The _Sal Mirabilis_ is diversly prepared, as appears in the second part
of _Miraculum Mundi_; but what way soever it be prepared by, it may
be commodiously applied to the solution of Char-coals, nor needeth it
any farther preparation, but even just so as it is taken out of the
Cucurbit and is as yet corrosive is to be used to dissolve all things.
LX. _The manner of reducing any Char-coal in half an hours space to
its first matter, that is, into a sulphureous Salt, by the =Sal
Mirabilis=._
Melt two or three ounces of _Sal Mirabilis_ in some Pot or Crucible,
and throw in a peice of Wood-coal or Char-coal, and cover the Pot with
its Cover, and let it flow for one half hour, that so the Salt may
dissolve as much of that Coal as it can, and may leave the rest of it
which it cannot dissolve, undissolved. Then pour out your matter and
you shall find a red Stone of Salt, which being tasted upon the Tongue
burns it like Fire, as all Alkaly Salts do. For the corrosive force is
inverted by the Vegetable Sulphur, and changed into an Alkaly.
This red Carbuncle being dissolved in Water yields a green Solution,
which being filtred, and let stand still for some hours, appears of
a white colour, and being let alone quiet longer, acquireth a yellow
colour. One drop thereof gilds over an imperial as Sulphur does, if it
be therein put. For the Char-coal is no other thing but a Sulphur of
the same nature as the Mineral Sulphur is of, and penetrating all the
Metals, suffers it self to be fixed with them, and doth after another
manner perform all those things that the Mineral Sulphur is wont to do.
The very well skilled _Sendivow_ in his Dialogue concerning the Sulphur
of the Wise Men, saith he is strongly guarded, and sits Captive in a
dark Prison, and is not easily freed; but Salt gives him a deadly wound.
A Sulphur therefore sits in this black Coal in a dark and obscure
Prison, shut up with strong Bands, and is a Captive, nor can any one
free him from those Bands but onely Salt. But being once released out
of Prison, he is wont to come in view, and not before.
Thus now have we brought forth Sulphur out of his obscure Body. And now
will we also bring him forth to publick view.