a_o exposition_n upon_o sir_n george_n ripley_n preface_n write_a by_o aeyrenaeus_n philalethes_n anglus_fw-la cosmopolita_n london_n print_v for_o william_n cooper_n at_o the_o pelican_n in_o little_a britain_n mdclxxvii_o a_o exposition_n upon_o the_o preface_n of_o sr_n george_n ripley_n canon_n of_o bridlington_n to_o pass_v over_o his_o prologue_n which_o be_v adhortatory_n to_o the_o desirous_o studious_a of_o this_o art_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o preface_n which_o be_v his_o address_n to_o god_n who_o be_v the_o only_a giver_n of_o wisdom_n to_o bestow_v upon_o he_o true_a understanding_n that_o he_o may_v lead_v his_o sinful_a life_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o he_o be_v over-swayed_n from_o what_o he_o be_v natural_o by_o he_o who_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n i_o shall_v take_v up_o his_o pattern_n for_o a_o precedent_n rather_o of_o imitation_n than_o a_o subject_a of_o exposition_n and_o first_o as_o touch_v those_o who_o shall_v bend_v themselves_o to_o this_o science_n let_v they_o resolve_v that_o they_o undertake_v a_o most_o admirable_a piece_n of_o work_n in_o which_o though_o far_o be_v it_o that_o i_o shall_v think_v that_o god_n bestow_v upon_o any_o of_o we_o what_o we_o enjoy_v for_o our_o own_o merit_n but_o of_o his_o free_a grace_n yet_o withal_o let_v i_o exhort_v any_o one_o who_o shall_v set_v his_o study_n this_o way_n to_o address_v himself_o to_o the_o author_n and_o fountain_n of_o goodness_n for_o his_o help_n that_o he_o may_v have_v grace_n to_o honour_n god_n in_o the_o use_n of_o so_o great_a a_o talon_n for_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o whomever_o god_n shall_v appoint_v to_o be_v heir_n of_o such_o a_o talon_n that_o he_o will_v give_v he_o a_o heart_n to_o improve_v it_o aright_o or_o else_o he_o will_v add_v to_o his_o judgement_n for_o the_o abuse_n of_o so_o great_a a_o blessing_n for_o whoever_o shall_v be_v wanton_a and_o dissolute_a and_o live_v without_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n what_o may_v he_o not_o do_v with_o such_o a_o art_n unless_o god_n restrain_v he_o as_o certain_o he_o will_v hide_v this_o secret_a from_o he_o or_o make_v it_o to_o he_o a_o snare_n and_o trap_n to_o betray_v his_o life_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o covetous_a man_n of_o the_o world_n as_o many_o have_v find_v it_o by_o sad_a experience_n therefore_o the_o lord_n give_v both_o i_o and_o thou_o that_o grace_n that_o he_o may_v be_v continual_o before_o our_o eye_n the_o alpha_n and_o omega_n of_o our_o thought_n word_n and_o action_n even_o so_o amen_n in_o the_o beginning_n when_o thou_o make_v all_o of_o nought_o a_o globous_a matter_n and_o dark_a under_o confusion_n by_o he_o the_o beginning_n etc._n etc._n first_o then_o cast_v thy_o eye_n upon_o the_o work_v of_o god_n and_o behold_v that_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n consider_v how_o the_o glorious_a work_n of_o creation_n be_v begin_v by_o he_o even_o by_o christ_n for_o who_o sake_n this_o very_a science_n be_v communicate_v unto_o the_o son_n of_o man_n as_o bernardus_n trevisan_n witness_v who_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o thomas_n of_o bononia_n say_v of_o this_o work_n that_o it_o be_v do_v christi_fw-la gratia_n for_o christ_n sake_n consider_v how_o out_o of_o one_o mass_n the_o lord_n god_n by_o his_o powerful_a command_n make_v all_o thing_n to_o appear_v that_o be_v in_o heaven_n or_o in_o earth_n the_o heavenly_a body_n with_o their_o influence_n above_o and_o the_o earthly_a matter_n below_o which_o by_o the_o rotation_n of_o the_o heaven_n produce_v all_o sublunary_a product_n through_o the_o word_n of_o his_o mouth_n above_o all_o which_o and_o in_o all_o which_o god_n be_v he_o be_v the_o maker_n and_o the_o lord_n of_o all_o above_o all_o bless_v for_o ever_o who_o have_v purchase_v to_o himself_o a_o people_n and_o redeem_v they_o and_o they_o shall_v reign_v with_o he_o for_o ever_o and_o ever_o for_o as_o of_o one_o mass_n be_v make_v all_o thing_n right_o so_o in_o our_o practice_n must_v it_o be_v apply_v all_o this_o to_o the_o work_n of_o this_o mastery_n analogical_o and_o allegorical_o for_o as_o the_o lord_n make_v all_o the_o work_n which_o we_o see_v so_o he_o do_v lay_v they_o all_o under_o his_o powerful_a word_n of_o command_n by_o which_o they_o continue_v to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v and_o be_v carry_v with_o a_o uniform_a motion_n to_o that_o first_o pattern_n or_o draught_n of_o thing_n all_o our_o secret_n of_o one_o image_n must_v spring_v as_o then_o out_o of_o one_o mix_v confuse_a mass_n all_o thing_n have_v a_o actual_a existence_n according_a to_o their_o several_a kind_n so_o out_o of_o one_o image_n all_o these_o secret_n must_v flow_v truth_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o heterogeneity_n but_o in_o unity_n for_o god_n be_v one_o and_o his_o work_n uniform_a and_o the_o more_o noble_a any_o thing_n be_v the_o near_a to_o simplicity_n as_o in_o philosopher_n book_n whoso_o listen_v to_o see_v to_o this_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o philosopher_n concur_v as_o many_o as_o have_v true_o understand_v the_o secret_a as_o morien_n often_o and_o plentiful_o witness_v geber_n trevisan_n and_o many_o other_o the_o thing_n be_v but_o one_o in_o kind_n though_o two_o in_o number_n and_o though_o more_o thing_n be_v use_v yet_o till_o they_o be_v all_o bring_v to_o a_o oneness_n of_o nature_n they_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o enter_v into_o this_o work_n our_o stone_n be_v call_v the_o lesser_a world_n and_o therefore_o our_o stone_n be_v resemble_v to_o man_n who_o although_o he_o have_v a_o wife_n different_a from_o he_o in_o sex_n yet_o one_o with_o he_o in_o kind_n in_o which_o sense_n it_o be_v call_v the_o microcosm_n or_o less_o world_n for_o indeed_o next_o to_o man_n who_o be_v the_o image_n of_o god_n it_o be_v the_o true_a little_a system_n of_o the_o great_a world_n i_o shall_v not_o particularize_v here_o how_o for_o in_o its_o place_n it_o will_v fall_v in_o seasonable_o one_o and_o three_o this_o stone_n be_v also_o call_v trine_n or_o trinity_n in_o unity_n from_o the_o homogeneity_n of_o the_o matter_n as_o trevisan_n say_v our_o stone_n be_v make_v of_o one_o root_n that_o be_v of_o two_o mercurial_a substance_n etc._n etc._n this_o trinity_n be_v discern_v in_o the_o component_n for_o first_o there_o be_v the_o body_n which_o be_v sol_n and_o the_o water_n of_o mercury_n in_o which_o beside_o its_o mercuriality_n there_o be_v a_o spiritual_a seed_n of_o sulphur_n which_o be_v the_o secret_a fire_n this_o be_v the_o trinity_n these_o be_v call_v the_o body_n the_o soul_n and_o the_o spirit_n the_o body_n be_v the_o dead_a earth_n which_o increase_v not_o without_o the_o celestial_a virtue_n the_o spirit_n be_v the_o soul_n of_o our_o air_n or_o chameleon_n which_o be_v also_o of_o a_o twofold_a composure_n yet_o make_v one_o inseparable_o the_o soul_n be_v the_o bond_n of_o mercury_n without_o which_o our_o fire_n never_o appear_v nor_o can_v appear_v for_o it_o be_v naked_a it_o inhabit_v the_o fiery-dragon_n and_o it_o yield_v his_o soul_n to_o the_o true_a saturnia_n and_o be_v embrace_v by_o it_o and_o both_o become_v one_o together_o bear_v the_o stamp_n of_o the_o most_o high_a even_o the_o oriental_a lucifer_n the_o son_n of_o the_o morning_n this_o soul_n be_v chalyb_n magical_a volatile_a and_o very_o tender_a the_o true_a minera_n of_o sol_n out_o of_o which_o sol_n natural_o proceed_v which_o i_o myself_o know_v to_o be_v true_a and_o have_v speak_v of_o it_o in_o my_o little_a latin_a treatise_n call_v introitus_fw-la apertus_fw-la ad_fw-la occlusum_fw-la regis_fw-la palatium_fw-la this_o be_v true_a sulphur_n which_o be_v imbibe_v by_o the_o mercuriality_n of_o saturnia_n and_o note_v it_o with_o the_o regal_a signet_n and_o be_v unite_v and_o revive_v into_o a_o mineral_n water_n by_o the_o mediation_n of_o diana_n dove_n it_o be_v the_o sharp_a spirit_n which_o in_o the_o water_n move_v the_o body_n to_o putrefy_v thus_o be_v the_o trinity_n proportionable_a to_o wit_n three_o nature_n in_o the_o first_o mixture_n the_o work_n be_v carry_v a_o end_n to_o perfect_a compliment_n distinct_o according_a to_o the_o virtue_n of_o a_o body_n soul_n and_o spirit_n for_o the_o body_n will_v be_v never_o penetrative_a be_v it_o not_o for_o the_o spirit_n nor_o will_v the_o spirit_n be_v permanent_a in_o its_o super-perfect_a tincture_n be_v it_o not_o for_o the_o body_n nor_o can_v these_o two_o act_n one_o upon_o another_o without_o the_o soul_n for_o the_o spirit_n be_v a_o invisible_a thing_n nor_o do_v it_o ever_o appear_v without_o another_o garment_n which_o garment_n be_v the_o soul_n in_o this_o it_o exercise_v its_o virtue_n this_o soul_n as_o it_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o saturnia_fw-la solid_a and_o dry_a be_v name_v our_o air_n or_o rather_o the_o chameleon_n which_o be_v
a_o airy_a body_n change_v its_o hue_n according_a to_o every_o object_n it_o behold_v so_o our_o air_n be_v of_o a_o astonish_a nature_n out_o of_o which_o i_o know_v all_o metal_n may_v be_v draw_v yea_o even_a sol_n and_o luna_fw-la without_o the_o transmute_v elixir_n of_o which_o in_o my_o little_a latin_a treatise_n which_o be_v the_o cong_a of_o my_o own_o experience_n i_o speak_v full_o this_o air_n be_v dissolve_v into_o water_n mineral_n have_v in_o it_o two_o of_o our_o trinity_n unite_v so_o real_o that_o in_o a_o short_a digestion_n the_o spiritual_a inhabit_v invisible_a sulphur_n will_v without_o addition_n congeal_v the_o mercury_n in_o which_o it_o be_v and_o make_v a_o visible_a congelated_a substance_n of_o luna_n and_o then_o sol._n thus_o this_o trinity_n be_v indeed_o unity_n one_o be_v gold_n mature_a fix_v and_o digest_v in_o act_n the_o other_o gold_n volatile_a white_a and_o crude_a yet_o in_o posse_fw-la to_o be_v make_v most_o fix_v and_o solid_a by_o naked_a digestion_n it_o be_v not_o then_o a_o delusion_n that_o philosopher_n speak_v and_o write_v for_o trust_v i_o viderunt_fw-la nudam_fw-la sine_fw-la veste_fw-la dianam_fw-la sciens_fw-la loquor_fw-la i_o know_v i_o speak_v true_a which_o the_o son_n of_o art_n do_v know_v and_o can_v testify_v with_o i_o magnesia_n also_o this_o stone_n be_v by_o the_o philosopher_n call_v their_o magnesia_n their_o adrop_n etc._n etc._n with_o many_o more_o name_n and_o be_v indeed_o their_o stone_n in_o the_o first_o true_a mixture_n of_o the_o true_a matter_n for_o it_o be_v the_o true_a seed_n and_o will_v produce_v with_o the_o co-operation_n of_o external_a fire_n in_o a_o patient_a expectation_n of_o the_o time_n of_o nature_n which_o be_v not_o long_o to_o he_o that_o understand_v it_o of_o sulphur_n and_o mercury_n for_o that_o which_o be_v do_v by_o nature_n in_o many_o year_n and_o age_n in_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o earth_n decoct_v mercury_n alone_o without_o addition_n art_n to_o make_v the_o work_n short_a first_o impregnate_v mercury_n with_o a_o spiritual_a seed_n of_o sulphur_n by_o which_o it_o become_v powerful_a in_o the_o dissolution_n of_o metal_n and_o then_o add_v to_o it_o mature_a sulphur_n by_o which_o the_o work_n be_v shorten_v and_o out_o of_o these_o two_o parent_n of_o one_o root_n be_v bring_v forth_o a_o noble_a son_n of_o a_o regal_a offspring_n that_o be_v not_o simple_o gold_n but_o our_o elixir_n ten_o thousand_o time_n more_o precious_a proportionate_a by_o nature_n most_o perfect_o yet_o all_o this_o work_n of_o the_o artist_n be_v only_o to_o help_v nature_n we_o can_v do_v no_o more_o yea_o we_o have_v profess_v and_o will_v profess_v that_o we_o do_v only_o administer_v unto_o nature_n herein_o for_o all_o the_o work_n of_o god_n be_v entire_a we_o can_v but_o behold_v they_o and_o admire_v they_o and_o therefore_o we_o seek_v our_o principal_n where_o nature_n be_v and_o amend_v nature_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n nor_o do_v we_o make_v the_o simple_a believe_v which_o be_v the_o trade_n of_o sophister_n that_o we_o by_o our_o extraction_n and_o manual_a operation_n upon_o vegetable_n mineral_n urine_n hair_n or_o the_o like_a intend_v to_o make_v our_o so_o high_o prize_v elixir_n but_o out_o of_o such_o thing_n in_o which_o nature_n have_v put_v it_o we_o by_o art_n do_v make_v it_o appear_v by_o reveal_v what_o be_v hide_v and_o hide_v what_o be_v manifest_a but_o many_o one_o marvel_v and_o marvel_n may_v and_o muse_v on_o such_o a_o marvellous_a thing_n whereas_o those_o who_o work_n upon_o other_o matter_n than_o the_o true_a do_v betray_v their_o ignorance_n herein_o most_o foul_o that_o they_o do_v not_o consider_v the_o possibility_n of_o nature_n but_o work_n after_o their_o fancy_n as_o though_o out_o of_o combustible_a substance_n filthy_a in_o their_o nature_n and_o make_v up_o of_o heterogeneity_n may_v be_v produce_v a_o pure_a perfect_a metallick_n substance_n by_o reason_n of_o its_o unseverable_a unity_n invincible_a and_o by_o virtue_n of_o its_o transcendent_a excellency_n cleanse_v and_o fix_v all_o leprous_a and_o fugitive_a body_n in_o the_o mineral_n kingdom_n and_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o anatical_a proportion_n of_o perfect_o digest_v sol_n or_o luna_n according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o medicine_n when_o therefore_o their_o principle_n be_v not_o sound_a their_o conclusion_n be_v always_o deceitful_a and_o then_o they_o not_o know_v nature_n in_o her_o operation_n but_o interpret_n the_o word_n of_o the_o crafty_a and_o envious_a philosopher_n according_a to_o the_o letter_n do_v stand_v admire_v at_o the_o unconformity_n of_o their_o work_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o philosopher_n at_o least_o as_o they_o understand_v their_o book_n they_o admire_v what_o this_o stone_n be_v if_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n or_o a_o conceit_n and_o why_o they_o as_o well_o as_o any_o do_v not_o attain_v it_o if_o possible_a such_o meditation_n usual_o fill_v the_o mind_n of_o unsuccessful_a alchemist_n who_o though_o they_o be_v as_o they_o esteem_v themselves_o very_o judicious_a yet_o can_v stumble_v upon_o this_o unhappy_a stone_n what_o be_v our_o stone_n etc._n etc._n they_o marvel_v at_o the_o uncouth_a difficulty_n of_o the_o thing_n nor_o can_v they_o almost_o tell_v what_o to_o judge_v of_o what_o they_o read_v forasmuch_o as_o all_o philosopher_n say_v it_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a thing_n for_o fowl_n and_o fish_n to_o we_o do_v it_o bring_v every_o man_n it_o have_v and_o it_o be_v in_o every_o place_n in_o thou_o in_o i_o etc._n etc._n and_o in_o very_a deed_n the_o ancient_a wise_a man_n have_v so_o write_v and_o do_v still_o write_v the_o same_o as_o to_o wit_n that_o it_o be_v find_v in_o a_o dunghill_n according_a to_o morien_n and_o for_o the_o easiness_n of_o the_o charge_n they_o all_o write_v plentiful_o so_o that_o in_o respect_n of_o time_n and_o cost_n artophius_n and_o flammel_n say_v it_o be_v but_o the_o play_n of_o child_n and_o work_n of_o woman_n and_o therefore_o one_o excellent_a philosopher_n write_v of_o this_o mastery_n title_n his_o treatise_n ludus_fw-la puerorum_fw-la that_o be_v child_n play_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o mercury_n it_o be_v i_o wis_v yet_o trust_v i_o though_o the_o wise_a man_n thus_o write_v and_o it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v notwithstanding_o something_o to_o be_v add_v to_o their_o sentence_n according_a as_o the_o author_n of_o novum_n lumen_fw-la well_o observe_v as_o namely_o that_o this_o art_n be_v easy_a to_o he_o that_o understand_v it_o as_o artephius_n plain_o express_v but_o to_o he_o that_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v appear_v so_o hard_o the_o wise_a man_n say_v sendivogius_n find_v it_o in_o a_o dunghill_n but_o the_o fool_n can_v believe_v that_o it_o be_v in_o gold_n i_o for_o my_o part_n through_o the_o great_a mercy_n of_o god_n to_o i_o a_o unworthy_a and_o unthankful_a creature_n i_o know_v the_o art_n to_o be_v true_a and_o not_o that_o only_a but_o also_o very_o easy_a and_o i_o wonder_v that_o man_n of_o so_o great_a part_n have_v study_v for_o it_o so_o long_o in_o vain_a only_o this_o i_o be_o confident_a of_o it_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n nor_o be_v it_o in_o he_o that_o will_v nor_o in_o he_o that_o run_v but_o in_o god_n that_o give_v mercy_n in_o which_o respect_n i_o be_o bold_a to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n to_o confess_v that_o i_o have_v the_o art_n and_o have_v nature_n operation_n in_o these_o so_o hide_a secret_n before_o my_o eye_n at_o this_o present_a writing_n which_o i_o see_v hourly_o with_o admiration_n of_o the_o infinite_a glory_n in_o the_o behold_n of_o such_o a_o great_a glory_n in_o the_o creature_n which_o trust_v i_o will_v ravish_v the_o beholder_n to_o see_v such_o a_o despise_a infant_n as_o our_o mercury_n be_v to_o grow_v into_o so_o strong_a a_o hero_n which_o the_o world_n can_v purchase_v but_o not_o the_o common_a call_v quicksilver_n by_o name_n yet_o the_o difficulty_n be_v not_o over_o when_o once_o it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o whole_a secret_n consist_v in_o mercury_n for_o what_o more_o frequent_a among_o the_o sophister_n than_o to_o cry_v our_o mercury_n etc._n etc._n and_o yet_o in_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n they_o be_v as_o blind_a as_o mole_n the_o cause_n be_v for_o that_o nature_n have_v produce_v a_o mineral_n juice_n in_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o do_v answer_n to_o most_o of_o the_o philosophical_a description_n of_o their_o water_n as_o namely_o that_o it_o be_v mineral_n quick_a current_n without_o humectation_n ponderous_a and_o the_o like_a which_o when_o the_o vulgar_a alchemist_n read_v they_o apply_v it_o to_o this_o naughty_a mercury_n which_o for_o inward_a quality_n have_v nothing_o in_o it_o like_o we_o some_o there_o be_v who_o trust_v to_o
all_o that_o nourish_v it_o to_o its_o own_o likeness_n and_o then_o our_o mercury_n or_o menstrue_n vanish_v that_o be_v it_o be_v swallow_v up_o in_o the_o solary_a nature_n and_o all_o together_o make_v but_o one_o universal_a mercury_n by_o intimate_a union_n and_o this_o mercury_n be_v the_o material_a principle_n of_o the_o stone_n for_o before_o our_o mercury_n as_o it_o be_v compound_v of_o three_o mercury_n have_v in_o it_o two_o which_o be_v superficial_a and_o the_o three_o essential_a to_o sol_n and_o luna_fw-la only_o not_o to_o the_o stone_n for_o nature_n will_v produce_v these_o two_o out_o of_o it_o by_o artificial_a decoction_n but_o when_o the_o perfect_a body_n be_v dissolve_v they_o transmute_v the_o mercury_n that_o dissolve_v it_o and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o more_o repugnancy_n in_o it_o then_o be_v there_o no_o long_o a_o distinction_n between_o superficial_a and_o essential_a but_o all_o be_v become_v essential_a and_o this_o be_v that_o one_o matter_n of_o the_o stone_n hat_z one_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o all_o wonder_n in_o sol_n and_o luna_n our_o menstrue_n be_v not_o see_v when_o thou_o be_v come_v to_o this_o then_o shall_v thou_o no_o more_o discern_v a_o distinction_n between_o the_o dissolver_n and_o the_o dissolve_v for_o the_o water_n shall_v neither_o ascend_v nor_o descend_v go_v out_o nor_o in_o alone_a but_o the_o fire_n of_o nature_n shall_v accompany_v it_o and_o the_o colour_n of_o the_o mature_a sulphur_n which_o be_v unseparable_o join_v shall_v tincture_n thy_o water_n it_o appear_v not_o but_o by_o effect_n to_o sight_n so_o that_o thou_o shall_v never_o see_v they_o sever_v one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o shall_v discern_v they_o by_o the_o effect_n and_o by_o the_o eye_n of_o thy_o mind_n more_o than_o of_o thy_o body_n therefore_o say_v the_o philosopher_n azoth_v and_o fire_n be_v sufficient_a for_o thou_o in_o the_o middle_n and_o end_n but_o not_o in_o the_o beginning_n for_o than_o they_o be_v not_o our_o mercury_n that_o be_v our_o universal_o unite_a mercury_n but_o in_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o stone_n there_o appear_v four_o element_n of_o which_o three_o be_v in_o the_o mercury_n sublime_v and_o one_o in_o sol_n which_o be_v count_v all_o for_o earth_n till_o it_o be_v dissolve_v and_o then_o it_o ferment_v the_o mercury_n and_o make_v the_o three_o quality_n of_o it_o which_o it_o have_v draw_v from_o three_o substance_n to_o unite_v into_o one_o mercury_n which_o have_v all_o in_o it_o one_o essential_a property_n and_o that_o be_v solary_a which_o first_o will_v show_v the_o moon_n in_o the_o full_a and_o be_v the_o true_a one_o matter_n of_o all_o our_o secret_n our_o one_o image_n out_o of_o which_o spring_v white_a and_o red_a not_o bare_a sol_n and_o luna_fw-la as_o will_v spring_v out_o of_o our_o mercury_n which_o we_o prepare_v with_o our_o hand_n but_o the_o white_a and_o red_a elixir_n which_o show_v that_o this_o mercury_n which_o nature_n have_v make_v in_o the_o glass_n without_o our_o help_n be_v far_o beyond_o that_o mercury_n which_o we_o prepare_v with_o a_o laborious_a toil_n this_o be_v the_o stone_n of_o which_o we_o mean_v who_o so_o our_o write_n conceive_v aright_o and_o very_o he_o that_o have_v well_o study_v our_o book_n shall_v understand_v that_o this_o general_a one_o mercury_n which_o we_o call_v azoth_o be_v indeed_o our_o stone_n which_o want_v only_a digestion_n for_o it_o be_v inseparable_o unite_v not_o in_o a_o dyptative_a conjunction_n which_o be_v bare_o a_o mixture_n of_o the_o sun_n with_o our_o mercury_n or_o triptative_a which_o be_v a_o mixture_n and_o union_n of_o the_o body_n soul_n and_o spirit_n which_o be_v before_o putrefaction_n but_o tetraptive_a which_o be_v the_o anatization_n of_o quality_n which_o be_v the_o first_o degree_n of_o the_o white_a stone_n which_o will_v then_o grow_v high_a and_o high_o till_o the_o moon_n come_v up_o to_o the_o full_a it_o be_v a_o soul_n and_o substance_n bright_a this_o stone_n or_o virtue_n multiplicative_a be_v not_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o matter_n but_o the_o form_n which_o do_v make_v the_o matter_n to_o receive_v and_o after_o impress_v tincture_n for_o who_o can_v believe_v that_o sol_n in_o which_o the_o virtue_n be_v but_o unary_a i_o mean_v only_o sufficient_a for_o itself_o shall_v by_o the_o addition_n of_o our_o mercury_n which_o in_o reference_n to_o its_o material_a part_n be_v below_o the_o degree_n of_o sol_n and_o needs_o digestion_n and_o that_o only_a to_o maturate_n it_o to_o the_o height_n of_o sol_n i_o say_v that_o by_o the_o mixture_n of_o those_o two_o venerial_a tincture_n shall_v be_v multiply_v in_o a_o manner_n infinite_o of_o sol_n and_o luna_fw-la a_o subtle_a influence_n be_v it_o not_o that_o this_o tincture_n which_o in_o the_o mercury_n be_v sol_n and_o luna_fw-la be_v as_o a_o soul_n that_o be_v a_o spiritual_a thing_n it_o be_v impossible_a it_o be_v therefore_o the_o very_a do_v faecunditatis_fw-la which_o be_v in_o mineral_n which_o do_v appear_v in_o their_o lunary_n and_o solary_a tincture_n which_o be_v put_v and_o plant_v on_o and_o in_o they_o in_o the_o first_o benediction_n of_o crescite_fw-la &_o multiplicamini_fw-la which_o increase_v be_v in_o some_o thing_n juxta_fw-la quantitatem_fw-la this_o be_v in_o quality_n whereby_o the_o earth_n receive_v resplendence_n so_o than_o the_o matter_n of_o mineral_n be_v a_o dead_a passive_a thing_n in_o which_o there_o be_v include_v a_o light_n which_o be_v clothe_v vitali_fw-la aura_n aetheria_fw-la as_o i_o may_v speak_v this_o form_n of_o light_n be_v it_o which_o do_v actuate_v and_o specificate_n or_o determine_v the_o matter_n and_o this_o splendour_n or_o light_n be_v in_o all_o metal_n sol_n or_o luna_fw-la which_o be_v conspicuous_a more_o eminent_o in_o those_o two_o perfect_a body_n gold_n and_o silver_n but_o be_v in_o other_o mineral_n body_n more_o cloud_v and_o eclipse_v with_o a_o earthly_a feculent_a interposition_n between_o the_o fulgour_fw-la and_o the_o superfluity_n which_o be_v the_o imperfection_n of_o such_o body_n and_o be_v accompany_v with_o a_o rawness_n and_o inconstancy_n in_o the_o fire_n the_o impure_a carry_v away_o the_o pure_a for_o what_o be_v sol_n and_o luna_fw-la say_v avicen_n but_o earth_n which_o be_v pure_a white_a &_o red_a so_o than_o sol_n and_o luna_n be_v more_o formal_a than_o material_a for_o the_o matter_n be_v a_o gross_a terrene_a substance_n but_o the_o form_n of_o light_a purify_n the_o substance_n be_v a_o most_o subtle_a spiritual_a thing_n which_o do_v ennoble_v the_o grossness_n of_o the_o matter_n by_o a_o fire-abiding_a tincture_n take_v from_o it_o the_o say_a clearness_n and_o then_o that_o earth_n will_v stand_v but_o in_o little_a stead_n but_o if_o this_o tincture_n can_v be_v separate_v from_o the_o pondus_fw-la of_o the_o matter_n the_o remainder_n will_v be_v a_o unprofitable_a terrestriety_n our_o work_n therefore_o be_v for_o to_o advance_v this_o light_n by_o exaltation_n in_o the_o matter_n which_o as_o it_o in_o its_o simplicity_n be_v but_o in_o unity_n so_o it_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o a_o virtue_n millenary_a and_o gradual_o so_o exalt_v that_o the_o matter_n will_v seem_v to_o be_v quite_o swallow_v up_o of_o the_o form_n and_o yet_o in_o this_o exaltation_n it_o be_v not_o the_o mole_n or_o pondus_fw-la that_o be_v the_o solary_n or_o lunary_n virtue_n but_o a_o light_n who_o multiplication_n be_v not_o in_o the_o increase_n of_o pondus_fw-la but_o in_o the_o circulation_n of_o nature_n till_o the_o heavenly_a illuminate_v the_o earthly_a with_o a_o immediate_a beam_n all_o interposition_n be_v remove_v out_o of_o the_o way_n the_o whole_a compound_v be_v call_v our_o lead_n for_o to_o attain_v this_o admirable_a multiplication_n philosopher_n have_v find_v out_o a_o most_o subtle_a yet_o very_o natural_a composition_n which_o have_v be_v not_o a_o little_a seek_v for_o by_o many_o this_o the_o wise_a ancient_n both_o to_o describe_v the_o fountain_n of_o these_o mystery_n as_o also_o to_o hide_v the_o secret_a from_o the_o unworthy_a have_v mystical_o call_v their_o lead_n the_o quality_n of_o clearness_n from_o sol_n and_o luna_n do_v come_v this_o lead_n so_o call_v from_o the_o appear_a baseness_n of_o its_o original_n be_v notwithstanding_o of_o a_o admirable_a power_n for_o it_o contain_v the_o bath_n for_o sol_n and_o luna_fw-la that_o be_v the_o sun_n and_o moon_n enter_v into_o it_o and_o send_v out_o their_o tincture_n into_o it_o which_o it_o receive_v and_o like_a to_o a_o fertile_a soil_n ennoble_v it_o a_o hundred_o and_o a_o hundred_o fold_n these_o be_v our_o menstrue_n both_o all_o and_o some_o thus_o have_v i_o in_o general_n give_v you_o a_o description_n of_o our_o menstrue_n which_o be_v three_o acetum_fw-la elixir_n and_o azoth_v which_o i_o shall_v now_o
incombustible_a and_o unctuous_a in_o his_o nature_n this_o be_v our_o true_a incombustible_a mercury_n for_o it_o be_v total_o purge_v from_o all_o its_o burn_a feculency_n gold_n though_o it_o be_v a_o pure_a metal_n in_o respect_n of_o other_o which_o be_v imperfect_a yet_o compare_v with_o our_o stone_n it_o have_v also_o its_o faeces_fw-la but_o this_o when_o it_o be_v take_v away_o by_o putrefaction_n and_o ablution_n then_o become_v a_o total_a separation_n of_o what_o be_v precious_a from_o what_o be_v vile_a and_o as_o the_o philosopher_n well_o say_v in_o the_o trouble_n of_o this_o our_o stormy_a sea_n all_o that_o be_v pure_a will_v ascend_v and_o all_o that_o be_v impure_a descend_v and_o will_v abide_v in_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o vessel_n in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o combust_v earth_n then_o be_v make_v the_o new_a heaven_n and_o the_o new_a earth_n pray_v to_o god_n then_o that_o thou_o may_v see_v when_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o sea_n yet_o i_o say_v before_o thou_o have_v this_o final_a inceration_n thou_o have_v this_o most_o incombustible_a menstruum_fw-la and_o most_o permanent_a in_o which_o nature_n and_o art_n have_v conspire_v and_o make_v a_o purification_n beyond_o what_o nature_n alone_o can_v ever_o have_v bring_v to_o pass_v therefore_o this_o mercury_n though_o it_o be_v liquid_a and_o in_o the_o form_n of_o mercury_n it_o be_v notwithstanding_o unctuous_a that_o be_v great_a with_o child_n which_o child_n be_v sulphur_n which_o sulphur_n it_o will_v in_o the_o end_n bring_v forth_o and_o shall_v then_o be_v seal_v up_o in_o the_o belly_n of_o this_o infant_n which_o be_v when_o all_o be_v fix_v and_o mercury_n be_v then_o hide_a under_o the_o fixity_n of_o sulphur_n hermes_n tree_n unto_o ash_n be_v burn_v it_o do_v therefore_o natural_o incline_v itself_o unto_o inceration_n for_o earth_n be_v the_o nurse_n of_o our_o stone_n and_o in_o it_o be_v its_o virtue_n attain_v and_o its_o perfection_n entire_a according_a to_o noble_a hermes_n in_o his_o smaragdine_n table_n vis_fw-fr say_v he_o ejus_fw-la est_fw-la integra_fw-la fi_fw-la versa_fw-la fuerit_fw-la in_o terram_fw-la by_o virtue_n of_o this_o three_o permanent_a pure_a incombustible_a water_n thou_o shall_v at_o last_o attain_v a_o total_a inceration_n for_o this_o water_n though_o it_o be_v whole_o mercurial_a to_o sight_n yet_o have_v it_o in_o its_o own_o bowel_n its_o own_o sulphur_n nay_o it_o be_v all_o sulphur_n and_o that_o all_o incombustible_a this_o work_n be_v call_v the_o burn_a of_o hermes_n tree_n to_o ash_n which_o be_v do_v thrice_o first_o into_o a_o black_a unctuous_a calx_fw-la as_o impalpable_a as_o atom_n which_o be_v only_o to_o be_v discern_v in_o the_o sunbeam_n second_o into_o a_o fine_a white_a calx_fw-la in_o which_o be_v the_o moon_n in_o the_o full_a the_o three_o a_o red_a calx_fw-la in_o which_o the_o sun_n be_v orient_a now_o know_v that_o the_o first_o calcination_n be_v from_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o sun_n in_o which_o the_o sun_n seek_v to_o rise_v but_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o equal_a opposition_n it_o find_v from_o the_o water_n it_o be_v becloud_v and_o after_o through_o the_o interposition_n of_o the_o earth_n total_o eclipse_v this_o fire_n therefore_o because_o of_o the_o mixture_n of_o it_o with_o the_o natural_a fire_n of_o sol_n which_o be_v in_o it_o dissolve_v be_v call_v unnatural_a the_o first_o fire_n of_o our_o water_n be_v call_v fire_n against_o nature_n and_o the_o fire_n of_o the_o sulphur_n of_o the_o perfect_a body_n be_v call_v fire_n of_o nature_n in_o this_o operation_n through_o the_o power_n and_o will_n of_o the_o almighty_a the_o body_n which_o have_v be_v so_o long_o dead_a be_v by_o this_o water_n quicken_v and_o actual_o sprout_n like_v to_o a_o vegetable_a for_o when_o the_o pore_n of_o it_o be_v open_v by_o the_o moisten_a of_o our_o water_n it_o straight_o begin_v to_o follow_v the_o spirit_n upon_o the_o fire_n the_o spirit_n than_o do_v mount_v aloft_o which_o the_o body_n thus_o make_v tender_a can_v follow_v but_o as_o the_o poet_n say_v non_fw-la passibus_fw-la aequis_fw-la as_o a_o son_n that_o be_v little_a follow_v his_o father_n it_o therefore_o in_o a_o token_n of_o its_o friendship_n with_o the_o water_n do_v bud_n forth_o like_a to_o the_o tender_a frost_n upon_o the_o surface_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o retain_v a_o quantity_n of_o the_o water_n with_o itself_o occupy_v a_o middle_a room_n between_o the_o bottom_n and_o the_o top_n in_o which_o respect_v the_o philosopher_n have_v call_v it_o their_o soul_n which_o to_o show_v its_o union_n to_o the_o body_n rise_v no_o high_a than_o it_o can_v have_v a_o root_n or_o basis_n below_o and_o to_o manifest_v its_o love_n to_o the_o spirit_n it_o do_v as_o it_o be_v climb_v after_o it_o high_o and_o high_o for_o its_o season_n until_o at_o length_n it_o return_v from_o whence_o it_o come_v and_o very_o this_o soul_n be_v the_o magnetical_a medium_fw-la between_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o body_n which_o do_v desire_v the_o spirit_n as_o its_o true_a drink_n and_o therefore_o as_o it_o grow_v dry_a it_o do_v attract_v the_o great_a drop_n of_o sweat_n which_o fall_v to_o the_o earth_n arise_v in_o a_o pleasant_a fume_n and_o do_v moisten_v the_o grow_a virtue_n with_o a_o pleasant_a dew_n by_o reason_n of_o which_o it_o grow_v every_o day_n more_o and_o more_o this_o tree_n of_o we_o some_o have_n compare_v to_o one_o thing_n and_o some_o to_o another_o some_o to_o a_o cypress_n or_o firtree_n which_o indeed_o may_v seem_v to_o resemble_v it_o other_o to_o haw-thorn_n tree_n as_o ripley_n in_o his_o gate_n of_o cibation_n other_o to_o shrub_n and_o bush_n other_o to_o thick_a wood_n and_o in_o these_o wood_n say_v lambsprint_v there_o be_v a_o beast_n all_o over_o black_a i_o confess_v there_o be_v a_o similitude_n between_o our_o germination_n and_o all_o these_o other_o because_o of_o the_o humidity_n of_o the_o compound_v which_o be_v ever_o and_o anon_o return_v by_o drop_n have_v liken_v it_o to_o a_o moorish_a low_a bog_n in_o which_o rush_n grow_v and_o toad_n keep_v other_o have_v call_v it_o their_o coral_n which_o be_v indeed_o the_o fit_a comparison_n for_o in_o our_o tree_n there_o be_v shoot_v and_o sprig_n without_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v proper_o liken_v to_o leave_n as_o then_o coral_n be_v a_o union_n of_o a_o vegetable_a and_o a_o stony_a nature_n so_o be_v it_o in_o our_o tree_n for_o stone_n and_o mineral_n be_v of_o one_o composition_n our_o tree_n be_v metalline_a and_o yet_o through_o the_o power_n of_o god_n it_o seem_v to_o vegetate_v 2_o coral_n grow_v under_o the_o water_n where_o one_o will_v think_v no_o vegetable_a can_v grow_v we_o also_o grow_v in_o a_o heat_n in_o which_o no_o vegetable_a but_o itself_o can_v grow_v 3_o coral_n have_v many_o sprig_n and_o branch_n without_o leave_n so_o be_v our_o tree_n 4_o coral_n as_o it_o be_v under_o water_n have_v a_o most_o exquisite_a bite_a taste_n which_o in_o the_o air_n it_o quick_o lose_v so_o our_o stone_n or_o tree_n metaline_n in_o its_o place_n be_v of_o a_o pontic_a fiery_a nature_n but_o take_v out_o it_o in_o a_o short_a space_n lose_v the_o same_o irrecoverable_o 5_o there_o be_v five_o sort_n of_o coral_n the_o common_a grace_n the_o milk_n white_a the_o green_a the_o blood_n red_a and_o the_o black_a so_o our_o tree_n be_v at_o his_o period_n of_o all_o these_o colour_n and_o in_o this_o form_n which_o tree_n by_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o fire_n be_v dry_v to_o a_o calx_fw-la which_o be_v call_v the_o ash_n of_o hermes_n tree_n last_o coral_n be_v more_o heavy_a than_o any_o other_o vegetable_a and_o so_o be_v our_o tree_n beyond_o all_o vegetable_n yea_o and_o coral_n itself_o in_o ponderosity_n it_o be_v not_o therefore_o a_o fortuitous_a comparison_n that_o philosopher_n name_v their_o mastery_n the_o tree_n of_o the_o hesperide_n nor_o be_v it_o in_o vain_a that_o they_o bring_v in_o jason_n pour_v broth_n at_o the_o root_n of_o it_o to_o attain_v the_o mastery_n for_o very_o the_o wise_a philosopher_n note_v by_o jason_n so_o govern_v his_o fire_n that_o the_o lunary_n or_o water_n of_o the_o moon_n may_v return_v to_o the_o earth_n in_o which_o these_o tree_n grow_v the_o earth_n will_v at_o length_n be_v so_o dry_v by_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o sun_n that_o it_o shall_v afford_v the_o tree_n no_o more_o moisture_n then_o shall_v the_o tree_n itself_o be_v calcine_v by_o the_o prevail_a heat_n into_o a_o powder_n impalpable_a first_o black_a then_o white_a then_z red_z therefore_o be_v our_o little_a glass_n by_o flammel_n in_o his_o summary_n name_v the_o philosopher_n garden_n in_o which_o the_o sun_n rise_v and_o set_v and_o the_o philosopher_n tree_n be_v moisten_v with_o the_o