A PROCESS.

_To Extract a Red Tincture out of all White Flints, and bring it

over the Helm by means of our Fire Spirit, and afterwards to fix

the same._

_Recipe_ one, two, or three pounds of finely powdred White Flints, and

pour upon them half as much of our Hellish-fire-spirit, abstract the

same in Sand by retort, and it will carry the purest Sulphur of the

Flints over with it, which may afterwards be fixed with our Catholick

Coagulator. And if instead of Flints you take a Gold Spar, which

besides some fix Gold, contains much that is Volatile, your pains

will be better bestowed. And in case you cannot get any of these,

then take the _Terra Sigillata_, or sealed Earth of _Silesia_, in

which much volatile Gold is hid; but if you can get the Red Turkish

_Terra Sigillata_ of _Lemnos_, you will have a much richer Tincture,

as abounding with a greater quantity of Spiritual Gold, than any of

the forementioned. But take heed you be not deceived, for much of that

which is sold for _Terra Sigillata_ of _Lemnos_, is nothing else but

_Bolus Armenus_.

_Ovid_ and others have in their Fables made mention of this Earth,

which is so rich in Gold under the name of _Vulcan_, whom his

Mother after she had brought him forth in Heaven, finding him to be

deformed, flung down to the Island _Lemnos_, where some Apes, that is

Philosophers, who imitate Nature, took and washed him, that is, by

their fiery Water, took away his ugly and deformed outside, separating

the pure Tincture from the gross Body, as I have here taught. The

Curious who desire to know more of these matters, let them read

the experienced and ingenious _Bracescus_ his Book of the Tree of

Life, who will give them full satisfaction. But if none of all these

forementioned can be had, we may make use of Blood-stone, Ruddle, or

any other Red Earth that abounds with volatile Gold, of which there

is great plenty in most parts of _Germany_. The Red Jasper-stone,

Granates, and Yellow Jacinths do also much abound with Tincture. But

these and other such-like, I leave to others to find out, for it is

impossible for me to mention all. I conclude this little Treatise with

this Solemn Affirmation, that it is a very easie thing in a short time,

and without any charges, to speak of, to prepare fix Tinctures, from

common Metals and Stones. Believe and set upon the Work, and thou wilt

find it so indeed.

_The End of the Seventh Part._

LIBELLUS IGNIUM,

OR,

Book of FIRES.

In which is Treated of strange and hitherto unknown _FIRES_, to

what end they serve, and what great Profit may by them accrue to

Mankind.

Translated out of the _High-Dutch_.

Beloved READER,

_That which hath moved me to write this small Treatise of =Secret

Fires=, with their great Operations, hath been only this, =viz.=

Because =God Almighty= hath commanded us not to hide our Talent in the

Earth, (like the Unprofitable Servant) but to improve it to the glory

of =God=, and the good of our Neighbour. To improve and augment it, as

we may see in the 16. Chap. of St. =Luke=. Seeing therefore that the

most merciful =God=, hath revealed those high Secrets to me, in this my

great Age, makes me judge that such great gifts of =God=, have not been

discovered for my sake only, who by reason of my great Age have, as it

were one foot already in the Grave; but that I might make known such

wonderfull Works to the World._

_Of the first Fire, and its Profitable use._

How to make a Lamp, which being closed up in a Glass, may be made to

burn continually by its own vertue, and give light without any other

help.

_Of the benefit of this Lamp._

Such a Lamp may serve all those who love to see light, as the Image

of _God_; and may also be very available to those who by reason of

continual Weakness are forced to lie much upon their Beds; which they

may keep continually burning in their Bed-Chamber, not only because of

its clear shining light, which doth neither smoak nor scent, like all

other Combustible Lights, which scent is very prejudicial not only to

the Sick, but also to the Healthy, because such smoaks offend the Heart

and Brain. On the contrary, this Royal Fire is pleasant, strengthening,

and refreshing to the Heart and Brain, and its Cotton or Wick is made

of incombustible matter, and casts a sweet flavour all over the Room.

This secret Fire might also serve the Hermetick Physicians to prepare

a Universal Medicine; especially if the sweet refreshing Odour, which

proceeds from it in Burning, be received in a Philosophick Receiver,

and administred to their Patients, as a great Cordial, renovating, and

restorative Medicine.

Although this secret Fire, be of far greater advantage than what

hath been mentioned, yet for certain reasons its further use must be

concealed. This Fire is appropriated to the Elemental Air, seeing

it hath its own Air in it self, by reason of which it burneth in a

Glass well closed, and if touched by the least Air, it extinguisheth

and goeth out, of which you may see more in the Fifth Part of my

_Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_.

There is another unknown Fire, which is appropriated to the Earth,

because it resembleth a black Earth, and being shut up in a close

Vessel of Glass, will keep its Fire perhaps to the end of the World,

provided there cometh no Air into the Vessel; but if one would have

it a visible Fire, the Glass must be broken that the Air may come to

it, so the matter will presently enkindle it self by the Air, and in a

short time burneth to a coal, yet without flame or smoak, and at length

is consumed, and leaves heavy Ashes behind.

_Of the Use of this Earthy Fire._

Although it may seem to many, that this Fire is not fit for any thing,

yet I affirm it to be fit for great and weighty matters, which are

not fit to mention, much less to make known, by reason of the abuse

which may be made of it; this Fire being ten times more forcible than

Gun-powder. Moreover, it also plays its part in the Melioration of

Metals, for when this black Earth-fire is fluxed in a Crucible, then

poured out, and exposed to the Air, it begins to move, and grow as it

were living, so that one may see how forcibly it attracteth the Air,

fills it self with puffing Bladders like an incensed Toad, continuing

such a motion for the space of three or four days, then the matter

falleth asunder, and there floweth out of it a red firey juice, the

remainder is dead and unprofitable.

With this red juice, wonderfull things are to be done in Alchymy, not

necessary to be mentioned in this place, because it is my desire onely

to make known the Wonders of God. But he that will know more of it, let

him read the Fifth Part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_, treating of the

Stone of the Wise, where he will find how the blood of this Toad doth

in few hours draw the Colour of Gold, so that the Body remains white,

therefore it may be supposed to be the Chalybs of _Sendivogius_.

This Fire is also made of Steel, for when it is touched with a wet

finger, sparks fly from it, as from a red-hot Iron which a Smith is

forging upon an Anvil. But enough at this time of this wonderfull

Earth-fire till another opportunity. _Ripley_ seems to have known this

Fire, and of it to have prepared his Universal Tincture: his Dream

sounds thus, I have seen a red Toad drink so much and so long of the

juice of the Grape, till his inwards did burst asunder, _&c._

The third Secret Fire is appropriated to the Elementary water, because

it softeneth and dissolveth all hard Subjects; it also radically

joyneth the different nature of Metals, into wonderfull tinging Stones.

Seeing that this Water-fire is of great vertue to the Metals, both

particularly and universally, I am resolved (for brevity sake) to

make known its vertue in a few cases, the rest will be known by the

diligent. First, this wet Fire hath such great vertue, that it can

dissolve radically the most fixed Gold, within the space of twelve

hours, as also to unite it with _Lune_, to volatilise and render it

irreducible. Which volatile _Sol_ and _Lune_ is no more like unto

_Sol_ and _Lune_, but in colour, easie flux, form and weight, appeareth

like unto black _Saturn_; therefore the ancient Philosophers, because

of its form and similitude, have called it the black Lead of the Wise,

and because of its volatility the _Mercury_ of Philosophers; which

_Mercury_ or black Lead of the Wise may be also _per se_, brought into

a true Tincture.

Therefore they have all erred, who have taken _Antimony_ for the true

black Lead of the Wise. He that will know my failings in this matter,

let him read the Third Part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_, where he

will find Wonders, especially how I have cleansed it to the highest

degree, and concentrated it into a white Mercurial fusible Stone,

which doth shew such vertues in Medicine as are to be admired. This

white Stone hath such vertue, that it cureth all diseases, if it be

held every morning onely a while in the mouth; of which I have treated

more clearly in the Fifth Part of my _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_. This

true black Lead, which by this humid Fire, is made of Common _Sol_ and

_Lune_, hath no equality with _Antimony_ nor other common Lead.

* * * * *

What else is to be done in the particular Melioration of Metals, doth

not belong to this place, but shall, by the help of God, be declared

elsewhere.

* * * * *

This moist Fire hath power to extract all _Sol_ and _Venus_ out of

_Lune_, in few hours, if the _Lune_ be first granulated, and then put

into it, without dissolving the _Lune_, so that the _Lune_ remaineth

almost as fine as from the Test. The extracted _Sol_ and _Venus_ may

easily be separated from the Water, each by it self, by precipitation,

insomuch that the Water retains its vertue, and there is no loss either

of the _Sol_, _Lune_, or _Venus_. In like manner the allay of _Sol_ and

_Lune_, by _Venus_, may be extracted with ease, in great plenty, and

for little charge. Which Secret would be of great use to Refiners, or

such as have much Gold and Silver to be parted, as in Mines, _&c._

It is sufficiently known what great labour and charge is required by

the common way of parting Gold, and Silver, and Copper, _&c._ therefore

needeth not to be repeated.

_Here followeth a shorter and easier way._

First, if my impure Gold be in great lumps, I grannulate it; but if

it be Jewels, Rings, or Chains, I onely neal them, and therewith fill

a parting glass to the third part, then I pour thereon of my cheap

and new-invented _Menstruum_, so much as may swim above it a fingers

breadth, put a Limbick upon it and set it in a Sand furnace, give fire

by degrees till the Liquor boil, and be all gone over the Helm, to a

dry Salt. So hath the _Aqua Fortis_ in the time of digesting drawn to

it self all the allay of _Lune_, _Venus_, or other impurity, out of

the Gold, in form of a green Powder, which remains with the Gold in

the Glass. When it is cold, I take it out of the Sand, and put in warm

Salt water, to dissolve the extracted _Lune_ and _Venus_, that it may

be poured out of the Glass: which done, I boil it in a Copper Kettle,

so the Salt-water extracts the _Lune_ and _Venus_ from the _Sol_, and

maketh it fine. I decant the green and thick water from the _Sol_, and

put to it in the Kettle fresh Salt-water, and boil it to extract the

rest of the _Lune_ and _Venus_ from the _Sol_. But if this second Water

should yet be green and thick, that is a sign that there yet remains

more _Lune_ and _Venus_ with the _Sol_; therefore more fresh Salt-water

is to be added to the _Sol_, as before. After boiling, put all the

green Waters together, and at last pour upon the Gold onely common

sweet water, with which boil the Gold to extract the remaining saltness

from it, which will leave it fine and shining in the Kettle, as fine

Gold useth to be, which is to be set upon a small fire to dry, then to

be kept as fine Gold. The green Water is to be filtred, so the _Lune_

will remain behind in the filter, which is to be dried, and mixed with

the common fluxing Powder of _Sulphur_ and _Nitre_, and being melted

will be reduced to the finest _Lune_. Boil the green filtred Water in

an Iron Pot, so all the _Venus_ will settle to the Pot bottom, which

is to be edulcorated with Water, and being mixed with the above-named

fluxing Powder, and reduced becometh the finest _Venus_ that can be

seen with eyes. By this means I doe not onely find all my _Sol_,

_Lune_, and _Venus_, but also an increase of the _Sol_, the reason of

which increase proceeds from my _Aqua Fortis_, which is a graduating

Water, and of a meliorating nature and property: which encrease indeed

is not over-great, yet it pays for all the charge of Coals and Labour.

This work may be performed in the space of twelve hours without any

loss of _Sol_ or _Lune_; which differs greatly from the tedious vulgar

way of separation, which is very laborious and costly, besides the

great loss of the _Sol_ and _Lune_. So that ten Marks may be easier

separated by my way, than one Mark by the common way.

One great Secret more, above others, which for brevity sake cannot be

all inserted here, is this. It is well known to all Chymists, that

all Vegetables, as also Animals, by addition of common Water, may be

brought to fermentation, and according to every subject, a _Spiritus

Ardens_, of great use in Physick, may be distilled. But how to make

such a subtile Spirit out of Metals, I never read in any Authour, nor

heard of. But I have found out a way by which great matters may be

done, which cannot be mentioned here, let others search after it as I

have done, it is not good to cast Pearls before Swine. Yet that the

desirous may know somewhat of an Artificial Metallick Fermentation; I

say that out of certain Salts a Water may be prepared, which when it

is put upon a compact Metal, that the same by a certain property in

the Water, begins to swell up and ferment, like to the fermentation

of Wine, Beer, or other vegetable Drinks; and after fermentation, by

distilling in Balneo yields an exceeding subtile penetrating Spirit,

strong, sweet, and volatile, according to the nature and property

of the Metal; which may also by rectification be concentrated and

subtilized, like that which is drawn from Wine or other Vegetables,

without any Corrosion; so that such a Spirit may be put into the eye

without the least hurt, or sence of sharpness. [See the Sixth Part of

the _Pharmacopœa Spagyrica_.] Therefore it may easily be concluded,

that such a Metallick Spirit may effectually be used in the most

difficult diseases. But those Spirits are not onely highly profitable

in Medicine, but cannot also fail to shew their effects upon Metals;

for I have already experienced thus much, that the Spirit of _Sol_

doth in few days graduate Common _Mercury_ into _Sol_, in like manner

doth the Spirit of _Lune_ and _Jupiter_ graduate _Mercury_ into

_Lune_; other Spirits of Metals I have not yet tried. And although

many may think to force such a Spirit out of Metals as is drawn out

of Vitriol, yet they err, because every Vitriol distilled _per se_

besides the Phlegm, acid Spirit, and heavy Oil, yields also a volatile

Spirit, which may be very much subtilized by rectification, but it

hath no comparison at all, nor likeness with my new-invented volatile

humid Spirit of Metals; because the above mentioned volatile Spirit

of Vitriol, consisteth onely of a subtile salt Spirit and spiritual

Sulphur, which may sufficiently be demonstrated. For when such a

subtile salt Spirit of Vitriol stands a while in a Glass close stopped,

the volatile Sulphur of the Vitriol sublimeth it self to the top of the

Glass, and congeals it self in the form of common yellow Sulphur, and

the humidity remains in the Glass like an insipid Water, without smell

or tast. Therefore the volatile Spirit of Vitriol now-a-days prepared,

is to be esteemed for nothing else but a volatile Spirit of Sulphur. In

opposition to which my Metallick Spirits, especially those of _Sol_ or

_Lune_ have no combustible matter in them. Also the Spirit of Vitriol

is yet corrosive, which the Metallick Spirits are not. Therefore let

no man think that my invented Spirits of Metals are of the same nature

with the sulphureous Spirit of Vitriol, Allom, or common Salt, or

the like, but let it be esteemed as a new-invented high Secret, the

like of which was never yet known to the World. He to whom God shall

please to reveal how these Spirits of Metals may again be brought into

fixed bodies, such a one may well esteem himself happy. Seeing that

such a Spirit being yet fugitive, can mortifie running _Mercury_, and

transmute it into _Sol_. Also know, that our secret Salt-water hath

power to bring other Subjects into fermentation: As for example; if I

was willing to bring Tartar again into fermentation, to try what Spirit

it would yield, I dissolve it onely in fair water, and put to it a

little of our Universal ferment, so will the Tartar presently begin to

ferment and work, and yields a wonderfull volatile Spirit, which is

not to be had by any other way. Here I will add onely one thing by way

of history; namely, what happened unto me once, when I joined a little

of this ferment with some Urine: that the same did presently begin to

ferment, and yielded a most dreadfull scent, so that I was necessitated

to carry the Urine out of the room, the smell was so offensive, that it

enfeebled my Heart and Brain; and in the distilling, yielded a scent

far worse than the putrefying of any dead carcasses of beasts, at

last I forced over all the unpleasant Phlegm, took the _Caput mort._

out of the Glass, and distilled out of it a strong Corrosive Spirit,

with which I did dissolve _Sol_ and _Lune_. But what is further to be

expected from it, time will shew me. There came also with the strong

salt Spirit, a red Oil of Urine, not strong.

* * * * *

To enlighten the former discourse, there remains yet something to be

said, namely this: That the before mentioned Spirit of Metals may

be handled in all respects like the burning Spirit of Vegetables,

which is distilled from Vegetables fermented; in rectifying, the most

subtile Spirit cometh over first, and the unprofitable Phlegm remains

behind; and the oftener this rectification is performed, it is the more

pure, subtile, strong and pleasant, so that the vertues of all other

Vegetables, some of this Spirit being poured upon them and digested,

may be extracted, and separated from their gross feces, by separating

the Spirit of Wine in Balneo, so the vertue of the Herb, Root, or

Flower, will remain in the Glass; of which one onely drop hath more

vertue in Medicine, than a whole handfull of the herb from which it was

extracted; yet the Spirit remains good, and is always proper for the

like occasions. But if one desireth no Extract, but onely a Spirit of

Vegetables, strong and forcible in its operation, then must the Spirit

be put upon fresh well-scented cordial Herbs, Roots, Flowers or Fruits,

digesting them together, then abstracting the Spirit again, so will

it be much stronger, subtiller, and of a more refreshing smell than

before. Thus in like manner can we doe with our Spirit of Metals, and

make it as strong as we will, by putting the same upon fresh Metals,

and letting them ferment together, then abstracting, and so fermenting

and abstracting, whereby it always grows stronger and stronger, so that

afterwards greater things may be done with it both in Medicine and

Alchymy. If then the simple Spirit of Metals doth wonders in Medicine

and Alchymy, what will not this doe, that hath three or four times its

strength? Consider of it, enough to the wise. The Spirit of Metals

thus made we esteem for the true _Aqua vitæ_ or _Vinum salutis_ of the

Ancients, and no other made of Vegetables. Take notice also by the way,

that our Ferment doth not lose its vertue in distilling, but serveth

always for the like Works, to wit, the Fermentation of Metals.

Seeing that our Ferment is a volatile Salt, after Fermentation the

subtile Spirit is abstracted, and the Phlegm received by it self, so at

last riseth our Ferment with a stronger Fire, and leaves the mortified

Metal as unprofitable feces. So that the Ferment being once had, it may

be often used, yet it is somewhat diminished every time by sticking to

the glasses, yet not being costly, the loss may be easily born, so that

there needs never be no want of it. This is indeed a wonderfull subtile

metallick Wine, of which I had once a Vision about thirty years ago

(with these words: _Ex fece, de fece, debes carpere vinum tuum_,) yet I

knew not the signification to this time. I have had much thoughtfulness

about it, yet all in vain, untill God was lately pleased to shew me the

way of preparing such Wine.

* * * * *

If I should write all things which may be done with my new-invented

Fermentation out of Vegetables, Animals and Metals, I should have work

enough for a great Volume, and as it were bring forth a new World: but

let this suffice at this time.

_Next followeth the fourth Secret Fire of the Wise, to perfect an

Universal Medicine both for Men and Metals._

That the ancient Philosophers did make their Universal Medicine, not

out of one Subject onely, is clearly to be seen out of their Writings.

And as their Subject was divers, so have they also used several Fires

to decoct their Subject; for some Subjects, as fixed _Sol_ and _Lune_,

they have made volatile by their humid Fire, and again made the

volatile fixed by means of the known fire of Wood and Coals. Therefore

have they so positively affirmed, that without common Gold and Silver,

no true Medicine for the Metals can be made. And this, by reason that

other Subjects were yet unknown to them; and they knowing no better,

thought theirs to be the onely way by which the Universal Medicine

could be made. But others have wholly rejected _Sol_ and _Lune_,

saying they are dead, and that one should beware of them; but that

their _Sol_ and _Lune_ were living, and that no commonly known fire

could ripen them, that a far other fire is required for that purpose;

these and the like contrary Writings (although they are both true)

have confounded the Searchers, so that one esteemeth one Writer, and

another, another, and yet are always doubtfull after which Authour

they should work. _Pontanus_ confesseth that he erred two hundred

times, although he wrought in the true matter, and should never have

understood if he had not read the old Philosopher _Artephius_, and of

him learnt the Secret Fire. He describes also the Secret Fire in the

same manner, which _Artephius_ doth, to wit, thus: _Our Fire is no

Common Fire, it is Artificial to find out, it dissolves, destroys and

penetrates all things; it is equal, continual, and constant, burning

with our Glass, and not without_, &c. Our Subject is also no common

_Sol_ or _Lune_, but as yet an unripe Mineral, on which Nature hath

but begun to operate. All they who have wrought in such unripe _Sol_

and _Lune_ have also of necessity known this Secret Fire, or else they

have failed, and could accomplish nothing. Some have known the volatile

Gold, as also the Fire belonging to it, and yet could not come to work

with it; the reason was, because they as yet wanted the instrument

belonging to it, because if a volatile matter be to be ripened in an

open Glass with a flaming fire, it is impossible but that the volatile

_Mercury_ should fly away; and if a Receiver were applied to receive

the volatile Spirit, then by that means the Fire would be stifled and

go out. Here is good counsel at a dear rate, but the discovery of the

secret Vessel maketh all cheap again; for without the knowledge of this

Vessel, little is to be done. Is it to be an Universal Work, so must it

also agree with the Universal Work of this world? We see daily how that

the warm Sun causing its beams to descend downwards upon the Globe of

the Earth, causeth all Vegitables, to grow and multiply, and not onely

Vegetables, but also Animals and Minerals, as _Plato_ witnesseth in

these words: _The Sun and Man generate Man_. So that the oftener the

beams of the Sun doth draw up the moisture of the Earth, and let it

fall down again in Rain, by so much the more it maketh the dry Earth

fruitfull, by which means the Fruits of the Earth sprout forth faster,

ripen, and multiply; because the moisture when drawn up in the daytime

by the Sun-beams, always leaveth behind it its fruitfull Salt, which it

had attracted from the Air, in the bowels of the Earth, and is still

again impregnated with the influences of the Heavens; for without

the Air, nothing can live, encrease, or multiply, the which _Hermes

Trismegistus_ hath very well given to understand, when he saith all

which is above, is also below, by which wonderfull things are brought

forth; the Sun is its Father, the Moon its Mother, the Wind carrieth it

in its belly, the Earth hath conceived it and brought it forth, and is

its nurse, by continual ascending and descending it hath obtained its

force, and its vertue is compleat, when it is transchanged into Earth,

_&c._ Here _Hermes_ gives sufficiently to understand, that the volatile

matter of the Stone is elevated from the bottom of the Vessel to the

middle region of the Air, and must again descend to the Earth, that

by its continual ascending and descending it may be made to live and

encrease, as it is in the great World. But how to make this ascention

and descention as it is and ought to be done in the Philosophick

work, is not permitted to be divulged: but it is more than enough to

discover and assure that in such a secret Furnace and hidden Fire, the

volatile Gold of the Wise may be ripened into a living Medicine. _Amen._

[Here should come in a small Treatise, entitled, _The Explication

of =Solomon=’s Words_: Viz.

In Words, Herbs and Stones, there is great vertue. _But who this

=Solomon= was, is altogether uncertain; and the Treatise it self

consisting of nothing but fabulous Stories of divers Events, which

followed upon the speaking of certain words at divers times, and upon

divers occasions, and containing nothing (as I conceive) that will

be useful either for a Christian, or an Artist, I think fit to leave

it out; and more especially, because this Treatise is wholly foreign

to the Authour’s knowledge and experience, but taken upon trust (as

to matter of fact) at random, and from others, which is disagreeable

from all the other Writings of the Authour. All that I think worth the

Translating is somewhat relating to the Colouring of Glass; which take

as follows._

* * * * *

With one pound of pure Glass, mix about a dram of the Ashes of Copper,

[or _Crocus Veneris_] and melt them together in a strong Fire, and

you’ll find a green Glass, resembling the _Onyx-stone_. In like manner

also a whole pound of Glass is made like to the fairest _Saphire_, if

a dram of _Cobolt_ or _Bismuth_, melted, be added to the _Scoriæ_ or

Dross. Likewise one dram of the Rust of Iron changeth a whole pound of

Glass into a yellow Stone, emulating an _Hyacinth_. If one shall melt a

dram of the Tincture of Gold, or of the Philosophers Mercury, extracted

from Gold and Silver, with a pound of Glass, that Glass becometh very

red, like a _Ruby_ in colour, as I my self have found. But if any shall

be so fortunate as to make this Glass hard, as well as of a beautifull

colour, he will need to take but little pains for his living.

* * * * *

_There is a short Discourse adjoyned to this, called, =The Quintessence

of Metals=; but whatsoever is mentioned in that, is contained in the

Fifth Part of the =Pharmacopœa Spagyrica=, =Book of Fires=, =Book of

Dialogues=, &c._]

_The End of the Second Part._

THE THIRD PART

OF

Glauber’s WORKS.

A

TREATISE

OF THE

Three Principles of Metals,

_VIZ._

The Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt of Philosophers,

HOW

They may profitably be used in _Medicine_, _Alchymy_, and other Arts.

Of SULPHUR.

_That =Sulphur= is one of the Principal Columns of Medicine, and

also a Primary Part of the Three Principles of Metals, is more

than sufficiently manifest; also, that in it is reconded much

good, several Books left unto us (published by Ancient and Modern

Authors) do clearly witness. But those Books, for the most part,

all of them are obscurely written, and every notable and most

remarkable thing is by them both concealed and manifested. Hence

it was most usual, of it to prepare certain Vulgar Medicaments;

as, =Yellow Flowers=, a =White Magistery=, a =Red Balsom=, and an

=Acid Oyl per Campan.= =&c.= But among all other, =Paracelsus= in

Writing hath most clearly unveiled the same; yet so warily, as

few could perform the like, although many diligently searched._

_Therefore, since the Writings of this most highly illuminated Man

are able to give a good Testimony of Truth to this my Work, I

thought it very convenient, to insert a part of the best of his

Writings in this small Treatise of mine; whence it will appear,

how our Art is carried on and Augmented Yearly. The Words of

=Paracelsus= are these which follow._

_Of SULPHUR._

GOD hath created _Bitumen_, endued with many rare and admirable

Virtues, not only conducent for the necessary use of a _Physician_,

willing and ready to heal the _Sick_, but also for the vast Phantasy

and Operation of Chymistry. Besides, in it are many other Virtues,

which wonderfully discover themselves by _Sulphur_, because it is the

true _Bitumen_. Wherefore I thought it worth my while, not only to

describe the Medicinal Virtues of _Sulphur_, but also the Chymical, and

many other associated Virtues of the same, in every other Profession

and Business.

It is to be owned, that many things have been writ of _Sulphur_; but

the true Foundation of the true Virtues thereof, hath scarcely yet by

any Man been exactly enough touched or proposed. But those Writers

are to be blamed, who would describe all things, of which they have

no understanding, because, in so doing, they did indeed compose and

prescribe somewhat; but nothing fundamentally, or according to its

genuine Disposition and Property, as in Writing and Describing is

requisite. For in truth, they themselves understood not, yet (through

their ambitious Haughtiness) they would compose Books, consisting

of Letters only, without Soul or Spirit. But I, as One experienced,

present you my Experience of _Sulphur_ in all things, _viz._ What

_Sulphur_ is with respect to _Medicine_, _Alchymy_, and all other

associated Artifices. Therefore know ye, that in _Sulphur_ (but it is

in GOD only to hinder) are wonderful, and those so admirably famous,

Things, as thence the natural Light of Man may derive Cause enough for

Wonder: Or else, (if GOD prohibit not) the Fault is in the Artist’s

handling it; which is a thing very probable. For, when every babling

Sophister thinks himself a Physician, and every Finical Fellow will

be accounted a Chymist; then it comes to pass, that Arts can never

be rightly exposed to publick view. But howsoever the Matter is, the

Foundation lyes here: In _Sulphur_ (for either Faculty) are insited so

great _Arcanums_ and Powers, as almost no Man can throughly exhaust

them; and also so great Virtues, as will cause admiration so every Man.

For in very deed, according to the Experience of all Men, (in either

Faculty) there are so many things worthy of Note; because in _Sulphur_

is such an Efficacy, as few like unto it are given, nor in _Chymistry_

and _Medicine_ can its second be found. Yet _Aristotle_ defames that,

saying, _Transmutation of Species cannot be_. But _Sulphur_ suffers

Transmutation: Which is sufficient to prove, that _Aristotle_ (if he

were now living) might be convinced of his Folly, even by Women.

No Physician or Chymist should convert Sulphur to his Uses, according

as it is found in it self; but separated into its _Arcanum_, and purely

freed and cleansed from all Impurities, until it is so purely clean,

as its Virtue exceeds the whiteness of Snow. _Hyssopus_, that is, the

_Art of Separating_, doth this; it was anciently called _Hyssopaica_,

in Alchymy and every Separation. Yet Sulphur is of admirable use for

its vulgar Businesses, or common Artifices. Now, that I may more

accurately explain 🜍 to your Comprehension, I will first distinguish

it according to its Nature. For it is not produced from one _Matrix_,

but from many. Wherefore also, it acquires divers Operations, that

is, hath in it self various affections, not one disposition only, but

peculiar peculiarly. And that the Physician may not err, I will here

present to him the Nature of that Sulphur, which is best for his use in

Medicine; also to the Chymist, I will exhibit the disposition of that,

which is profitable in Alchymy; and lastly, I will shew, how far it is

conducent for every common Business. Therefore the Instruction being

first premised, its use shall be superadded, not only in Medicine and

Alchymy, but also in other common Vocations; that every Man in his own

Operation may know, how to use and apply the same, without mistake or

Error.

Touching the _Embryonate Sulphur_ of Metals, _viz._ what is invisibly

contained in it, thus take it: That 🜍 in Diseases doth so admirably

conserve and restore its own Member, as it manifests the Members to

stand in need of a Mineral Medicament only, and no other. Hence the

🜍 of ☉ is conducent for the _Heart_, of ☽ for the _Brain_, of ♀ for

the _Reins_, of ♄ for the _Spleen_, of ♂ for the _Gall_, of ♃ for the

_Liver_, and ☿ for the _Lungs_.

Also there is found a kind of _Embryonate Sulphur_ in Wood: But that

🜍 is Fire only, which no Man can preserve in its Life and Essence

otherwise than in the Wood, with which it passeth away, and dyes. Such

is the 🜍 of all things which are Woody, or whatsoever it be, that is

plainly reduced by Fire into Ashes. This 🜍 is Vegetable, but not fixed;

nor is it conducible for any thing at all, except those things, which

are to be prepared by Fire. Now be it known to you all, that that 🜍

indicates the Virtues of other Sulphurs, this way: As Fire devoureth

all things, so every 🜍 is an invisible Fire, which doth invisibly

absume Diseases so, as Fire visibly consumes Wood. Wherefore the

_Element_ of _Fire_ is a singular _Arcanum_ in all Diseases. He that

wants this Element of Fire among his Secret Medicines, ought not in

any wise ascribe to himself the Name of a _Physician_; nor can he shew

himself an Expert Physician, but is rather an Erroneous Operator, and

a Robber of the Sick. Further I say, 🜍 is the _Element_ of _Fire_, and

if any one would have it exercise the facilities of a Medicine, let him

take care to volatilize it so, as it may vanish like a Flame; that is,

let it be so subtilized, as it may recede from its own Body, and the

Body be separated from it: For the Body is not the _Element_ of _Fire_.

_Sulphur_, rendred thus Subtile and Volatile, is the Consumer of what

is to be consumed, that is, what is not fixed in Nature, so Diseases

are not fixed, but the Body is fixed against the Element. And the

Element of Fire is only adverse to that, which is not fixed against it,

that is, adverse to _Diseases_. Now would _Pseudophysicians_ so order

the matter, as our Philosophy might find place, and receive Encrease

in the _Schools_ of _Physicians_, the Trifles and Impertinencies of

Humorists (who grope in Medicine as a Blind Man, that knows not which

way he goes) being totally rejected, many Homicides, daily perpetrated

by their Rashness, would be prevented. In the mean while, since they

are Men of no Conscience, what can you do, but leave them to their own

perverseness? He that is desirous to act as a true Physician, let him

seek the Virtues of Elements in Natural things; there he will both find

the Truth, and a Remedy against the Diseases of the Sick.

There is a twofold kind of Embryonate 🜍; one fixed, but notwithstanding

made Volatile; the other, pure Fire; that is, one is Living Fire,

the other Insensible Fire; yet both the Sensible and Insensible are

exercised in like Consummation; _viz._ one in Wood, the other in

Diseases. Every Man, affecting the Health of others, might by these few

words be sufficiently instructed, if GOD withstand not his Endeavours;

but I judge every Man shall not be made Wealthy, because GOD well

knows, why he hath given the Goat so short a Tayl. For since Riches do

very often seduce Poor Men, cause them to put off the Habit of Humility

and Modesty, and transform them into proud and insolent Animals,

therefore it is more safe to keep silence, and leave every one to his

own poor estate.

Now know ye, touching _Sulphur_ and its Species; what the Nature,

Property and Essence, of the same is. Whosoever shall attempt to

describe _Sulphur_ in a most accurate manner, (as is fit, though not

expedient) will have need of abundance of Paper. But for handling 🜍, a

judicious Chymical Operator and Experienced Artist is required; such

a one should be very expert and solidly grounded in his Art, no Airy

Talkative Person, whose Art consists in Lip-labour only; but one, that

proves himself an Artist by the Labour of his hands: For such a Man

will be able to extract from 🜍 more wonderful _Arcanums_, than any Man

can describe with his Pen. But, he that knows nothing of _Sulphur_,

knows nothing at all, nor is it convenient, he should say any thing,

either in Medicine, or in Philosophy, touching any of the Secrets of

Nature.

_Of the Use of this =Element= of =Fire=, which =Paracelsus= hath so

earnestly commended to all Physicians._

First, this Tincture of 🜍 may be exhibited in all Diseases, for

comforting the Brain, Heart, and all the Internal Members of the

Body, because it is famously subtil, savoury, and sweet; and is a

Medicine most excellent, especially in Affects of the Lungs. Also,

it is the most penetrating of salutiferous Balsoms, for curing every

Body internally hurt, and for restoring all vitiated Members to their

pristine Sanity; in so much, as, in this respect, you can scarcely find

any other _Remedy_, second to this in Virtue. Therefore it may very

well serve instead of _Aurum potabile_; but in firey Diseases, it must

be warily administred. This Essence of 🜍 strengthens weak Stomachs, and

gets a good Digestion. In a word, in all Distempers whatsoever, except

Burning Feavers, it may be safely used.

_Note_: If any one shall extract a red Tincture from fixed 🜍 rubifyed,

he will enjoy a most present Remedy, not only for Men, but also for

some Metals; namely, for tinging ☽ and ☿ into ☉. This is that, which

_Paracelsus_ commended to all the Rivals or Sons of Art so highly, that

I thought I should do very well here to subjoyn his own Words, as they

are written.

_Mortification_ of _Sulphur_ is made, when its combustible and fetid

Humidity is taken away from it, and the 🜍 reduced to a fixed Substance,

which is done thus.

℞. Common yellow 🜍, which reduce to a fine Powder, and from it three

times abstract a most strong _Aqua Fortis_; then the 🜍 remaining in

the bottom, will be of a black Colour. This edulcorate with sweet

Water, and so oft distil the Water thence, as until the Water come

off wholly sweet, and smells not at all of Sulphur. Then take that

Sulphur, and reverberate it in a close Reverberatory, like _Antimony_.

In Reverberating, it will shew it self, First, White; Secondly, Yellow;

and Thirdly, Red; as _Cinnabar_. Having brought it to this pass, thou

mayst rejoyce; for that is the beginning of thy Riches. For this

Reverberated Sulphur in Tinging, renders every Silver into the best

Gold, and the Humane Body into perfect Health, more excellently than

can be described. Of so great Virtue is this reverberated and fixed

Sulphur, _&c._

Elsewhere, _Paracelsus_ writes of the Transmutation of Metals and

Gems, thus: As you now have seen a very brief way of some peculiar

Transmutations of Metals; so here further know ye, touching

the Transmutations of Gems, that is, of small Stones, that of

such Transmutations also there are various ways, some of which

notwithstanding seem in no wise adverse to others. For you see how

potent a Transmutation of Gems lyes in the Oyl of Sulphur. Every

Crystal, that is left in that Oyl for some time, is tinged and

transmuted, and may by graduation with distinct Colours be so exalted,

as to exceed a Natural _Jacynth_, _Granate_, or _Ruby_, _&c._

_Paracelsus_ here teacheth the fixation of 🜍, if a most sharp _Aqua

Fortis_ be several times abstracted from the same, reduced to a fine

Powder. But that way of proceeding will profit nothing, because the

_Aqua Fortis_ is not capable of any Ingress into the 🜍, because that

is first to be procured by Salts, as we above taught. For then the

Artist’s Endeavour will succeed well, and the 🜍 in Abstraction of the

_Aqua Fortis_ be fixed, and also wax white: But Redness is afterward

given to it in an open Fire, or Fire of Reverberation. And it will

never wax red in a close Vessel, how long soever it stands in the Fire.

And when it is thus Red, every common Spirit of Wine extracts not

its Tincture, because it hath not ingress into it. But the fixed red

🜍 must first be melted with fixed Salt of _Tartar_ in a very strong

Fire. That way is given to it such an Ingress, as any Spirit of Wine

can extract from it its Tincture. For otherwise you shall labour in

vain. _Paracelsus_ intended rather to keep this Experiment to himself

only, than to expose it to the use of the ungrateful Vulgar Sort. But

no Man hath cause to wonder, why I now am desirous to discover the same

openly, since I have peculiar Reasons of this Publication, an account

of which I am not bound to render to any Man. It is sufficient to any

grateful-minded Man, that I am willing publickly to discover that

Secret.

This fixed Tincture of 🜍 is in Medicine much more efficacious, than the

Element of Fire, described by _Paracelsus_. For That is only extracted

from a Volatile Sulphur; but This is fixed; and is also of power

sufficient to cure the fixed Diseases of Men, as well as Metals. The

Volatile Tincture, or Element of Fire, as it is called by _Paracelsus_,

is otherwise also famously conducent for External Uses. All affects

of the Skin, as Scabs, and the like, are cured by the help of that.

Also to every Wine it is a present Medicine. For if any one put a

little of it into a Cask of Wine, the Wine acquires a grateful Tast and

Odour, and will be so comforted, as not easily to admit of changing or

perishing, as otherwise is wont to happen to common Rhenish Wine. I

did indeed, for tryal sake, pour same of this into divers Wines, and

found it so in very deed. For I put one or two drops of our Element

of Fire into several open Cups filled with Wine; and I daily observed

them, until I found, that that Wine, in which none of the Element of

Fire was put, did in two or three days contract a slimyness; but those,

in which a little of the Element of Fire had been mixed, stood almost

three Weeks, before they began to contract the like. Which business

of Wine, if any Man well consider, he may find out the way, how, by

the benefit of this Art only, far more easily to acquire sufficient

Gain for daily Sustenance, than otherwise by the perillous ways of

Merchandise. Wherefore, whosoever is desirous of enjoying Profit in

Wines, let him always take care continually to have ready prepared

by him a good _Sal mirabile_, and reduce Sulphur into a red firey

Stone; otherwise he will lose his Labour and Cost, which, by way of

Admonition, I was not willing to pass over in silence. Therefore I must

say, with _Paracelsus_, that all those Physicians and Chymists are not

of the best Fame, who have the Gift of Glorious Eloquence; but those

only, who have learned their Understanding by long use of Fire; and

whilst elaborating Subjects, to be prepared, do well know, what should

be added and substracted, according as the Operation of every thing

requires.

Since we now know, what _Paracelsus_ taught touching the fixation of 🜍,

and also the profitable use thereof in Medicine and Alchymy; it will in

no wise be impertinent in this place to insert, what _Basilius_ hath

written touching the same; that by his Words every Man may the better

discern, that my fixation of 🜍, which I have described to be made by

the help of _Salt Nitre_, differs not from the Writings of other

Philosophers, speaking of _Salt Nitre_. The aforesaid _Basilius_, (who,

in many places of his Writings, mentioned the fixation of 🜍 by help of

_Salt Nitre_, but obscurely enough) among other things, thus writes.

[_Here =Salt Nitre= is introduced, speaking of himself and to

himself only._]

_Sulphur_ indeed is my most mortal Enemy, and he is also my best

Friend: For when we both are joyned together in Wedlock, and our

Marriage celebrated in Hell, so, as we both sweat well together;

then we shall so put off all Impurities from us, as in our dead

Bodies may be found the greatest Treasures, and of us be progenited

wealthy Children, _&c._ By which words, _Basilius_ intimates, that

_Salt Nitre_, by the Contact of 🜍, is inflamed, and, as by an Enemy,

wholly burnt up and reduced to nothing; and therefore is accounted its

greatest Enemy. But if _Salt Nitre_, in form of an _Aqua Fortis_, be

associated to 🜍, and render it fixed and constant in Fire; they then

become the greatest Friends, and from them both are procreated Rich

Children. Therefore whosoever is desirous to obtain such Children, let

him bend all his thoughts to the matter it self, and diligently search;

for he may find, if GOD be pleased to indulge him and permit the same.

Whatsoever _Paracelsus_ hath here writ of 🜍, he hath undoubtedly writ

plain enough, so as Credit may safely be given to his Writings. For

that what he saith is not from the purpose, _Every Man may be informed

by these few words_, _&c._ Certainly he, had he not dreaded the

impiety of the World, would much more evidently have explained this,

and by that means he would have helped the Necessity of many; but the

notorious Ingratitude of the World deterred the Man.

Also _Paracelsus_ admirably discourseth of the _Element_ of _Fire_, how

excellent a Medicine it is, as I my self have experienced, and shall

further in time to come (if GOD permit). In like manner, the same Man

makes mention of the noble _Hyssopaick Art_, by the help of which,

ancient Philosophers did, with their own hands, make black 🜍 white as

Snow, fix it, and by the benefit thereof, do great Miracles in Medicine

and Alchymy. This Art, (with Grief be it spoken) by the negligence and

injury of former times, was gradually lost; which notwithstanding, from

the Caves of Silence, and, as it were, lying in Darkness, this my Small

Treatise will again bring to Light.

The prophet _David_ seems to have some knowledge of this Royal Art;

for when he saw his Sins before GOD, had (as it were) contracted the

blackness of a Coal, he thus implores the Divine Mercy: _Sprinkle me, O

LORD, with Hyssop, that I may be white: for, by thy well-washing of me,

I shall become whiter than Snow_. Whence it is sufficiently manifest,

that _David_ craved not the well known Kitchin-Herb, _Hyssop_,

to be washed with, because that could not help him; but he spake

Metaphorically, and requested that his Sins (by the great blackness

of which, he believed his Soul to be infected before GOD) might be

pardoned, and he received into Divine Favour, and never be driven from

the face of GOD to Eternity.

Likewise, there is no Community between the black, gross, and

combustible 🜍 of Wood, and the pure, fixed and incombustible 🜍 of Gold:

For as long as black 🜍 keeps its combustible disposition, it is refused

by the other, as abhorring the familiar Society of so stinking and

sordid a Guest. But as soon as that _Ethiopian_, by assistance of the

most noble _Hyssopaick Art_, shall be washed white as Snow, and rendred

constant in Fire, then it is readily received into Communion by the ☉,

and of both is made one Tincture, by help of which, other Metals are

reduced to the Perfection of Gold; as a little after shall be shewed

more at large. Yet I will first briefly note the difference of 🜍,

according to my Experience; which is indeed not very necessary, because

_Paracelsus_ hath done it. Nevertheless, I am very willing to subjoyn

these few things.

Ancient Philosophers, as often as they in their Writings treated of

the Original and Beginning of Metals, placed the Foundation of their

Assertion in _Demogorgon_; _viz._ That he was the Grand-father of all

Metals and Minerals, who, dwelling in the Center of the Earth, was

cloathed with a bright-red Cloak. But properly, _Demogorgon_ is the

Central Fire continually burning, and a Subtile Spirit of 🜍, distilling

it self through the passages of the Earth. If this firey Spirit in

its ascent finds a Commodious Cavern, or Humid Place, in which it may

abide; it is immediately there coagulated into a Mercurial Water, and

by the Central Fire’s continual Coction, in length of time, ripened

into Metals and Minerals. But the ascending Spirit of 🜍, which finds

no Seat for its Abode, ascends higher and higher, until it comes to

the Superficies of the Earth; into which, when moystened with Rain,

it thrusts it self; and from the Ground grows upward into the Air, in

the form of vast Bushes and Trees; in which Plants and green Trees,

is found such a 🜍 as is in Minerals, (yet this is not found so fixed,

as that in Metals,) because all things in the Bowels of the Earth are

generated according to the Influence of the Stars, and there coagulated

according to the nature of the place into these or those Metals. Let

him, who is desirous to be taught more at large touching these, consult

those Philosophers, by whom the same are plainly enough described. If

the pleasure of Operating induce any one to set about this Work, he may

make choice of the 🜍 he judgeth most sutable to his Intention.

Now behold the Method, in which, by the benefit of the most ancient

_Hyssopaick Art_, black 🜍 is by a dexterous washing turned into white,

rendred fixed and constant in Fire, and by Reverberation transmuted

into Redness, and thenceforth used as a Medicine of Humane and

Metallick Bodies wanting melioration, and that with notable profit.

_Here is presented, first, the Method of Washing Black =Sulphur=

so, as it becomes very White._

The worthy _Paracelsus_ doth briefly indeed describe the method of

whitening and rubifying 🜍, but what was most conducent thereunto, he

concealed; _viz._ that way of Preparation, without which no _Aqua

Fortis_ can have ingress for Washing and Fixing. My purpose is in this

place, for the sake of the Searchers of Art, to publish this Secret

in plain Words. This may be done many ways, as will appear by the

following,

℞. One part of the Terrestrial Sulphur of Pit-coals, or of the

Vegetable Sulphur of Wood-coals; with which, reduced to Powder, mix two

or three parts of our _Sal Mirabile_, prepared of Oyl of Vitriol and

Common Salt. Which mixture put into a Crucible, and set the Crucible

covered in a Wind-Furnace for melting. There the _Sal Mirabile_, by its

Acrimony, preys upon the 🜍, and dissolves it; and thence makes a _Red

Stone_, which, by pouring Water on, you may dissolve, Filtre, and again

Coagulate, into a Red Salt or Stone. And thus the 🜍, by help of the

_Sal Mirabile_, through one only abstraction of a sharp _Aqua Fortis_,

will be so habile, as it may easily be made white with washing, and

also be fixed so, as to sustain the force of Fire, according to this

following.

_Process._

℞. Of this Red Sulphureous Salt, ℔ j. and upon it, in a strong Body of

Glass, pour ℔ iij. of most sharp _Aqua Fortis_: Yet not all at once,

but leisurely, and at times; because the _Sal Mirabile_ with the 🜍

loseth its Acidity, and becomes Alcalisate, and therefore so inimical

to the _Aqua Fortis_, as it impetuously resists the same. Therefore let

him, that is ignorant of this, be very wary, lest all that is contained

in the Vessel fly away, or the Glass, through too much heat, burst

in sunder. For this cause, proceed leisurely, and operate according

to the Rules of Art, that your Endeavour may be fortunate. For, in a

way contrary to this, you can find nothing, but Damage and Trouble.

As often as you put in any _Aqua Fortis_, presently put on the Head,

because it will suddenly and hastily fume, and so cause damage; to

prevent which, after I had sustained several Losses, I at length,

against such Exhalations, found this Remedy.

[Sidenote: * _Half Ounces._]

In the Top of the Alembick I caused a small hole to be made, through

which I put a little Tunnel of Glass, and luted it on. So soon as I had

put the prepared 🜍 into the Body, and luted the Head and Receiver to it

aptly, I through that little Tunnel poured at one time two or three Lo

tones of _Aqua Fortis_, and presently stopped the Pipe with Paper; then

immediately after great Ebullition, (by its own Virtue, without any

external Fire) the subtil Soul of 🜍 ascended in a red form. Soon after,

I poured on more _Aqua Fortis_, and left it to its own operation. This

I did so long, and so often, as until I had put in ℔ iij. of _Aqua

Fortis_, upon ℔ j. of the prepared 🜍. When you have thus done, you may

administer Fire externally to your Matter in the Glass Body placed in

Sand, for so the _Aqua Fortis_ will the more virtually act upon the

🜍, and will all ascend red in Colour; but the 🜍 will remain with the

_Sal Mirabile_ in the bottom of the Vessel fixed, white, and able to

sustain the force of Fire so, as it seems almost incredible, that such

a Substance, easie to be enflamed and burnt, should in a few hours

space be exalted to so great Fixation and Constancy. The Distillation

ended, and Glasses cooled, take up the Body out of the Sand, and thence

take out the Salt with the fixed 🜍; and to dissolve the _Sal Mirabile_

from it, pour on as much Common Water as shall be sufficient. After

extraction of the Salt, the fixed white 🜍 must be dryed, and kept

sufficiently hot in a Crucible in an open Fire, until the 🜍 remains

fixed, totally white, and able to abide the Examen of Fire. Then is it

fit to be reserved for such Uses, as you shall learn by the following.

_Note_: If the _Sal Mirabile_, together with the _Aqua Fortis_, shall

be purified, then the fixed 🜍, after Edulcoration, will be white as

Snow. But on the contrary, if you do not well filtre the 🜍 with the

_Sal Mirabile_, and also cleanse not the _Aqua Fortis_, the 🜍 will

not come forth of a Snow-like Colour, as you may easily conjecture.

Wherefore, whosoever would have a Snow-white 🜍, he must warily proceed,

and purely operate, in all parts of his Work. In Medicine, and the

Transmutation of Metals, 🜍 destitute of whiteness, will serve well

enough; but if you would apply it to such Uses, as necessarily require

a Snow-white Colour, you had need to proceed warily, according to the

Prescripts of Art. For it is of great Concern in every Work, to know,

whether the fixed 🜍 should have a White or an Ash Colour; as in the

following shall be shewed more at large.

Moreover, it is highly necessary to be known, that that _Aqua

Fortis_, which was poured upon the prepared 🜍, and separated from it

by Distillation, is no more to be reputed Common _Aqua Fortis_. For

although it ascends Red, yet that Redness disappears in a day or two,

and the _Aqua Fortis_ shews it self limpid and clear again; in so much,

as it can scarcely be thought by any Man, that any eminent Virtue is

latent in that red _Aqua Fortis_ changing again into whiteness. Which

kind of Ignorance did notably hurt me, whilst I persuaded my self,

that such an _Aqua Fortis_ could not be effectual for any other use,

or for the same, again. But afterward, when I was seized with a desire

of searching, whence that Redness should proceed, and why it again

disappeared; I rectified a pound of such _Aqua Fortis_, in a clean

Glass Body, to know, whether that Redness would remain behind, and no

other than the _Aqua Fortis_ simple ascend; and, by tryal, I found,

that no Redness would ascend, but in that Rectification it separated

it self from the _Aqua Fortis_, and resided in the bottom in the form

of Powder, white as Snow. Having done this, I tryed, whether the same

White Powder were fixed, and I found it to be as fixed, as Gold it

self: yet had no ingress into Metals, but remained like a white Earth

constant in Fire. Hence I was seized with the delight of thinking, what

eminent Virtue might be latent in this Snow-like Powder. Wherefore I

again and again made like Tryals, and still found the same. Whence a

great Light discovered it self to me, by which I perceived, that in the

vehement Action of the _Aqua Fortis_, in dissolving the prepared 🜍,

the most clean Soul of the 🜍 ascended with the _Aqua Fortis_, yet in a

very small quantity: For out of ℔ j. of such 🜍, I had not above eight

or ten Grains of this Soul of 🜍 left behind. Which thing, at first,

did not please me very well, because the smalness of its weight seemed

of no value with me. But having made a more exact Tryal, I found this

Snow-like Powder to be a most excellent Medicine in several Curable

Diseases of the Humane Body, and a true Tincture for Correcting Metals;

and therefore afterward I esteemed it far more than before; and this so

noble white Tincture, I, by the help of Art, united with Gold, (which

is a thing not difficult to be done by a skilful man) and so found,

that this laudable Tincture, although so very white, might, with ☉, in

a small Fire, be exalted unto Redness, and be of more value than all

the 🜍 remaining; although that is an hundred-fold more ponderous, than

this that ascended. Yet the Use and Fruit of Both, we will a little

after shew more at large.

These may suffice to be offered here, touching the way of Whitening,

Exalting and Fixing, common, black, filthy, fugitive, and combustible

Sulphur, till it is able to sustain the torture of Fire. But before

we proceed to the Use of this whitened and fixed 🜍, we will here shew

certain other ways of whitening and fixing every combustible Sulphur.

_Another way of Fixing =Sulphur=._

℞. One, two, or three ℔. of common yellow 🜍 reduced to Powder; upon

this, in a glazed Earthen Pot, pour four, six, or nine ℔. of a strong

_Lixivium_, made of Lime or Wood-Ashes, in which, you must so long

boyl the 🜍 with continual stirring of it, as until the _Lixivium_ hath

dissolved as much of the 🜍, as is possible. Then decant it off, and

pour on fresh _Lixivium_, that the same may also dissolve as much as it

can; repeating the same Labour till all the 🜍 shall be dissolved. Which

Solutions, if you filtre and coagulate into a Red Stone or Salt, the

Sulphur will be so habile, as it may, by the help of _Aqua Fortis_, be

washed and fixed.

_Another way of Fixing =Sulphur=._

Dissolve 🜍 in a _Lixivium_, and put that Solution in a Glass Body, upon

which set an Alembick, with an hole on the Top to put a Tunnel through,

as before said, and adjoyn and lute a Receiver thereto. Then through

the Funnel pour in leisurely and by degrees so much Oyl of Vitriol,

as until the mortification of both is perceived, no more ebullition

is caused, but all action each upon other ceaseth. This being done,

administer Fire by degrees, and a subtile Spirit of Vitriol will

ascend, which performs wonders in _Medicine_ and _Alchymy_; because it

contains Spiritual ☉ in it self, and may be very much subtilized by

Rectification. In Taste, it differs little from the Taste of Spirit of

Urine; only that it is more grateful to the Palate, and for every Use

more efficacious than Spirit of _Sal Armoniack_ or _Urine_: Also from

it the Tincture may be separated, as we will shew here following.

The Salt, remaining in the bottom of the Glass, must be taken out,

and by fusion in a Crucible turned into a Red Stone, which suffers it

self, _per se_, to be fixed in the Crucible in a short time. By the

benefit of this Sulphur, all Metals may particularly be amended with

great profit. If any one purposeth to use the same Universally, let him

pulverize this fixed Red 🜍, and from it extract a blood-red Tincture

with Spirit of Wine: For this Tincture is easily extracted, and by

_Paracelsus_ is called, _The Element of Fire_, and was by him highly

esteemed. Undoubtedly the chief Reason why this Philosopher called

it _The Element of Fire_, was, because in the Operation he visibly

discerned four Elements. For, the Extraction ended, (which may be

absolved in 24 Hours) on the top is a beautiful Red Ruby-like Tincture,

under which is a white Liquor, and in the bottom an Ash-like Earth.

The little Skin separating the Tincture from the white Water, is taken

for the Air. Therefore this way alternately, the four Elements present

themselves to sight in the Glass without confusion; so as although you

shake them together an hundred times in an hour, yet they will never be

mixed, but after that agitation, every of them recovers its pristine

Station. The fruitful Use of this _Element of Fire_, shall be further

spoken of afterward.

_Note_: As we have here now taught the way of washing and fixing common

Yellow 🜍, and the black 🜍 of Pit-coals and Wood; even so may the 🜍 of

_Antimony_, _Vitriol_, _Auripigment_, and other Minerals, be whitened

and fixed.

But the method, by which 🜍 is extracted from Metals and Stones, shall

(GOD willing) be shewed in a peculiar Chapter. In the mean while, here

is declared,

_The Use of our Fixed =Sulphur=, and, first, in Medicine._

First, this 🜍 whitened by Lotions and fixed, is a most excellent

_Bezoardick_, and much more safe in its Use, than the Oriental

_Bezoar_, which is sold indeed for a greater price, yet never discovers

any visible and sensible Effect. On the contrary, our _Bezoar_

deservedly is preferred before it, especially in the Pestilence, and

all other Diseases, where Sweating is needful.

Also, in all Affects of the Lungs, it yields more Comfort and Relief,

than all other Medicaments, which are prepared of 🜍 not cocted nor

fixed, but only crude. Likewise, to Men or every Age, whose weak

Stomachs are prostrated by an heap of aqueous and viscous Humors,

it is a present Remedy; because by its dryness it totally absumes

all Phlegmatick superfluous Humidities, and perfectly restores the

Stomach. What shall I say? It may in a special manner be commended, as

a Cordial and excellent Confortative against the imbecillity of Age.

And outwardly, it may serve for a most excellent Cosmetick; and, in

like manner, by the Spagyrick Art, be reduced into an admirable sweet

Oyl, by the benefit of which, the yellow and blackish Skin of Women

may be tinged with a beautiful white Colour: Not like any other vulgar

Cosmetick, which doth indeed whiten the Skin, but that may again be

washed off with Water; not so, I say, but in such a manner, as the

Skin, thus elegantly tinged, can in no wise be washed off again. Yet

in length of time, that whiteness of the Tincture will wear away, and

the Skin recover its native blackish Yellowness: Wherefore it must be

tinged again, as often as shall be needful. Whence it is manifest, that

such a Tincture is admirably useful in beautifying rich Virgins, and

curious Matrons.

Moreover, this Oyl of Talk is efficaciously prevalent in curing such

Affects of the Skin, as are called, _Impetigo’s_, _Serpigo’s_, and

_Lichene’s_; also Scrophulous Tumors rising about the Nose, or in any

part of the Face, and proceeding from an Inflammation of the Liver.

This Oyl takes away all such cutaneous Vices, and beautifies and heals

the deformed Skin, restoring it to its native Colour.

_The Use of the same in Chymistry._

Fixed 🜍, as well in the humid, as in the dry way, transmutes imperfect

Metals into ☉ and ☽. Most readily ♄ and ♀, in the humid way; and

most easily ♂ and ♃, in the dry way. From every ☽ it separates ☉ by

fermentation. If it be added to prepared Metals, the same Metals

distilled by Retort give forth from themselves living Mercury, which

permits it self to be fixed with ☉ into a tinging Stone. Whensoever

old _Demogorgon_, or the Grandfather of Metals, through his extream

Age, decays in strength, and waxeth bald, he devours his youngest Son,

whereby he is so greatly comforted, as he is able to give to all his

Sons and Servants golden Crowns.

* * * * *

_Note_: You are to understand the devouring of the Son to be, when

old fixed 🜍 swallows and devours crude and not fixed 🜍, and thereby

acquires to it self Flux and Ingress, by the help of a certain

Minister, who most diligently watcheth his Sepulchre so long, as until

Father and Son (or the fixed and fusible) be mortified, and rise

together renovated.

[Sidenote: * Amill.]

Also from our Hoary headed _Demogorgon_, of exact Age, by the addition

of other Matters, is made a most white *_Amausum_, in the acquisition

of which, _Goldsmiths_ do greatly delight; because they can adorn their

Artifices therewith.

_Behold I present you the way of Opening and Constituting a

perpetual Metallurgy of ☉ and ☽._

We above taught, that 🜍 (after it is washed into a Snowy whiteness, and

also so fixed, as it is able to sustain the Examen of Fire) was endued

with power of amending all Metals. For the whitened 🜍, by Gradation,

turns them into ☽, and the Rubifyed into ☉. But here a great Obstacle

is wont to intervene, so as this Work of so great profit, cannot easily

obtain its Effect, answerable to the Wish of every operating Chymist;

_viz._ because by Fixation the 🜍 is so totally deprived of its Fatness,

penetrating Power, and easy Flux, as it degenerates (as it were) into a

dead Earth, which, _per se_, alone loves not to enter into any Metal,

but chooseth first to have Ingress duly prepared for it by the help of

other Fusibles, such are vulgar, immature, and combustible Sulphur,

or Antimony; which do indeed penetrate the dead 🜍, and render it so

fusible, as it is capable of Ingress into Metals.

But since such combustible 🜍 or ♁, is so very noxious to Metals, as

it makes them black, volatile, and brittle, and so commonly doth as

much hurt as good; therefore we, not approving of such an Ingress,

endeavoured to find out a better. Indeed, although every 🜍 may another

way be so fixed, and rubifyed, without the help of _Aqua Fortis_, as to

retain its own Ingress; yet such a fixation (though easily done, and

requires little Charge) cannot be compleated without a very long time.

I intend to describe this way of Fixing; but first shall be shewed the

method of procuring a safe Ingress to this fixed 🜍 by a whitening _Aqua

Fortis_.

First, we taught, the 🜍 was to be reduced by our _Sal Mirabile_, then

that a most sharp _Aqua Fortis_ was to be abstracted from it, and after

Abstraction the _Sal Mirabile_ to be separated from the white fixed

🜍 by common Water, that the 🜍 might be dulcifyed and rendred fit for

Medicinal Uses. Now I teach, that the 🜍 fixed by _Aqua Fortis_ is not

to be edulcorated, but the _Sal Mirabile_ to be left with it; being

that, which prepares Flux and Ingress for its penetration into Metals,

insomuch as Necessity now urgeth us to seek a better Ingress, _viz._

this way;

_The way of adding to Fixed 🜍 a Ferment, by the benefit of which,

is acquired Ingress into Metals, penetrative, and amending the

same._

Above, where we treated of the way of fixing Sulphur, we taught, that

after it was reduced by _Sal Mirabile_, a most sharp _Aqua Fortis_ was

to be poured upon it, and thence to be abstracted, and that in the

time of Abstraction, a little Volatile 🜍 would also ascend with the

_Aqua Fortis_, whence the _Aqua Fortis_ waxed Red, and that such a

Redness might be separated from the _Aqua Fortis_, in form of a fixed

Powder white as Snow, which might be used in _Medicine_ and _Alchymy_

with great profit. Yea, such a fixed 🜍 white as Snow, doth not only

serve for an admirable Cosmetick; but also this small Quantity of 🜍

deserves to be highly commended by Physicians, as a most excellent

_Diaphoretick_, the like of which you can no where find. For indeed,

Oriental _Bezoar_ is not comparable to this of ours. Our _Bezoar_

is the true Unicorn’s Horn of the ancient Philosophers. This our

Philosophick Unicorn, is that most potent, hoary, and aged, King of

the World, who, as soon as he hath devoured his young Son, encreaseth

in strength so admirably, as he transforms his Gray Hairs into Red,

and triumphs in his being able to give to all his Servants golden

Crowns, and also to make them Kings. For he is no more such as he was,

_viz._ _Venom_, or _Black_ blacker than _Black_, or a wild and horrible

_Beast_ in the _Wood_, but is changed into our Oriental _Bezoar_,

_White_ whiter than _White_, Universal _Treacle_, _&c._ So great a

power doth he possess, after he hath been prepared according to the

Method above prescribed.

If any one be desirous to exalt the Faculties of this 🜍, he will not

lose his Labour, if before fixation he dissolve ☉ in _Aqua Regis_, and

pour this Solution of ☉ upon the 🜍, instead of another _Aqua Fortis_;

and abstract it from thence again. For so doing, not only the ☉ remains

fixed with the 🜍, and gives Ingress unto it; but also the _Aqua Regis_,

or Spirit and Salt of the World, with the Snow-like Soul of 🜍, will

carry with themselves over the Helm the clean Soul of ☉, and so produce

a far more excellent Medicine, than if only the Soul of 🜍 did ascend

alone; as every Man may easily conjecture. But if any one is desirous

to operate better, he may, if he will, dissolve the Gold also in a

Crucible, together with the Sulphureous _Sal Mirabile_; and presently

after abstract from it a most sharp _Aqua Fortis_; which way the ☉

is so much the better united with the 🜍. Although I could discover

much more touching this way of Operating, yet since (because I have

published already as much as is fit) no Necessity obligeth me to such a

publication, I will forbear to speak further hereabout.

The way of bringing this fixed Snow-like 🜍 to Redness, the Laudable

_Paracelsus_ here teacheth; _viz._ that it must be made Red by a

flaming Fire. Yet it must not be covered (as he mentions) but open: For

this way it will wax Red, otherwise it would remain White. Now that

🜍 to which you add ☉, needs no Reverberation; because by the ☉ it is

turned into a purple Colour, and the ☉ it self, by help of the fixed 🜍,

becomes irreducible, and passeth into Tincture, and so needs no further

Exaltation. Therefore to whomsoever GOD shall be so propitious, as to

give him this Salt of Metals, together with the knowledge of conjoyning

it with the Red Soul of 🜍 and ☉ which ascends, he will shew himself

both in _Medicine_ and _Chymistry_ a principal Master: But whosoever is

so blind, ignorant, and witless, as he cannot discern what I have here

so largely treated of, such a Man assuredly labours with an uncurable

Blindness, so as you cannot recover his Health, although you should put

double Spectacles on his Nose. Now to describe the method of fixing 🜍

so, as it may retain its Ingress, wherewith to penetrate into Metals,

I purpose not in this place; but it shall (GOD willing) be described,

where we treat of our Secret _Sal Armoniack_. Here follows,

_The way of Preparing a perpetual Metallurgy of ☉ and ☽, by the

help of Fixed Sulphur._

Let the Benevolent Reader know, I do not affirm, that all whatsoever

I shall here write touching the perpetual Metallurgy, I my self have

tryed, or took care to see elaborated. For the fixation of 🜍 hath not

been known to me above two or three Years, during which time, I have

been for the most part distempered in my Body so far, as I had scarcely

strength enough to prosecute my more secret _Arcanum’s_, which are far

more dear to me, than any fixed 🜍 can be. Yet, in the mean while, I

could not choose but employ my Thoughts upon such a Method, which being

found, any one might, by the help of fixed 🜍, reap a gainful Crop of

Fruit from the transmutation of Metals.

To accomplish this, I could find no way more easy, than for a Man,

of Elixiviat Ashes (not of Bones, but) of Wood, well sifted, to make

large _Cineritiums_ or Tests, in Iron Molds fit for the purpose, and

with that Wood-Ash, mix a small part of the fixed 🜍; and then take care

to cupellate Silver mixt with Copper, (with the due addition of Lead)

according to the common method of Art, upon such Tests. For thus, the ☽

will be purifyed, and the ♀ and ♄ pass into the Test, as is otherwise

wont to happen in all other purifyings of Silver. These Tests, (which

you may keep by you, until you have a sufficient Quantity) in the

usual manner put into a melting Fornace, that in a strong Fire the ♀

and ♄, which passed into the Test, may co-unite with the fixed 🜍, and

so attract it to themselves, as they may come forth impregnated with

☽ and ☉. Now if this Coppery ♄ be cupellated on such a Test prepared

with 🜍, the ☉ and ☽ will remain upon the Test, and the ♄ and ♀, as

happened before, will pass into the Test. And if you again proceed with

them as before, infallibly (by such a way of Cupellating) you will,

with the help of fixed 🜍, from ♄ and ♀ acquire gradually a Quantity of

☉ and ☽ not to be contemned. By this way of Operating, in all those

Regions, where Coals are cheap, a Man may get a competent Livelyhood.

For although in Cupellating there is some loss of the ♄ and ♀, they

turning into _Scoria’s_; yet this small loss, in these poor Metals, is

nothing, in comparison of the great Gain, which may be expected from

the more Rich. I reckon, this Operation of Cupellating costs no more

than the price of the Coals; for the damage made in ♄ and ♀ is richly

recompensed by the ☉ and ☽ acquired. I was willing to communicate this

to the _Lovers of Art_. Therefore, if there be any Curious Refiners, to

whom this Process is pleasing, let them put it to the Tryal; if they

will not, ’tis all one to me: For I will make no Tryal in such Works,

as require a Man strong and patient to labour in the Fire. In the mean

while, I doubt not, but there will be some, who will amply encrease

their Fortunes thereby; upon whose Endeavours, I pray for the Divine

Blessing, and offer to their Consideration this ancient Proverb, _By

Saturn and Mars, by Fire and Art, a Treasure is found_. _Mars_ is fixed

_Sulphur_: Much might be said for _Saturn_ also; but that is not so

conducent as fixed 🜍, which is much purer than rude Iron, as Experience

teacheth.

Touching the further use of fixed 🜍 in the Emendation of Metals, and

that in an humid way, by fixing and graduating _Aqua Fortis’s_, the

Acrimony or Corrosive Power of which, is first so broken by the help of

fixed 🜍, as they do not dissolve, but only penetrate them, and deduce

them to an higher degree, and, according to the nature of the 🜍, tinge

the same into whiteness or redness.

It is known to us, that nothing tingeth but 🜍 only; and that, according

to its Nature, into redness or whiteness, both in the humid and dry

way. In the dry way, the 🜍 must of necessity be so fixed and fusible,

as being cast upon the Metal in flux, it may penetrate into it, as

Oyl into a dry Skin. You have already heard, that in fixation by

_Aqua Fortis_, from the 🜍 is so taken away its Ingress, easy Fusion

and Metallick Fatness, as it rather seemeth like a dry Earth, than

a Metallick Substance; in so much, as unto it cannot be procured a

ready Ingress into Metals, unless by some singular Art and Industry.

Such an Ingress cannot be given to fixed 🜍 in a better way, than by

Mercurial mundifyed Metals, _viz._ by ☉ and ☽, and indeed ☉ unto

Redness, but ☽ unto Whiteness. It you would proceed more dexterously,

you must legitimately unite fixed 🜍 with the Salt of Metals; then will

be acquired Ingress into all Metals, as hereafter in the Description

of the _Salt of Philosophers_ shall be seen. But if Fortune shall so

favour any Man, as he can find out such a Water, as is endued with the

power of dissolving fixed 🜍, he will enjoy so potent a Gradatory Water,

as will convert black Leprous ♄ into most white pure ☽: And not only

♄, but also ♃, ♀, and ♂; yet ♄ most readily. Touching such a Gradatory

Water, (as far as I have learned by Experience) thus take it: Every 🜍

whitened and fixed by washing amends Metals; but how it should have and

acquire Ingress into them, is not known. Therefore, as it is the part

of Art and Industry to procure to fixed 🜍 a dry Ingress; so also it is

no less the Work of Art and Industry to convert fixed 🜍 into a Water,

by which, vile Metals may be exalted to a more excellent degree of Gold

and Silver. Therefore, let him, who intends to convert fixed 🜍 into

Water, observe, that this Water must not be so strong as to dissolve

Metals, but savour only of so much Acrimony as will be sufficient to

penetrate them, and deduce 🜍 into an humid form, _viz._ such as it is

tinged with, either white or red, according as the Gradatory Water

shall be made, either of red or white 🜍. Whosoever well understands how

to change fixed 🜍 into Water, unto him will be opened a Compendious way

of Graduating vile Metals into ☉ and ☽. Which Operation is, of all, the

most commodious for ♄, because _Aqua Fortis_ more readily preys upon,

and dissolves, other Metals than ♄. For it is prejudicial to dissolve

any, because in Graduation Metals are not to be dissolved, but only to

be penetrated, with conservation of their forms, as they were when put

in, and, without any diminution, to be transmuted into better Metals;

which in ♄ is most easy to be done. Yet any _Aqua Fortis_, although

you add to it thrice so much common Water, will prey upon and dissolve

♄, ♃, ♀, and ♂, which is a thing to be studiously avoided. Into the

aforesaid Gradatory Water, in which the fixed 🜍 is, cast a little

common Salt, then the _Aqua Fortis_ becomes Enemy to the Lead, and

assaults it, but indeed only to penetrate, (not to dissolve the same)

and to introduce the fixed 🜍. After the Lead hath lain in such Water

about 14 Days, it will swell and wax white, leaving one half of it self

upon the Cupel. But the longer it shall lye in the Gradatory Water, so

much the more amended will it be.

If fixed 🜍 could as easily be turned into Gradatory Waters, the same

may easily be fixed; assuredly in the whole World there would be no one

particular more desirable than this, by the help of which, great Riches

might be acquired. For this same humid Graduation requires almost no

trouble or labour, more than putting filed or rasped Lead for some

time into the Gradatory Water, and after Gradation, to take it out and

cupellate it; being such a kind of Work, as by Chymists is accounted a

Childish Labour.

But to know and be able to convert fixed 🜍 into a Gradatory Water, is

the principal Artifice; and to participate of that, all diligence must

be used by him, whosoever he be, that is desirous to reap pleasant

and profitable Fruits from Chymistry. What do you desire? All things

needful to be spoken, cannot clearly be explained with a Pen; yet

if any one shall acquire the Salt of Metals, he may easily so far

introduce fixed 🜍 into Metals by that, as they shall be amended

thereby. Hitherto I have plainly enough described the Fixation of 🜍,

and prolixly demonstrated, how ingress may be procured to it, as well

by the Humid, as by the Dry way. Wherefore, whosoever shall think

himself concerned herein, let him follow these Prescripts, until he

find so much Good, as the favour of GOD will grant to him. For the All

of our hope depends on the blessing of GOD.

In the mean while, I am not willing to conceal from the Searcher of

Art, this one only Artificial Manual Compendium, of converting 🜍 easily

into a Gradatory Water. We above said, _Aqua Fortis_ could find no

ingress for it self to the fixing of 🜍, before it was procured to it

by the help of _Sal Mirabile_. Therefore, since the way of preparing

_Sal Mirabile_ is various, and one Salt is always more constant than

another; great Caution must be used, that the Sulphur be so handled

and accommodated, as it may be suddenly dissolved by the sharp _Aqua

Fortis_, and so not be precipitated into a white Powder. For if this

be not done, it will indeed be fixed by the _Aqua Fortis_, but become

very difficult to be dissolved. If it be well dissolved the first time,

after Fixation it will be easily dissolved. Which is a thing worthy and

profitable to be observed: For the whole hinge of Art consists here.

Therefore, if any one be well Skilled in Spagyrick Labours of Fire,

he will easily bring this Prescript to a good Effect; but if he be

not such, he will Labour in vain, and lose his Charges; and that not

without the good Pleasure of GOD, who Wills not, that every Man should

be made Rich. Nevertheless, if any one, with an indefatigable study and

patience of Search, shall hit the Mark, he will give thanks to GOD and

to me: If not, let him impute the Error to his own unhappiness, since

I have writ so openly and clearly, as no Man before me ever did. My

purpose is in this place to discover one most excellent Secret; by the

benefit of which, fixed 🜍 may easily be changed into a Gradatory Water,

and that the following way.

Choose such 🜍, as unto which Nature hath given greater Efficacy, than

to the common 🜍; such, I say, as is in a sort Mercurial, and in which

such beginnings of the Operation of Nature discover themselves, as

thence may be made a Metal of a Golden Disposition. Such a Mercurial

🜍 you shall scarcely find in all the Metallurgy of Gold; and that

naturally Red, both internally and externally; and is otherwise called

by _Paracelsus_ _Embryonate Sulphur_, or _Cinnabarine Sulphur_,

or immature mineral _Electrum_; but by Miners vulgarly called the

_Flower of Gold_: Also you may perceive it to have a great Communion

and similitude with _Auripigment_ and _Antimony_. This _Sulphur_ is

Mercurial, and toucheth Metals with a more near Affinity, than vulgar

simple 🜍, because after Fixation it is easie to be dissolved, and

before Fixation better to be wrought upon than common 🜍, which partakes

of no Mercury. And this 🜍 in the abstraction of _Aqua Fortis_ gives

forth more of a beautiful Tincture than any other common 🜍. Also this

pure Soul may much better be used in _Medicine_ and in _Alchymy_,

because it is both Mercurial and of greater Efficacy, than the Soul of

any common 🜍.

_Note_: Common 🜍 is not so easily prepared for Solution, as this;

because it is Mercurial, and therefore, hath more Communion with _Aqua

Fortis_, to be dissolved by help of it. And after it is dissolved, in

the Distillation it gives forth more Soul, and the fixed 🜍, which

remains in the bottom, is of greater Virtue in _Medicine_, than the

other of common 🜍. For by how much the more pernicious Venome it

was before Fixation so much the more Efficacious _Medicine_ doth it

become, after the Venome is inverted by Fixation, and converted or

prepared into an Antidote or Treacle. Such 🜍 may also another way, more

commodious, than by _Sal Mirabile_, be prepared for easie Solution:

Which indeed is a thing of great moment, and worthy to be observed.

This short, but necessary, Admonition I thought good to subjoyn for

the sake of the Searchers of Art; to the end it might be known, that

one 🜍 is better than another for preparing the aforesaid Gradatory

Water. Nevertheless, the known common _Sulphur_, as well as that of

Wood, is sufficiently conducible to be washed and fixed. More at this

time I have not to advise. In the mean while, if any one be desirous to

Labour, he may ingeniously search out all things fit for his Invention,

and earnestly strive for Riches. For I, without Envy, or close

Concealment, have so openly spoke my mind, as the least blame cannot

justly be imputed to me. But to prevent the Infelicity of thy Error,

my Reader, I could not do better, than I have here done by Writing.

Let it not be tedious to Thee to tread in our Footsteps, and in the

Footsteps of others, so long, as until you can attain to a fortunate

and desirable End; which will Crown your Work: Which Work, by Idleness

and sloath, together with Supine Ignorance, can never be accomplished.

Having communicated these Gratis, every Man may hence satisfie his

Desires so, as not to trouble me further with his Inquiries.

_A COROLLARY._

We, in this small Treatise, have plainly shewed the Way or Method,

by which, every black Volatile and Combustible 🜍 may in the space of

one day be converted, by washing, into a Snow-like Candor, fixed and

rendred constant in Fire.

Also how, in Fixation, the _Aqua Fortis_, being abstracted from the

_Sulphur_, carries with it self the most pure Soul of the _Sulphur_,

renders it fixed and durably permanent in Fire; and besides, that it is

not only a present Remedy for expelling Diseases most grievous in the

humane Body; but also, that it is endued with the Power of transmuting

imperfect Metals into ☉ and ☽, yet particularly only, being destitute

of such ☿, as can sufficiently extend it self in Efficacy.

Likewise we have taught, how to the more gross part of the 🜍, which

remains in the bottom, ingress may be procured for the amending of

Metals with Profit, both in the humid and the dry way.

Lastly, we shewed, how much one 🜍 excels another, and such 🜍 was to

be accounted more excellent which contained in it self pure ☿; and

that especially to be the most excellent, which before Fixation was

judged most venemous; and that for this Reason, _viz._ because every

Supream Venome, after Preparation, will become the highest Medicament;

and that the Melioration of such _Sulphur_ is much more Efficacious,

than common _Sulphur_. Wherefore in this place, I am willing, again

and again, earnestly to commend to the Lovers of Art _Antimony_, Red

_Arsenick_, Yellow _Auripigment_, Ash-coloured _Cobaltum_, _Cakimia_

and _Zinck_, with _Bismuth_; because all these are more excellent than

common _Sulphur_. But he, that elaborates such Subjects, so venemous,

must studiously beware of the evil Fumes arising from them. For as such

a Subject before Preparation is mere Venome, so, in preparing, its

venomous Disposition is more and more increased; but after Preparation,

that which was deadly, now becomes a most Salubrious Antidote or

Treacle, and present Remedy against all kinds of Poisons.

_Note_: Whosoever is desirous to be securely freed from all Peril, him

I would advise, to learn the way of fixing some common 🜍, before he

rashly attempts to invade the Fort of such noxious Venoms.

Therefore, whatsoever we have hitherto taught are not vulgar Matters,

or Arts well known before, but merely great _Arcanum’s_, and those very

lately invented. For, who could believe, that common 🜍, a Substance

easily inflameable and burnable, should in one day be so fixed, as to

be able to remain unhurt against all the force of _Vulcan_? Who could

have persuaded himself, that the most venemous Venoms, as _Cobalt_,

_Arsenick_ and the like, may in one day be Artificially inverted, and

their mortal Venoms converted into Salubrious Antidotes? Lastly, who

could ever have thought, that of the most Volatile Mineral Subjects,

as 🜍, _Antimony_, _Arsenick_, _Auripigment_ and others of that kind,

in the space of one day may be prepared a Tincture (constant in

Fire) for humane and Metallick Bodies? No Man, if we had not in this

small Treatise so evidently demonstrated that, as it may be plainly

understood. Wherefore, as I have formerly said, so I am now ready to

affirm, that I, in this small Treatise, have revealed so great and

admirable _Arcanum’s_, as no Man (as far as the Memory of Man can tell)

hath publish’d any thing more clearly than I, touching such Secrets.

If any one is desirous to Learn, whence so swift a Fixation of

combustible _Sulphur_, or so sudden _Metamorphosis_ of most deadly

Venoms, ariseth; to him, I will now discover the Cause. It is

sufficiently manifest, that Spirit of _Nitre_, as well as _Aqua

Fortis_ distilled from _Vitriol_ and Salt _Nitre_, possess such a

fiery Disposition, by which all combustible and Volatile Minerals are

ripened. And being ripened, they are also fixed; as if fixed things

must of necessity be Mature, and consequently no more noxious or deadly

to Mortals. For whatsoever is rough, crude and immature, the Stomach

of Man cannot digest, but rejects and casts out that, (by which it

may be injured) as Venome: According as is easily discerned in all

_Catharticks_, either Vegetable, Animal or Mineral, which, by reason

of their Crudity, are so great an offence to the Stomach of Man, as

it frees it self from them, either by Vomit or Seidge. And the more

crude and immature Purgers be, the more strongly do they Operate.

Hence usually (by the Prescript of Physicians) Purgers that are too

violent, before they be taken into the Body, are amended by Fire. As

for Example. _Squills_ and _Diagridium_, which too vehemently Purge,

are covered over with Dough and baked in an Oven, for correcting the

excessive Purging property in them, that they may cause Evacuations

more moderate and more safe. _Antimony_ immoderately Purging, is

excocted, or melted in an open Fire with common _Nitre_ and _Tartar_,

by which it is so far corrected, as it Purgeth without vehemency.

The same also is so corrected by spirit of _Nitre_, as it loseth its

purging Property, and instead of its Cathartick Virtue, acquires to it

self a _Diaphoretick_ and _Diuretick_ Property.

Common _Tartar_, taken into the Body, performs the Office of a

_Cathartick_: But the same, when the ripening Heat of the Sun, in the

more hot Regions of the World, hath took from it, its Acidity, and

it, in the Fermentation of Wine, becomes a fiery Spirit, it no more

exerciseth a purging Property, but rather hinders Purgers, and so

amends them, as they cannot Purge with so great vehemence, as they were

wont to manifest, before Correction; as is already demonstrated by

Us, where we treat of the Extraction of purging Vegetables. Therefore

if the common Fire of Coals, and Spirit of Wine, correct Vegetables

and Animals immoderately purging; why should not the most strong Fire

of Salt, such as _Aqua Fortis_ is, correct the most venomous Mineral

Subjects, and be able to transmute the same (deposing their noxious

Qualities) into an Antidote or Treacle?

From all which, it is sufficiently manifest, that in correcting even

the most venomous Subjects, Mineral Spirits of Salt are sufficient;

being such, as can deprive them of all their pernicious Venome,

and change them into salutary Medicaments. Wherefore, I doubt not,

but that the ingenious Reader, by these few things demonstrated,

will sufficiently understand the cause of this sudden Correction or

Fixation of all Volatile and venomous Mineral Subjects. When Ancient

Philosophers, by Poetical Parables, described the laborious Navigation

of _Jason_ to the Island _Colchos_, where resided an huge _Dragon_

vomiting Fire, which, with Eyes never closed, diligently watched the

Golden _Fleece_; they added this, _viz_: that _Jason_ was taught by

his Wife _Medea_, to cast to this waking _Dragon_ an edible _Medicine_

to be swallowed, whereby he should be killed and burst; and that

_Jason_ should presently take the _Dragon_ (thus slain) and totally

submerge him in the _Stygian_ Lake. _Jason_, in this ingenious Fable,

Hieroglyphically represents the Philosophers; _Medea_, accurate

Meditations; the laborious and perillous Navigation, signifies manifold

Chymical Labours; the watching _Dragon_ vomiting Fire, denotes Salt

_Nitre_ and _Sulphur_; and the Golden _Fleece_ is the Tincture or Soul

of _Sulphur_, by the help of which, _Jason_ restored Health to his

Aged Father, and acquired to himself immense Riches. By the Pills of

_Medea_ is understood the Preparation of _Sulphur_ and _Sal Mirabile_.

By the total submersion of the _Dragon_ in the _Stygian_ Lake, is

intimated the Fixation of _Sulphur_ by _Stygian_ Water, that is, _Aqua

Fortis_. Whence, it is sufficiently clear, how obscurely the Ancient

Philosophers did describe their Fixation of 🜍 by _Nitre_, and how

secretly they hid it from the Eyes of the unworthy. But, since I, in

this Treatise, do as clearly as is possible discover all things, know,

that I do it not without Reason. It will be enough for any one, if he

rightly understand the Method of performing such a Fixation.