conscience to deprive their fellow Christians of their monies by cheating all they look for is to be talk'd of and live in reputation they stick full of diabolical pride and vanity up to the ears these in the end in great woe and miserie have their poor Souls drowned most lamentably woe woe to you Children of Sathan Here I intend not to use any prolixity of words nor to bring in any such matters which are heterogeneal to my purpose at the closing of my book I will be more large in my expressions as far as the heavenly Prince shall enable me to do where as for a final Corollarie to all my writings I shall annex things with that proviso and intreaty that all those which intend to be real and conscionable in their Medicaments may aide cure their oppressed fellow Christians and to search and inquire into such things which God for such purposes hath ordained and implanted them into nature This present book of mine deserves to be called A light unto darknesse for other things which in my former writings I have discoursed of by way of parables which stile I made use of the rather because it is proper to Philosophers are declared in this my last information where I deal in plain and clear words describing and naming the matter openly shewing the preparations from the beginning to the middle and end demonstrating and setting before the eyes of men the matter in general and particular confirming and justifying the truth thereof and making a distinction betwixt the ground and no ground in so plain terms that the very Children may understand and feel it with their hands And because this book affordeth another knowledge differing from others of my writing wherein I have not written so obscurely nor made I use of such subtilties as the ancients did who lived before me and ended their dayes happily therefore doth it require another place also to be laid up in and kept secret from the perversenesse of men in the world I do not desire it should be buried with me to be a prey and food for Worms but it shall be left above ground and kept secret from wicked men and my purpose is that it shall be laid into a secret place where none shall come near it but he for whom God hath ordained it other writings of mine shall sooner see the publick light But know thou whoever thou art into whose hand this my last Testament comes which contains the Revelation of heavenly and earthly mysteries it will happen to thee by a divine providence to whose custody at my devotion then perform'd I committed it depositing the same into that secret place together with other things not inforced upon any grounds of necessities or straightnesses to leave it there onely for him whom Gods goodnesse shall appoint to finde it For it is not good for me to let God's Creatures and mysterie which are too abstruse already and stept from the light into darknesse by reason of the malicious perversenesse of the wicked world to die with me as envious men are with to do with gifts they are entrusted withall but even leave a glimpse of truth and of the clear heaven thinking befitting to discharge my conscience in putting forth the talent to usury let the will of the Lord be done in him whom he deemeth to be worthy of it into whose care and diligence I commit it from henceforth and for ever For I a Cloyster-man and an unworthy Servant of the Divine infinite Trinitie confesse and ackowledge that I should never have come so far in my knowledge of these endlesse mysteries in the Analogie of natural things in the melioration changing their qualities for a sure and strong upholding of this profound knowledge of the true Medicine according to this Ordinance whereby I am ready to do good to all and every one which desireth my help herein which as I have done hitherto so my desire is that God would enable me to do the same to the last of my breathing I say I should never have attained unto it if by God special goodnesse grace and mercie several books had not come into my hands written of ancient Masters which departed this life a long time before me causing great joy to me stirring up in me a return of hearty thanks to God who so graciously was pleased in his providence to bestow them on me in the Cloyster before any of my Fellows I do speak it without any vain-glorie I have done so much good thereby to my fellow-Christians as ever was possible for me to do which next to God returned thanks for it even to the end of my dayes Now whereas I can be Steward no longer I have done according as my abilities would give leave let others also be industrious and not defective in their Stewardship I return mine into the faithfull hands of God Almighty and deliver up to his Divine power and glorie instead of the Keyes for the house all the allotted mysteries set down here in my writing leaving them to his disposing to bestow them after my death unto him whom his Divine will shall chuse thereunto to be for the knowledge of his praise-worthy name the good and help of such that stand in want of necessaries and health for the avoiding and shunning of all worldly pompe pride wantonnesse luxurie rashnesse pleasure covetousnesse and spightfulnesse or contempt of others O Lord God Almighty mercifull Gracious Father of thine onely begotten Son Jesus Christ who art onely the Lord of Sabaoth the principle of all things that are made by thy Word and definite end of all Creatures above and below I poor miserable Man and Earth-worm return thanks with my babling tongue from the innermost Center of my heart who hast been pleased to enlighten me with the great light of thy heavenly and earthly wisdom and the greatest mysteries of the created secrecies and treasures of this World together with thy Divine saving word by which I learn to know thine Almighty power and wonders To thee belongs eternal praise honour and glorâe from eternity unto eternity that thou hast bestowed on me health and lively hood strength and ability to be helpfull to my fellow Christians in their necessities and inflicted infirmities with those mystical healing Medicines together with such spiritual comforts to raise the drooping spirits Lord to thee alone belongs power might and glorie to thee is the praise honour and gratefulnesse for all the mercies and graces thou hast bestowed on me and hast preserved me therein till to this my great age and lowest weaknesse O! thou God of all graces and father of all comforts be not angrie with me that I deliver up to thee mine eternal Creator the Keyes of my Stewardship wrapt up in this Pergamene according to the dutie my calling and conscience calls for with these thou suffer'st me to keep house the most of my time till now thou hast called and foreseen me to be thy servant
to this my purpose that I may write so that every one may understand and Gods infinite mercie and that it together with his gracious goodness redemption may seem known acknowledged and continually meditated upon and every one may call on the Great Creator day and night granting to them fervent hearts so to direct all their thoughts that they may make no otherwise of this noble Creature of God and transcendent great mystery of Nature together with the Automie thereof but onely to the great honour of God and the good of all good Children The same grant this Father Son and Holy Ghost in his mercy Amen TABLE The Contents of the first part of the book THe first Chapter treateth of the aetherial liquor of Metals pag. 1. The 2. Chap. treateth of the seed of Metals pag. 4 The 3. Chap. Of Metalline nutriment pag. 6 4. Of the shop or officine of Metals pag. 9 5. Of the egression and ingression of Metals pag. 11 6. Of the dissolution and reduction of Metals pag. 14 7. Of the ascension and descension of Metals pag. 16 8. Of the respiring Metal or quick Oar pag. 18 9. Of the expiring or dying Metal pag. 21 10. Of pure and fine Metal pag. 22 11. Of the impure Metal pag. 25 12. Of the perfect Metal pag. 27 13. Of the imperfect Metal pag. 30 14. Of the Soap Metal pag. 32 15. Of the inhalation or inbreathing pag. 34 16. Of the exhalation and outbreathings pag. 36 17 Of coruscation adhalation or glittering pag. 38 18. Of folium and spolium shimmer and glower pag. 39 19. Of the fuliginous vapours and ashes pag. 40 20. Of the Metalline water or lie pag. 42 21. Of the seed and of the hull of the seed pag. 44 22. Of the shining or fire rod pag. 45 23. Of the glowing rod. pag. 47 24. Of the leaping rod pag. 48 25. Of the furcilla or striking rod pag. 50 26. Of the trembling rod pag. 52 27. Of the falling or neather rod pag. 53 28. Of the superior rod pag. 55 29. Of resting vapours or sediments pag. 57 30. Of the weather salt pag. 58 31. Of the stone salt pag. 59 32. Of the Subterranean Pools pag. 60 33. Of the Metalline Gold or of the Metalline bed pag. 61 Chap. 34. Of Metalline streams pag. 62 35. Of Chalk or stone Meal pag. 63 36. Of the blast pag. 64 37. Of the brittle stuff pag. 65 38. Of the blank fire pag. 66 39. Of the Mine glue pag. 67 40. Of corroding stuff to eat stones thorow pag. 68 41. Of having materials used for a sledd or dray pag. 70 42. Of the frost in the Mine-works pag. 71 43. Of the flaming fire pag. 72 44. Of the roasting fire pag. 72 45. Of the corroding fire pag. 73 46. Of the glowing fire pag. 74 47. Of the Lamp fire pag. 74 48. Of the cold fire pag. 75 49. Of the warm fire pag. 76 The Contents of the second part 1. Chap. OF Mines and Clifts what the middle works of Oars are pag. 81 2. Of the general operations of several Metals pag. 82 3. Of stones rocks flints of Gold their striking courses pag. 84 4. Of the oar of silver and its running or striking passages pag. 86 5. Of Copper oar its stone and striking passage pag. 88 6. Of Iron oar its stoks floats fallings and striking passages pag. 92 7. Of Lead oar it s Mine and striking passage pag. 95 8. Of Tin oar its stoks floats fallings striking passage pag. 98 9. Of Mercurial oar and its passages pag. 100 10. Of Wismuth Antimony Sulphur Salt Salpeter and Talk pag. 101 11. Of a comparison between Gods word the Minerals pag. 102 12. How Jewels are wrought the blessings God bestows on Miners pag. 107 13. Of the essence of Gold pag. 108 The Contents of the third part being a Declaration of the XII Keyes The first is declared pag. 119 The second Key declared pag. 120 The third Key declared pag. 122 The rest are declared according to the course going on in that part pag. 125 The Contents of the fourth part concerning the particulars made of the 7. Metals how they may be prepared with profit First of the Sulphur of Sol whereby Lune is ting'd into Gold pag. 151 The particular of Lune of the extraction of its Sulphur and Salt pag. 158 Of the particular of Mars how its Sulphur and Salt is extracted pag. 161 Of the particular of Venus how its Sulphur and Salt is extracted pag. 161 Of the particular of Saturn how its Sulphur and Salt is extracted pag. 163 Of the particular of Jupiter how its Sulphur and Salt is extracted pag. 169 Of the particular of Mercury of its Sulphur and Salt pag. 170 Of the Oyl made of Mercury and its Salt pag. 171 Of the particular of Antimony its Sulphur and Salt pag. 172 A short way to make Antimonial Sulphur and Salt pag. 173 The XII Keyes follow next The Contents of that book are inserted at the beginning of it Next to this is the repetition of the former writings with an Elucidation of them touching the Philosophers stone and a true information annexed concerning the preparations of Mercurie Antimonie Vitriol water common Sulphur unslak'd Lime Arsenic Salpeter Tartar Vinegar and Wine The next are the conclusion and experiments THe first Section treats of Sulphur and the ferment of Philosophers pag. 1. 2. Section Of the Philosophers Vitriol pag. 2 3. Section Of the Philosophers Magnet pag. 3 An allegorical expression betwixt the holy Trinity and the Philosophers stone pag. 5 A treatise of Sulphur pag. 6 Of Sulphur of Jupiter pag. 7 Of the Sulphur of Mars and Venus pag. 8 Of the Sulphur of Sol pag. 8 Of the Sulphur of Mercury pag. 9 Of the Sulphur of Lune pag. 10 Of Antimonial Vitriol pag. 10 Of the Sulphur of Vitriol pag. 11 Of common Sulphur pag. 11 Of Vitriols first of the Vitriol of Sol and Lune pag. 12 Of Vitriol of Saturn and Jupiter pag. 13 Of Vitriol of Mars pag. 13 Of Vitriol of Venus pag. 13 Of Vitriol of Mercury pag. 14 Of common Vitriol pag. 15 Of the vulgar Magnet pag. 16 A Philosophick work upon Vitriol pag. 17 To bring quick Mercury to a Lunar fixation pag. 21 The contents of the fifth and last part TReateth of the great Medicinal vertue of the Metalline and Mineral Salt pag. 1. A description of the fine Tartar pag. 6. Of the Salt of Tartar pag. 7. THE FIRST BOOK Wherein are shewed MINE-WORKS from whence they have their Existence Natures and Properties divided into the ensuing Chapters CHAP. I. âf the Aetherial liquor of Metals or of the metal Ferch GOd hath created things under ground as well as the things above ground By the things under ground I understand Metalls Minerals and into whom there is implanted also a fertiltie to their seed without which the seed could neither grow nor inâase Seed which is barren hath not that fertiltie by âich
Venus as also in Vitriol and both Venus aââ ââars can be reduced into a most effectual Vitriol in which Metalline Vitriol afterward all the three principles as Merâury Sulphur and Salt are found under one heaven and with ââtle pains and short time each can be taken out of it apart âs you shall hear when I shall make further relation of the Mineral Vitriol which is digged in Hungary of a high graâation Now if you have wit and understanding art inâlined and heartily desireth to conceive of the true meanâng of my Keyes and of my other writings thereby to unâoâk the locks of Metals for our store then you should have âaken notice and observed that in all these I have written âot onely of the Metal of Sol of its Sulphur and Salt but I âave interlined and mingled also and made uniformal other âed Metals from whence may be had the mystical Masterie âherefore men ought to iterate often the reading of Philosophick books then a true sense and meaning may be drawn ârom them which without divine illumination cannot be âeither c. But hoping that those who are fully and really resolved âo incline their hearts unto wisdom will give more attenâion thereunto than the other madd worldlings for whom âhese my writings were not intended for I spoke as plainly âs ever possibly I could and this kindled light shall further âe purified so that true and sincere Novices may have a âull light without an eclipse from their beginning to their ânding To which end I took these pains to disclose that which all the World was silent in and concealed it to their âast end and buried it in silence to their very graves The scope I aimed at in so doing was not to hunt after any âain glory but rather that Gods gracious provident goodnesse might be held forth unto posterity that the future ââges 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 ââon what I have done because I write so plainly not knowâng 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 aââ 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 oââ stone but you must further note also that neverthelessâ these three Metals as Spiritus anima corpus are buried anâ ââd in a Mineral Vitriol as in a Mineral it self Understand âis according to the distinct natures of Vitriol For the âest which according to my experience shewed it self most âffectual herein is that which is broken and digged in âungarie of a very deep degree of tincture not very unlike ââto a fair blue Saphir having very little of humidities and âther additionals or strange Oars the oftner it is dissolved ââd coagulated the more is it exalted in its deep tinging âolour and is beheld with great admiration This high graduated Vitriol is found crude in those places âhere Gold Copper Iron is broken and digg'd and is âbundantly transported from thence into forraign parts inâ much that sometimes there is great scantnesse of it in those âârts and elsewhere Though the vulgar people can afford no better name to ãâã calling it onely a Copper-water however ancient Philoââers by reason of its unspeakable vertue and dignity exâll'd it and call'd it Vitriolum for that reason because its âiritual Oyl containeth all the three principles of all the âiumphing qualities If you get such deep graduated and well prepared Mineââ called Vitriol then pray to God for understanding and ââsdom for your intention and after you have calcined it ât it into a well coated Retort drive it gently at first then âârease the fire there comes in the form of a white spirit of ââriol in the manner of a horrid fume or winde cometh âo the Receiver as long as it hath any such material in it âd note that in this winde are invisibly hid all the three ââciples and come together out of that dwelling therefore âs not necessary to seek and search alwayes in precious âângs because by this means there is a nearer way open ââo nature's mysteries and is held forth to all such which ãâã able to conceive of Art and wisdom Now if you separate and free this expell'd spirit well and âely per modum distillation is from its earthly humidity ân in the bottom of the glasse you will finde the treasure ãâã 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 flieââ away with body and Soul
ânto us all a blessed resurrection Amen This high and mighty example having its foundation âot in humane thoughts wit or pride or in an ungrounded âating but in the great Creatour's true word which he âath revealed unto us through his servant and holy Prophet Moses doth inform you what you ought to do further with our new begotten Creature that you may get a perfect âârth without any defect to the praise of the Highest the âather of lights and mercy from whom we receive all perâect gifts which he graciously bestoweth on his Children âor which we are not able to return sufficient thanks unto âim Now if you will proceed well in your work then joyn âhe new body with his Soul which you formerly drew ââom that the compound in its vertue be compleat and âhere be apparent in the end a plusquam perfection of it âhen is begotten the Red King of all glorie in a fiery subâtance and highly clarified body exalted above all powers âpon earth from thence ariseth the golden fountain he that thinketh of it is renewed in all his Members and there is rised wholly a new life for the which God be praised for ever more The augmentation of this huge treasure together with the fermentation thereof for the transmutation of Metalls doubtlesse you have taken notice of exactly afore where I wrote of Gold how it must be handled and what direction I have given you thereunto the same you must observe for here is all one processe from the middle to the end the beginning onely asketh alteration by reason of the two distinct matters for the which God be praised whom we beseech to give us his grace and blessing that we may make good use of this treasure and after this life we may enter into the heavenly Kingdom The love to my Neighbour hath moved me to write of these things which in my long experience I found to be true following the steps of bountifull nature which made me a Sooth-sayer in natural things and I am assured that if these my writings are made publick after my death and my other books sharing in the same fortune that they must undergo many censures For some will extreamly condemâ me delivering me unto Satan because I have written so plainly Others there will be which will quite overthrow my writings crying out to be Lies Superstition and Diabolical works the like censure other illuminated men before me have undergone which they feel to this day for men are so incredulous in these points that so mighty an operation should be found against all manner of infirmities besides the transmutation of Metals in so despicable a matâer over which the Iron Man with his espoused Wife Venus âogether with the deep glittering Sol is and must have the âredominancie and with incredible profit it should by ârt âe brought to such perfection The Art being great and âhe matter so contemptible it procureth the more doubt ând unbelief these unbelieving men I let understand oneây this notable example whereby the eyes of those that âre going unto Emaus shall be opened and thereby shall ââowledge that I have written no untruth but disclosed ãâã a truth very plainly And note that the ancient Phiââphers endeavoured to describe the preparation of the ââe under a notion of distilling of wine and the spirit ââeof which in their work are almost like one to anâer For I they taught out of the best wine to make a âit without any strange phlegme which to this day ââng vulgar Artists must be and is called the right and âe mystical spirit of wine whereas it may soon be proved âr this supposed spirit of wine containeth much invisible âmidity or phlegme in an insensible manner which is âhing else but its vegetable Mercury for the fiery spirit wine is the true fire and soul of the wine Every Sulphur ââtaineth secretly its original and principal Mercury Veâables in their kinde the Animals in their kinde and ãâã Minerals also after their kinde 2. They taught how âs spirit of wine must be separated in two distinct parts âmely this spirit of wine be poured upon white calcined ââar and be drawn over in a gentle distillation In this ââillation is separated the secret and true spirit of wine âm his Vegetable Mercury as I faithfully informed you ãâã my Manuals From the remainng earth they taught a ât be drawn to be added to the rectified spirit whereby ãâã is fortified and strengthned in his substance and at last âe Philosopher stone should be generated It is mightily âainst Gods ordinance that a Vegetable should produce ãâã Animal or an Animal produce a Mineral By way of âparable the practice part is held forth under the notion ãâã this preparation Now as they taught of the wine so in ââe manner also through a short way our Gold can be preâred not the usual and common Gold and may be disâlved divided separated and brought into its first prinâple But you must note that this dissolution and separation âas never described plainly by any of the ancient Philosoâhers which lived before me and knew the Magisterium âhy I do it the love to my Neighbour hath moved me thereunto which I bear from the Center of my heart to those which overcome this mystery without falshood ãâã mingling vices with a faithfull heart in a sincere knââledge and real piety In the first place be inform'd ãâã our Gold so much spoken of hitherto must never be ââken for such Gold by any of our Disciples which hath bâ melted and fully digested by nature for herein such ârour is committed that men dilapidate all what they hââ and loose both the beginning and end of all their woâââ Although not onely from Gold but from other Metals ãâã this Clenodium and Jewel may be had in the preparaââââ of it particulariter much profit and advantage may be ââten in that which concerneth mans health as hath be formerly told however without the spirit of Mercury ãâã Universal of the World to be gotten meerly from the bââ of Sol is impossible and will be impossible unlesse Creatour of all things produce another ordinance to chaââ and alter his Creature after his own will But as that impossible so it is impossible also to deal against Gââ Creature in that kinde as to finde out that wholesom pââfit which to your longing desire you expect You mââ believe it for a truth as Christ himself is that the Philoââpher's stone would not be so strange rare and unknoââ a thing it would be common to Kings and Potentates ãâã God would permit to be made of Gold alone and the thââ Jewels of infinite fixed vertues hid therein could be ãâã out of it My intent is not in this present Treatise to use any pââlixity in writing those that are not quite blinde and haââ their eyes open have enough already to attain unto ãâã knowledge and command both his minde and hands âo to passe by the weightiest and esteem high
it needlesse in this manner and to thaâ purpose to destroy Metals but you may prepare every thing from or of their first essence and bring them to theiâ full perfection âf the Particular of Mars together with the extraction of its Anima and Salt âAke of red Vitriol Oyl or Oyl of Sulphur one part and two parts of ordinary Well-water put those toâher dissolve therein filings of steel this dâssolution must ãâã filtred being warm'd let it gently evaporate a third part âât then set the glasse in a cool place there will shoot ââstals as sweet as Sugar which is the true Vitriol of âârs cant off that water let it evaporate more set it ââin in a cold place more Crystals will shoot neal them ââtly under a muffle stirring it still with an Iron-wyar ãâã you get a fair purple coloured powder on this powder ãâã distill'd Vinegar extract the anima of Mars in a gentle ââmy abstract again the Vinegar and dulcorate the anima ââs is the anima of Mars which being added to the spirit Mercurie and united with the anima of Sol tingeth Lune âo Sol as you heard about the Gold ãâã the Particular of Venus what mysteries there are hid therein and of the Extraction of its Sulphur and Salt TAke as much of Venus as you will and make Vitriol of ãâã it after the usual and common practise or take good ãâã digreece sold in shops it effâcteth the sameâ grinde it ââll pour on it good distill'd Vinegar set it in a warmth ãâã Vinegar will be transparent green cant it off pour on ãâã ââââning matter on the bottom new Vinegar iterate ãâã work as long as the Vinegar taketh out any tincture ãâã the âââer of the Verdigreece on the bottom lieth ãâã black put the ting'd Vinegar together distil the Vinegar from it to a drynesse else a black Vitriol ãâã shoot thus you get a purified Verdigreece grind it smâ pour on it the juyce of immature Grapes let it stand iâ gentle heat this juyce maketh a transparent tincture ãâã green as a Smarag'd and attracteth the red tincture of ânus which affords an excellent colour for Painters Lâmers and others for their several uses When the juyce extracts no more of the tincture tââ put all the extractions together abstract the moyety of ãâã juyce gently set it into a cool place there shooteth a vâ fair Vitriol if you have enough of that then you have mâter enough to reduce the same and to make of it the Phiââsophers stone in case you should make a doubt to persoââ this great mystery by any other Vitriol Of this preparatââ I have spoken already Parabolicè in the book of the Keâ in the Chapter of the Wine-vineger where I said that ãâã common Azoth is not the matter of our stone but ãâã Azoth or materia prima with the common Azoth ãâã with the Wine which is the out-prest juyce of untââ Grapes and with other waters also must be prepared thâ are the waters wherewith the body of Venus must be bââken and be made into Vitriol which you must observe vââ well then you may free your selves from many troubles aâ perplexities But especially note that the way of the Universal wââ this Vitriol is understood in the same manner and is thâ conditioned as I told you in the third part of the Universâ and pointed at the common Hungarian Vitriol and even well out of Mars put Particulariter to be dealt upon wââ Venus Therefore know that it may be done with gâââ profit if you drive forth the red Oyl of Vitriol and dissoââ Mars in it And Crystallise the solution as you were to ãâã when I treated of Mars For in this dissolution and coaââlation Venus Mars are united this Vitriol must be neaââ under a muffle unto a pure red powder and must be eâtracted further with distill'd Vinegar as long as there is aâ rednesse in it then you get the anima of Mars and of Vâââs doubled of this doubled vertue after the addition of ââe anima of Sol which you made in the before quoted ââantity take twice as much of Silver calx and fix it as ââu heard when I spoke of the Particular of Mars and of ââl But note that there must be twice as much of the spirit ãâã Mercurie then there was allowed in that place but in ââe rest the processe is alike The Salt of Venus must be ââtracted when the juyce taketh no more of the green ââncture then take the remaining matter dry it pour Hoây water upon it then that Salt goeth in that heat for ââe or six dayes and clarifie it with spirit of Wine then is ââe Salt ready for your Medicine Of the Particular of Saturn together with the extraction of its Soul and Salt MOst men hold and count Saturn an unworthy and mean Metal and is abused most basely in several exâeditions whereas if known in its internals more laudable âxploits would be performed with it and many excellent âedicines be prepared of it Being it is my intention to âut an Elucidation to my former writings to leave it after ââe for a legacie unto posterity that simple men of ordinary ââpacity might know and conceive also of the things I forâerly wrote of which after the resurrection of my flesh my ââlf shall bear record unto that I have written more then ãâã meet which others before me have purposely concealââ it being my purpose to declare fundamentally all such âârticulars which formerly at large I discoursed of in a ââilosophick manner thus that this my Declaration made ãâã any decrepite age be noted conscionably by those into âhose hands it comes that this my Revelation which in âods providence will be disposed of to be a lamp of truth ãâã all the world may not be imparted unto unworthy men of Gods mysteries which acknowledge not the Crââtor of them in a pure humble and penitent heart perâvering conversation and a fervent purpose to incline uââ and towards him This present writing I leave as a pââcious badge with an earnest pâoviso that men would loâ and observe carefully every letter contained in this aââ others of my writings which in all fidelity I hold for unto them And begin now with Saturn who in all prâbability after Astronomick rules is the highest and chiefâ Lord in the coelestial spheres by whose influence the sââterranean Saturn hath its life and coagulation putting thâ black colour on it the rest from the best to the worst foâlow after whose splendour enlightneth that whole firmâment and is incorruptible I should speak something of Saturns Nativity froâ whence he taketh his off-spring but in this place I ãâã not hold it requisite being there hath been mention maââ of it in several places in my other books because it is ãâã no purpose for Novices and to repeat all would increaââ the volume which I do not intend purposing onely to elââcidate such things which formerly have been delivered iâ obscure terms Note
fundamental Theorie affords the practick part from ânce flow infinite springs all from one head If you go ââerwise to work than I entreated you to do by the Creaââ of heaven and earth then all your actions will be retroââde unto a temporal disaster I should annex here the efficacies of other Minerals ââich are next unto Metals but seeing they are of no abiâty unto transmutation of Metals but are onely Medicinal and are qualified to do their work to the admiration of those that make use of them I leave them at this time The Almighty hath put wonderfull vertues into Metalline Salts which have been found approved several wayes End of the fourth Part. BASILIUS VALENTINUS HIS XII KEYES Which is A Treatise about the great stone of Philosophers In which many thousands since the beginning of the World have wrought LONDON Printed Anno Domini MDCLVI THE PREFACE HVman fear coming upon me I fell to consider out of natures frailty the miserablenesse of this World lamented within me the sin which our first Parents had committed and how little of repentance ââe was for it men still growing worse an eternal ââishment being set upon all impenitents it made ãâã to make haste to out-run evil bid farewell to the âârld vowing my self to become Gods servant onely ââving spent some time in my Order after I had done ãâã appointed devotions to draw my self from idlensse ãâã sinfull thoughts I took in hand for to imploy my ââcessive hours to some purpose to anatomize naââal things to dive into Natures mysteries a thing âât the spiritual ones I found most comfortable and âreshing Having found many books in our Moâstery which Philosophers had written a long time ââore me which had dived very deeply into Naâre's secrets it encouraged me the more to learn âât which they knew though in the beginning all ãâã very difficult however upon my earnest prayer to God the Lord blessed me in my undertaâââgs In our Monastery there was one of my Fellââ who was mightily tormented with the stone was ââten bed-rid sought after many Physicians but ãâã was able to cure him was left hopelesse taking refuge to Gods omnipotencie Then I began to aâtomize Vegetables extracted their Salt and quâtessences but none of all these would or could ãâã my sick fellow made tryals of many of them but ãâã were too weak to dissolve the stone I took his case iâ further consideration and intended to know funââmentally what efficacie the great Creatour had ãâã into Minerals and Metals the more I sought iâ them the more I found still one secret issuing foâ from the other God blessed me herein opened mâ eyes that I saw marvellous vertues in the Natââ of Minerals and Metals the great Creatour had iâ planted into them insomuch that it is a hard matââ to believe it Among these I hapned to get one Mineral compâsed of many colours which had many and rare veâtues in Medicine I drew its spiritual essence frââ it whereby in few dayes I cured my diseased Colââgiate For this Mineral spirit was very strong aââ strengthned the weak spirit of my brother and livâ a long time after that cure He prayed dayly aââ hourly for me as long as he lived even to his dyiââ moment his and other mens prayers availed so mâââ with the great Creatour that by his blessing and miââ endeavours were revealed many great matters uâto me which he did not reveal unto worldly ãâã men This Philosophick stone for mans health and suâitation of him in this valley of misery I reveal âo posterity as much as is meet for me to do folââing herein the steps of my predecessors these Phiââphick informations are aenigmatick and short âât are a rock on which Truth may firmly be builded ãâã wish good successe and blessings from above to the ââdertakers herein Amen The Contents of this Book are I. OF the great stone of Ancient Philosophers II. The XII Keyes whereby the doors ãâã the Philosophers stone are opened and the deep Fountain of health anâ wealth floweth from thence III. A short repetition of his writings about thâ Philosophick stone wherein is plainly held forth the true Philosophick light whereunto is annexed an information of Quick-silver Antimony Vitriol-water commoâ Sulphur Calx vive Arsenic Salpeter Salmiac Tartar Vinegar and Wine IV. Of Microcosme or Mans body what it containeth of what it is composed the whole contents thereof and of its issue and end V. Of the great mystery of the World and its Medicinals belonging to man VI. Of the Magisterium of the VII Planets their essence properties vertues operation and revolution and their admirable hidden mystical qualities Of the great Stone of the Ancient Philosophers written by BASILIUS VALENTINUS DEar friend and well wisher unto Art in my Preface I promised to such which are desirous to learn and to dive into Natures condition to shew and to speak of that corner stone as much as I am permitted from above to do out of what the Ancient Philosophers have prepared their stone whereby they prolonged their lives in a continued health and whereby they got their riches also to live comfortably in this miserable world For the performing of my promise not leading you into any tedious sophistick labyrinths but disclosing the very head-spring of all goodnesse you are to note and to take into serious consideration my following expressions if so be your intent is to learn any thing concerning this Art I do not purpose to use any prolixity in words for that were to no purpose I do love few words which are full of pith Note it is given but to few men to attain unto the mastery of this Art though many strive and endeavour to work upon that structure yet the true knowledge and the attaining thereunto the great Creator hath made common but bestoweth it onely on such which hate lies and loveâ truth and intend seriously and groaningly to get this Artâ and chiefly such men are fit for it which love God unfainedly and pray earnestly unto him for such a knowledge Therefore I tell you for a meer truth that in case you intend to go about the making of this stone you be a follower of that I inform you of and before all things pray ãâã the great Creator to bestow his blessing upon you herein and if you have sinned confesse unto him with a full resolution never to do evil again but lead a godly life and that your heart may be enlightned in all good things and remember when ever you are preferred to any honour to be helpfull to the poor and needy to deliver them out of their misery making them glad with thy helping âanâ that the Lord may bestow the greater blessings upon you and you may thereby be confirm'd in faith that there is a Throne in Heaven prepared for such a one hereafter to live in eternal blisse My friend despise not to read good and real writings of such men which had the Philosophick stone before
âeans of Mars is turn'd into quick Mercury This Antiââonial Mercury hath been sought of many but few have ââotten it which is the reason why its praise is not divulg'd âuch lesse is it's operative quantity known if you know ââw to precipitate it well then your Arrow will hit the âark to perform strange matters it's qualities ought not ãâã be made common It is needlesse to describe it's combustible Sulphur how that is made of Antimony it is easie and known but that which is fix'd is a secret and hidden from many If an Oyl be made of it in which it 's own Sulphur is dissolv'd and these be fix'd together then you have a Medicine of rare qualities in vertue operation and ability far beyond Vegetables Quick silver being imbibed with quick Sulphur melted with Antimony for some hours in a Wind-oven the Salt of the remainder being extracted with distill'd Vinegar then you have the Philosophers Salt which cureth all manner of Agues There is an acetum made of Antimony of an acidity as other acetums are if it 's own Salt be dissolv'd in this acetum and distill'd over then this acetum is sharpned which is an excellent cooler in hot swellings and other inflamed Symptoms about wounds especially if there be made an Unguent of it together with anima of Saturn The Quintessence of Antimony is the highest Medicinâ the noblest and subtilest found in it and is the fourth pââ of an Universal Medicine Let the preparation of it ãâã still a mystery its quantity or Dose is three Grains the ãâã belong four instruments to the making of it the Furnace the fifth in which Vulcan dwelleth the Manuals and thâ government of fire afford the ordering of it You Physicians if you be wise seek out this Medicine iâ that subject where it lieth in and may be found best anâ most effectual I forbear to speak further of Antimony lâ Justinian judge of the rest Of Copper-water IF I could prevail with Apollo to be mercifull and to givâ liberty to his Muse to be my assistance in the describing of Art and wisdom then would I bring in an offering unto Minerva whereby the Gods of wisdom might take notice of a gratefull minde for their gifts they had bestowed and I would write of a mineral whose Salt is set forth in the highest manner whose great and good qualities are of that transcendency that reason is not able to comprehend or to conceive of them It went generally by the name of Copper-water to make the meaning and sense of it plain let men know and be thus informed of it that Vitriol containeth two spirits a white and a red one the white spirit is the white Sulphur upon white the red spirit is the red Sulphur upon red He that hath ears let him hear Observe it diligently and remember every word for they are of a large extent every word is as ponderous as a Centner stone The white spirit is sowr causeth an appetite and a good digestion in a mans stomach The red spirit is yet sowrer and is more ponderous than the white in its distilling a longer fire must be continued because it is fixer in its degree Of the white by distilling of Sulphur of Lune is made argentum potabile In the like manner the âld being destroyed in the spirit of common Salt and âde spiritual by distilling and its Sulphur taken from it ââd joyned with a red spirit in a due Dose that it may be ââssolved and then for a time putrified in spirit of wine to ãâã further digested and often abstracted that nothing âmain in the bottom then you have made an aurum poâbile of which great volumes have been written but very âw of their processes were right Note that the red spirit âust be rectified from its acidity and be brought into a âeetnesse subtilly penetrating of a pleasant taste and sweet âagrancy I have told you now great matters which slipp'd from âe against my intention the sweet spirit is made of Sulâhur of Vitriol which is combustible like other Sulphur âefore it is destroyed for the Sulphur of Philosophers ââote it well is not combustible its preparation needs âot to be set down being easie requireth no great pains or great expences to get a combustible Sulphur out of âitriol This sweet Oyl is the essence of Vitriol and is sucâ a âedicine which is worthy the name of the third pillar of âhe universal Medicine The Salt is drawn from Colchotar ând is dissolved in the red or white Oyl or in both and is âistill'd again if it be fermented with Venus it performââ its office very well for it affords such a Medicine âhich at the melting tingeth pure Iron into pure Copper Colchotar of Sulphur affords true fundamentals unto âealing of perish'd wounds which otherwise are hardly ââought to any healing and such sores which by reason of ãâã long continued white rednesse will admit of no healing âolchotar affords an ingresse thereunto setting a new founâation that quality and vertue is not in the Colchotar but âhe spirit together with the Salt are the Masters which âwell therein There is made of Copper and Vârdigreece a Vitriol of a âigh degree and is far spread in its tincture There is a Vitriol made of Iron also which is of a strange quality Iron and Copper are very nigh kind one to another belâ together as man and wife this mystery should have bâ concealed but being it is of great concernment I could forbear but to speak of it Vitriol corroded with Salmiac in it's sublimation thâ ariseth a combustible Sulphur together with it's Mercuââ of which there is but little because it hath most of Sâphur If the same Sulphur be set at liberty again by ãâã Eagle with spirit of wine there can be made a Medicine it as I told you formerly of it Though there be a neaâ way to make a combustible Sulphur out of Vitriol as of precipitation upon a precedent dissolution by the Salt liquor of Tartar as also by a common lixivium made Beech-ashes yet this is the best reason because the bââ of Vitriol is better more opened with the Key of the Eagââ There are other mysteries hidden in Vitriol which in yâ operative quality are excellent and are known apparent as Venus and Mars bear real record in their spirits the saâdâth knowledge Sol and Lune but I do not intend at tâ time to write a perfect book of Chirurgerie and to maââ relaââoââ of particulars in commendation of Vitriol I haâ already written too much of it you are to learn and searâ also you will finde that Vitriol needs no Proctor to speâ for it and it will sufficiently inform you of an absoluâ Chirurgick book contained in its nature as a third part ãâã the universal against all manner of diseases In the closing hereof I tell you thus much that there not found in its nature neither cold nor moist quality bâ is of a hot and dry substantial
to insert it here in thâs treatise In Alchimy it is used to set Metals and Minerals into putrefaction It is used also for to extract their essences ãâã tinctures being fiâst prepared thereunto even as the spirit of wine is usual to extract the tinctures from vegetables In Pâysick it deserveth its praise also for it taketh the pure from impure and is a separator and taketh from the Minerâl Mâdicaments their sharpnesse and corrosivenesse fixeth âhat which is volaâile and is a great defendant against poyson as I told you when I spoke of the Antimonial glasse Vinegar is used inwardly also and both men and beast are benefited thereby outwardly it is applied to hot inflammations and swellings for a cooler Spirit of wine and Vânegar are of great use both in Alchimy and Physick both have their descent from the Urine are of one substance buâ differ in the quality by reason of putrefaction the Vinegar got there of the which I told you formerly I must acquaint you with one thing which is this thaâ this is not the Philosophers V negar our Vinegar or acetum is another liquor namely a matter it self for the stone oâ Philosophers is made out of Azot of Philosophers which must be prepared with ordinary distâll'd Azot with spirit oâ wine aâd with other waters besides and must be reduced uâââ a certain order Nââe this for a memorandum if distill'd pure Vinegaâ be poured upon destroyed Saturn and is kept warm iâ Marie's-Bath it loseth it's acidity altogether is as sweet as any Suggar then abstract two or three parts of that Vinegar set it in a Cellar then you will finde white transparent stones like unto Crystals these are an excellent cooler and healer of all adust and inflamed Symptoms If these Crystals are reduced into a red Oyl and poured upon Mercury precipitated by Venus and proceeded in further as it ought if that be hit rightly then neither Sol nor Lune will hinder thee from getting riches Of Wine THe true vegetable stone is found in Wine which is the noblest of all vegetables it containeth three sorts of of Salt three sorts of Mercury and three sorts of Sulphur The first Salt sticketh in the wood of the Vine which if burnt to ashes and a lixivium made of it to have it's salt drawn forth which must be coagulated This is the first Salt The second Salt is found in Tartar if that be incinerated then draw its Salt forth dissolve and coagulate it several times and let it be sufficiently clarified The third Salt is this when the wine is distill'd it leaveth feces behinde which are made to powder it 's Salt can be drawn out with warm water each of these Salts hath a special property in their Center they stand in a harmony because they descend from one root It hath three sorts of Mercury aâd three sorts of Sulphur The first Oyl is made of the stem the second Oyl is made out of crude Tartar the third is the Oyl of Wine There is a strange property in the spirit of Wine for without it there cannot be extracted any trâe tincture of Sol nor can there be made without it any true aurum potabile but few men know how a true spirit of Wine is made much lesse can it's property be found out wholly Several wayes have been tried to draw and to get the spirit of Wine without sophistication as by several instruments and distillings with metalline Serpents and otheâ strange inventions of Sponges Papers and the like Some caused a rectified aqua vitae be frozen in the greatesâ frost expecting the phlegme thereof should turn to Ice the spirit thereof to keep liquid but nothing was done to any purpose The true way for the getting of it I told you of aâ the end of my Manuals for it must be subtile penetrating without any phlegme pure aerial and volatile so that aire in a magnetick quality may attract it therefore it had need to be kept close in it is oâ a penetrating and effectualâ operation and its use is several There are three which are the noblest Creatures in the world these three bear a wonderfull affection one to another Among Animals it is man our of whose Mume is made an Animal stone in which Microcosme is contained Among Minerals Gold is the noblest whose fixednesse is a sufficient testimony ol it 's noble off spring and kinâred Among Vegetables there lieth hid a Vegetable stone Man loveth Gold and Wine above all other Creatures which may be beheld with eyes Gold loveth man and Wine because it lets go its noblest part if spirit of Wine be put to it being made potable which giveth strength to man and prolongeth his life in health Wine beareth affection to man also and to Gold because it easily uniteth with the tincture of Sol expelleth melancholly and sadnesse refresheth and rejoyceth mans heart He that hath these three stones may boldly say that he hath the stones of the Universal much of it is talk'd and written but what eye hath seen it not one amongst many hundred of Millions These stones renew men and beasts cure Leprous Metals cause barrennesse to become fertile with a new birth humane reason is not able to comprehend it noâ conceive of it If a rectified Aqua vitae be lighted then Mercury and ââe Vegetable Sulphur separateth that Sulphur burns âight being a meeâ fire the tender Mercury betakes him-âmself to his wings and flieth to his Chaos He that can shut up and catch this fiery spirit he may âoast that he hath gotâââ a gâeat victory in the Chymical âââle for this Vegetable fiery Sulphur is the onely Key to ââaw the Sulphur from mineral and metalline bodies Thus I close my book the things contained therein are âot grounded on opinions as most Physicians rely on the âuthors that such and such Herbs are cold and moist dry ââd warm in the first second and third degree because âhey heard their Authors affirm it themselves neither âaw ãâã nor made tryal of it making meer collections from other âens writings patching up volumes The things I wrote âf I know by a long experimental knowledge to be true âhis my experience I hope will take place and get the viâtory as the Amazons did in their prudence The eternal heavenly spirit refresh our Souls that we may ââlk in heavenly streets forsaking all false and erroneous by-wayes Amen FINIS âONCLUSIONS AND EXPERIMENTS OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS PREFACE I Basilius Valentinus write a short clause upon my former writings and this treatise is instead of a declaration thereof But my Son and Disciple you are to remember that you lift up your eyes to âhe Mountain of God and of the Philosophers from âhence you expect a help namely Sulphur Vitriol ând Magnet of Philosophers must be a great help unâo you For Philosophers Sulphur Vitriol Magnet âs coelestial from whence cometh âhat Universal and Philosophick Lapis vulgar and ordinary Sulphur Vitriol and Magnet afford meerly
Ruby this abstracted white spirit âouâed on the earth again extracted further its Sulphur ââd put it to the former After this that Corpus terra look'd ãâã a paler colour which I calcined for some hours under âuffle put it into a body on it I poured my white spirit ââracted its pure white fixed Salt the remaining earth ââs very porous good for nothing which I flung away âas these three principles were fully and perfectly sepaââed After all this I took my astral clarified Salt which weigh'd ââlf an ounce after the weight at Strasburg and of the ââite spirit which weigh'd four ounces of Mercury one âânce and a quarter of an ounce these I divided into two ââts whose quantity was half an ounce and one dram I âât this Salt to one part of the water in a Viol and nippd it ãâã it in digestion there I saw perfectly how the Salt disââved it self again in this spirit therefore I poured to it the ââher part which was half an ounce and one dram no sooner ââis was put to it then presently the body together with ââe spirit turned as black as a Coal ascended to the end of ãâã glasse and having no room to go any further it moved ãâã and fro sometimes it setled to the bottom by and by it ââe to the middle then it rose higher thus it moved from ââe fourth of July to the seventh of August namely 34. ââayes which wonderfull work I beheld with admiration ãâã last these being united and turned to a black powder ââying on the bottom and was dry seing that it was so I ââcreased my fire in one degree took it out of the we and ãâã in ashes after ten dayes the matter on the bottom beâân to look somewhat white at which I rejoyced heartily ââs degree of fire I continued till the matter above and âlow became as white as the glittering Snow But it was noâ yet fix making âryal of ãâã set it in again encreased ãâã fire one degree higher then the matter began to ascend a descend moved on high stayed in the middle of the gâââ not touching the bottom of it this lasted 38 dayes aâ nights I beheld then as well as formerly at the 30 dayeâ variety of colours which I am noâ able to expresse ãâã last thâs powder fell to the bottom became fix made pâjection wi h it putting one Graiâ of it to one and a quâââ of an ounce of Mercury transmuting the same into very gââ Lune Now it was time to restore unto this white tinctââ her true anima and imbibe it to bring it from its whâânesse unto rednesse and to its perfect vertue Thereupon I took the third principle namely the animâ which hitherto I had reserved in quantity it was one ouââ a quarter of an ounce and one dram poured to it my râserved spirit of Mercury whose quantity was one cuââ and a quarter of an ounce drew it over several times ãâã alembicum so that they in the end united together thâse divided into seven equal parts one part I poured on mâ clarified earth or tincture which greedily embraced ãâã anima together with its spirit and turned to a ruddinesââ in twelve dayes and nights but had no tinging quality ãâã yet saving Mercury vive and Saturn it transmuted inââ Lune which Lune at the separating yielded three Graiââ ãâã Gold I proceeded further with my imbibition and carrieâ all the seven parts of anima into at the fourth imbibiââoâ one part of my work ting'd ten parts of Copper into Gold at the fifth imbibition one part tinged hundred parts at thâ sixth it tinged thousand parts at the seventh it tinged teâ thousand parts Thus God be praised my work ended succesfully with great joy of my heart at this time I got oâ the true Medicine four ounces half an ounce and one dram The two last in the ponderosity were almost equaâ unto the first out of this my work I paid for Land and Ground to that Noble Gentleman O. V. D. 48000 Gilders Actumâ 1607. These things I set down for a memorandum thaâ I should not forget any of the manuals and of other thingâ necessary for the work God be praised for evermore Amen An exact work how Mercury vive is coagulated and brought unto a Lunar fixation which Lune holds Sol also in the trial TAke of Mercury vive two ounces of pulverised common Sulphur six ounces grinde these in a wooden dish with a wooden Pestil set it on a Coal-fire in a melting pot stirring it about continually ler all the Sulphur evaporate then take forth the Mercury grinde an equal quantity of Sulphur with it proceed with its heating as formerly iterate this work five times then sublime this Mercury per gradus ignis take out âhis sublimate break it in pieces of the bigâesse of a small Nut or bean imbibe them in the white of Eggs then take a comenting pot put ashes into it in the midst of it set an Iron box stratifie into it this sublimate with refined silver fill up the box then lute an Iron lid to it put ashes on the lid lute an earthen lid upon that set this pot into a sand Capel let your first fire be gentle for twelve hours then encrease your fire for twelve hours more at last make a forcible fire for 24 hours then break open the Pot you will finde a black gray matter carry it on Lead of four ounces you will get three ounces of fix silver separate this fine silver in aquaefort you will finde a good deal of black Gold Calx reserve the silver Calx apart you may stratifie with it another time Thus far I went in my experience The fifth and last part Of the last TESTAMENT Of FRIAR BASILIUS VALENTINUS Treating of the transcendent and most precious and wonderfull Medicine which the great Creator hath put into Metalline and Mineral Salts for the benefit of man to keep him in perfect health continually LONDON Printed Anno Domini MDCLVI The fifth and last part Of the last TESTAMENT Of FRIAR BASILIUS VALENTINUS BEfore I begin to speak of the Salts of Metals and Minerals and declare their volumes and other precious and noble growth under ground in the first place I will prefix the preparation of aurum potabile because therein lieth the Corona of Medicinals Universaliter and meriteth the first place because Salts of other Metals and Minerals in their innate vertues are for particulars onely and are ordained for to preserve man in health and there is just cause to begin with the making of auâum potabile without sophistication and will speak of the distinction of it that it may be judged infallibly to be the true one This being my last part and my intention is to make a perfect relation of aurum potabile for the benefit of good and understanding men whom God after my death will rejoyce with this my book which upon tedious and laborious experience I wrote wherein I speak not by