powder if the bottom be read hot it will burn put in one spoonful after another till all be burned it is then for this work prepared if thou hast wrought well thou wilt have of a white Salt but yellowish seventeen ounces again of thy two pounds Take half a bushel of White-lime put it in a clean tubb and put on it fair water that the water may cover it four inches let if stand all night take two gallons of this water and put in it thy salt and it is prepared for thy work then take one pound weight of Poppe-leaves good and red newly gathered as near as thou canst stamp them and put them into thy prepared water take also one pound of Juniper berries and do likewise also take one pound of black Hellebor which thou maist buy at the Druggist for a small matter beat it grosly and put it into the rest stir all very well let them simper upon a fire twenty four hours in a glass-body or in a Tin vessel or Pewter but let it be close covered then drive all through a Hipocris bagg and its prepared for thy use drink of this three or four spoonful in White-wine and Sugar but give more or less as the patient is strong or weak to weak children half a spoonful or a spoonful with Wine or Sugar note thou maist do what thou wilt with this if thou knowest how to apply it for thy health I desire thee whatever thou art to praise God for this the like I believe is not made manifest for the preserving of thy health against all diseases infections Feavors Surfeits this will not fail thee of relief let thy pains be what they will nor of cure if God permit if thou hast patience and will give it time I have from my conscience spoke my belief grounded upon reason and experience and freely give it thee beseeching God to bless it to thee and inlarge thy heart as mine is inlarged that is that thou maist do for thy neighbor as I now do for thee presenting nothing in this or any thing about it but the labor of my hand and what I daily put into my own belly and let me further tell thee I had much wrestling with my self as in the presence of God before I could prevail upon the gain-saying that was in me to draw so nigh thee for thy unvaluable benefit for if thou considerest the things are easie attained every ditch offering the some of them and the preparation so trinial that there is as much art to make a mess of pottage in this above all other I have deserved well at thy hand if thou hast a heart to improve it neither do I doubt although many will be angry and snatter at it but this entrance which I have given in this receipt will stand while the world indures and get strength and my memory held in honor for so good service in it This book hath swelled beyond my intention yet I am constrained to give thee one receipt or two more in few words and so I for this time shall rest praising God who helped me before I go out of this world to perform some real service for the good of mankind in general To make the drink that is now much used called Coffee The Coffee Berries is to be bought at any Drugist about three shillings the pound take what quantity you please and over a Charcole-fire in a old pudding-pan or frying-pan keep them always stirring untill they be quite black and when you crack one with your teeth that it is as black within as it is without yet if you exceed then do you wast the oyl which onely makes the drink and if less then will it not deliver his Oyl which must make the drink and if you should continue fire till it be white it will then make no Coffee but onely give you its salt the Berry prepared as above beaten and serced thorow a Lawn Sive is then fit for use Take clean water and boil one third of it away what quantity soever it be and it is fit for use Take one quart of this prepared water put in it one ounce of your prepared Coffee and boil it gently one quarter of an hour and it is fit for your use drink one quarter of a pint as hot as you can sip it note that instead of Coffee take English Wheat and thou wilt find it in all points as good and as profitable for thee as I have wrought and proved it and speak it from knowledge and I do from my heart bear witness to this drink as the best and safest for the health of mans body and further I do know that it doth abate the fury or sharpness of the Accrimony which is the gender of those diseases called Cronical and although it doth want fermentation yet hath it the true strength of the grain if be well prepared and doth in no wife sume to intoxication for that it is unfermented and undoubtedly those which loves health will love this drink and is an absolute enemy unto natures enemies I had thought to have spoken much and from good grounds of the worth and benefit of this drink but being already inlarged beyond intention I am constrained to leave it for this time I have wrote many things which will have an ungrateful taste yet of mighty force for thy health I cannot conclude this book but I must give thee one receipt more which will be acceptable unto thy foolish fancy that in truth thy appetite never tasted a more stately thing or higher cordial for health and yet cheap and of very easie and vulgar preparation as followeth Take twelve pound of Black-Cherries that is full grown and sweet break all their stones in a morter put them in a Limbeck or in a small common Stillers Still put to them one gallon of fair Spring water distill off again one Gallon or on gallon within a point this water doth far exceed that which is commonly sold for black-Cherry water take all out and run it throw a Pulpring sive and wash with clean water the still or the Limbeck and what runs thorow the Sive of it self keep to make thy Surrup of the rest drive thorow the Sive by force that nothing be lest but skin and stones and that keep by it self for thy Surrop take the first that is thin and run thorow the Sive of it self put unto it for each pint two pound of sweet sented Lisborn Sugar and put into one quart of Rose water and one quart of Sparmint water boyl all at least eight hours Note that if from first to â—â—st the matter be not boiled twelve or fourteen hours it will not answer thy intention but if thou wilt feed it with fire twenty four hours thou therewith may do wonders I have so wrought it and baked it over and over several times and thou maist know that a Black Cherry is a substance unknown and cannot by fire be made dry but as soon as it is cold it will draw to it self a moist air and will relent do what thou canst yet I have so fired him or fed him with fire that I could not touch it with my teeth such hath been its mighty force and for obstructions all have flown before it and when I would taking but a little more then ordinary it would loose my belly and give a stool or two but if thou wilt make a Surrup of it without this extream firing it will not then be worth an half penny but will be only toothsome as other ordinary Sirrops is I leave thee to judge of it as thou wilt I know for my self many years ago it was precious in its effects unto me and from that experience I had of it I now moved with good-will commit it unto thee FINIS
glass note it may be done in earth set it in sharp sand begin with gentle fire leave the hole open at the top onely stop it with Cotton-wooll that the wily Spirits of the Armoniak may go else thou wouldst break the vessel after twelve hours moderate fire stop close the hole above increase fire thou maist with thy hand on the vessel know well whether thou give fire orderly note that after twenty four hours or thirty hours thou canst not hurt it with fire let all cool and with an Hares foot cleanse off thy sublimation which will almost be on the collour of gold take that which is sublimed and weigh its weight of fresh Ens well ground together and sublime it again and this work thou must repeat four time always upon fresh Ens before thy work be perfect if thou dealest honestly with this preparation which thou maist do in a matter of 10 or 12 days there needeth little other Physick three or four grains drank in white wine or in any proper Vehicle always ballancing a proportion by the strength and weakness of the patient this is a true receit as I have done it let if speak for it self but I did not pass all the sublimations at once having no present occasion for it I have seen this so glorious as to my thinking it hath exceeded gold God Almighty prosper that man that strives to excel in well-doing Now take all thy water and filter it very clean and vapor it away and thou wilt receive a considerable quantity of fixed salt white and good put it into a strong crusible and calcine it in a reverberatory for six hours have care that thy heat do not make it flow but let it be meanly red hot then dissolve it in distilled rain water filter it vapor away the water it is abundantly fairer then it was at first note thy water must be twice distilled which is best done in quantity in a Copper Still with a Serpentine Refrigetory in this work let dirt sooner fall into thy eye then into thy work then calcine again a third time and proceed as above thou hast a Medicine of great force but if thou wilt repeat this work till thy Salt will yield unto thee no more Fecis I dare not tell thee what I think it will do I know thou art hasty with me and demands what this fixed salt is good for and my answer is as ready go look I cannot tell but if thou wilt know what a fixed Medicin is good for look amongst the Cronical of fixed diseases which the Gallinist counts uncurable thou canst not knock down an Ox with a small Mallet the remedy must over ballance the disease Note aster this order you may almost gain the Salt of any thing I therefore have write this Undoubtedly no greater pleasure can be had on earth in earthly things then to be busily imployed in the curious pursuing of these things I do therefore account my self most happy whose good hap it is next to the true fear love and serving of God to be swallowed up in the daily pursuance hereof above all things see that thou adict thy self to be neat and cleanly in thy work if thou knowest any thing in Alchimy thou must know that with patience thou must work to take a few grains of the excremental parts out of an ounce of the substantial parts and it may be work long and throw all away and begin again and this without change or reluctance of mind being fully resolved to work ever if thou ever meanest to speed it s profitably miscarried if thou thereby art humbled else thou wilt not be taught God resists the proud but gives grace and teacheth the humble therefore give time with patience for that is of God but hast and unpatience is of the devil the greatest mastery is the well governance of the regiment of fire besure that thou hast Vulcan well yoaked in his own fetters and see well that his bellows be not too big onely study to make Volatil that which is fixt and to fix that which is Volatil and all this after due cleansing if thou canst so deal with this salt thou wilt find bread thou wilt never want matter if thou hast this power he onely is happy whom God teacheth his true fear is the beginning of wisdom them he teacheth the way they shall goâ— be not curious beyond nature I my self for some years past have much exceeded following the Chimaerais of my own head soar not to things too high and beyond thee remember the saying of one of the chief Pillars in Physick Art is long life is short know God is in heaven and thou on earth thou canst not fathom his depths in the least natural thing how canst thou then comprehend him who fills all things Be not offended because I am bold with thee t is because I love thee I cannot but improve the tallent bestowed and so I shall leave it with thee if thou counts me a fool I care not for if I know it well I am contented if I add a tittle to thee it is that which I desire no mans goodness can add any thing to God he already is perfect therein perfect harmony perfect silence and rest for ever in himself to whom nothing can be added but our goodness may be extended unto the men on the earth to them that excel in vertue I strive thereafter as I receive help some of these receits cannot be wrought by unpracticed hands I can but give as I have received good will excits and moves this offer let it work likewise in thee to accept in what I have done weakly be thou more ready to mend then find fault if I have deserved rebuke I will accept it from thee in any language with thanks I will now deliver thee in as plain words as I can a most stately Receit which I have wrought and given many scores of times with great success The preparation of the Salt of Mars salt of Steel so called Take what quanity of Oyl of Vitriol thou pleasest and put it in an open Glass or in a well glazed vessel set it upon a stool in a Chimney put into it for each pound of Oyl one ounce of Salt Jem or Stone Salt beaten to fine powder take the filings of Steel and with a spoon sprinkle upon the Oyl and it will foam boil and fret have care thou be not too hasty for then will it boyl over continue this shaking in of the powder of Steel so long that thou perceive it to be all dry and hard and will foam and fret no more then set it in a sand Furnace and dry it very well that it be hard and like a stone almost for hardness bring this to fine powder have a good quantity of water warm and sprinkle this powder thereon and keep it stirring with a stick otherwise it will knit to a stone in the bottom filter this water put on more repeat this putting
lute made of blood lome hair and sharp sand and moisten them with strong Brian lay it on all over the thickness of two half crowns let it dry in the sum when its dry look well and purge what is a miss and it is ready fill this three parts full of thy Brick and Amber and it is ready to put into thy Furnace make a Furnace with a grate and lay a cross bar of Iron eight inches above thy grate set thy retort in an earthen Dish of ashes or sand upon this bar let the nose stand inclining so as what condenceth may run out build up about thy Retort and keep an inch distance or more and just at the top of thy Furnace leave a vent so bigg as an egge may go in at it note if thy vent be too strait thou will be puzzled but if too big then maist with tile shird make it less by laying it on the top lay to it a receiver as bigg as the retort see that all be dry and well fixed then with a gentle fire of Charcole under thy grate make fire for twelve hours thou wilt perceive thy work to sweat and a white waterishness to cleave unto the neck of thy Retort and in thy Receiver continue this degree of fire under thy grate in the ash-pit for twelve hours or longer till thou perceive it to slack its working then begin with final fire upon thy grate govern thy work with care that it work not too fiercely for then thou wilt endanger all thy work and break thy vessels and keep that heat till thou seest that it will work no more and that as thou perceivest there cometh nothing increase thy fire a little for three hours and if thou perceive that it begin to send forth white fumes keep that degree for six hours and by this time thou maist be sure that all the Flegâ— is come off then put in a Sea-cole finder or two and so by degrees leave Charcole and bring â—a thy fire with Sea-cole it is for thy profit so to do and by this time there is no great danger the Oyl is drunk up into the Brick and thou with a little increase of fire will make him discharge oâ— spew it out again and yet keep it from flowing so that thou wilt receive now a thick black or deep red Oyl thou maist in twelve hours more setch off all thy Oyl without fear for it doth require good and strong fire and with a tile give vent at the top which thou laidst on in the beginning of thy work let all cool together as it stands and then take off thy Oyl and have a clean retort ready and pour it thereinto and if thou wilt make a retort thy receiver which is better then let it stand till thou art ready for it take out the retort with the Capud and clap into thy Furnace an Iron Kettle and let the bottom seat upon the Iron Bar and leave a large vent so bigg as a small fist way be put down it note this Furnace will stand in any Chimney-corner how little soever it be and with Lime and Hair fix the same handsomely let the Kettle incline a little that it may câ—sâ— the Oyl the better set into sand thy Retort with the Oyl let the nose incline that the Oyle may descend or drop let it stand half an inch in the bottom of sand under the retort fill about with the same sand so high as the Oyl in the retort is let not the sand be either too sharp or too fine but of a middle greet break the neck of another retort to go over this if it be two inches wide then if need not go over above one inch but if it be but one inch wide it had need go over three inches lute it fast about with Starch and paper do thy work neatly like a work man make a Sea-cole fire under gently untill all the Flegm be come over and after increase thy fire Note that if thou hast wrâ—â—gâ—â— well in thy firâ— drâ—â—ght 〈…〉 pâ—und of 〈◊〉 thou wilt 〈◊〉 of â—yâ—â—nd 〈◊〉 thiâ—â—◠〈…〉 repeat the â—aâ—eâ—â—â—â—n the second time then hâ—â—t thou attained unto that Oyl as 〈◊〉 constantly sell for four shillings the ounce and sometimes unto Gentlefolks and sometimes for nothing thou maist note that I have of the 〈◊〉 which â—â—â—h been thus rectified abâ—â—e ten times that I never sold any of it under twenty shillings the ounce Thus I have given thee without any knot the tree and plain way of my own work which I have done of my self without any guide or teaching but as God hath taught me and therefore know not what way other men take accept them at my hand therefore whereunto I have attained with as much love as I tender it unto thee Many conclusions I have tried thinking to advance the worth of this Oyl but it proved otherwise note that with fire thou canst not wronge it but therewith thou must seed it and on fire it doth seed as naturally as thou feeds upon thy meat many that would be accounted wise we choise in their fire and dare not stir it up least all theirwork should be spoiled but I am sure they are fools and spoil their work for want of fire for its clearness must not come with gentle fire but with oft rectifying for if thou wilt take from him his fetid sent know that he is worth nothing fit for Ladies to play wish but not to do them good and because many will disdain me in this matter I will take in one more with me viz. Radolphus Glover who saith as much note that it is best to keep this Oyl upon the Flegma as its one mother neither will the Oyle sower so soon I do think in my conscience this Oyl comes the nearest unto a Medicin universal if strongly rectifyed ten or twelve times and the opperator have judgement to keep and hold his Spirituousness with strong Lute of any Oyl in the world I have found it so and therefore so speak But because many would fain make this Oyl who live far off and cannot get vessels I will shew them a clownish way or two that they may make a shift as I have done but first note I do protest I do not know out of my own hand where this Oyl can be had for mony I have tried again and again that which is sold for it but I finde little of the truth there I do not doubt but it is in divers hands to be had for mony but where out of my own hand I know not but that which is trade stuff is fetcht more out of the Firr-tree then out of the Scruff of Amber Let the Country gentleman that lives far off and loves them that God loves viz. the poor and would fain do them good let him attend to what I say take a long neckt jugg the longest you can get and cover it well with a strong lute as I appointed thee to cover
the retort withall put in thy Ambeâ— confect therein lay thy jugg upon thy Iron bar within thy Furnace let the nose lie out about one inch let not the nose incline but look a little upward set to another jugg whose mouth will go over his mouth lute them fast together proceed in all points as formerly and thou haft thy desire and if thou wouldst rectifie those vessels be sure that they be very well burned and glazed otherwise thou maist go seek thy Oyle or thou maist very well make thy first drought in Gawbers first Furnace if thou have any of them or any Potter will make thee of them I will yet commend unto thee another way which is no sable but what I have wrought with my own hand and of my own invention which I am sure no ingenious man will dispise Take a large Funnel of Crooked-lane-plate or of thin brass as my own is of that I have used the same way and for the same purpose and cut so much of its small end off as thou maist turn thy thum in it get a Plate of thin Iron or Brass and fit it unto the top of thy Funnel so artly that it may lie a straws breadth within the rim of thy Funnel and if thou canst not get a Plate conveniently take an old Frying-pan bottom if none of these then an earthen dish but it will require a stronger fire upon iâ— be careful that whatever it be that it fit thy Funnel or Tunel then take another earthen dish about two inches deep or a little less and let it be almost as wide as the Funel put it into the Funnel and take three or four six penny nails put them betwixt the dish and the Funnel side that there may be a straws breadth or a nails bredth betwixt the Tunnel and the dish for the vapor to go down by put thy Amber grosly beaten into the dish but be sure that thy plate above do reach within an inch or inch and half at farthest then lay over thy plate then take a live Charcole and lay thereon which may warm the Plate have ready chalk beaten to fine powder and a strong lye made of Bay salt and thereof make thin stuff as if thou wouldst make Pancakes and with thy knife lay this lute upon the edge of thy Funel which will bind fast the plate the Funnel that nothing can vapor that way take thy Funnel and set it into a large glass with a narrow mouth and lute it well with a Iinnen cloth and some of thy lute and set thy glass where thou wilt in thy window or one thy table it is great pleasure to behold this working thou maist govern it as thou wilt by thy increase or decrease of fire this I have done and it is speedy easie and delightful and almost without charge onely note thy Oyl comes very thick clean all thy vessels with warm water and soap and then thou maist rectifie therewith thou must take heed to blow away the ashes that the heat may take the Iron plate under it more aptly the gentlier thou dost fire the better will thy work be Of this Oyl if a vollum were writ of its power and vertue it would be short of what is contained in it I will content my self with giving thee two or three instances leave thee to judge of it as it seems good unto thee At the beginning of these unnatural wars I think about seventeen or eighteen years ago for so long I have used it I my self being extream week even as water languishing by degrees after a sore fit of sickness which held me from Bartholmew-tide unto Shrove-tide and for near seven years passing my days in as great affliction as might be and go upright nothing that I could take doing me any good able to digest no wholsome food and if I had gone the length of Tower-street it was pains enough for me to lie on the bed all the day after it indeed having inward peace I did long for death but it fled away as God would have it I knew not what I ailed onely whole nature wasted and spent and being deaf I imployed a man to serreng my ear I founded under his hand four times that they thought I should then have dyed the man told me I was the weakest man that ever came under his hand willed me to get good Oyl of Amber and drink three or four drops in the morning fasting and he would warrant my recovery I inquired what it was and till I came unto Hans Honger in White-chappel the Hungarian I could not learn its vertue he commended it as one of the most absolute things in the world he prepared me one ounce for which I gave him ten shillings and if I had given him ten pounds he had deserved it I took three dtops as I was directed and two mornings it purged and no more but brought me to a right order viz. once in a day but before I had I know not how many stools in a day and also made water almost at ever post through weakness but in three weeks or a months time I was renewed from head to heal and was like a boy of fourteen years old no ground could hold me even at once released of all the sore burdens and oppressions that I lay under which did much amaze most that knew me and I told them with what although few would believe it this relation is true praised be God for this Oyl as a blessed instrument thereof for presently I broke wind began to feel an appetite and digest that which I did eat which was happy effects to me that for some years knew I not what it ment and God so ordered it that at that very time I fell in with a French Emperick which was servant unto the Prince of Orringe and from the time I have labored in this art of Alchimy A child being near death with Convulsion-fits its father mother grandmother coming into thâ— Country where the child was at nurse intending to bury it before they went home to London the child having had thirty fits some black and some white nothing could interpose I desired them to annoint the breast with some of this Oyl and indeed it was the first draught onely it stopt the fit coming and the child had no more fits while she had it to nurse unto their great astonishment the Nurse said to me that if I would have asked at that time five pound a drop I might have had it but eighteen pence did serve the turn Another time I did use to go oft unto a friends house where one lay sick of the Pestilence I fancied with my self not to be afraid neither can I say I was afraid but so it was that I felt something rise and swell under my right arm I let it alone two or three days till at last it was so bigg that I could not get my arm unto my side as I was wont and to
my thinking it was as bigg as an egg and begun to be sore I then had two sorts of Oyl of Amber one that was fine to drink and another sort that was course to annoint I drank my portion of the best and then I called for my courser sort as I was in bed and with my left hand annointed under my arm and while my hand was upon it it did avoid the place and fell under my short ribs I followed it with Oyl upon my ribs and while my hand was on it it leaped up under my arm again I to it again under my arm with more Oyl and while my arm was on it it went I know not whether the next morning I felt a little pain upon the contrary shoulder and thus it went away and I heard no more of it blessed be God for his goodness and mercy unto me I was once almost forced to visite a Gentleman who was lame of the Gout I left him Pills and gave him of this Oyle to annoint his feet this man neglected his Pills onely annointed with this Oyl he told me the next day he was in ease and his foot and legg all alike sore this man with one or two Pills and this Oyl was so well as I observed him he ran after me to open his door to let me out and so at once was well of his lameness this is true I have related Many by drinking this Oyl onely have voided many stones and much gravel when drunk is White-wine I do use in Feavors to rubb my self all over with this Oyl and drink it inwardly and do find the ready way to cure with my Pills and although it be fire for so is my Pills yet do they quickly extinguish an unnatural fire as all find that use them thanks be to God for it I never knew Convulsion stand with it but it is ready help as far as I have proved and as profitable for any ach of limbs whereever nay I have known when able Doctors have concluded of nothing but death where extream vomiting and tearing of limbs have been being left I have then caused the patient to be rubbed all over with this Oyl with a warm hand which instantly hath caused cease of pain and such breaking wind as is not to be credited and forthwith health hatâ— followed this I have seen with my eyes blesseâ— be God for it I leave it to Gods blessing in thy hand I think to speak no more of it this book having already exceeded my intention you may safely annoint a little child of a month old or younger if you have the true Oyl yea as soon as it is born without danger and I have known it given inwardly at sixteen weeks old without danger it is altogether discorsive and not contractive and therefore safe and profitable for women that have Cankers in their Brests as I have known some cured with my Pills and this Oyl praised be God for it but I am weary of writing being very burthen some unto me I cannot but further add that till I knew my Pills I never knew the like for all griess whatever that took their root from wind and Rhums it break wind apparently sensible twenty four hours from off the stomach I will also here commend to the another which I am perswaded may truely be accounted brother unto the Oyl of Amber for I have much used it and found it for all inward applications no whit inferior unto it this thou maist know for it is not any part of my design to deceive thee that I have found that if I did drink Amber above fourteen days or three weeks then its vertue would be gone then have I left it off and drank this Oyl I shall now speak of as long and then the Oyl of Amber would come fresh as at first in strength and vertue thou maist note also that the Oyl of Amber if you take too much of it in hot weather will produce faintings which this will not further note I never durst use this Oyl outwardly but the Oyl of Amber with great fasty Of this Oyl I never read in all my life nor ever heard of any that ever did make any use of it but my self and my one reason led me to it contemplating one the subject could not but believe there was real worth in it as I by experience have truely found and this Oyl I call the Oyl or Spirit of Pine for so indeed it is for Tar is made of the Pine-tree as Johnson reports I know nice noses will snuffel at this Oyl as a thing most detestable I do is this as in other things admire the depth of the wisdom and goodness of God who puts honor upon those things men most dispise but I being all my life put hard to it for the preservation of my health have laid phantastical humors aside and seriously searched into the blessing of God hid and covered even in dispised things and truely I cannot say I have labored in vain and indeed the benefit of this one as to health makes amends for an hundred abortives or errors Take therefore in the name of God what quantity of Tar thou pleasest and put it into a retort wâ—ll lutâ—d â—â—d take like quantity of Bay-salt put it into a new earthen vessel make a good fire of Charcole about it which is called a wheel-Wheel-fire of Sâ—â—â—â—tatâ—â—â— and let thy Salt stand meanly red till it will crack no more and that is called Decrepitating beat this Salt to powder while it is warm in a stone Morter and then with a wide Funel power it upon thy Tar which thou put into the Retort let all together fill thy retort two thirds set the retort in the palm of thy hand and mix them well by shaking of them together place this retort upon the Iron bar eight inches above thy grate in a dish of sifted ashes as is taught in the drawing of the Oyl of Amber proceed with it in all points as with the Oyl of Amber onely at the last give violent fire for twelve hours thou shalt receive three substances viz. in the bottom of thy glass thou shalt receive a white Balsom which is of unknown worth and vertue as to my self I speak the least heat disolves it but I never made no experiment with it but gave it to a friend which used to handle hard tools and he had a corn for divers yeers in one of the joynts of his finger which was a daily grief and pain unto him he annointed it with this balsom and it did swell and rise he took a sharp knif and did cut off what did rise up and then did annoint again it made it to rise again he cut it again and then did annoint again and it did swell and rise again this labor he continued till the corn came perfectly out and so remains unto this day which is now at least this seven years I know no wise man that considers what I
have said but will grant that which hath power thus to work can also go further when a wise man hath it in hand above this Balsom thou wilt receive a sour Flegm I do not know â—ny thing it is good for and above that thou wilt receive a deep red Oyl which separate from this Balsom and Flegm and that rectified once in ashes and a second time in Balneo Maria thus far I went with it and no further for my own use and I found it precious above gold There came a fat man to me once that was troubled with strange fits and would beat himself and foam at mouth and when any thing did over charge his spirits he would fall into those fits I gave him some of this spirit of Pine and willed him to drink four five or eight drops and more as he found it work and that he could bear it in a weeks time or a little more he sent me word he was cured I willed him to proceed for sometime however and one morning after he had drunk this Oyl going among his neighbors they smelt a strong smell at last they said it was like Tar he fancied I had given him somewhat made of Tar was angry with me choosing rather to have his fits still rather then take any thing of Tar I think it is very fit this man should keep his fits still onely I am afraid he hath some fits more then doth him good the abundant mercy from heaven is manifest in the freedom of nature to all men which offers her treasures free without price and God gives wisdom to men to search it out and happy is that man whose heart is set open and free to do good imitating God and nature in their bountuous gifts and as palpable is that mans folly who deprives himself of those blessings freely offered unto him and thrice more wretched is that man who withholds those mercies from mankind unto whom the highest hath freely granted them for what have I or another that we have not received and wherefore have we received but to fullfill the ends of the giver miserable is that man that wants that witness in heaven and in his own conscience the blessing that I have received in the taking of my Pill and in the giving it to others hath hindred me from making thorow proof of this Oyl and Balsom I have given thee a plain receipt and leave thee to Almighty God in the use of it I know no more but to drink it in the morning two hours before meat it break wind upward all day and causeth appetite digesteth meat and where these are there will not want strength so I write because so I have found by good experience note drop it upon a spoonful of Ale or Beer handsomely throw it down that thou touch it not nor let the spoon touch it so will you smell of it either not at all or very little and the like for oyl of Amber but when you belch you will taste it hardly else I know the scornful will not touch it but the pained will be glad to use those things that doth them ease Now I will plainly give thee a plain receit which hath been kept up as a great treasure and so indeed it is as I thing no man of any judgement but will so judg it I cannot speak of my own knowledge much of it but my good friend from whom I have it hath been for many years relieved by it when other means failed him and he being satisfied with my pressing desires to do good freely gave it me to that end and I freely give it you it will speak for it self it is of very inconsiderable preparation and yet of great effect and thou maist prepare as much in few hours as will contain one thousand dosses I know there are many good Gentlemen and Gentlewomen which desire to do good unto their poor neighbor I intreat them attend to this I have done it it is so easily done as it deserves not the name of a Chymical preparation I also have known it safe and profitable and worketh so sweetly as indeed it is a Medicin to be desired To prepare Antimony Take one part of Antimony and six parts of the best India Salt-peeter pound them together and serce them thorow a hair sive take a strong crusible three square and let it stand clean in a strong sire of Charcole have a spoon tied unto a stick put in a spoonful and it will burn but in more and more as it burneth till the crusible is full take a clean Tobaco pipe with the little end stir it well let it boil and stir that till you are sure it will sparkle no more have a Brasse or Iron Morter clean stand by you and with your Tonges take up your crusible empty it into the Morter set it again in the fire and go on as at first untill you have done all that you intend to do for that time have a care to keep strong fire it should be upon a grate that it may be strong bring this unto sine powder and sear it thorow a Lawn five and it is prepared for your use Note that if it do not fire as you do expect touch it with a live coal and set it on fire Antimony thus prepared is depurated of all its fecis and poisonous qualities loosing utterly its maligne heat it purgeth copiously without trouble and molestation all grosse cold and Tartarous humors and openeth all stopped passages To prepare Scamony Take of the best Scamony what quantity you please and beat it to powder and serce it have ready a Tobacco drier and put upon it a spungy thin brown paper take your Embers and strow in Brimstome into the fire hold over the Scamony so that the fumes of the Brimstone may take thorow the paper and when you perceive that it sticks unto the Paper but as thick as a half crown or shilling cast off the rest upon a clean Paper with a spoon scrape off what sticks upon the paper for it is prepared then put on again the powder of Scamony and cast into your fire more powder of Brimstone till you perceive that some doth stick unto your paper then cast off the loose powder and scrape off with a spoon as formerly and this work you must repeat untill all your Scamony have been scrapt off in like manner then is it all prepared but you must be sure to take it off as soon as your can least your Scamony quite loose all its vertue as it will if you sume it too much with the Brimstone Scamony thus prepared is good against chollar and all thin hot humors having in it neither savor nor smell purgeth very easily without pain which is corrary unto all other preparations The preparation of the cream of Tartar is ordinary or the Crystals of Tartar to be had at any Drugist used in this Portion Note that all these three is
to be kept close in fine powder severally in glass-bottles The greatest dosse for men Antimony ten grains Scamony fourteen grains Tartar eight grains The ordinary dosse for men Antimony nine or ten grains Scamony eleven or twelve grains Tartar six grains The lesser dosse for men Antimony fix grains Scamony nine grains Tartar five grains For children betwixt seven and fourteen Antimony seven or eight grains Scamony five or six grains Tartar three grains For sucking children and under seven Antimony two or three grains Scamony four or five grains Tartar three grains To children give it with Sugar or some sweet liquor but to others as you please if the Ague or disease cease not at the first time give it again four or five times ever diminishing the quantity because the humors being once stirred they are the easier carried out or if this portion do little the first day then add more with discretion This Powder you may use in all diseases where humors do offend either simple or compound hot or cold thin or gross clammy or windy worms or extention above nature it helpeth the stopping of the Flowers the extention of the belly the Dropsie in the beginning Tertians Quartans and all sharp Feavors Choller ill appetite watching thirst unquietness of mind iâ— helpeth the small Pox and Plurisie it is not to be given where is great evacuation but explition and fullness it is much better then letting of blood As for this portion of Physick rightly prepared and applied I do believe considering the inconsiderableness of the preparation the world never had any better and I trust in God I have done good service unto my Country in bringing it to light but if any be envious and is disposed to cavil at it all that I desire of him is that he would let it alone The true preparation of Crocus Martis Take the filings of Steel what quantity you please which you may buy at the Druggist and put it in a broad earthen well glazed dish and sprinkle it twice a day with strong Vinegar set it in the hot Sun or cover it with another dish and let if stand upom Embers the night time do this for one month now and then stir it up and again give it Vinegar till thou perceive it is all become rusty dry it well and beat it to sine powder then take a large glass body and put it into it and pour upon it distilled Vinegar which must needs be so otherwise thou wilt be as much troubled with the fecis of the Vinegar as the thou wilt be with the damd Terra of the Crocus let it be covered with a blind head but first stir it well set it in a Furnace of ashes or in Balneo Maria for four or five days look that the Vinegar be deeply colloured red if not shake it well together and let it stand in the fire till it is then cast off the clear into a clean vessel put on more Vinegar and this repeat till thou seest that it wil ting no more take all thy Vinegar and filter it thorow a double Cap paper it will thorow by reason of the sharp penetration of the Vinegar then in a clean glass vessel vapor all the Vinegar away or with a head and receiver draw off thy Vinegar and in the bottom thou wilt receive a fair red Crocus but if thou wilt take the pains to repeat this labor again that is to dissolve it in fresh Vinegar after thou hast taken it out and put in a clean new earth vessel and let it be gently calcined for four or five days and again desolved filtred coagulated thou wilt have a Medicin of more worth then gold God be merciful to men and women which in stead of this have only the rust of Iron put into their bellies this Medicin is vast in its effects but most omninous in all kind of Fluxes let it content thee for this time I have given thee a true receit To prepare the Sugar of Saturn Take what quantity of lead thou wilt and in a Iron Kettle melt it and with a ladle of Iron stir it this continue till all the lead be turned into an Ash colloured powder if thou wilt as I have done add Bay salt and continue it over a strong fire till thou perceive it begins to attain a red collour let it cool put it into a clean vessel not greasie and wash out all the Salt well and be sure thou take all the Salt taste away as by thy tasting the last water thou maist perceive then dry it well in a clean vessel then grind it well upon a Pursry with distilled Vinegar fit for to be used with a pensill put it into a clean glass cover it six fingers with distilled Vinegar put on a blind head and let it stand in ashes or Balneo Maria three or four days let all cool thy Vinegar will be as sweet as Sugar to thy taste cant of the clear put on more distilled Vinegar proceed as afore till it will yield to thee no more swee tness filter all as before of thy Crocus vapor away till thou see a scum arise upon the top let all cool set it in a cool place or seller and it will shoot into most transparent Chrystals which is called the Sugar of Saturn note if it do not shoot into Crystals thou hast not vapored it enough away when thou hast took out those Chrystals vapor the rest and it will shoot Chrystals afresh but if thou wilt take these Chrystals and calcin them again and then disolve filter congeal as is said above it will yet excel I have done it five or six times over I cannot tell thee what this is good for I know it is a great astringer it is no part of my indeavor to make my self wiser then I am let it suffice thee for this time that I have given thee a true receipt for I dare not write beyond the labor of my hand if thou canst believe me there is no deceit in what I commit unto thee thou maist as I have done also work this out of Red-lead hut it did like me better to work it out of lead it self I will now give thee a true and plain Receipt of one of the most potent stateliest Medicins that I think is attainable in the world The true preparation of the essence of Venus commonly called Ens Veneris Take from the Dunghill at the Refiners his dead head commonly called Caput mortuum that which is left of his Aqua Fortis the blacker it is the better it is for that is most burnt put it into clean water and it will disolve stir it let it fine cant off that water but on fresh water this repeat till you by taste find no more sharpness in it keep that water together dry well the red earth take of this red earth what quantity thou wilt of Salt Armoniake equal parts grind them well together put them into a sublimatory of good
on of water till it be no more sharp let all be clean filtred and vapor away the half or above and it will shoot into transparant green Chrystals very fair Vitriol vapor yet again and it will shoot again if thou hast vapored enough of it away take all the Chrystals or Vitriol and lay it abroad on a well glazed dish and set it in a stove or in the Sun in his strength and it will break into white powder then put it into a clean distilled water and it will dissolve filter it again coagulate it into Chrystals it will shoot into far more fairer Vitriol then the â—irst this ought to be repeated so oft till it will â—et no more fecis but at this twice it will be in a very honorable condition and so far I have gonâ— dry it well it will be a white yellow powder and keep it close â—â—opt in a glass for thy use of this powder ten or twelve grains in the morning and so for a week togeâ—heâ— â—is profitable to bring the Flowers if drunk in good white wine and stirring upon it it sometimes causeth vomiting sometimes purging and sometimes neither it easeth the breast of stopping helps Rickits and killeth worms give to children three or four grains according to their strength it is a choice Medicin as I have proved If thou would draw the Oyl of Vitriol thy self take good Copperas and in a new earthen pan boyl it dry beat it to powder put it in long necks lute fast draw it with judgement as much as the Oyle of Amber is some calcine it red first as I have done my self but for this work it need not so be done A true Receit of the powder of Sympathy or the Sumpathetical powder made of Roman Vitriol lately commended by Sir Kenelme Digby but no plain Receit given which I here perform and freely give thee knowing that there is none better Take what quantity of Roman Vitriol thou wilt dissolve it in rain water but put no more water then will dissolve it always leaving some undissolved in the bottom filter it as clean as possible let thy water be milk warm in thy dissolution put it in a clean glass-body set in sifted ashes and give it gentle heat so that it never exceed the heat of thy belly and in that heat let it vapor away till thou see it covered with a Catecula or thin scum or cream then withdraw thy fire let it sland unmolested for three days covering it well that nothing fall into it then with a glass spoon or wooden spoon take out the coagulated Vitriol which is shot into fair green Chrystals then kindle thy fire again and with like degree continue till it be covered with a scum withdraw thy fire again let it stand other three days take up again with a wooden spoon the coagulation this you must repeat untill thou hast the substance of thy Vitriol again but freed from much of its filth take all thy Vitriol which thou hast gathered spread it on a glass or well glazed dish in the heat of the Sun or in defect thereof a clean stone of equal heat with the scum and take heed thou dost not exceed for then wilt thou leese its vital parts which are quickly volatil and subtil neither wilt thou attain any more greenness on thy Vitriol which when thou perceivest begin again all is lost understand thy degrees of fire better but if you give it its dew heat then will it break into a white powder and the greenness which is its life will obscure and hide it self then take it again and in rain water distilled twice dissolve it as at first Now mark I bring thee again to thy beginning and there I leave thee for this work thou shouldst repeat so oft and so long till it set no more fecis to thee but conclude when thou wilt thou seest what Sir Kenelum Digby doth write viz. The Antients did use this Vitriol in its grosse body beat to powder I have here given thee so true away as I know none better for in this thou bringst it beyond what is fit to be written and doth hold preserve and keep all its power both spiritual sympathetical fixt and Volatil If thou hast ears I have said much what is wanting unto thee consult with Van Helmount Aswall Groby Mr. Boulton and Sir Kenelme Digby Being moved fully with good will I will here give thee one receit more the like I confidently affirm never saw the light for the good of mankind and whosoever will be perswaded upon my faith and credit always to have it truely and faithfully prepared may with much confidence cease from all other things in the world quietly commit themselves and relations into the hands of Almighty God in the use of this with quietness and rest and I speak boldly if this prove short to correct thy Feavor and heal thy disease and hath not power to purge thy blood and throw all out that is noxtious unto thy vital Spirit let thy ailes be what they will look not for it to be done in this world I pitty thy fugitive mind and pray for thee when I see thee hunt from one man to another and from one Medicine unto another which is indeed the harbinger of death but if thou art admonished from thy vain worshipping of men to fall off and with a quiet mind pray and use this and therein rest waiting upon God I am sully possest and perswaded in my conscience it is sufficient for thee and if thou as blind as Bayard cry out of the strong poison of the subjects viz. Poppey and black Hellebor thou snarling fool cease and first learn the power of Salt of Tartar and do not bewray thy folly and ignorance till thou hast proved its power least thou give just occasion of perpetual laughter unto those whom experience hath taught informed I do confess I can exempt no Medicin in the world but my Pill and Antidote whose receits I may not at present here give thee and this I protest unto thee that if thou hast made a right use of this that I have here in full and plain words taught I should have small hope with any thing I am made Master of to help and cure where this cannot and therefore as thou hast respect unto thy life consider what I now teach thee I say I teach thee under God for I have not had the least light or guide from any breathing or from any book but God Almighty my Lord and good Master hath been my guide and therefore I with joy do ascribe unto him all praise and thansgiving for ever Rec. Take one pound of the best White Rhennish Tartar and one pound of India Salt-peeter bring them to powder in a stone Morter serce them thorow a Hair Sive take a Pipkin that was never used set it upon Charcole let the bottom heat as the coals do kindle put in a spoonful of this