Assembly of Alchymists that were met together to consult out of what
matter, and how the Philosophers Stone is to be made, and how that by
the misfortune of a tempest they were without any conclusion dispersed
almost through the whole world. For there arose a strong tempest,
and very great wind, which dispersed them all abroad, and so blowed
through some of their heads, that till this time they cannot yet
recover themselves, by meanes of which divers sort of worms are bred
in their brains. Now there were amongst them men of divers opinions,
and conditions, and among the rest there was this Alchymist, which in
this Treatise I shall discourse of: hee was otherwise a good man, but
without a Conclusion, or unresolved, also of the number of those, who
propound to themselves to find out the Philosophers Stone casually, and
he was companion to that Philosopher, who disputed with Mercury. Now
this man said, if it had been my fortune to have spoke with Mercury,
I should have fished him dry in few words; that other, saith hee, was
a foole, hee knew not how to proceed with him. Mercury indeed never
pleased mee, neither indeed do I think there is any good in it; but
I approve of Sulphur, because at that meeting wee discoursed most
excellently of it: if that tempest had not disturbed us, wee had
concluded that that had been the first matter, for I am not wont to
trouble my selfe with light, and triviall matters, my head is full of
profound imaginations. And so being full of confidence hee resolves
to work in Sulphur, hee began therefore to distill it, to sublime,
calcine, to fix it, to make oyle _per Campanam_ of it, sometimes by
itselfe, and sometimes with Crystals, and Egge-shels, and hee tryed
divers other operations about it: and when hee had spent much time and
costs, and could find nothing to his purpose, he was sad, and being
in a miserable perplexity passed over many nights without sleep; also
oftentimes hee went forth out of the City, to behold things, that hee
might the more conveniently devise something that was certain in his
operation: Now it fell out upon a time, as he was walking up and down,
hee fell into an extasy with beholding of things, and came unto a
certain green Wood, very full of all manner of things; in which were
Mines of all Mineralls, and Metalls, and all kinds of beasts, and
birds, and abundance of Trees, Herbs, and fruit: there also were divers
conduits of water, for in those places there was no water to be had,
but what was brought thither by divers instruments, and pipes, and
this by divers Artificers from divers places: that was the chiefest,
and clearer then the rest, which was drawne by the beams of the Moon;
and this was procured only for the Nymph of the Wood. There also did
feed Bulls, and Rams, and the Shepheards were two young men, whom the
Alchymist asking, said, Whose Wood is this? whom they answered saying,
This is the Wood, and Garden of our Nymph _Venus_. The Alchymist walks
up, and down in it: and the place pleased him well, but yet hee did
still think of his Sulphur; and so being weary of walking, and in a
sad condition sate by the side of the channel, under a certain tree;
and began to lament most miserably, bewailing his time, and charges,
which he spent in vain with operating (he could not els have deceived
others, but have damnified himself only) and said, What is this,
all men say it is a thing common, of small esteem, easy, and I am a
learned man, & I cannot find out this wretched Stone. And so in his
lamentation he began to curse Sulphur, because he had spent so much
cost, and labour in vain upon him: and Sulphur also was in that Wood,
but this was unknown to the Alchymist. Whilst he was thus lamenting,
he heard this voice as it were of some old man: Friend, Why dost thou
curse Sulphur? The Alchymist looked every way round about him, and
seeing no body, was afraid. But that voice said to him again, Friend
why art thou so sad? The Alchymist taking courage, said, Sir, The
hungry man is alwaies thinking upon bread, so doe I alwaies upon the
Philosophers Stone. _Vox_, And why dost thou curse Sulphur? _Alch._
Sir, I beleeved that that was the first matter of the Philosophers
Stone, and therefore in working upon it many years, I spent much, and
could not find that Stone. _Vox._ Friend, truly I know that Sulphur is
the true, and principall subject of the Philosophers Stone, but I know
not thee, nor any thing of thy labour, and intention: thou dost without
cause curse Sulphur; because he is in cruell prisons, and cannot be at
hand to every body; seeing hee is put bound in a most dark dungeon,
and goes not forth, but whither his Keepers carry him. _Alch._ And
why is he imprisoned? _Vox._ Because hee would bee obedient to every
Alchymist, and doe what they would have him, contrary to his Mothers
will, who forbad him to obey any, but such as knew her, wherefore shee
put him into prison, and commanded that his feet should be bound, and
set Keepers over him, that without their knowledg, and pleasure hee
should goe no whither. _Alch._ O wretch! for this reason hee could not
come to mee: truly his Mother doth him great wrong: and when shall
hee bee let out of those prisons? _Vox_, O friend! The Sulphur of
Philosophers cannot goe forth hence but in a long time, and with a
great deale of labour. _Alch._ Sir! And who be his Keepers that keep
him? _Vox_, Friend! His Keepers are of the same stocke, but Tyrants.
_Alch._ And who art thou, and how art thou called? _Vox_, I am Judge,
and Governour of the prisons, and my name is _Saturne_. _Alch._ Then
Sulphur is kept in thy prisons. _Vox_, Sulphur indeed is kept in my
prisons, but hee hath other Keepers. _Alch._ And what doth hee doe
in the prisons? _Vox_, He doth whatsoever his Keepers will have him.
_Alch._ And what can hee doe? _Vox_, Hee is the maker of a thousand
things, and is the heart of all things; hee knows how to make Metalls
better, and corrects Mineralls, teacheth Animalls understanding,
knowes how to make all kind of Flowers in Hearbs, and Trees, and is
chief over them, corrupts the Aire, which hee amends again: hee is
the Maker of all Odours, and Painter of all Colours. _Alch._ Out of
what matter doth hee make Flowers? _Vox_, His Keepers afford matter,
and vessells, but Sulphur digests the matter, and according to the
variety of his digestion, and weight, various Flowers, and Odours are
produced. _Alch._ Is hee old? _Vox_, Friend, Know that Sulphur is the
vertue of all things, and is the second by birth, but yet older then
all things, stronger, and more worthy, yet an obedient child. _Alch._
Sir, How is hee known? _Vox_, Divers wayes, but best by the State of
the Vitalls in Animalls, by the colour in Metalls, by the odour in
Vegetables: without him his Mother works nothing. _Alch._ Is hee the
sole heir, or hath hee brethren? _Vox_, His Mother hath but only one
son like him, his other brethren are associated with evil things, hee
hath a sister which he loves, and is againe beloved by her, for shee is
as it were a Mother to him. _Alch._ Sir, is hee every where uniform?
_Vox_, According to his Nature, but hee is changed in the prisons;
yet his heart is alwaies pure, but his garments are stained. _Alch._
Sir, Was hee ever at liberty? _Vox_, Yea, especially in those times
when there were such wise men, betwixt whom, and his Mother there was
great familiarity, and friendship. _Alch._ And who were they? _Vox_,
There were very many: There was _Hermes_, who was as it were one with
his Mother: After him were many Kings, and Princes, as also many other
wise men, in ages since, as _Aristotle_, _Avicen_, &c. who set him at
liberty: These knew how to unloose his bonds. _Alch._ Sir, What did hee
give them for setting of him at liberty? _Vox_, Hee gave them three
Kingdomes: for when any doth unbind him, and releaseth him, then he
overcomes his Keepers, which before did govern in his Kingdome, and
delivers them being bound to him that released him, for to bee his
subjects, and gives him their Kingdomes to possesse: but that, which is
more; in his Kingdome is a Looking-glasse, in which is seen the whole
world. Whosoever lookes in this Glasse may see, and learn in it three
parts of the wisdome of the whole world, and so shall become very wise
in these three Kingdomes, such were _Aristotle_, _Avicen_, and many
others, who as well as they before them, saw in this glasse how the
world was made: By this they learned what were the influences of the
Celestiall vertues upon inferiour bodies, and how Nature by the weight
of Fire compounds things; as also the motion of the Sun, and Moon:
especially that universall motion, by which his Mother is governed:
by this they knew the degrees of heat, cold, moisture, drynesse, and
the vertues of hearbs, and indeed of all things, whence they became
most excellent Physitians. And truly, unlesse a Physitian be such a
one as knows, why this hearb, or that, is hot, dry, or moist in this
degree, not out of the books of _Galen_, or _Avicen_, but out of the
originall of Nature, from whence they also understood these things, hee
cannot bee a well grounded Physitian. All these things they diligently
considered, and bequeathed their Writings to their successors, that
men might bee stirred up to studies of a higher Nature, and learn how
to set Sulphur at liberty, and unloose his bonds: but men of this age
take their Writings for a sufficient ground, and authority, and seek
no further; and it sufficeth them if they know how to say, So saith
_Aristotle_, or; Thus saith _Galen_. _Alch._ And what say you, Sir, Can
an herb bee known without an Herball? _Vox_, Those ancient Philosophers
wrote their Receipts out of the very Fountain of Nature. _Alch._ How
Sir? _Vox_, Know that all things in the earth, and upon the earth, are
generated, and produced of three Principles; sometimes of two, to which
the third is joined: he therefore that knows these three Principles;
and the weight of them, how Nature joins them together, may be easily
able by decoction to understand the degree of Fire in the subject,
whether well, or ill, or indifferently decocted, and that according
to more or lesse: For all Vegetable things are known by those, who
know the three Principles. _Alch._ And how is this done? _Vox_, By
sight, tast, and smell; in, and from these three senses are gathered
the three Principles of things, and the degrees of their digestions.
_Alch._ Sir, They say that Sulphur is a Medicine. _Vox_, Yea, and the
Physitian himselfe, and to them that set him free from prison, by way
of thankfulnesse hee gives his blood for a Medicine. _Alch._ Sir, the
universall Medicine being had, how long may a man preserve himselfe
from death? _Vox_, Even to the term of death: but this Medicine must
bee taken cautiously, for many wise men have been destroyed by it
before their time. _Alch._ And what say you Sir, Is it poison? _Vox_,
Hast not thou heard that a great flame of fire destroyes a little one?
There were many Philosophers, which received the Art from other mens
experience, which did not so throughly search into the vertue of the
Medicine; yea, by how much the more powerfull, subtiler the Medicine
was, it seemed to them to bee the more wholsome; and if one grain of
it can passe through many thousands of Metalls, much more Mans body.
_Alch._ Sir, How then must it be used? _Vox_, It must bee so used, that
it may strengthen the Naturall heat, but not overcome it. _Alch._ Sir,
I know how to make such a Medicine. _Vox_, Thou art happy if thou dost
know. For the blood of that Sulphur is that intrinsecall vertue, and
siccity that turnes, and congeals Quicksilver, and all Metalls into
Gold, and Mens bodies into health. _Alch._ Sir, I know how to make oyle
of Sulphur, which is prepared with calcined Crystalls; I know also
another, which is done by a Bell. _Vox_, Certainly then thou art a
Philosopher of that Assembly; for thou dost understand, and expound my
words aright, as also, unlesse I am deceived, of all the Philosophers.
_Alch._ Sir, Is not this oyle the blood of Sulphur? _Vox_, O Friend!
the blood of Sulphur is not given to any but to those, who know how
to set him free from prison. _Alch._ Sir, doth Sulphur know any thing
in the Metalls? _Vox_, I told thee, that hee knows all things, and
especially in Metalls, but his Keepers know that there he could bee
easily set at liberty, wherefore they keep him there bound fast in most
strong prisons, so that hee cannot breath, and they are afraid lest hee
should come into the Kings palace. _Alch._ Is hee imprisoned so in all
Metalls? _Vox_, In all; but not alike, in some not so strictly. _Alch._
Sir, And why in Metalls in such a tyrannicall manner? _Vox_, Because
hee would stand in awe of them no longer, when hee shall once come to
his Kingly palaces, for then hee can be seen, and looke freely out of
the windows; because there he is in his proper Kingdome, although not
yet as hee desires. _Alch._ Sir, and what doth hee eat? _Vox_, His meat
is wind, when hee is at liberty, it is decocted; but in prison hee is
constrained to eat it raw. _Alch._ Sir, Can those enmities betwixt him
and his Keepers bee reconciled? _Vox_, Yes, if any one were so wise.
_Alch._ Why doth not he treat with them concerning a pacification?
_Vox_, That hee cannot doe by himselfe, because presently hee waxeth
hot with anger, and rage. _Alch._ Let him doe it by a Commissioner.
_Vox_, Certainly hee would bee the most happy man in the world, and
worthy of eternall memory, who could tell how to make peace betwixt
them; but this no man can doe but hee that is very wise, and can agree
with his Mother, and have co-intelligence with her: for if they were
friends, one would not hinder the other, but joining their forces
together would make things immortall. Truely hee that would reconcile
them together would bee a man worthy to be consecrated to eternity.
_Alch._ Sir, I will compose those differences betwixt them, and free
him, I am in other matters a man very learned, and wise: Besides, I
am very good at operations. _Vox_, Friend, I see truly that thou art
big enough, and thou hast a great head, but I know not whether thou
canst doe those things or no. _Alch._ Sir, Perhaps thou art ignorant
of what the Alchymists know, in matter of treaty they have alwaies
the better of it, and truly I am not the last, so that his enemies
will but treat with mee, if they will treat, assure your selfe that
they will have the worst. Sir, beleeve mee, the Alchymists know how to
treat, if they only will but treat with mee, Sulphur shall presently
be at liberty. _Vox_, I like your judgement well, I hear that you are
approved of. _Alch._ Sir, Tell mee if this bee the true Sulphur of the
Philosophers? _Vox_, This truely is Sulphur, but whether it be the
Philosopher, that belongs to thee to know. I have said enough to thee
concerning Sulphur. _Alch._ Sir, If I can find his prisons, shall I bee
able to set him at liberty? _Vox_, If thou knowest well, thou shalt;
for it is easier to free him then find them. _Alch._ Sir, I beseech
thee tell mee but this, if I find him, shal I make the Philosophers
stone of him? _Vox_, O Friend! It is not for mee to judge, doe thou
look to that, yet if thou knowest his Mother, and followest her,
Sulphur being at liberty, the Stone is at hand. _Alch._ Sir, in what
subject is this Sulphur? _Vo._ Know for certain that this Sulphur is
of great vertue, his Mine are all things in the world, for hee is in
Metalls, Hearbs, Trees, Animalls, Stones, and Mineralls. _Alch._ And
what Devill is able to find him out lying hid amongst so many things,
and subjects? Tell mee the matter out of which the Philosophers take
him. _Vo._ Friend, thou comest too neer, yet that I may satisfie
thee, know that Sulphur is every where, but shee hath some certaine
palaces, where shee is wont to give audience to the Philosophers; but
the Philosophers adore him swimming in his owne sea, and playing with
Vulcan; when the Philosophers goe to him unknown in his vile garments.
_Alch._ Sir, in the sea, why then is hee not mine, since hee is hid
here so neer? _Vo._ I told thee that his Keepers put him into most
dark prisons, lest thou shouldst see him, for hee is in one subject
alone, but if thou hast not found him at home, thou wilt scarce find
him in the Woods. But doe not thou despaire in finding of him out: I
tell thee of a truth, that hee is in Gold, and Silver most perfect,
but in Argent vive most easy. _Alch._ Sir, I would very willingly make
the Philosophers Stone. _Vo._ Thou desirest a good thing, Sulphur also
would willingly bee out of bonds. And so _Saturn_ departed. Now a deep
sleep seased upon the Alchymist, being weary, and there appeared to
him this Vision, Hee saw in that Wood a fountain full of water, about
which walked Sal, and Sulphur, contending one with the other, untill
at last they began to fight; and Sal gave Sulphur an incurable wound,
out of which wound, in stead of blood, there came out water, as it were
most white milk, and it became to be a great river. Then out of that
Wood came forth _Diana_ a most beautifull Virgin, who began to wash
her self in that river: whom a certain Prince, a most stout man (and
greater then his servants) passing by, and seeing, began to admire at
her beauty; and because shee was of a like nature with him, hee became
enamoured with her, which when she perceived, shee was inflamed with
love towards him. Wherefore as it were falling into a swoun she began
to be drowned: which that Prince seeing, commanded his servants to help
her; but they were all afraid to goe to the river; to whom the Prince
said, Why doe you not help _Diana_ that Virgin? To whom they replyed,
Sir, this river is indeed little, and as it were dryed up, but most
dangerous: Once upon a time wee were willing to go into it without thy
knowledge, and wee hardly escaped the danger of eternall death; Wee
know also that others that were our predecessors perished in it. Then
the Prince himselfe laying aside his thick mantle, even as hee was
armed, leaped into the river, and to help faire _Diana_ hee stretched
forth his hand to her; who being willing to save her selfe, drew also
the Prince himselfe to her, and so were both drowned. A little after
their souls came out of the river, flying above the river, and said,
It was well done of us, for else wee could not have been freed from
those bodies which are polluted, and stained. _Alch._ But doe you ever
return into those bodies againe? _Anime_, Not into such filthy bodies,
but when they be purged, and this river shall bee throughly dryed up
by the heat of the sunne, and this Province shall bee often tryed by
the Aire. _Alch._ What shall you doe in the mean time. _Anim._ Here wee
shall fly upon the river till those clouds, and tempests shall cease.
In the mean time the Alchymist fell into a more desired dream of his
Sulphur; and behold there appeared to him many Alchymists coming to
that place to seek after Sulphur, and when they found the carkasse of
that Sulphur that was slain by Sal by the fountain, they divided it
amongst themselves: which when the Alchymist saw hee also took a part
with them; and so every one of them returned home, and began to work in
that Sulphur, and till this day they doe not give over. But _Saturne_
meets this Alchymist, and saith to him, Friend, how is it with thee?
_Alch._ O Sir, I have seen many wonderfull things, my wife would scarce
beleeve them; now also I have found Sulphur, I beseech you Sir help,
let us make the Philosophers Stone. _Saturnus._ With all my heart,
my friend, make ready then Argent-vive, and Sulphur, and give hither
a glasse. _Alch._ Sir, have nothing to doe with Mercury, for he is
naught, he hath deluded my companion, and many others. _Sat._ Without
Argent-vive, in whose Kingdome Sulphur is the King, the Philosophers
have done nothing, neither doe I know what to doe without it. _Alch._
Sir, Let us make it of Sulphur alone. _Sat._ Well then, my friend, but
it will succeed accordingly. Then they took that Sulphur, which the
Alchymist found, and they did what the Alchymist would have done,
they began to work divers ways, and to make experiments of Sulphur
in divers strange kind of furnaces, which the Alchymist had: but in
the conclusion of every operation there was brought forth nothing but
Matches, such as old women usually sell to light candles withall. Then
they began a new work, and sublimed, and calcined Sulphur according
to the Alchymists pleasure; but in what way soever they worked it, it
succeeded as before, for still they made nothing but Matches; then said
the Alchymist to Saturn, Truly Sir, I see it will not succeed according
to my fancy, I beseech thee doe thou work alone, what thou knowest.
Then Saturn said, See then, and learn. Hee then took two Mercuries of a
differing substance, but of one originall, which Saturn washed in his
owne urine, and called them Sulphurs of Sulphurs, and mixed the fixed
with the volatile, and the composition being made, hee put it into its
proper vessell, and lest the Sulphur should fly away, hee set a keeper
over him, and then put him into a bath of a most gentle heat, according
as the matter required, and hee made all things very well. Then they
made the Philosophers Stone, because of the true matter a true thing
must needs bee made. The Alchymist being very glad took the Stone with
the glasse, and beholding the colour thereof, which was like burnt
blood, hee was amazed, and by reason of too much joy hee began to leap,
in which leaping the glasse fell out of his hands upon the ground,
and was broken. And so Saturn vanished away. The Alchymist also being
awaked out of his dream, found nothing in his hands but Matches which
hee made of brimstone: but the Stone flew away, and doth still fly;
whence it is called Volatile: and so that miserable Alchymist learned
nothing else by that Vision but how to make Matches: who afterwards
laying aside the Stone, became to be a Physitian; by searching after
the stone of the Philosophers hee got the stone of the Kidneys. Last of
all hee led such a life, as such kind of Alchymists are wont to doe,
who for the most part become Physitians, or Quacksalvers, which thing
will happen to all, who betake themselves to the Art casually without
any foundation, but only by hearesay, or by meanes of Receipts.
Some of them, when things succeed not, say: We are wise men, wee hear
that the grasse grows, if the Art were true wee should have had it
before other men: And so having brazen faces, lest wee should bee
accounted undeserving men (as indeed they are, and also perverse)
contemne, and undervalue the Art. This Science hates such men, and
alwaies shews them the beginning in the end. Now we grant unto the
unworthy, that this Art is nothing, but to the Lovers of vertue, and
the true Searchers, and Sons of Wisdome, wee doe most highly commend
it, and doe affirme it not only to be true, but altogether the truest:
which, sometimes wee have really made good before men worthy of such a
fight, I say before men of high, and low condition: (yet this Medicine
was not made by us, but received from a friend, and yet most true)
for the searching out of which wee have sufficiently instructed the
Searchers thereof; whom if our Writings doe not please, let them read
those of other Authors, which are easier, but with this Caution, That
whatsoever they shall read, they shall alwaies compare it with the
possibility of Nature, lest they assay any thing contrary to Nature.
Neither let them beleeve, although it were written in the bookes of
Philosophers, that Fire burns not, because this is contrary to Nature:
but if it bee writ, that Fire hath a drying, and heating faculty, this
is to bee beleeved, because it is according to Nature: For Nature doth
alwaies agree with a sound judgment, and in Nature there is nothing
difficult, all truth is plain. Then also let them learne, what things
in Nature are of affinity with each other, which wee conceive may be
easier done by our Writings, then any other, seeing wee think wee have
wrote sufficiently, untill some other shall come, who shall set downe
the whole Receipt so plaine, as to make cheese of Milke, which is not
lawfull for us to doe.
But that I may not direct all things I say to the new beginner only,
wee shall say something to you also who now have passed over these
painfull labours. Have you seen that Countrey, where a man marryed a
wife, whose nuptialls were celebrated in the house of Nature? Have
you understood how the vulgar with you have seen this Sulphur? If
therefore you will that old women should practise your Philosophy,
shew the dealbation of your Sulphurs; say unto the vulgar, Come and
see, for now the water is divided, and Sulphur is come out; hee will
return white, and congeale the Waters. Burn therefore Sulphur from
incombustible Sulphur, then wash it, make it white, and red, untill
Sulphur become Mercury, and Mercury bee made Sulphur, which afterwards
you shall beautifie with the soule of Gold: For if you doe not sublime
Sulphur, from Sulphur, and Mercury from Mercury, you have not yet found
out the Water, which out of Sulphur, and Mercury is created by way of
distillation; hee doth not ascend, that doth not descend. Whatsoever
in this Art is remarkable, by many is lost in the preparation, for
our Mercury is quickened with Sulphur, else it would bee of no use. A
Prince without a people is unhappy; so is an Alchymist without Sulphur,
and Mercury. If thou hast understood mee, I have said enough.
[Illustration: *decorative divider*]
THE CONCLVSION.
Every searcher of this Art must in the first place with a mature
judgement examine the creation, operation, and vertues of the four
Elements together with their actings: for if hee be ignorant of the
originall, and Nature of these, hee shall not come to the knowledge
of the Principles, neither shall hee know the true matter of the
Stone, much lesse attain to any good conclusion; because every end
is terminated upon its beginning. Hee that well knowes what hee
begins, shall well know what shall bee the end. For the originall of
the Elements is the Chaos, out of which God the Maker of all things
created, and separated the Elements, which belongs to God alone: but
out of the Elements Nature produceth the Principles of things, and this
is Natures worke, through the will of God alone: Out of the Principles
Nature afterwards produceth Mineralls, and all things: out of which
the Artist also by imitating Nature can doe many wonderfull things.
Because Nature out of these Principles, which are Salt, Sulphur, and
Mercury, doth produce Mineralls, and Metalls, and all kinds of things;
and it doth not simply produce Metalls out of the Elements, but by
Principles, which are the medium betwixt the Elements, and Metalls:
Therefore if Nature doth not make those things, much lesse shall Art.
And not only in this example, but also in every naturall processe a
middle disposition is to bee observed. Wherefore here in this Treatise
wee have sufficiently described the Elements, their actings, and
operations, as also the originall of the Principles (because hitherto
no Philosopher hath discovered things more cleerly) that the well
minded searcher might the more easily consider in what degree the
Stone differs from Metalls, and Metalls from Elements. For there is
a difference betwixt Gold, and Water, but lesse betwixt Water, and
Mercury; and least of all betwixt Mercury, and Gold. For the house of
Gold is Mercury, and the house of Mercury is Water: but Sulphur is that
which coagulates Mercury; which Sulphur indeed is most difficultly
prepared, but more difficultly found out. For in the Sulphur of
Philosophers this secret consists, which also is contained in the
inward rooms of Mercury, of whose preparation, without which it is
unprofitable, wee shall discourse hereafter in the third Principle of
Salt, seeing here wee treat of the vertue, and originall, not Praxis,
of Sulphur.
Wherefore now wee have not writ this Treatise that wee would disprove
any of the ancient Philosophers, but rather confirm their Writings, and
supply those things, which they have omitted: seeing that Philosophers
themselves were but men, they could not be accurate in all things,
neither is one man sufficient for all things. Miracles also have
seduced some men from the right way of Nature, as wee read happened
in _Albertus Magnus_ a most witty Philosopher; who writ, that in his
times there were grains of Gold found betwixt the teeth of a dead man
in his grave. Hee could not find out this Miracle, but judged it to be
by reason of the Minerall vertue in man being confirmed in his opinion
by that saying of _Morien_: _And this Matter, O King, is extracted from
thee_: but this is erroneous, for _Morien_ was pleased to understand
those things Philosophically. For the Minerall vertue is placed in its
own Kingdome, as the Animall is in its Kingdome, as in the book of the
Twelve Treatises wee have distinguished those Kingdomes, and divided
them into three Kingdomes; because every one of these without the
ingresse of any other thing stands in it self, and is multiplyed. It
is true indeed that in the Animall Kingdome, Mercury is as the matter,
and Sulphur as the vertue, but the Animall is not Minerall. The vertue
of the Animall Sulphur if it were not in Man, it could not congeal
the bloud Mercury into flesh, and bones: so also if there were not a
vertue of the Vegetable Sulphur in the Vegetable Kingdome, it could
not coagulate Water, or the Vegetable Mercury into Herbs, and Trees.
So also it is to bee understood in the Minerall Kingdome. These three
Mercuries doe not indeed differ in vertue, nor the three Sulphurs,
because every Sulphur hath a power to coagulate its own Mercury;
and every Mercury hath a power to bee coagulated by its owne proper
Sulphur; and by no other that is a stranger to it. Now the reason why
Gold was found, and generated betwixt the teeth of the dead man is
this, because in his life time Mercury was by some Physitian conveyed
into his infirme body, either by unction, or by Turbith, or some other
way, as the custome, and manner was, and it was the nature of Mercury
to goe up to the mouth, and through the sores thereof to be evacuated
with the flegme. If therefore in time of such a cure the sick man dyed,
that Mercury not finding any egresse, remained in his mouth betwixt his
teeth, and that carkasse became the naturall vessell of Mercury, so
being shut up fast for a long time was congealed into Gold by its own
proper Sulphur, being purified by the naturall heat of putrefaction,
caused by the corrosive phlegme of the Mans body. But if Minerall
Mercury had not been brought in thither, there could Gold never have
been produced. And this is a most true example, that Nature in the
bowells of the earth, doth of Mercury alone produce Gold, and Silver,
and other Metalls, according to the disposition of the place, or
matrix; for Mercury hath in its self its own proper Sulphur, with which
it is coagulated into Gold, unlesse it bee hindred by some accident,
or hath not a requisite heat, or a close place. The vertue therefore
of Animall Sulphur doth not congeal Mercury into Gold, but into Flesh:
for if there were such a vertue in Man, it would happen to be so in all
bodies; which it doth not. Many such miracles, and accidents fall out,
which being not well considered by the Writers, occasion the Readers to
fall into errors: yet the honest searcher must apply all things to the
possibility of Nature; if they doe not agree with Nature, they must be
let alone, and waved.
It sufficeth the diligent Student, that he hath here heard what is
the Originall of the Principles (since the beginning being unknown,
the end is alwaies doubtfull) of which wee have in this Treatise not
Ænigmatically, but as cleerly as we could, and as it was lawfull for
us, spoken unto the searcher thereof: by means of which, if God shall
enlighten any ones mind, hee shall know what a successor owes to his
predecessors, seeing this Art is alwaies acquired by the same kind
of wits, and dispositions. Which Art wee after this kind of clear
manifestation of it, lay up into the bosome of God the most high
Creator, and our Lord, and commend our selvs together with all honest
hearted Readers to his grace, and infinite mercy. To whom be praise,
and glory, for ever, and ever.
FINIS.
[Illustration: *decorative divider*]
OF THE
NATVRE
Of Things.
_THE FIRST BOOKE._
_Of the generations of Naturall things._
[Sidenote: The generation of naturall things is twofold.]
[Sidenote: All things proceed from putrefaction.]
[Sidenote: The cause of putrefaction is a moist heat.]
[Sidenote: The power and nature of putrefaction.]
[Sidenote: What putrefaction is.]
The generation of all natural things is twofold: Naturall, and without
Art; and Artificiall, _viz._ by Alchymie. Although in generall it may
bee said that all things are naturally generated of the Earth by means
of putrefaction. For Putrefaction is the chiefe degree, and first step
to Generation. Now Putrefaction is occasioned by a moist heat. For a
continuall moist heat causeth putrefaction, and changeth all naturall
things from their first form, and essence, as also their vertues,
and efficacy, into another thing. For as putrefaction in the stomach
changeth, and reduceth all meats into dung; so also putrefaction out
of the stomach in a glasse, changeth all things from one form into
another, from one essence into another, from one colour into another,
from one smell into another, from one vertue into another, from one
power into another, from one property into another, and generally
from one quality into another. For it is evident, and proved by daily
experience, that many good things, which are wholsome, and medicinable,
become after putrefaction naught, unwholsome, and meer poison. So on
the contrary, there are many bad, unwholsome, poisonous, and hurtfull
things, which after their putrefaction become good, lose all their
unwholsomnesse, and become wonderfull medicinable: because putrefaction
produceth great matters, as of this wee have a most famous example in
the holy Gospel, where Christ saith: Unlesse a grain of Wheat bee cast
into the Earth, and be putrefied, it cannot bring forth fruit in a
hundred fold. Hence also we must know, that many things are multiplyed
in putrefaction so as to bring forth excellent fruit. For putrefaction
is the change, and death of all things, and destruction of the first
essence of all Naturall things; whence there ariseth a regeneration,
and new generation a thousand times better, &c.
[Sidenote: Putrefaction is the first degree to generation.]
[Sidenote: Putrefaction is manifold.]
Seeing therefore putrefaction is the first degree, and step to
generation; it is very necessary that wee know putrefaction well. Now
there are many kinds of putrefactions, and one produceth its generation
in another manner, then doth another. One also sooner then another.
Wee said also that moisture, and heat were the first degree, and step
to putrefaction, which produceth all things, as a Hen doth her egs.
Wherefore through, and in putrefaction, all mucilaginous flegme, and
matter is made living, whatsoever it prove to be at last.
[Sidenote: An artificiall hatching of Chickens.]
An example of this you have in egs, in which there is a mucilaginous
humour, which by any kind of moderate continuall heat is putrefied, and
turned into a living Chicke, not only by the heat of the Hen, but any
such kind of heat. For in such a degree of Fire egs may be brought to
maturity in a glasse, and ashes, and become living birds: yea any man
may ripen an egge in his arm-hole, and hatch a Chicke, as well as the
Hen.
[Sidenote: The raising of a dead bird to life.]
And here wee must take notice of something that is greater, and more
then this: _viz._ if that living Chicke be in a vessell of glasse
like a gourd, and sealed up, burnt to powder, or ashes in the third
degree of Fire, and afterward so closed in, be putrefied with the
exactest putrefaction of Horse-dung, into a mucilaginous flegm, then
that flegm may be brought to maturity, and become a renewed, and new
made Chicke: to wit, if that flegm bee againe inclosed in its former
shell, or receptacle. This is to revive the dead by regeneration, and
clarification, which indeed is a great, and profound miracle of Nature.
According to this processe may all Birds bee killed, and made alive
againe, and made new: and this is the highest, and greatest miracle,
and mystery of God, which hee ever discovered to mortall man.
[Sidenote: The Artificiall generation of Man.]
Wee must also know that after this manner men may bee generated without
naturall Father, or Mother, _i.e._ not of a Woman in a naturall way:
but by the Art, and industry of a skilfull Alchymist may a Man bee
borne, and grow, as afterwards shall bee shewed.
[Sidenote: The generation of men by brutes.]
[Sidenote: As the seed is, so is the fruit.]
It is possible also that men may be born of beasts, according to
naturall causes, but yet this cannot bee done without much impiety, and
heresie; to wit, if a man should couple with a beast, and that beast
should, as a woman doth, receive the Sperm of the man, with desire and
lust into her matrix, and conceive: then the sperm doth of necessity
putrefie, and by the continual heat of the body, a man, and not a beast
is thence produced. For alwaies as the seed is that is sown, so also
is the fruit that is brought forth; and unlesse it should be so, it
would be contrary to the light of Nature, and to Philosophy. Wherefore
as is the seed, such is the hearb that springs from thence. So of the
Seed of an Onyon is brought forth an Onyon, not a Rose, nor a Nut, not
a Lettuce. So of Corne, Corn is brought forth, of Barley, Barley; of
Oats, Oats: and so it is with all other fruits, which have seed, and
are sown, &c.
[Sidenote: The force of womens imagination.]
In like manner also it is possible, and not contrary to Nature, that
an irrationall bruit should bee produced by a woman, and a man.
Neither are wee to judge of, or censure the woman, as the man, (as
in the former case) shee therefore is not to bee accounted impious,
or hereticall, as if shee acted contrary to Nature, but it is to be
imputed to her imagination. For her imagination is alwaies the cause of
it. And the imagination of a breeding woman is so powerful, that in
conceiving the seed into her body, shee may change her infant divers
wayes: because her inward starres are so strongly bent upon the infant,
that they beget an impression, and influence upon it. Wherefore the
infant in the Mothers wombe in its forming is put into the hand, and
will of its Mother, as clay in the hand of the Potter, who thence
frames, and makes what his will, and pleasure is: so the Woman that is
breeding, forms the fruit in her body, according to her imagination,
and her starres. Therefore it often falls out, that of the seed of a
man, Cattle, and other horrid Monsters are begot, according as the
imagination of the Mother is strongly directed upon the Embryo, &c.