,,transcriber',s ,,note ,please be aware that in the centuries since this book was written1 medical science has progressed4 ,the medical treatments and medicines recommended in this book should only be used under guidance of a trained medical professional4 ,many of the medicines suggested are now known to be deleterious to your health or poisonous4 ,archaic1 obsolete and inconsistent spellings have been included as in the original book4 ,obvious typos have been fixed4 ,details of these changes are at the end of the book4 ,a ,,new ,,light ,,of ,,alchymie3 ,taken out of the fountaine of ,,nature1 and ,manuall ,experience4 ,to which is added a ,,treatise of ,,svlphvr3 ,written by ,micheel ,sandivogius3 i4e4 ,anagrammatically1 ,,divi ,,leschi ,,genus ,,amo4 ,also ,nine ,books ,of the ,nature of ,things1 ,written by ,,paracelsus1 viz4 ,generations ,renewing ,growthes ,transmutation ,of the of ,naturall things4 ,conservations ,separation ,life 3 ,death ,signatures ,also a ,chymicall ,dictionary explaining hard places and words met withall in the writings of ,paracelsus1 and other obscure ,authors4 ,all which are faithfully translated out of the ,latin into the ,english tongue1 ,by ,j4 ,f4 ,m4,d4 ,london1 ,printed by ,richard ,cotes1 for ,thomas ,williams1 at the ,bible in ,little-,britain1 #afej4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,a ,,table ,,of ,,the ,,contents ,,of ,,this ,,book4 ,the ,epistle to the ,reader4 ,the ,preface4 ,a ,new ,light of ,alchymie4 ,page #a4 ,the ,first ,treatise3 ,of ,nature1 what she is1 and what her ,searchers ought to be4 #a4 ,the ,second ,treatise3 ,of the operation of ,nature according to our intention in ,sperm4 #e4 ,the ,third ,treatise3 ,of the true first matter of ,metalls4 #i4 ,the ,fourth ,treatise3 ,how ,metalls are generated in the bowells of the ,earth4 #aa4 ,the ,fifth ,treatise3 ,of the generation of all kinds of ,stones4 #ad4 ,the ,sixth ,treatise3 ,of the second ,matter1 and putrefaction of things4 #ag4 ,the ,seventh ,treatise3 ,of the vertue of the second ,matter4 #bb4 ,the ,eighth ,treatise3 ,how by ,art ,nature works in ,seed4 #bd4 ,the ,ninth ,treatise3 ,of the commixtion of ,metalls1 or the drawing forth their ,seed4 #bf4 ,the ,tenth ,treatise3 ,of the supernaturall generation of the ,son of the ,sun4 #bh4 ,the ,eleventh ,treatise3 ,of the ,praxis1 and making of the ,stone1 or ,tincture by ,art4 #cj4 ,the ,twelfth ,treatise3 ,of the ,stone1 and its vertue4 #cf4 ,the ,epilogue1 or ,conclusion of these ,twelve ,treatises4 #ci4 ,a ,preface to the ,philosophicall nigma1 or ,ridle4 #dg4 ,the ,parable1 or ,philosophicall ,ridle1 added by way of conclusion1 and superaddition4 #ea4 ,a ,dialogue between ,mercury1 the ,alchymist1 and ,nature4 #ei4 ,a ,treatise of ,sulphur4 #ge4 ,the ,preface4 #ge4 ,of ,sulphur1 the ,second ,principle4 #ha4 ,of the ,element of ,earth4 #hc4 ,of the ,element of ,water4 #he4 ,of the ,element of ,aire4 #ie4 ,of the ,element of ,fire4 #ii4 ,of the three ,principles of all things4 #aaa4 ,of ,sulphur4 #abf4 ,the ,conclusion4 #adc4 ,of the ,nature of ,things4 #a4 ,the ,first ,book3 ,of the generations of ,naturall things4 #a4 ,the ,second ,book3 ,of the growth1 and increase of ,naturall things4 #ad4 ,the ,third ,book3 ,of the preservations of ,naturall things4 #ai4 ,the ,fourth ,book3 ,of the life of ,naturall things4 #bi4 ,the ,fifth ,book3 ,of the ,death1 or ruine of all things4 #ce4 ,the ,sixth ,book3 ,of the ,resurrection of ,naturall things4 #ea4 ,the ,seventh ,book3 ,of the ,transmutation of ,naturall things4 #fa4 ,the ,eighth ,book3 ,of the ,separation of ,naturall things4 #gi4 ,of the ,separation of ,metalls from their ,mines4 #he4 ,of the ,separation of ,mineralls4 #ij4 ,of the ,separation of ,vegetables4 #ib4 ,of the ,separation of ,animalls4 #ie4 ,the ,ninth ,book3 ,of the ,signature of ,naturall things4 #ajj4 ,of the ,monstrous ,signes of ,men4 #ajd4 ,of the ,astrall ,signes of ,physiognomy in ,man4 #ajf4 ,of the ,astrall ,signes of ,chiromancy4 #aah4 ,of ,minerall ,signes4 #abc4 ,of some peculiar ,signes of ,naturall and ,supernaturall things4 #ace4 ,a ,chymicall ,dictionary3 ,explaining ,hard ,places and ,words met withall in the ,writings of ,paracelsus1 and ,other ,obscure ,authours4 ,a4 ,b4 ,c4 ,d4 ,e4 ,f4 ,g4 ,h4 ,i4 ,k4 ,l4 ,m4 ,n4 ,o4 ,p4 ,q4 ,r4 ,s4 ,t4 ,v4 ,w4 ,x4 ,y4 ,z4 ,transcriber's ,note4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,to the ,reader4 ,judicious ,reader1 ,there is abundance of knowledge1 yet but little truth known4 ,the generality of our knowledg is but as ,castles in the aire1 or groundlesse fancies4 ,i know but two ways that are ordained for the getting of wisdome1 viz4 the book of ,god1 and of ,nature2 and these also1 but as they are read with reason4 ,many look upon the former as a thing below them1 upon the latter as a ground of ,atheisme1 and therefore neglect both4 ,it is my judgement1 that as to search the ,scriptures is most necessary1 so without reason it is impossible4 ,faith without reason is but implicite4 ,if ,i cannot understand by reason how every thing is1 yet ,i wil see some reason that a thing is so1 before ,i beleeve it to be so4 ,i will ground my beleeving of the ,scripture upon reason1 ,i will improve my reason by ,philosophy4 ,how shall we convince gain-sayers of the truth of the ,scriptures1 but by principles of ,reason8 ,when ,god made ,man after his own image1 ,how was that8 ,but by making him a rational creature8 ,men therfore that lay aside ,reason in the reading of sacred mysteries1 do but un-man themselves1 and become further involved in a ,labyrinth of errors4 ,hence it is that their ,religion is degenerated into irrationall notions4 ,now to say1 that pure ,philosophy is true ,divinity1 will haply bee a paradox1 yet if any one should affirm it1 he would not be heterodox4 ,when ,job had been a long time justifying himselfe against ,god1 which ,i conceive was by reason of his ignorance of ,god1 and himselfe2 ,god undertakes to convince him of his errour by the principles of ,nature1 and to bring him to the knowledge of both3 as you may see at large1 ,job #ch4 ,can any deny that ,hermes1 ,plato1 ,aristotle 7though pure ,naturalists7 were not most deep ,divines8 ,doe not all grant that the two first cha4 of ,gen4 are true ,divinity8 ,i dare also affirm that they are the most deep and the truest ,philosophy4 ,yea1 they are the ground1 and sum of all ,divinity1 and ,philosophy3 and if rightly understood1 will teach thee more knowledge of ,god1 and thy selfe1 then all the books in the world besides4 ,now for the better understanding of them1 make use of most profound ,sandivogius the author of the first of the ensuing ,treatises1 as the best ,expositor of them3 in that treatise of his thou shalt see the mystery of the ,deity1 ,nature unfolded1 even to admiration3 as to see what that light1 and fire is which is the throne of ,gods ,majesty4 ,how he is in the heaven most gloriously1 in the creatures providentially4 ,how he is the life of that universall ,spirit which is diffused through the whole world4 ,what that ,spirit of his is that moved upon the ,waters4 ,what those ,waters are which are above the ,firmament1 and which are under the ,firmament4 ,what that ,sperm and ,seed was which ,god put into all creatures by which they should be multiplyed4 ,the true manner of ,mans ,creation1 and his degenerating into ,mortality4 ,the true nature of the ,garden of ,eden1 or ,paradise4 ,also the reason why ,gold1 which had a ,seed put into it1 as well as other creatures1 whereby it should be multiplyed1 doth not multiply4 ,what the obstruction is1 and how it may bee removed1 that so it may be digested into the highest purity1 and become the true ,elixir1 or ,philosophers stone2 the possibility whereof is so plainly illustrated in this book of ,sandivogius1 that let any judicious man read it over without all partiality and prejudice1 but three or four times1 and he shall nolens volens be convinced of the truth of it1 and not only of this1 but of many other mysteries as incredible as this4 ,so that if any one should ask me1 ,what one book did most conduce to the knowledge of ,god and the ,creature1 and the mysteries thereof2 ,i should speake contrary to my judgment1 if ,i should not1 next to the sacred ,writ1 say ,sandivogius4 ,all this ,i speak for thy encouragement1 that thou shouldst lay aside other frivolous bookes1 and buy this1 and read it over1 thou wilt 7,i question not7 thank mee for my advice4 ,and as this booke doth in generall1 so the second of these ,treatises doth in particular illustrate the possibility of ,nature1 and the mysteries thereof1 as also the nature and manner of the ,generation1 ,growth1 ,conservation1 ,life1 ,death1 ,renewing1 ,transmutations1 ,separations1 and ,signatures of all naturall things1 in the explication of which many rare experiments and excellent mysteries are discovered and found out4 ,to these is added a ,chymical ,dictionary1 explaining hard places1 and words met withall in obscure ,authors4 ,but this1 and the other ,i speak more sparingly in the commendations of1 because if read they will speak more for them selves then ,i can speak for them3 only ,i was willing for the ,english nations sake1 whose spirits are much drawn forth after knowledge1 to translate them into the ,english tongue4 ,i did not doe it to multiply books1 7for there are too many books already2 and the multitude of them is the greatest cause of our ignorance1 and in them is a great vanity7 but to let thee see the light of ,nature1 by which thou maist judg of truths1 and the better conceive of the ,god of ,nature1 of whom all naturall things are full1 and whose goings forth in the way of ,nature are most wonderfull1 even to the conviction of the greatest ,atheists4 ,courteous ,reader1 thou must excuse me for not affecting elegancies in these ,translations1 for if ,i were skilled in them1 yet the matter of the books would not bear them4 ,if ,i have sometimes used uncouth words1 it was because the sense1 to which ,i kept me close1 would not properly bear any other1 or at least better came not at the present into my mind4 ,if any ,errata's have passed through the slips of my pen1 or the ,printers mistake1 be thou candid1 and mend them4 ,if thou shalt not approve of what ,i have done1 convince mee of my errour by doing better2 for thereby thou shalt oblige the lovers of truth1 and amongst the rest1 thy friend ,j4 ,f4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,the ,preface4 ,the ,author wisheth all health to1 and prays to ,god for a blessing upon all the ,searchers of ,alchymie1 namely the true ,sons of ,hermes4 ,courteous ,reader1 ,when ,i considered with my self1 that many adulterated books1 and false ,receipts 7as they call them7 of ,alchymists1 composed through the fraud1 and covetousnesse of ,impostors1 in which not so much as one spark of truth appears1 were in request with the ,searchers of ,naturall1 and mysterious ,arts1 by which even very many have been1 and still are deceived3 ,i thought ,i could do no better service1 then to communicate that talent1 committed to my trust by the ,father of ,lights1 to the ,sons and ,heirs of ,wisdome4 ,and to this end1 that future ages may take notice1 that this singular ,philosophicall blessing of ,god hath not been denyed to some men1 not only in former ages1 but also in this4 ,it seemed good to me for some ,reasons to conceal my name1 whilst ,i doe not seek praise to my selfe1 but endeavour to be assisting to the lovers of ,wisdome4 ,therefore ,i leave that vain desire of honour to those that had rather seem to bee1 then to bee indeed4 ,what here ,i write by way of testimony to that undoubted ,philosophicall truth1 comprehended in few lines1 have been taken out of that ,manuall experience1 which the most ,high hath vouchsafed to mee1 that they which have laid the principall1 and reall foundations in this commendable ,art1 may by this encouragement not forsake the practise of the best things1 and so bee secured from that wicked swarm of smoke-sellers1 whose delight is to cheat4 ,they are not dreams1 as the ignorant vulgar call them2 neither are they foolish inventions of idle men1 as fools1 and men void of understanding 7who deride the ,art7 conceive them to be4 ,it is the ,philosophicall truth it selfe1 which as ,i am a lover of the truth1 ,i ought not1 nay ,i could not for supporting and confirming the truth of ,alchymie1 undeservedly cryed out against1 keep close1 or bury in silence4 ,although it may bee much afraid in these times 7when vertue and vice are esteemed alike7 by reason of the unworthinesse of this age1 and ingratitude1 and treachery of men 7to say nothing of the curses of ,philosophers7 to come forth upon the publick stage of the world4 ,i could produce witnesses of this ,chymicall truth1 viz4 sage ,authors1 according to the unanimous consent of divers honorable ,ancients in so many severall nations3 but those things which are manifest by ocular experiment1 need no further proof4 ,many men both of high1 and low condition in these last years past1 have to my knowledge seen ,diana unvailed4 ,and although there may be found some idle1 and ill-employed fellowes1 who either out of envy1 or malice1 or fear of having their own frauds discovered1 cry out that the soule may bee extracted out of ,gold1 and with the specious1 and deceitfull delusion of ostentation1 say it may be put to another body2 not without losse and detriment of time1 pains1 and costs3 yet let the sonnes of ,hermes know for certaine1 that such a kind of extraction of souls 7as they call them7 whether out of ,gold1 or out of ,silver 7by what vulgar way of ,alchymie soever7 is but a meer fancy3 which thing indeed is not beleeved by many1 but at length by experience1 the onely1 and true ,mistris of truth is verified1 and that with losse4 ,on the contrary1 hee which 7in a ,philosophicall way7 can without any fraud and colourable deceit make it1 that it shall really tinge the basest metall1 whether with gain1 or without gain1 with the colour of ,gold1 or ,silver 7abiding all requisite tryalls whatsoever7 ,i can justly averre hath the gates of ,nature opened to him1 for the enquiring into further1 and higher secrets1 and with the blessing of ,god to obtain them4 ,moreover1 ,i present these present ,treatises1 composed out of mine own experience1 to the ,sonnes of ,art1 that whilst they are busied with all their thoughts and intentivenesse of mind in searching into the secret operations of ,nature1 they may thence know1 and cleerly understand the truth of all things1 and ,nature it selfe3 in which thing alone the perfection of the whole sacred ,philosophicall ,art consists1 so that they go on in the common high-way of ,nature1 which shee prescribes in all her operations4 ,therefore ,i would have the ,courteous ,reader be here admonished1 that he understand my ,writings not so much from the outside of my words1 as from the possibility of ,nature2 lest afterward he bewaile his time1 pains1 and costs1 all spent in vain4 ,let him consider that this ,art is for the wise1 not for the ignorant2 and that the sense1 or meaning of ,philosophers is of another nature then to bee understood by vapouring ,thrasoes or ,letter-learned scoffers1 or vicious against their owne consciences1 7who whilst they cannot rise by their vertues1 attempt it by their villanies1 and malicious detractings from honest men7 or ignorant ,mountebanks1 who most unworthily defaming the most commendable ,art of ,alchymie1 have with their ,whites1 and ,reds deceived almost the whole world4 ,for it is the gift of ,god1 and truly it is not to be attained to1 but by the alone favor of ,god1 enlightning the understanding together wth a patient and devout humility 7or by an ocular demonstration from some experienced ,master37 wherefore ,god justly thrusts them far from his secrets that are strangers to him4 ,finally1 ,my only request to the ,sonnes of ,art is this1 that they would take in good part my endeavouring to deserve well of them1 and when they shall have made that which is occult manifest1 and through the good pleasure of ,god in a constant way of diligence shall arrive to the longed for haven of the ,philosophers1 that they would1 according to the custome of ,philosophers1 debarre all unworthy men from this ,art2 and not forgetting to love their poor neighbor in the feare of ,god 7setting aside all vain ostentation7 let them sing everlasting praises of thankfulnesse unto the great and good ,god1 for so speciall a gift1 and use it wel with a silent and religious joy---- ,simplicity or plainnesse is the seal of truth4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,a ,,new ,,light ,,of ,,alchymie4 ,,the ,,first ,,treatise4 ,of ,nature1 what she is1 and what her searchers ought to be4 ,many wise1 and very learned men many ages since1 yea 7,hermes testifying the same7 before the floud wrote many things concerning the making the ,philosophers stone2 and have bequeathed so many writings unto us1 that unlesse ,nature should daily worke things credible to us1 scarce any one would beleeve it as a truth that there were any nature at all3 because in former ages there were not so many devisers of things1 neither did our ,ancestors regard any thing besides nature it selfe1 and the possibility of nature4 ,and although they were contented with the plaine way alone of nature1 yet they found out those things1 which we now imployed about divers things could not with all our wits conceive4 ,this is because nature1 and the generation of things in the world is esteemed of us meane1 and plaine4 ,and therefore we bend our wits not to things knowne1 and familiar1 but to such things1 which not at all1 or very hardly can be done4 ,wherefore it happens that we are more dexterous in devising curious subtilties1 and such which the ,philosophers themselves did never thinke of1 then to attain to the true processe of nature1 the right meaning of ,philosophers4 ,and such is the disposition of mens natures1 as to neglect those things they know1 and to be alwaies seeking after other things2 such also and much more is that of mens wits1 and fancies1 to which their nature is subjected4 ,as for example2 ,you see any ,artificer1 when he hath attained to the highest perfection of his ,art1 either searcheth into other ,arts1 or abuseth the same1 which he already hath1 or else leaves it off quite4 ,so also is generous nature alwaies active and doing to its very ,iliad 7i7 utmost period1 and afterward ceaseth4 ,for there is given to nature from the beginning a certaine kinde of grant1 or permission still to attaine to things better1 and better through her whole progresse1 and to come to her full rest1 towards which she tends with all her might1 and rejoyceth in her end1 as a ,pismire doth in her old age1 at which time nature makes her wings4 ,even so our wits have proceeded so farre1 especially in the ,phylosophicall ,art1 or praxis of the stone1 that now we are almost come to the ,iliad it selfe4 ,for the ,art of ,chymistry hath now found out such subtilties1 that scarce greater can be invented1 and differ as much from the ,art of the ,ancient ,philosophers as a ,clock-smith doth from a plaine ,black-smith3 ,and although both worke upon ,iron1 yet neither understands the others labours1 although both are masters of their ,art4 ,if ,hermes himselfe1 the father of ,philosophers1 should now be alive1 and subtil-witted ,geber1 together with most profound ,raimundus ,lullius1 they would not be accounted by our ,chymists for ,philosophers1 but rather for ,scholars3 ,they would be ignorant of those so many distillations1 so many circulations1 so many calcinations1 and so many other innumerable operations of ,artists now adayes used1 which men of this age devised1 and found out of their writings4 ,there is one only thing wanting to us1 that is1 to know that which they effected1 viz4 the ,philosophers stone1 or ,physicall ,tincture1 we1 whilest we seeke that1 finde out other things3 and unlesse the procreation of man were so usuall as it is1 and nature did in that thing still observe her owne law1 and rules1 we should scarce not but erre4 ,but to returne to what ,i intended2 ,i promised in this first treatise to explaine ,nature1 lest every idle fancy should turne us aside from the true and plaine way4 ,therefore ,i say ,nature is but one1 true1 plaine1 perfect1 and entire in its owne being1 which ,god made from the beginning1 placing his spirit in it3 but know that the bounds of nature is ,god himselfe1 who also is the originall of nature4 ,for it is certaine1 that every thing that is begun1 ends no where but in that1 in which it begins4 ,i say it is that only alone1 by which ,god workes all things3 not that ,god cannot worke without it 7for truly he himselfe made nature1 and is omnipotent7 but so it pleaseth him to doe4 ,all thing proceed from this very nature alone2 neither is there any thing in the world without nature4 ,and although it happens sometimes that there be abortives2 this is not natures fault1 but of the ,artist1 or place4 ,this nature is divided into foure places1 in which she works all these things1 which appeare to us under shadowes2 for truely things may be said rather to be shadowed out to us1 then really to appeare4 ,she is changed in male1 and female1 and is likened to ,mercury1 because she joynes her selfe to various places2 and according to the goodnesse1 or the badnesse of the place she brings forth things2 although to us there seeme no bad places at all in the earth4 ,now for qualities there be only foure1 and these are in all things1 but agree not1 for one alwaies exceeds another4 ,moreover1 nature is not visible1 although she acts visibly2 for it is a volatile spirit1 which executes its office in bodies1 and is placed1 and seated in the will1 and minde of ,god4 ,nature in this place serves us for no other purpose1 but to understand her places1 which are more sutable1 and of nearer affinity to her2 that is1 to understand how to joyne one thing to another1 according to nature1 that we mixe not wood and man together1 or an oxe or any other living creature1 and metals together3 but let every thing act upon its owne like3 and then for certaine nature shall performe her office4 ,the place of nature is no other then1 as ,i said before1 what is in the will of ,god4 ,the searchers of nature ought to be such as nature her selfe is1 true1 plaine1 patient1 constant1 c4 and that which is chiefest of all1 religious1 fearing ,god1 not injurious to their neighbour4 ,then let them diligently consider1 whether their purpose be agreeable to nature2 whether it be possible1 let them learne by cleare examples1 viz4 ,out of what things any thing may be made1 how1 and in what vessell nature workes4 ,for if thou wilt doe any thing plainly1 as nature her selfe doth doe it1 follow nature2 but if thou wilt attempt to doe a thing better then nature hath done it1 consider well in what1 and by what it is bettered1 and let it alwaies be done in its owne like4 ,as for example1 if thou desirest to exalt a metall in vertue 7which is our intention7 further then nature hath done2 thou must take a metalline nature both in male and female1 or else thou shalt effect nothing4 ,for if thou dost purpose to make a metall out of hearbs1 thou shalt labour in paine1 as also thou shalt not bring forth wood out of a dog1 or any other beast4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,second ,,treatise4 ,of the operation of ,nature in our intention1 and in ,sperme4 ,i said even now that nature was true1 but one1 every where seene1 constant1 and is knowne by the things which are brought forth1 as woods1 hearbs1 and the like4 ,i said also that the searcher of nature must be true1 simple hearted1 patient1 constant1 giving his minde but to one thing alone1 c4 ,now we must begin to treat of the acting of ,nature4 ,as nature is in the will of ,god1 and ,god created her1 or put her upon every imagination2 so nature made her selfe a seed1 7i7 her will1 and pleasure in the ,elements4 ,she indeed is but one1 and yet brings forth divers things2 but workes nothing without a sperme3 ,nature workes whatsoever the sperme pleaseth1 for it is as it were an instrument of some ,artificer4 ,the sperme therefore of every thing is better1 and more advantagious to the ,artificer1 then nature her selfe4 ,for by nature without seed1 you shall doe as much as a ,goldsmith shall without fire1 gold1 or silver1 or a husbandman without corne1 or seed4 ,if thou hast the sperme1 nature is presently at hand1 whether it be to bad1 or good4 ,she workes in sperme1 as ,god doth in the free will of man3 and that is a great mysterie1 because nature obeyes the sperme1 not by compulsion1 but voluntarily2 even as ,god suffers all things1 which man wills1 not by constraint1 but out of his owne free pleasure3 ,therefore he gave man free will whether to bad1 or to good4 ,the sperme therefore is the ,elixir of every thing1 or ,quintessence1 or the most perfect decoction1 or digestion of a thing1 or the ,balsome of ,sulphur1 which is the same as the ,radicall moisture in metalls4 ,there might truely be made a large discourse of this sperme2 but we shall onely keep to that which makes for our purpose in the ,chymicall ,art4 ,foure ,elements beget a sperme through the will1 and pleasure of ,god1 and imagination of nature3 for as the sperme of man hath its center1 or vessell of its seede in the kidnies2 so the foure ,elements by their never ceasing motion 7every one according to its quality7 cast forth a sperme into the ,center of the earth1 where it is digested1 and by motion sent abroad4 ,now the ,center of the earth is a certaine empty place1 where nothing can rest4 ,the foure ,elements send forth their qualities into excentrall parts of the earth1 or into the circumference of the ,center4 ,as a man sends forth his seed into the entrance of the wombe of the woman2 in which place nothing of the seed remaines1 but after the wombe hath received a due proportion1 casts out the rest3 so also it comes to passe in the ,center of the earth1 that the magnetick vertue of the part of any place drawes to it selfe any thing that is convenient for its selfe1 for the bringing forth of any thing2 the residue is cast forth into stones1 and other excrements4 ,for all things have their originall from this fountaine1 neither hath any thing in the world any beginning but by this fountaine4 ,as for example2 let there be set a vessell of water upon a smooth even table1 and be placed in the middle thereof1 and round about let there be laid divers things1 and divers colours1 also salt1 and every one apart3 then let the water be powred forth into the middle2 and you shall see that water to runne abroad here and there1 and when one streame is come to the red colour1 it is made red by it1 if to the salt1 it takes from it the taste of the salt1 and so of the rest4 ,for the water doth not change the place1 but the diversity of the place changeth the water4 ,in like manner the seed1 or sperme being by the foure ,elements cast forth from the center into the circumference1 passeth through divers places2 and according to the nature of the place1 it makes things3 ,if it comes to a pure place of earth1 and water1 a pure thing is made4 ,the seed1 and sperme of all things is but one1 and yet it produceth divers things1 as is evident by the following example4 ,the seed of a man is a noble seed1 and was created1 and ordained for the generation of man onely2 yet nevertheless if a man doe abuse it1 as is in his free will to doe1 there is borne an abortive4 ,for if a man contrary to ,gods most expresse command should couple with a cow1 or any other beast1 the beast would presently conceive the seed of the man1 because nature is but one2 and then there would not be borne a man1 but a beast1 and an ,abortive2 because the seed did not find a place sutable to it self4 ,by such an inhumane1 detestable copulation of men with beasts there would be brought forth divers beasts1 like unto men4 ,for so it is1 if the sperme goes into the center1 there is made that which should be made there2 but when it is come into any other place1 and hath conceived1 it changeth its forme no more4 ,now whilest the sperme is yet in the center1 there may as easily be brought forth a tree1 as a metall from the sperme1 and as soone an hearbe1 as a stone1 and one more pretious then another1 according to the purity of the place3 ,but how the ,elements beget a sperme is in the next place to be treated of1 and it is done thus3 ,the ,elements are foure3 two are heavy and two are light1 two dry1 and two moist1 but one which is most dry1 and another which is most moist1 are males1 and females c4 ,every one of these of it selfe is most apt to produce things like unto it selfe in its owne sphere1 and so it pleased ,god it should be3 ,these foure never are at rest1 but are alwaies acting one upon another2 and every one by it selfe sendeth forth his owns thinness1 and subtlety1 and they all meet in the center3 now in the center is the ,archeus1 the servant of nature1 which mixeth those spermes1 and sends them forth4 ,and how that is done is to be seene more fully in the ,epilogue of the #ab treatises4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,third ,,treatise4 ,of the true first matter of ,metalls4 ,the first matter of ,metalls is twofold1 but the one cannot make a metall without the other4 ,the first and principall is the humidity of the aire mixed with heat2 and this the ,philosophers called ,mercury1 which is governed by the beams of the ,sunne1 and ,moon in the ,philosophicall sea3 the second is the dry heat of the earth1 which they called ,sulphur4 ,but because all true ,philosophers chiefly concealed this1 wee will a little more cleerly explain it2 especially the weight or poise1 which being unknown1 all things are spoiled4 ,thence it is1 that many bring forth an abortive out of that which is good2 for there bee some that take the whole body for the matter1 or seed1 or sperme2 and some that take a piece1 and all these go beside the right way4 ,as for example1 if any one should take the foot of a man1 and the hand of a woman1 and would by mixing these two together make a man1 it were not possible to be done4 ,for there is in every body a ,center1 and a place or the point of the seed or sperme1 and is alwaies the #hbjjth4 part1 yea even in every wheat corne2 and this cannot bee otherwise4 ,for not the whole corne1 or body is turned into seed1 but only a spark1 or some certain small necessary part in the body1 which is preserved by its body from all excessive heat and cold4 ,if thou hast eares1 or any sense1 mark well what is here said1 and thou shalt be safe1 and out of the number not only of those who are ignorant of the place of the sperm1 and endeavour to convert the whole corn into seed2 but also of them all1 who are employed in the fruitlesse dissolution of metalls1 and are desirous to dissolve the whole of metalls1 that afterwards by their mutuall commixtion they may make a new metall4 ,but these men1 if they considered the processe of ,nature1 should see that the case is far otherwise2 for there is no metall so pure1 which hath not its impurities1 yet one more1 or fewer then another4 ,but thou1 friendly ,reader1 shalt observe the first point of nature1 as is abovesaid1 and thou hast enough3 but take this caution along with thee2 that thou dost not seek for this point in the metalls of the vulgar1 in which it is not4 ,for these metalls1 especially the gold of the vulgar1 are dead1 but ours are living1 full of spirit1 and these wholly must be taken3 for know1 that the life of metalls is fire whilst they are yet in their mines2 and their death is the fire1 viz4 of melting4 ,now the first matter of metals is a certaine humidity mixed with warm aire1 and it resembles fat water1 sticking to every thing pure1 or impure1 but in one place more abundantly then in another1 by reason the earth is more open1 and porous in one place then in another1 having also an attractive power4 ,it comes forth into the light somtimes by it self1 with some kind of covering1 especially in such places where there was nothing that it could well stick to2 it is known thus1 because every thing is compounded of #c principles3 but in reference to the matter of metalls is but one1 without any conjunction to any thing1 excepting to its covering or shadow1 viz4 sulphur1 c4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,fourth ,,treatise4 ,how ,metals are generated in the bowells of the earth4 ,metalls are brought forth in this manner4 ,after the foure ,elements have sent forth their vertues into the center of the earth1 the ,archeus by way of distillation sends them up unto the superficies of the earth1 by vertue of the heat of its perpetuall motion3 for the earth is porous1 and this wind by distilling through the pores of the earth1 is resolved into water1 out of which all things are made4 ,therefore let the sons of wisdome know1 that the sperm of metalls doth not differ from the sperm of all things1 viz4 the moist vapour3 therefore in vain do ,artists look after the reducing of metalls into their first matter1 which is only a vapour4 ,the ,philosophers meant not such a first matter1 but only the second matter1 as ,bernardus ,trevisanus learnedly discusseth it1 though not so cleerly1 because hee speaks of the foure ,elements1 but yet hee did say as much1 but he spake only to the sons of ,art4 ,but ,i1 that ,i might the more cleerly open the ,theorie1 would have all be admonished here to take heed how they give way to so many solutions1 so many circulations1 so many calcinations1 and reiterations of the same2 for in vain is that sought for in a hard thing1 when as the thing is soft of it self1 and every where to be had4 ,let not the first1 but the second matter only be sought after1 viz4 that1 which as soon as it is conceived1 cannot be changed into another form4 ,but if thou inquirest how a metall may bee reduced into such a matter1 in that ,i keep close to the intention of the ,philosophers3 ,this thing only above all the rest ,i desire1 that the sons of ,art would understand the sense1 and not the letter of writings1 and where nature doth end1 viz4 in metallick bodies1 which in our eyes seem to be perfect1 there must ,art begin4 ,but to return to my purpose1 7for my intention is not here to speak of the stone only7 let us now treate of the matter of metalls4 ,a little before ,i said1 that all things were made of the liquid aire1 or the vapour1 which the ,elements by a perpetuall motion distill into the bowells of the earth2 and then the ,archeus of ,nature takes and sublimes it through the pores1 and according to its discretion distributes it to every place 7as we have declared in the foregoing treatises7 so from the variety of places proceeds the variety of things4 ,there be some that suppose ,saturne to have one kind of seed1 and ,gold another1 and so all the rest of the metalls4 ,but these are foolish fancies2 there is but one only seed1 the same is found in ,saturne which is in ,gold1 the same in ,silver which is in ,iron2 but the place of the earth is divers1 if thou understandest me aright1 although in ,silver nature sooner hath done its work1 then in ,gold1 and so of the rest4 ,for when that vapour is sublimed from the center of the earth1 it passeth through places either cold1 or hot3 ,if therefore it passeth through places that are hot1 and pure1 where the fatnesse of ,sulphur sticks to the walls2 ,i say that vapour which the ,philosophers have called the ,mercury of ,philosophers applyes it self to1 and is joined to that fatnesse1 which then it sublimes with it self2 and then becomes an unctuosity1 and leaving the name of a ,vapour1 is called by the name of ,fatnesse2 which afterward coming by sublimation unto other places1 which the foregoing vapour hath cleansed1 where the earth is subtill1 pure1 and moist1 fills the pores thereof1 and is joined to it1 and so it is made ,gold2 but if that fatnesse come to impure1 and cold places1 it is made ,lead2 but if the earth bee cold and pure1 and mixed with sulphur1 it is made ,copper1 c4 ,for by how much more a place is depurated1 or clensed1 by so much the more excellent it makes the metalls3 for wee must know1 that that vapour goes out continually from the center to the superficies1 and cleanseth those places through which it passeth4 ,thence it comes to passe1 that now there may bee found ,mines in those places where a thousand yeers agoe were none2 for in its passage it alwaies subtilizeth that which is crude and impure1 carrying it by degrees with it3 ,and this is the reiteration1 and circution of nature2 it is so long sublimed in producing new things1 untill the place be very well purified2 and by how much the more it is purified1 by so much the nobler things it brings forth4 ,now in the winter when the air is cold1 binding fast the earth1 that unctuous vapour is congealed1 which afterward when the spring returns1 is mixed together with earth1 and water1 and so becomes a ,magnesia1 drawing to it self the ,mercury of air1 like unto it selfe1 and gives life to all things through the concurrence of the beams of the ,sun1 ,moon and ,stars1 and so it brings forth grass1 flowers1 and such like things4 ,for ,nature is not one moment of time idle4 ,now ,metalls are thus made1 the earth by long distillation is purified1 then they are generated by the accesse1 or coming thither of the fatnesse3 they are brought forth no other way1 as is the foolish opinion of some that mis-interpret the writings of ,philosophers4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,fifth ,,treatise4 ,of the generation of all kinds of ,stones4 ,the matter of ,stones is the same as of other things2 and according to the purity of places they are made in this manner4 ,when the four ,elements distill their vapour into the center of the earth2 and the ,archeus of nature sends forth the same1 and sublimes it2 this whilst it passeth through places1 and the pores of the earth1 takes along with it self all the impurity of the earth unto the very superficies1 which afterward the air congeals 7for what the pure air makes1 the crude aire congeals1 because aire hath ingresse into aire1 and they join themselves together1 for nature is delighted in nature37 and so are made rocks1 and stony mountains1 according to great and little pores4 ,and by how much the greater are the pores of the earth1 by so much the better is the place purified4 ,since therefore by such a breathing place or vent1 a greater heat1 and a greater quantity of water passeth1 therefore the sooner is the earth depurated3 and so afterward in those places metalls are more easily brought forth4 ,even so very experience testifies1 that gold cannot be got1 or found any where but in mountains1 and seldome or never in plain1 and levell ground3 for most commonly such places are moist1 not with the vapour1 but with ,elementary water1 which drawes to it self that vapour1 and so they embrace one another1 as that they can hardly be separated2 afterwards the sun of the heavens digesting them1 makes that fat clay which the ,potters use4 ,but in places where there is grosse sand1 and whither the vapour doth not bring with it that fatnesse1 or sulphur1 it brings forth herbs and grasse in ,meadows4 ,there be other kind of stones1 which are called precious stones1 as the ,diamond1 ,rubies1 ,emerald1 and such like gems as these1 all which are generated after this manner4 ,when the vapour of ,nature is sublimed by it selfe1 without being joined to the fatnesse of sulphur1 and comes to a place of pure salt water1 there are made ,diamonds2 and this is in cold places1 whither that fatnesse cannot come1 because that fatness would hinder the making of these stones4 ,for wee must know1 that the spirit of water is sublimed easily1 and that with a small heat2 but oil1 and fatnesse cannot be carryed up but with a great heat1 and that also into hot places2 for when it is come from the center1 if it meet with any little cold1 it is congealed1 and is at a stand1 but the vapour ascends to its due places1 and in pure water is congealed into stones by grains4 ,but how colours are made in gems2 wee must know that they are made by reason of the sulphur in this manner3 if the fatnesse of the sulphur be congealed1 then by that perpetuall motion1 the spirit of the water passing through1 it digests and purifies it by virtue of the salt1 untill it bee coloured with a digested heate1 red or white1 which colour tending toward a further perfection1 is carryed up by that spirit1 because it is subtilized and made thin by so many reiterated distillations2 the spirit afterward hath a power to enter into imperfect things1 and so brings in a colour to them1 which afterward is joined to that water1 being then in part congealed1 and so fills up the pores thereof1 and is fixed with it1 with an inseparable fixation4 ,for all water is congealed with heat1 if it be without spirit1 congeled with cold1 if it hath a spirit2 but he that knows how to congeal water with heat1 to join a spirit with it1 shall certainly find out a thing more pretious then gold1 and every thing else4 ,let him therefore cause that the spirit be separated from the water1 that it may putrifie1 and bee like a graine4 ,afterwards the feces being cast away1 let him reduce and bring back the spirit again from the deep into water1 and make them be joined together again3 for that conjunction will generate a branch of an unlike shape to its parents4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,sixth ,,treatise4 ,of the second matter1 and putrefaction of things4 ,wee have spoken of the first matter of things1 and how things are produced by ,nature without seed1 that is1 how ,nature receives matter from the ,elements1 out of which she makes seed3 ,but now we intend to treat of the seed it selfe1 and things generated of seed4 ,for every thing that hath seed is multiplyed in it1 but without the help of ,nature it is not done3 for the seed is nothing else but the air congealed in some body3 or it is a moist vapour2 and unlesse this be resolved by a warm vapour1 it is of no use4 ,let therefore the searchers of the ,art understand what ,seed is1 lest they seek after a thing that is not3 and let them know that that is threefold1 which is brought forth by the foure ,elements4 ,the first is ,minerall1 and is that which we now speak of2 the second is ,vegetable2 the third ,animall4 ,the ,minerall seed is known by ,philosophers alone3 the ,vegetable is common1 and vulgar1 as we may see in fruits3 the ,animall is known by imagination4 ,the ,vegetable doth shew to us1 how ,nature made it of the four ,elements4 ,for wee must know that the winter is the cause of putrefaction1 seeing it congeals the ,vitall spirits in trees2 and when those by the heat of the ,sun 7in which there is a magnetick vertue1 attractive of al manner of moisture7 are resolved2 then the heat of nature1 stirred up by motion drives1 or forceth the subtill ,vapour of the water to the circumference1 and this vapour openeth the pores of the tree1 and makes drops distill1 alwaies separating the pure from the impure4 ,yet the pure sometimes goeth before the impure2 the pure stayes1 and is congealed into flowers1 the impure goes into leaves1 the grosse1 and thick into the bark3 the bark of the tree remains fast1 and firm1 the leaves fall with cold1 or heat1 when the pores thereof are stopt3 the flowers in congealing receive their colour according to the heat whereby the colour is made1 and bring with them fruit1 and seed 7as an ,apple1 in which there is sperm out of which a tree is not brought forth2 but in the inside of that sperme is a seed or kernell1 out of which even without the sperm is brought forth a tree1 for multiplication is not in the sperm1 but in the seed47 ,so wee see with our eyes1 that ,nature creates a seed out of the four ,elements1 lest wee should labour in vain about it2 for what is created already need not a ,creator4 ,let this by way of example bee sufficient for the advertisement of the ,reader2 but now ,i return to my purpose concerning the ,mineralls4 ,nature creates the ,mineral seed1 or the seed of ,metalls in the bowels of the earth3 wherefore it is not beleeved that there is any such seed in rerum natur1 because it is invisible4 ,but it is no wonder if ignorant men doubt of it1 seeing they cannot perceive that which is before their eys1 much less that which is hid from their eyes3 but it is most true that that which is superiour1 is but as that which is inferior1 and so on the contrary4 ,also that which is brought forth above is brought forth of the same fountaine1 as that beneath in the bowells of the earth4 ,and what prerogative should ,vegetables have before ,metalls1 that ,god should put a seed into them1 and without cause withhold it from these8 ,are not ,metalls of as much esteem with ,god as ,trees8 ,let this be granted for a truth1 that nothing grows without seed3 for where there is no seed1 the thing is dead4 ,it is necessary therefore that four ,elements should make the seed of ,metalls1 or bring them forth without a seed3 if they are produced without seed1 then they cannot be perfect2 seeing every thing without seed is imperfect1 by the rule of composition3 hee which gives no credit to this undoubted truth1 is not worthy to search into the secrets of nature2 for there is nothing made in the world1 that is destitute of seed4 ,the seed of ,metalls is truely1 and really put into them3 and the generation of it is thus4 ,the foure ,elements in the first operation of ,nature doe by the help of the ,archeus of ,nature distill into the center of the earth a ponderous1 or heavy ,vapour of water1 which is the seed of ,metalls1 and is called ,mercury by reason of its fluxibility1 and its conjunction with every thing1 not for its essence2 and for its internall heat it is likened to ,sulphur1 and after congealation becomes to be the radicall moisture4 ,and although the body of ,metalls be procreated of ,mercury 7which is to bee understood of the ,mercury of ,philosophers7 yet they are not bee hearkned to1 that think the vulgar ,mercury is the seed of ,metalls1 and so take the body in stead of the seed1 not considering that the vulgar ,mercury spoken of hath its own seed in it self4 ,the errors1 and mistakes of all these men will be made apparent by the following example4 ,it is manifest that men have seed1 in which they are multiplyed3 the body of man is ,mercury2 but the seed is hid in the body1 and in comparison to the body is but little1 and light3 he therefore that will beget a man1 let him not take ,mercury1 which is the body1 but the seed1 which is the congealed ,vapour of water4 ,so in the regeneration of ,metalls1 the vulgar ,chymists goe preposterously to work3 ,they dissolve ,metallick bodies1 whether it be ,mercury1 or ,gold1 or ,lead1 or ,silver1 and corrode them with sharp waters1 and other ,heterogeneous things not requisite to the true ,art1 and afterward joine them together again1 not knowing that a man is not generated of a mans body cut to pieces1 because by this means the body is marred1 and the seed before-hand is destroyed4 ,every thing is multiplyed in ,male and ,female1 as ,i have already mentioned in the ,treatise of the twofold ,matter3 ,the division of the sexes causeth1 or produceth nothing1 but a due joining of them together1 brings forth a new forme3 the seeds therefore1 or spermes1 not bodies are to bee taken4 ,take therefore a living ,male1 and a living ,female2 joine these together1 that betwixt them there may be conceived a sperm for the bringing forth of fruit after its kind3 ,there is no man living can beleeve that he can make the first matter3 ,the first matter of ,man is earth1 and no man can of that make a man2 only ,god knows how to doe this2 but of the second matter1 which is already made1 if it be put into its due place1 may easily by the operation of ,nature be generated a thing of that species1 or kind1 which the seed was of4 ,the ,artist here need doe nothing1 onely to separate the thin from the thick1 and to put it into its due vessell4 ,for this is to be considered1 that as a thing is begun1 so it ends3 ,of one are made two1 of two one1 and then you have done4 ,there is one ,god2 of this one ,god the ,son is begotten3 ,one produceth two1 two have produced one holy ,spirit proceeding from both3 so the world is made1 and so shall be the end thereof4 ,consider the four former points most exactly3 thou hast in them the ,father1 the ,father and the ,son1 and lastly the holy ,spirit3 thou hast the four ,elements3 thou hast four great ,lights1 two ,celestiall1 and two ,centrall3 ,this is all that is1 hath been1 or shall be1 that is made plain by this forenamed similitude4 ,if ,i might lay down all the mysteries that might be raised from hence1 they would amount to a great volume4 ,i return to my purpose1 and ,i tell thee true1 my son6 one is not made of one naturally1 for thus to doe is proper to ,god alone3 let it suffice thee that thou art able out of two to make one1 which wil be profitable to thee4 ,know therefore that the sperm doth multiply the second matter1 and not the first3 for the first matter of all things is not seen1 but is hid either in nature1 or in the ,elements2 but the second matter sometimes appeares to the sons of wisdome4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,seventh ,,treatise4 ,of the vertue of the second matter4 ,but that thou maist the more easily conceive what this second matter is1 ,i will describe the vertues of it1 by which thou maist know it4 ,and first of all know1 that ,nature is divided into three ,kingdoms2 two of them are such that either of them can subsist of it self1 if the other two were not2 there is the ,minerall1 ,vegetable1 and ,animall ,kingdom4 ,the ,minerall can subsist of it self1 although there were no man in the world1 nor tree1 or herb4 ,the ,vegetable likewise1 although there were no ,metall1 nor ,animall1 can stand by it self3 these two are of one made by one3 ,but the third hath life from the other two which wee have mentioned1 without which it could not subsist1 and is more noble and excellent then those two1 as also it is the last of the three1 and rules over the other3 because alwaies vertue1 or excellency ends in a third thing1 and is multiplyed in the second4 ,dost thou see in the ,vegetable ,kingdom8 ,the first matter is an herb1 or a tree1 which thou knowest not how to make1 ,nature alone makes it3 ,in this ,kingdom the second matter is ,seed1 which thou seest1 in this the hearb1 or the tree is multiplyed4 ,in the ,animall ,kingdome the first matter is a beast1 or a man1 which thou knowest not how to make2 but the second matter or the sperm1 in which they are multiplyed1 thou knowest4 ,in the ,minerall thou knowest not how to make a ,metall1 and if thou braggest that thou canst1 thou art a foole1 and a lyar1 ,nature makes that1 and although thou shouldst have the first matter1 according to the ,philosophers1 yet it would bee impossible for thee to multiply that ,centrall salt without ,gold3 ,now the seed of ,metalls is known only to the sons of ,art4 ,in ,vegetables the seed appears outwardly2 the reins of its digestion is warm aire4 ,in ,animalls the seed appears inwardly1 and outwardly2 the reins of its digestion are the reins of a ,male4 ,water in ,mineralls is the seed in the ,center of their heart1 and is their life3 the reins of its digestion is fire4 ,the receptacle of the ,vegetable seed is the earth3 the receptacle of the seed ,animal is the womb of the female3 the receptacle of water1 which is the ,minerall seed1 is aire4 ,and those are the receptacles of seeds1 which are the congealations of their bodies3 that is their digestion1 which is their solution3 that is their putrefaction which is their destruction4 ,the vertue of every seed is to join it self to every thing in its own ,kingdome1 because it is subtill1 and is nothing else but aire1 which by fatnesse is congealed in water3 ,it is known thus1 because it doth not mixe it self naturally to any thing out of its own ,kingdome3 it is not dissolved1 but congealed1 because it doth not need dissolution1 but congealation4 ,it is necessary therefore that the pores of the body be opened1 that the sperme may be sent forth1 in whose ,center the seed lyes1 which is aire3 that when it comes into its due matrix1 is congealed1 and congeals what it finds pure1 or impure mixed with what is pure4 ,as long as the seed is in the body1 the body lives1 when it is all consumed the body dies2 also all bodies after the emission of seed are weakned3 experience likewise testifies that men which give themselves over too much to venery become feeble1 as trees1 that bear too much fruit1 become afterwards barren4 ,the seed therefore1 as oftentimes hath been repeated1 is a thing invisible2 but the sperme is visible1 and is almost a living soule2 it is not found in things that are dead3 ,it is drawn forth two wayes1 pleasantly1 and by force3 ,but because wee are in this place to treat of the vertue of it onely1 ,i say that nothing is made without seed3 all things are made by vertue of seed3 and let the sons of ,art know1 that seed is in vain sought for in trees that are cut off1 or cut down1 because it is found in them only that are green4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,eighth ,,treatise4 ,how by ,art ,nature works in ,seed4 ,all seed is nothing worth of it self1 if it be not either by ,art1 or ,nature put into its proper matrix4 ,and although seed be of it self more noble then every creature1 yet the matrix is the life of it1 makes the sperm1 or corn to putrefie1 and causeth a congealation of the pure point1 and also by the heat of its body nourisheth it1 and makes it grow3 and this is done in all the foresaid ,kingdomes of ,nature2 and is done naturally by months1 years1 and ages4 ,but that is a witty ,art1 that can shorten any thing in the ,minerall1 and ,vegetable ,kingdome1 but not in the ,animall3 in the ,minerall ,kingdome it perfects that1 which ,nature could not1 by reason of the crude air1 which with its vehemency filled the pores of every body2 not onely in the bowells1 but also in the superficies of the earth4 ,as ,i have already said in the foregoing ,chapters4 ,but that this may bee the more easily understood1 ,i will adde hereunto1 that the ,elements striving amongst themselves send forth their seed into the ,center of the earth1 as into their reins2 but the ,center by help of motion sends it into its ,matrix4 ,now the ,matrixes are innumerable1 as many ,matrixes1 as places1 one purer then other1 and so almost in infinitum4 ,know therefore1 that a pure ,matrix will afford a pure conception in its own likenesse3 ,as for example1 in ,animalls there are ,matrixes of ,women1 ,cowes1 ,mares1 ,bitches1 and the like4 ,so in the ,minerall1 and ,vegetable ,kingdomes1 there are ,metalls1 ,stones1 ,salts2 for the ,salts in these two ,kingdomes are to bee considered of1 as also their places1 according to more or lesse4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,ninth ,,treatise4 ,of the ,commixtion of ,metalls1 or the drawing forth their seed4 ,we have spoken of ,nature1 of ,art1 of the ,body1 of ,sperm1 and of ,seed1 now let us descend to ,praxis1 viz4 how ,metalls ought to be mixed together1 and what their correspondency1 or agreement is one with another4 ,know therefore that a ,woman doth not vary from a ,man2 both are bred of the same ,seed1 and in one ,matrix1 there was nothing besides digestion1 and that the ,matrix had in it purer bloud1 and salt3 so ,silver is made of the same ,seed as ,gold is1 and in the same ,matrix2 but the ,matrix had more water in it then digested blood1 according to the season of the ,moon in the heavens4 ,but that thou maist the more easily imagine with thy self how ,metalls couple together1 that their ,seed may be sent forth1 and received2 behold and see the heavens1 and the spheres of the ,planets3 thou seest that ,saturne is placed the uppermost1 or highest1 next to that ,iupiter1 then ,mars1 then ,sol1 or the ,sun1 then ,venus1 then ,mercury1 and last of all ,luna1 or the ,moon4 ,consider also that the vertues of the ,planets doe not ascend1 but descend3 ,experience teacheth as much1 viz4 that of ,venus1 or ,copper is not made ,mars1 or ,iron1 but of ,mars is made ,venus1 as being an inferiour sphere3 ,so also ,iupiter1 or ,tin is easily changed into ,mercury or ,quicksilver1 because ,iupiter is the second from the firmament1 and ,mercury the second from the earth3 ,saturne is the first from the heavens1 and ,luna the first from the earth3 ,sol mixeth it self with all1 but is never bettered by its inferiors4 ,now know that there is a great agreement betwixt ,saturne1 or ,lead1 and ,luna1 or ,silver1 in midst of which the ,sun is placed3 as also betwixt ,iupiter and ,mercury1 in midst of which ,sol is also placed3 and in the same manner betwixt ,mars and ,venus1 which also have ,sol placed in the midst of them4 ,chymists know how to change ,iron into ,copper without ,gold3 they know also to make ,quicksilver out of ,tin3 and there are some that make ,silver out of ,lead3 ,but if they knew by these mutations to give or minister to them the nature of ,gold1 they would certainly find out a thing more pretious then any treasure4 ,wherefore ,i say we must not bee ignorant what ,metalls are to be joined to each other1 whose nature is agreable one to the others4 ,moreover there is granted to us one ,metall1 which hath a power to consume the rest1 for it is almost as their water1 mother3 yet there is one thing1 and that alone1 the radicall moisture1 viz4 of the ,sunne1 and ,moon that withstands it1 and is bettered by it2 but that ,i may disclose it to you1 it is called ,chalybs1 or ,steel4 ,if ,gold couples eleven times with it1 it sends forth its seed1 and is debilitated almost unto death2 the ,chalybs conceives1 and bears a son1 more excellent then his father3 then when the ,seed of that which is now brought forth is put into its own ,matrix1 it purifies it1 and makes it a thousand times more fit1 and apt to bring forth the best1 and most excellent fruits4 ,there is another ,chalybs1 which is like to this1 created by it selfe of ,nature1 which knows how to draw forth by vertue of the sun beams 7through a wonderfull power1 and vertue7 that which so many men have sought after1 and is the beginning of our work4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,tenth ,,treatise4 ,of the ,supernaturall ,generation of the ,son of the ,sun4 ,wee have treated of things1 which ,nature makes1 and which ,god hath made2 that the ,searchers of ,art might the more easily understand the possibility of ,nature4 ,but to delay no longer1 ,i will now enter upon the ,manner1 and ,art how to make the ,philosophers stone4 ,the ,philosophers stone1 or tincture is nothing else1 but ,gold digested to the highest degree3 ,for vulgar ,gold is like an herb without seed1 when it is ripe it brings forth seed2 so ,gold when it is ripe yeelds seed1 or tincture4 ,but1 will some ask1 ,why doth not ,gold1 or any other ,metall bring forth seed8 the reason given is this1 because it cannot bee ripe1 by reason of the crudity of the air1 it hath not sufficient heat1 and it happens1 that in some places there is found pure ,gold1 which nature would have perfected1 but was hindred by the crude aire4 ,as for example1 wee see that ,orenge trees in ,polonia doe indeed flourish as other trees2 in ,italie1 and elsewhere1 where their naturall soil is1 they yeeld1 and bring forth fruit1 because they have sufficient heat2 but in these cold places they doe otherwise1 for when they begin to ripen1 they are at a stand1 because they are oppressed with cold2 and so in these places we never have their fruit naturally3 but if at any time ,nature be sweetly1 and wittily helped1 then ,art may perfect that1 which ,nature could not4 ,the same happens in ,metalls3 ,gold may yeeld fruit1 and seed1 in which it multiplyes it self by the industry of the skilfull ,artificer1 who knows how to exalt ,nature1 but if he will attempt to do it without ,nature1 he will be mistaken4 ,for not only in this art1 but also in every thing else1 we can doe nothing but help ,nature2 and this by no other medium then fire1 or heat4 ,but seeing this cannot be done1 since in a congealed ,metallick body there appear no spirits2 it is necessary that the body be loosed1 or dissolved1 and the pores thereof opened1 whereby ,nature may work4 ,but what that dissolution ought to be1 here ,i would have the ,reader take notice1 that there is a twofold dissolution1 although there be many other dissolutions1 but to little purpose2 there is onely one that is truely naturall1 the other is violent1 under which all the rest are comprehended4 ,the naturall is this1 that the pores of the body bee opened in our water1 whereby the seed1 that is digested1 may bee sent forth1 and put into its proper ,matrix3 ,now our water is heavenly1 not wetting the hands1 not vulgar1 but almost rain water3 ,the body is gold1 which yeelds seed2 our ,lune or ,silver1 7not common ,silver7 is that which receives the seed of the gold3 afterwards it is governed by our continual fire1 for seven months1 and sometimes ten1 untill our water consume three1 and leave one2 and that in duplo1 or a double4 ,then it is nourished with the milk of the earth1 or the fatnesse thereof1 which is bred in the bowells of the earth1 and is governed1 or preserved from putrefaction by the salt of ,nature4 ,and thus the infant of the second generation is generated4 ,now let us passe from the ,theorie to the ,praxis4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,eleventh ,,treatise4 ,of the ,praxis1 and making of the ,stone1 or ,tincture by ,art4 ,through all these foregoing ,chapters1 our discourse of things hath been scattered by way of examples1 that the ,praxis might be the more easily understood1 which must be done by imitating ,nature after this manner---- ,take of our earth1 through eleven degrees1 eleven graines1 of our ,gold1 and not of the vulgar one grain1 of our ,lune1 not the vulgar1 two grains3 but be thou well advised1 that thou takest not common ,gold1 and ,silver1 for these are dead1 take ours which are living3 then put them into our fire1 and let there be made of them a dry liquor2 first of all the earth wil be resolved into water1 which is called the ,mercury of ,philosophers2 and that water shall resolve those bodies of ,gold1 and ,silver1 and shal consume them so1 that there shall remain but the tenth part with one part2 and this shall be the radicall moisture of ,metalls4 ,then take water of salt-nitre1 which comes from our earth1 in which there is a river of living water1 if thou diggest the pit knee deep1 therefore take water out of that1 but take that1 which is cleer2 upon this1 put that radicall moisture2 and set it over the fire of putrefaction1 and generation1 not on such a one as thou didst in the first operation3 govern all things with a great deale of discretion1 untill colours appear like a ,peacocks tail2 govern it by digesting it1 and be not weary1 untill these colours be ended1 and there appear throughout the whole one green colour1 and so of the rest2 and when thou shalt see in the bottome ashes of a fiery colour1 and the water almost red1 open the vessel1 dip in a pen1 and smeare some ,iron with it1 if it tinge1 have in readinesse that water1 which afterwards ,i shall speak of1 and put in so much of that water as the cold aire was1 which went in1 boil it again with the former fire1 untill it tinge again4 ,so far reached my experience1 ,i can doe no more1 ,i found out no more4 ,now that water must be the menstruum of the world1 out of the sphere of the ,moon1 so often rectified1 untill it can calcine ,gold3 ,i have been willing here to discover to thee all things2 and if thou shalt understand my meaning sometimes1 and not the letter1 ,i have revealed all things2 especially in the first1 and second work4 ,now it remains that we speak next of the fire4 ,the first fire1 or of the first operation is a fire of one degree1 continuall1 which goes round the matter2 the second is a naturall fire1 which digests1 and fixeth the matter3 ,i tell thee truely that ,i have opened to thee the governance1 or rules of the fire1 if thou understandest ,nature3 ,the vessell remains yet to be spoken of4 ,it must be the vessel of ,nature1 and two are sufficient2 the vessell of the first work must be round2 but in the second a glasse1 a little lesse like unto a viall1 or an egge4 ,but in all these know1 that the fire of ,nature is but one1 and if it works variously1 it is by reason of the difference of places4 ,the vessell therefore of ,nature is but one2 but wee for brevities sake use a couple3 the matter is one1 but out of two substances4 ,if therefore thou wilt give thy mind to make things1 consider first things that are already made2 if thou canst not reach1 or understand things presented to thy eyes1 much lesse things that are to be made1 and which thou desirest to make4 ,for know that thou canst create nothing1 for that is proper to ,god alone1 but to make things1 that are not perceived1 but lye hid in the shadow1 to appear1 and to take from them their vaile1 is granted to an intelligent ,philosopher by ,god through ,nature4 ,consider1 ,i beseech thee1 the simple water of a cloud3 who would ever beleeve that that contains in it selfe all things in the world1 hard ,stones1 ,salts1 ,aire1 ,earth1 ,fire1 when as yet of it selfe it seems to be simple8 ,what shall ,i say of the ,earth1 which contains in it ,water1 ,fire1 ,salts1 ,aire1 and of it self seems to be but meer earth8 ,o wonderfull ,nature1 which knows how to produce wonderfull fruits out of ,water in the earth1 and from the ,aire to give them life4 ,all these are done1 and the eyes of the vulgar doe not see them2 but the eyes of the understanding1 and imagination perceive them1 and that with a true sight4 ,the eyes of the wise look upon ,nature otherwise1 then the eyes of common men4 ,as for example1 the eyes of the vulgar see that the sun is hot2 but the eyes of ,philosophers on the contrary see it rather to bee cold1 but its motion to be hot4 ,the acts and effects of it are understood through the distance of places4 ,the fire of ,nature is one and the same with it3 for as1 the ,sun is the ,center amongst the spheres of the ,planets2 and out of this ,center of the heaven it scatters its heat downward by its motion2 so in the ,center of the earth is the sun of the earth1 which by its perpetuall motion sends its heat1 or beams upward to the superficies of the earth4 ,that intrinsecall heat is far more efficacious then this ,elementary fire2 but it is allayed with an ,earthy water1 which from day to day doth penetrate the pores of the earth1 and cooles it3 ,so the ,aire doth temper1 and mitigate the heavenly ,sun1 and its heat1 for this aire doth day after day fly round the world3 and unlesse this were so1 all things would be consumed by so great a heat1 neither would any thing be brought forth4 ,for as that invisible fire1 or ,centrall heat would consume all things1 if the water coming betwixt did not prevent it2 so the heat of the ,sun would destroy all things2 if the ,aire did not come betwixt4 ,but how these ,elements work one with another1 ,i will briefly declare4 ,in the ,center of the earth is the ,centrall ,sun1 which by its own motion1 or of its firmament doth give a great heat1 which extends it self even to the superficies of the earth4 ,that heate causeth aire after this manner4 ,the ,matrix of aire is water1 which bringeth forth sons of its own nature1 but unlike1 and far more subtill then it selfe2 for where the water is denyed entrance1 the aire enters3 when therefore that ,centrall heat1 which is perpetuall1 doth act1 it makes water distill1 and be heated1 and so that water by reason of the heat is turned into aire1 upon this account it breaks forth to the superficies of the earth1 because it will not suffer it self to be shut in3 then when it is cold1 it is resolved into water4 ,in the mean time it happens also that in opposite places not only air but water goes out2 so you see it is1 when black clouds are by violence carried up into the aire3 for which thing take this as a familiar example4 ,make water hot in a pot1 and thou shalt see that a soft fire causeth gentle vapours1 and winds2 but a strong fire maketh thick clouds appear4 ,just in the same manner doth the ,centrall heat worke2 it lifts up the subtill water into aire1 that which is thick by reason of its salt or fatnesse1 it distributes to the earth1 by meanes of which divers things are generated1 that which remaines becomes stones1 and rocks4 ,but some may object1 if it were so1 it would be done constantly1 but oftentimes there is no wind at all perceived4 ,i answer1 if water be not poured violently into a distillatory vessell1 there is made no wind1 for little water stirs up but little wind3 you see that thunders are not alwaies made1 although there be rain1 and wind2 but only when by force of the aire the swelling water is carried to the sphere of the fire2 for fire will not indure water4 ,thou hast before thine eyes an example1 when thou pourest cold water into a hot furnace1 from whence a thundering noise is raised4 ,but why the water doth not enter uniformly into those places1 and cavities1 the reason is1 because these sorts of vessells1 and places are many2 and sometimes one cavity by blasts1 or winds drives away from it self water for some dayes1 and months1 untill there be a repercussion of the water again3 ,as wee see in the sea1 whose waves are moved and carryed a thousand miles1 before they find1 or meet with a repercussion to make them return back2 but to return to our purpose4 ,i say that ,fire1 or ,heat is the cause of the motion of the ,aire1 and the life of all things2 and the ,earth is the ,nurse of all these things1 or their receptacle4 ,but if there were not ,water to coole our ,earth1 and ,aire1 then the ,earth would be dryed1 for these two reasons1 viz4 by reason of the ,motion of the ,centrall ,sun1 and heat of the ,celestiall3 ,neverthelesse it happens sometimes in some places1 when the pores of the earth are obstructed1 that the humidity1 or water cannot penetrate1 that then by reason of the correspondency of the ,celestiall1 and ,centrall ,sun 7for they have a magnetick vertue betwixt themselves7 the earth is inflamed by the ,sun3 so that even sometimes there are made great chops1 or furrows in the earth4 ,cause therefore that there be such an operation in our earth1 that the ,centrall heat may change the ,water into ,aire1 that it may goe forth into the plaines of the world1 and scatter the residue1 as ,i said1 through the pores of the earth2 and then contrariwise the ,aire will be turned into ,water1 far more subtill then the first ,water was3 and this is done thus1 if thou givest our old man ,gold1 or ,silver to swallow1 that he may consume them1 and then hee also dying may be burnt1 and his ashes scattered into water1 and thou boil that water untill it be enough1 and thou shalt have a medicine to cure the leprosie4 ,mark1 and be sure that thou takest not cold for hot1 or hot for cold1 but mixe natures with natures1 and if there be any thing that is contrary to nature 7for ,nature alone is necessary for thee7 separate it1 that ,nature may be like ,nature4 ,doe this by fire1 and not with thy hand3 and know that if thou dost not follow ,nature1 all is in vain3 and here ,i have spoken to thee through the help of ,god1 what a father should speak to his son2 ,hee which hath ears let him heare1 and he which hath his senses1 let him set his mind upon what ,i say4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,twelfth ,,treatise4 ,of the ,stone1 and its vertue4 ,in the foregoing ,treatises it hath been sufficiently spoken concerning the production of ,naturall things1 concerning the ,elements1 the ,first matter1 and ,second matter1 ,bodies1 ,seeds1 and concerning the ,use and ,vertue of them3 ,i wrote also the ,praxis of making the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,now ,i will discover so much of the vertue of it1 as ,nature hath granted to me1 and experience taught me4 ,but to comprehend the argument of all these ,treatises briefly1 and in few words1 that the ,reader which fears ,god may understand my mind and meaning1 the thing is this4 ,if any man doubt of the truth of the ,art1 let him read the voluminous writings of ancient ,philosophers1 verified by reason1 and experience2 whom wee may deservedly give credit to in their own ,art3 but if any will not give credit to them1 then we know not how to dispute with them1 as denying principles3 for deaf1 and dumbe men cannot speak4 ,what prerogative should all things in this world have before ,metalls8 ,why should these alone by having seed without cause denyed to them1 be excluded from ,gods universall blessing of multiplication1 which holy writ affirms was put in1 and bestowed on all created things presently after the world was made8 ,now if they have ,seed1 who is so sottish to think that they cannot bee multiplyed in their ,seed8 ,the ,art of ,alchymie in its kind is true1 ,nature also is true1 but the ,artificer is seldome true3 there is one ,nature1 one ,art1 but many ,artificers4 ,now what things ,nature makes out of the ,elements1 she generates them by the will of ,god out of the first matter1 which ,god onely knowes3 ,nature makes and multiplies those things of the second matter1 which the ,philosophers know4 ,nothing is done in the world without the pleasure of ,god1 and ,nature4 ,every ,element is in its own sphere2 but one cannot be without the other2 one lives by vertue of the other1 and yet being joined together they doe not agree2 but ,water is of more worth then all the ,elements1 because it is the mother of all things3 upon this swims the spirit of ,fire4 ,by reason of ,fire ,water is the first matter1 viz4 by the striving together of ,fire1 and ,water1 and so are generated ,winds1 and ,vapours apt1 and easy to bee congealed with the earth1 by the help of the crude aire1 which from the beginning was separated from it4 ,and this is done without cessation1 by a perpetuall motion2 because fire1 or heat is stirred up no otherwise then by motion1 which thing you may easily conceive by a ,smith filing ,iron1 which through vehement motion waxeth hot in that manner1 as if it were heated in the ,fire4 ,motion therefore causeth heat1 heat moves the water1 the motion of the water causeth aire1 the life of all living things4 ,things therefore grow after this manner 7as ,i said before7 viz4 out of water2 for out of the subtill ,vapour of it1 subtil and light things proceed2 out of the oylinesse of it1 things that are heavy1 and of greater price2 but of the salt things far more excellent then the former4 ,now because ,nature is sometimes hindred1 that it cannot produce pure things2 seeing the ,vapour1 ,fatnesse1 and ,salt are fouled or stained1 and mixe themselves with the places of the earth3 ,moreover1 experience teacheth us to separate the pure from the impure4 ,therefore if thou wilt have ,nature be bettered1 or mended in her actings1 dissolve what body you please1 and that which was added or joined to ,nature1 as heterogeneous1 separate1 cleanse1 joine pure things with pure1 ripe to ripe1 crude to crude1 according to the poise of ,nature1 and not of ,matter4 ,and know that the ,centrall salt ,nitre doth not receive more of the ,earth then it hath need of1 whether it be pure or impure3 but the fatnesse of the water is otherwise1 for it is never to be had pure2 art purifies it by a twofold heat1 and then conjoins it4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,epilogue1 or ,,conclusion ,,of ,,these ,,twelve ,,treatises4 ,,friendly ,,reader1 ,i wrote the ,twelve foregoing ,treatises in love to the sonnes of ,art1 that before they set their hand to the worke they may know the operation of ,nature1 viz4 how she produceth things by her working2 lest they should attempt to enter in at the gate without keyes1 or to draw water in a sieve3 for he laboureth in vain1 that putteth forth his hands to labour without the knowledge of ,nature1 in this sacred and most true ,art1 he lies in nocturnal darknesse to whom the sun doth not shine1 and he is in thick darknesse1 to whom after it is night the ,moon doth not appeare4 ,nature hath her proper light1 which is not obvious to our eyes2 the shadow of ,nature is a body before our eyes3 but if the light of ,nature doth enlighten any one1 presently the cloud is taken away from before his eyes1 and without any let he can behold the point of our loadstone1 answering to each ,center of the beams1 viz4 of the ,sun and ,earth3 for so farre doth the light of ,nature penetrate1 and discovers inward things2 of which thing take this for an example4 ,let a boy that is twelve yeares old1 and a girle of the same age1 be cloathed with garments of the same fashion1 and be set one by the other1 no body can know which is the male1 or which is the female2 our eyes cannot penetrate so far1 therefore our sight deceiveth us1 and takes false things for true3 ,but when their garments are taken off1 and they are naked1 that so it may appear what ,nature made them1 they are easily distinguished by their sexes4 ,just after the same manner doth our intellect make a shadow of the shadow of ,nature2 for the naked body of ,man is the shadow of the seed of ,nature3 ,as therefore mans body is covered with a garment1 so also mans nature is covered with the body1 which ,god reserves to himself to cover1 or uncover4 ,i could here discourse largely1 and ,philosophically of the dignity of ,man1 his ,creation and ,generation3 but seeing they are impertinent to this place1 ,i will passe them over in silence2 only ,i will treat a little concerning the ,life of ,man4 ,man was created of the ,earth1 and lives by vertue of the ,aire2 for there is in the ,aire a secret food of life1 which in the night wee call dew2 and in the day rarified water1 whose invisible1 congealed spirit is better then the whole ,earth4 ,o holy1 and wonderfull ,nature1 who dost not suffer the sons of ,wisdome to erre1 as thou dost manifest in the life of man daily6 ,moreover in these twelve ,treatises ,i have produced so many naturall reasons1 that he which is desirous of the art1 and feares ,god1 may the more easily understand all things1 which through ,gods blessing1 with my eyes ,i have seen1 with mine own hands have made without any deceit of sophistication3 for without the light1 and knowledge of ,nature1 it is impossible to attain to this ,art1 unlesse it come to any by ,gods speciall revelation1 or some speciall friend doth privately shew it4 ,it is a thing of little account1 yet most pretious1 which being divers times described1 ,i doe now again repeat4 ,take #aj parts of aire1 #a part of living gold1 or living silver2 put all these into thy vessel2 boyle this aire first untill it be water1 and then no water4 ,if thou art ignorant of this1 and knowst not how to boyl aire1 without all doubt thou shalt erre2 seeing this is the matter of the ancient ,philosophers4 ,for thou must take that1 which is1 and is not seen1 untill it be the ,artificers pleasure2 it is the water of our dew1 out of which is extracted the ,salt ,petre of ,philosophers1 by which all things grow1 and are nourished3 the matrix of it is the ,center of the ,sun1 and ,moon1 both celestiall1 and terrestiall3 and to speak more plainly1 it is our ,loadstone1 which in the foregoing ,treatises ,i called ,chalybs1 or ,steel3 ,the ,aire generates this ,loadstone1 and the ,loadstone generates1 or makes our ,air to appear1 and come forth4 ,i have here entirely shewed thee the truth2 ,begge of ,god that hee would prosper thine undertakings3 ,and so in this place thou shalt have the true1 and right explication of ,hermes1 when he saith1 that the father of it is the ,sun1 and its mother the ,moon1 and that which the wind carryed in its belly1 viz4 ,sal ,alkali1 which the ,philosophers have called ,sal ,armoniacum1 and vegetable1 hid in the belly of the ,magnesia4 ,the operation of it is this1 to dissolve the congealed aire1 in which thou shall dissolve the tenth part of ,gold2 seale this up1 and work with our fire1 untill the air be turned into powders2 and there appear 7the salt of the world being first had7 divers colours4 ,i would have set down the whole processe in these ,treatises2 but because that1 together with the multiplication1 is sufficiently set down in the books of ,lullius1 and other old ,philosophers2 it therefore sufficed me to treat only of the first1 and second matter2 which is done faithfully1 neither do thou ever think that any man living hath done it more cleerly1 then ,i have done it2 since ,i have done it not out of many books but by the labour of my hands1 and mine own experience4 ,if therefore thou dost not understand1 or beleeve the truth1 doe not blame me1 but thy self2 and perswade thy selfe that ,god was unwilling to reveal this secret to thee3 ,be therefore earnest with him by prayer1 and with serious meditation read over this book oftentimes1 especially the ,epilogue of these twelve ,treatises3 alwaies considering the possibility of ,nature1 and the actions of the ,elements1 and which of them is the chiefest in those actions1 and especially in the rarefaction of water1 or aire1 for so the heavens are created1 as also the whole world4 ,this ,i was willing to signifie to thee1 as a father to his son4 ,doe not wonder that ,i have wrote so many ,treatises1 for ,i did not make them for my own sake1 seeing ,i lack not books1 but that ,i might advertise many1 that work in fruitlesse things1 that they should not spend their costs in vain4 ,all things indeed might have been comprehended in few lines1 yea in few words3 but ,i was willing to guide thee to the knowledge of ,nature by ,reasons1 and ,examples2 that thou mightest in the first place know1 what the thing is thou seekest after1 whether the first1 or second matter1 also that thou mightest have ,nature1 her light1 shadow discovered to thee4 ,be not displeased if thou meetest sometimes with contradictions in my ,treatises1 it being the custome of ,philosophers to use them2 thou hast need of them1 if thou understandest them1 thou shall not find a rose without prickles4 ,weigh diligently what ,i have said before1 viz4 how four ,elements distill into the ,center of the earth a radicall moisture1 and how the ,centrall ,sun of the earth1 by its motion bringeth it forth1 and sublimeth it to the superficies of the earth4 ,i have said also that the ,celestiall ,sun hath a correspondency with the ,centrall ,sun3 for the ,celestiall ,sun1 and the ,moon have a peculiar power1 and vertue of distilling into the earth by vertue of their beams3 for heat is easily joined to heat1 and salt to salt4 ,and as the ,centrall ,sun hath its sea1 and crude water1 that is perceptible2 so the ,celestiall ,sun hath its sea1 and subtill water that is not perceptible4 ,in the superficies the beams of the one1 are joined to the beams of the other1 and produce flowers1 and all things4 ,therefore when there is raine made1 it receives from the aire that power of life1 and joins it with the salt-nitre of the earth 7because the salt-nitre of the earth is like calcined ,tartar1 drawing to it self by reason of its drynesse the aire1 which in it is resolved into water3 such attractive power hath the salt-nitre of the earth1 which also was aire1 and is joined to the fatnesse of the earth7 and by how much the more abundantly the beams of the ,sun beat upon it1 the greater quantity of salt-nitre is made1 and by consequence the greater plenty of ,corn grows1 and is increased1 and this is done daily4 ,thus much ,i thought good to signifie to the ignorant of the correspondency1 or agreement of things amongst themselves1 and the efficacy of the ,sun1 and ,moon1 and ,stars2 for the wise need not this instruction4 ,our subject is presented to the eyes of the whole world1 and it is not known4 ,o our ,heaven6 ,o our ,water6 ,o our ,mercury6 ,o our ,salt-nitre abiding in the sea of the world6 ,o our ,vegetable6 ,o our ,sulphur fixed1 and volatill6 ,o our ,caput ,mortuum1 or dead head1 or feces of our ,sea6 ,our ,water that wets not our hands1 without which no mortall can live1 and without which nothing grows1 or is generated in the whole world6 ,and these are the ,epithites of ,hermes his bird1 which never is at rest4 ,it is of very small account1 yet no body can bee without it3 and so thou hast a thing discovered to thee more pretious then the whole world1 which ,i plainly tell thee is nothing else but our ,sea water1 which is congealed in ,silver1 and ,gold1 and extracted out of ,gold1 and ,silver by the help of our ,chalybs1 by the ,art of ,philosophers in a wonderfull manner1 by a prudent son of ,art4 ,it was not my purpose for some reasons before mentioned in the ,preface1 to publish this book1 but a desire to deserve well of those that are studiously given to liberall1 and ,philosophical ,arts1 prevailed with me1 that ,i might hold forth to them1 that ,i bear an honest mind2 also that ,i might declare my self to them1 that understand the ,art1 to be their equal and fellow1 and to have attained their knowledge4 ,i doubt not but many men of good consciences1 and affections do enjoy this gift of ,god secretly2 these being warned by my example1 and dangers are made more cautious1 and wise1 having that commendable silence of ,harpocrates4 ,for as often as ,i would discover my selfe to great men1 it alwaies turned to my losse and danger4 ,by this my writing ,i make my self known to the adopted sons of ,hermes1 ,i instruct the ignorant1 and them that are misled1 and bring them back into the right way4 ,and let the heirs of wisdome know1 that they shall never have a better way1 then that1 which is here demonstrated to them2 for ,i have spoken all things cleerly3 ,only ,i have not so cleerly shewed the extraction of our ,salt ,armoniacke1 or the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 out of our ,sea water1 and the use thereof1 because ,i had from the ,master of ,nature no leave to speake any further1 and this only ,god must reveale1 who knows the hearts1 and minds of men4 ,he will haply upon thy constant1 and earnest prayers1 and the frequent reading over of this booke1 open the eyes of thy understanding4 ,the vessell1 as ,i said before1 is but one from the beginning to the end1 or at most two are sufficient3 the fire is continuall in both operations2 for the sake of which let the ignorant read the tenth1 and eleventh ,treatise4 ,if thou shalt operate in a third matter1 thou shalt effect nothing3 they medle with this1 whoever work not in our ,salt1 which is ,mercury1 but in ,herbs1 ,animals1 ,stones1 and all ,minerals1 excepting our ,gold1 and ,silver covered over with the sphere of ,saturne4 ,and whosoever desires to attaine to his desired end1 let him understand the conversion of the ,elements to make light things heavy1 and to make spirits no spirits2 then hee shall not worke in a strange thing4 ,the ,fire is the ,rule1 whatsoever is done1 is done by ,fire2 as sufficiently before1 so here we have spoken enough by way of ,conclusion4 ,farewell friendly ,reader6 and long maist thou enjoy these labours of mine1 7made good1 or verified by mine owne experience17 to the glory of ,god1 the welfare of thine owne soule1 and good of thy neighbour4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,to ,,the ,,sons of ,,trvth3 ,a ,preface ,to the ,philosophicall ,,nigma1 ,or ,,ridle4 ,,sons of ,,wisdome1 ,i have now opened to you all things from the very first rising of the universall fountaine1 that there is no more left to be discovered4 ,for in the foregoing ,treatises ,i have sufficiently explained ,nature by way of example3 ,i have shewed the ,theorie and ,praxis1 as plainely as it was lawfull4 ,but lest any should complain of my briefnesse1 that by reason of it ,i have omitted something1 ,i will yet further describe to thee the whole ,art by way of ,ridle1 or nigmaticall speech2 that thou maist see how farre through ,gods guidance ,i am come4 ,the bookes that treat of this ,art are infinite2 yet thou shalt not find in any of them the truth so much1 as it is in this of mine1 made known1 or discovered unto thee4 ,the reason that encouraged mee to make it so plain1 was this1 viz4 ,because1 when ,i had discoursed with many men1 that thought they understood the writings of ,philosophers very well2 ,i perceived that they did explaine those writings far more subtilly then ,nature1 which is simple and plain1 did require3 yea all my true sayings did seem to them being profoundly wise1 or savouring of high things1 to bee of no value and incredible4 ,it hapned sometimes that ,i would intimate the ,art to some from word to word1 but they could by no meanes understand mee1 not beleeving there was any water in our ,sea1 and yet they would be accounted ,philosophers4 ,since therefore they could not understand my words1 which ,i delivered by word of mouth1 ,i doe not fear 7as other ,philosophers were afraid7 that any one can so easily understand what ,i have wrote2 ,it is the gift1 ,i say1 of ,god4 ,it is true indeed1 if in the study of ,alchymie there were required subtilnesse1 and quicknesse of wit1 and things were of that ,nature as to be perceived by the eyes of the vulgar1 ,i saw that their fancies1 or wits were apt enough to find out such things3 but ,i say to you1 bee simple1 or plaine1 and not too wise untill you have found out the secret1 which when you have1 it will of necessity require wisdome enough to use1 and keep it2 then it will be easy for you to write many books2 because it is easier for him1 that is in the ,center1 and sees the thing1 then for him that walks in the ,circumference1 and only heares of it4 ,you have the second matter of all things most cleerly described unto you3 but let mee give you this ,caution1 that if you would attaine to this secret1 know that first of all ,god is to bee prayed to1 then your neighbour is to bee loved3 and lastly1 doe not fancy to your selves things that are subtill1 which ,nature knew nothing of2 but abide1 ,i say1 abide in the plain way of ,nature2 because you may sooner feel the thing in plainnesse1 or simplicity1 then see it in subtilty4 ,in reading therefore my writings doe not stick in the letter of them1 but in reading of them consider ,nature1 and the possibility thereof4 ,now before you set your selves to work1 consider diligently what it is you seek1 and what the scope1 and end of your intention is3 for it is much better to learn by the brain1 and imagination1 then with labour1 and charges4 ,and this ,i say to you1 that you must seek for some hidden thing1 out of which is made 7after a wonderfull manner7 such a moisture1 or humidity1 which doth dissolve ,gold without violence1 or noise1 yea so sweetly1 and naturally1 as ice doth melt in warme water3 if you find out this1 you have that thing1 out of which ,gold is produced by ,nature3 and although all ,metalls1 and all things have their originall from hence1 yet nothing is so friendly to it as ,gold2 for to other things there sticks fast some impurity1 but to ,gold none1 besides it is like a ,mother unto it4 ,and so finally ,i conclude2 if you will not be wise1 and wary by these my writings1 and admonitions1 yet excuse mee who desire to deserve well of you3 ,i have dealt as faithfully as it was lawfull for mee1 and as becomes a man of a good conscience to doe4 ,if you ask who ,i am1 ,i am one that can live any where3 if you know mee1 and desire to shew your selves good and honest men1 you shall hold your tongue3 if you know mee not1 doe not enquire after mee1 for ,i will reveale to no mortall man1 whilest ,i live1 more then ,i have done in this publick writing4 ,beleeve mee1 if ,i were not a man of that ranke and condition as ,i am1 nothing would be more pleasant to mee then a solitary life1 or with ,diogenes to lie hid under a tub3 for ,i see all things that are to be but vanity1 and that deceit1 and covetousnesse are altogether in use1 where all things are to be sold1 and that vice doth excell vertue4 ,i see the better things of the life to come before mine eys4 ,i rejoice in these4 ,now ,i doe not wonder1 as before ,i did1 why ,philosophers1 when they have attained to this ,medicine1 have not cared to have their dayes shortned2 because every ,philosopher hath the life to come set so cleerly before his eyes1 as thy face is seen in a glasse4 ,and if ,god shall graunt thee thy desired end1 then thou shalt beleeve mee1 and not reveal thy self to the world4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,parable1 ,,or ,,philosophicall ,,ridle4 ,added by way of ,conclusion1 and ,superaddition4 ,it fell out upon a time1 when ,i had sailed almost all my life from the ,artick pole1 to the ,antarticke1 that by the singular providence of ,god ,i was cast upon the shore of a certain great sea1 and although ,i well knew and understood the passages1 and properties of the sea of that ,coast1 yet ,i knew not whether in those ,coasts was bred that little fish1 which was called ,remora1 which so many men of great and small fortunes have hitherto so studiously sought after4 ,but whilst ,i was beholding the sweet singing ,mermaides swimming up and down with the ,nymphs1 and being weary with my foregoing labors1 and oppressed with divers thoughts1 ,i was with the noise of waters overtaken with sleep2 and whilest ,i was in a sweet sleep1 there appear'd to me in my sleep a wonderfull vision1 which is this4 ,i saw ,neptune a man of an honorable old age1 going forth out of our sea with his three toothed instrument1 called ,tridens1 who after a friendly salute led mee into a most pleasant ,iland4 ,this goodly ,iland was situated towards the ,south1 being replenished with all things respecting the necessity1 and delight of man3 ,virgils ,elisian field might scarce compare with it4 ,all the banks were round about beset with green ,mirtles1 ,cypresse trees1 and ,rosemary4 ,the green meadowes were covered all over with flowers of all sorts1 both fair1 and sweet4 ,the hills were set forth with ,vines1 ,olive trees1 and ,cedar-trees in a most wonderfull manner4 ,the woods were filled with ,orenge1 and ,lemon-trees4 ,the high wayes were planted on both sides with ,bay-trees1 and ,pomegranate-trees1 woven most artificially one within the other1 and affording a most pleasant shadow to ,travellers4 ,and to bee short1 whatsoever is in the whole world was seen there4 ,as ,i was walking1 there was shewed to me by the foresaid ,neptune two ,mines of that ,iland lying under a certain rock1 the one was of ,gold1 the other of ,chalybs1 or ,steel4 ,not far from thence ,i was brought to a ,meadow in which was a peculiar ,orchard with divers sorts of trees most goodly to behold1 and amongst the rest1 being very many hee shewed to mee seven ,trees marked out by speciall names2 and amongst these ,i observed two as chiefest1 more eminent then the rest1 one of which did beare fruit like the ,sun most bright1 and shining1 and the leaves thereof were like ,gold4 ,the other brought forth fruit that was most white1 yea1 whiter then the ,lillies1 and the leaves therof were as fine ,silver3 ,now these trees were called by ,neptune1 the one the tree of the ,sun1 the other the tree of the ,moon4 ,and although in this ,iland all things were at ones pleasure1 and command1 yet there was one thing1 and but one wanting3 there was no water to be had1 but with great difficulty4 ,there were indeed many that partly endeavoured to bring it thither by pipes1 and partly drew it out of divers things3 but their endeavours were in vain1 because in those places it could not bee had by any means or medium2 and if it were at any time had1 yet it was unprofitable1 and poisonous1 unlesse they fetched it 7as few could doe7 from the beams of the ,sun1 and ,moone2 and he which was fortunate in so doing could never get above ten parts2 and that water was most wonderfull3 and beleeve mee1 for ,i saw it with mine eyes1 and felt it1 that that water was as white as the snow2 and whilest ,i was contemplating upon the water1 ,i was in a great wonder4 ,wherefore ,neptune being in the mean while wearied vanished away from before mine eyes1 and there appeared to me a great man1 upon whose forehead was written the name of ,saturne4 ,this man taking the vessell drew ten parts of water2 and tooke presently of the tree of the ,sun1 and put it in2 and ,i saw the fruit of the tree consumed1 and resolved like ice in warm water4 ,i demanded of him2 ,sir1 ,i see a wonderfull thing1 water to bee as it were of nothing2 ,i see the fruit of the tree consumed in it with a most sweet1 and kindly heat1 and wherefore is all this8 ,but he answered mee most lovingly4 ,my ,son1 it is true this is a thing to be wondered at2 but doe not thou wonder at it1 for so it must be4 ,for this water is the ,water of life1 having power to better the fruit of this tree so1 that afterward neither by planting1 or graffing1 but only by its own odour it may convert the other six trees into its own likenesse4 ,moreover this water is to this fruit as it were a woman1 the fruit of this tree can be putrefied in nothing but in this water1 and although the fruit of it be of it self most wonderful1 a thing of great price2 yet if it be putrefied in this water1 it begets by this putrefaction a ,salamander1 abiding in the fire1 whose blood is more pretious then any kind of treasure or riches in the world1 being able to make those six trees1 which here thou seest1 fruitfull1 and to bring forth their fruit sweeter then the honey4 ,but ,i asked1 ,sir1 ,how is that done8 ,i told thee 7saith hee7 that the fruit of that tree is living1 and sweet2 but whereas one is now sufficed with it1 when it is boyled in this water1 a thousand may then bee satisfied with it4 ,i demanded moreover1 ,sir1 is it boiled with a strong fire1 and how long is it in boyling8 ,but said he1 that water hath an intrinsecall fire1 and if it be helped with a continuall heat1 it burns three parts of its body with this body of the fruit1 and there wil remain but a very smal part1 which is scarce imaginable1 but of wonderful vertue2 it is boiled by the skilfull wit of the ,artificer1 first #g months1 then #aj1 but in the mean time there appeared divers things1 and alwaies in the fiftieth day1 or thereabouts4 ,i demanded again1 ,sir1 cannot this fruit be boiled in other waters1 or something be put to it8 ,hee answered1 there is but this one water that is usefull in this ,country1 or ,island2 and there is no other water can penetrate the pores of this apple1 but this3 and know also that the ,tree of the ,sun hath its originall from this water1 which is extracted out of the beams of the ,sun1 and ,moone by a magnetick vertue3 ,besides they have a great correspondency betwixt themselves1 but if any strange thing be added to it1 it cannot performe that which it can do of it self4 ,it must therefore be left by it self1 and nothing added to it but this apple3 ,this fruit after boiling becomes to bee immortall1 having life1 and blood1 which blood makes all the trees bring forth fruit of the same nature with the ,apple4 ,i asked him further1 ,sir1 is this ,water drawn any other way1 or to be had every where8 ,and he said1 it is in every place1 and no man can live without it2 it is drawn divers ways1 but that is the best1 which is extracted by vertue of our ,chalybs1 which is found in the belly of ,aries4 ,i said1 to what use is it8 ,he answered1 before its due boiling it is the greatest poison1 but after a convenient boiling it is the greatest medicine1 and yeelds nine and twenty graines of blood2 and every grain will yeeld to thee the fruit of the ,tree of the ,sun in #hfd fold4 ,i asked1 ,can it not be made yet better8 ,the ,philosophicall ,scripture being witnesse 7saith hee7 it may bee exalted first to ten1 then to a hundred1 then to a thousand1 and ten thousand4 ,i required again of him1 ,sir1 ,doe many know that ,water1 and hath it any proper name8 ,he cryed out saying1 ,few know it1 but all have seen it1 and doe see it1 and love it3 it hath many and various names1 but its proper name is the ,water of our ,sea1 the ,water of life not wetting the hands4 ,i asked yet further1 ,doe any use it to any other things8 ,every creature 7saith he7 doth use it1 but invisibly4 ,then ,i asked1 ,doth any thing grow in it8 but he said1 ,of it are made all things in the world1 and in it they live3 but in it nothing properly is1 but it is that thing which mixeth it self to every thing4 ,i asked againe1 ,is it usefull for any thing without the fruit of this tree8 ,to this he said1 ,not in this work2 because it is not bettered1 but in the fruit of the ,tree of the ,sun alone4 ,i began to intreat him1 ,sir ,i pray1 name it to mee by such a manifest name1 that ,i may have no further doubt about it4 ,but he cryed with a loud voice1 so as that he awakened me from sleep2 ,therefore ,i could ask him no further1 neither would hee tell mee any more1 neither can ,i tell any more4 ,be satisfied with these1 and beleeve mee1 that it is not possible to speak more cleerly4 ,for if thou dost not understand these things1 thou wilt never be able to comprehend the books of other ,philosophers4 ,after ,saturn's unexpected and sudden departure a new sleep came upon mee1 and then appeared to mee ,neptune in a visible shape3 ,he congratulated my present happinesse in the gardens of the ,hesperides1 shewing to me a ,looking-glasse1 in which ,i saw all ,nature discovered4 ,after the changing of divers words betwixt us1 ,i gave him thanks for his courtesies shewed to me2 because ,i not only entred into this garden1 but also came into ,saturn's most desired discourse4 ,but because by reason of ,saturn's unexpected departure some difficulties did yet remain to be inquired after1 and searched into1 ,i earnestly besought him1 that by means of this happy opportunity hee would resolve mee my doubts4 ,now ,i importuned him with these words1 ,sir ,i have read the books of ,philosophers1 and they say1 that all generation is done by ,male1 and ,female1 yet ,i saw in my dream ,saturne put the fruit alone of the ,tree of the ,sun into our ,mercury2 ,i beleeve also thee as the ,master of this ,sea1 that thou knowest these things2 answer my ,question ,i pray thee4 ,but he said1 ,it is true1 my son1 all generation is done in ,male1 and ,female1 but by reason of the distinguishing of the three ,kingdomes of ,nature1 a foure footed ,animall is brought forth one way1 and a worme another3 ,although wormes have eyes1 sight1 hearing1 and other senses1 yet they are brought forth by putrefaction1 and their place1 or earth1 in which they are putrefied1 is the ,female4 ,so in this ,philosophicall work the mother of this thing is that ,water of thine so often repeated1 whatsoever is produced of that1 is produced as worms by putrefaction4 ,therfore the ,philosophers have created a ,phenix1 ,salamander4 ,for if it were done by the conception of two bodies1 it would be a thing subject to death2 but because it revives it self alone1 the former body being destroyed1 it riseth up another body incorruptible4 ,seeing the death of things is nothing else but the separation of the one from the other4 ,and so it is in this ,phenix1 because the life separates it self by its self from a corruptible body4 ,moreover1 ,i asked him1 ,sir1 are there divers things1 or is there a composition of things in this work8 ,but he said1 there is only one thing1 with which there is mixed nothing else but the ,philosophicall ,water shewed to thee oftentimes in thy sleep1 of which there must be ten parts to one of the body4 ,and strongly1 and undoubtedly beleeve1 ,my son1 that those things which are by me and ,saturn shewed thee by way of dreams1 according to the custom1 in this ,iland1 are not dreams1 but the very truth1 which ,experience the only ,mistris of things will by the assistance of ,god discover to thee4 ,i yet further demanded some things of him1 but hee without any answer1 after he had took his leave of mee1 departing set me1 being raised from sleep1 into my desired region of ,europe4 ,and so friendly ,reader1 let this suffice thee1 which hath by mee thus farre been fully declared4 ,to ,god alone be praise and glory4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,a ,,dialogve ,,between ,,mercury1 the ,,alchymist and ,,nature4 ,vpon a time there were assembled divers ,alchymists together1 and held a counsel how they should make1 prepare the ,philosophers stone1 and they concluded that every one should declare his opinion with a vow4 ,and that meeting was in the open aire1 in a certaine meadow1 on a faire cleer day4 ,and many agreed that ,mercury was the first matter thereof1 others that ,sulphur was1 and others other things4 ,but the chiefest opinion was of ,mercury1 and that especially because of the sayings of ,philosophers1 because they hold1 that ,mercury is the first true matter of the ,stone1 also of ,metalls3 ,for ,philosophers cry out1 and say1 ,,our ,,mercury1 c4 ,and so whilest they did contend amongst themselves for divers operations 7every one gladly expecting a conclusion7 there arose in the mean time a very great tempest1 with stormes1 showers of rain1 and an unheard of wind1 which dispersed that assembly into divers ,provinces1 every one apart without a conclusion4 ,yet every one of them fancied to himselfe what the conclusion of that dispute should have been4 ,every one therefore set upon his work as before1 one in this thing1 another in that thing seeking the ,philosophers ,stone1 and this is done till this day without any giving over4 ,now one of them remembring the disputation1 that the ,philosophers ,stone is necessarily to be sought after in ,mercury1 said to himself3 ,although there was no conclusion made1 yet ,i wil work in ,mercury1 and will make a conclusion my self in making the blessed ,stone2 for he was a man that was alwaies wont to talk to himselfe1 as indeed all ,alchymists usually doe4 ,hee therefore began to read the books of ,philosophers1 and fell upon a booke of ,alanus1 which treats of ,mercury2 and so that ,alchymist is made a ,philosopher1 but without any conclusion3 ,and taking ,mercury he began to work2 hee put it into a glass1 and put fire to it1 the ,mercury as it is wont to do1 vapoured away1 the poor silly ,alchymist not knowing the nature of it1 beat his wife1 saying3 ,no body could come hither besides thee1 thou tookest the ,mercury out of the glass4 ,his wife crying excuseth her self1 and speaks softly to her husband3 ,thou wilt make a sir-reverence of these4 ,the ,alchymist tooke ,mercury again1 and put it again into his vessell1 and lest his wife should take it away1 watched it4 ,but the ,mercury1 as its manner is1 vapoured away again4 ,the ,alchymist remembring that the first matter of the ,philosophers ,stone must be volatile1 rejoiced exceedingly1 altogether perswading himselfe that he could not now be deceived1 having the first matter3 ,hee began now to work upon ,mercury boldly1 he learned afterwards to sublime it1 and to calcine it divers ways1 as with ,salt1 ,sulphur1 and ,metalls1 ,mineralls1 ,bloud1 ,haire1 ,corrosive waters1 ,herbs1 ,urine1 ,vineger1 but could find nothing for his purpose2 hee left nothing unassayed in the whole world1 with which hee did not work upon good ,mercury withall4 ,but when he could doe no good at all with this1 hee fell upon this saying----that it is found in the dung-hill4 ,he began to worke upon ,mercury with divers sorts of dung1 together1 and asunder3 ,and when hee was weary1 and full of thoughts he fell into a sleep4 ,and in his sleep there appeared to him a vision3 there came to him an old man1 who saluted him1 and said2 ,friend1 ,why art thou sad8 ,hee answered1 ,i would willingly make the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,then said he1 ,friend1 ,of what wilt thou make the ,philosophers ,stone8 ,alchymista4 ,of ,mercury1 ,sir4 ,senex4 ,of what ,mercury8 ,alch4 ,there is but one ,mercury4 ,sen4 ,it is true1 there is but one ,mercury1 but altered variously1 according to the variety of places2 one is purer then another4 ,alch4 ,o ,sir1 ,i know how to purifie it very well with vineger and salt1 with nitre and vitriall4 ,sen4 ,i tell thee this is not the true purifying of it1 neither is this1 thus purifyed1 the true ,mercury3 ,wise men have another ,mercury1 and another manner of purifying of it1 and so he vanished away4 ,the ,alchymist being raised from sleep thought with himselfe what vision this should be1 as also what this ,mercury of ,philosophers should be3 hee could bethinke himselfe of no other but the vulgar ,mercury4 ,but yet hee desired much that hee might have had a longer discourse with the old man3 but yet hee worked continually1 sometimes in the dung of living creatures1 as boyes dung1 and sometimes in his own4 ,and every day hee went to the place1 where hee saw the vision1 that he might speak with the old man again3 sometimes hee counterfeited a sleep1 and lay with his eyes shut expecting the old man4 ,but when he would not come he thought he was afraid of him1 and would not beleeve that he was asleep1 he swore therefore saying1 ,my good old ,master be not afraid1 for truly ,i am asleep2 look upon my eyes1 see if ,i be not3 ,and the poor ,alchymist after so many labours1 and the spending of all his goods1 now at last fel mad1 by alwaies thinking of the old man4 ,and when hee was in that strong imagination1 there appeared to him in his sleep a false vision1 in the likenesse of the old man1 and said to him1 ,doe not despaire1 my friend1 thy ,mercury is good1 and thy matter1 but if it will not obey thee1 conjure it1 that it bee not volatile2 ,serpents are used to be conjured1 and then why not ,mercury8 and so the old man would leave him4 ,but the ,alchymist asked of him1 saying1 ,sir1 expect1 c4 ,and by reason of a noise this poore ,alchymist was raised from sleep1 yet not without great comfort4 ,he took then a vessell full of ,mercury1 and began to conjure it divers wayes1 as his dream taught him4 ,and hee remembred the words of the old man1 in that hee said1 ,serpents are conjured1 and ,mercury is painted with ,serpents1 hee thought1 so it must bee conjured as the ,serpents4 ,and taking a vessell with ,mercury hee began to say1 ,ux1 ,vx1 ,ostas1 c4 ,and where the name of the ,serpent should be put1 he put the name of ,mercury1 saying3 ,and thou wicked beast ,mercury1 c4 ,at which words ,mercury began to laugh1 and to speak unto him saying1 ,what wilt thou have1 that thou thus troublest mee my ,master ,alchymist8 ,alch4 ,o ho1 now thou callest me ,master1 when ,i touch thee to the quick1 now ,i have found where thy bridle is1 wait a little1 and by and by thou shalt sing my song1 and he began to speak to him1 as it were angerly1 ,art thou that ,mercury of ,philosophers8 ,merc4 7as if he were afraid answered7 ,i am ,mercury1 my ,master4 ,alch4 ,why therefore wilt not thou obey mee8 and why could not ,i fix thee8 ,merc4 ,o my noble ,master1 ,i beseech thee pardon mee1 wretch that ,i am1 ,i did not know that thou wast so great a ,philosopher4 ,alch4 ,didst not thou perceive this by my operations1 seeing ,i proceeded so ,philosophically with thee8 ,merc4 ,so it is1 my noble ,master1 although ,i would hide my selfe1 yet ,i see ,i cannot from so honourable a ,master as thou art4 ,alch4 ,now therefore dost thou know a ,philosopher8 ,merc4 ,yea1 my ,master1 ,i see that your worship is a most excellent ,philosopher4 ,alch4 7being glad at his heart saith7 truly now ,i have found what ,i sought for4 7,again he spake to ,mercury with a most terrible voice37 ,now go to1 be now therefore obedient1 or else it shall be the worse for thee4 ,merc4 ,willingly1 my ,master1 if ,i am able1 for now ,i am very weake4 ,alch4 ,why dost thou now excuse thy selfe8 ,merc4 ,i doe not1 my ,master1 but ,i am faint and feeble4 ,alch4 ,what hurts thee8 ,merc4 ,the ,alchymist hurts mee4 ,alch4 ,what1 dost thou still deride mee8 ,merc4 ,o ,master1 no1 ,i speak of the ,alchymist1 but thou art a ,philosopher4 ,alch4 ,o wel1 well1 that is true1 but what hath the ,alchymist done8 ,merc4 ,o my ,master1 hee hath done many evill things to mee1 for hee hath mixed mee1 poor wretch as ,i am1 with things contrary to mee3 from whence ,i shall never bee able to recover my strength1 and ,i am almost dead1 for ,i am tormented almost unto death4 ,alch4 ,o thou deservest those things1 for thou art disobedient4 ,merc4 ,i was never disobedient to any ,philosopher1 but it is naturall to mee to deride fools4 ,alch4 ,and what dost thou think of mee8 ,merc4 ,o ,sir1 you are a great man1 a very great ,philosopher1 yea greater then ,hermes himselfe4 ,alch4 ,truly so it is1 ,i am a learned man1 but ,i will not commend my selfe1 but my ,wife also said to mee1 that ,i am a very learned ,philosopher1 she knew so much by me4 ,merc4 ,i am apt to beleeve thee1 for ,philosophers must be so1 who by reason of too much wisdome1 and pains fall mad4 ,alch4 ,goe to then1 tell me therefore what ,i shall doe with thee2 how ,i shall make the ,philosophers ,stone of thee4 ,merc4 ,o my ,master ,philosopher1 ,i know not1 ,thou art a ,philosopher1 ,i am a servant of the ,philosophers1 they make of me what they please1 ,i obey them as much as ,i am able4 ,alch4 ,thou must tell mee how ,i must proceed with thee1 and how ,i may make of thee the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,merc4 ,if thou knowest1 thou shall make it1 but if thou knowest not1 thou shalt doe nothing1 thou shalt know nothing by mee1 if thou knowest not already my ,master ,philosopher4 ,alch4 ,thou speakest to mee as to some simple man1 perhaps thou dost not know that ,i have worked with ,princes1 and was accounted a ,philosopher with them4 ,merc4 ,i am apt to beleeve thee my ,master1 for ,i know all this very wel1 ,i am yet foul1 and unclean by reason of those mixtures that thou hast used4 ,alch4 ,therefore tell mee1 art thou the ,mercury of ,philosophers8 ,merc4 ,i am ,mercury1 but whether or no the ,philosophers1 that belongs to thee to know4 ,alch4 ,do but tell me if thou art the true ,mercury1 or if there be another4 ,merc4 ,i am ,mercury1 but there is another1 and so he vanished away4 ,the ,alchymist cries out and speaks1 but no body answers him4 ,and bethinking himselfe saith3 ,surely ,i am an excellent man1 ,mercury hath been pleased to talke with mee1 surely hee loves mee3 and then he began to sublime ,mercury1 distil1 calcine1 make ,turbith of him1 precipitate1 and dissolve him divers wayes1 and with divers waters1 but as hee laboured in vain before1 so now also he hath spent his time1 and costs to no purpose4 ,wherefore at last hee begins to curse ,mercury1 and revile ,nature because shee made him4 ,now ,nature when she heard these things called ,mercury to her1 and said to him3 ,what hast thou done to this man8 ,why doth he curse and revile me for thy sake8 ,why dost not thou doe what thou oughtest to doe8 ,but ,mercury modestly excuseth himself4 ,yet ,nature commands him to be obedient to the sons of ,wisdome1 that seek after him4 ,mercury promiseth that he will1 and saith3 ,mother ,nature1 but who can satisfie fools8 ,nature went away smiling3 but ,mercury being angry with the ,alchymist goes also unto his own place4 ,after a few days it came into the ,alchymists mind1 that he omitted something in his operations1 and again hee hath recourse to ,mercury1 and now resolves to mix him with hogs dung2 but ,mercury being angry that he had falsly accused him before his mother ,nature1 saith to the ,alchymist1 ,what wilt thou have of me thou foole8 ,why hast thou thus accused mee8 ,alch4 ,art thou he that ,i have longed to see8 ,merc4 ,i am1 but no man that is blind can see mee4 ,alch4 ,i am not blind4 ,merc4 ,thou art very blind1 for thou canst not see thy selfe1 how then canst thou see mee8 ,alch4 ,o now thou art proud1 ,i speak civilly to thee1 and thou contemnest mee3 thou dost not know perhaps that ,i have worked with many ,princes1 and was esteemed as a ,philosopher amongst them4 ,merc4 ,fools flock to ,princes ,courts1 for there they are honoured1 and fare better then others4 ,wast thou also at the ,court8 ,alch4 ,o thou art a devill1 and not a good ,mercury1 if thou wilt speak thus to ,philosophers3 for before thou didst also seduce me thus4 ,mer4 ,dost thou know ,philosophers8 ,alch4 ,i my self am a ,philosopher4 ,merc4 ,behold our ,philosopher 7smiling said3 and began to talke further with him saying7 ,my ,philosopher1 tell mee therefore what thou seekest after1 and what thou wilt have1 what dost thou desire to make8 ,alch4 ,the ,philosophers stone4 ,merc4 ,out of what matter therefore wilt thou make it8 ,alch4 ,of our ,mercury4 ,merc4 ,o my ,philosopher1 now ,i wil leave you1 for ,i am not yours4 ,alch4 ,o thou art but a devill1 and wilt seduce mee4 ,merc4 ,truly my ,philosopher thou art a devill to mee1 not ,i to thee3 for thou dost deale most sordidly with mee1 after a devillish manner4 ,alch4 ,o what doe ,i hear8 this certainly is a devill indeed1 for ,i do all things according to the writings of ,philosophers1 and know very well how to work4 ,merc4 ,thou knowest very well1 for thou dost more then thou knowest1 or readst of3 for the ,philosophers said1 that ,nature is to be mixed with ,natures2 and they command nothing to bee done without ,nature2 but thou dost mix mee with almost all the sordidst things that bee1 as dung4 ,alch4 ,i doe nothing besides ,nature2 but ,i sow seed into its own earth1 as the ,philosophers have said4 ,merc4 ,thou sowest mee in dung1 and in time of harvest ,i do vanish away1 and thou art wont to reap dung4 ,alc4 ,yet so the ,philosophers have wrote1 that in the dunghill their matter is to be sought for4 ,merc4 ,it is true what they have written2 but thou understandest their letter1 and not their sense1 and meaning4 ,alch4 ,now happily ,i see that thou art ,mercury2 but thou wilt not obey mee4 ,and he began to conjure him again1 saying1 ,vx ,vx4 ,but ,mercury laughing answered1 ,thou shalt doe no good1 my friend4 ,alch4 ,they do not speak without ground1 when they say thou art of a strange nature1 inconstant1 and volatile4 ,merc4 ,dost thou say1 that ,i am inconstant1 ,i resolve thee thus1 ,i am constant unto a constant ,artificer2 fixed to him1 that is of a fixed mind1 but thou1 and such as thou art1 are inconstant1 running from one thing unto another1 from one matter unto another4 ,alch4 ,tell me therefore if thou art that ,mercury1 which the ,philosophers wrote of1 which they said was1 together with sulphur1 and salt the principall of all things1 or must ,i seek after another8 ,mer4 ,truly the fruit doth not fal far from the tree1 but ,i seek not mine own praise1 ,i am the same as ,i was1 but my years are differing4 ,from the beginning ,i was young1 so long as ,i was alone1 but now ,i am older1 yet the same as ,i was before4 ,alch4 ,now thou pleasest me1 because now thou art older3 for ,i alwaies sought after such a one1 that was more ripe1 and fixed1 that ,i might so much the more easily accord with him4 ,merc4 ,thou dost in vain look after mee in my old age1 who didst not know mee in my youth4 ,alch4 ,did not ,i know thee1 who have worked with thee divers wayes1 as thou thy selfe hast said8 and yet ,i will not leave off till ,i have made the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,merc4 ,o what a miserable case am ,i in8 ,what shall ,i do8 ,i must now be mixed again with dung1 and be tormented4 ,o wretch that ,i am6 ,i beseech thee good ,master ,philosopher1 doe not mix me so much with hogs dung2 for otherwise ,i shall be undone1 for by reason of this stink ,i am constrained to change my shape4 ,and what wilt thou have mee doe more8 ,am not ,i tormented sufficiently by thee8 ,doe not ,i obey thee8 ,doe not ,i mixe my self with those things thou wilt have me8 ,am ,i not sublimed8 ,am ,i not precipitated8 ,am ,i not made turbith8 ,an ,amalgama8 ,a ,past8 ,now what canst thou desire more of me8 ,my body is so scourged1 so spit upon1 that the very stone would pity me3 ,by vertue of me thou hast milk1 flesh1 bloud1 butter1 oyl1 water1 and which of all the metalls1 or mineral can do that which ,i do alone8 and is there no mercy to be had towards me8 ,o what a wretch am ,i6 ,alc4 ,o ho1 it doth not hurt thee1 thou art wicked1 although thou turnest thy self inside out1 yet thou dost not change thy selfe1 thou dost but frame to thy selfe a new shape1 thou dost alwaies return into thy first forme again4 ,merc4 ,i doe as thou wilt have me1 if thou wilt have me be a body1 ,i am a body3 if thou will have me be dust1 ,i am dust1 ,i know not how ,i should abase my self more1 then when ,i am dust1 and a shadow4 ,alch4 ,tell mee therefore what thou art in thy ,center1 and ,i will torment thee no more4 ,merc4 ,now ,i am constrained to tell from the very foundation4 ,if thou wilt thou maist understand mee3 thou seest my shape1 and of this thou needest not know further4 ,but because thou askest mee of the ,center1 my ,center is the most fixed heart of all things1 immortall1 and penetrating3 in that my ,master rests1 but ,i my selfe am the way1 and the passenger1 ,i am a stranger1 and yet live at home1 ,i am most faithfull to all my companions1 ,i leave not those that doe accompany mee2 ,i abide with them1 ,i perish with them4 ,i am an immortall body3 ,i die indeed when ,i am slaine1 but ,i rise againe to judgement before a wise ,judge4 ,alch4 ,art thou therefore the ,philosophers ,stone8 ,merc4 ,my mother is such a one1 of her is born artificially one certain thing1 but my brother who dwells in the fort1 hath in his will what the ,philosophers desire4 ,alch4 ,art thou old8 ,merc4 ,my mother begat mee1 but ,i am older then my mother4 ,alch4 ,what devill can understand thee1 when thou dost not answer to the purpose8 thou alwaies speakest ,riddles4 ,tell mee if thou art that fountain of which ,bernard ,lord ,trevisan writ8 ,merc4 ,i am not the fountaine1 but ,i am the water1 the fountaine compasseth mee about4 ,alch4 ,is gold dissolved in thee1 when thou art water8 ,merc4 ,whatsoever is with mee ,i love as a friend2 and whatsoever is brought forth with mee1 to that ,i give nourishment1 and whatsoever is naked1 ,i cover with my wings4 ,alch4 ,i see it is to no purpose to speak to thee1 ,i ask one thing1 and thou answerest another thing3 if thou wilt not answer to my question1 truly ,i will goe to work with thee again4 ,merc4 ,o master1 ,i beseech thee be good to me1 now ,i will willingly doe what ,i know4 ,alch4 ,tell mee therefore if thou art afraid of the fire4 ,merc4 ,i am fire my selfe4 ,alch4 ,and why then dost thou fly from the fire8 ,merc4 ,my spirit1 and the spirit of the fire love one another1 and whither one goes1 the other goes if it can4 ,alch4 ,and whither dost thou goe1 when thou ascendest with the fire8 ,merc4 ,know that every stranger bends towards his own countrey1 and when he is returned from whence he came1 hee is at rest1 and alwaies returnes wiser1 then he was when he came forth4 ,alch4 ,dost thou come back again sometimes8 ,merc4 ,i doe1 but in another forme4 ,alch4 ,i do not understand what this is1 nor any thing of the fire4 ,merc4 ,if any one knew the fire of my heart1 hee hath seen that fire 7a due heat7 is my meat3 and by how much the longer the spirit of my heart feeds upon fire1 it will be so much the fatter1 whose death is afterward the life of all things1 whatsoever they bee in this ,kingdome where ,i am4 ,alch4 ,art thou great8 ,merc4 ,i am thus for example1 of a thousand drops ,i shall be one1 out of one ,i give many thousand drops3 and as my body is in thy sight1 if thou knowest how to sport with mee1 thou maist divide me into as much as thou wilt1 and ,i shall be one again3 ,what then is my spirit 7my heart7 intrinsecally1 which alwaies can bring forth many thousands out of the least part8 ,alch4 ,and how therefore must one deale with thee that thou maist be so8 ,merc4 ,i am fire within1 fire is my meat1 but the life of the fire is aire1 without aire the fire is extinguished2 the fire prevails over the aire1 wherefore ,i am not at rest1 neither can the crude aire constringe1 or bind mee3 adde aire to aire1 that both may be one1 and hold weight1 join it to warme fire1 and give it time4 ,alch4 ,what shall bee after that8 ,merc4 ,the superfluous shall be taken away1 the residue thou shalt burn with fire1 put it into water1 boyl it1 after it is boyled thou shalt give it to the sick by way of physick4 ,alch4 ,thou saist nothing to my questions4 ,i see that thou wilt only delude mee with ,riddles4 ,wife1 bring hither the hogs dung1 ,i will handle that ,mercury some new wayes1 untill hee tell mee how the ,philosophers ,stone is to bee made of him4 ,mercury hearing this begins to lament over the ,alchymist1 and goes unto his mother ,nature3 accuseth the ungratefull operator4 ,nature beleeves her son ,mercury1 who tells true1 and being moved with anger comes to the ,alchymist1 and calls him2 ,ho thou1 ,where art thou8 ,alchym4 ,who is that1 thus calls mee8 ,natura4 ,what dost thou with my son1 thou fool thou8 ,why dost thou thus injure him8 ,why dost thou torment him8 who is willing to doe thee any good1 if thou couldst understand so much4 ,alch4 ,what devill reprehends me1 so great a man1 and ,philosopher8 ,nat4 ,o fool ful of pride1 the dung of ,philosophers1 ,i know all ,philosophers1 and wise men1 and ,i love them1 for they love me1 and doe all things for me at my pleasure1 and whither ,i cannot goe they help me4 ,but you ,alchymists1 of whose order thou also art one1 without my knowledg1 and consent1 doe all things contrary unto me2 wherefore it falls out contrary to your expectation4 ,you think that you deal with my sons rationally1 but you perfect nothing2 and if you will consider rightly1 you do not handle them1 but they handle you3 for you can make nothing of them1 neither know you how to do it1 but they of you when they please1 make fooles4 ,alch4 ,it is not true3 ,i also am a ,philosopher1 and know well how to worke1 ,i have been with more then one ,prince1 and was esteemed a ,philosopher amongst them1 my wife also knows the same1 and now also ,i have a manuscript1 which was hid some hundreds of years in an old wall1 now ,i certainly know ,i shall make the ,philosophers ,stone1 as also within these few dayes it was revealed to mee in a dreame4 ,o ,i am wont to have true dreams2 ,wife thou knowest it6 ,natur4 ,thou shalt doe as the rest of thy fellowes have done1 who in the beginning know all things1 and thinke they are very knowing1 but in conclusion know nothing4 ,alch4 ,yet others have made it of thee 7if thou art the true ,nature47 ,nat4 ,it is true1 but only they that knew me1 and they are very few4 ,but hee which knowes mee doth not torment my ,sons2 nor disturbe mee1 but doth to mee what hee pleaseth1 and increaseth my goods1 and heals the bodies of my sons4 ,alch4 ,even so do ,i4 ,natur4 ,thou dost all things contrary to mee1 and dost proceed with my ,sonnes contrary to my will3 when thou shouldst revive1 thou killest2 when fix1 thou sublimest2 when calcine1 thou distillest2 especially my most observant ,sonne ,mercury1 whom thou tormentest with so many corrosive waters1 and so many poisonous things4 ,alch4 ,then ,i will proceed with him sweetly by digestion only4 ,natur4 ,it is well if thou knowest how to doe it1 but if not1 thou shalt not hurt him1 but thy selfe1 and expose thy selfe to charges1 for it is all one with him1 as with a gem1 which is mixed with dung1 that is alwaies good1 and the dung doth not diminish it1 although it be cast upon it1 for when it is washed1 it is the same gemme as it was before4 ,alch4 ,but ,i would willingly know how to make the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,natur4 ,therefore doe not handle my ,son in that fashion3 for know1 that ,i have many ,sonnes1 and many ,daughters1 and ,i am ready at hand to them that seek mee1 if they bee worthy of mee4 ,alch4 ,tell me therefore who that ,mercury is8 ,nat4 ,know that ,i have but one such ,sonne1 and hee is one of seven1 and hee is the first2 and hee is all things1 who was but one2 hee is nothing1 and his number is entire2 in him are the foure ,elements1 and yet himselfe is no ,element2 he is a spirit1 and yet hath a body2 he is a man1 and yet acts the part of a woman2 hee is a child1 and yet bears the armes of a man2 hee is a beast1 and yet hath the wings of a bird2 hee is poison1 yet cureth the leprosie2 he is life1 yet kills all things2 hee is a ,king1 yet another possesseth his ,kingdome2 hee flyeth from the fire1 yet fire is made of him2 hee is water1 yet wets not2 hee is earth1 yet hee is sowed2 hee is aire1 yet lives in water4 ,alch4 ,now ,i see that ,i know nothing1 but ,i dare not say so1 for then ,i should lose my reputation1 and my neighbors will lay out no more money upon mee1 if they should know that ,i know nothing3 yet ,i will say that ,i doe certainly know1 or else no body will give mee so much as bread3 for many of them hope for much good from mee4 ,natur4 ,although thou shouldst put them off a great while1 yet what will become of thee at last8 and especially if thy neighbours should demand their charges of thee again8 ,alch4 ,i will feed all of them with hope1 as much as possibly ,i can4 ,natur4 ,and then what wilt thou doe at last8 ,alch4 ,i will try many ways privately3 if either of them succeed1 ,i will pay them2 if not1 ,i will goe into some other far ,country1 and doe the like there4 ,natur4 ,and what will become of thee afterward8 ,alch4 ,ha1 ha1 ha1 there bee many countryes1 also many covetous men1 to whom ,i will promise great store of ,gold1 and that in a short time1 and so the time shall passe away1 till at last either ,i1 or they must die ,kings1 or ,asses4 ,natur4 ,such ,philosophers deserve the halter3 fie upon thee1 make hast and be hanged1 and put an end to thy self1 and thy ,philosophy2 for by this meanes thou shalt neither deceive mee1 thy neighbour1 or thy self4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,a ,,treatise ,,of ,,svlphvr3 ,the ,preface4 ,,courteous ,,reader1 ,seeing ,i might not write more cleerly1 then other ancient ,philosophers have wrote2 haply thou mayst not bee satisfied with my writings3 especially since thou hast so many other bookes of ,philosophers already in thy hands3 but beleeve me1 neither have ,i any need to write books1 because ,i seek neither profit1 nor vain glory by them2 therefore ,i doe not publish who ,i am4 ,those things which ,i have now publisht for thy profit1 and advantage1 seem to mee to be more then enough2 ,i purpose that other things1 which remain1 shall bee referred to the book of ,harmony1 where ,i have largely treated of naturall things3 yet by the perswasion of some friends ,i must needs also write this ,treatise of ,sulphur2 in which whether it be needfull to adde any thing to what is written before1 ,i know not4 ,yea1 neither shall this satisfie thee1 if the writings of so many ,philosophers cannot satisfie thee3 ,and especially1 if the daily operation of ,nature bee not a sufficient example1 no other examples shall doe thee good4 ,for if thou wouldst consider with a mature judgement1 how ,nature works1 thou wouldst not have need of so many volumes of ,philosophers3 because in my judgement it is better to learn of ,nature the ,mistris1 then of her scholars4 ,thou hast enough in the ,preface of the book of the ,twelve ,treatises1 as also in the ,first ,treatise it self1 because in this ,art there be so many1 and so great books to bee found1 that they rather hinder1 then help those that are studious of this ,art3 and so indeed it seems to be1 because the ,writings of ,philosophers are out of that little ,schedule of ,hermes grown up unto so great1 and erroneous a ,labyrinth1 and daily doe decline into obscurity3 ,and this ,i beleeve is done only by envious ,philosophers1 when as the ignorant doe not well know what ought to be added1 or left out1 if haply the ,authours hand cannot well be read4 ,if in any ,science1 or ,art it doth much help1 or hurt to have one word lacking1 or added1 then much more in this3 ,as for example3 ,it is written in one place3 ,then mix these waters together1 another addes ,not1 hee indeed added but a little1 and yet by this he turned the whole ,chapter quite contrary3 yet let the diligent ,student know1 that a ,bee doth gather honey out of poisonous hearbs4 ,but if he judgeth what hee reads1 according to the possibility of ,nature1 hee will easily get beyond all the ,sophistry of ,philosophers3 yet let him not give over reading1 because one booke explaines another4 ,and by this meanes ,i understood that the bookes of ,geber the ,philosopher 7and who could know it1 but they that read other ,authours87 are so wonderfully enchanted1 that they cannot possibly be understood1 unlesse they be read over a thousand times1 and this also by a witty ,reader2 fooles must bee utterly excluded from reading of them4 ,there bee indeed many that undertake to interpret him as they doe other ,authors2 but ,i see their explication is more difficult then the text3 ,my advice is1 that thou dost persist in the text1 and whatsoever thou readest apply to the possibility of ,nature2 and in the first place enquire diligently what ,nature is4 ,all indeed write1 that shee is a thing of small account1 easy1 common2 and indeed it is true1 but it should have been added1 that shee is so unto wise men4 ,the wise man knows her to be amongst dung1 and the ignorant man doth not beleeve her to bee in gold4 ,and all these men1 which have made such hard bookes1 if they were now ignorant of the ,art1 but must find it out of such bookes 7which books indeed are very true7 would with more difficulty find it out1 then men1 that in these days search into the art1 doe4 ,i will not commend mine owne ,writings1 hee shall judge of them that shall apply them to the possibility1 and course of ,nature2 and if by my ,writings1 ,counsell1 ,examples1 hee shall not know the operation of ,nature1 and her ministring vitall spirits constringing the aire1 as also the subject of the first matter1 hee will scarce understand them by ,raimundus ,lullius4 ,it is a hard thing to beleeve that spirits have such a power and force in the belly of the wind4 ,this ,wood ,i also am constrained to goe through1 and also ,i have helped to multiply it1 yet in such a manner as my plants shall be signes1 a light1 and guides to the true ,sons of ,art1 and ,students in this sacred ,science1 that are willing to goe through this ,wood2 for my plants are as it were corporeall4 ,those times are now past1 when fidelity amongst friends flourished1 and this ,art was communicated by word of mouth2 but now it is not obtained but by the inspiration of the most high ,god alone4 ,therefore let not him that searcheth diligently1 and fears ,god despaire4 ,if he seeks after it1 hee shall find it4 ,because it is more easily obtained from ,god1 then from man3 for hee is a ,god of infinite compassion1 and knowes not how to forsake him that puts his trust in him2 with him there is no respect of persons2 the contrite and humble heart hee will not despise1 and hee hath taken compassion upon mee1 the most unworthy of his creatures2 whose power1 goodness1 unspeakable compassion which he hath vouchsafed to shew to mee1 ,i am not able to expresse3 but if ,i am able to give no better thankes1 yet ,i shall not cease with my pen to set forth his praise for ever4 ,bee of good courage therefore1 ,courteous ,reader1 and hee will also not deny this favour to thee1 if thou puttest thy whole trust in him1 worship him1 and call upon him1 hee will open to thee the gate of ,nature2 then thou shalt see how most plainly ,nature works4 ,know for certain that ,nature is most plain1 and simple1 and delights in nothing so much as in plainnesse2 and beleeve mee1 whatsoever in ,nature is more noble1 by so much also the more easy1 and plain it is1 because all truth is plain1 and simple3 ,god the most ,high ,creator of all things put nothing that is hard1 or difficult in ,nature4 ,if thou wilt therefore imitate ,nature1 let mee perswade thee to abide in the simple way of ,nature2 and thou shalt find all good things4 ,but if neither my writings1 nor advise pleaseth thee1 then go to other authors4 ,wherefore ,i write not great ,volumes that thou maist not lay out too much money1 or time upon them1 but maist read them over quickly1 and bee at the more leisure to have recourse to other authors3 and cease not to seek1 for to him that knocks1 it shall bee opened4 ,now those times are coming1 in which many secrets of ,nature shall bee revealed4 ,now that fourth ,monarchy of the ,north is about to begin3 ,now the times are at hand2 the ,mother of ,sciences will come3 greater things shall bee discovered then hath been done in these three last past ,monarchies4 ,because this ,monarchy 7as the ,ancients have foretold7 ,god will plant by one of his ,princes1 being enriched with all manner of vertues1 whom haply times have already brought forth4 ,for wee have in this ,northerne part a most wise ,prince1 and most warlike1 whom none of the ,monarchs doth goe beyond in victories1 or excell in humanity1 and piety4 ,in this ,northerne ,monarchy ,god the maker of all things1 will without doubt bring to light greater secrets in ,nature1 then in those times1 when ,pagan1 and ,tyrant ,princes reigned4 ,but the ,philosophers reckon these ,monarchies1 not according to the powerfulnesse of them1 but according to the corners of the world3 the first was ,easterne1 the next ,southerne2 this which they now possesse is ,westerne3 the last which they expect in this ,northerne part is ,northerne3 but of these further in my booke of ,harmony4 ,in this ,northern ,monarchy1 where the attractive pole is 7as the ,psalmist speaks7 ,mercy and ,truth are met together2 ,peace1 and ,justice shall kisse each other2 ,truth shall rise out of the earth1 and ,justice shall looke from heaven4 ,one sheepfold1 and one ,shepheard4 ,many ,arts without envy3 ,all which ,i doe earnestly expect4 ,doe thou also1 ,courteous ,reader1 call upon1 love1 feare ,god1 read over my ,writings diligently1 and then thou maist foretell to thy selfe good things4 ,and if thou shalt1 through the favour of ,god1 and the help of ,nature 7whom thou must imitate7 arrive to the desired haven of this ,monarchie2 then thou shalt see1 and say that all things that ,i have said to thee1 are good1 and true4 ,farewell4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,svlphvr3 ,the second ,principle4 ,sulphur is not the last amongst the ,principles1 because it is a part of the ,metall2 yea and the principall part of the ,philosophers ,stone3 and many wise men have left in writing divers1 and very true things of ,sulphur4 ,yea ,geber himself in his first book of the highest perfection1 cha4 #bh4 saith3 ,through the most ,high ,god it illuminates every body3 because it is light from light1 and ,tincture4 ,but before wee treate of it1 it seems good to us to first describe the originall of the ,principles2 especially since of old1 ,sulphur hath been accounted the chiefest of the ,principles4 ,now very few have hitherto shewed whence the ,principles arise1 and it is a hard thing to judge of any of the ,principles1 or anything else1 whose originall1 and generation is unknowne3 what can a blind man judg of a colour8 ,what our predecessors have omitted1 that have wee purposed in this ,treatise to supply4 ,now the ,principles of things1 especially of ,metalls1 according to the ancient ,philosophers are two1 ,sulphur2 and ,mercury3 but according to the latter ,philosophers1 three1 ,sal1 ,sulphur1 and ,mercury4 ,now the originall of these ,principles are the foure ,elements2 with the originall of which also wee will first begin4 ,therefore let them that are ,students in this sacred science know1 that there are four ,elements1 and that every one of these foure hath in its ,center another ,element1 by which it is elementated3 and these are the four statues of the world1 separated from the ,chaos in the creation of the world by divine wisdome2 and these uphold the fabrick of the world by their contrary acting1 in equality1 and proportion1 and also by the inclination of celestiall vertues1 bring forth all things1 that are within1 and upon the earth3 but of these in their places3 here we will returne to our purpose2 and first of the ,element that is neerest1 viz4 the ,earth4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,the ,,element of the ,,earth4 ,the ,earth is of great worth in its quality1 and dignity3 in this ,element1 the other three1 especially the fire1 rest4 ,it is the most excellent ,element to conceale1 and discover those things which are intrusted to it3 it is grosse1 and porous1 heavy in respect of its smallnesse1 but light in respect of its ,nature2 it is also the ,center of the world1 as also of the other ,elements2 through its ,center passeth the axell tree of the world1 and of both poles4 ,it is porous1 as wee said1 as a spunge1 and brings forth nothing of it selfe1 but all things whatsoever the other three distil1 and project into it1 it receives1 keeps all things that are to be kept1 brings to light all things that are to be brought to light4 ,it brings forth 7as wee said before7 nothing of it selfe1 but it is the receptacle of other things1 and it is that1 in which every thing that is brought forth1 doth abide1 and by heat of motion is putrefied in it1 and is multiplied by the same1 the pure being separated from the impure3 ,that which is heavy in it is hid1 and the heat drives that which is light unto its superficies4 ,it is the nurse1 and matrix of all seed1 and commixtion4 ,it can indeed doe nothing else1 then preserve the seed1 and what is made of it1 till it be ripe4 ,it is cold1 dry1 tempered with water2 visible without1 and fixed2 but within invisible1 and volatile4 ,it is a virgin1 and the ,caput ,mortuum left after the creation of the world1 which shall hereafter at divine pleasure bee calcined1 after extraction of its moisture1 that of it a new ,crystalline ,earth may be created4 ,also this ,element is divided into a pure part1 and an impure4 ,the water makes use of the pure to bring forth things1 but the impure remains in its globe4 ,this ,element is the hiding place1 and mansion of all treasure4 ,in its ,center is the fire of hell1 preserving this fabrick of the world in its being2 and this by the expression of water into the aire4 ,that fire is caused1 and kindled by the primum ,mobile1 and the influences of the ,stars3 the heat of the ,sunne tempered with the aire meets with this heat for the ripening1 and drawing up of those things1 which are already conceived in its ,center4 ,moreover the ,earth partakes of fire1 which is the intrinsecall part of it1 neither is it purified but in the fire3 and so every ,element is purified with its intrinsecall part4 ,now the ,intrinsecall part1 or inside of the ,earth1 or its ,center is the highest purity mixed with fire1 where nothing can rest3 ,it is as it were an empty place1 into which all the other ,elements doe project their vertues1 as hath been spoken in the book of the ,twelve ,treatises4 ,and thus much of the ,element of ,earth1 which wee have called a ,spunge1 and the receptacle of other things1 which serveth for our purpose4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,the ,,element of ,,water4 ,water is the heaviest ,element1 full of unctuous flegme1 and it is an ,element more worthy in its quality then the ,earth1 without1 volatile1 but within fixed1 it is cold1 and moist1 and tempered with the aire3 it is the sperm of the world1 in which the seed of all things is kept3 it is the keeper of the seed of every thing4 ,yet wee must know1 that the ,seed is one thing1 and the ,sperme another3 the ,earth is the receptacle of the ,sperme1 but ,water is the receptacle of the ,seed4 ,whatsoever the ,aire doth distill into the ,water1 by means of the fire1 the same doth the water convey to the ,earth4 ,sometimes the sperme lackes sufficiency of seed1 for want of heat which should digest it2 for there is alwayes plenty of ,sperm1 expecting ,seed1 which by the imagination of fire through the motion of the ,aire it carryes into its matrix3 and sometimes there being lack of ,seed1 the ,sperme enters1 but it goeth forth againe without fruit3 but of this more at large hereafter in the third ,treatise of ,principles1 viz4 in that of ,salt4 ,it happens sometimes in ,nature1 that the ,sperme enters into the matrix with a sufficiency of ,seed2 but the matrix being indisposed1 by reason of being filled with offensive1 sulphureous1 flegmatick vapors1 doth not conceive1 neither doth that come to passe that should4 ,also nothing is properly in this ,element1 but only as it is wont to bee in the ,sperm4 ,it is delighted chiefly in its own motion1 which is made by the ,aire1 and it is apt to mixe with things by reason of its superficiall1 volatile body4 ,it is1 as wee said before1 the receptacle of all manner of ,seed3 in it the ,earth is easily purified1 and resolved2 and the ,aire is congealed in it1 and is joined with it radically4 ,it is the menstruum of the world1 which penetrating the ,aire1 by means of heat1 drawes along with it selfe a warm vapour1 which causeth a naturall generation of those things1 which the ,earth1 as a matrix is impregnated withall1 and when the matrix receives a due proportion of ,seed1 of what kind soever1 it proceeds1 and ,nature workes without intermission to the end2 but the remaining moisture1 or ,sperme falls to the side1 and by vertue of the heat in the ,earth is putrefied 7that which is cast to the side7 and of that afterwards are generated other things1 as small vermine1 and wormes4 ,the ,artificer of a quicke wit may indeed see in this ,element1 as it were out of ,sperme1 divers wonders of ,nature2 but it will be needfull to take that ,sperm1 in which the ,astrall ,seed in a certaine proportion is already imagined1 or conceived2 because ,nature makes1 and produceth pure things by the first putrefaction1 but by the second farre more pure1 worthy1 and noble2 as thou hast an example in wood1 which is vegetable1 where in the first composition ,nature maketh wood1 but when that is after maturity corrupted1 it is putrefied1 and of it worms are bred1 and such kind of vermine as they are1 which have both life1 and sight3 for it is manifest1 that a sensible thing is alwaies more worthy then a vegetable3 for to the organs of sensible things much more subtile1 and purer matter is required3 ,but to return to our purpose4 ,this ,element is the ,menstruum of the world1 and is divided into three sorts1 viz4 pure1 purer1 and most pure4 ,of the most pure substance of it the ,heavens are created1 the purer is resolved into ,aire1 but the pure1 plaine1 and grosse remains in its sphere1 and by divine appointment1 and operation of ,nature doth preserve and keep every thing that is subtile4 ,it makes one globe together with the ,earth3 it hath also its ,center in the heart of the ,sea3 it hath one axell tree and pole with the earth1 by which all courses1 and fountaines of water issue forth1 which afterward increase1 and grow up into great rivers4 ,by these issuing forth of waters the ,earth is preserved from burnings1 and with this moistning the universall ,seed is carryed forth through the pores of the whole ,earth1 which thing is caused through heat1 and motion4 ,now it is manifest that all courses of ,waters return into the heart of the ,sea2 but whither afterward they run is not known to every body4 ,there be some that think that all rivers1 water1 and springs which have their course into the sea1 do proceed from the stars1 who1 when they know no other reason why the sea should not increase1 and bee fuller1 by reason of them1 say that these ,waters are consumed in the heart of the sea4 ,but this ,nature will not admit of1 as wee have shewed when we spake of the ,rain4 ,the stars indeed cause1 but doe not generate ,water2 seeing nothing is generated but in its owne like of the same species3 ,now the ,stars consist of ,fire1 and ,aire2 how then should they generate ,waters8 ,and if it were so1 that some ,starre should generate ,waters1 then necessarily also must others generate ,earth1 and also others other ,elements3 because this fabrick of the world is so upheld by the four ,elements1 that one may not exceed another in the least particle1 but they strive one with the other in an equall ballance2 for otherwise if one should exceed the other1 destruction would ensue4 ,yet let every one persevere in what opinion hee please1 it is thus shewed to us by the light of ,nature1 that this fabrick of the world is preserved by these four ,elements1 their equality being proportioned by the great ,god1 and one doth not exceed the other in its operation4 ,but the ,waters upon the basis of the ,earth are contained as it were in some vessell from the motion of the ,aire1 and towards the ,articke pole are by it constringed1 because there is no vacuum1 or vacuity in the world3 for this cause is there in the ,center of the ,earth the fire of hell1 which the ,archeus of ,nature doth govern4 ,for in the beginning of the ,creation of the world1 the great and good ,god out of the confused ,chaos1 in the first place exalted the quintessence of the ,elements1 that is made the utmost bound of all things3 then he lifted up the most pure substance of fire above all things1 to place his most ,sacred ,majesty in1 and set and established it in its bound4 ,in the ,center of the chaos 7by the good pleasure of ,gods infinite wisdom7 that ,fire was kindled1 which afterward did distil those most pure waters4 ,but because now that most pure fire hath obtained the place of the ,firmament1 together with the throne of the most high ,god1 the waters are condensed under that ,fire3 and that they might be the more strongly fortified1 setled1 the fire that is grosser then the former1 was then raised 7this by means of the ,centrall ,fire7 and remained in the sphere of ,fire under the ,waters3 and so the ,waters are congealed1 and shut up betwixt two ,fires in the heavens4 ,but that ,centrall ,fire never ceaseth1 but distilling more ,waters1 and those lesse pure1 did resolve them into ,aire1 which also abides under the sphere of ,fire in its proper sphere1 and is enclosed by the ,element of ,fire1 as with a sure1 and strong foundation2 and as the ,waters of the ,heavens1 cannot goe beyond that supercelestiall ,fire1 so the ,element of ,fire cannot go beyond the ,waters of the ,heavens1 neither can the ,aire go beyond1 or be exalted above the ,element of ,fire4 ,as for the ,water1 and the ,earth1 they remained in one globe1 because they have no place in the ,aire1 except that part of the ,water1 which the ,fire doth resolve into ,aire1 for the daily fortifying of this fabricke of the world4 ,for if there had been a vacuity in the ,aire1 then all the ,waters had distilled1 and been resolved into ,aire3 but now the sphere of the ,aire is full1 and is alwaies filled through the distilling ,waters1 by the continuall ,centrall heat1 so that the rest of the ,waters are by the compression of the ,aire rolled round the ,earth1 and with the ,earth make up the ,center of the world2 and this operation is performed dayly1 and so also this world is fortified daily1 and shall for ever bee naturally preserved from corruption1 unlesse it bee the good pleasure of the most ,high ,creator 7whose will is absolute7 that it shall be otherwise4 ,because that ,centrall ,fire never ceaseth to bee kindled by the universall motion1 and influence of the heavenly vertues1 and so to warm the ,waters2 neither shall the ,waters cease to bee resolved into ,aire2 neither shall the ,aire cease to compresse1 and keep down the residue of the ,waters with the ,earth1 and so to contain them in the ,center1 that they may not bee moved out of their ,center3 thus even in a naturall manner this world is made1 and continued through the mighty wisdome of ,god2 and so according to the example of this it is necessary that all things in the world bee naturally made4 ,we are willing to discover to thee further this creation of this fabricke of the world1 that thou maist know that the foure ,elements have a naturall sympathy with the superior1 because they were made out of one and the same ,chaos3 but they are governed by the superior1 as the more worthy2 and from thence came this obedience into this sublunary place4 ,but know that all those things were naturally found out by the ,philosopher1 as shal be shewed in its own place4 ,now to our purpose concerning the ,courses of ,waters1 and the ebbing flowing of the ,sea1 how by the polarie ,axell tree they are carryed from one pole to another4 ,there are two ,poles1 the one is ,artick1 and in that part that is superior1 and ,northerne1 but the other ,antarticke under the ,earth1 and in the ,southerne part4 ,the ,articke pole hath a magneticke vertue of attracting1 but the ,antarticke pole hath a magneticke vertue of expelling1 or driving from3 and this ,nature holds forth to us in the example of the ,loadstone4 ,the ,articke pole therefore drawes ,waters by the ,axell-tree1 which after they are entred in1 break forth again by the ,axell tree of the ,antarticke pole3 and because the ,aire doth not suffer an inequality1 they are constrained to return to the ,articke pole1 their ,center1 and so continually to observe this ,course4 ,in which ,course from the ,articke pole1 to the ,antarticke pole by the midle1 or ,axell-tree of the world1 they are dispersed through the pores of the ,earth1 and so according to more or lesse do springs arise1 and afterward meeting together increase1 and become to be rivers1 and are again returned thither1 from whence they came out2 and this is uncessantly done through the universall motion4 ,some 7as ,i said before7 being ignorant of the universall motion1 and the operations of the poles say that these ,waters are consumed in the heart of the sea1 and generated by the stars1 which produce1 and generate no materiall thing1 impressing only vertues1 and spirituall influences1 which cannot give any weight to things4 ,waters therefore are not generated2 but know that they come forth from the ,center of the ,sea1 through the pores of the ,earth into the whole world4 ,from these naturall ,conclusions1 or ,principles ,philosophers have found out divers instruments1 and conveyances of ,waters1 as also fountaines1 since it is known1 that ,waters cannot naturally ascend higher then that place is1 from whence they come2 and unlesse it were so in ,nature1 ,art could never doe it1 because ,art imitates ,nature2 and that which is not in ,nature cannot succeed by ,art2 for ,water1 as ,i said before1 doth not ascend higher then the place from whence it was taken3 thou hast for an example that instrument1 with which ,wine is drained out of a barrell4 ,to conclude therefore1 know that ,springs1 or breakings forth of ,water are not generated of ,stars1 but that they come from the ,center of the ,sea1 whither they return1 and that thus they observe a continuall motion4 ,for if this were not so1 nothing at all either in the earth1 or upon the earth could be generated1 yea the ruine of the world would of necessity follow4 ,but lest it may bee objected1 that in the ,sea all ,waters are salt1 and that the ,waters of ,springs are sweet3 ,know1 that this is the reason1 because that ,water distills through the pores of the ,earth1 and passing many miles through narrow places1 and through sands1 the saltnesse being lost1 is made sweet3 ,after the example of which ,cisterns are found out4 ,there are also in some places greater and larger pores1 and passages1 through which salt ,water breaks through1 where afterwards are made salt pits1 and fountains1 as at ,halla in ,germany4 ,also in some places the ,waters are constringed with heat1 and the salt is left in the sands1 but the ,water sweats through other pores1 as in ,polonia1 at ,wielicia1 and ,bochia3 ,so also when ,waters passe through places1 that are hot1 sulphureous1 and continually burning1 they are made hot1 from whence ,bathes arise3 for there are in the bowells of the ,earth places1 in which ,nature distills1 and separates a sulphureous ,mine1 where1 by the ,centrall ,fire it is kindled4 ,the ,water running through these burning places1 according to the neernesse or remotenesse are more or lesse hot1 and so breaks forth into the superficies of the ,earth1 and retains the tast of ,sulphur1 as all broth doth of the flesh1 that is boiled in it4 ,after the same manner it is1 when ,water passing through places where are ,mineralls1 as ,copper1 ,allum1 doth acquire the savour of them4 ,such therefore is the ,distiller1 the ,maker of all things1 in whose hands is this ,distillatory1 according to the example of which all distillations have been invented by ,philosophers2 which thing the most ,high ,god himself out of pity1 without doubt1 hath inspired into the sons of men3 and he can1 when it is his holy will1 either extinguish the ,centrall ,fire1 or break the vessell1 and then there will be an end of all4 ,but since his goodnesse doth intend the bettering of all things1 hee will at length exalt his most sacred ,majesty1 and raise up higher the purest ,fire of all1 which is higher then the ,waters of the ,heavens which are above the ,firmament1 and will give it a stronger degree of heat then the ,centrall ,fire1 that all the ,waters may bee exhaled up into the ,aire1 and the ,earth be calcined1 and so the ,fire1 all the impurity being consumed1 will make the ,waters of the purified ,earth1 being circulated in the ,aire1 to be more subtile1 and will 7if wee may thus speak in a way of ,philosophy7 make a world much more excellent4 ,therefore let all the ,searchers of this ,art know1 that the ,earth1 and ,water make one globe1 and being together make all things1 because they are tangible ,elements1 in which the other two being hid doe work4 ,the ,fire preserves the ,earth1 that it bee not drowned1 or dissolved3 the ,aire preserves the ,fire that it bee not extinguished3 the ,water preserves the ,earth that it bee not burnt4 ,it seemed good to us to describe these things1 as conducing to our purpose1 that the studious may know1 in what things the foundations of the ,elements consist1 and how ,philosophers have observed their contrary actings2 joining ,fire with ,earth1 and ,aire with ,water3 although when they would doe any excellent thing1 they have boiled ,fire in ,water1 considering that one blood is purer then another1 as a tear is purer then urine4 ,let that therefore suffice which we have spoken1 viz4 that the ,element of ,water is the ,sperm1 and ,menstruum of the world1 as also the receptacle of the ,seed4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,the ,,element of ,,aire4 ,the ,aire is an entire ,element1 most worthy of the three in its quality1 without1 light1 and invisible1 but within1 heavy1 visible1 and fixed1 it is hot1 and moist1 and tempered with ,fire1 and more worthy then ,earth1 ,water4 ,it is volatil1 but may be fixed2 and when it is fixed1 it makes every body penetrable4 ,of its most pure substance the vitall spirits of living ,creatures are made2 that which is lesse pure is taken up into its proper sphere of the ,aire2 but the residue1 viz4 the grosser part abides in the ,water1 and is circulated with the ,water1 as ,fire with ,earth1 because they are friendly the one to the other4 ,it is most worthy1 as wee have said2 and it is the true place of the ,seed of all things3 in it ,seed is imagined1 as in man1 which afterward by the circulating motion is cast into its own ,sperm4 ,this ,element hath the form of entirenesse to distribute the ,seed into ,matrixes by the ,sperm1 and ,menstruum of the world4 ,in it also is the vitall spirit of every ,creature1 living in all things1 penetrating1 and constringing the seed in other ,elements1 as ,males doe in ,females4 ,it nourisheth them1 makes them conceive1 and preserveth them2 and this daily experience teacheth1 that in this ,element not only ,mineralls1 ,animalls1 or ,vegetables live but also other ,elements4 ,for wee see that all ,waters become putrefied1 and filthy if they have not fresh ,aire3 ,the ,fire also is extinguished1 if the ,aire be taken from it3 7,thence ,chymists come to know how to dispose of their ,fire into severall degrees by means of the ,aire1 and to order their registers according to the measure of the ,air37 ,the pores also of the ,earth are preserved by ,aire3 ,in briefe1 the whole structure of the world is preserved by ,aire4 ,also in ,animalls1 ,man dies if you take ,aire from him1 c4 ,nothing would grow in the world1 if there were not a power of the ,aire1 penetrating1 and altering1 bringing with it selfe nutriment that multiplies4 ,in this ,element by vertue of the ,fire is that imagined ,seed1 which constringeth the ,menstruum of the world by its occult power1 as in trees1 and herbs1 when through the pores of the ,earth1 by the acting of the spirituall heat1 there goeth forth a ,sperm with the ,seed1 and the vertue of the ,aire in a proportion constringeth1 and congeals it by drops2 and so trees by growing day after day1 drop after drop1 are at length raised to be great trees2 as wee have treated in the book of the ,twelve ,treatises4 ,in this ,element are all things entire through the imagination of ,fire2 and it is full of divine vertue3 for in it is included the ,spirit of the most ,high1 which before the ,creation was carryed upon the ,waters1 as saith the ,scripture1 ,and did fly upon the wings of the ,wind4 ,if therefore it bee so1 as indeed it is1 that the ,spirit of the ,lord is carryed in it1 why needs thou question but that he hath left his divine vertue in it8 ,for this ,monarch is wont to adorn his dwelling places2 hee hath adorned this ,element with the vitall spirit of every ,creature3 for in it is the seed of all things1 dispersed1 in which presently after the ,creation was 7as wee said before7 by the great ,maker of all things included that magneticke vertue which if it had not1 it could not attract any nourishment1 but so the ,seed must be left in a small quantity1 neither would increase1 or bee multiplyed2 but as the ,loadstone drawes to it self hard ,iron 7after the manner of the ,articke pole1 drawing waters to it selfe1 as we have shewed in the ,element of ,water7 so the ,aire by a ,vegetable magnetick power1 which is in the ,seed1 draws to it selfe the nourishment of the ,menstruum of the world1 i4e4 ,water4 ,all these things are made by ,aire1 for that is the leader of the ,waters1 and the occult vertue thereof is included in all ,seed for the attracting of radicall moisture1 and this vertue is1 as wee said before1 alwaies the #bhjth4 part in all ,seed1 as wee have shewed thee in the third of the ,twelve ,treatises4 ,if therefore any one would successefully plant trees1 let him bee carefull that hee turne the attractive point towards the ,northern part2 so hee shall never lose his labour3 for as the ,articke pole drawes to it selfe the ,waters1 so the verticle point draws to it self ,seed2 and every attractive point doth answer to them4 ,thou hast an example in all manner of ,wood1 whose attractive point doth naturally tend to the verticle point1 and is drawne by it4 ,for let a bowle of ,wood1 if thou wilt know which is the superior point1 be put into water1 and let it sink 7so that the water exceed the length of the ,wood7 thou shalt alwaies see that point rise up before the opposite part2 for ,nature knows not how to erre in her office3 but of these we shall treat further in our book called ,harmonia1 where wee shall speak more of the magneticke vertue 7although he shall bee easily able to understand the ,loadstone1 to whom the nature of ,metalls is knowne74 ,let this suffice that wee have said1 that this ,element is the most worthy of the three in which is ,seed1 and vitall spirit1 or dwelling place of the soule of every ,creature4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,the ,,element of ,,fire4 ,fire is the purest1 and most worthy ,element of all1 full of unctuous corrosivenesse adhering to it1 penetrating1 digesting1 corroding1 and wonderfully adhering1 without1 visible1 but within invisible1 and most fixed2 it is hot1 dry1 and tempered with ,aire4 ,its substance is the purest of all1 and its essence was first of all elevated in the ,creation with the throne of divine ,majesty1 when the ,waters of the ,heavens were established1 as we have said in the ,element of ,water3 out of the lesse pure part of its substance the ,angells were created2 out of that which was lesse pure then that1 being mixed with the purest ,aire1 were the ,sun1 ,moon and ,stars created4 ,that which is lesse pure then that is raised up to terminate1 and hold up the ,heavens3 but the impure1 and unctuous part of it is left1 and included in the ,center of the ,earth by the wise1 and great ,creator1 for to continue the operation of motion1 and this wee call ,hell4 ,all these ,fires are indeed divided1 but they have a ,naturall sympathy one towards another4 ,this ,element is of all the most quiet1 and like unto a charriot1 when it is drawed1 it runs1 when it is not drawed1 it stands still4 ,it is also in all things undiscernibly4 ,in it are the reasons of life1 and understanding1 which are distributed in the first infusion of ,mans life1 and these are called the rational soule1 by which alone ,man differs from other ,creatures1 and is like to ,god4 ,this soule is of that most pure ,elementary ,fire1 infused by ,god into the vitall spirit1 by reason of which ,man after the ,creation of all things was created into a particular ,world1 or ,microcosme4 ,in this subject ,god the ,creator of all things put his seal1 and ,majesty1 as in the purest1 and quietest subject1 which is governed by the will1 and infinite wisdome of ,god alone4 ,wherefore ,god abhors all impurity1 nothing that is filthy compounded1 or blemished may come neer him1 therefore no mortall man can see ,god1 nor come to him naturally3 for that ,fire which is in the circumference of the ,divinity1 in which is carryed the ,seale and ,majesty of the ,most ,high1 is so intense1 that no eye can penetrate it3 for ,fire will not suffer any thing that is compounded to come neer to it3 for ,fire is the death1 and separation of any thing that is compounded4 ,wee have said that it is the most quiet subject 7for so it is7 or else it would follow 7which so much as to thinke were absurd7 that ,god could not rest2 for it is of most quiet silence1 more then any mans mind can imagine4 ,thou hast an example of this in the ,flint1 in which there is ,fire1 and yet is not perceived1 neither doth appear1 untill it be stirred up by motion1 and kindled in it that it may appear3 so the ,fire in which is placed the sacred ,majesty of our ,creator1 is not moved1 unlesse it be stirred up by the proper will of the most ,high1 and so is carryed where his holy ,will is4 ,there is made by the ,will of the supream ,maker of all things a most vehement1 and terrible motion4 ,thou hast an ,example of this1 when any ,monarch of this world sits in his pompe1 ,what a quietnesse there is about him8 ,what silence8 and although some one of his ,court doth more1 the motion is only of some one1 or other particular man1 which is not regarded4 ,but when the ,lord himself moves1 there is an universall stirre1 and motion1 then all that attend on him1 move with him4 ,what then8 when that supream ,monarch1 the ,king of ,kings1 and ,maker of all things 7after whose example the ,princes of the world are established in the earth7 doth move in his own person of ,majesty8 ,what a stirre8 ,what trembling1 when the whole guard of his heavenly ,army move about him8 ,but some one may ask1 ,how doe wee know these things1 since heavenly things are hid from ,mans understanding8 ,to whom wee answer1 that they are manifest to all ,philosophers2 yea the incomprehensible wisdome of ,god hath inspired into them1 that all things are created after the example of ,nature1 and that ,nature hath its bounds from those secret things1 and accordingly works2 and that nothing is done on the earth1 but according to the example of the heavenly ,monarchy1 which is managed by the divers offices of ,angells4 ,so also there is nothing brought forth1 or generated1 but what is done naturally4 ,all humane inventions1 yea and ,arts1 which either are1 or shall bee1 proceed not otherwise then from ,naturall principles4 ,the most ,high ,creator was willing to manifest all ,naturall things unto man1 wherefore hee shewed to us that ,celestiall things themselves were naturally made1 by which his absolute1 and incomprehensible power1 and wisdome might be so much the better known2 all which things the ,philosophers in the light of ,nature1 as in a ,looking-glasse1 have the cleer sight of4 ,for which cause they esteemed highly of this ,art1 viz4 not so much out of covetousnesse for ,gold1 or ,silver1 but for knowledge sake1 not only of all ,naturall things1 but also of the power of the ,creator1 and they were willing to speak of these things sparingly1 and only figuratively1 lest divine mysteries by which ,nature is illustrated1 should be discovered to the unworthy1 which thou1 if thou knowest how to know thy selfe1 and art not of a stiffe neck1 maist easily comprehend2 who art created after the likenesse of the great world1 yea after the image of ,god4 ,thou hast in thy body the ,anatomy of the whole world1 thou hast in stead of the ,firmament the quintessence of the foure ,elements1 extracted out of the ,chaos of ,sperms1 into a matrix1 and into a skin1 which doth compasse it round1 thou hast most pure blood in stead of ,fire1 in the vitall spirit whereof is placed the seat of the soule 7which is in stead of the ,king27 thou hast a heart in stead of the earth2 where the ,centrall ,fire continually works2 and preserves the fabrick of this ,microcosm in its being2 thou hast thy mouth in stead of the ,articke pole2 and thy belly in stead of the ,antarticke1 and all thy members answer to some ,celestialls3 of which in our booke of ,harmony wee shall treat more fully1 viz4 in the ,chapter of ,astronomy1 where we have wrote how that ,astronomy is easy1 naturall1 how the aspects of ,planets1 and ,stars are efficacious1 and why ,prognostication is given of ,raine1 and other events1 which would bee too tedious to reckon up here1 and all these are linked together1 and performed in a naturall manner1 onely ,god doth some things extraordinary4 ,because the ,ancients omitted it1 we are willing to shew it to him that is diligently studious of this secret1 that the incomprehensible power of the most ,high ,god1 may so much the more cleerly come home to his heart1 and that hee may love1 and adore him the more zealously4 ,let therefore the ,searcher of this sacred science know1 that the soule in a man the lesser world1 or ,microcosme substituting the place of its ,center1 is the ,king1 and is placed in the vitall spirit1 in the purest bloud4 ,that governes the mind1 and the mind the body3 when the soule conceives any thing1 the mind knows all things1 and all the members understand the mind1 and obey the mind1 and are desirous to fulfill the will thereof4 ,for the body knows nothing1 whatsoever strength1 or motion is in the body1 is caused by the mind2 the body is to the mind1 as instruments are to the ,artificer2 ,now the soule1 by which man differs from other ,animalls1 operates in the body1 but it hath a greater operation out of the body1 because out of the body it absolutely reigns1 and by these things it differs from other ,animalls1 who have only the mind1 not the soule of the ,deity4 ,so also ,god1 the ,maker of all things1 our ,lord1 and our ,god1 works in this world those things1 which are necessary for the world2 and in these hee is included in the world2 whence wee beleeve that ,god is every where4 ,but hee is excluded the body of the world by his infinite wisdome1 by which hee workes out of the world1 and imagines much higher things1 then the body of the world is able to conceive1 and those things are beyond ,nature1 being the secrets of ,god alone4 ,you have the soul for an example1 which out of the body imagines many most profound things1 and in this it is like unto ,god1 who out of the world works beyond ,nature2 although the soule to ,god bee as it were a candle lighted to the light at ,noonday3 for the soul imagines1 but executes not but in the mind2 but ,god doth effect all things the same moment when hee imagines them2 as the soul imagines any thing to be done at ,rome1 or elsewhere in the twinckling of an eye1 but only in the mind2 but ,god doth all such things essentially1 who is omnipotent4 ,god therefore is not included in the world1 but as the soul in the body2 he hath his absolute power separated from the world1 so also the soul of any body hath its absolute power separated from the body1 to doe other things then the body can conceive2 it hath a very great power therefore upon the body1 if it pleaseth1 or otherwise our ,philosophy were in vain4 ,by these therefore learn to know ,god1 and thou shalt know in which the ,creator differs from the ,creature4 ,thou thy selfe shalt be able to conceive greater things1 when as now thou hast the gate opened by us4 ,but lest this ,treatise should grow too big1 let us returne to our purpose4 ,wee said before that the ,element of ,fire is the most quiet of all1 and that it is stirred up by motion1 which stirring up wise men knew4 ,it is necessary that a ,philosopher know the generation1 and corruption of all things1 to whom not only the ,creation of the ,heavens is manifest1 but also the composition1 and mixture of all things3 but although they know all things1 yet they cannot doe all things4 ,we know indeed the composition of ,man in all respects1 yet wee cannot infuse the soule2 because this mystery belongs only unto ,god3 he exceeds all things by these kind of infinite mysteries4 ,seeing these are out of the corse of ,nature1 they are not as yet in the disposition of ,nature3 ,nature doth not work before there be matter given unto her to work upon4 ,the first matter is given to her by ,god1 the second by the ,philosopher4 ,now in the operation of the ,philosophers ,nature hath a power to stir up the fire1 which by the ,creator is secretly included in the ,center of every thing3 ,this stirring up of the fire is done by the will of ,nature1 sometimes by the will of the skilfull ,artificer disposing of ,nature4 ,for naturally all impurities1 and pollutions of things are purged by ,fire3 ,all things that are compounded1 are dissolved by ,fire3 as water washeth1 and purgeth all things imperfect1 which are not fixed2 so the ,fire purgeth all things that are fixed1 and by ,fire they are perfected3 ,as ,water doth conjoine all things that are dissolved2 so fire separates all things that are conjoined2 and what is naturall1 and of affinity with it1 it doth very wel purge1 and augment it1 not in quantity but in vertue4 ,this element doth severall ways secretly work upon other ,elements1 and all things else3 ,for as the ,animall soul is of the purest of this ,element1 so the ,vegetable is of the ,elementary part of it1 which is governed by ,nature4 ,this ,element doth act upon the ,center of every thing in this manner3 ,nature causeth ,motion1 ,motion stirs up ,aire1 the ,aire the ,fire2 ,now ,fire separates1 cleanseth1 digesteth1 coloureth1 and maketh all seed to ripen1 and being ripe expells it by the sperm into places1 and matrixes1 into places pure or impure1 more or lesse hot1 dry or moist2 and according to the disposition of the matrix1 or places1 divers things are brought forth in the earth1 as in the booke of the ,twelve ,treatises concerning ,matrixes mention hath been made1 that there are as many ,matrixes1 as places4 ,so the ,builder of all things1 the most ,high ,god hath determined1 and ordained all things1 that one shall be contrary unto the other1 yet so that the death of the one be the life of the other3 that which produceth one1 consumeth another1 and another thing from this is naturally produced1 and such a thing which is more noble then the former3 and by this means there is preserved an equality of the ,elements1 and so also of the compositum4 ,separation is of all things1 especially of living things the naturall death3 ,wherefore man must naturally die because hee is compounded of four ,elements1 hee is subject to separation1 seing every thing that is compounded is separated naturally4 ,but this separation of ,mans composition must needs have been done in the day of judgement1 i4e4 the first judgement1 when the sentence of a naturall death was passed upon him3 for in ,paradise ,man was immortall4 ,which all ,divines1 as also ,sacred ,writ doth testifie2 but a sufficient reason of this immortality no ,philosopher hitherto hath shewed2 which it is convenient for the ,searcher of this sacred ,science to know1 that he may see how all these things are done naturally1 and bee most easily understood4 ,but it is most true1 that every compound thing in this world is subject to corruption1 and separation2 which separation in the ,animall ,kingdome is called death3 ,and man seeing hee is created and compounded of foure ,elements1 how can hee bee immortall8 ,it is hard to beleeve that this is done naturally2 but that there is something above ,nature in it4 ,yet ,god hath inspired it into ,philosophers that were good men many ages since1 that this is so naturally4 ,which take to be thus4 ,paradise was1 and is such a place1 which was created by the great ,maker of all things1 of true ,elements1 not elementated1 but most pure1 temperate1 equally proportioned in the highest perfection2 and all things that were in ,paradise were created of the same ,elements1 and incorrupt2 there also was ,man created and framed of the same incorrupted ,elements1 proportioned in equality1 that he could in no wise be corrupted1 therefore he was consecrated to immortality3 for without all doubt ,god created this ,paradise for men only1 of which and where it is wee have largely treated in our book of ,harmony4 ,but when afterwards ,man by his sinne of disobedience had transgressed the comandement of the most ,high ,god1 hee was driven forth to beasts into the corruptible world elementated1 which ,god created only for beasts3 who of necessity1 seeing he cannot live without nutriment1 must from corrupt elementated ,elements receive nutriment4 ,by which nutriment those pure ,elements of which he was created1 were infected2 and so by little and little declined into corruption1 untill one quality exceeded another1 and destruction1 infirmity1 and last of all separation1 and death of the whole compound followed4 ,so that now they are neer unto corruption and death1 who are procreated in corrupt ,elements1 of corrupt ,seed1 and not in ,paradise2 for ,seed produced out of corrupt nutriments cannot be durable2 and by how much the longer it is since the driving forth of man out of ,paradise1 so much the neerer men are to corruption2 and by consequence their lives are so much shorter1 and it will come to this passe1 that even generation it selfe by reason of the shortnesse of life shall cease4 ,yet there are some places1 where the ,aire is more favourable1 and the ,starres more propitious1 and there their ,natures are not so soon corrupted1 because also they live more temperately3 ,our ,countrey-men by reason of gluttony1 and inordinate living make quick hast to corruption4 ,this experience teacheth1 that they that are born of the seed of infirme ,parents doe not live long4 ,but if man had continued in ,paradise1 a place sutable to his ,nature1 where all the ,elements were as incorrupt1 and pure as a virgin1 hee had been immortall for ever4 ,for it is certain that when pure ,elements are joined together equally in their vertues1 such a subject must be incorrupted1 and such must the ,philosophers ,stone bee3 ,to this ,creation of ,man the ancient ,philosophers have likened this ,stone1 but ,modern ,philosophers understanding all things according to the letter doe apply it to the corrupt generation of this age4 ,this ,immortality was the chief cause that ,philosophers exercised their wits to find out this ,stone1 for they knew that man was created of such ,elements which were sound and pure4 ,they therefore meditated upon that ,creation1 which1 when they knew to bee naturall1 began to search further into it1 whether such uncorrupted ,elements could bee had1 or if they could be joined together1 and infused into any subject4 ,now to these the most ,high ,god1 and ,maker of all things revealed1 that a composition of such ,elements was in ,gold3 ,for in ,animalls it could not be had1 seing they must preserve their lives by corrupt ,elements2 in ,vegetables also it is not1 because in them is found an inequality of the ,elements4 ,and seeing all created things are inclined to multiplication1 the ,philosophers propounded to themselves that they would make tryall of the possibility of ,nature in this ,minerall ,kingdome2 which being discovered1 they saw that there were innumerable other secrets in ,nature1 of which1 as of ,divine secrets1 they have wrote sparingly4 ,so now thou seest how corrupt ,elements come to bee in a subject1 and how they are separated2 when one exceeds the other1 and because then putrefaction is made by the first separation1 and by putrefaction is made a separation of the pure from the impure1 if then there be a new conjunction of them by vertue of ,fire1 it doth acquire a form much more noble then the first was4 ,for in its first state1 corruption was by reason of grosse matter mixed with it1 which is not purged away but by putrefaction1 the subject thereby being bettered2 and this could not be but by the vertues of the foure ,elements1 which are in every compound thing1 being joined together3 for when a ,compositum must perish1 it perisheth by the ,element of ,water2 and whilest they lie thus confusedly1 the ,fire together with the ,earth1 and ,aire which it is in potentially1 agree together1 and by their united forces do afterward overcome the ,water1 which they digest1 boile1 and lastly congeal2 and after this manner ,nature helps ,nature4 ,for if the hidden ,central ,fire1 which is the life of all things overcomes1 and works upon that which is neerer to it1 and purer1 as it selfe is most pure1 and is joined with it3 so it overcomes its contrary1 and separates the pure from the impure1 and there is a new form generated1 and if it bee yet a little helped1 much more excellent then the former4 ,sometimes by the wit of a skilfull ,artificer there are made things immortall1 especially in the ,minerall ,kingdome4 ,so all things are done by ,fire alone1 and the government of ,fire1 and are brought forth into a being1 if thou hast understood mee4 ,here now thou hast the originall of the ,elements1 their ,natures1 and operations described unto thee very briefly1 which is sufficient for our purpose in this place4 ,for otherwise if every ,element were described as it is1 it would require a great volume not necessary for our purpose4 ,all those things1 as wee said before1 wee refer to our book of ,harmony1 where ,god willing1 if wee live so long1 wee shall write more largely of ,naturall things4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,the ,,three ,,principles ,of all things4 ,these four ,elements being described1 we will now descend unto the ,principles of things4 ,but how they are produced of the foure ,elements1 take it thus4 ,after ,nature had received from the most high ,creator of all things the priviledge of being ,princesse over this ,monarchy of the world1 shee began to distribute places1 and ,provinces to every thing1 according to its dignity2 and in the first place shee made the ,elements the ,princes of the world2 and that the will of the most ,high 7in whose will ,nature was placed7 might be fulfilled1 she ordained that one should continually act upon the other4 ,the ,fire therefore began to act upon the ,aire1 and produced ,sulphur1 the ,air also began to act upon the ,water1 brought forth ,mercury1 the ,water also began to act upon the ,earth1 and brought forth ,salt4 ,but the ,earth1 since it had nothing to work upon1 brought forth nothing1 but that which was brought forth continued1 and abided in it3 ,wherefore there became only three ,principles1 and the ,earth was made the ,nurse1 and ,mother of the rest4 ,there were1 as wee said1 three ,principles brought forth2 which the ancient ,philosophers did not so strictly consider1 but described only two actings of the ,elements 7or if they were willingly silent in it1 who shall censure them1 seeing they dedicated their writing only to the ,sons of ,art87 and named them ,sulphur1 and ,mercury1 which also may suffice us1 to be the matter of ,metals1 as also of the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,whosoever therefore will bee a true ,searcher of this sacred ,science must of necessity know the ,accidents1 and an ,accident it self1 that hee may learn to what subject1 or ,element hee purposeth to come to1 that through mediums hee may apply himselfe to that1 if otherwise hee desire to fill up the number of four4 ,for as these three ,principles were produced of four1 so also by diminution must these three produce two1 ,male1 and ,female2 and two produce one incorruptible thing1 in which those foure shall being equally perfect1 be purified1 and digested to the utmost2 and so a quadrangle shall answer a quadrangle4 ,and this is that quintessence1 which is very necessary for every ,artificer1 being separated from many contraries4 ,and so thou hast in these three ,principles1 in what naturall composition soever1 a body1 a spirit1 and an occult soule2 which three1 if thou shalt joine them together being separated1 and well purified1 as wee said before1 without doubt will by imitating ,nature yeeld most pure fruit4 ,for although the soule be taken from a most noble place1 yet it cannot come whither it tends but by a spirit1 which is the place1 and mansion of the soule2 which if thou wilt reduce to its due place1 it is necessary that it be washed from all its faults2 and that the place be purified1 that the soule may be glorified in it1 and never more be separated from it4 ,now therefore thou hast the originall of the three ,principles1 out of which it is thy part1 by imitating ,nature1 to produce the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 and their first matter1 and to bring those ,principles of things1 especially of ,metalls to thy purpose3 seeing without those ,principles it is impossible for thee to perfect any thing by ,art1 since also ,nature her selfe can doe nor produce nothing without them4 ,these three are in all things1 and without them there is nothing in the world1 or ever shall bee naturally4 ,but because wee said before1 that the ancient ,philosophers named only two ,principles1 lest the ,searcher of the ,art should erre1 hee must know1 that although they did not describe any other but ,sulphur1 and ,mercury1 yet without salt they could never have attained to this work1 since that is the key1 and beginning of this sacred ,science3 it is that1 which openeth the gates of ,justice2 it is that which hath the keyes to the infernall prisons1 where ,sulphur lies bound1 as hereafter shal be more fully shewed in the third ,treatise of the ,principles1 of ,salt4 ,now to our purpose1 which is that these #c principles are altogether necessary1 because they are the neer matter4 ,for the matter of ,metalls is twofold4 ,neer1 and remote4 ,the neer is ,sulphur1 and ,mercury4 ,the remote are the four ,elements3 out of which ,god alone is able to create things4 ,leave therefore the ,elements1 because of them thou shalt doe nothing2 neither canst thou out of them produce any thing but these three ,principles1 seeing ,nature her selfe can produce nothing else out of them4 ,if therefore thou canst out of the ,elements produce nothing but these three ,principles1 wherefore then is that vaine labour of thine to seeke after1 or to endeavour to make that which ,nature hath already made to thy hands8 ,is it not better to goe three mile then four8 ,let it suffice thee then to have three ,principles1 out of which ,nature doth produce all things in the earth1 and upon the earth2 which three we find to be entirely in every thing4 ,by the due separation1 and conjunction of these1 ,nature produceth as well ,metalls1 as ,stones1 in the ,minerall ,kingdome2 but in the ,vegetable ,kingdome ,trees1 ,herbs1 and all such things2 also in the ,animall ,kingdome the ,body1 ,spirit1 and ,soule1 which especially doth resemble the work of the ,philosophers4 ,the ,body is ,earth1 the ,spirit is ,water1 the ,soule is ,fire1 or the ,sulphur of ,gold3 ,the ,spirit augmenteth the quantity of the ,body1 but the ,fire augmenteth the vertue thereof4 ,but because there is more of the ,spirit in weight1 then is of the ,fire2 the ,spirit is raised1 and oppresseth the ,fire1 and drawes it to it selfe3 and so every one of them1 encreaseth in vertue1 and the ,earth1 which is the midle betwixt them encreaseth in weight4 ,let therefore every searcher of this ,art conclude in his mind what he seeks for out of these three1 and let him assist it in the overcomeing of its contrary2 and then let him adde to the weight of ,nature his weight1 that the defect of ,nature may be made up by ,art1 that shee may overcome what is contrary to her4 ,we said in the ,element of ,earth1 that the ,earth was nothing else but the receptacle of other ,elements1 i4e4 the subject in which those two1 ,fire and ,water1 do strive1 the ,aire mediating2 if the ,water be predominant1 it brings forth things that are corruptible1 and continue but for a time2 but if the ,fire overcome1 it produceth things that are lasting1 incorruptible4 ,consider therefore what is necessary for thee4 ,moreover know1 that ,fire1 and ,water are in every thing1 but neither ,fire1 nor ,water makes any thing1 because they only strive together1 and contend concerning swiftnesse1 and vertue1 and this not of themselves1 but by the excitation of the intrinsecall heat1 which by the motion of the heavenly vertues is kindled in the ,center of the ,earth2 without which those two could never doe any thing1 but would both stand still in their own bound1 and weight3 but ,nature afterward joined them two together proportionably1 and then stirres them up by an intrinsecall heat1 and so they begin to contend one with the other1 and each of them will call to its help its like1 and so they ascend and encrease1 untill the ,earth can ascend no higher with them2 in the mean time those two by this retaining of the ,earth are subtilized2 7for in that subject of the ,earth the ,fire1 and ,water ascend incessantly1 and act through the pores which are reserved1 and which the ,aire prepares7 and out of their subtiliation proceed flowers1 and fruit1 in which they become friends1 as you may see in ,trees2 for by how much the better they are subtilized1 and purified by ascending1 so much the better fruit doe they bring forth1 especially if they end with their vertues equally joined together4 ,now then the things being purged1 and cleansed1 cause that the ,fire1 and ,water bee made friends1 which will easily bee done in their own earth1 which did ascend with them2 and then thou shalt in a shorter time perfect it1 then ,nature could1 if thou shalt joine them well together1 according to the weight of ,nature1 not as it was before1 but as ,nature requires1 and as is needfull3 ,because ,nature in all compositions puts more of the other ,elements then of ,fire3 alwaies the least part is ,fire1 but ,nature according as shee pleaseth1 addes an extrinsecall ,fire to stir up that intrinsecall according to more1 or lesse1 in much1 or little time2 and according to this if the ,fire exceed1 or be exceeded1 things perfect1 or imperfect are made1 as well in ,mineralls1 as in ,vegetables4 ,the extrinsecall ,fire indeed doth not enter into the depth of the composition essentially1 but only in vertue2 for the intrinsecall materiall ,fire is sufficient for it selfe1 if only it hath nourishment1 and the extrinsecall ,fire is nourishment to it1 and as it were ,wood in respect of ,elementary ,fire1 and according to such a nourishment it increaseth1 and is multiplyed4 ,yet wee must take heed that there bee not too much extrinsecall ,fire1 for if any one eats more then hee is able1 hee is choaked3 a great flame devours a little ,fire3 the extrinsecall ,fire must be multiplicative1 nourishing1 not devouring1 so things are perfected4 ,decoction therefore in every thing is the perfection3 so ,nature addes vertue1 and weight1 and makes perfect4 ,but because it is hard to adde to a compound1 since it requires a long labour1 wee advise that thou take away so much of that which is superfluous1 as is needfull1 and as ,nature requires3 ,the superfluities being removed mix them1 then ,nature will shew thee1 what thou hast sought after4 ,thou also shalt know1 if ,nature hath joined the ,elements well1 or ill together1 seeing all ,elements consist in conjunction4 ,but many practitioners sow ,straw1 for ,wheat2 and some both3 and many cast away that1 which the ,philosophers love3 some begin1 and end1 because of their inconstancy2 they seek for a difficult ,art1 and an easy labour2 they cast away the best things1 sow the worst2 but as this ,art is concealed in the ,preface1 so also is the matter cast away in the beginning4 ,now wee say1 that this ,art is nothing else1 but the vertues of the ,elements equally mixed3 it is a naturall equality of hot1 dry1 cold1 moist2 ,a joining together of ,male1 and ,female1 which the same ,female begot1 i4e4 a conjunction of ,fire1 and the radicall moisture of ,metalls4 ,by considering that the ,mercury of ,philosophers hath in it selfe its owne good ,sulphur1 more or lesse1 depurated1 and decocted by ,nature1 thou maist perfect all things out of ,mercury3 but if thou shalt know to adde thy weights to the weights of ,nature1 to double ,mercury1 and triple ,sulphur1 it will quickly be terminated in good1 then in better1 untill into best of all3 although there be but one appearing ,sulphur1 and two ,mercuries1 but of one root2 not crude1 nor too much boiled1 yet purged1 and dissolved1 if thou hast understood mee4 ,it is not needfull to describe the matter of the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 and the matter of their ,sulphur3 no mortall man ever could1 or ever hereafter shall bee able to describe it more openly1 and cleerly then it hath already been described1 and named by the ,ancient ,philosophers1 unlesse he will bee an ,anathema of the ,art4 ,for is so commonly named1 that truly it is not esteemed of1 therefore doe ,students of this ,art bend their minds rather to other subtilties1 then abide in the simplicity of ,nature4 ,we doe not yet say1 that ,mercury of ,philosophers is a common thing1 and openly named1 but the matter of which ,philosophers doe make their ,sulphur1 and ,mercury3 for the ,mercury of ,philosophers is not to be had of it selfe upon the ,earth1 but it is brought forth by ,art out of ,sulphur1 and ,mercury joined together2 it doth not come forth into light1 for it is naked1 but yet is covered by ,nature in a wonderful manner4 ,to conclude1 we say with repeating ,sulphur1 and ,mercury to be the ,mine of our ,quicksilver 7but being joined together7 that ,quicksilver can dissolve ,metalls1 kill them1 and make them alive1 which power it receiveth from that sharp ,sulphur1 which is of its own nature4 ,but that thou maist yet better conceive it1 hearken to me whilst ,i tell thee the difference which is betwixt our ,quicksilver1 and common ,quicksilver1 or ,mercury4 ,common ,mercury doth not dissolve ,gold1 and ,silver so1 that it cannot be separated from them2 but our ,argent vive doth dissolve ,gold1 and ,silver1 and is never separated from them1 but is as ,water mixed with ,water4 ,common ,mercury hath combustible evill ,sulphur1 with which it is made black3 but our ,argent vive hath in it incombustible ,sulphur1 fixed1 good1 white1 and red4 ,common ,mercury is cold1 and moist1 our ,mercury is hot1 and moist4 ,common ,mercury makes bodies black1 and stains them3 our ,argent vive makes bodies as white as ,crystall4 ,common ,mercury is turned by precipitation into a ,citrine powder1 and an evill ,sulphur3 our argent vive by vertue of heat1 into most white ,sulphur1 good1 fixed1 and fluxible4 ,common ,mercury by how much the more it is decocted1 the more fluxible it is3 our ,argent vive1 by how much the more it is decocted1 the more it is thickned4 ,by these circumstances therefore thou maist consider how the ,common ,mercury differs from the ,mercury of ,philosophers4 ,if thou dost not yet understand1 do not expect it1 for no mortall man will ever speake more plainly1 and cleerly1 then wee have done3 but now of the vertues of it4 ,our ,argent vive is of such vertue1 that it is of it self sufficient for thee1 and for it self without any addition of any extraneous thing1 it is dissolved1 and congealed by a naturall decoction only3 but ,philosophers for brevities sake adde to it its own ,sulphur well digested1 and ripened1 and so they work4 ,wee could cite the ,writings of ,philosophers to confirm what we have said2 but because we have wrote clearer things then are in their ,writings1 they need not any confirmation1 he shall understand who looks into other mens writings4 ,if therefore thou wilt follow our advice1 ,wee advise thee1 that before thou settest thy self to this ,art1 in the first place thou learn to hold thy tongue1 and that thou inquire into the ,nature of ,mines1 and ,metalls1 as also of ,vegetables1 for thou shalt find our ,mercury in every subject1 and from all things the ,mercury of ,philosophers may bee extracted1 although it be neerer in one subject1 then in another4 ,know also for certain1 that this ,art is not placed in fortune1 or casuall invention1 but in a reall ,science1 and that there is but this one matter in the world1 by which1 and of which the ,philosophers ,stone is made4 ,it is indeed in all things1 but in extracting of it a mans life would fail1 and not be sufficient4 ,yet without the knowledge of naturall things1 especially in the ,minerall ,kingdome1 thou shalt be like a blind man that walketh by use4 ,truly such a one seeks after the ,art but casually2 and although1 as it oftentimes falls out1 that a man may by chance fall upon the matter of our ,argent vive1 yet then he ends the worke when hee should begin2 and so as hee found it out casually1 hee loseth it casually1 because hee knows not upon what hee should ground his intention4 ,therefore this ,art is the gift of the most high ,god3 and unlesse ,god reveales it by means of a good wit1 or friend1 it is hardly known3 for wee cannot bee all as ,geber1 nor as ,lullius3 ,and although ,lullius was a man of a subtill wit1 yet if hee had not received the ,art from ,arnoldus1 certainly hee had been like unto those which find the ,art with difficulty3 ,so also ,arnoldus confesseth that hee received it of a friend4 ,for it is easy to write what ,nature dictates3 ,it is a ,proverb1 ,it is easy to adde to things already found out4 ,every ,art1 and ,science is easy to the ,master1 but to a young ,scholar not so3 and to find out this ,art there is a long time required1 many vessells1 great expence1 and continuall labour1 with much meditation1 although to him that knows it already all things are easy1 and light4 ,to conclude therefore wee say1 that this ,art is the gift of ,god alone1 which being known1 he must also bee prayed to that he would give his blessing to the ,art2 for without this divine blessing it would be of no use1 and unprofitable1 which wee our selves have had experience of1 seeing wee have by reason of this ,art undergone great dangers1 yea wee have had more mischief1 and misfortune by it1 then advantage3 but there is a time when men are wise too late4 ,the judgements of the ,lord are a great depth4 ,yet ,i admired at divine providence in these my misfortunes3 for ,i alwaies had the protection of our great ,creator alwaies at hand1 that no enemie could bee too hard for me1 or represse mee4 ,the ,angell of the ,lord of this ,treasury hath alwaies been my ,keeper1 into which ,treasury the most ,high ,creator hath shut close this treasure only1 which hee will alwaies defend1 and secure4 ,for ,i have heard that my ,enemies have fell into that snare which they laid for mee4 ,they which would have taken away my life have lost their own2 and some of them which would have taken away my goods have lost ,kingdomes3 ,moreover1 ,i know many that would have detracted from my good name1 have perished with disgrace4 ,so great preservation have ,i alwaies had from the great ,creator of all things1 who presently took mee from my ,mothers wombe1 put mee under the shadow of his wings1 and infused the ,spirit of understanding all naturall things1 to whom be praise1 and glory1 for ever1 and ever4 ,so great blessings have ,i received from the most ,high ,god our ,creator1 that it is impossible not only for my pen1 but my mind to comprehend4 ,god scarce ever conferred upon any mortall man greater things1 yea scarce so great4 ,i wish ,i had so much affections1 so much spirit1 eloquence1 and wisdome1 that ,i might render meet thankes to him2 for ,i know wee have not deserved so great things1 only this ,i beleeve my selfe to bee1 that in him alone ,i have alwaies trusted1 doe trust1 and shall trust4 ,for ,i know that there is no mortall man is able to help mee1 only this ,god1 and our ,creator2 for it is a vain thing to trust in ,princes1 because they are men 7as saith the ,psalmist7 and that all these have their breath of life from ,god1 and this being taken away they are dust2 but it is a safe1 and secure thing to trust in the ,lord ,god1 from whom as from the fountain of goodnesse all good things doe most abundantly flow4 ,thou therefore that desirest to attaine to this ,art1 in the first place put thy whole trust in ,god thy ,creator1 and urge him by thy prayers1 and then assuredly beleeve that hee will not forsake thee3 for if ,god shall know that thy heart is sincere1 and thy whole trust is put in him1 hee will by one means or another shew thee a way1 and assist thee in it1 that thou shalt obtain thy desire4 ,the fear of the ,lord is the beginning of wisdome4 ,pray1 but yet worke3 ,god indeed gives understanding1 but thou must know how1 and when to use it3 for as a good understanding1 and a good opportunity are the gifts of ,god1 so also is the punishment of sinne1 when a good opportunity is omitted4 ,but to return to our purpose2 wee say1 that ,argent vive is the first matter of that work1 and truly nothing else2 whatsoever is added to it1 ariseth from it4 ,wee have said oftentimes that all things in the world are made1 and generated of the three ,principles2 but wee purge some things from their accidents1 and being purged1 joine them together againe2 and by adding what is to be added1 wee supply what is defective1 and by imitating ,nature1 wee boile them to the highest degree of perfection1 which ,nature could by reason of ,accidents never doe1 and so ended where ,art must begin4 ,moreover1 if thou desirest to imitate ,nature1 imitate her in those things1 in which shee workes4 ,and let it not trouble thee that our ,writings seem to contradict one another in some places2 for so it must bee1 lest the ,art be too plainly disclosed3 ,but do thou make choice of those things which agree with ,nature1 take the roses1 and leave the prickles4 ,if thou dost intend to make a ,metall1 let a ,metall be thy ground work1 because of a ,dog is generated nothing but a ,dog1 and of ,metall1 nothing but a ,metall3 for know for certain1 if thou shalt not take out of ,metall the radicall moisture1 well separated1 thou shalt never doe any thing2 without grains of ,wheat thou shalt till thy ground in vain3 there is but one thing1 but one ,art1 but one operation4 ,if therefore thou wilt produce a ,metall1 thou shalt ferment with a ,metall2 and if thou wilt produce a ,tree1 let the seed of the ,tree be thy ferment4 ,there is as we said1 but one operation1 and beside it there is none other that is true4 ,all they therefore are mistaken that say1 that any particular thing1 besides this one way1 and naturall matter is true2 for a bough is not to bee had1 but from the trunk of a ,tree3 ,it is an impossible1 and senselesse thing to go about to produce a bough2 it is easier to make the ,elixir it selfe1 then any particular thing1 although most simple1 that will bee advantageous1 and abide a naturall examination1 and tryall4 ,yet there bee many that boast they can fix ,silver1 but it were better for them if they could fix ,lead1 or ,tinne1 seeing in my judgement it is all one labour1 because they doe not resist the tryall of the fire1 whilest they abide in their own nature2 but ,silver is in its nature fixed enough1 and needs not any ,sophisticall fixation4 ,but seeing there are as many opinions1 as men1 wee will leave every one to his own opinion3 ,let him that will not follow our counsell1 and imitate ,nature1 continue in his errour4 ,indeed particulars may easily bee made1 if you have a ,tree1 whose young twigs may bee graffed into divers trees2 as if you have one water1 divers kinds of flesh may be boiled in it1 and according to the diversity of the flesh the broth hath its tast1 and this from the same foundation4 ,wee conclude therefore that there is but one ,nature1 as well in ,metalls as in other things1 but her operation is various2 also there is one universall matter according to ,hermes4 ,so from this one thing all things proceed4 ,yet there bee many ,artificers1 who follow every one his own fancy4 ,they seek a new ,nature1 and new matter2 and in conclusion they find a new nothing1 because they interpret the ,writings of ,philosophers not according to the possibility of ,nature1 but the letter4 ,but all these are of that ,assembly1 of which mention hath been made in the ,dialogue of ,mercury with the ,alchymist1 who return home without any ,conclusion2 they looke after the end1 without any medium1 or indeed beginning2 and the reason of this is1 because they endeavour not to attain to the ,art out of the ,principles1 and grounds of ,philosophers1 and reading of the books of ,philosophers1 but from reports1 and receipts of ,mountebankes3 7although now indeed the books of ,philosophers are perhaps destroyed by the envious1 by adding in some places1 and detracting in others7 afterwards when things doe not succeed1 they betake themselves to ,sophistications1 and assay divers vaine operations1 by making whites1 by making reds1 by fixing ,silver1 and extracting out the soul of ,gold2 which in the ,preface of the booke of the ,twelve ,treatises hath been sufficiently denyed4 ,we doe not deny1 yea1 we doe say that it is altogether necessary1 that the ,metallick soule bee extracted1 but not for any ,sophisticall operation1 but for the ,philosophicall work1 which being extracted1 and purged1 must againe bee restored to its owne body1 that there may bee a true resurrection of a glorified body4 ,this was never our purpose1 to be able to multiply ,wheat without the seed of ,wheate1 but that that extracted soul bee able in a ,sophisticall way to tinge another ,metall1 know that it is a thing most false1 and that all those that boast of doing of it1 are ,cheaters3 but of that more fully in the third ,principle of ,salt1 since here is not place for any further ,discourse4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,svlphvr3 ,the ,philosophers have not undeservedly placed ,sulphur in the first place amongst the three ,principles1 as being the most worthy ,principle1 in the knowledge of which the whole ,art consists4 ,now there is a threefold ,sulphur1 and that is to be chosen above the rest3 a ,sulphur tinging1 or colouring3 a ,sulphur congealing ,mercury3 the third is essentiall1 and ripening4 ,of which we ought to treat seriously1 but because we have set forth one of the ,principles by way of ,dialogue1 so also wee shall conclude the rest1 lest we should seem to be partiall1 and detract from either of them4 ,sulphur is more mature then any of the other ,principles1 and ,mercury is not coagulated but by ,sulphur3 therefore our whole operation in this ,art is nothing else but to know how to draw forth that ,sulphur out of ,metalls1 by which our ,argent vive in the bowels of the ,earth is congealed into ,gold1 and ,silver3 which ,sulphur indeed is in this work in stead of the ,male1 but the ,mercury in stead of the ,female4 ,of the composition1 and acting of these two are generated the ,mercuries of ,philosophers4 ,wee told you in the ,dialogue of ,mercury with the ,alchymist1 of an ,assembly of ,alchymists that were met together to consult out of what matter1 and how the ,philosophers ,stone is to be made1 and how that by the misfortune of a tempest they were without any conclusion dispersed almost through the whole world4 ,for there arose a strong tempest1 and very great wind1 which dispersed them all abroad1 and so blowed through some of their heads1 that till this time they cannot yet recover themselves1 by meanes of which divers sort of worms are bred in their brains4 ,now there were amongst them men of divers opinions1 and conditions1 and among the rest there was this ,alchymist1 which in this ,treatise ,i shall discourse of3 hee was otherwise a good man1 but without a ,conclusion1 or unresolved1 also of the number of those1 who propound to themselves to find out the ,philosophers ,stone casually1 and he was companion to that ,philosopher1 who disputed with ,mercury4 ,now this man said1 if it had been my fortune to have spoke with ,mercury1 ,i should have fished him dry in few words2 that other1 saith hee1 was a foole1 hee knew not how to proceed with him4 ,mercury indeed never pleased mee1 neither indeed do ,i think there is any good in it2 but ,i approve of ,sulphur1 because at that meeting wee discoursed most excellently of it3 if that tempest had not disturbed us1 wee had concluded that that had been the first matter1 for ,i am not wont to trouble my selfe with light1 and triviall matters1 my head is full of profound imaginations4 ,and so being full of confidence hee resolves to work in ,sulphur1 hee began therefore to distill it1 to sublime1 calcine1 to fix it1 to make oyle per ,campanam of it1 sometimes by itselfe1 and sometimes with ,crystals1 and ,egge-shels1 and hee tryed divers other operations about it3 and when hee had spent much time and costs1 and could find nothing to his purpose1 he was sad1 and being in a miserable perplexity passed over many nights without sleep2 also oftentimes hee went forth out of the ,city1 to behold things1 that hee might the more conveniently devise something that was certain in his operation3 ,now it fell out upon a time1 as he was walking up and down1 hee fell into an extasy with beholding of things1 and came unto a certain green ,wood1 very full of all manner of things2 in which were ,mines of all ,mineralls1 and ,metalls1 and all kinds of beasts1 and birds1 and abundance of ,trees1 ,herbs1 and fruit3 there also were divers conduits of water1 for in those places there was no water to be had1 but what was brought thither by divers instruments1 and pipes1 and this by divers ,artificers from divers places3 that was the chiefest1 and clearer then the rest1 which was drawne by the beams of the ,moon2 and this was procured only for the ,nymph of the ,wood4 ,there also did feed ,bulls1 and ,rams1 and the ,shepheards were two young men1 whom the ,alchymist asking1 said1 ,whose ,wood is this8 whom they answered saying1 ,this is the ,wood1 and ,garden of our ,nymph ,venus4 ,the ,alchymist walks up1 and down in it3 and the place pleased him well1 but yet hee did still think of his ,sulphur2 and so being weary of walking1 and in a sad condition sate by the side of the channel1 under a certain tree2 and began to lament most miserably1 bewailing his time1 and charges1 which he spent in vain with operating 7he could not els have deceived others1 but have damnified himself only7 and said1 ,what is this1 all men say it is a thing common1 of small esteem1 easy1 and ,i am a learned man1 ,i cannot find out this wretched ,stone4 ,and so in his lamentation he began to curse ,sulphur1 because he had spent so much cost1 and labour in vain upon him3 and ,sulphur also was in that ,wood1 but this was unknown to the ,alchymist4 ,whilst he was thus lamenting1 he heard this voice as it were of some old man3 ,friend1 ,why dost thou curse ,sulphur8 ,the ,alchymist looked every way round about him1 and seeing no body1 was afraid4 ,but that voice said to him again1 ,friend why art thou so sad8 ,the ,alchymist taking courage1 said1 ,sir1 ,the hungry man is alwaies thinking upon bread1 so doe ,i alwaies upon the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,vox1 ,and why dost thou curse ,sulphur8 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,i beleeved that that was the first matter of the ,philosophers ,stone1 and therefore in working upon it many years1 ,i spent much1 and could not find that ,stone4 ,vox4 ,friend1 truly ,i know that ,sulphur is the true1 and principall subject of the ,philosophers ,stone1 but ,i know not thee1 nor any thing of thy labour1 and intention3 thou dost without cause curse ,sulphur2 because he is in cruell prisons1 and cannot be at hand to every body2 seeing hee is put bound in a most dark dungeon1 and goes not forth1 but whither his ,keepers carry him4 ,alch4 ,and why is he imprisoned8 ,vox4 ,because hee would bee obedient to every ,alchymist1 and doe what they would have him1 contrary to his ,mothers will1 who forbad him to obey any1 but such as knew her1 wherefore shee put him into prison1 and commanded that his feet should be bound1 and set ,keepers over him1 that without their knowledg1 and pleasure hee should goe no whither4 ,alch4 ,o wretch6 for this reason hee could not come to mee3 truly his ,mother doth him great wrong3 and when shall hee bee let out of those prisons8 ,vox1 ,o friend6 ,the ,sulphur of ,philosophers cannot goe forth hence but in a long time1 and with a great deale of labour4 ,alch4 ,sir6 ,and who be his ,keepers that keep him8 ,vox1 ,friend6 ,his ,keepers are of the same stocke1 but ,tyrants4 ,alch4 ,and who art thou1 and how art thou called8 ,vox1 ,i am ,judge1 and ,governour of the prisons1 and my name is ,saturne4 ,alch4 ,then ,sulphur is kept in thy prisons4 ,vox1 ,sulphur indeed is kept in my prisons1 but hee hath other ,keepers4 ,alch4 ,and what doth hee doe in the prisons8 ,vox1 ,he doth whatsoever his ,keepers will have him4 ,alch4 ,and what can hee doe8 ,vox1 ,hee is the maker of a thousand things1 and is the heart of all things2 hee knows how to make ,metalls better1 and corrects ,mineralls1 teacheth ,animalls understanding1 knowes how to make all kind of ,flowers in ,hearbs1 and ,trees1 and is chief over them1 corrupts the ,aire1 which hee amends again3 hee is the ,maker of all ,odours1 and ,painter of all ,colours4 ,alch4 ,out of what matter doth hee make ,flowers8 ,vox1 ,his ,keepers afford matter1 and vessells1 but ,sulphur digests the matter1 and according to the variety of his digestion1 and weight1 various ,flowers1 and ,odours are produced4 ,alch4 ,is hee old8 ,vox1 ,friend1 ,know that ,sulphur is the vertue of all things1 and is the second by birth1 but yet older then all things1 stronger1 and more worthy1 yet an obedient child4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,how is hee known8 ,vox1 ,divers wayes1 but best by the ,state of the ,vitalls in ,animalls1 by the colour in ,metalls1 by the odour in ,vegetables3 without him his ,mother works nothing4 ,alch4 ,is hee the sole heir1 or hath hee brethren8 ,vox1 ,his ,mother hath but only one son like him1 his other brethren are associated with evil things1 hee hath a sister which he loves1 and is againe beloved by her1 for shee is as it were a ,mother to him4 ,alch4 ,sir1 is hee every where uniform8 ,vox1 ,according to his ,nature1 but hee is changed in the prisons2 yet his heart is alwaies pure1 but his garments are stained4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,was hee ever at liberty8 ,vox1 ,yea1 especially in those times when there were such wise men1 betwixt whom1 and his ,mother there was great familiarity1 and friendship4 ,alch4 ,and who were they8 ,vox1 ,there were very many3 ,there was ,hermes1 who was as it were one with his ,mother3 ,after him were many ,kings1 and ,princes1 as also many other wise men1 in ages since1 as ,aristotle1 ,avicen1 c4 who set him at liberty3 ,these knew how to unloose his bonds4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,what did hee give them for setting of him at liberty8 ,vox1 ,hee gave them three ,kingdomes3 for when any doth unbind him1 and releaseth him1 then he overcomes his ,keepers1 which before did govern in his ,kingdome1 and delivers them being bound to him that released him1 for to bee his subjects1 and gives him their ,kingdomes to possesse3 but that1 which is more2 in his ,kingdome is a ,looking-glasse1 in which is seen the whole world4 ,whosoever lookes in this ,glasse may see1 and learn in it three parts of the wisdome of the whole world1 and so shall become very wise in these three ,kingdomes1 such were ,aristotle1 ,avicen1 and many others1 who as well as they before them1 saw in this glasse how the world was made3 ,by this they learned what were the influences of the ,celestiall vertues upon inferiour bodies1 and how ,nature by the weight of ,fire compounds things2 as also the motion of the ,sun1 and ,moon3 especially that universall motion1 by which his ,mother is governed3 by this they knew the degrees of heat1 cold1 moisture1 drynesse1 and the vertues of hearbs1 and indeed of all things1 whence they became most excellent ,physitians4 ,and truly1 unlesse a ,physitian be such a one as knows1 why this hearb1 or that1 is hot1 dry1 or moist in this degree1 not out of the books of ,galen1 or ,avicen1 but out of the originall of ,nature1 from whence they also understood these things1 hee cannot bee a well grounded ,physitian4 ,all these things they diligently considered1 and bequeathed their ,writings to their successors1 that men might bee stirred up to studies of a higher ,nature1 and learn how to set ,sulphur at liberty1 and unloose his bonds3 but men of this age take their ,writings for a sufficient ground1 and authority1 and seek no further2 and it sufficeth them if they know how to say1 ,so saith ,aristotle1 or2 ,thus saith ,galen4 ,alch4 ,and what say you1 ,sir1 ,can an herb bee known without an ,herball8 ,vox1 ,those ancient ,philosophers wrote their ,receipts out of the very ,fountain of ,nature4 ,alch4 ,how ,sir8 ,vox1 ,know that all things in the earth1 and upon the earth1 are generated1 and produced of three ,principles2 sometimes of two1 to which the third is joined3 he therefore that knows these three ,principles2 and the weight of them1 how ,nature joins them together1 may be easily able by decoction to understand the degree of ,fire in the subject1 whether well1 or ill1 or indifferently decocted1 and that according to more or lesse3 ,for all ,vegetable things are known by those1 who know the three ,principles4 ,alch4 ,and how is this done8 ,vox1 ,by sight1 tast1 and smell2 in1 and from these three senses are gathered the three ,principles of things1 and the degrees of their digestions4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,they say that ,sulphur is a ,medicine4 ,vox1 ,yea1 and the ,physitian himselfe1 and to them that set him free from prison1 by way of thankfulnesse hee gives his blood for a ,medicine4 ,alch4 ,sir1 the universall ,medicine being had1 how long may a man preserve himselfe from death8 ,vox1 ,even to the term of death3 but this ,medicine must bee taken cautiously1 for many wise men have been destroyed by it before their time4 ,alch4 ,and what say you ,sir1 ,is it poison8 ,vox1 ,hast not thou heard that a great flame of fire destroyes a little one8 ,there were many ,philosophers1 which received the ,art from other mens experience1 which did not so throughly search into the vertue of the ,medicine2 yea1 by how much the more powerfull1 subtiler the ,medicine was1 it seemed to them to bee the more wholsome2 and if one grain of it can passe through many thousands of ,metalls1 much more ,mans body4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,how then must it be used8 ,vox1 ,it must bee so used1 that it may strengthen the ,naturall heat1 but not overcome it4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,i know how to make such a ,medicine4 ,vox1 ,thou art happy if thou dost know4 ,for the blood of that ,sulphur is that intrinsecall vertue1 and siccity that turnes1 and congeals ,quicksilver1 and all ,metalls into ,gold1 and ,mens bodies into health4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,i know how to make oyle of ,sulphur1 which is prepared with calcined ,crystalls2 ,i know also another1 which is done by a ,bell4 ,vox1 ,certainly then thou art a ,philosopher of that ,assembly2 for thou dost understand1 and expound my words aright1 as also1 unlesse ,i am deceived1 of all the ,philosophers4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,is not this oyle the blood of ,sulphur8 ,vox1 ,o ,friend6 the blood of ,sulphur is not given to any but to those1 who know how to set him free from prison4 ,alch4 ,sir1 doth ,sulphur know any thing in the ,metalls8 ,vox1 ,i told thee1 that hee knows all things1 and especially in ,metalls1 but his ,keepers know that there he could bee easily set at liberty1 wherefore they keep him there bound fast in most strong prisons1 so that hee cannot breath1 and they are afraid lest hee should come into the ,kings palace4 ,alch4 ,is hee imprisoned so in all ,metalls8 ,vox1 ,in all2 but not alike1 in some not so strictly4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,and why in ,metalls in such a tyrannicall manner8 ,vox1 ,because hee would stand in awe of them no longer1 when hee shall once come to his ,kingly palaces1 for then hee can be seen1 and looke freely out of the windows2 because there he is in his proper ,kingdome1 although not yet as hee desires4 ,alch4 ,sir1 and what doth hee eat8 ,vox1 ,his meat is wind1 when hee is at liberty1 it is decocted2 but in prison hee is constrained to eat it raw4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,can those enmities betwixt him and his ,keepers bee reconciled8 ,vox1 ,yes1 if any one were so wise4 ,alch4 ,why doth not he treat with them concerning a pacification8 ,vox1 ,that hee cannot doe by himselfe1 because presently hee waxeth hot with anger1 and rage4 ,alch4 ,let him doe it by a ,commissioner4 ,vox1 ,certainly hee would bee the most happy man in the world1 and worthy of eternall memory1 who could tell how to make peace betwixt them2 but this no man can doe but hee that is very wise1 and can agree with his ,mother1 and have co-intelligence with her3 for if they were friends1 one would not hinder the other1 but joining their forces together would make things immortall4 ,truely hee that would reconcile them together would bee a man worthy to be consecrated to eternity4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,i will compose those differences betwixt them1 and free him1 ,i am in other matters a man very learned1 and wise3 ,besides1 ,i am very good at operations4 ,vox1 ,friend1 ,i see truly that thou art big enough1 and thou hast a great head1 but ,i know not whether thou canst doe those things or no4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,perhaps thou art ignorant of what the ,alchymists know1 in matter of treaty they have alwaies the better of it1 and truly ,i am not the last1 so that his enemies will but treat with mee1 if they will treat1 assure your selfe that they will have the worst4 ,sir1 beleeve mee1 the ,alchymists know how to treat1 if they only will but treat with mee1 ,sulphur shall presently be at liberty4 ,vox1 ,i like your judgement well1 ,i hear that you are approved of4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,tell mee if this bee the true ,sulphur of the ,philosophers8 ,vox1 ,this truely is ,sulphur1 but whether it be the ,philosopher1 that belongs to thee to know4 ,i have said enough to thee concerning ,sulphur4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,if ,i can find his prisons1 shall ,i bee able to set him at liberty8 ,vox1 ,if thou knowest well1 thou shalt2 for it is easier to free him then find them4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,i beseech thee tell mee but this1 if ,i find him1 shal ,i make the ,philosophers stone of him8 ,vox1 ,o ,friend6 ,it is not for mee to judge1 doe thou look to that1 yet if thou knowest his ,mother1 and followest her1 ,sulphur being at liberty1 the ,stone is at hand4 ,alch4 ,sir1 in what subject is this ,sulphur8 ,vo4 ,know for certain that this ,sulphur is of great vertue1 his ,mine are all things in the world1 for hee is in ,metalls1 ,hearbs1 ,trees1 ,animalls1 ,stones1 and ,mineralls4 ,alch4 ,and what ,devill is able to find him out lying hid amongst so many things1 and subjects8 ,tell mee the matter out of which the ,philosophers take him4 ,vo4 ,friend1 thou comest too neer1 yet that ,i may satisfie thee1 know that ,sulphur is every where1 but shee hath some certaine palaces1 where shee is wont to give audience to the ,philosophers2 but the ,philosophers adore him swimming in his owne sea1 and playing with ,vulcan2 when the ,philosophers goe to him unknown in his vile garments4 ,alch4 ,sir1 in the sea1 why then is hee not mine1 since hee is hid here so neer8 ,vo4 ,i told thee that his ,keepers put him into most dark prisons1 lest thou shouldst see him1 for hee is in one subject alone1 but if thou hast not found him at home1 thou wilt scarce find him in the ,woods4 ,but doe not thou despaire in finding of him out3 ,i tell thee of a truth1 that hee is in ,gold1 and ,silver most perfect1 but in ,argent vive most easy4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,i would very willingly make the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,vo4 ,thou desirest a good thing1 ,sulphur also would willingly bee out of bonds4 ,and so ,saturn departed4 ,now a deep sleep seased upon the ,alchymist1 being weary1 and there appeared to him this ,vision1 ,hee saw in that ,wood a fountain full of water1 about which walked ,sal1 and ,sulphur1 contending one with the other1 untill at last they began to fight2 and ,sal gave ,sulphur an incurable wound1 out of which wound1 in stead of blood1 there came out water1 as it were most white milk1 and it became to be a great river4 ,then out of that ,wood came forth ,diana a most beautifull ,virgin1 who began to wash her self in that river3 whom a certain ,prince1 a most stout man 7and greater then his servants7 passing by1 and seeing1 began to admire at her beauty2 and because shee was of a like nature with him1 hee became enamoured with her1 which when she perceived1 shee was inflamed with love towards him4 ,wherefore as it were falling into a swoun she began to be drowned3 which that ,prince seeing1 commanded his servants to help her2 but they were all afraid to goe to the river2 to whom the ,prince said1 ,why doe you not help ,diana that ,virgin8 ,to whom they replyed1 ,sir1 this river is indeed little1 and as it were dryed up1 but most dangerous3 ,once upon a time wee were willing to go into it without thy knowledge1 and wee hardly escaped the danger of eternall death2 ,wee know also that others that were our predecessors perished in it4 ,then the ,prince himselfe laying aside his thick mantle1 even as hee was armed1 leaped into the river1 and to help faire ,diana hee stretched forth his hand to her2 who being willing to save her selfe1 drew also the ,prince himselfe to her1 and so were both drowned4 ,a little after their souls came out of the river1 flying above the river1 and said1 ,it was well done of us1 for else wee could not have been freed from those bodies which are polluted1 and stained4 ,alch4 ,but doe you ever return into those bodies againe8 ,anime1 ,not into such filthy bodies1 but when they be purged1 and this river shall bee throughly dryed up by the heat of the sunne1 and this ,province shall bee often tryed by the ,aire4 ,alch4 ,what shall you doe in the mean time4 ,anim4 ,here wee shall fly upon the river till those clouds1 and tempests shall cease4 ,in the mean time the ,alchymist fell into a more desired dream of his ,sulphur2 and behold there appeared to him many ,alchymists coming to that place to seek after ,sulphur1 and when they found the carkasse of that ,sulphur that was slain by ,sal by the fountain1 they divided it amongst themselves3 which when the ,alchymist saw hee also took a part with them2 and so every one of them returned home1 and began to work in that ,sulphur1 and till this day they doe not give over4 ,but ,saturne meets this ,alchymist1 and saith to him1 ,friend1 how is it with thee8 ,alch4 ,o ,sir1 ,i have seen many wonderfull things1 my wife would scarce beleeve them2 now also ,i have found ,sulphur1 ,i beseech you ,sir help1 let us make the ,philosophers ,stone4 ,saturnus4 ,with all my heart1 my friend1 make ready then ,argent-vive1 and ,sulphur1 and give hither a glasse4 ,alch4 ,sir1 have nothing to doe with ,mercury1 for he is naught1 he hath deluded my companion1 and many others4 ,sat4 ,without ,argent-vive1 in whose ,kingdome ,sulphur is the ,king1 the ,philosophers have done nothing1 neither doe ,i know what to doe without it4 ,alch4 ,sir1 ,let us make it of ,sulphur alone4 ,sat4 ,well then1 my friend1 but it will succeed accordingly4 ,then they took that ,sulphur1 which the ,alchymist found1 and they did what the ,alchymist would have done1 they began to work divers ways1 and to make experiments of ,sulphur in divers strange kind of furnaces1 which the ,alchymist had3 but in the conclusion of every operation there was brought forth nothing but ,matches1 such as old women usually sell to light candles withall4 ,then they began a new work1 and sublimed1 and calcined ,sulphur according to the ,alchymists pleasure2 but in what way soever they worked it1 it succeeded as before1 for still they made nothing but ,matches2 then said the ,alchymist to ,saturn1 ,truly ,sir1 ,i see it will not succeed according to my fancy1 ,i beseech thee doe thou work alone1 what thou knowest4 ,then ,saturn said1 ,see then1 and learn4 ,hee then took two ,mercuries of a differing substance1 but of one originall1 which ,saturn washed in his owne urine1 and called them ,sulphurs of ,sulphurs1 and mixed the fixed with the volatile1 and the composition being made1 hee put it into its proper vessell1 and lest the ,sulphur should fly away1 hee set a keeper over him1 and then put him into a bath of a most gentle heat1 according as the matter required1 and hee made all things very well4 ,then they made the ,philosophers ,stone1 because of the true matter a true thing must needs bee made4 ,the ,alchymist being very glad took the ,stone with the glasse1 and beholding the colour thereof1 which was like burnt blood1 hee was amazed1 and by reason of too much joy hee began to leap1 in which leaping the glasse fell out of his hands upon the ground1 and was broken4 ,and so ,saturn vanished away4 ,the ,alchymist also being awaked out of his dream1 found nothing in his hands but ,matches which hee made of brimstone3 but the ,stone flew away1 and doth still fly2 whence it is called ,volatile3 and so that miserable ,alchymist learned nothing else by that ,vision but how to make ,matches3 who afterwards laying aside the ,stone1 became to be a ,physitian2 by searching after the stone of the ,philosophers hee got the stone of the ,kidneys4 ,last of all hee led such a life1 as such kind of ,alchymists are wont to doe1 who for the most part become ,physitians1 or ,quacksalvers1 which thing will happen to all1 who betake themselves to the ,art casually without any foundation1 but only by hearesay1 or by meanes of ,receipts4 ,some of them1 when things succeed not1 say3 ,we are wise men1 wee hear that the grasse grows1 if the ,art were true wee should have had it before other men3 ,and so having brazen faces1 lest wee should bee accounted undeserving men 7as indeed they are1 and also perverse7 contemne1 and undervalue the ,art4 ,this ,science hates such men1 and alwaies shews them the beginning in the end4 ,now we grant unto the unworthy1 that this ,art is nothing1 but to the ,lovers of vertue1 and the true ,searchers1 and ,sons of ,wisdome1 wee doe most highly commend it1 and doe affirme it not only to be true1 but altogether the truest3 which1 sometimes wee have really made good before men worthy of such a fight1 ,i say before men of high1 and low condition3 7yet this ,medicine was not made by us1 but received from a friend1 and yet most true7 for the searching out of which wee have sufficiently instructed the ,searchers thereof2 whom if our ,writings doe not please1 let them read those of other ,authors1 which are easier1 but with this ,caution1 ,that whatsoever they shall read1 they shall alwaies compare it with the possibility of ,nature1 lest they assay any thing contrary to ,nature4 ,neither let them beleeve1 although it were written in the bookes of ,philosophers1 that ,fire burns not1 because this is contrary to ,nature3 but if it bee writ1 that ,fire hath a drying1 and heating faculty1 this is to bee beleeved1 because it is according to ,nature3 ,for ,nature doth alwaies agree with a sound judgment1 and in ,nature there is nothing difficult1 all truth is plain4 ,then also let them learne1 what things in ,nature are of affinity with each other1 which wee conceive may be easier done by our ,writings1 then any other1 seeing wee think wee have wrote sufficiently1 untill some other shall come1 who shall set downe the whole ,receipt so plaine1 as to make cheese of ,milke1 which is not lawfull for us to doe4 ,but that ,i may not direct all things ,i say to the new beginner only1 wee shall say something to you also who now have passed over these painfull labours4 ,have you seen that ,countrey1 where a man marryed a wife1 whose nuptialls were celebrated in the house of ,nature8 ,have you understood how the vulgar with you have seen this ,sulphur8 ,if therefore you will that old women should practise your ,philosophy1 shew the dealbation of your ,sulphurs2 say unto the vulgar1 ,come and see1 for now the water is divided1 and ,sulphur is come out2 hee will return white1 and congeale the ,waters4 ,burn therefore ,sulphur from incombustible ,sulphur1 then wash it1 make it white1 and red1 untill ,sulphur become ,mercury1 and ,mercury bee made ,sulphur1 which afterwards you shall beautifie with the soule of ,gold3 ,for if you doe not sublime ,sulphur1 from ,sulphur1 and ,mercury from ,mercury1 you have not yet found out the ,water1 which out of ,sulphur1 and ,mercury is created by way of distillation2 hee doth not ascend1 that doth not descend4 ,whatsoever in this ,art is remarkable1 by many is lost in the preparation1 for our ,mercury is quickened with ,sulphur1 else it would bee of no use4 ,a ,prince without a people is unhappy2 so is an ,alchymist without ,sulphur1 and ,mercury4 ,if thou hast understood mee1 ,i have said enough4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,the ,,conclvsion4 ,every searcher of this ,art must in the first place with a mature judgement examine the creation1 operation1 and vertues of the four ,elements together with their actings3 for if hee be ignorant of the originall1 and ,nature of these1 hee shall not come to the knowledge of the ,principles1 neither shall hee know the true matter of the ,stone1 much lesse attain to any good conclusion2 because every end is terminated upon its beginning4 ,hee that well knowes what hee begins1 shall well know what shall bee the end4 ,for the originall of the ,elements is the ,chaos1 out of which ,god the ,maker of all things created1 and separated the ,elements1 which belongs to ,god alone3 but out of the ,elements ,nature produceth the ,principles of things1 and this is ,natures worke1 through the will of ,god alone3 ,out of the ,principles ,nature afterwards produceth ,mineralls1 and all things3 out of which the ,artist also by imitating ,nature can doe many wonderfull things4 ,because ,nature out of these ,principles1 which are ,salt1 ,sulphur1 and ,mercury1 doth produce ,mineralls1 and ,metalls1 and all kinds of things2 and it doth not simply produce ,metalls out of the ,elements1 but by ,principles1 which are the medium betwixt the ,elements1 and ,metalls3 ,therefore if ,nature doth not make those things1 much lesse shall ,art4 ,and not only in this example1 but also in every naturall processe a middle disposition is to bee observed4 ,wherefore here in this ,treatise wee have sufficiently described the ,elements1 their actings1 and operations1 as also the originall of the ,principles 7because hitherto no ,philosopher hath discovered things more cleerly7 that the well minded searcher might the more easily consider in what degree the ,stone differs from ,metalls1 and ,metalls from ,elements4 ,for there is a difference betwixt ,gold1 and ,water1 but lesse betwixt ,water1 and ,mercury2 and least of all betwixt ,mercury1 and ,gold4 ,for the house of ,gold is ,mercury1 and the house of ,mercury is ,water3 but ,sulphur is that which coagulates ,mercury2 which ,sulphur indeed is most difficultly prepared1 but more difficultly found out4 ,for in the ,sulphur of ,philosophers this secret consists1 which also is contained in the inward rooms of ,mercury1 of whose preparation1 without which it is unprofitable1 wee shall discourse hereafter in the third ,principle of ,salt1 seeing here wee treat of the vertue1 and originall1 not ,praxis1 of ,sulphur4 ,wherefore now wee have not writ this ,treatise that wee would disprove any of the ancient ,philosophers1 but rather confirm their ,writings1 and supply those things1 which they have omitted3 seeing that ,philosophers themselves were but men1 they could not be accurate in all things1 neither is one man sufficient for all things4 ,miracles also have seduced some men from the right way of ,nature1 as wee read happened in ,albertus ,magnus a most witty ,philosopher2 who writ1 that in his times there were grains of ,gold found betwixt the teeth of a dead man in his grave4 ,hee could not find out this ,miracle1 but judged it to be by reason of the ,minerall vertue in man being confirmed in his opinion by that saying of ,morien3 ,and this ,matter1 ,o ,king1 is extracted from thee3 but this is erroneous1 for ,morien was pleased to understand those things ,philosophically4 ,for the ,minerall vertue is placed in its own ,kingdome1 as the ,animall is in its ,kingdome1 as in the book of the ,twelve ,treatises wee have distinguished those ,kingdomes1 and divided them into three ,kingdomes2 because every one of these without the ingresse of any other thing stands in it self1 and is multiplyed4 ,it is true indeed that in the ,animall ,kingdome1 ,mercury is as the matter1 and ,sulphur as the vertue1 but the ,animall is not ,minerall4 ,the vertue of the ,animall ,sulphur if it were not in ,man1 it could not congeal the bloud ,mercury into flesh1 and bones3 so also if there were not a vertue of the ,vegetable ,sulphur in the ,vegetable ,kingdome1 it could not coagulate ,water1 or the ,vegetable ,mercury into ,herbs1 and ,trees4 ,so also it is to bee understood in the ,minerall ,kingdome4 ,these three ,mercuries doe not indeed differ in vertue1 nor the three ,sulphurs1 because every ,sulphur hath a power to coagulate its own ,mercury2 and every ,mercury hath a power to bee coagulated by its owne proper ,sulphur2 and by no other that is a stranger to it4 ,now the reason why ,gold was found1 and generated betwixt the teeth of the dead man is this1 because in his life time ,mercury was by some ,physitian conveyed into his infirme body1 either by unction1 or by ,turbith1 or some other way1 as the custome1 and manner was1 and it was the nature of ,mercury to goe up to the mouth1 and through the sores thereof to be evacuated with the flegme4 ,if therefore in time of such a cure the sick man dyed1 that ,mercury not finding any egresse1 remained in his mouth betwixt his teeth1 and that carkasse became the naturall vessell of ,mercury1 so being shut up fast for a long time was congealed into ,gold by its own proper ,sulphur1 being purified by the naturall heat of putrefaction1 caused by the corrosive phlegme of the ,mans body4 ,but if ,minerall ,mercury had not been brought in thither1 there could ,gold never have been produced4 ,and this is a most true example1 that ,nature in the bowells of the earth1 doth of ,mercury alone produce ,gold1 and ,silver1 and other ,metalls1 according to the disposition of the place1 or matrix2 for ,mercury hath in its self its own proper ,sulphur1 with which it is coagulated into ,gold1 unlesse it bee hindred by some accident1 or hath not a requisite heat1 or a close place4 ,the vertue therefore of ,animall ,sulphur doth not congeal ,mercury into ,gold1 but into ,flesh3 for if there were such a vertue in ,man1 it would happen to be so in all bodies2 which it doth not4 ,many such miracles1 and accidents fall out1 which being not well considered by the ,writers1 occasion the ,readers to fall into errors3 yet the honest searcher must apply all things to the possibility of ,nature2 if they doe not agree with ,nature1 they must be let alone1 and waved4 ,it sufficeth the diligent ,student1 that he hath here heard what is the ,originall of the ,principles 7since the beginning being unknown1 the end is alwaies doubtfull7 of which wee have in this ,treatise not nigmatically1 but as cleerly as we could1 and as it was lawfull for us1 spoken unto the searcher thereof3 by means of which1 if ,god shall enlighten any ones mind1 hee shall know what a successor owes to his predecessors1 seeing this ,art is alwaies acquired by the same kind of wits1 and dispositions4 ,which ,art wee after this kind of clear manifestation of it1 lay up into the bosome of ,god the most high ,creator1 and our ,lord1 and commend our selvs together with all honest hearted ,readers to his grace1 and infinite mercy4 ,to whom be praise1 and glory1 for ever1 and ever4 ,,finis4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,the ,,natvre ,of ,things4 ,,the ,,first ,,booke4 ,of the generations of ,naturall things4 ,sidenote3 ,the generation of naturall things is twofold4 ,sidenote3 ,all things proceed from putrefaction4 ,sidenote3 ,the cause of putrefaction is a moist heat4 ,sidenote3 ,the power and nature of putrefaction4 ,sidenote3 ,what putrefaction is4 ,the generation of all natural things is twofold3 ,naturall1 and without ,art2 and ,artificiall1 viz4 by ,alchymie4 ,although in generall it may bee said that all things are naturally generated of the ,earth by means of putrefaction4 ,for ,putrefaction is the chiefe degree1 and first step to ,generation4 ,now ,putrefaction is occasioned by a moist heat4 ,for a continuall moist heat causeth putrefaction1 and changeth all naturall things from their first form1 and essence1 as also their vertues1 and efficacy1 into another thing4 ,for as putrefaction in the stomach changeth1 and reduceth all meats into dung2 so also putrefaction out of the stomach in a glasse1 changeth all things from one form into another1 from one essence into another1 from one colour into another1 from one smell into another1 from one vertue into another1 from one power into another1 from one property into another1 and generally from one quality into another4 ,for it is evident1 and proved by daily experience1 that many good things1 which are wholsome1 and medicinable1 become after putrefaction naught1 unwholsome1 and meer poison4 ,so on the contrary1 there are many bad1 unwholsome1 poisonous1 and hurtfull things1 which after their putrefaction become good1 lose all their unwholsomnesse1 and become wonderfull medicinable3 because putrefaction produceth great matters1 as of this wee have a most famous example in the holy ,gospel1 where ,christ saith3 ,unlesse a grain of ,wheat bee cast into the ,earth1 and be putrefied1 it cannot bring forth fruit in a hundred fold4 ,hence also we must know1 that many things are multiplyed in putrefaction so as to bring forth excellent fruit4 ,for putrefaction is the change1 and death of all things1 and destruction of the first essence of all ,naturall things2 whence there ariseth a regeneration1 and new generation a thousand times better1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,putrefaction is the first degree to generation4 ,sidenote3 ,putrefaction is manifold4 ,seeing therefore putrefaction is the first degree1 and step to generation2 it is very necessary that wee know putrefaction well4 ,now there are many kinds of putrefactions1 and one produceth its generation in another manner1 then doth another4 ,one also sooner then another4 ,wee said also that moisture1 and heat were the first degree1 and step to putrefaction1 which produceth all things1 as a ,hen doth her egs4 ,wherefore through1 and in putrefaction1 all mucilaginous flegme1 and matter is made living1 whatsoever it prove to be at last4 ,sidenote3 ,an artificiall hatching of ,chickens4 ,an example of this you have in egs1 in which there is a mucilaginous humour1 which by any kind of moderate continuall heat is putrefied1 and turned into a living ,chicke1 not only by the heat of the ,hen1 but any such kind of heat4 ,for in such a degree of ,fire egs may be brought to maturity in a glasse1 and ashes1 and become living birds3 yea any man may ripen an egge in his arm-hole1 and hatch a ,chicke1 as well as the ,hen4 ,sidenote3 ,the raising of a dead bird to life4 ,and here wee must take notice of something that is greater1 and more then this3 viz4 if that living ,chicke be in a vessell of glasse like a gourd1 and sealed up1 burnt to powder1 or ashes in the third degree of ,fire1 and afterward so closed in1 be putrefied with the exactest putrefaction of ,horse-dung1 into a mucilaginous flegm1 then that flegm may be brought to maturity1 and become a renewed1 and new made ,chicke3 to wit1 if that flegm bee againe inclosed in its former shell1 or receptacle4 ,this is to revive the dead by regeneration1 and clarification1 which indeed is a great1 and profound miracle of ,nature4 ,according to this processe may all ,birds bee killed1 and made alive againe1 and made new3 and this is the highest1 and greatest miracle1 and mystery of ,god1 which hee ever discovered to mortall man4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,artificiall generation of ,man4 ,wee must also know that after this manner men may bee generated without naturall ,father1 or ,mother1 i4e4 not of a ,woman in a naturall way3 but by the ,art1 and industry of a skilfull ,alchymist may a ,man bee borne1 and grow1 as afterwards shall bee shewed4 ,sidenote3 ,the generation of men by brutes4 ,sidenote3 ,as the seed is1 so is the fruit4 ,it is possible also that men may be born of beasts1 according to naturall causes1 but yet this cannot bee done without much impiety1 and heresie2 to wit1 if a man should couple with a beast1 and that beast should1 as a woman doth1 receive the ,sperm of the man1 with desire and lust into her matrix1 and conceive3 then the sperm doth of necessity putrefie1 and by the continual heat of the body1 a man1 and not a beast is thence produced4 ,for alwaies as the seed is that is sown1 so also is the fruit that is brought forth2 and unlesse it should be so1 it would be contrary to the light of ,nature1 and to ,philosophy4 ,wherefore as is the seed1 such is the hearb that springs from thence4 ,so of the ,seed of an ,onyon is brought forth an ,onyon1 not a ,rose1 nor a ,nut1 not a ,lettuce4 ,so of ,corne1 ,corn is brought forth1 of ,barley1 ,barley2 of ,oats1 ,oats3 and so it is with all other fruits1 which have seed1 and are sown1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,the force of womens imagination4 ,in like manner also it is possible1 and not contrary to ,nature1 that an irrationall bruit should bee produced by a woman1 and a man4 ,neither are wee to judge of1 or censure the woman1 as the man1 7as in the former case7 shee therefore is not to bee accounted impious1 or hereticall1 as if shee acted contrary to ,nature1 but it is to be imputed to her imagination4 ,for her imagination is alwaies the cause of it4 ,and the imagination of a breeding woman is so powerful1 that in conceiving the seed into her body1 shee may change her infant divers wayes3 because her inward starres are so strongly bent upon the infant1 that they beget an impression1 and influence upon it4 ,wherefore the infant in the ,mothers wombe in its forming is put into the hand1 and will of its ,mother1 as clay in the hand of the ,potter1 who thence frames1 and makes what his will1 and pleasure is3 so the ,woman that is breeding1 forms the fruit in her body1 according to her imagination1 and her starres4 ,therefore it often falls out1 that of the seed of a man1 ,cattle1 and other horrid ,monsters are begot1 according as the imagination of the ,mother is strongly directed upon the ,embryo1 c4 ,now as you have heard1 that by putrefaction many1 and various things are generated1 and made alive1 so also you must know1 that of many hearbs1 by putrefaction divers living creatures are bred1 which they that are skilled in these things know4 ,sidenote3 ,all animals that are bred meerly of putrefaction are poisonous4 ,here also wee must know1 that all such ,animalls1 which are bred1 and made of putrefaction1 containe some poison1 and are poisonous1 yet one far more strong then another1 and one after another manner then another3 as you see in ,serpents1 ,vipers1 ,toads1 ,frogs1 ,scorpions1 ,basiliskes1 ,spiders1 ,wood-bees1 ,pismires1 and many sorts of ,wormes1 as ,cankers1 ,maggots1 ,locusts1 c4 ,all which are bred in1 and through putrefaction4 ,also amongst ,animalls there are bred divers ,monsters2 ,and there are ,monsters also which are not bred of putrefaction of themselves1 but are made by ,art in a glasse1 as hath been said2 because they oftentimes appear in a very wonderfull shape1 and form1 fearful to behold1 as oftentimes with many feet1 many tailes1 many colours1 oftentimes many heads1 worms with the tailes of ,fishes1 or feathers1 and other unusuall forms1 that the like have not been seen4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,monsters are4 ,wherefore not only all ,animalls1 which have not proper ,parents1 and are not borne of things like to themselves are ,monsters1 but also those which are bred of other things4 ,sidenote3 ,the secret poison of the ,basilisk4 ,so you see it is concerning a ,basiliske1 which also is a ,monster1 and indeed a ,monster above all ,monsters1 and then which none is to bee more dreaded1 because hee can kill any man with his meer looks1 and sight3 and because his poison is above all poisons1 to which nothing in the world is to bee compared4 ,hee carries his poison in a most secret manner in his eyes1 and it is a conceived poison1 not much unlike a menstruous woman1 who also carrieth a secret poison in her eyes1 so that only by her looks a ,looking-glasse is fouled1 and tainted4 ,so also if shee looke upon a wound1 or an ulcer1 shee infects that in the like manner1 and hinders the cure thereof3 so also with her breath1 as well as sight1 shee infects divers things1 corrupts1 and weakens them2 and so also with her touch4 ,for you see if shee medle with wine in time of her menstrues1 that it is suddainly changed and made thick2 ,the ,vineger also that she medles withall1 becomes dead1 and uselesse3 so also ,hot-waters lose their strength3 ,in like manner ,civet1 ,amber ,gryse1 ,musk1 and such like perfumes1 lose their odour by such a womans carrying1 or handling of them4 ,so also ,gold1 and ,coralls lose their colour1 also many ,gemmes1 and ,looking-glasses are soiled therewith1 c4 ,but to return to what ,i proposed concerning the ,basiliske1 by what reason1 and in what manner hee carries poison in his looks1 and eyes2 you must know that hee hath that property1 and poison from menstruous women1 as is aforesaid4 ,for the ,basiliske is bred of1 and proceeds from the greatest impurity of a ,woman1 viz4 her ,menstrues1 and from the blood of the ,sperm1 if it bee put into a gourd glasse1 and putrefied in ,horse-dung1 in which putrefaction a ,basiliske is brought forth4 ,but who is so couragious1 and bold to make1 take him out1 and kill him again1 unlesse hee cover1 and fortifie himselfe well first with glasses3 ,i should perswade none to doe it1 nay1 ,i would advise them to take heed of it4 ,sidenote3 ,monsters doe not live long4 ,sidenote3 ,monsters come from the ,devill4 ,but that ,i may proceed in treating of ,monsters1 ,know that ,monsters amongst brutes1 which are brought forth of other things1 and not of their like1 seldome live long1 especially if they shall live neer1 or amongst other brutes1 because of an imbred disposition1 and ,gods disposing1 all ,monsters are odious unto brutes that are genuinely brought forth1 and so also ,monsters of men1 which are generated by man1 seldome live long4 ,and by how much the more wonderfull1 and remarkable they are1 so much the sooner they dye1 so that none exceed the third day amongst men1 unlesse they bee presently carryed into some secret place1 and kept apart from all men4 ,moreover you must know that ,god abhors these kind of ,monsters1 and that they are displeasing to him1 and that none of them can be saved1 seeing they bear not the image of ,god3 whence wee can conjecture nothing else1 but that they are so formed by the ,devil1 and are made for the ,devills service1 rather then ,gods1 because no good work was ever done by any ,monster1 but rather all manner of evill1 wickednesse1 and devillish deceits4 ,for as an ,executioner marketh his sons in cutting off their ears1 putting out their eyes1 burning their cheeks1 fingers1 hands1 and cutting off their heads3 so doth the ,devil mark his sons through the imagination of their ,mothers1 which in their conceiving they drew from evill desires1 lusts1 and cogitations4 ,sidenote3 ,monsters are to be shunned4 ,also all men are to be shunned1 which abound with1 or want any member1 or have a double member4 ,for that is a presage of the ,devills1 and a most certaine signe of some occult wickednesse1 and deceit1 which follows upon it4 ,wherefore they seldome dye without the ,executioner1 or at least from some marke made by him4 ,sidenote3 ,the artificiall generation of ,men4 ,but wee must by no means forget the generation of ,artificiall men4 ,for there is some truth in this thing1 although it hath been a long time concealed1 and there have been no small ,doubts1 and ,questions1 raised by some of the ancient ,philosophers1 ,whether it were possible for ,nature1 or ,art to beget a ,man out of the body of a ,woman1 and naturall matrix8 ,to this ,i answer1 that it is no way repugnant to the ,art of ,alchymie1 and ,nature2 yea it is very possible3 ,but to effect it1 we must proceed thus4 ,let the ,sperm of a man by it selfe be putrefied in a gourd glasse1 sealed up1 with the highest degree of putrefaction in ,horse dung1 for the space of forty days1 or so long untill it begin to bee alive1 move1 and stir1 which may easily be seen4 ,after this time it will bee something like a ,man1 yet transparent1 and without a body4 ,now after this1 if it bee every day warily1 and prudently nourished and fed with the ,arcanum of ,mans blood1 and bee for the space of forty weeks kept in a constant1 equall heat of ,horse-dung1 it will become a true1 and living infant1 having all the members of an infant1 which is born of a woman1 but it will bee far lesse4 ,this wee call ,homunculus1 or ,artificiall4 ,and this is afterwards to be brought up with as great care1 and diligence as any other infant1 untill it come to riper years of understanding4 ,now this is one of the greatest secrets1 that ,god ever made known to mortall1 sinfull man4 ,for this is a miracle1 and one of the great wonders of ,god1 and secret above all secrets1 and deservedly it ought to bee kept amongst the secrets until the last times1 when nothing shall be hid1 but all things be made manifest4 ,sidenote3 ,fairies1 ,nymphs1 ,gyants1 c4 are made of artificiall men4 ,and although hitherto it hath not been known to men1 yet it hath been known to ,fairies of the ,woods1 ,nymphs1 and ,gyants many ages since1 because they come from them4 ,for of such ,artificiall men1 when they come to ,mans age1 are made ,pygmies1 ,gyants1 and other great and monstrous men1 who are instruments of great matters1 who obtaine great victories against their ,enemies1 and know all secrets1 and mysteries3 because by ,art they receive their lives1 by ,art they receive their bodies1 flesh1 bones1 and blood3 by ,art they are borne2 wherefore ,art is now incorporated with1 and imbred in them1 and they need not learn of any1 but others are constrained to learn of them1 for by ,art they have their originall and present existency1 as a rose1 or flower in a garden1 and they are called the children of ,fairies1 and ,nymphs1 by reason that in power1 and vertue they are like not to ,men1 but ,spirits1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,of #c principles ,mercury the ,spirit1 sulphur is the soul1 ,salt the body4 ,here it is necessary that wee speak something of the generation of ,metalls2 but because we have wrote sufficiently of that in our book of the generation of ,metals1 wee shall very briefly treat of it here1 only briefly adding what was omitted in that book4 ,know that all the seven ,metalls are brought forth after this manner1 out of a threefold matter1 viz4 ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 ,salt1 yet in distinct1 and peculiar colours4 ,for this reason ,hermes did not speak amisse1 when he said1 that of three substances are all the seven ,metalls produced1 and compounded1 as also the ,tinctures1 and ,philosophers ,stone4 ,those #c substances he calls the ,spirit1 ,soul1 and ,body3 but hee did not shew how this is to bee understood1 or what hee did mean by this1 although haply hee might know the three ,principles1 but did not make mention of them4 ,wherefore we do not say1 that he was here in an error1 but only was silent now1 that those #c distinct substances may be rightly understood1 viz4 ,spirit1 ,soul1 and ,body1 we must know1 that they signifie nothing else but the three ,principles1 i4e4 ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 ,salt1 of which all the seven ,metalls are generated4 ,for ,mercury is the ,spirit1 ,sulphur the ,soule1 and ,salt the ,body1 but a ,metall is the ,soul betwixt the ,spirit1 and the ,body 7as ,hermes saith7 which ,soule indeed is ,sulphur2 and unites these two contraries1 the ,body1 and ,spirit1 and changeth them into one essence1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,whether metalls can be made artificially by fire4 ,now this is not to bee understood so as that of every ,mercury1 every ,sulphur1 or of every ,salt1 the seven ,metalls may be generated1 or the ,tincture1 or the ,philosophers ,stone by the ,art of ,alchymie1 or industry1 with the help of ,fire2 but all the seven ,metalls must be generated in the mountains by the ,archeius of the ,earth4 ,for the ,alchymist shall sooner transmute ,metalls1 then generate1 or make them4 ,sidenote3 ,living is the mother of metalls4 ,yet neverthelesse living ,mercury is the ,mother of all the seven ,metalls1 and deservedly it may be called the ,mother of the ,metalls4 ,for it is an open ,metall1 and as it contains all colours1 which it manifests in the ,fire1 so also occultly it contains all ,metalls in it selfe1 but without ,fire it cannot shew them1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,the regeneration of metalls into tinctures4 ,but generation1 and renovation of ,metalls is made thus3 ,as a man may return into the womb of his ,mother1 i4e4 into the ,earth1 out of which hee was first made a man1 and shall again bee raised at the last day3 so also all ,metalls may returne into living againe1 and become 1 and by ,fire bee regenerated1 and purified1 if for the space of forty weeks1 they bee kept in a continuall heat1 as an infant is in his ,mothers wombe4 ,so that now there are brought forth not common ,metalls1 but ,tinging ,metalls4 ,for if ,silver bee regenerated 7after the manner as wee have spoken7 it will afterward tinge all other ,metalls into ,silver1 so will ,gold into ,gold1 and the like is to bee understood of all the other ,metalls4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,soul is that medium wherewith the soule is united to the body4 ,now forasmuch as ,hermes said1 that the soule alone is that medium which joines the spirit to the body1 it was not without cause hee said so4 ,for seeing ,sulphur is that soule1 and doth like ,fire ripen1 and digest all things2 it can also bind the soule with the body1 incorporating1 and uniting them together1 so that from thence may bee produced a most excellent body4 ,now the common combustible ,sulphur is not to bee taken for the soule of metalls1 for the soule is another manner of thing then a combustible1 and corruptible body4 ,sidenote3 ,what the soule of metalls is4 ,wherefore it can bee destroyed by no ,fire1 seeing indeed it is all ,fire it selfe3 and indeed it is nothing else but the quintessence of ,sulphur1 which is extracted out of reverberated ,sulphur by the spirit of wine1 being of a red colour1 and as transparent as a ,rubie3 and which indeed is a great1 and excellent ,arcanum1 for the transmuting of white metalls1 and to coagulate living into fixt1 and true ,gold4 ,esteeme this as an enriching treasure1 and thou maist bee well contented with this1 onely secret in the ,transmutation of ,metalls4 ,sidenote3 ,where is the generation of metalls and mineralls4 ,concerning the generation of mineralls1 and halfe metalls nothing else need bee known then what was at first said concerning metalls1 viz4 that they are in like manner produced of the three ,principles1 viz4 ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt1 although not as metalls of perfect1 but of the more imperfect1 and baser ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt1 and yet with their distinct colours4 ,sidenote3 ,whence the generation of ,gemmes4 ,the generation of ,gemmes is from the subtilty of the ,earth1 of transparent and crystalline ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt1 even according to their distinct colours4 ,sidenote3 ,also of ,common ,stones4 ,but the generation of common ,stones is of the subtilty of ,water1 of mucilaginous ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt4 ,for of the mucilaginousnesse of ,water are produced all stones1 as also sand1 and gravell are thence coagulated into ,stones1 as wee often see4 ,sidenote3 ,an artificiall generation of ,stones4 ,for any stone put in the ,water1 doth suddenly contract a mucilaginousnesse to itself4 ,now if that mucilaginous matter bee taken from this ,stone1 and coagulated in a glasse1 it becomes such a ,stone1 as was in that ,water1 but it would require a long time before it would be coagulated of it selfe4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,the ,,natvre ,of ,things4 ,,the ,,second ,,book4 ,of the growth1 and increase of ,naturall things4 ,sidenote3 ,heat and ,moisture the cause of the growth of things4 ,it is sufficiently manifest1 and knowne to every one1 that all naturall things grow1 and are ripened through heat1 and moisture1 which is sufficiently demonstrated by rain1 and the heat of the sun4 ,for no man can deny that rain doth make the ,earth fruitfull1 and it is granted by all1 that all fruits are ripened by the sun4 ,sidenote3 ,an artificiall ripening of things4 ,sidenote3 ,god hath subjected all things to man4 ,sidenote3 ,the artificiall generation of fruit4 ,seeing therefore this is by divine ordination naturally possible1 who can gain-say1 or not beleeve that a man is able1 through the wise1 and skilfull ,art of ,alchymie1 to make that which is barren1 fruitfull1 and that which is crude1 to ripen1 and all things to grow1 and to be increased4 ,for the ,scripture saith1 that ,god subjected all creatures to man1 and put them into his hands as being his own1 that hee might use them for his necessity1 and rule over the fish of the sea1 fowles of the aire1 and all things upon the ,earth1 nothing excepted4 ,wherefore man might well rejoice that ,god should so endow him with the excellency of ,nature1 that all the creatures of ,god should be forced to obey1 and be subject to him1 especially the whole ,earth1 and all things which are bred1 live1 and move in1 and upon it4 ,since therefore wee see with our eyes1 and are taught by daily experience1 that by how much the oftner1 more abundantly the rain doth moisten the earth1 and the sun doth again with its heat and warmth dry it1 so much the sooner doe the fruits of the ,earth come forth and are ripened1 yea all fruits doe cleerly grow1 and increase1 what time of the yeer soever it be2 ,let no man henceforth wonder1 that the ,alchymist also by a manifold imbibition1 and distillation should not doe the same4 ,for what else is rain but the imbibition of the ,earth8 and the heat of the ,sun1 but the distillation of the ,sun1 which drawes up those humidities again8 ,wherefore ,i say it is possible by such a kind of ,art1 even in the midle of ,winter to bring forth green ,herbs1 ,flowers1 and other fruit1 through ,earth1 and ,water1 out of the seed1 and root3 ,if then this can bee done in all ,herbs1 and flowers1 it may also bee done in many other like things1 as in all mineralls1 whose imperfect metalls by vertue of a minerall water may bee brought to maturity through the industry1 and ,art of a skilfull ,alchymist4 ,sidenote3 ,the ripening of mineralls4 ,in like manner may all ,marcasites1 ,granati1 ,zineta1 ,arsenica1 ,talka1 ,cachymie1 ,bisemuta1 ,antimonies1 c4 7all which carry with them crude ,gold1 and ,silver17 bee so ripened1 that they may bee equalized to the most rich veins of ,gold1 and ,silver1 only by this ,art4 ,so also the ,elixir1 and tinctures of metals are brought to maturity1 and perfected4 ,sidenote3 ,what the growing of the beard of a dead man signifies4 ,seeing therefore1 as it hath been said1 moisture1 and heat doe ripen all things1 and make them grow1 ,let none wonder1 that the beard1 haire1 or nailes of a malefactor hanging on a ,gibbet1 or ,wheel do for a long time grow1 neither let it be accounted for a sign of his innocency1 as the ignorant beleeve1 for this is naturall1 and from naturall causes4 ,for whilest that any moisture remains in him1 his beard1 haire1 and nailes grow1 even till the second year1 or till hee bee wholly putrefied1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,the augmentation of 4 ,wee must also know1 that there are many things that grow for ever1 and are increased in bignesse1 weight1 and vertue1 in the ,water1 and ,earth1 in which they continue good1 and efficacious1 as are ,metalls1 ,marcasites1 ,cachymie1 ,talka1 ,granuty1 ,antimony1 ,bisemuta1 ,gemmes1 ,pearles1 ,corals1 all ,stones1 and ,clay4 ,so also it may be ordered1 that ,gold may grow1 and bee increased in weight1 and body1 if only it bee buryed in the ,earth looking towards the ,east1 and bee alwaies soiled with the fresh urine of a man1 and pigeons dung4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,gold may be generated in a glasse4 ,it is possible also that ,gold1 through industry1 and skill of an expert ,alchymist may bee so far exalted1 that it may grow in a glasse like a tree1 with many wonderfull boughs1 and leaves1 which indeed is pleasant to behold1 and most wonderful4 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,philosophicall ,tree is made4 ,the processe is this4 ,let ,gold bee calcined with ,aqua ,regis1 till it becomes a kind of chalke1 which put into a gourd glasse1 and poure upon it good new ,aqua ,regis1 so that it may cover it foure fingers breadth1 then again draw it off1 with the third degree of fire1 untill no more ascend4 ,the water that is distilled off1 poure on againe1 then distill it off againe4 ,this doe so long untill thou seest the ,gold to rise in the glasse1 and grow after the manner of a tree1 having many boughes1 and leaves3 and so there is made of ,gold a wonderful1 and pleasant shrub1 which the ,alchymists call their ,golden hearb1 and the ,philosophers ,tree4 ,in like manner you may proceed with ,silver1 and other ,metalls1 yet so that their calcination bee made after another manner1 by another ,aqua fortis1 which ,i leave to thine experience4 ,if thou art skilled in ,alchymie1 thou shalt not erre in these things4 ,sidenote3 ,to make an artificiall stone of any forme4 ,know also that any flint taken out of ,river water1 7and put into a gourd glasse1 having ,river water poured upon it1 that the glasse may bee filled1 which ,water is againe to bee distilled off as long as a drop will arise1 and the ,stone dryed1 and the ,glasse againe filled with this ,water1 and againe distilled off1 and this done so long till the ,glasse bee filled with this ,stone7 may in a few dayes by the ,art of ,alchymie bee made very great1 which the ,archeius of the ,waters could scarce doe in many yeers4 ,if then thou breake the ,glasse1 thou shalt have a ,flint in the forme of the ,glasse1 as if it had been put into the ,glasse1 and although this bee not for profit1 yet it is a thing that is strange1 and wonderfull4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,the ,,natvre ,of ,things4 ,,the ,,third ,,book4 ,of the preservations of ,naturall things4 ,sidenote3 ,the enemies of things are to be knowne4 ,sidenote3 ,death is the enemie of things4 ,sidenote3 ,there is a ,contrariety found in all things4 ,that things may bee preserved1 and kept from harm1 it is necessary in the first place to know what is an enemie to them1 that so they may be preserved from that1 not be hurt1 or corrupted by it either in substance1 vertue1 power1 or any way whatsoever4 ,much therefore in this case depends upon the knowing of the ,enemie of all ,naturall things4 ,for who can take heed of danger when hee doth not know what can hurt him8 ,truly no body2 ,wherefore it is necessary to know ones ,enemie1 ,for there are many sorts of ,enemies4 ,wherefore it is as necessary to know evill things1 as good things3 for who can know what is good1 without the knowing of what is evill8 ,truly no body4 ,so no man can know what a blessing health is1 that was never sick4 ,who knows what joy is1 that was never heavy1 or sad8 ,and who can rightly understand what ,god is1 who knew nothing of the ,devil8 ,wherefore when ,god made known to us the ,enemie of our ,soul1 viz4 the ,devill1 he also signified to us the ,enemie of our life1 viz4 ,death1 which is the ,enemie of our body1 of our health1 and the ,enemie of ,medicinall1 and all naturall things3 also he made known to us how1 and by which means it may be shunned4 ,for as there is no disease against which there is not created1 and found some remedy1 which should cure1 and expell it3 so also there is alwaies one thing ordained against another1 one ,water against another1 one ,stone against another1 one ,minerall against another1 one ,poison against another1 one ,metall against another3 and so in many more things1 all which it is not requisite here to recite4 ,now how1 and by what means every thing is to bee preserved1 and kept from hurt1 wee must know1 that many things are to bee preserved in the ,earth1 and especially all rootes doe for a long time remaine in the ,earth without losing their vertue1 or being corrupted3 in like manner herbs1 flowers1 and all fruites continue in the water incorrupted1 and green3 there are also many fruits1 and apples that may be preserved in water from all manner of putrefaction1 untill new fruit come againe4 ,sidenote3 ,how to preserve flesh and blood4 ,so also flesh1 and blood1 which indeed are putrefied1 and grow unsavoury quickly1 are preserved in cold fountain-water1 and not only so1 but by the addition of new and fresh fountaine-water1 may be turned into a quintessence1 and bee forever preserved from putrefaction1 and an ill savour1 without any balsome4 ,and this doth not only preserve the flesh1 and blood of dead things1 but also of the living1 wherefore ,mans body may bee preserved from all manner of putrefaction1 and divers diseases that proceed from putrefaction1 better then common ,mummie4 ,now that blood may be preserved of it self from putrefaction1 and stinking1 and not as a quintessence1 so as it may preserve the blood of the living 7as we now said7 thou must follow this processe4 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,arcanum of mans blood is to be prepared4 ,let the blood bee separated from its flegm1 which is separated of its selfe1 and is driven to the upper part4 ,this water poure gently out of the vessell1 and in stead of it put as much of the water of the salt of blood1 which water wee teach to make in our ,chirurgerie3 ,that water doth presently mixe with the blood1 and preserves it so1 that it will never bee putrefied1 or grow unsavory1 but continue many years as fresh1 and very red as it was the first day3 and this indeed is a great wonder4 ,but if thou dost not know how to make this water1 or hast it not in readiness1 then poure upon it so much of the best1 and most excellent balsome1 and this will doe the same4 ,now1 this blood is the balsome of balsomes1 and is called the ,arcanum of blood1 and it is so wonderful1 and of such great vertue1 that it is incredible to be spoken2 wherefore thou shalt conceale it as a great secret in ,physick4 ,sidenote3 ,how metalls may be preserved4 ,sidenote3 ,what are the enemies of metalls4 ,in preserving of ,metalls1 their ,enemies are first to bee known1 that so much the better they may bee preserved from harme4 ,the chiefest ,enemies of ,metalls are all sharp corroding ,waters1 all ,corrosive things1 all ,salts1 crude ,sulphur1 ,antimony1 and ,mercury4 ,but that you may know particularly how they show their enmity1 it is thus4 ,sharp ,waters1 and such things as are ,corrosive1 and ,salts shew their enmity1 in that they mortifie1 dissolve1 calcine1 corrupt ,metalls1 and reduce them to nothing4 ,sidenote3 ,how the fume of ,sulphur doth discolour metalls4 ,crude ,sulphur shews its enmity in the fume thereof3 for by its fume it takes away from ,copper its colour1 and rednesse1 and makes it white4 ,from white ,metalls1 as ,silver1 ,tinne1 ,lead1 and ,iron it takes away the whitenesse1 and makes them red1 and yellowish4 ,from ,gold it takes away that faire amiable yellownesse1 and golden colour1 and makes it black1 and so foule1 that nothing can bee more foule4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,antimony spoiles and discolours metalls4 ,antimony shews its enmity in this1 in that all ,metalls with which it is melted1 or mixed1 it spoiles1 carryeth away1 and preys upon1 and also not unlike to ,sulphur1 by its fume it takes away from ,metalls their true1 and naturall colour1 and brings in another4 ,sidenote3 ,quicksilver distroyes metalls1 and how4 ,sidenote3 ,how the loadstone may be spoyled4 ,quicksilver doth destroy ,metalls upon this accompt1 in that it enters into ,metalls1 with which it is joined1 and dissolves them1 so that it makes an ,amalgama of them3 ,wherefore the fume thereof1 which wee call common ,mercury1 makes all ,metalls brittle1 that they cannot bee malleated1 and calcines them1 also it makes all red ,metalls of a golden colour1 to bee white3 but it is the greatest enemie of all to ,iron1 and ,steel2 for if common ,mercury doe but touch a barre of ,iron1 or ,steel1 or that be but smeared over with ,mercuriall oile1 that bar will afterward be broken like glasse1 and be bowed2 which indeed is a great secret1 and deserves to be kept exceeding close4 ,in like manner must the ,loadstone be kept from ,mercury1 for the like enmity it shews to that as to ,iron4 ,for any ,loadstone that ,mercury hath but touched1 or which hath been smeered with ,mercuriall oyle1 or only put into ,mercury1 will never draw ,iron more4 ,let no man wonder at this1 for there is a naturall cause for it1 and it is this1 viz4 because ,mercury extracts the spirit of ,iron1 which was hid in the ,loadstone1 which spirit draws the spirit of ,iron to it3 and this is not only in the ,loadstone1 but in all naturall things else1 so that alwaies a strange spirit in a body which is not of the same ,nature with it selfe1 drawes to it self a body which is of the same ,nature3 and this wee must know to bee so1 not only in the ,loadstone1 but also in all other naturall things1 as ,mineralls1 ,stones1 ,hearbs1 ,roots1 ,men1 and ,brutes4 ,sidenote3 ,what antipathy there is betwixt metalls themselves4 ,that ,metalls have an enmity1 and hate one the other naturally1 as you see in ,lead1 which is naturally a very great enemy to ,gold4 ,for it breaks asunder all parts of ,gold1 it makes it foule1 weak1 spoiles1 and destroyes it even to death1 more then any other ,metall4 ,tin also hates1 and is an enemy to all ,metalls3 for it makes them base1 immalleable1 hard1 unprofitable1 if it bee mixed with them in the fire1 or in melting4 ,since therefore you have now heard of the ,enemies of ,metalls1 you must next know their preservatives1 which keep them from all manner of hurt1 or corruption1 also strengthen them in their ,nature1 and vertue1 and exalt their colour4 ,sidenote3 ,gold is preserved in boyes urine4 ,first therefore concerning ,gold1 you must know1 that it cannot bee preserved better1 and fairer then in boyes urine1 in which ,salt ,armoniack is dissolved1 or in water alone of ,salt ,armoniack4 ,in them in time the colour is so highly exalted that it can bee exalted no higher4 ,sidenote3 ,how silver is preserved4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,iron and ,steel may be preserved4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,copper is preserved4 ,silver cannot be better preserved then if it be boiled in common ,water1 or ,vineger1 in which ,tartar or ,salt have been dissolved4 ,so any old ,silver1 that is made black1 and fouled1 is renewed by being boiled in these waters4 ,the best preservative for ,iron and ,steel is the lard of a ,barrow-hog not salted1 which indeed preserves ,iron1 and ,steel from rust1 if once every moneth they be smeered over with it4 ,also if ,iron bee melted with fixt ,arsenicke1 it will be so renewed and fixt1 that it will like ,silver never contract rust4 ,copper may be preserved1 if it bee only mixed with sublimed ,mercury1 or bee smeered over with the oyle of ,salt2 and so it will never any more be grown over with verdegrease4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,lead is preserved4 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,loadstone is preserved4 ,lead can no wayes bee better preserved then in cold ,earth1 and in a moist place1 according to the ,nature thereof4 ,the ,loadstone is preserved best of all with the filings of ,iron1 and ,steel1 for by this meanes it is never weakened1 but daily strengthened4 ,sidenote3 ,the preservation of ,salts4 ,now concerning the preservation of ,salts1 and all things1 that are of a saltish ,nature1 and may be comprehended under the name of ,salt 7of which there are more then an hundred sorts7 you must know that they are to bee preserved in a hot dry place1 and in woodden vessells1 not in ,glasse1 ,stone1 or ,metalls3 for in those they are dissolved and become a ,water1 and an ,amalgama which cannot be in ,wood4 ,sidenote3 ,the preservation of liquors with oils4 ,moreover you must know how some kind of ,waters1 and ,liquors pressed out of hearbs1 roots1 and all other fruits1 and ,vegetables1 which doe easily contract filth1 and slime as if a skin were spread over them1 may be preserved4 ,these ,waters therefore1 and ,liquors must bee put up into glasses that are narrow towards the top1 and wide below1 and the glasses be filled to the top1 then adde a few drops of oyl ,olive1 that all the ,water1 or ,liquor may bee covered3 so the ,oyl will swim on the top1 and preserve the ,liquor1 or ,water a long time from filth or slime4 ,for there is no ,water1 or liquor if it bee covered with oyl1 that will bee musty1 or of an ill savour4 ,by this means also may two sorts of ,water1 of ,liquors of ,wine bee kept apart in one vessell1 that they may not bee mixed3 and not only two sorts1 but three1 four1 five1 and more1 if only the oyle bee put betwixt3 ,for they are severed by the ,oyle1 as by a wall1 which wil not suffer them to be joined together1 and united1 for oyle and water are two contraries1 and neither can be mixed with the other3 ,for as the ,oyle will not suffer the ,waters to be united1 so on the contrary1 the ,water will not suffer the ,oyls to be mixed4 ,sidenote3 ,how clothes are preserved4 ,now to preserve ,cloath1 and ,garments from moths1 there is no better way then with ,mastick1 ,camphire1 ,amber ,gryse1 and ,muske1 and ,civet1 which indeed is the best of all1 which doth not only preserve them from moths1 but also1 drives away moths1 and all other vermine1 as ,fleas1 ,lice1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,how all sorts of ,wood may be preserved4 ,sidenote3 ,fixed oyle of sulphur4 ,also all manner of ,woods1 as in ,houses1 ,bridges1 ,ships1 or wheresoever they be1 may bee preserved so that they will never bee putrefied1 either in waters1 or under waters1 or out of water in the earth1 under the earth or above the earth1 whether they be set in the rain1 or wind1 aire1 snow1 or ice1 in winter1 or summer2 also that they be not worm-eaten1 nor that any worms may breed in them whensoever they bee cut4 ,now this preservative is a great ,arcanum against all kinds of putrefactions1 yea so excellent a secret that none may bee compared to it4 ,and it is nothing else but ,oyle of ,sulphur1 the processe whereof is this4 ,let common yellow ,sulphur bee powdered1 and put into a ,gourd glasse1 upon which let there be poured so much of the strongest ,aqua fortis1 that may cover it three fingers breadth3 then draw it oft by distillation1 three1 or four times2 and last of all1 till it be dry4 ,let the ,sulphur that remaines in the bottome being of a black1 sad red colour1 be put upon marble1 or in a glasse1 and it will easily bee dissolved into ,oyle1 which is a great secret in preserving of ,wood from putrefaction1 and wormes4 ,for this ,oyle doth so tinge the wood that is nointed with it1 that it can never bee washed out of it againe4 ,many more things may bee preserved with this ,oil of ,sulphur2 from putrefaction1 as ropes1 cords in ships1 and masts of ships1 in carts1 fishing-nets1 and gins which ,fowlers1 and ,hunters use1 and such like1 which are oftentimes used in waters1 or raine1 and are otherwise easily rotted1 and broken1 so also linnen clothes1 and many other such like things4 ,sidenote3 ,which are potable things1 and how they are preserved4 ,sidenote3 ,which is an enemie to them4 ,also you must know how potable things are to be preserved1 by which wee understand ,wine1 ,beer1 ,meade1 ,vineger1 and ,milke4 ,now if we would preserve these from harm1 and in their full vertue1 it is very necessary that you know well what is an ,enemie to them1 and that is menstruous women3 for if they doe handle the foresaid things1 or have any thing to doe about them1 or looke1 or breath upon them1 they corrupt them4 ,for ,wine is thereby changed1 and become thick1 ,beer1 and ,mead grow sowre1 ,vineger grows dead1 and loseth its sharpnesse2 and ,milke grows sowre1 and curded4 ,this therefore you must well know1 before you come to preserve each of these in particular4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,wine is preserved by ,sulphur4 ,wine is preserved chiefly by ,sulphur1 and the ,oyle of ,sulphur1 by which all ,wine may bee preserved a long time1 so that it be neither thick1 nor any other way changed4 ,sidenote3 ,beere is preserved with oyle of ,cloves4 ,beere is preserved with ,oyle of ,cloves1 if some drops thereof bee put into it1 to every ,gallon two or three drops1 or1 which is better1 with the ,oyl of the root of ,avens1 which doth preserve ,beer from sowring4 ,sidenote3 ,mead is preserved with oyle of ,sugar4 ,meade is preserved with ,oyl of ,sugar1 which must bee used as the ,oyle of ,cloves abovesaid4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,vineger is preserved4 ,vineger is preserved with ,oyle of ,ginger1 which must be used as the ,oyle of ,cloves abovesaid4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,milke is preserved4 ,milke is preserved with ,oyle of ,almonds made by expression1 which must bee used as the ,oyle of ,cloves abovesaid4 ,sidenote3 ,cheese is preserved with ,st4 ,johns wort4 ,cheese is preserved with ,st4 ,iohns wort from worms1 for if it doth but touch it1 no worme will breed in it3 and if there bee any in before1 it will kill them1 and make them fall out of the ,cheese4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,honey is to be preserved4 ,sidenote3 ,what its chief enemie is4 ,honey hath no peculiar preservative1 onely that it may bee kept from its ,enemie4 ,now its chief ,enemie is bread3 for if a little bread made of ,corne bee but put1 or faln into it1 all the ,honey is turned into ,emmots1 and spoiled4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,the ,,natvre ,of ,things4 ,,the ,,fourth ,,book4 ,of the life of ,naturall things4 ,sidenote3 ,what use the ,aire is for as to the life of things4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of things is4 ,sidenote3 ,what things have life4 ,no man can deny that ,aire gives life to all things1 bodies1 and substances1 that are produced1 and generated of the ,earth4 ,now you must know what1 and what manner of thing the life of every thing in particular is2 and it is nothing else then a spirituall essence1 a thing that is invisible1 impalpable1 a spirit1 and spirituall4 ,wherefore there is no corporeall thing1 which hath not a spirit lying hid in it1 as also a life1 which1 as ,i said before1 is nothing but a spirituall thing4 ,for not only that hath life which moves1 and stirres1 as ,men1 ,animalls1 ,vermine of the earth1 ,birds in the ,aire1 ,fish in the sea1 but also all corporeall1 and substantiall things4 ,for here wee must know that ,god in the beginning of the ,creation of all things1 created no body at all without its spirit1 which it secretly contains in it4 ,sidenote3 ,what is the difference betwixt the ,spirit and the ,body4 ,for what is the body without a spirit8 ,nothing at all4 ,wherefore the spirit contains in it secretly the vertue1 and power of the thing1 and not the body4 ,for in the body there is death1 and the body is the subject of death1 neither is any else to be sought for in the body1 but death4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,spirit never dyes4 ,for that may severall wayes bee destroyed1 and corrupted1 but the spirit cannot4 ,for the living spirit remains for ever1 and also is the subject of life3 and preserves the body alive2 but in the ruine of the body it is separated from it1 and leaves behind it a dead body1 and returnes to its place1 from whence it came1 viz4 into the ,chaos1 and the ,aire of the upper and lower ,firmament4 ,hence it appears that there are divers spirits1 as well as divers bodies4 ,sidenote3 ,the division of the ,spirit according to the variety of bodies4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,spirit is the life of all ,corporeall things4 ,for there are spirits ,celestiall1 ,infernall1 ,humane1 ,metalline1 ,minerall1 of ,salts1 of ,gemmes1 of ,marcasites1 of ,arsenicks1 of ,potable things1 of ,rootes1 of ,juices1 of ,flesh1 of ,blood1 of ,bones1 c4 ,wherefore also know that the spirit is most truly the life1 and balsome of all ,corporeall things4 ,but now wee will proceed to the species1 and briefly describe to you in this place the life of every naturall thing in particular4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of man is4 ,the life therefore of all men is nothing else but an ,astrall balsome1 a ,balsamick impression1 and a celestiall invisible ,fire1 an included ,aire1 and a tinging spirit of ,salt4 ,i cannot name it more plainly1 although it bee set out by many names4 ,and seeing wee have declared the best1 and chiefest1 wee shall bee silent in these which are lesse materiall4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of ,metalls is4 ,the life of ,metalls is a secret fatnesse1 which they have received from ,sulphur1 which is manifest by their flowing1 for every thing that flowes in the fire1 flowes by reason of that secret fatnesse that is in it3 unlesse that were in it1 no ,metall could flow1 as wee see in ,iron1 and ,steel1 which have lesse ,sulphur1 and fatnesse then all the other ,metalls1 wherefore they are of a dryer ,nature then all the rest4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of ,mercury is4 ,mercury is like to a garment of skins4 ,the life of ,mercury is nothing else but the internall heat1 and externall coldnesse1 i4e4 it makes the internall part of its body hot1 and the outward part cold1 and therefore might well bee compared to a garment made of skins1 which doth even as ,mercury make hot1 and cold4 ,for if a man wears such a garment it makes him warme1 and keeps him from the cold3 but if the smooth part of those skins bee put upon his naked body1 it makes him cold1 and is good against too much heat2 wherefore it was a custome in ancient time1 and still is in some places1 to weare skins as well in ,summer1 as in ,winter1 as against cold in the one1 so against heat in the other3 in ,summer they turn the smooth side inward1 and the hairy side outward2 and in ,winter the hairy side inward1 and the smooth side outward4 ,as therefore you have heard of the garment of skins1 so also it may bee said of ,mercury4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of ,sulphur is4 ,the life of ,sulphur is a combustible1 stinking fatnesse1 for whilst it burns1 and stinks1 it may be said to be alive4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of ,salts is4 ,now the life of all ,salts is nothing else but the spirit of ,aqu fortis3 for that water being drawne from them1 that which remains in the bottome1 is called ,dead earth4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of ,gemmes and ,coralls is4 ,the life of ,gemmes1 and ,coralls is only their colour1 which with spirit of ,wine may be taken from them4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of ,pearls is4 ,the life of ,pearls is nothing else but their splendor1 which they lose in calcination4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of the ,loadstone is4 ,the life of the ,loadstone is the spirit of ,iron1 which may bee extracted1 and taken away with spirit of ,wine4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of ,flints what4 ,the life of ,flintes is a mucilaginous matter4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of ,marcasites what4 ,the life of ,marcasites1 ,cachymia1 ,talcum1 ,cobaltum1 ,zimri1 ,granata1 ,wismat1 and of ,antimony is a tinging ,metalline spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of ,arsenicks4 ,the life of ,arsenickes1 ,auripigment1 ,operment1 ,realgar1 and such like matters1 is a ,minerall1 and coagulated poison4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of ,excrements ,the life of ,excrements1 i4e4 of mans dung1 or beast dung is their stinking smell1 for this being lost they are dead4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of aromaticall things4 ,the life of ,aromaticall things1 viz4 of ,muske1 ,amber ,gryse1 ,civet1 and whatsoever yeelds a strong1 good1 and sweet smell is nothing else but that gratefull odour3 for if they lose this they are dead and of no use4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of sweet things4 ,the life of sweet things1 as of ,sugar1 ,honey1 ,manna1 ,cassia1 and such like is in their tinging1 and subtile sweetnesse1 for if that sweetnesse bee taken from them by distilling1 or subliming they are dead1 unprofitable1 and nothing worth4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of ,rozzens4 ,the life of all ,rozzens1 as ,amber1 ,turpentine1 ,gumme1 is the muciliginous shining fatnesse1 which gives that excellent vernish to them all3 for when they will yeeld no more vernish1 and lose their shining1 they are dead4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of ,plants4 ,the life of ,hearbs1 ,roots1 ,apples1 and other such like fruit1 is nothing else but the liquor of the ,earth1 which they lose of their own accord1 if they do but want water1 and ,earth4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of ,wood4 ,the life of ,wood is a certaine ,rozzen1 for any wood if it want ,rozzen can live no longer4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of ,bones4 ,the life of ,bones is the liquor of ,mummie4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of flesh4 ,the life of flesh1 and blood is nothing else but the spirit of ,salt1 which preserves them from stinking1 and putrefaction1 and is of it selfe as water separated from them4 ,sidenote3 ,the life of every ,element4 ,now concerning the life of ,elements1 you must know that the life of ,water is its running4 ,for when by the coldnesse of the ,firmament it is congealed into ice1 it is dead1 and its mischievousnesse is taken from it1 that nobody can bee drowned in it4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of ,fire is4 ,the life of ,fire is ,aire1 for ,aire makes fire burne with greater vehemency1 and heate3 ,also there cometh forth from all ,fire a kind of ,aire1 which will blow out a candle1 and drives up a feather1 as you may dayly see before your eyes4 ,wherefore the flame of ,fire is choaked if it bee so stopt up1 that it can neither receive in ,aire1 and let out its own ,aire4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of ,aire is4 ,the ,aire lives by1 and of it selfe1 and gives life to all other things4 ,sidenote3 ,what the life of ,earth is4 ,the earth of it selfe is dead1 but the ,element of it is an invisible1 and secret life4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,the ,,natvre ,of ,things4 ,,the ,,fifth ,,book4 ,of the ,death1 or ruine of all things4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,death is4 ,sidenote3 ,the preparation of ,mercury ,sulphur and ,antimony4 ,the death of all naturall things is nothing else but an alteration and destruction of their powers1 and vertues1 a predominancy of that which is evill1 and an overcoming of what is good1 an abolishing of the former nature1 and generation of a new1 and another nature4 ,for you must know that there are many things that1 whilst they are alive1 have in them severall vertues1 but when they are dead retaine little or nothing of their vertue1 but become unsavory1 and unprofitable4 ,so on the contrary many things1 whilest they live1 are bad1 but after they are dead1 and corrupted1 manifest a manifold power1 and vertue1 and are very usefull4 ,wee could bring many examples to confirme this1 but that doth not belong to our purpose4 ,but that ,i may not seem to write according to mine own opinion only1 but out of my experience1 it will bee necessary that ,i produce one example1 with which ,i shall silence those ,sophisters1 who say1 that wee can receive nothing from dead things1 neither must we seek1 or expect to find any thing in them4 ,the reason is1 because they do esteem nothing of the preparations of ,alchymists1 by which many such like great secrets are found out4 ,for looke upon ,mercury1 crude ,sulphur1 and crude ,antimony1 as they are taken out of their ,mines1 i4e4 whilest they are living1 and see what little vertue there is in them1 how slowly they put forth their vertues1 yea they do more hurt1 then good1 and are rather poison1 then a ,medicine4 ,but if through the industry of a skilfull ,alchymist1 they bee corrupted in their first substance1 and wisely prepared 7viz4 if ,mercury be coagulated1 precipitated1 sublimed1 dissolved1 and turned into an oyle1 if ,sulphur bee sublimed1 calcined1 reverberated1 and turned into an oyle2 also if ,antimony bee sublimed1 calcined1 and reverberated and turned into oyle7 you shall see how usefull they are1 how much strength1 and vertue they have1 and how quickly they put forth1 and shew their efficacy1 which no man is able to speak enough in the commendation of1 or to describe4 ,for many are their vertues1 yea more then will ever bee found out by any man4 ,wherefore let every faithfull ,alchymist1 and ,physitian spend their whole lives in searching into these three3 ,for they will abundantly recompense him for all his labour1 study1 and costs4 ,sidenote3 ,what the ,death of man is4 ,but to come to particulars1 and to write particularly of the death1 and destruction of every naturall thing1 and what the death of every thing is1 and after what manner every thing is destroyed2 you must know therefore in the first place1 that the death of man is without doubt nothing else1 but an end of his daily work1 the taking away of the ,aire1 the decaying of the ,naturall balsome1 the extinguishing of the naturall light1 and the great separation of the three substances1 viz4 the body1 soule1 and spirit1 and their return from whence they came4 ,for because a naturall man is of the earth1 the ,earth also is his ,mother1 into which hee must return1 and there must lose his natural earthly flesh1 and so be regenerated at the last day in a new celestiall1 and purified flesh1 as ,christ said to ,nicodemus when hee came to him by night4 ,for thus must these words bee understood of regeneration4 ,sidenote3 ,what the destruction of ,metalls is4 ,the death1 and destruction of ,metalls is the disjoining of their bodies1 and sulphureous fatnesse1 which may bee done severall ways1 as by calcination1 reverberation1 dissolution1 cementation1 and sublimation4 ,sidenote3 ,calcination of ,metalls is manifold4 ,but the calcination of ,metalls is not of one sort3 for one is made with ,salt1 another with ,sulphur1 another with ,aqua fortis1 and another with common ,sublimate1 and another with ,quicksilver4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,calcination with ,salt is4 ,calcination with ,salt is that the ,metall be made into very thin plates1 and strowed with ,salt1 and cemented4 ,sidenote3 ,calcination with ,sulphur4 ,calcination with ,sulphur is1 that the ,metall bee made into thin plates1 and strowed with ,sulphur1 and reverberated4 ,sidenote3 ,calcination with ,aqua fortis4 ,calcination with ,aqua fortis1 is that the ,metall bee made very small1 and dissolved in ,aqua fortis1 and precipitated in it4 ,sidenote3 ,calcination with ,sublimate4 ,calcination with sublimed ,mercury is this1 that the ,metall bee made into thin plates1 and that the ,mercury bee put into an earthen vessell narrow towards the top1 and wide at the bottome2 and then let it be set into a gentle fire made with coales1 which must bee blowed a little untill the ,mercury begin to fume1 and a white cloud goe forth of the mouth of the vessel1 then let the ,plate of the ,metall bee put into the top of the vessel1 and so the sublimed ,mercury wil penetrate the ,metall1 and make it as brittle as a stone of coal4 ,sidenote3 ,calcination with ,quicksilver4 ,calcination with ,quicksilver1 is that the ,metall bee made very small1 and thin1 and be amalgamated with ,quicksilver1 and afterward the ,quicksilver bee strained through ,leather1 and the ,metall remain in the ,leather like chalke1 or sand4 ,sidenote3 ,divers other sorts of mortification of metalls4 ,now besides these mortifications of ,metalls1 and destructions of their lives1 know also that there are yet more4 ,for rust is the death of all ,iron1 and ,steel1 and all vitriall1 burnt brasse is mortified ,copper3 all precipitated1 sublimated1 calcined ,cinnabar is mortified ,mercury1 all ,ceruse1 and ,minium of ,lead is mortified ,lead2 all ,lazure is mortified ,silver3 also all ,gold from which its tincture1 ,quintessence1 ,rozzen1 ,crocus1 ,vitriall1 or ,sulphur is extracted1 is dead1 because it hath no more the form of ,gold1 but is a white ,metall like fixed ,silver4 ,sidenote3 ,a two fold preparation of ,crocus ,martis4 ,but let us proceed to shew how ,metalls may bee yet further mortified4 ,first therefore of ,iron1 know that that is mortified1 and reduced into ,crocus this way4 ,make ,steel into very thin plates3 ,make these plates red hot1 and quench them in the best ,wine-,vineger1 doe this so often til the ,vineger hath contracted a considerable rednesse1 then distil of the ,vineger1 til there bee nothing but a dry powder remaining4 ,this is a most excellent ,crocus ,martis4 ,there is also another way of making ,crocus ,martis1 which doth partly exceed the former1 and is made with farre lesse costs1 and pains1 and it is this4 ,strow upon the plates of ,steel1 ,sulphur1 and ,tartar1 being both in a like quantity2 then reverberate them1 and this wil produce a most excellent ,crocus1 which must bee taken off from the plates4 ,also you must know1 that every plate of ,iron1 or ,steel1 if it bee melted with ,aqua fortis2 will also make a very fair ,crocus2 so also it is made with oyle of ,vitriall1 spirit of ,salt1 ,allum water1 the water of ,salt ,armoniacke1 and of ,salt ,nitre2 as also with sublimated ,mercury1 all which mortifie ,iron1 and bring it into a ,crocus2 but none of these latter wayes is to bee compared to the two former1 for they are only used in ,alchymie1 and not at all in ,physicke2 wherefore in this1 use only the two former1 and let alone the rest4 ,sidenote3 ,the mortification of ,copper4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,vitriall of ,copper is made two wayes4 ,the mortification of ,copper1 viz4 that it may be reduced into ,vitriall1 ,verdegrease1 may bee done many wayes1 and there are more processes in it1 yet one far better then another1 and one more profitable then another4 ,wherefore it is most convenient here to set down the best1 and most profitable1 and to bee silent in the rest4 ,the best therefore1 the most easy1 and exactest way of reducing ,copper into ,vitriall is this4 ,let plates of ,copper bee dipt in spirit of ,salt1 or ,salt-,petre1 and let them bee hanged in the ,aire until they begin to be green1 which indeed wil quickly be1 wash off this greennesse with cleer fountaine-water1 dry the plates with some cloath1 and wet them again with the spirit of ,salt1 and ,salt ,nitre1 and do again as before1 so long until the water bee apparently green1 or much ,vitriall swim on the top3 then poure away the water1 or evaporate it1 and thou hast a most excellent ,vitriall for medicine4 ,in ,alchymie there is not a fairer1 more excellent1 and better ,vitriall then what is made by ,aqua fortis1 or ,aqua regis1 or spirit of ,salt ,armoniacke4 ,and the processe is this4 ,let plates of ,copper be melted with one of the aforesaid waters1 as soon as the greeness is extracted1 and the plates dryed1 let the greeness be taken off with the foot of a ,hare1 or some other way as you please1 as ,ceruse is taken off from the plates of ,lead3 let them bee again wetted as before1 until the plates bee wholly consumed1 thereby is made a most glorious ,vitriall1 that thou canst not choose but wonder at it4 ,sidenote3 ,how water of ,salt-petre and ,salt-armoniack is made4 ,the water of ,salt ,petre is made thus4 ,purifie1 and powder it2 afterwards dissolve it of it selfe in a bladder1 put in boyling water4 ,so thou shalt have the water of ,salt ,petre4 ,the water of ,salt ,armoniacke is made thus3 ,calcine ,salt ,armoniack1 and dissolve it in a ,cellar upon a ,marble1 and this is water of ,salt ,armoniack4 ,sidenote3 ,verdegrease may be made two wayes4 ,but to make ,verdegrease out of ,copper1 there are divers wayes which it is not needful here to recite4 ,wee shall describe only two1 but with a double preparation1 viz4 ,the one for ,physicke1 the other for ,alchymie4 ,the processe therefore of ,verdegrease to be used in ,physick is this4 ,sidenote3 ,how verdegrease to be used in physick is to be prepared4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,balsom of ,copper4 ,take plates of ,copper1 which wet over with the following matter4 ,take ,honey1 and ,vineger1 of each a like quantity1 of ,salt as much as wil serve to make them up into a thick past4 ,mixe them well together1 then put them into a reverberatory1 or ,potters furnace so long as the ,potter is burning his pots1 and thou shalt see the matter that stickes to the plates to bee very black1 but let not that trouble thee4 ,for if thou settest those plates in the ,aire1 all the black matter wil in a few days become green1 and become a most excellent ,verdegrease1 which may bee called the ,balsome of ,copper1 and is commended by all ,physitians4 ,but neverthelesse do not thou wonder that this ,verdegrease becomes green in the ,aire1 and that the ,aire can change the black colour into so fair a green4 ,sidenote3 ,aire changeth the ,colours of things burnt4 ,for here thou must know that daily experience in ,alchymie doth shew1 that any dead earth1 or ,caput ,mortuum1 as soon as it comes out of the ,fire into the ,aire1 doth quickly get another colour1 and leaves its own colour which it got in the fire4 ,for the changes of those colours are various4 ,for as the matter is1 so are the colours that are made1 although for the most part they flow from the blacknesse of the dead earth4 ,for you that are skilful in ,alchymie see that the dead earth of ,aqua fortis comes black from the ,fire1 and by how many more ingredients there bee in it1 by so much the more variously doe the colours shew themselves in the ,aire3 sometimes they seem red1 as ,vitriall makes them3 sometimes yellow1 white1 green1 blew3 sometimes mixt1 as in the ,rainbow1 or ,peacocks taile4 ,all those colours shew themselves after the death1 and by the death of the matter4 ,for in the death of all naturall things here are seen other colours1 which are changed from the first colour into other colours1 every one according to its nature1 and property4 ,sidenote3 ,the preparation of ,verdegrease to be used in ,alchymie4 ,now we wil speak of that ,verdegrease which is to bee used in ,alchymie4 ,the preparation1 and processe of that is this4 ,make very thin plates of ,copper1 strow upon them ,salt1 ,sulphur1 and ,tartar ground1 and mixed together1 of each a like quantity in a great calcining pot4 ,then reverberate them twenty foure houres with a strong ,fire1 but so that the plates of ,copper do not melt1 then take them out1 and break the pot1 and set the plates with the matter that sticks to them into the ,aire for a few dayes1 and the matter upon the plates wil bee turned into a faire ,verdegrease1 which in all sharp ,corroding waters1 waters of ,exaltation1 and in ,cements1 and in colouring of ,gold1 doth tinge ,gold1 and ,silver with a most deep colour4 ,sidenote3 ,how s vstum1 or ,crocus of ,copper is to be made4 ,now to turne ,copper into s ustum1 which is called the ,crocus of ,copper1 the processe is this3 ,let ,copper be made into thin plates1 and be smeered over with ,salt made into a past with the best ,vineger1 then let it be put into a great ,crucible1 and set in a wind furnace1 and be burnt in a strong ,fire for a quarter of an houre1 but so that the plates melt not3 let these plates being red hot bee quenched in ,vineger1 in which ,salt ,armoniack is dissolved1 alwaies half an ounce in a pint of ,vineger2 let the plates bee made red hot again1 and quenched in ,vineger as before1 alwaies scraping1 or knocking off the scales which stick to the plates after quenching1 into the ,vineger4 ,do this so long1 until the plates of ,copper bee in good part consumed by this means3 then distil off the ,vineger1 or let it vapour away in an open vessel1 and bee coagulated into a most hard stone4 ,so thou hast the best ,crocus of ,copper1 the use whereof is in ,alchymie4 ,many make ,crocus of ,copper by extracting of it with the spirit of ,wine1 or ,vineger1 as they do ,crocus ,martis3 ,but ,i commend this way far above it4 ,sidenote3 ,the sublimation of ,quicksilver4 ,now the mortification of ,quicksilver that it may bee sublimed1 is made with ,vitriall1 and ,salt1 with which it is mixed1 and then sublimed1 so it becomes as hard as ,crystall1 and as white as snow3 but to bring it to a ,precipitate1 the processe is this3 ,sidenote3 ,how to make a fixt ,precipitat ,diaphoreticall4 ,let it first be calcined with the best ,aqua fortis1 then distil off the ,aqua fortis1 and do this about five times1 until the ,precipitate become to bee of a faire red colour3 ,dulcifie this precipitate as much as thou canst3 ,and lastly poure upon it the best rectified spirit of ,wine you can get1 distil it off from it eight1 or nine times1 or so often until it be red hot in the fire1 and doe not fly3 then thou hast a ,diaphoretical precipitated ,mercury4 ,sidenote3 ,how to make a sweet ,precipitate4 ,sidenote3 ,and the use of it4 ,moreover1 you must take notice of a great secret concerning precipitated ,mercury1 viz4 if after it is coloured1 it bee dulcified with water of salt of ,tartar1 pouring it upon it1 and distilling of it off so often1 until the water riseth no more sharp from the ,precipitate1 but bee manifestly sweet2 then thou hast a precipitate as sweet as sugar1 or honey1 which in all wounds1 ,ulcers1 and ,venereal ,disease is so excellent a secret1 that no ,physitian need desire a better4 ,besides it is a great comfort to despairing ,alchymists4 ,for it doth augment ,gold1 and hath ingresse into ,gold1 and with it ,gold remaines stable1 and good4 ,although there is much pains1 and sweat required to this ,precipitate1 yet it wil sufficiently recompense thee for thy pains1 and costs2 and wil yeeld thee more gain1 then can bee got by any ,art or ,trade whatsoever3 ,thou maist wel therefore rejoice in this1 and give ,god1 and mee thanks for it4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,quicksilver may be ,coagulated4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,quicksilver may be turned to ,cinnabar4 ,now that ,quicksilver may bee coagulated1 ,i said that that must bee done in sharp ,aqua fortis1 which must bee drawn off by ,distillation1 and then the ,precipitate is made4 ,but that ,quicksilver may bee brought into a ,cinnabar2 you must first mortifie1 and melt it with ,salt1 and yellow ,sulphur1 and bring it into a white powder1 then put it in a gourd1 and put upon it ,aludel1 or head1 and sublime it in the greatest flux you can1 as the manner is1 so the ,cinnabar will ascend into the ,aludel1 and stick as hard as the stone ,hmatites4 ,sidenote3 ,there are two kinds of ,ceruse4 ,sidenote3 ,the preparation of them4 ,the mortification of ,lead to bring it to a ,ceruse1 is twofold2 the one for ,medicine1 the other for ,alchymie4 ,the preparation of ,ceruse for ,medicine is this3 ,hang plates of ,lead in a glazed pot over strong ,wine-vinegar1 the pot being well stopt that the spirits doe not exhale3 put this pot into warm ashes1 or in the ,winter into a furnace1 then alwaies after ten or fourteen dayes1 thou shalt find very good ,ceruse sticking to the plates1 which strike off with the foot of a ,hare3 then put the plates over the ,vineger again1 untill thou hast enough ,ceruse4 ,now the other preparation of ,ceruse for ,alchymie is like the former1 only that in the ,vineger must bee dissolved a good quantity of the best1 and fairest ,salt ,armoniack1 for by this means thou shalt purchase a most faire1 and beautifull ,ceruse1 for the purging of ,tinne1 and ,lead1 and the whitening of ,copper4 ,sidenote3 ,the preparation of ,minium out of ,lead4 ,but if wee would make ,minium of ,lead1 we must first calcine it with ,salt into ,calx1 and then burn it in a glazed vessel1 alwaies stirring it with an ,iron rod1 till it be red4 ,this is the best1 and chiefest ,minium1 and it is to be used as wel in ,physick as ,alchymie3 but the other which ,mercers sell in their shops is nothing worth4 ,it is made only of the ashes1 which remaine of the ,lead in the melting of it1 which also ,potters use to glaze their vessels1 and such ,minium is used for ,painting1 but not for ,physicke1 or ,alchymie4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,crocus of ,lead4 ,now that ,lead may bee brought into yellownesse1 the preparation of it is not unlike to the preparation of ,minium4 ,for ,lead must here be calcined with ,salt1 and brought to a ,calx1 and afterwards be stirred with an ,iron rod in a ,broad bason1 such as tryers of ,mineralls use1 in a gentle ,fire of ,coales1 diligently taking heed1 that there be not too much heat1 nor a neglect in stirring1 for else it will flow1 and become a yellow glasse4 ,and so thou hast a fair1 yellow ,crocus of ,lead4 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,azure ,colour is made of silver4 ,the mortification of ,silver1 that of it may be made the ,azure colour1 or something like to it1 is thus3 ,take plates of ,silver1 and mix them with ,quicksilver1 and hang them in a glazed pot over the best ,vineger1 in which ,gilt-heads have been first boiled1 and afterward ,salt ,armoniack1 and calcined ,tartar have been dissolved2 in all the rest doe as hath been said of ,ceruse1 then alwaies after fourteen days thou shalt have a most excellent1 and faire ,azure colour sticking to the plates of ,silver1 which must be wiped off with a ,hares foot4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,mortification of ,gold4 ,the ,mortification of ,gold that it may be brought into its ,arcana1 as into a ,tincture1 ,quintessence1 ,resine1 ,crocus1 ,vitriall1 and ,sulphur1 and many other excellent ,arcana1 which preparations indeed are many4 ,but because for the most part wee have sufficiently treated of such ,arcana in other bookes1 as the extraction of the ,tincture of ,gold1 the ,quintessence of ,gold1 the ,mercury of ,gold1 the ,oile of ,gold1 ,potable ,gold1 the ,resine of ,gold1 the ,crocus of ,gold1 and in the ,archidoxis1 and elsewhere1 wee conceive it needlesse here to repeat them4 ,but what ,arcana were there omitted1 wee shall here set down1 ,as the ,vitriall of ,gold1 ,sulphur of ,gold1 which indeed are not the least1 and ought very much to cheer up every ,physitian4 ,sidenote3 ,how the sulphur1 and the ,vitriall of ,gold are made4 ,but to extract ,vitriall out of ,gold1 the processe is this3 ,take of pure ,gold two1 or three pound1 which beat into thin plates1 and hanging them over ,boyes urine1 mixt with the stones of grapes1 in a large gourd glasse1 well closed1 which bury in a hot heap of stones of ,grapes1 as they come from the presse2 when it hath stood fourteen dayes1 or three weeks1 then open it1 and thou shalt find a most subtil colour1 which is the ,vitriall of ,gold sticking to the plates of ,gold1 which take off with the foot of a ,hare1 as thou hast heard concerning other ,metalls2 as of the plates of ,iron1 ,crocus ,martis1 of the plates of ,copper1 the ,vitriall of ,copper and ,verdegrease1 of the plates of ,lead1 ,ceruse1 of the plates of ,silver the ,azure colour1 c4 comprehended under one processe1 but not with one manner of preparation4 ,when thou hast enough of the ,vitriall of ,gold2 boyle it well in ,rain-water distilled1 alwaies stirring it with a spatle1 then the sulphur of the gold is driven up to the superficies of the water1 as fat1 which take off with a spoon3 ,thus also doe with more ,vitriall4 ,now after all the ,sulphur is taken off1 evaporate that raine water til it bee all dry1 and there will remain the ,vitriall of ,gold in the bottome1 which thou maist easily dissolve of it selfe upon a marble in a moist place4 ,in these two ,arcana's1 viz4 the ,vitriall of ,gold1 and the ,sulphur of ,gold lies the ,diaphoreticall vertue4 ,i shal not here set down their vertues2 for in the book of ,metallick ,diseases1 and also in other bookes wee have set them down at large4 ,the mortification of ,sulphur1 that the combustible and stinking fatnesse may bee taken away1 and it brought into a fixed substance1 is thus3 ,sidenote3 ,the mortification and fixation of ,sulphur4 ,take common yellow ,sulphur finely powdered1 and draw from it by distillation ,aqua fortis1 that is very sharp1 and this doe three times1 then the ,sulphur which is in the bottome of a black colour dulcifie with distilled water1 until the water come from it sweet1 and it retains no more the stink of ,sulphur4 ,then reverberate this ,sulphur in a close reverberatory as you doe ,antimony1 then it will first be white1 then yellow1 and lastly as red as ,cinnabar4 ,and when it is so1 then thou maist rejoice3 ,for it is the beginning of thy riches3 ,this reverberated ,sulphur tingeth ,silver most deeply into most excellent ,gold1 and the body of ,man into most perfect health4 ,this reverberated1 and fixed ,sulphur is of more vertue then it is lawfull to speak4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,mortification of ,salts4 ,the mortification of all ,salts1 and whatsoever is saltish1 is the taking away1 and distilling off the aquosity1 and oylinesse1 and of the spirit of them4 ,for if these be taken away1 they are afterwards called the dead ,earth1 or ,caput ,mortuum4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,mortification of ,gemmes4 ,the mortification of ,gemmes1 and ,coralls1 is to calcine1 sublime1 and dissolve them into a liquor1 as ,crystall4 ,the mortification of ,pearls is to calcine them1 and dissolve them in sharp ,vineger into the form of ,milke4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,mortification of the ,loadstone4 ,the mortification of the ,loadstone1 is to anoint it with the oyle of ,mercury1 or to put it into ,quicksilver1 for afterward it will not draw ,iron at all to it4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,mortification of flints and stones4 ,the mortification of ,flints1 and ,stones1 is to calcine them4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,mortification of ,marcasites4 ,the mortification of ,marcasites1 ,cachyma's1 ,talke1 ,cobaltus1 ,zinri1 ,granuti1 ,zunitter 7see ,transcriber's ,note71 ,unismut1 and of ,antimony is their ,sublimation1 i4e4 that they bee sublimed with ,salt1 and ,vitriall1 then their life which is a ,metallick spirit1 together with the spirit of ,salt1 ascends4 ,and let whatsoever remains in the bottome of the ,sublimatory1 bee washed1 that the ,salt may bee dissolved from it1 and then thou hast a dead ,earth1 in which there is no vertue4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,mortification of ,realgar4 ,the mortification of ,arsenickes1 ,auripigment1 ,operment1 ,realgar1 c4 is1 that they flow with ,salt ,nitre1 and bee turned into an ,oyl1 or ,liquor upon a ,marble1 and be fixed4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,mortification of excrements4 ,the mortification of ,excrements1 is the coagulation of ,aire4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,mortification of ,aromatical things4 ,the mortification of ,aromaticall things is the taking away of their good smell4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,sweet things4 ,the mortification of sweet things1 is to sublime and distill them with corrosive things4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,resines4 ,the mortification of ,ambers1 ,resines1 ,turpentine1 ,gumme1 and such like1 is to turn them into ,oyle1 and ,vernish4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,hearbs and ,roots4 ,the mortification of ,hearbs1 ,roots1 and such like1 is to distil off from them their oyle1 and water1 and presse out their liquor with a presse1 and also to make their ,alcali4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,wood4 ,the mortification of ,wood1 is to turne it into ,coales1 and ,ashes4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,bones4 ,the mortification of ,bones1 is their ,calcination4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,flesh4 ,the mortification of ,flesh1 and ,blood1 is the taking away of the spirit of ,salt4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,water4 ,the mortification of ,water is by ,fire1 for all heat dries up1 and consumes water4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,fire4 ,the mortification of ,fire is by ,water1 for all ,water1 quencheth ,fire1 and takes from it its power1 and force4 ,so now you are sufficiently instructed in few words how death lyes hid in all naturall things1 and how they may be mortified1 and bee brought into another form1 and nature1 and what vertues flow from them4 ,whatsoever should have been said further1 we put in the following book1 of the ,resurrection of ,naturall things4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,the ,,natvre ,of ,things4 ,,the ,,sixth ,,book4 ,of the ,resurrection of ,naturall things4 ,sidenote3 ,the raising again of ,naturall things4 ,the ,resurrection1 and renewing of ,naturall things1 is not the least1 but a profound1 and great secret in the ,nature of things1 and rather ,divine1 and ,angelicall1 then ,humane1 and ,naturall4 ,sidenote3 ,death is twofold4 ,sidenote3 ,what things may be raised againe4 ,i desire to bee here understood with great distinction1 and no otherwise then my opinion is1 and ,nature doth daily1 and manifestly shew1 and experience make good1 lest ,i should bee exposed to the lies1 and slanders of ,mountebankes1 my enemies 7which doe construe all that ,i doe in the worst sense7 as if ,i would usurp the ,divine power1 and attribute this to ,nature1 which shee was never able to performe3 ,wherefore wee must cautiously consider that there is a twofold ,death1 viz4 violent1 and voluntary4 ,the one can raise a thing again1 the other not4 ,wherefore1 doe not beleeve those ,sophisters that say1 that a thing that is once dead1 or mortified1 can never bee raised again1 and that make no account of resuscitation1 and restauration of things1 which error indeed of theirs is not the least4 ,and indeed it is true1 that whatsoever dyeth1 or perisheth with a naturall death1 and what ,nature mortifies by reason of her predestination1 ,god alone can raise again1 or must of necessity bee done by his command3 so whatsoever ,nature destroyes1 ,man cannot restore again4 ,but whatsoever ,man destroyes hee can restore again1 and being restored spoil again1 and ,man hath no further power of himselfe1 and if hee should attempt to doe any thing more1 hee would arrogate the power of ,god to himselfe1 and yet hee would labour in vain1 and be confounded1 unlesse ,god did assist him1 or hee had so much faith as to remove mountains3 ,even to such a man1 this is possible1 and greater things then this4 ,because the ,scripture saith1 and ,christ himselfe spake it4 ,if thou hast faith as a grain of ,mustard-seed1 and saist unto this ,mountaine1 ,goe and bee removed thither1 and it shall bee removed1 and all things bee possible to thee1 and nothing impossible4 ,sidenote3 ,what things can not be raised againe4 ,but to return to our purpose1 what difference then there is betwixt dying1 and being mortified1 and which of these may be raised again1 so these are to bee understood4 ,whatsoever naturally dies hath its end by predestination1 and so the will and ordination of ,god permits4 ,yet it happens that this is also done by divers diseases1 and various casualties1 and this can never be raised again1 neither is there any preservative to bee used against predestination1 and the naturall term of life4 ,but that which is mortified1 may bee both raised again1 and revived1 which may bee proved by divers arguments1 which wee shall set down in the end of this book4 ,sidenote3 ,it is one thing to ,dye1 and other thing to be ,mortified4 ,wherefore there is a great difference betwixt dying1 and being mortified1 neither must they bee taken for one1 and the same things1 under the same name4 ,for in the very example they are far different4 ,for look upon a man that dies a naturall1 and predestinated death1 what further good1 or profit is there in him8 ,nothing1 hee is only cast into the earth to worms4 ,for hee is a stinking carkasse1 and due to the earth4 ,but the same is not to be understood of a man that is slain with a sword1 or dies by some such like violent death4 ,for his whole body is profitable1 and good1 and may bee prepared into a most pretious ,mummie4 ,for although the spirit of life went out of such a body1 yet the balsome in which lies the life remains1 which indeed doth as balsome preserve other mens bodies4 ,so you may see in ,metalls1 when a ,metall is about to die1 it begins to bee overcome with rust1 and as much as is thus overcome1 is dead3 and when all the ,metall is devoured with rust1 it is all dead1 and such a rust can never bee reduced into true ,metall againe1 but it becomes only drosse1 and not a ,metall4 ,for it is dead1 and death is in it1 neither hath it any more balsome of life1 but is quite destroyed in it selfe4 ,sidenote3 ,the difference betwixt the ,calx of ,metalls1 and their ashes4 ,now the ,calx of ,metalls1 and their ashes are two things3 ,and there is a great difference betwixt these two1 for one may be revived1 and brought back again into a ,metall1 but the other not3 the one is volatile1 the other fixed1 the one died1 the other mortified4 ,sidenote3 ,what the ,ashes of ,metalls is4 ,the ,ashes is volatile1 and cannot be brought back into a ,metall1 only into glasse1 and drosse3 but the ,calx of ,metals is fixed1 and maybe be brought back into its own ,metall4 ,sidenote3 ,what the ,calx of ,metalls is4 ,but to understand the difference1 and the cause1 know1 that in the ,ashes there is lesse fatnesse1 and more drynesse then in the ,calx1 which indeed makes it fluxil3 but the ,calx is fatter1 and moister1 then the ,ashes1 and doth still retain its refine1 and fluxibleness1 and especially the ,salt1 which naturally is fluxil1 and makes ,metalls flow1 and reduceth them4 ,hence now it follows1 that the ,salt must bee extracted out of the ,ashes of ,metals1 that they may not be brought back into a ,metal1 then they are perfectly volatile2 and this difference1 and this clause is chiefly to bee taken notice of1 for much depends upon it4 ,sidenote3 ,the errours of ,mountebankes concerning ,gold4 ,for amongst ,mountebankes this is no small error1 who in stead of ,potable ,gold1 the ,quintessence of ,gold1 ,tincture of ,gold1 c4 have given to men an impure ,calx of ,gold1 not considering the difference1 and evill that follows upon it4 ,for there are two remarkable1 and necessary things to be taken notice of here1 viz4 ,first1 that ,gold calcined1 or powdered1 if it be given to ,men1 is gathered into one heap in the stomach1 or goeth forth again with the dung1 and so it is taken in vain1 without doing any good3 or that which is reduced by the great inward heat in mans body1 it gilds over1 and makes hard in a crust1 both the bowells1 and stomach1 by reason of which the concoction of the stomach is hindred1 whence many1 and various sicknesses follow1 and at length death it selfe4 ,sidenote3 ,when ,metallike ,arcana are to be taken inwardly4 ,as you have heard of ,gold1 so also must it bee understood of all the other ,metalls1 viz4 that you take not any ,metallick ,arcanum1 or ,medicine into your body1 unlesse it bee first made volatile1 and it be reduced into no ,metall4 ,sidenote3 ,how to make ,metalls ,potable and ,irreducible4 ,wherefore the first degree1 and beginning to prepare ,potable ,gold is this3 so may such a ,volatile bee afterwards dissolved in spirit of ,wine1 that both may ascend together1 bee made volatil1 inseparable4 ,and as you prepare ,gold1 so may you also prepare potable and 4 ,sidenote3 ,the raising againe of things is proved by the ,whelpes of a ,lyon4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,lyons are made alive againe4 ,but to return to our purpose1 let us prove by examples1 and sufficient reasons1 that things mortified are not dead1 and forced to abide in death1 but may bee reduced1 raised again1 and revived1 and this truly by man1 and according to the course of ,nature4 ,you see ,lions how all of them are brought forth dead1 and first of all are made alive by the horrible roaring of their ,parents1 as one that is asleep is raised with a noise1 so also are ,lions raised1 not that they are thus asleep4 7,for they which sleep a naturall sleep must of necessity rise again1 which the ,lions of themselves doe not47 ,for if they were not raised by this roaring1 they would remain dead1 and life would never bee perceived in them4 ,wherefore it is apparent1 that by this roaring they receive their life4 ,sidenote3 ,the reviving of dead ,flies4 ,so also you see in all ,animalls which are not ingendered1 but proceed from putrefaction1 as ,flies1 which if they bee drowned in water1 that no life at all is perceived in them1 and if they were so left1 they would continue dead1 and never return to life of themselves any more4 ,but if you cast salt upon them1 and put them in the warme ,sunne1 or behind a warme furnace1 they will recover their former life1 and this truly is a raising of them up againe4 ,for if this were not done1 they would continue dead for ever4 ,sidenote3 ,the generation of many ,serpents of one4 ,so also you see in a ,serpent1 if hee be cut into pieces1 and these pieces put into a gourd glasse1 and bee putrefied in ,horse-dung1 the whole ,serpent will become living againe in the glasse1 in the form either of ,worms1 or spawn of ,fishes4 ,and if those ,wormes bee in a fitting manner brought out of putrefaction1 and nourished1 many hundred ,serpents will be bred out of one ,serpent1 whereof every one will be as big as the first1 which is done only by putrefaction4 ,and as it is said of the ,serpent1 so also many other ,animalls may be raised1 and restored again4 ,sidenote3 ,hermes1 and ,virgils endeavour to raise themselves after ,death4 ,according to this processe ,hermes1 and ,virgil have attempted 7by the assistance of ,negromancy7 to renew1 and raise themselves after death1 and to bee born again as infants1 but it succeeded not according to their purpose4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,resuscitation of ,metalls is twofold4 ,but to omit examples1 and fall upon the ,praxis of ,resurrection1 and ,restauration1 it is necessary1 and most convenient to begin with ,metalls1 forasmuch as ,metalline bodies do oftentimes resemble ,mens bodies4 ,sidenote3 ,the reducing of ,metalls into ,quickesilver4 ,wee must know therefore1 that the ,resurrection1 and ,restauration of ,metalls is twofold4 ,the one which doth reduce calcined ,metalls into their first ,metallick body3 the other which doth reduce ,metalls into their first matter1 i4e4 into ,quicksilver4 ,the processe of the latter is this3 ,calcine a ,metall with common ,quicksilver1 put this ,calx1 and as much ,quicksilver into a ,sublimatory1 and let them stand so long till both be coagulated into an ,amalgama2 then sublime the ,mercury from the ,calx1 then grind it again with the ,metallick ,calx1 and sublime it as before1 this do so often1 till the ,metallick ,calx shal over a candle melt like wax1 or ice1 and then it is well done4 ,put this ,metall in digestion for a time1 and it wil all be turned into ,quicksilver1 i4e4 into its first matter1 which ,mercury of ,metalls is indeed called the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 which many ,alchymists have sought after1 but few have found4 ,now after this manner may ,quicksilver bee prepared out of all ,metalls1 viz4 auri1 4 ,sidenote3 ,the reduction of ,sublimate1 and the highest purging of it4 ,now the raising again1 or restoring of coagulated ,mercury is done by distillation in a retort3 for ,quicksilver alone ascends into cold water1 the ,ashes of or ,sulphur being left behind4 ,now the raising again1 or restauration of ,mercury sublimed is done in seething hot water3 but it must first be ground very small1 so the hot water wil seperates it from it the spirit of ,salt1 and ,vitriall1 which it carries up with it1 the quicksilver running in the bottome of the water4 ,now if this ,quicksilver shall be again sublimed with ,salt1 and ,vitriall1 and revived againe in ,hot water1 and this done seven1 or eight times1 it can never bee better purged1 and renewed4 ,and this may bee kept for a great secret in ,alchymie1 and ,physick1 and be much rejoiced in4 ,for by this means all the impurity1 blacknesse1 and poisonousnesse is taken away4 ,sidenote3 ,the reduction of calcined and ,precipitated ,mercury4 ,mercury calcined can never bee restored againe without sublimation2 for unlesse it be sublimed after calcination1 it will never bee revived1 wherefore thou shalt first sublime it1 and then reduce it as other ,sublimate4 ,the resuscitation of ,azure ,cinnabar1 ,aurum vit1 also of ,precipitate1 that they may bee reduced into ,quicksilver is thus3 ,take either of these1 grind it small upon a marble1 make it up into a past with the white of an egge1 and sope1 then make pills of the bigness of ,filbeards1 which put into a strong earthen gourd1 upon the mouth of it put a plate of ,iron1 with many little holes in it1 and lute it on1 and distill it per descensum with a strong fire1 so that it may fall into cold water1 and thou shalt have the ,quicksilver again4 ,sidenote3 ,the renewing of ,wood that is burnt4 ,now the resuscitation1 and restoring of ,wood is hard1 and difficult1 yet possible to ,nature1 but without much skilfulness1 and industry it can never bee done3 ,but to revive it1 the processe is this3 ,take ,wood which must first bee a ,coale1 then ,ashes1 which put into a gourd together with the ,resine1 ,liquor1 and ,oyle of that tree1 of each a like weight1 mingle them1 and melt them with a soft heat1 and there will bee a mucilaginous matter1 and so thou hast the three ,principles1 of which all things are produced1 and generated1 viz4 flegm1 fatnesse1 and ,ashes4 ,sidenote3 ,the flegme of ,wood is its ,mercury1 the fat its sulphur1 the ashes its salt4 ,the ,flegm is ,mercury1 the ,fat is ,sulphur1 the ,ashes is ,salt4 ,for whatsoever fumes1 and evaporates in the ,fire is ,mercury3 whatsoever flames1 and is burnt is ,sulphur1 and all ,ashes is ,salt4 ,now seeing thou hast these three ,principles together1 put them in ,horse-dung1 and putrefie them for a time4 ,if afterward that matter bee put in1 and buried in fat ground1 thou shalt see it live again1 and a little tree spring from thence1 which truly in vertue is farre more excellent then the former4 ,this ,tree or ,wood is1 and is called ,regenerated ,wood1 renewed1 and restored1 which from the beginning was ,wood1 but mortified1 destroyed1 and brought into coales1 ashes1 and almost to nothing1 and yet out of that nothing is made1 and renewed4 ,this truly in the light of ,nature is a great mystery1 viz4 that a thing1 which had utterly lost its form1 and was reduced to nothing1 should recover its form1 and of nothing bee made something1 which afterward becomes much more excellent in vertue1 and efficacy then it was at first4 ,sidenote3 ,a generall rule for raising of things againe4 ,but to speake generally of the ,resurrection1 and ,restauration of ,naturall things1 you must know1 that the chiefest foundation here1 is1 that that bee restored to every thing1 and made to agree with it1 which was taken from it in mortification1 and separated from it1 which is hard to bee here specifically explained4 ,wherefore wee shall conclude this book1 and shall speak of these things more at large in the next book1 ,concerning the transmutations of naturall things4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,the ,,natvre ,of ,things4 ,,the ,,seventh ,,book4 ,of the ,transmutation of ,naturall things4 ,if wee write of the ,transmutation of all ,naturall things1 it is fit1 and necessary that in the first place wee shew what ,transmutation is4 ,secondly1 what bee the degrees to it4 ,thirdly1 by what ,medium's1 and how it is done4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,transmutation is4 ,transmutation therefore is1 when a thing loseth its form1 and is so altered1 that it is altogether unlike to its former substance1 and form1 but assumes another form1 another essence1 another colour1 another vertue1 another nature1 or property1 as if a ,metall bee made glasse1 or stone3 if a stone bee made a coale3 if wood be made a coal3 clay be made a stone1 or a brick3 a skin bee made glew3 cloth bee made paper1 and many such like things4 ,all these are ,transmutations of ,naturall things4 ,sidenote3 ,there are seven principal degrees of transmutation4 ,after this1 it is very necessary also to know the degrees to ,transmutation1 and how many they be4 ,and they are no more then seven4 ,for although many doe reckon more1 yet there are no more but seven1 which are principall1 and the rest may bee reckoned betwixt the degrees1 being comprehended under those seven3 ,and they are these1 ,calcination1 ,sublimation1 ,solution1 ,putrefaction1 ,distillation1 ,coagulation1 ,tincture4 ,if any one will climbe that ,ladder1 he shall come into a most wonderfull place1 that hee shall see1 and have experience of many secrets in the ,transmutation of ,naturall things4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,calcination is1 and its kinds are4 ,the first degree therefore is ,calcination1 under which also are comprehended ,reverberation1 and ,cementation4 ,for betwixt these there is but little difference as for matter of ,calcination3 ,wherefore it is here the chiefest degree4 ,for by ,reverberation1 and ,cementation1 many corporeall things are calcined1 and brought into ,ashes1 and especially ,metalls4 ,now what is calcined is not any further reverberated1 or cemented4 ,by ,calcination therefore all ,metalls1 ,mineralls1 ,stones1 ,glasse1 c4 and all corporeall things are made a ,coal1 and ,ashes1 and this is done by a naked strong ,fire with blowing1 by which all tenacious1 soft1 and fat earth is hardened into a stone1 ,also all stones are brought into a ,calx1 as wee see in a ,potters furnace of lime1 and brickes4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,sublimation is1 and its kinds4 ,sublimation is the second degree1 and one of the most principall for the ,transmutation of many ,naturall things3 under which is contained ,exaltation1 ,elevation1 and ,fixation2 and it is not much unlike ,distillation4 ,for as in ,distillation the water ascends from all flegmatick1 and watery things1 and is separated from its body2 so in ,sublimation1 that which is spirituall is raised from what is corporeall1 and is subtilized1 volatile from fixed1 and that in dry things1 as are all ,mineralls1 and the pure is separated from the impure4 ,besides ,sublimation1 many good vertues1 and wonderfull things are found out in ,mineralls1 and many things are made fixed1 and become constant1 so as to abide in the ,fire1 and that in this manner4 ,let that which is sublimed be ground1 and mixed with its feces1 and bee againe sublimed as before1 which must bee done so long1 till it will no longer sublime1 but all will remaine together in the bottom1 and bee fixed4 ,sidenote3 ,the fixation of ,mineralls into a stone4 ,so there will bee afterward a stone1 and oyle when and as oft as thou pleasest1 viz4 if thou puttest it into a cold place1 or in the aire in a ,glass4 ,for there it will presently bee dissolved into an ,oyle4 ,and if thou puttest it againe into the fire1 it will againe bee coagulated into a ,stone of wonderfull1 and great vertue4 ,keep this as a great secret1 and mystery of ,nature1 neither discover it to ,sophisters4 ,moreover1 as in ,sublimation many ,corrosive things are made sweet in the conjunction of two matters1 so on the contrary1 many sweet things are made ,corrosive3 many sweet things are made sowre1 harsh1 or bitter2 and on the contrary1 many bitter things as sweet as ,sugar4 ,sidenote3 ,rules concerning ,salt ,armoniack4 ,here also wee must take notice1 that every ,metal which is brought into ,sublimation by ,salt ,armoniack1 may afterward in the cold1 or in the aire bee brought into an oyle1 and againe bee coagulated into a stone in the ,fire1 which indeed is one of the chiefest1 and greatest ,transmutations in all naturall things1 viz4 to transmute ,metall into a ,stone4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,solution is1 and its kinds4 ,the third degree is ,solution1 under which are to bee understood ,dissolution1 and ,resolution1 and this degree doth most commonly follow ,sublimation1 and ,distillation1 viz4 that the matter be resolved which remaines in the bottome4 ,now ,solution is twofold3 the one of ,cold1 the other of ,heat2 the one without ,fire1 the other in ,fire4 ,a cold dissolution dissolves all ,salts1 all ,corrosive things1 all calcined things4 ,whatsoever is of a ,salt1 and ,corrosive quality1 is by it dissolved into ,oyle1 ,liquor1 or ,water4 ,and this is in a moist1 cold cellar1 or else in the ,aire on a marble1 or in a glasse4 ,for whatsoever is dissolved in the cold1 contains an ,airy spirit of ,salt1 which oftentimes it gets1 and assumes in ,sublimation1 or ,distillation4 ,and whatsoever is dissolved in the cold1 or in the ,aire1 may again by the heat of the ,fire bee coagulated into powder1 or a stone4 ,sidenote3 ,what things a hot ,solution dissolves4 ,but a hot ,solution dissolves all fat1 and sulphureous things4 ,and whatsoever the heat of the ,fire dissolves1 the same doth coldnesse congeal into a ,masse4 ,sidenote3 ,a double ,solution viz4 of ,heat and ,cold4 ,and whatsoever heat coagulates1 is again dissolved by cold1 or in the ,aire4 ,here also we must know that whatsoever ,aire1 or the ,cellar doth resolve1 is of a very great drynesse1 and hath a secret corrosive ,fire hid in it3 so whatsoever is dissolved in ,fire1 or in the heat thereof1 hath a sweetish frigidity out of the ,fire4 ,thus1 and no otherwise is ,solution to be understood4 ,sidenote3 ,putrefaction what it is1 and its kind4 ,putrefaction is the fourth degree1 under which is comprehended ,digestion1 and ,circulation4 ,now then ,putrefaction is one of the principall degrees1 which indeed might deservedly have been the first of all1 but that it would be against the true order1 and mystery1 which is here hid1 and known to few3 ,for those degrees must1 as hath been already said1 so follow one the other1 as links in a chain1 or steps in a ladder4 ,sidenote3 ,the aforesaid order of ,degrees is to be observed in making tinctures4 ,for if one of the linkes should bee taken away1 the chain is discontinued1 and broken1 and the prisoners would bee at liberty1 and runne away4 ,so in a ladder1 if one step bee taken away in the middle1 and bee put in the upper1 or lower part1 the ladder would be broken1 and many would fall down headlong by it with the hazard of their bodies1 and lives4 ,so you must understand the matter here1 that those degrees follow one the other in a just order1 or else the whole work of our mystery would be mar'd1 and our labour1 and pains would bee in vain1 and fruitlesse4 ,sidenote3 ,the force of putrefaction4 ,now putrefaction is of such efficacy1 that it abolisheth the old ,nature1 and brings in a new one4 ,all living things are killed in it1 all dead things putrefied in it1 and all dead things recover life in it4 ,putrefaction takes from all ,corrosive spirits1 the sharpnesse of the ,salt1 and makes them mild1 and sweet1 changeth the colours1 and separates the pure from the impure1 it places the pure above1 and the impure beneath4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,distillation is1 and its kinds are4 ,distillation is the first degree to the ,transmutation of all naturall things4 ,under it are understood ,ascension1 ,lavation1 and ,fixation4 ,by ,distillation all ,waters1 ,liquors1 and ,oyles are subtilized out of all fat things4 ,oyle is extracted1 out of all ,liquors1 ,water1 and out of all ,flegmaticke things ,water1 and ,oyle are separated4 ,sidenote3 ,cohobation4 ,sidenote3 ,fixation by ,destillation4 ,besides there are many things in ,distillation fixed by ,cohobation1 and especially if the things to bee fixed containe in them ,water1 as ,vitriall doth1 which if it bee fixed is called ,colcothar4 ,allum1 if it bee fixed with its proper ,water1 is called the ,sugar of ,allum1 which also is resolved into a ,liquor1 which ,liquor if it bee putrefied a moneth1 produceth a ,water of the sweetnesse of ,sugar1 which is of great vertue1 and an excellent secret in ,physicke1 to extinguish any ,metalline heate in ,man1 as wee have wrote more at large in our ,booke of ,metalline ,diseases4 ,and as you have heard of ,vitriall1 and ,allum1 so also ,salt nitre1 and other ,watery ,mineralls may bee fixed by ,cohobation4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,cohobation is4 ,now ,cohobation is1 that the dead head be oftentimes imbibed with its own water1 and that again bee drawn off by ,distillation4 ,sidenote3 ,the force of ,distillation in things to be ,transmuted4 ,moreover1 in ,distillation many bitter1 harsh1 and sharp things become as sweet as ,honey1 ,sugar1 or ,manna2 and on the contrary1 many sweet things1 as ,sugar1 ,honey1 or ,manna1 may bee made as harsh as ,oyle of ,vitriall1 or ,vineger1 or as bitter as ,gall1 or ,gentian1 as ,eager1 as a ,corrosive4 ,many ,excrementitious things lose their great stink in ,distillation1 which indeed goeth forth in the water4 ,many ,aromaticall things lose their good savour4 ,and as ,sublimation alters things in their ,quality1 and ,nature1 so also doth ,distillation4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,coagulation is1 and its kinds4 ,coagulation is the sixt degree3 ,now there is a twofold ,coagulation1 the one by ,cold1 the other by ,heat1 i4e4 one of the ,aire1 the other of the ,fire3 and each of these again is twofold1 so that there are foure sorts of ,coagulations1 two of ,cold1 and two of ,fire4 ,the ,coagulations of ,fire are fixed1 the other of ,cold are not4 ,the one is done only by common ,aire1 or without ,fire4 ,the other by the superiour ,firmament of ,winter starres1 all which coagulate ,waters into snow1 and ice4 ,but the ,coagulation of ,fire1 which alone is here to bee taken notice of1 is made by an ,artificiall1 and ,graduall ,fire of the ,alchymists1 and it is fixed1 and permanent4 ,for whatsoever such a ,fire doth coagulate1 the same abides so4 ,the other ,coagulation is done by the tnean1 and ,minerall ,fire in ,mountains1 which indeed the ,archeius of the ,earth governs1 and graduates not unlike to the ,alchymists1 and whatsoever is coagulated by such a ,fire1 is also fixed1 and constant2 as you see in ,mineralls1 and ,metalls1 which indeed at the beginning are a mucilaginous matter1 and are coagulated into ,metalls1 ,stones1 ,flints1 ,salts1 and other bodies1 by the tnean fire in ,mountaines1 through the ,archeius of ,earth1 and operator of ,nature4 ,sidenote3 ,what things cannot be ,coagulated4 ,also wee must know that ,fire can coagulate no water1 or moisture1 but only the ,liquors and ,juices of all ,naturall things4 ,besides also there can no flegm bee coagulated1 unlesse in the beginning it was a corporeall matter1 into which by the industry of a skilfull ,alchymist it may return4 ,so also any mucilaginous1 matter1 or spermaticke slimynesse may by the heat of ,fire be coagulated into a body and corporeall matter1 but never bee resolved into water again4 ,and as you have heard of ,coagulation1 so also know concerning ,solution1 viz4 that no corporeall matter can bee dissolved into ,water1 unlesse at the beginning it was water3 and so it is in all ,mineralls4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,tincture is1 and its kinds4 ,tincture is the seventh1 and last degree1 which concludes the whole worke of our mystery for ,transmutation1 making all imperfect things perfect1 and transmuting them into a most excellent essence1 and into a most perfect soundnesse1 and alters them into another colour4 ,tincture therefore is a most excellent matter1 wherewith all ,minerall1 and ,humane bodies are tinged1 and are changed into a better1 and more noble essence1 and into the highest perfection1 and purity4 ,for ,tincture colours all things according to its own nature1 and colour4 ,sidenote3 ,all things that are to be tinged must be fluid4 ,now there are many ,tinctures1 and not only for ,metalline1 but ,humane bodies1 because every thing which penetrates another matter1 or tingeth it with another colour1 or essence1 so that it bee no more like the former1 may bee called a ,tincture4 ,wherefore there are many1 and various sorts of ,tinctures1 viz4 of ,metalls1 ,mineralls1 ,mens bodies1 ,waters1 ,liquors1 ,oyls1 ,salts1 all fat things1 and indeed of all things which may bee brought to flux1 out of the ,fire1 or in the ,fire4 ,for if a ,tincture must tinge1 it is necessary that the body1 or matter which is to bee tinged1 bee opened1 and continue in flux1 and unless this should bee so1 the ,tincture could not operate4 ,but it would bee1 as if any one should cast saffron1 or any colour upon coagulated ,water1 or ,ice3 for so it would not so suddenly tinge the ,ice with its colour1 as if it were cast into other water4 ,and although it should tinge1 yet it would at the same time resolve the ,ice into ,water4 ,wherefore those ,metalls that wee would tinge1 must first bee melted in the ,fire1 and bee freed from ,coagulation4 ,and here wee must know1 that by how much the stronger fire is requisite for their melting1 so much the sooner the ,tincture runs through them1 as ,leaven penetrates1 and infects the whole masse with sowreness2 and by how much better the masse is covered1 and kept warm1 so much the better is it fermented1 and makes the better bread3 for ferment is the ,tincture of ,dowe1 and ,bread4 ,sidenote3 ,feces are of a more fixt nature then their ,flegme4 ,wee must also note1 that all feces are of a more fixed substance then the liquor of it is1 also of a sharper1 and more penetrating nature3 as you see in the spirit of ,wine which is made of the feces of ,wine1 and of ,aqua vit1 which is distilled out of the grounds of ,beer1 and burns like spirit of ,wine1 and is inflamed as ,sulphur4 ,sidenote3 ,the preparation1 and ,nature of distilled ,vineger4 ,also if of the feces of ,vineger another ,vineger bee distilled1 as commonly spirit of ,wine is distilled1 there will bee thereby made a ,vineger of so fiery1 and sharp a nature1 that it consumes all ,metalls1 ,stones1 and other things1 as ,aqua fortis4 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,tinctures of ,metalls must be made4 ,moreover1 it is necessary1 that ,tinctures be of a fixt1 fluxil1 and incombustible nature1 so that if a little of a plate of any ,metall red hot bee cast into them1 they will presently flow like wax1 without any manner of fume at all1 and they penetrate the ,metalls1 as oyle doth paper1 or water a sponge1 and tinge all ,metalls into white1 and red1 that is1 into ,silver or ,gold4 ,now these are the ,tinctures of ,metalls1 which it is necessary must bee turned into an ,alcool1 by the first degree of ,calcination1 then by the second degree of ,sublimation1 must get an easy1 and light flux4 ,and lastly1 by the degree of ,putrefaction1 and ,distillation are made a fixt1 and incombustible ,tincture1 and of an unchangeable colour4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,tinctures of ,men4 ,now the ,tinctures of ,mens bodies are1 that they bee tinged into the highest perfection of health1 and all ,diseases bee expelled from them1 that their lost strength1 and colour bee restored1 and renewed1 and they are these1 viz4 ,gold1 ,pearles1 ,antimony1 ,sulphur1 ,vitriall1 and such like1 whose preparation wee have diversly taught in other books2 wherefore it doth not seem to us necessary here to repeat them4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,dying and ,painting4 ,wee shall write no more of ,tinctures1 seeing every extracted colour may bee called a ,tincture1 which doth indeed tinge things with a permanent colour1 which doe not go into the ,fire1 or preserve colours fixed in the ,fire4 ,all these are in the hand1 and power of the ,dyer1 and ,painter1 who prepares them according to his pleasure4 ,sidenote3 ,how many degrees of the ,alchymists fire there be4 ,it is very necessary in this book to know the degrees of ,fire1 which many wayes may bee graduated1 and intended1 and every degree hath a peculiar operation1 and one produceth the same effect1 as another1 as every expert ,alchymist1 by the daily experience1 and exercise of the ,art knows4 ,for one is as living1 and flaming ,fire1 which reverberates1 and ,calcines all bodies3 ,another is the ,fire of a ,candle1 or ,lamp1 which fixeth all volatile bodies3 ,another is a ,fire of coals1 which cements1 colours1 and purgeth ,metalls from their dross1 exalts ,gold and ,silver to a higher purity1 whitens ,copper1 and in brief renews all ,metalls4 ,another ,fire is of an ,iron plate made red hot1 in which the ,tinctures of ,metalls are proved1 which also is profitable for other things4 ,the ,filings of ,iron heat after one fashion1 ,sand after another1 ,ashes after another1 a ,balneum ,mari after another1 in which manifold ,distillations1 ,sublimations1 and ,coagulations are done4 ,balneum roris after another1 in which there are made many ,solutions of corporeall things4 ,horse-dung after another1 in which the chiefest putrefactions1 and digestions are made4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,celestiall fire4 ,and after another fashion works the invisible ,fire1 by which wee understand the rayes of the ,sun1 and that which is manifested by a glasse1 or ,crystall1 and shews its operations and effects1 of which ,fire the ,ancients wrote nothing at all2 and by this fire the three ,principles of every corporeall thing may bee separated4 ,this ,fire is of such wonderfull force1 that by it ,metalls may bee melted1 and all fat1 and fluxible things1 may upon the table without any ,fire bee together with all combustible things1 reduced into coales1 and ashes4 ,therefore after ,i have proposed1 and opened to you the degrees of the ,art of ,alchymie1 and the degrees of the ,alchymists ,fire3 ,i will yet further shew1 and declare to you in generall1 various ,transmutations of naturall things3 of ,metalls first1 secondly of ,stones1 and thirdly of divers things in generall4 ,the transmutation of ,metalls therefore is a great secret in ,nature1 and it can hardly bee done by reason of many impediments1 and repugnancies4 ,yet it is not against ,nature1 nor ,gods ordination1 as many falsly affirm4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,transmutation of ,metalls into ,silver and ,gold4 ,but that the five lesser1 and impurer ,metalls1 viz4 and may be transmuted into the greater1 purest1 and most perfect ,metalls1 viz4 into and 1 it cannot be done without the ,tincture1 or ,philosophers stone4 ,now seeing we have before sufficiently opened the secrets of ,tinctures in the seven degrees1 and described them there1 it is not necessary that wee spend any further labour in this1 but rather bee satisfied with those things1 which we have wrote in other books concerning the ,transmutations of ,metalls4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,transmutation of ,iron into ,copper4 ,now there are other ,transmutations of imperfect1 and impure ,metals1 as the transmutation of into 1 which may bee done divers wayes4 ,if plates of ,iron bee boiled in water of ,vitriall1 or bee cemented with calcined ,vitriall1 or being red hot be quenched in oyl of ,vitriall4 ,these three ways ,iron may be transmuted into very good1 and ponderous ,copper1 which indeed flows well1 and hath its weight as well as any naturall ,copper4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,transmutation of ,iron into ,lead4 ,plates of ,iron may bee as it were reduced1 and transmuted into ,lead1 so that it bee as soft as naturall ,lead1 but doth not flow so easily3 and the processe is this3 ,take ,filings of 1 and so much of the powder of ,borax1 mingle them well together1 put them in a crucible1 and into a wind furnace1 let there bee made a strong ,fire1 but so that the doe not flow1 but stand as it were in a ,cement for a whole houre1 then encrease the ,fire1 that it may bee red hot1 and flow3 then let the crucible cool of it selfe1 and thou shalt find the regulus of ,lead in the bottome of the crucible1 soft1 and malleable1 as naturall ,lead can be4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,transmutation of ,copper into ,lead4 ,but to transmute into the processe is this3 ,first of all bring ,copper with sublimate1 and fixt ,arsenick to bee white1 yea as white as 1 then beat it small4 ,take this1 and the powder of ,borax1 of each a like quantity1 and first cement it1 then let it bee melted into a regulus1 and thou hast a true regulus of ,lead4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,transmutation of ,lead into ,copper4 ,now on the contrary1 it is easy to transmute ,lead into ,copper1 neither doth it require much pains1 and it is done thus3 ,take plates of ,lead1 strow them over with calcined ,vitriall1 or ,crocus of ,venus1 cement them1 and then melt them1 and thou shalt see naturall ,lead1 transmuted into good1 ponderous1 and malleable ,copper4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,metalline mixture like ,gold4 ,now if this ,copper1 or any other ,copper be beaten into plates1 and strowed over with ,tutia1 or ,capri ,celaminaris1 and be cemented1 and lastly melted1 it will bee transmuted into an excellent reddish ,electrum like to ,gold4 ,sidenote3 ,to make ,english ,tin out of ,lead4 ,if thou wilt turne into make plates of 1 strow them with ,salt ,armoniack1 cement1 and melt them1 as abovesaid1 so will all the blacknesse1 and darknesse bee taken away from the ,lead1 and it will be in whitenesse like fair ,english ,tin4 ,now as you have in briefe heard of some ,mutations of ,metalls1 so also know1 that there are ,transmutations of ,gemmes1 which indeed are various1 and in no wise like4 ,sidenote3 ,oyl of ,sulphur transmutes ,gemmes4 ,for you see how great ,transmutations of ,gemmes there lies in oyle of ,sulphur4 ,for any ,crystall may bee tinged1 and ,transmuted in it1 and in time bee exalted with divers colours1 as to bee made like to the ,hyacinth1 ,granat1 or ,rubie4 ,sidenote3 ,to ,transmute the ,loadstone into great strength4 ,know also that the ,loadstone may be transmuted into a tenfold greater power1 and vertue1 and it is done thus3 ,take the ,loadstone1 and heat it very hot in coales1 but so that it bee not fired1 which presently quench in the ,oyle of ,crocus ,martis1 made of the best ,carinthian ,steel1 that it may imbibe as much as it can4 ,thou shalt by this meanes make the ,loadstone so powerfull1 that thou maist pull out ,nailes out of a wall with it1 and doe such like wonderfull things with it1 that the common ,loadstone can never doe4 ,moreover1 in ,transmutation of ,gemmes you must know that the world is placed in two degrees of ,tincture1 and ,coagulation4 ,sidenote3 ,to transmute the white of an ,egge into ,amber of any ,colour4 ,for as the white of an ,egge may bee tinged with ,saffron1 and then bee coagulated into a faire yellow ,amber3 with the smoke of a ,pine-tree into blacke ,amber3 with ,verdegrease into green1 like ,lapis ,armenius3 with green juice into ,amber1 like the ,emerald3 and with the ,azure stone1 into blew ,amber1 like a ,saphir3 with the ,wood called red ,wood1 into red1 like a ,granat1 or ,rubie3 with a purple colour1 like to an ,amethyst3 with ,ceruse1 like to ,alabaster4 ,so all ,liquors1 especially ,metalls1 and ,mineralls1 may bee tinged with fixed colours1 and afterwards bee coagulated1 and transmuted into ,gemmes4 ,sidenote3 ,how counterfeit ,pearls are made4 ,so also may ,pearles be made like true ,pearles in form1 so that for splendor1 and beauty they can hardly bee discerned from the true3 ,and they are made thus3 ,cleanse the white of ,egges through a spunge1 as purely as may bee1 then mingle with it the fairest white ,talke1 or ,mother of ,pearle1 or ,mercury coagulated with ,tinne1 and brought into an ,alcool1 then grinde them all together on a ,marble1 so that they become a thick ,amalgama1 which must bee dryed in the ,sunne1 or behind a furnace so long1 untill it bee like ,cheese1 or a ,liver4 ,then of this masse make ,pearles as big as thou wilt1 which hang upon the bristles of a ,hog1 and being thus boared through1 dry them as ,amber1 and then thou hast finished them4 ,if they are not beautifull enough1 anoint them over with the white of an ,egge1 and dry them again1 and they will bee most goodly pearls1 in form like the naturall1 but not in vertue4 ,in the like manner are ,coralls made1 with which men endeavour to deceive one the other as with ,pearle4 ,the processe is this3 ,sidenote3 ,how counterfeit ,coralls may be made4 ,take ,cinnabar1 grinde it on a ,marble1 with the white of an ,egge1 for the space of an houre1 then dry it1 as ,potters doe their ,earth1 then make it into what forme thou pleasest3 ,afterwards dry them as much as may bee1 and noint them over with the white of an ,egge1 as thou didst ,pearle1 and dry them by themselves again4 ,so thou shalt have ,corall like to the naturall in form1 but not in vertue4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,golden or ,silver varnish4 ,thou must also know1 ,that the white of an ,egge may bee of it selfe coagulated into most cleer ,vernish1 in the coagulation of which ,silver1 or ,gold may bee strewed4 ,there are also many other1 and various ,transmutations of ,naturall things3 ,whereof those which ,i know1 and have had experience of1 ,i will by the way set down1 and briefly declare to you4 ,sidenote3 ,how wood is made a stone4 ,and first of all know1 ,that any ,wood1 if it bee put for a certaine time into the water of ,salt ,gemme1 is turned with much admiration into a ,stone4 ,sidenote3 ,coales of stones4 ,also ,stones in the tnean fire are transmuted into ,coales1 which are called stony ,coals4 ,sidenote3 ,glew of skins4 ,also ,glew is boiled out of ,skinnes4 ,sidenote3 ,paper of ,linnen-cloath4 ,of ,linnen cloth is made ,paper4 ,sidenote3 ,silke of ,flax4 ,of ,flax boiled in sharp ,lie made of the ,ashes of ,wood is ,silke made4 ,sidenote3 ,feathers may bee ,spun4 ,also the feathery parts pulled off from quills1 and boiled in that ,lie1 may bee spun1 and weaved like ,cotton4 ,any ,oyle or ,spermatick mucilage may bee coagulated into ,vernish4 ,any ,liquor into ,gumme1 c4 ,all these are ,transmutations of ,naturall things1 of which ,science wee have spoken enough1 and there wee shall here make an end4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,the ,,natvre ,of ,things4 ,,the ,,eighth ,,book4 ,of the ,separation of ,naturall things4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,chaos the ,matter of the ,world4 ,in the ,creation of the world1 the first separation began from the foure ,elements1 seeing the first matter of the world was one ,chaos4 ,of this ,chaos ,god made the greater world1 being divided into four distinct ,elements1 viz4 ,fire1 ,aire1 ,water1 and ,earth4 ,fire is the hot part1 ,aire the moist1 ,water the cold1 and ,earth the dry part of the greater world4 ,sidenote3 ,what separation shall be here spoken of4 ,but that you may in brief understand the reason of our purpose in this #hth4 book1 you must know1 that we doe not purpose to treat here of the ,elements of all ,naturall things1 seeing wee have sufficiently discoursed of those ,arcana in the ,archidoxis of the separation of ,naturall things3 whereby every one of them is apart1 and distinctly separated1 and divided materially1 and substantially1 viz4 seeing that two1 three1 or foure1 or more things are mixed into one body1 and yet there is seen but one matter4 ,where it often falls out1 that the corporeall matter of that thing cannot bee known by any1 or signified by any expresse name1 untill there bee a separation made4 ,then sometimes two1 three1 four1 five or more things come forth out of one matter3 as is manifest by daily experience1 in the ,art of ,alchymie4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,electrum is4 ,as for example1 you have an ,electrum1 which of it selfe is no ,metall1 but yet it hides all ,metalls in one ,metall4 ,that if it be anatomized by the industry of ,alchymie1 and separated3 all the seven ,metalls1 viz4 ,gold1 ,silver1 ,copper1 ,tinne1 ,lead1 ,iron1 and ,quicksilver come out of it1 and that pure1 and perfect4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,separation is4 ,but that you may understand what ,separation is1 note1 that it is nothing else then the severing of one thing from another1 whether of two1 three1 four1 or more things mixed together3 ,i say a separation of the three ,principles1 as of ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt1 and the extraction of pure out of the impure1 or the pure1 excellent spirit1 and quintessence1 from a grosse1 and elementary body2 and the preparation of two1 three1 four1 or more out of one3 or the dissolution1 and setting at liberty things that are bound1 and compact1 which are of a contrary nature1 acting one against the other1 untill they destroy one the other4 ,sidenote3 ,how many kinds of ,separation4 ,now there are many kinds of separation1 many of which are unknown to us2 those1 which wee have experienced out of elementary1 dissoluble naturall things1 shall in this place1 according to their kinds1 be described4 ,sidenote3 ,the separation of the ,microcosme4 ,the first separation of which wee speake1 must begin from man1 because hee is the ,microcosme1 or little world1 for whose sake the ,macrocosme or greater world was made1 viz4 that hee might be the separator of it4 ,sidenote3 ,the body of man after death is twofold4 ,now the separation of the ,microcosme begins at his death4 ,for in death the two bodies of ,man are separated the one from the other1 viz4 his ,celestial and ,terrestial body2 i4e4 ,sacramental1 and ,elementary3 one of which ascends on high like an ,eagle2 the other falls downward to the earth like lead4 ,sidenote3 ,what the ,elementary ,body is4 ,the ,elementary is putrefied1 consumed1 and becomes a putrid stinking carkase1 which being buryed in the earth1 never comes forth1 or appeares more4 ,sidenote3 ,what a ,sacramentall ,body is4 ,but the ,sacramentall1 i4e4 ,syderiall1 or ,celestiall1 is never putrefied1 or buried1 neither doth it possesse any place4 ,this body appears to ,men1 and also after death is seen4 ,hence ,ghosts1 ,visions1 and ,supernaturall ,apparitions4 ,sidenote3 ,whence the ,cabalisticall art4 ,hence by the ancient ,magicians1 the ,cabalisticall ,art took its beginning1 of which we shall treat more at large in the books of ,cabalie4 ,after this separation is made1 then after the death of the ,man three substances1 viz4 ,body1 ,soule1 and ,spirit are divided the one from the other1 every one going to its own place1 viz4 its own fountaine1 from whence it had its originall1 viz4 the body to the ,earth1 to the first matter of the ,elements3 the soul into the first matter of ,sacraments1 and lastly1 the spirit into the first matter of the ,airy ,chaos4 ,sidenote3 ,the separation of the ,macrocosme4 ,sidenote3 ,three parts of the ,world4 ,what now hath been spoken of the separation of the ,macrocosme1 the same also may bee understood in the greater world which the great ,ocean hath divided into three parts1 so that the universall world is severed into three parts1 viz4 ,europe1 ,asia1 and ,africa1 which separation is a certain representation of three ,principles1 which can be separated from any ,terrene1 or ,elementary thing4 ,these three ,principles are ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt1 of which three the world was made1 and composed4 ,sidenote3 ,the separation of ,metalls4 ,the next thing to bee known is the separation of ,metalls from their ,mountains1 i4e4 the separation of ,metalls1 and ,mineralls4 ,by vertue of this separation many things come forth out of one matter1 as you see out of ,mineralls come forth1 ,the drosse of ,metalls1 ,glasse1 ,sand1 ,piipitis 7see ,transcriber's ,note71 ,marcasite1 ,granatus1 ,cobaltum1 ,talke1 ,cachinna1 ,zinetum1 ,bisemutum1 ,antimony1 ,litharge1 ,sulphur1 ,vitriall1 ,verdegrease1 ,chrysocolla1 the ,azure ,stone1 ,auripigmentum1 ,arsenicke1 ,realgar1 ,cinnabar1 ,clay of ,iron1 ,spathus1 ,gyphus1 ,ocree1 and many more like to these1 as also the ,waters1 ,oyles1 ,resines1 ,calxes1 ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,vegetables4 ,vegetables in their separation yeeld1 ,waters1 ,oyles1 ,iuices1 ,resines1 ,gums1 ,electuaries1 ,powders1 ,ashes1 ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,animalls4 ,animalls in their separation yeeld1 ,water1 ,bloud1 ,flesh1 ,fat1 ,bones1 ,skin1 ,body1 ,hairs1 ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt4 ,sidenote3 ,what a good separator ought to be4 ,hee therefore that boasts himselfe to bee able to separate all naturall things after this manner1 must of necessity have long experience1 and perfect knowledge of all naturall things4 ,moreover1 hee must bee a skilfull1 and well practised ,alchymist1 that hee may know what is combustible1 and what not2 what is fixt1 and what not2 what wil flow1 and what not2 and what things are more ponderous one then another3 also he must be experienced in the naturall colour1 smell1 acidity1 harshnesse1 sowrenesse1 bitternesse1 sweetnesse1 the degree1 complexion1 and quality of every thing4 ,sidenote3 ,the degrees of ,separation4 ,what and how many there be4 ,also hee must know the degrees of ,separation1 as of ,distillation1 ,resolution1 ,putrefaction1 ,extraction1 ,calcination1 ,reverberation1 ,sublimation1 ,reduction1 ,coagulation1 ,powdering1 and ,washing4 ,sidenote3 ,what distillation separates4 ,by ,distillation is separated ,water1 ,oyle from all corporeall things4 ,sidenote3 ,what resolution4 ,by ,resolution are separated ,metals from ,minerals1 and one ,metall from another1 and ,salt from the other ,principles1 and fat1 and that which is light1 from that which is heavy4 ,sidenote3 ,putrefaction4 ,by ,putrefaction is separated fat from lean1 pure from impure1 putrid from not putrid4 ,sidenote3 ,extraction4 ,by ,extraction is separated pure from impure1 and spirit1 and quintessence from body1 and thinne from thick4 ,sidenote3 ,calcination4 ,by ,calcination is separated watery moisture1 fat1 naturall heat1 odour1 and whatsoever else is combustible4 ,sidenote3 ,reverberation4 ,by ,reverberation is separated colour1 odour1 what is combustible1 all humidity1 aquosity1 fat1 and whatsoever is inconstant1 or fluxil1 in any thing1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,sublimation4 ,by ,sublimation is separated the fixed from the volatile1 spirituall from the corporeall1 pure from impure1 ,sulphur from ,salt1 ,mercury from ,salt1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,reduction4 ,by ,reduction is separated what is fluxil1 from what is solid1 a ,metall from its ,minerall1 and one ,metall from another1 a ,metall from its drosse1 fat from what is not fat4 ,sidenote3 ,coagulation4 ,by ,coagulation is separated waterishnes from humidity1 water from ,earth4 ,sidenote3 ,powdering4 ,by ,powdering are separated powder1 and sand1 ashes1 and ,calx1 ,minerall1 ,vegetable1 and ,animall one from the other1 and all powders1 which are of an unequall weight are separated1 and by winnowing1 as chaffe from corne4 ,sidenote3 ,washing4 ,by washing are separated ashes1 and sand1 a ,minerall from its ,metall1 that which is heavy from what is light1 a ,vegetable1 and ,animall from what is ,minerall1 ,sulphur from ,mercury1 and ,salt1 ,salt from ,mercury4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,preparation of ,metall is manifold4 ,but passing by the ,theorie1 we will now fall upon the practise1 and come to particulars4 ,you must therefore note1 that the ,separation of ,metalls is the first by right1 and wee shall therefore treat of it after this method1 and manner4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,of the ,separation of ,metalls from their ,mines4 ,sidenote3 ,by fluxing powders4 ,the separation of ,metalls from their ,mines is done divers ways1 viz4 by boiling1 and melting with fluxing powders1 such as are salt ,alcali1 ,litharge1 salt fluxile1 the drosse of ,glasse1 ,salt ,gemme1 ,salt ,petre1 c4 ,let them bee put in a ,crucible1 and melted in a furnace2 so will the ,metall1 or regulus fall to the bottome of the ,crucible2 but the other matter will swim above1 and become drosse4 ,thou shall boil this ,metalline regulus in a reverberating furnace so long1 till all the ,metall become pure1 and freed from all its drosse2 by this means the metall is well digested1 and as ,i may say refined from all its drosse4 ,many times one mine contains more then one ,metall1 as ,copper and ,silver1 ,copper and ,gold1 ,lead and ,silver1 ,tinne and ,silver1 you shall know it by this1 if the ,metalline ,regulus after ,reverberation in a melting pot bee sufficiently after the true manner dissolved4 ,for in it are all imperfect ,metalls separated1 as are ,iron1 ,copper1 ,tin1 and ,lead1 and so with a double quantity of ,lead to the ,regulus being put to it1 they all goe into a fume1 and only fine ,silver1 or ,gold are left behind in the pot4 ,sidenote3 ,by ,aqua fortis4 ,sidenote3 ,by ,sulphur4 ,sidenote3 ,a wonderfull power of ,sulphur in separation4 ,also two or three ,metalls mixed together may bee separated in ,aqua fortis1 and extracted the one from the other4 ,if two ,metalls or one bee resolved1 the other will fall to the bottome like sand1 and be precipitated3 and be after this manner separated4 ,also ,metalls may be separated by flowing after this process3 ,make metals flow1 and when they are in flux1 cast into them the best flower of ,sulphur as you can get1 viz4 an ounce to every pound of the metall1 and let it burn1 and by that means it wil draw up the lightest metall to the top1 the heavy falling to the bottome4 ,then let them stand together till they be cold4 ,and so in one ,regulus two metalls are found1 not as before mutually mixed1 but one separated from the other by the ,sulphur1 as by a partition1 as ,oyle divides two ,waters1 that they cannot bee joined together or mixed3 ,sulphur therefore is a singular ,arcanum worthy of great commendations4 ,sidenote3 ,by ,quicksilver4 ,fixt metalls1 as ,gold and ,silver1 because they cannot wel bee extracted with ,fire or ,aqua fortis1 must bee amalgamated with ,quicksilver1 and so separated and extracted1 the ,quicksilver being afterwards extracted and separated by a certaine degree of ,distillation from the ,calx of the metals1 viz4 ,gold1 ,silver4 ,after this manner also may other metalls1 not only ,gold1 and ,silver1 but ,copper1 ,iron1 ,tin1 ,lead1 c4 as also whatsoever are prepared out of them1 as red ,electrum1 the white ,magnesia1 ,aurichalcum1 calcined ,lead1 ,laton1 ,brasse of ,cauldrons1 and whatsoever metalls of this kind are transmuted1 bee with ,quicksilver1 but first being powdered1 abstracted1 and separated from what is heterogeneous4 ,for the nature1 and condition of ,quicksilver is this1 that it wil bee united1 and amalgamed with metalls1 but yet with one sooner then with another1 according as the metall is of greater or lesse affinity to it4 ,in this consideration fine ,gold is the chiefest1 then fine ,silver1 then ,lead1 then ,tinne1 then ,copper1 and lastly ,iron4 ,so amongst transmuted metalls1 the first is part with part1 then ,ash coloured ,lead1 then ,laton1 then ,brasse of ,caldrons1 then red1 and the newest white4 ,although for the first course ,mercury may take no more then one metall1 with which it is amalgamated3 yet that ,amalgama is to be strained hard through ,leather1 or ,cotton cloath4 ,for by this means nothing but the ,quicksilver will passe through the ,leather1 or ,cloath3 and that metall which it did attract remains in the leather1 or cloth like ,calx1 which afterwards thou maist with salt ,alcali1 or some other salt reduce into a metalline body by melting4 ,now by this ,art ,quicksilver is much sooner separated from all manner of metalls1 then by ,distillation1 c4 ,by this processe with ,mercury all metalls may after calcination1 and powdering be by a skilfull1 and industrious ,alchymist extracted1 and separated one from the other4 ,in the same manner1 and that easily1 may ,tinne1 and ,lead bee separated from ,copper1 or ,copper vessels1 from ,iron1 and ,steel overlaid with ,tin without any fire1 or water1 by the ,amalgama of ,quicksilver alone4 ,also ,beaten ,gold1 or ,leafe ,gold1 or ,silver1 as also any other metall beaten1 or ground1 being written1 or laid over with a pencill1 or quill upon cloth1 parchment1 paper1 leather1 wood1 stones1 or any thing else1 may bee resolved by ,quicksilver1 and so1 that the ,quicksilver may bee afterward separated again from those metalls4 ,sidenote3 ,by ,corrosive waters4 ,now the separation of metalls in ,aqua fortis1 ,aqua ,regis1 and like corrosive waters1 is after this manner4 ,let a metall that is mixed1 and joined with another1 be taken1 and beaten into thin plates1 or brought into powder4 ,put it into a separating vessel1 and poure upon it common ,aqua fortis as much as is sufficient1 let them stand and bee macerated1 until all the metall bee resolved into a clear water4 ,if it be ,silver1 and contain any ,gold in it1 all the ,silver wil bee resolved into water1 and the ,gold wil also bee calcined1 and settle in the bottome like black sand4 ,and after this manner ,gold1 and ,silver are separated4 ,if now thou wilt separate the ,silver from the ,aqua fortis without ,distillation1 put a plate of ,copper into the water1 and the ,silver will presently settle in the bottome of the water like snow1 and the ,copper plate will begin to be consumed by little1 and little4 ,the seperation of ,silver1 and ,copper by common ,aqua fortis is done after this manner4 ,let the ,copper which contains ,silver1 or the ,silver which contains ,copper be brought to thin plates or powder1 and put into a glass vessel1 upon which poure as much common ,aqua fortis as is sufficient3 and by this means the silver will bee calcined1 and settle to the bottome like white chalk3 but the copper wil be dissolved1 and turned into a clear water4 ,if this water1 together with the dissolved copper1 be by a ,glasse funnel separated from the silver calx into another ,glasse3 then the ,copper that is dissolved in the water1 may bee so precipitated with common water1 or rain water1 or any other water1 that it wil settle to the bottom of the ,glass like sand4 ,now the separation of hid ,gold1 from any metall1 is by the degree of ,extraction in ,aqua ,regis4 ,for this kind of water will attempt to dissolve no metall1 but only pure1 fine ,gold1 c4 ,the same ,aqua ,regis doth separate also fine gold from gilded plate4 ,for if that be washed over with it1 the ,gold will be separated from it1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,by the degree of ,reverberation4 ,moreover also with cement by the degree of ,reverberation two ,metalls mixed together may be separated the one from the other1 but especially if they are not in the like degree of ,fixation1 as ,iron and ,copper4 ,for that ,metall1 which is but little fixed1 as ,tin1 and ,lead1 is all of it consumed by the degree of ,reverberation in cement4 ,for by how much the more a ,metall is fixed1 so much the lesse is it consumed by cement4 ,you must know therefore that fine ,gold is the most fixt1 and perfect ,metall1 which can bee destroyed1 or consumed by no cement4 ,next to this is fine ,silver4 ,if then ,gold1 and ,silver be mixed together in one body1 which is wont to bee called part with part1 or if ,silver contain ,gold1 or ,gold ,silver3 ,i say these being thus mixt if they bee reverberated into cement1 then the ,gold remains entire1 and not at all injured1 but the ,silver is consumed by the cement1 and so is extracted from fine ,gold3 so also is ,copper from ,silver1 and ,iron1 and ,tinne from ,copper1 and ,iron1 or ,lead from ,tinne1 and so forth4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,of the ,separation of ,mineralls4 ,after that wee have explained 7as hitherto wee have done7 the separation of ,metalls from their ,earth1 and matter1 as also of one ,metall from another1 and how it is done having passed through it with as much brevity as might be3 it will in the next place bee necessary that wee treat also of those things out of which ,metalls grow1 and are generated1 as are the three ,principles4 ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 and ,salt1 as also all ,mineralls1 in which the first being of ,metalls1 i4e4 the spirit of ,metalls is found1 as is manifest in ,marcasites1 ,granats1 ,cachymies1 red ,talke1 the ,azure stone1 and the like1 in which the first being of ,gold is found by the degree of ,sublimation4 ,so in white ,marcasite1 white ,talke1 ,auripigmentum1 ,arsenick1 ,litharge1 c4 the first being of ,silver is found3 ,in ,cobaltus1 ,zinetus1 c4 the first being of ,iron3 ,in ,zinetus1 ,vitriall1 ,verdegrease1 c4 the first being of ,copper3 ,in ,zinetus1 ,bisemutus1 c4 the first being of ,tin3 ,in ,antimony1 ,minium1 c4 the first being of ,lead3 ,in ,cinnabar1 the first being of ,quicksilver is found4 ,concerning this first beginning you must know1 that it is a volatile spirit1 as yet consisting in volatility1 as an infant lies in the wombe of its ,mother1 which sometimes is made like to ,liquor1 sometimes to ,alcool4 ,whosoever therefore desires to busie himselfe about the getting of the first being of any such body1 or to separate it1 must of necessity have much experience1 and knowledge in the ,art of ,alchymie4 ,for if hee shall not diligently and skilfully work in ,alchymie1 hee shal attempt many things in vain1 and accomplish nothing4 ,but after what manner the first being is to be separated out of any ,minerall1 is sufficiently explained in the booke called ,archidoxis1 and need not here tediously bee repeated4 ,but as concerning the separation of ,mineralls1 you must note1 that many of them are to bee separated by the degree of ,sublimation as fixed from those which are not fixed1 spirituall and volatile bodies from fixt bodies1 and so accordingly of all the members1 as is declared concerning ,metalls4 ,for of all ,mineralls there is one1 and the like processe through all degrees1 as the ,art of ,alchymie teacheth1 c4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,of the ,separation of ,vegetables4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,vegetables are separated4 ,the separation of those things1 which grow out of the ,earth1 and are combustible1 as fruits1 hearbs1 flowers1 leaves1 grasse1 roots1 woods1 c4 is made many wayes4 ,for first by ,distillation the ,flegm is separated from them1 then the ,mercury1 then the ,oyle1 then the ,refine1 then the ,sulphur1 and lastly the ,salt4 ,all these ,separations being made according to the ,spagiricall ,art many notable1 and excellent medicines come from thence1 which are to be used as well within1 as without the body4 ,but now seeing idlenesse is so much in request amongst ,physitians1 and all labour and study is turned only to insolency2 truly ,i do not wonder1 that all such preparations are every where neglected1 and coales sold at so low a price1 that if ,smiths could be so easily without coales in forging1 and working their ,metalls1 as ,physitians are in preparing their ,medicines1 certainly ,colliers would long since have been brought to extream want4 ,sidenote3 ,a reprehension of ,physitians4 ,in the mean time ,i will give to ,spagiricall ,physitians their due praise4 ,for they are not given to idlenesse1 and sloth1 nor goe in a proud habit1 or plush and velvet garments1 often shewing their rings upon their fingers1 or wearing swords with silver hilts by their sides1 or fine and gay gloves upon their hands1 but diligently follow their labours1 sweating whole nights1 and dayes by their furnaces4 ,sidenote3 ,the commendation of ,chymists1 and how they differ from other ,physitians4 ,these doe not spend their time abroad for recreation1 but take delight in their laboratory4 ,they wear ,leather garments with a pouch1 and ,apron wherewith they wipe their hands4 ,they put their fingers amongst coales1 into clay1 and dung1 not into gold rings4 ,they are sooty1 and black1 like ,smithes1 or ,colliers1 and doe not pride themselves with cleane1 and beautifull faces4 ,they are not talkative when they come to the sick1 neither doe they extoll their ,medicines3 seeing they well know that the ,artificer must not commend his work1 but the work the ,artificer1 and that the sick cannot be cured with fine words4 ,sidenote3 ,how many degrees of ,alchymie there be4 ,therefore laying aside all these kinds of vanities1 they delight to bee busied about the fire1 and to learn the degrees of the science of ,alchymie3 ,of this order are ,distillation1 ,resolution1 ,putrefaction1 ,extraction1 ,calcination1 ,reverberation1 ,sublimation1 ,fixation1 ,separation1 ,reduction1 ,coagulation1 ,tincture1 c4 ,but how these separations may bee done by the help of distinct degrees according to the ,art of ,alchymie1 hath been in generall spoken of already4 ,wherefore it is needlesse here to make repetition4 ,but to proceed to particulars1 and briefly to explaine the practise1 you must know that ,water1 ,spirit1 ,liquor1 ,oyle1 c4 cannot bee separated after one and the same processe1 out of ,flowers1 ,hearbes1 ,seeds1 ,leaves1 ,roots1 ,trees1 ,fruits1 ,woods1 by the degree of ,distillation4 ,for ,hearbs require one processe1 ,flowers another1 ,seeds another1 ,leaves another1 ,roots another1 ,trees another1 the ,stalkes another1 the ,fruite another1 ,woods another4 ,sidenote3 ,the degrees of fire in ,distillation4 ,and in this degree of ,distillation1 there are also foure distinct degrees of ,fire to bee considered4 ,the first degree of ,fire in ,distillation is ,balneum ,mari1 this ,distillation is made in ,water4 ,another degree of ,fire is ,distillation made in ,ashes4 ,the third in ,sand4 ,the fourth in a naked ,fire3 as also ,distillation may bee made by ,aqua fortis1 and other sharp ,waters4 ,sidenote3 ,with what degrees of fire every ,vegetable is to be ,distilled4 ,to the first degree of ,fire belong1 ,hearbs1 ,flowers1 ,seeds1 and such like4 ,to the second1 ,leaves1 ,fruits1 c4 ,to the third1 ,roots1 and ,boughes of trees1 c4 ,to the fourth1 ,wood1 and such like4 ,note1 that every one of these must bee beaten small1 and bruised before they bee put into the ,still4 ,and thus much bee spoken concerning the ,distillation of ,waters out of the ,vegetable substances4 ,as concerning the ,seperation and ,distillation of ,oyls1 the processe is the same as that of ,water1 only some of them are to bee distilled per descensum1 and cannot ascend as ,waters1 the processe of these in this case is to bee changed4 ,but ,liquors are not separated in ,distillation as ,waters1 or ,oyles1 but are expressed from their corporeall substances with a presse4 ,and here wee must know1 that there are some ,oyles that are pressed out1 and separated after the same manner1 by a ,presse as liquors are1 and that for this reason1 because they should not contract an ill odour from the ,fire1 as otherwise they would doe4 ,of this ,order is the ,oyle of ,almonds1 ,nuts1 hard egges1 and the like4 ,also wee must note1 that all ,oyles1 if they be prepared1 and coagulated according to the ,spagiricall ,art1 yeeld a kind of ,vernish1 ,gumme1 ,amber1 or ,resine1 which may bee also called ,sulphur1 and that which remaines in the bottome of the ,still may bee calcined1 and brought to ashes1 and from it may bee with warme water alone1 the ,alcali extracted1 and separated from it4 ,the ,ashes which is left behind is called the ,dead ,earth1 out of which never any else can bee extracted4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,of the ,separation of ,animalls4 ,it is necessary1 that ,anatomie goe before the separation of ,animalls1 that the bloud may bee apart1 the flesh apart1 the bones apart1 the skinne apart1 the bowels apart1 the tendons apart1 c4 and after this must every one of these bee separated by it selfe by the help of the ,spagiricall ,art4 ,therefore the separations in this place are chiefly #d4 ,sidenote3 ,foure degrees of the separation of ,animalls4 ,sidenote3 ,mummie1 c4 ,the first draws forth a waterie1 and flegmatick humidity from the bloud4 ,for from the bloud being after this manner1 according to the processe shewed in the book of ,conservations1 prepared1 there comes forth a most excellent ,mummie1 and so excellent a ,specificum1 that any fresh wound may bee cured1 and consolidated in the space of twenty four hours1 only with one binding up4 ,sidenote3 ,balsome1 c4 ,the second is the separation of fat from flesh2 for that being separated from ,mans flesh is a most excellent balsome allaying the pains of the ,gout1 and ,cramp1 and such like pains1 if any part affected bee anointed with it warm4 ,it helps also the tendons of the hands1 or feet1 being drawn together1 if they bee daily anointed with it4 ,it cures also the scab1 and all kinds of ,leprosy4 ,therefore it is the chiefest ,chirurgical specificum1 and in all cases1 as in wounds and the like most profitable1 c4 ,the third is the separation of waterie1 and flegmatick moisture1 together with the fat extracted out of bones4 ,for if these two bee carefully by the ,art of ,alchymie separated from ,mens bones by the degree of ,distillation1 and the bones bee reduced1 or burnt into most white ashes by the degree of ,calcination2 and then these three bee again after a right manner joined together1 so that they resemble butter1 they become a most wonderfull specificall ,arcanum1 with which thou maist soundly cure any fracture of bones without any pain at three bindings up1 so that thou dost handle1 and set the fracture according to the rules of ,chirurgery1 and then apply that specificum by way of plaister1 c4 ,this also doth most speedily cure the wounds of the skull1 and any other contusion of bones whatsoever4 ,the fourth1 and the last is the separation of ,resines1 and ,gummes from the ,skin1 ,bowels1 and tendons4 ,for this ,resine being extracted1 and separated out of them by the degree of ,extraction1 according to the ,spagiricall ,art1 and coagulated by the beams of the ,sun1 become a cleer transparent ,glew4 ,out of this glew being prepared1 extracted and separated out of ,mans body1 as is prescribed1 a most excellent ,arcanum1 and specificall stiptick comes forth1 wherewith ,wounds1 and ,ulcers may speedily bee consolidated1 and their lips bee brought together3 7even as two boards are glewed together with glew put betwixt them7 so that you put two or three drops of it being resolved into the wound4 ,this also is a singular ,arcanum for ,burns1 ,falling of the nails1 ,scabs1 c4 if the place affected bee nointed with it4 ,for the skin will presently bee brought over the raw flesh4 ,there might many other separations of these and other things bee reckoned up4 ,but seeing wee have mentioned them in other places1 it would bee but lost labour here to repeat them4 ,it wil bee necessary that wee speak of those things here1 of which wee have made no mention elsewhere4 ,sidenote3 ,the last ,separation is the last ,iudgment4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,manner of the last ,iudgement4 ,and lastly in the end of all things shall bee the last separation1 in the third generation1 the great day when the ,son of ,god shall come in majesty1 and glory1 before whom shall be carried not swords1 garlands1 diadems1 scepters1 c4 and ,kingly jewels1 with which ,princes1 ,kings1 ,cesars1 c4 doe pompously set forth themselves1 but his ,crosse1 his crown of thorns1 and nails thrust through his hands1 and feet1 and spear with which his side was pierced1 and the reed1 and spunge in which they gave him vineger to drinke1 and the whips wherewith hee was scourged1 and beaten4 ,he comes not accompanyed with troopes of ,horse1 and beating of ,drums1 but foure ,trumpets shall bee sounded by the ,angells towards the foure parts of the world1 killing all that are then alive with their horrible noise1 in one moment1 and then presently raising these again1 together with them that are dead1 and buryed4 ,sidenote3 ,matth4 #be4 ,for the voice shall bee heard3 ,arise yee dead1 and come to judgment4 ,then shal the twelve ,apostles sit down1 their seats being prepared in the clouds1 and shal judge the twelve ,tribes of ,israel4 ,in that place the holy ,angels shall separate the bad from the good1 the cursed from the blessed1 the goats from the sheep4 ,then the cursed shall like stones1 and lead be thrown downward3 but the blessed shall like eagles fly on high4 ,then from the tribunall of ,god shal go forth this voice to them that stand on his left hand3 ,goe yee ,cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the ,devill1 and his ,angells from all eternity3 ,for ,i was an hungry1 and yee fed me not2 thirsty1 and you gave no drink2 sick1 in prison1 and naked1 and you visited me not1 freed mee not1 cloathed me not1 and you shewed no pity towards me1 therefore shalt you expect no pity from me4 ,on the contrary1 hee shal speak to them on his right hand3 ,come yee blessed2 and chosen into my ,fathers ,kingdome1 which hath been prepared for you1 and his ,angells from the foundation of the world4 ,for ,i was hungry1 and you gave me meat2 thirsty1 and you gave me drink2 ,i was a stranger1 and you took me in2 naked and you covered me2 sick1 and you visited me2 in prison1 and you came unto me4 ,therefore ,i will receive you into my ,fathers ,kingdom1 where are provided many mansions for the ,saints4 ,you took pity on me1 therefore will ,i take pity on you4 ,all these being finished1 and dispatched1 all ,elementary things wil returne to the first matter of the ,elements1 and bee tormented to eternity1 and never bee consumed1 c4 and on the contrary1 all holy things shall return to the first matter of ,sacraments3 i4e4 shall be purified1 and in eternall joy glorifie ,god their ,creator1 and worship him from age to age1 from eternity1 to eternity1 ,amen4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,,of ,,the ,,natvre ,of ,things4 ,,the ,,ninth ,,book4 ,of the ,signature of ,naturall things4 ,in this ,booke it is convenient for us speaking of the ,signature of things in the first place1 to declare by whom things are signed1 and who the ,signator is1 and how many things there be that are signed4 ,you must therefore know1 that things that are signed are of #c sorts4 ,the first sort of them ,man signs3 the second1 the ,archeius3 the third1 the stars of supernaturall things4 ,therefore upon this account there are three ,signators3 ,man1 the ,archeius1 and ,stars4 ,moreover1 you must note1 that impressions signed by men do bring with them a perfect knowledge1 and judgement of hid things1 and impart the knowledg of their hid vertues1 and faculties4 ,the markes of the ,stars cause ,prophecies1 and ,presages1 and declare the supernaturall vertues of things1 and take out the true judgements1 and signes1 in ,geomancy1 ,chiromancy1 ,physiognomy1 ,hydromancy1 ,pyromancy1 ,necromancy1 ,astronomy1 the ,berillisticall art1 and other ,astrall sciences4 ,but that wee may explain briefly1 and truly all the signes1 or markes1 it wil be necessary in the first place1 that wee speak of those signes of which ,man is the ,signer4 ,those being understood2 you may the more rightly understand the rest1 whether naturall1 or supernaturall4 ,it is therefore known1 that the ,iews carry about them1 upon their cloak1 or coat a yellow sign4 ,and this is nothing else but that mark1 by which they would have you1 when you meet them1 to know that they are ,iews4 ,so a ,serjeant is known by his divers coloured coat1 or sleeve4 ,so every ,magistrate apparells his servants with his own colours1 and liveries4 ,every ,mechanick marks his work with a certaine signe1 that every one may know whose work it is4 ,for which end ,carriers wear the liverie of their master1 or city1 that it may be known whom they serve and from whence they travell1 that thereby they may goe the safer4 ,so every ,souldier wears a marke1 or badge1 as colours1 black1 white1 yellow1 green1 blew1 or red1 c4 that he may be distinguished from the enemie4 ,hence it may bee known that this is ,cesars souldier1 that the ,kings1 this an ,italian1 this a ,french souldier1 c4 ,these are signes which belong to order1 or office1 of which many more may bee reckoned up4 ,but yet because wee have intended to describe the signes of naturall1 and supernaturall things1 wee shal not fill up this booke with other signes4 ,as concerning those signes1 which ,man makes1 which doe not only respect order1 office1 or name1 but conduce to the knowing of his knowledge1 age1 dignity1 degree1 c4 ,you must know concerning ,money1 that every kind thereof hath its peculiar triall1 and marke1 by which it is known1 how much it is valued at1 who is the ,master of it1 and in what place it is usually currant4 ,hence is that ,german ,proverb1 ,money is no where more in request then where it was coined4 ,the same also is to bee understood of things that are looked upon and examined by men sworn and appointed for that purpose1 before they bee signed3 as ,cloth which is marked with peculiar marks1 by which it may be known1 that in examining they were found good1 and proved4 ,why is a seal put upon ,letters1 but that there is a certain bond1 which it is lawfull for no man to violate8 ,for a seal is a confirmation of ,letters1 whence they are of all men accounted ratified4 ,without a seale an ,acquitance is void1 and of no force4 ,after the same manner many things are marked with few letters1 names1 or words1 as books1 which being writ upon the outside but with one word1 doe presently shew what is contained within4 ,the same rule also there is for glasses and boxes in ,apothecaries shops1 all which are discerned by peculiar names1 or papers put upon them4 ,unlesse that were done1 who could discern so many ,waters1 ,liquors1 ,syrups1 ,oyles1 ,powders1 ,seeds1 ,unguents1 c4 and all simples8 ,after the same manner doth the ,alchymist in his ,elabatorie mark with names1 and papers all ,waters1 ,liquors1 ,spirits1 ,oyles1 ,flegms1 ,crocus1 ,alcali1 and all species1 that thereby hee may when there is occasion make use of any of them1 and know them3 without the help of which his memory could never bear them4 ,so also may all houses and buildings bee marked with numbers or figures1 that the age of every one of them by the first sight of the number may presently be known4 ,these and other things that are marked ,i was willing to shew to you1 that these being comprehended1 ,i might bee the better understood by you in the rest1 and so the signification of every thing might bee the more plain1 and clear4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,of the ,monstrous ,signes of ,men4 ,sidenote3 ,divers monstrous signes or ,markes4 ,sidenote3 ,what monstrous signes shew4 ,many men are brought forth deformed with monstrous marks1 or signes3 so one abounds with one finger1 or ,toe1 another wants one4 ,the fingers of some grow all together in the mothers womb4 ,another hath a wry foot1 arm1 or neck1 c4 and brings it with him out of the womb4 ,another hath a bunch in his back3 so also1 are ,hermaphrodites born1 i4e4 they which are both ,male1 and ,female1 and have the members both of ,man1 and ,woman1 or else want both4 ,i have observed many of these monstrous signs1 as well in ,males1 as in ,females1 all which are to bee accounted for monstrous signes of secret evil ascendents4 ,whence that proverb is made good2 ,the more crooked1 the more wicked3 ,lame members1 lame deeds4 ,for they are signes of vices1 seldome signifying any good4 ,as the ,executioner marks his sons with infamous markes3 so the evil ,ascendents impresse upon their yong1 supernatural mischievous marks1 that they may bee the better taken heed of1 which shew some marks in their forehead1 cheeks1 ears1 fingers1 hands1 eyes1 tongues1 c4 being short1 or cutted4 ,every one of these infamous signes denotes a peculiar vice4 ,so a mark burnt upon the face of a ,woman1 or the cutting off her ears1 for the most part signifies theft3 the cutting off the fingers1 cheating ,dicers3 the cutting off the hand1 breakers of the peace3 the cutting off two of the fingers perjured3 the pulling out of the eye1 cunning1 and subtile villains3 the cutting out of the tongue1 blasphemers1 slanderers1 c4 ,so also you may know them that deny the ,christian ,religion by a crosse burnt in the soles of their feet1 because viz4 they have denyed their ,redeemer4 ,but that passing by these we may proceed to the monstrous signs of ,malignants ascending1 you must know1 that all monstrous signes do not arise from an ,ascendent only1 but oftentimes also from the stars of ,mens minds1 which continually and every moment ascend1 and descend with the fancy1 estimation1 or imagination1 no otherwise then in the superiour firmament4 ,hence either from fear1 or terrour of breeding2 ,women1 many monsters1 or children marked with monstrous signes in the womb1 are borne4 ,the primary cause of these is fear1 terror1 appetite from which is raised the imagination4 ,if a woman with child begin to imagine1 then her heaven by its motion is carryed round1 no otherwise then the superiour firmament every moment1 with ,ascendents1 or risings1 or ,settings4 ,for according to the example of the greater firmament1 the stars of the ,microcosme also are moved by ,imagination1 untill there be an assault1 whereby the stars of the ,imagination convey an influence1 and impression upon the ,woman that is breeding1 just as if anyone should impresse a seale1 or stamp money4 ,whence these signes1 and geniall marks are called ,impressions of inferiour stars1 of which many ,philosophers have wrote many things1 and men have endeavoured much to give a full1 and rationall account of1 which could never yet bee done4 ,yet they doe adhere1 and are impressed on the infants1 as the stars of the ,mother1 whether frequent or violent1 doe rest upon the ,infants1 or the ,mothers longing is not satisfied3 ,for if the ,mother long for this1 or that meat1 and cannot have it1 the starres are suffocated as it were in themselves1 and dye3 ,and that longing doth follow the infant all its life time1 that it can never bee well satisfied4 ,the like reason is there of other things1 of which we shall not hear ,discourse any further4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,of the ,astrall ,signes of ,physiognomy in ,man4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,originall of ,physiognomie4 ,the signes of ,physiognomy receive their original from the superior stars2 this art of ,physiognomy was greatly esteemed of by our ,ancestors1 and especially by ,heathens1 ,tartars1 and ,turks1 c4 and other people1 amongst whom it was the custome to sel men for slaves1 and it is not yet altogether laid aside amongst ,christians4 ,yet together with it many errors crept in1 not yet taken notice of by any1 whilest every blockish ignorant fellow would take upon him without any manner of judgement to judge of any one4 ,where it is worthy of admiration that those erours should never bee taken notice of from the workes1 deeds1 and abilities of the men4 ,now if any one shall in this place argue against us1 saying1 that the signes of ,physiognomy are from the stars1 and that the stars have no power to compell any one or stir him up2 he indeed doth not speak amisse3 but yet there is some difference in it which must be taken notice of1 because the stars compell some1 and others they doe not compell4 ,sidenote3 ,man is the ,lord of all other ,creatures4 ,sidenote3 ,how a man may withdrawe him selfe from one star1 and bring him selfe under another4 ,for here we must know1 who can rule or constrain the stars1 and who can be governed by them4 ,therefore for this you must note1 that a wise man can rule the stars1 and not be subject to them4 ,the stars are subject to a wise man1 and are forced to obey him1 and not he the stars4 ,but the stars compell an ,animall man1 that whither they lead him hee must follow1 just as a thief doth the gallows1 and a high-way robber the wheel1 the fisher the fishes1 the fowler the birds1 the hunter the wild beasts4 ,and what here is the cause of this1 but that such a kind of man doth neither know himself1 nor his own strength1 never considers1 or thinks that he is the lesser world1 and that he hath the universall ,firmament with the powers thereof hid in him8 ,wherefore he is called an ,animall1 an ignorant man1 and a slave to any base service1 and all earthly matters2 yet whereas he received that priviledge from ,god in ,paradise1 that hee should rule1 and reign over all other creatures of the ,universe1 and should not bee obedient to them2 therefore ,god created him last of all1 all the rest being made before him4 ,this priviledg man afterwards lost by his fall3 but yet the wisdome of man was not made servile1 nor did hee let that liberty goe out of his hands4 ,whence it is requisite that the starres should follow him1 and obey him1 and not he the stars4 ,and although hee indeed be the son of ,saturne1 and ,saturn his ,ascendent2 yet hee can remove himselfe from him1 and so overcome him1 that he can be the off-spring of the ,sun2 and bring himselfe under any other planet1 and make himselfe its ,son4 ,and it is the same case here as with a ,digger1 who for a time hath spent his pains with the ,master of the ,mines1 and with the hazard of his life hath performed his service faithfully1 at length reasons1 and discourseth with himselfe thus4 ,what will become of thee at last1 if thou spendest all thy life under the earth1 and by thy continuall labours dost also bring thy body1 and life into danger8 ,i will get a release from my ,master1 and ,i will serve another ,master1 where my life may be made sweeter1 where ,i may have plenty of meat1 and drink1 where ,i may wear better clothes1 have little work and much wages1 where there shall bee no danger of the mountain hanging over mee1 and ready to fall upon me1 c4 ,after this manner hee would bee at liberty1 when as otherwise hee must remaine a ,mercenary servant1 and slave1 pining away with much labour1 and low feeding1 c4 ,now you see how a wise man commands the stars1 and can remove himselfe from any malignant planet1 and bring himselfe under another better1 how he can bring himselfe out of slavery into liberty1 and can free himselfe out of the prison of an ill planet4 ,so also an ,animall man1 who is the son of the ,sun1 of ,iupiter1 ,venus1 and ,mercury1 may remove himself from a benigne planet1 and subject himself to ,saturne1 or ,mars3 such a man is like to a man1 who runs from a religious ,colledge1 and being impatient of an easy life becomes a ,souldier1 or else a man of no repute1 who afterwards spends all his life in sorrow1 and misery4 ,such an one also is a rich man1 who being given to levity1 spends1 and wasts all his goods1 in ,dicing1 ,feasting1 ,whoring1 c4 which hee gives himselfe to so long untill all bee spent1 then hee comes to want1 and being miserably afflicted with infamous want1 becomes deservedly a laughter and scorn to all men1 yea even to the very boyes in the streets1 whom you may hear saying3 ,behold a beggerly man worth nothing1 who when hee was a ,master disdained his ,mastership1 and had rather be a slave1 a begger1 a slave to servants2 seeing he can never come to his priviledg again4 ,and hither doth a ,malignant star1 or ,ascendent drive him4 ,unlesse he had been a foole1 and dishonest1 he had not left so certain a ,dominion1 which hee had over the stars1 but had strove against it3 ,and although of himselfe hee knew not how to resist the stars2 yet hee might have bent his mind to the examples of others2 thinking thus with himselfe3 ,see how rich that man was1 but foolishly1 and shamefully hath brought himself to poverty4 ,also he lived gallantly1 without much labour1 had so much meat1 such wages1 that he could not live better4 ,now he lives sparingly1 and sordidly1 and in stead of ,wine hee must drinke ,water1 his labours daily increase1 his wages decrease4 ,now how often doth such a kind of ,man talke after this manner with himselfe4 ,what have ,i done8 ,whither am ,i running headlong1 so basely spending my goods that ,i got1 who will repaire my estate8 ,if ever ,i shall receive what hath been thus spent1 ,i will take a far other course of life1 and will by my harms learne to bee wise1 and will make amends for my evill deeds4 ,sidenote3 ,no man is wise by his own harmes1 but by anothers4 ,but it is convenient to know1 that no man can bee wise by his owne harme4 ,for it is a foolish1 and senselesse thing to bee wise by ones owne harme4 ,let him that will be wise1 be wise by another mans example1 not by his owne4 ,for hee that hath once spent his estate1 would spend it againe if hee should have it1 and he that once perisheth1 perisheth for ever4 ,hee which once hath cast a ,dice1 casts it again4 ,hee which once stole1 and escaped the gallowes1 will endeavour to steal the second time also4 ,for hee thinkes thus with himselfe4 ,my enterprizes have succeeded once1 and again1 and why not the third1 or fourth time8 ,if ,god should once restore what ,i have lost1 hee would restore it the second1 and third time1 c4 ,if hee did not forsake mee in my first misery1 hee will not in the second1 or third1 c4 ,all these doth an ,animall man doe1 the servant1 and slave of the stars1 who is turned every where1 and moved by the stars1 as a ,reed in water4 ,and this is the reason why his life is spent in misery1 and he dies in infamy4 ,who therefore will sustain such servitude1 and not deliver himselfe from such a nasty prison8 ,for any one may by his owne wisdome1 together with the help of his star1 deliver1 and free himselfe from thence4 ,consider the matter thus3 ,a ,fowler by his prudence1 and help of his star1 overcoming another starre1 needs not goe after birds1 for they will come after him flying to unusuall places1 contrary to their nature4 ,so a ,fisherman can by making use of the wisdome which ,god hath given him make fishes swim to him of their own accord1 so that he may take them up with his hands4 ,a ,hunter improving his wisdome1 doth by his star so compell the wild beasts1 that hee need not follow them1 but they will follow him without any impulse of nature4 ,so also of the rest of living creatures4 ,sidenote3 ,stars are twofold4 ,now for the better understanding of these things1 you must know1 that ,stars are twofold2 terrestriall1 and celestiall1 these of wisdome1 the other of folly4 ,and as there are two worlds1 the greater1 and the lesser1 and the greater governs the lesser3 so also the starres of the ,microcosme doe rule1 and overcome the celestiall4 ,sidenote3 ,the end of the ,starrs is to serve1 not command man4 ,neither did ,god create the planets1 and other stars of the heaven1 that they should rule over man1 but that they1 as all other creatures1 should obey1 and serve him4 ,and although the superiour stars doe incline men1 and signe them as also all other terrestiall bodies1 with naturall signes1 according to the manner of their generation2 yet that is no power1 or soveraignty1 but only a predestinated command1 and office1 whereby nothing may remaine hid1 or concealed1 but the inward force1 and power may bee brought forth by exteriour signes4 ,sidenote3 ,signes are twofold4 ,but to return to our purpose of the ,physiognomicall signes of ,men1 you must know1 that they are twofold1 in externall shape indeed alike1 but in power1 and effect unlike4 ,some are from supernaturall stars of the heaven1 the other1 from the inferiour starres1 viz4 of the ,microcosme4 ,sidenote3 ,what are ,physiognomicall signes4 ,whatsoever the superiour star signes according to generation1 even to the midle age1 that thing signed is predestinated1 not wanting peculiar powers4 ,for it doth testifie of the nature1 and condition of ,man4 ,whatsoever therefore the inferiour star of the ,microcosme doth sign in generation1 hath its originall from the ,father1 and ,mother1 viz4 as oft as the ,mother by her imagination1 or appetite1 feare1 or terror hath by contact affected her infant in her womb with supernaturall signes1 which are called the ,mothers marks1 or the ,womb marks1 of which since wee have spoke already1 wee shall now save the labour of iteration2 seeing our purpose is only to treat of ,physiognomicall signes1 where wee shall speak only of the predestinated signes of the stars1 under which wee understand those signes of ,men1 which neither their ,father1 or ,mother had any likenesse of in their body4 ,of this sort are black1 gray1 little1 or great eyes1 long1 crooked1 sharp1 nose1 pits in their cheeks1 the cheek-bone being raised up1 a flat1 or broad nose1 small1 or great ears1 long neck1 long face1 wide1 or little mouth1 thick or small1 many or few1 black1 yellow1 and red haires1 c4 ,if one1 or more of these signes appear in ,man1 you must know1 that they doe not want their signification4 ,but it is necessary that you consider them according to the ,physiognomicall art1 and that you have certain knowledge of the ,art of ,signatures1 whereby you may know through the externall signes the internall man4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,black ,eyes signifie4 ,but to proceed to the practise of what we intended1 and to reckon up some of the signes of ,men1 and their signification in part4 ,you must know1 that black eyes besides a healthful constitution1 also many times signifie a constant mind1 not wavering1 or fearfull1 but lusty1 hearty1 true and loving vertue4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,gray4 ,gray eyes are a signe of a deceitfull1 and changeable man4 ,sidenote3 ,weake ,eyes4 ,weak eyes signifie good judgement1 witty1 and profound deliberation4 ,sidenote3 ,purblind4 ,purblind eyes1 and such as turne upward1 and downward1 and to both sides1 signifie a false man1 and crafty1 that cannot easily be deceived1 treacherous1 hating labour1 slothfull1 getting his living slothfully1 by ,dice1 ,usury1 ,whoring1 ,robbery1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,small and deep4 ,small and deep eyes doe for the most part signifie weak1 and feeble eyes1 and blindnesse ensuing in old age1 as also strong men1 warlike1 bold1 deceitfull1 nimble1 factious1 patiently undergoing their condition1 yet the end of whose life is for the most part tragicall1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,great4 ,great eyes1 a covetous1 ravenous man1 especially if they hang out of the head4 ,sidenote3 ,alwayes ,winking4 ,eyes that are alwaies winking1 declare a weak sight1 and a man to be fearefull1 and solicitous4 ,sidenote3 ,rolling4 ,rolling ,eyes shew an amorous affection1 and a prudent man1 and a man of quicke intention4 ,sidenote3 ,continually dejected4 ,eyes continually dejected shew a bashfull1 modest man1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,red4 ,eyes that are red1 signifie a bold1 and strong man1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,cleare4 ,clear eyes1 and not easily moveable1 shew an heroick1 magnanimous1 strong1 chearfull1 and a man formidable to his enemies1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,eares great4 ,great eares shew a good hearing1 a good memory1 attention1 diligence1 a sound brain1 and head1 c4 ,low eares are an ill omen4 ,for1 for the most part they signifie a man to be malitious1 fraudulent1 unjust1 and a bad hearing1 a bad memory1 a bold man1 and easily exposing himselfe to dangers4 ,sidenote3 ,a long ,nose4 ,a long nose1 and crooked downwards is a good sign1 it signifies a man to bee valiant1 prudent1 close1 rigorous1 and yet just1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,a flat ,nose4 ,a flat nose signifies a man to be malicious1 lustfull1 given to lying1 inconstant1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,sharp4 ,a sharp nose1 a man to bee a turne-coate1 a mocker1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,long4 ,a long nose1 a man to be slow in all his actions1 and to be of a very quick smell4 ,sidenote3 ,hollow cheeks4 ,the cheekes with pits in them signifie a man to bee talkative1 a ,scorner1 contentious1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,a long ,chin4 ,a long chin1 with a long face1 signifie a man to be given to anger1 and slow to labour1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,a divided ,chin4 ,a divided chin signifies a man to bee faithfull1 officious1 subtile1 and various in his words1 speaking one thing1 and meaning another1 angry1 yet sorry for his anger1 ingenious1 and given to inventions4 ,sidenote3 ,a great ,mouth4 ,a great and large mouth signifies a man to bee a great devourer1 silly1 foolish1 imprudent1 dareing1 c4 ,a little mouth signifies the contrary4 ,sidenote3 ,lips drawn to4 ,lips drawne to1 where the upper is greater then the lower1 signifie a man to bee angry1 warlike1 couragious1 yet for the most part of rude1 and uncivil behaviour1 and manners like to a swine4 ,sidenote3 ,lips great beneath4 ,lips great beneath1 signifie a man to be dull1 foolish1 and blockish1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,haire signifies nothing by ,art4 ,judgement by the haires either of the head1 or beard1 is not very certain1 because use teacheth that they can be divers wayes varyed1 as to bee made black1 or yellow1 or red1 or white1 and hoary1 or curled1 soft1 or hard1 as any one desires to have them4 ,hence it will come to passe1 that many who are otherwise skilfull enough in the ,art of ,physiognomy would be most shamefully deceived1 whilst they should rashly judge by the hairs1 imputing that to the stars1 which should rather be ascribed to men themselves4 ,yet it cannot bee denyed1 but that haires firmly fastened on the head1 doe signifie a good health of the head1 as also of the whole body4 ,and this is the reason1 why they that buy ,horses pull their tails1 that by this means they may judge of their soundnesse4 ,so ,hogges are tryed by their bristles1 ,fish by their shells1 and scales1 a ,bird by his feathers1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,long ,necks4 ,the necke1 if it be too long1 signifies a man to bee sollicitous1 prudent1 and attent1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,broad ,shoulders and backs4 ,broad shoulders1 and backe1 signifie a man to bee strong1 and able for carrying or removing1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,musculous ,armes4 ,armes that are musculous1 signifie a man to be strong and able for any exercise1 as beating1 pounding1 shooting1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,hard hands4 ,hands that bee hard signifie a man to bee laborious1 and a hireling1 c4 ,soft hands1 the contrary4 ,sidenote3 ,a short ,body4 ,a short body1 and long legs signifie a man to be a good runner1 to bee easily satisfied with meat1 and drinke1 and for the most part to bee of a short life4 ,great and clear veines under the middle age of man signifie a man to be full of bloud and juice1 but above the midle of his age to be commonly sick1 yet long lived4 ,sidenote3 ,nothing can be judged by the manners1 and behaviour of ,men4 ,as much as concerns the manners1 gestures of men1 nothing can be so easily known1 and judged by them4 ,for experience teacheth that these can every moment bee changed1 as to deceive the ,signator1 and make him erroneous in his judgement3 ,and because it hath not been observed hitherto so accurately by all ,astronomers2 ,it is therefore the ,signators part not alwayes to look to the manners and actions of men1 but rather to other signs of the body1 which are fixed1 and can by no ,art be counterfeited or changed4 ,for if red hairs1 moving the forehead1 and eyelids1 a cheerfull1 raised1 and unmoveable countenance1 a frequent agitation of the mouth1 a stout mused walking1 and a light mind1 should necessarily declare a man to be a gallant souldier and stout1 every one could by his industry and art make himselfe seem to be such an one2 that hee might by his lookes bee the better approved of1 and obtaine greater pay4 ,the like also may be judged of other kinds of behaviour1 which pretend to wisdom1 folly1 truth1 lying1 fortune1 victory1 c4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,of the ,astrall ,signes of ,chiromancy4 ,concerning the ,signes of ,chiromancy1 we must hold that they doe arise from the superiour stars of the seven planets2 and that wee must know and judge of them by the seven planets4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,chiromancy is4 ,now ,chiromancy is an ,art1 which doth not only look into the hands of men1 and make judgement by their lines and wrinkles1 but also considers all hearbs1 woods1 hard stones1 earthes1 and rivers1 and whatsoever hath lines1 veins1 or wrinkles4 ,neither doth this ,art want its errours1 which those ,astronomers were guilty of4 ,for they assigned the fingers of both hands to the planets1 and chiefest stars1 whereas there are but five fingers in one hand1 and in both ten1 yet the planets are reckoned but seven4 ,how then can these things agree amongst themselves8 ,now if there were seven fingers on each hand1 it then might bee granted1 that every finger might bee ascribed to severall planets4 ,sidenote3 ,whether the fingers be assigned to the ,planets4 ,but yet it falls out many times1 that some men may have but seven fingers on both hands1 the rest being casually cut off3 but seing that they were cut off1 and just seven were not at their birth1 this matter cannot be related hither4 ,and if it should be so1 that a man should bee borne with seven fingers1 whether on one hand1 or on both3 yet that were monstrous1 and beside the usuall order of ,nature1 and not subject to the stars4 ,therefore this also cannot belong to this place4 ,but if there must be but five fingers on each hand1 and seven planets1 and these mutually bee compared amongst themselves1 it would then be convenient that the lots of the planets should be put into a box1 to know which two planets must give place1 and bee left out4 ,yet because this cannot bee1 and the planets have neither dice1 nor lots in the ,firmament2 ,it would be worth wondering at1 if any one should usurp this power to himself1 as to allot by the name of the planet1 and signe1 the thumb to ,venus1 the fore-finger to ,iupiter1 the midle-finger to ,saturne1 the ring-finger to the ,sun1 and the little-finger to ,mercury1 in the meane time casting out ,mars1 and the ,moon1 as it were out of their tribe and liberty4 ,which things being so2 who can wonder that ,mars doth stir up his sons with just indignation to kill that caster of lots1 or to beare a perpetuall hatred against him8 ,who can wonder why the ,moon should enfeeble the brain of that player1 or take away his reason8 ,and this is their first errour1 which1 as wee have said1 they have committed in ,chiromancy4 ,the second errour in it is this3 ,it oftentimes happens that the originall1 and naturall lines of the hands are changed by hurts1 and casualties1 or are made greater1 or lesser1 or doe appear in other places4 ,for as if there be a high-way obstructed by any thing or be stopt up by the fall of a mountain1 or be spoiled by the overflowing of waters1 men go about in another way neer to it3 so it happens in the old lines of the hands1 that sometimes after the curing of wounds1 or ulcers1 together with new flesh1 also new lines doe grow out1 and the old are quite abolished4 ,in the same manner also by reason of hard labours the lines are defaced1 or they which were originall grow great2 as it is in trees3 ,for if a young tree send forth many branches on all sides1 these being cut off1 the tree it selfe becomes bigger4 ,but that wee may at length proceed to the practise of the ,art of ,chiromancy1 and briefly declare our opinion2 ,i would have you know1 that ,i will indeed change nothing of what concerns the hands1 but acquiesce1 and be satisfied with the observations1 and descriptions of the ,ancients4 ,yet ,i purpose in this practise of ,chiromancy to write of those things1 of which the ,ancients have made no mention of1 as of the ,chiromancy of ,hearbs1 ,woods1 ,stones1 and the like4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,chiromancy of ,hearbs and ,woods4 ,and it must first be noted1 that all ,hearbs1 which are of one kind must be of one1 and the same ,chiromancy4 ,sidenote3 ,what use is of them4 ,but if their lines bee unlike1 and appeare greater1 or lesser in some of them3 that is1 by reason of their age4 ,wee doe therefore clearly professe1 that the ,chiromancy of ,hearbs1 conduceth to nothing else but to know1 and understand the age of any ,hearb1 or ,root4 ,but by way of arguing any may here object1 that there is no hearb as long as it growes is older then another1 four or five monthes at the most1 if the supputation begins from ,may till ,autumne1 at which time hearbs die1 and fall from their root4 ,sidenote3 ,the condition of the spirit of the ,hearb4 ,to this ,i answer1 that from ,god there is but one vertue in a root1 which is the first being and spirit of the hearb1 by reason of which the hearb grows1 and is supported untill the predestinated time1 and untill it bee exalted to the production of seed4 ,and this is a sign1 and a mark1 that the vertue returns back to the root1 and so the hearb is dryed4 ,as long as that spirit which is the chiefest vertue of the hearb remaines in the root1 the hearb every yeer is renewed3 unlesse it be1 that that spirit together with the hearb be taken way1 and decayes4 ,then the hearb is not renewed4 ,for the root is dead1 and hath no more life remaining in it4 ,but after what manner that spirit together with the hearb is taken from the root1 or with the root from the earth1 that the vertue thereof cannot goe backe into the root1 or from the root into the earth1 is not to be considered in this place4 ,for that is a sublime mystery of ,nature1 and not to be openly discovered by reason of ignorant ,physitians1 who doe not only scoffe at but contemne such secrets4 ,therefore what here wee have omitted1 wee shall set downe in our ,herball4 ,moreover1 by how much the younger hearbs are1 so much the more doe they excell in power and vertue4 ,as by age a man is weakned1 and fails in strength1 so also doe hearbs4 ,but to know what the ,chiromancy1 and age of hearbs1 and such like things1 is1 daily experience is required1 seeing the number of their years is not written upon them1 but it must be divined1 as ,i have said1 by ,chiromancy only4 ,now ,chiromancy doth not consider numbers1 letters1 or characters1 but lines1 veins1 and wrinkles only1 c4 according to the age of any thing4 ,for by how much the older a thing is1 so much the greater1 and easier to be seen are the lines1 and the vertue1 and operation of the thing so much the duller4 ,sidenote3 ,young hearbs must be applyed to old diseases1 and so on the contrary4 ,for as a disease of one moneth or yeare1 is more easily cured then that which is of two1 three1 four1 or five moneths1 and years3 ,so an hearb doth sooner cure a disease of one moneth1 or year1 then that which is of two1 three1 or four moneths1 or years4 ,and for this cause young hearbs must bee applyed to old griefs2 and old hearbs or medicines to young or new diseases4 ,for if an old hearb should be applyed to an old disease1 the blind would lead the blind1 and both would fall into the ditch4 ,this is the reason why many medicines doe not work1 but are taken into the body1 and possesse the members1 as dirt sticks to the shooes1 whence diseases are afterward doubled1 c4 ,now ignorant ,physitians never considered this1 but by their ignorance have destroyed more then ever they cured4 ,in the first place therefore1 you that are ,physitians must know1 that the medicine must be younger then the disease1 that it may bee stronger to expelle it4 ,for if the medicine be more powerfull then the disease1 the disease will be overcome as fire is quenched with water4 ,but if the disease bee stronger then the medicine1 it turnes the medicine into poison1 whence diseases are afterward doubled1 and increased4 ,so if a disease bee like ,iron1 it must be cured with a ,chalybeat medicine4 ,for ,steel cannot be overcome by ,iron4 ,the more powerful doth alwaies overcome1 and the weaker is overcome4 ,although therefore it was not our purpose in the beginning to write in this place of ,physick1 yet for the sake of true1 and genuine ,physitians1 ,i could not pass over these things in silence4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,of ,minerall ,signes4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,mineralls differ4 ,mineralls also1 and ,metalls before they come to the fire have their true signes1 and significations1 which they have received from the ,archeius1 and the superiour stars1 every one of them resembling some kind of them by distinct colours1 and differences of the earth4 ,for the ,minerall of ,gold1 is distinct from the ,minerall of ,silver3 so also is the ,minerall of ,silver from that of ,copper3 and the ,minerall of ,copper from that of ,iron3 so the ,minerall of ,iron from that of ,tinne1 and ,lead1 and so of the rest4 ,no man can deny1 but that the ,minerall1 and all ,metallick bodies of ,mines1 which lie hid in the earth1 may be known by art of ,chiromancy by their exteriour signes4 ,that is1 the ,chiromancy of ,mines1 ,veines1 and ,conduits1 c4 by which not only those things1 which being hid within them1 are brought forth1 but also a certaine depth1 and richnesse of the ,mine1 and plenty of ,metall is manifested4 ,and in this ,chiromancy three things are necessary to be known1 viz4 the age1 depth1 and breadth of the veins1 as hath been said a little before of hearbs4 ,for by how much the older the veins are1 by so much the richer1 and more augmented are the ,mines4 ,concerning this we must know thus much1 that all ,metalls1 which as yet lie hid in their matrix doe constantly grow4 ,sidenote3 ,there are ,three chiefe heads of all things4 ,whence also it is manifest1 that every thing that growes1 although it be placed out of its matrix cannot be made lesse1 but forthwith grows1 7i4e47 is multiplyed1 and according to its substance1 measure1 and weight1 grows untill the predestinated time4 ,now this predestinated time is the third part1 of the appointed age of all ,mineralls1 ,vegetables1 and ,animalls1 which are the three chief heads of all earthly things4 ,now whatsoever doth yet remaine in its matrix1 doth grow so long untill the matrix dies4 ,for the matrix hath its appointed time to live1 and die1 especially if it be subject to externall ,elements4 ,sidenote3 ,what is the tearme of ,elements4 ,that which is not subject to them1 hath no other time1 or term then the ,elements themselves have1 with which it also shall die and perish in the day of ,renovation 7which is their term47 ,hence it follows1 that all things which are within the earth are not subjected to the externall ,elements1 neither are they sensible of cold1 or moisture1 or drynesse1 or wind1 or aire1 by which they may bee destroyed4 ,such kind of bodies therefore cannot bee putrefied1 or contract any filthinesse1 or stink1 or die1 as long as they continue within the earth1 in their ,chaos4 ,so much be spoken of ,metalls1 and as of them1 so also it may bee said of many men1 who in the caves of mountaines live some hundreds of years1 as if they were gyants1 or pygmies1 of which we have wrote a particular book4 ,but to descend to the practise of the ,chiromancy of ,mines1 which wee shall give you to understand in few words2 you must know that the veines by how much the deeper1 and broader they are1 so much the older4 ,for where the course of the veins is a great way extended1 and at length decay1 and are not hidden1 it is a bad signe4 ,for as the courses of the veins doe decay1 so also doe the ,mines themselves decay1 which they signifie by their depth4 ,although sometimes there are good ,mines found1 yet by how much the deeper they goe1 they doe more1 and more decay1 so that it is not worth while to worke in them4 ,but when the veins are enlarged with other additions1 or oftentimes cut off1 it is a good signe1 shewing that the ,mines are good not only in the top1 but that the same also are increased1 and multiplyed in depth1 and length for the most part1 the ,mines being made more rich1 afford pure gold1 and so a most large treasure4 ,it is without ground1 that many ,miners commend those veins only which go directly downward1 and incline from the ,east to the ,west4 ,for the nature of the ,mines and experience teacheth1 that veins oftentimes which bend from the ,west to the ,east1 or from the ,south to the ,north1 and so contrarily from the ,north to the ,south1 are not lesse rich then others are4 ,therefore there is no vein to be esteemed before another4 ,but we think it convenient to discourse of this no longer4 ,sidenote3 ,by what signes ,mines are discovered4 ,now concerning the other signes of the internall earth1 as also the colours of ,mineralls1 we shall briefly discourse of them thus4 ,as oft as ,miners fall upon a fat earth1 which doth signifie a vein of a pure1 and new metall1 that is a very good signe assuring that1 that ,metall1 of which it is a vein1 is not far off4 ,so also if the earth that is digged have no ,metall in it1 but be fat1 of a white colour1 or black1 or like clay or green1 or blue1 c4 then that also is a good signe of some good ,metall that is hid under it4 ,therefore you must continue digging1 and not give over4 ,miners in the first place have respect to the excellent1 beautiful1 and chiefest colours1 as are green earth1 or ,chrysocoll1 ,verdegrease1 ,azure1 ,cinnabar1 ,sandaracha1 ,auripigmentum1 ,litharge of ,gold1 and ,silver1 c4 every one of these almost doe for the most part signifie a peculiar ,metall1 or ,minerall4 ,so ,verdegrease1 ,chrysocolla1 green earth1 for most part signifie ,copper4 ,so ,azure1 or white ,arsenick1 or ,litharge of ,silver signifie the ,metall of ,copper4 ,so ,cinnabar1 and ,sandaracha do sometimes signifie ,gold1 sometimes ,silver1 and sometimes a mixture of both4 ,so ,auripigmentum1 red ,sulphur1 and ,litharge of ,gold1 for the most part signifie ,gold4 ,so when ,chrysocoll is found mixt with the ,azure1 or the ,azure with ,chrysocoll1 and ,auripigment1 for the most part they signifie an excellent and rich ,minerall4 ,where stones1 or earth are found of an ,iron colour1 they doe certainly betoken an ,iron ,mine4 ,you must note1 that sometimes it comes to passe1 that the ,archeius of the earth doth by some secret passage cast up some ,metall from the more inward part of the earth4 ,and that is a good signe4 ,miners therefore must not bee discouraged when they see such certaine signes1 and hope of some excellent ,mine lying under4 ,and if thin leaves of ,metalls1 like ,talke1 do adhere to rocks1 or stones1 that is a most sure sign4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,coruscations signifie in ,mines4 ,now concerning ,coruscations they must bee diligently1 and studiously observed1 for1 they are most certain signes of ,metalls lying hid under them1 as also of the same extent1 and same kind4 ,where yet wee must note1 that those ,metalls are not yet come to perfection1 but are as yet in their first being4 ,and whither soever the ,coruscation reacheth1 so far also reacheth the course of ,metalls1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,coruscations are of three colours4 ,moreover you must know1 that ,coruscation is of a threefold colour1 as ,white1 ,yellow1 and ,red1 whereby all ,metalls are discovered to us4 ,for a white ,coruscation signifies white ,metalls1 as ,tinne1 ,lead1 ,silver1 c4 a red ,coruscation signifies red ,metalls1 as ,copper1 and ,iron1 c4 a yellow ,coruscation signifies golden ,metalls4 ,add moreover1 that a thin1 and subtil ,coruscation is the best signe4 ,for as you see it is in trees1 that by how much the fewer flowers there are1 so much the better1 greater1 and more savory are the fruit3 so also small and subtile ,coruscations signifie subtile and excellent ,metalls1 as the contrary doe the contrary4 ,moreover you must know1 that as long as those ,coruscations appear1 whether they be great1 or small1 or of this or that colour1 the ,metalls in those ,mines have not yet attained to perfection1 but are yet in their first being as the sperm of a man in the matrix of a woman4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,coruscation is4 ,but now what ,coruscation is1 wee must consider in this place3 and we must know that it appears in the ,mines by night like a sparkling fire1 no otherwise then gunpowder that is laid in a long train1 and being kindled at one end makes a long flashing4 ,after the same manner is ,coruscation carried along1 from the ,east to the ,west1 or from the ,west to the ,east1 from the ,south to the ,north1 or contrarily4 ,all these ,coruscations1 how ever they appear1 are a certain signe of ,courses of ,metalls1 that by them they may be known1 and ,metalls as certain gifts of ,god may be brought forth out of the earth4 ,for what ,god created for mans use1 hee put that nature into it that it should not be hid3 and although it were hid1 yet he made peculiar externall signes which conduce to the finding of it out1 by which the wonderful predestination of it may be known4 ,in the same manner if men hide treasures they marke the place with some certain marks1 and bury them by some bound1 statue1 or fountaine1 or any other thing1 that when there is occasion they may find1 and dig them up again4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,chaldeans and ,grecians hide their treasure4 ,the ancient ,chaldeans and ,grecians1 if in times of war fearing to be driven away1 or banished1 they would hide their treasure1 would marke the place no otherwise1 then propose to themselves a certain day1 hour1 and minute of the year1 and did observe in what place the ,sun1 or ,moon should cast their shadow1 and there did bury1 and hide their treasure4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,sciomancy is4 ,this ,art they call ,sciomancy1 i4e4 the ,art of ,shadowing4 ,by these shadowings many ,arts have had their ground1 and many hid things have been revealed1 and all ,spirits1 and ,astrall bodies are known4 ,these are ,cabalisticall signes1 that cannot deceive1 and therefore diligently to bee taken notice of4 ,sidenote3 ,divining ,rods uncertaine4 ,you must therefore take heed1 that you suffer not your selves to be seduced by the divinations of uncertain ,arts2 for they are vain1 and fruitlesse1 especially ,divining rods1 which have deceived many ,miners4 ,for if they shew a thing truly once1 they faile ten times4 ,also wee must not trust other fraudulent signes of the devill1 which are made1 and appeare in the night1 and at some inconvenient times preternaturally1 such as are ghosts1 visions4 ,for ,i would have you know1 that the devill can shew1 and cause signes1 but out of meer fraud1 and deceit4 ,so there is no ,church built1 but the devill hath his ,chappell there4 ,there is no ,chappell built1 but hee sets up his ,altar4 ,there is no good seed1 but hee sows amongst it his tares4 ,the same is the nature of ,visions1 and supernaturall ,apparitions1 in ,crystalls1 ,berills1 ,looking-glasses1 and ,waters1 as they are by ,ceremoniall ,negromancers contrary to ,gods command1 and the power of the light of ,nature basely abused4 ,visions indeed are not absolutely to be rejected2 for they have their place1 but then they must bee done after another processe4 ,for now wee are not any longer in the first generation1 but the second4 ,ceremonies therefore1 and ,conjurations are not any longer to be used by us ,christians in the regeneration1 as the ,ancients in the old ,testament1 who lived in the first generation used them4 ,for those prefigurations were for us who were to live in the ,new ,testament4 ,whatsoever things therefore the ,ancients that were under the ,old ,testament1 and in the first ,generation did doe by ,ceremonies1 ,conjurations1 c4 wee ,christians of the second ,generation1 and in the ,new ,testament must doe by prayer1 knocking1 and seeking1 and procure by faith4 ,sidenote3 ,in what chiefe points the foundations of ,magick and ,cabalie consists4 ,in these #c chief points consists all the foundation of the ,magicall1 and ,cabalisticall ,art1 by which wee may obtain whatsoever we desire1 so that to us ,christians nothing is impossible4 ,but wee shall desist to treat here of more things concerning these and other monuments of ,cabalie1 spoken of sufficiently in the book of ,visions4 ,i refer you thither1 that you may see how wonderfully ,christ the ,son of ,god works by his ,angells in us ,christians1 and the faithfull1 and how brotherly he is conversant with us4 ,whence we are the true ,angels1 and members of ,christ1 as hee is our head1 as hee is in us1 so we live in him1 as is taught in the booke of the ,lords ,supper4 ,sidenote3 ,what is the vertue of the ,tincture of ,philosophers4 ,but to returne to our purpose concerning ,minerall signes1 and especially concerning the ,coruscation of ,metalline veins1 we must know1 that as ,metalls1 which are yet in their first being1 send forth their ,coruscation1 i4e4 ,signes1 so also the ,tincture of ,philosophers1 which changeth all imperfect ,metalls into ,silver1 and ,gold 7or ,white ,metalls into ,silver1 and ,red into ,gold7 puts forth its proper signs like unto ,coruscation1 if it be ,astrally perfected1 and prepared4 ,for as soon as a small quantity of it is cast upon a fluxil metall1 so that they mixe together in the fire2 there ariseth a naturall ,coruscation1 and brigthnesse1 like to that of fine ,gold1 or ,silver in a test1 which then is a signe that that ,gold1 or ,silver1 is freed and purged without all manner of addition of other ,metalls4 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,tincture of ,philosophers is made astrall4 ,but how the ,tincture of ,philosophers is made ,astrall1 you must conceive it after this manner3 ,first of all you must know1 that every ,metall1 as long as it lies hid in its first being1 hath its certaine peculiar stars4 ,so ,gold hath the stars of the ,sun1 ,silver the stars of the ,moon1 ,copper the stars of ,venus1 ,iron the stars of ,mars1 ,tinne the stars of ,jupiter1 ,lead the stars of ,saturne1 ,quicksilver the starres of ,mercury4 ,but as soon as they come to their perfection1 and are coagulated into a fixt ,metalline body1 their stars fall off from them1 and leave them1 as a dead body4 ,hence it follows1 that all such bodies are afterwards dead1 and inefficacious1 and that the unconquered star of ,metalls doth overcome them all1 and converts them into its nature1 and makes them all ,astrall4 ,sidenote3 ,gold that is made by the ,tincture is better then naturall4 ,for which cause also our ,gold1 and ,silver1 which is tinged1 and prepared with our tincture1 is much more excellent1 and better for the preparation of ,medicinall secrets1 then that which is naturall1 which ,nature generates in the ,mines1 and afterwards is separated from other ,metalls4 ,so also the ,mercury of a body1 is made ,astrally of another body1 and is much more noble1 and fixt then common ,mercury4 ,and so of the other ,metalls4 ,i say therefore1 that every ,alchymist1 which hath that star of ,gold1 can turne all ,red ,metalls into ,gold by tinging of them4 ,so by the star of ,silver all ,white ,metalls are changed into ,silver3 by the star of ,copper into ,copper3 by the star of ,quicksilver into ,mercury of the body2 and so of the rest4 ,but now how all these stars are prepared according to the ,spagiricall ,art1 it is not our purpose at this time to declare3 but the explication of them belongs to our bookes of the ,transmutation of ,metalls4 ,sidenote3 ,the nature of the red ,tincture4 ,but as for that which concerns their signes1 ,i would have you know1 that our ,red tincture1 which contains the stars of ,gold to bee of a most fixt substance1 of most quick penetration1 and of a most intense redness1 in powder resembling the colour of ,saffron1 but in its whole body the colour of a ,rubie2 ,i say it is a ,tincture as fluxil as ,wax1 as transparent as ,crystall1 as brittle as ,glasse1 and for weight most heavy4 ,sidenote3 ,the nature of the white4 ,the white tincture1 which containes the star of the ,moon is after the same manner of a fixt substance1 of an unchangeable quantity1 of wonderfull whitenesse1 as fluid as ,resine1 as transparent as ,crystall1 as brittle as ,glasse1 and for weight like to a ,diamond4 ,sidenote3 ,the star of ,copper4 ,the star of ,copper is of a wonderfull citrine colour1 like to an ,emrald1 as fluxill as ,resine1 much heavier then its ,metall4 ,sidenote3 ,the star of white ,tin4 ,the starre of white ,tinne is as fluid as ,resine1 of a darke colour with some mixture of yellow4 ,sidenote3 ,the star of ,iron4 ,the star of ,iron is very red1 as transparent as a ,granate1 as fluxil as ,resine1 as brittle as ,glasse1 of a fixt substance1 much heavier then its ,metall4 ,sidenote3 ,the star of ,lead4 ,the star of ,lead is like ,cobaltum1 black1 yet transparent1 as fluxile as ,resine1 as brittle as ,glasse1 equall to ,gold for weight1 heavier then other ,lead4 ,sidenote3 ,the star of ,quicksilver4 ,the star of ,quicksilver is of a wonderfull white1 sparkling colour1 like to snow1 in the extreamest cold weather1 very subtile1 of a penetrating1 corrosive acrimony1 as transparent as ,crystall1 flowing as easily as ,resine1 very cold to the tast1 but very hot within1 as if it were fire1 but of a very volatil substance in the fire4 ,by this description the stars of the ,metalls are to be known1 and understood4 ,also you must understand1 that for the preparation of both tinctures1 viz4 of the ,red and ,white1 you must not in the beginning take of your work the body of ,gold1 or ,silver1 but the first being of ,gold1 and ,silver4 ,for if in the beginning there be an errour committed all your pains1 and labour will be in vain4 ,so also you must understand of ,metalls1 that every one of them receives a peculiar signe in the fire1 by which it is known4 ,of this kind are sparks1 flames1 glisterings1 the colour1 smell1 taste of fire1 c4 ,so the true signe of ,gold1 or ,silver in the test is glistering4 ,that appearing1 it is certain that ,lead1 and other ,metalls that were mixed are fumed away1 and that the ,gold1 and ,silver is fully purged4 ,the signes of ,iron being red hot in the furnace1 are cleer transparent sparks flying upward4 ,those appearing1 the ,iron unlesse it be taken from the fire is burnt like straw1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,to know how ,metalls have more or less of the three principles4 ,after the same manner any earthly body shews its peculiar1 and distinct signes in the fire1 whether it have more of ,mercury1 ,sulphur1 or ,salt1 and which of the three principles it hath most of4 ,for if it fume before it flame1 it is a signe that it containes more ,mercury then ,sulphur4 ,but if it presently burn with a flame1 and without any fume1 it is a signe that it contains much ,sulphur1 and little or no ,mercury4 ,this you see in fat substances1 as ,tallow1 ,oyle1 ,resine1 and the like3 but if without any flame it goes all into fume1 it is a signe that there is in it much ,mercury1 and little or no ,sulphur4 ,this you see happens in hearbs1 and flowers1 c4 and other ,vegetable substances1 and volatile bodies1 as are ,mineralls1 and ,metalls1 remaining yet in their first being1 and are not mixed with any sulphureous body1 which send forth a fume1 and no flame4 ,mineralls1 and ,metalls1 which send forth neither fume nor flame1 doe shew an equall mixtion of ,mercury1 and ,sulphur1 and a perfect fixation4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,of some peculiar ,signes of ,naturall and ,supernaturall things4 ,wee must yet further speak of some peculiar signes1 of which hitherto we have said nothing4 ,in which ,treatise it will be very necessary for you1 that boast your selves to have skill in the ,art of ,signatures1 and desire to be called ,signators1 that you rightly understand mee4 ,for wee shall not in this place write theoretically1 but practically1 and shall declare our opinion in few words4 ,sidenote3 ,what the art of signing is4 ,and first know1 that the ,art of signing doth teach how true1 and sutable names are to bee put upon all things1 all which ,adam truly knew4 ,for presently after the ,creation hee gave to every thing its proper name1 as to ,animalls1 so to ,trees1 ,hearbs1 ,rootes1 ,stones1 ,mineralls1 ,metalls1 ,waters1 c4 ,and to all the fruits of the earth1 ,water1 ,air1 ,fire1 c4 ,and what names he put upon them all1 were ratified1 and approved of by ,god4 ,for from the true1 and intrinsecall foundation he tooke them all2 not from opinion1 or from a predestinated science1 viz4 the ,art of ,signing4 ,sidenote3 ,adam the first signator4 ,adam therefore was the first ,signator4 ,and it cannot be denyed1 that also from the ,hebrew tongue true and proper names doe flow1 and are put upon every thing according to its nature1 and condition4 ,sidenote3 ,the nature of the ,hebrew tongue4 ,for what names are put upon them from the ,hebrew tongue1 doe with the same labour signifie their vertue1 power1 and property4 ,so when wee say1 this is a ,hog1 a ,horse1 a ,cow1 a ,beare1 a ,dog1 a ,fox1 a ,sheep4 ,sidenote3 ,the signification of a ,hog1 ,horse1 ,cow1 ,beare1 ,fox1 ,dog1 sheep1 in the ,hebrew tongue4 ,the name of a ,hog signifies together with it a filthy and unclean ,animall3 so a ,horse signifies a strong and patient ,animall3 a ,cow1 a devouring1 and insatiable beast3 a ,bear1 a strong1 victorious1 and an untamed brute3 a ,fox1 a shifting1 and crafty beast3 a ,dog1 an animall false to those of his own kind3 a ,sheep1 a mild and profitable beast1 and hurtful to none4 ,hence it is that a man is called a ,hog1 for his sordid and swinish life4 ,and a ,horse for his bearing1 for which hee is eminent4 ,and a ,cow1 because shee is unsatiable with meat1 and drink1 and knows no measure of her belly4 ,and a ,bear1 because he is mishapen1 and stronger then other men4 ,a ,fox1 because he is a turn-coat1 and deceitfull1 accommodating himselfe to all1 and offending none4 ,a ,dog1 because he is faithfull to none1 but his own mouth1 is false1 and inofficious to all4 ,and a ,sheep1 because hee hurts no body but himselfe1 and is usefull to all1 rather then to himself1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,in what hearbs there is a signature4 ,after this manner also many ,hearbs1 and ,rootes have got their name4 ,so ,eye-bright is so called1 because it cures weak1 and sore eyes4 ,so the ,root ,bloudwort is so called1 because it stops bloud better then any other4 ,so the ,hearb ,pile-wort is so called1 because it cures the piles better then other hearbs4 ,the same also may be said of divers other hearbs1 of which sort ,i could reckon a great number1 all which were so called from their vertue1 and faculty1 as shall more largely be declared in our ,herball4 ,moreover1 there bee many ,hearbs1 and ,rootes1 which are denominated not only from their imbred vertue1 and faculty1 but also from their figure1 forme1 and representation3 ,as1 ,devills-bit1 ,five-leaved grasse1 or ,cinquefoile1 ,hounds-tongue1 ,adders-tongue1 ,horse-taile1 ,liver-wort1 ,ox-tongue1 ,lungwort1 the hearb ,chameleon1 ,st4 ,johns-wort1 or the hearb boared through1 the hearb ,dog-stone1 ,tongue-laurell1 ,thorow-leafe1 ,turne-sole1 and many others which shall not here1 but in the ,herball bee severally considered4 ,sidenote3 ,what signature there is in ,animalls4 ,the same also holds concerning the signes of ,animalls2 for by the bloud1 and its circle1 and by the urine and its circle all diseases that lie hid in ,man may be known4 ,by the liver of a slain beast the flesh is known whether it be wholsome to be eaten or no4 ,for unlesse the liver be clear1 and of a red colour1 but blew1 or yellow1 or rough1 or full of holes1 the beast is diseased1 and therefore his flesh unwholsome4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,liver the originall of ,bloud4 ,and it is no wonder that the liver can shew that by naturall signes4 ,for the originall of the bloud is in the liver1 and hence through the veins it is diffused into the whole body1 and is coagulated into flesh4 ,therefore from a diseased1 and ill affected liver1 no sound or fresh bloud can be produced1 as of bad bloud no wholsome flesh can be coagulated4 ,also without inspection into the liver1 flesh and bloud may be known4 ,for if both be sound1 they have their true1 and naturall colour1 which is red1 and clear1 mixed with no other strange colour1 as yellow1 or blew4 ,for those strange colours do signifie diseases1 and sicknesses4 ,sidenote3 ,what the knots in the ,navell of the ,infant signifie4 ,also there are other signes worthy of admiration1 viz4 when the ,archeius is the ,signator1 and signes the navell in the infant with little knots1 by which it may bee conjectured1 what the ,mother of the infant did bring forth1 or shall bring forth4 ,sidenote3 ,the branches of a ,harts horn signifie his age4 ,the same ,signator signs the horns of a ,hart with branches1 by which his age is known4 ,for as many branches as the horn hath1 so many years old is the ,hart4 ,and seeing he hath every year a new horn1 the age of the ,hart may be known to twenty1 or thirty years4 ,sidenote3 ,the circles of the hornes of a ,cow what4 ,so the ,signator of a ,cow markes her hornes with circles1 by which it may be known how many ,calves shee hath brought forth4 ,for every ,circle signifies a ,calfe4 ,sidenote3 ,the teeth of a ,horse4 ,the same ,signator puts forth the first teeth of a ,horse1 that the first seven yeers his age may be known by his teeth4 ,for at first a ,horse is brought forth1 with fourteen teeth1 of which every yeer hee loseth two1 and so in the space of seven yeares hee loseth all4 ,so that after seven yeares his age can hardly be known1 unlesse by one that is very skilful4 ,sidenote3 ,the bills and claws of ,birds4 ,the same ,signator doth signe the bills and claws of ,birds with peculiar signes1 that the skilfull ,fowler may know their age by them4 ,sidenote3 ,the tongues of ,hogs4 ,the same ,signator doth marke the tongues of diseased ,hogs with little pushes1 by which their impurity is known1 and as their tongue is impure1 so is their whole body4 ,sidenote3 ,colours of ,clouds4 ,the same ,signator doth signe clouds with divers colours1 by which the seasons of the heaven may bee foreknown4 ,sidenote3 ,colours of the circle of the ,moon4 ,so also he signs the circle of the moon with distinct colours1 of which every one is of peculiar interpretation4 ,so redness signifies that there wil be wind2 greennesse1 and blacknesse1 raine1 these two mixed together wind and rain1 the same in the sea is a signe of great storms1 and tempests2 clearnesse1 and a bright whitenesse is a good sign1 especially in the ocean4 ,for1 for the most part it signifies a quiet1 faire season4 ,whatsoever the ,moon portends by her signs1 shall come to passe the next day4 ,and so much for ,naturall signes4 ,now for ,supernaturall signes1 they are things of a particular science1 as of ,magical ,astronomy1 c4 and the like4 ,it is therefore necessary that you be skilled in them4 ,sidenote3 ,the kinds of ,magicall ,astronomie4 ,hence also many other ,arts proceed1 as ,geomancy1 ,pyromancy1 ,hydromancy1 ,chaomancy1 and ,necromancy1 whereof every one hath its peculiar stars1 which stars doe so signe them after a supernaturall manner4 ,and you must know1 that the starres of ,geomancy impresse their signs upon the earthy bodies of the whole ,universe1 and that divers wayes4 ,for they change the earth1 and cause earthquakes1 and gapings1 they produce hills1 and valleys1 and bring many new ,vegetables1 they produce also ,gamaheaus 7see ,transcriber's ,note7 with naked figures1 and images1 having wonderfull vertues1 and powers1 which indeed they receive from the seven planets1 as the ,but or mark receives the arrow from the ,archer4 ,but how those signs1 and images of ,gamaheaus may be known apart1 and what they signifie magically2 there is required a great experience1 and knowledg of the nature of things1 which can by no meanes bee here perfectly taught4 ,here you must well note1 that the stone1 or every ,gamaheaus1 cannot excell in the property1 and vertue but of one star1 and so be qualified but by one planet4 ,and although there bee two or more planets in earthly bodies1 as they are joined together in the superiour firmament3 yet one is repressed by the other4 ,for as one house cannot bear two ,masters1 but the one thrusts out the other3 so also it is here2 the one rules1 the other serves3 ,or as one that overcomes him that keeps any house1 casts him out by force2 and sets himself1 as master of the house1 disposing of all things according to his pleasure1 and making the other his servant4 ,so also one starre expells another1 one planet another1 one ,ascendant another1 one influence another1 one impression another1 one ,element another2 ,for as water quencheth the fire2 so one planet destroyes the property of another1 and brings in its owne4 ,the same is after the same manner to be understood of their signes1 which are manifold1 and not only characters1 as many conceive1 but all those1 which are found in the whole map of the planets1 i4e4 whatsoever are of affinity with1 or subject to the planets4 ,sidenote3 ,what things are subject to the ,sun4 ,but that you may the better understand mee by adding an example3 ,i would have you know1 that unto the planet of the ,sun are subjected a crowne1 a scepter1 a throne1 and all kingly power1 majesty1 and rule1 and all riches1 treasures1 ornaments1 and furniture of this world4 ,sidenote3 ,what to the ,moone4 ,unto the planet of the ,moon are subjected all husbandry1 navigation1 travelling1 and travellers1 and such things as belong to these4 ,sidenote3 ,what to ,mars4 ,unto the planet of ,mars are subjected all fortifications1 armour1 coats for defence1 ,ordnance of ,war1 spears1 and all weapons1 and whatsoever belongs to war4 ,sidenote3 ,what to ,mercury4 ,unto the planet of ,mercury are subjected all ,artists1 all ,mechanick instruments1 and whatsoever is required to ,arts4 ,sidenote3 ,what to ,iupiter4 ,unto the planet of ,jupiter are subjected all judgments1 and rights1 the whole ,leviticall order1 all ,ministers of ,churches1 ornaments of ,temples1 all jewells1 and such like4 ,sidenote3 ,what to ,venus4 ,unto the planet of ,venus are subjected whatsoever things belong to ,musick1 as ,musicall instruments1 venereall exercises1 loves1 whorings1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,what to ,saturn4 ,unto ,saturne are subjected whosoever work in and beneath the earth1 as ,miners1 ,pioners1 ,bearers of the dead1 ,diggers of ,wells1 as also all instruments serving to either of these1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,what be the signes of ,pyromancy4 ,pyromancy draws forth its signes by the stars of the fire1 in common fire by particular sparkes1 flames1 or noise1 c4 in the mines by ,coruscations3 in the ,firmament by stars1 comets1 flashing1 and lightning1 and ,nostock1 and the like3 in ,visions by ,salamandrine1 and fiery spirits4 ,sidenote3 ,what the signes of ,hydromancy are4 ,hydromancy gives its signes by the stars of the ,water1 by their overflowings1 their scarcity1 discolourings1 commotions1 new streames1 the washings away of earthy things3 in ,magick1 and ,necromancy by ,nymphs1 visions and supernaturall ,monsters in the waters1 and sea4 ,sidenote3 ,what are the signes of ,chaomancy4 ,chaomancy shews its signes by the stars of the ,aire1 and ,wind1 by the discolouring1 destroying of all tender1 and subtill things1 to which the ,wind is an enemie1 by beating off the flowers1 leaves1 boughes1 and branches4 ,if the stars of ,chaomancy are moved1 spirits fall from the superiour ,aire1 and voices1 and answers are often heard3 ,also ,trees are pulled up by the rootes1 and ,houses are thrown down4 ,there are seen ,hobgoblins1 ,houshold ,gods1 airy spirits1 and ,woodmen1 c4 also a heavenly dew1 and manna falls upon ,trees1 and ,hearbs4 ,sidenote3 ,the signes of ,necromancy4 ,necromancy draws forth its signs by the stars of ,death1 which we call ,evestra1 which are prophetical spirits1 signing the body of the sick1 and dying man with red1 blue1 and purple spots1 which are certaine signs of death1 in the third day of their rising4 ,they sign also the hands1 and fingers of men with a clay colour1 which are certain signs of change1 either good or bad4 ,when therfore the stars of ,necromancy are moved1 then the dead shew some wonderful sign1 as ,bleeding1 and voices are heard out of the graves3 tumults1 tremblings arise in the places where bones are laid1 and dead men appear in the form1 and habit of living men1 and are seen in ,visions1 in ,looking-glasses1 in ,berills1 in ,stones1 and ,waters1 and divers shapes4 ,evestra1 i4e4 spirits give their signs by beating1 striking1 knocking1 falling1 casting1 c4 where there is a great hurly burly and noise only heard1 but nothing seen1 all which are certain signes of death1 presaging it to him1 in whose habit they appear1 or to some in what place they are heard4 ,besides1 these signatures many more may be reckoned up4 ,but seeing they bring with them1 evill1 hurtfull and dangerous fancies1 and imaginations1 and superstitions1 which may be an occasion not onely of some misfortune1 but also death1 ,i shall passe them over in silence4 ,they are prohibited from being revealed to us1 seeing they belong to the schoole of secrets1 and divine power4 ,therefore now ,i shall put an end to this book4 ,,finis4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,a ,,chymicall ,,dictionary3 ,,explaining ,hard ,places and ,words met withall in the ,writings of ,paracelsus1 and other obscure ,,authours4 ,illustration3 99decorative divider99 ,london1 ,printed by ,richard ,cotes1 for ,thomas ,williams at the ,bible in ,little-,britain1 #afej4 ,a4 ,acetum ,philosophorum is a ,mercuriall water1 or otherwise is called ,virgins milke1 wherein they say ,metalls are dissolved4 ,acetum radicale is ,vineger distilled out of its owne roote1 and matrix1 and is called the ,dissolving ,water4 ,adamita is a certain kind of ,tartar4 ,adech is our interiour1 and invisible man1 which represents the formes of all things in our mind1 which afterward our outward man doth frame1 and imitate with its own hands2 both of them work according to their nature4 ,aerdadi are corporeall spirits living in the air4 s doth not alwaies signifie ,copper1 but sometimes ,gold1 or ,silver1 or any other ,metall that is pure1 and generated by it self1 without the mixtion of any other ,metall1 or ,stone2 out of some such kind of ,metall1 they formerly made and coined money4 stphara is the burning of flesh1 or the substance of the body into ashes4 thna is called ,subterranean fire1 invisible1 and sulphureous1 which burnes stones into coales1 like ,jeat in the mountains1 which are full of ,resine1 and ,bitumen4 thnici are called fiery spirits1 or spirituall men burning in the fire1 which appear in divers forms1 and shapes1 as fiery flames1 firebrands1 round balls of coals1 and that especially in ,sulphur mountains4 ,alandahal1 or ,alhandal is ,coloquintida4 ,alcaest1 or ,altaest1 is said to be prepared ,mercury1 some will have it to bee ,tartar1 but the mind of the ,authour is more easily understood by the description of the preparation of it4 ,alcali is called all manner of ,salt1 which is extracted out of ashes1 or calx of any matter by boiling in lie4 ,alchymia is the separation of that which is impure from a purer substance4 ,alcofol1 or 7as some will have it ,alcosol7 is stibium1 or ,antimony4 ,alcol1 ,alcool1 or ,alcohol is a most subtil powder of any thing4 ,alcool vini is the spirit of ,wine rectified4 ,alcubrith1 or ,alcur1 or ,alazar is the same that ,sulphur is4 ,alembrot purified is salt of ,tartar1 and the ,magistery of it4 ,alembroth is salt of ,mercury1 or salt of ,philosophers4 ,almizadir is ,verdegrease4 ,altey plumbi is the sweet matter of ,lead4 ,alusar is ,manna4 ,amalgama is the making of ,gold1 ,silver1 or any other ,metall into a past with ,quicksilver4 ,amianthus is a stone like to ,alumen plumosum in nature1 and condition2 it is not burnt in the fire1 wherefore it is also called the ,salamander4 ,amidum1 or ,amilum is the whitest flowre made into bread in the ,sun4 ,amnis alcalisatus is water passing through the chalk of the earth1 out of which ,alcali is taken4 ,amygdale1 with ,chirurgions is called the superfluous flesh which growes at the roote of the tongue4 ,anachmus is an incorporeall spirit4 ,anathron1 or ,anachthron is a kind of ,salt growing upon rocks like white1 and stony mosse1 some call it salt nitre4 ,the ancients falsly thought it to bee the gall of glasse1 seeing it is rather the gall of stones4 ,anatomia ,essata is the mother of diseases4 ,anatrum is glasse melted into divers colours1 which they call smaltum1 or terra ,sarasenica4 ,andena is ,steel brought from the orientall countries1 which melts in the fire like other ,metall1 and is cast into severall forms4 ,anthos in ,vegetables signifies ,rosemary flowers1 and in ,metalls it signifies the ,elixir or quintessence of ,gold4 ,anticar is ,borax4 ,anatris1 or ,antaris is ,mercury4 ,aniada are the fruits1 and vertues of paradise1 and heaven1 also the sacraments of ,christians1 in naturall ,philosophy it signifies the ,astrall vertues1 and celestiall1 as they conduce by their influence unto long life4 ,aniaday signifies an eternall spring1 a new world to come1 or paradise4 ,aniadum is a celestiall body planted in us ,christians by the ,holy-ghost1 by the holy sacraments1 or it is the spirituall man regenerated in us4 ,aniadus is the efficacy of things4 ,anima is our ,mercury4 ,anima ,saturni is the sweetnesse of ,lead4 ,annora is the ashes of ,egs1 or ,quick-lime4 ,annus ,aniadin is a long life4 ,annus ,platonicus is a common moneth1 or an age4 ,anodus is that which is separated from the nutriment by the kidnies4 ,anodyna are ,medicines procuring sleep4 ,anontagius is the ,philosophers stone4 ,anotasier1 ,aliocab or ,alemzadar is ,salt ,armoniack4 ,antera is a ,medicine extracted out of hyacinths1 also that yellow which growes in the middle of ,lillies1 and the like4 ,anterit is ,mercury4 ,anthonor1 or ,athonar is a furnace4 ,aphorismus is a generall rule in ,physick1 taken for granted4 ,aqua celestina is ,mercuriall water4 ,aqua ,celestis is rectified ,wine1 being in some sort made like to the heaven for subtilty1 and purenesse4 ,aqua corrodens is ,vineger1 and all ,corrosive ,liquor4 ,aqua fecum vini1 is that which is made of the ashes of the lees of ,wine1 dissolved upon a marble like oyle of ,tartar4 ,aqua lubricata is made of mucilaginous things1 as ,sugar1 ,juleps1 and the like4 ,aqua permanens is that which is made of two most perfect ,metalline bodies by a ,philosophicall solution4 ,aqua ,saturnia is that which retains in it selfe the nature of the three ,principles1 as are ,bath-waters1 which are naturally medicinable4 ,aqua solvens is distilled ,vineger4 ,aquaster is a vision representing something to our eyes1 sometimes which truly is not1 but only in appearance4 ,aquila is the ,queen of birds1 and it is used for salt ,armoniack by reason of its lightnesse in sublimation4 ,but ,paracelsus will have it in many places to be taken for ,mercury precipitated with gold4 ,aquila ,philosophorum is the ,mercury of ,metalls i4e4 ,metall reduced into its first matter4 ,arbor ,maris is ,corall1 which grows like a shrub in the sea4 ,arcanum in generall as it signifies any thing that is hid1 so in ,paracelsus it signifies any secret incorporeall vertue in naturall things1 partaking of a perpetuall1 and immortal life1 derived upon it from heaven1 which also may bee multiplyed by the ,spagiricall art above its former condition4 ,archaltes1 is in ,paracelsus the foundation of the earth1 or a pillar1 which seems not to be upheld by its fellows1 but as it were by a wonderfull providence of ,god4 ,archeius is the highest1 exalted1 and invisible spirit1 which is separated from bodies1 is exalted1 and ascends1 the universall occult nature1 operator1 and ,physitian in all things4 ,so ,archiatrus is the supream ,physitian of ,nature1 which distributes to every thing and every member their peculiar ,archeius occultly by ,ares4 ,also ,archeius is the first in ,nature1 the most secret vertue1 producing all things out of ,iliaste1 being supported by a divine power4 ,ares is the dispenser of ,nature hid in all the three principles1 whence every thing hath its being1 and which disposeth to all things in a particular form1 shape1 and substance1 that it may put on its own proper specifical nature1 not anothers4 ,but you must note1 the difference betwixt these #c in nature1 to speak after the manner of schools4 ,iliastes is the substance of the highest genus1 or kind consisting in the first universall matter of all things1 which it doth first dispose into three kinds1 viz4 into ,sulphur1 ,mercury1 and salt4 ,the ,archeius is the first dispenser of ,nature1 and then it produceth all things into its next genera or kinds4 ,then comes ,ares another dispenser of ,nature1 which produceth from kinds1 or genera1 forms1 and species into individualls4 ,ardentia are such things which having received no food1 are by their owne nature subject to burnings1 as ,amber1 ,turpentine1 ,jeat1 and such like4 ,aridura is the totall consumption of the body1 and parts thereof4 ,arles crudum is drops falling in the moneth of ,iune1 like ,may dew4 ,aromata1 are all such things1 which yeeld a sweet1 and gratefull smell4 ,aroph is ,mandrake4 ,arsaneck is sublimed ,arsenick4 ,arsenicum is the flashing of ,metalls1 or the salt of them1 or of ,saturne1 which in some places is called ,artanek1 or ,artanech4 ,artetiscus is he that wants any member4 ,arthoicum is red oyle1 artificially extracted out of the rootes of ,hearbs digested with bread in dung4 ,asaphatum is an itch bred betwixt the skin1 and the flesh1 like worms3 and if the skinne bee crushed1 long threds with black heads come forth4 ,ascendentia signa are called either the stars of the ,firmament of heaven1 or the sydereall spirits4 ,asphaltum is a ,bitumen extracted from the mudde of the earth1 and water1 and is like pitch4 ,assala is called a ,nutmeg4 ,assali vermes are those wormes which breed in wood1 or betwixt two boards1 and they are called ,teredones4 ,asthma is a disease of the lungs causing difficulty of breathing4 ,astrum is in this place called the vertue and power got by the preparations of things as the star of ,sulphur is its inflaming which is turned into most excellent oyle3 so the star of salt is its resolution into water1 or oyle1 which thereby receives more vertues then it had before4 ,the star of ,mercury is its sublimation1 by which it acquires a wonderfull power1 and vertue1 greater1 and more subtile then its naturall4 ,astrum ex igne1 is a burning ,fire of great impression4 ,athanor1 or ,athanar is a furnace in the spagirical ,art1 but especially a reverberatory1 sometimes of other use as the artificer pleaseth4 ,attractiva are called magnetick medicaments1 which have a power to draw to them such things as are compounded of the like attractives4 ,attramentum signifies divers things according to the adjective that is put to it3 as that which ,shoomakers use1 is ,copperis1 such as is red within3 that which ,writers use1 is called inke1 sooty1 and it is called blacking1 also all kinds of ,copperis4 ,augurista is called a superstitious ,artist who practiseth his ,art in ,looking-glasses1 ,chrystalls1 and in ,waters1 especially in the singing1 and flying of birds1 that he may presage by them2 he also observes other rites for the same cause4 ,aurum planatum is that which they call ,leafe ,gold1 or malleated ,gold4 ,aurum potabile is liquor of ,gold1 without any ,corrosive1 which very few know1 yea of those who daily prepare it rather to the destruction1 then health of men4 ,aurum vit is precipitated ,gold1 and reverberated into the highest degree of rednesse1 like ground ,cinnabar4 ,that is the best which is made1 and precipitated with its proper ,mercury4 ,aurum vivum is sometimes taken for ,quicksilver4 ,austromantia is a certain kind of superstition invented1 concerning the observation of ,winds1 as when the stars of the ,winds break forth into great vehemency1 contrary to their custome1 whence men that are more idle then rationall1 pronounce a presage of something to come4 ,avis ,hermetis is the ,mercury of ,philosophers1 which ascends1 and then descends for nourishment4 ,axungia de ,mumia1 or ,mumia de ,medullis is the marrow of ,bones4 ,azemasor is ,minnium1 or ,cinnabar4 ,azoth is ,quicksilver extracted out of any body1 and it is properly called the ,mercury of the body1 but in ,paracelsus it is the universall medicine of things4 ,b4 ,balneum ,mari1 or ,maris1 as many call it1 is a furnace for distillation containing water1 in which being warm ,chymicall vessells are put for the putrefaction of the matter which they contain1 as also for their separation1 and for the performing the operations of that kind of moist ascensions4 ,balneum roris is a furnace1 in which the vessells of ,distillation are put over the vapour of the water only1 that the vapour doe not touch the body3 also it is called a vaporous furnace4 ,balsamum is a substance of bodies preserving things from putrefaction4 ,it is internall1 and externall4 ,internall in man is a certain temperate substance1 not bitter1 nor sweet1 nor soure1 not ,minerall salt1 but the salt of liquor1 which preserves the body strongly from putrefaction4 ,externall is ,turpentine1 which hath never come to the fire1 but is digested4 ,balsamum de ,mumiis is that which is extracted from flesh4 ,balsamum ,elementorum externum is a liquor of externall ,mercury1 i4e4 the ,mummie of externall elements1 one of the three principles1 the firmamentall essence of things4 ,baul is urine4 ,baurac is any kind of brine4 ,berillistica is an art of observing visions in those kinds of glasses4 ,berillus is a ,crystalline ,looking-glasse superstitiously consecrated by the ,augurs4 ,bismutum is the lightest1 whitest1 and basest kind of ,lead4 ,bitumen is a certaine kind of slimie mud extracted out of water1 and is like to pitch1 and is as it were the pitch of the earth4 ,bothor are wheales1 or pustles4 ,botin is ,turpentine4 ,brassadella1 or ,brassatella is ,adders-tongue4 ,brunus is ,st4 ,anthony's fire4 ,bruta is an influence of a ,celestiall vertue1 which by ,brutes is manifested to men1 as in the ,sallendine by the ,swallow1 in ,salt the use of a ,glyster by the ,storke1 and many more of that kind4 ,butyrum ,saturni is that which above is called ,altey1 and it is the sweetnesse of ,lead4 ,c4 ,cabela1 or ,cabalia is a most secret science1 which is said to be delivered by divine inspiration1 together with the law of ,moses1 the ,hebrew ,rabbies asserting the same4 ,the ,persians were most diligent seekers of this ,art1 being also professors of the same1 as appears by their calling of their wise men4 ,they call their ,priests wise men1 and most skilfull of all secrets1 such as were those three that came to ,christ out of the ,east to worship him1 and not ,kings1 as the ignorant vulgar think them to be4 ,it was not set down in writing1 but delivered by word of mouth4 ,now after a while superstitious men1 a kind of apes1 began to spatter it with their pen1 so that at last it is degenerated into monstrous superstition2 by which means also ,magick1 which is the true wisdome that is received by divine inspiration1 is accounted in these times ,necromancy1 and ,nigromancy1 so that it is an offence to be a wise man1 and hee that professeth it openly shall cast himselfe into danger4 ,but to teach the foolishnesse of ,infidels publickly is commendable1 and a gift of singular wisdome1 and no man is judged wise1 but hee that is the greatest foole4 ,caballi1 or ,cabales are ghosts1 and ,astrall stars of men that dyed before their time4 ,calcedonium tartarum is an offensive matter in mans body1 which comes by reason of the defect of the expulsive faculty in not expelling what is separated4 ,cafa is ,champhir4 ,calcanthum is ,vitriall4 ,calcinatum majus is called all that which is made sweet by the ,spagiricall art1 which of its own nature was not so1 as the sweetnesse of ,mercury1 of ,lead1 of ,salt or the like1 which also is called their soul1 and doth quickly consolidate any wound4 ,calcinatum minus is all that which is natural sweet1 and is very healing1 as ,sugar1 ,manna1 ,honey of the ,wood1 ,nostock and the like4 ,calcitis is a stone out of which brasse is boiled4 ,caleruth is a signe of a desire to the first perpetuum1 as when any thing desires to return into its first matter from whence it had its originall4 ,callena is a kind of ,saltpetre4 ,calliette are yellow mushromes upon ,juniper trees4 ,calx ,iovis is spirit of ,tin4 ,calx lignorum is the ashes of ,wood4 ,calx ,luna is the ,azure flower of ,silver4 ,calx ,martis is ,crocus of ,steel or ,iron4 ,calx ,mercurii is precipitated ,mercury4 ,calx ,solis is calcined ,gold4 ,calx peregrinorum is ,tartar4 ,calx permanens or fixa1 is an incombustible matter4 ,calx ,saturni is ,minium4 ,calx ,veneris is ,verdegrease4 ,cambuca is an aposteme1 or ulcer in the groin4 ,caput corvi is ,antimony4 ,caput mortuum is the feces remaining after distillation1 and sublimation4 ,carbones cli are the stars4 ,carbunculus is an aposteme1 or pestilent ulcer4 ,cardonium is a medicinable ,wine made of ,hearbs4 ,carena is the twentyeth part of a drop4 ,caseus prparatus is the viscous residency remaining in the bottome of the milke that runnes out of the cheese4 ,cassatum is weak1 and dead bloud in the veins obstructing the motion of the good blood4 ,cathimia is the spume of ,silver4 ,cauda vulpis rubicundi is ,minium of ,lead4 ,cautela in ,spagiricall art is a certaine kind of industry gotten by a habit1 whereby the professors of the art doe more easily undergoe their labors1 and perfect their operations4 ,cauterium is a chirurgicall instrument1 which opens the skin with burning2 also it is a medicine that effects the same1 but without pain4 ,cedurini are dull wits4 ,cementum is a dry ,corrosion1 when any ,metalline body is calcined with salts1 or such like drying things4 ,cenigdam1 or ,ceningotam is a ,chirurgicall instrument wherewith the ,cranium is opened in fits of the ,epilepsie4 ,ceniotemium is ,mercury prepared for the ,venereal disease4 ,cervicul is the spirit made out of the bone which is in the heart of a ,hart4 ,chaomancy is an art of presaging by the aire4 ,chaos1 besides the confused1 and unshaped matter of all things1 is in ,paracelsus taken for the ,aire2 it is also taken for ,illiaste1 or ,illiastro4 ,character veneris is love1 which is in stead of a shield in keeping off danger4 ,cheiri in ,paracelsus if it be put absolutely without any adjection1 and if it be spoken of ,mineralls1 it signifies ,quicksilver1 if of ,vegetables1 ,vegetable flowers4 ,but when it is found with an adjection after this manner1 flos ,cheiri1 it signifies the white ,elixir made of silver1 as ,flos ,anthos signifies the red ,elixir4 ,cherio is the occult accidentall vertue of the externall ,elements1 and not the qualities of heat1 and cold1 and the like4 ,cherionium is that in which ,nature cannot be altered1 as ,crystal1 which is so hardened by nature1 that it cannot bee melted as that which is made by ,art4 ,cherubin is a celestiall vertue1 and influence1 domination1 and power above all dominations1 and powers1 proceeding from ,god1 and descending upon the earth1 and upon all men4 ,of this divine glory ,paracelsus speaks largely in the expositions of the ,psalms of ,david4 ,cherva is ,cataputia1 i4e4 the ,hearb ,spurge4 ,chifir ,minerale is of some interpreted ,gold1 but ,i judg it by what goes before to bee the ,sulphur of any ,metall4 ,chiromancy according to ,paracelsus doth not treat of the lineaments of the hands only1 but also of the whole body1 and not only of men1 but all naturall things besides4 ,chybur1 or ,cibur is ,sulphur4 ,chymia is the art of ,separating pure from impure1 and of making essences4 ,chrysocolla is a kind of green earth like ,verdegrease4 ,chrysos is ,gold4 ,chymus is ,feces4 ,cineritium is ,ciment of ,gold1 or ,silver1 which some call ,regale4 ,cinificatum is the same as ,calcinatum1 i4e4 burnt to ashes4 ,cist1 or ,kist1 is the quantity of two ,gallons of ,wine4 ,citrinula is a blistering ,hearb called ,crow-foot4 ,citrinulum is a transparent salt1 made out of calcined vitriall4 ,citrinulus is pale ,crystall4 ,claretta is the white of ,egs4 ,clissus is the occult vertue of things returning from whence they came1 as the vertue of an hearb into the root in ,autumne4 ,coagulatio is the making of a thin thing thick4 ,cli planetarum are the proper orbs1 and their spheres4 ,clum ,philosophorum is any quintessence1 or universall medicine1 especially the ,philosophers stone4 ,clum ,spagiricum is the upper part of a ,philosophicall vessell4 ,cohobatio is the often drawing off a liquor from its body1 being oft put upon it4 ,cohopb1 or ,cohop is the same as ,cohobation4 ,cohos is whatsoever the skin contains in the whole body4 ,colcothar is calcined ,vitriall1 or the caput ,mortuum of oyle of vitriall4 ,coleritium is a ,liquor compounded of the corrosive materialls of ,metalls4 ,colica is ,tartar resolved in the bowells1 or a fixt disease in the ,colon gut4 ,collatenna is an hearb called ,lyons-foot1 or a certain stiptick medicine4 ,colliquation is melting1 as ,metalls are melted4 ,cometz is half a drop4 ,complexio is the nature of any part1 or the quality of heat1 and cold1 and the like4 ,compositum put absolutely is a body not separated4 ,confirmamentum is the body of a star in man1 or an ,astrall body4 ,confortativa1 or ,confortantia are medicines which comfort the heart1 and strengthen ,nature4 ,congelativa are medicines which stop any flux4 ,congluten is that1 which by putrefaction is turned into a viscous matter4 ,conservativa are medicaments which preserve ,nature from putrefaction1 being such things as are full of ,astrall vertue4 ,consolidativa are externall medicines which ,chirurgions use in healing1 and drying wounds1 and ulcers4 ,constellatio is the impression of superiour stars1 or their vertues upon inferiour bodies4 ,constrictiva are stiptick medicaments which ,chirurgions use4 ,contorsio is a torment of the bowells4 ,contractio is a weaknesse of the members1 and drawing of them together4 ,coostrum is the middle part of the ,diaphragma4 ,cor amongst ,metalls is called ,gold4 ,corbatum is ,copper4 ,cornu cervi is amongst the ,chymists the nose of a still1 amongst ,paracelsus a vulnerary hearb4 ,corpora clestia ,spagyrorum are ,astrall vertues in their matter4 ,corpora superclestia are such bodies that are not known by sense1 but by reason4 ,corpus is the subject in which the vertues of things lie hid4 ,corpus invisibile is the soul1 which is corporeall in respect of its sustentation1 and invisible by reason of its spirituality4 ,corrosiva are medicines that ,chirurgions use to eat off superfluous flesh4 ,cortex ,maris is the ,vineger of ,philosophers4 ,coruscus is mouse-eare4 ,cotoronium is a ,liquor4 ,cruor salis is salt separated from the first salt by fault of the second digestion4 ,cucurbita is a vessell like a gourd4 ,cycima is ,litharge4 ,cydar is ,iupiter4 ,cyphantum is a distillatory vessell1 or the ,art it selfe4 ,d4 ,dardo is a successive generation by propagation4 ,daura is ,hellebor4 ,deliquium is a cold descension1 when coagulated bodies are dissolved into a liquor in any cold place4 ,demotinus lapsus is suddain death4 ,derses is an occult vapour of the earth1 by reason of which all kind of ,wood grows1 and increaseth4 ,descensorium is a ,chymicall furnace in which the liquor falls downward from the grosse matter4 ,diaceltatesson is a speciall remedy against feavers4 ,diameter ,spagiricus is a temperament4 ,diapensia is ,alchamilla1 i4e4 ,ladies mantle4 ,diaphanum is that which is transparent4 ,diaphoreticum is a sweating medicine4 ,diasatyrion is a confection provoking lust4 ,diatessadelton is precipitated ,mercury4 ,dienez are spirits that dwell amongst hard stones4 ,digestio is a ,chymicall operation1 alluding to the digestion of a ,mans stomach1 in which1 and by which the matter is decocted into a separation of pure from impure4 ,diota is a circulating vessell4 ,discus solis is ,quicksilver made out of ,gold4 ,divertalium1 or ,divertellum is a generation made by ,elements4 ,divinatio is prophecying1 or foretelling4 ,dracunculus is ,brassatella1 i4e4 ,adders tongue4 ,dubelech is the cavity of an imposteme4 ,duelech is a kind of ,tartar in ,mans body1 or the stone in the bladder1 or any other part which is spongious1 and dangerous4 ,duenech is ,antimony4 ,dulcedo ,saturni1 is ,altey1 or ,ceruse4 ,durdales are corporeall spirits inhabiting trees4 ,e4 ,edelphus is any one that prognosticates by the ,nature of the ,elements4 ,edir is steel or ,iron4 ,electrum is sometimes taken for ,amber1 but in ,paracelsus it is a mixture of a compound metall made by melting all the seven planets into one body4 ,elementum in ,paracelsus is the corruptible1 and transient essence of the world1 and of all things1 which are subject to change4 ,elephas is ,aqua fortis4 ,elevation is making a thing subtile4 ,elixir is properly a ferment1 the least part of which turnes the whole masse of any thing into its owne kind3 also it is the essence of any thing4 ,emunctorium is the place of expulsion of any excrement4 ,enochdianum is that which hath long life4 ,entali is flaked ,allum1 and sometimes it is made spagirically of salt gemme4 ,enur is an occult vapour of the water1 by which stones are bred4 ,erodinium is the sign of any thing to come4 ,escara1 or ,estphara is black and dead flesh caused by a caustick1 and is commonly called the ,escar4 ,essar are ,wheales4 ,essatum essentiale1 is the essentiall1 and power that is in ,vegetables1 and ,mineralls4 ,essatum vinum is rectified spirit of ,wine4 ,essentia quinta according to ,paracelsus his definition1 is a certain matter extracted from things purified from all manner of impurity1 and corruption1 whereby it is made incorruptible4 ,essila is a tincture made by the heat of the sun in the face1 or any other part of the body4 ,essodinum is a certain presage of things to come by their marks4 ,esthionemus is a most corrupt imposteme feeding upon the whole member1 as a ,wolfe4 ,evestrum is a propheticall spirit1 which presageth by signs1 or something going before4 ,exaltatio is the subtilizing of any thing4 ,excrementa are all superfluous things ejected by ,nature4 ,exitura is any aposteme which casts out matter4 ,exorcista is a superstitious artist which calls up spirits4 ,extractum is that which is extracted out of corporeall concretion1 the grossenesse being left behind4 ,ezezich is ,salt4 ,f4 ,faba is the third part of a scruple4 ,fabiola is the flower of ,beans4 ,fdula is a kind of mushrome4 ,fel ,draconis is ,quicksilver out of ,tin4 ,fel vitri is the spume of glasse4 ,fermentum is a fixt matter1 which reduceth a matter to its own nature1 and fixednesse4 ,ficus cutis is a wart growing to the skinne upon ,horses legs1 and it is a medicine to help diseases of the matrix4 ,fida is ,silver1 and sometimes ,gold4 ,fido is called ,quicksilver1 and sometimes ,gold4 ,filius unius ,diei is the ,philosophers stone4 ,filtratio is straining a thing through a woollen cloth1 or paper1 c4 ,filum arsenicale is the ,philosophers stone4 ,fimus equinus is a digestion made any way1 either by ,horse-dung1 or warm ashes1 or water4 ,fixatio is making that which flies in the fire to endure the fire4 ,flag are spirits which know the occult secrets of men4 ,flos cheiri is the essence of ,gold4 ,flos sectarum ,croe is the flower of ,nutmeg1 or as some will1 of ,saffron4 ,folia daure are leaves of ,gold4 ,fons philosophorum is ,balneum ,maris4 ,form rerum are called the influences of celestiall bodies1 which inferiour bodies receive from them1 or they are the vertues of any thing4 ,formic are little impostemes like warts4 ,fugile is an aposteme in the eares4 ,fuligo ,metallorum is sometimes called ,arsenicke1 and sometimes it is taken for ,mercury4 ,fulmen is purified ,silver4 ,fumigatio is calcining any thing with a sharp corroding fume4 ,fusio is melting1 or making any thing flow in the fire4 ,g4 ,gamahei are images impressed by a supercelestiall influence4 ,gamathei are stones in which celestiall vertues1 and supernaturall constellations are impressed1 being marked with wonderfull characters1 and images4 ,gamonynum is that one only ,anatomie of all things4 ,glacies dura is ,crystall4 ,gladialis is an ,art whereby according to the course of the firmament of the stars swords are so forged1 that anvills cannot resist them1 whence it otherwise called incusma4 ,gelion is a ,leafe4 ,geluta is the hearb called ,chameleon4 ,gemma tartarea is called the stone that is generated of diaphanous1 and perspicuous tartar4 ,genula is a plant degenerating by transplanting of a parsnip4 ,geomancy is the most known ,art of the earth1 but in this place it is taken for the stars of the earth1 manifesting themselves to men1 so that thereby they may take some ground for presaging4 ,gibar is a ,metallick medicine4 ,gigantes are men exceeding the bounds of ,nature4 ,gluta is the efficacy of tenacious pitch4 ,gluten is any viscous matter in the body1 from whence proceed many obstinate diseases4 ,glutinis tenacitas is the ,minerall ,resine4 ,gnomi are called homunciones1 or rather corporeall spirits1 living under the earth1 or else ,pygmies of a cubit long4 ,grca ,magia is a superstitious ,art invented by the ,grecians1 by which they made things appear1 which really were not4 ,gravus is the stone ,porphyrites1 the use of which is as of a marble to dissolve things in the cold4 ,grilla1 or ,grillus1 is vitriall dissolved of its owne accord into water4 ,guarini are men living by the influence of the heaven4 ,guma is ,quicksilver4 ,gumicula is ,valerian4 ,gutta rosacea is a rednesse especially in the face like that tincture which is in the beginning of a ,leprosie4 ,h4 ,hadid is ,iron4 ,hal is ,salt4 ,harmel is the seed of wild rue4 ,haro is a kind of ,ferne4 ,hel is ,honey4 ,hellebria is a kind of black ,hellebore bearing red flowers4 ,heliotropium is ,paracelsus his balme4 ,helismidan is a balsamicall ,mummie4 ,henricus rubeus is the ,colcathar of ,vitriall4 ,hinicula1 genicula1 or gumicula is ,valerian4 ,homunculus in ,paracelsus is a man made artificially1 the processe whereof you may see at large in the foregoing treatise the eight page1 and sometimes they are taken for superstitious images4 ,horion is the ,mercury of ,gold4 ,humor vit is the radicall moisture4 ,hydri are juices or fruits4 ,hydromancy is an ,art taken from the stars of the water1 when they manifest themselves to men1 as from unusuall inundations1 and the like4 ,hydropiper is ,arsmart tinged with red specks1 or spots4 ,i4 ,iassa is the hearb of the ,trinity4 ,icteritia rubea is an ,erisipelas4 ,idea1 is a figure of a thing conceived in the imagination as a perpetuall being1 or a pattern of all things of that nature4 ,idiot are contemners of true arts1 although they are skilfull professors of the false4 ,iesahach is supernaturall4 ,ignis leonis is the ,element it selfe of fire4 ,ignis ,persicus is a hot burning ulcer4 ,ignis pruinus adeptus is the quintessence of vitriall rectified with tartar4 ,ilech crudum is a composition of the first matter of the three first principles4 ,ilech magnum is an ,ascendent or a star of a medicine1 which together is taken with it1 in which also it is hid2 and as the superiour stars are in the firmament1 so also are the inferiour in man4 ,ilech primum is the first ,principle4 ,ilech supernaturale is a conjunction of the supernaturall1 and firmamentall stars1 with the inferiour stars of terrestiall things1 and with wine4 ,ileidus is the ,elementary aire3 but in men it is the spirit which passeth through all his members4 ,iliaster1 or ,iliastes1 or ,iliadum1 is the first matter of all things1 consisting of ,sulphur1 ,mercury1 and ,salt2 and it is fourefold according to the number of the ,elements4 ,the first is the chaos of the ,earth1 the second is the chaos of the ,water1 the third is the chaos of the ,aire1 the fourth the chaos of the ,fire4 ,also there are four ,iliastri of men respecting long life4 ,iliaster in generall is called the occult vertue of ,nature1 by which all things are increased1 nourished1 multiplyed1 and flourish2 of which you shall read more at large in the book of ,paracelsus concerning the generations of ,meteors4 ,iliaster primus is the tearm of life1 or the life it selfe1 or the balsome of life in man4 ,iliaster secundus is the term of the balsome1 and the life which we have by ,elements1 and things elementated4 ,iliaster tertius the term of the balsome1 or life which we have by the quintessence of things4 ,iliaster magnus1 or quartus is of the mind1 or soule caught up into another world1 as ,enoch1 and ,eliah were4 ,imaginatio is a star in man1 a celestiall and supercelestiall body4 ,imagines are ,metallick figures1 or effigies1 in which the celestiall powers operate4 ,impressiones are fruits as of stars in inferior things4 ,impurum alcali1 is spume which is taken from it in purging of it4 ,inanimati are ,pigmies4 ,inclinatio is a power of ,nature which is manifested in man as he is prone to this or that thing4 ,incarnativa are ,chirurgeons medicaments breeding flesh and skinne in the wounds or ulcers4 ,incubus is a nocturnall spirit deceiving ,women in their sleep1 as if they coupled with them4 ,influentia is the acting of superiour bodies upon inferiours4 ,innaturalia are supernaturall bodies4 ,ios is poison4 ,iumnizum is ,leaven1 or ,ferment4 ,iupiter is ,tin4 ,k4 ,kachimia1 or ,kahimia is the unripe ,mine of any ,metall1 as it is in its first being4 ,kald is ,vineger4 ,kali is ,sope ashes4 ,kamir is ,ferment4 ,kaprili is ,sulphur4 ,karena is the twentyeth part of a drop4 ,karlina is wild dill4 ,kibrith is ,sulphur4 ,kimit elevatum is white ,cinnabar sublimed4 ,kist1 or ,cist1 is half a gallon1 or four pints4 ,kobalt1 or ,cobaltum1 or ,cobletum1 is a metallick matter blacker then ,lead1 or ,iron1 without a ,metallick splendor1 yet will be melted1 and malleated4 ,kymenna is a buble4 ,kyram is ,snow4 ,l4 ,labor ,sophi is ,paradise1 or another world4 ,lac ,virginis is ,mercuriall water4 ,lapis is taken for any fixt thing4 ,lapis ,philosophorum is the highest vertue of all terrene things1 giving tincture4 ,lapsus ,demotinus is a suddaine death1 more dangerous then an ,apoplexy4 ,laterium are capitall lees which ,sope-boilers use1 of which ,chirurgions make their causticke called ,lapis infernalis4 ,lato is copper tinged with lapis calaminaris into a golden colour4 ,laudanum is a compound medicine made of ,gold1 ,corall1 ,pearle1 c4 by ,paracelsus4 ,laudina is ,angelica4 ,laxa ,chimolea is salt growing to stones4 ,laxativa are medicines working upwards1 and downwards4 ,leffa is called the predestination of hearbs4 ,leffas is an occult boiling vapour of the earth1 by which hearbs and plants grow4 ,lemures are spirits of the ,element of ,aire1 which ,heathen think to bee ghosts of men departed4 ,lephante1 or ,lephantes is the first kind of ,tartar1 or ,bole1 holding the midle betwixt stones1 clay4 ,lethargyrium in ,paracelsus is the spume of ,mercury1 or of ,silver1 or of ,lead1 which is separated in their purifying1 and purging4 ,lethargius is the finder of ,mines4 ,limbus in ,paracelsus is the great and universall world1 the seed1 and first matter of man4 ,liquidum de resoluto1 is that which is liquid of its own nature4 ,liquor is many times taken for oyle1 when the name of the thing of which it is a ,liquor1 is put to it4 ,liquor ,aquilegius is destilled ,wine4 ,liquor essentialis is that humour which is turned into flesh1 and bloud4 ,liquor herbarum is made of hearbs pounded and pressed1 and digested4 ,liquor ,mercurii is the balsome of things1 in which the vertue of curing or healing consists4 ,liquor ,mumi is the fat of a ,man4 ,liquor ,mumi de gummi is oyle of ,gumme4 ,liquor salis is the balsome of ,nature1 by which the body is preserved from putrefaction4 ,locus vit is the seat of the mind or soul4 ,locust are tops of boughs of trees1 as yet tender and green4 ,lorindt is the commotion of waters1 or a harmony made by them4 ,ludus is a medicine that cures the stone by dissolving of it4 ,lumbrici ,nitri are worms found in the earth1 or mud1 so called for their slipperinesse4 ,luna is ,silver4 ,luna compacta is ,quicksilver4 ,lunaria is the ,sulphur of ,nature4 ,lustrum is the creame of ,milk4 ,m4 ,macha is a flying worm4 ,magia in generall is wisdome1 and it is twofold4 ,naturall1 which is lawfull1 and is the ground of all true ,physick1 and the occult wisdome of ,nature1 without which all mans reason or knowledge is ignorance4 ,the other is ,diabolicall1 superstitious1 and unlawful1 and is called ,necromancy1 whereby men attaine to the knowledge of things by the assistance of evill spirits4 ,magia ,metaphysica is an art lawfull for ,christians to use1 by which any occult secrets are discovered4 ,magisterium is in ,paracelsus any secret extracted out of naturall things without any ,elementary separation1 with which other things are wont to bee prepared2 yet with the addition only of other things from which that which is extracted is separated4 ,magnalia are peculiar works of ,god4 ,magnesia is commonly taken for a ,marcasite1 but that which is artificiall is melted ,tinne into which is put ,quicksilver1 and both mixt into a brittle matter1 and white masse4 ,magneticus tartarus is a stone1 in a man as hard as a ,loadstone1 and spongious4 ,magoreum is a ,magick medicament1 or secret4 ,maius noster is our dew1 and the philosophicall ,loadstone4 ,malek is ,salt4 ,mandella is the seed of black ,hellebor4 ,mandibularum liquor is oyle of jaw bones4 ,mangonaria is an art used in weights1 whereby that which is made heavy is easily made light4 ,manna is not only called a dew faln from heaven1 which is a kind of balsome or fruit of the aire1 but also it is taken for any sweet matter extracted out of any thing4 ,marcasita is an unripe matter of ,metalls1 and it is of as many kinds as there be ,metalls4 ,marmoreus tartarus1 is a stone in man as hard as a marble4 ,martath1 or ,martach is ,letharge4 ,mater metallorum is ,quicksilver4 ,materia saphirea is an homogeneal liquor1 in which there is no offending matter4 ,matrices rerum are ,elements4 ,maturativa are medicines that ,chirurgeons use to ripen any aposteme4 ,mechanopeotica 7see ,transcriber's ,note7 is an invention of water-workes to carry waters by pipes into high places1 or the like4 ,melaones1 or ,meloes are ,beetles that fly1 and are of a golden colour1 and being rubbed make a sweet smell2 they are commonly found in ,meadows in the moneth of ,may4 ,melibum is ,copper4 ,melissa is in ,alchymie taken for ,manna extracted out of the best hearbs4 ,mensis ,philosophicus is the full time of ,digestion1 viz4 forty dayes4 ,mercurius natur coagulatus is a solid ,metal4 ,mercurius ,corallinus1 is that which by yelkes of egges1 and other waters1 is brought into a rednesse like ,corall4 ,mercurius ,crudus is that which is not yet separated from its ,mine4 ,mercurius ,crystallinus1 is that which by often sublimations is brought into a cleernesse like ,crystall4 ,mercurius laxus is ,turbith ,mineral4 ,mercurius metallorum prcipitatus is ,mercury extracted out of ,metalls and precipitated4 ,mercurius mineralium is an oylinesse extracted out of the ,mines of ,gold1 and ,silver4 ,mercurius regeneratus is the first being of ,mercury4 ,mercurialis seva is the water of ,allum4 ,menstruum is a liquor wherein any thing is dissolved1 or digested4 ,metallum currens is ,quicksilver4 ,microcosmus is a little world1 or man4 ,minium is the ,mercury1 or rather ,crocus of ,lead precipitated4 ,missadam is ,quicksilver4 ,mitigativa are ,chirurgicall medicines which allay paine4 ,monstra are ,animalls which either have not proper parents1 and are not born of things like to themselves1 or have some defect1 or excesse in ,nature3 but of this see more in the first book of the foregoing ,treatise4 ,morus is an aposteme like to a ,mulberry4 ,mul are pustles arising from heat1 or cold4 ,mumia is not only mans flesh seasoned with balsom1 but any other flesh thus prepared4 ,mumia ,elementorum is the balsome of externall ,elements4 ,mumia transmarina in ,paracelsus is ,manna4 ,mumia versa is the liquor of mummie4 ,muria is brine4 ,muscilago is a viscous liquor4 ,mundificativa are cleansing medicines4 ,mustus is the white ,calx in urine4 ,myssadar is ,mercury4 ,mysterium magnum is the first matter of all things4 ,n4 ,nacta is an aposteme of the breast4 ,narcotica are medicines causing sleep4 ,nasda or ,natta is a bunch in the back4 ,neboch is an instrument used in ,necromancy4 ,nebulgea is salt of the moisture of a cloud falling upon stones in meadowes1 and hardened with the heat of the sun4 ,necrolica are medicaments expelling death1 and preserving life4 ,necromancy is an unlawfull art1 which did in time of old worke with the dead1 as when the stars were manifested with the dead4 ,and he is truly called a ,necromancer1 who can make the dead appeare1 and can draw words and answers from them4 ,nenufareni1 are spirits dwelling in the aire4 ,neutha1 or ,neuta1 is a little skin growing to the eares1 or eyes of infants1 and sometimes covering the whole body4 ,nigromancy is a wicked1 and execrable art1 whereby devils1 and wicked spirits suffer themselves to bee commanded by man1 and obey them1 but only to their hurt4 ,nitriales are all burning things which conduce to calcination4 ,nitrum is ,salt-petre4 ,nodi are hard tumours of the joints4 ,nostoch is that which we call a falling star1 a kind of gelly or slime found oftentimes in the summer in fields1 and meadowes4 ,nuba is a kind of red ,manna which falls in ,ireland4 ,nymph1 or ,nymphidic1 are spirituall men1 or women1 or corporeall spirits dwelling in waters1 such a one was ,melusina4 ,nymphidica are metaphorically spirits of dissolving waters in the spagiricall art4 ,nysadir is salt ,armoniack4 ,o4 ,obrizum is pure gold calcined by art into a light red colour4 ,ocob is salt ,armoniack4 ,odorifera are medicines1 which by their odour1 whether good or bad1 expell diseases4 ,oleitas rerum is the sulphur in all things4 ,oleum ardens is oyle of ,tartar corrected to the highest degree4 ,oleum ,calcotharinum is red oyle of ,vitriall4 ,oleum squaminum is oyle of ,tartar4 ,oleum ,vitrioli aurificatum1 is that which is dulcified with gold artificially4 ,olympicus spiritus is a star in man1 that makes him to yeeld a shadow of himself4 ,operimethiolim is the spirit of ,mineralls4 ,oppilativa are medicines which stop fluxes4 ,oppodeltoch in ,paracelsus is an ointment4 ,opopyron ,laudani is ,paracelsus his medicine to stop feavers4 ,ordoleum is a little aposteme like a barley corne4 ,orexis is a heat caused by tartarous matter4 ,organopeotica 7see ,transcriber's ,note7 is an ,art finding out warlike instruments4 ,orizonternitatis is the supercelestiall vertue of things4 ,orizeum is ,gold4 ,orizeum foliatum is ,leaf-gold4 ,orizeum prcipitatum is ,gold brought into a ,crocus1 by the help of the ,crocus of ,mercury4 ,orobo is the glasse of ,metalls4 ,ossa paraleli are a universall medicine in the ,gout4 ,ovum ,philosophicum is a glasse of the form of an egge which ,philosophers use in their operations4 ,ozo is ,arsenick4 ,p4 ,pandalitium1 ,paneritium1 or ,passa1 is an aposteme in the ends of the fingers1 called a white flaw4 ,panna is a naturall spot4 ,pars cum parte is a mass consisting of equal parts of ,gold1 and ,silver4 ,pauladadum is a kind of terra sigillata growing in ,italy4 ,pelicanus is a circulatory1 or circulating vessell4 ,penates are spirits of the ,element of ,fire1 called ,familiars4 ,pentacula are signs1 or delineaments engraven with wonderfull and strange letters1 and images1 which being hanged about the neck1 are said to be preservatives against evill spirits1 and witcheries4 ,percipiolum is any medicine that is approved4 ,perdet are rapes small and yellow4 ,perdomium is wine made out of hearbs4 ,periodus is the term of life4 ,peucedamum is ,english ,angelica4 ,phantasmata are spirits of the wood1 or the desert1 which live in any obscure place4 ,phiala is a viall1 or glasse bottle4 ,pionitides are naturall enemies which persecute one the other to death1 as the ,storke1 and ,frogs1 c4 ,phenix is the quintessence of ,fire2 also the ,philosophers stone4 ,physiognomy is an ,art whereby mens natures1 and conditions are perceived by their faces4 ,plumbum ,philosophorum is that which is extracted out of ,antimony4 ,porosa is ,s4 ,johns-wort4 ,prsagium is some notable sign of something to come4 ,preservativa are medicines preserving bodies from corruption4 ,primales called fallacious bodies which are by the stars put before our eyes4 ,pruinum is the first kind of ,tartar4 ,pruina is ,ignis ,persicus4 ,pulpezia is a suddain astonishment or change in a mans body by reason of the stars4 ,pusta is the digestion of corrupt matter4 ,pygme are called artificiall men1 and sometimes subterraneall spirits4 ,pyramis is a vessell made like a ,pyramis4 ,pyromancy is an art presaging by fire4 ,q4 ,qualitas is called a complexion1 whether hot or cold1 dry or moist1 according to the predominancy of any ,element4 ,quartatio1 or ,quartura is the highest tryall of ,gold1 and that this way1 viz4 that nine parts of ,silver bee mixed with one part of ,gold in melting by the fire4 ,then let them both bee dissolved with ,aqua fortis3 ,all the ,silver is turned into water1 and the ,gold settles to the bottome like a dark powder4 ,quintessentia is called a certaine spirituall matter extracted corporeally out of hearbs1 plants1 and all things that have life1 and the exalting of it to the highest degree of purity1 by separating all impurities4 ,quintum esse cujuslibet ,elementi per se solum1 is an animall produced out of that alone4 ,r4 ,ragadi are apostemes of the privities4 ,rana is an aposteme under the tongue4 ,realgar is the fume of ,mineralls being properly taken1 but being metaphorically it is any vitious matter in mans body1 of which grow apostemes1 ulcers1 or the like4 ,rebis is the excrement of the belly4 ,rebisola is a secret urine against the jaundise4 ,rebona is the same as ,mummie4 ,rebus is the last matter of things4 ,redue is a powder whereby calcined ,metalls1 and ,mineralls are melted4 ,regale is a ,ciment whereby ,gold is purged4 ,regulus is the purest metalline part of any metall1 or the purest part of a minerall1 the feces being separated4 ,relloleum is a vertue from the complexion1 as in ,st4 ,johns-wort1 the first vertue is in heat1 and is healing1 the other is accidentall1 and occult1 and is a preservative against worms1 and corruption4 ,repercussiva are medicines which drive back any flux4 ,resina auri is a ,crocus extracted out of ,gold4 ,resina terr is ,sulphur4 ,resina terr potabilis is sublimed ,sulphur1 brought into a liquor1 balsome1 or oyl4 ,reverberatorium is a furnace in which the matter is calcined by a flame4 ,rillus is an instrument which ,goldsmiths use to poure their melted metalls into long forms1 and it is called a ,jngat4 ,rosea is the same as ,erisipelas4 ,rubella is a spirituall essence extracting by its dissolving power1 the tincture out of bodies4 ,s4 ,sagani are spirits of the four ,elements4 ,sal aluminosum is salt which is extracted out of alumen plumosum4 ,sal anathron is salt extracted out of the stony mosse4 ,sal crystallinum is salt made out of mans urine4 ,sal ,calcotharinum is salt which is made out of the ,colcothar of ,vitrial4 ,sal congelatum is salt which grows in baths4 ,sal enixum is salt dissolved4 ,sal ,mercurii is the spirit of the wine which causeth drunkennesse4 ,sal petre is that which grows in cold places upon stones1 congealed by the cold aire4 ,sal nitrum is salt which is boiled out of the earth1 especially fat earth1 as in stables1 or any place of excrements4 ,sal practicum is a mixture made of equall parts1 of ,salt-petre1 and ,salt ,armoniack4 ,sal scissum1 and alumen scissum are all one4 ,sal taberzet1 is whitest ,tartar of all4 ,salamandri are spirits dwelling in the fire1 or fiery men4 ,saldini the same as ,salamandri4 ,sallena is the a kind of ,salt-petre4 ,saltabari is sal ,alembrot4 ,saltz1 sultz1 ,selenipum1 is brine4 ,samech is ,tartar4 ,sandaracha is ,auripigmentum4 ,sanguis calcetus is that which is of as quick a tast as ,calx1 and as white4 ,saphirea materia is a liquor1 in which there is no impurity1 or corruption1 the pure being separated from the impure4 ,sapo sapienti is common salt prepared4 ,saxifraga are all such things which break the stone1 or gravell4 ,saxifragus is pale ,crystall4 ,scacurcula is the spirit of a bone in the heart of a ,hart4 ,scaiol are the spirituall powers1 and faculties of the mind1 and are four1 according to the number of the ,elements4 ,scirona is the dew of ,autumne4 ,scuma is the same as squama4 ,sedativa are medicines that allay pain4 ,semen veneris are called squama aris4 ,senio maximus is the ,author of long life4 ,sephirus is a hard1 and dry aposteme4 ,seraphin is an unutterable vertue1 an infinite power of the heaven1 and especially the assembly of ,angels4 ,serpheta is a medicine melting a stone4 ,sibar is ,quicksilver4 ,silo is earth4 ,similitudines are called celestiall appearances4 ,simus is ,gilla4 ,sinonia is white glew of the joints4 ,sirones are pustles or wheals1 in the hands especially4 ,sirza is eschara4 ,sol in homine is the invisible fire flowing from the celestiall ,sun1 preserving and nourishing that naturall fire in man4 ,soladini are corporeall spirits dwelling in the invisible fire4 ,somnia are operations which are made in man by the stars when hee is sleeping4 ,sonath is ,anthos4 ,sophia herba is the best kind of bone-wort4 ,sophist are sometimes taken for ,masters of any art1 or the wisest in any art2 or sometimes for sophisters1 i4e4 ,deceivers1 or ,mountebankes4 ,sortilegium1 is a presage by spirits4 ,spagiria is commonly taken for ,alchymie4 ,spagirus1 or spagiricus is he which knows to distinguish betwixt good1 and bad1 to separate pure from impure1 or a ,chymist1 or ,alchymist4 ,spara is the ,minerall vertue out of the first being of metalls4 ,sperma aqu fortis is its feculency4 ,sperniolum is a mucilaginous liquor of frogs4 ,spiritus ,animalis is a power of the soul whereby it becomes like to the heavens4 ,stannar is called the mother of metalls1 an occult fume out of which ,elements are generated4 ,staraphaxat is a restringing or repercussive vertue4 ,stellio adustus is ,cinnabar4 ,stibium is ,antimony4 ,stiptica are drying medicines4 ,struma is ,butium4 ,sublimatio is when any dry matter is forced upward by the heat of fire4 ,succubus is a nocturnall spirit1 whereby men are deceived1 thinking they are coupling with women4 ,sulphur vitriolatum is sulphur extracted out of vitriall by common water swiming on the top of it4 ,sulphur rerum is many times taken for their quintessence4 ,supermonicum is nigmaticall4 ,sylo is the whole world4 ,sylphes are ,pigmies4 ,sylvestres1 or sylvani are aiery men1 and aiery spirits1 sometimes they are taken for woodmen that are strong giganticall men4 ,syphita prava is a disease called ,s4 ,vitus his dance4 ,syphita stricta is a phantastick spirit of them that walke in their sleep4 ,t4 ,talk1 or ,talcum is a clear shining matter1 like to pearls in colour1 compacted with thinne leaves or flakes1 whereof there bee foure kinds1 viz4 white1 yellow1 red1 and blacke4 ,tassus is a worme4 ,tartarum is a hard saltish dregs that sticks to the sides of ,wine vessels2 also it is often taken for stones or gravell in mens bodies4 ,telon is as it were a dart of fire4 ,temperatum is that which exceeds not in any quality4 ,tenacitas glutinis is minerall refine4 ,tereniabin is the fatnesse of manna1 or wood-hony1 which is found in good quantity in the moneths of ,iune1 ,iuly1 ,august4 ,terra argenti is ,litharge of silver4 ,terra auri is ,litharge of ,gold4 ,terra fidelis is silver4 ,terra ,hispanica is ,vitriall4 ,terrelati are corporeall spirits living in the earth4 ,testa is the skin of mans body4 ,thamatica 7see ,transcriber's ,note7 is an art of inventing engines which are moved by aire1 and water4 ,thaphneus is a clean purified medicine4 ,thisma is minerall veins4 ,tinkar is ,borax4 ,tinctura is that which tingeth any body with its colour4 ,toruscula is a drop4 ,tracksat is a metall1 as yet in its mine4 ,trarames are actions of spirits not seen1 but heard4 ,trifertes are called spirits dwelling in the fire4 ,trigonum is a fourefold transmutation of the spirits of the stars according to the number of the four ,elements4 ,tronus1 or ,tronossa is called the celestiall dew made of the air1 or the sweetest kind of ,manna4 ,truphat is an occult vertue of ,mineralls1 by which they act toward that end for which they were ordaind4 ,turba magna is an innumerable multitude of the celestiall stars1 and is a presage made by any of them4 ,turbith minerale is ,mercury precipitated into a sweetnesse without any corrosive4 ,v4 ,vegetabilia are things that grow by having a root fixt in the earth1 and having stock1 branches in the aire1 as hearbes1 plants1 and trees1 c4 ,veneris gradus is a mild and sweet nature4 ,verto is the fourth part of a pound4 ,viltrum philosophorum is an ,alembick1 but being taken absolutely is a strainer4 ,vinum correctum is the ,alcool of ,wine4 ,vinum essatum is ,wine impregnated with the vertues of hearbs or any thing else4 ,viriditas salis is the green oyle of salt4 ,virgulta fossorum are certain rods which ,miners use to discover mines withall4 ,viscaleus is ,misleto4 ,viscus is properly pitch boiled out of the tender tops of trees4 ,viscus secund generationis is bloud dropping from salts4 ,visio is a supernatural apparition of spirits after a manner seen by men4 ,vitriolatum is ,vitriall which is liquid1 and never can be coagulated4 ,vitriolum ,novum is white ,vitriall4 ,vlcus stiomenum is a cancerous aposteme that feeds upon the place4 ,vmbragines are ,pigmies4 ,vmbratiles are astrall bodies4 ,vnd1 or ,vnden are aiery1 and earthy spirits4 ,vndosa are called the excrements of any ,animalls4 ,vnitas ,trithemii is the reduction of the number of ,three into a unity by casting away the number of ,two1 and it is supernaturall1 and spagiricall4 ,vniones are pretious pearls1 or gemmes4 ,volans1 or ,vnquasi is ,quicksilver4 ,volatile is in generall any light matter which is carryed upward4 ,vrina vini is ,vineger1 and sometimes it is used for the urine of a man that alwaies drinks wine4 ,vulcanii1 or ,vulcanici are such as alwaies worke about the fire4 ,vulcanus is fire4 ,vzifur is ,cinnabar4 ,w4 ,warnus is the ,vineger of ,philosophers4 ,wismodt is ,tin that is foule and immalleable1 and cannot be wrought upon4 ,x4 ,xenectum is any outward medicine hanged about the body as a preservative against the ,plague4 ,xeninephidei are spirits which delight to discover the secret or occult properties of nature unto men1 the power of which is granted to them4 ,xisinum is ,vineger4 ,y4 ,yrcus is a ,male ,goat1 whose blood is said to soften glasse1 and flints1 c4 ,ysopus is the art of ,alchymy to separate pure from impure4 ,z4 ,zaidar is ,mercury4 ,zaidir is ,copper or ,verdegrease4 ,zarfa is ,tin4 ,zelotum is stony ,mercury4 ,zerus is ,gold4 ,zoraba is ,vitriall4 ,zinck is a metallick marcasite1 and a certain naturall mixture of four immature metalls1 whereof ,copper is most apparent4 ,ziniar is ,verdegrease4 ,zuitter1 or ,zitter1 is a ,marcasite4 ,zymar1 or ,zysar is ,verdegrease4 ,,finis4 ,,transcriber',s ,,note4 ,please be aware that in the centuries since this book was written1 medical science has progressed4 ,the medical treatments and medicines recommended in this book should only be used under guidance of a trained medical professional4 ,many of the medicines suggested are now known to be deleterious to your health or poisonous4 ,archaic1 obsolete and inconsistent spellings have been included as in the original book4 ,when this book was written1 ,english was just beginning to distinguish between ,i and ,j1 and ,u and ,v4 ,there are many words where these letters will appear to be transposed4 ,most of the archaic and obsolete spellings are homophones for the spelling used today1 however there were some notable exceptions3 ,word in book ,current spelling ,filbeards ,filberts flowre flour ,jeat ,jet ,jngat ,ingot malitious malicious pretious precious ,research indicates that 8,archeus0 and 8,archeius0 are inconsistent spellings of the same word4 ,the words 8cachymie01 8cachymia0 and 8cachyma0 do not appear in any of the usual sources for ,english words4 ,they appear to be attempts to ,anglicize the ,latin word 8,cachymia0 7pl4 8,cachymi071 which ,paracelsus used to mean an 8imperfect metallic body04 ,in the original book1 the first letter of some words was in italics1 while the rest of the word was in normal font4 ,this has been maintained in the ,,html and e-book formats1 however these specific italics were dropped in the text version of the book4 ,in the original book1 in the sub-book ,on the ,nature of ,things1 the page numbering went from #ajd to #ajg1 with no #aje and #ajf intervening4 ,the catch-word on page #ajd matched the first word of #ajg and the text appeared to continue on #ajg from the gist on #ajd4 ,this and other sources indicate that #aje and #ajf were skipped4 ,in this e-book1 the pages in ,on the ,nature of ,things have been renumbered from #ajg to the end of the sub-book to make the page numbering continuous4 ,the ,table of ,contents was moved to the front of the book and expanded to cover the entire book4 ,it was originally located between ,a ,treatise of ,sulphur and ,on the ,nature of ,things1 and only covered the twelve treatises of ,a ,new ,light of ,alchymie and ,a ,treatise of ,sulphur4 ,the ,chymicall ,dictionary was re-alphabetized in order to make it easier to use4 ,also in the ,chymicall ,dictionary1 in the original book1 there were no drop-caps for 8,w0 and 8,y04 ,typos which could be identified have been fixed1 details follow4 ,the word or words in the square brackets are the correction which appears in this book4 ,title ,page4 i4e4 ,anagram matically,anagrammatically1 ,the ,epistle to the ,reader4 search the ,sciptures,scriptures is most necessary1 so ,the ,twelve ,treatises of ,a ,new ,light of ,alchymie4 ,p4 #ab have declared in the foregoingt reatisesforegoing treatises7 ,p4 #ai of ,philosphers,philosophers7 yet they are not bee hearkned to1 ,p4 #bc-d when it is all consumed consumed#bx the body dies2 ,p4 #bd because wee are in this place to treat of the verte vertue ,p4 #cf-g let him read the voluminous writings of ancicientancient ,a ,treatise of ,sulphur4 ,p4 #ia and spirituall influenciesinfluences1 which cannot give ,p4 #ajf or lesse hot1 dry or moist2 and acccordingaccording to the ,p4 #aji one exceeds the other1 and because then putrectionputrefaction ,p4 #aaj immortall1 especially in the the#bx ,minerall ,kingdome ,p4 #abd ,indeed prrticularsparticulars may easily bee made1 if you have ,p4 #abh of it1 sometimes by itselfe1 and somemessometimes ,p4 #aca many3 ,there was ,hermes1 who was atas it were one ,p4 #adb come ,mercury1 and ,mercury bee made ,suphur,sulphur1 ,p4 #add in the third ,princple,principle of ,salt1 seeing here wee ,p4 #ade is not ,minerall4 ,the vettuevertue of the ,animall ,sulphur ,of the ,nature of ,things4 ,p4 #h ,sidenote3 ,monsters come fomfrom the ,devill4 ,p4 #ad and are ripnedripened through heat1 and moisture1 8,ripned0 was an accepted spelling when this book was originally written1 however it appeared to me that there was some ambiguity between the root word being 8rip0 or 8ripe04 ,p4 #ae distillation of the un,sun1 which drawes up those humidities ,p4 #ba new audand fresh fountaine-water1 may be turned into ,p4 #bb preserrvedpreserved from harme4 ,the chiefest ,enemies of ,p4 #be not suffer the ,watres,waters to be united1 so on the contrary1 ,p4 #bf putrefactonputrefaction1 and wormes4 ,for this ,oyle doth so ,p4 #bh but put1 or falninfaln into it1 all the ,honey is turned ,p4 #bi ,sidenote3 ,what nseuse the ,aire is for as ,p4 #cb ,sidenote3 ,the life of ,excremeuts,excrements ,p4 #ch ,calcinaion,calcination with ,aqua fortis1 is that the ,metall ,p4 #dj until they begin to be green1 which indeed wil quicktyquickly ,p4 #db or ,peacocks taile4 ,all those cololourscolours shew ,p4 #df ,the ,mortification of ,gold that it may hebe brought ,p4 #df snfficientlysufficiently treated of such ,arcana in other ,p4 #dh ,granuti1 ,zunitter 7see ,transcriber's ,note71 ,unismut1 and of 8,zwitter0 was probably intended rather than 8,zunitter01 as 8,zwitter0 appears in other translations of this work4 ,the meaning of either word is obscure or unknown to this transcriber4 ,p4 #ed it it#bx is dead1 and death is in it1 neither hath it any ,p4 #ee are thus asleep4 7for,for they which sleep a naturall sleep ,p4 #ef would never bee perceived in them4 ,wheerefore,wherefore it ,p4 #ei ,sidenote3 ,the flegme of of#bx ,wood is its ,mercury1 the ,p4 #fc as oft as thou pleasest1 viz4 if thou puttest it a-intointo ,p4 #fd to to#bx bee understood ,dissolution1 and ,resolution1 ,p4 #ff sharpnesse of of#bx the ,salt1 and makes them mild1 and ,p4 #fh and ,minerall ,fire in in#bx ,mountains1 which indeed the ,p4 #gj stonrgerstronger fire is requisite for their melting1 so much ,p4 #ga ,wee shalllshall write no more of ,tinctures1 seeing every ,p4 #gb shews itits operations and effects1 of which ,fire the ,ancients ,p4 #gb the degrees of the ,alchmyists,alchymists ,fire3 ,i will yet ,p4 #gc secrets of ,tinctures in the seven degresdegrees1 and described ,p4 #ha little world1 for whose sake the ,microcosme,macrocosme1 or ,p4 #hb ,glasse1 ,sand1 ,piipitis 7see ,transcriber's ,note71 8,piipitis0 is probably a typo1 possibly for 8,pebbles01 however this transcriber is not confident enough to make the replacement4 ,p4 #hh be taken1 and beaten inttointo thin plates1 or brought into ,p4 #hh in the water1 may bee so precipiatedprecipitated with ,p4 #ij ,cachymiies,cachymies1 red ,talke1 the ,azure stone1 and the like1 ,p4 #aja divers coloured coat1 or sleeve4 ,so every ,magigrate,magistrate ,p4 #aji and sordidly1 and in stead of ,wine hee mnstmust drinke ,p4 #aab ,sidenote3 ,what are ,physignomicall,physiognomicall signes4 ,p4 #aad ,sidenote3 ,roling,rolling4 8,roling0 was an acceptable spelling when this was originally written1 however ,i wanted to make clear that the root word was 8roll01 not 8role04 ,p4 #aad and easily explosingexposing himselfe to dangers4 ,p4 #aae otherwise skilfull enough in the ,art of ,physiogmony,physiognomy ,p4 #aaf ,sidenote3 ,nothing can be judged by by#bx the manners1 ,p4 #abd and accordiugaccording to its substance1 measure1 and ,p4 #abg or the ,azure with ,chrysocoll1 and ,anripigment,auripigment1 ,p4 #acj it his tares4 ,the same is the nature of ,visisions,visions1 ,p4 #acd ,but if it presenllypresently burn with a flame1 and without ,p4 #adj produce also ,gamaheaus 7see ,transcriber's ,note7 with naked 8,gamaheaus0 appears to be a word made up by ,paracelsus4 ,p4 #adj ,gamaheaus1 cannot excell in the prpertyproperty1 and vertue ,p4 #adj casts him out by force2 and and#bx sets himself1 as master ,a ,chymicall ,dictionary4 ,williams at the ,bible in ,little-brittain,britain1 #afej4 ,aniadum is a a#bx celestiall body planted in us ,christians ,then comes ,ares ,ares#bx another dispenser of ,nature1 ,arthoicnm,arthoicum is red oyle1 artificially extracted concerning the observation of of#bx ,winds1 as when ,cherionium is that in which ,natture,nature cannot be altered1 and supernaturllsupernaturall constellations are stars of terrrestialterrestial things1 and with wine4 ,mechanopeotica 7see ,transcriber's ,note7 is an invention of 8,mechanopeotica0 was undoubtedly originally a typo for 8,mechanopoetica01 however1 but it seems to have taken on a life of its own4 8,mechanopoetica0 is a ,greek word meaning 8the making of machinery04 loudcloud falling upon stones in meadowes1 and hardened ,opopopyron,opopyron ,laudani is ,paracelsus his medicine to ,orizeum prcipitatum is ,gold brought into a ,cros,crocus1 ,organopeotica 7see ,transcriber's ,note7 is an ,art finding out 8,organopeotica0 was undoubtedly originally a typo for 8,organopoetica01 however1 but it seems to have taken on a life of its own4 8,organopoetica0 is a ,greek word meaning 8the making of instruments04 ,relloleum is a vertue from the complexionncomplexion1 as in ,saltz1 saltzsultz1 ,selenipum1 is brine4 ,staraphaxat is a resingingrestringing or 8,resinging0 is an obsolete spelling for 8resigning04 ,however1 more likely1 the intended word might be 8restringing01 from the root word 8stringe01 meaning 8to close or block up04 ,thamatica 7see ,transcriber's ,note7 is an art of inventing engines 8,thamatica0 was undoubtedly originally a typo for 8,thaumatica01 however1 but it seems to have taken on a life of its own4 8,thaumatica0 is a ,greek word meaning 8wonders04 ,wismodt inis ,tin that is foule and immalleable1 ,and finally1 while not a typo1 in the ,chymicall ,dictionary1 there was an entry3 ,anotasier ,aliocab are ,salt ,armoniack4 ,alemzadar which was changed to3 ,anotasier1 ,aliocab or ,alemzadar is ,salt ,armoniack4 to be consistent in format with the rest of the dictionary4