from Copper, or Copper vessels, from Iron, and Steel overlaid with Tin
without any fire, or water, by the Amalgama of Quicksilver alone.
Also Beaten Gold, or Leafe Gold, or Silver, as also any other metall
beaten, or ground, being written, or laid over with a pencill, or quill
upon cloth, parchment, paper, leather, wood, stones, or any thing else,
may bee resolved by Quicksilver, and so, that the Quicksilver may bee
afterward separated again from those metalls.
[Sidenote: By Corrosive waters.]
Now the separation of metalls in _Aqua fortis_, _Aqua Regis_, and like
corrosive waters, is after this manner.
Let a metall that is mixed, and joined with another, be taken, and
beaten into thin plates, or brought into powder. Put it into a
separating vessel, and poure upon it common _Aqua fortis_ as much as
is sufficient, let them stand and bee macerated, until all the metall
bee resolved into a clear water. If it be Silver, and contain any Gold
in it, all the Silver wil bee resolved into water, and the Gold wil
also bee calcined, and settle in the bottome like black sand. And after
this manner Gold, and Silver are separated. If now thou wilt separate
the Silver from the _Aqua fortis_ without Distillation, put a plate
of Copper into the water, and the Silver will presently settle in the
bottome of the water like snow, and the Copper plate will begin to be
consumed by little, and little.
The seperation of Silver, and Copper by common _Aqua fortis_ is done
after this manner. Let the Copper which contains Silver, or the Silver
which contains Copper be brought to thin plates or powder, and put into
a glass vessel, upon which poure as much common _Aqua fortis_ as is
sufficient: and by this means the silver will bee calcined, and settle
to the bottome like white chalk: but the copper wil be dissolved, and
turned into a clear water. If this water, together with the dissolved
copper, be by a Glasse funnel separated from the silver calx into
another Glasse: then the Copper that is dissolved in the water, may bee
so precipitated with common water, or rain water, or any other water,
that it wil settle to the bottom of the Glass like sand.
Now the separation of hid Gold, from any metall, is by the degree of
Extraction in _Aqua Regis_. For this kind of water will attempt to
dissolve no metall, but only pure, fine Gold, &c.
The same _Aqua Regis_ doth separate also fine gold from gilded plate.
For if that be washed over with it, the Gold will be separated from it,
&c.
[Sidenote: By the degree of Reverberation.]
Moreover also with cement by the degree of Reverberation two Metalls
mixed together may be separated the one from the other, but especially
if they are not in the like degree of Fixation, as Iron and Copper. For
that Metall, which is but little fixed, as Tin, and Lead, is all of it
consumed by the degree of Reverberation in cement. For by how much the
more a Metall is fixed, so much the lesse is it consumed by cement.
You must know therefore that fine Gold is the most fixt, and perfect
Metall, which can bee destroyed, or consumed by no cement. Next to this
is fine Silver. If then Gold, and Silver be mixed together in one body,
which is wont to bee called part with part, or if Silver contain Gold,
or Gold Silver: I say these being thus mixt if they bee reverberated
into cement, then the Gold remains entire, and not at all injured, but
the Silver is consumed by the cement, and so is extracted from fine
Gold: so also is Copper from Silver, and Iron, and Tinne from Copper,
and Iron, or Lead from Tinne, and so forth.
[Illustration: *decorative divider*]
_Of the Separation of Mineralls._
After that wee have explained (as hitherto wee have done) the
separation of Metalls from their Earth, and matter, as also of one
Metall from another, and how it is done having passed through it with
as much brevity as might be: it will in the next place bee necessary
that wee treat also of those things out of which Metalls grow, and
are generated, as are the three Principles. Mercury, Sulphur, and
Salt, as also all Mineralls, in which the first being of Metalls,
_i.e._ the spirit of Metalls is found, as is manifest in Marcasites,
Granats, Cachymies, red Talke, the Azure stone, and the like, in which
the first being of Gold is found by the degree of Sublimation. So in
white Marcasite, white Talke, Auripigmentum, Arsenick, Litharge, &c.
the first being of Silver is found: In Cobaltus, Zinetus, &c. the
first being of Iron: In Zinetus, Vitriall, Verdegrease, &c. the first
being of Copper: In Zinetus, Bisemutus, &c. the first being of Tin: In
Antimony, Minium, &c. the first being of Lead: In Cinnabar, the first
being of Quicksilver is found.
Concerning this first beginning you must know, that it is a volatile
spirit, as yet consisting in volatility, as an infant lies in the wombe
of its Mother, which sometimes is made like to Liquor, sometimes to
Alcool.
Whosoever therefore desires to busie himselfe about the getting of the
first being of any such body, or to separate it, must of necessity have
much experience, and knowledge in the Art of Alchymie.
For if hee shall not diligently and skilfully work in Alchymie, hee
shal attempt many things in vain, and accomplish nothing.
But after what manner the first being is to be separated out of any
Minerall, is sufficiently explained in the booke called _Archidoxis_,
and need not here tediously bee repeated.
But as concerning the separation of Mineralls, you must note, that many
of them are to bee separated by the degree of Sublimation as fixed
from those which are not fixed, spirituall and volatile bodies from
fixt bodies, and so accordingly of all the members, as is declared
concerning Metalls. For of all Mineralls there is one, and the like
processe through all degrees, as the Art of Alchymie teacheth, &c.
[Illustration: *decorative divider*]
_Of the Separation of Vegetables._
[Sidenote: How Vegetables are separated.]
The separation of those things, which grow out of the Earth, and are
combustible, as fruits, hearbs, flowers, leaves, grasse, roots, woods,
&c. is made many wayes.
For first by Distillation the Flegm is separated from them, then the
Mercury, then the Oyle, then the Refine, then the Sulphur, and lastly
the Salt.
All these Separations being made according to the Spagiricall Art many
notable, and excellent medicines come from thence, which are to be used
as well within, as without the body.
But now seeing idlenesse is so much in request amongst Physitians,
and all labour and study is turned only to insolency; truly I do not
wonder, that all such preparations are every where neglected, and
coales sold at so low a price, that if Smiths could be so easily
without coales in forging, and working their Metalls, as Physitians are
in preparing their Medicines, certainly Colliers would long since have
been brought to extream want.
[Sidenote: A reprehension of Physitians.]
In the mean time I will give to Spagiricall Physitians their due
praise. For they are not given to idlenesse, and sloth, nor goe in a
proud habit, or plush and velvet garments, often shewing their rings
upon their fingers, or wearing swords with silver hilts by their sides,
or fine and gay gloves upon their hands, but diligently follow their
labours, sweating whole nights, and dayes by their furnaces.
[Sidenote: The commendation of Chymists, and how they differ from other
Physitians.]
These doe not spend their time abroad for recreation, but take delight
in their laboratory. They wear Leather garments with a pouch, and
Apron wherewith they wipe their hands. They put their fingers amongst
coales, into clay, and dung, not into gold rings. They are sooty, and
black, like Smithes, or Colliers, and doe not pride themselves with
cleane, and beautifull faces. They are not talkative when they come to
the sick, neither doe they extoll their Medicines: seeing they well
know that the Artificer must not commend his work, but the work the
Artificer, and that the sick cannot be cured with fine words.
[Sidenote: How many degrees of Alchymie there be.]
Therefore laying aside all these kinds of vanities, they delight
to bee busied about the fire, and to learn the degrees of the
science of Alchymie: Of this order are _Distillation_, _Resolution_,
_Putrefaction_, _Extraction_, _Calcination_, _Reverberation_,
_Sublimation_, _Fixation_, _Separation_, _Reduction_, _Coagulation_,
_Tincture_, &c.
But how these separations may bee done by the help of distinct degrees
according to the Art of Alchymie, hath been in generall spoken of
already. Wherefore it is needlesse here to make repetition.
But to proceed to particulars, and briefly to explaine the practise,
you must know that _Water_, _Spirit_, _Liquor_, _Oyle_, &c. cannot
bee separated after one and the same processe, out of Flowers,
Hearbes, Seeds, Leaves, Roots, Trees, Fruits, Woods, by the degree of
Distillation.
For Hearbs require one processe, Flowers another, Seeds another, Leaves
another, Roots another, Trees another, the Stalkes another, the Fruite
another, Woods another.
[Sidenote: The degrees of fire in Distillation.]
And in this degree of Distillation, there are also foure distinct
degrees of Fire to bee considered.
The first degree of Fire in Distillation is _Balneum Mariæ_, this
Distillation is made in Water.
Another degree of Fire is Distillation made in Ashes.
The third in Sand.
The fourth in a naked Fire: as also Distillation may bee made by _Aqua
fortis_, and other sharp Waters.
[Sidenote: With what degrees of fire every Vegetable is to be
Distilled.]
To the first degree of Fire belong, Hearbs, Flowers, Seeds, and such
like.
To the second, Leaves, Fruits, &c.
To the third, Roots, and Boughes of trees, &c.
To the fourth, Wood, and such like.
Note, that every one of these must bee beaten small, and bruised before
they bee put into the Still.
And thus much bee spoken concerning the Distillation of Waters out of
the Vegetable substances.
As concerning the Seperation and Distillation of Oyls, the processe is
the same as that of Water, only some of them are to bee distilled _per
descensum_, and cannot ascend as Waters, the processe of these in this
case is to bee changed.
But Liquors are not separated in Distillation as Waters, or Oyles, but
are expressed from their corporeall substances with a presse.
And here wee must know, that there are some Oyles that are pressed out,
and separated after the same manner, by a Presse as liquors are, and
that for this reason, because they should not contract an ill odour
from the Fire, as otherwise they would doe.
Of this Order is the Oyle of Almonds, Nuts, hard egges, and the like.
Also wee must note, that all Oyles, if they be prepared, and coagulated
according to the Spagiricall Art, yeeld a kind of Vernish, Gumme,
Amber, or Resine, which may bee also called Sulphur, and that which
remaines in the bottome of the Still may bee calcined, and brought
to ashes, and from it may bee with warme water alone, the Alcali
extracted, and separated from it.
The Ashes which is left behind is called the Dead Earth, out of which
never any else can bee extracted.
[Illustration: *decorative divider*]
_Of the Separation of Animalls._
It is necessary, that Anatomie goe before the separation of Animalls,
that the bloud may bee apart, the flesh apart, the bones apart, the
skinne apart, the bowels apart, the tendons apart, &c. and after this
must every one of these bee separated by it selfe by the help of the
Spagiricall Art.
Therefore the separations in this place are chiefly 4.
[Sidenote: Foure degrees of the separation of Animalls.]
[Sidenote: Mummie, &c.]
The first draws forth a waterie, and flegmatick humidity from the
bloud. For from the bloud being after this manner, according to the
processe shewed in the book of Conservations, prepared, there comes
forth a most excellent Mummie, and so excellent a _Specificum_, that
any fresh wound may bee cured, and consolidated in the space of twenty
four hours, only with one binding up.
[Sidenote: Balsome, &c.]
The second is the separation of fat from flesh; for that being
separated from Mans flesh is a most excellent balsome allaying the
pains of the Gout, and Cramp, and such like pains, if any part affected
bee anointed with it warm. It helps also the tendons of the hands, or
feet, being drawn together, if they bee daily anointed with it. It
cures also the scab, and all kinds of Leprosy.
Therefore it is the chiefest Chirurgical specificum, and in all cases,
as in wounds and the like most profitable, &c.
The third is the separation of waterie, and flegmatick moisture,
together with the fat extracted out of bones. For if these two bee
carefully by the Art of Alchymie separated from Mens bones by the
degree of Distillation, and the bones bee reduced, or burnt into most
white ashes by the degree of Calcination; and then these three bee
again after a right manner joined together, so that they resemble
butter, they become a most wonderfull specificall _Arcanum_, with which
thou maist soundly cure any fracture of bones without any pain at three
bindings up, so that thou dost handle, and set the fracture according
to the rules of Chirurgery, and then apply that specificum by way of
plaister, &c.
This also doth most speedily cure the wounds of the skull, and any
other contusion of bones whatsoever.
The fourth, and the last is the separation of Resines, and Gummes
from the Skin, Bowels, and tendons. For this Resine being extracted,
and separated out of them by the degree of Extraction, according to
the Spagiricall Art, and coagulated by the beams of the Sun, become
a cleer transparent Glew. Out of this glew being prepared, extracted
and separated out of Mans body, as is prescribed, a most excellent
_Arcanum_, and specificall stiptick comes forth, wherewith Wounds,
and Ulcers may speedily bee consolidated, and their lips bee brought
together: (even as two boards are glewed together with glew put betwixt
them) so that you put two or three drops of it being resolved into the
wound. This also is a singular _Arcanum_ for Burns, Falling of the
nails, Scabs, &c. if the place affected bee nointed with it. For the
skin will presently bee brought over the raw flesh.
There might many other separations of these and other things bee
reckoned up. But seeing wee have mentioned them in other places, it
would bee but lost labour here to repeat them. It wil bee necessary
that wee speak of those things here, of which wee have made no mention
elsewhere.
[Sidenote: The last Separation is the last Iudgment.]
[Sidenote: The Manner of the last Iudgement.]
And lastly in the end of all things shall bee the last separation, in
the third generation, the great day when the Son of God shall come in
majesty, and glory, before whom shall be carried not swords, garlands,
diadems, scepters, &c. and Kingly jewels, with which Princes, Kings,
Cesars, &c. doe pompously set forth themselves, but his Crosse, his
crown of thorns, and nails thrust through his hands, and feet, and
spear with which his side was pierced, and the reed, and spunge in
which they gave him vineger to drinke, and the whips wherewith hee
was scourged, and beaten. He comes not accompanyed with troopes of
Horse, and beating of Drums, but foure Trumpets shall bee sounded by
the Angells towards the foure parts of the world, killing all that are
then alive with their horrible noise, in one moment, and then presently
raising these again, together with them that are dead, and buryed.
[Sidenote: Matth. 25.]
For the voice shall bee heard: _Arise yee dead, and come to judgment._
Then shal the twelve Apostles sit down, their seats being prepared
in the clouds, and shal judge the twelve Tribes of _Israel_. In that
place the holy Angels shall separate the bad from the good, the cursed
from the blessed, the goats from the sheep. Then the cursed shall like
stones, and lead be thrown downward: but the blessed shall like eagles
fly on high. Then from the tribunall of God shal go forth this voice to
them that stand on his left hand: _Goe yee Cursed into everlasting fire
prepared for the Devill, and his Angells from all eternity: For I was
an hungry, and yee fed me not; thirsty, and you gave no drink; sick,
in prison, and naked, and you visited me not, freed mee not, cloathed
me not, and you shewed no pity towards me, therefore shalt you expect
no pity from me._ On the contrary, hee shal speak to them on his right
hand: _Come yee blessed; and chosen into my Fathers Kingdome, which
hath been prepared for you, and his Angells from the foundation of the
world. For I was hungry, and you gave me meat; thirsty, and you gave me
drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked and you covered me;
sick, and you visited me; in prison, and you came unto me. Therefore
I will receive you into my Fathers Kingdom, where are provided many
mansions for the Saints. You took pity on me, therefore will I take
pity on you._
All these being finished, and dispatched, all Elementary things wil
returne to the first matter of the Elements, and bee tormented to
eternity, and never bee consumed, &c. and on the contrary, all holy
things shall return to the first matter of Sacraments: _i.e._ shall be
purified, and in eternall joy glorifie God their Creator, and worship
him from age to age, from eternity, to eternity, Amen.
[Illustration: *decorative divider*]
OF THE
NATVRE
Of Things.
_THE NINTH BOOK._
_Of the Signature of Naturall things._
In this Booke it is convenient for us speaking of the Signature of
things in the first place, to declare by whom things are signed, and
who the Signator is, and how many things there be that are signed. You
must therefore know, that things that are signed are of 3 sorts. The
first sort of them Man signs: the second, the Archeius: the third, the
stars of supernaturall things. Therefore upon this account there are
three Signators: Man, the Archeius, and Stars.
Moreover, you must note, that impressions signed by men do bring with
them a perfect knowledge, and judgement of hid things, and impart the
knowledg of their hid vertues, and faculties.
The markes of the Stars cause Prophecies, and Presages, and declare the
supernaturall vertues of things, and take out the true judgements, and
signes, in Geomancy, Chiromancy, Physiognomy, Hydromancy, Pyromancy,
Necromancy, Astronomy, the Berillisticall art, and other Astrall
sciences.
But that wee may explain briefly, and truly all the signes, or markes,
it wil be necessary in the first place, that wee speak of those signes
of which Man is the Signer. Those being understood; you may the more
rightly understand the rest, whether naturall, or supernaturall. It is
therefore known, that the _Iews_ carry about them, upon their cloak, or
coat a yellow sign. And this is nothing else but that mark, by which
they would have you, when you meet them, to know that they are _Iews_.
So a Serjeant is known by his divers coloured coat, or sleeve. So every
Magistrate apparells his servants with his own colours, and liveries.
Every Mechanick marks his work with a certaine signe, that every one
may know whose work it is.
For which end Carriers wear the liverie of their master, or city, that
it may be known whom they serve and from whence they travell, that
thereby they may goe the safer.
So every Souldier wears a marke, or badge, as colours, black, white,
yellow, green, blew, or red, &c. that he may be distinguished from the
enemie. Hence it may bee known that this is _Cesars_ souldier, that the
_Kings_, this an _Italian_, this a _French_ souldier, &c.
These are signes which belong to order, or office, of which many more
may bee reckoned up. But yet because wee have intended to describe the
signes of naturall, and supernaturall things, wee shal not fill up this
booke with other signes.
As concerning those signes, which Man makes, which doe not only respect
order, office, or name, but conduce to the knowing of his knowledge,
age, dignity, degree, &c. You must know concerning Money, that every
kind thereof hath its peculiar triall, and marke, by which it is known,
how much it is valued at, who is the Master of it, and in what place it
is usually currant. Hence is that _German_ Proverb, Money is no where
more in request then where it was coined.
The same also is to bee understood of things that are looked upon and
examined by men sworn and appointed for that purpose, before they bee
signed: as Cloth which is marked with peculiar marks, by which it may
be known, that in examining they were found good, and proved. Why is a
seal put upon Letters, but that there is a certain bond, which it is
lawfull for no man to violate? For a seal is a confirmation of Letters,
whence they are of all men accounted ratified. Without a seale an
Acquitance is void, and of no force.
After the same manner many things are marked with few letters, names,
or words, as books, which being writ upon the outside but with one
word, doe presently shew what is contained within.
The same rule also there is for glasses and boxes in Apothecaries
shops, all which are discerned by peculiar names, or papers put upon
them. Unlesse that were done, who could discern so many Waters,
Liquors, Syrups, Oyles, Powders, Seeds, Unguents, &c. and all simples?
After the same manner doth the Alchymist in his Elabatorie mark with
names, and papers all Waters, Liquors, Spirits, Oyles, Flegms, Crocus,
Alcali, and all species, that thereby hee may when there is occasion
make use of any of them, and know them: without the help of which his
memory could never bear them.
So also may all houses and buildings bee marked with numbers or
figures, that the age of every one of them by the first sight of the
number may presently be known.
These and other things that are marked I was willing to shew to you,
that these being comprehended, I might bee the better understood by you
in the rest, and so the signification of every thing might bee the more
plain, and clear.
[Illustration: *decorative divider*]
_Of the Monstrous Signes of Men._
[Sidenote: Divers monstrous signes or Markes.]
[Sidenote: What monstrous signes shew.]
Many men are brought forth deformed with monstrous marks, or signes: so
one abounds with one finger, or Toe, another wants one. The fingers of
some grow all together in the mothers womb. Another hath a wry foot,
arm, or neck, &c. and brings it with him out of the womb. Another hath
a bunch in his back: so also, are Hermaphrodites born, _i.e._ they
which are both Male, and Female, and have the members both of Man,
and Woman, or else want both. I have observed many of these monstrous
signs, as well in Males, as in Females, all which are to bee accounted
for monstrous signes of secret evil ascendents. Whence that proverb is
made good; The more crooked, the more wicked: Lame members, lame deeds.
For they are signes of vices, seldome signifying any good.
As the Executioner marks his sons with infamous markes: so the evil
Ascendents impresse upon their yong, supernatural mischievous marks,
that they may bee the better taken heed of, which shew some marks in
their forehead, cheeks, ears, fingers, hands, eyes, tongues, &c. being
short, or cutted. Every one of these infamous signes denotes a peculiar
vice. So a mark burnt upon the face of a Woman, or the cutting off her
ears, for the most part signifies theft: the cutting off the fingers,
cheating Dicers: the cutting off the hand, breakers of the peace:
the cutting off two of the fingers perjured: the pulling out of the
eye, cunning, and subtile villains: the cutting out of the tongue,
blasphemers, slanderers, &c. So also you may know them that deny the
Christian Religion by a crosse burnt in the soles of their feet,
because _viz._ they have denyed their Redeemer.