_Of the Preparation of the volatile and subtil Spirits of other
Metals, and of their Use._
_Note_: This labour of preparing subtil Spirits of fixed Metals, and
of reducing volatile Spirits, into fixed Bodies, so fully explains the
Table of _Hermes_, as even Children may understand it. Also it proves
the verity of that Aphorism unanimously used by all Philosophers: The
fixed make volatile, and the volatile fixed. He, whom GOD favours, will
easily understand this; but to all others it will remain most firmly
locked, although it be described to them with great clearness. I doubt
not, but that this Work (when these my Writings in time to come shall
fall into the hands of most diligent Searchers) will be more throughly
sought into, and a nearer way found, than this here described by me,
by the benefit of which, the Sulphur of Philosophers may be released
out of that dark Prison, in which he is kept bound with most strong
Iron Chains. It would amaze a man to think, that from such a tenebrous
and shadowed black Tree, such fair golden Branches should be cropped.
Although they (who are not Philosophers, but would be accounted such,
whilst they walk magnificently adorned with splendid cloathing) by
reason of their blind Pride cannot see what I have here clearly
written; yet those Artificers, who wearing Linnen Frocks, labour in
their simplicity, will see; because to their Endeavours GOD gives his
Benediction.
As I have here taught the way of extracting penetrating volatile
Spirits from contemptible old Iron, and of reducing those Spirits
into fixed tinging Bodies; so also from other Metals the same may be
prepared. Indeed one Metal is more apt for such an Operation than
another, and one gives forth its spirits more readily than another: yet
such Spirits may be extracted from all Metals, but with the help of
divers Solutions. For that Water which dissolves Gold, leaves Silver
undissolved, and what will dissolve Silver, dissolves not Gold. Common
Salt, and Salt Niter, with the Water and Oil of Vitriol, (but rather
of Sulphur) dissolve _Sol_, _Mars_, _Venus_ and _Jupiter_. Niter the
Water and Oil of Sulphur dissolve _Lune_ and _Venus_. Most sharp Wine
Vinegar dissolveth _Saturn_. The Spirit of Gold coagulates _Mercury_
into _Sol_, the Spirit of Silver coagulates it into _Lune_. Both these
Spirits are Medicinal. The Spirits of _Venus_ and _Jupiter_ are of a
loathsome Taste and Odour, and therefore unfit for Medicine. Spirit of
_Saturn_ is a mere penetrating Venome, or a Water, which by its Odour
suffocates the vital Spirit, wherefore every man should studiously
avoid it, since its use cannot be without Peril; otherwise that Spirit
in metallick Works excels all. Nor do I believe we can easily prepare a
Tincture, whereby to coagulate _Mercury_, unless by the help of Saturn
cold and killing all living things, yet it must be warily handled.
With these I close up my discourse of these Spirits; because, although
of them much more might be spoken, yet it will not be the part of a
considerate man to cast Pearls before Swine. Besides, I judge I have
already divulged more than is fit. But it is worthy of all observation,
that GOD is a faithfull Defender and Governour of all most subtil Arts
and Things.