fruits serve for mans good both for his body and spiââ for nothing is hid from my transparent power my splenââ and lustre over-shadoweth all these and are held to âir growing unto maturity let no creatures marvel at ââse several distinctions from whence they all should âne for all have their principle from me froÌ my spirit âich is hidden in me which none can dive into save the ãâã creator of all things from whom it proceeded as out âhis Divine mouth Thus I close up my speech and my ãâã startle at so great a mystery and attest in truth for a âewell that I am not onely the Gold and present Sol but âe also strength and power to all the inferies terrene spiââ for Aristeus and Onizon is in subjection unto me for I ãâã α and God be praised for ever Thus I conclude the second part of my Mineral book âerein I have shewed faithfully as much as I know and ââld in my industry apprehend let others do their enâavours also let them produce their knowledge also that ãâã light of the noble nature may still be supply'd in her âânitude and may not go out whereby cause would be ââen to the enemy and envious men to be outragious ââinst such truths Let God still and uncessantly be imââtuned with prayers and thanks-giving For these ends âave written these my two Treatises and annexed the ânuals at the beginning which otherwise needed not to ãâã done that by earnest prayer and thanksgiving and conââued earnest worshipping of God every one might careââly exercise himself therein and be convinced in his ââason how gloriously almighty God hath created orââined and held forth nature to perform her operations under ground and to produce unto the day light formââ their Nativities and fruits that we may reap thereby ãâã onely our sustenance but may acknowledge Gods infinâ mercy and goodnesse for which none can return sufficieâ thanks However let every one do his duty and as moâ as he is able to perform with his heart and tongue pray God is sincerity for his grace blessing and wisdom tâ conceive by his spirit of truth and righteousnesse of his great and wonderfull Creature that the honour of God maybe exalted above the Heaven and be proclaimed with infinite praise throughout all the World End of the second Part. THE THIRD PART OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS His last TESTAMENT Treating of the Universal work in the whole World with a perfect Declaration of the XII Keyes wherein is significantly expressed the name of the great matter There is an Elucidation also of all his former writings published for the good of the posteritie and such that are lovers of wisdom LONDON Printed Anno Domini MDCLVI THE THIRD PART IS A Declaration of the XII Keyes HEre followeth the third part of my intended writings wherein is truely shewed the original and prime matter of our Philosophick stone which is a perfect instruction to the practick part which sheweth the direct way to the inexhaustible founâ of health and of the abundance of riches to provide mans necessaries and this is a Declaration of my former âitings which is left for a love-token to all those that lovers of Philosophy My friend you must note that by this intended work âching the Minerals I had reason to prefix the two parts Minerals and Metals and their Oars holding it a necesây to hold forth a light unto the ignorant how that one ãâã it from above frameth all such Oars Metals and Mineâs taking their original under ground for to generate âereby For earth is alwayes ready and covetous to atâct and to retain that spirit which proceedeth from Heaâns powers which it presenteth in processe of time in a âmality and perfection The manner of it hath been spoâen of sufficiently in my former writings which is the reaân why I give onely hints of them in this place Note that all things proceed from a heavenly influencâ elementall operation earthly substance from this mixâââ arise the 4. Elements water aire earth which engender hââ the help of fire hid therein in a warm digestion produciââ a Soul Spirit and Body These are the three prime priâciples which in a coagulation come to a Mercury Sulphâ and Salt these three being in conjunction according to thâ nature of the seed produce a perfect bodie be it in thâ Kingdom either of Minerals Animals or Vegetables Aâ things in the world that are visible and palpable are dââvided into these three Kingdoms the Animal which coâtains such that have a lively breath composed of flesh anâ bloud as men beasts worms fishes fowls The Vegetables which contains trees herbs seeds roots fruits anâ all such things that are of a growing quality the Mineraâ contains all manner of Oars Metals Minerals Marcasââ Calxes Zincks Lobol's all sorts of flints peebles wismuthâ stones precious ones and others Animals have their special seed a spermatick substance which after a copulation generate flesh and blood whicâ iced is their prima materia from a heavenly influence created of God of the 4. Elements wrought by nature whicâ formerly were quoted in my writings Vegetables also have their proper seed which God bestowed on them according to their several qualities anâ forms by a heavenly and sideral influence and receive theâ elemental fruitfull growing from the earth with an ordeâ thereby to generate and augment Minerals and Metals also have their original seed froâ God by the heavens influence in a liquid aereall substance by a Mineral spirit sulphureous Soul and earthâ Salt in one body joyned of these I have spoken in my sâmer writings Note further if any of these Metalliâ and Mineral kindâ shall be brought to a farther propagation and augmentatâon it must first be reduced to its first seed and prima mâteria If you will transmute Metals augment them bring âem into a tincture or Philosophick stone you must first âderstand how you may destroy by a spagyrick Art the âetalline and Mineral form and separate it into a Mercury ââlphur and Salt these three must be purely separated and ought to their first principles This separation is done in and by a Mercurial spirit sulâureous Soul and a white Salt These three in a due orâring of a true manual must be joyned again that they âay be brought to the highest and most perfect purity In which conjunction must exactly be observed the ââantity after this conjunction the whole substance is âeerly a liquid substance and philosophick water in which âl the Elements first the heavenly then the elemental and ââsly the earthly qualities are shut up and lye hid therein For the Mercurial spirit is cold and moist the sulphureous âoul is warm and dry and this liquor is the true prima maâria and first seed of Metals and Minerals which by Vulââns Art is brought to a plusquam perfection into a transcenâent fix'd Medicine out of which is generated the true âhilosophick stone and must be produced in that way Therefore observe and
do generate a corporeal matter according to that matter 's quality Thus the Astrals together with the Elements may raise a new seed which was never before any which seed by a further putrefaction may be encreased But unto ãâã is not so much granted as to stir up a new kinde of seed because the operation of the Elements and the ââstral substance he hath not at command to fashion what ãâã pleââââ thââ several sorts of Herbs are generated meerly by putrefaction And whereas the Countrey people holding it a meer custom do not take it into a further consideration nor imagine they any cause for it therefore among the vulgar is it become meerly a customary businesse Buâ you which ought to know more than ordinary people must consider further of it and learn to know the causâ and ground thereof how and from what these living Creatures are generated by putrefaction not to know iâ because it is usual but rather to know it is a mystery iâ Nature because every life cometh from puââefaction Every Element per se hath its corruption and generation Let the Artist be inform'd and learn the sufficient ground why in every Element the other three are hid for airâ containeth fire water and earth which though it seemetâ incredible yet is it a truth and fire containeth aire water and earth and earth containeth water aire and fire elsâ they would not generate water also containeth aire earth and fire though every Element is per se yet arâ they mix'd all which is found true at distillings wherâ these Elements are thus separated To make this appear to the ignorant which may crâ out that I speak meerly lies if you intend to learn thâ Anatomy of natural things and to separate the Elements I tell thee for a truth that at the distilling of earth therâ cometh first the Element aire being the highest then a a certain progresse there comes the Element water thâ fire lieth hid in the aire because both are of a spirituaâ substance love and embrace one another intirely the eartâ remaineth in the bottom in which lieth hid the gloriouâ Salt When you distil any water aire and fire cometh oveâ at first then the water the body of the earth abideth iâ the bottom The Elâment fire if it be driven into a visible substance by extraction each may be received apart In like manneâ in the aire the other three Elements do dwell For nonâ of these can be without aire earth can produce nothinâ without aiâe fire doth not burn nor hath it any life witâout aire neither can water produce any fruit without aire Neither can aire consume any thing nor exsiccate any moisture unlesse it be done by a natural heat which is ân the aire being heat and warmth is found in the aire âherefore needs must the Element of fire be in the aire For all hot and dry things are proper for the fiery substance âf things he that denieth this truth understandeth noâhing in Natures mysteries neither doth he know any âround of their properties You must conceive if any thing shall be generated by âutrefaction it must be in this manner Earth is brought ây a secret moisture into a corruption which is the beginâing of putrefaction for without moisture which is the Element water no true putrefaction can happen Now if âny breed shall come from thence it must come from a âarm quality as the Element fire must kindle and spread ãâã self for without a natural heat nothing can be geneâated and if that breed shall have a living breath and moâion the same cannot be without aire for if aire should âot be cooperative then the first composition out of which âhe breed should come would be choaked and perish by âeason of want of aire Thus you see plainly that perfect Creatures cannot be without any of the four Elements the âne shewing its operation in the other which they proânce in and at putrefaction for from henceforth nothing âan be brought to life without the same To make this âppear to be true that to a perfect birth and generation ââre are requisite all four Elements Then note that as Adam the first man being created by âhe Creator of a Limus terrae there appeared not as yet ane ââsible life before God had breathed on him then a lify âppeared in that clod of earth in that earth was the Salt ââat is the body the inbreathed aire was Mercury the spiââ by this inbreathing the aire presently afforded a due ââd convenient calidiry which was Sulphur that is fire ââen it stirr'd Adam shâwed by this stirring that there was âââsed into him a living Soul For fire cannot be without aire the water was corporated in the earth because this must be together of necessity else no life and must stand in an equal proportion Thus Adam was first builded and begotten out of earth water aire and fire of a soul body and spirit raised of Mercury Sulphur and Salt So Eveâ the first woman the Mother of us all was of the same composed being taken from Adam thus Adam and Eve were builded which you must note very well To come now again unto putrefaction the seeker in Philosophy is to know that in like manner no Metalline seed can work nor be augmented unlesse that Metalline seed be first in and of it self without any strange addition or mixture may be brought into a full putrefaction no more than the seeds of Animals and Vegetables can bring their increase without putrefaction The same Metals also must reach unto their perfect operation by the help of the Elements not that the Elements are the seed but the Metalline seed which had its descent from a heavenly astraââ Elemental substance and is come to a corporality and mâââ by the Elements be further brought into such corruptioâ and putrefaction Note this also wine containeth a volatile spirit aâ whose distilling its spirit cometh first and its phlegme at last but wine being by a continued heat turn'd into Vinegar then its spirit is no more so volatile as before and at the distilling of Vinegar its phlegme and aquosity cometh first and its spirit at last though the same matter be in the Vessel yet its condition is altered being no more a wine but by putrefaction is transmuted into Vinegar and that which is extracted from wine is of another nature and operation than that which is drawn from Vinegar For iâ Vitrum Antimony be extracted with Wine or spirit oâ Wine it causeth many stools by purging and vomits also because its venom is not yet quite broken nor destroyed but if Antimonial glasse be extracted with distilled Vinegar that extraction is of a deep colour this Vinegar being abstracted in Balâeâ Mariâ and the yellow remaiâââ powder being well dulcified with distilled water to get off all its accrosity then you have a sweet powder which causeth no more any stools but is a rare Medicine of admirable efficacies may well be held for miraculum Medicinae
is able to touch to take any thing from ãâã or to turn it to a Glimmer Spolium or cats silver of ãâã glittering quality Silver at Marychurch in Lorrayne is more fine then others âuper-fine is called that when a metal is pure and rid of âs excrements or dross which may easily be taken off and âindereth it not in its fining In silver Myne-works there âre often found such natural proofs of pure and fine oar âhat it might speedily be digged and broken though it âust be melted again by reason of its Spolium or by reason âf strange colours and flowers it hath robbed yet it easily âay be performed which serveth afterward for an instructiân how Mineral-colours must be obtained as Azur âhrysocolle though they stand in the Mineral-glass such coâours love to be in such pure oar buâ are not so soon inocuâted unless it be in the Sude or coction in which the metal ãâã very pure and yields more naturally the mercury of the âody be it in the ascension or descension assumeth then ânother body Hence is it apparent how the same ought âo be proceeded within the artificial After-work out of âne body into another how the body in which it is and âom which it must be had ought to be prepared namely ât must be made pure and Super-fine It appeareth in the âtalian Gold especially in that of Wallachia in which it is âost pure how that mercury of metals puts off his body the mercury of the body come from the mercury of the âetal puts the gold together into a close body and reguâs and it is seen in the gilding how firmly and closely ãâã stickâth wanteth but a small matter of an augmenting âuality its Spolium is onely obstructive thereunto it is of a transmuting and elevating quality if the other body bâ awakened also for a body which is between awaking anâ sleeping effecteth nothing it must be awakened wâolly if at the on boiling of a metal as of that Italian gold bâ but the least impurity that is a heterogeneal pâââ it coulâ not be brought to a compactnesse which is seen at giâding Therefore you must give an exact attention to learn to understand what the prima materia of metalline bodies is anâ how their Elevation is either obstructed or augmented how homogeneal things are brought to a body It is apparent in the mercury of metals how close and compact iâ stands together in the flux which flux cannot be takeâ from it purity is the reason or cause of that compactnesse being there is no other metal mixed with it assoon as any metalline body joyneth with it then is it disjoyned be iâ what metal or body it will Hence it doth appear how metals are brought to rest from their labour namely if theâ be first pure for into pure matter may be brought what iâ intended for it which appeareth in the mercury of metals its purity is the cause why it doth not appear to thâ eye but onely in its flux or hardnesse The mercury oâ metals is the flux of the mercurie of bodies that is wheâ water comes to it or the mercury of metally bodies is comâ into the water instead of the air which otherwise is in thâ water take it into consideration what manner of skill iâ required to get winde or air out of the water and to brinâ another mercury into that place if you get the air which iâ in the earth out of that earth and in its lieu you get in thâ mercury of metalline bodies then you have a Mercury iâ Coagulato endeavour now how you may coagulate it buâ not in the ordinary common and vulgarly known way Bring still another mercury of bodies instead of the Marinâ water into that water then you have a fair pearl take thaâ same mercury of bodies reduce it to an earth which muâ be pure instead of the air then you have a pure jewel aâ pure as may be had from that earth is in its colour or yoâ may put one to it which you please it is a thing feasablâ These and the like pieces are afforded by purity all which âe work of nature is a leader unto Men that cast so maây foul aspersions upon Philosophers are unworthy and not ãâã be regarded nor credited what they can foame against âeir rare and glorious inventions about the three princiâes from whence all these things have their Original âake trials of it you will affirm to be true what I have âid CHAP. XI Of impure Metal THere is found store of metalline ores but few of them are pure and few there are that break or grow one by the other therefore these must be separated and spoken of apart The great work expences which their cleansiâg requireth from their grossenesse let Melters speak of âeparating hath been invented at which some good things of the oars do stay the rest flieth away and their fining is useful especially when oars or metals are in their ascension though it be chargeable But to find Electrums and bring them to good by seperating differs from the former fining and requireth a singular way of melting Cunning and subtile Artists may pretend to get silver out of iron I believe they may if there be any in it as they do in Sweedland Osemund alwayes containeth silver which is onely off driven and calcine away the iron and thus they cheat people can they do the like with the iron which breaks in Styria no such matter Therefore take heed of such cheaters and take notice that nature loveth to keep her own wayes orderly and keeps together two and sometimes three sorts of oars in their ascension and descension whereby she intimateth a way unto the After-work but men in their fancy think upon other means though to no purpose View all the Mines which are in Europe you will finde no other oars but impure ones that is a mixture of them for their nature maketh them as much as I ever could learn if you can shew me the contrary I will assent unto thee And this is the second Argument that metals are in their ascension and descension unto perfectnesse if each had its peculiar work and instrument then men needed not to take so much pains in melting to separate them For it is a difficult work to joyn weeds and stones because these are heterogeneal and are of differing maâters but the other joyning soon together require special wârking to be separated therefore view exactly the bodies two manner of wayes which is no small instruction First in what manner you separate the ashes from the fumes or food this ministers already a twofold separating of metal the earth from the tincture there you have a twofold separating and so forth Secondly take notice of the Flux to drive the cold fire with the warm and the warm with the cold theâ you will be able to separate the bodies from Mercuries then you have already separated the metals without losse and damage use
pleasant voice of the Queen and embrace her friendly out of a great love and take his fill of her both will vanish and enter into one body They say two men can master a third especially if they have elbow room to vent their malice Hereupon you are to know from a true ground that a double winde must come called Vulturnus then a single winde called Notus these come rushing from the East and South and will keep a stir being robb'd and their blowing or motion allayed and the aire is turn'd into water then you may confide that a spiritual one will become a bodily one and that the number by the four seasons of the year in the fourth heaven will predominate after the seven Planets have finish'd their ruling and will finish its course in the neathermost dwelling of the Palace and will hold in the highest fiery examen then the two which went forth suppressed the third and consumed him Here in our mastery is requisite an exact knowledge for the division and conjunction must be rightly hit if so be you intend to get riches by your Art and the Scales must not be falsified by unequal weights This is the Rock spoken of in this Chapter that you must finish it without any defect by the artificial heaven with air and earth with the true water and sensible fire setting in equal weights whereof I inform you really The seventh Key NAtural calidity preserveth mans life for when natural heat is gone then the life is at an end Natural fire being moderately used is a defence against cold but an immoderate heat is destructive There is no necessity that ââe Sun should touch the earth corporally with her whole substance it is sufficient that the earth be strengthned by ãâã rayes which she ejaculateth unto the earth and doth âhat way her duty for in that way she is of a sufficient ââcacy to perform her office bringing things unto matuâââ by her digestion for the distance of the aire bringeth ãâã solar rayes into a temperature so by means of the aire ãâã fire doth work and the aire worketh by the help of ãâã Earth produceth nothing without water and water ââthout earth can rise nothing neither now as these two âânnot be one without another in the generating of âits neither can fire be without aire nor aire without âe fire is livelesse without aire and without fire the aire âânnot shew its due calidity and drynesse The Vine at its last ripening hath need of a greater solar ââat than it hath at the beginning of the Spring and if âe Sun hath a good operation in the Harvest then the Vine âelds a better and stronger sap which it doth not if the ââns heat be defective The vulgar counteth all things ââad in Winter because frost hath locked up the earth ââat nothing can spring up but when the Spring-season apââoacheth and the Sun in her ascending breaketh the frost ãâã things turn to life again Trees and Herbs appear in the ââelinesse and the Animals which hid themselves from ââe frost creep forth again out of their caves and holes âegetables afford their new fragrancy their operation is âpparent in their pleasant blossoms of several colours âhen the Summer worketh further brings these blossoms ãâã further ripenesse into fruits upon which ensueth a rich âârvest for the which thanks are due to the Creator which âet these periods unto Nature Thus one year worketh after the other so long till âhe Architect thereof pulls them down and the Inhabitants âf the earth be exalted by the glory of God then all earthây Nature will be at an end in her working and in its place ââere will be an infinite eternal one When the Sun in Winââr goeth further off from us she doth not dissolve so well the great snow but approaching nearer to us th n ãâã aire groweth warmer and the snow is easily melted aâ being turn'd to water it is gone for the weakeâ must gââ way unto the stronger The same order must be observed the government of the fire that the moist liquor mây ãâã be exiccated too suddenly and the Philosophick earth ãâã not to soon mel ed and dissolved else your wholesâm fisââ would turn into Scorpions and if you intend to be a riââ minister in your office then âake first your spiritual waââ on which the spirit moved at the beginning shut the doâ of the strong hold upon him because this heavenly plââ will be besieged by earthly enemies your heaven must ãâã guarded with three Bull-warks onely one entrance mââ be strongly guarded with a watch All this being finish'â then kindle the light of wisdom and look for your penââ you lost let the light be of that bignesse as you see theâ is occasion for For you must know thaâ creeping bâââ and worms have their dwelling in a cold and moist eâââ their condition and no are leads them thereunto hâmans habitation is upon earth according as his tempâââ and mixed condition ââquireth but Angelical spirits ââving not an earthly but an Angelical body not being iâ subjection unto a sinfull flesh as man is are placed into higher station are able to endure both heat and cold in tââ upper and neather Region without any molestation anâ when man is clarified then will he be able to do like theââ heavenly spirits God ruleth heaven and earth and worketâ all in all If we prove good governours of our Souls then we shaââ be Gods Children and Heirs to accomplish that which iâ impossible for us to do now which cannot be done unlessâ all the water be exsiccated and heaven and earth togetheâ with the men be judged by fire The eighth Key NO flesh be it of mans or of beasts can bring any further increase or propagation unlesse it come first into putrefaction So all Vegetables unlesse their seeds be brought into putrefaction cannot be augmented Many beasts and worms are generated by putrefaction this mystery in Nature deserves admiration Nature permitteth this because this living increase is for the most part found in the earth which with other Elements are so raised by spiritual seeds To prove this with examples women in Villages know to give instances in that particular for these cannot hatch any Chickens unlesse they put the Eggs into putrefaction If bread be put into honey then the Ants are bred which is one of Natures mysteries It is seen ordinarily that Maggots do breed in flesh in men and horses and such like Carcases in Apples Pears c. and who is able to relate all the kindes of worms which are generated by putrefaction Some Vegetables also grow in certain places where never such grew formerly nor were they sowed in those places onely by putrefaction they were produced the reason of it is that the earth in such places it inclined thereunto and is impregnated thereby which the syderial qualities have infused and wrought a seed into especially which seeds putrifie in the earth and by the elemental operation
and to all things in the world if they play the masters CHAP. XXXIII âf Aurum metallicum of the metalline gold or of the Metalline-bed THere is another fatnesse under ground where metals ãâã grow neither is it the hull of the seed nor the stone âum Petroleum or Naphta but is like unto an Uredo or âne-soap It differs much from soap soap doth not ân because it containeth a hidden Sulphur not a comâstible one but an incombustible one this is the reason ây it doth not burn in a flame neither doth it seize on aâ other thing but onely on the pure metal if that should ât continue with it the metal could not come neither inâ ascension nor descension it consumeth first of all in the âetal even as grease doth in the animals This fatnesse is ât far from the oar when it is predominant it consumeth âe metal quite and evaporateth Oil is of that vertue put on the top of a drink be it what it will it keeps in ãâã strength and coolnesse this fatnesse shuts up the oars âdy that no breathing can passe Fatnesse hath a great âfinity with iron and is one of its next kinde of the âhich great volumes could be written In the County of Schwartzburg at Wackersberg there is âore of such fatnesse looks like quick silver and swimeth ând tinctureth red like Bole this colour it took hold on ând it may be extracted from it some call it a Mercurial âody or a Tin-glasse Lead-glasse Wismuth or Antimony ãâã seizeth on all those and when this fatnesse doth âot turn to a fatnesse of such metals where the seed âs predominant then it turnes to a volatility and to a great Robber This fatnesse is a greasie earth glitâering like a salve of a red and browne glowing as if it were Quick-silver or beaten Talk or glasse strow into In the Rocks of Bohemia and Transsylvania there great store of it at Goslar and at Slackenwald even as quiâ silver or lead oars are many of them are found here aâ there CHAP. XXXIV Of Metalline streames VVHen Ferch and seed must part from their work ãâã reason of the sediments be they what they wiâ and expire not naturally then the oars turn to stones whiâ Miners call Fluxes though they know not from whenâ they come nothing can be made out of them they are fâsible or fluid when melted in fire but nothing can ãâã brought into them because they are not porous or no ãâã can get into which maketh them more noble It is strangâ in Nature if any good thing be driven out of the body will not return thither for if life be gone from man thâ body receiveth it no more but these are things possible ãâã God alone My intent is not here to write of miraculoâ things but onely of things natural I wave the former ãâã is to be admired that the body of dead metals is so faiâ whereas other bodies which are dead consume away ãâã nothing metals also come into a corruption but in a lonâ time their death is like any glass keeps its colour especiallâ if it was of a Marcasite hence are learned the colours oâ Marcasites for green blue white fluxes are found therein as metalline flowers have been which are generated ãâã three bodies CHAP. XXXV Of Creta Chalk or stone meal VVEE see in this our air that no fume or wind ascendeth in vain it dissolveth again into one thing ââother thither resort many meteors the like meteors âh the earth under ground For the fume which ascendâ from the fire-halation of the oar or of the metal and âords the stone meal Creta wherever it falls or lighteth grindeth more and increaseth abundantly having a danârous salt whereby it hurts those places where metals ãâã especially when they are in their ascension hindering âeir colour It is apparent in the slat at Mansfield where âieth betwixt the spoaks of the ores and can hardly be âtten from thence it robbeth and consumeth Folium and âolium The stone-meal maketh a Kuff with stone-marâw turning it to a kind of marble called the Potstone or ââlit a double stone and is dark and very firm it striketh âe being for the most part of fire Hither belong the âalks but intending to make mention them in another place I wave them here however they so are such a meal and differ from others herein because inclineth more to a cold fire wherein it melteth like âow as the others do and dissolveth sooner into water âan into meal and this turnes sooner to meal than to waâr if it be of lesse matter than it hath of the stone-âarrow then it affords a fair ice or crystal called Vitrum âlexandrinum or Mary's Ice which cannot be mastred in âot fires but it melteth in cold fires is very hurtful unto âetals insomuch that by reason of it Mine-works fall to âine as it happened at Stolberg CHAP. XXXVI Of Spiro or of the Blast THe Spiro or blast in an instrument which bringeth ãâã right the weather or obstructed air otherwise all wouâ turn to stone where it is and would be at a stand there the lower fire should enter instead of the air and exicâteth though it doth not kindle if a piece be beaten off ãâã it then it appeareth so and this piece which flieth thus ãâã side giveth to understand how it maketh the stone hoâ Nature frameth the oar and metal but jewels and precioâ stones are from another off-spring out of sweet waters In this instrument there dwell together fire air whicâ take their power and matter from the malignant weatheâ where they consume all ponderous matters through firâ inlightening the remaining matter it hath Make that Spiro or blast into a ball of copper of an heads bignesse sâder it bright and light let no air get into it leave a smaâ hole where a needle may enter attracting the water whicâ purposely must be made and set for it there must be had pan of coals at hand which must be kindled and the baâ laid into it turning the little hole toward the coal-fire anâ it will blow the fire forcibly which being done it groweth hot and maketh the water boil in the ball which fumeth and carrieth it forth with a great fiercenesse blowinâ on the coals strongly and thus it maintaineth the fire by breathing strongly in the manner of a pair of bellowes driven from without hereby several good things are effected and the condition of this ball is that it sheweth what may be done above ground with the like no use can be madâ of it behinde that place because Nature herself hath sucâ a blast for her fire CHAP. XXXVII Of Pulfa or of the Break-stuff or brittle matter THis salt is ingendred usually by a malignant fume which the Mine-fire should have And when the ânes be very hard then there must be made a fire of wood âhere the fume draweth to the stone-fire and groweth âick and if the fumes of Succinum and of other things are
lead oâers are very brittle having little of slate and Talk and these are discerned by their firmnesse there are other stones in which appear Copper and the flowers of Zwitter there are others also which have flat floats and slate-stone in which is wrought Copper oar hence it may be gathered that by reason of these several formes are produced several fruits and in Mines toward the South better oars are found then there are some toward the West called after-oars between which there is alwayes ordered or placed a center of perfection CHAP. II. Of general operations of several metals ALmighty God for his eternal honour and glory hath held forth to mankinde innumerable wondrous works which he as the sole Mediator and Creator hath set forth iâ natural things the same he hath shewed also in his omnipotency under ground in metals and minerals of them wâ may learn as the twelve Sybils prophesied of the bright true and onely Son of Righteousnesse and Truth in whicâ do rest after the twelve ports and gates of Heaven and after the twelve moneths moveable and unmoveable visiblâ and invisible bodies the seven Arch Angels standing beforâ the Throne of God after these the seven Planets Sun Moon Mars Jupiter Venus Mercury Saturn and the reâ of the stars and the seven metalline oars in their propeâties as gold silver copper iron tin lead Mercury the Vitriol Antimony Sulphur Wismuth Kobolt or brasâ oar allom salt and other mineral growths That the true center may be comprehended and conceâved of God hath made the first separation according to hâ word The Spirit of the Lord moved upon the water thâ whole elemental body of the earth hath been water bâ the Spirit of the Lord Zebaoth hath divided it fashionâ the earth from the muddinesse of the water and therein all metalline fruits that ever were created and generated under ground all these were first water and may bee reduced againe unto water all other creatures be they animalls vegetables mineralls all these are produced from the first water the several kinds of beasts fishes and sea-monsters after the Lords spirit and after the first eternal breathing Essence which brought forth and shaped things tinged and untinged soft and hard small and great creatures after the twelve stones in the brest-plate of Aaron He created man after his own image the holy Spirit was infused into Adam who had a fulnesse of eternal wisdome and that according to the order of Melchizedeck Almighty God who is the first and last the first principle and end of all things hath set his gifts into times hours dayes years which according to his eternal Decree have their revolutions he hath blest in his most holy means Abraham Isaac Jacob Aaron Melchizedeck and others he hath infinitely blessed according to his good will and pleasure from eternity putteth several periods unto them and in his unsearâhable decree and will he hath laid the foundations also for Minerals and Metals a help for the supporting men in their âeccessities in this miserable life thus hath he meliorated ând exalted the earth in her goodnesse men have reason âo return hearty thanks unto the Creator for it God in his gracious providence next unto the knowledg âf himself and of his holy word can bestow no better gift to man than to indue him with the true knowledge of Metals and Minerals Jews thought themselves wise men âerein but as little some Miners know Minerals and Meâals as little knew the Jews their Messias and Gods word ãâã its true sence Therefore from that blessed and promised Countrey the knowledge of pretious stones minerals and metals are come to us as by an inheritance as being the âst and are become the first and they the last but ãâã the end Heavens gate will be opened unto them again âternal and external gifts and means will be bestowed on them and the true use of metals will be none of the meanest Where there are fertile stones be they rocks flints peebles marbles in their central points is found what they are in their operations The several gums and rasoms the one excelling the other in beauty transparency hardnesse or liquidnesse are known and discerned by their fragrancie and tast Miners ought to endeavour incessantly and in simplicity how the neerest way may be chosen to find out the Mineral-passages and veins into which God and nature hath laid direct courses CHAP. III. Of the stones rocks and flints of Gold its operation condition and striking courses GOld is wrought in its proper rocks and marbles and in the purest matrix of the firmest earth of a most perfect salt Sulphur and Mercury purged from all feces and impure spirits with the conjunction of a natural highly clarified Heaven of white yellow and red sulphureous earth after the fiery nature of Sol in a deep fixation insomuch that none of all other metals hath an higher compacter and more ponderous body of a goldish matter in which there is no humidity all the elements are equally in it bound up which in their unity have wrought such a fixed body tinged the same throughout with an everlasting citrin colour with the deepest tie and uniting of its pure earth Sulphur and Mercury and with its Vitriol essence it doth all what the Sun among the Stars doth operate Naturally all is gold what cleaveth thereunto in and at all sides and it is found in the best and closest stones and passages and the power of Sol worketh meerly upon that oar and in its quality is comparable unto Sol. This noble gold stone and oar is sometimes mixed and on its outside âhere sticketh some obscure and dark matter having annexed to it some slats and other spermatick matter which deâracts from the goodnesse of its own nature and though âhe Creator hath indued it with great Vertues yet doth it âumble it self and suffers it self to be found in despicable Mineral-stones where it loseth much of its tincture as is apparent by the Touch-stone where the mixture of Copper Silver Tin and others is seen all these mixed impurities can be separated from it with artificial Manuals and with little ado it may be brought into a perfect state Gold oars naturally are wrought thus that the gold stands in it close compact firm and good which is found sometimes in the crosse passages It s fixednesse is found in the deepnesse under ground where it hath its greatest power and it is found also sometimes in a speckled jaspis full of eyes and mixed with flints in its passages where many times Vitriol flint is found abundantly which Vitriol is the best among all other sorts of Vitriols The Hungarian Vitriol hath the precedence before all the rest which is sufficiently known in their proves and exemines as may be demonstrated to the eye In its passages are found sometimes fluxes of several colours which are interlined with gold and must be forced with fire To that purpose it is requisite that it be dealt
namely what matââ you ought to take to the Kings Balneum whereby the âng is destroyed and its external form broken and its ââdefiled Soul may come forth to this purpose will serve ââe Dragon and the Eagle which is Niter and Sal armonick ââth which after their union are made into a Aquafort as ââu shall be further informed of in my Manuals where I ââall treat in particular of Gold of other Metals and Mineââls into which Balneum the King is thrown being first ãâã in the quoted place you shall hear brought into an Amalâme of Mercury and of Sulphur which presently seizeth on âim corrodeth all his members and is dissolved and is âresently mortified of this Salt water into a most splendent âransparent Oyl You must note that this dissolution is âot sufficient and the King is not minded as yet to let go âis Soul out of his fixed body which you can see when you âeparate the water from the dissolved body of the King where you shall finde fixed powder of Gold out of which you will hardly get his Soul that is therein Therefore follow my counsel and bear the yoake which I bore before âye and learn to know exactly in pains taking further thus as I shall inform you Having dissolved your Gold wholly in the said water and brought it into a pleasant yellow Oyl then let it stand well luted for a day and night in a very gentle Balneum Mariae the feces which are setled must be separated from it then take this pure dissolution put it into a well coated body or Retort apply a Helmet to it with a receiver in the best manner luted to it set it into a sand Capel drive the Gold with the water over the Helmet iterate this a third time then abstract the water in Balneum Mariae you will finde a fair Gold-powder keep this in a glasse for an hour in fire let the remaining humidity be drawn from it The third Key THen take of good spirit of Sal-niter one part and of dââphlegmed spirit of ordinary Salt three parts pour theâ spirits together warm'd a little into a body on the forâ written Gold-powder lute a Helmet and Receiver to iâ drive the Gold over as formerly in sand several times wiââ an iterated distillation the oftner the better let the Goââ come to be volatile more and more and at last let all coââ over By this repeated driving over its fixed body is divided all its Members are torn asunder and opened anâ leaveth willingly its Soul to a special Judge of which mâ third Key will give sufficient information Note further that after this work those salt spirits muââ be abstracted from the Gold which was driven over very gently in Balneo Mariae let nothing of the tincture of the Gold come over that the body suffer not any diminution then take that Gold or rather these Chrystals of Gold from which you have separated the water put it in a reverberating pan set it under a Muffle let its first fire be gentle for an hour let all its corrosivenesse be taken away then your powder will be of a fair scarlet colour as subtile as ever was seen put it in a clean viol pour on it fresh spirit of ordinary Salt first brought to a sweetnesse let it stand in a gentle digestion let that spirit be deeply ting'd and transparent red like a Ruby cant if off pour on fresh extract again iterate the work of canting off and pouring on till no more tincture of it appeareth put all these extractions together separate them in Balneo gently from the Sulphur of Sol then that powder is subtile and tender of great worth this matter is such which in a short processe transmuteth Lune in its tincture to the highest perfection according to the direction of my XII Keyes He that hath some knowledge herein may make this quere whither this extracted dry Soul and Sulphur of the ââg be just that Soul of which Philosophers have this âng the Philosophick work for the preparation of the âât precious stone requireth three things viz. a wet volaâ Mercury or a Mercurial spirit a wet volatile sulphurous ââl and a dry astral Salt which after its dissolution togeââ with the two first must be apparent and known in a âerish form which way comes that about because in ãâã processe nothing is spoken of any Mercurial spirit and âatile Soul but the Soul of the King appeared in a subââ form of powder The answer hereunto I delay so long ãâã the Querist learns better to understand the distinction in âs book and I will perform my promise and set his âxious and intangled minde at liberty which is so much âubled about this doubt and will deal with him as a âod father may deal with his son in and with this scope âherein our Mastery lieth have been fooled most of the âits leading them captive in their erroneous wayes being ââd about in a desart of mislead wayes because in their ââpposed deep wits they had not conceived so much of the âanner how all things of the world are generated and that âvery spirit must have a Soul and every Soul a fit spirit and âhat both spirit and Soul are spirits and spiritual which must âave a body in which they may have a dwelling Gold and Silver but chiefly Gold is brought to the highest fixednesse by such degrees as nature did afford insomuch âts nature is found very hot and fiery freed from all phlegmatick humidity of which Lune is not so wholly freed though she hath obtained a sulphur-fixed degree and stayeth for the King to warm her cold body with his hot seed which concerns the particulars and belongs unto them which in that place shall be plainly demonstrated In Gold there is no waterish humidity at all unlesse it were reduced again into Vitriol which would be but an uselesse and unprofitable work and would require huge expences in case the Philosophers stone should be of Vitriol of Gold of which there must be had great store indeed in that Vitriol there would be found a convenient spirit which natuââ would desire of a white quality as also a Soul and Salt of glorious essence But what Countreys Goods Lands have been dilapiâted this way I wave to discourse of onely this warning ãâã give to my Disciples nature having left a nearer way ãâã keep and to imitate that that they also might take heed ãâã fall into such extream and inexâricable poverties The solar Mercury Sol being never brought so far undestruction neither did the ancient Philosophers ever makâ use of that way as being a thing clean contrary unto nature containeth indeed an humidity but it is a meer Elemental waterish humidity after its dissolution and good foâ nothing water and other principles do not stand in the Elements but the Elements rest in the principles and seeds oâ Metals of the which I have spoken formerly Therefore let none be so over witty as to make our
dwelling in a body but it is not consequent haâ he must abide there constantly though the body and âhat spirit be at rest and that body with that spirit doth not contest about any controversie because both do want the strongest part which upholdeth and bindeth together sâul and body protecteth and keepeth them from dangers namely the tender noble and fixed Soul for where the Soul is quite gone and lost there is never any redemption hoped for for a thing which hath no Soul is not perfect which is one of the highest mysteries which seekers ought to know and upon conscience I am commanded not to conceal this mystery but to make it known to those which seriously love fundamentals of truth And take carefully notice of what I say Spirits hidden in Metals are not alike some are more volatile and others more fix their souls and bodies are not alike neither that Metâl which containeth the three fixednesses that is blessed with a power to hold in the fire and so overcome all its enemies which onely is found in Sol. Lune containeth a fixed Mercury and is the reason why she doth not fly so soon in the fire as other imperfect Metals do but stands out her examens in the fire and sheweth the same victoriously because the devouring Saturn can rob nothing from her That arch-wench Venus is clad and possessed with an abounding tincture the most part of her body is a meer tincture like unto such a tincture which dwelleth also in the best Metal and by reason of the superfluity thereof is âing'd upon red and because her body being leprous that fixed tincture cannot have any abiding place in her unfix'd body but must vanish together with her body for the body being consumed by destruction or death that body cannot subsist neither but must give way and flie because the habitation is destroyed and consumed with fire so that her place is not known nor may any other dwell there from henceforth But in a fixed body she willingly dwelleth constanâly Fixed Salt hath bestowed on valorous Mars a hard sturdy and grosse body whereby the gallantry of his minde is pâoved and is not so easily gotten from this warlike Prince because his body is hard and is not easily master'd or conquer'd But if his valour with Lune's fixation and with Venus her beauty in a mixture doth harmonize spiritually then a curious and melodious Musick may be made whereby some Keyes may be advanced and the needy labourer may get a piece of living Particulariter if he got up to the uppermost step of that ladder for the phlegmatick quality or moist Nature of Lune must be exsiccated through the hot bloud of Venus and her great pains must be allayed by the outward Salt There is no necessity to seek for seed in the Elements because our seed is not put so far back but there is a nearer place in which our seed hath its sure and certain habitation if you onely rectifie and regulate the Philosophick Mercury Sulphur and Salt so that of their soul spirit and body there be made an inseparable union which may never be separated again then the Band of love is perfectly made and the dwelling is well prepared for the Crown And note that this is onely a liquid Key like unto a heavenly property and a dry water addicted to an earthly substance all which is but one thing proceeding and growwing from three two and one if you can hit it then you have overcome the mastery and make a copulation betwixt Bride and Bridegroom let them feed and cherish one another with their own flesh and bloud let them increase and multiply infinitely by their own seed I could willingly communicate and disclose more unto you but the Creator hath forbidden it and is not meet for me to speak any further of it for fear the gifts of the highest should be misused and I should be the cause of committing of great sins and load Gods wrath upon me and fall with the rest into eternal punishment My friend if these expressions give thee no content to conceive of the thing and I lead thee unto the practick part of mine own how I have attained by Gods assistance unto the Philosophers stone I pray consider the same well peruse diligently my XII Kâyes iterate their reading frequently then proceed according to my instruction which I set down fundamentally by way of a parable Take a piece of the finest Gold anatomize the same by such means as Nature hath afforded unto Artists even as a Physician anatomizeth mans body whereby he is inquisitive into the condition of mans internal parts reduce thy Gold unto that what it hath been at first then you will finde the seed the beginning middle and end out of which our Gold and its wife is made namely of a penetrating subtile spirit of a pure tender and undefiled Soul and of an Astral Salt and Balsam which after their uniting is nothing else but a Mercurial liquor the same water was brought to School to its own God Mercury who examined the water having sound it without deceit and falshood he made friendship with it and took the water into a Matrimonial state and both became an incombustible Oyl For Mercury grew so proud upon it that he knew himself no more he flung away his Eagles wings himself swallowed the smooth tâyl of the Dragon and offered a battel unto Mars Mars gathered his Champions together and gave command that Mercurie should be taken Prisoner and be kept closely imprisoned Vulcan was commanded to be Jaylor so long till a Female kinde came in to his deliverance This rumour being noised abroad the other Planets had a meeting where they consulted what further was to be done in that businesse the proceedings might wisely be prosecuted Then Saturn made a speech in this manner I Saturn the highest Planet in the firmament protest before this honourable Assembly of my Lords that I am the meanest and most contemptible among you all of a weak corruptible body of a black colour subject to many infirmities in this miserable World and yet am an examiner of you all for I have no abiding place and take along with me such thaâ are like unto me I cannot lay the fault of this my misery to none but Mercury who by his carelesnesse hath pu this evil upon me Therefore my Lords I beseech you to be pleased to revenge my quarrel on him aâââeiââ ãâã ââst already into prison there to take his life awây ãâã sââm âot there that not one drop of his blââd Saturn having ended his speech Jupiter rose up made a âtch upon his knees bowing his Scepter began to comâând Saturns proposals commanding all those to be puâshed which should neglect to put in execution that âhich Saturn would have done unto Mercurie After him âose Mars with his naked sword which was full of strange ââd admirable colours glittering like a fire-glasse casting ââange rayes put the
This wonderfull powder in a humide place doth dissolve into a liquor which in Surgery is of great use and efficacie curing symptoms without causing any pains at all unto the parties of which enough at this present At the closing of this note this principally that there are heavenly Creatures begotten whose lives are preserved by Astrals are fed by the four Elements afterward tâey die and putrifie which being done the Astrals by means of the Elements infuse into these putrified bodies again a life which may turn again to a heavenly one which sets up his habitation in the highest place of the firmament which being done you shall see that the life and body of the earthly is consumed by the heavenly and that earthly body is entred into a heavenly one The ninth Key THe highest Planet of Heaven Saturn by name hath in our Magisterium the least authority and yet is the chiefest Key of the whole Art and is seâ on the lowermost step though he swinged himself by a nimble flight to the highest altitude beyond all lights however at the clipping of his feathers he must be brought to the lowest ââââre and his corruption must be the way for his melioraââon black must be turn'd into white and white must be brought into red and must passe and run throuâh all the colours of the other Planets and to attain in the end to the Court colour of the triumphing Kiâg And I say thus much though Satuân looks of a despicable condition and is in great contempt yet doth he contain all vertues and strength âf his glorious substance which is of an extraordinary coldnesse be driven into thâ running fiery Metalliââ body to bâreave that of its running life and bring it to a plyable body as Satuân himself is however of a far better fixation which transmutation hath it's original and certain period by Mercurie Sulphur and Salt Some may hold this to be hardly understood and iâ is a hard saying seeing the matter is mean men musâ stretch theiâ wâs in this point an unequal state must be in the world therâ must be a difference betwixt master and servant and must be distinct in their service Saturn containeth several sorts of colours brought forth by Art as black gray white yellow red and others besides so the Philosophers matter must overcome and passe through many colours before the great stone can be exalted unto it's perfection for as often as there is opened untâ the fire a new gate for entrance so often it affords a new fashion for a Garment as for a booty so that at last the pooâ Labourer attaineth unto riches needs no more to go borrowing of his Neighbours for a livelyhood When Lady Venus possesseth her Kingdom and according to custom observed in Royal Courts distributeth the Offices as is fitting then they make appearance in theiâ glory Musica beareth a flag of red colour on which is painted Charity beautifull in a green Garb in her Courââ Saturn is in the place of the Steward when he is in his Office then Astronomy carrieth a black flag before him oâ which is painted Fides in a yellow and red Garb. Jupiter with his Scepter is Marshal Rhetorica beareth before him a flag of gray colour on which is painted Spes curiously set out in colours Mars is expert in warlike affairs beareth sway in a fiery thirstiââssâ Geometry beareth before him a bloudy flag on which is painted Fortitude in a red Garb Mercurie is Chancellour Arithmetica beareth a flag before him of all manner of colours on it is painted Tempârantia dress't in colours Sol is Vice-Roy of the Kingdom Grammatica beareth a yellow flag before him on it is painted Justitia set out in a Golden piece this Vice-Roy though there is more loyalty shewed unto him in the Kingdom yet Queen Venus in her transcendent illustrious splendour overcome's him Lune hath her lustre also Dialectica beareth before her a Silver coloured white glistering flag on it is painted Prudentia in an Azur-Garb Because Lune's husband died she got the Office by inheritance will not suffer Venus to bear sway any longer called her to an account of her Stewardship into whose aid and assistance comes in the Chancellour and a new government is established and both bear sway above the noble Queen the meaninng is one Planet must dispossesse and displace the other from his glory office place and power that the best at last may rise to the highest power and in their best fix'd colour bestowed on them by their first mother out of an innate constancy love and amity may get the victory Then is the old world past and a new world is come in it's place and one Planet hath consumed the other spiritually onely the strongest hold out by means of the food which others afforded and so two and three are conquered by One. For a final closing you are to understand that you must pull up the heavenly Scales put into the one Aries Taurus Cancer Scorpio and Capricorn into the other you must lay Gemini Sagittary Aquarius Pisces and Virgo then procure that the Gold-rich Leo do leap into the lap of Virgo then the Scale will weigh down the other then let the XII Signs of Heaven with the Septemtriones come into an opposite Aspect then after the appearance of all manner of colours there will happen a conjunction and the greatest will come to the meanest and the meanest unto the greatest If there stood all the worlds nature Meerly in one onely figure And Art could not mend that form Then the worlds wonders were forlorn And natures qualities could not be shewed But it 's otherwise for which God be praised The tenth Key IN our stone which I have made and others also along before me are lockt up Elements all mineral and metalline forms yea all the properties and qualities of the world for in it there must be found the greatest and most forcible heat for by its great internal fire the cold body of Saturn is warm'd and by that kindling and heating is transmuted into the best Gold There must be found in iââ also the greatest coldnesse because it being added to Venus it allayeth the degree of her heat and doth coagulate quick Mercury and in that coagulation also is he transmuted into the best Gold The reason of it is because nature hath infused all these qualities into the matter of our great stone which qualities must be digested and brought unto maturity per gradus ignis and attain unto the highest perfection which comes not to passe unlesse Mount Aeâna in Sicilia be consumed by its fire and no more cold be felt on the supposed high Mountains Hyperboreis which place may be called also Filictus Fruits being pluckt off before they be fully ripe are nought and shrink and are unfit for use if a Potter doth not sufficiently burn his Potters wares what use can these be put unto The same condition is our Elixar in it must have