Dissolve thou vitriol in common water, and pour on the vitriol
dissolved, a littled of dissolved Lead, and stir both solutions by
frequent motions, that the Lead may attract the Gold out of the
vitriol, to be dried and separated by a Cupel, which will remain like a
grain of greater or lesser quantity, as the vitriol shall contain more
or less of the same.
Of the vitriolated water out of which the Gold was extracted, thou
shalt again make vitriol by so long boiling, and evaporating till a
thin skin appear, which being then exposed to the cold will shoot into
Crystals. But this operation brings with it more profit, if it be not
now boiled up into Crystals, but that vitriol onely be taken which is
drawn out of its Mineral into Water, and after the extraction of the
Gold, is at length boiled up into vitriol.
But least this fishing of Gold out of vitriol should seem wonderfull
unto any, we will shew a way, whereby Gold may be extracted out of Sea
Water, or Sea Salt, the solution of Lead assisting: The manner is as
followeth.
LIII. _After what manner Gold is to be extracted out of Sea Salt,
or Sea Water, not indeed with profit, but onely that it may be
demonstrated, that Gold is hidden even in Sea Water or Sea Salt._
Fill a great Copper Kettle with Sea Water, and pour thereon a little
dissolved Lead; the which goes to the bottom because it cannot indure
Salt, and is straightway precipitated into a white powder, move and
stir the water in the Kettle often, that the solution of Lead may every
where touch the Sea-Salt-Water.
Through this action, a spiritual Gold adheres to the leaden powder, and
sinks to the bottom together with it, which powder being freed from its
Salt by common Water, and dried, and melted in a Cupel, leaves a small
grain of Gold, as a remainder.
_N. B._ For this fishing Silver is more fit than Lead.
LIV. _How, out of poor Mines of Copper, from which no profit can be
perceived, Copper, as also Gold it self if it be present, is to
be easily and without costs, extracted and separated._
The sandy or sulphurous Mine or Mineral of Copper is to be roasted or
calcined, by burning even to the consuming of the Sulphur, because
sharp waters do not assault sulphureous matters, the Mineral being
calcined and beaten into a powder, fill a gourd, and pour our solving
secret on the same, the which I have taught above at the extracting of
Minerals.
The whole dissolvent in abstracting or distilling is recovered, and
that indeed not without increase. But the Copper and Silver do stick
fast in the dissolved Salt, which remained in the Mineral after the
abstraction, and the which is to be washed out with water, out of which
water, which drew out that Salt, the Gold contained therein, may by the
solution of Lead or Silver, be drawn forth.
But if the same water be boiled untill a thin skin appear at the top,
and exposed to the cold, it will shoot into a green vitriol, but for
the extracting the Copper out of the Salt-Water, Rods of Iron are to
be put therein, which do attract the Copper, the which being withdrawn
and washed clean, and melted into Copper by fusion, is administred for
other uses: For because it is like to a tender and filed powder, it is
changed by an easie business into Verdi-grease, after the manner which
shall by and by be taught.
LV. _After what manner Gold may by an easie business by Fire and
Salt, be separated out of Copper._
If Gold shall be mixed with a mass or lump of Copper, all the Copper is
to be reduced in a bright burning Fire into Ashes: and the Ashes are
to be infused in our secret _Aceum_ or Vinegar, the which dissolveth
the Copper onely by decoction, and leaveth the Gold undissolved, like a
shining powder, to be dried and melted with Borace, out of which Gold
of twenty three Caracts proceedeth.
That Vinegar, our secret _Aceum_, draws all the Copper from the golden
_Calx_. The Copper is separated from the Vinegar by Rods of Iron, being
laid therein as we have taught in the foregoing manner.
LVI. _How Copper being extracted out of vitriolated Water, and
adhering to Rods of Iron, is to be changed into Verdi-grease._
This pure Copper may be moistened with the strongest Vinegar, and put
into earthen Pots, the which being covered with its Cover well fenced
with Clay, are to be placed in Horse dung, and to be left therein for
a time, yet so as that the heap of Dung be sometimes renewed. All the
Copper is in a short time changed into Verdi-grease, and indeed far
more pure than that which is set forth to Sale in the Shops, and which
is made in _Spain_, by the husks or pressed out of clusters of Grapes.
_N. B._ In extracting Copper out of Mines, regard is to be had unto
this thing, to wit, that with poor and wild or course veins of Copper,
_Lapis Calaminaris_, or _Zink_ is sometimes found to be admixed; which
is no ways perceived to be in them. But if those Minerals are extracted
with _Aq. Regis_, and this be to be taken away by Distillation, none of
the _Aq. Regis_ goes forth, but onely a flegm without savour, because
the _Lapis Calaminaris_ or _Zink_ doth retain all the Acrimony with it,
just as if those two Minerals should say to the _Aq. Regis_, we do not
as yet let thee go, because as yet, we have need of thy indeavour for
our amendment, _&c._
But it is certain that whatsoever Minerals and Metals do retain with
them sharp spirits, are as yet immature, and may be ripened by those
spirits, that they may bestow Gold and Silver, as hath been already
said, and shall as yet more largely be spoken to.
LVII. _Out of wild or course Minerals, or veins of Lead, admitting
of no melting, out of which no good Lead, much less Gold or
Silver, can be drawn, how to extract not onely Lead, but also
Gold and Silver with profit._
As we have said above, that some Minerals or Veins of Copper do appear
in Mines, the which by reason of _Lapis Calaminaris_ or _Zink_ do
refuse all melting, and can be by no fire reduced: So also we here
admonish, that Minerals of Lead are found, the which do indeed contain
much Lead, but by reason of the _Lapis Calaminaris_, _Zink_, and a
sulphureous Sand being admixed with them, they cannot be overcome by
any melting, for these matters do take away a ready flowing from the
Lead, and do cause that such Minerals, which for the most part together
with Lead, do also hide not a little of Gold and Silver, are cast away
as altogether unfit, and unprofitable, whenas notwithstanding very much
profit might be received from them after this manner.
Let the Mineral by pounding be broken in small pieces, and in my little
secret Furnace which I have fitted for the calcining of Minerals, let
it be roasted with bright burning Coals, that the gross Sulphur may
conceive a flame, and burn. If in time of operation the matter should
gather it self into heaps or knobs, and in co-heaping should make round
Pellets, it being taken out of the Furnace, let it again be beaten,
be set upon live Coals and roasted, and these labours be so often
repeated, untill all the Sulphur shall be consumed, and the Mineral
doth no longer co-heap it self into knobs, but being made bright
burning hot like dead ashes; it no longer sends forth a sulphureous
stink. At length out of these ashes being well washed, a dead and
unprofitable matter separates its self from the good and metallick
earth, the which being melted by it self in a Furnace called by the
_Germans_ _Stichofen_, becomes a flowable Lead which containeth Gold
and Silver.
But if the Mineral be so stubborn that it altogether refusing all
melting, could not by it self be reduced, and nevertheless contain
Gold and Silver, something of Litharge is to be added to that metallick
earth, which procures a flux unto it, and yields that Gold and Silver
bearing Lead, which by the common operation wholly refuseth to offer it
self.
LVIII. _Another way teaching by the help of Salt and Fire to draw
Silver and Gold with great profit, out of all stubborn or rude
and untamed metallick earths, in whose Veins Lead, Copper,
Gravel, or course Sands, Iron, or =Lapis Calaminaris= have for
the most part conjoyned in Society, and which do deny all profit
by vulgar operations._
As Fire burns up every gross and combustible Sulphur in Mines or
Minerals, that these do at length subject themselves unto melting, and
do render Metals easie to be hammered: so also Salt fixeth, and makes
constant whatsoever volatile body endeavours to flie away into the air,
that it may afford a ripened, melted, and profitable Metal. For that
cause such Minerals common Salt being added as was abovesaid, are to
be roasted in live Coals, that that devouring gross Sulphur may vanish
by burning with a flame, and that together also the Metal it self may
be promoted to maturity, and so that by this very thing, good Gold and
Silver may be separated, whenas notwithstanding otherwise, not any one
should obtain so much as the least thereof out of these very Minerals.
Such an amendment and changing the more imperfect Metals into the more
perfect ones, may be attained by the help of Salt and Fire.
If therefore common Salt and gross Fire are able to perform this in
Minerals, what shall not these, not common but secret Fires of Salts
effect, in trans-changing Metals already pure, into more pure and
subtile ones?
LIX. _After what manner Metals are to be amended by pure Fire, or
the fiery spirits of Salts._
It may easily be perceived if a gross Salt and Fire do some good to
more gross Metals, that also a more pure Fire and Salt may do more
good on purer Metals. Instruments whose edges are made very sharp by
whetting, are far more fit for operation than those that are dull, and
will perform more. By how much the sharper an Auger or Wimble is, by
so much the sooner it boareth thorough the Wood, and on the contrary,
by how much the more blunt it is, by so much the slower it pierceth
thorough.
He that is earnestly desirous to obtain any good in the amendment of
Metals, he must of necessity apply the subtile and strong spirits of
Salts, that he may destroy Metals with the same, may kill them, and
reduce them unto their former life, and so may procure more noble
bodies unto them. When their former body is restored to those moist
and cold Fires of Salts, to wit, that they may return unto the form of
Salt, but of a more noble and subtile one, Metals may far more speedily
be destroyed; a double Fire performs more than a single one, since
therefore Salt is by it self no other thing but a meer and con-centred
Fire, and the Fire of Wood or Coals joyning it self with the other
a greater efficacy must needs be expected from them than by common
Fire alone, but we have hitherto made mention of such operations,
and therefore its needless here to repeat them. From what hath been
hitherto said, every Chymist may gather and learn those things which
concern the amendment of Metals, wanting the help of Salt and Fire;
more God willing shall follow.
LX. _Let us now ascend higher, and demonstrate what incredible
miracles or wonders our secret Fires of Salts may effect nigh to
that great work of Philosophers._
As in the foregoing Chapters it hath been sufficiently confirmed,
that unripe Metals may by the help of Fire and Salt, be particularly
promoted to a more perfect maturity: So also in the multiplying of
Animals and Vegetables, that thing evidently appeareth; to wit, if
sufficient meat and drink be administred to any Infant, that he groweth
dayly in bigness, and strength of body, untill he come to the age
and perfection of a Man. The same multiplying in Vegetables offers
it self to our view, in that a small seed or root do snatch to them
their nourishment from an earthly Salt; and the beams of the Sun, and
do rise up into a perfect, great, and fruitfull Tree. This particular
transmutation is conversant before our eyes, and therefore is a thing
most known, but after what sort the most noble part or purest essence
is to be extracted out of the bodies of Vegetables, Minerals, and
Animals, that other more weak bodies may be strengthned and amended by
the same Philosophers have always hidden and covered with the greatest
endeavour. Hence it is, that there hath been very few, and as yet are,
who have had the knowledge of this highest Science.
As to what therefore belongs to the great work of the Philosophers, all
the Philosophers do in their writings with one accord affirm, the which
I do also in all my writings affirm to be most true, and do as it were
shew with my Fingers, to wit, that nothing in the nature of things doth
effect a Tincture and Tinge with a most gratefull colour, but Sulphur
alone, and that one onely, and that this same combustible immature and
volatile Sulphur is fixed and changed by the operation and help of
Salts into a true Tincture, the which is as certain as that which is
most certain, and yet laborious also, and requiring a space of time
long enough, especially if any one doth insist in a moist way. The way
of coming unto the end of such a work as I think, yet with the safety
of others judgment, this is the best, if any one bind or fix such a
Sulphur, which was already brought unto a perfect maturity by nature,
they might bring this profit with it, that it should not require a
longer time for its maturity.
But such a fixed and tinged Sulphur, is no where more nearly found
than in Metals, and especially in Copper and Iron, but the better and
more pure in Gold; the finding out whereof notwithstanding (by reason
of its most firm and intimate conjunction with its body, as also its
separation) hath been always esteemed almost impossible. For unto
diligent searchers, a true separator which might separate the pure part
from the impure, hath for the most part every where been wanting.
For as it is known such a hard or compacted metallick body, can very
difficultly be separated and divided into its parts.
The solution of sharp waters, sups up indeed every Metal, but it
effects no separation. For because Metals are Homo-geneal things, and
the metallick Sulphur is so strictly bound to its metallick mercury, by
the bond of the metallick Salt, it can never be brought to pass, that
by such solutions, or by precipitatings, or by other ways, one part
should be separated from the other.
If a Metal being dissolved by a water be precipitated all its parts
being so mixed as they were before its dissolution do fall down and
settle, and admit of no separation. But if any one would also render
Metals spiritual, that so the more pure parts might be disjoyned from
the more impure ones by distillation, yet there is no separation
made, but the more pure body it self ascends, and again as before, it
consisteth of three principles, performing indeed more in Alchymy and
in Medicine than the more gross bodies of Metals, but is unfit for a
true Tincture, because nothing operates in all bodies, but a lively
Soul, and that which vivifies or quickens other dead bodies, for it is
the spirit, as Christ saith, which quickneth, the body is unprofitable.
Let man, or any other living creature be for an example, the which as
long as it lives, it moves it self and operates as long as the spirit,
the Authour of Life is present with it; but that vanishing away the
body wants all motion, and remains a dead Carcass. If now it could
be brought to pass, that we could lay hold of such Animal Spirits,
and could render them corporal ones, we might also perform incredible
things by the same, and perhaps fashion or form a living creature of a
lump of earth, the which notwithstanding God hath reserved to his own
self. But this that bountifull Father hath granted unto us, that out of
unmoveable subjects, or those wanting a moveable and animal life, we
may extract their pure Souls or Essences, and render them corporal, and
effect thereby things of great moment in Medicine and Alchymy.
But the souls of Metals do excell herein, as being more fixed and
constant than the essences of vegetables, but they are far more
difficultly attained. For the souls of vegetables do suffer themselves
to be easily extracted, but the colours and souls of Metals do hardly
admit of extraction, and for that cause are accounted of by the
ignorant for a thing impossible to be done, nor indeed is it altogether
without some cause; for the separation of the tinging soul from the
hard metallick body is a thing of great moment: many are the ways
that have been attempted for the procuring of this Sulphur; and some
ignorant fellows have written Books, of the acquiring or getting of the
same, whereas ’tis evident that they never saw such a Sulphur.
The most learned and most witty _Helmont_ wrote egregiously concerning
this Sulphur; but yet not so clearly as that any one could out of those
his writings get a perfect knowledge of the same. Nor indeed is it
expedient that such kind of Pearls should be cast under the feet of
swinish Men. There is no Writer (as far as I know) that hath mentioned
any thing concerning this matter, clearer than _Isaac Holland_ in
his _Ch. De Amausis_, where he teacheth, that he who hath gotten the
art of changing Metals into transparent Glasses with their peculiar
colours, hath purchased a notable secret in Metallick affairs. He
alludes (by way of likeness) to the bodies of Men brought to a clarity
or brightness after this life, and thus declares his Doctrine and
says; The souls of Metals do shine forth through their _Amausa_’s, or
clarified bodies, clad in their proper colours, even as the Souls of
Men shall hereafter shine in the other World, from [or through] their
clarified bodies. And further he saith, that when such _Amausa_’s [or
Glasses] are reduced into their former bodies; then the _Amausa_’s of
Copper and Iron become fixt, that of Silver becomes Gold, and that of
Gold becomes Tincture. The Said Authour hath not clearly expressed the
manner of accomplishing this, but in my opinion (without prescribing
ought to any one) this is the nearest way of attaining to such an
operation, _viz._ of getting the souls, or the pure Sulphurs of Metals,
_viz._ If the Metals be first reduced into _Amausa_’s, or transparent
Glasses, out of which their souls are easier extractable than out
of their gross bodies. But now, for such an extraction here is such
a _menstruum_ required as doth not work upon all the whole body, or
dissolve it, but doth onely attract there out of the colour and purest
Sulphur, and leaves the body behind white. But where shall we find
the description of such a _menstruum_? none speak of it openly, but
many mention it obscurely; nor indeed is it so necessary that such an
_Arcanum_ of so great moment be manifested to every one.
But however, this in brief you are to be admonished of, that like
draws its like and extracts it. If a mercuriality be to be extracted
out of the metallick masses [or bodies,] then ’tis expedient to use a
mercurial _menstruum_, for like rejoyceth in its like. So sulphureous
essences are extractable by sulphureous _menstruums_, and not by
mercurial ones. For Water doth willingly associate it self with Water,
and Oyl with Oyls. And forasmuch as all the Philosophers write that
the Sulphur or tinging Soul in Iron and Copper, doth as to goodness
and nobleness equalize the Sulphur in Gold, it will be needless (in my
opinion) to take Gold, but to bring Iron and Copper to that pass, that
they may become transparent Glasses, from which their colours may be
extracted. But if so be that any one is minded to prefer Gold before
these, and to extract the tincture hence from, he may do as he pleases,
and will find in many places of my writings a manuduction, [directing
him] to the transmutation of Gold, (and so of the other Metals too)
into transparent bodies, which thing is highly necessary. For there is
not an easier way of extracting the tincture out of Metals, than by
first reducing them into transparent _Amausa_’s. Now the _menstruum_
serving for this extracting of the Sulphurs out of the metallick bodies
is to be so prepared, that it dissolve not the body, but extract onely
the Sulphur or pure Soul there out of. Such _menstruums_ _Paracelsus_
himself makes mention of, and affirms, that with them the skie-coloured
Saphyrs, the red Rubies, and the yellow Jacynth may be so deprived of
their colours, as that there remains no more of them save onely the
white bodies. Besides, that white Crystals may (by the help of tinging
sulphureous Spirits) be died with various colours. Verily ’tis a secret
of most mighty concernment, to have the skill how to prepare such a
_menstruum_ as will penetrate the most hard Stones and most compact
Glasses to extract them, and withall to communicate to othersome
various colours, without the corrupting, breaking and destruction of
any of the bodies, the which thing seems in my opinion very likely to
be true, though as yet I know not how to do it. That which I have tryed
by my operations I can write and teach, _viz._ how all the Metals may
very easily (yet one more easily than another) be changed into fair
transparent and most delicately coloured glasses, and how out of these
glasses the pure and tinging metallick souls may be extracted, _viz._
by such _menstruums_ as are sulphureous, subtile, not dissolving, but
onely extracting.
But for as much as these kinds of _menstruums_ are not (as far as I
know) described by any one, and yet are the producers of such notable
effects; I could not omit the discovering of something concerning them,
for the sake of such as are Students in true Philosophy, and after
some sort shew that kind of extraction, which is to be accomplished
by the help of our con-centrated spirits of salt, or of our moist
Philosophical fires.
LXI. _How a vegetable subtile sulphur is to be so actuated by the
nitrous moist fire, that it may extract the fixt sulphur of
metals, or their pure tinging soul._
First of all, the oyls of the vegetables are to be exalted by
distillations, and often repeated rectifications to the highest
degree of purity and subtilty, and afterwards to be once rectified by
some con-centrated nitrous fire, that so being already of themselves
subtile, they may get a fiery vigour endued with a faculty of seizing
upon metallick sulphurs, and of extracting them out of the hard and
compact bodies. For any vegetable oyl how subtilly soever it be
prepared, hath not any power of entring into the metals, and much less
of having any ingress into their glasses, nor can it extract in the
least, though such bodies should be covered with it for a long season.
But now if an artificial operation shall have sharpenedw such an oyl
with those most subtile spirits of salts, and have rendred it more
acute and penetrative than those con-centrated spirits of the salt do
lead in the sulphur, and bestow on it a power of attracting to it self
its like.
And albeit that such con-centrated spirits do when _per se_, and alone,
wholly dissolve metallick glasses and make no separation at all, no,
nor do not extract the least particle of any sulphureous substance,
yet the case with them is vastly altered, when such fiery spirits are
artificially united with most pure sulphureous oyls; insomuch that they
bestow on them a faculty of working upon metals, and of extracting
from them a most pure sulphur; nay farther, they purchase these oyls a
capacity not onely of extracting the colours out of metals, but also
out of other things. Now we have taught at large in our second part
of Furnaces, the manner of rendring the oyls of vegetables subtile;
and as for the nitrous fire requisite to this operation, the way of
con-centrating it is to be found in this Book a little before, so that
’tis wholly needless to repeat the same things over again which have
been afore treated of. And thus far is my knowledge come, _viz._ how
(by the help of oyls animated and actuated by the aforesaid means) to
extract the most pure soul out of metallick _Amausa_’s, or those hard
and glassy subjects: But how such a sulphur is to be brought into a
tinging medicine, I (professing not my self so great a master) do not
as yet know. Neither is it at present needfull to exceed the due bounds
by so large a treating of such worthy things; for things wonderfull
may be effected by this _menstruum_ both in Medicine and Alchymy, and
in other arts, concerning which we shall (God willing) presently add
somewhat more.
And whereas I have made mention here of clarified bodies, and
con-centrated spirits; I judge it worth while also to shew what
difference there is betwixt those con-centrated spirits and clarified
bodies as the Chymists call them.
The clarified bodies therefore are nothing else save bodies purged and
mundified by the operation of the fire. For the fire is the ultimate
examiner of all things, as being endued with such a power by which
it burns up all things, reduceth them into ashes and powder, and out
of the ashes makes glass; that being the utmost or ultimate thing
whereunto all things are reduced. If therefore there be in any thing
any good, which being burnt in the fire is by fusion or melting,
turned into transparent glass, it doth manifest it self in its utmost
or ultimate essence, and shine forth in its brightness, insomuch that
every one may see what lay hidden in its life afore thus burning
it. For example, I take wood, an herb, or an animal, I burn it and
transmute it into ashes; these ashes I melt and turn into glass. Having
thus done, there appears no colour visible, for the glass is white, and
that because the sulphur is consumed in the burning; and the mercury
is fled away into the air in smoke, as being two principles which are
no ways able to resist the force of fire: But the salt, as being a
contemner of the fire remained in the earth of no efficacy.
But now a metal being by the fire turned into ashes, though part of
the sulphur and mercury hath in the combustion and vitrification flown
away into the air, yet notwithstanding the best part remains; and this
is the reason why such metallick glasses are coloured according to
the metals nature and property, and which (afore thus burning it) was
hidden. We will yet farther evidence it by an example.
If I burnt copper or iron, and reduce it into ashes, and do by melting
it turn it into glass, then the copper if _per se_ and no other thing
added unto it, yields a green glass, and the iron yields a yellow
coloured glass. But if there be made an addition, then are produced
glasses of other colours, as for example.
If I add to burn iron or _crocus martis_ the glass of lead, then the
glass made by melting will have the yellow colour of a Hyacinth. The
same _crocus martis_ being molten with common glass, made of wood-ashes
and salt; yields a greenish coloured glass which is the natural and
proper colour of the iron. For the lead altered the colour of the
former mentioned glass of the iron and made it yellow in the melting,
and so hindred it from manifesting its true and natural colour. The
glasses of two several colours being molten together do exhibit false
colours, as may be seen by co-melting a skie colour and a yellow glass,
the which being molten together yield a green colour, and doth so
represent it self both in the fire and out of it too. From hence took I
occasion to write and teach the way of finding out (by molten glasses)
what kind of metal is hidden in any mineral or metallick earth. Which
way of proving mines or minerals is far better and speedier than that
which is usually done by a decoction and exhalation of lead in the
Cupel. Thus may you mix five, six, eight or ten grains of some finely
powdered mineral, with one or two lots of Venice glass being of easie
fusion, and put the matter thus mixed in a well covered crucible, and
by melting it reduce it into glass. The colour which will be in the
said glass, will shew what metal the _minera_ contained: Lead will
yield a duskish colour, tin, a white, copper, a Sea-green; iron a
somewhat greenish, silver a yellow, and gold a skie coloured: each of
which colours is the true and internal colour of the respective metal.
Gold doth also resemble a Ruby as to colour if other colours be added
thereunto. But yet in the mean time, the skie-colour is its proper
and natural colour, and so is yellow of silver: and this is notably
agreeable with the truth, though to such as are ignorant, it seems
a thing wonderfull, for indeed such mens knowledge ends in external
things, but they are wholly ignorant of internal ones. But now the
colours of gold and silver are better and more perfectly known, if
there be added unto them some fix and white sulphur, which prevents
the gold and silver from being thoroughly reduced into their peculiar
bodies by fusion. If the _Calx_ of gold or silver be molten with Borax,
they both return into their former bodies, and do not pass into glass
any ways coloured: But that some glass of easie fusion be mixed with
those _Calx_’s, together with a little powder of flints and so molten,
then the flints will (by reason of their sulphur) hold with themselves
the gold and silver and so keep them that they admit not of fusion [or
reduction] in their whole body, but do remain in the glass with some
part of the metalline property which renders their internal colours
visible, which else would not appear to sight.
_N. B._ If you have the minera’s of gold and silver at hand and melt
them with glass, their colours will also appear, because that in the
minera’s there always is some sulphur that hinders the metal from
wholly returning into a body, so that some part of it abides in the
glass and therein shews its colour. This also is to be minded, that if
haply some minera or metallick earth contains not one metal barely, but
2 or 3 more metals, then always that metal of which the most quantity
is in the said minera doth after fusing shine in the glass beyond the
rest. As for example.
Suppose I would make tryal in the red Granates [stones] I powder some
eight or ten gr. and mix them with one lot of white Venice glass finely
powdered, and I melt them, and so turn them into glass. Now in this
transmutation the glass doth not become red, but of a delicate grass
colour, and so teacheth me what metals are hidden in those Granates,
_viz._ copper and iron, and also more of this, [_viz._ the iron] than
of the other. And though there should be some gold too, yet is it
unperceiveable because of the predominancy of the iron over the copper
and over the gold: For (in this operation) that metal onely manifests
it self to sight, which is in greater plenty therein than the rest be.
_Isaac Holland_ would by this vitrification signifie unto us, that
after this life, _viz._ when the world is consumed with fire, there
shall arise from the bodies of men reduced into ashes other clarified
bodies, and of such and such colours, according as their souls have
(either good or bad) framed, or as it were made unto themselves in this
life-time in their gross bodies. What other thing [I pray] are fair
colours, but the virtues of those subjects out of which they emit or
send forth their splendour.
Take a similitude hereof from the melting of minerals, wherein though
a mineral of silver or copper hath in it much silver or gold, yet if
the superfluous sulphur be not (before the melting the said mineral)
separated by a little as ’twere roasting fire; but be (together with
that gross sulphur,) set in a vehement melting fire, there will not
verily be any metal gotten hencefrom, but that stinking sulphur would
transmute the good metal into black Scoria’s. So likewise, no fair and
transparent glass can be (by melting) made out of pure metals, if that
kind of gross sulphur should adhere unto them.
These few things touching clarified bodies, I could not pass over in
silence, and much less could I omit this, _viz._ that the bodies of
all things may be much better transmuted into clarified bodies by our
secret fire, than by the common fire. For the common fire drives away
the volatile parts, whereas on the contrary, our fire doth preserve
them and renders them fixt and transparent as well as the other parts.
And therefore of necessity these bodies must needs shine with fairer
and brighter colours than those others, in which the common fire hath
expelled the mercury and sulphur, and left remaining nothing else but
the salt.
But now as concerning such a transmutation into ashes by our moist and
secret fires, any one may easily guess the way. For whatsoever is put
in them must be necessarily burned into ashes, and they far better
ashes too than are made by burning in the common fire. For if the
common fire burns any herb or wood into ashes, the sulphur burns away
in a flame, the mercury betakes it self to its wings and away flies it,
and the salt abides behind in a few ashes or a little earth. Now our
Philosophical calcination takes away nothing but conserves all [the
princip’es so called] together; and doth in the first place produce to
view a black coal, then afterwards other various curious colours, and
then a white colour, and at last to compleat the operation, it yields a
red fusile and medicinal stone.
_N. B._ Here it is to be noted that for preparing a pure medicine, a
pure subject is to be made use of; for if so be that any one would
endeavour the transmutation of an herb, wood, or any animal into a
medicament by the help of the secret fires, then all the ashes and
feces which were in the herb would also adhere unto the medicament and
would render it impure, therefore necessity requires that you do not
take the whole herb, or the whole animal, but onely their essential
salt, the which being void of feces consists onely of the pure
principles of the herb; and doth easily admit of being transmuted into
a red tinging, and more soluble stone than the herb it self with its
feces by it, doth.
I would not have you to account of these things here delivered you as
if they were of small moment. No, for they are such things as cover
over with this their vile or base covering, such matters as are of
great weight, and which will not come to every bodies knowledge. Surely
’tis a considerable thing that a part of any vegetable, animal or
mineral body should (by conserving all the most volatile parts, and by
rendring them altogether constant and stable, without the least loss of
weight) be ripened into a fixt soluble and tinging red, and medicinal
stone. This way of transmuting all things without loss of the weight
thereof into clarified bodies, is of all others the best. And those
bodies on this wise clarified are without doubt of greater efficacy
than are the gross bodies themselves of the animals, vegetables, and
minerals, which do as yet abound with their gross and impure feces.
But if so be any one be not herewithall content but panteth after
higher things, he may advise with himself about extracting the soul
out of this red and fixed stone, and reduce it again by a reiterated
operation unto the form of a stone, whereby he will without doubt
make it yet far more effectual. And by how much the oftner any one
shall repeat this same operation, so much the more effectual a medicine
will he obtain, for it will at every reiteration notably augment its
virtues, for by such actions the efficacy and virtues of things are
con-centrated and driven into a very little compass, wherewithall
wonderfull things may be performed.
We are yet moreover to see what spirits are, but principally what
con-centrated spirits are, and what they are able to do.
And because the matter in hand gives occasion of treating thereof in
this place, we will briefly give you a declaration of the same.
LXII. _What spirits are, and by what means they operate good or
evil._
In the first place, there are spirits called vegetable ones, _viz._
When vegetables are beaten to pieces, and being contused are moistened
with water, (provided they have not juicyness enough of their own, or
do altogether want it) and so fermented, being fermented they are to
be distilled, which distillation brings forth subtile and efficacious
spirits, and such as are the effecters of many profitable things in
Alchymy and in other arts, besides the use thereof in medicine.
Secondly, sundry and divers spirits are also made out of animals by
distillation, as out of Blood, Urine, Hairs, Horns, Hoofs, and such
other parts of animals, also which spirits have their use in Medicine
and Alchymy.
Thirdly, there are also spirits which are expelled, or forced out
of minerals and metals by the force of fire, but principally out of
Salts, as Vitriol, Allum, Salt Peter, common Salt and such like; of the
preparations of which kind of spirits, the Books of Chymists are full,
and therefore stop us from the superfluous repetitions of the same. But
as for the concentrating of them and the utility of them, it hath been
already described by us.
I hereby give occasion for all the diligent searchers after true
Medicine and Alchymy; to contemplate, what may be effected in Medicine
and Alchymy, if those fugitive spirits were, by our fixing and moist
fires which separate not any one part from each other, but do fix all
the parts together, deprived of their volatility and made fixt. These
few things we were willing to mention concerning the spirits which are
subjected to a Man’s power and are within his reach, and serviceable
for the use of mortal Men.
LXIII. _The particular medicinal use of the con-centrated spirits
of salts._
We have heard that the con-centrated spirits or moist fires of salts
do reduce all things into a _Calx_, after a Philosophical manner,
without a forcing away of the mercurial part, and a burning up of the
sulphureous: insomuch that (by conserving, altering and bettering) they
fix the whole. Being therefore compelled by a love to my neighbour,
I have a mind to set down in this place some medicaments, as well
universal as particular; but yet so as that they may not fall into
the clutches of [my] unworthy enemies, but may be reserved onely for
friends.
And first, here shall be a medicine mentioned, that amendeth the weak
digestion of the Stomach.
Take out the teeth of a Wolf or a Dog when he is half dead, (being
first shot with a Gun) and pour thereupon two or three parts of the
con-centrated spirit of salt in a Cucurbit, set the glass upon sand
that it may be heated moderately, whereby the oyl of salt may dissolve
them and bring them into a thick pulse or mash. Upon this mash pour
warmed water that so all the Acrimony of the spirit of salt may be
separated therefrom, and that there remain onely the white pulse,
wherewith (because some of the oyl of the salt doth yet remain, and
is not washable off wholly with water) a little Sugar-candy is to be
mixed, that so that remaining Acrimony may be allayed, and the pulse be
the pleasanter for your uses.