The mending of troubled acid musty wines, _&c._

The preparation of a very good vinegar out of certain vegetables which

are to be found every where, which may be compared to that which comes

out of France, and in a great abundance, whereof two rundlets of nine

Gallons do not exceed the price of one Royal. [A Royal or Imperial is 4

_s._ 6 _d._]

The promoting of the ripening of wines of the cold countries of Europe

(a very few that are very cold being exempted) that they may yield very

good sweet and durable wines, whereas otherwise they could come to no

maturity, being very like to those which hotter countries yield.

A certain secret way of carrying wines from mountainous places, where

carts, ships, and other commodities are wanting, where the carrying of

ten pipes, doth not exceed the price of one pipe otherwise carryed, so

that by this means, outlandish wines may be brought to any place with

great profit.

A very good and easie preparation of verdegrease out of copper, whereof

one pound doth not exceed the price of six stivers.

A new and compendious distillation of vinegar, of which a rundlet of

eighteen gallons doth not exceed the price of half a ryal, with which

many things may be done, especially the crystallizing of verdegrease,

of which one pound prepared after this manner, doth not also exceed the

price of half a Royal.

A compendious and very easie way of distilling a very strong spirit of

urin, and that without any cost and pains, so that twenty or thirty

pints shall not exceed the price of one royal, being very excellent in

medicine, Alchimy and Mechanique affairs, by the help whereof a most

beautiful blew vitriol may be made out of copper, being very profitable

in Alchimy and medicine, making silver so fusible, that by the help

thereof, glass vessels, as basons, dishes, and candlesticks, _&c._ may

be so guilded as to be taken for silver.

A way of distilling the spirit of salt in a great quantity, and that

with small costs, so that one pound thereof will scarce exceed the

price of six stivers being very excellent in Alchymy, Medicine, and

other Arts; especially for the doing of these following things, _viz._

the separation of gold from silver without hurt to the Cups or other

things, also the solution and separation of gold mixt with copper and

silver by the force of precipitation, where the _Menstruum_ that is

preserved, may again be used for the same uses, which separation is the

easiest of all other humid separations, whereby gold is reduced to the

highest degree.

The separation of volatile sparkling gold out of sand, _&c._ very

profitable, without which otherwise it could never be separated,

neither by the help of Washing, nor by Mercury, nor by the force of

Melting.

An artificial secret, and hitherto unheard of, trying of stubborn

Metals, finding out their Contents, which otherwise could not be found

out: for oftentimes there are found golden mines, which are stubborn,

in which nothing is found out by the common way, and therefore they are

left unlaboured in, and sometimes elsewhere, where there are not found

Mines of Metals, there are found other things, as white and red talc,

that yield nothing, being tryed the common way, or very little, all

which yet abound with gold and silver, which may be separated this way.

A new, and unheard of compendious way of melting Mines in great plenty,

where, in the space of one day, by the heat of a certain separating

Furnace, more may be melted than by the common way in the space of

eight daies, where not onely costs are saved, but also is hope of

greater gain.

Another way for the better proving of things melted, and a new way of

separating silver from lead.

A very speedy way of melting Minerals, whereby they are melted in great

plenty, by the help of Pit-coals in defect of other coals.

The fixation of Minerals, Sulphureous, Arsenical, Antimonial; and

others that are volatile, which cannot be retained and melted by the

force of fire, by the help of a certain peculiar furnace with a grate,

so that afterwards they may by infusion yield gold and silver.

The getting of gold and silver, that sparkles, and is rarified, out of

sand, pure clay, flints, _&c._ by the help of melting.

The separation of gold lying hid in baser minerals and metals most

profitable, which cannot be done the common way.

A very quick Artificial and easie separation of melted gold and silver

by the help of fusion, so that in the space of one day, by the help

of one furnace, some hundreds of Marks may be separated with far less

costs and labour, than by the common way by cement and _Aqua fortis_.

The reduction of elaborated gold, of chains and other ornaments unto

the highest degree; also the separation of gold from guilded silver,

by the help of fusion, by which means a hundred marks are more easily

separated than twenty of the common way.

A certain way whereby more silver is separated from lead then by the

Copper.

A separation of good gold from any old iron, which although it be not a

labour of great gain, yet it is sufficient for those who are contented

with a few things.

A separation of gold and silver, from tin or copper, according to

more or less. The maturation of mines, so that they may afterwards

be able to yield more gold and silver, then by the common way, also

the separation of gold and silver out of Antimony, Arsenick, and

_Auripigmentum_.

The separation of the external sulphur of _Venus_, that the Son _Cupid_

may be born.

The separation of silver from the cuples, into which it enters in the

tryal without melting or any other labour or cost.

The preparation of divers earthen things to be done in any part of the

world, like to the Porcellan, that hold fire and retain spirits.

A certain Allome exalting and fixing any colour, especially requisit

for scarlet and other pretious colours, with a certain perpetual

cauldron, that doth not alter colours, and is not costly.

A making of colours for painters, as of purple gum, ultra-marine, not

costly, and especially of that rich white, never before seen, like to

Pearl and Margarites; also a peculiar colouring of gold and silver.

To conclude, I refer the Reader unto the Residue of my Books, that

Treat of those Secrets more plainly; which I am resolved shortly to put

forth.

* * * * *

_Those Secrets are all openly taught in the following Treatises, as in

the Explication of Miraculum Mundi, Apology against Farner, Prosperity

of Germany, =&c.=_

_FINIS._

Of the Tincture of Gold,

Or the True

AURUM POTABILE:

_What it is, and how it differs from the false and sophisticated

Aurum Potabile: How it tis be Spagirically prepared; And how to be

used in Medicine._

_Of Aurum Potabile._

There is no man that can deny, that the true and ancient Philosophers

did study long life, and the conservation of their health. Whence

it came to pass that they did diligently seek out the subject of

preserving health, and prolonging life: wherefore by the help of fire

they did practise the separations, and proofs of all vegetables,

animals, and minerals, seeking out their powers and vertues: Who

found out the greatest harmony of all things as well in the heavens,

as on earth, betwixt the Sun, Gold, Man and wine. For it cannot be

denyed, that the life of all things proceeds from the heat of the Sun;

wherefore they sought to unite gold the terrestrial sun or body fixed

and perfect, caused by the rays of the sun, with man by the help of

spirit of wine.

But haply there will be some, whom this my narration may offend

denying that gold is the Son of the sun, or a metallick body fixed and

perfect, proceeding from the rayes of the sun; asking how the solary

immaterial rayes can be made material and corporeal? But they are very

ignorant of the generation of metals, and minerals. And although I am

not now resolved to write of the generation, and original of metals,

yet endeavouring to demonstrate that there is a vivifying power of the

sun to be found in gold (destroyed and volatilized) and to be prepared

into a most wholesome medicine for man, I will not omit for the sake

of the ignorant and incredulous, to demonstrate the truth by one or

two examples, which although I could demonstrate by most certain and

firm reasons, yet for brevities sake I am now resolved to omit them,

recommending to the searcher of the Nature, and propriety of metals,

my treatise _De Generatione Metallorum_, which without doubt will take

away all scruple from him; objecting only against him that oppposeth

the truth, two questions and reasons which are to be confuted: and the

first is, whence comes that increase of both the quantity and quality

of any viscous, mineral liquor, that hath been exposed long to the

Sun in an open glass vessel? Whether from the Sun, or elsewhere? But

thou sayest, that that encrease comes from the air, the vehicle of all

things. I answer, if from the air, whether was not that air impregnated

by the Sun? and whether there be any thing in the air, which it

received not from the stars? But place this liquor in a cold Cellar, in

a moist air, and thou shalt by experience know that no weight is added

thereto, even as in the Sun, or (in his stead) fire: that Liquor will

draw some phlegmatick moisture which will be easily separated by heat,

the weight of the former liquor being left. This may be shewed by this

Example: dissolve some sulphurous metal, as Iron, Copper, or Zinck,

with any acid spirit, and at length take away the spirit, make the

remainder red hot; yet not too much, but as much as sufficeth to take

away the spirits, which afterward (its weight being observed) put in

a crucible on the fire, but take heed lest the metal run over, but at

length let it darkly glow with the crucible, for the space of three or

four weeks, which done, take it away again, and weigh again the metal,

and thou shalt find the evident encrease of the metal, which thou shalt

perceive more evidently by this way, as follows: Put copper, or some

sulphurous metal, with 16 or 18 parts of lead in a well-burnt cupel;

made of the ashes of wood or bones, in a tryed furnace, (the weight

of the cupel, copper, and lead first exactly observed) and cause the

copper to evaporate by fire with the lead, which done, take the cupel

when it shall be cold, and again weigh it, and thou shalt find it far

more weighty, so that its weight (though much of the lead goes into

air in the cupellating) not only exceeds its former weight, but also

of the copper and lead by the said cupellation; therefore it is justly

demanded whence this Encrease proceeds, whether the heat of the fire

was not coagulated into a metallick body by means of that melted metal?

Therefore it is probable, that if you knew the metallick matrixes in

the surface of the earth, in which the beams of the Sun and heat of

fire being received, may be coagulated, metals may as well be generated

in them, as in the bowels of the earth.

But thou repliest it is probable the heat of vulgar fire to have

something metallick in it, which comes by attraction of the melted

metal in the Cupel, but not in the Sun-beams.

He that will thus try the truth, let him put a cupel very well burnt in

the beams of the Sun, together with copper and lead, to which let him

apply a hollow Looking-glass, so that it may be operated upon by the

Sun-beams gathered into a center, and may thence be made hot: But thou

must continually hold the Looking-glass in thy hand, that thou maist

turn or direct it to the Sun, according to the course thereof, lest the

cupel wax cold, the beams of the Sun being turned away, but if it be

rightly observed, the work shall be done no less than in a furnace of

fire with glowing heat.

You must have a Looking-glass at least in diameter two feet, nor must

it be too deep; but be in depth the 18 or 20 part of the globe, that

so it may the further cast the beams: it must be very artificially

smoothed, that it may more exactly gather the beams to the center. Now

the preparation of these burning-glasses is not of this place, but in

the fourth part of our Furnaces, where we have taught not only how

they are to be made of metals, but also of glass, and how polisht and

used.

This demonstration, which might be otherwise omitted, is therefore

set down, that it may be known how Gold proceeds from the Sun, and is

secretly endued with its proper strength and proprieties, by Chymistry,

reducible into that which it was before its coagulation, namely, into

a heating and living spirit, communicating its strength and faculties

to man’s body. Therefore the Ancients used great diligence in the

reduction of gold, in which nothing is found more excellent than the

purest and finest spirit of wine made by distillation, and they did

not use common gold melted out of stones, or washt out of sand, but

purged by benefit of fire, and Philosophically quickened and unlocked,

not by help of corrosive spirits, the usual way of vulgar Chymists,

but by some water which Nature freely gives without help of violent

distillation; by which they manifest that which is hid in gold, and

they have hid what is manifest, and therefore they have made it fit

for the separation of its tincture from a gross and black superfluous

body. For they knew that the compact body of gold hath no affinity with

the vital Spirits, therefore they have chosen only the finest part of

gold to their Elixir, _viz._ Its tincture, which they have radically

joyned with the spirit of Wine, and being joyned, have made them

spiritual or volatile, so that neither can be separated from each other

in the fire, and being in the fire, are sublimed, or fixed by a longer

digestion; and coagulated into a fixt stone, which they count for the

greatest treasure in this World. Therefore the ancient Philosophers

affirming, that there is not a better medicine under the Sun than it,

which is made from the Philosophical union of wine and gold, both by

an inseparable recoagulation and fixation; nor without gold can spirit

of wine, nor this without it be made a medicine, because gold without

spirit of wine cannot be made volatile, nor this be coagulated and fixt

without it. We therefore, their posterity justly, follow the opinions

of the most famous men, not for their authorities sake, but for ocular

demonstration, which is the truest tryal.

Therefore the knowledge of the preparation of this medicine being

bestowed on me from the highest, I have intended, because a man is

not born for himself, briefly to deliver its preparation and use: but

I will not cast pearls before swine; but I’le only shew the way to

the studious searchers of the work of God and Nature, who doubtless

will understand my writing, but not the ignorant and unskilful; let

therefore the brevity of the preparation offend no man, because I mean

not to prostitute this Art (divinely obtained, not with idleness,

but with much watching, labours and pains) nor give to the unworthy

a bit before chawed, but only to communicate it to the pious, who

shall see with open eyes, that the thing is so. I desire therefore,

the simplicity of my stile may offend no man, being not adorned with

rhetorical figures, after the wonted manner, for truth wants not many

and elegant words, being contented with simplicity and brevity, with

which it is easier and better demonstrated, than with those intricate

and sophistick discourses.

℞ of living gold one part, and three parts of quick Mercury, not of the

vulgar, but the Philosophical every where to be found without charge;

and labour, (thou maist also add living silver of equal weight with

the gold, and indeed better than only gold, for the greater variety

of colours proceeding from the mixture of male and female: but one

perswaded that a better Tincture proceeds from gold alone may mix

gold only, not so, one skilful of metals, who knoweth the power of

the cordial union of gold and silver, dissolved in one and the same

_Menstruum_) put them mixt in a Philosophical vessel to dissolve, and

in the space of one quarter of an hour, those mixt metals will be

radically dissolved by the Mercury, and will give a purple colour;

after encrease the fire by degrees, and it will be changed into a very

fine green, to which taken out, pour the water of dew to dissolve,

which may be done in half an hour, filtre the solution, and abstract

the water through a glass alembeck in B. which pour out again afresh,

and abstract, which do three times, in the mean time that greeness

will be turned into a black colour, like Ink, stinking like a carcass,

and therefore odious: and it behoves sometimes to take away the water

reaffused and digested, and that blackness and stink will depart in the

space of forty hours, and will produce a pure milky whiteness, which

appearing, take away all the moisture till it be dry, which will be a

white mass, and in few hours of a pleasant colour, divers colours first

appearing, it is turned into a fine greeness better than the former,

to which you must affuse the spirit of wine well rectified, to the

depth of two or three fingers, and that green gold dissolved will draw

that spirit of wine, for the great amity, like a dry spunge drawing

waters, and will communicate to it a quintessence as red as blood, by

which means the greeness is deprived of its quickening tincture, the

superfluous ashy body being left.

You must decant and filtrate the tinged spirit, and in a B. by a glass

alembeck, abstract it from the red tincture, attracting the fiery

essence of the spirit of wine, so that they may be very close and

inseparably conjoyned, from which an unsavoury water only distils, the

vertue of the spirit of wine being left with the tincture of gold like

a red fiery salt, fusile and volatile; of which grain 1. can tinge ℥ i.

of spirit of wine, or any other liquor, with a blood-red colour, for

it is soluble in any moisture; and therefore may be kept in a liquid

form for the Panacea of most desperate Diseases. Now I will communicate

the proprieties of the true tincture, by which true potable gold is

known. This tincture next the stone is the best of all medicines,

between which and that, there is but this difference, the soul of gold

is volatile, nor hath entrance into imperfect metals, and therefore

cannot transmute into pure fine gold, which vertue is attributed to the

Philosophers stone. The soul of gold, though it be the best part, yet

it is not fixt in fire, but volatile; but the Philosopher’s Stone is

fixt in fire, and remains, by reason of a longer digestion. But whether

that soul or volatile tincture and red Lyon may be fixt by help of

fire, and turned into the Universal medicine, and tinging stone, that I

know not, because hitherto I have not tryed, _&c._ therefore he may who

extracts the soul of gold, make further tryal, whether he can find any

thing better. For this Work treateth of nothing but the best medicine

of gold, but other things I know not.

Therefore the deceit of the Distillers of Wine, and other vegetable

waters, selling potable gold, is not unknown, being not ashamed to sell

any water coloured yellow or red to the ignorant for a great price.

And the errour of others dissolving the body of gold in _Aqua Regia_,

or spirit of salt, which again they abstract to a dry remainder, to

which for extraction they affuse the spirit of wine: Which is not an

extraction, but some particular solution of gold, made by help of the

corrosive spirits left in the gold, tinging the spirit of wine with

a yellow colour, which so coloured, they call their potable gold;

which notwithstanding is reduced into gold, the spirit of wine being

abstracted, which can do no more than any other Calx of gold, which

the _Archeus_ cannot digest, but separates, being indigested, with the

Excrements. And also it is the errour of others, ignorantly deceiving

themselves and others, extracting the Calx of gold with peculiar

_menstruums_ and spirits, knowing not that the _menstruum_ affused to

gold to be red of it self by a long digestion, which decanted, they

administer instead of potable gold, who if they weighed the remaining

Calx, would by experience see that nothing departed from the gold;

which you may try by the setting the spirit or _menstruum_ in a remiss

heat, or longer in cold, which of it self doth wax red, as if it had

been affused to the Calx of _Sol_. But the cause of this redness is

(unknown to them) nothing but a certain nitrous salt and volatile, as

of Antimony, Urine, Tartar, Hartshorn, Hair, _&c._ exalting the colour

of any Sulphur.

Wherefore it necessarily follows, if _Artists_ mingle with the spirit

of wine in which is a sulphur, such exalting salts, that it will thence

be exalted in colour, and wax red; which also happens to them, who use

to extract a tincture with distilled Oyls, having a volatile salt, as

are oyl of Lemmons, Cloves, Soot, _&c._

For such-like tincture or potable gold is inefficacious, as experience

witnesseth. But I would not say there is no other tincture to be

prepared out of gold, beside this tincture: for being dissolved in

sweet _menstruums_, that it cannot be separated by precipitation, it

can do wonderful things in many grievous Diseases; but alwaies the

living metal is to be chosen instead of the dead.

But true potable gold is not so only in name and shew (as are divers

waters tinged with a yellow or red colour) but also endued with golden

faculties and vertues, so that it may actually appear to be made of

gold, but irreducible by Fire into Gold, spiritual and penetrative,

strengthning the vital spirits, that they may overcome their enemies.

But it must also be endued with this Vertue, that it may change

imperfect metals, chiefly Mercury, Lead, and silver into pure gold;

not truly like a fixt tincture, tinging with profit the baser metals

in flux; but only perfecting particularly in a moist way by digestion,

where some part of the metal alone is turned into better. For this

tincture of salt or gold is very volatile, so that it cannot resist the

fire; but with a gentle heat it melteth like wax, and is sublimed like

red salt, soluble in spirit of Wine, that it may be fit for Physical

uses.

Also true potable gold being tasted, is neither corrosive, nor

astringent like other solutions of gold: neither doth it pollute the

hands, the nails and hair with a black or yellow colour, but rather

makes them more fine; neither doth it infect copper, tin, lead, with

rust or a black colour, but rather makes them more clear; neither is

it a body of gold reducible by extraction, nor into white gold, which

may recover its former colour by Antimony, and _Aqua Regia_, but it

is like an ashy earth, and sublimable in a gentle heat like Arsenick,

not enduring the tryal of the cuple, which vertues if it have, it may

be called the true Tincture of Gold: but if not, not so, but rather a

sophisticated potable gold, not to be medled withal.

_Of the medicinal use of this golden Medicine._

We have before demonstrated the sun to be the original of gold, or

endued with the incredible vertues of the terrestrial sun. For the

strength and vertues of all vegetables, animals and minerals lie hid

in it; which cannot be manifested but by a Philosopher, and that by

separation, to wit, of the intrinsical and pure parts, from the impure.

This speech will happily seem to thee incredible, or not very likely

to say that gold is reducible into a spiritual essence, agreeable to

humane nature, endued with the strength of all animals, vegetables and

minerals. Surely thou shalt hardly perswade him whom _Vulcan_ hath not

made a Philosopher to believe it. But who will trouble himself so much

as with sure reasons to decide all Controversies, which if possible,

yet for many reasons is here omitted; but for sureties sake I will send

back the Reader to the second part of our Furnaces, where he shall find

how out of Antimony and Sulphur, by a good Chymist, with the help of

fire, may be drawn not only the force and faculty of divers vegetables,

but also their natural odour; which yet did not appear in them before

they were radically dissolved, which if it may be done by any imperfect

and fetid mineral, why not also by a perfect and mature mineral?

If we were good naturalists, and very diligent Chymists, then we need

not to fill Elaboratories with so many pots and boxes, nor spend so

much cost in fetching in so many forreign medicinal species, because

without question the strength and properties of all vegetables,

animals, and minerals, by an easier way may be found in some few

subjects. And as the true tincture of _Sol_ well fixed, is endued

with all the vertues of all vegetables, animals and minerals; so also

deservedly is ascribed to it the force of curing all diseases; but

with a difference. For there are divers kinds of the Gout in hands and

feet, as also of the Stone and Leprosie; which sometimes are inveterate

and uncurable Diseases, sometimes new and curable. Who therefore, not

mad, would promise to cure all and every disease indifferently, by any

certain medicine? Certainly no man, although he had the very stone of

the Philosophers.

For oft-times the Stone of the Bladder is expelled or cut out, most

hard and insoluble by _Aqua-fortis_, which not any medicine not

corrosive could dissolve; which strength, although they ascribe to

their medicine, yet they cannot perform it. Promises therefore do not

suffice, which none can perform: for _Promises become Debts_, which is

observed by few; wherefore by the haters of the Art the truth suffers,

and the hope of good success of Chymical medicines dyeth. _It is best_

therefore _to perform more than promise_, and the work shall praise

the workman. How can a Medicine penetrate to the extream parts of the

body; to wit, the hands and feet, and dissolve the coagulated matter

waxing hard, which out of the Body no corrosive Medicine can dissolve?

It is sufficient if a medicine finding a viscous tartareous and salt

matter, nor yet coagulated, do dissolve and expel it. The like is to

be understood of the stone in the reins, and bladder. In this manner

I will ascribe the curing of the Gout in the hands and feet, the

stone in the kidneys and bladder, to my tincture of _Sol_, as well in

old as young; but so that, if need be, specifical Catharticks may be

administred, and extrinsecally Bathes for promoting the cure, whereby

Nature may the sooner do its office. But above all things, we must not

slight Divine Providence: For ofttimes God smites us with a Disease

incurable by Art, unless Divine wrath be first appeased _by humble

Repentance_, which is the best medicine of all. As also the cure of

all Diseases coming of the corruption of the Blood, as the Leprosie,

the French Disease, and other impurities; which are taken away by this

tincture, if withal Catharticks and Diaphoreticks are administred,

cleansing and renewing the blood above all other medicines. This

Tincture also takes away all the obstructions of the Liver, Spleen,

Kidneys, and other parts, because it warms, attenuates, incides, and

evacuates the original of divers Diseases. It also cures all violent

and acute diseases, as the Epilepsie, Plague, Feavers, _&c._

It provoketh the Menstrues of old and young, chiefly, if also

extrinsically it be rightly administred: which way many are well cured,

who otherwise are like to perish miserably; it warms and cleanseth the

Matrix above all other Medicines, and renders it fit to perform its

office: It preserves it also from all accidents of _Sterility_, and

other very grievous Diseases, causing death. It expels the water of the

Dropsie by urine, it rarifieth and dryeth up the superfluous moistures

of the internal and external parts, like the Sun drying and consuming

waters, by which means the body recovers its pristine sanity: of other

diseases to write in particular there is no need, because in all and

every one, without difference, it may be used as a general Medicine,

in old as well as young. This medicine doth not only restore, but also

conserve health till the predestinated time.

The Dose is from three grains or drops to twelve or more, but to

Children 1, 2, or 3. with its appropriated vehicle, or in wine or beer

to be administred daily, which Dose may be taken oftener in a day,

respect being had to the sick party.

And so I make an end, hoping to have pleased my Neighbour: for without

doubt, who useth this golden Medicine well, shall do well, chiefly

lifting up his heart (acknowledging his sins) to God the Giver and

Creator of all good, in filial humility, imploring his help and

blessing; which the omnipotent God and merciful Father, that he would

bestow on us his temporal blessing in this life with sound health, and

hereafter life eternal, of His free grace, _Let us pray, Amen_.

_FINIS._

THE

MINERAL WORK:

THE FIRST PART.

Wherein is Taught the Separation of

GOLD

Out of Flints, Sand, Clay, and other Fossiles by the Spirit of Salt,

which otherwise cannot be purged. Also a _Panacea_ or Universal

Antimonial Medicine, and the use thereof. Invented and published in

favour of the Studious in the

_CHYMICAL ART_.

By =John Rudolph Glauber=.

A Preface to the Reader.

_There will be some without doubt, because the Edition of other Pieces

(of which I made mention in some former Tractates a few years past)

hath been hitherto by reason of diverse journeys, and other various

impediments, neglected, who will think (having no knowledge of me) that

I am unable to perform my promise; and there are others, who knowing my

Condition, and the Contumelies of my Enemies, will fear that I being

diverted from my purpose by these Reproaches, will make void my secret

promises. But I have resolved to stand to my promise, that these men

may see that I am neither moved nor altered with the Taunts of the

Envious; but that they may be convinced by real demonstration of my

secrets; some of which, I shall now for the publick good endeavour to

communicate. And although the ingratitude of the World be cause enough

for my silence, yet the uprightness of my Heart would not permit me to

conceal those things, notwithstanding the malevolent and ungrateful.

Beside also the following Reason moved me, because there are some

ambitious men, who falsly boast of the knowledge of diverse of my

secrets; wherefore, some have been moved to think that mine are not my

own, but the Works and Writings of others; by which means I have been

deprived of my due Praise, being attributed to another. And this I have

often found, that one or other having by entreaties obtained a secret

from me, have afterward through Ostentation ascribed it to themselves._

_There are others also who fear not to reproach me, and my Writings, as

though they were trifles, not attaining their desired end, who (rather

than I who have written plain enough) are themselves to be blamed, for

being ignorant how to work. Such and other things might deter me, but

I would not omit the publishing of these Writings for those mens sake

who are pious and honest. Wherefore I openly affirm, that these things

published by me are not only no trifles, but most true, and also my

own, and not the Invention of another. And I call him a lyer, who shall

boast himself the Author without any of my help. But of these enough!

yet I would have the Reader know, that for the meaness of the stile,

I am not like many Writers, who more look after the flourish of words

than the thing it self; I rather seek that my Neighbour may profit by

me. Wherefore, for his better understanding, I had rather be prolixe in

words, tedious to delicate ears, than write in obscure brevity adorned

with Rhetorical figures. For I know that the studious in the Art do

affect a prolixe, plain, and distinct information or instruction,

rather than a =Ciceronian= or obscure. And now, in the Name of God, I

will begin my Work which is most profitable to all, and will faithfully

communicate and publish the same in that manner as it was written by

me in my travel, under the title of =The Mineral Work=, divided into

three parts. In the first of which shall be taught how out of sand and

golden flints, corporeal gold may be drawn by the help of Spirit of

Salt. Which secret, although it may seem small, yet it is that whereby

(a knowledge of the true stones and true sand being obtained) life may

be sustained, and also the cost laid out may be recompensed, as shall

be proved in the following parts._

_In the second part shall be treated of the original and generation of

metals, and also of the destruction of Minerals and Metals._

_In the third part shall be demonstrated the possibility of metallicol

transmutation by Nature and Art, and that with divers reasons: which

demonstration is not (unless I am deceived) performed yet by any, being

the foundation of all metallick Philosophy, and the =Golden Crown= of

all my Writings. Which God grant I may perfect, to the glory of his

Divine Name, and the good of my Neighbour._ Amen.

The First Part of the

Mineral Work.

_A most profitable process of the separation of Gold out of Flints,

Sand, Clay, red and black Talk, and other Fossiles, containing

very subtle Gold, thin and spongeous, which otherwise cannot

be separated, either for its scarcity, or the obstinacy of the

Mineral, by reason of the great Cost to be bestowed; =viz.= very

easily with the spirit of Salt._

Know first, (good Reader) that not all Sand, Clay, nor all Flints, and

other Fossiles do contain Gold, but only some, without the knowledge

of which, this secret availeth nothing. And because the knowledge of

these are very necessary for the Artist, I will shew how they are to be

proved, whether they contain Gold or not, that he labour not in vain,

but that it may prove to his commodity or profit.

The madness of Men, searching after uncertain things is wonderful,

but neglecting certain, although exposed to every ones view, for many

seeking the perfection of Metals to gain Riches, are busied about an

uncertain thing, because of a thousand scarce one obtaines his end:

altho’ they may be perfected and purified, I mean imperfect and impure

metals, so that good Gold and Silver may thence be extracted, but this

Art is given to few, neither is every one fit to perform the business;

because it requires an ingenious and experienced Artist: But the

thing which is certain, may be performed with small cost and labour

by any vulgar Chymist, having any knowledge of the Art of fusion and

separation, being an ingenious man, and not seeking things too high or

too gainful at the first tryal. Be cautious therefore in the extraction

of the aforesaid stones, for if thou shouldst with the spirit of Salt

extract many of them, having no Gold without doubt thou shalt find no

Gold there: And if thou shouldst extract some contained in them, and if

thou be ignorant of the separation of it by Antimony, thou canst thence

hope for no profit.

First then, the knowledge, _viz._ of those stones is necessary

afterward of that separation by Antimony. Impute therefore the fault,

if thou errest, not to me, but to thine own ignorance, if thou knowest

not to extract the Gold; for I have written clearly, though thou

shouldst not know any thing that were omitted. And I before admonish

thee to be cautious in thy work, lest thou labour for nought: For it

is certain, and no fiction, that in many places there are found golden

flints, and golden clay, and sand, oft-times abounding with gold. And

if they do not abound with it, yet may they be extracted with profit:

but the flints abounding with it are extracted with greater gain.

There are also found whole Rocks and Mountains of Gold, and great

Mountains filled with golden Sand and Clay, not returning the charge

of washing, either for its too great rarefaction or spungiosity and

levity, by reason of which, its washed away with the sand; all which,

how poor soever, may be extracted by the spirit of Salt with gain, and

by Antimony fixed and purifyed. In brief, this is such a secret, by

which, no man can be an impediment to another, as in other mechanical

operations, whereof no man may be ashamed; for God did therefore create

Gold in the earth and stones, that we may therefore extract it to the

glory of His Name, and the benefit of our Neighbour; neither hath he

forbidden the true and genuine use of it. I say therefore in truth,

that I have here described this Art, how ever despised by the ignorant,

yet of greatest moment, and almost incomprehensible. Now consider

the thing a little farther, thou shalt find every where in the earth

great Treasures to be hidden, which only through ignorance are not

discovered. Truly it is known to all, that there is found golden sand

and clay in diverse places, which for the aforesaid Reasons are left

unlaboured, but by this our Art may easily be worked upon.

There are found also silver Mountains, out of which, silver cannot be

extracted for the little weight it yields: there is also found in many

places a certain yellow or reddish earth, or such like clay, which

though it contain store of silver, yet it cannot be extracted with

profit by this way, yet separable, with gain, but not by the spirit

of salt, which leaves it untoucht, but by some other thing, every

where to be found in plenty, of which, for some reasons we shall speak

nothing here.

And this way of separation makes much for the poor mineral of copper,

which with profit cannot be worked upon by the vulgar way, to be

separated from the Copper, afterward by ripening it into a better

metal, or turning it into verdy-grease for want of a better art, which

business also may well and honestly more than maintain a family.

This way also may the rejected dross of the gold, silver, and copper

be with profit separated. But because I have decreed to handle here

only the extraction of gold out of stones, therefore these menstrues

which are used in the extraction of copper and silver, are deservedly

omitted, and reserved for another place, where sometime they shall be

delivered, to wit, if I shall see that this demonstration shall be

accepted in mens eyes, which more very excellent shall follow. As now

I have undertaken a more excellent matter in love to my countrey, by

which it may appear, that _Germany_ however reduced to want, is yet

rich enough, if it would but at last look upon its hidden treasures.

There is no need to offer a fore-chewed bit, for demonstration is

sufficient, neither will we obtrude a good upon the negligent; for

to the ungrateful the best things are unacceptable. These therefore

being waved, in short we will give the demonstration and extraction of

those flints, not doubting but the expert and experienced, though the

sluggish may not, will thence reap profit, and give God the praise.

What belongs then to the aforesaid stones, out of which gold may be

extracted, thus the matter stands. All kind of flints for the most part

have invisible gold, sometimes visible and invisible, volatile and

corporeal together: but many commonly contain impure iron-like volatile

gold, and also mature, and a few, sulphureous and copper-like.

Stones which the _Germans_ call _Quartzens_ and _Hornstein_, containing

pure and corporeal gold, although mixt with silver and copper, may

be burnt and ground, and extracted with Mercury, and if they abound

with gold, be purged by flux; which labours are usual with diggers

and dealers in metals, of which I do not intend to write, because

others have heretofore writ of them. But those flints _Quartzen_ and

_Hornstein_ every where almost to be found, containing but a mean

quantity of dispersed iron-like Gold, Marcasite-like, and that either

fixt or volatile, cannot be separated with gain, to wit, neither by

Mercury nor by Flux, wherefore they are neglected by the Miners, either

out of ignorance or for the intolerable costs. But I having tryed

those base stones, that how little gold soever they possess; yet may

it be separated with great gain, I would not intermit to publish this

knowledge for my Christian neighbours sake, not doubting but this

publication will be profitable to very many. For I am not ignorant that

there are as well learned, as unlearned, noble as ignoble, secular as

spiritual, either by war or otherwise exposed to poverty, so that they

are hardly able to maintain their family, _&c._ and for their sakes and

others in want. I have published this secret, which rightly handled

may bring no small gain yearly, but especially where those stones are

plentiful, and also that spirit of salt, whereof the description is

given in the first part of the Philosophical Furnaces, and hereafter

there shall be given a better, if nothing hinder; in the mean while

use and enjoy these. And if it happen so that thou canst not rightly

perform all things of the aforesaid tractate, blush not to learn the

manual Operations [which cannot be so exactly described] from those

that are experienced, lest you hereafter unprofitably spend your labour

and costs. As for those stones know that very many of them are found in

several places, chiefly in those that are sandy and mountainous, but

in some more and better than in others: for there is seldom seen sand

without flints, and oft-times the sand it self, though very little doth

not want Gold. But they are very likely to be found on the shoars of

Rivers, where the waters washing away the sand from the flints they are

found in great abundance, though they are not so easily known by their

outside, as those which were found clean in the sand, because they are

covered with slime. Wherefore they must be broken with a hammer, that

that may be seen which is in them, which may better appear if they be

burnt, and quencht in cold water. For the stone retaining its whiteness

when it is burnt and quencht doth contain nothing; but acquiring a

redness it shews there is something in it, and the more red it is the

better token it is.

N. B. But this is not to be understood of sandy stones, waxing red

in some part, in the fire, containing no gold, but of flints out of

which by a mutual percussion fire is brought forth, which the more

pure they are the purer gold do they yield. There are also flints out

of which fire is forced by percussion being red in the fire, which

contain no gold but Iron; which you may know by that clear redness

before the burning, which being burnt is changed into an obscure

redness, not shining and crude: but the flints containing Gold, being

burnt do acquire a fair golden yellowness, or reddish colour, as if

they were covered with gold, and that through the whole substance if

they be broken in pieces. And these give a pure gold, but those other

yield a red extraction like blood, yielding not gold, but the purest

and malleable iron, good in Chymick uses, (but chiefly for silver to

be cemented and exalted) for gold is seldome to be found in them; the

which is well to be observed lest thou draw out iron in stead of gold,

and so lose thy labour.

Also the best stones containing gold, are those which are white and

shining, here and there throughout having in the whole substance green

spots and lines, red, yellow, skie-coloured and brown. There are also

black flints out of which fire is forced by percussion, having gold and

iron, which may be separated with profit, yielding sometimes plenty of

ironish Gold, which may in like manner, be separated of which afterward.

They are very good flints also which being burnt retain a whiteness,

with veins green, skie-coloured, and such like, neither are they

disesteemed which burnt, have black spots, and not veins.

But the stones (_Quartzen_ and _Hornstein_) although they in burning

are not altered, yet if there be seen before gold volatile and

spiritual, they by separation of themselves yield gold.

Gross and subtle sand having light and yellow gold, yields in the

burning a skie-coloured smoak, and is exalted in colour, _viz._

brownish: but that hath nothing which is not altered.

Subtle earth, yellow or red, passing through sand or a mountain like a

vein contains also gold, which is for the most part volatile, and not

mature, flying away in reduction, having ingress into silver and other

metals, and therefore for this reason conservable.

For thy better knowledge thou mayst prove the stones, with white

fusile glass, which thing is treated of in the fourth part of the

Philosophical Furnaces, that thou mayst not have cause to impute the

fault of thy errour to me; therefore I would have thee understand,

_viz._ that all stones contain not gold, neither in all is it separable

by the spirit of salt: they are therefore to be known before they be

applyed to the work.

_Now follows the preparation of flints, and the extraction of the

gold contained in them, by the spirit of salt._

First the flints being made red hot in the fire, they must be quencht

in cold water, after taken out and cooled, and finely powdered.

N. B. When they are broken in a Mortar the better parts may easily be

separated from the baser: for while they are finely powdered, always

the best part goes into red powder first, the worser part thicker

and harder, containing little or nothing, being left; And if they be

coursly powdered and sifted through a fine sieve the more subtle part

like red powder goes through the sieve, the unuseful part being left

in the sieve like white dust, which may be cast away: and if yet some

redness appears, it must again be powdered in a Mortar, and the better

part shall go into a red powder, the baser part being left in the sieve

hard and white which is to be cast away, but you must observe that

not all and every of these flints are thus separable by powdering;

for some being beaten do every where retain the same colour, without

any separation of the better parts, which you must finely powder and

extract in the whole substance, But they (_viz._ those separable) are

more easily extracted, because all the gold contained in one pound

for the most part may be gathered out of three or four ounces finely

powdered and separated in the aforesaid manner; so that it is not

needful to extract the whole stone, nor to spend so much spirit of

salt. But sand and clay need not such a preparation, but without a

preparation being made before, are extracted by the affusion of the

spirit of salt.

℞ then of the flints as aforesaid prepared and separated two, three,

four, six pound, to which being put into a cucurbit of glass whole

(undivided) pour of the spirit of Salt to the depth of three or four

fingers breadth, and place it in hot sand or _Balneo_, that there the

spirit of salt may be hot, and may extract the Gold, and so let it

continue for five, six or more hours space, until the spirit tinged

with a deep redness, can extract no more. And perchance at the first

time (though seldom) it may not be tinged with so great a redness, then

must you decant that same imperfectly tinged spirit, and pour to other

flints after the manner expressed, prepared in another cucurbit, and

place it with the flints in a moderate heat for to extract the gold;

which done pour it off again, and pour it to fresh flints, and do so

often until it hath drawn to it a sufficient quantity of gold; which

afterward thou must keep, until thou hast gotten a greater quantity,

and all the Gold may be separated at one time from it, as afterward

shall be said.

Which done pour to the reserved flints in the first cucurbit, a fresh

spirit of salt, and leave that so long in heat, until it be coloured,

and extract the gold that is left in the flints, and was not at the

first time extracted; which spirit being afterward decanted, pour it

to the flints reserved in the second and third cucurbit, to extract

the residue of the gold which was left at the first time; and so

consequently to the others reserved, until the spirit be sufficiently

coloured, and can attract no more; which afterward pour off and put it

to the first, which was reserved. You must also pour a fresh spirit to

the remainder of the extraction for the extracting of all the gold. At

length pour to it also common water to wash away the tinged spirit of

gold remaining in the flints, that none of the Gold may be lost.

And this labour is so long and often to be repeated till there remain

neither flints nor spirits; in the mean while you should cast away the

flints extracted and washed, that the cucurbits may be filled with

fresh flints, and so continue the work; and if there be no more spirit

left to continue the extraction, you may then separate the extracted

gold from the spirit, which is done as followeth: but first you must

have plenty of glass vessels, or retorts of the best earth, which may

retain the spirits; which you may so far fill with the impregnated

spirit, that the spirit in the abstraction run not over, which done,

it is to be extracted in a dry _Balneo_ by little and little from the

Gold, which spirit ye may use again in the aforesaid work. And the Gold

which is left in the bottom of the vessels, is to be separated from

the vessels with a crooked iron wier and (kept being very like to red

earth) for its use, until thou hast gotten a good quantity, _viz._ so

much as sufficeth for separation and purgation (of which afterward) to

be made by Antimony.

_N. B._ But when thou shalt extract red talc with spirit of salt,

red or black granates, _Smiris_, or _Lapis Calaminaris_, and other

Fossiles, which beside fixt Gold contain much immature and volatile

Gold; you must in the abstraction cast in a little iron, _viz._ to

the solution, which retains and fixes the gold which otherwise flyes

away in fusion. Wherefore those solutions and extractions of Talc and

other things containing volatile gold are better extracted out of iron

Cucurbits by earthen alembicks than out of glass and earthen retorts,

because then that volatile gold doth attract only so much thence as is

sufficient for its fixation; which iron is after easily separated by

the Antimony from the gold, as shall after be taught. And this is to

be noted, that not the whole granate is soluble in the spirit of salt,

although it be long left in digestion, always retaining its former

colour; wherefore there is a difference to be made, or a preparation to

be learned, requisit for the solution of the gold contained in them.

And you must extract Talc not with too much or excessive heat, lest

its substance be totally dissolved in the spirit and be a hinderance

to the work; because there is little profit then, for it is therefore

appointed, that a little gold dispersed in a great quantity of Talc may

be reduced into a little compass that it need not that all the quantity

of Talc be made fusile, because it will thereby procure loss. But there

is no danger in flints, because the spirit of salt doth not dissolve

them as it doth Talc, but only extracts gold from thence, the stony

body being left. The _lapis calaminaris_ may also otherwise be handled

in the extraction and fixation than granates, flints and Talc, because

it is almost wholly soluble in the spirit of salt; which work is not

here to be handled, because the extraction and fixation is taught in a

peculiar way in another place, neither do I mean to treat of it here,

but only of the extraction of gold out of flints every where to be

found. And this is the way of extraction of Gold out of flints and sand

in heat by the spirit of salt, to be done in glass vessels. But there

is another way too, which is done in cold without glass vessels, which

I thought worth the setting down, that in the aforesaid work you may

choose which you please, this or that, and it is done as followeth.

We must have in this way store of earthen funnels well burnt, and not

sucking up the spirits; for want of which we must have such as be

of strong glass: there must also be a form with many holes in it to

receive the aforesaid funnels, under which must be placed glass dishes

or basons to receive the strained spirit.

_Here follows the work to be performed by Funnels._

The Funnels being put in the holes of the form, you must first put a

big piece of _flint_ in the straighter part of the Funnel, to which

after put lesser pieces, and on these again less, _viz._ as much as

serveth to fill the straight part of the Funnel, of which the larger

part is after to be filled with powdered flints, but so that there be

left a depth of three or four fingers breadth for the spirit of salt.

By this means those greater pieces in the lower part will hinder the

passage of the fine powder in the Affusion of the Spirit of Salt.

Which being done as it ought, pour to the flints contained in the

Funnels the spirit of salt, two or three fingers breadth in deepness,

which forthwith shall work on the flints, and attract their gold, and

then run into the dish or bason set underneath: and because for the

most part at the first time, some of the powder passeth through with

the spirit, you must so often pour the same spirits on the flints until

there be a stoppage, and the spirit come clear; afterward pour this

spirit into the second Funnel with flints; and then into the third,

and so consequently, until it be strained through the flints of every

Funnel; or till the spirit be sufficiently coloured, which you must

keep until you have gotten a sufficient quantity to be distilled by

retort for the separating the spirit from the gold. Then that first

spirit being strained through the flints of each Funnel according

to order and coloured, pour a fresh spirit to the flints of all the

Funnels according to order, beginning at the first, till you come to

the last, until that be sufficiently coloured; which being done, pour a

fresh spirit of salt to the flints (according to their order) contained

in every Funnel. And when you see the strained spirit not to receive

a tincture, it’s a sign that all the gold is extracted; and then pour

on no more spirit but common water, that it may be strained, and the

water will attract the spirit of salt left in the flints, that none

shall be lost, which acidish water save by its self to the same, and

the like uses: which being done, take out the extracted flints, and

fill the Funnels with fresh as before, _viz._ to be extracted; and do

this so long as you have flints and spirit. But you must not pour a

spirit not sufficiently tinged into the spirits that are well coloured

and impregnated with gold, but keep it a part, and pour it still to

fresh prepared flints, according to order, contained in divers Funnels,

_viz._ until it be sufficiently coloured; and being coloured, separate

it by the glass retorts with the rest, extracting it from the gold by

abstraction; and being abstracted again, use it to a new work like

the former. And by this means with 100 pound of spirit of salt may be

extracted some thousand pounds of flints prepared, and separate the

gold contained in them, which otherwise by fusion cannot be done. But

the chief point consisteth in the extraction (the spirit of salt being

well and rightly first administred) _viz._ that the spirit may not be

wasted, whereby many stones may be abstracted with a little spirit. But

this caution is to be observed in this extraction, which is done in

cold, that it requireth a stronger spirit of salt than that, which is

done in heat by cucurbits, or else the busines goes on slower: but with

a stronger spirit by this (the cold) way they are extracted sooner and

easier than by that which is done in heat; and neither so dangerous,

laborious or costly: this extraction then, _viz._ the cold, requires a

stronger spirit of salt (which is worth noting) than the hot.

And this is that way, by which those golden flints, and other golden

fossiles are prepared, and with the spirit of salt are extracted, and

by which it is again separated from them: Now shall follow the manner

of purification, _viz._ of the Gold left in the Retort.

_N. B._ The pure gold being extracted out of the flints, not the

iron-like, there needs no great business of purification; for thou

mayst purify it by fusion with borax, or with the fluxing powder made

with the equal weight of nitre and tartar: but if the gold extracted

out of Flints be mixt with iron, as for the most part it is, then

you must not fuse it with Fluxing Powder, because it is not thereby

purifyed or rendered malleable Gold, but separate it by lead, by

which way it is purged and made malleable. And if such Gold have any

sulphureous impurity mixt besides, it is not to be separated with lead,

because it is then partly turned to dross and other impurities by

the iron with loss; wherefore it is to be purged with three parts of

Antimony and separated; by which means nothing is lost; which is the

best way of separation and purification of Gold, _viz._ the ferreous,

without which it cannot otherwise be separated without loss.

_How impure Gold may be separated and purged by Antimony._

This work is necessary to be known, if you think to have any benefit

by the aforesaid extraction of Flints by the spirit of Salt, which

without this separation and reduction is of no moment: and what profit

I pray is there by the extraction of immature Gold, which by the common

way cannot be purg’d, requiring the industry of the Artist in fusion,

whereby it may be separated from its sulphureous fæces and fixed?

For it is easie to conjecture, that such spiritual and volatile gold

mixed with Iron, by that common flux is not reducible into a body, but

rather into dross: for experience testifies that gold dissolved with

the spirit of salt, and also iron, or any other sulphureous thing,

the spirit of salt being abstracted cannot be reduced whole by the

vulgar flux made of Nitre and Tartar, going into dross: which if it

happen to corporeal, pure and fixt gold, how shall it be otherwise with

that which is incorporeal, unclean and volatile? for the Gold being

ironish commonly, which is extracted out of stones, and iron having

great affinity with gold (by reason of which being nearly united,

it is difficultly separated, so that it easier goes with iron into

dross than parted from it) you must of necessity make a flux not only

attracting that impure gold, but also purifying and cleansing it, that

which Antimony alone doth, which with its combustible fusible Sulphur

easily enters that ironish Gold: But by its Mercury it attracteth

the pure corporeal gold, and cleanseth it, and separates it from all

dross without any loss: wherefore there cannot be a better flux, but

requiring industry, or an ingenious separation of the Antimony from the

gold, without wasting the gold; which is done as follows.

And first your ferreous gold, that is left in the abstraction of the

spirit of salt, must be finely powdered in iron retorts or pots, and

mingled with it two or three parts of Antimony powdered, and mixt in a

very strong crucible filled and covered, and then fused in our fourth

furnace, until that flow like water; which soon appearing, pour them

together into a heated Cone, smeared within with wax, and when they be

cold, separate from the dross the _Regulus_ (having most of the gold)

with a hammer, and keep it by it self. Which done, you must again melt

the drossy Antimony (as yet containing much gold) that was left, in the

crucible, and add to it a little filing of Iron, mixing them with a

crooked wier, and that Antimonial combustible Sulphur will be mortified

by adding iron, and will yield a _Regulus_ containing the rest of the

gold, which, as a regard is had to the quantity of iron added, will

be more or less, and for the most part will answer in weight to the

weight of the iron; then cast the mass (well flowing) into a Cone

heated and smeared on the inside with wax, which being cold, separate

again the _Regulus_ from the dross with a hammer, which also is to be

kept by it self; melt the dross again, as before, and precipitate it

with iron, and extract the _Regulus_ thence, which keep by its self,

for it contains gold and silver mixt. For the best gold is precipitated

the first time, but afterward the baser sort, and at last only Silver.

Wherefore every _Regulus_ is to be kept by it self, that the purest

gold may be a part, and the silvered gold by it self.

_N. B._ And if the Antimony, by the addition of Iron, do lose its

fusibility, and therefore can yield no _Regulus_, it’s required, that

you at every time when precipitation is made, by adding iron, that you

do also cast in some _Misy_, to make the mass to melt in the crucible

and precipitate the _Regulus_. All the gold and silver being reduced

into three or four _Regulus_’s, you must keep the drossy parts by

themselves that were left, of which we shall speak hereafter.

_Now follows the way of separating the Gold and Silver from the

Antimony._

The aforesaid antimonial _Regulus_’s may many waies be purged, and

first by help of Bellows on a plain earthen test, as the custom is with

Goldsmiths when they make Gold fusile by Antimony, which labour is

tedious and dangerous; which cannot be done often without the loss of

health, nor in great quantity: wherefore when a better way is known,

’tis a folly to do it so. The _Regulus_’s also may be purified by lead

on a teste, which work may be done in a great quantity, but it requires

abundance of coals and lead, where the Antimony cannot be preserved:

but it may be done with gain, and is to be preferred before the former

waies: Thou maist if thou pleasest calcine the aforesaid _Regulus_’s

to ashes, and then fuse them; which way the gold and silver may easily

be drawn out. Thou maist also fuse them in a crucible, and by the

addition of some salts, separate the antimony from the gold and silver,

turning the antimony into dross, which being separated, those are found

purified and malleable, which though it be the easiest way, it is yet

also very dangerous, for the salts often, if you do not warily proceed,

do spoyl much gold and silver, and sometimes leave gold immalleable,

and so double the pains.

But he who knows how to do this by Nitre only, he may with great

gain, and in a short time, purifie a great quantity of the aforesaid

_Regulus_’s without loss of the gold, silver, or antimony. There are

also other means for the doing of it which to relate were tedious and

indeed impossible. Wherefore I will set down the best of all, most

profitable in the separations of great quantities of _Regulus_’s. Where

first is required some peculiar little Furnace with a Fire almost

like to that in our first part of Philosophical Furnaces, built for

the subliming of Flowers; it wants indeed a grate, but it hath little

vents for to make the coals burn, that thy antimony separated from the

gold, may be sublimated or elevated into sublimatory vessels. Which

being rightly built and heated, let so much of the _Regulus_ be cast

in with a spoon as the Fire can bear, which will quickly melt and be

elevated, the air being attracted by the vents, without any trouble:

which being sublimed, you may cast in more, if you have more, until all

the _Regulus_ be separated and sublimated from the gold and silver,

which are left in the Fire pure and malleable; the furnace being cold,

you may take out the Flowers and keep them (of which afterwards) for

uses, which way you may not only separate a great number of _Regulus_’s

from gold and silver in a small time, but also keep all the antimony,

which may many waies be used in Alchymy and Medicine with great profit.

Which sure is an excellent knowledge, for not only hereby may any one

get abundantly, without wronging his neighbour, but also help many sick

People, _viz._ by that excellent Medicine made of the Flowers: which

is a special gift of God, for which we owe immortal Thanks. And this

is, of all others that I know, the best way of separation of gold from

antimony, which is not only done in great quantity, in a short time,

and with small charge, but also without loss of the Antimony.

_Here follows the Use of the Antimonial Flowers._

First, you may take the whitest of the Flowers out of the lower hole,

and keep them for a Universal Medicine; but reduce the rest (being

less pure) into _Regulus_ by the salt of Tartar, for divers uses, as

shall be said afterward; or you may mingle them with an equal weight of

common sulphur, or antimony, which being mixt in a covered crucible,

melt them, and they will yield an antimony like to a natural, good to

purifie gold: or thou maist mingle them with other metals or minerals,

that by this means they may be made better. Or thou maist use them in

Chyrurgery, for they of all stiptick plaisters make the best. In brief,

the aforesaid Flowers may many waies be used with good gain and success.

The aforesaid antimonial dross may also be reduced into Flowers, and

used in the same manner; which indeed are endowed with as excellent

Properties, as they which are made out of _Regulus_’s; because in that

fusion and separation of gold extracted out of Flints and Talc, the

gold only that was fixt and mature, was separated from the _Regulus_’s,

(the immature and volatile being left in the dross) and elevated with

the Flowers: It follows thence, that these are better, as well in

medicine as in the transmutation of metals.

Or, if thou wilt, add to the antimony (as aforesaid used) old iron,

to reduce it in a furnace, and take the _Regulus_, having gold and

silver, which may therefore be used in other operations of Chymistry,

where there is need of _Regulus_, as we may shew hereafter. But the

dross doth yield a _Regulus_, _viz._ in a very strong Fire, and a

Furnace with a peculiar separatory by abstraction, which although it

contain not gold, yet it may be used not without gain, as if it be

mingled with Tin in fusion, it procures to it a hardness and sound,

useful for fashioning divers sort of Houshold-stuff, which is not so

easily darkened as the common Tin, or if thou wilt not, thou maist make

weights of it.

Hitherto we have treated of the extraction of gold out of Flints, and

of its putrification by antimony; now we will teach you how to use

the rest of the antimony, as well in the perfection of base metals as

in medicine, as well for the preserving of Health, as the curing of

Diseases.

But seeing we have made mention of an Universal Medicine, to be made

out of antimony aforesaid, I would not have thee think that that is

such as can take away all distempers in general, without distinction,

which vertue is only ascribed to the Philosophers Stone, but not by me

to this medicine; to which I attribute no more than I have tryed: But

this in truth I dare affirm, that there is, besides the stone, scarce

any comparable to it; for it doth not only preserve the body from

divers Diseases, but also happily frees it from the present, so that it

may deservedly be termed a _Universal Medicine_.

_The Preparation followeth._

℞ of the flowers purified from the dross a pound, _viz._ of Antimony,

by which the extracted gold was purified, which for the most part

are of a yellow colour, having gold volatile and immature: in defect

of which, take the flowers made out of the golden _Regulus_’s, being

for the most part white, to which pour in a Glass Vial, strong and

long-necked, of spirit of wine tartarised, three or four pound, mingle

and stir them well together, and put on it another crooked pipe (within

which let there be some ounces of Quicksilver, as is described in the

Fifth Part of our Philosophical Furnaces) and make strong the joynts

with a bullocks bladder thrice folded, made wet; which dryed, place the

glass in _Balneum_, and give fire by degrees, that the spirit of wine

with the antimony may digest, in which leave it for 24 hours space,

and so soon as the fire is out, take out the glass, when it is cold,

pour off the spirit tinged red from the Flowers, and pour on fresh;

and place it, as before, in _Balneum_, to digest 24 hours space, till

it be red, and do this the third time, or so often till the Spirit be

no more coloured, for then no more is to be poured on, and that which

is coloured, is to be filtred with Cap-paper. The rest of the Flowers,

after the extraction, as not requisite to this business, are to be

either kept by themselves, or thrown away. But the tinged Spirit is

to be abstracted out of a glass cucurbit by an alembick, to the half,

from the tincture, which distilled spirit may again be used in the same

work: but the tincture left in the cucurbit is the medicine, of which

mention has been made.

Now mention being made also of tartarised spirit of wine, that I

may satisfie the doubtful concerning that I will here also give its

description, which is as followeth.

℞. of Tartar 20 or 30 pound, put it in a large coated retort, and place

it in sand, and distil the spirit off with a soft heat.

_N. B._ This work may better and sooner be performed by that instrument

of our second Furnace; and because it requires great and large

receivers, as being very penetrative, thou maist first apply a tin or

copper Serpent to the neck of the retort, instead of a receiver, which

is placed in a tub filled with cold water, that the spirits being

thereby cooled, may be retained, which afterward you must abstract

to the half, out of a glass cucurbit by an alembick: for the other

half with the black oyl is unprofitable in this work, and therefore

to be taken away. After that, mingle the more subtile part, distilled

with half of the _Caput Mortuum_, of the aforesaid Spirit, calcined

to a whiteness, and abstract it half again in a gentle _Balneum_,

out of a glass cucurbit by an alembick, the joynts whereof are every

where to be well closed, and the calcined Tartar shall receive with

it self the stench, together with the Phlegm, only the purer part of

the Spirit, and more subtile distilling forth, which is again to be

mingled with the other half of the Tartar calcined to a whiteness, and

to be rectified by another alembick; the _Caput Mortuum_ may again

be calcined to take away the fetidness, that it may be used again.

And this is that tartarised spirit of wine, with which the aforesaid

tincture and essence is extracted, and truly not only this, but of all

other metals, which no other can do. And if it were lawful, I would

write something more of its wonderful force and vertue which it hath

in purifying baser metals, with which it hath a great affinity; for it

can separate the pure from the impure, of which more in another place.

But when it is to be used in mending of metals, it needs not so much

rectification as is required in the extracting of metallick medicines;

where you may draw it in plenty out of the dry lees of wine. But there

is also another tartarised spirit of wine, which may also be used in

this same work, which is made after the following way: Dissolve in a

pound of the spirit of wine six ounces of Crystal of Tartar; which

solution use in the aforesaid extraction, in the same manner.

_Of the Virtues of this Medicine._

This Antimonial Tincture doth, above all other Medicines evacuate

vitious humours, and insensibly purgeth impure blood; opens any

obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, Reins, and the other vessels,

attracting to it all malignities, and leaving no impurities behind it.

And because it cleanseth the blood, it cures the Leprosy, French-pox,

and itch, and other Diseases proceeding from the impurity of the blood.

By its penetrative and attenuative vertue, it resolves all tartareous

humours, and evacuateth them, _viz._ which ingender the Gout, the stone

of the Bladder and Reins; but not the Stone perfectly coagulated,

only it mitigateth its pain, and hinders its encrease; but being not

hardened or coagulated, it attracteth and evacuateth it totally and

fundamentally out of all parts; it takes away also all Feavers, and

other diseases coming from the superfluity of humours. It gently

evacuateth the water between the skin, by siege and urine. In brief,

it strengthens and purges the principal parts, and preserves them from

all preternatural accidents. It is a most excellent preservative in the

time of pestilence, and other contagious diseases; and of them being

caught, it is a most absolute remedy, expelling the disease suddenly

from the heart, and evacuating it. In few words, ’tis of all others

a most excellent Universal Medicine, very profitable to both old and

young, and also very safe; but warily to be ministred, by reason of

its strength with which it is endued, which is most powerful, for it

is as a great fire, which extinguisheth the lesser. Truly a better

medicine cannot be desired than this, which is extracted of a very mean

thing, in a short space of time, and with very small cost and pains. I

ingenuously confess, I never saw its like, which I doubt not to be the

best in the World. Wherefore then do we seek any other but this, _viz._

which excels in those things which are desired from the real medicine?

But as it is most excellent, yet I am certain, that many deluded people

will be offended at it, being prepared out of Antimony, a mean and

despised thing, and after a plain way. But ’tis no matter, _For the

world will be deceived_, looking after gay things, disrespecting and

despising mean things, when all good things, yea, even when God himself

doth rejoice in simplicity, for which, by wicked and proud men he is

not sought unto. But this is the effect of sin, by which man is so

blinded, that though he know not good, when set before his eyes, yet he

is studious of evil.

_Of the Use and Dose of this Medicine._

Seeing of all medicines it is the most powerful, it had need be warily

used, for a smaller dose is alwaies safer than a greater; which

therefore may after be given; the which is to be observed in all

diseases of young and old. To children of 2, 3, 4, or 6 months old,

against the Worms, Scabs, Feavers, and Epilepsie, you need not give

above half a drop with a proper vehicle, which you may repeat three or

four times a day: it killeth the Worms, it emptyeth the stomach of evil

humours: it refresheth them, and preserves them from scabbiness; and

because it evacuateth evil and corrupt humours, it preserveth them from

the small pox and measles, _viz._ if it be used every month; but to

children of 1, 2, or 3 years old, you may give a drop, and to children

of 4 or 5 years old a drop and a half: to young people between 15 and

24 years, may be given 2, 3, or 4 drops. To stronger bodies from 25 to

50 years, 4, 5, 6, or 7 drops. But the dose must be greater or less,

with a regard had to the sickness of the patient. And in the Stone and

Gout, may be daily administred in wine or beer, _viz._ in the morning

fasting, unless the patient be very weak; for then you may give it

twice or thrice in a day, and continue this till the cure be perfected;

where is to be observed that he must keep a temperate dyet.

In the Leprosy, French-Pox and Scurvy, every morning may a dose be

given, and the disease shall totally be rooted out. Otherwise, _viz._

the strength being too much wasted and weakned, you may give only every

other day, _viz._ so long as shall be need.

In the Epilepsie it may be given daily; and also in the Dropsy. In all

Feavers, two or three hours before the fit. In the Plague it is to be

given presently, and every day to be repeated: but for a preservative

to be drunk every week once. In all other internal affects it must

be given daily, until the declining of the disease; but afterward by

little and little, the medicine is to be used till the disease be fully

cured.

In external, as in fresh wounds by a blow, thrust or shot, broken

bones, _&c._ every day once; with a necessary extrinsical application

of a Plaister. In old Fistulaes and Cancers, it may be used once every

day intrinsically and extrinsically, the place affected may be cleansed

with Mineral Oyntments. For by this means every inveterate evil, how

desperate soever, is throughly cured, and pleasantly, without all pain.

But although this be most precious of all medicines, yet there is a

_menstruum_ not corrosive, with which not only more easily than with

the spirit of wine tartarised, a Universal Medicine may be extracted

out of Antimony, and endued with better than the aforesaid vertues;

so that for the charge of one royal, in three days time, so much may

be gotten as may serve to cure some thousands of men, but also all

vegetables, animals, and minerals and metals, are radically dissolved

and reduced into their first matter: by which means not only very

great Poysons are changed into most wholesome medicines, but also

bitter things are deprived of their bitterness: for by it things are

so corrected, that they do no more provoke stool and vomit, _viz._

which are very vehement Catharticks (by nature) being changed into

most excellent restoratives. Also fetid things being corrected by it,

do acquire a sweet odour. And it doth not only (which seems a wonder)

dissolve vegetables, animals and minerals with those things which come

of them, but also the very Glasses; wherefore you must alwaies chuse

the strongest glasses for digestion and solution, or in the defect

of such, the weaker are to be changed every 6 houres. And yet it is

not at all altered by those things that it doth reduce and turn into

their first matter medicinal, neither in vertue nor colour; for it

alwaies keeps the middle place between pure and impure, of which this

falls to the bottom, but that swims on the top of the _menstruum_,

which may again be used. In brief, it’s vertues in preparing medicines

cannot be enough praised. But it may be compared with the Mercurial

water of _Basilus Valentinus_; and the _Alcahest_ of _Paracelsus_

and _Helmont_, which I judge to be the _Fire_ of the _Maccabees_

turned into a thick water under-ground. It is a perpetual fire, but

not alwaies burning visibly; it is a water permanent, not wetting

the hands, the Sope of the Wise, the Philosophers _Azoth_, and the

Royal-Bath.

Which Menstrue though I have known some years, and have often used

it with metallicks, and by it have found out many secrets, yet I

never thought of its use in Physick, until being askt of one who was

a great Student of _Helmont_, whether I knew the preparation of the

liquor _Alcahast_ of _Paracelsus_; and naming some of the vertues of

this liquor in preparing Medicines, I began to bethink my self, and

I observed that it was my _secret Balneum_, that purifies minerals.

Wherefore I presently made tryal with vegetables and animals (for I

knew the Vertues thereof in metallicks) and I found wonderful and

astonishing things in it, which before were incredible to me. I affirm

and confess therefore sincerely, that all and every the invented

medicines published by others and my self, how rare and costly soever,

are most mean things in my estimation. For this _Universal Key_

was wanting to us. For our vegetables and minerals, however by art

macerated, cannot be perfectly resolved, and therefore we hitherto have

had but part of their vertues. But now we need not much art, labour

and cost, to reduce a whole body without corrosives, into the first

matter, like in shape to some clear and excellent water, of its own

accord casting forth its superfluous terrestreity, and becoming a most

wholesome medicine, consisting of the three purest principles; the

which cannot be done without this _menstruum_. For, What else could

Physicians extract out of herbs than Syrups, Electuaries, Conserves

and Waters? With which Preparations they were not amended, but only

qualified with the addition of Sugar or Honey, because there is no

separation made of the pure from the impure, or good from bad. For all

are left mixt together in the Electuaries and Conserves, but in the

Syrups and Waters distilled there is only some part. Extracts indeed by

the spirit of Wine are not to be disesteemed, if rightly prepared, but

they are no better than their simples; and besides, want that which the

spirit of wine cannot draw out, which remainder, though being calcined

for the drawing out the salt, which is mingled with the extract, yet

that is not of much moment, for fire destroyeth the vertue of herbs,

so that fixed salts, as crystallised, do perform nothing in medicine,

those excepted which without combustion are made out of the juice of

herbs, of which in the third part of our Furnaces Philosophical. But

none dares extract the most strong or efficacious sort of herbs for

medicine, because they in preparation are not corrected or amended.

But by this means the most strong Herbs, which without this Preparation

are poysons, are matured and purified by the liquor _Alcahest_; so

that they may safely be taken against most grievous Diseases. For God

did not create these herbs in vain, as some think, which he purposely

created that his wonderful works might appear, and that it is possible

to take away the Curse from them by a man, being freed from the

malediction by the regeneration through Christ. See _Opium_, Mandrake,

Henbane, Hemlock, and other stupifying things, how deadly they are,

being cautiously used; which corrected by this Menstrue, become

most safe and excellent medicines. How dangerous is spurge, scamony,

hellebor, gambugium, and other strong purgers (being administred

unwarily) no man is ignorant: all which are by this way corrected,

and changed into most wholesome medicaments. Who, I pray, dares eat

Wolfsbane, and poysonous Toad-stools, and other venomous vegetables?

which are all so corrected by the liquor _Alcahest_, as that not only

they are not poysonous, but are also turned into most safe and wholsome

medicines of many diseases, _Nux vomica_, Levant-berries, and other

things that disturb the Brain, are by this means made wholsome; also

poysonous Animals, as Spiders, Toads, Serpents, Vipers, _&c._ are by it

corrected, as that not only they are not poysonous, but do resist and

expel poyson.

N.B. Consider the Spiders signed with the cross, who change their skin

every month, and renew themselves, which the Serpents and halcion do

but once a year. How great the vertue of worms, earthy and crude,

_&c._ is in resolving tartarous humours, and the French Disease, many

know; What then will they do, being corrected with this Menstrue? The

_Cantharides_ and _Millipedes_ are also so corrected, that they may

more safely be used in provoking Urine. And if that most venomous

Basilisk, of which there are so many fables, whose sight only kills

men (which according to the letter is false) could be had, he might

be changed into medicine by the liquor _Alcahest_; as that mineral

Basilisk, Gun-powder may be; which in a moment kills innumerable men;

also Arsenick, Orpiment, Kobolt, and the like; so that they be deprived

of their malignity, and be reduced into very excellent medicines.

In brief, its excellent vertues which it manifests in correcting of

venomous simples cannot be sufficiently described. Wherefore it’s

worth our pains to search it with all our power, that we may prepare

admirable medicines, that the sick may not for the future be so vexed

with those tedious and bitter cups. Truly I cannot enough admire its

great vertues, which have been hid so long. It is not a corrosive

thing, and yet dissolves every thing, but some things sooner than

others. It changeth and amendeth their natural vertues; wherefore it

may be the comfort of Spagyrists, having a long time sought for rare

medicines, _viz._ being that by which vegetables are separated and

corrected, and also animals and minerals. Wherefore all conscientious

Physicians may have commended to them the Preparation of this universal

Menstrue, by the help whereof to prepare their medicines; of which the

original and preparation is vile, but its vertues most efficacious,

the finding out and uses abstruse. Wherefore it is not obtained, but

from God, _from whom proceeds every good gift_. Do not think then that

gluttony and drunkenness, idleness, pride, and lying, the contempt of

thy neighbour, malice, avarice, with an impious life, to be the means

by which it is to be obtained, for it is only _the gift of the merciful

God_, _viz._ this Menstrue, the gate and key of which is only Divine

mercy. But that thou maist know what is to be determined concerning

medicines prepared out of poysonous simples, I will in brief expound

that by example; for all vegetables, animals, and minerals, called

poysons, making war with humane nature being intrinsically used, and

therefore not undeservedly shunn’d of all, are like some powerful

unvanquishable enemy, with all his power seeking the oppression and

destruction of his contrary, who being checked by a mediator of no

less strength, and reconciled with his contrary, does no more (being

unable before the reconciliation to resist his powerful enemies) fear

the contrariety of his enemy, which now is made his friend, bringing

aid for the exstirpating and vanquishing of all such-like (otherwise)

invincible enemies. Even so is it with venomous vegetables, animals,

and minerals, destructive to humane nature: which by the liquor

_Alkahest_ (a checker and reconciler) are so corrected and reduced,

that they hurt not, being deprived of their malignity and made friends

with men: whereby they are not longer poysonous enemies, but very

safe and wholsome remedies, agreeing to humane nature, overcoming and

expelling other the like enemies otherwise poysonous and invincible,

for by how much the more enemy before reconciliation it was, by so

much the more help is brought by it, the reconciliation being made.

There is not the like found in nature, which can so suddenly correct

Poysons, and reduce them into their first matter, and bring them into

very wholsome essences. Let religious Physicians then that can, get

this. And so I end this declaration (not without cause set down) which

will move those hearts which are not as yet hardened. This certainly

is a true Philosophical correction, with which that which is malign

is turned into a wholsome substance. What profits that correction, I

pray, which is made by the admixtion of other things, as in the mixture

of Catharticks and Cordials? Truly nothing, neither can the Cordials

do any thing but debilitate the Catharticks; for nature is not at

once able to expel a purging poyson, and attract a thing confortative

and corroborative: For a Purge being given, forthwith that shews its

strength in the body, whose malignity nature resisting, desireth to

expel it, before that it can attract the confortative; wherefore that

friend is expelled, together with the disease. The same happens in the

mixture of sugar, honey, and other sweet things with bitter, sharp,

and tart, _&c._ whose unpleasantness is not corrected by sweet things,

but only dulled, thereby acquiring another smell and taste, without

any other essential alteration. Which correction is like to that which

is made in Taverns, amending the air with sweet fumes, which before

was infected with the spittings, spewings, and stinks of rustick

drunkards, which is to rusticks an excellent correction, attracting

the ill as well as the good aromatick odour, being by drunkenness

deprived of their judgment, but not so to sober men enjoying the use of

Understanding, to whom that seems a rustick correction. In this manner

(not to be commended) are at this day simples corrected. But a true

and Philosophical correction is done by it self, without the addition

of other things, by benefit of the fire only, as well actual as

potentially moist, by ripening, mending, and separating the malignity;

which is done by the liquor _Alcahest_; as it is called by _Paracelsus_

and _Helmont_.

But whether this my liquor be the same _Alcahest_ of _Paracelsus_ and

_Helmont_, it matters not if it perform the same things.

Fire, and a fiery vertue may do much, but not by burning and

destroying, but by maturation and nutrition; and feeding and

moistening. Of which moist Fire, see _Artephius_, _Bernhardus_,

_Basilius_, _Paracelsus_, &c. for maturation is not done with cold

things, but hot, promoting germination. And what ever Nature hath

left imperfect in the vegetable, mineral, and animal kingdom, _viz._

accidentally; that may be amended by Art with the liquor _Alkahest_,

which is the best way of correction, until by benefit of art, and the

help of nature, some better thing be found out, _&c._

And these are the vertues of that wonderful liquor _Alkahest_, which

is made use of in the preparation of medicines: And, because it is

said before that it shews its vertues on metallicks also, I could not

conceal them from the studious. But all its vertues shall not here

be related, for it is endued with so many, that no mortal is able to

number them. As for me, although by divine favour and the instruction

of that excellent man _Paracelsus_ (excellently in a certain place,

but observed but by few; describing it, speaking of it briefly, but

very plainly and clearly naming it) I did obtain the knowledge thereof,

which afterward daily I did more and more encrease, so that I could

hardly believe that any ever had spent so much money and pains in the

searching of its vertues, for the trying of metals: yet I must needs

confess, although happily I have made more tryal therein than any

other; that many of its vertues are as yet unknown to me. Seeing then

that its vertues and strength cannot all be tryed by any man, by reason

of his short life, although searching an hundred years; and that by our

merciful Father only to a few, and but part of the knowledge of its

wonderful and incredible force, is granted, to the glory of His Divine

Name, in favour of the poor sick, which none, how learned soever, with

his ambitious learning and craft could ever obtain. Therefore some

excellent gifts being given from the Father of lights, the Omnipotent

GOD, to some of His Children, _gratis_, and out of meer mercy, _viz._

for some causes, I easily believe, that it is not His Will that it

shall long be kept close, but be revealed to the world, to the glory

of His Name, and the benefit of our poor neighbour. Wherefore I could

not longer hold my peace, hiding my talent which I received _gratis_,

though small, but communicate it _gratis_ to my neighbour; but so that

the Divine mystery may not be gotten by those ungodly abusers, but

only by the worthy through divine favour. I affirm therefore expresly,

that in whole nature such a thing may not be found; for not only by

its help all animals, vegetables and minerals may be reduced into

very excellent and safe medicines, but also be brought into the first

matter; minerals and metals may be purified, washed and fixed, and so

changed into better bodies. That which is worthy admiration, that in

so vile and mean a subject should lye hid so great vertues, by which

alone without any other art, may be acquired riches and honours, and

lost health. Than which thing, what doth mortal man more need in his

misery, besides the Divine Word, the comfort of the soul, than for

necessary sustentation of life, soundness of body, and honest report

before God and men? All these things may be had with this subject, so

that one need not to involve himself into any other troublesome art

or vanity of this world, having this secret, whereby all necessaries

may in abundance be procured: of which gift that this unclean world is

unworthy, I do affirm sincerely, because it swells with ambition and

avarice; for which we are not able to give God the Donor sufficient

thanks in our whole life, wherefore I would have all what state or

order soever earnestly admonished, that they do not use this gift from

Heaven to the destruction of their souls, but in thankfulness to Him

that gave it, and every way to the good of their Christian Neighbour.

_Now follow the Vertues which it manifesteth in Metallicks._

First, it (_viz._) the Philosophical Menstrue, doth radically dissolve

all minerals and metals without noise, and reduces them into very safe

and wholsome medicines. Out of gold it makes potable gold; out of

silver potable silver, and so consequently of other potable metals; so

that it may well be called _The Universal Mercury_.

Secondly, This secret Menstrue purgeth, washeth, and transmuteth

minerals and metals to a more noble species; wherefore it may well be

called _Sapo Sapientum_, by which the saying of the Philosophers is

confirmed; _Ignis & Azoth abluunt Latonem_.

Thirdly, By it all minerals and metals are matured and fixed, so as

that afterward the immature gold or silver incorporated with them,

may by cupellation be drawn out with gain; wherefore ’tis deservedly

compared to _Hermes_ seal.

Fourthly, It makes metals volatile, and radically conjoyns them that

they abide together, and one act on the other in the fire; it destroys

and revives, kills and renews; wherefore it is compared to the Phenix.

Fifthly, It separates metals without any loss, and that speedily; but

after another manner than corrosives, so that each of them may be had

by themselves. For Example: Being about to separate gold, silver,

copper, iron, tin, lead mixt; one, or two, three, or four of them mixt,

that they may appear each by themselves, without the loss of any, you

need not cupellate the mixture with lead, which way only gold and

silver are gotten out, with the loss of all the rest: but by this way

they are all preserved, where by turns, one after another, they are

extracted wonderfully and swiftly, in half an hours time, by this sharp

_Vinegar of the Philosophers_, &c.

Sixthly, By it metals may suddenly be mortified and reduced into

transparent glass, irreducible, and like _Amausa_, but reserving

the propriety and nature of every metal: which in the reduction of

Gold do give perfect silver; whereby is confirmed that saying of

the Philosophers, _The corruption of one thing is the generation of

another_; and that of _Paracelsus_, _Ex aliquo fiat nihilum, & ex

nihilo aliquid_. But this incombustible water, or permanent water,

shews the truth of the Philosophers writings, generally mentioning

it. In it the solution, putrefaction, distillation, sublimation,

circulation, ascension, descension, cohobation, inceration,

calcination, coagulation, fixation and fermentation, _&c._ in their

work to be done at one time and one way: In which only operation all

the colours appear of which the Philosophers make mention; as the head

of the crow, virgins milk, dragons blood, peacocks tayls, green and red

lyon, _&c._ There is also by it demonstrated the truth (by the liquor

_Alkahest_) of that Hermetical saying, _That which is above, is as that

which is beneath_, &c. and many other things are performed by its help,

as making that secret Sandivogian _Chalybs_; also that long sought-for

oyl of Talc.

So far (courteous Reader) hath come my Experience; neither doubt I, but

by it to obtain that universal _Salamander_ which lives in the fire.

These things which I write are true, and no fallacies. And though this

secret be incredible to the ignorant, for the wonderful vertues it

sheweth in the preparation of medicines, I would willingly publish it

to the World for publick good, but on consideration I held it not meet

to communicate it for certain causes. But only lest the knowledge of it

should perish, and that the true (and almost extinct) medicine for the

curing of diseases vulgarly incurable, might flourish, I have revealed

this secret _menstruum_ to two friends, _viz._ its preparation and use.

[See the preparation in _Mirac. Mundi_, and _Apology against Farner_.]

But do thou not think, because I write of these high things, that I

do intend to make common the Secret to all in general; not so, but I

endeavour to confirm him that seeketh, and give him occasion to Search

this secret deeper; which being found, he shall not only find the truth

of my words, but he shall daily by exercise obtain far greater things

than these.

And because I have never aspired after vain riches and honours, nor

never desire them; I might well be perswaded to leave to others, as

yet not hating the wicked World, my troublesome labours, because in

this my painful age such tedious labours are very burdensome; besides

Philosophy hath pointed me another way, so that what I am able I have

determined to abstain from these vanities, and to seek a perpetual

good, the life of rest; but my counsel shall not be wanting to those

that seek it: for besides moved with the former reasons, also seeing

innumerable many vain philosophers, as well learned as unlearned,

uncessantly working, and losing their time and labour, and at last

despairing, are perswaded that there is no truth in the Philosophers

writings, but to be all filled with lyes and deceits; whence royal

Chymistry is disgraced.

But this _menstruum_ sufficeth to defend the writings of the

Philosophers, without the metallick transmutations; so that I verily

believe the time to be near, when the Omnipotent GOD, before He judge

the World by fire, will shew His omnipotency to the Nations, by the

revelation of the wonderful and incredible things of nature; of which,

transmutation of metals is not the least, which in the third part of

this Mineral Work I shall deliver to the last age, (being acceptable

to God) to the profit of my neighbor, and for demonstration sake.

Wherefore I now pass over such things, with a firm hope, that this

faithful Admonition shall be received as an undoubted and infallible

truth.

_How the aforesaid =Regulus= of the flowers and dross of Antimony,

is to be used in the bettering of course Metals, shall be shewn,

that ART may not be abused._

The Antimonial _Regulus_, a radical metallick humour, may help to

perform wonderful things, for being reduced to a water without a

corrosive, it resolveth all metals, cleanseth, washeth, and purifieth

them, and turns them into a better species, so that particularly not

a small gain may be from thence received. But how it may be reduced

into water, and how by its help metals may be resolved, volatilized,

and again fixed, hath been demonstrated by _Artephius_, _Basilius_ and

_Paracelsus_; wherefore we need not here repeat their writings, but

refer the Reader to their works.

But not only the _Regulus_, but also all Antimony may many waies be

used in the separation of metals, _viz._ For the extraction of hidden

Gold, which not be done without Antimony; as shall appear by the

following example. When you find a marcasit or other ironish fossile,

that will not yield to the tryal by lead, add to it three parts of

Antimony, and being well mixt, melt them in a covered crucible, and

being melted, pour it into a cone; and when all is cold, separate the

_Regulus_, which purge again by fire as before, and thou shalt find

gold contained in the aforesaid fossile: And if it be indued with more

plenty of gold, for it is not all drawn out at one time, _viz._ with

the first _Regulus_, another _Regulus_ is to be melted, by adding more

iron and salt-petre, which is also of a nature near to _Sol_. And

if these marcasit fossiles are not ferreous, you must in the first

fusion, add iron and nitre to them, or else they yield no _Regulus_.

By the adding more scales of iron, more _Regulus_ is made, and for the

same use as that is, of which above in the fusion and separation of

extracted gold; weights also may be made out of the dross. And thus are

_lapis calaminaris_, marcasit, kobolt, zink, talc, and other fossiles

separated, _viz._ containing gold.

But all gold containing iron (as that of Stiria, Carinthia, the

Granacia, and of Transylvania _&c._) may this way be easily separated

with profit, by the help of iron. And if the iron have no gold, yet if

the Antimony have it, it may thence be separated by fusion with iron,

_viz._ if it be brought to a _Regulus_. The rest of the Antimony may

again be fused with new iron and new glass of more weight than it, but

less than this, and be reduced into a _Regulus_ fit for the following

uses. Out of the dross let weights (that nothing may be lost) be made,

that thou maist have the more gain; as may appear from the following

example.

When you have the Antimony, a hundred of which contains two duckats, if

you will separate the gold; take a hundred [weight] divided into three

or four parts, fuse it according to art, adding a little iron and salt

of ashes, and reduce them into small _Regulus_’s, weighing a pound or

two. Then melt the dross with half the weights of the iron in a large

and strong crucible, and thou shalt have more _Regulus_’s about fifty

pound or more, dross 40 _lib._ which make weights of, or else guns,

_&c._ the rest, about eight or nine pounds, will vanish into smoak. And

so thou hast reduced the gold contained in a hundred weight, into one

or two pounds, which thou maist sublime by fire into flowers (leaving

the gold in the fire) for its uses, but those 50 or 60 pounds of the

_Regulus_’s prepared by adding much iron, they having little or no

gold, you may mingle with tin for its beauty, hardness and sounding, to

make divers sorts of houshold-stuff, as platters, dishes, _&c._ for tin

mixt with the _Regulus_ looks like silver for whiteness and hardness,

and sounds like it, nor is it so easily dulled as unmixt.

Now let us weigh what gain may come from the separation of the meanest

Antimony. Put case that a hundred weight of Antimony be sold for three

Royals (for so for the most part the Polonian is sold, than which,

although that of _Hungaria_ and _Transilvania_ be dearer, yet this hath

more gold) to which add 60 pound of iron, which is sold for half a

royal, and the charge of coals and crucibles requisite be half a royal

more: the total of the expences is four royals, for which take two

duckats in gold, sixty pound of _Regulus_, eighty pound of dross, and

one or two pound of flowers. Those 60 _lib._ of _Regulus_ may be sold

at the price of tin, whereof a pound is sold for a quarter of a royal,

and then their whole price is fifteen royals. Then the eighty pound of

refuse made into weights, may be sold at forty shillings, or at least

twenty four shillings, or half a royal; and all things being considered

and reckoned, as they ought, there may remain the value of sixteen

royals.

And though the Antimony should yield but one duckat, and a pound

of _Regulus_ should be sold at the eighth part of a royal, yet the

remainder would be above six royals: And in a day there may easily be

two hundred weight separated by two men. And then suppose it should

contain no gold (as some Antimony doth not) yet may four or five royals

be gotten daily.

But when you have Antimony, one hundred whereof contains three, four,

or five duckats, and iron requisite to the separation containing one

or two ducats, then there is so much more gained. Then let him that

undertakes this business seek for the best Antimony and iron, and he

may well gain in a day twenty, thirty, and sometimes sixty royals.

_N. B._ And if you should have so much _Regulus_ that you could not mix

all of it with tin, for want thereof, then it may be sold in parcels,

so that one ℔ may go at a fourth part of a royal; by which means the

daily gain may not be diminished, but may be rather encreased; as may

be seen by what follows. The _Regulus_ of Antimony is the masculine

species of Lead; whose first being is gold impure and immature: but the

first being of common Lead is impure and immature Silver; as experience

witnesses; for Antimony being purged and fixt, yields gold, but the

common lead only silver. And because Antimony, which is better than

common Lead, is called the _Philosophers lead_, or their _secret lead_;

of many so named, but known of few; not that the thing is unknown,

or of an unknown original, but by reason of its hidden proprieties;

therefore I say that its vertues are not all to be known by any mortal,

though he should have a hundred years to search into wonderful nature,

for it is unsearchable, and the creator of all wonders, let him injoyn

himself silence, neither let him glory in the knowledge of it, who hath

not made tryal of it; for in it, through it, and by it, Nature and Art

do strive for perfection. Of which more elsewhere.

_Now follows the Use._

Having mentioned _Antimonial Regulus_, which is Lead and better than

the common. It must also purify impure metals, wash them, separate the

occult Gold and Silver in them; that which the common Lead can do, to

which, if those be added, it attracteth the more impure part in the

Cupel, which it converteth into dross, and draweth down with it into

the porous ashes, leaving the purer Gold and Silver in the Cupel: but

from some Tin and Copper not yielding to the Lead, nor willing to be

washed by it, it cannot extract their Gold and Silver; neither hath

any one written the way of separation by it. _Lazarus Erker_ indeed

hath described (and others also) the way of separating Silver from Tin

and Iron, which is not to be disesteemed if it be accidentally mixed

with Silver, which is separable that way, but not so, being generated

in, and radically mixt with them, requiring other Lead, willingly

embracing Tin and Iron, which nothing but _Regulus_ can perform.

But seeing Tin and Iron do for the most part, contain much Gold (but

chiefly Tin) _viz._ inseparable by the common way, it will be worth our

pains to seek another Lead and way of separation; as it is apparent

to Refiners, proving Tin and Iron by the common way on a test; whilst

Tin and Iron melted in the Lead, do forthwith shew their stubbornness

by innate proprieties and forsake it, _viz._ as a contrary rising to

the top like dross or ashes, without any separation, Gold and Silver

being excepted, if accidentally mixt together, which are left with

the Lead; but not so being hid in their middle or center. But that

the truth hereof may appear, I will demonstrate it by example: Place

on a test under a tyle 16. parts of Lead, and one of Tin, after the

manner of proofs, give a fusing fire for to separate the dross; and

all the Tin almost flying away, will at the bottom be burnt, and

separated like ashes, being sublimated on the top of the Lead; not

deprived of its Gold and Silver incorporated together, which afterward

I shall demonstrate, when all the Tin is sublimated from the Lead, and

calcined, and the test taken from under the tyle, and the rest of the

Lead poured off, and you shall find after cupellation no more Silver

than the sixteen parts of Lead did contain before, if they had been

cupelled without Tin; sometimes less, Some part being taken away by

the Tin in the examination: the same is done with Iron, altho’ thou

shouldst add Copper with glass of Lead, to retain the Tin and Iron,

thereby to separate their Gold and Silver, you would effect nothing:

for although some more Silver may hereby be extracted, yet that would

not come from the Tin or Iron, but from the Copper: it may therefore be

extracted another way, of which, hereafter.

In the mean while I will prove clearly, that the separation of tin and

iron by common lead, thereby to get their gold and silver, is of no

value, which being left in them, are turned into ashes and dross.

Take any tin, and reduce it into ashes by lead, or agitation, on a

smooth earthen vessel (tryed before, by the common way, for distinction

sake, which calcine well, that the corporeal tin powdered, may be

calcined, or being melted, may be separated from the ashes). Then take

of these ashes one part, and of the following flux, or of that a little

after six parts or more; being mixt, fuse them in a strong crucible

with a strong fire, until the Flux have Consumed or drunk up all the

calx of the Tin, and of them both shall be made one, _viz._ yellow or

red Glass, which may be tryed with a crooked wier put in: which if it

seem not clear, the crucible must be covered again, and a greater Fire

be given, until the Fire be perfect; which labour in one half hour is

finished: which done, pour it into a brass mortar, afterward to be

covered, until it be a cold, that it leap not out and be lost.

Afterward powder it, which with calx of Tin, mix the equal weight of

filings of Iron; being mixt, put them into a strong Crucible (because

the Flux is very penetrative) covered, and give a strong fire for

fusion half an hour: which done, pour it out, for the Tin hath made

separation, and reduced some part of the Lead out of the Flux, sinking

to the bottom to be separated when it is cold, to be reduced into

dross on a test, and then to be cupelled, and you shall find grain Gold

drawn from Tin without Silver. And if before you weigh the calx of Tin

by the lesser Hundred weight, and after that the grains of Gold, you

may easily conjecture how much Gold is contained in the whole hundred

weight of Tin ashes, _viz._ at the least 3, 4, 5, or 6. _Lotones_, or

_half Ounces_, if thou work aright.

See then the Fault is not to be imputed to the metals, but us, being

ignorant of the separation of the Gold and Silver.

You should not perswade your self by this means to get much wealth

out of Tin; for I have not written this for that end, but only to

demonstrate the possibility. And if thou think that Gold will come

out of Iron by the fluxing powder, mingle then filings of Iron with

the Flux, before thou put in the calx of Tin, and thou shalt find in

so doing, that Gold doth come neither from the Flux or Iron, but out

of Tin; then being hereby assured, that ’tis the Tin which contains

Gold, thou mayst consider, how most conveniently that may be extracted,

_viz._ with other Lead, and another way, as shall be hereafter taught.

Neither think that Tin contains no more Gold than you have heard;

for more there is if you can wisely extract it: neither do I deny,

that more Gold may be extracted out of the Tin, but more care than

this is to be given, if you desire more plenty. But Gold may thence

be extracted, not only by Flux, but diverse other wayes, in diverse

weights; for what is written, is only for demonstration of the

possibility, that the Gold contained in the imperfect metals, may be

extracted by a secret separation.

_The Fluxing Powder requisite to this Work._

℞ one part of very pure and white Sand, or Flints, having no Gold

fusible; to which, add three parts of Litharge of Lead; being mixt,

fuse in a very strong Fire, that thereof a transparent Glass may be

made of it, which pour out, that it may be cold, and reduce it to

powder; which use in the aforesaid manner. But you may ask, why Sand

and Flints are mingled, seeing they are not of a metallick nature:

to which I say, the calx of Tin, cannot, as also other Fossiles be

Examined by Lead alone, for the following Reasons, _viz._ because in

the Calcination of Tin, its metallick nature is hidden, but the impure

and earthy parts are manifest, wherefore it hath no longer affinity

with Lead and other metals; unless the hidden parts of the lead be

manifest, and also other metals and the manifest be hidden, for then

they easily embrace one the other, and are again mingled well, and not

altered.

What belongs to the alteration of other metals doth not belong hither;

for to this place only pertain Lead and Tin, the alteration of which is

demonstrated by this tryal; whereby it appears to be thus.

Lead reduced into ashes, by it self, or into Litharge, and deprived

of its metallick form, cannot so in this work be used without the

flints or sand, for the following reason. The lead and glass thereof

made by it self is very fusible and volatile; but the calx of tin is

very difficultly fused: which two calxes, although they should be

mingled to fuse in a crucible, yet would not be mingled, nor being

fused, embrace one the other, by reason of the difference of their

fusibility; because the calx of lead alone being fused by a small fire,

will perforate and penetrate the crucible, the calx of Tin being left

in the crucible: wherefore you must add sand or flints to the lead,

_viz._ to hinder its fusibility, that it may endure the same degree of

heat with those that are difficultly fused, and further their flux. For

like things do mutually affect and embrace each other; as water doth

water, oyl oyl, and glass glass; and metals other metals; but water

is not mingled with oyl; neither are glasses mingled with metals, but

metals with metals, and glass with glass, whether it be made of metals

or out of sand. Wherefore they greatly err who mingle the calx of

metals difficultly miscible, or other hard things with lead to prove or

examin, not considering that corporeal lead hath no affinity with them:

who remaining in their errour, and not weighing the thing further,

consequently can find nothing of any moment.

But when the calx of metals united with lead by a _medium_, as flints

or sand, are brought together into transparent glass; then the lead

being precipitated and separated from the mixture, it cannot be, but

that the gold and silver contained in them must be carried away with

it. This is a true and philosophical tryal, and not to be contemned,

for many things may be by it performed.

_N. B._ But this is not to be passed by, that in the mutual mixture and

fusion of the glass of lead and the calx of tin, and other hard metals,

one may easily err, _viz._ in the precipitation (which is done with the

mixture of iron) of the gold with the lead into _Regulus_, by either

the excess or defect, so that nothing may be gotten, which is committed

in precipitation. For if the mixture stand long in the fire not fused,

it is burnt, so that it cannot well be separated, and if it stand too

long fused in the fire, the gold is attracted by the dross, by reason

of the mixture of the iron, having great affinity with the gold, so

that by this means nothing can be gotten: wherefore the Work is to be

done warily, and with wisdom and industry. You must have a care you

burn not the _Regulus_ of lead with too much fire, when you reduce it

into dross; for fear of attracting the gold from the iron, and turning

it into dross. And although this may by Art be prevented, yet we must

not presently create every one _Master of Arts_, it requiring diligence

and daily exercise, besides the reading of Books. But this Secret shall

other where be communicated.

This admonition then I give, that thou do not impute thy errour (if

thou dost err) to me, but to thy self, for what I have written is

true: and do not thence infer an impossibility of attracting gold by

iron, out of lead, and of turning it into dross, which is no wonder to

me, though it may so seem to thee. Which he who hath the knowledge of

metals will himself easily perceive. But that thou maist be certain,

try the certainty after the following manner: Take two hundred _lib._

of lead, of the lesser weight of the Refiners, put it on a test under

a tyle; add eight or ten _lotons_ of pure gold, of tin two or three

_l._ six or eight of iron, _viz._ of the lesser weight: make them flow

together an hour to make dross; as Examiners use to do; then pour it

out, and separate the lead from the dross, _viz._ to cupel that which

is separated, then weigh the grains of gold left, and thou shalt find

half of it consumed by the dross. If this happen to corporeal gold

and fixt, How will it be with that which is newly extracted out of an

imperfect metal? Therefore you must diligently search out the natures

of metals, and then such cases will not seem incredible.

From hence then, and other Examples mentioned it appears, that

that separation which is done by tests and cupels, is not true and

legitimate; and consequently, that another profitable separation of

metals is to be sought; because by this the greater part of gold and

silver burns into dross, witness Experience, for which cause the

former example was alleadged; whither belongs the proof, _viz._ how

much gold the dross hath attracted, which is done as followeth: ℞ the

remaining black dross, to which add a double weight of salt of tartar,

put it in a crucible filled but to the half (for fear of boyling out)

and covered, that nothing fall in, under a tile or among live coals,

one or two hours space to digest; and a new _Regulus_ of lead shall

be precipitated, which separated from the dross, you may cupel, and

you shall find new grains of gold attracted by the iron in the dross,

and now separated by the salt of tartar, overcoming the force of the

iron. And so you have heard from two examples, how in the coction of

the separation gold may be drawn out of the lead by tin and iron, and

that therefore there is need, that gold be separated by the _Antimonial

Regulus_ out of the aforesaid metals, and not by lead, if you would

extract the true substance with gain.

N. B. Gold may likewise be separated out of the glass of lead (being

first dissolved with the ashes of tin) with coal dust, adding it in

the flux and stirring it with an iron wier; and also with common

sulphur, by burning it on it: but the aforesaid way with iron, is to be

preferred before those two which spoyl the gold, _&c._ wherefore the

remaining dross is to be gathered, which by some abstracting furnace by

other means may be tryed, for to recover the spoyled or lost gold and

silver.

And all these are alleadged to demonstrate that the gold in tin and

iron is to be separated by the _Antimonial Regulus_, and not by Lead.

But how this separation may be perfected, you shall hear in the third

part, where we will treat of lead, explained by _Paracelsus_, in his

book called _Cœlum Philosophorum_, and other artificial Chymical

labours: wherefore here we omit it, being superfluous to handle one

thing in divers places. In the mean while exercise thy self in lesser

things, that thou maist be more fit for greater when they shall be set

forth. But wonder not at my liberality in publishing so great secrets,

for I have reasons for it. Such a burden is too much for me alone,

neither doth it profit the Covetous to sell his goods to them which

keep not their words, nor pay the money, after they have obtained

their art, which hath hapned to me. Wherefore I have determined to

communicate some secrets to all the world indifferently, that the poor

may receive some profit by them; knowing that though I write plainly,

yet that all will not at the first view obtain their desires. For some

are so dull, that they cannot imitate a work though often seen. For

some have often visited me, to see my new manner of distilling, which

though it was sufficiently demonstrated to the eye, yet they could

not imitate it, till with often perusals at length they have found

the right path. Others have left it as too hard a work, when it would

not presently succeed, which if it hapned to those who had an ocular

demonstration, how much more difficult will it be and hard to them who

have nothing but what they have heard or read. Wherefore I am certain,

that though I should publish every one of my secrets, yet could

they not be performed by all men, my coals and materials being left

sufficing for my necessity. Wherefore I fear not to publish, the next

opportunity offered, divers profitable and excellent secrets, _viz._ in

favour of all and every one.