_Of the Process of the Ancients in preparing the Tincture; and of a
more short way found out by =Paracelsus=._
Ancient _Spagyrists_ putrefied _Lili_ for a Philosophick Month, and
then destilled from it the humid Spirits, so long as until the dry
were elevated: The _Caput Mortuum_ they again imbibed with the humid
Spirits, and from it, by destillation, often abstracted them, and
continued this Operation so long, as until the dry Spirits were wholly
elevated. Then they united the abstracted humours and dry spirits by a
Pellican together, 3 or 4 times, until all the _Lili_ remained dry in
the bottom.
Although the first Experience followed this Process before fixation,
nevertheless our Ancestors often obtained their wished end perfectly.
But they would have had a more short way of coming to the _Red-Lyon_’s
Treasure, if they had learned the Concordancy of Astronomy with
Alchymy, as I have demonstrated it in the _Apocalyps of Hermes_. Yet
since every day (as Christ spake for the comfort of the faithful) hath
its proper Care, the Labour of _Spagyrists_ before me was vast and
great, which now by help of the Holy Spirit assisting, will be eased
and lightned by my Theory and Practice, and declared to all those, who
abide constant in their Labours with patience; for I am experienced in
the Property of Nature, and know the Essences and Conditions thereof,
and the conjunction as well as resolution of the same. Which is the
highest and greatest thing in Nature, never yet known to Sophisters.
When the first Age had the first Experience of the Tincture,
_Spagyrists_ of one simple made two; but afterward, when in the middle
Age that Invention was lost, their Successors, by diligent search,
at length happened on the two names of that simple, and with one
denomination called it _Lili_, as the subject of the Tincture: Then the
Imitators of Nature putrefied this matter (no otherwise than as Seed
in the Earth) for its due time; because before this Corruption, nothing
could of it be produced, nor any _Arcanum_ discover it self; and after
putrefaction, they abstracted the humid spirits from the matter, until
by the force of Fire they were dried and sublimed; that this way (no
otherwise than as the Husband-man waits on the Seasons of the year) the
said spirits might come to maturity, as one thing is wont to rise and
fall after another. And lastly, as after Spring the Summer appears,
they incorporated those Fruits and dry Spirits, and brought the
Magistery of the Tincture so far, until it should come to its Harvest,
and dispose it self to ripeness.