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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60662	Medicina practica, or, Practical physick shewing the method of curing the most usual diseases happening to humane bodies ... : to which is added, the philosophick works of Hermes Trismegistus, Kalid Persicus, Geber Arabs, Artesius Longævus, Nicholas Flammel, Roger Bachon and George Ripley : all translated out of the best Latin editions into English ... : together with a singular comment upon the first book of Hermes, the most ancient of philosophers : the whole compleated in three books / by William Salmon ...	Salmon, William, 1644-1713.; Khālid ibn Yazīd al-Umawī, 7th cent.; Jābir ibn Ḥayyān.; Artephius. Liber secretus artis occultae. English.; Flamel, Nicolas, d. 1418. Figures hierogliphiques. English.; Bacon, Roger, 1214?-1294. Speculum alchemiae. English.; Bacon, Roger, 1214?-1294. Radix mundi. English.; Ripley, George, d. 1490? Medulla alchimiae. English.	1692 (1692)	Wing S434; ESTC R183203	439,154	1,009

posterity whereby he has demonstrated himself to be not only an inspired Divine but also a deep Philosopher obtaining his Wisdom rather from God than from Man 9. As for some of the next Authors there is not much of their History extant Kalid is reported to be a Persian King and Geber an Arabian King without doubt both of them were throughly learned in the Mysteries of Nature but chiefly in this Philosophick Art Artefius was a Jew of whom it is reported he lived a thousand Years how truly I will not say himself affirms it and very wise Men such as Paracelsus Pontanus and others seem to give Credit to it 10. Flammel was a French Man and originally a poor Scrivener yet left so great Monuments behind him as must convince the most incredulous that he knew the Secret and performed such mighty Works at his own proper Costs and Charges as the most opulent Prince in Europe can never do the like I know a Gentleman who went to view these mighty Buildings and their Records The Archives and Governors of those places he told me own the matter of fact but deny the Means saying that Flammel was a very Pious Man and went a Pilgrimage to St. James of Gallicia for a Reward of which Piety the Holy Saint bestowed that vast Treasure upon him by way of Miracle thereby denying the power of Art by which it was effected to establish it in a Miracle for a Confirmation of the Romish Church 11. Roger Bachon or Bacon was born Anno 1215. near Ilchester a great Town in Somerset shire of an Honourably Family He was brought up in the University of Oxford where he made an incredible Progress in the Arts and Sciences He applied himself to Philosophy and the search of Natures Secrets one of his Tutors being Edmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury and became a Franciscan Fryar in a Convent at Oxford 12. He wholly laid himself out in a diligent search of Nature and the knowledge of the Tongues and Arts was intimate with many Great and Learned Men expending some Thousands of Pounds in trying Experiments most of which were supposed to be those of the Philosophers Stone Nor did he bestow his cost or time in vain for 't is believed he attained to the knowledge of the Secret he sought after 13. By this means he did such great things in Nature and such Wonders that not only the Ignorant but also some Learned Men reputed him to be Magician or Conjurer saying He made a Brazen Head which speak by the help of the Devil Such was the Ingratitude of that Age that he was Persecuted by the very Men of his own Order and Religion For being Accused of Magick and Heresie Pope Nicholas IV. who disliked or understood not his Learning cast him into Prison and kept him close Prisoner many Years 14. He wrote many Books upon several Sciences as Grammar Logick Geometry Cosmography Astronomy Astrology Musick Ethicks Physicks Metaphysicks Perspective Opticks Divinity History Physick Chymistry and Alchymy How many Books be wrote is uncertain 't is to be doubted all are not in being and what have out-lived the injury of time many of them are difficult to be procured as yet lying hid in Manuscript As he was an Universal Scholar so he wrote well in all Arts and Sciences and Johannes Balaeus de Scriptoribus Angliae gives us the Titles of above an Hundred Books which he had wrote in all the choilest and most useful Sciences of which these we have here made English are two of them viz. De radicibus Mundi and Speculum Alchymiae 15. He was the greatest Critick of his Age and complained vehemently of the Ignorance and Ingratitude of his Contempories there being many created then Arte ulla Artium Magistri sine Doctrina Doctores Hê spared not the ignorance or ill Lives of the Clergy for which cause without doubt it was that he was so ill treated by them and complained that not a Man in England besides Grosthead and two or three more of his Acquaintance that understood the Hebrew or Greek Tongues 16. For the reason therefore of his Learning it was that he was Accused of Witchcraft and upon Malicious Pretences they took from him his Books and Writings long before Pope Nicholas cast him into Prison for which cause he complained to Pope Clement IV. his Friend saying The Priests and Fryars have kept me starving in close Prison nor would they suffer any one to come at me And some Ignorant fellows that would have been accounted Learned Men when they could not understand his Books condemned them as Books of the Black Art 17. Leland saith He wrote many Books but that it was as easie to gather the scattered Leaves of the Sybils as to Collect but the Titles of them For which and his siding with Grosthead in opposing the Pope and some other Heresies as they called them he was Accused of Witchcraft and by the said Pope Nicholas seized and kept close Prisoner as aforesaid in which Prison some say he died for Grief or with his hard Usage which was in the 78th Year of his Age in the Year of Our Lord 1292. and was Buried in the Franciscans Church in Oxford 18. George Ripley was a Cannon of Bridlington and flourished in the Year of Our Lord 1470. and about the 10th Year of Our Edward the Fourth much about which time he travelled into Italy and many other Foreign Countries and wrote his Medulla Alchymiae and sent it as a Present to the then Arch bishop of York After all he returned home to England and wrote several other Books as 1. his Epistle to King Edward IV. 2. His Twelve Gates 3. His Breviary of Alchymie or Recapitulation with several other things not yet come to our hands 19. He was an Excellent Man profoundly learned in the Art of Alchymie and an absolute Master without doubt of the Secret and it was the Opinion of a Learned Man in this Study that his Writings are for the fulness of them to be prefered before any others that he had ever read or seen I learned says he the Philosophers Magnet from one the Magical Chalybs from another Diana's Doves from a 〈◊〉 the Philosophers Air or Chamelion from a nother the Preparation of their Menstruum from another and the number of Eagles in another But for the true Matter signs of the true Mercury and the Operation I know none saith he like Ripley though Flammel be Eminent He Dyed Anno Dom. 1490. 20. We come now to the matter of the Book As to the first Book we say it is a Practical Discourse upon some principal Diseases deduced from the Fountain of Experience it self wherein we have delivered a new Hypothesis concerning the Generation of Sand Gravel and Stones in Humane Bodies and now brought to light purely by Reason and Mechanical Operations The thing as it is noval it is rational and without doubt is possible to be improved to many singular advantages if a Prudent Man

if not inveterate Trembling Gout or any weakness of the Nerves and Joynts coming of a cold and moist cause by anointing the afflicted parts therewith and taking of it inwardly as shall be immediately directed for it does gently and by degrees as it were carry off the morbifick Cause and matter almost to a Miracel 9. This marvellous Balsam opens all obstructions of the Liver and Spleen being taken Morning and Evening for a Month together in a little Syrup or other convenient Vehicle It is held for a great Treasure and has many other singular Virtues not here necessary to be named lest we should prejudice its worth and Excellency 10. The way and manner of taking it In diseases of the Head Brain and Nerves give it in Rosemary or Juniper-water or in Canary For the Stone and other Diseases of the Reins and Bladder you may give in Rhenish-wine For the Colick and Diseases of the Bowels you may give it in Juniper or Cardamum-water For Palsies and weaknesses of the Nerves and Joynts you may give it in some Antiparalitick Wine First grind or mix it with a little of the yolk of an Egg to open its body and then mix it with the Liquor you would give it in 11. If the sick cannot take it so it may be made up into Pills with some fit Powder as of Zedoary Nutmeg Cinnamon Bay-berries Cubebs Winter-cherries or what the Physician shall think more fit and so gilded for by this means it will be taken without nauseating you may give the Balsam from half a Dram to two Drams according to Age and Strength and it may be given Morning and Night for a Month two or three together 12. And it is certain that this Balsam is one of the greatest specificks in the cure of the Palsie Scurvy and Gout that is transcending all other Medicaments but it ought to be constantly given in a due Dose and with those Advantages that it may not loath the Stomach so taken it performs more than any other Balsam It cleanses the whole body of all Impurities mundifies the whole mass of Blood heals all inward Bruises Wounds Ulcers or Excoriations whether in the Bowels or Lungs restoring decayed Nature and carrying off all its Faeculencies by Urine and Stool It is only Sold by the Author of this Work at his House at the Blue-Ball by the Ditch-side near Holborn-bridge and at Mr. John Harris's at the Harrow in the Poultry London Price 24 s. the Pound or 18 d. the Ounce AT the sign of the Archimedes and Spectacles in Ludgate-street near the West-end of St. Paul's lives John Marshall who both turns and grinds makes and sell's all sorts of Glass Instruments as Perspective Glasses Telescopes Microscopes Horoscopes Sky-Opticks Reading Glasses from the smallest size to 20 Inches Diametre Microscopes according to Mr. Leewenhoeck Also Microscopes of the said Marshall's Designing a singular Invention for the advantage of Light the like of which were never yet done before Also Spectacles for all Ages Cristal Prisms Speaking Trumpets and all other sorts of Optick Glasses for brevity sake not here named SALMON'S Practical Physick The First BOOK CHAP. I. Of ACHES of all sorts I. For an Ach proceedings of Cold in any part of the Body TAke Oyl Olives Venice Turpentine ana two Ounces Oyl of Amber four Ounces Volatile Salt of Amber six Drachms melt and mix them together for a Balsam and anoint the place well there with Morning and Evening for eight or ten days more or less as occasion requires Salmon II. For an Ach in the Joints Take Palm Oyl Turpentine ana one Ounce Oyl of Wormwood three Ounces Volatile Salt Armonicak two Ounces melt mix and make a Balsam It is excellent being anointed with all Salmon III. For Aches in the lower parts of the Body Take Palm Oyl Turpentine Oyl of Amber and Anniseeds of each one Ounce mix melt and make a Balsam Salmon IV. For an Ach in the Bones Take Palm Oyl Turpentine ana two Ounces Oyl of Amber and Juniper Berries of each two Ounces and two Drachms Camphier two Ounces melt mix and make a Balsam Salmon V. An approved Searcloth for all Aches Take Burgundy Pitch one pound Oyl Olive six Ounces Wax four Ounces white Frankincense two Ounces powdered melt them in a Pipken stirring all well together and Boil to a Consistency then pour out all into a Bason or Pan of Water then anoint your Hands with Butter and make the Plaster into Rolls VI. An Excellent Ointment for the same Take the Gall of an Ox White-wine Vinegar Palm Oyl Aqua Vitae of each a like quantity boyl them gently on a Fire keeping it scum'd till it grow clammy and with this bathe well the part by rubbing it in before a Fire with a warm Hand Morning and Evening still laying a Linnen Cloth upon it VII For Ach in the Bones and the Gout Take of the best Aqua Vitae and Oyl of Amber of each a like quantity mix them well together and anoint the part well with a warm Hand before the Fire and bind on it a Linnen Cloth Morning and Evening VIII For the Joynt Ach and the Gout most Excellent Take the Juice of Sage Aqua Vitae the Oyl of Bays Vinegar Mustard and of an Oxes Gall of each a like quantity put them all together in a large Ox Bladder Tye it fast and chafe it up and down with your Hand during one hour and half then keep it for your Use and anoint the griev'd part Morning and Evening IX A Process against all Aches in the Back Hips Sides Knees or any part of the Body Take first Pil. Mirabile one Scruple to Purge now and then and take them in Syrup of Roses after Purging procure Sweat thus Take Guaiacum one Ounce and a half the Root of Enulacampane one Ounce boyl them in a Pottle of small Ale till half be consumed then drink thereof a quart in a Hot-house and Sweat often Then in the House bathe all the Body with this Oleaginous Balsame Take Oyl of Amber Oyl of Turpentine of Foxes of Excester and of Chamomil of each a like quantity and mix it well with some Brandy And if the Pains and Aches fall out to be most painful in the Night as many times they do Then at Night let him take this Potion Syrup of Poppy three Drachms Syrup of Betony one drachm and a half Waters of Bugloss and Sage of each an Ounce mix them well together X. This Cured a Man perfectly when he was Lame over all his Body Take the Gall of an Heifer for a Man and the Gall of a Steer for a Woman Brandy of each a like quantity then bath it well upon the Wrist a little before the Fit cometh and let it lie till the Fit be gone XI Aches from a hot Cause Take Spring Water two quarts Sal Armoniack Nitre of each four Ounces mix dissolve and keep it for Use Bathe the part with it then anoint with Oyl of Poppy Seed

sink down to the bottom which diligently grind and dry and put them in the Crucible or Test of Ethel and sublime and the Matter being sublimed purely White as fine Salt keep it safely for it is the Auripigment and Sulphur and Magnesia of the Philosopers IX Understand now and see that you govern your Work with Wisdom and Prudence and make not too much haste X. Then take the Cucurbit put half way into lute and put into the same your dissolved black Water which you have sublimed that is to say nine parts and of this whitned Auripigmentum which you sublimed from the Ethel two parts XI I say that this opened or decocted Auripigment is immediately dissolved in the Water and made like to Water that nothing can be seen by mankind of a more intense fixt and perfect Whiteness nor any thing more beautiful to the Eye which the Philosopers call their Sal Virginis or Virgin Salt XII Put this into a little Vessel called a Cucurbit close well the Joynts which put upon a gentle Fire making it as it were but with two Coals at first and then adding two others and look into it to see how the Water ascends and descends XIII When you see the Vapour is consumed and nothing more will ascend of that which is elevated nor descend know that the Matter it self is now coagulated make therefore a more intense and vehement Fire for the space of three hours of the day XIV Then lastly take away the Fire or let it go out and the next day all things being cold open the mouth of your 〈◊〉 and take forth the Matter which is of a substance white sincere and melted or dissolved XV. This is your Substance sought after and now you have comethrough to the end of your Work manage it according to your Reason and Prudence for God assisting you may make of it what you please KALIDIS PERSICI SECRETA ALCHYMIAE Written Originally in Hebrew and Translated thence into Arabick and out of Arabick into Latin Now faithfully rendred into English By WILLIAM SALMON CHAP. XXII Of the Difficulties of this Art I. THanks be given to God the Creator of all things who hath made us renewed us taught us and given us knowledge and understanding for except he should keep us preserve us and direct us we should wander out of the right way as having no Guide or Teacher Nor can we know any thing in this World unless he teach us who is the begining of all things and the Wisdom it self his power and goodness it is with which he over-shadows his People II. He directs and instructs whom he pleases and by his long-suffering and tender Mercies brings them back into the way of Righteousness For he has sent his Angels or Spirit into the dark places and made plain the Ways and with his loving kindness replenishes such as love him III. Know then my Brother that this Magistery of our Secret Stone and this Valuable Art is a secret of the Secrets of God which he has hidden with his own People not revealing it to any but to such who as Sons faithfully have deserved it who have known his Goodness and Almightiness IV. If you would request any Earthly thing at the Hand of God the Secret of this Magistery is more to be desired than any thing else For the Wise Men who have perfected the knowledge thereof have not been wholly plain but speaking of it have partly concealed it and partly revealed it And in this very thing I have found the preceeding Philosophers to agree in all their so much valued Books V. Know therefore that Musa my own Disciple more valuable to me than any other having diligently studied their Books and laboured much in the Work of this Magistery was much perplexed not knowing the Natures of things belonging thereto Whereupon he humbly begged at my Hands my Explanation thereof and my Directions therein VI. But I gave him no other Answer Than that he should read over the Philosophers Books and therein to seek that which he desired of me Going his way he read above an hundred Books as he found or could get them the true Books of the Secret of the Great Philosophers But by them he could not attain the knowledge of that Mistery which he desired tho continually studying it for the space of a Year for which reason he was as one astonished and much troubled in mind VII If then Musa my Scholar who has deserved to be accounted among the Philosophers has thus failed in the knowledge of this Mistery what may be supposed from the Ignorant and Unlearned who under stand not the Natures of things nor apprehend whereof they consist VIII Now when I saw this in my most dear and chosen Disciple moved with Piety and Love to him by the Will also and Appointment of God I wrote this my Book near the time of my Death in which tho' I have pretermitted many things which the Philosophers before me have mentioned in their Books yet have I handled some things which they have concealed and could not be prevailed withal to reveal or discover IX Yea I have explicated and laid open certain things which they hid under AEnigmatical and dark Expressions and this my Book I have Named The Secrets of Alchymie for that I have revealed in it whatsoever is necessary to the knowledge of this Learning in a Language befiting the matter and to your sence and understanding X. I have taught four Magisteries far greater and better than the other Philosophers have done of which number The one is a Mineral Elixir another Animal The other two are Mineral Elixirs but not the one Mineral whose Virtue is to wash cleanse or purifie those which they call the Bodies And another is to make Gold of Azot vive whose Composition or Generation is according to the Natural Generation in the Mines or in the Heart and Bowels of the Earth XI And these four Magisteries or Works the Philosophers have discoursed of in their Books of the Composition thereof but they are wanting in many things nor would they clearly shew the Operation of it in their Books And when by chance any one found it out yet could he not throughly understand it than which nothing was more grievous to him XII I will therefore in this Work declare it toge ther with the way and manner how to make it but if you read me learn to understand Geometrical proportion that so you may rightly frame your Fornaces not exceeding the mean either in greatness or smalness with all you must understand the proportion of your Fire and the form of the Vessel fit for your Work XIII Also you must consider what is the ground work and beginning of the Magistery which is as the Seed and Womb to the Generation of Living Creatures which are shaped in the Womb and therein receive their Fabrick Increase and Nourishment For if the prima materia of our Magistery is not conveniently managed the

prevail that the parts of it may appear in the converted Element and being thus mixed with the Elementated thing then that Element will have that matter which made it an Element and the virtue of the other converting Element will be predominant and remain this is the great Arcanum of the whole Art CHAP. XXXVI The Key which opens the Mystery of this Grand Elixir I. THIS is the true Copy of a Writing found in a Coffin upon the Breast of a Religious Man by a Soldier making a Grave at Ostend to bury some slain Soldiers Anno 1450. 2. My Dear Brother if you intend to follow or study the Art of Alchymie and work in it let me give you warning that you follow not the literal prescripts of Arnoldus nor Raymundus nor indeed of most other Philosophers for in all their Books they have delivered nothing but figuratively so that Men not only loose their time but their Money also III. I my self have studdied in these Books for more than 30 Years and never could find out the Secret or Mistery by them But at length through the goodness of God I have found out one Tincture which is good true and absolutely certain and has restored to me my Credit and Reputation IV. Now knowing as I do how much time you have lost and what Wealth you have consumed being touched with it as a Friend and in regard of our faithful promise to each other in our beginning to participate each of others Fortunes I have thought it fit here to perswade you not to loose your self any longer in the Books of the Philosophers but to put you in the right way which after long Wanderings I have found out and now at this present I on my Death-Bed bequeath you V. I advise you to take nothing from it nor add any thing to it but to do just as I have set it down and observe these following directions so will you succeed and prosper in the work VI. First Never work with a great Man lest your life come into danger 2. Let your Earthen Vessels be well made and strong lest you lose your Medicine 3. Learn to know all your Materials that you be not cheated with that which is sophisticate and nothing worth 4. Let your Fire be neither stronger nor soster but what is fit and just as I have here directed 5. Let the Bellows and all the other Materials be your own 6. Let no man come where you Work and seem Ignorant to all such as shall enquire any thing of you touching the Secret 7. Learn to know Metals well especially Gold and Silver and put them not into the Work till they be first purified by your own hands as fine as may be 8. Reveal not this Secret to any one but let this Writing be Buried with you giving a confirmed charge concerning the same to him you Trust. 9. Get a Servant that may be Trusty and Secret and of a good Spirit to attend you but never leave him alone 10. Lastly when you have ended the Work be Kind and Generous Charitable to the Poor publick Spirited and return your Tribute of Thanks to the Great and most Merciful God the Giver of all good Things VII Take mineral Quick Silver three pounds made neither of Lead nor Tin and cause an Earthen Pot to be made well burned the first time glaze it all over except the bottom the which anoint with hogs Grease and it will not Glaze This is done that the Earth of the Quick Silver may sink to the bottom of the Pot which it would not do being glazed nor become Earth again VIII The Pot must be made a good foot long of the Fashion of an Urinal with a Pipe in the midst of it The Fornace must be made on purpose that the Pot may go in close to the sides of the Mouth of the Furnace Set on the Pot a good great Cap or Head with its Receiver without Luting of it give it a good fire of Coals till the Pot be all on fire and very red then take the fire out quickly and put in the Quick Silver at the Pipe and then with as much hast as you can stop it close with Lute IX Then will the Quick Silver by the heat and force it finds both Break and Work a part thereof you shall see in the Water as it were a few drops and a part will stick to the bottom of the Pot in black Earth Now let the Pot cool within the Fornace as it is then open it and you shall find the Quick Silver in it all Black which you must take out and wash very clean and the Pot also X. As for the Water which does distil out put it a side or cast it away for it is nothing worth because it is all Flegm Set the Pot into the Fornace again and make it red hot put in the Quick Silver lute well the Pipe and do as you did the first time and do this so often until the Mercury becomes no more black which will be in ten or eleven times XI Then take it out and you shall find the Mercury to be without Flegm but joyned with Earth of which two Qualities it must be freed being Enemies to Nature thus the Quick Silver will remain pure in color Caelestial like to Azure which you may know by this sign viz. Take a piece of Iron heat it red hot and quench it in this Mercury and it will become soft and white like Luna XII Then put the Mercury into a Retort of Glass between two Cups so that it touches neither bottom nor sides of the Cups and make a good fire under it and lay Embers on the top the better to keep the heat of the fire and in Forty hours the Mercury will Distil into a slimy Water hanging together which will neither wet your Hands nor any other thing but Metals only XIII This is the true Aqua Vitae of the Philosophers the true Spirit so many have sought for and which has been desired of all Wise Men which is called the Essence Quintessence Powers Spirit Substance Water and Mixture of Mercury and by many other the like Names without strange things and without offence to any Man XIV Save well this precious Liquor or Water obscured by all Philosophers for without it you can do no good or perfect Work Let all other things go and keep this only for any one that sees this Water if he has any Practice or Knowledge will hold to it for it is Precious and worth a Treasure XV. Now resteth to make the Soul which is the perfection of the Red without which you can neither make Sol nor Luna which shall be Pure and Perfect With this Spirit you may make things Apparent and Fair yea most True and Perfect all Philosophers affirm that the Soul is the substance whichsustains and preserves the Body making it Perfect as long as it is in it XVI Our Body must have a Soul otherwise

generabit perficiet tres faciet apparere Colores principales Nigrum Album Rubeum XV. Et mediante Igne nostro multiplicabitur Medicina si cum cruda conjungatur Materia non solùm in quantitate sed etiam in Virtute Tot is igitur viribus tuum Ignem inquirere scias ad scopum pervenies quia totum facit Opus est Clavis omnium Philosophorum quam nunquàm revelaverunt Sed si benè profundè super praedicta de proprietatibus Ignis cogitaveris scies non aliter XVI Pietate ergò motus haec scripsi sed ut satisfaciam Ignis non Transmutatur cum Materia quia non est de Materia ut supra dixi Haec igitur dicere Volui prudentesque admonere ne pecunias suas inutiliter consumant sed sciant quid inquirere debeant eo modo ad Artis veritatem pervenient non aliter Vale. CHAP. II. The Epistle of John Pontanus before-mentioned in Theatrum Chymicum Vol. 6. Pag. 487. I. I John Pontanus have travelled through many Countries that I might know the certainty of the Philosophers Stone and passing through the Universe I found many Deceivers but no true Philosophers which put me upon incessant Studying and making many doubts 'till at length I found out the Truth II. When I attained the knowledge of the Matter in general yet I erred at least two hundred times before I could attain to know the singular thing it self with the work and practice thereof III First I began with the putrefaction of the Matter which I continued for nine Months together and obtained nothing I then for some certain time proved a Balneum Mariae but in vain After that I used a Fire of Calcination for threemonths space and still found my self out of the way IV. I essayed all sorts of Distillations and Sublimations as the Philosophers Geber Archelaus and all the rest of them have prescribed and yet found nothing In sum I attempted to perfect the whole work of Alchymy by all imaginable and likely means as by Horse-dung Baths Ashes and other heats of divers kinds all which are found in the Philosophers Books yet without any success V. I yet continually for three Years together studied the Books of Philosophers and that chiefly in Hermes whose concise Words comprehend the sum of the whole Matter viz. the Secret of the Philosophers Stone by an obscure way of Speaking of what is Superior and what is Inferior to wit of Heaven and of Earth VI. Therefore our Operation which brings the Matter into being in the first second and third Work is not the heat of a Bath nor Horse-dung nor Ashes nor of the other Fires which Philosophers excogitate in their Books Shall I demand then what it is that perfects the Work since the Wisemen have thus concealed it Truly being moved with a generous Spirit I will declare it with the complement of the whole Work VII The Lapis Philosophorum therefore is but one though it has many Names which before you conceive them will be very difficult For it is Watery Airey Fiery Earthy It is Salt Sulphur Mercury and Phlegm It is Sulphureous yet is Argent vive it has many Superfluities which are turned into the true Essence by the help of our Fire VIII He which separates any thing from the Subject or Matter thinking it to be necessary wholly Errs in his Philosophy That which is superfluous unclean filthy feculent and in a word the whole substance of the subject is transmuted or changed into a perfect fixt and spiritual Body by the help of our Fire which the Wise Men never revealed and therefore it is that few attain to this Art as thinking that to be superfluous and impure which is not IX It behoves us now to enquire after the properties of our Fire and how it agrees with our Matter according to that which I have said viz. That a Transmutation may be made though the Fire is not such as to burn the Matter separating nothing from it nor dividing the pure parts from the impure as the Philosophers teach but transmuting and changing the whole Subject iuto Purity Nor does it sublime after the manner of Geber's Sublimation nor the Sublimations or Distillations of Arnoldus or others but it is perfected in a short time X. It is a Matter Mineral equal continuous vapours or fumes not unless too much provoked partakes of Sulphur and is taken otherwise than from Matter it destroys all things dissolves congeals coagulates and calcines adapted to penetrate and is a compendium without any great cost XI And that is the Fire with a gentle heat soft or remiss by which the whole Work is perfected together with all the proper Sublimations They who read Geber with all the rest of the Philosophers though they should survive an hundred thousand Years yet would they not be able to comprehend it for that this Fire is found by a profound cogitation only which being once apprehended may be gathered out of Books and not before XII The error therefore in this Work proceeds chiefly from a not knowing or understanding of the true Fire which is one of the moving Principles that Transmutes the whole Matter into the true Philosophers Stone and therefore diligently find it out Had I found that first I had never been two hundred times mistaken in the pursuit of the Matter I so long sought after XIII For which cause sake I wonder not that so many and so great Men have not attained unto the Work They have erred they do err and they will err because the Philosophers Artephius only excepted have concealed the principal or proper Agent And unless I had read Artephius and sensibly understood his Speech I had never arrived to the complement of the Work XIV Now the practical Part is this Let the Matter be taken and dilligently ground with a Philosophical Contrition put it upon the Fire with such a proportion of heat that it only excite or stir up the Matter and in a short time that Fire without any laying on of hands will compleat the whole Work because it putrefies corrupts generates and perfects and makes the three principal Colours viz. the Black White and Red to appear XV. And by the means of this our Fire the Medicine will be multiplied by addition of the crude Matter not only in Quantity but also in Quality or Virtue Therefore seek out this Fire with all thy Industry for having once found it thou shalt accomplish thy desire because it performs the whole Work and is the true Key of all the Philosophers which they never yet revealed Consider well of what I have spoken concerning the Properties of this Fire and thou must know it otherwise it will be hid from thine Eyes XVI Being moved with Generosity I have written these things but that I might speak plainly this Fire is not Transmuted with the Matter because it is nothing of the Matter as I have before

cordis dilectionem qua omnes simul ho mines ut mihi videtur amplector diligo verè amo XV. Sed ad artem redeundum Sanè opus nostrum citò persicitur nani quod calor Solis in 100. annis coquit in minerij terrae ad generandum unum metallum ut sepissime vidi Ignis noster secretus id est aqua nostra ignea sulphurea quae dicitur Balneum Mariae operatur brevi tempere I. IT sufficeth thee then to put the Bodies in the Vessel and into the Water once for all and to close the Vessel well until a true separation be made II. This the Obscure Artist calls Conjunction Sublimation Assation Extraction Putrefaction Ligation Desponsation Subtilization Generation c. III. Now that the whole Magistery may be perfected Work as in the Generation of Man and of every Vegetable put the Seed once into the Womb and shut it up well IV. Thus you may see that you need not many things and that this our work requires no great Charges for that as there is but one Stone there is but one Medicine one Vessel one order of working and one successive Disposition to the White and the Red. V. And altho we say in many places take this and take that yet we understand that it behoves us to take but one thing and put it once into the Vessel until the Work be perfected VI. But these things are so set down by the Obscure Philosophers to deceive the unwary as we have before spoken for is not this Ars Cabalistica or a secret and hidden Art Is it not an Art full of Secrets And believest thou O Fool that we plainly teach this Secret of Secrets taking out Words according to their litteral Signification VII Truly I tell thee that as for my Self I am no ways self-seeking or envious as others are but he that takes the Words of the other Philosophers according to their common Signification he even already having lost Ariadnes clue of Thread wanders in the midst of the Labyrinth multiplies Errors and casts away his Money for nought VIII And I Artephius after I became an Adept and had attained to the true and compleat Wisdom by studying the Books of the most faithful Hermes the speaker of Truth was sometimes Obscure also as the others were IX But when I had for the space of a Thousand Years or there abouts which are now passed over my Head since the time I was born to this day through the alone goodness of God Almighty by the use of this wonderful Quintessence X. When I say for so very long a time as a Thousand Years I found no Man that had found out or obtained this Hermetick Secret because of the obscurity of the Philosophers Words XI Being moved with a Generous Mind and the integrity of a good Man I have determined in these latter days of my Life to declare all things truly and sincerely that you may not want any thing for the perfecting of this Stone of the Philosophers XII Excepting one certain thing which is not lawful for me to discover to any because it is either revealed or made known by God himself or taught by some Master which notwithstanding he that can bend himself to the search of by the help of little Experience may easily learn in this Book XIII And in this Book I have therefore written the naked Truth altho clothed or disguised with a few Colours yet so that every good and wise Man may happily gather those desirable Apples of the Hesperides from this our Philosophers Tree XIV Wherefore Praises be given to the most high God who has poured into our Soul of his goodness and through a good old Age even an almost infinite number of Years has truly fill'd our Heart with his Love in which methinks I embrace cherish and truly love all Mankind together XV. But to return to our business Truly our Work is presently performed for that which the heat of the Sun is an hundred Years in doing of for the Generation of one Mettal in the bowels of the Earth our Secret Fire that is our Fiery and Sulphurous Water which is called Balneum Mariae doth as I have often seen in a very short time CHAP XIV Of the Easiness and Simplicity of this Work and of Our Philosophick Fire I. ET hoc opus non est gravis laboris illi qui scit intelligit atque non est materia illius tam chara cum parva quantitas sufficiat quod excusari quis possit ut ab opere manum suspendat II. Quia est adeo breve facile ut meritò dicatur opus mulierum ludus puerorum III. Age ergo gnaviter fili mi ora Deum lege assiduè libros liber enim librum aperit cogita profundè fuge res evanescentes in igne quia non habes intentum tuum in his re bus adustibilibus sed tantum in decoctione aquae tua ex luminaribus extractae IV. Nam ex ista aqua color pondus adducitur usque ad infinitum haec aqua est fumus albus qui in corporibus perfectis veluti anima defluit eorem nigredinem immunditiem ab eis penitus aufert corpora in unum consolidat eorum aquam multiplicat V. Et nihil est quod à corporibus perfectis id est a Sole Luna colorena possit auffere nisi Azoth id est nostra aqua quae colorat album reddit corpus rubeum secundum regimina sua VI. Sed loquamur de ignibus Ignis ergo noster mineralis est aequalis est continuus est non vaporat nisi nimium excitetur de sulphure participat aliunde sumitur quàm à materia omnia diruit solvit congelat calcinat est artificialis ad inveniendum VII Et compendium sine sumptu etiam saltem parvo est etiam humidus vaporosus digerens alterans penetrans subtilis aereus non violentus incomburens circundans continens unicus VIII Et est fons aquae vivae quae circuit continet locum ablutionis Regis Reginae in toto opere ignis iste humidus tibi sufficit in principio medio fine quia in ipso tota ars consistit IX Et est ignis naturalis contra naturam in naturalis sine adustione pro corrollario est ignis calidus siccus humidus frigidus cogitate super haec facite recte absque natura extranea X. Quod si hos ignes non intelligitis audite haec ex abstrusiori occulta antiquorum de ignibus cavilatione nunquam in libris hucusque scripta I. NOW this Operation or Work is a thing of no great Labour to him that knows and understands it nor is the Matter so dear considering how small a quantity does suffice that it may cause any Man to withdraw his hand from it II. It is indeed a Work so short and easie that it may well be called a

powder in the bottom of the vessel and the water which is called the black Ashes This is the Corruption of the Body which is called by Philosophers or Wise Men Saturnus AEs Plumbum Philosophorum Pulvis discontinuatus viz. Saturn Latten or Brass the lead of the Philosophers the disguised powder II. And in this putrefaction and resolution of the body three signs appear viz. a black color a discontinuity of parts and a stinking smell not much unlike to the smell of a Vault where dead Bodies are buried III. These Ashes then are those of which the Philosophers have spoken so much which remained in the lower part of the Vessel which we ought not to undervalue or despise IV. In them is the Royal Diadem and the black and unclean Argent Vive which ought to be cleansed from its blackness by a continual digestion in our water till it be elevated above in a white Colour which is called the Gander and the Bird of Hermes V. He therefore that maketh the red Earth black and then renders it white has obtained the Magistery so also he who kills the living and revives the dead VI. Therefore make the black white and the white black and you perfect the Work VII And when you see the true whiteness appear which shineth like a bright Sword or polished Silver know that in that whiteness there is redness hidden VIII But then beware that you take not that whiteness out of the Vessel but only digest it to the end that with heat and dryness it may assume a Citrine colour and a most beatiful redness IX Which when you see with great fear and trembling render Praises and Thanksgiving to the most great and good God who gives Wisdom and Riches to whom soever he pleases And according to the wickedness of a person takes them away and withdraws them for ever again depressing him even to the bottom of Hell To him I say the most Wise and Almighty God be Glory to the Ages of Ages Amen The End of Artephius Longaevus Nicholai Flammel Hieroglyphica The Hieroglyphicks of Nicholas Flammel newly Translated into English and Claused By William Salmon Professor of Physick CHAP. XXIII The beginning of Flammel's Book which is the Peroration of the Whole I. THe Lord God of my Life who exalts the humble in Spirit out of the most abject dust and makes the hearts of such as hope in him to rejoyce be Eternally praised II. Who of his own Grace reveals to the believing Soul the springs of his bounty and subjugates under their foot the Crowns of all Earthly Felicities and Glories III. In him I say let us always put our Confidence in his fear let us place Our happiness and in his mercy the hope and Glory of the restoration of our fallen state IV. And in our Supplications to him let us demonstrate or shew forth a faith unfeigned and stable an assurance that shall not for ever be shaken V. And thou O Lord God Almighty as thou out of thy infinite and most desirable Goodness hast condescended to open the Earth and unlock thy Treasures unto me thy poor and unworthy Servant and hast given into my possession the Fountains and Well-Springs of all the Treasures and Riches of this World VI. So O Lord God out of thine abundant kindness extend thy mercies unto me that when I shall cease to be any longer in the Land of the Living thou maist open unto me the Coelestial Riches the Divine Treasures and give me a part or portion in the Heavenly Inheritance for ever VII Where I may behold thy Divine Glory and the fulness of thy Heavenly Majesty a Pleasure so Ineffable and a Joy so Ravishing which no Mortal Man can express or conceive VIII This I entreat of thee O Lord for our Lord Jesus Christ thy well-beloved Son's sake who in the Unity of the Holy Spirit liveth with thee World without end Amen CHAP. XXIV The Explication of the Hieroglyphick Figures placed by me Nicholas Flammel Scrivener in the Church-yard of the Innocents in the fourth Arch entring by the Great Gate of Dennis-street on the right hand And of the Book of Abraham the Jew I. I Nicholas Flammel Scrivener living in Paris Anno 1399 in the Notarystreet near S. James of the Bouchery though I learned not much Latin because of the poorness and meanness of my Parents who notwithstanding were by them that envie me most accounted honest and good People II. Yet by the Blessing of God I have not wanted an understanding of the Books of the Philosophers but learned them and attained to a certain kind of knowledge even of their hidden Secrets III. For which cause sake there shall not any moment of my life pass wherein remembring this so vast a good I will not upon my bare Knees if the place will permit or otherwise in my heart with all the intireness of my Affections render thanks to this my most Good and Gracious God IV. Who never forsakes the Righteous Generation or suffers the Children of the Just to beg their Bread nor deceives their Expectations but supports them with Blessings who put their whole trust in him V. After the Decease of my Parents I Nicholas Flammel got my living by the Art of Writing Ingrossing Inventories making up Accounts keeping of Books and the like VI. In this course of living there fell by chance into my hands a Guilded Book very old and large which cost me only the Sum of two Florens which was about 6 s. 8 d. formerly now 10 s. English VII It was not made of Paper or Parchment as other Books be but of admirable Rindes as it seemed to me of young Trees The Cover of it was of Brass it was well bound and graven all over with strange kind of Letters which I take to be Greek Characters or some such like VIII This I know that I could not read them nor were they either Latin or French Letters or Words of which I understand something IX But as to the matter which was written within it was engraven as I suppose with an Iron Pencil or Graver upon the said Barke Leaves done admirably well and in fair and neat Latin Letters and curiously coloured X. It contained thrice seven Leaves for so they were numbred in the top of each Folio and every seventh leaf was without any writing but in place thereof there were several Ima ges or Figures painted XI Upon the first seventh Leaf was depicted 1. A Virgin 2. Serpents swallowing her up On the second seventh A Serpent Crucified And on the last seventh A Desart or Wilderness in midst whereof was seen many fair Fountains from whence issued out a number of Serpents here and there XII Upon the first of the Leaves was written in Capital Letters of Gold Abraham the Jew Prince Priest Levite Astrologer and Philosophor to the Nation of the Jews dispersed by the Wrath of God in France wisheth Health XIII After which words it was filled with many

Execrations and Cruses with this word MARANATHA which was oft repeated against any one that should look into it to unfold it except he were either Priest or Scribe XIV The person that sold me this Book was Ignorant of its worth as well as I who bought it I judge it might have been stolen from some of the Jewish Nation or else found in some place where they anciently abode XV. In the second Leaf of the Book he consolated his Nation and gave them pious Councel to turn from their Wickedness and evil ways but above all to flee from Idolatry and to wait in Patience for the coming of the Messiah who conquering all the Kings and Potentates of the Earth should reign in Glory with his people to Eternity Without doubt this was a very Pious Wise and Understanding Man XVI In the third Leaf and in all the writing that followed he taught them in plain words the transmutation of Metals to the end that he might help and assist his dispersed people to pay their Tributes to the Roman Emperors and some other things not needful here to be repeated XVII He painted the Vessels by the sides or margin of the Leaves and discovered all the Colours as they should arise or appear with all the rest of the Work XVIII But of the Prima materia or first matter or Agent he spake not so much as one word but only he told them that in the fourth and fifth Leaves he had en tirely painted or decypher'd it and depicted or figu red it with admirable Dexterity and Workmanship XIX Now though it was singularly well and materially or intelligibly figured and painted yet by that could no Man ever have been able to understand it without having been well skill'd in their Cabala which is a series of old Traditions and also to have well studied their Books XX. The fourth and fifth Leaf thereof was without any writing but full of fair Figures bright and shining or as it were enlightned and very exquisitely depicted XXI First there was a Young Man painted with Wings at his Ancles having in his hand a Caducaean Rod writhen about with two Serpents wherewith he stroke upon an Helmet covered with its Head XXII This seemed in my mean apprehension to be one of the Heathen Gods viz. Mercury Against him there came running and flying with open Wings a great Old Man with an Hour-glass fixed upon his Head and a Sithe in his hands like Death with which he would as it were in Indignation have cut off the Feet of Mercury XXIII On the other side of the fourth Leaf he painted a fair Flower on the top of a very high Mountain which was very much shaken with the North Wind. Its foot Stalk was blue its Flowers white and red and its Leaves shining like fine Gold and round about it the Dragons and Griffins of the North made their Nests and Habitations XXIV On the fifth Leaf was a fair Rose-tree flowered in the midst of a Garden growing up against a hollow Oak at the foot whereof bubled forth a Fountain of pure white water which ran headlong down into the depths below XXV Yet it passed through the hands of a great number of people who digged in the Earth seeking after it but by reason of their blindness none of them knew it except a very few who considred its weight XXVI On the last side of the fifth Leaf was depicted a King with a Fauchion who caused his Soldiers to slay before him many Infants the Mothers standing by and weeping at the feet of their Murtherers XXVII These Infants blood being gathered up by other Soldiers was put into a great Vessel wherein Sol and Luna came to bathe themselves XXVIII And because this History seemed to represent the destruction of the Innocents by Herod and that I learned the chiefest part of the Art in this Book therefore I placed in their Church-yard these Hieroglyphick Figures of this Learning Thus have you that which was contained in the first five Leaves CHAP. XXV Of his Pilgrimage into Spain and meeting with a Jewish Priest who in part Interpreted the said Book to him I. AS for what was in all the rest of the written Leaves which was wrote in good and intelligible Latin I must conceal lest God being offended with me should send his Plagues and Judgments upon me It would be a wickedness much greater than he who wisht that all Men in the World had but one Head that he might cut it off at one blow II. Having thus obtained this delicate and pretious Book I did nothing else day and night but study upon it conceiving very well all the Operations it pointed forth but wholly ignorant of the Prima materia with which I should begin which made me sad and discontented III. My Wife whose Name was Perrenelle whom I loved equal with my self and had but lately Married was mightily concern'd for me and with many words comforting me earnestly desired to know how she might deliver me from this trouble IV. I could no longer keep counsel but told her all shewing her the very Book which when she saw she became as well pleased with it as my self and with great delight beheld the admirable Cover the Engraving the Images and exquisite figures thereof but understood as little of them as I. V. Yet it was matter of Consolation to me to discourse and entertain my self with her and to think what we should do to find out the interpretation and meaning thereof VI. At length I caused to be painted within my Chamber as much to the life or original as I could all the Images and Figures of the said fourth and fifth Leaves VII These I shewed to the greatest Scholars and most learned Men in Paris who understood thereof no more than my self I told them they were found in a Book which taught the Philosophers-Stone VIII But the greatest part of them made a mock both of me and that most excellent Secret except one whose Name was Anselme a practiser of Physick and a deep Student in this Art IX He much desired to see my Book which he valued more than any thing else in the World but I always refused him only made him a large demonstration of the method X. He told me that the first Figure represented Time which devours all things and that according to the number of the six written Leaves there was required the space of six years to perfect the Stone and then said he we must turn the Glass and see it no more XI I told him this was not painted but only to shew and teach the Prima materia or first Agent as was written in the Book He answered me that this digestion for six years was as it were a second Agent and that certainly the first Agent was there painted which was the White and heavy water XII This without doubt was Argent Vive which they could not six i. e. cut off his feet or take away his

Volatility save by that long digestion in the pure blood of young Infants XIII For in that this Argent Vive being joyned with Sol and Luna was first turned with them into a Plant like that there painted and afterwards by corruption into Serpents which Serpents being perfectly dryed and degested were made a fine powder of Gold which is the Stone XIV This strange or Forreign Discourse to the matter was the cause of my erring and that made me wander for the space of one and twenty years in a perfect Meander from the Verity in which space of time I went through a thousand Laborinths or Processes but all in vain yet never with the Blood of Infants for that I accounted Wicked and Villanous XV. For I found in my Book that the Philosophers called Blood the Mineral Spirit which is in the Metals chiefly in Sol Luna and Mercury to which sense I always in my own judgment assented yet these Interpretations for the most part were not more subtil than true XVI Not finding therefore in my operation or course of my processes the signs at the time written in my book I was ever to begin again XVII In the end having lost all hope of ever understanding those Symbols or Figures I made a Vow to God to demand their interpretation of some Jewish Priest belonging to some Synagogue in Spain XVIII Whereupon with the consent of my Wife Perrenelle carrying with me the Extract or Copy of the Figures or Pictures I took up a Pilgrims Habit and Staff in the same manner as you see me figured without the said Arch in the said Church-yard in which I put these Hieroglyphick Figures XIX Whereon also I have set on the Wall on both hands the Process representing in order all the colours of the Stone as they arise in the operation and go away again XX. This is as it were the very beginning of King Hercules his Book entituled Iris or the Rain bow which treats of the colours of the Stone in these words Operis processio multùm naturae placet in English The Process of the work is very pleasing unto Nature XXI And these words I also put there expresly for the sakes of Great Scholars and Learned Men who may understand to what they allude XXII In this same manner I say I put my self upon my Journey to Spain and so much I did that I in short time arrived at Montjoy and a while after at S. James where with much devotion I accomplished my Vow XXIII This done in Leon at my return I met with a Merchant of Boloign who brought me acquainted with a Physician one M. Canches a Jew by Nation but now a Christian dwelling at Leon aforesaid XXIV I shewed him the Extract or Copy of my Figures by which he was as it were ravished with great astonishment and joy he desired immediately if I could tell him any news of the Book from whence they were drawn XXV I answered him in Latin in which Language he asked me the Question that I doubted not of obtaining the sight-of the Book if I could meet with any one who could unfold the AEnigma's XXVI Hearing this and being transported with great earnestness and joy he began to decipher unto me the beginning To be short he was much pleased that he was in hopes to hear tidings of the Book and I as much pleased to hear him speak and interpret it XXVII And doubtless he had heard much talk of the Book but it was as he said of a thing which was believed to be utterly lost Upon this we resolved for our Voyage and from Leon we passed to Oviedo and from thence to Sanson where we took shipping and went to Sea in order to going into France XXVIII Our Voyage was prosperous and happy and being arrived in the Kingdom of France he most truly interpreted unto me the greatest part of my Figures in which even to the points and pricks he could decypher Great Mysteries which were admirable to me XXIX Having attained Orleans this Learned Man fell sick even to death being afflicted with extream Vomitings which still continued with him as being first caused by his Sea sickness Notwithstanding which he was in continual fear lest I should leave or forsake him which was a great trouble to him XXX And although I was continually by his side yet he would be almost always calling for me at the end of the seventh day of his sickness he died which was no small grief to me and I buried him as well as my present condition would permit me in a Church at Orleans XXXI He that would see the manner of my Arrival and the joy of Perenelle let him look upon us two in the City of Paris upon the Door of the Chappel of James of the Bouchery close by the one side of my house where we are both painted kneeling and giving thanks to God XXXII For through the Grace of God it was that I attained the perfect knowledge of all that I desired Well! I had now the Prima materia the first principles yet not their first preparation which is a thing most difficult above all other things in the World XXXIII But in the end I had that also after a long aberration and wandring in a labarinth of Errors for the space of three years or thereabouts during which time I did nothing but study and search and labour so as you see me depicted without this Arch where I have placed my Process XXXIV Praying also continually to God and reading attentively in my Book pondering the words of the Philosophers and then trying and proving the various Operations which I thought to my self they might mean by their words XXXV At length I found that which I desired which I also soon knew by the scent and odor thereof Having this I easily accomplished the Magistery XXXVI For knowing the preparations of the prime Agents and then litterally following the Directions in my Book I could not then miss the Work if I would CHAP. XXVI Of the Projection which he and his Wife made upon Mercury and the Hospitals Chappels and Churches which they built with other Deeds of Charity which they did I. HAving attained this I come now to projection and the first time I made projection was upon Mercury a pound and half whereof or there abouts I turned into pure Silver better than that of the Mine as I proved by assaying of it my self and also causing others to assay it for me many times II. This was done in the Year of Our Lord 1382. January 17. about Noon being Monday in my own House Perrenelle only being present III. Again following exactly the directions in my Book litterally and word by word I made projection of the Red stone on the like quantity of Mercury Perrenelle only being present and in the same house which was done in the same Year of Our Lord viz. 1382. April 25. at five in the Afternoon IV. This Mercury I truly transmuted into

is impossible for you to attain to this knowledge unless you become sanctified in mind and purified in soul so as to be united to God and to become one Spirit with him XVIII When you shall appear thus before the Lord he shall open to you the Gates of his Treasure the like of which is not to be found in all the Earth XIX Behold I shew unto you the fear of the Lord and the love of him with unfeigned obedience Nothing shall be wanting to them that sear God who are cloathed with the Excellency of his Holiness to whom be rendred all Praise Honour and Glory to the Ages of Ages Amen The Second Book of ROGER BACHON Called SPECVLVM ALCHIMIAE CHAP. LII The Preface or Enterance into this Work and the Definition of the Art I. AFter many ways and in divers manners the Ancient Philosophers have through all their writings delivered themselves and in AEnigmaes or Riddles they have wholly Clouded and left shadowed to us the most Noble Science and as it were under a Veil of Desperation have wholly denyed Us the knowledge thereof and that not without cause II. For which Reason sake I here signifie that you may the more firmly Establish your mind I have in the following Chapters declared more plainly than is taught in any other writings the whole Art of the Transformation of Metals III. And if you often revolve these instructions in your minds you will obtain the knowledge of the beginning the middle and the end of the Work and you shall see such a subtilty of Wisdom and such a purity of matter which shall amply repleat your Soul and fill you with Satisfactions IV. Now in the ancient Codes many definitions of this Art are to be found the meaning of which it behoves us to consider Hermes saith concerning this Art it is the Science of compounded Bodies joyning together through the knowledge of the matter and its effects or Operations the more pretious things one to another and by a Natural Commixion to convert or transmute the same into a better kind V. Another Defines it thus Alchymie is a Science teaching how to transmute all kinds of Metals one into another and this by a proper Medicine as appears in many Books of the Philosophers VI. Wherefore Alchymie is the Art or Science teaching how to make or generate a certain kind of Medicine which is called the Elixir and which being projected upon Metals or imperfect Bodies by throughly Tinging and fixing them perfects them in the highest degree even in the very moment of Projection CHAP. LIII Of the Natural Principles and Generation of Metals and Minerals I. THe Natural Principles and first Generation of Metals and Minerals I shall compleatly declare where is first to be Noted that the Mineral beginnings or Principles in Minerals are Argent Vive and Sulphur From these all Metals are produced and all Minerals how manifold soever their diversities or kinds may be II. But I say that Nature always proposes and contends to bring them to the perfection of Gold but by several Supervenient accidents the said Metals are transformed or embased as you may plainly see in the Books of the Philosophers III. For according to the Purity or Impurity of the said two to wit of Argent Vive and Sulphur pure and impure Metals are generated to wit Gold Silver Tin Lead Copper Iron concerning the Natures of which viz. of their purities and impurities or Superfluous corruption and defects we have a few true things to say IV. Of Gold It is indeed a Body perfect made of pure Silver fixed clean Red and of a clean Sulphur fixed Red not burning and free from defects V. Of Silver It is a Body clean pure and almost reaching to perfection generated of Argent Vive pure clear white and almost fixed and of a Sulphur like it in all respects wanting only a little infixation Colour and Weight VI. Of Tin It is a clean Body but imperfect generated of Argent Vive fixed and not fixed clear white in outward appearance but red in its occult or inward parts and of a little pure fixed and not fixed Sulphur and is only wanting in a sufficient decoction or digestion VII Of Lead It is impure and imperfect generated of Argent Vive impure not fixed terrene faeculent a little White outwardly but Red inwardly and of such a like Sulphur adustible in some parts it is deficient in purity fixation Colour and Ignition VIII Of Copper It is a Body impure and imperfect generated from an Argent Vive impure not fixed Earthy Burning Red not clear and from such a like Sulphur but is wanting in fixation purity and weight having also too much impure Colour and terrestreities not burning IX Of Iron It is a Body impure and imperfect generated from impure Quick-Silver too much fixed Earthy burning White and Red not clear and of a like Sulphur it is wanting in fusion purity and weight and has too much of an impure fixed Sulphur with a burning terrestreity All which things you are diligently to Note CHAP. LIV. Of the nearest Matter out of which the Elixir is drawn or made I. IN what we have already declared we have spoken sufficiently of the generation of Metals now we apply our selves to the choice and perfecting of those which are imperfect II. Out of what has been said it appears that from Argent Vivc and Sulphur all the Metals are generated and how with their impurities and uncleanness they are corrupted And therefore whatsoever matter does adhere to any Metal which is not of its Prima Materia or does not belong to its composition it is to be rejected and cast away III. For that no Foreign matter which is not composed of the aforesaid two principles viz. Argent Vive and Sulphur can either perfect a Metal or make any new transmutation thereof IV. This is also to be wondred at that even some wise prudent Persons should lay the Foundation or whole matter of the Elixir in the Animal or Vegetable Kingdoms which are so infinitely remote from the thing whilst they may find Mineral much nearer akin to the Work and Design V. It is not indeed to be at all believed that any of the Philosophers should place the Art or Secret in such remote things where there is not the least congruity or similitude of Natures VI. But out off the two aforesaid things viz. Argent Vive and Sulphur all Metals are made and nothing does adhere to them nor is conjoyned with them nor can transmute them except that which arises from the same Root or Principles VII And therefore we say that it behoves you indeed and in truth to take Argent Vive and Sulphur for the matter of our Stone not Argent Vive by it self alone nor Sulphur by it self alone for neither of them alone can generate Metals but from a commixtion of both divers Metals are variously generated as also many Minerals VIII Therefore from a commixtion of them both