OR,

A Fundamental Institution evidently shewing by what means not only

the Virtues, Signification, Nature, and Properties of _Salts_,

_Metals_, and _Planets_, may be easily known, but also the

reasons of their Names and Appellations, and this not from Books

or Writings, but from their naked Signature, to be obtained and

known by the help of the Circle and Quadrant.

=Written for their sakes who delight in the Profitable and highly

Necessary Contemplation of Divine Miracles.=

To the well minded READER.

It is a common saying, _Beware of those whom Nature hath marked_,

the which is indeed true, if it be understood concerning men who are

insignized with some preternatural marks, or of the abortions of

Nature, but concerning other things it is false. For the Almighty God

hath signed all His Creatures, as well small as great, equally with

their own certain signatures, and hath as it were subjected their

depicted Lineaments to the Eyes of men, by which they might know what

the nature and property of every thing is, and what Commodity and

Profit it may bring to mankind. Hence not only all Vegetables, as

Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees, but also Animals, as Beasts of every kind,

yea, and Man himself, which abide upon the Earth, the Fishes inhabiting

the Waters, and the Birds of the Air; but also all things moveable

and immoveable, he hath signed with their peculiar forms and figures,

to signifie to us by those their signs, of what use every Herb, every

Animal, every Bird, and every Fish is, and for what purpose it serveth.

And this is the Divine Inscription which the Divine Finger hath written

upon all things, and by which the nature of all things should have been

learned by us.

But after that Men began more and more to decline from the humane,

to a brutish nature, and ceased to have the Reason of so noble a

Signature, preferring their brutal Conceptions to the Divine Works,

and postponing the Signatures incited in all things by Nature; it

came to pass, that in a long process of time that true Signature, or

Divine Inscription, being obscured, perished by degrees, and wholly

vanished; so that but a very few are found in this Age, who are endowed

with any knowledge of so great a Science; for the greatest part of men

are wont to follow the duct of Books and Writings, and study to learn

the Virtues and Proprieties of things out of them. Neither could this

study be disapproved of, if the true, incorrupted, and entire Writings

of the ancient and singularly-experienced noble Authors remained with

us. But because in a long Series of time their frequent descriptions,

emendations, and interpretations have so corrupted them, that scarce

any thing of truth is to be found in them; it were far better that such

mangled and corrupted Writings were not so much followed, but that

rather that old foundation laid by God himself, upon which all those

Writings, all Characters, and all Signatures do rest, and from whence

they have received their beginning, should be again brought out of

Darkness into Light, and the nature and properties of things learned

from thence. This would be the true way of coming to the knowledge of

Nature, in a short space of time, without so many errours, to which, by

those false Writings, a man cannot come in many years.

Some perhaps may ask, where that ancient Foundation laid by God ought

to be sought, or where it may be found? I answer, Every where, inasmuch

as it is before the eyes of every man, but especially shewing it self

in the Heavens, where the Sun, Moon, and all the Stars are constituted

by God in a round Figure, signifying to us that all Forms and Figures

take their beginning from a round Circle, and that a Circle or

Rotundity it self, as a most perfect thing, pertaineth to the Heavens,

and to GOD Himself. The Ancients certainly put it in that manner, that

by a round Circle they might denote those things which they could

neither comprehend by number, pronounce by words, nor conceive by their

ingeny; and on the contrary, those things which did not exceed their

capacity, ingeny, nor number, they signed with a square Figure: So that

things celestial, and exceeding humane capacity, they have denoted by a

Circle, but things visible, earthly, and subject to humane capacity, by

a Square, proceeding from a Circle.

And although the same ancient Philosophers, attributing a Circle to God

only, were of the opinion, that God could not be more aptly exprest

by any thing than a Circle, having (like Himself) neither beginning

nor end: Nevertheless all those things which after God they esteemed

great, they also noted with a Circle, to wit, the Sun in the Firmament,

and Gold in the Earth; the first of which, some of those Philosophers

thought to be God himself. Others of those Heathen Philosophers have

feigned for God the Effigies of a Serpent, winding himself into a

round Circle; and all earthy things of a celestial original, they have

represented by a Square, and so they have shadowed out the Celestial

and the Terrestrial, by the Circle and Quadrant.

Therefore as they observed how much of the Celestial or Terrestrial

Nature were in the things to be signed, so much of the Circle or

Square they added or substracted, and according to that they varied

their Figures: And not only in the Celestial Lights, to wit, the Sun,

Moon, and other Planets, but also in all earthly Creatures, produced

in the Earth by the operations of the Sun, Moon, and the rest of the

Planets and Stars, _viz._ Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Iron, Lead, and

Argent-vive; they have used this manner in signing them all with

Characters of this sort, and have noted them with the same Characters

which they have given to the Celestial Lights, producing and effecting

the Causes of those inferiour Creatures. So the Sun and Gold, as the

most perfect Creatures of God, are signed with a Circle having a point

or center in the middle; the Moon and Silver appear in the figure

of an half Circle, or of two semicircles, at a small distance from

one another; which shew their Bodies not to be absolutely perfect,

but as yet to labour under some defect. The Characters of the other

Planets, as ♄, ♃, ♂, ♀, and ☿, are also the Characters of the rest of

the Metals, _viz._ Lead, Tin, Iron, Copper, and Argent-vive, because

they are much more vile and imperfect than Gold and Silver, and are

noted with more imperfect Characters; such are an half Circle and half

Square, signifying that they scarce answer to the perfection of Silver

in the half part, and hardly to the fourth part of that of Gold.

But that I may propose the thing more clearly, I think it necessary to

inclose the Characters of the Celestial Lights, as ☉, ☽, ☿, ♀, ♂, ♃,

and ♄, and of the Terrestrials, as Gold, Silver, Argent-vive, Copper,

Iron, Tin, and Lead, which the ancient Astronomers and Philosophers

have imposed upon them, in Squares, consisting of the same magnitude,

that by those it may appear in what degree they differ from each other

in perfection.

[Illustration]

Here those Characteristick Figures of the Signatures are enclosed as

it were in little Houses, which are the Squares: Now, if into one of

those I put the Character of the Sun or Gold, _viz._ a round Circle

noted with the letter B, it toucheth four parts of the Square, marked

1, 2, 3, 4, and filleth it up, signifying that among Celestial and

Terrestrial Creatures, the Sun and Gold do excell all other things, in

their perfection.

The Character of the Moon or Silver, under the letter C, toucheth three

sides of the Square, to wit, the superiour with the top of her Horn,

marked 1, the lower side marked 3, and the bending of her back toucheth

the third side, marked 2; but by reason of the incurvating concavity of

her Superficies, she cannot touch the fourth side, marked 4.

The Character of _Mercury_, under the letter D, with both his horns

toucheth the upper side of the Square, marked with number 1, and with

the bottom of the Cross the lower side number 3: the other two sides,

2 and 4, he leaveth untouched, so that the half part of the Square

remaineth untouched by _Mercury_. _Luna_ toucheth three sides or the

same, and _Sol_ or Gold is contiguous to all the four sides.

_Venus_ or Copper, under the letter E, also adhereth only to two sides

of the Square, to wit, to the superiour number 1, and to the inferiour,

marked with the number 3, but the sides, 2 and 4, remain untouched.

In like manner also _Mars_, or Iron, toucheth only the upper and lower

sides, as you see under the letter F. So also _Saturn_, or Lead, under

G; And _Jupiter_ or Tin under H, you see touch but two sides of their

Squares. Therefore from this figure may be seen in what degree of

perfection the Metals exceed one another, so that he who hath respect

to this figure, cannot erre in discerning the said degrees.

The Ancients have not imposed these Characters, neither by chance nor

in vain, but they have directed the whole reason of characterising

to this end, that the Character might exactly agree with the Nature

and Property of the thing signed; as the great agreement between

the Celestial Luminaries or Planets, and the Metals, doth clearly

manifest. Nevertheless these things are not to be discerned by all

men, but by those only who are able throughly to inspect the nature

of Metals, and from that knowledge of the Metals, to know the said

degrees of perfection; for so much of rotundity as exhibits it self

in the Character to the sight, so much also of purity and perfection

is in the signed body; and so much as it shews of the square, so much

also it hath of imperfection: And this is a Chymical Axiom or Precept

altogether infallible, and so certain, that he who in the emendation of

Metals shall follow it, will not easily erre.

Gold, the most perfect of the Metals, by touching the four sides of

the square, argueth its great perfection: Silver is not far from the

perfection of Gold. And among the rest of the Metals, Argent-vive,

Iron, and Copper have the half, but Lead and Tin only the fourth degree

of perfection.

These few things we think sufficient for those who are desirous of

so great knowledge. He that desires to know more of these Harmonical

Signatures, of the Celestial Lights, and Terrestrial Bodies, let him

accurately examin this Foundation, and he will find those things which

neither _Aristotle_ long ago, nor our Schools at this day, have had any

knowledge of. This I dare assert for truth, That the Ancients, in the

_Egyptian_ Schools, have hidden great Mysteries under the Characters

of their Signatures, and not only in those signs imposed upon the Sun,

Moon, Stars, and Metallick Bodies, but that they have manifested great

Secrets by the very Names which they have given to all things, which

was not by chance that they have given to this thing such a Name, and

to that another: But when after times changed many Names, thence it

happened, that those Signatures fell into great uncertainty, and are

now perplexed with many doubts. The Names which from _Adam_, _Noah_,

and their Posterity, were in use with the _Egyptians_, _Chaldeans_, and

_Hebrews_, the _Greeks_ also had in use, and from the same Foundation

called things by due and true appellations. The _Latins_ have taken no

care about those derived to them, although the only and true Foundation

of every Investigation of those Secrets is placed in those. Indeed I

being ignorant of the _Egyptian_, _Chaldean_, and _Hebrew_ Tongues,

know not how to interpret those Names with their signature. But one

that is skilful in those Languages, and endowed with some knowledge

of natural light, by applying himself to such searches, by a prudent

inquisition, will find the Truth of those things which I have here

written, to wit, That the Nature and Property of all things are posited

in their Names and Characters: I will expedite the matter by a clearer

Explication, and in a few words expound the Circle and Quadrate.

In my Treatise of the _Nature of Salts_, I have clearly taught and

demonstrated, that all things in the World have their original from

the Sun and Salt. The Ancients have designed the Sun by a Circle,

and Salt by a Square: But as a Circle is first drawn before that a

Square can be put to it; and as a Circle by right is preferred before

a Square, inasmuch as that is the Original of this; so also the sun

is to be preferred to salt, to which it hath given Rise, and which it

hath preceded in its existency, and which being compared with the sun

its Original, is less to be esteemed: Hence, without the sun, salt

generateth and produceth nothing; nor yet the sun without salt, because

in every generation and production there is necessarily required the

conjunction of Male and Female, the sun performing the office of the

male, and the Moon of the female.

So _Eve_ the Female, as a Square, arose from _Adam_, as from a Circle,

and from both, to wit, from the circle and the square conjoined, the

fertility and propagation of mankind hath drawn its original. The Poets

have attributed this propagation to _Venus_, and noted it with a sign

composed of a Circle and a square, saying, that the Goddess _Venus_ was

born of the froth or foam of the Sea and Salt, and dried up by the Rays

of the sun.

The Character of _Venus_ being weighed with an accurate consideration

of mind, very perspicuously sheweth how wisely and prudently the

Ancients have shadowed out the Mysteries of Nature by their Characters.

Venus is signed with a round Circle, with a Cross pendant from the

Circle; the Circle denoteth the Sun; the Cross, Salt: For when four

lines are conjoined in their extremities, they make a Cross, all

the ends meeting in one point. But if all those Lines be disposed

foursquare, they form a Quadrate. Therefore in things signed, the Cross

and the Square differ only in their external Figure, and signifie one

and the same thing.

That this Mystery may be the better apprehended, I will interpret the

true signature of those principal Creatures of God, (to wit, the Sun

and Salt, from which all things proceed) attributed to them by the

Ancients, according to their Latin significations _Sol_ and _Sal_, that

their degrees and difference in nobility and goodness may evidently

appear: For the more Circles there are conspicuous in those words,

the more of purity and goodness they argue to be in the things which

they denote; and the more Squares there are in a Word, the more of

earthiness, imperfection, and impurity is shewn to be in the thing

thereby signified. But this Rule holds only in those words which were

imposed upon things by the Ancients, in others not.

Seeing therefore that it is beyond all doubt, that these two words,

_Sol_ and _Sal_, were by the Ancients imposed upon the things they

signifie, according to a true signature; we will therefore further

explain them.

And here it is first to be noted, that all the forms and figures of

Vegetables, _viz._ of Trees, Herbs, and other things growing out of the

Earth, and also of Animals, whether Men or Beasts, also of Minerals, do

take their original only from the circle and square, so that by those

it may be known what bodies or members are round or long; for the Body

of a Man, as also the Trunk of a Tree, have not only a round, but also

an oblong figure, and the joints of every finger, and the leaves and

branches of Herbs and Trees shew forth the same figure, so that in

those the Circle and the Quadrate are every where found.

And not only all the Creatures of God are noted with the same

signature, but also all Writings and Letters, proceeding from _Adam_,

_Noah_, and their Posterity, have taken their beginning from the Circle

and Square. As for example: All the Latin Letters, even from the

beginning to the end, you shall find to be composed of a circle and a

square. _A_ containeth two lines and a half of a square; _B_ consisteth

of two semicircles, and one line of a square; _C_ is a semicircle; _D_

is formed of a semicircle, and one line of a square; _E_ hath three

lines and a half of a square; _F_ two and a half of the same; _G_

consisteth of a semicircle, and half a line of a square; and so on to

the last Letter of the Alphabet: So that all the Letters being composed

of a circle and a square, were left by the Ancients to shadow out and

signifie those Mysteries to Posterity.

Therefore seeing that in my Treatise of _the nature of Salts_ I have

evidently demonstrated the Sun and Salt to be the beginning of all

things, I think it necessary to interpret those two words, _Sol_ and

_Sal_, according to their nature, and to prove that they are the true

beginning, and true end of all things.

Between the words _Sal_ and _Sol_ there is no other difference, but

the middle letter, which in _Sal_ is _Alpha_, but in _Sol_ _Omega_;

by which two Christ manifested himself to St. _John_: But the initial

and final letters of both words are the same, they are distinguished

only by the middle letters, _Alpha_ and _Omega_, and that not without

great reason; for as _Sol_ generateth _Sal_ from the beginning, and all

things which are take their original from him, so also the end of all

things shall happen at the last day, when all things born and arisen

from the Sun and Salt, shall again be consumed by fire, as _Peter_

writeth, to wit, that the Sun, Moon, and all the Stars, shall fall from

Heaven, and that the whole Earth shall be reduced to Ashes. Therefore

in _Sol_ and _Sal_, the beginning and end of all things are perfectly

discerned. Neither do these two words only set before our eyes the

beginning and end of all things, with the destruction of this earthy

and fading World, but they also make manifest the whole Mystery of the

Holy Trinity, which I could very easily demonstrate.

But because the _Egyptian_ Learning, built upon the foundation of

Nature, is lost, and in the room thereof Sophistical Schools have

grown up, which by their vain loquacity have altogether oppressed and

banished the truth; it might easily happen, that I might bring a Nest

of Hornets about my Ears, if I should write such things publickly, as

fly the knowledge of the learned multitude. Therefore it is better to

be silent, than to incumber my self with unnecessary contentions.

But that we may see there have also been others, who were not ignorant

of the Mysteries hidden in salt, it seems fit to me, in the end of this

Discourse, to subjoin the opinion of a certain learned man, explaining

the Greek word ἁλς, _Chap._ 13. _Book_ 4. and as it were, bringing

into view the great Mystery of God hidden in the same, that so we may

be invited to read the learned Book of the said Author, concerning

salt, which containeth many things highly worthy to be read, and of

the reading of which no man will repent; the name of the Author is

_Bernardus Gomesius_, printed at _Frankford_, in the year 1605, a Book

truly worthy of any man’s reading, and as such I studiously recommend

it to those who are desirous of learning any thing of good.

But to return to my purpose, I seriously affirm, that the nature and

property of Metals may be learned and openly known, not only from the

signature assigned them by the Ancients, but also from that which the

fire introduceth into them, and this signature proceeding from the

fire, is far to be preferred to that of the Philosophers; not therefore

because the Element of Fire possesseth a greater authority or might

than all Philosophers ever had or can have: But because the Fire

alwaies performeth immutable actions, and committeth no errours, nor

can it commit any, provided the Operator who handleth the fire doth not

deviate from the manner of operating, for at all times in one and the

same manner it sheweth the signatures of the metals.

The nature of the fire is such, that whensoever we will, it exhibiteth

to us, by a singular signature, the occult nature and hidden properties

of the metals; for even as any burning spirit of Vegetables, or

volatile salt of Wine, being drank by men, stirreth up their nature

and properties, and exposeth these things to view, which before lay

dorment, and which would not have been known, if the warm spirit of the

wine had not manifested them: So also is it with Salt, which, as we

have taught in the precedent Treatise of the nature of salts, hath a

power and faculty of exciting the nature of metals, and of manifesting

their medicinal Virtues. But the Fire, of which we here treat, hath the

faculty of subjecting their perfection to our eyes.

For as by the pure spirit of Wine the vital spirit of a Man is

presently cheered, and being awakened, the hidden signature forthwith

goeth out of the inward Penetrals of the heart; so that the Sanguine

sing, dance, play, and are occupied in Amours; the Cholerick break

forth into quarrels and fighting; the Phlegmatick grow drowsie and

sleepy, and the Melancholy are taken up with speculations, meditations,

and searches. These signatures the spirit of Wine can draw forth from

the most inward recesses of men. By the same reason the signature of

Metals is awakened, excited, and educed by the operation of the fire,

_viz._ when they are melted in a Crucible; for the smoak or fume going

out from them, presently indicateth the nature and property of every

of them. Pure Gold, and free from all addition, emitteth no fume

alone, but being melted with salt, giveth a purple exhalation. Silver

alwaies exhaleth somewhat of a blue, bitter, and unpleasant fume: The

fume of Copper is green, and stinketh: Of Iron not so much as Copper,

being also red, striketh the Nostrils with a stink: Lead and Tin send

forth a white fume, stinking and poisonous: Argent-vive, in its whole

substance, vanisheth in a venomous fume, and these are the signs of

the fumes, by which melted Metals, when they are not mixed, are wont

to be distinguished and known from one another. But if Copper, or any

other imperfect Metal, shall be mixed with Gold or Silver, it changeth

the fume, and rendereth the proof or examen doubtful and uncertain:

Nevertheless of the judging of the perfection of Metals by the Fire,

this Experiment is of all the most perfect and certain, _viz._ when

they are so melted by a very strong fire, that they move themselves,

and are as it were turned or whirled about in the Crucible, and by how

much the rounder this motion shall be, and the higher it elevateth it

self, by so much it sheweth the Metals to be more perfect; the more

depressed and equal, and the plainer the superficies shall be, the

lesser of perfection is in that melted Metal. The trial of this thing

is easily made, by which it is found, that among all the Metals Gold is

chiefly moved on the Test, or in a Crucible, by a round or spherical

motion; next Silver; next to that Copper; next to Copper Iron; after

Iron Lead; and lastly, after that Tin.

The same difference of perfection and imperfection is shewed by the

pouring of a melted Metal upon a Porphyry stone, or any the like well

levigated, and put into a Kettle of Water, so that the water may not

touch its superficies, which is to receive the melted Metal: This

therefore being poured out upon the said Stone, leapeth and divideth

it self into many grains, greater or lesser, more round, or less

round, according as the Metal shall be more or less pure. But of all

the Metals, there is none more imperfect than Tin, which by effusion

upon such a Stone, very rarely disperseth it self into grains, but if

the effusion be dextrously made, it dilateth it self in breadth in a

very thin form, like to writing Paper, so that it may be writ upon

(by a stile or stift) like Paper, and folded and sealed, and sent to

others, after the manner of other letters: Such letters made of Tin,

are hurt by no Water, so that they may be of great use, where necessity

requireth secresie in sending letters.

But that Tin spreadeth it self into such broad leaves, and doth not

separate into grains, after the manner of Gold and Silver, the reason

is its imperfection, which its before-mentioned signature evidently

argueth, containing but little of roundness, and taking the greatest

part from the square.

The knowledge of a metallick perfection is also acquired from the

rotundity of the metallick motion in the Examen of Saturn, or the

separation which is made by Lead in a Cupel, where Gold, before all the

rest boileth with a spherical roundness, and all the lead being sent

away in fume, by the violence of the fire, remaineth on the Cupel or

Test, in a pure, round, or spherical body, especially when there shall

not be too great a quantity of Gold.

Silver doth not answer to Gold in its round body, in which it

remaineth, yet it exceedeth Copper in roundness, which sometimes also

remaineth pure and round, if it be in a small quantity.

Iron and Tin do not admit the Examen of Lead by the Cupel, for

indurating the Lead, they deprive it of all flux, so that by combustion

it is reduced into a powder.

Argent-vive is by the Fire wholly driven away into the Air, in which

nevertheless keeping a perpetual flux, its signature of perfection

may be judged of in the Cold, which perfection exceedeth that of

the other imperfect Metals, and cometh near to gold and silver; for

being diffused into small grains, it exhibiteth in running a round

or spherical body, imitating melted Gold: So that it is not without

reason, that the Ancients in its signature have used the signs of ☉, ☽,

and a square; being within wholly Gold and Silver, if it be coagulated;

the truth of which many Experiments have demonstrated to me, made by

the Waters of gradation, as they are called; Experiments, I say, which

I have performed in small Instruments, for hitherto I could not make

them in great ones, and in a large quantity. If any young man shall

have a desire to try the same, let him in the first place beware that

he use not corrosive and eating waters, and by this means render the

Argent-vive more fugacious.

It behoveth that he seek and know true sulphur, which if it shall be

red, he shall also bind it with a red bond; but if white, he shall

preserve its colour constant, and bind it with a white bond; otherwise

it is wont to vanish in fume.

These few things I could not pass by, but signifie to the studious

of the Divine Signature of Metals and Planets. Let every one occupy

the powers of his Ingeny in the exercise of this Science, that he may

become expert in the wonders of things, especially of those which lie

hid in the words or names imposed upon things signed by the Ancients,

who have found out great Secrets, as well Celestial as Terrestrial,

and have comprehended them in those. Some such words of the Ancients

I would have interpreted here, but that in so doing I should have

divulged those things which are not vulgarly known, for which cause it

is better to pass them by in silence. He that will bend his endeavours

to so great a Science, may obtain many wonderful things; but of these

enough; it sufficeth at the present to have laid the Foundation, the

rest I leave to him, who being prompt to the study of seeking, shall

bring his mind to the acquiring of this knowledge; if he shall once

get into the right path, he will find out more than he seeketh or

desireth. Also Mountains, Woods, and Countries, by their signatures do

not only indicate the Treasures and Riches, given them by God, but are

also wont to foretell their own Fates, as their Rise, Encrease, and

Destruction. It remains, that we briefly examin, and take a short view

of the signatures of salts, with what notes or marks they are signed

by God, and also by what they signifie their natures and properties;

for without doubt, they have their signatures, and especially the

common and vulgar Salt, the which, wherefore should it not have its

signature, seeing that it is the original of all other things? There is

not found any Herb or Weed so vile, any Worm so abject, which wanteth

its marks given it by God, by which it manifesteth to us its nature and

virtues. I have above indicated the Sun by a Circle, and Salt to be

designed by a square added to it: and in the Sun and Salt all earthly

things as Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, to have the beginning and

end of their generation, propagation, and encrease; also all things

being risen from the sun and salt, to be signed by the Almighty God,

with certain signatures, from which their nature, powers, virtues,

and properties may be known; neither have I only asserted, but also

affirmed, that all the Mysteries of Languages and Words may be searched

out and known by those signs, to wit, the Circle and Quadrate.

These things are so certain and true, that they are beyond all

confutation, which I will make plain to every one, by one only

Argument, not exceeding the Capacity of a simple Boy, if the envious

Brethren of Ignorance, being lifted up by their great pride, shall

refuse to undertake it. That the Sun is conveniently and appositely

signed with a Circle, no man will deny, because it never sheweth it

self to the sight in any other figure than a round fiery Sphere, which

sign being attributed to the Sun, by the Ancients, so remaineth even to

this day.

The Ancients have also signed Salt with a square, which by the length

of time, and the negligence of men, hath vanished, so that every

one hath signed the species of salts according to his pleasure, one

in this, another in another manner; and by this occasion peculiar

Characters are invented by almost every Chymist, whence one useth not

that which another doth. But at this day among them, for the most part,

Salts are signed in the following manner. The common Kitchin Salt hath

the Character of a Circle, cut by a line transverse: Salt-petre hath a

Circle representing the form of an Egg, and cut by a line drawn from

the top to the bottom; But who was the Author of those Characters to

these Salts, I know not, neither is it much matter, whether a man know,

or not know it; but without doubt they were men who had never seen

Salts brought to their highest Purity: For vulgar salts, as they are

every where found, have not their proper figure and form which they

ought to have, and which they obtain after their cleansing: So the

vulgar and simple salt, as it is made from the Sea, or salt Fountains,

or dug out of the Earth, hath not its true and proper signature,

neither can it have, by reason of its many earthy feculencies; but

after all its fæces are removed, and it hath obtained a great purity

and cleanness, its own true signature, to wit, a square then appeareth,

and indicateth the sign which is due to it. I have already demonstrated

this to be true in my Treatise of the Nature of Salts, where I have

taught by what means every common Kitchin Salt is to be so purged, that

it shall be no longer rough, foul, obscure, and astringent, but clear

and transparent like Crystal, both in small grains, and greater pieces,

of a sweet savour, and a square or cubical figure, and which way soever

it is thrown, alwaies exhibiteth four Angles, like to a square, as if

it were formed by Art: Going forth in this most pure form, it seemeth

thus to speak to Mortals: _Here ye see my true and natural form, given

to me by the Sun my father, in the body of the Water my mother, which

the Earth indeed hath covered with a rough and vile Garment, but Art

hath again taken it off (praised be God) restoring to me my pristine

form, to the future advantage of many sick; therefore as I was created

from the beginning, so now I appear, without any impediment, to perform

those things for which I was appointed by Divine Creation_.

If the Sun in the Firmament could by any accident be so defiled and

corrupted, that he should lose his Light, it could in no wise be

that any thing in the whole World could remain alive for one day.

Which thing Experience it self sheweth us, when the Moon interposing

between the Sun and our Eyes but for one hour, depriving us of his

Rays; in which Case the Sun in no wise suffereth, nor is in any manner

corrupted, but only hindred for that little time, from transmitting

to us his vivifying Rays. Therefore if so small an Impediment in the

Orb of the Earth can cause so many Diseases, and other Incommodities

to men, why should not also the fæces obscuring Salt, eclipsing its

natural form, and rendering it more ignoble, be a detriment and

impediment to its Powers and Virtues? Let every man judge, if a gross

and impure Salt can be as commodious to all Men and Beasts, as that

which hath been restored to the highest purity of its Body.

Seeing therefore that it is the great interest of Mankind to enjoy such

a pure Salt, I have determined to prepare a quantity of it, according

to that manner of purging it, prescribed in my Treatise of the _Nature

of Salts_, that I may be able to accommodate many therewith. I have

hope, that at length the Eyes of Mortals will be opened, that they may

see how for a long time they have been seduced by blind Leaders, and

finding this, will have a greater regard to their own health. Truly

there is but a very small Labour and Cost required for the cleansing

of common Salt, to free it from its earthy fæces, and render it clear,

transparent, and in the Water of a Cubical Figure, and that without

the addition of any foreign thing, only by solution, filtration, and

coagulation of its own proper spirit.

If by these Operations you shall bring salt to its highest purity, you

may boldly assert, that you have acquired such a salt as the pure Sun

operated in the pure Water at the beginning; when the Sun, seated in

the height of the Firmament, would very freely perform his Office, yet

being hindered by gross and turbid Clouds, interposing between him and

the Earth, whereby he cannot render us partakers of his all-warming

Rays, we ought not to impute the fault to the sun, inasmuch as he is

not in fault, but rather to those thick and dark Clouds, which hinder

us of his splendour and efficacy.

So also is it with Salt, which would freely exercise the Gift bestowed

upon it by the Almighty Creator, were it not hindred by its terrestrial

fæces; therefore this impediment is not to be attributed to salt, but

to the intervening fæces, which hinder its salutary virtues. If it were

in our power to remove those thick Clouds from the sun at our pleasure,

as it is to separate the earthy fæces from Salt, we might every year

make our selves a very commodious Summer, which nevertheless cannot be

done, seeing that God the great _Pater familias_, hath reserved this

alone to His own Power.

As for the signature of Salt-petre, that certainly is very unequal,

by reason of the great diversity of this Salt, arising hence, that

it is well or ill purged, is defiled with more or fewer fæces, or

other strange salts. The Common, which is required for the making of

Gun-powder, is never perfectly pure, but alwaies mixed with other

Salts, which cannot be separated from it by the accustomed and usual

manner of solution and coagulation: Hence also you shall find no

salt-petre, which can have that true and genuine signature, which God

and Nature hath given it.

For by whatsoever vulgar labour and pains the Salt-petre which is

got out of Stables, is purged by Solution and Coagulation, it is yet

impossible that it should obtain its due cleanness and signature. But

to acquire that, it behoveth to use the following Operation.

First, some pounds of Salt-petre are to be taken, which are to be

purged by Solution and Coagulation, and that to be so of ten repeated,

untill it acquire that purity which it is wont to admit by this

vulgar Operation. Being so cleansed, it is to be divided into two

equal parts, and one of them to be mixed with white Potters-earth (or

Tabaco-pipe-clay) of which little Balls are to be formed, to be dried

in the Sun, and put into a Glass Retort well coated, or an Earthen

one which will hold the spirits, that the pure spirit of Nitre may

be Elicited by Distilation, and received in a large Glass adjoyned

to the Retort, containing some Water, into which the spirit entreth

freely. The other part of the cleansed Salt-petre, being put into a

Crucible, is to be reduced into a fiery fixed Salt, by the casting

in of Charcoal, Tartar, or the Stellate Regulus of Antimony, then

to be dissolved in rain Water, and filtred through brown Paper: So

much only of this Liquor of fixed Nitre, is to be poured drop by drop

to the distilled Spirit of Nitre as will suffice for the fixing it.

This Operation stirreth up a great noise, hissing and bubling, which

ceasing, admonisheth to leave off pouring in any more, and indicateth

that those two contrary Natures, to wit, the acid spirit, and fixed

liquor of Nitre have mutually satiated one another, and the corrosive

spirit hath lost its corrosive nature, and the fixed fiery liquor its

fiery quality, both returning to the pristine nature of Salt-petre.

From this liquor, the Glass being imposed in sand, the unprofitable

Phlegm is to be distilled off so long untill a Cuticula or thin skin

appear at the top of the matter, the sand being cold, the glass is to

be taken out, and set in a cold place, and let stand for one night to

shoot into long and sharp Chrystals, to be freed from the rest of the

liquor, by pouring it off. This liquor is again to be freed from its

unprofitable Phlegm by distillation, and again to be exposed to the

cold to Chrystallise. Whatsoever shall remain after every Operation,

is again to be Evaporated in sand, till the Cuticle appear, and to

be reduced to Chrystals in the cold, which Chrystals may be used as

common Salt-petre. The Chrystals of the two first Operations, are once

more to be dissolved in Rain Water, Filtred, Evaporated and again

Chrystallised, which are now white as snow, and extend themselves into

length, thin, sexangular, and so equal, as if they were smoothed with

a Plain: For not the least roughness or unevenness is to be seen in

their superficies, but they Exhibit the true and natural signature of

Salt-petre. If any one shall be desirous of bringing this Salt yet

to a higher purity, he may again divide this purified Salt into two

parts, and from one draw the Corrosive spirit by distillation, and fix

the other with Coals, and destroy both by Commixion, repeating the

Operations as we have already taught, he will prepare a Salt-petre

far more Excellent as well in Chymical as Medicinal Operations, as is

manifest in many places of my writings.

If you Operate rightly all the Chrystals, none excepted, will be

straight, sexangular, and equal in length, without any roughness, or

unevenness, which is the true and genuine signature of well purged

Salt-petre.

NB. The fixed liquor of Nitre, being left in the Air for a long

time, and afterwards Evaporated to a Cuticle, shooteth into small

Chrystals, representing the Effigies of Stars, whose figure appeareth

in a rotundity so neatly and pleasantly Constituted, that those six

Rays proceeding from the little body in the center or middle, seem

to be most exactly disposed and distributed to an equal distance and

length, as in a circle. Truly it is an admirable and stupendious work

of Nature, and a signature very unlike to the former, in as much as the

six Angles of this, are comprehended after a Circular manner, but in

the other they extend themselves only in length and sharpness. Those

things which we have here delivered concerning the true signature of

common Salt, and Salt-petre, the same are also to be understood of the

signature of other Salts, which must be free from all their sordes and

fæces, before they can shew forth their true signature.

Vitriol and Alum, which always shoot in a knotty and uneven Figure,

after they have laid aside their defilements, exhibit clear and

pellucid Chrystals, which yet will be much clearer it purged by several

Operations. Yea, being reduced to their highest purity, they put on a

Cubical figure like common Salt, nevertheless in Elegancy, Beauty and

Pleasantness, giving place to that. Hence it is manifest, that nature

is always ready for the gracing and adorning of her own fruit, if a

helping Hand be afforded her by Art.

Before I put an end to this Treatise of the signature of Salts, I think

it fit to point out in what degrees of Dignity, those two Words _Sol_

and _Sal_ differ, and are distinguished.

The word _Sol_, containeth two Circles and the half part of a square,

O. is a whole Circle; S. hath two semicircles, which being conjoined,

make an entire Circle; this being cut in the middle, and the half of

the section turned upwards, towards the right hand, and the other half

downwards, towards the left; giveth two semicircles forming the Letter

S. L. is the half part of a square.

The word _Sal_ hath only one Circle, to wit, the Letter S. consisting

of two semicircles: Also one square, constituting the Letters A and

L, which argueth that the good which is in Salt is partly tempered

with the other Elements, and partly combined with Earth. The Sun far

exceedeth Salt in purity, nevertheless it is not absolutely perfect

because the Letter L containeth the half of a square, which sheweth

that it cannot be endowed with an absolute and perfect purity, neither

is it as Telescopes at this day demonstrate, by whose help those

solar spots have been observed in those times. Neither also ought it

to have an absolute perfection, the which belongs only to God, and

not to any creature, in the number of which is the Sun: Nevertheless

that he is the purest of all creatures, there is no Man dare deny.

Hence it came to pass, that the ignorant Heathens, attributed to the

Sun Divine Honour, thinking that besides the created, there was as

yet another uncreated Sun; That is, the Omnipotent God himself, the

Creator of the Elementary and shining Sun, which according to the Words

of Christ shall also perish at the end of the World. By a like reason

there is a twofold Salt, _viz._ one Eternal, Divine and Celestial;

the other Terrestrial and fading. And as the Holy Spirit proceedeth

from the Eternal Light, and Divine and Celestial Salt, for the warming

and enlightening the Hearts of Men involved in darkness and for the

defending our souls against the crafts and deceits of Satan; so also

from the Elementary Sun or Fire, and the Terrestrial Salt, proceedeth

that most noble saline spirit for the strengthening of humane Bodies,

defending them against various Diseases, and preserving them in good

Health. Therefore there is an Eternal and Divine _Sol_, a Celestial

_Sal_ and Holy Spirit; and also an Elementary, frail Sun, Salt and

Spirit. But it is our Duty to Love, Praise, Honor, and Adore the

Eternal Sun, and to him to commend the health of our souls. And to

use and enjoy temporal and fading things for our necessities, with

thanksgiving.

_The Explication of the Word_ ἄλς _or_ Sal, _by_ Bernhardus

Gomesius.

But before we undertake to expound such excellent places, it behoveth

us to invoke the divine Being; that, that which cannot be fore-known by

any Augury and Divination, we not erring, but being led by the Divine

inspiration and instinct, may at length expound; seeing that in the

treating of things so Divine and unspeakable (that being wanting) if

we should erre, in might be unpardonable, but if we shall piously and

happily prosecute the matter, universal thanks and praise may be given

to God alone, and to Christ the great giver of Salt. First, therefore

we are to shew what the Celestial Salt is, and by what means it may

be distinguished from the Terrestrial Salt, of which Christ speaketh

in the Gospel. And because the Evangelical Words of Christ will be of

great force to us in the speaking of it: And seeing that Christ when

he would grace the Apostles with a high Title, called them the Salt of

the earth: we think it not improper to call him the pure and undefiled

salt of Heaven. For there is scarce any thing of so many preparations

of an inferiour nature which excels the (as it were) Divine strength

and efficacy of Salt in this part: For Christ and his blessed Humanity

is the only Salt that is placed upon the Table of the Blessed. In whom

Salt is the fullness of his infinite, inexhausted, and neverending

divinity; which abundantly filleth both Heaven and Earth and all things

therein; and then again making himself palatable to us, he exhibits

himself to be tasted most sweetly by all Men. For from that all things

that are, and ever were and that shall be hereafter, have both received

their being, and are made perfect, and without it could not be, for his

Divine seasoning, or become palatable to the seasoner.

So this salt endeavours to express his, in whose name are both in

Greek and Latin three Letters in one syllable; or rather to adumbrate

this one and the same Divinity common to the three Persons. For tho’

the Divine mystery and sacred things are shut up in Letters chiefly

with the _Chaldees_ and _Hebrews_, because GOD spake by them: Yet they

don’t always want the Elements of the tongues, especially the _Greek_,

which was both derived from them, and words construed from these things

are not imposed from their power but from their propriety, as _Plato_

the greatest of the _Greeks_ supposes; For that the divine infinity

and Immensity is exprest and explicated in Greek letters, is shewn in

the _Apocalyps_, Cap. 1. where _John_ saw and heard our Lord Christ

preaching of himself, I am α and ω, the Beginning and the End.

For as the sun, when it lightly touches with its perspicuous light, by

that its image and splendour it is forthwith given: So the Heavenly and

Infinite Divinity, with all Goodness, as it were His Brightness, does

not only leave His imprest Image in the things themselves, but also in

Letters, with which those things are enlightened and made perspicuous.

The like we have found in Salt, design’d in Greek notes; for that which

in Latin is called _Sal_, in Greek is called ἄλς, express’d by the same

Letters, though chang’d in order, and extended in three Letters, but

one Syllable; but the Greek word expresseth both more plainly.

For the first Letter of it is α, which by its infinite roundness, as

with two Horns, seems to be brought into the following Letters; which

note plac’d with the Holy and Divine Trinity, signifies the first

Person of it, to wit the Immense Father: Who as άλΦα, is an infinite

beginning in himself; so the same pours out and infinitely communicates

his Nature to other two Divine Persons proceeding from himself: in one

of which by Generation the Son; but in the other by inspiration he

produces the Holy Ghost. And further, the α shews it self, its certain

divine Operation follows that Eternal, Infinite and never ending Power

of the same Mighty Father, which also he sometime pour’d out from his

Almighty Infinity, to procreate the Universe. As also in two horns, I

mean Benedictions one is found to be in Creatures by the Creation of

things; and the other in their Preservation; both by the Wisdom of the

Omnipotent Son, and by the Goodness of the Holy Spirit.

But the middle Letter λ, is a Note full of sweetness: which is

expressed with a Face, round, and composed for Mirth; and its Figure is

not unlike a Circle. For from the superior Angle two sides stretching

backwards, seem to make a Triangle, yet without a base and without end,

as the Letter it self expresses. Which note again relates to the same

Trinity, and represents the second Person of it, to wit the Son, or

Word proceeding out of the most sweet Mouth of the Father: In which,

two eternal Relations, as they call ’em, as to Infinite sides, are

found: the one whereby he relates to the Father, from whom he proceeds

by his eternal Generation; the other whereby he is Related to the Holy

Ghost, whom he breaths together with the Father by an eternal and

infinite habitude, and without any intermission.

But this note λ, I mean Christ the Son of GOD, and Mediator between GOD

and Man, is never when time presents, wanting in his most beneficent

Actions: that he who had taken the Human nature to the Divine, and was

made the Corner stone, might (as he has done) connect the two Walls,

to wit the _Israelites_ and _Gentiles_ as two sides, when he built in

himself a strong and safe Sanctuary for them both, that flying to Him,

they might escape the fearful sentence of everlasting damnation.

Lastly, the Letter ς, concludes this Monosyllable. This note is

design’d with a certain sinuous and Circumflext line drawn from hence

and thence, which going from the two extreams in the middle, designs

as it were two distinct semi-circles; out of which is shewn that they

are made and constituted. Which lineament compar’d with the Trinity

it self, adumbrates the third Divine Person, to wit the Holy Ghost.

For that spirit proceeding out of the Bosom of both the Father and of

the Son, by one and the same Inspiration, so knits those two distinct

Persons, to whom he is co-equal and co-eternal, by an Infinite tie of

Love, that he remaining a distinct Person, might agree with them in

their most simple, individual, and immense nature.

But as to the other Persons, so also his Communication is attributed to

the Holy Ghost in time; which is wonderfully expressed by the shape of

this Letter ς: Yet if we consider its lower extream, which seems as it

were to arise of the former Letters of the Monosyllable, that is how it

comes to be stretch’d chiefly towards the right hand: then from right

to left, is wrested a little by ascending by a sinuous derivation: and

thence at last, with the like following obliquity it ends again on the

right hand. For the same Holy spirit proceeding from those two eternal

and infinite Persons, as from an immense Fountain of Infinity, whilest

from time to time he communicates his Gifts to the World, first those

on his right hand, that is into the hearts of Men, he pours out to them

that are illustrated and endued with the Divine Light of Nature: Then

the same Light remaining, as it were bending from the right, ascending

a little to the left, he brought forth the Mosaick Law written with the

Finger of God, that is Dictated by him to the _Israelites_. Lastly,

leaving the Mosaical Law on the left, he return’d to the right hand,

and season’d the Evangelical Law deliver’d by Christ our Saviour, with

his most Wise and Loving salt of Grace.

From all which, that which pertains to the business, appears from those

three Letters of _Sal_, making one Syllable; and again, this unfolding

it self in those three Letters, shews us, that there is in _Sal_ a

certain impress or image of the sacred and Individual Trinity, which

we worship, Three in One, and One in Three. Which Trinity we should

have had, as an infinite, eternal, and inexpressible thing, commonly

unknown, and incomprehensible, and as a most remote Salt, never

heretofore put into an humane or Angelick Saltseller, we should have

left untouch’d; unless at length the Divine Person of this Trinity,

the Word, in taking the Humanity to himself, as it were Salt into a

Saltseller, had presented to our taste so much Divinity; for this very

Saltseller, both in figure, is covered with the eternal splendour of

the Father, as also pointed and illustrated with the embroidered Notes

of His Passion and likewise adorned with the Unction of the Holy Spirit

is alwaies placed upon the Heavenly Table of the Blessed, to season

their Food and solemn Banquets, after an eternal and ineffable manner;

for in him all divine, and most sweet relishes and excellent tastes

of His eternal Wisdom are season’d anew; for Christ Himself is not

only the Heavenly and most Wise seasoner of the most opulent Feast,

but also the very seasoning, and thing seasoned, and the Food which

is so placed; for by Him his Heavenly Father, the King of kings, and

magnificent Lord of lords, who out of His Goodness, and as He loves His

good things, gives most liberally to all People a very large measure

of Salt, that is, the help of His Grace to seek Him, and ask of Him

Heavenly things.

True, that they who are called to the Heavenly Banquet may prepare

themselves to come in this measure, and most happily sit down in it;

but if (like fools) they refuse to come, the Measure being taken from

them, they will be plung’d into eternal punishment. In which respect

they may be likened to Flesh and Bones put into a Pot together, and

water and salt put to them, hung over the fire to boil, and afterwards

brought to the Table: Of which the Bones, which will be neither

seasoned by salt, nor softened by water, are thrown under the Table, to

be broken by Doggs; but the Flesh, because it is made tender by heat

and water, and takes the seasoning, is again sprinkled with a purer

salt on the Table, and eaten with the greatest pleasure: For as Bones

are to Flesh, so are Evil men mingled with Good: Of which these, when

they will neither relish the Salt of Divine Grace, nor be washed nor

softened by pure Water, nor warmed by the heat of the Heavenly Word

to be willing to divine things, will by the severe Judgment of the

great Taster Christ, at his magnificent Table, be reserved to the most

exquisite punishments: Which obstinate and unseason’d Fools, He, for

their hardness, finding unworthy his heavenly Table, plucks out from

among the Righteous, and throws ’em down into Hell, there to be torn in

pieces and devoured by those infernal Dogs, to all Eternity.

But the Good, who have been seasoned not only with the former, but

also the later Salt, I mean with antecedent (as we say) and consequent

Grace, and are not only adorned with Virtue, but have suffer’d all

crosses and afflictions of this Life for Christ: These, as Flesh

worthy His Table, the divine Taster offering to God the Father, He

seasons with the new Salt of Glory; and though Aliens and Strangers,

places them among the Angels and Citizens of Heaven, and with these

Commands an equal Mansion of Blessedness to be given to them, though

nevertheless they both come to the same felicity, by a different way

of meriting it. For from what those above Angelical Citizens, from the

very beginning of things, and since first a full desire seiz’d them,

they have preferred the Heavenly Suppers of Christ to the mid-day

Dinners of the most insolent _Lucifer_; they have deserved to follow

those Oppipary, and (as they call ’em) Princely Banquets seasoned with

the most sweet Salt of Grace, and made resplendent with the shining

light of glory.

But the Inhabitants of the Earth, and Men, strangers of Heaven, opprest

by the great weight of a Body, and involved in the thick darkness,

have made so long a Journey to the Country, by a far more tedious

way of travelling; for the Universal occasion of desert is not to be

snatch’d by those in the Journey of Life it self, and those under

the terminative moment following the Creation; but they ought rather

studiously and laboriously to take this by a continual and daily period

of life, even to their death: Besides that, the Journey to the Country

is so hard and wearisome, and exposed to so many dangers, brings so

many anxieties upon strangers every where, leads them into so much

anguish of mind and troublesome solicitudes, that it is plain, that not

humane ability, but divine grace must cause, that strangers are not

deficient in the way, or that they do not wander from the true scope or

end of their Journey: Which would be the fortune of every one in the

World, unless Christ, by divine Counsel constituted the _Parochian_ of

the whole World, who giveth to his strangers every where Salt and Wood,

doth recreate and refresh them, and also lead them into the way that

directs to the same Heavenly Country.

This may suffice to be spoken of the signature of _Salts_, _Metals_,

and _Planets_, at this time. He that diligently weighs it, will search

Nature deeply enough: If God grant me life, I shall publish a Tract of

the _Signatures of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals_; also in which I

shall deliver many things good and profitable for all sorts of Men.

* * * * *

_O Eternal, Almighty, Bountiful, and Merciful GOD and Father, the Heat,

Light, and Sun of Justice, enlighten and warm the hearts of all men,

overwhelmed with a sleepy numbness, shadowed with thick darkness, and

made rigid by an horrid coldness, that they may see, know, love, and

fear thee, and give thee due Thanks and Praises for all thy Benefits,

and at last awakened, they may receive that sight they had before lost._

* * * * *

_O Eternal Word of God, most sweet, wholsom, and palatable Salt, Jesus

Christ, recreate and refresh our sick and miserable souls, by thy

Divine Virtue and Efficacy, that we being corroborated, neither Death

nor the Devil may hurt us._

* * * * *

_O Holy Ghost, the only Leader to Truth, who proceedest from the

Eternal Fire and Heavenly Salt, comfort all the sudden and desarted

Sheep, wandering this poison’d Marsh and Valley of Miseries, among

devouring Wolves, and corroborate them, that they may patiently endure

their Cross; and hereafter separate them from the stinking Goats, and

bring all the Elect into the green and heavenly Pastures, that there

they may continually behold the eternal Light, taste the heavenly Salt,

and enjoy the =fulness of Joy=, Peace, Grace, and Mercy for ever._

Amen.

THE

CONSOLATION

OF

NAVIGATORS.