â—ow what this Mercurial spirit Mercurial Soul astral Salt 〈◊〉 that the one may not be taken in stead of the other which â—ould cause a huge errour You will finde that the nature â—f the golden sulphur consisteth onely in all Metals which â—â—e comprehended among the red and have a fellow domiâ—ion with other Minerals by reason of the fiery tinging â—pirits but the magnetick power and its quality resteth in â—s white Mercurial spirit which bindeth the Soul and disâ—olveth the body therefore the Astrum of Sol is found not â—nely in Gold that with the addition of the spirit of Mercurie and the Solar Salt onely the Philosophers stone câ—â— be made but may in like manner be prepared artificiâ—â— out of Copper and Steel two immature Metals both wâ—â— as male and female have red tinging qualities as welâ— Gold it self whither the same be taken out of one alâ—â— or out of both being first entred into an Union Besiâ—â— this Mineral in our Mothers tongue is a Mineral called â—â—per water and of broken or digged Verdigreece or Copâ—â— there can be made a Vitriol in all which is found gloriâ—â—ly a Soul of the best Gold and come well to passe very pâ—fitably many wayes no Countrey clown can believeâ— Therefore note here what you ought to observe intâ— thy thoughts and give not over unlesse you be comeâ— far that you know natures mystical conjunction and her 〈◊〉 solution then you will finde what is requisite for you 〈◊〉 know and return thanks unto thy Creator make use ofâ— for his glorie and be beneficial to the needy This white spirit is the true Mercury of Philosopheâ— which hath been before me and will be after me withâ—â— which the Philosophers stone and the great mystery can 〈◊〉 made neither universally nor particularly much lesse a paâ—â—cular transmutation And this spirit is the Key to the opeâ—ing of all Metals and their locking in again This spirit is 〈◊〉 sociable unto all Metals because they have their desceâ— from his sanguinity as you heard often For he is that trâ— primum mobile sought of many thousands and found 〈◊〉 none and yet all the World is greedy of it is sought 〈◊〉 far off and found near at hand he is and moveth befoâ— the eyes of all men for if this spirit be fed with a Metalliâ—â— sulphur and Salt of these three there will be one mattâ— made not much unlike to the Philosophers great stonâ— however duely must be proceeded in and a true procesâ— from the beginning to the end must be observed for thâ—â— corporal Salt must be dissolved into this spirit dissolveâ— turn'd and brought into its prima materia as the spirit hiâ— self is then both these of one equal descent and birth bâ— means of fire with coagulating of the spirit may be genâ—rated a third time to a firm fixation and to a pure transâ—rent white clarified body theÌ„ after this accomplished alâ—o the Soul which is dissolved must seek for her rest again â—netrate such a pure body unite with the same and rise 〈◊〉 dwelling therein that these three be permanent and â—iding constantly in one body eternally clarified And that you may be informed how in this manner both â—ur dissolved seeds as the spirit of Mercury and the Soul the Gold be made again fix and corporeal note that it is â—ne onely by the proper Salt of Sol which in this Art is â—â—led a body Now observe here that you take no heteroâ—neal thing in stead of it What manner of processe is here â—ed read my fourth Key where the truth of it is held â—â—th with singular examples and proves but you are â—â—cially to observe in case you do not understand that â—y this plain and true information look upon the body 〈◊〉 Gold not as if no other benefit could be reaped of it â—t onely his Soul not so impute no such weaknesse unto â—â—t body but after you have drawn forth its Sulphur there yet in it the Salt of glory and of the triumphant victrix â—thout which your spermatick seed cannot be brought unâ— any coagulation And even this Salt now of which I â—ade so long a discourse how you ought to bring it our of 〈◊〉 corporeal form through means of the spirit of Mercury â—to it s prima materia is afterward turn'd again into a deeply â—â—rified and exalted body Therefore take your Solar earth out of which you drew â—ur seedr or the true Lions bloud and reduce it by reverâ—â—rating to a fix'd powder and subtile impalpable ashes â—â—tract from thence a very subtile Salt as bright as Ivory 〈◊〉 hereafter I will teach you in the Manuals how the body 〈◊〉 Sol is anatomized by the particulars and to bring it into Sulphur Salt and Mercury Then proceed unto the praâ—â—ck and conjunction and have a care that you be proâ—dent therein that at their conjunction you do not too â—â—ch to the one and too little to the other take notice 〈◊〉 the quantity and observe exactly the division of the seeds hereunto minister a certain measure and mark 〈◊〉 sixth Key then proceed in the begun processe accordinâ— to the order of the seventh eighth ninth and tenth Kâ—â— as formerly I had informed you about it go on with it 〈◊〉 the appearance of the Kings honour and glory to 〈◊〉 highest purple garment and pure golden piece who is câ—â—led the Triumphing Lord and Conquerour over all his suâ—jects from the East to the West which if you have attainâ— unto them return thanks to God be fervent in praying 〈◊〉 mindfull of the poor be a student unto sobriery tempâ—rance abstinence and above all unto taciturnity for it the greatest and most hainous sin to let unworthy mâ—â— know of it The augmentation of this heavenly stone as also the fâ—â—mentation is needlesse to be spoken of in that place as bâ—ing described in my two last Keyes and held forth to the fuâ— not doubting if God grants so much blessing and imparteâ— this stone the sense of these two Keyes will be more coâ—ceived of for no heterogeneal things must be brougâ—â— to our Metalline substance neither at the beginning miâ—dle or end but the Mercurial spirit and the digested Meâ—â—cine spoken of in my eleventh Key To be further as good as I promised concerning othâ— things quoted in my Keyes know ye that no Philosopher tied wholly unto the Metal of Gold of which I spoâ—â— largely hitherto and disclosed the true fundamentals theâ—of and as you heard afore the whole mystery lieth hereâ—â— viz. in the tinging of red fiery spirits of Metalline Souâ— and all what is tinged red and is known to have a fiercâ— sulphur all such are kinde to the Solar Astrum and whâ—â— the Mercurial spirit is joyned with then the proceed 〈◊〉 may go on universaliter and Particulariter that a tincture obtained from them whereby Metals and vulgar Mercâ—â— can be exalted and be ordered according to the tenor the processe Such Souls and goldish Sulphurs are found most effectâ— in Mars and
fruits serve for mans good both for his body and spiâ—â— for nothing is hid from my transparent power my splenâ—â— and lustre over-shadoweth all these and are held to â—ir growing unto maturity let no creatures marvel at â—â—se several distinctions from whence they all should â—ne for all have their principle from me froÌ„ my spirit â—ich is hidden in me which none can dive into save the 〈◊〉 creator of all things from whom it proceeded as out â—his Divine mouth Thus I close up my speech and my 〈◊〉 startle at so great a mystery and attest in truth for a â—ewell that I am not onely the Gold and present Sol but â—e also strength and power to all the inferies terrene spiâ—â— for Aristeus and Onizon is in subjection unto me for I 〈◊〉 α and God be praised for ever Thus I conclude the second part of my Mineral book â—erein I have shewed faithfully as much as I know and â—â—ld in my industry apprehend let others do their enâ—avours also let them produce their knowledge also that 〈◊〉 light of the noble nature may still be supply'd in her â—â—nitude and may not go out whereby cause would be â—â—en to the enemy and envious men to be outragious â—â—inst such truths Let God still and uncessantly be imâ—â—tuned with prayers and thanks-giving For these ends â—ave written these my two Treatises and annexed the â—nuals at the beginning which otherwise needed not to 〈◊〉 done that by earnest prayer and thanksgiving and conâ—â—ued earnest worshipping of God every one might careâ—â—ly exercise himself therein and be convinced in his â—â—ason how gloriously almighty God hath created orâ—â—ined and held forth nature to perform her operations under ground and to produce unto the day light formâ—â— their Nativities and fruits that we may reap thereby 〈◊〉 onely our sustenance but may acknowledge Gods infinâ— mercy and goodnesse for which none can return sufficieâ— thanks However let every one do his duty and as moâ— as he is able to perform with his heart and tongue pray God is sincerity for his grace blessing and wisdom tâ— conceive by his spirit of truth and righteousnesse of his great and wonderfull Creature that the honour of God maybe exalted above the Heaven and be proclaimed with infinite praise throughout all the World End of the second Part. THE THIRD PART OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS His last TESTAMENT Treating of the Universal work in the whole World with a perfect Declaration of the XII Keyes wherein is significantly expressed the name of the great matter There is an Elucidation also of all his former writings published for the good of the posteritie and such that are lovers of wisdom LONDON Printed Anno Domini MDCLVI THE THIRD PART IS A Declaration of the XII Keyes HEre followeth the third part of my intended writings wherein is truely shewed the original and prime matter of our Philosophick stone which is a perfect instruction to the practick part which sheweth the direct way to the inexhaustible founâ— of health and of the abundance of riches to provide mans necessaries and this is a Declaration of my former â—itings which is left for a love-token to all those that lovers of Philosophy My friend you must note that by this intended work â—ching the Minerals I had reason to prefix the two parts Minerals and Metals and their Oars holding it a necesâ—y to hold forth a light unto the ignorant how that one 〈◊〉 it from above frameth all such Oars Metals and Mineâ—s taking their original under ground for to generate â—ereby For earth is alwayes ready and covetous to atâ—ct and to retain that spirit which proceedeth from Heaâ—ns powers which it presenteth in processe of time in a â—mality and perfection The manner of it hath been spoâ—en of sufficiently in my former writings which is the reaâ—n why I give onely hints of them in this place Note that all things proceed from a heavenly influencâ— elementall operation earthly substance from this mixâ—â—â— arise the 4. Elements water aire earth which engender hâ—â— the help of fire hid therein in a warm digestion produciâ—â— a Soul Spirit and Body These are the three prime priâ—ciples which in a coagulation come to a Mercury Sulphâ— and Salt these three being in conjunction according to thâ— nature of the seed produce a perfect bodie be it in thâ— Kingdom either of Minerals Animals or Vegetables Aâ— things in the world that are visible and palpable are dâ—â—vided into these three Kingdoms the Animal which coâ—tains such that have a lively breath composed of flesh anâ— bloud as men beasts worms fishes fowls The Vegetables which contains trees herbs seeds roots fruits anâ— all such things that are of a growing quality the Mineraâ— contains all manner of Oars Metals Minerals Marcasâ—â— Calxes Zincks Lobol's all sorts of flints peebles wismuthâ— stones precious ones and others Animals have their special seed a spermatick substance which after a copulation generate flesh and blood whicâ— iced is their prima materia from a heavenly influence created of God of the 4. Elements wrought by nature whicâ— formerly were quoted in my writings Vegetables also have their proper seed which God bestowed on them according to their several qualities anâ— forms by a heavenly and sideral influence and receive theâ— elemental fruitfull growing from the earth with an ordeâ— thereby to generate and augment Minerals and Metals also have their original seed froâ— God by the heavens influence in a liquid aereall substance by a Mineral spirit sulphureous Soul and earthâ— Salt in one body joyned of these I have spoken in my sâ—mer writings Note further if any of these Metalliâ— and Mineral kindâ— shall be brought to a farther propagation and augmentatâ—on it must first be reduced to its first seed and prima mâ—teria If you will transmute Metals augment them bring â—em into a tincture or Philosophick stone you must first â—derstand how you may destroy by a spagyrick Art the â—etalline and Mineral form and separate it into a Mercury â—â—lphur and Salt these three must be purely separated and ought to their first principles This separation is done in and by a Mercurial spirit sulâ—ureous Soul and a white Salt These three in a due orâ—ring of a true manual must be joyned again that they â—ay be brought to the highest and most perfect purity In which conjunction must exactly be observed the â—â—antity after this conjunction the whole substance is â—eerly a liquid substance and philosophick water in which â—l the Elements first the heavenly then the elemental and â—â—sly the earthly qualities are shut up and lye hid therein For the Mercurial spirit is cold and moist the sulphureous â—oul is warm and dry and this liquor is the true prima maâ—ria and first seed of Metals and Minerals which by Vulâ—â—ns Art is brought to a plusquam perfection into a transcenâ—ent fix'd Medicine out of which is generated the true â—hilosophick stone and must be produced in that way Therefore observe and
Venus as also in Vitriol and both Venus aâ—â— â—â—ars can be reduced into a most effectual Vitriol in which Metalline Vitriol afterward all the three principles as Merâ—ury Sulphur and Salt are found under one heaven and with â—â—tle pains and short time each can be taken out of it apart â—s you shall hear when I shall make further relation of the Mineral Vitriol which is digged in Hungary of a high graâ—ation Now if you have wit and understanding art inâ—lined and heartily desireth to conceive of the true meanâ—ng of my Keyes and of my other writings thereby to unâ—oâ—k the locks of Metals for our store then you should have â—aken notice and observed that in all these I have written â—ot onely of the Metal of Sol of its Sulphur and Salt but I â—ave interlined and mingled also and made uniformal other â—ed Metals from whence may be had the mystical Masterie â—herefore men ought to iterate often the reading of Philosophick books then a true sense and meaning may be drawn â—rom them which without divine illumination cannot be â—either c. But hoping that those who are fully and really resolved â—o incline their hearts unto wisdom will give more attenâ—ion thereunto than the other madd worldlings for whom â—hese my writings were not intended for I spoke as plainly â—s ever possibly I could and this kindled light shall further â—e purified so that true and sincere Novices may have a â—ull light without an eclipse from their beginning to their â—nding To which end I took these pains to disclose that which all the World was silent in and concealed it to their â—ast end and buried it in silence to their very graves The scope I aimed at in so doing was not to hunt after any â—ain glory but rather that Gods gracious provident goodnesse might be held forth unto posterity that the future â—â—ges might become seeing and some of the posterities eyes might be kept open and be helpfull unto their needy fellow Artist and make them partakers of Gods graces and gifts Though my minde be mightily perplexed when I think â—â—on what I have done because I write so plainly not knowâ—ng into whose hands after my departure these my writings may come However I hope let them be what they will that they will remember and lay to heart my faithfull warnings inserted in my former and these present writings thaâ— they deal with this book and use it so that they may givâ— good accompt for it to Almighty God Touching further the Vitriol I should make mention oâ— it in my Manuals where I treat and write generally of Minerals But it being such a singular Mineral whose felioâ— whole nature doth not produce besides Vitriol before aâ—â— others is of great affinity unto Metals and is next kiâ— unto them for out of all Metals there can be made a Vitriol or Chrystal Chrystal and Vitriol is taken for one therefore I would not bereave it of its own praise and put itâ— commendation too far off but rather preferre it as therâ— is just cause before other Minerals and the first place nexâ— to Metals should be given unto it for setting aside all Metals and Minerals this is sufficient to make the Philosopherâ— stone of it which no other in the World can do the like though some particulariter are a help to further that work and Antimony alone is a sufficient Master hereunto as iâ— its due place more shall be spoken of However none iâ— thus much dignified in its worthinesse that the said Philosophick stone could be made of it as this Vitriol is Therefore ancient Philosophers have concealed this Mineral aâ— much as ever they could and would not reveal the same tâ— their own Children that they should not divulge it in the World but be kept secret though they published thaâ— such preparation is made out of one thing and out of onâ— body which hath the nature of Sol and Lune and containeth also the Mercury wherein they said true enough because it is so But here I must admonish you that you maâ— turn this argument and settle your thoughts wholly upoâ— Metalline Vitriols because I intrusted you that out of Venus and Mars there can be made an excellent Vitriol where in are found the three principles for the generation of oâ—â— stone but you must further note also that neverthelessâ— these three Metals as Spiritus anima corpus are buried anâ— â—â—d in a Mineral Vitriol as in a Mineral it self Understand â—is according to the distinct natures of Vitriol For the â—est which according to my experience shewed it self most â—ffectual herein is that which is broken and digged in â—ungarie of a very deep degree of tincture not very unlike â—â—to a fair blue Saphir having very little of humidities and â—ther additionals or strange Oars the oftner it is dissolved â—â—d coagulated the more is it exalted in its deep tinging â—olour and is beheld with great admiration This high graduated Vitriol is found crude in those places â—here Gold Copper Iron is broken and digg'd and is â—bundantly transported from thence into forraign parts inâ— much that sometimes there is great scantnesse of it in those â—â—rts and elsewhere Though the vulgar people can afford no better name to 〈◊〉 calling it onely a Copper-water however ancient Philoâ—â—ers by reason of its unspeakable vertue and dignity exâ—ll'd it and call'd it Vitriolum for that reason because its â—iritual Oyl containeth all the three principles of all the â—iumphing qualities If you get such deep graduated and well prepared Mineâ—â— called Vitriol then pray to God for understanding and â—â—sdom for your intention and after you have calcined it â—t it into a well coated Retort drive it gently at first then â—â—rease the fire there comes in the form of a white spirit of â—â—riol in the manner of a horrid fume or winde cometh â—o the Receiver as long as it hath any such material in it â—d note that in this winde are invisibly hid all the three â—â—ciples and come together out of that dwelling therefore â—s not necessary to seek and search alwayes in precious â—â—ngs because by this means there is a nearer way open â—â—o nature's mysteries and is held forth to all such which 〈◊〉 able to conceive of Art and wisdom Now if you separate and free this expell'd spirit well and â—ely per modum distillation is from its earthly humidity â—n in the bottom of the glasse you will finde the treasure 〈◊〉 fundamentals of all the Philosophers and yet known to none which is a red Oyl as ponderous in weight as eveâ— any Lead or Gold may be as thick as bloud of a burning fiery quality which is that true fluid Gold of Philosophers which nature drove together from the three principles wherein is found a spirit soul and body and is that philosophick Gold saving one which is its dissolution during thâ— fire and not subject to any corruptiblenesse else it flieâ—â— away with body and Soul
Saturn is not to be thus slighted by reason of iâ— external despicable form if he be wrought in a due processe after the Philosophers way he is able to requite aâ—â— the pains the Art-seeking Laborers bestow on him and wilâ— acknowledge him rather to be the Lord and not the servant a Lords honour is due unto him not onely in respect of mans health but in respect also of meliorating oâ— Metals the preparation of it is thus Take â—ed Minium or Ceruse these are of several worths the one is better before the other according to their several examinations those that are sold in shops are seldoâ— pure without their due additionals my advise is that every Artist undertake himself the destruction of Saturn thâ—â— processe of it is several of the best I give this hint Take pure Lead which yields to the hammer as much as you please laminate it thinly the thinner the better â—ng these lamins or a large glasse filled with strong Vineâ—â— in which is dissolved a like quantity of the best Salmonie sublimed thrice with common Salt stop the glasâ—â— mouth very closely that nothing evaporate set the glasse 〈◊〉 ashes of a gentle heat otherwise the spirits of the Vineâ—r and Salarmonick ascend and touch the Saturnal lamins 〈◊〉 the tenth or twelfth day you will spie a subtile Ceruse â—â—iging on these lamins brush them off with a Hares foot 〈◊〉 on get enough of this Ceruse provided you buy good â—ates if sophisticated you labour in vain Take a quanâ—â—y of it if you please put it in a body pour strong Vineâ—â—r on it which several times hath been rectified and was â—â—tified at the last rectification with a sixtienth part of â—â—irit of vulgar Salt dephlegmed and drawn over stop â—â—e body well or which is better lute a blende head to 〈◊〉 set the body in ashes to be digested swing it often â—â—out in few dayes the Vinegar begins to look yellow â—â—d sweet as the first iterate it a third time it is sufficient â—he remnant of the Ceruse stayeth in the bodies bottom 〈◊〉 shapely filter the ting'd Vinegar clearly that is of a â—ansparent yellownesse put all the ting'd Vinegar togeâ—â—er abstract two parts of it in Balneo Mariae let the third â—â—rt stay behinde this third part is of a reasonable Rubedo 〈◊〉 the glasse in a very cold water then the Chrystalls will â—oot the sooner being shot take them out with a woodden â—oon lay them on a paper for to dry these are as sweet as â—â—gar and are of great energy against inflamed symptomes â—â—stract the Vinegar further in Balneo in which the Chryâ—â—als did shoot set that distillation aside for the shooâ—ing 〈◊〉 more Chrystals and proceed with these as you did forâ—erly Now take all these Chrystals together they in their apâ—earance are like unto clarified Sugar or Salpeter beat â—â—em in a Morter of glasse or iron or grinde them on a 〈◊〉 Marble unto an uâ—palpablenesse reverberate it in a â—entle heat to a bloud-like rednesse Provided they do not turn to a blacknesse Having them in a Scarlet colour Put them in a glasse pour on a good spirit of Juniper abstracted from its Oyl and rectified several times into 〈◊〉 fair white bright manner lute the glasse above set it in 〈◊〉 gentle heat let the spirit of Juniper be ring'd with a transparent rednesse like bloud then cant it off neatly froâ— the feces into a pure glasse with that proviso that no impuâ—â— thing run along on the feces pour other spirit of Juniper extract still as long as any spirit taketh the tincture keeâ—â— these feces they contain the Salt Take all these ting'd spirits together filter them abstracâ— them gently in Balneo there remaineth in the bottom 〈◊〉 near Carnation powder which is the animae of Saturn poâ—â— on it Rain water often distill'd distil it strongly severaâ— times to get off that which staid with the spirit of Juniper and so this subtile powder will be edulcorated delicately keep it in a strong boyling cant it off then let iâ— go off neatly let it dry gently for safeties sake reverberate it again gently for its better exiccation let all impurity evaporate let it grow cold put it in a Viol put twicâ— as much of spirit of Mercury to it which I told you of iâ— the third part of the Universal entrusted you upon youâ— conscience with it seal it Hermeticè set it in a vapor oâ—â— Bath which I prescribed at the preparation of the spiriâ— of Mercury called the Philosophers fimus equinus let iâ— stand in the Mystical Furnace for a moneth then the animaâ— of Saturn closeth dayly with the spirit of Mercury anâ— both become inseparable making up a fair transparenâ— deeply ting'd red Oyl look to the government of the fire be not too high with it else you put the spirit of Mercurâ— as a volatile spirit to betake himself to his wings foreinâ— him to the breaking of the glasse but if these be well united then no such fear look for for one nature embraceth and upholdeth the other Then take this Oyl or dissolved anima of Saturn out oâ— the Viol it is of a gallant fragrancie put it into a body apply a Helmet to it lute it well drive it over then souâ— â—d spirit is united together and fit to transmute Mercury â—rcipitated into Sol. The precipitation of Mercury is done thus take one 〈◊〉 of the spirit of Salt of Niter and three parts of Oyl of â—â—riol put these together cast into it half a part of quick â—rcury being very well purged set it in Sand put a reaâ—â—able strong fire to it so that the spirits may not fly â—ay let it stand a whole day and night then abstract all â—e spirits then you finde in the bottom a precipitated â—â—tency some what red pour the spirits on it again let it â—nd day and night abstract it again then your precipiâ—â—e will be more red than at the first pour it a third time â—â—n it then abstract strongly then your precipitate is at 〈◊〉 highest rubedo dulcifie it with distill'd water let it â—â—ongly be exiccated Then take two parts of this preciâ—tated Mercury one part of the dissolved Saturnal Oyl 〈◊〉 thâ—e together set it in the ashes let all be fixed not â—e drop must stick any where to the glasse Then it â—ust be melted with due additionals of lead they close â—â—gether afford Gold which afterward at the casting â—ough Antimony can be exalted I have informed you hereof where I treated of Mercury â—ut But note that Mercury must not be precipitated â—lesse with pure Oyl of Vitriol or Oyl of Venus with 〈◊〉 addition of the spirit of Salt of Niter Albeit such â—ercurie cannot be brought to its highest fixation by way â—f precipitating but its fix'd coagulation is found in Saâ—â—n as you heard Be it the abovesaid Mercury small grinde it on a stone put 〈◊〉 in a Viol pour on it the dissolved Saturnal Oyl it entreth â—â—nstantly if so
take one part of the best and finest Gold caâ—â— through Antimony laminate it very thinly as possibly 〈◊〉 may be beaten put these together in a Vessel or meltinâ— For at first let your fire be gentle for xij hours then let 〈◊〉 continually be in the melting for three dayes and nightâ— then the purged Gold and Stone is turned into a meer Medicine of a subtile spiritual penetrating qualitie for without the ferment of Gold the Medicine or Stone cannot welâ— make the tincture being too subtile and too penetrative 〈◊〉 but being fermented with its like then the made tincturâ— hath gotten an ingresse to work into the other Then take one part of the prepared ferment to thousand parts oâ— melted Metal which you intend to tinge I tell you for 〈◊〉 certain truth all will be transmuted into perfect fix'd Goldâ— for the one body willingly embraceth the o her though it be not of the like yet joyneth with it by force and must be like unto it and like must be gotten of like He that maketh use of this means to him are revealed all fixations the porches at the ends have their issues no Creature comparable unto this subtility it is ALL in ALL according to its Natural descent containeth and possesseth all what may be found under the Sun O! beginning of the first beginning consider the end 〈◊〉 O! end of the last ends consider the beginning forget not to â—emember the middle in all fidelity God the Father 〈◊〉 and holy Ghost grant unto you things needfull for â—â—r Spirit Soul and Body Of the first matter of the Philosophers Stone THere is found a stone which is not deer Out of it is drawn a flying fire Of which the stone it self is made Of whiâ—e and red togeth'r joyn'd It is a stone and not a stone In it Nature work'th alone Out of it springs a Fountain clearly Which drowns its fix'd Father fully His life and body is both devoured At last his Soul to him is restored To whom his flying Mother is become Like in his own Kingdom Himself also in quality and might Hath gotten a greater strength The Son in old age doth excel The Mother which is made volatil By Vulcans Art but first however By the Spirit must be born the Father Body Soul Spirit consist in two The whole businesse goeth too and fro Comes onely from one which is meerly A thing that fixâ— to flying matters sully They â—â—e two and three and yee but one Conâ— ive of it right else you hit none Set Adam into a water Bath In which Venus her fellow hath Which the old Dragon hath prepared Wher'of his strength could not be ' stored Is nothing else saith one Philosophus But a duplicate Mercurius I say no more you heard its name Blest is he to whom it is well known Search into it spare no pains In the end you will finde the gain's FINIS A short way and â—EPETITION Of former Writings of BASILIUS VALENTINUS With an Elucidation thereof touching the Philosophers Stone Wherein is plainly demonstrated the true light unto Philosophie Whereunto are annexed real informations of the qualities and preparations of Mercury Antimony Vitriol-water common Sulphur unflak't Lime Arsenic Sal-peter Tartar Vinegar and Wine LONDON Printed Anno Domini MDCLVI be sure to finde the true way unto the sheep-fold I havâ— written no more then I shall bear record unto and own aâ— the day of Resurrection This short way is faithfully shewed in the following instruction in a plain dealing expression waving an elâ—quenâ— stile I have told you formerly that all things are composed oâ— three viz. of Mercury Sulphur and Salt and it is so as 〈◊〉 told But note also that the Stone is made of one two three four and fiâ—e by the word five I mean the Quint-essence by the word four are understood the Elements by three are meant the principles by two is meant the double mercurial substance by one is meant the first principle of aâ— things which proceedeth from the word at the first Creation Fiat Let there be Some may hold these expressions to be very intricate as if there were no sense nor ground for it what hath beeâ— said for the clearing these doubts I will speak briefly oâ— Mercurie secondly of Sulphur thirdly of Salt for these aâ—â— the principles of the matter of our Stone In the first place you must note that common Mercuâ—â— doth not avail here but our Mercurie is made of the beâ—â— of Metals by the spagyrick Art as pure subtile clear aâ— any Well-water of a Crystalline transparence without anâ— impurity make of it a water or incombustible Oyl foâ— Mercuries first beginning was a water as all Philosopher bear record unto my saying in this Mercurial Oyl must be dissolved it 's own Mercury out of which that water waâ— made this Mercury must be precipitated with it's own Oylâ— then you have a double Mercurial essence Note I hold in my second Key that Gold after it is puâ—â—fied according to the Tenor of the second Key must be reduced into a special water and then reduced into a subtill Calx of which the fourth Key doth speak this Calx must bâ— driven over through the Helmet by a spirit of Salt and precipitated again and by reverberating must be brought to powder then it s own Sulphur may enter the better into its own being â—nd essence will be friend with it for these love extreamly one another thus you have two substances in one which is called the Philosophers Mercurie and is but one substance This is the first ferment Now followeth Sulphur to be spoken of FOr this Sulphur you must look in the like Metal that Metal must be purified destroyed in a reverberating fiâ—e extracted from its body not leaving any corrosivenesse in it of which I gave a hint in the third Key this Sulphur must afterwards be dissolv'd in its own bloud from which it self had a fixednesse intimated in the sixth Key after a due quantity which being done then you dissolved and fed the true Lion with the bloud of the green Lion For the fixed bloud of the red Lion is made of the unfixed bloud of the green Lion these are of one Nature the unfixed bloud maketh the fixed one to be volatile and the fixed one maketh the volatile to be fixed even as it was before its dissolution let it stand together in a gentle heat that all the Sulphur be dissolved then you have the second ferment feeding fixed Sulphur with an unfixed one all Philosophers agree with my saying the same is driven over with spirit of wine and is as red as bloud being called aurum potabile where no reduction to any body can be expected any more Now I declare also what the Philosophers Salt meaneth SAlt causeth fixation and volatility according 〈…〉 â—â—lered and prepared For the spiriâ— ou of Salt â—â—d â—artar if the same be drawn forth without additionals by means of dissolution and putrefaction maketh all
body put away the phlegme but keep careâ—â—lly the spirit of Wine and spirit of Calx and note both â—â—ese spirits are hardly separated because they embrace â—osely one another and being distilled they come over â—yâ—ntly Therefore take these mix'd and united spirits put them â—o a Jar-glasse kindle it the spirit of Wine burneth away 〈◊〉 spirit of Calx stayeth in the glasse keep it carefully â—â—is is a great arcanum few of other spirits go beyond its â—â—cacy if you know how to make good use of it It s qualiâ—â— may hardly be set down in any way of abridgement This spirit dissolveth Oculi Cancrorum the hardest Cryâ—â— these three being driven over together and often iterated in that distilling three drops of that liquor being miâ—â—ed in warm Wine break and dissolve any Gravel and â—â—e in mans body expelling their very roots not putâ—â—g the patients to any pain This spirit of Calx at the beginning looks bluish being â—â—tly rectified looks white transparent and clâ—â—r leaving 〈◊〉 feces behinde This spirit dissolveth the most fixed â—â—wels and precious stones On the other side he fixeth all â—â—tiâ—â— spirits with his transcendent heat This spirit conquereth all manner of Podagrical Sympâ—â—s be they never so nodose and tarâ—â—rous dissolveth and â—â—â—els them radically To the omnipotent Trine God Father Son and Holy â—â—ost be returned hearty thanks for all his benefits which 〈◊〉 hath bestowed on man and discovered those secrets I â—â—ought on in his name To him be eternal praises â—men All that hath breath praise the Lord. Allelujah End of the fifth part BASILIUS VALENTINUS HIS TREATISE CONCERNING MICROCOSME OR The little World which is Mans body What it doth contain and of what it is composed what it doth comprehend and its end and issue A thing most necessarie and meet for the knowledge of such that love and embrace wisdom LONDON Printed Anno Domini MDCLVI BASILIUS VALENTINUS HIS TREATISE CONCERNING MICROCOSME THose that sâ—ek Art and have a desire to attain to wisdom are to note that the Highest upon my continued prayers hath granted unto me a Clergy-man to make known the many and great mysteries of nature among which mans body is one to be considered how that is govern'd in imitation unto Microcosme For it is â—â—et that the lesser should imitate the greater and the smallest and meanest ought to be governed by the greatest and most potent Microcosme or the great World containeth three things as the most principal the rest which come from these are meerly accidentals In the first place is to be considered the matter and form of this World which matter is made form 〈◊〉 out of a non-shape or a nothing and the great Creator presently prescribed an order for this matter what government it should keep as soon as it came to a life or motion This matter and form is water and earth For at the Creation by a separation of the water from the earth there was finished the matter and form as two things belonging one to another from these all Animals and Vegetables have their beginning and other two things as aire and fire which belong one to another have wrought life therein The matter and form is earth the Salt in that earth the body even so is with mans body which is Microcosme The matter was nâ— perfect without the form these joyning into one by God ordinance the form being become quick came then to perfection the matter and form got life by motion aire wâ— the first causer of that motion and perfect maturity was caâ—sed by a convenient heat moveably inclosed in the aiâ—e thuâ— the earth was brought to a fertility by the aire it was opened and became porous by motion for generation Thâ— earth being impregnated made her seed apparent by he aquosity then aire and heat in the neather and upper Regiâ—on of the Astrals caused that a Birth was brought forth thâ— blossoms were produced and the appointed fruit was ripened by concoction of heat Calcidity is a Sulphureous hot spirit wâ—ich like a Medicament exiccateth the superfluous grosse aquosity phlegmatick matter which in the generation at the beginning abounds too much in the earth before the aire could have a fellow dominion at the joyning with it carrying the same along in the superfluity of her birth The second principal part of Microcosme is inobility for the matter in it self was without life which by heaâ— was stirr'd up then the vital spirit became to be sensible which is in man a Sulphurous spirit kindling the body by a heat exiccateth the superfluity of the earth by the subtility of its substance and governeth the body in a constant motion For after the heat is gone then coldnesse gets the dominion the spirit of life being gone no sensiblenesse felt in the pulse and arteries and a dead body is found instead of life at the departing of the warm spirit of Sulphur rational men ought to take this mystery into consideration The two first Elements the matter and form being apparent and having gotten a mobility by the two last Elements by light Microcosme was not yet perfect the Creator allotted further an increase to the seed of the earth as well as he did to Vegetables and Animals God allowed unto earth an imagination for all sorts of seeds and to bring them forth after their several kindes Then the earth was impregnated by imagination which God allotted and the â—aith brought these seeds forth in Mans presence and the â—eat digested them to a maturity even till hi herto Matter and form of Microcosme being extant consisting of earth and water then the Creator caused a life into them â—y an inbreathed warm aire heating the cold earthly subâ—tance giving a heat uâ— o life and moâ—ion which was the â—oul which is the true Sulphur of Man spiritual in compreâ—ensible sensibly felt by its own operation All this being â—â—nish'd â—â—en God allowed an imagination unto good in the â—erfect understanding of Man that by his imagination he â—uld judge of all the beasts and impose on each a proper â—ame and by that imagination he learned to know his â—ife also that she had flâ—sh and bones of his body Then â—in appeaâ—ed perfect and that matter was made into a â—hape of a sensible body This form being made alive by â—he Soul had allowed further a subâ—ile â—pirit unto imagi â—â—ion and knowledge which is an invisible and inâ—â—â—preâ—ensible form like a work master who frameth 〈◊〉 things â—n the minde which hath its habitation in the upper Reâ—ion of Microcosme according to his volatility and deserâ—eth the name of Mercurie of the invisible spirit of mans â—ody Form and matter is earthly the life sticketh in the â—otion and the knowledge of every understanding unto â—ood and bad standeth in the sharp speculation of Microâ—â—sme the overplus found besides these three nature caâ—eth off as a Cadaver and is as a Monster which by theâ—â—â—hree is found to be a separation and a Cantit mort
a new Genus wherein is raised a new life and a chicken is hatch'd This chicken being perfect the shell openeth making way for the chichen to creep forth this chicken coming to a further ripeness age increaseth further in her kinde Thus Nature furthereth her own kinde and augmetteth Usque ad infinitmm True the egg is not prima materia of the Cock or Hen but the prima materia of their flesh is the first seed out of which the egg is gone into a form which by the equal nature of the motion of both is driven together and united from thence by a further heat it went to a putrefaction from thence into a new birth which new birth still propagateth and increaseth So it is with man for one man alone cannot produce a new birth unless both seeds of male and female be united for after this conjunction through the Nutriment of the body and continued naturall heat of these two seeds which in the Center are known for one Nature get a new life and more men are begotten which propagate further by their seed by this means the whole world is fill'd with men This seed of man is the noblest subtilest blood of a white quality in which dwelleth the vital Spirit which is driven together by motion If these seeds of both kindes by their desire of lust are together united and their Natures be not corrupted or else are contrary one to another then there is preserved a life by a heat and brought to perfection in the mothers womb and another man is brought forth Thus much be spoken of the seed of Animals The vegetable seed is made palpable and visible which from each kinde of herb is separated and propagated in the earth for an increase which seed must first putrifie in the earth and then must be nourished by a temperate moisture at last this seed by a convenient warm air is brought to a perfection thus vegetables are increased and in their kinde preserved but the first beginning of a vegetable seed is a spirituall essence or astral influence whereby in the earth was gotten an imagination and became impregnated with a matter out of which by the help of the Elements it came to be something what form of seed the earth was desirous of after the heavenly impression that form it received first and brought it to a kinde which bringeth a further increase by its palpable seed in the generation hereby man may try his futher skill but he is not able to create a new seed as Nature doth by an influence from above onely he is able to increase a formed seed Of Metals and Minerals I inform you this that there is one onely Almighty Being which is from eternity and abideth unto eternity which is the Creator of heaven and earth namely the eternal Deity in three distinct persons which three in the Deity are a perfect divine being and though I confess and acknowledge these three persons yet I confess onely one God in one Being This I do now speak as a Type of the first seed of the three principles that the first beginning to beget Metallin seeds is wrought in the earth by a fideriall impression which quality presseth from above into the neather as in the belly of the earth and worketh continually a heat therein with the help of the Elements for both must be together the earthy affords an imagination that the earth is fitted for conception and is impregnated the Elements nourish and feed this fruit bring it on by a continued hot quality unto perfection the earthy substance affords a form thereunto thus at the beginning the Metallin and Mineral seed is effected namely by an astral imagination Elemental operation and terrestriall form the astral is heavenly the Elementary is spiritual and the earthy is corporeall these three make of their first Center the first essence of the Metallin seed which Philosophers have further searched into that out of this essence there is become a form of a Metallin matter pâ—â—pably joyned together of three of a Metalline Sulphur â—eavenly a Metalline Mercury spritual and a Metalline salt bodily which three are found at the opening of Metals for Metalls and Minerals must be broken and opened Minerals are of the same sanguinity of the same quality and nature as Metals are onely they are not sufficiently ripened unto coagulation and may be ackowledged for unripe Metals for the spirit in them is found as mighty Metalline as it is in the perfectest Metals For Metals may be destroyed and easily reduced unto Minerals and of Minerals are prepared Medicaments which ripen and transmute Metals which must be noted and it is done when Spirit Soul and Body are separated purely reunited The remaining terrestrity being put off then followeth a perfect birth and the perfect ripening by heat performs her office that Spirit Soul and Body at the beginning in their first seed have been a heavenly water which begot these three out of which three is become a Metalline Sulphur a Metalline Mercury a Metalline salt these in their conjunction made a fix visible palpable body first began a Mineral one then a Metalline by an astral imagination digested and ripened by the Elements and by an earthly substance are made formal and Material Now when these bodies of Minerals and Metals are reduced to their first beginning then the heavenly seed doth appear and is spirituall which spirituall must become an earthy one by the copulation of the Soul which is the medium and midle bond of their Union to make a Medicine out of it whereby is obtained health long life wisdom riches in this mortall life this is the true sperme of Philosophers long sought after but not known whose light was desired of many to be seen and is even the first matter which lieth open before the eyes of all the world few men know it is found visibly in all places Namely Mercury Sulphur and Salt a Mineral water or Metalline liquor as the Center separated from its form and made by these three principles The Heavenly Phisician the eternal Creator and inexhaustible fountain of Grace the Fâ—â—â—â—â—â—f all wisdom Father Son and Holy Ghost in one Deiâ—◠〈◊〉 us to know really in a due gratefulness his wond◠〈◊〉 â—orks and make us coheyres of his everlasting goods 〈◊〉 we after a temporal revelation may in a true light seek for heavenly treasures and may possess them eternally with all the elects where there is unspeakable glory without end which is attained unto by faith in our Saviour by bringing forth good fruits by loving of our neighbours and helping the needy which must be made evident with an unblameabâ—◠〈◊〉 and due obedience to God Amen FINIS
it is collected that there is some distinctnesse betwixt seed and fertility If we will enquire narrowly whaâ— fertility is the best and surest way is to consider life anâ— death of creatures how they hold together for death iâ— barren but a living life is fertil because it stirreth and moveth It is seen by all the works that are undertaken about metals that there is nothing so volatile as metal is and so nothing stirs and moveth more subtilly than it but this stiring and moving I will call here the Ferch of metals by reason of its continual proceeding and uncessant moving and because the same is not visible in metals and doth iâ— in a twofold way therefore I will let the old word stand and call its stirring a Lubricum and its Ferch a Volatile foâ— with the vertue and power of both these it performeth aâ— that what it needs for the perfection puritie and fixation oâ— its work Seeing Ferch is a perpetual living and forthgoing thing one might admire and say of what condition is metal theâ— which we behold with our eyes and feele with our hands which being thus hard and coagulated whether the same bâ— alive or dead and whether the life or Ferch in metaâ— may be destroyed which is impossible what is the condâ—tion of it or how comes iâ— so to passe I answer that a metal may be alive when it resteth as well as when it groweth or stirreth and here a distinction must be made again betwixt the death of metals and their rest and quietnesseâ— For death toucheth only the bodies when they perish bâ— the life it self or Ferch cannot perish or cease therefore 〈◊〉 a metalline body be extant then is it at hand visibly twâ— manner of wayes The one is in liquido and is discerneâ— in its moving too and fro and if it be forced by a strangâ— dangerous heat then it turns to a volatility and flyeth away The other way is when it is at hand in coagulatâ— wherein it resteth so long till it be reduced into its liquâ—dum and that is done in a twofold way and lasteth so lonâ— as the body lasteth but as soone as the body is destroyeâ— or gone and is come or entred into a more either nobleâ— ignoble body men its Ferch or life is gone also therefore if you will reserve and keep a body then take good notice of iâ—s Ferch or life for if you once stir it and hunt it indiscreetly you do it with the losse oâ— dâ—minuâ—ion of the body wherein it is for that life never goeth away empty but still carrieth along one life or Ferch after the other carrying it away so long that at the last it leaveth none But what the condition is of the moving and quietnesse of that life and how Nature bringeth it to a rest must be exactly considered For an accurate knowledge demonstrateth that there is a diffâ—rence betwixt the life of the seed and of the body for deale with the seed which way you will you cannot bring it to a volatilitie because it is against its kind and so the body also is of the same condition but the Ferch alone may be brought to it For if you provide food for the Ferch then you strengthen its whole work even as a mother doth her child which she feedeth and cherisheth well and bringeth the same the better to its rest so â—s it also with the Ferch Therefore all such which gaze and view only the seed and body and know not the fundamentals about the Ferch lose the body because they obâ—erve not Natures progresse and proceedings putting the â—art before the horse or the formost they put hindmost This rest and sleep of the Ferch serveth for that use because â—t preserveth the body from destruction or coâ—â—umption beâ—ng once come into its perfection For as long as it awaketh so long it consumeth but when it is at rest then it â—andeth close in a lastingnesse and when it hath nothing â—o feed upon then it corrodeth and seizeth on its own boâ—ie consuming it quite at last it stirreth â—nd moveth to aâ—other place Hence is it that treasures or pagâ—ment which â—e buryed awaken at last consume their own bodyes reâ—cing them to dust so that nothing of them remaines but ther a meere stone or flux as in many places is to bee â—n CHAP. II. Of the seed of Metals ALl those Authors which have written about the metaline seed agree in that when they say sulphur is the masculine seed of metals and Mercurie is the foeminine seed which saying must be taken in its genuine sense for common Sulphur and common Mercury are not meant thereby For the visible Mercury of Metals is a body it self out of bodies and so it cannot be a seed and being cold its coldnesse per se cannot be a seed and the Sulphur of metals being a food how can it be a seed Yea a seed consummeth sulphur how can one seed destroy the other if so what body should it produce It is therefore an error if that should be taken in the common sense if the Mercurie of bodies is in a work and hath taken food then all the sex Mercuries protrude one body as the one of the sex is in its predominancy so the body riseth Seeing there are seven of these Mercuries it happeneth that when the seed of Mars and Venus hath the predominancie they produce a masculine body of Sol but if the seed of Saturne and Jupiter doth predominate then is produced a soeminine body which is called Lune Mercury is an assistant on both sides The same happeneth unto other bodies but these are alwayes and in every and each work together for they are indivisible as it is meet also what manner of body could be produced else For Nature hath perfect bodyes though in themselves they must be dissolved again yet are they perfect for in their time For what manner of seed could that be if it should be defective in any of its branches Therefore every body hath its perfect seed hence the trasmutation hath its ground in the ascention and descentiâ—â— of metals which otherwise could not be if they were not homogeneal in their seed For if any man saith that silver is not gold clowns beleeve that also because they have not fundamental knowledge of the seed how it is to go out of one body into the other or else it wants its fertilitie neither can it be naturally without a body wherein it resteâ—h There belong seven distinct parts to an unformal body of metals to bring it by nourishment into a forme viz. 1. An earth 2. A stone 3. An earthash 4. Earthly streams 5. glasse or subterraneal metal 6. The subterranean tincture 7. The subterranean fuligo or seed fume All these are the materials of the body and as earth is mans matter out of which God made him unto which he must returne again so all other bodyes also at last return to earth that Myner which is judicious
the ayre to fly about there and then to come into ground again which is not so nor can it be because its natural work is not in the ayre unlesse men bring it forth purposely then is it of another condition of that egression I do not speak here because it is done by day but this goeth through the earth Which stands in the furnace not apprehensive or visible to us and runs through clefts and passages For if the earth giveth way to the ingression and egression even as the water doth to fishes and the ayre to birds as long as metals come to their stone-firmament which stone firmamet differs from the earth-firmament when it meets with that it goeth about looking out for another passage like as water that floweth about a stone and not through it yet it stayeth in its own stone and receiveth strength of it turnes there to a body and as it goeth in its egression from one metaline firmament or stone-firmament to another if thorow eaten or soaked be it at what distance it will and atracteth the Lubicrum even as a bird draws its feet up to its body in its flight for if they touch any where then they loose somewhat of the body and the Lubricum in its ingression suffers it to come again to a strength of operation for when both are joyned then the metal increaseth and attracteth its food in a wonderfull way and nourisheth it selfe and it is to be admired that in this ingression when that Lubricum comes more and more to its officine how it increaseth and strengtheneth it selfe so long that at last the work is made firme in the officine This strengthening can not be learned to be any other than the metaline mercurie doth make it for in the first place it turns it there into a liquidum where afterward it receiveth all doth coagulate and congele according as the bodyes are either masculine or foeminine at last it is brought to a solid fixed body of Sol. This ingression makes that subterranean place â—oble and fruitfull and is singular when it hath an ascending oar in work that ayre is very wholsome and if the ayre above with melting be not infected with arsenick fumes then it affords a saluber ayre to dwell in This is a manuduction unto the whole after-work how the same ought to be proceeded in that the ore may stand and not awaken but turne to its streame and still abide in its bodies companie it is loath to make an egression if once it made a true ingression and setled it selfe to the work for it resteth not in its place neither doth it rest in its whole â—ract but worketh continually and is well seen what its fixing or flight is and where it setteth to a fluid body or earth-salt which it stirres and rouleth so long yea it panteth and moveth in it so longe till it gets a liquid body then turns it to a terrene body is still brought on to a further height and hardnesse and that is the right coagulating congealing liquidating and fixing of mercurie which if â—one accordingly then it affords something CHAP. VI. Of the dissolution and reduction of metals It is apparent that natural heat is the cause of the fluidness of metals dissolution because the seed of metals in it selfe is very hot and the fluide matter of metals is hoâ— also as being oliginous and its heat increaseth when iâ— comes to its officine or shop because that also being hoâ— encreaseth the heat the more hence it is why it is hot iâ— the work and hath need of it for at first it would bring no more into its body unlesse it were soluble and soft iâ— bringeth nothing into it unlesse it be passed through these three heats and fixed by them then examine it and adde another fluid thing to it which did not passe through the three heats see whether the metal will receive it or noâ— Secondly they must be dissolved that they may be cleansed the condition of liquid things is to produce to the outside things fitting the work it hath in hand This solution iâ— distinct from other artificial dissolutions where the body is only melted as by the Melter when he seperateth the excrements from it for nâ—aure doth not melt the earth as men do buâ— as corne groweth above ground so she leaveth corne and husks together there is a great difference betwixt our melting and the dissolving of Nature if we could observe that distinction in our dissolutions and meltings we should not be at so great losses and dammages as we are I must needs mention about aurum potabile how men do busie themselves about it as many heads as many wayes they chuse to the making of it Some take that whâ—ch is not yet separated from the metal containing yet the cinders oâ— excrements or worse things They take corrosive waters acetum aquavitae and the like pray tell me what doth Nature take when she is about the dissolving of a congealed water She takes none of these things only maketh use of â—heat You must do â—he â—â—kâ— if you will take a metalline â—ody which Nature hath perfected and through melting â—nd fining is come to us if you will dissolve and reduce it 〈◊〉 its first matter then rouâ—e the Ferch thus you may make â—y metalline body potable being made pure and superâ—e then its excrements are gone made not with additiâ—nals of corrosive things the fluxing of such matters rather â—ake the metals harder if a body shall be fixed we fix 〈◊〉 from whithout which Nature doth not for she fixeth the â—ed then the flour setteth and turns to such a fixation â—hat the dissolving above ground cannot master it A waâ—er which congealeth hath at first a little crust going on 〈◊〉 it till it be quite congealed but here it congealeth from â—ithin to the outside hence you may guesse at that gloriâ—us foundation of projection on mercurie of the body maâ—ing a natural stratum super stratum thus are the metals â—yned according to which the artificial work is ordered â—e have a hint given how mercurie of metalls is clipt and â—layed and its lubicrum is catched Conceive not of this â—xation to be as when iron is hardened to steele and then â—duced to a softnesse as Tin is of this is called only a â—ose hardnesse which keeps the body in a malleablenesse â—â—d keeps it so close together that the fire above ground â—nnot hurt it all hardnesse above ground may be mollified 〈◊〉 fire but not the other because it holdeth all fiery tryals â—herefore as the hardnesse made above ground hardneth â—odies in the water so on the other side the water which 〈◊〉 in metalline bodyes must be taken out then it congeaâ—th The subterranean ayre hardneth the earth earth â—emaineth earth and turns not to stone and the same â—eeps the water from running together or congealing â—eeping it from turning to pearls and pretious stones and â—ch may be made of that water To
get the internal fire â—ut of metals though it be most high skill however it is â—aseable and found in its place where I write of the like 〈◊〉 a more ample manner I give a hint of it in this places as Myners ought to do of whose expressions I borrow now The rest which wholly extracteth this fire whicâ— lyeth betwixt the project leaving nothing behind that iâ— where the Lubricum and Volatile is together leaveth it produceth it and excerneth it The Mansfieldian slatâ— makes it appeare that its Volatile is gone and its Lubricum also where its impurity is yet betwixt the project anâ— is not a faire pure work but a compound one CHAP. VII Of the ascension and descension of metals THis new kind or manner of speaking and writing of metals is caused by experience for the first perpetuaâ— ingression of the Ferch encreaseth and strengtheneth at firsâ— in the officina and Matrix the Mercurie of bodies bringinâ— it on to its perfect and full strength being made wholly effectual and potent then it begins by degrees to cloth iâ— selfe with a body at first he attracteth and receiveth thâ— meanest which he puts off again in the first place which iâ— done the easier for no body amongst them all is sooneâ— put off For the body of Saturne is so thin that it appeareth to the eye like as a faire body doth through lawnâ— or tiffenie its spirituality appeareth through its body itâ— spiritual body is the metal of Mercurie or as I should rather call it its proper near and special bodye which work giveth a manuduction unto many other faire works for iâ— maketh a garment for Saturne out of the subtilest earth after he riseth higher puts a harder and better garment oâ— him which is not so easily put off as that of Saturne or aâ— least not with so small a work which is caused by the work of the Mercurie of bodies For the Mercurie of bodies by reason of its fluidnesse is the hottest as he maketh it appeaâ— in Saturns ascension putting a cinereal body on him ouâ— of earth hence is it why Saturn is so full of cinders incliâ—ing to a britleness of ashes and begins to sound by reason â—f the metal though it be not very firm however yet it 〈◊〉 at the next place for incorporation its sound is more â—eaf is further off from iron and nearer unto mercury by â—eason of heat Observe now at the ascending of this metal 〈◊〉 lyeth near the ashes cleansed by the Saturnal water but â—bove ground it turns not to be glass out of the ashes out â—f salt or earth-water or Saturnal-water or out of sand â—r stone But what is that pure subterranean Earth-glass â—hich if it soundeth breaketh not it is a matter which Naâ—ure thrusteth upon a heap together which if you touch 〈◊〉 soundeth and is very clear of a great compactness â—d very firm in this work it doth mingle with ashes and â—lt water and turns to a glass of earth or to a dark glassey â—rm iron Nay tell me if a metal or Earth-colour yea a â—ood sound metal be dissolved to a colour and is brought â—to a glass doth it not look of a copper-colour yes truly â—herefore iron may soon be turned into another thing â—hich is done naturally where such metalline iron colour reduced in Hungaria into a Lixivium and is turned into very good copper however it retaineth the glassiness â—ough the colour hath exicated it somewhat through the â—ercurie of bodies for the liquidness it hath still and is obilitated further to a malleablenesse and fixation thereâ—re take notice of this tincturing matter which you finde â—epared by this body in this afficina it reduceth the iron 〈◊〉 copper with abundance of lucre Put these colours away and behold how the mercury of â—odies is passed through many white bodies and hath still fair white fuligo and that very fixed how finely is it clad it and maketh a fair and pure body of Luna into which 〈◊〉 clads himself so strongly that it can not be taken from â—ence by burning because it passed seven times thorough â—e greatest subterranean heat which destroyeth corruptiâ—e bodies unless they be closely and compactedly incorâ—rated to the mercury of bodies nothing goeth beyond that fire neither of the upper neâ—her or middle-fires Therefore behold how neatly Nature workeâ—h and riseth calcining the whole body of Luna which â—alx is no hinâ— else but the body of Sol its tinctuâ—e and tinging quality iâ— taketh from the perfection and depth which is in the fire and can afford it that colour must keep so long till iâ— descendeth again there is nothing which can master â—â—iâ— fire the descending may soon be perceived by this ascâ—nding and the difference of it is this at the ascending iâ— geteth the tincture first before it gets the body but here iâ— looseth it sooner and this is the reason why descending oares are more perfâ—ct then the ascending ones CHAP VIII Of respiring Metall or of Quick oar BEcause with and by Myne-works an obstruction 〈◊〉 made upon Nature which is the cause that several mâ—tals are gotten and distinctions put on them that damage and losses might be the better avoided in the working 〈◊〉 them For as each received a particular name and properâ— in or at the work so in the digging of them several manâ—als are invented for the finding of them and hereunto 〈◊〉 was made of the Rod. To distinguish metals by colours a curious skill as Red gold glass Myne green black oaâ— however their working is not so exactly known that waâ— That I may loose nothing in or at their melting I use tâ— means first I must certainly know the property of tâ— oar before it be beaten our whilst it is yet under grouâ— in its breathing for oars and metals breath onely undâ— ground though they breath in some sort above yâ— the same breathing is very weak not going far hoâ— the body and the rod also sticks onely upon the uppâ— metals which is the greatest advantage we have for 〈◊〉 causeth metals to breath into a flame and the fire-crates and pit-diggers cause onely a volatility and closing compactness where a threefold damage ensueth First there flieth away not only much of the metal but that also wâ—â—ch â—taieth turns to be volatile and in the several meltings of it â—lwayes something goeth amiss Secondly the remainder of it groweth unmalleable which hardly can be helped Thirdly elevated minerals are burnt to a compactness which if not done would prove very advantagioâ—s in the After-work and chiefly they would be very useful in Meâ—icina being naturally prepared thereunto which is the reaâ—on why many in their After-workings labour in vain taking â—ther improper minerals thereunto For that fossile Vitriâ—lum at Goslar where neither silver nor lâ—ad groweth in â—hat Mineral where it is prepared highly copper may be made of it without any other addition that Vitriol afforâ—eth an oyle also which perfectly cureth the Gout if all â—hese
good qualities should be burnt away with the silver â—ere it not great damage Therefore I take such a metal â—hich attracteth breath and when the unbreathing or â—dhalation is stronger then is it a living metal because a â—ively quality is in it for breathing things are alive and â—reathing is compared unto life such metal like a breath â—roveth as a child from ten years to ten years even so this â—etal groweth till it come to its perfect state and body afâ—erward it getteth another name and consequently â—here must needs be observed a great difference in their â—orking and are asunder as much as a live thing differs â—om a dead one which ought to be taken into consideraâ—ion because this distinctness being observed affords a neat â—nd pure work Hither belong all mixt oars which at seâ—arating are parted asunder and not before as the usual â—ustome is As in Hungarie there is had every where gold-â—ilver that is in it there is gold which in its colour and â—onderosity is pure hath lost nothing and is still in its worâ—ing qualitie and if it had not been interrupâ—ed and digged â—p unseasonably then that silver would have been turned to pure gold that silver may easily be brought to a solar perfection and in it self is it better to be used for pagament and is of better use for cementation In like manner the copper at Mansfeld is good for it and proveth much better in the work than other copper for it wanted but a little it had been burnt quite into silver The best quality of such copper is that they are of a deep colour they have not lost that as usually electrum's do But this is to be noted such oares are of that quality that the bigger part of the body hideth the lesser part in melting it is not seen nor felt except at the washing and parting there it is seen whilst it is yet among the earth it is a breathing oar and is of such a compound as you heard you may confide in it without a proof though the cake of it be of silver colour or of a copper colour This is it apparent how Nature augmenteth a metalin body protruding it upward from below and that which is neathermost is thrusted toward that which is uppermost in a marvellous subtile way for dead bodies bring still more to it making it heavier in the mercury then joyneth the nourishment also which are the prepared minerals affording their tincture like good food which breeds good blood hence flores mineralium have their existence if you cannot learn their off-spring in thaâ— way there is no other nor better way for it For this is thâ— true tincture and not that mouldy or grosse album or rubeâ—um so called where such highly mingl'd oares or transparent Veins break they may be cryed up for an Electrumâ— but improperly called so for the colours glitters so purelâ— therein one among another like in a Chrysolithe or trasparent Amber CHAP. IX Of expiring metal or of dead metal MEtals have their set time as well as all other creatures they decay and dye when their appointed â—ime comes For when Nature hath brought the metalline â—ody unto Sol then by reason it wanteth nourishment â—nd is starving then it comes down gets a stronger exhalâ—ing and the attractive breathing turns to an expiration â—erial breathing brings it to the fires-breath If the expiraâ—ation groweth stronger in a metal than its adspiration is â—hen it descendeth by degrees and decayeth and then is â—t called a dead oar or metal for still one external body or â—ther departeth from it at last in one place or other it â—aketh a totall egression with its breath life and seed This â—reathing is known by the particular Rod of each this alâ—o asketh a particular place and work because great gain 〈◊〉 afforded both by this and by the living one Consider â—t well a metal which descendeth from its perfection into â—nother body it is like when a man loseth his lively coâ—our and at last his body that is its ponderositie and â—hen the gold turns not to a goldish silver but to an Eleâ—rum that is to Sol which hath lost its tincture This is great piece of proof to discern such silver-gold from â—rue silver in its gravity it is found heavier than other â—lver retaining the body and losing onely its colour or â—ncture It is a greater skill to restore a tincture to a dead and deâ—ayed colour and to make it fix At separating it keeps â—he quality of Sol. The like condition is red silver in â—hich hath lost its colour making an incorpoâ—ation and â—nion with copper so that it quite dyeth in its body To â—et this silver out of the copper and restore its peculiar â—lour is a great skill which Melters are ignorant of belongeth meerly to 〈◊〉 Chymick Arâ— and its Laboratorie How many such Electrums are bought for silver and copper the Buyeâ—s thereof have great gain in it Of the same and the like condition are other metals of Is it not so all iron in Hungarie is brittle what is the reaâ—on because copper is in it if â—hat be gotten ouâ— in that artificial manner as it ought that iron proves so hard that no steel is comparable to it Out of that iron are made Turkish swords sabels mayles which no weapen or bullet can enter or break â—heâ—e mayles also are not very heavy Note the luâ—ricum at the descending of mercury must have room from slippery things easily somewhaâ— may be gotten sâ—oner than from hard things slippery things leave alwayes somewhat behind the same they do with their tinging bodies putting them off still so that in the ascending in their Volatile they assume the body and elevate it Note if you have any material in hand and in your Afterwork you would know whither you must keep to the Lubricum or Volatile these two must be thy help Theâ— your stuff must be prepared either the slippery or volatile way if you will have a body either ascend or descend take notice of the flux in the metal slippery ones are more open than the haâ—d ones When tinctures begin to depart which are a strengthner to then the stuff groweth morâ— fluid comes closer together than in the quick metal CHAP. X. Of pure or fine Metall WHen a Metal be it in the ascension or descension is iâ— it s seven System's or constitution then it restâ—â—h oâ— enâ—uâ—â—â—h till it comes into another body If you meeâ— with such oar it yields the purest metal that may be ha◠〈◊〉 the world our Melâ—eâ—s call this Super-fine But our â—uper-fining which hitherto was in uâ—â— is an impure work 〈◊〉 regard of this for in the clarifying if it misseth but the â—ast grain then is it not yet right Such metals as may â—asily be conceived is pure good and malleable loseth â—othing in any work whatsoever though all metals may be â—ade super-fine yet none can be made finer than gold is â—hich no element
thy self exactly to it and be careful in observing their names not regarding the Miners expressions and terms for the names they give to oars are false for those which build and dig after clefts and passages have their names of their bodily matters after the sorts of the minerals and are distinct therein But you must call them after the sorts of the seven bodies and learn to prepare them this work is of greater utility Men are at great expences to get corrosive waters to get asunder these metals they do it also by way of melting and casting but such waters add great poison to the work it is a better way to do it with Lixiviums or sharp waters which are not so poisonous learn their preparation There is another kind of impure oar of which I made mention here and there which contain Myne-slacks you may read of in the Chapter of the Cinders but there is a difference betwixt the cinder and the slack for slack are more corny yet that also turns at last to cinders These slacks are the cause of the cold fire 〈◊〉 cenders cause the warm fire or the uredines metallorum â—se cold slacks are hardly got â—â— off â—rom the metal beâ—se they come from the cold flux fiâ—e of mercuries altiâ—e for as the cinder comes from bodies so are these â—cks of mercury it is seen when you will have slacks of â—er matters then usually they belong thereunto then the â—rcury of bodies is rouzed which by the work is noâ—ing else but a closure and stream for if you can conveâ—ntly get away the slacks then you may perform and acâ—mplish something else with the fire of mercurie and it is either usual not artificial to deal much in cold fire some â—iners call it Mispuckel Nodus aeris that Latine name they â—t upon it is true it is very hard knit together it is difâ—ult to dig it and to make its oar to good and Antimony so is hardly gotten from other metals except from Sol â—ithout damage however with advantage it may be done â—riously onely you must be expert in Antimonie's qualiâ—es For they belong together and are joyned as tin and â—ad Wismuth or Magnesia among or betwixt iron and copâ—er This is a good direction and is sufficient for such â—ho know what belongs to melting CHAP. XII Of perfect metal WHo could tell what gold and silver were if they were not known in their perfection for when they are perâ—ect it appeareth when they have their colour their weight â—heir malleablenesse their flux and hardnesse and this perfect metal nature hath produced compactly and purely 〈◊〉 â—uch perfect pure and compact gold is found in Hungary â—n the white marble which presently may be broken as â—lso silver copper the difference betwixt the perfect and pure is because metals are not pure before they are pâ—fect and so there may be a perfect oar which is not puâ— which defect is found in many of our metals which coâ— to their perfection assoon as in any other Foreign parts bâ— in their perfect purity they are defective sometimes Thâ— is to be noted by this metal a body must first be perfeâ— or brought to its perfection before it can be sixt and is of great concernment to know rightly what fixedneâ— meaneth A body which hath its due tincture weight and gradâ—ation yet it hath mixed other obstructive impurities heâ— comes the work and nature begins to copulate these two tincture and gradation brings the metal into a purifying this purifying is fixation for pure is as much as fix Anâ— note that the ground of the first is the body which is 〈◊〉 secret into that I must bring the tincture and gradation aâ— well as I can and take the tincture from Sol which is 〈◊〉 thing feasable then is it an Electrum which is a water for in water it abideth then I take its ponderosity foâ— it and bring it into an Oleum or into a Sulphur the body remaineth still for in the ascension Mercury lyeth the foundation of the body as an Embrion to it comes ponderosity which maketh it formal then comes Lubricum after that comes the Volatile with the tincture and perfecteth all the rest it hath need of to its perfection Why doth reason play the fool in despising the wayes of nature not observing her course For behold how wonderfully she bringeth rednesse into copper turning it into brasse but is not fixt because it was not her intent it is a meer colour which all other oares easily imbrace but is not fixt which colour is easily driven away with wood and coal-fire Therefore is it a thing of great concernment to learn rightly to know the bodies for at dissolutions the property of a pure metal is known what its tincture body salt and ponderosity is especially if exactly be considered the anatomy of all bodies after the Chymick way how curiously and properly are they anatomized we call the immature spirit a spirit of mercury the perfect tincture we call an â—na or Sulphur the ponderosity is called the salt or boâ— for the after-work confirmeth the same that that fixaâ— doth not onely hold in the fire and all corrosive waâ— especially that of Saturn which is a precious one â—e then other aqua forts but better in the malleablenesse â—hout the Quart it holdeth also in the cement because â—omes out of it Therefore it is to be admired why 〈◊〉 talk so strangely of it when they know nothing of it â—m whence it is or what the cause of it is But it is so 〈◊〉 one hearkeneth to the tale of the other and know no â—re then they have from hear-saying for they know not â—at to say nor how to help what the work aileth if out tune and disordered and if any fix and lasting mediâ—e is to be made then that metal is best even as a vegetaâ— which is come to its maturity This processe must be served else all labour is in vain For how can ye destroy â—e body of a thing that hath no body much lesse can you â—e the tincture of it before it comes into the body a â—cture may be gotten from it but not all the colours of â—at tincture here exactnesse must be used because it is â—e greatest skill to do so One thing more I must needs â—eak of those that aime meerly with a great and deep â—ging at riches should view Gods mysteries every where they compare the Scripture rightly will finde an instruâ—ion that a spiritualty is held forth in an earthly thing if a â—etal be brought out of the earth and out of its Officina â—ke a man that is set into another life it abideth and liveth â—ithout food is not dead but is alive though it doth not â—t yet it resteth and may soon be awakened thus we â—ope also that in the other eternal life where there is Sabâ—athum Sabbotho things will be done in a more glorious â—ay God maketh use of us here for his praise to make
use â—f metals in that kinde it will not be for our misuse and â—isgrace but rather put greater honour upon us more then â—ver we put upon metals CHAP. XIII Of imperfect metal THe imperfect metal is the wildest among all the reâ— because it containeth all impuriâ—ies with a confusâ— mixture Usually there is set in a work of many piecâ— which no man yet knoweth what they are in which yâ— finde matters joyned which are prepared and unpreparâ— of many bodies Now if you will reduce that matter aâ— cleanse its metal then the unprepared matter must first 〈◊〉 washed away and regard not the matter so much as the mâ—tal which is yet tender and young in it you must not câ—cine it but another fire belongeth to it This perfectiâ— consists in nine several pieces which must be well conâ—dered each must be handled as it ought if so be the mâ—tal shall not suffer any wâ—ong and damage First consider well whether the oaâ— be in ascension 〈◊〉 descension then you may help its colour and whole bodâ— for that metal which is in its ascension must be aided in iâ— folium but the metal which is in its descension must bâ— helped with Spolium else it â—iâ—th away because it is nâ— perfected in its due place and Officina and that metal is iâ— a form accordingly Thus make your proof and be in yoâ— After-work the more incouraged Secondly you must take notice of the nourishment 〈◊〉 food which as I may say is not fully digested further thâ— same in its concoction else the excrements cannot well bâ— gotten off which would be the cause of unmalleablenesse Thirdly you must take notice of the flux that which iâ— fluid must be fried for if both fluxes should be opened they would hardly be congealed again For to dissolvâ— â—ew running Mercury of bodies which per se are runâ—g would prove a meer dust and atome Fourthly remember the hardnesse or fixation of it in â—at degree of ascension or descension it is that you may â—de thereunto an equal fire of its body for cinders reâ—reth onâ— sort of fire and fuligines requireth another kind 〈◊〉 fire and calcination must have a due fire then your â—oceedings will be right if you know the proper condiâ—n of such bodies else you wrong them by making it â—ttle and flyeth off at a second casting Fifthly make a true distinction betwixt the two imperâ—ctions from thence this metal hath its name the one is 〈◊〉 the body the other is of the instrument first take in â—nd the instrument and endeavour to help the body in â—e preparation and stay its flux or running into another â—d you drive the â—chwaden or the cuticle of the seed â—en goeth the cuticle of the seed and the Ferch or â—e Sixthly consider that fire which nature hath that you 〈◊〉 not incroach or intrench too far upon the bodies direct â—d order all youâ— work upon the Uredines or soap joyn it â—ith your fire to the instrument of the body Seventhly you ought to be instructed well about the â—ncture of the Electrums that you put not off Sol instead â—f Luna because you are not experienced enough in the â—eeping tincture or colouâ— which you are to awaken in the â—escension or when in the ascension you are to strengthen â—nd to keep them Painters have a term in their profession â—hich they call elevating and shadowing the same you â—ust apply here to bodies when they are in their perfection â—herefore anatomize the bodies Eighthly we â—ee Limners to mingle their colours with water and oil and so carry them on you must â—earn a due preparation of the water to imbibe the colour which is a metalline water whereby you corrode with not â—estroying the colours which you intend to have if you make use of any other water besides this then all your labour is in vain cool with oil then it remaineth pure aâ— thus you have much strengthened the Folium Lastly take notice that the metal be straightened so thâ— it look for no more food All such things belongiâ— thereunto you finde enough by this instrument or not 〈◊〉 off from it or else you may bring it easily thereunto 〈◊〉 will be but imperfect therefore put your help to it yâ— have natures half work for advantage with great pity hath often been beheld how such noble and pretious iâ—struments have been consumed in fire which could haâ— been for several good uses the workmen in their careleâ—ness not regarding them All other metals belong unâ— this for very seldome is found a whole perfect metaâ— which should not want one help or other He that is aâ—quainted with these will perform these works with greaâ— advantage and more utili y. For there must be extant perfectness if any thing shall be purged so that anotheâ— pure or fix thing be brought in be it the colour or pondâ—rosity CHAP. XIV Of the Soap-metal or Metallum Uredinum IF our upper Elements could not make a metal to be manifest and apparent to us who would have undertakeâ— to work any metal The great heat and cold which is under the ground is the cause of the body of metal according to the prâ—dominancy of that heat and cold which is in the body The deeper the heat or cold is in that body the fairer is its tincture this is a true saying But what this heat or cold is above and what is attributed to the Planet above understanding men must know it At first when the Ferch goeth forth and goeth along through the earth with the seed in its firmamental officina â—en it comes forth sometimes as far as its breathing may â—ach before it be infringed and allayed it still carrieth â—me of the purest metal and the superiour elements afâ—rd their vertue for their joyning for where the elements â—e in a conjunction there they make a body and force â—mething from the Ferch then it riseth and falleth as it â—lls so it lieth still this is the reason why the corns are so â—rangely fashioned they are either round or oval and so â—me to the metal accordingly and is found sometimes falleth into the water where it was catcht and overtaken â—t most of all it loveth to be in the Uredines or soap hence â—t that name Soaps are mineral springs where the metal â—eth to lie these spring from below and these are found â—metimes wholly gilded over and they cast upward taps of â—ch colour In this Countrey such springs are neer Rivers the foot of Mountains but in the Almen they are on the â—p of the soap as it were upside down on these sticketh â—e Ferch which passeth by it or the air which forceth it â—m it The whole businesse lieth in the metalline waters they are dissolved in their salts thus they easily imbrace â—e Ferch or the metal of that Ferch and seed which it caâ—â—th forth and that goeth for the best Tin which is on the â—p being of an iron shot which iron is of several different
â—ut if heat get the upper hand then the metal groweth â—igher and higher and more lively This is the difference â—etwixt the heat of fires which is called Vredines the â—ehicle of that heat is the instrument or matter which afâ—ordeth the place of it For Uredines are the cause of someâ—hing but fire destroyeth it and the uredines may be withâ—ut the fire and above the fire The most ancient Philosoâ—hers call it coelestes infernales vires for it is apparent in â—old that fire cannot prevail against it but onely against â—he flux of it and cannot consume it and the Mercury canâ—ot hurt neither only he bringeth hardnesse unto it which 〈◊〉 good but to what purpose for he is not turned to any â—lver both these breathings upper and nether in and â—ut breathing comes all to one and is not onely its quality â—o shew and make known the metal and oar but passeth â—hrough the earth also to keep them from turning into â—ones to stay and keep them porous one upon another â—nd to make them pure for it purgeth the earth as the soâ—r breathing above doth the air and as the same breathing â—bove bringeth and causeth winde mist rain hoar frost â—ow even so the subterranean breathing causeth vapours â—mes breaths saps minerals soaps c. and bringeth forth â—old out of their seed He that understandeth these neâ—her upper and other meteors he may make all manner of â—uick After-works For Art treadeth into the foot-steps â—f Nature CHAP. XVII Of corruscation or of adhalation or to breathing or glittering MIners seeing this breathing ascend by night like 〈◊〉 flame they count that only a breathing and none else which per se is not a true breathing but only a corruscatioâ— for it burneth away the excrements not wholly only sucâ— things that are naught and poisonous purgeth the air from the same stink for where should the cuticle of the seed get out if it should not be carried forth partly by this flame of fire and partly by the water For this stink weakeneth the oar mightily especially it spoils its colour whereas iâ— may easily be burned or washed away before it groweth to such a stink be it in fossils or liquours This breathing oâ— glistering strengtheneth the cenders it toucheth them noâ— in a way of heat but in a way of fire and is not an upboiling but a burning unto Seeing this stuff which this corruscation seizeth on is found often in a place where no metals are therefore is iâ— very deceitful however commonly and for the most part oâ— a metalline breath For note the metal never affords or casteth any flame neither doth it consume in burning buâ— flieth away and vanisheth you cannot know which way iâ— is gone therefore these exuviae spermatis or husks of the seed is a greater infection and plainer evidence that there is an oar at hand because it maketh many glorious thingâ— apparant which the fire seizeth on it must not quite be melted from its outgoing is a signe that it doth no good by the metals neither can it stay with it unless it stick close Here you may observe again that fire doth not good to metals but a warmth which doth not come from fire as a natural heat is in man without fire for where are the coals which nature useth for oars yet is it hot where is there any better blast to make things congeal A cold without a frost is another matter as it appeareth in Pearls I call it Vredines as a warmth without an heat yea this heat and frost causeth a food unto fire it cannot indure it any where about it therefore if you bring a metal into its heat and cold then you have already a ground for the Afterwork you have little learning or skill if you do not know so much CHAP. XVIII Of Folium Spolium or of the Schimmer and Glimmer THe second or other thing which apparently shews and distinguisheth metals is the colour The condition of colour is this that they are not so discernable by reason of their darknesse in which they naturally are they are elevated and brought to a Folium or are exalted through a Folium as an obscure and untransparent folium doth the same in a lucidum translucidum corpus the same must a transparent folium do in a thick body as metals are an opacum corpus shining like the moon with a borrowed light into the body and the folium giveth it forth out of that body Such a folium or glitter may be made artificially but nature sheweth that it may be had from a Volatile though it be true that that Volatile may not be had unlesse in its seed and bodie yet it is soon extant with the body for he that knoweth not the condition of the folium he can neither in the flux nor congelation bring any oar or metal into its true tincture the condition of this Folium is that it is as thin as any leaf in the world can be of these leaves is composed a metalline body Counterfeit Chymists busie themselves very much with their Stratums Superstratums but here is it naturally thinner than beaten gold and this is called opaca perspicuita an in brought leaf not gilded in or silvered Here lieth a curious skill for tinging with this leaf if brought into the Glimmer one knowledge is the cause of another and as it is seen in a glowing and glittering splendour that there is no exuviae spermatis or hull of the seed at hand neither may it be known in any folium or spolium by its speculum's or night lights to prepare that leaf and spolium which soon doth losen and free it self and this is the chiefest thing for it goeth off with the worst poison and comes on also and must settle and rest CHAP. XIX Of fuliginous vapours and ashes TOuching the white soot of metals which is a precious garment to silver if onely brought into Mercuries wonderful to behold that the corruption of metals and of the first bodies should afford the highest and the uppermost turn to be the lowermost where these soots are found surely there is metal at hand also but fair and more natural is hardly seen than there is in Styria where they make good steel of it In Wallachia it breaketh or is found neer silver and this is the surest thing in the metalline work as well in the Natural as in the Afterwork which seemeth most incredible unto the people and again that which is most uncertain proveth to be most certain the reason of it is because they know and understand it not better Miners have in their clefts and passages things hanging and lying in which great matters might be had and found but require great toil and is a dangerous work by reason of â—heir poison Though the Halation and breathing goeth â—long yet it carrieth many things with it which hardly â—ay be gotten from it neither doth it quit the pain and expences Miners call
the matter after their way indiscreetly and inconsiderately as the greedy Alchymists suppose that when men speak of the mercury of bodies to be the mercury of metals or the salts of bodies to be a â—alt like other common salt Ashes of Saturn are seen here â—eetly before they come or goe any higher and before â—hey do turn unto silver for soon do they imbrace Antimoâ—y the same the congealed water or coagulated Saturn hath likewise and is a pure proof to all metals and groweth deep Then there is a pure Wismuth which is gross containeth a congealed water of Saturn which is found also with great gain about metals when they are reduced to their first matter then it ascendeth into a glass metalline work and the ash-work ceaseth Chymists in old times and now also made themselves very busie with their salt to make all bodies potable thereby having reduced them first into salts but here is an album out of ashes which ashes afford salts which is but in vain for ashes are garments intimating â—nd pointing at the thing which is clad and the oar cloatheth it self with it when it is coming neer the day The condition of Potabilia is otherwise they must be brought into potablenesse and is done in a clean contrary way than they goe to work with But these are served well enough that hoe for nothing but for gold Nature giveth to such these garments it giveth the slip before men are aware of I mean the body therefore look well unto bodies CHAP. XX. Of Scobes and metalline water of the Schlich and lie Lixivium NAture in her work must still have an increase and decrease some things are coming and others are going and as above ground at the melting and at the hammer metals do lose somewhat so it is under ground But how these subterranean decreases are discerned which like crums of bread should be preserved Nature being provident keeps them together also bringing them unto the day light that they might be brought to good and that metal is known also to be under that ground by the Scobs or alkali which it excerneth namely the rocks stones flints which sucked nature drie in her work these are the offals if empty of metals and if some good oar be in it then that may well be called Schlich or sliding because it slideth away from the work it stealeth away where such sliding is take notice of it for it breaks off from the matter in the officina wherein metals are in their work and perform their office and that Schlich or sliding is a sure signe that metals are in that place So the Lixivium also or metalline water is a sure fore-runner of metals and it dissolveth still in the work and looseneth somewhat from the metals in which there is a Schnede and vertue for as I have said when I made mention of minerals where there are fossilia mineralia there is sure a Mine-work And where such minerals are they soon dissolve into a water or lixivium and this is the difference betwixt the water and the lixivium water affords only the mineral and the metals allow the flowers thereunto out of these comes a lixivium the effect of this water and lixivium is well known for they carry in a hidden way flowers or tinctures of oars The cement or lixivium at Schwelnitz in Hungary corrodeth iron into a Schlich or sliding and if that iron sliding is taken again out of the Dray and is cast then is it good mercury There are more of such lixiviums but men regard them not that water also is a sign of a very pure mineral for let us consider the water at Goslar doth it not yield pure white and red vitriol and in several other places there is found good copper silver and lead out of these waters may be had again minerals as you please or intend to have them without any great pains-taking For if a mineral is exsiccated then it hath no more the strength to run forth but groweth tough and is dried up sinking into the ground There are waters in Hungary savouring of sulphur and allom which afford store of gold and copper alluminous water in Misnia afford silver and copper the waters in Bohemia which taste of saliter or iron afford several sorts of metal except gold The Mines in Styria have their special metalline waters and lixiviums besides other excellent Mine-works insomuch that the whole Mines are of meer steel copper gold silver quicksilver and other things mens hearts may wish for The salt waters at Franckenhouse do they not signifie that there are curious Mine-works there which if the inhabitants took more notice of and were more known what gains could they not make of them The more these waters are running the better they serve for many uses if they are standing it is a sign that there are evill and bad minerals at hand and that there are cide maters and minerals that were gone and left behinde in abundance of sediments and fumes Take heed of these CHAP. XXI Of Scoria and Exuvium of the seed hull of the seed THe utmost and last decrease and diminution of metals is cinder which is very good and harmlesse I mean that cinder which metals put off by their Uredines or soapes For the exuvium or husk which the corruscation or by-breathing leaveth behind and is like unto a cinder is another sort of cinder like unto that which comes from the forges of Smiths and Melters for besides that they weigh their bodies they cleanse them also though the lie doth purge the Minerals and colours yet themselves also do purge as is seen by the cenders which every metal leaveth behinde in the fire which however are not like unto this By this cender it is seen also that there are metals at hand for the cenders of Minerals which the corruscation causeth are palpable known and visible Understanding Miners know the same There is a metalline cender among the slacks but not known which is the reason why slacks are so brittle else they would be malleable or else they could be cast compact some have undertaken that work but they could not get off these cenders Touching the Schwaden or husks these do fairly intimate the departing of the seed and of the work of all bodies for when the hull ceaseth to work and hath no more food neither of the minerals nor of the bodies and now the Folium is gone into Spolium then it is at separating and breaketh the band of the leaf and seed which is called the Swaden or husk it is an extream poison it destroyeth all that liveth especially breathing things for it is its intent to return thither again therefore to what place soever it cometh finding things that move and stir the same it destroyeth and it self also and at last it returneth to the â—ficina of the seed helps to glue on and imbibe and turns 〈◊〉 be a band again Where such poison is be sure that â—ere
and to all things in the world if they play the masters CHAP. XXXIII â—f Aurum metallicum of the metalline gold or of the Metalline-bed THere is another fatnesse under ground where metals 〈◊〉 grow neither is it the hull of the seed nor the stone â—um Petroleum or Naphta but is like unto an Uredo or â—ne-soap It differs much from soap soap doth not â—n because it containeth a hidden Sulphur not a comâ—stible one but an incombustible one this is the reason â—y it doth not burn in a flame neither doth it seize on aâ— other thing but onely on the pure metal if that should â—t continue with it the metal could not come neither inâ— ascension nor descension it consumeth first of all in the â—etal even as grease doth in the animals This fatnesse is â—t far from the oar when it is predominant it consumeth â—e metal quite and evaporateth Oil is of that vertue put on the top of a drink be it what it will it keeps in 〈◊〉 strength and coolnesse this fatnesse shuts up the oars â—dy that no breathing can passe Fatnesse hath a great â—finity with iron and is one of its next kinde of the â—hich great volumes could be written In the County of Schwartzburg at Wackersberg there is â—ore of such fatnesse looks like quick silver and swimeth â—nd tinctureth red like Bole this colour it took hold on â—nd it may be extracted from it some call it a Mercurial â—ody or a Tin-glasse Lead-glasse Wismuth or Antimony 〈◊〉 seizeth on all those and when this fatnesse doth â—ot turn to a fatnesse of such metals where the seed â—s predominant then it turnes to a volatility and to a great Robber This fatnesse is a greasie earth glitâ—ering like a salve of a red and browne glowing as if it were Quick-silver or beaten Talk or glasse strow into In the Rocks of Bohemia and Transsylvania there great store of it at Goslar and at Slackenwald even as quiâ— silver or lead oars are many of them are found here aâ— there CHAP. XXXIV Of Metalline streames VVHen Ferch and seed must part from their work 〈◊〉 reason of the sediments be they what they wiâ— and expire not naturally then the oars turn to stones whiâ— Miners call Fluxes though they know not from whenâ— they come nothing can be made out of them they are fâ—sible or fluid when melted in fire but nothing can 〈◊〉 brought into them because they are not porous or no 〈◊〉 can get into which maketh them more noble It is strangâ— in Nature if any good thing be driven out of the body will not return thither for if life be gone from man thâ— body receiveth it no more but these are things possible 〈◊〉 God alone My intent is not here to write of miraculoâ— things but onely of things natural I wave the former 〈◊〉 is to be admired that the body of dead metals is so faiâ— whereas other bodies which are dead consume away 〈◊〉 nothing metals also come into a corruption but in a lonâ— time their death is like any glass keeps its colour especiallâ— if it was of a Marcasite hence are learned the colours oâ— Marcasites for green blue white fluxes are found therein as metalline flowers have been which are generated 〈◊〉 three bodies CHAP. XXXV Of Creta Chalk or stone meal VVEE see in this our air that no fume or wind ascendeth in vain it dissolveth again into one thing â—â—other thither resort many meteors the like meteors â—h the earth under ground For the fume which ascendâ— from the fire-halation of the oar or of the metal and â—ords the stone meal Creta wherever it falls or lighteth grindeth more and increaseth abundantly having a danâ—rous salt whereby it hurts those places where metals 〈◊〉 especially when they are in their ascension hindering â—eir colour It is apparent in the slat at Mansfield where â—ieth betwixt the spoaks of the ores and can hardly be â—tten from thence it robbeth and consumeth Folium and â—olium The stone-meal maketh a Kuff with stone-marâ—w turning it to a kind of marble called the Potstone or â—â—lit a double stone and is dark and very firm it striketh â—e being for the most part of fire Hither belong the â—alks but intending to make mention them in another place I wave them here however they so are such a meal and differ from others herein because inclineth more to a cold fire wherein it melteth like â—ow as the others do and dissolveth sooner into water â—an into meal and this turnes sooner to meal than to waâ—r if it be of lesse matter than it hath of the stone-â—arrow then it affords a fair ice or crystal called Vitrum â—lexandrinum or Mary's Ice which cannot be mastred in â—ot fires but it melteth in cold fires is very hurtful unto â—etals insomuch that by reason of it Mine-works fall to â—ine as it happened at Stolberg CHAP. XXXVI Of Spiro or of the Blast THe Spiro or blast in an instrument which bringeth 〈◊〉 right the weather or obstructed air otherwise all wouâ— turn to stone where it is and would be at a stand there the lower fire should enter instead of the air and exicâ—teth though it doth not kindle if a piece be beaten off 〈◊〉 it then it appeareth so and this piece which flieth thus 〈◊〉 side giveth to understand how it maketh the stone hoâ— Nature frameth the oar and metal but jewels and precioâ— stones are from another off-spring out of sweet waters In this instrument there dwell together fire air whicâ— take their power and matter from the malignant weatheâ— where they consume all ponderous matters through firâ— inlightening the remaining matter it hath Make that Spiro or blast into a ball of copper of an heads bignesse sâ—der it bright and light let no air get into it leave a smaâ— hole where a needle may enter attracting the water whicâ— purposely must be made and set for it there must be had pan of coals at hand which must be kindled and the baâ— laid into it turning the little hole toward the coal-fire anâ— it will blow the fire forcibly which being done it groweth hot and maketh the water boil in the ball which fumeth and carrieth it forth with a great fiercenesse blowinâ— on the coals strongly and thus it maintaineth the fire by breathing strongly in the manner of a pair of bellowes driven from without hereby several good things are effected and the condition of this ball is that it sheweth what may be done above ground with the like no use can be madâ— of it behinde that place because Nature herself hath sucâ— a blast for her fire CHAP. XXXVII Of Pulfa or of the Break-stuff or brittle matter THis salt is ingendred usually by a malignant fume which the Mine-fire should have And when the â—nes be very hard then there must be made a fire of wood â—here the fume draweth to the stone-fire and groweth â—ick and if the fumes of Succinum and of other things are
got onely the calxes of â—e bodies exuviums Therefore neither themselves nor â—thers have any cause to marvel if they do no good 〈◊〉 that way CHAP. XLV Of the corroding fire THis fire ought to be set among the coal fires being of a consuming nature and their corrosivenesse 〈◊〉 in the cold fire and it hath the same qualities which â—he burning fire hath it shineth and burneth its burnâ—g is corroding in that it is better than the other â—ecause it doth not burn it to ashes but brings the bodies to dust or sand which would be toilsome if by filings it should be brought to stars the next neighbour to this fiâ— is the glowing fire of the which I will give onely 〈◊〉 hint CHAP. XLVI Of Ignis candens or of the glowing fire THis fire is purposely ordered upon metalline bodies 〈◊〉 consumeth them being their matter is naturally inclined thereunto This fire is of great concernment making their bodies very malleable their exuvium's stay on the Float and is the best quality they have that they put off iâ— that glowing the thing which will be gone and the good thereof remains Things now adayes are slighted the world supposeth to have skill enough it wants no further knowledge Quot capita tot sensus every one thinks his wit best though some have scarce begun to know any of these things which is the reason why men are stiâ— kept to their rudenesse Men may suppose I mean by this corrosive water an Aquafort it is no such matter how many runs of precious Aquasort is used in vain at Goslar on the Hartz which would serve for better use and the expences laid out for wood might have been saved CHAP. XLVII Of Ignis incubans or of the Lamp-fire THis fire serveth when metals are wrought openly and not luted in then the metal doth not flie away in a dust nor doth its best run away for you heard that a flaming fire is hurtful for to work metals withall Lamp-diâ—es are commonly of glasse set in an earthen pan filled â—ith ashes or sand kept in a sweating in that sweat many â—ppose the metal receiveth its body or the one changeth â—o the other I leave this transmutation in its worth and â—not approve of it Touching this warmth I cannot â—prove nor find fault with it and all metals indeed should 〈◊〉 dealt withall in this manner These two fires of oars and the Lamp-fire if they were â—de use of in medicinal wayes would do better than the â—cining or flaming fire can do where these are of no use â—d the long fire must orderly be kept in an equal heat if â—y good shall be done Some kept the lamp fire in a Stove-â—rnace where all things were spoiled in the working it â—s either too hot or too cold it was of no equall heat â—hich the work in the end did shew because it was not â—ell governed CHAP. XLVIII Of the cold fire THis is a strange fire little can be said of it to those which cannot conceive of it whether it was not â—ken notice of or whether they did despair of it I know â—ot this is it which elsewhere is called coagulating it â—nnot consume the other fire it can melt the work but 〈◊〉 consume it is impossible it works in the air as well as in â—e fire where it sheweth its efficacy and is the sole proof â—f its fusiblenesse metalline mercury is of a cold fusion â—l other fusions are hot if you believe it not feel it â—e fixation of the warm flux is called coagulation there â—e one opposeth the other the one congealeth the oâ—er keeps in a liquidnesse this difference must be known by those which are imployed about melting of metals anâ— their fluxes It is of concernment to govern this fire well or hoâ— stones are to be weighed and things that are excessively cold are a death to a tempered body what animals do liâ— either in too cold or too hot a fire and to speak precisely of life it is impossible to do that as to speak really oâ— God therefore gaze not upon definitions what humanâ— reason is able to conceive of Philosophy is strangely conditioned and it appeareth by this fire also a thing which iâ— very cold may contein a life however When it is in its highest degree of ascension then it come down again it turnes to silver then to copper if the nether hot fire doth it not then surely the cold fire must do it for it dissolveth again into its mercury which is the flux of the cold fire if it layeth hold on it then it must ruâ— to all bodies in its running it puts off not onely the nethermost but the uppermost body also take this into further consideration CHAP. XLIX Of the warm fire OF this I have spoken already it can be made and governed several wayes coals wood pitch oil and other combustible things are fit for it There I would onely speak of an heat which is good for the flux of metals whereby they are purged as you heard above needlesse to be repeated here Thus much of this first Part where I infirmed about the nether work or fore-work governed and observed by nature whereby she holds forth unto us metals and minerals in their formes He that conceiveth aright of this work â—d considers it worketh with advantage and utility and is great help to proceed successfully in Alchymie which â—itateth and treadeth into her steps I wish hearty sucâ—sse to all such which bear an affection and love thereunâ— â—raise Honour and Glory be unto the Supream Master of Mines by whose word and will all things are made ordained and brought to their forms Amen End of the first Part. THE â—ECOND PART Of the Last TESTAMENT OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS Friar of the Order of St. Benedictus Wherein are repeated briefly some principle Heads of the first Part what course Nature observeth under ground and how metals are generated and produced to light as Gold Silver Copper Iron Tin Lead Quicksilver and Minerals 〈◊〉 like manner of precious Stones and of tinctures of Metals how they are discerned and what relation they have to the Holy Scriptures LONDON Printed Anno Domini MDCLVI THE SECOND PART OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS CHAP. I. Of Mines and Clifts and what manner of middle works and second in oars are IN the first place there lieth a necessity upon every Miner to know how to search and dive into metalline passages how they strike along and they must be well acquainted with all their occasions and conditions and if at any place he intends to fall to work 〈◊〉 must know how to use the Magnet of the Compasse â—here East South West and North lieth and learn the â—ayes of this and that oar and where their issue is and 〈◊〉 wâ—ll informed of the long and short stroaks of metalline â—ssâ—ges and where they dâ—aw together to a metalline â—m The forms of metalline oar are several some carâ— Talk slats an oar which containeth silver and
lead oâ—ers are very brittle having little of slate and Talk and these are discerned by their firmnesse there are other stones in which appear Copper and the flowers of Zwitter there are others also which have flat floats and slate-stone in which is wrought Copper oar hence it may be gathered that by reason of these several formes are produced several fruits and in Mines toward the South better oars are found then there are some toward the West called after-oars between which there is alwayes ordered or placed a center of perfection CHAP. II. Of general operations of several metals ALmighty God for his eternal honour and glory hath held forth to mankinde innumerable wondrous works which he as the sole Mediator and Creator hath set forth iâ— natural things the same he hath shewed also in his omnipotency under ground in metals and minerals of them wâ— may learn as the twelve Sybils prophesied of the bright true and onely Son of Righteousnesse and Truth in whicâ— do rest after the twelve ports and gates of Heaven and after the twelve moneths moveable and unmoveable visiblâ— and invisible bodies the seven Arch Angels standing beforâ— the Throne of God after these the seven Planets Sun Moon Mars Jupiter Venus Mercury Saturn and the reâ— of the stars and the seven metalline oars in their propeâ—ties as gold silver copper iron tin lead Mercury the Vitriol Antimony Sulphur Wismuth Kobolt or brasâ— oar allom salt and other mineral growths That the true center may be comprehended and conceâ—ved of God hath made the first separation according to hâ— word The Spirit of the Lord moved upon the water thâ— whole elemental body of the earth hath been water bâ— the Spirit of the Lord Zebaoth hath divided it fashionâ— the earth from the muddinesse of the water and therein all metalline fruits that ever were created and generated under ground all these were first water and may bee reduced againe unto water all other creatures be they animalls vegetables mineralls all these are produced from the first water the several kinds of beasts fishes and sea-monsters after the Lords spirit and after the first eternal breathing Essence which brought forth and shaped things tinged and untinged soft and hard small and great creatures after the twelve stones in the brest-plate of Aaron He created man after his own image the holy Spirit was infused into Adam who had a fulnesse of eternal wisdome and that according to the order of Melchizedeck Almighty God who is the first and last the first principle and end of all things hath set his gifts into times hours dayes years which according to his eternal Decree have their revolutions he hath blest in his most holy means Abraham Isaac Jacob Aaron Melchizedeck and others he hath infinitely blessed according to his good will and pleasure from eternity putteth several periods unto them and in his unsearâ—hable decree and will he hath laid the foundations also for Minerals and Metals a help for the supporting men in their â—eccessities in this miserable life thus hath he meliorated â—nd exalted the earth in her goodnesse men have reason â—o return hearty thanks unto the Creator for it God in his gracious providence next unto the knowledg â—f himself and of his holy word can bestow no better gift to man than to indue him with the true knowledge of Metals and Minerals Jews thought themselves wise men â—erein but as little some Miners know Minerals and Meâ—als as little knew the Jews their Messias and Gods word 〈◊〉 its true sence Therefore from that blessed and promised Countrey the knowledge of pretious stones minerals and metals are come to us as by an inheritance as being the â—st and are become the first and they the last but 〈◊〉 the end Heavens gate will be opened unto them again â—ternal and external gifts and means will be bestowed on them and the true use of metals will be none of the meanest Where there are fertile stones be they rocks flints peebles marbles in their central points is found what they are in their operations The several gums and rasoms the one excelling the other in beauty transparency hardnesse or liquidnesse are known and discerned by their fragrancie and tast Miners ought to endeavour incessantly and in simplicity how the neerest way may be chosen to find out the Mineral-passages and veins into which God and nature hath laid direct courses CHAP. III. Of the stones rocks and flints of Gold its operation condition and striking courses GOld is wrought in its proper rocks and marbles and in the purest matrix of the firmest earth of a most perfect salt Sulphur and Mercury purged from all feces and impure spirits with the conjunction of a natural highly clarified Heaven of white yellow and red sulphureous earth after the fiery nature of Sol in a deep fixation insomuch that none of all other metals hath an higher compacter and more ponderous body of a goldish matter in which there is no humidity all the elements are equally in it bound up which in their unity have wrought such a fixed body tinged the same throughout with an everlasting citrin colour with the deepest tie and uniting of its pure earth Sulphur and Mercury and with its Vitriol essence it doth all what the Sun among the Stars doth operate Naturally all is gold what cleaveth thereunto in and at all sides and it is found in the best and closest stones and passages and the power of Sol worketh meerly upon that oar and in its quality is comparable unto Sol. This noble gold stone and oar is sometimes mixed and on its outside â—here sticketh some obscure and dark matter having annexed to it some slats and other spermatick matter which deâ—racts from the goodnesse of its own nature and though â—he Creator hath indued it with great Vertues yet doth it â—umble it self and suffers it self to be found in despicable Mineral-stones where it loseth much of its tincture as is apparent by the Touch-stone where the mixture of Copper Silver Tin and others is seen all these mixed impurities can be separated from it with artificial Manuals and with little ado it may be brought into a perfect state Gold oars naturally are wrought thus that the gold stands in it close compact firm and good which is found sometimes in the crosse passages It s fixednesse is found in the deepnesse under ground where it hath its greatest power and it is found also sometimes in a speckled jaspis full of eyes and mixed with flints in its passages where many times Vitriol flint is found abundantly which Vitriol is the best among all other sorts of Vitriols The Hungarian Vitriol hath the precedence before all the rest which is sufficiently known in their proves and exemines as may be demonstrated to the eye In its passages are found sometimes fluxes of several colours which are interlined with gold and must be forced with fire To that purpose it is requisite that it be dealt
whicâ— looks like the glassâ— upon gold Mine works is of a curiouâ— white glittering quality Lead oar is wrought several wayes and the colour of iâ— changeth after the manner of the oars especially in the sorts of glasse oars For if Satuan lieth below or is iâ— subjection unto others then the glasse hath no power to bring Saturn unto Saturn an imperfect mineral which either is too hard or else unroward and the Nodus of Venus is a mispukâ—l or a mixture of lead and silver which is knitted very hard but if soft then it is water lead-â—lasse of the which are found in gold juyces and tin-oars a kinde of iron glasse by reason mole but is heavier and mote brittle than iron glasse by reason of its terrestriâ—y or earthlinesse which keeps in the metal and is neither â—oo soft nor too hard and is glassie white goldish red gâ—â—dish and falls into the best metalline oares True lead gâ—asses and oares afford half or the third part of lead mixed with some other metal and if one of the other metals be found in the glasse which keeps the predominancie then lead-passages are simply good and lead is united with gold and these are mixed stones for the stones of Mine oars are more wonderful in their singular accidcents Thus is here the lead also in iâ—s fall and bleak after the heavenly impression which the Highest hath so indued that it subject to other metals and is the supream Finer in the â—â—tial Fruits of others It easily mingleth naturally 〈◊〉 other metals and the qualities of other oars togeâ—â— with the leaves bulk and roots into other stones of 〈◊〉 And Saturn in his degree and power is the Highest 〈◊〉 singular division of all his works in which he sheweth â—elf in a clarified transparent soul runneth into Antiâ—y with its sweetnesse which should meerly imbrace gold this is done so not without a cause for in its derosity it yieldeth the lightest remedy to all melanâ—ly and heavy blood As heavenly astrals are several 〈◊〉 clouds under them are of all sorts of colours so the 〈◊〉 lead is purer and more malleable than others as that â—ngland and at Villach it is seen in the Lead-stones also â—or lead-oars which are mixed with other stones espeâ—â—ly with such as contain silver iron copper yield much â—ight stones and lead work which are pickt out for seâ—ting and the rather if they are rich of gold Such worâ— metals there are in Hungary lesse pains are taken about â—m in their fining Mineral flints with their unripe juyâ—â— in the weak joynings of Lead oar unite the Saturnal â—sse if without any mixture affords to Potters a green â—zure if all be not melted into lead but if you get a â—ttle mixed flint there the glasse is half upon iron and â—h that are most pliable afford melting glasse for fining 〈◊〉 such sturdy wild oar which will not melt Artists â—y prepare such Saturnal glasse mingling with it a small â—ntity of metalline flower which will look as fair as if were a natural one There may be extracted from lead effectual medicine for mans health If slate oars are found with another mixture there are â—netated most fix and firm copper Vitriol and calamy alâ—â— as they are at Goslar in Harlynia The best lead is in Enâ—nd and at Villach Man cannot well be without any of his members meâ—lls according to Gods ordinance are of the same quality 〈◊〉 man knew to make good use of them for nature hath provided richly for him in that way if men work tâ—â— ignorantly what utility can they have of them Of metalline soul is made a chain which linketh togetheâ— junctures of gold and silver these are indued with a â—cial spirit which is distilled into a water through a trâ—parent head Nature congealeth under ground in the â—â—sages such water unto ice for a signe that there is at hâ—â— a vein of lead and silver or of pure lead and if therebâ— mixture of other metal about it it is the better The best lead passages are such waters blew scaly Tâ—â—slate-stones and fluid streaked marbles at length or â—â—led insprinkled ones and not wrapt or wound about 〈◊〉 moving passages almost not unlike unto silver oars Soâ— lead-oars are of a white scaly Talk-slate full of wiâ— garâ—ats in which Lead-oar doth appear which is rich silver CHAP. VIII Of Tin its oar operation mist stocks floats fallings and striking passages TIn oar is wrought in a sand-stone having its influencâ— from Jupiter above wrought of a dark brown purplâ— coloured grayish black shining mercurial salt and somâ— sulphur mixed with it interlined with an unkind grossâ— sulphureous fume all these incorporate together makinâ— up the body of Tin this unkind fume is the cause of thâ— brittlenesse of Tin and maketh all other metals that arâ— melted with it unkinde and brittle This Tin or Qâ—iâ—â— groweth or breaketh in a threefold manner viz it slideth it is full of fumes and it groweth in pieces It hath 〈◊〉 threefold wildnesse also as Shoel flint and iron-mould which causeth Lead-work their colours are black slate brown and yellow These sand and Qwitter oars are inviâ—ned or inclosed in mighty broad standing passages which â—â—pear to the day with Qwitters some contain also rich â—int work some of these flints must be calcined some â—e mixed with store of Talk and Cat-silver which is a food to Qwitter loveth to stay there some there are which â—oweth in a Glimmer or Cat-silver and is iron-moul'd oâ—ers also do strike in a fire stone or flint so that fire must 〈◊〉 applied thereunto others are in a soft stone and as it â—ere swimmeth along Some are richer than others That â—hich groweth pure and in black small stones and heapâ—â— together that natural work that giveth the greatest â—in And because Jupiter is the potent Lord of it thereâ—â—e it hath a mighty throne and seat that is a mighty huge â—â—ne-oar out of which Tin is made by heaps and is of â—â—t nature and property that it presseth outward and â—ossometh to the day thrusteth off Soap-work whence â—me the wash work of Tin-soap For Qwitter doth not â—ow in the sand of earth besides in its body it is removed â—â—her from the seat of its throne to the foot-stool maâ—th for itself a twofold dominion in one it bordereth and â—â—cheth to slates aad other stones that lie about it insoâ—ch that his dominion increaseth in which is not a little â—t much on the blue stones fallings floats passages â—ools and clifts which incline one upon another and do â—n many times a mighty Tin-stone is wrought which â—â—keth down among its own cinder and slate and at its â—king purgeth it self and there come other fumes like â—uds which at all sides shoot into and then breaketh aâ—â—n as good as ever it did before and it is of that good â—â—ndition that it despiseth no lodging nor passeth by any â—t as poor and as despicable the stone is in that place be â—ed
brown fresh or stale broad or small it will press â—o and mingle it self with it and will not be forced out 〈◊〉 it making it self great little grosse milde fame subâ—â—e and pliable even as the rest will have it and all this in natural way it loveth to border upon silver and iron-stone that Tin and iron be united in a mighty fix silver and copper oar all which are found at their several marks Tin oar is in this place better and malleable if found afar off from flint-passages and are less mingled with iron mould especially of copper stones which in calcining can hardly be separated proves Lead-work without any fair glasse Some of it is so mild and soft that when they are cleared and calcined still lose something for flints and sulphureous matters which are volatile and cannot indure any great heat coâ—â—ode somewhat of the metalline Tin which appeareth by the white thick fume at the calcining they are calcined thus hard by reason of Bake-iron else they might yield as much again for they lose extreamly in calcining It is strange to some why they shrink together to so small a quantity being they get a greater quantity of lead with good Qwitter at first brought out of the Mine CHAP. IX Of Mercurial oar and its passages MErcurial-oar is wrought in its proper Mine-stones by the quality of its salt earth and its nimble volatile earth in a moist greasie slimy waterish oleity which is mixed with a most subtile red sulphureous digested earth with a most weak slow binding like an unripe pleasing fruit of all particular metals Mercury sheweth its vertue in many things admirably and worketh effectually upon Minerals and Metalline sulphur and upon such which border upon Antimonial stones or oars it loveth to be in such places where the Tin-oars lie higher than silver passages It requireth many iterating effectual operations unto other oars and is multiplied upon other strange stones and is drawn through the juyces of Minerals and metals which are in affinity one to another severâ—â— produce many strange miscreants this is the reason â—y it is so pleasant unto metals Goldsmiths amalgame and 〈◊〉 with it It is used also for metalline colours and is prepared to â—oil and water for mans health and is sublimed for to corâ—le the worst of poisons and is a true Robber taketh aâ—g what ever costs have been bestowed on him but if 〈◊〉 can be catched in his nature then is he in subjection â—d obedience unto quick and dead He is very effectual in â—edicina especially for outward sores he is naught to â—ught and good to good and is not every bodies friend â—ough he is willing to do what you put him upon His meâ—line stones are of the same nature with pure white slate â—rth inclined to a water-blew in fresh intermingled â—hite marbles in a glassie grayish and porous Glimmer or â—ar-silver which lie beneath betwixt the slates in a float â—ay which are mingled in their metalline passages withâ— a fled Maâ—casites and with the subtilest small streaked â—hite Talk and are thorough grown with two sorts â—anding and float-striking passages in which is wrought a â—â—rious red shining quick-silver oar not unlike unto red â—â—ine-sulphur and sometimes floweth purely out of the â—ifts and caves of the passages stands in a sink or puddle â—ogether like water which its natural quick substance sufâ—ciently evidenceth CHAP. X. Of Wismuth Antimony Sulphur Salt Salpeter and Talk WIsmuth is wrought in its own Mine-stone not quite freed from a protruding silver or Tin stone of an imperfect pure quick-silver with Tin-salt and fluid silver-sulphur of a brittle immiscible earth partly of a crude fluid sulphur partly of a mixed much exiccated sâ—â—phur according as it hath gotten a matrix after it was câ—â—ceived then it turneth a bastard of a brittle nature eaâ—â— uniteth with Mercury and is wrought naturally in a twâ—-fold form the one is fluid and metalline is melted with 〈◊〉 wood being mixed wiâ—h clay yieldeth much of white Aâ—â—nick The other is small streaked or spissie remaineth 〈◊〉 unripe substance yields a fix sulphur instead of Arsenicâ— both these are silver Wismuth Antimonie comes from perfect Mercurie wrought of â—â—tle salt and a waterish fluid sulphur though it shineth blâ—â—â— naturally and its out-side is of an antimonial form yet graduateth and purifieth the noble nature of Gold aâ— doth much good unto man being artificially prepared 〈◊〉 its several wayes notwithstanding its colour it keepâ— its high and mighty praise and vertue For meeting with 〈◊〉 Master which can clarifie it and gets its natural Gold câ—â— of it and extracts a bloud red Oyl from it that serveth against many Chronical diseases it must be reduced to 〈◊〉 transparent glasse this black evaporated unripe metall represents to us Gods Majestick glory who is not a regardeâ— of persons bestowing upon poor despised men rarities 〈◊〉 vertues and knowledge The red mine sulphur which is found in Tâ—rol Tâ—â—â—witz and Engadin and groweth in a black blue slat-stone 〈◊〉 hath singulas innumerable good vertues wherein lyeth hâ—â— a mighty purifying quality lyeth on with its colour 〈◊〉 the red goldish silver oar oâ— Cinober oar and looks almoâ—â— like unto it whose rednesse shineth forth most pleasantly Salt hath its special vertues to penetrate and to preserâ—â— from putrefaction containeth a noble spirit and it weâ—â— very necessary that men would not be so carelesse and neglectfull in their seasoning with salt suffering matters â—â—stinck and corrupt considering too slightly and taking 〈◊〉 small notice of the noble gift put into good mineral work 〈◊〉 peter lying on their hoary old vvalls Talk is an ingrown sulphur shineth incombustibly like â—ld and silver closeth and boweth is transparent like â—â—sse is called Sulphur Lutum keepeth in the fire incomâ—â—stible like Alumen plumosum lyeth in Rocks and stone-â—orks serveth for graduating of metals Every metal â—ineral and salt in particular is good to be used each is â—â—stinguished in its particular name even as those that â—ake glasses put their several names upon them and put â—â—eir several forms upon them making them into drinkâ—â—g glasses flagons bodies bolt heads helmets receiâ—ers pellicans jar-glasses wine-glasses funnels all â—â—ese he frameth after his own fancie either into â—â—all great long or round forms even as he pleaâ—eth CHAP. XI A comparison between Gods word and the Mineralls LIke as the heavenly glorious God in a spiritual way in his most dearest Son our Lord JESUS CHRIST at his redeeming of man-kinde for the good of man appeared a Sun of righteousnesse which glory the Prophet Esaias hath prophesied of in the Lords spirit many years ago How two Cherubims and Seraphims having six wings moved and sung before the Lord Holy holy holy is the Lord Zebaoâ—h of whose glory all the world is full which Prophet hath seen the most omnipotent Lord of Lords knowing him a God in a Triple essence and that out of that noble Chaos of Jesus Christ should flow the
namely what matâ—â— you ought to take to the Kings Balneum whereby the â—ng is destroyed and its external form broken and its â—â—defiled Soul may come forth to this purpose will serve â—â—e Dragon and the Eagle which is Niter and Sal armonick â—â—th which after their union are made into a Aquafort as â—â—u shall be further informed of in my Manuals where I â—â—all treat in particular of Gold of other Metals and Mineâ—â—ls into which Balneum the King is thrown being first 〈◊〉 in the quoted place you shall hear brought into an Amalâ—me of Mercury and of Sulphur which presently seizeth on â—im corrodeth all his members and is dissolved and is â—resently mortified of this Salt water into a most splendent â—ransparent Oyl You must note that this dissolution is â—ot sufficient and the King is not minded as yet to let go â—is Soul out of his fixed body which you can see when you â—eparate the water from the dissolved body of the King where you shall finde fixed powder of Gold out of which you will hardly get his Soul that is therein Therefore follow my counsel and bear the yoake which I bore before â—ye and learn to know exactly in pains taking further thus as I shall inform you Having dissolved your Gold wholly in the said water and brought it into a pleasant yellow Oyl then let it stand well luted for a day and night in a very gentle Balneum Mariae the feces which are setled must be separated from it then take this pure dissolution put it into a well coated body or Retort apply a Helmet to it with a receiver in the best manner luted to it set it into a sand Capel drive the Gold with the water over the Helmet iterate this a third time then abstract the water in Balneum Mariae you will finde a fair Gold-powder keep this in a glasse for an hour in fire let the remaining humidity be drawn from it The third Key THen take of good spirit of Sal-niter one part and of dâ—â—phlegmed spirit of ordinary Salt three parts pour theâ— spirits together warm'd a little into a body on the forâ— written Gold-powder lute a Helmet and Receiver to iâ— drive the Gold over as formerly in sand several times wiâ—â— an iterated distillation the oftner the better let the Goâ—â— come to be volatile more and more and at last let all coâ—â— over By this repeated driving over its fixed body is divided all its Members are torn asunder and opened anâ— leaveth willingly its Soul to a special Judge of which mâ— third Key will give sufficient information Note further that after this work those salt spirits muâ—â— be abstracted from the Gold which was driven over very gently in Balneo Mariae let nothing of the tincture of the Gold come over that the body suffer not any diminution then take that Gold or rather these Chrystals of Gold from which you have separated the water put it in a reverberating pan set it under a Muffle let its first fire be gentle for an hour let all its corrosivenesse be taken away then your powder will be of a fair scarlet colour as subtile as ever was seen put it in a clean viol pour on it fresh spirit of ordinary Salt first brought to a sweetnesse let it stand in a gentle digestion let that spirit be deeply ting'd and transparent red like a Ruby cant if off pour on fresh extract again iterate the work of canting off and pouring on till no more tincture of it appeareth put all these extractions together separate them in Balneo gently from the Sulphur of Sol then that powder is subtile and tender of great worth this matter is such which in a short processe transmuteth Lune in its tincture to the highest perfection according to the direction of my XII Keyes He that hath some knowledge herein may make this quere whither this extracted dry Soul and Sulphur of the â—â—g be just that Soul of which Philosophers have this â—ng the Philosophick work for the preparation of the â—â—t precious stone requireth three things viz. a wet volaâ— Mercury or a Mercurial spirit a wet volatile sulphurous â—â—l and a dry astral Salt which after its dissolution togeâ—â— with the two first must be apparent and known in a â—erish form which way comes that about because in 〈◊〉 processe nothing is spoken of any Mercurial spirit and â—atile Soul but the Soul of the King appeared in a subâ—â— form of powder The answer hereunto I delay so long 〈◊〉 the Querist learns better to understand the distinction in â—s book and I will perform my promise and set his â—xious and intangled minde at liberty which is so much â—ubled about this doubt and will deal with him as a â—od father may deal with his son in and with this scope â—herein our Mastery lieth have been fooled most of the â—its leading them captive in their erroneous wayes being â—â—d about in a desart of mislead wayes because in their â—â—pposed deep wits they had not conceived so much of the â—anner how all things of the world are generated and that â—very spirit must have a Soul and every Soul a fit spirit and â—hat both spirit and Soul are spirits and spiritual which must â—ave a body in which they may have a dwelling Gold and Silver but chiefly Gold is brought to the highest fixednesse by such degrees as nature did afford insomuch â—ts nature is found very hot and fiery freed from all phlegmatick humidity of which Lune is not so wholly freed though she hath obtained a sulphur-fixed degree and stayeth for the King to warm her cold body with his hot seed which concerns the particulars and belongs unto them which in that place shall be plainly demonstrated In Gold there is no waterish humidity at all unlesse it were reduced again into Vitriol which would be but an uselesse and unprofitable work and would require huge expences in case the Philosophers stone should be of Vitriol of Gold of which there must be had great store indeed in that Vitriol there would be found a convenient spirit which natuâ—â— would desire of a white quality as also a Soul and Salt of glorious essence But what Countreys Goods Lands have been dilapiâ—ted this way I wave to discourse of onely this warning 〈◊〉 give to my Disciples nature having left a nearer way 〈◊〉 keep and to imitate that that they also might take heed 〈◊〉 fall into such extream and inexâ—ricable poverties The solar Mercury Sol being never brought so far undestruction neither did the ancient Philosophers ever makâ— use of that way as being a thing clean contrary unto nature containeth indeed an humidity but it is a meer Elemental waterish humidity after its dissolution and good foâ— nothing water and other principles do not stand in the Elements but the Elements rest in the principles and seeds oâ— Metals of the which I have spoken formerly Therefore let none be so over witty as to make our
for neither water nor earth caâ—â— do it any hurt because it received its first birth and beginning from a heavenly water which in due time is pouâ—â— down upon the earth In these together driven goldish waters lieth hid that trâ—â— bird and Eagle the King with his heavenly Splendor together with its clarified Salt which three you finde shut up iâ— this one thing and golden property and from thence yoâ— will get all that which you have need of for your inteâ—â—tion Therefore set that golden body you have obtained whicâ— in dignity and vertue is exalted beyond all other Gold inâ—â— its due and lawfull dissolution its due time then the Aâ—gel of the highest will appear unto thee and tell thee thâ—â— it is the Resolver of all the mysteries in the World receivâ—â— it with joy and keep it safe for its quality is more heavenly than earthly therefore doth it heartily incline to strivâ— after that which is above from whence it had its Original If you have separated this Prophet from his matter whicâ— remained then you need not to undertake any further processe you were taught parabolically in my XII Keyes Foâ— even in his remaining formal substance you may finde anâ— expect from thence a pure immortal Soul together viâ—â— the glory of the Salt both which are obtained by means 〈◊〉 the spirit and must be had from thence and no impure oâ— contrary thing must be added thereunto And it is doâ— in the same manner as I told you in my Keyes with the Sâ—â— and Salt of the Gold by the saturnal water in whose plaâ—â— this spiritual Mercurial spirit might be used with better aâ—vantage Observe onely this difference that the Salt must be drawn forth from the Mercurial body as it hapned unto the Soul with the spirit of Mercury whereas on the other side the Salt of Gold must not be drawn forth with the saturnal water because it is too weak for the body of Gold but with a water which hath been expressed in the description of particulars This distinction must be exactly observ'd being of great concernment because the Salt of Vitriol is not so strongly guarded and is not in so fix'd a body as the Gold is but is still an open body which saw no coagulation as yet nor passed it through any melting fire therefore that body never came as yet to any compactnesse there is room left for its own spirit to enter into can embrace and unite with its like and a snow white extraction of Salt may be had whereas on the other side a sharper matter must penetrate Gold as you shall hear when I shall speak more of it in its due place Behold now my friend whatsoever thou art what minde I bare towards thee and how I am affected unto thee in my heart the like I never durst look for from thee Consider it well how sincerely and faithfully I disclose unto thee all the locks and bonds whereby the whole Philosophick wisdom is shut up which hitherto never entred any more â—houghts much lesse that ever it was practised or discovered and nothing caused me to do it but onely Gods infinite mercy my good will and love toward my Neighbour which my Predecessors have not done so compleatly and was put off unto me to do it Having thus separated your three Mineral bodies and ordered them into certain divisions and put away the dregs wherein they lye hid then look to it that you neglect none of it by the diminishing of the quantity which would prove a great fault to your work and keep each in its own and due quantity otherwise in your work you cannot come to a happy end This is the thrift which so many have missed and have written great volumes about it for all what cometh from our Philosophick Gold and hath divided it self into three parts the same must be brought into one without any losse and diminution which is to enter into a new form again and become a meliorated substance nothing of it must be done away but onely the feces terrae in which the glorious Salt had its dwelling Therefore do that I told you of joyn the spirit with the body bring the body also into a spirit dissolve exalt it into the highest spiritual power iâ— that dissolutioÌ„ the body turns to a spirit the spirit with the body uniteth and joyneth into one substance that after the exchanging of all manner of colours there cometh a white body like snow transcending all whitenesses This is the greatest mystery of this world about which among the learned and supposed wits such disputings in the world have been that a palpable thing and a visible one could be reduced into its prima materia and out of that may be made again a new clarified and better substance by the bountifull nature leading the way thereunto Thus you have made and brought into the world the Queen of Honour and the first born daughter of Philosophers which after her due perfection is called the white Elixir of which great volumes are extant Having brought your work thus far then you have deserved to be received into the Turba of Philosophers and you get more Art wisdom and understanding than all Sophisters which prate much of these mystical things and yet know not the least thing of it Therefore it is just that you should be preferred before them and let them sit below thee in shame and disgrace and in their darknesse of mis-understanding so long till nature doth enlighten them also That you may bring and lead that new Philosophiâ—â— Creature by the means nature afforded unto the highest perfection after which your heart with all her endeavours doth strive then remember that neither man nor beasâ— without a living Soul can neither stir nor move and as maâ— here in this life through temporal death loseth his Soul offering the same again unto the Almighty God from whom 〈◊〉 had it first into his mercy and merits of Jesus Christ â—here after the departure of the Soul the dwelling as the â—â—dy of it is left quite dead which is buried in the ground â—here it rotteth and must return unto dust and ashes being 〈◊〉 duly stipend which the fall of our first parents in Paradise â—we deserved and from them as by an inheritance is fall'n â—pon us after which putrefaction there are raised again on â—â—e great day new and clarified bodies and the departed â—â—ul taketh her dwelling up again in that new body after â—at there is no more parting of body nor spirit nor soul â—â—t because the Soul finding a clarified body then with the â—â—me she maketh an everlasting Union which neither Deâ—â—l nor death can destroy and disjoyn any more nor bring it â—to any corruption but from henceforth into all eternity â—e are and shall be like unto the best Creatures of God â—hich before our mortality and departure of the spirit of â—â—e soul and the body could never be God help and grant
things that iâ— unworthy and to fall with the blinde into the pit maâ—â— for them Those that are real in their desire for to attaâ—â—â— unto art and wisdom and intend to propagate the saâ—â— without sophistication and desire in reality to glorie iâ— that honourable truth you may shew a real proof of it iâ— this manner 〈◊〉 tell thee really for the highest truth that you may disâ—e our Gold naturally driven together in a short way to â—ng it to its prima materia and is done thus take the â—wn Mineral Spirit in which our Mercury Sulphur and 〈◊〉 is shut up containing that Philosophick mystical Gold â—â—r that guttatim upon white calcined tartar these two â—â—trary qualified matters will be tissing let them stay togeâ—r till their contention and strife be ended and our Gold â—e it self invisible in the vegetable Salt acre or in the belâ— of tartar lute a Helmet to it distil it at first gently in â—neo then increase your fire then Hermes his volatile 〈◊〉 will fly away from our Gold in that sublimation and sit 〈◊〉 the highest pinnacles of the Temple looking about â—ich way to betake himself but soon is catch'd in the â—ceiver which must be pure and very dry when you see â—t his flight is but slow then take the glasse out of the â—â—ny set it in ashes increase your fire then will she fly â—re nimbly keep that fire so long till all is come over â—d her brother the Red Dragon hiding his rednesse under a 〈◊〉 colour in a whitish fume will begin to follow after his â—ing brother Then cease with the fire the drops being fall'n from the Helmet take it off that which you â—de in the Receiver you are to keep as a treasure of myâ—ries In this manner you have gotten wisdom underâ—â—nding and skill the fundamentals also and desires of Phiâ—â—ophers by this short witty proof you learn and get that â—owledge how this water may be sought after found and â—â—ted on and is not to be esteemed a common water but is â—at real infallible heavenly water of which at the beginâ—â—g I have written and repeated the same the oftner â—hich in a spiritual manner from the heavens power is â—ured down upon earth beginneth and accomplisheth â—e generation of all Metals for that reason the ancient Phiâ—â—ophers call'd this water Mercury but I call it the Spirit of â—ercury Now if you proceed right in this work and you know â—hat food and what drink â—o give to this bird viz. Sulphur and Salt of Metal then you may attain unto the end of 〈◊〉 great work which is almost like unto the Philosophâ—â— great work and you may get profit infinitely partituâ—aâ—â— many wayes you must note that this is not the true Phiâ—â—sophick dissolution but onely one which particulaâ—â— performeth strange matters aâ—d is a speculum in which 〈◊〉 Mercury our Sol and our Lune is seen bleaking which iâ— present confuting of unbelieving Thomasses discoverâ—â— the blindnesse of ignorantment The dissolution of tâ— three principles I have described unto you formerly whiâ—â— is of a slower pace requiring time and patience and 〈◊〉 exact attention to make or bring three into one which wâ— is done in it self per se without mixing of any heterogeneâ— matter onely that which lyeth hid in it must do it Fâ— the Fountain of salvation is the illumination of the Soâ—â— and the Salt of the clarified body are all in that one thinâ— existent from one two or three which must be brought aâ—â— reduced to one which is the golden vertue of all Metals â—alted above all powers together with the Eagle and whiâ— body which are no where together but onely in this one found and in that which is next kin unto it which knoâ—ing Philosophers alwayes held in great esteem but ignoraâ—â— and blinde men despised and disgraced the same But thoâ—â— whose eyes are once opened love to stick unto truth coâ—â— to hide the matter from wicked men and study day aâ—â— night how the ignorant might be kept from it Thus I cloâ— this third part And before I begin the fourth part concerning Particâ—laria I must needs speak something of the Philosophers Vâ—triol Sulphur and Magnet My friend you must note that this description I maâ—â— now of the essence of Vitriol resteth onely upon tryâ—â— made the victorious triumph of the highest wisdom câ—â— by inheritance from the most ancient Philosophers unâ— me and comes now unto thee wherein experimentaâ— it 's found that there is a subterranean Mineral Salt callâ— Vitriol which for dying of Cloaths and many other us◠〈◊〉 cannot well possibly be without it for it carrieth â—nd eateth through by reason of its sharpnesse â—â—h is distinct from other Salts in respect of their quaâ—â— for the Mineral of this Salt is strange of a very â—nd fiery quality as apparent in its spirit and conâ—â—th a twofold spirit which is miraculum naturae â—is not found the like in other Salts and this Salt is a â—â—aphâ—odit among other Salts it is white and red even â—â—u will have it it hath an extraordinary medicinal quaâ—â— performing things in an incredible manner This Salt â—â—ineth a combustible Sulphur which is not in other 〈◊〉 Therefore in Metalline affairs touching their transâ—â—tion it performeth more than others because it help-â—ot onely to open some but helpeth the generation of â—â—rs by reason of its innate heat When Vitriol is sepaâ—â— by means of fire then its spirit at first comes in a â—â—e form after that there comes from its earth a spirit of 〈◊〉 condition staying in the earth the Salt being united 〈◊〉 its expell'd Mercury and Sulphur can sharpen them â—emainder that stayeth behinde is a dead earth of no â—â—acie Let this suffice for your learning and consider 〈◊〉 what the Creator holds forth unto thee in nature by â—ow kindled ternarie for as you finde in Vitriols body 〈◊〉 distinct things as Spâ—rit Oyl and Salt even so you expect from its own spirit again which without the â—â—ling of its Oyl is driven from its matter three distinct â—â—gs even as you did formerly from the body of Vitriol â—â—h deserveth very well the name of Speculum sapientiae â—â—ae held forth purposely to man to view himself For 〈◊〉 can separate this spirit of Vitriol as it ought then that â—ds again unto you three principles out of which onely out any other addition since the beginning of the â—d the Philosophers stone hath been made from that have to expect again a spirit of a white form an Oyl of â—uality after these two a Christalline Salt these three â—â—g duely joyned in their perfection generate no lesse 〈◊〉 the Philosophers great stone for that white spirit is meerly the Philosophers Mercury the red Oyl is the Sâ—â— and the Salt is that true Magnetick body as I told you 〈◊〉 merly As from the spirit of Vitriol is brought to light â—red and white tincture so from its Oyl there is made Vâ—â— her tincture and in the Center
as much of Sulphur of Mars as you shall hear anon when I treat of Mars grinde them together put it in a pure glasse pour on it so much of spirit of Mercury let it stand over it two fingers breadth that the matter in it may be dissolved see to it that all dissolve into a Ruby-like Gold water joyntly drive it over then is it one and were at first of one stem keep it well that nothing of it evaporate put it to separated silver calx being precipitated with pure Salt and afterward well edulcorated and dried fix it together in a fiery fixation that it sublime no more then take it forth and melt it in a wind-oven let it stream well then you have united Bride and Bridegroom and you brought them unto Gold of a high degree Be thankfull to God for it as long as you live I should give further direction how this extracted Soul of Sol should be further proceeded in and to make it potable which ministreth great strength and continued health unto man But it belonging unto Medicinals I delay it to that place where further mention shall be made of At this present I will speak onely how the white Solar body shall further be anatomized and that by Art its Mercurie current and its Salt may be obtained The processe of it is thus Take the white body of Sol from which you have drawn â—nima reverberate it gently for half an hour let it beâ—e corporeal then pour on it well rectified hony-water â—â—h is corrosive extract its Salt in a gentle heat it is â—e in ten dayes space the Salt being all extracted abâ—ct the water from it in Balneo edulcorate the Salt with â—â—ted distillings with common distilled water clarifie it â—n spirit of wine then you have Sal auri of which you shall â—r more in its due place of the good qualities it hath by â—y of Medicine upon man On the remaining matter â—â—r spirit of Tartar of which in another place because it â—ongeth unto Medicinals digest these for a moneths â—â—e drive it through a glasse Retort into cold water then â—n have quick Mercury of Sol many strive to get it but 〈◊〉 vain There is one mystery more in Nature that the white â—lar body having once lost its anima may be ting'd again â—nd brought to be pure Gold which mystery is revealed to â—â—ry few I shall give a hint of it that you may not grumâ—â—e at me to have concealed any point in the work I hope you have considered and taken to heart what I â—ave entrusted you withall about the universal stone of Philosophers in my third part namely how it resteth meerâ—y upon the white spirit of Vitriol and how that all three principles are found onely in this spirit and how you are â—o proceed in and to bring each into its certain stare and â—order Take the Philosophick Sulphur which in order is the second principle and is extracted with the spirit of Mercuâ—ry pour it in the white body of the King digest it for a moneth in a gentle Balmy then fix it in ashes and at last in sand that the brown powder may appear then melt it wth a fluxing powder made of Saturn then will it be malleable and fair Gold as it was formerly in colour and vertue nothing defective But note the Salt must not be taken from the Solar body of which I made mention formerly in a repetition of the xii Key where you may read of There may be pâ—pared yet in another manner a transparent Vitriol 〈◊〉 Gold in the following manner Take good Aqua Regis made with Sal armoniac 1. poâ—â— id est dissolve four ounces of Salmiac in Aquafort then yâ— have a strong Aqua Regis distil and rectifie it often oâ— the helmet let no feces stay behinde let all lascends 〈◊〉 transparent Then take thinly beaten Gold rolls cast fâ—merly through Antimonie put them into a body pour oâ—â— Aqua Regis let it dissolve as much as it will or as you 〈◊〉 dissolve in it having dissolved all the Gold pour into soâ—â— Oyl of Tartar or Salt of Tartar dissolved in fountain waâ—â— it begins to tisse having done tissing then pour in again 〈◊〉 the Oyl do it so long that all the dissolved Gold be fall'n 〈◊〉 the bottom and nothing more of it precipitate the Aqâ—â— Regis clear up This being done then cant off the Aqâ—â— Regis from the Gold calx edulcorate it with common water eight ten or twelve times the Gold calx being weâ— setled cant off that water and dry the Gold calx in thâ— aire where the Sun doth not shine do it not over a fire for as soon as it feeleth the least heat it kindleth and greaâ— damage is done for it would fly away forcibly that no man could stay it This powder being ready also then takâ— strong Vinegar pour it upon boyl it continually over the fire in a good quantity of Vinegar still stirring it that it may not stick unto the bottom for xxiv hours together then the fulminating quality is taken from it be carefull you do not endanger your self cant off that Vinegar dulcifie the powder and dry it This powder may be driven per alembicum without any corrosive bloud-red transparent and fair which is strange and uniteth willingly with the spirit of wine and by means of coagulation may be brought to a Solar body Do not speak much of it to the vulgar if you receive any benefit by and from my plain and open information be thus minded to keep these mysteries secret still to thy dying day and make no shew of it else thou art naked and lyest open to the Devils temptations in all thy wayes â—efore pray give attention to what I shall tell thee for I impart unto thee this Arcanum also and entrust thee 〈◊〉 thy conscience with it Take good spirit of wine being brought to the highest â—â—ee let fall into it some drops of spirit of Tartar then 〈◊〉 thy Gold powder put to it three times as much of the 〈◊〉 and subtilest common flowers of sulphur grinde these â—ether set it on a flat pan under a muffle give to it a â—tle fire let the Gold powder be in a glowing heat put â—hus glowing into the spirit of wine cant off the spirit of â—â—e dry the powder against a heat it will be porous â—ng dried then add to it again three parts of flores sulâ—â—ris let them evaporate under a muffle neal the remainâ— powder in a strong heat and put it in spirit of wine â—â—ate this work six times at last this Gold powder will be â—oft and porous as firm butter dry it gently because it â—lteth easily Then take a coated body which in its â—â—der part hath a pipe lute a helmet to it apply a reâ—â—ver set it freely in a strong sand Capel let your first fire 〈◊〉 gentle then increase it let the body be almost in a â—â—wing heat then put in the softned
us for from them I had it next unto Gods revelation the reading of their books must be frequently iterated then the fundamentals thereof will the better stick to the memory and truth like a burning Candle be not extinguisht Be industrious in your carefull working search into Scriptures continually be not prepossessed with opinions follow after the unanimous concurrence of Philosophers a wavering man is easily brought into wrong wayes and such men which have wavering mindes seldom build firm houses Seeing the stone of the most ancient Philosophers doth not come or spring from things which are combustible because this stone is freed from all dangers fire may put him unto therefore trouble not thy self to seek for it in such things where Nature would not have thee to seek for As for example if one should tell thee this stone is a vegetable work because a growing quality is in it but it is not For if our stone were of a condition as other vegetaâ—â—es are it would easily be consumed in fire nothing â—ould stay but onely its Salt Though there were men â—ho have written great volumes of the vegetable stone yet â—â—y friend you must note that it will be very difficult for â—â—e to conceive of it for they call our stone a vegetable â—â—e because a growing and augmenting belongeth thereâ—nto Note further irrational beasts have their increase of â—heir own kinde so you strive nor to seek for or to make â—his stone but onely of his own seed from whence it hath 〈◊〉 beginning and being Neither ought you to look out â—or any Animal soul for the making thereof flesh and â—loud which the great Creator hath bestowed upon Aniâ—als belongeth properly unto animals God composed â—hem of flesh and bloud whereby an Animal is made but â—â—r stone which from the ancient Philosophers came as by â—n inheritance upon me is made of one and of two things which contain a third this is the naked truth and it is rightly spoken for the ancients understood by man and wife one body not in respect of the outward appearance but by reason of their innate love which they got at the first working of their Natures in that respect it is acknowledged that they are one and as both propagate and increase their seed even so the seed of that matter of which our stone is made can be propagated and augmented If you be a true lover of our Art you will take this expression into consideration to keep thy self out of the pit into which erroneous Sophisters usually fall which their enemy digged for them My friend that you may know further from whence this seed cometh then enquire first of thy self to what end you intend to seek after this stone Reason then will dictate unto thee that it must needs spring from a Metalline root which the Creator hath ordained for Metals to generate thereby if you will know the matter of it then note First when the spirit moved â—pon the water and the Universe was encompassed with darknesse then the omnipotent and eternal God who iâ— without a beginning and end whose wisdom was from eternity by his insearchable Decree created heaven and earth and the things contained therein be they visible or invisible by what name soever they may be called But of â—he manner of this glorious Creation my intent is not now to Philosophâ—ze much upon let Scripture and Faith be impartial judges herein The great Creator hath given in the Creation to every Creature a seed whereby it should generate and encrease whereby Animals Vegetables and Minerals might continually be preserved Man hath no power bestowed on him to make or bring forth a new kinde of seed according to his fancy against Gods ordinance there is granted unto him a propagation and increase God reserved for his sole power to make seed else man could play the Creator also which doth not beseem him and belongs meerly to the highest Creator Conceive thus of the seed which worketh Metals there is a heavenly influence according to Gods good pleasure and ordinance from above it falls and mingleth with sydereal qualities When such conjunctions happen then these two beget an earthly substance as a third thing whicâ— is the beginning of our seed its first original whereby its first descent is proved from these three the Elements have their off spring as water aire and earth which work further by an Aeâ—nick fire to the bringing forth of a perfect thing which Hermes and all those before me for I could finde no more have called the three principles and were found to be an internal Soul an incomprehensible spirit and a visible body These three being together in one dwelling in processe of time yet by Vulcans help to be a comprehensible being as a Me cury Sulphur and Salt these three by an uniting beâ—â—â—â—rought into a coagulation according to Natures miraculoâ—s operation there is brought forth a perfect body as Nature would have it and the Creator had ordained the seed for it He that purposeth to seek after the fountain of our work and hopeth to get the viâ—tory in this warfar to hâ—m I tell this for a truth that where there is a Metalline Soul a Metalline spirit and a Metalline form of body that there must needs be there also a Metalline Mercury a Metalline Sulphur and a Metalline Salt these must needs produce a perfect Metalline body If you do not conceive of it now then surely you are not adapted for Philosophy and in brief it is thus it will not be possible for thee to reap the benefit of any Metalline body unlesse you have joyned compleatly the forenamed three principles Note further Animals are composed of flesh and bloud there is in them also a living spirit and breath which dwelleth in them but they are destitute of a rational Soul which before them man is endued withall This is the reason that when Animals lost their lives they are gone no more hopes of them for ever But man who offering his body to his Creator in time of death hath a Soul who at the day of â—esurrection is to receive a glorified body to his Soul and are to dwell together and so Soul Body and Spiâ—i come together again iâ— an heavenly clarification which in all eternity will never be separated again c. Therefore man by reason of his Soul is acknowledged to be a fixed Creature because he is to live for ever after this life â—hough in his body he is subject to a temporal death For death is unto man onely a clarification according to Gods ordinance by certain degrees is delivered from a sinfulnesse and transplanted into a better condition which doth not beâ—â—ll other Animals therefore are they esteemed to be unfixed Creatures for these being once gone by death cannot expect nor look for any resuscitation because they want a rational Soul for which the sole Mediator Jesus Christ hath suffered and shed his innocent bloud A spirit â—â—â—y have a
dwelling in a body but it is not consequent haâ— he must abide there constantly though the body and â—hat spirit be at rest and that body with that spirit doth not contest about any controversie because both do want the strongest part which upholdeth and bindeth together sâ—ul and body protecteth and keepeth them from dangers namely the tender noble and fixed Soul for where the Soul is quite gone and lost there is never any redemption hoped for for a thing which hath no Soul is not perfect which is one of the highest mysteries which seekers ought to know and upon conscience I am commanded not to conceal this mystery but to make it known to those which seriously love fundamentals of truth And take carefully notice of what I say Spirits hidden in Metals are not alike some are more volatile and others more fix their souls and bodies are not alike neither that Metâ—l which containeth the three fixednesses that is blessed with a power to hold in the fire and so overcome all its enemies which onely is found in Sol. Lune containeth a fixed Mercury and is the reason why she doth not fly so soon in the fire as other imperfect Metals do but stands out her examens in the fire and sheweth the same victoriously because the devouring Saturn can rob nothing from her That arch-wench Venus is clad and possessed with an abounding tincture the most part of her body is a meer tincture like unto such a tincture which dwelleth also in the best Metal and by reason of the superfluity thereof is â—ing'd upon red and because her body being leprous that fixed tincture cannot have any abiding place in her unfix'd body but must vanish together with her body for the body being consumed by destruction or death that body cannot subsist neither but must give way and flie because the habitation is destroyed and consumed with fire so that her place is not known nor may any other dwell there from henceforth But in a fixed body she willingly dwelleth constanâ—ly Fixed Salt hath bestowed on valorous Mars a hard sturdy and grosse body whereby the gallantry of his minde is pâ—oved and is not so easily gotten from this warlike Prince because his body is hard and is not easily master'd or conquer'd But if his valour with Lune's fixation and with Venus her beauty in a mixture doth harmonize spiritually then a curious and melodious Musick may be made whereby some Keyes may be advanced and the needy labourer may get a piece of living Particulariter if he got up to the uppermost step of that ladder for the phlegmatick quality or moist Nature of Lune must be exsiccated through the hot bloud of Venus and her great pains must be allayed by the outward Salt There is no necessity to seek for seed in the Elements because our seed is not put so far back but there is a nearer place in which our seed hath its sure and certain habitation if you onely rectifie and regulate the Philosophick Mercury Sulphur and Salt so that of their soul spirit and body there be made an inseparable union which may never be separated again then the Band of love is perfectly made and the dwelling is well prepared for the Crown And note that this is onely a liquid Key like unto a heavenly property and a dry water addicted to an earthly substance all which is but one thing proceeding and growwing from three two and one if you can hit it then you have overcome the mastery and make a copulation betwixt Bride and Bridegroom let them feed and cherish one another with their own flesh and bloud let them increase and multiply infinitely by their own seed I could willingly communicate and disclose more unto you but the Creator hath forbidden it and is not meet for me to speak any further of it for fear the gifts of the highest should be misused and I should be the cause of committing of great sins and load Gods wrath upon me and fall with the rest into eternal punishment My friend if these expressions give thee no content to conceive of the thing and I lead thee unto the practick part of mine own how I have attained by Gods assistance unto the Philosophers stone I pray consider the same well peruse diligently my XII Kâ—yes iterate their reading frequently then proceed according to my instruction which I set down fundamentally by way of a parable Take a piece of the finest Gold anatomize the same by such means as Nature hath afforded unto Artists even as a Physician anatomizeth mans body whereby he is inquisitive into the condition of mans internal parts reduce thy Gold unto that what it hath been at first then you will finde the seed the beginning middle and end out of which our Gold and its wife is made namely of a penetrating subtile spirit of a pure tender and undefiled Soul and of an Astral Salt and Balsam which after their uniting is nothing else but a Mercurial liquor the same water was brought to School to its own God Mercury who examined the water having sound it without deceit and falshood he made friendship with it and took the water into a Matrimonial state and both became an incombustible Oyl For Mercury grew so proud upon it that he knew himself no more he flung away his Eagles wings himself swallowed the smooth tâ—yl of the Dragon and offered a battel unto Mars Mars gathered his Champions together and gave command that Mercurie should be taken Prisoner and be kept closely imprisoned Vulcan was commanded to be Jaylor so long till a Female kinde came in to his deliverance This rumour being noised abroad the other Planets had a meeting where they consulted what further was to be done in that businesse the proceedings might wisely be prosecuted Then Saturn made a speech in this manner I Saturn the highest Planet in the firmament protest before this honourable Assembly of my Lords that I am the meanest and most contemptible among you all of a weak corruptible body of a black colour subject to many infirmities in this miserable World and yet am an examiner of you all for I have no abiding place and take along with me such thaâ— are like unto me I cannot lay the fault of this my misery to none but Mercury who by his carelesnesse hath pu this evil upon me Therefore my Lords I beseech you to be pleased to revenge my quarrel on him aâ—â—â—eiâ—◠〈◊〉 â—â—st already into prison there to take his life awâ—y 〈◊〉 sâ—â—m â—ot there that not one drop of his blâ—â—d Saturn having ended his speech Jupiter rose up made a â—tch upon his knees bowing his Scepter began to comâ—â—nd Saturns proposals commanding all those to be puâ—shed which should neglect to put in execution that â—hich Saturn would have done unto Mercurie After him â—ose Mars with his naked sword which was full of strange â—â—d admirable colours glittering like a fire-glasse casting â—â—ange rayes put the
If glorified Elias were present and the Aâ—â—â—als could â—peak and silent nature had a tongue to expresse hereof â—hen I needed not to bring in any further evidence to perâ—wade the incredulous who considered not judiciously this â—y saying for a man possessed with blindnesse cannot passe â—y judgement upon my writings bâ—â— understanding â—udgeth impatience and wisdom separateth herself from folâ—â— by her own experience This Vital spirit nourisheth feedeth and preserveth hâ—self by the Oleâ—â—y of mans Sulphur which is predominanâ— the bloud and with or through it doth work in â—he whâ— body that the substance may be perfect This Vital sâ— is Mercury which is found in man and is preserved by Oleity of its likenesse besides these two Mercury and Sâ—phur there is a third thing in man namely Salt which hâ— in the flâ—sh body and bones The Salt ministreth its noblest spirit for a nourishmâ— unto the bloud which saltnesse is found therein by taste and disperseth it self â—hroughout the body preâ—veth mans body like a Balsam from puâ—efaction and is the band and copulation whereby Meâ—cury or the Vâ— spirit continueth the longer with the Balsam in the flâ—â— dwelleth together in one For in the Salt there lieth a sâ—rit which must protect all other Balsams in their worth a dignity The remainder found in the flesh if these thâ— be taken from it is a dead thing as I told formerly and good for nothing nor can it be used for any thing As this Union Dominion and Government is in Maâ— the like are in Metals Minerals and Vegetables whâ— make up their perfect body do live keep and are preservâ— in the like manner as man is As the one followeth up the other in Man according to order in the like conditiâ— are other Animals after their kiâ—de and property As a Câ— is an Animal her food as grasse is Vegetable this Vegâ—table by the heat of the Cows body is putrified in that pâ—trefaction is made a separation which is the Key of all dâ—solutions and separations separation being made then goeâ— the subtile spirit the subtile Sulphur and the subtile Salt the Vegetable's substance of the grasse into all Members the whole body of the Cow the spirit ruleth the beast tâ— Sulphur nourisheth it and the Salt preserveth it This being done then nature distributeth her gifts fuâ—ther making a new separation as of the superfluouâ—nessâ— which the Cow doth not assume by way of assimilation aâ— must part with it and distributeth the same further and th◠〈◊〉 Milk this Milk is an Animâ—l substance transmuted from the Vegeâ—able In this Milk is made another separation by fire which must be kept gently For the subtilest spirit of the Milk together with the Sulphuâ— sublimeth is taken off and turned to a coagulated farâ—â—sse which is butter The â—est is separated by other means and precipitated and â—â—hereby is made another separation this is a second coaguâ—ation out of which men make their food of the overpâ—us â—s made another separation by fiâ—e not so far as the former â—wo at last there remâ—ineth an aquosity and is of no greaâ—â—sâ—fulnesse because the spirit and its nutriment â—s taken â—rom it by the sâ—veral separations After this nature maketh to a further putrefaction aâ—other â—nd grosse excretion of a Sulphureous and Salt â—ubstance which generateth afresh a living spirit which is the â—xcreâ—ent this serveth for the earth to be manured withall maâ—ing the earth fertil by its Sulphur and Salt as being of a â—osse and fat substance whereby new fruits are produced â—ere is another nutriture from an Animal into a Vegetable â—his maketh Wheat and other Fruits and Grains to grow â—roducing again a nutriment from the Vegetables unto Aâ—imals Thus one nature doth follow after the other by â—ulgar people not so much comprehended or search'd into â—ot caring to learn natures qualities so much which mâ—xeth â—ach natural things seem to be incredible To return again to the structure of Man the noblest spiriâ—â—f life hath its dominion and seat for the most part anâ—t â—ost strongly in the heart of mans body as in the noble â—art and the Sulphur of man â—iveth unto thaâ— spirit a nuâ—iment and spiritual accesse for its preservation by the aâ—reâ—or if aire be taken away from man then spiriâ— of liâ—e is hoak'd up departeth invisibly and death is at hâ—â—d The noble Salt spirit is a conserver of both its noblâ—st spiâ—t penetrateth throughout the grossest matter of 〈◊〉 Sa â— is â—ast into the bladder and that hath a spiâ—it of a peâ—ial â—peration That which goeth from the Salt throuâ—hâ— the â—adder is wrought upon by a hear ministreth a nâ—w â—â—cesse or increase so that this increase of Salt in man is iâ— exhaustible unlesse it die quâ—te and the body be burnâ— to ashes and the remainder be extracted As for an eâ—ample Take the Salts from Minerals let these grow agaiâ— coagulate and extract the Salt again by water the like seen in nitrous earths also and other common Salts aâ—â— there needs not to quote any further examples The spirit of life hath its processe into other Member from the heart into bones arms and the rest of the boâ— that are stirring In diseases and symptomes he is weaâ— and man by reason of such symptomes cannot perform hâ— businesse in that full strength as at other times when he in health feedeth and cherisheth his body with Vegetâ—ble spirits which come from feeding on bread meaâ— and drinking of wines then his body groweth strongeâ— and his Vital spirit groweth potent by such nutriments iâ— his superfluity disperseth himself into all Members anâ— sheweth his operation If the heart groweth faint theâ— is it a signe that the Vital spirit is not nourished upoâ— which there ensue speedily deadly diseases because thaâ— fire is not at liberty and falls into an extinction or choalâ—ing The fire in the heart and the natural heat is preserveâ— and supported by the aire of that aire the Lungs stanâ— most in need of the Liver also must have aire else it caâ—not laugh the Spleen must have aire else it will be oppress 't with stitchings and great pains the true seat for thâ— most part oâ—â—â—â—aire is necessary for the Lungs if these faâ— into any weâ—kâ—essâ— the cause thereof is because the Salâ— doth noâ— shâ—w its true and meet help and must go intâ— rottennesse casting up bloud and matter then there is aâ— hand a corruption of the aire from which the Vital spiriâ— cannot finde any true nourishment but must be starved because the Salt doth not effect its conserving quality thâ— Sulphur and the increase of the nourishment is obstructed and is not perfect whereby are caused Consumptions witherings of the body consuming of the flesh and exiccation of the bloud and of the marrow The substance of Salt oâ— the Salt spirit which preserveth the body hath its â—eat for the most part in the bladder where all humidities have their issue the remâ—ining grosse Salt is separated and excerned
that there are two Medicines which heal all diseases and symptomes be they whatsoever and are made of one the one is called PHALAIA and is for inward use the other is called ASA is for external cures both may be called to be onely One they differ onely in their preparation how both must be brought to their operative quality the way unto it is shewed in my Manuals For they must first be rightly known and their nature must be searched into Their matter is One which by that exp ession I purposely hâ—ld it forth least it should be made too common I after â—he manner of Ancient Philosophers before mâ— hiding secrets under dark sentences hoping by the prayers of others to have their Souls saved and received into that Garden in which our first Parents were created Noâ—e both Medicines are made of one matter as I have already informed you If used inwardly it takes away all manner of informities the matter is putrified separated and in a spagyrick way purged in the best manner and brought to a Medicine of the highest degree by fixing its own nature which must brought to passe in the fire It s foâ—mer poysonous volatile quality must be rectified by being prepared to an everlasting fixednesse which expels purges and rectifies all malignant spirits that a good nature may live quietly in a pure habitation For this prepareth Medicine keepeth that course where-ever it â—â—eetheth with any malignity it will be revenged on it and striveth to expell it and will solely keep possession there for she cannot endure any contrary things about her which are defiled wiâ—h the least impurity PHALAIA is the Universal Medicine to be used inwardly and ASA is the Universal remedy for outward uses it put fieth mans bloud taketh away all impurity strengthneth the brain heart stomack and all other parts causeth good bloud strengthneth the memory repaireth the dâ—fects which are befall'n the three principles restoreâ—h all lost things it is the very Key whereby the body is opened for it chaseth away Leprosie Dropsie Consumptions Gout and all other diseases generally for no sinfull Creature is fall'n so totally but she may have a comâ—â—â—t unto salvation in a spiritual way and a Medicine unto health appointed thereunto by the Creator which is had if nature be anatomized by an expert Artist to be prepared for that use Here I speak of such diseases which by some are called incurable for ordinary diseases there are ordinary means which here are not mentioned the uses of them are mentioned in a special Treatise But of my PHALAIA I say thus much according to my long experience that nothing can conceal or hide it self from her being a penetrating searcher into all infirmities she penetrateth the body spiritually like a fume penetrateth the Arteries Muscles and all the parts of the body like a Balsam restoreth strength which was lost by her Salt spirit Further I cannot speak in the praising of my PHALAIA she being a praise to such that make use of her He that getteth this PHALAIA tightly to him is she sufficient for to cure all diseases No tongue is able to expresse and set forth fully her vertues As diseases do differ which are incident unto the body so there are means for their cure but this Medicine cureth all diseases in general being of an heavenly fidereal quality descended from the Elements and generated by the three principles coming from the very heart of its Center of the whole circumference of the Globe performeth all affording to Microcosme a perfect Medicine found so really according as the name imports her vertue but if rightly made and prepared the use of it will prove it sufficiently ASA is found in the operation for external Symptoms as old Ulcers Fistulaes Cancers which made many Chirurgians doubt whether ever they may be cured but this ASA hath made the cure it consumeth all bad bloud which was fall'n into corruption and may be inwardly used because it will then exiccate and dry up the fountains from whence spring all manner of Sores Fistulaes Cancers Wolves noli me tangere running Legs Worms and the like be it on what part of the body where Plaisters Pultesses and the like cannot help and are not strong enough this alone will do it For fresh wounds be they made by stobbing cutting slashing it needs not to be administred being too strong for such wounds gentler means are fitter for them Balsams Oyls Plaisters may healâ—nesâ— either outwardly or inwardly Powders and potions may be prepared Symptomes in wounds having their causes from within must be cured by searching into them and the means for their cure must be prepared of that strength that they may reach home As in this matter things must be united and be taken from the generation of ABIHAIL being joyned in their principles of the fiâ—st essence by nature's means it s brought to the highest perfection whereby such Sores Uâ—cers c. are fundamentally cured For ordinary wounds there is no need of it if no Symptomes are at hand and the party endangered a Balsam onely will perform the deed mollifying the flesh and nature will further and promote the cure Be thankfull next God to me that hath taught you inward and outward Medicines and are such which others before me have concealed they can cure fundamentally any Symptomes be they within or without on the body such vertues are not found in Out-landish woods drugs or herbs Forrainers have their proper climates under which they have convenient Physical Vegetables our climate affords unto us proper Medicinal Vegetables Animals and Minerals for our constitution onely Doctors are not expert to make their Medicinal preparations out of them I hold with my Physick PHALAIA and ASA of one name in their descent whereby nature hath made me to be a Physician it keepeth good to the last preserveth man in health and strength all the time the Creator hath appointed for him vertue it hath shewed triumphantly in many parties obtaining victory against all its enemies and it was apparent to the world that these two Medicines PHALAIA and ASA of one kinde and of one matter made and prepared and it is found dayly that in the generality they can set all into a perfect degree as being descended from the Center can preserve the Center as the Root and can bring things to right within and without tending to that end for which it is prepared Thus I wish the Reader to whom I fâ—ithfully intimate the Manuals of it prosperity and successe in the preparation of it that it may be unto his health the work will praise the Master upon Oath I further inform you t us that four things are required to make a perfect Philosopher and true Physician First he must be importunate and fervent in his devotion to God as the highest heavenly Physician to ask of him grace wisdom understanding and his blessing upon his undertakings that it may appear unto the world that God grants things for the
good of men that he may be pâ—aised and magnified for such benefits and is to shew himself in his life and conversation godly and honest Secondly a Physician ought to know the diseases and to distinguish the one from the other and what proper remedies he is to use against these diseases for without the knowledge of diseases a Physician is not perfect mans complexion must be discerned the cause of the disease search'd into and the means well considered that no contraries be applied whereby further troubles are caused proper remedies fitting the disease must be applied that restitution be made unto former health Thirdly it is requisite that he read frequently the writings of ancient Philosophers and read them over and over and take notice in what they do concurre and agree and where they aim all at one mark then he that hath understanding will discern the good from the bad Sophistry from truth the ancients knew many good things for mine own part I must confesse that I borrowed the foundation of my knowledge from them which made me to lay it to heart and am thereby moved to leave for others also a corner-stone that truth may further be confirmed and the grounds of it be made easier clearer plainer and more manifest by a further knowledge of my writing Fourthly a Philosopher must learn to Anatomize things in nature to know what they contain within and without to separate the poyson from the Medicinal quality Hereunto belong several Manuals how to dissolve separate exalt and prepare fully Metals Minerals Vegetables and Animals He that haâ—h learned all these he may discourse wisely of things confirm their grounds in truth but others which are ashâ—med to work herein cannot glory in any truth because by the receipts found in other mens writings are these men led and made a trade of other mens wriâ—ings not endeavouring to learn more in theiâ— own experience I am not ashamed to learn dayly because nature is â—ound and endlesse cannot be comprehended fully by reason of the shortnesse of mans life and none can say that there is nothing left more for him to learn No such matter Thus you see that Gods blessing must be obtained by fervent and frequent praying unto God the causes of diseases must be known their cure must be ordered according to the direction of Philosophick writings â—djoyning an experimental knowledge thereunto He that doth and knoweth â—hese four things may glory in his wayes confirming things in deeds and not to exercise a trade upon other mens receipts My Medicaments if well prepared and duely used will by Gods help make known that they received their strength from God the marvellous Creator to perform these things which ignorants and men of li tle faith cannot comprehend by dayly experience faith getteth strength that man may praise the highest who hath put such veâ—â—â—â—s into natural things for the which mortals are not able to return sufficient thanks As much as lieth in my power I will praise the Lord day and night and is not possible to require him in any other way At the closing observe thus much in School long discourses are made of the three principles of all things of the matter of heaven what it is made of and on what the earth doth rest how the Elements were made and of the beginning of the Firmament and of several opinions they are about the original causes of Metals Minerals Vegetables of their qualities and properâ—ies oâ— the original of man and of other Aâ—imalâ— sâ—â—â—ching in their conceits into their lives vertues c. Buâ— my Sonne hearken unto me and take notice of what I say all their pretended sayings are a meer nothing they speak ignorantly without any certainty because they have no experimental knowledge having laid no foundation nor have they learned any true decision in their demonstrationâ— Thoughts pay no Custom or Toll they fly into heaven descend to the neathermost parts of the earth if experience their thought do not concurre then their thoughâ—s are found a meer opinion then they must confesse I dâ—d not think it could be so Mans thoughts are fiâ—ly compared with a dream because nothing follows upon an imagination Natures secrets must be studied expâ—rimentally If Artists or Mechanicks would imagine to work such or such things be it Watches or other curious Metalline works but doth not invent fit instruments whereby to make that work they have in their fancy what can they produce by that imagination An empty opinion and no Art So in the knowledge of Naâ—ural things their secrets require aâ— greater exactnesse to be searched iâ—to which to lazy unexpert men seem strange and impossible I tell you there is required an exact diligence to finde that which lieth â—iâ—â— in them it must be done by separation Nature must be anatomâ—zed good and bad in it must be discerued what is contained in each in its Center for the general and what cometh from it in particular Therefore Macrocosme and Microcosme yea the things which grow and are found therein are compared to a round Circle in whose middle there is a Center let the Circle be turned which way it will it keepeth round every way and its Center stayeth unremoved A Philosopher also must know rightly the Center of each matter which must stand unremoved in every substance but the substance may be turned any way he pleaseth and make of it several forms according as it received its power from above 〈◊〉 speak now to be taken notice of thus I take in hand any natural thing dissolve or open it by a Key which is the means of the unfolding and search therein by a fire's proof which is the master of all proofes what may be made of it Here I finde as many wonders and qualities which I never â—hought of much lesse had I experience of Of natural things are made Powders Oyls Water Salt volatile spirits and fumes In these preparations are beheld wonders upon wonders witnesse the distillations digestions and putrefactions There are found and seen many spiriâ—ual and corporeal colours which appear black gray white blew green yellow red Azure colour with a reâ—â—exion of all manner of insprinckled colours which cannot well be described and unexpert men hardly believe it â—rom these preparations are several qualities felt the one 〈◊〉 corrosive and sharp the other is pleasant and milde the â—ne is sowre the other is sweet according as they are preâ—ared so they yield good and bad poyson or physick for good thing can be made the worst poyson and the worst â—oyson can be turned into the best Medicine which is not 〈◊〉 great a marvel because all lieth in the preparation of â—â—ings though every one cannot conceive of it yet it is so â—nd will be a truth for ever because nature hath manifested â—â—r self thus by experience A blinde man cannot tell how the inward parts of mans â—â—dy are conditioned but the seeing Physician who anaâ—â—mizeth the body he can
also mixed wâ—th â—liated earth and the mâ—â—curial copper is hardly brought â—ut of it at or in an ordinary melâ—ing affords store of iron â—nd no ripe copper-food which rub very much the copper 〈◊〉 roasting and make it unmalleable the richest copper â—ars are fouâ—d in Hungariâ— Bohemia Silesia Thuringia â—assia and Voigtlandia the like is found also about Trauâ—enau where it breaketh every where in a manner of 〈◊〉 float mixed with sand oar and where it breaketh â—ehemently in the slat work they call that slat of â—lifts they are poor in silver and such must be roastâ—d or calcined in some places it breaks in a fair blue â—nd brown colour or it looks ruddy of a copper â—lass â—nd like unto green oaker and sometimes it is white â—oldish which is called white copper oar it groweth white at an effectual mixture because at its uniting it â—ssumeth or taketh in much of silver and of lead it â—reaks also of a yellowish and lâ—zure like colour green â—â—inted upon floats moving passages in lime spongeous â—tones It breaks also of a blue colour like blew oaker is â—opper glassy and flinty in great and huge rocky marble â—assages being mixed with a white marble they are rich in â—ilver in green slat stones which are clear and brittle it â—ieth dry and green in clifts open caves and passages like green frogs insprinkled one in another in a strange manner distinct or parted with strange pleasant colours whicâ— graduated works are losers in half their worth in theâ—â— rocks are strange clifts of Marble and of white veins yeâ—low flint is insprinkled and mixed with copper passages which yield much silver have few flowers are of a pâ—â—derous form break very flinty of a red glass of a greeâ— colour mixed with yellow flowers these flints are joyneâ— with white gold marble of a green colour besides thâ— rocky passage There is found also copper oar which is rich of silveâ— flinty and not white goldish is of a white shining glasse mighty in dry hollow slat-Mines some whereof aâ—e mixeâ— with iron or sorts of Wismuth or fire-stones At the oâ—â— hanging of some passages is wrought the Chrysocolla anâ— copper oar on the other hanging of the Mine is wroughâ— pure flint all according to the quality and condition of thâ— oar And it is to be observed seeing that copper oar are usually mixed with Sulphur easily unite with the neâ—ther metal and joyn with their stones therefore green flinty copper oar which carry in the dry lead slatty passages a black Molben are Minerallish and are not rich in silver nor rich in species encompassed with immature iron perfect copper oar and some are free of it if far separated asunder from dry mineral slats are richer in gold and silver according as the stones take in a good natured oar they usually intrench upon gold and lead rocks or antimoniaâ— oar as also upon iron and silver stones There are found also flinty passages that have their Mineral juices of Vitriol and Sulphur some whereof partake of allom alumâ—â— plumosum These commonly have the best and most copper passagesâ— which are least mingled with other metals as lime and tartareous stones in which black floâ—ts and slâ—ts do break are inclosed with green and are of mild quality at Eisleheâ— and Mansfield Miners put their several proper names to iâ— very exactly according unto their nature Miners in Misnia know least how to distinguish these the upper part oâ— clay-earth they call Pistredo in which the true earth is alâ— and when they came to the stones they call it the Day-â—â—rk because they cover all the rest turn quite to stone â—â—e third place they come unto they call Night-work beâ—â—use it is easily lifted and heaved one after another and is â—re then they come to the Cave or Hole-work which must 〈◊〉 hollowed and set here are the stones which must be â—oken then they came unto the slâ—t and below that flat â—ey come unto the sand oar though sometimes it be onâ—â—â—own at the Lochwerg or hole-work above the slat then â—ey turn unto the dead earth again Slat and richest copâ—â—r oar at the silver breathing lieth also on the rocky hornâ—ony combustible oars which have their gold and silver â—ssages of your special kind among which there are found â—veral forms how each of them is discernable In Hunâ—â—ry and Carinthia the passages yield copper oars which â—â—pper is very malleable and is at a dearer rate than any is 〈◊〉 the whole Europe as their Minerals also and especially â—e Victriol there is held to be the best as also their Anâ—â—mony is counted the best That Vitriol hath the best and â—rest vertues which is known to true Naturalists and exâ—erience hath proved the same to be true I speak someâ—â—ing now which if Reason and Understanding were anâ—â—erable many expences hard work and good time could â—e saved and it comes onely from hence because Gold â—reaks so near to it and at the same oars is found where â—hat earth is impregnated with goldish seed and make use â—f the same food in many subtile unitings Minerals in their â—enerating qualities are better supported among perfect meâ—als where they are higher and more effectual and are best â—sed for both such perfect metals in case Nature be rightly â—mitated the ancient Philosophers have bad experience of â—nd made trials of it There is a remarkable difference â—ound among Minerals which have their descent from gold â—nd silver oars and partly from copper oars they are Miâ—erals and metals each have their particular nature and beâ—ng among which some oars look green and bleach at the day and grow near other metals but their stones are mâ— like unto lead-stones some whereof are grosser softer 〈◊〉 harder than others and some are more obscure dark mâ—â—dy and some more green and so forth CHAP. VI. Of Iron-oar it s Mine operation stocks floats and passages IRon-stone and iron-oar is wrought in its Mine-stone aâ—cording to the heavenly influence of Mars For he 〈◊〉 Trinus magnus the great Lord of war and an instrumeâ—â— whereby others are forced and compelled of an harâ— earthly impure sulphur of putrified salt and grosse Meâ—cury which three principal pieces in their juncture miâ— much of earthlinesse therefore is it a difficult labour 〈◊〉 mollifie iron with or in the fire carrying much of impuritâ— by reason of its sulphur and above other metals it hath deep red quick spirit which if it be taken from Marâ— then is the iron gone also leaveth again a putrid earthlâ—nesse Iron is not easily mixed or joyned with other meâ—tals or united in the casting Iron hath a threefold partition and several parts in its earthly oar namely a Magnet a quick metalline oar which hath its quality from quicâ— Mercury and must hold communion and assinity with iron must be quickened and renewed with iron filings in whicâ— he lieth like an Hedge-hog and is indued of Sol in nature with glorious gifts
and Adamantine vertues at onâ— place and side it attracteth and at the other side it refuseth which vertues may be augmented and increased in it A true type of just judgement sheweth after the Sun thâ— true hour in the body of the Compasse by water and bâ— land Secondly steel the hardest and purest most malleablâ— it 〈◊〉 of its proper light drayning place wherein it lieth â—â—e tied and knit together in all its parts most compactâ—y which in all iron-works is usually put to the edge 〈◊〉 point Thirdly there comes the common iron-oar ordered toâ—her by its earthly Sulphur which three ministred good â—â—ughts to the first expert Naturalists that Master of â—ne-works Tubat Cain who made his three principles in things and made his dimensions in the Mines in three â—tinct parts in which such metalline oar he found at first â—e iron stone wrought in several wayes namely upon stanâ—â—g passages and floats fallings and proper pieces ring'd â—er the four Elements and colours of the Rain-bow â—en he considered exactly its flowers according to the â—â—ndition of each stone-work how and out of what the â—n stone may most conveniently be melted and what manâ—r of instruments may be used thereunto where it may â—st and most firmly be wrought for its oar affords a threeâ—ld ferocity and wildnesse which are useful as namely â—lasse heads which are like a sharp blood-stone breaking 〈◊〉 the manner of a skull are scalie and brown spissie some â—hereof are white thorns like the wood upon which Aâ—â—aham purposed to offer his son Isaac Secondly the â—rown-stone out of which is made glasse and iron colour â—hirdly granulate iron-filings in the float-work which is 〈◊〉 hard that it can s arcely be forced to be gotten off or â—e brought to right and when the iron-stone is come to its â—erfectnesse then it breaketh off by piece-meal through â—â—e stone and rock that there are found whole Mines of â—â—on stone such is the iron oar in Styria The best iron-â—tone is black or red brown sometimes it inclineth to a â—ellowishnesse some is of a cherry brown in the floats â—nd stocks some are black and small spissie some yellowish â—hich glittereth among the rest like a copper stone of a â—rown black marble of a fair glass some looks like sâ—paâ—ated float-work throughout the whole Mine some is câ—oâ—â—y 〈◊〉 hoary in clayish fields which only is called the Driving is as the sand stone most hurtful unto gold because it affâ—â—eth most of the slacks and very little of iron Some stiâ—â— in the gray clay which affords most malleable iron bâ—â— of a brownish colour There breaks also good iron stone tartareous and limy Mines and the most running is on â—â—standing passages in eristy sandy Dalkstones The grâ— clift stones break some in their slats It usually breaks aâ— in the fore and after Mine-works where some of it liâ—â— off-washed among the Roasts like a brown arch and 〈◊〉 the day there is no oar so common as the iron-stone becaâ—â— it assumeth and taketh in other oars and setteth it thoroâ— thus often it changeth its colour and nature after it thâ—â— insues Glassheads Emasites brown stone Osemund Bolus together with the red oaker and iron shell all those assuâ—â— the Nature of iron and the iron stone receiveth the highâ—â— metals Gold Silver Copper Tin Lead whereby it groweth untoward but gold and silver are not hurtful unto iâ— they make it malleable that which is mixed with copper or with other poor metal easily falls asunder 〈◊〉 brittle of the same condition is iron-flint producing out of many passages an huge flint partly porouâ— like unto a black slat which besides the iron stone yieldeth another grosser or subtiler iron By this exchanging Tubat Cain the great and first Mine-master did perceive that the stones have their activity he looking about and finding that the Lime-stones which contain iron oar are of such mixtures which may be burned to lime or calx to raise walls with them and how other sorts of Tapff-stones as also calx stones are fit for to be burnt and found them to be helpful for his melting Thus the iron stone is associable unto other stones be they metalline or mineral At Musbach there is copper shot iron which hath a lead joyning thereunto Founders must be expert to deal with such oars in their melting and Magistrates do wisely that train up their subjects in such wayes for the good of the publick Thus is the iron the first and last Mine-work a chief metal which many creatures cannot want it being of most necessary use whereby things within and above earth can be forced no man is able to remember all the 〈◊〉 it may be imployed unto for every day things fall out which there is need of the use of iron iron easily reâ—eth a malleablenesse in a transmuting way of which â—e of the ancient Philosophers have spoken our iron â—awn from the Magnet performeth many useful works â—he affinity with copper which it is neer kin unto as alâ—â—nto the gold and lead for thereby are made the most â—rious Alcali which appear helpful in many things unto â—er creatures as Poets write of and attribute many â—ange qualities by way of parable unto iron and if in â—â—ing all the vertues thereof should be comprehended it â—uld rise to a great Volume its stones have in many â—untreys decreased all other metalline stones are upon â—â—ir decay onely gold silver copper and lead keep their â—l iplying condition all the world over CHAP. VII Of Lead oar it s Mine condition and striking passages THe lead oar is wrought under that heavenly impression of the black and cold Saturn by an undigested waterâ— Sulphur impute metal and salt First generally there is â—rought a brittle glittering lead-colour in that oar which 〈◊〉 called Glasse breaking in many rocks containeth gold â—nd silver yield grosse and lasting Mine-works Some lead â—tones are very broad because glasly oars are mixed with it â—ith flints or maâ—casites partly they are glassy red goldish white goldish silvery copper glassy and of copper Some â—ead oar tutn to a blue colour mixed with a white transpaâ—ency like unto a shot Bolus some is like unto the stone-salt and allom some are of a dark green like unto green floats which lie gritty in a yellow or glue-coloured claâ— some are of a brown black some are yellow red like â—â—nium some is puâ—e and compact some is insprinkled 〈◊〉 moving some is mixed with iron some with silver leaâ—â— some are mixed with marbles and flowers some breaâ— also upon standing and level moving passages and some 〈◊〉 wrought in pieces here and there inâ—slaâ—e-mines wheâ— black lead lieth along through the whole Mine some 〈◊〉 glassie in Lime-stones and some is very rich of silver iâ— huge marble passages There is a twofold Marble thâ— silver passages have an earthly mixed grosse marble white red goldish red glassie and ponderous But the Lead passages have a subâ—ile lighâ— glassie brittle Marble
of a deep yellow liquor Note that some Metals in this manner may be proceeded withall first a Vitriol may be gotten out of the Metal then a spirit is for her driven from it and joyned in this manner with the Soul dissolved and further digested with spirit of Wine all must enter together into a Medicine as I told of formerly which have their special efficacie The second way to prepare this half aurum potabile which though it be but half an aurum potabile yet in vertue and efficacy is far preferred before the other now spoken of and is done as followeth Take the extracted Solar Soul spoken of above put it into a Viol pour on it the extracted Philosophick Sulphur which is the second principle which is drawn with spirit of Mercury from the Philosophick earth and Mercury or the spirit of Mercury unto an Oleity which now is Sulphur again and must be abstracted gently per modum distillationis Of this Philosophick Sulphur pour on it as much that the Solar Soul may be dissolved let it stand in a gentle Bath let the dissolution be made then pour more of the best spirit of Wine to it digest gently draw these over let nothing stay behinde in the bottom then you have a Medicine which doth not want above two Grains of the right and true â—urum potabile These are the chiefest wayes to make the corporeal aurum potabile this I close and proceed further with a short but true processe how the Silver which is the next to Gold concerning perfection is made potable also this processe must be done in the following manner Take the sky coloured Sulphur or spirit of Lune whicâ— was extracted with distilled Vinegar as I informed you iâ— the Particular of Lune edulcorate it rectifie it with spirit oâ— Wine exsiccate it put it in a Viol pour to it three timeâ— as much of spirit of Mercury which is prepared from thâ— white spirit of Vitriol as I faithfully taught you in thaâ— place lute the glasse firmly set it in putrefaction in the vaporous Bath let all be dissolved and nothing more seen iâ— the bottom then put to it an equal quantity of the besâ— spirit of Wine set it in digestion for half a moneth drivâ—â— all over let nothing stay behinde then you have the true potable Lune which in its efficacie is admirable and dotâ— wonders when it is used A description of the fiery Tartar DIstill of good Wine a spirit of Wine rectifie it with white calcined Tartar let all come over put that which is distilled over into a Viol put four ounces of well sublimed Salarmoniac to one quart of spirit of Wine set a Helmet upon set a great receiver into cold water drive the volatile spirits into gently in Balneo Mariae leave but a little quantity of it behinde Note the Alembic must alwayes be cooled with wet cloaths then the spirits will be dissolved and turn into a liquor Thus is prepared this hot spirit of Wine Of the Salt of Tartar FIrst you must note that the Philosophers Tartar is not the vulgar Tartar wherewith the Lock is opened but it is a Salt which cometh from the root and is the onely mâ—stâ—cal Key for all Metals and is prepared thus make a sharp lixivium of the ashes of Sarments or twigs of the Vine boyl away all its moisture there stayeth behinde a ruddy â—â—tter which must be reverberated for three hours in a flaâ—ing fire stirring it still let it come to a whitenesse which â—â—hite matter must be dissolved in distill'd Rain water let â—â—e feces of it settle filter and coagulate them in a glasse â—â—at the matter in it be dry which dry matter is the Salt of â—artar from which the true spirit is driven Note as I told now of the vertue and qualities of preciâ—â—s stones so there are found also many despicable and â—â—oble stones which are of great vertues and experimenâ—â—lly are known to be of rare qualities which ignorant and â—â—expert men will hardly give credit unto neither can they â—â—nceive of it in their dull reason and understanding the â—ame I will demonstrate with the example of Calx vive â—hich in mens judgement is held of no great value and lieth contemptibly in obscurity however there is a mighty vertue and efficacie in it which appeareth if application be made of it to the most heaviest diseases seing its triumphant and â—â—anscendent efficacie is almost unknown for the generality therefore for the good of such which are inquisitive into natural and supernatural mysteries and to whom I disclose these mysteries in this my book I will for a fare-well discover also this mystery concerning the Calx vive and will shew in the first place how its spirit is driven from it which work indeed requireth an expert Artist who is well inform'd aforehand of its preparation Take uâ—sluk'd Lyme as much as you will beat and grind it on a well-dried stone to an impalpable powder put on it so much of spirit of Wine as the pulverised Calx is able to drink there must not stand any of that spirit upon it apply a Helmet to it lute it well and put a receiver before it abstract the spirit gently from it in Balneo this abstracting must be iterated eight or ten times this spirit of Wine strengthneth the spirit of Calx mightily and is made more fiery hot Take the remaining Calx out of the body grinde it very small put to it a tenth part of Salt of Tartar which is pure not containing any feces As much as this matter weigheth together add as mâ—â— of the additional of Salt of Tartar thereunto namely 〈◊〉 remaining matter from which was extracted the Salt 〈◊〉 Tartar and it must be well exiccated all this must be miâ—â—led together and put in a well coated Retort three pâ—â— of the Retort must be empty take a great receiver or bâ—â— to it very strongly Note the body into which the Râ—â—torts nose is put must have a pipe of a fingers breadâ—h uâ—to which may be applied another body and a quantity 〈◊〉 spirit of Wine in it then give a gentle fire to it at fiâ—â— there comes some of the phlegme which falls into the fâ—â— applied body the phlegme being all come over then iâ—crease the fire there cometh a white spirit to the upper paâ—â— of the body like unto the white spirit of Vitriol whicâ— doth not fall among the phlegme but slideth through thâ— pipe into the other body draweth it self into the spirit 〈◊〉 Wine embracing the same as one fire doth joyn with thâ—â— other Note if the spirit of Calx be not prepared first by the spiâ—it of Wine and drawn off and on as I told then he dotâ—â—ot so but falleth among the phlegme where he is quench'd â—oseth all its efficacie Thus difficult a matter is it toâ—â—â—arch nature throughly reserving many things unto herself â—his spirit being fully entred into the spirit of Wine then â—â—ke off the