Remembrance of my Benevolence, something worth the minding, touching
such unheard-of, heroick, efficacious Inventions. But these are written
as in a Parenthesis, and by the way. Proceeding, let us discourse a
little farther of despicable Urine.
All Men and Beasts live of the Dungs of Animals; also no Corn, Wine,
Apples, _&c._ would be produced, if not dunged with the Dungs of
Animals. But some one may object and say, Wild Herbs, Trees, Shrubs
and Reeds are not dunged with the Dungs of Animals, as Vineyards and
Corn-fields. I answer. Those Plants enjoy and have another Dunging,
_viz._ Celestial or Rain water, by the benefit of which in Autumn and
Winter, Branches and Leaves falling off from the Trees, do putrefie,
and become Dung; which kind of Dunging, in the Spring time betakes it
self to the Roots of Trees, that a penetrative Dunging and procuration
of increase may there be made, since the Leaves are to be esteemed the
Excrements of Trees, with which they are refreshed and renewed. Why
then may not the Excrements of Man serve for the Renovation of Man also?
No Man can deny, but that the Dungs of many Animals have been used in
the Galenical Shops of Apothecaries, for the Composition of various
Remedies, and are used at this very day. That in Urine is incited
a singular comforting Virtue, they best of all can witness, who
Shipwrackt in the Sea, have lived for certain days without Meat or
Drink, and in the mean while have sustained their life with the use of
Urine onely.
Also, that Urine is an egregious Preservative against the Pestilence,
the Masters of Hospitals can witness this by all Men labouring with the
Pest.
Now if gross Urine, with which so much impurity is mixt, be of so
great efficacy, what may not its Spirit purified, and its volatile
Salt effect, especially, if before Distillation, the famous Essences
of Vegetables be artificially added, because such Virtues of Herbs,
Flowers and Seeds, Woods, _&c._ by the help of the volatile Salt of
Urine, are excited through their whole Body, to exercise there their
Virtues efficaciously.
Whosoever knows how rightly to prepare, and duely to use Spirit of
Urine, may easily thence get ample Riches, and reap no less profit in
Medicine than in the Transmutation of Metals. Wherefore I here openly
confess, that in this little Treatise I have posited certain Processes,
which (as to their external face) seem to be of small moment, yet to
Men skilled in the Theory and Practice of them, they will find so
gainfull a Work, as no Handicrafts man whatsoever can gain so much by
his Craft. So much gain may be hoped for from Urine onely, if rightly
and knowingly handled according to the Spagyrick Art. Because every one
Man may gain not one, but several Imperials by that Art: the Processes
of which are diverse, and that by the onely help of despicable Urine.
Hence are those frequent complaints of Ancient Philosophers, that their
Matter of the Stone is cast away by Fools among Dung trod under foot
and contemned, which notwithstanding ought to be honoured by every Man.
I say, by _Every Man_, because from it the Philosopher extracts his
Universal Medicine, and the Physician his particular Remedies. For the
Chymist transmutes vile Metals into better, and so consequently every
Mechanick Operator may expect some Fruit from the same. Wherefore Urine
is not to be despised, but to be taken into use; insomuch, as every
drop of it that is spilt should be bewailed. Yet I protest I would
not discover this, but for the sake of those that have Ears to hear;
because other Men naturally deaf to such things, can reap no profit by
this my Doctrine, because _Hippocrates_ forbids to give Medicine to
those that are past hope.
Whatsoever are here related touching Urine, may be said of the black
shining Soot of Chimnies, of the Hairs and Horns of Animals, of
Egg-shells, and the like, and especially of the Fæces of Wine, which
are cast away after the Spirit is extracted.
But perhaps some Man may here say, Our Secret _Sal-Armoniack_ is too
costly to be used for the prescribed Operation. To him I answer. No Man
can gain something for nothing. But whosoever is desirous to reap some
Eminent Benefit, he must first sow some pretious thing.
Indeed I confess, one pound of our _Salmiack_ (if a Man onely follow
the literal Sense, or bare letter of the Description) will cost
several Imperials, because for one pound of Oil of Vitriol prepared,
four or six pound of Spirit of Urine are required for coagulating the
Oil with the same, which notwithstanding, in respect of those famous
things which are acquired by the benefit of it, it is not to be judged
costly. If a Man cannot prepare his Spirit of Urine, and Oil of Vitriol
himself, but must buy them of another, he then indeed may complain of
Dearness. But to one perfectly well skilled, the _Sal-Armoniack_ will
cost him little more than his manual Labour, insomuch as no Man hath
any just cause to complain of charges.
If the divine Grace shall be pleased to prorogue my Life a little
longer, I purpose to publish greater _Arcanums_. Therefore let God do
as he pleaseth, his Will is always best, and better than the best Wills
of all Men. _Amen._
A Corollary.
Well-meaning Reader,
_In this small Treatise I have in few words revealed great Secrets,
such as were known to no Man before me, except =Paracelsus=, who very
briefly speaks of the chief of them. And =Helmont=, touching the great
Virtues of that, hath writ many things. And since my =Sal-Armoniack=
performs the same in all Operations, which =Helmont= ascribes to his
=Alcahest=, I am able to ascribe somewhat more to my =Sal-Armoniack=,
than he ascribed to his =Alcahest=, yea, many things, which may
profitably be performed by the benefit thereof, among which the chief
is this, =viz.= that by help of it all Metals and Minerals may be
reduced to their first Matter, that is, into a =Spiritual Mercury=,
which is the highest Magistery in Chymistry._
_I, in this little Book, have onely prescribed a few ways of preparing
Medicaments, and that in a Laconick-Style, became I writ these things
in my Sick-bed. Indeed I could willingly and gladly forbear Writing,
both now and heretofore; for by all that ever I writ, I never gained
one half-peny. But Christian Charity inflamed me to consecrate this
great =Arcanum=, and the fruitfull use thereof, (before I dye, knowing
in the Grave nothing can be done) and to publish the same for the good
of Mankind remaining in the Earth; being full of great Hope, there
will not want some Religious Spagyrists conscious of Piety, that will
prove themselves faithfull disposers of this bequeathed Gift, and heal
the Diseases of the Poor =gratis=. But if the great troop of Malignant
Spirits presume to abuse the Practicers of this most noble Art, they
may find =Nemesis= ready swiftly to punish them._
_Every one, as he pleaseth, may prepare most present Medicaments. For
all Herbs, the way is almost one. Also in respect of Animals, Minerals,
Metals and Stones, you will find but little difference. Every Man may
himself more profoundly search into the Art. For my own part, I am at
present so weak, as Strength faileth me to proceed farther in this
discourse. Therefore, by every good Man, I shall be readily excused,
because I have given sufficient occasion of searching into other high
Secrets. If this my benevolent Communication suffice not any Man, he
may himself search farther elsewhere. For it is easier to add to things
already found out, than to become the first Authour of new Inventions._
_I had purposed in this little Book to signifie the most fruitfull use
of my Secret =Alcalisate= Spirit of Wine; which is so great a Secret,
as no Man before me did ever discover to the World; but my Sickness
hath prevented and hindred the doing of that. If God prolong my Life,
that may be done in another small peculiar Book._
_Truly, I highly prize my secret =Sal-Armoniack=, yet I more esteem the
use of my Spirit of Wine Alkalizate; that being a Spirit of so great
potency, as from all Minerals, Metals and Stones, it extracts a most
pure Tincture, and by Alembeck brings the same over the Helm with it
self. What shall I say? Even fixed Gold it self cannot resist it, but
suffers it self without a Corrosive (like sweet Water coloured yellow
with Saffron) to be drawn upwards. In a word, this Alkalizate Spirit
of Wine is an admirable Instrument for a Physician, of it to prepare
efficacious (yea incomparable) Medicaments; and he may easily acquire
abundance of it, and that for no more charges, than after the common
manner any other common Spirit is prepared. He that seeks shall find.
Wherefore rise from your soft Pillows, and with smutted Hands touch
black Coals, and accurately give heed to the institutions of Art. For
with Idleness, Eating, Drinking, and playing on Musick, you shall never
approach to great Mysteries. I would have you always think of this that
is now once spoken. It is indeed impossible for a most unskilfull Man
to believe or comprehend, how great things may be prepared by help of
this burning Spirit._
_About the end of the Preface of this Treatise, I mentioned some few
things touching the same; =viz.= that of good burning Spirit, with
little labour and no great cost, in a very easie way a true universal
Medicine for humane and metallick Bodies might be made. This I would
have no Man to doubt of, but to account of as most true. For I now
ready to be laid in my Grave, have great need to be very carefull how
I divulge any thing, unless such pure verity as experience hath taught
me. If the most wise God will prolong my Life untill the next Summer,
and enable me to write out of Bed, my purpose is to publish some other
new wonderfull Works; but if in the mean while I be taken away from the
number of the living, then (candid Reader) kindly accept of these few
things here written._
_This being thus imparted to all diligent Chymical Operators (whom I
here salute and bid farewell) I wish a Divine Benediction in this Life,
and Eternal Glorification hereafter._ Amen.
Glory to GOD onely.
_The End of the Seventh Part._
THE
FIRST APPENDIX
TO THE
SEVENTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.
In which is contained, how many, yet greater, Secrets may be
prepared by the _Alcahest_, or Secret _Sal-Armoniack_, than
those which are mentioned in the Seventh Part of the _Spagyrical
Pharmacopœa_, _viz._ how Vulgar Mercury may be firmly fixed, and
rendred totally constant in Fire, within the space of three
Days. Also an Explanation, how by the benefit of it may easily
be acquired the Mercury of Wine, as the highest Medicine of the
World. Likewise, that the Secret Fire of the Wise, otherwise
called the Fire of _Artephius_ is the supreme Secret of Secrets:
Together with a Revelation of other admirable Secrets, of which
the Authour hitherto hath made no mention to any Man.
To the Well-meaning READER.
_I could not forbear to signifie to the Lover of divine and admirable
Works, the Reason of my former omission or silence; namely, why in
a little Treatise of mine lately published (which is intituled =The
Seventh Part of my Spagyrical Pharmacopœa=) in which I treat of my
Secret =Sal-Armoniack= or Liquor =Alcahest=, I so suddenly broke
off the Thread of my Writing begun, before I had any thing largely
discoursed of the eminently excellent Vertues thereof, which it
manifests not onely in Medicine, but also in Transmutation of Metals.
Therefore, the Reason of my abrupt Cessation was as follows._
_Before I had compleatly finished the afore-mentioned small Treatise,
I was assaulted with a grievous Disease, which incredibly prevailed
more and more daily, insomuch as I totally despaired of recovering
my Health, and therefore thought it necessary, that whatsoever was
then written (how imperfectly soever) should for the sake of the Poor
and Diseased be committed to the Press. But so soon as by the mercy
of God, I was in some small measure recovered, I perused that little
Book, and presently discerned, that the most powerfull faculties and
virtues which that laudable Liquor is able to exercise and manifest
both in Medicine and Chymistry, were scarcely in any-wise treated of,
but almost wholly omitted in the same Book. Hence many conceited Men
perswade themselves, that my =Secret Sal-Armoniack= cannot be of so
great Energy or Virtue, as =Helmont= ascribes to his Liquor =Alcahest=;
especially because He, in the Coagulation of =Mercury=, saith, that
the same (when his Liquor =Alcahest= hath been but once abstracted
from it) is so fixed, as a pound of it being tried by Cupell, leaves
behind, after Trial, fourteen Lotones of good Silver; which indeed is
not to be esteemed a vile Experiment, =viz.= that by so very little
Labour (as is one onely abstraction of the =Alcahest=, which may be
done in a few hours) such a volatile, and that the sole Deluder of all
=Alchymists= should be transmuted and nobilitated into a fixed Metal,
tractable and perseveringly sustaining every Examen of Fire; and that
by mediation of such a substance, as the Liquor =Alcahest=, which per
se is no other than a volatile Salt. Nevertheless, it is found, that
the same may be done, and that not onely common Mercury, by our Secret
=Sal-Armoniack= (which otherwise rendreth all fixed Metals volatile,
and separates the most pure Souls or Tinctures of them from their gross
Bodies, and carries the same over the Helm with it self) is transmuted
into Silver; but also the same is endued with a Faculty of transmuting
other imperfect Metals into good and constant Gold. The Truth of which
Assertion I have not gathered out of the Writings of other Authours,
but have learned the same by the continual Industry and Experience
of my proper Inquisition; and therefore am able so much the more
confidently to assert somewhat my self, touching the same, to every
ingenious Man._
_But that you may know the Reason why Volatile Mercury, by my Secret
=Sal-Armoniack= also volatile, is rendred fixed and constant in Fire;
you are to understand, that this onely is effected by the cleansing
power and virtue of our =Salmiack=: for in Vulgar Mercury is somewhat
ingenited by Nature, which makes the whole Body of it volatile. Now
if any one doth well understand how to separate that therefrom by an
Artificial cleansing, the flying Mercury no longer remains volatile,
but assumes to it self an hard fixed, tractable and Metallick Body;
in which kind of Purification to be made, our =Salmiack= performs the
office of a Master. Whence happens such a speedy fixation of Mercury;
touching which we, in the following Praxis, shall more amply treat and
demonstrate the same, =viz.= that so swift a Coagulation of volatile
Mercury into Gold and Silver constant and abiding in Fire, is not to
be accounted a vile work of small value, but to be esteemed as one
of the principal =Arcanums= of Nature. This needs no proof, because
by the sentence of all experienced Men it is long since notoriously
known, that this noxious Deluder =Mercury=, by its volatility, hath
deprived some thousands of unwary =Alchymists=, not onely of their
Gold and Silver, but also of their Houses, Lands, Towns, Vineyards,
Fields, Meadows, Gardens, and all their other Goods, carrying the same
with it self up the Chimney, and leaving them nothing but an heap of
broken Pots, Cucurbits, Glasses, Soot, Dust and Ashes, instead of the
wealthy Spoils and rich Reward they thirsted after with vain hope.
But as he hath evilly intreated the unskilfull and unwary Slaves and
Drudges of Chymistry, so he hath dealt well with experienced and wary
Philosophers, who (after they had observed his Inconstancy, and learned
to amend the same) were such as he was constrained to obey, insomuch
as they could subdue, bind and fix him. This is no Fiction or fabulous
Tale, but a Truth which may be proved by many hundred true Histories,
declaring, that in various parts of the World have lived those who were
able to fix Mercury into a constant permanency._
_Of the more ample Use of our_ Salmiack.
Having in the precedent Treatise omitted the best and most worthy
use of our _Salmiack_, (_viz._ that by the benefit of it _Mercury_
might be so purified, as to be very easily fixed into a Red Body fixt
and constant in Fire) I was incited and moved thereby to commit this
_Appendix_ to the Press; especially because in doing the same, I could
also upon every opportune occasion notifie several other profitable
Secrets, which may be perfected by help of that; as here following you
shall perceive, they being inserted one after another.
Therefore incline your Ear to hear what admirable Effects our
_Salmiack_ is able to manifest both in Medicine and Alchymy.
First, Our Secret _Salmiack_ not onely purifies Metals, and separates
the pure part from the unprofitable gross Bodies of them, but the
Volatile parts it carries upward with it self; and afterward suffers
it self to be again fixed [with them] into fixed Tinctures, as already
in the precedent Seventh Part of our _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_, we have
very sufficiently proved, as well as in our Treatise of the _Three
Principles of Metals_; but also it is endued with a power of carrying
over the Helm the most fixed Gold, without any Corrosive, like to a
yellow sweet Spirit, and of converting the same into true _Aurum
Potabile_: for such _Aurum Potabile_, without a Corrosive adhering
is found to be, not onely an efficacious, sweet and famous Medicine
for humane Bodies, but also a true Tincture for transmuting imperfect
Metals into better.
It is indeed a very great Question how such Gold can be a Tincture for
other more vile Metals, since common Gold (according to the Opinion
of many Philosophers, and the experienced truth of the matter) _per
se_ contains in it self no more Tincture than is sufficient for it
self, and without prejudice to its own virtue or nobility is able
to communicate no good to other Metals. Nevertheless, Philosophers
more acute, narrowly sifting the matter, have found that vulgar Gold,
by the assistance of Art, may be destroyed, and its inside turned
outward, but its outside inward: for such destruction Philosophers have
called _Exaltation_, intimating, that the Exaltation or Melioration
of Gold must be made in the Sign _Aries_; to which assertion I could
never assent, but always believed and urged the contrary, inveighing
earnestly against _Toletanus_, who writ _Animadversions_ upon that
good Philosopher of ancient Repute _Bracescus_, as if he had been
a dull and obstinate Man, teaching in his Treatise of the _Tree of
Life_, that the Universal Medicine might be prepared of vulgar _Mars_;
for it not a little troubled me (after by a previous and continued
study of reading and perusing the best Authours, I at length by the
Grace of God, in my search found and learned the way of making such a
Tincture and Medicine) that the said _Toletanus_ did so unhandsomely
heighten his Style against the laudable _Bracescus_, and contemned
the famous Industry of that man, insomuch as I have, in some of my
Writings (although with a certain Zeal, which I ingeniously confess was
unseasonable) chastized this _Zoilus_, because he with an impertinent
Presumption did so rashly and arrogantly attempt to oppose and
contradict that, which he himself had not sufficient Experience of.
But it happened, that afterward such an Exaltation of Gold fell into
my hand unexpectedly. Whence, seeing such an Exaltation of Gold to be
true, I repented my own folly. Wherefore now I openly confess, that
by the help of our secret _Salmiack_ I have very often elaborated
such an Exaltation of Gold in the mineral Aries; although in a very
small Quantity, finding that to be sufficiently imbibed with the
Colour of Gold, whensoever onely two or three Grains of such exalted
Gold were mixed with a whole Pound of common Water. But in metallick
Transmutation, during these days of my indisposedness, I could never
yet try any thing further. If the most wise God, shall be pleased to
restore and raise me out of my sick Bed (as I hope this next Summer
he will) I will not omit to try what the aforesaid exalted Gold is
able to effect in the Transmutation of Metals. In the mean while I am
perswaded, that it will prove an amply potent Tincture for _Mercury_
and _Luna_, and thence I divine because two or three Grains of such
exalted Gold do tinge a whole Pound of Water with a golden Colour that
the same must be done with _Mercury_ and _Luna_. Therefore no man hath
cause further to doubt, that common Gold, by the help of our _Salmiack_
in Aries, may be reduced into some one true and fixed Tincture; as here
following (God willing) shall be shewed more at large.
_Of the more largely fruitfull use of our =Sal Armoniack= in
Medicine and Alchymy._
My Preface to the seventh Book of my _Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_,
mentioneth how the _Mercury_ of Wine may be separated from any pure
burning Spirit, and perform the Office of an universal Medicine healing
men and metals. But since in such a manner of preparing the Medicine
as I there prescribed, very little _Mercury_ of Wine will be gotten,
not enough to satisfie those, that desire more abundance, because from
one Pound of Spirit of Wine, scarcely three, four or five Grains of
most pure Cœlestial Salt are extracted; which nevertheless is not to
be esteemed so exceeding small a quantity, if any one shall with a
more accurate search of his mind well weigh the incredible medicinal
Vertues thereof, which it manifests and exerciseth against humane and
metallick Diseases; insomuch as (in either Faculty) in the whole nature
of things you shall find no Medicament like unto it. Certainly it is
a true Cœlestial Medicine, in the form of a certain white sweet Salt,
for if one onely Grain of it be taken into the Body of a Man diseased,
he will thereby be notably comforted in all his Members, and amend and
find himself better in a moment. I must needs confess, that I have
not long since found out the Preparation of the same (during the long
continuance of my Disease) by various Speculations; and when by reason
of my Sickness I could not rise out of my Bed to prepare this noble
Medicine my self, I committed the same to the hands of my faithfull and
trusty Friends to be by them prepared, but in a very small quantity:
For I caused not above two or three Pound of Spirit of Wine to be
burned, and thence could not acquire much _Mercury_; nevertheless I
found so much therein, as sufficiently to content and satisfie my
mind as well in Medicine as in Alchymy; believing, as I have above
mentioned, that no Medicine more excellent than this can be found in
the whole nature of things. Moreover, every one may consider with
himself, how great Salubrity such a Cœlestial Medicine may bestow and
confer on the sick Bodies of Men, as often as he accurately weighs with
himself the Subject (_viz._ Wine) of which this Medicine is prepared.
For it is known through all parts of the World far and nigh, that under
the Sun is not given a more excellent Cordial Subject, than good and
pure Wine; although that abound with many inefficacious Humidities,
and other Tartarous Feculencies, whereas on the contrary the _Mercury_
thereof is most pure, or a sweet Cœlestial Salt is extracted from good
Spirit of Wine deduced to the highest purity. But some one may say,
what Spirit of Wine? If in that such a noble _Mercury_ be latent, and
the same as it is in it self be given for comforting the Sick, what
need is there, that it being kindled should be burnt; and why may not
(without that labour and charge) its volatile Salt be received in a
Refrigeratory? In answer hereunto let him know, that Spirit of Wine
is almost all a mere Sulphur, and therefore is easily inflamed and
devoured with the Flame, as is common to every Sulphur, _viz._ that
so soon as it is set on Fire, it consumes it self, and leaves behind
it no other than Ashes and a fixed Salt; but the _Mercury_ which
adhered to the Sulphur, is dissipated in the Air with the Flame, unless
it be taken in a Cold Receptory, in which it may cool and condense
it self. Indeed we for certain know, that no one of all the three
Principles of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals is totally pure, but it
always invisibly bears about it self some small part of the other two
Principles, as may best of all be seen in combustible Entities, such
are Wood and other Vegetables; for they being kindled and set on fire,
the Sulphur is onely burnt, but the other two parts, _viz._ the fixed
Salt, and the volatile _Mercury_ remain free from Combustion. As for
Example, if you burn Wood, an Herb, or any other kind of Vegetable,
the Sulphur onely perisheth, but the _Mercury_ adheres to the sides
and walls of the Chimny. If you thence separate the Ashes and other
Filths, which fly together upwards, you will obtain a white volatile
Salt, altogether like the Animal volatile Salt of Urine, except in this
onely, that this volatile Salt savours of Adustion. The fixed Salt is
extracted out of the Ashes by Elixiviation of common Water. Moreover
Animal Entities being burnt, _viz._ the Bones of any Animals; the
Sulphur is onely burnt, but the volatile Salt flies away, and almost
no fixed Salt remains in the Ashes. Lastly, common mineral Sulphur
being burnt, almost all the Sulphur vanisheth into Air like a Flame,
and together with the Flame an unburnable _Mercury_ ascends, in form
of an heavy Corrosive Oil, which by Chymists is vulgarly called Oil of
Sulphur, and is received in Glass Campanes; nevertheless that Oil is
by Philosophers named the _Mercury_ of Philosophers, because such Oil
is easily transmuted into a sweet Fusile Stone, of which my lately
published Treatise of the Salt of Philosophers makes some mention.
From all which you may clearly gather, that there is no Sulphur found
so pure, but that it is impregnated with some small part of Salt and
_Mercury_; also you can find no _Mercury_, in which is not incited some
part of Salt and Sulphur; and in like manner no Salt, to which a little
Sulphur and _Mercury_ adheres not. Which being thus, why may there not
latently be in Spirit of Wine an incombustible Salt and _Mercury_?
And as Spirit of Wine duely rectified according to the Precepts of
Art, is found to be the purest of all other Sulphurs, and endued with
no Feculencies; so also necessarily, when that Sulphur is kindled
and burnt, with the Flame must needs ascend as it were an unburnable
Substance, which may be received in a Refrigeratory for amending humane
and metallick Bodies. Whosoever cannot comprehend and believe these,
he truely and condignly may be called a Blockhead, although by his
Flatterers (men very indiscrete) he be accounted even the Eighth of the
Wise men, or a second _Paracelsus_.
I purposed in my mind to communicate this supream Medicine to some
candid Friends, that some present Medicine may thence be made, by the
salutary help of which, I also in this my declining Age, and in the
Diuturnity of my Disease, may be made partaker of some Relief, since I
my self now sick in Bed, am able to prepare nothing.
Indeed I did formerly reveal this so very great Mystery to some of my
old Friends, and that to the end that they being sound and in health
might labour therein, and after their Work was ended (which might be
compleated in Eight days) communicate to me, as an Offering of thanks,
some small part of that Medicine, that my old infirm Body might be
comforted; but their intent was far otherwise: For these rude men would
not suffer me to participate of one Grain of the Medicine revealed,
nor ever came within my Doors so much as once, after they were fully
and plainly instructed in the Art by me taught; but passed by as if
I had been a man wholly unknown and never seen by them. But this was
to me a very just and truely deserved Recompence, because I being too
credulous, did so vilely cast into the Mire the most noble Pearl of
all Medicine, not considering the faithfull admonition of the supream
Master: Beware of Men.
I must needs confess that it is not a Work for covetous men; because
such thirst after nothing else, but a great Mass of Gold, and think
this most noble Art to be no other than a rotten Thread. In like manner
I do also confess, that common Spirit of Wine gives forth from it self
but a very small quantity of such Cœlestial Salt; yet a great quantity
of the same no man hath need of, because the power and efficacy
thereof shews it self far and nigh. If any one be desirous to acquire
to himself a greater quantity of this our Cœlestial _Mercury_, he may
obtain his desire, if he make use of a good medicinal Restorative
Subject, as Sulphur or Antimony fixed to a Redness, also Gold, Pearls,
red Corals, cast Skins of Serpents, _Boletus_ or _Fungus Cervinus_. If
these and the like restoring or renovating things be extracted with
Spirit of Wine and the same Wine burnt: because in doing that, with the
Flame will ascend a most pure mercurial Salt, which must be received in
a cold Recipient.
In like manner all Metals, when they are duely extracted with Spirit
of Wine, do in burning give forth from themselves a volatile mercurial
Salt, which may profitably be administred, as well in Medicine as in
Chymistry. For the Salt of _Saturn_ is a most present Pestilential
Remedy; the Salt of _Venus_ an efficacious Venereal Medicament, the
Salt of _Luna_, a most excellent Cephalick, the Salt of Gold a famous
Cordial, and the Salt of _Mars_ an admirable Stomach Remedy, and a
true Tincture, by the help of which vulgar _Mercury_ and _Luna_ may be
tinged into Gold. But it cannot profitably be adhibited in metallick
Labours, unless it be first reduced to a red Fixedness by the benefit
of common Gold, being such, as after the first Preparation may be very
easily fixed and rubified; although it all ascends in a white Flame,
and the Preparation be from a red Subject. For it is fixed and waxeth
red, if any one do from it but once abstract the Water of _Saltaberis_,
as _Paracelsus_ calls it. But if you ask what _Paracelsus_ his Water
of _Saltaberis_ is, it is not my purpose at this time to publish and
divulge that kind of Water. _Helmont_ vastly erred, when he thought it
to be the Water of Whites of Eggs, which it is not, but it is a Water
preparable for a very small Price, as much as is sufficient.
In the mean while, no unskilfull Man is able to believe, with how
great a property of purging, elevating and fixing the Flame of good
Spirit of Wine is endued. Therefore, whosoever is desirous of knowing
this, by putting his hand to the Work let him make Trial. The Flame
of this burning Spirit renders all corrosive and bitter metallick
Subjects sweet and pleasant; therefore _Lully_ rightly said: _The
immature Bitterness is to be dulcified, that the whole Magistery may be
obtained_. Briefly I say, by the benefit thereof, so great good may be
performed as is difficult to be believed, unless any one before he sets
about the Work hath beheld the Event. In which at present we acquiesce,
yet out of an abundance shewing this, _viz._ that, whensoever any
man hath a mind to subtilize metallick Subjects by a burning Spirit
(distilling or subliming them into sweet Salts or Tinctures) he is
obliged by no necessity at all, to use no other than Spirit of Wine
onely; because a burning Spirit of Corn, or extracted out of other
Vegetables, will do the same. But whosoever would without Metals
acquire a Sweet medicinal _Mercury_ _per se_, he must prepare that of
the Spirit of sweet Wine; because other Vegetables afford not so much
mercurial Salt as may be had from Wine; which is to be kept in mind as
a thing worthy of Observation.
Thus have I here clearly revealed as high a Medicine as ever was or
can be found in the Nature of things; which no one of the Philosophers
before me did ever presume to do. Indeed _Albertus Magnus_, and his
Disciple _Thomas Aquinas_ have written of it somewhat more clearly than
others, yet so, as few Readers can follow the mind of them. For they
do indeed make mention of Spirit of Wine, yet the Instrument under
which it is to be burned, they did not in any wise express, or hint at.
_Basilius_ taught that the Instrument was to be made of Copper; yet
this kind of Instrument is not every way conducible, but there is some
defect in it. As for my self, I long sought with earnestness, before I
could find a fit Instrument, in which I might receive this Cœlestial
Salt and _Mercury_. Let others after me also make the like search, till
they find. It is not my business at all times, to cast all things at
the Feet of the unworthy. For I am forbid by the Fates, having already
divulged more than enough. But whosoever is desirous of learning
more touching this kind of labour, let him peruse _Bracescus_ in his
Treatise of the Tree of Life, touching our mercurial Water, where he
may find things enough worthy of note to yield him content. _Avicen_
indeed writes also excellently, but very briefly. _Cosmopolita_ and
_Neusementius_ have writ somewhat more clearly in their Books, yet with
so Philosophick a Character, as scarcely one among a thousand Readers
shall there find what he seeks. More at this time touching this it is
not lawfull for me to discourse; but of other things here to be treated
of, let every one comment and meditate what he thinks good.
_Of the further use of our_ Salmiack.
In my lately published Treatise of the three Principles of Metals, I
shewed how by the help of _Proserpina_ the Wife of _Pluto_, a tinging
Oil of a sanguineous Colour might be distilled from the Vitriol of
_Mars_, and thence be coagulated into a sweet Fusile Stone, by the
benefit of which great things may be effected in the Transmutation of
Metals and Gems. But what is understood by _Proserpina_ I considerately
concealed from the Reader, as well as the Coagulation of the red and
white corrosive Oil of Vitriol into a sweet Stone, because at that
time I purposed not to publish any thing more thereabout. After that
Publication, certain Rivals of our Art came to me very earnestly
intreating, that I would also reveal to them _Proserpina_ and my
Coagulation of Vitriol: These men by their perswasive Intreaties so
softned my mind, as I was freely willing to gratifie them, but with
this Condition, _viz._ that so soon as they had elaborated the whole
Work, they should impart to me some small Portion of that Medicine,
yet this promise of a thankfull acknowledgment hath not untill this
day been fulfilled, wherefore I on the other hand fearing that so
great a Secret (_viz._ how by the help of _Proserpina_ the tinging Oil
of Vitriol of a sanguineous Colour, tinging _Luna_ into Gold, might
afterward be coagulated into a Fusile Stone) should be exposed to
publick view by those, that were so ungratefull to me, was resolved
I would my self be the Publisher of so great an _Arcanum_, knowing
always, that the Master is better able to discourse of his own Work,
than the Disciple; not in the least doubting, but that by this
Revelation or way of discovery, many Alchymists, reduced almost to
the extream necessity of _Irus_, and ready to perish, will be able
to recover themselves, and obtain their pristine repute among men.
Therefore touching the Discovery of this _Arcanum_ thus take it.
By _Proserpina_ in the afore mentioned Treatise is understood the
corrosive Oil of Antimony, or in defect of that Butter of Antimony,
which (when added to Vitriol of _Mars_ in like Proportion, and
distilled by Retort) carries over with it self the Gold of Philosophers
or Tincture of _Mars_, in form of a thick Oil of a sanguine Redness;
which red Oil, when coagulated into a sweet Fusile Stone, will be very
available in the Emendation of Metals, especially in tinging _Luna_
into good Gold, as a little after you shall hear. These are briefly
spoken touching the Antimonial _Proserpina_: Here following it shall
be shewed by us, how our Secret Sal Armoniack may profitably be used
instead of the Antimonial _Proserpina_, after we have premised the way
of coagulating the red Oil of Vitriol into a Stone not corrosive, by
help of which Metals may be amended variously. As to the Coagulation of
the red and white Oil of Vitriol, and also of other corrosive Liquors,
that indeed is very easie to accomplish, but hard to find out. For all
Philosophers have very obscurely writ of this kind of operating, in
such a Laconick manner: Dissolve and Coagulate. The Solution of _Mars_
into Vitriol is made by the help of common Oil of Vitriol, or else by
Spirit of Salt. But the Coagulation into a tinging Stone not corrosive
is made by the help of old, cold and dry _Saturn_, because he it is,
that understands how with his own most intent Coldness and Dryness to
extinguish all humid coldish Fires, and to change them into hard Stones.
No one of the Philosophers hath writ more clearly touching the
Coagulation of mineral Spirits, than _Paracelsus_, in that Treatise
which is intituled the Heaven of Philosophers, being that in which he
treats of the Nature and Properties of the seven Metals, and in the
Fifth Chapter of _Saturn_, he thus speaks.
_Canon the Fifth, touching the Nature and Properties of_ Saturn.
_Saturn_ of his own proper Nature thus speaketh.
_The six other Metals have cast me out for their Examinator, and have
thrust me from themselves out of the Spiritual Place: They have given
into my Mansion a corruptible Body, that I might be what they neither
are nor desire to have. My six Brethren are spiritual, thence it is,
that they penetrate my Body as often as I am burned in the Fire; and
together with me they perish in Fire. =Sol= and =Luna= onely excepted,
which are cleansed with my Water and wax proud. My Spirit is a Water
softning the rigid and congealed Bodies of my Brethren. Yet my Body
tends to the Earth; whatsoever is received into me, becomes also
conformable to us, and by us is converted into one Body. It would
not be profitable for the World, if it should know or could believe
what are latent in me, and what I am able to effect. It would be more
profitable for the World if it understood that, with me, which I am
able to do: Then leaving all Arts of Alchymists, it would use this
onely, which in me is, and by me can be done. The Coldness of a Stone
is in me; this is the Water, by which I cause the Spirits of the six
Metals to be congealed into one corporeal Being of the seventh, that
is, to augment =Sol= with =Luna=._
These I have transcribed word for word out of _Paracelsus_, that by
them it might be sufficiently manifest, that he knew how to perform the
Coagulation of sharp mineral Spirits by cold and dry _Saturn_, because
touching that he so evidently writes, as he that writes most plainly
cannot describe the same more clearly, although there have been very
few men, who did rightly understand this Prince of Philosophers, and
could by his words learn the Coagulation of sharp mineral Spirits there
touched, although in a particular Transmutation of Metals no method
more easie can be given than by our Salt of Philosophers, which from
red Oil of Vitriol is coagulated by cold _Saturn_. I will not pass
over in silence, what Fruit may otherwise be reaped by the Benefit of
this in the Emendation of ignoble and very pretious Stones; because
by that kind of labour more profit may be gained by ten Fold, than
in the Graduation of Metals into _Sol_ and _Luna_; for our red Stone
exalts all Gems in their Colours, and tingeth white Crystals into all
kind of Colours; in which Work, there is not any of the Off springs
of the Earth able to do the like. Wherefore the Ancient Philosophers
more esteemed this Coloration of Stones, than the Art of tinging Silver
into Gold; For such a Stone not onely amends Metals, but also graduates
small Stones noble and ignoble, and tingeth them into better shapes
and colours. For more excellency and good lies hid in despicable Lead,
than any unskilfull man is able to imagine or can perswade himself to
believe; because the Inside of it is no other than mere Gold, insomuch
as Philosophers have called it Leprous Gold.
So soon as this impure Gold shall be impregnated with the Antimonial
Oil of Vitriol, and both conjunctively coagulated together into a red
Stone, thence must necessarily be made a Tincture for Metals, as well
as for Stones. Much more should here be spoken touching our coagulated
red Oil of Vitriol: But to what purpose is it to bring a sample of
beautifull Colours before the Eyes of a blind man, being such as he
cannot see, nor is able to judge any thing of. [See this Process plain
in _Proserpina_.]
In the seventh Part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, mention is made
of a like Coagulation of sharp Spirits, wherefore I would refer every
studious Lover of curious Arts to the perusal of that part. For what
are here briefly treated of, are there more copiously handled, as every
Reader may find, and apply to his proper Benefit. Time now admits not a
more ample Discourse in this place, touching such sharp Spirits of Salt.
_A Furthur Use of our_ Salmiack.
First, vulgar _Mercury_, by the help of our Secret _Salmiack_, may be
so purified in the space of one Day, as the day following by one onely
abstraction of the Water of _Saltaberis_, it may be coagulated into a
red fixed Medicine. Which swift Mortification, Coagulation or Fixation,
was highly esteemed by _Paracelsus_ and _Helmont_. This _Mercury_,
_Paracelsus_ insignized with the Title of _Coralline Mercury_, and
celebrated the fame with this illustrious Praise, _viz._ that in
the whole Nature of things, there was not any Remedy more excellent
for yielding relief in the Gout and French Disease; adding, that it
recreates the mind of the Artist, because it hath entrance into Gold,
and with the same is converted into Gold, and so not a few impoverished
Alchymists may again be stored with Riches. But since the Death of this
Philosopher, you shall not find that there hath been one or other of
the Professours of Chymistry unto this day, who could prepare such a
red fixed _Mercury_; the Reason hereof is, because none of the Sons of
Art could comprehend the Water of _Saltaberis_, by which _Mercury_ is
to be brought to a fixed Redness, none I say, untill _Helmont_, that
most learned Philosopher of our Age discovered himself, witnessing that
he also could prepare such _Mercury_, which he insignized with the Name
of Horizontal Gold, affirming it would sufficiently supply whatsoever
the Physician and Chyrurgeon should need.
In like manner, that most expert Philosopher _Nuysementius_ did write
of such a _Mercury_, testifying, that two or three Grains of it onely
being taken in some Consortative, would purge out all Impurities from
the humane Body. Indeed _Helmont_ expresseth this in other words, yet
by them intimates, that it purgeth out all Filths from the Veins.
Behold three famous men, serving instead of the _Marpesian_ Columns
of all Hermetick Philosophy and Medicine; for they have excellently
writ of this _Mercury_; yet to the Inventions of these, none of their
Successours have added any thing, but have been still and quiet,
shunning the labour of preparing an Universal Medicine. During the
eight Months I was detained in my sick Bed, by reason of my Infirmity,
occasion was offered me of a more serious Meditation of such abstruse
things, insomuch as I at length found the Water of _Saltaberis_, by the
help of which I totally fixed _Mercury_, not indeed as _Helmont_ saith
into constant good Silver, but into very good Gold. Whosoever is seized
with a desire of succouring the misery of the sick, he will do better
for publick good, in using such a fixed _Mercury_ rather for expelling
the Cruelty of a Tyrannical Gout, and the French Disease, than for Gold
making, unless so far as he hath need to use the same for necessary
Aliments.
Whosoever desires to know more of this Coralline _Mercury_, or
(according to _Helmont_) Horizontal Gold; let him peruse our little
Treatise intituled the Seventh Part of the Spagyrical Pharmacopœa,
where he may find not onely many _Mercurys_, which are not inferiour
to this, but in many things excel it. Also there you are taught how a
burning Spirit may be distilled from all Vegetables, and with such a
Spirit, by kindling and burning it, the _Mercury_ of Wine be separated
from the Sulphur in flame, and that as a pure Cœlestial Salt be
gathered in a fit Recipient, and administred against all Diseases, as a
supream Universal Medicine. Also there is taught the way of purifying
_Mercury_, and depriving the same of every loathsome Taste and Odour,
in such wise, as it is rendred sweet and pleasant, like to Fire
consuming Diseases, and for correcting every Cachexy of the whole Body.
In like manner the same teacheth the way of preparing _Mercury_ so, as
it offers it self to be ripened by the Secret Fire of _Atrephius_ into
the highest Medicine, and that in a short time with little labour and
charge.
Hitherto I have variously treated of the manifold Use of our Alcahest;
but since this kind of Doctrine may profit Junior Physicians,
Apothecaries, Chymists, and other learned men more than Mechanick
Artificers; I purpose here to subjoin some other Secrets also, which
may be of use to the People, that so our _Alcahest_ may become
_Onesimus_ the common Servant of many, and in this manner be verified
what in the superior or precedent Treatise is mentioned, _viz._ that of
despicable Urine all men of all Orders, when they will may reap profit,
and sufficient Aliments. But, although Spirit of Urine alone, without
the help of Oil of Vitriol, or some other Acid Spirit, cannot effect
all that is to be performed, yet the labour of making Oil of Vitriol is
not to be eschewed, since it is that which may be prepared in abundance
with little charge, and almost no trouble. If any one be but a little
more skilfull, than a common Chymist, then indeed he may prepare at
least four pound for the charge of one Imperial. If you cannot perform
this work, Oil of Sulphur offers it self, which is more conducive for
preparation of the Liquor _Alcahest_, than Oil of Vitriol, and in a
peculiar Furnace, of an hundred pounds of Sulphur, without any great
trouble, you may easily prepare ten or twelve pounds of Oil, and that
for a small charge.
Wherefore, whosoever would by the benefit of the _Alcahest_ elaborate
any thing to profit, he must first be provided of, and furnished with
Spirit of Urine, and that some quantity, and also not a little Oil
of Vitriol or Sulphur, ready for future use, that without any delay
or hindrance he may happily proceed in his work begun, which without
these he cannot absolve. If Spirit of Urine and Oil of Vitriol be to be
bought by any one, his _Alcahest_ will be too dear, of it to prepare
much to profit, as by the following shall appear.
What is that which _Pontanus_ saith to this? The whole body of Mercury,
without any previous Separation of the pure from the impure, may by
the help of the Secret Fire of _Artephius_ be totally ripened into
a fixed Medicine or Tincture, without any diminution of its weight.
Touching which wonderfull fixation, I in my Sick-bed made a small
trial, insomuch as now I am obliged to believe what _Pontanus_ affirmed
touching such a Secret Fire; openly confessing, that the same Secret
Fire is more to be esteemed in Medicine and Alchymy, than all other
great Secrets, which have ever been observed by Philosophers. Wherefore
now, nothing grieves me so much, as that by reason of my great
indisposedness, being always constrained to keep my Bed, I am able to
make no further trial of the same.
This Fire converts all venomous Subjects into salutiferous Medicaments;
fixeth all things that are volatile; renders all sharp and bitter
things sweet and pleasant. In a word, this Secret Fire cannot more
properly be compared to any thing, than to _Titan_ or the _Sun_, whence
all things draw their Life and Increase. For that Fire, first of Earth,
Water and Air, produceth gross, bitter and harsh Fruits, then ripens
them being unripe, and changeth them into sweet and pleasant Fruits,
imitating the _Sun_ producing sower Grapes, which it sweetens after its
various Operations upon them. The same may be spoken of the maturation
of vulgar _Mercury_, being such as _per se_ (whilst it is as yet
volatile) is to be esteemed an immature and bitter Fruit: but as soon
as by our Secret Fire its Bitterness and noxious Venome shall be taken
away, and it becomes fixed and able to abide the Examen of Fire, it is
no longer a bitter Venome, but passeth into a salutiferous Medicament.
Hence the worthy _Lully_ cried out; _If you dulcifie the bitter,
you will have the whole Magistery_. Which Dulcification our Secret
Fire is able to compleat as perfectly as the _Sun_ of all acid and
harsh products of Trees, makes sweet, pleasant and salubrious Fruits.
_Pontanus_ witnesseth, that he had laboured in the true matter of the
Stone, yet that he erred more than an hundred times, and that he should
never have returned into the Royal way of Infallible Operation, if he
had not read _Artephius_, and of him learned the Fire of the Wise. This
indeed is a thing to be admired, that almost no Chymist imploys his
Care, Study, Meditation and Counsel to seek out and find our Secret
Fire, although to it there is scarcely given another like and second
in all the things of Nature. _Artephius_ did so clearly describe that
Fire, as you would wonder that so few Searchers have ever comprehended
his Mind. All other Philosophers, who were partakers of such a Fire,
do with _Artephius_ expresly write, that it burns continually in
their Glass, and not so extrinsecally, in one degree. Whence indeed
it is sufficiently manifest, that the same is not common Fire made of
Wood and Coals. Therefore I do positively say, that our Secret Fire,
in a short time, is able to transmute the whole of _Mercury_ into a
red, sweet and pleasant Tincture, and also to change both humane and
metallick Bodies.
_Yet further, Touching the most fruitfull Use of our =Alcahest=,
bringing great Gain in Metallick Labours._
As we have heard that volatile common _Mercury_ is fixed and rendred
constant in Fire, by the help of our _Alcahest_; so it also in such
wise fixeth other Minerals, and volatile Metals, as the same in
Cupellating, leave behind both _Sol_ and _Lune_, not without notable
utility. But thence especially may you reap vast profit, if volatile
_Sol_ and _Luna_, extracted by _Aqua Fortis_ out of Sand and Earth,
be again totally fixed by help of that, in such a manner, as they in
Fire fly not; but yielding, permit themselves to be melted as any
other _Sol_ and _Lune_. Metals, whensoever wrought upon by the help
of _Aqua Fortis_, although they were fixt before, degenerate into
another Nature, and are volatilized, so as with a strong Fire of
Fusion they fly away to the Owners great loss. As for Example: If you
dissolve _Lune_ in _Aqua Regia_, and upon the same Solution pour common
Salt-water, the _Lune_ will be precipitated from the Water in the form
of a white Powder, which if with other Water you well edulcorate and
dry, you will have a Calx of _Lune_ much more ponderous than the _Lune_
was before. Which kind of increase ariseth onely from the sharp Spirits
of the Salt, which the Silver hath drawn into it self so firmly, as by
the benefit of Water they could not be totally separated, but remain in
it, not onely whilst it is heated red-hot, but also in a strong Fire
of Fusion, insomuch as the _Lune_ shews it self not tractable in Fire,
as any other Silver, but remains like a Stone in that vehement Fire,
so as whilst it is flowing, those Spirits of the Salt carry away much
of the Silver with them in fume; and part of it also penetrates into
the Crucible. Wherefore such _Lune_ precipitated with Salt, cannot be
melted again and made ductile Silver without great loss and detriment,
but appears intractable like a transparent Horn, whence also it is by
Chymists called the _Horn of the Moon_; but I in my Writings name this
Silver (as being that which is altogether volatile and fusible) the
_Mercury_ of _Luna_.
In the same manner also _Saturn_ may be converted into a Liquable and
volatile _Mercury_, touching the admirable and profitable use of which,
I have writ, but not published, a whole Treatise, which is intituled,
_The Work of Saturn_: but of this no more here. The Evening of the Day
now approaching, admonisheth us to return to speak of our volatile
_Lune_, and to shew the way of reducing that into fixed and soft or
tractable Silver; which indeed by unskilfull Men is supposed to be a
difficult Art, but by skilfull Men it is known to be easily effected
with the great Utility of the Operator.
But some one may say, what need we about that imploy our principal
Cares and Meditations, to render such precipitated volatile _Lune_ into
fixed and good Silver, since there are other ways of precipitating
Silver from _Aqua Fortis_, viz. by the help of thin plates of
_Venus_? To such a Man, I thus answer: They who commonly separate
_Sol_ from _Luna_, are in a great measure abused by that way of
precipitation with _Venus_ Plates; but they would never use that
chargeable Precipitation, if they enjoyed the knowledge of any other
more profitable. Chargeable, I say, is such a Precipitation to those
that use it, because much Water must be poured into the Solution,
for washing away or weakening the force of the _Aqua Fortis_, that
the _Lune_ may the more readily be precipitated by the _Venus_, and
the _Aqua Fortis_ also not dissolve too much of the _Venus_. By this
separation the _Aqua Fortis_ is lost, because it becomes Coppery, and
unfit for a new use of separating. For one Mark of Silver costs in
_Aqua Fortis_ onely (not reckoning Labour and Workmanship) almost half
an Imperial: wherefore our _Belgian_ Refiners think it worth their
while, if for separation of every Mark of Guilt Silver, they spend
but two _Holland_ Florens, or ⅘ of one Imperial, for otherwise they
cannot gain much: Yet some of them will not precipitate their _Lune_
with the help of _Venus_ Plates, and so lost their _Aqua Fortis_,
but by distillation abstract the _Aqua Fortis_, and afterward use it
again. But this abstraction is difficultly performed, and is not void
of danger. For the Glass breaking, the Silver is spilt amongst the
Sand, so as the whole cannot be recovered again without some damage,
and sometimes there is great loss. Wherefore such a way of separating,
although you can save part of the _Aqua Fortis_, yet it is chargeable
and also dangerous (when _Aqua Fortis_ is to be prepared in a great
quantity, as is wont to be done in metallick Mines of Gold and Silver,
and also in Goldsmiths Shops) because it requires a filthy toil,
sordid labour, great expence, and a continual tiresome and perillous
trouble. I add perillous, and that deservedly; because those Operators,
who frequently separate with _Aqua Fortis_, do very often become
_Peripneumonick_, and diseased in their Lungs, by attracting with their
breath the Acrimony of those Spirits into their Lungs, with which sharp
Spirits the Lungs being touched, are hurt, and rendred obnoxious to
Putrefaction, insomuch as among those Separators you shall very rarely
ever find an old Gray-hair’d Master. For such Companions, even in their
flourishing Age, are untimely hurried out of this life. But what are
these feeble wretches able to doe, in withstanding the great Power of
Destiny? Of Golden-Silver, Moniers know not how to make Money before
they have separated the Gold from it, how great cost soever they be
at for separating the same. About two years since I writ touching a
certain Artificial method of separating Gold from Silver in abundance;
but because I was taken sick a little after, and have continued
discomposed almost ever since, I could not bring that laudable and most
profitable Work of Separation to effect.
But afterward this my Infirmity continuing long, and I necessitated
to keep my Bed, although troubled with no considerable sense of pain,
could do nothing, but onely bend and incline my serious thoughts and
meditations upon Nature and Art; then God and Fortune shewed me the
way, by which every common _Mercury_ may be fixed and rendred constant
in Fire. Which sudden fixation of volatile _Mercury_, the Deluder of
all Alchymists, gave me farther occasion of fixing other volatile
Subjects also. But among others, I ordered trial and proof to be made
of a volatile _Calx_ of _Lune_ precipitated with salt Water, that I
might experimentally see, whether such volatile Silver might not be
so bound up, as to suffer it self, like any other _Lune_ to be melted
without detriment or loss; the effect of which Trial or Proof succeeded
according to my expectation. That indeed is a great Reward of a great
Invention, insomuch as it supplies me with sufficient matter of
asserting with _Archimedes_, It is an Invention worth the Milk of an
hundred Kine. For this Fixation of volatile Silver will afford a famous
Fruit of Utility in Alchymy, and especially in the Separation of Gold
from Silver; because such a way the Separation of Gold from Silver may
easily be made; _viz._ there being no need of the Solution of Silver by
_Aqua Fortis_, but it is sufficient if the Silver be onely granulated,
and the _Sol_ which is in it extracted by _Aqua Regia_; because that
being done, you will see all the Silver residing in the bottom. And
although there should be half an Ounce of Gold in every Mark of Silver,
yet you will need no more _Aqua Regia_, than onely so much as is
required for the Solution of such a quantity of Gold; so as a diligent
Man, in the space of one day, may very well separate an hundred Marks
of Golden-Silver, for the charge of three Duckets. And this artificial
method of Separating may not onely be used by the Separators of Gold
from _Lune_, but you may thence also reap greater profit, whensoever
you are desirous by the help of _Aqua Fortis_ to extract Silver from
Stones, Sand and Clay, and to precipitate the same with Salt: for
this way all the _Aqua Regis_ will be saved, that _Aqua Fortis_ by
the addition of Salt being turned into _Aqua Regis_, which will be
most powerfully conducent for extracting Gold out of Sand and Stones,
and for precipitating by a Mercurial Precipitation of the Gold from
the _Aqua Regia_, and afterward that _Aqua Regia_ may again be used
with notable profit for extracting like Gold. Touching which gainfull
Extraction, the Seventh Part of the _Prosperity of our Country_ largely
treateth. Here my intent was onely to publish an Artificial, and not
chargeable way of separating Gold from Silver; which is such a method,
as I believe the World never knew before.
* * * * *
Thus this new-invented Work of Separation is a most profitable
Compendium, by the benefit of which every skilfull Man hereafter
may with a good courage labour, and increase his Goods and Fortunes
honestly: for I believe there cannot be invented any new Work more
compendious than this we have here alledged, for the separation of Gold
from Silver: wherefore we acquiesce in that. But if any one would be
more prolixly instructed in this Artificial Separation, let him peruse
the above-recited Seventh Part of the _Prosperity of Germany_, where
he may satisfie the hunger of his desires. Here you have the _First
Appendix on the Seventh Part of my Spagyrical Pharmacopœa_: but in the
following _Second Appendix_ (God willing) I will discover yet greater
Secrets, which may be perfected by our _Alcahest_, but were never yet
manifested to the World. But at this time, courteous Reader, take in
good part these few things here premised, and whatsoever excellent
thing shall hereafter offer it self, the same shall be presented to thy
Consideration.
Therefore, since (as is above declared and shewed) our Secret
_Alcahest_ is able to enrich Mortals with many kinds of gainfull
Emolument, he is in no wise to be reprehended, that aspires to the
knowledge of elaborating so excellent a Work, _viz._ how he should
prepare for himself Oil of Vitriol or Sulphur, and that in abundance
for a very small charge: for nothing hinders, but that four or five
pounds thereof may be prepared for the charge of one Imperial. I need
not mention how Spirit of Urine may easily be had and prepared in
abundance, _viz._ so soon as one shall cause Urine mixt with Quicklime
to ascend in a large distillatory _Vesica_. For if any one shall so
prepare his _Alcahest_, eight or ten pounds thereof, after his work
is done, will scarcely cost him one Imperial: wherefore he must needs
gain much more, than if he should buy the same of others that sell
it, for a great Price. In the mean while I doubt not, but that such a
most easie Coagulation or Fixation of _Mercury_, as is made by help of
this _Alcahest_, will excite not a few of the more unskilfull Readers,
to the love of Learning from expert Artists, the Art of preparing the
_Alcahest_ in abundance.
A Recapitulation,
OR
More ample Declaration of the precedent Secrets revealed.
Well meaning Reader,
_Here in this Appendix I do indeed treat of very few Secrets, but
those are very great, (which may be acquired by our =Alcahest=,)
the like of which no other Man before me did ever impart to the
World. Now contemplate, and well consider with thy self this swift
and not chargeable Fixation of =Mercury=, which so many famous and
industrious Searchers have laboriously sought for many hundreds of
Years now passed, as is known to the whole World. But the greatest
part of them have sought in vain, and with a fruitless and unlucky
endeavour miserably lost all their Patrimony and Fortunes, and become
the Laughing-stock of other more happy Persons, being themselves
Vagabonds, which cast an aspersion of Ignominy on the noble Art of
Chymistry, and have rendred the same so odious every-where among the
common sort, as no good Man (although he hath by most diligent search
obtained some famous Medicine) dares to profess himself the Possessor
of any Eminent =Arcanum= in Chymistry, lest he should give any occasion
to =Aristarchical= Censurers of defaming him, and calling him a =Gold
making Animal=. Assuredly it is very manifest, that in all Regions of
=Europe=, and in every Age, have lived such Men most experienced, as
have not onely transmuted =Mercury=, but other vile Metals also into
good Gold, sustaining every Examen of Fire. But this was done very
secretly, lest the Artists themselves should fall into the hands of
Tyrants. =Paracelsus=, that most famous Monarch of all Philosophers,
Physicians and Chymists, did indeed openly write of the Fixation of
=Mercury=, but in a Character so abstruse, as in all my life I never
saw one Man who could fix his =Coralline Mercury=, or present it to the
sight of sufficient and certain Witnesses, except =Helmont= writing,
that he could prepare such =Mercury=, as in Medicine would perform
all whatsoever the Physician should have need of. But that the same
=Mercury= (as =Paracelsus= testifies of it from his own Experience)
enters into Gold and augments that, and exhilerates many impoverished
=Alchymists=, restoring them to a more fortunate state; touching these
Effects of the same, the worthy =Helmont= made no mention; yet he
writ, that he did himself fix =Mercury=, by one onely abstraction
of his =Alcahest=, in such wise, as of one pound he had left in the
=Cupella= seven ounces of good Silver, which indeed is a famous Work
in Chymistry and worth while; but Gold is better. Truly I must needs
confess, that I have often tediously laboured to no purpose in this
Work, and never could with any profit extract good =Lune= thence, onely
I always had a little good Silver. Nevertheless afterward, when I lay
Bed-rid, and by reason of my four years sickness, had consumed all my
Goods gotten by Medicine, it pleased the most wise God to confer on
me so great a Light, at by the Splendor of that I found the Royal way
of operating rightly; and now I am able in a very few days to fix any
common =Mercury= into a fixed red Powder, which fixed =Mercury= will
undoubtedly perform Wonders in Medicine. For =Paracelsus= writes, that
the dolorous Gout may be radically expelled by the benefit of the same.
=Helmont= subscribes, that the same will perform all a Physician can
desire and wish for. Wherefore, if the same be of so great efficacy
(for I doubt not the truth of his Assertion) no Physician hath need of
any other thing than this; because in what part soever of the World he
resides, it will supply him with Aliments sufficient, and he will have
no need to expose himself to the ignoble servitude and arbitrement of
another, as the greatest part of other Mercenary Physicians are wont
to prostitute themselves for hire. For by this =Mercury= onely he may
acquire to himself Honour and Wealth enough, although he otherwise
perform no great matter in Chymistry. In all Nations are found Men
afflicted with grievous Diseases: of which no doubt is to be made,
as a little after we shall hear. Wherefore it should be the onely
care, study and endeavour of an honest and candid Physician to obtain
such a fixed =Mercury=, in the mean while omitting all needless and
vain Operations, together with all fruitless Disputes, without any
Foundation, touching other unprofitable Remedies. Whensoever this is,
there will be no need of =Galenical Medicines=, nor of the vain Pomp
of so many withered, unprofitable and inefficacious Herbs, or so many
painted Boxes, Pots and Glasses, with other frivolous Expences orderly
placed in Apothecaries Shops._
_Now let us hear what admirable Effects our fixed =Mercury= is able to
manifest in Metallicks. =Paracelsus= writes, that it exhilerates every
=Alchymist= reduced to a poor Estate, and hath ingress into Gold, and
augments the same. My own Experience of this I am willing to impart
to the Candid Reader, as far as I have proceeded hitherto. Therefore
let the well meaning Reader know, that I found out this Art of Fixing
=Mercury= no longer since than in =March= last of this Year 1667, and
began to make proof thereof in the following Month of =April=; and so
soon as I had found the Truth of it, I thought good to publish so great
an Invention to the whole World. Yet in so short a space of Time, I
could not search out all that was to be found, because by reason of
my diuturnal Illness I was constrained to keep in my Bed; therefore I
hastned the publication of so excellent an Invention, because I feared
it would happen that the insalubrious Air of =March= or =April= should
be my Death, and so all hope of divulging such a Secret be totally
frustrated. Whatsoever I found in the same within that small space of
time, I have here communicated._
_I three several times perfected the Fixation of =Mercury= in a small
quantity, and always found it every time higher and higher, and more
and more beautifull. This fixed =Mercury= I cupellated with =Saturn=,
but my =Mercury= remained fixed, without any Ingress made into the
Lead, insomuch as from it self could give no Gold. Afterward I made
another Trial, and then to my fixed =Mercury= I added a little common
Gold, melting them into one Mass, I found that this Gold from the
=Mercury= had increased it self more than half; the remainder of my
=Mercury= had made no Ingress, but remained lying like a Red fixed
Calx. Which kind of proof fully satisfied my mind, because the residue
of my =Mercury=, which had not entred into the Gold, was not lost, but
converted into an excellent Medicine. If it please the most wise God
to restore me to my pristine health, as I hope he will in the next
Summers heat, I shall not acquiesce in this proof onely, but further
try whether I can of this =Mercury= yet make some further improvement.
In the mean while I sing Praises to the Immortal God for so noble a
Medicine against the dolorous =Gout=._
_Thus, Reader, you have my Experience touching the =Fixed Coralline
Mercury=. If I find any other more excellent Experiment of this (as
I doubt not but I shall) I will ere it be long make thee partaker
thereof in a following =Second Appendix=._
_Whatsoever I have above prescribed touching the =Mercury= of Wine,
as being an excellent Salt, and Supreme Medicine, I did sufficiently
explain, except the Instrument to be made for burning the Spirit of
Wine, which is not yet sufficiently expressed._
_But here it is to be observed, that a burning Spirit extracted from
Corn or other Vegetables, in no-wise yields so much =Mercury=, as
Spirit of Wine doth, and especially if distilled from rich Rhenish
Wine. In like manner also so much =Mercury= cannot be had from any
sweet =French= or =Spanish= Wine, as from Rhenish Wine. So soon as by
search I found the reason of this difference, I could from any burning
Spirit made of Corn, extract as much =Mercury=, as from Rhenish Wine,
insomuch as I now (praise and thanks be given to God) can easily
be without Rhenish Wine and any other. The supreme Giver of all
good Gifts, from his inexhausted Fountain of Grace, hath abundantly
refreshed me with good things; let him yet instill more into me, that
I may again distill the same into other of his needy and officious
Servants, who with me endeavour to publish the Magnalia of God. =Amen=._
_But proceeding yet further, we will briefly speak of the =Secret
Fire= of ancient Philosophers, being that by which they ripened their
Tinctures. Therefore, for a Conclusion, let the Lover of divine and
natural Wisedom know, that such a Fire is not made of Wood or Coals,
but is a Firey-water, such as gives forth from it self neither smoak
nor flame. The same is not hindred or excited by external Fire, but in
the Glass, (about the Subject you intend to fix and dulcifie) it always
burns in an equal degree, and converts the immature and harsh into
sweet and pleasant, fixed and mature; and also converts bitter Venome
into salutary Medicine and Treacle._
_Therefore, whomsoever God illuminates with so great Light, as to
know such a =Secret Fire=, he will no more need to seek or desire
any thing in Philosophy and Hermetick Medicine, but will offer up
incessant Praises to God, as to the Fountain of all Good, because he
will continually be mindfull of helping the Distresses of the Poor, and
largely bestow on those Indigent Persons, out of the abundance to him
accruing by the benefit of that most noble Gift granted to himself._
* * * * *
To the Supreme GOD alone be Praise and Glory for ever.
_The End of the First Appendix._
THE
SECOND APPENDIX
TO THE
SEVENTH PART
OF THE
Spagyrical Pharmacopœa.
Wherein is treated of the further use of our secret
_Sal-Armoniack_, for the meliorating of the meaner Metals, and
more particularly of the profitable extracting or separating
_Sol_ and _Lune_ from _Jupiter_. With a subjoyned information how
by means of the Mercurial Water of _Jupiter_, Tinctures may be
extracted in quantity not onely from _Sol_, but also from _Mars_
and _Venus_, and all precious, as well as common Stones; and that
(as it were) in a moment, without Fire or any considerable charge.
_Faithfully Translated out of the High-Dutch._
Kind READER,
_In my foregoing first Appendix of my =Pharmacopœa Spagyrica=,
I promised a second concerning the further use of our secret
=Sal-Armoniack=, that the ignorant as well as doubtfull might be
fully satisfied of the truth. The reason why I rather choose to add
two Appendixes to the said seventh Part, than to publish the secrets
therein contained, under the title of the eighth Part, is because
I have resolved not to go beyond the number 7 (in which something
extraordinary lies hid) in any of my Writings. And forasmuch as I
have already published six Parts =of the welfare of my own Countrey=;
I intend shortly to add the seventh Part, which shall contain clear
and full instructions, without concealing the least circumstance or
manual operation how every one who is but a little skill’d in Fire,
may with great profit extract from Sand and Stones, =Sol= and =Lune=,
and thereby get a plentifull livelyhood in any part of the World. I
have also at present in hand, the two last Parts of my Treatise of
=Furnaces=, five of them being already in Print, that I may in that
Piece also compleat the number seven: which two last Furnaces are
extraordinary usefull; for in treating of the sixth Furnace I describe
that Artificial Refrigeratory Instrument or Alembick, whereby the
=Mercury= or Cælestial =Niter= of all Vegetables, Animals and Minerals
is caught by kindling Spirit of Wine upon them, by which means the said
=Mercury= is separated from its gross Body, and unprofitable part, and
becomes highly exalted and purified. Which instrument the Philosophers
have always carefully concealed. The seventh part of my Furnaces shall
contain the description of a little Furnace in which with a very
inconsiderable quantity of Coals and in a few hours, distillation may
be performed by Retort, being such a =Compendium= as has never yet been
published to the World. In which Furnace also the Tinctures of Metals
may with the secret Fire of =Artephius=, or by the proper Agent of
the matter of the Stone, in a short time be fixed and maturated. And
if it shall please God to continue my Life a while longer, I intend
to carry on these my following Works, =viz.= =The Mineral Work=, =the
wonder of the World=, my =Centuries=, with other of my Writings, to
the seventh number; but before I publish these I intend to Print some
other Treatises, =viz.= =Of the second Terrestrial, and third Cælestial
Purgatory=, and another =concerning God and good and evil Spirits=._
_Now as to the second Appendix, I intend therein briefly, but
fundamentally to declare the true gainfull particular as well as
universal transmutation of Metals; yet not so, as that every lazy proud
Lubber may become Master of these secrets, and thereby strengthen
himself in his Pride and Debauchery, by no means: but they shall be
so laid down, that those who have attained to some skill of managing
Fire, may easily comprehend the same; yea the whole World will, I hope,
have cause to rejoyce for this my faithfull Communication. And in case
there be any that might not find clear and full satisfaction in this my
Appendix they may read my other Writings, particularly those yet to be
published, wherein they will meet with a further Elucidation of these
secrets._
_And as for those my good old Friends who never basely complied with
the Enemies of Art and Truth, to them I am (as I always was) ready to
communicate a shorter and nearer way than it is fitting here to expose
to every Man._
_Of the further profitable use of our secret =Sal-Armoniack= for
the Melioration of Metals._
In the seventh part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_, I have at large
declared how our secret _Sal-Armoniack_ is to be made together with
the use of it in the preparation of many excellent Medicines, hitherto
unknown. And because therein I did not discover all, I added to it an
Appendix, treating concerning the use of the said _Sal-Armoniack_ and
other profitable secrets. But forasmuch as the virtues of the said
_Sal-Armoniack_ are great and unfathomable, I have thought good to
add the second Appendix, which speaks of its use in meliorating the
meaner metals. I intend therefore in this writing to discover great
things, neither shall the Worlds ingratitude deter me from so doing. I
shall begin with _Saturn_ and _Jupiter_, and afterwards treat of the
melioration of other meaner metals, _viz._ _Mars_ and _Venus_, how by
Art their corruptible and combustible _Sulphur_ may be separated from
them, and their purer part, (_viz._ _Sol_ and _Lune_ which are hid in
them) extracted and made visible.
Lead and Tin, to outward aspect do much resemble one another, save
onely that _Jupiter_ is whiter, for which reason the Philosophers have
called it white Lead, _Antimony_ black Lead, and _Bismuth_ gray Lead;
because all of them like Lead, easily melt in the Fire.
Concerning _Saturn_ and _Jupiter_ (being the highest Planets in the
Firmament) the Heathen Philosophers have writ much in their Fables: as
amongst other things, that _Jupiter_ drove his Father _Saturn_ from
his Kingdom, and made himself Master of it and other like Stories; in
all which they obscurely hinted to us the transmutation of Metals.
For these Poetical Fables though they seem trifling and foolish to
those who have not attained to any considerable experience in Fire,
so that of one thousand Readers scarce one reaches the true ground of
them, (though ’tis known they were writ by men of great learning and
experience) yet they whose understanding God enlightens find in them an
hidden Treasure.
Now to the end I may not bury the Talent God has been pleased to
bestow upon me, but improve it for the good of the World, I shall here
discover the melioration of _Jupiter_ and _Saturn_ to the glory of
God the Author of all good, and for the use of all mankind, without
respect of Persons, whether they be Friends or Enemies: the good and
virtuous will without doubt thankfully accept this my communication,
and to the ungratefull and unworthy, this my well-meaning discovery of
such profitable secrets will but heap Coals on their Heads. Wherefore
it shall not repent me though it should come to the hands of my worst
Enemies, as being sufficiently contented in this that I am any way
instrumental in making known the wonders of God and nature to the World.
Thus in the name of God without envy or repining I proceed according
to his command, to do good to Friends and Enemies, good and bad: if
the wicked abuse any of these secrets, God in his due time will meet
with them, and pay them in their own Coin. Follows now the nature
and property of _Jupiter_ and _Saturn_, according as they have been
discovered to me by Fire.
_Of the nature and property of Lead._