Candid Reader,
_Among ancient Philosophers of the Heathen, as =Chaldees=, =Egyptians=,
=Persians=, =Greeks=, and =Romans=, yea, and the =Hebrews= themselves,
it was a long-received Custom, enigmatically to propose what they
esteemed most worthy of confederation, lest such Secrets should either
be divulged or lost; to the end, that unworthy persons having regard
to the Letter only; and not respecting the Sence expressed in those
words, might know nothing at all of them: But contrarily, the Worthy,
enlightened with the Light of GOD and Nature, well understanding what
is signified by those Words, might thence reap most profitable Fruit.
The Truth of this is sufficiently proved by the Writings of ancient
Philosophers; also by the Books of =Moses=, and the Histories of the
Prophets. For all these, or the greatest part of them, do indeed need
another explication, than the Letter it self seems to inferr, because
some occult matter is in that contained._
_In like manner our Christian Philosophers, both ancient and modern,
discovered their =Arcanum=’s enigmatically; as, among many other,
=Basilius= and =Paracelsus= did: For, although these men delivered all
things true, yet they are understood by very few: Which hath been the
occasion of Contempt and Reproaches, with which ignorant men, and the
evilly-disposed, asperse all Philosophers (among whom Kings themselves,
and divers Princes, in times past have been, and are yet found) and
say, =There is no such thing in Nature, as the Transmutation of Metals
into a better state=; and that =The Universal Tincture or Stone of
Philosophers was never found by any Man=. Truly it is a matter worthy
of sharp Reproof, and not to be suffered, that the Chymical Writings of
many excellent pious men, should (although most consonant to Verity)
be so maliciously rejected, and proclaimed false. This is rather due
to Chymical Mountebanks, (understanding nothing less than Chymistry)
because they expose to sale the Philosophers Stone unto others: This
sort of men have rendered Chymistry so vile and abject at this day, as
many men judge it a Reproach to be called =Chymists=._
_That we might, as far as is possible, prevent this evil, and
demonstrate those things to be true, which the above-named Writers have
left to us, under the Title of =The Salt of Ancient Philosophers=,
which by =Paracelsus= is called =Elias= the Artist; we resolved to
effect the same thus._
_=Paracelsus= treating of the Transmutation of Metals, because he was
not willing to insignize =The Salt of Philosophers= with its true
name, refers the Reader to =Elias the Artist=, who, he saith, when he
comes, will teach the way by which the Transmutation of Metals may be
effected. Here Men imagine Wonders, and generally regarding the words
themselves, expect the coming of a certain Man sent from GOD, whom
they believe, shall in the later Ages of the World, discover occult
Arts, and make known the Secrets of Nature. Whereas, if the Name =Elias
the Artist= be rightly considered, or a transposition of the Letters
be made, we read =Artis Salia=, and these Salts indicate =Elias the
Artist= of =Paracelsus=. These perform Wonders, so as a man possessing
the Salt of Art, or knowing the nature thereof, may effect Wonders.
=Elias the Artist= to such a man appears to be the cause of effecting
marvellous things._
_=Basilius=, in his Testament, did very obscurely describe this Salt,
where he sheweth the way of making =The Stone of Philosophers= of
common Vitriol; yet no man is able from those Writings to gather which
way he should prepare the same._
_Also he that considers the words of =Paracelsus=, where he foretells
the coming of =Elias the Artist=, will find, that in that he describes
Vitriol, both obscurely and openly; obscurely indeed in his Treatise
entituled, =The Tincture of Naturalists=; openly, in that which he
left, touching Vitriol in Species. He would not expresly say, that
=Elias the Artist=, or =The Salt of Art=, was expresly contained in
Vitriol; only this he was willing to shew to Posterity, =viz.= That
the Art of changing vile Metals into better, was descended from the
Ancients unto him, and with him should perish, until the coming of
=Elias the Artist=, who should shew the true Transmutation of Metals,
=viz.= in the =58th.= year of the following Age. This time many have
expected with grief and trouble, but in vain hitherto._
_Many Philosophers, besides =Paracelsus=, have predicted the Coming of
=Elias the Artist=, who coming from the =North=, attended with a strong
Lion, shall teach Arts, find out and manifest the secret Treasures of
Nature, and dispose the various mutations of mundane things for the
benefit of Mankind. These have many men in vain believed to be spoken
touching some one man; for if we consult the Writings of those men,
who have set down this Prediction, we shall find them not to have
intended a =Man=, but =Salt-petre= only, and his Brother the =Salt of
Art=: Hence it is that they cry out, =O our Salt! O our Salt-petre! O
our Radical Salt!= Hence also it is, that they write, =If GOD had not
created this Salt, it had been impossible to make our Medicine=; and
various expressions like to this, in many places of their Writings
they use, as I have declared in several of my Tracts, especially in
the Third Part of =The Prosperity of= Germany, where (among other
things) I said, =I hoped that in time to come, by me should be unto all
men exhibited= Salt-Petre, =or= The Salt of Art, =sitting (like some
Monarch) in a Triumphal Chariot=._
_I doing this, take =Paracelsus= out of his Sepulchre, and (as himself
predicted) turn him towards the Orient, that is, I expose him to the
Light, by which the verity of that Prediction may be discerned by All._
_Perhaps my Disciples may do the same; and they seeing the verity
of the Transmutation of Metals, or restoring the Sick to health in
a way unheard of, draw me after I am dead, or whilst I live, out of
the Sepulchre into which my evil-minded Enemies have cast me. And
when they do these things, they will effect so notable a mutation in
=Medicine= and =Alchymy=, as indeed for the future there will be even
no Artist, who will not see and understand the frauds, ignorance, or
hatred of the proud and high-flown Adversaries of Art and Truth,
and justly oppose themselves against such malicious Enemies of true
Verity. Thus may those who have long before been blind, receive sight,
profess themselves to have been Opposers of Truth, and strenuously
labour to suppress and amend what’s amiss. In such a time not only
true =Medicine=, and the most noble Art of =Chymistry= would begin
to flourish, but also all Arts would ascend to a greater degree of
perfection; and so one Age will exhibit it self much more excellent
than others. Wherefore my Prayer is, that the Gates may be opened to
divine and natural =Arcanums=, that =Elias the Artist=, and the =Salt
of Art= would discover the predicted =Golden Age=, and that the most
Wise GOD would unto pious men grant an entrance into the =Land of
Promise=, that they may thence bring Fruits, and present them to their
Neighbours, for the Honour of GOD most high, and the solace and comfort
of the Needy. =Amen.=_
_Indeed =Paracelsus= makes some mention of this Salt in his Works,
calling it =Sal Enixum=; but we in our Treatise (published in the year
1658.) of the nature of Salts, have somewhat more largely expounded
the matter, calling that =Sal Mirabile=. In the present Treatise of
the Salts of Art it is expresly called =Elias the Artist=; the verity
of which Appellation, we shall by the help of GOD clearly demonstrate,
=viz.= that =Elias the Artist= of =Paracelsus= signifies no other than
the =Salt of Philosophers=, prepared of =Salt-petre=, =common Salt=,
or =Vitriol=. Indeed it is in taste like =Salt-petre=, yet it is not
inflammable, although it may be procured by Art. =Paracelsus= and
=Basilius= made it of =Vitriol=, as several parts of their Writings
shew, which for better knowledge sake I shall here insert._
_=Elias= and =Elisha=, what men they were, and what miracles they
wrought, Sacred Letters shew. The Miracles they wrought were Divine;
the same almost is our Salt able to perform in a natural way: Therefore
not without reason have we called it =The Monarch of the World=, or
=Elias the Artist=; for there is no subject found in the nature of
things, by help of which we are able to do the same, as may be effected
by the benefit of This. The truth of this all Animals, Vegetables, and
Minerals do witness, as we shall demonstrate variously anon._
_But some One may say, Since =Chymistry= is treated of in so various
Tongues, and there are found almost infinite numbers of Chymical
Books, How comes it to pass, that this Salt hath so long remained
unknown, even until this day, and it was never so clearly described
by any Writer, as we thence could understand what it is, or which way
it should be made? I answer, Writers and Readers also are found of a
twofold condition. They, who writ by the guidance of Experience, did
all acknowledge, and obscurely describe this Salt: Otherwise they, who
compiled their Books from the Writings of others, being ignorant of the
thing it self, proposed nothing but Fictions, leading the Reader into a
Labyrinth and various By-paths._
_Writers are diligently to be considered; regard is not so much to
be had of their Words as of their Sence; if this be minded by you,
you will find none of the true Writers, who did not make mention of
this Salt, which, as it is manifest to those that understand, so it
is hid from those who are yet ignorant of these things. You may find
very many, who in Writings seek the =Stone of Philosophers=, and yet
are ignorant what they seek, or what the Stone is, whether it be
something black or white, hot or cold. And if such a thing should
be presented to those men, they would neglect it, and after their
fashion leaving the most precious Jewel, proceed to please themselves
in Dung. Many men handle this Salt with their hands, yet what they
have in their hands they know not, because they are blind, and their
arrogant mind instigates them to betake themselves to things more vile.
But on the contrary, not a few may be found, who will divulge none
of those excellent things which they know. Oh, how happy is he that
studies Taciturnity! he is permitted to lead a quiet life. I indeed do
seriously bewail my so liberal Communication of Secrets, but I did that
to discover the Wonders of GOD, to serve my Neighbour, and to preserve
our Art. Egregious things would often be exhibited to the World, did
not the high Ingratitude of mortals deterr the Writer, and prevent
his good intention. When they find a man endowed with the Knowledge
of some things beyond others, they flock about him, entreating him
to impart his Secrets to them: there are found divers of this sort.
The Wealthy come, the Needy come, and men of a middle condition also
come. The first sort of men being, for the most part, very covetous,
will return nothing in exchange; the second sort have not any thing to
give; but the third only we have sometimes found grateful. What we have
acquired with very great labour, we cannot easily impart to Enemies.
Yet it often happens, that those who are judged good, are afterward
found evil, and in a =Farnnerian= manner, for Benefits received, return
Calumnies and Reproaches. Therefore, in such cases there is need of
great circumspection, and we must not discover all we know, lest
afterward we repent. But as for my self, I have not changed my mind, I
have begun to make known the Wonders of the Omnipotent, and will go on
(GOD willing) and kindle an unextinguishable Light to this blind World.
In this Treatise I shall only describe the wonderful Virtues of the
Salt of Art, reserving the way of preparing or use to my Friends; for
what are our Arms, we must not cast them away, lest our Enemies take
them up, and wound us with them, after the example of =Farnner=._
_I speak of the =Salt of Art=, the Virtues of which I know, I will not
communicate its Preparation or Use; all shall be open to my Friends,
(yet with respect of persons) more than is fit, is already discovered
to Enemies. Is there any reason we should =cast Pearls before Swine=?
If what others obscurely treated of, I should here openly communicate
to Enemies, would they, think you, cease to do evil, and begin to do
well? Although I purpose not at all to discover the Preparation and Use
of this =Sal Mirabile=, yet I doubt not, but that I shall prepare and
make easie the way for finding it out; so as in a few years space all
=Europe= will see =Alchymy= flourish, and not so much any other way, as
from the discovery of this Salt._
_Of other Arts, which we shall perceive to arrive to a more excellent
state, the reason is the same. It is sufficient that I have shewed
such an incomparable Salt is found in the nature of things; yea, I
demonstrate the place where it may be found. If =Columbus= had not told
us, That the Occidental part of the Earth did abound with Gold and
Silver, who could have found the same, to bring such Treasures thence
to us? If some One had not revealed, that gold, silver, and precious
stones were contained in Caverns of the Earth, and Pearls to be found
in the Sea, who (doubting the event) would ever have been at those vast
charges of Diggings and Fishings? But now we all know such Treasures
are to be found there, none refuseth to search for them. And although
they are not obvious to all, yet that they are in being no man doubts;
even so I judge it to be with our =Sal Mirabile=. The virtues of it I
deliver, which are great, and with most easie labour, and a very little
direction; other things may be thereby obtained. The only moving cause
why I propose these things, is the most Wise GOD, whose wonderful Works
I neither would nor could hide or keep to my self any longer._
THE
SECOND PART
OF
Miraculum Mundi, &c.