,note3 ,images of the original pages are available through ,internet ,archive4 ,see https3_/_/archive4org_/details_/mirrorof alchimy#jj;baco ,transcriber's note3 ,text enclosed by underscores is in italics 7italics74 ,a caret character is used to denote superscription4 ,a single character following the caret is superscripted 7example3 yt74 ,,the ,mirror of ,alchimy1 ,composed by the thrice-famous and learned ,fryer1 ,roger ,bachon1 sometimes fellow of ,martin ,colledge3 and afterwards of ,brasen-nose ,colledge in ,oxenforde4 ,also a most excellent and learned discourse of the admirable force and efficacie of ,art and ,nature1 written by the same ,author4 ,with certaine other worthie ,treatises of the like ,argument4 ,vino vendibili non opus est hedera4 ,illustration3 ,publisher's device ,,london ,printed for ,richard ,oliue4 #aeig4 ,illustration3 ,decoration ,the ,preface4 ,in times past the ,philosophers spake afters diuers and sundrie manners throughout their writings1 sith that as it were in a riddle and cloudie voyce1 they haue left vnto vs a certaine most excellent and noble science1 but altogither obscure1 and without all hope vtterly denied1 and that not without good cause4 ,wherefore ,i would aduise thee1 that aboue all other bookes1 thou shouldest firmly fixe thy mind vpon these seuen ,chapters1 conteining in them the transmutation of mettalls1 and often call to minde the beginning1 middle1 and end of the same1 wherein thou shalt finde such subtilitie1 that thy minde shalbe fully contented therewith4 ,the ,mirrour of ,alchimy1 composed by the famous ,fryer1 ,roger ,bachon1 sometime fellow of ,martin ,colledge1 and ,brasen-nose ,colledge in ,oxenforde4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,of the ,definitions of ,alchimy4 ,in many ancient ,bookes there are found many definitions of this ,art1 the intentions wherof we must consider in this ,chapter4 ,for ,hermes saith of this ,science3 ,alchimy is a ,corporal ,science simply composed of one and by one1 naturally conioyning things more precious1 knowledge and effect1 and conuerting them by a naturall commixtion into a better kind4 ,a certain other saith3 ,alchimy is a ,science1 teaching how to transforme any kind of mettall into another3 and that by a proper medicine1 as it appeareth by many ,philosophers ,bookes4 ,alchimy therfore is a science teaching how to make and compound a certaine medicine1 which is called ,elixir1 the which when it is cast vpon mettals or imperfect bodies1 doth fully perfect them in the verie proiection4 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,of the naturall principles1 and procreation of ,minerals4 ,secondly1 ,i will perfectly declare the naturall principles procreations of ,minerals3 where first it is to be noted1 that the naturall principles in the mynes1 are ,argent-uiue1 and ,sulphur4 ,all mettals and minerals1 whereof there be sundrie and diuers kinds1 are begotten of these two3 but ,i must tel you1 that nature alwaies intendeth and striueth to the perfection of ,gold3 but many accidents comming between1 change the mettalls1 as it is euidently to be seene in diuers of the ,philosophers bookes4 ,for according to the puritie and impuritie of the two aforesaide principles1 ,argent-uiue1 and ,sulphur1 pure1 and impure mettals are ingdred3 to wit1 ,gold1 ,siluer1 ,steele1 ,leade1 ,copper1 and ,iron3 of whose nature1 that is to say1 puritie1 and impuritie1 or vncleane superfluitie and defect1 giue eare to that which followeth4 ,of the nature of ,golde4 ,gold is a perfect body1 engendred of ,argent-uiue pure1 fixed1 cleare1 red1 and of ,sulphur cleane1 fixed1 red1 not burning1 and it wanteth nothing4 ,of the nature of ,siluer4 ,siluer is a body1 cleane1 pure1 and almost perfect1 begotten of ,argent-uiue1 pure1 almost fixed1 cleare1 and white1 of such a like ,sulphur3 ,it wanteth nothing1 saue a little fixation1 colour1 and weight4 ,of the nature of ,steele4 ,steele is a body cleane1 imperfect1 engendred of ,argent-uine pure1 fixed not fixed cleare1 white outwardly1 but red inwardly1 and of the like ,sulphur4 ,it wanteth onely decoction or digestion4 ,of the nature of ,leade4 ,leade is an vncleane and imperfect bodie1 engendred of ,argent-uiue impure1 not fixed1 earthy1 drossie1 somewhat white outwardly1 and red inwardly1 and of such a ,sulphur in part burning4 ,it wanteth puritie1 fixation1 colour1 and fiering4 ,of the nature of ,copper4 ,copper is an vncleane and imperfect bodie1 engendred of ,argent-uiue1 impure1 not fixed1 earthy1 burning1 red not cleare1 and of the like ,sulphur4 ,it wanteth purity1 fixation1 and weight3 and hath too much of an impure colour1 and earthinesse not burning4 ,of the nature of ,iron4 ,iron is an vnclean and imperfect body1 engendred of ,argent-uiue impure1 too much fixed1 earthy1 burning1 white and red not cleare1 and of the like ,sulphur3 ,it wanteth fusion1 puritie1 and weight3 ,it hath too much fixed vncleane ,sulphur1 and burning earthinesse4 ,that which hath bene spoken1 euerie ,alchimist must diligently obserue4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,out of what things the matter of ,elixir must be more nearly extracted4 ,the generation of mettals1 as well perfect1 as imperfect1 is sufficiently declared by that which hath bene already spoken4 ,now let vs returne to the imperfect matter that must be chosen and made perfect4 ,seeing that by the former ,chapters we haue bene taught1 that all mettalls are engendred of ,argent-uiue and ,sulphur1 and how that their impuritie and vncleannesse doth corrupt1 and that nothing may be mingled with mettalls which hath not beene made or sprung from them1 it remaineth cleane inough1 that no strange thing which hath not his originall from these two1 is able to perfect them1 or to make a chaunge and new transmutation of them3 so that it is to be wondred at1 that any wise man should set his mind vpon liuing creatures1 or vegetables which are far off1 when there be minerals to bee found nigh enough3 neither may we in any wise thinke1 that any of the ,philosophers placed the ,art in the said remote things1 except it were by way of comparison3 but of the aforesaid two1 all mettals are made1 neither doth any thing cleaue vnto them1 or is ioyned with them1 nor yet chaungeth them1 but that which is of them1 and so of right wee must take ,argent-uiue and ,sulphur for the matter of our stone3 ,neither doth ,argent-uiue by it selfe alone1 nor ,sulphur by it selfe alone1 beget any mettall1 but of the commixtion of them both1 diuers mettals and minerals are diuersly brought foorth4 ,our matter therefore must bee chosen of the commixtion of them both3 but our finall secrete is most excellent1 and most hidden1 to wit1 of what minerall thing that is more neere then others1 it shuld be made3 and in making choise hereof1 we must be very warie4 ,i put the case then1 yt our matter were first of all drawne out of vegetables1 7of which sort are hearbs1 trees1 and whatsoeuer springeth out of the earth7 here wee must first make ,argent-uiue ,sulphur1 by a long decoction1 from which things1 and their operation we are excused3 for nature herselfe offereth vnto vs ,argent-uiue and ,sulphur4 ,and if wee should draw it from liuing creatures 7of which sort is mans bloud1 haire1 vrine1 excrements1 hens egs1 and what else proceede from liuing creatures7 wee must likewise out of them extract ,argent-uiue and ,sulphur by decoction1 fr which we are freed1 as we were before4 ,or if we should choose it out of middle minerals 7of which sort are all kindes of ,magnesia1 ,marchasites1 of ,tutia1 ,coppres1 ,allums1 ,baurach1 ,salts1 and many other7 we should likewise1 as afore1 extract ,argent-uiue and ,sulphur by decoction3 fr which as from the former1 wee are also excused4 ,and if we should take one of the seuen spirits by it selfe1 as ,argent-uiue1 or ,sulphur alone1 or ,argent-uiue and one of the two ,sulphurs1 or ,sulphur-uiue1 or ,auripigment1 or ,citrine ,arsenicum1 or red alone1 or the like3 we should neuer effect it1 because sith nature doth neuer perfect anything without equall commixtion of both1 neither can wee3 from these therefore1 as from the foresaide ,argent-uiue and ,sulphur in their nature we are excused4 ,finally1 if wee should choose them1 wee should mixe euerie thing as it is1 according to a due proportion1 which no man knoweth1 and afterward decoct it to coagulati1 into a solide lumpe3 and therefore we are excused from receiuing both of them in their proper nature3 to wit1 ,argent-uiue and ,sulphur1 seeing wee know not their proportion1 and that wee may meete with bodies1 wherein we shall find the saide things proportioned1 coagulated gathered together1 after a due manner4 ,keepe this secret more secretly4 ,golde is a perfect masculine bodie1 without any superfluitie or diminution3 and if it should perfect imperfect bodyes mingled with it by melting onely1 it should be ,elixir to red4 ,siluer is also a body almost perfect1 and feminine1 which if it should almost perfect imperfect bodyes by his common melting onely1 it should be ,elixir to white1 which it is not1 nor cannot be1 because they onely are perfect4 ,and if this perfection might be mixed with the imperfect1 the imperfect shuld not be perfected with the perfect1 but rather their perfections shuld be diminished by the imperfect1 become imperfect4 ,but if they were more then perfect1 either in a two-fold1 foure-fold1 hundred-fold1 or larger proportion1 they might then wel perfect the imperfect4 ,and forasmuch as nature doth alwaies work simply1 the perfection which is in them is simple1 inseparable1 incommiscible1 neither may they by art be put in the stone1 for ferment to shorten the worke1 and so brought to their former state1 because the most volatile doth ouercome the most fixt4 ,and for that gold is a perfect body1 consisting of ,argent-uiue1 red and cleare1 of such a ,sulphur1 therfore we choose it not for the matter of our stone to the red ,elixir1 because it is so simply perfect1 without artificiall mundification1 so strongly digested and sod with a natural heate1 that with our artificiall fire1 we are scarcely able to worke on gold or siluer4 ,and though nature dooth perfect any thing1 yet she cannot throughly mundifie1 or perfect and purifie it1 because she simply worketh on that which shee hath4 ,if therfore we should choose gold or siluer for the matter of the stone1 we should hard and scantly find fire working in them4 ,and although we are not ignorant of the fire1 yet could we not come to the through mundification perfection of it1 by reas of his most firme knitting together1 and naturall composition3 we are therefore excused for taking the first too red1 or the second too white1 seeing we may find out a thing or som body of as cleane1 or rather more cleane ,sulphur ,argent-uiue1 on which nature hath wrought little or nothing at all1 which with our artificiall fire1 experience of our art1 we are able to bring vnto his due concoction1 mundification1 colour and fixation1 continuing our ingenious labour vpon it4 ,there must therefore bee such a matter chosen1 wherein there is ,argent-uiue1 cleane1 pure1 cleare1 white red1 not fully compleat1 but equally and proportionably commixt after a due maner with ye like ,sulphur1 congeled into a solide masse1 that by our wisdome and discretion1 and by our artificiall fire1 we may attain vnto the vttermost cleannesse of it1 and the puritie of the same1 and bring it to that passe1 that after the worke ended1 it might bee a thousand thousand times more strong and perfect1 then the simple bodies themselues1 decoct by their naturall heate4 ,be therefore wise3 for if thou shalt be subtile and wittie in my ,chapters 7wherin by manifest profe ,i haue laid open the matter of the stone easie to be knowne7 thou shalt taste of that delightfull thing1 wherin the whole intention of the ,philosophers is placed4 ,,chap4 ,,iiii4 ,of the maner of working1 and of moderating1 and continuing the fire4 ,i hope ere this time thou hast already found out by the words alreadie spoken 7if thou beest not most dull1 ignorant1 and foolish7 the certaine matter of the learned ,philosophers blessed stone1 whereon ,alchimy worketh1 whilest we indeuour to perfect the imperfect1 and that with things more then perfect4 ,and for that nature hath deliuered vs the imperfect onely with the perfect1 it is our part to make the matter 7in the former ,chapters declared vnto vs7 more then perfect by our artificiall labour4 ,and if we know not the maner of working1 what is the cause that we do not see howe nature 7which of long time hath perfected mettals7 doth continually work8 ,doo wee not see1 that in the ,mynes through the continuall heate that is in the mountaines thereof1 the grosnesse of water is so decocted thickned1 that in continuance of time it becommeth ,argent-uiue8 ,and that of the fatnesse of the earth through the same heate and decoction1 ,sulphur is engendred8 ,and that through the same heate without intermission continued in th1 all mettals are ingendred of them according to their puritie and impuritie8 and that nature doth by decoction alone perfect or make al mettals1 as well perfect as imperfect8 ,o extreame madnesse6 what1 ,i pray you1 constraines you to seeke to perfect the foresaide things by straunge melancholicall and fantasticall regiments8 as one sayth3 ,wo to you that will ouercome nature1 and make mettals more then perfect by a newe regiment1 or worke sprung from your owne senselesse braines4 ,god hath giuen to nature a straite way1 to wit1 continuall concoction1 and you like fooles despise it1 or else know it not4 ,againe1 fire and ,azot1 are sufficient for thee4 ,and in an other place1 ,heat perfecteth al things4 ,and elsewhere1 seeth1 seeth1 seeth1 and be not wearie4 ,and in an other place1 let thy fire be gentle1 easie1 which being alwayes equall1 may continue burning3 and let it not encrease1 for if it do1 thou shalt suffer great losse4 ,and in an other place1 ,know thou that in one thing1 to wit1 the stone1 by one way1 to wit1 decocti1 and in one vessel the whole mastery is performed4 ,and in an other place1 patiently1 and continually1 and in another place1 grinde it seuen times4 ,and in an other place1 ,it is ground with fire4 ,and in an other place1 this worke is verie like to the creation of man3 for as the ,infant in the beginning is nourished with light meates1 but the bones beeing strengthened with stronger3 so this masterie also1 first it must haue an easie fire1 whereby wee must alwaies worke in euery essence of decoction4 ,and though we alwayes speake of a gentle fire1 yet in truth1 we think that in gouerning the worke1 the fire must alwayes by little and little bee increased and augmented vnto the end4 ,,chap4 ,v4 ,of the qualitie of the ,vessell and ,furnace4 ,the meanes and manner of working1 wee haue alreadie determined3 nowe wee are to speake of the ,vessell and ,furnace1 in what sort1 and of what things they must be made4 ,whereas nature by a naturall fire decocteth the mettals in the ,mynes1 shee denieth the like decoction to be made without a vessel fitte for it4 ,and if we purpose to immitate nature in concocting1 wherefore do we reiect her vessell8 ,let vs first of all therefore1 see in what place the generation of mettals is made4 ,it doth euidently appeare in the places of ,minerals1 that in the bottom of the mountaine there is heate continually alike1 the nature whereof is alwaies to ascend1 and in the ascention it alwayes drieth vp1 and coagulateth the thicker or grosser water hidden in the belly1 or veines of the earth1 or mountaine1 into ,argent-uiue4 ,and if the minerall fatnes of the same place arising out of the earth1 be gathered warme togither in the veines of the earth1 it runneth through the mountain1 becommeth ,sulphur4 ,and as a man may see in the foresaide veines of that place1 that ,sulphur engendred of the fatnesse of the earth 7as is before touched7 meeteth with the ,argent-uiue 7as it is also written7 in the veines of the earth1 and begetteth the thicknesse of the minerall water4 ,there1 through the continual equall heate in the mountaine1 in long processe of time diuerse mettals are engendred1 according to the diuersitie of the place4 ,and in these ,minerall places1 you shall finde a continuall heate4 ,for this cause wee are of right to note1 that the externall minerall mountaine is euerie where shut vp within it selfe1 and stonie3 for if the heate might issue out1 there should neuer be engendred any mettall4 ,if therefore wee intend to immitate nature1 we must needes haue such a furnace like vnto the ,mountaines1 not in greatnesse1 but in continual heate1 so that the fire put in1 when it ascendeth1 may finde no vent3 but that the heat may beat vpon the vessell being close shutte1 containing in it the matter of the stone3 which vessell must be round1 with a small necke1 made of glasse or some earth1 representing the nature or close knitting togither of glasse3 the mouth whereof must be signed or sealed with a couering of the same matter1 or with lute4 ,and as in the mynes1 ye heat doth not immediatly touch the matter of ,sulphur and ,argent-uiue1 because the earth of the mountain cmenth euery where between3 ,so this fire must not immediatly touch the vessell1 containing the matter of the foresaide things in it1 but it must be put into another vessell1 shut close in the like manner1 that so the temperate heate may touch the matter aboue and beneath1 and where ere it be1 more aptly and fitly3 wherevpon ,aristotle sayth1 in the light of lights1 that ,mercurie is to be ccocted in a threefold vessell1 and that the vessell must bee of most hard ,glasse1 or 7which is better7 of earth possessing the nature of ,glasse4 ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,of the accidentall and essentiall colours appearing in the worke4 ,the matter of the stone thus ended1 thou shalt knowe the certaine maner of working1 by what maner and regiment1 the stone is often chaunged in decoction into diuerse colours4 ,wherupon one saith1 ,so many colours1 so many names4 ,according to the diuerse colours appearing in the worke1 the names likewise were varied by the ,philosophers3 whereon1 in the first operation of our stone1 it is called putrifaction1 and our stone is made blacke3 whereof one saith1 ,when thou findest it blacke1 know that in that blacknesse whitenesse is hidden1 and thou must extract the same from his most subtile blacknes4 ,but after putrefaction it waxeth red1 not with a true rednesse1 of which one saith3 ,it is often red1 and often of a citrine colour1 it often melteth1 and is often coagulated1 before true whitenesse4 ,and it dissolueth it selfe1 it coagulateth it selfe1 it putrifieth it selfe1 it coloureth it self1 it mortifieth it selfe1 it quickneth it selfe1 it maketh it selfe blacke1 it maketh it selfe white1 it maketh it selfe red4 ,it is also greene2 whereon another sayth1 ,concoct1 it till it appeare greene vnto thee1 and that is the soule4 ,and another1 ,know1 that in that greene his soule beareth dominion4 ,there appeares also before whitenesse the peacocks colour1 whereon one saith thus4 ,know thou that al the colours in the world1 or yt may be imagined1 appeare before whitenesse1 and afterward true whitenesse followeth4 ,whereof one sayth3 ,when it hath bin decocted pure and clean1 that it shineth like the eyes of fishes1 then are wee to expect his vtilitie1 and by that time the stone is congealed rounde4 ,and another sayth3 ,when thou shalt finde whitenesse a top in the glasse1 be assured that in that whitenesse1 rednesse is hidden3 and this thou must extract3 but concoct it while it become all red3 for betweene true whitenesse and true rednesse1 there is a certaine ash-colour3 of which it is sayde4 ,after whitenesse1 thou canst not erre1 for encreasing the fire1 thou shalt come to an ash-colour3 of which another saith3 ,doo not set light by the ashes1 for ,god shal giue it thee molten3 and then at the last the ,king is inuested with a red crowne by the will of ,god4 ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,how to make proiection of the medicine vpon any imperfect bodie4 ,i haue largely accomplisht my promise of that great masterie1 for making the most excellent ,elixir1 red and white4 ,for conclusion1 we are to treate of the manner of proiection1 which is the accomplishment of the work1 the desired expected ioy4 ,the red ,elixir doth turne into a citrine colour infinitely1 and changeth all mettals into pure gold4 ,and the white ,elixir doth infinitely whiten1 and bringeth euerie mettal to perfect whitenesse4 ,but we know that one mettall is farther off from perfection then another1 one more neere then another4 ,and although euerie mettall may by ,elixir be reduced to perfection1 neuerthelesse the neerest are more easily1 speedily1 and perfectly reduced1 then those which are far distant4 ,and when we meete with a mettall that is neere to perfection1 we are thereby excused from many that are farre off4 ,and as for the mettals which of them be neere1 and which farre off1 which of them ,i say be neerest to perfection1 if thou be wise and discreete1 thou shalt find to be plainely and truely set out in my ,chapters4 ,and without doubt1 hee that is so quick sighted in this my ,mirrour1 that by his own industry hee can finde out the true matter1 hee doth full well knowe vppon what body the medicine is to bee proiected to bring it to perfection4 ,for the forerunners of this ,art1 who haue founde it out by their philosophie1 do point out with their finger the direct plain way1 when they say3 ,nature1 containeth nature3 ,nature ouercommeth nature3 ,nature meeting with her nature1 exceedingly reioyceth1 and is changed into other natures4 ,and in another place1 ,euery like reioiceth in his like3 for likenesse is saide to be the cause of friendship1 wherof many ,philosophers haue left a notable secret1 ,know thou that the soule doth quickly enter into his body1 which may by no meanes be ioyned to another body4 ,and in another place1 ,the soule doth quickly enter into his own body1 which if thou goest about to ioyne with another body1 thou shalt loose thy labour3 for the neerenesse it selfe is more cleare4 ,and because corporeall things in this regimt are made incorporeall1 contrariwise things incorporeal corporeall1 and in the shutting vp of the worke1 the whole body is made a spirituall fixt thing3 and because also that spirituall ,elixir euidently1 whether white or red1 is so greatly prepared and decocted beyonde his nature1 it is no maruaile that it cannot bee mixed with a body1 on which it is proiected1 beeing onely melted4 ,it is also a hard matter to proiect it on a thousand thousand and more1 and incontinently to penetrate and transmute them4 ,i will therefore nowe deliuer vnto you a great and hidden secret4 ,one part is to bee mixed with a thousand of the next body1 let all this be surely put into a fit vessell1 and sette it in a furnace of fixation1 first with a lent fire1 and afterwardes encreasing the fire for three dayes1 till they be inseperably ioyned together1 and this is a worke of three dayes3 then againe and finally1 euery part heereof by it selfe1 must be proiected vpon another thousand parts of any neere body3 and this is a worke of one day1 or one houre1 or a moment1 for which our wonderfull ,god is eternally to be praised4 ,here endeth the ,mirror of ,alchimy1 composed by the most learned ,philosopher1 ,roger ,bacon4 ,the ,smaragdine ,table of ,hermes1 ,trismegistus of ,alchimy4 ,the wordes of the secrets of ,hermes1 which were written in a ,smaragdine ,table1 and found betweene his hands in an obscure vaute1 wherin his body lay buried4 ,it is true without leasing1 certain and most true4 ,that which is beneath is like that which is aboue3 that which is aboue1 is like that which is beneath1 to worke the miracles of one thing4 ,and as all things haue proceeded from one1 by the meditati of one1 so all things haue sprung from this one thing by adaptation4 ,his father is the sun1 his mother is the moone1 the wind bore it in hir belly4 ,the earth is his nurse4 ,the father of all the telesme of this world is here4 ,his force and power is perfect1 if it be turned into earth4 ,thou shalt seperate the earth from the fire1 the thinne from the thicke1 and that gently with great discretion4 ,it ascendeth from the ,earth into ,heauen3 and and againe it discendeth into the earth1 and receiueth the power of the superiours and inferiours3 so shalt thou haue the glorie of the whole worlde4 ,all obscuritie therefore shall flie away from thee4 ,this is the mightie power of all power1 for it shal ouercome euery subtile thing1 and pearce through euery solide thing4 ,so was the worlde created4 ,here shall be maruailous adabtations1 whereof this is the meane4 ,therefore am ,i called ,hermes ,trismegistus1 or the thrice great ,interpreter3 hauing three parts of the ,philosophy of the whole world4 ,that which ,i haue spoken of the operation of the ,sunne1 is finished4 ,here endeth the ,table of ,hermes4 ,a briefe ,commentarie of ,hortulanus the ,philosopher1 vpon the ,smaragdine ,table of ,hermes of ,alchimy4 ,the praier of ,hortulanus4 ,laude1 honour1 power and glorie1 be giuen to thee1 ,o ,almightie ,lorde ,god1 with thy beloued sonne1 our ,lord ,iesus ,christ1 and the holy ,ghost1 the comforter4 ,o holy ,trinitie1 that art the onely one ,god1 perfect man1 ,i giue thee thankes that hauing the knowledge of the transitorie things of this worlde 7least ,i should bee prouoked with the pleasures thereof7 of thy abundant mercie thou hast taken mee from it4 ,but forsomuch as ,i haue knowne manie deceiued in this art1 that haue not gone the right way1 let it please thee1 ,o ,lord my ,god1 that by the knowledge which thou hast giuen mee1 ,i may bring my deare friends fr error1 that when they shal perceiue the truth1 they may praise thy holy and glorious name1 which is blessed for euer4 ,amen4 ,the ,preface4 ,i ,hortulanus1 so called for the ,gardens bordering vpon the sea coast1 wrapped in a ,iacobin skinne1 vnworthy to be called a ,disciple of ,philosophie1 moued with the loue of my welbeloued1 doo intend to make a true declaration of the words of ,hermes1 the ,father of ,philosophers1 whose words1 though that they be dark and obscure1 yet haue ,i truely expounded the whole operation and practise of the worke3 for the obscuritie of the ,philosophers in their speeches1 dooth nothing preuaile1 where the doctrine of the holy spirit worketh4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,that the ,art of ,alchimy is true and certaine4 ,t,he ,philosopher saith4 ,it is true1 to wit1 that the ,arte of ,alchimie is giuen vnto vs4 ,without leasing4 ,this hee saith in detestation of them that affirme this ,art to bee lying1 that is1 false4 ,it is certaine1 that is prooued4 ,for whatsoeuer is prooued1 is most certaine1 ,and most true4 ,for most true golde is ingendred by ,art3 and he saith most true1 in the superlatiue degree1 because the golde ingendred by this ,art1 excelleth all naturall gold in all proprieties1 both medicinall and others4 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,that the ,stone must be diuided into two parts4 ,consequentlie1 he toucheth the operation of the stone1 saying3 ,that which is beneath1 is as that which is aboue4 ,and this he sayth1 because the stone is diuided into two principall parts by ,art3 ,into the superiour part1 that ascendeth vp1 and into the inferiour part1 which remaineth beneath fixe and cleare3 and yet these two parts agree in vertue3 and therefore hee sayeth1 ,that which is aboue1 is like that which is beneath4 ,and this diuision is necessarie1 ,to perpetrate the myracles of one thing1 to wit1 of the ,stone3 because the inferiour part is the ,earth1 which is called the ,nurse1 and ,ferment3 and the superiour part is the ,soule1 which quickeneth the whole ,stone1 and raiseth it vp4 ,wherefore separation made1 and coniunction celebrated1 manie myracles are effected in the secret worke of nature4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,that the ,stone hath in it the foure ,elements4 ,and as all things haue proceeded from one1 by the meditation of one4 ,heere giueth hee an example1 saying3 as all things came from one1 to wit1 a confused ,globe1 or masse1 by meditation1 that is the cogitation and creation of one1 that is the omnipotent ,god3 ,so all things haue sprung1 that is1 come out from this one thing that is1 one confused lumpe1 by ,adaptation1 that is by the sole commadement of ,god1 and miracle4 ,so our ,stone is borne1 and come out of one confused masse1 containing in it the foure ,elements1 which is created of ,god1 and by his sole miracle our stone is borne4 ,,chap4 ,,iiii4 ,that the ,stone hath ,father and ,mother1 to wit1 the ,sunne and ,moone4 ,and as wee see1 that one liuing creature begetteth more liuing creatures like vnto it selfe3 so artificially golde engendereth golde1 by vertue of multiplication of the foresaid stone4 ,it followeth therefore1 the ,sunne is his father1 that is1 ,philosophers ,gold4 ,and as in euerie naturall generation1 there must be a fit and conuenient receptacle1 with a certaine consonancie of similitude to the father3 so likewise in this artificiall generation1 it is requisite that the ,sunne haue a fitte and consonaunt receptacle for his seede and tincture3 and this is ,philosophers siluer4 ,and therefore it followes1 the ,moone is his mother4 ,,chap4 ,v4 ,that the coniunction of the parts of the stone is called ,conception4 ,t,he which two1 when they haue mutuallie entertained each other in the coniunction of the ,stone1 the ,stone conceiueth in the bellie of the winde3 and this is it which afterwarde he sayeth3 ,the winde carried it in his bellie4 ,it is plaine1 that the winde is the ayre1 and the ayre is the life1 and the life is the ,soule4 ,and ,i haue already spoken of the soule1 that it quickneth the whole stone4 ,and so it behoueth1 that the wind should carry and recarry the whole stone1 and bring forth the masterie3 and then it followeth1 that it must receiue nourishment of his nurse1 that is the earth3 and therefore the ,philosopher saith1 ,the earth is his ,nurse3 because that as the infant without receiuing food fr his nurse1 shuld neuer come to yeres3 so likewise our stone without the firmentation of his earth1 should neuer be brought to effect3 which said firmament1 is called nourishment4 ,for so it is begotten of one ,father1 with the coniunction of the ,mother4 ,things1 that is1 sonnes like to the ,father1 if they want long decoction1 shalbe like to the ,mother in whitenesse1 and retaine the ,fathers weight4 ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,that the ,stone is perfect1 if the ,soule be fixt in the bodie4 ,it followeth afterward3 ,the father of all the ,telesme of the whole worlde is here3 that is in the worke of the stone is a finall way4 ,and note1 that the ,philosopher calleth the worke1 the ,father of all the ,telesme3 that is1 of all secret1 or of all treasure of the whole worlde3 that is1 of euery stone found in the world1 is here4 ,as if he should say1 ,behold ,i shew it thee4 ,afterward the ,philosopher saith1 ,wilt thou that ,i teach thee to knowe when the vertue of the ,stone is perfect and compleate8 to wit1 when it is conuerted into his earth3 and therefore he saith1 ,his power is entire1 that is1 compleate and perfect1 if it be turned into earth3 that is1 if the ,soule of the stone 7whereof wee haue made mention before3 which ,soule may be called the winde or ayre1 wherein consisteth the whole life and vertue of the stone7 be conuerted into the earth1 to wit of the stone1 and fixed3 so that the whole substance of the ,stone be so with his nurse1 to wit earth1 that the whole ,stone be turned into ferment4 ,as in making of bread1 a little leauen nourisheth and fermenteth a great deale of ,paste3 so will the ,philosopher that our stone bee so fermented1 that it may bee ferment to the multiplication of the stone4 ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,of the mundification and cleansing of the stone4 ,consequently1 hee teacheth how the ,stone ought to bee multiplied3 but first he setteth downe the mundification of the stone1 and the separation of the parts3 saying1 ,thou shalt separate the earth from the fire1 the thinne from the thicke1 and that gently with great discretion4 ,gently1 that is by little1 and little1 not violently1 but wisely1 to witte1 in ,philosophicall doung4 ,thou shalt separate1 that is1 dissolue3 for dissolution is the separation of partes4 ,the earth from the fire1 the thinne from the thicke3 that is1 the lees and dregges1 from the fire1 the ayre1 the water1 and the whole substaunce of the ,stone1 so that the ,stone may remaine most pure without all filth4 ,,chap4 ,,viii4 ,that the vnfixed part of the ,stone should exceed the fixed1 and lift it vp4 ,the ,stone thus prepared1 is made fit for multiplication4 ,and now hee setteth downe his multiplication ct easie liquefaction1 with a vertue to pierce as well into hard bodies1 as soft1 saying3 ,it ascendeth from the earth into heauen1 and again it descendeth into the earth4 ,here we must diligtly note1 that although our stone bee diuided in the first operation into foure partes1 which are the foure ,elements3 notwithstanding1 as wee haue alreadie saide1 there are two principall parts of it4 ,one which ascendeth vpward1 and is called vnfixed1 and an other which remaineth below fixed1 which is called earth1 or firmamt1 which nourisheth and firmenteth the whole stone1 as we haue already said4 ,but of the vnfixed part we must haue a great quantity1 and giue it to the stone 7which is made most clean without all filth7 so often by masterie that the whole stone be caried vpward1 sublimating subtiliating4 ,and this is it which the ,philosopher saith3 ,it ascendeth from the earth into the heauen4 ,,chap4 ,,ix4 ,how the volatile ,stone may againe be fixed4 ,after all these things1 this stone thus exalted1 must be incerated with the ,oyle that was extracted from it in the first operation1 being called the water of the stone3 and so often boyle it by sublimation1 till by vertue of the firmentation of the earth exalted with it1 the whole stone doo againe descende from heauen into the earth1 and remaine fixed and flowing4 ,and this is it which the ,philosopher sayth3 ,it descendeth agayne into the earth1 and so receyueth the vertue of the superiours by sublimation1 and of the inferiours1 by descension3 that is1 that which is corporall1 is made spirituall by sublimation1 and that which is spirituall1 is made corporall by descension4 ,,chap4 ,x4 ,of the fruit of the ,art1 and efficacie of the ,stone4 ,so shalt thou haue the glorie of the whole worlde4 ,that is1 this stone thus compounded1 thou shalt possesse the glorie of this world4 ,therefore all obscuritie shall flie from thee3 that is1 all want and sicknesse1 because the stone thus made1 cureth euerie disease4 ,here is the mightie power of all power4 ,for there is no comparison of other powers of this world1 to the power of the stone4 ,for it shall ouercome euery subtil thing1 and shall pearce through euery solide thing4 ,it shall ouercome1 that is1 by ouercomming1 it shall conuert quicke ,mercury1 that is subtile1 congealing it3 and it shall pearce through other hard1 solide1 and compact bodies4 ,,chap4 ,,xi4 ,that this worke imitateth the ,creation of the worlde4 ,he giueth vs also an example of the composition of his ,stone1 saying1 ,so was the world created4 ,that is1 like as the world was created1 so is our stone composed4 ,for in the beginning1 the whole world and all that is therein1 was a confused ,masse or ,chaos 7as is aboue saide7 but afterward by the workemanship of the soueraigne ,creator1 this masse was diuided into the foure elements1 wonderfully separated and rectified1 through which separation1 diuers things were created3 so likewise may diuers things bee made by ordering our worke1 through the separation of the diuers elemts fr diuers bodies4 ,here shal be wonderfull adaptations3 that is1 ,if thou shalt separate the elements1 there shall be admirable compositions1 fitte for our worke in the composition of our ,stone1 by the elements rectified3 ,wherof1 to wit1 of which wonderfull things fit for this3 the meanes1 to wit1 to proceede by1 is here4 ,,chap4 ,,xii4 ,an enigmaticall insinuation what the matter of the ,stone shoulde be4 ,therefore am ,i called ,hermes ,trismegistus4 ,now that he hath declared the composition of the ,stone1 he teacheth vs after a secret maner1 wherof the ,stone is made3 first naming himselfe1 to the ende that his schollers 7who should hereafter attaine to this science7 might haue his name in continuall remembrance3 and then hee toucheth the matter saying3 ,hauing three parts of the ,philosophie of the whole world3 because that whatsoeuer is in the worlde1 hauing matter forme1 is compounded of the foure ,elements3 hence is it1 that there are so infinite parts of the world1 all which he diuideth into three principall partes1 ,minerall1 ,vegetable1 ,animall3 of which iointly1 or seuerally1 hee had the true knowledge in the worke of the ,sunne3 for which cause hee saith1 ,hauing three parts of the ,philosophie of the whole world1 which parts are contained in one ,stone1 to wit1 ,philosophers ,mercurie4 ,,chap4 ,,xiii4 ,why the ,stone is said to be perfect4 ,for this cause is the ,stone saide to be perfect1 because it hath in it the nature of ,minerals1 ,vegetables1 and ,animals3 for the stone is three1 and one hauing foure natures1 to wit1 the foure elements1 three colours1 black1 white1 and red4 ,it is also called a graine of corne1 which if it die not1 remaineth without fruit3 but if it doo die 7as is aboue said7 when it is ioyned in coniunction1 it bringeth forth much fruite1 the afore named operations being accomplished4 ,thus curteous reader1 if thou know the operation of the ,stone1 ,i haue told thee the truth3 but if thou art ignort thereof1 ,i haue said nothing4 ,that which ,i haue spoken of the operation of the ,sunne is finished3 that is1 that which hath beene spoken of the operation of the stone1 of the three colours1 and foure natures existing and beeing in one onely thing1 namely in the ,philosophers ,mercurie1 is fulfilled4 ,thus endeth the ,commentarie of ,hortulanus1 vppon the ,smaragdine table of ,hermes1 the father of ,philosophers4 ,the ,booke of the ,secrets of ,alchimie1 composed by ,galid the sonne of ,iazich1 translated out of ,hebrew into ,arabick1 and out of ,arabick into ,latine1 and out of ,latin into ,english4 ,the ,preface of the difficultie of the ,art4 ,thankes be giuen to ,god the ,creator of all things1 who hath conducted vs1 beautified vs1 instructed vs1 and giuen vs knowledge and vnderstanding3 ,except the ,lorde should keepe and guide vs1 wee should bee like vagabonds1 without guide or teacher3 yea1 we shuld know nothing in the world1 vnlesse he taught vs3 that is1 the beginning1 and knowledge it selfe of all things1 by his power and goodnes ouer his people4 ,he directeth and instructeth whom he wil1 and with mercie reduceth into the way of iustice3 for hee hath sent his messengers into the darke places1 and made plaine the wayes1 and with his mercy replenished such as loue him4 ,know brother1 that this our mastery and honourable office of the secret ,stone1 is a secret of the secrets of ,god1 which hee hath concealed from his people1 neither would he reueale it to any1 saue to those1 who like sonnes haue faythfully deserued it1 knowing both his goodnesse and greatnesse3 for to him that desireth a secret of ,god1 this secret masterie is more necessary then any other4 ,and those wise men who haue attained to the knowledge herof1 haue concealed part therof1 and part therof they haue reuealed3 for so haue ,i found my wise predecessors agreeing in this point in their worthie bookes3 wherby thou shalt knowe that my disciple ,musa1 7more honorable in my eies then all other7 hath diligently studied their bookes1 labored much in the worke of the mastery1 wherin he hath bin greatly troubled1 much perplexed1 not knowing the natures of things belonging to this work3 the explanation whereof1 and direction wherein1 he hath humbly begged at my handes3 yet ,i would afford him no answere therin1 nor determine it1 but commaunded him to reade ouer the ,philosophers bookes1 therin to seke yt which he craued of me1 he going his way1 read aboue a hundreth bookes1 as hee found them euen the true and secret bookes of noble ,philosophers3 but in th he could not find that which he desired3 so he remained astonished1 almost distracted1 though by the space of a yeare he continually sought it4 ,if therfore my scholler ,musa 7that hath deserued to be accoted among ye ,philosophers7 haue beene so doubtfull in the composition hereof1 and that this hath hapned vnto him3 what shall the ignorant and vnlearned doo1 that vnderstandeth not the nature of things1 nor is acquainted with their complections8 ,but when ,i behelde this in my choysest and dearest disciple1 moued with pitty and compassion toward him1 or rather by the will and appointment of ,god1 ,i made this book at the houre of my death1 wherin ,i haue pretermitted many things1 that my predecessors haue made mention of in their bookes3 and againe1 ,i haue touched some things which they concealed1 would by no meanes open discouer3 yea1 ,i haue expounded and laide open certain things1 that they haue hidden vnder dark figuratiue speeches4 ,and this my book ,i haue called the ,secrets of ,alchimy3 in which ,i haue spoken of whatsoeuer is necessarie1 to him that is studious of this ,art or masterie1 in a language befitting his sence vnderstanding4 ,and ,i haue named foure masteries far greater and better1 th other ,philosophers haue done3 of which number is ,elixir1 one ,mineral1 the other ,animall3 but the other two are minerals1 and not the one ,elixir3 whose office is to washe that1 which they call the bodies3 and another is to make gold of ,azot-viue1 whose composition or generati1 is according to the generation or order of generation in the mynes1 being in the heart and bowels of the earth4 ,and these foure masteries or works1 the ,philosophers haue declared in their bookes of the composition of this mastery3 but they want much3 neyther would they shew the operation of it in their bookes3 and though by chaunce he found it out1 yet could hee not vnderstand it3 so that hee found out nothing that was more troublesome to him4 ,i wil therefore in this my booke declare it1 together with the maner how to make it3 but let him that will reade it1 first learne ,geometry1 and her measures1 that so he may rightly frame his furnaces1 not passing a meane1 either by excesse or defect3 and withall1 he must know the quantitie of his fire1 and the forme of the vessell fit for his worke4 ,moreouer1 lette him consider what is the ground-worke and beginning of the mastery1 beeing to it1 as the matrice is to liuing creatures1 which are fashioned in the wombe1 and therin receiue their create nourishment3 for if the thing of this mastery finde not that which is conuenient for it1 the worke is marred1 and the workmen shall not find that which they looke for1 neither shal the thing it self be brought to the effect of generation3 for where one cannot meete with the cause of generation1 or the roote1 and heate it selfe1 it will fall out1 that the labour shall be lost1 and the worke nought worth4 ,the like mischiefe will happen in respect of weight1 which if it be not aright in the compound1 the partes of the same nature1 passing their boundes by augmentation1 or diminution1 the propertie of the compound is destroyed1 the effect therof voyd and without fruit1 whereof ,i will giue you an example4 ,doo not you see that in ,sope 7with which cloathes are washed cleane and made white7 there is this property if it be rightly made1 by reason of equalitie1 one proportion1 which participate in length and breadth8 wherupon through this participation they agree1 and then it appeareth1 because it was truely made1 and so the vertue which before lay hid1 is nowe made known1 which they cal a property1 being the vertue of washing engendred in the compound3 but when the grauity of the compound passeth his bounds1 either by addition or diminution1 ye vertue itself breaketh the limits of equality1 becmeth contrary1 according to ye distperce of the cpound4 ,and this thou must vnderstd to happen in the cposition of our mastery4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,of the foure ,masteries1 or principall works of the ,art1 to wit1 solution1 congelation1 albification1 and rubification4 ,now begin ,i to speake of the great worke which they call ,alchimy1 wherein ,i will confirme my woordes1 without concealing ought1 or keeping backe any thing1 saue that which is not conuenient to bee vttered or named4 ,we say then that the great work contained in it foure masteries 7as the ,philosophers before vs haue affirmed7 that is to say1 to dissolue1 to congeale1 to make white and red4 ,and these foure quantities are partakers1 whereof two of them are partakers betweene themselues1 and so likewise are the other two4 ,and either of these double qutities hath another quantity partaker1 which is a greater quantity partaker after these two4 ,i vnderstand by these quantities1 the quantitie of the natures1 and weight of the medicines which are orderly dissolued and congealed1 wherin neither addition nor diminution haue any place4 ,but these two1 to wit1 solution and congelation1 shal be in one operation1 and shall make but one worke1 and that before composition3 but after composition1 their works shall bee diuers4 ,and this solution and congelation which wee haue spoken of1 are the solution of the bodie1 and the congelation of the ,spirite1 and they are two1 yet haue but one operation4 ,for the ,spirites are not congealed1 except the bodies bee dissolued1 as likewise the bodies is not dissolued1 vnlesse the spirit be cgealed3 when the soule the body are ioyned togither1 either of them worketh in his companion made like vnto him3 as for example1 when water is put to earth1 it striueth to dissolue the earth by the moisture1 vertue and propertie which it hath1 making it more subtile then it was before1 and bringing it to be like it selfe3 for the water was more subtile then the earth3 and thus doth the soule worke in the bodie1 and after the same manner is the water thickened with the earth1 and becommeth like vnto the earth in thicknesse1 for the earth is more thicke then the water4 ,and thou must knowe that betweene the solution of the bodie1 and congelation of the spirit1 there is no distance of time or diuerse work1 as though one should be without the other1 as there is no difference of time in the coniunction of the earth1 and water1 that one might be knowne discerned from the other in their operations3 but they haue both one instant1 and one fact1 and one and the same worke conteineth them both at once before composition3 ,i say before composition1 least he that shall read this booke1 and heare the names of resolution and congelation1 shoulde suppose it to be the composition which the ,philosophers entreat of1 for so he should sowly erre in his worke and iudgement3 because composition in this worke or masterie1 is a coniunction or marriage of the congealed spirit1 with the dissolued bodie1 and this conjunction or passion is vpon the fire4 ,for heate is his nourishment1 and the soule forsaketh not the bodie1 neither is it otherwise knit vnto it1 then by the alteration of both from their owne vertue and properties1 and after the conuersion of their natures3 and this is the solution and congelation1 which the ,philosophers first spake of2 which neuerthelesse they haue hidden in their subtile discourses with darke obscure words1 that so they might alienate and estrange the mind of the reader fr the true vnderstanding thereof3 whereof thou maist take this for an example4 ,annoynt the leafe with poyson1 and ye shall approue thereby the beginning of the worke and mastery of the same4 ,and againe1 labour the strong bodies with one solution1 til either of them be turned to his subtilitie4 ,so likewise in these folowing1 except ye conuert the bodies into such subtilitie that they may bee impalbable1 yee shall not find that ye looke for3 and if you haue not ground them1 returne backe to worke till they bee ground1 and made subtill3 which if you do1 you shall haue your wish4 ,and many other such sayings haue they of the same matter4 ,the which none that euer proued this ,art could vnderstand1 til he hath had a plaine demonstration thereof1 the former doubt being remoued4 ,and in like maner haue they spoken of that cposition1 which is after solution congelation4 ,and afterward they haue said1 that ,cposition is not perfect without marriage1 and putrifaction3 yet againe they teach solution1 congelation1 diuision1 mariage1 putrifaction1 and composition1 because composition is the beginning1 and verie life of the thing4 ,for vnlesse there were composition1 the thing should neuer be brought to passe4 ,diuision is a separati of the parts of the cpound1 so separation hath bin his coniunction4 ,i tell you againe1 that the spirit wil not dwel with the body1 nor be in it1 nor by any meanes abide with it vntill the body be made subtil thin as the spirit is4 ,but when it is attenuate and subtill1 and hath cast off his thicknes1 put on thinnes1 hath forsaken his grosnesse corpority1 is become spirituall1 then shall he be mingled with the subtill spirits1 imbibed in them1 so that both shall become one and the same1 they shall not be seuered1 like as water put to water cannot be diuided4 ,suppose that of two like quantities1 that are in solution and congelation1 the larger is the soule1 the lesser is the body3 adde afterward to the quantitie which is the soule1 that qutity which is in the body1 it shall participate with the first quantity in vertue only3 then worke them as we haue wrought them1 and so thou shalt obtaine thy desire1 and ,euclide his line shall bee verified vnto thee4 ,afterwarde take his quantity1 and know his waight1 and giue him as much moysture as he will drink1 the weight of which moysture we haue not here determined4 ,then againe worke them with an operation vnlike the former1 first imbibing and subliming it1 and this operation is that which they call ,albification1 and they name it ,yarit1 that is1 ,siluer1 and and white ,leade4 ,and when thou hast made this compounde white1 adde to him so much of the ,spirit1 as maketh halfe of the whole1 and set it to working1 till it waxe redde1 and then it shall be of the colour ,alsulfir1 which is verie red1 and the ,philosophers haue likened it to golde1 the effect hereof1 leadeth thee to that which ,aristotle saide to his ,disciple ,arda3 wee call the claye when it is white1 ,yarit1 that is ,siluer3 and when it is red1 wee name it ,temeynch1 that is ,golde4 ,whitenesse is that which tincteth ,copper1 and maketh it ,yarit1 and that is rednesse1 which tincteth ,yarit1 that is siluer1 maketh it ,temeynch1 that is ,gold4 ,he therefore that is able to dissolue these bodies1 to subtiliate th1 to make them white and red1 and 7as ,i haue said7 to compound them by imbibing1 and conuert them to the same1 shall without all doubt attaine the masterie1 and performe the worke whereof ,i haue spoken vnto thee4 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,of the things and instruments necessarie and fit for this worke4 ,it behoueth thee to knowe the vessels in this masterie1 to wit ,aludela1 which the ,philosophers haue called ,church-yards1 or ,cribbles3 because in them the parts are diuided1 and cleansed1 and in them is the matter of the masterie made compleat1 perfect1 and depured4 ,and euery one of these must haue a ,furnace fit for it1 and let either of them haue a similitude and figure agreeable to the worke4 ,mezleme1 and many other ,philosophers1 haue named all these things in their bookes1 teaching the maner and forme thereof4 ,and thou must know1 that herein the ,philosophers agree togither in their wrytings1 concealing it by signes1 and making many books thereof1 instruments which are necessarie in these foure foresaid things4 ,as for the instruments1 they are two in number4 ,one is a ,cucurbit1 with his ,alembick3 the other is ,aludel1 that is well made4 ,there are also foure things necessarie to these3 that is to say1 ,bodies1 ,soules1 ,spirites1 and ,waters3 of these foure dooth the masterie1 and minerall worke consist4 ,these are made plaine in the ,philosophers ,bookes1 ,i haue therefore omitted them in mine1 and onely touched those things1 which they passed ouer with silence3 which he shall easily discerne1 that is but of indifferent iudgement4 ,and this booke ,i haue not made for the ignorant and vnlearned1 but for the wise and prudent4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,of the nature of things appertaining to this worke4 ,know thou that the ,philosophers haue giuen them diuerse names3 for some haue called them ,mynes1 some ,animal1 some ,herball1 and some by the name of ,natures1 that is ,natural3 some other haue called them by certaine other names at their pleasures1 as seemed good vnto them4 ,thou must also know1 that their ,medicines are neere to ,natures1 according as the ,philosophers haue said in their bookes1 that ,nature commeth nigh to nature1 and ,nature is like to nature1 and ,nature is ioyned to nature1 and ,nature is drowned in nature1 and ,nature maketh nature white1 ,nature doth make nature red1 and generation is retained with generation1 generation conquereth with generation4 ,,chap4 ,,iiii4 ,of ,decoction1 and the effect thereof4 ,know thou that the ,philosophers haue named ,decoction in their ,bookes1 saying1 that they make ,decoction in thinges3 and that is it that engendreth them1 and changeth them from their substances and colours1 into other substces and colours4 ,if thou transgresse not1 ,i tell thee in this booke1 thou shalt proceed rightly4 ,consider brother1 the seed of the earth1 wheron men liue1 how the heate of the ,sunne worketh in it1 till it be ripe1 when men and other creatures feede vpon it1 and that afterwarde ,nature worketh on it by her heate within man1 conuerting it into his flesh and blood4 ,for like hereto is our operation of the masterie3 the seed whereof 7as the learned haue sayde7 is such1 that his perfection and proceeding consisteth in the fire1 which is the cause of his life and death1 without somwhat comming betweene1 and his spiritualtie1 which are not mingled but with the fire4 ,thus haue ,i tolde thee the truth1 as ,i haue seene and done it4 ,,chap4 ,v4 ,of ,subtiliation1 ,solution1 ,coagulation1 and commistion of the ,stone1 and of their cause and end4 ,know1 that except thou subtiliate the bodie till all become water1 it will not rust and putrifie1 and then it cannot congeale the flitting soules1 when the fire toucheth them3 for the fire is that which congealeth them by the ayd therof vnto them4 ,and in like maner haue the ,philosophers commanded to dissolue the bodies1 to the end yt heat might enter into their bowels4 ,again we returne to dissolue those bodies1 congeale them after their solution1 with that thing which cmeth nigh to it1 vntil we ioyne all those things which haue beene mingled togither1 by an apt and fit commixtion1 which is a temperate quantitie4 ,whereupon we ioyne fire and water1 earth and ayre togither3 when the thick hath bin mingled with the thin1 the thinner with the thick1 the one abydeth with the other1 and their natures are changed and made like1 wheras before they were simple1 because that part which is generatiue1 bestoweth his vertue vpon the subtill1 and that is the ayre3 for it cleaueth vnto his like1 and is a part of the generation from whence it receyueth power to moue and ascend vpward4 ,cold hath power ouer the thick1 because it hath lost his heate1 and the water is gone out of it1 and the thing appeared vp it4 ,and the moisture departed by ascending1 the subtil part of ye aire1 and mingled it selfe with it1 for it is like vnto it1 and of the same nature4 ,and when the thicke bodie hath lost his heat and moysture1 and that cold and drinesse hath power ouer him1 and that their parts haue mingled themselues1 and be diuided1 and that there is no moysture to ioyne the partes diuided1 the parts withdraw themselues4 ,and afterwards the part which is contrary to colde1 by reason that it hath continued1 sent his heat and decoction1 to the parts of ye earth1 hauing power ouer them1 and exercising such dominion ouer the cold1 that where before it was in the thicke body1 it now lurketh and lieth hid1 his part of generation is changed1 becomming subtil and hot2 and striuing to dry vp by his heat4 ,but afterward the subtill part 7that causeth natures to ascende7 when it hath lost his accidentall heat1 waxeth cold1 then the natures are changed1 and become thicke1 and descend to the center1 where ye earthly natures are ioyned togither1 which were subtiliate and conuerted in their generation1 and imbibed in them3 and so the moysture coupleth togither the parts diuided3 but the earth endeuoureth to drie vp that moysture1 cpassing it about1 and hindring it from going out3 by means wherof1 that which before lay hid1 doth now appear3 neither can the moysture be separated1 but is retained by the drinesse4 ,and in like maner we see1 that whosoeuer is in the worlde1 is retained by or with his contrarie1 as heate with colde1 and drinesse with moysture4 ,thus when each of them hath besieged his ,companion1 the thin is mingled with the thicke1 and those things are made one substance3 to wit1 their soule hote and moyst1 and their body colde and drie3 then it laboureth to dissolue and subtiliate by his heate and moysture1 which is his soule1 and striueth to enclose and retaine with his body that is colde and drie4 ,and in this maner1 is his office changed and altered from one thing to another4 ,thus haue ,i tolde thee the truth1 which ,i haue both seene done1 giuing thee in charge to conuert natures from their subtilitie and substances1 with heate and moysture1 into their substances and colours4 ,now if thou wouldst proceed aright in this mastery1 to obtaine thy desire1 passe not the boundes that ,i haue set thee in this booke4 ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,the manner how to fixe the ,spirit4 ,knowe also1 that when the bodie is mingled with moysture1 and that the heate of the fire meeteth therewith1 the moysture is conuerted on the body1 and dissolueth it1 and then the spirite cannot issue forth1 because it is imbibed with the fire4 ,the ,spirits are fugitiue1 so long as the bodies are mingled with them1 and striue to resist the fire his flame3 and yet these parts can hardly agree without a good operation and continuall labour3 for the nature of the soule is to ascend vpward1 whereas the center of the soule is4 ,and who is hee that is able to ioyne two or diuers things togither1 where their centers are diuers3 vnlesse it be after the conuersion of theyr natures1 and change of the substance and thing1 from his nature1 which is difficult to finde out8 ,whosoeuer therefore can conuert the soule into the bodie1 the bodie into the soule1 and therewith mingle the subtile spirites1 shall be able to tinct any body4 ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,of the ,decoction1 ,contrition1 and washing of the stone4 ,thou art moreouer to vnderstand1 that ,decoction1 contrition1 cribati1 mundification1 and ablution1 with sweet waters is very necessary to this secret and mastery3 so that he who will bestow any paines herein1 must cleanse it very well1 and wash the blacknesse from it1 and darknes that appeareth in his operation1 and subtiliate the bodie as much as hee can1 and afterwarde mingle therwith the soules dissolued1 and spirits cleansed1 so long as he thinke good4 ,,chap4 ,,viii4 ,of the quantitie of the ,fire1 and of the commoditie and discommoditie of it4 ,fvrthermore1 thou must bee acquainted with the quantity of the fire1 for the benefit and losse of this thing1 proceedeth from the benefit of the fire4 ,wherupon ,plato said in his booke3 ,the fire yeeldeth profit to that which is perfect1 but domage and corruption to that which is corrupt3 so that when his quantitie shal be meete conuenient1 it shal prosper1 but if it shall exceed measure in things1 it shal without measure corrupt both3 to wit1 the perfect and corrupt3 and for this cause it was requisite that the learned should poure their medicines vpon ,elixir1 to hinder and remoue from them the burning of the fire1 his heate4 ,hermes also said to his father4 ,i am afraide ,father of the enemie in my house3 to whom he made answer1 ,son take the dog ,corascene1 the bitch of ,armenia1 put them together1 and they shal bring a dog of the colour of heauen1 and dip him once in the sea water3 for he shall keepe thy friend1 and defend thee from thy enemie1 and shall helpe thee whersoeuer thou become1 alwaies abiding with thee1 both in this world1 and in the world to come4 ,now ,hermes meant by the dog bitch1 such things as preserue bodies from the scorching heate of the fire4 ,and these things are waters of ,calces and ,salts1 the composition whereof1 is to be found in the ,philosophers books1 that haue written of this mastery1 among whome1 some haue named them ,sea-waters1 and ,birdes milke1 and such like4 ,,chap4 ,,ix4 ,of the ,separation of the ,elements of the ,stone4 ,thou must afterward bother1 take this precious ,stone1 which the ,philosophers haue named1 magnified1 hidd concealed1 put it in a ,cucurbit with his ,alembick1 diuide his natures3 that is1 the foure elemts1 the ,earth1 the ,water1 the ,aire1 and the ,fire4 ,these are the body and soule1 the spirit and tincture4 ,when thou hast diuided the water from the earth1 and the aire from the fire1 keepe both of them by themselues1 and take that which descendeth to the bottom of the glasse1 beeing the lees1 and wash it with a warme fire1 til his blacknesse be gone1 and his thicknesse departed3 then make him very white1 causing the superfluous moysture to flie away1 for then hee shall bee changed and become a white calx1 wherein there is no cloudie darkenesse1 nor vncleannesse1 and contrarietie4 ,afterward returne back to the first natures1 which ascended from it1 and purifie th likewise from vncleannes1 blacknesse1 and contrarietie3 and reiterate these works vpon th so often1 vntil they be subtiliate1 purified1 and made thin3 which when thou hast done1 thou shalt acknowledge that ,god hath bin gracious vnto thee4 ,know brother1 that this work is one stone1 into which ,gatib may not enter1 that is to say1 any strange thing4 ,the learned work with this1 and from hence proceedeth a medicine that giueth perfection4 ,there must nothing be mingled herewith1 either in part or whole4 ,this ,stone is to be found at all times1 in euerie place1 and about euery man1 the search whereof is not troublesome to him that seeketh it1 wheresoeuer he be4 ,this ,stone is vile1 blacke1 and stinking3 ,it costeth nothing3 it must bee taken alone3 it is somewhat heauie1 and it is called the ,originall of the world1 because it riseth vp like things that bud forth4 ,this is his reuelation and apparence to him that maketh inquirie after it4 ,,chap4 ,x4 ,of the nature of the ,stone1 and his birth4 ,take it therefore and worke it as the ,philosopher hath told you in his booke1 when he named it after this maner4 ,take the ,stone1 no ,stone1 or that is not a ,stone1 neither is of the nature of a ,stone4 ,it is a ,stone whose myne is in the top of the mountaines3 and here by mountaines1 the ,philosopher vnderstandeth liuing creatures1 wherupon he saide4 ,sonne1 go to the mountaines of ,india1 and to his caues1 pull out thence precious stones which will melt in the water when they are putte into it4 ,and this water is that which is taken from other mountaines and hollow places4 ,they are stones ,sonne1 and they are not stones1 but we call them so for a ,similitude which they haue to stones4 ,and thou must know1 that the rootes of their mynes are in the ayre1 and their tops in the earth1 and it wil easily be heard when they are pluckt out of their places1 for there will be a great noyse4 ,goe with them my sonne1 for they will quickly vanish away4 ,,chap4 ,,xi4 ,of the commistion of the ,elements that were seperated4 ,begin composition1 which is the circuite of the whole worke1 for there shall be no composition without marriage and putrefaction4 ,the ,marriage is to mingle the thinne with the thicke1 and ,putrefaction1 is to rost1 grinde1 and water1 so long till all be mingled together and become one1 so that there should bee no diuersitie in them1 nor separation from water mingled with water4 ,then shall the thicke labour to retaine the thinne3 then shall the soule striue with the fire1 and endeuour to beare it3 then shall the ,spirite labour to be drowned in the bodyes1 and poured foorth into them4 ,and this must needes bee1 because the bodye dissolued1 when it is commixt with the ,soule1 it is likewise commixt with euerie part therof3 other things enter into other things1 according to theyr similitude and likenesse1 and are changed into one and the same thing4 ,and for this cause the soule must partake with the commoditie1 durablenesse1 and permanencie1 which the body receiued in his commixtion4 ,the like also must befall the ,spirite in this state or permanencie of the soule and body3 for when the ,spirit shall bee commixt with the soule by laborious operation1 and all his partes with all the partes of the other two1 to wit1 the soule and bodie1 then shall the ,spirite and the other two1 bee conuerted into one indiuisible thing1 according to their entire substance1 whose natures haue beene preserued1 and their partes haue agreed and come together3 whereby it hath come to passe1 that when this compounde hath met with a body dissolued1 and that heate hath got hold of it1 and that the moysture which was in it appeareth1 and is molten in the dissolued body1 and hath passed into it1 and mixt it selfe with that which was of the nature of moysture1 it is inflamed1 and the fire defendeth it self with it4 ,then when the fire would be enflamed with it1 it will not suffer the fire to take holde of it1 that is to say3 to cleaue vnto it with the ,spirit mingled with his water4 ,the fire will not abide by it vntill it be pure4 ,and in like manner doth the water naturally flie from the fire1 wherof when the fire hath taken hold1 it doth forth with by little and little euaporate4 ,and thus hath the body beene the meanes to retaine the water1 and the water to retaine the oyle1 that it should not burne nor consume away1 and the oyle to retaine tincture1 and tincture the precise cause to make the colour appear and shew forth the tincture1 wherein there is neither light nor life4 ,this then is the true life and perfection of the worke and masterie which thou soughtest for4 ,be wise therefore and vnderstande1 and thou shalt find what thou lookest for1 if it please ,god4 ,,chap4 ,,xii4 ,of the solution of the ,stone compounded4 ,the ,philosophers moreouer haue taken great paines in dissoluing1 that the body and soule might the better be incorporate1 for all those things that are together in contrition1 assation1 and rigation1 haue a certaine affinitie and alliance betweene themselues1 so that the fire may spoyle the weaker of nature1 till it vtterly fade and vanish away1 as also it again returneth vpon the stronger parts1 vntil the bodie remaine without the ,soule4 ,but when they are thus dissolued and congealed1 they take the parts one with another1 as well great as small1 and incorporate them well together1 till they be conuerted and changed into one and the same thing4 ,and when this is done1 the fire taketh from the ,soule as much as from the body1 neither more nor lesse1 and this is the cause of perfection4 ,for this cause it is necessary 7teaching the composition of ,elixir7 to afford one chapter for expounding the solution of simple bodyes and soules1 because bodyes doo not enter into soules1 but do rather withhold and hinder them from sublimati1 fixation1 retention1 commistion1 and the like operations1 except mundification go before4 ,and thou shalt know1 that solution is after one of these two wayes3 for either it extracteth the inward parts of things vnto their ,superficies1 and this is solution 7an example whereof thou hast in ,siluer that seemeth cold and drie1 but being dissolued1 and that his inwards appeare1 it is found hot and moyst7 or else it is to purchase to a body an accidentall moysture1 which it had not before1 and to adde hereunto his owne humiditie1 whereby his parts may be dissolued1 and this likewise is called solution4 ,,chap4 ,,xiii4 ,of the coagulation of the ,stone dissolued4 ,some among the learned haue said1 ,congeale in a bath with a good congelation as ,i haue tolde thee1 and this is ,sulphur shining in darknesse1 a red ,hiasinth1 a firy deadly poyson1 the ,elixir that abideth vppon none1 a victorious ,lion1 a malefactor1 a sharpe sworde1 a precious ,triacle1 healing euery infirmitie4 ,and ,geber the sonne of ,hayen sayd1 that all the operations of this masterie are contained vnder sixe things3 to put to flight1 to melt1 to incerate1 to make as white as ,marble1 to dissolue and congeale4 ,that putting to flight1 is to driue away and remoue blacknesse1 from the spirit and soule3 the melting is the liquefaction of the body3 to incerate belongeth properly to the body1 and is the subtiliation thereof3 to whiten1 is properly to melt speedily3 to congeale1 is to congeale the body with the soule alreadie prepared4 ,againe1 flight appertaineth to the body and soule3 to melt1 whiten1 incerate1 and dissolue1 belong vnto the body1 and congelation to the soule4 ,bee wise and vnderstand4 ,,chap4 ,,xiiii4 ,that there is but one ,stone1 and of his nature4 ,bauzan a ,greeke ,philosopher1 when it was demaunded of him1 whether a stone may be made of a thing that buddeth1 made answere1 yea1 to wit1 the two first stones1 the stone ,alkali1 and our stone1 which is the life and workmanship of him that knoweth it3 but he that is ignorant of it1 and hath not made it1 and knoweth not how it is engendred1 supposing it to be no stone1 or that conceiueth not with himselfe whatsoeuer ,i haue spoken of it1 and yet will make a tryall of it1 prepareth himselfe for death1 and casteth away his money3 for if he cannot finde out this precious stone1 another shall not arise in his place1 neither shall natures triumph ouer him4 ,his nature is great heate with moderation4 ,he that now knoweth it1 hath profited by reading this booke1 but he that remaineth ignorant1 hath lost his labour4 ,it hath many properties and vertues1 for it cureth bodies of their accidentall diseases1 and preserueth sound substances1 in such sort1 that their appeareth in them no perturbations of contraries1 nor breach of their bond and vnion4 ,for this is the sope of bodies1 yea their spirit and soule1 which when it is incorporate with them1 dissolueth them without any losse4 ,this is the life of the dead1 and their resurrection1 a medicine preseruing bodies1 and purging superfluities4 ,he that vnderstandeth1 let him vnderstand1 and he that is ignorant1 let him bee ignorant stil3 for it is not to be bought with mony1 it is neither to be bought nor sold4 ,conceiue his vertue1 value1 and worth1 and then begin to worke3 wherof a learned man hath said3 ,god giueth thee not this masterie for thy sole audacity1 fortitude subtilitie1 without all labour1 but men labor1 and ,god giueth them good successe4 ,adore th ,god the creator1 that hath vouchsafed thee so great fauor in his blessed works4 ,,chap4 ,,xv4 ,the maner how to make the ,stone white4 ,nowe therefore when thou wilt enterprise this worthy worke1 thou shalt take the precious stone1 and put it in a ,cucurbite1 couering it with an ,alembicke1 being well closed with the lute of wisdome1 and set it in verie hote dung1 then shalt thou distill it1 putting a receiuer vnder it1 whereinto the water may distill1 and thus thou shalt leaue it1 till all the water be distilled1 and moysture dryed vp1 and that drynesse preuaile ouer it3 then shalt thou take it out drie1 reseruing the water that is distilled1 vntill thou hast neede of it3 thou shalt take 7,i say7 the drie bodie that remayned in the bottome of the ,cucurbite1 and grinde it1 and put it in a vessel1 in greatnesse answerable to the quantitie of the medicine1 and burie it in verie hote horse-dung as thou canst get1 the ,vessell beeing well shut with the lute of ,wisedome1 and so let it rest4 ,but when thou perceyuest the dung to waxe colde1 thou shalt get thee other that is fresh1 and very hot1 and therein put thy ,vessell4 ,thus shalt thou do by the space of fortie dayes1 renuing thy dung so often as occasion shall serue1 and the ,medicine shall dissolue of it selfe1 and become a thicke white water3 which when thou beholdest to be so1 thou shalt weigh it1 put thereto so much of the water which thou hast kept1 as will make the halfe of his weight1 closing thy ,vessell with the lute of ,wisedome1 and put it againe in hote horse-dung1 for that is hote and moyst1 and thou shalt not omit 7as ,i haue sayde7 to renue the dung1 when it beginneth to coole1 till the tearme of fortie dayes be expired3 for the ,medicine shall be congealed in the like number of dayes1 as before it was dissolued in4 ,again1 take it1 and note the iust weight of it1 and according to his quantitie1 take of the water which thou madest before1 grind the body1 and subtiliate it1 and poure the water vpon it1 and set it againe in hot hors-dung1 for a weeke and a halfe1 that is to say1 ten daies1 then take it out1 and thou shalt see that the bodie hath already drunk vp the water4 ,afterward grinde it againe1 and put thereto the like quantitie of that water1 as thou didst before3 bury it in dung1 and leaue it there for ten dayes more3 take it out againe1 and thou shalt find that the body hath already drunke vp the water4 ,then 7as before7 grinde it1 putting thereto of the foresayd water1 the foresayd quantitie1 and bury it in the foresayd dung1 and let it rest there ten dayes longer1 and afterward draw it out1 so shalt thou do the fourth time also3 which being done1 thou shalt drawe it forth1 and grinde it1 and burie it in dung till it bee dissolued4 ,afterward1 take it out1 and reiterate it yet once more1 for then the birth is perfect1 and his worke ended4 ,now when this is done1 and that thou hast brought this thing to this honourable estate1 thou shalt take two hundred and fiftie drams of ,lead1 or ,steele1 and melt it3 which beeing molten1 thou shalt cast thereon one dramme of ,cinnabarus3 that is1 of this ,medicine1 which thou hast brought to this honourable estate1 and high degree1 and it shall retaine the ,steele or ,leade1 that it fly not from the fire3 it shall make it white1 and purge it from his drosse and blacknesse1 and conuert it into a tincture perpetually abiding4 ,then take a dramme of these two hundred and fiftie1 and proiect it vpon two hundred and fiftie drammes of ,steele or ,copper1 and it shall conuert it into ,siluer1 better then that of the ,myne4 ,this is the greatest and last worke that it can effect1 if ,god will4 ,,chap4 ,,xvi4 ,the conuersion of the foresaid stone into red4 ,and if thou desirest to conuert this masterie into ,golde1 take of this medicine 7which as ,i saide1 thou hast brought to this honourable estate and excellencie7 the waight of one dramme 7and this after the manner of thy former example7 and put it in a vessell1 and bury it in hors-dung for fortie dayes1 and it shall be dissolued3 then thou shalt giue it water of the dissolued body to drink1 first as much as amounteth to halfe his waight1 afterward vntill it bee congealed1 thou shalt bury it in moyst hot dung1 as is aboue sayd4 ,then thou shalt orderly proceed in this ,chapter of ,gold1 as thou hast done in the former ,chapter of ,siluer3 and it shall be ,golde1 and make ,golde ,god willing4 ,my ,sonne keepe this most secret ,booke1 and commit it not vnto the handes of ignorant men1 being a secret of the secretes of ,god3 ,for by this meanes thou shalt attaine thy desire4 ,amen4 ,here endeth the secrets ,alchimy1 written in ,hebrew by ,calid1 the sonne of ,iarich4 ,an excellent discourse of the admirable force and efficacie of ,art and ,nature1 written by the famous ,frier ,roger ,bacon1 ,sometime fellow of ,merton ,colledge1 and afterward of ,brasen-nose in ,oxford4 ,some there are that aske whether of these twaine bee of greatest force1 and efficacie1 ,nature1 or ,art1 whereto ,i make aunswere1 and say1 that although ,nature be mightie and maruailous1 yet ,art vsing ,nature for an instrument1 is more powerfull then naturall vertue1 as it is to bee seene in many thinges4 ,but whatsoeuer is done without the operation of ,nature or ,art1 is either no humane worke1 or if it bee1 it is fraudulently and colourablie performed3 for there are some1 that by a nimble motion and shewe of members1 or through the diuersitie of voyces1 and subtillitie of instruments1 or in the darke1 and by consent doo propose vnto men diuerse things1 to bee wondred at1 that haue indeede no truth at all4 ,the worlde is euerie where full of such fellowes4 ,for ,iuglers cogge many things through the swiftnesse of their hands3 and others with varietie of voyces1 by certaine deuices that they haue in their bellies1 throats or mouthes1 will frame mens voyces1 farre of1 or neare1 as it pleaseth th1 as if a man spake at the same instant3 yea they will counterfeite the soundes of bruit beasts4 ,but the causes hidden in the grasse1 or buried in the sides of the earth1 proue it to bee done by a humane force1 and not by a spirit1 as they would make men beleeue4 ,in like maner1 wheras they affirm things without life to moue verie swiftly in the twilight of the euening or morning1 it is altogither false1 and vntrue4 ,as for concent1 it can faigne any thing that men desire1 according as they are disposed togither4 ,in all these neither ,physicall reason1 nor ,art1 nor naturall power hath anye place3 and for this cause it is more abhominable1 sith it contemneth the lawes of ,phylosophie1 and contrarie to all reason1 inuocateth wicked ,spirites1 that by theyr helpe they may haue their desire4 ,and herein are they deceyued1 that they thinke the ,spirits to bee subiect vnto them1 and that they are compelled at mens pleasures1 which is impossible3 for humane force is farre inferiour to that of the ,spirites4 ,and againe1 they fowly erre1 to dreame that the cursed spirits are called vppe1 and figured1 by vertue of those naturall meanes which they vse4 ,moreouer1 they notoriously offende when they goe about by inuocations1 deprecations1 and sacrifices to appease them1 and vse them for the benefite and commoditie of man4 ,for this were without all comparison more easie to bee attayned at the handes of ,god1 or of good spirites4 ,but yet the malignaunt spirits will not yeeld vnto vs in those things which are very hurtfull and daungerous1 saue so farre forth as it pleaseth ,god 7who ruleth and gouerneth mankinde71 for the sinnes of men to permit and suffer them4 ,these wayes and meanes therefore are besides the rules and precepts of ,wisedome 7nay rather they are contrarie vnto them7 and the ,phylosophers did neuer make account of them4 ,now concerning ,charmes1 ,characters1 and such like trumperies that are vsed in these dayes1 ,i adiudge them to bee all false and doubtfull4 ,for some are without all shewe of reason1 whereof the ,philosophers haue made mention in the woorkes of ,nature and ,art1 to the ende they might conceale secrets from the vnworthie1 as if it were altogither vnknowne1 that the ,load-stone could attract ,iron3 and one desirous to woorke this feate before the people1 shoulde make ,characters1 and pronounce ,charmes1 that by this meanes he might bring it to passe1 this worke of his should be erroneous and deceitfull4 ,after this maner there are many thinges hidden in the ,philosophers bookes1 wherein a wise man must beware1 that neglecting the ,charmes and ,characters1 he onely attend and make tryall of the worke of ,nature and ,art4 ,and then he shall perceyue things liuing1 and without life1 to concurre and agree in ,nature1 for the conformitie and likenesse of their ,natures1 and not by vertue of the ,charme or ,character3 whereas the simple people suppose manie things to bee wrought by ,magicke1 which are nothing else but the secretes of ,art and ,nature4 ,yea1 the ,magitians themselues doo vainelie repose such confidence1 in theyr ,charmes and ,characters1 as though they should receyue power from them1 that in the meane time they forsake the woorke of ,arte and ,nature4 ,and by this meanes both these kinde of men are depryued of the benefite of ,wisedome1 theyr owne follye so constrayning4 ,neuerthelesse1 there are certaine deprecations long since1 framed and instituted by faithfull men1 or rather ordained by ,god himselfe1 and his ,angels1 that may retaine their pristine and ancient vertue1 as it is yet to bee seene in many ,countreyes1 where they make certain prayers ouer ,iron red hot1 ouer the water of ye riuer1 suchlike1 thereby to approue the innocent1 and cdemne the guilty3 and these things are thought to be brought to passe by the authority of the prelates4 ,for eu the priests themselues do vse ,exorcismes1 as we may reade in the consecration of blessed water1 and the old law of the water of purification1 wherby adultery breach of wedlock was sifted out4 ,and ther are many other such like things4 ,but as for those things that are contained in the ,magicians books1 we must vtterly reiect them1 though they bee not altogether deuoyde of truth1 because they be so stuffed with fables1 that the truth cannot be discerned from falshoold4 ,so that we must giue no credit to such as say1 that ,solomon and other learned men made them3 for these bookes are not receiued by the authoritie of the ,church nor of wise men1 but by ,seducers1 that take the bare letter and make newe books themselues1 and fill the world with their new inuentions1 as daily experience teacheth vs4 ,and to the ende men might be the more throughly allured1 they giue glorious titles to their workes1 and foolishly ascribe them to such and such ,authors1 as though they spake nothing of themselues3 and write base matters in a loftie stile1 and with ye cloke of a text do hide their own forgeries4 ,but as for ,characters1 they are either words vnder the forme of some letters1 containing in them the matter of a prayer1 or else they are made for the seruice and worship of certaine ,stars at speciall times4 ,of ,characters1 in the first sence1 we are to iudge in the same sort1 as we did of prayers3 but as for these latter figures and ,characters1 it is well knowne that they haue no vertue nor efficacie at all1 vnlesse they be framed in their proper seass4 ,for which cause he that maketh them as he findeth them1 in the books1 obseruing only the figure wherein he followeth his sampler1 is judged by al wise men to do iust nothing4 ,but contrariwise1 he that worketh according to the aspect of the heauens1 in due constellations is able not onely to dispose of his ,characters1 but euen of all his works1 as well artificiall as natural1 agreeable to the influence of the heauen4 ,neuerthelesse1 for so much as it is very difficult to perceiue the certainty of heauenly bodies1 many are ouertaken with grosse errors1 few there are that can truly profitably order any thing4 ,and hence it is that the common ,mathematicians iudging and working by ,magick ,starres1 and by workes1 as it were iudgements at choyse times1 become nothing famous1 although they bee right cunning1 and throughly acquainted with the ,arte1 and are able to bring many things to passe4 ,but it must not bee forgotten that the skilfull ,phisition and any other1 of what profession soeuer may to good purpose vse ,charmes and ,characters1 though they bee fained after the opinion of ,constantinus the ,phisition3 not as though ,charmes and ,characters coulde worke any thing1 but that the ,medicine might bee the more willingly and readily receyued1 and that the minde of the patient might bee excited to become more confident1 and bee filled with ioye3 for the ,soule thus affected1 is able to renue many things in his owne bodie1 insomuch that it may recouer his former health1 through the ioy and hope it hath conceiued4 ,if therefore the ,physition for the magnifying of his worke1 doo administer any such thing1 that his patient may not dispayre of his health1 it is not to bee abhorred if wee will credite the sayde ,constantinus4 ,for hee in his ,epistle of those things which may be hanged about the necke1 graunteth that ,charmes and ,characters may thus bee vsed1 and in this cause defendeth them3 for the soule hath great power ouer the body through his strong and forcible operations1 as ,auicenna sayth in his ,bookes of the ,soule1 and in his eight booke of liuing ,creatures1 and in this poynt all wise men agree3 and for this cause sicke folkes are suffered to see playes1 and pleasaunt thinges are brought vnto them3 yea1 oftentimes following theyr humour1 wee giue them many contrary thinges1 because the affection and appetite of the soule ouercommeth sicknesse4 ,sidenote3 ,the quantitie is called by the ,logitians ,passion1 or passible qualitie1 ,an example of a passible qualitie1 is sweetnesse in hony1 or coldnesse in yce3 of passion when we blush for shame1 and waxe pale through feare4 ,nowe forsomuch as the truth must in no wise bee empayred1 wee are diligently to consider that euery ,agent 7not onely substances1 but likewise ,accidens of the third kinde of ,qualities7 worketh a vertue1 and maketh an apparance in the outward nature1 and that there are certain sensible vertues in things4 ,this therefore may worke a vertue and kinde out of it selfe1 and the rather because it is more excellent then other corporall things1 but cheefely for the worthinesse of the soule4 ,and men do not exercise only through heat1 but their spirits are stirred vppe within them1 as they likewise are in other liuing creatures4 ,and we see that some creatures are changed1 and do change such things as are obedient vnto them3 as for example3 ,the ,basiliske slaieth a man if it doo but beholde him1 the wolfe maketh a man hoarse1 if it spie him first3 and the ,hyena 7as ,solinus reporteth in his wonders of the worlde and other ,authors7 will not suffer a dog to barke within his shadow4 ,yea1 ,aristotle sayth in his booke of ,vegetables1 that the frutes of the female ,palme trees wax ripe by the smell of the male ,palmes3 and in some regions1 ,mares conceiue with yong through the very sent of the horses1 as ,solinus recordeth3 and many such things happen through the kinds and vertues of creatures and plants1 euen many strange wonderfull things1 as ,aristotle affirmeth in his booke of ,secrets4 ,now if plants and liuing creatures cannot attaine vnto the excellencie of mans nature1 they shall much lesse be able to worke vertues kinds1 and sende foorth colours for the alterations of bodies without them3 whereupon ,aristotle saith in his booke of ,sleep ,watching1 that if a menstrous ,woman beholde her selfe in a looking glasse1 shee will infect it1 so that there will appeare a cloude of bloud4 ,and ,solinus reporteth1 that in ,sythia there are women which haue a double ,ball or ,apple in one eye 7which caused ,ouid to say1 ,nos quoque pupilla duplex7 who when they are angry1 slay men with the very looking on them4 ,and we know that a man of an ill complexion1 hauing some contagious disease1 as the leprosie or falling-sicknesse1 or a sharpe ague1 or very bad eyes1 and the like1 poysoneth and infecteth others that are in his company3 but contrariwise1 men of a good and healthie complexion1 especially yong men1 do comfort others1 and make men ioyfull with their presence1 which commeth to passe by reason of their delicate ,spirits3 theyr holsom and pleasant vapours3 their kindly natural heate3 ,i say it is by meanes of the spirits and vertues which proceede from them1 as ,galen teacheth vs in ,techin4 ,and these things become hurtful1 if the soule be corrupted with many grosse sins1 beeing coupled with a diseased body of an euill complexion3 and in like case is it1 if there be a feruent appetite1 and vehement desire to hurt and mischiefe4 ,for then the nature of the complexion and soundnesse woorketh more forcibly by the cogitations of the soule1 and longing desires that it hath4 ,for which cause the ,leper that earnestly wisheth1 and with exceeding carefulnesse intendeth to infect some body that standeth before him1 doth both more speedily and dangerously infect him1 then he could haue done if he had not before hand thought hereof1 desired and purposed in4 ,for ,nature 7as ,auicen teacheth1 in the foresayde places7 obeyeth the thoughts1 and vehement desires of the ,soule3 yea1 there should bee no operation at all in men1 if the natural vertue in the members did not subiect it selfe to the thoughts and desires of the soule4 ,for 7as ,auicen teacheth in the thirde of the ,metaphysickes7 the first moouer is a thought1 and the next a desire conformable to the thought3 ,and last of all1 the vertue of the ,soule in the members1 which yeeldeth obedience to the desire and thought1 and that both in euill and good4 ,whereupon when these thinges are to bee seene in a man1 a good complexion1 health of bodie1 youth1 beautie1 comly proportion of the members1 and a ,soule free from sinne1 an earnest thought and vehement desire to some worke1 then whatsoeuer may be effected by the kinde and vertue of man1 by the spirits and naturall heate1 it must of necessitie be more forcibly and throughly wrought by these such like ,spirites1 ,vapours1 and influences1 then if anie of these were wanting1 especially if there bee an earnest desire and forcible intention4 ,so then many straunge matters may bee brought to passe by the woordes and workes of man1 when all the fore-named causes doo concurre and meete together3 for wordes proceede from within by the thoughts of the ,soule1 and desire1 commeth by the motion of the ,spirites1 heate and vocall arterie-,and the generation of these thinges hath open wayes1 through which is a great passage of ,spirits1 heate1 euaporation1 vertue and kindes1 which may bee made by the ,soule and heart4 ,by reason whereof1 there are alterations and chaunges made in thinges spirituall 7other things being answerable7 by words according to that naturall power which is due vnto them4 ,for wee see that by reason of these and such like arteries1 gaspings and yawnings1 and many resolutions of the ,spirites1 and of heate arise from the heart in the inwarde partes3 which sometimes hurt vs1 when they proceede from a crazie body3 that is1 of an euill complexion3 and againe they greatly profite and comfort vs1 when they come from a pure and sound bodie of a good complexion4 ,in like sort therefore1 there may be some naturall operations in the generation and pronunciation of woordes1 with an intent and desire of working3 so that not without good cause we vse to say1 that a liuely voice is of great efficacie1 not because it hath that vertue1 which the ,magitians dreame of3 or that it is able to make and alter as others thinke1 but because it is as nature hath ordained4 ,we must therefore be verie circumspect in these things3 for a man may easily tread awry1 and many erre in both partes4 ,some denie that there is any operation3 but others exceede and flie vnto ,magicke4 ,and hence it is1 that there are so many bookes in the worlde of charmes1 and characters1 praiers1 coniurations1 sacrifices1 and such like1 that are meere ,magicke3 as the booke of the offices of ,spirits1 the book of the death of the ,soule1 the booke of ,art notorie1 and infinite more of the same kinde1 that containe not in them the power of ,art or ,nature1 but are wholy stuffed with the idle deuises of vaine magitians4 ,yet it must be remembred1 that many bookes are ascribed to ,magitians1 which in truth are not such1 but containe in them the excellencie of wisdome4 ,now amongst these1 which are suspected1 and which not1 euerye mans particular experience shall instruct him4 ,for if in any of them wee can meete with a worke of ,nature or ,art1 let vs make choyse of that3 if not1 let vs leaue it as suspicious1 and ill beseeming a wise man4 ,it is the part of a ,magitian so to handle thinges needlesse and superfluous3 for 7as ,isaak iudgeth in his booke of ,feuers7 the reasonable ,soule is not hindered in her operations1 vnlesse it be detayned by ignoraunce4 ,and ,aristotle sayeth in his booke of ,secretes1 that in such matter a sounde and healthy person may doo any thing that is expedient for men1 though not without the influence of diuine vertue3 in the third of the ,meteors1 he saith1 that there is no vertue1 but it cmeth from ,god3 and about the latter end of his ,ethicks1 he affirmeth1 that there is no vertue1 neither ,moral1 nor ,naturall1 endued with a celestiall vertue1 without a diuine and celestiall influence4 ,so that when we speake of the power of particular agents1 we do not exclude the regiment of the vniuersal agent1 and first cause4 ,for euery first cause hath a greater influence in the thing caused1 then the second cause1 as it appeareth by the first proposition of causes4 ,now will ,i begin to recount vnto you strange things1 performed by ,arte and ,nature1 and afterwards ,i will shew you the causes and manners of things1 wherein shall bee nothing ,magicall1 so that you shall confesse all ,magicke power to be inferior to these1 and vnworthie to be compared with them4 ,and first of all by the figuration of ,art it selfe3 ,there may bee made instruments of ,nauigation without men to rowe in them3 as huge ,shippes to brooke the ,sea1 onely with one man to steere them1 which shal saile farre more swiftly then if they were full of men4 ,and ,chariots that shall mooue with an vnspeakeable force1 without any liuing creature to stirre them3 such as the crooked ,chariots are supposed to haue beene1 wherein in olde time they vsed to fight1 yea instruments to flie withall1 so that one sitting in the middle of the ,instrument1 and turning about an ,engine1 by which the winges being artificially composed may beate the ayre after the maner of a flying bird4 ,besides1 there may bee made a small ,instrument in quantitie1 to lift vppe1 and let downe things of great waight1 then which there is nothing more commodious to weigh with4 ,for by an ,instrument of three fingers high1 and three fingers broad and lesse quantitie1 may a man ridde himselfe1 and his companions from all daunger of imprisonment1 and lift them vp1 and let them downe4 ,yea such an ,instrument may easily be made1 whereby a man may violently draw vnto him a thousand men1 will they1 nill they1 and any other thing4 ,moreouer instruments may be made wherewith men may walke in the bottome of the ,sea or ,riuers without bodily danger1 which ,alexander the great vsed1 to the ende he might beholde the secrets of the seas1 as the ,ethick ,philosopher reporteth3 and these haue bin made not onely in times past1 but euen in our dayes4 ,and it is certaine that there is an instrument to flie with1 which ,i neuer sawe1 nor know any m that hath seene it1 but ,i full wel know by name the learned man that inuented the same4 ,in a worde1 a man may make an infinite sort of such things3 as bridges ouer ,riuers without postes or pillers1 and instruments and engins neuer heard of before4 ,but physicall figurations are far more strange3 for in such maner may we frame perspects and looking-glasses1 yt one thing shall appeare to be many1 as one man shall seeme a whole armie1 and diuers ,sunnes and ,moones1 yea1 as many as wee please1 shall appeare at one time3 for in such wise sometimes are the vapours figured1 that two or three ,sunnes1 and two ,moones appeare together in the ayre1 as ,plynie witnesseth in the second booke of his naturall ,history4 ,for by the same reason that one thing may seeme to be many things1 it may likewise seeme to be infinite things because that when once it hath exceeded his vertue1 there is no sette number to be assigned3 for thus ,aristotle reasoneth in the ,chapter ,de vacuo4 ,so that by this meanes a man may strike infinite terrors into any citie or army1 insomuch that either through the manifolde apparitions of stars1 or of men gathered together against them1 they should vtterly perish1 but in especiall1 if there follow such an instrument wherwith at the first they may be had4 ,for so may the perspects be framed1 that things most farre off may seeme most nigh vnto vs1 and cleane contrarie4 ,so that we may reade verie small letters1 an incredible distance from vs1 and beholde things how little soeuer they bee1 and make starres to appeare wheresoeuer wee will4 ,and it is thought that ,iulius ,csar did from the ,sea coastes in ,fraunce marke and obserue the disposition and situation of the ,castles and ,citties of the lesser ,brytannie by the helpe of great glasses4 ,bodyes also may so bee framed1 that the greatest things shall appeare to be the least1 the highest to bee the lowest1 the most secret to bee the most manifest1 and in like sort the contrarie4 ,thus did ,socrates perceiue that the ,dragon 7which destroied the ,citie and countrey adioyning with his noysome breath1 and contagious influence7 did lurke in the dens betweene the mountains4 ,and thus may all things that are done in cities or armies be discouered by ye enemies4 ,again1 in such wise may bodies be framed1 that venimous and infectious influences may be brought whither a man will4 ,and thus it is reported1 that ,aristotle instructed ,alexander3 through which instruction1 the poyson of a ,basiliske beeing lift vp vpon the wall of a citie against an armie1 brought it into the ,citie4 ,and besides all these1 we may so frame perspects1 that any man entring into a house1 hee shoulde indeede see golde1 and siluer1 and precious stones1 and what else he will1 but when he maketh haste to the place1 hee shall finde iust nothing4 ,but it appertaineth to higher powers of figurations1 that beames should bee brought and assembled by diuers flexions and reflexions in any distance that wee will1 to burne whatsoeuer is opposite vnto it1 as it is witnessed by those perspects that burne before and behinde1 according as certaine authours teach in their bookes treating of these matters4 ,but the greatest and cheefest of all figurations and things figured1 is to describe the heauenly bodies according to their length and breadth in a corporall figure1 wherin they may corporally moue with a daily motion4 ,these things are worth a kingdome to a wise and discreet man4 ,let these things suffice for examples of figurations1 though many other wonderfull things might be produced4 ,now hereunto there are certaine other1 to be annexed without figurations4 ,in any distance that wee will1 wee may artificially make a burning fire of ,salt ,peeter and other things1 as also of oyle1 red ,petrolium1 and such like3 and moreouer of ,amber1 of ,naptha1 white ,petrolium1 and the like3 according to that which ,pliny reporteth in his second booke1 namely that in a certaine ,citie hee defended himselfe against the ,romane armie3 for hee burnt an armed souldior with diuers things which he cast at him4 ,the ,greeke fire is not much vnlike these1 and many other burning things4 ,besides1 there may be made perpetuall lights1 and bathes burning without end1 for we haue knowne many that are not burned1 but purified4 ,but ouer and besides these1 there are other things of ,nature that will amaze and astonish vs to heare of them3 for noyses may bee made in the aire like thunders1 yea with greater horror then those that come by ,nature3 for a little matter fitted to the quantitie of a thumbe1 maketh a horrible noyse1 and wonderfull lightning4 ,and this is done after sundry fashions1 whereby any citie and armie may be destroyed1 after the manner of skilfull ,gedeon1 who hauing onely three hundredth men1 discomfited the hosts of the ,madianites1 with broken pitchers1 and lamps1 fire issuing out with an vnspeakeable noyse4 ,these are maruailous things1 if men knewe how to vse them effctually in a due quantitie and matter4 ,but nowe ,i will propose many strange things of another kind1 which although they haue no great profite1 yet are they a most apparent demonstration of wisedome1 and may be vsed for the prouing of any secret things1 which the rude multitude gainsay1 being like to the attraction of ,iron by the ,adamant4 ,for who would beleeue such an attraction1 vnlesse he behelde it8 and there be many wonders of nature in this drawing of the ,iron1 that are vnknowne to the common people1 as experience teacheth the studious4 ,but these things are greater and more in number3 for there is the like attraction of all mettals by the ,stone of golde and siluer3 and the ,stone runneth to ,vineger4 ,yea plants1 and the parts of liuing creaturs beeing locally diuided the one from the other1 will notwithstanding by a naturall motion concurre and come together again4 ,now when ,i had beheld these and such like things1 and considered them well1 ,i thought nothing incredible1 neyther in diuine nor humane things4 ,yet there are greater behinde then these4 ,for the whole power of the ,mathematickes 7according to the practise of ,ptolemy1 in the 4#h4 de ,almagesto7 setteth but an instrument vppon the superficies1 wherein all things that are in the heauen shall be truely described with theyr lengths and breadths3 but that they should naturally mooue with a daily motion1 is not in the ,mathematicians power4 ,yet doth the faithfull and industrious practisioner1 earnestly desire to make it of such a matter and after such a manner4 ,that the heauens should be naturally moued with a daily motion1 seemeth impossible vnto him1 because many things are carryed with the motion of the heauenly bodyes1 as ,comets1 and the sea when it floweth1 and other things3 eyther wholy or in parte3 for then should all instruments of ,astrology be in vaine1 as well those which haue beene inuented by the learned1 as those that haue beene deuised by the common sort1 neyther shoulde a ,kings treasure bee skant comparable4 ,moreouer1 there may yet greater things bee performed1 though not in respect of their straungenesse1 yet if wee regarde a publike or priuate commoditie1 namely1 to gette as great plenty of golde and siluer as we list1 not by a possibilitie of ,nature1 but by the perfection of ,art1 forasmuch as there are seuenteene manners of golde1 whereof eight in number haue a commixtion of ,argent-uiue with gold4 ,now the first kinde of golde is made of certaine parts of golde1 and some partes of siluer1 vntill wee reach vnto the two and twentieth degree of ,gold1 alwayes augmenting one degree of gold with one of siluer3 and there are as many more of the admixtion of ,brasse with ,golde4 ,so that the last manner consisteth of foure and twentie degrees of pure golde1 without the admixtion of any other mettall3 and nature cannot proceede any further1 as experience teacheth4 ,but ,art may augment gold very much in the parts of purity1 and likewise accomplish it without fraude or couine4 ,but this is a greater matter then the former1 that although the reasonable soule cannot bee constrained1 yet may she be effectually disposed1 indued1 and prouoked1 freely to change her maners1 affections and desires1 according to another mans pleasures3 and this may be effected1 not in one particular person alone1 but in the whole body of a ,citie1 or people of a ,kingdome4 ,and such a matter ,aristotle teacheth in his booke of ,secrets1 as well of a nation1 as of an army or priuate person4 ,these things are almost as much as nature or ,art are able to performe4 ,but yet the last decree1 wherein the perfection of ,art can doo oughts with all the power of nature1 is the prolonging of life for a great space1 and the possibilitie hereof is approued by many experimts4 ,for ,plynie reporteth1 that there was a ,souldiour lustie and strong both in body mind1 that continued healthy beyond the accustomed age of man1 who when ,octauianus ,augustus asked him what he did that made him liue so long1 made aunswere in a riddle1 that he vsed oyle outwardly1 and sweet wine inwardly4 ,but afterwards there fell out many such things3 for on a time1 as a husband man was plowing1 he chanced to finde a golden vessell with a precious licour1 which he surmising to be the dew of heauen1 washt his face with it1 and dranke thereof1 and was incontinently renewed in ,spirite1 in body1 and in quicknesse of witte3 for which cause1 of a plow-man hee was made porter to the ,king of ,sicily3 this hapned in the time of king ,ostus4 ,besides1 it is confirmed by the testimony of the ,popes letters1 that ,almanichus beeing ,captaine among the ,saracens took a medicine1 by the benifit wherof1 he prolonged his life fiue hundred yeares4 ,for the king to whom hee was prisoner1 receiued ,ambassadors from king ,magus with this medicine1 but forasmuch as he suspected it to be poyson1 he would needes make a tryall of it in this ,captiue4 ,in like manner1 the ,queene of ,tormery in great ,britany1 seeking after a white ,hart1 lighted vppon an ,oyntment1 wherewith the ,keeper of the forrest had noynted his whole bodie1 the soles of his feete onely excepted3 he liued three hundreth yeares without corruption1 saue that hee was troubled with the goute in his feete4 ,and wee haue obserued many ,countrey-men in our dayes1 who1 without the counsell and aduise of ,phisitions1 haue liued a hundred and threescore yeares1 or there abouts4 ,and these things are approoued by the works of bruit beasts1 as namely in the ,hart1 the ,egle1 the ,serpent1 and many other1 that by the vertue of hearbes and stones renewe theyr youth4 ,for which cause wise men haue addiected themselues to search out such a secret1 prouoked thereunto by the example of brute ,beastes1 deeming it to bee possible for man to obtaine that which is not denied to vnreasonable creatures4 ,and hence is it1 that ,artephius in his ,booke1 intituled the ,wisedome of ,secretes1 diligently obseruing the force and power of liuing creatures and stones1 and such like things1 to the end that he might be acquainted with ,natures ,secrets1 but especially to attaine the knowledge howe to lengthen the life1 boasteth of himselfe that he liued a thousande and fiue and twentie yeares4 ,and the possibilitie of the prolongation of life1 is hereby confirmed1 because the soule is naturally immortall1 and able not to die3 for euen after it had bin polluted with sinne1 it was able to liue about a thousande yeares1 and afterwardes by little and little the length of life was abbreuiated and waxed shorter4 ,now this abbreueation must needes bee accidentall1 therefore it may either in the whole or in parte bee prolonged4 ,and if we will seeke out the accidentall cause of this corruption1 we shall finde that it proceedeth not from the heauen1 nor anie thing else1 but for lacke of a due regiment of health4 ,for in this age of ours1 the fathers are corrupted1 and therefore begette ,sonnes of a corrupt complexion and composition1 and theyr ,sonnes for the same cause doo corrupt themselues1 and this corruption descendeth from the fathers into the ,sons1 so long1 till at the last1 the shortnes of life doth continually preuaile1 as it appeareth this day4 ,neuerthelesse1 it cannot hence be necessarily inferred1 that life shall alwayes bee shortned1 because there is a time appoynted for humane things1 and for the most1 what men liue seuentie yeares1 and the rest of theyr dayes are altogether labour and sorrow4 ,but there may a remedie bee founde out for the particular corruption of euery man1 that is to say1 if euerie one for his parte from his youth vpwarde1 will exercise a perfect gouernment of health1 which consisteth in meate and drinke1 in sleepe and watchfulnesse1 in motion and rest1 in euacuation and constriction1 in the ayre and in the disposition of the minde3 for if anie man would obserue this manner of gouernment from his natiuitie1 he should liue as long as his nature 7which he receiued of his parents7 would permit him1 and be brought to the farthest end of that nature falne from originall iustice3 but this he can no way passe3 for this regiment affoordeth no remedie against the auncient corruption of parents4 ,yet it is impossible that a man should with such moderation carrie himselfe in all these thinges1 as the rule of health requireth3 and therefore it is of necessitie that the abbreuiation and shortning of our dayes should spring from this head also1 and not onely from the corruption of our parents4 ,but the science of ,physicke doth sufficiently prescribe and determine this maner of regiment3 though neither rich nor poore1 learned nor vnlearned1 no not euen the ,physitions themselues 7howe absolute so euer they bee7 are able indifferently to obserue these things in themselues1 nor in other men4 ,notwithstanding1 ,nature fayleth not in things necessarie1 nor ,art beeing perfect and compact1 yea rather it is able to breake out against accidentall passions1 and either wholy or in part to abolish them4 ,and in the beginning when the age of men first began to decline1 a remedie might easily haue beene found out3 but after sixe thousand yeeres and more1 it is a difficult matter to prescribe a remedie4 ,neuerthelesse1 wise men mooued with the foresaid considerations1 haue endeuoured to finde out wayes1 not onelye agaynst the defect of euery particular mans regiment1 but also agaynst the corruption of ,parents3 not that men should be able to reach vnto the life of ,adam1 or ,artephius1 by reason of the corruption which daily encreaseth1 but that they might prolong their liues for a hundred yeares or somewhat more1 beyonde the common age of men now liuing1 so that the diseases vsually accompanying olde age1 might bee kept backe for a time1 and though not vtterly prohibited and taken quite away1 yet they might be mittigated and diminished1 that the life might be profitably prolonged beyonde the expectation of men1 but alwayes within the vtmost bounds and limits4 ,for there is one tearme of ,nature appoynted to the first men after sinne entered into the worlde1 and another alotted to euerye man by the proper corruption of his parents4 ,these two wee cannot passe3 for though wee may passe the latter1 yet are wee not able to arriue vnto the former3 ,i am of opinion that a wise man may in this age attaine thereto1 the possibilitie and aptnesse of humane nature1 beeing the same nowe that it was in the first men3 and no maruaile1 seeing that this aptnesse extendeth it selfe to immortalitie1 as it was before sinne1 and shall bee after the resurrection4 ,but if you say1 that neither ,aristotle1 ,plato1 ,hippocrates1 nor ,galen1 attained hereto4 ,i aunswere1 that they were ignoraunt euen of manye meane vertues1 which afterwarde were familiar to those that were studious4 ,these therefore might easily bee hidden from them1 though they laboured to finde them out3 but they busied themselues too much in other matters1 and waxed olde in a trice1 spending their life in base and vulgar things1 and yet they were acquainted with many secrets4 ,for we knowe that ,aristotle sayth in the ,predicaments1 that the quadrature of a ,circle may bee knowne1 although it bee not yet knowne4 ,whereby hee confesseth1 that both himselfe1 and all men till his time were ignorant of it4 ,but now a dayes wee see that the truth is knowne1 so that ,aristotle might well be ignoraunt of the greatest of ,natures ,secrets4 ,and againe1 wise men are at this present ignorant of many things1 which the common sort of ,students shall knowe hereafter4 ,so then this obiection is altogether vaine and foolish4 ,thus hauing produced certaine examples declaring the power of ,art and ,nature1 to the end that out of those few we might collect many1 out of the parts gather the whole1 out of particulars1 inferre vniuersals1 wee see howe farre forth it is altogether needlesse for vs to gape after ,magicke1 when as ,nature and ,art are sufficient4 ,nowe ,i minde to prosecute euery one of the foresayd things in order1 and deliuer their causes1 and the wayes howe to worke them particularly4 ,and first of all1 ,i consider that the secrets of ,nature contayned in the skins of ,goates and sheep1 are not spoken of1 least euery man should vnderstand them4 ,as ,socrates and ,aristotle willeth3 for he affirmeth in his booke of ,secrets1 that he is a breaker of the celestiall seale that maketh the secrets of ,art and ,nature common3 adding moreouer that many euils betide him that reuealeth secretes4 ,and in the booke intituled ,noctes ,attic1 in the comparing of wise men togither1 it is reputed a great folly to giue an ,asse ,lettice1 when ,thistles will serue his turne3 and it is written in the booke of ,stones1 that hee impayreth the ,maiestie of things1 that diuulgeth mysteries4 ,and they are no longer to bee tearmed ,secrets1 when the whole multitude is acquainted with them1 if wee regard the probable diuision of multitude1 which euermore gainsay the learned4 ,for that which seemeth vnto all1 is true1 as also that which is so iudged of by the wise1 and men of best account4 ,wherefore that which seemeth to many1 that is to the common people1 so farre forth as it seemeth such1 must of necessitie bee false4 ,i speake of the ,common sort1 in that ,sence1 as it is heere distinguished agaynst the learned4 ,for in the common conceytes of the minde1 they agree with the learned1 but in the proper principles and conditions of ,arts and ,sciences they disagree1 toyling themselues about meere appearances1 and sophistications1 and quirks1 and quiddities1 and such like trash1 whereof wise men make no account4 ,in things proper therefore1 and in secretes1 the common people do erre1 and in this respect they are opposite to the learned1 but in common matters they are comprehended vnder the lawe of all1 and therein consent with the learned4 ,and as for these commyn things1 they are of small value1 not worthy to bee sought after for themselues1 but in regarde of things particular and proper4 ,now the cause of this concealement among all wise men1 is1 the contempt and neglect of the secretes of wisedome by the vulgar sort1 that knoweth not how to vse those things which are most excellent4 ,and if they do conceiue any worthy thing1 it is altogither by chance and fortune1 they do exceedingly abuse that their knowledge1 to the great damage and hurt of many men1 yea1 euen of whole societies3 so that he is worse then mad that publisheth any secret1 vnlesse he conceale it from the multitude1 and in such wise deliuer it1 that euen the studious and learned shall hardly vnderstand it4 ,this hath beene the course which wise men haue obserued from the beginning1 who by many meanes haue hidden the secrets of wisedome from the common people4 ,for some haue vsed ,characters and verses1 and diuerse others riddles and figuratiue speeches1 as ,aristotle witnesseth in his book of ,secrets1 where hee thus speaketh4 ,o ,alexander1 ,i will shew thee the greatest secret in the world1 ,god grant thou maiest keepe it close1 and bring to passe the intention of the ,art of that stone which is no stone1 and is in euery man1 in euery place1 and at all seasons1 and is called the end of all ,philosophers4 ,and an infinite number of thinges are founde in many bookes and sciences obscured with such darke speeches1 so that no man can vnderstand them without a teacher4 ,thirdly1 some haue hidden their secretes by their maners of writing1 as namely by consonants only3 so that no man can reade them1 without he knowe the signification of the words3 and this is vsual among the ,iewes1 ,chaldeans1 ,syrians1 and ,arabians1 yea1 and the ,grecians too3 and therefore there is a great concealing with them1 but especially with the ,iewes3 for ,aristotle sayth in the aboue named booke1 that ,god gaue them all maner of wisedome1 before there were any ,philosophers1 and all nations borrowed the principles of ,philosophy of them4 ,and thus much we are plainly taught by ,albumasar in his booke named the larger ,introductory1 and other ,philosophers1 and by ,iosephus in his eight booke of ,antiquities4 ,fourthly1 things are obscured by the admixtion of letters of diuerse kinds1 thus hath ,ethicus the ,astronomer ccealed his wisdome1 writing the same with ,hebrew1 ,greeke ,latin letters1 all in a row4 ,fiftly1 they hide their secrets1 writing them in other letters then are vsed in their owne country1 to wit1 when they take letters that are in vse in forreine nations1 and feigne them according to their own pleasures4 ,this is a very great impediment1 vsed by ,artephius in his booke of the ,secrets of ,nature4 ,sixtly1 they make certain formes1 not of letters1 but such as are vsed by diuiners and enchanters1 which according to the diuersitie of pricke and notes1 haue the power of letters3 and these likewise hath ,artephius vsed in his science4 ,seuenthly1 there is yet a more cunning sleight of occultation behind by the helpe of ,art notory3 an art wherby a man may write or note any thing1 as briefly as he will1 as swiftly as he can desire4 ,and in this sort haue the ,latine authours hidden many secretes4 ,i deemed it necessary to touch these tricks of obscurity1 because happily my self may be constrained through the greatnesse of the secrets1 which ,i shal handle1 to vse some of them1 that so at the least ,i might helpe thee to my power4 ,i giue thee therefore to vnderstand1 that my purpose is orderly to proceed in the exposition of those things1 whereof ,i made mention before3 as to dissolue the ,philosophers egge1 and search out the partes of a philosophicall man4 ,and this shall serue for a beginning to the rest4 ,take salt1 and rub it diligently in water1 and purifie it in other waters1 after by diuerse contritions1 rub it with ,salts1 and burne it with sundry assations1 that it may bee made a pure earth1 separated from the other ,elements1 which ,i esteeme worthy of thee for the stature of my length4 ,vnderstand me if thou art able3 for it shall vndoubtedly bee composed of the ,elements1 and therefore it shall be a part of the stone1 which is no stone1 and is in euery man1 which thou shalt finde at all tymes of the yeare in his owne place4 ,this done thou shalt take oyle after the maner of a searecloath1 and of viscous cheese1 not able to be cut at the first1 wherevnto all the fierie vertue must bee diuided1 and separated by dissolution 7now it must bee dissolued in a sharpe water of an indifferent sharpenesse1 with a light fire7 and decocted vntill his fatnesse be seuered1 as the fat in flesh1 by distillation1 that no part of the oylinesse and blacke virtue1 wherein the vrine is distilled1 may get out4 ,afterward let it bee decocted in ,vineger1 till it be dryed into a coale 7which is the cause of addustion7 and that his blacke vertue do appeare4 ,but if it be not cured therof1 let it be done againe3 be watchfull and attentiue1 for my speech is difficult4 ,the oyle will dissolue1 both in sharpe waters1 and in common oyle1 that worketh more apparauntly1 or in a tart oyle of ,almondes ouer the fire1 so that the oyle may bee sundred1 and the hidden spirite remaine1 both in the partes of liuing creatures1 and in ,sulphur1 and ,arsenicke4 ,for the ,stones 7wherein there is an ,oyle of a superfluous humiditie7 haue certaine boundes of their humours3 partly because there is no strong vnion1 sithens one may be dissolued from the other1 by reason of the nature of the water1 which is put to liquefaction in the ,spirite1 which is the meane betweene his parts and the oyle4 ,dissolution therefore being finished1 there will remaine a certaine pure humiditie in the spirit1 which though it bee throughly mixt with the dry parts1 which are mooued to and fro in it1 yet is the fire able to resolue it1 beeing called by the ,philosopher a melting ,sulphur1 and sometime ,oyle1 sometime an ayrie humour1 sometime a coniunctiue substaunce1 which the fire dooth not separate1 sometime ,camphora1 and wash it4 ,this is the ,philosophers ,egge1 or rather the ende and accomplishment of the ,egge4 ,and let so much of the ,oyles as commeth to our hands bee reckoned among ,seeny seede1 which must bee separated from the water1 or ,oyle wherein it is purged4 ,moreouer1 the oyle is putrified as thou knowest1 by braying it with drying things1 as with salt and vitriall1 and by burning it1 7though passion arise from the contrarie7 and afterward it must bee sublimed1 vntill his oylinesse be quite taken away1 and that the water bee like ,sulphur or ,arsenicke in the minerals3 for it may be prepared in the same maner that they are4 ,neuerthelesse1 it were better to decoct it in waters of a temperate sharpenesse1 vntill it bee purged or made white4 ,and yet there is another profitable concoction in a dry or moyst fire1 where distillation must bee renued 7if you would haue your worke come wel to passe7 and the matter rectified3 of which rectification the last signes are to bee white1 and cleare as ,christall4 ,and whereas other things grow black in the fire1 this waxeth white1 is purified1 and euen shineth againe through the notable clearness brightnes that is in it4 ,of this water and earth is ,argent-uiue engendred1 being not vnlike the ,argent-uiue that is in the ,mynes4 ,now when the matter is waxed hot after this maner1 it is cgealed3 but the ayrie stone 7which is no stone7 must be put into a ,pyramis in a warme place1 or 7if you think good7 into the belly of a horse1 or oxe1 and so be changed into a sharpe feuer4 ,and when it hath passed fr this into #aj4 and from that into #ba4 so that the lees of the oiles are dissolued in their water1 before it be separated1 they do so often reiterate dissolution distillation1 til at length it be rectified4 ,and here endeth this intention4 ,but thou must rember that wh thou hast made an end1 thou art then to begin anew againe4 ,now will ,i hide another secret from thee4 ,prepare ,argent-uiue by mortifying it1 with the vapour of ,steele for ,margarites1 and with the vapour of ,lead for the stone ,iber3 and rubbe it with drying things1 and atraments1 and such like 7as before7 and boyle it3 this done1 let it be sublymed3 if for vnion1 #aj4 if for rednesse1 #ba4 vntill the moysture bee consumed in it4 ,neither is it possible that the humiditie shoulde bee separated for the vapour 7as the foresayde oyle7 because it is very strongly commixt with his drie partes1 neither doth it set any bound1 as we haue already taught in the foresaid mettals4 ,in this chapter thou maist easily bee deceiued1 except thou perfectly vnderstand the signification of the words4 ,now it is high time obscurely to intreat of the third chapter1 to the end thou maist behold the very key of the worke thou lookest for4 ,the calcined bodie is sometime put to 7which is done to this end1 that the moysture in it might be consumed by salt1 and ,sal ,armeniack and ,vineger7 and againe1 sometime it is nourished with ,argent-uiue1 and sublimed by them1 till it remaine as pouder4 ,these then are the keyes of the ,art1 ,congelation1 ,resolution1 ,induration1 ,proiection1 and this is both the end and the beginning3 but as for purification1 distillation1 separation1 sublimation1 calcination1 and inquisition1 they are fellow-workers with the former1 and now thou maist sit downe and take thine ease4 ,sixe hundred and two yeares of the ,arabians being accomplished1 thou didst aske me of certaine secrets4 ,take therfore the stone and congeale it with a gentle boyling1 and strong contrition1 but without sharpe things4 ,and in ye end mixe it a little with sweete water3 and make a laxatiue medicine of seuen things1 if thou think good1 or of sixe1 or of fiue3 or of as many as thou wilt1 but my mind is content with two3 whereof the better shall be in sixe1 rather then any other proportion1 or there abouts1 as experience may teach you4 ,neuerthelesse1 resolue the gold by the fire1 restraine it better4 ,but if you wil beleeue me1 you ought to take but one thing4 ,this is a secret of ,natures secrets1 able to worke wonders4 ,it being therfore mixed with two things or more in number1 or with the ,phnix 7which is a worthie creature7 at the fire1 incorporated by a strong motion1 and that hereunto you putte warme liquor1 foure or fiue times you shall be maister of your hearts desire4 ,but afterward the celestiall nature is weakened1 and waxeth feeble1 if thou poure warme water into it three or foure times4 ,thou must therefore diuide the weake from the strong in diuers vesselles if thou dare credite mee1 and draw out that which is good4 ,besides thou shalt take the powder1 and throughly presse out the water that remained3 for certainely it will make the partes of the powder spirituall3 for which cause thou shalt saue this water by it selfe1 because the powder dryed vppe herewith1 hath the force of a medicine in a laxatiue body4 ,worke therefore as thou didst before1 vntill thou hast remooued the weake from the strong1 and put the powder thereto three1 foure1 or fiue times1 or oftner1 alwayes working after one and the selfe same manner4 ,and if thou canst not worke with warme water1 thou shalt offer violence4 ,but if it bee broken by reason of the tartnesse and tendernesse of the medicine1 together with powder thou must verie warily put more ,gold to1 and mollifie it3 but if the plentie of the powder cause it to breake1 thou shalt giue it more of the medicine1 and if it bee long of the strength of the water3 water it with a ,pestill1 and gather together the matter so well as thou canst1 and separate the water by little and little1 and it will returne to his former state4 ,this water thou shalt drie vp1 for it hath both the powder and water of the medicine1 which are to be incorporate as dust4 ,be not asleepe nowe1 for ,i haue tolde thee a great and profitable secret4 ,and if thou couldest tell how to place and sette in order the partes of a burnt shrub1 or of a willow1 and many such like things1 they would naturally keepe an vnion4 ,beware at any hand that thou forgettest not this1 because it is very profitable for many things4 ,thou shalt mingle the ,trinity with the vnion beeing first molted1 and they will rise vp as ,i suppose like vnto the stone ,iberus3 doubtlesse it is mortified by the vapour of the lead1 which lead thou shalt finde if thou presse it out of the dead body1 and this dead body thou shalt burie in a stillitory4 ,hold fast this secret1 for it is nought worth4 ,and in like manner shalt thou deale with the vapour of a ,margarite or the stone ,tagus1 burying the dead as before thou art commanded4 ,and now forsooth the yeares of the ,arabians being accomplished1 ,i make answere to your demaund after this maner4 ,you must haue a medicine ye wil dissolue in a thing that is melted1 and be annointed in it1 and enter into his second degree1 and be incorporate with it1 not proouing a fugitiue seruant1 and change it1 and be mixt with the roote of the ,spirit1 and bee fixed by the calx of the mettall4 ,now it is thought that fixation prepareth1 when the body spirit are layd in their place1 and sublimed1 which must be so often reiterated1 til the body be made a spirit1 and the spirit become a body4 ,take therefore of the bones of ,adam1 and of calx the same weight1 there must be sixe for the rocky stone1 fiue for the stone of vnions1 these you must worke togither with ,aqua vit 7whose property is to dissolue all other things7 that it may bee dissolued and boyled in it4 ,and this a signe of ,inceration1 if the medicine will melt1 when it is poured on an ,iron redde hot4 ,this done1 poure water into it in a moyst place1 or else hang it in the vapour of very hote and liquid ,waters1 and congeale it in the ,sunne3 then thou shalt take ,salt-peter1 conuert ,argent-uiue into lead3 and againe1 thou shalt wash and mundifie the lead therewith1 that it may come nigh to ,siluer1 and afterward worke as thou didst before4 ,moreouer1 thou shalt drinke vppe all after this sort4 ,notwithstanding1 thou shalt take of ,salt-peter1 ,luru vo po vir can vtri1 and of ,sulphur1 and by this meanes make it both to thunder and lighten4 ,thus shalt thou performe the worke4 ,nowe confider with thy selfe whether ,i speake in a riddle1 or tell thee the plaine truth4 ,there be some that haue bin of another mind3 for it was said vnto me1 that al things must be resolued to the matter1 wherof you may find ,aristotle1 his iudgement in sundry vulgar vnknowne places1 and therfore ,i wil hold my peace4 ,now when thou hast them1 thou shalt withall haue many simples and equals1 and this thou shalt effect by contrary things and diuers operations1 which before ,i tearmed the keyes of the ,art4 ,and ,aristotle saith1 that the equalitie of the powers doth containe in it the action and passion of bodies4 ,and this likewise is the opinion of ,auerroes reprouing ,galen4 ,it is thought that this is the most simple and pure medicine that may be found3 ,it is good against the feauers and passions both of minde and bodyes1 more cheape then any medicine whatsoeuer4 ,he that writ these things shall haue the key that openeth1 and no man shutteth1 and when hee hath shut1 no man is able to open it againe4 ,,finis4 ,printed at ,london by ,thomas ,creede1 for ,richard ,oliue4 #aeig4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's note3 ,obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected4 ,all other spelling and punctuation remains unchanged4 ,the typesetting has used ,,vv for ,w1 with variable spacing4 ,this has been replaced with ,w throughout4 ,the sidenote in ,chapter ,,xvi of ,the ,booke of the ,secrets of ,alchimie begins 8,the quantitie is called by the ,logitians ,passion10 it seems likely from the context that this should read ,the quality etc4