After any combustible 🜍 hath been fixed by _Aqua Fortis_, or _Aqua

Regis_, and ☉ and ☽ added to it in Fixation, then will that no more

be vulgar ☉ or ☽, being such as cannot again be dissolved in _Aqua

Fortis_, or _Aqua Regis_, nor upon a Cupel have Ingress into ♄, but

passeth as it were into a dry Earth, which can neither be reduced by

_Borax_, nor any other common fluxing Powders into a ductile Body. If

any one be desirous to know this by Experience, let him dissolve 🝳 of ☉

in _Aqua Regis_, and pour this Solution upon a Pound of _Aqua Regis_,

and also put this _Aqua Regis_ upon ℥iiij of Butter of _Antimony_,

and abstract the _Aqua Regis_ thence, Then he will find, that Gold,

which was in the _Aqua Regis_, to have mixed it self Radically with the

_Sulphur_ and _Mercury_ of _Antimony_; so as not only the Butter of

_Antimony_ becomes fixed and irreducible, but it also renders the Gold

so irreducible, as thenceforth it can no more be separated from the

_Antimony_, but remains adhering to it in every Examen: And can only be

subduced by our Secret Salt of Metals, volatilized, or rendred fusile,

and so be introduced into other Metals for their Amendment.

Therefore, if such a destruction of ☉ can be made by _Antimony_, less

than the half of which is 🜍, but the greatest part ☿; how should

the same not be better performed by common 🜍, which is void of all

_Mercury_? I, in all those places where I have taught the Fixation of

_Sulphur_, did always advise, that _Aqua Regis_ to be carefully kept,

which was abstracted from the _Sulphur_; but especially what contained

Gold; because together with the _Aqua Fortis_, the most pure Soul of

_Gold_ and _Sulphur_ ascends, and is as much fixed, (I might say, more)

as that which remains in the bottom. Wherefore, if what I have here

imparted be observed by any Reader, or by none, it shall not trouble

me, but I shall remain well contented, that I have done my Part,

and performed so much, as no Man before me ever did; because I have

openly taught the Method of extracting in a few hours (by the help of

Distillation) from ☉ and 🜍, or from ☉ and _Antimony_, a fixed Tincture.

And these I do willingly communicate to the Searchers of Art.

Some write, that _Miriam_ the Prophetess, and Sister of _Moses_,

knew the Art of elaborating the Tincture in three days, which seems

incredible to many Skilful Writers. But what will envious Persons

judge, when they shall hear, that _GLAUBER_, by a publick Writing,

without any manner of Concealment, hath taught the Method of extracting

a fixed Tincture out of ☉ and _Antimony_, fit to expel all desperate

Diseases out of the humane Body; and this work to be compleated in one

day? Undoubtedly they will exclaim and say: _All are Lyes, and such

things are impossible to be done_. The ignorance and wickedness of

these Men were much more tolerable, if, to their Calumnies, they should

also add, _Our ignorant Brains persuade amiss_. For did they rightly

know themselves they never would so basely condemn and reprove the

Experience of Others. But what shall I write against such? Nothing, but

the Old Proverb, _Effeminate Men, Effeminate Words_; according to the

Verse,

_Each Bird so sings, as formed is his Bill;

And such as is the Man, so speak he will._

Indeed I would willingly have published more Examples, of the Method of

swiftly fixing _Sulphur_, but I am kept back by very weighty Reasons.

Yet I cannot chuse, but Commemorate these few things thereabout; _viz._

that every 🜍, without the help of external Fire, by a Secret invisible

Fire only, which is added to the combustible 🜍, and left with it for

a small space of Time, in a cold place, becomes as white and fixed,

sustaining all force of Fire, as well as that Fixation, which is made

by _Aqua Fortis_, or his abstraction from the 🜍. Wherefore this cold

Fixation of _Sulphur_, by our Secret cold, and humid Fire (because it

needs no common Fire, no Body, and Head, no Retort with its _Receiver_,

and the like) is to be preferred before the other Fixation by _Aqua

Fortis_. Therefore for this, we give Immortal Praises and Thanks to the

most wise GOD.

If any Reader thinks, I have been too brief, or too obscure in this

Treatise, he may more amply satisfie his Desires from the two following

Tracts, where we treat of the _Mercury_ and _Salt_ of Philosophers;

whereunto we refer every one, that is a studious Inquisitor of Art.

OF THE

MERCURY of Philosophers.

_Mercury_ may easily be extracted not only from all Metals and

Minerals, but also from Animals, and Vegetable Subjects, and of the

same (by the help of Gold) be prepared a true Tincture for all the

three Kingdoms.

We, from the Consent of all true Philosophers, do certainly know,

that ☿ is the most pure part of the three Principles of Metals, and

therefore doth spontaneously adhere to most pure Metals, and always

embraceth them with greater affection, than the impure Metals. As for

Example, _Mercury_ most willingly adheres to its own like ☿; next to

☉; then to ☽; afterwards to ♃, and ♄; and lastly to ♀; but to ♂ most

unwillingly, only because it chooseth rather to mix it self with its

like, than with its unlike. For it is wholly Homogeneal, void of all

Heterogeneal parts; such also are ☉ and ☽. The greatest part of all

other Metals is Heterogeneal, although there is found no imperfect

Metal, which hath not in it self some part Homogeneal; yet so, as

the Metal participates more of the one, than of the other; according

to the Writings of Philosophers. Wherefore, a true Philosopher will

scarcely affirm, that, by the benefit of the Tincture, the whole Body

of imperfect Metals can be transmuted into ☉ or ☽, since so great

Virtue is not insited, even in the Philosophers Stone it self. For

the immature, foul, stinking, combustible and superfluous 🜍 of ♃, ♂

or ♀, cannot, in so short time, as Projection is wont to be made in,

be converted into ☉, although you cast in more than enough of the

Tincture: But as much as the Metal hath of Homogeneity, that is, of

_Mercury_, in it self, so much only is tinged and fixed into Gold, the

Residue not so. Because the Stone separates the Heterogeneal parts,

that is, the superfluous 🜍 burning it self (in the form of _Scoria_)

from the _Mercury_, which it only tingeth into Gold; because it hath no

Communion with those Heterogeneities; as I have daily found, and in the

following Part, where we treat of the _Salt_ of Philosophers, I purpose

to demonstrate more at large.

Now let us see the Method, by which Metallick ☿ may with little Labour

be extracted, not only from

[Sidenote: _VITRIOLUM._]

Metals and Minerals, but also from all Animals and Vegetables. I said,

_With little Labour_, in respect of experienced Men. For in respect of

the Unskilful, it is not a Work of small Labour; but in the Memory of

all Ages it hath been accounted (by all the most experienced _Lovers_

of our _Art_) the _Secret of Secrets_, and the nearest way to come

to the Attainment of the true _Universal Medicine_. Nor will it ever

be of less Esteem, since in the whole Nature of things, a more pure

matter cannot be found, (whereof to make the Stone of Philosophers)

than this only _Mercury_ of Metals. In the mean while, it is easie to

judge, that the _Mercuries_ of Metals differ in themselves notably,

and that one of them is better, and more conducible than another, for

preparing thence a Tincture for Humane and Metalline Bodies. For one

is always better in Colour and Tincture than another. Indeed, by the

external Face, almost no Man is able certainly to know, from what Metal

or Mineral the best _Mercury_ may be had: Yet according to the general

Opinion of Philosophers, the most excellent ☿ is wont to be prepared of

the _Vitriol_ of ♂ and ♀; because these two Metals do most abound with

Tinctures. I, being taught by Experience, am assured, that out of black

Ash-coloured ♄ may be acquired a ☿, as excellently tinged, as from

both those Red Metals, ♂ and ♀. Yet in the mean while I do not deny,

that the ☿ of ♂ and ♀, is impregnated with 🜍, tinging in the highest

degree; as Ancient Philosophers, in these few words, have compendiously

expressed. _Visitaris Interiora Terræ, Rectificando Invenies Occultum

Lapidem, Veram Medicinam._ By which Words, _VITRIOLUM_ [or _Vitriol_]

is expressed; which process is no other, than a Solution of _Mars_ and

_Venus_ prepared by the Labour of Nature. But _Vitriol_ prepared thus

by Nature, is never found so pure and clean, as that which is prepared

of good Steel, and pure ♀, by the help of Oyl of _Sulphur_, or instead

of that, Oyl of _Vitriol_: Because the Native contains more Earthiness,

than that which is made by Art. Now let us return to our _Mercury_.

I think good here, to advise all the Lovers of our Art, not to bend

their thoughts so much upon vulgar ☉ and ☽, as to endeavour out of

them to extract their ☿ and 🜍. Because common ☉ and ☽ are altogether

Homogeneal, and have nothing of Heterogeneity in them; and therefore

difficult to be wrought on. And although they were as easie to be

wrought on as ♂ and ♀; yet it would be no Profit to use them; because

of their greater Price, and also because there is much more Tincture

contained in vile and contemptible ♂, than in ☉ it self. It is true,

this Tincture is not yet fixed, but is volatile, and may easily be

fixed. Wherefore I advise every one to seek ☿ in ♄, and 🜍 in ♂. Upon

☉, in times past, through my Ignorance, I consumed much without any

Profit, and laboured Fruitlesly, until I had consumed some Pounds of

it, to find out for others a more safe Way; which if any one had shewed

me, I would never have laboured in vain. But I was hard to believe,

that they, who were unwilling to use common ☉ and ☽, could prepare an

apt Tincture, for tinging imperfect Metals into Gold. Yet since vulgar

☉ and ☽, do not only give easie Ingress to those Tinctures, which draw

their Original from the 🜍 and ☿ of Philosophers; but do also further

the Fixation of volatile _Mercury_; therefore we cannot well be without

them, in the Composition of the Stone of Philosophers. Let the Lovers

of Art take Cognizance of these few things for their Information.

Now it is necessary to be known, by what Method the ☿ of Philosophers

may most commodiously be extracted from Metals and Minerals, and by

the help of ☉, be duly fixed by Art, into a Tincture for humane and

metallick Bodies.

First, we are not ignorant, that the purest part of Metals, _viz._:

Homogeneal _Mercury_, is tyrannically held Captive in a certain obscure

Prison, by his most inveterate Enemy, superfluous burning _Sulphur_.

Therefore, if any one would unbolt his Chains, and set him free, he

hath necessity to mortifie and annihilate his Enemies, by which he is

so fast bound and imprisoned, before he breaks down the Prison Walls,

and delivers _Mercury_ from Captivity: Which ☿ will also bring forth

with him his natural Brother, _viz._ tinging 🜍. These being at Liberty,

nothing will be wanting to fix them into a Tincture, but the help of

vulgar ☉. But if any one be not satisfied with this short Paraphrase,

let him read either _Sandivogius_, who hath writ an intire Treatise of

such a freeing of Captives; or _Paracelsus_, who, no less eminently

than plainly, hath discovered his mind touching the same.

_Now follows my own Experience, Way and Method, By which I have

several times freed the forementioned Captive, and set him at

Liberty._

Although I have my self extracted the _Mercury_ of Philosophers from

Metals, by such divers Methods, as I mean here to discover; yet I

always found some better than other some. Therefore out of such

Processes, some of which we here subjoyn, every Man may, as best

pleaseth him, take which he thinks most conducible, and proceed in

Operating according to that, until he finds, what GOD shall be pleased

to bestow on him.

_Mercury_ is never to be extracted from hard Metals, before they be

dissolved and unlocked. Unlocked more commodiously they cannot be, than

by the Corrosive Spirits of Salt. Yet since all Corrosives are most

inimical to ☿, they have no Power of making either Living or Running

_Mercury_. Therefore, after Solution, the Corrosives must be mortified

by contrary Salts; such are, Salt of _Tartar_, Spirit of _Urine_,

_Sal Armoniack_, &c. This being done, the Corrosives changing their

Nature wax gentle, and in Distillation permit the ☿ to ascend: Which

otherwise, without Mortification of the Corrosive, would not happen, as

you will learn by the following Processes.

Therefore, since it is most certain, that Metals are to be dissolved,

before ☿ (by the help of Resusoitating Salts) can be distilled thence;

we will first exhibit the Method, by which ☿ may be extracted from such

Metals, as Nature presents to us already dissolved; _viz._ _Vitriol_,

which is no other than _Mars_ or _Venus_, or ♂ and ♀ together,

dissolved by the Universal Acidity. Hence, whosoever will use (in his

intended Work) such _Vitriol_, in which both those Metals are found

highly tinged and dissolved by Nature; he will not need by tedious

Labours to seek out a new Method of dissolving Metals, but may spare

both his Time and Charges. Therefore, now it will be expedient to

teach, how _Mercury_ may be prepared of any common _Vitriol_.

_The Process follows._

Distil from common _Vitriol_, in the usual manner, an Acid Spirit, and

fiery Oyl, with strong fire, according to Art. For in the Spirit is

latent the ☿ of ♂ and ☿, which by Mortifying the Corrosive, may be

brought to light, and made Visible, as follows.

℞. Of _Tartar_, calcined unto Whiteness ℔ i, or ij, which reduced to

Powder, put into a Glass Body, on which set an Head with its Hole and

Tunnel in it, well luted; then apply a Receiver, and lute the Junctures

exactly. When the Body and Head is placed in warm Sand, through the

Tunnel, at one time pour on about one or two _Lotones_ of the sharp

Spirit of _Vitriol_, upon the _Tartar_ calcined; whence will be caused

so great Ebullition, as by its own proper Power the Spirit will ascend

from it. This Duel or Fermentation being ended, again pour in some

Ounces of that Spirit; which also leave, till all the Ebullition

ceaseth. Afterward reiterate the like injection, until that Acidity

contends no more with the _Tartar_: Which will be an Argument, that

the Salt of _Tartar_ is sufficiently mortified. When you see this,

administer Fire, and by Degrees draw forth all Humidities, untill the

Vessel and Matter is Red hot. The Water that ascended (which in Taste

will be almost like Spirit of _Urine_) must be rectified; in which

Rectification the ☿ of the _Vitriol_ ascending, is rendred more subtile

and more pure. This pure _Mercurial_ Water bears in it self invisibly

contained, a living Metallick _Mercury_, which is made conspicuous thus,

_The Conjunction of Philosophick =Mercury= with Gold._

Dissolve common ☉ in a sharp _Aqua Regis_, and separate the dissolved

from the undissolved. Then leisurely, and at times, drop after drop,

pour of your subtile Mercurial Water upon the Solution of ☉, so long,

as until the Spirit of the _Mercury_ hath no more Action upon the

Solution of Gold, but ceaseth, and all the ☉ shall be precipitated

from the Water. In which Precipitation, the ☉ attracts to its self the

_Mercury_ of the _Vitriol_, from the Mercurial Water, in such a manner,

as it settles to the bottom of the Vessel, in the form of Slime, or

a yellow Powder. Let the Precipitate be filtred through brown Paper,

that the _Saline_ Water may pass through; and the precipitate ☿ remain

in the Filter mixt with the Gold; which must be very well washed with

sweet Water, and, being edulcorated, dryed. This being done, you will

have the ☿ of _Vitriol_ united with the ☉: Both which will suffer

themselves to be fixed into a true Tincture, for Humane and Metallick

Bodies, as follows.

_The Fixation of =Mercury= with Gold._

_Note_: Before the _Mercury_ is put in to be fixed with the Gold,

it must be proved, whether it be duly prepared, or not. For if the

Mercurial Water was rightly prepared, it will contribute _Mercury_

enough to the Gold; by which ☿ the precipitated Gold is so augmented,

as tis no more common ☉. But if the Mercurial Water was not

legitimately prepared, and consequently could not contribute much ☿ to

the ☉, the Gold will remain poor, and, as soon as it is sensible of

any heat, will fulminate, like any other fulminating Gold, and so be

altogether unfit for Fixation, being destitute of a tinging ☿, which

should have converted the whole Body of ☉ into Tincture. Wherefore,

after Precipitation of the ☉ and ☿, you must make a small part of the

Precipitate hot, in a very small Crucible, for Tryal, whether it be fit

to be fixed. For if it fulminates, like fulminating ☉, it is a sign

your Mercurial Water was not perfect, and could not give unto the Gold

☿ enough. But if after it shall be Red hot in the Fire, it comes forth

with a delicate purple Colour; it is to be supposed, the ☉ hath imbibed

☿ enough, and they both be fixed together into one Tincture.

_Note_: Beware of too strong a Fire. For this way the _Mercury_ will

leave the Gold untouched, and fly away; so as, thence you can have no

certain Tryal. Therefore, in all parts of the Work proceed Warily and

Prudently. The Fixation of ☿ with ☉ is thus made:

_The Fixation of the =Mercury= of ♂ and ♀, into one Tincture._

℞. So much as you have ready prepared of this our _Mercury_ impregnated

with Gold, although there be no more of it, than half a _Loton_: For

here no great quantity is desired. Put it into a small Glass Phial,

which place in hot Sand; yet take heed, you give no stronger Fire, than

your Volatile Bird can bear. This Fire you must continue in a moderate

degree for some Weeks: For by that means, your _Mercury_ will by

little and little, be able to brook the Fire, adhere to the Gold, and

convert the same into Tincture. But if any one, contrary to the serious

Interdiction of all Philosophers, make too much haste, and persuade

himself, he may in a shorter space of time acquire the Tincture; his

_Mercury_ will fly away, and leave the Gold pale behind it; because the

☿ in its flight substracts the Colour of the ☉, and carries it away

with it self. Therefore, in Fixing there is need of Patience. Hence all

Philosophers advise, not to be hasty. For Festination proceeds from the

Devil. Wherefore, let every one so far study his own Good, as to be

obedient to this Admonition.

_Note_: There are also other ways, or Methods, of fixing ☿ with ☉; but

he doth very foolishly, who, when no necessity urgeth, will prostrate

all things together and at once, at the feet of Swine. Whomsoever GOD

will be pleased to assist, he may triumph in the highest help; but whom

GOD doth not assist, even the most plainly prescribed Method cannot

help him. For all our help depends on the divine Blessing.

_How to prove, whether =Mercury= be Legitimately prepared, and

whether it can give forth the Tincture of Metals._

℞. Of the Mercurial Water above described, and mortifie it by a

contrary Acidity, as Oyl of _Vitriol_, or Spirit of _Salt_. Then the

_Mercury_ will precipitate it self, in the form of an Ash-coloured

Powder, which if you edulcorate, and grind with Oyl of _Tartar_, you

will vivifie. If any one be minded, he may also distil the same by

Retort, and so examine it.

_A Tryal, or Proof, whether the =Mercury= of Metals be so well

prepared, as of it with ☉ may be made a Tincture._

℞. A little of that, _viz._ the quantity of a Pea, and put it upon a

Silver Plate, then over the Fire permit the _Mercury_ to be evaporated.

If it tinge the Silver well with a purple Colour, it is fit for the

Work, otherwise it will be of no Value. Also, this ☿ may be digested

with the filings of ☉, in a due measure or proportion mixed, and so

fixed. But this Fixation, as well as the former, require along time,

and so much Patience, as all Festination must be laid aside. Whosoever

is so covetous, as he cannot wait till the Fruits are Ripe; he would

be better advised, if he abstained from so great a Work, than to set

about it to his own Damage. I have often prepared this _Mercury_, and

put it to be fixed; but because I could not look to it my self with

my own Eyes, I was constrained to commit the Governance of the Fire,

to the Industry of another, and then it succeeded unhappily. And when

by reason of my Age, and imbecillity of Body, I was wholly uncapable

to take in hand a Work of so great moment, I communicated the Method

to some of my intimate Friends, with this Condition, _viz._ that they

should elaborate it themselves. But because in that Operation, they

could not acquire so much ☿ as they desired, they desisted, and would

not proceed to the Compleatment of the Work. Hence I was moved rather,

by Printing, to divulge so Royal a Work, than to let it be buried with

me: Although I was difficultly brought to an hearty Assent, to yeild to

the Revelation of _Arcanum’s_, of so great moment, to this Malignant

and unfaithful World.

_The way of Preparing a tinging =Mercury= out of =Antimony=._

℞. Of _Antimony_, _Saltpeter_, and _Tartar_, of each ℔ j. Which, first

pulverized and mixed, put into a Crucible, and kindle the Mixture with

a Coal; when the Fulmination ceaseth, melt it, and pour it out into a

Cone. After it is cooled, separate the _Regulus_ from the _Scoria_’s;

which reduce to Powder, and dissolve by boyling in Water. So doing, you

will have a Red _Lixivium_; upon which if you add (about half its own

weight of) _Salarmoniack_ pulverized, and put the Mixture into a Glass

Body, (which must not be above half full, because it riseth easily)

with it’s Head and Receiver well luted, and then subminister Fire for

Distillation; a certain most subtile volatile Spirit will ascend, in

which the ☿ of _Antimony_ is latent: Which, in a Solution of ☉ may

be precipitated, edulcorated, dryed, and then proved and fixed, as

above we taught of the _Mercury_ of _Vitriol_. _Antimony_ yeilds much

more ☿, than _Vitriol_; and it is also made more easily than it; and

therefore to be preferred far before it; but especially, because the

Ancient Philosophers did for the most part use this ☿ of _Antimony_,

for preparing their Tincture.

_Note_: If any one desire a more excellent ☿ of _Vitriol_, than That

above described by Us; he, instead of the _Lixivium_ of _Antimony_, may

use a _Lixivium_ of _Salt_ of _Tartar_, and thence extract _Mercury_

by the help of Oyl of _Vitriol_; so he will have some thing more

excellent, than can be made of a Common _Lixivium_.

_The way of Preparing out of ♂ and ♀ a tinging =Mercury=, by the

help of Resuscitative Salts only, without any Corrosives._

Among all Resuscitative Salts, _Tartar_ obtains the principal place;

the next to which is Salt of _Urine_, which is no other, than such a

Volatile _Tartar_ as passeth into this kind of Salt, from Wine, Beer,

Bread and other Foods taken into the humane Body. Almost of the same

kind, is the Soot of Chimneys, being the Volatile Salt of Wood. Also a

like Volatile Salt you shall find in Blood, Hairs, Horns and Hoofs of

Animals. Even so, almost a like _Salarmoniack_ is prepared of Blood,

Urine and Soot. In like manner, in Eggshels is insited an efficacious

Resuscitative Salt. These and the like Salts are endued with a Virtue

converting Metals into _Mercury_, after they are dissolved. For

volatile Salts are not so efficacious, as to dissolve Metals: Yet

_Tartar_ is endued with so great Power, as it can dissolve some Metals

easie to be dissolved, as ♂, ♀ and ♄, and thence may the Mercury be

extracted by Distillation; especially if a little Kitchin Salt be

added, or (which is more conducent) _Salarmoniack_, to comfort it.

Also instead of ♂ and ♀, common _Vitriol_ only may be used; and thence

_Mercury_ distilled by the help of volatile Salts.

_Now follows the Process._

℞. ℔ vj. Of _Vitriol_, to which, dissolved in Urine, add of

_Salarmoniack_ ℔ j. Crude _Tartar_ ℔ ij. Salt of _Tartar_ ℔ iiij.

Distil from these, in a strong Glass Body, a subtile Mercurial Water;

which, according to the Method prescribed, may be made Corporeal, and

with Gold be fixed into a Tincture. This way of proceeding is very

easie, and of little Charge; so as it will fully satisfie the desire

of those, who are contented with so much only, as may be acquired by

the benefit of Glass Bodies. But those, whose greedy desire cannot be

satisfied with little, may distill this Mixture in a Brass or Copper

_Vesica_, untill they have quantity enough to suffice them: Yet with

this Caution, that they use no _Alembick_, or _Refrigeratory_ made of

Copper, but of Lead, or (which is better) of Tin; and that because our

Mercurial Water easily corrodes the Copper, and thence contracts to it

self a Greenness: But in ♄ or ♃ doth not so. But if any one refuseth

to be at the Charge of a Tin _Refrigeratory_, he may use his Copper

Vessels. For although the Spirit corrodes the Copper, and contracts a

blewish Colour, yet this Colour in Rectifying abides in the bottom,

and the ☿ is nothing the worse. Indeed, this way a greater quantity is

acquired, than needs; unless the Operator be more greedy than a Wolf.

But it is not the part of a good Philosopher, to covet more than is

needful. If any one be desirous to prepare an abundance of Mercurial

Water, either by some such way as this, or by another certain Mixture

of Salts, him we have now, as it were, led by the hand, through

Processes more difficult, to proceed in these. For _Tartar_ alone will

be sufficient for such an Use. What seek you? The Feces of Wine burnt

will do the same; so as the Lover of Art, with almost no other Trouble

and Charge, may extract the _Mercury_ of Metals by Resuscitative Salts.

_The way of Preparing =Mercury= out of Metals and Minerals, by the

benefit of =Tartar= only, without any other Salts._

℞. Filings of Steel ℔ j. _Tartar_ ℔ ij. Common Water ℔ xx. If by

strong boyling by _Alembick_ in Sand, you distil thence all the Water;

the _Tartar_ in that boyling dissolves the ♂, and so will Volatilize

the _Mercury_ set at Liberty, in such wise, as it will ascend with

the Water, like a subtile Spirit; which, (concentrated and made

fit by Rectification) either by a Solution of ☉, or by some other

contrary Acidity, is rendred Corporeal, according to the Method above

shewed. If any one, to as much _Tartar_ as he hath, take half so much

_Salarmoniack_, the _Tartar_ so much the more readily preys upon the ☿,

also much more _Mercury_ issueth thence, than by _Tartar_ only.

_Note_: But since this way, in one Distillation, but little _Mercury_

ascends, such an Operation may be performed in a large _Vesica_; yet

with this Caution, _viz._ that the _Alembeck_ and _Refrigeratory_

be not made of Copper, but of Tin or Lead. This way of Operating by

a _Vesica_ will be of great use, especially for such covetous Men,

as cannot be content with few things; but always labour with the

perpetual Poverty of an unsatiable Spirit; although, they more than

sufficiently abound with the fulness of all desireable things. For he

is only Rich, who is always content with his present Fortune.

_The way of Preparing =Mercury= of =Saturn=, by =Tartar= only._

℞. One or two ℔. of the Raspings or Filings of _Saturn_, upon which

pour fifteen, or twenty ℔. of strong Vinegar of Wine, and mix therewith

a little pulverized _Tartar_. But the Vinegar _per se_ should be

impregnated with no small quantity of _Tartar_. Which _Tartar_, if you

distil with the Mixture, the Phlegm in Distillation carries over with

it self a subtile Mercurial Spirit; which must be separated from the

Phlegm, in manner as we above taught. The Solution of ♄ will remain

in the bottom. Thence also, by the help of Salt of _Tartar_, ☿ may be

extracted by Retort; yet it is not so good as the other, which ascended

in the form of a subtile Spirit.

_The way of Preparing =Mercury= of =Antimony=, by the help of

=Tartar= only._

℞. Some Pounds of strong _Antimonial_ Red _Lixivium_, (made of

_Antimony_ duly, decrepitate and melted with _Tartar_ and _Nitre_)

which put into a Glass Body set in Sand, as we above taught, in

treating of the Fixation of 🜍: Afterward, through the Tunnel, leisurely

and at times, pour upon the _Lixivium_ most strong Wine Vinegar, until

both (_viz._ the _Lixivium_ and Vinegar) cease to Act upon each other.

This being done, if by Distillation you separate all the Humidity, the

Sulphureous Spirit of _Antimony_, will ascend in the form of a subtil

Spirit, smelling like _Sulphur_: Which after Rectification, either with

a Solution of ☽ or ☉, becomes Corporeal, and so habile, as it may be

converted into a fixed Tincture.

_The Method of Distilling a tinging Mercurial Spirit from Metals

another way._

We above shewed, that from Metals most firmly compact, a tinging 🜍 and

☿ could not be extracted, unless the Metals be first dissolved, or

mortified; and that in such Mortification, there is a Spirit so apt to

be associated, as, in the very hour of Mortification, it lays hold of,

and carries up with it self, the ascending Spirit, or Soul of Metals.

Yet among all, pure Spirit of Wine well dephlegmated, I judge best;

because in abstraction it carries over with it self the most pure 🜍

and ☿ of Metals, and leaves the Gross dead Body behind in the bottom;

so as, such _Mercury_, as you shall draw forth in distilling by Spirit

of Wine, will be much purer, and more Virtuous in Tinging, than the

other, which you distil off by common Water only; and that for this

especially, _viz._ because this Spirit, which is extracted by Spirit of

Wine, from more pure is rendred most pure by Rectification. Which is

a thing impossible to be effected, where the Sulphureous ☿ of Metals

shall ascend by the help of common Water; because then the Water only,

in Rectification, is distilled off, but the 🜍 remains in the bottom,

in form of a Red Powder: And the other, which is sublimed by Spirit of

Wine, and afterward by Rectification subtilized to an higher degree,

and meliorated in its tinging Virtue, is not only in _Medicine_, but

also in the Melioration of Metals, Gems, and the more ignoble pretious

Stones, an hundred fold more efficaciously conducent to tinge them to

a Constancy, than the former, which, in distilling, ascends by Water

only; and by Rectification cannot be exalted, or multiplyed in its

Virtue, so well as the other, made by Spirit of Wine. That Sulphureous

☿, which ascends by help of Spirit of Wine, is endued with so subtil

and penetrative Power, as to it in the Vessel is given such Ingress, by

which Metals and Gems are tinged with a more constant and durable Red,

or Yellow Colour, than can be annihilated or impaired by any Corrosive

Waters, or by the violence of Fire; especially if it be distilled from

apt tinging Subjects, as the _Vitriol_ of ♂ and ♀, or from _Antimony_.

Of which I suppose enough is now spoken.

Therefore, if any one be desirous of knowing more touching this Matter,

him (for his further and more clear Information of the same) I refer to

the Seventh Part of our _Spagyrick Pharmacopœa_; where he will find, we

have prolixly taught, touching the extraction of Tinctures, from Red

Corals, and other tinging Subjects.

_The way of making good Mercury of =Saturn= and =Luna=._

℞. Of ♄, or ☽, ℔ j. which, dissolved in _Aqua Fortis_, precipitate with

Salt-water, edulcorate the Calx with Sweet-water, and dry it. When

dryed, mix with it a fourth part of our 🜍 fixed unto Whiteness. Distil

from the Mixture in a coated Retort its ☿ with strong Fire; which

notwithstanding will not be living ☿, but, in the form of a Sublimate,

will adhere to the Neck of the Retort, in weight heavy, and to the

Taste of the Tongue very sharp. Indeed there will not be so great a

quantity of it, as some may desire, yet it is worthy of the highest

Estimation. For in a Cold Cellar it is easily dissolved, and becomes a

strong Mercurial Water, which dissolves all Metals. This Water prepared

of ♄ joyns it self (with an incredible Love) with the Soul of ♂; and

suffers it self to be fixed with it into Tincture; This Water prepared

of ☽ readily dissolves Gold, and with it passeth into Tincture. The

Reason, why, I in Distillation, mix fixed 🜍 with the ♄ or ☽, is this:

Since both these Subjects, precipitated, as we above mention, with

Salt-water, are very fusile and penetrating, easily melt together into

one, and in Distillation yeild no ☿. Nor can Sand or Earth prevent this

Fluxion. Wherefore, I could find nothing more conducible, than our

white fixed _Sulphur_.

_The way of Preparing =Mercury= of =Jupiter=._

_Jupiter_ gives forth from it self, a most excellent _Mercury_, in

form of a subtil Spirit; which, above all other _Mercuries_, is most

earnestly beloved and attracted by Gold. For if but a very small

quantity of it be put into any Solution of Gold, it in a moment draws

to it self all the Gold from the sharp _Aqua Regis_, and together

with it settles to the bottom, like a purple Powder. This is the best

Precipitation of ☉, when you shall extract it with _Aqua Regis_ from

Sand and Stones: Because, by this Precipitation, the _Aqua Regis_ may

be used again for extracting ☉ from Sand and Stones, as you may more

amply read in our Seventh Part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, where

we have plainly writ touching this kind of Extraction. But in another

manner, may be prepared as powerful a Mercurial Water from all Metals,

by the help of my Secret _Sal Armoniack_, which, by _Paracelsus_ and

_Helmont_, is called the Liquor _Alcahests_ touching which, I have

largely treated in the Seventh Part of my _Spagyrick Pharmacopæa_,

where he who loves so great Gifts of GOD, may satisfie his Appetite to

the full.

_Behold, I present thee another way, by which, without any Charge

or Expense of Money, you may easily prepare as much of the

Philosophick ☿, as you will._

I would not have you to suppose, I here insert this so stinking

a Process, to the end you should follow this, rather than the

before-mentioned; but I add this, that the common sort of Men, simple

and poor, may see, that they may, by such a Method as this, suppress

their Poverty, and attain to the Acquisition of so noble an universal

_Medicine_, as well as any other of the great and mighty Men of the

World, by their ample Fortunes.

Whosoever is but a little Skilled in _Chymistry_, well knows, that

every 🜍 and ☿ arise from one only Original; and that the _Sulphur_ in

Herbs, and also that in Animals, is of no less Virtue, than the other

in Metals, Fixation only excepted. For as this in Metals is found more

fixed than that in Minerals, so the Mineral 🜍 is more fixed than the

Animal, and Vegetable. The same is to be judged of _Mercury_. But that

we may wander no further, but return again to our Purpose, and clearly

prescribe the Method of _Preparing an universal Medicine, of Humane

Urine and Dung_, I will very briefly discover the Process in these

following Words.

℞. A good quantity of humane Dung and Urine, collected in some

capacious Vessel, and (after they have stood together about a Month,

and when the _Salt_ shall be exactly united with the _Sulphur_, and

_Mercury_ by Fermentation) from thence, by an _Alembick_ in _Balneo_,

distil the Mercurial Sulphureous Spirit; which indeed will be very

subtil, but smell strong. Yet after Rectification, as we have taught,

it may be conjoyned with a Solution of Gold, and, by moderate heat, be

gradually fixed into an universal _Medicine_, for Humane and Metallick

Bodies.

_Note_: The aforesaid Stink vanisheth so soon as the _Aqua Regis_ hath

Access. Wherefore, those Philosophers who have laboured in Matters

of evil and strong Smells, did always speak of suffocating their

venemous Dragon in _Stygian_ Waters. But among all Philosophers, that

ever I read, I find no Man more excellently to have writ, touching

this matter, than the _Philosopher Neusementius_, in a certain small

Treatise of his, intituled, _Of the Salt and Spirit of the World_;

where he so explains the Table of _Hermes_, as he renders it most

worthy to be Read; because he hath so very prolixly, and largely,

with exquisit study and diligence, explained all things whatsoever,

the laudable _Hermes_, in very few Words, left to Posterity in his

_Smaragdine_ Table.

_A COROLLARY._

Although I have, in this small Tract, so largely and clearly treated

of Preparing the _Mercury_ of Philosophers, as it seems altogether

needless to trouble the Reader, with a further Paraphrase; since

from him, I have not concealed any Methods of manual Operation, but

have so revealed all things necessary to be known, as he (who, only

seeking the bare Letter of the prescribed Method, knows not how to

elaborate his own intended Work) may rather be accounted a Man of a

dull Capacity, than a Chymical Operator: Yet since unto all insatiable

Sons of Avarice, according to this my Description, there seems to be

too small a part of _Mercury_ extracted, I (for the sake of those also)

will demonstrate yet another Method, by which they may obtain a larger

quantity of good tinging ☿, than from Metals can be gained. But first

it is required, that every one, who will exercise himself in this kind

of Labour, should shew himself a diligent Operator, shunning no Pains:

Know, that Vulgar _Mercury_ may easily be so prepared by Art, as to

be as much conducent for Tinging, as the _Mercury_ of Metals. Yet

they must first procure Tincture to it, by tinging Metals, as by ♂, ♀

and _Antimony_. For, of its own proper Nature, it hath no Tincture at

all in it self; but it must necessarily receive the same from other

Metals, (in which GOD and Nature cooperating have insited it) before

it can exercise the Power and Faculty of Tinging. But which way such a

Tincture may commodiously be taken, and acquired from certain Stones

tinged by Nature, or from certain Metallick, and Mineral Subjects,

hath been by me, in various places of my Writings, so frequently

mentioned, as I judge it not necessary to Discourse further thereabout

in this place. But here, I will freely expose to publick view the way

of Preparing vulgar ☿ so, as it may be able to extract Tinctures from

Metals, Minerals and Stones.

℞. Common _Mercury_ ℔ j. Which as soon as you have dissolved in _Aqua

Fortis_, mortifie the _Aqua Fortis_ by pouring on Spirit of _Urine_,

and when you shall by Retort, in hot Sand, have abstracted thence

all the unprofitable Water, and administred a stronger Fire, the

_Mercury_ will sublime it self in the Neck of the Retort, white in

Colour, but discovering no singular _Acrimony_ upon the Tongue. Such a

sublimate as this, is easily dissolved by help of common Water. This

_Mercurial Water_ is endued with a power of extracting Tinctures from

Metals, Gems, and other more ignoble Stones. In which very Work, even

_Proserpina_, the Wife of _Pluto_, will scarce elaborate any thing more

excellent: Therefore, when this ☿ hath drawn so much Blood from the

_Red Lyon_, as it no longer remains White, but becomes totally Red;

then indeed it hath acquired the Melioration of one higher degree; but

as yet, it is able to work no Miracles in Tinging. Now, that it may

be exalted to so great Perfection, as to be admirably efficacious in

Transmutation; this Red _Mercury_ must again be vivified, and again (as

we taught above) mortified; and if this Labour be repeated seven, nine,

or twelve times, it will be sufficiently impregnated with Tincture.

This being done, you have nothing else to do, but to fix this tinging

_Mercury_ into a fusile Red Stone, which will thenceforth perform

the same (yea perhaps more) in the Transmutation of Metals, than the

_Mercury_ of Metals it Self.

Although, I have here revealed the Melioration of common _Mercury_;

yet, I am fully persuaded, no Man will readily set himself about its

Preparation, nor adventure, by Tryal, to experience the truth of this.

For commonly, every good thing is disesteemed, if it want external

Splendor. Some years ago, I did earnestly, and highly commend to some

of my most loving Friends, the Exaltation of common _Mercury_; yet no

one of them took so much notice thereof, as ever to set his hand to

the Work. Wherefore no Man needs to fear, that Art will be made too

common, although I had published the same, described even with a _Solar

Ray_. Indeed, I intended to have divulged more, touching such sublimate

_Mercury_, as may be dissolved with common Water, _viz._ how many other

famous Works may be performed with it, besides the Transmutation of

Metals; but for brevity sake, I here desist at present: Yet after a

little while, (if GOD permit) I will elsewhere treat of the same. In

the mean time, let the loving Reader kindly accept of these: For hence

he may be assured of the possibility of exalting common ☿ so far, as

to be equal in Virtue to the _Mercury_ of Metals: In which Assertion

every studious Artist may safely confide, and persuade himself, that I

here give no other Testimony, than I have learned by my own Experience

oftentimes.

OF THE

Salt of PHILOSOPHERS.

_How, and whence, That is Prepared, and of what use It is in

=Medicine= and =Chymistry=._

Those our venerable Ancestors, the ancient Philosophers, have indeed

copiously written many things, touching this Third Part of the

Principle of Metals, _viz._ _Salt_: Yet so very obscurely, as it is

almost impossible for a Man to learn thence, Fundamentally, any thing

of moment: Yea, I might say, it hath happened to very few, to know how,

to prepare the _Salt of Philosophers_, but on the contrary, six hundred

have ruined themselves, and lost all their Fortunes in labouring

thereabout. After, I also had, for some years together, expended great

Labour and Cost, besides what I spent in acquiring both the other

Principles, _viz._ _Sulphur_ and _Mercury_, (which were understood by

me, about two years since) it pleased the most wise GOD at length, also

to reveal to me this most famous _Salt_. Wherefore, I could not refrain

from communicating some thing of it to Posterity, for the Glory of my

GOD, and for divulging his wonderous Works, not doubting, but that

this my Revelation may be of great Concern, to open the Eyes of this

blind World. Because, they may be helped by such a Salt, of which, so

incredible Works may be prepared, as I am now about to write, and are

already sufficiently known to me.

I can unto every Man safely, surely and truly affirm, that whatsoever I

here write, are not the idle Dreams of a vain Man, nor patched together

out of other Books, but true and solid Experiments, which I my self,

with the help of these my hands, have found out. Indeed, I do not here

say, that I could give no credit at all to him, who no long time before

discovered something to me, touching such _Arcanum’s_; but I thought

his Words intimated Paradoxes and Impossibilities; although I had read

Philosophers, who writ: _He that hath the Salt of Metals, hath the

Stone of Philosophers_. I also well know, that the _Salts_ of _Metals_,

according as they been hitherto every where fraudulently presented by

_Pseudo-Chymists_, having no solid Foundation, do not indeed deserve

the name of Salts; being no other, than such _Vitriols_, as by the

sharp Spirits of _Salts_, are prepared of Metals; and are not at all

efficacious to meliorate any of the more vile Metals. On the contrary,

we certainly know, that our more true Salts do so amend all imperfect

Metals, as great and gainful Fruit may be reaped thence, as by the

following shall be clearly made appear. But before we write any thing

of the Use, of this _Royal Salt_, it will be worth while to premise

something briefly, and truly, touching the Preparation of the same.

_Of the Preparation of the =Salt= of =Philosophers=._

Now, that I may, without any wandring Ambages, describe the Method of

Preparing this Salt, which is incomparable and Royal, know in very

deed, that this Salt is no other, than common (but rightly prepared)

Oyl of _Vitriol_, Coagulated by white fusible _Sulphur_ into a sweet

Salt, which impresseth not on the Tongue, the least Saline savour; but

rather seems to be a Stone than Salt, although fusible, like any other

liquid Salt. But how that Oyl of _Vitriol_, or Universal Acidity, may

be changed into such a wonderful Stone, not Corrosive, I purpose not to

divulge. It is enough for me positively to affirm, it may be done.

Whosoever desires to know more of it, let him implore the help of GOD,

and peruse the Writings of Philosophers, that if he be worthy of this

divine Gift, he may be helped; if he be not worthy, I cannot help him.

For as I acquired that, not without praying and seeking; so also, must

every other Man resolve to do: Because, no Man shall ever get more out

of me, than what I here have willingly discovered for publick Good. Now

follows

_The incredible Virtue and Efficacy, which this wonderful Salt

manifests in Preparation of Tinctures, for exalting all Metals

and Minerals to the perfection of Gold._

Although it is before said, that Salt, or the Stone of Philosophers, is

only prepared of Acid _Vitriol_; yet I thought it necessary also, here

to publish, that Oyl of _Vitriol_ may be prepared divers ways, so as

one or another may prepare it this way or that way, as he pleaseth. For

the common and vulgarly known Oyl of _Vitriol_, suffers it self (by the

help of _Sulphur_) to be easily transmuted into a Sweet Stone: Because

_Sulphur_ alone is endued with Power of edulcorating all Corrosives,

and of Coagulating them into such a Stone, or Salt, by the benefit

of which, Wonders may be done, both in _Medicine_ and _Alchymy_.

Philosophers do indeed persuade us, that, out of _Vitriol_, an Oyl of a

Blood-Red-Colour may be extracted by Art, with which, White Metals may

be tinged into Red: But the way of Preparing this, they described not.

This is that, which is most studiously sought by the Adorers of the

Chymical Art, but hath hitherto been found by very few; and therefore

is generally thought, by almost all Inquisitors, to be impossible,

whatsoever Philosophers have writ thereabout, and how clearly, and

plainly soever described it. _Basil Valentine_ doth, with _Paracelsus_,

call this our Oyl of _Vitriol_ tinged with a Red Colour, the Blood of

the _Green Lyon_; but _Bracesus_, the Wood, or Tree of Life; _Virgil_,

a Bough, or Branch, plucked by _Proserpina_’s help from the concealed

Tree: Also, _Ovid_ useth divers other Expressions, in the Description

of this Tincture.

This Red Oyl suffers it self to be Coagulated into a Stone, not

Corrosive, as well as the Common Oyl: But this Coagulate is totally

Red, and the other is White only. Therefore, there is a necessity,

that the difference of both be known. For of both these, what the

White is able to do, the Red cannot do; and what the Red can effect,

is impossible to be performed by the White. That Red Oyl tingeth white

Metallick Bodies into Gold, and so tingeth white Chrystals into Gems

of all kind of Colours, (according to the Operators Pleasure) as, in

Elegancy, they become altogether like to the Native. But the White

tingeth not, because it self wanteth Tincture, which notwithstanding

may be procured to it: Yet it extracts the Tinctures from all

precious, and more ignoble Stones, and by them is so tinged, as it is,

thenceforth able to tinge white Metals into Gold, and white Chrystal

into beautiful Stones of every Colour, and that with as excellent

Splendor, as their Brother, the Ruby, enjoys. In a Word, our Salt of

Metals, or Stone of Philosophers alone, and _per se_, is so great a

particular Ruler throughout the whole Kingdom of _Chymistry_, as by

amending, it transmutes all imperfect Metals into Gold, and common

Stones into precious: Yet unto it, is denied Ingress into Vulgar ☿.

But the fixed ☿ of Metals will abundantly perform that; as is before

abovementioned. Now, as touching this _Mercury_, which those imperfect

Metals, _viz._ ♄ ♃ ♂ and ♀, contain in themselves, our _Sulphur_ is

so very fit for tinging that, as, for that purpose, there is no need

of other help. Therefore it is most certain, that the Salt of Metals

obtains Priority in the Chymical _Laboratory_. One thing I am freely

willing to discover, _viz._ this: If any one would take away the

fixed Tincture, or tinging Soul from precious Stones, as _Granates_,

_Rubies_, _Saphires_, _Lazure_ Stones, and other common Stones, and

add to them also, a small part of pure Silver, our Magnetick Salt

will extract the Tincture from the Stone, and at the same moment, in

which it extracts the same, incorporate the added Silver, with the

Tincture, and tinge the same into Gold: So, as it will affect a Man

with admiration to see, that in one and the same Subject, should be

both an attractive, and expulsive Virtue. Perhaps hence, that most

ancient Philosopher _Pythagoras_ drew his Opinion, for he believed such

a Transmigration, and taught, that the Soul, as soon as it passed out

of the mortal Body of Man, it entred into some other near adjoyning

Subject, and there inhabit’d. Indeed they, that labour in Metals and

Stones, do find such a Process; but with the Soul breathing out of the

Body of Man, the matter is far otherwise. For here Bodies are not

required, but Spirits, which at the hour of Death receive the Souls of

dying Men, and convey them to Places by GOD appointed. According as

the Man hath lived, either Well or Ill, so those Spirits will act at

the end of Life, each according to their Office; so as, the Souls of

pious Men shall be received by Spirits of Light; but impious Souls,

by the Spirits of infernal darkness. In the Mortification of Metals

and Minerals, Philosophers also want not their peculiar Spirits, which

receive and transport the flying Souls of Metals and Minerals. Touching

which Transportation of Souls, we made some mention above, where we

treated of the Fixation of Metals. Also [2]this Transduction was highly

esteemed by ancient Philosophers, especially by _Neusementius_, who

said: By this Power, _viz._ _By the Spirit and Salt of the World, we

deliver the Souls of the Dead from the Prison of Hell_. Therefore,

whosoever shall be well Skilled in this kind of operating, he will be

able to do wonders in this Chymical Kingdom of Metals. For if you add

the Spirit and Salt of the World to any Metal dissolved, and by Retort

distil the Mixture, they will carry over with themselves, the most pure

part of the Metal, _viz._ its tinging Soul, and leave nothing behind

in Hell with _Pluto_, but the gross and unprofitable Body. Wherefore,

whosoever can rightly separate that transduced tinging Spirit of

Metals, from the Spirit of the World, he will absolutely be possessed

of a fixed Tincture: Because, that strong transporting Spirit doth also

fix the volatile Soul of Metals, and render it constant in Fire. And,

although that Subject was most volatile, from which the Tincture was

distilled by the Salt of the World, as by one only Distillation from

common _Sulphur_, _Auripigment_, _Cinnabarine Sulphur_, and the like;

yet you will acquire a Tincture, constant in all Fire, not only for

Humane and Metallick Bodies, but also for Gems. So very potent Virtue

is latent, in these abject Subjects, and in the Spirit and Salt of

the World, rejected by the great Troop of proud Men. But the Method

of using such Pearls legitimately, for the Transduction of Metals,

had need to be Sealed up with the Seal of the laudable Philosopher

_Harpocrates_, lest so great a Treasure be cast under the Feet of

sordid Swine. Touching a like _Compendium_ of fixing Volatile Metals,

and Minerals, we (GOD willing) purpose hereafter to teach more at large.

[2] _Transduction._

Now, we having generally understood, what our Salt of Philosophers is

able to perform in the Transmutation of Metals, I judge it not amiss,

to discover; how great, profitable and powerful Faculties, it is also

endued with, even besides the Transmutation of Metals. But here, by the

way it is to be understood, that our Salt of Philosophers is insignized

with many other Names, which ancient Philosophers imposed on it, not

without pregnant Reasons. For, according as they beheld the various

Wonders they were able to perform by the help of that; so they also

gave Names unto it; sometimes, they called it the _Soap of the Wise_;

another time, _Hercules_ or the _Herculean Key_; sometimes, the _Key of

the Philosophers_; &c. and all this by reason of its exceeding great

Potency and Virtue, whereby it always rendred it self worthy of one or

other of these Names. _Why did they call it, the Soap of the Wise?_

Because it renders those Metallick Bodies, which are washed with it,

most purely white. Indeed Washer women have their Soap made of Oyl

and _Lixivium_, with which they wash filthy Garments unto whiteness.

_Leather-Dressers_ use a kind of Soap to cleanse their Skins from all

Impurities. Also, _Fullers_ have their cleansing Earth, with which they

well know, how to purifie their sullied Cloaths. Nor do _Apothecaries_

use their Herbs for Medicaments, before they have washed them in

clean Water. So also, common Chymists so long wash impure Metals, by

dulcified Corrosives, till they pass into ☉ and ☽. But most experienced

Philosophers wash Gold, until it becomes Tincture. Hence is that kind

of Soap, which they use for washing, called the _Soap of the Wise_.

But some may object, saying: I contradict my self; because a little

before, I said, Gold and Silver were Homogeneal, and did not at all

participate of Heterogeniety. To whom I answer. I confess, I did say

so, yet I would be understood, to speak so with reference to those

common and known Waters, with which, otherwise Chymists do generally

work upon their Metals, dissolve them, separate them one from another,

and wash them. Because on Gold and Silver no change falls, but they

always remain in one and the same Essence, according as they are

progenited by Nature, therefore, I said so. And the Reason, why it is

thus, is, because _Aqua Regis_, _Aqua Fortis_, Spirit of _Vitriol_,

or other Corrosive Waters, are not true Keys, endued with the Virtue

of penetrating into the heart of Gold, or of opening the most firm

Closure of the King. For although they do very much corrode Metals,

and dissolve them, yet every Metal remains in its Essence, without

any Separation of parts. But on the contrary, our _Menstruum_ is a

sweet Key, far more conducible, and better than Corrosive Spirits, and

therefore, by Philosophers is not undeservedly called, _the Key of

Philosophers_. For there is nothing so closed, but this can open it.

_Our Royal or Capital Key is a Corporeal Spirit, or a Spiritual Body_,

which, without any injury to it self, passeth not only through Metals,

but also through the hardest Gems, and extracts the fixed Tincture of

them, leaving their Bodies white; which exceeded my comprehension, the

first time I beheld it with my Eyes.

Therefore, as this Spirit is endued with Power of extracting Tincture,

even from any of the hardest _Adamantine_ Stones; so, it is also able

to introduce Tinctures into the most hard Stones; and that by reason

of its penetrative Power. Our principal Key is that _Hercules_, which

cut off the seven Heads of the immense _Hydra_. By such an _Herculean_

fortitude, _Perseus_, the Son of beautiful _Danae_, suffocated the

strong unsatiable Whale or Sea Beast, and freed fair _Andromeda_,

whom he took to Wife. Whosoever desires to know more of these, let

him peruse _Ovid_, in whose _Metamorphosis_ he may find our Key of

Philosophers accurately described. Yet his Words can be understood

only by those, to whom the Art is already known: Otherwise, it will be

impossible, from Fables, to extract the sufficient knowledge thereof.

It is GOD only, that gives light to understand abstruse things; namely,

to those, who fear, love and adore him: More of which, you may find

among pious Heathens, than among the Slanderous Malignant, false,

Christians of this time.

[Sidenote A: _Gold-bearing._]

This Fable of _Ovid_, I explained before some of my intimate Friends;

and besides, before them shewed the Impregnation of _Danae_, _by

Jupiters Golden Shower_: Yet they gave no credit to this Demonstration,

because the thing seemed so vile. Would you hear it? I set a

narrow-mouthed Glass Body, with a flat bottom, upon a Table, and from

above through the small mouth; I poured _Danae_, King _Acrisius_ his

beautiful Daughter, into the Glass or Tower; then, by the Counsel and

help of _Jove_, I formed a Golden shower, which (through the Roof, that

is, through the small mouth of the Glass) I instilled down, into the

Bosom of the aforesaid _Danae_, which she spontaneously received, and

was thereby impregnated, and quickly brought forth her Son _Perseus_;

who afterward, carried upon the winged Horse _Pegasus_, suddenly helped

the fair _Andromeda_ and, freeing her from the Jaws of the Sea Monster,

took her to Wife. Afterward, he slew the strong and unconquered

_Gorgons_, and got the [A]Golden Gardens. If any one looks upon this

Fable, with the right Eye of his understanding, he will find, that

_Ovid_ hath so clearly and perspicuously described our _Hercules_, or

Philosophers _Key_ of _Keys_; that every one, having knowledge of our

Work, in reading this must necessarily be amazed, to see the whole Art

so evidently detected, and as it were exposed to sight. But its being

discerned and understood by so few, must be ascribed to the defect

of their internal Sight, and the darkness of their Sins, in which

they have involved themselves, and are still resolved to abide in.

Therefore GOD, according to his Justice, deservedly permits such Slaves

of Avarice and Pride to stick in perpetual Blindness, to grope for,

and in vain seek, the way of escaping those Evils. For here, the hard

is Softned, the soft is Hardned, the fixed Volatilized, the Volatile

fixed, the Bitter Corrosive dulcified, but the sweet Converted into a

Key, opening all compact Enclosures. More touching so great a Mystery,

I shall not at this time relate. But, to whomsoever GOD shall grant

this principal Universal Key, he may, according to his Hearts desire,

go whither he will, nothing can be able to resist him: For which so

great Benefit we owe thanks and Praise to the most wise GOD, for ever,

_Amen_.

Also _Virgil_, in a few _Heroick Words_, evidently enough describes the

way of preparing our Red Oyl of _Vitriol_. Therefore I thought it worth

while to insert his Words also, that he, to whom GOD shall give the

Blessing, may the better understand the occult meaning of the Poet.

_Consider first, what here is to be done.

A Golden Branch, with Leaves of Gold thereon,

Upon a Tree concealed groweth. This

To the infernal =Juno= sacred is:

But the whole Grove, with dismal shades of Night,

Obscure and keep the same from Humane sight.

And till some one shall take down from the Tree

This =Golden Branch=, there can no Entrance be

Into Earths Caverns. =Beauteous Proserpine=

Ordained hath, that this rare Gift divine

Shall brought be unto her. No sooner is

The first =Branch cropt=, but in the place of this

A second Sprouts, and that most pure and fine,

As did the first, with =Golden= leaves will shine.

Therefore first view it well; when rightly known

This =Branch= is unto Thee, then with thy own

Hand crop the same: For it will follow Thee,

If Thou by =Fates= for this Work chosen be.

If otherwise, no Humane violence,

Nor strength of Iron, force it can from thence._

_Virgil_ here calls _Vitriol_, a concealed, that is, a shadowed Tree;

adding, that by the help of _Proserpina_, _Pluto_’s Wife, but one

Branch can be cropped by him, whom Fortune shall favour; and that it

is willing to be plucked off by any Skilful Man desirous of the same.

Such a Branch is consecrated to _Juno_, &c. We know _Juno_, according

to Poetical Fictions was the Wife and Sister of _Jupiter_, but

_Proserpina_ the Daughter of _Jupiter_ and _Ceres_, or (as some say)

of _Isis_, whom _Pluto_ the God of Hell stole away from her Parents

and married her. From all which it clearly appeareth, that this Golden

Branch sprouting in the green Tree of _Vitriol_, could not be cropped,

or obtained without _Proserpina_’s help. Therefore if any one would

crop such Golden Boughs from like shadowed Trees, he must learn to

know _Proserpina_, and consult with her; because she only can profit

him, and prevail with her Husband, to wax the more hot in his infernal

Sweating stove, that thence into another place may ascend a Spirit or

Oyl of a Blood-Red-Colour.

But this is to be considered accurately, lest this Work, like many

other of our Undertakings, be frustrated. Therefore GOD is to be prayed

to for his Blessing: for if the Benediction of GOD be not present, all

endeavour will be vain; as I have more than once experienced. Although

I did demonstrate our helper _Proserpina_, to some of my loving

Friends, and taught them how to obtain and rightly use her; yet they

were all destitute of so good Fortune, as to elaborate it as it should

be elaborated: Yet at length more accurately hitting the Mark, their

work succeeded happily twice or thrice, but never afterward.

From which, being so evident, it is plain enough, that such _Arcanum’s_

are so preserved by the All-seeing Eye of the Divine Providence, as it

is never permitted to all Operators promiscuously, that every of them

should attain to the highest Science, and thenceforth the Good given

be perniciously abused. Wherefore, although one Man communicate any

famous Secret to another; yet, if GOD be not favourable, he can never

prepare the same, but shall lose his Labour and Charges, spend his time

unprofitably, and instead of a Golden Harvest, reap nothing but Trouble

and Grief.

Hence they drew their Original, who writ of the Secret ripening

Fire. _Our Fire, before Coagulation, always burns in our Glass, but

externally not._ It is sufficiently manifest, that Philosophers, by

their _Secret Fire_, understood Oyl of _Vitriol_; and that their Fire,

is only Fire before Coagulation; after that, no more so, but a sweet

Ripening Stone. Therefore they add, that before Coagulation it is Fire,

but after Coagulation not so. Aptly with this agrees that Writing of

ancient Philosophers. _Visitabis Interiora Terræ, Rectificando Invenies

Occultum Lapidem Veram Medicinam._ To which Monument of ancient

Philosophers, we may fitly subjoyn this sutable Poesie, making for our

present Purpose, and expressing the same in few Words.

_Dissolve the Fixt, and make the Fixed fly,

The Flying fix, and then live happily._

In these few Words are compendiously contained, all whatsoever I have

largely written in this Treatise.

Moreover, our Salt of Philosophers, besides its being a _Medicine_,

and fit for Transmutation of Metals, is also endued with other famous

Virtues, of which at this time I cannot forbear to write. Philosophers

have written, that their Key of Keys doth indifferently open all closed

Bodies, and that it is endued with a Virtue, breaking most hard and

Adamantine Stones, and taking from them their inclosed Treasure; for

acquiring which, there is nothing at all in the whole Nature of things

given, except this our Key, by help of which the most firmly locked

Inclosure may be unlocked. As for Example. A _Granate_ is a Stone of

so great hardness, as although it may easily be reduced to Powder,

yet it can never be corroded even by the sharpest _Aqua Fortis_,

nor dissolved, nor can it be Anatomized. Wherefore, although these

Corrosives, vulgarly known, prevail not against this excellent Stone,

(which visibly in it self contains a noble Tincture of Gold, and also

is not a little impregnated with invisible Corporeal Gold, as plainly

appears by its weight: For it is much more ponderous than all other

precious Stones, or the more vile small Stones) but are judged as

unprofitable for this kind of Labour; yet our _Sweet Salt_ possesseth

so potent a Faculty, as it can easily open the same and take from it

all its Treasure; in so much, as if there were but this only use of

it, (and no other like, better or more excellent were known) it would

abundantly satisfie every honest Man, to live amply therewith, and to

maintain his Family with great Tranquillity.

_Behold I present to you, yet another Royal Experiment, which I

have not long since effected, by the help of our Red Stone, in

the following manner._

One day I cast our Red Stone upon Gold, in Flux, only for a Tryal,

whether by the help of that, the Gold would be tinged with an higher

Colour; because I found, that Silver had took a yellow Colour from the

same. But after I had poured out the Mixture, I found what was contrary

to my Hope. For it was so far from exalting my Gold in Colour, as on

the contrary, it took from the same almost all its Colour, so as it

was white like Silver. At first, I was not a little troubled, that,

contrary to my Expectation, I should work so unhappily. But returning

to my self, I begun to think, whether this my Red Stone (being, perhaps

made of Steel) was not that _Chalybs_, [or Steel] which _Sandivogius_

so highly extolled in his Writings, and said, it could extract from

Gold its Tincture. But since, by reason of other Business intervening,

I had no leisure to proced further in the Work begun, I was constrained

to leave the whole for some higher Experience to another time. Yet I

cannot but wonder, that our Key of Keys should so readily unlock every

Closure of Gold, and be able to spoil it of its Royal Soul: Whereas

otherwise, Gold according to the Sayings of all Philosophers, (as in

very deed it is true) and according to the common Opinion of all other

Men, experienced in Chymical Labours, is accounted to consist of such

Homogeneal parts, as are difficultly separable. If the most wise GOD

prolong my Life; and also grant Time and Opportunity of making further

Tryal, I will spare no Labour or Cost to find out that _Arcanum_, until

by the gracious help of GOD’S assistance, I shall become the Master

of that Art of Arts. For now unto me the Gate of the Royal Closet is

opened (I would not be envied for what I now say) by our _Herculean_

Key in such a manner, as, I doubt not, but in a short time (unless the

supream Deity, which I have no cause to fear, notably resist me) to

obtain the Kings Crown made of a Carbuncle, and be able to distribute

the same among the needy, to relieve their necessity. To which my hope,

let the most wise GOD give a Blessing, so, as the Event may answer my

Desires, _Amen_.

Moreover, Philosophers say, that whosoever obtains their Stone, can

so qualifie Glass, as, if it fall, it shall not break, but be found

lying unbroke, like Metal. Which indeed I have often read, but could

never believe, it was so to be understood according to the Letter. Yet

after GOD, by his Grace, had conferred on Me our Wonderful Salt, for

Curiosity sake, I could not forbear to make an Experiment, to know,

whether what was written thereof was consentaneous to Truth. Therefore,

I took a little broken Glass, melted it in a Crucible, and then cast

upon it only a very little of our Salt, which it continually took in,

and thence received a white Colour. I poured out the Mixture, and

trying, whether it had passed into another than its first Nature, I

found my Glass had received a new Disposition, and became flexible like

hardned Steel Wyer, and after flexion came to its first form: But after

many bendings, to and again, it at length broke. Whence I learned, that

it was no Fable, but plainly possible by Art to prepare Glass so, as

it may be no less flexible, like Metal, than it is transparent. But

since I have not had Opportunity to make further Tryal, and cannot yet

absolutely profess my self an Artist in that kind of Work; yet, I can

say, that what others have affirmed thereof, is not estranged from

Verity. Therefore I must wait, till Time (with the favour of GOD) give

me further Experience thereof.

Also, touching the Stone it self, Philosophers write, that it qualifies

its Possessor so, with Lightness and Cheerfulness, that he can, like

a Bird, fly up on high from the ground; which is a thing so much

repugnant to Nature, as no Credit can be given to it, unless it be

interpreted Hieroglyphically, Allegorically, or Enigmatically. But that

it greatly exhilarates him, who by the benefit thereof can effect the

aforesaid Wonders, is very easie to be believed. For in my self I have

found the like Exhilaration, when I have, with these my Eyes, made

certain very great Proofs and Experiments by the help of that. When I

lay, for four years, continually sick, and during that time, exercised

my mind with various Speculations, making some Proofs, I at length

found the Truth, and understood that this wonderful Salt, being tryed

upon Metals and Stones, did most exactly agree with the Philosophers

Description of it: Then, I say, my whole Nature, because of that, was

astonished, and daily so notably reduced to a better Constitution, as I

can never sufficiently admire the Grace of GOD, and return due Praises

to him for so great Gifts. For I, who by reason of my Sickness, could

never rise out of Bed before Noon, could afterward rise betimes in the

Morning, and go into my Laboratory. Also for a long time before, I

could digest neither Flesh nor Fish, but was constrained to live with

Bread and Wine only; yet now, (thanks be to GOD) I am able to eat some

small Portion of Flesh and Fish, together with other Meats. Likewise

for above a whole Year, through weakness of Body, I could scarcely

write a Line or two, so as in two Years space I committed nothing to

the Press: But now, GOD, the Giver of all good Gift, hath made my hands

so ready for Motion, as I sing to him incessant Praises. Without that

new refreshing of Strength, this present Treatise could never have been

published. And this so great Good befel me from no other Cause, than

from GOD, and this precious Stone.

Therefore, whosoever is desirous to partake of this great Blessing

of GOD, let him not come to Me, unto whom is given no leave to

Communicate; but let him come to the Love of GOD, and draw that

laudable Good from him, as from the most limpid and living Fountain:

Because, it is to found with him only, not with Men. If a Man humble in

Heart, and void of Hypocrisie, hearing this, will follow my Counsel,

he may perhaps find a prosperous Event according to his wish: If

otherwise, adverse and contrary. For GOD is not wont graciously to

regard the words of the deceitful, but the Hearts of candid Men.

Many other such things might be produced, touching our Tinging tone:

But no necessity persuades to expend time thereabout. Enough is spoken.

For whose Eyes soever GOD shall open, he will on every side see so many

things sufficient for him, as not to need any further Information.

All things are clear to the clear-sighted, which appear dark to the

blind. GOD only is the Light, and all who are near to GOD, are by him

so illuminated, as they can see. But the more remote any Man is from

GOD, the nearer will he be to the contrary of Light, which is Darkness.

Therefore, whosoever desires to be illuminated with the brightness

of Divine Light, must fly from Darkness, which is to be shunned. For

Darkness and Light are inconsistent in one and the same Subject; which

is a thing accurately to be observed by every Reader.

_A COROLLARY._

We have, in this little Treatise taught, that the Salt of Metals is

prepared of _Vitriol_, and that there is a difference to be observed,

_Viz._ this.

Common Oyl of _Vitriol_ doth indeed suffer it self to be Coagulated

into a sweet Salt or Stone, wherewith (particularly) vulgar Metals are

amended, and Tinctures extracted from Gems, although it wants a tinging

Virtue: But Metals may also be tinged by the Coagulated Red Oyl.

We likewise shewed, that you cannot get this Red Oyl, without the help

of that Goddess _Proserpina_. Yet by the way, it is to be noted, that

the aforesaid _Proserpina_ is no other, than a white Sulphureous Salt,

which added to the _Vitriol_ causeth the Tincture of _Vitriol_ to

ascend in Distillation. That, after it shall be duly Coagulated into

a Stone not Corrosive, manifests such Effects, as we have ascribed to

it. I also thought good to advise, that our Oyl of _Vitriol_ in its

Preparation requires great Care and Industry, that the Tincture may

be made Rich enough: For otherwise, it discovers but little Virtue in

Transmutation. Also you shall never get so great a quantity of that Red

Oyl, as will satisfie the Common sort of covetous Men: Because that

comes not till at last, after all the White is ascended. But he, that

can get a large quantity of the White, will not trouble himself to get

the Red: Because the White also, by the help of _Proserpina_, may be

converted into Red. Which if it were not so, the Saying of _Virgil_

could scarcely be found true, _viz._ that with the hand is readily to

be cut off, not one Branch only, but many other, if Fortune shall so

far favour any Artist. Therefore, I forbear to write more at this time.

Let him, who cannot content himself with these here written, search the

Monuments of Philosophers, writing, that there is such an Art, by the

benefit of which, with one only Pound of Coals, a whole Pound of Oyl of

_Vitriol_ may be distilled. Yet such an Artifice must not so soon be

spread among the People. To whom soever GOD reveals the same, he may

prepare it, according to his own desire; if it be otherwise, let him

comfort himself with this Meditation of Patience, _viz._ that he was

not worthy of so great Gifts. With these, Reader, I bid you Farewel,

and commend to you the Protection of GOD.

_THE END._

A

Short BOOK

OF

DIALOGUES,

OR,

(Certain) Colloquies of some Studious Searchers after the

Hermetick Medicine and Universal Tincture.

_Written for the Sake of the Lovers of Hermetick Philosophy._

THE

PREFACE

TO THE

Well-minded READER.

_I was formerly minded never to have published these Three Dialogues,

but only to have made some of my good Friends, and such as had well

deserved at my hands, here and there, partakers of the same. And upon

this Account I permitted some [of them] to Copy them out, but they

abusing that Curtesie [of mine] whereby they received them, did make

others of their own Friends too, enjoyers of the same, contrary to

my Will and Intention; and so it happened, that they became Common,

and being on this wise often Coppied out, there crept in amongst them

(as indeed usually falls out in such Cases) abundance of Faults or

Errors, and the sense [and true meaning] of my Words were construed

in the worser Part. Which thing when I perceived, that it would more

disadvantage than profit me (especially seeing, that such a work [thus

Copied amiss] did nevertheless pass under my Name, and was adjudged

by others, as really mine) I deemed it, expedient, of two Evils to

chuse the least, and to have regard to mine own good repute, and to

publish it in mine own Name. But yet, not with an intent of getting my

self some eminent Fame, as if I were wiser than others, and to have

it thought, that I had more knowledge and experience than many others

have; but rather, that the incredible Works of the omnipotent God, and

his great Wonders, might be laid open and made known, to the infinite

Glory of his Name. In the setting down of which, I do produce only such

things, as my self have wrought with mine own hands, and can even yet

demonstrate by a certain and undoubted Operation, (by Gods help) at any

time._

_But yet, I would not have any one thus to understand me, as if I had

already wholly and compleatly finished the whole Operation, and had

advanced it to a due, and throughly perfect, end, No! I cannot arrogate

to my self by any means, any such matter. Thus much I only affirm, that

if any one shall (in his Operation) follow the bare literal Description

of these Labours, he will without any Error arrive, so far as I my self

am already come, but yet with this Proviso, that he knows the true Salt

of the Philosophers, and the use thereof; And as for what remains,

[unfinisht] I commit unto God to bestow a prosperous Success: And this

one thing I entreat, that every Body accept of the things I have here

written, with the same mind I wrote them, and that he take in good part

my sincere Endeavours of deserving well at his hands._

[Illustration: _in de Dialogus_. ]

The Explication of the annexed Figure belonging to this Treatise, noted

with these Words: _Inde Dialogus_.

_In the four principal Points of the Circle (supposing two

transverse lines were drawn, through the Center, to the outward

Circumference) are placed the Characters of =Sol=, =Sulphur=,

=Lune=, =Salt=._

_Round the outmost Circle, are placed these Words_: Conjoyn in one,

Sol, Salt, Sulphur, Lune.

_About the next Circle_: And thou hast as great a Treasure, as

Heaven can give thee.

_Within the Third Circle_: The Philosophers Function, is of

Contraries, the Conjunction.

_About the next Circle_: The Concentration of Homogeneals, is the

Separation of Heterogeneals.

_Within the inmost Circle_: Sol, Salt, Sulphur, Lune.

_The First Dialogue, or Conference, betwixt two Lovers of Hermetick

Medicine, deciphered by the Letters, A. and B. the last of which

hath had a prosperous Success on his Labours, the other not, and

therefore craves of this last (=viz.= B.) a Manuduction to the

Work, whereby he is rendred Master of his desire._

_B._ A Good health to you, my Friend! What’s the matter with you now,

that you are so sad, and even loaden with Cogitations, and mumble to

your self about I know not what?

A. _Oh, my Friend! I wish you the like very heartily; and am glad that

you come so very seasonably, and at such a time, as I was just thinking

on you, and most earnestly wishing your approach; Witness your own

Writings, which I do here turn over with my hands and my mind, but

yet they are so very obscure, that I cannot worm my self [as I may

say] out of them, [or understand them] though I apply the utmost of

my Endeavours to understand them. I have likewise read over and over

again, the Writings of other eminent and belief-deserving Philosophers;

still hoping, that I should yet at length attain to the knowledge of

the Truth: But alas, (the more’s my grief) all that I find is only

this, =viz.= that I hold in my hands the slippery Tail of a slippery

smooth Serpent, [or Ele] which ever now and then slips out of my

hands, and doth more and more defile me. I have therefore resolutely

determined with my self, that, unless God doth shortly send me some

good Friend, who may lead poor me out of such a notable Labyrinth, I

will throw all my Books, all my Instruments, and all such matters which

I have bestowed so much time about, in vain, and lost so much by, into

the Fire, and Sacrifice them unto =Vulcan=, that so I may be rid of

the tediousness of my fruitless Labours, and unprofitable Cookery. But

yet if you would be but so pleased, I no ways doubt, that you might by

a few words [and Directions] reduce me out of the snares of so many

Erroneous paths, hedged up ways, into the right path: For I well know,

that you have bestowed your whole Age, your whole Study, and all your

Labours and Endeavours, about such great Secrets, and have by the

Divine assistence obtained the very Truth it self. And therefore I do

most humbly beg at your hands, you would not leave me destitute of your

help, but that, according to your inbred Goodness and Courtesie, you

would succour me, your Friend, with some brotherly instruction, and

Manuduction. Which if you either will not or cannot do, I must even

conclude, not only upon throughly doubting of the Truth and possibility

of this Art, but withal, on a firm persuading my self, that those

Writings, which are so stuft with the Promises of golden Mountains,

are nothing else but mere Old Wives Tales, and frothy Speculations

of idle Men, and vain Dreams, though proceeding from Men of so great

Esteem._

_B._ Whats this, I hear thee utter? I could never have believed you, to

have been of such a broken and dejected mind. What? Would you contemn

the Writings of the Philosophers, and slight them, because they are

above your Capacity, and too hard for your understanding? Tis a wicked

thing, to entertain such a thought, much more to utter it. I would

have you, rather to persuade your self, that you are not as yet worthy

of the Secrets and Gifts of so great worth: For though a Man should

torment himself with abundance of hard Labours in this World, and

should aflict his Body with uncessant Sweating pains, yet would he not

effect ought without the Blessing of God. Do you not know that saying

of _Paul_; _Tis not of him that Wills, nor of him that Runs, but of God

alone that shews mercy_. You should therefore reckon your self amongst

the number of those, that have run in vain, nor hath God injured you

at all. What! does not Christ say, _Not all that say unto me, Lord,

Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven, but they only who do the

Will of my Father_. Examine now your self, and see how the Case stands

’twixt God and you. The bestowing of such great things must proceed

from God, and not from the Philosophers. The Philosopher may indeed

write down the Truth, but yet it is not in his Power, to bestow upon

thee the Divine Blessing, which is the very hinge on which all good

things depend. Secrets of such great moment are not the Gifts of Men,

but of God, who bestows them on whomsoever he pleaseth.

A. _In good time! Is this the Comfort and Instruction, which I begged

at your hands? I did not request, you to be my Father Confessor, to

hear my Confession of my Deeds, but rather that you would help me,

being ignorant and unskilful, by some good and profitable Manuduction

and Instruction: For I well enough knew, that wicked Men are never

Masters of such great Secrets, nor will I rank my self amongst them. Be

pleased but to regard my suit, and only shew me an entrance, whereby I

may enter into the right and Kingly way: And as for praying to God, and

Labouring without ceasing, leave the Care of that to me: I hope, that

God will not deny his Blessing upon my Prayers and Labours._

_B._ Well! since I perceive you to be so throughly bent, with your

utmost study and unwearied pressing on, after such an eminent thing as

this is, I cannot but shew you that way, which I my self have walked

in, and that too, home to the very place which my self am come unto.

Verily, I see the promised Land afore my Eyes, and do daily view its

Coasts, nor do I doubt, but that I shall shortly enter thereinto, and

have the Fruition of its most pleasant Fruits, if no impediment debar

me of so great an happiness. And as concerning your self, seeing that

you are nimbler of your Feet than I am, there’s no doubt but that you

will arrive thereunto, even assoon as I my self. But yet, pray first

declare unto me, about what things it is, that you have spent your

Monies, your Labours, and your Precious time, and all to no purpose;

that so I may (as much as in me lies) the more conveniently reclaim you

from your Wandrings and Errors into the right way. Tis in vain for him

that is sick, to expect help and succour from the Physician, if he does

not shew the place of his Dolour and Grief. Confession is a Medicine to

him that goes astray. Confess therefore the Truth, that I may hear, by

what things thou hast been mis-led into so many Errors.

A. _[Alas, Sir,] I could not reckon up all, in Order, though I should

have time enough of so doing. But your own time, which is far more

precious, does not permit, that it should be spent in hearing my

foolish Labours. Besides too, the remembrance of so many Labours in

vain, and of the loss of not only so much Time but Expences too,

causeth a loathing in me, the very remembrance of which I abhor,

much more to make a long rehearsal of the same. You may therefore

easily guess, that by my insisting upon the bare Letter only of the

Philosophers writings, and not understanding the sense and meaning,

I have erred from the right way, and have headlong hurried my self

into so many Intricacies and Errors. I have searched into Vegetables,

Animals, and Minerals, because the Philosophers write, that their

Stone is Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral; but I see, that I have not

had under my hands the true Matter. For if there does appear in any

[of these Matters] the Crows head, yet the other Colours which the

Philosophers make a description of (as the Dragons Blood, the Peacocks

Tail, Virgins Milk, =Coagulum=, or Curdling, and principally that Red

and Fire-abiding =Salamander=) did never appear [to my view.] Or,

if these [Signs] of =Sanguis Draconis=, or =Lac virginis= appear to

sight, in some other Matter, yet notwithstanding the other Colours,

and other Signs, which the Philosophers make mention of, did never

discover themselves [to my view.] What Labours soever I have used, and

whatsoever matters I have dealt in, I have even Laboured in vain, and

lost both my pains and Expence, and never have received any good from

my laborious Operations. Hereupon I did at last even almost throughly

persuade my self, that it was an impossible thing, that, out of one

Matter, and by one and the same Labour, one Colour should orderly

succeed another, and become visible to the sight, by the bare help of

an external Fire, as for example, first if all, in the putrefaction,

the Crows head, then the Peacocks Tail, then the Dragons Blood, =Lac

virginis=, =Coagulum= or Cheeslike Curdling, and at last the fixt

=Salamander=. But forasmuch as it appears to me, by the reading of your

Writings, that you have orderly met with the sight of all those Colours

in your Labours, in such manner as the Philosophers have described

the same, I do firmly believe, and give Credit unto your Sayings, as

unto a Man that makes Conscience of his ways, supposing, that you

would not write such things unless you had wrought them with your own

hands, and could even yet perform them at any time. I only beg your

help in shewing me the true matter, and the Key thereof, that I may so

order the Business, as to cause the Visibly appearing of one Colour

after another, in one Glass, and by the bare help of one only Fire;

if you do but thus much for me, you may be confident that I shall be

the most contented Man [alive.] Nor do I doubt, but that as touching

the remainder, as Multiplication, Projection, and such like, I shall

find out those Operations well enough afterwards, by mine own studious

Search, if I can but once hit on the entrance of the right, true and

Kingly way._

_B._ [Hold a little, and] do not assume so much unto your self, and

think that the things which are so easily said, are with as much

Facility done. Have you not Read in _Bernhard Trevisan_, that a certain

[Friend of his] had that great Secret as well as himself, only he knew

not how to multiply it, nor would _Bernhard_ reveal the same unto him,

as having the self same Books, out of which the said _Bernhard_ got

the knowledge of Multiplication, himself. But be it as you desire, and

seeing you request no more from my hands at this time, but only the

matter and some Key, I will satisfie your request, as far forth, as the

time and occasion will at present permit.

Attend therefore with diligence to those things which I shall say unto

you and such things they shall be too, as unto which you may boldly

give Credence. I will not (according to the Custom of many) seduce you,

nor will I reveal unto you ought else, but what I have experienced by

the Labours of mine own hands: And if you follow the guidance of the

bare Letter it self, you will not err, unless God will not permit you

to proceed, [but] throw some peculiar impediment and lett in your way.

As touching the matter, which the Philosophers have made that Universal

Medicament of, I find that it is not merely _One_, but _Divers_,

and this is clearly evident from the Writings of the Philosophers,

who openly hint unto us, that one of them used this way and matter;

another, that, and yet at length became Masters of their desire

notwithstanding. From whence it necessarily follows, that the different

matters, of which is made one and the same thing, are not unlike in

their more inward parts, but alike, though they do not appear so to be,

as to their external hue. For it is a thing possible for two, three,

or more things to differ much, [from each other] as to the outward

form and shape, whereas notwithstanding in their inward parts, they

are so agreeable to each other, as that the self same thing may be

produced from the one as from the other. Take, for an example of this

thing, the _Seeds_ and _Roots_ of some Herb, the which, as to the

outside form, have no likeness to each other, and yet for all that,

do they produce one and the same Herb, if they are implanted apart in

the Earth. Just thus is it with the Metallick Buds and Stocks which

are wont to sprout forth, as well from the Metallick _Roots_, as from

the Metallick _Seeds_, in so much, that a Tree grows up of the same

Nature and Form from the Metallick _Root_, as Springs from the very

_Seed_ it self. Now ’tis evident, that in the Metallick Kingdom, ♄ or

Lead supplies the place of the _Root_; ♂ or Iron, of the Trunck or

Stock: _Jupiter_ or Tin, of the Bark, ☿ or _argent vive_, of the juice

betwixt the Trunck and the Bark; ♀ or Copper, of the green Leaves;

_Lune_ or Silver, of the white Flowers; and ☉ or Gold of the ripe

Fruit and Seeds. If therefore the Metallick plant is to be multiplyed,

that Multiplication cannot be more commodiously effected then by ☉ and

♄, that is, by the Seed, or by the Roof of the said Tree. Whosoever

therefore desires to perform ought in this kind, he will not find any

convenienter matters, then ☉ or ♄, that is, Gold or Lead. But yet I do

not mean those vulgar Metals, but such, in which the Gold lyes as yet

immature and invisible, and which is to be made visible, fixt, mature

and constant by the help of Art. So then, the self same thing which

may be discerned, above, in _Sol_, and appears visible to the sight,

is in like manner found beneath in _Saturn_, in an invisible manner.

And thus experience it self shews, that, out of two things unlike, as

to the outward shape, one and the same thing like them may be made,

because their internal parts are of one and the same Nature, and this

outside difference or unlikeness proceeds only from the impurity, and

defect of Maturation. Out of _Saturn_ therefore, as out of an unripe

and impure Gold, some good may be produced: But it must of necessity

be well washt, and out of it being well washed, may the first _Ens_ of

Gold be extracted, and be fixed. But now, if out of mature Gold, you

would yet educe something, it must then again first putrefie and be

reduced into nothing, afore any more noble thing can proceed there out

of. For it is like to the Seed of the Vegetables, which do’s not admit

of any Multiplication of it self, unless they are first put in the

Earth and consumed by Putrefaction: And this is proved, and asserted by

the Testimony of our Lord Christ himself, who says, that except a grain

of Wheat rot in the Earth, it cannot bring forth any Fruit. Certain it

is therefore, and firmly true, that Gold cannot be translated into a

better degree, unless it be again destroyed, and reduced into such a

Body, as out of which it cannot be reduced into its former Golden Body

[or Form.]

A. _What is it that you say, can it ever be possible, that a Metal

so constant in the fire should be on such wise destroyed, as not to

be reducible unto its former Body? Verily I have but small reason to

boast of any great matters done by me: For I have for some years past

tormented my self hitherto, about decocting and cooking of Gold: I

have dissolved it in sundry sharp [and Corrosive] Waters, and have

beheld its ascending with its yellow Colour, by a Retort and through an

Alembick, but yet I never got ought else in the Precipitation of the

same, but common Gold, and which was not in the least bettered thereby.

And therefore I did at last conclude with my self, as many others have

done, that the common Gold could not be the matter of the Philosophick

Stone, and it holds hidden within its Body, no more Tincture than it

stands in need of, it self; and that therefore it has not the Faculty

of tinging other white Metallick Bodies._

_B._ I do not at all wonder at your falling into this Opinion. There

are many others besides you, that are of the same mind; Nay, I my

self doubted much about this very thing, _viz._ whether or no, Gold

hides within its _inward_ parts any more of _Colour_, than it shews

unto us in its outside shape. But then on the other hand, it could not

seem at all likely, that such eminent Men should publish such great

Fallacies and so many Lyes, merely to seduce Men, by. And whilst I was

thus wavering in this kind of doubting, the Truth did at last (after

sundry and many inquisitions) by a mere chance present it self unto me;

in so much, that I am now clearly convinced of my Error, and am even

constrained to believe, that a true Tincture, tinging the imperfect

Metals, may be extracted out of Gold. For well may that be believed,

which the Eyes see, and the hands feel.

A. _I rejoyce exceedingly to hear you say, that you have seen the

Truth, and I hope that in time you will refresh me with a sight thereof

too._

_B._ Whatsoever lyes in my Power to serve you by, I will not in any

Case deny unto you: But thus much I would you should know, that the

Splendor or brightness of the Truth it self hath shone upon me, but I

have never as yet brought the work it self unto an end, by reason of

the want of time: But yet however, I am confident and firmly persuaded,

that if no impediment chance to happen, I shall bring it to its wished

end. And now seeing you are by some years younger than my self and

that you have store of time and all other Conveniencies, I dare be

confident, that you would finish that Operation much sooner, should I

but reveal unto you those things, which I am already arrived to the

knowledge of, by the Labours of mine own hands.

A. _Proceed on, I pray, in this your Liberality, and make me, as being

a Man following after Honesty, partaker of your Happiness, and I shall

be everlastingly obliged to you and yours. And whatsoever Labour or

Task is to be undergone for you; I will with a ready and willing mind

undertake it, and in all things respectfully regard your wholsome

Instructions._

_B._ Well! I trust you, and believe, that you will perform your

Promises, by which you bind your Credit; but however you shall give

me your hand, and Promise me, that you will conceal the Art in most

profound silence.