simple fire they would be so like that one could not be known from another but the manifold variety of forms interceding hath introduced the same among the creatures From this it may easily be gathered why so many and so various forms of Metals are found and wherefore there is none like unto another CHAP. III. Of the spirit or tincture of ☉ NOw we come to the spirits of the Planets or Metals The spirit or tincture of the Sun taketh its beginning from a pure subtil and perfect fire whereby it cometh to pass that it far excelleth all other spirits and tinctures of Metals for it remaineth constantly fixed in the fire out of which it flyeth not neither is it consumed thereby much less burnt but rather appeareth more cleere faire and pure by it also no heat nor cold can hurt it nor no other accident as in the other spirits or tinctures of Metals and for this cause the body which it once putteth on it defendeth from all accidents and diseases that it may be able to sustain the fire without detriment This body hath not this power and virtue in it self but from the spirit of the Sun which is included therein for we know that the Sun is the body of Mercury and that this body cannot sustain nor suffer this fire but flyeth from it when as it doth not fly from the fire when it is in the Sun but remaineth constant and fixed therein This affordeth unto us a most certain Judgement that it receiveth such a constancy from his spirit or tincture wherefore if that spirit can be in this Mercury every one may judge that it may worke the same in the bodies of men when it is received of them as we have sufficiently spoken in our Magna Chirurgia of the tincture of the Sun that it will not onely restore and preserve them that use it from infirmities but also preserve them to sound and long life In like manner the strength virtues of all other Metals are to be known from true experience not from the wisdom of men and of the world which is foolishness with God his truth and all those who do build upon that wisdom and repose their hope thereupon are miserably deceived CHAP. IV. Of the tincture and Spirit of the ☽ HAving now spoken of the tincture of the Sun it remaineth that we come now to speak of the tincture of the Moon and of the white tincture which is also created of a perfect spirit but less perfect then the spirit of the Sun Nevertheless it excelleth the tinctures of all other Metals following both in purity subtilty which is very well known to all that treat of the Moon and also to Rusticks for it suffereth not rust neitheir is it consumed by the fire as all other Metals as Saturn which fly from the fire but this doth not from whence it may be gathered that this tincture is far more excellent then the other following for it preserveth its body that it assumeth constantly in the fire without any accident or detriment and from hence it is sufficiently manifest if this in his own corruptible body by himself maketh Mercury what will it be able to effect being extracted from it self into another body will not that also save and defend from infirmities and accidents after the same manner Yes surely if it make this Mercury in its own body it will do the same in the bodies of men neither doth it onely preserve health but causeth long life and cureth diseases and infirmities even in those who subsist beyond the ordinary course of nature for the more high subtile and perfect the medicine is so much the better and more perfectly it cureth wherefore they are Ignorant Physitians who practice their Art onely upon vegetables as herbs and such-like things which are easily corrupted and by these they endeaour to effect bring to pass such workes as are firme and stable but in vain whenas they occupy the Aire But wherefore should we speake much concerning these They never learned any better things in their Universities therefore if they have been compelled so to learn and study from their beginning they think it a great disgrace to them to do otherwise for the future whereby it comes to pass that they still continue in their old Ignorance CHAP. V. Of the spirit of ♀ WE have even now made mention of a white spirit or candid tincture now we come to speake of a Red spirit which is derived out of a Gross Elementary mixture of the superiours to which also it is joyned is of a more perfect substance then the spirits and tinctures of the other subsequent Metals because it endureth the fire longer then the other and is not so soon melted or dissolved as the other spirits which follow Also the ayre and the humidity of the fire are not so nocent unto it as unto Mars by reason whereof it doth the longer endure the fire This power and property hath Venus that is his body from the spirit that is infused into it Now the same effect that it worketh in its own body that is in Venus the same effects it also produeth in the bodies of men so far forth as nature hath granted unto it for it preserveth wounds in such manner so that no accident can invade them nor the Air or water hurt them and expelleth all such diseases as are under the degree thereof This spirit also breaketh the bodies of Metals so that they will endure the hammer and also in the bodies of men when it is taken of them with whom it agreeth not it effecteth things not convenient Wherefore it is very necessary that the Physitian that desires to make use of these spirits be very expert in the knowledge of Metals Therefore it is far better to use the more perfect spirits which may be taken without any such feare of danger nevertheless seeing the spirits of the Sun and Moon are dear and precious so that every one is not able to accomplish them to perform cures with therefore every one must take according to his ability what he is able to attain unto also every one is not so wealthy that he can be able to prepare these medicines therefore he is forced to take such as he can have Every one may from hence easily gather that the Metallike medicines do far exceed vegetables and Animals in strength and power of curing and healing And thus-much of the spirit of Venus CHAP. VI. Of the Spirit of ♂ THat we may now come to speake of the Spirit of Mars that is of a more Gross and combustible mixture of Elements then the other spirits going before but the Spirit of Mars is endued with a greater hardness then the other Metals so that it doth not so easily melt and dissolve in the fire as the other following But it suffers much hurt both by the water and the Aire so that it is consumed by them and is burnt with the
are not to credit all Letters Characters or Words but to keep to those onely which are true and have been often proved and taken out of the Foundation of Truth That we may come to these and declare what Words or Characters are just and true we shall onely in the first place detect and unfold two although there may be found many other yet nevertheless these are most especially and principally to be accounted and esteemed of before all other Characters Pentacles and Seals note the delineation of them which is thus Two Triangular Figures cutting one another thorow with a cross are so painted or engraven that they do include and divide themselves into seven spaces within and do make six corners outwardly wherein are written six wonderful Letters of the great Name of God to wit Adonay according to their true order This is one of those Characters whereof we have spoken There is another which excelleth the former in power and virtue and this hath three Hooks cutting one another through by a cross and are so delineated that by their mutual intersection they include six spaces and outwardly five angles wherein are written five syllables of the supream name of God to wit Tetragrammaton also according to their true order I would have put down the Figures themselves but because you may happily finde them in many other places and Books I have the rather omitted them By these two Characters some of the Israelites and Nigromancers of Judea obtained many things and they are now esteemed of great price amongst very many and held as great secrets for they are of so great virtue and power that whatsoever is possible to be done by Characters and Words the same may be effected by them or one of them I would gladly know where and in what place in all the Books of the Nigromancers may be found any other wherein there is made the like against the malignant Spirits Devils Inchantments of the Magitians by all the deceits and devices of the Sorcerers For they do deliver him that is already inchanted either in his minde or understanding so that he is forced or compelled to act any thing against his own natural will or nature or if he suffer any loss or hurt in his body by the administration of these made in their just and due time and hour and being taken in his mouth with a Wafer Pancake or such-like thing in four and twenty hours he shall be free from the Inchantment There are also many other thing which are helpful in such cases as those which shall be by me laid down hereafter when I come to speak of Tempests and the Seasons Briefly these Characters are of so great force and power that if the Nigromancers did but know and believe their power and and virtue they would forthwith reject and cast away all other things even all their other Characters Words Names Signs Figures Pentacles consecrated Seals of Solomon Crowns Scepters Rings Girdles and such-like Ceremonies whatsoever and wherein hitherto they have reposed any hope thinking by them to secure themselves from their dangerous experiments and operations when they would invoke conjure or think to compel and force the Spirits Truely those which we have spoken of are the true Pentacles to be had and used against all unclean Spirits which they do all fear even they which wander in the Elements Nevertheless Faith doth strengthen and confirm all these things But some may carpingly object although undeservingly and say That I break the third Commandment of God of the first Table of Moses wherein it is forbidden of the Lord God for any one to take his name in vain But who amongst any wise men can be able to say That I have done this or that I have herein offended God whenas I use not this for that purpose nor after the same manner as the Nigromancers and Inchanters but onely for the extream necessity and help of men and in those diseases and infirmities wherein no Medicines no Aurum potabile nor quintessence of Gold neither Antimony nor no such secret can help them although they are of very great virtue and efficacy It becometh a Physitian to know the original cause of all diseases that he may know which proceeds from evil meat or drink as from Apples Herbs and other fruits of the Earth and it is expedient for him to know the secrets of Herbs and Roots c. whereby the disease may be cured But if it happen under the cause of Minerals such diseases are to be expelled by the secrets of those Metals which the secrets of Herbs and Roots do not admit of and have not power to do In like manner if diseases do proceed from the influences of Heaven neither of the secrets aforesaid are able to profit any thing in the cure thereof but it must be expelled by Astronomy and the heavenly influences as it is written of Parsicaria Lastly if any disease or grief happen or be inflicted upon any man in a supernatural manner by Inchantment or some Magical Sorceries none of those three remedies aforespoken of will help them but there must be a Magical remedy whereby it may be expelled as we have before delivered Many men who have in this kinde been made miserable through inchantments have also hitherto been forsaken and cast off by the Ignorant Physitians because these things hitherto were hidden unto them And if they chance to be told them of others they will answer that if they should use them they should act against God and take his name in vain and that this which I have done hath no truth in it But if I should use these things to the hurt or prejudice of man I should Blaspheme against God or if I should Conjure any Spirits man herbe roote or stone c. by his name it might then justly be said that I did take his name in vain and offend God but not before Let the Divines themselves also and the Sophisters speake what they list to these things the thing which I speake will not be found contrary to the truth although herein their opinions may be very contrary unto me they will call me Inchanter Nigromancer and a contemner of the Commandments of God which Calumnies and reproches I do not at all care for for it will be most certainly made manifest that their exceptions against me will appeare no otherwise then those of the Jews and Pharisees who carped against Christ because he healed the sicke on the Sabbath day For they said unto him that Christ had broke the Sabbath and the commandment of God the like they did with David when he was forced and oppressed and did eat the shew-bread But amongst these fault-finders and slanderers how or what shall be done that will please them all But the Ignorant will not cease to talke until the beasts or stones can teach them which we must expect will be a long time and then they will hold their peace CHAP. IV.
Sabbath night Also if any lights do appear and seem to fall about those places and there their light is extinguished and goeth out and somtimes there seeme to be great flashes of wind in their house whose the treasure is and where it is hid and there are seene many visions and strange Phantasies and many strange Rumors and noises are there heard Where such things happen they are heard and do shew themselves most commonly about the middle time of the night And the cause of these noises and sights are commonly that there is treasure hid in or about that place neither is there any other reason thereof to be given Nevertheless many who have not understood these things have had many various opinions hereof Some have thought that these Phantasies have been caused by the devil or by some Inchantment or by some in that house who have some worke or famliarity with the Devil or who have given or bound themselves to the devil or have made some promise unto him whereby it comes to pass that that wicked and malignant accuser causeth these things to be seene and heard that they might expect the expiration of their dayes which he doth so much desire should be fulfilled Others do believe that some have been secretly died and buryed there others do thinke that some wicked man hath died in that place whose Spirit hath been forced to wander thereabouts and there have been other various and sundry opinions But all these Judgements are vaine and false except onely those who conclude that the occasion of the noises are that there is treasure hid about that place or that sometimes when the devil hath been driven out of som body that he hath possessed he hath been permitted to stay about that place but where those noises are it is a great Testimony that there is treasure hid there There are two kinds of treasures hid some that may be found and some that cannot be gotten the difference whereof is this such is easie to be found which containeth the Metals of Gold and silver and are such kinde as we make and have onely been used and handled amongst men that kinde of treasure is not easie to be found which is Gold and silver that is made coyned and hid by the Nymphes and Sylphes which kinde of Gold and silver doth somtimes come to be found and used amongst men and is by the Nymphes suddenly again buryed in the earth and afterwards cannot easily be found and gotten again These things are most worthy our knowledge especially the signes before spoken of are most diligently to be noted because there are Magical Rods which are deceitful and are too easily inclinable to bend to any money that is let fall or lost There are other visions also which appeare in looking-glasses Christals and such like things which Nigromancers that dig treasures do use but they are all false and deceitful wherefore there is little credit to be given unto them We come now to speake of the manner of digging for treasure how a time may be taken that we may have a happy progress in the digging which is as followeth First under an influence of the Moone or Saturn and when the Moone transits Taurus Capricorne or Virgo is a good time to begin to seeke or dig after treasure Neither need you use any other Ceremonies nor to draw any Circles or to use any Inchantments whatsoever onely those that dig must be of a cheereful minde free and alienated from any evil thoughts or cogitations and not to be moved nor feare any phantasies visions or Imaginations of the Spirits although they should corporally appeare yet they are onely visions Therefore those that dig ought to discourse sing and be cheereful and not to be affrighted at any thing but to have a good courage And by no meanes soever let them keepe silence as some perfidious Negromancers have taught Now when they come neere to the place where the Treasure is that it is almost detected and do heare many noises and strange visions and horible sights are seene which oftentimes happens to be It sheweth that the Pygmies and Sylphes are there who do envy that men should have those treasures and will not willingly part from them especially if it be their own or such as they brought thither Such treasures are to be left if the keepers thereof consent not And although they may be gotten and taken away as a Robbery from those keepers yet these keepers have an Art whereby they can change these treasures in this way gained into a vile and base matter as into earth clay dung and such-like things as I have seene by examples wherefore when any such transmutations happen we are not therefore to despaire in our mindes although we find nothing like either Gold or silver neither would any one suppose any such thing to be there We ought therefore to fly to the holy Scripture which saith thus God shall judge the world by fire and in the Psalmes thus Gold and silver are tryed in the fire and are found pure and cleane wherefore in any such transmutations the fire ought to be the judge the proceeding in the tryal thereof ought to be after the same manner as the refining and separating of minerals and Metals And by this meanes it will be forced of necessity to return to the same essence which it had before There is another thing remarkeable in these kindes of transmutations for somtimes the diggers are deluded and there are found oftentimes pots of earth full of brass ridiculous things and matter as bones egge-shells pieces of wood and such things which have been buryed there many years before And they that have found the same have supposed it to be the true treasure Gold or Silver and to have been changed by the evil Spirits which is false For treasure found suddenly and unsought for cannot be changed by the Spirits but remaineth in the same substance which it had before Therefore these things are not to be accounted a transmutation but rather a vexation for somtime these vexers of men do bury such things that they which seeke after the treasure might labour in vaine Therefore such things are not to be regarded which are of no worth and may easily be known by the lightness of their weight But if they be of a heavy and ponderous body like to a Mineral or Mineral sand there may an experiment thereof be made by fire That we may omit nothing that may conduce hereunto we will adde also this objection Some may aske How comes it to pass that Treasure is somtime easily found which is not sought after The cause whereof we may suppose to be this Those Spirits which are the keepers of treasures do best know the mindes thoughts and cogitations of men therefore because they know that men have not any thoughts or will to dig or seeke after any treasures in such a place they give no diligence to keepe the same neither do they
use other remedies which unless I should do having a due respect to the observation of time not only the Unctions and all labor besides will be vain and fruitless but they will bring the Patient into a worse condition for it is most certain that Diseases come to men for the most part from the power and influences of the Stars upon the bodies of men yet not so suddenly that the same can presently be perceived like a stripe or the Falling-sickness But they do encrease in process of time by little and little as it were a distillation as oyl causeth water to wax fat by drops falling into it A man may also perceive his own defects by the shrinking or decaying of his Members loss of Appetite to meat and drink pain c. according to the condition and property of every Disease the operations of the Stars and the accidents by the Air prepared and attracted upon us PARACELSUS Of the Mysteries of the Signes of the Zodiack Being the Magnetical and Sympathetical Cure of Diseases as they are appropriated under the Twelve Signes ruling the parts of the Body CHAP. I. Of the Common Griefs of the Head THe Common Diseases and Pains of the Head are various Some proceed from our own proper petulancy through the excess of meat and drink others come from evil vapors ascending from the Stomach to the Head and they proceed from several Causes which in this place we intend not to treat of but only of the more grievous Diseases of the Head which follow CHAP. II. Of the Falling-Evil THe first thing to be taken notice of in this Disease is the signs of the Falling whether they happen at certain equal times months dayes and hours and how often or whether they be unequal happening at divers times and whether a little before they fall the Patients do use to shake and stagger a little or whether they fall to the ground suddenly and unawares which being perceived if they fall at certain times and hours then the Disease doth not take them so suddenly neither do they presently fall But if it come at unequal times and hours the contrary will be seen to happen to wit the falling comes upon them unawares The first kind to wit when there is a little shaking and staggering before the fall is mortal But if they perceive the fall before it come the Disease is accounted not to be so dangerous but more Curable which proceedeth not from Nature as the first nor is not common therewith wherfore it less weakeneth The first brings Phrensie and Madness but the other is a falling Disease The Cure of these is thus First Consider in what day and what hour he Fell the last time and write it then see what Planet rules that hour also the sign and degree of the Patient are to be known Then the yeers of the Patient are to be numbred and his Sex which also keep noted in writing then give this Medicine every day in the morning to drink which followes ℞ of the Spirit of Vitriol Quintessence of Antimony each 5 drops Quintessence of Pearle 4 drops Give all these in the morning to the Patient to drink in a little draught of Rose-water and let him fast four hours afterwards Let him use this proceeding by the space of 29 dayes and in the mean time prepare the Lamen following made after this manner The Figure being now prepared according to the directions after a Fit cometh command that his Hair be shaven off from the Crown of his Head according to the Latitude of the Lamen Then presently where he fell and lieth with art and industry pour some of the Secret before prescribed into his mouth and so hold him that it may descend into his Stomach then forthwith apply the Lamen to the place shaven so that the Sculpture may touch the naked flesh and let it be bound on that it fall not off which being done let the Patient be carried to some place where he may quietly sleep And after that Fall without doubt he will never Fall more although he hath had the Disease 30 yeers But let him alwayes wear the Lamen about his neck and shave his Hair at every Months end in the same place where they were first shaven CHAP. III. Some other Figures to Preserve the Sight MAke thee a round Lamen of the best Lead in the hour of ♀ the ☽ being in the Signe ♈ and in the same hour to wit in the hour of ♀ engrave the Signes and Letters which you see written in the following Figure Afterwards in the hour of ♄ make a Copper Lamen of the same Quantity and Form as the Leaden one when ☽ is in the signe ♑ the Characters which you see in the Figure are to be engraven And then both Figures are to be kept and preserved so long until ♀ comes into Conjunction with ♄ and then in the point of the Conjunction both the Figures are to be conjoyned together so that the Characters and Signes may mutually touch one another then close them fast with Wax that they receive no moisture and sew them up in a piece of Silk and hang it about the Neck of the Patient on the day and hour of ☿ This is the best Remedy to recover the Sight of the Eyes and to preserve the Eyes from Pain and Diseases It preserveth the Sight in old Age as perfect as it was in youth To Preserve the Sight CHAP. IV. Against Driness in the Brain and other Diseases in the Head TAKE of the following Metals well refined Of Gold ʒ ss Of Silver ʒ ii Of Copper ʒ i. Of Tynne ℥ iii. Let them be all melted together in the point of the new Moon then pour them out and of that Mass make a piece of Plate of what Latitude you will After that these Metals have been melted together they must not be put into the fire any more When the Planet ♃ is in his own House to wit in ♓ let these Characters and Signes be engraven in the inner-side of the Money and in the back-side of the Money let those words be written which you see in the following Figure in the superior part of the Circumference of the Money then let there be made a Ring of pure Gold and affixed thereunto when the Moon is declining for it to be hanged by it matters not in what day the Ring be made so that it be done in the hour of ☉ This Money being thus prepared let it be hanged about the Neck of the Patient in the point of the new Moon It is of wonderful operation against all Diseases of the Head and Brain For Diseases of the Brain CHAP. V. Against the Palsey a most excellent Secret FOr the Consolation of those that are afflicted with the Fits of the Palsey to write a Remedy thereof that not without cause it may be called my Archidox seeing it excelleth all other Cures Although some Ancients have thought but falsely that this Disease is
nor less then equal is to be taken lest it hindreth or altogether destroyeth the whole worke For the seed is suffocated with superfluity that it cannot live so long until it be joyned and fixed to the Philosophers Mercury But if there be too little that it cannot be dissolved into a body it is also destroyed that it cannot be able to bring forth any fruit wherefore the Artificer ought certainly to know how much of the one and the other ought to be taken if he would bring this worke to its perfect end the Receipt thereof is this Take one part to two or three to four and thou canst not erre but shalt attain to thy desired end CHAP. III. Of the form of the Instruments of Glass THe Materials being thus rightly and duly prepared and mixt together then you must have Glass-vessels of due proportion and even fitness and capacity neither too great nor too little but fit For if the vessels be too big the Female that is the flegme is dispersed and lost whereby it comes to pass that the seed cannot bring forth where the vessels are too little the growth is suffocated that it cannot come to fruit no otherwise but as if seed should be sowne under trees or under thornes so that it cannot bud and spring up but perisheth without any fruit therefore no little error may happen by the vessels which being once committed cannot be any more mended in the same worke neither can that worke be perfected or brought to any good end Wherefore note what follows to wit that you take three ounces with the half and four pounds so the proceeding is right and you shall preserve the matter that it be not dispersed nor the Phlegme nor the generation impedited c. CHAP. IV. Of the properties of the fire WHen you have placed the matter in fit vessels you shall carefully keep and maintain the natural heat that the externall heat do not overcome or abound over the internal for if the heat be too much there can be no conjunction made by reason that the matter is dispersed and burnt by the vehemency of the heat so that no good ariseth thereby Wherefore the middle region of the air is by nature ordained between heaven and earth otherwise the Sun and Stars would burn up all the creatures upon the earth so that nothing could be produced or spring forth from it therefore so work that you put such an Airy part or distance between the matter and the fire after this manner let it be done that the heat may not easily do hurt any wayes nor disperse the matter much-less burn it but if the fire be too little and not quick enough the Spirit then resteth the fire nothing operating upon its humidity neither will it be exsiccated nor fixed for the Spirits of Metals are dead of themselves and do rest so that they cannot at all operate of themselves unless they are quickned by the fire It is no otherwise in the great Universe of the world where seed being cast into the earth is dead and cannot grow nor increase of it self unless it be quickned by the heat of the Sun It is chiefly necessary therefore in this worke to erect and build the fire right and proportionably neither too great nor too little otherwise this worke will never be brought to a perfect and desired end CHAP. V. Of the Signes appearing in the union of Conjunction THe fire being moderately kept maintained the matter by little and little will be moved to blackness afterwards when the dryness begins to worke upon the humidity there will likewise arise in the Glass various flowers of divers colours such as appeare like the taile of a Peacocke and such as no man ever saw before Also somtimes the Glass appeareth as if it were almost drawn into Gold which being perceived it sheweth certainly that the seed of the Male doth rule and operate upon the seed of the Female and that the same is fixed together that is this Mercury is fixed and worketh upon the quick Mercury and beginneth to be mixed with it afterwards when the humidity begins to weare away by the dryness those colours do disperse and the matter then beginneth at length to wax white and so proceedeth until it come to the highest degree of whiteness But especially it is to be noted that the thing is not to be hastened according to their opinions who suppose such work to be like unto that which is discerned in the production of corn and of mankind to wit the time of bringing forth the one is in the Space of nine moneths the other ten or twelve moneths For so soon the Sun and Moon do cause Maturity and bring to the birth as the infant from the belly of his Mother so the grain from the bowells of the earth For it is to be known that every thing that is quickly or hastily made or born doth soon perish An example hereof both men herbs do afford They which are soonest produced or born their life is short it is not so with the Sun and Moon for they cause a far more perfect nature in men whereby it comes to pass that they produce long life to them and preserve them from many accidents and diseases CHAP. VI. Of the knowledge of the perfect Tincture IN the foregoing chapter we have set forth how the matter it self worketh by degrees but in this we shall declare by what means it may be known when it is perfect Thus do take the white stone of the Moon by which the white springeth and separate a little peece from it with a paire of Scissars and put it upon a plate of Copper heating it glowing hot in the fire if it smoke then the stone is not perfect therefore it must remain longer in the decoction until the stone come to its degree of perfection but if it do not smoke then be assured it is perfect the same is to be done with the Red stone of the Sun in the degrees of the operation thereof CHAP. VII To Augment or Multiply the Tinctures WHen you would Multiply or increase the Tincture you have found mixt it together again with common Mercury and worke it in all things as at first and double one part a hundred times more then it was coloured before this do often-times over again until you have as much matter as you will and by how much the longer it remaineth in the fire by so much the higher and more sublime will the degrees thereof be so that one part thereof will change the infinity of the quick Mercury into the best and most perfect Luna and Sol. Now you have the whole progression from the beginning to the end wherewith we end this second Treatise and begin the third The end of the second Treatise In the second Treatise we have told how the Tinctures or Leavens ought to be made in the third we shall declare and amply set forth wherewith the Tinctures of
the Sun and Moon are made and after what manner Sol and the other Planets ought to be made to wit with the Furnace and the Fire CHAP. I. Of the building of the Furnace and of the Fire MErcurius Hermes Trismegistus saith That he which would perfect this Art must as it were build a new World for after the same manner as God created the Heaven and Earth the Furnace with the Fire is to be built and governed That is to say after this manner First Let there be a Furnace built of the height of six spans extended from the top of the fingers to the thumb and in breadth one handful in the inside let it be round and plain lest the Coals cleave unto it from whence let it a little decline to the border thereof and let there be holes left underneath four fingers broad and let every hole of the Furnace be supplied with a Copper Cauldron to contain the Water Afterwards take good and hard Coals which you shall break in Gobbets about the bigness of a Walnut with these fill the long Furnace which then is to be stopped up that they may not burn out And afterwards let some Coals be kindled to the holes below if the Fire be too great lay a stone before it if too little stir the Coals with an Iron-instrument that they may be pierced with the Air and the Heat may be increased This way you may keep your Fire according to the true Exigency of Nature neither too excessive nor too small but most fit and apt for the motion of the Matter this is compared to the Firmament There is also in this place another Firmament to wit the Matter contained in the Glass after which followeth the form of the World Therefore the Furnace is to be placed as the Sun in the great World which giveth Light Life and Heat to the universal Furnace and all Instruments and to all other things whatsoever concluded under it CHAP. II. Of the Conjunction of the Male with the Female HAving now treated of the Furnace and the Fire wherein the Tinctures are to be prepared now we intend largely to write how the Man and Woman do agree and how they are joyned together that is to say after this manner Take the Mercury of the Philosophers prepared and mundified in its highest degree this resolve with his Wife to wit with quick Mercury as the Woman receiveth the Man and as the Man cleaveth to the Woman and even as a Man loveth his Wife and the Woman loveth her Husband so do the Philosophers Mercury and the quick Mercury prosecute the greatest love and are moved by Nature with a great affection towards us So therefore the one and the other Mercuries are conjoyned each to other and one with another even as the Man with the Woman and she with him according to their bodies that there is no difference between them and they are congruent in their strength and proprieties save onely that the Man is firm and fixed but the Woman is volatile in the Fire And for this Cause the Woman is united to the Man so that she receiveth the Man and he fixeth and fastneth her firm and constant in any balance as it followeth They are both to be so close luted and covered that the Woman may not evaporate or breath out otherwise the whole Work will come to nothing CHAP. III. Of the Copulation of the Male and Female WHen you have placed the Man and the Wife in the Matrimonial Bed if you would that he may operate upon her so that she may bring forth it is necessary and must be that the Man have his operation upon the Woman so that the seed of the Woman may be coagulated and joyned together into a Mass by the seed of the Man otherwise it produceth no Fruit. CHAP. IV. Of the Philosophical conjunction of the Man and Woman AFterwards if you perceive the Woman to be of a black colour then certainly be assured that she hath conceived and is made pregnant and when the seed of the Woman embraceth the seed of the Man this is the first Signe and Key of this whole Art therefore be careful continually to preserve the natural Heat and the blackness will appear and be dispersed and consumed away by the natural Heat as one Worm eateth and devoureth another and continueth consuming so long until there be no more blackness left CHAP. V. Of the black Colour THe blackness manifestly appearing then know that the Woman is pregnant but when the Peacocks Tail begins to appear that is when many various colours will appear in the Glass it sheweth the working of the Philosophers Mercury upon the vulgar Mercury and stretcheth out her Wings until she hath overcome it Therefore when the driness operates upon the moisture these Colours do appear CHAP. VI. Of the Buds springing and appearing in the Glass VVHen you perceive these various Colours then be constant in your work continuing the Fire until the Colour of the Peacock's Tail be fully consumed and until the Matter of the Moon appear white and candid as Snow and that the Vessel hath brought it to the very degree of its perfection Then at last break a little piece thereof and put it on a Copper-plate in the Fire if it remain constant and firm and keep its Tincture it is then brought to the most perfect substance of Luna This King hath strength and power not onely to transmute and change all metals but also to cure all diseases and infirmities This King is laudable and adorned with many vertues and with so great power that he can transmute and change Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn and Mercury into the most constant Luna to every touch-stone and also frees and delivers the bodies of men from infinite diseases as from Fevours Feebleness Leprosie the French disease or Morbus Gallicus and from a great many other infirmities and diseases which no Herbs Roots or the like Medicines can possibly Cure or take away Whosoever maketh daily use of this Medicine shall attain to and preserve himself in a sound and perfect long life CHAP. VII Of the red Colour AFter this King is indued with a perfect whiteness the Fire is constantly to be continued until the whiteness begins to take a yellow Colour which Colour follows next after the whiteness for by how much the longer the Heat worketh upon the white and dry Matter the more Yellow and Saffron-like groweth the Colour until it come to perfect redness which by degrees the Fire worketh to the highest degree of the red Colour then is the substance of Gold prepared and there is born an oriental King sitting in his Throne and ruling over all the Princes of the World CHAP. VIII Of the augmentation or multiplication hereof THe multiplication of this Matter is to be after this manner to wit let it be resolved into its moisture and then put the Fire to it to the height as at first and it will work upon its
Prophets From whence had the Prophets their wisdome and knowledge and from whence were those Mysteries of God revealed unto them by which they had those Spiritual and supernatural visions in dreams It is necessary therefore in the first place to the finde out the true foundation thereof and to lay the same upon the right stone which is the word of God and his promises and to pray daily unto God whereby it shall come to pass that he will give us all things which he hath promised in his word There is also another vision belonging to dreams which we may take from them that are dead and do appear spiritually unto us in dreâ—ms although they have been dead fifty or 〈◊〉 hundred years this is very much to be taken â—…to consideration for many have undertaken 〈◊〉 treat thereof which for their too much proâ—…ity which we endeavour to avoid we will pass them by reserving them to their place Nevertheless this I will declare viz. Where it happeneth that one of these Ghosts do appeare it is most necessary diligently to note and marke what he sheweth unto us what he speaketh with us about or doth spiritually Negotiate and not always to account thereof as fables For if it were possible for a man to retaine the same reason sleeping which he hath waking that he could aske and enquire of such a Spirit he should know the truth from him about all his desires whatsoever But it 's not needful to speake any more largely in this place concerning this thing Of Persons and Spirits wandring under the Earth UNder the Earth do wander half-men which possess all temporal things which they want or are delighted with they are Vulgarly called Gnomi or Inhabiters of the Mountains but by their proper name they are called Sylphes or Pigmies They are not Spirits as others are but are compared unto them for the Similitude of their Arts and Industry which are common to them with the Spirits they have flesh and blood as men which no real Spirit hath as Christ spoke unto his Disciples when he came amongst them when the doores were shut and they were affraid saying Feele me and touch me for a Spirit hath not flesh and blood nor bones as I have By this he himself hath taught us that a Spirit hath no true body that can be touched nor bones nor flesh nor blood but existeth in its own essence of winde or Aire But of this we have briefly spoken enough But to return to the earthly Pigmies or halfe-men we are to know that these are not to be reputed Spirits but like to Spirits but if they are or shall be called Spirits they ought to be called earthly Spirits because they have their Chaos and habitation under the earth and not in the winde and Aire as the other Spirits have Many terrene earthly Spirits are found seen and heard to be in such places wherein great treasures and mighty store of wealth and Riches are hid and also under those Mountains where there is plenty of Gold and Silver with which things they are delighted and do take the care and custody thereof and not willingly do they part from it Such as digge Metals have the best knowledge of these Spirits for they are most troubled with them and do vexe them and much persecute them with blowes and stripes somtimes also they do afford benefits unto them admonishing them and warning them of death as when they are heard once twice thrice or oftener to Knock and strike in the same place it signifies the death of him that diggeth or laboureth in that place either he is buryed up by the fall of the Mountain or dyeth by some such occasion this is certainly experienced by them that do digge in Mines These Spirits are worst against those who do not appear to be Devils and chiefly against those which they hate but between these Spirits and the Devil there is a great difference because he dyeth not but these perish after they have lived a long life otherwise they might be called Spirits for this reason but that which hath flesh and blood is obnoxious to death and ought once to die There is another thing which we shall more largely declare from the common proverb whereby it is reported that the Devil aboundeth in Riches and possesseth much wealth money gold and silver and to have all treasures hidden in the earth under his power and to give out of them what he will to them that make any Covenant with him And from hence that common saying tooke its beginning that the Devil for this very cause giveth not onely Riches plentifully and every thing that he desireth gold or silver to any one that prescribeth himself unto him giveth up himself solely to be his so as to renounce and forget his Creator But I say that all these things are lyes and fained fables without any foundation or ground which ought to be rejected of every discreet and wise man For the devil is the poorest of all creatures so that there is no creature so miserable poore above or under the earth or in all the other Elements Neither hath he any money nor Riches nor any power over them how then can he give to this or that person that which he possesseth not But he is infinitely skilful and cunning in Arts and hath power to give and to teach them to those he favoreth and that he can wrest away and delude with his deceit he hath no money neither gold nor silver can he give to any one neither doth he ever take or require any bonds or obligations from men sealed with their blood or any other compact or Covenant But there are other Spirits which do such things such as are the Sylphes or Pygmies which although they are persons that are little by nature yet they can appear to men as they will great or little faire deformed rich or poore they are not defective nor wanting of knowledge in all kinde of Arts that are or can be found out in all the light of nature but they have them and contain the knowledge of them all within themselves they have enough of gold and silver and the mines of all Metals under their power and custody In old times many of them have been found and heard amongst men but now they cease but no man hitherto hath known or could give a reason of their severing and separation seeing they have alwayes been esteemed to be Immortal creatures because no man could certainly be able to know or finde out their death or could consider any cause of their absence neither could any man for a long time be able to know what they now are or whence they proceeded or whither they wander or what gift or office they have Many do suppose that where they bring any benefits or good to men that they are Angels or good and familiar Spirits sent to those men from God and are afterwards by him taken from them by
reason of the greatness of their sins for oftentimes they bring to men very many good offices and benefits and do undertake and sustaine many hard labours for them Others believe that they will not be seen by us because that when a man seeth them he cryeth out so that they vanish away and will not appear any more Many that do see or hear these Spirits suppose that they are the Spirits and soules of men that have come to an evil death so that they have either desperately drowned or hanged themselves or killed themselves some other wayes and departing from God their Saviour have given themselves to the devil and for that cause do wander about and are reserved by the devil unto the day of the last Judgement There have been some who have supposed that they are vaine Phantasies and that they have fore-shown and presaged much good fortune to those places wherein they have been seen or heard which many times also hath so happened and come to pass but for the most part faith effecteth it for of their own nature they do not bring any fortune unless God compelleth them or our faith And on the contrary they are not able to cause any misfortune unless it be by the permission of God And many do thinke that they are the Inchantments of the Magicians There are others who having seen and heard them about treasures have judged that they are the Spirits of men who have hid treasures in that place and ought to remain there until the the Last Judgement or untill their custody thereof is found out and this opinion they receive from the words of Christ where he saith Where your treasure is there will your hearts be also But I do not see any reason why they should understand the heart for the Spirit but that there is much difference between them wherefore I say that all the Judgements which are spoken of before are but false opinions when as these are to be understood to be halfe-men that bear rule and wander in the four Elements and in the first and pristine times of nature they have been taken and worshipped in stead of God These are they of whom God Almighty admonisheth us in that Commandment of the first Table saying that we shall not have any other Gods but him neither in the waters where the Nymphs are understood nor under the Earth by which he meaneth Sylphes or Pygmies For the Lord our God is a jealous God and for such an offence punisheth the sins of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth generation The Mountain of Venus in Italy was much possessed with these Spirits for Venus her self was a Nymph and that Mountain was by a comparison as her Kingdome and Paradice But she is dead whereby her Kingdome ceaseth to be but where or in what place is there any mention heard to be made of them as in former time when Danhanserus and many others entred in unto them Neither did they Invent these fables they were of such a nature and condition that they loved all men that loved them and hated them that hated them wherefore they gave Arts and Riches in abundance to them who prescribed and bound themselves to them and they know both our minds and thoughts whereby it comes to pass that they are easily moved by us to come to us I do not say this that I would give this Counsel to any one but that the true ground and foundation thereof might be known and the true difference which is between the devil and these Semi-homines The devil hath not any body unless he take any thing to himself from the four Elements for he hath neither flesh nor blood he remaineth perpetual not subject to any infirmities or a finite death wherefore he dieth nor but the Pygmies do nevertheless they are both subject to a natural and everlasting death and are both deprived of everlasting life wherefore whosoever giveth or subscribeth himself unto them the same event happeneth unto him as to them Let every one therefore have a special care unto himself and consider well what he doth before he subscribeth himself for he suddenly doth that whereby he shall alwayes be compelled to be obedient unto them and to fulfill all their commands And if he shall chance to be disobedient unto them or anger them they very much impaire or totally destroy and take away his life there have been found many examples of this kinde to wit sometimes men have been found dead their neckes turned about or otherwise miserably handled where any such thing hath happened it hath hitherto commonly been said that the Devil hath done this for this cause either that the man hath not kept his promise and compact with him or that the time which he covenanted and subscribed himself unto him for is expired and that now he receiveth his last reward But these opinions do not proceed from the fountaine of truth for the office of the Devil containeth no such thing in his power but rather he suggesteth unto men evil thoughts and Cogitations whereby he draweth them away from obeying the will and commandments of God by which means he maketh them to be the greatest sinners and to forget and deny God their Creator and afterwards draweth them into despaire so that they cannot any more be able to pray unto God wherefore the Elementary Spirits are most like unto the devil and oftentimes they are executioners of the wrath and vengeance of God nevertheless they do oftentimes also admonish and warne us and do watch over us and defend us from many dangers and sometimes do deliver some from prison and afford to men many other helps Wherefore such men as are burdened and overwhelmed with grief and sorrowful Imaginations are not to be left alone but ought to be entertained with various and pleasant discourse which may delight their mindes and expel their sorrow The Devils likewise are in these cases not idle but as busie as those terrene Spirits do easily tempt such kinde of men From hence it comes to pass that some people especially women in child-bed have been so oppressed in the night in their sleepe that they have thought themselves to be as it were strangled neither could they possibly cry out or call any helpe but in the Morning have reported that they were Ridden by a hag And they are still accounted to be witches or Inchanters that do this whereas their bodies cannot possibly enter into the chambers where the doores and Windowes are shut but the Sylphes and Nymphes easily can O thou of little faith as doubtful as Peter who sufferest thy self to be tossed with every winde and art easily drowned thou thy self art the cause hereof by reason of thy little dubious and weake faith also thy evil thoughts do draw thee unto this Thou hast also in thy self a secret Magnes that attracteth every like This is the Celestial Load-stone above all others which attracteth Iron and steel
by evil Spirits and the great abuse which hitherto hath been committed by many in such kinde of business NOw to come to speake of the driving away of evil Spirits it is to be known that very few since the times of Christ and his Apostles have rightly been driven away For they knew not how to use any other meanes but Ceremonyes and Conjurations wherewith they endeavored to expel the malignant Spirits and the devil whereas this is altogether a false foundation and by no meanes to be followed or imitated Although sometimes some have been delivered by this way and the devil hath been driven from them nevertheless it hath not been done neither can it be done without loss Like as if a Prince would vanquish some Country or City with the Sword this he could not possibly do without some apparent damage and loss to that place A common proverb hereby cometh to minde which saith That he that cannot get good words from good men shall much less wrest them from evil men although they be compelled by force the more evil is to be feared as by examples is too often seen to come to pass Therefore that opinionated power is to be relinquished which is used in Ceremonies and Conjurations But you ought to expell wicked Spirits as Christ and his Apostles did and no other way But if you do otherwise you undertake great Labours against the Devil for certainly the Devil is forced through great difficulty to go out of men and seeketh all iniquities and wicked occasions to stay and retain them in his power But when he seeth that he can no longer stay and remain in the possessed but is forced to go out then he requireth power and licence to enter into some other man or beast or into some other place which if he be permitted there followeth a greater loss thereupon Therefore there is no other place to be permitted or assigned unto him but hell from whence he cometh and which God hath ordained for him and cast him into that it may not happen as we have an example as we faithfully believe when Christ permitted the devil which he cast out of the man to enter into the herd of swine which no sooner had the devil entred into them but they were drowned in the Sea Therefore they are in no wise to be permitted to enter into any other men lest suddenly after they deprive them of their lives as they did these swine Neither are they to be permitted to go into any Rivers lakes or ponds which if it should be done they will drown many men therein and draw them into the deepe under those waters and will deride them as a fool doth his master with his fingers and therewith the devils are more delighted then before neither ought they to have any power given them or to their desires to go into any house or Castle for they will perpetually possess it and will so reigne there that no body will any more be able to dwell or inhabit in that place but they will alway be inhabitable as many both houses and Castles are in many Countries which are left desolate for this very cause many whereof I could name in this place but I pass them by to avoyd prolixity let Satan therefore aske what he will where or to what place he would go nothing else ought to be granted to him then to return into hell which God ordained for him and thrust him into from whence he came into the man and into which he ought to enter when he goeth out of the man c. Also if the devil shall cause the man to speake many vaine trifles we ought not to answer thereunto or to speake much with him But if any one will speake with him let him say I command thee Oh thou unclean Spirit by the word power and virtue whereby thou wert cast out by Christ his Apostles that thou go out of this man c. He is no other way to be conjured neither are these words to be taken for a Conjuration but for an answer by which alone he is not cast out but this is first to be done to wit to watch and pray for Christ saith This kinde is onely to be cast out by fasting and prayer with faith Wherefore it is chiefly necessary to induce and force such as are thus possest to prayer though it be very difficult to be done because the devil so Ruleth their tongues that he suffereth them not to pray Therefore there must be prayers made before them and if they will not pray with and after those that are praying they must be more sharply dealt withall That is to say the possessed must be fast bound both his hands and feete and afterwards let some other man lie across over them and shew himself to be very angry with them and severely compel them to prayer but he ought to pray before them and to exhort them to pray after him the same words By this meanes such people may be induced to pray when they cannot be brought to it by any other meanes which ought to be continued day by day and the devil will go out of them and leave them This shall suffice to have spoken concerning the casting out of uncleane and evil Spirits because I am restrained to use brevity in other places CHAP. X. Of Tempests THat we may now come to speak of the original of Tempests how they may be expelled away Also how and by what meanes any one may preserve himself and his from Thunder lightning and haile We shall declare in the first place that all Tempests do proceed from the four Capital windes viz. the East South West and North Then from the Centre of both that is to say of the Aire and Firmament there are no tempests can arise But from the four Fountaines before spoken of which comes chiefly to be considered Wherefore he that desires to preserve his goods House Lands garden field meadow and such things from all manner of thunder haile and Tempest he ought first to know these things whereby he may also know how to assimilate inferiours to Superiours We will therefore in this place briefly declare the original of all Tempests The original of tempests is certainly nothing else but the appearance of Spirits and lightning or corruscation preceding is the presence of them whereby it may be certainly known whether those tempests will pass away with or without danger and that after this manner is to be understood to wit as a stranger will not enter into any ones house unless first he speake so these Spirits do not appeare unto us without speaking first But their voice is thunder which as we see immediately follows every flash of lightning Also if a stranger should suddenly fly into the house of another where he is not known it seems to signifie no good but evil rather either he himself is prosecuted by others or else brings some damage to them So likewise