaphoretick to prepare_, 8. a.
105.
_A_ Universal Medicine _prepared of them_, 106.
_Its Vertues, Use and Dose_, 107.
_Antimonial Flowers how reduced into_ Regulus _with its Uses_, 110,
111.
_Antimonial_ Clyssus _to prepare_, 296.
Regulus _of Antimony to prepare_, 78. a.
_Antimony reduced into a_ red Oyl _or_ Panacæa _without
distillation_, 44. a.
_Antimony or Sulphur so_ to ripen _that they may acquire Odours like
Vegitables_, 51.
_Antimony contains much spiritual Gold_, P. 3. 43. b.
Antimonial Sulphur _to separate from its_ Mercury, _and to make its
Mercury into a_ Panacæa _for the curing of all diseases_, P. 2.
28.
_Antimonial_ Purge _in all grievous diseases, to prepare_, 59.
_Antimonial_ Panacæa, _its Preparation and Use_, 107. a.
_History of a wonderfull Cure wrought by it upon a Child_, 109. b.
_It is a true Remedy against the_ Scurvy _both by Sea and Land_,
110. b.
_A_ Chyrurgeon _on_ Ship-board _or in a_ Camp _may cure and preserve
more Men with one single Ounce of this_ Panacæa _than with a large
Chest of Common Medicines_, ibid.
_Golden_ Panacæa _of Antimony how prepared_, 133. b.
_Of_ Antimony _and Silver, a good Medicine to prepare_, ibid.
Antimony, Arsnick, _and_ Orpiment, _as also the Sulphur of
Vegitables to_ fix _by_ Lutum Sapientiæ, 167.
_Antimonial_ Emeticks, _to make work downwards onely_, P. 3. 65. b.
Apoplexy _cured by the volatile Spirit of Vitriol_, P. 1. 17. b.
Aqua Fortis _to prepare_, P. 1. 29. a.
_It differs little or nothing from Spirit of Niter_, 29. b.
Aqua Regia _to prepare_, 23. b.
Aqua Fortis _and_ Aqua Regis _to prepare in plenty for the
dissolving of Metals_, P. 2. 13, 14. 66. a. P. 1. 425, 426.
Aqua Fortis _at one distillation transmutes half its weight of
Common Salt into Salt-peter_, P. 1. 415. b.
_A Golden_ Aqua Vitæ _to prepare, the like never described by any_,
P. 2. 150.
Aqua Saltaberis _of_ Paracelsus _fixeth and rubefieth all white
Mercuries_, 190. b.
Helmont _erred in taking it to be the water of Whites of Eggs_,
ibid.
Arcanums _to discover is very injurious_, 148, 190.
Arsnick _and Orpiment to fix_, 162.
_When fixed they tinge Copper white like Silver_, ibid.
Arsnick _its nitrous Spirit to prepare_, P. 1. 30.
_It graduateth Copper white as Silver, and malleable_, ibid.
_Arsenical quality taken away from Mineral Oyls by Spirit of Salt_,
P. 2. 152. a.
Arms _and_ Armour _to preserve from Rust_, P. 1. 182.
_Of_ Arsnick, 319, 320.
Artificers, _as Engravers, Painters, Dyers, Statuaries, and many
others, may be benefited by the Authour’s Labours_, 165. a.
_The_ Astral Beams _penetrate to the Center of the Earth, and what
they operate_, 117.
_How they beget the_ Central Fire _of the Earth_, 119. b.
Astrums _of the Metals, what_, 367. b.
Aurum Diaphoreticum _to prepare_, P. 1. 385.
_Its Use and Vertues_, 386. a.
Aurum Fulminans _to prepare_, P. 1. 23. b.
_Being fired upon a Plate of Metal, tingeth it so that it will abide
the Touch-stone_, 75. b.
_How to take away its fulminating quality_, 416. b. P. 2. 39.
Aurum Mosaicum _or Musicum to prepare for Limners_, P. 2. 68.
Aurum Potabile, _its Preparation, Vertues, and Use_, P. 1. 97, 98,
99.
_The Authour’s white_ Aurum Potabile _exceeds the former_, P. 2.
133. a.
_How prepared_, ibid. b. P. 1. 219.
_His Defence of his true_ Aurum Potabile, P. 1. 243, 244.
_Its Nature, Form, Properties, and admirable Vertues_, 208.
_Experiment of its power in promoting the growth of Vegitables_,
209.
_Description of its outward form_, 211. b.
_It_ transmutes _Common Mercury, and other Metals, into Gold both by
the dry and wet way_, 211, 212.
_It_ tingeth _Sand into Gold_, 216. b.
_Its Vertues and Use in Medicine_, 213, 218. b.
_It_ Gildeth _Silver by the help of_ Argentuive, 245. a.
_It changeth_ Mercury _sublimate into a Red Powder, gently purgative
and Diaphoretick_, 243. b.
_How with_ Aurum Potabile _to make a Ruby or Hyacinth_, P. 1. 217.
b.
_How to change the Colour of this_ Aurum Potabile _from white to
red_, 220.
_Another_ Aurum Potabile _to prepare_, P. 2. 167.
_The_ Authour _was so renovated in his old Age, as to have new black
curl’d Hair, by the taking a small quantity of a certain
Tincture_, P. 2. 204. a.
_He complains that his Writings and Secrets brought him many
troubles_, P. 1. 170. b. 172. b.
_He never gained one half-peny by his Writings_, P. 2. 186. a.
_He hath borrowed nothing from other Writers, but hath attained all
his Secrets by his own Labours_, 71. a.
_He wasted some pounds of Gold unprofitably in his younger years,
in seeking for a Tincture, and finding a safer way for others_,
P. 3. 12. a.
_He was wronged by his Servants and Courtiers_, P. 2. 148. b.
_The_ Authour_’s opinion that the Stone of Philosophers may be made
of Common Salt_, P. 1. 269. a.
_He sowed Grain in bare Sand, and had it sooner ripe, than the same
sowed in good Earth_, 388. a.
_He had a Patent from the States of_ Holland _for the improving
of barren Land_, ibid. _He laments his being too liberal in the
communicating of Secrets_, 223. a.
_His being Calumniated, hath been the occasion of his more open
publishing of his Secrets_, 210. b.
_The_ Authour_’s account in what order he published many of his
Works_, 248. a.
_Of_ Azoth _and_ Laton, _or the Agent and Patient of Philosophers_,
P. 1. 396.
_The_ Authour _attaining to the knowledge of this_ Agent _or_ Secret
Fire _of the Wise, laid aside Furnaces, Glasses, and Coals_, P. 3.
61. a. 62.
B
Bakers _or_ Brewers, _how they may supply the want of Yest or Barm_,
P. 1. 182.
_A Mineral_ Balsam _of Sulphur of exceeding great Vertues_, P. 2.
126. b.
Balsam _of Roses, and other Vegitables, consisting of their three
Principles purified and again conjoyned_, P. 1. 60, 61. a.
Barrenness _in Men or Women to cure_, P. 1. 266. a. 267. b.
Baths _of Common water_, 63.
_Of Sulphur_, 65.
_Of the Dry_ Bath _or Sweating Chair_, ibid.
_Whence the heat of natural hot_ Baths _ariseth_, P. 2. 114. b.
_An efficacious_ Bath _for the curing of many diseases_, P. 1. 189. b.
_Of the_ Beetle _or_ Scarabæus, _the horned and Bull-like, also the
round or Globular, their Signature, Properties, and Medicinal
Vertues_, 94.
_Hens feeding on the gray_ Beetles _lay faster than those which are
fed with Corn_, P. 2. 95. b.
Bezoardicum Minerale _to prepare, with its Vertues_, P. 1. 8. b.
Beer, Ale, Wine, _or_ Metheglin, _to strengthen_, 159.
_Being sowr to recover them, and render them drinkable_, 159, 182.
_To preserve them in Summer from the fret_, 286. a.
_Beer to make with Honey, which will keep ten or twenty years_, 286.
a.
Beer _or Ale may be made in the hottest Climates, or Weather, of
Concentrated Corn, where Water and Hops are at hand_, P. 1. 305.
a.
_The Excellency of_ Beer _so brewed, beyond the Common_, ibid. b.
Birds _so to intoxicate that they may be taken with ones hand_, P. 2.
154. a.
Birdlime _so to prepare, as not to be altered by heat or cold_, P. 1.
182.
Bleeding _immoderate of any kind, to stop_, P. 2. 149. a.
Blood-letting _not available in curing of rooted and stubborn
diseases_, P. 1. 245. a.
Borax, _its Water turns Lead into Quick-silver_, P. 1. 236. a.
_A Delicate_ Bread _to prepare_, P. 2. 58. b.
Butter _to make by the help of Spirit of Salt, which will keep long
good_, P. 1. 380. a.
Brandy _to distill from the Lees of Wine_, 292. b.
_To make_ Brandy _of all sorts of Corn, and to give it a relish like
that made of the Lees of Wine_, 158, 159, 166. b.
C
Cabinet-makers _may make Pear-tree or Cherry-tree to be like Ebony_,
P. 1. 180.
_Excellent_ Cheese _like Parmasan to make by the help of the Spirit
of Salt_, P. 1. 364. b. 379. b.
_To kill Worms, and prevent holes in_ Cheese, 380. a.
Childrens _being gauled with their Urine, to help_, 13. a.
Chrystal _to tinge with various Colours like pretious Stones_, P. 2.
65. a. P. 3. 56. a.
Chrystals _to dissolve in a certain Menstruum, with their Vertues_,
P. 1. 248. a. P. 3. 55. b.
Chrystals _or Cream of Tartar to prepare_, 38. b.
_An Elegant_ Cinaber _graduating_ Lune _into_ Sol, P. 1. 374. b. N.B.
Collick _to ease_, 40. b. 54.
_To_ Colour _Hair, Bones, Feathers_, &c. _brown or black_, 40. a.
Colours _for Painters, as Ultramarine, blue Smalt, Scarlet Lacca,
Venice Ceruss_, &c. _to prepare_, 179.
Smalt _to make, as beautifull as_ Ultramarine, P. 2. 68. a.
Coals _afford a sweet Mineral Oyl_, P. 2. 125. b. 126. a.
_How it is to be distilled and rectified_, ibid.
_It is equal to the Oyl of Peter_, ibid.
_The four_ Complexions _described_, P. 1. 388. a.
Confection _of Alchermes Mineral, to prepare_, 384.
Copper _to extract and render Corporeal, from such poor Oars as will
not defray the charge of melting_, P. 1. 326, 327. P. 2. 18. P. 1.
293, 420, 425.
_Copper to transmute into Verdigrease_, P. 2. 18.
_Into other Colours for Painting_, 16, 77. a.
_Gold and Silver to separate from those Colours_, 17.
_Copper dissolved in_ Aqua Fortis _mixt with Silver, Iron, or_ Lapis
Calaminaris, _to reduce and render malleable_, 42.
Copper _to make white as Silver, and graduate into Silver, yielding
Gold_, P. 2. 68. b. P. 1. 419.
_To graduate into Gold by a Cement_, P. 2. 68. P. 3. 71.
_A_ Cordial _to prepare, to be used in great and continual diseases_,
115.
Corn _of all sorts, how to be prepared, before its Spirit be
distilled_, P. 1. 57.
Corn _to concentrate for the making both Bread and Drink on
Ship-board in cases of necessity_, 277, 278, 296, 303.
Corns _of the feet to take away_, P. 1. 181, 288. a.
Corrosives, _as Oyl of Vitriol_, Aqua Fortis, _&c. to dulcifie_, 405.
b. P. 2. 68.
Crocus Martis _to prepare, with its use_, 328. a.
Crucibles _to make, which will long endure the fire, with Lead_, 69.
a. 199. b. P. 1. 90.
D
Day _and Night, Light and Darkness, what_, P. 2. 86. b. 87. a.
Death, _what it is_, 86. b.
Decoctions _of Herbs of no value in Physick_, 113. a.
_Their Decoctions in the Alcahest, or firey water, much to be
esteemed_, ibid. b.
Demogorgon _perfects all Metals, both within and without the Earth,
and is the secret Fire or proper Agent of Philosophers_, 69. b.
_It makes_ Saturn _hard, and white as_ Lune, _as it becomes crude
out of the Earth_, ibid.
_It makes Copper white, and hard as Steel_, ibid.
_It makes_ Lune _through black, and_ Sol _exceeding hard_, ibid.
_It makes excellent Looking-glasses_, ibid.
Demogorgon _described_, P. 3. 58. a.
_How_ Dyers _may give such a ground to their Cloth, that the Colours
shall not be corrupted by Air, Sun, Vinegar, Urine_, &c., P. 1.
180.
Dioclesian _could not overcome the_ Egyptians _till he had caused all
their Books to be burnt_, 185. b.
_To_ Distill _Spices, Seeds, Roots, Herbs, Flowers_, &c. _by the
third Furnace_, 59.
Distilling _Instrument described for the plentifull making of acid
Spirits, and the easie extraction of Metals from their Oars_, 429,
430, 431.
_A_ Diuretick _and Nephretick extract, of excellent Vertues_, P. 11.
112.
Drink _very like to Wine, to make of Grain and Fruits_, P. 1. 167. a.
Dropsie _cured by the irreducible Blood of Gold_, P. 3. 28.
_A_ Dream _may bring a man knowledge_, P. 2. 145. a.
_Men made_ Drunk _with a very small quantity of the Spirit of Tobacco
or Henbane_, 154. a.
Drunkenness _to prevent, and its Evils to cure_, P. 1. 289. b.
Dungs _of various use in Physick_, P. 1. 248. b.
Dung _fattens the Earth onely by its nitrous Salt_, 169. a.
_Humane_ Dung _makes Flowers grow, but gives them an ill smell_, P.
2. 125. b.
_Humane_ Dung _to render sweet and Medicinal_, 159. b.
E
Earthen _Vessels to Glaze_, P. 1. pag. 92.
Electuary _compounded with Spirit of Salt, its manifold vertues_,
287. a.
_Separation of the_ Elements _from the_ Chaos _described_, 255. a.
Elias _the Artist, what_, P. 1. 222. a. 350. a. P. 3. 52. a.
Elixir Proprietatis _to prepare, with the volatile Spirit of_ Mars,
P. 2. 152. b.
_Its use and manifold vertues_, 153.
_It preserves both quick and dead_, ibid.
Elixir Proprietatis _to prepare with Secret_ Sal-Armoniack, 179. b.
Elixir Proprietatis _far transcending that of_ Paracelsus _or_
Helmont, P. 3. 57. b.
Embroiderers, _how they may put durable Colours upon their Silk_, P.
1. 179.
Enamels _or Colours for Glass, to prepare_, ibid.
Enemies _to repell or take Captive without shedding of blood_, 431.
b. 437. b. 439.
Engravers _and Statuaries Tools to harden_, ibid.
Epilepsie _or Falling-sickness, to cure_, 16. b. 17. b. 21. a. 50.
b. 53. a. 63. a. 265. b. _The cause of the_ Epilepsie _not known_,
238. b.
Epistle _to the Authour complaining of his writing too openly_, P. 1.
421.
Eyes _inflamed, the cure_, P. 1. 13. a. 39. b. 237. a.
Erysipelas, _the cure_, 50. a. 288. a.
Essences _of Vegitables to prepare_, P. 2. 84.
Essence _of Ash-keys, an excellent Medicine to dissolve the Stone_,
88. b.
Essence _of St._ John_’s Wort, cures Wounds, Bruises, Obstructions
of Liver and Spleen_, ibid.
Essences _of Tobacco and Henbane, heal diseases of the Womb_, ibid.
Essence _of Roses and Cinamon, a great refresher of a languishing
nature_, ibid. Essence _of Wine_, 91. a.
Essence _of Pearls, Corals, and Stones_, P. 3. 57. a.
Extraction _of Pearls, Corals, Crabs-eyes_, &c., P. 1. 44.
Extract _Vomitive_, 61.
_Purging_, 62.
_Diaphoretick_, ibid.
_Diuretick_, ibid.
_Somniferous_, ibid.
_Cordial_, 63.
_Odoriferous_, ibid.
_An_ Extract _of Corn of light Carriage, which may at any time be
made into Beer, or used instead of Bread_, 184.
F
Farner_’s Obligations to the Authour, for the keeping of Secrets
communicated_, P. 1. 149.
Fevers _not to be cured by cooling Remedies_, 167. a.
Feathers _to dye of any Colour, constant and durable_, 180. P. 2.
149. a.
_The_ Feathers _of Eagles and Doves to prepare, for volatilizing
Menstruums_, P. 2. 170.
Fermentation _of the Authours new_, P. 2. 219. a.
_Of his Secret_ Ferment, ibid.
Fire _common, its Excellency_, 115. a.
_Its knowledge the first step to the understanding of many
Arcanums_, ibid.
Fire _to extract out of any Wood or Herb whatsoever, and render it
palpable and visible_, P. 2. 7.
Fire _to kindle into a flame from two clear Liquors_, 2.
Fire _of the Vine to extract_, 8.
Fire _to extract and concentrate out of Animals_, ibid.
Fires _of Salts concentrated effect wonders_, 19.
_Their particular Medicinal uses_, 23, 24.
_They can doe more mischief in War than Gun-powder_, 217. P. 1.
431. b. 437. b.
_Secret Fire or Agent-ripening Metals_, 400. P. 3. 77.
Fires _various and unheard-of, with their Uses_, P. 2. 216, 217, 218.
P. 3. 64.
_The_ Secret Fire _of the_ Chaldeans, _of what prepared_, P. 2. 69. a.
Fire _of the_ Maccabees, _what_, 114. b. _It joyns Gold and Silver_,
P. 3. 64. 8.
_The_ Secret Fire of Philosophers, P. 2. 144. b. 219.
_It is called by three Names, but is either Oyl of Vitriol_, P. 3.
20. a.
_or Oyl of Vitriol coagulated_, P. 2. 184. b.
_It totally fixeth_ Mercury _into a Red sweet Tincture without any
diminution of its weight_, 193. a.
_The_ Fire of Artephius _draweth out the highest power or Quintessence
of Animals, Vegitables, and Minerals, without common Fire,
Furnaces, or Glasses, and without Labour and Cost_, P. 3. 48. a.
_Its Preparation_, 62.
_A_ Purgatory Fire _which sweetens and purifies all Vegitable,
Animal, and Mineral Subjects_, P. 2. 159.
_The_ three Principal Fires _enable a Physician to prepare variety of
Excellent Medicines against all diseases_, 160. b.
Mineral Fires _to extinguish by the_ Vegitable, _and their
corrosiveness converted into sweetness_, 158.
G
Galenists _err in their administring Gold and pretious Stones_, P. 2.
198. b. 199. a.
Gangrene _cured by Spirit of_ Sal-Armoniack, P. 1. 50. a.
Gardens, _or Orchards to keep out Deer, Swine or wild Beasts_, 192.
a.
_To rid them of Worms and other Insects_, 181.
_To prevent Spiders and other Insects from creeping up Fruit-trees_,
9. b. 192. a.
Gems _or pretious Stones to amend their Colours_, P. 3. 50. a.
Gems _or Artificial Stones to make of various Colours_, P. 1. 82, 83.
412, 413. a.
_A Ruby or Emerald_, 248. b.
_or Hyacinth_, 217. b.
Granats _to change into Rubies and pale Hyacinths, and other white
Stones to exalt in their Colour_, P. 2. 212. b.
Glassy _Colour to prepare like the Indian Porcellan_, P. 1. 180.
Glass _of Copper red, fit for the tinging or painting of Glass_, 135.
Glass _of Antimony to prepare easily_, 14. a.
Glass _of Lead for the fluxing of Tin Ashes, to prepare_, 39. 112.
Glass _is the Philosophers_ Lutum Sapientiæ, P. 2. 167. a.
Glasses _to gild durably with the Colour of Silver_, P. 1. 391. b.
Glasses _to hold volatile and subtile Spirits_, 87.
_The way of grinding Glass-stoppers_, ibid.
Gold _living, how it differs from the dead_, P. 2. 131.
_Of its preparation and dissolution into tender Atoms, fit for
Vivification and Medicinal use_, ibid. 139, 140.
_How those Atoms are to be further opened and made volatile like a
Vegitable_, 131.
_How the Stomach may be assisted so that it may dissolve_ Gold, 132.
Gold _when exanimated, flies the fire like Arsnick_, 72. a.
_The Medicinal Carbuncle of_ Gold _to prepare_, 51.
_The Tincture of it swiftly promotes the growth of Vegitable Seeds_,
52.
Gold _to be exalted in the Mineral_ Aries _by the Secret_
Sal-Armoniack, 189. a.
Gold _not to be reduced into three Principles_, P. 3. 26. a.
_nor to have its Colour extracted by Salts, for the Tinging of_
Lune; _but to be resolved by putrefaction, and made irreducible_,
ibid.
_How this is to be done_, 27. a.
_after a Total blackness_, 27. a.
_ariseth the_ Peacock’s tail, _and_ Dragon’s blood, 28. a.
Gold _its Tincture, with its Use_, P. 1. 26. a.
_Another Tincture of_ Gold, _or_ Aurum Potabile, _with its Vertues_,
265.
_It turns a Needle or pure Iron Wire into fine_ Gold, _by digesting
in it_, 267. b.
Gold _with Silver to prepare into a fusile purple Stone_, 384.
_To sublime into a Red Medicinal Salt_, P. 2, 168.
Gold _may be gotten out of every Herb_, P. 1. 374. b.
_Demonstrated by the Authour in the preface of many learned Men_, P.
410. a. 412. b.
Gold _dissolved in a Corrosive, and the Corrosive dulcify’d, becomes
a Liquor, which may serve for an_ Aurum Potabile, _and gilds
Quicksilver, and other Metals, with a Golden Colour_, 386. b.
Gold _to generate in_ Saturn, 397. b.
_To conjoyn with its Capital enemy Sulphur, and with_ Lune, 398,
399.
Gold _volatile in some Oars and coloured Flints, may be distilled
into a gradatory Water, transmuting Mercury into Gold_, P. 1. 426.
Gold _and Silver to purifie, and separate from each other_, P. 1.
147. a. 331. b.
_by Melting onely_, 175.
Gold _to separate from the imperfect Metals and Minerals onely by
melting in a Crucible_, 177.
Gold _to separate from the imperfect Metals_, 145, 146. a.
_Gold and Silver to get out of old Tin or Pewter Vessels, the Tin or
Pewter being preserved and amended_, 176.
Gold _impure to separate and purge by Antimony_, 104.
_Gold to extract with profit from_ Flints, Sand, Clay, _&c._, P. 1.
101. 371, 426. P. 2. 76.
_An infallible way of proving whether they hold much or little
Gold_, ibid.
_As also out of_ Granats, Agaths, Saphires, Rubies, Red Talk, _&c.
which will not yield either to Lead, or sharp Waters, and to
reduce it to a body_, P. 1. 422, 423, 426. P. 2. 12, 15.
Gold _to extract out of any Copper_, 17, 18.
_Out of natural Vitriol_, ibid. 65. b.
_Out of Sea-salt_, 18.
_Out of poor Lead Oar_, ibid.
_Out of all rude and stubborn Metallick Earths_, 19. 67.
Gold _and Silver Marchasites, how to get more Metal from them, than
by the common way of Melting_, P. 1. 172.
_How to fix them in three hours space, so that they shall yield a
double quantity of Metal to what they would have done before_,
175.
Gold _to make out of Silver with profit, and Gold and Silver to
separate after a peculiar manner from Iron, Copper, Tin and Lead_,
P. 3. 46.
Gold _to separate from Iron or Copper by the Glass of Lead_, P. 2.
40.
_From_ Regulus _of Antimony without loosing the_ Regulus, ibid.
_From Copper_, 43.
_From Arsnick_, P. 1. 321.
Gold, _Silver, and Copper to extract from poor Oars, by_ Aqua Fortis
_or Spirit of Salt_, P. 1. 360, 415, 425, 426, 427.
_The same may be done with the Water of Salt, or Salt-peter, acuated
with the Oyl of Vitriol_, ibid.
_How to precipitate, and reduce the extracted Metals_, 416.
Gold _to augment by the imperfect Metals_, P. 1. 178, 361, 362.
Gold _and Silver to separate from each other, by a cheaper way than
the common_, P. 2. 194.
_and both from Copper_, 217.
Gout _Pains, suddenly to ease_, P. 1. 37. a. 288. a.
_Its Knots to dissolve_, 50.
_Gout to cure_, 265. b. P. 2. 24. b. 58, 59. P. 3. 28. b.
_Many Gouty persons cured in a few years by the Golden_ Panacæa _of_
Antimony, 110. b.
Gonorrhæa _to cure_, P. 2. 149. a.
Gravel _to expell_, P. 1. 37. a.
Grapes _to have ripe sooner than ordinary_, 183.
Grapes _dried, or Raisons how to recover their sweetness, as when
pluckt fresh from the Vine_, 284. b.
Griffin _Phylosophick generated of the Lion and Eagle_, 356. a. 406.
b. 407. a.
Gunpowder _found out by a_ Monk, _Anno 1380_, 433. a.
_The Authour thinketh the_ Monk _did ill to divulge it_, ibid. b.
_He speaks of another way to captivate Enemies without killing
them_, ibid.
H
Hair _to Dye, as also Skins, Wool, Bones, with a purple or red
Colour, constant and durable_, P. 2. 149. a.
Hens _delight in Salt, which makes them lay the more Eggs_, P. 1.
169. a.
_They devour Sand and small Pebbles for the matter of Egg-shells_,
284. a.
_Quick_ Hedges _to cause to grow up in half the usual time_, 191. b.
Herbs _to make grow up in a few hours space_, P. 1. 200. b. P. 3. 59.
a.
_To communicate to them the nature of any Metal_, 210. a.
_Herbs various and unknown, to produce without Seed_, 257. b. 289.
a. P. 2. 49.
_The great errour of_ Galenists, _in attributing the same vertues
to_ Herbs _in those Northern Climates, as were ascribed to them in
the Southern_, 217. a.
_The_ Herbs _of cold Countries may be rendred equal in vertue to
those of hot, by the Terrestrial Sun and Art_, 217. b.
Herbs _to discover by an experiment, whether they are profitable or
unprofitable in Medicine_, P. 2. 23.
History _of Gold made out of Sea-Salt_, P. 1. 412. a.
History _of an Infant preserved from Corruption many years, in a
certain Water, and at length turn’d into a Stone_, 260. a.
History _of a Mountebank at_ Paris, _kill’d by the Odour of a
spirituous or volatile Poyson_, P. 2. 85. a.
History _of a Country-man to whom a Doctor had prescribed_ Album
Græcum, 159. a.
History _of_ Sigismund Wan, _who built a Church and Hospital by
Wealth obtained from separating the Gold and Silver from Tin_,
201 a. P. 1. 371. b.
Hony _to Ferment before the distillation of its burning Spirit_, P.
1. 58.
_To take away its ungratefull Tast, and purge it from its hidden
Impurities, so that an excellent Drink may be made of it, for
small charge, serving instead of Wine_, 286. a. P. 2. 56.
_Or a Metheglin with Spices_, 57. a.
Hops _to produce in plenty_, P. 1. 191. b.
_To preserve the Hop-poles in the Earth, long from rotting_, ibid.
Horns _to soften, so that any Image may be printed upon them_, 182.
Hovels _of Grain, to keep Rats and Mice from running up the Posts_,
192. a.
I
Iron _to graduate into Gold by a Fulmen_, P. 3. 71. N. B.
_By_ Sal-mirabils, P. 2. 49.
_To exalt it into Copper by the same_, 50.
_All Iron contains Gold, both fixt and volatile_, P. 1. 375.
_An eighth part of_ Iron _changed into Gold_, P. 1. 230. a.
Iron _to change into Gold, Silver, or Copper, by a Fulmen_, 230. b.
Iron _to change into Copper according to_ Paracelsus, 240. a. 293.
b.
Iron _Tools changed into Copper, by length of time, in Mines of
Vitriol_, 229. a. 234. b.
Iron _to separate from Copper_, 326. b.
Iron _made as fusile and malleable as Copper_, P. 1. 375. a.
Itch, _or Scab, to cure_, 364. b.
J
Jupiter _and_ Venus _beget_ Apollo _and_ Diana, 401. b.
L
Land, _poor and barren_, to enrich _without Dung_, P. 1. 187, 189,
191, 193. b. 200. b. 405. a. 417. a. P. 2. 33.
_This Manure holds good twenty years_, ibid.
_The manner of preparing this_ Manure _of Common Salt and Lime_, P.
1. 416.
Lead _Oar, Course and not meltable, how to extract the Lead from it_,
P. 2. 18.
Lead, _or any Lead Oar, to reduce into Ashes, and thence to extract
Gold and Silver_, P. 1. 399. a. 414. P. 2. 36.
Lead _easily separated from its Oar, by adding Iron in the melting_,
P. 1. 74. a.
Lead _to amend by the graduating Extractions of coloured Flints_, P.
2. 37.
_How to reduce the Calx of Gold precipitated from the Lead, and
washed, without any loss_, 38, 39.
_Of the nature and property of_ Lead, 198.
_It contains a sharp Sal-nitrous Spirit_, 199.
Lead _to make hard like Iron, so that great Guns may be made of it_,
199. b.
_The inward juice of_ Lead _is sweeter than any Sugar_, P. 1. 381.
b.
_A white precipitate of_ Lead _to prepare_, 382. a.
_N. B._ Lead _hath the power of dulcifying Corrosives, and thence
grows so penetrant, that it will presentt run through three
Crucibles one in another_, P. 2. 200. a.
_To make it hard and white like Silver_, P. 3. 89. b.
_A red Stone of_ Saturn _and_ Mars _to prepare, with its manifold
Vertues in Physick and Chyrurgery_, P. 1. 382. b.
_It is the true_ Lapis Hæmatitis _of the ancient Physicians_, 383.
a.
_The red Sublimate ascending in this operation, is able by Sympathy,
to cure at a distance, any Flux of blood whatsoever_, ibid.
_A white Stone to prepare of_ Saturn _and_ Lune, 383.
_Black_ Lead _of Philosophers, what_, P. 2. 217. b.
Leprosie, _to cure_, P. 1. 265. b.
Leather _to make black_, 180. 364. b.
Linnen _Threads to make so soft, as to emulate Silk_, 180.
Looking _Glasses and Burning-Glasses, to make_, P. 1. 79.
_The Metallick mixture for the same_, 80.
_The manner of smoothing and polishing them_, 81.
_The_ Ludus _of_ Paracelsus _prepared by the Authour, with his_
Alcahest _or secret Sal-Armoniack, for the_ Stone, p. 2. 180. b.
Lune _to graduate into_ Sol _by a singular Spirit_, 68. b.
Lutes _for the building of Furnaces, joyning of Receivers, and for
broken Glasses_, p. 1. 86.
_Of the_ Lion _or Lions blood, how to be prepared, and used in
Medicine and other Arts_, p. 2. 149. _It cures the_ Leprosie _and_
Pox, Ibid.
M
Madness _and Melancholy hypocondriack, the cure_, P. 1. 176.
Magistery _of Pearl, Coral_, &c. _to prepare_, 18. b.
_The abuse used in those Preparations_, ibid.
_Of Egg-shells, with its vertues_, P. 3. 57. a.
Magnesia _is rich in a Metallick Tincture_, P. 1. 353.
_How to prepare its Tincture with Alcohol of Wine_, P. 3. 56.
_An Universal Medicine of it to prepare, with its use_, P. 2. 150.
P. 3. 33.
_With the Secret Fire of Philosophers_, 39. b.
Magnetism, _its admirable Power in attracting its like_, P. 2. 29.
Magnetism _of Metals, Salts, and Stones_, P. 1. 342. P. 3. 40. a.
Magnet _to attract a Universal Medicine or Mercury from the Air_, P.
2. 137. 164, 165. a.
_Another_ Magnet _to attract the Astral, and vivifying Rays of the
Sun, and to render them corporeal, palpable, and constant in the
Fire_, P. 1. 390.
Magnet _attracting Water, its manifold uses_, P. 2. 64.
Magnet _to attract from Gold, its Tincture_, 165.
Malting, _the differences_, P. 1. 57.
Malt, _its Fermentation, in order to distill from it a burning
Spirit_, 58.
Mars _or Iron to purifie by_ Saturn _and Salts_, 133. a.
Mars _and_ Venus _to conjoyn inseparably, and their Tinging blood
to prepare_, P. 3. 31. b.
_A_ Medicine _to remove all Obstructions of the Bowels and Vessels,
and strengthen the Stomach, to prepare_, P. 2. 152. b.
_An Universal_ Medicine _may be prepared in a few days for Ten
shillings charge_, P. 3. 58. a.
Megrim, _cured by Spirit of_ Sal-Armoniack, P. 1. 50. a.
Medicines _Universal, their excellency above particular_, P. 2. 180.
b.
Menstruum _to extract the fixt Sulphur or tinging Anima of Metals_,
21.
Menstruum _dissolving Copper mixt with Gold, and precipitating the
Gold_, 43.
Mercurius Vitæ, _to prepare_, P. 1. 8.
Mercury _not cold, as the vulgar think, but hot and fiery_, 137. b.
142.
Mercury _precipitate red, to prepare_, P. 1. 28. a.
_Yellow precipitate of_ Mercury, _kills Lice_, 29. a.
Mercury _abused in Physick_, 28. b.
Mercury _to Coagulate into a hard body_, 142. a.
Mercury _to fix with the moist fires of Salts, so as constantly to
abide the fire_, P. 2. 26, 27.
_To prepare into a Red Powder strongly purging_, 28.
Mercury _Coagulated into a fixt white Body_, 161. a.
_To purifie by a Fulmen, so as after it may be easily fixt_, P. 3.
71.
_Common_ Mercury _purified and fixt into a Red Powder in two or
three days_, 192. a.
_It enters Gold and augments it_, 196. a.
_Common_ Mercury _hath in it self no Tincture_, P. 3. 16.
_How it may acquire Tincture, and by preparation become the Mercury
of Philosophers_, ibid.
_How to fix it by Animal superfluities_, P. 3. 89. b.
Mercury _of Antimony to prepare, either Purgative or phoretick, with
its excellent use in Physick_, P. 2. 161, 183.
Mercury _of_ Saturn, _and of_ Lune, _to prepare_, 127. a. P. 3. 15.
_They fix Common Mercury_, ibid.
Mercury _of_ Saturn _may be distilled into a sweet Milk, and then
coagulated into a Stone, which Coagulates_ Argent vive, P. 2. 116.
Mercury _of_ Saturn _fixed into Gold_, 137.
_The_ Mercury _of Metals is the_ Mercury of Philosophers, P. 3. 12.
a. 69. b.
_Divers ways of extracting it_, 12, 13. P. 2. 67. per se 158.
_Advise to seek_ Mercury _in_ Saturn, _and_ Sulphur _in_ Mars,
_rather than in Gold and Silver_, P. 3. 12. a.
_A Tinging_ Mercury _to prepare out of Antimony_, 14.
_Antimony yields more_ Mercury _than Vitriol_, ibid.
_A Tinging_ Mercury _to prepare out of_ Mars _and_ Venus, ibid. P.
3. 72. a.
_Out of_ Jupiter, 15.
Mercury _to prepare out of Metals and Minerals, by the help of
Tartar onely_, 14, 15.
_The_ Mercury _of Metals to prepare by the Salt of the World_, P. 3.
73. a.
_The_ Mercury of Philosophers _to prepare by the help of Secret_
Sal-Armoniack, P. 2. 182.
_The Mercuries of_ Jupiter _and_ Mars, _being conjoyned, are
together instantly converted into fixed Gold_, ibid.
_A Philosophick_ Mercury _to prepare in great quantity, without
charge_, P. 3. 16.
_The_ Mercury of Philosophers _being set at liberty, carries with it
self its own Tinging Sulphur_, 12. b.
_How to prove whether the Mercury of Metals be well prepared or not
to give a Tincture_, 13.
_The conjunction and fixation of the_ Philosophick Mercury _with
Gold_, ibid.
_Of the_ Mercury _of Wine_, P. 3. 55. a.
_Its Preparation_, P. 2. 67.
_Its admirable Vertues_, 189. P. 3. 68. b.
_Experiment of turning it into a red Stone, which tinged Silver into
Gold_, 75. b.
Metals, _how generated_, P. 1. 115. b.
Metallick Mines _discovered by various accidents_, 120.
_How to find them by Art_, ibid.
_The Hazle rod fallacious_, ibid.
_Metals and Minerals have their birth from one Common Seed_, 121. a.
Metalline Seed _as capable of Multiplication, as the Vegetable and
Animal_, 363. a.
Metals, _how to separate_, P. 1. 70.
_From each other by precipitation_, 325. b. N. B. 334. a.
_To separate the courser_ Metals _from each other_, 72.
Metalline Oars, _how to prove what Metal they hold_, 172.
Metals _may be purified in two or three hours time_, 357. a.
Metals _to amend, and concentrate by Nitre_, 201.
Metals _imperfect, changed into more perfect, by the help of Salts_,
P. 1. 177, 178. P. 2. 11.
_How to be slain by their Enemies, and transmuted into better_,
ibid.
Metals _fugacious and of no worth, to ripen by Common Salt and Fire,
so as to yield Gold and Silver with profit_, 35.
Metals, _how purified_, P. 2. 117. a.
_Their Reduction into Calxes, as_ Crocus Martis, Minium, _Red
Precipitate_, &c. _no true purification_, ibid.
_How to make_ Metals _grow up like Vegetables, before the Eye, to
the length of a finger or more in the space of two or three
hours_, P. 1. 178. P. 2. 59. a.
_Metallick Tree, with its parts_, P. 2. 105. b.
Magnesia _grows up into a blood-red Tree_, P. 3. 59. a.
Metals _not to be spiritualized with Corrosive Waters, by
distillation_, 132. a.
Metals, _notwithstanding, may be depurated, and made volatile by
distillation_, P. 2. 127. b.
Metalline _Spirits coagulate and fix Mercury_, 153. b.
Metals _are so destroyed by the Fulmen of Jove, that they cannot be
again reduced into Metallick Bodies by melting, but pass into
Glass of divers Colours, which Glass being again reduced by Art,
yields much better Metals than before_, P. 1. 201. b.
Metals _not to be amended but by Sulphur_, P. 1. 375. a.
Metals _to distinguish, by the colour of their Fumes, and figure of
their Motion, in the fire_, P. 1. 272. b. 273. a.
_The_ Metals _have divers names imposed upon them by the Poets_,
401. a.
Metallick Tincture _to prepare_, P. 1. 204. a.
_A_ Metallick _Medicament to prepare, profitable in all distempers
of the Brain_, P. 2. 116.
_What is to be held concerning the perfection of_ Metals, P. 1. 72.
Minerals, _of their kinds and difference_, P. 1. 318.
_How to be tried_, P. 1. 69. 322. P. 2. 22. a.
_Whether they may be transmuted into Metals, and into what_, P. 1.
77.
Minerals _poysonous, how to be corrected by the moist fire of Salt,
and to be converted into good Medicine_, P. 2. 26.
Minerals _after they have been extracted with_ Aqua Regia _will
still afford Salt-peter with profit_, P. 2. 12.
Mines _and Stones, that are poor in Silver and Copper to extract by
a moist way_, P. 2. 14, 15.
_Minerals stubborn and glassy, are subdued in the fire with fixed
Salts_, P. 1. 332. b.
Mice _delight in Salt_, P. 1. 169. a.
Money, _how to improve it without putting it to Usury by a Metallick
work_, 194.
_Gold more profitable to be used in this work than Silver_, 197. b.
Mountains _burning, not Hell, as some think_, P. 1. 118, 119.
N
Niter _or_ Salt-peter, _its generation_, P. 1. 309, 356.
_Of its use and benefit_, 200, 359, 409. a.
_It is a meer fire, whether it be in the form of a fixed Salt, or of
a volatile Spirit_, P. 2. 114. a.
_How to make its fire appear visibly in a flame_, ibid.
_Its cold and moist fire to prepare_, P. 2. b.
Niter _agrees with all the marks of the Philosopher’s Mercury_, P.
1. 167. b.
_The River_ Nile _aboundeth with_ Niter, _by which it enricheth the
adjacent Country without Dung_, 185. b.
_The plenty of_ Niter _in_ Egypt _was the cause of their
transmutation of Metals_, ibid.
_The_ Niter _or_ Salt-peter _of the Ancients was extracted out of
Rocks and Stones, as the word_ Salt-peter _signifieth_, P. 1.
342. b.
_That Art is now wholly lost in_ Europe, ibid.
Niter _yet extracted out of Rocks in the East-Indies_, ibid.
Niter _wonderfully promoteth the growth and encrease of Corn_, P.
1. 224. b. 359. b.
_Fixt Niter hath no equal, in promoting the growth of Vegetables,
Animals, and Minerals_, 199. b.
_It giveth a better Odour to Fruits, than Dung_, P. 2. 33.
Niter _is capable of affording all things both for health and
wealth_, 407. a.
Niter _brought in speaking of it self_, 363. b.
_Its use in preparing of Medicines of Vegetables and Animals_, P.
2. 99.
Niter _acting in three forms_, viz. _the Lion, Eagle, or_ _Griffin,
dissolves all things in the World_, P. 1. 406. b.
Niterous _Fountains in_ Franconia _proceeding from a Mountain of
Stones containing Niter, cure many diseases_, 343. b.
Niter _the onely Medium of making the Metals Astral_, 357. a.
Niter _to prepare by Art of an extraordinary strength_, 357. b.
_The_ Anima _or_ Tincture of Niter _Enigmatically described_, P. 2.
120. a.
_One drop of it is able to tinge a whole Glass of Water with a
golden Colour_, ibid. P. 1. 315. b. N.B. 316. a.
_Its Preparation is more openly taught_, P. 2. 169.
_Its Vertues_, P. 1. 388. b. P. 2. 31.
_How to exalt it to the highest power and purity_, 31. 40. a.
Niter _to prepare of Dung of divers sorts, of Leaves of Trees_, &c.
P. 1. 338.
_Out of Lime and Wood_, 339.
_Out of rotten Wood_, 409. a.
_Out of Rocks and Stones_, 340, 374. a.
_Experiment to try what Stones contain most Niter_, ibid. b.
_Difference of Stones containing_ Niter, _and how they are to be
known_, P. 1. 341, 344. b.
Niter _to prepare in plenty out of Common Salt and Lime_, 344. b.
416.
Niter _or_ Salt-peter _to make with little or no cost by its own
Seed_, P. 1. 317, 335, 370, 417. b. 418.
_By its own Root_, 410. b. 413. P. 2. 40, 41.
Niter _how to extract and boil up_, 345.
_The way of augmenting the crude Lixivium before boiling_, 357. b.
Niter, _when purified, shoots into long smooth Crystals of a
sexangular Figure, and how it is to be brought to that purity_,
274. b. 275. a.
Niter _to fix, and thence to prepare a fiery Liquor or Menstruum_,
P. 2. 98.
_Ten pounds of_ Niter _may be extracted out of a hundred weight of
Bones of Beasts, Birds, and Fishes_, P. 1. 310. a.
Niter _may be made in great quantities out of the Flesh and Bones
of_ Whales, _Entrails of_ Stock-fish, _&c. which are cast away_,
313. a.
_Experiment of making Niter out of Bullock’s Blood_, ibid.
_Necessary admonitions about the making of Niter or Salt-peter_,
ibid. 314. N.B. 315.
O
Oyls _of Vegetables to obtain in greater quantity than by a Common
Still_, P. 1. 5. a. P. 2. 122. a.
_One general Process for the Oyls of Vegetables, shewn by distilling
the Oyl of Turpentine_, 123. b.
_Essential_ Oyls _to exalt to a great subtilty_, 119. b.
_Oyls fœtid, to make sweet and clear_, P. 1. 6. a.
Oyls _warm, fetch_ Pitch _and_ Rosin _out of Cloth_, 376.
Oyls, _how to be Coagulated into_ Balsams, 60.
Oyl _of_ Amber _to prepare, with its Vertues_, P. 1. 52.
Oyl _of_ Arsnick _and_ Orpiment, 9. 35.
Oyl _of_ Ashkeys, _a sure Remedy against the Stone_, P. 2. 122. a.
Oyl _or_ Butter _of Antimony_, 35, 36.
_Its external use_, 8. b.
Oyl _of_ Harts-horn, 51.
Oyl _of_ Lapis Calaminaris, _with its uses_, P. 1. 9.
Oyl _of Wine made by its help_, ibid.
Oyl _or Liquor of_ Gold _Corrosive_, 7. a.
Oyl _of_ Lune, 51.
Oyl _of_ Mars, ibid.
Oyl _of_ Regulus Martis, 34.
_Its manifold vertues and uses_, 34, 35.
Oyl _of_ Mastick, Frankincense _and other Gums_, 5. b.
Oyl _of_ Mercury, 7.
Oyl _of_ Metals _and Minerals, red and sweet_, 6. b.
Oyl-olive _to distill, commonly called the Philosopher’s_ Oyl of
Bricks, P. 1. 53.
_Its Vertues and Use_, ibid. 54.
Oyl _of_ Saturn, _and of_ Jupiter, 7. 36.
Oyl _of_ Soot, 52.
Oyl _of_ Sulphur, _styled the Mercury of Philosophers, because it
may easily be transmuted into a sweet fusile Stone_, P. 2. 191.
Oyl _of_ Talk, _with Niter_, P. 1. 33.
Oyl _of_ Tartar, 36.
Oyl _of_ Tin, _it exalts Colours_, 33.
Oyl _of_ Venus, 7.
Oyl _of_ Vitriol, _sweet, to prepare_, 21.
_Its Use and Dose_, 22.
_Blood-red, with Spirit of Urine_, 50.
Oyl _of_ Vitriol _corrosive, to prepare_, 17.
Oyl _of_ Vitriol _white, and red, to Coagulate into a sweet fusile
Stone, having power in the transmutation of Metals, and Gems_, P.
2. 191.
Oyl _of_ Vitriol _or_ Sulphur _is the Agent of Philosophers_, P. 3.
62. b.
Oyl _of_ Zink, P. 1. 36.
Opium _may be so prepared, that its very Odour will lay the outward
senses asleep_, P. 2. 153. b.
Opium, _Henbane and Tobacco to prepare into excellent Medicines_,
P. 3. 57. b.
P
Panacæa of Antimony, _its preparation and general use_, P. 1. 163.
Paracelsus _caused humane Dung to be set before the Emperour’s
Physicians, who required of him some Medicinal Experiment_, P. 2.
159. b.
Paracelsus_’s Abbreviation of the Process of the Ancients in
preparing the Tincture of Naturalists_, P. 1. 233.
_Projection of the said Tincture upon Metals_, 234.
Paracelsus _with it cured the worst of diseases_, 235. a.
_His Prophecy_, 351.
_His Epitaph_, 352.
_His_ Lion _of the North is Niter_, 350. a.
_Partnership pernicious in the Philosophick work_, P. 2. 147.
_And trusty Servants very rare to get_, ibid.
Paracelsus _had thirteen Servants came under the Hangman’s Lash,
and but one that he thought was honest_, 148. a.
Pearls _to prepare into a Magistery, or white shining Powder, and to
make the same of Mother of Pearl, or other Shells_, P. 1. 18. b.
Pearl _Philosophick, to take with the Net of_ Saturn, 265. b.
_To draw it forth of Common Salt_, P. 2. 5.
_The_ Philosopher’s Stone _not to be attained by the most acute
Powers of humane reason, without the assistance of divine
inspiration_, P. 1. 185. b.
_Such_ Philosophers _rare to be found, as will instruct others in
their work_, P. 2. 146.
_The_ Philosophers _have prepared their Tincture of several Subjects,
and by divers Methods_, 144, 145. a.
_The Authour’s opinion which way is the best_, 146. b. 147. a.
_How a man ought to be qualified that will undertake the_
Philosophick work, 145. b.
Pride _hinders a man from knowledge_, ibid.
Poyson _consists in the excess of Cold_, P. 2. 105. a.
Poysonous _Animals and Vegetables reside and grow in cold and shady
places_, ibid.
Press _described for extracting the juice or sap of Wood, for the
making of_ Salt-peter, _or the enriching of barren Land_, P. 1.
188.
_How to convert the sowr juice of Wood into Salt-peter_, ibid.
Printer’s Ink, _to render very fair and good_, 179.
Proserpine, _what_, P. 2. 191. a.
Purges _work onely by their crudity and aversion to the stomach_, P.
2. 17. a. b.
Purges _of Vegetables not so safe as those of Metals_, P. 1. 385. a.
_Purging Vegetables much corrected by Spirit of Wine_, P. 2. 179. a.
Purge _for strong people of Copper_, P. 1. 41. a.
_Of Iron, for weaker_, ibid.
_A_ purge _prepared of_ Saturn, _with its use and dose_, 385.
_A_ purge _of_ Lune _or Silver_, ibid.
_A_ purging _Gold_, ibid.
Putrefactions _are made much sooner by Art than Nature_, P. 1. 225. a.
Putrefaction _of Vegetables is presently made in the stomachs of
Men_, 224. b.
Pythagoras_’s errour concerning the Transmigration of humane Souls,
is true of the Metallick_, 358. a.
Q
Quintessence _of Vegetables, to prepare_, p. 1. 6. b.
Quintessence _of all Metals and Minerals_, ibid. P. 3. 58. b.
_How to fix them into Tinctures with_ Sol _and_ Lune, ibid.
_Their Medicinal use_, ibid.
_A wonderfull_ Quintessence _of_ Wine, _which dissolveth all things
and bringeth their vertues over the helm_, P. 2. 63, 64.
R
Rapes, Radishes, _and other things to make grow far larger and fairer
than usual by planting their Seeds in their Roots_, P. 3. 35. b.
Ripley’s _Toad, mentioned in his Dream, what_, P. 2. 217. a.
Rivers _afford Stones rich in Gold and Silver_, 81. a.
S
_The_ Salt _of the_ Ocean (_as a Universal Agent_) _gives nourishment
to all things which grow on the Earth_, P. 1. 248, 249, 255, 256.
P. 3. 33.
_The_ Sea-water _abates of its saltness the nearer it is to the
North_, ibid.
_Of the Precipitation of the_ Salt _from Sea-water, and rendring it
drinkable_, 284. b. 285. a.
_Common_ Salt _containeth spiritual Gold, which may be rendred
visible by Art_, 283. a.
_It preserveth both the living and the dead from Corruption_, ibid.
_It conduceth much to the fatning of Hogs, and other Beasts_, ibid.
_Common_ Salt _kills Vegetables, as it is, but turn’d into a
Lixivial Salt, promotes Vegetation_, P. 1. 89.
_Common_ Salt, _when throughly purified, always hath the shape of a
Cube or Square_, P. 1. 274. a.
_How it is to be so purified_, ibid. b.
Salt _advanceth and conducteth the Vertues or Vices of what it is
conjoyned with, whether good or evil_, 262. b.
_Examples proving the same in Mercury and Orpiment_, ibid.
Salt _feigned to declare its own Vertues_, 254. a. 274. a.
_Common_ Salt _may be transmuted into a burning Spirit, into true
Salt-peter_, P. 1. 193. b. 405. a.
_It may in a few hours obtain the Nature of_ Pot-Ashes, _and serve
for all uses to which they are put, as for_ Soap-boylers,
Glass-makers, _&c._ 406. a.
Salt _is able to draw out the_ Anima _of Gold, and leave its Body of
the colour of Lead, and brittle and fugacious like Antimony_, 258.
a.
Salt _is the Symbol of Eternity_, 254. b.
_It corroborateth the Heart more than Wine_, 256. b.
_The fruitfull nature of_ Salt _appears from the Multiplication
of Fishes, beyond Birds and Animals_, P. 1. 257. b.
Salt _and Fire transmute the vile Metals, into more Noble. An
evident demonstration_, 434.
_The_ Salt _of the Microcosmick Sea, far more potent in the ripening
of Metals, than the Salt of the Ocean_, 396. a.
_The_ Spirit _and_ Salt _of the World being added to any dissolved
Metal, and distilled, carries over the Tinging_ Anima _of the
Metal_, P. 3. 18. b.
Salts _simple and compound, their excellency in Alchymy_, 434. b.
N.B.
Secret Sal-Armoniack, _its description, preparation, and use_, P. 2.
178.
_Its use in the amending of Metals_, 198.
_It performs more than_ Helmont _hath attributed to his_ Alcahest,
186. a.
_Divers Medicines for the Stone to prepare with it_, ibid.
_Volatile Salt of Wine or Tartar, to prepare_, P. 3. 69. a.
Secret Sal-Armoniack, _of various preparations_, P. 2. 209. a.
_A wonderfull_ Sal-Armoniack _to be prepared from the fæces of Tin_,
202. b.
_It inseparably conjoyneth Gold and Silver_, 203. a. N.B.
_It is a Magnet to draw Tinctures_, 204. b.
_Being dissolved in Spirit of Salt, it attracts Gold or Tinctures
from Metallick Solutions, and precipitates them in form of a
purple or blood-red Powder_, 205. a.
_It extracts and exalts the Colours of Vegetables and Animals_,
ibid.
_He that hath it, and knows its use, needs no Books_, ibid.
_A Spiritual_ Sal-Armoniack _or_ Alcahest _described, which can
extract the Tinctures of all red Bodies, and again introduce them
into white Bodies, without altering the figure of either_, 209,
210. a.
_It maketh Gold as volatile as Spirit of Wine, in three hours
space_, 210. b.
_And again changeth it into a transparent, fixt, tinging_ Carbuncle,
212.
Sal-Mirabilis, _its Original_, P. 1. 223.
_Of its Name and Vertues_, 224.
_Its Preparation_, 225, 261.
_Of its outward Figure and Tast_, 261.
_Enigmatical description of its Use_, 254.
_Its use in Physick, Alchymy, and Mechanick Arts_, 226, 227, 228,
262.
_Of its wonderfull power in the kingdom of Vegetables_, 224.
_How it is to be prepared for that use_, P. 2. 47.
_It restores Trees and Insects, half dead, to life_, P. 1. 410. b.,
P. 2. 47.
_The use of_ Sal-Mirabilis _in dissolving of Metals, and preparing
of Medicines_, P. 1. 264. P. 2. 48.
_Its Universal use in the emendation of Metals_, P. 2. 50.
_How by it the imperfect Metals may be made perfect_, ibid.
_The Author by its help hath often tinged one end of an Iron Wyer,
into Copper, and the other into Gold_, P. 1. 229. b.
Sal-Mirabilis _to strengthen by its own Spirit_, P. 1. 411. a.
_A graduating Spirit of_ Sal-Mirabilis, P. 2. 68. b.
_How to know if the_ Sal-Mirabilis _be well prepared_, 53.
_How by it any Grain or Seed may be encreased a Thousand fold_, 54.
_How it is profitable for_ Vineyards, 54, 55.
_Divers profitable uses of it about_ Wines _and_ Brandy, 55, 56.
Sal-Mirabilis _turns Water, Wine, Ale, and other Liquors into hard
pieces, like Ice, in a few hours space_, P. 2. 44.
_It Coagulates all acid corrosive Spirits in like manner_, ibid.
_It stops the head of a Fountain_, ibid.
_Separates the phlegm from subtile Spirits_, ibid.
_Congealeth the breath of Men into Ice, with other Operations_,
ibid.
_It betters all Wines as it were in a moment_, 45.
_How it may benefit those who travel in Winter, or sail on the
Seas_, P. 2. 46.
_How it mends Brandy made of Corn, so as to become equal to that
made of the Lees of Wine_, ibid.
_The same by Vinegar_, ibid.
_It amends Oyls_, 47.
_It takes away Must or Stink from all Vessels_, ibid.
_It preserves all kind of_ Fruits, Eggs, Onions, _&c. a long time
from corrupting_, ibid.
_It turneth Wood into a Stone_, ibid.
_How it dissolveth all hard Subjects_, ibid.
Sal-mirabilis _reduceth a Charcoal into its_ first matter _in the
space of half an hour_, 48.
_How it renders the Vegetable Sulphur visible_, ibid.
_Yields a Medicine but little inferiour to_ Aurum Potabile, ibid.
Salt of humane Dung _among all Salts, onely generates putrefaction_,
P. 2. 159. b.
Salt-peter, _see Niter_.
Salt _graduating Silver, to prepare_, P. 1. 34. a.
Salt of Tartar _to purifie by Flints_, 153. b.
Salt-water _takes the Salt out of saltish Flesh, or Fish_, 37. b.
_Of the_ Salt of Philosophers, _its preparation, use, and efficacy
in Physick and Chymistry_, P. 3. 17.
_It transmutes all imperfect Metals into Gold, and common Stones
into precious ones; but hath no ingress into common Mercury_,
18. a.
_It draws the Tinctures from red Subjects, and leaves the body
white_, 19. a.
_Experiment of the red_ Salt _or Stone of_ Philosophers _drawing
the Tincture from Gold_, P. 3. 20.
_It gave to Glass such a toughness, as it might be bowed like
Steel-wyer, without breaking_, Ibid.
_The Author restored by it from two years continual Sickness, to
Health_, ibid.
_The_ Secret Salt of Philosophers, (_or their_ white Eagle) _being
dissolved in Common Water, renders the same able to glew Paper
together, and makes inseparable Conjunctions_, 31. b. 52.
_The_ Salt of Art _exalts both_ Sol _and_ Lune _into Tinctures_, P.
3. 53. a.
_It both maketh fixt and volatile_, ibid.
Sanguis Draconis _and_ Salamander _of the Philosophers, how produced_,
28, 29.
_Its Inceration and Multiplication_, 29. b.
Sanguis Draconis _to unite and fix, with_ Lac Virginis, P. 3. 31. a.
Satur _washed to the highest Whiteness, with Common Salt, is then a
Bath for Metals_, P. 1. 402. a.
_The manner of preparing and using that Bath_, 403, 404.
Seeds _of Vegetables consist in a Lixivial Salt and Sulphur_, P. 1.
89. b.
Silver _to extract from poor Oars, by the moist way_, P. 1. 425.
Silver _Calxes to reduce into a body without loss_, ibid. P. 2. 14,
42.
Silver _to separate from Bismuth, and the Bismuth preserved_, P. 1.
176.
_From old Copper, and the Copper preserved_, ibid.
Silver _to exalt into Gold, in a few hours_, 177. P. 2. 49.
Silver _to Transmute into Gold_, P. 3. 44. b.
Silver _is inwardly full of Tincture_, P. 2. 144. a.
Silver, _its Crystals to prepare, with their use_, P. 1. 26.
_Its Tincture_, ibid.
_Its green Oyl, with its use in Physick, Alchymy, and Mechanicks_,
27, 391. b.
_The Silver Tree_, 334. b.
Smiths Files, _and other Tools, to make as hard as the best Steel_,
P. 1. 180.
Spots _or_ Stains _to take out of Cloaths_, ibid.
Spiders _under a year old, not poysonous_, P. 2. 96. b.
_They will live three months without sustenance_, ibid.
Spirits _Terrestrial and Elementary, their great Power_, P. 2. 171.
Spirits, _what they are, and by what means they operate good or
evil_, P. 2. 23.
Spirit of Salt _to distill without Retorts, with its use_, P. 1.
3. 418. 283. b.
Spirit of Salt, Salt-peter, _or_ Aqua Regia _to acquire easily, so
that one pound of it may be made with two or three pound of Coals,
and needs no rectification_, 225, 374. a.
Spirit of Salt _serves for Kitchen uses better than Vinegar_, 5,
10, 378, 379.
_Its great Vertues in Physick_, 287.
Spirit of Salt Tartarized, _to prepare_, 392. a.
_It allays Thirst byond all other remedies, and is of many good uses
in Physick_, ibid.
Spirit of Salt, _and Allom, volatile to prepare_, P. 1. 22.
_The use of_ Spirit of Salt _in Ships against_ Thirst, _and the_
Scurvy, 284.
_The_ Spirit of Salt _in Apothecaries Shops, of little worth_, 283.
a.
Spirit of Antimony, Tartarized, P. 1. 30. a. 41.
Spirit of Corals _and_ Sugar, _red, to prepare_, 53.
Spirit of Salt of Tartar, _and other fixed Salts_, 11.
Spirit of Salt of Tartar, _with crude Tartar to distill_, 44.
Spirit of Salt-peter, _white and acid, and red and volatile, to
prepare, with their use_, P. 1. 23.
Spirit of Niter _Sulphurated_, 29. a.
_Tartarized_, 30. a.
Acid Spirit, _or Vinegar to distill from all Vegetables_, P. 1. 10.
b.
_From Wood, in great quantity_, 188, 189.
Spirit of Stone-Coals, P. 1. 30. b.
_It cures_ Scald Heads _and all running Ulcers_, ibid.
Spirit of Grape-stones, _a Specifick for the_ Stone _and_ Gout, 54.
a.
Spirit of Gun-powder, 32.
Spirit of Hair, _and_ Horns, 11.
_Of_ Man’s Hair, 52.
_It dissolveth Sulphur into a Milk, and may be fixt into a Ruby_,
ibid.
_Of_ Harts-horn, _with its Vertues_, 51, 52.
Spirit of Honey, _to prepare_, 11, 52.
Spirit of Sal-Armoniack, _or_ Urine, _to prepare_, P. 1. 49.
_Its Vertues and Use_, 50.
Spirits _and_ Salts _of Minerals_, P. 1. 12.
Spirits _of_ Metals _and_ Minerals _volatile_, P. 1. 22. P. 2. 71.
b. 162, 218. a.
Spirit of Zinck, _to prepare_, P. 1. 23.
_Of the Dross of_ Regulus Martis, _ibid._
Spirit of Saturn, 36.
_It is a meer poyson, but of great power in Alchymy_, P. 2. 164. a.
Spirit of Jupiter, P. 1. 33.
Spirit of Mars, _with its Vertues_, P. 3. 46. b.
Spirit of Gold, _and_ Silver, _Tartarized_, P. 1. 41.
Spirit of Mercury _Tartarized_, ibid.
Spirit of Must, _or new Wine, to prepare_, P. 1. 53.
Spirit of Paper, _and Linnen Cloth_, 11.
Spirit of Silk, _ibid._
Spirit of Sugar, _with its Oyl_, 53.
Spirit of Tartar, 36.
_Its Use_, 37.
Spirit and _Oyl of_ Tartar _joyned with Metals and Minerals_, 38.
Spirit of Vinegar, Honey, _and_ Sugar, 11.
Spirit of Sulphur, 54.
Spirit of Vitriol _volatile, with its vertues and use_, P. 1. 17.
P. 2. 237, 238. a.
Sulphur of Vitriol _Narcotick, use and dose_, ibid.
_A_ Spirit _to be drawn from_ Wine (_by the help of a secret
Ferment_) _by which other Wines may be amended_, P. 2. 153. b.
_From_ Tartar, _by the same Ferment_, 218. b.
Spirit of Wine, _to prepare, that will draw out the Tincture of
Gold_, 139.
Spirit of Wine, _by its flame, dulcifies all sowr and bitter
things_, 190. b.
Spirit of Wine Alcolizate _extracts the Tinctures of all things,
and carries them over the Helm, is of admirable use for
Physicians, and may be acquired as cheap as other good Spirit of
Wine_, 186. b.
Spirit of Wine Alcolized _with the_ Salt of Art, _carries over the
Helm the Essences of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals_, P. 3. 54,
56. a.
Springs, _whether salt or sweet, their Original_, P. 1. 248. b. 249.
_The reason why some_ Springs _are fresh and others salt, and why
some are more salt than others_, P. 1. 256.
Steel _or Iron to Solder without Fire or Brass, onely by a Liquor_,
P. 1. 180.
Stone _of the Reins and Bladder, the cure_, P. 2. 24. b. 58, 88. b.
95. a. 102. b. 122. b. P. 3. 55.
Stone of Fire _of Basil Valentine_, P. 3. 65.
_Its great power and vertues_, ibid.
Stones _prepared by the Author, Tinging Metals_, P. 3. 37.
Sulphur, _burning, is the symbol of Death_, P. 1. 254. b.
Sulphurs _kill all Corrosives, and reduce them to a sweetness_,
386. b.
_Vegetable_ Sulphurs _perform it in one hours space, either in the
dry or moist way_, ibid.
Sulphur _is the Original of all Metals_, P. 2. 6. b.
_Every_ Sulphur _is brought to a Metallick state, by its own Agent,
or Vitriolate Salt_, ibid. Sulphur, _its cold and moist_ Fire, _to
prepare_, ibid.
Sulphur _to fix, by the most Fires of Salts_, 27.
_Common_ Sulphur _to purifie by an acid Spirit_, 124. b.
Lac Sulphuris _to prepare_, 102. a.
Sulphur of Antimony, Emetick, _to prepare_, P. 1. 30. b.
_Common_ Sulphur _to fix, in three days time, into a red tinging
Stone_, P. 2. 214.
_The power of_ Sulphur _in Coagulating and Tinging_, 161. a.
Sulphur _of Tartar, of admirable vertue_, ibid.
_It makes Gold white and brittle_, P. 3. 26. b.
_The Excellency of_ Sulphur, _when truly prepared, in Physick,
Alchymy, and other Arts_, P. 3. 2. b.
Sulphur _to wash and purge to a snow-like whiteness, and fix, to
abide the fire_, 4, 5, 6.
_Its use_, 7.
Sulphur _fixed, is the_ Unicorn’s Horn, _or true Bezoar of
Philosophers_, 7. b.
_Nothing tingeth but Sulphur_, 8. a.
_It hath ingress into Metals, and amends them, by the help of the
Salt of Metals_, 9. a.
_Of the_ Element of Fire of Sulphur, _and its use_, 3, 6. a.
_Its qualifications_, 61. a.
Sulphur _to convert into a_ gradatory Water, P. 3. 9.
_The danger of operating upon some_ Sulphurs _to fix them, with the
Authour’s advice to the Operatour_, 10. a.
Sulphurs _in fixing, joyned with Gold and Silver, make them
irreducible, but have both flux and ingress restored by the
Salt of Metals_, 10, 11.
Sulphur _may be fixt without the help of any external Fire, by the
invisible Fire of Niter_, 11. b.
_The_ Sulphur of Philosophers _held Captive in an obscure Coal_, P.
1. 190. b.
_The_ Sun _(by the Medium of the Air)_ _is the principal Instrument
of life_, P. 1. 389. a.
_Experiments to prove the same_, ibid.
Sun _Celestial and Terrestrial, their harmony with Wine and Man_, P.
2. 130.
T
Tobacco _rightly prepared and administered, effecteth great Cures_,
P. 1. 281. a.
Tapestry, _its faded Colours to restore_, 181.
Tartar _to extract from the Lees of Wine_, 292. a.
Tartar _afforded by other Vegetables besides Wine_, 53. b.
_It causeth not the Gout or Stone_, ibid.
Tartar _to purifie after divers manners_, P. 2. 69. b.
Tartar _truly purified, and conjoyned with Common Water, and pure
Spirit of Wine, make good Wine, like the natural_, 140. a.
Thrush _and other sore Mouths in Children, to cure_, P. 1. 287. b.
Tin _to purge from its superfluous Sulphur divers ways_, P. 1. 130. a.
_To make_ Tin _hard and white, like Silver_, 180.
Tin _may serve for the writing of Letters, in case of secrecy_,
273. a.
Tin, _its nature and property, how it may be washed, so as to yield
Gold and Silver on the Cupel_, P. 2. 200.
Tin _yields its Gold and Silver to Copper, or_ Regulus _of
Antimony_, 69. a.
_A_ Process _to separate Gold and Silver from_ Tin _with gain_, 202.
_The feces which are separated, are of more worth than the Gold and
Silver_, 203. b.
Tin _is fixed by_ Aqua Fortis, P. 1. 323. b.
Tincture _of Antimony_, P. 1. 51.
Tincture _or_ Anima _of Antimony, to purifie_, P. 2. 158.
Tincture _of_ Arsnick _and_ Lune, 69. a.
Tincture _of_ Corals, _to prepare_, 170.
Tinctures _to extract from_ Gems, _and with them to tinge Silver
into Gold_, P. 3. 50. a.
Tinctures _introduced into Glass_, P. 2. 171. a.
Tincture _of Flints, to bring it over the helm and fix it_, P. 2.
215.
Tincture _of_ Gold _to prepare divers ways_, 165, 166, 169.
Tincture _of_ Gold _and_ Antimony, P. 1. 78.
_Of Gold_ per se, 79.
Tincture _of_ Gold, _to prepare, with the Oyl of Salt, its use and
dose_, 288. b.
_With the Liquor of Flints or Pebbles_, 47.
Tincture of Gun-powder, _its preparation and use_, P. 1. 32, 33.
Tincture _of_ Lapis Calaminaris, _it is permanent in the fire_,
34. a.
Tincture _of Pebble-stones, to prepare_, 45.
_Its use in Physick_, ibid. b.
_It abides the strongest fire_, 46. a.
Tincture _of_ Metals, _to prepare_, P. 2. 67.
Tincture _of_ Mars _found_, 69. a.
Tinctures _of_ Metals _to bring over the helm with_ Proserpina, P.
3. 46, 47.
_And to Coagulate them into a sweet fusile Stone_, 49.
_To fix those Tinctures_, 51. a.
_A_ Tincture _or_ Universal Medicine _to prepare for humane and
metallick Bodies by the help of a fiery_ Alcahest, P. 2. 213.
Tincture _or_ Anima _of Common Sulphur, diaphoretick, to prepare_,
P. 1. 51. P. 2. 158.
_No Tincture without Sulphur, nor no Sulphur fixt, without Salt,
both those are found in Vitriol_, P. 1. 375. a.
_A true_ Tincture _may be made by Salt and Fire, for the Melioration
of Metals_, 435. N.B.
Tincture _of crude Tartar_, P. 1. 50.
Tinctures _of Vegetables, to prepare_, ibid.
_Of Sulphur_, P. 3. 81. b. N.B.
Toad, _Serpent, and some other poysonous Animals, are stript of their
poyson, by a bare decoction, so that their flesh may safely be
eaten_, P. 2. 93.
Tooth-ach, _eased by Spirit of_ Sal-Armoniack, P. 1. 50.
_An infallible remedy for the_ Tooth-ach, P. 3. 65. b.
Travellers _and others who are much in the Weather, may be kept dry
by Cloth dipt in a certain Varnish_, P. 1. 181.
Travellers _to keep warm in cold weather, in Coaches or Waggons, by
the help of an Artificial Fire, which may be kindled or put out at
pleasure_, P. 2. 114.
Trees _made to grow up speedily out of Metals, by the Liquor of Sand_,
P. 1. 48, 178.
V
Vegetable _Seeds contain much Volatile Salt_, P. 3. 69. a. N.B.
Vegetables _venomous, to correct, and convert into good Medicines, by
the moist Fires of Salts_, P. 2. 25.
_By Spirit of Niter_, 101.
Vegetable Essences _to prepare_, 84.
_Their great Vertues_, 85, 103, 104.
Essence _of_ Spices, 87.
_A_ Vegetable _may be converted into a Metal_, P. 1. 248. a.
Vegetables _afford a common yellow Sulphur, in all things like to
the Mineral_, ibid.
Vegetables, _their Concentration_, 306.
_Of the different_ Salts _of_ Vegetables, 308. b.
Vermin _to discover by an Experiment, which are of most use in
Medicine_, P. 2. 23.
Vertues _of things to discover by their Signature and Characters_, P.
1. 270, 271.
_Impotency of_ Venus, _to help_, P. 1. 266. a. P. 2. 55. b.
Vessel _of Wood serving for Boyling, Distilling_, &c. _as well as
Copper, Iron, or Tin Vessels_, P. 1. 57.
Vessel _of Wood for Bathing and Sweating, which may be kept hot at
pleasure_, ibid.
_Their uses, in Boyling, Distilling, Bathing, Sweating_, &c. ibid.
_The_ Vine _draweth an odour and savour from the Earth, beyond all
other Plants, so that any savour may be communicated to it at
pleasure by the skilfull_, P. 2. 125. b.
_An Oyl of a sweet and strong odour, being put to the Roots of_
Vines, _will cause them to bring forth_ Muscadel Grapes _for ten
years_, 126. a.
_To cause_ Vines _to grow in hard Rocks without Earth or Dung_, P.
1. 192. a.
Vines, _and other Fruit-trees, to cause to bear much Fruit_, 189. a.
Vinegar, _the manner of making it_, P. 1. 291. b.
Vinegar _to make of Grain_, 166. b.
_Of Honey_, 314. a.
Vinegar _of Wood_, 188.
_It breaks Rocks and Stones_, 192. b.
Vinegar _of Wine and Beer, how to distinguish them from each other,
although they be of equal strength_, 159. b.
Vinegar _to make of Wine, Beer, Metheglin_, &c. _by the help of_
Sal-mirabilis, _without the heat of the Sun_, P. 1. 406. a.
Vinegar _and_ Brandy _to distill without fire_, ibid.
Vitriol, _its great Vertues, when duly prepared, both in Medicine and
Alchymy_, P. 1. 235, 236.
_Of the Species of_ Vitriol, _and how to prove its goodness, both
for Alchymy and Physick_, ibid.
_The use of the_ Colcothar, _and_ Oyl of Vitriol _in Chyrurgery_,
256. b.
_Errours and Abuses in preparing of Vitriol_, 237.
_Of the red Oyl of Vitriol_, 23. a.
_It cures the_ Scab, Scald-heads, Tetters, Ringworms, Ulcers, _&c._
239. a.
_Of the white and green Oyl of Vitriol_, ibid.
Vitriol _and_ Allom _may be made out of Common Salt_, P. 1. 406. a.
Vitriol _of_ Copper _to prepare with Spirit of_ Sal-Armoniack, 50.
Vitriol _of_ Gold, _to prepare, with its use_, P. 2. 134.
Vitriol _of_ Lune, P. 1. 18, 51.
Vitriol _of_ Lune _is the Vitriol of Philosophers, which_ Basilius
_appoints to be taken for his work_, P. 2. 128. a.
Vitriol _of_ Mars _and_ Venus _to prepare_, P. 1. 18.
Vitriol _is the Smaragdine Table of Hermes_, P. 1. 411. b.
Vitriol _affordeth the Stone of the Wise_, P. 2. 2.
_The preparation of its Fire_, ibid.
_Divers ways of proving its goodness_, ibid.
_Its use in Medicine, Alchymy, and other Arts_, 3.
Volatile Spirit of Vitriol, _to prepare, for the extracting and
correcting_ Opium, 111. b.
_History of the great power of the_ Sulphur of Vitriol, ibid.
Ulcers, _the cure_, P. 1. 21. a. 40. b. 50. b. 382, 383.
_Of the Mouth and Throat_, 265. a.
Urine _may afford great profit_, P. 2. 185. b.
_Its fire or fiery Spirit to prepare_, 8.
Spirit _of_ Urine _to prepare in abundance by the help of_
Calx-vive, 194. b.
_Four, five, or six Pound of Spirit of Urine required to
Coagulate one Pound of prepared_ Oyl of Vitriol _for the
Secret_ Sal-Armoniack, 186. a.
W
Warts _to take away_, P. 1. 288. a.
Washballs, _or fine Soap to make, far exceeding that of_ Venice, 181.
Waters _Chalybeat to make at home of the same nature and vertues as_
Tunbridge _or the_ Spaw-water, 286. b.
Water _to concentrate, to quench thirst, and resist diseases_, 282. b.
Water _to preserve from stink and corruption on Shipboard_, 284. a.
Water _corrupted, and muddy, made sweet and clear_, 285. a.
Wax, _yellow, to make white_, P. 1. 179.
Wine, _its vertues and vices_, P. 1. 298. b.
_It is prejudicial to be drank by Youth_, ibid.
_It hath a great familiarity with Man, and Gold_, P. 2. 139.
New Wines _being fermented with_ Sal-mirabilis, _become fine in a
months time, and have the tast and smell of Old Wines_, N.B. P. 1.
405. b.
Wine _to make of an incredible strength by Fermentation_, 406. a.
_The Spirit in_ Wine, _Beer, or other Liquors, is their preserver_,
159. a.
Wines _to preserve from fretting in Summer_, 286. a.
Wines _grown brown or red by keeping, again _made clear_, 285. a.
Wines _poor and eager, to amend_, 157, 158.
_To amend and strengthen small_ Wines _in such years as the Grapes
are not sufficiently ripe for want of Sun_, 299. a. P. 2. 153. b.
218. b.
_The vertue of the_ Quintessence _of_ Wine _in bettering of all
Wines_, P. 1. 300. b.
Wine, _Tenacious, or roapy and corrupt, how brought to its former
state and purity_, P. 2. 27.
Wines _to preserve and amend by the Element of Fire of Sulphur_, P.
2. 3. b.
_To give to_ French Wines _the Smell, Tast, and Colour of Rhenish,
and make it keep many years good_, P. 1. 286. a.
Rhenish Wine _to change into_ Muscadel _by a certain Herb_, P. 2.
125. a.
_The difference of_ Wines, P. 1. 299. a.
Spanish Wines _contain no Tartar_, ibid.
_but afford a double quantity of Spirit, to what Rhenish Wine doth_,
ibid.
Wine _to concentrate, or bring into a narrow compass, so that it may
be carried from place to place with small charge_, 299. b. 300.
Wines _may be made of the juice of Apples or Pears, having the
relish of the natural, and but little inferiour to it in strength
and durability_, P. 1. 166. b. 181, 183.
_Of_ Wine-Lees _to make Brandy, Vinegar, Tartar, and Pot-ashes_,
292, 293.
Wood _to preserve long from rotting_, P. 1. 189.
Wood, _its Sap or Juice to press out, for the making of_ Saltpeter,
_and other uses_, 188, 189.
Wood _to prepare by_ Sal-mirabilis, _that it may long resist the
Fire and Water_, P. 2. 52, 53.
Womens _Skins to make of a beautifull whiteness_, P. 1. 181.
Womb, _an excellent Medicine to prepare for it_, P. 2. 117.
_An Instrument to convey Medicines into the_ Womb, _with its use_,
118. a.
Worms, _the cure_, P. 1. 21. a. 41. a. 50. b. 364. b.
_A certain Remedy against_ Worms, _and the Fevers thence
proceeding_, P. 2. 134. b.
_Another of no charge_, 136. a.
_An History of a Child that had_ Worms, 136.
_How to make_ Worms _creep out of the Earth of their own accord_,
104. a.
Worms _to convert into good Medicine, by the Universal Dissolvent_,
97.
May-worms _prepared by the_ Alcahest _or Liquour of fixt Niter, are
a Remedy against the_ Gout _and_ Stone, _also against the
Impotency of_ Venus, 104. b.
Z
_Of_ Zink, P. 1. 319.
Advertisement _of BOOKS Published by the_ Authour.
I. _De Succo Pancreatico_: or, A Physical and Anatomical Discourse
of the Juice of the _Pancreatick_ Juice; shewing its generation in
the Body, what Diseases arise from its Vitiation; from whence in
particular, by plain and familiar Examples, is accurately demonstrated
the Causes and Cures of _Agues_ or intermitting _Feavers_ hitherto so
difficult and uncertain. Sold by _John Lawrence_ at the _Angel_ in the
_Poultrey_. Price bound 2 _s._ 6 _d._
II. _Praxis Catholica_: or, the Country-man’s Universal Remedy: wherein
is briefly and plainly laid down the Nature, Matter, Manner, Place,
and Cure of most _Diseases_ incident to the Body of Man; not hitherto
discovered. Whereby any one of an ordinary capacity, may apprehend the
true Cause of his distempers, wherein his Cure consists, and the means
to effect it; together with Rules how to order Children in that most
violent disease of Vomiting and Looseness, _&c._ Usefull likewise for
Seamen and Travellers. Also an account of an incomparable Powder for
_Wounds_, or _Bruises_, which cures any ordinary ones at once dressing.
Sold also by _John Lawrence_ at the _Angel_ in the _Poultrey_. Price
bound 1 _s._ 6 _d._
III. _Chymical Aphorisms_: briefly containing whatsoever belongs to
the Chymical Science. Sold by _W. Cooper_ at the _Pelican_ in _Little
Britain_, and _D. Newman_ at the _King’s Arms_ in the _Poultrey_. Price
bound 6 _d._
_FINIS._
Transcriber’s Notes:
- Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
- Text enclosed by equals is upright (emphasized) text within
italics paragraphs (=equals=).
- A table of contents has been added.
- Errata have been applied.
- Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. It is
clear that there are many typesetter errors, but corrections were
only made where typos were obvious or to clarify meaning, never just
to modernize spelling or even to make it consistent.
*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 74240 ***