lead oâ—ers 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 propeâ—ties 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 conceâ—ved 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 unsearâ—hable decree and will he hath laid the foundations also for Minerals and Metals a help for the supporting men in their â—eccessities in this miserable life thus hath he meliorated â—nd exalted the earth in her goodnesse men have reason â—o return hearty thanks unto the Creator for it God in his gracious providence next unto the knowledg â—f 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 â—erein but as little some Miners know Minerals and Meâ—als as little knew the Jews their Messias and Gods word 〈◊〉 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 â—st and are become the first and they the last but 〈◊〉 the end Heavens gate will be opened unto them again â—ternal 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 â—here sticketh some obscure and dark matter having annexed to it some slats and other spermatick matter which deâ—racts from the goodnesse of its own nature and though â—he Creator hath indued it with great Vertues yet doth it â—umble 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
of them and the grosser their mixture is the more store â—ere is found of them which is apparent in Garnats who â—th hitherto searched into the quick spirits of such noble â—eatures the Lord hath created for mans benefit Pygmees or Homunculi which in former times lived in â—llow oars of Mynes these could not want skill in â—th wayes having traversed and travelled up and down 〈◊〉 these slippery corners and wayes The places and â—uation of such Jewels lying somewhat nearer unto â—â—aven in the Eastern Countreys bordering on Paraâ—ce so there must needs be abounding in Gold and Jewels and such pretious vegetables which our thoughts hardâ— may reach unto God requireth no more of man whom 〈◊〉 intrusteth with these things but to be faithful and just anâ— is an argument for us to think that for the same cause picâ—â— Kings and Princes and the old wise Partiarchs were giftâ— from above to bear a love to search into Mine-works aâ—â— did it with an uprightnesse and judgement Let honâ—â— godly Christian Miners chuse the better part and learn 〈◊〉 know the pearl the spirit of the Lord proceeding out 〈◊〉 Gods own mouth and let them consider well their eternaâ— fixation to return their love again to him that hath love them first bringing all things to their subjection he impaâ—â—eth all unto them abundantly in grace and mercy by thâ— innocence and merit of his only son bestoweth on theâ— temporal and eternal blessings and puts more glorious oâ—naments on them and better than ever gold silver jeweâ— and pearls were adorned withall CHAP. XIII Of the essence of Gold which is abundantly found not only in the metal but Mineral also whose energâ— is shewed most rarely and a short closing of my first and second Part of Minerals and metals 〈◊〉 annexed THis Chapter is a breviary of all mineral colours formâ— how they after an heavenly operation are daily clad iâ— the metalline prime matrix and set forth in their severâ—â— works whereas there shineth forth unto us the eternal ligâ—â— of the lustrous Sun the deity of the day of joyes and 〈◊〉 the eternal most fixed and fairest Sol as also of a most yeâ—low pure red and fixed citrin colour of heavens eternâ—â— lightning and the most glorious paradise of all the Staâ—â— a natural created light for all creatures besides the beaâ—â— and Aurora of Mineral Earths and of their subtilest comâ—t and best binding inclosed speaking to all other white â—inged Metals I Sol of an essential being am Lord of â—rds in power might and perfection I overcome all and â—vercome and bring them into subjection and none of â—m can master me but I do conquer them all they are â—ject to me and to my Beiâ—g for my Kingdome is estaâ—hed with infinite and invincible Power and Dignity by 〈◊〉 all metals minerals animals vegetables are strengthâ—ed and rectified for I give to every one that knoweth 〈◊〉 in my green blue and red Nature all what I have 〈◊〉 all what he desireth I cause to drop down after the â—r cardinal streams of Pison Gihon the noblest substance 〈◊〉 Mercury in the form of a most pure transparent crystalâ—e water and the most noble substance of Sulphur of Hiâ—el and Phrath the clearest fairest Astral salt from a Vitriâ— salt which through all Mines flew upward very fruitâ—ly and penetrates all the mineral stones I alone graduâ—e and exalt the silver unto Lune I give light and lustre in 〈◊〉 righteousnesse of my vertue do spe k all Magi Natuâ—ists and Scribes all the world over from the East to the â—est I am the Lord over the heavenly clarified garments â—d colours I adorn the firmament the weather I cloath â—e Rainbow after Gods will I exalt all jewels all such â—owths and creatures and what I cannot inwardly walk â—rough and reach unto in my course I leave it to be perâ—cted with my friend and lover the Lune she receiveth the â—â—st part of me and of the subtilest an abundance the Inâ—â—s Hungarie Carinthia testifieth the same for all what is 〈◊〉 live and is to receive a life rejoyceth in me and next â—od in none else for to him honour and glory belongs â—ely after him I finde no higher Lord and Commanderâ—â— for my part I do not rest neither do I desire any rest do â—y office readily into which my Creatour hath placed me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my plyablenesse be found gloriously like a vvax in â—ones which have by reason of hardnesse fire enough if â—ed I am hid from unwise men and am ready to be discernâ— by men of understanding I am predominant abundantâ— in a well known Mineral as also in Mars and Venus whicâ— are of low degrees in them I lye hid also all these have 〈◊〉 double spirit well known unto Lune pleasant to her anâ— next unto her Hence God suffered Moses to erect a brasâ— Serpent in the desert after my colour in hearkning unâ—â— the people at the mount Sinai My best and fairest câ—lour appeareth in transparent juyces as vitriol which afâ—â—â— my condition in due time penetrateth Oars whereby theâ— grew rich in lust are train'd up in a pleasant form conâ—ded into a greennesse like sealing wax green like Gooâ— dung blew like Saphir and so forth sometimes of thâ— colour of a water flint my red and whiâ—e colour is the best which are heartily wish'd for I love to be kindled iâ— vitriol and further is after descension in its green food unto a deep red spirit after whose laxative purging cometh that expected aqua Saturni the true aâ—ide-Well froâ— whence I my self and all other Metals animals and vegetables have my off-spring and life For Metals and Minerals rise onely from thence have their beginning and original from it for it is that quickning water which ordinary Myners do not know of is known onely to Philosophers It worketh Minerals and Metals in several wayes in form of taps which did skept pure white compact found like purified Suggar in a blue slate-work An extraordinary pleasant Mineral for all colours Salt Oars are at a farther distance which by my attractive changing are found in floats blocks and passages which in many places bring the water unto the day-light so that it often is found a pure and dry Salt above ground of glassie light flames oâ— in a great frost like unto flocks of snow there shooteth a brittle glassie light stone wrought in great pieces in the same order are all other Jewels according to mine inlightned heavenly stone distributed among their operations worths and vertues and clarified in a most fix'd transparency and indewed with an everlasting spirit distinct iâ— sâ—â—â—ral colours as Diamond Smaragds Carbuncles Saphirs â—â—ies Chrystals Chalcedonian Jaspis Berill Chrysolith â—â—x Carmel Turkois Lazur-stone Margarits Coralls â—ra Lemnia Terpentine-stones and Garnats of deeper 〈◊〉 colours each in its heavenly colours order is transpaâ—â— and naturally is created and preserved in its own ofâ—a Hence it may be argued that all these together with â—â—d
fruits serve for mans good both for his body and spiâ—â— for nothing is hid from my transparent power my splenâ—â— and lustre over-shadoweth all these and are held to â—ir growing unto maturity let no creatures marvel at â—â—se several distinctions from whence they all should â—ne for all have their principle from me froÌ„ my spirit â—ich is hidden in me which none can dive into save the 〈◊〉 creator of all things from whom it proceeded as out â—his Divine mouth Thus I close up my speech and my 〈◊〉 startle at so great a mystery and attest in truth for a â—ewell that I am not onely the Gold and present Sol but â—e also strength and power to all the inferies terrene spiâ—â— for Aristeus and Onizon is in subjection unto me for I 〈◊〉 α and God be praised for ever Thus I conclude the second part of my Mineral book â—erein I have shewed faithfully as much as I know and â—â—ld in my industry apprehend let others do their enâ—avours also let them produce their knowledge also that 〈◊〉 light of the noble nature may still be supply'd in her â—â—nitude and may not go out whereby cause would be â—â—en to the enemy and envious men to be outragious â—â—inst such truths Let God still and uncessantly be imâ—â—tuned with prayers and thanks-giving For these ends â—ave written these my two Treatises and annexed the â—nuals at the beginning which otherwise needed not to 〈◊〉 done that by earnest prayer and thanksgiving and conâ—â—ued earnest worshipping of God every one might careâ—â—ly exercise himself therein and be convinced in his â—â—ason how gloriously almighty God hath created orâ—â—ined and held forth nature to perform her operations under ground and to produce unto the day light formâ—â— their Nativities and fruits that we may reap thereby 〈◊〉 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 â—itings which is left for a love-token to all those that lovers of Philosophy My friend you must note that by this intended work â—ching the Minerals I had reason to prefix the two parts Minerals and Metals and their Oars holding it a necesâ—y to hold forth a light unto the ignorant how that one 〈◊〉 it from above frameth all such Oars Metals and Mineâ—s taking their original under ground for to generate â—ereby For earth is alwayes ready and covetous to atâ—ct and to retain that spirit which proceedeth from Heaâ—ns powers which it presenteth in processe of time in a â—mality and perfection The manner of it hath been spoâ—en of sufficiently in my former writings which is the reaâ—n 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 mixâ—â—â— arise the 4. Elements water aire earth which engender hâ—â— the help of fire hid therein in a warm digestion produciâ—â— a Soul Spirit and Body These are the three prime priâ—ciples 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 dâ—â—vided into these three Kingdoms the Animal which coâ—tains 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 Marcasâ—â— 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 sâ—mer writings Note further if any of these Metalliâ— and Mineral kindâ— shall be brought to a farther propagation and augmentatâ—on it must first be reduced to its first seed and prima mâ—teria If you will transmute Metals augment them bring â—em into a tincture or Philosophick stone you must first â—derstand how you may destroy by a spagyrick Art the â—etalline and Mineral form and separate it into a Mercury â—â—lphur and Salt these three must be purely separated and ought to their first principles This separation is done in and by a Mercurial spirit sulâ—ureous Soul and a white Salt These three in a due orâ—ring of a true manual must be joyned again that they â—ay be brought to the highest and most perfect purity In which conjunction must exactly be observed the â—â—antity after this conjunction the whole substance is â—eerly a liquid substance and philosophick water in which â—l the Elements first the heavenly then the elemental and â—â—sly the earthly qualities are shut up and lye hid therein For the Mercurial spirit is cold and moist the sulphureous â—oul is warm and dry and this liquor is the true prima maâ—ria and first seed of Metals and Minerals which by Vulâ—â—ns Art is brought to a plusquam perfection into a transcenâ—ent fix'd Medicine out of which is generated the true â—hilosophick stone and must be produced in that way Therefore observe and
they are much distinct aâ—â—der though they dwell in one body possessing one loâ—â— it matters not for the will of the Creator was so to hâ—â— that mystery from unworthy men observe and consideâ— well if so be you intend to be a true follower of Phâ—â—sophers In this knowledge lyeth hid an irrecovâ—able errour worldly wits cannot conceive of it 〈◊〉 the spirit of Vitriol and the remaining Oyl should be of great distinction in the vertue Touching their properâ—â— the spirit being well dissolved and brought into its thâ—â— principles Gold and Silver onely can be made by it and 〈◊〉 of its Oyl onely Copper which will be apparent in a prâ—made The condition of the spirit of Vitriol and its maining Oyl is this that where there is Copper and Iron 〈◊〉 Solar seed commonly is not far from it and again whâ—â— there is seed of Gold at hand Copper and Iron is not 〈◊〉 from it by reason of its attractive Magnetick quality 〈◊〉 love which they as tinging spirits in a visible manner câ—â—tinually bear one to another Therefore Venus and Mâ—â— are penetrated ringed with the superabounding tinctâ— of Gold and in them there is found much more the 〈◊〉 of the red tincture than in Gold it self as I made further â—lation of it in my other backs unto which there belong 〈◊〉 also the Mineral of Vitriol which goeth beyond these many degrees because its spirit is meer Gold and rubedâ— crude indigested tincture and in very truth as God hâ—â—self is is indeed not found otherwise But this spirit as you heard must be divided into â—â—tain distinct parts as into a spirit soul and body the spâ—â— is the Philosophick water which though visibly parted sunder yet can never be separated radically because their unavoidable affinity they bear and have one to 〈◊〉 other as it appeareth plainly when afterward they 〈◊〉 ioyned the one in their mixture embraceth the other even 〈◊〉 Magnet draweth Iron but in a meliorated essence betâ—â— than they had before their dissolution This is the â—ift beginning middle and end of the total Philosophick â—â—sdom affording riches and health and a long life it may â—her be said and really proved that this spirit is the esâ—ce of Vitriol because this Spirit and Oyl do differ so â—â—ch and were never united radically because the Oyl â—â—meth after the spirit each can be received apart This â—â—y spirit may rather and more fitly be called an essence â—â—phur and substance of Gold and it is so though he lyeth â—king in Vitriol as a spirit This golden water or spirit drawn from Vitriol contains â—in a sulphur and Magnet its sulphur is the anima an inâ—â—bustible fire the Magnet is its own Salt which in the â—â—junction attracteth its Sulphur and Mercury uniteth â—â—h the same and are inseparable Companions First in â—entle heat is dissolved the undigested Mercurial spirit 〈◊〉 this is further extracted after a Magnetick quality the â—â—phurous anima in that earth sticketh the Salt which is tracted also in a Magnetick way by the Mercurial spirit still the one is a Magnet unto the other bearing a Magâ—â—ick love one to another as such things where the last â—â—ether with the medium is drawn forth by the first and 〈◊〉 thereby generated and thus take their beginning In â—s separation and dissolution the spirit or Mercury is the â—st Magnet shewing its Magnetick vertue toward the sulâ—â— and Soul which he quasi Magnes attracteth this spirit â—â—modum distillationis being absolved and freed sheweth aâ—â— its Magnetick power toward the salt which he attractâ—â— from the dead earth after the spirit is separated from it 〈◊〉 the Salt appeareth in its purity if that processe be ther followed anâ— after a true order and measure the â—â—unction be undertaken and the Spirit and Salt be set â—â—ther into the Philosophick furnace then it appears 〈◊〉 how the heavenly spirit striveth in a Magnetick way â—â—tract its own Salt it dissolveth the same within XL. dayes bringeth it to an uniform water with it sâ—lf even the Salt hath been before its coagulation In that destâ—â—ction and dissolution appeareth the hugest blacknesse aâ—â— Eclipse and darknesse of the earth that ever wâ—â— seen But in the exchange thereof a bright glitteriâ—â— whiâ—enesse appearing then the case is altered and 〈◊〉 dissolved fluid waterish Salt turns into a Magnet for that dissolution it layeth hold on its own spirit which is tâ—â— spirit of Mercury attracteth the same powerfully like Magnet hiding it under a form of a dry clear body brinâ—ing the same by way of uniting into a deep coagulation aâ— firm fixednesse by means of a continued fire and the certâ—â— degrees thereof The King with the white Crown being thus generateâ— and by exiceation of all humidities being brought to a fixâ— state then is it nothing else but earth and water thouâ— the other Elements be hid therein insensibly howevâ—â— both these keep the predominance though the spirit 〈◊〉 to earth and can never be seen in a watery form and tâ—â— double new born body abideth still in its Magnetick quaâ—ty for as soon as his departed Soul is restored after white fixation then like a Magnet he attracteth the sâ—â—â— again uniteth with it then are they exalted to their highâ—â— tincture and rubedo with a bright transparentnesse aâ—â— clarity Thus in brief you have a short relation of Vitrioâ— Sulphur and Magnet Pray to God for grace that you mâ—â— conceive aright of it put it then to good use and be minâ—full of the poor and needy At the closing I annect this briefly to hold forth uâ— to you a natural proof that you presently fling and throâ— down the Sophister and take his Scepter from him Noâ— that from all Metals especially from Mars and Venus whiâ—â— are very hard and almost fixed Metals of each apart can made a Vâ—triol this is the reduction of a Metal into a Miâ—â—ral for Minerals grow to Metals and Metals were at fiâ— Minerals and so Minerals are proxima materia of Metals bâ— not prima from these vitriol may be made other reduc◠〈◊〉 namely a spirit is drawn from them by the vertue of 〈◊〉 This spirit being driven over then there is again a reâ—ion of a Mineral into its spiritual essence and each â—it in its reduction keepeth a Metalline property but spirit is not the prima materia Who is now so grosse absurd that should not be able to conceive further believe that by these reductions from one to the other â—â—re be a way to prima materia and at last to the seed it 〈◊〉 both of Metals and Minerals though there be no neâ—â—ry to destroy Metals because their seed in the Minerals â—â—und openly fixed O good God what do these ignorant men think is not 〈◊〉 a very easie and Childrens like labour the one begets other and the one cometh from the other is there not â—ad bak'd of Corn upon distinct works But the World â—linde and will be so to the end of it Thus much at
as much of Sulphur of Mars as you shall hear anon when I treat of Mars grinde them together put it in a pure glasse pour on it so much of spirit of Mercury let it stand over it two fingers breadth that the matter in it may be dissolved see to it that all dissolve into a Ruby-like Gold water joyntly drive it over then is it one and were at first of one stem keep it well that nothing of it evaporate put it to separated silver calx being precipitated with pure Salt and afterward well edulcorated and dried fix it together in a fiery fixation that it sublime no more then take it forth and melt it in a wind-oven let it stream well then you have united Bride and Bridegroom and you brought them unto Gold of a high degree Be thankfull to God for it as long as you live I should give further direction how this extracted Soul of Sol should be further proceeded in and to make it potable which ministreth great strength and continued health unto man But it belonging unto Medicinals I delay it to that place where further mention shall be made of At this present I will speak onely how the white Solar body shall further be anatomized and that by Art its Mercurie current and its Salt may be obtained The processe of it is thus Take the white body of Sol from which you have drawn â—nima reverberate it gently for half an hour let it beâ—e corporeal then pour on it well rectified hony-water â—â—h is corrosive extract its Salt in a gentle heat it is â—e in ten dayes space the Salt being all extracted abâ—ct the water from it in Balneo edulcorate the Salt with â—â—ted distillings with common distilled water clarifie it â—n spirit of wine then you have Sal auri of which you shall â—r more in its due place of the good qualities it hath by â—y of Medicine upon man On the remaining matter â—â—r spirit of Tartar of which in another place because it â—ongeth unto Medicinals digest these for a moneths â—â—e drive it through a glasse Retort into cold water then â—n have quick Mercury of Sol many strive to get it but 〈◊〉 vain There is one mystery more in Nature that the white â—lar body having once lost its anima may be ting'd again â—nd brought to be pure Gold which mystery is revealed to â—â—ry few I shall give a hint of it that you may not grumâ—â—e at me to have concealed any point in the work I hope you have considered and taken to heart what I â—ave entrusted you withall about the universal stone of Philosophers in my third part namely how it resteth meerâ—y upon the white spirit of Vitriol and how that all three principles are found onely in this spirit and how you are â—o proceed in and to bring each into its certain stare and â—â—order Take the Philosophick Sulphur which in order is the second principle and is extracted with the spirit of Mercuâ—ry pour it in the white body of the King digest it for a moneth in a gentle Balmy then fix it in ashes and at last in sand that the brown powder may appear then melt it wth a fluxing powder made of Saturn then will it be malleable and fair Gold as it was formerly in colour and vertue nothing defective But note the Salt must not be taken from the Solar body of which I made mention formerly in a repetition of the xii Key where you may read of There may be pâ—pared yet in another manner a transparent Vitriol 〈◊〉 Gold in the following manner Take good Aqua Regis made with Sal armoniac 1. poâ—â— id est dissolve four ounces of Salmiac in Aquafort then yâ— have a strong Aqua Regis distil and rectifie it often oâ— the helmet let no feces stay behinde let all lascends 〈◊〉 transparent Then take thinly beaten Gold rolls cast fâ—merly through Antimonie put them into a body pour oâ—â— Aqua Regis let it dissolve as much as it will or as you 〈◊〉 dissolve in it having dissolved all the Gold pour into soâ—â— Oyl of Tartar or Salt of Tartar dissolved in fountain waâ—â— it begins to tisse having done tissing then pour in again 〈◊〉 the Oyl do it so long that all the dissolved Gold be fall'n 〈◊〉 the bottom and nothing more of it precipitate the Aqâ—â— Regis clear up This being done then cant off the Aqâ—â— Regis from the Gold calx edulcorate it with common water eight ten or twelve times the Gold calx being weâ— setled cant off that water and dry the Gold calx in thâ— aire where the Sun doth not shine do it not over a fire for as soon as it feeleth the least heat it kindleth and greaâ— damage is done for it would fly away forcibly that no man could stay it This powder being ready also then takâ— strong Vinegar pour it upon boyl it continually over the fire in a good quantity of Vinegar still stirring it that it may not stick unto the bottom for xxiv hours together then the fulminating quality is taken from it be carefull you do not endanger your self cant off that Vinegar dulcifie the powder and dry it This powder may be driven per alembicum without any corrosive bloud-red transparent and fair which is strange and uniteth willingly with the spirit of wine and by means of coagulation may be brought to a Solar body Do not speak much of it to the vulgar if you receive any benefit by and from my plain and open information be thus minded to keep these mysteries secret still to thy dying day and make no shew of it else thou art naked and lyest open to the Devils temptations in all thy wayes â—efore pray give attention to what I shall tell thee for I impart unto thee this Arcanum also and entrust thee 〈◊〉 thy conscience with it Take good spirit of wine being brought to the highest â—â—ee let fall into it some drops of spirit of Tartar then 〈◊〉 thy Gold powder put to it three times as much of the 〈◊〉 and subtilest common flowers of sulphur grinde these â—ether set it on a flat pan under a muffle give to it a â—tle fire let the Gold powder be in a glowing heat put â—hus glowing into the spirit of wine cant off the spirit of â—â—e dry the powder against a heat it will be porous â—ng dried then add to it again three parts of flores sulâ—â—ris let them evaporate under a muffle neal the remainâ— powder in a strong heat and put it in spirit of wine â—â—ate this work six times at last this Gold powder will be â—oft and porous as firm butter dry it gently because it â—lteth easily Then take a coated body which in its â—â—der part hath a pipe lute a helmet to it apply a reâ—â—ver set it freely in a strong sand Capel let your first fire 〈◊〉 gentle then increase it let the body be almost in a â—â—wing heat then put in the softned
to insert it here in thâ—s treatise In Alchimy it is used to set Metals and Minerals into putrefaction It is used also for to extract their essences 〈◊〉 tinctures being fiâ—st prepared thereunto even as the spirit of wine is usual to extract the tinctures from vegetables In Pâ—ysick it deserveth its praise also for it taketh the pure from impure and is a separator and taketh from the Minerâ—l Mâ—dicaments their sharpnesse and corrosivenesse fixeth â—hat which is volaâ—ile and is a great defendant against poyson as I told you when I spoke of the Antimonial glasse Vinegar is used inwardly also and both men and beast are benefited thereby outwardly it is applied to hot inflammations and swellings for a cooler Spirit of wine and Vâ—negar are of great use both in Alchimy and Physick both have their descent from the Urine are of one substance buâ— differ in the quality by reason of putrefaction the Vinegar got there of the which I told you formerly I must acquaint you with one thing which is this thaâ— this is not the Philosophers V negar our Vinegar or acetum is another liquor namely a matter it self for the stone oâ— Philosophers is made out of Azot of Philosophers which must be prepared with ordinary distâ—ll'd Azot with spirit oâ— wine aâ—d with other waters besides and must be reduced uâ—â—â— a certain order Nâ—â—e this for a memorandum if distill'd pure Vinegaâ— be poured upon destroyed Saturn and is kept warm iâ— Marie's-Bath it loseth it's acidity altogether is as sweet as any Suggar then abstract two or three parts of that Vinegar set it in a Cellar then you will finde white transparent stones like unto Crystals these are an excellent cooler and healer of all adust and inflamed Symptoms If these Crystals are reduced into a red Oyl and poured upon Mercury precipitated by Venus and proceeded in further as it ought if that be hit rightly then neither Sol nor Lune will hinder thee from getting riches Of Wine THe true vegetable stone is found in Wine which is the noblest of all vegetables it containeth three sorts of of Salt three sorts of Mercury and three sorts of Sulphur The first Salt sticketh in the wood of the Vine which if burnt to ashes and a lixivium made of it to have it's salt drawn forth which must be coagulated This is the first Salt The second Salt is found in Tartar if that be incinerated then draw its Salt forth dissolve and coagulate it several times and let it be sufficiently clarified The third Salt is this when the wine is distill'd it leaveth feces behinde which are made to powder it 's Salt can be drawn out with warm water each of these Salts hath a special property in their Center they stand in a harmony because they descend from one root It hath three sorts of Mercury aâ—d three sorts of Sulphur The first Oyl is made of the stem the second Oyl is made out of crude Tartar the third is the Oyl of Wine There is a strange property in the spirit of Wine for without it there cannot be extracted any trâ—e tincture of Sol nor can there be made without it any true aurum potabile but few men know how a true spirit of Wine is made much lesse can it's property be found out wholly Several wayes have been tried to draw and to get the spirit of Wine without sophistication as by several instruments and distillings with metalline Serpents and otheâ— strange inventions of Sponges Papers and the like Some caused a rectified aqua vitae be frozen in the greatesâ— frost expecting the phlegme thereof should turn to Ice the spirit thereof to keep liquid but nothing was done to any purpose The true way for the getting of it I told you of aâ— the end of my Manuals for it must be subtile penetrating without any phlegme pure aerial and volatile so that aire in a magnetick quality may attract it therefore it had need to be kept close in it is oâ— a penetrating and effectualâ— operation and its use is several There are three which are the noblest Creatures in the world these three bear a wonderfull affection one to another Among Animals it is man our of whose Mume is made an Animal stone in which Microcosme is contained Among Minerals Gold is the noblest whose fixednesse is a sufficient testimony ol it 's noble off spring and kinâ—red Among Vegetables there lieth hid a Vegetable stone Man loveth Gold and Wine above all other Creatures which may be beheld with eyes Gold loveth man and Wine because it lets go its noblest part if spirit of Wine be put to it being made potable which giveth strength to man and prolongeth his life in health Wine beareth affection to man also and to Gold because it easily uniteth with the tincture of Sol expelleth melancholly and sadnesse refresheth and rejoyceth mans heart He that hath these three stones may boldly say that he hath the stones of the Universal much of it is talk'd and written but what eye hath seen it not one amongst many hundred of Millions These stones renew men and beasts cure Leprous Metals cause barrennesse to become fertile with a new birth humane reason is not able to comprehend it noâ— conceive of it If a rectified Aqua vitae be lighted then Mercury and â—â—e Vegetable Sulphur separateth that Sulphur burns â—ight being a meeâ— fire the tender Mercury betakes him-â—mself to his wings and flieth to his Chaos He that can shut up and catch this fiery spirit he may â—oast that he hath gotâ—â—â— a gâ—eat victory in the Chymical â—â—â—le for this Vegetable fiery Sulphur is the onely Key to â—â—aw the Sulphur from mineral and metalline bodies Thus I close my book the things contained therein are â—ot grounded on opinions as most Physicians rely on the â—uthors that such and such Herbs are cold and moist dry â—â—d warm in the first second and third degree because â—hey heard their Authors affirm it themselves neither â—aw 〈◊〉 nor made tryal of it making meer collections from other â—ens writings patching up volumes The things I wrote â—f I know by a long experimental knowledge to be true â—his my experience I hope will take place and get the viâ—tory as the Amazons did in their prudence The eternal heavenly spirit refresh our Souls that we may â—â—lk in heavenly streets forsaking all false and erroneous by-wayes Amen FINIS â—ONCLUSIONS AND EXPERIMENTS OF BASILIUS VALENTINUS PREFACE I Basilius Valentinus write a short clause upon my former writings and this treatise is instead of a declaration thereof But my Son and Disciple you are to remember that you lift up your eyes to â—he Mountain of God and of the Philosophers from â—hence you expect a help namely Sulphur Vitriol â—nd Magnet of Philosophers must be a great help unâ—o you For Philosophers Sulphur Vitriol Magnet â—s coelestial from whence cometh â—hat Universal and Philosophick Lapis vulgar and ordinary Sulphur Vitriol and Magnet afford meerly