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and_o those_o which_o be_v otherways_o exclude_v which_o be_v compare_v as_o be_v fit_a before_o the_o work_n be_v begin_v in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o studious_a scholar_n of_o art_n may_v learn_v the_o life_n kingdom_n manner_n and_o habit_n of_o metal_n and_o also_o of_o mineral_n nor_o delight_v himself_o in_o the_o bare_a notion_n but_o know_v they_o seientifical_o that_o be_v practical_o but_o to_o this_o end_n there_o be_v need_n of_o a_o profound_a meditative_a contemplation_n that_o he_o may_v learn_v and_o understand_v the_o original_a of_o natural_a thing_n in_o the_o genus_fw-la and_o of_o mineral_n body_n in_o the_o species_n as_o for_o i_o be_v only_o intentive_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o metal_n to_o wit_n as_o far_o forth_o as_o it_o seem_v to_o explain_v the_o art_n of_o transmutation_n i_o willing_o pass_v by_o the_o original_a of_o natural_a thing_n in_o the_o genus_fw-la content_a to_o have_v speak_v those_o thing_n which_o may_v satisfy_v the_o aforesaid_a 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to_o come_v together_o which_o we_o seek_v to_o unite_v per_fw-la minima_fw-la from_o hence_o water_v mix_v with_o earth_n be_v not_o unite_v with_o it_o even_o as_o neither_o water_n with_o wine_n or_o phlegm_n with_o spirit_n yea_o they_o may_v be_v separate_v because_o of_o this_o disproportion_n among_o the_o little_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v say_v in_o order_n to_o make_v this_o mixture_n one_o thing_n undergo_v the_o subtlety_n of_o another_o and_o so_o by_o consequence_n be_v unite_v i_o urge_v that_o if_o it_o be_v equal_o subtle_a which_o be_v first_o thick_o that_o it_o may_v enter_v liquid_a by_o unite_n itself_o it_o behoove_v that_o it_o be_v altogether_o bring_v to_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o what_o then_o i_o pray_v be_v earth_n but_o water_n for_o that_o water_n will_v not_o go_v into_o earth_n that_o it_o may_v have_v a_o umon_a with_o earth_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o body_n will_v not_o enter_v a_o body_n
so_o unitive_o and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o how_o foolish_a be_v it_o to_o imagine_v this_o that_o earth_n be_v convertible_a to_o water_n that_o it_o shall_v promote_v the_o generation_n of_o a_o conerete_n with_o water_n and_o if_o this_o shall_v be_v grant_v the_o thing_n will_v be_v say_v to_o be_v produeed_o of_o water_n if_o so_o be_v before_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v produce_v the_o earth_n have_v go_v into_o real_a water_n but_o this_o be_v necessary_a or_o otherwise_o the_o little_a of_o this_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o agree_v with_o the_o little_a of_o the_o other_o and_o as_o yet_o air_n be_v want_v who_o little_a be_v much_o more_o subtle_a than_o the_o little_a of_o water_n unless_o all_o thing_n be_v hold_v to_o vanish_v into_o air_n that_o also_o the_o aforesaid_a water_n may_v have_v it_o a_o companion_n to_o itself_o in_o generate_a which_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v it_o will_v follow_v that_o all_o thing_n do_v consist_v of_o air_n alone_o which_o air_n although_o it_o be_v original_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n from_o it_o self_n or_o gather_v together_o of_o earth_n and_o water_n change_v between_o themselves_o yet_o it_o will_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n nor_o diversify_v because_o of_o the_o difference_n of_o its_o original_a for_o unless_o it_o be_v the_o same_o it_o can_v be_v unite_v to_o wit_n that_o water_n may_v have_v the_o same_o subtlety_n with_o air_n it_o be_v oblige_v to_o have_v the_o same_o first_o quality_n with_o it_o the_o same_o also_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v of_o the_o earth_n that_o it_o may_v be_v adequate_v to_o the_o rarity_n of_o the_o water_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o water_n so_o subtilise_v will_v be_v real_a air_n and_o earth_n so_o subtilise_v will_v be_v real_a water_n and_o now_o where_o be_v the_o composition_n of_o thing_n generate_v by_o element_n when_o according_a to_o this_o doctrine_n all_o thing_n be_v necessary_a to_o proceed_v from_o air_n and_o of_o fire_n how_o much_o more_o subtle_o a_o 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be_v water_n 〈…〉_o will_v ask_v then_o whither_o or_o no_o the_o on_o can_v put_v on_o the_o first_o quality_n of_o the_o other_o if_o not_o neither_o will_v they_o have_v correspondence_n in_o their_o little_n for_o this_o be_v impossible_a if_o so_o i_o desire_v to_o know_v whether_o if_o one_o first_o shall_v put_v on_o the_o fir_v of_o another_o first_o that_o will_v not_o be_v real_o the_o first_o who_o fir_v it_o first_o put_v on_o to_o assert_v the_o contrary_a be_v not_o philosophical_a therefore_o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o all_o thing_n material_o take_v their_o original_a from_o one_o element_n which_o can_v be_v neither_o earth_n nor_o air_n which_o unless_o i_o study_v brevity_n i_o can_v easy_o demonstrate_v the_o earth_n be_v a_o soil_n or_o bed_n in_o which_o all_o body_n increase_v and_o be_v preserve_v the_o air_n into_o which_o they_o grow_v it_o be_v the_o mean_n and_o bringer_n of_o heavenly_a virtue_n wherewith_o it_o be_v fill_v and_o by_o which_o they_o be_v communicate_v to_o all_o these_o inferior_a thing_n the_o seed_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v put_v into_o the_o water_n by_o the_o creator_n in_o the_o first_o creation_n which_o some_o do_v produce_v into_o the_o air_n as_o vegetables_n some_o keep_v within_o their_o own_o reins_o as_o animal_n in_o some_o it_o be_v hide_v very_o abstruse_a as_o in_o metal_n and_o there_o be_v even_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n seed_n sufficient_a to_o produce_v all_o thing_n of_o seed_n who_o habitation_n as_o be_v say_v the_o water_n be_v find_v to_o be_v this_o seed_n other_o way_n idle_a be_v stir_v up_o by_o its_o form_n which_o form_n be_v a_o certain_a particle_n of_o ineffable_a light_n heavenly_a virtue_n which_o be_v present_a to_o due_n in_o reference_n to_o place_n and_o a_o convenient_a agent_n with_o its_o force_n inferior_a thing_n apt_o dispose_v and_o to_o stir_v they_o up_o to_o motion_n so_o i_o say_v the_o seed_n be_v stir_v up_o with_o a_o active_a virtue_n do_v coagulate_v the_o material_a water_n with_o its_o fermentatious_a odour_n which_o it_o so_o change_v by_o various_a fermentation_n the_o author_n of_o all_o change_n until_o it_o have_v produce_v that_o to_o produce_v which_o the_o seed_n be_v propense_a if_o therefore_o there_o be_v a_o metallick_n seed_n there_o grow_v from_o thence_o first_o a_o dry_a humour_n slippery_a not_o wet_v the_o hand_n to_o wit_n mercury_n the_o mother_n of_o all_o metal_n i_o can_v here_o teach_v the_o procreation_n of_o stone_n of_o every_o fort_n also_o note_v very_o many_o thing_n worthy_a of_o observation_n about_o the_o first_o nativity_n of_o mercury_n but_o i_o purposely_o pass_v by_o those_o thing_n make_v little_a to_o the_o purpose_n for_o mercury_n have_v deserve_v to_o be_v call_v the_o true_a matter_n of_o metal_n because_o before_o it_o be_v mercury_n that_o it_o may_v be_v destine_v to_o metal_n yet_o it_o may_v happen_v by_o some_o defect_n that_o some_o thing_n different_a from_o metal_n do_v result_v from_o thence_o but_o when_o once_o it_o be_v mercury_n then_o indeed_o no_o long_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v bear_v from_o thence_o but_o mineral_n or_o metaline_n from_o this_o the_o different_a kind_n of_o metal_n which_o be_v see_v as_o for_o instance_n jupiter_n saturn_n luna_n venus_n mars_n sol_n which_o all_o have_v one_o and_o the_o same_o mother_n mercury_n also_o some_o middle_a mineral_n arise_v from_o hence_o some_o also_o be_v make_v of_o the_o metal_n themselves_o erode_v with_o acid_a mineral_n salt_n so_o vitriol_n from_o a_o vein_n of_o copper_n erode_v by_o such_o a_o acid_n stalagma_n who_o generation_n to_o teach_v will_v be_v from_o the_o matter_n therefore_o i_o purposely_o omit_v it_o but_o not_o any_o intervening_a sulphureous_a fatness_n as_o some_o think_v fak_o be_v join_v to_o the_o mercury_n which_o it_o coagulate_v boil_v it_o with_o its_o heat_n who_o expurgation_n afterward_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o metal_n for_o we_o know_v that_o 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actual_o act_v by_o inform_v that_o be_v by_o exciting_a to_o motion_n except_o as_o far_o forth_o as_o it_o be_v help_v by_o extrinsick_n right_o accommodt_v and_o so_o then_o this_o heavenly_a virtue_n act_v incessant_o which_o although_o it_o be_v vniform_a and_o one_o in_o the_o whole_a world_n yet_o it_o be_v vary_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o seed_n according_a to_o which_o the_o ferment_n of_o thing_n be_v diversify_v to_o produce_v diverse_a transmutation_n wherefore_o if_o mercury_n bear_v here_o all_o find_v a_o place_n in_o its_o self_n fit_a for_o generation_n althoin_v its_o self_n without_o such_o a_o place_n it_o appear_v cold_a for_o that_o it_o be_v dead_a yet_o within_o the_o centre_n of_o its_o own_o nativity_n the_o generative_a action_n not_o be_v yet_o intermit_v this_o force_n or_o heavenly_a virtue_n
in_o mature_a and_o fix_a sulphur_n to_o mercury_n make_v most_o pure_a by_o art_n and_o so_o extract_v the_o most_o digest_v virtue_n of_o sulphur_n by_o mercury_n which_o sulphureal_a virtue_n strong_o change_n and_o perfect_v mercury_n into_o a_o complete_a elixir_n observe_v therefore_o the_o work_n and_o the_o process_n thereof_o whence_o thou_o shall_v understand_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o wonderful_a abreviation_n of_o the_o work_n gold_n be_v a_o body_n hot_a and_o dry_a luna_n gold_n &_o moist_a mercury_n the_o medium_fw-la of_o carry_v the_o tincture_n the_o body_n of_o sol_n be_v most_o digest_v of_o luna_n imperfect_a and_o immature_n mercury_n the_o bond_n by_o which_o these_o two_o contrary_n be_v unite_v join_v luna_n to_o mercury_n with_o a_o due_a and_o convenient_a ignition_n and_o mingle_v they_o so_o that_o luna_n and_o mercury_n may_v become_v one_o mercury_n retain_v the_o fire_n in_o itself_o and_o all_o the_o fece_n and_o superfluity_n will_v fall_v from_o mercury_n and_o he_o shall_v become_v clear_a as_o the_o tear_n of_o the_o eye_n although_o not_o diaphonous_a than_o last_o mingle_v this_o mercury_n with_o gold_n in_o which_o be_v luna_n and_o fire_n and_o then_o the_o hot_a and_o dry_a will_v love_v the_o cold_a and_o moist_a and_o will_v lie_v down_o together_o in_o one_o bed_n that_o be_v in_o the_o fire_n of_o friendship_n and_o the_o man_n will_v be_v dissolve_v upon_o the_o woman_n and_o the_o woman_n will_v be_v coagulate_v upon_o the_o man_n and_o then_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o body_n will_v be_v one_o by_o commixtion_n go_v on_o afterward_o with_o that_o foot_n thou_o have_v begin_v and_o so_o often_o reiterate_v the_o heaven_n upon_o its_o earth_n until_o the_o spirit_n put_v on_o the_o body_n and_o both_o be_v fix_v together_o for_o than_o our_o stone_n be_v perfect_a and_o endue_v with_o regal_a virtue_n the_o which_o no_o price_n can_v buy_v for_o mercury_n be_v the_o water_n of_o all_o metal_n they_o be_v decoct_v in_o it_o and_o even_o as_o simple_a water_n which_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v cold_a and_o moist_a which_o notwithstanding_o if_o it_o be_v mix_v in_o decoction_n with_o any_o vegetable_a receive_v and_o put_v on_o other_o quality_n of_o the_o thing_n mix_v with_o it_o who_o force_n and_o spirit_n or_o life_n which_o reside_v in_o the_o water_n go_v out_o by_o decoction_n into_o the_o water_n and_o the_o water_n convertible_o receive_v its_o nature_n yet_o the_o thick_a and_o corporeal_a earthly_a part_n of_o the_o substance_n decoct_v be_v not_o that_o spirit_n that_o change_v the_o quality_n of_o the_o water_n but_o be_v separable_a from_o the_o water_n after_o decoction_n in_o like_a manner_n we_o must_v understand_v of_o argent_fw-fr vive_fw-fr with_o its_o species_n yet_o different_o for_o whatsoever_o metal_n or_o mineral_n shall_v be_v so_o familiar_a with_o mercury_n as_o to_o be_v mix_v per_fw-la minima_fw-la and_o decoct_v with_o it_o that_o mercury_n according_a to_o the_o species_n of_o the_o metal_n so_o join_v put_v on_o other_o quality_n and_o will_v cast_v off_o his_o own_o dregs_n therefore_o metallick_n and_o mineral_n species_n be_v subordinate_o and_o subalternate_o to_o be_v decoct_v in_o it_o and_o it_o be_v their_o water_n into_o which_o mineral_n spirit_n be_v emit_v by_o decoction_n and_o do_v alter_v it_o no_o other_o way_n than_o vegetable_n decoct_v in_o their_o simple_a water_n yet_o a_o double_a difference_n be_v to_o be_v note_v between_o the_o foresay_a decoction_n first_o that_o water_n be_v not_o fix_v with_o the_o vegetable_n as_o mercury_n with_o metal_n therefore_o these_o be_v of_o a_o strong_a composition_n than_o those_o the_o second_o that_o in_o the_o decoction_n of_o vegetable_n or_o animal_n the_o water_n be_v a_o diaphanous_a humour_n not_o only_o receive_v new_a virtue_n and_o quality_n but_o also_o a_o different_a colour_n to_o what_o it_o have_v but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o in_o mercury_n for_o its_o nature_n be_v alter_v but_o not_o its_o colour_n nor_o form_n of_o flux_n but_o the_o colour_n of_o a_o dissolve_a metal_n lie_v under_o the_o form_n of_o liquid_a argent_fw-fr vive_fw-fr and_o by_o its_o virtue_n do_v not_o appear_v therefore_o mercury_n first_o act_v up_o a_o metal_n by_o dissolve_v it_o afterward_o the_o metal_n act_v upon_o mercury_n by_o coagulate_v it_o and_o as_o in_o dissolution_n the_o form_n and_o colour_n of_o the_o metal_n lie_v under_o the_o form_n and_o colour_n of_o mercury_n so_o also_o in_o coagulation_n the_o form_n and_o colour_n of_o mercury_n be_v hide_v under_o the_o colour_n and_o form_n of_o the_o metal_n so_o neither_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o metal_n in_o dissolution_n hinder_v the_o flux_n of_o mercury_n nor_o the_o quality_n of_o mercury_n in_o coagulation_n hinder_v the_o fixity_n of_o the_o metal_n do_v thou_o not_o see_v here_o a_o certain_a wonderful_a agreement_n betwixt_o mercury_n and_o metal_n for_o they_o love_v like_o mother_n and_o son_n sister_n and_o brother_n male_a and_o female_a therefore_o their_o body_n be_v make_v better_a by_o water_n for_o the_o generation_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v by_o water_n and_o they_o take_v in_o it_o and_o by_o it_o a_o latitude_n of_o subtlety_n that_o be_v a_o spiritual_a and_o volatile_a nature_n and_o the_o water_n in_o like_a manner_n be_v amend_v by_o the_o body_n and_o be_v retain_v &_o put_v on_o a_o corporeal_a nature_n &_o so_o the_o whole_a compound_n be_v mature_v together_o when_o the_o agent_n become_v patient_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_n but_o the_o reason_n that_o the_o colour_n of_o mercury_n be_v not_o change_v in_o decoction_n by_o the_o body_n dissolve_v be_v this_o that_o the_o earth_n and_o water_n be_v homogeneous_a in_o mercury_n and_o so_o temperate_a that_o neither_o can_v be_v separate_v from_o the_o other_o and_o they_o be_v so_o strong_o commix_v that_o in_o so_o wonderful_a a_o tenuity_n of_o matter_n there_o be_v such_o great_a density_n of_o substance_n as_o to_o hide_v the_o colour_n whence_o if_o any_o proportion_n of_o mercury_n be_v spoil_v either_o destructive_o by_o deturpate_v thing_n or_o generative_o with_o a_o body_n appropriate_v to_o its_o self_n it_o will_v manifest_v the_o colour_n that_o be_v throw_v into_o the_o substance_n but_o there_o be_v proportion_n of_o mercury_n in_o respect_n both_o of_o earth_n and_o water_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o second_o it_o flow_v and_o be_v liquid_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o first_o it_o wet_v nothing_o that_o it_o touch_v but_o that_o which_o be_v of_o the_o unity_n of_o its_o nature_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v all_o error_n of_o operator_n in_o mercury_n be_v detect_v for_o some_o obstruct_v or_o divide_v its_o homogeneity_n by_o dry_v it_o with_o various_a sublimation_n other_o spoil_v and_o disproportionate_v the_o earth_n to_o bring_v in_o a_o transparency_n as_o many_o as_o do_v this_o do_v nothing_o but_o a_o sophistical_a work_n for_o mercury_n be_v sperm_n of_o metal_n which_o nature_n with_o much_o sagacity_n have_v form_v in_o the_o vein_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o metal_n neither_o be_v any_o thing_n want_v to_o it_o but_o pure_a digestion_n but_o it_o be_v not_o digest_v unless_o by_o pair_v metallic_n incomburent_fw-fr sulphur_n which_o indeed_o it_o have_v in_o its_o centre_n by_o which_o nature_n will_v form_v gold_n in_o a_o long_a time_n but_o it_o be_v altogether_o unknown_a to_o man_n how_o he_o shall_v make_v this_o by_o his_o art_n for_o although_o gold_n may_v be_v make_v of_o mercury_n alone_o without_o any_o addition_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o be_v perfect_v but_o by_o long_a time_n and_o great_a cost_n which_o will_v be_v foolish_a to_o undergo_v in_o make_v simple_a gold_n therefore_o sulphur_n be_v the_o only_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n which_o nature_n have_v perfect_v that_o be_v familiar_a to_o mercury_n this_o therefore_o be_v mix_v radical_o with_o it_o and_o by_o this_o mercury_n be_v decoct_v and_o mercury_n because_o of_o the_o repugnance_n of_o quality_n putrefy_v it_o and_o so_o by_o regeneration_n it_o rise_v again_o not_o gold_n such_o as_o be_v have_v in_o mine_n but_o spiritual_a penetrative_a and_o ting_a in_o so_o much_o that_o it_o easy_o enter_v all_o imperfect_a metal_n when_o cast_v upon_o they_o which_o in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n it_o dige_v to_o the_o anatical_a proportion_n of_o gold_n and_o the_o dregs_o be_v cast_v off_o restore_v they_o to_o perfect_a health_n thou_o see_v therefore_o that_o mercury_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v disproportionated_a from_o its_o own_o nature_n but_o to_o be_v mature_v and_o that_o not_o by_o it_o selt_z without_o any_o addition_n and_o yet_o without_o any_o outward_a addition_n but_o a_o radical_a union_n of_o a_o clean_a body_n with_o it_o per_fw-la minima_fw-la which_o be_v do_v by_o our_o secret_a conjunction_n yet_o see_v you_o be_v not_o